2005 Minnesota Waterfowl Seasons - Minnesota DNR

[Rick]

2005 Minnesota Waterfowl hunting seasons announced

WATERFOWL

Minnesota's breeding waterfowl populations were down 37 percent while pond numbers were up 22 percent in the May annual breeding duck survey. Duck numbers are very close to the state's long-term average since surveys began in 1968. However a look at the last 10 years shows that duck abundance is down 24 percent from the 10-year average, with duck numbers at the lowest since the drought of the late 1980s.

Continental duck counts are down 1 percent, according to preliminary estimates. Fall hunting success in Minnesota will depend on water conditions to the west and north of the state and on weather during the season. In addition, the DNR continues to work with other agencies and organizations to improve the quality of fall migration habitat and to provide more areas for waterfowl to feed and rest during migration. The goal of this effort is to restore to its historic level Minnesota's share of the Mississippi Flyway duck harvest.

Giant Canada geese that breed locally in Minnesota remain abundant and, along with migrant geese, provide Minnesota waterfowl hunters with excellent goose hunting opportunities. More Canada geese are taken in Minnesota than in any other state in the United States.

Liberal September goose hunting regulations will continue in many areas of the state in order to harvest as many local geese as possible before the migrant population begins arriving.

More details will be announced prior to the Oct. 1 regular waterfowl season opener.

REGULATION CHANGES

Merriam advised Minnesota hunters to be aware of several new law and regulation changes in effect this fall. They include:

- Regular waterfowl season opens Oct. 1.

- No person may leave waterfowl decoys unattended on public waters for more than four hours during the day, except on waters adjacent to private land under control of the hunter where there is not sufficient vegetation to conceal the hunter. Decoys may not be left on public waters between sunset and one-hour before legal shooting hours.

- Motorized decoys are prohibited on Wildlife Management Areas throughout the duck season and until Oct. 8 on public waters.

- Computer-assisted, remote operated guns are prohibited for taking any wild animals.

WATERFOWL AND MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING SEASONS

Mourning doves, Sept. 1-Oct. 30

early Canada goose (statewide, except Northwest), Sept. 3 - Sept. 22

early Canada goose (northwest Zone), Sept. 3 - Sept. 15

waterfowl opener, Oct. 1

youth waterfowl hunt, Sept. 17

common snipe (Wilson's of Jacksnipe), Sept. 1 - Nov. 4

sora and Virginia rails, Sept. 1 - Nov. 4

woodcock, Sept. 24 - Nov. 4

crow, March 1-31 and July 15 - Oct. 15.

[Scott M]

From the DNR's HSOforum, information released today:

"The waterfowl seasons will open Saturday, Oct. 1, at 9 a.m. and continue through Nov. 29. The four duck bag may include no more than one hen mallard, one black duck, one pintail, two wood ducks, two redheads and two scaup. One canvasback will be allowed from Oct. 8 through Nov. 6. Possession limits are twice the daily bag limits.

Except for opening day, when shooting hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., shooting hours will be from one half hour before sunrise to 4 p.m. daily through Saturday, Oct. 8, and from one half hour before sunrise to sunset beginning Sunday, Oct. 9, through the close of the season."

[RonZych]

Instead of fixing the problem they let it roll down hill to the hunters.

Ron

[set the drag]

so can we still shoot four drakes or what? has anyone seen the waterfowl suppliment out yet?

[Quackaddict9]

I'm pretty sure you can still shoot 4 [mallard] Drakes.. even though I've never shot 4 greenheads a day before.. but I have not seen the duck regualtions yet so wait for more responses from what theyve heard or something, I know that 1 hen mallard is allowed.

[East Rush Rules]

Hey guys,

I read in the outdoor news that you can still shoot 4 drakes just so ya know! Korey

[set the drag]

thanks guys

[iamgmc]

here i sit on thursday A.M. waiting for my hunting partner to arive.just can't beleive they closed goose hunting again this year let alone we could only shoot 1 all year,everywhere else they 2,3,5 or what ever.I invite who ever makes the season and limits to come out to morris i;ll buy the gas and go for a ride more geese than ducks.all year long except during the early goose season,but then we could shoot 5.just had to voice my opinion before going to shoot my mallards before going to work.

keep on smiling

tony okeefe

[tip-up king]

I'm in the same boat. Canada's here all over now and the season is closed. The ducks never come till the season is over. Why can't the DNR divide the state north/south so those of us in the south can actually bag some birds. This sucks the way it is set up now, in my opinion. tuk