WHEREAS, wood ducks are abundant in the Mississippi Flyway and are one of the most frequently-occurring species in the Louisiana waterfowler’s bag, and
WHEREAS, by any casual observation, the wood duck population in the Mississippi Flyway is healthy, and numbers may currently be at a modern all-time high, and
WHEREAS, many individuals and organizations have provided countless thousands of nest boxes for this species with phenomenal success, and
WHEREAS, the daily bag limit for this species has remained 2 per day and 4 in possession for many years even though the size of the wood duck population has increased remarkably, and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Wildlife Federation has previously supported a population assessment of the wood duck, and an increase in the bag limit if warranted by the assessment, by resolution adopted by the delegates to its 60th Annual Meeting on February 21, 1999 in Lafayette, Louisiana.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation hereby reiterates its support for an assessment of the status of the wood duck population with respect to the capability of the population to support an increase in the daily bag limit, and urges that the wood duck daily bag limit be increased from 2 to 4 for a 3- year trial period to evaluate the impact of such additional harvest on the wood duck population.
Adopted by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation in convention assembled, 62nd Annual Meeting, March 4, 2001 in Many, Louisiana.