Although the seasons for hunting migratory birds are generally the same each year, the dates differ slightly.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has not updated its website yet, but the 2024 dates are determined, according to Becky Orff, the secretary specialist in the Office of the Commissioner.
The open season dates for ducks in the North Zone are from Sept. 23 through Nov. 30; South Zone Oct. 1-12 and Oct. 30-Dec. 25; and Coastal Zone, Oct. 5-12 and Nov. 7, 2024,-Jan. 7, 2025. Daily limits of six with no more than four of any one species and possession limits of 18 with no more than 12 of one species remain the same as last year.
There are special daily and possession limits for American coots, Mergansers, mallards, hen mallards, blacks, redhead and canvasback, eiders, northern pintails, scaup, hen eiders, mottled, fulvous whistling, wood, scoter and long-tailed ducks, but they are the same as last year. There is no open season on Harlequin and Barrow’s goldeneye ducks.
The state requirement for a duck stamp was discontinued in 2002, but hunters must pay for a migratory bird designation on their licenses. Hunters still must purchase a federal duck stamp.
State duck stamps are produced each year to carry on the tradition started in 1984. Local artists compete for the honor each year, and collectors often purchase them. The money from the stamp and the migratory bird designation goes toward waterfowl conservation in Maine.
President Joseph Biden signed the Duck Stamp Modernization Act on Dec. 19, 2023, that allows hunters to carry an electronic version of the required federal stamp for the entire season without having to get it renewed after 45 days. The 2024-25 e-duck stamps will be available after July 1, 2024, and valid until June 30, 2025. They will cost $29, which includes a $4 processing fee.
Other migratory bird seasons for this year in Maine include woodcock, Sept. 28-Nov. 19; common Wilson’s snipe, Sept. 2, 2024-Jan. 3, 2025; rails, Sept. 2-Nov. 21; Gallinules or common moorhens season is closed. Daily and possession limits are the same as last year.
Open season on brants — a species of goose — is North Zone, Sept. 23-Oct. 26; South Zone, Oct. 1-12 and Oct. 30-Nov. 20; and Coastal Zone, Oct. 5-12 and Dec. 12, 2024,-Jan. 7, 2025. Daily and possession limits of one and three, respectively, remain the same.
The dates for early season Canada geese are Sept. 2-25 for all three zones. Regular season will be North Zone, Oct. 1-Dec. 9; South Zone, Oct. 1-12 and Oct. 30-Dec. 25; and Coastal Zone, Oct. 5-12 and Oct. 26, 2024-Jan. 7, 2025. Snow geese season is Oct. 1, 2024-Jan. 31, 2025.
Special falconry season on ducks, mergansers and American coots will be Dec. 16, 2024-Feb. 5, 2025 in the North Zone; and Jan. 8-Feb. 28, 2025, in South and Coastal zones.
Youth waterfowl hunt days will be held Sept. 14 and Dec. 7 in the North Zone; Sept. 21 and Oct. 19 in the South Zone; and Sept. 28 and Oct. 26 in the Coastal Zone. Youth hunters younger than 16 are not required to have state and federal migratory bird permits. Those who are 16 years old and have junior hunting licenses need federal stamps. Those who are 16 and have an adult license need the federal stamp and a state permit.
Remaining open seasons on crows in 2024 are Aug. 1-Sept. 21 in Wildlife Management Districts 1-29, with no daily or possession limits. Open seasons in 2025 are Feb. 6-April 15 and Aug. 1-Sept. 20 in WMDs 1-6; and Jan. 22-March 31 and Aug. 1-Sept. 20 in WMDs 7-29.
