The daily bag limit for Canvasback ducks has increased from one per day to two per day effective Oct. 25, 2007. Following action by the Fish and Game Commission on Oct. 16, the Office of Administrative Law’s approval has put the increase into effect.

“It was a very unusual situation for the federal government to liberalize a hunting regulation that we did not anticipate or address in our California Environmental Quality Act documentation,” said Melanie Weaver, a biologist in the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Waterfowl Investigations Project. “It has obviously caused some confusion and some lost hunting opportunities in the northeastern zone, but for the bulk of the state’s hunters, this action by the OAL is timely.”

The federal government sets regulation ‘frameworks’ in early August after analyzing current waterfowl population data and considering input from the various flyway councils and the public. The frameworks specify the outside dates, total number of hunting days, daily bag limits, shooting hours, and methods of take authorized for migratory game birds and are developed to ensure that there are sustainable populations of migratory game birds. These frameworks allow a daily bag limit of two canvasbacks per day during the 2007-2008 hunting season, an increase from recent years when the bag limit was one per day.

However, the Environmental Document prepared by DFG and certified by the Fish and Game Commission did not anticipate an increase in the canvasback daily bag limit in the federal frameworks and did not analyze this change to the hunting regulations. That environmental document was circulated for public review for 45 days ending July 31, 2007. Additional environmental review was undertaken with a comment period that ended Sept. 20, 2007.

The continental canvasback population in 2007 is at a record high level of 865,000. The federal government established a harvest strategy for canvasbacks in 2004 which limits harvest regulations to either a closed season (bag limit = 0) or a 1-bird daily bag limit.  Based on this Strategy, DFG’s original recommendation and environmental review of changes in duck hunting regulations for 2007 did not provide for a 2-bird daily bag limit for canvasbacks. Increasing the daily bag limit
for canvasbacks is expected to provide additional hunting opportunity without adversely affecting the canvasback population.

The 2007-2008 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations Guide is now available announces the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division . This guide provides information on season dates, bag limits, hunting licenses, wildlife management areas and much more and is available on the WRD website, www.gohuntgeorgia.com, and at over 1,000 license agents, including Bass Pro Shops, Wal-Mart, K-Mart and outdoor sporting goods stores.
“The hunting regulations guide is designed to help hunters understand the laws and regulations for hunting in Georgia,” says WRD Assistant Chief John Bowers. “We recommend that even experienced hunters take a look at the new regulations to note any changes to their favorite hunting areas or activities.”
Members of the Board of Natural Resources set hunting regulations by acting on recommendations made by WRD’s wildlife biologists and field personnel. The Georgia General Assembly sets laws applicable to hunting in the State.
Major changes for the upcoming season include:
Alligator zones and seasons: The open zones for alligator hunting have been expanded. Additionally, the season has been extended by two weeks and the number of available quotas has been increased.
Bear hunting: Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Walker and Whitfield counties have been added to the Northern Bear Zone for hunting.
New areas available for hunting: Five new areas are available this year, including Townsend WMA in Long County, Fall Line Sand Hills Natural Area in Taylor County and three State Parks- Bobby Brown, Mistletoe and Tugaloo.
For more information on Georgia hunting seasons and regulations, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com , contact a local WRD Game Management Office or call the WRD Hunter Services Office at 761-3044.

The 2007 Oklahoma deer hunting regulations have now been approved by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, and officials with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation say both deer and sportsmen will reap the benefits of changes adopted for this year.
Changes to the state’s combined season deer limits, youth seasons and antlerless deer hunting opportunities were among the most significant items approved Monday at the meeting of the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The annual combined season limit of six deer will not change, but the number of antlered deer allowed in that total has been reduced from three to two.
“This change is a good step toward improving the structure of our deer herd,” said Alan Peoples, chief of wildlife for the Department. “A better age structure translates to a healthier population overall.”
Also new for 2007, antlerless deer hunting zones in most of the state will be open to antlerless hunting every day during muzzleloader season and gun season . Areas in antlerless harvest zone one, which includes most of the Panhandle, will be open to antlerless hunting Nov. 17 and Dec. 2 during gun season. Zone 10, which includes southeast Oklahoma, will be open to antlerless hunting Oct. 27-29 and Nov. 2-4 during muzzleloader season and Nov. 17, 24 and Dec. 2 during gun season.
Also new this year, hunters in zone two, which includes much of northwest and north central Oklahoma, will be allowed to harvest two does during muzzleloader and gun seasons. For a map showing the state’s antlerless deer harvest zones, consult the current “Oklahoma Hunting guide.”
The special antlerless deer season will be open in most areas of the state Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 28-30. Hunters in the central, southwest and northeast portions of Oklahoma previously enjoyed only three days during the special antlerless deer season. For specific areas open to the special antlerless deer season, consult the “Oklahoma Hunting Guide.”
“Additional doe days, more generous bag limits during muzzleloader and gun seasons and opening up the special antlerless deer season for more days in more areas means more chances to go hunting,” Peoples said. “If hunters take advantage of this, our deer herd will benefit because the health of the herd and our buck-to-doe ratios will continue to improve.”
Also new for 2007, youth hunting in the youth gun season will be allowed to take a buck, unlike in years past when only antlerless deer were permitted. Another change made to benefit youth hunters will allow anyone under 16 years old who has successfully completed the Department’s Hunter Education course to participate in the state’s Controlled Hunts for youth. Previously, Controlled Hunts for youth were limited to youth ages 12-14. Look for Controlled Hunts information on the Department’s Website at wildlifedepartment.com around April 1.
“These changes are good for Oklahoma,” said Peoples. “They offer many additional ways that deer hunters can share their heritage with family and friends while helping improve our deer herd, too.”
The “2007-08 Oklahoma Hunting Guide” listing the new changes will be available this summer.
The new regulations must now pass through the legislative process and be signed by the governor. Look for complete details in the next Oklahoma Hunting and Fishing Guides.
The Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Wildlife Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department, and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.
The next scheduled Commission meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 2 at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters , at the southwest corner of 18th and North Lincoln, Oklahoma City.

