Early Migratory Bird Seasons Set

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission recently adopted final 2006 hunting regulations and season dates for "webless" migratory game birds.

The hunting-season framework for Montana’s webless migratory game birds—mourning doves, common snipe and sandhill cranes—will follow federal recommendations and remain similar to last season. The seasons and bag limits shape up like this:

·         Mourning dove—Sept. 1-Oct 30; 15 daily and 30 in possession.

·         Common (Wilson’s) snipe — Sept. 1-Dec. 16; eight daily and 16 in possession.

·         Sandhill crane--(Pacific Flyway) — Sept. 9-17; permit only, application deadline is past.

·         Sandhill crane (Central Flyway:Wheatland County and a portion of Sweetgrass County ) —         Sept. 9-17 : permit only, application deadline is past.

·         Sandhill crane (Central Flyway) — Sept. 23-Nov. 19; permit only. Hunters   can obtain the required free permit from the Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge, the Medicine Lake National Refuge and from FWP in Helena, Glasgow, Billings, and Miles City. Check regulations for open areas.

For details on the webless migratory bird hunting regulations and seasons visit FWP’s Hunting web pages.