Aug 3, 2003 4 min read

HARRISBURG – Dove season will open Monday, Sept. 1, as part of Pennsylvania’s 2003 migratory bird seasons and bag limits announced by Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Vern Ross. “Pennsylvania’s migratory bird hunting seasons will mirror last year’s,” said Ross of the selection package forwarded to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Hunters can look forward to enjoying the same expanded opportunities.”

Dove hunters once again will have the opportunity to participate in a triple-split season.

During the first season (Sept. 1-Oct.4), hunting will start at noon and continue through sunset daily.

The second and third splits will be Nov. 1-29, and Dec. 26-Jan. 1, with hunting hours a half-hour before sunrise until sunset.

In all three seasons, the daily bag limit will be 12 and the possession limit after opening day is 24.

The early statewide season for resident Canada geese will open Sept. 1, and continue through Sept. 25.

Statewide bag limits remain five daily and 10 in possession.

However, in the southern portion of the Atlantic Population Zone, hunters will see a modest increase in daily and possession bag limits from last year.

This year, the daily limit is eight and the possession limit is 16.

The southern portion of Pennsylvania’s Atlantic Population Zone is defined as the area east of Interstate 83 from the Maryland state line to the intersection of U.S. Route 30, to intersection of State Route 441, to intersection of Interstate-283; east of I-283 to I-83, east of I-83 to intersection of Interstate 81; east of I-81 to intersection of Interstate 80; and south of I-80 to the New Jersey state line.

“The increase in bag limits for the early Canada goose season is another positive step forward in addressing the concerns about the growing resident Canada goose population in this area,” said John Dunn, Game Commission biologist.

“Unlike most of Pennsylvania, this area has not enjoyed expanded regular season hunting opportunities due to the presence of migrant goose populations.

“Hunting remains the most effective and efficient way of controlling resident Canada geese, provided that hunters are able to gain access to problem areas.”

The controlled hunting areas at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Lebanon-Lancaster counties and the Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area in Crawford County remain closed during this early season.

In addition, there will be no September goose season hunting in Crawford County within the area south of State Route 198 from the Ohio line to the intersection of State Route 18, to the intersection of US Route 322/State Route 18, to the intersection of State Route 3013, south to the Crawford/Mercer county line.

Pennsylvania’s woodcock season will open Saturday, Oct. 18, and continue through

Saturday, Nov. 15. The daily limit of three birds and six in possession after opening day remains unchanged for the 2003 woodcock season.

Virginia and sora rails hunting will run Sept. 1-Nov. 8. The daily limit is 25 in the aggregate, and 50 in possession.

Moorhen hunting will run from Sept. 1 to Nov. 8.

The daily limit is 15, and the possession limit is 30.

A season for common snipe will run from Oct. 18 to Nov. 22. The daily limit is 8, and the possession limit is 16.

Once again, young Pennsylvania hunters will be provided with a special day of waterfowl hunting on Saturday, Sept. 27.

Youth Waterfowl Day will be open to holders of junior licenses ages 12-15.

To participate, a youngster must be accompanied by an adult, who may assist the youth in calling, duck identification and other aspects of the hunt.

Adults accompanying a youngster on the Youth Waterfowl Day hunt may not attempt to harvest waterfowl.

The daily limit for the Youth Waterfowl day will be consistent with the limit for the regular season, which will be announced in mid-August, after the Waterfowl Symposium on Friday, Aug. 8.

Migratory game bird hunters, including those afield for doves and woodcock, are required to obtain and carry a migratory game bird license ($3 for residents, $6 for nonresidents), as well as a general hunting or lifetime license.

All waterfowl hunters age 16 and over also must possess a federal migratory game bird and conservation (duck) stamp.

Annual migratory bird and waterfowl seasons are selected by states from a framework established by the USFWS, and with the input of waterfowl hunters and the public.

The Game Commission is expected to announce in mid-August the regular and late waterfowl seasons, after the agency holds its annual Waterfowl Symposium, Friday, Aug. 8.

The “Pennsylvania 2003-2004 Guide to Migratory Bird Hunting” brochure will be posted on the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) in mid-August, and the mass-produced brochure should be in the hands of U.S. Post Offices by the end of August.