Same-Day Land and Shoot Wolf Hunting Legislation Requested on Alaska Ballot

(07/28/2000) - More than 38,000 signatures were presented today to the Alaska Division of Elections to request a referendum be placed on Alaska’s ballot in November to repeal the practice of chasing wolves from airplanes, landing and immediately shooting them. Defenders of Wildlife president Rodger Schlickeisen applauded the Wolf Management Reform Coalition’s efforts to collect the signatures and said, "This level of response strongly indicates Alaskans’ desire to retain a voice in wildlife decisions. Yet again, the citizens of Alaska are saying that they don’t want wolves hunted from airplanes and shot."

The effort to have the referendum placed on the 2000 ballot is necessary because, despite a referendum and a gubernatorial veto, the Alaska legislature recently reauthorized same-day airborne land and shoot wolf hunting. The 1996 referendum that banned the practice passed with nearly 60 percent of the vote.

"The Coalition’s collection of the more than 38,000 signatures – nearly 15,000 more than required – clearly indicates that Alaskans oppose the unethical and unsportsmanlike practice of same-day, land and shoot wolf hunting" said Schlickeisen. "Their collection of signatures from across the state also reflects that this initiative has a broad base of support."

The legislation to be repealed authorizes hunters with a $15 trapping or a $25 hunting license to spot wolves from the air, then land and shoot them immediately. Last year, the legislature also overrode Governor Knowles’ veto of Senate Bill 74, a bill that began to unravel the 1996 citizen’s initiative by authorizing state personnel to revive use of aircraft for wolf control purposes, absent any biological emergency.

Based on crude state estimates of 7,000 to 10,000 wolves in Alaska, 1,682, or up to 24 percent, were killed in the 1993-94 season when land-and-shoot hunting was in full effect. This figure set a 22-year record high, but still represents only the count of reported kills, with no way to accurately measure unreported take.

"The Alaskan legislature has bucked science, the governor and the will of the Alaskan voters to reinstate this unsportsmanlike practice," said Joel Bennett, Defenders of Wildlife’s Alaska representative. "Now it becomes time for the voters to once again bring common sense and sound wildlife management back to Alaska."

Following certification, a newly formed group known as Alaskans for Wildlife will run the campaign to overturn this non-fair-chase legislation. To support this effort, mail contributions to:

Alaskans for Wildlife
P.O. Box 201467
Anchorage, AK 99520-1467

Defenders of Wildlife is a leading nonprofit conservation organization recognized as one of the nation’s most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 400,000 members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues.

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Contact(s):

Cat Lazaroff, (202) 772-3270