MS River hunters

[JMallard]

What are the laws concerning were you can and can't hunt flooded water. If water is backed up on to private land can you legally hunt out of your boat on that land. Just trying to get that straight.....I have heard of rain dances.....anyone know the steps to a cold weather dance.Thanks.

[Wingman]

I don't know the law, and this subject is sure to start a huge arguement, but invision yourself as a landowner with land next to the river. You've got this really good spot to duck hunt, but all of a sudden, the river floods out of the banks and now your whole place is flooded. In comes the hunters, who, because the river is flooding your place, think that they can hunt wherever their boat will take them. Now technically, they are hunting over your land, but at the same time, they are hunting the River. How would you feel if you were the landowner?

Wingman

[jbeam17]

Fellas I understand completely where your coming from. Where I work we get these complaints all the time, and I think there right, I would be mad as hell if I owned land that flooded and weekend warriors came all over me, but as I understand, like it or not if the boat is floating you are legal as long as you never leave the boat and stay in atleast six inches of water. Now one little trick I have seen used is if there decoy anchors hit the bottom they are trespassing and can be charged. Some land owners on the Tenn Tom have used this in the past. Another thing the Mississippi has different rules than other bodies of water, you need to check in to that also. As far as i am concerned, just use common courtesy and don't go to far into the timber, your gut will tell you when you have gone to far in. [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[booger]

Here we go again, so here I go again. When the landowner bought, inherited or leased the land the river may have been at 12 feet. Then on a different day the river is then at 37 feet (or whatever). It's a whole new ballgame then folks. THE river is OUR river and if it grows, so does OUR hunting opportunity, up until floodstage is reached. At that point you need to be much more careful about where you end up. People will start talking about the "natural banks" of the river and all I can tell you is that it is quite "natural" for the river to be at 40 feet at Vicksburg. If you're between the levees you're a guest of the Corp of Engineers, IMO.

[JMallard]

Thank you all for the input.
I am like most of you..on both sides of the issue. We hunt land that borders the MS and Bayou Peirre. (No levees here to go by). I still would like to see the law on this. I am asking because, either people do not need to be were I am hunting....or I would not mind hunting some places that are now flooded.
P.S.....Pintail...you should be able to find some info on this for sure....if you would get out of that cubicle.....

[jbeam17]

you can stick this cubicle up your..... as far as i am concerned! see ya tonight

[Hung Up]

Hey JMallard, are you and Ray John going to do any hunting this weekend? Maybe you can luck up and John will show you how to blow a duck call!!!!

[JMallard]

We will probaly do a litte...if the weather is right....do I know you?

[goosebruce]

The river is yours true nuff. But the floodwaters aint. You float past a tree with a mans posted sign on it, yur poaching. You float over a mans fence, its the same as you walking through a gap. Trespassing is trespassing, you can call it whatever you want, but its still the same. If I live on a river bank, and the water rise up to my second story window, can you float yur boat cross my living room? Why not, as long as you didnt anchor on my easy chair, or tie up to my Christmas tree with that If I can float it, I own it logic. That man owns the ground, and the right to travel the water above it, period. If he can deed it, you can't hunt it. travis

[bush]

Definately a hot topic. But I do have a story, speaking from an experience of a hunting parnter of mine. About 4 - 5 years ago, we ran into this same situation. At the time we hunted Chotard & Albermarle lakes north of Vicksburg that are fed, rise and fall, by the mighty Mississipp. Tara Wildlife, INC., runs a top notch guide service over there in the same area. That year, the water was up close to what it is now, 25+ feet, and we had a couple of run ins with their guides, due to the fact that the party I often hunt with, was "on [their] land". But, as the law states (at least it did then), as long as you can access the hunting area by navigable waterways, i.e.-public rivers, streams, lakes, etc., then the "trespassor" is not trespassing at all. Only if you get out & wade, or set foot on hard ground are you in violation of the law. So when the river is up, all is fair game. If I were a land owner or leasee, and someone came in and accessed "my hole", I wouldn't be happy about this. The only way to beat the "trespassors" at that point then, would be to get to the hole first (unless you are victim to a similar story or post like "Parasites on the River!"). If such an occurrence did happen where you have land, owned or leased, and do come in on someone that is already hunting it and give them a hard time about it, slap paddles on the water, bang the boat, etc. (don't laugh!), you could conceivably be charged with "hunter harrassment". Again, don't laugh! I know of this happening. Like the above posts say though, just use common sense & courtesy, but also be aware of the law. If anyone knows any different than what I have posted, or you have updated information, please advise. Good topic. [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

[booger]

goosebruce, first tell me what flood stage is for that geographic area?

If it ain't flooding it ain't trespassing, it's called the river, and it's ours. At lower water you can run fence out to the channel or stick posted signs on all the trees if you want to, but that don't mean jack.

[JMallard]

Good discussion for this board so far..I appreciate the response...this is a sensitive issue for a alot of people...
Most people around us use the Vicksburg guage...flood stage is 43 I believe.

[Big Lou]

Where is Gulfcoast? Is he the only Lawyer on this board. Judge don't you have any input on this matter? What legal reference would you use in such a case to make a decision? [img]images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]

[RiverRunner]

Booger hit the nail on the head....if it ain't flooding it ain't trespassing. We've had clowns try to run out of places when the river was at 22' on the Vicksburg gauge.

[LimitOut]

I've always heard landowners own to low water level which means to when the river is at zero. So your really not legal anywhere. But unless your hunt near a peepee hunting club they usually won't say anything to you. Just make sure you have correct licensing for the state on side of river your hunting. I saw arkansas game wardants writing tickets last year to some mississippi folks on the Arkansas side of the river. Guess they should have flauged up better.