I can't believe it, the DNR actually did something!!!

[johnsd16]

I love the hen mallard conversation and it hurting the population when most average hunters pay little/no mind to avoiding hen ringers, gadwalls, widgeon, redheads, etc. Teal you can't even tell sex on in MN. Early in the year even those who try to pick drake divers and such can't always, and no one is whining about killing those hens. Most guys will pick out the bright drake of any species later in the year but when a hen Gaddie, widgeon or diver comes gliding in as a single do all these do gooder hunters hold off like it's one of those precious hen mallards? Remeber, mallards are the most populous duck in the country. Why are they on a pedestal?

[troutkingmaster]

Quote:

Remeber, mallards are the most populous duck in the country. Why are they on a pedestal?

Because the market hunters that put out the videos every year put them on a pedestal. They make everyone believe that if they are really a good hunter (like they are) that they don't have to shoot hens...too bad we can't edit them out like they can.

Plus, when you are "makin it rain thanks to (Insert a major brand call), pattern-master, hevi-shot and fully flocked XXX brand decoys" wearin a black hoodie, the only ducks that come in are full color drake mallards!! Sorry, got carried away.

[jparrucci]

Harvesting ducks is a major reason why I duck hunt. Being with friends and family, enjoying the sunrise on the marsh, watching the songbirds, seeing the dog work....all play a big part too. But I can do most of those without the birds. We still hunt because we want to harvest ducks. The thrill and skill of it all still plays a big role. Those who claim to be holier than than the rest of us still bring their guns with. I frown upon those who say it isn't about the kill. It is about the shooting of ducks. I am getting real tired of those who want to limit our opportunities. Those who say it isn't are full of B S. Next time, tell them to leave the gun in the truck. Bet their opinion changes real quickly. Everyone reading this knows exactly what I am talking about. I have seen it typed here in this forum. "It isn't about limits and stacking ducks" I don't need or plan to shoot a limit everytime I go out, heck, I can think of only a few times in my life where I have shot 6 ducks in one day. But to say that shooting ducks-preferably a bunch of them, isn't the point of duck hunting, is being dishonest. I love everything about duck hunting, but rest assured I would not show up if I knew I wasn't going to shoot at duck.

If the DNR/Feds say we can safely harvest X number of mallards, then for Pete's sake lets do it. If you have problems shooting a suzy, don't shoot one. I still pass on them on many occassions. But that first flock that comes in might be the only one I see that day. Not all of us have private land/ponds and opportunities. I have had days when I knew from scouting we were going to do well, and as a group we decided to do our best to avoid hens. Personal choice. There have been other days when I have knew the numbers in the area were bleak. I sure didn't paddle two miles and sleep in a canoe to not shoot a ducks when we are still well under safe harvest levels.

[RumRiverRat]

Hens taste better!

[Farley]

The breeding population of wood ducks in MN has declined the last 8-10 years.

I'm sure there are numbers to back that statement up but from what I've seen in the blind over the last few years I would say that, wheather they breed here or not, there are lots of woodies around all throughout the season in my neck of the woods. If I remember correctly I was still seing them during deer hunting.

[rbs]

+1 I totally agree with shooting 3 woodies....can't wait!

[life=outdoors92]

I frown upon those who say it isn't about the kill. It is about the shooting of ducks. I am getting real tired of those who want to limit our opportunities. Those who say it isn't are full of B S. Next time, tell them to leave the gun in the truck. Bet their opinion changes real quickly. Everyone reading this knows exactly what I am talking about. I have seen it typed here in this forum. "It isn't about limits and stacking ducks" I don't need or plan to shoot a limit everytime I go out, heck, I can think of only a few times in my life where I have shot 6 ducks in one day. But to say that shooting ducks-preferably a bunch of them, isn't the point of duck hunting, is being dishonest.

