Help us stop a new black bear hunt in Chugach State Park
Wildlife viewing in Chuagch State Park. Photo courtesy of DNR
In March, the Alaska State Board of Game passed two proposals to establish shotgun and muzzleloader hunting seasons in the McHugh Creek and Upper Campbell Creek areas of Chuagach State Park.
Chugach State Park Superintendent Kurt Hensel opposed the hunts, and had the authority to supersede Board of Game proposals opening the area to hunts. 80 percent of Chugach State Park is already open to hunting, and Superintendent Hensel publicly stated that he felt the hunt was in "direct conflict with park purposes".
However, Director of Alaska State Parks Richard Gease overpowered both the superintendent and the Chugach Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) and approved a bear hunt in the McHugh Creek drainage behind closed doors.
Unbeknownst to the public, Gease arranged a closed-door meeting between Hensel, Board of Game chair Ted Spraker, the state’s local wildlife manager Dave Battle, and Eddie Grasser, director of the state’s Division of Wildlife Conservation.
Bill Sherwonit, journalist and author of more than a dozen books, including “Chugach State Park: Alaska’s Backyard Wilderness" wrote two editorials on the issue.
Speaking to Chugach State Park’s Citizens’ Advisory Board on Sept. 9, Gease assured its members that he would wait until after the board’s Oct. 14 meeting before making any decision about a proposed black bear hunt in the park’s McHugh Creek drainage. He also implied that the board’s stance on the hunt would inform his own decision.
It turns out he was lying. I learned this week that, without telling anyone on park staff or the advisory board, Gease went ahead and approved the controversial hunt — a hunt that the park’s superintendent, Kurt Hensel, opposes, and one that the CAB refused to consider without further discussion and public input. - Excerpt from Bill Sherwonit’s editorial: State Parks Director acts dishonestly
Last Monday at the Citizens Advisory Board, the Alaska Wildlife Alliance and other citizens testified about our concern on both the hunts and the strong-arm process Director Gease utilized to approve them. As a result, the Citizens Advisory Board voted overwhelmingly to approve a motion calling for the Director to rescind his approval of the hunts.
Anchorage attorney Tom Meacham has also filed an administrative appeal with Gease’s superior, DNR Commissioner Corri Feige, contesting that Gease’s Permit approving ADF&G’s new black bear season in the McHugh Creek drainage (Permit No. 19-276) is in violation of AS 41.21.122, and therefore held to be unlawful and void.
We need your help to carry this public momentum and close the hunt for good.
Please send your comments, both about the hunt and the process under which it was approved, to superintendent Kurt Hensel, with attention to Citizens Advisory Board chair Rosa Meehan. Copy that message and send also to Ricky Gease, encouraging him to rescind his approval of the hunt. Only we, the people, can keep our officials accountable to the public process — a few voices will go a long way in making an impact.
Read Bill Sherwonit's editorials for more information:
It's time to speak up for Chugach State Park's bears: Now new hunts
State Parks Director Acts Dishonestly
Park Board Requests Director Gease to Rescind His Approval of Bear Hunt
Black bear club illegally snared in Juneau. Photo courtesy of Alaska State Troopers.
