November 12, 2009

Commentary
Anglers, good management
ignored in MLPA
recommendation by so-called
Blue Ribbon Task Force

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

     Anglers, ocean users, and the economy were completely ignored by the so-called Blue Ribbon Task Force in making its recommendation for ocean fishing closures and protected areas under the 1999 Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA).
     Appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the task force came up with its own proposal that essentially ignored 14 months of effort by volunteer stakeholders to hammer out viable proposals for consideration. The result will be massive closures of coastal areas for all ocean use, and sport anglers are likely to lose popular fishing spots near Malibu, off Orange County, and La Jolla.
     The task force’s proposal will be presented to the state Fish and Game Commission in December for adoption, and with the current make-up of the Commission, there is little hope for the task force’s recommendation to get anything but a rubber stamp by the majority of the Commissioners.
     The task force refused to take into consideration the state’s economy and budget, and how closures will affect business and recreation in the region. The recreational fishing and boating community supported Proposal 2, a proposal drafted in part by recreational and commercial fishermen and that provided significant additional conservation for California’s ocean resources while minimizing the economic impact of lost fishing opportunity. But even this proposal was considered too stringent by many anglers, showing how much anglers had compromised.
     “By making this decision, the task force passed over the three proposals it earlier voted to send to the Fish and Game Commission that were created by 64 stakeholders who worked 14 months to create these three proposals under an ever changing set of guidelines,” said Bob Fletcher, former president, Sportfishing Association of California and a member of Partnership for Sustainable Oceans.
     “Proposal 2 has a high conservation value that is relatively the same as other proposals but would have the least economic impact on Southern California, particularly in San Diego where fishing and boating is an integral component of the local economy. The task force chose to ignore Proposal 2 in favor of its own version,” said Fletcher.
     The scientists on the task force took pieces of each of the three proposals, which all have also been forwarded to the Fish and Game Commission for consideration, and some of their own ideas and rolled them into their own “recommended alternative.”
     Most of the scientists on the task force work for government institutions or government-financed non-profits, and many stand to gain financially by doing post-MLPA research funded by government. The potential conflict of interest issues have never been addressed in this process. The task force also has repeatedly exhibited a cavalier attitude toward the very real economic impacts of their own proposal and ignored public opinion.
     There have been five opinion surveys conducted by two major polling organizations over the last two years of this process, and all of them have shown that California residents support recreational fishing, believe it should continue, and favor recreational fishing over marine reserves.
     In spite of this, environmentalists and blue-ribbon task force scientists have favored complete sportfishing closures over proposals that would allow catch-and-release fishing or better management through more restrictive fishing regulations.
     “This is a dark day for California’s recreational anglers”, said Steve Fukuto, president of United Anglers of Southern California. “Anglers provide approximately $70 million each year to California for marine fisheries management and countless hours of volunteer time to support fisheries in the state. No other user group even comes close to this level of investment -- certainly not the people who support closing our state waters to California’s residents.”
     The last chance Southern California marine anglers have to stop the MLPA streamroller is at the December 9 Fish and Game Commission meeting in Los Angeles. Don’t hold your breath.

Quail Unlimited sinking
in sea of mismanagement?

