Log Jams???

[cutter08]

Just wondering if anyone knows if it is legal to hunt log jams on the backwaters of the river? Have never seen anyone do it and a tree is natural vegetation and it is sufficient to blind a boat in. Think i might have to call the CO on this one.

[Kettle]

as long as you can float a boat to it from a publicly accessed water with out putting foot onto dry land (that's private), there is not even a question it is legal

kettle

[Gordie]

I still pretty sure you can float a river and shoot ducks with out being concealed in natural vegetation. I hunt the Minnesoat river from a boat and have stood along the bank hidden in the log jambs as well and never have had a problem with a CO .

It does pay to ask IMO just for peace of mind if ya know what I mean

[strait-meat]

You can float and shoot in a river or stream as long as you have the motor off and the width of the river/stream is less that 100 yds across--check the distance but I am pretty sure that is the case. So if the log jam is part of the river I would say you wouldn't even have to be pulled up along the trees to shoot. But check with the local CO is always the best thing to do.

[TruthWalleyes]

I want to say it is a 100' wide river where you do not have to be concealed behind natural vegitation. I'm guessing the backwaters of the miss don't count...but that would be a good question for a CO. Post your answer if you get one please!

[strait-meat]

no -- it reads not more than a 100yds--page 9

[cutter08]

Just got off the phone with the CO that patrols the area i was thinking of hunting and he said it is illegal to hunt from a log jam out in the backwaters off shore because it IS NOT considered vegetation. Yes it is over 100' wide. and what i meant by my original question was can i pull my boat up in some drift wood and blind up in it. He said it would be considered shooting over open water. The thing that i don't understand is he doesn't consider a tree vegetation??? Then what is it? I understand the rules are printed word for word out of the USFWL rule book but i think that they should make it a little clearer and not open for as much interpretation by the hunters. Sufficient vegetation is very vague if you ask me. My boat can blind up in some very thin reeds. some might say that it is not sufficient when others might say it is. Think i might have to do some more calling around to see if there is any law that says a tree is not vegetation.

[Gordie]

A person may not take migratory waterfowl, coots, or rails in open water unless

that person is:

a) within a natural growth of vegetation sufficient

to partially conceal

the person or boat, or

pursuing or shooting wounded birds (while in compliance with

watercraft restrictions), or

c) on a river or stream that is not more than 100 yards in width

What does sufficent Mean:

adequate for the purpose; enough: sufficient proof; sufficient protection.

WHAT does Partially Mean out of websters Dictionary:

somewhat but not completely : to some extent or in some degree :partly

so I guess you need to take it for that cause that to me is what the judge would most likely use for his deffination.

I do know how ever that partially in someways also mean ONE so

Natural vegitation means:

This what I found on that take for what you want and ask the CO the same question

What Is Natural Vegetation?

Natural vegetation means any plants or trees that grow on their own ‘naturally’ without any form of human intervention. Certain type of plants of trees have a natural place of origin or habitat, and before humans began to harvest vegetation and cut down trees, this type of vegetation would grow naturally without any form of man-made chemicals such as pesticide, to manipulate its growth. Each place on earth had a community of plants that were natural and adapted to a specific area, and, more importantly, had grown accustomed to that climate zone. It is this type of plant community that is referred to as "natural vegetation”.

The origins of some types of plants have been displaced with growing technology and trade, and in some respects have been the cause of some damage to the natural vegetation of certain countries. The Rhododendron, for example, is native to Spain and Portugal; however, it is now regarded as a common representative of British countryside when it is in bloom. This plant was introduced to the British Isles during the Victorian period, when Britain saw a huge expansion to their trade and empire. Yet, it is believed that the Rhododendron has been the cause for the destruction of much of the natural vegetation in Britain. For, where the conditions are suited to this plant, it will smother and destroy any competing plant in the vicinity.

There are lots of advantages and disadvantages to importing non-native vegetation, for instance the discovery of new species and to harvest species that are endangered, however, as we have seen, there have been some issues where the natural vegetation of one area has been destroyed and endangered by a vegetation that is unnatural to that country