Duck Hunting in Gainsville, Alabama
Gainsville, Alabama has several areas for duck hunting during the season. The migratory birds pass through the state as they move from summer habitats in the northern U.S. and Canada to the Mississippi delta and Mexican Gulf region in winter. Hunting in Alabama requires a license.
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Location
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Gainsville in Sumter County is situated at the middle western edge of the state. The area of Gainsville slopes towards the Mississippi River. The climate is subtropical, with an average annual temperature of 64 °F. There are several state hunting areas in the vicinity, and there is also hunting on private land in the area, with several companies acting as hunting guides.
Hunting Regulations
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A hunting license is required in Alabama for anyone under 65 years of age. Seniors over 65 are exempt. Licenses can be purchased at licensed vendors, or through the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website. To get a license, 10 hours of hunters education in weapons handling, general safety, wildlife species and nature is required. As duck hunting on private lands in Alabama requires the land owner's permission, leasing hunting grounds from a private land owner offers easier access than trying to hunt on public lands.
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Duck Hunting Areas
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The state owns and maintains the David K. Nelson (Demopolis) public hunting area, which covers 7,798 acres and is suitable for duck hunting. It straddles Sumter, Hale, Marengo and Greene counties, near Demopolis. Hill Ranch is a private ranch situated near Gainsville, and has turned 4,000 acres of private land into hunting grounds. It is located just 10 miles off Interstate 20/59 between Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Meridian, Mississippi.
Hunting Season
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The Alabama duck hunting season for 2010 is in fall and winter, from Nov. 26 to Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 to Jan. 30. There are limits for how many ducks may be bagged per day, and which species. The shooting hours start half an hour before sunrise and end at sunset.
Bag Limits
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Several types of ducks can be found as they migrate through the Gainsville area. Mallards are found in the largest numbers, as reflected in the state bag limits for hunting. Total ducks per day is six with a maximum of four mallard (two may be female), three wood ducks, one mottled duck, one black duck, two redhead, one pintail, one canvasback and two scaup.
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References
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- Photo Credit famille canard image by guy from Fotolia.com
