National Junior Waterfowl Hunting Day is Nov.5

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ANNAPOLIS – In conjunction with the National Junior Waterfowl Hunting Day, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has scheduled a one-day waterfowl-hunting season for junior hunters on Nov. 5.

This junior waterfowl-hunting day is part of a national effort by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state wildlife agencies to expand the lessons learned in the hunter safety curriculum and increase awareness of the rich tradition of waterfowl hunting.

“The junior hunt provides a valuable opportunity for youth to receive the undivided attention of an adult teaching the tradition of waterfowl hunting, including proper techniques, safe firearm handling, enjoyment of the outdoors, and appreciation of our incredible waterfowl resources,” said DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul A. Peditto.

Any licensed hunter 15 years old or younger may hunt during this one-day waterfowl season. Junior hunters 15 years old or younger who are exempt from Maryland hunting license requirements may also participate in Junior Waterfowl hunting Day. Junior waterfowl hunters must possess a receipt demonstrating they purchased a $9 Maryland Migratory Game Bird Hunting Stamp.

An individual who is 21 years old or older must accompany each junior hunter in the field. The adult may not possess a firearm, bow, or any other hunting device while accompanying a junior hunter on this day. The adult must also possess a valid Maryland hunting license or be exempt from hunting license requirements. The accompanying adult may call waterfowl, assist with waterfowl identification, assist with decoys, and retrieve downed birds.

Junior Waterfowl Hunting Day regulations apply only to ducks, coots, mergansers, Canada geese, snow geese, and brant. The daily bag limits for the Junior Waterfowl Hunting Day are: 5 ducks per day (including mergansers) but the total may not include more than: 4 mallards (max. 2 hen mallards), 2 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 4 scoters, 1 hooded merganser, 1 fulvous tree duck, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, and 1 mottled duck. Junior hunters may also take 1 additional teal (blue-winged or green-winged teal) in addition to the 5-duck bag limit. Daily bag limits for other waterfowl include 2 Canada geese, 15 snow (white or blue color phase) geese, 2 brant, and 15 coots on Junior Waterfowl Hunting Day. There is no open hunting season for harlequin ducks and swans.

Junior hunters are also 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 2005-2006 and on the DNR Web site: www.dnr.maryland.gov 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

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November 3, 2005

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov