Time for change? (Terribly long winded)

i thought so, It has changed,higher water level, lots of rice. All of the dead timber has fallen over making it hard to move through.

I remember the BWT of the early 90's we don't really see them in the numbers we did. Or the GWT.

Now it's Mallards and wood ducks

Sept is just a month away it will be time to start chasing Canada's soon.
 
Sorry to hear of the headaches and losses. But as one door possibly closes another one opens. For 25 years of my hunting life I had some of the best access to hunt my grandfathers farm but with his passing the family slowly sold off the land to large corporations. Many of memories being primarily the only hunter on pristine big buck, wood duck, squirrel, turkey, rabbits, quail, raccoons and you name it along the Ohio River just west of Paducah. The one thing I can say I have been thankful of is that my life from college on has opened my world to so many opportunities, friends, and different regions of the US to explore and hunt. The best part to me has been that moment of truth when you hunt and hunt to find the game. Then through a little sweat equity and possibly some extra funds spent on gas it seems like your moment arises, the sky opens. In my profession taking me through different career levels in multiple states I cannot count how many times or hours spent driving and searching, hunting with no luck or leaving immediately after work on countless weekends to drive 7 to 12 hours to meet friends in various regions of the US and even just to go back home to hunt just for the sake of feeling comfortable on home waters. I can remember moving to Texas and finally opening up to actually spending some money on some leased rice fields. When my wife drove down with me to meet the members of the lease I remember walking around on what seemed like a barren waste land of tilled fields with a handful of patches of rice growing on the acreage. It was 105 degrees that day and about the 45th day in row that southern Texas had temperatures above 100 degrees. A far cry from the Western Kentucky Region I grew-up in, the tri-state region where the big muddy meets the Ohio river, the various chain of lakes in Northern Indiana, the central swamps marshes of central Michigan, Reelfoot Lake in TN, and large acreage fields in North West Ohio. Through all my worries Texas as well as others states had the same gift to offer, the sunset was always a wonderful sight along the eastern horizon, the duck species and goose opportunities was a change what I thought was normal, and in all places there was always my first event in my life that is unforgettable. Its sometimes is a tough pill to swallow but opportunity always knocks and I would not trade any moment spending sleepless nights to meet up with family and friends for just the opportunity. Hope this season after your many years in the field you experience a "First Time" shared experience or a first time event for you in the field.
Wish the best of luck and safe hunting this year!
Kristan
 
Well we had our day in court today to try and get the restraining order. 3 1/2 hours of testimony from us and them. I was on the stand for at least 45 minutes. The landowner testified and to no surprise he said he did not want to be bothered with such issues and owns many acres of land and does not allow hunting on most of it because of the squabbles and headaches it creates (3.am. calls from Game Wardens for example). He said when he gave Wally the Exclusive Hunting Rights he had no idea about food plots, water control structures, and flooding for ducks and the conflict it would create for the farmer. He pretty much took neutral ground stating he was friends with both the plaintiff (my employer) and defendants (farmer and associates) and didn't state a preference for one land use over the other. In the end the Judge said he could not throw out the Hunting Rights my employer holds and he could not throw out the Farming Rights the farmer has, at least not yet. The judge feels there is no reason the property cannot be used for both purposes and has asked the parties involved to come to an agreement on our own. If not he will make a ruling after he researches "Hunting Rights" and "Farming Rights" and what they actually legally mean and what happens when they conflict.

I hope an agreement can be reached but just don't have a feel if the farmer will concede anything. No telling which way this is going to go but should find out in the next six weeks as the judge expects and agreement by then. The rest of the suit will be dropped if the agreement is reached. If not the Judges ruling on the restraining order may dictate the fate of the lawsuit.

Eric
 
Thanks for the update Eric. I did think it sounds good asking all parties to try an resolve it. Makes everyone sit down at the table. If it were me, I would be the one setting up the time, place and agenda. This way, if he declines, it looks bad to the judge. You want to be as proactive I’ve as you can be on this (by you I mean your side).

One thing I just thought of. I understand you do a ton already on the land. Is there anything you can do to help the farmer out during planting or harvesting? Doesnt have to be much as every bit of help is fully appreciated I can say with certainty. Something to consider.

