Federal Proposals to CLOSE Alaska's GMU 23 and 26A to caribou and moose hunters

[Jackal7]

One more thing: when is a decision expected on the potential closures of 23 and 26? That is of prime concern as we decide what our risk of sending deposits in. Thanks.

 

[Sourdough]

AGL, I think that he is being genuine and there are plenty of people on here that would like to hear what you propose as options to solve this issue.

I stated clearly, I do not believe you will resolve this issue. What you "can" do is position yourself, your family, your small group, so as the continued intrusion of the Federal Government, has minimal or zero impact on "your" long term hunting and fishing.

 

[Nick Muche]

That makes sense and someday it may be practical but for many, it's not and likely won't ever be.

 

[Nick Muche]

Some light reading, if you wish... meeting minutes from the Feb 2021 Region 8 RAC meeting. Some interesting allegations were made...

https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/region-8-18-feb-21_0.pdf?fbclid=IwAR27jR7VLqU4XLfxpmvVtbHzBO63ChFrVvk6Va1ZKi1MFgGXENX4AaO1L8s

 

[AK_Skeeter]

Skeeter, ...and the Teshekpuk Lake Herd is non-migratory and surrounded by state land amid 26A. Where are non-local hunters going to go with a federal lands closure in that region...? Yup. Sate land that has caribou nearby. What impact is this displacement pressure going to have on the herd and the village community that relies on them for food? Not a good one.

Good point! Lincoln Parrett did his MS research on the Teshekpuk herd and the percentage annual harvest from subsistence was substantial... by far the highest herd harvest percentage of the 3 herds in 26A.

 

[Nick Muche]

Sounds to me like they are having issues, a lot of issues, with wolves... Maybe they could pander the FSB and powers to be to allow some aerial wolf control....

 

[william schmaltz]

Some light reading, if you wish... meeting minutes from the Feb 2021 Region 8 RAC meeting. Some interesting allegations were made...

https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/region-8-18-feb-21_0.pdf?fbclid=IwAR27jR7VLqU4XLfxpmvVtbHzBO63ChFrVvk6Va1ZKi1MFgGXENX4AaO1L8s

Thanks for sharing those. Interesting indeed. I only got to about page 40 and checked out where they started talking about fishing but hopefully I can get to the rest later. Not sure how anyone can read through that and not come to the conclusion that this proposal is based strictly on hatred for nonlocals. Right off the bat one guy is claiming nonresident hunters are calling locals racial slurs upon exiting the airplane. That really set the tone for the rest of the comments.

I think wolves are a problem to an extent, but it sounds like the population is observed as stable and wolves don't stop migrations. I am pro aerial wolf control though, it can't hurt - especially if they're convinced its a population issue. The biologist did a great job of both laying out the numbers from aerial surveys and pointing out the main drivers for the caribou staying north. One is bears pushing the calving grounds further north and the next is weather not pushing caribou down until later (if at all). Literally the next comment after that is someone just dismissing her completely and saying it's the airplanes. Maybe sell each of those guys flying up there a $1000 grizzly tag and take a few dozen bears from the equation. That should get us a couple hundred grand for more research while moving towards our goal of more caribou.

They make it sound like their major concerns for moose are areas around Kiana and Selawik. In this case, the areas where moose are found near Kiana are typically down river from the mouth of the Omar and along the Kobuk. The majority of these areas are already native land. The area around Selawik is float plane country and if I was hunting moose on floats out of Kotz, there are some very good areas a long way away from where anyone from the village would be traveling that I would rather be.

I have very little doubt the vote for this will go the same way it did in 2016. We are dealing with the 'trust the (convenient) science" crowd on this one.

 

[gbflyer]

Email [email protected]
907-538-5533

He is tasked with WSA21-01. He is Regulations Supervisor

 

[Clarktar]

Email [email protected]
907-538-5533

He is tasked with WSA21-01. He is Regulations Supervisor

Thanks GBflyer!

