Public Comment Record on Maryland's
Proposed 2011-2012 Late Waterfowl Seasons

Thank you for your interest in the DNR Online Public Meeting.
Comments will be posted here at the discretion of DNR.

The public comment period closed at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 17, 2011.

8/17/2011
I was curious as to why Sunday waterfowl hunting is not allowed in Maryland. I travel to other states such as New York and Sunday hunting is allowed. These weekend days are the only days some people get to enjoy hunting. Is there ever the possibility of Sunday waterfowl hunting in Maryland? - T. L.

8/17/2011
6 ducks is way too many. Limits have been too high for too long. 3-4 ducks is plenty. There were more birds here in MD when the population was deemed ""low"" and the limit was 3 or 4 birds. Higher limits have multiple effects in addition to the birds directly killed. To get to 6 birds, I would venture to say that 8 birds are actually killed. 2 are crippled or lost. In addition hunters stay longer time afield, thereby lengthening the disturbance to the birds. This is the major reason there are less birds in the public areas. Let's face it, ducks are dumb but not stupid. -  B. C.

8/17/2011
I would like to see DNR raise the AP Goose limit to 3 per day. I feel the population is extremely strong and this would allow for better control of the population overall. There is an abundance of Canada Geese making Maryland home. It is a strain on the eco-system. Raising this limit will aid in this problem without hurting the population. Thank you, - W. D. N., Jr.

8/17/2011
I would like to see the youth days split with one in October before or around the early split and another in late season around February. That way the kids would have an opportunity to hunt woodies early and migrators late.  - J.

8/17/2011
I am a junior hunter and I would like to see the Junior hunt day in October be moved to Feb 11. There are lots of other things to hunt in Oct and Nov. There's not much to do in February. - G. R.

8/17/2011
I personally would like to see the first early duck moved up a week to Oct. 8th-thru the 15th.I would also like to see the end of duck and goose go out the 2nd. week in February but I am not sure of the Federal guidelines there. Thank you for the chance to comment. - D. P.

8/16/2011
I would like to know whether the Maryland Proposed Season Regulations for Canada Geese in the AP Zone is set at the maximum allowable days in the Federal Framework. If that is the case, please explain why Maryland has a 45 day framework while surrounding states have longer frameworks, particularly since the index used to determine the health of the population is at the second highest level on record? - N. W.

8/16/2011
DNR, I have been Coming to Maryland to hunt snow geese for a long time. Our Guide started using the E-call, our hunts have gotten better. I think that the DNR should let us use E- caller as soon as the season starts on snow geese. I would go hunt more. I thank other people would Hunt more. It brings more revenue to the state of Maryland. - G. E.

8/16/2011
I would like to recommend having the second youth waterfowl day in the late season, even possibly the first or second Saturday in February since this is permitted by Federal law. It can be up to 14 days after the end of the normal waterfowl season. - J. G.

8/16/2011
Youth waterfowl days should be Nov.5 and the newly allowed second day should be Feb.11. That's the latest allowable day.

The snow goose conservation order should be implemented during the deer firearms break.

All other waterfowl dates are good. - T. J.

8/16/2011
Is Sunday hunting at all in the thought process for future hunting seasons? With an active son who enjoys to hunt, after sports and school it leaves little time for him to enjoy hunting.

I know in the past Maryland used to lose some of their allotted days from the feds by not hunting Sunday since previous laws read ""consecutive days." Is this still the case in Maryland?"  - C. K.

8/16/2011
Hey, I live in the state of Pa. & went on a snow goose hunt in MD. last year with 4 other people, before the conservation season was in, & thought IF ONLY WE COULD'VE USED E-CALLERS we probably would've had a more successful hunt. I'm not sure why you don't allow E-callers when Canada goose & duck season isn't in. There obviously is a need to limit the population of snow geese that end up in the breeding grounds. My suggestion is let us do our job as conservationists & allow e-callers when ever possible to maximize our abilities to save these snows from their own demise! I know of plenty of people up here that would be more than happy to come down there with our hard earned dollars & enjoy an awesome snow goose hunt with E-CALLERS. - D. G.

