I've hunted the same marsh for 11 years now and kept detailed logs every year but 1 year. We kill just as many ducks the last week as we do the first week and usually kill more "better" ducks. We are fortunate that we have water at that time. Our marsh stacks up with ducks with those January cold fronts.
There is no doubt that hunters that hunt rice fields are being cheated out of opportunities in the field with the early opening. If the "new" coastal zone boundary would be implemented then that wouldnt be an issue. Regardless, the wealthy and large landowner interests are dictating how and when we get to hunt. Since this is an election year maybe we need to vote for candidates who will support sound science and the removal of Commission members who set seasons based on personal preference.
The main reason is that people kill more the first few weeks is that they get to hunt more for ducks that havent been hunted. Thanksgiving holidays allow people to take off and hunt. After January 1 most people are busy at work trying to catch up and cant take off and hunt. When they do hunt their blinds and decoys look like crap because they havent been there in a week or more.
Just my 2 cents.
Robbie aka Big Hutch
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