RALEIGH, N.C. (July 14, 2006) –The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission on Wednesday set hunting seasons for dove and other webless migratory game birds, as well as early goose and teal seasons.

The Commission established open dates and bag limits for the 2006-2007 hunting season on the following birds:

• dove — Sept. 2-Oct. 7, Nov. 20-25 and Dec. 18-Jan. 13; daily bag of 12 and possession limit of 24. (Shooting hours for doves are noon to sunset Sept. 2-9 and one half-hour before sunrise until sunset thereafter.)
• rails (king and clapper) — Sept. 1-Nov. 9; daily bag of 15 and possession limit of 30.
• rails (sora and Virginia) — Sept. 1-Nov. 9; daily bag AND possession limit of 25.
• gallinule and moorhens — Sept. 1-Nov. 9; daily bag 15 and possession 30.
• woodcock — Dec. 15-Jan. 13; 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 8 and possession 16, 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. 14-23 (east of U.S. 17 only); daily bag 4 and possession 8.

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) 707-0050 for more information.

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