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SACRAMENTO — The California Fish and Game Commission has approved longer hunts, new and expanded hunt zones, and some increased tag quotas for the 2000-2001 hunting season.
Fish and Game commission voted, via an April 27 conference call, to adopt the mammal hunting and trapping regulations for July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001. The regulations include a new north coast elk hunt, removal of the cap on bear tag sales and the elimination of doe pronghorn tags.
The new elk hunt, known as the Big Lagoon Roosevelt Elk Hunt, will occur on private land owned by Simpson Timber Company in Humboldt County. Twenty-five either-sex tags will be issued for the hunt, which takes place August 30 through September 8, 2000.
In addition to approving the new elk hunt, the Commission voted to remove the 18,000-tag limit on bear tag sales. However, the bear hunting season will still be closed when the 1,500 bears are reported taken.
The Commission also eliminated all doe pronghorn tags for the 2000-2001 season in response to survey data on California^s northeastern pronghorn population. The 1999-2000 winter census counted 4,330 pronghorn, a decline from the previous year and the third consecutive year below 5,000 animals.
According to Jon Fischer, a DFG biologist and statewide pronghorn antelope program coordinator, "Since the ^92-^93 winter, pronghorn populations have not recovered to the extent the DFG had expected. The recent survey gives cause for concern, but not alarm."
Researchers are still optimistic for the long-term recovery of the state^s pronghorn. In the meantime wildlife managers are recommending less hunting pressure.
A change in the deer tag drawing system, approved by the Commission, will give deer hunters a better chance of hunting in the first-choice zone. The system, called "draw-by-choice," was adopted in response to hunter concerns about the computer drawing process where it was possible for some hunters to receive premium tags with their second or third choice over hunters who selected the same zone with their first choice.
Other changes approved for deer hunts include:
One tag, three zones: Hunters with a Zone D-3, D-4 or D-5 tag can now hunt in all three zones with a common season.
Reinstate one hunt: The Fort Hunter Liggett Antlerless Hunt G8, canceled in 1999, has been brought back with a quota of 60 tags.
Lengthen season for Hunt G-10: The Camp Pendleton Either-Sex Deer Hunt is extended, from 65 to 72 days. In addition, rifle hunting will be open the day after Thanksgiving. Since licensed hunters have already taken hunter safety training, the safety test required for hunting on the base is eliminated.
Three new Junior Hunts: There is now a Los Angeles Junior Either-Sex Deer Hunt in Zone D-11, a Riverside Junior Either-Sex Deer Hunt in Zone D-19, and an Anderson Flat Junior Buck Hunt in Zone D-6.
Modify Zone X-1 season: The season is being moved three weeks later to coincide with neighboring X zones and allow hunting during a cooler period.
Shorten B-6 season: The season is being shortened, from 37 days to 30 days, in response to deer herd performance being below objectives.
Modify Zone X-1 Archery season: The season has been changed to coincide with the general season change and neighboring X zones.
Additional changes to bighorn sheep and elk regulations include:
New bighorn sheep hunt: A new Nelson bighorn sheep hunt has been established in the Sheephole Mountains, in San Bernardino County.
Expanded bighorn sheep hunt zone: The Marble Mountains bighorn sheep zone is expanded to include the adjoining Clipper Mountains.
Bighorn Sheep Tag quotas: Ten bighorn sheep tags will be issued, down from 11 in 1999.
New elk hunts: In addition to the new Big Lagoon Roosevelt Elk Hunt, a Period Three Hunt has been established for the Tinemaha zone of the Owens Valley Tule Elk Hunt.
Extended elk seasons: The seasons are extended for the Del Norte and Klamath Roosevelt elk hunts and the Cache Creek and La Panza tule elk hunts.
Elk tag quotas: A total of 286 elk tags will be issued, up nearly 20 percent from the number of elk tags issued last year.
Uploaded: 5/18/2000
Uploaded: 5/18/2000