Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/202020
2B Daily News – Wednesday, October 30, 2013 Hunting Forecasts Waterfowl hunting outlook for California, Nevada and the Klamath Basin refuges It's October along the Pacific Flyway and recent cooler weather is a harbinger of the fast approaching fall and winter seasons. If you're a waterfowl hunter that means one thing: hunting season is here. Twenty-eight National Wildlife Refuges (23 in California and southern Oregon, 5 in Nevada) managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Pacific Southwest Region are open for hunting. General information and requirements for hunting on refuges is available at: http://www.fws.gov/c no/hunting/hunting.html . Results from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's annual spring waterfowl breeding population survey show California's estimated duck population in 2013 is 15 percent lower than 2012 and 23 percent below the long-term average. Although duck numbers have dropped, the goose population is in great shape, so much so that goose hunting regulations have increased the daily bag limit to 10 in most regions of California and a late-season goose hunt was added in California's Northeastern zone and in Nevada. Due to the government shutdown, national wildlife refuges were closed from October 1 until Oct. 17. As a result, many refuges experienced a delayed opening for their hunts. However, refuge staff worked hard to have their wetlands ready for hunters as soon as the shutdown ended and furloughed employees were able to return to work. It's always a good idea to check with your refuge before planning your hunt day. The refuge's website is a good place to start. Here are a few things to note regarding waterfowl hunting at national wildlife refuges in the Pacific Southwest Region: • Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Colusa, Delevan, Sacramento, Sacramento River and Sutter NWR): Waterfowl hunting opened on October 19. Refuge staff returned from furlough status October 17 and worked hard to ensure there were no delays from the government shutdown. Currently, Sacramento, Delevan and Colusa refuges are open for hunting; however, Sutter Refuge expects to open for hunting once flooding takes place, which should happen by November 16. http://www.fws.gov/refug e/Sacramento/Hunting.ht ml • Colusa National Wildlife Refuge: The Refuge plans to expand its hunting area. Colusa is one of 26 national wildlife refuges across the country proposing to expand hunting opportunities, according to a recent Federal Register Notice. The Refuge plans to open an additional 80 acres of fallow fields to waterfowl and upland bird hunting. Contact the Sacramento NWR Complex for specific information on the upcoming hunt season. fws.gov/refuge/Sacramento/Hunting.html • Klamath National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Tule Lake and Lower Klamath refuges): Waterfowl hunting was originally scheduled to open on October 5. Due to the government shutdown, the season opener was delayed until October 17. According to an October 22 survey, waterfowl numbers at Tule Lake are around normal, however, Lower Klamath Lake numbers are down to approximately half of what is considered normal for this time of year. The big botulism outbreak that occurred in the summer is over. Due to the lack of water, it seems that many early season birds like pintails may have bypassed Klamath for other points south. Also, the lack of water during the summer at Lower Klamath has resulted in less habitat and food for diving ducks, such as canvas backs. The refuges are getting water now, but the number of units that typically have water is slightly down this year. http://www.fws.gov/klamathbasinrefuges/ • Modoc National Wildlife Refuge: Waterfowl hunting was originally scheduled to open on October 5. Due to the government shutdown, the season opener was delayed until October 19. The Refuge is flooding their wetlands similar to past years. Modoc is experiencing dry conditions, but 80 percent or more of the Refuge is estimated to be flooded for the season. Also, snow goose season opens November 1, which is later than past years. http://www.fws.gov/refug e/Modoc/visit/hunting.ht ml • Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge: Waterfowl hunting opened on October 19. There were no delays from the government shutdown. More than 10,000 of the Refuge's 30,000 acres are Quail forecast by Quail Forever The prolonged winter and cool spring of 2012/13 dealt quail a difficult hand as they tried to hang on for more temperate weather. While late, when summer did arrive, nesting quail in many states found renewed, lush forb cover due to the increased precipitation in the spring. While excess precipitation may have hampered early