WYOMING GAME AND FISH COMMISSION

CHAPTER 14

LATE MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING SEASONS

Section 1. Authority. These rules are promulgated by authority of W.S. 23-1-302 and 23-2-105(d).

Section 2. Definitions. For the purpose of this regulation, definitions shall be as set forth in Title 23, Wyoming Statutes and the Commission also adopts the following definitions:

1. (a) "Central Flyway" means that portion of Wyoming east of the Continental Divide excluding the Great Divide Basin.
2. (b) "Pacific Flyway" means that portion of Wyoming west of the Continental Divide including the Great Divide Basin.
3. (c) "Dark geese" means Canada goose and white-fronted goose.
4. (d) "Light geese" means snow goose, blue goose and Ross' goose.
5. (e) "Nontoxic shot" means steel or bismuth shot.

Section 3. Hunting Seasons Established. There will be open seasons for the hunting of migratory game birds as set forth in the Hunting Regulations (Section 4), Closed Areas (Section 5), Shooting Hours

(Section 6) and Falconry Seasons (Section 7) of this Chapter.

Section 4. Hunting Regulations.

1. (a) Bag and Possession Limits. The bag limit is the number of game birds which may be legally taken in one day. The possession limit is the total number of game birds which may legally be in possession. Birds in transit or storage shall be considered in possession.
2. (b) Federal Regulations. 16 USC 703-711 and 718a; 50 CFR 10, 10.13; 50 CFR 20; 50 CFR 21, 21.41 and 21.43, governing the hunting, taking and possession of migratory birds and migratory game birds and the requirement for a valid migratory bird hunting stamp (duck stamp), are adopted as regulations of the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission and violations of such federal regulations shall be violations of the Commission regulations. A migratory bird hunting stamp (duck stamp) is not required for sandhill cranes and mourning doves but is required for those over 16 years of age to hunt ducks, geese, mergansers and coots.
3. (c) Evidence of Species. One fully-feathered wing or the feathered head shall remain attached to the carcass as a means of identification of waterfowl in the field and while they are being transported.

4. (d) Nontoxic Shot. No person shall hunt cranes, ducks, mergansers, coots and/or geese while possessing shot shells loaded with shot other than nontoxic shot.

   1. (i) Nontoxic shot shall be required for hunting upland game and small game on all lands in the Springer and Table Mountain wildlife habitat management areas.

5. (e) Open Areas, Season Dates, Shooting Hours, Bag Limits and Limitations.

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   Closed Areas

   Species and Dates of Season Shooting Section 5 Bag Limits Open Areas Opens Closes Hours Subsections Daily/Possessi RAIL- Sept. 16-Nov. 18 See Sec. 6 b(ii) 25 25 Central a,b(i), and c Flyway after Nov. 17 RAIL- Sept. 16-Nov. 18 See Sec. 6 d,e 25 25 Pacific

   SNIPE- Sept. 16-Dec. 17 See Sec. 6 b(ii) 8 16 Central a,b,(i), and c after Flyway Nov. 17 SNIPE- Sept. 16-Dec. 17 See Sec. 6 d,e 8 16 Pacific

   SANDHILL Sept. 14-Nov. 10 to See Sec. 6 3 6 CRANE holders of special permits.

   Platte,

   Goshen, Applications are available Laramie, at Wyoming Game and Niobrara, Fish Department district Weston, offices and license agents Crook, in eastern Wyoming Converse and

   WATERFOWL - CENTRAL FLYWAY

   Closed Areas

   Species and Dates of Shooting Section 5 Bag Limits** Open Areas Season Hours Subsections Daily/Possessi DUCKS and Sept. 30-Oct. See Sec. 6 b(ii) 5 10 MERGANSER 26

   Nov. 4-Nov. See Sec. 6 a,b and c after Nov. 5 10

   30 17

   Dec. 9-Jan. See Sec. 6 a,b and c 5 10

   6

   COOTS Sept. 30-Oct. See Sec. 6 b(ii) 15 30

   26

   Nov. 4-Nov. See Sec. 6 a,b and c after Nov. 15 30

   30 17

   Dec. 9-Jan. See Sec. 6 a,b and c 15 30

   6

   DARK GEESE Oct. 1-Jan. See Sec. 6 c after Nov. 12 4 8 Bighorn, Park, 15 Washakie, Hot Springs and

