Representative Bob Buch |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE · July 3, 2007 |
Buch: Alaska becomes the 29th state to prohibit cyber hunting
JUNEAU – Today, Gov. Sarah Palin signed HB 220 into law. Rep. Bob Buch (D-Anchorage) sponsored the bill which will outlaw computer assisted remote hunting, also known as “internet hunting,” in Alaska.
Internet hunting is a practice that allows people to shoot animals from their living rooms by hooking up their computers to a rifle through the internet.
“This is a victory for sportsmen everywhere,” Buch said. “This sends a message to virtual hunters to set their sights elsewhere. Alaskan game is off-limits.”
The practice got its start in Texas last year when an entrepreneur offered remote control hunting of big game on his 220 acres in the San Antonio area to anyone with a high-speed internet connection. Twenty eight states have since passed laws banning the practice, which the US Humane Society has dubbed “pay per view” slaughter. Seven other states have legislation pending to outlaw it.
A wide of array of organizations joined forces to support HB 220, including the Alaska Outdoor Council, Alaska Professional Hunters Association, Humane Society, NRA and the Alaska Conservation Alliance.
“Killing an animal via cyberspace and robotics is not ‘hunting,’” said Joe Klutsch, President of the Alaska Professional Hunters Association. “This activity constitutes nothing more than the mechanical slaughter of an animal over the internet.”
In addition to prohibiting people from engaging in cyber hunting in Alaska, HB 220 would also prohibit anyone from providing services or operating facilities in the state to enable these kinds of activities.
“The preemptive nature of HB 220 banning computer-assisted hunting is a significant action for conservation of wildlife and protection of our hunting heritage,” said Carl Rosier, retired Commissioner of the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game, and representative for the Alaska Outdoor Council.
“This bill is a preemptive strike against a practice that is insulting to sportsmen everywhere,” Buch said. “I want to thank my colleagues in Legislature for helping to ensure that this despicable practice doesn’t come to Alaska.”
Before being elected to the Alaska House of Representatives, Rep. Buch was a volunteer Hunter Education Instructor for the Dept. of Fish and Game. HB 220 was co-sponsored by 21 representatives and six senators before passing both houses with a unanimous vote.
·   Print  Forward this page·  http://www.akdemocrats.org/buch/070307_gov_signs_web_hunting_ban.pdf · Links: HB220 Representative Bob Buch |