Connecticut DEP Announces Opening Days of Upcoming Fall Firearms Hunting Seasons

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection has announced the Opening Days of upcoming fall firearms hunting seasons. Peak hunting occurs during early morning and late afternoon, primarily during the period from mid-October through mid-December.

The fall firearms turkey season opens statewide on Saturday, October 4 and will continue through October 31. The regular waterfowl season opens statewide on Wednesday, October 15 in both the north and south hunting zones. Small game hunting season opens at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 18 for pheasant, bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse, chukar partridge, crow and cottontail rabbit. Statewide firearms deer hunting season begins Wednesday, November 19. The 2008 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide and the 2008-2009 Migratory Bird Hunting Guide, which contain additional information on laws, regulations, and season dates, can be obtained at any town clerk or Wildlife Division office, or they can be found on the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep. Maps denoting many state-owned hunting areas and most permit-required hunting areas may be obtained, free-of-charge, from the DEP Wildlife Division’s office at the DEP Headquarters, located at 79 Elm Street in Hartford. Maps can also be found on the DEP website.

Small Game Season and Permit-required Information

With the exception of opening day (October 18,) small game hunting is allowed for most species from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. Waterfowl hunting is permitted from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

In addition to most state forests and wildlife management areas, small game hunting will be available on a number of areas established under the permit-required hunting program. Permit-required areas are open to public hunting via a daily permit system and are made available through the cooperation of private landowners and local sportsmen’s clubs. Hunting access to some state-owned properties also is controlled on a daily basis through the permit-required program. A designated number of daily permits are available on a first-come, first-serve basis for each day of the season. Permits may be requested up to two days in advance of the day that you wish to hunt. A special “seasonal” access permit for Junior Hunters, aged 12-15, will continue to be available for selected areas. The permit allows access during any day of the season for a Junior Hunter and accompanying adult licensed hunter without the need to obtain daily hunting permits. Further details and permit forms are available from the DEP website or designated permit agents.

Sportsmen wishing to hunt any designated permit-required hunting area should consult the 2008 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide for locations of vendors issuing daily permits. Changes in permit vendor locations include the following:

Hebron Area - DEP Eastern District HQ, 209 Hebron Road, Marlborough

East Windsor/Enfield - Riverview Sales, 4 Prospect Hill Road, East Windsor

NU-Kings Island - Riverview Sales, 4 Prospect Hill Road, East Windsor

 

Permit Restrictions Removed for Some Permit-required Areas

 

In an effort to increase opportunities for more sportsmen on quality hunting areas, daily permit restrictions have been removed on five areas under DEP ownership. Continuing this fall, daily permits are not required for small game hunting on Babcock Pond WMA (Colchester), Bear Hill WMA (Bozrah), Goshen WMA (Goshen), Higganum Meadows WMA (Haddam), and Nathan Hale State Forest (Coventry). This change is reflected in the 2008 Hunting Guide.Pheasant Prospects Remain Good; Tags Now Available for Sale

The DEP will purchase 14,742 adult ring-necked pheasants for the upcoming fall season; a decrease of 1,115 birds from the previous year’s purchase. Most stocking areas will receive adjustments in allocations as a result of the decrease in the number of birds purchased. In addition to adult pheasants, 844 eight-week-old pheasants were purchased and delivered to Norwich Fish and Game and Sprague Rod and Gun Clubs for eventual release on permit-required hunting areas.

Revenue collected from pheasant hunters in the previous year determines the annual budget for purchasing pheasants. The 2008 stocking program was directly affected by a decrease of approximately $4,000 in the net revenue collected from pheasant hunters in 2007, combined with a substantial annual increase in average pheasant costs. Rising fuel and grain costs continue to impact commercial growers.

Despite the reduction in the number of pheasants stocked, sportsmen should recognize that the ratio of pheasants stocked per hunter has actually increased over the years and the prospects for pheasant hunting are as good as they have been in several years.

