From: mesrx!web037@uunet.UU.NET (Bill Braden)
Newsgroups: rec.hunting
Subject: Re: Hunting in California
Date: 28 Aug 92 16:24:37 GMT
Organization: Measurex, Corporation    "The Results Company"
Originator: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu

In article <1992Aug6.072912.13550@doug.cae.wisc.edu> smrtstr!syspb@uu.psi.com (Paul) writes:
>It is hard to find a good place to hunt in California, that isn't on
>private land.  Everywhere you go there are signs that say 'no hunting',
>'no shooting' and 'no trespassing'.

This is a pretty inacurate statment. There are several million acres of
public land in California. Actually around 1/3 third of the state is
either National forest or BLM land almost all of which can be hunted.
In addition the DFG operates many state wildlife areas which are open to
hunting, 80 at last count. Then there are about 9 national wildlife
refuges which are open to hunting and at least 3 Military bases.  If you
cannot find a place to hunt in this state, you are not trying.  You may
need to drive a little. You don't find good places to hunt just outside
town like you might in some other states but in California you take the
freeway just to get to the bathroom so driving a few miles to find a
hunting spot should not be a problem.

>                                     I saw on the news last night that
>the state is paying alot of money for varmint control.  They said that
>they are paying way too much.  With the state budget defecit in the
>millions, they are trying to cut back.
>

Interesting I would like to have seen that report.  I have read some
reports about problems with wild pigs but nothing about varmit control.
By the way that state budget defecit is in the millions with a "B",
around 12 Billion last I heard.

>Why don't they open more areas to hunting?  Let private citizens go 
>and hunt the varmints for free.  It wouldn't cost the state a penny, and
>they would actually make money from issuing more hunting licenses.

The state cannot dictate what people do to their private land.  A lot
of private land owners have had so much trouble on their land that they
no longer allow hunters on it or at least post it so that only people
that they know and trust can hunt there.   With California's population
over 30 million there are bound to be more than a few bad apples.
Remember, It only takes one bad experince for a land owner to close
their land.  Have you tried aproching your near by friendly farmer and
asking him if you can hunt his land?  If you use the right approch you
just might be supprised.

>I have bought a hunting license the last 3 years in a row, and didn't 
>get anything. I had to pay $24 last year, and the only thing I shot 
>was a stink bug.  Most of the state parks don't allow shooting.  Guns
>have to be unloaded while you hike through state parks into forest service
>land.

It is true that we do pay high prices for a a hunting license in
this state, I cannot argue with you there.

State parks are set aside for another purpose and frankly I would not
like to take my children on a camping and hiking trip to an area that
had hunters in it.

>There is a problem with mountain lion attacks in the last few years, but
>they are protected.  It seems like California is run by a bunch of 'save
>the endangered species'-'anti gun'-'environmentalist' types.  They would
>rather see a few innocent people atacked, than let hunters enjoy their
>sport.  

I believe it was in 1990 or 91 that the bambi-nazis were able to pass a
referendum banning the hunting of Mountian Lions.  I believe there have
been several attacks since then.  There will be a lot more as the lion
population grows and they move into more urban fringe areas.  I heard
recently of a lion being sighted about 3 miles from where I work, on a
trail that I jog on regularly.  Does that scare me?  No but I would not
let my 2 year old wonder around up there.

>        If more areas were open to hunting and shooting legally, there
>probably wouldn't be so many drive-by and freeway shootings.  Why don't
>they provide more places for hunting and shooting legally?  Give the
>law abiding shooters who buy licenses a break. 

Outragous statment.  I will not add to the flame on this one but it
deseves all the heat it gets.



Bill Braden
braden_b@measurex.com
!uunet!mesrx!bbraden            "Onward Through The Fog"
--------------------------------------------------------------
Any opinions expressed belong to me not Measurex.
--------------------------------------------------------------