Montague Island Deer Hunting 11.27.12

Emergency closure at midnight on December 7^th, 2012 ends the deer hunting season early this year. This is a good call by the biologists to stop the hunting season before the deep snow forces the deer to the shore where the pickings are easy. Last winter’s 42 feet of snow severely cut down the deer population. This season we informed our hunters of the winter kill and some decided to wait for next season. Others enjoyed camping and hiking in the wilderness - if they got a few deer great, if not, they still had a great time with their hunting buddies. A few hunters brought their shotguns and took advantage of the abundant population of waterfowl. I enjoy transporting local Alaskan hunters most of whom grew up in a family that traditionally hunted. They grew up with fair chase hunting ethics passed along through generations of hunters. We often have the honor of transporting hunters with their young children who are out on their first deer hunt with their Dad, such as right now. These hunters are true hunters and understand the reasons for closing the season early: to protect the resource so we will have deer to hunt in the future. But unfortunately there are those that are shooters, not hunters who only think about now. You know the type they prefer deer drives and disregard the laws. Several of the hunters I have transported have witnessed deer drives. These are not hunters; they are shooters with total disregard of the laws and are very dangerous for other hunters in the area. As for transporting hunters to the floating dock with the plywood shack that has been shifting around Montague Island: this does not comply with AS Sec. 08.54.650: A licensed game transporter can provide accommodation to big game hunters in the field at a permanent lodge, house or cabin owned by the transporter or a boat with permanent living quarters located on salt water, (this excludes temporary floating shacks). This rule is pretty clear and it is the responsibility of all licensed transporters to know it. If it was allowed, there would be a floating shack in every cove in Prince William Sound. It is also required to have a permit to have the floating shack anchored off in state waters according to DNR, which it does not have. Beware of transporters that were advertising hunter transport before purchasing their license. Also beware of misleading marketing: currently there is a transporter advertising that have been transporting hunters for decades yet they have only had a transporter license since late March 2011. You can always check the State of Alaska website Professional Licensing Division to confirm that a transporter has a current license. Sadly there are plenty of shooters who couldn’t care less about the laws and resources and are willing to support unethical big game transporters; after all, it’s every poachers dream to get a jump on all the fair chase hunters. I always encourage hunters to speak up and report unethical game transporters and guides because these operators will ruin it for the general public who wish to continue their family hunting traditions. You can call investigator Lee Strout on (907) 269 8437.
On a good note, so far it has been a light winter down on Montague Island, with not too much snow and mild temperatures. This, together with the early closure, bodes well for a good Prince William Sound deer hunting season next fall. The deer that we picked up this year had very good fat reserves which is also a positive sign that they are ready for the weather that will still come.
Matt
www.princewilliamsoundhunting.com