(SitNews) Craig, Alaska - The Thorne Bay and Craig Districts Ranger, Matt Anderson, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, will close the Federal public lands of Unit 2 to the harvest of wolf from 11:59 P.M., Tuesday, December 18, 2018 until 11:59 P.M., March 31, 2019. However, due to the current weather, trappers will be allowed until 11:59 p.m., December 21, 2018, to collect gear in the field.

ADF&G and the U.S. Forest Service jointly set the regulatory year 2018 (July 2018 – June 2019) Unit 2 wolf hunting and trapping harvest quota at 46 wolves. ADF&G currently manages Unit 2 wolves for an annual harvest that should not exceed 20 percent of the most recent unit-wide, fall population estimate.

Managers anticipate that by the closure date additional harvest by hunters and trappers still in the field will reach or surpass the quota. Therefore, the wolf hunting and trapping seasons are being closed by emergency order.

The RY 2018 harvest quota of forty-six wolves is 20 % of the fall 2017 population estimate (225 wolves). Other forms of human-caused mortality including documented wounding loss and illegal harvest also count toward the harvest quota. As of Wednesday evening, December 12, 2018, a total of 26 wolves taken in Unit 2 had been sealed.

Managers anticipate that by the closure date additional harvest by hunters and trappers still in the field will reach or surpass the quota. Therefore, the wolf hunting and trapping seasons are being closed by emergency order.

Forest Service and ADF&G managers extended their appreciation to the local Tribes and subsistence users, for their cooperation and involvement in managing this harvest quota. 

Editing by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

USFS
www.fs.fed.us

 

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