Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

OLYMPIA, WA  -(Ammoland.com)- Brant goose numbers in Skagit County are high enough to allow an eight-day hunt later this month, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Brant hunting is scheduled Jan. 14, 15, 18, 21, 22, 25, 28 and 29 with a bag limit of two geese per day.

The hunting season was adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission in August, contingent on a count of at least 6,000 brant in Skagit County. A total of 6,704 brant were counted Friday morning during an aerial survey of Fidalgo, Padilla and Samish bays.

“Numbers of brant in Skagit County are down from last year’s count, but still high enough to provide hunting opportunities while sustaining the wintering population in the area,” said Don Kraege, waterfowl section manager for WDFW.

This year’s count in Skagit County is about 2,000 birds below the 10-year average, said Kraege. Last year, WDFW wildlife biologists counted about 8,500 brant in the county.

To participate in the Skagit County brant season, hunters must have a small game license, a migratory bird validation and a special migratory bird-hunting authorization with a brant harvest record card, which are available at WDFW license dealers. In addition, hunters also must have a federal migratory bird stamp.

After taking a brant, hunters are required to record their harvest information on the card immediately, and report their harvest to WDFW by Feb. 15.

Hunters who harvest a brant fitted with a colored leg band should report the leg band’s numbers and color by calling 1-800-327-BAND or at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/bblretrv/ . The leg bands help biologists identify and track the birds.

More information on brant-hunting requirements is available in WDFW’s Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Seasons hunting pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/ .

Lone black brant, flying low over water and grassy shoreline. Chris Nicolai/USFWS photo.

California Department Of Fish And Game

California --(Ammoland.com)- The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reminds hunters the north coast black brant hunting season is open from Nov. 7, 2011 through Dec. 6, 2011.

An error in the California Waterfowl Association’s 2011-12 Waterfowl Hunter’s Pocket Guide shows the season beginning and ending a day earlier.

A brief list of season dates and bag limits are on the 2011-2012 Waterfowl Hunting Season Summary at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/11-12-waterfowl-sum.html. The complete, detailed regulations are on the Fish and Game Commission website at www.fgc.ca.gov/regulations/current/waterfowlregs.aspx#502d5D1.

The 20 to 30-inch black brants appear similar to the Canada goose but are smaller and shorter-necked, lacking the white cheek patch of the latter.

Black brants breed in coastal Alaska and the Canadian Arctic in summers, then spend winters along both coasts of the U.S., and as far south as Mexico.

They feed primarily on eelgrass and other marine plants, so seldom stray far from salt water. The greatest threat to the species is loss of winter habitat to development.

Again, the correct season dates for the Northern Brant Management Area are Nov. 7, 2011 through Dec. 6, 2011.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

OLYMPIA, WA --(AmmoLand.com)- Brant goose numbers in Skagit County are high enough to allow an eight-day hunt later this month, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Brant hunting is scheduled Jan. 16, 17, 20, 23, 24, 27, 30 and 31 with a bag limit of two geese per day.

The hunting season was adopted after 6,002 brant were counted Thursday during an aerial survey of Fidalgo, Padilla and Samish bays, said Don Kraege, waterfowl section manager for WDFW. At least 6,000 brant must be counted in Skagit County before hunting is allowed.

“Numbers of brant wintering in Skagit County are down this year, but expected harvest rates during the eight-day season are still within our management objectives,” said Kraege.

Last year, WDFW wildlife biologists counted about 16,200 brant – the largest count in 14 years. About 9,200 brant, which is slightly above the long-term average, were counted during aerial surveys in 2008 and about 6,100 the previous year.

“The drop in the number of birds in Skagit County from last year is likely the result of a shift in winter distribution,” Kraege said. “Significant numbers of brant have been seen elsewhere in northern Puget Sound, including nearby Whatcom County, where we counted an additional 4,000 birds during the aerial survey.”

To participate in the Skagit County brant season, hunters must have prior written authorization and a harvest information card from WDFW. After taking a brant, hunters are required to record their harvest information immediately, and report their harvest to WDFW by Feb. 15. Hunters who fail to report by Feb. 15 will be ineligible to hunt brant in the 2010-2011 season.

Hunters who harvest a brant implanted with a radio transmitter should call Kraege at (360) 902-2522. WDFW biologists would like to retrieve the transmitters, which are used to track the migration pattern of the birds.

