I believe you are correct to a point Sulphite but, the reserves do not get a great amount of pressure. Sabine is only open 3 days and with the main canal being closed to boat traffic there is only 5-6 thousand acres out of 72,000 + or - that are hunted. Lacassine is 15,000 + or - acres of which only 2-3 thousand acres are hunted. Cameron Prairie is several thousand and is only hunted with lottery. Fact, the Feds do not want hunters in the reserves hunting the ducks, if they did, the reserves would be managed pro actively for the activity. Fact, there is very little hunting pressure in our reserves any more. Fact, the birds already stay in the reserves and not hunting Sabine or Lacassine will do very little to change the kill rates for the up coming season.
In 2005-2006 the reserves were closed and we had a great season in P.I. with over 1,200 birds killed each year. There was no pressure on the birds in Lacassine, so why did we kill so many?
Ducks will always go back to an area that they have limited pressure. You cannot hunt a place morning, noon, and night and continue to kill consistently. Commecial clubs, and greedy land owners have ruined much of the duck hunting in America by over leasing and hunting.
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