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Fall 2016 duck and goose seasons approaching

Minnesota’s regular waterfowl season will open on Saturday, Sept. 24, with similar bag limits and season dates that were in place last year, according to Steve Cordts, DNR waterfowl specialist.

“All signs point to this being a great year for duck and goose hunting,” he said.
“Many hunters look forward to the duck hunting opener all year. It’s a time to get into the marsh and spend time with family and friends.”
In the south zone, duck season opens Saturday, Sept. 24, through Sunday, Oct. 2, closes for 12 days, then reopens Saturday, Oct. 15, and runs through Sunday, Dec. 4.
The bag limit for ducks remains at six per day and individual species limits are identical to those used last fall.
The early September Canada goose season will open statewide on Saturday, Sept. 3, and run through Sunday, Sept. 18.
Bag limits for Canada geese are five per day statewide. A $4 permit is required to hunt Canada geese during the September season.
There is no August Canada goose management action in Minnesota this year.
“The Canada goose population in the state is near our goal and Canada goose harvest did not increase the past three years even when additional harvest opportunities were offered,” Cordts said.
Early season goose hunters should consult the 2016 Waterfowl Supplement for zone maps and additional details.
Minnesota’s regular goose season will open in conjunction with the duck season statewide on Sept. 24, with a bag limit of three dark geese per day the entire season.
“Dark” geese include Canada geese, white-fronted geese and brant.
Goose season will be closed in the central and south duck zones when duck season is closed.
Youth Waterfowl Day will be Saturday Sept. 10. The season for sandhill cranes runs Sept. 10 to Sunday, Oct. 16.
For more detailed information, the 2016 waterfowl hunting regulations are available online at www.mndnr.gov/waterfowl.

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