Posted: 3/27/02

Robo-duck ban advances

T.W. BUDIG
ECM capitol reporter

A prohibition on the use of mechanical duck decoys - so-called robo-ducks - remains in the Senate DNR bill passed today (March 22).

About ten percent of Minnesota duck hunters used mechanical duck decoys during the 2000 waterfowl season. The decoys mechanically mimic the behaviors of live ducks.

But Sen. Doug Johnson, DFL, Tower, believes the use of robo-ducks violates the concept of fair chase and amended the DNR bill in committee to prohibit their use.

An amendment to remove the provision from the bill, authored by Sen. Michelle Fischbach, R, Paynesville, failed on the Senate floor.

Fischbach said the prohibition wasnít currently needed. The DNR had begun a study on the impact of the use of mechanical duck decoys, she said.

The DNR did inaugurate a decoy study this fall.

But Sen. Charlie Berg, R, Chokio, said the robo-duck debate is a hot political issue. Everybody knows what happens when officials are faced with making a decision on a tough issue.

They order a study, said Berg.

Berg, who supported Johnsonís amendment, said if the Senate didnít act this year it would be even harder next year because more mechanical decoys would be in use.

The DNR did not request legislation on the use of robo-ducks.

ìItís clear that although there is a lot of concern among hunters about the biological impacts to waterfowl population and seasons, there is not sufficient biological data or public support to seek a restriction on their (mechanical duck decoys) use in waterfowl hunting at this time,î said Tim Bremicker, DNR wildlife division director in a February news release.

But a 20000 survey of Minnesota waterfowlers showed 65 percent support for restricting the use of mechanical duck decoys if their use impacted length of season or bag limit.

No such mechanical decoy prohibition exists in House language in its DNR bill.

While the measure had its supports in the Senate, support was not uniform.

ìWhy would we not approve decoys accomplishing their task,î said Sen. Kenric Scheevel, R, Preston.

If people are worried about fair chase, they should consider changing deer hunting laws to prohibit hunting during the rut, said Scheevel.

In his area of the state, the only deer left are does.

ìAll the bucks are getting picked off during ëthe silly season,í if you will,î said Scheevel.

While Minnesota currently allows the use of mechanical decoys, the decoys cannot be radio controlled.

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