Dammit I'm Angry

[The Big Gumbo]

Sorry, But I want to get a outsiders's view. But our beloved politically appointed Game and Foosh committee have decided to do zones in Ark, They sold it to us as a way to maximize days afield in a fewer day season if need be, Meaning both zones would never be closed at the same time thus giving us "more" days in a shorter season, Well they out did themselves.

The north zone will close on the 21st a week earlier than need be. But get this the einstiens only give us a 5 day break just before and at Christmas, thus cutting out family hunting opportunities, But thats not the kicker, the youth hunt is in the middle of the 5 day break, for a grand total of a whooping three days of rest for the entire season. Frigging idiots every last one of them.

Talk about pressure. Total nonsense.

[Christian Curtis]

In Missouri, we have been dealing with zones for a long time. We actually have 3 different zones in regards to waterfowl and no splits. Granted, Missouri is quite bit different than Arkansas in that I think that northern Missouri really should open earlier and close earlier because the climate is quite a bit different. The problem I have in Missouri is with the middle and south zones and I think that you all may have the same problem down there...maybe. Our middle and south zones are both basically in southern Missouri. I live right on the border and I live in Sikeston which is pretty dang far south. The problem is that when the middle zone closes almost two weeks prior to the closing of the south zone, the ducks really pile up there...no pressure. I could imagine that you all may see some of the same issues but maybe not...

[bodie]

You know I noticed that about MO middle zone. I never hunted that down there for as that goes never been in SE MOMO. My opinion the middle zone needs to be in the middle of the state.

[Alex Langbell]

My Mama always said, "Stupid is as stupid does."

[Jason Mears]

Game Commissions usually dont take those things into account somtimes. But always keep in mind there are biologist and people paid to regulate specie numbers, etc. Im not saying they are always right however. We've been seeing some major changes in our deer season in Pa over the past few years. There have been pro's and con's, just like with everything. I guess we should just be fortunate we still have the right to be out there hunting and enjoying the sport.
I do understand you complaint though, those family days and youth hunts are great memories, ones you remember forever.

[Tony Vandemore]

Christian, don't be trying to get the north zone closed any earlier....if anything close it a week later!

[Hunter Johnson]

Hey Big Gumbo, I know where you are coming from! Here in MO we are faced with the same thing, I never figured that AR would ever change the 2 splits they had going. This summer the state of MO had several meetings throughout the state to get input from hunters about where we wanted zones and season dates, a couple of these meetings got kind of heated. The decision that the state will make will effect us for the next 5 years. The US Fish and Wildlife has guidelines, but also give different options for each state to make changes. The options are:

1. No zones, with 2 splits.
2. 2 zones, with 1 split.
3. 3 or more zones, with no split

There are 2 states with exceptions to this rule, I can't remember which states.......maybe IN, and someone else? These states were grandfathered in, and they get zones and splits. The good thing for us is that here in Southeast MO, I live so close to the zone line that we can hunt ducks for 80 days. The bad part is like Christian said, the ducks can set in the zone that is closed and really pile up.

Hunter Johnson
Avery Pro-Staff

[Stephen Pitt]

I haven't seen a need for Arkansas to have zones. I know that it will upset a lot of people.

[Weatherby]

my question is this....with the weather patterns changing over the last 10-15 years, why haven't the seasons changed also. I can remember seeing snow geese here in iowa in the middle to end of october every year. Now it's mid to late novemeber before they are migrating thru here. Our season in the south zone of iowa ends around dec 12 or so. over the 4-5 years that is when it is really starting to get busy. I would love to have a early season then start it back up around nov 5-6 and go to the end of december. i just can't believe the feds have never taken into account the changing weather patterns and they should along with the duck count.

[DSJ]

Guys,

When I seen this on the news yesterday and started putting it together with the way the zones are going to be I noticed that zone 2 which I think includes Stuttgart will not open until November 24th which will be the day after Thanksgiving. Man, will this draw more attention to the Wings Over the Prairie Festival and World Duck Calling Championships. I am sure that Stuttgart is going to be pretty POed about that. From the way the zones read in the paper today Zone 1 is going to be Hwy 65 from North Ark to I-40 to I-440 to Pine Bluff Ark then it will follow the Ark River to the Mississippi River. From there North to North West to west Ark will be Zone 1. Zone 1 opens Nov 18th and Zone 2 opens Nov 24th. I am sure that is what it is saying. Christian is right though, the ducks for the last week when zone 2 is still going until Jan 28th, will have plenty of resting time in Zone 1 and start piling up..... I believe that this is right. If someone sees it different let me know. And I guess it depends on which side of the line they put zone 1 and 2 on. I have not seen that yet.

DSJ