I totally agree and understand what you are asking battue. It's a real conversation that we need to be having. I'm pretty lucky here in Maine as we have plenty of habitat and WNV isn't bad here yet. But my fear as things continue to worsen in Southern New England and mid Atlantic states, is increased hunting pressure. Which is already been seen and felt. We really have the last stronghold of good populations and habitat on the east coast. Last year was a banner year for birds and from what I'm hearing as numbers are extremely high again this year. Dry springs have been highly beneficial for young survival.
To answer your question. No I don't think we should be killing 4 grouse a day when populations are low here in the state of Maine. But the bag limit has been that for a long time so I don't see it changing.
