2007 UW-F Project List for Meeting

[N. Cook]

The following is a proposal...please add/comment suggestions:

Expand STA hunting to include STA 2

Partner with FDEP to improve statewide aquatic plant control planning to include waterfowl health. (ie: Kissimmee Chain of Lakes)

Conduct waterfowl seminars at the FWC Youth Camps

Improve access to waterfowling in Tampa Bay area

Establish full waterfowl seasons on SFWMD CERP reservoirs

Improve public access to Mary A, Satori, Moccasin Island and adjacent Upper St. Johns River marshes.

Expand STA hunting to include STA 6

Adjust WMA regulations to allow waterfowling on all days of the season with the exception of quota hunt days.

Improve water level management at Lake Okeechobee (lower)

Prevent backfilling of L 67 canal to save public access to the glades

Support bridge system for Tamiami Trail that will allow public access to glades

Increase hunting access to all state water management district lands not in WMAs

Advance sovereign land access project statewide

Convert MINWR permit reservation system to TLS or similar system

Add statewide canada goose season for early teal and regular season. Be sure Federal Refuges are included in the regulations.

[Kevin Hall]

One more ...

Follow up with the NWR's on allowing goose hunting statewide. I know that MI said that they would do it ... following it being published in the Federal Register. But, we need to stay on top of them. ;)

[whistlingwings]

Partner with FDEP to improve statewide aquatic plant control planning to include waterfowl health. (ie: Kissimmee Chain of Lakes)


I assume this is just an example but this should be improved statewide including the lower St Johns River Basin

[Converted]

Get mud motors permitted at Lox.

[Keith Yates]

Remove HP restrictions for Goodwin/Broadmoor and look into no or increase MM hp restriction in Ansin West(It is a prime MM environment). Currently 10hp.

Change MINWR permits to non-transferable.

[Pinman]

I can't agree with the MINWR non-transferable Keith. 3 other guys on the hook if the permit holder can't make it and no prospect of hunters going in if a permit group doesn't go in such as at the STA's. I think it is hard enough for LEO at MINWR to make sure that permit holders are the only one's hunting and area now. Your experience at L Pond would attest to that. I gave away a couple of permits this year and benefited from one too.

[BlindHog]

Newt - here is one near and dear to hearts of Tallahassee area hunters:

Remove or increase horsepower restriction (currently 5 HP limit) on Lake Miccosukee. This is prescribed in Florida Statute 68A-11.003 so I dont know what it will take to get this done.

[Kevin Hall]

I looked into that particular problem some years ago .... I believe that the FS just follows along with a local (county) ordinance ... therefore, allowing it to be enforced by "state" officers. The real "law" that has to be changed is the county ordinance.

From what I remember ... anyway. ;)

[Keith Yates]

Add the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday as a hunt day like other federal holidays at MINWR.

Ron I completely understand your point of view on the permits. I just hate to see it so easily gamed. I too have benefited many times throughout the years. Just like to play on a level field and see some consistency with regulations.

[Dead Ringer]

On the subject of non-transferable vs transferable, it has seemed to work out pretty well this year at TMG. Keeps the guys with a bunch of secretaries from hoarding all the permits. Just have to get reliable teammates.

To add to list from another post: review and comment on the MINWR proposal.

[David B]

Work on lifting the 12 noon cuttoff when waterfowl hunting in Hickory Hammock. THe landlocked small game hunters have until sunset. :angry3:

[Steve W]

PCS needs more ponds open.

[BlindHog]

Steve - good point. Amen

To recap:

PCS Phosphate has decided to reclaim the land that used to be Pond 4, so the huntable acreage has been reduced by about one-third.

Last year at this point, a little over 3,000 ducks had been harvested. As of now, its about 2,000 --- a dropoff of 1/3 not surprizingly.

I suppose the addition of a 'replacement' pond should be pursued through FWCC. The water biologist there in that WMA is Francis Castiov.

[David B]

Blindhog,
Have you talked with anybody within FWC at Tally about PCS. I believe that some of the waterfowl folks will be at our Winter meeting and your concerns can be relayed at that time.

Pleasse give me a specific list of your needs and concerns. I will carry it with me on your behalf. Titusville is a drive for our northwest region members.

