Transcript 36_FGC082516_uplandgamebirdsx - CAL

Sections 300, 311, 745.5:
Upland Game Birds
Fish and Game Commission Meeting
August 25, 2016
Scott Gardner
Wildlife Branch
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Proposals:
1. Adjust annual number of sage-grouse
permits – recommend no change.
2. Delete current hunting zone restriction for
white-tailed ptarmigan.
3. Require the use of broad head type blade
arrows for the taking of wild turkey.
4. Allow peace officers and CCW to possess
a firearm during archery only seasons.
5. Authorize the Department to revoke
hunting license for violations of §311(k). 2
Comments – Sage-Grouse Hunting
1. Concern ranges could increase permits.
2. Hunting is an additional impact to
declining populations in all 4 zones.
3. Department has failed to provide basis for
determining number of permits and
number of birds killed.
4. Hunting could be additive and impact BiState population recovery efforts.
5. About 2,000 form email comments
opposing sage-grouse hunting.
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1. Sage-grouse permits - criteria
• Establish ranges until lek surveys are
completed.
• Size and trend of spring breeding
population based on spring lek counts.
• 5% of low projected fall population =
maximum allowable harvest.
• If maximum allowable harvest in any zone
of 5 or less permits, no permits will be
recommended.
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Fall Pop Projection - Assumptions
• 90% of males are counted on leks.
• Sex-ratio 1:1 males:females.
• Adult birds experience 15% mortality from
lek count to early September.
• Model used to calculate permits assumes
the population produces no chicks.
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Mono Sage-Grouse Peak Male Lek Attendance
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
North Mono Males
2008
2009
2010
2011
South Mono Males
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
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Lassen Sage-Grouse Population Trends
(season closed 2012-2015)
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
East Lassen Males
2008
2009
2010
2011
Central Lassen Males
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
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Sage-Grouse Population
Size/Trend
Hunt
Zone
2012
Males
2016
Males
Change
From
2012
Projected
Total Fall
Population
Allowable
harvest (5% of
low fall pop.)
North
Mono
433
395
-9%
739 - 1182
37
South
Mono
307
158
-49%
295 - 473
15
East
Lassen
393
285
-27%
368 - 589
18
Central
Lassen
199
133
-33%
249 - 398
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Sage-Grouse Permits and Harvest
Hunt
Zone
2012
Permits
2013
Permits
2014
Permits
2015
Permits
2015
Harvest
North
Mono
30
30
30
30
19
South
Mono
30
25
0
0
0
East
Lassen
0
0
0
0
0
Central
Lassen
0
0
0
0
0
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Summary – Sage-Grouse Hunting
1. Department agrees that sage-grouse
hunting can be additive mortality.
2. Precautionary approach with no hunting in 3
zones.
3. North Mono Zone is not in long-term decline
and hunting is not considered additive.
4. Sage grouse hunting consistent with FGC
1801(e).
5. Department well engaged in conservation
plans supported by USFWS.
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Questions

Thank You
Scott Gardner
Senior Environmental Scientist
916-801-6257
[email protected]
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