Hold on to your GMU 23/26A Shorts boys

[ALSavage7]

Afternoon All,

I chatted with my representative here in Alabama. They are reaching out to their legislative peeps in DC. I'll follow up when I know more. Me and a couple buddies are slated to hunt AK (caribou) this year in September. I lived there for 17yrs and there is usually some squawking about these kind of issues.

As a word of encouragement, do reach out to your elected officials but...be professional and polite. A well represented hunting community is a well listened to community. While you may be frustrated, getting dunked in with the tin hat brigade because you were a putz isn't helpful. Happy hunting.

 

[Mykolaivka887]

Afternoon All,

I chatted with my representative here in Alabama. They are reaching out to their legislative peeps in DC. I'll follow up when I know more. Me and a couple buddies are slated to hunt AK (caribou) this year in September. I lived there for 17yrs and there is usually some squawking about these kind of issues.

As a word of encouragement, do reach out to your elected officials but...be professional and polite. A well represented hunting community is a well listened to community. While you may be frustrated, getting dunked in with the tin hat brigade because you were a putz isn't helpful. Happy hunting.

FYI: There's literally zero percent chance that Congress is going to repeal, let alone amend, ANILCA. That's been a losing battle since the legislation was passed in 1980. In reference to court intervention, you're better off rallying SCI to join forces with the State of Alaska and see if the US Supreme will entertain the idea of maybe (possibly) overturning decisions made by Federal departments.

 

[cjc5062]

No updates yet. Planning on giving GEO a call Friday if we haven't heard back yet.

 

[ALSavage7]

FYI: There's literally zero percent chance that Congress is going to repeal, let alone amend, ANILCA. That's been a losing battle since the legislation was passed in 1980. In reference to court intervention, you're better off rallying SCI to join forces with the State of Alaska and see if the US Supreme will entertain the idea of maybe (possibly) overturning decisions made by Federal departments.

I hear you. I'm not expecting to move mountains but at least I made my voice heard. Can't hurt to try.

 

[Mykolaivka887]

I hear you. I'm not expecting to move mountains but at least I made my voice heard. Can't hurt to try.

Not to turn the thread into a political discussion, but will be interesting to see what type of Federal Legislature we'll get in November 2022 and then what type of Administration we'll get in November 2024. A lot of future hunting opportunity for nonresidents in Alaska will greatly hinge on the outcome of those two elections.

 

[Sourdough]

Now close your eyes and imagine the Dept of Interior wakes up one day and notices that Lands classified as "WILDLIFE REFUGE" are not actually a "REFUGE" for Wildlife.

Sometimes it is prudent to let a sleeping bear sleep. America has a serious disease, commonly called "Wokeness". When you look at all the damage to the foundation of America, this "Wokeness" movement has wrought, is it that hard to visualize how swiftly "Wokeness" could be turned against the hunting community.....???

It is one thing to be pissed-off at government decisions, but reacting foolishly can make it worse. The Federal Government has for decades been harvesting States Rights........which is easy, when they can print money, and States can't, making them dependent on Federal money flows.

My point is choose your battles wisely.

 

[GnarlesBarkley]

Our group is with GEO end of August so staying close to this one. Also spoke with the western arctic herd biologist who suggested there will be more bou in 26a than 23 at that time, which is good if we can get that far north.

There used to be a video out there on the progression of the collared bou by week but can no longer find it.

 

[RK08]

Does anyone know of any active or future appeals at this time?

 

[VenaticOppidan]

Now close your eyes and imagine the Dept of Interior wakes up one day and notices that Lands classified as "WILDLIFE REFUGE" are not actually a "REFUGE" for Wildlife.

Sometimes it is prudent to let a sleeping bear sleep. America has a serious disease, commonly called "Wokeness". When you look at all the damage to the foundation of America, this "Wokeness" movement has wrought, is it that hard to visualize how swiftly "Wokeness" could be turned against the hunting community.....???

It is one thing to be pissed-off at government decisions, but reacting foolishly can make it worse. The Federal Government has for decades been harvesting States Rights........which is easy, when they can print money, and States can't, making them dependent on Federal money flows.

My point is choose your battles wisely.

There are many studies regarding this with different numbers, most of which being around 5%.

"And although the exact dynamics will depend on many factors, she has shown it takes around 3.5% of the population actively participating in the protests to ensure serious political change."

