Carter, you likely saw the old days of lead and points give way to a 1-bird day and then gradually increase to what we have now. We've pretty much run the gamut. I'd agree with you that the generous limits probably have helped decrease satisfaction to some degree.

I'd have to look at the numbers but we've had 6/60 for several years. At first blush that indicates population numbers over the long term are good and can support those days and limit(s). I'm not green enough to think, though, that money and Big Waterfowl Industry hasn't played a role in some way in keeping those generous days-limits in place over possible biological concerns. Cutting to 40/4 or 30/3 would hit everything from guns-ammo to lodges, travel (gas, hotels, food) and Big Waterfowl would holla.





A lot of gun control regulations are instituted or proposed because of the bad people, which leaves the good people affected.

Same with hunting. I'm damned sure not in favor of "I shoot everything, gotta get my limit every time!" for ducks, or deer (or anything). It just sucks that another restriction has been implemented and more days have been taken away from hunters, who already have limited seasons.

Maybe it'll help. I guess we'll find out in 15-20 years when the next generation has another set of restrictions implemented.

It was much Simpler and much more Special here in East Alabama when all we had to hunt was Quail,Doves,Squirrels,Rabbits. Ducks: A couple barrel blistering wood duck roost shoots per season.....Occasional small pockets of Mallards and Black Ducks. Deer and Turkey Screwed all that Up....

I don't like the hunting on certain days only because of like stated earlier the timing of the fronts and actual good weather days that seem to come on non hunting days . I prefer out by noon . I also don't mind the shell limit of 15 to 25 as that should be a plenty . Not sure about the 6 duck limit it may need to be dropped but I'm not for reducing the length of a already short season . Much rather see more effort put into Swan and other North Alabama areas as it has more potential than is being realized . Want be like a Flyway state by any means but it can be better .

If you can’t kill a limit of birds with a box of shells I’d tend to think maybe duck hunting isn’t your thing. Personally it wouldn’t bother me one bit if they’d reduce it to 15 shells. Be a whole lot of folks working birds more and being a lot more selective with their shots.

Fifteen? Why 15? If you're a good shot you only should need six shells. Why allow more than double? With just six shells, there'd be a whole lot of folks working birds more and being a lot more selective with their shots.

Yea I have been very fortunate duck hunting, we've had some incredible years of duck hunting. One reason I mention here what I did, my 2 duck hunting buddies are now saying they're done. I've talked with several young guys saying that it is not worth it any longer. I wonder, actually I kind believe that we are our own worst enemies. Like it has been said here before, if you want to screw something up just add people!

An apparent irony is that when I started duck hunting in the mid 80's I had a bunch of old timers telling it was a shame to start since the duck population was not what it once was, yada, yada, yada.

I get what you're saying about rules, the deer club I was pres of, we started with a 1/2 page of rules. 10 years later when I left we had 5 or 6 pages and more disgruntled folks than I thought possible. I wasn't making the rules, the board was. We were reminded constantly by one guy that we didn't need all those rules.

Flash back to a QDMA meeting when NW Al folksier wanting to implement AR rules. One of the presentations was by 2 guys from Westervelt. What they said is burned in my brain, "any time more than 10 people are in a lease trouble begins." "you can't get that many people to agree on everything"

So I guess the real question is what the answer is, I'm sure there will be way more than one wants to hear.

As far as duck hunting the State of Waterfowl is definitely worth watching.

My personal opinion, there is WAY too much pressure on waterfowl. Like one of my buddies said yesterday, there is NOT a hole he has seen that does NOT have blind on it.

My other buddy that hunts Arkansas, says the same thing for over there.

We rarely hunted past 8 or 9 and we would leave, more ducks could then use the hole.
These days, I hear about it took till 1 for everyone to get their limit. Some stay all day. Yet even more frustrated or whatever chase ducks down in their boats, flushing them at best and shooting at them at worst.

Ducks get zero rest around here compared to the past.

The local number of duck hunters today compared to the 90's is a significant increase.

License, HIP Permit, WMA permit, WMA license, WMA daily check in/out bs, non-toxic shot, state stamp, federal stamp, restricted days, some areas restricted hours and ammo

35+ years ago = hunting license, WMA license, WMA permit, state-fed stamp, go hunting

So, yeah, I can see where all the added stuff along with the increase in people would make some want to give it up. Especially if you have to hunt on public land.

Honestly I’m lost as to what the correct answer is

I’d venture to guess the hurdles are not that big a deal with the younger generations. They’ve shown they are willing to forgo personal liberties.

The complaints I’m hearing have more to do with no ducks.

A bunch of young guys I talked with yesterday have some primo private land to hunt and it’s spread out around the county. They hunt the river and said that definitely wasn’t worth it any longer.

Just saw the AGFC report from Arkansas that says they observed/estimate more geese than ducks there now. Between all the water spreading them out and slow or no migration to speak of for the second year in a row (at least), that makes it tough and frustrating.

Agree. They have no qualms about being tracked online, losing data, freely giving over data to fed-state-other agencies or companies, and believe it's no big deal.

Over commercialization just like the Eastern Shore was once the place to hunt Canada geese. As the population dwindled the pressure shifted to the Midwest and the Eastern Shore warned them. The Canada goose limits were cut and the shift was on toward the ducks. I’m betting one of the reasons the short stopping began.

Migration patterns have changed for other reasons too. We winter white pelicans these days never seen one until recent years.

You mention AR report. No surprise there. The places spending a ton of money and have resting areas with high energy feed seem to be doing well. Others not so much and more like luck of the draw. My buddy had a lease for 18 years and lost it to a higher bidder. Then again when you’re killing more than the high dollar clubs something will happen.

The good days will return and the fussing will subside.

Merry Christmas