Hunt well, hunt wise

Hunting season is in full swing, and one need look no further than the Alaska State Troopers’ recent press releases to see how the season can quickly turn costly.

Alaska Bureau of Wildlife Enforcement troopers have been writing numerous tickets for hunting violations in recent days, including a self-reported illegal moose taken in Wasilla on Tuesday.

That incident does not appear to be the result of unethical hunting practices, but rather bad luck – or judgment. The hunter who took the 41-inch bull moose immediately contacted troopers to self-report the sub-legal animal and was issued a summons. The meat was seized and donated to charity.

That hunter did the right thing in contacting troopers right away. Although law enforcement isn’t about to give anyone a free pass when it comes to shooting illegal game animals, it sure looks a lot better in front of the judge for someone to have turned themselves in rather than trying to sneak out of the brush with an ill-gotten animal.

The best way to ensure a legal hunt is to drill again and again on hunting regulations before venturing into the field. Regulations vary from management unit to management unit, and a wise hunter always knows where he or she will be hunting, and what the rules are in that area.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game offers a detailed chart for how to identify legal bull moose on its website, and seminars are available throughout the year to help train hunters to know what a 50-inch (legal) moose actually looks like, or the definition of important terms such as “spike,” “fork” and “paddle.”

Aside from being aware of the rules, hunters should also keep in mind that – like the old pilots’ adage – the most successful hunt is one you return from. Make sure you and all members of your party are well versed in firearms safety before going, and always take proper safety gear. Since many hunts in this area are accessed by four-wheelers, don’t forget to bring a helmet. Many hunting accidents come in the form of ATV crashes, and many locations are far away from the road system. A rescue could take many hours – hours that could prove vital in a serious accident.

Finally, hunters should have fun out there. There’s nothing more Alaskan than trekking into the wild and bringing home a freezer full of fresh meat to feed the family. Just make sure to be safe out there.