From: goldsman@cc.gatech.edu (Michael G. Goldsman)
Subject: Re: Alaska Wolf Hunts
Organization: College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 22:06:51 GMT
Reply-To: goldsman@cc.gatech.edu (Michael G. Goldsman)
X-Posted-From: denver.cc.gatech.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: sol.ctr.columbia.edu

In article <1992Nov20.054646.28288@netcom.com> wolf@netcom.com (Wolf Logan) writes:

>The decision was ultimately prompted by a desire to increase tourism
>and game hunting in Alaska.  David Kelleyhouse, of the Alaska Division
>of Wildlife Conservation, says "We feel we are going to create a wildlife
>spectacle on a par with the major migrations in East Africa.  Mom and
>pop from Syracuse can come up here and see something that they can't
>see anywhere else on earth."  Kelleyhouse also said that although
>there are no real shortages of big-game animals in Alaska, the decision
>is an attempt to make it easier for hunters to kill moose and caribou.
>


Amazing... does this guy have ANY concept of the environment of Alaska?

The animals in the sections of Alaska which are to be affected 
(the area between Anchorage and Fairbanks)  have a very low density
naturally. This is becasue the weather is so cold, and vegetation is
relatively scarce.  The land cannot support large concentrations of
ungulates.   PERIOD! Predator's ranges in the area are huge compared to more
hospitable areas.  I think wolf packs have ranges on the order of 
150 sq miles...
For Kelleyhouse to suggest that they can produce a spectacle on the on the
order of East Africa is ludicrus, they are two entirely different ecosystems.

To suggest that they are doing it to attract sight sightseers is also 
ridiculous...    They are doing it for one reason and one reason only: Money.  
They want to be able to issue more hunting permits to out-of-state people for 
big bucks.  (and also help out the outfitting industry) How many tourists who 
come up to Alaska leave disappointed because they didn't see amazing 
wildlife??  I was there for two weeks in September and saw tons and tons.  
Yes even caribou and moose...  And yes... I am originally from Syracuse!!!

Lastly.. The people of Alaska are against this plan.  
the article in the New York Times gave a statistic of about 80%...
I feel this is accurate because when I was in Alaska
I talked to nearly everyone I met about wolf issues... The vast majority
recognized the wolf's importance, and were against killing for pleasure.
These people kill a moose so that they can EAT for a winter.  They aren't
weekend warriors from California with too much money and too much free time
looking for adventure in their life and a head for their Den.

If Alaska decides to kill off the wolves of South-Central Alaska... I will
not return there. Though I LOVED it.    A boycott is the only way
of getting back at the State Government.   



>Randy Smith, director of the Alaska Outdoor Council, said that if the
>state did not begin killing wolves it would take too long to build up
>the moose and caribou herds.

BULLSHIT...    plain and simple.   If they are interested in 
preserving the herds, they shouldn't allow hunting by non-alaskans.
There  are not that many people in Alaska and there are enough ungulates
for both man and wolf.

BTW, the plan also mentions that they are going to kill an unspecified nunber
of Bears... The reason for this kill is not clear... Bears do not
have a major impact on Caribou/Moose herds.   Though bears WILL kill one
if possible, they are most vegatarians.
Again, I can only see money as the motivating factor... they want to make
money by issuing more permits for bear hunting...


>Now, the information:


Does anyone have addresses for Alaska State Legislators?
I'm sure they would be as influential as the Washington representatives.
Also, they would be more interested in any loss of tourist dollars due to 
a boycott.
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