Attention NJ Waterfowl Hunters ***Must Read**

Capt. Larry M

Capt. Larry M

Well-known member
As you all know the 2012-2013 Coastal Waterfowl season has come to a conclusion. As I write this the weather has turned frigid and the best gunning days of the season will not be. The framework is set so that NJ could have a season up till the end of January; NY, MD, MA and DE ALL have seasons with later ending dates than NJ; Why is This?
I have been told by state biologists, wardens and federal biologists, all 1st hand this is because ‘you guys wanted it this way!’ I challenge that because I for one, along with many other hardcore coastal gunners would like to see the coastal zone season go to the last possible day, given the current framework. Most of my fellow waterfowl hunters are probably not aware that we tried to change this last year but due to our failure to get organized, change did not happen for the coastal zone, but as I write this retention ponds, salt ponds, creeks, rivers and bays are beginning to freeze which would have given us some great waterfowl hunting opportunities this week, for our usual species as well as some exotics. Due to last year’s behind the scenes negotiating a survey was drafted to poll duck hunters on ‘How would you like your season structured?’. 1,000 surveys went out randomly with the expectation of getting 40%-50% of them back, I know hardly anyone who received one. But putting that aside why should 400-500 waterfowl hunters decide the fate of our seasons?

We are trying to put together a unified coalition of serious waterfowl hunters who would like to see change. I feel along with dozens of others that I have spoken to, that we can have true compromise that all could live with. We are in the early stages of putting together a Town-Hall coalition of duck hunters that would like to see the season for coastal zone gunning made later and give us all an opportunity for some quality gunning each year. I ask for everyone’s feedback and suggestions, I would like to see this discussion open to North Zone & South Zone hunters as well and if you want changes too let’s all work together on a unified front. The only thing I ask is that when we announce our Town-Hall meeting that you find the time to come out and show your support on a Unified front. We are not looking for any arguments and want this to be a positive and productive forum. We also will try to get some state officials to attend as well. I ask for your attendance & support when plans are announced.

Thank you
 
Larry,

The whole reason why any of the coastal issues were even considered is because of the Barnegat Bay Chapter of Delta Waterfowl. When you state "we" tried to get stuff done but couldn't get organized, leaves me wondering who the "we" is.

New Jersey Waterfowlers and DU in NJ were fine with the North and South season date changes and didn't press the issue with the coastal zone since they felt that 2 out of three wasn't bad for now.

Because of the work of the Barnegat Bay Chapter of Delta Waterfowl within two days we had a letter drafted by the New Jersey State Legislature and signed by Senators Connors and Van Drew as well as 4 assembly members that was sent to Dave Chanda citing the Barnegat Bay Chapter and a call for an emergency meeting. Because of the time frame of when the "proposed" dates came out and what we were actually trying to accomplish in a very short time, Dave asked me if we could assist them in a formal survey of NJ waterfowl hunters based on HIP surveys and try to get some statistical data.

I personally had a meeting with Ted Nichols (state biologist) Gary, Joe and Jimmy. Ted had prepared 1,100 surveys to go out. He was not "allowing" as you say 400-500 respondents to dictate the results for all. He was only expecting a 50% return rate based on previous experience on surveys.

Rather than trying to make another voice in NJ, feel free to get involved with the Barnegat Bay Chapter. Once the results are in an we are informed then we can see what kind of work needs to be done.

I say this again, truthfully and wholeheartedly - THE ONLY REASON THE SURVEY WAS EVEN INITIATED WAS BECAUSE OF THE WORK ON BEHALF OF THE BARNEGAT BAY CHAPTER OF DELTA WATERFOWL.
 
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It's all good Larry. With the dinner coming up in two weeks, I will have copies of the letter that was drafted by the NJ State Legislature for hand outs. I will also be taking contact information so that we can best notify people when something needs to be done.

You know that things do not always move fast through the legislature and this isn't something that can be done with a stroke of a pen. I am happy that you are involved with this and know that there will be a positive outcome

I'll call you around lunch time.
 