Mark
 
Mark

Things could change but I see no way at the present time the farmer would need our help or want it. I just hope an agreement can be reached. That would be a start.

Eric
 
Thomas, a friend of his, and myself hunted the property I've been discussing today. Three people, three limits, 40 minutes into shooting time and we were picking up. We've learned if you keep the pressure low by mid January the ducks get in there pretty thick.




View attachment IMG_1212[1].JPG
 
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This may be the last update. The court case has been dropped by my employer. The land in question is going to be annexed to the city of Huntsville so the case is mute. I've known for years this was in the works and also know when it happens we lose the best private hunting spot I have access to and where we have our best hunts. With the annexation there will be no hunting there as it will now be a public recreation area and expansion of Ditto Landing. I always told Thomas that we could lose it anytime and that time is upon us. When the farmer wasn't screwing it up for us we had some awesome hunts there and I'm happy that my employer put me in charge of the hunting there for the past seven years. This ending just opens up opportunities for a new beginning and I've got my site set on a new beginning just upriver...

http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2018/02/huntsville_set_to_cross_tennes.html
 
Eric:

That's adding a kick in the balls to what was already a gut punch. "Ditto Landing" sounds like a boondoggle that will not only take away your hunting spot but also foul up a nice bit of undeveloped wetland. "Big lots with big homes" and "recreational development" do not bode well for the ducks.

My sympathies. And deep respect for how well you seem to be taking this.
 
Bummer.

But, I will say this...Arkansas is not what it was, even 10 years ago, much less 20 or more. There are still ducks, and there are still private clubs killing them, but I think the legendary hunts that everyone wants when they come here are over. Changes to ag production, hunting pressure, and I believe the flyway has shifted west over time, along with birds not even making it this far south.

If I were you, I would focus on finding an area to take a trip to once a year...Kansas, Oklahoma, etc., where there are definitely birds, and get your fill, then hunt at home knowing whatever you get there is just gravy. That's basically where I am at now with Arkansas. I hunted in Oklahoma this year, and it reminded me of Arkansas in the 1970's and '80's; I've considered taking a full week and traveling to Kansas to freelance ducks and pheasants...the first year would be mostly scouting and learning, but going back to really figure it out.
 
Sorry to read about all this Eric, sounded like it might work itself out for a minute. Awful to hear stories like this but more and more common I suppose, as are hunting leases. Hopefully they never rear their ugly heads here in Maine.

The best in your new endeavors.
 
Eric

Hard to believe it's been 7 years you've been developing that spot. That is a bummer to loose it. You've put a ton of sweat equity into that place and investment in equipment. That's a shame.

When I was in high school we had access to a private lake, only a quarter of a mile from my back door. Mind you this was in the Chicago suburbs, I think it was the only place in the "village" you could legally discharge a firearm. The last year we hunted there the owner started fielding complaints from the encroaching housing development...really boiled down to opening weekend was unseasonably warm and people were sleeping with their windows open. After that season the property ended up selling to the county forest preserve. As much of a bummer as that was to loose that hunting spot, I can look back at my memories of my childhood of scrounging about the lake, marsh and surrounding uplands and know that it is still there, although unavailable to hunt, available for others to enjoy as opposed to being developed into more housing.

You and Thomas definitely shaped lots of memories there!

Best
Chuck

Fall of 1989 - Grassy Lake (now Grassy Lake Forest Preserve, Lake County IL)
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I grew up in southern Michigan. We hunted a pair of marsh complexes for years owned by State Rep. Gary Brown's family, one in Schoolcraft twsp. and another out by Texas Corners in Texas Twsp., both open to the Public. Both marsh complexes were surrounded by agricultural lands-corn country USA. As development advanced and hunter conflicts increased, both came under "Management" by the local Michigan Duck Hunter Assoc. chapter, which to me, put the handwriting on the wall regarding Public use and access. After two years of limited access to the Public they reverted to sole use by MDHA membership, and then became leased lands. The Texas twsp. marsh is now surrounded by housing plat lands now, closed to all hunting.
 
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