New Limits on Mottled Ducks
By: Heidi York
Updated: August 27, 2009
Mottled ducks are a pretty common site in the wetlands of Louisiana. That's why some hunters are surprised to find out the bag limit on the species has dropped from three to one for the upcoming duck season.
"This duck made up a lot of the limits last year and that's why a lot the hunters are upset," said Wesley Walker with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is calling for the cut-back after a study over the past decade showed the mottled duck population was dropping. Surprisingly the decline has a lot to do with rice farming.
"There's not as much rice farming in south Texas and Louisiana and urban development in the natural habitat of the ducks themselves," explained Walker.
Local hunter, James Higdon isn't phased by the new bag limit. He says there's still plenty of good duck hunting in sportsman's paradise.
"You've got your woodies, mallards, pintails, canvas backs, and half a dozen other ducks," said Higdon.
The bag limit on mottled ducks may not last forever.
"The research usually pays off. Once the limits are dropped, the ducks show a rebound and they can raise them again next year," said Walker.
To learn more about the new regulations and to check out tenative duck season dates visit www.wlf.louisiana.gov .
"This duck made up a lot of the limits last year and that's why a lot the hunters are upset," said Wesley Walker with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is calling for the cut-back after a study over the past decade showed the mottled duck population was dropping. Surprisingly the decline has a lot to do with rice farming.
"There's not as much rice farming in south Texas and Louisiana and urban development in the natural habitat of the ducks themselves," explained Walker.
Local hunter, James Higdon isn't phased by the new bag limit. He says there's still plenty of good duck hunting in sportsman's paradise.
"You've got your woodies, mallards, pintails, canvas backs, and half a dozen other ducks," said Higdon.
The bag limit on mottled ducks may not last forever.
"The research usually pays off. Once the limits are dropped, the ducks show a rebound and they can raise them again next year," said Walker.
To learn more about the new regulations and to check out tenative duck season dates visit www.wlf.louisiana.gov .
