2011 – 2012 Late Season Migratory Bird Regulations

Federal Regulations In addition to State regulations, Federal rules apply to the taking, possession, shipping, transporting, and storage of migratory game birds. Each hunter should also consult actual Federal Regulations, which may be found in: Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20. View and Download.

Closed Season: No person shall take migratory game birds during the closed season.

Shooting or Hawking Hours: Shooting or hawking hours for all migratory species listed herein will be 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset (see table below).

Importation: For information regarding the importation of migratory birds killed in another country, hunters should consult 50 CFR 20.61 through 20.66.

Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program License: The law requires that each migratory bird hunter 16 years of age or over must carry on his person a valid Harvest Information Program (HIP) license while hunting doves, ducks, geese, woodcock, snipe, coots, rails or gallinules. This license is free and can be obtained from any license dealer by completing a migratory bird hunter questionnaire. This requirement is met through purchasing a Sportsman’s or Lifetime License. Honorary license holders must meet this requirement.

Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp: The law requires that each waterfowl hunter 16 years of age or over must carry on his person a valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (duck stamp) and the Georgia Waterfowl Conservation License. The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp must be signed in ink across the face.

Dual Violation: Violation of State migratory bird regulations is also a violation of Federal regulations.

Caution: More restrictive regulations may apply to National Wildlife Refuges open to public hunting. For additional information on Federal regulations, contact Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 75 Spring Street, S.W., Atlanta, GA 30303. (404) 679-7057

Non-Toxic Shot: Any 10-gauge or smaller loaded with federally approved nontoxic shot of size “F” or smaller. No lead shot may be in possession while hunting waterfowl.

Season Dates: See 2011-2012 Migratory Bird Seasons

Species Bag Limits:

Ducks:     6 (12 in possession) **of which not more than 3 wood ducks (6 in possession); 4 mallards  (8 in possession) of which 2 may be hens (4 hens in possession); 2 scaup (4 in possession); 2 redheads (4 in  possession); 2 pintail  (4 in possession); 1 black  duck or mottled duck (2 in possession combined for both species); 1  fulvous whistling duck (2 in possession); 1  canvasback duck (2 in possession).  The season  is closed for  harlequin ducks.

Canada Geese & White-fronted Geese: 5 (10 in possession)

Snow Geese: 5 (10 in possession)

Mergansers: 5 (10 in possession)  of which not more than 2 hooded mergansers (4 in possession).

Sea Ducks**: 7 (14 in possession) (Eiders,Long-Tailed Duck, of which not more Scoters)     than 4 scoters ( 8  in possession).**NOTE: Sea ducks count towards the total bag limit of 6 ducks except in the sea duck zone, which is defined as any tidal waters greater than 1 mile offshore.

Falconry: 3 (6 in possession)

King & Clapper Rails: 15 (30 in possession) singly or in combination

Sora & Virginia Rails: 25 (25 in possession) singly or in combination

Woodcock: 3 (6 in possession)

Common Snipe: 8 (16 in possession)

Gallinules: 15 (30 in possession)

Coots: 15 (30 in possession)

Sunrise/Sunset:  See table.