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. - The 2006-2007 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations Guide now is available announces the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division . This guide provides information on season dates, bag limits, hunting licenses, wildlife management areas and much more and is available on the WRD website, www.gohuntgeorgia.com , and at over 1,000 license agents, including Bass Pro Shops, Wal-Mart, K-Mart and outdoor sporting goods stores.
“The hunting regulations guide is designed to help hunters understand the laws and regulations for hunting in Georgia,” says WRD Assistant Chief John Bowers. “We recommend that even experienced hunters take a look at the new regulations to note any changes to their favorite hunting areas or activities.”
Members of the Board of Natural Resources set hunting regulations by acting on recommendations made by WRD’s wildlife biologists and field personnel. The Georgia General Assembly sets laws applicable to hunting in the State.
Major changes for the upcoming season include:
Online quota hunt applications: Hunters must now apply for quota hunts via the internet at www.gohuntgeorgia.com. There are no more paper applications or notices.
Scopes on muzzleloaders: The law has been changed to allow the use of telescopic sights on muzzleloaders during the primitive weapons season and primitive weapons hunts on wildlife management areas .
New WMAs available: Three new WMAs are available for hunters this year, including Clayhole Swamp WMA near Brunswick, Flat Tub WMA near Douglas and Penholoway Swamp WMA near Jesup.
For more information on Georgia hunting seasons and regulations, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com, contact a local WRD Game Management Office or call the WRD Hunter Services Office at 761-3044.

MADISON — Hunters heading out to Wisconsin’s fields in search of ring-necked pheasants will find this year’s pheasant hunting regulations included in the 2006 Wisconsin Small Game Hunting Regulations. In previous years, the pheasant regulations had been published separately.
The pheasant season runs from noon on Oct. 14 through Dec. 31.
Special pheasant regulations and maps of selected public hunting grounds that were normally found within the pheasant hunting regulations can now be found on the Department of Natural Resources Web site or by request at DNR Service Centers.
Hunters visiting the DNR Web site will also find a new 2006 Pheasant Stocking Information Sheet that identifies which public hunting grounds are slated for pheasant stocking. Game farm managers report that they will release approximately 52,000 pheasants into public hunting grounds this fall. That number is up sharply from the 34,000 that were stocked in 2005.
The stocking information sheet, copies of the 2006 Wisconsin Small Game Hunting Regulations and public hunting ground maps are available in hard copy at DNR Service Centers. Local license vendors may also have supplies of some of these materials.
Wildlife managers remind pheasant hunters that a pheasant stamp is required to hunt pheasants in pheasant management zones.
On Oct. 14 and 15, the daily bag limit is one cock and possession limit is two. For the remainder of the season the daily bag limit is two cocks and the possession limit is four. Some public hunting grounds have both hen and cock pheasant hunting and /or 2 p.m. closure times. See the Small Game Hunting Regulations for details.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will decide on 2006-08 hunting seasons and rules when it meets April 7-8 in Tumwater.
The two-day meeting at the Comfort Inn and Conference Center, 1620 74th Ave. SW in Tumwater, is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. April 7 and 8:30 a.m. April 8. All hunting rule agenda items are scheduled for Saturday, April 8. Public input will be taken at several times throughout the meeting.
A nine-member citizen panel appointed by the governor, the commission sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife .
WDFW wildlife managers have recommended revisions to hunting rules that would affect eastern Washington pheasant season dates, turkey hunting opportunities, mule deer and white-tailed deer management, spring black bear seasons, Colockum and Hanford area elk management, and archery and muzzleloader equipment regulations. Details of all hunting rule proposals are available on the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/seasonsetting/
Development of the hunting season recommendations included an extended public involvement process that elicited 5,000 responses from citizens. As a result of public input, some preliminary proposals for spike-only elk hunts in western Washington, three-point white-tailed deer hunts in northeast Washington and permit-only mule deer hunts, have been dropped.
Besides setting upcoming hunting seasons, the commission also is scheduled to establish guidelines for issuing refunds or authorizing exchanges on purchases of recreational licenses, tags or permits; clarify rules for retention of tagged bottomfish and herring and aquatic farm registration, and reduce some fishing and hunting violations to infractions.
During the meeting, the commission also will be briefed on wolf management, development of WDFW’s strategic plan for the upcoming 2007-09 biennium and WDFW’s progress in meeting sustainability goals.
A complete agenda of the meeting is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/com/meetings.htm

