Duck Season Opens November 25

Tennessee’s 2006-2007 statewide duck season will open Saturday, November 25, 2006, one-half hour before sunrise.  The season will run from November 25 through November 26 and then reopen on December 2 and continue through January 28, 2007.

TWRA Wildlife Officers would like to remind all waterfowl hunters that now is a good time to inspect their boats to make sure all of their safety equipment is in order.  Two areas of primary concern are running lights and personal flotation devices (PFD’s).

“Each year several waterfowl hunters receive citations going to their blinds because their boats are not equipped with running lights,” stated Brian Thompson, TWRA Region I Boating Safety Coordinator.  “All boats operating between sunset and sunrise are required to display the appropriate lights.”

Waterfowl hunters also need to review the Federal Regulations Summary in the 2006-2007 State Waterfowl Hunting Guide.  Duck hunters need to be aware that Federal law states: No person shall give, put or leave any migratory game birds at any place or in the custody of another person unless the birds are tagged by the hunter with the following information:  The hunter’s signature, address, the total number of birds involved by species and the dates the birds were killed.  No person or business shall receive or have in custody any migratory game birds belonging to another unless such birds are properly tagged.  This means a waterfowl hunter who gives his or her ducks, geese, and other waterfowl to another person and does not follow this procedure is putting themselves and the other person in violation of the law.

The daily bag limit for the 2006-2007 season is six ducks.  These six cannot contain more than 4 mallards (no more than 1 may be female), 1 black duck, 2 wood ducks, 2 scaup, 2 redheads, 1 pintail and 1 canvasback.