Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, July 17, 2002
For more information:  George Vandel, 773-4192

2002 DUCK AND GOOSE SEASONS PROPOSED

PIERRE - South Dakota’s waterfowl hunters would find a few changes to the state’s 2002 duck and goose hunting seasons if a recent Game, Fish and Parks Commission proposal is finalized next month.

Modifications to the 2002 duck season would include shortening the length of the High Plains and Low Plains seasons and decreasing the daily limit on hen mallards from 2 to 1.

"This is in response to an expected reduction in the federal framework (season length and bag limit) due to dry conditions and lower duck populations," said state Waterfowl Biologist Spencer Vaa. "It is likely that the liberal seasons we have enjoyed in recent years will be replaced by either a moderate (60 days) or restrictive (39 days), regulatory alternative. The commission will most likely select the most liberal alternative allowed."

Under the moderate alternative, the High Plains season would start Sept. 28 and continue through Nov. 26. It would then re-open for 23 days from Dec. 7-29. The Low Plains season would again have three zones. The north zone would open one week earlier than normal, for two days, on Sept. 21 and 22, and then again from Sept. 28 through Nov. 24. An earlier opening, if allowed by the federal framework, will provide hunters more opportunity for early migrating blue-winged teal and wood ducks. The middle zone would be open Sept. 28 through Nov. 26, and the south zone would open on Oct. 12 and continue through Dec. 10.

Pending approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the daily limit for ducks would be set at six, which may include no more than five mallards, of which one could be a hen. The proposal for merganser limits would allow hunters five of the birds, no more than one of which could be a hooded merganser. Daily duck limits may also include no more than two wood ducks, two redheads, three scaup, one canvasback or one pintail. The possession limit would be twice the daily limit.

It is important to note that both pintail and canvasback populations declined and there is a possibility of season closure for these two species this year. Pintail numbers in 2002 are the lowest recorded since population surveys began in 1955. The possession limit would be twice the daily limit. 

For the regular goose season, the commission’s proposal would change the opening date for Canada goose Unit 2 from the third Saturday in October to the fourth Saturday and change the opening date for Canada goose Unit 4 from Jan. 4 to Jan. 11. The daily limit for white-fronted geese would also change from 2 to 3.

Most of the state (goose Units 1 and 3), would open Sept. 28. In central South Dakota along the Missouri River (Unit 2), the season would open on Oct. 26 and would run through Jan. 28, 2003. This later opening of Unit 2 would allow hunters to take advantage of late migrating Canada geese.

White-fronted geese could be hunted statewide from Sept. 28 through Dec. 22. The light goose season - which includes all geese except Canada geese, brant, and white-fronted geese - would also be open Sept. 28 through Dec. 22.

Goose and duck shooting hours would be one-half hour before sunrise to sunset, statewide. Nontoxic shot is required for all waterfowl hunting.

Daily goose limits for hunters during the regular season would include 20 light geese and three Canada geese (or any goose species other than light geese and white-fronted geese).

To comment on the proposals, persons can attend the public hearing at 2 p.m., Aug. 8, at the Ramada Inn in Aberdeen. Written comments may be sent to Game, Fish and Parks 523 E. Capitol, Pierre, S.D. 57501, or by e-mail to wildinfo@state.sd.us. Comments must include full name and address.

-30-