STA 2 possible not OPEN

[darkwing duck]

They have found a BALD EAGLE nest in or around STA 2 and they feel that it uses the sta as it's feeding grounds and therfore it will not possibly be open>>>>>>:sad8: It is funny that ALL the constructuion and equipment do no damage neither does all the semi traffic from the highway. HHHMMMMM only us hunters seem to be the threat.

[DuckManDan]

That is really funny......I think us hunters can tell the difference between a bald eagle and a duck....Come on.....Shut down one of the best duck holes because of a bald eagle nest somewhere around STA 2.....I have seen a few bald eagles in WCA 2....What are they going to do.....Stop letting people airboat out there

[N. Cook]

Dennis is correct....I was informed last week and made no issue as I was to see Jerry Krenz last nite at the Site 1 meeting and wanted to speak with him before stirring up a hornets nest.

Jerry and some SFWMD staff did tour to determine the situation at STA 2. he says two cells are mostly cattail monocultures and one is open water. An eagles nest is near the center of one cell and the eagle hunts in the more open water cell. The nest is marked off by white plastic pipe markers.

The point Jerry is trying to make is that there is not a lot of hunting habitat, and the best cell has an eagle flying around in it. The SFWMD staff does not want to have any chance of a dead or even scared away from a long standing nest eagle in the media from the enviro's.

The construction people and monitors have also objected, wanting "buffers" and assurances. In other words, all the excuses have been lined up.

I have requested a tour by our groups to see for ourselves......however...we must be careful not to alienate these folks as there are other STAs that may be more suitable to come. Lets not start a hue and cry yet.

[N. Cook]

Jorge is correct...but the real reason I have been hesitant to make a stink right away is that it will shift over to a major blow up issue....the panther restrictions on a lot of land that once was used by hunters in SW FL. There are people who are making threats of legal action and are in a dog fight with the Feds, State and WMDs. News of an eagle keeping the public out of public land will just fall right into the war and I don't think it is wise to drag the STA hunting, which is not a "right", in to that mess.

Now if this was on Lake O or in a WCA or on Kissimmee, that would be a totally different story. We would fight there......I just want all of us to think about this one before we stake out any hard position.

Ideas sure are welcome!

[DuckManDan]

Hopefully this issue will resolve itself......No need for wining and crying right now

But I just remembered some of the yahoos I have encountered while hunting this season at STA 1 and 3/4.....Last thing we need is some to get stupid and shoot the thing

Who knows....if not this year maybe next year it will be open....I am not worried....As far as I am concerned I believe the hunting is only going to get better and better down here as more and more STA's get built