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PRESERVING WHITE SLOUGH
July 2009
Roger
Gillingwater
Valley
Waterfowl Vice President
The
Department of Water Resources (DWR) has allowed hunting on the White
Slough Wildlife Area for many years. As a new hunter I remember hunting
pheasants during the Junior Hunts. Also, I have hunted waterfowl, quail,
rabbits, coyotes, and doves on these properties. My reason for this
article is two part:
First, we need to support Fish and Game and their junior hunt program.
If we show them we can provide the manpower for junior hunts at White
Slough Wildlife Area they might consider doing the junior pheasant hunts
again.
Second, White Slough WA is 880 acres of DWR land set aside for public
use with the help of DFG. There is property north and south of Highway
12, a location north of Woodbridge Rd, and one south of Walnut Grove Rd,
all of these are about a mile west of I-5. The property known as Pond 6,
is approximately 100 acres north of Woodbridge Road. Next to this
formerly huntable piece (eastern border), is a closed property used for
grazing cattle. A biological study was set up on the pasture, next to
the Pond 6 property. Because it was set so close to the Wildlife Area
they shut down all of Pond 6 for "safety reasons". Initially this was
set as temporary closure and would reopen within 5-7 years. That was
about 10 years ago, it is still closed, and there hasn't been any date
to reopen Pond 6. With the lack of public hunting areas in San Joaquin
County this 100 acre closure is a huge piece for what is available for
hunting. I have shot ducks, Specks, doves, pheasants, quail, and seen
honkers and snow geese in shooting range coming across this property.
So, I would like to get support from our members and anyone willing to
help. We need letters or emails to show DWR that the Pond 6 area is
important to us hunters. These letters can be sent to our P.O. Box and
emails to the website. As I gather the letters I will send them as a
package to Stockton DFG office were they will be presented to DWR to
make a case for reopening Pond 6. Please help me, help you, help all
hunters that need local public hunting spots.
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