Hunters offer reward to catch swan shooter

Several bowhunting groups, in particular, have ponied up rewards between $500 and $1,000 in an effort to disassociate ethical bowhunters with the shooter.

The Alaskan Bowhunters Association is offering $1,000, while the Northwest Archers Association and Blacksheep Bowmen are offering $500 apiece for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the shooter.

The Alaska Wildlife Alliance was the first organization to post a reward offer.

"There's been no response in terms of solving the crime," said John Toppenberg of the alliance, which is offering $1,000. He added that his organization has received several offers of financial assistance and may increase the reward.

Chris Johnson, lead law enforcement officer at Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, said much the same thing regarding a solution. "I have not heard anything," Johnson said.

Wildlife officers with Chugach National Forest and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service are interested in finding the culprit. Tern Lake is part of Chugach National Forest, and harming trumpeter swans, or a variety of other migratory birds, violates the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Paul Asman, president of the Alaskan Bowhunters Association, said that if the shooter surrenders to authorities, the money will go toward educating young bowhunters.

"We can't have this," Asman said. "That happens and it's automatically seen by some people that a hunter did this. That wasn't hunting by any ethical definition.

"When you're talking about bowhunters, in 95 percent of the shots there's 99 percent confidence in an ethical shot. We know it's legal and it's in season.

"It kind of makes your dander stand up."

Jim Holmes, a biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, said there is no trumpeter swan hunting in Alaska.

Photographs of the arrow wildlife officials removed from the 23-pound swan on Tuesday lead Asman to think the arrow is made of aluminum or fiberglass -- perhaps by the Utah archery company Easton.

"It was a target arrow, there's no doubt," he said. "It probably was a 'Let's see if I can hit this thing' situation. Then they did and didn't know what to do."

Asman, who offered his organization's assistance to investigators, said, "I have my suspicions about the shooter based on the arrow and all that. I have the feeling it's a kid."

Meanwhile, the swan continues swimming on Tern Lake with its mate and appears to be recovering.

"They're out there frolicking around, feeding and swimming together," said Dianne Owen, general manager of Alaska Recreation Management and a wildlife enthusiast. She saw the pair far back in the lake Friday morning.

"They stay right together," she said.

Reach reporter Mike Campbell at mcampbell@adn.com or 257-4329.

Reward offers

Alaskan Bowhunters Association: $1,000. www.akbowhunters.com or 929-3600.

Northwest Archers Association: $500. Anchorage club has an archery range at Kincaid Park. 688-9528.

Blacksheep Bowmen: $500. Club for civilians and military members is on Elmendorf Air Force Base. 753-1855

Alaska Wildlife Alliance: $1,000. Contact John Toppenberg at 277-9819 or 260-3548.