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Pennsylvania Game Commission

Pennsylvania --(Ammoland.com)- The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners gave preliminary approval to nearly all of the 2012-13 seasons and bag limits; however, there is one group of seasons that won’t be finalized until summer: waterfowl and migratory bird seasons.

In July, in concert with federal frameworks, the Game Commission will set seasons and bag limits for September resident Canada goose and webless migratory birds, such as doves, woodcock, snipe and moorhens.

In August, the Game Commission and waterfowl hunting organizations will host waterfowl organizations, individual sportsmen and the public to attend a briefing on the status of waterfowl populations and proposed preliminary federal frameworks for the 2012-13 hunting seasons.

In addition to reviewing frameworks established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for upcoming waterfowl and migratory bird seasons, Game Commission staff, along with conservation partners, will provide updates on current and planned research and management programs, as well as past hunting results.

Based on public comments received and gathered at the meeting, Game Commission staff will prepare and present recommended composite waterfowl and migratory bird seasons, bag limits and related criteria to the USFWS for final approval. All migratory bird hunting seasons and bag limits must conform to frameworks set by the USFWS. States select their hunting seasons within these established frameworks.

By mid-August, once the final selections are made, the Game Commission will print and distribute brochures outlining the seasons and bag limits for waterfowl and migratory bird seasons to U.S. Post Offices, where hunters may purchase their mandatory federal duck stamp. The brochure also will be posted on the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) along with a news release announcing the agency’s final selections by mid-August.

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Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

LITTLE ROCK, AR --(Ammoland.com)- There’s no shortage of waterfowl habitat across The Natural State, and while it’s good news for wintering waterfowl, the abundant water on the landscape is both a blessing and a curse for waterfowl hunters.

The increase in waterfowl habitat is good for the ducks because it provides plenty of places to feed and rest. But hunters may find that ducks are scattered in various locations.

Field reports from around the state indicate fair to good success among many hunters, but some of the same reports indicate good hunting success one day and then poor success the next. It’s likely a result of ducks having plenty of places to go to avoid hunting pressure.

The upside of the abundant rainfall is that most of the state’s wildlife management areas are full of water, providing ample opportunities for the state’s duck hunters. Current conditions are in stark contrast to last year’s duck season, when most areas had little available water, forcing hunters into smaller areas with more hunting pressure.

“During conditions like these, it’s important that hunters do some homework in the form of scouting,” said Luke Naylor, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission waterfowl program coordinator.

“We’ve seen in past aerial surveys that ducks often use non-traditional habitats during these conditions, so checking these types of areas can pay dividends for hunters willing to put in a little extra work.”

AGFC biologists are attempting to fly the state’s second round of aerial waterfowl surveys this week, but they’ve been largely unable to fly as a result of poor flying conditions, including thick fog in many parts of the state. Duck counts should be available next week pending completion of the survey flights. If weather conditions prohibit flights in the coming days, survey results may not be published until after Christmas.

Results from the November aerial survey may be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/AGFCaerialsurveys.
Several eastern Arkansas WMAs continue to have access problems as a result of high water levels. Details on road and ramp closures may be found in the capsule information in this report.

While this waterfowl report seeks to provide information that is as timely as possible, hunters should keep in mind there’s often a lag of two or three days between the time field reports are received and this report is published. Thus, actual water levels and percentage of flooded habitat may differ from what’s reported here. The AGFC encourages hunters to check stream gauges (links are provided at the end of this report) and physically scout potential hunting areas to determine actual field conditions.

To assist waterfowl hunters with the latest information, the AGFC provides links to sources on waterfowl location and abundance in Arkansas and other states. The links are available at http://www.agfc.com/hunting/Pages/HuntingWaterfowlReport.aspx#1.

This waterfowl report provides capsule information from agency staff in all corners of Arkansas and is updated each Wednesday throughout waterfowl season.

To receive the report each week on your computer, send an e-mail to arkansasoutdoors@agfc.com and type “Waterfowl Report – via Ammoland” in the subject line.

Sunrise/sunset tables are available at: http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/data-services/rs-one-day-us and in the Arkansas Waterfowl Regulations Guide.

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