8/9/2007

Minnesota increases limit for upcoming waterfowl season

With continental populations of many species of ducks at or near record highs, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has established a 60-day duck season and increased the daily bag limit to six ducks. The mallard bag limit will remain unchanged from last year, including only one hen, and the canvasback daily limit will be increased to two.

The bag limits will continue to protect local breeding mallard populations and will provide more opportunity for Minnesota hunters to benefit from high continental waterfowl populations if weather and migration patterns result in a good fall flight through the state.

"While continental duck populations look very good, this year's hunting success is by no means assured," said Mark Holsten, DNR commissioner. "Waterfowl hunting is always unpredictable. If weather and migration patters result in a good fall flight through the state, a higher bag limit will allow more opportunity for Minnesota hunters."

Based on an increase in breeding waterfowl populations and pond numbers across Canada and the northern plains, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering states in the Mississippi Flyway, including Minnesota, a 60-day season that could include a six-duck limit with two hen mallards. To protect local breeding mallards, Minnesota will keep a daily bag limit of one hen mallard.

"Maintaining mallard limits unchanged from last year will help protect local breeding populations," said Steve Cordts, DNR waterfowl specialist. "Given what we know about Minnesota's breeding duck numbers, it is prudent to continue to take a conservative approach to the mallard limit."

Based on record high numbers of canvasbacks in the continental breeding duck survey, the daily bag limit for canvasbacks will be increased to two for the first time in Minnesota since 1966, "Canvasbacks responded very well to improved habitat conditions in southern Canada this spring," Cordts said. "Minnesota, along with neighboring states increased the bag limit to allow hunters to share in the harvest of this bird." Bag limits for all other species will be the same as last season.

DUCK SEASON

The regular waterfowl season will open Saturday, Sept. 29 at 9 a.m. and continue through Tuesday, Nov. 27. The six-duck bag may include no more than four mallards, with only one hen mallard, one black duck, one pintail, two canvasback, two wood ducks, two redheads and two scaup. Possession limits remain at twice the daily bag limits.

Except for opening day, when shooting hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., shooting hours will be from one half hour before sunrise to 4 p.m. daily through Saturday, Oct. 6, and from one half hour before sunrise to sunset thereafter.

Motorized decoys or other motorized devices designed to attract migratory birds may not be used from the opening day of duck season through Saturday, Oct. 6. Motorized decoys or other motorized devices designed to attract migratory birds may not be used at any time during the season on water bodies and lands fully contained within state wildlife management area boundaries.

Additional details on the duck, goose and migratory bird hunting seasons will be available in the 2007 Minnesota Waterfowl Hunting Regulations, available in mid-August.

YOUTH WATERFOWL DAY

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day will be held Saturday, Sept. 15. Hunters age 15 and under may take regular season bag limits when accompanied by a non-hunting adult (age 18 and older, no license required). Canada geese, mergansers, coots and moorhens may be taken from one half-hour before sunrise to 4 p.m. Motorized decoy restrictions are in effect. Five geese may be taken, except in the Metro, Southeast and Northwest goose zones and Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Swan Lake area, where the bag limit is one. There are no license requirements, except hunters age 13 to 15 must have a firearms safety certificate in their possession. All other migratory bird hunting regulations apply.

GOOSE SEASONS

Minnesota's regular goose season will open in conjunction with the duck season on Saturday, Sept. 29, except for Canada goose seasons in the West-Central Goose Zone, which will open on Thursday, Oct. 18. The daily bag limit will be two Canada geese statewide. Possession limits are double the daily bag limits.

Early September Goose Season

The early Canada goose season will open statewide on Saturday, Sept. 1. The September season is designed to harvest as many Minnesota-breeding geese as possible. Hunter survey results show about 36 percent of Minnesota's goose harvest occurs during the early September season. The early season is open through Thursday, Sept. 22 statewide, including the Northwest Zone.

This is the first year the early season in the Northwest goose zone has been extended to make it consistent with the rest of the state. Bag limits for Canada geese will be five per day, except for the Southeast Zone, where the bag limit will be two.

A $4 permit, valid for both early and late season goose hunting, is required. Permits are available wherever hunting and angling licenses are sold.

The restriction prohibiting hunting within 100 yards of surface water remains in effect in the Northwest, Southeast, and Metro goose zones, the Carlos Avery WMA and an area surrounding Swan Lake in Nicollet County. Early season goose hunters should consult the 2007 Waterfowl Supplement for details.

Regular Goose Season

In the West Central Zone, the regular Canada goose season will be open from Oct. 18 through Nov. 27. In the West Zone, the season will be open from Sept. 29 through Nov. 27 and in the remainder of the state, including the metro and southeast zone, the season will be open from Sept. 29 through Dec. 7. The daily bag limit will be two Canada geese.

Late Goose Seasons

December Canada goose seasons will be offered statewide except in the West-Central Goose Zone. Late season hunters must have a $4 permit, which is valid for both early and late special goose seasons. The late season will be open Dec. 8 to Dec. 17, except in the Southeast Goose Zone, where the season will be open Dec. 14 to Dec. 23.

Bag limits for Canada geese during the late season will be five per day, except in the Southeast Goose Zone, where the bag limit will be two.

The season for light geese (snow, blue and Ross' geese), white-fronted geese, and brant will be Sept. 29 to Dec. 23. The daily limit will be 20 light geese, one white fronted goose and one brant.