Shed hunting NWR? Recent Comments

re: Shed hunting NWR?

2010-03-30 22:39:49

posted by: perchjerker. I agree with Tim that the open forums are for folks to voice there opinions and feelings. Yes, alot of the refuges are managed differently because of different managers but all have the same general rules. And yes the generalization of no atv's and snow machines on upper souris is because there is in fact always bad apples that somehow cant keep there equipment on the ice and just like the common courtesy of not driving on a prairie trail when its muddy and tearing up the road, they just seem to be drawn to driving off established trails and roads. I do agree with the fact that it should be allowed and enforcement and fines strictly enforced.
Yes, birdwatchers are allowed to get special use permits (as are the public) at the managers discression to photograph birds in a professional manner. Most of these folks have been around similar areas and know what to look out for. But, those are not acquired for photography and shed hunting as you are walking from spot to spot. With todays technology, most photographers can take pictures from the auto tour routes where the general public can also drive and do not need to walk across closed areas as most managers would tell you.

re: Shed hunting NWR?

2010-03-30 14:53:00

posted by: Tim Sandstrom. I don't think you can even hike into the refuge until deer season starts (maybe bird watchers??). Shed just gets ate by the critters and no one enjoys it (except the mouse or whatever chewing on it). Kinda similar to arrowheads on the shore of Lake Sakakwea that gets busted by a cow hoof instead of placed in a display case.

re: Shed hunting NWR?

2010-03-30 10:17:41

posted by: Allen.

Tim Sandstrom Said:
And the million dollar question is why? Never did understand it.

Because it is federal property for the good of all. Last thing the taxpayers want as a whole is to see shed hunters taking something that if left on the ground could be seen and viewed by many people who hike in the refuges. If taking stuff off of the refuges were allowed they would soon become barren of everything.

re: Shed hunting NWR?

2010-03-30 10:17:30

posted by: Tim Sandstrom. aggie,

I struggle to find how my comments are degrading to the refuge system or some how geared to direct attacks to the refuge. Sarcasm? Yeah, I suppose my comment of "I guess it will disturb a goose" can be seen as sarcastic. But hack and attack associated? If so, then I apologize but I don't think people need to be that sensitive.

I'm not sure if you work for the refuge or have family or friends who work for the refuge. I say this because if you do work for the refuge you have had to of come across my letters. In addition to the letters and comments (comment period) I have had email conversations and phone calls with folks at the Upper Souris. This dates back to my days even before being involved with FBO.

Point being, I have commented and done so in a "professional" manner. You'll find those "professional" comments throughout this website too.

Now turning back to the first statement of your most recent post. Yeah, there are people that break the laws. What does that have to do with anything? There are far more that do not and if we were going to rule the land by what the minority does we will have major disagreement on that.

If you are interested, PM and I'll try to include some attachments with my letters (they might be on my home computer though) and see if I still have my emails stored in my Outlook folders. In addition, I'll do my best to search through the FBO archives. Should be able to find the one where I posted my comments I sent to the Upper Souris folks.

re: Shed hunting NWR?

2010-03-30 10:02:45

posted by: aggiefan.

Tim,

You may not trespass, litter, take over you limit, or violate other laws. But I'm sure you can agree that unfortunately, many do. Theres no reason to take my comments personal unless the shoe fits.
My point is your seemingly constant sarcastic comments towards the management at Upper Souris should stop.
You obviously have problems with how the refuge is managed.
Thats fine, but I would think you as the manager of this site would address your concerns and comments to those folks in charge in a professional manner.

Not with juvenile comments on nearly every thread relating to the refuge.

You yourself posted the thread about conduct and humor not long ago, I suggest you read it yourself.

As far as the fishery is concerned, Management of waterfowl, other wildlife, and their habitat is priority #1 of Upper Souris and other NWRs.
The fishery is a distant mangement objective. If its was found to be destructive to the overall wildlife management goal, fishing and the fishery itself at Darling would be shut down in a heartbeat.

re: Shed hunting NWR?

2010-03-30 09:55:10

posted by: bobkat. I understand the NWR system, but I don't understand the ice fishing regulations. In winter I'd doubt anything would be disturbed other than maybe a few snow buntings or redpolls. Not even them if limited to the ice surface. As long as anglers don't leave garbage, stay on the ice surface, or cause some other dcamage, I can't see why the restriction!?!
As Tim says, sock it to any lawbreakers with stiff penalties. Word would get around quick!
Where andf when is this public comment period, Tim? Like I keep preaching on FBO, there's strength in numbers if Sportsmen/women act en mass! Even suggest a one year trial period of allowing snowmobiles or ATV's ice fishing access.
I'm pretty open minded and relatively 'green' and if there is a good reason to prohibit winter access like that I can accept it and live with it. If there isn't then lets change the rules - at least for a trial period.

re: Shed hunting NWR?

2010-03-30 09:47:46

posted by: HUNTNFISHND. I agree with Tim that some of the regulations are rediculous.

As far as sheds, I guess they are a nutrient and mineral source for animals so I can understand why they would not be allowed to be taken. Does not mean they can't be looked for and photographed though.

re: Shed hunting NWR?

2010-03-30 09:23:05

posted by: Tim Sandstrom. P.S.

I don't even shed hunt but I do know of two deer I'd like to find the headgear for and they didn't get big by living on other people's property. And questioning my dedication and hard work in contacting landowners? I think I do a pretty good job. Have a file cabinet set aside just for landowner contacts, notes, maps, etc.

My opinion regarding the refuge I think is a very fair one. I understand the refuge system, I do. I get it. But to say the public is some sort of dumb species. Well, I take offense to that because I do my part to follow the rules and walk the line of ethics with my utmost best attempts. It is very difficult to look at Audubon and then look at Darling and understand the whole situation. Lucky they even stock fish? How? We pay for it through our tax dollars. The ice fisherman isn't destroying anything on that refuge. Nothing. Allowing ATVs and snowmobiles with restrictions and severe penalties would do nothing to destroy it either. There's just a thorn in this discussion and the thought of change.

Although, it appears to be coming to the surface with talks of allowing pheasant hunting, moving the buoy and maybe even allowing turkey hunting. So if the public did that by whining or taking "constant shots" and moved some forward thinking then I pat myself on the back. Everyone else who shared concerns should do the same. Nothing wrong...I repeat NOTHING wrong with sharing concerns and questions. That's what they hold public comment periods for. Darling now I believe won't have another for something like 8 years. So you darn right I am going to be vocal. When the feds only give you a short window you need to do the most you can.

re: Shed hunting NWR?

2010-03-30 09:14:36

posted by: Tim Sandstrom. aggie,

I have. Good news too. They are proposing moving the buoy and going to allow pheasant hunting. Wonder if letter writing and exposure of "whining" helped? I suppose since something happened it probably wasn't. The management just decided to do it on their own. That's fine. Progress is being made.

Darling and Audubon are similar refuges built for waterfowl. Yet, well, we both know the differences in management.

re: Shed hunting NWR?

2010-03-30 09:09:28

posted by: aggiefan. Good post perch

Not every place needs to be open to the public at will,because as we've all seen at one point or another, the "public" is a pretty dumb species.

Tim your constant shots about Darlings vehicle access are getting old. Its a NWR you cant race up and down it with a fish trap dragging behind your snowmobile, get over it.
You should feel lucky that they even stock fish or allow access, period.

Rather than the constant smart comments, do us all a favor and express your thoughts to those in charge of the refuge.

As far as shed hunting goes, if you cant find a place to look for sheds outside of a NWR, you arent looking very hard.