Rules to hunt by

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Yash Rojas
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Whether a frequent visitor of the great outdoors or not, the Natural Resources office is available to provide Airmen and their families information on how to better enjoy the outdoor activities on Eielson Air Force base.

The Natural Resources office helps educate the base population on how to take full advantage of the available activities while remaining safe and following the laws of the state of Alaska.

Rules and regulations are essential to being a well-read outdoor enthusiast, and more importantly for enjoyment hunting and fishing in Alaska.

"When we have people come through our office we try to stress how important it is to read the regulations, know what you are doing, and be aware of your surroundings," said Mr. Ron Gunderson, chief of natural and cultural resources. "Don't get caught up in the role of being in Alaska and think you only have one chance to kill something."

"The state of Alaska takes its fishing and game laws very seriously, and the troopers here in Alaska are very, very good at their jobs," he added.

With the increase in violations and fines in the recent years, the Natural Resources office has tried to do its part to increase public awareness.

According to Brent Koenen, game laws are taken very seriously in the state of Alaska to such an extent that one could receive a fine for something as simple as having a motor operated vehicle in the wrong area.

"The majority of the people that they are catching are saying they normally don't do this, but it's crimes of opportunity," Mr. Gunderson said. "They have chance to commit these crimes that they normally wouldn't commit."

As a result of an increase in these violations--crimes of opportunity as Mr. Gunderson has appropriated coined--the Natural Resources office has tried to make information more readily available for the Airmen and their families to avoid further mishaps.

Furthermore, due to the livelihood of many Alaskans, those interested in hunting and fishing must follow the regulations, as violators will be apprehended.

"It may seem odd at first because many states do not allow anyone to carry a hunting license when under the age of 12, but in Alaska because of the subsistence and the food, it's a way of life here," said Mr. Gunderson. "That's the way they look at it."

In addition, safety always remains one of the top priorities when speaking of hunting and fishing.

"Safety is the first thing you should think about anytime you're out in the field," said Mr. Gunderson. "Safety is first before anything else.

When hunting moose by bow and arrow on base, a competency course with a classroom portion must be completed before permission is granted.

"The only big game hunting we allow here is moose by bow and arrow only," said Mr. Gunderson. "We do require anyone who is going to hunt to come to competency shoot. The hunter will have to put three or four arrows with broad heads on in the kill zone to qualify to hunt here."

The competency course is the classroom portion, which is held annually on several occasions over the course of the summer.

"We are not concerned with hunters having the education part of it, the class which is a really good class, and instead are focused on making sure people are practicing."

According to Mr. Gunderson the competency course is a good way the serious bow hunter makes sure he is hitting the kill zone on the large animal, in this case the moose.
Several participants prepared their bows and arrows to complete their competency test so they could get out there and maybe have a chance of experiencing Alaska.

Retired Air Force, Mr. Gordon Tuck, a recent participant of test, completed his competency course. By passing his bow hunting proficiency test he can ensure his skill level remains high, ultimately making him a better and ethical hunter.

"It's as simple as ready, aim, and shoot," said Mr. Tuck. "You just shoot."

According to Mr. Gunderson once you have done all your homework such as obtaining a hunting license and permit for activities on military lands, like bow hunting for moose on base, it's all about understanding the rules.

The Natural Resources office primary is focused on education and awareness Alaska's hunting and fishing regulations. By being aware, Airmen and their families can enjoy all that Alaska has to offer both on and off base.