Rules

2007-2008
DelMar Waterfowl Club Rules & Policies

At The DelMar Waterfowl Club we value our past times and traditions. We know you join a club to have fun and would not want too many restrictive rules. Being in a club also means you will meet and share blinds with other hunters who may have different perceptions and expectations than you do. For this reason we have enough rules to provide equal hunting opportunities to all members. Our rules increase individual freedom by restricting undesirable acts. “By following the rules we are fair to our fellow members”. For example a rule against anyone hunting intoxicated gives us freedom from the danger and annoyance of the act. Rules also give us order and structure so we know what to expect. The following is intended to enhance the individual freedom of our members while providing safety, order and structure.

a. All federal, state and county laws/regulations are to be followed.
b. All members must schedule hunts and summarize results according to the club guidelines.
c. These rules will remain in effect until March 15, 2008.
d. The club bylaws are to be read, understood and followed.

Hunting Schedule

It will be required for each member to register prior to each hunt. A separate electronic calendar is a primary part of the site and holds the entire annual hunting schedule. Each property has a tab with details such as; locations, blind, equipment and decoys. Registration for future dates will GENERALLY be become available in order to give the membership enough time to make plans. I will open and close properties on a two week basis going forward. If waterfowl hunters wish to schedule a farm more than one week (seven days) in advance or deer hunters want to schedule more than five days in advance, they must use one of two available vacation days. These exceptions permit anyone to select a blind or stand anytime in the applicable season. Each vacation reservation must be clearly marked in the scheduling forum. Vacation days may not be used to select waterfowl blinds identified as premium locations. Furthermore, no member may hunt any premium blind more than twice.

Waterfowl and Deer Reports should be made with in 24 hours. If a report is not made within 5 days, I will apply a no hunt penalty for one week. Waterfowl reports should be detailed, but deer reports can be limited to deer taken or shots fired. Of course, other deer members would appreciate truthful reports. If deer members feel compelled to lie about game seen, than don’t post anything but deer taken. Do not rely on the reports in lieu of visiting the property and scouting. There will be many chances to do this during work days.

Club Equipment

Club members are entitled to use the club property which primarily consists of boats, decoys and blinds. The club will provide various boats for use at a specified blind. Several of the boats will have motors and safety equipment provided. By using one of the boats, you agree that you understand how to operate the equipment properly. If any piece of the equipment is damaged or missing, please report this to the club manager immediately. If a member damages the club property, you must pay to replace or repair the equipment (within reason). If you do not feel comfortable operating a boat, do not use it.

The club will also provide decoys for most blinds. The club owns approximately 14,000 decoys. A description of the decoys can be found on the decoy page. This is all mostly new equipment in very good condition. Please treat it like your own, since we want it serviceable for the next couple years. Secure decoy storage will be provided. Make sure it gets locked up. Due to theft issues, we can not keep decoys in all the blinds.

Due to liability issues, the ATV's and tractor can only be used by the club manager or another designated individuals. Don't assume because you were given permission once that it applies for the season.

The club equipment is not to be removed from club properties unless the club president gives permission. In the rare event permission would be granted, it would apply only to that particular instance. I must know each and every time equipment goes off-site.

Storage Facility

The buildings are for club use only. A large 60x120 storage building is provided to store trailers, boats and decoys. The separate shop building is to be used for work days. The back shop will be used to store deer equipment. All of the storage buildings are now equipped with motion sensing cameras. Careful what you do in there, because it will be recorded. The building must be secured and the lights turned when you leave, no exceptions. The gate on the road must be locked upon entering and exiting the property. The drive-in doors to the buildings must be kept clear and decoys should not be stored on the loading dock. The outside fenced area is used to store stand-up blinds and other large pieces of equipment. Anything on wheels should never be left out. Each member will be given four different keys for the storage building, shop, yard and gate. DO NOT GIVE COPIES to anyone, ever. If this happens, we will have to re-key the entire lock set. Additional storage space is available to club members by contacting the club manager.

