Final Waterfowl Regulations Available Late September

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Migratory bird hunting regulations will be available September 30, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Migratory Bird and Wetlands Coordinator Tom Hinz. Season dates and most other details are unchanged from last season. Baiting regulations have been significantly revised. Hunters cannot hunt waterfowl or any other migratory game bird by baiting an area or hunting on or over an area that is baited. Baiting is the direct or indirect scattering of salt, grain or other feed that could attract migratory game birds to an area where hunters are attempting to take them. The season in the Pacific Flyway, including Hill, Chouteau, Cascade, Meagher and Park counties and all counties west of these is September 30 to January 12 for ducks and September 30 to January 7 for geese. The bag limit for ducks is seven ducks and mergansers. The daily limit for geese is three light geese (Snow, Blue, Ross’) and four dark geese (any other geese). The possession limit may not exceed twice the daily bag limit of any species and sex. The regulations give details on all exceptions in the Pacific Flyway. In the Central Flyway, including Blaine, Fergus, Judith Basin, Wheatland, Sweet Grass, Stillwater and Carbon counties and all counties east of these, the duck hunting season is September 30 to January 4. The season for geese is September 30 to January 12. The bag limit for ducks is six ducks and for geese the bag limit is 5 light geese and four dark geese. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. Again, the regulations give details on all exceptions in the Central Flyway. Tom Hinz noted that early September hunting for doves, snipe and cranes in western Montana will be restricted due to fire-danger land closures, and said it is uncertain whether these closures will be in place the end of September when hunting for most migratory birds is scheduled to begin. "We’re asking hunters to voluntarily stay home until conditions improve in the areas closed or designated as in high fire danger," Hinz said. Recently, FWP Director Pat Graham said landowners in eastern Montana are especially concerned about the impacts an influx of hunters could have in areas of high fire danger. To those intent on traveling to eastern Montana, Graham stressed that if they do not already have permission to hunt they should understand that obtaining access to private land in many areas in eastern Montana is going to be very difficult.