A Kentucky Waterfowl Association

[Mr. Duck]

Some discussions are underway about forming a Kentucky Waterfowl Association. It's purpose would be to organize all of Kentucky's waterfowl hunters in order to have a unified voice in Frankfort. Your comments are appreciated.

Mr. Duck

[Bacon Creek]

I was wondering if KY had an association, guess this answers my question. I think it would be a good idea, to help the average hunters be heard.

[whitetailbill]

There is already an organized, and funded, group of waterfowlers operating in Kentucky and, of course, that is Ducks Unlimited. Is there a perception that something more is needed? Is DU not actively asserting our position on political issues before the Kentucky assembly? Does anyone know whether the DU structure has ever been asked to take this on? If they said they would, would they be effective, and/or is it outside of their mission?

[Mr. Duck]

Ducks Unlimited has a singleness of purpose. Their primary and only goal is to provide habitat for waterfowl. DU does not get involved with political and or regulatory issues.

[Multidigits]

Mr. Duck--you be welcome to join with the Cyberhunter's and could even form your own branch if you want. We are affiliated with the League and already maintain a presence in Frankfort. Holler if you want more info.

[Valley Station]

Has Ducks Unlimited ever <u>purchased</u> a single acre of land in Kentucky to reserve for waterfowl hunting?? If so , were is it??[:I]

[KYDUCK]

I agree Valley if they have I would like to know were it is.Sometimes I even wonder if they are pro-hunting or not.I think Delta Waterfowl is the better waterfowl organization.I am a member and have been for several years but don't know of any chapters in the state.Maybe we should look into starting one.
KYDUCK

[Mr. Duck]

Ducks Unlimited does not purchase real estate. Most of their money is spent for enhancing waterfowl habitat in Canada and the prarie pothole region of the U.S. They do have a program here in the states called M.A.R.S.H.&lt;Mathing Aid To Restore States Habitat&gt; This program makes 6% of funds raised available to create or enhance habitat in the states. Here in Kentucky, DU raises somewhere in the neighborhood of 1 million dollars per year. The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife is the primary recipient of these funds. Approximately $60,000 is made available each year and the Department will take this money and solicit matching funds from the federal government. The Department manages M.A.R.S.H. projects throughout the state from a million dollar project that was anchored by DU funds at Duck Island in Barkley Lake to a couple of smaller projects at Taylorsville Lake. Additional projects are located in Ballard and Henderson Counties. For a complete list you can contact the Department of Fish & Wildlife.

[whitetailbill]

It is really too bad that DU leadership at the national level is so singlemindedly focused on raising dollars. It creates a perception that DU critics love to exploit. It also exasperates turn over in the local committees. Often to the end that some of our best talent loses interest with the program (seriously, how many banquets, cheap pictures, etc can you stand). First and foremost, DU exists to raise money. But I think in the long run it could do more for that mission,the Ducks (God Bless 'em), hunters and the habitat if it at least pretended to be something more than a money raising machine. Specifically, belonging to DU should be fun. Think about something like the VFW; guys with a common bond getting together in a club whose first, but not ONLY, purpose is to raise money for the Ducks. Make it more like a fraternity; then more people will be attracted to it, and they will stay motivated longer; and finally in the end you'll bring more faces and more dollars to help the Ducks.

[Damon]

A Waterfowlers organization in Ky would be a great idea. Who let's the dept know what you want,season
structure or how to spend the Marsh money or what to do at that Gooseless area called Ballard?Definately not DU&gt;
Until Waterfowlers can collectively voice their concerns will anything ever improve.
The Houndsmen are a very small squeeky wheel group of Sportsmans but they get what they want!!!Waterfowlers are perhaps the most dedicated sportsman there are yet who speaks for them in this state?????????
Personally I would like to see some changes in Ky ,The Dept is not
concerned about waterfowl, It doesn't pay the bills like the deer or Turkey do

[Mr. Duck]

Fellows:

I appreciate your comments about DU but the topic at hand is a waterfowl association. Some states in the midwest have a waterfowl association to communicate their needs, wishes, concerns etc. to their wildlife department. Here in Kentucky our commissioners do a great job representing the general hunter in Frankfort but sometimes the waterfowler takes a serious backseat to the deer and turkey hunters. Many times issues affecting all of us are never on the agenda at the regular meetings in Frankfort. Can anyone tell me why we do not take all of the days offered to us by the Mississippi Flyway Council for goose hunting? A strong, organized association could work hand in hand with the department to develop a good working relationship, one that is positive rather than negative!

[duckbuster]

Sounds like a great idea. Alot of other states have formed these associations and use the power of numbers to successfully lobby their causes to their state and local governments and the public. It would be great if we KY waterfowlers had that kind of power. I'd love to see that happen.

whack 'em and stack 'em

[GSP]

I'm not a duck hunter but I feel your pain. You guys should join the League of KY Sportsmen. You guys are getting the same treatment as most other hunters are in the state. You are expected to pay your money to be used to support the dept of tourism and you are expected to fend for yourselves.
I hope you guys do get organized and if you do, consider the LKS. Also, as Multidigits pointed out. The Cyberhunters is a web based group that will do its best to help the hunters of this state. Y'all may want to start there.
Rick- GSP

[Mr. Duck]

If and when this proposed association gets off the ground it will become a member of the League of Kentucky Sportsmen. According to recent data published in the Courier Journal, 17,000 waterfowl permits were sold in Kentucky during the 2001-2002 waterfowl season. This is a significant number of hunters who pursue the sport of waterfowling.

Preliminary plans call for the association to be administered by a board of directors composed of 2 representatives from each wildlife district. The cost of membership will be minimal-possibly free for those with an E-Mail address. Funding is already in place to launch a website to get the association off the ground.

Mr. Duck

[pentail]

would be very interested. seems sometimes that waterfowl hunters get overlooked in this state

[schuyler olt]

I'm a bronze sponsor of DU, but I would be willing to also participate in this concept. I think it's very much needed, even though waterfowling is pretty well represented at the Commission level.

[edmonson]

im from edmonson county ky, and i've been duck hunting for 3 years now, and in the surrounding counties which include warren, barren, butler, grayson, hart, i have only met about 7 or 8 other duck hunters. I feel that forming something just for our state, maybe with different chapters for the various regions, much like how nwtf handles there affairs would be great for us. Not only would we have a better chance of being heard, but it would give us the opportunity to meet with other duck hunters we didn't know were out there.

[Kevin]

Kentucky Waterfowl Association is a great idea. If there would be any way that I could help let me know.

Duck Hunter

[wetdawg]

I was contacted yesterday by the Delta Waterfowl rep for our region.
Would you all be interested in a Kentucky River chapter?