Alaska State Legislature

News From The House Majority

Ken Freeman, Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3804
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org

Law Raises Funds For State Game Management

Auction of big game permit raises $200,000

For Immediate Release: February 10, 1997 Contact: Rep. Con Bunde (907) 465-4843

JUNEAU - Representative Con Bunde (R-Anchorage) announced Monday that the first auction of big game tags authorized under legislation passed by last year's Legislature raised $200,000. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game fund will receive $160,000.

HB 59, passed during the second session of the 19th Legislature, allows qualified organizations to raffle or auction big game permits as a revenue source for game management. A qualified organization which auctions a permit can retain a percentage of the sale plus administrative costs, while the remaining amount will be returned to the state for fish and game activities.

"I am very excited that the intent of this bill has been set in motion," said Rep. Bunde, sponsor of HB 59. "This legislation allows conservation oriented groups to raffle off big game tags for the organization and the State of Alaska. The first tag was sold this weekend by the Alaska chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep.

"I would like to thank the efforts of Derek Tomlinson, President of the Alaska chapter of North American Wild Sheep, and board member Billy Dunbar, for their hard work making this effort possible," said Bunde. "Their efforts doubled the amount Alaska would have received from this auction."

HB 59 authorizes the Dept. of Fish and Game (F&G) to issue one bison harvest permit each year for a bison from the Delta bison herd. The legislation also authorizes F&G to donate four elk harvest permits each year for elk from the Etolin Island herd. Finally, the legislation allows F&G to issue, through a competitive auction or raffle, up to two harvest permits each year for each of the following species: Dall sheep, bison, musk ox, brown or grizzly bear, moose, caribou, and wolf.

The qualified organization that conducts the auction may retain up to ten percent of the profits plus administrative costs. The remaining profit will be deposited into the Fish and Game fund.

Bunde said there are at least 11 western states that have provisions for auctioning or raffling big game harvest permits. Every state with a similar program has had a positive impact on their budget.

"This legislation will provide another revenue source for the Dept. of Fish and Game and will enable the continuation of game management programs," said Bunde.

Broadcast Note: An audio actuality is available by calling 1-800-478-6540.