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FWP Commission Sets Final Waterfowl Season Dates
Friday, September 16, 2011
Hunting
This news release was archived on Sunday, October 16, 2011

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission has set the late season migratory bird hunting season dates for ducks, geese, swans, and coots.

Federal survey results show that habitat conditions and population numbers are generally very good for migratory birds—all duck numbers are 35 percent above the long-term average, with mallard numbers 22 percent above the long-term average, and pintail numbers up 26 percent from last year.

Here are the 2011 waterfowl hunting season dates:

Central Flyway

  •  Youth Waterfowl Season: Sept. 24-25.
  • Duck, Coot and Tundra Swan (500 permits only) Season: Oct.1–Jan. 5.
    • Ducks: Daily bag limit of six ducks or mergansers, possession limit twice the daily limit. Daily bag limited to no more than five mallards, no more than two of which may be hens; two redheads, two scaup, two hooded mergansers, three wood ducks, two pintails, and one canvasback.
    • Coots: 15 daily, the possession limit is twice the daily limit.
  • Goose Season: Oct. 1–Jan. 13.
    • Dark Geese: Daily limit of four, the possession limit is twice the daily limit.
    • White Geese: Daily limit of six, the possession limit is twice the daily limit.
  • Falconry
    • Ducks and coots: Sept. 21–Jan. 5.
    • Geese: Oct.1–Jan. 13.

Pacific Flyway

  • Youth Waterfowl Season: Sept. 24-25.
  • Scaup Season: Oct.1–Dec. 23.
  • General Waterfowl Season: Oct. 1–Jan. 13.
    • Ducks: Daily bag limit of seven ducks or mergansers, possession limit twice daily limit. Daily bag limited to no more than two hen mallards, two pintails, two redheads, one canvasback, and three scaup.
    • Coots: The limit is 25 daily and in possession.
  • Goose Season: Oct. 1–Jan. 13.
    • Dark Geese: Daily limit of four, the possession limit is twice the daily limit.
    • White Geese: Daily limit of six, the possession limit is twice the daily limit.
  • Swan (500 permits only) Season: Oct. 15–Dec. 1.
  • Falconry:
    • Ducks, coots, and geese: Oct. 1–Jan. 13.

For more information on Montana's 2011 waterfowl hunting, including how to find a good hunting spot, go to the waterfowl hunting guide on the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov and click on the hunt planner. The 2011 migratory bird regulations are also available on fwp.mt.gov on the Hunting page.