|
|
PROTECT HUNTING
Our hunting tradition and wildlife habitat is under serious threat. Care about the future of our heritage?
|
| |
|
|
|
Check out the COHA
Field Wire.
Subscribe to our Field Wire email newsletter and receive immediate updates on issues critical to you and join the COHA Action Team. |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| "The unified and organized campaign that the formation of this Alliance offers is critical if we are to stop the further erosion of what we value as sportsmen and women." |
Phil Martinelli,
Past State President,
National Wild Turkey Federation |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
| Fish and Game Commission |
COHA Weighs in on 2010-2012 Mammal Regulations
|
At the early February 2010 meeting of the California Fish and Game Commission, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) unveiled their proposed mammal hunting regulations for 2010 through 2012. While the recommendations for deer, elk and other mammals were of little relative concern, the Department’s proposed bear regulations were met with intense opposition from several animal rights groups – led by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). At center stage was the DFG proposals that consider increasing the statewide annual bear harvest to 2,500 animals, would allow Houndsmen to use GPS to locate their lost dogs, and the opening of the season in San Luis Obispo County and a handful of other areas for the first time. With bear populations at all-time highs (4 times what they were in the 1980’s), and reports of human/bear conflict at record levels, DFG believes that the increase in bear quota is not only fully warranted, it is also necessary.
The California Fish and Game Commission, which took public testimony on the proposed mammal regulations for the first time at the February 2010 meeting, took additional public testimony at their March 3rd meeting in Ontario, California. Fully aware of the scientific need to manage these burgeoning populations, COHA was pleased to provide testimony in full support of DFG's biologically based proposals at both Commission meetings. COHA was joined at the podium by representatives from COHA member organization the California Houndsmen for Conservation (CHC). The Commission will take final testimony on the 2010 - 2012 mammal regulations package at their April 8th public meeting in Monterey, California. The Commission will vote on adoption of the final approved regulatory package via teleconference on April 21, 2010. |
| Top |
Commission Receives Petition to Ban Most Hunting in the Mojave National Preserve
|
A petition was recently filed with the California Fish and Game Commission by the Center for Biological Diversity and other environmental groups to revise rules governing hunting within the Mojave National Preserve. The petition seeks to place several new prohibitions on hunting, ostensibly to protect populations of desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) which are listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act, by amending Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). These proposed prohibitions include:
• A ban on the hunting of a variety of game species, nongame species and furbearers, including cottontail rabbits, jackrabbits, bobcats, coyotes, gray fox and badgers.
• A ban on all hunting from February 1st through August 30th, with the exception of limited hunting for bighorn sheep in February.
• A ban on the use of dogs for hunting any mammal.
• A ban on the use of spotlights for hunting furbearers and nongame species.
COHA has submitted a letter to the Commission strongly opposing the petition, and has asked Commission members to reject the petition in it’s entirely. COHA's letter points out that these additional proposed restrictions are unnecessary, would not aid in the recovery of desert tortoise populations, and would adversely affect local hunting opportunity for the public. In particular, COHA's letter notes that no scientific data or peer reviewed studies are cited in the petition which specifically link hunting or the use of hunting dogs with declining populations of desert tortoise.
COHA supplemented their written comments by also providing verbal testimony to the Commission regarding the petition at their February 2010 meeting in Sacramento. Following testimony from COHA and others, the Commission directed the Department of Fish and Game to treat the petition as they would any other public input and/or request to the Commission - in essence tabling the topic until further notice. |
 |
COHA Letter |
| Top |
Commission Denies Proposal to Expand Lead Ban
|
At their August 2009 meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission voted 4-1 not to expand the ban on the use of lead ammunition to the taking of small and migratory upland game in the range of the California condor. The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) joined the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), California Rifle and Pistol Association and the NRA in testifying against the proposed expansion at the hearing, noting that the best available science simply does not warrant such a move. The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) also recommended against an expansion of the lead ban. The Commission’s negative vote on the expansion proposal maintains the ability of hunters to use traditional lead ammunition for small and upland game in the range of the condor.
Currently, non-toxic loads are required for the hunting of big game within the range of the condor pursuant to the passage of AB 821 in 2007 and the promulgation of detailed Commission regulations which followed the passage of the measure. DFG was required to offer the expansion of the ban to small and upland game as an “alternative” within the 2009 season regulatory package, and the Commission had to consider the alternative, pursuant to the recent settlement of a long-standing lawsuit filed by several environmental organizations. For the past several months, COHA has been closely monitoring the DFG analysis of this possible regulation change and working with DFG and our partners to ensure that the final regulation adopted by the Commission was based purely on science, and not the emotions surrounding the general lead bullet debate.
In their testimony, COHA noted that – in contrast to big game – the carcasses of small and upland game are removed from the field in their entirety, leaving no gut piles or other body parts for condors to feed upon. Further, COHA noted that, according to DFG records, there is no single documented incident of a condor feeding on small or upland game. Finally, COHA pointed out that Commission adoption of a ban on lead ammunition for the hunting of small and upland game was not required in the state legislation (AB 821) that mandated the use of non-toxic loads for big game, nor was it required by the recent lawsuit settlement.
When the original lead ban legislation, AB 2123, was first being considered in the California State Legislature in 2006, COHA’s initial opposition convinced the bill’s author, Assembly Member Pedro Nava, to exclude small and upland game from the bill. A short time later, COHA played a key role in killing AB 2123 in committee. |
| Top |
Legal Resources for Hunters
|
| Hunting near urban areas and on navigable waters can often be challenging in California because of anti-hunting sentiment and/or ignorance of the law, even amongst seasoned law enforcement officers. However, the California Constitution does provide a reasonable level of protection for hunters in these areas when hunting can be undertaken safely under state laws and regulations. Please see the following State Attorney General Opinions for a detailed legal analysis on these subjects. |
|
Hunting Near Urban Areas/Within City Limits |
|
Hunting Naviable Flood Waters |
| Top |
| |
|
