The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking comment on migratory bird seasons and bag limits for the 2001 season. The following season dates are proposed:
Statewide Youth Waterfowl Season : Sept. 22 - 23
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allows two additional days as a special hunting opportunity to encourage young people ages 12 through 15 to participate in waterfowl hunting.
Pacific Flyway:
Ducks, Coots : Sept. 29 - Jan. 11, 2002
EXCEPTION: The season for canvasbacks will be open during the special 2-day youth waterfowl season (Sept. 22 - 23, 2001). Thereafter, the season will be open from Sept. 29 - Nov. 5, 2001.
Geese : Sept. 29 - Jan. 6, 2002
Common (Wilson’s) Snipe : Sept. 1 - Dec. 16, 2001
Swan : Oct. 13 - Dec. 1, 2001
Central Flyway:
Ducks, Coots (Zone 1) : Sept. 29 - Jan. 3, 2002
EXCEPTION: The season for canvasbacks shall be open during the special 2-day youth waterfowl season (Sept. 22 - 23, 2001). Thereafter, the season shall be open from Sept. 29 - Oct. 23, 2001.
Central Flyway:
Ducks, Coots (Zone 2) : Sept. 29 - Jan. 3, 2002
EXCEPTION: The season for canvasbacks shall be open during the special 2-day youth waterfowl season (Sept. 22 - 23, 2001). Thereafter, the season shall be open from Sept. 29 - Oct. 23, 2001.
Geese : Sept. 29 - Jan. 11, 2002
Sandhill Crane : Sept. 29 - Nov. 25, 2001
Common (Wilson’s) Snipe : Sept. 1 - Dec. 16, 2001
Swan : Sept. 29 - Jan. 3, 2002
Proposed bag limits for the 2001 season would be the same as the 2000 season. In the Pacific Flyway the daily bag limit is seven ducks and mergansers, except that the daily bag may contain no more than 2 female mallards, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 1 canvasback and 4 scaup.
In the Central Flyway the daily bag limit is six ducks containing no more than five mallards, of which no more than two may be females, two wood ducks, 2 redheads, one pintail, one canvasback and three scaup. The daily merganser bag limit is five mergansers, containing no more than 1 hooded merganser. Exceptions and limits for other game birds will be found in the 2001 Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations available in late September.
Both resident and nonresident migratory bird hunters must carry the required licenses and the Montana Migratory Bird Stamp must be signed in ink across the front of the stamp. Residents and nonresidents 16 years and older must have a Montana Migratory Bird Stamp, a Federal Migratory Bird Stamp and a valid Montana Conservation license. Exceptions for youth, seniors and those with disabilities can be found in the regulations available this fall.
To hunt Sandhill Cranes a special free permit must be obtained from an FWP office in Helena, Billings, Miles City or Glasgow. Hunting of Tundra Swan is by permit only and permits are available after September 20
Public comment on the proposed migratory bird seasons and limits should be sent no later than Aug. 31, 2001 to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Attn: Wildlife Division, PO Box 200701, Helena MT 59620-0701.
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