Performance Details

Department of Public Safety - Alaska Wildlife Troopers

• Return to Departments
• Department of Public Safety website

Mission

Enforce fish and game laws; preserve public peace; protect life, property, and resources.

Core Services

• Enhance recreational boating safety patrols.
• Enhance proactive wildlife patrols and investigations through increased field presence.

Mission Results	Core Services
A: Protect lives. Details > TARGET #1: Reduce recreational boating accident deaths to fewer than 14 annual fatalities	A1: Enhance recreational boating safety patrols. Details > TARGET #1: 10% increase in boating safety contacts over the previous 2-year average TARGET #2: 10% increase in hours spent conducting public education appearances over the previous 2-year average
Mission Results	Core Services
B: Protect wildlife resources. Details > TARGET #1: Wildlife violations detected less than 5% of total resource user contacts	B1: Enhance proactive wildlife patrols and investigations through increased field presence. Details > TARGET #1: Five-year average number of resource user contacts

Performance Detail

Target #1: Reduce recreational boating accident deaths to fewer than 14 annual fatalities Methodology: Source: U.S. Coast Guard. The target is a 10-year average of recreational boating deaths. Links: Alaska DNR Office of Boating Safety www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/boating/index.htm U.S. Coast Guard statistics www.uscgboating.org/statistics/accident_stats.htm Alaska Wildlife Troopers www.dps.alaska.gov/AWT/ Number of Alaska Boating Accident Fatalities Year YTD Total Target- less than 14 2024 20 0% 14 0% 2023 20 +100.00% 14 0% 2022 10 -28.57% 14 0% 2021 14 -41.67% 14 0% 2020 24 +118.18% 14 0% 2019 11 -47.62% 14 0% 2018 21 +5.00% 14 0% 2017 20 +25.00% 14 0% 2016 16 +128.57% 14 0% 2015 7 0% 14 0% Analysis of results and challenges: In 2024, Alaska Wildlife Troopers (AWT) recorded 20 recreational boating fatalities, unchanged from the prior year and above the target of fewer than 14 annual deaths. Most fatalities involved adults not wearing life jackets. To reduce preventable deaths, troopers increased boating safety patrols and on-water education, emphasizing personal flotation device use and safe operating practices. AWT continues to work closely with the Department of Natural Resources Office of Boating Safety to coordinate education campaigns, provide safety inspections, and respond to boating accidents statewide. Related links: Alaska DNR Office of Boating Safety U.S. Coast Guard statistics Alaska Wildlife Troopers Target Last Modified: 12/08/2025

Target #1: 10% increase in boating safety contacts over the previous 2-year average Methodology: Source: DPS Officer Activity Reporting System (OARS) Chart updated to show visibility of only ten-year view Number of Boating Safety Contacts by Alaska Wildlife Troopers Compared to Previous 2-Year Average Fiscal Year Number of Contacts Prev 2-Yr Avg Target 10% Increase FY 2025 2702 -12.95% 2298 +25.23% 2528 +25.21% FY 2024 3104 +108.04% 1835 -45.27% 2019 -45.25% FY 2023 1492 -45.11% 3353 -10.25% 3688 -10.27% FY 2022 2,718 -31.85% 3,736 -3.93% 4,110 -3.93% FY 2021 3,988 +12.69% 3,889 -2.99% 4,278 +9.61% FY 2020 3,539 -16.51% 4,009 +12.96% 3,903 -57.45% FY 2019 4,239 +12.20% 3,549 -15.34% 9,173 +10.00% FY 2018 3,778 +13.76% 4,192 -22.93% 8,339 +10.00% FY 2017 3,321 -34.39% 5,439 -13.18% 7,581 +10.00% FY 2016 5,062 -12.96% 6,265 +4.31% 6,892 +4.33% Analysis of results and challenges: In FY2025, troopers recorded 2,702 boating safety contacts, a 13 percent decrease from FY2024 but above the two-year average target. A contact represents the number of boats encountered, not the number of boaters, during compliance inspections or general patrol activity. Each contact provides an opportunity to check for equipment compliance, verify life jacket use, and educate boaters on safe operating practices. These one-on-one interactions reinforce boating safety requirements, deter unsafe behavior, and promote voluntary compliance with state boating laws. Related links: Alaska Wildlife Troopers (AWT) Target Last Modified: 10/21/2025

