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Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Sarah Taylor-Rogers announced today the proposed dates and bag limits for the 2000-2001 late waterfowl hunting seasons.
"Except for goose species, the outlook for fall waterfowl populations is great," said Secretary Taylor-Rogers.
Duck breeding populations from the north-central U.S. and southern Canada survey areas were at 41.8 million birds and are near last year^s record high. Despite a warm, dry winter that reduced wetland habitats resulting in fair to poor breeding conditions in many production areas in May, heavy rains in the prairies in June improved breeding habitats. These rains improved conditions for late nesting duck species and enhanced brood-rearing habitats. In eastern production areas, important to duck populations affiliated with the Atlantic flyway, there was good production. Thus, Maryland waterfowlers can expect another 60-day duck season with a 5-duck daily bag limit. In addition, to the proposed 5-duck daily bag limit, hunters may also take one additional teal during any of the three split seasons.
Breeding habitat conditions for geese were generally poor for Atlantic brant, greater snow geese, and AP (Atlantic Population) Canada geese. Federal guidelines authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), again offer Maryland hunters a very limited 6-day hunting season on AP Canada geese. The USFWS proposed no further liberalization in AP Canada goose hunting regulations this year following word that gosling production throughout key breeding areas on the Ungava Peninsula in northern Quebec was poor. Nesting conditions were especially unfavorable within the high-density nesting areas of the Hudson Bay coast where most AP geese affiliated with Maryland nest. Heavy winter snow pack and a prolonged cold spring caused a delay in goose nesting and a reduced nesting effort. Two-thirds of the nests located within the main Hudson Bay study area were either abandoned or predated by foxes. Nest density was lower than in 1997-99 and nest success (28%) was the lowest since intensive ground nesting studies have been conducted. Although the total estimated number of AP goose pairs increased from 77,000 in 1999 to 93,000 in 2000, the number of pairs did not increase in the high-density nesting area. A similar fall flight of AP geese to 1999 is expected, but the fall population will contain smaller numbers of young geese.
Like in 1999, the USFWS in consultation with the Atlantic Flyway council, has approved a limited harvest of 35,000 AP geese in the Atlantic flyway. Maryland is allocated about one-third of the flyway harvest and may open a 6-day hunting season. Hunters would be allowed to take one bird per season and all geese bagged would have to be tagged with a DNR goose tag. Tagging is required to ensure that the goose harvest stays within acceptable levels.
"However, after careful consideration, the Department of Natural Resources will continue with a closed hunting season for AP geese this year," said Secretary Taylor-Rogers. "The harvest regulation packages provided to us by the USFWS in consultation with the Atlantic Flyway Council are identical to last year. However, most Maryland hunters strongly opposed opening a very limited hunting season in 1999 wanting to wait until more liberal harvest regulations were available. Furthermore, recognizing AP geese will be very vulnerable when the hunting season resumes, we want to open the AP season during a good production year that provides a good crop of young geese to buffer the impact of harvest on breeders. This is not the case this year.
"The breeding pair index for AP geese has steadily improved since the season was closed in 1995. In addition, we now have dominant age classes starting to enter the breeding population which will result in a rapid increase in population growth over the next few years. Thus, goose hunters can expect AP Canada goose harvest packages offered by the USFWS to be more liberal," said Secretary Taylor-Rogers.
The Secretary also proposes a 107-day greater snow goose season that will extend the closing framework date to March 10 as a method of using hunting pressure to minimize damage to winter wheat, other grain crops and tidal salt marsh. In addition to the proposed first two split seasons (Oct. 14 - Nov. 24, Dec. 6 - Jan.31), the third segment of the season would start February 2 and continue through March 10, but hunting would be allowed only on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday during this later period. This spreads the 107 days allowed for snow goose hunting across the fall and winter period when snow geese pose a significant threat to agricultural crops, pastures, and coastal wetlands.
However, despite liberal snow goose hunting regulations, hunters are likely to find snow goose hunting tough again this year due to poor gosling production. Heavy snow and cold temperatures in late May resulted in a poor nesting effort. Thus, this year^s fall flight is expected to be large, but smaller than 1999 and contain a smaller proportion of young geese.
Atlantic brant also suffered a poor nesting season due to the late spring across the eastern Arctic. The fall flight of brant is expected to be lower than in 1999, but still near or above the 10-year average. Thus, a 50-day season with a 2-bird limit is proposed.
"Hunters are encouraged to let us know what they think of the proposed 2000-2001 late waterfowl seasons and bag limits," said Secretary Taylor-Rogers.
In addition to the public meeting to be held at Easton High School Cafeteria at 7 p.m. on August 21, interested persons are invited to offer comments and participate in an Online Public Meeting by e-mailing comments to Lwiley@dnr.state.md.us. Comments will be posted and updated every other day. Public comment on the proposed regulations will be accepted until 4 p.m. on August 22.
To hunt waterfowl in Maryland, hunters (except landowners hunting their own property) must possess a valid Maryland hunting license. All hunters must have in his or her possession a Maryland HIP (Harvest Information Program) Permit, Federal duck stamp (youth under 16 years of age exempt), and Maryland Migratory Waterfowl Stamp. Possession of a HIP Permit is required of all hunters that hunt migratory birds in Maryland, including those who are exempt from possessing an annual hunting license (i.e., landowners and lifetime hunting licensees).
HIP permits and Maryland Waterfowl Stamps are available at Maryland DNR sport license agents and DNR Regional Service Centers. Hunters may obtain Federal duck stamps at U.S. Post Offices, National Wildlife Refuges, and some Maryland DNR sport license agents.
Waterfowl hunters are encouraged to reported banded waterfowl and can now use a toll-free number, 1-800-327-BAND (3261), to report banded birds they harvest. Information gathered from banded ducks and geese plays a critical role in management of waterfowl in North America.
For more information on hunting in Maryland consult the free booklet "Hunting and Trapping in Maryland 2000-2001." This booklet can be obtained locally from Maryland DNR Sport license agents at retail stores and DNR Wildlife and Heritage Division offices. Additional information on migratory game bird hunting seasons is also available on the DNR Website.
Review the proposed 2000-2001 Late Waterfowl Season Dates and Bag Limits and join the DNR Online Public Forum to provide DNR^s game Program staff with your opinion on the 2000-2001 Late Waterfowl Proposal.
Uploaded: 8/14/2000
Uploaded: 8/14/2000