NRB approves 2022 migratory bird season framework, regulations

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced last week the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) voted unanimously during its April board meeting to approve the 2022 migratory bird season framework and regulations.

Thanks to input from hunters and new scientific research, changes are coming to the 2022 migratory bird hunting season. Highlights from the approved season structure include:

_ An update to the definition of the Open Water Duck Zone boundary. The updated definition incorporates adjacent rooted vegetation, floating cattail mats and Long Tail and Little Tail points as part of the mainland shore.

_ Simplified regulations for the open water restrictions on approved inland open water hunting lakes by decreasing the distance from shore to 500 feet.

_ The North and Open Water Zone scaup season will be structured as two scaup per day for the first 45 days of the season and one scaup per day for the final 15 days of the season. The South Zone scaup season will remain one scaup for the first 15 days and two scaup for the final 45 days.

“The 2022 season frameworks are based on the most current scientific data, as well as on input from the public, conservation and hunting groups and results from a waterfowl hunter survey,” said Taylor Finger, DNR migratory bird ecologist. “We used all the tools in our toolbox to collect public input. We used virtual meetings and expanded online outreach to ensure engagement with our customers. In total, we received more than 1,400 comments regarding the 2022 waterfowl season proposals.”

Early season dates

_ The early teal season is Sept. 1-9 with bag limit of six per day.

_ The early goose season is Sept. 1-15 with limits of five Canada geese per day and 20 light geese per day.

_ The mourning dove season is Sept. 1 through Nov. 29 with a limit of 15 per day.

_ The woodcock season is Sept. 24 through Nov. 7 with a limit of three per day.

Duck seasons

Shooting hours will begin one-half hour before sunrise for all regular waterfowl hunting seasons.

_ The youth hunt is Sept. 17-18.

_ The North Zone season will run from Sept. 24 through Nov. 22.

_ The South Zone’s first season is Oct. 1-9. The second season is Oct. 15 through Dec. 4.

_ The Open Water Zone season is Oct. 15 through Dec. 13.

Duck bag limits

The total daily bag limit is six ducks of any species, including no more than the following:

_ four mallards, only two of which may be hens.

_ two black ducks, canvasbacks or redheads.

_ three wood ducks.

_ one pintail.

_ five mergansers, of which only two may be hooded mergansers.