Like many Alaskans, I share in the benefits of tourism from Outside. I have been a naturalist guide here in Juneau and am also a local photographer. Both jobs have shown me the great importance of the non-consumptive side of wildlife viewing in Alaska. The times I have been able to photograph and view wildlife in Alaska are my most precious memories while living in this state. I have also seen the exciting reaction when visitors to our state get to see their first bear in the wild, or even the amazement of watching salmon spawning in a local creek. These moments are felt by millions of visitors each year as well as countless Alaskans. Please, let’s not put these moments at risk.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), there are five-times more wildlife watchers than hunters who visit our National Wildlife Refuges. Combined, the watchers contribute more than $2 million to our economy. Hunters, just $424,000.
USFWS proposes to amend regulations for National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska. They have proposed rules to disallow unsporting killing of our wildlife bounty – and we need to support those rules for the sake of visitors, ourselves and the animals who share our state.
I personally enjoy fishing and support ethical hunting, but draw the line at methods that are unethical, inhumane, and lack science-based reasoning. There are many examples of these unsporting killing practices that the proposal covers. Trapping Bears with steel-jaw leg hold traps and wire snares leading to lengthy pain and suffering. Spring Bear hunts which can leave young cubs behind fending for themselves, often times suffering a fate of starvation, predation, or exposure for the young. Predator control practices such as killing wolves during their denning season, when it is known that there are young present. Typically, the adults are killed first, then a deadly gas canister is tossed into the den to asphyxiate the young.
We are better than this Alaska!! Let’s treat our wildlife with respect and support proposed change to management of our National Wildlife Refuges.
Michelle Anderson
Juneau