Maryland Apartment

The apartment at Taylor's Island should be booked directly with the owners. It can accommodate up to five persons per night. Contact info and details are provided on another "members-only" section of this site. This will be coordinated by Bill Meade.

Delaware Clubhouse

An 2,800 square foot clubhouse is provided for the members use during the hunting season. The clubhouse can be used all year by the waterfowl and deer members. In order to defray the expenses associated with the club, there will be a charge of $20.00 per night beginning September 1, 2007. . Members can use the lockbox in the kitchen or pay electronically in the payment gateway. An extensive overview is provided on the lodge page and can only be accessed by club members. A small kennel with four runs was constructed in 2005 for our dogs.

Deer Hunting

Several farms in Delaware and Maryland are leased for deer. A lottery will only be held for all members that are interested for opening day of gun season in Delaware and Maryland. All other dates we will use the schedule forum. Details on the deer hunting policies are available on the deer page.

Turkey Hunting

Several farms in Delaware and Maryland have considerable populations of turkey. Turkey hunting is reserved for deer members only. Deer members must follow very specific state licensure requirements in order to legally hunt turkeys. This is each member’s personal responsibility to follow all applicable state and federal rules. Turkey hunting can only be booked no sooner than 24 hours in advance. Specific farms must be open for turkey hunting and all reservations must be done on the schedule forum.

Small Game Hunting

Members may hunt the properties for small game during any open season between September 1st and March 15th. Areas of exclusion include the upland game farms and any other areas posted as closed on the schedule forum. Hunts must be schedule no more than 24 hours in advance. Guests are permitted to small game hunt without a guest fee, but must sign a waiver.

Dove Hunting

Approximately seven Delaware farm in Kent County will be specifically planted for dove hunting. Members can also hunt the four upland fields prior to October 15th. In the 2006-07 season the club planted 68 acres of black oil sunflowers and grain sorghum to ensure quality hunts. We will place numbered stakes 75 yards apart on all the farms. Opening day and the first Saturday of dove season, the club will host a picnic and assign hunting spots on that date only. Thereafter, it will be necessary to register on the schedule forum.

Snow Goose Hunting

Many of the goose properties in the Dover area were previously leased by a full-time, professional guide service. This sole proprietor specializes in snow goose hunts and does approximately 70 parties a year. It was necessary for him to lease a large number of farms in a concentrated area to follow the snow geese. Because he will no longer offer day hunts for Canada Geese or puddle ducks, he provided this club a remarkable opportunity to take over these leases, back in 2005. In exchange, the club will provide limited access to him for snow goose hunting. On occasion, he will also take club members with his parties when space permits.

Membership Policy

For the purposes of the rules below, the word "Member" may include all persons covered under the membership agreement. Spouses and dependent children are not considered members, but may hunt for free. The number of members is expected to vary based upon the number of leases secured and the expected level of demand. We will have a planned number by April 1st and definitely set by September 1st. After payment has been received from set number of members, any additional candidates will be placed on a waiting list in the order they are received. At such time as the membership drops below the designated member limits, the first candidate on the waiting list will be contacted for replacement. If that candidate declines membership, their name will be removed from the list and the next candidate will be contacted until such time as the full numbers of projected members are attained.

a. At least twenty-two work days will be scheduled before October 15th, and the same number after this date up until the end of the season. Each member is expected to work at least four, eight hour days towards lease or duck club improvements. Deer members are expected to work three days. If not available, any member may choose to pay $125 for each day not worked.
b. Members must have their written permission form on their person at all times while on the property. You may be asked to show the card by law officers, club manager, or club members. This card is typically not finalized until the hunting season begins in order to list all of the leased properties.
c. Membership is non transferable once member has hunted. Only members and the guests of members are allowed to hunt (see guest rules).
d. Anyone 17 or under must be with an adult at all times while on the hunting property, even if not hunting.

Use of Club Blinds

In order to share the most productive spots in may not always be possible to choose a selected farm or blind. To manage out fields and blinds for quality hunts, certain locations will be posted as closed by the club manager. This process of “resting” a field or water blind encourages the large flocks of waterfowl to return to an area. The club manager will review the location selected and make every effort not to close a location that has be reserved in advance. However, if a location is not available, you must check the site after 5 pm before the next days hunt in case it is necessary to change one of the locations.

