Duck And Goose Hunting Outlook

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Montana duck and goose hunters can look forward to some good hunting beginning Oct. 4 in the Central and Pacific flyways.   The seasons and bag limits will be similar to last seasons. Montana’s youth waterfowl season is Sept. 27-28.

One notable change from last year is that the season on canvasbacks will be closed in the Pacific Flyway portion of the state due to a decline in the breeding population and the low pond numbers and additionally, the Pacific Flyway will have a partial season on scaup, Oct. 4 – Dec. 28. The Central Flyway will have a partial season on canvasbacks and pintails, Oct. 4 – Nov. 11.   The white/light goose limit on both flyways is 6 daily.

May’s breeding population survey of 10 species in the traditional survey areas was down nine percent compared to the past year, but 11 percent above the long-term average.  

Mallard numbers were similar to last year and to the long-term average.   However, pond numbers in the May survey for Prairie Canada and U.S. breeding areas were 37 percent below last year and 10 percent below the long-term average.   As a result poor water conditions in some key areas, such as southern Saskatchewan and Alberta, there may be fewer young ducks in the fall flight.   Wetland conditions were better north in the parklands of Prairie Canada.

Ducks returning to Montana this spring were greeted with generally dry conditions, especially in some of the production areas in the northeastern corner.   Conditions were better in the southeastern corner of the state and near the Rocky Mountain Front in central Montana.  

Total duck numbers in Montana were 42 percent below last year and 39 percent below the long-term average.   A rainy period in late May improved water conditions considerably in many areas and may have come in time to help late nesters as well as brood survival.  

Canada goose numbers were down slightly in eastern Montana in the May survey, but goose populations continue to do well.   For “light geese” (snow and Ross’s), in the Pacific Flyway in Montana, overall production and the fall flight should be about average.

For details, to the Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2008 Waterfowl Status Report at:   http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports/reports.html

Migratory bird hunting regulations, including season dates and bag limits are available on FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov on the Hunting page under Regulations.   Print copies are available at FWP offices and license providers.