Note: Shooting hours for regular waterfowl seasons are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset except for (1) teal during the September season when shooting hours are sunrise to sunset and (2) for Resident Canada geese during September seasons when shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset. All hunting season dates are inclusive. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit, except for light geese (greater and lesser snow geese, Ross’ geese) which have no possession limit. Waterfowl hunting is closed on Sundays by Maryland law. ——————————————————————————–

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days Any licensed hunter 15 years old or younger may participate during these 2 hunting days. Youth of this age who are exempt from Maryland hunting license requirements may also participate. Youth waterfowl hunters must possess a receipt showing they purchased a $9 Maryland Migratory Game Bird Hunting Stamp. Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years old that holds a valid Maryland hunting license or is exempt from the hunting license requirements. The accompanying adult may call waterfowl, assist with decoys, and retrieve downed birds but may not possess a hunting weapon. Season Dates: Oct. 29 & Nov. 5 Daily Bag and Possession Limits Daily Bag Limit: 6 ducks (including mergansers) with certain species restrictions (see duck daily bag limit below). In addition, youth hunters may take 2 Canada geese, 2 brant, 25 light geese, and 15 coots. ——————————————————————————–

Ducks, Coots, and Mergansers

Regular Duck Season:

Oct. 15 – Oct. 22

Nov. 12 – Nov. 25

Dec. 13 – Jan. 28

Black Duck Season:

 Nov. 12 – Nov. 25

 Dec. 13 – Jan. 28

Daily Bag and Possession Limits The daily bag limit of ducks is 6. The 6-duck limit (including mergansers) shall consist of no more than 5 long-tailed ducks, 4 scoters, 4 mallards (max. 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 2 hooded mergansers, 2 pintails, 1 canvasback, 1 fulvous tree duck, 1 mottled duck, and 1 black duck (during black duck season). All other species of ducks (except harlequin ducks) may be taken up to the 6-duck limit. There is no open season for harlequin ducks. In addition to the duck bag limit, hunters may take 15 coots per day. ——————————————————————————–

Sea Ducks (Scoters, Long-tailed Duck, and Eiders) in Special Sea Duck Zone Season Dates:

 Oct. 1 – Jan. 28 Daily Bag Limit: 5 (no more than 4 scoters) per day ——————————————————————————–

Atlantic Population (AP) Canada Geese Season Dates:

 Nov. 19 – Nov. 25

 Dec. 15 – Jan. 28

Daily Bag Limit: 2 per day* AP Harvest Zone: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Howard, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties; that portion of Carroll County east of Route 31 to the intersection of Route 97, and east of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line; that portion of Prince George’s County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and that portion of Charles County east of Route 301 to the Virginia line. * The daily bag limit may include Canada geese, cackling geese, and white-fronted geese singly or in aggregate. ——————————————————————————–

Resident Population Canada Geese (Regular Season) Season Dates:

 Nov. 16 – Nov. 25

Dec. 15 – Mar. 3

Daily Bag Limit: 5 per day* RP Harvest Zone: Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, and Washington Counties; that portion of Carroll County west of Route 31 to the intersection of Route 97, and west of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line; that portion of Prince George’s County west of Route 3 and Route 301; and that portion of Charles County west of Route 301 to the Virginia line. * The daily bag limit may include Canada geese, cackling geese, and white-fronted geese singly or in aggregate. Map of Regular Canada Goose Hunting Zones in Maryland ——————————————————————————–

Atlantic Brant Season Dates:

Nov. 17 – Nov. 25 Dec. 12 – Jan. 28

Daily Bag Limit: 2 per day ——————————————————————————–

 Light Geese (Greater and Lesser Snow Geese, Ross’ Geese) Season Dates: Oct. 8 – Nov. 25 Dec. 12 – Jan. 28 Daily Bag Limit: 25 per day. No possession limit. ——————————————————————————–

2011-2012 Light Goose Conservation Order Season Season Dates:

Nov. 28 – Dec. 10 Jan. 30 – April 14 Daily Bag Limit:

No bag limit or possession limit Light Goose Conservation Season Harvest Zone (not open in special sea duck zone): Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Howard, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties; that portion of Carroll County east of Route 31 to the intersection of Route 97, and east of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line; that portion of Prince Georges County east of Routes 3 and 301; and that portion of Charles County east of Route 301 to the Virginia line.

Special Regulations during Light Goose Conservation Order Season:

1.Hunters may use unplugged shotguns and electronic calls.

