The difference is where the studies are coming from. The hound study was largely initiated by hunter(s), and the Department itself. It was done in order to not only protect landowners, but also to protect hunters and their hounds.

This new waterfowl study is/was initiated by an extremely liberal congresswoman from N. VA in regards to hunting in Dyke Marsh WMA.... which was bought, built and is maintained by waterfowl stamp dollars. They have been fighting over this thing for over a decade. It just goes to show you, that a yankee will move onto "Little Hunting Creek" and be shocked and abhorred when a little hunting goes on in the creek.

Hokie I encourage you to get in contact with Todd Cocker, who is the President of the Virginia Waterfowlers Association (VAWFA). Todd keeps a hard thumb on the pulse of these matters, and as a lawyer for the state by trade, knows the system very well. He is very active in the waterfowl community, and I personally think he has done an exceptional job keeping the membership informed of the goings-on of Dyke Marsh WMA. While I myself have never been there, and have no desire to, there are a lot of waterfowl hunters living in N. VA that regularly hunt there and have for years. If you do not already know Todd (I suspect you have met him at one or more various game department meetings), I'd be happy to put you in contact with him.