2008

October 1, 2008

Current and approaching seasons in Arkansas:

Deer:
Archery - All zones: Oct. 1, 2008 to Feb. 28, 2009.
Modern Gun - Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11: Nov. 8-30.
Zone 4: Nov. 8-9.
Zone 5: Nov. 8-9 and Nov. 15-16.
Zone 4A, 5A, 13, 14 and 15: Nov. 8-Dec. 7.
Zones 4B and 5B: Nov. 8-16.
Zones 9 and 12: Nov. 8-Dec. 14.
Zone 16, 16A and 17: Nov. 8-Dec. 25.
Muzzleloader - Zones 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5A, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 13-15.
Zones 9, 12, 16, 16A and 17: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 29-31.
Zones 4, 4B, 5 and 5B: Closed.
The statewide Christmas holiday modern gun deer hunt will be Dec. 26 to 28 with the special youth modern gun deer hunt in all zones (excludes certain WMAs where a modern gun or muzzleloader permit is required to hunt) scheduled for Nov. 1 to 2.

Duck:
Nov. 22-Dec. 1,
Dec. 6-Dec. 24
Dec. 26-Jan. 25.
The youth waterfowl hunt will be Jan. 31-Feb. 1.

Northwest Canada goose zone season:
Sept. 27-Oct. 6 (bag limit two).

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:
Oct. 4-19
Dec. 13, 2008-Jan. 2, 2009

Virginia and Sora Rail:
Sept. 13-Nov. 21

Spotted Skunk, Weasel Hunting:
Closed

Fall Turkey:
Archery: All Zones: Oct. 1, 2008-Feb. 28, 2009.
Firearms: Zones 3, 5B, 6, and 17: Oct. 11-17.
Zones 1, 1A, 2, 4, 4A, 4B, 5, 5A, 7, 7A, 8, 9, 9A and 10: Closed.

Bear:
Archery: Zone 1: Oct. 1-Nov. 30
Zone 2: Sept. 15-Nov. 30
Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed
Muzzleloader: Zones 1 and 2: Oct 18-26
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
Special Youth Modern Gun Bear Hunt: Zones 1 and 2 (does not include WMAs requiring a deer permit to harvest a bear): Nov. 1-2
Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 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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Sportsmen May Access Public Areas in Arkansas to Repair Blinds

September 25, 2008

POCAHONTAS – Due to the recent heavy winds associated with the passage of Hurricane Ike over Northeast Arkansas, a considerable amount of tree limbs and logs have accumulated in some hunting areas and boat lanes. Hunters on the Dave Donaldson Black River and the St. Francis Sunken Lands wildlife management areas will soon get a second opportunity to access these Arkansas Game and Fish Commission areas.

Sportsmen may access St. Francis Sunken Lands and Dave Donaldson Black River WMAs from Friday, Sept. 26, 2008 through Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008, in order to remove fallen logs and limbs from waterfowl hunting holes and boat lanes. Debris removal on the Big lake WMA will be carried out by the Big Lake Volunteer Work Group, under the supervision of the AGFC.

Maintenance will only be allowed into the areas during daylight hours. Special permits will not be required.

Maintenance may be done under the following guidelines:

Certain levees and roads usually open to vehicular traffic may be closed due to construction or logging operations on Dave Donaldson Black River and St. Francis Sunken Lands WMAs. For maintenance purposes, only ATVs will be permitted beyond signs, locked gates or barricades.
Boats, three wheeled, four wheeled, six wheeled or eight-wheeled all terrain vehicles may be used on existing roads or trails to access hunting areas. Trailers may be used with ATVs to transport repair materials and equipment to blind locations.
No trucks or other passenger vehicles, farm tractors or implements, including implements for use with four-wheelers, riding mowers or power mowers may be used.
Chainsaws mounted on extension poles or any other devices intended exclusively for overhead limb cutting are not permitted.
No chemicals, herbicides or defoliants may be used.
Chainsaws will be permitted only for the cutting of fallen logs from boat lanes, trails and hunting spots.
No standing trees are to be cut or damaged.
No new holes or clearings are to be created and existing holes are not to be enlarged by cutting surrounding trees or shrubs. Violations of this restriction may result in the red-lining of the hole and permanent closure of the hole to all waterfowl hunting.
Soil may not be plowed, cultivated or disturbed in any manner and no seeds of any kind are to be planted.
Cutting of trees, application of chemicals or defoliants, or the enlargement or creation of new openings will result in the permanent closure of that location to hunting.
No maintenance may be done in areas that have been closed to hunting by painted boundaries or signs.

