On March 27, the state House passed House Bill 256, Gov. Sarah Palin's bill, which allows for no science-based, same-day airborne hunting of wolves and bears and opens the doors to game-farming in Alaska. It also allows the lieutenant governor to remove Alaska's ballot measure to vote again on aerial hunting, thus taking Alaskans' right to vote away.
It essentially says a harvest number of predators can be set to whatever level is deemed necessary by the Board of Game, primarily made up of the Alaska Outdoor Council, which Palin is a member of. This can be accomplished mainly by aerial gunning of wolves and bears ("intensive management" is the politically correct phrase). This practice has twice been banned by a majority vote by Alaskans.
Palin's House Bill 256 and soon Senate Bill 176 will leave Alaskans' wildlife management completely to a Board Of Game that represents mostly big game hunters.
If you find this maneuver to be questionable contact your state senators and let them know what you think of Palin's companion bill Senate Bill 176 that, if passed, will Stop Alaskans from voting on wildlife issues as well as leaving out all scientific input on deciding the fate of Alaska's predators. Messages can bee-mailed via www.legis.state. ak.us/poms/ or check local phone listings for your senator and call toll-free. Contact them now so you can have your say later.
Pat Irwin
Anchorage |
