DNR NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Waterfowl dates and limits

[JohnWester]

Media contact: Steve Cordts, DNR waterfowl specialist - Bemidji, (218)
755 3910.

Minnesota maintains conservative duck limit
Additional Canada goose hunting opportunities available

Like last year, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has
established a 60-day duck hunting bag limit that is more conservative
than the regulatory structure allowed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.

Today's announcement of a four-duck limit that allows only one hen is
identical to last year's regulation but less than the six-duck, two-hen
limit the federal government allows under the so called "liberal"
hunting framework.

"We did not come to this decision lightly," said Dave Schad, director
of the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. "In the end, however, we
agreed to this approach because we have been hearing loud and clear
from
duck hunters to take a conservative approach. That input, as well as
increasing concern for local breeding duck populations and implications
of a severe drought, were the key elements in our decision making."

Schad said recent DNR hunter survey data indicates about 85 percent of
duck hunters supported the four-bird limit or an even more restrictive
regulation last year.

Based on an increase in breeding waterfowl populations and pond numbers
across Canada and the northern plains, states in the Mississippi
Flyway,
including Minnesota, were offered a 60-day season that could include a
six-duck limit with two hen mallards. However, this spring's breeding
duck numbers in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin were down -
Minnesota's were the lowest in 20 years. As a result, Minnesota will
stay with the conservative limit introduced last year.

"The four-duck bag limit was well accepted by Minnesota duck hunters
last year," said Steve Cordts, DNR waterfowl specialist. "Given what we
know about Minnesota's breeding duck numbers this year, it seems
prudent
to take a conservative approach to duck limits again this year."

The daily bag limit for both canvasbacks and pintails will be one for
the entire season. "Both species responded well to improved habitat
conditions in southern Canada this spring," Cordts said. Bag limits for
all other species will be the same as last season except the bag limit
for hooded mergansers will be increased from one to two.

DUCK SEASON
The regular waterfowl season will open Saturday, Sept. 30, at 9 a.m.
and continue through Tuesday, Nov. 28. The four duck bag may include no
more than one hen mallard, one black duck, one pintail, one canvasback,
two wood ducks, two redheads and two scaup. Possession limits remain at
twice the daily bag limits.

Except for opening day, when shooting hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
shooting hours will be from one half hour before sunrise to 4 p.m.
daily
through Friday, Oct. 6, and from one half hour before sunrise to sunset
thereafter.

Motorized decoys or other motorized devices designed to attract
migratory birds may not be used from the opening day of duck season
through Saturday, Oct. 7. Motorized decoys or other motorized devices
designed to attract migratory birds may not be used at any time during
the season on water bodies and lands fully contained within state
wildlife management area boundaries.

Additional details on the duck, goose and migratory bird hunting
seasons will be available in the 2006 Minnesota Waterfowl Hunting
Regulations, available in late August.

YOUTH WATERFOWL DAY
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day will be held Saturday, Sept. 16. Hunters
age 15 and under may take regular season bag limits when accompanied by
a nonhunting adult (age 18 and older, no license required). Canada
geese, mergansers, coots and moorhens may be taken from one half-hour
before sunrise to 4 p.m. Motorized decoy restrictions are in effect.
Five geese may be taken, except in the Metro, Southeast and Northwest
goose zones and Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area and Swan Lake
area, where the bag limit is one. There are no license requirements,
except hunters age 13 to 15 must have a firearms safety certificate in
their possession. All other migratory bird hunting regulations apply.



GOOSE SEASONS
Minnesota goose hunters will have additional opportunities to harvest
geese this season, particularly in western Minnesota.

The daily bag limit has been raised to two Canada geese statewide this
year. The former Northwest Goose Zone has been merged with the
remainder
of the state. In addition, the season length in the West Goose Zone has
been extended through Nov. 28.

"We're attempting to provide additional hunting opportunity aimed at
resident giant Canada geese while minimizing impacts to the migrant
Eastern Prairie Population of Canada geese that migrate through the
state later in the fall," Cordts said. Resident Canada goose numbers
remain high and well above our statewide goal. The Eastern Prairie
Population Canada geese have been relatively stable over time.

"We have not had a two Canada goose bag limit around the Lac qui Parle
Wildlife Management Area since the late 1960s, so we will be carefully
monitoring the effects of this expanded opportunity," Cordts said.

Minnesota's regular goose season will open in conjunction with duck
season on Saturday, Sept. 30, except for the Canada goose season in the
West-Central Goose Zone, which will open on Thursday, Oct. 19. The
regular goose season will close on Nov. 27 in the West Central Zone,
Nov. 28 in the West Zone, and Dec. 8 in the remainder of the state.
Possession limits remain at twice the daily bag limit.

EARLY SEPTEMBER GOOSE SEASON
The early Canada goose season will open statewide on Saturday, Sept. 2.
The September season is designed to maintain high harvest pressure on
Minnesota-breeding Canada geese. The early season is open through Sept.
22, except in the Northwest Zone where it is open through Sept. 15. Bag
limits for Canada geese will be five per day, except in the Southeast
Zone, where the bag limit will be two. A $4 permit, valid for both
early
and late season goose hunting is required. Permits are available
wherever hunting and angling licenses are sold.

The restriction prohibiting hunting within 100 yards of surface water
remains in effect in the Northwest, Southeast and Metro goose zones,
Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area and an area surrounding Swan Lake
in Nicollet County. Early season goose hunters should consult the 2006
Waterfowl Hunting Regulations Supplement for details.

LATE GOOSE SEASONS
December Canada goose seasons will be offered statewide except in the
West-Central Goose Zone. Late season hunters must have a $4 permit,
which is valid for both early and late special goose seasons. The late
season will be open Dec. 9 to Dec. 18, except in the Southeast Goose
Zone, where the season will be open Dec. 15 to Dec. 24.

Bag limits for Canada geese during the late season will be five per
day, except in the Southeast Goose Zone, where the bag limit will be
two.

The season for light geese (snow, blue and Ross' geese), white-fronted
geese, and brant will be Sept. 30 to Dec. 24. The daily limit will be
20
light geese, one white fronted goose and one brant goose.