Legislature(1997 - 1998)
02/19/1997 01:40 PM House FIN
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HOUSE BILL 26
"An Act relating to big game tags for wolves; and
providing for an effective date."
DAVID STANCLIFF, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT OGAN, noted
that HB 26 addresses the need to provide wildlife
specialists with the proper management tools in areas
identified as needing intense management. In light of
Ballot Initiative #3 being approved, he suggested that it
was more important to pass HB 26. Without sufficient
latitude, it would be difficult for the Department of Fish
and Game and the Board of Game to meet the requirements of
sustained yield management under Article VIII of the State
Constitution.
Mr. Stancliff continued, to maintain a healthy population of
moose, caribou, and sheep for both human and natural
harvest, the Department and Board of Game have few choices
once hunting has been reduced or eliminated. HB 26 would
provide increased incentives for non-resident hunters who
consider the purchase of a big game tag to harvest wolves.
Those hunters are generally under the supervision of a
professional guide which requires a more closely monitored
entry into the field. Together with more stringent
reporting requirements of animals both taken and shipped,
would provide the Department a well controlled tool in
attaining the scientifically established population goals
for a given area. He noted, of the 10,000 nonresident who
typically hunt in Alaska annually, less than 3% purchase
tags for harvesting a wolf. The main reason for low tag
sales is that the opportunity to harvest a wolf is remote.
Consequently, most hunters are unwilling to pay a large sum
of money with such poor odds. Mr. Stancliff thought that by
establishing a more reasonable price on tags, the Department
should see a significant rise in sales placing more dollars
into the Fish and Game Fund while also increasing the
incidental take of wolves.
He concluded that HB 26 would provide a wider latitude for
the Board of Game in making adjustments to meet the needs of
both human and secondary utilization of our important
ungulate resources while increasing the revenues for better
management. Mr. Stancliff urged the Committee's support of
the legislation.
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In response to Representative Therriault's query, Mr.
Stancliff responded that the fees would be applicable to
resident and resident non-aliens. The legislation would
reduce the fee for non-resident hunters from $175 to $30
dollars, reducing big game fee wolf tag fee for non-
residents from $250 to $50 dollars. He noted at this time,
there is no fee for residents.
Co-Chair Therriault asked how the fiscal note had been
calculated. Mr. Stancliff replied that last year, consensus
had been reached with the Department of Fish and Game, that
the requested level not be prohibitive for big game hunters
to pick up a tag. The Department attempted to calculate
revenues generated if 50% of the non-residents hunters
purchased tags.
Representative Grussendorf stressed that tags are necessary
in order to monitor the harvest of wolves within
relationship to the game management.
WAYNE REGELIN, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION,
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, stated that a count of how many
wolves had been harvested would be provided when having the
hides sealed. The hide can not be exported out of the State
without being sealed and at that time the information being
documented.
Representative Grussendorf asked if that would be true for
State residents. Mr. Regelin advised Representative
Grussendorf that there is good reporting of numbers of
wolves harvested. He reiterated that in order to export the
hides to have them tanned or to be sold, they must be sealed
by the Department. The hide can not be sold if it is not
sealed.
Co-Chair Therriault asked the Department's position on the
proposed legislation. Mr. Regelin stated that the
Department of Fish and Game supports the legislation. The
wolf population in Alaska is under-utilized and the
legislation would provide more opportunity to sportsmen to
harvest wolves without damage to that population.
MICHELE DRUMMOND, ALASKA ENVIRONMENTAL LOBBY (AEL), KODIAK,
spoke against the proposed legislation. She informed
Committee members that the reduction cost of tag fees for
hunting wolves would not increase revenue. She suggested
that the bill was clearly a voice against the will of the
people and their vote on Proposition #3.
Co-Chair Therriault countered that there could be an
increase in revenue because the fee would be lower and the
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tags would be easier to purchase. He added that in his
district, Proposition #3 failed.
Representative Grussendorf asked if there were any areas
within the State where a smaller wolf population exists.
Mr. Regelin confirmed that the wolf population throughout
Alaska is healthy with between 7,000 and 10,000 wolves in
the State. The average yearly harvest is 1,100 wolves. He
emphasized that the bill is not a predator control bill.
The legislation will provide more opportunity to harvest a
resource that is abundant. Mr. Regelin added, the only area
of concern would be on the Seward Peninsula. The wolf
population there is kept at a lower level because of the
reindeer industry.
In response to questions by Representative Grussendorf, Mr.
Regelin advised that 60-70% of the wolf harvest is taken by
trapping.
Representative Mulder MOVED to report HB 26 out of Committee
with individual recommendations and with the accompanying
fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
HB 26 was reported out of Committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with a fiscal note by the Department of
Fish and Game dated 1/31/97.
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