2017-2018 Duck and Goose Hunting (Updated)

Dear Duck and Goose Hunters,

November 11, 2017 is the first scheduled day for duck hunting at Lake Reidsville. We have a few things to notify you about before the first day. Questions have been raised about a couple issues:  Afternoon Hunts: We are not sure if we will have a full-time Park Ranger this year so we are not sure that we will have Saturday afternoon hunts in December-January. (TBA) If we do receive one, the following will be in effect. We can allow Saturday afternoon hunts with one caveat: If we only have one blind rented on a consistent basis then we will consider dropping it. To have the Park Ranger come in at 4am to stay all the way through the afternoon for one blind would not be good management of resources. Saturday afternoon hunts will only be allowed in the December-January season.  Rebuilding and moving blinds. (None scheduled for this year unless we decide something different at the first meeting.)  All other issues will be addressed at the first meeting on October 21st.

First line of business, as a reminder, you will not be granted FREE blinds for working on duck blinds. Instead on the last “official workday/meeting”, which is Saturday, November 4, 2017, we will do the lottery drawing for blind reservation for the first day for all the hunters that help with maintenance on blinds. You must attend to get the opportunity and the drawing will be at 12:00 p.m. Obviously we may not have as many blinds as we have volunteers, so not everyone will get this luxury. This is more of a door prize than anything, and we will only draw names for half the number of available blinds so there is a fair chance for those who do not get drawn. We will also be providing lunch for that day. Those of you who are planning your own workdays please make a trip out to see what needs to be done to the duck blinds so that you will have the right material on the workday. It has been requested that the blinds not be brushed until the last couple of weeks leading up to the start of the season. We left two separate weekends from the first scheduled workday to the first day of hunting so people can take advantage of it, so use it. Please contact me first before you purchase anything, [email protected] or call us at (336) 349-4738. If you are a member of the Lake Reidsville Duck Hunters’ Club the materials will be purchased by the Lake Maintenance Supervisor out of the LRDHC account (this will be discussed in detail later in this letter). Like last year, if you work on a blind you must not only check in at the store, but you must also record what blind you worked on and what you did. There will be a data sheet to write that information on. Falsifying blind work will result in suspension or loss of privileges.

If you do not join the LRDHC by December 2, 2017 you may not get the privileges of being a member, but you may still attend events and meetings. To remind you, the LRDHC members can call to reserve blinds starting at 8:00 a.m. There are a few stipulations for LRDHC members to have privileges (including the 8:00 a.m. call in):

1. The member must attend half of the scheduled meetings and workdays in order to have member privileges (this includes meetings/workdays scheduled by Lake Supervisor and LRDHC). 2. You must have joined and paid your dues before December 2, 2017. 3. You must not have an unpaid blind (should be paid on the day you hunt). 4. You must schedule at least 1 workday (3 hours minimum) to come in on your own by December 2, 2017. **If you can’t find sufficient work to help with the blinds then lend your time to the Youth Hunt by volunteering to cook, collect door prizes from vendors in the triad area, etc.**

The first meeting for the LRDHC will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. and the first scheduled workday will be on Saturday, October 21, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. (other important dates listed on separate sheet of paper included in this mail out). Any duck hunter may be a part of the organization, and it will give you the opportunity to share your thoughts and be heard. The purpose of the organization is not to just get the early call-in time, the purpose is to provide a group of people that have concerns about duck hunting and enjoy duck hunting at Lake Reidsville. These people will ultimately decide what the experience will be like for the hunters, and they will decide what the LRDHC will spend money on. The LRDHC members are responsible for scheduling all the other workdays and meetings outside of the ones we scheduled to get us started. Dues for this organization will be $15 per person for a season for non-residents and $5 per person for residents, and this fee will go in a LRDHC fund to help duck hunting maintenance in the future. You may join in the store or by sending a check with the LRDHO registration form included in this envelope. See form for mailing information. Jimmy Decker volunteered and was approved by the LRDHC to serve as President three seasons ago. No time table was attached to his position. Please include Jimmy on any incoming emails with questions or suggestions on blinds, hunting, events, etc. On the LRDHC registration form, please include your correct address, and phone number. Also I would like to get your email address so I can contact everyone easier, and quicker. As we have done in the past, Lake Reidsville will NO LONGER send out invoices for people to pay at will, instead it will be your responsibility to pay at the store the day you hunt. If you fail to do so you will not be allowed to hunt until this payment has been received. If an individual continues to have a problem with paying for the hunt the same day, they may be suspended from participating in duck hunting at Lake Reidsville for a period of time decided by the Lake Supervisor. We want duck hunting to be an exciting leisure activity for all participants, and at the same time it is only fair that everyone pay your dues the same as all the other hunters.

