OOS Duck Seasons set

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At its April 29 meeting, the Missouri Conservation Commission approved recommendations on hunting seasons and limits from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) for the upcoming 2016 migratory game bird season and 2016-2017 waterfowl season. The approved recommendations include 20 additional days for dove hunting, a 60-day season for ducks, and changes to season timing and length for geese.

"The federal frameworks for Canada geese and white-fronted geese recently changed," explained MDC Resources Scientist Andy Raedeke. "As a result, the Department was able to eliminate separate season dates for different species of geese and offer a single goose season that begins on Veteran's Day and closes on Feb. 6. These changes will provide hunters with the latest seasons in modern history for Canada geese and white-fronted geese in Missouri."

The Commission also approved recommendations by MDC for the 2017-2020 duck-season-date formulas and changes to zone boundaries.


2016 MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING

Mourning Doves, Eurasian Collared Doves, and White-Winged Doves

Season: Sept. 1 through Nov. 29 (includes 20 more days)

Limits: 15 daily and 45 in possession combined total for all three species

Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Sora and Virginia Rails

Season: Sept. 1 through Nov. 9

Limits: 25 daily and 75 in possession combined for both species

Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Wilson's (Common) Snipe

Season: Sept. 1 through Dec. 16

Limits: 8 daily and 24 in possession

Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

American Woodcock

Season: Oct. 15 through Nov. 28

Limits: 3 daily and 9 in possession

Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

2016-2017 WATERFOWL HUNTING

Teal

Season: Sept. 10-25

Limits: 6 daily and 18 in possession

Hours: Sunrise to sunset

Ducks

Season:

North Zone: Oct. 29 through Dec. 27

Middle Zone: Nov. 5 through Jan. 3, 2017

South Zone: Nov. 24 through Jan. 22, 2017

Bag Limit: 6 ducks daily with species restrictions of:

4 mallards (no more than 2 females)

3 scaup

3 wood ducks

2 redheads

2 hooded mergansers

2 pintails

2 canvasbacks

1 black duck

1 mottled duck

Possession Limit: Three times the daily bag or 18 total, varies by species

Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Coots

Season: Concurrent with duck seasons in the respective zones

Limits: 15 daily and 45 in possession

Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Snow and Ross's Geese

Season: Nov. 11 through Feb. 6, 2017 (new recommendation of 88 days)

Limits: 20 blue, snow, or Ross's geese daily with no possession limit

Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

White-Fronted Geese

Season: Nov. 11 through Feb. 6, 2017 (later season with additional days in February)

Limits: 2 daily and 6 in possession

Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Canada Geese and Brant

Season: Oct. 1-9 and Nov. 11 – Feb. 6, 2017 (longer season with more days before Thanksgiving and during February)

Limits: 3 Canada geese and brant in aggregate daily, 9 in possession



Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Youth Hunting Days

Seasons:

North Zone: Oct. 22-23

Middle Zone: Oct. 29-30

South Zone: Nov. 19-20

Limits: same as during the regular waterfowl season

Hours: same as during the regular waterfowl season

Requirements: Any person 15 years of age or younger may participate in youth waterfowl hunting days without permit provided they are in the immediate presence of an adult 18 years of age or older. If the youth hunter is not certified in hunter education, the adult must have the required permits and have in his or her possession proof of hunter-education unless exempt. The adult may not hunt ducks but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special youth days.

Falconry Seasons

Falconry Season for Doves

Season: Sept. 1 through Dec. 16

Limits: 3 daily and 9 in possession, singly, or in the aggregate (any waterfowl taken by falconers must be included in these limits)

Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Falconry Season for Ducks, Coots, and Mergansers

Season: Feb. 10 through March 10

Limits: 3 daily and 9 in possession, singly, or in the aggregate during the regular duck-hunting seasons (including teal and youth seasons) and extended falconry seasons (any doves taken by falconers must be included in these limits)

Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Light Goose Conservation Order


Season: Feb. 7, 2017 through April 30, 2017 (new opening date)

Limits: No daily or possession limits

Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset

Requirements: Persons must possess a Conservation Order permit to participate in the Conservation Order. An exception to the above permit requirement includes any person 15 years of age or younger provided either she or he is in the immediate presence of a properly permitted adult hunter 18 years of age or older with hunter-education certification or who is exempt.

Methods: For the taking of blue, snow and Ross's geese, hunters may use shotguns capable of holding more than three shells and recorded or electronically amplified bird calls or sounds or imitations of bird calls or sounds.

