NE Waterfowler

Ok boys, it's that time of year again. The LI Zone season setting task force is looking for your preferred dates for the upcoming seasons. The Federal framework is pretty much the same, with a few minor changes. The season for ducks on LI can be no longer than 60 days and may be split into two parts. The season cannot start before Sept 24 and MUST END NO LATER THAN Jan 29, 2017. Don't ask for a Feb duck season, it ain't gonna happen. One big change is the Special Sea Duck Season is no longer authorized. Sea ducks may be taken as part of the daily bag during the regular season. Goose will be pretty much the same as last year, 70 days between Oct 1, 2016 and Feb 15, 2017 in the Eastern and Central zones and 105 days between Sept 24 and March 10 in the Western Zone where the season may be split into three parts. The Eastern and Central zones will have a 3 bird per day limit and the Western zone an 8 bird per day limit. The Special late season that took part in a select portion of the Central zone will no longer be authorized, however, that area will now be included in the Western zone. Brant will be (tentatively) a 60 day season with a 2 bird per day limit between Sept 24 and Jan 31 and may be split into three parts. Those are the parameters, so let us know your preferences. A split season with a Thanksgiving opener then closing and reopening a week later to the last Sunday in January? A "late and straight season" from Dec 1 through Jan 29? Open earlier with a longer split? We need your input. Thanks NEW

Does anyone have any interest in next year's waterfowl season on LI? Now's your chance to speak up. NEW

Next Saturday, the Season Setting Task Force for the Long Island Zone meets to discuss the dates for the upcoming season. In the past, there has been a lot of "disappointment" with the season dates, This is your chance or voice your opinion on your season. In order to simplify things, I've put together an internet poll with several choices for the season dates. Please keep in mind that the Federal Framework states that the season can be up to 60 days long and may be split into two portions. It can begin no earlier than September 26, 2015 and end no later than January 31 2016. If you would. please take a moment to respond to the poll at http://www.poll-maker.com/poll237054x0DEC450E-9?fb_action_ids=10203583890063194&fb_action_types=og.shares Thanks for your participation. NEW Edited to correct the link.

Ah, Mike, that quote above was taken directly from an email by Senator LaValle on March 10, 2015. Apparently, the Senator doesn't think it a done deal. He is, by his own admission n that email, gearing up to scuttle any plans by the DEC for the destruction of mute swans. The evidence is right in the quote. "Mute Swans should only be destroyed as the absolute last resort, and only when they are posing public danger. " We made the mistake last year of not taking Senator LaValle seriously. A quick look at the man's credentials and past history would make it an obvious mistake to underestimate him. So, while the Governor vetoed the bill last time around, it did serve it's purpose, to delay the implementation of any of the proposed provisions in the plan. Still, I wouldn't underestimate the ability of LaValle to pull something political this time around. It's best we prepare ourselves for it. If you don't want to be part of it, fine. If you want to start a petition, that's fine too. I'll sign it and I'll even help getting signatures. But, you'd better have a better organized petition than went around last year. That one was no help at all. NEW

I'm sure you are aware that the DEC is under a federal mandate to do something about the population of this invasive non-native species. If I recall correctly, they were supposed to have a plan in place by some time in 2013. So, if there has to be a means of controlling the population, the DEC would prefer controlled hunt. It is the least expensive and quickest way of accomplishing the goal when you compare it to the other options laid out in the plan. As far as the politicians are concerned, one only has to look to the recent past to see that they can intervene and, under the right conditions, will intervene. LaValle is a known zealot in this matter and has even had press releases and emailings in the last few days stating: "On the initial review of the revised draft, I am pleased that the DEC has heard our concerns and has begun to move in the right direction. However, the plan still allows for the destruction of these birds on Long Island in certain circumstances. Mute Swans should only be destroyed as the absolute last resort, and only when they are posing public danger. I look forward to a final plan, with proper management, that achieves these goals." If that isn't a clear statement of the senator's intentions, I don't know what is. NEW

With all due respect, Mike, you need to look at what happened last time before you say that the politicians have no say. Read through some of [url=https://www.google.com/#q=Senator+Ken+LaValle+mute+swan]THESE[/ur]} Google returns to see what the good senator has done and what he's up to. He is on record stating that he will not allow the destruction of these birds. The point here is that this poll is targeting the politicians, not the DEC. As it stands now, any season on mute swans will be simply a means of controlling the population to an extent. It is not about removing these feral birds from the environment. That is simply a socio-political fact. NEW

