Waterfowl Season Closures and Other Tips
Photos: Hunters need to know the difference between snow geese (top) with the pink bill and black-tipped wings and the much larger trumpeter swans with the black bill that are protected (above).
In the Pacific Flyway portion of Wyoming, which is west of the Continental Divide, the regular season for ducks and geese opens Saturday, September 22. The dark and light goose season closes on December 27 and the season for ducks, mergansers and coots closes on January 4.
There is an additional closure to a portion of the South Park Wildlife Habitat Management Area (WHMA) south of Jackson through October 9. The closure applies to the northwest area of the unit including three constructed wetland ponds. Maps which show the closed area are posted on site.
This closure is to protect trumpeter swans that nest every year on the unit. Trumpeter swan is a species of conservation concern in Wyoming and protected throughout the state. South Park WHMA is one of the most productive sites in the Snake River drainage. The pair hatched two cygnets (young of the year) this summer. Cygnets, which are gray in color, do not develop the ability to fly until late September or early October. This partial seasonal closure has also proven valuable for providing a secure area for holding other waterfowl species that would otherwise leave the unit soon after the season opens. The closed portion of the South Park WHMA opens to waterfowl hunting on October 10.
The South Park WHMA is closed to public access from December 1-April 30 each year to prevent disturbance to wintering elk. However, the Game & Fish Department typically allows walk-in only waterfowl hunting to the extent possible on the eastern portion of the WHMA away from the elk.
One other closure of note is at the Alpine wetland area located at the south end of Palisades Reservoir near Alpine. The hunting of waterfowl is not permitted there throughout the waterfowl season.
Also, waterfowl hunters should make sure they have their Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp). All hunters 16-years-of-age and older must have a Duck Stamp to hunt ducks, geese and mergansers; it’s not required for doves, Sandhill cranes, coots, snipe, rails or crows. This permit is immediately available as an e-stamp and later mailed from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This e-duck stamp can also be purchased on the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website. When logged in to purchase a license, it is found in the list of other stamps such as Conservation Stamp, Elk Special Management Stamp and others.
All migratory game bird hunters need to register for a Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit, including Pioneer and Lifetime hunting license holders. HIP permits are nontransferable to other states. A separate HIP permit is required in each state where you hunt migratory game birds. Wyoming HIP permits are only available on the Department website. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission 2018 Migratory Game Bird Hunting brochure is available at all license selling agents, Wyoming Game and Fish offices or online on the Game and Fish website. Get out and enjoy the season!
In the Pacific Flyway portion of Wyoming, which is west of the Continental Divide, the regular season for ducks and geese opens Saturday, September 22. The dark and light goose season closes on December 27 and the season for ducks, mergansers and coots closes on January 4.
There is an additional closure to a portion of the South Park Wildlife Habitat Management Area (WHMA) south of Jackson through October 9. The closure applies to the northwest area of the unit including three constructed wetland ponds. Maps which show the closed area are posted on site.
This closure is to protect trumpeter swans that nest every year on the unit. Trumpeter swan is a species of conservation concern in Wyoming and protected throughout the state. South Park WHMA is one of the most productive sites in the Snake River drainage. The pair hatched two cygnets (young of the year) this summer. Cygnets, which are gray in color, do not develop the ability to fly until late September or early October. This partial seasonal closure has also proven valuable for providing a secure area for holding other waterfowl species that would otherwise leave the unit soon after the season opens. The closed portion of the South Park WHMA opens to waterfowl hunting on October 10.
The South Park WHMA is closed to public access from December 1-April 30 each year to prevent disturbance to wintering elk. However, the Game & Fish Department typically allows walk-in only waterfowl hunting to the extent possible on the eastern portion of the WHMA away from the elk.
One other closure of note is at the Alpine wetland area located at the south end of Palisades Reservoir near Alpine. The hunting of waterfowl is not permitted there throughout the waterfowl season.
Also, waterfowl hunters should make sure they have their Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp). All hunters 16-years-of-age and older must have a Duck Stamp to hunt ducks, geese and mergansers; it’s not required for doves, Sandhill cranes, coots, snipe, rails or crows. This permit is immediately available as an e-stamp and later mailed from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This e-duck stamp can also be purchased on the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website. When logged in to purchase a license, it is found in the list of other stamps such as Conservation Stamp, Elk Special Management Stamp and others.
All migratory game bird hunters need to register for a Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit, including Pioneer and Lifetime hunting license holders. HIP permits are nontransferable to other states. A separate HIP permit is required in each state where you hunt migratory game birds. Wyoming HIP permits are only available on the Department website. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission 2018 Migratory Game Bird Hunting brochure is available at all license selling agents, Wyoming Game and Fish offices or online on the Game and Fish website. Get out and enjoy the season!
Mark Gocke, Public Information Specialist, 307-733-2321