2.Extended shooting hours to one-half hour after sunset; and

3.Hunters must possess a Snow Goose Conservation Order Hunting Season Permit while hunting light geese. Permits available from DNR sport license agents, online at https://www2.md.wildlifelicense.com/ or by phone (1-800-918-2870) for a $5 fee. ——————————————————————————–

No Open Season for Swans (tundra, trumpeter, and mute swans)

Proposed 2011-2012 Late Maryland Waterfowl Seasons and Bag Limits

Snow Goose Hunts Maryland - Delaware

Each year, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reviews the status of waterfowl populations and develops waterfowl hunting season proposals based upon federal frameworks. These proposed regulations are used to gain public input regarding waterfowl seasons and bag limits for the 2011-2012 hunting season.

It is important to note that the priorities considered by DNR when formulating hunting season proposals include (1) the biological requirements of the waterfowl resource, (2) regulation simplicity, (3) maximizing open hunting days statewide, especially Saturdays and holidays, and (4) maximizing opportunity for all hunters, particularly youth.

Hundreds of contacts are made each year with waterfowl hunters who express their opinions and desires about waterfowl hunting opportunities. This input is critical to the development of hunting season and bag limit proposals. It is important to note that state wildlife agencies may be more restrictive than the federal frameworks, but not more liberal when selecting seasons and bag limits.

Note: Shooting hours for regular waterfowl seasons are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset except for (1) teal during the September season when shooting hours are sunrise to sunset and (2) for Resident Canada geese during September seasons when shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset. All hunting season dates are inclusive. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit, except for light geese (greater and lesser snow geese, Ross’ geese) which have no possession limit. Waterfowl hunting is closed on Sundays by Maryland law.

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days

Any licensed hunter 15 years old or younger may participate during these 2 hunting days. Youth of this age who are exempt from Maryland hunting license requirements may also participate. Youth waterfowl hunters must possess a receipt showing they purchased a $9 Maryland Migratory Game Bird Hunting Stamp. Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years old that holds a valid Maryland hunting license or is exempt from the hunting license requirements. The accompanying adult may call waterfowl, assist with decoys, and retrieve downed birds but may not possess a hunting weapon.

Daily Bag and Possession Limits

Daily Bag Limit: 6 ducks (including mergansers) with certain species restrictions (see duck daily bag limit below). In addition, youth hunters may take 2 Canada geese, 2 brant, 25 light geese, and 15 coots.

Ducks, Coots, and Mergansers

Daily Bag and Possession Limits

The daily bag limit of ducks is 6. The 6-duck limit (including mergansers) shall consist of no more than 5 long-tailed ducks, 4 scoters, 4 mallards (max. 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 2 hooded mergansers, 2 pintails, 1 canvasback, 1 fulvous tree duck, 1 mottled duck, and 1 black duck (during black duck season). All other species of ducks (except harlequin ducks) may be taken up to the 6-duck limit. There is no open season for harlequin ducks. In addition to the duck bag limit, hunters may take 15 coots per day.

Sea Ducks (Scoters, Long-tailed Duck, and Eiders) in Special Sea Duck Zone

Atlantic Population (AP) Canada Geese

AP Harvest Zone:

Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Howard, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties; that portion of Carroll County east of Route 31 to the intersection of Route 97, and east of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line; that portion of Prince George’s County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and that portion of Charles County east of Route 301 to the Virginia line.

* The daily bag limit may include Canada geese, cackling geese, and white-fronted geese singly or in aggregate.

Resident Population Canada Geese (Regular Season)

RP Harvest Zone:

Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, and Washington Counties; that portion of Carroll County west of Route 31 to the intersection of Route 97, and west of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line; that portion of Prince George’s County west of Route 3 and Route 301; and that portion of Charles County west of Route 301 to the Virginia line.

* The daily bag limit may include Canada geese, cackling geese, and white-fronted geese singly or in aggregate.

TENTATIVE CANADA GOOSE SEASONS NY 2011-2012 

Goose Hunting Area Boundary Descriptions

Shooting Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Bag Limits: The daily bag limit is the maximum number of birds that any person may take or possess in the field during any one day. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit for all waterfowl species except snow geese. The possession limit is the maximum number of birds that any person may possess in total in the field, at home, in transit, or in storage. See table below for specific bag limits for each Goose Hunting Area.

Non-toxic shot: Required

Other: You must register with HIP to hunt geese.

^a These season dates will not be finalized until federal regulations have been adopted in late summer. Be sure to check the final regulations before going hunting.
^b See map (above) and boundary descriptions (below) before going afield.
^c September season in Western Long Island will be closed to allow extension of the regular season in this area only.
^d The Special Late Season is open only in a small portion (north shore) of the Central Long Island Area (see description below).
^e Cackling geese and white-fronted geese may be taken as part of the Canada goose daily and possession limits.

Proposed Special Late Canada Goose Season

DEC offers a special Late Canada Goose Hunting Season. The Late Canada Goose Hunting Area is that area of the Central Long Island Goose Hunting Area (see Regular Goose Season map) lying north of State Route 25A and west of a continuous line extending northward from State Route 25A along Randall Road (near Shoreham) to North Country Road, then east to Sound Road, then north to Long Island Sound, and then due north to the New York-Connecticut boundary.

