ODFW looking forward to hearing hunting stories.

Byline: INSIDE THE OUTDOORS By Mike Stahlberg The Register-Guard

Fishing season it may be, but hunting is in the news - including a new reporting system, new rules governing farm-reared deer and elk, and 2008-09 big game hunting proposals.

For starters, the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife has activated its long-anticipated "Mandatory Hunter Reporting System."

Everyone who bought a tag for any Oregon deer, elk, pronghorn, cougar, black bear or turkey hunt in 2007 is requested to report by June 1 - whether or not they were successful or even hunted. Information on 2007 harvests will help shape the 2008 hunting tag allocations.

People with 2008 tags are asked to report after their hunt ends, but not sooner than June 1.

Information gathered by the new reporting system will improve the quality and quantity of hunter harvest information and, in turn, big game management, according to ODFW game program manager Tom Thornton,

"To successfully assess game populations and provide all the recreational opportunities we can, we need accurate and timely information," he said. "We have tried to make the reporting system as convenient as possible so it's easy for hunters to participate."

Reports may be submitted either by telephoning an automated system (1-866-947-6339) that will talk you through the reporting process, or by logging on to the Hunter Resource section of the ODFW Web site (www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/reporting/index.asp).

Have the following information at hand when you call or log on: your Oregon Hunter/Angler ID number (it's located on all ODFW licenses, tags and applications); the two-digit Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) number of the unit you hunted (if the hunt area included more than one WMU, use the number of the one in which you hunted most); the total number of days hunted (including any days spent mentoring youth hunters); and the number of days hunted in the WMU you hunted most often.

"We would like all hunters to use the new system to report their hunting activity," said Thornton. "Even if you received a survey phone call from ODFW this year, we would like you to try out the new system."

Holders of bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goat tags do not have to report, as those hunters are required to physically check out of the hunt area.

Careful readers will notice use of the word "requested" in reference to so-called "mandatory" reporting. While the regulations do require reporting, the ODFW says no penalties (or incentives) will be provided "for this year" because the system is new.

And while officials say they hope penalties never become necessary, it doesn't take much imagination to foresee a system under which you won't be allowed to purchase this year's tag until you've filed last year's report.

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted earlier this month to prohibit elk and deer ranchers from knowingly selling "shooter bulls" to facilities in states that allow hunting of privately held wildlife.

"Any kind of hunting operation that is not under the guise of fair chase is a threat to the fraternity of hunting," said Dan Edge, commission vice-chair.

Some U.S. game ranchers apparently sell some of their trophy bulls to private preserves, which in turn sell "hunts" to individuals.

The rule prohibiting Oregon elk ranchers from supplying this market was included in an overhaul of the state's cervid ranching rules.

Those rules continue to ban the import of live deer or elk, to guard against Chronic Wasting Disease and other ailments that have hit public and private herds in other states.

However, the commission opted against requiring double-fencing of elk ranches in Oregon. Instead, its staff was directed to investigate alternative means of improving security - and protecting the genetic purity of wild herds.

Lane County-area hunters next week will get a chance to comment on proposals for 2008 big game tag allocations and 2009 big game regulations.

The ODFW will host a public meeting on those topics May 6 at the Department of Forestry Building, 3150 E. Main St., Springfield (across the parking lot from the local ODFW office.) The meeting starts at 7 p.m.

Biologists will provide information about herd health and populations, go over the number of controlled big game hunting tags proposed for this fall, and review concepts for 2009 big game regulations.

Mike Stahlberg can be reached at [e-mail].