The business of managing our state’s fish and wildlife is an art based on scientific information

The business of managing our state’s fish and wildlife is an art based on scientific information. The science gives a good basis for postulating management schemes and then the art of balancing any management decisions with, oftentimes, less than full biological information becomes the approach.

Why do I say this? Earlier this past week, I received a few different emails from Fish and Game outlining some management decisions, one of which most folks will not be happy to hear. First, the bad news, the situation with caribou in Game Management Unit 13.

Quoting from the advisory announcement issued last Thursday, “Winter hunting seasons for Nelchina caribou Tier I hunts RC561, RC562, and CC001 as well as the drawing permit hunt DC485 are closed by emergency order.” Continuing, “The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s summer 2022 estimate for the Nelchina herd was approximately 21,000 caribou, which is well below the fall population objectives of 35,000–40,000 caribou. The department determined that fall harvest opportunity for up to 615 bull caribou could be offered for state hunts without negatively impacting the reproductive potential of the herd. Fall quotas were announced in July. Quotas were determined to allow each permitted hunt fall hunting opportunity until that hunt reached its quota, following Board of Game guidance. Each hunt was impacted by different variables including weather, herd location, water levels, day that the hunt opened, and overall hunter effort.”

“The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s fall 2022 estimate for the Nelchina herd is approximately 17,433 caribou with an adult sex ratio of twenty-six bulls to one hundred cows. Adult cow and adult bull estimates are well below the fall objectives. To protect the reproductive potential of the herd while numbers are low, no winter hunt opportunity will be offered. Fall hunting seasons are less impactful on caribou than are winter seasons, when animals are navigating an increase in stressors such as limited nutritional availability, cold temperatures, snow and ice, and potential pregnancy in females. Hunting activities cause stress for all animals in a targeted group, rather than the target animal itself. Additionally, the majority of the Nelchina herd typically migrates out of Unit 13. Small, localized groups remaining in Unit 13 are protected from overharvest with the closure of all state winter hunting seasons.”

“For the 2023 hunting season no draw hunts will be offered. Subsistence hunting opportunities for Nelchina caribou are offered through RC561, RC562, and CC001, which must be applied for during the November/December application period prior to the fall hunting season. These hunts were implemented by the Board of Game to provide opportunity for users who wish to hunt moose and caribou in Unit 13 only. At this time, we can expect that harvest quotas for Nelchina caribou will be low for the 2023 fall hunting season and there may not be a winter season. Hunters are encouraged to consider this likelihood when deciding whether to apply for a Nelchina subsistence hunt opportunity.”

“All RC561, RC562, CC001 and DC485 permit holders for the 2022/23 season are required to report. Permit holders can file hunt reports online at adfg.alaska.gov, by phone at (907) 822-3461, or in person at the Glennallen or Palmer Fish and Game offices.”

The second notice states that “The Alaska Department of Fish and Game – Division of Sport Fish (Division) is pleased to announce the release of its 2022-2027 Strategic Plan. Information outlined in the Division’s strategic plan includes annual operating budget figures, goals and objectives related to six separate core services, and a breakdown of how the annual budget is allocated by core service.”

Continuing, “’The Strategic Plan is the result (of) extensive planning and focused teamwork conducted by Division staff,’ Division Director, Dave Rutz said. ‘This Strategic Plan outlines measurable activities that will help us better understand and manage Alaska’s fish resources and identify ways to continue to improve service to our anglers and other stakeholders. We are all in a continual process of improvement and this plan not only serves as a guidepost for our future efforts, but it holds us, as a public service agency, accountable for what we do.’”

A copy of the Sport Fish Division’s Strategic Plan is available as a downloadable file on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s website.

Also, “The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) have completed analysis of 2022 NMFS trawl survey results for Bering Sea snow crab. The stock is estimated to be below the ADF&G regulatory threshold for opening a fishery. Therefore, Bering Sea snow crab will remain closed for the 2022/23 season.”