Kennedy letter to the US FWS

[Duck Tape]

We are in a gradual decline punctuated by a recent drought.


The MRP conversation is forthcoming. Tamie hens have 1/2 the brood as wild. That is a bad start complicated by a myriad of other variables.

[Catdaddy]

It's a common practice in Louisiana to plant grain sorghum, flood it to raise crawfish, and then hunt ducks and over it.

I don't recall Senator Kennedy complaining about it.

Senator Kennedy is one of my favorite Senators, but he is off base on this. He's just responding for his conplaining constiuates.

The folks from Louisiana have been complaining ever since the Duck Commander's "hunt the refuges" didn't gain any traction.



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[JABIII]

Kennedy is like Gowdy. Always good for a sound bite, never accomplishes anything...

[centurian]

To any of you that were offended by this letter, I am with you. Let’s set in the blind and discuss it. Have gun, will travel.

Let’s set in the blind in a flooded corn field and discuss it. FIFY

[centurian]

30/3 for a few seasons, goes a long way to solving these problems. It's just too hard to financially justify the expense of "big duck" with such a short window. Any business with high fixed costs, makes all of its profits on the last 15%-20% of their customers. Cutting just 10% of the revenue and the profit motive is removed.

The liberal season framework should be 45/4 at the most, I prefer 45/3 for the eastern 3 flyways.

They would just increase their prices to accomodate the fewer days afield which would still result in less birds killed over their corn pile. I just hate hunting has turned into a money deal and it is not just duck hunting but all hunting. Commercial hunting is not hunting it is shooting.

[Air Raid]

Phil said it 35 years ago. A duck could make it from Canada to Mexico without ever being in a huntable scenario. The flooded impoundments and plantation effect even here has exacerbated the problem. Essentially duck hunting has become the playground of the wealthy or those willing to sacrifice something financially. For the record I am jealous. I duck hunted 3 times last season and pulled the trigger 3 times one of which was on a meganeezer. If Arkansas Mississippi and Louisiana lose anymore public duck hunting or for that matter pay to hunt folks it's gonna really hurt their bottom lines.

[cajunwannabe]

I'd be embarrassed to say I paid $6,250.00 to make 3 hunts for 4 mallards per hunt. (of course these hunts might include a bonus spoonie, grey or pintail to boot). Lodging, meals and bird processing included but still.....

3 hunts x 4 mallards = 12 mallards / $6,250.00 = $520 per duck.

Toss in a little lagniappe hunt for boot n shoot pheasant for only an additional $500 per day.

Welcome to the new age of market "hunting".

[Buckin Bronco]

I'd be embarrassed to say I paid $6,250.00 to make 3 hunts for 4 mallards per hunt. (of course these hunts might include a bonus spoonie, grey or pintail to boot). Lodging, meals and bird processing included but still.....

3 hunts x 4 mallards = 12 mallards / $6,250.00 = $520 per duck.

Toss in a little lagniappe hunt for boot n shoot pheasant for only an additional $500 per day.

Welcome to the new age of market "hunting".

Honestly I think a lot of these people could care less that they even shot some birds. The high and satisfaction comes from being able to post on Instagram that they hunted at Habitat Flats. It’s all a look at me look at me game now.

[Catdaddy]

Wonder what hunting will be like if and when waterfowl season goes out on March 10th like he requested


People that can be so smart can also be so stupid.


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[3 1/2" MAGUM]

Phil said it 35 years ago. A duck could make it from Canada to Mexico without ever being in a huntable scenario. The flooded impoundments and plantation effect even here has exacerbated the problem. Essentially duck hunting has become the playground of the wealthy or those willing to sacrifice something financially. For the record I am jealous. I duck hunted 3 times last season and pulled the trigger 3 times one of which was on a meganeezer. If Arkansas Mississippi and Louisiana lose anymore public duck hunting or for that matter pay to hunt folks it's gonna really hurt their bottom lines.

This. Wait until there are so many big private plantations that they start keeping birds out of the pay-to-hunt lodges. Only a certain # of birds. Public duck hunting is dying.

[JABIII]

That's the place they stuck whasisname on the riverbank and fed him instant grits or something?

[12341234]

If you believe that duck numbers are in decline, then you should be for as much habitat being created. Offers more food and rest. If you don’t think numbers are in decline and birds are being stopped by these ponds then you will never see birds here again, we don’t get the weather to freeze up these places, or snow to cover fields. But our ducks that we get here have 0 to do with those ponds other than the fact that they can go there and not get shot at or run up by a boat all day everyday.

[flopduster]

For those claiming they have less wood ducks here in SC.

There are 100’s of acres of new impoundments built every year. Where do you think they get ducks from? From your creeks, beaver ponds, and swamps. And to some extent, neighboring impoundments if they are any.


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[Rubberhead*]

Why couldn't our DNR get us in on some of that October tree duck action?

[cajunwannabe]

That's the place they stuck whasisname on the riverbank and fed him instant grits or something?

Served him spaghetti and I think it was cold.

[Calibogue]

Why couldn't our DNR get us in on some of that October tree duck action?

Probably because there are too many moondicks that can't differentiate between a black-bellied whistling duck, a wood duck, or a blue winged teal on the wing!
Just a hunch.....

[Duckman#1]

Probably because there are too many moondicks that can't differentiate between a black-bellied whistling duck, a wood duck, or a blue winged teal on the wing!
Just a hunch.....

Pretty accurate

[Catdaddy]

Probably because there are too many moondicks that can't differentiate between a black-bellied whistling duck, a wood duck, or a blue winged teal on the wing!
Just a hunch.....

They need to have a 4-5 day season for all three in October.

They need to close wood duck season by Jan 10th.

I already have three pair of wood ducks coming every am. They are picking their boxes and going in and out. One hen has pulled down from her chest and has a layer on the sawdust. I expect her to start laying by Monday.

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[Calibogue]

Wood ducks have been paired up for at least a month now.

[cajunwannabe]

Wood ducks have been paired up for at least a month now.

I see drakes staking out boxes now here around Lake Murray.

Just curious, those of y'all who have BBWD's, do any of y'all think wood ducks have adjusted nesting time due to the increase of BBWD's? BBWD's seem to nest here May to Sept, slight overlap with wood ducks but woody's seem to be nesting earlier now. Are they adapting to milder winters or invasive BBWD's competing for nesting?