2015 Maryland Teal Season

green winged teal

Maryland's September teal hunting season will open on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 and continue through Wednesday, September 30, 2015.

September Teal Season Highlights:

Shooting hours are one half-hour before sunrise to sunset
   
The daily bag limit is six teal (blue or green-winged)

The possession limit for teal is three times the daily bag limit

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s annual Breeding Waterfowl and Habitat Survey recorded about 8.5 million blue-winged teal and 4.1 million green-winged teal in 2015.

For more information about Maryland hunting seasons and regulations, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website.

Maryland Midwinter Waterfowl Survey

Researchers found more than 905,000 waterfowl during the 2014 Maryland Midwinter Waterfowl Survey. Each winter, aerial survey teams of pilots and biologists from The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources make visual estimates of ducks, swans and geese along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay shoreline and Atlantic coast.

The estimated total represents a 22 percent increase over the 2013 survey estimate of 739,600 birds. Biologists attribute the higher count to the fact many species flocked to Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay due to severe winter conditions to the north.

Additionally, large areas of the Bay and tributaries were ice covered during the survey period, concentrating waterfowl in ice-free, open waters where they were more easily counted.

The survey estimates for mallards, black ducks and canvasbacks were the highest they have been since the mid-1970s. Overall, dabbling ducks were more abundant this time around (128,000) compared to last winter (72,800).

There were nearly twice as many diving ducks this survey (190,300) over last year (98,100). The canvasback count (68,400) was the highest since the mid-1960s, and far greater than the January 2013 estimate (18,400). 

Survey teams also observed large numbers of wintering Canada geese (512,100) along the upper Chesapeake Bay. The extensive snow and ice in northern latitudes pushed large numbers of geese south to the Chesapeake from their normal wintering areas in southern Ontario and the Finger Lakes region of New York.  

The Midwinter Waterfowl Survey has been conducted annually throughout the United States since the early 1950s. The Maryland survey results are ultimately pooled with other states’ results to provide a measure of the distribution and population size of waterfowl wintering in the Atlantic Flyway, as well as information on long-term trends.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

2013-2014 Maryland Migratory Game Bird Seasons

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced the the state's 2013-2014 early migratory game bird hunting seasons. Dove season marks the traditional start of hunting activity each year in Maryland.

Dove, split season

First Season: September 2 – October 5

Second Season: November 6 – 29

Third Season: December 21 – January 1


Woodcock, split season

First Season: October 31- November 29

Second Season: January 11 – 25

Early resident Canada goose season

Eastern zone: September 2 – 14

Western zone: September 2 – 25


Teal, September season

September 16 – 30

Hunters are encouraged to report banded migratory game birds by calling 1-800-327-BAND (2263) or online at www.reportband.gov.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Maryland Waterfowl Regulations Meeting

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will hold a public meeting to discuss the proposed late season waterfowl hunting regulations at 7 p.m. on August 19 at Chesapeake College.

The proposed seasons and bag limits will be announced in early August after DNR receives the framework from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

source: MD DNR

2013 Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest Results

Artist Paul Makuchal recently won the 39th annual Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest with his painting of a Lesser Scaup titled Peaceful Swim.

A panel of judges selected Makuchal’s work out of 21 entries from 11 Maryland artists. They judged the entries before a crowd on March 24 at the 24th Patuxent Wildlife Art Show, held at the National Wildlife Visitors Center in Laurel, Md.

Makuchal is now a two-time Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Contest winner. In 1998 at the age of 21, he won his first Maryland title with a painting of a pair of pintails, and again in 2006 with his Canada Goose entry. At 17 he placed third in the Junior Federal Duck Stamp Contest.

The Makuchal name is well known in the world of Maryland art. Paul’s father, Wally Sr., was a long-time commercial artist by trade. His brother, Wally, is an accomplished wildlife artist as well and won Maryland’s “duck stamp” contest in 1999 and 2009. Paul, who prefers to work using acrylics, does a lot of commissioned art and custom painting.

In addition to his past successes in Maryland, Paul’s artwork has won the 2000 Oklahoma Duck Stamp Contest, and earned him Maryland Ducks Unlimited’s “Artist of the Year,” a feature in Ducks Unlimited Magazine and a spot in the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Calendar.

source: MD DNR

2013 Maryland Midwinter Waterfowl Survey

During the 2013 Maryland Midwinter Waterfowl Survey, researchers saw an overall increase in the total number of waterfowl compared to last year. Canada geese and snow geese numbers were up but crews observed fewer ducks, compared to 2012.

The total number of ducks observed during the survey was 175,500, lower than the 230,600 counted in 2012. The dabbling duck count of 72,800 was below the 96,600 counted in 2012.  Most of the decline in dabbling ducks can be attributed to fewer mallards being observed.

The total number of diving ducks observed was 98,100, also lower than the 125,300 counted last winter. The scaup count was one of the lowest in recent history. Unseasonably mild winter weather during the weeks leading up to the survey resulted in a delay in the arrival of most diving ducks in the Bay, especially scaup.

Canada geese (462,000) and snow geese (83,300) were noticeably more abundant during this year’s survey compared to 2012.  Improved gosling production in 2012 contributed to higher goose numbers, combined with snow cover in New York and southern Canada that encouraged geese to migrate further south into the Bay region in late December.

The survey was conducted the week of January 6, 2013 throughout the Atlantic Flyway and is used as an index of long-term wintering waterfowl trends, especially for brant and tundra swans.

Each winter, during the first weeks of January, pilots and biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) count ducks, geese and swans along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay shoreline and Atlantic coast.

In Maryland, the survey is conducted by four aerial survey teams that make visual estimates of wintering waterfowl that are observed in coastal and tidewater habitats of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

source: MD DNR

Maryland 2012-2013 Canada Goose Hunting Season

Maryland’s migratory Atlantic Population (AP) Canada goose hunting season opens November 17 and continues through November 23, 2012. This season reopens on December 11 and continues through January 30, 2013.

The daily bag limit is two geese per day in the AP Canada goose hunting zone. Additional information on waterfowl hunting seasons, regulations and license requirements can be found online athttp://www.dnr.state.md.us/

source:  MD DNR

2011-2012 Maryland Waterfowl Hunting Seasons

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced details of the 2011-2012 late waterfowl hunting seasons.

Waterfowl hunters may take up to six ducks per day during the season’s three segments: October 15-October 22, November 12-November 25, and December 13-January 28.

The Atlantic Population Canada goose hunting season will include a daily bag limit of two geese and will be split into two segments: November 19-November 25; and December 15-January 28.

Greater and lesser snow geese and Ross's geese are collectively referred to as “light geese”. These birds have become so abundant that they are causing harm to wetland habitats throughout their range.

During the Conservation Order season, hunters may use unplugged shotguns, electronic calls and hunt from a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset with no daily bag or possession limits.

The Light Goose Conservation Order season will run November 28-December 10 and then again January 30-April 14. Hunters are required to purchase a Snow Goose Conservation Order Hunting Season Permit to participate in this special season.

All waterfowl hunters, including landowners who are license exempt, must possess proof of purchase of the 2011-2012 Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp (HIP certification permit included). They are available at dnr.maryland.gov/service/license.asp or by calling 1-800-918-2870.

All waterfowl hunters age 16 and over must also possess the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) while hunting waterfowl.

Federal Duck Stamps are available at most U.S. Post Offices, National Wildlife Refuges, and some DNR sport license agents. Hunters may purchase an electronic Federal Duck Stamp from Maryland DNR sport licensing agents. Hunters may also purchase a stamp by either calling toll-free 1-800-DUCK499, 1-800-STAMP24 or order online at www.duckstamp.com.

The Federal Duck Stamp must be signed across the face by the hunter to be valid, but they do not have to be attached to the hunting license.

More information about the Maryland 2011-2012 late waterfowl hunting season dates and bag limits may be viewed at dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/lwfchart.asp

DNR Invites Waterfowl Artists To Enter 37th Maryland Game Bird Stamp Design Contest

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is urging  Maryland waterfowl artists to enter the 37th Annual Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest.

All entered designs must be the artist's original work, neither copied nor duplicated from any previously published paintings, drawings, prints, or photographs of the contestant, or any other artist. Each contestant may submit up to three entries.

The entry fee, signed Agreement to Enter Form, and entries with completed Entry Identification Forms attached to the back, must be received via mail by 4 p.m. on Monday, March 21, 2011 at The Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest, Friends of Patuxent, Patuxent Research Refuge/National Wildlife Visitor Center, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop,
Laurel, MD 20708-4027.

Entries will be judged at noon on Saturday, March 26, 2011 in conjunction with the 22nd Annual Patuxent Wildlife Art Show at the National Wildlife Visitors Center in Laurel, Md. Contestants and the public are invited to attend the contest judging process. Admission is free.

For a list of species eligible for depiction and full contest rules and forms visit:

http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/StampContests/DuckStamp/ContestBrochure.pdf

Artists can also contact Patricia Allen, Contest Coordinator, at pallen@dnr.state.md.us or call 410-260-8537.

source: MD DNR

Maryland Duck Hunting

Scaup Ducks (Bluebills)

Duck hunting continues to be an extremely popular sport in Maryland. Some waterfowl hunters hunt on public lands while others own land or can find a private land to lease for hunting ducks or other wild game.

Other hunting opportunities in Maryland are found by hunting clubs. These groups obtain hunting rights thru leases, land purchases or other means.

Hunting guides are another great asset for Maryland duck hunting enthusiasts. Hunting guides handle access issues, know the layout and are familiar with regulations and local hunting patterns.

Labrador retrievers and Chesapeake Bay retrievers are by far the two most popular hunting dogs used in the state. Each breed has historical significance in regional waterfowl hunting.

2010 Maryland Midwinter Waterfowl Survey

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have released the results of the 2010 Midwinter Waterfowl Survey. Each winter, pilots and biologists from the two agencies count ducks, geese and swans along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay shoreline and Atlantic coast. In January 2010, the survey teams observed 787,100 waterfowl, slightly lower than the number of waterfowl observed in January 2009.

“When pooled with results from other states, the Midwinter Waterfowl Survey provides a long-term measure of the distribution and population size of most waterfowl species wintering in the Atlantic Flyway,” said Larry Hindman, DNR Waterfowl Project Leader.

The number of mallards counted in this year’s survey (34,200) was significantly lower than 2009 (58,300). The black duck count (22,500) slightly declined from last winter, when 24,900 were counted.
“Extensive ice coverage of Chesapeake Bay waters, rivers and estuarine marshes led to reduced open water and lower numbers for several duck species this year," Hindman said.

Overall, fewer diving ducks were counted (102,000) in 2010 than last winter (157,600). Most of this decline can be attributed to the lower numbers of redheads, canvasbacks, scaup and ruddy ducks observed. Extensive ice in the Chester River prevented diving duck use of this major wintering area favored by canvasbacks and scaup. Other environmental factors that influence the number of canvasbacks and other divers in the Chesapeake Bay are the conditions of the staging areas on the upper Mississippi River and Lake St. Claire in southern Ontario. Above average numbers of canvasbacks were recorded on surveys of those areas this year.

There was a slight increase in number of Canada geese counted by the survey crews. Despite a poor nesting season, wintering Canada geese (519,500) remained high and were likely bolstered by migrant geese pushed south by cold temperatures and snow north of Maryland.

The Midwinter Waterfowl Survey has been conducted annually throughout the United States since the early 1950s. The survey provides information on long-term trends in waterfowl populations and is the only source of population estimates for important species such as Atlantic brant and tundra swans.

source: MD DNR press release

Birdwatching on Assateague Island Maryland

Mid-Winter on Assateague Island Maryland might seem like the least enjoyable time to visit, but for birdwatchers, waterfowl enthusiasts and photographers, there are excellent opportunities to enjoy activities.

Assateague Island is a barrier island along the coasts of Maryland and Virginia. Access to the Maryland portion of the island is available at Assateague Island National Seashore. In addition, two miles of the beach can be accessed at Assateague State Park.

Both parks contain seaside beaches, coastal marshes, protected coves, and other bird habitats. The bridge between the mainland and Assateague Island includes a pedestrian walkway and viewing platform with scenic views of the estuary.

Among the most common winter birds seen on Assateague Island are mallards, black ducks, pintail, teal, shovelers, buffleheads, mergansers, goldeneye, scaup, Canada geese, brant, snow geese, trumpeter swans, and the ever present herons, egrets, and gulls.

In addition to waterfowl and songbirds, Assateague Island is inhabited by sika deer, whitetail deer, muskrats, cottontail rabbits, otters, and wild ponies.