I get the point and agree with the sentiment. However, Fish and Wildlife doesn't seem to object to the use of duck and goose calls by hunters. Seems to me there is a double standard here.


Bruce MacPherson
South Burlington



-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas Berriman <[log in to unmask]>
To: VTBIRD <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thu, May 30, 2013 4:07 pm
Subject: [VTBIRD] Playback Recordings


I too at some time in my birding history have been guilty of having used a 
recording device but I can tell you that there is almost no legal place to use 
them except your own property. Every Fish and Wildlife service prohibits them, 
all federal refugees and parks and National Monuments prohibit them and most 
state parks don't allow them. On our NEK Audubon permit for the State of Vermont 
I must promise to never use them on field trips.

The other thing one has to think about, when not on public lands is how much 
interference is 'permissible' for not harming or endangering the birds. I guess 
everyone has their own scale for that.

Once when I first started birding 15 years ago I just tried a Barred Owl call 
with my voice in Muir Woods (National Park) and a park ranger read me the riot 
act. Not only was that embarrassing but taught me a good lesson about something 
I hadn't thought about. 

I now try to use the recording to play softly to a group I am leading so they 
can get familiarized with what we are trying to listen for. : )

Tom Berriman