doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com DU Trouble

The sums of money willing to be spent are staggering, but I'd guess are well inline with the cost and maintenance of a spread like that.

Thanks to Dave in Maine for posting the shortcut to the original article.

Mr Thomas was fairly personal as to the ethical character on Mr Kennedy, i suspect that may be the issue which got him released from a DU Column.

I agree with a seeming editorial clothed as a news story in terms of supporting existing legal rights of access. I was put-off by the tone and I expect DU was as well.

The access laws are similar to those in Mich. "Navigable water" is defined as rivers and creeks which were used to float logs during the great loggging period in Michigan.

Stan - What happens if the duck you shoot falls on land? In Mich, that would require trespass. The only time you can leave your boat or the streambed is to traverse around a deep hole or impediment which precludes your continuing down the river safely

The streams I drift are big enough (Brier Creek would be called a river in most other places) that it isn't a problem. Nearly all ducks I jump take off directly downstream. Refraining from shooting one over the land is not a problem. A cripple never tries to get out on the bank, either. They instinctively know their best bet for survival is in the water.

As a general rule I drift stretches that have landowners who are amenable to my drifts. They allow me to use their private landings. I want to avoid problems, not look for them. I didn't mean to sound earlier like I have or expect lots of problems with this. My most likely unpleasant encounter would be a deer hunter who was leasing a tract adjoining the creek/river and was ticked at my being there. Another probable reason I don't encounter many people is that I try to save my drifts for extremely cold mornings. When it's cold enough that all the ponds are frozen over the running water holds unbelievable numbers of ducks. Doesn't look like I'm gonna get an opportunity like that anytime soon. Supposed to be 80 today and tomorrow, it was 83 yestiddy. BTW, this is what I use.





SRH

And that law comes from about 1928-- Top Taggart had his employees fell large trees across his stretch of the Pine River, for his private trout fishing- When a "trespasser" had manuevered through to fish, Taggart had him arrested, but he appealed, all the way to the MI Supreme Court- whence cometh the "If an 8" dia. log can float through, open access is the law of the State-- Taggart donated big bucks to FSU in Big Rapids, the football field bears his name- made his $ in the oil and gas industry- The Ford family tried to block off a stretch of the Pigeon River, so canoers and tubers could not see their private cottages- As Hemingway once said to Scotty Fitzgerals- "The rich are different from us, Scott- they have way more $"-- Still true today- look at what Teddy Turner and his Frau then- Hanoi Jane, tried to do with their water and property in MT_ some years ago, but the locals were "powerfully pissed" at the Tedster for his audacity.. Such is life..

Another interesting thread that belongs in misfires.

The rapscallion in me has already come up with a thousand ways to put a bee in Mr Kennedy's bonnet.

I got my slippers! I'm a happy man...with warm feet!


____________________
This land is your land... Woody Guthrie

Riparian Law! My favorite legal interest.
A thorough working knowledge is essential to a waterfowler.

Michigan has 3 flavors. Great Lakes Int'l, Great Lakes domestic, navigable, and privately held non- Great Lakes water, and navigable public non-great lakes water.

You have to know what you are on, so you aren't trespassing. Someone often owns the bottom, but not the water.

A lake or river with a public access does not guarantee public hunting.

Oh, and "Merry Christmas!"

Stan,
now that looks like a fun way to hunt ducks! Hope you get a few days in at least this year.
Steve

At my hunting lodge on Delta Marsh we own about 250 acres (lease some more) but of that 250, only 120 or so is above the water. Anyone who wants can paddle or row over top our land. LOL

How about setting an old junk camper out in front of your million dollar beach house on the exposed "Great Lakes Bottomlands" because the water levels retreated beyond the historical high water mark!