Experienced Alaska guide and outfitter Eric Williamson of Anchorage was appointed to the State Board of Game by Gov. Tony Knowles today. Knowles also reappointed Walter Sampson of Kotzebue to a second three-year term on the board.

"Eric Williamson's experience as a guide, background in wildlife biology and work with the local advisory committee make him an excellent choice for the Board of Game," Knowles said. "Likewise, Walter Sampson has been an important contributor to this public process during his first term and I appreciate his willingness to serve again on this important board."

Owner and operator of Eruk's Wilderness Float Tours, Eric Williamson, 42, has worked as a hunting and fishing guide in Southwest Alaska since 1989. Previously he worked as an assistant guide in Kodiak, the Alaska Peninsula, Talkeetna Mountains and Alaska Range. A graduate of the University of Montana, Missoula with a degree in wildlife biology, Williamson has guided in Montana and worked as a seasonal wildlife technician in both the public and private sectors. Williamson has served on the Anchorage Fish and Game Advisory Committee since 1993 and is a board member of the Alaska Wilderness, Recreation and Tourism Association. He succeeds Larry Holmes of Anchorage whose term expired January 31.

Walter Sampson, 50, is vice president of regional affairs for the Kotzebue-based NANA regional corporation. A lifelong subsistence hunter and fisher, Sampson has been active with the Kotzebue Fish and Game Advisory Committee and the Kobuk Valley National Park Subsistence Resource Commission. Gov. Knowles first appointed him to the Game Board in 1995.

"We are pleased with Gov. Knowles' appointments of Eric Williamson and Walter Sampson to the Board of Game," said Rob Holt, president of the Alaska Professional Hunters Association. "It is essential that the Game Board include the guiding industry with other users of Alaska wildlife. We look forward to working with Eric as a Board of Game member. The reappointment of Walter Sampson, meanwhile, retains an important perspective on the board process. We have enjoyed working with him in the past and look forward to working on issues with him in the future."

The State Board of Game is responsible for setting regulations for the conservation and development of Alaska's wildlife resources. Terms are for three years.

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