I hope I am off base on my uneducated guess but I predict a 45 day season this year for ducks. Breeding conditions only fair this spring. Any other opinions out there. no guess on geese at this time.

i heard it's only gonna be 3 days long, but you can shoot 189 ducks a day....hens only.

Yank, I don't think the season will be 45 days, DU has more favorable reports than non favorable from the breeding grounds.
Much of the prairies recently received ample rain, which has helped to maintain or improve habitat conditions, especially in Alberta. Habitat conditions are now generally very good in the east and fair-good in the west. Cool spring weather across the country has delayed waterfowl nesting, but early reports indicate that production should be good this year. Results from the CWS/USFW May Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey will be available in July. I am looking at the bottle half full....;)

It has been a long time since we have seen anything other then a 60 day season. They usually look at lowering limits first.
Shortening the season would cost a lot of people, a LOT of $$$$$$. ;)

With all the rains in the central US, nesting should be just fine here this year.
As long as Canada's nesting grounds got some rains, we should see things about the same as the last few years.

Thanks for your thoughts on the season length. The early reports did not look good. On a personal report my brother in law just returned from his trip to North and South Dakota he observed pairs of ducks on every pot hole some with there brood in tow. As always just like the Cubs looking forward to next season.

I would bet on 6 and 60 let's hope we can start a week before T-giving this year.
I also heard from a good source that teal season will be 16 days again this year. It get's closer every day:D

copied and pasted from another site

species 2008 2007 %change

total ducks 37.3 mil 41.2 mil -9%
mallards 7.7 mil 8.3 mil -7%
bw teal 6.6 mil 6.7 mil -1%
gw teal 3.0 mil 2.9 mil +3%
gadwalls 2.7 mil 3.4 mil -19%
shovelers 3.5 mil 4.6 mil -23%
pintails 2.6 mil 3.3 mil -22%
wigeon 2.5 mil 2.8 mil -11%
bluebills 3.7 mil 3.4 mil +8%
redheads 1.1 mil 1.0 mil +5%
canvasbacks 0.5 mil 0.9 mil -44%


total ponds 4.4 mil 7.0 mil -37%
canada ponds 3.1 mil 5.0 mil -39%
US ponds 1.4 mil 2.0 mil -30%

Should be no problem getting the liberal package of 60 days and 6 ducks again this year!!!

http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/index.php?/pso/article/duck_numbers_down_but_similar_to_07/

You can bet on 6 and 60 starting on Thanksgiving.The Southern Illinois Duck gods(Tom Burns and Colin Cain) will make sure of it.

post on duckhunter.net shows the state submitted their request today for 6 and 60 starting on thanksgiving Nov. 27

You can bet on 6 and 60 starting on Thanksgiving.The Southern Illinois Duck gods(Tom Burns and Colin Cain) will make sure of it.

Its said year after year, but I will repeat it again. It is SAD when $$$ and influence has more to do with setting the season dates the biological data and facts.:mad:

A few changes in the proposed seasons, like 5 goose limit in the north and central zones during the early September season. ALso the dates are similar to last year. Attached is a copy of the IDNR statement.

