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teamasc
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1348 Posts |
 Posted - 08/19/2008 : 20:13:48
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 19, 2008
Contact Barb Avers 517-373-1263 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014
NRC Approves Waterfowl Seasons and Regulations
Waterfowl hunters will have 60 days of duck hunting and at least 45
days of goose hunting statewide this fall as a result of Natural
Resources Commission action on waterfowl season regulations at its Aug.
14 meeting in Lansing.
A big change this year is a new three-zone system for goose hunting
with goose zones being the same as current duck hunting zones. The
traditional North, Middle and South duck zones now apply to Canada goose
hunting as well.
“This simplifies waterfowl hunting regulations and increases goose
hunting opportunity across the state,” said DNR waterfowl specialist
Barb Avers. “It also provides duck and goose hunting opportunities at
the same time, something hunters say is one of their top priorities.”
Canada goose regular seasons are:
North Zone Sept. 22 - Nov. 5
Middle Zone Oct. 4 - Nov. 10, and Nov. 27 - Dec.3
South Zone Oct. 11 - Nov. 13, and Nov. 27 - Dec.7
The Tuscola/Huron and Saginaw goose management units (GMU) have the
same goose season dates as the South zone. There will still be different
seasons for the two special goose management zones in southwestern
Michigan. The season at the Allegan County GMU is Nov. 8-10 and Dec. 20
- Jan. 30. The season at Muskegon Waste Water GMU is Oct. 14 - Nov. 13
and Dec. 2-15. The daily bag limit is two for all GMUs.
The late goose season will be Jan. 3 to Feb. 1, 2009 in all of the
South Zone, except the Allegan County and Muskegon Waste Water GMUs. The
daily bag limit during the late season will be five geese, except in
GMUs where it is two.
In the Middle and South zones, the goose season opener corresponds to
the duck season openers. Duck seasons are:
North Zone Oct. 4 - Dec. 2
Middle Zone Oct. 4 - Nov. 30 and Dec. 6-7
South Zone Oct. 11 - Dec. 7 and Jan. 3-4
The federal framework does not allow a season for canvasback ducks this
year.
An unusual aspect to the upcoming duck season is a federal framework
that allows hunters a two-bird daily bag limit for scaup (bluebills) for
only 20 days of the 60-day duck season and just one scaup daily during
the remaining 40 days. The 20-day, two-bird seasons for Michigan are
Oct. 11-30 in the North Zone; Oct. 18-Nov. 6 in the Middle Zone; Oct. 25
- Nov. 13 in the South Zone. The 20-day seasons were set to correspond
to the peak of scaup migration.
The daily bag limit is six ducks. Hunters will be allowed to take three
wood ducks a day this year, up from two last year. All other daily bag
limits for individual species - four mallards, no more than one hen; two
redheads; one pintail and one black duck, are the same as last year. In
addition, hunters may take up to five mergansers, no more than two of
which may be hooded mergansers. The possession limit for waterfowl is
twice the daily bag limit.
Michigan will once again have a youth waterfowl hunting weekend for all
properly licensed youths 10 to 15 years of age. This season is Sept.
20-21. Youths must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or someone 18
years of age or older, designated by their parent or guardian. The
adult is not allowed to hunt waterfowl. Regulations and species
restrictions are the same as for the regular waterfowl seasons.
The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use
and enjoyment of the state's natural resources for current and future
generations.
###
Todd Alexander
ASC Membership Services Manager
talexander@team-asc.com
www.team-asc.com
734-552-4839
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2008-2009 season dates set
