The National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) is the world’s premier system of public lands set aside for the protection of wildlife, fish, and plants.

Refuges are intended to be safe havens for wildlife.

Despite this, on May 21, 2018, the federal government announced its proposal to reverse federal restrictions that protect bears, coyotes, and wolves on some national refuge land in Alaska.

Under the proposed new rules, trophy hunters will be allowed to:

• Kill predators using bait, traps, and snares.
• Hunt black bears with dogs.
• Use spotlights to shoot mother bears and cubs hibernating in their dens.
• Kill wolves – including pups – during their denning season.

Alaska’s national refuges are not private game reserves. What are wildlife refuges, after all, if not refuges for wildlife?

Beyond this being an assault on wildlife, this proposal is a blow to the millions of Americans who treasure our shared public lands.

It is a choice between protecting iconic predators on our federal lands and declaring an open season on them. Which legacy should we leave your children?

Please help. Oppose the new draft rules by submitting comments here by July 23, 2018