Tell Alaska's Governor: Stop Aerial Gunning!

As a supporter of Defenders of Wildlife and someone who cares about sound wildlife management, I strongly urge you to withdraw your support for the use of aircraft to hunt and kill Alaska's wolves and bears.

Alaska is well known for its amazing wildlife and stunning natural beauty. It is appalling that your office and others in the state government continue to sanction the brutal aerial hunting of the state's majestic wolves and bears in nearly 60,000 square miles of the state.

As I am sure you are aware, aerial hunting was outlawed by the federal government in 1972. Yet Alaska officials continue to skirt the law and permit aerial hunting, claiming that this terrible practice is necessary for wildlife management -- an assertion that is not supported by available data on wildlife population numbers.

This unwarranted program often leads to inhumane deaths, with hunters in low-flying aircraft shooting down wolves or chasing them to exhaustion, and landing and killing the animal at close range. In some cases, wounded wolves escape, only to experience a slow, painful death.

This program is an embarrassment to the State of Alaska. Alaska's voters have twice rejected the use of aircraft by private hunters to kill wolves. It's past time that state officials listen to Alaska's citizens and put an end to this brutal and unnecessary program.

Thank you for considering my comments.