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California Pro-Hunting Amendments Adopted Into Law

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, CA --(AmmoLand.com)-During the 2009 State Legislative Session, COHA was successful in inserting several pro-hunting amendments into AB 1442 (Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee).

The bill was ultimately signed into law on October 11th. The COHA-drafted language will do the following:

1. Authorize the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) to secure voluntary easements on private land to create public access for recreational activities, such as hunting and fishing opportunities.
2. Require WCB, in acquiring land for hunting and fishing purposes, to consider those areas of the state in which public access and opportunity for those activities is most needed.
3. Make technical changes to provisions of law relating to shooting near roads and other ways open to the public to ensure that hunting can continue to safely and legally occur in those areas.
4. Make it a crime to remove the collar of a hunting dog without the written permission of the owner.
5. Reduce penalties for hunters who have been cited for not having their hunting license in the field but can produce the license in court.

A separate provision in AB 1442 that was supported by COHA creates a voluntary stamp that may be purchased at Fish and Game license offices to support California Game Wardens.

COHA appreciates the willingness of Assembly Member Jared Huffman and the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee to include these important provisions in AB 1442.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance is a 501(c) 4 non-profit political advocacy organization dedicated solely to the promotion of wildlife and the protection of our hunting heritage. COHA professional staff is active at the California State Legislature, Congress, State Fish and Game Commission, State and Federal resource agencies and all other political arenas where decisions are made which may impact wildlife management, habitat conservation, wildlife program funding, hunting access and opportunity, and your ability to purchase and possess sporting arms and munitions. COHA was created in early 2006 by the California Waterfowl Association. For more information on COHA and its efforts, visit their website at www.outdoorheritage.org

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Error In WA Hunting Pamphlet: Modern Firearm Elk Hunting Not Allowed In GMU 330

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

OLYMPIA, WA --(AmmoLand.com)- Eastern Washington’s modern firearm elk hunting season that opens Oct. 31 does not include the West Bar Game Management Unit (GMU) 330 in the northeast corner of Kittitas County.

GMU 330 is mistakenly listed under the Oct. 31 – Nov. 8 season for true spike bulls in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 2009 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations pamphlet.

“The West Bar unit is available for early archery and special permit elk hunting only,” said Ted Clausing, WDFW regional wildlife program manager.

“Over 20 years ago when it was included during the general season, too much hunting pressure on West Bar caused elk to cross the Columbia River and enter the agricultural and residential areas of Grant County, leading to some unethical and unsafe hunting activities.”

WDFW staff are posting signs at access points to the unit and distributing notices to hunting groups and license vendors to alert hunters to the error.

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