I really couldn't agree any more with Trigger. When I saw a thread titled "splits" I clicked on it assuming it was about how gay splits are. Weird. Not that long ago I would have assumed it was a discussion over their impacts or dates and not their utter lack of merit.
I was as big of a proponent of splits as anyone. I too will admit I was wrong. Hey, it seemed like a good idea, right?
Shutting down duck hunting in MN in early October is just so friggin' retarded. In hindsight I really don't know what the phuck I was thinking. Maybe if the splits were later, like in mid November, they'd seem like a better idea....doubtful though.
The only split I wouldn't be opposed to would be if they took the last two days so they could have a weekend open in mid to late December, since it'd always end on a Tuesday going 60 days straight if I'm not mistaken. That way the late season goose guys can wax a few mallards or guys can get after those big flocks they see feeding in cornfields that 'magically' always show up a day or two after the season closes...that will also 'magically' disappear after a day or two of hunting.
h2ofwlr wrote:But their concern is too many hunters will head to the MS river with small SE zone.
So the rest of the Southern third of the state should lose out on prime hunting time in early October in order to spread out pressure for the approximately 27 guys that hunt the river those last couple weeks?
Yeah, that's totally fair. The guys that live and hunt in the driftless area of the state that's devoid of lakes and wetlands and gets little to no migration in early October get a split at that convenient time. Meanwhile everyone else gets screwed in the South by being shut down during the peak period for migration but the brightside is they still are open a couple weeks after freeze-up!
Change the state back to one zone and run the season straight through. If the SE guys want a river zone with a split to keep them open later then let 'em have it. If they're worried they'll face too much pressure then tough shyte, that's the trade-off. If they don't like it then don't push for a split and run 60 days straight through like the rest of the state.