   F t

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   Closed Areas

   Species and Open Dates of Shooting Hours Section 5 Bag Limits** Areas Season Subsections Daily/Possessi Opens on Closes

   DARK GEESE Oct. 7-Jan. See Sec. 6 4 8 Campbell, 21 Converse, Crook, Johnson,

   Laramie, Natrona, Niobrara, Sheridan , Weston Albany

   DARK GEESE Oct. 7-Jan. See Sec. 6 b after Nov. 12 4 8 Platte County 21

   DARK GEESE Nov. 18-Jan. See Sec. 6 a after Nov. 17 4 8 Goshen County 31 Until 1 PM only; on Jan. 6 and 7, Jan.

   For Bump 13 and 14, Jan. 20 Sullivan Managed and 21, and Jan. 27 Hunt Information and 28 when see Sec. 8 shooting hours will be from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset

   LIGHT GEESE Sept. 30-Nov. See Sec. 6 a,b and c after Nov. 5 10

   21 17 For Bump Dec. 24-Feb. a, b, c and f after Sullivan Managed 15 Jan. 31 Hunt Information

   **The daily bag limit shall not include more than one mottled duck, one pintail, one hooded merganser, one redhead, or one canvasback, and no more than two wood ducks. Five mallards may be taken per day, but only one can be a hen. The daily bag limit for geese shall not include more than one white-fronted goose. The possession limit is two daily bag limits.

   HUNTERS: There has been a large imbalance in the sex ratio of mallards for a very long time, with up to 2/3 of mallards being drakes. The result has been reduced production of young mallards, harassment of hens by gangs of drakes, and disruption of nesting. Increased harvest of drakes and reduced harvest of hens would greatly improve this situation. While it is legal to harvest one hen mallard, we urge hunters to voluntarily avoid harvesting hens so that there will be a decrease in the population of male mallards. This will benefit both mallards and hunters.

   WATERFOWL - PACIFIC FLYWAY

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   Closed

   Species and Dates of Shooting Areas Bag Limits** Open Areas Season Hours Section 5 Daily/Possessio DUCKS and Sept. 30-Dec. See Sec. 6 d,e 6 12 MERGANSERS 31

   COOTS Sept. 30-Dec. See Sec. 6 d,e 25 25

   31

   DARK GEESE Sept. 30-Jan. See Sec. 6 d,e 4 8

   4

   **The daily bag limit shall not include more than two pintails, two redheads, or one canvasback. Six mallards may be taken per day, but only one can be a hen. The possession limit is two daily bag limits.

Section 5. Closed Areas

1. (a) GOSHEN COUNTY

   1. (i) Hawk Springs Reservoir. Beginning at the east fence of the Union Pacific Railroad right of way

      300 yards south of the south fence enclosing Hawk Springs Reservoir; due east to Goshen County Road 7-187; northerly along said road to the access road to the northeast dam of the reservoir; southwesterly along said road to the northeast dam and the fence enclosing the reservoir; northwesterly along said fence to the second gate; southwesterly from said gate to the northwest corner of the fence enclosing the reservoir; southerly along said fence to the point of beginning.

   2. (ii) Springer Reservoir. Beginning on U.S. Highway 85 at the George Marlatt farmhouse; west along the fence between the farm land and the pasture land to the west end of the west pump lake; south to the northwest corner of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department''s Springer Wildlife Habitat Management Area; southerly along the Springer Wildlife Habitat Management Area boundary south of the Game and Fish Department buildings; south across the Lewis Howard property and the Robert Simkin property to the Bob Splinter pasture fence; south and west along said fence to the Yoder-Bump Sullivan Road (Goshen County Road

      7-133); southerly along said road to the county road on the south boundary of the Springer Wildlife Habitat Management Area (Goshen County Road 7-136); easterly along said road to U.S. Highway 85; northerly along said highway to the George Marlatt farmhouse.

