“Water” is the Important Word in Missouri Waterfowl Forecast
October 13, 2008
JEFFERSON CITY—Waterfowl hunters’ wishes came true this year when Missouri got more rain, but they backfired, damaging wetlands and reducing the availability of food that might induce ducks and geese to linger in the Show-Me State.
Drought has plagued Missouri in recent years, hampering efforts to keep wetlands wet. This year, however, those who manage wetland areas for the Missouri Department of Conservation tore their hair as floods destroyed levees, drowned out native, seed-producing plants, killed crops planted for ducks and geese and made any kind of active management impossible on many areas.
“You need water for good duck habitat,” said Resource Scientist Andy Raedeke, “but this year much of this rain has come at the wrong time. Many wetland-dependent species depend on spring floods to recharge basins and provide habitat. However, late summer and early fall floods are unusual in Missouri and can destroy much-needed food resources and habitat for migrating waterfowl. One bright spot is that floods at this time of year do provide more habitat for wading birds and migrating shorebirds.”
Data from the weather station at Sanborn Field in Boone County give some idea how much of a “good thing” Missouri has gotten this year. From January through September, the gauge there collected 51.74 inches of rain. During the same period in 2007, the same gauge showed only 24 inches, and in 2006 it gathered a mere 21.92 inches. The area’s average rainfall is approximately 40 inches.
Wave after wave of torrential rain affected the Conservation Department’s managed wetland areas dramatically for the worse. Rivers smashed through some levees. Others were simply drowned by rising streams. Raging waters destroyed pumps, drains, gates and other wetland infrastructure. Without those tools, managers were unable to manipulate water levels, grow food crops and flood pools according to seasonal schedules after the floods receded.
“Hunters are going to find conditions that are very different than normal on many areas as a result of flooding,” said Raedeke. “Besides structural damage, rain and floods destroyed crops intended to provide food for ducks.”
That is bad news for ducks and geese, which will not find much to replenish their energy in Missouri. It is bad news for hunters, because hungry waterfowl are not likely to linger in Missouri if food supplies are sparse.
The deluge killed more than crops. In many areas, water covered wetland areas for weeks, killing even moisture-tolerant native plants, such as millet, that produce vast amounts of waterfowl food in normal years. The same plants usually grow tall enough to hide hunters, but large expanses of wetland will have short vegetation this year, making duck hunting extra challenging.
Raedeke said native moist-soil plants could make up for some of the lost time if warm weather lingers well into October, but some areas simply have sparse food and cover.
Nor are hunters getting particularly good news about waterfowl numbers. Raedeke notes that while this year’s fall flight forecast remains above the long-term average for many ducks and geese, many are down from last year.
The 2008 fall flight estimate of 37.3 million ducks is down 9 percent from last year and 11 percent above the long-term (1959-2007) average. Estimated numbers of mallards, scaup, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal and redheads were similar to last year’s. However, wigeon numbers declined by 11 percent, gadwalls declined by 19 percent, pintails by 22 percent, shovelers by 23 percent and canvasbacks were down 44 percent compared to 2007.
Raedeke said hunters should not be too discouraged, however.
“Last year we had fairly tough conditions, and the season turned out way better than expected,” he said. “Floods early in the year hurt our wetland areas, and a late-summer drought cut into food production in southern Missouri. But we got good weather during the hunting season, and that kept a lot of ducks around. We ended up with a record harvest, and we could still have a very good season this year, too, if the weather cooperates.”
If there is good news in all the flooding news it is that aquatic insects, snails and other invertebrate foods will be abundant this year. Raedeke noted that floods are an indispensable part of wetland ecosystems. While they cause trouble for managers and hunters, they also have positive effects.
For more information about the waterfowl season outlook, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/765
or www.mdc.mo.gov/770.
Missouri’s duck season runs from Oct. 25 through Dec. 23 in the North Zone, from Nov. 1 through Dec. 30 in the Middle Zone and from Nov. 27 through Jan. 25 in the South Zone. Youth-only hunting seasons take place the weekend before the opening day in each zone.
The daily limit on ducks is six, including no more than four mallards (no more than 2 females); one black duck; three mottled ducks (new this year); one pintail; one scaup (down from two last year); three wood ducks (up from two last year); two redheads; and two hooded mergansers. The season for canvasbacks is closed.