David B.

[Pinman]

Add the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday as a hunt day like other federal holidays at MINWR.

Ron I completely understand your point of view on the permits. I just hate to see it so easily gamed. I too have benefited many times throughout the years. Just like to play on a level field and see some consistency with regulations.

I guess any of them can be gamed. This year I heard of a way to game the STA's. Pretty hard to game it too when you can't get through on the phone line. I may have to rethink my support of a TLS/computer system. Fairest system might be drawing/lottery with transferability. I know I would gain 6 - 8 hours of my time back.

On the subject of non-transferable vs transferable, it has seemed to work out pretty well this year at TMG. Keeps the guys with a bunch of secretaries from hoarding all the permits. Just have to get reliable teammates.

Which is part of my point. TMG has a process for walk in hunters for those who don't show up. Nothing in place like that for MINWR and not even possible. I don't know if this is even falls into UWF's mission.

[N. Cook]

UW-F has had the opportunity to present ideas on the different quota schemes to the agencies and many have been incorporated. We definitly believe part of the UW-F mission is to have as fair and open process as possible....ie no quotas or fees whereever possible, recognizing that in some cases they will be imposed whether we like in or not...then we work to make them open and fair to the "regular public hunter".

[godvlman]

Lets not overlook:

-- Hunting STA 1W

-- Pushing for a 3rd hunter on the permit for the STA's

-- Gator hunting on all of the STA's

-- Is there a reason why the STA's cant be hunted on the holidays that fall during the week?? There are a few holidays during the season that the SFWMD is closed for business. I cant think of a reason why the STA's shouldnt be open for hunting??

-- I also believe that at least 1 hunter if not all hunters should be required to have a hunter saftey course to hunt the STA's.... I think that would eliminate most of the problems everyone has been observing!!

-- Any talk of an UW-F organized mudfest this year??

[BlindHog]

Thanks, David, I appreciate the help.

I havent talked to anyone at FWCC about PCS. I was thinking once this season is under our belt, we can come forward with a firm basis of how the reduced # of huntable ponds is impacting the WMA. It is falling out about the way I expected - way fewer ducks taken.

I have posted up on this thread about changing/removing the Lake Miccosukee boat motor limit restriction. That is the only other item I have come up with. Dont know if Stephen (swilli1054) has anything else to add, but will PM him - think he is out hunting today and tomorrow.

Sorry I will miss the meeting, but my STA dates fell right on top of it this year. Will make it next year.

[Steve W]

Steve - good point. Amen

To recap:

PCS Phosphate has decided to reclaim the land that used to be Pond 4, so the huntable acreage has been reduced by about one-third.

Last year at this point, a little over 3,000 ducks had been harvested. As of now, its about 2,000 --- a dropoff of 1/3 not surprizingly.

I suppose the addition of a 'replacement' pond should be pursued through FWCC. The water biologist there in that WMA is Francis Castiov.

To get more ponds we are going to have to work with PCS management and possibly government agencies such as DEP, EPA and Bureau of Mining.

[D Duck]

I also believe that at least 1 hunter if not all hunters should be required to have a hunter saftey course to hunt the STA's.... I think that would eliminate most of the problems everyone has been observing!! It hasn't worked at MINWR.:pottytrai4

I think I have to disagree with you on the transferability Ron. I think they should be non-transferable, period. If you can't go, well then you shouldn't have gotten the permit.... I know a couple of individuals that game the system and get permit for nearly every hunt before Jan. 1. That's what we need to stop. If someone could figure out a way to do that but still allow the permits to be used by a buddy during the season, that would be the perfect scenario.

[godvlman]

D Duck:

I think the STA's are a different animal than MINWR:

Having a state approved hunter saftey course would play a big part in eliminating the "shooters" that show up at the STA's just to shoot there gun at whatever they see moving in the air or water having the mentality of "if it flies it dies".

It would definetly decrease the violations you see out at the STA's because of the "shooters" not knowing any better .

You could only provide a safer enviroment for everyone, as crowded as they get, if they have taken a hunter saftey course.

The "shooters" would have to show a little initiative before they show up at an STA and hunt!!

It is also a great selling point to the SFWMD!!!