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I received a survey this year and sent in my preferences to a later season. so there is one vote there already.
 
Mike, speak to you later, Tom L appreciate you returning the survy and letting the state know how you feel about the situation. Mike you are right this won't get done overnight and we need to be 1 voice unified no matter what!
 
1,000 surveys went out randomly with the expectation of getting 40%-50% of them back, I know hardly anyone who received one. But putting that aside why should 400-500 waterfowl hunters decide the fate of our seasons?
Click to expand...


I'm not from New Jersey (duh!) but I stayed at a Holiday Inn once...anyway, if they really expected to get back 40-50% of the surveys, they are idiots. They'd be lucky to get that kind of responce with a captive audience. I think 10-15% is more common in a mailed survey.

Good luck making the change, it's touch to make happen, and to be a devil's advocate, it's touch to be on the other side because you'll never make everyone happy. There has been an ongoing arguements for years here in Michigan with one side wanting later seasons to catch the late divers and a bunch of whiners complaining if the season is later the woodies will all be gone. In the last 10 years, at least 8 openers have been over 70 degree weather...I don't think they should be so worried about the woodies.

Best
Chuck


Chuck
 
I'm O.k. with the south zone the way it is, but have no problems with letting coastal go til the end of January. You guys seem to get your birds later then we do in the south and need the sweetwater to freeze before things really get good. .
 
During 48 seasons of Waterfowling, I think I can count on one hand, how many season dates guys were happy with. My feeling is it doesn't matter WHERE ya hunt, North, South, East and West.
It's a standing issue cuz we All wanna be "Out There" when the birds are there. We so love what we DO, and where we DO it, and when the season is over it's a tough time to handle...............
Why? Well, as my best huntin' partner used to say, "Hell I don't know if I'll be alive next season". Waterfowlers like to look to the future, but Love to live in the NOW.
 
Yes, coastal dates need correcting. Open it for the Thanksgiving week. Close it for a week or so. Then open sometime mid December through February.

What do you need from us to get this done?
 
Had a good conversation with Capt Larry last night. We all need to work together on this. Even though I was pointing out somethings that the Barnegat Bay chapter has done(more to show the membership that we are trying to accomplish things), this was in no way an attempt to belittle DU, NJWA. I am a member of both. We are not in this for personal glory, we all just want to be able to hunt when the birds are here.

There will be a call to action in the near future and we are going to need everyone to show up in numbers to get it done. Together WE CAN accomplish more.
 
I am getting lots of positive feedback offline from fellow hunters lets keep the momentum going!, make sure you speak to your friends that are not members of our online community I have what I posted in a word document and would be happy to email it to you for distribution
 
Same here Larry. Talked to a lot of people these past two days and there are a lot of ticked off NJ duck hunters. I don't see this one loosing momentum. We've had enough and I know that you're pissed too. We can only defeat ourselves on this one and that's not going to happen.
 
********News Flash******************

Just got off the phone with one of my clients to discuss his support, he informed me that his 16 year old son received the survey that was sent out to 1100 hunters....what kind of survey goes out to children to influence the fate of the waterfowl seasons.....talk about moronic this kid is a nice kid but he can't vote, fight for his country or drive but someone at the state feels he is mature enough to chime in about when the waterfowling seasons shoud be set???
wallmad.gif

 
Larry,

I received your email. I will send an email out to my clients to see if any of them received the survey. I find it interesting how it is possible for folks that live outside the state, only hunt in the state a couple times per year, may receive this survey and have input over those who hunt it for the entire season. I will be in touch.
 
Dennis, thanks for helping with the cause your help and everyone elses help is greatly appreciated. I look forward to later seasons for 2013-2014 thanks!!!
 
Ted Nichols, the State Biologist was OK with these dates. My chapter met with him a few times along with NJWA and DU. Once Ted recommends it, it is pretty much done. As long as we get the weather that we need, we could have a great season.
 
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