In this episode I talk with Bruce Dale about predator
management in Alaska based on his 35 years of experience. Bruce has a rich set of experiences having
worked on a variety of projects for several agencies. Most recently he was the Director of Wildlife
Conservation for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
0:30 - Introductions including Bruce’s thoughts on why he
hunts and the value of hunting to him.
8:30 - Bruce shares stories about favorite hunts.
10:30 - We discuss how Bruce uses science in hunting.
13:30 – We initiate a discussion of the science of predator
management.
16:40 – Bruce considers how we manage people as predators in
the system and how wildlife management is a value based process.
23:00 – We discuss the tradeoffs between scientific
information and values. When do we have
enough science to make a science based decision?
31:15 – We talk about several case studies of predator
management in Alaska.
41:30 – Bruce talks us through a situation where predator
management wasn’t justified nor effective.
43:45 – We discuss differences between managing wolves and
bears.
46:00 – Bruce describes Intensive Management Law in Alaska.
51:00 – We transition into a conversation about what is a
population for management purposes.
58:30 – Why is predator management so political?
1:03:00 – We talk about the changes that have occurred in
the attitudes about hunting.
1:04:30 – What is the future for predator management?
1:06:30 – Bruce offers his advice about what he thinks young
professionals should consider as they enter the workforce.
1:11:00 – Outro.