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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.htmFor 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.
August 27, 2007Maryland 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 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 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 12 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