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.