Potential new rule for limits in MN

Mark W

Mark W

Well-known member
Jusr curious on everyones thoughts on a new proposal being tossed around in MN. They are going to give hunters two options when purchasing a license. Option 1 - Limit of 3 ducks/day or any type and any sex. Option 2 - 6 duck/day limit but keep old limitations on 2 hen mallards/day, 4 mallards total/day, 3 wood duck and so on.

With the exception of opening weekend, it is rare for me to ever shoot a full limit anymore. I think I will stick to the option 2.

Is this new proposal good, or bad, for ducks do you think?

Mark
 
It seems odd to me to offer two different options. I can't think of any other fish or game bag limit where that is the case.I'd say it depends on whether there are any species whose conservation status is such that taking 3 hens per day would cause problems. And whether there are any species for which there should be no harvest. Here in Maine, it wouldn't work, since Barrows goldeneye and harlequins are both protected with a no-harvest rule. If applied only to puddle ducks, I don't see any conservation reason it couldn't work here with a 3 duck limit for blacks, mallards, teal, woodies and the very few pintails, gadwalls, and widgeon we see here. I think it would avoid a lot of wasted duck flesh if applied to sea ducks. Another consideration is what it means for tradition and ethics if we take away the need to identify a game animal before pulling the trigger.
 
Mark W said:
Jusr curious on everyones thoughts on a new proposal being tossed around in MN. They are going to give hunters two options when purchasing a license. Option 1 - Limit of 3 ducks/day or any type and any sex. Option 2 - 6 duck/day limit but keep old limitations on 2 hen mallards/day, 4 mallards total/day, 3 wood duck and so on.

With the exception of opening weekend, it is rare for me to ever shoot a full limit anymore. I think I will stick to the option 2.

Is this new proposal good, or bad, for ducks do you think?

Mark
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How is option #1 even possible under the Federal regulations? For example how can a Minnesota hunter shoot 3 Mallard hens? or 3 Canvasbacks?

Help me understand this, I can't find anything federal information which would allow option #1.

Federal Register :: Request Access

www.federalregister.gov www.federalregister.gov
For the 2026–27 waterfowl season, the federal framework for the Mississippi Flyway generally allows a 60-day regular duck hunting season. Daily bag limits set by states within federal outer bounds typically cap the standard total daily bag at 6 ducks, including specific restrictions on individual species.
General Daily Bag Restrictions
    • Total Ducks: 6 daily
    • Mallards: No more than 4, with a maximum of 2 females
    • Wood Ducks: 3
    • Pintails: 3
    • Canvasbacks: 2
    • Redheads: 2
    • Black Ducks: 2
    • Mottled Ducks: 1
 
Last edited:
As previously discussed

Eric Patterson

Thread 'Two-Tier Bag Limits Coming?'

As I'm researching a possible freelance hunt on the Missouri River, I came across the "Two-Tier" bag limit adopted as a pilot program in Nebraska and South Dakota through 2025. In a nutshell when a hunter fills out their HIP survey, they select what bag limit system they want to use all season. It goes like this, tier one is the traditional six bird limit with species and sex restrictions, e.g. no more than two hen mallards. Tier two is a three-bird limit of any species and any sex. E.g. three hen mallards or three redheads. The hunter CAN NOT switch between the two during the season...
 
Eric Patterson said:
As previously discussed

Eric Patterson

Thread 'Two-Tier Bag Limits Coming?'

As I'm researching a possible freelance hunt on the Missouri River, I came across the "Two-Tier" bag limit adopted as a pilot program in Nebraska and South Dakota through 2025. In a nutshell when a hunter fills out their HIP survey, they select what bag limit system they want to use all season. It goes like this, tier one is the traditional six bird limit with species and sex restrictions, e.g. no more than two hen mallards. Tier two is a three-bird limit of any species and any sex. E.g. three hen mallards or three redheads. The hunter CAN NOT switch between the two during the season...
Click to expand...
As I read, this is/was a "pilot program" thru 2025. Do you know if the "pilot program " has been expanded or extended? I can't seem to find any federal info on this.
 
Dave

I have no further information but suspect analysis of the pilot program indicated there were no adverse effects in harvest with the alternative option. So it could be states are now free to offer the two-tier, or this is part of an expanded pilot program to gather more data. Just a hunch. Maybe someone with more info will answer your question.
 
Eric Patterson said:
Dave

I have no further information but suspect analysis of the pilot program indicated there were no adverse effects in harvest with the alternative option. So it could be states are now free to offer the two-tier, or this is part of an expanded pilot program to gather more data. Just a hunch. Maybe someone with more info will answer your question.
Click to expand...
Agreed, I just can't find the info.
 
