More on leasing public lands for hunting

Last week, I mentioned a plan by the Delaware Department of Agriculture to lease out two parcels of the Redden State Forest to private entities. The reason for this pilot plan was to find out if leasing public land for deer hunting would have a significant impact on the deer population in the that area and thereby diminish the crop damage to local farms.

As I stated last week, this sounds like a very bad idea to me. Once the Pandora’s Box is opened to allow individuals or groups to have restricted access to land that is owned and maintained by the public, you are setting a bad precedent. While this is only a pilot program and takes up 1.3 percent of all land managed by the Department of Agriculture, should it prove successful in controlling crop damage, there will be no stopping the leasing of more public land. 

One reason these two tracts were chosen for the pilot program is, according to the Department of Agriculture, they are difficult to access. The Long Tract is surrounded by roads and the Tunnell Tract is as well. Stacey Hofmann, spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, told me the other reason for selecting these two tracts is that hunters on public land only go into the woods a few hundred yards, and, on large-acreage tracts, this leaves a great deal of land unhunted. 

I can’t speak for other hunters, but when I hunt on public land, I try to find trails and sign well into the woods. I arrive as early as possible on opening day to be on my spot well before other hunters come into the woods. This has worked well for me, as the activity of those guys walking to their stands often drives deer to me.

I also asked Stacey if there would be a public hearing prior to the beginning of the bid process. She said the rules for bidding do not provide for a public hearing.

Another question I had was if the winning bidders would be allowed to build stands and use bush hogs to cut trails in the forest. She said the rules for using the property would be spelled out in the bid, and that has not been released. 

I am all for cutting the deer population to ease the expense of crop damage, but this is not the way to accomplish the objective. If does are the problem, they should consider having a much longer antlerless season. Why not the two weeks after the regular shotgun season in November? Even another two weeks of antlerless season in December.

If hunters are not using enough public land, make it easier to access by cutting parking areas alongside roads that adjoin the state forests. Nothing fancy, just a cutout space with stone chips where trucks can get off the road.

This problem involves two state departments, the Department of Agriculture and the Division of Fish and Wildlife in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Agriculture has the responsibility of managing the state forests, and Fish and Wildlife manages hunting seasons for deer.

Since there will not be a public hearing, I suggest sending an email, letter or making a phone call to your state senator and representative. Let them know your position on leasing public land to private individuals or groups for the purpose of culling the deer herd. A copy to the secretary of agriculture should be sent with your comments.

It sounds to me like this is a done deal, but perhaps if enough hunters make their displeasure known, we can turn the tide.

Fishing flea market

This weekend, the Pasadena Sportfishing Group will hold its 26th annual Fishing Expo at the Earleigh Heights Fire Hall in Severna Park, Md. The fire hall is located on Maryland Route 2, about six miles from Route 50. It takes about an hour-and-a-half to drive there from Lewes, and it is well worth the trip.

The show is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., both Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, with kids 12 and under admitted free. I plan to arrive around 10 a.m. to avoid the long line that will form well before the show opens.

You won’t find fancy displays from the major tackle companies, but you will find plenty of bargains from individuals and tackle shops. The only boats on display will be used or on sale from local dealers.

For me, the highlight of the show is the roast beef sandwiches prepared by the fire company. Last year they almost ran out before I got mine.

Menhaden

Last week, the Commonwealth of Virginia withdrew its appeal to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission about the menhaden plan. We now await the next chapter in this soap opera.