Quote:
Originally Posted by VtSteve
What's become pretty clear, to some, that many critters that have been federally protected, were done so blindly, without regard to common sense. Same holds for people that feed ducks and gees, and yes, eve seagulls. Usually, what happens is a numbers game. Similar in nature to the Florida Manatees, the geese have been protected without regarding to rising, and in many cases, out of control numbers.
Those that seek protection always count some very minimal amount for studies. This can lead to endangered species classification. But many times, artificial protection is kept up well after the population soars. We have the same problem here with protected Cormorants. Many times, species like these are just fine, until someone decides there simply aren't enough around. When there are too many around, these people suddenly vanish.
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Mostly the reason that waterfowl are federally protected is that they are hunted during a migration. States offer up waterfowl seasons at different times of the year depending on when the game is migrating. You have to hold a federal waterfowl stamp "Duck Stamp" in order to hunt migratory birds in any state, then a state stamp and hunting tag needs to be purchased. There are other very strict regulations to waterfowl hunting as well, some are that the bird has to be in flight, no lead shot and very strict bag limits. You can continue to call for your buddies if you have reached your bag limit, but you better not have a firearm within any distance of you or you will have a lot of explaining to do if a CO decides to stop by.
It prevents any one state from opening a 20 bag limit on a species that is just stopping by for a few weeks. IMO this system needs an update for specific species and not a broad based reform of the practice. As some species of water fowl are far more sought after than others and could lead to certian species numbers being damaged beyond repair. Mostly regarding ducks than geese.
The duck stamp provides you access to all open species of waterfowl in a particular state.