On July 13th, 2026, Pope and Young, North America’s leading bowhunting conservation organization, announced it is taking a firm stand to protect the culture and future of bowhunting in Alaska. Hunting opportunities for both residents and nonresidents continue to decline across the state.
In response to this trend, the organization believes now is the critical time to oppose the introduction of additional technology into Alaska’s archery seasons, urging bowhunters everywhere to join the cause and make their voices heard.
The Alaska Board of Game is currently considering two critical measures, Proposals 2 and 3, which would fundamentally alter the landscape of restricted archery hunts. Supported by the Alaskan Bowhunters Association, the Professional Bowhunters Society strongly opposes these changes.
Proposal 2 would legalize verifiers, clarifiers, and non-electronic scopes for archery-only hunts, substantially expanding the definition of legal equipment.
Proposal 3 goes even further by authorizing electronic scopes, electronic sights that do not project light externally, and electronic range-finding bow sights in these restricted seasons.
“As more technology is introduced and allowed during archery seasons, success rates increase, which ultimately decreases hunting opportunities”
“As more technology is introduced and allowed during archery seasons, success rates increase, which ultimately decreases hunting opportunities,” said Justin Spring, Executive Director of Pope and Young.
While Spring noted that technology isn’t inherently bad in areas where wildlife populations exceed management objectives and harvest rates need to go up, he emphasized that in places like Alaska where hunting opportunities are already shrinking, new technology that increases harvest rates must be resisted.
For decades, conservation groups have worked to earn additional hunting opportunities by proving that bowhunting relies on discipline, ethics, personal skill, and equipment limitations. Proposals 2 and 3 threaten to undermine that very foundation, making it significantly harder to defend or establish archery opportunities in the future.
To combat these changes, Pope and Young encourages every member to submit a formal comment to the Board of Game using the official action link – https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/7edf34720c3f45d9b878c3c7a0251d13
Members can use the following guided language for their submission:
“I oppose Proposals 2 and 3 and urge the Alaska Board of Game to take no action on either proposal during the special meeting. Furthermore, I encourage the Board to consider any future changes to archery equipment regulations only through Alaska’s normal regulatory process, where they can receive full public review and stakeholder participation.”
As North America’s leading voice for ethical, fair-chase bowhunting and conservation, the Pope and Young Club invites all who care about preserving the future of the sport to join them at www.pope-young.org.
