i was wondering that as well. did the season not open early during the years the population was booming ?  if it was the early opening day that caused/exacerbated this problem, what effect did it have prior to the collapse? but i agree, cutting the limit back should have been done the instant the population showed stress. Alabama did not even require you to check birds in until a few years ago. i asked one of their wardens about that and he said they just take it for granted nobody would shoot more than the limit (5). i thought that sounded pretty pie in the sky, even then.