Tue Mar 25, 2014 12:16 pm
So, say about 40 years ago, everyone thought they knew what they were doing. They set-up lookout blinds to watch how birds are shot. And voila! 50% of birds shot weren't teal.
So, those that thought they knew what they were doing, with numbers from the previous 40 years (so, let's just the 1930's to early 1970's) considered the historical data and said, in a very Winston Churchill way "In non-breeding states where non-compliant birds are shot at a rate of 50% during teal seasons, let there be a teal season. For all those other birds being shot are incidental based on breeding areas and migration patterns. Ergo, such a "mistake" bird is not counted nor considered in annual bird surveys, and therefore is not considered a "breeder"...."
Now, 40 years after that grand proclamation and generation or two of biologists have come through the ranks, and a generation or two have died or retired, things are getting a new look with a new set of 40 year numbers and a proclamation that says, "We thinks that the number of teal available warrants increased hunting opportunities for hunters in the breeding states; however, as has been done with other Federal decrees, we will allow each State to determine their own destiny!"
For 80 years MN has pretended that it's breeding populations matter. If we have even a few 100 thousand mallards we are pushing maybe 10% of the continental population and we have not gained breeding on agriculture in the lat 20 years..... but it's going to take more than one or two years before anyone that can pull the trigger on this can talk themselves into it.
For 100 years the mantra has been "save habitat, save ducks". Yes, habitat is the largest factor in success. But after 100 years of study the dynamics have changed.... it should not be surprising that it will take some time for paradigms to change also.
Do you know how you get a thesis approved to get your MS or Phd? Write something the old people reading it agree with. And how do you do that? Study and believe what those old people wrote.
Hell, the same thing happens in Physics, Medical School, Law School, you name it. Not saying it makes anything right or wrong, but rather than biotching about a thing that may or may not be on a website read by 40 people, do some damned work to make a thing that could happen, happen.