The use of all-terrain vehicles for off road travel is restricted to persons actively participating in blind or hunting hole maintenance, and mobility impaired access permit holders as permitted by area regulations. Joy riding is prohibited and violators will be prosecuted.

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What’s Open For Hunting In Arkansas - 9/24/2008

September 25, 2008

Current and approaching seasons in Arkansas:

Alligator:

Sept. 19-22
Sept. 26-29

Deer:

Archery - All zones: Oct. 1, 2008 to Feb. 28, 2009.

Modern Gun - Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11: Nov. 8-30.
Zone 4: Nov. 8-9.
Zone 5: Nov. 8-9 and Nov. 15-16.
Zone 4A, 5A, 13, 14 and 15: Nov. 8-Dec. 7.
Zones 4B and 5B: Nov. 8-16.
Zones 9 and 12: Nov. 8-Dec. 14.
Zone 16, 16A and 17: Nov. 8-Dec. 25.

Muzzleloader - Zones 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5A, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 13-15.
Zones 9, 12, 16, 16A and 17: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 29-31.
Zones 4, 4B, 5 and 5B: Closed.

The statewide Christmas holiday modern gun deer hunt will be Dec. 26 to 28 with the special youth modern gun deer hunt in all zones (excludes certain WMAs where a modern gun or muzzleloader permit is required to hunt) scheduled for Nov. 1 to 2.

Duck:

Nov. 22-Dec. 1,
Dec. 6-Dec. 24
Dec. 26-Jan. 25.

The youth waterfowl hunt will be Jan. 31-Feb. 1.

Northwest Canada goose zone season: Sept. 1-15 (with a bag limit of five) and Sept. 27-Oct. 6 (bag limit two).

Statewide Canada goose season: Sept. 1-15 (bag limit five) and 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:

Sept. 6-28
Oct. 4-19
Dec. 13, 2008-Jan. 2, 2009

Teal: Sept. 13-28

Virginia and Sora Rail: Sept. 13-Nov. 21

Spotted Skunk, Weasel Hunting: Closed

Fall Turkey:
Archery: All Zones: Oct. 1, 2008-Feb. 28, 2009.
Firearms: Zones 3, 5B, 6, and 17: Oct. 11-17.
Zones 1, 1A, 2, 4, 4A, 4B, 5, 5A, 7, 7A, 8, 9, 9A and 10: Closed.

Bear:

Archery: Zone 1: Oct. 1-Nov. 30
Zone 2: Sept. 15-Nov. 30
Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed

Muzzleloader: Zones 1 and 2: Oct 18-26
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

Special Youth Modern Gun Bear Hunt: Zones 1 and 2 (does not include WMAs
requiring a deer permit to harvest a bear): Nov. 1-2

Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed

Furbearers (2008 Season):
Raccoon night hunting July 1-Aug. 31.
Badger, spotted skunk and weasel hunting is closed.

Furbearers (2009 Season):
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 and A: Sept. 22-26.
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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What’s Open For Hunting in Arkansas - 9/17/2008

September 17, 2008

Current and approaching seasons in Arkansas:

Alligator:

Sept. 19-22
Sept. 26-29

Deer:

Archery - All zones: Oct. 1, 2008 to Feb. 28, 2009.

Muzzleloader - Zones 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5A, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 13-15.
Zones 9, 12, 16, 16A and 17: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 29-31.
Zones 4, 4B, 5 and 5B: Closed.

Duck:

Nov. 22-Dec. 1,
Dec. 6-Dec. 24
Dec. 26-Jan. 25.

The youth waterfowl hunt will be Jan. 31-Feb. 1.

Northwest Canada goose zone season: Sept. 1-15 (with a bag limit of five) and Sept. 27-Oct. 6 (bag limit two).

Statewide Canada goose season: Sept. 1-15 (bag limit five) and 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:

Sept. 6-28
Oct. 4-19
Dec. 13, 2008-Jan. 2, 2009

Teal: Sept. 13-28

Virginia and Sora Rail: Sept. 13-Nov. 21

Spotted Skunk, Weasel Hunting: Closed

Fall Turkey:
Archery: All Zones: Oct. 1, 2008-Feb. 28, 2009.
Firearms: Zones 3, 5B, 6, and 17: Oct. 11-17.
Zones 1, 1A, 2, 4, 4A, 4B, 5, 5A, 7, 7A, 8, 9, 9A and 10: Closed.

