Muscovies in US - REGULATION CHANGES OPEN FOR COMMENTS - 10/1 update

[PamelaJaye]

Iheart'scovies :

Quote:
You know, I live here in Florida, and there is always alot of chatter about the muscovies, but I seriously don't see what the problem is! It's really NOT like they are EVERYWHERE and we're all wading around in duck poop or something!

http://www.tbnweekly.com/content_articles/092707_par-02.txt?archiveview

http://www.tbnweekly.com/editorial/readers_poll/content_articles/061506_pol-09.txt

okay, neither of these is the article I want, exactly.

I'm not agreeing with the new (whatever) either. Just saying that in some towns, they really ARE everywhere and people have been ticked off. Sadly, the government has, once again, decided to kill an ant with a sledgehammer.

I found it:
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/05/13/Northpinellas/There_s_trouble_in_Mu.shtml

"Our town is overrun with them, " Kenneth City Mayor Muriel Whitman said Thursday. "People complain constantly."

If Whitman had any doubts about the severity of the duck influx, they were removed one recent morning when she opened her front door. Staring at her were 30 pairs of eyes, belonging to members of a flock of young Muscovies looking for a handout

But the ducks seem to think Kenneth City's a great place to live and bring up a family. They wander around town rooting in yards for bugs and other tasty delicacies.

"They multiply so fast, " Whitman said. "They're cute when they're little. ... But when they get big, they're obnoxious."

also

Muscovies are neither native to Florida nor are they wild ducks. Under state law, they are not supposed to be released into the wild, Morse said. And there lies a curious rule: If a Muscovy is on your front lawn, you're the owner. You can do with it what you will as long as it is humane and done in compliance with the laws of the county.​

 

[AHappychick]

Quote:
OMG I havent thought of that song in the longest time I have to go listen now.... "We'll make great pets...

 

[Iheart'scovies]

Quote:
Just FYI: Kenneth "City" is less than a square mile of land, in the middle of and indistinguishable from the rest of the St. Pete area, but lowers its speed limits to stuff the local coffers as a speed trap!

Knowing this area, this just furthers the point to me that all of this mess has been caused by a vocal minority that feels that anything that annoys them should be exterminated.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Why?

 

[AHappychick]

it seems like such an easy fix, declare a hunting season for them and be done with it, really is it that hard, do we need them to make laws about it??

 

[PamelaJaye]

Iheart'scovies :

Quote:
Just FYI: Kenneth "City" is less than a square mile of land, in the middle of and indistinguishable from the rest of the St. Pete area

Even though my brother lives there (and didn't report any gangs of roving thug ducks) I don't spend enough time there to know how small it is, so I'll defer to your wisdom ​

 

[Buster52]

Quote:
That's a matter of considerable debate down in these parts.

 

[Dances with Ducks]

Quote:
That's a matter of considerable debate down in these parts.

 

[ultasol]

I grew up in Phoenix, AZ. There are man made ponds and small lakes there, and the prevalent breed of duck was muscovy. No big deal. What was interesting is the few wild waterways I saw while there were either waterfowl free, or also had muscovies.

I am not for the ban, I am for eradication of wild populations in non-native areas. Here there is a non-native population of geese that people love to feed bread at the park. Problem is that they interbreed with the wild migratory geese population (canadians) and also require taxpayer money (frequent tests for disease to prevent spread to other birds and humans, as well as nest detection and destruction in Spring to control the population). Each year there are more 'Easter Ducks' and more geese dropped off at the park.

In my view legislation should be aimed at responsible ownership of potentially invasive or destructive waterfowl. Perhaps requiring the pinioning of all muscovies would help limit their potential for invasiveness, as well as prohibiting and release of captive birds.

I love the poultry hobby, I love my waterfowl, however I also understand the need to protect the environment and areas that permanent and migratory waterfowl and bird populations depend on for survival. If the last potential solution to the problem were the banning of muscovies with a grandfather clause- I would relent. However I believe there are other actions that can be taken that remain untried.

 

[Duck_feeder]

The chief of the migratory bird division of FWS has been contacted and he responded to our concerns. See post #1 for details.