Four Curl Nation - Duck Club
Rules & Regulations
Laws and Regulations - Each Member and guest will hunt in accordance with all Federal and State laws and regulations and MUST sign a Four Curl Nation Club
release waiver prior to hunting or participating in club activities. (Found at the bottom of this page.)
1. Emergencies – In the event of an emergency, please dial 911. It is recommended that Member know how to provide directions to the Property as well as directions
to the area hospitals.
2. Safety – Safety is paramount. The actions and attitude of each Member and guest will reflect “safety” as the highest priority of FCN. All safety concerns shall be
addressed immediately. Please adhere to the following:
- No one under the influence of alcohol (of any level) or any mind-altering drugs shall be allowed to hunt or to occupy the blinds.
- The muzzle of all guns must always be pointed in a safe direction regardless of whether the gun is loaded or the safety is on. Muzzles must always be pointed out of the blind with no obstructions.
- Be very careful not to swing your gun in the direction of other hunters in the blind and dogs.
- Enter and exit blinds and fields with the guns unloaded and the breach open.
- Transport all guns with the breach open including when walking in from your truck.
- The safety of your firearm must be on at all times except just prior to, and during shooting and must be returned to the safety position immediately after firing, even if the gun is empty (frequently ask “are all safety’s on?”)
- Be very careful walking the levees as some are steep and my have pot holes (be sure to have a flash light in the dark for everyone walking out).
- When hunting in the slough, be very cautious as the depth of the water and the supportability of the soil base varies.
- Wear ear and eye protection when hunting
- Be extremely careful walking in/out of the blind or when tracking fallen birds or cripples. Some areas are very deep and can drop off sharply. Never place yourself in danger of being shot from another blind. Never shoot at a cripple in the direction of other Members, dog, or blinds.
- Be sensitive to the needs of your dogs (cold, fatigue, ears, accidental shooting…)
- Drive vehicles very slowly at all times (under 10 mph). Be careful on levees (driving or walking) as some are very steep on the side. Be extremely careful driving next to dogs as they have tendency to stop and turn in unpredictable manners.
- Please remember that accidents occur most frequently when things are going really well so be especially careful at those times.
- Do not shoot in the direction of the road, train, house or parked cars (remember, you are responsible for any damage that you create)
- PLEASE think safety first and foremost!
3. Guest Policy – Each Member may bring up to two guests per day to the club at an additional charge of $300 each. However, to bring a guest the member must first
receive approval (two days in advance) from club manager. Guests are limited to a maximum of 2 visits/hunts per season. Members can invite a total of 5 guests
throughout the season.
Exceptions to the above guest restrictions require pre-approval from the manager.
Guests are not allowed on early Teal & Goose season, opening weekend of the season and first or last weekend of the second split.
The manager may elect to allow special guests including those that have contributed to the club or have purchased charity hunts donated by FCN.
“Guest dogs” are not allowed. Under special circumstances they may be allowed on slow days or in less productive blinds. Prior approval from the manager is
required for any guest dogs.
Guest will adhere to all state and federal laws.
Guest must sign a FCN release form before being allowed on FCN club property.
4. Calling – Calling is great fun; however, if you are not a proficient caller, please do not practice in the blind unless the rest of the blind Members are comfortable
with you calling.
5. Camo – All Members are encouraged to be well camouflaged so as to not flare birds (face paint, face masks or billed hats are essential to eliminate the tell tale
white faces that spook birds so well). Also, please minimize all motion in the blinds when attempting to bring in ducks. If you spook a bird(s), you may be
degrading a hunt for other Members/guests in the field.
6. Litter - "Leave it better than you found it!" Literally!
7. Hunting limitations - FCN has the discretion to terminate or limit the hunting privileges of any member or guest if they do not adhere to the rules of the club
without refund.
8. Property Damage - Each Member assumes full responsibility for any damage that he or his guest causes to the FCN Property, to that of other Members/guest, or to
anyone else’s property while on the Four Curl Nation Club Property. This includes the blinds, the decoys, cars, tractors, equipment, etc.
9. Addressing issues with FCN/ Property Manager/Members – Any issues that a Member has with the other Members, FCN, guests or the operation of the Club, shall
be addressed to the Manager for quick resolution. Please attempt to identify/surface issues early before they become problems. Please remember that FCN is run
in a unique fashion in that we encourage the Members to provide significant feedback and input. Please do not abuse this privilege. Frivolous complaints
(especially in global e-mails) are detrimental to the overall quality of the Club as they drain the energy needed to achieve substantive improvements. It is
therefore extremely important that you address your concerns directly to the manager and not to other members. Quality duck hunting involves many tenants,
(not just kill numbers) and we try very hard to provide a well balanced blend of all of the important factors. Let’s not sweat the small stuff and have a great/safe
time!
10. Continuous Improvement – Please document suggestions for the Club’s operation and provide them to FCN for potential implementation. All reasonable
requests will be considered but ultimate decisions will rest with club manager - Dan Mikals
11. Smoking in the blinds – Smoking in the blinds is permitted as long as the other Members/guests approve it within said blind. Please respect the other Members in
this matter. Also, be careful with the fire. Please clean up your smoking material, (matches, butts, packs…)
12. Disposing of dead birds – Members and their guests are responsible for removing all carcasses from the Property (as well as feathers). Cleaning of birds is
prohibited on the Property.
13. Ethical hunting practices – Only ethical hunting will be allowed on the Property. “Sky busting” is strictly prohibited. “Sky busting” is one of the biggest
complaints of any club and ours is no exception. Please make every effort to shoot at “decoying” birds not “fast passing birds”. Take the 20-30 yard shot over the
30-40 yard shots. If it looks like 30 yards, it’s probably 45! Members are expected to spend significant time searching for cripples and all birds are to be handled
in as humane a manner as possible.
14. Continuous Improvement - These Rules and Regulations are designed to provide the safest, most productive and enjoyable hunting possible. Recommended
changes to the Rules and Regulations are encouraged by all Members throughout the season and will be reviewed by FCN for incorporation. In general, changes
will be incorporated at the sole discretion of the manager, me, to incorporate such suggestions.