Virginia Waterfowl Survey

Larry J

Larry J

Active member
Was surprised to be one of 3,000 to receive the VA waterfowl hunter survey. Was more surprised to read in the intro to one of the questions that "...there is no biological need to be more restrictive on [eastern] hen mallards [in Atlantic flyway] than on drake mallards.
 
Congrats and good luck with that. I toss them in the trash when I get them anymore. Now I know I will be attacked by alot of people over this. But when I take the time (multiple seasons) to write down what kind of birds, and in what numbers I saw daily, and what was harvested by myself and whoever hunted with me everyday, and then ask for a link, a printout, etc. of the numbers that are gathered in my flyway, and they can't even respond and tell me sure, yes, or go get screwed. I don't have time for them. When you are finished and they send you the tiny printout saying "THANK YOU" frame it ;)
 
My son and I hunted Virginia on a three day license this year and we both recieved, filled-out and returned the surveys. He also bought a three-day Maryland license and recieved one from there too.

I always keep records and return the info when asked. I like to think it goes to good use. Besides it adds more to the sport.

Jon
 
It's not that kind of survey. they are asking hunters input in setting next years regulations, limits, etc.
what boggled my mind was their statement that mallard hen limits (in the eastern atlantic flyway) have no impact on mallard populations. i find that hard to believe.
 
Why is VA worried about the number of brown ducks getting wacked when they've kept the 6th bird off the limit each season allowed by the Feds?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
From the 2004 hunter survey​
​
To assess hunter opinion,​
respondents were asked to choose what daily​
bag limit they most favored, ranging from​
three to six ducks (Question 20). Over 32%​
of respondents selected five ducks a day,​
30% chose six ducks per day, 18% chose​
four per day, and 9% chose three.

they are listening to hunters
 
I've gotten the same thing before. If i remember they also needed it mailed back rather soon. I thought some of the questions were wild. Also i remember there were a fair number of them. I just threw it out as junk mail. I wan't sure of it's validity.

Spencer
 
It's absolutely valid! It's your oppotunity to provide comments without driving to richmond for a public meeting! that's how government agencies work, from input at Public Meetings or from government surveys, such as from the one from Game and Inland Fisheries. The questions were entirely related to waterfowl seasons and bag limits; teal season, canada goose seasons, etc..and space to make suggestions about other issues..such as sunday hunting!

This isn't where i wanted this thread to go. i was hoping for comments about the hen limit.
 
I would kill (pun intended) for Sunday hunting. I can't believe we can fish, shop, drink, etc. on Sunday and still can't hunt. Every chance I get I make my desire know. I would think with the pressure the insurance companies put on for the extended deer seasons, and the potential increase in license sales that it still has not gone through?

The 5 duck vs 6 does not bother me, can't remember the last time I shot 5 ducks, though I don't understand why VA thinks they need to be different. If it added days to the season I suppose that would be a selling point for me, but give me Sundays and I would be happier.

Hen Mallards? I would have to defer to the biologists. In the early days, I would shoot anything within my allowed limit, back when we had 3 bird limits in Vermont. As the years have gone by, I have gotten more selective. I try to only shoot birds I will eat, and then drakes only, or the specialty species for the wall. So adding another hen Mallard would not affect me.

Dave
 
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