Letters to the Editor

Readers write: Letters to the editor, Oct. 5, 2015

Common sense lacking

The case of Sturgeon v. Masica, about Sturgeon operating a hovercraft on the Nation River shows the lack of common sense by the National Park Service in reaching the goals of the service for an area. They could have asked him to take his hovercraft out of the area, but instead they required him to hire a regular boat big enough to handle his hovercraft and transport it out of the Nation and Yukon River. They forgot who they work for.

They knew who he was, they could have cited him, fined him, but they put an onerous stipulation that proved expensive and time consuming and accomplished nothing at all toward the Park Service's goals. All should read "Death of Common Sense" and see how to stop this stuff.

— Jim Misko

Anchorage

New Board of Game needed to better regulate traps

A big thank you to Kathleen Turley for freeing an eagle from two steel traps and springing others nearby. She has brought the issue of under- or unregulated trapping into the open. Does the trapper suing her for her act to safeguard the rest of us have any shame?

Several years ago, I testified before the Board of Game regarding "bycatch" ending up in traps. I showed the board members a photo of an eagle who was brought into the Bird Treatment and Learning Center who had been freed from a similar trap. The eagle, who had to have been in the trap for a considerable amount of time, had a leg blackened from lack of circulation. I can only imagine the suffering it endured. Mercifully, it died shortly after being admitted.

As I was speaking, the BOG members visibly brightened and responded that the issue of "bycatch" was very important and they were glad I had brought it up. During a break, I was approached by one member who stated he was glad that I seemed to be a "reasonable" person who listened. He assured me that the trapping community was well trained in avoidance of bycatch, and I took his word for it.

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After the meeting ended, a member of the Citizens Advisory Board stated to me that one eagle caught in a trap would not affect the population. I was dumbfounded that not only did he not get the point that the suffering of one animal matters but also that the dangers extend to humans and their pets as well. Does any humanity and reason exist in the trapping community and on the present Board of Game?

Perhaps bycatch is not totally avoidable, but as long as we have a Board of Game comprised exclusively of hunters and trappers, I do not trust that non-target wildlife, pets and people are not at risk. I feel that I've had smoke blown in my face.

I appeal to Gov. Walker to nominate new members to the Board who represent other uses such as wildlife viewing, and photography. Perhaps then we will have a more balanced board and better regulation of trapping.

— Susan Valenti

Anchorage

Pot businesses don’t get it

I think I have discovered proof that use of marijuana affects brain function, as follows:

A. State officials warned loudly and often that dealing in marijuana is not yet legal and will not be tolerated until regulatory safeguards are approved and in place.

B. At least three pot-peddling businesses were raided and officially directed to cease operations.

C. Last week, three pot-peddling businesses were again raided and the owners charged with pot sales.

Most people know that if you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you always got.

Might it be that not recognizing this would indicate some diminution of cognitive ability?

— Don Neal

Anchorage

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