8/16/2011
The DNR needs to look at their goals for this area and realize the waterfowl in this area are made up mostly of Atlantic flyway waterfowl. The north eastern states and Canada has had a good nesting season but not great! The season should remain about the same, I would think ! The greater snow goose population is not the same as the mid continent lesser snow goose. These areas are key wintering areas for a lot of waterfowl and for this reason should be thought about carefully. - R. H.

8/16/2011
Once again, excellent job by Larry Hindman, DNR, and all of the staff to give Maryland the maximum allowable days and bags limits.

Adding a second day for youth hunting when the weather is still nice is a great idea to get more kids afield.

60 days for ducks and 6 bird limit is excellent. The production of ducks in the prairie pot hole region and Canadian provinces definitely warrants a 6 bird limit. Keep the dates the same, or possibly chop a few days off the early season and add it to the end of January. Let's go as late as the Feds will allow.

Excellent job managing the AP goose population. 190,000 nesting pairs is getting close to the magic number of 200k. 45 days and 2 birds is solid considering the amount of geese killed here in Maryland.

I would suggest adding the conservation order for light geese to be included during the 2 week firearms seasons since AP geese and ducks are closed during that time.

Keep up the excellent work!!" - S. H.

8/16/2011
I wanted to comment on the electronic caller for snow geese. I think this would be a great way to help keep snow geese population under control as well as assist more hunters in reaching their bag limits without affecting Canadian geese or ducks population. - T. H.

8/16/2011
The use of electronic calls would be a great way to enhance snow goose hunting as well as possibly bring in more hunters, which would in turn create more revenue through Maryland license purchases. - M. S.

8/16/2011
I believe extending the use of electronic callers for snow geese would help increase the number of hunters who are not familiar with mouth calls or who prefer electronic calls. This would help alleviate snow geese numbers to sustain a healthy population. - K. F.

8/16/2011
The recent practice of opening the 3rd portion of our duck season in mid-December is consistently costing us prime hunting time for puddle ducks. I understand the concern over firearms deer season, but deer hunters are scarce during the second week of the season, with the exception of the last Saturday. (See kill statistics).

Although I understand the enthusiasm of hunters who are fortunate enough to have hunting spots which produce early migrants (teal and woodies), I would offer that they are in a minority of Maryland waterfowl hunters. To continue to devote 22 days (almost 1/3 of our total duck hunting days available, including Sundays) to early season ducks seems unreasonable.

Recognizing the recent weather trends and extending our waterfowl season to the end of January has been very productive especially for divers. Along these lines, I would propose another radical change. Begin the 3rd portion of our duck season on Monday, December 5. Recognizing the need to take the 8 days necessary for the implementation of this change from the early seasons, I would suggest doing so in November, when many Maryland hunters are focusing on deer hunting.  Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

8/15/2011
I am in complete support of the Proposed 2011-2012 Waterfowl Seasons. The first split lines up nicely with the arrival of many early migrants such as green winged teal, widgeon, pintail, and even some gadwall. The third split lines up nicely with the migration of other many other species, including mallards and divers. In addition, the third split goes as late as the federal framework will allow. I don't think a lot of people realize this. Therefore, I support the proposed season as is. However, I also support the recommendation to move two days from the third split and add them to the beginning of the second split to include Veteran's Day. Well done DNR as usual! - M. H. S.

8/15/2011
Like the proposed waterfowl seasons as written. I to would also like to see the snow goose conservation order season extended into the two week deer firearms season. - C. C.

8/15/2011
I am an outfitter in the state of New York who travels to your state on frequent occasions to hunt snow geese with another outfitter and it is of my opinion that we should be able to use an E-Caller system as at any point during the snow goose season that doesn't conflict with any other open waterfowl season ie: duck or Canada goose season...not just during the quote, conservation season, unquote... FFGS" - J. B.