Current Zone Descriptions

NORTH ZONE: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west from the Illinois border at Lock and Dam 25; west on ******* County Hwy. N to Mo. Hwy. 79; south on Mo. Hwy. 79 to Mo. Hwy. 47; west on Mo. Hwy. 47 to I-70; west on I-70 to the Kansas border.

SOUTH ZONE: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west from the Illinois border on Mo. Hwy. 74 to Mo. Hwy. 25; south on Mo. Hwy. 25 to U.S. Hwy. 62; west on U.S. Hwy. 62 to Mo. Hwy. 53; north on Mo. Hwy. 53 to Mo. Hwy. 51; north on Mo. Hwy. 51 to U.S. Hwy. 60; west on U.S. Hwy. 60 to Mo. Hwy. 21; north on Mo. Hwy. 21 to Mo. Hwy. 72; west on Mo. Hwy. 72 to Mo. Hwy. 32; west on Mo. Hwy. 32 to U.S. Hwy. 65; north on U.S. Hwy. 65 to U.S. Hwy. 54; west on U.S. Hwy. 54 to U.S. Hwy. 71; south on U.S. Hwy. 71 to Jasper County Hwy. M (Base Line Boulevard); west on Jasper County Hwy. M (Base Line Boulevard) to CRD 40 (Base Line Boulevard) to the Kansas border.

MIDDLE ZONE: The remainder of Missouri.

Nontoxic Shot Requirements

Shells possessed or used while hunting waterfowl and coots statewide, and for other species as designated by posting on public areas, must be loaded with material approved as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

For more information on migratory-bird hunting and waterfowl hunting, visit MDC online at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2017-2020

"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gives states the opportunity to change the number and location of duck zones about every five years and we consider adjustments to season dates at the same time," explained MDC Resources Scientist Andy Raedeke. "States can also select a continuous season or split season, which refers to a season that is open for a period of time, closes, and then reopens for a second period of time. Once selections are made, Missouri then keeps the same season-date formulas and zone boundaries for multiple years, with the next ones being for 2017 to 2020."

The Conservation Commission approved these MDC recommendations for the 2017-2020 duck-season-date formulas and zone boundaries:

2017-2020 North Zone Formula:

60 Days: A continuous season that opens on the first Saturday in November

45 Days: A continuous season that opens on the second Saturday in November

30 Days: A continuous season that opens the Saturday nearest Nov. 14

2017-2020 Middle Zone Formula:

60 Days: A split season that opens the Saturday nearest Nov. 6 for seven days, closes for five days, and then reopens for the remaining 53 days

45 Days: A continuous season that opens on the Saturday nearest Nov. 15

30 Days: A continuous season that opens on the Saturday nearest Nov. 19

2017-2020 South Zone Formula:

60 Days: A split season that opens on Thanksgiving Day for four days and then closes the number of days necessary to enable the remaining days to extend through the last Sunday in January

45 Days: A split season that opens the Saturday nearest Dec. 10, closes Dec. 20-25, and then reopens from Dec. 26 through the last Sunday in January

30 Days: A split season that opens the Saturday nearest Dec. 15, closes Dec. 19-25, and then reopens from Dec. 26 through the Sunday nearest Jan. 20

2017-2020 Zone Boundary Adjustments

The North/Middle Zone boundary in west Missouri will be adjusted to include Smithville Reservoir, the Missouri River, Dalton Cutoff, and a greater proportion of the Missouri River floodplain in the Middle Zone.

The South/Middle Zone boundary in west Missouri will be moved to Hwy 54 to put Barton, Jasper, and portions of Vernon counties back into the South Zone.

Hunter Input

Raedeke noted that recommended changes depend primarily upon hunter input and a wide variety of hunter preferences.

"Our goal is to establish zone boundaries and season dates based on hunter input and that best accommodate various types of waterfowl hunters and their preferences," explained Raedeke. "That includes hunters with varying levels of experience and those who hunt in different types of habitat, those who target different species, hunters who have varying physical capabilities and hunters who use different hunting styles."

Hunter input included responses from 3,515 individuals who completed MDC's 2014 Duck Hunter Opinion Survey, comments from 538 hunters who attended one of the Department's 14 recent waterfowl-hunter workshops, and other comments received from waterfowl hunters.

He added that given the range of hunter preferences, not all hunters will be completely satisfied with season dates and zone boundaries.

