re: wait... how can this be duck hunter numbers declining......

quote:

---

I've stopped because the cost is insane and the penalties for taking the wrong bird are ridiculous.

---

I don't buy this. Aside from gas and snacks (let's say $30/hunt), my yearly costs are $25 for a federal stamp, and around $200 for shells. Sure, entry gear costs can add up quick, but you can start off cheap and go from there. I hunt walk-in public land for free and am successful.

And as far as penalties go, how often are you shooting the wrong bird? When you get close to a limit of birds, you start paying a lot closer attention, but I cannot honestly think of a single time this year on 17 hunts where I approached a species limit and had to pass on a shot because I wasn't sure on a bird ID.

The cost CAN be insane. It can also be pretty damn cheap.