With the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service predicting a fall flight of more than 10 million mallards, prospects for Montana waterfowl hunting appear much better than anticipated earlier this year.
The best news for waterfowl hunters is that late-winter snowfall and spring rains significantly improved nesting conditions for ducks and geese across the prairies of southern Canada and the north-central United States.
More than 36 million breeding birds, a 16 percent increase over 2003 and 9 percent above the long-term average, were able to take advantage of those conditions, said Jeff Herbert, assistant wildlife division administrator for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
The FWP Commission tentatively approved the 2003-04 waterfowl season package last week. That package would reopen the season on canvasback ducks after a one-year closure, and allow hunters to take one canvasback per day. The canvasback and pintail duck-hunting season, however, will be shorter than the general duck season.
Comments on the tentatively approved waterfowl hunting regulations, which are summarized below, will be accepted through Aug. 26.
In western Montana’s Pacific Flyway, duck and goose seasons would begin Oct. 4 and close Jan. 16, 2004. Hunters would be allowed to take three light geese and four dark geese daily. The duck bag could contain seven ducks daily (including mergansers), but no more than two female mallards, one pintail, one canvasback, two redheads, and four scaup. The season for pintails and canvasbacks would close Dec. 2. The tundra swan season, which is regulated by $3 permit that hunters may apply for by Sept. 5, would open Oct. 18 and close Dec. 1. Falconry season for ducks and coots and geese would run Oct. 4-Jan. 16, 2004.
In the Central Flyway, which generally includes the eastern half of Montana, duck and goose seasons would open Oct. 4, with the duck season closing Jan. 8, 2004 and the goose season ending Jan. 16, 2004. Hunters would be allowed to take five light geese and four dark geese daily. The duck bag would contain six ducks daily (including mergansers), but no more than five mallards (only two female mallards), three scaup, two wood ducks, two redheads, one pintail, one canvasback, and one hooded merganser. The season for pintails and canvasbacks would close Nov. 11. The swan season, which is regulated by $3 permit that hunters may apply for by Sept 5, would open Oct. 4 and close Jan. 8. The portion of the sandhill crane season that is regulated by free permits available from local FWP or National Wildlife Refuge offices, would open Sept. 27 and close Nov. 23. Falconry season for ducks and coots would run Sept. 24-Jan. 8 and geese from Oct. 4-Jan. 16, 2004.
Herbert noted that youth hunters, ages 12-15, would once again be provided with a special two-day hunt statewide Sept. 27-28, except for the Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area where a half-day hunt would be offered.
The FWP Commission will adopt final regulations on Aug. 28 via a conference call. Final regulations will be available at all FWP headquarters and most license agents by mid-September. Comments on the tentatively approved regulations must be sent to Waterfowl Regulations, FWP, Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701. Or via email at fwpwld@state.mt.us. Be sure to include your name and mailing address with emailed comments. The comment deadline is Aug. 26.
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