In This Issue
|
|
Contact Us
|
California Outdoor Heritage Alliance
1600 Sacramento Inn Way, #232
Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone 916-643-4607
Fax 916-643-4682
actionteam@outdoorheritage.org
|
|
March 5, 2010 | Issue 2010-4
|
|
|
|
|
Bill Introduced to Ban Lead Shot on State Wildlife Areas
Assembly Member Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) has introduced AB 2223, legislation which would prohibit the use of lead shot on state Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) operated by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG). Violators of the bill's provisions would be subject to a $500 fine on the first offense.
The bill would not only undermine the Constitutional authority of the California Fish and Game Commission--the regulatory body tasked with determining the precise methods of take for hunting and the specific public use regulations for each WMA--but also remove any meaningful scientific review and analysis of the effects of lead shot by providing an exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In doing so, the measure ensures that politics, rather than sound science, dictates the state's hunting regulations and management of wildlife.
According to proponents, the bill is intended to reduce alleged lead shot-induced mortality to mourning doves (the most populous game bird in North America) as well as to raptors that feed on doves and other small game. Yet, only a portion of the WMAs across the state provide significant dove hunting opportunity, and fields that are heavily hunted for dove are typically disked on an annual basis by DFG so as to make most lead pellets unavailable to wildlife. In addition, raptor populations on WMA's remain at very high levels, while there has reportedly been no documented incidents of raptors succumbing to lead shot poisoning.
"I've hunted two dozen WMAs across the state for just about every upland game bird and small game species, and the one thing you notice is that each area is unique in terms of species, topography, management practices and degree of hunter pressure," stated Mark Hennelly, Vice President of COHA. "AB 2223 wrongly mandates a 'one-size fits all' approach without a single WMA-specific study demonstrating significant impacts from the ongoing use of lead shot on wildlife."
"These issues should be decided by the state's wildlife management professionals on a case by case basis," said Evan Heusinkveld, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA) director of state services. "Science, not politics or public opinion, should be the basis for these decisions."
AB 2223 is sponsored by the Audubon Society, Defenders of Wildlife and Humane Society of the United States. The first hearing will likely be in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee in early April. For the Committee's contact information to voice opposition to the bill, click here.. |
|
|
|
COHA-Sponsored SB 1058 Would Protect Big Game Tag/Upland Game Stamp Revenue
|
|
Senator Tom Harman (R-Orange) has introduced SB 1058, COHA-sponsored state legislation which would prevent big game tag and upland bird stamp monies from being misused for non-game or non-hunting purposes. A similar COHA-sponsored bill, SB 589, was vetoed by the Governor last year.
SB 1058 would mandate that all deer, elk, wild pig, antelope, bighorn sheep and bear tag revenues and upland game bird stamp monies be used to benefit those particular species, their habitats, and the users that generate them. It would also provide much-needed opportunity for sportsman's groups to review and provide comment on proposed expenditures of the funds.
Beginning in the 1980s, a portion of hunting license tag/stamp monies were redirected away from game species conservation to other purposes. Loopholes in state law also currently allow for a significant portion of deer tag monies and all bear tag monies to be used for non-game purposes, while a large percentage of pig tag funds have also remained unspent or been redirected in recent years.
According to data from 2006, only 62% of deer tag revenue was actually used for deer-related projects. Similarly, only 64% of wild pig tag money and 48% of wild sheep auction tag money was used for related conservation work.
SB 1058 also consolidates various existing big game species fiscal accounts into a single account, which improves efficiencies in the use of the monies and gives the Department of Fish and Game greater flexibility to benefit all big game species.
A separate provision of SB 1058 elevates hunting and fishing above other recreational uses when the Fish and Game Commission determines which uses are appropriate for DFG's Wildlife Management Areas.
"California sportsmen and women expect their license dollars to go to the wildlife management and conservation programs they were intended for," said Evan Heusinkveld, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA) director of state services. "These funds should not be spent to fix roads or patch holes in the state budget."
SB 1058 will be heard in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee in early April. Please contact members of the Committee and urge their strong support of this much needed measure. For Legislator contact information and a sample support letter, click here.
To view Senator Harman's press release announcing the reintroduction of the legislation, click here. |
|
|
COHA Announces 1st Annual Southern California Pheasant Shoot
|
|
You are cordially invited to attend the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance's
1st Annual Pheasant Hunt at Raahauge's Pheasant Club in Norco on Friday, March 19th.
The event, which will benefit the efforts of the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA), will not only offer a great upland bird hunt, but also an opportunity to meet and talk with members of COHA staff and Board of Directors.
The rolling fields of Raahauge's Pheasant Club - some of the most beautiful in Southern California - are conveniently located close to Orange County and just a short drive from downtown Los Angeles.
The fields will be made up of five person teams with four birds provided per person (cleaned). Dogs can be provided (please bring a tip for the handler). The day's activities include a catered Mexican lunch, raffle and auction.
Registration begins at 7:00 AM at Raahauge's Pheasant Club, 5800 Bluff St., Norco, CA. Directions can be found at: Raahauge's Pheasant Club or call 951-738-9212.
The cost is $160 per shooter through March 10th, $200 per shooter after March 10th. Valid hunting license and upland game stamp required.
Come and enjoy a fun day in the field while doing your part to support COHA's important fight to protect your right to hunt today, and for generations to come.
Please send your registration in to: Gretchen Heffler, So. California Director of Development, 10 Shasta Court, Oceanside, CA 92057
|
|
|
