ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 5, 2002) - Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service announced the dates of the nine-day September teal hunting season.
This early teal season provides hunting days in addition to the regular 60-day duck season. The teal season is offered to states that derive more than 80 percent of their annual teal harvest from the prairie pothole region of the north central U.S and southern Canada.
During the annual U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Breeding Waterfowl and Habitat Survey, about 4.2 million blue-winged teal were recorded. This estimate was near the long-term survey (1955-2001) average in the traditional survey area. The green-winged teal breeding population was estimated at 3.2 million, unchanged from last year, but 28 percent above their long-term survey average.
This year’s September teal season will be held only in the portion of Maryland east of Interstate 95. The season dates are Sept. 12-21 (excluding Sunday). The daily bag limit is any combination of 4 teal (blue-winged or green-winged). Shooting hours are from sunrise to sunset.
Shooting hours have been modified to avoid the traditional pre-sunrise hunting period (half-hour before sunrise) when non-teal species, particularly wood ducks are most active. Hunters are advised to avoid shooting at non-teal species during this special season.
Monitoring in previous years has found that compliance to the teal-only regulation remains high, and other species are not being adversely affected. DNR will continue to monitor compliance.
Other duck species, like black ducks, mallards, wood ducks, and other non-teal duck species are not legal game birds during this season. The exception to this is the hunting season for early resident Canada geese in the Eastern Resident Canada Goose Zone, which is open from Sept. 2-14 and overlaps the September teal hunt area.
When hunters visit a license agent to purchase a hunting license and stamps they will notice that the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp has replaced the Maryland Migratory Waterfowl Stamp. Every migratory game bird hunter, without exception, must purchase the $9 Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp prior to hunting any migratory game bird (ducks, geese, brant, coots, doves, woodcock, rails, and snipe). This requirement includes senior hunters and landowners hunting on their own land. The HIP (Harvest Information Program) permit is now issued in conjunction with the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp.
HIP permits and Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamps are available at DNR sport license agents and DNR Regional Service Centers. Hunters may obtain federal duck stamps at U.S. Post Offices, National Wildlife Refuges, and some DNR sport license agents.
Hunters are reminded that nontoxic shot is required for hunting waterfowl and coots. Hunters may not possess or use nontoxic shot larger than size No. T or use or possess any lead shot while waterfowl hunting. Approved types of nontoxic shot and other information on migratory bird hunting is listed in the free booklet Hunting and Trapping in Maryland 2002-2003 or on the DNR’s Web site: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/. Hunters are encouraged to report banded migratory game birds by calling toll-free 1-800-327-BAND (2263). Banded birds can also be reported via the Internet at: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl
Posted: 9-6-2002
