FHL Temporary Closure

[CaliJeephuntr]

I just recieved this in an email. Figured I'd better spread the word. For those of you thinking of hunting there in March, you might want to rethink your plans now.

Jesse, if you could post this on all the relevent boards that would be great. I'll post this in the Blacktail section also, more visibility on this the better so people don't waste time, money, and gas to FHL.



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

FORT HUNTER LIGGETT

HUNTING AND FISHING PROGRAM

NOTICE Of Temporary closure


February 28, 2008


Effective March 6, 2008 the Fort Hunter Liggett Hunting and Fishing program will be temporarily closed to all hunting and fishing recreation. We are not planning the annual Youth Fishing Derby for this spring.


The duration of this temporary closure is not known but may be as long as four months.


This is due to both staff positions being vacant, leaving us with no ability to perform the essential program functions of permit sales and registration. DO NOT submit any permit applications until further notice!


Hiring procedures are in process and the positions will be filled as soon as possible.


I apologize for this inconvenience.


Wally Haussamen

Hunting and Fishing Program Manager[/b]

 

[Huntr Pat]

Get your hunting in this weekend the following area open:5. Training Areas open for hunting on Saturday March 1st, and Sunday March 2nd, 2008 are: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,13East, and 29. Training areas 13 East and 29 are park and walk and restricted to shotgun, archery, and muzzle-loading weapons only.

 

[spectr17]

If they close for 4 months that's gonna tick off a lot of turkey and hog hunters.

I thought the lease Randolph Hearst signed with the goobermint to allow FHL stipulated they must allow fishing & hunting.

What also doesn't make sense is they (Wally I think) was showing their new window person the ropes last week I was there. Maybe the guy quit already?

Deedy, you hear anything yet?

 

[boarcrz]

Ouch!

I didn't even pick up my annual voucher yet.

 

[spectr17]

I got one hunt out of my annual.

. That brings up the question what about refunds?

 

[BrysonHesperiaResort]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (spectr17 @ Feb 28 2008, 06:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

If they close for 4 months that's gonna tick off a lot of turkey and hog hunters.

I thought the lease Randolph Hearst signed with the goobermint to allow FHL stipulated they must allow fishing & hunting.

What also doesn't make sense is they (Wally I think) was showing their new window person the ropes last week I was there. Maybe the guy quit already?

Deedy, you hear anything yet?[/b]

Not yet, I just got the e-mail today is all. I'll dig and see if I can get any info.

 

[Live2hunt]

Last weekend there was only one gal working the window. She didn't come in until 7am on Sunday. I'm not sure how many people are supposed to work the windows since I've not been there in the last 4 years. But from observing last weekend, nobody else came in except the gal. So looks like all the other people are already gone.

 

[spectr17]

Saturday I checked in around 11am there was 2 guys and the girl working at the window. One was Wally I think training the new guy.

So we've gone from reduced window hours to zippo.

Call Wally and ask him what's up? I can't believe they can't find someone to man a window 3 days a week.

 

[Huntr Pat]

There was talk this pass hunting season among some other retired military hunters that they should replace wally. And that complaints was to be sent to commanding officer of FHL. I don't know for sure if it went through or not. Just what I heard from the military guys and people that work there.

 

[BLASTMASTER]

Awwww man! There goes my birthday trip! Anyone know when CR opens? (I cleaned the motor home and everything)

 

[evlu]

Well, wasn't planning on going this weekend but, guess I'm forced to. Wife gave me the ok so will try and get down there before they close on Friday.
Will end up camping so if any JHO guys want to drop by, look for a White Kia Sportage that looks like Humpty Dumpty (before he fell off the wall).
Just got some predator call stuff so will spend some time calling for yotes.
Hope that it isn't 4 months. If it is maybe they'll give us a discount to next years full year pass.

Hope for more skill than the last trip (missed a nice hog in 25)!!