Bear:

Archery: Zone 1: Oct. 1-Nov. 30
Zone 2: Sept. 15-Nov. 30
Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed

Muzzleloader: Zones 1 and 2: Oct 18-26
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

Special Youth Modern Gun Bear Hunt: Zones 1 and 2 (does not include WMAs
requiring a deer permit to harvest a bear): Nov. 1-2

Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed

Furbearers (2008 Season):
Raccoon night hunting July 1-Aug. 31.
Badger, spotted skunk and weasel hunting is closed.

Elk: Zones 1, 2, 3, 4 and A: Sept. 22-26.
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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New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife To Stock Dog Training Areas in 2008

September 16, 2008

The Division of Fish and Wildlife will stock a total of 880 quail in eleven (11) wildlife management area (WMA) dog training areas prior to the November 8 opening of the small game season. The quail are stocked for dog training purposes

The dog training areas are located within the following WMAs (listed north to south) and will be stocked the afternoons of October 4, 11, 18 and 25: Whittingham, Pequest, Black River, Clinton, Assunpink, Manasquan, Colliers Mills, Stafford Forge, Glassboro, Millville and Tuckahoe. Please note that the dog training area at Pequest is new and is located on Pequest Rd. between Rt. 46 and Janes Chapel Rd.

Small game hunters with dogs should try to take advantage of these early stockings. Conditioning your hunting dog prior to the opening day of small game season should be part of every hunter’s pre-season regimen.

Hunters should note that they may exercise or train dogs on any WMA from September 1 to April 30, however, the exercising or training of dogs is prohibited on any WMA on November 7, 2008. Regulations regarding the release of game for dog training purposes apply. Call 609-984-0547 for details.

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Proposed Game Code Changes for 2009 - 2012 Hunting Seasons in New Jersey

September 16, 2008

The following first appeared in the August 2008 Hunting Issue of the Fish and Wildlife DIGEST, page 80.

Changes to hunting regulations are established by the Fish and Game Council through revisions to the Game Code. The Council voted to accept the following Game Code amendments on April 8,2008 (pdf, 24kb), which, if approved, are scheduled to be effective in 2009. They are presently under attorney review and will be published in the NJ Register when that review is complete. A public comment period will follow publication in the Register. NOTE: These changes WILL NOT be in effect for the 2008-09 seasons.

RABBIT and HARE
Opening day of rabbit season will move forward from the second week in November to the last Saturday in September.

The opening day of small game traditionally starts on the Saturday closest to November 10 to allow farmers time to harvest crops. This proposal maintains that tradition by keeping the November opening day timing for pheasants, chukar and quail. An earlier rabbit/hare season should not interfere with farming activities since rabbit hunting involves hedgerows, old fields and most often uses a dog to flush and chase game back to the stationary hunter. An earlier open also provides ample opportunity for rabbit/hare hunters to enjoy their sport when rabbit populations are most abundant plus will allow hunting on WMAs without encountering bird hunters and trappers. Private landowners can choose not to allow the earlier open on their property.

FISHER
Add fisher to the Game Code in the section covering raccoon, fox, opossum, weasel and coyote trapping, with a closed season.

New Jersey is at the southern portion of the fisher’s natural range; restoration projects are ongoing in New York and Pennsylvania. It is believed that fisher may be migrating southwest into New Jersey from New York’s Catskill Mountains. There have been two confirmed sightings (Frelinghuysen Twp., Warren County 2004; Stokes State Forest, Sussex County 2006), and seven unconfirmed sightings from June through December 2007. Game species designation will clarify the fisher’s status as a protected furbearer with a closed season.

COYOTE
Increase the coyote season length for the special permit night season.

The current season runs from the second week of January to the third week in February. The proposal opens the season from January 1 through March 15 plus removes the bag limit. Coyotes are well established through all 21 counties. Damage complaints have increased and attacks on humans have occurred. An increased number of permit applications prove an increased hunter interest.

GROUSE
Create two hunting zones divided by Rt. 70 with seasonally-adjusted opening days.

This confers some protection to the southern population where suitable habitat is in short supply.