For Immediate Release
July 9, 2008
IDNR Recommends Waterfowl Season Dates for
2008-2009
Proposals Sent to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
for Concurrence
Duck Season Length Still Under Consideration
IDNR Recommends Waterfowl Season Dates for
2008-2009
Proposals Sent to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Concurrence
Duck Season Length Still Under Consideration
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is
recommending 60-day duck seasons in all zones, 85-day Canada goose seasons in the
North and Central zones, and a 66-day Canada goose season in the South Zone for the
2008-09 waterfowl season.
The recommendations – which were reviewed by the IDNR Natural Resources Advisory
Board – include opening the regular duck and Canada goose seasons on Oct. 18 in the
North Zone, Oct. 25 in the Central Zone and Nov. 27 in the South Zone. The state’s
proposed regulations will be forwarded to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
for final approval later this summer.
While Illinois is recommending duck season dates based on a 60-day season, the USFWS
has not yet determined whether the duck season will be 60, 45 or 30 days this fall. The
USFWS Adaptive Harvest Management Report guiding regulations decisions for the
2008-09 waterfowl seasons is scheduled to be released on or about July 25.
The IDNR is also recommending regulations for early-season goose hunting in
September that include a new five-goose daily limit in the North and Central zones.
“These proposed regulations should give waterfowl hunters some good opportunities to
get in the field when geese and ducks are there this fall,” said IDNR Acting Director Sam
Flood. “Our recommendations are based on our surveys of hunter preferences, along
with aerial waterfowl survey and long term weather data in hopes of providing the best
hunting opportunities possible in each zone.”
Illinois established duck season dates in the North and Central zones for a five-year
period beginning in 2006.
Preliminary results of the 2007 Illinois Waterfowl Hunter Survey indicate that 66 percent
of hunters in the North Zone and 64 percent of hunters in the Central Zone were satisfied
with duck season dates last year. In the South Zone, 54 percent of hunters were satisfied
with the duck season dates. When given the choice for duck seasons starting November
15 or November 27, 54 percent of South Zone duck hunters preferred November 27
compared to 41 percent who liked a November 15 start date and five percent had no
opinion. South Zone aerial survey data show no appreciable difference in the number of
ducks in areas surveyed for 60-day seasons starting any time between early November
and early December. The IDNR adopted a later duck season starting date for the South
Zone in 2006, and evaluations have shown no consistent differences in hunter numbers or
the number of ducks harvested at public hunting areas at Rend Lake and Carlyle Lake
public hunting areas.
Based on a revised Canada goose harvest management strategy, the IDNR eliminated a
goose harvest quota system in 2006. Other states in the MVP Canada goose range began
the “no-quota” system for Canada goose hunting in 2007. The elimination of goose
season quotas ended the practice of closing seasons early when quotas were reached.
The recommendation for the regular Canada goose season calls for a continuous 85-day
season in the North Zone ending next Jan. 10, a split 85-day season in the Central Zone
ending next Jan. 31, and a split 66-day season in the South Zone ending next Jan. 31.
Illinois is also recommending snow goose seasons for 2008-09 that open with the regular
waterfowl seasons and run continuously through the end of each zone’s regular Canada
goose season. Conservation Order snow goose hunting commences the day after the
regular Canada goose season ends in each zone and continues through next Mar. 31.
Waterfowl Population and Harvest Information
Early June aerial surveys found 305,190 breeding Mississippi Valley Population (MVP)
Canada geese, down from 402,640 in 2007 and 17 percent below the 1989-2007 average.
Indications of a late spring suggest reduced reproduction on the breeding grounds.
Nesting conditions were poor and it should be a poor production year for MVP geese.
The 2008 total spring population estimate was 626,358, larger than in 2007 and about
four percent above the 1989-2007 average. The decline in the breeding population is
attributed to the late spring and a late April blizzard, not an actual decline in the number
of breeding-age Canada geese.
A higher percentage of young geese in the flock often indicates better hunting. Biologists
expect a lower percentage of young geese in the fall flight than has been seen in recent
years.
MVP Canada geese comprise about 51 percent of the Illinois harvest during the regular
waterfowl season. Giant Canada geese comprise about 44 percent (less than half of those
from Illinois, with the remainder from other Mississippi Flyway states and provinces).
Eastern Prairie Population Canada geese (Manitoba) comprise four percent of the Illinois
harvest.
Regulations changes are not considered unless the breeding population falls below
225,000 geese. As a result, Illinois hunters will again be offered an 85-day Canada goose
season in the North and Central zones and a 66-day season in the South Zone. During the
regular Canada goose season in Illinois, the statewide daily bag limit will be two geese
with a possession limit of four geese.
The preliminary Canada goose harvest estimate in Illinois last year during the regular
season was 141,205, the highest since Illinois began estimating harvest in 1981. During
the 2007 September season, hunters took an estimated 16,207 Canada geese.
Duck hunting prospects for this year are average. The recent May pond and duck
breeding population surveys in the north-central U.S. and Canada indicated a total duck
population estimate of 37.3 million birds, which is nine percent lower than last year and
11 percent above the long term average.
