Waterfowl limits poll

[Rubberhead*]

This is not even an option right now but there is growing talk of allowing waterfowl hunters, at the beginning of the season, to choose one of two different license options. The first would be the usual 6-bird limit with the internal limits like 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, 2 black ducks, 2 mallard, etc as part of the 6-bird limit. The new option allows the license holder to kill three of anything with a 3-bird daily limit. The, of course, intended purpose is to allow folks that aren't waterfowl identification experts an alternative when they can still enjoy a morning in the field without the worry of shooting a wrong duck.

A younger Rubberhead would, without a doubt, take the 6-birds with internal limits option but I seldom "limit hunt" anymore and often stop short of a limit even when I am in the presence of a lot of birds. I might be tempted to take the three-of-anything option just to try for the three pintail or three black photo.

Any three-of-anything takers on SCDUCKS?

[JABIII]

The real answer is "As many as I and the resource can tote".

[JABIII]

And I took the 3 because it is about all the wild bird resource in SC can handle right now...

[wskinner]

I agree with the however many the resource can support sentiment. In a perfect world though, I would like both options. I don’t think it has to be one or the other. Maybe one day you decide to go for the 3 pintails like you said, but then the next you want a mixed bag. My days afield are much fewer than they used to be and I may only be able hunt 3 times in a season. I’d like to be able to take 6 ducks if the opportunity presented itself and vice versa if it’s slow and the only thing around are pintails or cans then I can take 3. I’m not sure whether both options would stress the duck numbers more or not, but if it turns out that’s the case then I’d be good with just the 3. That’s usually all it is anyways when I hit the summer duck holes.

[mudflat]

Depends on the state.

[JABIII]

True. Or the country. I have no problem shooting 8 in Canada or more in Mexico.

[Rubberhead*]

Depends on the state.

Good point - I think this is being consider for the upper mid-continent states and is not, to my knowledge, an active consideration for the coastal states or southern states. My question was hypothetical but assumed for South Carolina. I would imagine that, if allowed, it would be managed by state so a hunter might take the 6-bird option in one state and the 3-bird option in another but only one option per season.

I agree with JABIII about the 3-bird option being a good way to reduce the overall pressure on the resource. I remember how quick the mornings were when the limit was only three.

[dubs]

I like the three. There have been many a times up this way shooting divers that being able to take an additional bird would have been nice. Especially since (in our experience) they seem to come through by species. Tough to be in SC and all you are seeing that day is big wads of Redheads or blue bills. I know it’s only one bird more but it would be nice.

[Duckman#1]

6 and I have no problem with duck ID

[thunderchicken]

Maybe a better idea would be to make anyone purchasing a duck stamp pass a duck (in flight) id test. That would be a deal breaker for many, even if it was open book....

[cajunwannabe]

Killing 3 Cans or 3 Bull Sprigs doesn't sound like a good idea to me. Give me 6 and I'll ID them or won't shoot them.

[tman]

In the state of SC I would take a 3 of anything limit. Other states with more ducks, I'd stick with the 6 bird limit.

[Palmetto Pride]

True. Or the country. I have no problem shooting 8 in Canada or more in Mexico.

This.. yes or 80... depending on what country

[scdiver]

Maybe a better idea would be to make anyone purchasing a duck stamp pass a duck (in flight) id test. That would be a deal breaker for many, even if it was open book....

West coast has a test for license, you have to pick out duskies etc etc.

I would love to see it here. Might limit the amount of river runners if they cant pass the test.

[swampshooter]

I agree, 3 of anything could be detrimental to a given species.

[swampshooter]

Yep, I think this is a problem myself. Our limits are conservative and then they get to Mexico and get murdered.

[tman]

After further consideration of this idea, I dont think it's a good plan to implement (federally). I could see it being particularly bad for the ducks that dont migrate north , like the Mottled duck and Fulvous. If you implemented a rule like that, I could see the Fulvous and Mottleds suddenly becoming damn near extinct.

[nitro5x6's]

Do 3 Black Ducks even make it to SC anymore ??

[Ring King]

West coast has a test for license, you have to pick out duskies etc etc.

I would love to see it here. Might limit the amount of river runners if they cant pass the test.

Which state is that in? Oregon? I know California doesn’t do it.

[cajunwannabe]

SC already has a 3 bird limit....folks smash the wood ducks and call it a "limit". I think this has been detrimental to our wood ducks and I've seen a severe decline in successful nesting attempts this Spring as well.