For the past 25 years, our small lake (and many others) in Polk County, Florida, has been a peaceful haven, a sanctuary for ducks, and a tranquil home to many senior citizens. However, this peace has recently been shattered by some brazen commercial guide services  that have begun bringing hunters to our shores as early as 6am in the morning, disrupting our mornings with the sound of gunfire and killing the ducks that have long called these lakes their home. No one ever bought a home on a lake and said OH BOY I cant wait to see hunters come here and kill the wildlife.  What was said by cities, counties, states and Realtors is Come to Florida where you can live among and view the abundant wildlife and unique ecosystems of our beautiful natural habitats.

Hunting in such close proximity to residential areas is not only a disturbance but poses a safety concern. The sounds of gunfire basically in our backyards makes people fear for their safety and is traumatic for all affected especially veterans with ptsd (which can put them right back into the memories of war)  and young children witnessing ducks being killed along their home shorelines. Furthermore, the lake's abundant wildlife and the natural ecosystem of the area is being damaged.  Florida has over 30,000 lakes (ranging from large natural bodies like Lake Okeechobee to small ponds), but only approximately 7,500 to 7,800 are large enough to support significant recreational and residential development that gives hunters conservatively 20,000-22,000 uninhabited lakes to hunt on.

The lakes of Polk County, especially those where 15% or more of the circumference is residential, should be protected from hunting activities. These bodies of water are surrounded by people who cherish the serene environment and the wildlife that thrives here. The presence of hunters disrupts this balance and diminishes the quality of life of the residents, who have coexisted peacefully with nature for decades.

The present FWC laws do not go far enough to protect the public. The law allows a hunter to butt up against a homeonwers property on any size lake (as long as it has public access) and kill ducks along your shores as long as they are shooting away from your house!  They do allow homeowners to be considered "Baited areas" if they are continually feeding the waterfowl and this makes it illegal to shoot waterfowl there BUT they don't state how far away the hunter needs to be before continuing to shoot again! To address this issue, specific State regulations must be implemented to prohibit duck hunting on lakes where significant residential areas exist. Local authorities should consider the impact of hunting on community well-being and join us in taking action to safeguard our neighborhoods.

By putting a stop to hunting on these residential lakes, we preserve not only the safety and peace of our communities but also the delicate balance of nature that surrounds us. Let us stand together to protect our lake environments and the right of residents to enjoy their homes without fear or disturbance.

Sign this petition to urge the State to implement a ban on duck hunting on lakes with a substantial residential circumference, ensuring that our homes remain the peaceful havens they have always been.