Signs favorable for good duck season
June 12th, 2006 by Administrator
Waterfowl biologists are wrapping up their annual aerial survey of duck nesting grounds across the north-central United States and much of southern Canada, taking census of duck populations and habitat conditions.
Results of the survey won’t be released until later this month or early in July.
Texas waterfowlers want to see those numbers. The data give at least fair insight into what kind of hunting season length and bag limits federal officials are likely to offer for the 2006-07 seasons.
Preliminary and anecdotal reports from the northern plains indicate habitat conditions across most of the duck country is fair or better. Some places among Canada’s prairies look pretty good as far as wetlands go. Overall, habitat conditions in most areas are about the same or perhaps a little better than a year ago.
Estimates of duck numbers are harder to come by. Veteran waterfowl biologists know not to make guesses and rely instead on data.
Much like last year
If Texas waterfowlers wanted to bet, odds are good that duck breeding population estimates for this spring will be fairly close to those of a year ago.That could — and probably does — mean Texas duck hunters will see another season of liberal or, at least, moderate season-length and bag limits.
The particulars of duck season along with goose season, dove season and all hunting seasons for migratory game birds remain to be decided. Those rulings will come during the next few weeks.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Regulations Committee meets June 21-22 in Washington to propose regulatory frameworks for “early season” migratory game bird species — doves and teal, primarily.
The panel reconvenes July 26-27 to review data on waterfowl population status, hear recommendation of staff and propose “late-season” regulatory frameworks within which states will set duck and goose hunting seasons.
Texas game bird waterfowl managers don’t have the luxury of waiting for official word on federal frameworks before beginning the lengthy process of setting regulations.
So Texas officials, using the best-available information, have offered a package of regulations to be considered for adoption for the 2006-07 seasons.
For the most part, the Texas proposals mirror those of this past year.
Dove regulations (zones, bag limits, season length, opening date) would be the same; North and Central dove zones would open Sept. 1, with the South Zone opening Sept. 22.