Tag Archives: waterfowl

DNR releases first waterfowl migration report of the season

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The first waterfowl migration and hunting report from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources hit my inbox Thursday afternoon, but it didn’t arrive in time for me to include in the outdoors report that appears in today’s Herald.

But with waterfowl season opening Saturday, I thought I’d share some highlights from the report in northwest Minnesota. North Dakota’s regular waterfowl season also opens Saturday, although nonresidents can’t begin hunting until Sept. 29.

Conditions are extremely dry on both sides of the Red River. Here’s a look at what hunters in northwest Minnesota can expect at Roseau River and Thief Lake wildlife management areas, two of the largest WMAs in the state.

Thief Lake WMA near Middle River, Minn.: The WMA was holding about 4,000 Canada geese and 12,000 ducks as of Thursday. Ducks consisted of about 35 percent mallards, 26 percent blue-winged teal, 10 percent ringnecks, 7 percent pintails, 6 percent green-winged teal, 5 percent gadwall, 4 percent wigeon, 4 percent canvasback and 3 percent redheads. The WMA also had about 1,100 sandhill cranes. Thief Lake is about 20 inches below target water levels and all of the boat launches are exposed. Access will be difficult with a boat and motor. Best access may be with canoe or small boat that can be carried to the water’s edge. The Moose River access has sufficient water for boats, but the delta where the river enters the lake is very shallow and overgrown with vegetation. Most seasonal wetlands in the area are dry.

Roseau River WMA near Badger, Minn.: Estimated waterfowl numbers weren’t available, but northwest winds and cooler temperatures have “markedly improved” the outlook for ducks, especially mallards, teal and ringnecks. Wood duck numbers are good in areas with wild rice, and Canada goose numbers are relatively strong. Roseau Lake is completely dry, and the Roseau River is well below normal levels. Many of the oxbows are dry with occasional puddles. The pools on the WMA are nearly 1 foot low; many of the backwater areas of the pools have only slush water available. Moist soils units are dry with little hope for pumping water into them in the near future. On the Roseau River, hunters should consider using a small boat, canoe or hiking into a hunting spot. On the pools, conventional access with outboard motors will be slow due to abundant submergent plant growth and shallow water depths.

I’ll post weekly waterfowl reports from both states throughout the fall. To see the complete DNR migration report, click here:

 

N.D. Game and Fish releases fall waterfowl regulations

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The North Dakota Game and Fish Department released its fall waterfowl season regulations this morning, and the season will be similar to last year, with the exception that the scaup limit has increased from two to six. A waterfowl rest area in Rolette County also has been eliminated.

North Dakota’s duck season will open Sept. 22 for residents and Sept. 29 for nonresidents, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department said. (N.D. Game and Fish Department photo)

This year’s waterfowl season will open Sept. 22 for North Dakota residents, and nonresidents can begin hunting Sept. 29. The season for swans opens Sept. 29 for both residents and nonresidents. North Dakota another Central Flyway states are allowed a 74-day season under the frameworks set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Mike Johnson, game management section leader for Game and Fish in Bismarck, said duck numbers look good this year.

“Overall waterfowl prospects are tough to predict,” Johnson said in a news release. “How the season progresses depends on weather conditions and migration patterns. We have high numbers of ducks in the state right now but it’s important to remember that one-third of these are blue-winged teal and many will leave before the season begins.”

Some season highlights from the Game and Fish Department’s news release:

Hunters may take six ducks per day with the following restrictions: five mallards of which two may be hens, three wood ducks, two redheads, two pintails and one canvasback. For ducks, the possession limit is twice the daily limit.

The daily limit of five mergansers may include no more than two hooded mergansers.

The waterfowl rest area four miles north of Rolette has been eliminated.

The hunting season for Canada geese in the Missouri River zone will close Dec. 28, while the remainder of the state will close Dec. 20. The season for whitefronts closes Dec. 2, while the season on light geese is open through Dec. 30. Shooting hours for all geese are one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. each day through Nov. 3. Beginning Nov. 4, shooting hours are extended until 2 p.m. each day.

Extended shooting hours for all geese are permitted from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset on Saturdays and Wednesdays through Nov. 28, and on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays from Dec. 1 through the end of each season.

The daily bag limit for Canada geese during the regular season is three, with six in possession. The daily limit on whitefronts is two with four in possession, and light goose is 20 daily, with no possession limit.

The special youth waterfowl hunting season is Sept. 15-16. Youth hunters must have a general game and habitat license and a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. A licensed adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the youth hunter into the field. The daily bag limit and species restrictions for the youth season are the same as for regular duck and goose seasons.

Nonresidents have the option of buying either a statewide waterfowl license or one with zone restrictions. Nonresidents who designate zones 1 or 2 may hunt that zone for only one seven-day period during the season. Nonresident hunters who chose to hunt in zone 1 or 2 and wish to use the full 14 consecutive days allowed, must use the other seven days in zone 3. Hunters in zone 3 can hunt that zone the entire 14 days.

In accordance with state law, nonresidents are not allowed to hunt on North Dakota Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas or conservation PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) areas from Oct. 13-19.

All migratory bird hunters, including waterfowl, must register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting. Hunters purchasing a license from the Game and Fish Department can easily get a HIP number. Otherwise, hunters must call (888) 634-4798, or log on to the Game and Fish website at gf.nd.gov, provide the registration information, and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Those who HIP registered to hunt this spring’s light goose season do not have to register again, as it is required only once per year.

For more information, click here:

Dayton proclaims Sunday as Ducks Unlimited Day in Minnesota

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Sunday is Ducks Unlimited Day in Minnesota.

According to a news release from the conservation group, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton recently signed a proclamation honoring DU for its 75th anniversary.

“Ducks Unlimited has forged solid partnerships with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, federal and county agencies, corporate partners and private landowners to foster collaborative and efficient conservation programs,” Dayton said in a news release.

DU’s founders established the group in 1937 with a mission to conserve, restore and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. Since DU began its work in Minnesota in 1984, it has conserved nearly 184,000 acres of habitat.

“On behalf of Minnesota’s 38,000 passionate DU members, I’m proud to accept Governor Dayton’s proclamation celebrating DU’s 75th anniversary,” David Flink, Minnesota state chairman for Ducks Unlimited, said in the news release.

Ducks Unlimited’s 75th anniversary celebration will continue throughout the year with special events, merchandise, projects and promotions across North America. The Herald recently  featured an interview with Duluth writer Michael Furtman, who authored DU’s 75th anniversary book, “The Ducks Unlimited Story.”

For more information about DU and its first 75 years, click here: