North Dakota’s 2006 waterfowl season has been set. Opening day for North Dakota residents is Sept. 23 for ducks, geese, coots and mergansers. Nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl in North Dakota Sept. 30.
The daily bag limit for ducks has changed from previous years. Hunters may take five per day with the following restrictions: two scaup, two redheads, two wood ducks; and only one from the following group: one hen mallard, or one pintail, or one canvasback. For example, if you take a hen mallard, you cannot take a pintail or canvasback. For ducks, the possession limit is twice the daily limit.
The daily limit of five mergansers may include no more than two hooded mergansers.
The hunting season for Canada geese and light geese will close Dec. 21, and the season for whitefronts closes Dec. 3. Shooting hours for all geese shall be one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. each day through Oct. 28. Beginning Oct. 29, shooting hours are extended until 2 p.m. each day.
Extended shooting hours for Canada geese and white-fronted geese are permitted on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with shooting hours on those days from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
The daily bag limit for Canada geese during the regular season is three, with six in possession. White-fronted goose daily limit is two, with four in possession, and light goose limit is 20 daily, with no possession limit.
The special youth waterfowl hunting season is Sept. 16-17. Legally licensed residents and nonresidents 15 years of age or younger can hunt ducks, coots, mergansers and geese statewide. A licensed adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the youth hunter into the field. The daily bag limit and species restrictions are the same as for regular duck and goose seasons.
Season regulations include three nonresident waterfowl zones that were used in 2005, or the option for nonresidents to purchase a statewide license. Nonresidents who designate zones 1 or 2 may hunt that zone for only one 7-day period during the season. Nonresident hunters who have chosen to hunt in zone 1 or 2 and wish to use the full 14 consecutive days allowed must use the other 7 days in zone 3. Hunters in zone 3 can hunt that zone the entire 14 days.
In accordance with state law, nonresidents are not allowed to hunt on Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas or conservation PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) areas from Oct. 14-20.
All waterfowl hunters must register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting. Hunters purchasing a license from the department’s Bismarck office, website (gf.nd.gov), or instant licensing telephone number (800-406-6409) can easily get a HIP number.
Otherwise, hunters must call 888-634-4798, or log on to the Game and Fish website, provide the registration information, and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Those who HIP registered to hunt the spring light goose season do not have to register again, as it is required only once per year.
Hunters should refer to the 2006 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide for further details on the waterfowl season
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