Defenders' Experts
Aerial Gunning
More than 35 years ago, Congress banned the use of airplanes to hunt or harass wolves and other wildlife by passing the Aerial Hunting Act in 1971. But Alaska is exploiting a loophole in the federal law to resume the practice. The state’s aerial gunning program takes out wolves and bears in an attempt to artificially boost moose and caribou populations, often for the benefit of guided out of state hunters. Other states could soon follow suit.
Gunners in airplanes shoot the wolves from the air or chase them to exhaustion before landing and shooting them. More than 1,000 wolves have been killed since 2003. And now bears are also in the crosshairs. Alaska is allowing private citizens to kill brown and black bears, including sows and cubs, the same day they have flown - a practice known as “land and shoot.”
Alaska's aerial gunning program is unscientific and unnecessary. It's time to stop aerial gunning once and for all.
That is why Defenders of Wildlife is supporting the Protect America’s Wildlife (PAW) Act, which will close the loophole in federal law.
Watch our video to find out what is really going on in Alaska.
Fact Sheets
Introduction of the PAW Act
On July 29, 2009 the PAW Act was introduced in the Senate by Senator Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), and in the House of Representatives by Representative George Miller (Calif.-7).
- Press Release: Defenders of Wildlife hails Rep. Miller and Sen. Feinstein for efforts to end unnecessary and unscientific aerial gunning of wolves (7/29/2009)
Nine former members of the Alaska Board of Game wrote to Representative Miller and Senator Feinstein, endorsing the PAW Act.
- PAW endorsement letter from former members of Alaska Board of Game to Rep. Miller.
- PAW endorsement letter from former members of Alaska Board of Game to Sen. Feinstein.
The Legislation
Protect America’s Wildlife (PAW) Act
Scientists and Wildlife Professionals
In 2007, nearly 200 scientists and wildlife professionals signed a letter to Alaska Governor Palin which detailed their concerns over the lack of science in Alaska’s predator control program and highlighted the threats posed to ecological balance and long-term sustainability of the wolf elimination program.
Letter from scientists and wildlife professionals to Governor Palin.
The American Society of Mammalogists, the world’s oldest and largest organization devoted to the study of mammals, also wrote to Governor Palin to express concern about the program.
Letter from the American Society of Mammalogists to Governor Palin.
Governor Palin didn’t respond to either letter.
Read more about scientific opinions on Alaska's predator control program >>
What do Alaskans think?
Many Alaskans oppose the practice of aerial gunning. Scientists, hunters and former members of the Alaska Board of Game have spoke out against this unnecessary and unscientific practice. Read what Alaskans have to say about aerial gunning.
PAW Act Ads
In July 2009, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund published an advertisement in Roll Call, asking all members of Congress to support the PAW Act.
Warning: Advertisement contains a graphic image.
