60 Day season????????

[Doc & Nash]

GC, 3-4 bird with no hens would be nice.

[backwater]

Got this from another forum...looks like the
AHM (Adaptive Harvest Management) Working Group, which is made up of state and federal biologists and managers across the country will recommend to the USFWS that we be allowed a liberal season.

Although historically the USFWS almost always follows the lead of the AMH Group, it is not still set in stone that we will be allowed the 60 day season..... That is still yet to be determined. Is this good or bad...don't know. Whatcha think?
[img]images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]

[GulfCoast]

I would be surprised if we got 60 days. I need to go back and look at the different framework options. If you get 60 days, there will be a big cutback in the number of ducks, and only 1 hen, I feel sure.

[Anatidae]

Hey, let's forget about THIS coming season and try to figure-out what the season and limits are going to be for 2003-2004.

[GulfCoast]

I would bet 3 and 30 on that one.

[MSDuckmen]

3/30

sounds as good as having sex in the shower.

I'll keep my fingers crossed [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[Ringbill]

We will see what happens, but it is my understanding that, based on breeding mallard #'s and pond counts, that the AHM working group is recommending liberal for all flyways. Now what the states do.....

[Anatidae]

Yeah Dan....I know you and GC are 'prudes' when it comes to talking about some things......like 'numbers'. It's O.K. to admit you like seeing.......(as 'Gossebruce' puts it)......"a duck come- apart at close range" [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] , even though it IS difficult to express that in politically 'correct' terms. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[Jeff]

Here is my big concern, does anyone else wonder how in the world all other ducks except mallards can be down from last year? Then on top of that isn't it awfully coincidental that the one duck our season is based on (which makes not that much sense to me) happens to be very close to even keel from last year? I just don't buy that count. If teal and gray ducks are down from last year and have been way way above average for the last few years, then how did they plummet and mallards didn't? I just gotta wonder if someone screwed up in their counts and there are a heck of a lot less mallards than other ducks. I hate to say it as I would like to have the days, but I think a shorter season just to be on the safe side would be a very good idea. Then re group next year and if numbers aren't down this year then give us the days back.

[backwater]

I was surprised when the AHM recommended a liberal season for all the flyways. Like many I was expecting a more restrictive recommendation. I'm more for the days...cut the limit. Never really cared about the limits just the opportunity to be with friends and good dogs. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[Anatidae]

Well, I'm just curious [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img].......if we GET a 60-day season and a 6-bird limit,.....will all you fellas that have been praying for 3/30, only hunt 30 days and stop at 3 ducks per day, anyway? [img]images/smiles/icon_sad.gif[/img](Huh??) [img]images/smiles/icon_sad.gif[/img]

[img]images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img] I didn't think so. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[tunica du4u]

? [img]images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img] I thought Mississippi was like Louisana, set yur own season? [img]images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[Po Monkey Lounger]

I believe that the duck seasons are now being set based more upon economic factors than science and conservation factors. Arkansas Gov. Huckabee has very vocally expressed his displeasure over a potential 45 day season, complaining that anything shorter than 60 days would hurt the Arkansas economy(of course, he probably has not factored in the likelihood that a shorter season would improve the efficiency of work by the hunters, leading to increased productivity and negating any overall detrimental effect to the state economy-hehe). He and other political and well connected factions are advocating a 60 day season with smaller bag limit, if necessary.
I suspect that Gov. Huckabee will be this year's target for the Minnesota whiners, replacing Trent Lott for this dubious distinction --see an upcoming issue of "waterfowler.com" this fall.

I am not necessarily against a 60 day season with lower bag limits --it would certainly stretch out my enjoyment of the season --it just seems to me that the arguments in favor of the 60 day season should include other factors besides just economics. But, as I have said in previous posts on this board, this sport is being taken over by money and greed(dang, I am beginning to sound a little like Benny, which is frightening).