Waterfowl hunters are enjoying some great days afield in the newly opened Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West, off Southern Blvd. in Palm Beach County. This year the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and South Florida Water Management District reached an agreement to add a limited (once per week during the season) waterfowl hunt to STA 1, similar to what has been available for three years now in STA 5, south of Clewiston.

The STA marshes are part of state Everglades restoration efforts, and were built to absorb phosphorus and other nutrients draining off agricultural lands. Hydrilla, water hyacinth, cattails and other vegetation flourish in the marshes—and this growth has attracted huge numbers of migratory ducks and coots.

Hunters with weekend permits, either morning or afternoon, are checking in with good bags of bluewing and greenwing teal, as well as other birds. Some, however, evidently aren’t showing up for the hunts (foolish, foolish!)—and non-permitted hunters who arrive and wait diligently may be allowed in by wildlife officers, on a space-available basis. For more about the STAs and other state waterfowl hunts, log on to myfwc.com/hunting.

Hats off to the FWC and SFWMD for opening the STA 1, and hats off to United Waterfowlers of Florida, Delta Waterfowl and other advocates who helped persuade authorities to establish another super opportunity for South Florida hunters.

FS