June 4, 2009

Commentary
This bad penny just won’t

go away: AB962 would ban

most ammunition sales

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

     After being placed in the suspense file, and everyone thinking it was dead, Aseembly Bill 962 is moving through the state legislature again. It passed the state assembly Wednesday and now moves to the state senate. How it got this far is a mystery.
     In case you’ve forgotten, Los Angeles assemblyman Kevin DeLeon’s bill would:
     1) It would require ammunition sellers to get a thumbprint from anyone buying handgun ammunition, and mandate store owners keep these records for five years.
     This creates a registry of everyone who purchases ammunition, which is arguably illegal under the provisions of the Federal 1968 Gun Control Act, which explicitly forbid creation of a registry of gun owners. But more importantly, it treats legal gun owners like criminals, and makes a simple process of buying a box or two of ammunition and going to the range a tedious, time-consuming paperwork process. And for what? It has also been proven that even if law enforcement knows someone purchased a box of ammunition of a certain caliber, it does nothing to help solve a crime. Zip.
     This is just another harassment of gun owners and legal gun sellers. Plus there’s the law enforcement oversight, adding more bureaucratic costs to a state that is going bankrupt, and wasting law enforcement’s time and money with an effort that won’t help them. This is a really bright thing. Don’t you think?
     2) The bill would license and tax anyone selling handgun ammunition commercially and force these stores to get background checks on anyone selling that ammunition.
     This would make it more expensive to operate a firearms business in California, already one of the most expensive and highly-regulated businesses in the state. How does this help prevent or solve crimes? It doesn’t, of course.
     3) It would ban all ammunition sales that don’t take place face-to-face, effectively banning all mail-order sales.
     If this was the only provision of the bill, it might be supported by local gun retailers because it would mean they wouldn’t have to compete with mail order businesses that provide a lot of us with ammunition cheaper and offer more selection than the local gun shops. But even they don’t support this measure because they know it is restraint of trade.
     But the biggest problem with this provision is that it would effectively put out of business several local business who custom load ammunition for hunters. Custom Cartridge in Santa Barbara is one of the few companies that will load non-lead bullets into just about any hunting round to make it legal for use in California’s condor hunting zone. They’d be forced out of business by this bill, and a lot of hunters who shoot those older or obscure rounds simply wouldn’t be able to get legal ammunition for their existing guns. The alternative? Buy a new gun in a common caliber.
     4) It would require that all ammunition be kept out of reach of customers, making it onerous for store owners. This provision and all the paperwork requirements would likely run a lot of stores – like the Marts – out of the ammunition business.
     The National Rifle Association has claimed that the bill would limit sales of ammunition to 50 rounds per month, but this provision is not in the bill. At least not this version, at this time. That restriction has been in the past.
     The bill was supposedly amended recently, but the only real change I could find in the legislation was the name. This horribly prejudical legislation is now called: PROTECTION Act of 2009: Providing Regulation and Oversight
To End Community Terrorism In Our Neighborhoods.
     Isn’t that clever? Never mind that it has nothing to do with making our neighborhoods safer.
     It has everything to do with a bias against legal gun ownership and those who legally sell guns and ammunition. This is legislated discrimination. It is about a legislator who doesn’t have the courage to introduce legislation to ban handguns. That’s what he wants, but he realizes that even in his liberal Los Angeles district that stand would get him kicked out of office in the next election. This is his way to get at gun owners and sellers by making their lives more difficult and expensive.
     Unfortunately, it’s time to call your state Senate members and ask them to jettison this bill once and for all.

Marine Life Protection Act process
is a train wreck, anglers backstabbed

     The most extreme proposal, the one that would completely close vast areas of the Southern California coastline to any sportfishing use, has apparently become a preferred option in the Marine Life Protection Act implementation process.
     Not surprising to some of us, that news comes as a shock to sportfishing groups and other ocean users who have been trying to work within the MLPA framework. They were there when “Proposal C” was soundly defeated in voting at the regional stakeholder group meeting held May 19-21 in Santa Ana. But then, in a reversal of its own guidelines, the MLPA staff allowed seven proposals, including the horrific “Proposal C,” to move forward to the Blue Ribbon Task Force and the Science Advisory Team for consideration. The staff said only six proposals could move forward from the regional stakeholders. But that was before their preferred “Proposal C” apparently wasn’t going to be one of them.
     It has become clear the stakeholder vote and input didn’t mean anything and never has. This whole process was just for show and the outcome was already pre-determined. The whole process is a sham, and vast areas are going to be closed along the Southern California coastline without supportive science and in complete disregard to valiant efforts by recreational sportfishing groups to follow the rules and participate in what they had assumed was an open, democratic process. But the environmental dictators have taken over the process and sport anglers feel betrayed over the latest turn of events.
     “Recreational fishing and boating supporters are understandably outraged over last week’s decision. Despite having support from less than half of the stakeholder members, Ken Wiseman [MLPA Executive Director] and the his staff moved the proposal forward despite their own ground rules that clearly said only proposals with strong cross-interest support would be left on the table for consideration,” said Steve Fukuto, president of United Anglers of Southern California.
     Gordon Robertson, American Sportfishing Association vice president, said the latest move clearly exposes the staff’s bias toward “the preservationist community” and that this bias has been exhibited throughout the entire South Coast process.
     “It is now apparent that the MLPA Initiative is not returning the good-faith efforts of the angling and boating communities and others that have worked diligently to play by the rules. We call on California’s legislature to address this issue and put the brakes on the MLPA implementation process,” said Robertson.
     For more information about the MLPA and the Partnership for Sustainable
Oceans (sportfishing interests) go to www.keepamericafishing.org/california.

