AJ52

Interesting March Meeting and April agenda looks like it could get a little heated with the Dog training issue and Small game at Milford Neck.








ADVISORY COUNCIL ON WILDLIFE & FRESHWATER FISH
MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2007
Richardson and Robbins Building Auditorium
89 Kings Highway, Dover, Delaware, 19901
Phone 302-739-9912, FAX 302-739-6157

ADVISORY COUNCILDIVISION OF FISH & WILDLIFEPUBLIC
David J. Healey, Chair Greg Moore 27 Visitors
Edward A. Montague, Vice Chair Pat Emory
J. Richard Berry Ken Reynolds
Garrett H. Arai (Absent) Bobby Hutchins
Terry Higgins Joe Rogerson
Ted Palmer Shelley Tovell
Al Townsend Karen Kennedy
Raymond F. Burris
Wayne G. Steele

Taped micro-cassettes of this meeting are available for listening at the Richardson & Robbins Building in Dover. For further information contact the Wildlife Section at (302) 739-9912.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman David J. Healey at 7:30 PM.

Agenda Item 1. Approval of Minutes (Dave Healey).

A motion was made and voted unanimously to approve the February 27, 2007 minutes.


Agenda Item 2. Deer Season Update (Joe Rogerson).

Joe Rogerson, Game Mammal Biologist with the Division of Fish and Wildlife, gave a 20 minute power point presentation on deer management. Mr. Rogerson discussed some of the benefits and problems associated with the multiple methods of deer registration (i.e. check stations, toll free phone number, or website). The harvest information from deer that are harvested and registered electronically (toll free phone number or website) is available for analysis immediately, while those deer that are registered at a check station need to have their harvest information entered into the computer manually. Nearly 8,000 deer are registered at check stations annually so the timely availability of harvest data after the completion of the hunting season is not possible. It is estimated that it will take 201 hours to complete this data entry task this year.

Due to numerous harvest record forms that need to be entered, the Division does not have a final harvest total from the 2006/07 hunting season. However, preliminary results indicate that the overall harvest may be the all-time highest. As of March 26, 2007, 10,399 deer harvest records have been entered. The previous record harvest (14,669 deer) occurred during the 2004/05 season. The Division hopes to have all of the harvest data entered and analyzed by the end of April. After this task is completed the Division will present the final harvest results to the public.


Agenda Item 3. Turkey Hunter Ed Classes (Ken Reynolds).

Ken Reynolds discussed the proposal to require first time Delaware turkey hunters to take the turkey hunter education class before they could apply for the public land lottery. Currently, everyone can apply and be selected for a permit. Those that have not had the turkey hunting instruction are issued their permit after completing the class. Unfortunately, many fail to take the class after being selected for a permit. This is unfair to those who have already taken the class and results in a large number of permits that then are up for grabs just before the season starts. Mr. Reynolds further noted that this change would not be implemented until the 2009 spring season. Council members agreed that this was a reasonable proposal.


Agenda Item 4. Deer Drive (Dave Pent).

This agenda item was tabled for another time due to Mr. Pent’s absence at the meeting.



Agenda Item 5. Legislative Update (Director Pat Emory).

Director Pat Emory distributed copies of a draft House Bill which would eliminate some exceptions to the requirements for the new combined fishing license. Director Emory stated that this bill would add fees for vessel for hires and increase the non resident fishing license fees. This bill would also establish an advisory council to oversee project priorities associated with the funds generated from the sale of recreational fishing licenses with the establishment of a Council.

Director Emory also reported that no action had been taken yet on the hunting license fee increase legislation which is in the House.


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Greg Moore gave a brief update on waterfowl seasons and federal regulations. Mr. Moore recently attended the Atlantic Flyway Council meeting in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Moore reported that at the meeting he learned that the duck season for Delaware would probably be a 60 day season with a 6 bird daily bag limit for 2007/2008. The Atlantic Flyway Council voted to recommend to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Regulatory Commission a 60 day 6 bird daily bag duck season for the Atlantic Flyway. This season must be adopted by the SRC in August before states can implement it. The Council also discussed the greater snow goose Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This EIS has been under review by the F&W Services’ solicitors. They have subsequently requested an update of some of the information within the statement which was originally developed in 2001. A date for the final ruling and implementation of the EIS is still uncertain. Mr. Moore also indicated that the Flyway Council supported a proposal to the SRC to request compensatory days for the woodcock season. Currently, Sundays are counted as part of the 30 day framework to establish woodcock seasons. If the SCR accepts the Flyway Council’s proposal, Sundays would no longer be counted adding four (4) potential hunting days to the woodcock season. Mr. Moore concluded his remarks about waterfowl seasons/regulations by indicating that he had discussed the early teal season shooting hours with the enforcement section and the majority of the agents were opposed to hunting all day.

Mr. Moore concluded his remarks by reading several letters of opposition to changing the shooting hours for the first segment of Delaware’s 2007 dove season from a noon opening to a ½ hour before sunrise opening. Mr. Moore indicated that he had also received several phone calls against the change in shooting hours. Following Mr. Moore’s comments, considerable discussion from both the Council and the audience ensued. A petition was given to Councilman Dave Healy by Mr. McGaffin requesting that the council reverse their decision to change the shooting hours for the first segment of the dove season. A motion was made by Councilman Berry to place the topic on the April agenda, seconded by Mr. Burris. However, the motion was defeated and the base dove season will stand as established at the February meeting with all three segments running from ½ hour before sunrise to sunset. Letters concerning this issue are available for public review at the Wildlife Section Office in Dover.




AGENDA FOR THE 4/24/07 ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING

1.Regulations Concerning Turtle Trapping – Holly Niederriter.
2.Regulations Revisions 2007 – Ken Reynolds.
3.Small Game Conflicts with Dog Training at Milford Neck – Wayne Lehman.
4.Enforcement Section Update – Jim Graybeal
5.Extension of Rabbit Season – Ken Reynolds.


There being no further business, a motion was made, seconded and carried that the meeting be adjourned at 9:00 PM.

Sincerely,

Karen Kennedy
Recording Secretary

Rickmur

Thanks Al.

Duckmastor2

Thanks! Looks like we'll be hearing guns a blazing while bow hunting nice an early on 9/1.