I don’t doubt that it’s perfectly fine for duck populations. But to me, choosing three of any type seems like a cop-out for identifying the ducks. I guess a lot of people don’t expect to get more than three on a given day anyways, nothing wrong with that, but still.
Over here, I could see it being popular for shooting more bluebills though.
 
Mark W said:
Jusr curious on everyones thoughts on a new proposal being tossed around in MN. They are going to give hunters two options when purchasing a license. Option 1 - Limit of 3 ducks/day or any type and any sex. Option 2 - 6 duck/day limit but keep old limitations on 2 hen mallards/day, 4 mallards total/day, 3 wood duck and so on.

With the exception of opening weekend, it is rare for me to ever shoot a full limit anymore. I think I will stick to the option 2.

Is this new proposal good, or bad, for ducks do you think?

Mark
Click to expand...

I think it's a good thing to try to encourage hunter recruitment. It's been done in Nebraska and North Dakota. I'd be more curious as to whether it was successful or not. 2021-2025 were the pilot years. Hunters who chose the 3 duck limit have to keep a journal and report their harvest.

We are losing duck hunter numbers and most of us, myself included, hunt public waters and we are finding it more and more difficult to find a place to hunt let alone encourage someone else to get involved in waterfowling. Sadly, I have learned to be selfish about my hunts. If you take 1 person, they will tell 10 others or post the hunt on social media to the detriment of your public hunting spot. States are grasping at options to attempt to perpetuate the sport, it's tough to be a duck hunter with less duck numbers, warmer winters and less ducks migrating South and less available public hunting water. We need a massive 3 year wet Summer on the PPR to reverse this trend.
 
Bottom line: looks like it failed in Nebraska and ND after doing some searching:

The final results of the two-tiered duck hunting pilot program in Nebraska and South Dakota indicate that while the system successfully simplified regulations for novices, it did not significantly reverse the long-term decline in hunter participation.

Hunter Participation and Recruitment​

The primary goal of the pilot was to recruit new hunters by removing the barrier of complex species and sex identification.

  • Participation Rates: Data collected through the 2024-2025 seasons showed that while a segment of hunters (particularly novices and youth) utilized Tier II, the overall number of active waterfowl hunters in both states continued to follow historical downward trends. The simplified "3-splash" rule (Tier II) attracted interest but was insufficient on its own to stabilize total hunter numbers.
  • Hunter Satisfaction: Surveys conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and state agencies indicated high satisfaction among Tier II users regarding reduced regulatory stress. Many reported that the option allowed them to hunt with confidence while learning identification skills.

Harvest and Biological Impact​

Biological monitoring, including wing surveys and harvest journals, revealed minimal negative impact on waterfowl populations.

  • Harvest Composition: Hunters in Tier II (3-duck limit, no restrictions) did not disproportionately harvest species of concern (such as canvasbacks or pintails) at rates that threatened population goals. The reduced bag limit effectively mitigated the risk of overharvesting protected species.
  • Enforcement: Conservation officers reported that while verifying tiers in mixed groups required checking HIP numbers, the system was enforceable and did not lead to significant compliance issues.

Future Status​

Based on the final evaluation submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in late 2025:

  • Program Conclusion: The experimental authority for the two-tier system expired at the end of the 2025-2026 hunting season.
  • Regulatory Decision: As of the 2026-2027 season, both Nebraska and South Dakota have reverted to standard federal frameworks (single tier with traditional species/sex restrictions), though some educational components derived from the pilot remain in place for recruitment. The USFWS determined that expanding the program to other states was not warranted given the lack of substantial recruitment gains.

 
Huntindave McCann said:
How is option #1 even possible under the Federal regulations? For example how can a Minnesota hunter shoot 3 Mallard hens? or 3 Canvasbacks?

Help me understand this, I can't find anything federal information which would allow option #1.

Federal Register :: Request Access

www.federalregister.gov www.federalregister.gov
For the 2026–27 waterfowl season, the federal framework for the Mississippi Flyway generally allows a 60-day regular duck hunting season. Daily bag limits set by states within federal outer bounds typically cap the standard total daily bag at 6 ducks, including specific restrictions on individual species.
General Daily Bag Restrictions
    • Total Ducks: 6 daily
    • Mallards: No more than 4, with a maximum of 2 females
    • Wood Ducks: 3
    • Pintails: 3
    • Canvasbacks: 2
    • Redheads: 2
    • Black Ducks: 2
    • Mottled Ducks: 1
Click to expand...
The new bag limits is being proposed for 2027
 
