ODFW Waterfowl Recommendations....

[Lured In]

Here are some excerpts and the link to the ODFW supplemental recommendation to the Fish and Wildlife Commision.

Some interesting quotes....

On Ducks..."The proposed season framework is the same as last year and staff believes continued
liberal harvest regulations are justified. Duck populations have increased throughout the
state and Flyway in recent years, especially the mallard, which is the most commonly,
harvested species. Though many populations showed decreases this year, most are at or
near long-term averages. Other commonly harvested ducks in Oregon – American
wigeon, American green-winged teal, and gadwall remain in good numbers."

So basically a 107 day split season for ducks with 2 days off that were given to the kids just like last year. But wait there's more...

On Pintails, Western Oregon..."Pintail Season: October 12, 2002 – October 20, 2002 and
October 23, 2002 – December 12, 2002 and Eastern Oregon Pintail Season: October 5, 2002 – December 3, 2002"

A 60 day pintail season that allows the harvest of one pin per day. This is going to get ugly! I can't count how many time I have seen people mis-identify hen pin and over shoot the one bird limit. Now not only do they take that buffer away, but now people will be shooting them out of season to boot! I am sure we will see a lot of fines and dead birds in the bushes come December at Sauvie.

More on Pintails..."A reduced pintail season will no doubt be of concern to many hunters. But, population
declines warrant a conservative approach to minimize the chance of closed seasons in the
future. Staff recommends that the pintail season be placed at the beginning part of
seasons in both Zones 1 and 2. In Zone 2, most pintails occur early in the season. In
Zone 1, while pintail harvest might be more desirable in a late season, birds do occur
throughout the season. In many cases young pintails are not fully colored and are
confused by hunters for other species. A pintail season which opens early will protect
hunters who may accidentally harvest a young bird. Many hunters will no doubt desire
late pintail hunting opportunities, but with only 60 days allowed and a minimal bag limit,
pintail hunting opportunities will be significantly reduced no matter what dates are
selected. Washington adopted a similar strategy for its duck season. A different duck
species season within a general duck season approach is not a very common occurrence
and hunter education will be important. Though, duck and goose seasons have had
different season dates over the years. Considering the status of pintails and while still
offering a 60-day season proposal, staff is not promoting to maximize harvest. Separate
date strategies between zones would optimize harvest."

NW Permit Goose Limit..."Maintain the daily bag limit of four dark geese and three white geese. There would
be no bag restrictions on cackling Canada geese. The take of an Aleutian Canada
goose would still be prohibited."

No bag limit on Cacklers! :shocked:

Columbia RHA..."Columbia Basin Regulated Hunt Area Program: Negotiations are currently underway
to allow public access along the Columbia River in the Boardman area. This is a portion
of the former Boeing Regulated Hunt Area. No other changes in RHA programs are
anticipated. A final briefing will be given to the Commission on August 9."

Here is the link...

Original Recommendations...
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/...ust/Aug_B4.pdf

Supplemental Recommendations...

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/...ugust_b_4b.pdf

[ 08-09-2002, 11:59 AM: Message edited by: Lured In ]

[fish forever]

looks like duck hunting is going to get as complicated as western goose. Look for tests next. I suppose this is one way to make up for budget deficits - just fine the hunters.

I have to admit, I've shot hen pinnies before thinking it was a different bird. Always been lucky though in that I could count it in my 1 pin bag limit. Sure is going to make that first 1/2 hour of hunting in fog/dusk a little tougher, especially in mixed flocks.

Another intersting thing - in the last couple of years - in some units there have been surprisingly few duskies counted against the quota in units with primarily private property. At the same time monitored public hunts have closed early due to reaching dusky quota (Sauvies). Do you think that is because duskies never get shot accidentally on private land? You can attribute some of this to slob hunting, but if your a skeptic........

[bigshark]

Hi Fishforever

I'll give you my take on the prvate land dusky
quota. I actually believe fewer are shot on private land. The main reason being is that few
clubs have inexperienced hunters hunting by themself as is often the case on public land.There is usually several guys hunting within voice distance at clubs and hence they call out an alert such as BAD BIRDS.
The second is that newbies are told that if they make a mistake it can happen but not often. You kill another one and your out of here without a refund. Most lakes are $1000 to $2500 for a season......want to get kicked out? Pride alone goes a long way as well. You take a dusky you are not allowed in the goose area of the club. You want to wear that honor for the season? It is rare to make a mistake unless you choose to fire that shotgun when your not sure of the bird. Thats how I see it anyway. Hope your season is an outstanding one!

[ 08-09-2002, 05:26 PM: Message edited by: bigshark ]

[birdhunter]

Hi all. I just got back from the Commission meeting and wanted to fill you in on the proposal.

This year for waterfowl the poposal is for a 107 day season (which some of the commissoners felt might be a little too liberal). It would be a split season to let it go later intot the winter. For the first time in a few years, duck season would not be the same on both siddes of the state. Zone 1: Oct 12-20 and Oct 23-Jan 26. Zone 2: Oct 5 - Dec 3 and Dec 13 - Jan 26. Pintal season would only run for the first 60 days and would be only one pintail. Canvasback would be closed.

On a positive note, all of Lincoln county and parts of Coos would open up for goose hunting as well as a few other areas on the southern coast.

There will also be some proposals floated before the public to prohibit the use of all mechanical and elcectronic decoys, although string and wind powered would be okay.

The other changes are to turkey seasons. The fall turkey tags will be increased from 1000 to 2000. For spring turkeys 5 NW counties will open up for the bonus turkey tag and the snake river islands will be open to hunting.

That's the big stuff bird related. I didn't get to stay for their CWD/elk ranching session. Anyone with any insight or info about that, I would appreciate a post. Thanks.

