Can you cut cattails down on public land?

[xyz]

Can you cut cattails down on public land to make larger open water hunting holes? Cattails almost seem like an invasive wetland plant. Maybe it depends on which agency is in charge of the land? Just wondering. Open teal season water got pretty crowded with hunters.

[James Watson]

Nope. I dont think it is against the law to stomp holes down though I just dont think you can physically remove or cut them down.

[duckhunternate]

Talk to the agency that manages the land and see if they can do something about it. If nothing else volunteer to help them do the work and maybe you'll get an opportunity there.

The liklihood these days are that it is narrow-leaf cattail and it is a very aggressive (moreso than the broad leaf cattail) plant. It may come down to cutting some pockets in the broad patches; they tend to form monocultures and without some kind of mechanical disturbance they'll just fill in the wetlands in the right conditions.

[Willhuntforfood]

Yea I believe it's a $1000 minimum fine for disturbing wetlands but you could probably talk to whoever manages it and volunteer your time. You would be surprised how eager they are to put volunteers to work. Especially if you have a plan that fits their needs. Good Luck

PS...If you do cut a bunch bring em down to my house. I need some crud for the boat blind.

[habitatman 1]

Willhuntforfood If you talk to the NGP and get the ok. I can get some people to help. You got myl Phone #

[Willhuntforfood]

xyz had the question about cutting them. I do have a few spots where I wouldn't mind doing a little trimming though...lol. Maybe I'll get ahold of GnP and see what we can do.

[Willhuntforfood]

I've been looking into this the last couple days. This is alot harder than you would expect. I've had my email forwarded around the block and nobody seems to know exactly who to talk to. I will get an answer either way in the long run though.

[Laramie]

If its a basin call the USFWS in GI. You probably can't do anything until after July (primary nesting season) or maybe even later (Migratory Bird Treaty Act). My guess is, cutting and removal is not allowed...but just cutting???

Andy

[Willhuntforfood]

Yea it's not a basin but thank you for the heads up.

[Willhuntforfood]

Well I finally got an answer today... It was thanks but "NO". Good news is that game and parks are planning on spraying some of the marsh's this summer that have been really choked out. The phragmites have become a noxious plant in NE and they are trying to thin em out. In the short term this will help to open up some of the cattail areas.

[Evenflow]

We had a co tell us you can stomp the weeds down as much as you want, but you cannot pull them or cut them.

[xyz]

This is what I received from a manager:

"Your question concerning cattails was forwarded to me. It is not legal to remove any vegetation from WMAs at any time. However, I would contact the area manager in charge of that WMA and discuss the situation with him. If he is aware of your concern, he may be able to help open up these choked up areas or allow you to do some of this work. Let me know if you need help finding out who to contact for any specific WMA."

Make sense. People would be ripping things out indiscriminately if given permission to remove vegetation. Sounds like they might listen to a request for a certain area though. Maybe some volunteer labor would help them concentrate on one area vs. another..??

[Willhuntforfood]

I have been in contact with an Administrator for one of the WMA's out here in the east and met with him yesterday. I signed all the volunteer paperwork and I'm gonna start a really cool project this Friday. It's gonna take us a couple weeks of work but I'll post pictures when it's completed. This project will benefit all of us waterfowlers but especially those with kids or hunters who are disabled.

[doghog]

sounds like a good cause...if ya need any cheap crappy free help let me know...