Fall 2010 big game tag proposals

• Spring bear
• Bighorn Sheep
• Buck Deer
• Doe Deer
• Elk
• Pronghorn
• Rocky Mountain goat
• District meeting information

Public invited to statewide meetings about hunting regulations:

ODFW will host a series of public meetings around the state to present information and accept public comment on proposals for hunting regulations, including the possibility of making the wearing of hunter orange while hunting mandatory in Oregon.

Currently, ODFW strongly encourages but does not require that hunters wear hunter orange while hunting. Due to concerns about vision-related hunting fatalities, the Fish and Wildlife Commission is considering making the wearing of hunter orange mandatory while hunting. The Commission requested that ODFW staff research the issue and propose various rule options. Meeting attendees will hear these options and may offer public comments about them. Proposed rule options should be online at the website below no later than the end of next week (April 30).

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/safety/hunter_orange.asp

The Commission will be briefed on the proposed hunter orange rule options during the June 4 meeting in Salem, when they will decide whether to move forward with formal rule-making. If they decide to proceed, final rules regarding hunter orange would be considered at the Oct. 1 meeting in Bend when 2011 big game regulations will be set.

Also at the series of public meetings, ODFW staff will provide information about big game herd health and numbers, propose the number of controlled big game hunting tags to issue this fall and review concepts for 2011 big game regulations. Fall big game tag numbers for 2010 controlled hunts will be available online in early May under the Hunting Resources page:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/index.asp

Oregon offers both general seasons and controlled hunts for big game (deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, Rocky Mtn goat, cougar, and black bear). The number of tags for controlled hunts is limited and hunters must apply for them by May 15 each year. The Commission will adopt 2010 fall big game tag numbers at their June 4 meeting in Salem.

Also during the statewide public meetings, those interested in Oregon’s Mule Deer Initiative (MDI), an effort to boost declining mule deer numbers, are encouraged to offer public comments about the MDI plan. The plan is available online at:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/big_game/mule_deer/docs/Mule_Deer_Mgmt_Plan_Final.pdf

Meeting attendees can also offer input on game bird hunting regulations, which the Commission will set at the Aug. 6 meeting in Salem.

Written comments about any of the above topics can be sent to ODFW Wildlife Division, 3406 Cherry Ave NE, Salem, OR 97303 or e-mailed to odfw.comments@state.or.us. Members of the public may also testify in person at Commission meetings.

2010 Big Game Public Meeting Schedule

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