Montana man charged with 37 counts in Bethel hunting residency case

Ross Boring, 65, of Montana faces 37 criminal counts after Alaska Wildlife Troopers alleged he claimed Alaska residency for years while hunting in the state. Residency affects what hunters pay for licenses and tags, and it can determine eligibility for hunts where nonresident permits are capped.

Troopers opened the investigation in January and filed charges in August, according to a Department of Public Safety dispatch posted Tuesday. The counts are five for false statement on a license application, five for taking moose over the limit, nine for unlawful possession or transportation of big game, nine for failure to purchase a locking tag, and nine for hunting without a valid license.

Arraignment is set for Sept. 9 in Bethel, the regional hub of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

State law requires a resident to be physically present in Alaska, intend to remain indefinitely, maintain a domicile here for 12 consecutive months, and claim residency nowhere else. Rep. Rebecca Himschoot told the Senate Resources Committee that standard is difficult for troopers to enforce in the field.

The Legislature passed House Bill 93, which would have required hunters to be physically present in the state 180 days a year, mirroring Permanent Fund Dividend rules. Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed it, leaving the current standard in place.

Nonresidents are not barred from hunting in Alaska. They may hunt moose and other game with the required Alaska hunting license, tags and registration permits.

The charges are accusations, and Boring is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.