According to state wildlife officials, 62 wolves were captured during the 31-day harvest which ran from Nov. 15 through Dec. 15.
According to state biologists, they are happy with this number. Based on previous harvest rates and population estimates, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game predicted that between 60 and 100 wolves would have been taken in this season.
Fish and Game used a quota system to harvest wolves from 1997 to 2019. The department changed to an opening-based system in 2019 based on population estimates. As of the fall of 2021, the state had estimated that approximately 230 wolves were living on Prince of Wales Island. Biologists hope to see a population of 150-200 wolves.
However, environmentalists are concerned.
Collette Adkins, the director of carnivore conservation for the Center for Biological Diversity is one of the groups working to endangered the Alexander Archipelago wolf.
Adkins stated that wolves will be on the endangered species’ list if trapping continues.
Adkins stated that her organization would love to see trapping stop in unit 2 completely. However, area trappers have other ideas. They propose moving the season from the winter to the spring.
Devin Dalin, a trapper, wrote a letter explaining why he believes that the wolf harvest should move to March. Dalin was a member until the end of his term this summer.
Dalin wrote that March offers warmer weather and longer days, which makes trapping safer and more efficient. Trappers also have a break because they don’t have to compete against deer hunters and duck hunters in their trapline areas.
At a recent meeting, he also addressed the committee.
Dalin stated that “a lot of people have complained over years about ice, in November, and in December and snow and can’t get areas, bad weather or short days.”
Also, trappers wouldn’t be out in the field at the same time deer or duck hunters. He believes that a spring season would prevent deer from being snared during their crucial breeding season.
He explained that the deer had slowed down significantly as they moved into March. They aren’t moving as fast. They are still moving, but not in the same range that you would find them in a trap. They will lay a bit lower.
A Ketchikan advisory panel unanimously voted to support spring trapping. Adkins from the Center for Biological Diversity said that the idea has its problems.
She said, “That’s during wolves’ breeding seasons.” “This is a sensitive time for wolves and there are many other ways to protect deer against snaring.”
She suggested breakaway devices, which have a loop that can be broken with a certain force.
Adkins stated that moving the trapping season from March to April would only make matters worse for wolves.
Although the advisory committee supported it, the Board of Game has not yet scheduled it for discussion when it meets in Ketchikan Jan. 20.
There are some wolf-related items that are on the Board of Game’s Agenda. The Alaska Wildlife Alliance proposed a proposal that would almost double the target wolf population, bringing it to 250-350 wolves. Others would alter the way that the harvest or population levels are calculated.
The advisory committee at Ketchikan would propose that the wolf hunting season be opened Sept. 1, and that a limit of five wolves be bagged. Trappers kill most wolves, but a earlier hunting season would allow hunters to kill any wolves they encounter.
