The TWRA Commission voted Thursday (August 26th) to eliminate one hen mallard from the daily bag limit for ducks hunters this season, a move which was adopted by Arkansas last year and again this season.

  TWRA staff had recommended two hen mallards, which was offered by USFWS to all Mississippi Flyway states again this year. However, many duck hunters across the state have embraced support of the "give 'em a brake" theory as has duck-famous Arkansas.

    Most hunters (and all waterfowl biologists) know that hens are vital to duck populations and nesting much more so than drakes.

    Duck hunters still have a liberal six duck daily bag limit and can still harvest four mallards. This year the bag can contain only one hen.

    In Wednesday's Committee meetings Commissioner Thomas Edwards of Paris proposed the amended bag limit and the Wildlife Committee passed it by a voice vote.

    Some in attendance said there was heated debate between several of the Commissioners over the proposal, which ultimately passed by a 6 to 4 roll call vote.

    Those voting for the reduced limit included Commissioners Blair, Cox, Edwards, Kimsey, Rudy and Simonton.

    Those voting against the measure included Magli, Hensley, Childs and Akans.

    Commissioner Edwards said it was a "good way to give something back to the resource. The more hens we send back to the breeding grounds, the better our chances will be for long seasons and steady or increased mallard populations."

    The duck season passed as expected, opening Nov. 27 & 28 (Reelfoot zone Nov. 13 & 14), closing and then reopening Dec. 4 thru Jan. 30.