   3. (iii) Sinnard Reservoir. Sinnard Reservoir and all lands within 300 yards of the high water line.
   4. (iv) Pond No. 1 Table Mountain Wildlife Habitat Management Area. Pond No. l and adjacent lands as marked by colored signs and posts.
   5. (v) Miller Lake. Miller Lake and all lands within 300 yards of the high water line.
   6. (vi) North Platte River. That portion of the North Platte River and all lands within 300 yards of each bank of said river located between the two river crossings of Wyoming Highway 157.
   7. (vii) Bump Sullivan Reservoir. No access until after 1:00 PM without a Managed Goose Hunt permit. No access without a permit on those days with all-day goose hunting (see Section 8).

2. (b) PLATTE COUNTY

   1. (i) Festo Lake. Festo Lake and all lands within 300 yards of the high water line.

   2. (ii) Wheatland Reservoir No. 1. Wheatland Reservoir No. 1 and all Wheatland Irrigation District lands adjacent to the reservoir are closed to hunting.

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3. (c) FREMONT COUNTY

   1. (i) Ocean Lake. The waters of Ocean Lake and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department lands

      (within approximately 1/4 mile of the aeration system) on the north side of the lake as marked by "closed" signs.

4. (d) SWEETWATER COUNTY

   1. (i) Old Eden Reservoir. Old Eden Reservoir and all lands within 1/4 mile of the perimeter of the lake.

5. (e) LINCOLN COUNTY

   1. (i) Palisades Reservoir. Beginning at the junction of the McCoy Creek Road and U.S. Highway 89; northerly on U.S. Highway 89 for 1.6 miles to the Palisades Reservoir high water line; westerly along said high water line to the Wyoming-Idaho state line; southerly along said line to the McCoy Creek Road; southeasterly along the McCoy Creek Road to U.S. Highway 89.
6. (f) AQUATIC BIRD REST AREAS
7. (a) All of Springer Wildlife Habitat Managment Area, including Bump Sullivan Reservoir, all of Table Mountain WHMA and Miller Lake.

Section 6. Shooting Hours. Shooting hours shall be from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. In Goshen County the shooting hours for geese shall be from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1 P.M. except on January 6-7, January 13-14, January 20-21 and January 27-28 when shooting hours shall be from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. In Platte County, geese may be hunted from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset within the following area: east of Interstate Highway 25 and north of Wyoming Highway 160 (Gray Rocks Road). Shooting hours for geese in the remainder of Platte County shall be from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1:00 P.M.

Shooting hours shall be from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset during the February segment of the light goose season.

Sunrise and Sunset Tables Valid For Casper, Wyoming

Subtract one minute from opening and closing time for each 12 1/2 miles east of Casper. Add one minute to opening and closing time for each 12 1/2 miles west of Casper.

The above changes are based on the assumption that each degree of longitude equals 50 miles and that a change of one degree of longitude equals four minutes time change in sunrise and sunset times.

Check regulations for the legal hunting hours.

SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC. JAN. FEB. MARCH

DA AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM Y

1 6:30 7:41 7:03 6:48 6:40 4:59 7:17 4:33 7:37 4:42 7:21 5:17 6:42 5:54 2 6:31 7:39 7:04 6:46 6:41 4:57 7:18 4:32 7:37 4:43 7:20 5:18 6:41 5:55 3 6:32 7:38 7:05 6:44 6:42 4:56 7:19 4:32 7:37 4:44 7:19 5:20 6:39 5:56 4 6:33 7:36 7:06 6:42 6:44 4:55 7:20 4:32 7:37 4:45 7:18 5:21 6:37 5:57 5 6:34 7:34 7:07 6:41 6:45 4:53 7:21 4:32 7:37 4:46 7:16 5:22 6:36 5:59

