2009-2010 Waterfowl Seasons, Bag Limits, Other Regulations Set

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RALEIGH, N.C. (August 31, 2009)  -- The N.C Wildlife Resources Commission has set season dates, bag limits and other regulations for the 2009-10 season.

Working within mandatory frameworks established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Commission set the following regulations:

• Conventional bag:  Six ducks with no more than 4 scoters, 4 mallards with no more than 2 hen mallards, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 1 black or mottled duck (season closed until December 1), 1 canvasback, 1 pintail, or 1 fulvous tree duck.  The season on harlequin ducks is closed. Possession limits are twice the daily bag limit unless otherwise noted. Hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

• Other limits:  
  • Fifteen light geese (includes snow & blue geese & Ross’ geese), no possession limit
  • Two brant
  • Five mergansers (two hooded mergansers)
  • Seven sea ducks (in special sea duck areas only). In other areas sea ducks are part of the regular duck bag limit.  No more than four scoters per day may be taken in either season.
  • Fifteen coots
  • Five dark geese (includes Canada geese & white-fronted geese) in the Resident Hunt Zone, five in the Southern James Bay Zone and one in the Northeast Hunt Zone.

The Commission is alerting hunters pursuing Canada geese in the Northeast Hunt Zone that the season has changed substantially. For the 2009-10 season, Canada geese may be taken in the Northeast Hunt Zone during a seven-day season from January 23 to 30. The bag limit is one goose per day, and a $5 permit is required to participate. An unlimited number of permits are available and can be obtained at any Wildlife Service Agent.  Unlike past years, individual tags for harvested geese are not required. However, a questionnaire will be issued with the permit and the Wildlife Commission strongly urges hunters to return the questionnaire either by mail or by submitting online at www.ncwildlife.org.

Also, for the first time, electronic calls and unplugged guns will be allowed for snow geese from Feb. 8 to March 10. These additional hunting methods are not allowed at any other time.
 

Season Dates

You may also call 1-800-675-0263 for this information.
Report all bands by calling 1-800-327-BAND or www.reportband.gov.

For more information about waterfowl hunting regulations in North Carolina, see the hunting regulations page at www.ncwildlife.org or call the Division of Wildlife Management at (919) 707-0050.

Get N.C. Wildlife Update – news including season dates, bag limits, legislative updates and more – delivered to your Inbox from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

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