Other species may be taken in any number up to the daily bag limit of six ducks total. Possession limits are twice the daily bag limits.
For zone boundaries, goose seasons and other waterfowl hunting information, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/7559, or pick up a copy of the 2008-2009 Waterfowl Hunting Digest, available wherever hunting permits are sold.
Following are summaries of conditions at Conservation Department wetland areas.
NODAWAY VALLEY CONSERVATION AREA (CA) was covered with water June 7 and 8 due to levee failures. Area managers had barely gotten crops replanted when the area’s west side flooded again in late July. As a result, hunting on the west side of the area will be poor this year. Hunters will find fair to good moist-soil vegetation on the area’s east side. Pumping enough water to flood this area could be difficult if the Nodaway River is low this fall.
BOB BROWN CA got off lucky, with no flood damage to area infrastructure or crops. Crops and moist-soil vegetation are in good shape, and good hunting conditions are expected. The only possible limiting factor at this area is water availability.
Two pumps draw water from the Missouri River to flood Bob Brown’s wetland pools, but they can only operate when the river is high enough. Both pumps were in operation early this month, but that could change when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reduces water flow at the end of the commercial navigation season. As of Oct. 6 the refuge and a few other pools were well-flooded, and water was being channeled into pools with crops.
GRAND PASS CA avoided over-levee flooding but got a fair amount of rainwater and seepage in June and July. Hunters may notice patchy corn crops in northern parts of Pools 5 and 5 West, where seep water hampered crop production. The rest of the area is in good shape, and hunting should be as good as it has been in recent years. Like Bob Brown CA, Grand Pass relies on the Missouri River for water to flood wetland pools. One of the area’s water pumps already is out of commission, so a low Missouri River could make water management a challenge.
Twelve flood events from February to mid-September not only held up renovation work at FOUNTAIN GROVE CA, they caused levee damage that had to be fixed before work could resume. No crops grew in pools 1, 2, 3, H or J, which were flooded for most of the spring and summer. Portions of these pools will be closed to hunting this fall, since renovation work continues there. Food production on the area’s east side is fair to good. The Mac 1 and 2 pools have fair crop production, whereas the Mac 3, 4 and 5 pools will have poor crop but fair to good moist soil plant production. Stinson has no crop but fair moist soil plant growth.
Continuing work on water control structures in Pools 2 and 3 will keep that area dry this fall, so hunting on the area’s west side will be greatly reduced. Hunting will be somewhat better on the east side of Fountain Grove CA, but late planting likely will delay hunting opportunity in some areas.
All waterfowl hunting at Fountain Grove will be walk-in type this year that closes at 1 pm. They expect to start the season with four to eight shooting positions and close with as many as 12 with ideal water conditions. Additional positions may be available if wet conditions prevent continued progress of the renovation project.
EAGLE BLUFFS CA experienced some heavy rainfall and seepage through saturated levees but avoided overtopped or breached levees. Higher than normal water levels prevented crops from producing seed in five pools, but native vegetation responded well and replaced this loss somewhat. Hunters will find little corn but fair moist-soil vegetation. High water prevented production of food around either of the wheelchair-accessible blinds.
TED SHANKS CA was harder hit by this year’s floods than most areas. Levees breached in the north and south ends of the area, putting it under water from the middle of June until August. Cover is limited as a result, and food is very scarce. Area staff expects to cut the number of hunting spots by as much as half this year, and no blinds will be available.
Many of the approximately 90 blind sites at UPPER MISSISSIPPI CA were damaged by late-summer flooding. Area managers are working with blind registrants to get these blinds repaired, but some may be in poor condition for the upcoming season.
B.K. LEACH CA disappeared under as much as 11 feet of water last summer. Levee damage was minimal, but planting was delayed. Millet planted in mid-August suffered from heavy rainfall that marked the passage of Hurricane Ike. Millet and smartweed survived in some areas, but cover and food are likely to be sparse. Hunting conditions could change, depending on weather, but right now the area looks poor to fair at best.
MARAIS TEMPS CLAIR CA avoided major flooding, but heavy rains prevented normal crop planting, so there are no floodable crops. Moist-soil vegetation did well in more elevated parts of the area. Overall, however, hunters will find fair hunting with less food for ducks than normal.
