Texas Sets 2013-14 Waterfowl Seasons
OutdoorHub 08.23.13
Canvasback bag raised for first time since 1964; possession limits increased
For the first time in a half century, Texas waterfowlers can take two canvasbacks daily under migratory game bird seasons approved for the 2013-14 by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.
The increase comes with news of healthy waterfowl populations, with all species except pintail and scaup numbering above the long term goals identified in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.
“Overall, waterfowl are doing quite well,” Kevin Kraai, Waterfowl Program Leader for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department told commissioners. “We’re near record levels and in some instances in the glory days for ducks.”
The commission also adopted a staggered split between the North and South Zones to allow for the opportunity of an additional week for those waterfowlers who travel between zones.
In another change to the season framework that should be welcomed by hunters, the possession limits for all migratory game birds is now three times the daily limit. For ducks, including teal during the early Sept. 14-29 season, the possession limit is 18.
The only decrease in bag limit configuration involves scaup, with a reduction to three daily. Following are the adopted season dates and limits:
High Plains Mallard Management Unit:
Youth: Oct. 19 – Oct. 20
Regular: Oct. 26 – Oct. 27 and Nov. 1 – Jan. 26
“Dusky” Duck: Nov. 4 – Jan. 26
South Zone:
Youth: Oct. 26 – Oct. 27
Regular: Nov. 2 – Dec. 1 and Dec. 14 – Jan. 26
“Dusky” Duck: Nov. 7 – Dec. 1 and Dec. 14 – Jan. 26
North Zone:
Youth: Oct. 26 – Oct. 27
Regular: Nov. 2 – Dec. 8 and Dec. 21 – Jan. 26
“Dusky” Duck: Nov. 7 – Dec. 8 and Dec. 21 – Jan. 2
Bag Limits
Ducks: 6/day
3 wood ducks
3 scaup
2 hen mallards
2 redheads
2 pintail
2 canvasback
1 “dusky duck” (mottled, black or Mexican-like) after the first 5 days
All others – 6
Mergansers: 5/day
2 hooded merganser
Coots: 15/day
East Zone Goose
Light Geese: Nov. 2 – Jan. 26, Jan. 27 – Mar. 23 (Conservation Order)
Canada Geese: Nov. 2 – Jan. 26
White-fronted Geese: Nov. 2 – Jan. 12
Bag Limit:
3 Canada geese
2 White-fronted geese
20 light geese (no possession limit)
West Zone Goose
Light Geese: Nov. 2 – Feb. 2, Feb. 3 – Mar. 23 (Conservation Order)
Dark Geese: Nov. 2 – Feb. 2
Bag Limit:
5 dark geese with no more than one white-fronted goose
20 light geese (no possession limit)
Sandhill Crane
Zone A: Nov. 2– Feb. 2
Bag Limit: 3
Zone B: Nov. 22-Feb. 2
Bag Limit: 3
Zone C: Dec. 21 -Jan. 26
Bag Limit: 2
Falconry
North and South Duck Zones: Jan. 27 – Feb. 10
