In North America, SCI Foundation focuses on wildlife management for big game species and wildlife habitat conservation. We help support excellent research, science-based wildlife management practices, and conservation advocacy with the federal and state governments.

In Alaska, the most difficult challenge is the decline in moose populations due to lack of grazing acres and predation by black bears. We're working here to support the development of private land wildlife management. More than 33 million acres of privately-held wildlife habitat are currently closed to sport hunting and reserved only for subsistence hunting. Wildlife management programs that generate significant income to landowners while conserving wildlife and increasing hunting opportunities is a primary goal.

SCIF continues to support research on predator-prey interactions, particularly in the western US. These studies are the scientific foundation of future management decisions regarding how predators and their big-game prey populations will be managed. The impact of wolves, bears, and mountain lions on western big-game populations is critical in making these management decisions. The scientific studies funded by SCIF indicate that each of these species, while capable of taking big game animals at any time of the year, is actually more effective at taking certain species under specific conditions. The long-term cumulative impact of this predation is still unknown; however, they all point to some level of reduced abundance of big game animals. While this sounds like bad news for hunters, the actual impact on hunting opportunities (if both predators and prey are carefully managed) may not be as great as many fear. However, additional research will be needed to help clarify all of these issues and to identify optimum population ratios. SCIF will continue to support this research.

Conservation Efforts: Chronic Wasting Disease

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