WDFW seeks public views on use of motorized decoys

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) wants to hear from hunters and others who have views on the use of motorized duck and goose decoys.

The comments are being sought in preparation for an August meeting in which the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider whether to ban the use of the moving decoys in waterfowl hunting.

Interested citizens may express their views by filling out a questionnaire on the Department's web site on the Internet.

Meanwhile, WDFW is collecting information on the biological impacts of the controversial decoys on waterfowl populations.

Motorized waterfowl decoys (known as "roboduck," "motoduck", etc.) recently have gained popularity with some waterfowl hunters, but have aroused controversy among others who view them as a departure from traditional hunting decoys. The new, moving decoys, which range from spinning disks to lifelike models, are believed to be more effective in attracting waterfowl.

The commission will consider opinions from the Internet questionnaire and other public input in considering whether to ban the use of the battery-powered decoys statewide. The motorized decoy issue is scheduled to be considered during the commission's August 3 and 4 meeting in Twisp.

Those wishing to provide more detailed written comments may mail them to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Program, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091, or email them to wildthing@dfw.wa.gov by July 25.