Department of Natural Resources Announces 2004-2005 Early Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons
ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service announced today the 2004-2005 early migratory game bird seasons.The dove season, which marks the traditional start of hunting activity each year in Maryland, will open Wednesday, Sept. 1, and continue through Oct. 16. The second and third split seasons will be Nov. 12-20, and Dec. 18-Jan. 1.
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 8 geese per day. Maryland’s woodcock season is split into two segments, Nov. 5-26 and Jan. 15–22.
The dates for the September teal season are September 9-18. This season is open only in the portion of the state located east of Interstate 95. Hunters should note that 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.
All waterfowl hunters age 16 and over must also possess the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp). Hunters are still required to sign and attach the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) to their hunting license. Hunters may obtain federal duck stamps at U.S. Post Offices, National Wildlife Refuges, and some DNR sport license agents.
Hunters should note that mourning doves are being banded in Maryland and 27 other states. 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/homepage/call800.htm. The success of this effort to improve the foundation of dove management depends on hunters reporting banded birds.
Hunters are reminded that nontoxic shot is required for hunting waterfowl and coots. Hunters may not possess or use nontoxic shot larger than size No. T or use or possess any lead shot while waterfowl hunting. Approved types of nontoxic shot and other information on migratory bird hunting is listed in the free booklet Hunting and Trapping in Maryland 2004-2005 or on the DNR’s website: www.dnr.state.md.us.
The accompanying table lists the dates and bag limits for Maryland’s 2004-2005 early migratory game bird hunting seasons. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit except for sora and Virginia rails, where the possession limit is the same as the daily bag limit.
2004-2005 EARLY MIGRATORY GAME BIRD SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS
SPECIES OPEN SEASON DAILY BAG LIMIT WOODCOCK Nov. 5 – Nov. 26
Jan. 15 – Jan. 223 MOURNING DOVE Sept. 1 – Oct. 16
Nov. 12 – Nov. 20
Dec. 18 – Jan. 112 CLAPPER and KING RAIL Sept. 1 – Nov. 9 10 SORA and VIRGINIA RAIL Sept. 1 - Nov. 9 25 COMMON SNIPE Sept. 30 - Nov. 26
Dec. 13 – Jan. 298 EARLY RESIDENT
CANADA GOOSE
Eastern ZoneSept. 1 – 15* 8 *Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties and those portions of Prince George’s, Howard, and Baltimore Counties east of Interstate 95.
EARLY RESIDENT
CANADA GOOSE
Western ZoneSept. 1-25** 8 **Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Washington, and Montgomery Counties and those portions of Baltimore, Howard, and Prince Georges’s Counties west of Interstate 95.
TEAL Sept. 9 – 18 4 4 blue-winged and green-winged teal in aggregate. Season ONLY open in those portions of the state east of Interstate 95.
SHOOTING HOURS: Official hours are one-half hour before sunrise to 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; and (2) teal during the September teal season when shooting hours are sunrise to sunset.