Nonresident Alabama Duck Hunting
Game animals in the state of Alabama include deer, turkey, bobcat quail, raccoon, feral swine, squirrels and ducks. Alabama permits regulated hunting by residents and nonresidents holding appropriate licenses and hunter education qualifications. Specific hunting dates are determined by species. Alabama hunting of all kinds is much more expensive for nonresidents than residents.
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Alabama Duck Species
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Three species of duck are found year-round in Alabama. The mottled duck has a pattern of multi-colored feathers, but appears from a distance as dark brown, resembling the female mallard. The mottled duck lives in coastal marsh regions of Alabama and does not migrate. The wood duck has a reddish breast, distinctive, multi-colored head feathers and a crest. It lives on lakes, creeks and swamps throughout the state. The merganser is a large, long-billed duck with a black head and black and white body feathers. Many other duck species are found in Alabama on a seasonal basis, including mallard, teal and wigeon.
Alabama Hunting
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The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources carefully regulates hunting in the state. Hunting in the state of Alabama is regulated by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Hunting is carefully controlled because of conservation concerns, and is used as a tool to manage the state's wildlife populations. The many species of waterfowl can be hunted in-season and within quota limits.
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Hunting Seasons and Regulations
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Duck seasons can be short. The 2009 season for teal stretched only from Sept. 5 through Sept. 20. Duck hunting generally runs from late fall through winter. Bag limits are also per species, reflecting conservation concerns. Hunters can take six ducks per day, but only one, for example, can be a mottled duck
Licenses for Nonresidents
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Duck species have specific bag limits in Alabama. Hunters must obtain a license valid for the species they intend to take. Duck hunters must also obtain a State and Federal Duck Stamp and participate in the Harvest Information Program, which collects data on species harvested during season and helps monitor and manage the wildlife population. Duck hunting licenses are available to nonresidents, but at much higher prices than licenses for residents. An annual nonresident all-game license was priced at $275 for the 2009-2010 season, in comparison with $24 for the equivalent resident license. Less-expensive licenses valid for limited periods are also available.
Permitted Weapons and Hunter Education
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Ducks can be taken using 10 gauge or smaller shotguns using steel shot or other shot materials and sizes approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The shotguns must be designed or customized to hold no more than three shells without reloading. Ducks can also be taken with longbow or crossbow. Alabama has a mandatory education program for all hunters that can be taken partly online but also requires attendance at a field day to demonstrate competence and safety awareness with weapons. As an alternative, licensed hunters yet to take the course can be hunt under "supervision required" status, always within 30 feet of a hunter who has taken the education course.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit duck 3 image by Aussiebloke from Fotolia.com duck hunter image by cherie from Fotolia.com Ducks image by FaithBuffy from Fotolia.com
