Let the hunt begin

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Javier Alvarez
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  A cloud of soft white smoke billows from a muzzleloader at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson-R Combat Arms Training and Maintenance range. The simulated hunt, in which people shot at life-size targets from various firing positions, was part of a proficiency shoot – a requirement for those participating in the moose hunt and bear hunts on JBER.

Entry into either of the JBER hunts is by a permit drawing only which is conducted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, said James Wendland, 673d Civil Engineer Squadron chief conservation law enforcement officer.

As some may expect, there are differences between on- and off-base hunts. One notable difference is the requirement for a proficiency shoot.

“We believe our wounding rates have gone down by doing this,” Wendland said.

Because the JBER hunt is so close to the municipality, and to the main cantonment area, conservation law enforcement officers want to do as much as possible to keep wounded animals from getting into a resident’s yard.

“We’ve had people come up from other states that thought the only way to shoot a moose is in the hump,” Wendland said. “We help correct them. Educating the public in itself reduces the wounding rates.”

Basic hunter education is required, as well as education about the type of weapon used in the hunt, Wendland said.

“If a hunter is selected for an archery hunt – it may have been 20 years since they last picked up their bow,” Wendland said. “When they know they have a test, they practice and they make sure their equipment is working properly.”

All hunters should be aware of the current regulations in the state, Wendland said. Regulations often change, and the hunter is personally responsible for knowing the rules. For example, the use of electronic moose callers was recently banned state-wide. Having the proper permits, tags, and harvest tickets can keep hunters from losing their catch, or accruing fines.

Though the Alaska Department of Fish and Game dictate hunt regulations on and off base, there are further restrictions on base.

On base, hunters must check in with the iSportsman system, Wendland said. Furthermore, when a hunter releases a projectile, whether or not contact is made, they have to contact the conservation law enforcement officers.

“If they do get a moose, they have to fill out a harvest report,” he said. “We track where and when they got their moose [and] the size, to have the biological data for our biologist. The number of shots [taken], direction [of shots and shot distance]. As soon as they call us and we get their location, they process their animals and they’re done. They take the animal home.”

Knowing the locations of where people can hunt is important, Wendland said. On base, the hunt locations are broken down into designated grids outlined on a map provided by conservation law enforcement officers.

“We have areas that are closed … areas where no recreation is allowed,” Wendland said. “If someone is in those areas we need to know.”

Just as hunters keep their eye out for their next catch, non-hunters need to keep their eye out for hunters and report suspicious activities. They can also look for a picture of a moose on a parked car’s dashboard to see if there is a hunter nearby.

Situational awareness is important when tracking an animal.

In past years inert mortars were discovered by conservation law enforcement officers, Wendland said.

“A man was walking in an approved hunting area, and he hit something with his foot,” he said. “He looked and discovered it was a mortar. It was wedged against some rocks. Explosive ordnance disposal had to go out and blow it up.”

To have the hunt on base is a privilege, Wendland said. If the base commander were to get too many complaints, such as too many hunters not following the rules, or acting in a way that would impede the mission, he can call the whole thing off.

On base, only muzzleloaders or bows are allowed for the moose hunt, Wendland said. Each weapon has to be checked in with Security Forces and conservation law enforcement officers.

Even if a person is allowed to carry a sidearm for defense against bears, they must take the animal with the approved weapon, he said.

If they don’t take the animal the way they’re supposed to, they are going to lose it, Wendland said.

“I personally think that the hunt is necessary to keep from having so many moose in Anchorage or in the main part of base,” he said. “Now, there are no statistics to prove what I’m saying, but it make sense to me. Keep the population at a manageable amount, and there are going to be fewer moose that are out there getting hit by cars, and causing accidents.”

Back at the JBER-R CATM, as people charge their muzzleloaders, and pack in their next shot, less than a mile down the road, would-be hunters retrieve their bows from their carrying cases and release a volley of arrows at life-size moose targets.

Let the hunt begin.