Target #2: 10% increase in hours spent conducting public education appearances over the previous 2-year average Methodology: Source: DPS Officer Activity Reporting System (OARS) Chart updated to show visibility of only ten-year view Number of Hours Spent by Alaska Wildlife Troopers on Boating Safety Education Compared to Previous 2-Year Average Fiscal Year Education Hours Spent Prev 2-Yr Avg Target-10% increase FY 2025 207 -4.39% 163.3 +5.56% 180 +5.88% FY 2024 216.5 +96.82% 154.7 +2.79% 170 +2.41% FY 2023 110 -44.81% 150.5 +30.19% 166 +30.71% FY 2022 199.3 +95.87% 115.6 -6.02% 127 -5.93% FY 2021 101.75 -21.43% 123.0 +23.62% 135 +23.85% FY 2020 129.50 +11.16% 99.5 +60.48% 109 -39.78% FY 2019 116.5 +41.21% 62 +17.54% 181 +9.70% FY 2018 82.5 +94.12% 52.75 -41.71% 165 +10.00% FY 2017 42.5 -32.54% 90.5 -27.02% 150 +10.29% FY 2016 63 -46.61% 124 -12.06% 136 -12.26% Analysis of results and challenges: The hours Alaska Wildlife Troopers (AWT) spent on teaching boating safety increased in FY2025, compared to the previous two-year average. In FY2025, troopers devoted 207 hours to boating safety education, a four percent increase from the two-year average. AWT delivers these programs in schools, through hunter education classes, and at public events in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources Office of Boating Safety. Education focuses on adult boaters, who account for most recreational fatalities, and on promoting safe boating practices to prevent injuries and deaths on Alaska`s waterways. Related links: Alaska DNR Office of Boating Safety Target Last Modified: 12/08/2025

Target #1: Wildlife violations detected less than 5% of total resource user contacts Methodology: Chart updated to show visibility of only ten-year view Links: Alaska Wildlife Troopers www.dps.alaska.gov/AWT/ Alaska DNR Office of Boating Safety www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/boating/index.htm Percentage of Wildlife Violations Detected per User Contacts by Alaska Wildlife Troopers Fiscal Year # of Contacts # of Violations Detected % Violations/Contacts FY 2025 49,273 -4.65% 1,915 -0.62% 3.9% FY 2024 51,674 +31.20% 1927 +20.36% 3.7% FY 2023 39,387 -20.39% 1601 -25.95% 4.1% FY 2022 49,475 -27.86% 2,162 -40.04% 4.3% FY 2021 68,586 +23.25% 3,606 -5.21% 5.3% FY 2020 55,648 -17.95% 3,804 -8.00% 5.1% FY 2019 67,822 +23.60% 4,135 +60.46% 6.09% FY 2018 54,874 -11.09% 2,577 -14.98% 4.69% FY 2017 61,719 -23.91% 3,031 -18.37% 4.91% FY 2016 81,109 +8.12% 3,713 -8.39% 4.57% Analysis of results and challenges: In FY2025, troopers made 49,273 resource user contacts and detected 1,915 wildlife violations, maintaining less than five percent of contacts resulting in violations. A resource user contact represents an encounter with a hunter, angler, or commercial operator during which compliance with fish and game laws is checked, regardless of whether a citation is issued. These contacts demonstrate AWT`s field presence and provide opportunities for education as well as enforcement. The total number of contacts declined slightly from FY2024 due to staffing vacancies and weather-related limits on remote patrols. However, the overall compliance rate remained high, indicating that AWT`s enforcement presence and public education continue to support sustainable harvest practices and lawful resource use statewide. Related links: Alaska Wildlife Troopers Target Last Modified: 12/08/2025

Target #1: Five-year average number of resource user contacts Methodology: Chart updated to show visibility of only ten-year view Number of Alaska Wildlife Trooper Resource User Contacts Fiscal Year Yearly User Contacts Prev 5-Yr Avg Contacts FY 2025 49,273 -4.65% 55,594 -5.49% FY 2024 51,674 +12.12% 58,824 -3.15% FY 2023 46,088 -6.85% 60,736 +19.83% FY 2022 49,475 -34.11% 50,686 -21.09% FY 2021 75,087 +34.93% 64,234 -5.69% FY 2020 55,648 -17.95% 68,108 -2.27% FY 2019 67,822 +23.60% 69,690 -1.38% FY 2018 54,874 -11.09% 70,665 -3.79% FY 2017 61,719 -23.91% 73,446 -1.28% FY 2016 81,109 +8.12% 74,397 -1.93% Analysis of results and challenges: In FY2025, AWT troopers recorded 49,273 resource user contacts, slightly below the five-year average of 55,594. These contacts represent proactive field encounters with individuals engaged in hunting, fishing, or commercial harvest activities. Visible patrols serve both as a compliance check and as a deterrent to unlawful behavior. By maintaining a strong presence in key fisheries and hunting areas, troopers reinforce lawful practices and educate users on regulations that protect Alaska`s fish and wildlife resources. Related links: Alaska Wildlife Troopers Target Last Modified: 10/21/2025

Last refreshed: 01/16/2026 05:00 pm