CWA eNews
November 28, 2006

****Share Program (ab 396) Applications Now Available****

ATTENTION GAME BIRD HUNTERS

Funding for the 2006-07 SHARE pilot program has been generously provided by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and National Rifle Association Foundation.

The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance, in cooperation with the California Waterfowl Association (CWA), Department of Fish and Game, California Farm Bureau Federation, and California Cattlemen’s Association will begin offering private land hunting opportunities for upland and migratory game birds this fall and winter via the Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) pilot program. Applications for interested hunters are now being accepted (see below).

The SHARE program was authorized in 2003 via CWA-sponsored Assembly Bill 396 (Harman). The objective of the program is to provide economic incentives for private landowners to allow low-cost public access for hunting and other recreational activities, while facilitating stronger ties between landowners and sportsmen. As required by AB 396, prior to full scale implementation of the program a pilot program shall be implemented to determine overall landowner and hunter interest.

As a pilot program, only a small number of properties will be available for public hunting during the 2006-07 hunting season. Most SHARE Program access will focus on two-day hunts for Aleutian geese in Del Norte and Humboldt Counties during a special hunt period in late February and early March. Applicants will be required to pay a small application fee for each desired hunt day(s) for each property. No other fees will be required, and the program will operate on a non-profit basis only. Successful applicants will be chosen randomly via a lottery. All participating hunters must sign liability waivers.

For more information, please call the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance at (916) 643-4607.

To print out an application packet, go to

http://www.calwaterfowl.org/flyers/share.pdf