"Our aim is to accommodate at least a portion of most hunters' desires," said Raedeke. "We listen to what waterfowl hunters want and sincerely appreciate their time, effort, and input."

Learn more about the opinions of Missouri duck hunters regarding season dates and zone boundaries, as well as the rationale behind the changes that will go into effect in 2017, through the Missouri Duck Season Structure Evaluation Recommendation and Hunter Input report available online at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/waterfowl/waterfowl-reports-prospects.

http://dailyjournalonline.com/sports...5ab3b8762.html

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Oklahoma...

Migratory Bird Season Dates 2016-2017
Seasons; Date(s); Bag limit; Possession
Dove; Sept. 1-Oct. 31 & Dec. 17-25; 15; 45
Rail; Sept. 1 - Nov. 9; 25; 75
Woodcock; Nov. 1- Dec. 15; 3; 9
Snipe; Oct. 1 - Jan. 15, 2017; 8; 24
Gallinule; Sept. 1 - Nov. 9; 15; 45
Sept. Teal; Sept. 10-25; 6; 18
Early Canada Geese; Sept. 10-19; 8; 24
Sandhill Crane; Oct. 22-Jan. 22; 3; 9
Canada Geese; Oct. 19-Nov. 27 & Dec. 10-Feb. 12; 8; 24
White-fronted Geese; Oct. 29 - Nov. 27 & Dec. 10-Feb. 5; 2; 6
Light Geese; Oct. 29 - Nov. 27 & Dec. 10 - Feb. 12; 50; No limit
COLGS; Feb. 13 - March 30, 2017; no limit; no limit
Youth Waterfowl (Panhandle); Oct. 8-9; 6; 18
Youth Waterfowl (Zone 1); Oct. 22-23; 6; 18
Youth Waterfowl (Zone 2); Oct. 29-30; 6; 18
Waterfowl (Panhandle); Oct. 13- Jan. 11; 6; 18
Waterfowl (Zone 1); Oct. 29 - Nov. 27 & Dec. 10 - Jan. 22; 6; 18
Waterfowl (Zone 2); Nov. 5 - 27 & Dec. 10 - Jan. 29; 6; 18

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North Carolina...

In a first for waterfowl season dates, bag limits, and regulations, the NCWRC has already announced these details for the upcoming 2016-17 waterfowl, webless migratory bird, and extended falconry seasons.

General Duck Season
October 5 – October 8, November 12 – December 3, December 17 – January 28

- Season closed on black ducks and mottled ducks until November 19
Includes a total of 6 ducks with no more than 4 scoters, 4 eiders, 4 long-tailed ducks, 4 mallards with no more than 2 hen mallards, 3 wood ducks, 2 scaup, 2 redheads, 2 pintails, 2 canvasbacks, 1 black or mottled duck (season closed until November 19), and 1 fulvous whistling duck. The season on harlequin ducks is closed.

Mergansers Same as general duck season 5 mergansers with no more than 2 hooded mergansers
Coots Same as general duck season
15 coots
September Teal (includes green-winged, blue-winged and cinnamon teal) September 10 – September 28 (East of U.S. 17) 6
Special Sea Duck Season (in the special sea duck area)
See additional information below.
November 21 – January 28 5 sea ducks with no more than 4 scoters, 4 eiders and 4 long-tailed ducks

Because sea ducks are limited to 60 days of hunting exposure in any area, the following applies to when and where sea ducks may be taken:
General Duck Season Open
Special Sea Duck Season Closed
(Oct. 5 – Oct. 8 & Nov. 12 – Nov. 19)
General Duck Season Closed
Special Sea Duck Season Open
(Dec. 5 – Dec. 16)
General Duck Season Open
Special Sea Duck Season Open
(Nov. 21 – Dec. 3 & Dec. 17 – Jan. 28)

Sea ducks cannot be taken in the special sea duck area, but can be taken everywhere else. The general bag limit of six ducks with no more than four scoters, four long-tailed duck and four eiders applies.
Although sea ducks may not be taken in the special sea duck area during this time, other ducks may be taken in this area. Sea ducks can be taken only in the special sea duck area, but cannot be taken in other locations. The special sea duck bag limit applies and consists of five sea ducks with no more than four scoters, four long-tailed ducks and four eiders. Sea ducks can be taken anywhere. Hunters should remember that the special sea duck limit applies when hunting in the special sea duck area and the general bag limit applies when hunting in all other areas. When both seasons overlap, the special sea duck bag limit may be in addition to the limits applying to other ducks.

