Good possibility of 4 blackheads this season

[Shurshot]

Looks like we will have a 60 day/4 bird limit once again. That is based on USFWS updated scaup assessment and the scaup harvest management protocol which calls for a Liberal Regulatory Alternative when certain #s are met. This is for the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, but more liberal in the other two Flyways. The Atlantic Flyway Council will reportedly recommend this alternative to USFWS and Service Regulations Committee when they meet for deliberations, afterwards the SRC will make it's recommendation to the USFWS Director for approval. Could be real soon.

[ncbufflehead]

that would be nice

[Dingbatter 2]

I can't remember ever having a 4 bird limit on Scaup? Rather strange that everyone was talking about Scaup being doomed just a few years ago, and even a one bird limit. Now, lets just bust the hell out of them because they had the audacity to increase their numbers by a few points. If the USFWS was a living breathing person, I would say they were bipolar. Yes! No! I hate you! I love you! Shutup! Talk to me! Don't go! Go away!

[ncbufflehead]

I can't remember ever having a 4 bird limit on Scaup?

x2

i remember when it was three

[Dingbatter 2]

I remember 3 too. But never 4.

[Shurshot]

I think '98 was the last year we (NC) had a 4 bird limit before it went to 3. The info below, while only the proposal, was the bag limit adopted by us- best to my recollection. I do, however, remember the "bonus" scaup limit in the early 80's.

Atlantic Flyway–(Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia) Ducks–A hunting season of not more than 60 days between October 1, 1998, and January 20, 1999. The proposed daily bag limit is six and may include no more than four scaup, four mallards (two hens), two wood ducks, two redheads, one black duck, one pintail, one mottled duck, one fulvous whistling duck, one canvasback, and four scoters.

[Paul26]

I find it incredible that after 8+ years of hearing about the great scaup decline, they would go higher than I have seen since I arrived 11 years ago. With that said, I haven't a clue how they plan this stuff.

After last year's experience of hearing about the best bird count in anyone's memory, and then witnessing the worst diver season anyone can remember along coastal rivers, maybe the population increased.

Last year a 4 bird limit on bbills would not have made a difference. I did not have a single morning with 4 shooting chances.

If there was such a limit in my first 2 seasons here, 01-02 and 02-03, I think I would have brought 4 ducks home the majority of mornings I hunted in Dec and Jan

[steelslinger]

I find it incredible that after 8+ years of hearing about the great scaup decline, they would go higher than I have seen since I arrived 11 years ago. With that said, I haven't a clue how they plan this stuff.

After last year's experience of hearing about the best bird count in anyone's memory, and then witnessing the worst diver season anyone can remember along coastal rivers, maybe the population increased.

Last year a 4 bird limit on bbills would not have made a difference. I did not have a single morning with 4 shooting chances.

If there was such a limit in my first 2 seasons here, 01-02 and 02-03, I think I would have brought 4 ducks home the majority of mornings I hunted in Dec and Jan

Ditto, last year was awful and 10 years ago it was out of control. Go figure how that works

[Trickworm6191]

it would be ok if the blackhead limit stayed at 2 ... the people who love to hunt divers, would still
do so and it benefit the bird for another year or so, same with the (can & the redhead)

[Dingbatter 2]

Come the day after deer season every Junior DC will paint their Hot Buy mallards black and white and skybust the entire coast.

[Dingbatter]

Come the day after deer season every Junior DC will paint their Hot Buy mallards black and white and skybust the entire coast.

While blowing their mallard calls non stop

[ncbufflehead]

Come the day after deer season every Junior DC will paint their Hot Buy mallards black and white and skybust the entire coast south of Dare County :lol3:

fixed it for you

[trigger22]

I like this a lot. I had heard it was going back up to 3, but 4 is even better. Other than scoters, blackheads make up 90 percent of my bag. Sure does make setting out 150-200 blocks a lot more rewarding. Yeah it isn't all about the kill, but it sure is nice when it happens

[Dingbatter 2]

Come the day after deer season every Junior DC will paint their Hot Buy mallards black and white and skybust the entire coast south of Dare County :lol3:

fixed it for you

I guess I'll have to hunt north of Dare this year.

[Paul26]

2-4 ft seas with 15 knots this weekend. No Spanish this Saturday. I am dedicating Sat AM to rigging 2 new ll's. My motivation will be the thought of a 4 bird limit.

[fowlhntr]

Tickled to hear this!!!! Nothing like the sound of a large group of blackheads over the decoys and the "rain" that can follow

[KAhunter]

Not a big diver hunter but we do get into them every now and then. We killed a total of 2 last year so the limits didnt matter but on a normal year it would be nice to have a limit of 3 or 4 every now and then if the population is stable. Could this be another rumor among many that we have heard??

[ncbufflehead]

Could this be another rumor among many that we have heard??

if it is, it's spread from one coast to the other and every state in between.

[Dingbatter 2]

I have six dozen Herters on standby with a few more in reserve. Let the battle begin.

[Dingbatter]

I have six dozen Herters on standby with a few more in reserve. Let the battle begin.

Not to mention my 4 dozen herters, many have new burlap and fresh paint

[Dingbatter 2]

This is hilarious! Just because the "squiggly line" guys raise the limit, is it really gonna matter.

[Paul26]

Maryland limit is 4 scaup per day.

Any word out yet for here?

I guess at least 3 is a certainty.

Man, it would be sweet for those of us on the coast if we had a decent cold season plus a 4 bbill limit

[ncbufflehead]

Any word out yet for here?

i think they are accepting public comment on the season/bag limits until august 20, not sure when they will vote on it.

[tsmart]

VA opted to allow 4 per day.
Hopefully NC will too.

T.

[Splashin' Divers]

We can only hope! 4 bluebill limit with some cold weather could make for a great year! Yes I think it will bring duck hunting on the river back to the way it used to be... More people hunting to keep the birds moving! Get your blinds built early cause everyone will be trying to take your spot this year! Of coarse our 500 yard rule helps us with that! haha!