A final ruling set to be published on Tuesday will allow Alaskan hunters to venture out into national parks and bait hibernating bears and wolves to be hunted and killed. The Washington Post reports that the change in regulations is arranged to be published in the Federal Register and will soon go into effect after 30 days.
The latest bill will put an end to the five-year ban imposed on baiting hibernating bears and using artificial light in dens to kill wolves and their pups. Additionally, hunters will also be allowed to shoot swimming caribou while aboard boats and to target other wildlife from airplanes or snowmobiles.
The hunters in Alaska have previously complained about the Obama administration's regulations in October 2015 encroaching on native hunting traditions. Furthermore, the Federal Register states that the amended rule will back the Department's interest in achieving wildlife conservation goals and objectives.
Additionally, the decree would ensure Alaska's proper handling of hunting and trapping practices in the state's national preserves, as specified in the Alaska National Interests Lands Conservation group.
Environmentalists Call it Diabolical
Conservationists have called the revisions inhumane. They mention that hundreds of people travel from around the world to state parks such as Katmai, Denali, Gates of the Arctic, and other national parks to witness the animals in their natural habitats.
Some contend that shooting hibernating bear families is not the conservation legacy that Alaskan national parks are meant to preserve. They add that the practice is not the correct way to treat or manage wildlife parks.
Hunters say that their real aim is to cut the number of wolves and other predators to increase the number of caribou, moose, and other game animals for more hunters.
Under the projected changes, hunters could use chase dogs to hunt bears, kill wolves, and pups in their dens. Additionally, they can also use motor boats to shoot swimming caribou. Hunters will also be permitted to lure the animals with sweets and poisons.
Hobby Versus Wildlife
In an article by The Conversation, environmental philosopher, Gary Varner identifies three reasons why people hunt. He says that for people, hunting could either be therapeutic, for subsistence or done as a sport.
Therapeutic hunting implicates intentionally killing wild animals to conserve other animal species or an entire ecosystem. On the other hand, subsistence hunting is killing wild animals to supply food and material resources for humans. Finally, sport hunting refers to deliberately killing wild animals for enjoyment or fulfilment.
According to the National Rifle Association and the Safari Club, hunters will be given opportunities for yielding coyotes, wolves, bears, and other species called for by the public.
There are believed to be about 30,000 grizzly bears and 100,000 black bears in Alaska, all of which will soon be in danger under the hands of hunters. In a statement, Brett Hartl, the government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said that hunting the animals is merely slaughter. Furthermore, he calls the practice cruel and unsportsmanlike, especially since it will be done in national wildlife refuges belonging to all Americans.
On the other hand, Alaska-representative Senator Lisa Murkowski praised the accord and said that it helps to protect Alaska's hunting and fishing traditions. Other hunting and trapping organizations also cheered on the move.
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