It may still be hotter than hell outside but that’s no reason why to not think about the upcoming Texas duck and goose hunting seasons. All indications suggests that the duck hunting action should be as good as ever. Almost all reports have indicated that breeding and nest success are up, up, up. In fact, for the first time in a half century, Texas waterfowlers can take two canvasbacks daily under migratory game bird seasons approved for the 2013-14 by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.
The bag limit increase for the upcoming hunting seasons comes with news of healthy waterfowl populations, with all species except pintail and scaup numbering above the long term goals identified in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. “Overall, waterfowl are doing quite well,” Kevin Kraai, Waterfowl Program Leader for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department told commissioners. “We’re near record levels and in some instances in the glory days for ducks.”
The commission also adopted a staggered duck season split between the North and South Zones to allow for the opportunity of an additional week for those waterfowlers who travel between zones. In another change to the season framework that should be welcomed by hunters, the possession limits for all migratory game birds is now three times the daily limit. For ducks, including teal during the early September 14-29 season, the possession limit is 18.The only decrease in bag limit configuration involves scaup, with a reduction to three daily.
