S.C. waterfowl season gets underway Nov. 26
November 21, 2008
The 2008-2009 late waterfowl season will soon get underway with the first segment opening on Wednesday, Nov. 26 running until Sunday, Nov. 30.
Changes in regulations include an increase in the wood duck bag limit from two to three, a hybrid daily bag limit for scaup, and a closure of the canvasback season. This season will also include three youth waterfowl hunting days. State youth day is Dec. 6. Federal youth days are Jan. 31, 2009, and Feb. 1, 2009.
Copies of the regulations booklet and migratory bird brochure are available by writing to DNR, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202; or by calling (803) 734-3886 in Columbia.
DUCKS (Excluding Sea Ducks) - Open Dates (All Dates Inclusive): Nov. 26–Nov. 30; Dec. 12–Jan. 25 - Hunting hours: 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset – Differential bag limit: 6 total, including no more than 4 mallards (1 hen), 1 pintail, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 1 black-bellied whistling duck, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads and 1 black duck or 1 mottled duck. The 6 total shall include no more than 1 scaup for the period Nov. 26-Nov. 30 and Dec. 12-Jan. 5. The 6 total shall include no more than 2 scaup for the period Jan. 6-Jan. 25. - Possession limit: 12 total, including no more than 8 mallards (2 hens), 2 pintails, 2 fulvous whistling ducks, 2 black-bellied whistling ducks, 6 wood ducks, 4 redheads, (2 black ducks or 2 mottled ducks or 1 black duck and 1 mottled duck). The 12 total shall include no more than 2 scaup for the period Nov. 26-Nov. 30 and Dec. 12-Jan. 5. The 12 total shall include no more than 4 scaup for the period Jan. 6-Jan. 25.
Dec. 6, 2008 is State Youth Day. Only hunters 17 years of age or younger may hunt waterfowl (ducks and geese) on this day. The youth(s) must be accompanied by an adult of at least 21 years of age. The adult is not allowed to carry a gun or hunt, but must be properly licensed, including state and federal duck stamps. Youth who are 16 and 17 years of age who hunt on this day are not required to be licensed or have a state waterfowl stamp but must possess a Federal Waterfowl Stamp. The regular duck season limits apply except on this day, the 6 total limit may include no more than 1 scaup.
Jan. 31, 2009 and Feb. 1, 2009 are Federal Youth Days. Only hunters 15 years of age or younger may hunt waterfowl (ducks and geese) on these days. The youth(s) must be accompanied by an adult of at least 18 years of age. The adult is not allowed to carry a gun or hunt, and does not have to be licensed. The regular duck season limits apply except on these days, the 6 total limit may include no more than 2 scaup.
MERGANSERS - Open Dates (All Dates Inclusive): Nov. 26–Nov. 30; Dec. 12–Jan. 25 - Hunting hours: 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset - Bag limit: 5 (not to include more than 1 Hooded Merganser) - Possession limit: 10 (not to include more than 2 Hooded Mergansers).
SEA DUCKS - Open Dates (All Dates Inclusive): Oct. 11–Jan. 25 - Hunting hours: 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset - Bag limit: 7 (Not to include more than 4 scoters) - Possession limit: 14 (Not to include more than 8 scoters) — Sea ducks taken outside of the regular duck season may be hunted only in Atlantic Ocean waters separated from any shore, island or emergent vegetation by at least one mile of open water. Sea ducks include eiders, scoters and long-tailed ducks.
COOTS - Open Dates (All Dates Inclusive): Nov. 26–Nov. 30; Dec. 12–Jan. 25 - Hunting hours: 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset - Bag limit: 15 - Possession limit: 30.
CANADA GEESE/WHITE FRONTED GEESE (Late Seasons) - Open Dates (All Dates Inclusive): Nov. 26–Nov. 30; Dec. 12–Jan 30, Feb 2-Feb 15 - Hunting hours: 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset - Bag limit: 5 (not to include more than 2 white-fronted geese) - Possession limit: 10 (not to include more than 4 white-fronted geese). Excludes all of Clarendon County, that portion of Orangeburg County North of SC Highway 6 and that portion of Berkeley County North of SC Highway 45 from the Orangeburg County Line to the junction of SC Highway 45 and State Road S-8-31 and that portion West of the Santee Dam.
