Comments About The Strategic Vision Process- The Case for Hunting By Anthony Canales March 7, 2012...

Comments About The Strategic Vision Process-

The Case for Hunting

ByAnthony Canales

March 7, 2012 Revision

Two Key Points of Presentation

1) The hunting of game is an ongoing heritage from Man’s Hunter- Gatherer tradition and philosophy, and needs to be an

integral component of the Strategic Vision Program.

2) Hunting can be regulated to account for population changes of

species, reduce natural predation to protect ESA Species, and

otherwise scientifically manage wildlife, unlike natural

predation where predators prey upon female ungulates and/or

their young year-round.

a) Mountain lions as a case example- Proper management

can assist the DFG in accomplishing other worthwhile

goals.

Point Number 1: Hunter-Gatherer Tradition

• The Hunter-Gatherer Tradition predates all forms of agriculture, and has been practiced by numerous adherents from pre-history to this very day…


…Which Even Includes The Activities Of

The Early Vegetarians


• When properly managed, modern hunting is a sustainable practice that can be more merciful to

prey species than natural forms of predation.


• In the Hunter-Gatherer Tradition, man is an integral part of the Nature’s Predator- Prey relationship, rather than the detachment of being a wildlife “observer”.

Point Number 2: Modern Management Benefits of Hunting

• Modern Scientific Management using hunting as a tool has allowed for the restoration of species adversely affected by past market hunting practices

Point Number 2: Modern Management Benefits of Hunting

•Modern Scientific Management using hunting as a tool generates the revenues that are critical for biological study, habitat management, and providing for enforcement logistics.

Point Number 2: Moutain Lions As A Case Study

• Of US WAFWA Member States with measureable Mountain Lion populations, California is the only state that limits mountain lion hunting to government-approved hunters with depredation permits- 140-150 mountain lions depredated per year in CA.

• Other states with mountain lion hunting AND depredation control programs continue to have robust mountain lion populations

Examples: Oregon Fish & Wildlife – Annual quota of 777

mountain lions

Idaho Fish & Game - USDA-APHIS controls for few

lions per year

Point Number 2: Mountain Lions As A Case Study

• Mountain lions prey on a wide variety of wildlife in California, but primarily prey on ungulates

• Mountain lions are known to prey upon Listed Endangered Species

Examples- Peninsular Big Horned Sheep (Boyce et al 2009)

California Condors (Rideout et al 2012)

Point Number 2:Mountain Lions As A Case Study

• Current Mountain Lion Populations in California Are Estimated to Be 4000-6000 statewide (CA DFG).

• Mountain Lions Are Estimated To Consume 1 Ungulate Every

7-8 Days (Oregon DFW 2006 Cougar Management Plan).

• In California, 4000-6000 mountain lions could thus be estimated to consume some 180,000- 270,000 ungulates each year

• By way of Comparison- Lawful hunters reported taking

16,088 deer in the 2009 California Deer Season


Permit-based Control of Mountain lions is Sustainable, based upon current levels in California and Other States-

Number of Mountain lions controlled per DFG permit statewide-

1972 to 1990 prior Prop 117 - 520

1991 to 2009 post Prop 117 - 1846

% increase depredation permit

mountain lions controlled,

post-Prop 117, baseline 1972- 355%


Permit-based Control of Mountain lions is Sustainable, based upon current levels in California and Other States-

Select County Control Data, Post Prop 117, compared to Baseline 1972-2009 (Depredation Post Prop 117 over total, then %):

San Diego- 39/44, 88.64%

Mendocino- 253/317, 79.81%

Napa- 81/82, 98.78%

Sonoma- 68/72, 94.44%

Lake- 34/49, 69.39%

Monterey- 43/79, 54.43%

S.L. Obispo- 54/82, 65.85%

Kern- 51/74, 68.92%

San Diego- 39/44, 88.64%


Recommendations For Consideration & Study Under An Eco-System-Based, “Holistic” Approach:

•To Protect Listed Endangered Species•To Reduce Predation on Ungulates So as To Justify Increased Tag Quotas Which Will Enhance DFG Revenues

and•Because Prop 117 Prohibits Sport Hunting of Mountain Lions,

Permit an Increase of State Depredation Permits and Utilization of USDA-APHIS-provided services to reduce Mountain lion populations in ESA Critical Areas and Condor Country On the Order of some 300-400 mountain lions.

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