Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 11:52 am
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?
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?