Montana Waterfowl Seasons Set

Clear

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission recently set the 2010 late season migratory bird hunting regulations for ducks, geese, swans, and coots.

Survey results show that habitat conditions and population numbers are generally good for most ducks. Breeding duck numbers were 21 percent above the long-term average, mallard numbers are 12 percent above the long-term average, and pintail numbers are up nine percent from last year. Conditions in the mid-continent region of North America, including the Central Flyway, were especially productive. Most Canada goose populations remain abundant with liberal regulations in place.

Here are the season details for late season migratory birds:
Central Flyway

• Youth Waterfowl Season: Sept. 25 - 26
• Duck, Coot and Tundra Swan (500 permits only) Season: Oct. 2 - Jan. 6, 2011
• Ducks: Daily bag limit of six ducks or mergansers; possession limit twice the daily limit. Daily bag limited to no more than five mallards, no more than two of which may be hens; two redheads, two scaup, two hooded mergansers, three wood ducks, two pintails, and one canvasback.
• Coots: Daily limit of 15; possession limit is twice the daily limit.
• Goose Season: Oct. 2 - Jan. 14, 2011
• Dark Geese: Daily limit of four; possession limit twice the daily limit.
• White Geese: Daily limit of six; possession limit twice the daily limit.
• Swan (500 permits only) season: Oct. 2 - Jan. 6, 2011
• Falconry: Ducks and coots: Sept. 22 - Jan. 6, 2011
• Falconry: Geese: Oct. 2 - Jan. 14, 2011

Pacific Flyway

• Youth Waterfowl Season: Sept. 25-26
• Scaup Season: Youth weekend and Oct. 2 - Dec. 26
• General Waterfowl Season: Oct. 2-Jan. 14, 2011
• Ducks: Daily bag limit of seven ducks or mergansers, possession limit twice daily limit. Daily bag limited to no more than two hen mallards, two pintails, two redheads, one canvasback, and three scaup.
• Coots: Daily limit of 25; possession limit is 25.
• Goose Season: Oct. 2 - Jan 14, 2011
• Dark Geese: Daily limit of four; possession limit twice the daily limit.
• White Geese: Daily limit of six; possession limit twice the daily limit.
• Swan (500 permits only) Season: Oct. 9 - Dec. 1
• Falconry dates: Ducks, coots, and geese: Oct. 2 - Jan. 14, 2011

Regulations will be posted on FWP's website at fwp.mt.gov by Sept. 8. Paper copies are expected to be available from most FWP license providers by mid September. For more information, visit the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov . Click "For Hunters."