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DFG Special News Release: For Immediate Release
July 25, 2003
Grizzly Island Wildlife Area Closed Between July 28 and September 19, 2003
Contact: Robert W. Floerke, Regional Manager, (707) 944-5500
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) announced today a closure of Grizzly Island Wildlife Area in Solano County, July 28 through September 19, 2003 to accommodate the 14th annual tule elk hunt at Grizzly Island, as authorized by the Fish and Game Commission. A total of 40 tags have been issued for this hunt; 38 by lottery and 2 by Governor’s auction. Only persons authorized by the Department will be allowed on the wildlife area during this time.
Tule elk are native to California. At one time, there were more than 500,000 roaming the Central Valley and woodland areas of California. By 1860, however, the tule elk population was reduced to only a few animals due to disruption of their habitat and the Gold Rush demand for meat.
Since the 1970s, the DFG has worked to reestablish these herds, and California’s statewide tule elk population has now rebounded to more than 3600 animals in 22 different herds. The Grizzly Island tule elk herd started from seven animals, which were relocated from Tupman (Kern County) in 1977. In the absence of predators and disease in the wildlife area, herd numbers increased beyond optimal levels. The DFG has a population goal of about 100 animals for Grizzly Island Wildlife Area. The current herd size is approximately 150.
Hunting and relocation programs are intended to maintain tule elk herd populations at the desired size, which helps prevent health and food supply problems. Five successful capture efforts have taken place at Grizzly Island, resulting in the relocation of more than 160 elk to other areas in California. The DFG will continue to relocate tule elk as suitable habitat sites are identified. However, suitable habitat sites are becoming more difficult to find and relocation is expensive. The State’s tule elk hunting program generates dollars that fund capture, relocation and establishment of new herds statewide.
During Grizzly Island’s closure, the DFG recommends visiting the following alternate areas for hiking, nature viewing, dog training and fishing opportunities within the Suisun Marsh:
Hill Slough Wildlife Area: located on Grizzly Island Road, right off of Highway 12 in Suisun, prior to the one-lane bridge; and Peytonia Slough Ecological Reserve: located at the foot of Kellogg Street in Suisun City, near the Marina.
For more information, call Grizzly Island Wildlife Area at (707) 425-3828.
July 25, 2003
Grizzly Island Wildlife Area Closed Between July 28 and September 19, 2003
Contact: Robert W. Floerke, Regional Manager, (707) 944-5500
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) announced today a closure of Grizzly Island Wildlife Area in Solano County, July 28 through September 19, 2003 to accommodate the 14th annual tule elk hunt at Grizzly Island, as authorized by the Fish and Game Commission. A total of 40 tags have been issued for this hunt; 38 by lottery and 2 by Governor’s auction. Only persons authorized by the Department will be allowed on the wildlife area during this time.
Tule elk are native to California. At one time, there were more than 500,000 roaming the Central Valley and woodland areas of California. By 1860, however, the tule elk population was reduced to only a few animals due to disruption of their habitat and the Gold Rush demand for meat.
Since the 1970s, the DFG has worked to reestablish these herds, and California’s statewide tule elk population has now rebounded to more than 3600 animals in 22 different herds. The Grizzly Island tule elk herd started from seven animals, which were relocated from Tupman (Kern County) in 1977. In the absence of predators and disease in the wildlife area, herd numbers increased beyond optimal levels. The DFG has a population goal of about 100 animals for Grizzly Island Wildlife Area. The current herd size is approximately 150.
Hunting and relocation programs are intended to maintain tule elk herd populations at the desired size, which helps prevent health and food supply problems. Five successful capture efforts have taken place at Grizzly Island, resulting in the relocation of more than 160 elk to other areas in California. The DFG will continue to relocate tule elk as suitable habitat sites are identified. However, suitable habitat sites are becoming more difficult to find and relocation is expensive. The State’s tule elk hunting program generates dollars that fund capture, relocation and establishment of new herds statewide.
During Grizzly Island’s closure, the DFG recommends visiting the following alternate areas for hiking, nature viewing, dog training and fishing opportunities within the Suisun Marsh:
Hill Slough Wildlife Area: located on Grizzly Island Road, right off of Highway 12 in Suisun, prior to the one-lane bridge; and Peytonia Slough Ecological Reserve: located at the foot of Kellogg Street in Suisun City, near the Marina.
For more information, call Grizzly Island Wildlife Area at (707) 425-3828.