Based on a survey of 1,000 deer hunters, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will not pursue regulations that would restrict the harvest of bucks in four west-central counties.
Nearly 60 percent of deer hunters who responded opposed regulations aimed at increasing the number of mature bucks by restricting the harvest of bucks with fewer than four antler points on one side.
“Given that the regulation would be largely social in nature, it would be difficult to pursue without majority support from deer hunters,” said Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game program coordinator. “We will continue to look at different ways of managing deer populations that incorporate biological and social aspects of deer management.”
Hunters returned about 77 percent of the surveys, which were mailed to a random sample of hunters in Lac Qui Parle, Yellow Medicine, Lyon and Lincoln counties. The University of Minnesota coordinated the survey.
Mike DonCarlos, DNR wildlife programs manager, said the high rate of return for the survey indicates that deer hunting and regulation changes are very important to hunters.
“Because deer hunters care deeply about their sport, they’re more likely to respond to surveys,” he said. “In turn the surveys provide an accurate reflection of opinions and are generally well accepted by the hunting public.”

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approved state acquisition of a 278-acre wetland in Lincoln County as a wildlife-viewing site and heard 2006-08 hunting rule proposals at its meeting March 10 in Pasco.
The commission, a nine-member citizen panel appointed by the governor, sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife .
The acquisition of “Reardan’s Audubon Lake” provides critical habitat for more than 200 species of birds and other wildlife near the town of Reardan, 22 miles west of Spokane. The acquisition of the Inland Northwest Land Trust-Eastman property by WDFW was approved and funded by the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program in cooperation with the Spokane Audubon Society, the town of Reardan, Reardan Chamber of Commerce and Reardan Public Development Authority. The site is a key component of a planned Northeast Washington Birding Trail.
Proposed 2006-08 hunting rules, which the commission will vote on during its April 7-8 meeting in Tumwater, include changes to eastern Washington pheasant season dates, expanded turkey hunt opportunities, mule deer and white-tailed deer management, spring black bear seasons, Colockum and Hanford area elk management, and archery and muzzleloader equipment regulations. Details of all hunting rule proposals are available on Hunting section of the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/seasonsetting/.
The commission also approved acquisition of 19 acres of land at the mouth of the Dungeness River in Clallam County, a land lease for an environmental education center at the Vancouver Hatchery in Clark County and rule amendments to clarify and simplify scientific collection permit procedures.
The commission also heard briefings on:
Columbia River Partnership legislation to provide water both for out-of-stream uses such as irrigation and electricity production, and for fish.
Re-licensing issues involving four mid-Columbia River dams operated by public utility districts in Grant, Chelan and Douglas counties.
A proposed pilot elk and deer damage-control program in south-central Washington, including new wildlife control specialist positions.
Progress in developing WDFW’s 2007-2009 biennial strategic plan.

