1 / 17

Waterfowl Hunting Zones and Splits for the 2011 – 2015 Seasons

Waterfowl Hunting Zones and Splits for the 2011 – 2015 Seasons. Paul Link LWF Commission 2/8/2011. Zone/Split Season Guidelines:. Zones and Split Seasons can only be changed at 5 year intervals. The selection this year will be used for the next 5 duck hunting seasons (2011-2015).

eve-vinson
Download Presentation

Waterfowl Hunting Zones and Splits for the 2011 – 2015 Seasons

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Waterfowl Hunting Zones and Splits for the 2011 – 2015 Seasons Paul Link LWF Commission 2/8/2011

  2. Zone/Split Season Guidelines: • Zones and Split Seasons can only be changed at 5 year intervals. • The selection this year will be used for the next 5 duck hunting seasons (2011-2015). • A decision is needed by July

  3. Fish and Wildlife Service Options • Two zones with the option for split seasons in one or both zones. • Three zones with straight seasons (no splits). • No zones with up to 2 season splits (3 season segments) Proposed for 2011: • 4 zones with straight seasons (no splits). • 3 zones with the option for split seasons in any of those zones

  4. What if we choose a new option? … we requested that the National Flyway Council develop explicit human dimensions objectives related to expanding zone and split options and a study plan to evaluate the effect of the proposed action in achieving those objectives. We expect the study plan will include hypotheses and specific predictions about the effect of changing zone/split criteria on stated human dimensions objectives, and monitoring and evaluations that would be used to test those predictions. Paul Schmidt, Chairman of USFWS Regulations Committee, 1/25/2011

  5. Human Dimensions Data 2005 Hunter Opinion Survey: • 53% favored current 2 zones with split seasons • 41% favored no zones with 2 splits (3 season segments) • 6% favored 3 zones with straight seasons (no splits)

  6. Human Dimensions Data 2010 Hunter Opinion Survey: Random Mail-out Sample • 34% favored 2 zones with split seasons. • 17% favored new North and South zones with split seasons. • 30% favored no zones with 2 splits (3 season segments). • 20% had no opinion or didn’t care. 2010 Hunter Opinion Survey: Internet Sample • 36% favored 2 zones with split seasons. • 23% favored new North and South zones with split seasons. • 28% favored no zones with 2 splits (3 season segments). • 13% had no opinion or didn’t care.

  7. Human Dimensions Data Recent Internet Solicitation: 61 contacts • 54% favored 2 zones with split seasons. • 33% favored no zones with 2 splits (3 season segments). • 11% favored 3 zones with split seasons. • 2% favored no zones with split seasons.

  8. General Issues to Consider • Potential hunting season length over the next 5 years is 60, 45 or 30 days. • Duck seasons “must” be open during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays. • Which option will provide the greatest flexibility? • Zones and split seasons are completely separate for ducks and geese. • What are we trying to accomplish, and what will be required for evaluation?

  9. Specific Considerations Current 2 zones with split seasons: • This arrangement has been used for 30 years and is familiar to hunters. • Allows hunters to hunt in both zones, thereby increasing hunting opportunities. • Flexibility

  10. Specific Considerations No zones with 2 splits (3 season segments): • Three opening days versus 2, but same total number of weekends (10) and 1 of those opening days might not be on a weekend. • 2 rest periods versus one. • The opportunity to move across zones is eliminated. • Less flexibility if season length is reduced.

  11. Example: 2011-12 potential dates 2-zones/2-splits No zones/3-splits West Zone East Zone Nov 12 – Dec 4 Nov 19 – Dec 4 Nov 12 – Nov 27 Dec 17 – Jan 22 Dec 17 – Jan 29 Dec 10 – Jan 8 * Jan 16 – Jan 29 * Season opens on a Monday

  12. Specific Considerations 3 zones with split seasons: • Additional opportunity to hunt different zones. • Additional flexibility. • Statement of objectives and study plan with methods to monitor and evaluate.

  13. Example: Northwest LA zone

  14. Justification?? Chronology of Harvest: 2000-2009 seasons: Zone WeekSouthwest Southeast Northwest 1 22.0 19.8 14.0 2 13.6 12.7 16.2 3 11.1 (46.7) 12.1 (44.6) 11.4 (41.6) 4 4.8 6.5 5.2 5 1.4 2.5 0.9 6 11.0 11.8 12.4 7 9.7 10.0 12.0 8 8.8 7.2 9.5 9 7.0 6.7 8.1 10 7.1 7.2 6.2 11 3.5 (47.1) 3.3 (46.2) 3.8 (52.0)

  15. Anticipated Time-line • Options may not be finalized in time for adoption for the 2011 season. • Public comment will be accepted at announced public meetings • Department recommendations in July with opportunity for additional public comment • Decision at August LWF Commission meeting

  16. 17

More Related