Question for DU and DW members

[Po Monkey Lounger]

If you could change one thing about DU (mission, priority, fundraising, etc.), what would it be?

Same question with respect to DW?

With respect to DU, I would like to see DU adopt predator management as one of its tools for duck production, especially in critical areas of the PPR. With respect to DW, I would like to see DW do more to demonstrate, on a larger scale, the effectiveness of predator management in terms of numbers of ducks in the air.

[Bustin' Ducks]

DU-Banquet prices...and for both more work here in MS...

[AvianQuest]

I don't know that I would change anything with either organization.

As for DU, they spend over $20 million each year on predator management, but that's not counting the trapping they do.

Yes, DU still traps but not as much as in the past although they did a large scale beaver trapping program in Minnesota this past year.

DU's research has shown that we get a lot more bang for our bucks by putting the money into habitat improvement that uses nesting islands and fenced off peninsulas to keep the predators away from the nests.

If your dollar is spent on trapping alone, it can only count for one dollar. But when DU uses your dollar for predator management through habitat improvement, they can get matching funds that turns your dollar into FIVE dollars. Now that's some big time bang for your buck.

[GulfCoast]

I think coming off the $4 cokes and $4 ice cream cones at the DU Outdoors Fest might be a good place to start. I believe, deserved or not, many Southern duck hunters have a bad taste in their mouth over DU. DU needs to kick the PR machine running and try to get back in the good graces of the grass roots.

[Delta Duck]

GC, Your right about the grass roots!

[duck]

AvianQuest, what is wrong with beavers and ducks? Duh, I don't think beavers are predators of ducks. They only dam up streams,creeks etc. to pond up water. I would tend to think this would benefit duck nesting grounds. Dunno, maybe I'm missing something.

[torch]

DU should:

1) Stop asking for money out of the farm bill and stop lying about it afterwards.

2) Adopt the same regulations in Canada and Mexico that we do. Limits season lengths.


3) Open some of the refuges they control to 3 day a week public hunting or DU member hunting.

4) Adopt the 50% rule on use of state duck stamp money. 50% stays in the state of origin and 50% to the general fund.

5) DU and DW stop bitching at each other and work together for the common good of the ducks

[RIP EM]

Did you say they were trapping beavers ?

Why ?

Am I missing something here ? Shouldn't trapping be aimed at Fox, Coon, and Skunk ?

Predators ! I understand there are places we don't "want", or "need", beavers,... but here in South Ms., beavers = another place to duck hunt !

AND THAT'S A GOOD THANG !!!!

Just curious !

Rip Em !

[Hambone]

Torch, a couple of questions and comments:
1. If I recall correctly, the Farm Bill fiasco was in 2002 and nothing similar happened since. While that was certainly a huge PR blunder around here, isn't it time to move on?
2. What say-so does DU have in setting Mexican and Canadian season dates and bag limits?
3. Where are the refuges that DU controls?
4. Can Mississippi dictate where duck stamp funds go as a condition of the donation? It seems to me that if DU gets the money without some strings attached, it is naturally going to spend it according to DU's priorities, which may or may not be consistent with ours in Mississippi.
5. DU and DW need to each quit worrying so much about what the other is doing. The sniping between the groups is counterproductive and is probably scaring prospective members away from each. DW does not need validation from DU if DW wants to catch foxes and skunks. DU needs to focus on habitat and leave the predator deal alone if it doesn't approve.

[torch]

Hambone do you honestly believe that DU has nothing to do with setting season dates and limits here in the US? They are the largest hunting lobby in the states. They have there 20 day meeting with the USFWS and present all there data and the USFWS uses that and ther own to make decisions. DU twists there arm and you can't tell me any different.

[webfoot]

Hambone:

4. Can Mississippi dictate where duck stamp funds go as a condition of the donation? It seems to me that if DU gets the money without some strings attached, it is naturally going to spend it according to DU's priorities, which may or may not be consistent with ours in Mississippi.

DU does have in state partners; but to find out how the money is spent is another question.... MDWFP does not want to release distribution of revenue and expenditures in Fund 3470 (State Duck Stamp Fund) for the following years 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 and 1998.

I wonder why?

[the doctor]

hey torch

I got to thinking one way we can keep our dollars here is to quit buying stamps, when we get ticketed maybe more of that money will stay here... probably go to help convicts in shelby though. hehehehe!

the doc

[torch]

Hey Doc I said the same thing the other day. A customer wanted to poach on some POSTED land and I told him a tresspassing ticket was $88 bucks and cheaper than a guided hunt. Plus all that money stays in the state. HAHAHAHAHAH

[Hambone]

Torch and Webfoot, my previous questions are serious. I am not interested in debating DU vs. DW. I am a member of both and think they are both worthwhile. I don't know how much influence DU has in setting season lengths and bag limits in the US, but I am sure there is some. Torch, a minute ago, you said that "DU should adopt the same regulations in Canada and Mexico that we do." That was the source of my question. Webfoot, if you want to see MWDFP's records, you might want to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act. They may not want to hand records over, but the law doesn't allow that option.

[waterbug]

If anyone wants to put up the $ to pay for the copying fee, I will draft the request under the Act. My last copy fee pursuant to the Act was over $200.