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ANNAPOLIS — Today, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the 2008-2009 early migratory game bird hunting seasons.
“The dove season, which marks the traditional start of hunting activity each year in Maryland, opens on Monday, Sept. 1, and continues through Oct. 11,” said Bill Harvey, DNR migratory game bird manager.
The second dove season runs from Nov. 15 to Nov. 28. The third split dove season begins Dec. 20 and runs through Jan. 3. The daily bag limit for doves will remain at 12 for the 2008-2009 hunting season.
Maryland’s woodcock season is split into two segments, Nov. 8-28 and Jan. 16-24.
The early resident Canada goose season opens Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 15 in the eastern zone. In the western zone, the season will continue through Sept. 25. The daily bag limit is eight geese per day. During the early resident Canada goose season, hunters may use shotguns capable of holding more than three shotshells and shooting hours are extended to one-half hour past sunset.
September teal season begins Sept. 18 and continues through Sept. 27. Hunters should note that the boundary for the September teal season zone changed slightly last year, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/ewfchart.asp for the zone description. Shooting hours for the September teal season are sunrise to sunset.
All migratory game bird hunters, including landowners who are license exempt, must obtain the HIP (Harvest Information Program) permit and the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp in addition to a general hunting license. Hunters must possess the printed receipt showing proof of purchase of the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp while hunting migratory game birds. Migratory bird hunters are no longer required to sign and attach the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp to their hunting license. Hunters may now purchase licenses and stamps online by accessing the DNR’s website at www.dnr.state.md.us.
All waterfowl hunters age 16 and over must possess the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp). Hunters are still required to sign the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) and have it in their possession while hunting waterfowl. Hunters may obtain federal duck stamps at U.S. Post Offices, National Wildlife Refuges, and some DNR sport license agents.
Nontoxic shot is required for hunting rails, snipe, waterfowl, and coots. Hunters may not possess or use nontoxic shot larger than size No. T or use or possess any lead shot while hunting rails, snipe, waterfowl, and coots. Approved types of nontoxic shot and other information on migratory bird hunting is listed in the free booklet Hunting and Trapping in Maryland 2008-2009 or on the DNR’s website: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/index.asp.
For a table that lists the dates and bag limits for Maryland’s 2008-2009 early migratory game bird hunting seasons, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/weblesschart.asp. For a quick reference to the early resident Canada goose and September teal seasons and bag limits, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/ewfchart.asp. Hunters are encouraged to report banded migratory game birds by calling 1-800-327-BAND (2263) or through the Internet at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/.
Official shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset for all migratory game bird hunting EXCEPT for: (1) mourning dove during the first season segment, when shooting hours are from noon to sunset; (2) teal during the September teal season when shooting hours are sunrise to sunset; and (3) early (September) resident Canada goose season when shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
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