The renewed program would permit hunters to kill up to 80 percent of the wolf and black bear populations along with 60 percent of brown bears, The Guardian reported. This polarizing practice is intended to help increase the number of caribou and moose in Alaska. Proponents of aerial gunning claim the overabundance of predatory animals like wolves and bears limits how many caribou and moose can survive.
However, the data does not support the rationale behind the move. Because of this, those against the practice of gunning predators down from helicopters, like Rick Steiner with the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility group, are fuming at the decision.