DNR releases latest waterfowl schedule
A couple weeks ago, the Natural Resources Board approved the 2022 Waterfowl Season structure. Most of the changes involve the newer Open Water Duck Zone. In our area the big change involves a two bird per day limit on scaup for the first 45 days and a single bird for the last 15 days of the season. If you are a diehard bluebill hunter it’s exactly the opposite for the southern zone so you can head south and still shoot two birds a day down there towards the end of the season.
Other than that the structure is similar to last year with a 60 day season and a six duck per day bag limit. It breaks down similar to last year with four of those ducks allowed to be mallards two of which can be hens. We can shoot three wood ducks; two per day on black ducks, cans and redheads; and pintails only 1. Check the regs for other species of ducks.
The season will open in the northern zone on September 24, the southern zone on October 1, and the open water zone on October 15. Check regs on the split for the Northern zone as well.
The Statewide Youth Hunt will run Sept. 17-18. Early goose from September 1-15, the regular goose season opens on September 16th with a three bird bag limit for all zones except the Mississippi River Zone which opens Oct. 1. Around here we can hunt geese until Dec. 16 if there are geese around. Goose hunters can hunt as late as Jan. 3 in other zones. It’ll be a 92 day goose hunt. Again check the regs because of splits and the Southern Zone Holiday Hunt bag limits. Dove opens on Sept. 1 through Nov. 29 and woodcock from Sept. 24 through Nov. 7.
Hoping this helps your fall hunt planning.
The department stated that besides the newest scientific research, hunter input was very significant in the structure of the season. Most of that hunter input came from a survey the department conducts every year, this year only 1,400 waterfowl hunters completed the survey. Given the number of waterfowl hunters in the state, that number represents a dismal level of engagement on the part of waterfowl hunters. Sometimes it feels like there are 1,400 hunters hunting in the small area I hunt on opening day, so why don’t more hunters speak up when in counts instead of after the decision has been made? Hunter engagement is an area we will talk about more in the future. Speaking of getting involved, the results of the annual spring hearings have been released. Just over 28,000 people participated. Since we have around 600,000 gun deer hunters alone, what this number tells politicians is that we can be counted on not to put up a fight where and when it counts. When politicians see citizens becoming involved and participating a lot of fights never get started. The results of the voting can be viewed on the DNR website. Nothing ground breaking. I was a bit surprised to see a fair bit of support for back tags for deer hunters and in person deer registration. I’ve had a lot of hunters mention that they believe a lot of deer are not being registered with the online registration system. I’ve overheard many more talking to their buds about the same. It was a popular topic while waiting to shoot at sporting clays events last summer.
I miss seeing the other deer brought in by other hunters during the gun season at registration stations. I don’t miss having to load a deer up the day after harvesting one during the archery season to take it in and register it, especially if it’s warm outside. As long as they want us to register deer, I’ll register mine. But on this, what I miss isn’t what I prefer.
More states are moving away from back tags and to online registration then are moving to it right now. The future may be different. Where this ends up will be interesting.
Hunters are pretty evenly split about deer harvest with crossbows. I don’t have a particular problem with crossbows. I don’t want another season structure that reads like the waterfowl season structure. Deer hunting is complicated enough already. I care about people getting out and hunting. I believe that’s good for people, good for hunting, and that’s good for society – providing much more than just management of the deer population.
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CHUCK K OLAR LOCAL OUTDOORSMAN
