1. Comments About The Strategic Vision Process- The Case for Hunting By Anthony Canales March 7, 2012 Revision

2. Two Key Points of Presentation 1)The hunting of game is an ongoing heritage from Man’s Hunter- Gatherer tradition and philosophy, and needs to be an integral component of the Strategic Vision Program. 2) Hunting can be regulated to account for population changes of species, reduce natural predation to protect ESA Species, and otherwise scientifically manage wildlife, unlike natural predation where predators prey upon female ungulates and/or their young year-round. a) Mountain lions as a case example- Proper management can assist the DFG in accomplishing other worthwhile goals.

3. Point Number 1: Hunter-Gatherer Tradition The Hunter-Gatherer Tradition predates all forms of agriculture, and has been practiced by numerous adherents from pre-history to this very day…

4. Point Number 1: Hunter-Gatherer Tradition …Which Even Includes The Activities Of The Early Vegetarians

5. Point Number 1: Hunter-Gatherer Tradition When properly managed, modern hunting is a sustainable practice that can be more merciful to prey species than natural forms of predation.

6. Point Number 1: Hunter-Gatherer Tradition In the Hunter-Gatherer Tradition, man is an integral part of the Nature’s Predator- Prey relationship, rather than the detachment of being a wildlife “observer”.

7. Point Number 2: Modern Management Benefits of Hunting Modern Scientific Management using hunting as a tool has allowed for the restoration of species adversely affected by past market hunting practices

8. Point Number 2: Modern Management Benefits of Hunting Modern Scientific Management using hunting as a tool generates the revenues that are critical for biological study, habitat management, and providing for enforcement logistics.

9. Point Number 2: Moutain Lions As A Case Study Of US WAFWA Member States with measureable Mountain Lion populations, California is the only state that limits mountain lion hunting to government-approved hunters with depredation permits- 140-150 mountain lions depredated per year in CA. Other states with mountain lion hunting AND depredation control programs continue to have robust mountain lion populations Examples: Oregon Fish & Wildlife – Annual quota of 777 mountain lions Idaho Fish & Game - USDA-APHIS controls for few lions per year

10. Point Number 2: Mountain Lions As A Case Study Mountain lions prey on a wide variety of wildlife in California, but primarily prey on ungulates Mountain lions are known to prey upon Listed Endangered Species Examples- Peninsular Big Horned Sheep (Boyce et al 2009) California Condors (Rideout et al 2012)

11. Point Number 2:Mountain Lions As A Case Study Current Mountain Lion Populations in California Are Estimated to Be 4000-6000 statewide (CA DFG). Mountain Lions Are Estimated To Consume 1 Ungulate Every 7-8 Days (Oregon DFW 2006 Cougar Management Plan). In California, 4000-6000 mountain lions could thus be estimated to consume some 180,000- 270,000 ungulates each year By way of Comparison- Lawful hunters reported taking 16,088 deer in the 2009 California Deer Season

12. Point Number 2: Mountain Lions As A Case Study Permit-based Control of Mountain lions is Sustainable, based upon current levels in California and Other States- Number of Mountain lions controlled per DFG permit statewide- 1972 to 1990 prior Prop 117 - 520 1991 to 2009 post Prop 117 - 1846 % increase depredation permit mountain lions controlled, post-Prop 117, baseline 1972- 355%

13. Point Number 2: Mountain Lions As A Case Study Permit-based Control of Mountain lions is Sustainable, based upon current levels in California and Other States- Select County Control Data, Post Prop 117, compared to Baseline 1972-2009 (Depredation Post Prop 117 over total, then %): San Diego- 39/44, 88.64% Mendocino- 253/317, 79.81% Napa- 81/82, 98.78% Sonoma- 68/72, 94.44% Lake- 34/49, 69.39% Monterey- 43/79, 54.43% S.L. Obispo- 54/82, 65.85% Kern- 51/74, 68.92% San Diego- 39/44, 88.64%

14. Point Number 2: Mountain Lions As A Case Study Recommendations For Consideration & Study Under An Eco- System-Based, “Holistic” Approach: To Protect Listed Endangered Species To Reduce Predation on Ungulates So as To Justify Increased Tag Quotas Which Will Enhance DFG Revenues and Because Prop 117 Prohibits Sport Hunting of Mountain Lions, Permit an Increase of State Depredation Permits and Utilization of USDA-APHIS-provided services to reduce Mountain lion populations in ESA Critical Areas and Condor Country On the Order of some 300-400 mountain lions.