N. Cook
02-25-2011, 07:57 AM
Not a lot of action related to duck hunting but a lot of positive new rules for Youth Hunting for turkey on public land. At least a dozen new two day Youth Turkey Hunts on WMAs across the state. The dates for deer hunting on WMAs continue to be adjusted to fit within the new(this year)dates for private land in the new Zones. A continuation to relax rules for hog hunting on public land, expanding opportunity.
The original proposal for a "tag and report" deer harvest system has been tabled for the time being as objections have been made by some private land owners with the legislature and work will need to be done to educate and hopefully convince a large majority of the benefits to all hunters to have a viable deer harvest report system.
A very positive review of the progress of the Youth Conservation Centers (modeled after the Beau Turner YCC) was done, with several of the sites ready to go.....These will include instruction in waterfowling and UW-F has committed to help with these sessions.
As an aside.....Todd Hallman(FSCA) and Byron Maharrey(FSCA/UW-F) accompanied me on the trip to Appalachacola and we had the opportunity to stop by the Beau Turner facility and meet the folks involved, Kenny Barker from the FWC (State Coordinator for Youth Hunting), and a short visit with Beau Turner as well. The place is a "Disney" for Youth Hunting with a wide variety of activities concentrated on about 100 acres, including deer, duck and dove hunting and a nice lake for fishing. There are several archery and shooting ranges.
Kudos to our Stephen Williamson and Jeremy Smith for their volunteer work at the Center as Beau had a lot of very nice things to say about them and UW-F. It just happen the land managers for the Turner holdings were on hand for a meeting (Ted Turner is the largest single private land owner in the US and Beau is the manager of many hundreds of thousands of acres of rural lands across the US). Very impressive!
These Youth Centers have a lot of high powered support and UW-F looks forward to being a participant.
One other important note. With the new administration in Tallahassee every agency, including the FWC, is worried about funding and support of the new Governor. Governor Scott, aides and a couple of State Senators attended the opening session of the meeting and the Governor had some very positive things to say. Although funds will be tight it seems there is understanding of the importance of managing Florida's treasured wild lands and wild life.
Last but not least....I was able to present the basics of the forthcoming UW-F/FWC Waterfowl Habitat Summit in August and asked for and got a committment from Chairman Barretto for the FWC to repeat last years contribution (money!) to the event.
Over all a good meeting....we got a lot of opportunity to visit with the Commissioners (over oysters and refreshments!) during the evening and continue to have a very positive relationship. Of all the agencies we "work" with these FWC Commissioners are the most approachable and congenial leaders. They also are all volunteers...and every one wealthy and without the need for all the grief that often comes with the Commission job...UW-F respects and appreciates each one of them for their work for all of us.
The original proposal for a "tag and report" deer harvest system has been tabled for the time being as objections have been made by some private land owners with the legislature and work will need to be done to educate and hopefully convince a large majority of the benefits to all hunters to have a viable deer harvest report system.
A very positive review of the progress of the Youth Conservation Centers (modeled after the Beau Turner YCC) was done, with several of the sites ready to go.....These will include instruction in waterfowling and UW-F has committed to help with these sessions.
As an aside.....Todd Hallman(FSCA) and Byron Maharrey(FSCA/UW-F) accompanied me on the trip to Appalachacola and we had the opportunity to stop by the Beau Turner facility and meet the folks involved, Kenny Barker from the FWC (State Coordinator for Youth Hunting), and a short visit with Beau Turner as well. The place is a "Disney" for Youth Hunting with a wide variety of activities concentrated on about 100 acres, including deer, duck and dove hunting and a nice lake for fishing. There are several archery and shooting ranges.
Kudos to our Stephen Williamson and Jeremy Smith for their volunteer work at the Center as Beau had a lot of very nice things to say about them and UW-F. It just happen the land managers for the Turner holdings were on hand for a meeting (Ted Turner is the largest single private land owner in the US and Beau is the manager of many hundreds of thousands of acres of rural lands across the US). Very impressive!
These Youth Centers have a lot of high powered support and UW-F looks forward to being a participant.
One other important note. With the new administration in Tallahassee every agency, including the FWC, is worried about funding and support of the new Governor. Governor Scott, aides and a couple of State Senators attended the opening session of the meeting and the Governor had some very positive things to say. Although funds will be tight it seems there is understanding of the importance of managing Florida's treasured wild lands and wild life.
Last but not least....I was able to present the basics of the forthcoming UW-F/FWC Waterfowl Habitat Summit in August and asked for and got a committment from Chairman Barretto for the FWC to repeat last years contribution (money!) to the event.
Over all a good meeting....we got a lot of opportunity to visit with the Commissioners (over oysters and refreshments!) during the evening and continue to have a very positive relationship. Of all the agencies we "work" with these FWC Commissioners are the most approachable and congenial leaders. They also are all volunteers...and every one wealthy and without the need for all the grief that often comes with the Commission job...UW-F respects and appreciates each one of them for their work for all of us.