Feds Propose Two Cans in Three Flyways!

[Hockeyman]

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has proposed another liberal regulations package for the 2007-2008 waterfowl seasons.

In the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Pacific Flyways, they are also proposing two canvasbacks per day.

Here's a story on the Fed's regs package proposals:

http://www.waterfowlandretriever.com/articles.asp?ArticleID=49

Thanks,

Hockeyman

[duckin82]

wow, thanks for sharing hockeyman, i haven't ever seen cans with a 2 bird bag limit.

[Greenhead Smacker]

Time will tell....

[Rob Heflin]

I did notice considerably more cans last year on Delta fishponds than in years past. We had 2 or 3 ponds on the farm that would hold 50 or 60 birds throughout the year. Last year, I think I counted flocks of 150 or more on several occasions.

You fellas that have taken canvasbacks in years past....would you say you've seen more canvasbacks in recent years? How does this compare to say, 20 or 30 years ago (if you hunted then)?

The canvasback has made a truly remarkable recovery. To be slaughtered en masse by the market hunters at the turn of the century to record high numbers now, the last 100 years has been a struggle for the cans. I remember 10 years or so ago when you couldn't kill any in MS.

[Woodiez89]

why dont we just let them come back? keep the one bird limit? one bull can is enough for me!

[Woodiez89]

on wait gueess it still is im in the CENTRAL flyway...:eek:

[James Staten]

We have noticed a big addition to the Canvasback numbers we see here at home the last couple of years. Much like you Rob, I can remember when you didn't even see one around here. Now we usually kill at least 15+ each year. We would have more opportunities for them if we were to target them and this year I think that we plan on doing so. It is very cool to see rafts of 100+ birds loafing on the river around here now.

James Staten

[Dux r me]

I think the 2 bird limit is to make up for the lowerd scaup limit.

[J Kryspin]

I think the 2 bird limit is to make up for the lowerd scaup limit.

Unfortunately, SCIENCE supports a 2 bird Can limit. While science can not validate a reason for the Scaup decline, they are erring on the side of caution with the recent Scaup reduction in years past. Those decisions are mutually exclusive.

[jamesmc]

I would like to shoot some cans but haven't as of yet. I am glad that the numbers are up so you can take more than one but on the other hand I wouldn't be opposed to leaving it the same as years past so the numbers would get even better. I can't imagine what it would be like to see flocks of hundreds on a regular basis instead of the small flocks of 5 or 6 we see twice a year. same thing on bluebills. I wouldn't be opposed to lowering the number to 0 until they begin to make a significant comeback. I love hunting bluebills but there are plenty of other divers to target instead until they come up in numbers.

[Rob Heflin]

James, even on the "zero" can years, we still had them. Not as many as I saw last year, but we've always had them.

You can't tell that the scaup are hurting by looking on the fishponds over here. Our scaup start showing up in October and stay through March. It's pretty easy to see flocks of several hundred birds on each pond.

These Delta catfish ponds are good habitat for divers. Bad news is that more than 50% of the farmers have gone out of business in this area. Many of the ponds are now dry and planted in row crops or growing up in willow trees. Most of them will flood in the winter, but I don't think it's nearly the diver habitat that a year-round flooded pond with unused fish feed on the bottom is.

I've shot my share of cans, scaup, ruddies, bufflehead and ring necks on the ponds. Still waitin' on a redhead, but it will come one day.

[Barleysoda]

I never shot one Can last year. I seen maybe two or three the whole year. I will be lucky to shoot one can the whole season this year.

[GreenTimber]

I hope they dont pass the 2 can limit for the central flyway. We shot our limit of cans just about everytime we went in the area they were but i just dont think the population is substational enough to up the limit. personal opinion

[hardcoreducknut]

why dont we just let them come back? keep the one bird limit? one bull can is enough for me!

I wholeheartedly agree. I shot only one Can last year and it was a nice big drake. He made it into my display case where proudly sits on the highest shelf.

I think only one Can per day would to help strengthen their numbers, then more people would have the opportunity to get one. My mentor has hunted ducks for over 30 years and has yet to shoot one...he kills lots of ducks, just need to shoot more clays I guess.

--HCDN