U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Finalizes Light Goose Conservation Rules
December 3, 2008
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently finalized rules allowing the use of expanded hunting methods and implementation of a conservation order to increase light goose harvest. The regulations have been in place in the Central and Mississippi Flyways on an interim basis since 1999, when the Arctic Tundra Habitat Emergency Conservation Act was passed. The final rule makes the regulations permanent in those flyways, and also makes Atlantic Flyway states eligible to implement them. To finalize the regulations, the Service published a Record of Decision and Final Rule that completes the National Environmental Policy Act process for light goose management in the November 5, 2008, Federal Register.
“The overabundance of light geese is harming their fragile arctic breeding habitat,” said H. Dale Hall, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “The damage to the habitat is, in turn, harming the health of the light geese and other bird species that depend on the tundra habitat. Returning the light goose population to sustainable levels is necessary to protect this delicate habitat, and every species dependent on it.”
During the last few decades, populations of greater and lesser snow geese and Ross’s geese, collectively called “light geese,” have grown to historic highs. The current breeding population of mid-continent light geese likely exceeds 5 million birds, an increase of more than 300 percent since the mid-1970s. Historic numbers of central arctic light geese have denuded portions of their fragile tundra breeding habitat to the point many areas may take decades to recover. The geese are showing lower-than-normal body size and suffering a decrease in gosling survival due to habitat degradation. The deteriorating habitat is also having a negative impact on some local populations of other bird species. For example, the number of semi-palmated sandpiper and red-necked phalarope nests have declined at La Perouse Bay, Manitoba, where habitat has been severely degraded by the geese. Overabundant greater snow geese have also damaged natural marsh habitats and caused agricultural depredations on migration and wintering areas in eastern Canada and Atlantic coast states. Decreasing the light goose population will help ease the pressure on the arctic and migration habitats, improving the health for all its associated wildlife populations, including light geese.
Since implementation of the conservation order in 1999, the harvest of mid-continent light geese has more than doubled, and the population growth rate as measured by the midwinter index has been reduced. The management goal is to reduce the number of mid-continent light geese by 50 percent, and to reduce the greater snow geese population to 500,000 birds.
The final rule authorizes the use of new hunting methods, such as electronic calls and unplugged shotguns, to harvest light geese during normal hunting season frameworks. These regulations are allowed during a light-goose-only hunting season when all other waterfowl and crane hunting seasons, excluding falconry, are closed. Further, the rule authorizes States to implement a conservation order to allow the harvest of light geese outside of traditional hunting seasons. In addition, the conservation order allows shooting hours to continue until one-half hour after sunset and removes the daily bag limit for light geese.
The Service published two rules in 1999 to authorize 24 southern and Midwestern States to increase the harvest of light geese in order to reduce the population. The rules were the result of an extensive study of arctic light goose populations completed in 1997 by the Arctic Goose Habitat Working Group, as well as dozens of scientific papers describing the burgeoning light goose population and subsequent degradation of arctic habitat and associated wildlife health. The rules were withdrawn to prevent further litigation following a court challenge by the Humane Society of the United States, Animal Alliance of Canada, Canadian Environmental Defence Fund, and The Animal Protection Institute. However, Congress subsequently passed the Arctic Tundra Habitat Emergency Conservation Act in 1999 to reinstate the rules while the Service completed an Environmental Impact Statement on light goose management. The Service published the Final Environmental Impact Statement in June of 2007 after undergoing public comments and hearings on the Draft EIS. The EIS examined five alternatives for managing light goose populations, ranging from no action, direct agency population control, to the preferred alternative of authorizing regulations to increase harvest.
The Final Rule that implements the preferred alternative in the EIS is available on the internet at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/fedreg/MGBHR.HTML
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The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
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TPWD Seeking Public Input on Possible Pheasant Season Changes
December 1, 2008
AUSTIN, Texas — Any doubts that the Panhandle pheasant hunting season opener is a big deal need only spend some time at the Amarillo airport — it’s their busiest weekend of the year.
As multitudes of hunters descend upon the Panhandle for the Dec. 6 opener, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is asking folks to consider possible changes to the traditional first weekend in December opening date.
“The purpose of this discussion is to gain feedback from hunters and landowners regarding the possibility of opening future pheasant seasons the Friday after Thanksgiving to afford hunters a three-day holiday weekend to enjoy pheasant hunting,” said Vernon Bevill, TPWD game bird program director.
The current pheasant season framework calls for opening the first Saturday in December for 30 consecutive days.
No immediate changes to the pheasant season framework are being considered in order to ensure the public has ample opportunity to weigh in on the discussion. TPWD will continue to gather public input through December and will conduct informal scoping meetings in the Panhandle during January before considering initiating a formal proposal.
