Did Pressure on the DFG
Make It Flip-Flop?
With turkey hunting growing in popularity, many hunters are now vying for the limited openings available in drawings for access to the public lands that have huntable turkey populations.
Soon after the EIR was released, the howling began from park employees and animal-rights people. You would have thought the DFG had proposed the release of a plague that might somehow spread to parklands in California, decimating everything in its path.
Even with the support of hunters for this release option, the lack of any visible support from the DFG Director as well as questions in the minds of some about possible potential lawsuits, saw the EIR fade from the DFG agenda. But recently, in August, a new draft plan was released by the DFG. For some reason, those relocations of turkeys to the mountains of California that would have provided expanded turkey hunting access on public land are now missing from this new plan. The following sentences from the plan let you know the DFG's intentions.
"Public desires to release more turkeys on public lands to improve hunting opportunity may be more a perception than realized benefit. Because much of the best turkey habitat in the state is privately owned, turkeys will likely always occupy private lands disproportionately to public lands. Because of concerns regarding potentially negative effects of turkeys, the Department will not release turkeys to expand turkey range, unless significant information demonstrating negligible or beneficial ecological effects is documented."
The statement above generates a new question… Why did the DFG do such a flip-flop from the EIR? Was it because DFG personnel made a mistake proposing an option to expand the turkey range or was it the pressure against this option which would have benefitted their main customers, the hunting public?
What follows is DFG's press release on this plan and your chance to give them your comments regarding it.
Jerry Springer
______________________________________
"Known as a colonial legend and as part of the holiday feast, the wild turkey is a highly valued species in California. A new management plan by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will guide the agency’s management of wild turkeys. The plan will balance the interests of hunters and watchable wildlife enthusiasts with minimizing negative impacts turkeys may have in some areas.
"The DFG is seeking public comments by September 15 on its draft strategic plan for wild turkey management, which is expected to be finalized this fall, as directed by the Fish and Game Commission. The draft plan is available for review on DFG’s Wildlife Programs Web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wmd/index.html
"The plan includes the state’s current regulations and policies for managing wild turkeys, the natural history and distribution of turkeys in California and North America, wild turkey habitat requirements, and DFG’s recommendations for providing the public with additional hunting and viewing opportunities.
"Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) populations have grown to become an established part of much of California’s mixed pine-oak woodlands, resulting from numerous introductions dating back to the 19th century. “The abundance of these birds can be attributed to extensive transplant efforts by wildlife biologists and ideal habitat conditions,” said Scott Gardner, DFG wildlife biologist and coordinator of the management plan. “Wild turkeys occur about every place we find their habitat.” But for some Californians this has led to concerns about increasing populations of wild turkeys, resulting in new management challenges, Gardner said.
"Turkeys are highly valued in California for hunting and viewing. However, there are some areas of the state where residents are concerned that too many wild turkeys are a nuisance. DFG’s management plan seeks to minimize any negative impacts caused by wild turkeys while providing additional hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities in selected areas. The draft strategic management plan is intended to serve as a framework approach to managing wild turkeys throughout the state, and will allow DFG to apply certain management strategies to selected regional areas.
"The plan identifies management goals and strategies that were developed by considering the laws, regulations, and policies of the state Legislature, Fish and Game Commission and DFG, as well as other state and federal agencies involved in the management of wild turkeys.
"The plan also includes information pertaining to turkey biology, ecology, and the history of wild turkeys in California. DFG in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service has completed a new draft map of turkey range in the state. Public comments regarding the map or any aspect of the plan are welcome.
"The plan is available on the DFG’s Wildlife Programs Web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wmd/index.html or hard copies may be obtained by calling (916) 445-3406. Comments should be e-mailed to Scott Gardner at sgardner@dfg.ca.gov or by mail to the Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Programs Branch, RE: Draft Strategic Plan for Wild Turkey Management, 1812 9th St., Sacramento, CA 95814."
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