Possession limits are three times the daily bag unless otherwise specified
Shooting hours are ½ hour before sunrise until sunset unless otherwise specified


In years past, the announcement of these seasons was split into two sessions. This always resulted in last-minute planning by waterfowl and migratory hunters and outfitters, so this is sure to be a welcome change for anyone involved in bird hunting, who can go ahead and make necessary plans now for their waterfowl and other bird hunting throughout the entire 2016-17 seasons.

The NCWRC would like to point out that this upcoming season features some significant changes, especially regarding sea duck hunting, brant season, and youth waterfowl hunting.

One big change concerning the special sea duck season is that it has been shortened from 107 days to 60 days. The season will run from Nov. 21 through Jan. 28, and during this time, sea ducks can be hunted in the special sea duck area, which is defined as the “waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and to those coastal waters south of U.S. 64 that are separated by a distance of at least 800 yards of open water from any shore, island, or marsh.”

The bag limit for sea ducks during the special season within the sea duck area has also been reduced. A five-duck limit will be in place, and this limit can include no more than four scoters, four long-tailed ducks, and four eiders.

The general duck season will overlap with sea duck season, but there will be a period during the general duck season when sea ducks cannot be hunted in the special sea duck areas.

During these dates (Oct. 5 – Oct. 8, and Nov. 12 – Nov. 19), the general duck season is open, but the special sea duck season is closed, and sea ducks cannot be taken in the special sea duck area, but can be taken everywhere else. The general bag limit of six ducks applies, with no more than four scoters, four long-tailed ducks, and four eiders. While the special sea duck area is closed to sea ducks during these dates, other ducks may be harvested in the special sea duck area.

From Dec. 5 through Dec. 16, general duck season is closed, but special duck season is open. During this time, sea ducks can be taken only in the special sea duck area, and cannot be taken in other locations. The special sea duck bag limit of five sea ducks (no more than four scoters, four long-tailed ducks, and four eiders) applies.

From Nov. 21 through Dec. 3, and from Dec. 17 through Jan. 28, the general duck season is open, and the special sea duck season is open. During this time, sea ducks can be taken anywhere. The special sea duck limit applies when hunting within the special sea duck area, and the general bag limit applies – even for sea ducks – when hunting elsewhere. Also, when the seasons overlap, the special sea duck bag limit may be in addition to the limits applying to other ducks.

The brant season for 2016-17 will run from Dec. 17 through Jan. 28, and will include a one-bird daily limit.

Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days for the 2016-17 season have been set for Feb. 4 and Feb. 11, 2017, and unlike years past when only youth under the age of 16 could participate, youth hunters aged 16 and 17 are allowed to hunt on these dates.

For youth hunters under the age of 16 who hold a valid hunter education certification, they must be accompanied on youth days by an adult of at least 18. For youth under the age of 16 with no hunter education certification, they must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult at least 18-years-old. For youth aged 16 or 17, they must be properly licensed themselves, must be HIP certified and have a federal duck stamp, and must be accompanied by an adult at least 18-years-old.

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Kansas...

The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission approved the season dates and regulations for the 2017 dove and waterfowl hunting seasons April 21 at a public hearing in Wichita.

Teal season will kick off the 2016-17 waterfowl season Sept. 10-25 in the Low Plains Zone and Sept. 17-25 in the High Plains Zone. Regular duck season in the Low Plains Late Zone (Topeka’s zone) will run Oct. 29, 2016, to Jan. 1, 2017. Daily bag limit is six ducks with the following restrictions: five mallards (no more than two may be hens), three scaup, three wood ducks, two redheads, two pintails and two canvasbacks.

Goose season for both dark, white-fronted geese and light geese begins Oct. 29. For dark geese (Canada or brant), the season ends Jan. 1 and then runs Jan. 4-Feb. 12, 2017. The daily limit is six. For white-fronted geese, the season runs until Jan. 1 and then picks up again Jan. 21-Feb. 12, 2017. The daily bag limit is two. For light geese, the season runs until Jan. 1 and then picks up again Jan. 4-Feb. 12. Daily bag limit is 50 light geese (snow and Ross’ geese), with no possession limit. An extended season for light geese hasn’t been announced at this time. Typically, during an extended season there is no daily bag limit and plugs aren’t required.

