[ODFW-News] Public comment sought on proposed upland game bird framework

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 	
Contact: 	Anne Pressentin Young (503) 947-6020	
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  Fax: (503) 947-6009
	

For Immediate Release	Friday, June 04, 2004

Public Comment Sought on Proposed Upland Game Bird Framework for 2005 - 2010

SALEM - The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is requesting public comment by July 19, 2004, on proposed changes to upland game bird hunting season guidelines for the 2005 - 2010 hunting seasons. Department staff will ask the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to adopt the proposed framework at the Commission's August 6, 2004, meeting in Gresham. 

ODFW proposes a new framework every five years to manage the game resource, provide consistent regulations, assist hunters with planning and lower costs. The proposed framework addresses season dates, locations and bag limits. It does not change shooting hours, permitted weapons or other general regulations. If adopted, the framework would take effect September 2005 and be in effect for five years.

Anyone interested in commenting on the proposed framework or suggesting other changes to the frameworks may contact Dave Budeau, Upland Game Bird Coordinator, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 3406 Cherry Avenue NE, Salem, OR  97303-4924; david.a.budeau at state.or.us; 503-947-6323

ODFW staff have proposed the following changes to the frameworks:

·	Pheasant, Chukar and Gray (Hungarian) Partridge - No change.

·	California Quail - Western Oregon - Extend season to Jan. 31, concurrent with adopted mountain quail season. Daily bag and possession limits would apply singly or in aggregate with mountain quail, e.g. a 10 "quail" daily bag limit. 

·	Mountain Quail - Western Oregon: Extend season to Jan. 31; bag limit changes to "quail" limit. Eastern Oregon: Open season in five additional eastern Oregon counties (Gillliam, Grant, Morrow, Umatilla and Wheeler); season length and bag limit would be the same as the existing season in Klamath and Wallowa counties.

·	Blue and Ruffed Grouse - Western Oregon: Extend season to Jan. 31, concurrent with mountain quail season. No bag limit change.

·	Sage Grouse - Extend season to nine days; season limit would remain two birds.

·	Wild Turkey - Spring Season: Add "youth only" spring hunt the first weekend before and excluding April 15. The youth season would be open to youths 17 years and younger accompanied by a non-hunting adult. Bag limit would be one turkey with a visible beard. Fall Season: Extend through Dec. 31 and keep tag numbers at 3,000.

·	Emergency Closures - If required, such closures would take effect only on the 15th or the last day of the month, e.g. Dec. 31 or Jan. 15.

The commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in the state. The seven-member panel meets monthly. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife implements the policies of the commission.

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Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6002