Fish and Game advisory board vote draws crowd

On a good night, past Fish and Game advisory board elections drew, at most, 100 people, according to officials who should know.

Wednesday night’s election attracted more than 600, about 100 more than turned out for a similar election in Anchorage last week.

The elections appeared to pit hunters and anglers against conservationists. There were even accusations of a fraudulent vote in Anchorage.

There’s no reason either side shouldn’t want the same thing: sound management of the state’s wildlife resources. Hunters and anglers sure don’t want to over-fish stocks to the point there are no fish left to catch and eat. The same is true for hunters. Certainly, one of the goals of conservationists is to make sure there are abundant fish and game and habitat for them to thrive.

So where’s the rub?

It seems that people who harvest game fear that more land and waters will be off limits to them while conservationists hope to save some of Alaska for future generations.

They both could be right , but they aren’t each other’s enemies.

Development is the enemy.

We continue to pave over wildlife habitat and farmland where birds and animals can feed and have a place to nest and hide from predators.

If you live in a place where seeing an eagle fly overhead is a common experience, then you are living in a place where both these groups could find peace. Here in what is called the core of the Mat-Su, that was once true. Not anymore. That’s because most eagles have had to move on to another place where nature is king.

That’s why it wasn’t surprising that so many people showed up to vote for something they believe is at the heart of their lives.

It also seems to be an indicator of a movement that’s growing nationally.

People are speaking out. Health care reform continues to be an issue that has brought people to the table like never before. It is likely to be a factor in several mid-term elections. The Democrats’ super majority in Congress is at risk. President Obama’s popularity numbers keep trending down.

Ill at ease best describes emotions locally and nationally.

Apparently, people on both sides of the fence are growing weary of feeling ignored, and like in the movie, they aren’t going to take it anymore.