A 60 day season has been proposed.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

I think this is the season being proposed by AR, assuming a 60 day season is allowed by the feds.

I doubt our fine state of MS is even prepared to suggest what our season dates would be. We usually find that out AFTER the feds approve the season framework.

Further, I doubt that MS is prepared or ready to join AR in its ban of the spinners. There is little support for the spinner ban in the northern end of the flyway. I agree with Double R that without a vested interest in the ban being shown by the USF&WS, then a flyway wide ban appears to be a pipe dream at this point. That is especially true since other southern states have apparently not joined AR in banning them. IMO, it will take that type of solidarity in the South to eventually convince the northern states and the USF&WS (dominated by notherners) to follow suit. Does MS have the kahunas to take this approach at this point ---I seriously doubt it ----I have never known the MSDWF&P to be on the cutting edge of anything in duck hunting, other than supporting T. Lott in getting us the framework extention until the end of January.

The one hen limit is most likely just part of AR's proposal ---a state can impose stricter limits than those imposed by the feds. Look for the feds to stick with the AHM model. If a 60 day season is called for under the model, that is likely what we will get, along with the normal bag limits that come with it, including up to 2 hen mallards. I also look for MS to allow the full bag limits allowed by the feds. When have we ever imposed stricter limits than the feds?

These are just my predictions based upon several years of watching this process unfold. I have no inside information and do not claim to be a waterfowl biologist.

What I personally would like to see:

1) a season set based upon the science/objective factors, even if such is a 60 day season, 45 day season or a 30 day season;
2) a one mallard hen daily bag limit, regardless of the season length and bag limits;
3) a 4 duck daily bag limit, with no more than 3 mallards;
4) an increase in the daily wood duck bag limit if the science proves this to not be detrimental to the wood duck populations ---anything we can do to promote and instill interest in a locally grown "wild" duck and its continued habitat improvement would bode well for the future;
5) a spinner ban in MS identical to that of AR; and
6) a duck tag system (either federal or state), whereby a certain number of tags would be issued with the purchase of a duck stamp ---to get more tags, more stamps would have to be purchased ---- the money raised would go directly to the US PPR breeding grounds to purchase land and/or permanent easements.

Are these things to much to ask for or expect?

[RedEyed Duck]

I think this is the season being proposed by AR, assuming a 60 day season is allowed by the feds.

Thats what I read earlier today too!

[bigwater]

sounds good monkey.. how bout throwin in atrip to the toyko bath house as well!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lefthorn]

What about the extension of daylight savings time? I heard in an email(will see if I can scrounge it up) that it will be extended 4 weeks! How is that gonna change hunting?

[lefthorn]

Here it is


Daylight Savings Time to Be Four Weeks Longer
WASHINGTON, DC, July 22, 2005 (ENS) - Daylight saving time is going to be extended by four weeks to shorten the winter, lengthen the summer and save energy. The measure was approved Thursday by the Energy Conference Committee made up of Congressional members from the House and the Senate who are working to harmonize their differing versions of the energy bill.
The legislation was first introduced by Congressmen Fred Upton, a Michigan Republican, and Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat.
“Today, we shed some additional light on the need for conservation with our daylight saving extension,” said Upton. “Not only will Americans have more daylight at their disposal for an additional four weeks of the year, we will also be keeping our energy consumption as a nation down."
"Kids across the nation will soon rejoice with the extended daylight on Halloween night that will allow for an additional hour of trick or treating," Upton said. "Studies by a leading auto safety group have also shown that extending daylight saving will save dozens of lives on the roads each year.”
“The beauty of daylight saving time is that it just makes everyone feel sunnier,” said Markey, a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the author of the 1986 legislation that added three weeks of daily savings time to the calendar.
The legislation would extend daylight saving by four weeks, starting the second Sunday of March and lasting through the first Sunday of November.
The extension of daylight saving would become effective one year after the enactment of the Energy bill. The bill also calls for a study on the impact of daylight saving on energy consumption to be conducted no later than nine months after the enactment of the bill.
“In addition to the benefits of energy savings, less crime, fewer traffic fatalities, more recreation time and increased economic activity, daylight saving just brings a smile to everybody’s faces,” said Markey.
“Extending daylight saving time makes sense, especially with skyrocketing energy costs. My daylight saving amendment is one small piece of the overall energy package, and with oil at $60 a barrel and gas at $2.50 a gallon, every bit of conservation helps,” said Upton.
The Upton-Markey amendment is supported by studies which show that early daylight saving time and longer days decrease the number of fatal traffic accidents, reduce crime rates, and provide relief for individuals suffering from “night blindness.”
Many groups including organizations like the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, the National Association of Convenience Stores and the Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation Fighting Blindness, and an array of small businesses which support American pastimes, from barbecues to baseball to boating support the legislation to extend daylight saving.
The extended daylight hours will not apply to the entire United States. Arizona, parts of Indiana, and Hawaii do not observe Daylight Saving Time, at all, and neither do Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.

[Money]

sounds good monkey.. how bout throwin in atrip to the toyko bath house as well!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dammit boy, dat made me laugh out loud !!!!!!

[cajun squealer]

What about the extension of daylight savings time? I heard in an email(will see if I can scrounge it up) that it will be extended 4 weeks! How is that gonna change hunting?

It might change the hunter, but not the hunted...unless you got a duck that can tell time. [/b]

[lefthorn]

Ok, ignore my stupidity. I was thinking about legal shooting times and got to thinking it shouldn't matter since it is 1/2 hour before sunrise and sunsest. Sorry for the lack of brain cells in that post.

[bigwater]

you've been hunting to long near the salwater.. lefthorn...'
'


you should come with me on a luderdale county wood-duck commarant roost shoot.....

it'll refrsh you and charge your batteries..

you'll be chasin the blubills all over the bays and backwater of the miss gulf...

[B-80]

[B-80]

"@#$%#"

[B-80]

Sorry about the technical difficulties... O well, its almost time to get them beagles fired up anyway...

Changing daylight savings time huh??? Damn I hate those long days. I like the short days... Have a toddy with your boys, stay up a few hours after dark and pow-wow, and still get to bed at a decent time.

[cajun squealer]

Don't feel so bad, Lefty. It actually could have a slight impact on fowl behavior, but only insofar as it affects the hunter. If Joe Hunter only hunts from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 10:00 am, Daylight Savings Time, regardless of conditions, he would actually be hunting one hour less than he would have during Standard Daylight Time. That would equate to one less hour times the number of days hunted less hunting pressure during the part of the season that falls withing DST. Either way, the effects would probably be hardly noticeable.
I think that's right.

[hntrpat1]

So what have ya'll heard bout the 60 day pintail/cans for the season

[lefthorn]

I have NO IDEA what cajun squealer just said