I have just been informed of some information and need everyone’s help to figure out all the facts and details. I will post what I have heard, but can not say if this is 100% true. With everyone’s help; we can get this figured out and get the facts out to everyone. This post has to do with HB 2743 that Wayne Krieger of the House Natural Resource Committee was trying to help pass to separate archery and rifle hunters in the special interest of himself and his friends. I have heard that this may be a done deal without public input, but will have to investigate further. I’m not sure if this is even possible to do with dropping HB 2743 and going behind the publics back to do this. The word is that someone is trying to keep Wayne Krieger happy so he doesn’t make any other bad wildlife management decisions for Oregon.

I have got word that HB 2743 is dropped and a pilot program lasting a few years will be put in its place. The program includes the Power, Sixies, and Chetco units. Archery season will be split into two different draw hunts with one hunt lasting only 9 days and the other hunt lasting only 14 days. Archery hunters would have to choose to apply for one or the other. No spikes or cow elk would be able to be harvested with these draw tags. I’m not sure at how many tags would be offered with those two archery hunts.

If this is true; we will witness another bad example of Oregon wildlife management. This is separating hunters from hunters and allowing politics with special interests to manage our wildlife for their benefit. Separating hunters is what got us the dog ban. We need science, ODFW, and the commission to manage our wildlife.

Here is what I have posted before about HB 2743.

Here is a copy of the bill, but it is going to be updated after the first hearing. http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2700.dir/hb2743.intro.pdf
Please send in emails, phone calls, and show up to the second hearing at the capitol in Salem. The second hearing does not have a set date yet, but you may follow this link to find updates. http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/agenda/webagendas.htm

Here is where a few organizations stand.

OHA[/b]
"OHA opposed the bill and took the following position.

1. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission is statutorily tasked to use the criteria outlined in the Oregon Wildlife Policy (ORS 496.012)* for making wildlife management decisions.

2. The Commission has the authority to direct ODFW staff to scientifically study any management issue and bring back a recommendation based on that science.

3. OHA is opposed to legislation or ballot initiatives that limit or remove the ability of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to manage Oregon’s wildlife in accordance with the Oregon Wildlife Policy (ORS 496.012).

4. This issue has the potential to drive a wedge between bow and rifle hunters."

I agree with this point of splitting bow and rifle hunters and that is the worst thing that could happen to us hunters with all the other challenges to hunting and predator management in Oregon. I was surprised with the small turnout but understand that jobs come first!

Wild Sheep Foundation[/b][/b]
Representative Brian Clem 900 Court Street, N.E. H-284 Salem, OR 97301
Re: House Bill 2743
Dear Representative Clem:
The Wild Sheep Foundation supports professional wildlife management. House Bill 2743 does not represent professional management of wildlife resources. It actually appears that this is merely “ballot box biology” being drafted by the sponsors who seem to have an axe to grind with one specific group within the hunting community.
The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife was established with the power to protect and propagate the states wildlife resources. WSF encourages you to allow the professional wildlife managers to do their entrusted job for the perpetuation of wildlife and to not implement policies that create divisiveness between the hunting communities.
WSF encourages you to stop HB 2743 without further passage.
Sincerely,
Neil Thagard Director of Operations

OBH (Oregon Bow Hunters)[/b]
The VP of OBH came to the first hearing and stated they were opposed to the bill as well.

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 supposed 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 shooting 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 should be left out of the hearings.

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

4. When will science and not misinformation and personal feelings be left out of wildlife management?
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 and has more rifle elk tags than archery elk tags.

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

Here are the emails to the House Natural Resource Committee that will vote on HB 2743
Brian Clem, Chair [email protected] 503-986-1421
Wayne Krieger, Vice-Chair [email protected] 503-986-1401
Suzanne VanOrman, Vice-Chair [email protected] 503-986-1452
E. Terry Beyer [email protected] 503-986-1412
Vic Gilliam [email protected] 503-986-1418
Arnie Roblan [email protected] 503-986-1409
Mike Schaufler [email protected] 503-986-1448
Matt Wingard [email protected] 503-986-1426

Well I made a few phone calls to the capitol and ODFW headquarters. I found out my information is old. There was talk about a pilot program, but the committee decided to drop the bill and the pilot program idea. There is pressure on ODFW right now to increase the rifle elk tag numbers in those SW units. ODFW plans to go over their yearly survey work and statistics to see if any of those units could handle a few more rifle elk tags. This will not affect archery in any way shape or form. Sorry for the scare.