8/15/2011
Dear sir/ma'am, for this year I would like to say that in the upper shore region of Kent and appears that the birds arrive early especially the geese and then disappear around mid January when the season is almost over. I would like see possibly an earlier goose season maybe before firearms season for deer. I would like to propose that when the second duck season comes into effect that the goose season start with it, so that recreational and commercial guides can have a better chance of harvesting these game birds more effectively. - J. B.

8/15/2011
Reduce the first split to 3 days total and move the days into December as a first choice and November as a second choice . Bird counts suggest there are way more birds around and should be more productive . October is for wood ducks, teal, and marina mallards pretty much . - J. W.

8/15/2011
Please reconsider the Friday, November 25 sunset closure for ducks and geese. This is the traditional Thanksgiving hunting weekend and the season should be open through Saturday, November 26 to allow those of us that cannot hunt during the week an opportunity to go. Starting the third split on Dec. 14 for ducks and December 16 for geese would not adversely effect the weekday hunters. Thank you, - J. K.

8/15/2011
I like the proposed waterfowl seasons as written. I would like to see the snow goose conservation order season extended into the two week deer firearms season. - F. J.

8/15/2011
I would like to see Howard, Baltimore, and Carroll counties added to the late season resident zone for Canadian geese. - E. C.

8/14/2011
I recommend moving the first 2 days of the December split to November 10 and 11. The results of this change would be as follows:

1. December 15 would be the opening day for both duck and goose in the third split.
2. There would be 2 additional days to duck hunt in November when many of us still have wood ducks and green wing teal.
3. Duck hunting would be available on Veterans Day, Friday November 11th.
4. Duck hunting would be available during the Waterfowl Festival. - M. C.

8/13/2011
I would like to voice my opinion on Sunday hunting. For both as a recreational hunter and as a professional guide, i feel the state is hindering all hunters by not allowing Sunday hunting. The average working person has limited time available (Sat & Sun.) for hunting. I think the state should absolutely allow Sunday hunting even if another day of the week is taken away. - M. M.

8/13/2011
I have several concerns over the proposed 2011 / 2012 Waterfowl Seasons: The October season should be moved back to the 2nd week of October. We seem to lose a lot of wood ducks prior to the 3rd week of October. The duck season also now directly conflicts with the 3 day MZ deer season.

Can we please have a 60 day goose season!? Why are we the last state on the east coast to relax our regulations to match the current AP populations? PA is back to the liberal limits and seasons that current populations support. What are we waiting for?

We would like to have the 3rd split of waterfowl season begin on the Monday of the 2nd week of deer season. Very few folks are left deer hunting and this is typically the peak of the mallard migration coupled with outstanding weather. The time to hunt these birds is as they arrive and I believe early December to be some of the best mallard hunting of the year. You could reduce the October season by 3 days and the November season by 3 days to accommodate the 60 days allowed by the Feds.

Thanks for your careful consideration as we move into what maybe the best fall migration in a decade! - T. H.

8/12/2011
DNR, I have read the other comments online and they almost all say the same thing, extend the later season, the ducks just aren't here yet and I agree. If you want an early season open up wood ducks during the teal season and just X the Oct. season. also I do the drawings every year for blind sites, which I don't get why we can't do as N.J. does and hunt anywhere within the 150 yrd limit, the rivers are empty of hunters in good spots that no one can hunt because some else who hunts one day a year has that spot. In four years I have yet to see another hunter on Bush River but yet we can hunt were the ducks are. - J. V.

8/11/2011
Have hunted in Worcester County for more than 30 years. Very few Worcester hunters hunt the early duck season and would rather have those days tacked on January/early February. Secondly, would like to see resident Canada goose season in Worcester the same as the western shore. Thanks. - M. R.

8/10/2011
I agree with the proposed dates. However, I would like to see AP/RP zones reconsidered and the RP zone expanded as several areas with a big resident goose problem fall in the AP zone. I would also like the bag limit in the AP zone increased to 3 per day even if it means reducing the overall number of days in the season. - M. M.

8/10/2011
I believe that the early teal season should be accompanied by an early wood duck season. Since we can not hunt teal here in the western region, we should be allowed to hunt wood ducks which are in abundance during this portion of the year. Thanks!