 

[Larry Bartlett]

to be clear is he the guy for WSA 21-04 or WSA21-01. Not familiar with the latter unless i'm confused (possible).

 

[Catag94]

I understand the effects of sport hunting on Caribou migration patterns has been studied multiple times. one of these studies is can be read her:

Effects of environmental features and sport hunting on caribou migration in northwestern Alaska - Movement Ecology

Background Ungulate movements are influenced by a variety of biotic and abiotic factors, which may affect connectivity between key resource areas and seasonal ranges. In northwestern Alaska, one important question regarding human impacts on ungulate movement involves caribou (Rangifer tarandus)...

link.springer.com

and here is an excerpt from the conclusions.

"Our analysis of caribou movement in Noatak National Preserve shows that caribou respond to environmental features such as terrain ruggedness and land cover type, but not to sport hunting activity at the scale considered. The negative effect of terrain ruggedness on caribou movement aligns with patterns seen for the WACH at the scale of the full autumn migratory path (Fullman et al., in revision), though in winter, when they are non-migratory, caribou may select for more rugged terrain [27, 70]. Similarly, our finding that caribou avoid migratory pathways with greater river area aligns with caribou crossing more frequently in narrow portions of rivers in Canada [76] and with increased landscape resistance to autumn migratory movement from major rivers for the WACH (Fullman et al., in revision). Patterns of vegetation influence on step selection also coincide with other reports of avoidance of dense vegetation by caribou ([70, 97], Fullman et al., in revision). Avoidance of dense vegetation may be to facilitate travel and/or to reduce predation risk.

We did not detect an effect of sport hunting activity on caribou resource selection, supporting our null hypothesis. This indicates that sport hunting does not inhibit the ability of caribou to migrate through Noatak. Local hunters have harvested caribou at key river crossing locations for 10,000 years in northwest Alaska [98]. That these locations continue to be used by caribou and local hunters to this day [24] may support our findings. Further, studies elsewhere have also found environmental factors have a greater impact on animal space use than hunting (e.g., [61, 62]). Our finding of a lack of effect of sport hunting activity on the likelihood of caribou migrating through Noatak does stand in apparent contrast to concerns voiced by local hunters regarding the negative effects of sport hunters and commercial air transporters (e.g., [39, 42, 43]). "

My transporter for this fall has encouraged us to join the teleconference and get as many others to join as possible. It is his opinion, and the most natural one to draw from reading all the meeting minutes of the NWARAC meetings) that their motivation is strictly based on discrimination and racism, and that there is no scientific or biological reasoning to support their position. Certainly Larry and others on this site, more knowledgeable and experienced in this repetitive matter, have voiced similar findings.

I read the minutes of the April 2016 meeting in which the FSB approved WAS16-01. I find the following statements by the then chairman in his response to the representative from the National Park Service to be utterly disgusting. Its amazing how the facts and scientific data meant nothing to this person. The RAC had no real data to support their WSA then. This chairman supported whatever they (RAC) request. I also find the fact the the USDS representative also voted for WSA19-01 to also be disturbing since non of the other Federal representatives did.

Her are the comments to which I referred:

[I]"CHAIRMAN TOWARAK: That is completely contrary to what the Regional Councils are saying though. And I personally am not going to vote against the Regional Council."[/I]

So in other words - Facts don't matter, what does its what the RAC says despite any real proof or data to their claims??? Unbelievable power to control so much! But, that man is no longer on the board.
I will join the call and do my part.

 

[Clarktar]

I understand the effects of sport hunting on Caribou migration patterns has been studied multiple times. one of these studies is can be read her:

Effects of environmental features and sport hunting on caribou migration in northwestern Alaska - Movement Ecology

Background Ungulate movements are influenced by a variety of biotic and abiotic factors, which may affect connectivity between key resource areas and seasonal ranges. In northwestern Alaska, one important question regarding human impacts on ungulate movement involves caribou (Rangifer tarandus)...

link.springer.com

and here is an excerpt from the conclusions.

