1993 RESOLUTIONS
Home
About the FWOC
Join the FWOC
Member Organizations
Adopted Resolutions
Outdoors West
Officers
Current List of Conservation Developments with Bush Administration
History
Policy Summary
Convention Schedule
Related Links
Site Map
| 1993
FWOC RESOLUTION #4 |
|
_TERMINATION OF ALASKAN WOLF KILLINGS_
|
| Just four months after
Gov. Walter J. Hickel announced cancellation of plans for aerial wolf
hunts, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game submitted two new
proposals to the Board of Game for reducing the wolf population by any
means - trapping, snaring, shooting, shooting from aircraft or from
snowmobiles between October 1, 1993 and April 30, 1994. Beginning
as early as July 1, 1993 the state intends to kill up to 80% of the
wolves in two areas in eastern Alaska (the GMU 20A Control Area and the
Upper Tanana/Fortymile Control Area) - totaling 13,800 square
miles. This kill quota is in addition to the 1,000 wolves
routinely killed each year. |
| Biologists recognize that
a healthy wolf population is essential for healthy herds of moose and
caribou. Wolves take out the weak, the old and the diseased, thus
maintaining a proper balance between the sizes of the moose and caribou
herds and the food supply available to them. State officials want
to kill off such large numbers of wolves in response to the politically
powerful sport hunting industry. Moose and Caribou herds suffered
from a severe winter last year and continue to be decimated by human
activities. On the short road between Seward and Anchorage, 172
moose were killed by automobiles in 1992. However, it is easier
to blame predators like wolves and bears than to curb motorists or
limit sport hunters. Alaska still has a healthy, functioning
ecosystem, naturally balanced and complete with wild predators.
Instead, state officials are trying to turn these areas into game
ranches for trophy hunters. |
| The Federation of
Western
Outdoor Clubs calls upon Gov. Hickel to permanently cancel all plans
for eradication of the wolf population. He should issue
orders to protect the biodiversity of Alaska's wilderness areas by
leaving wolves, bear and other predators alone in their habitat areas. |
| Address
of Governor Walter J. Hickel P.O. Box 110001 Juneau, Alaska 99811-0001 |
next >>