Jesse, I'll buy dinner if you come up. By the way did I leave those leftovers in your truck

? That must have stunk in the morning....

evlu

 

[BLASTMASTER]

I emailed their public affairs officer. Closing down an entire program for 4 months, because of poor management and planning, would not be something I would want reflected in my record. And this is clearly a management problem. Either management didn't plan for their leaving, think of the possibility of their leaving, or drove them out. And in this case $hit rolls uphill, because if that program manager was not managing his program, his boss ought to answer why, and so forth up the chain. If I were in charge of that facility, I would be embarrassed by that announcement.

This is what I wrote...

I want to tell you how disappointed my family is, regarding the temporary closure of Fort Hunter Liggett for hunting. We have been planning our hunting trip for months. Many other hunters I know have planned similar trips as well.

Today I read the following announcement:


Effective March 6, 2008 the Fort Hunter Liggett Hunting and Fishing program will be temporarily closed to all hunting and fishing recreation. We are not planning the annual Youth Fishing Derby for this spring.
The duration of this temporary closure is not known but may be as long as four months.
This is due to both staff positions being vacant, leaving us with no ability to perform the essential program functions of permit sales and registration. DO NOT submit any permit applications until further notice!
Hiring procedures are in process and the positions will be filled as soon as possible.
I apologize for this inconvenience.
Wally Haussamen
Hunting and Fishing Program Manager

I'm not unsympathetic to the issues that arise, and difficulty in maintaining staff to support a mission. I myself, with many years of management experience in both the Federal Government, and the private sector, have had to overcome many staff management challenges. I find it difficult to believe Fort Hunter Liggett cannot pull their resources together long enough to fill the gap created by a turn-over of fishing and hunting program staff. I also understand that this program is staffed by civilians, but it is also a reflection on the management abilities at all levels of Fort Hunter Liggett administration.

Again, I am very disappointed, but retain the hope that management at Fort Hunter Liggett can find a way to bridge the gap without having to close the hunting and fishing program for upwards of 4 months.

 

[wtpops]

Thats to bad and i feel for the guys who had plans and with turkey season coming up, but im an eternal optimist, I think i will make the first hunt when it opens back up. 4 months with no hunting pressure, got to be a good thing. Maybe they will get there stuff together and it wont take 4 months.

 

[Huntr Pat]

Blastmaster,
Here is the contact numbers,
FORT HUNTER LIGGETT
238 California Avenue
Fort Hunter Liggett, CA 93828-7000
(831)386-2506

Installation Commander (831)386-2505
Deputy Garrison Commander (831)386-2505
Garrison SGM (831)386-2507

 

[ksberry209]

With the closure and lack of hunting pressure do you all think the hogs will change their nocturnal behavior and come out a little more during the day. Might be a good idea to hit up FHL the first weekend they reopen. Just a thought.

 

[friend]

Wally Haussamen
Hunting and Fishing Program manager
831 386 2219

 

[z71stealth]

I am just a bit bummed about this closure coming in spring, in the middle of hog hunting and TURKEY SEASON...

But I am just as upset to hear that this means canceling the Youth Fishing Derby. Is there anything we can do to provide volunteers such that the Derby can still happen? Obviously it is important for the kids (and their dads!), but it also seems like an opportunity for a quid pro quo with the FHL H&F. Like a partial refund on the pass fees to those who step up and volunteer.

 

[evlu]

Just got back from FHL. Saw a lot of deer, 15 elk, but no pigs. As far as the staffing issue, what I heard was that the contract renewal paperwork was setting on someones desk. It seems that the people I talked to at the window really want to keep working. But I'm confused....is it a staffing issue, a contract issue, lack of staffing due to a contract issue, or a contract issue due to lack of staffing.

I'm sure were not getting the whole story, but I hope that it is resolved quickly.

evlu

 

[friend]

Another contact number at Fort Hunter Liggett
Gary Houston
831 386 2365

 

[friend]

A squeaky wheel gets the grease. From what I understand, the paperwork is on someones desk.