Has interest in duck hunting peaked?

[BAY KINGFISHER]

Guys, look I hate the “Johnny come lately” for sure, but they are really going to be needed for the future of hunting and gun ownership!! I see the same thing going on with fishing down here on the Coast. I have been run off from a “good bite” many times in the last few years by the newbie!! Makes me want to sink their ##$@#$@!! ,!@$$#%%, @$#!@%#, boat!! I really don’t have an answer, other than every chance I get trying to educate some neophyte on proper Sportsman etiquette!! But, I do know these same knot heads equal pro-hunting, pro- guns, pro-fishing and pro-outdoor enthusiast that just may keep our heritage alive so my three sons; grandkids can enjoy the outdoors 50 years from now!! Guys we may be sheltered here in MS, but I am here to tell you our way of life is under attack daily!!

[GulfCoast]

Interest in duck hunting is as high as ever. Just not this time of year.

[crow]

One question I have of the latest generation of hunters, duck or otherwise...How political or "involved" are you in the decision-making process of hunting? My generation...I'm 64...grew up in a more politically involved/charged time...also short seasons and 1-3 duck limits. We cut our teeth getting longer seasons, getting more liberal limits, pushing conservation measures, raising money to purchase breeding areas. My question...what are you willing to do/going to do?

crow

[bustercat64]

I moved to the MS Delta 25 years ago and that is when I started Duck hunting instead of shooting a roast or setting up on a beaver pond and shooting at first light. I didn't know what a stamp or a limit was until I went hunting with some college friends thank God I didn't get busted. I could duck hunt wherever I wanted and ended up getting some of the best duck holes in the Delta for basically free. Several years ago all that changed and I had to choose between deer and ducks I choose deer. I still have a couple of places that I still get every year to take care of my urges. I can't blame the farmer or the land owner for taking the money but it sucks to have a place that you helped developed go from a couple of grand a year to $50,000. I think people learned form the mistakes of people like me and are keeping their mouths shut. The way I see it is the more interest, the more people and that leads to more money. I tried public land got ran in the ditch first time out because someone thought I was going to their hole and second time had to whip someone's butt because they keep bothering us while hunting. Connections are needed now for a person to get into duck hunting and people this days are less likely to share, I wouldn't.

[tica-tica]

I don't know but I know a heck of a lot more people duck hunt now than ever before. I always heard how hunting licenses sales were way down and we need to "Take a kid hunting" to introduce them to the outdoors. Well I guess the large numbers of people you see everyday of the season must not be buying hunting licenses and stamps. Unless I am completely dreaming, the number of hunters has steadily gone up over the years.

We have all seen or been involved in private hunt clubs that even bring new habitat into play to support more ducks and more hunters. I don't see any of it slowing down myself.

[Double R 2]

I understand the desire for lighter crowds, lower leases and fewer flatbills. But on the other hand, if interest in hunting wanes, the sport will die a slow death.

My thoughts exactly. We need more not fewer with skin in the game.