TPWD will present all rule change proposals to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for consideration in January. The Commission will determine which rule change proposals will be published in the Texas Register for public comment and only after additional public comment is received next spring will the Commission decide whether or not to take final action.
Any change to pheasant season could take effect Nov. 27, 2009 or be delayed until Nov. 26, 2010 to give hunters and outfitters ample time to make travel plans.
The public is encouraged to participate in an informal online scoping survey available on the TPWD home page http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ by clicking on the Public Comments link. Public input can also be made in writing to Vernon Bevill, TPWD Game Bird Program Director, 4200 Smith School Rd., Austin, TX 78744 or at one of the upcoming scoping meetings; locations and dates to be determined.
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2009 Massachusetts Licenses Available By Mid-December
November 27, 2008
Hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for 2009 will be available for purchase online and at license vendors across the state by mid-December. The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s efforts in habitat protection and management, wildlife data collection and monitoring, fish and pheasant stocking, endangered species conservation and education programs are primarily supported by fishing and hunting license fees.
Licenses may be purchased online via the MassOutdoors website at www.mass.gov/massoutdoors. Online license buyers are reminded to be sure to choose “the next year” button when purchasing 2009 licenses, permits, and stamps. Deer hunters will have must wait until January 1, 2009 to apply for antlerless deer permits online. Due to documentation requirements, trapping licenses and hunting licenses for minors are not available for purchase online.
Licenses will also be available for purchase by mid-December at over the counter license vendor locations throughout the state. Hunting and sporting license buyers must show a previous hunting license from any year, state or Canadian province or a hunter safety certificate of completion from any state or Canadian province in order to purchase a hunting license.
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DNR Announces NW Minnesota Furbearer Registration Stations
November 26, 2008
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds northwestern Minnesota fur trappers to register their pelts at one of several furbearer registration stations in December and January.
Furbearers (all species) may be registered between noon and 7 p.m. on December 9, with bobcat and otter-only registration between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on January 6 at the following locations:
Backus DNR Forestry Office
4391 State Hwy 371 NW
(218) 947-3232
Bemidji Area Wildlife Office
2114 Bemidji Ave.
(218) 308-2348
Park Rapids Area Wildlife Office
603 First Street W
(218) 732-8452
Roseau City Center
Library Meeting Room
121 Center St. E
Thief Lake WMA Office, Middle River
42280 240th Ave.
(218) 222-3747
Wadena
National Guard Armory
517 N Jefferson
Registration is also available by appointment throughout the furbearer season at any of the DNR area wildlife offices, which also include:
Baudette Area Wildlife Office
204 Main St. E
(218) 634-1705
Crookston Area Wildlife Office
204 Main St. S
218-281-6063
Detroit Lakes Area Wildlife Office
14583 Cty Hwy 19
(218) 846-8374
Fergus Falls Area Wildlife Office
1509 First Ave N
(218) 739-7576
Glenwood Area Wildlife Office
28070 N Lakeshore Dr.
320-634-0342
Karlstad Area Wildlife Office
202 Main St. N
(218) 436-2427
Red Lake WMA Office, Roosevelt
Norris Camp
(218) 783-6861
Roseau River WMA Office (3 miles west of Pine Creek)
27952 400th Street
(218) 463-1130
Thief River Falls Area Wildlife Office
246 125th Ave NE
(218) 681-0946
Pelts must be removed from the carcass and thawed to allow for inspection. The carcasses of bobcats and the heads of pine martens will also be collected at the time of registration.
To expedite registration, trappers should bring the following written information for each animal to be registered: species, sex, date, location (county, township and range) and method of take, including type of trap used; and MDNR number as shown on license.
Fur registration forms and additional information are available from the area wildlife offices or the DNR Web site at www.mndnr.gov/hunting/smallgame.
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New FWC Rules Will Boost Deer Hunting on Tate’s Hell WMA
November 25, 2008
Two new rules in place on the 187,700-acre Tate’s Hell Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Franklin and Liberty counties this hunting season are designed to improve the quality of the hunting experience.
The first new rule requires that legal buck deer must have at least one antler with two or more points. Each point has to be at least 1 inch long, and the antler has to be a minimum of 5 inches long.
Under the second rule, no one can shine or look for deer from midnight until 30 minutes before sunrise. There is an exception to the light-shining rule for raccoon or opossum hunters.
Both rules were put in place after numerous requests from members of the hunting public, according to Adam Warwick, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wildlife biologist.
“The two-points-on-a-side antler rule is an effort to improve the quality of deer available to hunters on Tate’s Hell,” Warwick said. “Also, we’ll be collecting harvest data from deer killed on the area and conducting deer track counts on designated area roads. The goal is to improve the deer herd.”
