Public Duck Hunters in SE Zone got back doored by Inside Dealings

I know many of you dont duck hunt but some do so I wanted to share something distrubing. I have been contacted by many people that a very shady deal just happened on the state waterfowl commission with regards to the setting of dates in SE Kansas waterfowl Zone. There is a full opinion on our website This is our outdoor adventures of Kansas Hunting and Fishing. kansasoutdoorsman.com If you are affected by this I strongly encourage you to email the commission and KDWPT your support or dissappointment.

Nick

I couldn't agree with you more Nick. I was absolutely shocked and disturbed when I heard the final go foward plan of opening on a Thursday? It just goes to show what money can do for you when you have it waving out there. I am not in the SEK zone other then hunting El Dorado quite a bit, but it is still disturbing to know this is what they finally agreed on. Very shady deal if you ask me as well.

Obviously Michael Pierce with the Wichita Eagle is aware of this debate according to the following article. Debate leads to Nov. 15 opening for southeast Kansas duck hunting | Wichita Eagle

Not sure if it would be worth contacting him and getting all of the public savy to this deal with Commissioner Don Budd??

I don't hunt that SE zone either, but that's not really the issue IMO. It's getting way too politcal w/in the leaders of the KDWPT the way it sounds. The survey states that 77% of people surveyed wanted the start date Nov 10th or earlier. Pretty easy decision IMO. I seem to also remember a post awhile ago that they are installing check-in areas at some of these areas in SE KS that you have to register every day you hunt. It's not doing a lot of good spending the $$ and time on these surveys if the head honchos don't use the survey info anyhow.

By the way, great blog Nick. I sent this on to all my fellow waterfowling buddies.

I was lucky enough to gain a lot of waterfowling friends at KSU, and we hunted a lot of public ground (marshes around Manhattan mainly). This is huge issue on those as the birds quit using them once the first hard freeze hit. I was lucky enough to have KS river ground to hunt, but this wasn't true for everyone I hunted with. I can totally relate to the issue.

I agree this is not a good deal. I don't hunt the SE zone either, but do not think it is right. The common middle class sportsman is taking a back seat in todays world.

Thanks for the posts guys. I have actually been talking to several people including Mr. Pierce before we wrote this. A lot of people are very unhappy so I strongly encourage everyone to email KDWPT. I can tell you for a fact they are listen to the emails on this one.

I do not duck hunt so I have no dog in the fight but is the general issue that opening day is on a Thursday? Just trying to understand.......

KAG,

If you get a chance, read Nick's blog: This is our outdoor adventures of Kansas Hunting and Fishing. kansasoutdoorsman.com I believe it's the one on Aug 29th. Not sure if it's still up at the top. He does a good job of detailing pretty much all the issues.

In short, generally speaking, more days in the late season means that people with River access can do really well duck hunting. From the article, most of the river access is scooped up by guides and big $$ leases down there. The shallow water marshes (public hunting grounds) are typically frozen over by mid-late December pushing all the birds to river's and water that is still open.

Another issue is the weekday opener means that many people won't be able to take advantage of the first go at hunting the birds. Because of work, school, etc. By Saturday, the birds are getting savy already in many cases. I'm from western KS around Hays. November to us always meant opening weekend of Pheasant season...imagine them opening pheasant season on a Thursday. This is a little different deal, same idea.

KAG great question. I wasn't really planning on getting involved in any of this but when I was contact by different people and found out what went on it just burned my biskets... I just don't like it when people of influence say to hell with everyone else and use a personal want, need or agenda in place over what's best for everyone. For me, it's the misuse of power to get you way and your buddies more $$$ and screw the "average" Kansas Redisdent AGAIN. I really feel bad for KDWPT on this one, they are going to get the black eye when it was a small group of good old boys scratched each others backs... But I do know people at KDWPT know what happened and if they get enough calls, emails and messages it gives them more options next year.

I immediately get suspicious, not to mention irritable, whenever a law or policy is set that goes against the recommendation of the biologists. We pay 'em to manage our fish and game, so it makes no sense to ignore their advice.

I hope you get some results on this issue. The last few years I do probably 90% of my waterfowling in SEK.