Californias dfg Feb 4th commission meeting results

[bigboarstopper]

Just finished watching the DFG's meeting via internet. Saw some good support by many who post in here and a great job done by CHC. All board members voted unanimously to foreward the recomendations to potentially allow the expantion of the bear harvest, area expantion and the use of gps tracking systems.

The presentation by HSUS representative Nichole Packett seemed poorly put together and made many statements in regards to DFG basically not being competent in their collection of data. I think it was DFG representative Richard Rodgers who ask Packett directly if the HSUS supported hunting in any way and she skirted around the question. Rodgers pressed her on the question and basically said that his question was answered by her reluctance to answer.

There was a question by the commision to the warden deputy director in regards to the possibility of field wardens being able to track dogs via their own equipment if gps was allowed. They asked if the technology existed and that possibly wording could be put together that would allow a field warden to inspect a hunters gps maped history upon demand. The commition expressed intrest in getting something like that into the package.

From my perspective the commision seemed positive. The commision also spoke favorably in the fact that hunting with hounds may be the only kind of hunting that could fall under the terms "catch and release". Whats everyone elses take on it? Could somone put up a link to the meeting itself? I tryed but couldnt figure it out. Was pretty cool to put some faces to the names of people Ive talked to in here. Id especially like to know the opinions of the people who made the trip to help us all. Thanks again

[Dale T]

There was a good turn out of houndsmen 20-25 to the 3 anti's. The rep from HSUS was put on the spot pretty good with question about if the HSUS would support any management that included hunting, she tried twice to side step it but then one of the other members asked her again she could not back away fast enough. Also when one of the members stated that the GPS collars are just a upgrade of new technology of collars that we already use you could see that they didn't have a problem with them, over all it looks pretty good we will just have to wait and see what happens at the vote in April.

Dale
North Central Ca. Houndsmen

[Plott Proud]

Bigboarstopper ~ You pretty much summed it up. I thought that there would be much greater opposition to the mammal regulations proposals of DFG than there was. There were only 3 women there.

Although only a few decided to go forth and speak. WE had I believe it was 25 houndsmen attending the meeting.

The commission didn't seem to have many questions either concerning the mammal regs proposals to increase the Bear hunting zones or the proposed increase in Bear harvest numbers (OR) simply doing away with the 1700 quota and running the season to the last Sunday in December as is intended in current law (or until 1700 are harvested.)

Yes the commission did seem to be very much into the idea of allowing the use og the GPS systems. They seemed to really understand the safety issues of using them. They also didn't buy into the women from H$U$ and the other groups that tried to spin the idea that use of such collars would hinder the practice of fair chase.

They were in fact extremely interested in the fact that this tool would also help them in identifying poachers. I Agree with them, this would greatly aid them in this. I HAVE NO USE FOR A POACHER IN THE FIRST PLACE!
None of us should tolerate these actions of a few out there either!

DFG Commissioner Sutton ( who we didn't think would be on our side) was on our side. He even went so far to say that it wasn't fair or appropriate to classify a poacher and a hunter as the same.
Commisioner Sutton is actually the first commissioner to ask Miss Paukette if there was ANY FORM of hunting that the H$U$ would support.

To me it was on the onset, this meeting was very productive and went a long way in Houndsmen in CA getting the ability to use the technology that THE REST OF THE COUNTRY is already using.

I believe the DFG Biologists showed them GOOD SOUND Scientific reasoning for such an increase. THe DFG Commissioners in my opinion also thought so.

There now has to be some language worked out for these regulations to be adopted.

I have to go watch the video of the commission meeting if I can find it.

I myself truly thought that we would meet more stringent opposition from the DFG Commission.

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THAT SHOWED UP TO HELP SUPPORT THES ISSUES!
Take it easy!
Irv

[yeager]

Evening Folks,

I would also like to thank everyone that attended, we were able to show unity and took a tremendous stand for what we do and believe in.
I think I have a link to the DFG meeting...

http://www.cal-span.org/cgi-bin/media.pl?folder=CFG

[Huntintony]

Thanks to all of you that went. I had to teach a class or I certainly would have been there. Thanks for the update also..


Well Done!!!

Tony

[Plott Proud]

Yeager ~ You're correct, that's the link. I just finished looking at it myself.

[pegleg]

I don't live or hunt in California but thank you to all who showed up and congratulations on the positive spin things took! Just remember the hsus may continue to press the issue so some positive e-mails etc should be sent to those on the commission who supported the decision. Continue to refine and pursue your support of our hunting heritage and actively recruit ethical hunters into your ranks.

[YSHBHounds]

Just wanted to say thank you to all who attended the meeting for the DFG Commission and stand up for what hound hunting in general represents, and offer some incite into the world that I am proud to say Im being coming a part of!

I particularly enjoyed the HSUS response to the Commissioners questions regarding the support, or lack there of, of any game management that included hunting.....Laughed so hard that it woke my husband from a dead sleep from across the house

Thank you again to all who attended the meeting. Hope everyone enjoys the weekend.

Kelly P.

(& Jake..Even though hes sleeping)

[The Ole' Guy]

Just watched the video and was very impressed with the representation of the hound community by all who spoke and especially by those who were the face of the hound assn. Hope you take quick action to get with the F&G over track logs.
It might be a good idea to get some input from folks that use the Garmen to get some ideas on the use of them in the field.I don't often keep the log more than one hunt and reset it,because if you hunt the same area the log gets cluttered and it is difficult to see the new track,not a big problem but it does happen.I've had more problem with it coon hunting than bear hunting.
Hope all goes well for you,it appears as though the commission is not leaning in the anti's favor yet,but keep your ear to the ground things change.
Job well done,keep up the good and positive work.