>From Don B:

(Florida does this, of course roadhunting is also legal
>there, strange cultural differences, guys driving in pickups with
>others sitting in the bed ready to plunk!)

During my last business trip to Houston I noticed an newspaper article about
a bit of an uproar from the hunters over a decision to ban duck hunting from
the access road to a particular freeway. Police had gotten too many
complaints from motorists dodging falling ducks on the freeway itself; and,
according to article, they were tired of hunters running out on the highway
to retrieve.

When I lived in the Rio Grande Valley we used to line all the country roads
with hunters during the three day white winged dove hunting season. Us
bubbas would sit on those folding stools with the beer coolers beneath (those
of us too young to buy but plenty old enough to scatter the fields with lead
shot-- that is 14 or so and up-- would always pal up with an adult to be
legal) and would often hire young kids, usually hispanic, to run out in the
cotton fields and retrieve. I don't know if they still do that there any
more.

One comment about your "look" while birding-- I have noticed that during duck
and goose season the birds react much more quickly, and with many more alarm
calls, to me when they see me walking with my tripod mounted scope laying
across my shoulder. I have noticed this especially at Nisqually, and have
experimented with folding the legs of the tripod and walking with it in a
more concealed position, which is dramatically less alarming. I am quite sure
geese and ducks equate the tripod with a gun. Something to think about when
you are out birding that time of year and don't want to needlessly stress out
critters that are already under pressure.
-------------------------------------
Name: Jerry Broadus
jbroadus at seanet.com
901-16th. St S.W.
Puyallup, Wa. 98371
206-845-3156
Time: 20:18:56