Stocking Areas Maintained - Limited Stocking During Deer Season Opener

A total of 44 major public hunting areas will be stocked with pheasants during the 2008 fall season. A number of lower quality/lower public use areas were removed from the stocking list in 2007 in an effort to maintain sufficient allocations on the higher quality sites. The Natchaug State Forest in Eastford, Nye Holman State Forest in Ellington, Shenipsit State Forest in Stafford, and the Tanney Hill Block of Nehantic State Forest in Lyme will not be stocked in 2008.

A limited number of pheasants and areas will be stocked during the week of November 17, which includes opening day (November 19) of the statewide firearms deer hunting season. Stocking will occur two to three times per week during the other six weekly distribution periods. Pheasants will be nearly evenly distributed with one-half of the allocations released in October and one-half during November. All stocking will conclude by Thanksgiving Day.

To provide opportunities for weekend/family and youth hunters, volunteers for the DEP will release pheasants on Friday evenings and variable Saturdays on selected sites.

Cooperative sportsmen’s clubs that provide public hunting access to permit-required hunting areas will continue to stock state-purchased birds on several areas.

For additional details, such as area allocations and an updated listing of all major stocking areas, visit the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep. Sportsmen are reminded that, in addition to their firearms hunting license, a Pheasant Harvest Tag Series ($14 for 10 tags) is required to hunt pheasants on public lands. Tags have been available since September and can be purchased at town halls and some license agents. Tags may also be ordered through the DEP’s on-line licensing system www.ct.gov/dep/sportsmenlicensing, but hunters should allow at least one week for the tags to be mailed to them.

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Texas Bighorn Sheep Numbers Continue to Climb

AUSTIN, Texas -The last wild desert bighorn sheep in Texas was seen in a remote area of far West Texas a half century ago, in October 1958. That might have been the last chapter for the majestic animal in the Lone Star State, but today, thanks to ongoing efforts to restore this majestic game animal in far West Texas, there are more sheep than you can shake a stick at with numbers unseen since the late 1800s.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists recently completed annual desert bighorn sheep counts and report a record 1,193 desert bighorn sheep observed, up from 991 sheep last year.

“We rocked along for years with very low numbers, and that makes it hard for a population to gain momentum,” said Mike Pittman, TPWD Trans-Pecos Wildlife Management Area project leader. “You’ve heard of safety in numbers? With sheep that’s very true. With larger herd groups, there are more eyes to help avoid predators. Also, increased social activity means ewes going to lambing areas are able to produce more sheep.”

By conducting annual helicopter survey counts, TPWD biologists can ascertain not only how many animals are present, but also if there are surplus bighorn rams.

The number of harvestable rams seen on the survey makes possible a record number of sheep hunting permits to be issued during the 2008-09 season. The Department will issue 15 permits, 11 of which will be given to private landowners who have been instrumental in sheep restoration through habitat management, and four permits which will be used by the department.

Of those four permits, one will be auctioned by the Wild Sheep Foundation, with proceeds returned to fund the department’s bighorn program, and the remaining three will be included in TPWD’s public hunting program.

One lucky applicant in the Big Time Texas Hunts Grand Slam category will be selected to hunt a desert bighorn ram. Entries are $9 online at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/bigtime or for $10 at retail locations where licenses are sold or by phone at (800) 895-4248. There is no limit to the number of Big Time Texas Hunts entries an individual may purchase, and entries may be purchased as gifts for others. Purchasers must be 17 years of age or older. The deadline to apply for this year’s Big Time Texas Hunts is Oct. 15 to give the winners more time to prepare for their trips.

Two applicants in TPWD’s drawn hunts will be selected for a guided bighorn sheep hunt package. Application fee is $10 and the deadline for applying is Nov. 4. For more information, including an application, visit the public hunting section of the TPWD Web site.

The desert bighorn sheep was once prominent in the remote mountains of West Texas, with populations of more than 1,500 animals in the late 1800s. Largely because of unregulated hunting, bighorn numbers dwindled to about 500, according to the survey conducted by Vernon Bailey in 1903.

Protective measures for bighorn sheep began as early as 1903 with the enactment of a hunting prohibition; however, numbers continued to decline to an estimated 35 sheep by 1945. The last reported sighting of a native bighorn sheep in 1958 came from what would later become the first wildlife management area in Texas, the Sierra Diablo WMA. Biologists believe the last native Texas bighorns were gone by the early 1960s.

