Wildlife Commission Sets Bird Hunting Seasons

RALEIGH, N.C. (July 19, 2005) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has set hunting seasons for dove and other webless migratory birds, as well as early goose and teal seasons.

At its July meeting, the Wildlife Commission established open dates and bag limits for the 2005-2006 hunting season on the following birds:

  • dove — Sept. 3-Oct. 8, Nov. 21-26 and Dec. 19-Jan. 14; daily bag of 12 and possession limit of 24. (Shooting hours for doves are noon to sunset Sept. 3-10 and one half-hour before sunrise until sunset thereafter.)
  • rails (king and clapper) — Sept. 1-3 and Sept. 5-Nov. 10; daily bag of 15 and possession limit of 30.
  • rails (sora and Virginia) — Sept. 1-3 and Sept. 5-Nov. 10; daily bag AND possession limit of 25.
  • gallinule and moorhens — Sept. 1-3 and Sept. 5-Nov. 10; daily bag 15 and possession 30.
  • woodcock — Dec. 15-24 and Dec. 26-Jan. 14; daily bag 3 and possession 6.
  • common snipe — Nov. 14-Feb. 28; daily bag 8 and possession 16.
  • early season Canada goose — Sept. 1-30; daily bag 5 and possession 10, except in portions of Dare County on and around Roanoke Island, where the daily bag limit is 2 and possession limit is 4.
  • early season teal (blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon) — Sept. 15-24 (east of U.S. 17 only); daily bag 4 and possession 8.

The Roanoke Island bag and possession limits are a notable change from the 2004-2005 season, when all of Dare and Currituck counties had the reduced bag limits. Both were federally eligible for a normal limit this year, but local sportsmen and residents requested that the Roanoke Island area retain the lower limit. Those portions of Dare County where the lower daily and possession limits are in effect this year include Roanoke Island, 1,000 yards around Roanoke Island and 1,000 yards both north and south of the U.S. 64 Causeway between Roanoke and Bodie islands.

The Commission establishes hunting seasons and bag limits for migratory birds based on guidelines handed down by the U.S. Department of the Interior. In August the Commission will establish seasons and limits for regular migratory waterfowl, including ducks and geese.

For a list of these dates in table form visit the migratory bird seasons page, or call the Division of Wildlife Management at (919) 733-7291 for more information.

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