Special seasons for sea ducks began in the Atlantic Flyway in 1939 when 5 northeastern states were allowed 16-30 day extensions to their regular duck seasons. Initially, only scoters were legal game during the extensions. Over time, the season became more liberal and by 1972, 13 of the 17 states in the Flyway had special seasons that lasted 107 days and had bag limits of 7 eiders, oldsquaws, and scoters in the aggregate.