Hunters who harvest a brant fitted with a colored leg band should also report the leg band’s numbers and color to WDFW. Birds fitted with metal leg bands can be reported by calling 1-800-327-BAND or at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl . The leg bands help biologists identify and track the birds.

More information on brant-hunting requirements is available in WDFW’s Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Seasons hunting pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/water.htm .

Ducks Unlimited Migration Map

Ducks Unlimited

MEMPHIS, Tenn –-(AmmoLand.com)- Ducks Unlimited members and waterfowl hunters throughout the U.S. are utilizing DU’s Migration Map in unprecedented numbers.

Surpassing more than 1.5 million page views within the site’s first two months is allowing waterfowl hunters to utilize the migration map to improve their success in the field.

“We have created the ‘ultimate waterfowl hunter’s resource’ with Opening Day-First Flight,” says Anthony Jones, director of internet services for DU.

“The migration map is only successful when hunters post detailed reports of the migration they are personally witnessing while they are in the field. Our numbers are showing that not only are visitors utilizing the map, but the feedback we are getting shows that hunters are using the site’s many aspects as tools within every flyway.”

Opening Day
First Flight offers constantly changing articles, video, gear features and several interactive maps for waterfowl hunters to utilize throughout the season. It offers everything from state agency sites to get licenses to detailed weather maps in conjunction with the Zip Code they plan to waterfowl hunt; it’s the most comprehensive waterfowl hunting site on the web.

“We have continually built interactive applications for the site and the Migration Map,” Jones says. “With the video contest, member photo application and the constantly updated content, it’s not surprising that we have been able to reach 1.5 million page views in the first two months.”

Opening Day-First Flight site and DU’s Migration Map went live Sept. 1, 2009, and will be live until Jan. 31, 2010. Understanding that waterfowl hunters are the foundation of wetland conservation in North America, DU has worked to help improve waterfowl populations since its inception in 1937. The Opening Day-First Flight site is a testament to the passion waterfowl hunters embody and their commitment to the resource. Visit openingday.ducks.org for the experience.

About:
Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved nearly 13 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow, and forever.

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

PRATT – -(AmmoLand.com)- At an Aug. 6 meeting in Medicine Lodge, the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission approved seasons for late-migrating waterfowl. Following frameworks allowed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and recommendations from Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) staff, the upcoming 2009-2010 late waterfowl seasons will allow 74 days of duck hunting in the Low Plains Zone and 97 days in the High Plains.

Duck regulations and season dates for the fall and winter of 2009-2010 are as follow.

Bag limits, possession limits, shooting hours
Five ducks is the daily bag limit, which may include no more than two redheads, two scaup, three wood ducks, and one duck from the following group — one pintail, one canvasback, one hen mallard, one mottled duck (except for the first five days of the season, in any zone, when mottled ducks may not be taken). The daily bag limit for coots is 15, and a daily bag limit for mergansers is five, which may include no more than two hooded mergansers. The coot and merganser seasons will run concurrent with the regular duck seasons.
Possession limits for all species (ducks, coots, and mergansers) are double the daily bag.
Shooting hours for all species are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Duck Season Dates

• High Plains Zone Youth — Oct. 3-4.
• High Plains Zone (West of U.S. 283) — first segment, Oct. 10-Jan. 5, 2010; second segment, Jan. 23-31, 2010.
• Early Zone Youth — Oct. 3-4.
• Early Zone — first segment, Oct. 10-Dec. 6; second segment, Dec. 19-Jan. 3, 2010.
• Late Zone Youth — Oct. 24-25.
• Late Zone — first segment, Oct. 31-Jan. 3, 2010; second segment, Jan. 23-31, 2010.

(For details on zone boundaries, see the 2009 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary, available Sept. 1 at most KDWP offices and license vendors.)

During the youth seasons, youth must be 15 years old or younger and accompanied by an adult, who cannot hunt. The supervising adult must be at least 18 years old, and the adult does not have to have a hunting license or stamps required of waterfowl hunters.

For Canada geese, season segments are Oct. 31-Nov. 8 and Nov. 11-Feb. 14, with a daily bag limit of three. For white-fronted geese, the season segments are Oct. 31-Nov. 8; Nov. 11-Jan. 3, 2010; and Feb. 6-14, 2010, with a daily bag limit of two. The light goose season segments are Oct. 31-Nov. 8 and Nov. 11-Feb. 14, 2010, with a daily bag limit of 20. (Under a federal Light Goose Conservation Order, light geese may also be taken from Feb. 15-April 30, with no bag or possession limits.)