PIERRE — The Game, Fish and Parks Commission has proposed elk seasons for 2006 that will feature slightly fewer licenses than a year ago.
“We increased the number of elk licenses available for the past few years to control a growing population of elk and to help alleviate depredation problems with private landowners,” John Wrede, GFP regional game manager in Rapid City said. “Our survey information indicates that we have been successful in reducing the elk population in some of these areas of concern.”
The proposal for the Black Hills Archery Elk season will have the season open from September 1-30. There will be 104 “any elk”, and another 145 “antlerless elk” licenses available. Last year 271 hunters harvested 42 bulls and 24 cows for a 21 percent hunting success rate.
The Black Hills Firearms Elk season will run from October 1-31 for “any elk” licenses; from October 1-15 and December 1-15 for the first “antlerless elk” season; and from October 16-31 and December 1-15 for the second “antlerless elk” season. There will be 730 “any elk” licenses available and 1,740 “antlerless elk” licenses available. Last year 2,670 licensed hunters harvested 517 bulls and 921 cows for a 54 percent success rate.
The Prairie Elk season is divided into units for Bennett County, Butte County and Gregory County. There will be 18 “any elk” and 18 “antlerless elk” licenses available for Bennett County; 10 “any elk” and 20 “antlerless elk” licenses for Butte County; and 2 “any elk” and 8 “antlerless elk” for Gregory County. In 2005 there were 89 total licensed hunters for the Prairie Elk season. They harvested 20 bulls and 22 cows for a 47 percent success rate.
Custer State Park seasons for the regular Elk season, Antlerless Elk, Early Season Archery Elk, and Late Season Archery Elk all had no changes from 2005 and are finalized for the 2006 season.
The comment period for the elk hunting season proposals will be open until 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 5. Anyone interested in presenting a comment is encouraged to do so at any time during the comment period by e-mailing wildinfo@state.sd.us or writing to Game, Fish and Parks Commission, 523 E. Capitol, Pierre, S.D. 57501. All comments must be received before 5 p.m. on April 5, and include the person’s full name and address. Comments may also be presented in person to the GFP Commission at the time of the public hearing at 2 p.m., Thursday, April 6, at the Ramkota River Centre in Pierre.
Once the seasons are finalized at the April Commission meeting, the application process will be opened in mid-April. The application deadline for all elk seasons will be May 19.

PIERRE — The Game, Fish and Parks Commission has proposed rule changes that will prohibit the use of horses by dog trainers on certain national grassland public lands.
Under the proposal, the Fort Pierre National Grasslands, the Grand River National Grasslands and the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands would continue to be open to dog trainers handling their dogs on foot, but closed to those handling dogs with the use of horses.
“The Department conducted an extensive survey on the impact of dog training using horses on the Fort Pierre National Grasslands,” GFP Game Program Administrator Tony Leif said. “The study documented some affect of training on grouse and grouse broods, but the affects were not great. However, the Commission was concerned that the benefits of allowing this activity did not outweigh the risk of allowing it to continue.”
The proposed rule would only prohibit training dogs on horseback on public lands. This activity would still be allowed on private land where dog training and horseback activity is permitted by the landowner. Dog training on wild game birds is prohibited statewide from April 15th to July 31st, but all public land, including the federal grasslands will continue to be open to dog training on foot during the time of year when nesting activity is not taking place.
The comment period for the dog training rule proposal will be open up to 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 5. Anyone interested in presenting a comment is encouraged to do so at any time during the comment period by e-mailing wildinfo@state.sd.us or writing to Game, Fish and Parks, 523 E. Capitol, Pierre, S.D. 57501. All comments must be received before 5 p.m. on April 5, and include the person’s full name and address. Comments may also be presented in person to the GFP Commission at the time of the public hearing at 2 p.m., Thursday, April 6, at the Ramkota River Centre in Pierre.

Finding a hunting spot just got a little easier.
The Wildlife Conservation Commission approved hunting regulations for two new areas in northeast Oklahoma that will be open for public hunting- the Ozark Plateau Wildlife Management Area and the Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge. The properties are located side by side in Adair County near the Oklahoma/Arkansas line.
Currently the Wildlife Department owns 880 acres and is in negotiations for the purchase of 1,200 more acres from willing landowners. The Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge, which is owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, encompasses about 2,000 acres and will offer the same hunting opportunities as the WMA.
The properties, purchased with grants from the federal Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund, will protect habitat for a pair of unique and federally endangered species, the Ozark big-eared bat and the Ozark cave crayfish. The hardwood forests and the many caves in the area will provide critical foraging and brood-rearing habitat for the bats. The area will also provide increased recreation opportunity for hunters and other wildlife enthusiasts.
The hunting seasons will be essentially the same as statewide season dates, although hunters may only take one tom turkey during the spring turkey season. Additionally, pursuit with hounds will be closed from opening day of deer archery season through the first nine days of deer gun season and during the spring turkey season. The new regulations will take effect immediately.
Also at its March meeting, the Commission voted to establish a new position within the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The lands/minerals coordinator will coordinate oil and gas exploration and mineral leases on Department-owned properties. The Wildlife Department owns approximately 288,000 acres across the state.
Also at the meeting, the Commission voted to increase the Department budget by $355,000. Among other things the increase will go to cover increased fuel prices and workers compensation rates.
In other business, Game Warden Shane Fields was recognized as the 2005 National Wild Turkey Federation Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
“Shane is a real asset to the Wildlife Department and to the sportsmen of the state,” Gary Purdy, senior regional director for the NWTF.
Fields, who is stationed in Pittsburg County, will compete for the title of National Officer of the Year later this month at the NWTF’s annual convention in Nashville, TN.
The Commission also recognized three Department employees for their outstanding service to the sportsmen of the state. Employees recognized were:
David Deckard, law enforcement training coordinator, for 20 years of service;
Leland Sockey, game warden stationed in Haskell County, for 20 years of service;
Alan Stacey, wetland habitat biologist, for 20 years of service.
Also at the meeting, Commissioners met in executive session and upon returning to open session, the Commission voted to authorize the director to pursue land acquisition in Cleveland and Sequoyah counties.
The Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Wildlife Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department, and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
The next scheduled Commission meeting is April 3 at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters , at the southwest corner of 18th and North Lincoln, Oklahoma City at 9:00 a.m.