Important reminder: When reserving a blind you will not be able to hunt the same blind on consecutive hunting days unless you have no other choice due to all the blinds being taken. This will cut down on people hunting the same blind over and over, and will give others the opportunity. When you reserve a blind you need to inform us of EVERYONE hunting in that blind at the time of reservation. Any changes will need to be relayed to Mellissa. The Park Ranger will have the sheet in the morning to check each person off, and make changes if necessary. This is in an effort to make it fair for others and it would be nice if people would start being courteous to others and hunt in a variety of blinds. We understand that is part of the call-in procedure, but not everyone is lucky enough to have their call answered in the first five minutes of the morning. There are many blinds on the lake, so expand your mind and try them all. Good hunters can draw the ducks in, so let’s see who really has the skills. PLEASE NOTE: We have one line and one person answering the phone so on blind reservation days please be patient.

Lastly, so that everyone has this in writing and there is no confusion. In order to call in early and get the city rate you MUST RESIDE IN THE CITY LIMITS. This means your primary place of residency must be the City of Reidsville. The only exception is if you are a LRDHC member you will be allowed to call in at 8:00 a.m., but the city/non-city rate differential still applies. You have to show proof of City of Reidsville residency to get the low rate too.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone, and we hope you all have a good season. Just remember to be safe while you are hunting, and be aware of other hunters around you. Included in your packet is the LRDHC registration, map, times, dates, and fees. If you have any other questions please feel free to contact us.

Thank you, Lake Reidsville Staff 630 Waterworks Road Reidsville, NC 27320 (336) 349-4738 2017-2018 Lake Reidsville Duck and Goose Hunting

Lake Reidsville Duck and Goose Hunting Schedule:  November 11, 2017 – December 2, 2017 December 16, 2017 – January 27, 2018  February 3 or February 10, 2018 – Youth Waterfowl Day (Must be 17 year of age or younger, and must be accompanied by a licensed adult, in accordance with the new guidelines listed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. ABSOLUTELY NO ADULTS (18 AND OVER) ARE TO BE SHOOTING THIS DAY. For more information on bag limit and hunting regulation please visit: http://www.ncwildlife.org/Hunting/documents/late_season_waterfowlposter.pdf

Lake Reidsville’s Hunting Days:  Hunting days will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from one-half hour before daylight until 12:00 noon.  You must be away from the dock by 6AM for morning hunts and 2PM for afternoon hunts. No exceptions!

Reservation Schedules for Blinds:  Reservations for Saturdays’ and Mondays’ hunt will be taken on Fridays  Reservations for Wednesdays’ hunt will be taken on Tuesdays  All reservations must be done on a first call, first serve basis at (336) 349- 4738.  City of Reidsville residents may begin calling for reservations at 8:00 a.m.  Non-city residents may begin call for reservations at 8:30 a.m.  Lake Reidsville Duck Hunters’ Club member may begin calling for reservations at 8:00 a.m. (Pending they meet the requirements in letter)  NO Walkup Registrations.

*NO CALLS WILL BE GUARANTEED AFTER 10:00 A.M.

Duck and Goose Hunting Fees  City of Reidsville resident - $12 per blind  Non-city resident - $24 per blind

*3 Adults (16 and over) maximum per blind (3 per boat-if boat hunting is approved) **Payments can be made from 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. daily and we accept payments by cash, checks, and debit or credit cards. Receipt will be given at time of payment. AGAIN, you must pay the day you hunt.

Lake Reidsville Duck Hunters Organization Important Dates

 Saturday, October 21, 2017 – First Meeting at 9:00 a.m. (Shelter #5)

 Saturday, October 21, 2017 – First Schedule Workday at 10:00 a.m.

 Saturday, October 28, 2017 – Make-up Workday at 10:00 a.m.

 Saturday, November 4, 2017 – Second Scheduled Workday at 9:00 a.m.

 Saturday, November 4, 2017 – Second Scheduled Meeting at 12:00 p.m. (Lunch Provided and First Day Blind Reservation Drawing, Must be there to win, no exceptions) Shelter #5)

 Saturday, November 11, 2017 – First Day of Hunting (Lake Reidsville Season 1)

 Saturday, December 2, 2017 – Last Day of Hunting (Lake Reidsville Season 1)

 Saturday, December 2, 2017 – Deadline to Join LRDHO to get full privileges

 Saturday, December 16, 2017 – First Day of Hunting (Lake Reidsville Season 2)

 Saturday, January 27, 2018 – Last Day of Hunting (Lake Reidsville Season 2)  Saturday, February 3 or February 10, 2018 – Youth Waterfowl Day, either/or not both days.