AGFC proposes fall bird seasons

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission heard proposals for early migratory bird hunting seasons Thursday in Mountain Home, including a dove season that will begin on Sunday, Sept. 1.

The proposed season will occur in two segments running Sept. 1-Oct. 20, and Dec. 21 through Jan. 9, 2014.

The proposed early Canada goose season will run Sept. 1-15 statewide and Sept. 21-30 in the northwest zone.

The proposed rail hunting season will run Sept. 7-Nov. 15. Common snipe and common moorhen seasons will run Sept. 1-Nov. 9. The proposed woodcock season will run Nov. 2-Nov. 15.

The AGFC will approve the early migratory bird seasons at its next meeting on July 18 in Little Rock.

Opening dove season on a Sunday is unusual. Luke Naylor, the AGFC’s migratory bird biologist, said that the agency usually proposes opening the season on the first Saturday of September, but that day falls on Sept. 7 this year. Opening the season on Sept. 7 would miss the Labor Day weekend and reduce hunting opportunity. Opening the season on Sept. 1 would essentially provide one weekend of hunting earlier.

The proposed early teal season will run Sept. 7-22,with a daily limit of four birds. However, Naylor said that new federal regulations might allow for a daily limit of six teal, so he might adapt his recommendation for approval at the July meeting.

Mike Knoedl, the AGFC’s director, said that dove hunters should keep their doves intact until they reach their final destination. The reason, he said, is because there is no limit on Eurasian collared doves, but the daily limit on mourning doves is 15. If a hunter possesses more than 15 doves in the field, Knoedl said hunters must be able to identify the species of doves if a wildlife officer checks them afield or in transit.

For the same reason, Knoedl also recommended that hunters keep at least one wing attached to teal they kill.

In other business, the commission approved the agency’s budget for fiscal year 2013-2014. The budget will be $79,711,171. The commission also approved the agency’s new purchasing policy.

Also, the commission approved spending up to $100,000 to purchase a 40-acre parcel adjacent to Gene Rush Buffalo River WMA in Newton County.

In administrative business, the commission named commissioner Ron Duncan as chairman for 2013-2014, and Ty Patterson of Texarkana as vice chairman.

Sports, Pages 22 on 06/21/2013

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