The 2005 West Virginia Big Game Bulletin is available at all Division of Natural Resources’ District Offices, Charleston Headquarters and the Elkins Operations Center, according to Frank Jezioro, Director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. This popular publication contains all of the official harvest figures from the 2005 hunting seasons for the state’s various big game species.
“Hunters can gain a wealth of knowledge by reviewing the information contained the 2005 West Virginia Big Game Bulletin,” Jezioro said. “This harvest information is extremely important for monitoring big game population trends and establishing appropriate hunting regulations. We appreciate the fact that hunters supply this data through the state’s mandatory checking stations.”
For more information concerning West Virginia’s big game harvests, visit the DNR’s Web site at www.wvdnr.gov.

BRINKLEY - Commissioners for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission last week were presented with proposals for the 2006-2007 hunting seasons at the agency’s monthly meeting in Brinkley. The commission will study the proposals and make a decision at its March 16 meeting in Little Rock.
The biggest proposed change from last year was the increase in the statewide bag limit for deer. Biologists proposed the bag limit be raised from three deer to four deer statewide, with more restrictive bag limits in certain zones. The increase would allow two legal bucks and two does to be taken with a modern firearm and muzzleloader in deer zones 12, 13, 14, 15 and 17 or up to four does to be taken with archery tackle in the same zones.
Again this year, youth who have previously taken a buck, will be allowed to take any deer during the special youth modern gun deer hunt in all two buck bag limit zones.
Archery deer season would start on Oct.1 and continue through Feb. 28. Muzzleloader season would be split with the first season from Oct. 14 to 22 and a second season Dec. 16 to 18 or Dec. 29 to 31, depending on the deer zone. The proposed dates for modern gun season are: deer zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11-Nov. 11 to Nov. 30; deer zone 4-Nov. 11 to 12; deer zone 5-Nov. 11 to 12 and Nov. 18 to 19; deer zones 4A, 5A, 13, 14 and 15-Nov. 11 to Dec. 10; deer zones 9 and 12-Nov. 11 to Dec.17; deer zones 16, 16A and 17-Nov. 11 to Dec. 28. The Christmas holiday modern gun deer hunt will be Dec. 26 to 28 with the special modern gun youth deer hunt in all zones is scheduled for Nov. 4 to 5.
The commission also tentatively announced the 2007 opening dates for deer season. Archery deer season would open on Oct. 1, 2007 followed by muzzleloader season on Oct. 13, 2007 and modern gun season on Nov. 10, 2007.
A short list of the proposed hunting seasons is as follows:
Bear - Archery: bear zones 1 and 2: Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 and bear zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: closed. Muzzleloader: bear zones 1 and 2: Oct. 14 to 22 and bear zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: closed. Modern gun: bear zones 1 and 2: Nov. 6 to 30; bear zone 5: Dec. 9 to 17 ; bear zone 5A: Dec. 2 to 17 ; bear zones 3, 4, 6 and 7: closed. Special modern gun youth bear hunt: bear zones 1 and 2: Nov. 4 to 5 .
Turkey - Archery: statewide: Oct. 1 to Feb. 28. Firearms: turkey zones 2, 3, 6, 7 and 17: Oct. 23 to 29 and turkey zones 1, 1A, 4, 4A, 4B, 5, 5A, 5B, 7A, 8, 9, 9A and 10: closed.
Elk - Elk zones 1, 2, 3, 4 and A: Sept. 25 to 29 and elk zones 1, 2, 3, 4 and A: Dec. 4 to 8. Youth hunt: Elk zone 3: Dec. 4 to 8.
Quail - Statewide: Nov. 1 to Feb. 4.
Rabbit - Statewide: Sept. 2 to Feb. 28.
Squirrel - Statewide: Sept. 9 to Feb. 28 and May 12 to June 10.
Crow - Statewide: Sept. 2 to Feb. 22. .
Furbearer trapping - : Nov. 17 to Feb. 18.
Coyote trapping - Aug. 1 to Mar. 31.
Beaver, muskrat, nutria trapping - Nov. 17 to Mar. 31.
Gray fox, mink, opossum, red fox, striped skunk hunting season - Sept.1 to Feb. 28.
Raccoon day or night hunting season - Sept.1 to Mar. 31.
Raccoon night hunting season - July 1 to Aug. 31.
Bobcat and coyote hunting - Oct. 1 to Feb. 28.
River otter hunting - Nov. 17 to Feb. 28
Muskrat, nutria, beaver hunting - Sept. 1 to Mar. 31.
Spotted skunk and weasel hunting - Closed.
On another issue, Ricky Chastain, the AGFC’s assistant chief of wildlife management, briefed the commission on negotiations with Green Bay Packaging on land the AGFC leases that involve the Cherokee and Jim Kress wildlife management areas in north central and west central Arkansas. Green Bay requested the AGFC address four issues of concern for the company beginning with prohibiting recreational ATV use on the land. The company also asked that the use of dogs for deer hunting and dog training be banned on the leased land. Green Bay also asked for improved control of trash dumping and littering and the prohibition of off road vehicles in closed areas. “We want to continue our cooperative relationship with Green Bay so that we can provide public hunting opportunities in those parts of the state,” Chastain added.
AGFC director Scott Henderson reinforced the point that if these issues were not addressed, that the company would not lease the land to the AGFC. “They are graveyard serious we help manage this area and abide by their requirements. We need the cooperation of the public to help us address these issues. Hopefully the hunting public will understand we have to meet these concerns,” Henderson added. Commissioner Sheffield Nelson indicated the agency may have to increase penalties in the area. “This is a last gasp sort of thing or we may lose it,” Nelson said.