     Quail Unlimited, a 30,000-member strong national conservation group dedicated to upland birds with a $6 million annual budget, has put its 24 employees on furlough and has hung a “for sale” sign on its national headquarters in Georgia valued at nearly $650,000 because of serious financial problems.
     Dick Haldeman, the western regional director of Quail Unlimited, said he had not been paid for October and was put on furlough Oct. 31., ostensibly for just two weeks.
     “It’s looking grim for QU,” said Haldeman. “There are a host of mismanagement problems back there.”
     According to a report this week in the Augusta Chronicle the financial situation has been declining for some time, but the volunteer board of directors was not informed of the situation.
     Bill Bowles, a member of the organization's national board and an officer on the board's executive committee for financial matters, said “it is hard for a board of very, very smart businessmen to give guidance and leadership to a nonprofit conservation organization if the board is not shown accurate financial data.”
     Other reports, most coming from competitive conservation groups Quail Forever/Pheasants Forever and the National Wild Turkey Federation, have reported that six of the 13 volunteer board members have resigned after the current chief executive officer, Craig Alderman, was fired after holding the helm for only seven months. He had replaced one of the co-founders of the group, Rocky Evans. There are also reportedly violations of firearms laws that have been referred to the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) and financial transactions that appear to violate non-profit laws.
     Since being fired, Alderman has contacted Quail Unlimited state and chapter chairman, trying to recruit them to a new organization that he is starting, perhaps as an organization operating under the National Wild Turkey Federation umbrella.
     California chapter chairmen are meeting November 21 to discuss the future of this state’s very active and successful Quail Unlimited chapters, and there seems to be some sentiment among these Western chapter members to leave the national organization and form a state or Western region upland bird organization.
     California’s 13 chapters won five of the eight national conservation awards given by the national group this past year because of their on-the-ground work projects that benefit wild birds and hunters. They have become the organization’s shining example of how volunteer organizations should function and how much they can benefit wildlife.
     But there has long been a sentiment among Western chapter members that money raised in the West was siphoned away for bobwhite quail work in the South or padding the pocketbooks of Quail Unlimited founders, and recent revelations may prove those assumptions were true.
     Regardless of the outcome of the national organization’s trials and tribulations, the local chapters are all continuing to operate as though nothing has changed -- even though big changes may be in store on an organizational level.
     WILDLIFE ART FESTIVAL: The 27th annual Wildlife Art Festival, which features the winning art work and the top 100 entries in the federal Duck Stamp art competition, will be held Nov. 21-22 at the San Bernardino County Museum, 2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands. In addition to the duck stamp art, there will be more than two dozen wildlife artist showing their works, including this year’s featured artist Lindsey Foggett. There will also be kids’ art lessons, wood carving demonstrations, and more. For more information, call the county museum at 909-307-2669 or go to www.sbcounty.gov/museum/.
     BIG FIRST DEER: Laura Beth Buck, a 23-year-old from Dana Point, has been hunting big game with her dad Jeff since she was 12. She has hunted in Africa and Australia and throughout North America. The young woman has taken an African lion and an Arizona cougar, both that were called in by her dad, and she’s darted a rhino. Jeff has spent a small fortune on mounts of the horned game she’s taken, but she’d never shot a mule deer buck until this year. It wasn’t for lack of trying, however, she just wouldn’t put the trigger on a small buck. This season, the father-daughter Bucks were drawn for Kaibab deer tags in Arizona, and Laura Beth shot a massive, 32-inch wide, nearly 190-point mule deer. Jeff Buck didn’t shoot a deer, and he’s not sure he can afford his daughter’s hunting habit much longer, and said he was “looking for a successful young man to take over payments.” He was only half-joking.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

     NOVEMBER 14 WILD HOG HUNTING SEMINAR: Hunting author Durwood Hollis and long-time big game guide Ron Gayer will be giving a five-hour hog hunting seminar beginning 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. Cost is $30 per person in advance or $40 at the door, with kids accompanying adults free. The seminar will cover hog hunting A-Z from gun and ammunition selection to field care to guides and outfitters to hunting on public lands. Space is limited, call 909-605-3719 to reserve a spot.
     NOVEMBER 21-22 WILDLIFE ART FESTIVAL: The 27th annual Wildlife Art Festival, which features the winning art work and the top 100 entries in the federal Duck Stamp art competition, will be held Nov. 21-22 at the San Bernardino County Museum, 2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands. For more information, call the county museum at 909-307-2669 or go to www.sbcounty.gov/museum/.
     NOVEMBER 21-22 BASS PRO SHOPS HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES: Bass Pro Shops is now having hunter safety classes four days per month on the first and third full weekends, with classes on Saturday and Sunday of each weekend. The classes are all one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety classes. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $10 per person. Sign-ups are taken at Bass Pro and class size is limited. For information, call 909-922-5500. A pre-class study course is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/.
     DECEMBER 5-6 BASS PRO SHOPS HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES: Bass Pro Shops is now having hunter safety classes four days per month on the first and third full weekends, with classes on Saturday and Sunday of each weekend. The classes are all one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety classes. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $10 per person. Sign-ups are taken at Bass Pro and class size is limited. For information, call 909-922-5500. A pre-class study course is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/.
     DECEMBER 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 2010 class dates have not be set up yet. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     DECEMBER 12-13 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 2010 Del Mar gun show dates are available at the gun show web site. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons are also available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.

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.
     GOLDEN STATE FLYCASTERS: The Golden State Flycasters and Trout Unlimited Chapter 920 meets 6 to 9 p.m. Monday before the third Thursday of each month at Tio Leo’s Restaurant, Del Mar. Information at www.goldenstateflycasters.org.
     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 Hunny’s Restaurant, Main Street and 4th Street, Corona. 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.