(reprinted without permission of North American Hunt Club)
Concern over increased harvests by hunters using battery-operated or electronic waterfowl decoy devices resulting in further hunting restrictions, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission recently banned their use throughout the state. California and Idaho are considering similar actions.
Washington Bans Electronic Waterfowl Decoys
In a 6-2 vote, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission (WFWC) banned the use of battery-powered or electronic devices in waterfowl hunting.
The commission made the decision during its August 17 meeting.
The ruling also bans the quivering devices that look like hockey pucks and vibrate in the water to add motion to a decoy spread, said Madonna Luers, Washington Fish and Wildlife Department spokeswoman.
WFWC chairman Russ Cahill, who was among the six in favor of the ban, called it a "fair chase" issue. Cahill said that many waterfowlers who he heard from said that use of the so-called "robotic" decoys "just increases the killing, not hunting participation."
Other commissioners expressed concern about increased waterfowl harvests resulting in future hunting restrictions.
As you read in the July 26 edition of "NAHC Weekly News," the California Fish and Game Department decided to take a look at regulating spinning-winged decoys after a study revealed that hunters harvested more ducks while using them. The California Game Commission will make a final decision on the use of spinning-winged decoys during its August 24 meeting. Idaho is also planning to consider restrictions on the decoys this month.
www.HuntingClub.com
Concern over increased harvests by hunters using battery-operated or electronic waterfowl decoy devices resulting in further hunting restrictions, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission recently banned their use throughout the state. California and Idaho are considering similar actions.
Washington Bans Electronic Waterfowl Decoys
In a 6-2 vote, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission (WFWC) banned the use of battery-powered or electronic devices in waterfowl hunting.
The commission made the decision during its August 17 meeting.
The ruling also bans the quivering devices that look like hockey pucks and vibrate in the water to add motion to a decoy spread, said Madonna Luers, Washington Fish and Wildlife Department spokeswoman.
WFWC chairman Russ Cahill, who was among the six in favor of the ban, called it a "fair chase" issue. Cahill said that many waterfowlers who he heard from said that use of the so-called "robotic" decoys "just increases the killing, not hunting participation."
Other commissioners expressed concern about increased waterfowl harvests resulting in future hunting restrictions.
As you read in the July 26 edition of "NAHC Weekly News," the California Fish and Game Department decided to take a look at regulating spinning-winged decoys after a study revealed that hunters harvested more ducks while using them. The California Game Commission will make a final decision on the use of spinning-winged decoys during its August 24 meeting. Idaho is also planning to consider restrictions on the decoys this month.
www.HuntingClub.com