DuckSouth.com

After all the discussion on this board about lowering season dates and bag limits, with most of it desired for the purpose of reducing the toal number of duck hunters to reduce hunting pressure and "saving" the sport for us chosen few (including me of course), as opposed to conservation reasons, an interesting question crossed my mind when reading a recent Delta Waterfowl report. The DW report included a statistical chart showing a steady decline of total waterfowl hunters from the peak numbers of the 1970s. At the shown rate of decline, we may be a rare breed sooner than you think. My question is this: If there are fewer hunters every year, where are all these hunters coming from that are causing all the increased hunting pressure everyone is concerned about?

My thoughts in response to this question are: (1) there is most likely less quality hunting areas/opportunites accessible to the average MS hunter (public and private) than in years past which is causing crowding at the few quality public areas and an increase in lease prices----there is strong evidence of private takeover of once public hunting areas --an erosion of public hunting rights in favor of special interests---loss of hunting areas caused by absurd Corps of Engineer projects which cost taxpayers huge sums for the benefit of a few ----and everyone is familiar with the high cost of leases; (2) out of state hunters are traveling to MS from states whose seasons have closed or from states which have little quality duck hunting --these hunters are not only hunting our public areas, but are leasing ever increasing amounts of private MS duck properties ----eg many hunters from Alabama, Georgia, and SC (just look at the tags at any public boat ramp at a duck hunting hot spot); and(3) the 6 duck bag limit and late season extension is probably encouraging number 2 above and helping to fuel the increasing cost of leases.

Overall, it just seems that the duck hunting scene is being pushed more and more toward guide services and private leases ---in other words, commercialization. Everyone knows about our "good thang".

One final thought: the lowering duck hunters mentality is a "catch 22" in the sense that maintaining and increasing the total number of duck hunters is important to maintain political clout to insure the continued existence of our sport --saving it from the animal rights loonies--, but at the same time, the conventional wisdom is that less total duck hunters equals more quality duck hunting. Not sure the facts bear out this conventional wisdom. It appears to me that other factors, as referenced above, may have more to do with the "crowding" . Just my opinion, yours may vary. What do some of you think?

And what can be done about it? Adjust season dates and bag limits? Dramatically increase nonresident hunting licenses? Charge permit fees for each state of MS controlled public hunting area (similar to what Arkansas did and what the feds are currently doing?), with nonresident fees significantly higher than residents fees? Regulate the duck guide industry with guide licensing requirements and fees? Use increased fees(of all types referenced above) to purchase and acquire and preserve more public duck hunting areas in MS?

good point ole buffle..

Not sur I agree with everything but you do make some good points. I don't think that just because you change season dates and the bag limit it will decrease the # of "New" Duck Hunters. I believe people will continue to persue ducks and I believe new hunters will come into this sport with the same hopes we all have----The chance to limit out on some greenheads. I don't think there is any miricle solution to new hunters coming in. There are possible ways to slow the problem but no matter what we do, there will always be new hunters wanting to take up duck hunting. Personally, I don't mind someone wanting to learn more about duck hunting. I will be glad to help anyone I can that holds a true passion for waterfowl. If I tried to run people off from hunting ducks and persuade others to not hunt so I can kill more, then, when I start doing that, I will quit the sport all together, because the Good Lord did not put the ducks here for you or for me, but for ALL that want to enjoy them. I want to pass my knowledge on to others that may have good solutions to what we can do to enhance duck populations. I do agree that we need to do something to regulate how ducks are hunted but not who hunts them......just my opinion.....Bg [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Bluegrass, I agree with your opinions re new duck hunters and introducing them to the sport without personal concern about whether our future duck hunting will be encroached upon. I never want to be that selfish or vain. IMO, we need more duck hunters, of the good sportsmen variety, not less. And the point of much of my post was to simply (but maybe not clearly --hey I had insomnia and it was 2 in the morning) sugggest that there may not be much of a correlation between the total number of duck hunters and the availability of quality hunting, as many seem to suggest in their desire to see reduced days and bag limits. IMO, I think that more and more duck hunters from out of state are coming to MS to hunt ducks, a relatively new and growing trend. Our out of state friends are certainly welcome, and their increased presence in our state has its pros and cons, but I think this situation needs to be addressed by our state and a new comprehensive management plan implemented. There is a right way to grow and a wrong way. And the right way would be a situation where the in state residents/average duck hunters do not feel left out in the cold. A little tinkering with the season length and bag limits alone will not produce any dramatic effect on the overcrowding problem. Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Does anyone have available to them any statistics showing the total number of duck hunters in MS for the last ten years or so to compare to see if MS is following the national trend of a steady decline?? Also, any stats showing the total number of out-of-state duck hunters for the last ten years or so?? This would be interesting.

I can only assume the general public (many that hunt public land) would flock to the most accessible (convenient) areas to experience what was once widely regarded (by some) as 'hunting'. I also assume that would be your WMA's and NF's. So yes, those are the likely spots where hunting pressure (or should I say gunning pressure?) will be highest. But that's really not a bad place to start because after a few trips, such terms as hunting and quality, will take-on a deeper meaning. I view 'overcrowding' as an unpleasant but very effective form of hunter education.

Even though hunter numbers may actually be in decline, they just may seem to be on the rise because hunters congregate in those areas that are highly publicized (whether it has ducks on any given day or not), resulting in overcrowding.

Another factor is when there are fewer ducks like last season, demand on spots where ducks ARE is higher. If ducks AREN'T at your private hole, the next option is to go to those accessible places (public) to see if they're THERE.

Personally, I don't think anyone should be willing to sacrifice ducks/days in hopes of decreasing what some view as undesirable 'competition' (whose worst crime might be that they are less experienced than the self-proclaimed 'experts'.....and/or making some of the same mistakes, either out of indiscretion or ignorance).

Everyone has to start somewhere. Hunters should be thankful that most of the other folks vying for the same thing (a chance to get close to the birds), for the most part appear to be relatively inexperienced. Just imagine what your chances might be, if everyone out there was, at worst, more proficient at FINDING game than you are. A 'hunter' should feel threatened least of all by other hunters, because if you possess any skills at all, you either jump into the 'fray' or find a way to distance yourself from the masses. You don't sit there and let everything else dictate the outcome of what you'd hoped would be a 'quality hunt', then try to blame somebody else 'cause it didn't just 'happen'.

As Bluegrass pointed-out public implies that everyone should have equal access. During the tough times, to be successful (however you choose to define that), I guess you just have to be more adept at creating your own opportunities.

Happy Hunting! [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] (Sweet dreams, Max) [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[ April 22, 2002: Message edited by: Anatidae ]

Good points, Anatidae. I think all of these factors discussed have more to do with the "overcrowding" situation than the total number of duck hunters.

I too was humbled quite often last season. Trying new tactics and hunting new places was fun, but often not very productive. My best hunts seemed to come out of nowhere, just by being out there in the field at the right place at the right time --- mostly luck (and the superb duck calling of The Duckslayer and T.Moore). Had I given up and stayed at home, succumbing to the conventional wisdom that the ducks had just not made it down yet,I would not have experienced my best hunts of the year (and my wife would have questioned my sanity after spending all that money on leases, gear and such).