Lee County Conservation seeks volunteers for Duck Hunting Policy Committee

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BY PCC STAFF

MONTROSE - Lee County Conservation is searching for individuals to serve on a committee to develop a potential new permanent duck blind policy.

The committee will specifically work to develop a permanent blind policy for the 712 acre island area near the channel that is owned by Lee County Conservation Board. The Lotus Flat and Northern Winds (as known as Ortho Pocket) areas will remain boat-blind or walk-in only into the future.

“The Lee County Conservation Board has listened to the concerns shared over the past few months by the waterfowl hunting community and is willing to try to find common ground on the issue,” said Nathan Unsworth, Lee County Conservation Director. “The board is willing to explore different ideas and potentially allow permanent blinds on the area most recently purchased by the county, which has been referred to the ‘Island Area’ in most of the discussions.”

The committee will work with Unsworth to develop a policy that addresses problems associated with previous attempts of a permanent blind program, while ensuring the new policy is fair to all hunters. When the committee finalizes their proposal, they will present it to the Lee County Conservation Board for approval.

“Were there issues in the past? Yes. Is there a willingness to explore new ideas? Yes.” Unsworth said. “The committee members need to be ready to explore all options to recommend to the board. If the new policy is accepted, it will then be up to the duck hunters to uphold these rules to ensure this policy remains in effect.”

Volunteers willing to serve on the committee should be problem solvers who are ready to find common ground on the issues that addresses both the Lee County Conservation Board’s concerns as well as those shared by the duck hunters.

“We want a variety of people represented on the committee including duck hunters, other game hunters and even non-hunters so the policy is developed from several viewpoints,” Unsworth said.

Individuals selected for the committee will be contacted by Nov. 22 and meetings will begin soon after. The goal for the committee is to have the policy developed and ready

to present to the Conservation Board in February 2018. The Conservation Board will then review the new policy and vote on it in March 2018.

Individuals who would like to be considered for the committee should visit www.leecounty.org and fill out a brief questionnaire by Nov. 15. Selected committee members by Nov. 22. For questions about the committee, please call the Conservation Office at (319) 463-7673.

“I am excited to see collaboration happen to help establish a policy that everyone can be happy with,” Unsworth said.

 

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