September Teal Hunting Seasons Announced

ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service (WHS) today announced the dates of the special nine-day September teal-hunting season. The season dates are September 14 to September 23 (excluding Sunday). The daily bag limit is four teal (blue-winged or green-winged teal) singly, or in aggregate. The September teal season will be held only in the area east of Maryland’s portion of I-95. Shooting hours are from sunrise to sunset.

Shooting hours have been modified to avoid the traditional pre-sunrise hunting period (half hour before sunrise) when non-teal species, particularly wood ducks, are most active. Hunters are advised to avoid shooting at non-teal duck species during this special season.

The teal season provides a unique opportunity for hunters to pursue this illusive game bird on their southward migration before the regular 60-day duck season that opens in mid-October. The teal season is offered to states that derive more than 80 percent of their annual teal harvest from the prairie pothole region of the north central U.S and southern Canada. During the annual U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Breeding Waterfowl and Habitat Survey, about 5.9 million blue-winged teal were recorded. Green-winged teal were at 2.6 million.

All hunters who participate in the September teal season, including landowners who are license exempt, are required to obtain the HIP (Harvest Information Program) permit and the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp. Hunters must possess the printed receipt showing proof of purchase of the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp while hunting migratory game birds.

All waterfowl hunters age 16 and over must also possess the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (federal duck stamp). Hunters are required to sign and possess the federal duck stamp while hunting teal. Hunters may obtain federal duck stamps at U.S. Post Offices, National Wildlife Refuges, and some DNR sport license agents.

Hunters can now purchase licenses, HIP permits and Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamps online through DNR’s website, www.dnr.maryland.gov or by phone at 1-800-918-2870. These new services compliment the existing 320 retail vendors that currently and will continue to sell licenses. HIP permits and Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamps are also available at DNR sport license agents and DNR Regional Service Centers.

Waterfowl hunters are reminded that nontoxic shot is required for hunting waterfowl and coots. Hunters may not possess or use nontoxic shotshells containing shot larger than size No. T or use or possess any lead shotshells while waterfowl hunting. Approved types of nontoxic shot and other information on migratory game bird hunting are listed in the 2006-2007 Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland or on DNR’s website at
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/index.asp

Hunters are encouraged to report banded migratory game birds by calling toll-free 1-800-327-BAND (2263). Banded birds can also be reported online at: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl.