Local fish, game panel elects new officers

January 27, 2006

MARK KELSEY/Frontiersman managing editor

The face of local fish and game advise may have changed, but the voice should remain familiar.

The Mat Valley Fish and Game Advisory Committee welcomed new officers and one new member following annual elections Jan. 18.

Committee member Howard Delo was elected chairman. He takes over for Wayne Kubat, who chaired the committee for more than three years before deciding against seeking another stint as chair, although he will stay on the committee for the remainder of his three-year term.

Delo is joined by newcomer Mark Chryson, who will serve as the group's secretary. Dennis Hamann was re-elected vice chair.

A retired Department of Fish and Game fisheries biologist and free-lance outdoors writer, Delo brings considerable experience to the committee, one of 82 across the state that serves in an advisory capacity to the boards of game and fish.

&#8220Howard had a career in fish and game,” Kubat said of his successor. &#8220He's got knowledge of the whole gamut [of issues], and a keen interest in and dedication to the wildlife resource.”

The committee chairmanship is put to a vote yearly. Regular committee seats are elected on a staggered basis in three- and one-year terms. Re-elected to committee seats on Jan. 18 were Steve Runyan, Mark Vingoe and Pat O'Connor. Bill Folsom and Greg Pepperd were elected as alternates.

The committee is filled out by Andy Couch, Bruce Knowles, Dan Green, Doug Sehm, Israel Peyton, Ken Barber, Bennett Durgeloh and Steve Darileck.

Kubat noted a list of concerns that the committee deals with, from predator control and declining moose numbers, to &#8220getting more sockeye up the Yentna.” But he said Delo has a strong and active committee behind him to help.

&#8220We've got a dynamite bunch of guys who are willing to work on these issues,” Kubat said. &#8220We've got some problems, but these people are willing to roll up their sleeves and do something about it.”

For his part, Delo said he looks forward to serving as committee chair and continuing to follow the path blazed by Kubat.

&#8220Wayne did an excellent job,” Delo said. &#8220He devoted a lot of time and energy to [the issues]. He'll be a difficult act to follow.”

Foremost on the committee's agenda, Delo said, is seeking expansion of the state's shelved predator-control program into game management sub-units 16A and 14B, where recent Fish and Game aerial surveys recorded about half the number of moose as were there 10 years ago. Sub-unit 16A is an area roughly on the west side of the Susitna River, from Kahiltna Glacier down to the Yentna River area, and 14B is north of Willow Creek, Delo said.

As spring approaches, fishing issues and the ongoing problem of declining salmon returns to the area will occupy more of the committee's agenda. Delo said he'd like to see a more organized approach to sport-fishing advocacy in the area, but noted the challenges inherent in making it happen.

&#8220All the groups will have to come together. It'll take some committed people pushing hard to get it going,” he said. &#8220We're firmly in favor of something like that. But we need to stay apolitical as much as we can.”

Cliff Judkins, who chaired the committee for four years preceding Kubat, before being appointed to the Board of Game in March 2003, said of all the advisory committees across the state, the Mat Valley group is among the most active. He expects that to continue under Delo's direction.

&#8220The [chairman's] job is a lot of work, but Howard will do good,” he said. &#8220He's got a lot of passion for what he's got to do.”

Part of the challenge facing Delo and all the advisory committees around the state, Judkins said, is increasing attendance at meetings to get feedback on issues &#8220from the citizens who are out there hunting and fishing.”

The next meeting of the advisory committee, which meets twice a month between October and early April, is 7-10 p.m. Feb. 8 at the MTA office in Palmer. Delo echoed Judkins in urging interested people to attend.

&#8220We welcome public interest and participation,” he said.

Contact Mark Kelsey at

352-2268 or mark.kelsey@

frontiersman.com