Early-season migratory bird seasons set by SCDNR

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources has set dates for migratory bird seasons for doves, Canada geese, teal, woodcock and other migratory shore birds for 2010-2011.

Dove season will be split into three parts, with Saturday, Sept. 4 being Opening Day of the first segment: Sept. 4-Oct. 9. Hunting is restricted to noon-to-sunset Sept. 4-6, and 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset thereafter. The second segment is Nov. 20-27 and the third Dec. 21-Jan. 15. The daily bag limit is 15.

Sept. 1-30 is the early season for Canada geese, with a daily bag limit of 15 birds. Woodcock can be hunted from Jan. 2-31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset.

The early teal season will be Sept. 15-30, with a 4-bird daily bag limit. Shooting hours are sunrise to sunset.

The 2-part season for marsh hens includes king, clapper, sora and Virginia rails, plus common moorhens and purple gallinules. The first segment is Sept. 8-12, and the second is Oct. 6-Dec. 9. The daily bag limit for king and/or clapper rails is 15 birds, moorhens and gallinules 15 and sora and/or Virginia rails is 25 birds. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset.

The season for Wilson’s snipe, also called common snipe, will be Nov. 14-Feb. 28. The daily bag limit is eight, and shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset.

Hunters ages 16 and older must have a state hunting license and free migratory bird permit. Hunters who target Canada Geese and teal are required to have a federal waterfowl stamp and a state waterfowl permit.

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