Equality

Because we are all very different people, coming from different backgrounds, being different ages, and having different perceptions, we will very likely each have very unique expectations of what we desire from this club. In spite of what we may desire, every member will not be able to hunt the very best blinds each and every hunt. Some members may not be able to hunt many times during a season and others may be able to hunt most every day. Equalizing access to the best blinds will be a challenge. Failure to do so is the reason that many clubs are not successful or smaller groups break-up. While I am not going to discourage anyone from hunting frequently, I will apply some common sense, by applying a little gentle pressure to ensure everyone has some outstanding gunning opportunities. The hunting schedule will be open and available for the entire membership to sign up for. Using the advance schedule is the primary rule of the club. While it will never be perfectly equal or perceived as fair to all, an open schedule is the best tool to monitor the property use. We will however monitor the club calendar to ensure all members are afforded the opportunities for quality hunts. Occasionally, hunters who have had many great hunts and who have signed up for a certain location may be asked to hunt another location so that our less fortunate members may experience a quality hunt. That stated, there will always be quality places to hunt, for every member, even if they choose to go every day.

We also ask our members to be courteous to other members and to share the hunting opportunities. This includes things such as allowing other hunters in the blind to shoot first after you’ve bagged a goose or a couple of ducks or to rotate positions in the blind if the hunters on a corner always have the best shots at the passing birds. If you are not an experienced caller please ask the more experienced callers if your calling is acceptable. On some days only the best callers can lure in those flocks that have been dodging shot for the past few months since leaving Canada. When hunting with a dog in training that may delay the hunt as it learns to retrieve a goose in a field, it would be courteous to hunt a less popular blind. This will put less pressure on you and your dog as you coach your dog along.

If a problem develops between our members, I will deal with it quickly and professionally. If problems persist I will appoint “Hunt Captains” who will have the decision authority for the conduct of the hunt, and the responsibility for the safety and care and security of club equipment. This includes ensuring all club equipment is returned and secured in the club storage facility.

Finally, each member should take back only what they put in to the club. Those who hunt the most should make time to contribute additional work days and volunteer for tasks that arise during the hunting season. I will not however expect a lot of participation from anyone who is not using the properties.

Guests

Bringing a guest is probably the best way to recruit new members. Some members may object to any guest policy but the rules below are an effort to control guest activity to acceptable level, while allowing our membership reasonable latitude.

a. Members must notify the club manager via the schedule forum, before taking any guest hunting. Failure to do so may be construed as an attempt to avoid paying guest fees. This must be done a day prior to your hunt and can be made via the electronic payment gateway.

b. A waiver form must be completed and signed prior to the hunt for each guest. If the guest is a minor the waiver must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. All applicable fees are to be handled in the same manner.

c. Member must be present in order for guest to hunt.

d. Guests will generally be limited on the opening day of each split, Thanksgiving Day and the two days after, between Christmas and New Years and the first three Saturdays of the season.

e. A person may only be a guest of other members a total of 5 times during a hunting year. Frequent guests are encouraged to join this club. This rule may be waved by the club manager.

f. Dependent Children and spouses, hunting with a member are not required to pay a guest fee, but must hunt under the member's direct supervision anytime. Please use good judgment when bringing a child. If you expect to hunt with your son or daughter on each visit, or with more than one child, it would be reasonable to hunt at a less popular location or on a non-peak day. A member with multiple children hunters is advised to discuss his needs with the club manager so that those young hunters will have a positive hunting experience and our other members will be satisfied with their hunting experience as well.

g. All hunting guests who are age 17 and older must pay a guest fee according to the guest fee pricing schedule. Members may have one non-hunting guest for observation or photography without paying a guest fee. Reasonable restrictions also apply.

h. Guests must abide by all club rules while on the properties.

i. Member is responsible for his/her guest.

j. Guest must be accompanied by member when moving about any of our properties.

k. Waving the guest fee may be done by the club manager based upon demand for a particular blind.

m. Spouses or adult children can join as members at a 50% discount, if they are expected to hunt more than the five time limitation for guests. An amount below this threshold, a guest fee is not required.

