Montana’s special statewide youth waterfowl hunting weekend is set to open Saturday, Sept. 22, with the regular duck and goose season opener to follow Sept. 29. The 2007 Migratory Bird Regulations are available online at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website at fwp.mt.gov. Printed copies will be available at most FWP license providers across the state on Sept. 25. Legally licensed hunters ages 12 through 15 may hunt ducks, geese, coots and mergansers on the special youth weekend, but must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. While the accompanying adult may not shoot waterfowl, he or she can assist with setting decoys, calling and retrieving. The shooting hours—which are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset—bag limits and all other regulations that apply to the regular migratory bird season apply during the special youth hunt. The youth waterfowl hunt at Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area near Townsend, however, ends each day at noon. The statewide youth waterfowl season runs Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 22-23. The regular waterfowl season runs Sept. 29 through Jan. 11, 2008 in the Pacific Flyway, which is generally the western half of Montana. In the Central Flyway— which covers most of the eastern half of Montana—the season runs from Sept. 29 through Jan. 3, 2008. There are some exceptions related to dates and bag limits, so check the regulations. Here’s a summary of this season’s waterfowl hunting bag limits. Pacific Flyway · Ducks— The daily bag limit is seven ducks (including mergansers). The daily bag limit may contain no more than two female mallards, one pintail, two canvasbacks, two redheads and three scaup. The possession limit may not exceed twice the daily bag limit of any species and sex. · Geese—The d aily bag limit is four light geese (Snow, Blue, Ross’) and four dark geese (all other geese). The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. · Coots—The bag l imit is 25 daily and in possession. Central Flyway · Ducks— The daily bag limit is six ducks (including mergansers). The daily bag limit may contain no more than five mallards of which no more than two may be females; two wood ducks; two redheads; one pintail; one canvasback, two hooded mergansers; and two scaup. The possession limit may not exceed twice the daily bag limit of any species and sex. Also, beginning Nov. 7 Central Flyway hunters cannot take pintail and canvasback ducks. · Geese—The daily bag limit is five light geese and four dark geese. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. · Coots—The b ag limit is 15 daily and 30 in possession.
Recent News
