04/19/2006 01:00 PM House RESOURCES

HB 501-POSSESSION OF BIG GAME HORNS OR ANTLERS                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR SAMUELS announced that the first order of business                                                                     
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 501, "An Act relating to the possession                                                                 
of horns or antlers of big game animals."                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR SAMUELS  said HB  501 is  the exact  bill passed  out of                                                               
committee "within  that last couple  of weeks,"  and it is  now a                                                               
House Resources Standing Committee bill.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
ROD ARNO,  Alaska Outdoor  Council, said his  board has  voted to                                                               
oppose the  bill.  "We're  concerned of  lowering the bar  on the                                                               
amount of meat  harvested at any time."  He  said current statute                                                               
is the "way to go" if it is enforced.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR SAMUELS asked what he meant by lowering the bar.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR.  ARNO said,  "That  is  exactly what  it  does because  under                                                               
wanton waste of big game animals,  now, it's the entire weight of                                                               
the meat; there  is no ability for  the Board of Game  to come up                                                               
with a lowering of the amount  of the salvageable meat that would                                                               
be necessary."                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
1:16:36 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
[HB 501 was heard and held.]