Season Dates: February 5 – February 15

Bag Limit: 5 geese per day, 10 in possession.

Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Non-toxic Shot: Required

Other: All migratory bird hunters must register with HIP.

New York State Goose Hunting Area Descriptions

NOTE: Change to Northeast-Hudson Valley boundary in the Washington-Saratoga Co. area!

For descriptions of these areas based on road boundaries, rather than Wildlife Management Units, see Road Boundary Descriptions of New York State Goose Hunting Areas

1. The Lake Champlain Goose Hunting Area is the same as the Lake Champlain Zone.
2. The Northeast Goose Hunting Area is the same as the Northeastern Waterfowl Hunting Zone: That area north of a continuous line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to Interstate 81, south along Interstate Route 81 to Route 31, east along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to Route 49, east along Route 49 to Route 365 to Route 28, east along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Route 22, north along Route 22 to Route 153, east along Route 153 to the New York – Vermont boundary, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.
3. The East Central Goose Hunting Area consists of the following WMUs: 4A, 4F, 6P, 6R, 6S, 7M, and 7P. The East Central Goose Hunting Area also includes those parts of WMUs 7F and 7J lying south of Route 31 and east of Route 81.
4. The South Goose Hunting Area consists of the following WMUs: 3A, 3C, 3H, 3K, 3N, 3P, 3R, 4G, 4H, 4O, 4P, 4R, 4W, 7R, 7S, 8M, 8N, 8P, 8T, 8W, 8X, 8Y, 9A, 9C, 9F, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M, 9N, 9P, 9R, 9S, 9T, 9W, 9X, and 9Y. The South Goose Hunting Area also includes: that part of WMU 8G lying south and west of a continuous line extending along the New York State Thruway from Crittenden-Murrays Corners Road (near the Erie-Genesee County line) to Exit 48 in Batavia, then south along State Route 98 to State Route 20; that part of WMU 3G lying in Putnam County; and that part of WMU 3S lying north of Interstate Route 95.
5. The West Central Goose Hunting Area consists of the following WMUs: 7A, 7H, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8H, 8J, 8R, and 8S. The West Central Goose Hunting Area also includes: that part of WMU 6K lying west of a continuous line extending along the north shore of the Salmon River from US Route 11 to Interstate Route 81, then south along Route 81 to Route 49; those parts of WMUs 7F and 7J lying west of Interstate Route 81; and that part of WMU 8G lying north and east of a continuous line extending along the New York State Thruway from Crittenden-Murrays Corners Road (near the Erie-Genesee County line) to Exit 48 in Batavia, then south along Route 98 to Route 20.
6. The Hudson Valley Goose Hunting Area consists of the following WMUs: 3F, 3J, 3M, 4B, 4C, 4J, 4K, 4L, 4S, 4T, 4U, 4Y, 4Z, and 5R; that part of WMU 5S lying south of a continuous line extending east along Route 29 to Route 22, north along Route 22 to Route 153, then east along Route 153 to the New York – Vermont boundary; and that part of WMU 3G lying in Dutchess County.
7. The Western Long Island Goose Hunting Area is that area of Westchester County and its tidal waters southeast of Interstate Route 95 and that area of Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying west of a line extending from the New York-Connecticut boundary due south to the northernmost end of the Sunken Meadow State Parkway, south along the Sunken Meadow State Parkway, the Sagtikos State Parkway, and the Robert Moses State Parkway to its southernmost end, then due south to international waters.
8. The Central Long Island Goose Hunting Area is that area of Suffolk County lying between the Western and Eastern Long Island Goose Hunting Areas, as defined above and below.
9. The Eastern Long Island Goose Hunting Area is that area of Suffolk County lying east of a continuous line extending due south from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the northernmost end of Roanoke Avenue in the Town of Riverhead, south on Roanoke Avenue (which becomes County Route 73) to State Route 25, west on Route 25 to Peconic Avenue, south on Peconic Avenue to County Route (CR) 104 (Riverleigh Avenue), south on CR 104 to CR 31 (Old Riverhead Road), south on CR 31 to Oak Street, south on Oak Street to Potunk Lane, then west on Stevens Lane, then south on Jessup Avenue (in Westhampton Beach) to Dune Road (CR 89), then due south to international waters.
10. The Special Late Canada Goose Hunting Area is that portion of the Central Long Island Goose Hunting Area lying north of State Route 25A and west of a continuous line extending northward from State Route 25A along Randall Road (near Shoreham) to North Country Road, then east to Sound Road, then north to Long Island Sound, and then due north to the New York-Connecticut boundary.