Duck Hunting And The 5/0

[Micheal Kyle]

I have been out hunting 45 days so far this year and have had one of the best years in about 10 years, I have had. When all my private ground locks up I usually head to Taney to hunt the lower section basically we start about a 2 Miles from the landing and go all the way past Cedar point. Sometimes the people will yell at us telling us we are disturbing there peace but yesterday was a first had 2 Taney County Sherif Deputies show toting there Ar-15 and all the goods. Demand that we through our guns down on the ground now since we were in our boat hunting from the water I asked so we need to throw them in the lake . He asked us all to come up to the bank from the water and when we did he asked us if we knew who’s land we were on I replied yes we do it is Empire Electrics land and why are you here. He replied that the people that live in the house behind us were complaining that we were shooting loud guns, Yep we are duck hunting we don't just look and release. I said ok so you are just doing your job great no problem however why are their rights more important than mine he could not answered except to say I know you guys are doing nothing illegal, wow the houses that were complaining were about 500 yards away.

This is what I do not understand how does a person that lives in a house over rule someone hunting on a public water way that is doing everything legit I did ask about the deer stands and the land owner replied those are mine. I then asked the so called land owner so you own this land where we were asked to come up to from the public water that we were just in and ( of course I already knew the answer) he said no I lease it from empire electric he then proceeded to change his tune and said ok you guys can stay and hunt. I said good cause we were in the water to begin with in which the people of empire electric have already granted us the right to hunt here.

There comes a point in time though when enough is enough and the people need to understand the rights that a hunter has as long as he is legal. So I am basically letting everyone know be prepared because this year it has gotten extremely bad with the people that live in and around Taneycomo, we did however end with a hand shake and hopefully an understanding.

My good Buddy Ducky Doty makes a very valid point too do they complain about the cars that drive by or the planes that fly over, and he is right if you are going to live near and around a water public water way you need to understand you might here something during duck season.

So here is what I know Empire Electric owns the land and the people in the houses have the option to lease the land. You are allowed to hunt Taneycomo from Old KOA to Forsythe only section they don’t like you to hunt is from 65 bridges to Roark Creek for Obvious reasons all feeder creeks and everything else is fair game. Plus one thing I do I always hunt from the water so there is no question on the land issue. As hunter we are protected to legally chase and harvest game and are protected by a law from harassment from the public.

I always set up away from any house areas and stay away from any docks and I do understand that the shots do sound loud coming off of the bluffs.

Here are a couple of pictures from yesterday. oh we did manage to get it done to ended up with 19 ducks one mallard shy of a four man limit of Mallards and 5 ducks shy of a full 6 duck 4 man limit:) had to get home to keep the wife sane or we would have had full 4 man limits

Have fun and be safe this is just another Michael Kyle Public service announcement.

[duckydoty]

I too have been harassed on a couple of occasions this year be home owners telling me that I am invading their personal space by duck hunting on the waters of Lake Taneycomo anywhere near the vicinity of their property. That even includes water 1/2 mile or more from their property. I have put a call in to Quentin to ask for his advice on a resolution to this issue and will post a response as soon as I get one. I have asked the individual that has been cussing me out to call the sherrif and the game warden several times. I asked him if he complains about fishermen, road traffic, and airplanes flying over. He stated no because those activities are regulated. I informed him that duck hunting was regulated also, not only by the state of Missouri, but by the federal government too.

[Flatbottom Boy]

500 yards is much further than I was shooting from them. Nice mess of ducks!

[Feathers and Fins]

Michael, I have had similar situations arise on Beaver. I had a guy threaten to call the Police. I told him go right ahead I will sit right here and when they show up I will then have then issue you a citation for Hunter Harassment and as I have seen you fishing the lake I know you have a license and that citation WILL as mandated by law cause you to loose your license. Even had a lady with him video it.

I get sick and tired of people who just because they live near the water think they own it and can run or intimidate people from using it. I have all my hunting spots marked off on Google Earth for range from spot to house( straight line ) and carry it with me at all times, I carry the hunter harassment law with me as well as a copy of the Constitution of the state and all applicable laws and or city / county ordinances. Pain in the butt to get all the info and completely unneeded if Law Enforcement would tell the home-owner the first time they are legal and if they call again forcing them to respond and contact the hunters they will issue the citation to home-owner for hunter harassment.

To me these home-owners need to be politely informed the first time of the laws to insure no further contact is needed and then after that written up for it. I would also like to see on ACE property the revocation of doc permits for a violation. If a person is harassing someone on ACE property then remove their privileges because those docks are not a right but a privilege and to use one to run out and screaming at lake users should immediately have that privilege removed. Sorry soar subject with me.

[duckydoty]

Getting pretty sore with me too Scott. This guy yells at me every time I'm in the area that I have no right to be disturbing his peace on his personal space on his lake.

[Feathers and Fins]

Here Duane

Chapter 578 Miscellaneous Offenses Section 578.151

Unlike Arkansas Missouri Hunting/fishing is not currently a constitutional right.

I don't have the specific laws for lower taney as I don't hunt it.

[JohnP]

Just tell him that he's invading your property as your in your boat on public property and that their disturbing your peace . counter complaints. This is one of the main reasons I gave up hunting Taney, homeowners and fishermen. I hunt to get away from it all and relax, not to have worry about defending my rights and actions from someone making claims that a shot was fired towards or on their property. A number of years ago a buddy had to defend himself in court on a complaint that he shot towards someones house. no evidence just the property owners word vs. the hunters. agent wrote the ticket, he went to court and judge threw it out as there was no injury/damage or evidence of the claims. Not saying he didn't shoot towards the property as I wasn't there, and he says he didn't, but it's still a day he had to defend himself not only with the agent but in court.

[Micheal Kyle]

Thanks had work for them yesterday!

I agree on the docks, I guess what floors me the most is that this guy deer on hunts down there. .

He is a hunter and should know the laws and rights. Now the other house not so sure they never came out.

The deputy was nice and was doing his job of responding to a call, he did say he much rather be hunting with us than doing this today?

Maybe we all need to ban together one day and go educate the houses with fliers explains the rights and laws of both parties involved.

[JohnP]

Oh yea, good pics and congrats on the harverst Michael. I Need to tell deputy Kempf and Darren their famous next time I see em in the PD .

[duckydoty]

Here Duane

Chapter 578 Miscellaneous Offenses Section 578.151

Unlike Arkansas Missouri Hunting/fishing is not currently a constitutional right.

I don't have the specific laws for lower taney as I don't hunt it.

I book marked it on my phone for future reference.