Point is closed

[Peddler]

As of 2:30pm april 14th access to cape point in buxton nc has been closed. Seems that two pairs of american oyster catchers showing mating behavior are the reason for the closures. They are not even endangered. More sad news of peoples rights being taken away by conservationists. Before long we wont have the right to hunt or fish anywhere if we dont fight this movement. Many fishermen who were planning on coming to the OBX this weekend are cancelling their plans as we speak. Please join OBPA if you havent already to help fight these radical groups. Use this link to join: Preserve Beach Access (http://www.PreserveBeachAccess.org) pete, member OBPA

[dwilliamsceg]

Too bad parts of Norfolk are not closed when the locals show signs of mating.

[kidz]

We always shut the door and lock it during mating times. Maybe they should build some special rooms for the birds.

[dwilliamsceg]

I appreciate both sides of the discussion but to close all access is absurd.

[capt. jakeg]

Pete, we all know and agree that this is ridiculous. It is absolutely crazy to think that the local economy and livelihoods of the residents of the outer banks are less important than a couple of birds. Bottom line is that money talks and the bird brains have large corporate sponsors who back these liberal organizations so they can prove they are nature friendly. It just amazes me that our legal system is screwed enough to make it happen.

[DWinter]

Nice going liberals. People will lose money they desperately need right now because of two birds. I'm not sorry for saying this but I don't see both sides of the debate. 99.99% of all species ever present on this planet are now extinct through no fault of man. These idiot "sheeple" need to stop listening to the liberal media, get out here and struggle to try and make a living, do some actual research on their own and stop making decision based on "feelings" instead of facts.

[Split Shot-MK]

Unbelievable and sad!

[Sandtiger]

Pete, we all know and agree that this is ridiculous. It is absolutely crazy to think that the local economy and livelihoods of the residents of the outer banks are less important than a couple of birds. Bottom line is that money talks and the bird brains have large corporate sponsors who back these liberal organizations so they can prove they are nature friendly. It just amazes me that our legal system is screwed enough to make it happen.

Like the Audubon Society......... and was it Toyota?

[Fishboy OV8]

yep, several million from Toyota

[Special D]

yep, several million from Toyota

Audubon



In the spring of 2008, Toyota and the National Audubon Society launched TogetherGreen, a nationwide program to fund conservation projects, train environmental leaders, and offer volunteer opportunities to significantly benefit the environment. A $20 million Toyota grant - the largest Audubon has received in its 103-year history - will fund TogetherGreen for five years.

Audubon (http://www.toyota.com/about/our_commitment/philanthropy/environmental_programs/audubon.html)

[BLUEYZWAITN]

One of Biggest Sportsfishing States in the US and they can't come up with a Better plan than this. WIll they not be happy till all the tackle shops are belly up... Oh Yea during one of the worst econmical down turns in the history of the US and NC officials further damage any income in the area that has been Historical area since time. How many old Magazines do you see with the front cover of the point, Earnest Hemingway
is rolling over in his Grave. I hope he haunts those down there in thier Kiss Ass Country clubs homes who think they have acutally accomplished something bye Screwing the Real Sportsman..... If I lived their I would post every sngle name involved and make damn sure they never serve in Congress or the local Gov't ever again... I bet the Guys in Red drum tackle shop are just Sick and who could blame them.

Extinction is occuring alright ,, the extinction of the Carolina coast line and prestine fishery..
What a Bunch of Dopes

[capt. jakeg]

I saw a thing in the media somewhere last year around one of the summer holidays last year and they were talking to Bob Eakes who runs Red Drum Tackle. As you can imagine, most of their business is done during the summer during tourist season and especially during memorial day, fourth of july, and labor day weekend. Bob was talking about how the closure of the beaches has drastically affected the number of people who are visitting the area and his business in that one weekend alone was down by roughly 70% from what it was the year before- directly as a result of the restrictions placed by the National Parks Service. I honestly feel as though the audobon society and the national parks service should be sued in a class action lawsuit by every person who makes their living in the outer banks. Beat them at their own game, hold them liable, and make them financially responsible for the losses put upon people of the outer banks caused by this idiotic legislation.

[J Lavender]

I saw a thing in the media somewhere last year around one of the summer holidays last year and they were talking to Bob Eakes who runs Red Drum Tackle. As you can imagine, most of their business is done during the summer during tourist season and especially during memorial day, fourth of july, and labor day weekend. Bob was talking about how the closure of the beaches has drastically affected the number of people who are visitting the area and his business in that one weekend alone was down by roughly 70% from what it was the year before- directly as a result of the restrictions placed by the National Parks Service. I honestly feel as though the audobon society and the national parks service should be sued in a class action lawsuit by every person who makes their living in the outer banks. Beat them at their own game, hold them liable, and make them financially responsible for the losses put upon people of the outer banks caused by this idiotic legislation.

It's a shame. Last year was the first in many years that I didn't go down there at all mainly because of this. We used to go at least once for a long weekend in the summer and a week in the fall every year.

