Opinion: Proposed Changes to Subsistence Management is A Step in the Wrong Direction

Should an international trophy hunting organization have a say in subsistence hunting regulations? The opportunity to harvest local meat to feed our families and communities is a foundation of our rural lives.

The US Department of the Interior is conducting a targeted review of the system of hunting and fishing which gives rural residents priority on federal land in Alaska. Alaska Federation of Natives is calling it “a serious threat and major step backwards.” The proposed changes could limit the board's authority and reduce or eliminate the representation of rural Alaskans and Alaska Natives in the Board's decisions.

The Daily News has reported that the suggestion to revise came from Safari Club International, a huge trophy hunting organization. It's already a delicate balance between federal, state, and tribal management. The last thing we need is an outside influence focused on trophy hunting.

The current subsistence rules are not perfect, but they are a step in the right direction of Alaskans keeping our precious food resources safe, well managed, and here for the future.   The welfare of our wildlife and our people are intertwined, something local residents understand deeply.  This isn't just about people, it is about the healthy future of our ecosystem which sustains us all.

Copper Country Alliance is sending in comments opposing these changes, and we encourage everyone to make individual comments as well.  The deadline has been extended to March 30, 2026.

For more information on the scoping process, visit www.doi.gov/subsistence and look for the FSMP Review: Scoping Process tab. 

Thanks for being an advocate for rural Alaska's unique lifestyle.

Copper Country Alliance is an all volunteer conservation organization based in the Copper Valley.