What really would happen?

[scdiver]

I know it's not popular for some, but eliminate the guides chasing birds from September to March with 8 guns a day......


A lot of guys wouldn't be able to kill the amount they do with guides.


If you actually care about the population, limit how many are killed.

Ice eaters in a frozen flooded corn field makes killing ducks fairly easy .....

[12341234]

I listened to this today. Interesting stuff regarding hen mortality.

"Welcome to Delta Waterfowl’s Voice of the Duck Hunter podcast.

When hunters experience a poor season, the natural response is to want to fix it — to take responsibility and be part of the solution. One of the most common reactions we hear after a tough year is, “We’re shooting too many ducks. We need to cut limits or shorten seasons.”

But that idea is built on some assumptions that don’t always line up with the science.

Today’s guest is Delta Waterfowl Senior Scientist Dr. Todd Arnold, who joins us to break down what decades of research actually show about modern hunting harvest and its impact on duck populations. Todd explains why today’s regulated harvest has an insignificant effect on overall duck numbers — and more importantly, what truly drives duck population growth and decline.

If you’ve ever wondered whether hunting pressure is really the problem, or what hunters should be focused on instead, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss."

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas...=1000748228130

If this guy were to tell you that the numbers were falling despite the millions we give him for his agenda would he still have a job? You think delta or du is going to say hey all this money we make and put towards ducks isn’t working. The population has continued to go down despite our efforts. Would you still donate money to them?

[swampknob]

In North Dakota, there were 1.08 million acres of corn planted in the year 2000. In 2025, that number has grown to 4.70 million acres. You assume the same for all the states in that area, plus Canada. That is an insane increase...and subsequently a reduction of acres planted in other grains.

I don't know what it means, but i am always still surprised to see corn and soybeans to the extent we do in Manitoba every year and has to be of significance to a duck.

[Catdaddy]

In North Dakota, there were 1.08 million acres of corn planted in the year 2000. In 2025, that number has grown to 4.70 million acres. You assume the same for all the states in that area, plus Canada. That is an insane increase...and subsequently a reduction of acres planted in other grains.

I don't know what it means, but i am always still surprised to see corn and soybeans to the extent we do in Manitoba every year and has to be of significance to a duck.

As farmers switch to planting corn in the PPR and Canada,....winter wheat normally is planted behind it.

That's a big help to the breeding population

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[Palmetto Duck]

I don’t think the corn in Canada is the issue people are talking about. When it gets cold there ducks leave, for good mostly, maybe not right at our border. But they’re not hanging out up there in Dec around and N of Regina and Saskatoon. Also, the growing season is barely long enough if at all in Canada for corn? I don’t see any corn in Saskatchewan, still.

[cajunwannabe]

If this guy were to tell you that the numbers were falling despite the millions we give him for his agenda would he still have a job? You think delta or du is going to say hey all this money we make and put towards ducks isn’t working. The population has continued to go down despite our efforts. Would you still donate money to them?

Did you listen to the podcast?

Regarding the population continuing to go down despite our efforts can be summed up in one word: drought. I believe we could be flush with ducks if we ever get water back on the prairie pothole region. It's a vicious cycle but ducks will survive.

Social media exacerbates "where are the ducks?" and intensifies the blame game. Louisiana blames corn to the North. The Midwest folks blame weather. The Northern and Southern folks blame Canada is killing them all. Folks salivate over the pile pics from duck "killers". You can quit giving money to Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl because in your opinion what they are doing isn't working. Is there another group that works for waterfowl conservation that we should be supporting?

It's human nature to focus on the number of ducks killed, not the conservation and restoration of duck habitat. I look at what DU and Delta do in States across the country. I have hunted coastal restoration projects funded in partnership by DU and / or Delta. I wish I'd kept a journal of the number of ducks we've harvested in one particular DU project over the the last 15 years. I follow grad students projects funded by Delta and DU, funded by duck hunters.

I feel obligated to support whoever supports putting ducks back on the landscape. (except tamies) This past week I wanted to give the kids something for the youth duck hunt, DU hooked me up with gear for the kids. I've asked for help with supplies for wood duck boxes and had DU sponsors donate 4 x 4 treated lumber for installing duck boxes.

Who do you support with your money to conserve habitat, lobby in DC for CRP, Farm Bill, WRP, to fight to preserve the prairie pothole region, help fund coastal erosion projects, rebuild levees, restore sediment diversions to build land and habitat, replace water control structures on State and Federal managed property? Is there another group we should be supporting?

