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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the 2011-2012 early migratory game bird hunting seasons.

The dove season marks the traditional start of hunting activity each year in Maryland and will open September 1 and continue through October 8. The second and third split seasons will be November 12 through November 25 and December 21 through January 7.

Maryland’s woodcock season is split into two segments; October 29 through November 25 and January 12 through January 28.

“Atlantic Flyway states were offered a 45-day season for woodcock this year, compared to a 30-day season in recent years,” said Bill Harvey, DNR’s game bird section leader. “We added the extra days at the beginning of the first segment and at the end of the second segment.”  

The early resident Canada goose season opens September 1 and runs through September 15 in the eastern zone. In the western zone, the season will continue through September 24. During the September resident Canada goose season, hunters are allowed to use shotguns capable of holding more than three shotshells and shooting hours are extended to one-half hour after sunset.

The dates for the September teal season are September 16 to September 30. A description of the September teal season zone can be found at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/tealchart.asp. Shooting hours for the September teal season are sunrise to sunset.

All migratory bird hunters including landowners, who are license-exempt, are required to obtain the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp/HIP Permit. Hunters must possess the printed receipt showing proof of purchase of the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp while hunting migratory game birds.

All waterfowl hunters age 16 and over must possess the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (federal duck stamp). Hunters are still required to sign the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp and have it in their possession while hunting waterfowl. Hunters may obtain federal duck stamps at U.S. Post Offices, National Wildlife Refuges, DNR sport license agents or online at www.duckstamp.com.

Hunters can purchase hunting licenses and Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamps/HIP Permits online through DNR’s website, https://www2.md.wildlifelicense.com or by phone at 1-800-918-2870. These new services compliment the existing 320 retail vendors currently selling licenses, permits and stamps.

Nontoxic shot is required for hunting rails, snipe, waterfowl and coots. In Maryland, no hunter may take rails and snipe while possessing shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than non-toxic shot approved for waterfowl by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Further, hunters may not use or possess non-toxic shot larger than size number T (0.20 inches in diameter), shotgun slugs, sabots, or pumpkin balls while hunting waterfowl, coots, rails, and snipe.  Approved types of nontoxic shot and other information on migratory bird hunting is listed in the 2011-2012 Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping issued with each hunting license or on the DNR website: http://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/hunt_trap/gamebird/non_toxic.asp

Official shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset for all migratory game bird hunting EXCEPT for: mourning doves during the first season segment, when shooting hours are from noon to sunset; for teal, during the September season, shooting hours are sunrise to sunset and during early September resident Canada goose season, shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

A table listing the dates and bag limits for Maryland’s 2011-2012 webless migratory game bird hunting seasons is available at: http://www.eregulations.com/maryland/hunting/2011%e2%80%932012-webless-migratory-game-bird-seasons-bag-limits.

A table listing the dates and bag limits for Maryland’s 2011-2012 early resident Canada goose is available at: http://www.eregulations.com/maryland/hunting/2011-early-resident-canada-goose-seasons-bag-limits.

For September teal seasons and bag limits, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/tealchart.asp.

Hunters are encouraged to report banded migratory game birds by calling 1-800-327-BAND (2263) or through the Internet at www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl.