Another bad season or the future?

[smokensomewigz]

Well folks, I've talked to alot of upset hunters this year. I talked to a couple of fellas today, diehards, and they said they have NOT killed a greenhead in KY this year! I'm constantly reading other web sites with field reports. Look at Wisconsin for example. NOT GOOD for us. Looked at the North East states. NOT GOOD for us. What is my point? Maybe this is the future for the Southern states, who knows? I know one thing, we've had some good days for sure, but things are a changing! The migration, weather, waterfowl, even hunters. Southern Illinois comes to mind. I've never hunted there but it sounds like it's a thing of the past. Arkansas hurt last year and from what I hear, they're going to again. With the Canada goose's ability to hang in there when bad weather hits, the acreage of state and federal refuges, and the warm trend for the upper states, there is going to have to be some changes made by the feds and state people. I don't think any other type of hunter spends more time and money than the waterfowler. Therefore when the birds don't show up it hurts real bad. The waterfowl hunter is the one who has paid for all the federal and state land, research, and every aspect of the conservation scene by the state and federal people. I think again for a second year in a row, most waterfowlers are hurting. What is your feelings on this matter?[?]

[Multidigits]

The pie is only so big, and everybody wants a piece of the pie. Too many refuges that you can't hunt for as I'm concerned. Hunt them 2 or 3 days a week and scatter the birds some?

I hunted this past Sat, Sun and Mon. in Ohio. We hunted within 300 yards of the city limits of Columbus. Killed plenty each day, but the're not migraters. Every subdivision and place of business up there has a pond and a fountain. Literally thousands of birds, both Canadas and mallards. Very easy to decoy too. Saw many thousands more on the way home. It was a good hunt!

[mossyhorns]

Weather pattern does appear to have changed! We will have scads of ducks in February. Only 1 year out of four or five is good on the big flyway anymore. Instead of opening on Thanksgiving, duck season should be moved back to Dec. 1 and extended to Jan. 31.

Multi is correct about the refuges -- got to wonder whose benefit those refuges are managed for. It sure isn't the hunters. Ballard has 800 acres of flooded corn. Can you think of why the ducks would leave during the day to feed elsewhere?

[smokensomewigz]

I think you guys are right on about the refuges. I know the federal and state people and groups like DU and Delta have good intentions but too much of a good thing can be unforgiving. I think about the snow goose. Look at them now. Unstoppable. I think hunters really need to think about the refuge problem. I know the majority of hunters agree that we have to have rest areas for waterfowl to escape and rest from hunting pressure but they need to be hunted from time to time in those areas. I think it's up to hunters to get the ball rolling.[;)]

[Tim Herald]

I completely agree about the refuge problem, and I also think DU is inflating #'s because it benefits them monetarily. Moving duck season back another week would be nice as well. One thing is sure, it is getting harder and harder to have a good season, because we just don't have the birds like we used to...

Good Hunting...Tim H.

[schuyler olt]

Twelve years ago I hunted geese in Southern Illinois, and did so for three or four years afterward. Busted the snot out of them. I went back to the same place last year, which borders the refuge. I saw thousands and thousands of geese get up out of the refuge, go straight up and over our heads several hundred yards up. They did the same thing coming back, and you could have called with a johnny box without effect. Fields were good, spreads were good, callers were good, but twenty hunters took no birds in two days. I never even thought about bringing my gun up. Those birds knew the deal from living on the refuge, or getting in with other birds that had been there. In talking to folks who had made trips the previous years, if you're not in there the first few weeks, forget it. Of course, it was delightful to drive through the refuge to look at thousands of birds out the truck window getting fat on corn and flooded bean fields.[:(!]

[creekhunter]

I hunted directly across from Ballard Refuge this weekend (at Honkerville). I go there every year at least once. An old friend of mine is a shareholder there. We killed 7 geese in two days between 7 of us. None of these geese worked we simply pass shot them if they fell in close enough. Certainly not the way you want to hunt but we didn't have a choice. I'm told its been that way down there all year. I heard very little shooting from the refuge on either day. Slow all around but the food was good and the beer cold.

[mossyhorns]

It seems that several years ago there was a massive waterfowl die-off at Ballard. A study was commissioned to determine if it was due to lead shot. Records are kept regarding who hunts when and where down there and when the results were tabulated, Commissioners and their guests accounted for 40% of the waterfowl taken! Needless to say, that information was swept under the rug. Sometimes you just got to wonder whose benefit those refuges are for.

[creekhunter]

The problem has alot to do with the consolidation of large tracts of land down there. Take Shelby Lake Farms for example. This is a huge tract that constantly holds thousands of ducks and geese. One farm is directly adjacent to the refuge and the other is right across the road. I watched them land there all weekend by the thousands. Truly amazing to watch. This place is full of food, rarely hunted and when it is its usually only by one, maybe two, pits. The owners are from Nashville and I don't get the impression from my friends down there that they are very aggressive about hunting. No hunting equals no movement, plain and simple.

There's only one real commercial operation left down there and that's Ricky Walden's lodge. Things aren't the same as they were when ownership of the vital areas around the refuge and the river was dispersed. Just a sign of the times.

[newduck]

Well I have read all of your replys on this and other subjects and what I am hearing is I started hunting the wrong game. This is my second year hunting waterfowl and I haven't hit one yet. I am from S.Indiana so it is hard to find a place to hunt waterfowl over here. The only place not to far to hunt is the Wabash River. So am I wasting my time or not???SO PLEASE HELP AND ADVICE MEON THIS MATTER. THANK YOU

[smokensomewigz]

Well friend, you said you've never hit one yet so let me think on this for a minute..... If you've ever had 10 to 15 big beautiful mallards lock-up and come sailing down in your face and you're asking that question, I'd have to say yes you are waisting your time. If not hang in there and I'll promise you the first time that happens you'll never ask that question again![;)] Two years of warm weather get alot of people thinking and wondering why and there aint nothing wrong with that. Trust me, back in the late 80's early 90's alot of good waterfowlers quit because of hard times never to enjoy that sight again. Just think what they've missed here these passed few years. Yeah it's been tough for alot of folks this year but remember, it can always get worse so go out and hunt and enjoy it!

[Multidigits]

newduck--I'd try the Ohio. don't go without an experienced duck hunter that's been there before.

I also know a fellow that guides for local ducks and geese near Columbus, Ohio. He'll put you on some 'fowl. You will get some action. The hunt is fairly cheap as waterfowl hunts go. The waterfowl he hunts are not migrators and never leave the area. Most act like they have never been hunted before. Let me know if your interested.

[newduck]

Thanks alot Smoken and Multi for your comments. Smoken I meant I haven't hit one yet this year sorry if I didn't explain what I was saying right.I have only been about 2 times this year and it is killing me.Last year was my first time and I went with a guy from work he took me with him and his dad and brother we got a few.They even let me take a beautiful greenwing teal.No geese though.I think we only saw one? But anyways thank you guys for your comments again. Keep on hunting and what ever you do be VERY SAFE I don't think I would like to hear another bad hunting story this year. BE SAFE[8D]