A rumor I heard that I would like to comfirm

[DuckManDan]

I was told by someone a few days about that the land surrounding browns farm has now been purchased by the state and is now open to hunters...Would anyone know anything about this or is it not true

[Converted]

Hmmm, well I believe it is owned by the State (SFWMD to be more accurate). It is part of two Acceller8 projects. STA2 expansion and across 27 is the EAA reservoir. Not sure about permissions for hunting it just yet.

[N. Cook]

Part of our (UW-F) proposal we are working on for a 2006 Project is to open STA 2 to duck hunting and to make the adjacent land all part of the same FWC Small Game Hunting Area....opening it for dove hunting during that season. This is a real stretch for the SFWMD.

Right now there is a lot of work expanding the STA....a lot of construction traffic....and it all goes across the "ill famous" bridge that the SFWMD has used as an excuse to keep the public out for years.

2009 is the date construction should be completed.....we hope to show a few hunters going across that bridge will not be a problem before that date.

[DuckManDan]

If yall can get STA 2 open I know of a few hunters that will be VERY thankful....THAT PLACE IS LOADED!!!!!!!!

[N. Cook]

The FWC officers who often arrest trespassers there say it is as good or better than STA 5.

[DuckManDan]

Thats what I have been hearing

[Steve]

I heard some guys were hunting the area because the gates were open and it was not posted. Now I hear that the gates have been locked and it was posted. Don't know if that's true. Hunting has been only so-so. Some of the guys got limits and some came out with a mottled and a couple of teal and ringers. Water management district says it'll be three years before STA 2 can be opened for hunting because of construction. It is a huge area. The sooner UWF can get it open, the better.

[DuckManDan]

I have heard some other rumors about STA 1 East and STA 6 being looked at to open in the future....Anyone know anything

[N. Cook]

STA 1 E was annexed by the city of Wellington. This was before UW-F realized the move to annex nearby marshes by cities....we woke up when we were warned about the situation at Palm Bay/SJRWMD. We were able to participate in a coalition that stopped that.

STA 1 does not have the duck hunting habitat at this time that would make it worth the effort.....the SFWMD does plan "recreation" on the property, but all of it "passive". The city and adjacent property owners are resisiting any "traffic" and inconvience caused by opening the area to the public in any way. Not much hope for any hunting there.

We did raise enough **** that the SFWMD will not be able to sneak a similar annexation through without our knowledge.

STA 6 is a possibility, but STA 2 is the prize.

[Converted]

STA 5 is being expanded to the south. SFWMD owns all the land between 5 and 6. Eventually it will be one continuous STA.

[Randy Clark]

that would be great now we need a sta near me before i have to quit my job and get a sign will duck hunt for food or at least try to

[DuckManDan]

STA 2 is the PRIZE