Maryland Late
Waterfowl Hunting Seasons Set
ANNAPOLIS, MD - The Maryland Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service finalized the 2007-2008 late waterfowl
hunting seasons for Maryland, which feature a 60-day duck season. The duck
season has three segments, running from October 13 to October 20, then
from November 10 to November 23, and then from December 11 to January 26.
The daily bag limit will be 6 ducks per day.
“As always, public input helped guide our decisions. The individuals who
took the time to attend our public meeting and provide comments through
our online forum should be commended,” said Paul Peditto, Director of
DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service.
One change that hunters will notice in the new duck hunting regulations is
an increase in the canvasback daily bag limit. Hunters will be able to
take two canvasbacks per day this year. The estimated spring breeding
population of canvasbacks was 865,000, 53 percent above the 1955-2006
average and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan goal of 500,000.
The 2007 estimate for this species is the highest ever recorded.
The 2007 spring breeding pair survey of Atlantic Population (migratory)
Canada geese was 195,700 compared to 160,020 in 2006. Although the number
of breeding pairs increased, cold weather and a delay in the spring snow
melt led to a reduced nesting effort. Banding crews on the Ungava
Peninsula indicate that gosling production was poor, especially along the
Hudson Bay coast. The AP Canada goose season will remain at 45 days with a
daily bag limit of 2 geese, and will be split into two parts, running from
November 15 to November 23, and again from December 15 to January 26.
Hunters who participated in the public meeting desired a later opening to
the snow goose hunting season. Thus, the snow goose hunting season will
run from October 27 to November 23 and from November 26 through March 8.
Hunters 15 years old and younger are encouraged to participate in National
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day on November 3, 2007. Participants accompanied
by an unarmed adult age 21 or older may take ducks, coots, mergansers, sea
ducks, snow geese, brant and Canada geese on this day.
The 2007-2008 late waterfowl season dates and bag limits will be published
in the annual migratory game bird season synopsis and distributed to DNR
Wildlife and Heritage Service offices and sport license agents in
mid-September.
All migratory game bird hunters, including landowners who are
license-exempt, are required to obtain 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 purchase the Federal
Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) which
must be signed and in possession while hunting waterfowl and coots.
Hunters may obtain federal duck stamps at U.S. Post Offices, National
Wildlife Refuges, and some DNR sport license agents. New this year hunters
may purchase the Federal Duck Stamp online at www.duckstamp.com.
Non-toxic shot is required for hunting waterfowl and coots. Hunters may
not possess or use non-toxic shot shells containing shot larger than size
No. T, or any lead shot shells while waterfowl hunting. Approved types of
nontoxic shot and other information on migratory game bird hunting are
listed in the 2007-2008 Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland
or on DNR’s website at
http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/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/homepage/call800.htm
For more information about the 2007-2008 Maryland Late Waterfowl
Seasons and Bag Limits submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
visit
http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/lwfchart.asp.
