RE: Every one should pay!-For Fla hunter
 

For me, any deer is a trophy. You can' t eat antlers... I was not able to hunt the last several years, and this last season was my first full season, luckily the one deer I got a shot at was a very nice 8pnt. But had I gotten a decent shot at a doe, I would probably have been just as happy. Here in NW FL the doe population is almost out of control and I am just as happy to help bring the herds into balance so that the quality of deer improves.
By the way, I agree with charging a fee for using the WMA' s. The reason I joined a club is because trying to get quota permits is a pain and all the useage fee' s are rediculous. Where in FL are you?

RE: Every one should pay!-For Fla hunter
 

We have the same thing here in Georgia. The only group that has to pay to use the WMA' s are hunters. The hikers ond horseback riders want to use the area' s during hunting season,they want the rangers to keep the trails cleaned out for them but mention making them buy a management stamp like the hunters do and you should hear them whine

RE: Every one should pay!-For Fla hunter
 

However, if you require people to buy the stamp to access the WMAs, they will and can demand equal opportunity to the land. As it stands now, the DNR can set the laws as when non-stamp holders can access the land, ie, during non-hunting seasons only.

Requiring everyone to purchase a land use stamp opens a big can of worms. Just think how many stamps PETA members would buy for the opportunity to ruin hunting.

As it stands now they do not purchase stamps and have very little say as to when they can access the land. Let them buy stamps for general purpose land usage and groups like PETA would jump all over that.

RE: Every one should pay!-For Fla hunter
 

reylamb is right: if they did buy the stamps then they could demand that the area is closed for hunting on Nov 20th, for example, because they have a bike hike planned.:( I don' t encourage non hunting groups to buy WMA stamps because they could and would take the area away from the hunters..[X(]

Something for you all to think about!

RE: Every one should pay!-For Fla hunter
 

Im beginning to flounder a bit on this subject.
Why should hikers and fishermen pay for food plots and hunter enforcement?
Currently the WMA monies are used for enforcement, Habitat Management, and payment to some private land holders for the use of their lands in the State Wildlife Management Area System.
With the exception of the national forest, I think most of the management areas here recieve little use during the non hunting periods and on most of these areas,
hikers, fishermen, etc. are not allowed during hunting periods. If a permit was required to hike, bike, etc. on these lands I think most of the people would opt to go somewhere free of charge.
As much as I would like to see everyone pay their fair share for use of these areas. I cant see how the logistics could work it out. From what Ive seen , these WMA' s arnt patroled during the non hunting season unless a complaint is called in. Even if a permit was required, I dont see the Game Wardens, State police, or whoever, patroling these areas for compliance.
Its like pulling up to a parking meter. If you know its not going to be enforced, will you still put in your money?
Hell, they' ll probally just raise the Management area stamp fees again. And yes,
we will moan and groan but we' ll pay it.[:' (]

RE: Every one should pay!-For Fla hunter
 

thanks reylamb never thought of it that way makes a lot of sense. I don' t hunt WMA' s much ocassionly bow hunt Dawson forest and have had horseback riders come through while in a stand but thats the last you' ll hear me say about non-hunters having to have a managment stamp

RE: Every one should pay!-For Fla hunter
 

I understand what your saying benhuntin-The reason they shoud pay as it stands the hunters are paying for those hiking trails -boat ramps-parking lots-roads etc. plus the up-keep.yes during hunting season they canot hike or fish in the lakes.or use the house trails[only an idot would]they use in there season-summer.And here in gerogia we have anti hunter hasrasment laws for peta and the like.And the law enforement would be year round with the exta money.Plus not just hunters breck wild life laws.I just think Florida and every were would benifit.Why do people hike and horse back ride in the woods?Is it not for the nature-same as us.

RE: Every one should pay!-For Fla hunter
 

Not true in Florida. In the Osceola nat. forest (WMA) there is a trail that is open year round to hikers. This trail runs almost 500 miles long, from N.Fl. to S. Fl. In the Osceola WMA brochure it cautions hunters about the possibility of hikers on this trail.

RE: Every one should pay!-For Fla hunter
 

Buy a permit and they will lobby access to it during hunting season/leave color changing, etc. " just because they can" . People tend to think that way. And you can only hope they will go elsewhere, but as land is shrinking for all, I wouldn' t bet on it.

I think like reylamb on this. We need to be careful what we ask for. We just might get it. Kind of like voting. If you vote (i.e. pay for a permit), you got reason to bitch. If you don' t, be quiet.