All waterfowl possession limits are twice the daily bag limit, except for light geese, which have no possession limit.

For falconers, federal frameworks allow no extended season in the High Plains Zone. In both the Early and Late zones, the season runs Feb. 24-March 10, 2010. Because of the 107-day hunting limit imposed by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty, and the increased length of the September teal season from nine to 16 days, there are seven fewer days left for falconers in the Early and Late zones, and none available in the High Plains Zone.

For more details, visit the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us, or phone 620-672-5911.

Greatly Improved Habitat Conditions Increase New Ducks for 2009

Ducks Unlimited

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - -(AmmoLand.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) released its preliminary report today on mid-continent breeding ducks and habitats, based on surveys conducted in May and early June. Total duck populations were estimated at 42 million breeding ducks on the surveyed area. This estimate represents a 13 percent increase over last year’s estimate of 37.3 million birds and is 25 percent above the 1955-2008 long-term average.

“The increase in duck numbers in relation to the increase in habitat conditions is consistent with what we would expect to see in U.S. and Canadian breeding grounds this spring,” said Ducks Unlimited’s Executive Vice President Don Young. “History has repeatedly shown that when water returns to the breeding grounds ducks respond with a strong breeding effort.”

In addition to extensive grassland cover, one of the most important elements in duck breeding success is the amount of water present in portions of prairie and parkland Canada and north-central United States. Total pond counts for the United States and Canada combined showed 6.4 million ponds, a 45 percent increase from last year’s estimate, and 31 percent above the long-term average. Habitat conditions in 2009 were mostly a good news scenario. Conditions across the southern portions of the Canadian and U.S prairies improved considerably from 2008.

However, drought remained in some parts of the traditional survey area, including western portions of the Prairie Pothole Region. Southern Alberta saw a decrease in ponds of 19 percent. This area contrasted sharply with record amounts of snow and rainfall in the Dakotas. The north-central U.S., which includes the Dakotas, saw a 108 percent increase in total ponds. Above average snowfall this winter and considerable precipitation in late spring recharged wetlands across the Dakotas and eastern Montana.

The Canadian parklands received below-normal precipitation, but waterfowl habitat in this area continued to benefit from above-normal precipitation received in 2007. In the Boreal Forest, spring break-up was delayed as much as three weeks and most large lakes across the region remained frozen in early June. Overall habitat conditions in this important region were considered good.

The FWS spring surveys provide the scientific basis for many management programs across the continent including the setting of hunting regulations. The four Flyway Councils will meet in late July to recommend and adopt the season structure and bag limits for 2009-10. Individual states will make their specific selections within a federal framework of season length, bag limit, and outside dates. Hunters should check their state’s rules for final dates.

The 2009 report is filled with positive news for all duck species. As might be expected, most breeding populations increased as habitat conditions significantly improved from 2008 to 2009. Of the commonly surveyed species four of the 10 showed a significant increase, and six of 10 were significantly above their long-term averages.

The mallard population increased 10 percent above last year. An estimated 8.5 million mallards were on traditionally surveyed areas this spring, compared to last year’s estimate of 7.7 million birds and are now 13 percent above the long-term average.

“The increase in breeding mallard populations to numbers above their long-term average could very well be good news for hunters,” said DU’s Chief Biologist Dale Humburg. “Although we also know that migration timing and local conditions will also be important in this fall’s hunting prospects.”

Other notable increases from 2008 include canvasbacks (+35 percent), northern shovelers (+25 percent) and northern pintails (+23 percent). Pintail numbers increased for the first time since 2006, but remain 20 percent below the long-term average.

“The return of water to the north-central U.S. and much of Prairie Canada improved much of the core pintail breeding area,” said Humburg. “The strong wetland conditions likely will lead to increased pintail production and much needed recruitment into the fall flight.”

Scaup numbers were above four million for the first time since 2000. Breeding scaup numbers, however, remain 18 percent below their long-term average and continue to be a species of concern.

Other species above the long-term averages were gadwall, green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, northern shoveler and redheads. Estimated American wigeon abundance was similar to 2008 and the long-term (-1 percent and -5 percent, respectively). Although canvasbacks increased significantly from 2008 they were not significantly different in number from the long-term.

