[Trout 2003]

Well there goes the competition. Lonely hunting again the next few years.

 

[Goosechaser]

The November portion will coincide with a good portion of the migration so should have birds. Will be interesting to see how the splits work. Our waterfowl guy says early response to our survey says to make sure the 30 days are in with duck season.
Neeed to re train my trigger finger again...

 

[Keep on]

Fresh blood at the PGC and still the same tired ideas. I do believe that we see an uptick of birds at end of season due to lack of pressure, but I also firmly believe pair bonding energy expenditure being a reason to close early is complete horse hockey. There is vigorous "pair bonding" going on right through the egg laying portion of spring.

 

[TEALHNTR]

So, we want to protect the breeding pair bonds and end the season on or about January 20th? How about a tighter limit on hens of all the various ducks during the last 30 days of the season. Drakes of most species are identifiable by then and the early season sky busters are out chasing other pursuits. I have said for at least 40 years that we harvest too many female ducks. The next time a brown duck hits the spread, consider giving it a pass. Leave it for seed.

 

[Goosehunter]

The Feds say hunting ducks after January 31st could cause breeding pair problems. Not after January 20th like Amanda claims. Amanda seems to be following some old info in her quest to become Queen of the Duck World.

"Under the MBTA, season lengths may not exceed 107 days. The MBTA and related implementing regulations restrict when migratory bird hunting can occur during the year. The opening framework dates for the regular duck season cannot be earlier than the Saturday closest to September 24th and the closing date cannot be after January 31st. Why? Because hunting ducks after January 31st could have impacts on hen behavior and harvest in February is likely to have negative impacts on breeding duck population sizes in the spring. That could impact subsequent hunting seasons and reduce the overall opportunity for all hunters."
How the Hunting Seasons and Limits are Set for Waterfowl | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

You've heard the saying, "You can't judge a book by its cover."
But I'm starting to wonder if Amanda might not be some kooky anti-hunter. Check out her pronouns in this pic from her profile on Safari.

 

[DDX]

If I recall correctly, several years ago the framework didn't go all the way to Jan 31st. Politicians from Maryland, and several Mississippi flyway states pressured USFWS to move the dates back for economic reasons. So the science may not support even JAN 31st. My pro-nouns are tired/cranky.

 

[DDX]

Atlantic Flyway



Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots



Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 20.

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days and daily bag limit of 6

ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 scaup, 1 black

duck, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 2 wood

ducks, 2 redheads, 1 canvasback, and 4 scoters.


This is the framework for the Atlantic flyway 1999/2000.

 

[DDX]

Mississippi Flyway



Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots



Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 2)

and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 23). Seasons in Alabama,

Mississippi, and Tennessee may extend to January 31.

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days with a daily bag limit of

6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may

be females), 3 mottled ducks, 3 scaup, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 2 wood

ducks, 1 canvasback, and 2 redheads. In the States of Alabama,

Mississippi, and Tennessee, if a season extending beyond the Sunday

nearest January 20 (January 23) is selected in any portion of the

State, the season length will be 51 days throughout the State.

Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, only 1 of which may be

a hooded merganser.

Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.

Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,

Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee,

and Wisconsin may select hunting seasons by zone

Mississippi Flyway Framework 1999/2000

 

[Hangnail]

So, we want to protect the breeding pair bonds and end the season on or about January 20th? How about a tighter limit on hens of all the various ducks during the last 30 days of the season. Drakes of most species are identifiable by then and the early season sky busters are out chasing other pursuits. I have said for at least 40 years that we harvest too many female ducks. The next time a brown duck hits the spread, consider giving it a pass. Leave it for seed.

 

[Hangnail]

I agree with most of what is being said. I have 40 years in. I see the same thing every year. No one can predict the weather, breeding population, and so on. Most people on the first week shoot whatever and retrieve half. I have no problem reducing the bag limits. As was done in the 80’s and the late 90’s early 20’s were unreal. (Especially in the prop areas in Pymatuning). I don’t get to go after as much it as much as I once did but habit is dropping off and population (especially mallards). They have to address the now not the then. I am graciously knowing my limits with what I can and could do! I still enjoy the game..

 

[Bumble Bea]

So you are endorsing cutting resident Canada goose season for no reason????
Out side of a question of avian influenza on this end of this state what is your justification?
I still haven't heard anything from Pymie area. Ohio and Eastern PA. yes.

 

[Bumble Bea]

Don't get me wrong, if it was not for having a huntining retreriever for these many years I probably would have gave it up.
My pup is about done. I need a new one but I can't get her replacement at this stage of life.