BLUE and SNOW GEESE - Open Dates (All Dates Inclusive): Nov. 26–Nov. 30; Dec. 12–Jan. 25 - Hunting hours: 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset - Bag limit: 15 - Possession limit: No limit.
BRANT - Open Dates (All Dates Inclusive): Nov. 26–Nov. 30; Dec. 12–Jan. 25 - Hunting hours: 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset - Bag limit: 3 - Possession limit: 6.
There is no open season on canvasbacks or harlequin ducks.
Shooting hours for late season duck hunting are uniform statewide. Hunters should take notice that DNR law enforcement officers will pay special attention to “late shooting violations” throughout South Carolina. Check local newspapers for sunrise and sunset times. Any South Carolina hunter born after June 30, 1979, must complete an approved hunter education course to purchase a hunting license.
Nontoxic shot (such as steel, bismuth-tin, tungsten-iron, tungsten-polymer, or other federally approved shot) is required for all waterfowl hunting. The possession of lead shot is prohibited for all waterfowl hunting statewide.
DNR protects and manages South Carolina’s natural resources by making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state’s natural resources and its people.
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DEC Warns Against Feeding Waterfowl After Finding Dead & Dying Geese
November 21, 2008
Birds Afflicted with a Fungal Disease After Ingesting Moldy Grain
Recently, a dozen Canada geese were found sick or dead on a pond in northern Clinton County by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Wildlife staff responding to a report from a concerned citizen.
The sick geese were disoriented and unable to fly, and all are expected to die. A necropsy of the dead geese determined that they were infected with Aspergillosis, a fungus that grows in the birds’ lungs and air sacs causing respiratory distress and, eventually, suffocation.
Aspergillosis is transmitted to waterfowl by the ingestion of moldy grain, such as bread or livestock feed. It has been known to cause large-scale mortality events in waterfowl, and for every one dead bird recovered, many more may die in remote locations or go unnoticed. Aspergillosis is not contagious and does not present a health risk to humans.
DEC is attempting to locate the food source that contains the fungus. Once located it will be removed and disposed of (or covered) to prevent any further waterfowl deaths.
DEC is asking the public to not feed geese, ducks, and other waterfowl to help prevent this disease and other negative impacts on waterfowl populations. Feeding causes poor nutrition, overcrowding, unnatural behavior, delayed migration, and facilitates the spread of diseases, like Aspergillosis, that may result in death.
DEC recommends that anyone feeding waterfowl, stop before winter sets in, and remove any food, such as bread or corn, that is or may become moldy. In recognition that some insist on feeding, despite the negative impacts on waterfowl, DEC urges the following precautions to prevent the spread of Aspergillosis:
- Only provide enough food that will be consumed in less than a day.
- Remove all food and food remnants from the feeding area at the end of each day.
- Check the food while putting it out and remove any moldy food items.
- NEVER feed moldy bread to any birds - throw it out.
Farmers should keep grain piles covered and dispose of moldy grain or silage by burial or tilling into the soil. Ducks and geese must be discouraged from using areas where moldy agricultural products have accumulated.
Please report diseased or dead waterfowl to your nearest Department of Environmental Conservation Wildlife Office. The phone number of the nearest DEC wildlife office may be obtained from the DEC web site.
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Texas Weekly Migratory Bird Hunting Report - 11/19/2008
November 19, 2008
Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February.
High Plains Mallard Management Unit: The front brought new birds to the region but mild temperatures quickly returned. Outfitters have said temperatures in the 70s have not prompted geese to feed heavily, which has hurt decoying action. Many outfitters have said there are plenty of Canadas and snows to hunt; but, weather has been the ingredient to harvest them. Duck numbers look good on playas and feed lots. More mallards showed with the front. Knox City and Haskell County hunters have taken limits of wigeons, teal, gadwalls and a few mallards. Water conditions look better in the northern region of the Panhandle compared to the southern. Sandhill cranes numbers are strong and a few good hunts have been posted. Again, mild conditions and high skies have limited hunters. Prospects are good.
