Bill > SB97

This bill establishes a comprehensive Big Game Guide Concession Area Permit Program in Alaska designed to better manage and regulate commercial big game hunting services. The legislation creates a framework where the Board of Game can approve specific geographic areas (game management units) for a controlled hunting guide system, with the Department of Natural Resources administering a permit process that limits the number of guides operating in these areas. The program aims to encourage wildlife conservation, reduce user conflicts, provide a superior hunting experience, and support a professional guiding industry by issuing two types of permits: full concession area permits and limited concession area permits. These permits, which will be valid for 10 years and issued through a competitive, non-bidding process, will restrict the number of clients and hunting species a guide can manage in a specific area. The bill requires careful consultation between multiple state agencies, including the Board of Game, Department of Fish and Game, and Big Game Commercial Services Board, to establish and manage these concession areas. As part of the implementation, the Board of Game will first establish an initial concession area in a single game management unit to test and develop the program, with subsequent areas potentially being added after a minimum three-year pilot period.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

Resources (S)

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=SB97