The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission approved season dates and regulations for the 2017 dove and waterfowl hunting seasons at a public hearing in Wichita on April 21. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) staff have discussed migratory bird hunting regulations at previous meetings in January and March. In the past, these seasons were voted on in August, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service changed the timeframe for having seasons set this year.
The Commission approved dove seasons of Sept. 1-Nov. 29, 2016. This season is for migratory doves (mourning and white-winged) and exotic doves (collared and ringed turtle). The season for exotic doves is Nov. 30, 2016-Feb. 28, 2017. The aggregate daily bag limit for morning and white-winged doves is 15 and the possession limit is 45. There is no daily bag limit or possession limit on exotic doves.
The Commission also approved the 2016 duck and goose seasons.
September Teal Season:Low Plains Zone – Sept. 10-25, 2016; High Plains Unit – Sept. 17-25, 2016.
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days:High Plains Unit – Oct. 1-2, 2016; Low Plains Early Zone – Oct. 1-2, 2016; Low Plains Late Zone – Oct. 22-23, 2016; Low Plains Southeast Zone – Nov. 5-6, 2016.
Ducks: High Plains Unit – Oct. 8, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017 and Jan. 20-29, 2017; Low Plains Early Zone – Oct. 8-Dec. 4, 2016 and Dec. 17, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017; Low Plains Late Zone – Oct. 29, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017 and Jan. 21-29, 2017; Low Plains Southeast Zone – Nov. 12, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017 and Jan. 7-29, 2017.
Daily bag limit is six ducks with the following restrictions: five mallards (no more than two may be hens), three scaup, three wood ducks, two redheads, two pintails and two canvasbacks.
Dark Geese:Oct. 29, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017 and Jan. 4-Feb. 12, 2017
Daily bag limit is six dark geese (Canada or brant)
White-fronted Geese:Oct. 29, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017 and Jan. 21-Feb. 12, 2017
Daily bag limit is two white-fronted geese.
Light Geese:Oct. 29, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017 and Jan. 4-Feb. 12, 2017
Daily bag limit is 50 light geese (snow geese and Ross’ geese) no possession limit.
Possession limit on migratory birds is three times the daily bag limit.
photo credit – Ed Dunens