[Point-of-Sale Clerk]

:depressed: Sorry, I was in the hall talking to Pilar and others regarding Ocean fisheries during most of the CWD / elk ranching debate.

It was good to see you there. You did a fantastic job with your portion of the wolf presentation. Grizzlies and California Condors, who would of thought. With the Hogan decision the look of “arbitrary” must have caused many a pucker on the other side of the podium.
:grin: :grin: :grin:

[Lured In]

Birdhunter...sounds like you are moving up in the world of ODFW, congrats. Question...most of the forums regarding waterfowl are all VERY surprised by the trend of allocating the 'liberal' seasons given what appears to be a distinct mark in the declining trend of breeding waterfowl. I understand that, for the most part, duck species are above management goals. This does not; however, mean that we should have continued liberal seasons during a downturn. Am I off base on this?

Aside from that, I honestly believe that the Pintail thing is going to bite the state in the but. I'll put $100 up that at anytime after the closure that you will be able to walk any unit of Sauvie and find lots dead pins in the bushes.

[birdhunter]

Lured In,

While this years flyway counts are expected to be down about 14% from last year, you have to understand that we have been having near record years for many birds. (I sure didn't see it last year, but that's what they tell me)

Mallards drive the duck seasons and they are above 30 year highs. Gadwall are at record high numbers still. Most of the major species (with the notable exception of the pintail) are doing very well still. Think of it like last years springer run. This year was a decline in numbers, but there were still a lot of fish. A lot more than the average anyhow. That's how ODFW's wildlife managers are looking at this duck situation.

I would have to sadly agree with you about the pintail situation. The early season is the best bet to allow some harvest, without affecting the population as much. We were lucky to get that. I already shoot very few pintail and I'm going to try not to bag any this year. Things are getting pretty bleak. There is a good chance we could be looking at a complete closure next year if the numbers don't improve.

*** - Good to see you too. Yeah, I didn't really want to say "arbitrary" right there to them, but I know they got the message. It was an interesting meeting to say the least.

[Crashin' Bait]

Thanks for the info and good job! Can anyone explain as to why the state was split into two zones and why there are different seasons for these zones? It's very perplexing. :whazzup:

[ 08-09-2002, 11:42 PM: Message edited by: Crashin' Bait ]

[Tilla]

There is a ODFW site that is taking votes on what sportsmen think of mechanical wingers. I guess Brad Bales i9s looking for some input. Anyone know how forward the site?

[birdhunter]

Tilla,

I haven't had time to read through it all, but hopefully this will give you some insight.

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/...icaldecoys.pdf

[Lured In]

I don't think there are any real suprises in this document. This debate over mechanical decoys is somewhat silly. The issue has nothing to do with what powers the 'spinning wing' decoy. It is the spinning wings themselves that MAY be effective. Not whether a motor is attached. I just saw in my new Cabelas, a spinning wing decoy that has a 'crank' on it to spin the wings. They have wind powered versions that became the rage in WA last year. Look at the California regulation below as taken from the article BH posted.

California: “It is unlawful to use electronic or mechanically-operated spinning blade devices or spinning wing decoys when attempting to take waterfowl between the start of waterfowl season and December 1. For the purpose of this regulation, wind-powered spinning blade devices and kites are not prohibited.”

Basically they are saying that a motor or electricity is what makes these effective. Are you kidding me?

Here is some real 'brainiacs' at work, also taken from the article.

"A report prepared by Minnesota for the 2000 hunting season showed that hunters using electronic decoys spent more days hunting and killed more birds than those with no electronic decoys. However, due to study
design, Minnesota was unable to determine if the electronic decoys were the sole reason for the increased harvest."

So basically, those that went hunting shot more birds than those that watched hunting on TV. Is this the best research data they can come up with?

This is the best statement in the entire article. I sure hope someone listens to this. THIS IS THE ONLY STATEMENT IN THE WHOLE ARTICLE THAT IS BACKED UP BY REAL DATA OVER TIME.

"The conclusion is that while mechanical decoys may improve hunter efficiency, other environmental factors may have a more significant influence on overall harvest."

My personal opinion is that I could take it or leave it. I own one of these and it was given as a gift. Given its current level of use (everyone has one practically) they offer little, if any competitive advantage and certainly haven't improved my bag. I guess if I had to choose what to recommend to the Fish and Wildlife Commission it would be to ban all motion based decoys that attempt to imitate a live bird or don't regulate anything at all. Either 'spinning wings' or motion decoys of any kind are bad or they are not. It has nothing to do with whether they have batteries in them. Someone will engineer a biomechanical version that works just as well, and probably lighter.

The only advantage I could see to stopping their use is that I don't have to drag an extra 6 pounds out to the duck blind.

Thanks for the article, Ben.

[fish forever]

re: Roboduck. I used to be indifferent on the issue until last season. Now, in general - i am against there use on heavily used public refuges like Sauvies Island. Two main reasons:

- I am starting to see a lot of discarded 'D' Cell batteries on the Sauvies public refuge. In quantities these are toxic not to mention unsightly. You just dont have this same problem with jerk cords. I know most people pick up thier trash, but a few slobs are polluting the place - and law enforcement doesnt have the resource for 'battery police'.

- When hunting is crowded, a guy with spinners 30 yards away from your blind impacts your hunting if your trying to hunt with out them. When the spinners arent working they'll flare birds on the whole pond, when they are working they suck the birds in off your spread and calls. Again, this is mostly an issue on crowded public land.

To me its not so much an issue of fair chase or impact on populations as much as how other's hunting tools use are starting to impact my hunting. I still dont mind their use on private land or less heavily used areas - there its more of a personal choice and the impacts can be managed with game limits and seasons.

So, I think they should only be restricted on some public lands.