Waterfowl Season Opening Soon

Youth waterfowl season is just a few weeks away.

Resident season begins the week after.

But before you shoot the big bird, there are a few things you need to know.

Non-resident Season begins October 2nd and with many hunters coming to town, there are lots of things to look out for.

When you're hunting there are lots of things that can get you in trouble.

Safety is the most important thing when you're scoping out your duck.

But so is knowing the limits and restrictions, like you're only allowed 6 ducks a day.

Roger Hollevoet,Wetland Manager and Wildlife Biologist, says, "of those 6 ducks, only 5 can be mallards and only 2 can be hens.

If you were hunting last year, things haven't changed much.

Hollevoet says "last year you could only have 1 pintail, this year its 2 but generally its pretty much close to last year."

Hunters may also see a spike in snow geese because they did well in their breeding grounds.

"That'll be more young birds which are birds that are easier to decoy so that might be more opportunities for hunters also," says Hollevoet.

Where you hunt is also important. The U.S. Fish and wildlife Service has designated certain spots to be Waterfowl production areas. These areas are open to the public.

"We have a bout 260 different partials of lane in North Eastern North Dakota," said Hollevoet.

Because it's getting harder to find private land to hunt on, the Fish and Wildlife Service buys property with money from duck stamps.

Hollevoet says, "because of the economic situation more land owners are asking for fees or leases and things like that."

You cannot drive on the Waterfowl Production Areas and according to state law, you cannot hunt in standing crops.

There is a book with the areas in them, and you can find that at Walmart.

Tags: waterfowl production areas, u.s. fish and wildlife service, ashley mcmillan, wap, waterfowl, hunting