The “no-shining rule” is in place on Tate’s Hell and the nearby 582,700-acre Apalachicola WMA this season.
“This is one of those things where a lot of hunters felt like those trying to shine or locate deer after midnight and during the wee hours of the morning were gaining an unfair advantage over other hunters. This is just to make sure there’s a level playing field,” he said.
General gun season hunting dates for both Tate’s Hell and Apalachicola WMAs are Nov. 27-30 and Dec. 13 - Feb.4. A quota permit is required for anyone hunting on Tate’s Hell through Dec. 21.
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Muzzleloader Season Opens Nov. 28 in North Dakota, Antlerless Licenses Available
November 18, 2008
North Dakota’s muzzleloader deer season opens at noon Friday, Nov. 28 and continues through Dec. 14. Hunters with a lottery muzzleloader license can hunt white-tailed deer statewide.
Unfilled second, third or other concurrent season any-antlerless, antlerless whitetail, or antlerless mule deer licenses are still valid during the muzzleloader season, but only in the unit to which the license is assigned. Hunters with these licenses must use a muzzleloader and hunt only the species printed on the license.
In addition, unfilled gratis licenses can be used during the muzzleloader season to take either whitetail or mule deer with a muzzleloader.
While the North Dakota Game and Fish Department has issued 95 percent of the licenses for the 2008 deer season, doe licenses are still available in units 1, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F1, 2H, 2J2, 2K2, 2L, 3E1, 3E2, 3F1, 3F2 and 4F for hunters who would like to participate in the muzzleloader season. These licenses must be used with a muzzleloader in the assigned unit.
Hunters can apply online for remaining antlerless licenses from the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. Residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. Licenses may be purchased throughout the season as long as they are available.
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Special Areas Accessible to Physically Challenged Hunters With Class Q/QQ Permit
November 18, 2008
Physically challenged hunters possessing a Class Q/QQ hunting permit may hunt on designated roads throughout the Monongahela National Forest, portions of the George Washington/Jefferson National Forest, and on certain state-owned Wildlife Management Areas, according to Curtis I. Taylor, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR).
“This is a cooperative program between the U.S. Forest Service and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, providing access to suitable hunting areas for sportsmen who possess a Class Q/QQ permit. These Class Q/QQ roads have been well received by physically challenged hunters,” Taylor said.
Both resident and nonresident hunters who qualify and obtain a West Virginia Class Q/QQ permit may now participate in special Class Q/QQ hunts (see 2008-2009 Hunting Regulations Summary or visit the DNR Web site at www.wvdnr.gov) and use designated Class Q/QQ hunter access roads. Nonresidents must have an applicable nonresident annual hunting license and Conservation Stamp in addition to the Class QQ permit. Resident hunters must possess a Class A and Conservation Stamp or a Class X, XL, A-L or AB-L license in addition to the Class Q permit.
Both resident and nonresident hunters with a Class Q/QQ permit must apply in person or by mail at the appropriate National Forest Ranger District Office or appropriate WVDNR District Office. Hunters applying by mail must include a copy of their Class Q/QQ permit. Approved hunters will be issued a letter of authorization, which must be in possession while hunting.
The Class Q/QQ permit holder may be accompanied by no more than one assistant, at least 16 years of age, when hunting within a designated area. Assistants may change from one trip to the next, but all assistants must be listed on the letter of authorization. The assistant may hunt with the Class Q/QQ permit holder, but must be out of the vehicle while hunting, and possess appropriate hunting licenses as required by state law. A hunting license is not required for the assistant if he is not hunting.
All state hunting regulations are to be observed while hunting these designated areas. Authorized hunters will have access to specific gates via a special lock, for which the hunter will be issued a key. While behind the gate, hunters must observe all National Forest and state Wildlife Management Area regulations. All off-road driving is prohibited.
For specific information about applying for a key to access National Forest Class Q/QQ roads, including location and road length, contact the respective National Forest Ranger District. For information on State Wildlife Management Area Class Q/QQ roads, call the Division of Natural Resources office in Elkins at 304-637-0245 or visit the DNR Web site at www.wvdnr.gov.
Class Q/QQ Roads Available on National Forest Lands.
