ADVISORY COUNCIL ON WILDLIFE & FRESHWATER FISH MINUTES

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2010

Richardson and Robbins Building Auditorium

89 Kings Highway, Dover, Delaware

Phone 302-739-9912, FAX 302-739-6157

ADVISORY COUNCIL DIVISION OF FISH & WILDLIFE PUBLIC

1. Edward A. Montague, Chair (Absent) 1. Pat Emory 1 Visitor

2. J. Richard Berry, Vice Chair 2. Ken Reynolds

3. Ted Palmer 3. Rob Hossler

4. Charles H. Golt 4. David Blaasch

5. Al Townsend 5. Bill Dugent

6. Raymond F. Burris 6. Matt DiBona

7. Robert C. Nichols

8. Neal Dukes

9. Garrett Grier, Jr.

Taped micro-cassettes of this meeting are available for listening at the Richardson & Robbins Building in Dover. For further information contact the Wildlife Section at (302) 739-9912.

The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Rick Berry at 7:30 PM.

Agenda Item 1. Approval of Minutes (Vice Chairman Berry).

A motion was made and voted unanimously to approve the August 10, 2010 minutes as written.

Agenda Item 2. Hunter Education Update (Bill Dugent).

Bill Dugent provided an update on the Hunter Education Program. It was noted that hunter education programs are now found in all 50 States and several foreign countries. There is a movement by the International Hunter Education Association to make hunter education similar across all states and countries. Mr. Dugent reviewed the online hunter education options and the associated field day that students are required to take. He also discussed the waiver of liability that is required of all students due to the live fire requirement that now accompanies the hunter education basic course. A demonstration was conducted of the Hunter Education Module that can be found on the Division’s web site at www.fw.delaware.gov.

Agenda Item 3. Quail Counts (Matt DiBona).

Matt DiBona updated the Advisory Council on recent developments in the Division’s bobwhite quail monitoring program. The Division recently completed a cooperative research project with the University of Delaware. Ken Duren, a graduate student with the University of Delaware, developed a predictive habitat occupancy model for northern bobwhite in Delaware and produced a map for the Division highlighting areas of the state where quail are likely to be present based on available land cover data and habitat associations. Using Duren’s fieldwork as a starting point, the Division has developed an ongoing bobwhite monitoring program. In 2010, biologists ran 10 survey routes, each containing 9 survey points, to detect whistling males. Bobwhite were detected at 14/90 points, along 7/10 routes. The number of points where bobwhites were detected was less than what Duren found during his fieldwork in 2008/2009. Mr. DiBona explained this was likely a combination of a severe winter that depressed the local population and the timing of the Division surveys (mid-July) which may have missed the peak of breeding activity. The Division intends to continue this monitoring effort next year, with the intent of running each route at least once in June and once in July. Having additional replicates should increase detection of quail along each route.

Agenda Item 4. Milford Neck Dove Fields/Management (Director Pat Emory).

Director Pat Emory reviewed the management of the Milford Neck dove field and noted that there has been some controversy over the location of the field. We have to keep the gate closed on the access road because of vandalism. This closure means dove hunters have almost a ½ mile walk to get to the sunflower field. It was noted that plans are in place to move the dove field much closer to the parking lot making access much easier for hunters. Directory Emory also pointed out on an aerial photograph, the site on the creek east of the sewage treatment plant where some hunters want access to launch boats. It was noted that at low tide this area is just a mud flat. This site was never intended to be a launch location. Council members were taken to this site during a recent field trip and agree with the Division that this should not be used as a boat launch site.

Agenda Item 5. Goose Banding in Canada (Rob Hossler).

Rob Hossler reviewed the Atlantic Canada Goose Cooperative Research Program. This program began in 1997 and involves 13 states, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Canadian Wildlife Service, Canadian Provinces, the Makivik Corporation and various NGO’s. The program involves an annual breeding pair survey, a productivity survey and assessment and a Canadian pre-season banding program to assess survival/mortality. Delaware contributes $14,952 annually to the program. Mr. Hossler participated in the pre-season banding this year and presented a slide show of the banding activities. He also pointed out that there were 154,028 breeding pairs this year which was the lowest in 9 years but reproductive success was slightly better than average so goose numbers should be the similar or maybe just slightly less than last year. Mr. Hossler noted that there is concern regarding the decline in the population growth rate in recent years.

AGENDA FOR THE 10/26/2010 ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING

1.  Approval of Minutes (Chairman Montague).

2.  Management of the Poplar Thicket Property – Assawoman Wildlife Area (Staff).

3.  Impoundment Management (Staff).

4.  Cyber Data (Rob Hossler & Joe Rogerson).

There being no further business, a motion was made, seconded and carried that the meeting be adjourned at 9:08 PM.

Sincerely,

Karen Kennedy

Recording Secretary