Please Do Not Taser The Moose

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"FAIRBANKS — It’s OK to use a Taser to stun a mugger, but you shouldn’t do the same to a moose — unless it’s about to stomp you.

The Alaska Board of Game passed a statewide proposal prohibiting the use of electronic control devices, aka Tasers, for hunting, but the new regulation does not prevent people from using a Taser on animals in defense of life and property.

According to a press release issued by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game on Thursday, the department submitted the proposal after media attention about the use of Tasers on wildlife, particularly bears and moose, and subsequent public and wildlife safety concerns related to their use.

“The department recognized the lack of authority to regulate the use of (Tasers) on wildlife and brought the concern to the Board of Game,” the press release stated. “Restricting the use of (Tasers) will reduce the risk of improper or unethical use on wildlife by the public or other agency personnel who are unfamiliar with the potential effects and hazards.”

The action was taken during a March 26-30 Board of Game meeting in Anchorage.

ADF&G Soldotna biologist Larry Lewis, the department’s Taser expert, wrote the proposal that was passed by the Game Board.

“This is referencing all use of (Tasers) for incapacitation of game in Alaska,” Lewis said.

The department isn’t as concerned with a hunter killing a moose or bear with a Taser as it is “catch and release hunting,” Lewis said."
 
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