556 



SALE OF SKINS 



The sale of polar bear skins taken with the aid of aircraft was stopped several 

 years ago. The sale of skins taken without the aid of aircraft was allowed 

 to continue on the basis that this was a quasi-subsistence activity by which 

 money obtained from skins could be used by Arctic coast residents to purchase 

 necesisities. It is now proposed that sale of skins taken without the aid of aircraft 

 also be stopped. The kill by coastal residents varies so much by location, year, and 

 individual, that it is not a dependable source of income for any one group. It is 

 believed that if a welfare measure similar to this is needed it should be directly 

 to the group needing it rather than to those who are skilled or fortunate enough 

 to kill polar bears. Also, as native groups become more acculturated, an attempt 

 should be made to eliminate double standards in game regulations. A single 

 standard for selling of skins, i.e., no selling, could be put into effect now. 



If ground hunting develops, prohibiting sale of all skins would eliminate 

 the possibility of extensive legal hunting for commercial sale of skins, an activity 

 which is not compatible with the primary objective of managing for high- 

 quality recreation. A loophole would also be plugged whereby a non-resident 

 might have a resident claim a skin so that it could be sold. 



SUBSISTENCE HUNTING 



Some of the factors affecting sale of skins also apply to subsistence hunting. 

 The primary purpose for hunting polar bears by Arctic coast residents in recent 

 years has changed from a desire to obtain meat to a desire to obtain skins for 

 sale. This is because of an increase in the value of skins and the increased 

 importance of wage-earning and welfare in the economy. Food stamps are the 

 most recent measure which is decreasing subsistence hunting. 



As has been stated, it is propose<l that hunting for skins not be considered an 

 acceptable use. However, it sliould be recognized that true subsistence hunting is 

 a legitimate minor use. This is so stated in the Policy Statement. This use 

 should be restricted by bag limits. 



Proposed Polar Bear Management Policy for Alaska 



(By Jack W. Lentfer) 



The polar bear (Ursus maritimus Phipps) is an important and unique game 

 species which, in some parts of its range, is under management jurisdiction of 

 the State of Alaska. People throughout the world have an interest in this bear 

 because of its uniqueness as a large carnivore sparsely distributed in a limited 

 and largely unknown habitat. Also, the national as well as international aspects 

 of polair bear management have caused considerable interest. Many bears are 

 born on land controlled by one of the various nations surrounding the polar 

 basin and spend much of their lives in international waters, sometimes moving 

 from one national sector of the high seas to another. A comprehensive polar bear 

 management policy must recognize international, national, and state interests 

 from ecological, recreational, economic, and scientific standpoints. Such a policy 

 must incorporate definite goals and guidelines with sufficient flexibility to adjust 

 to changing needs and conditions. Sound biological data and supporting informa- 

 tion skillfully used are required to implement a management program that will 

 attain the goals of a progressive management policy which insures perpetuation 

 of this species. The proposed policy includes a General Policy Statement and 

 Specific Management Policies. 



GENERAL POLICY STATEMENT 



The Alaska Department of Fish and Game recognizes the Constitutional 

 mandate of the State of Alaska to manage polar bears on the sustained yield 

 principle in the best interests of the resource and of the people, and also recog- 

 nizes that national and international interests must be considered. 



The Department recognizes that suitable habitat must be maintained for polar 

 bears and advocates that plans for Arctic coastal and marine development con- 

 sider the effects of such development on polar bear habitat and the biological 

 components of that habitat. 



The Department recognizes that different uses of polar bears exist and that 

 other uses may be proposed, 'rtiese uses and their priorities are considered 

 under Specific Management Policies. 



