Harvests in the U.S. are set by the Feds based on data that is collected through the Adaptive Harvest framework, brood counts, aerial observation, and so on. The States can reduce the limitations put forth by the Feds but can not be more liberal.
In California we got 7/7/2 ducks this season. 7 Mallards of which only 2 hens may be included. Last year we were at 7/5/1. Our Pintail limit remains the same at 1 per day. The framework doesn't seem to make sense at times when it comes to Pintails. They're as thick as mosquitos here but that is not true for areas east of our flyway. It would seem the framework doesn't consider that equation as of yet. In addition we're at 1 Canvasback, 2 Redheads, and 3 Scaup.
We have 4 geese this year. 4 Snows, or 4 Whitefront (Specks) or Canada geese, or 4 lesser dark geese (Aleutian, Cackler). This is also a more liberal limit than in the past except for the Snows. We also have a few small management areas where certain dark geese may not be harvested during certain periods.
We're hunting from Oct 21st thru Jan 28th. The center of the state started last Saturday. I'm leaving tomorrow a.m. and caravaning 6 hours north to my lease with a partner in tow and we're pulling my travel trailer as well as a flatbed with 400+ decoys and an ATV.
IT BEGINS!!!!!!!!