North Zone Duck: More ducks showed with the front. Gadwalls, teal and woodies continue to be most consistent in bags, but more mallards showed this week. Lots of woodies have been seen early in the river bottoms. Locales say they are seeing many more wood ducks than a year ago, probably due to better water conditions. Area lakes and reservoirs are holding more divers than normal. Divers like scaup and redheads are late getting to the coastal bayfronts, but many have begun their migration since the front. Lake Wright-Patman has been fair for gadwalls, teal and a few divers. Lots of ringed-necks on Caddo Lake. Power plant lakes, where hunting is prohibited, are holding large concentrations of birds. The river bottoms have water but could use another doze of soaking rains. Fields in Brookshire, Winnie, Nome, Sealy and Katy received rain that recharged duck ponds. Second-cropped rice fields have been best for teal, gadwalls, shovelers and mottled ducks. Many hunters have reported seeing more mottled ducks on inland fields on the east side of Houston, probably due to deteriorating marsh conditions brought about by Hurricane Ike. The first split of duck season runs through Nov. 30. Prospects are fair to good.
South Zone Duck: Duck hunters have seen consistent action on prairie ponds, especially since three to seven inches of rain fell last week. The recent front deposited new birds to the region, including more green-winged teal. Lots of bluewings still hanging around, especially in the marsh near Collegeport. Wharton, Garwood, Eagle Lake, East Bernard and El Campo ponds have been steady, with the odd specklebelly being taken out of duck blinds. Action on local wildlife management areas had been slim, but action picked up with the front and new water to fill freshwater compartments. Port O’Connor and Rockport hunters saw an influx of redheads, scaup and pintails. The hard north wind associated with the front blew some of the pintails from the prairie to the marsh. A stiff southerly wind should send them back, quickly. Goose numbers continue to build. The front pushed many more snow geese to the coast which hit fresh cut second-cropped rice fields. Good hunts were posted with a little fog and south winds that blew before the front. A good ration of young to old birds has helped decoying action—the same can be said for specklebellies. No reports of Canada geese, yet. The first split of duck season runs through Nov. 30. Prospects are good.
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What’s Open For Hunting in Arkansas - 11/19/2008
November 19, 2008
Current and approaching seasons in Arkansas:
Deer:
Archery - All zones:Â Oct. 1, 2008 to Feb. 28, 2009.
Modern Gun - Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11: Nov. 8-30.
Zone 5:Â Nov. 15-16.
Zone 4A, 5A, 13, 14 and 15:Â Nov. 8-Dec. 7.
Zones 4B and 5B:Â Nov. 8-16.
Zones 9 and 12:Â Nov. 8-Dec. 14.
Zone 16, 16A and 17:Â Nov. 8-Dec. 25.
Muzzleloader- Zones 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5A, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15: Dec. 13-15.
Zones 9, 12, 16, 16A and 17: Dec. 29-31.
Zones 4, 4B, 5 and 5B:Â Closed.
The statewide Christmas holiday modern gun deer hunt will be Dec. 26-28.
Duck:
Nov. 22-Dec. 1,
Dec. 6-Dec. 24
Dec. 26-Jan. 25.
The youth waterfowl hunt will be Jan. 31-Feb. 1.
Statewide Canada goose season:
Jan. 10-Feb. 1 (bag limit two).
White-fronted goose season:
Nov. 15-Dec. 1, Dec. 6-Dec. 24 and Dec. 26-Jan. 30 with a bag limit of two.
Snow, blue and Ross’ goose season:
Nov. 8-Dec. 24 and Dec. 26-Jan. 30 with a bag limit of 20.
Snow goose Conservation Order:
Feb. 2-April 25 with no bag limit.
Dove:
Dec. 13, 2008-Jan. 2, 2009
Virginia and Sora Rail:
Sept. 13-Nov. 21
Spotted Skunk, Weasel Hunting:
Closed
Fall Turkey:
Archery: All Zones:Â Oct. 1, 2008-Feb. 28, 2009.
Bear:
Archery: Zone 1: Oct. 1-Nov. 30
Zone 2: Sept. 15-Nov. 30
Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed
Modern Gun: Zones 1 and 2: Nov 3-30
Zone 5: Dec 6-14
Zone 5A: Nov 29-Dec 14
Zones 3, 4, 6 and 7: closed
Furbearers:
Trapping (other than coyote, beaver, muskrat, nutria): sunrise, Nov. 15-sunset, Feb. 22.
Coyote trapping: sunrise, Aug. 1-sunset, March 31.
Beaver, muskrat, nutria trapping: sunrise, Nov. 15-sunset, March 31.
Gray fox, mink, opossum, red fox, striped skunk hunting: sunrise, Sept. 1-sunset, Feb 28.
Raccoon day or night hunting: sunrise, Sept 1-sunset, March 31.
Raccoon night hunting: sunset, July 1-sunrise, Aug. 31.
Bobcat hunting: sunrise, Oct. 1-sunset, Feb. 28 and from the first day of spring turkey season through June 8.
Coyote hunting: sunrise, July 1-sunset, Feb. 28 and from the first day of spring turkey season through June 14.
River otter hunting: sunrise, Nov. 15-sunset, Feb. 28.
Muskrat, nutria, beaver hunting: sunrise, Sept. 1-sunset, March 31.
Badger, spotted skunk and weasel hunting: Closed.
Elk:
Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, A and B: Dec. 8-12.
Quail:
Statewide: Nov. 1-Feb. 8.
Rabbit
Statewide: Sept. 1-Feb. 28.
Squirrel
Statewide: Sept. 6, 2008-Feb. 28, 2009 and May 16-June 14, 2009.
Crow
Statewide: Sept. 6-Feb. 23.
Projected opening dates for the 2009-2010 deer hunting season.
Archery:
Oct. 1, 2009
Muzzleloader:
Oct. 17, 2009
Modern Gun:
Nov. 14, 2009
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Apprentice Duck Hunts At Grizzly Island Wildlife Area of California
November 18, 2008
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) announces two special apprentice duck hunts at Grizzly Island Wildlife Area. On Saturday, Dec. 13 and Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008, spaced blinds on Pond 11 and Crescent Unit of the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area will be available only for apprentice hunt participants and will be closed to the general public. The hunts are available to junior hunting license holders.
An adult chaperone (18 years of age or older) is required to accompany and supervise each junior hunter. The adult may hunt with the junior hunter and must possess the required 2008-09 California hunting license and state and federal waterfowl stamps. Sixteen-year-old junior license holders must have a federal waterfowl stamp to hunt waterfowl. All available blinds can accommodate two people, the junior hunter and his or her adult chaperone. Non-toxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is required for waterfowl hunting. A minimum of one dozen duck decoys are required at all blind sites and chest waders are recommended.
To apply for a reservation, please use a standard post card and send it as follows:
Each hunter may apply only once and for only one date. Application cards must be received by close of business on Nov. 25, 2008. Junior hunt reservations will be filled by a random drawing conducted on Nov. 26. There will be 16 reservations issued for each date. All successful applicants will be notified by mail. The Grizzly Island Wildlife Area will also accept junior hunters on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the hunt to use the free roam areas and to fill any no-shows.
DFG encourages use of the West Family Unit, which is available only to junior hunters. Hunt days are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the open season. The gate will open approximately two hours before shoot time. An adult chaperone is required and four double blinds are available. The unit is north of Benicia on Goodyear Rd. From Highway 680 take the Marshview Road exit and turn right onto Goodyear Rd. from the off-ramp. The hunt area will be on the left.
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Register Now for Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt
November 13, 2008
Phone-in Registration Deadline for Youth Hunt Lottery Drawing is Dec. 5
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Registration is now open for the 8th annual Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt. This event providing youngsters with a chance to hunt at private waterfowl hunting clubs in Peoria, Fulton and Knox counties during the holiday break on Dec. 26-27. The hunt is sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Participation in the hunt is limited. Youth hunters will be selected by a lottery drawing among all interested youth who phone in to register by Friday, Dec. 5. First-time applicants will be given a priority over previous participants in the drawing. The lottery drawing will be held on Monday, Dec. 8, and youth hunters selected will be notified by mail.
The hunt is open to youngsters ages 10-15 at the time of the hunt. All applicants must have successfully completed a hunter safety education course, possess a valid Illinois hunting or sportsman’s license, have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration number, and have a 20 gauge or larger shotgun. Youth hunt participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who must possess a valid firearm owner’s identification (FOID) card.Â
To register for the hunt or for more information, call Joe Robinson at 217/785-8060 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.
Raffle tickets are available to support the Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt, as well as youth waterfowl hunts throughout the state. Only 500 tickets will be sold at $10 each to benefit the youth hunts. Prizes available include a Remington 870 Super Mag 3 ½ in. shotgun, a Lifetime Hunting License (which is transferable), and a Mossberg .22 rifle. Winners will be drawn at the Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt banquet on Dec. 26. Raffle participants need not be present to win. For tickets or more information, call 217/785-8060.
