New Waterfowl regs.....

Not posting this to stir up any controversy and if mods think it will please delete but wondered what you guys thought about this new regulation they passed for the WMA's and out of state hunters? Doesn't affect me because I haven't hunted Big Lake in many moons, but I know there might be some out there in neighboring states that aren't too happy. I would say for the average weekend hunter it really wont make a difference since you can buy up to 6 five day passes, but for those that typically spent close to 60 days hunting it will cut their time in half. I may be wrong but I don't see this changing things very much but who knows?

https://www.agfc.com/en/news/2017/06...agement-areas/

I've been hunting the flooded timber up here in NEA since I was 8 years old. I still remember the point system days - hope I didn't give my age up?? Very fortunate to have seen things most people will never get to experience! I haven't to my recollection had a problem with a "Nonresident" hunter in my neck of the woods to say. Its been the "Resident Long Beards" 16 to 25 year old that have been the majority of my problem. Heck most of the cabin owners where I hunt are out of state owners! No controversy here bluesraider. I'm on my short rows with duck hunting! As soon as my boys are on a respectful path with it I'm done. To respond to your comment> no these new regulations will not change much of nothing in my belief! I talked to a guy up here that owns a Back Hoe Service the other day. He told me he has installed 32 duck pits this summer already for local farmers an clubs around the area. Its big money now days and where there is big money there will always be controversy. If AGFC would consider Missouri's logit we might could take a step in the right direction with our WMA's.

I am right there with you.....I sure don't hate those ducks near as bad as I did in my earlier years (and yes I remember that good ol point system too....shoot that hen mallard first and you are done for the day!! HA!!) I grew up in NEA hunting the St. Francis (Trumann) and now hunt on some private land in SEMO along the St. Francis with a buddy here close to Kennett, so nothing going to affect me but I was curious as to what "local" Arkansas guys thought. I sure haven't heard of any problems with out of staters and like you mentioned, I hear more stories of altercations with the 20 something crowds fighting over a particular hole of a morning. But most of those guys I am talking about are actually Arkansas residents now or already were to begin with. I am only familiar with the Big Lake area and am surprised they haven't done something to regulate it a bit more with the whole "boat race" start every morning. From the videos I have seen I cannot believe someone has not been seriously hurt or killed yet. Going to the Missouri system might be a better alternative but I can guarantee you that would cause World War III for those that regularly hunt those areas!!

Tomato / tomahto ........ When an attempt to fix one problem it almost always produces another. Limit of ducks is just that and every hunter shud be able to persue that with the proper license. Local or out of state boys. If there are too many hunters and we are over harvesting....decrease the limit. Because controlling the hunter population is very dangerous to OUR (outdoorsmen) way of life. Prevents us from passing on tradition, gettings kids involved, and 2 generations from now no one will know how to hunt or fish or work! Just video games and leaching off who-ever will have a job in 2 generations.

Lowepro couldn't have said it better. Fortunate enough that this won't affect me, for the time being. Has this had any affect on lease prices? Could see those going up...

I'm glad they did it.