proposed 2010/2011 WA Seaduck season regs

[saltdux]

2010/ 2011 Sea Ducks regs

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~ WDFW and our voice within the waterfowl committee-- the WAG-- is proposing a 2 bird daily limit on scoters for the 2010/2011 season. Down from a 4 bird daily limit. This proposal is due to a recent report from a cumulative study by the WDFW over the past few years on scoters in particular. In a nutshell their study is showing that scoter harvest in WA has increased beyond an acceptable threshhold ( acceptable = 3-5% harvest rate ) -- currently it was at 5.7% for the 2009 season. That combined with low aerial wintering bird counts for the past couple seasons has spurned this "restrictive" recommendation for upcoming season so the state can manage the harvest and get it back into acceptable margins.

~ As hunters we are all for what is good for the birds and certainly don't want their populations to fall below a threshold where sea duck hunting would be eliminated but a couple items to note in this arena-- The WDFW is ALSO proposing a reduction of Oldsquaw to 2 birds and both Goldeneyes to a combined daily limit of 2 birds. GE's aren't even a seaduck and their continental numbers are well over a Million birds and by no means threatened ! These other birds are getting pulled into this legislation as part of the proposal and with no scientific merit as waterfowl managers are worried other birds will be impacted by the reduced limit on scoters. per the WDFW report : "options directed at scoters could shift harvest to species with more limited abundance, so scoter regulations cannot be set completely independent from other sea duck species. IE- to reduce imapcts on scoters they're gonna severely limit all collateral species. This is clearly micromanagement of species and hunting and has no place in the wildlife management of our state.

~ A few hunters are behind these rules as proposed, but most that I have spoken with are not convinced of the value of changes this drastic. If you care about sea duck hunting in WA, Or have ever had the desire to this is the time to contact WDFW, WDFW Wildlife Commission and the WAG -- your voice on matters waterfowl-- and voice your opinions on these proposed regulation changes. These restrictions are harsh and were drawn with little or no input from the sea duck hunting community as a whole. There should be a balance and compromise allowed in this case that would allow a decrease in harvest until local populations rebound while still allowing for the traditions of offshore waterfowling that many of us enjoy.

The WDFW Wildlife Commision meeting when seasons are set will be in Olympia, August 6 and 7th.

WDFW Commission members- e-mail--- commission@dfw.wa.gov
commission@dfw.wa.gov

Don Kraege-- WDFW waterfowl head KRAEGDKK@DFW.WA.GOV
KRAEGDKK@DFW.WA.GOV

and / or members of our WAG including our own Dr. Dux, Chessie Man, Brad Bortner USFW @ wildthing@dfw.wa.gov

[~GooseDown~]

That's nuts man. This last season was a banner year for me! Much better than my puddle duck harvest numbers... But I'm all for keeping close tabs on our harvest numbers. So if a reduction in bag limit is needed, I'm all for it.. I'll shoot WDFW a quick email. 

[boots]

When it comes to harvest quotas, I can support changes based on science. Unfortunately sometimes decisions are based on emotion instead and which user group they will cater too

[h2ofowlr]

Hopefully they are getting accurate counts to accomodate their ratio they plug into the computer.

[1morebuck]

This sucks.  I saw more surf, white wing and even black scoters last year then I ever have! WDFW pull your heads out.

[Dustin07]

So does this mean the combined sea duck total is only 2 ducks in a day, or you have 2 Scoters, 2 Old Squaws, 2 Goldeneyes, etc?

[Dakota Dogman]

Does this have any effect on Harli's?

God Bless,

[Meats]

So does this mean the combined sea duck total is only 2 ducks in a day, or you have 2 Scoters, 2 Old Squaws, 2 Goldeneyes, etc?

2 of each you listed.

[Meats]

Does this have any effect on Harli's?

God Bless,

Nope.

[lokidog]

Just some anecdotal evidence....

I have spent four years here in the San Juans and spend a lot of time on the water, not necessarily hunting, and have noticed a decrease in the numbers of both scoters and oldsquaw the last two winters. 

Just my    How many scoters does one need a day? They aren't in the top 5 for eating ducks, at least in my book. 

[Dustin07]

Just some anecdotal evidence....

I have spent four years here in the San Juans and spend a lot of time on the water, not necessarily hunting, and have noticed a decrease in the numbers of both scoters and oldsquaw the last two winters. 

Just my    How many scoters does one need a day? They aren't in the top 5 for eating ducks, at least in my book. 

If someone could get me into one nice mature Old Squaw that would be my lifetime limit most likely, that and a harli. for mounts obviously. I just think they are beautiful birds.

Scoters however are a lot of fun as they decoy well and also really cool looking birds, but still I don't have a need to harvest many. It's the old squaw and harli that interest me the most. I was really hoping to get my harli last year but it didnt pan out. Only saw one.

[addicted]

thats really going to screw with the guide servicies. 

[haus]

They're migratory species, I hope they're not just basing this decision off of surveys done solely within WA waters.

[Meats]

They're migratory species, I hope they're not just basing this decision off of surveys done solely within WA waters.

With so many newbee seaduckers pounding the same spots over and over and over the birds have simply moved to other areas.
One of the men trying to railroad this new law is a former seaduck guide and doing this for his own agenda not the welfare of the birds.He does not see the number of birds in his old spots(why should he.He has taken thousand of people there who now hunt it) so he assumes the bird numbers are down.He is just not willing to scout or look around to find where the birds are.
I saw so many new seaduckers out last season the birds in my usual spots were fewer but I moved a short distance and guess what..................there they were.

Read some of this to see what I am talking about.
http://www.refugeforums.com/refuge/showthread.php?t=803430





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[Dakota Dogman]

If I told you to "prove it!", would you take me hunting?? 

I may even by dinner!    JK

I do hope to get into a harli this year though...

God Bless,