breeders, it was a boon for quail with later hatches as vegetative cover is ideal for brood rearing and a welcomed change from last year's scorched landscape. Weather can conspire against quail, but it's habitat loss that has the longterm and most unmistakable effect on quail populations. More widespread than any weather events in recent years are the results of accelerated upland habitat destruction. Moreover, it's destruction that's continuing on a daily basis, as Congress hasn't yet heeded quail hunters' – and other sportsmen and women's – calls to pass a Farm Bill with strong conservation provisions; including a national "Sodsaver" initiative to protect native prairie, and re-link crop insurance payments to conservation compliance. While it is a long row to hoe in order to get back to where quail once were, quail populations in many states are seeing population increases for the first time in years, albeitif only in localized areas. Additionally, the positive momentum and support continues to grow for quail recovery. At the time of publishing, Quail Forever reached an all-time covey size of more than 12,000 members and 127 chapters located across the country. It is always important to note that quail are resourceful and will make use of what they can, so there are coveys to be had. In addition, if readers note the number of states included in this report, they will find that there is still huntable populations across multiple species of quail in over half the continental United States, giving impetus for hunters to seek out one of North America's original upland gamebirds for yet another season. Remember to always consult official state hunting regulations for rules and season dates, and please carry Quail Forever's code with you into the field this fall. California forecast California experienced above-average early season rain in November and December of 2012, but unfortunately, record dry conditions prevailed in the late winter and early spring months leaving much of the state extremely dry as summer drew to a close. "Quail population status entering 2013 was deemed poor, and coupled with the dry conditions observed over much of the state in 2013, we judge that the state of quail populations for the 2013 season will be poor," says Matt Mershriy, environmental scientist for California Department of Fish and Wildlife. "However, local variation in population dynamics is common in quail. Gambel's quail populations in the California's southeast may be near average levels as local rainfall was more favorable." The California Department of Fish and Wildlife operates several check stations on the opening weekend of quail hunting. Reports from these check stations indicate that hunter numbers as well as quail harvest were down from the previous year with average birds-to-hunter ratio was 0.63. In addition, age ratios indicated that last spring saw poor reproductive output. open to waterfowl hunting. The Refuge is not collecting a hunting fee and is not placing a limit on the number of people allowed to hunt. Due to federal budget cuts, the Refuge is eliminating the collection of harvest data and will not have portable toilets available in hunt areas. Last year, Middle Bair Island was breached, allowing tidal flows into historic sloughs in Middle Bair and providing hunters better access into the Island during high tides. As part of this restoration, flow constrictors in Corkscrew Slough and Smith Slough were installed, so hunters boating in these sloughs should use caution when going through these areas. For more information on the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR hunt program, please call Melisa Amato at (510) 792-0222 (ext. 124). http://www.fws.gov/refug e/Don_Edwards_San_Fra ncisco_Bay/hunting.html • Kern National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Kern and Pixley refuges): Waterfowl hunting was originally scheduled to open on October 5. Due to the government shutdown, the season opener was delayed until October 19. Hunting at the Kern Refuge Complex occurs on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Since the refuges have a split-season, hunting will resume November 2. Because of drought conditions, there is less water at the refuges compared with past years, resulting in less habitat to hunt. fws.gov/kern/ • San Luis National Wildlife Refuge: Waterfowl hunting opened on October 19. Refuge staff returned from furlough October 17 and worked hard to minimize impacts of the government shutdown to its hunting program. The Refuge experienced more hunter participation on opening day than last year. The Refuge is flooding their wetlands as usual. San Luis offers free-roam, assigned zone, assigned blind, and boat access-only hunting opportunities in their hunt program. As