July 30, 2009

Commentary
Lead ammunition ban doesn’t
appear to be helping condors

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

     The preliminary data is in, and it doesn’t appear the lead ammunition ban is helping reduce the blood lead levels in endangered California condors, but the half-baked data collected and provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes any kind of accurate assessment almost impossible.
     The coastal deer hunting season kicks off in the gigantic A zone beginning Saturday, August 8, and much of the south portion of this zone is inside the area where lead hunting ammunition is banned for big game. It would have been nice to tell deer hunters that all the speculation was correct about lead ammunition being the sole source of elevated lead levels that virtually all condors exhibit after being released into the wild. It would have been nice to be able to say that we’ve been helping condors with all the extra costs we’ve endured, all the trouble and extra effort to sight-in with the vastly different copper ammunition, and the way we followed the law even when we didn’t feel it was needed or appropriate.
     But now it seems likely we’re not the sole cause of lead in condors, according to a report presented to the Fish and Game Commission in late June and just recently added to its web site. Even with incomplete and sketchy data, it’s looking more and more like the scientists need to go back to the drawing board and see where else condors are getting lead in their systems.
     There is no question that hunter lead left in gutpiles has been a cause for alarm in condors (and other wildlife) because there is rock-solid data it has killed the big, endangered birds before. There is increasing evidence that it would be prudent for hunters to look more carefully at the risks we face when eating game meat (especially ground meat) shot with jacketed lead slugs at high velocity because lead is sprayed through a vast area well away from the main wound channel. That lead often end up in the packaged meat we eat.
     But with massive compliance by hunters this first year of the lead ban (an overly optimistic Department of Fish and Game report earlier this year said there was nearly 100 percent compliance), the report prepared by the DFG using USFWS data showed the improvement in background lead levels in condor blood was almost negligible between the first six months of 2008 (pre-ban) and the later half of 2008 (post-ban).
     During the January through June time frame, 59 percent of the condors tested had blood lead levels above what is considered a normal or acceptable background level. In the second half of the year from July through December only 45 percent of condors had blood lead levels above normal. Because of the low sample sizes, the USFWS says we should not jump to conclusions about impacts in condor blood lead levels provided by the ban. I say that’s bull because the data didn’t show what they said it would show before the ban. Or maybe they just did a poor job in looking at the data they had at their disposal.
     If hunter lead was the “only” source of condor lead, which has been speculated by a lot of scientists for over a decade or more, the background lead levels should have fallen by more than 50 percent, even if hunter compliance was only 60 or 70 percent. Condors showing elevated lead levels should have been no more than 30 percent of the birds tested if hunter lead was the only source of the lead -- even in this sample size.
     Part of the problem with making this assumption, however, is with the USFWS data. The fall hunting season was in full swing when the lead levels were measured in 2008, and why the Fish and Wildlife Service didn’t compare the lead ban data with the same period from the previous year (July-December, 2007) before the ban is a huge mystery. Perhaps the data from 2007 would have indeed shown a 50 or 60 percent decline, indicating the lead ban was working. This would have been comparing data between hunting season and hunting season. The USFWS report also wasted a lot of space breaking down the Central California and Southern California flocks of condors and how the data broke out in those two regions, but it was irrelevant data because lead hunting ammunition was banned in both areas.
     In fact, why the USFWS didn’t look at all their data from the past 20 years and compare it to the first six months on the lead ban is also baffling. If hunter lead was the main culprit, as they say, you’d have thought they would have wanted to give as much data to support their claim as possible.
     If I was a Fish and Game Commissioner or in the DFG charged with giving the report, I would have been outraged at the incomplete data and sloppy analysis that was provided this first year of the lead ban by the feds. There are already groups pushing for a complete lead ban for all hunting ammunition in the condor zone, and more complete data would have helped support that idea or shoot it down. Now the Commission is almost forced to wait three years while the USFWS gets more data to try and prove that hunter lead is the sole culprit in the condor-lead problem.
     The fact is this: the lead ammunition ban will never be rescinded. It will likely be expanded by the Commission or the legislature for reasons other than condors. And hunters will live with it. But for the sake of the condors, if lead ammunition is not the whole problem, the USFWS needs to be trying to discover where the birds are getting the rest of the lead in their systems. The incomplete and incompetent data provided so far suggests there’s another source of lead out there poisoning condors.
     Hunters are doing our part, it’s time for the feds to step up to the plate and start doing the science necessary to protect these great vultures.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

