Achievements, Voice for Wildlife: January 29, 2025
A huge win for Alaska Wildlife Alliance, winter recreationists, and their dogs, a trapping setback proposal was passed for the Mat-Su at the most recent Board of Game (BOG) meeting.
First submitted in 2022, Alaska Wildlife Alliance’s (AWA) proposal for trapping setbacks was originally deferred until a stakeholder meeting between trappers and nontrappers could be held to discuss the setback proposal.
During that negotiation, the two groups came to an agreement on supporting trap setbacks from thirteen trails/trail systems in the Mat Su. AWA submitted that list to the Board of Game one month later and, surprisingly, the Board of Game unanimously opposed it.
Despite this “setback”, AWA and Alaska Trappers Association continued to meet and build a workable relationship.
““We almost immediately agreed that we had the same goal – that neither group wanted to see dogs caught in traps. That simple conclusion paved the way for [AWA and Alaska Trappers Association] working together.”
— Randy Zarnke, President of the Alaska Trappers Association
In May 2024, AWA resubmitted the negotiated proposal to the Board of Game. Proposal 82 called for 50-yard trap setbacks on popular trails in the Mat-Su, arguing that trap setbacks are popular, easy to put in place, and help reduce incidental trap encounters with recreationists and their dogs. Setbacks have already been successful in Juneau and the Anchorage Municipality, and the 50-yard distance is small enough to not significantly reduce the BOG’s ability to manage wildlife.
Trap setbacks do not apply for this year, and will be enacted in the 2025–2026 trapping season.
Below is a list of the trails that will be affected. For more information, please go to Alaska Wildlife Alliance website