6 6 :35 7 :32 7 :08 6 :39 6 :46 4 :52 7 :22 4:32 7:37 4:47 7:15 5:24 6 :34 6 :00

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7 6 :36 7 :31 7 :10 6 :37 6 :48 4 :51 7 :23 4:31 7:37 4:48 7:14 5:25 6:32 6:01 8 6:38 7:29 7:11 6:35 6:49 4:50 7:24 4:31 7:37 4:49 7:13 5:26 6:31 6:02 9 6:39 7:27 7:12 6:34 6:50 4:49 7:25 4:31 7:36 4:50 7:12 5:28 6:29 6:03 10 6:40 7;25 7:13 6:32 6:51 4:48 7;26 4:31 7:36 4:51 7:10 5:29 6:27 6:05 11 6:41 7:23 7;14 6:30 6:53 4:47 7:27 4:31 7:36 4:52 7:09 5:30 6:25 6:06 12 6:42 7:22 7:15 6:29 6:54 4:46 7:28 4:32 7:36 4:53 7:08 5:32 6:24 6:07 13 6:43 7:20 7:17 6:27 6:55 4:45 7:28 4:32 7:35 4:54 7:06 5:33 6:22 6:08 14 6:44 7;18 7:18 6:25 6:57 4:44 7:29 4:32 7:35 4:56 7:05 5:34 6:20 6:09 15 6:45 7:16 7:19 6:24 6:58 4:43 7:30 4:32 7:34 4:57 7:04 5:36 6:18 6:11 16 6:46 7:14 7:20 6:22 6:59 4:42 7:31 4:32 7:34 4:58 7:02 5:37 6:17 6:12 17 6:47 7:13 7:21 6:21 7:00 4:41 7:31 4:33 7:33 4:59 7:01 5:38 6:15 6:13

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SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC. JAN. FEB. MARCH

DA AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM Y

18 6:48 7:11 7:23 6:19 7:02 4:40 7:32 4:33 7:33 5:00 6:59 5:39 6:13 6:14 19 6:49 7:09 7:24 6:17 7:03 4:39 7:32 4:33 7:32 5:02 6:58 5:41 6:11 6:15 20 6:51 7:07 7:25 6:16 7:04 4:39 7:33 4:34 7:31 5:03 6:56 5:42 6:10 6:17 21 6:52 7:06 7:26 6:14 7:05 4:38 7:34 4:34 7:31 5:04 6:55 5:43 6:08 6:18 22 6:53 7:04 7:27 6:13 7:06 4:37 7:34 4:35 7:30 5:05 6:53 5:45 6:06 6:19 23 6:54 7:02 7:29 6:11 7:08 4:37 7:35 4:35 7:29 5:07 6:52 5:46 6:04 6:20 24 6:55 7:00 7:30 6:10 7:09 4:36 7:35 4:36 7:29 5:08 6:50 5:47 6:03 6:21 25 6:56 6:58 7:31 6:08 7:10 4:35 7:35 4:37 7:28 5:09 6:49 5:48 6:01 6:22 26 6:57 6:57 7:32 6:07 7:11 4:35 7:36 4:37 7:27 5:11 6:47 5:50 5:59 6:24 27 6:58 6:55 7:34 6:05 7:12 4:34 7:36 4:38 7:26 5:12 6:45 5:51 5:57 6:25 28 6:59 6:53 7:35 6:04 7:14 4:34 7:36 4:39 7:25 5:13 6:44 5:52 5 :56 6 :26 29 7:01 6:51 7:36 6:03 7:15 4:33 7:37 4:39 7:24 5:14 5:54 6:27 30 7:02 6:49 6:37 5:01 7:16 4:33 7:37 4:40 7:23 5:16 5:52 6:28 31 6:39 5:00 5:50 6:29

Section 7. Falconry Seasons.

Migratory game birds except geese may be taken by the use of falcons in the possession of properly licensed falconers during the regular hunting season. There shall also be special extended seasons for the hunting of migratory game birds by the use of falcons in the possession of properly licensed falconers as follows:

STATEWIDE FALCONRY

Species and Dates of Shooting Closed Areas Section 5 Bag Limits Open Areas Season Hours Subsections Daily/Possessio

Rail and Snipe Sept. 1-Sept. See Sec. Limitations in effect in 3 6 Statewide 14 6 Sections 4 and 5 shall apply

Ducks, Sept. 1-Sept. See Sec. Limitations in effect in 3 6 Mergansers 14 6 Sections 4 and 5 shall and Coots apply

Section 8. Bump Sullivan Managed Goose Hunt

1. (a) Weekday Hunting. Drawings to select hunters for 12 pits or blinds shall be conducted at the Springer check station located 1 1/4 miles west of the Downar Bird Farm. Four blinds for pass-shooting, numbers 13-16, will be available first-come, first-served. Between the dates of November 18 and November 30, 1995, the check

   station shall open at 5:00 a. m. with drawings conducted at 5:30 a.m. Between the dates of December 1, 1995

   and January 31, 1996, the check station shall open at 5:30 a. m. with drawings conducted at 6:00 a.m. Hunters are requested to group into parties of three; only one individual from each party will be entered into the drawing.

