Fewer duck hunters?

Joined
Apr 6, 2020
Messages
22
Location
Franklin, TN
I think many duck hunters admit it is getting worse. I was born and raised in North Dakota, duck and goose paradise. Was in the Army for almost 28 years, from 1985-2013 and have hunted all over the US where the Army sent us. I can definitely say that of all the many states I have hunted, TN is by far the worst. I have hunted WA, ND of course, MO, KY, TN, AL, NV, GA, UT, WI, TX. Had some great hunts in NV, UT and TX. Duck hunters do it for the comradery and the chance to kill a duck or two. But, I can definitely say that I will be doing way more deer hunting and fishing next year, than duck hunting. What I don't understand that the Dept of Interior, fed gov't and all the states knew far in advance to this year that the duck numbers would be down, but instead of lowering the daily bag limit to 3 or 4, what do they do? They keep it at 6. This makes no sense. I have never believed that anyone needs to kill six ducks a day to feel that they have been successful. I have not killed a limit of ducks in over 20 years and I don't need to kill a limit of ducks. Give me one, two or perhaps three, and I am happy. Duck hunters always look to the next year to be better. I can honestly say in the past 30 years I have seen a significant decrease in numbers of ducks compared to the 70s and 80's. Many reasons for this. We can always hope, and do more fishing, deer hunting, turkey hunting, squirrel hunting, rabbit hunting, coyote hunting......
 
Joined
Apr 6, 2020
Messages
22
Location
Franklin, TN
I feel like it just depends on the area a person hunts. In my particular area, the numbers are definitely down. In other areas I have hunted the numbers are significantly more. I feel that the older generation of hunters experienced duck hunting that the newer hunters will never experience. Way too many things have changed. More refuges, more developed hunting areas, more pressure in certain areas. The birds have adapted to these changes, smarter. I personally don't believe they knew how to count the numbers back in the 70's, 80's, and 90's, or they don't know how to now.
You are right. I read a Delta Waterfowl magazine article where they had tracked a mallard in AR somewhere. This mallard stayed within the boundary lines of a federal refuge, it seemed to know exactly where to stay to not get shot. This was despite the fact that outside this refuge was prime duck habitat. If this is true, then thousands of other ducks do the same.
 
Joined
Apr 6, 2020
Messages
22
Location
Franklin, TN
You are right. I read a Delta Waterfowl magazine article where they had tracked a mallard in AR somewhere. This mallard stayed within the boundary lines of a federal refuge, it seemed to know exactly where to stay to not get shot. This was despite the fact that outside this refuge was prime duck habitat. If this is true, then thousands of other ducks do the same.
I experienced so many ducks in the air coming off a refuge near my small town in North Dakota in the 70's, that the sky was thick with them. There were thousands. And they just kept coming and coming.....Very rarely see that now.
 

usanglure

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2009
Messages
1,215
Location
tn,shelby
I'm a Deer Hunter and with CWD i'm moving more to Duck Hunting the past 2 years. I hadn't duck hunted in 40 years. I enjoy the comraderie more than anything. I am in 2 leases in Arkansas, i haven't hunted Tennessee any yet, but i'm hunting Tulley this coming weekend.
 

UpperTully

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2003
Messages
3,692
Location
Bartlett,TN
I'm a Deer Hunter and with CWD i'm moving more to Duck Hunting the past 2 years. I hadn't duck hunted in 40 years. I enjoy the comraderie more than anything. I am in 2 leases in Arkansas, i haven't hunted Tennessee any yet, but i'm hunting Tulley this coming weekend.
Good luck at Tully. It's been a goat roping this season
 

Kritter Gitter

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2011
Messages
435
Location
N. East TN (Washington Co.)
We've had an above average year but also realize we are in the minority. Feel like we are seeing more and more hunters around…Especially young hunters with a ton of money to burn.
I agree 100% with the young hunters part. There are a bunch of them around now that our group refers to as "duck dynasty" hunters. They just do it to be cool or to have stuff to post online. I have waterfowl hunted for 24 years and when that show came about, it was like everybody thought that they could do it and were the greatest at it as long as they had the expensive stuff that daddy bought em. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing kids getting into the sport, but wow, there are alot of punks out there anymore with no edicate or respect.
 