Efforts to restore bighorns in Texas began in 1954 with the development of a cooperative agreement among state and federal wildlife agencies and private conservation groups. Through landowner and Texas Bighorn Society support, remote mountains in the Trans-Pecos have been enhanced to meet the basic needs of the desert bighorn, including construction of numerous man-made water guzzlers. These capture the area’s limited rainfall to provide more reliable water sources for bighorn sheep and other wildlife.

“Although the restoration efforts to date have been a tremendous success, desert bighorn restoration in Texas is not complete,” reminded Calvin Richardson, TPWD desert bighorn sheep program leader. “Our immediate focus is on Big Bend Ranch State Park and the surrounding area, which have substantial quality habitat for desert sheep, particularly when including the rugged mountain ranges in Cañon de Santa Elena Protected Area immediately to the south in Mexico.”

Richardson noted that, with the help of partners in Mexico, including Cemex Corp., and Texas partners like the Texas Bighorn Society, Dallas Safari Club, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services, and private landowners, TPWD will be working to address some challenges over the next few years and prepare Big Bend Ranch State Park for eventual restoration of desert bighorns to this historic range.

Other historic ranges are still unoccupied, including the Chisos Mountains of Big Bend National Park, the Chinati Mountains, and the Guadalupe Mountains.

“Natural expansion is occurring to some degree and bighorns will continue to colonize suitable habitat, provided the unoccupied mountain range is not too distant and there are few existing barriers like fences and major highways,” said Richardson.

Some of those barriers can be overcome through trapping and relocation of bighorns and Richardson said the restoration tool of restocking historic range through translocation will continue to be used when suitable mountain ranges are isolated from other bighorn populations, preventing re-establishment through natural movements.

Additionally, translocations may be used to augment small populations that typically require many years to “get past” the multiple sources of mortality that threaten herd viability when bighorn numbers are few.

“Despite the dramatic success with the desert bighorn program in West Texas, particularly in recent years, TPWD and our partners must be persistent in management,” said Richardson.

Among the challenges facing bighorn restoration efforts are: control of exotics, control of predators in some situations, water development and maintenance and vigilance regarding one of the greatest threats to bighorn sheep — disease.

Because bighorns are highly susceptible to some diseases, contact with domestic sheep, goats or certain exotics, like aoudads, can potentially wipe-out an entire population. From the perspective of a bighorn sheep, West Texas is a very different environment than it was 300-400 years ago, with more barriers, more disturbance, and sources of disease that historically were absent.

“And, with an increasing human population hungry for petroleum products, wind energy, and minerals hidden in the mountains, I don’t anticipate a decline in the threats to desert bighorn survival,” Richardson predicted. “Regarding the desert bighorn program in Texas, we’re not done . . . and it will require a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to maintain what we’ve achieved.”

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AGFC to Host Deer Management Workshops

LITTLE ROCK – Do you have questions about managing deer on private lands? The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has the answers. The AGFC will be hosting two deer management workshops in September to help private landowners better manage their deer herds.

As outlined in the goals of the2007 Strategic Deer Management Plan, the AGFC will be conducting the public workshops to help landowners with several topics.

The first workshop will be on Sept. 23 in Sheridan followed by another workshop on Sept. 30 in Fayetteville.

The Sept. 23 workshop will be held at the Epperson Center in Sheridan beginning at 6 p.m. Speakers and topics will include: AGFC deer biologists – General Deer Biology; AGFC private lands biologists – Deer Management Assistance Program; Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry representatives – How to Donate Game to the Needy; AGFC law enforcement – Credible Witness Program; private timber company representatives – Combining Deer and Forest Management. Information booths will be set up by groups such as the Arkansas Bowhunters Association, Arkansas Deer Hunters Alliance and the Quality Deer Management Association

The second workshop will take place Sept. 30 at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center Arena at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Speakers and topics will include: AGFC deer biologists – General Deer Biology; AGFC biologists – Management of Wedington WMA; US Forest Service personnel – Deer management on National Forests; Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry representatives – How to Donate Game to the Needy; AGFC Law Enforcement – Credible Witness Program

Information booths will be set up by groups such as the Arkansas Bowhunters Association, Arkansas Deer Hunters Alliance and the Quality Deer Management Association

For additional information, contact the AGFC at (501) 223-6359.

