June 2, 2008

California Waterfowl Association staff meets with
USFWS over concerns about restrictive pintail regs

     Paul R. Schmidt, the assistant director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service traveled to California in May to meet with biologists and staff with the California Waterfowl Association.
     The CWA continues to press for maintaining critical waterfowl habitats by easing restrictions on pintail hunting limits in California. Great progress was made last week as CWA leaders met with Schmidt to discuss methods for setting reasonable regulations that are supported by pintail biology and retain conservation’s number one partner, the hunter.
After a personal invitation from CWA director Terry Holberton, III, and President Dr. Bob McLandress, Schmidt traveled from Washington D.C. for a whirlwind two days of meetings and discussions. The theme for this landmark event was “Partnering for Pintail,” and it stressed the importance of a strong, continued partnership between stakeholders and the country’s top decision-makers.
     A technical meeting, led by California Waterfowl Director of Conservation Policy, Greg Yarris, kicked off the two-day event. Biologists Robert Trost and Todd Sanders from USFWS were the featured speakers. Waterfowl experts from state and federal agencies, universities, and non-government organizations were present to discuss the science behind current and proposed pintail regulations.
     “We are encouraged by the direction USFWS-generated pintail regulations are heading,” said Yarris, “because proposed harvest goals are more reflective of current populations. But the underlying science needs further scrutiny before western biologists and state regulators will recommend implementing the new strategy. While the new strategy will often times allow for a two or three bird limit, it also increases the chance of season closures on pintail hunting in the future. We are not yet convinced that such risk is wise or justified by the biological information available.”
     An evening reception for Schmidt and his staff followed, with biologists joining the CWA's Board of Directors and representatives from other agencies and organizations. The evening’s speakers stressed the importance of a strong, continued partnership and communication between stakeholders, the USFWS and California Waterfowl. 
“We all agree on several key issues, most significantly the importance of the hunter-conservation connection.  We also all agree that we must use the best science available.  We must do what is right for the species, and maintaining the winter habitat currently provided by the duck hunting community is a critical component,” CWA president McLandress said.
     Schmidt also attended CWA's Board of Directors meeting the following day where he led discussions about Adaptive Harvest Management and the current state of pintail regulations. 
     “It is encouraging to see such passion and the level of commitment for conservation of pintail. Our decisions must be based on minimizing risk for the pintail population, but we must also work to ensure incentives are there for hunters to continue providing habitat,” Schmidt said.
     Acknowledging the importance of private habitat in California is critical for pintail and other waterbirds. More than 60 percent of California’s wetlands are owned and managed by private landowners, the majority of which are maintained and financially supported by hunters.
     “This was a landmark meeting. Getting high-ranking USFWS representatives to come out to California strictly to discuss pintail is huge for our continued efforts to lessen restrictive limits for the California hunter. Working together we are opening doors for our members to be heard by the top decision-makers," McLandress said.

Hunters who would like to contribute information and photographs to this report should e-mail the information to Jim Matthews at odwriter@charter.net.

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