- Joined
- Mar 11, 2001
- Messages
- 70,011
- Reaction score
- 1,007
ODFW9/20/02
Public Input on Mechanical Decoys Sought
PORTLAND — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife seeks public comment before Oct. 10 on three options for the future use of electronic and mechanical decoys for all types of hunting. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider the comments when voting on the rules Oct. 11.
The Commission, the rule-making body for ODFW, is considering three options for the 2003-04 hunting seasons:
-Alternative A: No change to current regulations, which allow any type of decoy for big game and game bird hunting.
-Alternative B: The use of all mechanical, battery, wind, human or motorized-powered decoys would be outlawed. Spinning-blade devices, pull-strings, and wind-powered decoy kites would be included in the prohibition.
-Alternative C: Battery-powered or motorized decoys would be illegal. Human and wind-powered decoys would be allowed.
In recent years, the use of battery-powered waterfowl decoys has greatly increased, which has driven a debate between traditional hunting methods and use of new technology. No definitive statistics exist in Oregon, but ODFW biologists estimate the number of hunters using "robo" ducks is more than 50 percent in some popular hunting areas. The devices may or may not resemble a duck.
A limited number of studies suggest that hunter efficiency and harvest is higher with the devices. However, the total harvest in the Pacific flyway and in Oregon has declined in recent years while the number of hunters has remained constant.
Last spring, the Commission decided to address the larger issue of all motion decoys. Deer decoys with movable heads and tails exist, as do turkey decoys that move on a track.
More information about mechanical decoys may be found at http://www.dfw.state.or.us. Click on Commission Meeting Schedule and then on the link to the Oct. 11, 2002, meeting.
Public comments may be sent to ODFW Game Bird Program, P.O. Box 59, Portland, OR 97207, or e-mailed to bradley.d.bales@state.or.us. Comments must be received before Oct. 10, 2002, to be considered by the Commission. In addition, members of the public may testify at the Commission meeting Oct. 11, 2002. The meeting will be held in Sandy at the Mt. Hood National Forest Headquarters.
Public Input on Mechanical Decoys Sought
PORTLAND — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife seeks public comment before Oct. 10 on three options for the future use of electronic and mechanical decoys for all types of hunting. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider the comments when voting on the rules Oct. 11.
The Commission, the rule-making body for ODFW, is considering three options for the 2003-04 hunting seasons:
-Alternative A: No change to current regulations, which allow any type of decoy for big game and game bird hunting.
-Alternative B: The use of all mechanical, battery, wind, human or motorized-powered decoys would be outlawed. Spinning-blade devices, pull-strings, and wind-powered decoy kites would be included in the prohibition.
-Alternative C: Battery-powered or motorized decoys would be illegal. Human and wind-powered decoys would be allowed.
In recent years, the use of battery-powered waterfowl decoys has greatly increased, which has driven a debate between traditional hunting methods and use of new technology. No definitive statistics exist in Oregon, but ODFW biologists estimate the number of hunters using "robo" ducks is more than 50 percent in some popular hunting areas. The devices may or may not resemble a duck.
A limited number of studies suggest that hunter efficiency and harvest is higher with the devices. However, the total harvest in the Pacific flyway and in Oregon has declined in recent years while the number of hunters has remained constant.
Last spring, the Commission decided to address the larger issue of all motion decoys. Deer decoys with movable heads and tails exist, as do turkey decoys that move on a track.
More information about mechanical decoys may be found at http://www.dfw.state.or.us. Click on Commission Meeting Schedule and then on the link to the Oct. 11, 2002, meeting.
Public comments may be sent to ODFW Game Bird Program, P.O. Box 59, Portland, OR 97207, or e-mailed to bradley.d.bales@state.or.us. Comments must be received before Oct. 10, 2002, to be considered by the Commission. In addition, members of the public may testify at the Commission meeting Oct. 11, 2002. The meeting will be held in Sandy at the Mt. Hood National Forest Headquarters.