WILD TURKEY
There are three proposed changes for turkey.

1. Open spring turkey season one week later, decreasing the season length by one week.
Spring seasons should coincide with the onset of egg incubation by hens. A cooperative research project among eastern states shows that the optimal time for a season opener is around April 25 for northern New Jersey and April 20 for the south. Under this proposal, opening days would fall between April 19 and 26. A later opener will disturb clutching hens less, plus should reduce illegal hen harvest. A later date will also better coincide with the second peak in gobbling activity, as more hens will be on the nest and fewer will be with toms. This proposal will help offset the turkey population decline of the past several years in the central portion of the state. 2. Redefine the boundaries of Turkey Hunting Areas (THAs) 15, 20 and 21.
Turkey harvest densities have increased in the southern portion of THA 15 over the past 10 years. The southern part of THA 15 will be moved into THAs 20 and 21. This adjustment will open up the shifted areas to fall turkey hunting. The transfer of the appropriate number of permits from THA 15 to THAs 20 and 21 has been calculated based upon land area and hunter densities.

3. Remove THAs 6, 7 and 10 from the fall hunting season.
The criteria to open a THA for fall hunting is an annual harvest of greater than or equal to one gobbler per square mile of turkey habitat for three consecutive years. If the gobbler harvest in a THA open to fall hunting drops to below 0.75 gobblers/mile sq. for three years in a row, that THA will be removed from the fall hunting season. THAs 6, 7 and 10 meet the criteria for removal.

WHITE-TAILED DEER
There are seven proposed changes for deer.

1. Expand the use of crossbows to all hunters during the three existing archery seasons. (For more on this proposal, see the feature article, Crossbows: Coming to a Treestand Near You?.) 2. Grant authority to the Fish and Game Council to shift the assignment of a deer management zone (DMZ) into a different deer regulation set, provided certain criteria are met. (See 2008-2009 Deer Regulation Sets (pdf, 23kb)
Amendments to the Game Code formerly followed an annual cycle; currently, a three year cycle is in effect to accommodate the regulatory process. With the authority to make changes within this three year cycle, the Council can affect a timely response to unforeseen or undesirable deer population changes to better achieve deer management goals, and to avert potentially damaging situations.

3. Add a new “Regulation Set 9″ to the existing deer regulation sets. (See 2008-2009 Deer Regulation Sets (pdf, 23kb)
The regulations in the proposed Regulation Set 9 will be more liberal than the most liberal, existing Regulation Set 8

Harvest results from the 2007-08 deer seasons show an antlerless deer harvest reduction during this first year of regulation changes in the Set 8 DMZs. These changes included the removal of the Earn-A-Buck regulation from all seasons except the first three weeks of the Fall Bow Season, and moving the antlerless-only days of Permit Shotgun and Permit Muzzleloader seasons from the week of Thanksgiving to the week after Thanksgiving. The proposed Regulation Set 9 will allow the Council to respond to an undesired population growth, should current harvest trends continue.

Regulation Set 9 will have four additional days of antlerless-only hunting for both the Permit Shotgun and Permit Muzzleloader seasons during Thanksgiving week. Data from previous years shows a significant portion of the overall antlerless harvest occurred during these early November days.

4. Add a new “Regulation Set 0″ to existing deer regulation sets. (See 2008-2009 Deer Regulation Sets (pdf, 23kb)
The regulations in the proposed Regulation Set 0 will be more restrictive than the most restrictive existing Regulation Set 1.

Certain DMZs in Regulation Sets 2 and 3, namely Zones 21, 23, 24, 34, 43, 45 and 46, have experienced harvest declines; all are below their population goal. Harvest data from the past six years shows the majority of the antlerless harvest being taken during the Permit Muzzleloader Season. Adoption of a more restrictive regulation set will allow the Council to increase deer populations in DMZs having less productive habitat.

Regulation Set 0 will reduce the Permit Muzzleloader Season by four days and reduce the antlerless bag limit to one per season.

5. Implement a Deer Management Assistance Program.
Fish and Wildlife has proposed a plan for landowners to better cope with undesirable deer densities on their properties while utilizing the current hunting season regulations and hunters to remove additional antlerless deer. The Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) would be available for the 2009-10 deer seasons. See the Deer Management Assistance Program page for details.

