Keeping the Circle B Bar Reserve Open to Duck Hunters

By Ian Nance, member of  The Wildlife Pro Network

http://thewildlife.polkvoice.com/default.asp?item=2354424&mode=

In the past, the Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County has offered local hunters a unique place to stretch their wings in pursuit of waterfowl. Located between Lakeland and Bartow on Lake Hancock, quota duck hunting has been an element of the reserve’s management plan since its inception in 2003.

On March 17th, the Conservation Land Acquisition Selection Advisory Committee voted to restrict hunting to only a handful of youth hunts. Well-known hunting advocacy and conservation organizations such as Ducks Unlimited and United Waterfowlers protested, arguing that hunting programs in previous years have been well-managed and the land is capable of sustaining such activity throughout waterfowl season.

The Polk Board of County Commissioners is believed to be addressing this matter either on April 8th or during their next meeting on April 22nd. There is still time, albeit precious little, to weigh in with your support for continued public hunting on this property.

Several years ago when the management plan for the Circle B was under construction, I took the time to e-mail Polk County Commissioners and urged them to support a hunting program. I ask you now to pitch in a moment of your time to ensure the welcome mat remains out front for hunters.

I discovered a petition on a FS Forum thread drawn up by Chuck Echenique of Thonotosassa. Please review the petition, either on the FS link or below, then copy and paste it in an e-mail. Send the completed form to Chuck at huntmstr@tampabay.rr.com, subject heading, “Circle B Bar Petition”.

Even if you do not don waders and pitch decoys each winter, please lend your signature to help out local waterfowlers. Florida has a rich tradition of opening public lands for hunting activity. It’d be a shame to see this practice reverse.

Circle B Bar Reserve Petition

I, the undersigned, as a citizen of Florida, request that the Polk County Commission vote to allow waterfowl hunting to continue on the Circle B Bar Reserve in accordance with the regulations set forth by the Florida Wildilfe Commission and the proposal submitted by United Waterfowlers – Florida.

Specifically, I support the addition of approximately 20 days of hunting annually to be conducted across the entirety of the 2009-2010 season and subsequent seasons thereafter, which should be conducted twice weekly on mornings only and includes a youth hunt. I ask that the Polk County Commission uphold the rights of hunters to continue the enjoyment of lawful hunting practices as has been allowed on the Circle B Bar Reserve.

Submitted Respectfully,

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