The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission has approved final regulations for the 2004-2005 duck, goose and swan seasons.
Duck and goose seasons in western Montana’s Pacific Flyway will be Oct 2-Jan. 14. Duck and goose hunting in the eastern half of the state, in the Central Flyway will also begin Oct. 2. The duck season in the Central Flyway will close Jan. 6, and the goose season will close Jan. 14.
Here are details on the regulations.
PACIFIC FLYWAY
In western Montana’s Pacific Flyway, hunters may take three light geese and four dark geese daily, with a possession limit of twice the daily limit. The duck bag may contain seven ducks daily (including mergansers), but no more than two female mallards, one pintail, one canvasback, two redheads, and four scaup. The possession limit for ducks is twice the daily limit of any species and sex. For pintails and canvasbacks, there will be a partial season Oct. 2- Nov. 30.
The swan season, requiring a special permit, is Oct. 16- Dec. 1. The falconry season for ducks, coots and geese is Oct. 2 - Jan. 14.
CENTRAL FLYWAY
In the Central Flyway , which generally includes the eastern half of Montana, hunters may take five light geese and four dark geese daily. The duck bag may contain six ducks daily (including mergansers), but no more than five mallards (only two female mallards), three scaup, two wood ducks, two redheads, one pintail, one canvasback, and one hooded merganser. The possession limit for both ducks and geese is twice the daily limit of any species and sex. The season for pintails and canvasbacks in the Central Flyway is Oct. 2- Nov. 9.
The tundra swan season in the Central Flyway , requiring a special permit, will run Oct. 2- Jan. 6. Surplus Central Flyway tundra swan permits will be issued after Sept. 20 by FWP’s Automated Licensing System at FWP headquarters in Helena, and FWP region offices in Billings, Miles City, and Glasgow.
Falconry seasons in the Central Flyway are Sept. 22-Jan. 6 for ducks and coots, and Oct. 2-Jan. 14 for geese.
Young hunters, ages 12-15, will once again have a special two-day hunt statewide Sept. 25-26, except for the Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area where half-day morning hunts will be offered during the two days. A nonhunting adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the young hunter and bag limits are the same as the regular duck and goose bag limits.
The 2004 Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations are available on the FWP web site at www.fwp.state.mt.us and at all FWP license providers soon.
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