     NWTF AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP TO HESPERIA YOUTH: Amanda Bowering, a senior at Hesperia’s Sultana High School, has been awarded a $10,000 scholarship by the National Wild Turkey Federation. The NWTF national scholarships were set up to benefit youth with a commitment to conservation and preserving the hunting tradition, making $500,000 available each year to graduating seniors throughout the U.S. and awarding more than 800 scholarships annually. An avid hunter with a 4.0 grade-point average, Bowering also won $250 local and $1,000 state scholarships from the NWTF. Bowering plans to attend Georgia Tech, majoring in aeronautical engineering, and she hopes to become an astronaut. Applicants for the scholarship are judged on their scholastic achievements, leadership abilities, community involvement, and demonstrated commitment to conservation. The winners of the local chapter scholarship are then eligible for consideration of the state award and finally, state winners are eligible for one of the NWTF’s national $10,000 scholarships.
     WILDLIFE WATER SOURCES REPAIRED: Volunteers from the High Desert Chapter of Quail Unlimited did a major refurbishing of Stoddard Well this past weekend, along with repairing two gamebird drinkers (or guzzlers) in the same vicinity. All three desert water sources are critical for desert wildlife during warm summer months, and Stoddard Well had become nearly unusable by wildlife and one of the two guzzlers was dry. All three are now ship-shape and again supplying water to desert wildlife. In fact, the work crew at Stoddard Well saw a half dozen adult chukar and about 75 young chicks waiting patiently for the work to be completed so they could get a drink. Maybe this is going to be a good bird year after all.
     FISHING LICENSES AVAILABLE ONLINE: California sport fishing licenses are now available for purchase online with a Visa or Mastercard. All resident and non-resident licenses, both annual and short-term, and selected stamps can be purchased at www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/ols/intro.html. “Anyone who has access to the Internet and a printer can get a license 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and be on their way to fish minutes after logging on,” said John McCamman, chief deputy director of the DFG. The purchaser will be able to print out a one-day or two-day license, or a temporary annual license. Non-residents can also purchase a 10-day license. All licenses purchased online and printed are valid, but annual license purchasers will receive a permanent license in the mail within 10 days. The DFG will expand availability to include hunting licenses by 2011.
     WATERFOWL NUMBERS IN STATE DOWN: The annual Waterfowl Breeding Survey done in April and May each year shows that ducks numbers are down eight percent in California this year, but mallard numbers remain almost identical to last year’s count, according to the Department of Fish and Game, which conducted the survey. The survey estimated there are 510,800 ducks of all species in the state, down from 554,300 ducks in 2008. There were 302,000 mallards, the most abundant duck in the survey, up only slightly from the 297,100 found in 2008. However, the number of mallards is currently 18 percent below the long-term average for this species. “Preliminary age ratios in the mallard harvest indicated poor production in 2008,” said Shaun Oldenburger, a wildlife biologist with DFG’s Waterfowl Program. “We expect better waterfowl production this year, due to increased late spring precipitation that improved habitat conditions in some areas.” The DFG survey covered the majority of the suitable waterfowl nesting habitat in the state. Currently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is conducting its own breeding population surveys throughout Alaska, the north-central United States and Canada, all of which are primary breeding grounds for California's wintering duck population. This data, along with the waterfowl population estimates from DFG and other states, is used by USFWS in setting regulation frameworks for outside dates, maximum season lengths, and maximum bag limits in the Pacific Flyway. The USFWS frameworks will be considered by the Fish and Game Commission when setting California waterfowl hunting regulations in August.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

