Hunters will be able to get their waders wet starting Sept. 10 as two early waterfowl seasons open in Oklahoma. Teal season will run through Sept. 25, and the resident Canada goose season will run through Sept. 19.
Blue-winged teal and green-winged teal are smaller ducks and usually migrate through Oklahoma much earlier than other duck species. Hunters are offered the chance to harvest these duck species before the regular duck seasons open later in fall.
Teal are fast, often erratic fliers, and are usually seen in flocks of six or more birds. Their twisting and diving flight pattern can be challenging even for the best of wing-shooters.
Hunters are reminded that only blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon teal may be taken during teal season, and bird identification is imperative before taking any shots. Hunters may see other ducks while teal hunting, such as resident mallards or wood ducks, along with other early migrants.
A special early season for hunting Canada geese will be open Waterfowl hunters also may hunt Canada geese from Sept. 10-19. Many geese remain in Oklahoma year-round instead of migrating farther north. And in many areas, these geese have built large populations, even to the point of creating conflicts with people. This early season helps harvest these “resident” birds to lessen conflicts and reduce the birds’ impact on habitat.
These geese have built healthy populations in many areas across the state, particularly near larger urban areas. Goose hunters must obey all hunting restrictions for any area in which they are hunting.
Teal hunters are allowed a daily bag limit of six teal in total, to include all one species of teal or any combination of the three species. Hunters taking resident Canada geese are allowed a daily bag limit of eight birds. All other state and federal migratory bird hunting regulations are in effect for these two early waterfowl seasons, including the use of only federally approved nontoxic shot, duck stamp requirements, and completion of the Harvest Information Program survey.
Migratory bird regulations and required license and permit information can be found in the Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations found online at wildlifedepartment.com, on the Go Outdoors Oklahoma free mobile app for Apple or Android devices, or in print across the state wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold.