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Future of waterfowling up for debate
If ever there was a time for Tri-City waterfowlers to stand up and be heard - it's now.
And, if ever there was an opportunity for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to take a stand in support of waterfowl hunters - that time is now, as well.
On Feb. 15, sportsmen have their first opportunity to comment on the future management of the service's Three Rivers Unit (Peninsula, Two Rivers and Wallula areas) of the McNary National Wildlife Refuge in Burbank. The federal agency, which also operates the McNary Wildlife Refuge, took control last year of the three popular hunting areas, which stretch from Burbank to Wallula.
Dave Linehan, deputy project leader for the Mid-Columbia River Refuges in Pasco, said the goal of the 7 p.m. meeting at the Columbia-Burbank Middle School commons, 835 Maple St., will be to listen to what hunters and others have to say, as well as outline what refuge officials envision.
"We do have some ideas on what we'd like to see on these lands, including upland and wetland improvements, but we'll be looking at everything from hunt day regulations to parking," he said.
Gary Hagedorn, manager of the Mid-Columbia River Refuges, said he expects a strong showing of sportsmen and plans to break the audience into four groups for
20-minute sessions on each wildlife area, including McNary Refuge. Any decisions regarding the four units will be made by Hagedorn within a couple of months.
That fact that the Fish and Wildlife Service intends to listen to sportsmen is encouraging, especially considering that the regulations and management policies of the Peninsula, Two Rivers and Wallula units were established decades ago.
However, much has changed.
The Tri-City region is a much more populous than when I started waterfowl hunting here nearly 20 years ago.
Today, the Mid-Columbia is a destination spot for waterfowl hunters from across the state. However, as many are keenly aware, no new hunting areas have been created. In fact, areas that were once open to hunting have been closed on the whim of a city or county vote.
The sad fact of waterfowling today is that too many hunters are competing for too few sites, while the waterfowl they seek cavort safely out of reach on numerous state and federal game reserves and refuges. These off-limits areas, it's important to note, also were established using decades-old science.
I doubt many hunters would advocate abandoning all refuges for the sake of more hunting areas, but sportsmen certainly deserve a shot at a more quality hunting experience.
Expanded opportunity and higher-caliber hunting are two issues veteran hunter Steve Schultz of Burbank would like to see addressed on federal refuge lands.
Schultz, a waterfowl hunter for about 36 years, says the agency has the chance to do something positive for sportsmen and wildlife.
"There has been no real waterfowl management of any of these units for years," he said. "Now, the Fish and Wildlife Service can actually do something to improve hunting, such as planting crops and improving wetlands to attract and keep birds in our area."
Schultz also supports expanding hunting opportunities on the Peninsula and elsewhere as a way to avoid overcrowding.
Currently, the Peninsula is open to waterfowl hunting only Fridays through Mondays.
"If you choose to hunt, say on Tuesdays and Thursdays, you're virtually locked into hunting only a few public spots, including Two Rivers, which is being hunted to death," he said.
Also likely to be in attendance will be a contingent from the Richland Rod and Gun Club. President Bill Lambert said members have been urged to attend the Burbank meeting.
"We're going to discuss the issue briefly at our general meeting on Feb. 6," Lambert said. "Right now, though, we haven't taken any stands because we don't really know what the Fish and Wildlife Service has in mind. But the club's position has always been to enhance the area's environment and habitat for the benefit of all wildlife and to maximize opportunities for wildlife oriented recreation, including hunting."
Now, it's time to wait and see.
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