It’s well-known that Alaska has a huge predator problem. Burgeoning populations of brown and black bears as well as wolves have been taking a toll on the state’s moose and caribou populations in certain areas for a number of years now. The problem is severe enough in some units that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has implemented year-round seasons on bears, increased bag limits and even waived the rule that restricts hunters to one brown bear per four-year period – all in an effort to whack predator populations.
Tom Krueger of Alaskan Tracker, Inc. operates in one of these units, specifically Unit 16B in the Lower Susitna, which drains into the Cook Inlet. There is no closed season on black bears in this unit, and the limit is three. The limit on brown bears is two every regulatory year, and hunters are still allowed to take a brown bear in another area limited to one bear per four years. This same unit allows hunters to shoot up to 10 wolves, and get this, tags are not required for these canines.
Krueger’s area is over 5,000 square miles and features 168 miles of salmon streams. He has been guiding there for 25 years and operating as an outfitter for the last 12. If you’ve never heard of him, it may be because he does little to no advertising, booking most of his slots by word of mouth.....
