Circle B Bar Reserve

We are writing to you as the leaders of the Bird & Nature Club of Lake Ashton. Please do not allow hunting at the Circle B Bar Reserve. This is a wonderful gem in Polk County for people to come in close contact with nature. The hunting that was permitted at Circle B Bar Reserve in December and January severely affected the numbers and diversity of waterfowl that was wintering there. It is a shame to open this park to the public with a lovely new visitor center and then to ruin it all with hunting. The Bald Eagles that are nesting there were very disturbed by the noise and commotion as were all the wading birds and songbirds.

Surveys of the birds in the marsh hunt area were conducted prior to and after the hunts. These surveys indicated a severe drop in the duck population following each hunt with a very slow increase between the hunts to just over 40% of the pre-hunt population. Another severe drop in the duck population followed the second hunt session. The nesting Bald Eagles were disturbed by the gunfire as confirmed by observations and video obtained during the hunts

Circle B Bar Reserve is visited by up to 1,000 persons on a weekend and often 100 persons on weekdays. Most of these people are interested in wildlife viewing. In addition to the number of people visiting the site the nature center classroom has programs for middle school students.

Given all the above, this site is not an appropriate place for hunting.

Please vote to stop duck hunting at Circle B Bar Reserve.

We recently read an article in the Ledger that spoke of how bird watchers contribute greatly to the economy of Florida by coming here to see birds and spending their money in our hotels, motels, restaurants and stores while here. The Circle B Bar Reserve is on par with Merritt Island and the Ding Darling Refuges and could potentially attract visitors from all over, boosting the economy of Polk County. However, once word gets out that hunting is permitted there, they will not come.

Please do whatever is in your power to stop the hunting at Circle B Bar Reserve.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Alan & Barbara Delorey
5225 Green Drive
Winter Haven, FL 33884