SUMMARY OF ACTIONS
BOARD OF GAME
DESIGNATED REPORTER: Justin Crawford
DESCRIPTION: Permanently close hunting and trapping of wolves in portion of Unit 20C.
DISCUSSION: Board members heard considerable public testimony concerning the existence of the current wolf buffer zone, its effectiveness in enhancing viewing opportunities within Denali National Park, and an implied linkage with wolf control in other locations in the state. Agency staff presented data on wolf pack distribution, wolf mortality patters, and human use patterns in this portion of Unit 20C. Board members recognized the importance of the Toklat wolf pack for non-consumptive uses and noted the comparatively low level of trapping effort in the years preceding 2001 in this 72 square mile area. The board stated that continuation of the closure would allow further opportunity to gather information regarding the effectiveness of this type of closure.
DESCRIPTION: Permanently close hunting and trapping of wolves in portion of Unit 20C between Savage River and the Parks Highway.
DISCUSSION: The board heard considerable public testimony concerning the expansion of the current buffer zone north of Denali National Park. The board noted that very few wolves viewed in the park were known to utilize the proposed area. Based on known distribution of the Toklat wolf pack, the board determined the buffer area described in Proposal 53 gives this pack adequate protection making Proposal 54 unnecessary. Board members concluded that little or no biological justification existed for this proposal.
PROPOSAL NO. 55 ACTION: Carried as Amended
DESCRIPTION: Permanently close hunting and trapping of wolves in portion of Unit 20A, and expand existing closed area in Unit 20C.
AMENDMENT: Establish the eastern boundary to follow the eastern most edge of the Anchorage–Fairbanks Intertie right-of-way, beginning from Healy Creek south to its intersection with the boundary of Unit 20A and Unit 13. Delete the 88.6 square miles proposed area between the Savage River and the Parks Highway.
DISCUSSION: Board members heard considerable public testimony concerning the establishment of a wolf buffer zone east of Denali National Park. Agency staff presented data on wolf pack distribution, wolf mortality patterns, and human use patterns east of the park boundary. The board determined that the Margaret wolf pack is subject to consumptive uses upon ranging beyond park boundaries, and that providing a buffer will secure the viewing opportunities of this pack within the park boundaries. The board heard that based on the proposed boundaries trappers could be displaced and forced to encroach existing trap-lines. Board members discussed the need to determine the smallest area that meaningfully secures the core range of the Margaret wolf pack, while minimizing impacts on other uses of wolves in Unit 20A. The board noted that it was not practical to close all areas used in extra-territorial forays of individual animals from any given pack. The board recognized the importance of having a boundary that is easily identifiable on ground and determined the Anchorage–Fairbanks Intertie powerline to be a distinct boundary.