Cottage rental, gas, groceries, bait/tackle, souvenirs, and a couple of trips to local restaurants adds up.$$$

[capt. jakeg]

It's a shame. Last year was the first in many years that I didn't go down there at all mainly because of this. We used to go at least once for a long weekend in the summer and a week in the fall every year.

Cottage rental, gas, groceries, bait/tackle, souvenirs, and a couple of trips to local restuarants adds up.$$$

The entire economy there is based on tourism. Other than commercial fishing there is no industry on the island. It is a tourist driven ecomony and tourists travel there for the beach. If you close the beach, people are not going to come. Last year was the first year of closures to the beach and I would be willing to bet that tourism down there is hurt even worse this year because now the word is out.

[CaptBeach]

Sounds like a case for a little CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE...like a hundred or more fishermen show up at the Point at first light on a certain day along with the TV cameras and spokesmen for the cause as well as NC Senators and Legislators...

[Too Bubbas]

Was on the point last Fri with the kids, LOTS of trucks on the beach, sharks and some drum being caught, what an awesome place (pics attached). We saw the oyster catchers just north of the tip on the way out, knew right then it was over. Closed over two birds! The entire closure plan from Bodie Is. to Ocracoke is over about 10 birds total (Piping Plovers). That they suspect might come back or maybe were visiting years ago. TREE HUGGERS RUN AMOK !!! Boycott Toyota, for sure. One of the Reps from NC is trying to push a law through to stop this non-sense. Write or e-mail your congressman and tell them to support this, the details are on this web site; Save Hatteras Ocracoke Island - Outer Banks Real Estate - Cape Hatteras Beach Access ORV (http://www.savehatteras.com/) These closures are a case of a very few priveleged people trying to get their way at the expense of the majority! Us fisherman and especially the folks trying to make a living on the Banks are getting screwed so a few tree hugging bird watchers can have the beach to themselves. Sorry for the rant, but used to spend a lot of time there, still try to get down there when I can. I'm pissed!

[Dave Jr.]

That is a Special place. It's a shame it's being used as a political pawn.

[Rob Holtz]

Kill the 2 birds. Problem solved.

[BigWillJ]

Who the hell determined this mating behavior show?

And who the hell believed them?

[surf rat]

I have been in Hatteras since saturday waiting for the wind to shift south. It shifted monday afternoon. I packed up my stuff,spent over an hour looking for some fresh bunker,(I got some from a commercial crabber that had some fresh ones) and headed to the point about 3 Tuesday afternoon expecting a Drum slaying for sure. I pulled up in the middle of a rainstorm to find some Yogi Bear looking ranger standing there in front of a blocked off beach. All they said when I asked what the hell are you doing was turn around sir access to the point is closed to vehicles. I did a U turn hauled butt to the ferry and was fishing the south point of Ocracoke by 6 pm. Fished the incomeing tide and had three bites. I caught one Drum about 45 in. All I can say is to hell with a bunch of Oyster catchers. If one comes near me I will stomp his a$$ into crab food. Get this I was talking to a biologist today at the welcome center on Ocracoke with one of my kids and this person said and I quote...We offer the birds the same protection on this island.

[DAndrews]

Sounds like a case for a little CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE...like a hundred or more fishermen show up at the Point at first light on a certain day along with the TV cameras and spokesmen for the cause as well as NC Senators and Legislators...

Took the words out of my mouth. How long do we sit by and allow an injustice to be done? Do we want it bad enough to violate the closure and organize a "sit in" where several hundred 4x4's peacefully occupy the beach long enough to receive a citation? You need numbers and you need the media and finally, a very articulate spokesperson. If it was big enough I would consider driving down just to receive my citation. I fish Assateague in MD and it scares the heck out of me to think this right could be taken from me and my family.

[hookinfinger]

Took the words out of my mouth. How long do we sit by and allow an injustice to be done? Do we want it bad enough to violate the closure and organize a "sit in" where several hundred 4x4's peacefully occupy the beach long enough to receive a citation? You need numbers and you need the media and finally, a very articulate spokesperson. If it was big enough I would consider driving down just to receive my citation. I fish Assateague in MD and it scares the heck out of me to think this right could be taken from me and my family.


Assateague has been on the hit list for years. They are on it big time. Sierra Club (Earth Justice in disguise), ELF, PETA; and other left wing creeps are working on shutting it down. Do a Google search and you will see it.

[the memory maker]

correct me if i am wrong but didnt this all start with some drunk idiot speeding on the beach?? this whole thing just makes my sick... these liberals have no idea what this will do to the local economy.. i was reading something somewhere about people going to the beach because it is still the most economical way to go on vacation and spend time with family... wake up all you politicians!!! this will cause some really big problems!!! people will go elsewhere for vacation and the entire obx will be a ghost town!!!.. we need a voice.. we need people who own rental homes, realotors, and any sort of business to join with all of us to protest this.. we also need some people that are willing to protest and face the possibilty of getting a citation. heck they cant write up thousands of people at once!!! if we all get together and make a scene like the one they covered on tv some time ago im all for it... just let me know and i will drive down .....Frank

[capt. jakeg]

Assateague has been on the hit list for years. They are on it big time. Sierra Club (Earth Justice in disguise), ELF, PETA; and other left wing creeps are working on shutting it down. Do a Google search and you will see it.

