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HUNTERS ACCOMMODATED BY USFS -- Jim Matthews column 23jul03
USFS tries to accommodate deer hunters
The San Bernardino National Forest, after a near-complete fire closure last year that eliminated deer hunting on this block of public land, is tentatively planning to make some special accommodations for deer hunters this year, according to Gene Zimmerman, SBNF forest supervisor.
"It's clearly our intent that hunting be an exception on this," said Zimmerman. He said that during a series of public meetings, virtually all the different user groups agreed that fire restrictions most affected hunters. "To a person, they all said that you really ought to try to make special provisions for hunters, and our staff seemed very receptive to this. We may get shot at by some other users, but we're going to give it a try."
Zimmerman said all of the other users in their meetings recognized that they could use the forest at other times or live within the guidelines, but that hunters really had no other options because hunting seasons are set by the state Department of Fish and Game and only run during a brief period each fall. The nature of hunting also means that hunters can't stay near developed recreational sites.
The San Bernardino National Forest is finalizing a six-step fire danger alert system that corresponds with the Smoky the Bear signs that you see as you enter the forest alerting users to the fire danger. We've all seen the signs:
Fire Danger Today Is HIGH
In the past, what that meant was a little amorphous. How was "high" different from "very high"? What did "moderate" mean?
There are now criteria spelled out for each level of fire danger, telling users exactly what each level means and how its triggered. There are also increasing restrictions as the fire danger increases -- all clearly spelled out.
Only at the "Critical" level will the forest be completely closed -- the highest level that is called only in extreme circumstances (usually when a fire is ongoing). The only access under this category is for people traveling through the forest on designated state and county highways. It will only be at this level that Zimmerman said he expects hunter access to be denied completely.
At all other five levels, hunting will likely be accommodated under the forest orders that restrict access, including the "Extreme" level (level five) that was in place for much of the late summer and fall last year when hunters were locked out.
Zimmerman said the final plan was not complete yet because comments were still coming in that the staff was "puttering with it," but "I think it's going to be workable."
This is great news for deer hunters who have been reluctant to purchase D14 and D19 deer tags, the two deer zones which have the bulk of their huntable lands in the San Bernardino National Forest. Sales of all Southern California deer zones are well below last year's level as hunters wait to hear about fire closures.
Hunters should encourage the managers of the Angeles and Cleveland national forests (D11, D15 and D16 zones) to adopt similar plans so those zones are not closed a second year. The San Bernardino National Forest use guidelines should be available at USFS offices before the end of August, well before the start of October deer seasons in this region.
I'm sending off for my D14 tag today.
I think it would be appropriate for at least a few of us to give San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor Gene Zimmerman a phone call (909-382-2605) to say "thanks" for trying to do something for hunters. These guys hear a lot from us -- me especially -- when they screw up, but not nearly so often when they try to do the right thing.
End article
=========================================
I think holding Zimmerman's feet to the fire is finally paying off. Time will tell.
Please give the SBNF a call at (909-382-2605) to let them know what you think of their decision and thank them for considering us hunters.
USFS tries to accommodate deer hunters
The San Bernardino National Forest, after a near-complete fire closure last year that eliminated deer hunting on this block of public land, is tentatively planning to make some special accommodations for deer hunters this year, according to Gene Zimmerman, SBNF forest supervisor.
"It's clearly our intent that hunting be an exception on this," said Zimmerman. He said that during a series of public meetings, virtually all the different user groups agreed that fire restrictions most affected hunters. "To a person, they all said that you really ought to try to make special provisions for hunters, and our staff seemed very receptive to this. We may get shot at by some other users, but we're going to give it a try."
Zimmerman said all of the other users in their meetings recognized that they could use the forest at other times or live within the guidelines, but that hunters really had no other options because hunting seasons are set by the state Department of Fish and Game and only run during a brief period each fall. The nature of hunting also means that hunters can't stay near developed recreational sites.
The San Bernardino National Forest is finalizing a six-step fire danger alert system that corresponds with the Smoky the Bear signs that you see as you enter the forest alerting users to the fire danger. We've all seen the signs:
Fire Danger Today Is HIGH
In the past, what that meant was a little amorphous. How was "high" different from "very high"? What did "moderate" mean?
There are now criteria spelled out for each level of fire danger, telling users exactly what each level means and how its triggered. There are also increasing restrictions as the fire danger increases -- all clearly spelled out.
Only at the "Critical" level will the forest be completely closed -- the highest level that is called only in extreme circumstances (usually when a fire is ongoing). The only access under this category is for people traveling through the forest on designated state and county highways. It will only be at this level that Zimmerman said he expects hunter access to be denied completely.
At all other five levels, hunting will likely be accommodated under the forest orders that restrict access, including the "Extreme" level (level five) that was in place for much of the late summer and fall last year when hunters were locked out.
Zimmerman said the final plan was not complete yet because comments were still coming in that the staff was "puttering with it," but "I think it's going to be workable."
This is great news for deer hunters who have been reluctant to purchase D14 and D19 deer tags, the two deer zones which have the bulk of their huntable lands in the San Bernardino National Forest. Sales of all Southern California deer zones are well below last year's level as hunters wait to hear about fire closures.
Hunters should encourage the managers of the Angeles and Cleveland national forests (D11, D15 and D16 zones) to adopt similar plans so those zones are not closed a second year. The San Bernardino National Forest use guidelines should be available at USFS offices before the end of August, well before the start of October deer seasons in this region.
I'm sending off for my D14 tag today.
I think it would be appropriate for at least a few of us to give San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor Gene Zimmerman a phone call (909-382-2605) to say "thanks" for trying to do something for hunters. These guys hear a lot from us -- me especially -- when they screw up, but not nearly so often when they try to do the right thing.
End article
=========================================
I think holding Zimmerman's feet to the fire is finally paying off. Time will tell.
Please give the SBNF a call at (909-382-2605) to let them know what you think of their decision and thank them for considering us hunters.
