Duck Hunting

I'm kind of interested in other duck hunters opinions of what the 2002-2003 season has in store for us. Will it be better or worse? Regulations going to change? Where I hunt we harvested approximately 150-175 birds this past season where we normally get between 400-500.

I'm kind of interested in other duck hunters opinions of what the 2002-2003 season has in store for us. Will it be better or worse? Regulations going to change? Where I hunt we harvested approximately 150-175 birds this past season where we normally get between 400-500.>>>>>>>>>

Things are in a serious drought here in Utah and the local ducks are having and going to have a hard time of it this year. I have not heard of how things are up in Canada this year but if we don't get some water here in Utah there is going ot be no place for them to stop on there way south this year.

Can anyone give me some input on how much a 3-4 man duck blind should cost for the season in Northern Cal? Sacramento area?

About 20 minutes of time if materials are available. I usually gather up natural fall downs in the area to construct a blind. Sometimes I use cammo netting over a few branches. Should not cost too much...I would not think.

I'm kind of interested in other duck hunters opinions of what the 2002-2003 season has in store for us. Will it be better or worse? Regulations going to change? Where I hunt we harvested approximately 150-175 birds this past season where we normally get between 400-500.

Andy

I've heard rumors that in Illinois it'll be a 30 day season, probably starting last weekend of Oct, or 1st of November until the Dec 1st. Canada, Minnesota & other Northern states are in drought conditions. In Illinois we've had so much rain in May that I've heard DNR say that a lot of nests were washed away. It won't be a long season, but it'll all depend on what Mother Nature does to us during the season.

The Peoria Il paper today announced that the Feds are debating over whether they will give Illinois a 20 day duck season or a 30 day season. They haven't said a word about bag limits, but I'd be willing to bet that it won't be 6 a day like last year, my guess is it'll end up to be either a 25

There hasn't been any good duck hunting in Minnesota in years. I used to hunt the Mississippi river below Winona Minnestoa. I went for a trip last fall and was taken back on the lack of vegitation and ducks. There used to be Mallards by the bucket full. Even in the mid 80's when the population was down, there was still a large population. Last fall, the most I saw was a handfull of woodducks. Very sad. I heard that the Corp of Engineers have ruined the river because they raise and lower the river water level so many times and do it in drastic levels, it doesn't allow for a good growth of vegitation. Here is an article that was in the Minneapolis paper. Doesn't look good for us. For ducks and duck hunters, it has been called the 'perfect storm.'

And it's coming.

The unprecedented convergence of several factors, including major changes to waterfowl regulations and deteriorating habitat, is expected to dramatically affect ducks and duck hunters beginning this fall.

The potential bottom line: fewer ducks and fewer duck hunting opportunities.

'There are a variety of factors that all seem to coming into play this year,' said Lloyd Jones, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge coordinator for North and South Dakota and former vice president of Delta Waterfowl.

The issues include:

• A drought in prairie Canada and the Dakotas that could dramatically reduce duck populations, forcing federal officials to impose restrictive duck regulations not seen for years.

• A likely change to the season framework

2002-2003 season has in store for us. Will it be better or worse? Regulations going to change? Where I hunt we harvested approximately 150-175 birds this past season where we normally get between 400-500.>>>>>>>>> having and going to have a hard time of it this year. I have not heard of how things are up in Canada this year but if we don't get some water here in Utah there is going ot be no place for them to stop on there way south this