How many duck hunters hunt in Ms.?

[Don Miller]

Does anyone know if the Ms. Dept. of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks keeps records on the number of duck stamps sold each year over the past 10 years. If so, is there records kept on the number of out of state duck hunters each year over the past 10 years? It seems to me that the number of out of state duck hunters have increased 3 fold over the last 5 years. Does anyone have those statistics or know how to get them?

[Po Monkey Lounger]

I have asked this question before on this board, with no answer in response. I too think that the number of out-of-state hunters coming to hunt in MS has dramatically increased over the last few years. Seems like everybody knows about our good thang.

The increased numbers of hunters, both in-state and out-of-state is a double edged sword ----- from the standpoint of preserving our hunting rights and heritage against the left wing enviro-nuts, there is safety and clout in numbers ------ but, from the standpoint of enjoying quality time in the field in public areas, increased numbers are not a good thing.

This is why I think hunters who hunt our public hunting areas ---WMAs, public waterways, etc---- should be charged a reasonable user fee for a permit ---- a separate permit for each WMA, waterway, etc. (like the federal NWRs). This would do two things, regulate and restrict access to the particular permitted hunting area, and raise additional money to not only help manage that particular area, but to fund additional aquisitions of public hunting areas. This , in the long run, would provide more public hunting lands, increase the quality of the hunting opportunities by perhaps spreading some folks out, and still promote and allow public hunting in the state by the out-of-state folks(whose dollars and presence would be welcome and a boost to the local economy). Arkansas is doing this now. Mississippi should follow suit. Most of us who hunt public land usually only hunt one or two different areas, so a reasonable user fee in the form of a yearly permit would not be too onerous and the potential benefits to pulbic waterfowling and other hunting could be enormous.

[crow]

It occurs to me that most of us have a "pet" theory as to why the last couple of years have been less exciting than those just preceeding them. But, it ain't an either/or scenario. Every theory that has been posed on this board has some merit and a part of the overal picture. There has definitely been a drought in the breeding ground. There has been a problem with predation on a reduced acreage. There has been "different" weather patterns coming through. There have been some folks feeding ducks north and south of us. There are more acres of water in the flyway for ducks to spread out onto. Threre are fewer ducks in the flight than was predicted. More of what used to be huntable land is leased by those with deep pockets. More of what used to be agricultural land is now flooded briar thickets like Lake George. More landowners/leasors are creating "refuges" that are not hunted to hold ducks in a locale. And there are other factors, I'm sure. I each of these factors had only a slight influence on the overall picture of duckhunting in the
Southern end of the flyway, it adds up to big changes and will impact our experiences. Oh, yeah, more of us "kneebooters" from GA and SC keep coming cause we just like the way that gumbo mud feels when it cakes up to about 100 lbs. per foot! All in all, it just ain't like huntin' in the"glory days." Yeah, they'll pass you by in the wink of a young girls eye. Yep, got my tickets to see the Boss at the new Gwinnett Arena here in scenic Gwinnett County, GA! Looking forward to seeing all you boys in Starkville on the 15th. I better start practicing!

[SCOOTER]

hey crow if greenhead 22 is there, all you'll need is a stick to beat him.

[tunica du4u]

This doesn't, answer the question asked statewise but in the 00-01 season there were 28,718 (+/-) & in 01-02 season 30,090 (+/-) federal stamps were sold in Ms.

[crow]

I just noticed I posted the previous message on the wrong post. Meant to post it onto the one about Delta Waterfowl. Well, maybe I've made my one and only mistake for the day, and I'll be my normal perfect self for the rest of the time today! Yeah....right!

[SB]

One could call the MDWFP at 601.432.2400 and ask for the license division. The license division can tell you how many duck stamps have been sold in what year? The last number I think I remember was 33,000. I'm not for sure if they can tell you if the person who purchased the stamp was a resident or non-resident. This year they should be able to differentiate between residents and non-residents with the new Point Of Sale license system. I would be surprised if the know how many stamps were sold to collectors vs hunters. The USFWS has a factor in there to determine the difference between hunters and collectors. One should compare the USFWS MS federal duck stamp sales to MS's state duck stamp sales just for kicks.

[L.H.III]

Ms. should sell a wma stamp. In Ga., it is a stamp that is required to hunt public land. For residents, it is $19.00, but for out-of-state hunters, it is $75.00. The money goes towards improving the land, but more importantly keeps hunting pressure on public lands in check.

[crow]

I think the MS stamp must have directions to Panther Swamp and DNF printed on the back, or something. 'Cause I think all 33,000 hunters who purchased one have shown up every time I have been to either of those places the last two years!