2005 UW-F Objectives Update

[N. Cook]

The opening of all WMAs for duck hunting during the entire duck season, with the exception of quota hunt days, and the movement of the pintail and canvasback 30 day period to the last half of the season proposals are now officialy in the FWC bureaucracy. These types of rule changes require a year of review before implementation. We will be attending meetings and pushing for approval. Both objectives have a good chance of success.

Position statements on state wide hydrilla spraying and the situation with the SJRWMD management of the three marshes, Emeralda Marsh, Ockalawaha Prarie, and Orange Creek are being circulated among the UW-F directors for comments before submission to the various agencies.

Additional input from the Regional Managers and members is needed to complete proposed position statements on the Tampa Bay access and MINWAR situations.

[Pirate91]

Could you post UWFs position on SJRWMD management of the Marsh and Prairie? I hunted Emeralda this year and couldn't figure out what was going on. The gate to Area 4 was never open although it was never listed as closed.

[N. Cook]

A proposed postion is being circulated among the Directors for comments and revision.....Phil Harper is a local source.....give him a shout with any ideas.
Newton

[D Duck]

Could you post UWFs position on SJRWMD management of the Marsh and Prairie? I hunted Emeralda this year and couldn't figure out what was going on. The gate to Area 4 was never open although it was never listed as closed.
There was nowhere to hunt in area 4 this past season - too overgrown, heavy/thick vegetation everywhere and no open holes.

[Pirate91]

Thanks for the info. I would ride around there and try to scout it every morning after we hunted, but the gate was always closed. I didn't want to leave my truck unattended and walk back in there, not with all the hoodlums around.

[duckmanhar]

SJWD is working to improve Area 4, but due to the issue of the injection system not being on-line till 1/2 way into duck season area 4 was not flooded.

Roller and disking is taking place as of last monday, area 4 should be back in line fore early teal.


Phil Harper

[Pirate91]

Well hopefully that will spread out the pressure.

[RutnNStrutn]

These types of rule changes require a year of review before implementation.
Newton, does this mean that there will be no changes on either of those issues for this coming season, and that they will have to wait until the following season??? :confused2

[N. Cook]

For issues that require a change in a written regulation approved by the State the time period is at least a year to get through the processes. WMA rule changes fit into that definition. The pintail situation is a little more open as final duck regulations are usually done in August before the season after the Federal rules come out. Regulations for areas not official WMAs, ie the STAs, have a shorter time period of review....at least 60 to 90 days usually due to meeting dates.....But all of this is really not revelant....we start the process as soon as we can so as to get the results we want as soon as they can be accomplished. UW-F volunteers spend litteraly years in meetings to accomplish our goals....WE ALWAYS NEED HELP! UW-F has won some significant victories by shear stamina.....Thanks to our volunteers and the members who write the letters and emails when we ask. A good example is the Hydrilla spraying issue....we expect a long fight just to get into the meetings to plan the spraying....then there will be a long period of earning acceptance for our point of view, then multiple agencies, all with agendas, will have to alter long standing practices...and all the way there will be opposition from other "interested parties". No one else but UW-F would attempt to tackle such a hard project for Florida duck hunters....and without the help of a lot of members over the time involved we will not suceed. However, I believe as UW-F continues to grow that volunteer help will be forthcoming.
Newton