Commission adopts furbearer regulations and directs further look at beaver management, June 16

SALEM, Ore.—After several hours of testimony during its meeting Friday, June 12, the Commission directed ODFW staff to work with stakeholders to look more closely at beaver management. Commissioners will provide more focus on the scope of the review at the July meeting. The Commission heard testimony from about 60 people discussing beaver management and trapping, and a public proposal to ban beaver trapping on federal lands. Commissioners voted 5-1 in favor of adopting the staff proposed 2020-22 furbearer regulations while voting unanimously to ask staff to review trap check time requirements and return with a proposal to possibly change rules no later than January 2021. The Commission approved several grants for Access and Habitat projects that allow public hunting access on private land or improve wildlife habitat. It also approved the 2021 special big game auction and raffle tags, which generate revenue used to fund wildlife management, research, habitat plus hunter access to private land. Finally, the Commission appointed Morgan Olson of Cove and reappointed Candis Yow of La Pine as Hunter Representatives on the statewide Access and Habitat Board. On June 11, ODFW hosted an online workshop for Fish and Wildlife Commissioners to discuss how the Department considers changing climate and ocean conditions in fish and wildlife management and the provisions of a draft Climate and Ocean Change Policy. Details of the policy will be addressed and the public will have an opportunity to comment during the July 10 Commission meeting. The Fish and Wildlife Commission is the policy making body for fish and wildlife issues in Oregon. Its public meetings are now online-only due to the COVID-19 virus. The next meeting will by July 10.