Ignorance of factual science is understandable in this case. Skepticism, mistrust of facts appears plausible in that it makes sense to the unknowing that killing these birds by hunting, on the surface would appear to be a plausible link to population demise. However, science has shown killing them dont hurt them none. As Ted pointed out, the birds have a very high mortality rate, with or without hunting. Science has shown, hunting plays only a minor role, if any, in terms of the mortality of population with these birds. As an example Wonko, Indiana closed the hunting season on Ruffed Grouse a few years back because our bird numbers got very low. Not hunting the birds has made NO difference in terms of the bird population....we still dont have any birds to speak of. Its more about proper habitat, or lack there of for Indiana, as well as other factors. HTH Wonko.
