A proposal to require young hunters from Southeast to take an education course prior to hunting was rejected unanimously by the state’s Board of Game.
The board ruled that the proposed change would create too much bureaucracy in remote areas, thereby unfairly restricting subsistence hunters and cost too much to the state’s fish-and-game department.
All Southeast area hunters born after January 1, 2010, would need to be certified by an education course in hunter-only. They would have to hunt with someone who was born after that date or with someone already certified by the new course.
This requirement would have been applicable to game management units 1-5. This covers almost all of Southeast including Ketchikan and Prince of Wales Island as well as Petersburg, Petersburg, Haines, Skagway.
The Juneau Douglas Advisory Committee brought forward.
Kevin Maier serves as the chair of the committee. KRBD was told by Maier that the idea originated with a committee member volunteering as a hunter educator instructor. In their proposal, the committee stated that they believed it would reduce firearm injuries in the field. Online options could be a great way to make the course more accessible to remote communities, according to the committee.
Maier stated that he sees the benefit in the program and believes it is a good way to introduce youth to hunting and to do so in safety. He’s been a strong advocate. He presented that idea to us when we (the committee met) in spring. We are happy to support it and to support his efforts.”
Maier stated that his group is well aware of all the differences Juneau has from other parts of the region.
He said, “We are aware that it is easy to sit down in the Capital with, well, relatively stable broadbands.” “And access all the resources we have, and you know, advocate this. It’s a wonderful program, we think.”
Maier stated that his committee was realistic about their expectations and didn’t anticipate it getting past the board.
He explained that while we recognize the accessibility issues, there are also some. “And I think there are some interesting cultural issues as well, you know? I think in villages you learn in different ways and through different methods. We don’t want to undo or undercut these in any way.
During Saturday’s Board of Game deliberations, Steve Bethune, a Sitka-area biologist, explained the proposal. The official position of the department on the proposal was “neutral” heading into the Board of Game meeting.
Bethune stated that while the department supports certification courses to educate hunters and reduce firearm incidents, it would be extremely difficult to reach all hunter requirements under the regulation because of the logistical obstacles in Southeast Alaska. These logistics may make it difficult for otherwise diligent subsistence users to comply with the regulations. This could limit their ability to take an animal to subsistence use.
He stated that the Department of Fish and Game in the state already has a hunter education programme with eight staffers and 500 volunteers. However, this might not be sufficient to meet the demand for the requirement — particularly in communities that are remote from the road system and where travel is costly and weather-dependent most of the year.
Vice chair of the board is Stosh Hoffman from Bethel. He expressed concern for families who depend on hunting.
Hoffman stated that “in some of these very rural places, having someone require them get a license for their families to feed themselves is kind of contradictory it just doesn’t flow, sit with me.” It could actually cause a lot more harm if that were required, so I don’t support it.
Jake Fletcher, a member of Talkeetna, was concerned that the regulation would stop elders passing on traditional knowledge.
He said, “I believe that in this state we’re really special.” “I believe we rely on our elders in the community to pass a lot of that knowledge onto our youth and take it out. It’s very important.
The board was too concerned to approve the proposal, so they unanimously voted no.
The board voted against the proposal, but it was not against hunter education for youth.
Lynn Keogh, a Wasilla resident, shared her idea.
He said, “When I was in elementary school I went through hunter education in school.” “So it seems worth having a conversation with the department (of Fish and Game), to see if they can get in touch with different school districts around Alaska and offer the program and carry the ball.
Saturday marked the start of deliberations by the Board of Game on game proposals from Southeast Alaska. Hunter education was the first topic the group discussed, since it was at top of the list proposals that would affect multiple regions. Tuesday’s board meeting will continue in Ketchikan.
