6 duck limit this fall

[lanyard]

The great duck hunting in the early 90's in MN was because of all the water we had. Where I hunt the roads were floaded over, and the carp/bullheads/etc. swam between all the shallow waters.

The not as good hunting the past few years is because of all that high water we had, the roads flooded over, and the carp/bullheads/fatheads, etc. moved in.

For the last 5 years MN hunters have said 'where are the ducks' while the continental population of mallards has been at recorded history highs, making us think the USFWS was maybe a tad 'happy' in their estimates.

Expect your hunting to be excellent again in 2 years after these sloughs that are now drying up freeze up, recharge, their vegetation and invertabrates regenerate (veg dies after water gets too deep, too muddied by carp, etc.)

The logic of 4 birds because we don't have any here would make states south of Iowa a 0-1 bird limit. The birds are migratory, move with habitat changes, etc.

One note: 'carrying capacity' typically is a measure of how many critters can be supported by a habitat at its worst. By that, MB shoud never hold any ducks and AK should hold them all.

Migratory.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

the water levels might get low enough to kill off carp and bullheads, but i dont think it will be enough to kill off the fat-head minnows that are in direct competition with dabblers for food. maybe some day the dnr will be able to get walleye fry in many more sloughs to keep the fat heads in check.

[hanson]

Any one know why we have a problem with duck numbers in Minnesota but our goose numbers are going through the roof?

[Eric Wettschreck]

Chris, just a guess on my part but I'm thinking geese have adapted to change better, and they are just flat out mean.

Geese are happy living on the golf course, sod fields, and my back yard. Honkers are mean and are more than happy to come attacking me hissing while I mow. Mallards on the other hand, will just leave.

[so haaad]

I actually liked the 4-bird limit. Less cleaning!

I also wish they would push the starting date back a week to the first week of October like they used to.

[lanyard]

To the Goose question:

nesting habits, brood success and succeptability to predation are in favor of geese.

Geese: Mom and dad defend nest, larger hatch rates and willing to whip the snot out of vermin.

Ducks: 'Flight' response to nest defense, one parent issue, smaller clutch size, larger reliance on grassy expanses, lower on the food chain.

[Roscoe16]

The main thing that worries me about the 6 duck limit is it gives everyone a false sense that we have tons of birds and thus our current dismal habitat condition are no longer a concern anymore. People then figure they don't need to support the Minnesota Waterfowl Assn., DU, or Delta as much, or keep on their city and county officials to make sure the Wetlands Conservation Act is enforced to the letter, or stay on their elected officials to make sure the CRP and WRP programs are renewed and fully funded. I think 5 ducks daily would have sent a little better message. Biologically, probably no different than 6, but still shows some restraint and concern.

Roscoe

[carpshooterdeluxe]

Quote:

---

The main thing that worries me about the 6 duck limit is it gives everyone a false sense that we have tons of birds and thus our current dismal habitat condition are no longer a concern anymore. People then figure they don't need to support the Minnesota Waterfowl Assn., DU, or Delta as much, or keep on their city and county officials to make sure the Wetlands Conservation Act is enforced to the letter, or stay on their elected officials to make sure the CRP and WRP programs are renewed and fully funded. I think 5 ducks daily would have sent a little better message. Biologically, probably no different than 6, but still shows some restraint and concern.

Roscoe

---

excellent points. its always important to stay involved with conservation efforts.

[Bryce]

Been traveling alot between Shakopee and Spicer lately. Lucky to see six ducks total on the trip. Very few woodies and teal. Family broods of geese seem to be smaller. I know the goose nesting by our house got froze off her first attempt and when she renested, only had four. May be a slow start until the real ducks start migrating through.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

go farther west....

[lanyard]

Roscoe,

I've felt that for a long time, too. But my money isn't on too many ducks, it is on missing ducks and $ competition.

When the duck hunting is great it seems more people are willing to put money into it because it feels like a winning proposition. When duck hunting is dismal they give up.

It won't be the 6 bird limit, it will be how many 6 bird limits they shoot (w/ out going to North Dakota).

On the competition side: how much DU $ is spent in MN? Not blaming DU, but MN, in past years anyway, has ranked about 14th for $ spent and in the top 1 or 2 for $ raised. DU puts the money where they get the most bang for the $. Now habitat $ is spent on going to ND where a hunter can get the most bang for their $, and that cuts into what is dropped on conservation.

[SDbowhunter]

I have mixed feeling about the six duck limit. Typically were I hunt in minnesota we only get into wood ducks teal and the occational mallard. My dad, brother, and I would typically get about 6-8 ducks on the opening mornings and call it quits. The 6 duck limit isnt going to effect me much. Now that I live in south dakota i get much more thrill shooting ducks I have never shot in MN before. I guess I had never put much thought on concentrating on shooting drakes instead of hens. It makes sense and I will make an extra effert this year to do my part to let the hens go and convince the people I hunt with to do the same.