It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
Snare traps caught two dogs on Wednesday, November 25 in the Moose Range near Wendt Road. This incident renews concerns about trapping safety and the lack of consistent protections across Alaska’s public lands. The dogs were not harmed.
The trap incident was recorded on the Alaska Wildlife Alliance’s online mapping tool. It tracks past and recent trap encounters statewide. The tool has become an important resource for multi-use outdoor users with dogs. It’s especially helpful for areas like the Moose Range where no local setback protections exist.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s code of ethics urges trappers to avoid non-target animals. However, there are no statewide limits on how close traps can be set to trails and state regulations vary by location. Trapping is legal in much of Alaska, including in the Moose Range, during the winter season. Heavily used areas like Jim Creek in Butte also lack regulations.
A state regulation took effect last year to reduce dog-trap encounters in high-traffic areas in the Mat-Su. It prohibits most traps and snares within 50 yards of 13 state-managed winter trails in the borough.
The 50-yard setback rule applies to trails in Talkeetna, the Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area, Palmer Hay Flats and public lands in the Hatcher Pass area including GPRA. However, the GPRA Equestrian trail is not included.
The regulation came out of a two-year collaboration between two longtime opponents: the Alaska Trappers Association and the Alaska Wildlife Alliance.
Both organizations said their goal was to protect pets while preserving access for trappers.
Alaska Wildlife Troopers handle enforcement. Violators face fines up to $500 and the forfeiture of trapping gear. Remember, it is illegal to disturb or tamper with a trapline, even if you come across one while recreating.
The Alaska Trappers Association offers clinics to help dog owners learn how to safely release pets from traps. And the Alaska Wildlife Alliance continues to encourage the public to report trap encounters using its mapping tool.
More information and the online map-the-trap tool is available on the Alaska Wildlife Alliance website.
Want to learn more? There is a Shared Trails presentation tomorrow night, December 3rd from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m, at the Wasilla VFW on Lake View Avenue. The presentation has lots of hands-on learning.
Learn how to determine if a trail is also a trapline, how to avoid accidental pet catches, and how to safely release a pet that is accidentally caught. It is sponsored by the Alaska Wildlife Alliance and the Alaska Trappers Association.
The Borough Assembly and the City of Palmer both meet tonight at 6 pm. The School Board meets tomorrow at 6 .p.m. All three meetings will be streamed from our website at bigcabbageradio.org.
Black Birch Books in Wasilla and celebrate Taylor Jordan’s birthday, Wednesday Dec. 3rd with a sale all day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.! All rare and collectible books are 20% off. All other used books are $5.
On Thursday the Palmer High FFA is hosting a bingo night at 6:30 p.m. at the school. Come learn what FFA has been up to this past year. Enjoy the fun including bingo, prizes, food, and fellowship.
Also, on Thursday at Mat-Su Central School from 4 to 5:30 p.m. there’s a winter concert by Mat-Su Central students. A potluck reception follows from 5:30 to 6 p.m.
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Page Two articles are written by Emily Forstner, Lee Henrikson, and David Cheezem. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Tuesday, Dec. 2nd, 2025.