Did you see the article in the Demazet today?

Go ahead and shoot any pictures you like. Our WMAs are open to the public. I look forward to seeing the pictures. Maybe you'll catch a glimpse of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Yes, you can Ivory-billed Woodpecker guide on the WMA. Charge what you like. If you want to guide people who are interested in the flora of the WMA, you can do that as well. You just can't waterfowl guide on the state's WMAs.

 

Mike used to work here at the AGFC. He was our waterfowl biologist. He's a very good biologist and now works for DU.

 

Old DH,
I look forward to seeing these pictures. Can you give me a hint as to what they may show?

 

Keith, Old is beating around the bush, assuming you already know. There was a private landowner that applied for a permit to improve a old 4 wheeler trail through Dagmar into his land. Supposedly he did a lot more than just improve it. Like, sb2, gravel, improved a launching ramp, etc.

 

I can't believe my eyes, anyone can guide for anything EXCEPT for duck hunting? Sheesh, I dare ask Keith if an out of stater can guide too?

boog's pecker peeking guide service, if you have cash I will travel.

Now my worst fears are starting to materialize about this mess. State lands could be nuts, but the Feds do have "commercial activities" regulated so not as bad?

Oh well, no water anyway.

 

Keith,

So you've admitted that the proof is not "undeniable".

There's not shred of evidence that it's a hoax, but there's no shred of "undeniable evidence" either... six one way, half dozen another as they say.

Wouldn't it have made a lot more sense to NOT spend this kind of money and NOT take away hunter privileges (from land the duck stamp paid for...) prior to getting "undeniable" proof?

Back to my original question. How long will we continue this without "undeniable" proof?

"Scientist" doesn't carry much weight in my book. I just look at how "scientists" have hurt duck hunting with all these refuges and rest areas.

sw

 

Stumpy,
I don't know that everyone will ever be 100% convinced when provided with a video, photograph or recording of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. There are so many conspiracy theorists out there, that nothing will convince them that the Ivory-billed Woodpecker does exist. As for your question about a timetable, there is not a timetable that I'm aware of. You claimed that this was a hoax, I promise you that this is not a hoax. I don't think so many people would put their livelihood and reputations in jeopardy so they could say this bird exists. After seeing the bird, these ornithologists waited 14 months before they made this announcement. They wanted to make sure that their proof stood up to public scrutiny.

I can't say this enough, you can still duck hunt on the Cache, the White and Dagmar. The only restriction is on a fraction of the Cache NWR and you're only required to get a permit before you go out to the managed access area. If additional money is made available (due to the rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker) to purchase land for the public's use, how can that be a bad thing for hunters? With this money, land is being taken out of production and returned to its natural setting. It will also be made available to the public, which includes hunters.

 

Keith,

I think everyone agrees that the move to eliminate duck guides on State WMA's was done on the premise that it would help relieve the overcrowding and pressure.....

Now the AG&F is going to allow unlimited commerical guiding of bird watchers into these same areas, at the same time the duck hunters are trying to use them.....

Explain to me again how it is that you are looking out for the duck hunters who have paid the lions share for the purchase and upkeep of these area's?

Explain how this is not taking a huge step backwards in the attempt to relieve overcrowding and pressure?

I know this.... If I was a duck guide who got run off state ground I would be warming up my lawyer right now....

 

DU,
I'm glad you asked that question. We received many complaints from duck hunters who said that they felt like duck guides were causing a problem with overcrowding on our WMAs. The Commission listened to Arkansas' duck hunters and made the decision to ban guides from the state's WMAs. They didn't make that decision overnight.

That's why we haven't done anything with the bird guides at this point. We don't have any data that says it's a problem since this is the first time anyone's wanted to guide birdwatchers on the WMAs. We are gathering data from consumptive and non-consumptive users as they enter the WMAs. We have hired extra help to survey people who are using the WMAs to see if any problems arise.