Here is the update after getting out of the HB 2743 hearing.

Rep Wayne Krieger stated that he will add amendments to the bill and make it clearer as to what he would like to see the bill do. From what I heard Rep Krieger explain at the hearing; is that it will not change the archery or rifle season dates or lengths. The bill is only about having similar draw systems in place for both archery and rifle hunters. Rep Krieger stated that game animals and hunting is suppose to equally accessible to archery and rifle hunters. Krieger is using equality as the push for this bill. One of the amendments would only make this bill for the southern coast area in Oregon. Guess who is from southern Oregon and has harvested the largest elk ever out of the Sixes unit. That is right; Rep Krieger. That is what someone brought up at the meeting anyways (not sure if it is true or not, but it came from someone that is backing Rep Krieger’s and the bill). Guess where all the people for the bill hunt and live. Yep, right again. Southern Oregon and the Sixes unit to be exact.

Here are some things that where brought up at the meeting and what I saw:

1. Very poor turnout of people. It seemed that half were for and the other half against this bill. This bill really has a chance to make it through.

2. If Rep Krieger and other supporters are for pushing equality of hunting between archery and rifle hunters; why change it from the whole state to only southern coastal Oregon?

3. This bill was brought up because of a few rifle hunters don’t think it is fair with the elk seasons and access. There were claims that technology such as range finders, elk calls, compound bows, carbon arrows, and Scent Lok make it simple to harvest mature bulls during the rut. The funny thing is that rifle hunters can use a lot of the same products and have access to rifles that can shoot an animal over 1000 yards away. I believe that technology should have never been brought up in the hearing. Calling in elk within archery distance, perfect angle, and no mistakes is not that easy.

4. There was one taxidermist from around the Sixes unit that claimed rifle hunters pretty much bring in smaller bulls to him compared to archery hunters. This is not real science to me with only one person’s statement. How many large antlers do we all know about that were never taken to a taxidermist. Why would one taxidermist believe he knows the statistics of older larger antlered animals harvested between archery and rifle hunters? There is no way of truly knowing this. I don’t believe there is an exact record book of every animal harvested with measurements included kept in Oregon. We may see evidence in the future with mandatory reporting; if number of antler points is asked (That still would not give the best evidence of age). The taxidermist went on to say that a person could drive a few hundred miles a day bugling until they got a response and then go in to harvest that bull. Funny thing is; I find it hard even with scouting year round and know everything about the elk in my area to do that.

5. There was a claim archery hunters shoot calves and fawns and it needs to be stopped. Yes we could look at certain units and may decide to make some changes. That should be left up to the commission and ODFW. I also asked at the meeting about very late season cow elk rifle tags. I know of some cow hunts that go till the end of March and are a 2-for-1 tag. I asked if the harvest of a far along pregnant cow hunt be looked into if it is for archery hunters.

6. People for this bill thought it will make it a shorter wait for rifle hunters to get their tags. Do they not realize they will have to wait longer if this bill passes?

7. A claim that youth and older hunters can not archery hunt or do not want to switch over to archery because it is either to hard to pull back a bow, they won’t enjoy it like rifle hunting, they should not be forced to archery hunt just to hunt their special unit every year. Does that bad archery technology not help youth and older people pull back a bull? Would a rifle hunter not enjoy hunting elk in the rut or have longer seasons?

8. Another real big thing that bothered me was the fact that the people for the bill acted like there is no draw system at all for archery hunters and no over the counter tags for rifle hunters. I about started to burst into laughter when I heard that. There were a lot of facts left out of this short hearing from the people for this bill.

Some topics that need to be brought up at the next hearing for this bill or emailed to our reps:

1. If this bill is about equality; then why is it not for the whole state and only for SW Oregon (the place where only a few support this bill)?

2. Technology is on both sides of the field here on this topic. This shold be left out of the hearings.

3. If this bill passes; will the rest of Oregon eventually follow?

4. When will science take over and not misinformation and personal feelings managing our wildlife?

Other things that should be brought up at the next meeting:

1. How much of the Sixes unit if private land or closed off during fire danger to archery hunters during the early archery season?

2. The Powers unit that is right next to the Sixes unit has more rifle tags than archery tags for elk I believe (need to look up).

3. Ask Rep Wayne Krieger how many LOP tags he gets every year to hunt on his property in the Sixes unit.