Summary confuses
Letters to the editor
Currently, there has been much confusion and misrepresentation of initiative 3, the anti-bear baiting proposition, which will appear on November's ballot. The initiative's opponents argue that it is too broadly written. However, the only thing broadly written is the initiative summary by Lt. Gov. Loren Leman. The initiative clearly states that "A person may not bait or intentionally feed a bear for the purpose of hunting, photographing, or viewing." "Intentionally" is the key word, and lets the average citizen know that they won't go to jail for having a bird feeder in their backyard.
Furthermore, this initiative wouldn't keep the Alaska Department of Fish and Game from doing their jobs. They would still have the power to manage wildlife by the same means they're already using. Some opponents have argued the initiative was sponsored by environmental extremists from the Lower 48 when, in fact, all those who proposed this initiative are Alaskans.
While this proposal is in no way a ban on hunting, it does seek to eliminate the unfair practice of bear baiting. It asks Alaskans to vote for ethical and sportsmanlike conduct in hunting and interacting with the state's unparalleled wildlife.
The public can find the legal terms of this initiative online. Use a search engine and then go to "Alaska Division of Elections."
Vote "Yes" on 3.
Wade C. Haskell
Anchorage