A chance for California hunters to have their voices heard

[sojourner]

Hey did anyone else get an email from CDFW? Apparently they are doing a survey of hunters to get input on a new management plan for California's deer. I just finished filling it out. Who knows if it will actually amount to much but it's something. I would encourage all of you California guys who would like to see any changes to fill out the survey and hope they listen to us. There are specific questions about our thoughts on habitat, predators, season length, archery seasons, land access, bag limits, and doe hunts to name a few. In the email it says that I was randomly selected to participate in the survey so I'm not sure if everyone will get it but if you do, take the 10 minutes to fill it out.

Cheers

 

[Arrowslinger]

Didn't get it, but I'd love to share my thoughts with'em.

 

[WestDan]

I got it. Filled out.

 

[KNPV PSD]

My buddy got a phone call. Spent about twenty minutes discussing herd management and focus of the management.

 

[Violent Hippie]

I have not received any info about this from CA fish and game. I will contact the Sac office tomorrow . Thanks !

 

[rmekus]

I just got that same email last night. I have done the survey as of yet but plan to.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I stopped buying a Calif. hunting and fishing license and refuse to fund this corrupt state of libtard confusion. The mt lion moratorium makes a "survey" meaningless. The thing I would be concerned about is how they intend to use this information to screw you more than they already do. They wanna know what you want so they can do the opposite and drive you outta the state.

 

[Bughalli]

Filled it out today as well. Wish they asked more questions and left more room for free form text to explain answers. Interesting to see so many questions about my Archery Only tag.

 

[kickemall]

I stopped buying a Calif. hunting and fishing license and refuse to fund this corrupt state of libtard confusion. The mt lion moratorium makes a "survey" meaningless. The thing I would be concerned about is how they intend to use this information to screw you more than they already do. They wanna know what you want so they can do the opposite and drive you outta the state.

Unfortunately there may be some truth to this. Until California decides to manage its predators, and that's not likely to happen, its deer herds will be unable to recover and that means more restrictions on hunters. The current Wildlife Commission has a majority environmental/anti hunt vote and until that changes the Fish and Wildlife department can suggest whatever science based management they want but its not likely to be followed. I have not got a survey but would fill it out if I do. I just hope its not used against us but there is no way of knowing that.

 

[FreeRange]

I have not received the email but keep this in mind, if we all tell them the #1 problem is mountain lions there is 0% chance of anything being done. In reality the #1 predator for deer in the eastern sierra is coyotes and in the western sierra is bears. We CAN manage those predators, though unfortunately they are working all the time to limit our ability to do that.

I personally am not very knowledgeable about options for habitat improvement but I'm sure this is where they could get the greatest effect for their dollars. Lastly I think that enforcement and punishment for poaching should be MUCH stronger. This is one of the biggest obstacles facing a few of our herds that could actually be easily addressed, especially on the fining/sentencing end. Not sure if the survey offers any room for comment on this or not.

Bruce I'm sorry but your thinking is flawed, if you still live in this state you are giving them thousands of dollars every year in taxes, the cost of a license and a few tags is negligible and the majority of those fees actually do go to support some good programs and warden's salaries. The best thing we can all do is get new hunters out in the field and represent hunters well while hunting and in our interactions with others not familiar with hunting, which is the majority in a lot of CA. And kill some predators. I have no doubt there are those in power who want all hunters out of this state but that doesn't mean we should just lay down and take it.

 

[flyinsquirel]

Unfortunately there may be some truth to this. Until California decides to manage its predators, and that's not likely to happen, its deer herds will be unable to recover and that means more restrictions on hunters. The current Wildlife Commission has a majority environmental/anti hunt vote and until that changes the Fish and Wildlife department can suggest whatever science based management they want but its not likely to be followed. I have not got a survey but would fill it out if I do. I just hope its not used against us but there is no way of knowing that.

+1, and I did fill it out.

Short of their being no deer left, as a whole it's not like deer hunting on public land can get much worse here anyway. Sure, we have some good draw zones that you get to hunt every 4 years, but the rest of the zones are mediocre at best compared to what we had 20 years ago.

 

[MattB]

I took the survey yesterday, and I believe that ulitmately what some in the department want is a doe hunt to bring buck:doe ratios back in line in units where it is sub-standard. I personally think it would be better to reduce buck harvest for ~3 years to influence the ratio rather than diminish the reproductive capacity of the herd in the short term in the hope of improving it in the long-term.

In terms of what can be done to improve the habitat, there are lots of options but also lots of governemental red tape to wade through. I have seen first hand the benefit that prescribed burns have for deer, and they offer the secondary benefit of providing buffers for wildfire control. It would be great to see the state/state & feds work together for a comprehensive plan. Logging also generally provides a benefit for the deer, and it would be good to see the state put aside the enviro's complaints and pursue that on a measured basis. Dope growing has a bigger negaitve influence on deer than folks give it credit for as well, and additional law enforcement (which would need to include the likes of the Mendo DA actually prosecuting marijuana propagation cases) is needed. Additional predator control needs to happen as well, but I do not think that is politically feasible to do on a scale that would be meanignful.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

After 14 years attending meetings (fighting MPAs "Marine Protected Areas") from the original MRWG in SB to the final F&G Commission hearings and seeing the corruption play out and the fishing areas closed...I do not believe the Dept is anything but a political pawn and revenue center for the Communists running California into the ground. I have no problem with the hard working and honest boots in the field but the Commission could not care less about scientific management. They have an agenda and is is NOT in your favor or interests. Agenda 21 is alive and well in the People's Republik of Mexifornistan.

 

[id450]

I got it. I figure i might as well fill it out and hope the intentions are correct for the fish and game. Oh, I mean fish and wildlife. Atleast there's a shot to improve conditions for those of us stuck here. I can't afford to head out to some of these states that just rake non residents over the coals, hello big sky country .

 

[69ChrisCraft]

After 14 years attending meetings (fighting MPAs "Marine Protected Areas") from the original MRWG in SB to the final F&G Commission hearings and seeing the corruption play out and the fishing areas closed...I do not believe the Dept is anything but a political pawn and revenue center for the Communists running California into the ground. I have no problem with the hard working and honest boots in the field but the Commission could not care less about scientific management. They have an agenda and is is NOT in your favor or interests. Agenda 21 is alive and well in the People's Republik of Mexifornistan.

Either contribute to the conversation or keep your drivel to yourself. Everyone (on multiple forums) is well aware of your "stance".

 

[boom]

Either contribute to the conversation or keep your drivel to yourself. Everyone (on multiple forums) is well aware of your "stance".

+1

Me? No survey received. Hmmmm.

 

[MattB]

I think the survey is being given to a random sub-set of California hunters, so not everyone will get it.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

I got it. Filled it out. Hope that our voice is heard and that they mean well.

 

[IdyllwildArcher]

I got it. Curious to see the results if they post them. Did anyone who didn't have a LE tag get the email?

 

[boom]

Hey! Just got it. I'll do it when I get back.