The Alaska Board of Game, which makes decisions on hunting and trapping regulations in the state, began a two-week meeting this past Friday to debate over 200 wildlife management proposals, one of which directly involves wolverine trapping.
Alaska’s Chugach State Park, outside of Anchorage, was opened to wolverine trapping in 2007. Since then, 10 wolverines have been harvested in the area, a number that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game thinks is too many.
A new proposal now in front of the Board of Game would overturn this ruling and again restrict wolverine trapping in the park.
Trappers argue that if harvest were the main concern, the Department should consider shortening the season, rather than eliminating trapping in the park.
After hearing testimony and discussion, the Board is expected to make a decision over the next few days.