WMA Hunting

[uncle D]

How many folks here hunt WMAs during the small game hunts?

I do use the WMAs from time to time to hunt ducks.

The current trend with properties is that hunters are using them less, so the little use causes the small game hunts to suffer by elimination.

This season, I'm asking hunters to use the WMAs small game hunts and show that we want these hunts available. not closed.

If we don't use them they will be lost.

Duke

[Phil T]

My son and I hunt dove, quail and squirrels at 3 lakes and we are looking into other areas this year. there would be more use if the WMA's seasons reflected FWC. The WMA system shortens the seasons for those of us who have to pursue our recreation on public land. Things sure have changed, when I was a boy public land meant full open access to all at all times, we were trusted to abide by the game laws. The management area system treats us like criminals who must be monitered at all times.

[N. Cook]

Getting the WMAs open during FWC seasons should be the goal of all hunters. The shorten open times just concentrate the numbers and reduces quality of hunting. Some restriction by open draws for the intial week of deer and turkey days is reasonable, but beyond that all WMAs, and, in fact, all public land, state, water management,etc large enough for safe hunting, should be SIMPLY: OPEN! A tag system for deer and turkey is also reasonable, allowing one or two each per hunter per season on all WMAs (the tags would be attached to the WMA permit and would have to be torn off and attached to the animal before moving the animal). The reduced concentrated pressure will be better for game numbers on public land as well.

[RutnNStrutn]

That is a lousy and unacceptable answer on thier part Duke. It gives the perfect opportunity for locking us out. The state gets pressure from the tree huggers, so they stop putting any resources into a WMA. The place gets overgrown, overhunted and pretty soon, people stop using it because it sucks. Then the state closes it to hunting due to "non-use", opens it up to the tree-huggers and equestrians, and then when they complain, the state will burn, cut, make new trails and roads, and all the other things that would have helped hunters but they refused to do.
CJ can make all the cracks he wants about me being paranoid, but this is the way things work.
Duke, can't you get the names and address of the powers that be so that we can start a letter writing campaign?

[uncle D]

Rut,

I know it is a sorry answer.

The fellow's name is John Waldren at the DoF. He is in charge of rec use on forest property. 850-414-9852

I suggested to him that hunting should be promoted and introduced to non-consumpt users, that way more folks might be interested.

If you look at their brochures, there isn't one example or scene that depicts a hunter. However, there are pictures of canoist, hikers, bikers and horse back riders.


Duke

[Keith Yates]

I hunt mostly on WMA's during Deer season as well as small game. I hunt quail, snipe, squirrel, rabbit and lots of wood ducks mixed with mergansers. They should leave these opportunities open for hunters to use as they wish and also promote hunting on state lands as well.

[matthersjr]

I also hunt waterfowl on certain WMAs during small game; sure would be a disappointment to lose the access.

[duckmanJR]

Just today I was looking at WMA brochures at noticed that some will have a very short window of opportunity for duck hunters
( some only a week or two weeks) since some are only open during times when small game is open.
I think we need to address this with the state... It clearly discriminates against duck hunters......

[uncle D]

I've presented an argument to FWC's NE regional director to allow waterfowl hunting throughout the waterfowl season with little results.

It seems that if there is major changes or differences in WMAs current regs, then they will not budge.

Some properties have good waterfowling opportunities, but with a limited time opening it is hit or miss as ducks migrate.

Duke

[Phil T]

What reasons, if any are they giving for the significant discrepancies between the WMA open dates and the State Seasons. I was just looking over the Dupuis information and they don't open small game until December 6 and then it's not open for long. This is the only WMA "close" to where I live. It would be nice to have a place to hunt small game less than an hours drive away.

[Keith Yates]

Phil no doubt. The backyard experience is fading fast. We need to show up to meetings in high numbers to make an impact so they completly understand we need these WMA's open for more than a short duration.

[Phil T]

Keith, you nailed it................small game hunting has traditionally been a "backyard" experience. I enjoy the casual nature of small game hunting but with the WMA's it too must be scheduled and planned. I'm beginning to believe that the state is systematically eliminating hunting through attrition. As the effort outweighs the reward, more and more people will drop out. If the state stays their current course that will most certainly happen. I hope I can get my schedule to allow me to become more active with UW-F, maybe it's not too late.

[duckmanJR]

Never too late Phil but we need to be persistant with the requests.... Mr. Haddad at FWC and his assistant must hear a continual stream of requests to allow hunting that coincides with the waterfowl season so that they know what the peaple REALLY WANT!! :)

[Keith Yates]

Joe you are right we need to keep consistent(long term) contact with the higher ups within the FWC staff as well as the Commissioners. We really need to let the Commissioners know how we feel in a positive constructive manner because they don't always follow the FWC staff recommendations. We must be very persistent if we are going to get what we want. Lets get them to know us on a first name basis.

[duckmanJR]

Keith..you are right about getting to know the commision members in a friendly non adversarial manner.....we need their help.
When I spoke with Steve Rockwood at the Salt lake meeting he said that the rules on WMA's can be rewritten to reflect waterfowling.... there is a form that needs to be filled out( I have them) and mailed to Dennis David of the NE district FWC office. I would like to see that form scanned in to the site so that people can download and fill it out regarding the migratory bird seasons on WMA's.
I've spoken to Duke about this....it could be applied to all WMA's or it may be done on a case by case basis..either way it is important so that we can open up that much more opportunity to the hunters. :)

[RutnNStrutn]

Now that's what I'm talkin' about!! :)
UW-F in action!! Let's make things happen. Get those forms out, I'll fill 'em out, and send 'em out to others to fill out too! We need to put the pressure on, and show them UW-F is a force to be reckoned with. That will help us build clout and gain new members. Good work Joe!!

Duke, any word on a mailing address or email address for those guys? I figure Mr. Waldren will get tired of wanting to talk to all of us about the same issue repeatedly if we start calling him. A letter writing campaign might be more effective.

[uncle D]

Here's the address:

John Waldren
Recreation
Florida, Division of Forestry
3125 Conner Blvd.
Tallahasse, Fla.
32399-1650


regards,

Duke

[RutnNStrutn]

Excellent Duke, I'll send mine out. The rest of you will too I hope.