[ODFW-News] Fish and Wildlife Commission adopt a liberal waterfowl season for 2004-05

[ODFW News]

For immediate release	                             Monday, August 9,
2004

Fish and Wildlife Commission adopt a liberal waterfowl season for
2004-05

2005-08 sport fishing regulation proposals adopted for approval

GRESHAM - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Friday unanimously
adopted a liberal 105-day duck season. Population surveys in Canada and
Alaska supported liberal seasons in western states again this year.
Zoning and split season criteria for pintail and canvasbacks also were
adopted with only 60 days allowed, as occurred in 2003. Open days will
vary among duck zones. 

The seven-member Commission is the rule-making body for the Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife. The panel meets monthly to set policy
and adopt administrative rules. 

The Commission adopted other waterfowl and upland bird harvest rules
with few changes from last year. Printed regulations will be available
at license agents August 20 or shortly after. In addition to the 105-day
duck season, the Commission adopted: 

* A 100-day general fall goose season with liberal bag limits will take
place between Oct. 9, 2004, and Jan. 30, 2005. Exact season dates vary
between Western and Eastern Oregon. The goose seasons generally coincide
with duck seasons in most areas of the state. A new black brant permit
will be required this year for the adopted 16-day season.
* Statewide September goose seasons will begin Sept. 11, 2004.
* A Northwest Permit Canada Goose season will take place between Oct.
23, 2004, and Feb. 27, 2005. Hunting will occur three days a week. Open
areas and check station requirements are the same as last year.
* Snipe seasons will run concurrent with duck seasons within both
zones, a change from the statewide split season adopted in each of the
past two years.
* Seasons for upland game birds, doves and pigeons, falconry, sage
grouse, and snipe are unchanged from last year.
* Western Oregon Fee pheasant hunts will be implemented the same as in
the past several years.
* The 2005-10 Upland Game Bird frameworks were adopted.  These
frameworks will be implemented Sept. 1, 2005.

2005-08 angling regulation proposals adopted for approval next month

In preparation for final rule making decisions at the Sept. 10, 2004
meeting, the Commission reviewed 2005-08 angling regulation proposals.
ODFW conducts a major review of the state's angling regulations every
four years, which includes a review board and significant public input.
This year's review process resulted in three categories of proposals
that were presented to the Commission Friday for either adoption or
reclassification.
Category A proposals passed the Review Board, received high public
support and then ODFW staff recommended them for adoption.  The
Commission concurred will the recommendations and all Category A
proposals are scheduled for reviewed for adoption at the September
meeting. 

Some of the Category A proposals approved include:
Statewide
* Add new regulations to allow a licensed angler(s) to assist a
disabled angler(s),   
* Define "Possession Limit," and 
* Define "in the field, forest or transit" and "permanent residence." 

Northwest Zone 
* Allow retention of marked coho salmon in Yaquina, Alsea and Suislaw,
* Expand the steelhead season in the North Fork Nehalem River,
* Allow assistance of disabled anglers at the North Fork Nehalem
Platform, and
* Close a small stream area in the Salmon River for spawning salmon.

Southwest Zone:
* Open Glade Creel to consumptive trout angling,
* Eliminate striped bass closures in the Coos River Basin, 
* Expand winter steelhead season in the Coos, Coquille and Umpqua
basins, and
* Reformat the Rogue River angling regulations.

Willamette Zone:
* Impose sturgeon hook restrictions for areas in the Willamette River,

* Remove the minimum length for marked hatchery trout,
* Increase trout angling opportunities in Lava Lake and its
tributaries,
* Enhance warm water angling opportunities in Yamhill River, and
* Close a small stream area in the Salmon River for spawning salmon.

Category B proposals passed the Review Board, received mixed public
support and/or mixed recommendation from ODFW staff. These proposals
will receive additional consideration for possible adoption at the
Commission's September meeting.

Category C proposals did not pass the Review Board, received limited
public support or were not recommended by ODFW staff. The Commission
rejected these proposals, with the exception of four proposals, which
were reclassified and moved to Category B.

The four proposals reclassified from Category C to B will be presented
for final approval at the Commission's September meeting.  A summary of
the reclassified proposals include:

Northwest Zone
* Close a section of the upper Siletz River above Moonshine Park to
chinook salmon, angling to protect chinook salmon (NW). 

Southwest Zone
* Close steelhead season in Nov. on the Smith River, and
* Open adipose fin-clipped steelhead season from Jan. 1 - March 31 and
Dec. 1 - Dec. 31 on the Smith River.

Central Zone
* Adopt a Statewide size and bag limit for largemouth bass in Wickiup
Reservoir.

Turkey plan adopted with incorporation of a new trap and transfer

After consideration of public comment and recommendations presented by
ODFW biologists, the Commission adopted the Oregon Wild Turkey Plan. The
approved plan incorporated a new trap and transplant option, which 1)
provides that trapping is allowed for the release of wild turkeys in
currently occupied habitats and 2) sets the requirement that ODFW
conduct additional analysis and gain approval from the Commission for
release in unoccupied areas.

The plan responds to expanding turkey populations, increased hunter
interest and a concern for a potential impact on native plants and
animals. It will guide wild turkey management in Oregon for the next 10
years and address the issues of life history, habitat requirements,
population dynamics, hunter harvest and management strategies. 

###


Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6002