$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
MONEY
Lived in the south for some years and still have quite a few friends in several southern waterfowl hunting states. One hunter would always another "what or how many did you kill today". That was the focus of their hunt.
If you are living in the mid-central or southern states with a high $$ lease then the number of KILLS (and that is what they talk about) I guess becomes pretty important.
Southern senators often take a stronger interest in the politics of waterfowl management. Sen Lott obviously is more involved relative to Dorgan or Conrad.
Regardless of the biological factor - a six duck limit brings in more lease $$, more guided hunters into southern lodges ($$), and I would expect it also brings more NRs to ND (again $$).
In summary = liberal season = higher bag limits = more $$ for people that profit from the resource.
I guess more duck stamps sales too ==> government gets their $$ too.
If we had a four duck limit -- limits would be easier to obtain without exhausting the resource (not necessarily by killing less birds - but by having less hunting pressure on the birds).
In ND, the hunters that need to limit out to feel good would do so easier. It may also mean that less hunters (res and NR) would need to jump shoot or road hunt till dark trying to get that last bird or two.
Preceived success would certainly improve, may be actual success would go up too. Nothing in the books states that ND has to have a six duck limit if that is what the feds propose. ND can not exceed that number, but certainly could go lower to protect the "resource" or reduce pressure on the resource.