June DNREC Meeting Mins (DE)
07-18-2006, 11:32 AM
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wilmington Delaware USA
Posts: 699
June DNREC Meeting Mins (DE)
ADVISORY COUNCIL ON WILDLIFE & FRESHWATER FISH
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2006
Richardson and Robbins Building Auditorium
89 Kings Highway, Dover, Delaware, 19901
Phone 302-739-9912, FAX 302-739-6157
ADVISORY COUNCIL DIVISION OF FISH & WILDLIFE
PUBLIC
David J. Healey, Chair Greg Moore
5 Visitors
Edward A. Montague, Vice Chair Director Pat Emory
J. Richard Berry Joe Rogerson
Garrett H. Arai (Absent) Shelley Tovell
Ted Palmer Robert
Hutchins
Al Townsend Rob Hossler
Terry Higgins Karen
Kennedy
Raymond F. Burris
Wayne G. Steele
Taped micro-cassettes of this meeting are available for listening at the
Richardson & Robbins Building in Dover. For further information contact
the Wildlife Section.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman David J. Healey at 7:30 PM.
Agenda Item 1. Approval of Minutes (Dave Healey).
A motion was made and voted unanimously to approve the May30, 2006 minutes as written.
Agenda Item 2. Dog Training Area at Milford Neck (Greg Moore).
Mr. Greg Moore, Wildlife Administrator, gave a brief
background concerning this issue. In 1994, the Division was approached byrabbit hunters from the Milford Neck Wildlife Area who wanted to establish a rabbit dog training area at Milford Neck. After consideration by the Division and endorsement by the Council, the rabbit dog training area was established in 1995. Mr. Moore went on to explain that since Federal aid is used to manage the property the Division is mandated to have some form of hunting on the area. Deer, turkey and rabbit hunting are allowed at this site. This year the Division has been approached by other trainers at the site who would like to see the Division establish this area as a year round rabbit dog training area. As proposed, this area would be closed for rabbit hunting only, deer hunting and turkey hunting would be allowed. Mr. Moore also stated that this issue was discussed as an agenda item at the meeting last month and minutes were sent allowing the public time for any
comments.
After discussion, Mr. Montague made a motion to establish a
year-round rabbit dog training area at Milford Neck for a period of one
year. The motion was seconded by Mr. Higgins and voted unanimously. Mr. Montague also requested that the area could be posted and marked clearly.
Agenda Item 3. Small Game Season Proposal (Greg Moore).
Mr. Moore presented a small game season proposal using
transparencies. Mr. Lem Hudson gave a presentation last month to the Advisory Council to increase opportunities for raccoon and grey squirrel hunting. Mr. Hudson had two suggestions for raccoon hunting. One suggestion was to have a year-round training area and the second suggestion was to do away with the 7:00 PM to midnight time limit during the December and January deer seasons. Mr. Moore reported that the Division already has the authority to establish dog training areas on private land according to Title 7, Chapter 17, Section 1721 according to the following conditions:
Minimum of 100 acres and no more than 250 acres
Application must be filed with the Division
20 members that are citizens of Delaware
$10 Fee
Mr. Moore stated that if these criteria are met, then the Division would
issue the permit to establish a dog training area on private land that can
be used year-round. Mr. Moore also stated that Mr. Hudson was concerned that these sites were hard to find due to the amount of new developments. Mr. Hudson wanted the authority to be able to train at any site as long as he had permission from the landowner. Mr. Moore stated that the Division currently does not have this authority and that a legislative change to the statute would be required.
Mr. Moore also discussed Mr. Hudson’s suggestions for
changes to the squirrel season:
1. Extend the opening season from November 21 to February 28. Note that
the rabbit, pheasant and quail seasons are run through deer shotgun
seasons.
2. Allow the use of 22 rim fire rifles in all seasons.
3. Open a year-round training season on private land only with the
permission of the landowner statewide.
Mr. Moore reviewed the current gray squirrel regulations
relative to these issues. Mr. Moore suggested that the Division formulate
a response to Mr. Hudson’s concerns and present the proposal at the September Advisory Council Meeting.
Agenda Item 4. 4H Youth Hunt (Greg Moore).
Mr. Moore introduced Mr. Jim Kimble from the 4H Shooting
Sports Program. Mr. Moore was approached by Mr. Kimble and his group to use the waterfowl blinds at Port Mahon impoundments for a mentored hunt. Mr. Kimble distributed information explaining the program. He stated that this program was open to all youth who have an interest. Every instructor is certified and is covered by insurance. A program on hunting along with hunting safety would be mandatory prior to the hunt. There would beapproximately 20 youth that would participate in the program. The hunt would be a half day hunt to take place in the morning hours during the youth waterfowl hunting day. Blinds 10 – 14 at the Port Mahon impoundments would be used and in exchange for the use of the blinds the group offered to grass the blinds. A blind reeding event would take place on the site.
A safety training certificate would be provided along with lunch.
