COMMITTEE TO ABOLISH SPORT HUNTING COMMENTS ON
The National Park Service (NPS) Proposed Rule: Hunting and Trapping in National Preserves: Alaska
Photo by Jim Robertson
Don Trump, Jr. holding a tail he severed from an elephant after his trophy hunt.
The National Park Service proposes to amend its regulations for hunting and trapping in national preserves in Alaska. This proposed rule would remove a regulatory provision issued by the National Park Service in 2015 that prohibited certain hunting practices that are otherwise permitted by the State of Alaska. These proposed changes are consistent with Secretary of the Interior Orders 3347 and 3356.
As a wildlife photographer, I’ve spent the better part of 3 decades in Alaska photographing bears and wolves, as well as moose, Dall’s sheep, and caribou in numerous locations throughout the region. Most of these wild animals were in the state’s National Parks—Glacier Bay, Katmai and Denali. I was struck by how comparatively little wildlife I came across in national monuments such as Wrangle Saint Elias. Clearly, hunting and trapping had taken their toll in the unprotected lands and national monuments that, unlike the parks, allowed wildlife “harvesting.”
Even if I weren’t now president of the Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting, I’d be sickened, outraged and appalled by the new federal proposals to allow the abusive treatment of some of the world’s most intelligent and charismatic animals who reside in our Alaskan national monuments. This regressive step indicates a shocking disregard for animals who are viewed merely as fun targets for the perverse pleasure of the few that has been institutionalized by sport hunting. Should these regulations be approved, sadistic tactics will be legal, such as mindless behaviors like murdering bear cubs and wolf pups in their dens, blasting swimming caribou from boats, and baiting bears with donuts and carrion in order to kill them.
The Trump Administration, in its rush to undo any protections wildlife may have been afforded under the Obama Administration, will no doubt score points with their friends in the National Rifle Association and Safari Club International. Trump’s trophy hunting sons, along with Dept. of Interior Secretary, Ryan Zinke, whose office is loaded with taxidermied wild animals, are creating their own dystopia on the precious lands that belong to all, and in total disregard for our wild animals and those who value them alive.
The Alaska Division of Wildlife Conservation made the statement that the move by the feds is “progress in the direction of conformity,” as though conformity is the alpha and omega of all possible considerations. And what is this “conformity” for? To allow for more sport hunting! The proposed changes to federal regulations would conform to the most legal decadent and regressive hunting practices of Alaska. If conformity is the goal, then wouldn’t it be more evolved for Alaska to change its hunting regulations to conform with national rules? The absurd reason for the need for these regulations means that we as a nation are striving for the lowest common denominator. Is that what we want to tolerate? For REAL progress, we need to be moving forward and not backward!
The Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting strongly OPPOSES the proposed new rule.
You can comment on the new rules here:
https://www.regulations.gov/searchResults?rpp=25&po=0&s=1024-AE38&fp=true&ns=true
Jim Robertson, President
cash@abolishsporthunting.org
Along with the Alaska Wildlife Alliance, C.A.S.H. urges you to send in your comments. The Alaska Wildlife Alliance writes:
NEW DEADLINE: Written comments must be received by Thursday, Sept. 6.
Please note: There is no direct email address to submit comments. Comments are accepted only via the above link, or by mail addressed to:
National Park Service
Regional Director, Alaska Regional Office
240 West 5th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99501
*All mailed submissions must reference “NPS” and “RIN:1024-AE38”.
Contact the Alaska Wildlife Alliance at info@akwildlife.org