Mat-Su outdoors: ADFG uses antler examples to educate hunters

Aug. 21, 2007

By MATT TUNSETH/ Frontiersman

PALMER - Tracking down a bull moose is tough enough, making sure the animal is legal can be downright confusing.

In the Game Units 14A and 14B, which cover the Mat-Su area, moose hunters must follow specific harvest guidelines designed to protect large, young bull moose that have yet to fully mature. The guidelines, known as the &#8220spike-fork, 50” rule, essentially allow hunters to shoot bulls with small antlers - a spike or fork on either side is considered legal - or those with large antler spreads measuring 50 inches or more across.

Additionally, animals with at least three &#8220brow tines” one either side are also considered legal. Brow tines are defined by Fish and Game as &#8220a tine emerging from the first branch or brow palm on the main beam of a moose antler and projecting forward; the brow palm is separated from the main palm by a wide bay; a tine originating in or after this bay is not a brow tine.”

Got it?

Because the regulations can often be confusing, especially to inexperienced hunters, both the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and Alaska State Troopers actively try to educate hunters before they head out into the field. As part of that effort, the two agencies teamed up over the weekend for an outdoor seminar featuring numerous examples of both legal and non legal antler configurations.

Nick Cassara, a wildlife technician with Fish and Game, said the purpose of the seminar was simply to allow the public a chance to clarify the regulations and gain a better understanding of the rules.

&#8220That's what we're here for, to let people know,” Cassara said in between fielding questions from curious hunters Saturday at the event, held near the Palmer Fairgrounds.

Every year, hunters are cited by Fish and Game or Wildlife Troopers for shooting animals that turn out not to fit the criteria. Often, the hunters are either confused about the rules or simply don't take enough time looking at antlers to make a legal shot.

Cassara said the best thing hunters can do when stalking a moose is take their time and not be too quick on the trigger.

&#8220When in doubt, don't shoot,” he said.

The purpose of the rules is to allow animals that likely won't develop large antlers to be taken out of the population and allow the large bulls to reach maturity. Cassara said animals with spikes and forks don't have the genetics that will let them grow large antlers.

&#8220If you take them out as spike-fork, you're leaving more browse for animals that will become legal later in life,” he said.

Hunters who shoot non legal animals will be always be cited. However, there is some leeway allowed under the law for hunters who make an honest mistake. Usually, if a hunter reports themselves for a violation, the penalty will not typically be severe. However, if troopers or Fish and Game personnel catch someone in the act of trying to harvest a non legal animal, the law will come down hard. And the worst penalties are reserved for hunters who shoot non legal animals, then fail to salvage the meat.

&#8220There goes your car, your four-wheeler, everything,” Cassara said.

Jesus Jazo of Palmer has been hunting moose for 44 years. Despite being an experienced hunter, he said he stopped by the seminar Saturday simply to get a refresher on exactly what the regulations allow.

&#8220You've still got to look,” Jazo said.

He noted that hunters should be 100 percent sure an animal is legal before deciding to take a shot.

&#8220They don't have shoot and release,” he said.

Moose hunting season in the Valley began Monday, and Fish and Game's Cassara said the department and troopers will continue to make themselves available to answer any questions hunters may have.

&#8220We'll walk them through the whole process until it clicks,” he said.

He said all hunters should make sure to pick up a regulation book before going out. Copies of the booklets are available at many local vendors or at Fish and Game. Hunters can also call the Palmer office at

746-6300.

Contact Matt Tunseth at 352-2265 or matt.tunseth@

frontiersman.com