Don't Close the Duck Season

[Howieroch]

I agree that duck hunting is in trouble in our state, but closing the season for a year is ABSOlUTELY the wrong thing to do. If we stop buying gear from the manufacturers for that one year they will just change their marketing strategies to target other states. They will probably give us a few bucks to help with our cause, but they will be mad because we threatened their pocket books. The people who WILL pay attention to the season being closed are the anti-hunters. If we volutarily give up our season that will just give them ammunition to have the season permanently closed here and in other states. Take a look at California that gave up their bear and cougar seasons "temporarily" as a test. They have never gotten the seasons back. We need to do something, but closing the season is wrong.

The biggest single reason we don't have the duck numbers we used to have is habitat. We need to stop draining wetlands and create more - it's that simple. We need the DNR's help, but let's not wait for them to get started. We've done it before. My Dad has told me many times how the Weaver marsh on the Mississippi was a barren, shallow, stump field back in the 1930's much like it is now. The hunters got together and went out there and planted cattails and wild rice and arrow head plant, and the marsh took off from there. My grandfather was one of those hunters who was out there back then planting the weeds to create a place for ducks. The government destroyed that marsh in the late 1980's by building and taking out a series of dykes, but the bottoms are still there. It's time for us to invest the sweat (and money) to rebuild it.

Somebody has to take responsibility, stop pointing fingers, and start fixing it. While we sit here debating who is causing the loss of duck habitat, nobody is out there fixing the problem.

We are all responsible for the state of our duck population. I know I didn't stand up and say anything when politicians and bureaucrats were appointed to run the DNR rather than biologists. I didn't complain when we got 6 ducks and 60 days even though I knew we didn't have the duck numbers to support it. I haven't said anything as I've watched wetlands being drained all around my town. So, I guess I'll point the finger of responsibility at myself.

The rally at the state capitol would be a great start. It will get people fired up and ready help, but lets not use it as a time to point our fingers at the DNR and ask them to fix the problem alone. Instead, let's use it as a time to say "Here we are and we are ready to help." I will gladly give up some of my spring and summer weekends to help if it means that my kids can enjoy some of the Minnesota duck hunting I grew up with.

[big drift]

That is about as accurate as it gets. We need to be the tools and the voice for change to fix our wetlands.

Good post Howie.

big drift

[Mark Christianson]

Quote:

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Somebody has to take responsibility, stop pointing fingers, and start fixing it. While we sit here debating who is causing the loss of duck habitat, nobody is out there fixing the problem.

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I AM doing something about it Howie. And so are a lot of other people. Sadly, its no where near enough. But, I am not sitting around waiting for things to change in government. Utilize some of the programs available today, instead of waiting. The longer we wait, the more damage that is done. There is money and help waiting for you to call.

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=458701&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[jblabsnduck]

Don't know what happened to my first post.

If they where to close the seaon for one season it would be a BIG mistake. IMO

Your post is right on the money so I wont argue about that.

All the duck hunters in this state should belong to the MWA(IMO). All of the money stays right here in MN for projects and buying land.

All the guys that hunt with me are required to join. They have to due one thing before going hunting with me and that is to renew there membership with MWA.

There is what, 120,000 duck hunters in this state and the membership for MWA is somewhere around 7-8000????????

Not hard to do the math there. If more people joined the MWA they would be able to due a lot more projects and buy more land.

MWA is always looking for people to help out.

[CornPirateKiller]

You've got my support here too. I've been a member of DU for 30 years and they can use your help too. DU does a lot in Minnesota. Check out this link...

http://www.mnducks.org/habitat_projects.htm

I've also been a member of MWA for many years. Duck hunting and wetland conservation have been a big part of my life for many years and I hate to see how the numbers have declined. I first hunted the Weaver bottoms at age 6 when my Dad took me out for my first time. Back then the open water was black with coot and muskrat houses dotted the weeds every 20 yards. Now both are seen sporadically. When you lose the habitat, you lose more than ducks.

I'll gladly pitch in and help. I already volunteer with DU and regularly write to our state representatives but we need to do more. We need to get the state to stop destroying duck habitat by stocking game fish in every lake in the state. Sure, it'd be nice to have walleye and crappie and other game fish in every puddle, but in many cases they weren't meant to be there. Keep the wetlands natural and the ducks will return. We also need to stop using our wetlands as minnow farms. Ducks won't stay if there's no food.

Bottom line is that we all need to get more involved. I'll be the first to admit that I've sat by and let this happen. Let this be a wake up call for us all. Join MWA, join DU, attend the rallies... and then get out there and put in some sweat too.

Enough. Anyone else wanna use the soapbox?

[big drift]

Maybe it is just me but it would seem to be the best interest of all the various organizations to somewhat keep their own autonomy but also join together to form one organization for each state, province whatever. I mean look at the big three in Minnesota, DU, Delta waterfowl, and MWA. All have fundraisers but differant agendas, Delta is trying to form chapters here but DU voluntters do not have the time or resources to do both same with MWA, just these three organizations raise so much money and where does it go, I feel we really for one main organization in Minnesota to administer the programs and fundraising and the funds allocated by national organizations for each state should be directed by the one. maybe someone with a better head for buisness organization could explain better. Now that I have rambled on fire away.

big drift