Cheat/Potomac Ranger District, Parsons, WV (304-478-3251)
- Goodwin Run (Forest Road #933) Tucker County
- Bonifield Run (Forest Road #929) Tucker County
- Five Lick (Forest Road #153/153A) Randolph County
- Back Ridge (Forest Road #814) Pendleton County
Greenbrier Ranger District, Bartow, WV (304-456-3335)
- Little Beech Mountain (Forest Road #385, 183A) Randolph County
- Burner Mountain Sale Road (Forest Road #803) Pocahontas County
Gauley Ranger District, Richwood, WV (304-846-2695)
- Left Branch (Frosty Gap) (Forest Road # 731) Pocahontas County
- Spice Run (Forest Road #787) Webster County
Marlinton/White Sulphur Ranger District, Marlinton, WV (304-799-4334)
- Crooked Fork (Forest Road #251) Pocahontas County
- Middle Mountain (Forest Road #790) Pocahontas County
- Panther Ridge (Forest Road #298) Greenbrier County
- Bear Track (Forest Road #882) Greenbrier County
North River Ranger District, Bridgewater, VA (540-432-0187)
- Dry River Hollow Road (Forest Road #151H) Pendleton County
State Wildlife Management Areas with available roads
Bluestone WMA, Burnsville Lake WMA, Elk River WMA, Hughes River WMA, Lewis Wetzel WMA, McClintic WMA, Sleepy Creek WMA, Stonewall Jackson Lake WMA, and Wallback WMA.
The U.S. Forest Service and WVDNR are committed to providing quality hunting opportunities for physically challenged hunters and welcome comments and concerns from participating hunters.
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TPWD to Consider Sweeping Deer Hunting Regulation Changes
November 11, 2008
AUSTIN, Texas -The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has transitioned away from political boundaries for the purpose of monitoring white-tailed deer populations and toward biologically-based communities or Resource Management Units (RMUs).
The department has identified 33 unique RMUs across the state having similar soils, vegetation types and land use practices they believe will more accurately capture deer population dynamics. The intent is to develop deer season bag limit frameworks based on these units, although implementation will still track county boundaries to avoid confusion among hunters.
In a briefing of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission’s Regulations Committee, TPWD unveiled an extensive suite of potential regulation changes in deer harvest throughout much of the state. The department will be gathering public input on the possible proposals during the next couple of months and present to the commission in January a comprehensive set of proposals.
Those proposals will then go back out for official comment during a series of public hearings around the state next spring. A final decision will be made by the commission at its March 25-26, 2009 public meeting.
Expansion of Antler Restriction Regulations
One key potential change involves further expansion of the department’s successful antler restriction regulations into 52 additional counties where biologists have identified a need to provide greater protection of younger buck deer. In these counties, data indicates more than 55 percent of the harvested bucks are two-and-a-half years of age or younger, which creates an imbalance in the deer herd age structure.
According to Clayton Wolf, TPWD big game program director, based on data to date in the 61 counties where the rule is currently in effect, the antler restrictions have improved age structure while maintaining ample hunting opportunity.
Potentially affected counties include: Anderson, Angelina, Archer, Atascosa, Brazos, Brown, Chambers, Clay, Cooke, Denton, Ellis, Falls, Freestone, Grayson, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Hill, Hood, Hunt, Jack, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Kaufman, Liberty, Limestone, Madison, McLennan, Milam, Mills, Montague, Montgomery, Navarro, Newton, Orange, Palo Pinto, Parker, Polk, Robertson, San Jacinto, Smith, Stephens, Tarrant, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker, Wichita, Wise, and Young.
Bag Limit Changes
The department is also looking at increasing the bag limit from one buck to two bucks in Baylor, Callahan, Haskell, Jones, Knox, Shackelford, Taylor, Throckmorton, and Wilbarger counties. Wolf noted this area of the state is characterized by relatively large tract sizes and light hunter density and the deer population has grown over the years as habitat has become more favorable to white-tailed deer.
In addition, the department is considering increasing the bag limit from four deer to five deer in Pecos, Terrell, and Upton counties. White-tailed deer densities throughout the eastern Trans-Pecos are very similar to densities on the Edwards Plateau, where current rules allow the harvest of up to five antlerless deer. This change would increase hunting opportunity while addressing a resource concern.
The department is also looking at increasing the bag limit in most Cross Timbers and Prairies and eastern Rolling Plains counties from three deer (no more than one buck, no more than two antlerless) or four deer (no more than two bucks and no more than two antlerless) to five deer (no more than 2 bucks). Counties affected include: Archer, Baylor, Bell (West of IH35), Bosque, Callahan, Clay, Coryell, Hamilton, Haskell, Hill, Jack, Jones, Knox, Lampasas, McLennan, Palo Pinto, Shackelford, Somervell, Stephens, Taylor, Throckmorton, Wichita, Wilbarger, Williamson (west of IH35), and Young.
Another possible change would increase the bag limit from three deer to five deer (no more than one buck) in selected counties in the western Rolling Plains. Although white-tailed deer densities are highly variable in this part of the state, ar