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Draft Prairie Dog Conservation Plan Released by Colorado DOW

The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) has released for public review its draft conservation plan for the white-tailed and Gunnison’s prairie dogs. This plan, when final, will be used as a guide to maintain these two species on native range on both public and private lands in Colorado.
 
The Colorado Gunnison’s and White-tailed Prairie Dog Conservation Plan can be viewed on the Colorado Division of Wildlife website at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/.
 
The Gunnison’s prairie dog is found mainly in southwest Colorado, the San Luis Valley and in South Park; the white-tailed prairie dog is found primarily in northwest Colorado; however, its range extends into the Uncompahgre Valley south of Montrose.
 
Petitions have been filed to list both of the species under the federal government’s Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service conducted a status review on Gunnison’s prairie dog and determined that listing protection for the species is warranted in a portion of its range.  The status review is underway for white-tailed prairie dogs but a determination has not yet been made on this species. Implementation of the conservation strategies in the Division of Wildlife plan are designed to promote the long-term viability for both species and avoid the need for a federal listing.
 
“With this conservation plan we identify tasks that will be put into action on the ground to help maintain these important species,” said Tom Nesler, chief of the DOW’s wildlife conservation section. “A vital strategy in this plan is to work cooperatively with private landowners, local communities and other government agencies.”
 
Eleven other western states also are developing prairie dog conservation plans. The states will work together to share research and conservation techniques.
 
Besides these two species, another prairie dog species exists in Colorado: the black-tailed prairie dog which inhabits areas of eastern Colorado. A conservation plan for the black-tailed prairie dog was developed by the DOW in 2003.
 
Prairie dogs are known as a “keystone” species and their colonies are critical to the presence and abundance of numerous other species in their range. In Colorado, prairie dogs are an important source of food for raptors, badgers, black-footed ferrets and coyotes. Prairie dog burrows also provide shelter for a variety of insects, small mammals and the burrowing owl which is a state-listed threatened species. Due to the cumulative impacts of disease, development, poisoning and shooting over the last 100 years, prairie dog populations have declined overall.
 
“The prairie dog is disparaged by some people as a destructive pest and source of plague. We acknowledge the undesirable nature of these prairie dog characteristics and always strive to manage populations in a way to enable affected stakeholders to address those problems,” Nesler said.  “However, the fact remains that prairie dogs and their colonies are an integral part of wildlife in both sagebrush and grassland ecosystems. At this time, the white-tailed and Gunnison prairie dog need our conservation assistance.” 
 
The goals of the conservation plan are to:

• Develop and implement conservation strategies that will work to prevent the need to list the two species under the Endangered Species Act.
• Promote conservation of not only the two species, but also their habitats and associated wildlife species.
• Implement conservation strategies to help mitigate negative impacts to the two species.
•  Identify research needs that will help guide appropriate conservation populations.
• Focus use of Colorado’s existing regulatory mechanisms to maintain species viability.
• Increase stakeholder and other agencies’ participation in prairie dog conservation. 

In 2007, the DOW held a three-day workshop in Grand Junction to discuss conservation planning with landowners, other government agencies, recreational shooters and environmental groups. The workshop was attended by about 60 people.
 
The public is invited to make comments on the DOW plan. Send comments to Amy [dot] Seglund [at] state [dot] co [dot] us. by Nov. 3. Comments via e-mail are preferred. For those who do not have access to the Internet, send comments to Seglund at 2300 S. Townsend Ave., Montrose, CO, 81401.

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Are Off-Highway Vehicles And Hunting Compatible?

The Montana Hunter Behavior Advisory Council reported ten years ago that motor vehicle use during hunting, including off-highway vehicles, is creating serious problems. Today the situation is magnified, as growing numbers of hunters use OHVs.

