[ODFW-News] Commission hears briefings on salmon, black-tailed deer

[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	Monday, March 29, 2004
Commission hears briefings on salmon, black-tailed deer in preparation for future harvest season decisions


GOLD BEACH - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission last week heard two information briefings on 2004 ocean salmon seasons and 2005 black-tailed deer hunting seasons and in preparation for decision-making later this spring.

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in the state. The seven-member panel meets monthly. 

The Commission heard several options currently being considered for the 2004 sport and commercial ocean salmon seasons. Final decisions will be made by the Commission and the Pacific Fishery Management Council in April. Details of the options may be found on the Pacific Fishery Management Council Web page at www.pcouncil.org. The seasons are set to allow the harvest of healthy stocks while protected stocks that are listed under federal and/or state Endangered Species Act. 
 
For sport anglers, options for a coho season between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain range from a quota of 55,000 - 75,000 adipose fin-clipped fish during a season that opens June 19 or July 1 and closes not later than Aug. 31. In 2003, the quota was 88,000 coho.

Chinook seasons also will be adopted in May for fishing areas north of Cape Falcon, between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain, and south of Humbug Mountain. In addition, one option under consideration would allow coho fishing south of Humbug similar to the season adopted for the central coast. 
Black-tailed deer seasons under consideration

The Commission last week heard a briefing on the current options for 2005 black-tailed deer hunting seasons under consideration for the June meeting. Public comment on the options will be taken during public meetings held throughout the state starting in late April and continuing through May.

The Commission will consider:
·	Increasing the current telephone survey of harvest success to more than 25 percent of hunters, but avoiding a mandatory reporting; 
·	Retaining the bag limit of "one buck deer having not less than a forked antler;"
·	Retaining the existing firearm season structure of 35 days: Oct. 1 - Nov. 4;
·	Reducing opportunities to obtain more than one deer tag by eliminating the some 800 series "additional deer" hunts and converting 800 series preference points to 600 series hunts; 
·	Continuing a five-year trend to reduce tags for antlerless/spike deer hunts;
·	Delaying any changes to archery seasons until results of hunter survey and public review process is complete;
·	Changing the High Cascade buck hunt to be a hunter's sole hunting opportunity for 100 series buck deer and lengthening the season to 16 days.

In other action, the Commission:
·	Approved six projects for funding under the fish Restoration and Enhancement Project;
·	Adopted a permanent rule related to the hagfish commercial fishery;
·	Made an appointment to the Developmental Fisheries Board; and
·	Approved incidental take permits for lower Columbia River coho.
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Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6002