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TPW
Commission Finalizes Waterfowl Seasons
News Release
Media
Contact: Steve Lightfoot,
512-389-4701, steve.lightfoot@tpwd.state.tx.us
Aug. 27, 2009
FORT WORTH, Texas — For the 14th consecutive year, duck hunters in Texas will
get the liberal waterfowl season with a 74-day season and six bird daily bag
limit framework during the 2009-2010 general waterfowl seasons, but mottled
ducks will be off the table during the first five days. The framework was
finalized by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission at its Aug. 27 public
meeting.
After three years under
the Hunter’s Choice experimental bag, Texas will revert to a conventional
six-duck limit per day in the aggregate, with the following species and sex
restrictions: five mallards (of which only two may be hens), three wood ducks,
two scaup, two redheads, one pintail, one canvasback,
and one "dusky duck" (mottled duck, Mexican-like duck, black duck and
their hybrids). Mottled ducks may not be harvested prior to Thursday, Nov. 5 in
the North and South Zones and Nov. 2 in the High Plains Mallard Management
Unit.
The bag limit on
mergansers is 5 daily, of which only 2 may be hooded mergansers and the daily
bag on coots is 15.
2009-2010 Waterfowl Seasons
Ducks
High Plains Mallard Management Unit
· Saturday/Sunday, Oct. 24 — 25
· Friday, Oct. 30 through Sunday, Jan. 24
· Youth-only season Saturday/Sunday, Oct. 17-18
North and South Zones
· Saturday, Oct. 31 through Sunday, Nov. 29
· Saturday, Dec. 12 through Sunday, Jan. 24
· Youth-only season Saturday/Sunday, Oct. 24-25
· Falconry season for ducks is Monday, Jan. 25
through Tuesday, Feb. 8 in the North and South Zones. There is no extended
season in the High Plains Mallard Management Unit.
Geese
Western Goose Zone
· Saturday, Nov. 7 through Sunday, Feb. 7
· The daily bag limit is 20 light geese in the
aggregate and four Canada geese and one white-fronted goose. Possession limit
is twice the daily bag limit for dark geese and no possession limit on light
geese.
Eastern Goose Zone
· Saturday, Oct. 31 through Sunday, Jan. 24 for
light geese and Canada geese
· Saturday, Oct. 31 through Sunday, Jan. 10 for
white-fronted geese.
· The daily bag limit is 20 light geese in the
aggregate and three Canada geese and two white-fronted geese.
Light Goose Conservation Order
· Monday, Feb. 8 through Sunday, Mar. 28 in the
Western Goose Zone
· Monday, Jan. 25 through Sunday, Mar. 28 in the
Eastern Goose Zone
· No bag or possession limits.
Sandhill Crane
Zone A
· Saturday, Nov. 7 through Sunday, Feb. 7
· Daily bag limit of three birds.
Zone B
· Friday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Feb. 7
· Daily bag limit of three birds.
Zone C
· Saturday, Dec. 19 through Sunday, Jan. 24
· Daily bag limit of two birds.
· Possession limits statewide are twice the daily
bag limits.
New this year, purchase
of the Federal Duck Stamp will cost $15-$17 depending on where you buy. If
purchased through the TPWD license system there is a $2 administrative fee.
Your license will indicate Federal Duck Stamp purchase and the physical stamp
will be mailed. There are other options for purchasing the stamp, either at
some major post offices or online.
Waterfowl hunters are
reminded they will need to request HIP (Harvest Information Program)
certification from the license clerk when purchasing their hunting license this
year. HIP certification is required in order to hunt migratory game birds in
Texas.
Also new this year, sandhill crane permits may be obtained in person at no cost
only through TPWD Law Enforcement offices and TPWD headquarters in Austin.
Permits are also available anytime online through TPWD’s online license sales
and by calling 800-792-1112 (option 5, menu 2) or 512-389-4820 between 8 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For online and phone orders, a confirmation
number will be issued in lieu of a permit and a $5 transaction fee will be
charged.