6. Change regulation sets for DMZs 18, 22 and 26. (See 2008-2009 Deer Regulation Sets (pdf, 23kb)
These zones have been experiencing declines in harvest and/or are below the population goal. Zones 22 and 26 will be moved from Set 4 to Set 3; Zone 18 will be moved from Set 3 to Set 2. Moving these zones down one regulation set into more a set with more restrictive seasons will allow moderate population increases.

7. Change a portion of the boundaries between Zones 23 and 25.
A portion of the boundary between Ancora and Hammonton running along Blue Anchor Brook and Albertson Brook will be changed to Routes 30 and 206. The brooks comprising part of this border are run seasonally. Changing the boundary to roadways will provide a more definitive border between zones.

Until formal adoption of the proposed Game Code amendments all the above changes are tentative. Interested individuals welcome to submit written comments and/or speak at the public hearing regarding any or all of these proposals. Watch the Division of Fish and Wildlife homepage for an announcement about publication of the proposed amendments in the NJ Register. Subscribers to the Hunting E-mail List will be notified automatically - see the E-mail Lists page for details and to subscribe.

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Small Game Hunting Opens in Minnesota Sept. 13, Blaze Orange Required

September 11, 2008

Grouse, rabbit, squirrel and partridge seasons open Sept. 13, offering Minnesotans the chance to discover the state’s vast amounts of land open to public hunting, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“Small game season is a forgotten pleasure,” said Dennis Simon, DNR wildlife section chief. “It doesn’t take a large investment of time and money or much hunting expertise to get out and find a few squirrels and rabbits.”

Simon noted many small game populations are relatively strong year-in, year-out. “Minnesota is consistently one of the top ruffed-grouse harvest states in the nation. What better place to introduce someone new to this type of hunting?” asked Simon.

Basic requirements include a blaze orange-colored article of clothing above the waist; a small caliber rifle or shotgun and a valid hunting license and firearms safety training. Complete details about seasons, requirements and bag limits are listed on pages 42-47 of the 2008 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook.

“Finding a place to hunt is the most difficult obstacle for many people,” Simon said. “But many people don’t know that Minnesota offers hunting in its 1.2-million-acre Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system as well as state, county and national forests.”

The WMA system, one of the largest and most-developed in the United States, contains 1,380 public wildlife areas across Minnesota, with habitat ranging from prairies and wetlands to forests and swamps. State forests offer an additional four million acres in 58 designated areas.

Details about WMAs and state forests are available online at http://mndnr.gov/destinations.

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What’s Open For Hunting in Arkansas - 9/10/2008

September 10, 2008

Current and approaching seasons in Arkansas:

Alligator:
Sept. 19-22
Sept. 26-29

Deer:
Archery - All zones: Oct. 1, 2008 to Feb. 28, 2009.
Modern Gun - Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11: Nov. 8-30.
Zone 4: Nov. 8-9.
Zone 5: Nov. 8-9 and Nov. 15-16.
Zone 4A, 5A, 13, 14 and 15: Nov. 8-Dec. 7.
Zones 4B and 5B: Nov. 8-16.
Zones 9 and 12: Nov. 8-Dec. 14.
Zone 16, 16A and 17: Nov. 8-Dec. 25.
Muzzleloader - Zones 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5A, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 13-15.
Zones 9, 12, 16, 16A and 17: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 29-31.
Zones 4, 4B, 5 and 5B: Closed.

Duck:
Nov. 22-Dec. 1,
Dec. 6-Dec. 24
Dec. 26-Jan. 25.
The youth waterfowl hunt will be Jan. 31-Feb. 1.

Northwest Canada goose zone season:
Sept. 1-15 (with a bag limit of five) and Sept. 27-Oct. 6 (bag limit two).

Statewide Canada goose season:
Sept. 1-15 (bag limit five) and 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:
Sept. 6-28
Oct. 4-19
Dec. 13, 2008-Jan. 2, 2009

Teal:
Sept. 13-28

Virginia and Sora Rail:
Sept. 13-Nov. 21

Spotted Skunk, Weasel Hunting:
Closed

Fall Turkey:
Archery: All Zones: Oct. 1, 2008-Feb. 28, 2009.
Firearms: Zones 3, 5B, 6, and 17: Oct. 11-17.
Zones 1, 1A, 2, 4, 4A, 4B, 5, 5A, 7, 7A, 8, 9, 9A and 10: Closed.

