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2B Daily News – Saturday, September 1, 2012 Outdoorlife living By Mike Leggett AUSTIN, Texas (MCT) — Dan Richards has gotten pounded in the last few months, reviled by what he calls "enviro-terrorists," criticized by some of his own hunting brothers, stripped of his president's post on the California Game and Fish Commission. His is a tale of an out-of-state hunt- ing trip, a mountain lion, some trophy pictures, an eco-outcry, political back- lash, California social weirdness and staggering hypocrisy. brokerage in Upland, which is between Los Angeles and San Bernadino. His brother, Mark, lives in Austin, he says. I caught up with Dan on the phone last week, saying I wanted to talk about the lion. Richards is 60 and runs a real estate & Killing the lion in Idaho was legal, but it's not that simple "Get in line," he joked. But he's not joking about his situation nor is he wal- lowing in self-doubt after months of controversy. "There is evil in their subterfuge," Richards says from his office. "They are chipping away at the sporting com- munity's rights, and I'm not afraid to challenge them on it." "This isn't about the mountain lion," he says. "It's about me taking on the enviro-terrorists. They want to take over this department, and it's anything they can do to (achieve that)." MCT file photo Dan Richards at a meeting where his job was discussed. Let's talk about the mountain lion. The lion lived in Idaho. In February, Richards went hunting there and killed the lion. It's legal to do that in Idaho. It's not legal in California except in public safety situations. Richards posted pictures posing with the lion. Someone alerted the Humane Society of the United States. Critics surfaced, aghast. And a cam- paign began to boot him from the Cal- ifornia commission. California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom at one point called for Richards' resig- nation, saying that his "actions do not reflect the values of the people of Cali- fornia." Richards can't conceal con- The California Fish and Game Commission acted Monday in an emergency session to reduce sage- grouse hunting permits to zero in Lassen County. The California Depart- ment of Fish and Game (DFG), responding to wild- fires in the area, proposed that the Fish and Game Commission effectively close the September 2012 sage-grouse hunting season in both the East Lassen Zone and Central Lassen Zone. ities versus values. And whose values? "I went on a legal hunt, in a state where lion hunting is legal," Richards says. Of course, it's not that simple. Critics focused on the difference between California and Idaho values, not just the difference in the laws. They said the photos of Richards holding the very large and very dead cat showed he does not share the values that he is sup- posed to support in his public role on the California commission. "This entire department is made up of hunters and fishers," says Adrianna Shea, deputy director of California Fish and Game. Many of those staff members travel to other states to hunt, when they can't hunt in their home The Rush Fire, which started Aug. 12 from light- ning strikes, has burned more than 300,000 acres and is expected to be con- tained Thursday. The wild- fires have burned nearly all of the Eastern Lassen Zone, which is the highest quality sage habitat for all sage- grouse in Lassen County, according to DFG Sage- Grouse Coordinator Scott Gardner. Although the Central Lassen Zone was not burned, DFG also recom- mended reducing the per- The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is seeking help from the pub- lic after four very large bucks were poached with- in the last three weeks. Three of the bucks were poached within the city limits of Susanville and the other was poached near the city. shown total disregard for public safety by shooting deadly weapons in resi- dential areas and within the city limits." said Lassen County Warden Nick Buckler. "Almost as disturbing is the lack of respect for Lassen Coun- ty's wildlife, especially our famous trophy bucks." All of the recently poached bucks were killed "These poachers have mits to zero in that zone because of uncertainty over the impact of the fire on the sage-grouse population. A portion of the birds from that zone winter in the East- ern Lassen Zone, which means that the impact of the fire on the population will not be known until surveys are conducted next year. Out of concern for the sus- tainability of Lassen County sage-grouse and future hunting seasons, DFG rec- ommended closure of both zones. tempt for Newsom and doesn't try. He points out that the values of the people of California don't allow casino gam- bling but that many people still go to Las Vegas for their blackjack fix. And therein lies the problem. Legal- state, she says, and they aren't sanc- tioned for it. Richards has been a lightning rod for anti-hunters, Shea says, because of his in-your-face approach to dealing with them. "They have a very clear agenda (to change hunting and fishing laws in the state), and they saw this as an opportunity," she says. Some of Richards' fellow commis- sioners didn't like what they saw and even a few hunters were dismayed by the photos of Richards with the lion because they fear public demands for even more controls over hunting than exist now in California. Richards' fellow commissioners Which some folks say is hypocriti- cal. I say it's beyond hypocritical, bor- dering on absurd. California Outdoors Q&A Crossbow Hunting Question: There seems to be a lot of confusion regarding crossbow hunting in California. Are they legal for archery sea- son? Some say only for handi- capped hunters. Some say they are totally illegal for any game hunting whatsoever. I know they are not consid- ered archery equipment and therefore are not legal in place of a traditional bow during archery season. Does that include handicapped hunters? This leads me to believe they are legal for hunting during rifle Carrie Wilson season and can be used by all properly permitted hunters year-round for hogs as well as for turkey (in season) in cases where a shotgun would be legal. What's the minimum required bolt weight, fps or foot pounds of energy required for game hunting? I also see there are restrictions on broadheads. Could you please clarify those restrictions? Are those 4 inch wide bladed broadheads legal for turkeys? How about ducks? have gone on to remove him as presi- dent of the group, although he remains a member until his 6-year term expires next year. this story, it might be this: Being legal isn't always enough to avoid controver- sy and criticism. And being out there on the Internet with photos and com- mentary