All,

The National Park Service is proposing some rule changes ONLY here in Alaska. These changes will disregard certain hunting/wildlife management practices approved by the state that the National Park Service finds unethical and/or in direct conflict with their natural abundance management policy. You can find the proposed rule changes on the comment link bellow. Many of the proposed methods that would be banned apply less to sport/recreational hunters and more to subsistence/traditional user groups at this point. In fact the Alaskan Federation of Natives has passed a resolution voicing their opposition to this rule change.

We are never-the-less worried about the loss to our subsistence brethren as well as the dangerous precedent it sets for government land management agencies to supersede state wildlife management as they wish. Very conceivably they could apply further rule changes that will negatively affect sport hunting in the future. I think it goes without saying that removing predator management strategies will affect prey species detrimentally, which will affect both sport hunting and subsistence hunting on federal NPS lands. It also will have a spill over affect onto neighboring state and private lands, so we all have a stake in this one!

Also the NPS is proposing to change the whole comment process. They're trying to move to a more online process rather than face to face meetings. Although this is an understandable cost savings strategy by avoiding costly trips to remote Alaska we are concerned because it undermines the voice of Alaskans without internet access and also plays well to out of state non-consumptive use groups who are well organized and use the internet as well as social networking well. We feel this would slant comment to non Alaskan non users and take meaningful input away from actual user groups here in Alaska.

SO I NEED A COUPLE THINGS:

*****First there is a comment period on the proposed rule changes. We need you to comment. You can comment on the proposed hunting/method changes and/or the proposed comment process changes. Please site science if applicable and possible (I don't expect this). If not anecdotal stories from you as a user group voicing your concern over how the proposed changes will affect your user group on NPS lands are acceptable. You can do so one of two ways. To electronically submit a comment go to:

https://www.federalregister.go...n-national-preserves

The electronic submission deadline is December 3, 2014. Or you can verbally comment by appearing in person at any of these remaining meetings:

October 28

Anchorage, Lydia Selkregg Chalet, Russian Jack Springs Park

3-7 p.m.

October 30

Fairbanks, Morris Thompson Center

7-9 p.m.

October 30

Soldotna, Kenai Peninsula Borough Building

3-7 p.m.

November 1

Yakutat, Yak-Tak Kwaan Office

1-4 p.m.

November 5

Eagle, Eagle School

6-8 p.m.

November 5

Copper Center, Wrangell-St. Elias NP Visitor Center (Mile 106.8 Richardson Highway)

4-6 p.m.

November 6

Tok, Tok School

6-8 p.m.

November 18

Port Alsworth, Lake Clark NP Visitor Center

6-8 p.m.

November 20

Naknek, Bristol Bay Borough Assembly Chambers

7-9 p.m.

*****The second thing I need is for users that will be affected by the proposed changes to contact me/the Alaska Chapter of Safari Club, so we can get your contact information. We REALLY need users who hunt the parks or preserves that will be directly affected by these changes and who's recreational/subsistence hunting opportunities will be eliminated or materially diminished by these changes. Please contact us via our website:

http://www.aksafariclub.org/#!contact/c1fgp

*****Third PLEASE share this with a friend! We need numbers!

Federal over reach with regard to state wildlife management is a growing concern. Just look at the Kenai NWR brown bear policies if you don't believe me. The only way we are going to prevail in this one is if our user groups are active and engaged. Please help be part of the solution! Thanks!

Brett

AK SCI President

Thanks Brett,,I'll start working on comments.

Jim

First I've heard about it. Thank you tho. I'll look into it. November 6 is coming right up.
I'll have to figure out if I can get up and talk to U.G.Es without blowing a gasket.
Thanks again.