Dove, other migratory bird seasons set by Commission

PHILLIP GENTRY

Dove season in North Carolina will be split into three segments this year, with the first opening on Sept. 5.

RALEIGH – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has approved the season dates for dove and other webless migratory game birds as well as September seasons for Canada geese and teal.

     Each year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides frameworks from which to choose the seasons, and the Commission selects the actual dates within these guidelines. The Commission allowed public input on the seasons throughout June via its Web site, www.ncwildlife.org.

     The 2009-10 seasons for webless migratory game birds and waterfowl early seasons are:

     Dove: Sept. 5 – Oct 10; Nov. 23 – Nov. 28; and Dec. 19 – Jan. 15; daily bag of 15 and possession limit of 30

     King and clapper rails: Sept. 5 – Nov. 13; daily bag of 15 and possession limit of 30

     Sora and Virginia rails: Sept. 5 – Nov. 13; daily bag of 25 and possession limit of 25

     Gallinule and moorhens: Sept. 5 – Nov. 13; daily bag of 15 and possession limit of 30

      Woodcock: Jan 1 – Jan. 30; daily bag of 3 and possession limit of 6

      Common snipe: Nov. 13 – Feb. 27; daily bag of 8 and possession limit of 16

      Canada goose: Sept. 1 - 30 (statewide); daily bag of 15 and possession limit of 30

      September teal season:  Sept. 12-30 (East of U.S. 17 only); daily bag of 4 and possession limit of 8.  Species include green-winged, blue-winged and cinnamon teal.

      With several exceptions, shooting hours for all species are from a half hour before sunrise until sunset.  For doves, shooting hours are from noon until sunset on September 5 only and from a half hour before sunrise until sunset thereafter.  For Canada geese only during the month of September and only in that area west of U.S. Highway 17, shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. In addition to the extended shooting hours for Canada geese, unplugged guns and electronic calls will be allowed for Canada geese in that area west of U.S. Highway 17 and only during the month of September.

      In late August, the Commission will establish regular waterfowl seasons for ducks, geese and swans.