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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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