I 



553 



controlled by that State which restricts the number of permits issued to 300. 

 It is generally illegal to bag cubs or females with cubs. 



Field work by the American biologists suggests that the bears taken by hunters 

 in the Chukchi Sea region probably come from Wrangel Island as a natal 

 area, and those taken in the Beaufort Sea region probably have as their natal area 

 islands in the western Canadian seas. 



Their work shows also that the average age of the males bagged is decreasing 

 since 1966. This means that yoimger animals are making up more and more of the 

 bag, but not necessarily that the population is being jeopardardized. This is a 

 trend, however, which needs to be closely watched with a view to altering the 

 hunting regulations in favor of this bear when the need is indicated. 



Reaching a reliable estimate of the total regional population of this bear 

 remains elusive. The sparce distribution of the individuals, the shortness of the 

 season for field work, and the frequency of violent weather all contribute to this 

 difficulty. The Bureau's biologist recently tested an infra-red scanning system for 

 making a count of polar bears. Appliction of the method is expensive and the 

 result so far is not entirely satisfactory. It is believed, however, that the 

 system is promising. 



Increased funding would facilitate the more rapid cumulation of data basic to 

 good management 



State of Alaska, 

 Department of Fish and Game, 



Juneau, July 29, 1971. 

 Mr. Berry Kowalski, 



Ofjice of Endangered Species, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, 

 Washington, D.C. 



Dear Mr. Kowalski: In regard to your inquiry regarding Polar Bear en- 

 forcement in Alaska, the Protection Division accelerated efforts in this area dur- 

 ing 1970-71. 



This past spring 7 officers were working in the field during all or part of polar 

 bear season. In addition, a number of biologists, who are also deputized to en- 

 force our fish and game code, were also actively involved in the field activity. 



Additionally, investigations were initiated at taxidermy shops in five western 

 states, regarding both brown and polar bear believed to have been taken in Alaska 

 or adjacent to our coast. Between January 1970 nd March 1971, 700 investiga- 

 tions involving mainly polar and brown bear were initiated. Many of these 

 trophies were found to be legal, a number to be illegal and additional informa- 

 tion is being collected on the remainder of the cases. 



If you x^-ish additional or more specific data, please let us know. 



Sincerely yours, 



C. A. Webesg, 

 Director, Division of Protection. 



State of Alaska, 

 Department of Fish and Game, 



Juneau, July 27, 1971. 



Mr. BiaiRY Kowalski, 



Office of Endangered Species, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, 



Washington, D.C. 



Dear Mr. Kowalski : I am enclosing a copy of the Commissioner's letter to 

 the Area Director of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, plus a copy 

 of the Game Division's management policy on polar bear. 



The Division management policy is not finalized at this time, accordingly, 

 some changes may be made, but such changes would not alter it greatly. 



This Di\asion has gone on record that we will suggest and propose the elimina- 

 tion of aircraft hunting of polar bear for the hunting season of 1973, not be- 

 cause we feel it is required to protect the species, but rather because of public 

 sentiment on methods of hunting these animals. 



Some time ago we set a limit of three hundred polar bears that might be har- 

 vested and this limit has, for the most part, been the upper limit of the harvest. 

 Our regulations have been gradually more restrictive in order to hold this limit. 

 The regulation for the present year 1971 specified a total of 300 permits au- 

 thorized to hunt and the harvest was 204 bears, including 8 that were illegally 

 taken. 



