We won't be getting into this one, someone else take it on. Montezuma and other refuges across the USA offer some great hunting, but we do not currently hunt them, so... Someone else's turn to lead the charge. Off the top of my head, the Montezuma - specific rules requiring a boat and no hunting from the berms is not something we find "inclusive" the trendy term the conservationists and other hippies like to throw around, just look at the Duck Stamp matter that just closed.... There is also many refuges, with sufficient upland cover or which otherwise support upland game, that do not allow hunting for upland game... Its up to you guys that presently hunt the fed lands, not us, good luck, here is the notice by email >
From: Van Beusichem, Andrea <andrea_vanbeusichem@fws.gov>
To: Van Beusichem, Andrea <andrea_vanbeusichem@fws.gov>
Sent: Wed, Mar 18, 2020 11:12 am
Subject: Montezuma NWR Seeking YOUR Input on Proposed Updates to Hunting & Fishing Program
Hello! I hope you are all well and taking reasonable steps to stay that way. Here's some good news: IT IS TIME TO OFFICIALLY COMMENT ON OUR HUNTING & FISHING PROGRAMS! Please go to our website homepage (link is below) to read the newly proposed plan. We would like you to comment on ALL aspects, not just changes. So if there is something you like or don't like about the current and/or proposed programs, let us know!!
If you are emailing your comments, PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL; SEND YOUR COMMENTS IN A SEPARATE EMAIL.
Thank you!
Andrea
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
3395 US Route 20 East
Seneca Falls, NY 13148
Contact:
Andrea Van Beusichem, Visitor Services Manager, 315-237-9862, andrea_vanbeusichem@fws.gov
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Releases for Public Review 2020 Draft Hunting and Fishing Plan
Hunting and fishing are traditional uses of the National Wildlife Refuge System. At Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (NWR, Refuge), we welcome people of all backgrounds and abilities to participate in recreational hunting and to enjoy fishing access from refuge lands into state waters.
Montezuma NWR is seeking public review and comment on its proposed hunting and fishing programs. You are invited to review the draft documents for the proposed hunting and fishing programs, including the Draft Hunting and Fishing Plan, Compatibility Determination, and Environmental Assessment. These documents will be available for a 30-day comment period, ending April 16, 2020.
The Refuge is encouraging the public to comment on the programs overall, not just changes to the current program. The proposed changes below would expand the Refuge’s current programs:
Species changes: Gallinule hunting would be opened during the regular waterfowl hunting season; small game (eastern cottontail rabbit and gray squirrel) hunting would be opened.
Hunting area changes: New units would be opened for hunting snow goose during NYDEC snow goose seasons and waterfowl during the New York State regular waterfowl season.
Regulations: Limits on the number of shells permitted into the waterfowl hunting areas would be removed; limits to the number of daily permits available for deer hunting would be removed; dogs would be allowed for hunting fall turkey and eastern cottontail rabbit.
Seasonal changes: Expansion of turkey hunting to include the state spring season.
Fishing: Expansion of fishing access from the refuge to adjacent state waters.
Draft documents are available online at the refuge’s official website homepage:
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/montezuma/You can contact the refuge at 315-237-9862 or at andrea_vanbeusichem@fws.gov to request more information.
There will be a Facebook Live briefing on March 26, 2020, at 12:00 noon, online on the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsoftheMWC/. This is an opportunity to hear about the plan (proposed changes and things that won’t change), and get directions about how to provide your comments on the draft plan.
You can submit comments to the refuge:
By mail
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Attn: Hunting & Fishing Comments
3395 US Route 20 East
Seneca Falls, NY 13148
By email (DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE. SEND YOUR COMMENTS IN A SEPARATE EMAIL)
andrea_vanbeusichem@fws.gov
