3 Zones for Duck Hunting

[Duck Butter]

This survey was put out on every outdoors website in Louisiana, and I am glad they listened to the people. This is what the majority wanted, if someone feels they were left out of the survey, I think the state waterfowl biologist went through great lengths to get this survey to everyone

[cgoods17]

the 3 zones makes no difference to me.. I just want to know if we are going to have the same amount of days? How many splits? and what are the conditions and reasonings for the days change. I agree that I wouldnt mind if the season openned later and stayed open a couple weeks later. I dont like sweating when im hunting the first part of Nov. even though the bellies do it nasty then!

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by cgoods17

the 3 zones makes no difference to me.. I just want to know if we are going to have the same amount of days? How many splits? and what are the conditions and reasonings for the days change. I agree that I wouldnt mind if the season openned later and stayed open a couple weeks later. I dont like sweating when im hunting the first part of Nov. even though the bellies do it nasty then!

the dates/splits will come later in the year. The feds set the framework for the seasons, this was just for the state, probably the same setup as the last few years = 60/6, but the 60/6 ain't gonna last forever

[Feesherman]

Originally Posted by cgoods17

the 3 zones makes no difference to me.. I just want to know if we are going to have the same amount of days? How many splits? and what are the conditions and reasonings for the days change. I agree that I wouldnt mind if the season openned later and stayed open a couple weeks later. I dont like sweating when im hunting the first part of Nov. even though the bellies do it nasty then!

Google Adaptive Harvest Management and you can learn how the seasons are set regarding how many days you will get.

[Spunt Drag]

Originally Posted by cgoods17

the 3 zones makes no difference to me.. I just want to know if we are going to have the same amount of days? How many splits? and what are the conditions and reasonings for the days change. I agree that I wouldnt mind if the season openned later and stayed open a couple weeks later. I dont like sweating when im hunting the first part of Nov. even though the bellies do it nasty then!

Couldn't agree more, I wish we could hunt in February. But as far as sweating, I hunted the last weekend of the season, and hunted specks every weekend after that til the end and sweated and swatted mosquitoes like teal season everytime. Hopefully we have a much colder winter this year. Did I mention I'm ready to shoot something's face off?

[Lake Chuck Duck]

I just want to kill birds, don't care when.

[meaux fishing]

Originally Posted by Lake Chuck Duck

I just want to kill birds, don't care when.

X infinity

[Super Spook]

Larry Reynolds will present the season dates to the commissioners at the July 2nd commission meeting. It's been raining recently in prairie Canada. The season will be set based on the Bpop ( Breeding Duck Population Estimate). Let's hope on a good report from up north. As soon as I hear I will post.

[Super Spook]

Feesherman is correct 60 and 6 is not going to last forever. Lots more farming is going on up there with farmers getting out of CRP. If we have a drought up there ducks will have very limited places to go and the Bpop would decline.

[Feesherman]

Originally Posted by Super Spook

Feesherman is correct 60 and 6 is not going to last forever. Lots more farming is going on up there with farmers getting out of CRP. If we have a drought up there ducks will have very limited places to go and the Bpop would decline.

Not if we have a drought, it's WHEN we have a drought. It's a cycle and it will happen again.

[noodle creek]

Of course there will be bad years for breeding in the future due to droughts and other issues. However, in the last few years breeding numbers hatches have been up. This year is looking promising as well. So my question is, since what they set has to stay set for four years, will they lower the number of days or our limits just because it is possible that a drought could occur in the next couple of years? And why in the hell can't they change these things every year as needed?

[ckinchen]

Originally Posted by noodle creek

Of course there will be bad years for breeding in the future due to droughts and other issues. However, in the last few years breeding numbers hatches have been up. This year is looking promising as well. So my question is, since what they set has to stay set for four years, will they lower the number of days or our limits just because it is possible that a drought could occur in the next couple of years? And why in the hell can't they change these things every year as needed?

Great questions.

[all star rod]

I read today in the br paper, we should likely have another 6 duck / 60 day season...

[Raymond]

Louisiana is not a big enough state to warrant 3 zones like Texas has. Northeast La is probably the culprit in the 3 zone garbage since they have been having a tuff go of it for atleast 10 yrs, water/farming practices haven't helped either. Most of the good stuff up there is under private ownership or long term high $$ lease and those people dont Internet much or even live in Louisiana.
Buddy in Fargo ND says mild winter has most birds still in state so it should be a bumper crop his year but will still need ice/snow to move them south. Plenty of water in Nodak also, now if I can make some chedda before oct 15 I might get up there this year.

[Super Spook]

Originally Posted by noodle creek

Of course there will be bad years for breeding in the future due to droughts and other issues. However, in the last few years breeding numbers hatches have been up. This year is looking promising as well. So my question is, since what they set has to stay set for four years, will they lower the number of days or our limits just because it is possible that a drought could occur in the next couple of years? And why in the hell can't they change these things every year as needed?

No they will always set the seasons and bag limits based on the total population after the annual flight surveys are done. The BPOP will hit the press every year usually around July 1.

Your next question would have to be addressed by Larry Reynolds or someone with the Feds. That is a Federal mandate.

I am pretty sure we will get 60 and 6 this year.

[Super Spook]

Originally Posted by Raymond

Louisiana is not a big enough state to warrant 3 zones like Texas has. Northeast La is probably the culprit in the 3 zone garbage since they have been having a tuff go of it for atleast 10 yrs, water/farming practices haven't helped either. Most of the good stuff up there is under private ownership or long term high $$ lease and those people dont Internet much or even live in Louisiana.
Buddy in Fargo ND says mild winter has most birds still in state so it should be a bumper crop his year but will still need ice/snow to move them south. Plenty of water in Nodak also, now if I can make some chedda before oct 15 I might get up there this year.

Northwest LA hunters actually caused the change from what I gathered at the Commission meeting. Our Zone ( Coastal) should basically be the same as the old West. Open on 11/10 and close on 1/18 with a split after Thanksgiving.

[noodle creek]

Cool deal, I e-mailed Larry Reynolds with some further questions but still waiting on a response.

[Duck Butter]

We are really fortunate to have a waterfowl study leader like L Reynolds, he wants the hunters to maximize their harvest anyway that is legal and anyway he can. He constantly sends out surveys and is always open to public discussion. He is a Californian but everyone has their faults

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by Duck Butter

We are really fortunate to have a waterfowl study leader like L Reynolds, he wants the hunters to maximize their harvest anyway that is legal and anyway he can. He constantly sends out surveys and is always open to public discussion. He is a Californian but everyone has their faults

That sounded kinda gay, but still you get the point