Duck Hunters News

[Dubble Trubble]

I remember a thread about this very thing a while back, so I thought I would post the link

http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/34151634.html

Dubble

[MudDucker]

I think that rule is fine. However, the fact that they will not allow any gas motors on a couple of these lakes during duck season stinks. Fishermen are free to use whatever, but duck hunters are limited to paddles or electric motors. Electric motors in the pads aren't a lot of fun.

[bbb]

No one is allowed to have a combustible engine on the lake during duck season, not even fisherman.

A fisherman running across the lake won't scare the fish away. Duck hunters "scouting" every day of the season will run the ducks to other lakes and plantations.

Hopefully one day the ringnecks will start using Iamonia again. This is one lake that would hold birds the whole season due to no pressure from boats.

Miccosukee is hot one day, and then dead the next week.

[Team Bad Company]

I have already devised a way to build a season long blind that fits totally inside the rules.

[bman]

From the article:

We're in the process of moving some now, again, increase the opportunity for people to get out there and utilize the lake, because it will be illegal to hunt out of the blinds, or within 30 yards of an existing structure," said Florida Fish and Wildlife Officer, Charles Higman.

So we cant hunt 30 yards from an existing duck blind... that could eliminate some great areas that have old blinds still up.
And how much structure does there need to be. I know a few spots with posts from blinds that are at least 10 years old... no real blind just the old posts.

[Team Bad Company]

So we cant hunt 30 yards from an existing duck blind... that could eliminate some great areas that have old blinds still up.
And how much structure does there need to be. I know a few spots with posts from blinds that are at least 10 years old... no real blind just the old posts.

From MyFWC.com...

"The duck blind rule says no one may hunt ducks, geese, mergansers or coots within 30 yards of a permanent blind or anything that violates Florida Statutes prohibiting unauthorized construction on state lands, including stakes, posts, rails and remnant duck blinds.

It defines a permanent blind as anything that provides shelter, cover or concealment for a hunter, but does not include any rooted vegetation. The use of temporary duck blinds, including those made with vegetation, which are removed at the end of each hunt, is allowed. "

Just remove the old blind that is near where you want to hunt.

[bbb]

My advice is to get out there and remove anything that resembles a blind in the area you want to hunt. I'm sure they're not gonna write a ticket if you're next to a 10 year old 1x4 but why not remove it anyways.

[MudDucker]

No one is allowed to have a combustible engine on the lake during duck season, not even fisherman.

A fisherman running across the lake won't scare the fish away. Duck hunters "scouting" every day of the season will run the ducks to other lakes and plantations.

Hopefully one day the ringnecks will start using Iamonia again. This is one lake that would hold birds the whole season due to no pressure from boats.

Miccosukee is hot one day, and then dead the next week.

The scouting problem can be handled with limited hours of use rather than overall ban. Its overkill in my opinion and its designed to aid local land owners who don't have to go clear across the lake from the public landing.

I hunted Iamonia years ago when the motors were allowed. The problem wasn't the motors running the ducks off, it was the number of hunters, most of whom thought they had a cannon in their hands when shooting at mile high birds.

The other reason Iamonia held so many ducks back then was due to the rampant baiting. I don't know that I have ever been to a pond that was as highly baited as Iamonia was years ago. At places, it looked like a corn train derailed into the pond.

[Reel Slow]

I have hunted Iamonia and Jackson for years (post-baiting MD). After every 3 day holiday shooting, there are no ducks left on Iamonia...not that big a lake. No where for the ducks to hide. Lots of pressure.

There will be a push (BY FWC) to get it open 7 DAYS A WEEK and MOTORS next year.

This will be a disaster to these lakes. The birds will all end up on managed duck ponds. The woodie holes will be shot out.

Hopefully, wiser heads will prevail.

RS

[MudDucker]

When the small motor exemption was stricken, I called the FWC person in charge of this issue. I can tell you that after talking to her, right now the FWC is pushing to keep it like it is. Unfortunately, probably the only way to manage it for quality duck hunting is to go to a quota system with only 2 hunts per week.