DuckSouth.com

Call Obama, he has promised to make everything and everyone happy.

DU ain't gonna do $#!+.

Duckiller i'm already ahead of you. I emailed both with no response. I have ran out of options on where to turn. I spoke with Larry he told me to contact you, Tree Doc. I talked with Jeff face to face at the headquarters Saturday morning. He basically said it is due to bottomland timber restoration. He also, in a nut shell, said their was nothing anyone was going to do about it. I have been the only one that I know of that has been staying on it but Larry informed me there were a few others. The swamp has expanded but certain portions of that wetland have been there since my great uncle hunted it with my great grandfather when he was a child back in the 30's. That swamp runs deep in my family's waterfowling roots. I made it clear to Jeff that he shafted duck hunters and we continue to get shafted by the department.

I hate the MDWFP. Not field officers but the people making politics out of our heritage. I have thought about taking pics and putting them and an editorial in the paper. Maybe getting a petition since the waterfowlers "friend" (DU and DW) doesn't mind. That swamp was crucial to our area for waterfowl. The swamp, in certain parts will never be reforested. It has been too wet for too long as well as much of it is naturally a wetland. Once again the MDWFP, COE, and NRCS have screwed over the hand that feeds them. If members here saw what they did it would make you sick. If not, your not a true waterfowler.

Any ideas on how to save this area or at least bring attention to the seemingly clear fact, that of which is the department continues to restrict waterfowlers' options more and more each season are welcomed. Come see the MDWFP's carnage first hand, my treat, in a canoe of course...less you bring your boat. IF we can get down there if water is still left. The Bald Eagle pair that winters in the marsh has left and that is the saddest part... what the wildlife will do to cope.

Here is the statement I sent to the MDWFP:

I have spoken with a fellow who's name is Jeff and he is the mitigation expert for the Okatibee district. Myself and dozens of others are quite dumbfounded by the MDWFP's draining of a Nanih Waiya wetland that has been roosting wintering waterfowl for the last 40-60 years.

The draining was due to bottomland timber reforestation efforts however, even Jeff admitted that a large part of the marsh would never be reforested due to being wet for so long. I grew up hunting this area and can attest to the fact that the marsh has grown due to siltation. However I also believe that draining an entire 800 acre block of marsh won't help.

If the MDWFP cares quite possibly a grant for an impoundment system could be setup to keep the spreading of dying timber.Something other than draining it. The areas that won't grow back will become useless for all. Other than a few swamp rabbits who like briar thickets.

The bald eagle pair that winters here in the same nest each year has left. We have seen a dramatic drop in birds in the area. The swamp is somewhat holding water now but will be gone if the rain stops. I can't say what the wildlife will do, but I can say what we will TRY to do.

Myself and others have contacted other MDWFP personnel who seemingly could care less. I am in the process of contacting Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl. We are also going to file a formal complaint with the ACOE Mobile office. We plan on putting pictures of the MDWFP's wetland carnage in the paper with before and after pictures. We are drawing up a petition. We are going to let the people speak.

We understand that something must be done to stop bottomland timber from dying. However we also know that draining a wetland that has been around for 40+ years, where the mitigation expert ADMITTED timber would never grow again, is not the answer. I know this marsh was crucial to wintering waterfowl to roost in for the entire Nanih Waiya WMA bottomland tract; as well as a wonderful place for resident wood duck populations to rear broods.

I hope to hear from you. We will NOT let this die until some conclusion is reached.

GET EM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHILE YOUR AT IT YOU DO KNOW THE PLANS FOR A FAMOUS DUCK KILLIN SPOT, south of Greentown is going to be a weekend draw next year! Thats the plan anyway, once they do it on the weekend the weekdays aint far behind.


SCREW DA GOVMT!!!!!!!!!!!


They will screw us every time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1


We need to get some signatures going, hell 10 thousand ought to do the trick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Yout talking about Jeff Mangrum. I go to church wiht him. I will see if he can give me any info tonight. he is usually a nice guy. Helped me out a lot.

there are veryfew places around here that are as beautiful as the nani wayia swamp below the mound. there are plenty of ducks , aiagators,beavers,Muskrats ,otters Bald eagles,Owls,in every tree that has a hollow in it.we need to see that somrething is done to fix this . I am going to be working on this to see why it was done ,and see if we cant get this swamp back like it was . & I dont give up easily.I may be calling on you guys for some help in the near future .

Tree Doctor my name is Austin Hill. My phone number is 803-0310. Contact me if need be. I am working on it as well.

hntrpat1 wrote:DU ain't gonna do $#!+.

See other post.

My major concern is the wood duck hatch, all of those tupelo gums and old trees with holes in them are not going to be hatching as many wood ducks this year, but on the other hand, if that swamp stays dry through the summer think about how much duck food would be in there! Although there has always been more food than ducks in that swamp anyway!

JD

Not to mention the summer time opportunities. Fishing, bow fishing, frog gigging, crawfishing.

I hope we can have a meeting & talk about this and get the problem solved and get on with life and kill lots of ducks next year.

Didn't I see a Snail Darter there?

You shut your stinkin mouth!