I have only hunted MINWR a few times and could not speak for the violations occuring there however I believe it is a win - win situation for the STA's

[D Duck]

godvlman - I was only being sarcastic - doesn't always read that way....

I agree with your logic and I think we could easily sell that idea to both SFWMD and the FWC. Use the argument that this would eliminate some of the bad element out there causing issues/problems for all involved.:eusa_naug

[NSBsailsntails]

I agree with changing the MINWR permits to a TLS system or a lottery. beats sitting on the phone listening to a busy signal for a few hours for 3 days. a lottery might be the best way since there could so many impoundment and hunt day combinations.

[duckmanJR]

I believe that the TLS with non transferable is most equitable..as D/R said..If your hunting partner hangs his three other buddies out...GET A NEW PARTNER..PERIOD!!
The old system is broken..and a sham...and what would be so bad with one or two less groups in the area...I have never heard any complaints that a place wasn't crowded enough( although having a few in an area is good to move birds)

I also would like to see the TMG application time/date moved....Wednesday is a bad day for E. central florida hunters...You loose a hunt day at merrit island NWR with a 10 AM lotto draw...Move it to Wed. afternoon or to thursday.

The HP at Goodwin is also an issue now that the short tails are in vogue.

[Pinman]

[QUOTE=duckmanJR]I believe that the TLS with non transferable is most equitable..as D/R said..If your hunting partner hangs his three other buddies out...GET A NEW PARTNER..PERIOD!! [QUOTE]

Man I'm getting beat up pretty bad here!!!! Maybe I do need new hunting partners. Some of them actually think work is more important then duck hunting!

I don't know if there is a perfect system. Maybe a lottery drawing at the gate each morning at 4:00 AM. There is always a way to "game" the system. Faster computers, more phone lines, lots of hunting partners, etc. I have tried the last three times to get into TMG without success while I know there are those who have multiple computers going at the same time and get in for just about every hunt. Gaming? Or just playing by the rules.

Alot of people would be unhappy if Goodwin and the STA's eliminated the walk-ons. It's the same thing in my opinion. Either you have a permit or you don't hunt there.

I respect your opinions, but as an organization, if access is UWF's mantra then maybe ELIMINATION of the permit system should be the goal.

[godvlman]

D Duck: I apologize for that.. I didnt know that you were being sarcastic!!!

Pinman:: You have got to be kidding me right... doing away with the permit system.. because of people like your hunting partners and people that dont believe that hunting shoud exist is the reason the walk in system is in place and I believe works just fine!!!

I would like to see you place a poll up on doing away with the permit system state wide and see what the results are!!!

And as far as gaming the TLS system... I find that very hard to believe too!!!

[duckmanJR]

Ron, As far as gaming goes..Well, I think that the guys at goodwin are looking at hunt permit per customer # after this season and will make a determination if the system needs tweaking....Maybe a max # per customer per season?
Eliminating walk ons is not needed at Goodwin since the gate is manned..not the same at merrit so there may be less in an impound due to a no show here and there...The "up" side to non-transferable is that maybe people will be less inclined to grab permits that have no use other than to "feed" to buddies. It may foster more "hunter bonds" where guys will hunt as groups of 4 so that they will have the needed permits.
Don't feel "beat up"...Look at it from another perspective.... Many feel the system is just not working right....and our Access mantra is most properly
" Free and fair access for all"

[D Duck]

Maybe I do need new hunting partners. Some of them actually think work is more important then duck hunting! Ron - sounds like you're heading in the right direction. Ducks ALWAYS come before work!


D Duck: I apologize for that.. I didnt know that you were being sarcastic!!! No appology necesary. I am almost always sarcastic....:booty:

[Randy Clark]

eliminating walkons is a big mistake and shouldnt even be mentioned in jest.

[Keith Yates]

Ron we ain't beating you up. I'll do that Saturday:tongue11: It is so important we all see things from different angles. I am very flexible and my mind might be changed. Let's talk some Saturday.

[Pinman]

NO NO NO, I'm not advocating elimanating walk-ons or the permit system. I'm just trying to make a point that there is no such system at MINWR (and not aven possible).

Hope you guys have a good time at the meeting!