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Thanksgiving Turkey? How About Duck, Venison, Salmon, Clams or Crab?
November 13, 2008
General turkey-hunting seasons are closed for the year, but hunters and anglers still have plenty of opportunities to contribute to the Thanksgiving Day feast in the days ahead.
The late buck season - already under way in Eastern Washington - gets started tomorrow (Nov. 13) on the west side of the Cascades for deer hunters using modern firearms. Conditions are looking good for those hunters, as well as for archers and muzzleloaders who will take to the field later this month, said Dave Ware, game manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
“The high winds and rain that are blowing through the state have cleared a lot of leaves from the trees, which should improve hunters’ visibility,” Ware said, adding that the recent blustery weather could also improve waterfowl hunting. “With these conditions, however, hunters should check the weather reports and avoid flooded areas that could be potentially dangerous.”
While seafood may be less traditional Thanksgiving fare, it certainly is in season. The chum salmon return is nearing its peak in rivers and streams throughout Puget Sound, while the winter steelhead fishery in western Washington is just getting started.
Rather serve shellfish? Crab fisheries are open seven days a week in several areas of Puget Sound, and WDFW has scheduled a razor-clam dig on ocean beaches Nov. 13-16.
For more information on these and other hunting, fishing and wildlife-watching opportunities around the state, see the regional reports below:
North Puget Sound
Fishing: Heavy rains and high winds made fishing difficult in mid-November. Many freshwater fisheries are on hold as anglers wait for several swollen rivers to drop back into shape. Fishing effort also is down on Puget Sound as saltwater anglers wait for blustery conditions to subside.
“Fishing has been tough recently throughout the region, mostly due to the poor weather,” said Steve Thiesfeld, WDFW fish biologist. “We’ve seen a big drop in angler effort out there, but that will likely pick up once weather conditions become more favorable.”Â
Once the weather does improve, Thiesfeld recommends fishing for blackmouth salmon - resident chinook - in marine areas 9 (Admiralty Inlet) and 10 (Seattle/Bremerton). Anglers fishing Marine Area 10 can keep one chinook as part of a two-salmon daily limit. Those fishing in Marine Area 9 also have a two-salmon daily limit but can keep up to two hatchery chinook per day. Wild chinook salmon, which have an intact adipose fin, cannot be brought aboard the boat in Marine Area 9.
Thiesfeld reminds anglers that there are still a lot of shakers out in the Sound, and suggests using larger spoons and plugs to minimize the catch of those juvenile chinook. “Treat those fish with extreme care when releasing them because they are next year’s crop of blackmouth,” he said.
Sport crabbing also is an option out on the Sound. Marine areas 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca), 9 (Admiralty Inlet), 10 (Seattle/Bremerton) and 12 (Hood Canal) recently reopened for sport crabbing seven days a week through Jan. 2. Crab fishing also remains open seven days a week through Jan. 2 in marine areas 4 (Neah Bay), 5 (Sekiu), and 13 (south Puget Sound), where the fishery has continued uninterrupted since June 18.
Sport crabbing will not reopen this year in marine areas 7 (San Juan Islands), 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay), 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner) or 11 (Tacoma/Vashon Island), where the summer catch reached the annual quota.
The daily catch limit in Puget Sound is five Dungeness crab, males only, in hard-shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6¼ inches. In addition, fishers may catch six red rock crab of either sex per day, provided those crab measure at least 5 inches across. Additional information is available on the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab/index.htm
.
Meanwhile, freshwater anglers waiting for rivers to become fishable again might want to try casting for trout at Beaver Lake. About 1,800 hatchery rainbows - averaging approximately 3 to 5 pounds each - were recently released in the lake. Beaver Lake, one of several westside lowland lakes open to fishing year-round, is best fished by small boat, although anglers can also be successful fishing from shore. The daily bag limit is five fish, and bait anglers must keep the first five trout they catch.
Before heading out to the lakes, rivers, or Puget Sound, anglers should check the rules and regulations for fisheries in WDFW’s Fishing in Washington pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ).
Hunting: The modern firearm season for elk closed Nov. 10. Up next for modern firearm hunters is the late black-tailed deer season, which runs Nov. 13-16 in select game management units. Archers and muzzleloaders also have late-season opportunities, when deer and elk hunts open Nov. 19 in select game management units.
Waterfowlers have through Jan. 25 to