This is the first year of hunting in a new wetland area – Pool 6A – at Marais Temps Clair. This pool will provide hunting for one or two additional parties, bringing the maximum number of parties the area can handle under ideal conditions to 10.
COLUMBIA BOTTOM CA experienced extensive flooding from April through July, limiting growth of native vegetation and planted millet. Some of the upper pools will have fair to poor moist-soil vegetation for cover and food, but the lower pools, including the refuge, will have little or no food to hold waterfowl. There is no corn or other grain. Hunting opportunity will be very limited early in the season, and late-season hunting will depend on progress repairing a pump station. The area was left out of the waterfowl hunting reservation system this year in recognition of the limited hunting potential there.
The Little Osage River got out of its banks seven times between April and June, inundating the AUGUST A. BUSCH JR. MEMORIAL WETLANDS AT FOUR RIVER CA. Late plantings of millet and sorghum were doing well when Hurricane Ike blew in. The area got more than 12 inches of rain between Sept. 3 and Sept. 13, flooding the area again. The flooding damaged the moist-soil vegetation and crops, leaving the area short on both food and cover.
The main water-control structure in Unit 3 failed during early flooding, leaving that area at the mercy of the river. There will be plenty of huntable water in the draw units and the open hunting units, but food and cover will be limited
SCHELL-OSAGE CA suffered eight floods this year, sustaining damage to levees, roads, blinds and water-control structures. Planting of millet did not start until late July, and later floods largely drowned out those plantings, along with moist-soil vegetation. Montrose’s wetland pools are full, but availability of crops and moist-soil plants is rated poor.
MONTROSE CA lost all its row crops and moist-soil vegetation to flooding. The lake is slightly higher than normal, but 14 blinds will be available for hunters.
SETTLE’S FORD CA missed flooding, and it goes into the hunting season with eight of 14 pools full or nearly so. Wet weather prevented timely crop planting, so floodable grain acreage is only fair, and crop harvests will be delayed. Moist-soil vegetation on this area is in good condition.
COON ISLAND CA was under water until the first week in July, so there are no food plots. However, moist-soil vegetation grew well, creating food and cover, and the timbered areas look good.
DUCK CREEK CA experienced extensive flood damage to its infrastructure in March. Much of that damage has been repaired, but hunters may have to take detours around damaged portions of some area roads. Area managers were able to get some grain planted, and native, moist-soil vegetation did well, creating a good mix of habitat for ducks. Pools 2, 3 and 8 will be flooded late this year to help maintain the health of green-tree hunting areas.
The area formerly known as Dark Cypress Swamp CA now is the Greenbrier Unit of Duck Creek CA. It will have one hunting spot available if Castor River is high enough to flood the area.
A new addition to Duck Creek CA, north of the town of Greenbrier, now is called the Dark Cypress Swamp Unit of Duck Creek CA. It will have four to six hunting spots to be allocated through the morning draw at Duck Creek.
Of all the state’s managed wetland areas, TEN MILE POND CA seems to have been flooded deepest. Inundations from March through June covered parts of this area with up to 18 feet of water. Then drought set in. This double whammy made grain plantings sparse, but native plants, millet plantings and marsh grasses did surprisingly well. The end result is good habitat for migrating waterfowl. However, continued dry weather could hamper efforts to flood wetland units. Wheat, winter rye and annual rye grasses have been planted to attract geese to the area.
OTTER SLOUGH CA had no flooding this year, and hunters should find conditions there the same as last year. Moist-soil vegetation is in good condition, and floodable crops fair.
LITTLE RIVER CA’s crops failed due to flooding. Subsequent dry weather allowed only fair moist-soil vegetation growth, and continued dry conditions could interfere with flooding wetland units. Overall predictions are for poor to fair hunting.
Little River CA will be open to hunting on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays again this year. Four of the area’s units will be open each hunting day, and these units will be rotated to provide resting days. This strategy is designed to prevent waterfowl from deserting the area due to hunting pressure, a condition hunters often refer to as being “shot out.” Like last year, hunting will be on a first-come, first-served basis. This provides a spillover hunting location for hunters who fail to draw in at Duck Creek, Otter Slough and Ten Mile Pond CAs.
