Motorized decoys: OK on WPAs, not WMAs

[h2ofwlr]

Motorized decoys: OK on WPAs, not WMAs
 
By Tim Spielman, Associate Editor, MN Outdoor News
Thursday, November 1, 2007 10:32 AM CDT
Morris, Minn. - When it comes to most hunting rules on federal Waterfowl Production Areas in the state, most of the same rules apply that apply on state-owned Wildlife Management Areas.

But not always.

Officials say there's been limited confusion regarding the use of motorized spinning-wing duck decoys on WPAs (part of the National Wildlife Refuge System) and WMAs, where use of the motorized decoys was prohibited, beginning in 2005.

WPAs, meanwhile, abide by the rules that apply to all other areas of the state open to duck hunting: motorized duck decoys are prohibited from the hunting season opener, only until the Saturday nearest Oct. 8, which was Oct. 6 this year, said Tony Anderson, a state conservation officer in the Morris area.

Steve Delehanty, district manager for the Morris Wetland Management District of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said he's seen some waterfowler confusion regarding the rules, but usually, the USFWS strives for uniformity.

“Whenever possible, we have regulations that are identical (to state regs) to minimize confusion,” he said. The motorized decoy rule for WPAs and WMAs is “unintentionally divergent,” he said. WPAs were not included in the rule put in place in '05.

The DNR's rule for WMAs states: “On water bodies and lands fully contained within state wildlife management area boundaries, a person may not use motorized decoys or motorized devices designed to attract migratory waterfowl at any time during the duck season. This restriction applies to whether the motor is running or not.

“Devices without motors, such as wind-powered spinning-wing decoys, are not restricted under this law.”

While federal WPAs remain outside the state's WMA restrictions on motorized decoys, it's possible that could change in coming years.

“It's been talked about,” Delehanty said. “It might be nice to get Waterfowl Production Areas consistent with WMAs.”

Change could take place one of two ways: the state Legislature could change the language making WPAs part of the WMA rule prohibiting motorized duck decoys. Or, the federal government could go through the federal rule-making process, Delehanty said.

For now, motorized spinning-wing decoys will continue to be allowed on WPAs during the period in which they're allowed on other non WMA-enclosed waters. There are nearly 200,000 WPA acres in the state, and hunting is allowed on nearly all of those acres. But the shot used by hunters must be non-toxic.

Anderson said he probably sees more confusion regarding motorized duck decoy laws early in the year, when the decoys are prohibited on all state waters.

“I wish they'd make it more clear cut - either (hunters) be allowed to use them (all season long) or not at all,” he said.

The states of Arkansas, California, Pennsylvania, and Washington have either full or partial bans on motorized spinning-wing decoys, according to Minnesota DNR waterfowl specialist Steve Cordts.