     AUGUST 1 WILD HOG HUNTING CLINIC: The Department of Fish and Game will be offering at wild hog hunting clinic at the Tejon Ranch, Lebec, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1. Cost is $40 per adult, with kids accompanying an adult free. Registration is on-line at www/dfg.ca.gov/huntered/advanced/index.asp or you can call 916-358-4356 to request a registration form.
     AUGUST 4 LEAD AMMUNITION BAN PRESENTATION: Jim Matthews, a long-time Southern California outdoor writer, will be giving a presentation on how the lead ammunition ban came about in California, along with the science and politics behind the ban, at the monthly meeting of the Predator Callers of Orange County beginning 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 4, at the Denny's restaurant, 7490 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. Contact Rick Macy via e-mail at rickmacey@juno.com for more information. The presentation is free and open to the public.
     AUGUST 8 BIG GAME HUNTING SEMINAR: Hunting author Durwood Hollis and long-time big game guide Ron Gayer will be giving a five-hour big game hunting seminar beginning 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. Cost is $20 per person, with kids accompanying adults free. The seminar will cover non-resident tag drawing tips, hunting public and private land, do-it-your self hunting, game field care, home meat cutting, and preparing game for the taxidermist. Space is limited, call 909-605-3719 to reserve a spot.
     AUGUST 12 DOVE TUNE-UP SHOOT AND BARBECUE: The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited will have a dove tune-up shoot and barbecue beginning 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Triple B Clays, 831 Rosemead Blvd, South El Monte. (Where the 60 freeway crosses Rosemead Blvd.) The group will also have a drawing for a two-day dove-hog hunt at the Chimineas Ranch, a Department of Fish and Game wildlife area. Those who can’t attend the shoot can still purchase raffle tickets for the hunt. Information at www.qu.org, or via e-mail at sgvqu@onebox.com, voicemail or fax at 866-206-9070 x6715.
     AUGUST 15 UNITED ANGLERS CRAB FEED FUND-RAISER: United Anglers of Southern California will have Crab Feed and Open House fund-raiser on Saturday, August 15, at the new UASC office, 1933 Temple Ave., Signal Hill. Cost is $40 per person for dinner and door prize raffle. Contact UASC at 562-494-9900.
     AUGUST 15 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. 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.
     AUGUST 15-16 COSTA MESA GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Costa Mesa Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Orange County Fair and Event Center (Orange County Fairgrounds), Costa Mesa. Admission is $10. The next Costa Mesa gun show will tentatively be Nov. 28-29 (Thanksgiving weekend). Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     AUGUST 20 CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION CHINO FUND-RAISER: A fund-raising dinner for the California Waterfowl Association will be held beginning 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 20 at the Chino Fairgrounds, 5410 Edison Avenue, Chino. Cost is $65 per person or $105 per couple. Contact Jim Morton at 909- 391-6512 or go to www.calwaterfowl.org for an event flyer.
     AUGUST 22 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. 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.
     AUGUST 29 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. 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.
     AUGUST 30 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 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.
     SEPTEMBER 5-6 BAKERSFIELD GUN SHOW: The Central Coast Gun Shows Bakersfield event will be held this Saturday and Sunday at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield. The remaining 2009 date for the Bakersfield gun show is Nov. 21-22. Information at www.centralcoastgunshows.com or call 805-481-6726.
     SEPTEMBER 12 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 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.
     SEPTEMBER 12-13 VENTURA GUN SHOW: The McMann’s Roadrunner Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, 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.
     SEPTEMBER 26 UNITED ANGLERS POKER TOURNAMENT FUND-RAISER: United Anglers of Southern California is having a Poker Tournament fund-raiser Saturday, Sept. 26, at Pechanga Resort and Casinop, Temecula. Buy-in is $130 and includes lunch and raffle. Contact UASC at 562-494-9900.
     OCTOBER 3 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 Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     OCTOBER 3-4 DEL MAR GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Del Mar Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Del Mar Fair Grounds, Del Mar. Admission is $10. The next Del Mar gun show will tentatively be Dec. 12-13. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     OCTOBER 10 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 Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     OCTOBER 17 CAPING AND SKINNING SEMINAR: A free big game caping and skinning seminar will be held beginning 9 a.m. Saturday at Al’s Taxidermy Wildlife Art Studio, Apple Valley. Hunters going out-of-state can no-longer bring unskinned big game heads back to California because of Chronic Wasting Disease. This seminar will teach hunters how to properly remove caps in the field. Classes will also be held Oct. 24 and 31. Space is limited, call 760-961-2434 for reservations.
     OCTOBER 24-25 ONTARIO GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Ontario Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario. Admission is $10. The 2019 slate of shows in Ontario has not be set yet. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     OCTOBER 25 UNITED ANGLERS ANNUAL FUND-RAISING DINNER: United Anglers of Southern California will have its annual fund-raising dinner beginning 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Balboa Bay Club and Resort, Newport Beach. The dinner will honor Beverly Ray. Dinner tickets are $100 per person. For information or reservations, call UASC at 562-494-9900.

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 Tuesday 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. The club’s web site is www.tcsportsmen.org.
     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.