The dove season will run Sept. 1-Nov. 29, 2016, for migratory doves (mourning and white-winged) and exotic doves (collared and ringed turtle). The extended exotic dove season will run Nov. 30, 2016, to Feb. 28, 2017. The aggregate bag limit for migratory doves is 15, while the possession limit is 45. Exotic doves don’t have a bag limit.

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Mississippi...

The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks has chosen its waterfowl hunting seasons for the 2016-2017 year.

The commission considered dates for the 2014-2015 waterfowl hunting seasons at its meeting last month. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released late-season frameworks in early August providing a "window" of dates from which states could select specific season dates. "This new selection process uses the previous year's breeding population and breeding habitat data to provide frameworks for hunting seasons. This allows states to select migratory bird seasons when other hunting seasons are set, and to publish those seasons earlier in the year. Waterfowl breeding populations in 2015 were high, which will again result in a liberal season framework of 60 days with a six-duck daily bag limit," Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Waterfowl Program Coordinator Houston Havens said.

Here are the dates:

Duck, merganser, and coot seasons will be Nov. 25-Nov. 27, Dec. 2- Dec. 4, and Dec. 7-Jan. 29.


The duck daily bag limit will be a total of six ducks, including no more than four mallards (no more than two of which may be females), three wood ducks, two redheads, three scaup, two pintail, one canvasback, one mottled duck, and one black duck. The merganser daily bag limit will be a total of five mergansers, only two of which may be hooded mergansers. Coots will have a 15-bird daily bag limit. The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit for ducks, mergansers, and coots.

Late-season Canada, snow, blue, Ross's, white-fronted goose, and brant seasons will occur from Nov. 12-Nov. 27, Dec. 15-Jan. 29 and Feb. 4- Feb. 15.

Canada geese will have a 3-bird daily bag limit, and brant will have a daily bag limit of one bird. The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit for Canada geese and brant. Snow, blue, and Ross's geese will have a daily bag limit of 20 birds in aggregate. White-fronted geese will have a daily bag limit of two birds. The possession limit for white-fronted geese is six, and there is no possession limit for snow, blue, and Ross's geese. In addition to the regular hunting season, there will again be a conservation order for snow, blue, and Ross's geese on Oct. 1- Nov. 11; and Feb. 16-March 31, 2015.

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/sports/outd...#storylink=cpy

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Georgia...

Waterfowl Hunting Regulations In Georgia Are Approved
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Waterfowl hunters in Georgia can do something in May that they formerly were not able to - make season hunting plans. Thanks to a new earlier approval process by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, migratory bird season hunting dates and regulations were approved for the 2016-17 season by the Board of Natural Resources.
“The 2016-17 migratory bird hunting season will remain similar to previous years, including an early teal hunting season and special youth hunting days,” said Greg Balkcom, state waterfowl biologist for the Wildlife Resources Division. “There is one noteworthy change this year, and it affects sea duck hunters who hunt offshore. The daily bag limit for sea ducks has been reduced to five and can include no more than four scoters, four eiders, or four long-tailed ducks.”

Some need-to-know dates and details for waterfowl season are the September Canada goose season (Sept. 3-25) and the September teal season (Sept. 10-25). Canada goose hunting has three additional seasons: Oct. 8-23, Nov. 19–27 and Dec. 10 - Jan. 29. Hunting season for ducks is Nov. 19-27 and Dec. 10-Jan. 29. A complete summary of migratory bird hunting season dates and bag limits is online at www.georgiawildlife.com/hunting/regulations.
Youth Waterfowl Days are Nov. 12-13. On these two days, youth age 15 or younger may hunt specific migratory birds, such as ducks, Canada geese and mergansers, as long as they are accompanied by an adult of at least 18 years of age (only the youth may hunt).
In order to hunt waterfowl, hunters must have a hunting license, federal duck stamp, Georgia waterfowl conservation license and a HIP permit. If hunting on a wildlife management area (WMA), a WMA license is required. Hunters may purchase licenses online at www.georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permits-passes, by phone at 1-800-366-2661 or at more than 800 license agent locations (list of agents available online).
State license fees help support wildlife conservation in Georgia. The state receives federal funds from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program, based on a number of factors, including the number of paid sporting licenses. In Georgia, these funds are approximately $14 million a year and have helped restore habitat and improve wildlife populations, among other conservation efforts.
For more information, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/hunting/regulations.