In conjunction with the National Junior Waterfowl Hunting Day, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has scheduled a one-day waterfowl hunting season for junior hunters only, on Sept. 28. This junior waterfowl-hunting day is part of a national effort by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state wildlife agencies to increase participation in the tradition of waterfowl hunting.
“This junior hunt provides a valuable opportunity for youth to receive the undivided attention of an adult teaching the tradition of hunting, including proper techniques, safe firearm handling, enjoyment of the outdoors, and appreciation of our natural resources,” DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said.
Junior hunters may hunt during this one-day waterfowl season if they possess a valid Maryland resident junior hunting license; or they are 15 years old or younger and are exempt from Maryland hunting license requirements; or they possess a valid Maryland nonresident hunting license and are 15 years old or younger. Junior waterfowl hunters must possess a Maryland Migratory Game Bird Hunting Stamp.
An individual who is 21 years old or older must accompany each junior hunter in the field. The adult may not possess a firearm, bow, or any other hunting device while accompanying a junior hunter on this day. The adult must also possess a valid Maryland hunting license or be exempt from hunting license requirements. The accompanying adult may call waterfowl, assist with waterfowl identification, assist with decoys, and retrieve downed birds.
Junior Waterfowl Hunting Day regulations apply only to ducks, coots, mergansers, and Canada geese.
The daily bag limits for the junior waterfowl hunt are: 5 ducks per day which may include no more than: 4 mallards (max. 2 hen mallards), 2 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 3 scaup, 4 scoters, 1 fulvous tree duck, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, and 1 black duck. Junior hunters may take 1 additional teal (blue-winged or green-winged teal). In addition to the duck bag limit junior hunters may take 15 coot and 6 mergansers per day, which may include not more than 1 hooded merganser. Junior hunters may also take 1 Canada goose during the junior waterfowl hunt. The hunting season is closed for canvasback and harlequin duck.
When junior hunters and their parents or guardian 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 ducks, geese, brant, coots, doves, woodcock, rails, and snipe. 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.
Junior 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 and on the DNR Web site: 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 online at: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl
Posted: 9-23-2002