"Our analysis of caribou movement in Noatak National Preserve shows that caribou respond to environmental features such as terrain ruggedness and land cover type, but not to sport hunting activity at the scale considered. The negative effect of terrain ruggedness on caribou movement aligns with patterns seen for the WACH at the scale of the full autumn migratory path (Fullman et al., in revision), though in winter, when they are non-migratory, caribou may select for more rugged terrain [27, 70]. Similarly, our finding that caribou avoid migratory pathways with greater river area aligns with caribou crossing more frequently in narrow portions of rivers in Canada [76] and with increased landscape resistance to autumn migratory movement from major rivers for the WACH (Fullman et al., in revision). Patterns of vegetation influence on step selection also coincide with other reports of avoidance of dense vegetation by caribou ([70, 97], Fullman et al., in revision). Avoidance of dense vegetation may be to facilitate travel and/or to reduce predation risk.

We did not detect an effect of sport hunting activity on caribou resource selection, supporting our null hypothesis. This indicates that sport hunting does not inhibit the ability of caribou to migrate through Noatak. Local hunters have harvested caribou at key river crossing locations for 10,000 years in northwest Alaska [98]. That these locations continue to be used by caribou and local hunters to this day [24] may support our findings. Further, studies elsewhere have also found environmental factors have a greater impact on animal space use than hunting (e.g., [61, 62]). Our finding of a lack of effect of sport hunting activity on the likelihood of caribou migrating through Noatak does stand in apparent contrast to concerns voiced by local hunters regarding the negative effects of sport hunters and commercial air transporters (e.g., [39, 42, 43]). "

My transporter for this fall has encouraged us to join the teleconference and get as many others to join as possible. It is his opinion, and the most natural one to draw from reading all the meeting minutes of the NWARAC meetings) that their motivation is strictly based on discrimination and racism, and that there is no scientific or biological reasoning to support their position. Certainly Larry and others on this site, more knowledgeable and experienced in this repetitive matter, have voiced similar findings.

I read the minutes of the April 2016 meeting in which the FSB approved WAS16-01. I find the following statements by the then chairman in his response to the representative from the National Park Service to be utterly disgusting. Its amazing how the facts and scientific data meant nothing to this person. The RAC had no real data to support their WSA then. This chairman supported whatever they (RAC) request. I also find the fact the the USDS representative also voted for WSA19-01 to also be disturbing since non of the other Federal representatives did.

Her are the comments to which I referred:

[I]"CHAIRMAN TOWARAK: That is completely contrary to what the Regional Councils are saying though. And I personally am not going to vote against the Regional Council."[/I]

So in other words - Facts don't matter, what does its what the RAC says despite any real proof or data to their claims??? Unbelievable power to control so much! But, that man is no longer on the board.
I will join the call and do my part.

I agree with the sentiments of your transporter. I plan on calling in.

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[FSUhunter1010]

Wondering if someone could possibly post the link for the teleconference.

 

[Catag94]

https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/nr-public-hearing-wsa-21-01.pdf

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[gbflyer]

