Mississippi’s 2013 Early Canada Goose Season Opening Soon

Mississippi hunters will get their first chance to hunt waterfowl when the early Canada goose season opens September 1.  This season is open to help manage Mississippi’s population of resident Canada geese, which can become overpopulated and create nuisance problems in local areas.  The season will close on September 15, giving hunters a two week opportunity to pursue these birds.  Hunters need to be sure their hunting license is current for the 2013-14 hunting season, complete with Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification for Mississippi, as well as state and federal waterfowl stamps.

Canada geese can be found in a variety of habitats during the September season.  Key areas to scout for geese are large bodies of water like lakes and reservoirs, harvested corn fields, farm ponds, and even hay fields where geese typically return to the same locations daily.  “Scouting is very important during this early season.  These resident geese are often well patterned in their daily movements” explains James Callicutt, Waterfowl Program Biologist with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.

The bag limit for September Canada geese is 5 per day with no more than 15 in possession.  Shooting hours are from 30 minutes prior to sunrise until sunset.  Hunters should remember that non-toxic shot must be used for waterfowl hunting.  In areas where dove hunters may have a chance to harvest Canada geese, only non-toxic shot should be used for the day’s hunt.

For more information regarding waterfowl in Mississippi, visit our website at www.mdwfp.com/waterfowl or call us at (601) 432-2199.  Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mdwfp or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWFPonline.

Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries and Parks

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP), formerly known as the Mississippi Game & Fish Commission, is an agency of the government of the U.S. state ofMississippi responsible for programs protecting Mississippi fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, as well as administering all state parks; it has its headquarters in Jackson. The agency issues hunting and fishing licenses, advises on habitat protection, and sponsors public education programs. It is also responsible for enforcement of Mississippi's fish and game laws. It is separate from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, which is the governing body for the state's natural salt-water resources and law enforcement thereof (i.e. Gulf of Mexico, ocean-going vessels, etc.).