As seems the case with so many wildlife proposals of late, this suggested change in Colorado’s duck hunting structure may be just another example of the proverbial robbing Peter to pay Paul.
But, on the other hand, it just might make sense.
The privately initiated proposal calls for a radical shift in the Central Flyway duck season from the traditional three separate segments to two. Under this new option, a first split would run Oct. 1-17, six days shorter than usual. An extended second split would be Nov. 5-Jan. 22.
Obviously, this plan is tailored to fit the duck migration pattern that has evolved along the lower South Platte River Valley, where a majority of the flyway hunting activity occurs. In recent years, the primary migratory waves of mallards don’t arrive until late in the year, making a season weighted toward the end of the federal framework more advantageous for those who utilize moving water.
This works to the detriment of those who hunt ducks in the high mountain valleys east of the Continental Divide, primarily the San Luis Valley, as well as certain pond hunters on the eastern plains. As part of the same general weather pattern, flat water doesn’t freeze as early as it once did. Shortening the first split would deprive valley hunters of active hunting dates.
Because an estimated three- fourths of Colorado’s duck harvest occurs on eastern plains, mostly along the Platte, the Colorado Wildlife Commission is giving this suggestion serious consideration. Meeting in Grand Junction last week, the policy body postponed its usual July decision on season dates until August to allow for public comment. Hunters can file their opinions on the commission link of the Division of Wildlife web page, http://state.wildlife.us.
Meanwhile, the debate over dates may be rendered moot by the impending U.S. Fish and Wildlife decision on whether to continue the liberal framework hunters have enjoyed in recent years.
This choice is teetering on contradictory information collected during recent surveys of the prime duck production areas of prairie Canada and the north-central U.S.
The May survey revealed 56 percent more Canadian ponds than 2004, 17 percent above the long-term average. On the other hand, U.S. prairie ponds decreased by 15 percent and the overall breeding population of mallards – generally the gold standard for determining season and bag restrictions – declined to its lowest total since 1993.
Mallard numbers declined from 7.42 million in 2004 to 6.76 million, 17 percent below North American Waterfowl Management Plan goals.
“That’s the big question, whether they’ll take us out of a liberal framework,” said Jim Gammonley, Colorado Division of Wildlife waterfowl biologist. “I think with the high pond numbers there’s a good chance we may be in a liberal season again. But we’re right on the bubble with the mallards.”
Listen to Charlie Meyers at 9 a.m. each Saturday on “The Fan Outdoors,” radio KKFN 950 AM. He can be reached at 303-820-1609 or cmeyers@denverpost.com.
