All that said, perhaps this bodes well for next year?
Brunjes wrote,
"Duck surveys in northern states show they retain very high numbers of ducks for this time of year.
Ducks simply have not had the need to come south."
Then, look at the basic math of
more waterfowl hunters!
More hunters, fewer ducks per hunter, even if more ducks!
There is also this "harvest" reality, whether we're talking ducks or deer:
When hunters perceive better hunting, they hunt more, more intensely, and kill more.
When hunters perceive worse hunting, they hunt less, less intensely, and kill less.
"It's interesting that we've seen a huge increase in hunters in the last ten years, a 60 or 70 percent increase," said Maddox. "But a lot of people are having a bad season, probably one of the worst we've seen in a long time. It'll get better next year. It takes a bad season every now and then to appreciate the good ones."
Good chance, there will be fewer waterfowl hunters in TN next year?
Seems nationwide this year, duck numbers are high, but the kill will be relatively low?
Mixed blessing, but perhaps good for those choosing to hunt ducks next year.