i can honestly say its more about watching ducks/geese than shooting them for me. heck, more times than not i am shooting pictures rather than shootin at ducks. there are plenty of people who are not dishonest as you say, and simply go out to enjoy the morning and bring the gun. i would much rather shoot 1 goose down in rochester but watch a spectacle of thousands and thousands of birds flying around looking to feed than just shoot 3 birds and not see any flocks flying around. if the big flocks are there to watch, i am happy enough. when a flock of bills whistles through my decoys, nothing gets me more excited, not even pulling up the gun. i just wanna see ducks in the air. so yes, there are people who are not about the kill. and i could careless if people shoot limits everyday, you are allowed to do that. that i am fine with it. but to say all of us "watchers" limit your opportunities is blasphemy. i pay my money for stamps, and more than willingly put down some change for DU and delta membership and banquets. i support this decision the dnr made because it's what the majority of hunters wanted

[bobbymalone]

But I also thing we have to start looking at the massive goose population.

I have been looking. Looking right down the barrel of my 12 gauge.

IMO, goose breasts on the grill are a ton better than anything you can do with a duck.

I treat them like a steak and turn them into fajitas. Even the wife likes 'em.

[certified jumbo]

early season and 3 woodies = fantastic. IMO, Good move.

[Todd Caswell]

Not happy. The earlier opener and split zones are fine with me, but I dont like the increased bag for hen mallards and woodies. I also dont like the earlier shooting time on opener. Shooting more hen mallards that breed in the state isent good for our local mallard population and just because other states can shoot more woodies doesent mean we should. The breeding population of wood ducks in MN has declined the last 8-10 years. I also firmly believe the 9 am opener provides better hunting that sunday morning. I shoot plenty of ducks after 9 on opening day and do well on sunday a half hour before. I think the earlier shooting times on opener will decrease success on sunday. Making the regulations more friendly to shoot a few more birds doesent solve the problem. MN waterfowlers should be grumbling about more important issues than YWD and how many wood ducks you can shoot.

I don't buy it and never will, shooting hens has very little impact on the following years breeding counts, it's a proven fact. If it makes you feel good only shooting drakes good for you, but don't tell me or any one else thats it's wrong to shoot whats listed in the LEGAL daily bag limits. If you really want to save a few ducks go shoot a yote, fox, skunk or a coon..

[strait-meat]

call me a hen slayer, I don't get it--ok let MN hunters be the ones that only shot one hen and 2 woodies and lets let everyone else shot 2 hens and 3 woodies--ok that makes a whole lot of sense to me. If you (roosterslayer) only want to shot drakes great, but I am happy that MN DNR made the changes. I think the feds should bring back lead shot too but there are to many environmental wackos that say no. These are the same people that think we have man-made global warming--go f yourself! What a myth/religion that is!

[life=outdoors92]

These are the same people that think we have man-made global warming--go f yourself! What a myth/religion that is!

won't they be in for a surpise when they hear we are actually heading into a mini ice age over the next 200 years we are allegedy going to get quite cooler. i guess scientists proved it via solar flares and their fancy equipment. just look it up online, little ice age

[BLACKJACK]

Fifteen years ago I was frothing at the mouth, wishing that they'd up the wood duck limit because "theres lots of wood ducks". Then I put up and started monitoring wood duck houses, at this point I have up more than 30. I can tell you with statistics that I'm not getting as many wood ducks nesting anymore, when I first started putting up houses, over 60% of them were occupied. Nowadays I'm lucky if 30% of them have hen wood ducks nesting in them. Why the decline??

Because we're shooting too many wood ducks.

Whats the easiest duck to shoot? A wood duck. Which duck is the first one to come plopping into your decoys? A wood duck. Combine that with the decline in most of the other ducks, if you're out duck hunting and you see a wood duck, you shoot it.

We're shooting too many wood ducks. A big part of the problem is that the rest of the Central fly way went with the 3 wood duck limit. Our MN DNR managers tried to do the right thing and keep it at two but with the rest of the flyway shooting three, and declining hunter numbers, the DNR is desperate. Penny wise and pound foolish.