8/9/2011
I would like to add to the public comment forum the availability of having the Light Goose Conservation season opened from November 28 thru December 12 while duck and Canada goose season is closed. Also, move 2 days of duck season (Dec.13&14) Back to (Nov.10&11) to encompass Veterans Day.  - L. B. B.

8/9/2011
I am in favor of moving the first 2 days of the December split to the beginning of the November split (11/10-11) as I am one of many hunters who will be off on 11/11/11 and would love to be able to hunt that day. I know this will mess up lotteries in some WMA but I'm sure we can live with it! - S. L.

8/9/2011
I think it would be a good idea to open the September season for Teal and Wood Ducks. Last year, where I was hunting, there were more Wood Ducks than Teal during this season, and having a season for both species would also eliminate the problems that result from trying to make a split second decision on identification. - K. M.

8/9/2011
I support moving the first 2 days from the third split of the MD duck season to the beginning of the second split of the duck season. I also support removal of the 12 noon start of the first split of the dove season. - B. P.

8/9/2011
I am the President of the Selby on the Bay Community Association whose Members have been plagued by Resident Canadian Geese at our beach on the South River. Their population has certainly multiplied and so has their waste that litters our beach and water. Because of this Water Fowl nesting here and other beaches along the South River and in fact many of the Chesapeake Bay rivers, we have been forced to halt the use of the water for swimming and generally avoid contact with the water.

Several of our residents are Licensed Hunters and informed our Board that the Hunting Season for these Geese is September 1 to the 15th. I would respectfully request that the present Season be extended 15 days to September 30th. Based on what I have read, regarding Resident Canadian Geese population, this extension will most likely not threaten their extinction. Thank you in advance for your consideration. - R. B.

8/8/2011
I think everything looks fair...I would still like to see Sunday hunts. I am from the south and on state land you must be picked up by 12. Through doing this you allow the birds to roost in the evenings and nature enthusiast to go out in the pm and enjoy themselves. It allows hunters who work to be able to enjoy time on the weekend with their families and friends. It's hard to work all week and get 1 day to hunt with my son. Or if anything make a day like Wednesday closed. Thanks -  W. W.

8/8/2011
It would be nice to actually have 60 days of duck hunting; we lose 8 Sundays; it could be worse; keep up the good work. - D. T.

8/8/2011
The MDWFA has reviewed the proposed seasons. In trying to maximize the days afield a member suggestion has been put forward to consider moving 2 days of the duck season from the beginning of the third split in December (December 13 and 14th) to the beginning of the second split in November (November 10 and 11th) which would encompass a federal holiday, that being Veterans day on November 11th. However, I am satisfied with the season dates as proposed by the DNR.

8/8/2011
I think the proposals look good. Please do not change a thing. - M. S.

8/8/2011
I believe the regulations are great with 2 exceptions. There should be a 2 week season for ducks and geese in mid March since this seems to be when population numbers are highest. Also, I believe each hunter should be allowed one swan per season with some sort of permit. Other than that, looking forward to a successful season!

8/7/2011
The proposed waterfowl season looks great. I would recommend that the resident population goose season be extended to all of PG County and Carroll county at the least. Thanks for giving us Maryland hunters great waterfowl options. - M. H.

8/7/2011
I love the changes! - R. S.

8/6/2011
You need to open the September teal season in the entire state instead of just the eastern part. - K. K.

8/6/2011
In some states the use of electronic callers is allowed as long as duck and Canada Goose season is not open. This is allowed by Federal Law. The use of Electronic callers for Resident Canada geese is also allowed apparently by Federal Law. It is unclear as to whether or not e-callers can be used in MD for Resident Canada geese. Refer to Comar regs.

Due to the snow geese showing up in November at the latest now and the obvious over population of snow geese, it would seem advisable to at least redo the regulations on e-callers to state as follows: Rather than use of electronic calling devices be illegal except during the special conservation season for snow geese, have it say Use of e-callers is allowed during snow goose season unless Canada Goose and duck season is open. Mainly the rifle deer season is an excellent time to harvest a snow goose with e-callers. - J. A.