     JUNE 5-7 WATER-FOR-WILDLIFE DESERT WORK PROJECT: The Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group will have a guzzler repair project in the Lanfair Valley area of the Mojave National Preserve June 5-7. Food will be provided two evenings and two mornings, but everyone should bring camping gear, water, firewood, food or lunch and snacks, and gloves. For more information and directions to the camp site, contact Cliff McDonald at 760-326-2935 or via e-mail at bigmc@citlink.net.
     JUNE 5-7 SHOOTING SPORTS FAIR: The Raahauge’s Shooting Sports Fair has been cancelled for 2009 due to a severe shortage of ammunition. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     JUNE 6-7 BIG BEAR LAKE CARP ROUND-UP: The 6th Annual Carp Round-Up bowfishing tournament will be held at Big Bear Lake the weekend of June 6-7. Cash prizes for most carp poundage taken over two days. Entry fee is $40 per two-person team and there are shoreline and boat categories. The event has turned into a rivalry between Southern California and Arizona bowfishermen. For more information, contact Mike Stephenson at 909-866-5796 or go to www.bbmwd.org.
     JUNE 6-7 COSTA MESA GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Costa Mesa Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 6, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at the Orange County Fair and Event Center (Orange County Fairgrounds), Costa Mesa. Admission is $10. The next Costa Mesa gun shows will tentatively be Aug. 15-16 and Nov. 28-29 (Thanksgiving weekend). Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     JUNE 6-7 VENTURA GUN SHOW: The McMann’s Roadrunner Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 6, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at Seaside Park, Ventura. Admission is $9. The next Ventura gun shows will be Sept. 12-13 and Nov. 7-8. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.mcmannsroadrunner.com.
     JUNE 13 BIG BEAR VALLEY FRIENDS OF NRA FUND-RAISER: The Big Bear Valley Friends of the National Rifle Association will have its annual fund-raising banquet beginning 6 p.m., Saturday, June 13, at the Big Bear Convention Center, 42900 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake. Dinner tickets are $35 each. Information: Lissa Davis at 714-832-1355 or via e-mail at ldavis@nrahg.org.
     JUNE 13 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2009 class dates are July 11, Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     JUNE 20-21 BAKERSFIELD GUN SHOW: The Central Coast Gun Shows Bakersfield event will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21 at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield. The next dates for the Bakersfield gun show include Sept. 5-6 and Nov. 21-22. Information at www.centralcoastgunshows.com or call 805-481-6726.
     JULY 11 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2009 class dates are Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     JULY 16 RIVERSIDE QUAIL UNLIMITED FUND-RAISER: The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited will be hosting its annual fund-raising dinner beginning 6 p.m., Thursday, July 16, at Vince’s Real Italian Spaghetti Restaurant, 1206, W. Holt Blvd., Ontario. Cost is $25 per person. For information or reservations, contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or via e-mail at gibbent@gte.net.
     JULY 18 YOUTH SAFARI DAY: Help expose youngsters who've never had a chance to experience the outdoors by rounding up neighborhood kids, inviting single moms, and bringing your own clan to the 14th Annual Youth Outdoor Safari Day, where they can learn to fish, rock climb, shoot .22s and shotguns, kayak, make quail calls, and identify wildlife. Registration begins at 7 a.m., Saturday, July 18 at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises in Norco. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.

CALENDAR RESOURCES

     For a complete list of HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES held throughout the state, including times, dates, and locations, go to the Department of Fish and Game’s web site at this address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/classes.aspx.
     For the rules and regulations on GRUNION RUNS, along with a complete schedule and the expected times of the runs, go to this web site address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/gruschd.asp

