ODFW News: Comments sought on Oregon duck hunting

[Pete]

For Immediate Release Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006

Comments sought on Oregon duck hunting zones

SALEM - Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials today announced they are seeking feedback from hunters regarding the state's duck hunting zone boundary structure.

The current zones may be viewed on Page 15 of the 2005-06 Game Bird Hunting Regulations. Zone 1 currently comprises all of western Oregon and the Columbia Basin. Zone 2 comprises the remainder of the state. Annual season dates can be picked independently for each zone.

Every 5 years, the federal government allows potential changes in zone boundaries or types of zone configurations. Changes could be implemented in 2006 if approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Any zone or season date configuration must conform to one of the following options:

A. Three zones with no split seasons allowed;

B. Split seasons (no more than 3 segments) statewide with no zones; or

C. Two zones, with the option for a single split season in one or both zones.

Option C has been in place for Oregon for the previous 10 years.

"We would like to hear from interested hunters before a final recommendation is made," said ODFW Waterfowl Biologist Bradley Bales. "Hunters generally have supported the current zone option and current boundaries, so ODFW biologists are planning to make a recommendation for no change at this time if we do not hear otherwise from the hunting community."

Comments and questions should be addressed to Bales at ODFW, 3406 Cherry Avenue, NE, Salem, OR 97303 or via email bradley.d.bales@state.or.us

Comments are due by Feb. 20, 2006.

[Bill Monroe]

Hmm...something else not broken...

[Bait Bucket]

I agree.... If those guys are looking for something to do, I could probably give them a few ideas.

[billc_sbio]

To their credit, it's one thing I think they figured it out pretty well last time...

What do the rest of you think?

[Eric Strand]

Pete, Where can you find that on the ODFW website??

" Shoot em with their feet down "
Eric Strand

[baltz526]

i do not like the split season, but the zones are fine. i have no real argument against any of it. just would rather hunt in december, and lose the end of january.

[MarshBum]

Every 5 years, the federal government allows potential changes in zone boundaries or types of zone configurations. Changes could be implemented in 2006 if approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

I'm guessing this is a federally "allowed review" which allows states to change things if they need be. I'm guessing the decissions are binding for 5 year periods (which is why I'm guessing we've done things the same way for 10 years... or two review periods).

Anyway, I'm ramblling. I like it that way it is... let's go for 15 years.

MarshBum

[Pete]

Pete, Where can you find that on the ODFW website??

" Shoot em with their feet down "
Eric Strand

www.odfw.com ... it'll be at "news and highlights" when the webmaster gets to it. Usually takes a day or so.

[Bill Monroe]

Pete, Where can you find that on the ODFW website??

" Shoot em with their feet down "
Eric Strand

Came out on a news release this afternoon, Eric...they're posted (or the link is, anyway) over on the right hand side of the homepage.

It doesn't look to me as if there's anything to worry about. Brad just wants to make everything available to hunters. Says in the release they won't do anything unless someone proposes something...

[Eric Strand]

Thanks, www.dfw.state.or.us

" Shoot em with their feet down "
Eric Strand