8/6/2011
If you want to reduce the snow goose population you should allow the conservation rules to be used during the last week of the regular goose season. This would allow far more hunters the opportunity to take this bird. Many hunters do not hunt after the regular season is over. Allowing the earlier start to the conservation season will allow for a bigger reduction in the population. Thank you W. S.

8/5/2011
I think besides the resident goose population you need to control the resident mallards as well, every time you go to a town park you see mallards all year long , besides the weird looking cross breeds they have produced. Sunday hunting should be allowed, are we stuck in the 19th century , they eliminated blue laws 25 years ago, so the big stores could make money, let the working man have 2 days a week he can pursue his passion.  - W. C.

8/5/2011
The bags look good for this year, to bad the only place to hunt them is out in the bay or next to someone's house. All the shore line that is government owned is blocked. The state says it welcomes waterfowl hunters, yet it allows the county and federal agency's to block a lot of good spots. Enjoy it while it lasts, at this rate no one is going to hunt ducks on the bay in the future.  -S. A.

8/5/2011
This 45 season with 2 geese per day is becoming ridiculous!! Let us have at least 3 per day like other states. I drive 150 miles to my lease in Maryland from PA. This really upsets me. Also, lets get a 60 day season while we doing this, too. I enjoy hunting in Maryland, but give me a reason to stay, the hunting there is good, but I can find just as good spots in PA and harvest 3 birds a day!! GET WITH THE PROGRAM!!!  - W. W.

8/4/2011
I think what is proposed is fine but would like to see brant and Canada seasons open with duck season

8/4/2011
DNR, I've been hunting waterfowl about 43 years primarily Ducks. I love the sport and like to eat them also, for many years our good ducks like canvasbacks, blackheads [scaup], redheads and lots of others don't arrive during our season they always seem to arrive after season ends due to warm weather that we have year after year. I would like to see the season run until 2nd week of February, I mean still have 60 days of hunting just save 15 days from the first of Feb. until the 15 of Feb.. For as much as stamps, licenses, blinds, and equipment cost we should get some good hunting in when the ducks are here instead of just watching them and wishing the season was open. That's the only thing I would like to see happen and I'm sure lots of duck hunters would like to see the same. I'm located in southern MD and we just don't get the ducks until after current season. Thanks for allowing comments and please consider what I've asked. Thank You - T. M.

8/4/2011
As a hunter who annually pays for a hunting license, I fully support the 2011-2012 proposed waterfowl dates. - R. G.

8/3/2011
I like that there is proposed that there be two days of youth hunts. Would like to see the same for the deer season. The other dates for the water fowl are fine.... I would like to see a special permit for swan, say $10.00 good for one swan per season... - D. B.

8/2/2011
I believe it be an excellent idea to increase the length of the waterfowl season. My entire hunting career has been spent watching the waterways fill with ducks in the weeks after season has closed. Extending the waterfowl season will not only increase the level of success waterfowl hunters will experience but in doing so will increase the level of interest in a tradition that may be fading.

8/2/2011
Very Good!! - S. B.

8/2/2011
As a Maryland hunter who provides payment to the State of Maryland via annual hunting license and associated stamps, I HIGHLY encourage the proposed 2011-2012 Waterfowl Hunting Season dates. - S. G.

8/1/2011
I am very much opposed to this unless it is in VERY rural areas. I am in Calvert County, next to the waterfront, and cringe very time I hear hunters killing the ducks outside my home. If the hunters are in sate parks or very rural areas, OK. If not, please do not extend the season for all areas. Please be considerate of residents. Thank you. - D. B.

8/1/2011
Let's see if we can get Carroll county moved back into the resident geese flyway like it was a few years ago birds are everywhere and don't move much during the sept season. - R. S.

8/1/2011
Its great to have a 60 day duck season; wish the AP and RP could be combined so the AP countys can harvest 5 per day. - A. G.