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Tuesday, July 5, 2017
SALEM, Ore.—Local ODFW offices will host a series of public meetings around the state to discuss 2018 big game regulations, a revised Wild Turkey Management Plan and other issues. See the schedule of meetings below.
Hunters and anyone interested in big game hunting and turkey management are welcome to attend the meetings to ask questions and provide feedback. Highlights to be discussed at the meetings include:
Wild Turkey Management Plan Update: The state’s Plan for managing its turkeys was last updated in 2004. Staff biologists are working on updating the Plan, with major changes including revising trap and transplant guidelines for logistic efficiency (for example, so nuisance turkeys are relocated to closer districts), aligning disease testing protocols with new translocation guidelines for birds, and putting more attention on solutions for turkeys causing nuisance and damage, especially in western Oregon. See a draft updated Plan and other information at http://dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/turkey/
2018 big game tag numbers: Buck deer tag numbers are proposed to be reduced 4.5% and antlerless deer 5.5% due to last year’s tough winter in parts of eastern Oregon and because more hunters are actually purchasing the tags they draw, which decreases the level of correction. (ODFW calculates the number of tags that are drawn but not actually purchased and corrects tag numbers by that level to maximize hunting opportunity.) Elk tag proposals also declined slightly because more hunters are buying the tags they draw.
Hunting technology and methods: ODFW has heard from people supportive of prohibiting baiting game mammals (deer and elk) and adding language that prohibits the use of night vision technology for hunting. The department is looking for public comment on these proposals.
For more details on proposed 2018 tag numbers and other changes being considered, visit ODFW’s Hunting page and see 2018 Regulations – Public Meetings July 6-20 information.
Public comments can also be provided by emailing odfw.commission@state.or.us. The Fish and Wildlife Commission is scheduled to adopt 2018 Big Game Regulations at its Sept. 15 meeting in Welches. Public testimony will also be heard at that meeting.
Questions or comments about bird hunting regulations are also welcome during these public meetings. Game bird regulations will be adopted in April 2018.
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