Pending* Minutes of Meeting
OHA State Board of Directors
March 15, 2008
Phoenix Inn Suites, Salem, Oregon
*Subject to board approval May 17, 2008.

Present:           Don Backman                         Guests:            Ken Hand

                        Rick Williams                                                  Larry Cooper

                        Bob Webber                                                    Jeff Johnson

                        Fred Craig                                                       Jeff Dupont

                        Bob Loper

                        Ron Myers

                        Wayne Elliott                          Staff:               Duane Dungannon

                        Bill Littlefield                                                 Jim Morrell

                        Joe Ricker

                        Fred Walasavage

                        Don Schaller

                        Mike Vallery

                        David McDonald

Chairman Don Backman called the meeting to order.

The agenda was approved.  

Secretary’s report. Fred Craig moved, Don Schaller seconded, to approve the minutes as posted (attachment A). Passed, Joe Ricker abstained.

Treasurer’s report (attachment B).  Don Schaller moved, David McDonald seconded to approve as presented with the amendment of $.06 in the Life Member Account. Passed.

State Report (attachment C).

            The Field Administrator hiring process is moving forward; there were 30 applications. The applications will be reviewed to set interviews.

            2009 Convention. There is a bid to hold the convention at Spirit Mountain. Bob Webber moved, Mike Vallery seconded to give Duane authority to choose the sponsor and location. Passed.

            Discussed 2008 buckle; still picking out art.

            Discussed alcohol issue: OLCC has not sent information; insurer only restated a section of our policy. Will continue to gather information.

            Discussed accidental death and dismemberment insurance.  Fred Craig and Duane met with the insurance rep to discuss concerns including notice before mailing and sales tactics.

            Discussed magazine ads. Duane will make it clear that an ad is a paid ad if it looks similar to an article.

Field Administrator report (attachment D).

Jeff Dupont informed the board about his business “Youth Outdoor Adventures” (attachment E).

Lobbyist report (attachment F).

State President report. 

            Fred Craig reviewed 1-15-08 letter from OHA to Roy Elicker and letters from members (attachment G).

            Discussed a reduced fee for youth hunters; no objections to drafting a plan.

            Discussed getting board meeting minutes done by someone who does not participate in the meeting.

Old Business

            Proper format of position statements: Bill Littlefield moved, Rick Williams seconded to refer the issue to the Organizational Committee. Passed.

FNAWS presentation by George Houston regarding Snake River bighorn sheep and problems created by contact with domestic sheep (attachment H).

Grant Application Presentations

            #1 White River Mature Buck Collaring, by Keith Kohl (attachment I). Request from ODFW for $2,400 to fund equipment (dart gun) used in capture of deer. The study is to monitor deer in and around White River Wildlife Area.

            #2 Columbia Plateau Upland Habitat Restoration, by Dennis Newman (attachment J). Request from Morrow Soil & Water Conservation District for $25,000 for upland game habitat improvement.

Break for committees.

1:46 Don Backman called the meeting back to order.

Letters: none reviewed.

Bob Webber reported nothing new on the Klamath land use plan.

Virtual Lodge: Joe reported there was not much interest. Wayne Elliott moved, Mike Vallery seconded to continue Virtual Lodge for another six months. Passed.

The board agreed to try to meet at the Virtual Lodge at 7 p.m. on March 27 and at 7 p.m. on April 24.

LOP Review Committee report by Bob Webber and David McDonald. Rick Williams moved, Bob Loper seconded that OHA supports no expansion of the current LOP program. Passed.

Cervid Rule Advisory Group (CRAG). Joe Ricker reported (attachment K).

Alcohol issue: Lacking adequate responses from OLCC and our insurer, we are continuing to determine if OHA can auction and raffle beer and wine, and if we can, how to do it.

Wildlife Forensic Investigation Program (attachment L). Rick Williams will come back in May with a dollar amount.

Cougar Plan update. Don Schaller reported Wildlife Services may be unable to participate due to a law suit; ODFW is working on Agent status (attachment LL).

Return to Cervid Rules discussion. Roy Elicker & Ron Anglin, ODFW, and Marla Rae, F&W Commission,  joined the meeting. Discussed double fencing versus hunter dollars: can’t have double fencing without using hunter dollars. Considering tag surcharge on tags or A&H fee increase.

Steens Mountain Land Exchange (attachment LLL). Bob Webber moved, Wayne Elliott seconded to oppose the land exchange by letter to the Oregon congressional delegation and involved agencies. Passed. Bob Webber will draft the letter.

Cervid rules. Bob Webber moved, Bill Littlefield seconded to reiterate our support for double fencing and to support the use of A&H funds if necessary for a limited program to fund a percentage of the cost of double fencing of existing Cervid Type I facilities. Passed; Wayne Elliott and Don Backman opposed.

Bill Littlefield moved, Rick Williams seconded to use the Tracker and Oregon Hunter to explain our double fencing position. Passed.

Organizational Committee

1. Mission Statement (attachment M). Committee recommends sending out to chapters the following as OHA’s revised mission statement:

            “To provide an abundant huntable wildlife resource in Oregon for present and future generations, enhancement of wildlife habitat, and the protection and preservation of our hunting heritage and hunters rights.”

Joe Ricker moved, Don Schaller seconded a motion to do the above. Passed.

2. Financial reporting. Bill Littlefield and Fred Walasavage will look at the issue and draft policy for the next meeting.

3. IRS Stay Exempt course. Bob Webber and Bill Littlefield will take the course and prepare a “do not do” list. Hopefully the rest of the board will review the course.

4. Bob Webber and Al Elkins will continue working on a scholarship program; will bring a draft to the next meeting.

Wildlife Committee

1. Penalty for wildlife violations - subcommittee will develop plan.

2. C-2 Ranch hunts - cost $30,000 - ODFW could ask for funding in future.

3. Hart Mountain inholdings. Not interested in participating in funding purchases of inholdings.

4. OHA to push for statewide 12 month cougar season. Bob Webber moved, Mike Vallery seconded to have Al Elkins pursue with ODFW to open cougar season year round statewide. Passed.

5. Wildlife Committee recommended to discontinue coyote contests in 2009. Currently running contests may still be funded. Chapters need to be notified.

Grants

            #1 White River...: Bob Webber moved, Mike Vallery seconded to approve the grant as submitted. Passed.

            #2 Columbia Plateau...: Bill Littlefield moved to fund as submitted.  Wayne Elliott seconded with stipulation that 100% of OHA funding be applied to UCAP (public access) property. Passed.

Alternate fund raising, informational. Rick was looking at bingo as a fund raising tool.

Next meeting: May 17, Lincoln City.