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will hold 12 public meetings across the state in March to give hunters, anglers, trappers, landowners and other interested parties an opportunity to review and comment on proposed 2006 hunting regulations for white-tailed deer and black bear, proposed 2007-2008 general hunting and trapping regulations and proposed 2007 fishing regulations. These meetings will be held from 6 - 8 p.m. on March 20 and March 21.
“The agency will use the “Open House” style meeting format again this year,” according to DNR Director Frank Jezioro. “This format allows people to attend at their convenience during the scheduled meeting, learn of proposed regulation changes, discuss these proposals with wildlife biologists and conservation officers and comment on the proposed regulations and other wildlife-related issues.”
As in the past, written comments from the public on these proposed hunting, trapping and fishing regulations also are encouraged. Anyone interested in attending the “Open Houses” should note the following list of meeting dates and locations:
Monday, March 20, 2006
Fairmont — East Fairmont High School
Martinsburg — James Rumsey Vo-Tech Center
Summersville — Summersville High School
Lewisburg — Brier Inn
Milton — WV Pumpkin Park 4-H Building
Spencer — Heritage Building
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Glen Dale — John Marshall High School
Moorefield — Moorefield Middle School
Buckhannon — Buckhannon-Upshur High School
Twin Falls State Park — Main Lodge
Logan — Logan High School
Parkersburg — Parkersburg Municipal Building

