From: "Willam Heins"
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 6:59 PM
Subject: Fw: Tule Elk Hunt for Us


 Hi All


 I know that this is short notice but you can telephone. The Ca F&G for years has been after archers to put in for more draw hunts. The fee for  the applications are non-refundable and the funds become, " Black  hole" money which can be used as discretionary funding for whatever  projects they want at the time. We do need to keep pressure on the Tulle  and Roosevelt elk hunts for archers. Take some time and drop a dime to F&G.


Bill



 From: "Greg L Silva" <gregsilva@sbcglobal.net
 Sent: Monday, March 26, 2007 6:37 PM
 Subject: Tule Elk Hunt for Us


 Sir Joe, Dick, and William,

 Lost your email addresses temporarily.  Have an emergency issue. Please help!!!!!!!!!!   Fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I called John Fisher today and talked with him about  the "canceling" of archery hunts for Owens Valley elk.  He was polite, but seemingly disgruntled about all the phone calls and emails he was recently receiving!  He said he isn't the one to "target".  He also stated the issue is there is simply more demand for elk tags from rifle hunters than from archers, that is the reason for the change.  I didn't feel up to getting into it over the phone, but, the issue is NOT there is more demand for elk tags from archers versus rifle hunters!  Of course, there is more demand from the rifle hunter, THERE ARE MORE OF THEM!  Give the rifle hunters more tags, fine, but, DON'T CANCEL THE ARCHER'S OPPORTUNITY TO GET A TAG, that is the issue.

Please email anyone you can and send them this message.  Please write a brief statement supporting archers' rights to hunt Tule Elk in the Owens Valley, CA.  Do not send it to jfisher, send your concern to the Fish and Game Commission at fgc@fgc.ca.gov before March 28th.  Please.

Address your email to the Fish and Game Commission, try Dear Commissioners.

Here is a sample letter from a friend.  I seriously object to any decision that decreases the number of Archery Hunters from the Owen Valley Public Land area. Reducing the archers is a step backwards.  There has never been a conflict between archers and rifles. Eliminating the archers to allow more rifles takes away from true hunting.  I would suggest 10-15 archers instead of 5 and see if that helps reduce the herd. You can also work out a  system to allow archers first and then more rifle  hunters later.

Sincerely,

A business letter should include your name and address.  The number of emails is more important than the details of your letter, simply support archery hunt  opportunities for now and for our kids future.

Sincerely,

Greg.

PS.  Here is the original communication.

I just received this email from Cliff, who got it via the "waves". It originated from Jerry Maytum.  Please read it and do what it asks all of us to do.  Once the government eliminates a hunt, it never comes back!  Please help.

From: Jerry Maytum
Subject: Tule elk
Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 18:52:47 +0000
To all hunters,

I just got off the phone with Joe Hobbs, the Head elk  biologist  in Ca. He said the region has recommended the elimination of the Owens Valley archery only hunt because the archers are not taking enough elk. Since the Tinnemaha herd is 3 times bigger than desired, they need to balance the herd quickly. Rifle hunters are the most efficient way to accomplish the task. I agree the rifle hunters have a greater success rate. I asked him to raise the number from 5 archery tags to 10 instead of eliminating the season. The archers would then take more elk and have more opportunity to be in the field. The Owens Valley, from Lone Pine to Bishop, could hold 20 archers easily. He felt putting more people in the field would not be fair to the rifle hunters. The rifle hunters are not complaining but the Fish and Game needs to make it more fair to them.  Why change it if there are no complaints? I stressed the point that opportunities are being taken away from archers. This is one of the few hunts where Tule Elk can be taken on public land.


The commission has a teleconference meeting on March 28th. We need to make our voices heard to the
commission before the meeting takes place. Let them know you do not agree with the elimination of archery tags. You cannot take more animals by reducing the  number of tags available. The person to contact is John Fisher.  His phone number is 916-653-6184.  Call him to express your opinion. Then, e-mail him at jfisher@fgc.ca.gov, and let him know in writing. The odds of getting the season reinstated will depend on the amount of public input they receive. Please forward this to everyone you know and encourage them to e-mail.

 

Thanks,

Jerry

 Here is my letter to the F&GC.

 Fish and Game Commissioners,

 I am writing with concerns about suggestions,   considerations, and proposals that could decrease the number of archery hunters from the Owen Valley Tule Elk hunts. Reducing the number of available archery tags and archery hunting opportunities is not in the best interest of future generation hunters, current archers, or the management of the Tule Elk herd.  With the increased urban population in California, and decrease in the traditions of hunting, coupled with the illogical approaches of game management by antihunters; we need to support the archery hunting community in every way possible.  If the concern is an increase in demand from rifle hunters, then increase their tag numbers, but not at the expense of archery tags!  If the concern is management of the elk numbers, great, increase all weapons use opportunities.   Please make decisions based on constituent's concerns, game management, and hunter opportunities.

 I am a retired professional educator, a taxpayer, a voter, and an archer since 1975.  I am looking forward to applying for an Owens Valley elk tag this year, and harvesting a Tule Elk.

 Thank you,

 Sincerely,

 Greg Silva