The Alaska Beat

ALASKA BEAT

TWEET OF THE MONTH

Sara Boario, a longtime Alaskan, was recently named director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Alaska Region. “Sara was raised across Alaska and has a deep commitment to working with all of Alaska’s communities as shared stewards of fish, wildlife, and habitat,” said Martha

Williams, USFWS Director. (U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE)

One of the most likable mushers in the game and a guy that loves his dogs as much as you can has won his first Iditarod. Congrats Brent Sass. His kennel is called Dazed and Confused and the winning pooches are all named after the cast from the movie. Why? They were born on 420! @geomaratos; March 15 –Brent Sass of Eureka, Alaska, won the 50th Iditarod in eight days, 14 hours, 38 minutes and 43 seconds. ” “ THEY SAID IT “I grew up learning from Alaskans, and in my career I’ve had the privilege to work alongside countless partners across the state on a wide range of projects and issues. It is an honor to contribute my experience and passion for the state, its people, our agency, and the wildness that sustains us all.” -Sara Boario on being named the new regional director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Alaska Region

CONGRESS ENTERS PROTECT BRISTOL BAY CHAT

Twelve Congressmen and -women joined the crusade to implement permanent protections to Bristol Bay and its lifeblood, salmon.

They were spurred to action by an Environmental Protection Agency announcement that the agency would reassess the situation with the proposed Pebble Mine by May 31, further delaying what many in the Bristol Bay fishing community and beyond have been fighting for for years – that the mine and other similar projects will never be allowed here in the future.

The March 7-dated letter to EPA administrator Michael Regan was signed by 12 U.S. Representatives from mostly Western states (all Democrats).

“While the necessary permit for the Pebble Mine was denied by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in 2020, this permit denial is not a permanent solution. Permanent protections are urgently needed for this irreplaceable and significant ecosystem,” the letter read in part.

NOTABLE NUMBER 100

After two years of Covid protocols, the popular Brooks Camp Campground in Katmai National Park and Preserve will be at 100-percent capacity this season, good news for brown bear viewers.

“As long as the mineral deposits remain recoverable, this land will always remain at risk. Mining in this area, whether it is the Pebble Mine or another mining operation, will devastate thousands of lives, forever harm Native culture, and decimate the economy of Bristol Bay communities. Salmon habitat across the nation is already being damaged by climate change and development, and we urge you to act swiftly to protect one of our last remaining pristine salmon habitats.”

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO SIGNED THE LETTER Rep. Jared Huffman (D), California Rep. Ted Lieu (D), California Rep. Jerry McNerney (D), California Rep. Doris Matsui (D), California Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D), Arizona Rep. Adam Smith (D), Washington Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D), California Rep. Kurt Schrader (D), Oregon Rep. Mike Levin (D), California Rep. Derek Kilmer (D), Washington Rep. Donald McEachin (D), Virginia Rep. Suzan DelBene (D), Washington Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D), Washington

There’s something special about taking a blacktail buck or bull moose or caribou in full velvet that hunters

dream about. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

FROM THE ASJ ARCHIVES – APRIL 2021 A HUNTER’S QUEST FOR PURE VELVET

After my first year of watching caribou, I became a resident, which allowed me to hunt the subsistence allotment of caribou within my unit. It was an awesome feeling, to say the least, and even more so knowing that my first outing would be with friends up the mighty Kobuk.

I remember sitting in the back of the boat facing the motor (probably another reason I didn’t know where anything was), watching and waiting until we found animals or made camp.

It was the first day of September, which – compared to today – was way too early to be hunting caribou. I knew if we did see animals they would probably still be in velvet, which was something I had never seen, except for the summer whitetails back home in the Lower 48.

There were several of us on this trip, all eager to fill our tags – plus our freezers – and even though we didn’t score on that first day, the second proved to be more lucrative.

Wes saw the caribou crossing the river while rounding a bend. There were big bulls led by a few cows. We quickly made anchor and waited to see if they would come our way. As I sat there, I noticed the mosquitoes and observed how green things were, signs of the season. But would the caribou come our way, or head in the other direction? Luckily, it was the former, allowing me to shoot my first caribou at 50 yards. He was big, dark-bodied and had an impressive set of head gear. The cool part was that he was in full velvet. -Paul D. Atkins