Dwayne Padgett
07-20-2007, 10:57 AM
LITTLE ROCK - A 60-day waterfowl hunting season, with a six-bird daily bag limit, was proposed Thursday by the state Game and Fish Commission staff at the panel's monthly meeting.
Season dates and limits are scheduled for action at next month's meeting, according to a news release from the agency.
Surveys indicate more than 8 million mid-continent waterfowl this summer, with another 5 million on ponds in Canada. "This information bodes well for Arkansas waterfowlers," said Luke Naylor, the G&FC waterfowl program coordinator.
As proposed by commission staff, hunting would be permitted Nov. 17-Dec. 18; Dec. 26-Jan. 6; and Jan. 12-27. Youth waterfowl hunt dates would be Dec. 22-23.
Proposed bag limits are the same as last season _ six birds total, including no more than four mallards, only one mallard hen, two wood ducks, two redheads, one black duck, one pintail, one canvasback, three mottled ducks or two scaup.
The staff also proposed banning use of electronic decoys by hunters, but not until July 1, 2008.
The commission approved acquisition of a conservation easement on 15,929 acres of forest land in Calhoun County for what will be known as the Moro Big Pine Wildlife Management Area. The agency is partnering with the Nature Conservancy, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission and the state Forestry Commission to establish the area.
Also approved by the commission were dates for early migratory bird hunting _ dove, Sept. 1-23; Oct. 6-21; and Dec. 15-Jan. 4 _ teal, Sept. 15-30 _ common snipe, Nov. 1-Feb. 15 _ woodcock, Nov. 10-Dec. 24 _ Virginia and sora rails, Sept. 15-Nov. 23 _ and common moorhen and purple gallinule, Sept. 1-Nov. 9.
A service of the Associated Press(AP)
Season dates and limits are scheduled for action at next month's meeting, according to a news release from the agency.
Surveys indicate more than 8 million mid-continent waterfowl this summer, with another 5 million on ponds in Canada. "This information bodes well for Arkansas waterfowlers," said Luke Naylor, the G&FC waterfowl program coordinator.
As proposed by commission staff, hunting would be permitted Nov. 17-Dec. 18; Dec. 26-Jan. 6; and Jan. 12-27. Youth waterfowl hunt dates would be Dec. 22-23.
Proposed bag limits are the same as last season _ six birds total, including no more than four mallards, only one mallard hen, two wood ducks, two redheads, one black duck, one pintail, one canvasback, three mottled ducks or two scaup.
The staff also proposed banning use of electronic decoys by hunters, but not until July 1, 2008.
The commission approved acquisition of a conservation easement on 15,929 acres of forest land in Calhoun County for what will be known as the Moro Big Pine Wildlife Management Area. The agency is partnering with the Nature Conservancy, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission and the state Forestry Commission to establish the area.
Also approved by the commission were dates for early migratory bird hunting _ dove, Sept. 1-23; Oct. 6-21; and Dec. 15-Jan. 4 _ teal, Sept. 15-30 _ common snipe, Nov. 1-Feb. 15 _ woodcock, Nov. 10-Dec. 24 _ Virginia and sora rails, Sept. 15-Nov. 23 _ and common moorhen and purple gallinule, Sept. 1-Nov. 9.
A service of the Associated Press(AP)