Duck hunters will fire their first shots in September when the early teal and Canada goose seasons open. Canada goose season is first up, running from Sept. 1-15, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks reminded hunters. Teal season opens up on Sept. 10 and closed Sept. 25.
The DWF said Canada geese can be found in a variety of habitats during the September season, with key areas to scout including large, permanent waters like lakes and reservoirs, and food sources like harvested corn fields. Even hay fields surrounding farm ponds are prime targets.
The bag limit during the September Canada goose season is five birds per day with no more than 10 in possession.
Blue-winged teal prefer shallow, flooded wetlands with natural vegetation like wild millet and smartweed, which produce seeds and harbor invertebrates, the MDWFP said.
However, concentrations also can be found on reservoirs, oxbow lakes, catfish ponds, farm ponds and other permanent waters.
“Blue-winged teal typically begin migrating in late summer and early fall, and usually ride the first cold fronts of the season down to the Caribbean and Latin America,” MWDFP Waterfowl Program biologist Houston Havens explained. “Breeding populations of blue-winged teal were at an all-time high this year, so we hope to see good numbers during the early hunting season.”
The bag limit for September teal (all species) is four per day with no more than eight in possession.
Shooting hours for both seasons last from 30 minutes prior to sunrise to sunset. Hunters should remember that non-toxic shot must be used for waterfowl hunting.
In areas where dove hunters may have a chance to harvest Canada geese or teal, only non-toxic shot should be used for the day’s hunt.
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