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

     The following is a list of hunting, shooting, and fishing clubs and organizations in Southern California with contact information and regular meeting dates:
     976-TUNA ROD AND REEL CLUB: The 976-Tuna Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. At the December meeting a free trip to Palmas de Cortez in Baja will be given away. Contact Phil Friedman at 310-328-8426.
     CALIFORNIA STATE VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The California State Varmint Callers Association meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Denny's just north of the 210 freeway at Irwindale Ave., Irwindale. Contact Steven Childs at 626-407-8826 or steve@sdchilds.com. Web site: www.csvca.com.
     CANYON OAKS SPORTSMAN’S CLUB: The Canyon Oaks Sportsman’s Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at it’s clubhouse in Lakeview Terrace-Sylmar. The club has regular trap, skeet, smallbore, big bore, handgun, and Cowboy Action shooting events. Contact Gary White at 818-998-7240, Mike Totta at 818-362-2181 or Mike Nickoloff via e-mail at idpamike@yahoo.com.
     CERRITOS ROD & GUN CLUB: The Cerritos Rod & Gun Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at Heritage Park in Cerritos. Contact Charles Sharp at 714-317-8290 or fish_90605@yahoo.com.
     CLUB FISH: Club Fish, a 20-year-old fishing club, meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse, Santa Ana. The clubhouse is located at the entrance to Riverview Gold Course. Contact Mike Cross at 949-854-5258 or m_r_cross@yahoo.com.
     DEEP CREEK FLY-FISHERS: Deep Creek Fly-Fishers meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League clubhouse in Fairmont Park, in Riverside. Go to www.deepcreekflyfishers.org to download a map to the club house. Contact Brett Browning at 909-793-8912.
     HIGH DESERT FLY-FISHERS: The High Desert Fly-Fishers holds its monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month at The Apple Valley Fire Conference Center, 19235 Yucca Loma, Apple Valley. Contact John Rose at 760-247-5966.
     HIGHLAND PARK SPORTSMEN'S CLUB: The Highland Park Sportsmen's Club meets at 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at 2035 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles. Contact Mauro Garcia at 323-254-0763 or incareal@juno.com.
     NATIONAL VARMINT HUNTERS: The National Varmint Hunters meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars club located on Grand Avenue, just west of 17th Street, Santa Ana. Contact Mark Harris at 714-655-6954 or mhitis1@yahoo.com or Terry Mathers at 714-299-9938 or coyote@jps.net.
     NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (INLAND EMPIRE CHAPTER): The Inland Empire Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, 7777 Victoria Gardens Lane, Rancho Cucamonga. Contact David Halbrook at 760-694-1191 or nrajrc@msn.com.
     NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at The Firing Line, 17921 Jamestown Lane, Huntington Beach. Contact Pat Ryan at 714-373-3688 or Casey Rasmussen at 714-377-5859.
     ORANCO BOWMEN: The ORANCO Bowmen meet the second Tuesday of each month at the club range, 17504 Pomona Rincon Rd., Chino (Euclid Avenue one block north of the 71 freeway). The range is open to the public on Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 909-597-7582. Web site: www.oranco.org.
     ORANGE COUNTY BASS CLUB: The Orange County Bass Club meets 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the Garden Grove Elk's Lodge. Contact Steve Pendergast at 949-651-8172 or prendergasts@netzero.com.
     PLUNGE CREEK COWBOYS: The Plunge Creek Cowboys, a new Cowboy Action Shooting club in the Inland Empire, has shoots the third Saturday of each month at the Inland Fish and Game range on Orange Street in East Highlands. Authentic or replica firearms and garb required. Information: www.plungecreekcowboys.com.
     PREDATOR CALLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY: The Predator Callers of Orange County meet 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at the Denny's restaurant, 7490 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. Contact Rickey Macy via e-mail at rickmacey@juno.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER): The High Desert Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club. Contact Cruz Garcia at 760-949-6334 or fathercruz@verizon.net.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse (located at the entrance to Riverview Golf Course) in Santa Ana. Contact Craig Riedel at 714-282-1194 or criedel@mflex.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (RIVERSIDE CHAPTER): The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Prado Olympic Shooting Park, 17501 Pomona Rincon Road, Chino (one block west of Euclid, just off the 71 freeway). Contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or gibbent@gte.net. Web site: www.quriverside.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN DIEGO CHAPTER): The San Diego Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at DFG Headquarters at 4949 Viewridge Rd., San Diego. Contact David Preddy at davidpreddy@cox.net or visit www.sdqu.org.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CHAPTER): The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Triple B Clays in El Monte. Contact Tim Bovard at 866-206-9070, ext. 6715 or sgvqu@onebox.com.
     REDONDO ROD & GUN CLUB: The Redondo Rod & Gun Club meets 8 p.m. every Thursday of every month at its own clubhouse. The club has promoted hunting, fishing, sport shooting and the outdoors since 1948. The clubhouse is located at 2023 Vanderbilt Lane, Redondo Beach. Contact 310-379-7772.
     RIVERSIDE VARMINT CALLERS: The Riverside Varmint Callers meet 7 p.m. the last Saturday of each month at Flo's Country Kitchen, Riverside. Contact Lance Cochrane at 909-919-4309 or Ray Gauthier at 951-785-4986. Web site:www.californiavarmintcallers.com/chapters.html/.
     SAN DIEGO SPORTING DOG CLUB: The San Diego Sporting Dog Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Animal Medical Center, 600 Broadway, El Cajon. Contact Steve Sarmiento at 619-659-9393 or sssarmi@sbcglobal.net.
     SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The Southern California Varmint Callers Association meets 8 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Denny's Restaurant at Pioneer Blvd and Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Contact Granville Crow at 310-548-6221 or crowshot1@cox.net or Skip Gildner at 562-900-9020 or mtnhigh5@excite.com.
     TEMPLE CITY SPORTSMEN: The Temple City Sportsmen meet the first Thursday of each month at the Temple City Civic Center in Temple City. Contact Jim White at 626-201-7782 or TCSPresident2006@yahoo.com.
     TURNER'S OUTDOORSMAN ROD AND REEL CLUB: The Turner's Outdoorsman Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Marie Calendar’s Restaurant, 2300 Foothill, Pasadena. Contact Richard Crowe at 626-960-9610.