Gimmicks to recruit new wing shooting hunters. NY is considering a 5 day Teal season "to recruit new hunters". As well as a bass ackward Pheasant season after trying to close all the pheasant rearing farms. This is from a state that has NO Dove Hunting, the easiest way to recruit New Wing Shooters. Get shooting, hunting, trapping and conservation education back in the schools as it was many years ago and we have a chance. Outdoor Recreation is pushed big time on a national level with the exception of Hunting. Exclude = No growth.

my 2 cents
 
Paul Taylor said:
I think it's a good thing to try to encourage hunter recruitment. It's been done in Nebraska and North Dakota. I'd be more curious as to whether it was successful or not. 2021-2025 were the pilot years. Hunters who chose the 3 duck limit have to keep a journal and report their harvest.

We are losing duck hunter numbers and most of us, myself included, hunt public waters and we are finding it more and more difficult to find a place to hunt let alone encourage someone else to get involved in waterfowling. Sadly, I have learned to be selfish about my hunts. If you take 1 person, they will tell 10 others or post the hunt on social media to the detriment of your public hunting spot. States are grasping at options to attempt to perpetuate the sport, it's tough to be a duck hunter with less duck numbers, warmer winters and less ducks migrating South and less available public hunting water. We need a massive 3 year wet Summer on the PPR to reverse this trend.
Click to expand...
I'm struck by the paradox that we are losing hunter numbers but spots are more crowded. Where did all those hunters we've lost used to spend their time?
 
Jeff Reardon said:
I'm struck by the paradox that we are losing hunter numbers but spots are more crowded. Where did all those hunters we've lost used to spend their time?
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Where? At all the places that are no longer there or open to hunting. If I began a list it would be a long one. Development, McMansions and leased areas to hunt Big Antlers are just a few reasons. There is a huge Outlet Mall where we used to hunt waterfowl, upland birds, small game, and doves. Do not get me started about the reclaimed strip mines that held divers, puddle ducks and geese. All ya had to do was Ask and mabbee do some work to get permission to hunt.

We did not have to drive hours to hunt what was in season, it was all close by. Nor did it cost a small fortune to do it. Gas, Ammo, Coffee and some Grub and we were in business. Seasons were long and bags not large yet we missed very few days. It was a grand time to be a young hunter. We kept our guns and gear in our vehicles to go before and after school. College, ya took classes that did not infringe upon hunting time. We had our priorities straight.
 
Here in FL or back in AL, I would probably take the 3 birds, any species. A lot of days back on MS Sound all I saw was redheads.
Down here on Tampa Bay, it looks like 90% scaup. The 1 scaup for most of the season makes it hard to get motivated. This would change my calculus.
But I’d still strive to not shoot hens of any species.
 
Jeff Reardon said:
I'm struck by the paradox that we are losing hunter numbers but spots are more crowded. Where did all those hunters we've lost used to spend their time?
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Me 30 years ago. 1 mile from where I live now. We consistently shot mallards on that pond. Lost all our private honey holes to development here in SC. I refuse to pay $4000 to make 10 hunts a yr on a corn pond here in SC so I travel 750 miles one way to freelance hunt out of state. Many SC duck hunters quit, only the diehard SC boys travel 1000's of miles West and Northwest to hunt ducks and they are piling onto public and private property in OK, KS, LA, AR, MO, ND, SD, etc. That's the overcrowding folks are seeing. Unless you have a prime well managed private property here in SC the juice isn't worth the squeeze.

Look at the land use difference from 1995 to 2025. I've harvested ducks, geese, deer and turkey off the acreage that surrounded the pond. When I left Michigan as a kid in 1984 I always said I could write a book called "All My Memories Are Under Concrete".....the same is now true here in SC. I was in my 20's in the early 90's hunting that SC land, I just turned 60 this year. I won't quit as long as the good Lord allows, I'll keep chasing ducks.
 

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Jeff Reardon said:
I'm struck by the paradox that we are losing hunter numbers but spots are more crowded. Where did all those hunters we've lost used to spend their time?
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Along with what others have said where while the participant numbers have declined, the share of the pie has declined more rapidly. Between land being posted, leased by outfitters, developed, or just maintained poorly as in places Eric talks about there is a squeeze on huntable areas.

Another thing to consider is the type of hunters there are. For the most part I don't know of many casual hunters anymore. There would always be the crowd, typically older, that would go only a few times a year or would just go to hang out with friends and tell stories or help the younger generation. The new thing with hunting, especially with western big game, is you have to keep hammering, whack em and stack em, got to get out for the gram followers, and try to beat everyone else instead of being happy for others when they succeed in a hunt.
 
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