The problem is that normal people will not stand up for what they believe in like these hippies. Normal people are too busy working and paying taxes while the liberals are busy in their high dollar hollywood circles raising money to ruin things that the working class enjoys.
A few years ago, a girlfriend of mine's family was involved with a nonprofit that provided for underpriviledged children. When the circus came to town, we had it arranged to take a group of 4-10 year olds to the scope so the kids could enjoy an evening out that they surely would not normally enjoy. Outside the scope, Peta was holding a demonstration, passing out literature and harrassing people about animal rights as they entered the scope with their families and children. While the jerkoffs from peta were harrassing the children in our group, I asked a nearby police officer if he would please ask the peta people to leave the kids alone. He said there was nothing they could do and if I were to make a scene with the people from peta, I would recieve a citation. What a joke.

[hookinfinger]

Liberals. If they don't like it or want it, than YOU CAN NOT like it or want it either.


If they want it, BUT CAN'T have it (read afford,ETC;) than by GOD you can't have it either. Sick azz puppies they are.

[obxfish]

If you are heading to Hatteras and have a spare feral cat or two, drop them off near the point. They will find something to eat.

[Too Bubbas]

Memory Maker your memory is good. Someone got a ticket, I think on the N side of OI. When it went to court the judge had a problem; the NPS was supposed to have developed a plan to control off-road vehicle access in all parks, based on an exec order from NIXON, in the 70's. Somehow the NPS never got around to complying with this at CHNS. With no ORV plan how do you charge/convict the driver standing in front of the judge. The tree huggers and their attorneys saw this door open, filed some lawsuits, now we have this screw-up to deal with.

Some of this fiasco lies squarely at the feet of the NPS. Think about this, how much easier is it to manage a park if NO ONE is allowed in the park?

[CaptKennyW]

I thought all of those birds lived on the top of the Ben Franklin store in KDH??? I was told it was the largest group of those birds in one place in the world.

[hookinfinger]

[QUOTE=CaptKennyW;1337978]I thought all of those birds lived on the top of the Ben Franklin store in KDH??? I was told it was the largest group of those birds in one place in the world.[/QUOTE

[capt. jakeg]

I heard it was the food lion, but either way I guess we need to close down the store and the entire area every direction for a quarter mile to protect the nesting sight from the negtive human impacts. LAME

[kwb23vb]

i have a bunch of shotguns!! Lets go bird hunting!!!! :clapping2: Bunch of pillow biting tree huggers ruin everything!!

[OceanViewKid]

Too Bubbas is right on the money. The lack of an ORV plan from the National Park Service is the root of this evil. Had they complied as directed over 30 years ago we wouldn't be having this discussion. I believe the court case in point focused attention on the lack of an approved ORV plan and provided the left wing wackos the leverage to limit your rights to the beach. Do I believe in conservation? Absolutely, and I think most fishermen do. But this is moronic.

[SRT]

One quick correction...there actually was a plan done at the time. The NPS guys worked with several local tackle shop owners (I know for a fact that Frank Folb was one of them) and a plan was designed. Said plan was then sent to the DOI people in Atlanta where it was "misfiled" or lost in some way. No one on the island ever heard from it again. Skip ahead to the case in the courtroom (which many people believe was a set-up from the get-go) and that was the beginning of the end.

There was an "interim management plan" in force on the island for many years that was doing a perfectly acceptable job of protecting the birds, until the Audobon Society and the Defenders of Wildlife decided otherwise. I made my first trip to Hatteras in 1986 and there were sticks and strings and closed sections even then.

Bottom line: at the current time the management of the CAPE HATTERAS NATIONAL SEASHORE RECREATIONAL AREA is being controlled by a consent decree that was signed by Judge Boyle. The rules of this decree were basically decided by the two groups mentioned above. Yes, all parties agreed to this decree, but those ont he side of access felt they had absolutely no choice. In other words, it was "their way" or no access at all. So your tax dollars are being used to pay the people (NPS) who are supposed to know what is best for park management, and they have no say-so what-so-ever in how it should be managed. In the meantime the ridiculously overkill rules are being enforced to keep us all off the prime fishing grounds of Hatteras Island. This is the first summer in 25+ years that we have made no reservations and we usually spend at tleast two weeks there. Last summer we were already locked into reservations and spent our vacation fishing (unsuccessfully) in front of Hatteras Village along with the swimmers, sunbathers, shell collectors and surfers. That is a set-up for disaster! And the whole time the point and Hatteras Inlet were empty except for maybe a few birds- that are NOT on the endangered species list!

For any of you who really want to know the nitty-gritty about this issue, please go to Island Free Press - Hatteras and Ocracoke Island online newspaper (http://www.islandfreepress.org) and read all that is detailed there in the beach access section. The entire history is there and it is ugly.

There is currently a bill in the house to overturn the consent decree and return the management of the seashore back into the hands of the NPS. You can find info about that on the Island Free Press also. It is imperative that people call their elected officials and ask them to support this bill. At this time it is the only hope.