Rocker Huey Lewis baits ducks to stop hunting near his Montana property

Musician Huey Lewis is in the news. He and several of his Montana neighbors have installed duck feeding stations along a waterway near their properties to effectively stop waterfowl hunting in the area, the Associated Press reports.

At issue is the Mitchell Slough, which the Montana Supreme Court ruled a public waterway, subjecting it to the state's stream access laws. Those who live along the 15-mile tributary to the Bitterroot River contend that it is a man-made feature and not subject to the public access regulations.

Lewis said that he and other area residents -- who include investor Charles Schwab -- began placing feeders along the slough about two months ago, contending that the waterway is too close to homes for safe hunting.

"I'm feeding ducks all over the place -- many of my neighbors are," Lewis said. "The reason is, the Supreme Court decision has changed everything here, and now we have public access. And most of us believe the Mitchell is unsuitable for duck hunting."

It is not legal to hunt waterfowl in an area that has bait stations for birds.

The feeders have come as a surprise to some. Missoula duck hunter Ron Pense saw Lewis' feeders as he was wading up the slough on Tuesday.

"It's attracted every duck in the area," Pence said. "Legally, if I know where a bait pile is, I can't hunt around there or I'll get cited."

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials know of the feeders. "We've been aware of it pretty much since he did it," FWP Capt. Jeff Darrah said. "Federal law says you can't hunt a field that's been baited. That's his way of saying you can't hunt here."

FWP officials have been meeting with landowners and public access advocates to try to establish rules for duck hunting and for passing through the slough.

"We're going to take a look at waterfowl hunting on Mitchell Slough," Darrah added. "There may be places where it's not appropriate, but some areas may be. We're not willing to say it's closed yet."

--Kelly Burgess

Photo: Huey Lewis and the News perform at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. Credit: Los Angeles Times

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Comments

[elise]

Love you Huey! Montana? No comment!!!

[Bob Sherman]

I have written a couple of articles on the subject. The end result was Mitchell Slough was kept open to hunting. While I don't agree with this for reasons stated in my article, Mitchell Slough should remain open to public access.
Montana has a heritage of hunting and many people still rely on hunting for the majority of their meat. Newcomers should respect this fact rather than try to force their liberal California agenda. If California was so great there wouldn't be so many Californians moving to Montana.

[John]

Bravo Huey for protecting these precious animals from the cowards!

[Dean Lumet]

If God wanted you to hunt these beautiful creatures naturally, he would have given you all wings instead of twelve gauge autolaoder shotguns. How hard is THAT? Rumor has it the NRA is pushing for the use of surface to air buckshot missles to make it even easier to kill ducks. What brave men, los muertos de canards - barf!

[Whatever in Montana]

Dear whatever in LA,
You are completely wrong in your assumption. Duck hunting is not an abuse of wildlife, in fact most duck hunters have the utmost respect for these beautiful creatures that God has created. It is people like you and Mr Lewis that are making Montana, known as the last best place, no good anymore. Also, it is a little known fact that Mr. Lewis actually hunts that area. He is just a little WahWah Poopie pants, thinking he can just move on up here and get his way with all of his money. Please all of you from CA, just stay where you are, please don't come to Montana, not even to visit.

[Whatever in LA]

Always loved Huey Lewis, now even more so! Ducks as well as other animals are not ours to use and abuse. Shooting guns is a sport only when done at targets.

[Sam Patterson]

Huey Lewis is an IDIOT! I hate when those transplanted celeberties move to places like Montana, the Dakota's and Idaho and bring along their politics and force their beliefs onto other folks that don't share them. Hunting, fishing and shooting sports have been going on long before those pinheads showed up! Please do all of us that live in the "fly over part of the country" stay on the left coast, New York City, Chicago or what ever big city your from and let us live our lives like we have been for decades.