California Congressman Wants Aerial Shooting Ban

Congressman George Miller (D-Calif) wants to halt the use of aircraft in the taking of wolves and other wildlife by blocking an exemption in existing federal legislation that allows states to use aircraft to take wildlife in the administration of wildlife.

Miller's legislation, the "Protect America's Wildlife Act" or PAW act was introduced by Miller along with Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), the dean of the House and floor manager of the debate on the original Airborne Hunting Act, and Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA), the chair of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee.

The legislation's sponsors did not suggest alternate methods for managing predator populations, even in situations where depressed game populations could hurt subsistence harvests.

State Approves $400K for Wolf Control Education

Legislators have provided $400,000 to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for educatating Alaskans about predator management in the state, a move decried by wolf management foes as propaganda, according to the Anchorage Daily News.

State Fish and Game commissioner Denby Lloyd has indicated that the funds will be used for two publications that will help Alaskans understand the science behind predator management programs. (See Understanding Predator/Prey Management in the Summer 2007 issue of Outdoor Alaska, the newsletter of the Alaska Outdoor Council.

Foes of the state's predator management programs are calling the educational efforts, requested by state senator Charlie Huggins of Wasilla, propaganda designed to defeat another effort to halt wolf control.

Read the entire article in the Anchorage Daily News >>>