In a huge win for Alaska Wildlife Alliance, winter recreationists, and their dogs, a trapping setback proposal was passed for the Mat-Su at the most recent Board of Game (BOG) meeting.
First submitted in 2022, AWA’s proposal for trapping setbacks was originally deferred until a stakeholder meeting between trappers and nontrappers could be held to discuss the setback proposal.
During that negotiation, the two groups came to an agreement on supporting trap setbacks from thirteen trails/trail systems in the Mat Su. AWA submitted that list to the Board of Game one month later and, surprisingly, the Board of Game unanimously opposed it.
Despite this “setback”, AWA and Alaska Trappers Association continued to meet and build a workable relationship.
““We almost immediately agreed that we had the same goal - that neither group wanted to see dogs caught in traps. That simple conclusion paved the way for [AWA and Alaska Trappers Association] working together.””
In May 2024, AWA resubmitted the negotiated proposal to the Board of Game. Proposal 82 called for 50-yard trap setbacks on popular trails in the Mat-Su, arguing that trap setbacks are popular, easy to put in place, and help reduce incidental trap encounters with recreationists and their dogs. Setbacks have already been successful in Juneau and the Anchorage Municipality, and the 50-yard distance is small enough to not significantly reduce the BOG’s ability to manage wildlife.
Two weeks ago, the Board of Game deliberated the proposal at their meeting in Wasilla. Some remarkable things happened:
Alaska Trappers Association and Alaska Wildlife Alliance testified together in support of the proposal, as a sign of our new working relationship.
“Alaska Trappers Association leadership past and present support Proposal 82. [...] Until two years ago I was of the mindset of don’t give an inch. But I’ve been convinced by my board and other leadership to change that position. Our support of Proposal 82 has been discussed with membership [...] and the vast majority agree with this change.” - Randy Zarnke, President of the Alaska Trappers Association
Listen to the full testimony here, starting with Randy Zarnke at 8:39 AM. Nicole Schmitt can be heard starting at 8:50 AM.
Days later, the Board deliberated the proposal and approved it unanimously. The proposal was amended to include a definition of enclosed.
“It’s really neat to see two groups who have different ideas get together and work together through all this—not everyone agrees on everything [...] but to come up with a compromise and come up here and present back to back [..] it says an awful lot for this proposal.” - Jake Fletcher, Chair of the Board of Game
“I really applaud the cooperation between the two groups and coming to a compromise. The [Trappers Associations] were really impressed with their meetings with AWA and getting this done. It’s highly supported by a lot of groups and a lot of individuals.” - Dave Lorring, BOG member and former Wildlife Trooper
“The [ADFG] was neutral, but we could have easily said support because of the collaborative nature.” - Ryan Scott, Director of Wildlife Conservation
“I was moved by this proposal and the cooperation shown between the two groups and all the comments that we got positively supporting this. This was a good plan.” -James Baichtal, Board of Game member
Listen to the full deliberation here, starting at 3:26 PM and ending at 3:51 PM.
In closing comments of the meeting, the BOG once again gave praise to Proposal 82 and the collaboration between AWA and Alaska Trappers Association. (Listen here, starting at 4:50 PM.)
“I just wanted to really thank Nicole Schmitt and Randy Zarnke for getting together on a really contentious issue. It’s been with us forever [and] I thought it was so important to get that done today for them and all the constituents to see that the Board is serious about this. I really do appreciate them for coming to us again.” - Dave Lorring, BOG member and former Wildlife Trooper
The proposal also received nearly 100 comments in support, including those from the Anchorage and Susitna Valley Board of Game Advisory Committees, Alaska Outdoor Council, and dozens of individuals. Thank you to everyone who commented!
What’s Next
Trap setbacks do not apply for this year, and will be enacted in the 2025–2026 trapping season.
In the meantime, check out AWA’s Map the Trap platform and explore the map for recent and historical trap encounters in Alaska. The platform has been used in the past to identify trapping-conflict hot spots and inform which trails may need setbacks. Please submit your own trap encounters, too!
We’ll also be hosting Shared Trails presentations and trap-release workshops with Alaska Trappers Association. Learn how to identify traplines and how to release traps in case a dog gets caught in one. Our next workshop will be February 5 at the Cabela’s in Anchorage. Learn more at our events page.
Thank the members who made this work possible, and everyone who commented in support of this proposal.