can be just asking for trouble. If there is a cautionary footnote to Sage-grouse permits reduced to zero in Lassen County due to wildfires turkey with a crossbow and want to be 100 percent legal. Can I hunt hogs with a crossbow during deer- archery season? Is it legal to carry a backup pistol while hunting with a crossbow? I am not handi- capped, but my dad is. What rules apply to handi- capped hunters with crossbows and what disability is required? (Mark, San Bruno) Answer: You are correct that crossbows are not considered "archery" equipment in California hunting regulations, and they may not be used to take game birds and game mammals during archery-only seasons (see California Code of Reg- ulations Title 14, section 354(g)). But, there is an exception for holders of a Disabled Archer Permit. Regulation CCR Title 14, section 354(j) sets forth the process of obtaining a Disabled Archer Permit by a person with a disease or disorder affecting the hunter's ability to draw and hold a bow in a firing position. This permit authorizes disabled archers to use a crossbow or device that holds a string and arrow in the firing position to assist in the taking of birds and mammals under the conditions of an archery tag or during archery season. Crossbows are included as a legal method of I am actually looking to hunt feral hogs and take for turkeys (CCR Title 14, section 311(n)) and wild pigs (CCR Title 14, section 353(e)). Persons using a crossbow for taking big game species must use broadhead-type blades that can not pass through a hole 7/8 inches in diameter (e.g. the blade must be larger than 7/8 inches.) This mini- mum size requirement also applies to crossbow bolts when used for taking big game mammals. For additional requirements for taking pheasants and Migratory Game Birds, please review CCR Title 14, sections 354(d) through (g) and 354(i). It is legal to take wild pigs with a crossbow (or The Commission voted unanimously in favor of DFG's recommendations and asked the department to evaluate the impacts of the fire and report back with a recommendation for the 2013 hunting season. Sage-grouse are a candi- date for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act because of loss and degradation of habitat, in part due to wildfire and invasive plants. Their popu- lations have been doing rel- atively well in recent years. DFG annually monitors or shot within 50 yards of houses. Susanville residents with information that may help identify the poachers are asked to call the Cali- fornians Turn in Poachers and Polluters (CalTIP) line at (888) 334-2258. firearm) in an area and during a time in which another big game species may only be taken with archery equipment. Please go to DFG's License and Revenue Branch websitehttp://dfg.ca.gov/licensing/ for information regarding the criteria related to Disabled Archers Permits. Photo courtesy US Fish & Wildlife Service sage-grouse populations and will use next winter's surveys to assess the impacts of the fires. DFG will seek to work with the unique characteristics), time, location and last known direction of travel. Recent examples in and near Susanville: On Sunday, Aug. 27, a anonymous. Information leading to the arrest and conviction of the poacher or poachers is eligible for a reward up to $1,000 from CalTIP. The Susanville Chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation has added $250 to the reward. The most useful infor- mation from witnesses are license plate numbers, vehicle and suspect descriptions (approximate style, size, color, age, and Callers may remain U.S. Bureau of Land Man- agement on habitat restora- tion opportunities in the future regarding this impor- tant range for sage-grouse. Game wardens seek public's help to catch Susanville deer poacher large buck was shot with a bow and arrow in the area of North Gilman Street in Susanville. Warden Buck- ler, DFG Lt. Carol Grow- don, DFG Environmental Scientist Brian Ehler and local veterinarian Boyd Taylor worked with sever- al Susanville residents who stepped forward to help. Together they sedat- ed the buck, removed the arrow from the flesh of its ear, treated its wounds and released the animal. On Sunday, Aug. 19, a trophy buck was killed with a crossbow in the area of South Spring Street. Warden Buckler worked with Susanville Police Department officers and Lassen County Sheriff's Office deputies to track blood and gather evidence. Warden Buckler discov- ered a crossbow arrow, or bolt, buried in the buck. The crossbow bolt is being analyzed for forensic evi- dence. Fish and Game regulations do not specify the maximum or minimum required bolt weight, fps or foot pounds of energy required for crossbows used for taking game. Even if your dad is hunting with a crossbow under a Disabled Archer Permit during the AO deer season, it is not legal to carry a back- up pistol during this period. Designated salmon spawning areas? Question: In the Fresh Water Sport Fishing reg- ulations booklet at section 2.30 it says that spearfishing is not allowed in a "designated salmon spawning area," but I can't find anywhere what "designated salmon spawning area" means. How do I know if a particular area is a "designated salmon spawning area"? (Frank S.) Answer: This is a lengthy list, too long for this column, but can be found in the Fish and Game Code under section 1505. To find this section online, please: 1. 2. 3. bottom, and hit the search button. 4. CODE SECTION 1500-1505" 5. Go to www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html Check the Fish and Game Code box and Type in 1505 in the keyword box at the find the official list of designated salmon spawning areas. Click on the link "FISH AND GAME Scroll down to section 1505 and you'll Another buck was shot with a bow and arrow on Center Road, just west of High Desert State Prison. Another buck was killed with an arrow on McGowan Lane near Commercial Street. A fifth dead buck was recently reported to be located on Skyline Road near Lassen Community College. Selling large taxidermy mounts Question: A friend of mine is moving and asked me to help find new homes for their collection of large taxidermy mounts. There is a greater kudu and a cape buffalo. Is it legal to sell them in Cali- fornia? (Katie Y.) Answer: Yes, the sale of these African mounts is not prohibited by California Fish and Game laws. However, the sale of birds or mammals found in the wild in California is prohibited (FGC, sec- tion 3039). Carrie Wilson is a marine biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game. While she cannot personally answer everyone's questions, she will select a few to answer each week. Please contact her at CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov.