The National Park Service is considering a rule that could significantly change how wildlife is managed in Alaska’s National Preserves.
The proposal, “Hunting and Trapping in National Preserves” (RIN 1024-AE96), would roll back protections established in 2015 and allow state hunting regulations to play a larger role in how wildlife is managed on these federal lands.
Several parts of the proposal raise concerns.
First, the rule would allow greater deference to state predator management policies. Alaska manages wildlife under a sustained-yield system that prioritizes maximizing harvest of species like moose and caribou. When those targets are not met, the state can implement predator reduction strategies targeting wolves and bears. The National Park Service, by contrast, has historically managed preserves to maintain natural wildlife behavior and ecological balance, rather than manipulating predator populations.
Second, the proposal would remove the prohibition on bear baiting in National Preserves. Baiting attracts bears to food sources such as grease or processed foods, altering natural movement patterns and potentially increasing conflicts between bears and people.
Finally, the rule may affect rural subsistence protections under federal law. Changes to how subsistence is defined could allow more urban hunters to participate in hunts currently limited to federally qualified rural subsistence users, increasing pressure on resources that many communities rely on for food.
Alaska’s National Preserves were established to protect intact ecosystems where wildlife populations can function naturally. Decisions about how these landscapes are managed matter—not just for wildlife, but for the people who rely on healthy ecosystems and subsistence resources.
Submit a Comment
The National Park Service is accepting public comments on this proposal until April 9, 2026.
You can submit a comment through the Federal eRulemaking Portal:
Step 1: Visit Regulations.gov
Step 2: Search RIN 1024-AE96
Step 3: Click “Submit a Public Comment”
Public comments help ensure that wildlife management decisions reflect the values and experiences of people who care about Alaska’s lands, wildlife, and communities.