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Alternate Plans For Early Bird Hunters in Place at the Skagit Wildlife Area
September 22, 2008
OLYMPIA – Hunters are advised that a portion of the Skagit Wildlife Area in northwest Washington will be closed to hunting through Oct. 3 due to ongoing work on a major estuary-restoration project at the mouth of the Skagit River.
The 175-acre Headquarters Unit of the wildlife area is scheduled to open to hunters and other members of the public Oct. 4, when the first phase of the project is scheduled for completion.
Meanwhile, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has made alternative plans to accommodate hunters looking forward to upcoming bird-hunting seasons.
“We had hoped to have the entire area open in time for the general pheasant-hunting season, but we ran into some delays in construction,” said John Garrett, manager of the Skagit Wildlife Area for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). “We do, however, have a plan to accommodate upcoming hunts.”
Because the Headquarters Unit will be closed during the statewide youth hunt Sept. 20-21, WDFW will release pheasants at the Samish and Leque Island units of the wildlife area, Garrett said. To participate, hunters must be 15 years old or younger and be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age who is not hunting.
Pheasants will also be released at those sites during the senior hunt, scheduled Sept. 22-26 for hunters 65 and older, and the first week of the general pheasant-hunting season that begins Sept 27.
Starting Oct. 4, pheasant hunting will resume on the Skagit Headquarters Unit. Throughout the general season, pheasants will be released Friday, Saturday and Tuesday evenings each week.
Duck hunting will also be available during the youth hunt, Sept. 20-21. The best duck hunting opportunities during the youth hunt will be from a boat in the intertidal areas on Skagit Bay, Garrett said.
The boat launch at the Headquarters Unit will be closed through Oct. 3, but the boat launch at the Skagit County Park under the east end of the bridge in Conway will be open, Garrett said. Walk-in access to the intertidal areas will be available at the North Fork, Jensen, Big Ditch and Davis Slough access areas.
The Wiley Slough project, as the estuary-restoration project is known, is designed to reclaim 160 acres of estuarine salmon habitat that was diked and drained to create farmland in 1962. The federal salmon recovery plan for Puget Sound identifies the project as an important step toward restoring chinook stocks in the Skagit River.
Partners in the project include WDFW, the Skagit River System Cooperative, Seattle City Light and the Skagit Watershed Council, with funding from the state Salmon Recovery Funding Board, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
WDFW owns and manages the entire 16,708-acre Skagit Wildlife Area to preserve habitat for fish and wildlife, as well as outdoor recreation.
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2008-09 Migratory Game Bird Seasons and Bag Limits Selected in Pennsylvania
August 26, 2008
HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today announced that the agency has made its selections for the 2008-09 migratory game bird hunting seasons and bag limits.
“Waterfowl and migratory game bird hunters will see some changes, including modifications to the Canada goose zone boundaries and expanded opportunities for wood ducks, Atlantic brant and doves,” Roe said. “However, the season for canvasbacks has been closed for 2008-09, and bag limits for scaup have been modified.”
Annual waterfowl seasons are selected by states from a framework established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Game Commission selections were made after reviewing last year’s season results, waterfowl survey data, and input gathered from waterfowl hunters and the public. Final approval from the USFWS is expected by late September.
In addition to releasing waterfowl seasons, Roe also noted that the Game Commission again has posted the waterfowl seasons brochure and maps on its website (www.pgc.state.pa.us). The agency currently is mass-producing brochures to be distributed to U.S. Post Offices within the next two weeks.
“Many hunters already have purchased their hunting licenses and federal waterfowl stamps in anticipation of the season,” Roe said. “For their convenience, in addition to being able to pick up the waterfowl brochure and maps at post offices and license issuing agents, hunters can obtain this important information from the Game Commission’s website.”
John Dunn, Game Commission Game Bird Section supervisor, said the federal frameworks are again allowing for a 60-day season with a six-duck daily bag limit, with the usual species restrictions and bag limits, except for wood ducks, canvasbacks and scaup. Wood duck limits have been increased to three daily and six in possession. While the season for canvasbacks has been closed, bag limits for scaup have been modified to a two-bird daily bag limit for a portion of the season and a one-bird daily limit for the remainder of the season.
