Outdoor Notes / Earl Gustkey : U.S. Agency Wins Lead-Shot Suit

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will proceed with its five-year plan to ban the use of lead shot in waterfowl hunting areas by 1991, after winning this week’s battle in federal court with the National Wildlife Federation.

The federation had claimed in its court suit that the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act both require the Fish and Wildlife Service to ban lead shot immediately, or beginning with the 1986 fall waterfowl hunting seasons. But U.S. District Judge Edward Garcia in Sacramento ruled that the service’s plan to begin a gradual phase-out of lead shot starting in 1987 did not violate federal law.

At issue is the belief by biologists that spent lead shot in waterfowl hunting areas is responsible for significant numbers of cases of waterfowl and bald eagle lead poisoning. Garcia, according to Fish and Wildlife Service lawyers, said the National Wildlife Federation wanted “too much, too soon.”

William Horn, assistant Interior Secretary for fish, wildlife and parks, said he was pleased that “the dismissal puts this issue back in the hands of professional resource managers instead of leaving it up to lawyers and courts.”

Hunting groups are split on the issue, with some arguing that the alternative to lead shot, steel, carries less velocity and would cripple more birds.

About 300 professional bass fishermen are expected to compete in the U.S. Open pro bass tournament at Lake Mead July 11-19. At stake is a $50,000 first-place prize and fully rigged bass boats, awarded daily to the pro catching the day’s biggest largemouth bass.

The hunting season for brush, cottontail and pigmy rabbits and varying hare began Tuesday and runs through Jan. 25. Larry McKibbon, Department of Fish and Game coordinator of upland game, predicted good shooting for hunters.

“Lots of rain, especially in the desert areas, has produced abundant green feed,” McKibbon said. “Conditions have been ideal, just right for good rabbit production.”

Favored areas for Southland hunters are Perris Lake and Cleveland National Forest in western Riverside County, the northern foothill areas of Angeles National Forest and southwest of the California Aqueduct in Antelope Valley, both in Los Angeles County.

Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, and the bag limit is five per day, five in possession in the aggregate of all species statewide, except for Lassen, Modoc, Shasta and Siskiyou counties, where the limits are 10 and 10.

There is no bag or possession limit on jackrabbits and the season is open all year.

A San Luis Obispo County jury recently found three commercial fishermen guilty of grand theft and receiving stolen property.

Donald Kenneth Worth of Los Osos and his sons--Fred Arthur Worth of Los Osos and Frank Kenneth Worth of Santa Maria--were convicted of felony grand theft. The case began when San Luis Obispo area crab fishermen complained to game wardens that someone was stealing their crab traps, costing about $50 each. State game wardens Drew Brandy and Eric Wang asked the fishermen to place secret markings on their traps.

Eventually, armed with enough evidence to obtain search warrants, the three Worths were found to be in possession of 69 stolen traps.

Superior Court Judge Barry Hammer set July 28 as the sentencing date.

Briefly The Eastern Sierra packing season is open, with most high trails clear of impassable snow. . . . California deer hunter tag applications must be received by the DFG by 5 p.m. Tuesday. . . . The 40.8-mile-long Moloka’i Hoe Canoe Race is scheduled for Oct. 12, beginning at Hale-O-Lono Harbor near Laau Point, Molokai. . . . The Angeles National Forest office in Arcadia reminds weekend visitors that possession and/or use of fireworks in the forest is illegal. . . . Carol Ann Heryford of Cedarville, Calif., was convicted in an Arizona court recently for the illegal trapping of a golden eagle--which resulted in its death--and fined $510. . . . The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Navy has begun a roundup of red foxes from the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge and the National Weapons Station at Seal Beach. The action is designed to protect two endangered bird species, California least terns and light-footed clapper rails. The foxes will be live-trapped and turned over to the Animal Protection Institute of Sacramento. . . . John Dodd of Banning posted the highest California mule deer (227.7 points) score in recent awards by the Southern California Deer Hunters. . . . Showtime: California Gun & Collectors’ Show July 12-13, Los Angeles County Fairgrounds. . . . Nevada deer tag application deadline is Wednesday.