[DMan]

It was kind of strange that the state moved the season back for next year to the 4th monday of the month after 1 year of having it the 3rd. Anyone know the reason? <br>

 

[Bshive]

<P>Where did you see this?</P>

 

[DMan]

<P>They just announced the regs for next year. See Mark's post.</P>

 

[girdybird]

<P>You would think they would make the starting date provisional depending on how things went this season. Did they annouce a different format for the youth season? Maybe have them a week before the season opener instead of the 2 days before the opener?</P>

 

[Bshive]

My Bad......I didn't scroll down far enough the first time.<br> <br> They can't even leave the dates alone for one year!!!<br> <br> I wish they would have left it alone for a couple of years to try it out for an extended period of time!!!!<br> <br> <br>

 

[DaveH]

The rule was set last year that the season will start the monday closest to the 20th of April.

 

[Bshive]

With starting the season that late every year, they might as well open a season for poults too!<br> <br> By the 3rd week of last year, we were seeing poults running around in the fields and the gobbler's were getting back together.<br>

 

[DMan]

If it was the monday closest to the 20th, I believe it should be the 17th, right?<br> <br> There's no reason for seeting next year's season this early. WHat's the point? WHat if the spring is extremely wet and there's another terrible hatch. Wouldn't they want to consider shortening the season?<br>

 

[Dick]

If I am not mistaken, the earlier date is the direct result of input from the Division of Wildlife open house comments/suggeations a couple of years ago. The later date was considered too late since the Gobblers were usually all through towards the end of the old season's date. This caused the decrease of bird harvests and less 2nd tag purchases.<br> <br> The major revenue from tags in the state is from Deer and Turkey. With the advent of budgetary constraints and cutting of funds from the Division, there needs to be some source of revenues to sustain the programs the Division of Wildlife has. <br> <br> I am not unhappy with the dates and also not unhappy with the avenue the Division takes to get additional monies for operation. But I have always thought and suggested that the State should do additional things for the waterfowler.&nbsp; Some of the roadblocks are the fact they are given directives from the USFWS as are all states. One of the issues that has for a very long time gotten under my skin is the lack of listening to the James Bay Population issues the USFWS and Canada do when approached regarding our seasons and bag limits.<br> <br> Dick<br>

 

[Pale_Rider]

If I understand it right, the DOW moved the season up a week for one year to increase revenue? If this is true something is very wrong. I do like the earlier dates but I assumed that biologists not state accounts determined season dates.<img src="/images/boards/smilies/confused.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><img src="/images/boards/smilies/mad.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Dick]

No, I did not make myself clear. The earlier date was indeed done through the study of biologists...<br> <br> However I made the statement regarding the turkey tags and deer tags combined income&nbsp;as to the highest revenue source the DOW has and they are more apt to listen tho proposals both by the Division Biologists as well as the public at large when it comes to sugestions.&nbsp; <br> <br> Sorry for the misunderstanding, I need to stay off this box so early in the morinings.....so I can think clearer therefore type with more understanding for you folks....<IMG src="http://www.websitetoolbox.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><br> <br> Dick<br>

 

[Pale_Rider]

Its OK. Thanks for clearing that up.<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I just think the earlier date this year still gives the birds plenty of breed time. Its also almost too thick(vegetation) in southern OH the last week of the season in years past. JMHO.

 

[mjhall]

This is slightly off topic, but what have the biologists said about last years hatch and survival numbers?&nbsp; I have looked at the ODNR website since last summer, but have not seen anything.&nbsp; Are these estimates published anywhere? I was really happy with the earlier start this year, and disappointed in the move to later next year.<br> <br> Mike<br>

 

[COLLY]

as long as ther are hunters and season dates, whether it be ducks,deer or turkeys (etc.) guys are going to complain about
the dates.