Recordkeeping books will be encouraged to be filled out to be used for
entering any 4H contests. This mentored hunt would offer life skill
developments for youth.
Mr. Moore stated that this would be a way to encourage and
recruit new young hunters into the population. His only concern would be that advertising should be done well enough in advance in order not to exclude anybody from this hunting opportunity or we could be in violation of our federal aid program. Mr. Moore stated that he supported the 4H program because of their association with the hunter safety program.
Mr. Kimble was commended by Mr. Palmer for his excellent
work in youth hunter safety programs.
A motion was made by Mr. Montague, seconded by Mr. Palmer and voted unanimously to support the 4H youth hunting at Port Mahon this year and review the program next year.
Agenda Item 5. Legislation (Director Pat Emory).
Director Pat Emory provided a summary of the following
legislation:
1. H.B. 423 – Sponsored by Representative Outten and others. This bill
expands the red fox hunting season with gun to include Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Thursdays during the January deer hunting season.
This bill has passed the House.
2. H.B. 387 – Sponsored by Representative Atkins and others. This bill
allows farmers suffering crop damage to shoot animals to protect
their property. A committee has been formed to establish threshold.
This bill is still in Committee.
3. H.B. 520 – Sponsored by Representative Booth and Senator Venables.
This bill adds fees for vessel for hires and increases non-resident
fishing license. A special session was held today at 1:00 PM in the
House Natural Resources Committee.
4. H.B. 525 – Sponsored by Representative Booth and Senator Venables.
This bill lowers the age a person can hunt with a licensed hunter
without a license and increase the general hunting license fee. This
bill also adds fees for a Junior and non-resident junior license.
The bill also increases non-resident hunting license fees and adds a
guide license fee and a public lands access fee. This bill passed
the House and will go the Senate for vote.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A new Advisory Council member, Mr. Wayne Steele, was
introduced by Greg Moore. Mr. Steele was congratulated and welcomed by Chairman Healey and the other Council members.
A field trip with the Advisory Council was scheduled for
July 25th at noon at Ommelanden.
AGENDA FOR THE 8/8/06 ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING
This meeting will be solely for setting the waterfowl
seasons for 2006-2007.
There being no further business, a motion was made, seconded and carried that the meeting be adjourned at 9:00 PM.
Sincerely,
(Embedded image moved to file: pic00041.jpg)
Karen Kennedy
Recording Secretary
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2006
Richardson and Robbins Building Auditorium
89 Kings Highway, Dover, Delaware, 19901
Phone 302-739-9912, FAX 302-739-6157
ADVISORY COUNCIL DIVISION OF FISH & WILDLIFE
PUBLIC
David J. Healey, Chair Greg Moore
5 Visitors
Edward A. Montague, Vice Chair Director Pat Emory
J. Richard Berry Joe Rogerson
Garrett H. Arai (Absent) Shelley Tovell
Ted Palmer Robert
Hutchins
Al Townsend Rob Hossler
Terry Higgins Karen
Kennedy
Raymond F. Burris
Wayne G. Steele
Taped micro-cassettes of this meeting are available for listening at the
Richardson & Robbins Building in Dover. For further information contact
the Wildlife Section.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman David J. Healey at 7:30 PM.
Agenda Item 1. Approval of Minutes (Dave Healey).
A motion was made and voted unanimously to approve the May30, 2006 minutes as written.
Agenda Item 2. Dog Training Area at Milford Neck (Greg Moore).
Mr. Greg Moore, Wildlife Administrator, gave a brief
background concerning this issue. In 1994, the Division was approached byrabbit hunters from the Milford Neck Wildlife Area who wanted to establish a rabbit dog training area at Milford Neck. After consideration by the Division and endorsement by the Council, the rabbit dog training area was established in 1995. Mr. Moore went on to explain that since Federal aid is used to manage the property the Division is mandated to have some form of hunting on the area. Deer, turkey and rabbit hunting are allowed at this site. This year the Division has been approached by other trainers at the site who would like to see the Division establish this area as a year round rabbit dog training area. As proposed, this area would be closed for rabbit hunting only, deer hunting and turkey hunting would be allowed. Mr. Moore also stated that this issue was discussed as an agenda item at the meeting last month and minutes were sent allowing the public time for any
comments.
After discussion, Mr. Montague made a motion to establish a
year-round rabbit dog training area at Milford Neck for a period of one
year. The motion was seconded by Mr. Higgins and voted unanimously. Mr. Montague also requested that the area could be posted and marked clearly.
Agenda Item 3. Small Game Season Proposal (Greg Moore).