OLYMPIA — The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission today voted to continue its previous allocation policy for spring chinook salmon fisheries on the Columbia River through the 2007 season, while tightening the limit on incidental interceptions of wild winter steelhead.
The commission, which sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife , also approved a new type of big-game permit and issue hunting permits to a private landowner under the state’s new hunter-access program.
Selective fishing rules have been in effect for spring chinook fisheries on the lower Columbia River since 2001, requiring anglers and commercial fishers to release any wild salmon or steelhead they intercept.
Mortality rates for released wild chinook salmon cannot exceed 2 percent of the annual run, under fish protection rules established by NOAA-Fisheries under the federal Endangered Species Act.
The spring chinook policy approved today, like that in effect for the past two years, would allocate 60 percent of the allowable mortality rate to the sport fishery and 40 percent to the commercial fishery.
The commission also delegated WDFW Director Jeff Koenings to meet with his counterpart in Oregon and reconcile that policy with one approved earlier this month by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission.
The Oregon commission, which jointly manages the fishery with Washington, voted earlier this month to allocate 55 percent of incidental wild chinook mortalities to the sport fishery and 45 percent to the commercial fleet. However, it also authorized its director to approve a 5 percent shift in either direction.
Fisheries managers from both states are scheduled to meet Jan. 26 as part of the Columbia River Compact process to set spring chinook fishing seasons for 2006.
Before voting on the chinook-allocation policy, the nine-member Washington commission heard testimony from more than 60 recreational and commercial fishers, many of whom spoke about the importance of the fishery to their lives and their communities.
“It’s tough to apportion fishing opportunities by fractions of a percent, but that’s the reality of modern fisheries,” said Ron Ozment, commission chair. “On the plus side, we are able to provide access to thousands of hatchery-reared spring chinook salmon while maintaining ESA protection for wild runs.”
As part of the new spring chinook policy, the commission also approved a 2 percent cap on mortality rates for wild winter steelhead inadvertently caught in commercial and recreational spring chinook fisheries on the lower Columbia River.
Last year, after five years of steady improvement in steelhead runs, the commission recommended a 2 percent limit with flexibility for fishery managers to allow incidental mortalities of up to 4 percent. However, that flexibility was never used, because steelhead returns took a downturn during the 2005 season and are not projected to show significant improvement this year.
In other action at its Jan. 13-14 meeting, the commission:
Approved permits for a limited number of deer and elk hunters to participate in archery, muzzleloader and modern-firearm general hunting seasons in the same year. Hunters, however, are still limited to one deer and elk each year. Interested hunters need to apply for the special permits. Once selected, the permit will cost the hunter $150, in addition to the regular license fee.
Approved hunting permits for a special hunt opportunity in Grant County. Under the adopted rule, the landowner will open his lands to hunters. A portion of those permits are reserved for licensed hunters who will be drawn at random by WDFW. The landowner also can sell hunters the opportunity to use a portion of the special permits on his lands
Adopted a rule that requires a state license to commercially harvest shellfish from tidelands not owned by the state. The rule, which requires commercial harvesters to record their catch, closes a gap in catch accounting that may provide an avenue for poached shellfish to enter the marketplace.
Designated the streaked horn lark and Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly as an endangered species, and the Mazama pocket gopher as threatened on the state list of threatened and endangered species. The commission also removed from the list the Aleutian Canada goose, which has steadily recovered.
Approved the acquisition of 5,144 acres of land in Kittitas County to connect other wildlife areas providing habitat for deer, elk, bighorn sheep, chukar and quail. Skookumchuck Creek, which runs through the property, also supports Columbia River steelhead.

LITTLE ROCK - Hunters may voice their opinions about hunting regulations and seasons at one of 11 public meetings across the state Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2006.
The meetings are part of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s annual hunting regulations process. They are held to give hunters and other interested parties the opportunity to make comments and proposals for the 2006-2007 hunting seasons.
Comments may be verbal or written. Written comments may be submitted at one of the meetings or mailed to the AGFC, Hunting Regulations Proposals, 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205. The deadline for comments is Jan. 31, 2006.
The 11 meetings will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. AGFC personnel will make an initial presentation and accommodate those wishing to speak. Visitors may arrive and leave at any time during the meeting. Meeting sites and AGFC office telephone numbers are:
Jonesboro, Huntington Building Annex, 900 W. Monroe, 1-877-972-5438
Brinkley, AGFC Regional Office, 1201 Highway 49 North, 1-877-734-4581
Monticello, Monticello High School Cafeteria, 390 Clyde Ross Drive, 1-877-367-3559
Camden, Camden Fairview High School Auditorium, 1750 Cash Road, 1-877-836-4612
Hope, Fair Park Community Center, Fair Park Drive, 1-877-777-5580
Hot Springs, National Park CC Auditorium, 101 College Drive, 1-877-525-8606
Fort Smith, AGFC Regional Office, 8000 Taylor Ave., 1-877-478-1043
Russellville, Gardner Building Auditorium, 1000 S. Arkansas, 1-877-967-7577
Fayetteville, UA Pauline Whitaker Animal Science, 1335 W. Knapp, 1-877-967-7577
Calico Rock, AGFC Regional Office, Highway 56 N., 1-877-297-4331
Little Rock, AGFC Central Office, 2 Natural Resources Drive, 1-800-364-4263

The Colorado Division of Wildlife is looking for information about a bull elk shot and left on private property Sunday afternoon Nov. 6 off Lower Twin Rocks Road in Teller County.
A white SUV was seen in the area and is most likely involved.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Colorado Division of Wildlife at 227-5200. Information can also be offered anonymously by calling toll free to Operation Game Thief or Turn In Poachers line at 1-877-265-6648.
A cash reward, preference points, or a license may be given to an informant who provides information that leads to the arrest of, or citation issued to a suspect involved in a wildlife-related crime.