Kritter Gitter

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2011
Messages
435
Location
N. East TN (Washington Co.)
tdub / TWRA

Stupid name for an incompetent group of moronic backpatters.
Mostly the commission is what I speak of.
Did you see the last commission meeting?! What a joke!! And then they tried to discredit the guy that put a lot of time into the survey about the new draw system because they didn't like the results, I'm sure. Mr. Feddersen has absolutely no business being in the position he is in. He doesn't have a clue what's going on!
 

drake799

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2014
Messages
403
Location
Tn
That guy has put a TON of time into this duck blind sham. He's put more thought into it than the people he presented it to have. From the numbers I seen he had a decent size poll. Enough he outta be taken seriously. A poll that is more likely truly represented by actual duck hunters. And it was pretty conclusive. What a shame they won't listen to him.
 

Mud Creek

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 17, 2013
Messages
11,600
Location
Mid TN
I agree 100% with the young hunters part. There are a bunch of them around now that our group refers to as "duck dynasty" hunters. They just do it to be cool or to have stuff to post online. I have waterfowl hunted for 24 years and when that show came about, it was like everybody thought that they could do it and were the greatest at it as long as they had the expensive stuff that daddy bought em. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing kids getting into the sport, but wow, there are alot of punks out there anymore with no edicate or respect.


I hear ya but it's odd that duck dynasty gets the blame for people who act/hunt like this since it not supposed to be how they are.(I never watched the show so really have no clue)but always heard or read they were christian people and figured with their money they hunt their own land but I could be wrong. I don't doubt their popularity got more people into the sport but if you want to know where the high dollar, glowing neon boats, shiny wheels on the trailer, barrel stickers, and flat bill hats covering mullets crowd comes from I don't think it is the DD crew. Again I don't know much about them other than they have a pretty decent sounding teal call lol.

Take a look at social media(instagram and YouTube)duck hunters channels and pages. I hate to knock them because I remember hunting in my early 20's but its ridiculous to see some of what they do and how they act. I saw some youngsters post the other day with a tailgate full of ducks and had no clue what kind they were. Maybe it's part of being new to the sport but why kill them if you have no clue what they are?
 

Kritter Gitter

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2011
Messages
435
Location
N. East TN (Washington Co.)
I hear ya but it's odd that duck dynasty gets the blame for people who act/hunt like this since it not supposed to be how they are.(I never watched the show so really have no clue)but always heard or read they were christian people and figured with their money they hunt their own land but I could be wrong. I don't doubt their popularity got more people into the sport but if you want to know where the high dollar, glowing neon boats, shiny wheels on the trailer, barrel stickers, and flat bill hats covering mullets crowd comes from I don't think it is the DD crew. Again I don't know much about them other than they have a pretty decent sounding teal call lol.

Take a look at social media(instagram and YouTube)duck hunters channels and pages. I hate to knock them because I remember hunting in my early 20's but its ridiculous to see some of what they do and how they act. I saw some youngsters post the other day with a tailgate full of ducks and had no clue what kind they were. Maybe it's part of being new to the sport but why kill them if you have no clue what they are?
I don't disagree with ya, but I think DD just gave them the spark. If all these morons hunted and acted like the guys on that show, everything would be A OK! But oh well, they don't. Id say the whole age of social media and the "look at me" people just throw fuel on it. And yes, their teal call is pretty dang good! I have a strong feeling that when we both were in our 20s we probably had a lot more respect for others and the boat ramps weren't as crowded!
 

Mud Creek

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 17, 2013
Messages
11,600
Location
Mid TN
I don't disagree with ya, but I think DD just gave them the spark. If all these morons hunted and acted like the guys on that show, everything would be A OK! But oh well, they don't. Id say the whole age of social media and the "look at me" people just throw fuel on it. And yes, their teal call is pretty dang good! I have a strong feeling that when we both were in our 20s we probably had a lot more respect for others and the boat ramps weren't as crowded!
Agree with everything you said 100%. This new younger generation is something else. Im 39 and was raised in the outdoors by old school guys. These young guns are being raised/taught by social media "influencers". Like you said its the "look at me" all for likes/subscribers crowd.
 

casjoker

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2015
Messages
758
Agreed, DD definitely sparked an increase in interest but they seem to be oriented towards positive hunting and family values. Social media has brought a lot of undesirable behavior to all aspects of life. I can speak to how I acted when younger and it wasn't always the best and I didn't have the increased pressure to try and get "followers" and be cool. My nephews are hardcore duck hunters/hunters in general, all under 23 but they seem the exception, not the rule. They stay off social media about the hunting, scout their asses off and keep their spots secret.
 

Latest posts

Top