Oregon Commission Adopts 2013 Fall Big Game Tags
OutdoorHub 06.10.13
The Commission adopted final 2013 controlled big game tags based on ODFW staff recommendations at its meeting in Tigard today.
A total of 131,954 controlled hunt tags for fall deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and Rocky Mountain goat tags are available for the controlled hunt draw. Hunters will be notified of results no later than June 20.
Errors in the archery portion of the 2013 Big Game Regulations were also corrected today. On page 51, the “Traditional Archery Equipment Only” restriction is lifted for Columbia Basin, Biggs, Hood and Maupin Units. That restriction is for the Canyon Creek Area only. On page 79, the Chesnimnus hunt bag limit of “one bull elk” (hunt #258R) was corrected to “one elk.”
The Commission also heard about some proposals for 2014 big game regulations. They directed ODFW staff to further explore a proposal that would allow some disabled hunters to use crossbows during archery season. Currently, crossbows are not a legal weapon to hunt game animals in Oregon. Also at the October meeting, Commission will consider whether to change rules that require archery deer hunters to have a controlled archery elk tag in some units. Final decisions on 2014 big game regulations will be made at the October meeting in Newport.
The Commission allocated the same number of tags that were available this year for next year’s big game auctions and raffles, which raise money for hunting access, wildlife management and research, and sponsoring sportsman organizations.
The Commission approved continued Access and Habitat funding for the Wendling Travel Management Area in the Springfield area and appointed Douglas Baily of Oakland to serve as a Landowner Representative on the statewide A&H Board. While there were other good candidates, Mr. Baily is from southwest Oregon, a region which was not currently represented on the board.
The Commission clarified some definitions in the 2012-2014 Furbearer Trapping and Hunting Regulations, including clarification of predatory animal status on private lands for the “Furbearers and furbearing mammals”, and “Unprotected mammals” definitions. The definitions also more clearly define a trailhead, water set, and land set to clarify new rules the Commission passed last year that put limits on where trappers may set traps.
Finally, the Commission adopted a rule allowing the retention of Habitat Conservation Stamps from year to year to sell with signed Governor’s prints.
The Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in the state. The seven-member panel meets monthly. The next meeting is July 12 by conference call.
