The map above shows the time zones of hunting hours and the time adjustments required for zones B, C and D. Actual times for time zone A are shown in the table on page 27. The hours in the table are half an hour before sunrise at sunset (adjusted for daylight saving time). Filming times for the start of the teal season vary; The ability to identify ducks in flight is important, particularly because some duck species have special daily restrictions (see pages 6 and 7) and the beginning of the teal season only harvests teal (see page 10). Hunters are advised to practice waterfowl identification prior to the start of the season to develop identification skills. Visit Michigan.gov/Waterfowl for duck identification aids. IDNR Wetland Wildlife Management works to protect waterfowl habitat and improve public waterfowl migration areas in the state. These efforts include land acquisition and habitat development projects, such as waterfowl breeding grounds. IDNR biologists and land managers propose waterfowl hunting at dozens of public hunting grounds across Illinois. For more information Download: Ducks, mergansers, geese, coots and grouse can be harvested. Daily limits and species restrictions are the same as during the regular waterfowl hunting season. Adults accompanying young hunters are not permitted to hunt these species during hunting, except during the September portion of the Canadian goose hunting season.
Young hunters need a basic licence, a basic apprentice licence or a supervised youth licence. These 16-year-olds must also have a waterfowl fishing licence and a federal duck stamp. To hunt waterfowl, the accompanying hunter requires an active waterfowl hunting licence. Yes. The use of non-toxic vaccines is mandatory nationally for all waterfowl hunts. If you hunt for ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, grouse, rails, or snipe anywhere in Michigan, you may not possess or use shotgun cartridges loaded with any material other than non-toxic steel, bismuth, tungsten iron, tungsten polymer, tungsten matrix, or any other shot deemed non-toxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Waterfowl hunters using muzzle tanks must also use CAS-approved non-toxic shot. Grenades loaded with lead shot can be used to hunt other small game species, including woodcock; However, we recommend the use of non-toxic shot for hunting all species of small game.
NOTE: Refer to the zone rules and MNR website for non-toxic shooting regulations for waterfowl hunting in managed waterfowl areas. MDHA will send waterfowl hunters a free copy of the standard stamp (subject to availability) when they send a stamped envelope addressed with a copy of their Michigan Waterfowl Hunting Permit to the MDHA Waterfowl Stamp Program, P.O. Box 186, Kawkawlin, MI 48631. Illinois Waterfowl Hunter Survey: An annual survey of waterfowl hunters (ducks, goose and coots) conducted by the Illinois Natural History Survey to measure hunters` cultures, habitat, attitudes and opinions. The results will be used to support the regulatory amendments. The following state parks and recreation areas are completely closed to waterfowl hunting from September 1 to 6. All or part are open after Labour Day. What equipment is illegal to kill migratory birds? Is there a way for me to give feedback or information about my hunting season? Yes. Some hunters are randomly selected each year to participate in state or federal harvesting studies, including collecting wings, tails, and other body parts of birds.
Accurate and comprehensive reporting is essential for biologists to estimate the annual harvest and the impact of hunting. Please do your part to manage waterfowl by surveying. The knowledge gained makes it possible to select annual regulations that maximize hunting opportunities while maintaining healthy waterfowl populations for future hunters. Avian Influenza Guidelines: Remember to be vigilant and cautious when harvesting and handling wild birds this fall due to the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. Dabbling ducks are the most commonly infected waterfowl, but geese, swans, shorebirds and other species can also be infected. The Fennville farm unit in the Allegan State Game Area is closed for goose hunting from September 1 to 30. The Fennville farm unit will be open for self-registered goose hunting from November 6 to 13 and from November 25 to December 5. and open only on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays from December 18 to February 13 by drawings. Draws take place at 5:30 a.m., with hunting allowed from morning until 4 p.m.
Permits for Tuesday morning draws are valid until the end of filming. Hunting conditions (e.g., water levels, harvesting conditions) may vary, and hunters are encouraged to call local headquarters for the latest conditions. Landscaped waterfowl hunting areas have special rules (e.g., shell limits, shot size, use of movable-wing decoys). Check the maps or contact the regional headquarters for more information. The last two categories, which account for half of the annual funds of the Illinois Duck Stamp, are devoted to the production of waterfowl on the breeding grounds. One category is dedicated to achieving the objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, while the other specifies that it provides habitat for ducks migrating to the Mississippi Flyway (i.e., an administrative region that closely coincides with the borders of 14 Canadian states and three provinces, ranging roughly from Minnesota and Michigan in the north to Louisiana and Alabama in the south). Many of the ducks that visit Illinois or are captured by Illinois hunters come from the traditional breeding grounds of the prairie pothole region of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada and the Dakotas, with Minnesota and Wisconsin also providing ducks to Illinois. Because of how U.S. funds can be mobilized (adjusted) in Canada, Illinois gets the most value by sending funds to nonprofits that do habitat conservation work in Canada. The funds will be used to protect, restore or permanently establish the important wetlands and grasslands that make up the “duck factory” that will feed migratory ducks for hunters in Illinois and beyond in the future. Following these simple steps can limit the spread of invasive plants and animals such as Phragmites, European frog bites and zebra mussels, which can significantly damage wildlife habitat, reduce hunting opportunities, and damage equipment.
Watch this video to remind you how to prevent the spread of invasive species and protect waterfowl habitat. Portions of the following state parks and scenic spots are open for waterfowl hunting: Invasive species often spread unintentionally. Microscopic organisms and aquatic vegetation attach easily to equipment and, without proper measures to remove them, are unknowingly transported from one lake, river or wetland to another. To prevent the spread of invasive species and protect waterfowl habitat, hunters should take the following precautions: The Hunting Weekend for Youth and “New Veterans for 2020″/Active U.S. Military Waterfowl will take place September 19-20. This national hunt is open to licensed youth 16 and under, eligible veterans and active U.S. veterans.