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JEFFERSON CITY--The Missouri Conservation Commission approved early migratory bird hunting seasons at its May meeting, tentatively setting a 16-day teal season and a split dove season for the second year.
All migratory bird seasons are subject to final approval by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), which sets frameworks within which states must conduct hunting seasons for migratory birds. The FWS extended the season for blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon teal from nine to 16 days in 1998. It allowed the same season length this year, and the Conservation Commission set the season for Sept. 9 through 24. Conservation Department waterfowl biologists note that without a significant change in droughty conditions between now and Sept. 9, the 16-day teal season won^t do hunters much good. Unless there is water in wetland areas, teal and other waterfowl won^t linger in Missouri.
Shooting hours for teal are from sunrise to sunset. Bag limits are four teal in the aggregate daily and eight in possession.
Also for the second year, the Commission approved a split dove season Sept. 1 through 30 and Nov. 1 through 30. The daily and possession limits are 15 and 30 respectively.
Hunting seasons for rails and snipe are unchanged from the 1999-2000 season, and shooting hours remain one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Seasons and limits are:
--Sora and Virginia rails: Sept. 1 through Nov. 9 (70 days), 25 daily or in possession.
--Common snipe: Sept. 1 through Dec. 16 (107 days), eight daily, 16 in possession.
- Jim Low -
Uploaded: 6/16/2000
Uploaded: 6/16/2000