Scaup Proposal I don't understand this but maybe some of you will

[Capin' Dan]

Recommendation 2 - Scaup Season Framework

Recommendation
The Pacific Flyway Council recommends that USFWS adopt the following scaup regulation packages for the Pacific Flyway for the next three years:
Restrictive season package: 86 days, 2 bag limit.
Moderate season package: 86 days, 3 bag limit.
Liberal season package: 107 days, 7 bag limit.
In addition, the Pacific Flyway Council requests that split and zone configurations be available to individual states for scaup seasons, similar to the split and zone options provided previously by USFWS for pintail seasons. For 2008-09, the Council recommends implementation of the above restrictive season package, based on results of the scaup harvest model.

Justification
The Pacific Flyway Council has been supportive of the proposed approach outlined in the February 2007 USFWS assessment and decision-making framework to inform scaup harvest management, and endorsed a shoulder strategy less than Maximum Sustained Yield (MSY). Given the available information for scaup, the proposed scaup model provides a reasonable approach to managing harvest. As we have noted in past recommendations, the Pacific Flyway harvest of scaup is proportionately small versus harvest totals in the other flyways.

The proposed packages are intended to minimize periods within the general duck season when the scaup season is closed, while maintaining bag limits that are sufficient to retain some of the dedicated scaup hunting traditions in the Pacific Flyway. The option to split seasons will allow some states to provide opportunity for scaup early in the duck season framework (when more novice hunters participate) and the remainder of season days later in the duck season framework. The predicted total scaup harvest from the proposed Restrictive season package is 16% higher than the harvest target for the Restrictive package. We believe that these packages are appropriate for the next 3-year period, based on several factors.

Afton and Anderson (2001) found that the decline of scaup does not appear to be related to a decline in Greater Scaup (GRSC), and some consideration should be given to recognize the component of GRSC within the total Pacific Flyway scaup harvest. Compared to other flyways, the Pacific Flyway consistently harvests a larger proportion of GRSC, which has averaged 33% from 1999-2007, including 39% last season. In part, because of this factor, Pacific Flyway scaup bag limits have traditionally been maintained at one bird higher than the eastern flyways since bag limits were reduced in 1999.

Predicted scaup harvest estimates from the new models are not precise, and potential losses of dedicated hunters are not factored into predictions. As Boomer and Johnson (2007) stated, “we fully recognize that the regulatory alternatives suggested by this analysis are based on harvest predictions that include large amounts of uncertainty and in some cases represent extrapolation beyond the range of the historical data.” Due to the unknowns associated with predicting harvest from bag limits lower than previously experienced, and wide prediction intervals resulting from scaup harvest prediction models (e.g. for the above Restrictive package, the predicted harvest interval is 12,260-34,352), we believe that these proposed packages will provide some incentive for dedicated scaup hunters until harvest prediction models can be refined over the next three years. Considering the closure of the canvasback season, these packages will contribute to retention of diving duck hunters while conserving lesser scaup populations in the Pacific Flyway.

[lor]

I saw this on another forum.
Does this imply that for 2008,2009,2010, a scaup season of 86, 86, & 107 days be adopted, while the general season is still liberal at 107 days.

[QH's Paw]

Well, unless I read it wrong, looks like split season 2 bills a day for the next 3 seasons. Looks like they're going to take 21 days out of the middle somewhere(similar to the split pintails we had a few years back).
Looks like the other flyways only get 1 bill a day.

[shawfowl]

The Pacific Flyway is recommending the adoption of those packages to the FWS. So if FWS says it is a liberal scaup season then the P. Flyway wants a 107 day/ 7 scaup season. If the FWS says moderate season for scaup, then the P. Flyway wants a 86 day season with 3 scaup limit, and if FWS says restrictive season on scaup they want a 86 day season with 2 scaup.

[Gooseman]

Last I heard, it was going to be a daily limit of ONE scaup.

That is to cover any incidentals, while greatly reducing the pressure on the species.

[QH's Paw]

Nothing is a done deal ,yet. These are the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendations to the Fed(USFWS). USFWS will lay it down to the states(as is always the case) and they(the states within the PF) will individually decide what they will do with the limits set. Just like any other "big Brother" run operation, states can be more strict but not less.
I believe I heard somewhere the meetings are this week with Fed decisions made on Wednesday. We should hear something by the end of this week, I believe.
Let's just hope they take the 21 days out of November if we have to do it that way.
Gooseman, the 1 bird limit is what the eastern flyway is recommending there. It also is not a done deal yet.
The one item that everyone seems to be agreeing on is no canvasbacks because of a huge die off.

[Capin' Dan]

They should also make it drakes only. Blue bills are a lot easier to tell drakes and hens then pintails hens verses widgeon (sp)

[Bill Monroe]

The PF is asking permission to tailor scaup hunting to the flyway and be released from the North America overall guidelines...just as we do for pintail and, I think, will be doing for mallards if I read a recent decision correctly.

However, given the continued low production this year, the flyway is saying it would mean a two-bird daily and 86-hunt day season, meaning a split.

That's only for this winter's hunt. Each year's hunt is set according to production, which is then overlaid onto the frameworks. It's a request for acknowledgement that where the Pacific Flyway is concerned, one size doesn't fit all under the North American frameworks. That's an easier sell this side of the Rockies than across the other three flyways, which are far more similar to each other.

Interesting week for sure.

[Jellyhead]

Danny,

I don't think I would favor drakes only, early season, it is danged hard to tell them apart. I would only favor drakes only if there is a later opener.

Aaron