Ala. Admin. Code r. 220-2-.77

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024
Section 220-2-.77 - 2024-2025 Duck, Coot, Merganser, Goose, and Teal Hunting Seasons
(1) The following 2024-2025 hunting seasons for duck, coot, merganser, goose, and teal, in accordance with the below-stated times, places, manners, and means, are hereby established:
(a)

Duck, Coot, and Merganser:

November 29 - December 1

December 6 - January 31

Duck:

Limit 6 ducks a day and may include no more than 4 Mallards (no more than 2 of which may be a female), 3 Wood Ducks, 1 Mottled Duck, 2 Black Ducks, 2 Redhead, 1 Pintail, 2 Canvasback, and 1 Scaup. The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit

Merganser:

Limit 5 a day, only 2 may be a Hooded Merganser. The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.

Coot:

Limit 15 a day. The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.

(b)

Goose:

All Geese Statewide:

September 7 - October 6

October 19 - November 2

November 29 - December 1

December 6 - January 31

Shooting hours shall be one-half hour before sunrise to sunset each day.

Dark Geese (Canada, White-Fronted, & Brant):

The aggregated bag limit shall be 5 a day. The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.

Light Geese (Snow, Blue, and Ross's):

The aggregated bag limit shall be 5 a day. The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.

(c)Regions and Times for Hunting Duck, Coot, Merganser, and Goose:

Mobile Tensaw Delta Waterfowl Management Zone: The following description defines the boundaries of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta Waterfowl Management Zone. Beginning at the intersection of Highway 90 and the west bank of the Mobile River, east along Highway 90 to the intersection with Interstate 10 at Chacaloochee Bay, east along Interstate 10 to the intersection with Highway 98, northwardly along Highway 98 to the intersection of Highway 90, northwardly along Highway 90 to the intersection with Alabama Highway 225, north along Alabama Highway 225 to the intersection with the railroad that crosses Alabama Highway 225 at the approximate latitude of 30.857136, west along the railroad to the intersection of the west bank of the Mobile River, and south along the west bank of the Mobile River to Highway 90. The Mobile-Tensaw Delta Waterfowl Management Zone excludes the Apalachee Refuge where no hunting is allowed (see below).

Big Bateau Bay & Bay Grass: The area of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta known as Big Bateau Bay and Bay Grass shall be closed to the operation of all gas-powered motors from the second Saturday in November through the second Saturday in February.

Monday and Tuesday: Closed to Waterfowl Hunting Wednesday through Sunday: Shooting hours shall be one-half hour before sunrise to 1:00 P.M.

(For special early teal and goose seasons, shooting days and hours shall be Monday - Sunday, 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.)

Apalachee Refuge "NO HUNTING": The following description defines the boundaries of the Apalachee Refuge. Beginning at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Highway 90 at Chacaloochee Bay, east along Interstate 10 to the western channel of the Apalachee River as marked by boundary signs, north to the intersection of Highway 90, west along Highway 90 to the intersection of Interstate 10. The Apalachee Refuge is closed to hunting and the operation of all gas-powered motors from the second Saturday in November through the second Saturday in February.

Remainder of the State:

Shooting hours shall be from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset each day.

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(d)Special Early Teal Season: September 14 - 29

Limit 6 a day. The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.

Shooting hours shall be from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset each day.

(e)Special Youth, Active Military, and Military Veteran's Waterfowl Hunting:

November 23, 2024 & February 8, 2025, in accordance with regulations.

Same shooting hours, bag limits, and legal arms and ammunition apply as in regular waterfowl season, in accordance with Rule 220-2-.119.

(f)Non-toxic shot:

The use of non-toxic shot, either (1) steel shot T size or smaller, or (2) other shot and sizes approved by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is required in Alabama for waterfowl hunting.

(g)Duck Stamps:

Valid State and Federal Duck Stamps shall be required when Hunting Migratory Waterfowl. All licensed hunters are also required to have a Harvest Information Program permit.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 220-2-.77

Effective September 13, 1993. Amended: Filed October 4, 1993. Effective November 8, 1993. Amended: Filed August 29, 1994; effective August 29, 1994 (PE). Amended: Filed September 13, 1994; effective September 13, 1994 (PE). Repealed and Replaced: August 28, 1995; effective August 28, 1995 (PE). Repealed and Replaced: Filed September 6, 1996; effective September 6, 1996(PE). Repealed and Replaced: Filed September 15, 1997; effective September 15, 1997(PE). Repealed and Replaced (PE): Filed August 24, 1998; effective August 25, 1998. Amended (PE): Filed December 2, 1998; effective December 2, 1998. Repealed and Replaced (PE): Filed September 9, 1999; effective September 9, 1999. Amended (PE): Filed September 16, 1999; effective September 16, 1999. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 29, 2000; effective August 29, 2000. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 8, 2001; effective August 8, 2001. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 14, 2002; effective August 14, 2002. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 15, 2003; effective August 15, 2003. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 17, 2004; effective August 17, 2004. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 18, 2005; effective August 18, 2005. Amended (PE): Filed September 29, 2005; effective September 29, 2005. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 29, 2006; effective August 29, 2006. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 31, 2007; effective August 31, 2007. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 27, 2008; effective August 27, 2008. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed September 4, 2009; effective September 4, 2009. Amended (PE): Filed August 10, 2010; effective August 10, 2010. Amended (PE): Filed August 24, 2011; effective August 24, 2011. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 24, 2012; effective August 24, 2012. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 30, 2013; effective August 30, 2013. Amended (PE): Filed August 19, 2014; effective August 19, 2014. Amended (PE): Filed August 20, 2015; effective August 20, 2015. Amended (PE): Filed July 6, 2016; effective September 1, 2016. Amended (PE): Filed May 22, 2017; effective September 1, 2017. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 19, 2019; effective August 19, 2019.
Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XLII, Issue No. 09, June 28, 2024, eff. 6/28/2024.

Author: Christopher M. Blankenship

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12, and 9-11-301.

Penalty: As provided by law