What is the rational behind a 4 duck limit if the rest of the flyway still sets

[MNJoe]

I mean, what is the difference If 10 ducks fly south and 6 get shot in MN and 4 further south vs. 4 getting shot in MN while six get shot further south…either way, all ten are shot.

If those same 10 ducks fly south and MN can only shoot 4 and further south they can only shoot 4, we still have 2 left for the breeding population.

So if the other states don’t reduce bag limits, aren’t we just sacrificing with lower limits so guys down south get better hunting?

[outdoor ran]

Joe, who knows? Would of been nice to see it 4 ducks everywhere. At least MN was brave enough to do something. Look on the bright side it will seem like your doing better when you shoot 4 ducks and you can say you Limited Out. Instead of saying I only got 4 ducks today

Welcome to the site by the way.

[Mark Christianson]

I agree.

It needs to start somewhere.

And just because we don't shoot six here, means that the ones that are saved are going to be dropped at the Iowa border.

Welcome to the site as well!

[MNJoe]

Thanks for the welcome fellas…

So here is my follow up question. Do people think that the problem is with the USFW testing measures (i.e. MN DNR bear counts) or is it that the USFW is simply promoting a liberal season…for some ulterior motive that I can’t think of?

The point is, while I didn’t see many ducks last year (like many other Minnesota hunters), I’m not totally convinced a reduced bag limit is going to help… I kind of lean towards the habitat or no habitat camp…we can keep eliminating habitat and lowering the duck limit but that sure bode well for the future.

[jlm]

Well, to be blunt, it will not help. It will not hurt either. The process has to start somewhere and MN has stepped up to the plate. Hopefully other states will follow. Remember one thing about all of this, this new limit came from the comments of many hunters. They wanted more ducks. Not sure this is the right way to do it but I would rather hunt 60 days with a reduced limit than hunt fewer days with a more liberal limit. Lets see how this plays out. Anyone know if other states have set their 2005 waterfowl season yet? I think some wait like MN does so it might be possible that other states are contemplating this as well!

[wyldewal]

I havn't heard about wiconsins yet but it should be any time now. I hope they go for the four duck limit too.

[big drift]

Why should they when the USFWS says there are numbers to support a 60/6 season.

[WALLEYENUTZ]

A reduced bag in MN will NOT help the duck population one bit, unless all MS flyway states do the same. And then will only help marginaly. I beleive the only reason MN reduced its bag limit is to apeas some of the hunters that don't know any better.

my 2 cents

[Mark Christianson]

Here we go again.

Everything is fine and dandy, so lets do nothing at all.

[jlm]

It will help some, there are many ducks that do not migrate! They stick around and enjoy city life. Perhaps when there is no space left in the city sewage pond, they will spread out and populate the entire state...LOL! Anayway, no use to get your undies in a bunch, complaining will not help. Whats done is done so lets move on and get fired up for the season! If you can't move on, please direct your comments to the DNR, they are the ones that should hear what you have to say! Good luck everyone!

[big drift]

We have and will continue to do so, but the thread title is a question and any one should be able to respond in an appropriate manner. In that context why can't anyone admit the DNR is just doing this as smokescreen to cover real issues or just let it go that we should be allowed a 6/60 limit.

big drift

[jlm]

You are correct, anyone can respond if they would like. I will refer you to the outdoor discussion thread where this horse has been pounded pretty good. Please make your thoughts, concerns, opinions, beliefs, and anything else you would like to say there! That thread was initially started here but was moved to that forum. The thread is titled "say thanks to the DNR". Check it out! Good luck!

[honker23]

I can't answer the original question, but I think it's great, maybe some of the hunters (term used loosely) will think it isn't worth it and stay home. The lake I hunt used to see 4-5 parties a day, now 15 different spreads with 2-3 robos each and hail calls echoing. If you have 20 flocks of birds using the lake, it's only simple math that with 4 parties your odds of decoying 2 or three flocks each isn't too bad. But with 15 parties, the birds are worked sooo hard and you are lucky to get one good flock in a day. Many people are sick of not shooting so they start to pass shoot at anything, without respect to a party 300 yds away working a nice flock of mallards.

We still get 4 mallards, so I'm OK with this.

I do agree other states should follow this.

[gorrilla]

Biologically speaking the lowered limit does very little in the way of improving the population. Its been proven in numerous studies on mourning doves and other game birds that there is a natural mortality rate and adjusting the the limit by two birds in one state isn't going to change the total numbers one bit. Rather than us fighting and bickering about 4 vs. 6 why don't we crack down on preserving and rehabilitating wetlands in this muddy, carp infested, highly developed state. If you want more ducks guys you need to funnel all your energy into that effort!!!

4 vs 6 is just STUPID politics taking hold of proven biology... lets get our heads out of our butts and quit armchair quarterbacking all the TRAINED an EDUCATED biologists we hired.

[big drift]

Amen.

big drift

[Willy]

I would like to see restrictions a lot tougher for people to start housing developements and or any developments outside of city limits. I get so sick of seeing all the rich (Contact US Regarding This Word) of the world bulldoze over swamps, CRP, crop fields, tear woods apart, anything so these city boys can have their lake or woods view.

Just makes me so mad, because I am from a smaller town and spots that I used to pound the ducks, pheasants, etc, are now littered with houses and everything is just wrecked. Plus the cost of housing goes throught he roof when this happens! All for some guy that already has more $ than 10 of us here combined. They will add another mill to their pile and just push everyone and everything else to the side!

Just sickening!!!!!!!

[wyldewal]

Like outdoorran said above, if nothingelse the 4 duck limit will make you feel like your doing better when you fill out more often.

[gethanet]

All I know is no more shooting teal. If I would I'll be done in the first 15-30 min.

[mwktrapper]

Gorrila and BD...way to step up. At our Duck meetings that the DNR held, they even stated that lowering the bird limit will help the duck population at such a minimal percentage, if at all. They told it straight up and then did it?? Okay

I've learned to accept what I've been given so I'll just keep on hunting as I always have. Personally, I think it's just a bunch of politics getting in the way of a tradition and sport that we've had for so many years.