Raccoon Creek WMA Sabotage

Jeff Bowen

Active member
Everyone hunting at Raccoon creek be aware that someone is pouring roofing nails all over the ramp and gravel parking area. This was found during the opening weekend and it was more than just a handful.

WMA officials are trying to catch the offenders and if anyone has any information on this please contact Jud Easterwood 256-437-2788.
 
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Let's hope they used galvanized and not aluminum. You can't pick up aluminum ones with a magnet like roofers use.

I tend to think this isn't some anti-hunting or eco-terrorism job. Those groups would never get a foothold in Jackson County. This was a response from some hunter that is fed up and decided if he couldn't hunt to his satisfaction then someone has to pay and who better than the guys crowding his spot.

I hate to say but acts like this could bring some good (I am NOT condoning this action!). The crowding issues are getting to the boiling point. Maybe the state will stand back and assess the situation and make some changes to alleviate the pressure, crowding, and frustration. They've always been about free access all season to everyone but we may have hit critical mass that calls for restrictions. Of course if they do place limitations on use that will just move the problem downriver off the management areas and into people's back yards. I think the root here is the North Alabama population has grown considerably in the past 30 years and far too many people, with money and time, want to hunt ducks. More hunters and fewer places produces hostility and that brings nail dumping nastiness etc. to the table.

In many respects it's nothing like what it was when I started in 82.
 
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I'd love to see the state buy up more land for public use. As much as we have here, it isn't enough sometimes.
 
In addition to the nail spreading a gate was broken into and the valve that holds water within the WMA was opened releasing water to the river.

Should they ever catch the perpitrator I hope their hunting license is forever suspended.
 
the problem with state owned land is two fold, one, they dont have the money to afford the manpower to take care of it and two, many years ago the state began leasing land instead of buying it.this has left us in the current situation.majority of the public land is no more and what is left is suffering from the " 10 pounds of shit in a 5 pound sock"
 
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