Mr. Moore presented a small game season proposal using
transparencies. Mr. Lem Hudson gave a presentation last month to the Advisory Council to increase opportunities for raccoon and grey squirrel hunting. Mr. Hudson had two suggestions for raccoon hunting. One suggestion was to have a year-round training area and the second suggestion was to do away with the 7:00 PM to midnight time limit during the December and January deer seasons. Mr. Moore reported that the Division already has the authority to establish dog training areas on private land according to Title 7, Chapter 17, Section 1721 according to the following conditions:
Minimum of 100 acres and no more than 250 acres
Application must be filed with the Division
20 members that are citizens of Delaware
$10 Fee
Mr. Moore stated that if these criteria are met, then the Division would
issue the permit to establish a dog training area on private land that can
be used year-round. Mr. Moore also stated that Mr. Hudson was concerned that these sites were hard to find due to the amount of new developments. Mr. Hudson wanted the authority to be able to train at any site as long as he had permission from the landowner. Mr. Moore stated that the Division currently does not have this authority and that a legislative change to the statute would be required.
Mr. Moore also discussed Mr. Hudson’s suggestions for
changes to the squirrel season:
1. Extend the opening season from November 21 to February 28. Note that
the rabbit, pheasant and quail seasons are run through deer shotgun
seasons.
2. Allow the use of 22 rim fire rifles in all seasons.
3. Open a year-round training season on private land only with the
permission of the landowner statewide.
Mr. Moore reviewed the current gray squirrel regulations
relative to these issues. Mr. Moore suggested that the Division formulate
a response to Mr. Hudson’s concerns and present the proposal at the September Advisory Council Meeting.
Agenda Item 4. 4H Youth Hunt (Greg Moore).
Mr. Moore introduced Mr. Jim Kimble from the 4H Shooting
Sports Program. Mr. Moore was approached by Mr. Kimble and his group to use the waterfowl blinds at Port Mahon impoundments for a mentored hunt. Mr. Kimble distributed information explaining the program. He stated that this program was open to all youth who have an interest. Every instructor is certified and is covered by insurance. A program on hunting along with hunting safety would be mandatory prior to the hunt. There would beapproximately 20 youth that would participate in the program. The hunt would be a half day hunt to take place in the morning hours during the youth waterfowl hunting day. Blinds 10 – 14 at the Port Mahon impoundments would be used and in exchange for the use of the blinds the group offered to grass the blinds. A blind reeding event would take place on the site.
A safety training certificate would be provided along with lunch.
Recordkeeping books will be encouraged to be filled out to be used for
entering any 4H contests. This mentored hunt would offer life skill
developments for youth.
Mr. Moore stated that this would be a way to encourage and
recruit new young hunters into the population. His only concern would be that advertising should be done well enough in advance in order not to exclude anybody from this hunting opportunity or we could be in violation of our federal aid program. Mr. Moore stated that he supported the 4H program because of their association with the hunter safety program.
Mr. Kimble was commended by Mr. Palmer for his excellent
work in youth hunter safety programs.
A motion was made by Mr. Montague, seconded by Mr. Palmer and voted unanimously to support the 4H youth hunting at Port Mahon this year and review the program next year.
Agenda Item 5. Legislation (Director Pat Emory).
Director Pat Emory provided a summary of the following
legislation:
1. H.B. 423 – Sponsored by Representative Outten and others. This bill
expands the red fox hunting season with gun to include Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Thursdays during the January deer hunting season.
This bill has passed the House.
2. H.B. 387 – Sponsored by Representative Atkins and others. This bill
allows farmers suffering crop damage to shoot animals to protect
their property. A committee has been formed to establish threshold.
This bill is still in Committee.
3. H.B. 520 – Sponsored by Representative Booth and Senator Venables.
This bill adds fees for vessel for hires and increases non-resident
fishing license. A special session was held today at 1:00 PM in the
House Natural Resources Committee.
4. H.B. 525 – Sponsored by Representative Booth and Senator Venables.
This bill lowers the age a person can hunt with a licensed hunter
without a license and increase the general hunting license fee. This
bill also adds fees for a Junior and non-resident junior license.
The bill also increases non-resident hunting license fees and adds a
guide license fee and a public lands access fee. This bill passed
the House and will go the Senate for vote.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A new Advisory Council member, Mr. Wayne Steele, was
introduced by Greg Moore. Mr. Steele was congratulated and welcomed by Chairman Healey and the other Council members.
A field trip with the Advisory Council was scheduled for
July 25th at noon at Ommelanden.
AGENDA FOR THE 8/8/06 ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING
This meeting will be solely for setting the waterfowl
seasons for 2006-2007.
There being no further business, a motion was made, seconded and carried that the meeting be adjourned at 9:00 PM.
Sincerely,
(Embedded image moved to file: pic00041.jpg)
Karen Kennedy
Recording Secretary
07-19-2006, 10:41 PM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Slower Lower Delaware 1st State
Posts: 1,776
RE: June DNREC Meeting Mins (DE)
I'm just glad HB 387 did not pass.I heard there is alot of apposition.
All the rest I can live with.Might even help deer hunting - at least adjacent to where I hunt
All the rest I can live with.Might even help deer hunting - at least adjacent to where I hunt
07-22-2006, 02:59 PM
#4
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wilmington Delaware USA
Posts: 699
RE: June DNREC Meeting Mins (DE)
Has any one herd of any changes on using a hand gun this season.
