ADFG Responds To Anchorage Judge Ruling On Predator Eradication

Last week, an Anchorage judge ruled that Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s practice to eradicate brown bears and other predators in an attempt to protect Mulchatna Herd caribou lacked due process and was unconstitutional, which has gotten some attention.

Here’s the response from ADFG:

State Disappointed by Court Decision to Halt Predator Control to Benefit Mulchatna Caribou in Southwest Alaska

March 15, 2025 (Juneau) –A plan by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to remove wolves and bears this spring to benefit the Mulchatna caribou herd has been suspended as a result of a decision issued by the Anchorage Superior Court today. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is disappointed by today’s decision issued by Judge Guidi regarding intensive management in Southwest Alaska.

The case challenged the intensive management regulation to conduct predator control of bears by department staff to benefit the Mulchatna caribou herd. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is reviewing the recent court decision and is consulting with attorneys at the Department of Law to determine next steps.

“The court’s action jeopardizes the Mulchatna caribou herd’s ability to recovery from low abundance,” said Doug Vincent-Lang, ADF&G Commissioner. “This action directly impacts subsistence users of the herd by prolonging the opportunity to harvest these animals, and flies in the face of the responsibilities of the department and Board of Game. We are considering petitioning the Alaska Board of Game to address this critical issue and build the necessary record.”

The Mulchatna Caribou Herd Predation Management Area was established to increase the Mulchatna Caribou Herd (MCH) within Game Management Units 9B, 17A, 17B, 17C, 18, 19A, and 19B by bolstering caribou calf survival and ultimately increasing the size of the herd to provide harvest opportunity. The goal of the Intensive Management Law is for the Board of Game and the Department of Fish and Game to maximize the sustainable production of wild food to benefit Alaskans.