“An estimated 30,000 hunters used OHVs during Montana’s 2007 hunting season,” said Ray Paige, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks motorized trails specialist. “OHV registrations in Montana climbed from about 23,000 in 2003 to about 54,000 today.”

Paige said that hunters who obey the laws and regulations guiding the use of OHVs during the hunt are in the majority. However, only a few motorized vehicles can do real harm to wildlife, wildlife habitats and the hunting experiences of others when hunters don’t know the law or choose to ignore it.

According to a 2007 Montana Wildlife Federation survey of private landowners, ATV use and abuse is cited as one of the top ten reasons a landowner would not allow the public to hunt on their lands.

“OHV issues occur on public and private land, but this survey makes it clear OHV abuses hurt all hunters’ chances for hunting access to private lands,” Paige said.   “If the trend continues, the FWP Commission has said hunters may see new restrictions on OHV use.”

FWP stepped up education on proper OHV use during the 2006 and 2007 hunting seasons, in a cooperative effort involving FWP, the Montana Trail Vehicle Riders Association, US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. One outcome, a brochure just for hunters titled Hunting and ATVs, is available at FWP regional offices and at many license providers.

MTVRA, with a Montana Trails Grant, administered by FWP, has also produced educational brochures, a youth education program in the schools and aired a television PSA promoting ethical use of OHVs.

  Paige said it is a tough task to change the behavior of riders who knowingly violate the law. Enforcement is one answer, but enforcement budgets, such as FWPs, are limited to user fees from OHV registrations.

“The USFS and BLM participate in FWP’s TIP-MONT program and receive information directly from callers reporting OHV and other violations,” Paige said. “FWP game wardens work on the ground with USFS and BLM rangers to respond to these reports.

FWP encourages hunters and others who observe hunting violations involving OHVs to report them to 1-800-TIP-MONT, that is 1-800-847-6668, and to gather appropriate evidence when it is safe to do so, including license and registration numbers, photos of the OHVs with the license plate in the image, and photos of tracks and other evidence of damage. Callers may remain anonymous and could receive an award for information that leads to a conviction.

Here are some tips for hunters to help reduce the impact of OHVs during hunting season.

• Know the vehicle use regulations for the area you are in.
• Stay on designated public roads or trails. It is the law.
• Access your hunting area before shooting hours and then hunt on foot.
• Retrieve harvested big game from the nearest designated road or trail.
• Respect other hunters and recreationists by slowing down or stopping as you approach them on the trail.
• Avoid wet areas.
• Reduce emissions and sound.
• Pass in a safe and courteous manner when overtaking others.
• Limit OHV use in and near campgrounds.
• Report violations to TIP-MONT at 1-800-847-6668.

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RI DEM Announces 2008-2009 Hunting Regulations

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces the hunting regulations for the 2008-2009 seasons. There are several changes this year, primarily regarding deer hunting. The DEM remains committed to managing the growing deer population by focusing on the harvest of female deer. Most of the other changes are strictly date changes reflecting the calendar shift.

The Department is encouraging more private landowners to allow hunters to hunt on their property during deer-hunting seasons. As a reminder to deer hunters, annual written permission is required for all deer hunting on private lands. DEM has developed a courtesy card, available on the DEM website, for hunters and landowners to sign, which gives the dates for permissions and contains A Hunter’s Pledge regarding principles of conduct.

This year the Department has modified the “All Outdoors” permit package. The package, which must be purchased from DEM’s Division of Licensing, entitles hunters to buy all nine mainland deer permits at one time for $112.50, and receive two additional mainland permits free of charge. The two permits are valid for either sex or antlerless deer during their respective seasons. New this season, hunters may utilize the six antlerless permits in any combination during their respective deer seasons with the appropriate archery or firearm equipment. Hunters that wish to purchase the “All Outdoors” package must show previous Rhode Island firearm and archery permits or proof of both hunter and archery safety course cards. A limit of 250 “All Outdoors” permit packages will be printed this year, with availability on a first-come, first-serve basis. Order forms will be available on the DEM website, www.dem.ri.gov, by mid-August. Permits are not yet available.