“Recent analysis of wood duck harvest rates and populations by the USFWS suggests wood ducks can tolerate more hunting pressure than currently exists,” Dunn said. “An increase in the wood duck daily bag limit will provide more opportunity on this plentiful duck species. Wood ducks are the second most abundant duck in Pennsylvania’s waterfowl harvest. Monitoring tools such as banding and breeding population surveys are presently in place to measure any impacts caused by the bag limit change on wood ducks. Information gained from this bag limit change will help the USFWS and flyway councils develop a wood duck harvest strategy to help better manage this important duck species.”
Dunn noted that a decline in the canvasback breeding population and poor habitat conditions in their prairie nesting habitats have made it necessary to close the season this year, since the predicted harvest with a restrictive season would exceed the allowable harvest specified in the Canvasback Harvest Strategy.
Dunn added that scaup also are undergoing hard times.
“Waterfowl managers continue to be concerned about the status of scaup,” Dunn noted. “This year’s breeding population estimate for scaup was 27 percent below the long-term average. The USFWS is seeking a 25 percent reduction in scaup harvest commensurate with the status of this duck species. To maintain the diving duck hunting tradition on important scaup harvest areas, such as Lake Erie, we were allowed to implement a hybrid scaup season composed of a two-bird bag for 20 consecutive days during the 60-day duck season.”
Once again, young Pennsylvania hunters will be provided with a special day of waterfowl hunting on Saturday, Sept. 20. The Youth Waterfowl Day will be open to those 12-15 years of age who hold a junior hunting license. To participate, a youngster must be accompanied by an adult, who may assist the youth in calling, duck identification and other aspects of the hunt. During this special day-long hunt, youth can harvest ducks, mergansers, coots and moorhens, as well as Canada geese, depending upon the zones that they are hunting in. Youth Waterfowl Day bag limits for ducks, mergansers and coots will be consistent with the limit for the regular season.
Also, this agency again will hold a special youth-only waterfowl hunting day at the controlled hunting blinds at both Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area and Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area. The youth day for Middle Creek is Nov. 15, for Pymatuning, Nov. 29. A special drawing of applications submitted by junior license holders will be held immediately before the regular drawing for goose blinds. Interested youth should use the same application on page 29 of the 2008-09 Digest. Only one application will be accepted per junior hunter.
Dunn noted that there have been modifications to the other migratory game bird seasons that previously were announced. All changes are reflected in the 2008-09 brochure. The seasons, including adjustments, are:
- There will be only three zones for managing Canada geese this year: the Southern James Bay Population, the Atlantic Population and Resident Population. For boundary zone descriptions, as well as season dates and bag limits for the early, regular and late Canada goose seasons, please see the listing at the end of this news release;
- Dove season dates are: Sept. 1-27, when hunting will start at noon and continue through sunset daily; and Oct. 25-Nov. 29, and Dec. 26-Jan. 1, with hunting hours a half-hour before sunrise until sunset. In all three seasons, the daily bag limit is 15, and the possession limit after opening day is 30;
- Pennsylvania’s woodcock season will open Oct. 18, and continue through Nov. 15. The daily limit is three, and the possession limit is six;
- A season for common snipe will run from Oct. 18 to Nov. 29. The daily limit is 8, and the possession limit is 16;
- Virginia and sora rail hunting will run Sept. 1-Nov. 8. Bag limits, which can be one species or combined, are 3 daily or 6 in possession. The season for king and clapper rails is closed; and
- Hunting for moorhen and gallinules will run from Sept. 1 to Nov. 8, and the bag limits are three daily and six in possession.
In addition to a regular Pennsylvania hunting license, persons 16 and older must have a Federal Migratory Bird and Conservation Stamp, commonly referred to as a “Duck Stamp,” signed in ink across its face. All waterfowl hunters, regardless of age, must have a Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird License to hunt waterfowl and other migratory birds, including doves, woodcock, coots, moorhens, rails and snipe. All migratory game bird hunters in the United States are required to complete a Harvest Information Program survey when they purchase a state migratory game bird license. The survey information is then forwarded to the USFWS.
