Waterfowl seasons set for 2012

The Fish and Wildlife commission has set the 2012 waterfowl hunting seasons during a public meeting on Aug. 3 and 4 in Olympia.

Most hunting opportunities will be similar to last year, including a statewide duck season open for 107 days, starting Oct. 13 through 17 and continuing from Oct. 20 through Jan. 27. A special youth hunting weekend also is scheduled for Sept. 22-23.

Special limits for hen mallard, pintail, redhead, canvasback, goldeneye, harlequin, scoter and long-tailed duck will remain the same as last season. The commission, however, removed bag limits and an early season closure for scaup, which have significantly increased in numbers throughout North America, including Washington.

Goose seasons will vary by management areas across the state, but most open Oct. 13 and run through Jan. 27, 2013.

The goose and duck hunting seasons approved by the commission are based on state and federal waterfowl population estimates and guidelines. According to those estimates, a record number of ducks, approximately 48.6 million, were on the breeding grounds in Canada and the United States this spring.

Waterfowl and upland game seasons pamphlet available online

The big game hunting pamphlet is perhaps the most sought after pamphlet of the year. But a close second is the Waterfowl and upland game seasons pamphlet. While we haven't seen this pamphlet yet in sporting goods stores, it is available online.

The youth hunt of Sept. 22 and 23 for waterfowl also allows youth to hunt for pheasant, quail and partridge on the same days.

Dennis note: I just noticed there is a special pheasant hunt for old guys like me. Sept. 24 through 28, a five-day season, is open for hunters 65 years old or older only. I didn't realize this hunt was available, but will take advantage of the opportunity.