Montana Waterfowl Seasons & Limits

[Nemont]

The FWP Commission tentatively approved the 2005-06 waterfowl season package last week. Comments on the tentatively approved waterfowl hunting regulations, which are summarized below, will be accepted through Aug. 26.

In western Montana’s Pacific Flyway, duck and goose seasons would run 105 days from Oct.1 through Jan. 13, 2006. This season, hunters would be allowed to take four light geese and four dark geese daily. The duck bag could contain seven ducks daily (including mergansers), but no more than two female mallards, one pintail, one canvasback, two redheads, and three scaup. The season for canvasbacks would close Nov. 29. The tundra swan season, which is regulated by $3 permit that hunters may apply for by Sept. 9, would open Oct. 15 and close Dec. 1. Falconry season for ducks, coots, and geese would run Oct. 1 to Jan. 13, 2006.

In the Central Flyway, which generally includes the eastern half of Montana, duck and goose seasons would open Oct. 1 and run 95 days and 105 days respectively, with the duck season closing Jan. 5, 2006 and the goose season ending Jan. 13, 2006. Hunters would be allowed to take five light geese and four dark geese daily. The duck bag would contain six ducks daily (including mergansers), but no more than five mallards (only two female mallards), two scaup, two wood ducks, two redheads, one pintail, one canvasback, and one hooded merganser. The season for pintails and canvasbacks would close Nov. 8. The swan season, which is regulated by a $3 permit that hunters may apply for by Sept 9, would open Oct. 1 and close Jan. 5. Falconry season for ducks and coots would run Sept. 21-Jan. 5, 2006 and geese from Oct. 1-Jan. 13, 2006.

Hammond noted that youth hunters, ages 12-15, would once again be provided with a special two-day hunt statewide Sept. 24-25, except for the Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area where a half-day, morning hunt would be offered.

The FWP Commission will adopt final regulations on Aug. 31 via a conference call. Final regulations will be available at all FWP headquarters and most license providers by mid-September. Comments on the tentatively approved regulations must be sent to Waterfowl Regulations, FWP, Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701. Or via email at [email protected] . Be sure to include your name and mailing address with emailed comments. The comment deadline is Aug. 26.

 

[smalls]

Hey Nemo, I am ready. Decoys are washed, pickup is fueled, calls are tuned...and how far is it to your place?

smallsthedestroyer

 

[Nemont]

Smalls,

The is great news. It is only a short 355 mile drive to Glasgow. We will have to plan on meeting somewhere along the way and spend some time killing ducks and geese.

Nemont

 

[ELKCHSR]

Thanks Nemont...

I've got tag in hands and going to give it a try this year, there are plenty out here to shoot at...

 

[Moosie]

DID that change much from last year ?

 

[mtmiller]

A few minor changes.

Pacific Flyway

• 3 scaup (a reduction from 4 in 2004)
• 4 light geese (an increase of 1 from 2004)

Central Flyway

• 2 scaup (reduced from 3 in 2004)