Are the duck hunter numbers down?

[SneakAttack]

I mainly hunt public waters in the Faribault area that have been hit hard in the past years but this year I hunted with 2 other groups on opening day and Sunday and tuesday i had the lake, which is about 40-50 acres, all to myself and i have never seen that in the 14 years i've hunted that spot. Talked to a co-worker of mine who has noticed the same. Does it have to do with the weather so far or is there a decline in duck hunters? Just wondering if people have also noticed this in the areas they hunt. Thanks.

[paceman]

Up here where I hunt I would say the numbers are about the same or perhaps a bit busier. I was actually surprised by the numbers I saw. I expected less with the warm weather from last weeekend. We had good luck as well so I expect this weekend will also be pretty busy around here.

[bigdog]

I only saw 1 rig driving 75 miles early Sat morning from St Cloud west, none on Sunday morning. Driving back we saw a few rigs headed west but nothing else. Not much shooting around us either. Partner came up from St Peter Friday night and only saw a handful of rigs on the road. In the areas I frequent the numbers are down and have been for a couple years.

[norwall]

I hunt the AL area and due to my grandmas funeral didn't hunt the opener. BUt my neighbor hunted a very prominent lake and all they got was 2 spoonies? I think due to all the carp and etc. rough fish and run off due to fertilzers the lake are in VERY bad shape ..just my $.02...oh btw 1st day a considerable amt of hntrs 2nd day nil.

[hanson]

My trip up to the NW part of the state on opener revealed very few hunting rigs on I-94. Couple years back when gas was cheap and birds were all over NoDak, it was a hunter nearly every other vehicle on Friday night heading up I-94.

I think people are cutting back on their activities, whether its fishing trips or hunting trips. Money is tight, gas is still spendy, etc.

[bluebill]

talked to the warden today this came up he said state numbers are steady for the last 2 years heard 3 other shots today nice to have the birds to my self

[Jameson]

While traveling East on Hwy. 7 Friday evening I noticed LOTS of duck boats heading West. Maybe the hunters are migrating to where the ducks are?