2016 Review of the Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit Program. Herman Biederbeck District Wildlife Biologist September 2, 2016

Transcription

1 2016 Review of the Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit Program Herman Biederbeck District Wildlife Biologist September 2, 2016

2 Background/History : original program ~600 permit holders Unable to be mobile without a wheelchair In 1998, visually impaired was added 2000: disabilities definition revised in statute (ORS ) Disabled hunter definition changed in OAR to be consistent

3 Disabilities Permit Criteria, Beginning 2000 Is permanently unable to walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, wheelchair, scooter or walker Is restricted by lung disease Has a cardiac condition classified as Class III or Class IV by the American Heart Association Has a permanent, physical impairment that prevents the person from holding or shooting a firearm or bow Has central visual acuity that permanently does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with corrective lenses, or the widest diameter of the visual field is no greater than 20 degrees Disabled veteran certified to be at least 65 percent disabled

4 # Disabled Permit Holders Trend in Numbers of Disabilities Permits 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 Year

5 Background/History (cont.) Last full review Prompted by biological and social issues , all WMUs had expanded bag limit (bag limit included antlerless animals) for hunters with disabilities permits General or controlled Bull Elk seasons, Bag Limit: Legal Bull or Antlerless Elk General or controlled Buck Deer seasons, Bag Limit: One Deer Led to excessive antlerless harvest in some WMUs Coast range elk particularly Abuse of program Application Field

6 Background/History (cont.) Expanded bag limit only for WMUs with significant antlerless rifle opportunity Permit expired after two years, starting in 2006 Permit expired after five years, starting in 2016 Biological and social concerns persisted

7 NW REGION ROOSEVELT ELK POPULATION ESTIMATES UNIT MO SCAPPOOSE SADDLE MTN WILSON TRASK STOTT MTN ALSEA SANTIAM McKENZIE INDIGO/W FT ROCK Over 75% of NW Oregon WMUs were <90% of MO All WMUs had expanded bag limits through 2013

8 Current Review Process Met in late 2015 to plan process and put together a work group Work group: Disabled Hunters, OHA and OBH ODFW and OSP Met three times in the spring Recommendations finalized in June Out for formal public review during July September 2 Commission meeting in Welches

9 Recommendations from the 2016 Review Access Accommodations Pilot access project in a TMA for wheelchair-bound DHFP holders Potentially a portion of an existing travel management area Single passenger, electric powered Other Power Driven Mobility Devices Legal review before implementation

10 Recommendations (cont.) Enforcement Stress permanent nature of disability in the Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit (DHFP) application Clarify information in Big Game Regulations Incorporate DHFP information on hunting license documents Type of disability(s), DHFP number Would help OSP in field

11 Recommendations (cont.) Opportunity Change to current archery criteria for triggering expanded bag limit From Archery Review Public Advisory Committee (ARPAC) Allows for Controlled Hunting opportunity in WMUs where expanded bag limit for all is not possible During buck/bull general or controlled seasons Outside during separate time frame Limited Controlled Hunting opportunity could be offered even before criteria are fully met

12 Recommendations (cont.) Weapons Accommodations Considerable discussion within work group about crossbows, but no consensus reached

13 Next Steps Staff implementation of administrative changes (in process) Use of Archery Review Committee criteria to determine bag limit Emphasize disability(s) must be permanent Incorporate DHFP information on license documents Make bag limit for DHFP holders clear in Big Game Regulations Commission provide direction to staff regarding work group recommendations Pilot area to allow use of Other Power Driven Mobility Devices Controlled Hunts for hunters with disabilities Use of crossbows

14 Questions?