OUTDOOR CORNER: WATERFOWL SEASON SHOULD PROVIDE EXCELLENT HUNTING IN MISSOURI

Waterfowl hunters in Missouri should find the 1999-2000 season filled with excellent hunting opportunities.

Duck populations are at record levels, snow geese remain at very high levels, and the Canada goose population is increasing.

If the low water conditions in Southeast Missouri continue during the season, these large numbers of birds should be concentrated in the areas containing water. Some of the larger state waterfowl areas, such as Duck Creek, are facing water shortages not normally seen. This should concentrate more birds on private lands that manage for waterfowl.

Recent survey studies on the duck populations show mostly good news. Overall breeding duck numbers in 1999 increased 12%. Mallard numbers increased 15% to the second highest population since 1955. Other species that are at record highs are blue-winged teal and green-winged teal.

All goose populations are in good condition. Giant Canada goose numbers continue to increase in Missouri. The survey numbers have increased 87% since the first survey began in 1993.

The migratory Canada goose population in the Mississippi Valley Flyway increased from 1998 population of 444,000 to 970,000 in 1999. The snow goose population continues to be high.

The liberal snow goose hunting regulation in the 1998-1999 season did allow for an increased harvest in Missouri. The number of snow geese taken was estimated at 100,000 birds, more than the 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 combined. A federal ruling is requiring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to prepare an environmental impact statement before the liberal snow goose regulations are reinstated for the 1999-2000 season. The daily limit on snow and blue geese remains at 20 per day and no possession limit. Overall waterfowl hunters in Missouri should be able to enjoy an excellent 1999-2000 season. The regulations are very diverse because they cover many different species and hunting zones. It is important that hunters become familiar with the zone they are hunting and identifying the numerous species.

Several changes in regulations are included in the 1999-2000 season. For ducks, there is a weekend opening in each zone, a reduced bag limit to three scaup, and includes a limit of five mergansers in the overall daily limit. For geese, the Schell-Osage Zone has been discontinued and the Southeast Zone was established. Ten days have been added to the Canada goose season, an additional week in the early October segment in the North Zone and Middle Zone. The early October segment also allows for three Canada geese daily. Additional days for Canada goose hunting are in December and January. The extended season on Snow and Ross' geese has been discontinued until federal approval of the environmental impact statement. The daily limit is six ducks, including no more than four mallards (no more than two females), three scaup, two wood ducks, two redheads, one pintail, one black duck, one canvasback and five mergansers (no more than one hooded merganser).It is important for hunters to obtain a copy of the waterfowl hunting digest when you purchase your hunting permits. In addition to your hunting permit, all persons 16 years and older must have a federal waterfowl stamp and a Migratory Bird Hunting Permit. All waterfowl zones and regulations are explained in the digest. If you cannot obtain a digest at your permit vendor, copies are available at Conservation Department offices.

Increased cooperation between private landowners, hunting organizations and Conservation Departments has dramatically increased waterfowl populations in the United States. If this trend continues, Missourians can enjoy stable waterfowl populations in the future.

Gary Newcomb is a Missouri Department of Conservation agent in Cape Girardeau County.