Wildlife officials to close wolf harvest early along Stampede Trail in Alaska

While we are glad the hunting and trapping of wolves is closing earlier in a small section of Alaska, the state has a long way to go before they are anywhere near where they need to be. It’s time ruthless elected officials like Rep. Don Young [R] Sen. Dan Sullivan [R]  Sen. Lisa Murkowski [R] wake up and realize that wolves are immensely valuable for the visitor viewing economy in the state.

Ecotourism brings in millions of dollars every year and continues to grow.  Since these politicians are completely void of empathy, especially towards animals and only care about money, perhaps they will wake up and realize that millions of dollars are generated and steadily growing due to more wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and most of the world that actually appreciates wildlife.   Hunting and trapping has made wolf sighting scarce during tourist season, which is a major industry for the state. Ecotourism is HUGE now!

So for now, the season for hunting and trapping wolves in a small section of interior Alaska will close early this year after an unusually high number of animals were harvested from the area. wolf hunting along the Stampede Trail west of the Savage River will be closed after April 2, about two weeks sooner than originally scheduled. But rapping will remain open until after April 9, about three weeks sooner than the usual closing date. The exact number of wolves killed won’t be known until 30 days after the season closes, which is the deadline for trappers to report their harvests.

The area sits just outside the northeast boundary of Denali National Park. Wolf hunting and trapping there have been a source of controversy between conservationists and state regulators for years.

We won’t soon forget H.J Res.69, Sponsor Donald E. ‘Don’ Young (AK – R) Co-sponsors Alexander X. Alex’ Mooney (WV – R) Peter A. ‘Pete’ Sessions (TX – R) that abolished a rule restricting specific hunting practices on national wildlife refuges in Alaska — including trapping, baiting, killing of wolves and bears along with their pups and cubs in dens, and aerial shooting — on the grounds that state officials should be able to set the terms for wildlife conservation on public land within their own borders. It was backed by the NRA and the Safari Club International.

The Resolution passed Seate on March 21, 2017 with a 52 Republican vote in favor and the President signed it into law on April 3, 2017.

~L.G

http://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Wildlife-officials-to-close-wolf-harvest-early-along-Stampede-Trail-478500173.html