OR including some stats that might affect ground nesters...... like the corn/bean monoculture that high ag prices brings.
Isn't there a term for the mantra that you can't stock pile duck populations like compensatory or some damn term?
If the "no pressure" mantra holds birds in this state, wouldn't it seem that by the 2nd south half opener every damn bird would be sitting around waiting to get shot, and that 2nd opener would be whack 'em stack 'em type event with significant higher hunter success rates.
The minnow pond sloughs, loss of CRP, no appreciable expenditure to grassland improvements on public lands (focus on acquiring more minnow ponds), a disregard for original thought regarding items such as moist soil management (Cox shot this down on LCMR), and the idea, THE IDEA that even though total duck harvest is down...... amazingly along with the loss of 40,000 duck hunters....... that harvest per hunter per season is HIGHER than in 2011...... requires that we select a more conservative framework because MN nesting populations are lower, while CONTINTENTAL populations are at an all time, is such a lopsided view of game management that it defies any ability to avoid superfluity.
Dave Zentner and his $100 billion plan does not seem to be affecting the ducks, so we best not shoot anymore..... bull shyte.