Salmon statistics and moose killed by vehicles

I received an email from a good friend and regular reader after last week’s column was published. He pointed out an error I had made and, further, suggested caution in the way I was using a couple of words. I appreciate his “eagle eye” in catching the error and the caution. This reader knows what he is talking about so I will heed his comments.

The numerical error involved the 4.3 million sockeye salmon I said would trigger the minimal restrictions imposed on the drift fleet for fishing time and area in the Central District. The actual, and correct, number is 4.6 million.

The management plan which governs when and where the drift fleet fishes is broken down into three tiers of projected Kenai River sockeye salmon return numbers. The lowest and most restrictive tier is utilized when the projected return is less than 2.3 million sockeye salmon. That is what happened last year.

The middle tier ranges from 2.3 million to 4.6 million Kenai sockeye and contains fewer restrictions than the lower tier. The upper tier encompasses projected returns above 4.6 million fish and has the fewest restrictions for fishing time and area on the drift fleet. The thought is that since there are a lot of returning Kenai reds, the fleet is used to help control the number of fish making their way into the Kenai River. The setnet fleet also harvests these fish but the drift fleet is normally the largest harvester.

My comments about the mixed stocks of reds and silvers being intercepted toward the end of the sockeye salmon run are correct. That’s why a strong projected run of Kenai sockeye salmon is not good news for Northern District silver salmon escapement numbers. Recently, over 95,000 silvers were harvested in two 12-hour drift fishing periods held in late July/early August when the fleet could go out into the center of Cook Inlet rather than being held in the “three-mile corridor” or expanded harvest zones identified in regulation.

When the fleet is held out of the center of Cook Inlet, their catch of Northern District salmon, especially silvers, is significantly less than when they can fish in what has become known as the “conservation corridor” of Cook Inlet. Where and when the fleet fishes depends on the projected run strengths of returning Kenai river sockeye salmon.

In driving around the Valley over the last couple of weeks, I’ve noticed a few places where a moose was obviously struck and probably killed by a vehicle. Even though the snow is not that deep in a lot of local areas, there are other places in the borough when snow depth has pushed moose down along highway corridors. I think the sign I saw on the Glenn Highway when driving to Anchorage last week listed 92 moose as having been struck so far.

After moving to the Valley, I couldn’t understand how a driver could fail to see a moose crossing the highway in front of them. I mean, a large, dark animal against a white background – how could you not see it? Then I hit my moose driving home from a meeting around 8 pm in April. Suddenly, the moose appeared only a few feet in front of my car, straddling the yellow lines. It was like the animal materialized on the road as if transported by a Star Trek transporter beam.

I wasn’t hurt, the moose was dead, and my car was totaled. Lesson learned! During these winter months, keep your headlights clean, drive a little slower while constantly watching for moose, and give yourself more space behind the vehicle in front of you. If you do have a moose cross in front of you, be watching for more than one animal. Cows with calves are the most commonly encountered and the calf will follow the cow regardless of the highway vehicle activity.

Striking a moose with your vehicle is a surefire way to ruin your day and usually makes a nasty impression on your pocket book too. Drive defensively and give the moose a brake!

Don’t forget the Wasilla High School Hockey Booster Gun and Outdoor Show tomorrow and Sunday at the high school in Wasilla. This is usually one of the larger gun shows but has been smaller in the last few years. I like going to see the different guns and outdoor gear on display and to shop for upgrades on gear if I find something I’ve been looking for. Hopefully, I’ll see you there!