in past years, some hunt units have been disked for habitat maintenance and to increase food production. These units are extra soft and hunters should take care when traveling within these units. Maps at the refuge are available with location information of disked units. Hunters are advised to be careful driving in to hunt areas. There are a few road construction projects underway that will result in new turn lanes to improve access to hunter areas. http://www.fws.gov/nwrs/ threecolumn.aspx?id=214 7497289 • Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge: Waterfowl hunting was originally scheduled to open on October 12. The government shutdown, however, delayed the season opener to October 17. The Refuge is experiencing a general lack of water. As a result, only two hunt units will have water during the upcoming waterfowl hunting season: Tule Lakes and West Marsh (Millens Pond/Willow Lake). There is no air-boating this year. A late snow goose season is scheduled for February 22 – March 10, 2014. http://www.fws.gov/stillwater/hunting/hunt.html • Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge: The 2013-2014 waterfowl hunting season at Stone Lakes has been reduced by 30 percent. To minimize the impact on hunters and provide quality hunting opportunities, the core of the season will remain unaffected. Instead, Stone Lakes NWR will open waterfowl hunting on November 16. Because of the delayed opening, the government shutdown did not affect the hunt season at Stone Lakes N W R . http://www.fws.gov/refu ge/Stone_Lakes/visit/visi t o r _ a c t iv i t i e s / wa t e r fowl_hunting.html November Department of Fish and Wildlife Calendar Weekends — Guided Wildlife Tours at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 12:30 to 2 p.m., Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). Each walking tour through this premier birding spot highlights the migratory waterfowl and other wetland wildlife. The cost is included in the wildlife area entrance fee. Tours are canceled in the event of heavy rain. No reservations are necessary for groups of less than 12 people. For more information, please call (530) 846-7505 or email Lori.Dieter@wildlife.ca.gov. Saturdays — Swan Tours in Yuba County, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. The event explores an area called District 10, a 23,000-acre expanse of privately owned rice fields and restored habitat. This area boasts one of the largest seasonal concentrations of tundra swans in the Central Valley as well as a variety of other species, including ducks, geese, shorebirds, herons, egrets and raptors. For more information, please visithttp://www.dfg.ca.gov/regions/2/swantours/. 1 — White Goose Season Opens in the Northeastern Waterfowl Zone and Continues Through Jan. 12. For more information, please contact Melanie Weaver at (916) 4453717. 2 — Opening of Sport Dungeness Crab Season Statewide. For more information, please visithttp://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/invertebrate/crabs.asp. 6 — CEQA Public Meeting on the Salmon Conservation and Research Facility and Related Management Actions Draft Environmental Impact Report Supporting Implementation of the San Joaquin River Restoration Program, 6 p.m. Sacramento Department of Health Care Services and Department of Public Health Building, 1500 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento (95814). Comments may be made during the meeting or by submitting them to CDFW. For more information, please visit http://www.dfg.ca.gov/regions/4/SanJoaquinRiver/. 9-10 — 2013 California Swan Festival, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 720 Yuba Street, Marysville (95901). Activities include tundra swan tours and field trips from the Sutter Buttes to Oroville Dam. For more information, please visit yubasutterchamber.com/index.php/calendar/swan-festival. 10 — Last day of Recreational Ocean Salmon Season from Horse Mountain to Pigeon Point. For more information, please visit the ocean salmon web page at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/oceansalmon.asp or call the ocean salmon regulations hotline at (707) 576-3429. 12 — State Wildlife Action Plan Public Scoping Meeting, 6-9 p.m., Turtle Bay Museum, Museum Classroom, 840 Sundial Bridge Drive, Redding (96001). For more information, please visit http://www.dfg.ca.gov/swap. 14 — Full Harbor Safety Committee Meeting, 10 a.m. to noon, Port of San Francisco, 1000-1200 Pier 1 Conference Center, The Embarcadero, San Francisco (94111). For more information, please call Jeff Cowan at (916) 324-6450. 21 — Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Room 112 of the State Capitol, Sacramento (95814). The location is subject to change. For more information, please visit http://www.wcb.ca.gov/.