Early Season Hunting Reminders
September 9, 2007
YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNT SET FOR SEPT. 22-23
Montana sets aside a full weekend just for young waterfowl hunters. The state's "Special Statewide Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend" will be Sept 22-23 this year, followed by the regular waterfowl season beginning Sept. 29 for most species. Legally licensed hunters ages 12 through 15 may hunt ducks, geese, coots and mergansers on the special weekend, but must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. While the accompanying adult may not shoot, he or she can assist with setting decoys, calling and retrieving. The bag limits, shooting hours, and all other regulations that apply to the regular waterfowl season apply to this special hunt.
TIPS FOR DUCK HUNTING WITH YOUNGSTERS Montana’s youth waterfowl season focuses on youngsters and their hunting. It enables adults to spend quality time with a young hunter to help them gain a solid foundation in waterfowl hunting. Here are some tips for parents or hunting mentors interested in helping a youngster to prepare for and enjoy the youth waterfowl season Sept. 22-23.
*Be sure to involve the young hunter in identifying hunting locations and going afield to scout the locations, including opportunities on state WMAs, federal bird refuges, small stock ponds and reservoirs.
*Use a good map to identify ponds and other locations to scout for hunting opportunities, in the process demonstrating map-reading skills that the young hunter can use later.
*Ask for permission to hunt on private land well in advance of the hunt and take the young hunter with you to gain experience in this important aspect of hunting.
*Practice setting decoys in a field or back yard to help a young hunter gain experience handling decoys and setting up effective formations.
*Practice calls with a young hunter in advance of the hunt. One of the big thrills of the hunt is producing a duck call that turns a duck.
*Try to give a young hunter a taste of what it is to hunt with a dog. The youth hunt is also an opportunity for the hunting dog to warm up for the season.
By using some or all of these suggestions, a parent or mentor can make preparations for the hunt as much of a learning experience as the hunt itself.
HUNTERS: IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
It is a hunter's responsibility to know and abide by any land use restrictions in effect on public lands. For the latest information on drought and fire-related land restrictions, hunters may go to the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Drought & Fire Updates web page at fwp.mt.gov.
Conditions in Montana are extremely dry with extremely low humidity and occasional high winds in many parts of the state. High fire danger is expected to persist until a season changing event brings some relief.
PERMISSION IS REQUIRED TO HUNT ON PRIVATE LAND
It's time for hunters who plan to hunt on private land to request permission to hunt from the landowners. Montana law requires hunters to obtain permission for all hunting on private land. Whether pursuing upland game birds, coyotes, gopher or big game, hunters must ask permission from the landowner before hunting on private property. Landowners may grant permission in a face-to-face contact or over the phone, in writing or by posting signs that explain the type of hunting allowed and under what conditions.
SOME HUNTERS QUALIFY FOR A PERMIT TO HUNT FROM A VEHICLE
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks works to make hunting more accessible to hunters, including those with physical disabilities. Some individuals with a disability may qualify for a special permit to hunt from a vehicle. Hunters who are authorized to hunt in this way must use the permit according to specific regulations spelled out in Montana Statute 87-2-803. FWP issues a permit to hunt from a vehicle card that must be used with a valid hunting license and must be in the hunter’s possession in the field. Details and guidelines that hunters who use this permit must follow are available by contacting FWP at 1420 East Sixth Ave., Helena, MT 59620-0701, or by calling: 406-444-2535.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
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