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Bureau of Land Management National Park Service
Bureau of Indian Affairs
For Immediate Release:
April 9, 2021
Forest Service
Federal Subsistence Board News Release
Public hearing announced for Temporary Wildlife Special Action Request WSA21-01 regarding caribou and moose in Units 23 and 26A
A telephonic public hearing is scheduled for 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., or until the end of public participation, on Friday, April 23, 2021, to receive public testimony on a temporary special action request submitted to the Federal Subsistence Board (Board).
Temporary Special Action Request WSA21-01, submitted by the Northwest Arctic Subsistence Regional Advisory Council,
”
The public is encouraged to participate in this hearing by calling the telephone number below. When prompted, enter the passcode. Comments will be forwarded to the Board for consideration.
Public Hearing Information:
Friday, April 23, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (or until the end of public participation) Teleconference: Toll Free: (877) 918-3011
Passcode: 8147177
The Board is committed to providing access to this public meeting for all participants. Please direct requests for accommodation needs to the Office of Subsistence Management at (800) 478-1456 or (907) 786-3888 or by e-mail [email protected] at least seven business days prior to the meeting.
Information about the Federal Subsistence Management Program may be found on the web at www.doi.gov/subsistence or by visiting www.facebook.com/subsistencealaska.
Missing out on the latest Federal subsistence issues? If you’d like to receive emails and notifications on the Federal Subsistence Management Program you may subscribe for regular updates by emailing
asks to close Federal public lands in Units 23 and 26A to harvest of caribou and moose by
Contact: Robbin La Vine
Acting Policy Coordinator
(907) 786-3353 or (907)717-3367 or (800) 478-1456 [email protected]: Ne
he
non-Federally qualified users from August 1 through September 30, 2021. This request would add the
following language to the current Federal regulations for caribou and moose in Units 23 and 26A:
“Federal public lands are closed to the harvest of caribou and moose from August 1
through September 30, 2021, except by Federally qualified subsistence users
hunting under these regulations.
[email protected].
-###-
1011 East Tudor Road MS-121 • Anchorage, Alaska 99503-6199 • [email protected] • (800) 478-1456 / (907) 786-3888 This document has been cleared for public release #33004092021.


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[Catag94]

Here is language from 36 CFR 242.19

“(1) The Board may make such temporary changes only after it determines that the proposed temporary change will not interfere with the conservation of healthy fish and wildlife populations, will not be detrimental to the long-term subsistence use of fish or wildlife resources, and is not an unnecessary restriction on nonsubsistence users. The Board may also reopen public lands to nonsubsistence uses if new information or changed conditions indicate that the closure is no longer warranted.”

To me, if the RAC can produce no evidence or data to prove there this new special action is necessary, and the ADFG, OSM, and others produce data to show that such action is NOT necessary (essentially what the minutes show happened in 2016), then approving this action would be a violation of Title 36.

I think this is a point to raise prior to voting.


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[gbflyer]

One has to love government. They always want written comment. Until they don’t. See reply below:

Thank you for reaching out with your concerns regarding the special action request (WSP21-01) proposing a closure in Units 23 and 26A to the harvest of caribou and moose by non-Federally qualified users from August 1 through September 30, 2021.

You may be aware that we are holding a public hearing (teleconference) to gather comments on this proposed special action. For special actions, the Board only accepts comments at public hearings. We encourage you to participate in this hearing by calling the telephone number below and when prompted, enter the passcode. The comments you share during this public hearing will be forwarded to the Board for consideration.

Public Hearing Information:
Friday, April 23, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (or until the end of public participation)
Teleconference: Toll Free: (877) 918-3011
Passcode: 8147177


For special actions, the Board does not accept written comments or comments submitted by email, fax, social media, or phone messages. Any comments submitted outside of the public hearings on this special action request will not be considered by the Board.

After the public hearing, OSM staff will compile all public comments and present them to the Board. In addition, an analysis, which includes biological and anthropological data, will be presented to the Board. All of this data will be used by the Board to make their decision on this issue.

Again, thank you for your interest in the Federal Subsistence Management Program and we look forward to your participation at the public hearing.

Theo Matuskowitz
Supervisory Regulations Specialist
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Office of Subsistence Management
1011 East Tudor Road, MS 121
Anchorage, AK 99503-6199
Office: (907) 786-3867
Telework: (907) 357-3095
FAX (907) 786-3898
[email protected]


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[Willie IV]

I will be calling in next Friday but for those of us who have hunts booked this Fall, what is the probability this gets passed and implemented in 2021? Does it really move that fast? What a blow to transporters and guides for those areas if this gets thru. Get on the phone next Friday!!!

 

[Larry Bartlett]

Catag94. Great citing. I'll research that one some more too. Thank you

 

[IsThisHeaven]

The meat has nothing to do with it. They don’t want anyone else there. Plain and simple.

A lot of this going around