Regarding deer hunting seasons and bag limits:

• Muzzleloader hunters can purchase one mainland either-sex deer permit and two antlerless permits. The season for either-sex and antlerless permits is November 8 - November 30 on both state and private land. The antlerless deer permit is also valid on private land December 22 - December 25. All deer harvested during the first three days of muzzleloader season, November 8 -10, must be checked at a state-operated station. Vendor check stations may check deer during the remainder of the season.
• Shotgun deer hunters can purchase one mainland either-sex deer permit and two antlerless permits. Both permits will be valid on state management areas and private land from December 6 to December 14; and from December 15 to December 21 on private lands. Antlerless deer permits will also be valid on December 27 to December 28, and from January 3 to January 4 on private land. All deer harvested during the first three days of the shotgun season, December 6 to December 8, must be taken to a state operated station. Vendors may check deer during the remaining dates.
• Mainland archery deer hunters will be permitted to take one either-sex and two antlerless deer from October 1 through January 31. Hunters who harvest two female deer or deer with no visible antlers will be given affidavits to purchase a special “Earn-a-Buck” permit, at the Division of Licensing.
• The suite of deer permits for Conanicut/Aquidneck Islands will stay the same as last season. Hunters can purchase a total of three permits, one either-sex and two antlerless, for each of the three season types - archery, muzzleloader, and shotgun - for a total of nine permits. This effort is being proposed to reduce the Island herds, without impacting the number of permits available to mainland hunters.
• Prudence Island bow hunters will be allowed to harvest one deer of either sex from state or private lands and one antlerless deer from private lands during the season, October 24 through January 4. The quota has been reduced from the 2007-2008 quota of 75 on state land to 50, to reflect the decrease in the number of deer in the management areas.

In other hunting regulations:

• Prudence: There will not be a lottery this year for hunts on state lands on Prudence and Patience Islands. However, permits will be required for all state land hunters. Requests for permits are available by sending a SASE to Prudence Permits, RI Division of Fish and Wildlife, 277 Great Neck Rd., West Kingston, RI 02892. As in the past, proficiency is required of all Prudence and Patience Island hunters. Counter-signed permission from the Portsmouth Chief of Police is also required on private land. A lottery will be conducted for the Heritage parcel. Requests for lottery applications are available by sending a SASE to Heritage Lottery, RI Division of Fish and Wildlife, 277 Great Neck Rd., West Kingston, RI 02892.
• The lottery will no longer be held for the TNC’s Francis Carter Preserve. However, all hunters must obtain a permit. Requests for permits are available by sending a SASE to FRANCIS CARTER COOP, RI Division of Fish and Wildlife, 277 Great Neck Rd., West Kingston, RI 02892. Only archery deer hunting is permitted on this property with a current proficiency card.
• Muzzleloader hunters will be allowed to use their muzzleloader firearms during the shotgun deer season, provided they have a valid shotgun permit and use their shotgun permit to tag their deer. Hunters must adhere to the shotgun season fluorescent orange requirements of 500 square inches. This is on a trial basis only.
• Regarding the pheasant season, hunters will be allowed to purchase an unlimited number of pheasant permits this season. The bag limit is two per day. The Division plans to stock 11 state management areas for opening day, October 18.
• The Division of Fish & Wildlife will be offering a junior pheasant hunting weekend on October 11 and October 12. An orientation will be held at the Great Swamp Management Area on September 20, with demonstrations provided in firearm safety, game preparation, and other related hunting topics. Pre-registration by September 11 is required and space is limited. Contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife for registration requirements and details at 789-0281.
• Air gun rifles will be allowed this year, with restrictions, for selected small mammals. See the Hunting Abstract for firearm restriction and species.
• The bag limit for the early goose season - September 1 to September 30 - is 15 birds per day. Permits are required for this season. Requests for permits are available by sending a SASE to Early Goose, RI Division of Fish and Wildlife, 277 Great Neck Rd., West Kingston, RI 02892. Hunters are also required to purchase both federal and state ducks stamps and obtain a HIP permit.
• The Division hopes to offer deer hunters the opportunity to check their deer during the vendor check portion of the season by calling a toll-free number or via online check-in. More information will be provided as the season progresses.

