Matthews Brake

[RLJames]

.....take a pill, will ya?

damnitol 700mg extended release

Send me one. I'm short of breath and my vision is getting blurred.

[Don Miller]

I'm just gonna hunt with Don Miller....

ain't no draw there.

If I catch GreenheadJim trespassing, taking and posting pictures of my blind again, there is gonna be a jingle fest at the boat ramp!

[LODI QUACKER]

JUST HOW BIG A BOY ARE YA??

[driveby]

I know a guy who is a member of a club that has a ramp there. He had considered getting out but he might not now.

[GreenheadJim]

JUST HOW BIG A BOY ARE YA??

He better be awful big, cause I ain't no easy win negro. I might just get in the blind with him. What have you been up to Quacker?

[LODI QUACKER]

Not much man, little fishin and seeing how screwed our duck hunting is, trying to come up with a different plan.

WHats happening in the big city??

[GreenheadJim]

Not much going on here. Just trying to decide if I need to sell my rig. They really messed things up big time.

[ducman77]

Leave it to the Gov't to stick it in our a s s!!!! I HATE THE FEDERAL GOV'T!!!!!!!!!! I know more than two ways to get into that place...I bet the permit sales drop this year....I wish they would leave the da mn duck hunting alone....

[ducman77]

I sent them a real nice email...

[msdeltadawg]

You guys do realize that if it weren't for the federal government, most of us would have never set out the first decoy in that place.
My Dad and I started hunting there when the North end was first purchased, wasn't even a public boat ramp at that time, nobody else hunting it hardly except a few locals. Had some of my most memorable hunts of my life there in the early eighties, I applaud the efforts of the feds to limit the number of hunters in there, maybe I can make some more memories. The last few years have been the most miserable hunting at the brake that I can recall, and I am glad to see someone in charge is finally listening to some of our complaints, about some of the people on this board I would suspect.

[DUCK-HUNT]

You guys do realize that if it weren't for the federal government, most of us would have never set out the first decoy in that place.
My Dad and I started hunting there when the North end was first purchased, wasn't even a public boat ramp at that time, nobody else hunting it hardly except a few locals. Had some of my most memorable hunts of my life there in the early eighties, I applaud the efforts of the feds to limit the number of hunters in there, maybe I can make some more memories. The last few years have been the most miserable hunting at the brake that I can recall, and I am glad to see someone in charge is finally listening to some of our complaints, about some of the people on this board I would suspect.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Yeah keep complaining and see where that gets us... no access

[RiverDuck]

You guys do realize that if it weren't for the federal government, most of us would have never set out the first decoy in that place.
My Dad and I started hunting there when the North end was first purchased, wasn't even a public boat ramp at that time, nobody else hunting it hardly except a few locals. Had some of my most memorable hunts of my life there in the early eighties, I applaud the efforts of the feds to limit the number of hunters in there, maybe I can make some more memories. The last few years have been the most miserable hunting at the brake that I can recall, and I am glad to see someone in charge is finally listening to some of our complaints, about some of the people on this board I would suspect.

"The sale of hunting licenses, tags, and stamps is the primary source of funding for most state wildlife conservation efforts.

By respecting seasons and limits, purchasing all required licences, and paying federal excise taxes on hunting equipment and ammunition, individual hunters make a big contribution towards ensuring the future of many species of wildlife and habitat for the future. By paying the Federal excise tax on hunting equipment, hunters are contributing hundreds of millions of dollars for conservation programs that benefit many wildlife species, both hunted and non- hunted.

Each year, nearly $200 million in hunters' federal excise taxes are distributed to State agencies to support wildlife management programs, the purchase of lands open to hunters, and hunter education and safety classes. Proceeds from the Federal Duck Stamp, a required purchase for migratory waterfowl hunters, have purchased more than five million acres of habitat for the refuge system (2005 statistics only); lands that support waterfowl and many other wildlife species, and are usually open to hunting.

Local hunting clubs and national conservation organizations work to protect the future of wildlife by setting aside thousands of acres of habitat and speaking up for conservation in our national and state capitals. "

-That comes straight off the U.S. Fish and Wildlife website

Now, I am very happy that the Federalies purchased Matthews, as it has provided me a and my compadres a wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors and given us memories that will last a lifetime. BUT.... if it weren't for past HUNTERS' (our money) contributions and support, the Brake may not even be a topic of discussion today.

