Draft Scoring Criteria  (12/09/09) Draft Timeline  (11/16/09) Draft White Paper  (12/08/09) Program Maps  (proposed examples) Owsichek Vs. State Decision Big Game Comm. Services Bd. Letter (December 19, 2009) Alaska Board of Game Letter (January 11, 2008) ADFG-ADNR Joint Letter (October 29, 2007) Governor Sarah Palin's Letter (July 13, 2007) Alaska Board of Game Letter (June 22, 2007)

Public Meetings PowerPoint Presentation  (12/10/09) Submit Comments Online Comment Form Contact Subscription List Making Your Comments Count! View Public Comments Agency Contacts Draft FAQ's  (11/16/09) Generally Allowed Land Uses This site, materials, and maps are currently under development and may change as updates are incorporated during the public comment process or through internal management reviews.

DNR Guide Concession Program Summary
Alaska's professional hunting guide and outfitter industry has, and will continue to provide a very necessary service to visiting sportsmen and women who are attracted to the state by its outstanding natural resources, but are often not prepared to deal with the challenges and dangers inherent to Alaska's diverse climate, terrain, and logistical needs. After statehood the industry flourished, and in 1976 The Alaska Guide Licensing and Control Board created an area system limiting guides to operations within exclusive guide areas. This system required guides to be good stewards of the resources to assist in maintaining sustainable annual harvests and prudent business management.

This system of exclusive guiding areas was found unconstitutional by the Alaska Supreme Court in 1988, in what is commonly known as the "Owsichek Decision" and was abolished. However in its decision, the court did point out that "Nothing in this opinion is intended to suggest that leases and exclusive concessions on state lands are unconstitutional". The decision goes on to suggest that the Alaska Department of Natural Resources has the necessary authority to develop such a system under their long term lease or concession provisions.

Some members of the commercial hunting industry have long sought to re-create a program similar to the old exclusive use areas approach, but one that satisfies the deficiencies pointed out in the 1988 Alaska Supreme Court decision, and works within the constraints of DNR's statutory authority. During the Murkowski administration natural resources commissioner Mike Menge agreed to determine whether or not the department's authority was in fact sufficient to create the legal foundation for a program loosely based on the former exclusive guiding area system. In directing department staff to accomplish this task former Commissioner Menge recognized that the lack of direct funding for this activity would limit our ability to carry a new program through to implementation. Primary responsibility for development and implementation of such a program lies with the Division of Mining, Land, and Water.

Assigned staff, working with the Departments of Law, Fish and Game, and others determined that in fact the department did have sufficient authority to create and manage a program to limit big game guiding opportunity. With continued support from the governor's office the department has committed to developing the necessary elements of a new guide concession program. This program will likely be prepared in draft form early in 2010, and ready to implement by the beginning of 2011.

As designed the program is expected to generate sufficient revenues to not only pay for all costs associated with the administration of the program, but provide additional revenue back to the states general fund. The program limits the number of guides in "concession" areas and encourages better stewardship of the resources, which should also allow for better management of game populations.

Public Meetings
Below is a tentative meeting schedule as of November 16, 2009:

Agency Contact
For questions and comments regarding this program, and to submit comments via email, fax, or mail, contact:

Return to top