The 2008-2009 Hunting and Trapping abstract is available on the DEM website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on Regulations from the homepage, then Fish & Wildlife, then Hunting Regulations Abstract.

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Service Seeks Proposals for 2009 Endangered Species Grants

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking proposals from States and U.S. Territories interested in obtaining federal grant assistance to acquire land or conduct planning for endangered species conservation efforts. For fiscal year 2009, the President’s budget request for the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (the Fund) would provide approximately $75.5 million in grant funding for conservation planning activities and habitat acquisition for federally protected species.  Proposals must be submitted to the California and Nevada Regional Office by September 22, 2008. They can be sent to: USFWS Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-2606, Sacramento, Calif., 95825.

“Conservation grants are among the Service’s most important Federal-State partnership building tools,” said Service Director H. Dale Hall.  “Local involvement is the cornerstone of conservation success.  These grants help to States and Territories to protect vital habitat and work with local communities, private landowners and others to conserve threatened and endangered species.”

The Fund is authorized under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act and provides grants to States and Territories to support participation in a wide array of voluntary conservation projects for species on the Federal list of threatened and endangered species, as well as for species that are candidates or have been proposed for listing.

By law, the participating state or territory must have a current cooperative agreement with the Secretary of the Interior and contribute 25 percent of the estimated program costs of approved projects, or 10 percent when two or more States or Territories undertake a joint project.  The grants are expected to be awarded soon after federal appropriations are provided for fiscal year 2009.     

The Service is seeking proposals for the following three grant categories under the Fund:

Recovery Land Acquisition Grants - These grants provide funds to States and Territories for acquisition of threatened and endangered species habitat in support of approved and draft species recovery plans.  Acquiring habitat in order to secure long term protection is often the critical element in a comprehensive recovery effort for a listed species.

Habitat Conservation Planning Assistance Grants  - This category provides funds to States and Territories to support the development of Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs). The purpose of an HCP is to ensure adequate protection for threatened and endangered species, while at the same time providing for economic growth and development. These grants provide support for baseline surveys and inventories, document preparation, outreach, and similar planning activities.

HCP Land Acquisition Grants  - These grants provide funds to States and Territories to acquire land associated with approved HCPs.  Grants do not fund the mitigation required of an HCP permittee, but rather, support acquisitions by the state or local governments that complement actions associated with the HCP.

For more information about these grants and grant application requirements contact: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Consultation, Habitat Conservation Planning, Recovery and State Grants, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 420, Arlington, VA 22203, 703-358-2106. Information also can be accessed at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/grants/.

The Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund is identified in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance as number 15.615.

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 http://www.fws.gov/cno.

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Delayed-Harvest Trout Waters Open under Hatchery-Supported Regulations on June 7

RALEIGH, N.C. - Anglers fishing in mountain waters designated as “delayed-harvest” can keep the trout they catch beginning at 6 a.m. on June 7, when regulations change to “hatchery supported.” Under hatchery-supported regulations, in effect through Sept. 30, anglers can keep a maximum of seven trout per day, with no bait restrictions or minimum size limits.

Of the 1,120 miles of state trout waters designated as hatchery-supported, 56 miles and one lake are further classified as delayed harvest. From October to the first Saturday in June, delayed-harvest regulations allow only catch-and-release fishing, and anglers can fish only with artificial lures with one hook. Delayed-harvest trout waters are posted with diamond-shaped, black-and-white signs.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission began its delayed-harvest program in 1992, stocking catchable-sized trout in four streams opened for spring fishing only. Due to strong public interest and support, the program was expanded in 1996 to incorporate both spring and fall fishing.

Today, the program includes 18 bodies of water. Many of these waters are located on land that is privately owned and can be removed from the program at any time at the discretion of the landowner.

While many landowners allow access to trout waters that flow through their properties, others are feeling encroached upon due to the irresponsible actions of a few anglers, said Kyle Briggs, who coordinates hatchery production for the Commission.

“We think the delayed-