The first portion of Maryland’s Atlantic Population (AP) Canada goose hunting season opens Saturday, November 15. The AP Canada goose season is split into two parts, running from November 15 to November 28 and then from December 18 to January 24. The daily bag limit is two Canada geese.
The AP Canada goose population comprises the northernmost nesting population of Canada geese. These birds nest north of the 48° latitude in northern Québec along Ungava Bay, the northeastern shore of Hudson Bay and in the interior of the Ungava Peninsula. Densities of breeding pairs are highest along the western and eastern coasts of the Ungava Peninsula. The 2008 spring breeding pair survey of AP Canada geese found 170,000 pairs, down about 15% from 195,700 pairs in 2007. However, an early spring snow melt on the Ungava Peninsula led to a strong nesting effort. Both clutch size and nest success were above average.
“Banding crews on the Ungava Peninsula encountered large numbers of goslings in banding drives, indicating that gosling production was good. The high proportion of juveniles in the fall population should make for great goose hunting, as birds should decoy well during the first couple weeks of the hunting season,” said Larry Hindman, DNR’s Waterfowl Project Leader.
The AP Canada goose hunting season is open in the following areas of the state: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Howard, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties; the portion of Carroll County east of Route 31 to the intersection of Route 97, and east of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line; the portion of Prince George’s County east of Routes 3 and 301; and the portion of Charles County east of Route 301 to the Virginia line.
DNR offers a detailed map of the AP Canada Goose Hunt Zone in Maryland online at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/Goose_Hunt_Zones.html.
All migratory game bird hunters, including landowners who are license exempt, are required to obtain the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp. Hunters must possess the printed receipt showing proof of purchase of the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp while hunting Canada geese and other migratory game birds.
All waterfowl hunters aged 16 years and older must also purchase the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (federal duck stamp). Hunters must sign and possess the federal duck stamp while hunting waterfowl and coots. Hunters may obtain federal duck stamps at U.S. Post Offices, National Wildlife Refuges, some DNR sport license agents and online at www.duckstamp.com.
Nontoxic shot is required for hunting waterfowl and coots. Hunters may not possess or use nontoxic shotshells containing shot larger than size No. T or use or possess any lead shotshells while waterfowl hunting.
Hunters are encouraged to report banded migratory game birds by calling toll-free 1-800-327-BAND (2263). For added convenience, banded migratory birds may also be reported online at www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/homepage/call800.htm.
Complete bag limits, season dates, approved nontoxic shot information and other hunting information can be found on the DNR website at www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide. The 2008-2009 Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping issued with each hunting license contains detailed information about all of Maryland’s hunting seasons. The 2008-2009 Maryland Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons Guide also contains information specific to waterfowl hunting.
source: DNR press release
