Canada Goose Season Opens November 21

Annapolis, Maryland (November 13, 2009) - The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that Maryland’s Atlantic Population Canada goose hunting season will kick off next week. These geese can be hunted November 21 through November 27 and December 17 through January 30, 2010. The daily bag limit is two Canada geese.

"The Atlantic Population is the largest Canada goose population in North America,” said DNR Waterfowl Project Leader Larry Hindman. “However, prolonged snow and ice cover due to cold spring temperatures resulted in few young being produced. Nevertheless, Hunters and non-hunters alike can look forward to seeing large numbers of Canada geese returning to Maryland this year.”

Information on waterfowl hunting and a detailed map of the Canada goose hunting zones is online at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/lwfchart.asp. The 2009-2010 Maryland Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons flier is also available online and at most licensing agents.

Hunters are encouraged to report banded migratory game birds by calling toll-free 1-800-327-BAND (2263). For added convenience, banded migratory birds may also be reported online at www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/homepage/call800.htm

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 461,000 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