Indiana’s migratory bird hunting seasons for 2024-25 have been submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The hunting seasons include mourning dove, waterfowl (i.e., ducks, coots, mergansers, and geese), woodcock, snipe, and sora rails.                                        

Mourning Dove: statewide, Sept. 1-Oct. 20; Nov. 1-Dec. 1; Dec. 21-29

Woodcock: statewide, Oct. 15-Nov. 28

Snipe: statewide, Sept. 1-Dec. 16

Sora Rail: statewide, Sept. 1-Nov. 9 

Early Teal: statewide, Sept. 14 – 29

Ducks, coots, mergansers:

North Zone, Oct. 19-Dec. 8; Dec. 28-Jan. 5

Central Zone, Nov. 2-10; Nov. 23-Jan. 12

South Zone, Nov. 9-10; Nov. 30-Jan. 26

Canada geese, light geese, Brant geese:

North Zone, Sept. 1-15; Oct. 19-27; Nov. 23-Feb. 9

Central Zone, Sept. 1-15; Nov. 2-10; Nov. 23-Feb. 9

South Zone, Sept. 1-15; Nov. 9-10; Nov. 23-Feb. 15

White-fronted Geese:

North Zone, Oct. 19-27; Nov. 23-Feb. 9

Central Zone, Nov. 2-10; Nov. 23-Feb. 9

South Zone, Nov. 9-10; Nov. 23-Feb. 15

Youth- and Veteran-only hunting days:

North Zone, Oct. 12-13

Central Zone, Oct. 26-27

South Zone, Nov. 2-3

New this year, the white-fronted goose season and bag limit are separate from other geese. The white-fronted goose season is closed during September’s Canada goose season but opens at the same time as the other geese seasons later in the year. The daily bag limit is two white-fronted geese.

The Canada goose daily bag limit is five, which may include brant geese in aggregate, in any combination. The daily bag limit for light geese (snow and Ross’s geese) remains 20.

There are no changes in duck bag limits from 2023-24. This includes the scaup daily bag limit, which is one during the first 15 days of the duck season, and two for the rest of the season.

The possession limit for all migratory birds is three times the daily bag limit, except for light geese, for which there is no possession limit.

 

Public comment for management on Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) plan for science-based forest management at Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood state forests is open for public comment.

“State forests play an important role in supporting Indiana’s ecosystems, recreation, and overall health,” said Dan Bortner, DNR director. “By following the best scientific principles for more than 120 years, the DNR has been conserving and growing our forested land across the state for all Hoosiers and future generations to enjoy.”

The DNR Division of Forestry’s management plans focus on growing a healthier forest, with the goal of supporting greater diversity of native plant and wildlife species across the two forests’ over 48,600 acres.

In less than 2 percent of the area (808.5 acres), the plan would remove approximately 12 trees per acre through single-tree selection and small canopy openings over the next 15 to 20 years, an average of less than one tree per acre per year. This means trees would be individually selected for removal by professional DNR foresters to create openings so more sunlight can reach the forest floor to help young, shade-resistant trees grow. DNR’s professional foresters will lead the project, minimizing the impact on the existing forests and their guests.

Forest management of this kind supports a wide variety of native species found in an area. It also provides sustainable habitat for birds such as Eastern towhee, indigo bunting, cerulean warbler and black-and-white warbler, as well as the Indiana bat and Northern long-eared bat, both of which are federally endangered.

Individuals can learn more, review research and answers to frequently asked questions, hear from DNR’s professional foresters, and comment on the plan at on.IN.gov/growing-forests.

The planned forest management furthers DNR’s vital conservation mission. DNR surpassed 1 million trees planted across the state, mostly on state forest properties, over the last five years.

Readers can contact the author by writing to this publication or e-mail Jack at jackspaulding1971@outlook.com.

Spaulding’s books, “The Best Of Spaulding Outdoors” and “The Coon Hunter And The Kid,” are available from Amazon.com as a paperback or Kindle download.