National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior
Western Arctic National Parklands Big Game Hunters and Transporter Activity An Integrated Study of Hunting and Caribou in Noatak National Preserve 2009-2013
Western Arctic Caribou Herd Unit 23 Working Group Meeting May 15, 2014 Andrew Ackerman, M.S. Social Scientist Western Arctic National Parklands Study Context & Background
Very little non-local hunting pressure pre-1980 Non-local hunting activity increases moderately 1985-1995 ; more significantly Food Trophy 1995-present (+10-15% per year) Social Values Conflict: Two User Groups Recent findings in Squirrel (Fix, et. al, 2009): Subsistence Non-Local 1. Low levels of direct field competition for shared Hunters Hunters resource, but high levels of perceived problems/indirect competition 2. Hunt conflict is asymmetric; locals describe as problem, but not vice-versa. 3. Issues with non-locals: Western Hunting for trophy and meat rotting Arctic Alteration of migratory patterns & aircraft use Caribou Mode of Access to Resource—Air (non-locals) vs. Boat (locals): How much overlap??? Shared Resource; Migration period temporally bounded (Aug- Divergent Objectives & Oct) = urgency to hunt while in proximity of Noatak and crossing Noatak & Kobuk Rivers Values E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Management Strategies To Date
The Alaska BOG implemented a Noatak R. corridor Big Game Controlled Use Area starting in ‘88 (8/20-9/20) expanded area east to Sapun Cr; reduced dates in ‘95 (8/25-9/15) expanded dates (8/15-9/30) in ‘10 based on WG recommendations AK BOG initiated Unit 23 Pilot and Hunter Orientation (2010) Improved communication and recommended new BGCSB authority re: Licensed Transporter (and air taxi) activities in Unit 23
In 2012, NPS WEAR implemented CUA permit limitations and a transporter delayed entry strategy for the western part of Noatak NP 20-mile wide area of the preserve targets non-local caribou hunts arriving via commercial air 1/1-9/15 each year. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Noatak NP Study Objectives
1. Gather, summarize, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data on non-local hunters, hunt activity, experiences and associated activity (i.e., commercial air transport, guiding activity, etc) [2013-14]. 2. Use soundscape monitors to document motorized sounds (air and ground sources) and characterize existing conditions in a variety of areas in NOAT [Fall 2013-14]. Spatial model of sounds along NOAT river corridor will be done 2014-15 3. Conduct spatial analyses: trends or patterns in data gathered in 1. and 2. integrated with WACH gps collar data 4. Integrate results with TEK study being done in Noatak in 2013-14. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Significance of Western Arctic NPS Units, Specifically Noatak NP to WACH & Unit 23 Area of WACH migratory range: 34,329 sq/mi. % of migratory range area inside NOAT, CAKR, & KOVA: 36% % of migratory range area in GMU 23: 74% % of GMU 23 migratory range area managed by WEAR: 49% Explicit Policy Significance of WACH (NOAT Significance Statement #3 of 4) NOAT “protects natural resources and habitats that provide opportunity for local rural Ak residents to engage in customary and traditional subsistence uses.” “…unimpeded movement of WACH, an essential regional subsistence resource.” Preservation of WACH herd also part of Statement #1: Nationally Significant Ecosystems
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A 12,362 sq./mi or 36% of WACH migratory range is within Noatak National Preserve, KOVA, & BELA. Western Arctic National Parklands is the single largest landholder within the migratory area. If you add GAAR to the mix, >70% of the migratory area is NPS managed lands
Noatak NP
Cape Krusenstern NM
Entire WACH Kobuk Valley NP range combined: 145,761 sq/mi
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A 25,252 sq./mi. or 74% of the WACH migratory range is represented by GMU 23, 49% (12,362 sq/mi.) or approx. half of which is NPS managed lands
GMU 23 area(74%) that intersects migratory area of WACH
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Study Methods Compile existing data (2009-13) on commercial hunting and transporter activity in Noatak NP into database & GIS [2013-] Mail-survey to Noatak NP non-local hunters over the four year period 2010-13 [2014] Structured interviews: non-local hunters, guides, and pilots [2014] Monitor acoustic conditions in Noatak NP during peak hunt season and differing management areas [2013-14]
TEK research in Noatak Village using semi-structured interviews and small group participatory mapping (Kofinas & Halas, UAF) [2013]
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Noatak River
Sapun Creek 100 yards
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Analyzing Existing Commercial Use Noatak National Preserve
2013 Licensed Transporters Air Juneau (formerly RAM) Brooks Range Aviation Coyote Air Golden Eagle Outfitters Arctic Backcountry Flying Northwestern Aviation Transmountain Aviation Incidental Hunt Transport (Air Taxi) Bettles Air* Arctic Backcountry Flying Other Air Taxis Shadow Aviation Wright Air Service
70 North E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A *Bettles Lodge transferred ownership in 2014
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Number of CUA Aircraft Per NPS Unit 60
50
40
30 Total
20
10
0 CAKR KOVA NOAT
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Number of WEAR CUA Aircraft Per Operator 40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5 Total
0
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Top 10 Most Common Cities of Residence
Noatak Big Game Hunters: 2012 Noatak Big Game Hunters: 2011
35 50
45 30 40
25 35
30 20 Total Total 25 Hunters 15 Hunters 20
10 15
10 5 5
0 0
