DNR Announces 2012-2013 Early Migratory Game Bird Seasons

Annapolis, Md. (August 8, 2012) ─ The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the 2012-2013 early migratory game bird hunting season.

Dove, split season:
September 1- October 6
November 3 - 23
December 22 - January 3

“Doves benefitted from the mild winter and long nesting season this spring and summer,” said Bill Harvey, DNR’s game bird section leader. “We expect hunters will encounter more birds than in recent years.”

Woodcock, split season:
October 26 - November 23
January 11 - 26

Early resident Canada goose season:
Eastern zone: September 1 - 15
Western zone: September 1 - 25

During the September resident Canada goose season: Hunters are allowed to use shotguns capable of holding more than three shotshells; shooting hours are extended to one-half hour after sunset; the use of electronic calls is prohibited.

Teal, September season:
September 17 - 29
The September teal season hunting zone is located at dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/tealchart.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;
• Teal during the September season, when shooting hours are sunrise to sunset; and
• During the early September resident Canada goose seasons, when shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

Nontoxic shot is required for hunting rails, snipe, waterfowl, and coots. In Maryland, no hunter may take these species while possessing shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for use in muzzleloader shotguns) other than non-toxic shot approved for waterfowl by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Further, hunters may not use or possess non-toxic shot larger than size number T (0.20 inches in diameter) or any style of shotgun slug while hunting waterfowl, coots, rails, and snipe. Approved types of nontoxic shot and other information on migratory bird hunting is listed in the 2012-2013 Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping issued with each hunting license or at http://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/hunt_trap/gamebird/non_toxic.asp

All migratory game 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 ages 16 and over must possess the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (federal duck stamp).

Hunters can purchase hunting licenses and stamps online through the DNR website at dnr.maryland.gov or by phone at 1-800-918-2870. These services compliment the hundreds of retail vendors currently selling licenses, permits, and stamps.

A table listing the dates and bag limits for Maryland’s 2012-2013 webless migratory game bird hunting seasons is available at: http://www.eregulations.com/maryland/hunting/webless-migratory-game-bird-seasons-bag-limits/.

A table listing the dates and bag limits for Maryland’s 2012 early resident Canada goose hunting seasons is available at: http://www.eregulations.com/maryland/hunting/early-resident-canada-goose-seasons-bag-limits/.

Hunters are encouraged to report banded migratory 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. 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