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September 29, 2004
Marla Rae, Chair Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission 3406 Cherry Avenue, NE Salem, Oregon 97303-4924
Dear Ms. Rae:
The Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) is dedicated to the wise management of Oregon’s huntable wildlife. Our primary goals are to promote hunting rights and an abundant huntable wildlife resource in Oregon for present and future generations. These mandates demand that we point out Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) failure in meeting its statutory, regulatory and constituency obligation to manage elk populations.
The Commission sets elk population Management Objectives (MO). Oregon’s Elk Management Plan, OAR 635-160-0020(2) states: “The Department shall manage elk populations to meet management objectives for herd size, productivity and composition.” In addition, OAR 635-160-0020(4) states: “All Oregon elk herds shall be managed for maximum biological productivity, to be measured by the recruitment of juvenile animals into the population” and “the Department shall promote programs to encourage and increase productivity in Oregon elk herds.”
Elk MOs are set for 32 Rocky Mtn. elk and 19 Roosevelt elk wildlife management units. Of the 51 units statewide, 51% have been below MO in each of the previous three years, and 69% were at or below MO in 2004 alone! Seventy-one percent of the wildlife management units have been below MO at least once out of the last 3 years. All of the Rocky Mtn. elk Wenaha-Snake zone units and six of the Cascade zone units have been below MO since 2001.
A case study of the Mt. Emily Unit (below the 5,700 MO at least since 2001) in the Wenaha-Snake Zone by ODFW District Wildlife Biologist Mark Kirsch, shows an estimated population (based upon annual inventory data) in 2004 at 4,300 elk or 1,400 elk below MO. Mr. Kirsch ran a computer simulation of the Mt. Emily elk populations using current data and consulting with elk and cougar research biologists in Oregon and with the internationally renowned Hornocker Wildlife Institute. The result indicates elk numbers will plummet to 2,000 by 2010.
Page 2 Elk Management
This trend appears prevalent in most other wildlife management units. We believe field biologists, wildlife researchers and our membership would agree. This trend can only be compounded when yet another carnivore becomes established in Oregon. It is now time for ODFW to respond quickly and decisively to reverse the declining elk population trend. No longer can you expect us to sit back and watch as elk populations continue their decline. The hunter has taken the brunt of population declines with reduced opportunity and success. Support for ODFW in the Oregon Legislature and future license fee increases are at stake.
ORS 496.012 states, “It is the policy of the State of Oregon that wildlife shall be managed to prevent serious depletion of any indigenous species and to provide the optimum recreational and aesthetic benefits for present and future generations of the citizens of this state.“ We believe ODFW is not meeting the intent of this policy relative to elk management.
It is important for ODFW to respond to us with a meaningful action plan. Initiating and not completing research projects, reducing elk MOs to meet declining populations and forming yet another advisory group is not the answer. It is time for the Wildlife Division to realize and acknowledge its biggest supporter and source of funding – the hunter.
Our organization, as in the past, will continue to support many of ODFW’s programs and plans. However, this issue cannot be ignored and ODFW’s response will determine our next move and plan of action.
Sincerely,
Ken Hand Joe Dalla Bona State President Chair, Board of Directors
cc Director Lindsay Ball |