“By answering the questions on the survey card, hunters will improve survey efficiency and the quality of information used to track the harvest of migratory birds for management purposes,” Dunn said.
Hunters must use non-toxic shot while hunting ducks, geese or coots in Pennsylvania. The use of decoys powered or operated by batteries or any other source of electricity is unlawful in Pennsylvania. Also, the use of any sort of artificial substance or product as bait or an attractant is prohibited.
Dunn noted that, although hunting hours have been extended to one-half hour after sunset for big game (except spring gobbler), as well as small game and furbearers, federal regulations prevail for waterfowl and migratory game birds and shooting hours for these species will continue to close at sunset. The only exception to this is during the early September Canada goose season, in which the USFWS has permitted states to extend the hunting hours to one-half hour after sunset, and the first part of the dove season (Sept. 1-27), when hunting hours are from noon through sunset.
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First 2008-2009 Early Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons Begin Sept. 1
August 18, 2008
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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Alabama Conservation Department Schedules Youth Dove Hunts
August 17, 2008
The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announces registration for the Eighth Annual Youth Dove Hunts begins Aug. 20 for the North Zone and Sept. 24 for the South Zone. To date, over 13,000 young hunters have participated in these annual hunts.
In cooperation with landowners, local volunteers, businesses and organizations, 54 dove hunts are scheduled in 28 counties throughout the state. To participate, youth hunters must be age 15 or younger and accompanied by an adult at least 25 years old (or a parent) who holds a valid state hunting license and a Harvest Information Program (HIP) stamp. All hunters are encouraged to wear eye protection and earplugs.
Registration is necessary for all youth dove hunts. Before each hunt, there will be a short welcome session with reminders on hunting safety. According to Conservation officials, dove hunting is a perfect way to introduce youngsters to the tradition of bird hunting and spend quality time with family members. “We encourage bird hunters to pass on the tradition to young people today so that future generations can also learn the enjoyment of the outdoors and dove hunting,” said Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division Director Corky Pugh.
North Zone hunts begin Sept. 6 and South Zone hunts begin Oct. 4. South Zone counties include Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Mobile counties. The remaining counties are in the north zone. To register, contact the appropriate number listed below. Hunt schedules, contact information, and schedule changes or updates may be found on the Department’s Web site at http://www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/youth-hunts/youthdove.cfm.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Parks, State Lands, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.
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Web Site Allows Public to Comment on Regular Waterfowl Seasons
August 11, 2008
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is inviting citizens to provide input on regular waterfowl hunting seasons through an online comment system.
Regular waterfowl seasons begin in late September and include various seasons for ducks, Canada geese, snow geese, brant and tundra swans.
Beginning this week, citizens can comment on proposed dates for the seasons, by going to www.ncwildlife.org and clicking on “Regular Waterfowl Season Comments!” Comments on the proposed season dates will be accepted until Aug. 17.
“We believe that this system will provide a more efficient and effective means to gather input regarding waterfowl season selections by the North Carolina Wildlife Commission”, said David Cobb, Chief of the Division of Wildlife Management.
Each year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides frameworks from which to choose the seasons, and the Commission selects the actual dates within these guidelines. Public-input meetings have traditionally been held to receive comments on waterfowl seasons.
In previous years, the Commission conducted nine meetings across the state to receive public input on the seasons. However, attendance at these meetings had declined over time and public input was minimal at most locations. As a cost-savings measure and to allow for a relatively easy means for statewide citizen input, the agency has developed the online comment system.
In addition, the Web site will list the federal frameworks from which seasons may be selected, a direct link to a map of North Carolina’s Canada goose hunt zones and a link to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2008 Status of Waterfowl video. The commission used a similar online survey for comments during the early waterfowl and webless migratory game bird hunting seasons.
For more information on migratory game birds in North Carolina, click here.
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Early Migratory Bird Seasons Set
June 9, 2008
Regulations for hunting doves, teal, rails and snipe remain consistent.
JEFFERSON CITY- The Missouri Conservation Commission has set the dates for the 2008 early migratory bird seasons. The seasons approved on May 30 are based on proposed federal frameworks and are contingent on final federal approval.
Migratory birds include dove, sora, Virginia rail, snipe, teal and woodcock. The seasons for those species are as follows.
- sora and Virginia rails, Sept