Enjoy your three wood ducks, enjoy your meat hunt, my prediction is that within 10 years, when the wood duck population declines enough, we'll be limited to one wood duck each, and hope that the population rebounds.

[candiru]

With a 3 Woodduck limit it makes it worthwhile to target them. People hunt spots that they would not have hunted when the limit was two. ie: We might hunt that beaver pond or float the creek through the woods that we would not have done with the 2 Woodduck limit. Not much chance of other ducks, but we have a good chance at getting our Woodducks.

[HNTNBUX]

I will enjoy the meat hunt, thank you. Most days in MN I shoot the first six I can, I enjoy a mixed bag.

[rbs]

+1 on the mixed bag!

[Gordie]

Hey RBS may have GTG a little cast and blast this year

[rbs]

I was talking about that to another guy. Never done it before but sounds like fun!

[Gordie]

I have done it for early goose and actually one time it was the all nighter for the BP league before opener of early goose fished all night then shot at geese the next morning

[Scott M]

They're fixing to "do something" again:

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will seek citizen input on three hunting and trapping issues at a series of public meetings this winter.

The DNR is seeking input on the following proposals:

Requiring non-toxic shot for rail and snipe hunting.

Adding a third waterfowl zone in southern Minnesota.

Allowing snaring to begin earlier on private property in the farmland zone.

Meetings will be from 7-9 p.m. on the following dates:

Tuesday, Feb. 23,Tandeski Center, 1200 Storr’s Pond Road, Winona.

Tuesday, Feb. 28, Highland Middle School, 801 Central Ave. N., Crookston.

Thursday, March 8, Nicollet Conservation Club, 46045 471st Lane, Nicollet.

Thursday, March 8, Mille Lacs Energy, 36559 U.S. Highway 169, Aitkin.

Thursday, March 15, DNR Headquarters, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul.

If the Minnesota Legislature approves and the governor signs a bill authorizing a wolf hunting and trapping season, a separate public input process will be conducted.

The DNR regularly conducts public meetings across the state to gauge hunter and trapper opinions about regulations, seasons and other wildlife management issues. Those who cannot attend a meeting are urged to complete a questionnaire online starting Feb. 23.

Comments are also welcome via email at [email protected]. Written comments may be addressed to: Season comments, DNR Section of Wildlife, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4007.

[Gordie]

Thanks Scott, Its great to here this stuff and that they are getting to some business.

One question for you Scott I thought Rail and Snipe were migratory birds and I also was under the impression that non-toxic shot was to be used on all Migratory birds.

I'm must be wrong or they would try to pass this law.

Guess thats just how I understood it.I also pretty much use non-toxic for all bird hunting with the exception of turkeys.

[creepworm]

I believe doves are also considered migratory and you do not need to use non-tox when hunting them so it must not be all migratory birds.

I am with you on using only steel, much easier in a lot of ways.

[mallardnwalleye]

Does anyone know what the third zone would be area and date wise?

My guess would be a River Zone that would match Wisconsin's river zone that closes on the first Saturday in December. I hope they run that river zone up to St.Cloud. Does anyone know any details?

[Scott M]

I thought Rail and Snipe were migratory birds and I also was under the impression that non-toxic shot was to be used on all Migratory birds.

Woodcock are also migratory, but if the bird isn't classified as waterfowl, if I'm not mistaken, you can still use lead. I suppose they want to limit lead use with rail and snipe since they are usually hunted in wetlands.

I don't hunt rail or snipe, we shot a few when things were slow to try some to eat and that was it. My HIP is a big zero for rail, snipe, gallinules.

I will be interested to see where the proposed third region gets drawn up.

[strait-meat]

I think using lead is the best on killing birds--wish it was still legal for waterfowl--thanks environmentalists.

a 3rd zone from st.cloud down the rest of the way would be great maybe include the minnesota all the way up to marsh to spread people out so everyone isn't in a small area.

Or just make it like montana and start it first week of oct and run it til mid jan.