That is what we are seeing in the US. A small, very vocal minority are causing changes, big changes, that the "silent majority" abhor. The only way this will ebb is if the silent majority stops being so silent, but that is unlikely to happen with the current climate and people being "cancelled" for espousing views that were considered common sense or mainstream even within the last decade.

The gov't, both sides of the aisle, is a self perpetuating beast that will never stop feeding itself and growing, continually diminishing state and individual rights...

 

[Bearhunter]

I have heard whispers that several of the transporters are going to not be flying this season...

 

[arctichunting]

I have heard whispers that several of the transporters are going to not be flying this season...

Care to say who/where you’re hearing this?


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[Larry Bartlett]

Federal Subsistence Board News Release U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Forest Service Bureau of Land Management National Park Service Bureau of Indian Affairs 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 # 6804062022. For Immediate Release: Contact: Robbin La Vine April 6, 2022 (907) 786-3353 or (800) 478-1456 [email protected]: News release header with DOI and USDA logo Changes in Federal Moose and Caribou Hunting Regulations in Units 23 and 26A Frequently asked questions on closure of Federal public lands to non-Federally qualified users. On March 30, 2022, the Federal Subsistence Board (Board) approved Temporary Wildlife Special Action WSA21-01 with modification to close some Federal public lands in Units 23 and 26A to moose and caribou hunting by non-Federally qualified users for the 2022-2024 regulatory cycle. This fact sheet answers common questions and concerns about the closure.

1. Exactly where does the Federal closure apply? For caribou, the closure only applies to Noatak National Preserve (including the Nigu River portion of the Preserve in Unit 26A) and BLM-managed lands between the Noatak and Kobuk rivers in Unit 23. The cross-hatched area in the maps at the end of this factsheet depict the Federal public lands closed to caribou hunting by non-Federally qualified users. Collectively, this area is approximately 11,300 square miles. For moose, the closure to non-Federally qualified users applies to all Federal public lands in Unit 23. Collectively, this area is approximately 32,300 square miles.

2. What activities are prohibited within the closure areas? Non-Federally qualified users (anyone hunting under State regulations) may not hunt or harvest moose or caribou within these closure areas. However, non-Federally qualified users hunting under State regulations may still travel through, camp, and hunt/trap for other species on Federal public lands within the closure area. The closure area also remains open to all other activities such as hiking, boating, wildlife viewing, etc.

3. Who is eligible to hunt moose and caribou on Federal public lands in Unit the closure areas? As of July 1, 2022, ONLY Federally qualified subsistence users with a customary and traditional use determination are eligible to hunt moose and caribou on Federal public lands in the closure areas. For the purposes of these regulatory changes, Federally qualified subsistence users are rural residents who have been determined by the Federal Subsistence Board to have customary and traditional use of moose and caribou in Units 23 and 26A. For customary and traditional use determinations see 50 CFR 100.24 or the Federal subsistence regulations book at: https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/2018-20_wildlife_regs_book_final_web_3.pdf

4. How long will these closures be in effect? These closures are effective August 1-September 30, 2022 and August 1-September 30, 2023, also described as the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons or the 2022-2024 regulatory cycle.

5. Can a non-Federally qualified user take moose and caribou on gravel bars along navigable waters below the “ordinary high water mark” when the adjacent uplands are Federal public lands? Yes. Please note, however, the take of swimming moose is prohibited under Federal and State law in all portions of Units 23 and 26A. See 50 CFR 100.26(b)(4) and 5 AAC 92.085(7).

6. How is “ordinary high water mark” defined? The ordinary high water mark means “that line on the shore established by the fluctuations of water and indicated by physical characteristics such as a clear, natural line impressed on the bank, shelving, changes in the character of soil, destruction of terrestrial vegetation, the presence of litter and debris, or other appropriate means that consider the characteristics of the surrounding areas” (33 CFR 328.3).

7. Can a non-Federally qualified user help a Federally qualified subsistence user hunt caribou or moose in the closed areas? If you are not eligible to hunt caribou or moose, you can be present but CANNOT participate in the taking of caribou or moose on Federal public lands in the closure area. Once the take is complete, you may assist the hunter with the cleaning, salvage, or processing of a legally harvested animal. Take or taking, as used with respect to fish or wildlife, means to pursue, hunt, shoot, trap, net, capture, collect, kill, harm, or attempt to engage in any such conduct. See 50 CFR 100.4.

