Caribou

If there were a snowmachining heaven, what would it be like? Likely, the trails would be 20 feet wide. Groomed trails would cover hundreds of miles of open country and lead to glorious views of the countryside. There’d be mountains and rivers where riders could purposely get lost for days. But there would also be a good system of trail markers and maps to aid in navigation. There would be thousands of acres of untouched terrain for powder riding, too. And, of course, there would be a destination for lodging and a place to eat, drink and be merry with the gang.

An Anchorage businessman is locking antlers with a major corporation over branding. Roger Zak markets Caribrew Coffee in Alaska -- but Caribou Coffee, the Midwest coffee chain, claims Zak is infringing on its trademark.   For years Zak has brought quirky tourist-oriented products to Alaska stores, from moose-nugget chap stick to a tackle box shaped like a fish. It’s another item entirely, however, that’s bringing Outside lawyers to the state.   “It seems like you get attacked and they want you to be scared,” Zak said.

The Alaska Supreme Court listened to arguments Wednesday over the legality of a popular caribou hunt.  The Nelchina caribou herd in the Copper River Basin is one of the few herds accessible by the roadways, but hunters argue that the way the Alaska Board of Game authorized some hunting permits is unconstitutional.   Several years ago, the Board of Game set aside a community harvest hunt for Ahtna Inc.   Superior Court Judge Carl Bauman ruled the that the hunt illegally favored rural hunters.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game says it’s appalled by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s decision to not allow any action to be taken to protect the caribou herd on Unimak Island.  The state wants to use a helicopter to selectively target wolves preying on caribou calves, but the problem is that the calving grounds lie on a National Wildlife Refuge. “I have to say I think we were caught a little bit flat-footed that they took the no action alternative, I was a bit shocked,” said Corey Rossi, Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Wildlife Conservation Director.

by Jackie Bartz Sunday, June 6, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- State biologists hoping to kill wolves on Unimak Island are waiting for a court ruling that could let them proceed. The island's caribou calving grounds lie on a national wildlife refuge, and federal officials say killing wolves may be detrimental in the long run. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says federal policy doesn't allow drastic changes without proper research. The state sued, and now the decision lies in the hands of U.S. District Judge H. Russel Holland.

The Alaska Board of Game unanimously voted Wednesday to extend hunting and trapping seasons for wolves on Unimak Island in an effort to protect the caribou herd. The board also expanded the predator control area on Unimak Island. Alaska Board of Game member Ted Spraker says it's not a very effective tool, but it's the only one in the box right now. Earlier this week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it will not let the Alaska Department of Fish and Game do any predator control on Unimak Island.

The Unimak Island caribou herd is the only island caribou herd in the country, and biologists say it's in danger of extinction. The state says wolves are killing caribou calves at an alarming rate. But before it can kill the wolves, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service need input from the public. Friday Fish and Wildlife presented its draft assessment of Unimak Island wolf and caribou issues.  The study shows about 400 caribou on Unimak. State biologists say it has the lowest bull-to-cow ratio it's ever seen, and the percentage of calves that survive is in the single digits.

by Dan Joling The Associated Press Friday, July 9, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Interior Department is offering 1.8 million acres for oil and gas leases in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve while promising to protect critical migratory bird and caribou habitat. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says the department through the Bureau of Land Management will offer 190 tracts with bids to be opened Aug. 11 in Anchorage. The petroleum reserve covers 23 million acres on Alaska's North Slope.

by The Associated Press Wednesday, June 2, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The state is holding off on plans to kill wolves on the caribou calving grounds inside a national refuge on Unimak Island until it hears from a federal judge. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game had said the Unimak mission could begin as early as Tuesday. But Department of Law spokesman Bill McAllister says the hope now is to resolve the issue in court. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game wants to conduct aerial predator control on Unimak to remove wolves preying on caribou calves and help the herd make a comeback.

by Jackie Bartz Tuesday, May 25, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The battle over killing wolves in a national wildlife refuge could peak next week. The state shows no sign of backing off of its plan to start shooting wolves on June 1, but the federal Fish and Wildlife Service says it will take legal action if that happens.  Officials for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Alaska Department of Fish and Game say they want to work together to manage the caribou herd on Unimak Island, but the problem is that they have very different ideas about how soon they need to act.  On the verge of extinction: that's how the Department of Fish and Game sees it.       "The Unimak Island caribou herd is in a steep decline.