On August 11, the Center for Biological Diversity submitted a petition to close the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge permanently to brown bear hunts.
The Center for Biological Diversity says their request for permanent closure are supported by the fact that “Kenai Peninsula brown bears are genetically unique and physically isolated, making them more vulnerable to decline”.
While that suggestion is still being considered, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a one year closure for the refuge.
This federal proposal will be discussed Wednesday, August 27, at the Soldotna Sports Complex at 6 pm.
Department of Fish & Game’s Jeff Selinger said the hunt was changed during last year’s Board of Game meeting allowing more hunting opportunities.
Selinger: “We’re scheduled to open September 1st. Our current objectives for this calendar year, the calendar year 2014, is not to exceed 70 human-caused brown bear mortalities, of which no more than 17 can be adult females. We’re currently at 54 total brown bear mortalities on the Kenai for 2014 and at 5 reproductive age females.”
The refuge said they felt the number of brown bears being taken was unsustainable.