TomstoSwans486
Four Pointer
Something I've pondered, we've all heard our parents and those before us talk of "the glory days" of waterfowl hunting. Skies filled black with birds, yada yada yada. And yet if you look at the published duck numbers it seems the numbers are well higher than they were some 40-50 years ago, and hunter numbers are down. So my question to those who have been hunting more than 10 years (and especially those hunting 25+ years or more). What has changed?
What good changes have you seen over the years, what bad changes have you seen? I'm interested to hear your viewpoints and geographically the changes. For me...
The Good: I've seen and shot more black ducks in Eastern NC the last two seasons. It used to be I only shot them in Virginia
Wood duck numbers seem to be really strong, even with them taking a beating
Seems the Wildlife commission is taking care of public impoundments and land and posting updates on the status of repairs, dams, water, etc.
The Bad: First, I'd say hunters expectations - limits and limits. I hunt with some folks that if it's not a pile, it's a poor day. I choose not to hunt with them much at all...
Bluebills - I miss them. We used to know we'd "at least shoot some bluebills" - now I can't wait to get my 1 bird limit. The Neuse used to be covered in them.
Development - Wake and Johnston County are booming and it's not slowing down. I remember as a kid seeing farm ponds with 40 geese and 15 mallards loafing during the season. There are hardly any ponds, and for the ones that do exist, there aren't birds. I do realize this is happening around the State.
As a follow-up - SAV: The places that historically held birds, have lost their SAV. Back Bay, Harris Lake, Mattamuskeet, you name it. I know some is planned killing (thanks Duke Energy) and others it is TBD through research, pollution most likely.
What good changes have you seen over the years, what bad changes have you seen? I'm interested to hear your viewpoints and geographically the changes. For me...
The Good: I've seen and shot more black ducks in Eastern NC the last two seasons. It used to be I only shot them in Virginia
Wood duck numbers seem to be really strong, even with them taking a beating
Seems the Wildlife commission is taking care of public impoundments and land and posting updates on the status of repairs, dams, water, etc.
The Bad: First, I'd say hunters expectations - limits and limits. I hunt with some folks that if it's not a pile, it's a poor day. I choose not to hunt with them much at all...
Bluebills - I miss them. We used to know we'd "at least shoot some bluebills" - now I can't wait to get my 1 bird limit. The Neuse used to be covered in them.
Development - Wake and Johnston County are booming and it's not slowing down. I remember as a kid seeing farm ponds with 40 geese and 15 mallards loafing during the season. There are hardly any ponds, and for the ones that do exist, there aren't birds. I do realize this is happening around the State.
As a follow-up - SAV: The places that historically held birds, have lost their SAV. Back Bay, Harris Lake, Mattamuskeet, you name it. I know some is planned killing (thanks Duke Energy) and others it is TBD through research, pollution most likely.