Since 1990, surveys have been conducted in eastern North America. Good habitat was found across the eastern survey area. Population estimates for the 10 most abundant species surveyed were similar to last year and to the 1990-2008 averages.

Wet and dry cycles, where water levels fluctuate over time, are vital components of maintaining wetland productivity. This is true for all wetlands, but is especially important for the prairie potholes of the northern plains. While hunters and ducks rejoice with the return of water, droughts are important in rejuvenating wetlands. As evident by this year, dedication to conservation, even through dry cycles, can pay off when water returns to the prairies and wetlands again teem with breeding waterfowl and other wildlife.

“Habitat is the core factor driving the health of duck populations and the size of the fall flight,” said Humburg. “Habitat also is a key for waterfowl in migration and for hunters. This year, spring and early summer flooding in the Midwest and South, drought in some portions of the Prairies, and extremely dry conditions in parts of the west, could affect migration and hunting habitat.”

Improvement in water conditions is only part of the story. Water without nesting cover does little to improve the duck outlook. As good as the news is this week, waterfowl and prairie habitats continue to face greater long-term threats. Grassland habitat is under siege on many fronts and is being lost at alarming rates. The U.S. Prairie Pothole Region lost more than 1.2 million Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres since 2007 (another 3.1 million acres will expire by 2012), and more than 3.3 million acres of native prairie are projected to be lost during the next five years.

“There has never been a time more important than today to maintain our focus on restoring and protecting these habitats, so when wet conditions return, ducks can continue to successfully produce future generations,” said Young.

For details of the Trends in Duck Breeding Populations, 1955-2009 report visit the FWS Migratory Bird website at: http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/

About:
With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization with almost 12 million acres conserved. The United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands – nature’s most productive ecosystem – and continues to lose more than 80,000 wetland acres each year.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Maryland – -(AmmoLand.com)- Canada goose numbers significantly higher this year Annapolis, MD – Monday, March 9, 2009 – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have released the results of the 2009 Midwinter Waterfowl Survey. Each winter, pilots and biologists from the two agencies count ducks, geese and swans along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay shoreline and Atlantic coast. In January of 2009, the survey teams observed a total of 836,900 waterfowl, similar to the number of waterfowl observed in January 2008.

“When pooled with results from other states, the Midwinter Waterfowl Survey provides a long-term measure of the distribution and population size of most waterfowl species wintering in the Atlantic Flyway,” said Larry Hindman, DNR Waterfowl Project Leader. “More typical winter weather led to higher numbers recorded for a few species this year.”

There was a notable increase in number of Canada geese counted by the survey crews.

The higher winter Canada goose count (498,200), was due to a combination of good gosling production from Northern Quebec nesting areas, snow cover and cold temperatures north of Maryland that pushed geese south to the Chesapeake in search of open water and winter foods.

Canada goose estimates reflect a mix of resident and migrant goose stocks, so these survey estimates are not used to set hunting regulations. Hunting regulations change with the population status of Atlantic and Resident populations of Canada geese. These numbers are tracked using breeding population and productivity surveys that are conducted each spring.

The number of mallards counted in this year’s survey (58,300) was similar to 2008 (55,500). Black duck numbers (24,900) also remained unchanged from last winter when 23,000 were counted. Overall, diving ducks numbers were similar to last winter with one exception: scaup numbers were significantly lower (51,600) compared to the 150,000 that were observed on the 2008 survey.

This year’s drop in scaup numbers in the Maryland portion of the Bay may be related to environmental factors influencing migration, but the continental population of lesser scaup has been experiencing a significant long-term decline.

The precise reasons for the decline are unknown; factors under investigation include reduced food resources, declining water quality, contaminants on spring migration stopovers and degradation of breeding habitat in the boreal forest. Climate change may also be negatively influencing food resources on boreal forest and coastal habitats.

The Midwinter Waterfowl Survey has been conducted annually throughout the United States since the early 1950s. The survey provides information on long-term trends in waterfowl populations and is the only source of population estimates for important species such as Atlantic brant and tundra swans. The survey also provides supplementary information on other waterfowl species for which annual breeding population and harvest information is available.

The Maryland Midwinter Waterfowl Survey numbers from 2005 to 2009 are listed below.

About:
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 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