Season length is based primarily on May ponds in Canada and mallard breeding
populations in the U.S. and Canada combined. May ponds in Canada (3.1 million) were
down 30 percent from last year and were 11 percent below the long term average.
Mallard breeding populations on the traditional surveyed area (7.7 million; similar to the
long term average) plus the Great Lakes states totaled 8.4 million, which is four percent
below last year.
The USFWS will release the Adaptive Harvest Management updated decision matrix for
selecting regulations packages on or about July 25. If the decision is for a 45- or 30-day
duck season, the IDNR Natural Resources Advisory Board will meet Aug. 6 to consider
new duck and goose season dates. If a 60-day duck season is selected by the USFWS,
the waterfowl season dates being announced today will not be changed.
Total May ponds in the U.S. and Canada combined were 4.4 million, 37 percent lower
than last year and 10 percent lower than the long term average. Abundances of redheads
were the highest ever estimated in this survey area, and the abundance of green-winged
teal was the second highest for this region. Blue-winged teal were at their fourth highest
level.
The pintail population estimates (2.6 million) declined 22 percent from last year and were
36 percent below the long term average. Based on the USFWS interior pintail harvest
strategy, pintail season should be the same length as the regular duck season this year.
The canvasback population dropped to 489,000, 44 percent lower than last year and 14
percent below the long term average. As a result, the canvasback season could be closed
this year by the USFWS.
The scaup population estimate of 3.74 million increased eight percent over last year, but
was still 27 percent below the long term average. The USFWS decreased the daily bag
limit from three to two scaup in 2005 because of concerns regarding a decreasing
population with increasing harvest rates in recent years. The USFWS will likely
recommend reducing the daily bag limit to one scaup for this season or shorten the season
to 45 days with a two-bird bag limit. Preliminary results of the 2007 Illinois Waterfowl
Hunter Survey indicated that Illinois duck hunters had a slight preference for a 45-day
season with two scaup daily (31 percent) versus a 60-day season with one scaup daily (28
percent).
The preliminary Illinois duck harvest estimate for 2007 was 464,366, which was down
eight percent compared with 2006, but was the fifth highest harvest since state estimates
began in 1981. The preliminary mallard harvest estimate last year was 265,369, the sixth
highest since 1981. On average, duck hunters spent just over 12 days afield to harvest
9.5 ducks per hunter for the season. Harvest of teal during the 2007 September season in
Illinois was 29,800, compared to 28,016 in 2006.
September Season Recommendations
The recommendation for the September 2008 Canada goose season (Sept. 1-15) includes
a higher daily bag limit for the North and Central zones. In recent years, hunters in the
Northeast Zone have been allowed to take up to five geese per day during the September
season, while hunters elsewhere in the state could take up to two geese per day during the
15-day September season. The recommendation for this September includes a daily limit
of five geese in the Northeast, North and Central zones. The daily limit remains two
geese in the South Zone.
“The Mississippi Flyway population of giant Canada geese has increased by more than
50 percent during the past 14 years, while the population of these geese is also higher
here in Illinois,” Director Flood said. “An increase in the daily Canada goose bag limit
during the September season in the North and Central zones will provide more hunter
opportunity and won’t adversely affect the statewide or flyway giant Canada goose
population.”
Illinois is recommending a 16-day teal hunting season of Sept. 6 – 21 with a daily limit of
four teal (possession limit of eight). Federal rules allow for a 16-day teal season when
the blue-winged teal breeding population is more than 4.7 million. This year’s bluewinged
teal breeding population estimate of 6.64 million is similar to last year’s estimate
of 6.71 million, which was the second highest population estimate ever recorded.
The Illinois recommendations sent to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 2008-09
waterfowl hunting seasons are outlined below. Final approval is expected after the
Service Regulations Committee meeting, July 30-31.
PROPOSED 2008-2009 SEPTEMBER WATERFOWL SEASONS
(COMPARED WITH 2007-0
STATEWIDE
2008-2009 2007-2008
Canada Geese Sept. 1 - Sept. 15 Sept. 1 - Sept. 15
Teal Sept. 6 - Sept. 21 Sept. 8 - Sept. 23
__________________________________________________ ______________________
2008 SEPTEMBER WATERFOWL SEASON PROPOSAL
Limits
Species Season Dates Duration Bag Possession
Teal
Sept. 6 -21
16 days
4
8
Canada Goose
Sept. 1-15
15 days
5-Northeast,
North&Centra
l
2 - Remainder
of State
10 - Northeast,
North&Centra
l
4 - Remainder
of State
PRPOSED 2008-09 REGULAR WATERFOWL SEASONS
(COMPARED TO 2007-2008 SEASONS)
NORTH ZONE
2008-2009 2007-2008
Youth Hunt Oct. 11 - Oct 12 Oct. 13 - Oct. 14
Ducks Oct. 18 - Dec. 16 Oct. 20 - Dec. 18
Canada Geese Oct. 18 - Jan. 10 Oct. 20 - Jan. 12
Snow Geese Oct. 18 - Jan. 10 Oct. 20 - Jan. 12
White-fronted Geese Oct. 31 - Jan. 10 Nov. 2 - Jan. 12
CENTRAL ZONE
2008-2009 2007-2008
Youth Hunt Oct. 18 - Oct. 19 Oct. 20 - Oct. 21
Ducks Oct. 25 - Dec. 23 Oct. 27 - Dec. 25
Canada Geese Oct. 25 - Nov. 9 & Oct. 27 - Nov. 8 &
Nov. 24 - Jan. 31 Nov. 21 - Jan. 31
Snow Geese Oct. 25 - Jan. 31 Oct. 27 - Jan. 31
White-fronted Geese Nov. 21 - Jan. 31 Nov. 21 - Jan. 31
SOUTH ZONE
2008-2009 2007-2008
Youth Hunt Nov. 15 - Nov. 16 Nov. 10 - Nov. 11
Ducks Nov. 27 - Jan. 25 Nov. 22 - Jan. 20
Canada Geese Nov. 27 - Jan. 31 Nov. 22 - Nov. 25 &
Dec. 1 - Jan. 31
Snow Geese Nov. 27 - Jan. 31 Nov. 22 - Jan. 31
White-fronted Geese Nov. 27 - Jan. 31 Nov. 22 - Jan. 31 :D:eek::eek: