Early bird restrictions on WMA's!!!

[Meeka]

Since I haven't seen a post on this, I guess no one has noticed yet. At least 2, and I'm guessing all or most state owned WMA's, have a new rule that you can not get off the road and enter the woods before 5:00 a.m.

Sounds great to me. Now, no one will beat me in, unless they are faster. I like this rule, . . . I think. Maybe they ought to have a "shotgun start" like at the golf course. I suspect there might be a little chaos at the 5:00 o'clock bell.

At any rate, the DWF&P is clearly concerned about the problems at the WMAs. Maybe Scott will chime in here.

[Stano]

I dunno bout that rule. 35 duck crusiers running wide open in the dark in freezing temps sounds bad to me. I kinda prefered the early bird gets the worm method if your determined enough to get the hole you want getting up an hour earlry is a small price to pay IMHO. Sounds more like a bass tournament. Dutch that 90hp on your war eagle might come in a little more handy!! heh

[Johnboy114]

I dont really understand what is wrong with "the early bird gets the worm" scenario. I have not heard of any one being injured by being there to early. Have yall? At the Scatters this past year the time was set at 3 a.m. Why put a restirction on the time you get out there?
Matt

[Meeka]

I do not know how or if this applies to boat ramps, but I guess it does. As far as getting up an hour earlier than you would otherwise, that is one thing. Some folks get there at midnight, some even earlier. You know who you are. I even went that early once.

[SB]

I know of at least three State WMA's that have a regulation that prevents duck hunters from leaving the main gravel roads prior to 5:00 AM C.S.T.. This gives one ample time to get to their hunting area prior to legal hunting hours without taking unsafe risks involved with spending the night in ones duck boat while in the water. This rule does apply to any area a boat may be launched from. Be sure to follow the laws governing "No Wake Zones" where posted.

[hemingway]

What are the three?

Can't say that I agree with this at all. I see nothing wrong with getting there early and "shining people off" with your flashlight...believe this new system will greatly increase danger...both from boats and 4 wheelers as well as from tempers.

[booger]

There are going to be some very interesting conversations on the gravel roads in the morning. Probably like a "Survivor" episode where guys start making an alliance together to screw the others.

I think that 5:00 is a little late to be heading out for your spot but midnight is too damn early for sure. There is no good soulution IMO.

[Drake]

I think the 3 o'clock rule was fine. It was a little early for the fair weather hunters, but it wasn't too early for those dedicated hunters who did their scouting and wanted to ensure that they got in their spot. It is going to be like a race with everybody lined up at the starting line by moving the time to 5 o'clock. If you have to go a long way, 5 o'clock will be pushing it to get set up in my opinion.

[RedEyed Duck]

Exactly who decided that this was a good idea? All the above posts cover the potential hazards; boats speeding to get there and tempers will blow through the roof. The WMA land in NW Tennessee is drawn for at the start of each season and those with rights to the various blinds hunt them provided they are in the blind by shooting time. MS is way behind the times on this one and this solutition to the problem creates a few more in its place. Good luck guys!

[RobertM]

Where has anyone seen this rule in print? If its in the pamphlets on the areas, I must be missing it. I even asked a warden about it on Saturday and he said he had not heard of that. In fact, he looked at me like I was an idiot when I asked him about it.

[booger]

RedEye, Tennessee has blinds, Mississippi does not, if we did, well we'd have to have something similar. Consider our WMA's are like one big Tennessee "walk-in-area", first come first served, just like Arkansas. (Ever see the 4:00 a.m. boat race at Bayou Meto? [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

Hyena, 5:00 a.m. for Lake George, Twin Oaks & Mahannah. It's in the printed regulations on the right hand side under "Duck Hunting" and thus already on the State's website as well. (3:00 a.m. kickoff for Malmaison though)

[ September 24, 2001: Message edited by: booger ]

[RobertM]

Booger, thanks for the info. I knew I hadn't seen it on the refuges I hunt so hopefully the 5 am rule doesn't apply there. thanks

[Meeka]

I personally am glad to not have to get up so early to hunt those spots. All the above points are well taken and I suspect the DWF&P considered them and input from the managers. Maybe they thought it was best for the creatures that like to sleep and rest at night. I am sure the 4wheelers and boats going in at night disturb the ducks and everything else, maybe the effect is minimal, I don't know.

As far as the time factor, 5 is early enough. Figure 5:30 shooting hour and figure 30 minutes to set up, that gives 1 hour of travel time. Anyone with ducks in a row can handle that.

In my opinion, this is a sign of things to come. If this does not correct our WMA problems, what comes next? Blinds and draw hunts for ducks? I sure hope not. Hunting times and in some cases days are restricted as it is. They already have that for deer. The # of hunters may be next.

And don't be so quick to blame out of staters for the new rule, though they contribute to the numbers. I think mostly, but not all, the locals are the early birds who try to keep snowbirds and other late risers from wandering around and getting to the spot. Again, I ain't throwin rocks, cause i beat the crowds on occasion.

[ September 24, 2001: Message edited by: Meeka ]