I’d still enjoy duck hunting in eastern ND if we still had decent numbers in sept-oct, but the pattern/timing is awful within 70 miles of Fargo
You mean like du private hunt clubs. Your dollars went to another heater in the blind. Do just enough to keep people convinced the money is being used for good and not being blown by admin on “business expenses “. The non profits need the swamp drained just as bad as dc. To many tax loop holes. This goes for all of them not just outdoors related.
side note we have potholes this year my father in law has never seen in his 61 years of living here. The amount of local ducks is astounding
I support all of them from DU to Delta, Pheasants Forever, bow hunter associations, Wild Turkey Federation, RMEF, Muley Fanatics, etc.I would argue waterfowl numbers have NOTHING to do with the decline in hunting. There are plenty of birds. However, a smaller migration window compared to years of old, along with significantly more difficult access, cause hunters to lose interest. In my area alone, you have to be very hardcore and proactive to have any reasonable access for field hunting. There is an outfitter and about 3 groups who have most good fields tied down well before the season. Makes putting together a hunt much more challenging. The hardcore guys are killing it for the 3x a year average Joe in a lot of cases.
Habitat is key I agree. That and land access. Add it in to what else has been said and the path sucks.
On the conservation org debate, I started a new thread. Curious to see who is supporting what and why....
I stopped giving money to “conservation groups” after seeing what DU did with my money. Now being burned by the NRA, I’m more than a little gun shy about non-profit orgs, and that’s sad because my dad ran one for decades.
Perhaps it would be good for conservation groups to publish an annual document explaining its efforts and forecasting where our future dollars are being invested?
I’d still enjoy duck hunting in eastern ND if we still had decent numbers in sept-oct, but the pattern/timing is awful within 70 miles of Fargo
I find this interesting, I went to a waterfowl conservation group banquet not to long ago and the common theme announced over the microphone was "do it for the ducks!" After thinking about it more what do conversation groups actually do to make hunting better or "improving" bird numbers? I mean simple science and experience tells us wet years = more ducks and dry years, less - taking credit for banner duck production on a wet year isnt exactly something to hang your hat on..
Perhaps it would be good for conservation groups to publish an annual document explaining its efforts and forecasting where our future dollars are being invested?
If you are curious what the money is spent on you should be able to request a report that details the spend. Most of those reports should be easily accessible online. Lots of water helps and grass habitat is not as necessary, but when the dry years come the grass will help nesting success. Fortunately we have not have had to endure dry cycles.I find this interesting, I went to a waterfowl conservation group banquet not to long ago and the common theme announced over the microphone was "do it for the ducks!" After thinking about it more what do conversation groups actually do to make hunting better or "improving" bird numbers? I mean simple science and experience tells us wet years = more ducks and dry years, less - taking credit for banner duck production on a wet year isnt exactly something to hang your hat on..
Perhaps it would be good for conservation groups to publish an annual document explaining its efforts and forecasting where our future dollars are being invested?
I am a farmer/rancher and we have the same problem as the shooting sports. An aging population with the average age over 55 years old and not enough recruitment of young guys.
Nailed it!Just heard the Ellingson (huge drain tile Corp) spokesman on kfyr and he was saying why he is disappointed we were not able to get rid of our drainage laws in the last session. He said outright he would like to see ND being able to drain everything like other states such as MN and IA. He said we need to decide whether we want to be an agricultural state or wildlife state. Companies like these are why we need to support conservation orgs that are fighting to protect critical habitat to wildlife. If they have their way everything will be tiled and no potholes will remain because they will all drain to rivers and streams. Downstream landowners will continue to be impacted and will face the brunt of the burden of everyone else’s water.
People have been blaming climate change for the historical flooding we saw this year but I think the big culprit that is making flooding worse is all of the drain tiled fields that channel water like an expressway to the rivers. This is why we need to vote out corrupt politicians like Senator Wanzek.
Just heard the Ellingson (huge drain tile Corp) spokesman on kfyr and he was saying why he is disappointed we were not able to get rid of our drainage laws in the last session. He said outright he would like to see ND being able to drain everything like other states such as MN and IA. He said we need to decide whether we want to be an agricultural state or wildlife state. Companies like these are why we need to support conservation orgs that are fighting to protect critical habitat to wildlife. If they have their way everything will be tiled and no potholes will remain because they will all drain to rivers and streams. Downstream landowners will continue to be impacted and will face the brunt of the burden of everyone else’s water.
People have been blaming climate change for the historical flooding we saw this year but I think the big culprit that is making flooding worse is all of the drain tiled fields that channel water like an expressway to the rivers. This is why we need to vote out corrupt politicians like Senator Wanzek.
Sad state of affairs,agreed.... our minnesota river is toxic with what farmland is left runoff from fertilizers and other toxizens,folks don't give a shit,now we're seeing urban sprawl taking our land hunting future is bleak for us blue collar boyz n girls....all but gave up fishing in minnesota,to many laws and regs these days,no more hooking the boat up and go,force fed saftey gear,steam clean/bleech out boats,can't transport fish in live well or bait well with lake water,and so on....Oh canada is worse, last I herd one empty beer can is $50 per,slots 2 fish take home under 17"s,f---k it ain't worth the brain damage,this is ontario my observation only but had enough of all the BS. HUNTING included..... even south dakota gettin tough,days of road hunters are gone,was big business years back,I remember old timers crusing dirt roads shotguns hanging out the vehicle window.... today law states to shoot a pheasant along side road(maybe big game too?) vehicle stopped,engine turned off,need to be at 15' from said vehicle...enough but I understand a few slob hunters ruined it for everyone.laws been passed,game over,further license fees for NR are way out of line.across our nation big game included.