308 



There is another reason that is a speculative reason to some 

 extent, but I suspect that it is true, and that is that wolves are 

 absent from those islands. 



Senator Murkowski. I suspect. 



Dr. Anderson. And if you are wondering if wolves eat deer, the 

 answer to that question is affirmative. 



Senator Murkowski. How many deer are taken? In other words, 

 a pack of wolves will eat how many deer? 



Dr. Anderson. We went through this a year ago. 



Senator Murkowski. I don't remember the figures. 



Dr. Anderson. I do not have those figures in my head. I would 

 be happy to provide them to you. 



Senator Murkowski. Thank you. 



I assume that the islands, Baranof, Zurembo, Etolin, Revella, are 

 all islands that have large populations of wolves on them today? 



Dr. Anderson. Not large populations. The populations vary con- 

 siderably. Etolin Island has a very low wolf population. 



Senator Murkowski. How about QU? 



Dr. Anderson. QU has a moderate wolf population. 



Interestingly enough, Etolin has a low wolf population, also a 

 very low deer population. 



Senator Murkowski. Well, it is not relevant to this particular 

 hearing, but I wanted to bring it out because I think it represents 

 the same problem we have here of trying to make a decision on 

 whether the TLMP should be accorded consideration in the dictate 

 of the Tongass and the same situation as with the State of Alaska 

 reflecting on what to do about predator control and what is a rea- 

 sonable length of time. 



As long as I can remember, the debate has been on about what 

 to do about it. But clearly, because of public opinion and diver- 

 gence of views, it is pretty hard to reach a consensus, so the easiest 

 thing is to do nothing. 



Dr. Anderson. Well, Senator, the hope is that we are not doing 

 nothing, but that we are entering into some sort of meaningful 

 process. 



But I would be the first to admit that this has been a difficult 

 problem. I would also be the first to admit the Department of Fish 

 and Game has made some serious errors in its handling of this 

 process in the past, including the way the public has been dealt 

 with, and we are trying to rectify that. 



Senator Murkowski. Well, I guess I am a little biased on the 

 subject, because I can remember living in Wrangell and watching 

 the decimation, if you will, of the deer population on Warinofsky 

 Island from the wolves, and then finally the wolves died off, and it 

 all is happening again. But I will not reflect too much on that. 



Dr. Anderson. We also have cougars in Southeast now. We also 

 have cougars in Southeast now, at least one that we are aware of. 



Senator Murkowski. Do the best you can. 



I do not see anybody from the industry here that can relate to — 

 if we cancel the contracts, how much is it going to cost the Federal 

 government? Does anybody know? Are there any figures on that? 



Mr. Finney. I might help a little bit. 



Senator Murkowski. I know the lawyers are going to get paid. 



