Greenland, Polar Bears, and President Trump

In his first term, and approaching his taking of office in his second term, President Trump spoke of the importance of Greenland to American security, and the desirability of purchasing Greenland.

Historically, the United States of America has been interested in Greenland because of its strategic position. Attempts have been made to purchase the island. In WWII, the United States became the de-facto protector of the island. The USA maintains a military base on Greenland.

It is uncertain if President Trump will acquire Greenland for the United States. This may be the opening gambit in a negotiation for more control over Greenland’s future.

What might it mean for hunters if Greenland became part of the United States polity?

People in Greenland have seals, Muskox and polar bears to hunt. The most interest would likely be in polar bears. Greenlanders have hunted polar bears since the time there were people on Greenland. One researcher in Greenland assembled records of polar bear harvests from 1796 to 1998. The research was published in 2002. In essence, there was a rise in polar bear harvests from about 1900 to about 1930. In between the harvest dropped and rose. It is impossible to tell how much of the drop and rise happened because of the price of polar bear hides, polar bear populations, technological innovation to allow more access to polar environments, and war.

From about the 1970 to 1998, the harvest averaged about 162 bears per year. This is a long sustained harvest. It indicates more bears could be harvested without a negative effect on polar bear populations.

In 2005, significant restrictions were placed on the hunting of polar bears in Greenland. Only native Inuit who are full time hunters are allowed to hunt polar bears. Hunters cannot use airplanes, snowmobiles, or boats over a certain size. Most hunting for polar bears involves the use of dogsleds and dogs. Quotas have been established for polar bears in each village. One village might get a quota of 4 bears, another a quota of 24 bears. The overall quota has been 156 bears. A quota cannot be exchanged from one location to another.  This leads to some quotas not being filled, and a drop in the number of bear harvested. From swedenherald.com August 26, 2024:

This year, the quota for polar bear hunting in Kujalleq has risen to 4 individuals and the limit was reached as early as March 13. Local politicians claim that at least 10-12 polar bears would be desirable.

The total quota for all of Greenland is 156.

The number of polar bears seen appears to be increasing. Polar bear advocates claim this is happening because of “climate change”. Susan Crawford cogently disputes that assertion.

Link to Crockford interview.

Local hunters believe it is because the population of bears is increasing. Prices for polar bear hides rise and fall. From nunatsiaz.com, Nov 1, 2024:

Polar bear harvest quotas are compromising food security and making hamlets more dangerous places, says the chair of Arviat’s hunters and trappers organization.

If the USA takes over administration of Greenland, it is plausible more hunters will be allowed to take more polar bears in Greenland. It would make sense to remove polar bears from the “endangered” species list. They were placed on the list because of fanciful forecasts based on “climate change”. Those forecasts have been proven to be incorrect. President Trump could champion taking all species off the endangered list which were incorrectly put there because of false forecasts of “climate change.”

Because sport hunting focuses on large male trophy bears, it would make sense for local hunters to sell hunts for trophy polar bears. The harvest of large mature males is least likely to have an impact on overall polar bear populations. Polar bear hunts sell for about $20,000.  This is more than ten times what current Inuit hunters can realize from the sale of polar bear pelts.

In negotiations with residents of Greenland, the United States could offer a more reasonable and sustainable harvest of polar bears. A growing population of polar bears could be controlled with more hunting permits. Locals could act as guides, bringing in more than 10 times the revenue of current polar bear hunts.

©2025 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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