With the fall waterfowl flights shaping up to be similar to last season, Montana duck and goose hunters can look forward to a continuation of last season’s liberal seasons and regulations.

Migrating ducks returning to important nesting areas in the north-central United States and southern Canadian prairies early this spring were greeted by variable conditions, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s annual waterfowl survey.

Conditions in the parklands of Canada were good throughout the spring, but the U.S. and Canadian prairie wetlands weren’t significantly recharged until late May and June when the area benefited from substantial rains to produce upland nesting cover, especially in southern Canada.

"The late rains really improved conditions on the prairies," said Gary Hammond, chief of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife management bureau.   "Wetland conditions in southern Canada in July were outstanding."

Nearly 32 million breeding birds, about the same as last year, were able to take advantage of those improved conditions, Hammond said.

The FWP Commission tentatively approved the 2005-06 waterfowl season package last week. Comments on the tentatively approved waterfowl hunting regulations, which are summarized below, will be accepted through Aug. 26.  

In western Montana’s Pacific Flyway, duck and goose seasons would run 105 days from   Oct.1 through Jan. 13, 2006. This season, hunters would be allowed to take four light geese and four dark geese daily. The duck bag could contain seven ducks daily (including mergansers), but no more than two female mallards, one pintail, one canvasback, two redheads, and three scaup. The season for canvasbacks would close Nov. 29. The tundra swan season, which is regulated by $3 permit that hunters may apply for by Sept. 9, would open Oct. 15 and close Dec. 1. Falconry season for ducks, coots, and geese would run Oct. 1 to Jan. 13, 2006.

In the Central Flyway, which generally includes the eastern half of Montana, duck and goose seasons would open Oct. 1 and run 95 days and 105 days respectively, with the duck season closing Jan. 5, 2006 and the goose season ending Jan. 13, 2006. Hunters would be allowed to take five light geese and four dark geese daily. The duck bag would contain six ducks daily (including mergansers), but no more than five mallards (only two female mallards), two scaup, two wood ducks, two redheads, one pintail, one canvasback, and one hooded merganser.   The season for pintails and canvasbacks would close Nov. 8.   The swan season, which is regulated by a $3 permit that hunters may apply for by Sept 9, would open Oct. 1 and close Jan. 5. Falconry season for ducks and coots would run Sept. 21-Jan. 5, 2006 and geese from Oct. 1-Jan. 13, 2006.

Hammond noted that youth hunters, ages 12-15, would once again be provided with a special two-day hunt statewide Sept. 24-25, except for the Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area where a half-day, morning hunt would be offered.

The FWP Commission will adopt final regulations on Aug. 31 via a conference call. Final regulations will be available at all FWP headquarters and most license providers by mid-September. Comments on the tentatively approved regulations must be sent to Waterfowl Regulations, FWP, Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701. Or via email at fwpwld@mt.gov . Be sure to include your name and mailing address with emailed comments. The comment deadline is Aug. 26.
 

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