CONCORD, N.H. - The public has a chance to offer input on any aspect of New Hampshire Fish and Game Department operations at two upcoming biennial hearings. The first session will be November 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Fish and Game headquarters on Hazen Drive in Concord; the second hearing will be held on December 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Fish and Game’s Region 1 Office on Route 3 in Lancaster.
“The biennial hearings give hunters, anglers and others who care about wildlife in New Hampshire a chance to come and speak their minds,” said Lee E. Perry, Executive Director of Fish and Game. “We welcome the public to come talk with their Fish and Game Department.”
The hearings are held in odd-numbered years to provide the public with an opportunity to make comments on, and suggest changes to, fishing and hunting rules, wildlife management strategies and other Fish and Game functions. Members of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission, Executive Director Perry and other Fish and Game staff will be present at the hearings to answer questions.
Those who are unable to attend the hearings may send written comments or suggestions by January 12, 2006, to: comments@wildlife.state.nh.us ; or Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301; or fax 271-1438.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us.

The Department of Fish and Game is reminding Californians that feeding deer is a dangerous and illegal practice. Three incidents this month have provided examples of the harm that can befall people, wildlife, and pets when humans feed and allow deer to become too comfortable around them.
“This is the time of year when buck deer are ‘in the rut,’ or exhibiting breeding behavior and becoming more aggressive,” said DFG Director Ryan Broddrick. “Californians need to be especially careful that they do not break the law and compromise their own safety by providing an available food source for these animals. While deer are usually not a threat to public safety, problems can occur when they lose their fear of humans.”
All three events since late September followed the same pattern: humans fed deer that then became aggressive and attacked when humans came too close to them. In San Diego County a man died several weeks after he was gored in the mouth by a buck he surprised while working in his backyard. Other incidents included a buck attacking a couple in their garden in Mendocino County, and a buck in Orinda attacking two dogs, killing one of them. In all of these incidents the deer involved was eventually killed by DFG or federal wildlife officials.
“These events are extremely unusual but not unheard of. Whenever deer begin to associate people with food, problems are guaranteed to occur,” said Craig Stowers, coordinator of DFG’s deer program. “Deer, even the small ones, can be quite aggressive and they are much stronger than people imagine. Like most species of wildlife, they are best viewed at a distance — it’s safer for everyone and everything involved.”
People can avoid these incidents by not feeding deer and by deer-proofing their property. To assist in those efforts, DFG has produced a publication, “A Gardener’s Guide to Preventing Deer Damage,” available for download at www.dfg.ca.gov/hunting/deer/gardenersguide.pdf. The 24-page document features chapters on deer-resistant plants, deer repellents and fencing suggestions. In addition, deer are a focus of DFG’s “Keep Me Wild” campaign. The campaign’s Web site is www.keepmewild.org.

LITTLE ROCK - The new edition of “the hunting book” is out, available on counters and shelves all around Arkansas.
It’s high up among the most read publications in the state, but you can’t call it a best seller. It is free.
The Arkansas Hunting Guidebook of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission offers in concise form the dates of hunting season, the rules and especially changes and various other information on hunting in the 2005-06 season in the state. It’s available for the asking at all license dealers in Arkansas and at all AGFC offices. The official code of regulations for the AGFC can be found at http://www.agfc.com/pdf/agfc_code_of_regulations.pdf.
There is a world of information in the book that is 132 pages, largest ever, this year. It’s in easy-to-read form. Along with the essentials of dates and regulations, there is much how-to information in the book.
This year, the Hunting Guidebook has four essential pages on Bag It and Tag It. This is the new, but old system of hunters having to tag their deer and turkey immediately in the field after making a kill.
The required tags are on hunting licenses now. They are also in the Hunting Guidebook. Deer and turkey hunters can use either form. For persons not required to have hunting licenses, like youths under 16 years old, one of the tags in the guidebook will work. For hunters with lifetime licenses, like persons over 65, there are three tags in the book to use. Need more? Get another guidebook with three more.
The basic rule for tagging is it must be done in the field before a deer or turkey is moved. “I’ll do it at the check station” or “I’ll take it back at camp” doesn’t work and could get someone a citation from a wildlife officer.
The tags must be fastened to the deer or turkey carcass, and the most convenient means is with the common twist-tie used for many grocery and other household items. AGFC staffers suggest hunters make a habit of carrying several twist-ties in their gear at all times. Tags can be securely fastened to the antlers of a buck, the leg of a doe and the leg of a turkey.
Hunters should be sure to read Page 8 of the Hunting Guidebook and read it closely. It is headed New This Season, and it summarizes the changes in rules. Bag It and Tag It is the biggest change, along with the new system of all hunting licenses valid July 1 to June 30 each year. But other changes could affect hunters in some areas.
A new rule this year prohibits the “hunting or harassing wildlife” from any moving vehicle anywhere in the state. Yes, you cannot “herd” a deer with a pickup or a four-wheeler, nor can you shoot one if the vehicle is moving.
Every hunter should get a free 2005-06 Hunting Guidebook and read it carefully and thoroughly. Take it to camp or on the hunt with you. Don’t rely on “somebody told me.”