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Noatak BG Hunters/Groups: 2009-13 600 Based on the Rule of 70, the data supports exponential growth trend at an annual rate of approximately 12% for Hunters and 11% for Groups/Trips. A conservative estimate of growth would be 9-10% 500
400
300
200 Hunters/Hunting Groups Hunters/Hunting
100
0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 NOAT Hunters 202 297 337 480 401 Hunting Groups 75 94 111 160 131 Noatak BG Hunters/Groups: 2009-13 Hunting Groups Hunters 160 450
140 400 350 120 300
100 250 80 200 Hunters 60 150 Hunting Hunting Groups 100 40 50 20 0 0 -50 Aug Sep Aug Sep Jul Aug Sep Oct Aug Sep Aug Sep 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 NOAT Flights and Noatak Big Game Hunts 2009-2013
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A WEAR BG Hunters/Groups: 2009-13
Percent of Hunts on NPS Percent of Hunts in Noatak Units in GMU 23 Transporting NP Transporting Big Game Big Game (i.e., success rate) (i.e., success rate)
Without Without 13.2% 8%
With Game 86.8% With Game 92%
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Noatak BG Hunters/Groups: 2009-13
Proportion of All Noatak NP Big Proportion of All Noatak NP Game Hunts (Groups) that Big Game Animals Harvested Harvested 1 or more Caribou that were Caribou
Other Big Game No (145), Caribou 11% 33%
1+ Caribou Caribou (1230), 67% 89%
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Monthly (Aug/Sept) Caribou Harvest Levels & Group Harvest Rates 350 14.0 Caribou Harvest AvgHarvestPerGroup Max of HarvestPerGroup 12 300 12.0
10
250 10.0
8 200 8.0 7
6 150 5.5 6.0
Harvest Caribou Harvest 5 5 Max and Avg Harvest Group Avg and Max 100 4.0 3.4 3 3.1 3.1 2.9 2.7 2.4 2.3 50 2.0 1 1.7 1.3
0 0.2 0.0 Aug Sep Aug Sep Aug Sep Aug Sep Aug Sep 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Acoustic Monitoring 2013-2014
Near Kugururok R. confluence Near Sapun Cr. confluence
Upper Cutler R.
Upper Agashashok R.
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A NOAT Soundscape Monitoring: 2013 30% Kugurorok River 2013 Aircraft Sound, Average %Time Audible
08/03 - 08/19 An example of ‘Very High Quality’ Natural Sound Condition Standards in Alaska parks; 20% • Max. % time audible: 5% (or less of any hour) • Max. # events/day: 1 event (or less)* • Max. dBA (loudest event): 40 dBA *this standard has proven to be next to impossible to achieve. Max of 3 events/day is more realistic standard that can be achieved Percentage of Time Audible Time of Percentage 10% (e.g. 5% of an hour = 3 mins.) Avg 5.2% 4.4 4.3 3.7 3.8 3.5 2.5 2.3 2.7 2.4 2.3 2.5 1.5 1.4 0.7 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0%
Hour of Day E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A NOAT Soundscape Monitoring: 2013 Agashashok River 2013 30% Aircraft Sound, Average % Time Audible 08/02 - 09/16
20%
10am to 3pm block--aircraft audible >5% of each hr; max% time = 7.5% or 4mins 30 secs of the 10am hr
10%
Percentage of Time Audible Time of Percentage 7.5%
5.4% 5.5% 5.3% 5.6%
Avg 4.9% 4.4% 3.5% 3.6% 2.8% 1.7% 2.0% 1.7% 1.1% 0.9% 0.6% 0.9% 0.6% 0.4% 0.2% 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% 0.3% 0%
Hour of Day E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Soundscape Monitoring: 2013 Kugurorok River 2013 Agashashok River 2013 Number of Aircraft Events Per Day Over Number of Aircraft Events Per Day Over 10 Natural Ambient Natural Ambient 13 08/03 - 08/19 08/02 - 09/16 9 12 If standard set at max 3 events/day, 14 days 11 exceed standard at 8 Aggie site 10 7 If standard set at max 3 events/day, 9
only 5 days in the
6 sample period 8 exceed standard at Kug site 7 5 6 4 Aircraft Events Aircraft 5 Aircraft Events Aircraft 3 4 3 2 2 1 1 0 0
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Month of September 2010-12: Collared Caribou Perc Volume Contours Caribou Collar Data Provided by Kyle Joly (PVC is the smallest shape that encloses a set percentage of the total # of gps collar records) Yellow 50%; Light Orange 65%; Dark Orange 90%; Red 95%
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Month of September 2010-12 Caribou PVC and Transporter Landing Concentrations (PVC is the smallest shape that encloses a set percentage of the collar records) Caribou: Yellow 50% (high conc.); Light Orange 65%; Dark Orange 90%; Red 95%(low conc.) Flights: Red = High; Yellow = Low
Blk = High flights/High caribou White = Low flights/High caribou Green = High flights/Mod caribou Blue = Mod flights/Very Low caribou
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A 2010-12 Transporter Landings within 10 miles of the Noatak River 46, 2010; 41, 2011; 48, 2012
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Transported Hunter Survey Data Population =1,280+ or all hunters with an transported via licensed transporter into Noatak Preserve b/t 2010-2013 and includes: ? about the movements of hunters, where and how they harvested game ? about encounters with other parties and motorized sounds ? about levels of knowledge of existing hunt policies and local hunting traditions ? about the adequacy of hunt related services in and around Kotzebue Hypothetical management scenarios intended to get at choices hunters would make when faced with tradeoffs
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Survey Response Data
Frame = 1150 or all hunters with valid address; current return n=390+ [In progress] for about a 35% Response Rate to date (n=400 very high stat confidence;95%±4) Data will be analyzed in tabular fashion and spatially to ID patterns or trends in how hunters use NOAT Draft Report expected by October 2014 Should be able to use hunter self-reported maps to verify and supplement Transporter activity data
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Questions?
Contact Info: Andrew Ackerman NPS Fairbanks Administrative Center [email protected] Ph. 907-455-0643
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A