HARRISBURG – Dove and early Canada goose seasons will open Sept. 1, as part of Pennsylvania’s 2007-08 migratory bird seasons and bag limits announced today by Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe.
“Pennsylvania’s migratory bird hunting seasons will be very similar to last year’s,” said Roe of the selection package forwarded to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Hunters can look forward to enjoying the same opportunities.”
Roe noted that, although hunting hours have been extended to one-half hour after sunset for big game (except spring gobbler), as well as small game and furbearers, federal regulations prevail for waterfowl and migratory game birds and shooting hours for these species will continue to close at sunset. The only exception to this is during the early September Canada goose season, in which the USFWS has permitted states to extend the hunting hours to one-half hour after sunset.
Dove hunters, once again, will have the opportunity to participate in a triple-split season. During the first season (Sept. 1-29), hunting will start at noon and continue through sunset daily. The second and third splits will be Oct. 20-Nov. 24, and Dec. 26-29, with hunting hours a half-hour before sunrise until sunset. In all three seasons, the daily bag limit will be 12 and the possession limit after opening day is 24.
The early statewide season for resident Canada geese will open Sept. 1, and continue through Sept. 25. Statewide bag limits remain eight daily and 16 in possession. While the Pymatuning Zone, which includes the Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area in Crawford County, remains closed during the early season, hunters may take geese on Pymatuning State Park Reservoir and an area extending 100 yards inland from the shoreline of the reservoir, excluding the area east of SR 3011 (Hartstown Road). Where geese may be legally taken, bag limits are eight daily and 16 in possession.
“Working with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, we are providing hunters with the opportunity to take Canada geese within this portion of the park to address problems being caused by the goose population,” said John Dunn, agency Game Bird Section supervisor.
Dunn also noted that the controlled hunting areas at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Lebanon-Lancaster counties have been modified to address the decline in the resident Canada goose flock. In the area of Lancaster and Lebanon counties north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike I-76, east of SR 501 to SR 419, south of SR 419 to Lebanon-Berks county line, west of Lebanon-Berks county line and Lancaster-Berks county line to SR 1053 (also known as Peartown Road and Greenville Road), west of SR 1053 to Pennsylvania Turnpike I-76, the daily bag limit is one goose, possession limit two geese. The early season is closed on State Game Land 46 (Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area).
Excluding the two areas identified, the early season in the remainder of the state retains a daily bag limit of eight and possession limit of 16.
Dunn noted that recent liberalizations in Canada goose hunting opportunities, along with control programs being implemented by many municipalities and public and private landowners, finally might be stabilizing the growth of the state’s resident Canada goose population. The 2007 Pennsylvania resident Canada goose population was estimated at 256,000, which is similar to the 1993-2006 average of 224,000, but below the 299,000 estimated population in 2004.
“Hunting remains the most effective and efficient way to manage resident Canada geese, provided hunters can gain access to geese in problem areas,” Dunn said.
Pennsylvania’s woodcock season will open Oct. 13, and continue through Nov. 10. The daily limit is three, and the possession limit is six.
A season for common snipe will run from Oct. 13 to Nov. 24. The daily limit is 8, and the possession limit is 16.
Virginia and sora rail hunting will run Sept. 1-Nov. 9. Bag limits, which are singly or combined, are 3 daily or 6 in possession. The season for king and clapper rails is closed.
Hunting for moorhen and gallinules will run from Sept. 1 to Nov. 9, and the bag limits are three daily and six in possession.
Once again, young Pennsylvania hunters will be provided with a special day of waterfowl hunting on Saturday, Sept. 22. The Youth Waterfowl Day will be open to those age 12-15 who hold a junior hunting license. To participate, a youngster must be accompanied by an adult, who may assist the youth in calling, duck identification and other aspects of the hunt. During this special day-long hunt, youth can harvest ducks, mergansers, coots and moorhens.
In addition, because the Youth Waterfowl Day and the early Canada goose season overlap this year, youth and the adults accompanying them may harvest Canada geese. The daily limit for the Youth Waterfowl Day for Canada geese is the same as the daily limit for adults in the area being hunted, with one exception. In the Pymatuning Zone, youth can take two geese. In the Pymatuning State Park Reservoir and an area extending 100 yards inland from the shoreline of the reservoir, excluding the area east of SR 3011 (Hartstown Road), youth can take the same daily bag limit as adults, eight Canada geese.
Youth Waterfowl Day bag limits for ducks, mergansers and coots will be consistent with the limit for the regular season, which will be announced in mid-August, after the annual Waterfowl Symposium on Aug. 10. The briefing will begin at 1 p.m., in Room 112 of the Tom Ridge Education Center at Presque Isle State Park in Erie. Public comments will be accepted at the meeting or by sending a letter to: Pennsylvania Game Commission, Bureau of Wildlife Management, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797; or via e-mail at ra-waterfowlcomments@state.pa.us.
Migratory game bird hunters, including those afield for doves and woodcock, are required to obtain and carry a Pennsylvania migratory game bird license ($3 for residents, $6 for nonresidents), as well as a general hunting, combination or lifetime license. All waterfowl hunters age 16 and older also must possess a federal migratory game bird and conservation (duck) stamp.
Annual migratory bird and waterfowl seasons are selected by states from a framework established by the USFWS. The Game Commission is expected to announce in mid-August the regular and late waterfowl seasons, after the agency holds its annual Waterfowl Symposium, Aug. 10.
The “Pennsylvania 2007-08 Guide to Migratory Bird Hunting” brochure will be posted on the Game Commission’s Web site in mid-August, and the mass-produced brochure should be available at U.S. Post Offices in the state by the end of August.
Hunters are encouraged to use a toll-free number (1-800-327-BAND), e-mail address bandreports@patuxent.usgs.gov or via the U.S. Geological Survey bird banding Web site to report banded ducks, geese and doves they harvest. Callers will be requested to provide information on where, when and what species of waterfowl were taken, in addition to the band number. This information is crucial to the successful management of waterfowl.