8. Why did the Board enact this closure? Similar to Emergency Orders issued by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Federal Subsistence Management Program can make in-season, out-of-cycle, temporary regulation changes through the Special Action process. The Northwest Arctic Subsistence Regional Advisory Council submitted a request to close Federal public lands in Units 23 and 26A to the harvest of caribou and moose by nonFederally qualified users from August 1 through September 30, 2021. In June 2021, the Federal Subsistence Board (Board) deferred this request to 2022. Following deferral, the request was divided into WSA21-01a (caribou) and WSA21-01b (moose). The Board acted on the deferred request at a public meeting held by teleconference March 30, 2022. The Board approved WSA21-01a with modification to close a portion of Units 23 and 26A to caribou hunting by non-Federally qualified users. The Board stated this modification is a reasonable compromise that provides for the continuation of subsistence uses and the conservation of the Western Arctic Caribou Herd (WACH), while precluding unnecessary restrictions on non-Federally qualified users. The partial closure targets the areas of highest user conflicts and minimizes potential disruptions to caribou migration. The Board also expressed concern over the 24% WACH population decline over the past two years, which prompted the WACH Working Group to change the herd’s management level to Federal Subsistence Board News Release U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Forest Service Bureau of Land Management National Park Service Bureau of Indian Affairs 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 # 6804062022. preservative declining. One management recommendation under this level is closure of some Federal lands. The Board also referenced support of the closure by affected Regional Advisory Councils. The Board approved WSA21-01b with modification to close moose hunting to non-Federally qualified subsistence users on Federal public lands in Unit 23 only. The Board stated the closure in Unit 23 provides more subsistence harvest opportunity and is necessary to conserve the moose population, which has declined substantially; the harvestable surplus may also be exceeded. In contrast, moose harvest by non-Federally qualified users in Unit 26A is very low and unlikely to affect that moose population. The Board also referenced support of the closure by affected Regional Advisory Councils. The Board approved both WSA21-01a (caribou) and WSA21-01b (moose) with modification for two regulatory years to assess the effectiveness of the closures and to reduce the administrative burden of processing additional special action requests in 2023 when caribou and moose population numbers are unlikely to increase significantly in these units from one year to the next.

9. Who should I contact if I have further questions about this closure? Please contact the Office of Subsistence Management at (907) 786-3888, (800) 478-1456 or [email protected]. Additional information on 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 [email protected].

 

[Catag94]

Thanks Larry.

Nice to see they literally spelled out that the land at and below mean high water on navigable rivers within federal land is NOT federal land and therefore NFQ users may hunt and take caribou on these lands.....sure makes a court battle easier.

 

[Larry Bartlett]

Catag94...agreed. Let's hunt!

 

[MontanaGuy]

We been trying to put together a caribou hunt, and we are wondering what this is going to do to hunting pressure. Is this going to congregate everyone to the same area, or put more pressure on other herds through out the state? Anyone know where I can find map of the closed area for caribou?

 

[Mykolaivka887]

It's a PDF file .....

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

 

[joe22657]

Has anyone heard from golden eagle yet? We have trip planned this year and still waiting for a reply.

 

[Catag94]

Has anyone heard from golden eagle yet? We have trip planned this year and still waiting for a reply.

Not yet but I have talked to others like ADF&G biologists out of Kotzebue. I understand GEO has been busy doing moose surveys for them. I was also told that our outfitter had been working on some pretty good contingency plans. So, I am confidently waiting and am sure they will not only contact us, but also have some good strategies in place.

Remember GEO is one of the top two transporters in the area. Both of whom have great reputations.


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[VenaticOppidan]

Has anyone heard from golden eagle yet? We have trip planned this year and still waiting for a reply.

CJC talked to Jarred yesterday. Essentially said he hasn’t reached out to anyone yet bc there is a meeting with AF&G this coming week, after that meeting he will be emailing and calling people. He is working out viable options for putting guys on bulls, it was a good conversation. Understandably, they are very frustrated also. We are going on a long anticipated trip, this is part of how they feed their families. We are waiting anxiously as well.


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[joe22657]

Thanks. Hopefully it will work out for everyone.