Hello Mike, I think you missed the point of the survey. Either that, or my explanation was lacking. I'll try again. State Senator Ken LaValle is a long time senator with a good bit of power in Albany. Last year, the DEC's study was stopped in its tracks by legislation by LaValle citing the need for a "proper study". As I said, I thought that the DEC was the state's expert arm in the field of environmental biology, so who would you get to do a "proper study"? That legislation was simply LaValle's way of strong arming the DEC with the help of cronyism and political might. If left alone by the politicians, the DEC is likely going to institute some sort of open season on mute swans. If you've read the study, the alternatives are far more expensive and time consuming. LaValle, is a known animal rights activist. A quick look at his record makes that pretty obvious. As long as he is in some position of power in the senate, the DEC's efforts will be hamstrung. This survey is intended to inform the politicians of the NYS senate, all of them, of the wishes of the people. It is not intended to be a head count for the DEC. As of the moment, no legislation has been introduced, though LaValle is up to something behind the scene. At the appropriate time, I intend to forward the results of the survey to all members of the state senate.

I also posted this in the general hunting forum in order to reach as many people as possible. The DEC has recently issued its revised draft of the Mute Sway Management plan. As many of you know, these birds are a non-native, invasive species that can, and do cause problems for the local ecology. Last year, the plan was scuttled by state senator Ken LaValle. He is a known bunny hugger and introduced legislation that stopped the DEC's study until a "proper study" could be done. I found that a curious choice of words, since the DEC is supposed to be the state's profe...ssional and expert arm in the area of our environment. I recently received an email from the senator regarding the new (2015) draft that the DEC put out. I sent him an email expressing my outrage at his misuse of his political power to further his personal agenda and interfere with a state sanctioned scientifically backed proposal. Still, Mr. LaValle is a long time and powerful member of the state senate. One email from an unhappy constituent will hardly alter his course. In fact, I doubt that a flood of emails would change his opinion. Over the years I've come to realize that it is very difficult to politically mobilize even the most dedicated interest groups. Ideally, we'd want to flood the politicians and the DEC with emails and letters. Sadly, for whatever reason that seldom happens. So, I recently tried another approach. I posted a link to a poll regarding the proposed waterfowl season dates for next year. I received a good response, so banking on that, I created another poll to determine the climate for a hunting season on mute swans. If the results of the poll are favorable to a hunting season, I will forward the results to the DEC and every member of the state senate and assembly urging them to support the DEC's efforts. Please take a minute to participate in the poll: http://www.poll-maker.com/poll268663x40C5ec73-10 NEW

The DEC has recently issued its revised draft of the Mute Sway Management plan. As many of you know, these birds are a non-native, invasive species that can, and do cause problems for the local ecology. Last year, the plan was scuttled by state senator Ken LaValle. He is a known bunny hugger and introduced legislation that stopped the DEC's study until a "proper study" could be done. I found that a curious choice of words, since the DEC is supposed to be the state's profe...ssional and expert arm in the area of our environment. I recently received an email from the senator regarding the new (2015) draft that the DEC put out. I sent him an email expressing my outrage at his misuse of his political power to further his personal agenda and interfere with a state sanctioned scientifically backed proposal. Still, Mr. LaValle is a long time and powerful member of the state senate. One email from an unhappy constituent will hardly alter his course. In fact, I doubt that a flood of emails would change his opinion. Over the years I've come to realize that it is very difficult to politically mobilize even the most dedicated interest groups. Ideally, we'd want to flood the politicians and the DEC with emails and letters. Sadly, for whatever reason that seldom happens. So, I recently tried another approach. I posted a link to a poll regarding the proposed waterfowl season dates for next year. I received a good response, so banking on that, I created another poll to determine the climate for a hunting season on mute swans. If the results of the poll are favorable to a hunting season, I will forward the results to the DEC and every member of the state senate and assembly urging them to support the DEC's efforts. Please take a minute to participate in the poll: http://www.poll-maker.com/poll268663x40C5ec73-10 NEW

Thanks for the warm reception. Here's a goose I've been working on. It's the first goose I've ever attempted. Still has some drying, final grooming and I need to add a habitat base, but you get the idea.

Just wanted to say I. I'm in Suffolk on the north shore. I'm retired and mostly hunt upland birds and waterfowl. I shoot skeet and sporting in the off season, just to keep a hand in things. I don't hunt deer as much as I used to and will be getting back after turkey this spring after a 10 year lay off. I also kill time between seasons by fishing for trout and sport fish in the sound. I've spent a good portion of the past two summers carving decoys for my duck boat and making some duck calls and some other items for the field (i.e. priests, lanyards, etc.) I'm also into taxidermy and mount all my own birds. I do a little trapping, too. NEW