AmmoLand.com

Wisconsin Early Canada Goose And Mourning Dove Seasons Open Sept. 1

Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, WI --(Ammoland.com)- – As September approaches so do the first fall hunting opportunities — the early Canada goose and mourning dove seasons.

The early Canada goose season in Wisconsin runs Sept. 1-15 statewide. The dove season runs Sept. 1 – Nov. 9 statewide.

The early Canada goose season is made possible by the historic growth of local giant Canada goose populations. Wisconsin’s breeding population was up 12 percent this spring with 176,095 geese counted during the spring waterfowl survey. Harvest of Canada geese in the early season now amounts to one-third of the total annual Canada goose harvest in Wisconsin.

“The early season provides additional and ample opportunities for our goose hunters and directs harvest pressure toward these locally nesting geese,” said Kent Van Horn, migratory game bird ecologist for the Department of Natural Resources.

The early season daily bag limit is five birds. In addition to the standard small game hunting license and state and federal waterfowl stamps, participation requires a $3 early Canada goose permit and HIP certification. Registering for HIP (the federal Harvest Information Program) is free and can be done at any DNR service center or licensing sales agent. The national HIP registry allows biologists to more accurately survey hunters about important harvest information and participation.

There are no “zones” or “subzones” during the early season. The hunt is statewide regardless of what area hunters may hold a permit for during the regular goose season.

Wisconsin’s resident geese often change feeding and movement patterns this time of year, biologists say.

“Hunters who scout prior to the hunt and stay mobile during the season give themselves the best chance for success,” said Van Horn.

Dove season details and safety tips
Mourning doves are one of the most abundant and widely distributed birds in Wisconsin and throughout North America and populations are stable and slowly growing, Van Horn said. On average, about 14,000 Wisconsin hunters harvest 140,000 mourning doves each year. As with Canada geese, mourning dove hunters should benefit from scouting to see where birds are flying as they move between roosts, water and feeding areas.

With a holiday weekend quickly following the opening of these hunts, there likely will be large numbers of people spending time outdoors.

“We encourage everyone to respect each other’s interests,” said Van Horn.

Dove hunters also must be HIP certified to be in compliance with state and federal law. This free and easy certification can be requested when purchasing a small game hunting license.

The national HIP registry allows biologists to more accurately survey hunters about important harvest information and participation.

Dove hunting regulation and safety reminders:

• Doves are migratory birds so hunters must use a plugged shotgun with a capacity not to exceed 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined.
• Nontoxic shot is required to hunt doves on all DNR managed lands.
• Avoid shooting at doves near power lines or shooting horizontally at low-flying birds where other hunters may be present. Following the basic rules of firearm safety should avoid these situations.

For more information see the Waterfowl in Wisconsin or mourning dove pages of the DNR website.

Filed under: Hunting News by Ammoland No Comments »

Michigan NRC Approves Waterfowl Season Dates for 2011-12

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Michigan --(Ammoland.com)- Michigan duck hunters will again enjoy a 60-day season this year as the Natural Resources Commission approved upcoming waterfowl seasons at its August meeting Thursday.

Duck season will begin Sept. 24 in the North Zone (Upper Peninsula) and run through Nov. 18, then re-open Nov. 24-27.

• In the Middle Zone, duck season is set for Oct. 1 – Nov. 27 and Dec. 3-4.
• In the South Zone, the season is Oct. 8 – Dec. 4 and Dec. 10-11.

The seasons were established under the federal framework through consultation between the Department of Natural Resources and the Citizens Waterfowl Advisory Committee.

Bag limits are unchanged from last year. Hunters may take up to six ducks daily with no more than four mallards (no more than one of which may be a hen), three wood ducks, two redheads, two scaup, two pintails, one canvasback and one black duck.

The early Canada goose hunting season begins statewide Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 10 in the North Zone and in Saginaw, Tuscola and Huron counties; and through Sept. 15 in the rest of the state. The daily bag limit is five.

The regular Canada goose seasons – with the exception of designated goose management units (GMU) are Sept. 17 – Oct. 31 in the North Zone; Oct. 1-8 , Nov. 24-27 and Dec. 3-4 in the Middle Zone; and Oct. 8 – Nov. 10 and Nov. 24 – Dec. 4 in the south zone. The daily bag limit is two.

The goose seasons in the Saginaw County GMU and the Tuscola/Huron GMU are Oct. 8 – Nov. 10, Nov. 24 – Dec. 4, and Dec. 31 – Jan. 29. The daily bag limit is two.

The seasons in the Allegan County GMU are Nov. 12-30, Dec. 10-20, and Dec. 31 – Jan. 14. The daily bag limit is two.

At Muskegon Waste Water GMU, the seasons are Oct. 11 – Nov. 13 and Dec. 1-11. The daily bag limit is two.

The late goose season – in the South Zone only – is Dec. 31 – Jan. 29. The daily bag limit is five.

Hunters may take 20 snow, blue or Ross’ geese daily and one white-fronted goose and one brant during the regular and late seasons in respective zones or GMUs.

Continental duck populations increased 11 percent from 2010 as a result of exceptionally good wetland conditions in the mid-continent prairie and parkland regions. Most duck species are above their long-term averages. However, about 75 percent of Michigan’s mallard harvest is from ducks produced in the Great Lakes region. Michigan’s mallard population was down 34 percent this year from 2010 and 40 percent below the long-term average. Therefore despite very good predictions for continental fall duck flights, Michigan duck hunters will likely encounter fewer ducks, especially mallards, this season.

Michigan’s Canada goose harvest is derived from primarily three flocks, including local giant Canada geese, the Mississippi Valley Population (MVP), and the Southern James Bay Population (SJBP). Michigan’s giant Canada geese make up approximately 70 percent of the state’s goose harvest. Michigan’s Canada goose population estimate is down about 42 percent from last year. The MVP and SJBP flocks breed largely on Hudson Bay, Ontario, and account for the majority of Michigan’s migrant goose harvest. MVP numbers are significantly down this year and SJBP numbers are similar to last year and remain stable. In general, goose hunters are likely to see smaller numbers of Canada geese throughout Michigan’s goose hunting seasons; however some local areas have good giant Canada goose numbers and will provide excellent opportunity.

For more information on waterfowl hunting in Michigan, go to www.michigan.gov/hunting and click on Waterfowl.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Filed under: Hunting News by Ammoland No Comments »