I wish TN would end the season on the 31st

[JHS76]

Like Arkansas does.

Not sure of the math of most years fitting 60 days in while keeping it like it is where they open the weekend after Thanksgiving and second split opening the first weekend of December.

This year would have been easy. Close it Christmas Day and let that day be made up on the 31st.

2023 the 31st will fall on a Tuesday so it will be a little more moving would have to be done but it could be done.

I know some probably have a tradition to hunt Christmas Day but I'd prefer Jan 31st over 12/25 personally.

 

[AppalachianHollers]

What would they do in a year the 31st is a Friday, I wonder? End it on the 26th?

 

[bill cooksey]

I wish the entire flyway would end around to 20th during liberal seasons. Both the "last Sunday in January" we've had for years and the "31st closing option" are 100% political decisions and were not supported by any waterfowl biologist, anyone who knows a damn thing about the lifecycles of waterfowl, or anyone who thinks more of ducks than simply how many they kill.

 

[JHS76]

What would they do in a year the 31st is a Friday, I wonder? End it on the 26th?

Honestly I can't remember the TN closing dates two years back because I spent the last 3 days in Arkansas. I do remember the 31st was on a Friday. Was TN already closed then? Like I mentioned I can't remember. I think I finished hunting TN that year the Saturday before the 31st.

 

[H20DAD]

I wish the entire flyway would end around to 20th during liberal seasons. Both the "last Sunday in January" we've had for years and the "31st closing option" are 100% political decisions and were not supported by any waterfowl biologist, anyone who knows a damn thing about the lifecycles of waterfowl, or anyone who thinks more of ducks than simply how many they kill.

I love the breeding flight photos from March, April, and May taken by so many waterfowl photographers as packs of male ducks mob females when they come off the nest.

The number one reason I love these photos is because it shows what a bunch of clowns many wildlife biologists happen to be that comment about hunting seasons affecting breeding…..

Not that the genetic studies of brood genetic relations shouldn’t shut that junk down.

3/30 and start the season January 15th…..

 

[bill cooksey]

I love the breeding flight photos from March, April, and May taken by so many waterfowl photographers as packs of male ducks mob females when they come off the nest.

The number one reason I love these photos is because it shows what a bunch of clowns many wildlife biologists happen to be that comment about hunting seasons affecting breeding…..

Not that the genetic studies of brood genetic relations shouldn’t shut that junk down.

3/30 and start the season January 15th…..

We've been watching, and shooting into, those courtship flights all January. I don't comment on the Atlantic flyway because things are different there. In the MS, we're putting too much pressure on them too late, and we are paying a price.

Anyone who doesn't realize ducks "show up" a week to ten days after the season closes (whether it's January 10 or 31) is either new to duck hunting, hasn't paid attention or is a complete moron.

 

[H20DAD]

We've been watching, and shooting into, those courtship flights all January. I don't comment on the Atlantic flyway because things are different there. In the MS, we're putting too much pressure on them too late, and we are paying a price.

Anyone who doesn't realize ducks "show up" a week to ten days after the season closes (whether it's January 10 or 31) is either new to duck hunting, hasn't paid attention or is a complete moron.

Ours show up from Cuba, having had almost no hunting pressure. We need a late teal season in south Florida in February or March. I mean what difference is there shooting a duck in Florida that nests in the dakotas to northern Canada?

I’d rather shoot prime drakes in March than brown drakes in September…..but I’m a thoughtful logical person.

You aren’t required to hunt after January 1st……

 

[Aunt Betty]

I kill ducks in late January ****

 

[mister gadwall]

Self restraint is an interesting concept. It is not a requirement that hens are shot in last ten days. It is a personal decision every time you pull the trigger. Some of the tailgate pictures you see of big piles of birds posted in last week don't exactly show self restraint if there is true concern over the state of the duck population. Not criticizing anyone by this comment, just noting that everyone can practice what they preach on population concerns by choosing when and how many times they pull the trigger..

If there is sound biological basis for earlier closure (which Im not sure there is ) then why not just leave season to end of January and reduce limit to half of regular season for last ten days, and ban any mallard or pintail hen shooting and maybe close on all black ducks after 20th. . Many areas of the state don't really seem to have an influx of birds until the last two weeks of January IME.

People in E TN and much of the eastern interior mid south would be pleased to simply have a chance to kill half a limit when "their" birds finally arrive that late in the year.

 

[bill cooksey]

Self restraint is an interesting concept. It is not a requirement that hens are shot in last ten days. It is a personal decision every time you pull the trigger. Some of the tailgate pictures you see of big piles of birds posted in last week don't exactly show self restraint if there is true concern over the state of the duck population. Not criticizing anyone by this comment, just noting that everyone can practice what they preach on population concerns by choosing when and how many times they pull the trigger..

If there is sound biological basis for earlier closure (which Im not sure there is ) then why not just leave season to end of January and reduce limit to half of regular season for last ten days, and ban any mallard or pintail hen shooting and maybe close on all black ducks after 20th. . Many areas of the state don't really seem to have an influx of birds until the last two weeks of January IME.

People in E TN and much of the eastern interior mid south would be pleased to simply have a chance to kill half a limit when "their" birds finally arrive that late in the year.

Self restraint is great on a feelings level, but it's meaningless on a biological level. The late days were 100% a political decision by Congress and were opposed by all biologists. It's really not debatable. It's odd that so many complain of lower numbers and "paper ducks" yet want to kill what they can at all cost and turn a blind eye to what the experts have told us.

Worth noting, the limit is far less important than the days. That's why the MS flyway limit stays at six even under the 45 day moderate season. Outlawing hens would bring an enforcement nightmare, but I'd be fine with it personally. There's actually some support for a higher drake pintail limit due to the serious drake/hen disparity. Even so, one hen will always be legal because of accidents and ignorance.