   All other regulations governing weekend hunting as described below shall apply to weekday hunting.

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2. (b) Weekend/Holiday Hunting. Special Permits are required. Twelve permits shall be available each Saturday, Sunday and on official federal holidays during the waterfowl season. Four blinds for pass-shooting, numbers 13-16, will be available first-come, first-served.

   1. (i) Issuance of Special Permits. Special application forms shall be submitted to the Wyoming

      Game and Fish Department in Cheyenne beginning September 1, and not later than 5:00 p. m. on September 30, 1995. Application may be made by completing the special application form to register the days the applicant requests to hunt and the valid bird license number. Applicants shall be selected by random computer selection.

      It shall be a violation of Commission regulations for any person to file more than one application during the 1995-96 waterfowl hunting season. Successful applicants shall be notified of their hunting dates and furnished

      a complete set of special instructions.

   2. (ii) Selection of Blind or Pits. Successful permit holders shall register their hunting party and draw for a numbered blind or pit upon arrival at the check station. A drawing shall be conducted every Saturday, Sunday and holidays beginning November 18, 1995, through January 31, 1996. Drawings for blinds or pits

      between November 18 and November 30, 1995 shall commence at 5:30 a. m. Drawings for blinds or pits

      between December 1, 1995, and January 31, 1996, shall commence at 6:00 a. m. Each site is designed to accommodate three hunters. Hunters are requested to group into parties of three people per blind or pit.

      Hunting on the Bump Sullivan Management Area will be allowed only from permitted sites.

3. (c) Check Station Location and Operation. The check station shall be located 1 1/4 miles west of U.S.

   Highway 85 on the south boundary of the Springer WHMA.

   1. (i) Hours of Operation. The check station shall be open to register hunters at 5:00 a.m. between

      November 18 and November 30, 1995, and will open at 5:30 a. m. between the dates of December 1, 1995, and January 31, 1996.

4. (d) Rules and Regulations.

   1. (i) Registration of Hunters. Upon checking in, the permit holder shall present a valid permit and each hunter shall present a valid bird license, conservation stamp, valid duck stamp (for hunters aged 16 or older) and hunter safety certificate (for hunters born on or after January 1, 1966). Each hunter will be given a registration card to be visibly displayed in the hunters vehicle.
   2. (ii) Hunters shall be required to be at their designated hunting site by the official shooting hour, unless otherwise exempted by check station personnel. Hunters shall remain at the blinds at all times except to arrange decoys, retrieve downed birds, or to return to the parking lot upon completion of their hunt. Failure to remain in the blinds or pits except as provided above shall be considered a violation of Commission regulation.
   3. (iii) Hunters retrieving downed birds from adjacent private property or closed hunting areas adjacent to the public goose hunting area shall leave their firearms at their blind or pit.
   4. (iv) Before leaving the special hunt area, all hunters shall check out by filling out the daily registration card completely and depositing it in the designated drop box located in each parking lot. Failure to do so shall be a violation of Commission regulation.

   5. (v) Parking Assignments. All hunters shall be furnished detailed maps of the hunting area denoting parking lots. Hunters shall park at posts marked with numbers corresponding to the numbered pit or blind they are assigned. No more than two cars per hunting site shall be allowed in the

      parking lots.

   6. (vi) Vehicular Access. Vehicular travel beyond established parking areas during the waterfowl season shall be a violation of Commission regulation.

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   7. (vii) Shell Restriction. The daily shell limit shall not exceed 12 nontoxic shot shells per hunter per day.

   8. (viii) Decoys shall be set out by start of legal shooting hours and shall be removed at completion of each days hunt.

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   9. (viv) Hunters shall be responsible for removal of all trash and/or litter including spent shell casings.

      WYOMING GAME AND FISH COMMISSION

      By: MARY FLITNER PRESIDENT

      Dated: October 24, 1995

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