SENATE BILL NO. 81 "An Act classifying the wolf as a predator and providing for a bounty on wolf." Senator Sharp testified the bill declassifies the wolf as a big game animal and places it in classified status. It also leaves it as a fur bearer. It allows the Board of Game the flexibility to set up areas designated for intensive predator control by offering harvest incentives if the Board of Game authorizes. It designates the department to set up areas where trappers or members of the public, to take a wolf, can present the skin as defined on page 2 for identification and verification to the department's satisfaction. If the animal is taken in an area designated, then the department is responsible for paying the harvest incentive. End Tape #42, Side 2 Begin Tape #44, Side 1 Senator Sharp referred to his large chart produced by the Division of Game. It graphically indicated the wildlife harvest data. He indicated that the Resources Committee substantially changed the bill. The bounty was reduced from $400 to $200. All provisions were changed which referred to the wolf as a "vermin to be killed in any way." It has been changed to reflect that the wolf is an unclassified or fur bearer and is subject to all the protection and the normal procedures that apply to unclassified animals or fur bearers. It further states, that the harvest incentive for a bounty can only be applied in areas decided by the Board of Game. He reiterated, the state is in turmoil over a subsistence question that basically deals with a total of 4% of the harvest. Senator Donley supports maintaining the existing controls for non-residents and aliens, and applying the new standards to Alaskan residents. Co-chair Halford responded an inconsistency in that there is no other unclassified or fur bearer that has a non-resident tag. He noted the need to create a non-resident tag for an unclassified animal. This is inconsistent with the current management scheme. Senator Phillips asked if there were any limits to the type of wolf taken. Co-chair Halford responded that it is the same as other like fur bearing animals. It is not restricted by age or size, primarily because it is impossible for someone in the field to know if a wolf is a male or female or if it is 6 months or 6 years old. Trapping is whatever gets in the trap. He reminded the committee that there are 1100 wolves taken a year. Senator Donley offered a conceptual amendment limiting the harvesting of the wolf to Alaskans. No objection being heard the amendment was ADOPTED. Senator Phillips inquired as to why the right foreleg must be taken to the department for identification. Co-chair Halford responded that the characteristics of that bone distinguishes a wolf from a dog. Senator Sharp MOVED to adopt a conceptual amendment changing the language from retain to remove on page 2, lines 4 and 6. No objection being heard, it was ADOPTED. Co-chair Frank MOVED to adopt CSSB 81 (FIN) as amended with a fiscal note from the Dept of Fish and Game of $85.0 with individual recommendations. No objection being heard, CSSB 81 (FIN) was REPORTED OUT of committee. Co-chairs Halford and Frank along with Senator Sharp recommended "do pass", Senators Phillips, Donley, and Rieger recommended "no recommendation". Co-chair Halford requested a current fiscal note to reflect the actual cost from Dept of Fish and Game of $85.0. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at approximately 3:00 p.m.