According to Greg Yarris, Director of Conservation Policy for California Waterfowl, “The liberal regulations approved this year are the result of a strong western stock of mallards and improved local duck production this year because of timely spring rains.”
Waterfowl hunters will benefit this fall with a recommendation which calls for a duck season of 100 days, and a daily bag limit of seven ducks. In addition to pintails, there is also good news for hunters who enjoy diving ducks. The bag limit on redheads remains two birds, but the limit on canvasbacks (which was closed last season) is one for the entire season. The scaup season length remains at 86 days, but the bag limit went from two birds to three.
The pintail breeding population increased by 23% in North America, but it was the change in the distribution of pintail from the north to prairies further south that had the greatest effect on the regulatory outcome.
“Pintail are typically more successful when breeding in Prairie habitats,” explained Bob McLandress, President of California Waterfowl, “which allows for more hunter opportunity and an increased bag limit due to a southern shift in their distribution.”
REGULATION HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2009/10:
- The duck season will be > 100 days, and the bag limit 7 birds/day in all zones.
- Pintail bag is 2 birds/day (either sex) for the entire season (for the 1st time in 12 years).
- Mallard bag will 7 birds/day, and two may be hens. (up from one hen last season)
- Canvasback bag is 1 bird/day for the entire season. (it was closed last season)
- Scaup bag is 3 birds/day, and the season will be 86 days. (up from 2 last season)
- Spinning wing decoys regs. remain unchanged, and will be allowed from December 1 until the season ends (statewide). (Note - this refers to battery operated and/or motorized spinning wing decoys. Natural wind-driven decoys can be used through the season.)
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/waterfowl/images/waterfowlzonemap.gif
BALANCE OF STATE ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks and Geese: 100 Day Straight Season (scaup during last 86 days only) October 24, 2009 through January 31, 2010.
Brant Special Management Areas: Northcoast Brant (Humboldt Bay) November 7, 2009 through December 6, 2009. Southcoast Brant (Tomales and Morro Bay), November 14, 2009 through December 13, 2009; 2 per day, 4 possession.
Special Youth Hunt Days: February 6 and February 7, 2010
Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7. Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards of which only 2 can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup. Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 8. Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese of which only 6 can be dark geese. Bag may include up to 6 large Canada geese; 6 small Canada geese, 6 white geese; 4 white fronts.
Sacramento Valley Special Management Area: No more than 2 white fronts may be taken only from October 24, 2009 until December 14, 2009. For more information on the Sacramento Valley (West) Special Management Area limits and boundaries, please refer to the Fish and Game Waterfowl Regulation Booklet. Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
NORTHEASTERN CALIFORNIA ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks: 105 Day Straight Season (scaup during first 86 days only) October 10, 2009 through January 22, 2010
Geese: 100 Day Straight Season October 10, 2009 through January 17, 2010 Special Youth Hunt Days: September 26 and 27, 2009
Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7. Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, of which only 2 can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup. Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit. Geese: Daily bag limit: 8. Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese of which only 6 may be dark geese. Only 1 may be a small Canada goose (Aleutian or cackling) and only 2 may be large Canada geese; 6 white geese; 4 white fronts. Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
SOUTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks: 102 days split Season (scaup during last 79 days only) October 10, 2009 through November 1, 2009 and November 14, 2009 through January 31, 2010
Geese: 100 Day Straight Season October 24, 2009 through January 31, 2010
Special Youth Hunt Days: February 6 and February 7, 2010
Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7. Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, of which only 2 can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup. Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 8. Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese, of which only 6 may be dark geese, and include up to 6 large Canada geese; 6 small Canada geese; 6 white geese; 4 white fronts. Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks and Geese: 100 Day Straight Season (scaup during last 86 days only) October 24, 2009 through January 31, 2010
Special Youth Hunt Days: February 6 and February 7, 2010 Limits: Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7. Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, of which only 2 can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup. Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 8. Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese, of which only 6 may be white geese and 3 may be dark geese. Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
COLORADO RIVER ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks and Geese: 101 Day Straight Season (scaup during last 86 days only) October 23, 2009 through January 31, 2010
Special Youth Hunt Days: February 6 and February 7, 2010 Limits: Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7. Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, but not more than 2 female mallards or Mexican-like ducks; 2 pintail (either sex); 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup. Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 6. Daily bag limits may contain 6 white geese and up to 3 may be dark geese. Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
For more information as well as any changes or corrections which may affect you or the limits in your area, visit DFG’s website at
http://dfg.ca.gov/regulations/09-10-waterfowl-sum.html
Shooting Times:
Northern California -
http://dfg.ca.gov/regulations/bird-shoot-times-no-cal.html
Southern California -
http://dfg.ca.gov/regulations/bird-shoot-times-so-cal.html
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