DNR Announces 2010-2011 Early Migratory Game Bird Seasons

Annapolis, Md. (August 4, 2010) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the 2010-2011 early migratory game bird hunting seasons.

The dove season marks the traditional start of hunting activity each year in Maryland and will open September 1 and continue through October 9. The second and third split seasons will be November 13 through November 26 and December 16 through January 1.

“Despite the heavy snows this past winter, dove surveys conducted this spring did not show much change from recent years,” said DNR Game Bird Section Leader Bill Harvey. “The warm, dry spring and summer were favorable for dove nesting and we expect hunters will find good numbers of doves this fall.”

Maryland’s woodcock season is split into two segments; November 6 through November 26 and January 14 through January 22.

The early resident Canada goose season opens September 1 and runs through September 15 in the eastern zone. In the western zone, the season will continue through September 25. During the September resident Canada goose season, hunters are allowed to use shotguns capable of holding more than three shotshells and shooting hours are extended to one-half hour past sunset.

The dates for the September teal season are September 16 to September 30. A description of the September teal season zone can be found at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/ewfchart.asp. Shooting hours for the September teal season are sunrise to sunset.

All migratory bird hunters including landowners, who are license-exempt, are required to obtain the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp/HIP Permit. 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 possess the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (federal duck stamp). Hunters are still required to sign the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp and have it in their possession while hunting waterfowl. Hunters may obtain federal duck stamps at U.S. Post Offices, National Wildlife Refuges, DNR sport license agents, or online at www.duckstamp.com.

Hunters can purchase hunting licenses and Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamps/HIP Permits online through DNR’s website, https://www3.wildlifelicense.com/md/ or by phone at 1-800-918-2870. These new services compliment the existing 320 retail vendors currently selling licenses, permits and stamps.

Nontoxic shot is required for hunting rails, snipe, waterfowl and coots. Hunters may not possess or use nontoxic shot larger than size T or use or possess any lead shot while hunting these species. Approved types of nontoxic shot and other information on migratory bird hunting is listed in the 2010-2011 Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping issued with each hunting license or on the DNR website: http://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/hunt_trap/gamebird/non_toxic.asp.

Official shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset for all migratory game bird hunting EXCEPT for: mourning doves during the first season segment, when shooting hours are from noon to sunset; for teal, during the September season, shooting hours are sunrise to sunset and during early September resident Canada goose season, shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

A table listing the dates and bag limits for Maryland’s 2010-2011 early migratory game bird hunting seasons is available at www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/weblesschart.asp

For a quick reference to the early resident Canada goose and September teal seasons and bag limits, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/ewfchart.asp

Hunters are encouraged to report banded migratory game birds by calling 1-800-327-BAND (2263) or through the Internet at www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million 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 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