[mudflat]

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP89CAnD5/

[cat III]

Arkansas Rice Federation

[Hoggin]

Did you listen to the podcast?

Regarding the population continuing to go down despite our efforts can be summed up in one word: drought. I believe we could be flush with ducks if we ever get water back on the prairie pothole region. It's a vicious cycle but ducks will survive.

Social media exacerbates "where are the ducks?" and intensifies the blame game. Louisiana blames corn to the North. The Midwest folks blame weather. The Northern and Southern folks blame Canada is killing them all. Folks salivate over the pile pics from duck "killers". You can quit giving money to Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl because in your opinion what they are doing isn't working. Is there another group that works for waterfowl conservation that we should be supporting?

It's human nature to focus on the number of ducks killed, not the conservation and restoration of duck habitat. I look at what DU and Delta do in States across the country. I have hunted coastal restoration projects funded in partnership by DU and / or Delta. I wish I'd kept a journal of the number of ducks we've harvested in one particular DU project over the the last 15 years. I follow grad students projects funded by Delta and DU, funded by duck hunters.

I feel obligated to support whoever supports putting ducks back on the landscape. (except tamies) This past week I wanted to give the kids something for the youth duck hunt, DU hooked me up with gear for the kids. I've asked for help with supplies for wood duck boxes and had DU sponsors donate 4 x 4 treated lumber for installing duck boxes.

Who do you support with your money to conserve habitat, lobby in DC for CRP, Farm Bill, WRP, to fight to preserve the prairie pothole region, help fund coastal erosion projects, rebuild levees, restore sediment diversions to build land and habitat, replace water control structures on State and Federal managed property? Is there another group we should be supporting?

Drought and lack of cold weather. It’s pretty simple.

[Catdaddy]

Here are the satellite mallards in Arkansas when the last snow hit the midwest. Most went to Louisiana.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1HeEdVwEYM/

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[cajunwannabe]

Here are the satellite mallards in Arkansas when the last snow hit the midwest. Most went to Louisiana.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1HeEdVwEYM/

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My buddies were killing mallards the week before the big freeze in SWLA. (must have coincided with Tony Vandamore draining his corn) Anyone who had or made open water in AR crushed mallards during the last freeze.

[Calibogue]

My buddies were killing mallards the week before the big freeze in SWLA. (must have coincided with Tony Vandamore draining his corn) Anyone who had or made open water in AR crushed mallards during the last freeze.

I have friends that were killing mallards during the freeze in AR on dry fields covered in snow.

[2thDoc]

and herein lies the problem with what the Bogster is trying to discuss.

we have to start with facts.

Do corn ponds in the southern states negatively affect waterfowl?

[drwilly]

and herein lies the problem with what the Bogster is trying to discuss.

we have to start with facts.

Do corn ponds in the southern states negatively affect waterfowl?

negatively affect waterfowl? you mean there health, or there migration patterns, distances, and timing, or there chances of dying from getting shot in said corn pond?

[cajunwannabe]

and herein lies the problem with what the Bogster is trying to discuss.

we have to start with facts.

Do corn ponds in the southern states negatively affect waterfowl?

The only negative is when they get shot just trying to enjoy eating it.

[Buckin Bronco]

The only negative is when they get shot just trying to enjoy eating it.

So it would preferable to zero impoundments to attract and hunt waterfowl?

[cajunwannabe]

So it would preferable to zero impoundments to attract and hunt waterfowl?

I've said it for the last 25 years, SC wouldn't have ducks without impoundments. The only negative is getting killed, other than that what other negatives can you come up with?

Most impoundments manage pressure and hunt once per week, regardless of whether there is corn or not, impoundments create habitat and work.

[nitro5x6's]

Don't overlook the all important factor that abundant, available food is paramount to send the birds back North. They need some health improvement post migration, and fat reserves as they head home to hopefully breed, nest and hatch out more ducks.

[trash2]

We average 1 duck per 770lbs of corn grown- that’s based on 100bu/acre. I’d imagine a lot more damage has been had over 50/100lbs in a swamp. Not sure the answer but resources and pay to hunt is so minimal in SC that I feel it, corn ponds, have a large net benefit. Running pay guns through on row crops is not good for the ducks, I do believe that.

[Buckin Bronco]

I've said it for the last 25 years, SC wouldn't have ducks without impoundments. The only negative is getting killed, other than that what other negatives can you come up with?

Most impoundments manage pressure and hunt once per week, regardless of whether there is corn or not, impoundments create habitat and work.

Ah I understand the statement you were making now.