Trapping season has started

Lots of things going on and I’m not a part of most of them. The monthly Bang ‘n Clang silhouette shoot at the Birchwood shooting range took place this past Nov. 5th. I was planning to go until “life” got in the way, and the weather was a big part of that. The forecast was for cold and windy, which didn’t sound like much fun. As it turned out, the shoot was cancelled after only three relays, a first in recent shoot history, because of the blowing winds, snow, and windchill that developed.

I talked with one of the guys who attended, and he said the winds were blowing so hard, the heavy ram silhouette targets were literally blown off their stands and could not be reset without immediately being blown down again. The blowing snow made just seeing the rams impossible, even if they had stayed standing. He told me the winds were so strong that nobody could keep their propane heaters on the firing line lit. My friend said I was the smart one for not attending because the estimated windchill was around zero degrees or below. I didn’t think it would be nice to shoot!

Things were further complicated for me because I hadn’t gotten any cartridges reloaded to shoot at the match. It’s tough to compete when all you can do is shout “bang” at the target and hope it falls down!

In all the hassle of getting a current drawing permit hunt application supplement, I overlooked the opening of Alaska’s trapping season on Nov. 10th. This year’s trapping regulations booklet is readily available and contains some changes in season length, methods and means, and bag limits for some species.

A few of these changes include the use of a firearm or bow and arrow as a legal means of harvesting beaver statewide. The coyote season was aligned and shortened from Nov. 10 to March 31 in GMU’s 9 to 11, 13, 14A, 14B, 16, and 17. The season for marten was lengthened by one month in GMU 14A to close Jan.31st.

Other changes were made to muskrat, wolf, and wolverine seasons and methods and means in other GMU’s, but nothing which affects trapping for these animals in the Mat-Su Valley. Pick up a copy of the “2022-2023 Alaska Trapping Regulations” booklet and study it for more in-depth rules and regulations in the areas where you trap. Be mindful that others may use the same general areas for recreation that you are using to trap. Don’t make sets near walking trails or other areas where people and dogs frequently travel.

As I write this, I’m dealing with some vehicle maintenance issues rather than attending the first day of the two-day “15th Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium,” being held at the Palmer Depot and hosted by the Mat-Su Salmon Partnership. This two-day symposium brings people together to share information and exchange ideas about salmon science and conservation in the Mat-Su Basin. After the COVID lockdown of the past couple of years, this year the symposium is back in person at the Palmer Depot at 610 S. Valley Way. The agenda includes over thirty oral and poster presentations from 9am to 4 pm daily, and an evening social featuring a short reading by local poet Danni Psenak Linden from 4:15 to 6:15pm on November 14th.

According to the press release for this event, the Mat-Su Partnership has been recognized nationally for its proactive approach to salmon conservation. The Deshka River was named a “Water to Watch” in 2022 by the National Fish Habitat Partnership. “Our partners — and the Partnership through project support — have invested years of applied scientific assessments on the Deshka – one of the most productive Chinook salmon-producing streams in the Susitna River basin. The national recognition of this work is a testament to the value of working together for the benefit of salmon and their habitat,” said Mike Daigneault, Regional Habitat Restoration and Partnerships Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.