You mention in your post "applauding the efforts of the feds to limit the number of hunters in there." Are you serious, I mean really. How happy are you going to be when you don't get drawn out there for he next decade. They "limited" it to where you will be more likely to be struck by lightning than getting to go out there on a weekend. So, maybe in 2014 when you get drawn you will be able to relive the glory days of your youth....

What are your complaints....Overcrowding.....really?.....Matthews.....lots of people......Well, I will give you the benefit of the doubt on that one because at times, YES, the Brake did get a little crazy. But that is the ONLY valid complaint I could see where limiting the number of parties would be an answer. But is that really worth giving up your right, or in this case, priveledge, to go and enjoy one of gods creations at its finest?

Maybe you would just rather them shut the place down to where nobody can hunt it because you are bitter that you can't kill ducks out there anymore, who knows...I have beat this thing to death....some people will just never understand, one day when they dont have anywhere to go hunt they will.........

[litlhitch]

You guys do realize that if it weren't for the federal government, most of us would have never set out the first decoy in that place.
My Dad and I started hunting there when the North end was first purchased, wasn't even a public boat ramp at that time, nobody else hunting it hardly except a few locals. Had some of my most memorable hunts of my life there in the early eighties, I applaud the efforts of the feds to limit the number of hunters in there, maybe I can make some more memories. The last few years have been the most miserable hunting at the brake that I can recall, and I am glad to see someone in charge is finally listening to some of our complaints, about some of the people on this board I would suspect.

Glad to see somebody speak up 'on the other side'. All this bitching about the MDWFP and the USFWS..they are investing alot of money in the places they have now and are always trying to acquire new places and make the places they have better..if you guys had to listen to the bitchn and moaning from the public you finally realize you wont make everyone happy. Alot of places are scared to implement change because of the history of a place, but overcrowding is becoming a serious problem..when a fella cant hunt without someone setting up within 50 yards, somethings gotta happen..other than shooting at the other groups ducks, etc. Granted, when you make some places a draw, the non-draw areas are going to become more crowded. There really isnt a happy medium unless they are all wide open or are all draw..Limiting hunters should make the outings a little more enjoyable and hopefully increase the kill

On the other end of the spectrum, I doubt I would love the things I do today had I not been able to go to my favorite hunting spots and be able to hunt whenever I wanted to when I was growing up. If the places I grew up hunting were a draw, I may get to hunt the area 3 or 4 times a year..When you go to restricting the places people can hunt, you may be pushing some people away from the sport of duck hunting.

Either way, statements such as 'I HATE' the USFWS are unnecessary. They could make them a true refuge and not allow any hunting.

[LODI QUACKER]

That exactly what has been done for the people who WORK for a living and hunt on the weekends!

msdeltadawg are you serious? You know.......Screw it!

Good luck on the Draw!!!!!!!!

[driveby]

I read what a couple of you said about how at least it's open for hunting and it brought up something that is a bitter pill for me over here in Bama. Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, federal land bought with your duck stamp money. You can deer hunt it and small game hunt it but not duck hunt it. When you drive through there you can see countless thousands of ducks and geese. Our money is used to plant some of the nicest looking crops you will see for waterfowl and there are several huge feeders as well. A duck or goose never has to leave for anything. Now, if you duck hunt in the area on either public or private land, how are you supposed to compete with that? Back before my time of waterfowling there were hunts there. There were only a few a year and they were draws. There was also a 10 shell limit. Now, nothing. Don't get me wrong. I absolutley believe waterfowl need a place to rest but on the other hand a few weekend hunts a year should not be out of the question. Wheeler has traveled the same slippery slope that Matthews appears to be traveling. I guess what I'm trying to get at is, be thankful for what you still have but at the same time be careful about what you might lose. Keep a close eye on those in charge or Matthews will be another Wheeler. With our current administration, don't think for a minute that tree hugging liberals won't work their way into postitions of authority in these areas and do away with some of your hunting to protect the "animals rights".