Juneau -- Representative Beverly Masek introduced legislation today that will help protect the traditional uses of fish and wildlife resources. HJR 53 and HB 349 would assist those Alaskans who still believe human uses of wildlife resources are legitimate, and more importantly that management for human uses is legitimate.

"We have reached the point where our people in the villages are crying out for assistance and having their pleas fall on deaf ears. While the Governor and the leadership of the Department of Fish and Game worry over how environmental extremists will react to traditional predator management techniques, many of our moose populations and some of our caribou populations are being placed in jeopardy." Said Representative Beverly Masek.

HJR 53 will make consumptive uses of the resource a preferred use. It also makes it clear that the State's job is to enhance those resources and make them available for human use. HB 349 strengthens the protections for fishing, hunting and trapping in statute. It makes it clear that those uses are primary uses on refuges, critical habitats and public use areas, as well as non-classified state lands.

The data collected over the past few years by professional wildlife managers points to bear and wolf predation as the main cause of declining moose and caribou populations in some parts of Alaska. Even with the recent comments of some area biologists supporting the need for predator management, we have not seen any action.

"In my opinion, we need to act. Recent events have made that painfully clear as packs of wolves have increased their attacks on village pets in recent months. I am fully aware that the animal rights crowd will be opposed to this legislation. That is their prerogative, and I respect the beliefs of those who choose not to hunt, or who are opposed to hunting, but I draw the line when they think it is okay to impose those beliefs on the rest of us." Masek said.