2007-2008 Early
Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons Begin in September
ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has
set the schedule for the 2007-2008 early migratory game bird hunting
seasons. The dove season, which marks the traditional start of hunting
activity each year in Maryland, will open Friday, Sept. 1, and continue
through Oct. 13. The second and third split seasons will be Nov. 10-23,
and Dec. 22-Jan. 3. Maryland’s woodcock season is split into two segments,
Nov. 2-23 and Jan. 12-19.
The early resident Canada goose season will open Sept. 1 and run
through Sept. 15 in the eastern zone. In the western zone, the season will
continue through Sept. 25. The daily bag limit is eight geese per day. New
this year – during the early resident Canada goose season, hunters are
allowed to use shotguns capable of holding more than three shotshells and
shooting hours are extended to one-half hour past sunset.
The dates for the September teal season are September 20-29. Hunters
should note that the boundary for the September teal season zone has
changed slightly, visit
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/ewfchart.asp for the zone
description. Shooting hours for the September teal season are sunrise to
sunset.
All migratory game bird hunters, including landowners who are license
exempt, are required to obtain the HIP (Harvest Information Program)
permit and the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp in addition to a general
hunting license. Hunters must possess the printed receipt showing proof of
purchase of the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp while hunting migratory
game birds. Migratory bird hunters are no longer required to sign and
attach the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp to their hunting license.
Hunters may now purchase licenses and stamps online at
www.dnr.maryland.gov.
All waterfowl hunters age 16 and over must also possess a Federal
Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp).
Hunters are still required to sign the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and
Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) and have it in their possession
while hunting waterfowl. Hunters may obtain federal duck stamps at U.S.
Post Offices, National Wildlife Refuges, and some DNR sport license
agents.
Nontoxic shot is required for hunting rails, snipe, waterfowl, and
coots. Hunters may not possess or use nontoxic shot larger than size No. T
or use or possess any lead shot while hunting rails, snipe, waterfowl, and
coots. Approved types of nontoxic shot and other information on migratory
bird hunting is listed in the free booklet Hunting and Trapping in
Maryland 2007-2008 on DNR’s website.
For a table that lists the dates and bag limits for Maryland’s
2007-2008 early migratory game bird hunting seasons as well as a quick
reference to the early resident Canada goose and September teal seasons
and bag limits, visit
www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/gamebird.asp.
Hunters are encouraged to report banded migratory game birds by calling
1-800-327-BAND (2263) or through the Internet at
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/.
Official shooting hours begin one-half hour before sunrise through
sunset for all migratory game bird hunting EXCEPT for: (1) mourning dove
during the first season segment, when shooting hours are from noon to
sunset; (2) teal during the September teal season when shooting hours are
sunrise to sunset; and (3) early (September) resident Canada goose season
when shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour
after sunset.
