Please...Out of Respect

[Anatidae]

As the season approaches all of us are making our plans to hit our favorite 'duck hole' and enjoy all the things we enjoy about duck hunting and the outdoors. Anticipation is a MAJOR part of hunting....everyone's excitement level is getting high. It's that time of year, again.....it 'can't get here soon enough!

Some of you know where this is going [img]images/smiles/icon_redface.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_sad.gif[/img] so, please endulge me, because if you hunt public land, it affects you, too.

When you mention a public area on the internet, you draw attention to that area. It may be in response to just one request for info, but it is viewed by hundreds of others who may be 'scavaging' the boards for tid-bits about 'where-to-go', preying on people's innocence. Innocence?, you say......Yes, many don't realize how harmful this well-intended 'sharing' of info is.

Some of the members here, adopted a policy a while back that's basically a 'don't ask, don't tell' policy when it comes to sharing info about public hunting. A lot of folks are just looking for a 'short-cut' to success and that only negates all the hard work that other folks put-in, to become successful on these areas. They let YOU do all the work in finding these places, THEN wait for you to spill your guts in hopes of impressing EVERYONE with your knowledge. Yes, we'd all rather be 'in-the-know', but anybody that is REALLY 'in-the-know', KNOWS to KEEP IT TO YOURSELF.

Public areas are already 'maxed-out' as it is.....if you really enjoy hunting in Mississippi, (and plan to continue enjoying that), we're going to have to put a STOP to this flood of info over the internet, or we'll loose those 'favorite spots' we look forward to hunting every year and have to [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]'draw for a stand' [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img], like they do in many states. [img]images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img]

Ya see, even though you might not hunt a particular area mentioned, there may be fellow duck hunters that have hunted there, all their lives and plan to hunt there, with their children, one day. How would you feel about someone who doesn't seem to care how your quality of hunting is affected. That's basically what you do when you tell someone about this 'great place to hunt'.....it won't be that way, long, I assure you. If you tell EVERYONE about that area, that will only contribute to the problem of over-crowding that is becoming increasingly prevelant on our public lands. [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

So, If you really care about the future of duck hunting in Mississippi, I urge you to realize how damaging it is, to discuss 'hallowed ground' on this forum, and join those of us who are trying to preserve our heritage......when a question such as 'Poor little ole me, where can I go duck hunting' or 'How's the hunting on Yourfavorite WMA?' just respond by skipping to the next topic.

One more note....Duck hunters are those who are self-sufficient, meaning they are responsible for their own 'sport' (all aspects of preparation, relentless scouting, development of skills, and experience afield). The guys that look for an easy way out, are the 'fakes' that want someone to 'TAKE' them to what is widely regarded and advertised as 'hunting'...Bill McLure. These are the folks that are gonna TAKE our heritage away from us. We have to be 'wise' enough to realize what they're doing. Duck hunting is a fraternity of those who have paid their dues and appreciate the labors of success. It's not governed by what you wear, but what you cherish.

You guys that are new to the site, we welcome you. But please have respect for those who hunt these areas. I'm sure they'll be helpful, oneday, so keep in mind, you're not the only one hunting there. [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Thanks for your help in our efforts to preserve our great heritage. If you are sincere about helping, please go back and 'delete' your posts to such questions. Have a GREAT SEASON! [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[ October 22, 2001: Message edited by: Anatidae ]

[bluwtr]

Anatidae,

I hope you are not refering to me about asking MM about where he say the ducks. I don't want to know anyones spots, just like I don't want them to know mine. I was just making converstion. I'm down here on the coast, and if MM saw ducks down here, that's great. We ususlly don't get them to MUCH later, so if they are here, I can't wait until the season opens. I was asking about geographic region of the state, not which lake/pond/hole etc.

Wes [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[jbeam17]

tell MS Game and Fish Magazine, some time [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[GulfCoast]

Someone needs to yank the chain of the Mississippi Department of Tourism, too. They advertise in other states for folks to come HERE and hunt PUBLIC! I wrote 'em and told them they were doing us all a disservice.

[Anatidae]

Pintail....I agree....something like that crosses 'the line' IMO.

Look, ya'll gettin gun-shy, here.....Relax, if I have a problem with something you say, I'll either ignore it or e-mail you.....that's the way to 'air' differences. If I jumped all over folks on this forum for stuff I don't agree with, it wouldn't be much different that tellin some stranger where to go to kill a bunch o 'fatheads' over the internet. I use to use humiliation as a means to get points across, but that's counterproductive and I have more respect for my fellow man, here lately....life's too short! ('Learned that from Judge JB and Bobby Williams, et al....I want to be more like these guys).

If you think you crossed 'the line' go back and edit or delete your post.....otherwise, I'll get over it. While I appreciate your concern, you don't HAVE to please me.

Greenheadhunter2000.....I think what you were attempting to do is admirable....but you can't save everybody, man. Take care of your own. The only REAL PROBLEM I have with you.....yo 'handle' has too many letters in it! [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] 'How 'bout GHH2K, for short.....'dunno....that's awfully close to GH22. [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] and one of them's enough! [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[ October 22, 2001: Message edited by: Anatidae ]

[greenheadhunter2000]

lol @ anat!Now you done went and done it.u gonna get gh22 started now!lol

[Anatidae]

The other thing, GHH2K......what's up with "lol".....I use to think that stood for 'lot o' luck', but that doesn't make any sense in some of your messages.....fill me in, so I'll be 'in-the-know', please. [img]images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_sad.gif[/img]

[ October 22, 2001: Message edited by: Anatidae ]

[bluwtr]

Thanks Anatidae! Just checkin' I agree with all of everyones posts. Finding a GOOD place to hunt is hard enough and when you do, you try to make it better, then every yahoo in the area (and out) wants to know where you hunted, what was your spread and how you were holding your mouth. I'm all for sharing tips and advice, that's one of the best ways of learnig. Lord knows I've got plenty to learn, but there is a line.

Wes [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[SkippyJ]

Amen brother!!! Testify!! Testify!! Anatidae check your mail! [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[Model12]

You talking about agree! I agree with this one, as a matter of fact, we might think about shuttun down the board until after the season.... [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[GulfCoast]

In conventional internet slang, LOL is short for "laughing out loud". LOLROF would be "laughing out loud rolling on the floor" LMAO-"laughing my axx off", etc.

[TN Duck Daddy]

We don't have to divulge our hunting spots or even mention the public land we hunt. I have always appreciated general information about what parts of the state are seeing ducks.

It's kinda like hanging out at the store or restruants where other hunters hang out to find out who seeing ducks and who isn't. It's just one more scouting tool.

I drive 325 miles one way to hunt private land in Mississippi. You guys have saved me some wasted time and money when the ducks aren't around and told me when it was time to pack up the truck.

I appreciate it!

[JP]

"Ain't no ducks in Oklahoma!" [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[Anatidae]

No Bluwtr....you're cool. [img]images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]

Pintail....You have a point, there, although I don't have a problem with MDWF&P showing where the opportunities are in the state. As with ALL prospective hunting areas, you STILL have to go check'em-out, yourself. I think they do a good job of managing the 'flow' of information (remember, it's MY Mississippi, too). There's not an over-eager, self-proclaimed 'expert' sittin' there, just itchin' to show everybody how knowledgeable he is about 'where to find ducks'......even though this will be his first season to actually 'hunt' ducks. [img]images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]

That's a big part of the problem......folks starving for instant acceptence into a group of folks (waterfowlers), without having paid their dues. [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] You don't gain folks' respect and win acceptance by 'trompin' all over their ideals....or sending a flood of joy-seekers into your favorite woods. [img]images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img]

I don't want to single anyone out, yet....because it's their right to put on here, what they choose......and I want to give them the opportunity to think about the consequences of their actions and correct their mistakes before we unleash the hounds on'em. Although it's usually someone's first post that gives'em away.

Many of these posts are well-intended and I really don't want to embarrass anyone that might otherwise, be new to the sport and become a worthy contributor to this forum. Now if that sounds a little 'high and mighty', I don't mean it that way.....'just wanna let folks know what's important to preserving duck hunting (as we know, or remember it), before it gets ruined! [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

If you have any doubt about posts you made regarding places to hunt in Mississippi, whether it is a response to another Mississippi hunter, or someone from Georgia [img]images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img], delete that post before we (concerned forum members) add your name to the list of people we don't care to associate with. [img]images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_sad.gif[/img]

[ October 22, 2001: Message edited by: Anatidae ]

[greenheadhunter2000]

if you were referring to my post,Anatidae.I was only trying to warn fellow hunters of the dangers they could face trying to access this place that has been advertised by the state.There were 4 vehicles from 4 different counties at the boat landing when we arrived yesterday.These guys didn't have a clue.As a volunteer medical first responder and fire fighter,I'm one of the guys who is gonna have to get in my boat and come up that river and try to help those guys when they crash thier boat and call 911.those wonderful marshes they tell everyone about are hundreds of acres of back water beaver dams where a man could walk in cicrles for days if he got lost.just want those who come here to hunt to be careful.