State creates two 'free' hunting days

[livetohunt]

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill this week that will create two days a year in which hunters won’t have to buy a hunting license to grab a gun and head out to the field.

On Tuesday, Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 1179, authored by Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Murrieta.

The bill is similar to a popular policy already enacted by the California Fish and Game Commission that allows anglers to legally fish without buying a fishing license. This year’s “free fishing” days were held July 4 and Sept. 6.

Local hunters cheered the legislation, saying it will encourage more people to hunt. The sport’s ranks have been dwindling, partly because of expensive license fees. This year’s licenses cost $41.50 for in-state hunters.

“As far I’m concerned, this is the best news I’ve heard this week,” said Frank Galusha, a Shingletown outdoor writer and avid hunter and fisherman.

However, the “free hunting” days won’t be quite as “free” as picking up a rod and heading out to an angler’s favorite fishing hole on a free fishing days.

In California, only a few game species can be legally hunted without first buying a supplemental tag or stamp. On free-hunt days, unlicensed hunters still will be required to fork over those fees.

To hunt ducks and geese, for example, a hunter will be required to buy a California and federal duck stamp before heading to the duck blind. This year, those stamps cost $17.77 and $15, respectively.

To hunt ducks or geese on many public wildlife areas, land managers also charge additional day-use fees, which won’t be waived on free-hunt days.

Similarly, unlicensed hunters will need to buy a deer tag to legally shoot a buck. This year’s deer tag costs $27.85.

Many of those tags are handed out in a lottery system, and unlicensed hunters aren’t allowed to participate in such drawings, according to the bill.

Hunters also have to complete a Department of Fish and Game-authorized hunter’s safety course and carry their certificate of completion with them while in the field.

An unlicensed hunter also must be accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 or older. The licensed hunter must be close enough “to provide adequate direction and immediately assume control of a firearm from the unlicensed hunter at any time,” according to the bill.

It’s going to be at least a year before the free hunt days are implemented.

Hollingsworth said his bill was supported by diverse groups, including polar opposites such as the National Rifle Association and Sierra Club of California.

Hollingsworth said hunters are an economic force, spending $21 billion a year nationally on food, supplies and lodging in rural areas, the communities hit hardest in the recession.

Hollingsworth said that getting more hunters out in the field also is a boon for wildlife, because hunters’ fees go to wildlife conservation efforts.

“Responsible, licensed hunters provide tremendous means for wildlife conservation in California. Hunters are correctly said to be the original conservationists,” Hollingsworth said in a statement. “Therefore, bringing more hunters into the fold isn’t just good for the continuance of the sport, it’s essential for conserving wildlife.”

[livetohunt]

Its nice to see the morons in Sac. doing something good for hunting. And even better to see hunters getting a little positive light on us.