Wildlife and People

Important Facts about Alaskan Wildlife and Predator Control

Originally posted at Alaskans for Professional Wildlife Management [here] and Wolf Crossing [here]

* Wild game is an important food source for many Alaskans and the goal of predator control is to reduce wolf and bear populations in order to increase the number moose and caribou available to be used as food by people

* In much of Alaska, predators keep moose and caribou populations below what their habitats could support

* There are up to 11,000 wolves, 30,000 grizzly and over 100,000 black bears in Alaska

* Wolves and bears may kill up to 80% of the moose or caribou that die each year

* The goal of predator control is to sustain healthy caribou and moose populations AND healthy wolf and bear populations

* In control areas, predator numbers may be reduced, but are never completely eliminated

* There is no indication that predator control permanently damages wolf or bear populations

* There are only five current wolf control programs in place, covering only 9% of Alaska

* Predator control is not hunting; it is a wildlife management tool only used to reduce excessive predator populations. As a result, the rules of fair chase do not apply

* When properly conducted, predator control programs have successfully increased moose and caribou populations

How Predator Control Works

* Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) studies predator and prey populations

* If there is a significant decline in the number of moose and caribou in a certain area, ADF&G will try to increase these populations by improving habitat, reducing hunting quotas, or relaxing restrictions on trapping or hunting of predators

* Predator control programs are only implemented after the above options have been exhausted

* Predator control is most often used in areas where moose and caribou are important food sources for Alaskans.

* Predator control decisions are made by the Alaska Board of Game in an open, public process

* In control areas, predator numbers may be reduced by pre-determined numbers, but are never completely eliminated

* In remote areas, predator control programs allow aircraft to shoot predators directly from the air or locate the predator by aircraft, land and exit the plane, and then shoot the animal

* Limited permits are given for predator control and they are strictly monitored by the state

* All eliminated predators, and information regarding the animal, are immediately reported to the ADF&G

* When population reduction goals are reached, the predator control program is halted

* Predator control is not implemented on national monuments, wildlife refuges, and parks