Bear:
Archery: Zone 1: Oct. 1-Nov. 30
Zone 2: Sept. 15-Nov. 30
Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed

Muzzleloader: Zones 1 and 2: Oct 18-26
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

Special Youth Modern Gun Bear Hunt: Zones 1 and 2 (does not include WMAs requiring a deer permit to harvest a bear): Nov. 1-2
Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed

Furbearers (2008 Season):
Raccoon night hunting July 1-Aug. 31.
Badger, spotted skunk and weasel hunting is closed.

Elk:
Zones 1, 2, 3, 4 and A: Sept. 22-26.
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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What’s Open For Hunting in Arkansas - 9/3/2008

September 3, 2008

Current and approaching seasons in Arkansas:

Alligator:

Sept. 19-22

Sept. 26-29

Deer:

Archery - All zones: Oct. 1, 2008 to Feb. 28, 2009.

Modern Gun - Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11: Nov. 8-30.

Zone 4: Nov. 8-9.

Zone 5: Nov. 8-9 and Nov. 15-16.

Zone 4A, 5A, 13, 14 and 15: Nov. 8-Dec. 7.

Zones 4B and 5B: Nov. 8-16.

Zones 9 and 12: Nov. 8-Dec. 14.

Zone 16, 16A and 17: Nov. 8-Dec. 25.

Muzzleloader - Zones 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5A, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 13-15.

Zones 9, 12, 16, 16A and 17: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 29-31.

Zones 4, 4B, 5 and 5B: Closed.

Duck:

Nov. 22-Dec. 1,

Dec. 6-Dec. 24

Dec. 26-Jan. 25.

The youth waterfowl hunt will be Jan. 31-Feb. 1.

Northwest Canada goose zone season:

Sept. 1-15 (with a bag limit of five) and Sept. 27-Oct. 6 (bag limit two).

Statewide Canada goose season:

Sept. 1-15 (bag limit five) and 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:

Sept. 6-28
Oct. 4-19
Dec. 13, 2008-Jan. 2, 2009

Teal:

Sept. 13-28

Virginia and Sora Rail:

Sept. 13-Nov. 21

Spotted Skunk, Weasel Hunting:

Closed

Fall Turkey:

Archery: All Zones: Oct. 1, 2008-Feb. 28, 2009.

Firearms: Zones 3, 5B, 6, and 17: Oct. 11-17.

Zones 1, 1A, 2, 4, 4A, 4B, 5, 5A, 7, 7A, 8, 9, 9A and 10: Closed.

Bear:

Archery: Zone 1: Oct. 1-Nov. 30

Zone 2: Sept. 15-Nov. 30

Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed

Muzzleloader: Zones 1 and 2: Oct 18-26

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

Special Youth Modern Gun Bear Hunt: Zones 1 and 2 (does not include WMAs requiring a deer permit to harvest a bear): Nov. 1-2

Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed

Furbearers (2008 Season):

Raccoon night hunting July 1-Aug. 31.

Badger, spotted skunk and weasel hunting is closed.

Furbearers (2009 Season):

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 and A: Sept. 22-26.

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

Filed Under Hunting Reports · Leave a Comment

What’s Open For Hunting In Arkansas - 8/27/2008

August 27, 2008

Current and approaching seasons in Arkansas:

Alligator:

Sept. 19-22

Sept. 26-29

Deer:

Archery - All zones: Oct. 1, 2008 to Feb. 28, 2009.

Modern Gun - Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11: Nov. 8-30.

Zone 4: Nov. 8-9.

Zone 5: Nov. 8-9 and Nov. 15-16.

Zone 4A, 5A, 13, 14 and 15: Nov. 8-Dec. 7.

Zones 4B and 5B: Nov. 8-16.

Zones 9 and 12: Nov. 8-Dec. 14.

Zone 16, 16A and 17: Nov. 8-Dec. 25.

Muzzleloader - Zones 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5A, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 13-15.

Zones 9, 12, 16, 16A and 17: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 29-31.

Zones 4, 4B, 5 and 5B: Closed.

Duck:

Nov. 22-Dec. 1,

Dec. 6-Dec. 24

Dec. 26-Jan. 25.

The youth waterfowl hunt will be Jan. 31-Feb. 1.

Northwest Canada goose zone season:

Sept. 1-15 (with a bag limit of five) and Sept. 27-Oct. 6 (bag li

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