As you all know the 2012-2013 Coastal Waterfowl season has come to a conclusion. As I write this the weather has turned frigid and the best gunning days of the season will not be. The framework is set so that NJ could have a season up till the end of January; NY, MD, MA and DE ALL have seasons with later ending dates than NJ; Why is This?
I have been told by state biologists, wardens and federal biologists, all 1st hand this is because ‘you guys wanted it this way!’ I challenge that because I for one, along with many other hardcore coastal gunners would like to see the coastal zone season go to the last possible day, given the current framework. Most of my fellow waterfowl hunters are probably not aware that we tried to change this last year but due to our failure to get organized, change did not happen for the coastal zone, but as I write this retention ponds, salt ponds, creeks, rivers and bays are beginning to freeze which would have given us some great waterfowl hunting opportunities this week, for our usual species as well as some exotics. Due to last year’s behind the scenes negotiating a survey was drafted to poll duck hunters on ‘How would you like your season structured?’. 1,000 surveys went out randomly with the expectation of getting 40%-50% of them back, I know hardly anyone who received one. But putting that aside why should 400-500 waterfowl hunters decide the fate of our seasons?
We are trying to put together a unified coalition of serious waterfowl hunters who would like to see change. I feel along with dozens of others that I have spoken to, that we can have true compromise that all could live with. We are in the early stages of putting together a Town-Hall coalition of duck hunters that would like to see the season for coastal zone gunning made later and give us all an opportunity for some quality gunning each year. I ask for everyone’s feedback and suggestions, I would like to see this discussion open to North Zone & South Zone hunters as well and if you want changes too let’s all work together on a unified front. The only thing I ask is that when we announce our Town-Hall meeting that you find the time to come out and show your support on a Unified front. We are not looking for any arguments and want this to be a positive and productive forum. We also will try to get some state officials to attend as well. I ask for your attendance & support when plans are announced.
Thank you
I have been told by state biologists, wardens and federal biologists, all 1st hand this is because ‘you guys wanted it this way!’ I challenge that because I for one, along with many other hardcore coastal gunners would like to see the coastal zone season go to the last possible day, given the current framework. Most of my fellow waterfowl hunters are probably not aware that we tried to change this last year but due to our failure to get organized, change did not happen for the coastal zone, but as I write this retention ponds, salt ponds, creeks, rivers and bays are beginning to freeze which would have given us some great waterfowl hunting opportunities this week, for our usual species as well as some exotics. Due to last year’s behind the scenes negotiating a survey was drafted to poll duck hunters on ‘How would you like your season structured?’. 1,000 surveys went out randomly with the expectation of getting 40%-50% of them back, I know hardly anyone who received one. But putting that aside why should 400-500 waterfowl hunters decide the fate of our seasons?
We are trying to put together a unified coalition of serious waterfowl hunters who would like to see change. I feel along with dozens of others that I have spoken to, that we can have true compromise that all could live with. We are in the early stages of putting together a Town-Hall coalition of duck hunters that would like to see the season for coastal zone gunning made later and give us all an opportunity for some quality gunning each year. I ask for everyone’s feedback and suggestions, I would like to see this discussion open to North Zone & South Zone hunters as well and if you want changes too let’s all work together on a unified front. The only thing I ask is that when we announce our Town-Hall meeting that you find the time to come out and show your support on a Unified front. We are not looking for any arguments and want this to be a positive and productive forum. We also will try to get some state officials to attend as well. I ask for your attendance & support when plans are announced.
Thank you
