Date: 2/13/25 4:23 pm From: Nate Dias (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Conservation Access Pass Proposed by NCWRC
Kay,
In addition to Federal Duck Stamps, there are also State Duck Stamps. To
hunt ducks in South Carolina, one must purchase both. I presume NC is the
same.
Respectfully, there is a problem with Mae's suggestion of using the
existing "duck stamp framework" to require duck stamps to enter state
wildlife management areas / state game lands, etc. The problem is that
the powers that be would have no way to distinguish between hunters and
non-consumptive users. It would all look like hunters to them.
Having a separate "Conservation Pass" would show that specific numbers of
birders, hikers, wildlife photographers, etc. are pulling their own weight
financially. By demonstrating that numbers of us non-hunters pay to
maintain (and purchase) these conservation areas, it would give us a seat
at the table and hopefully get more consideration in decisions on habitat
management, access, focus of resources and staff time on non-game species,
etc.
"These days I prefer to hunt with a camera. A good photograph demands more
skill from the hunter, better nerves and more patience than the rifle
shot." -- Bror Blixen
On Thu, Feb 13, 2025 at 4:35 PM <k.grinnell...> <k.grinnell...>
wrote:
> I think Duck Stamps go to federal funding thru U.S. Fish & Wildlife.
> This concept being discussed is about creating a means to contribute to
> state DNR coffers, I believe.
>
> Kay
> Hilton Head
>
> Kay Grinnell
> <k.grinnell...>
> 843 597-3633 cell
>
>
> On Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 04:31:17 PM EST, M Howell <
> <hareboro...> wrote:
>
>
> I have been to states that require fees or a Duck Stamp for entry into
> wildlife refuges and similar areas. Wouldn't this, an established and
> known program, work for NC and SC?
>
> Mae Howell
> Goldsboro NC
>
> Get Outlook for Android <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg__;!!OToaGQ!qUPOdfv2Fttr86Ks-VbPESbl0qHeH5tgga06qbTkNKcYBs_b9Wyc08F96tpKT0sQJzq-qRyGFf3v0PUaGbcS8_UKm2F0$ >
> ------------------------------
> *From:* <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...>
> on behalf of "<k.grinnell...>" <carolinabirds...>
> *Sent:* Thursday, February 13, 2025 2:46:47 PM
> *To:* J. Merrill Lynch <jmerrilllynch...>; Nate Dias <
> <offshorebirder...>
> *Cc:* Ann Robertson <annbluebird2730...>; CarolinaBirds <
> <carolinabirds...>
> *Subject:* Re: Conservation Access Pass Proposed by NCWRC
>
> I agree Nate! I'm sure Dr. Tom Mullikin, SC's new Exec Director of DNR
> has his hands full. I wonder if he heard from all the bird clubs and
> Audubons around the state of SC if he might consider putting this kind of
> action on his agenda.
>
> As President of Hilton Head Audubon, I'm ready to stir up some energy for
> this!
>
> Kay
> Hilton Head
>
> Kay Grinnell
> <k.grinnell...>
> 843 597-3633 cell
>
>
> On Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 01:47:10 PM EST, Nate Dias" (via
> carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
>
> I wish SC DNR would do the same thing.
>
> Nathan Dias - Charleston, SC
>
> --
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.flickr.com/photos/offshorebirder2/__;!!OToaGQ!qUPOdfv2Fttr86Ks-VbPESbl0qHeH5tgga06qbTkNKcYBs_b9Wyc08F96tpKT0sQJzq-qRyGFf3v0PUaGbcS87OfYzzn$ > <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.flickr.com/photos/offshorebirder2/__;!!OToaGQ!qRAhn5Mbo9jXSRGNxUFo7pPOVDK9hIs_bTB0KIL6GOzNURN6HcZQSjz7kPB1TzZRO8ia33VcopX7yqxgxM0PmNn1d-Ce$> >
> "These days I prefer to hunt with a camera. A good photograph demands
> more skill from the hunter, better nerves and more patience than the rifle
> shot." -- Bror Blixen
>
>
> On Thu, Feb 13, 2025 at 1:11 PM "J. Merrill Lynch" <carolinabirds...>
> wrote:
>
> I agree this would be a good thing to support. Many other states already
> have a special permit for access to public gamelands. A requirement to wear
> blaze orange during hunting season would be a sensible addition.
>
> And I also agree it would give the non-hunting community a bigger seat at
> the table on decisions regarding public lands management.
>
> J. Merrill Lynch
> Echo Valley Farm
> Watauga County, NC
> Elevation: 3,400 feet
>
>
> On Thu, Feb 13, 2025 at 11:16 AM Ann Robertson <carolinabirds...>
> wrote:
>
> Dear Carolinabirders,
>
> In this morning's Coastal Review, I read about an exciting proposal from
> the NC Wildlife Resources Commission to offer a "Conservation Access
> Pass". This would be the birder equivalent of a hunting / fishing license,
> and would renew annually. The pass would provide entry to 2 million acres
> of gameland, boating access areas, and more. It is not limited to birders;
> a range of recreational uses are mentioned
>
> There are three public meetings across the state, coming up soon. There's
> also a VIRTUAL meeting on March 4th, for which you may register.
>
> I was told a while back by a politically experienced birder that one
> reason birders don't carry as much weight with state officials as hunters
> is that we don't contribute to the public till with special taxes,
> licenses, etc. Apparently, at one time a "birders' tax" was proposed on
> items such as binoculars, birdseed, etc., that would have fed into
> conservation. Our flock apparently did not endorse this, sadly.
>
> I may be wrong, and wiser heads may weigh in, but I believe this
> Conservation Access Pass would be a win-win. It would provide access to
> wonderful birding areas while funding our under-resourced NCWRC. Here's a
> link to the article so you may consider this issue:
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://coastalreview.org/2025/02/state-seeks-feedback-on-proposed-conservation-access-pass/__;!!OToaGQ!qUPOdfv2Fttr86Ks-VbPESbl0qHeH5tgga06qbTkNKcYBs_b9Wyc08F96tpKT0sQJzq-qRyGFf3v0PUaGbcS8yobdRS1$ > <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://coastalreview.org/2025/02/state-seeks-feedback-on-proposed-conservation-access-pass/__;!!OToaGQ!sQbft_AcXNQj8ledwFhYKky5NbZn7hca1wSaI14YgPSug_57wpicBzaStZZ4T4YPmUX3aRzPCYnXvYK17yBxJIbgMXyGXw$> >
> Best regards,
> Ann Blue Robertson
> Winston-Salem
>
>
>