Membership
Membership is open to any licensed hunter who meets the eligibility requirements set forth below. Membership may be terminated at any time without refund of dues if one of the club bylaws is broken or if a rule is deliberately broken. The club president reserves the right to remove any person from the club at his discretion. Membership will be terminated with a prorated refund if a member is abusing club privileges, or deemed detrimental to the welfare of the club.

Club Officers
The powers of this club, expressed or implied, shall be vested in the club manager. It shall constitute the executive body of this club and its action is final. The club manager shall have general management control of the leased property and all funds of the club. The club manager is Andrew W Smith and can be reached at 302-528-1203.

If problems arise between members, the club manager will appoint “Hunt Captains” who will have the decision authority for the conduct of the hunt, and the responsibility for the safety and care and security of club equipment. This includes ensuring all club equipment is returned and secured in the club storage facility.

Financial Matters

Membership dues shall be set by the club manager and must be paid in full by September 1st of each year. The rates for the 2005 – 06 Season are stated on the pricing page and may be subject to change to future members with out obligation.

The finances of the club will be made available to any member who asks. The following statements are available at the end of the season: Cash Flow by dates, Income Statement (revenue and expenses) and a Balance Sheet which is a list of what the club owns. The Club Manager will retain signed copies of all leases and a summary (with receipts) of all expenses. A summary of guest fees will be available for review at the end of every season. A preliminary budget is available prior to the start of the season. With an "open book" policy, including leases, every member agrees not to lease or make an offer to lease or lease any club property in the future. If this occurs, the member agrees to a penalty of 150% of the annual lease expense of the property to the club president immediately.

A 50% non-refundable deposit is due at the end of the current season, for next year’s membership. This due date is April 1st. This is necessary to secure the hunting leases for the next year, since the farms typically require a 50% deposit early in the spring. After April 1st, the club will attempt to fill any vacancies created by members who have not paid their deposit. Member fees are influenced by many factors such as lease cost, lease improvements, decoys and equipment, and number of members. While we can't be certain of the fee for the next season, we will strive to keep it as low as practical. Membership and Guest fees are to be paid to the club manager or his designee.

Rules and Regulations
By joining the club, all members agree to abide by the bylaws.

Additional Rules

Dogs are permitted, but must be under control at all times. You are responsible for the conduct of your dog toward other hunters and other dogs. Additionally, you must be able to manage you dog’s conduct and ensure he quickly returns to the blind after a retrieve. You must post on the schedule forum if you are bringing your dog in order to best manage group parties. If your dog is not fully trained, you must disclose and discuss this with other members in your hunting party. Other hunters should realize that a dog in training, that may be a little slow retrieving a goose on a field will be invaluable in an ice cold river retrieving the duck or goose that you shot! Dogs are as much a part of our club as our members! They do their best work in late January when the temperature is below 20 degrees.

The maximum number of hunters will be set by each specific blind by the club manager and posted on the schedule forum. This is to ensure the members comfort and safety. Due to the differences in member's size, it is not possible to make a specific limit for some properties.

Hunters will be responsible for claiming and tagging all birds as they are shot. Please do not shoot someone else’s birds. While it is sometimes a possible mistake, it is certainly not encouraged and is against the law.

All hunters assigned to a blind will arrive at the designated meeting place at the posted time. Unless a medical problem exists or an emergency occurs, all hunters will participate in setting up the decoys, and remain until after the hunt and all decoys are picked up and stored safely and neatly. Please leave it better than you found it for the next party. Occasionally everyone may have a reason to arrive late or to leave early. Exceptions to the above must be asked of the other club members that you will be hunting with. Anyone abusing this rule will be reported to the club manager.

Be courteous at all times to other hunters. Remember that our members come from different states, work in different professions, and certainly have different life experiences. Try to treat others with personal respect and get to know your fellow members. This is a club and everyone has the same right to great hunts and to have fun!

Info: 302-528-1203 or info@delmarwaterfowl.com