host posted on July 02, 2009 07:40
COUNCIL GROVE – The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission tentatively approved early teal seasons at its June 25 public meeting in Council Grove.
KDWP waterfowl biologist Faye McNew told commissioners that preliminary reports indicate that early teal season frameworks will likely allow for a 16-day season. The federal frameworks hinge upon surveys of spring breeding numbers of blue-winged teal. If surveyors determine that the breeding population of blue-winged teal is above 4.7 million, frameworks allow a 16-day season. If the breeding bluewing population is determined to be between 3.3 and 4.6 million birds, the frameworks provide for a nine-day season.
McNew recommended a 16-day season for the Low Plains Zones (that part of Kansas east of Hwy 283), which would run September 12-27, 2009. For the High Plains Zone (that part of Kansas west of Hwy. 283), McNew recommended an eight-day early teal season. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act allows a maximum of 107 days of duck hunting. Because frameworks for the regular duck seasons are expected to allow 97 days in the High Plains Zone, with two days for the youth season, only eight days are left to reach the maximum number of days. McNew recommended an early teal season for the High Plains Zone of Sept. 19-27, 2009.
The daily bag limit for teal is four and the possession limit is eight. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.