Snow goose season opens in Delaware

Hunters in Delaware will now be able to harvest snow geese, DNREC's Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police say.

The 2017 Conservation Order opens the snow goose season on Monday, February 6th and continues to Friday, February 10th, where it closes briefly until Monday, February 13th.

From the 13th, the season remains open until April 7th.

Environmental officials say the Conservation Order helps to reduce and stabilize the snow goose population. High numbers of snow geese reportedly cause damage to breeding grounds in the Canadian Arctic and wetlands in the Mid-Atlantc.

Hunters who wish to target snow geese must obtain a free Snow Goose Conservation Order permit number online at DNREC's website, officials said.

DNREC says uplugged shotguns and electric calls are allowed. Shooting hours start 30 minutes before sunrise and last until 30 minutes after sunset. No bag or possession limits apply, officials said.

Officials say snow goose hunting is permitted in all state wildlife areas during this conservation order. Posted refuges and safety zones are not permitted for hunting. Federally managed Bombay Hook and Prime Hook wildlife refuges are not open for hunting snow geese, DNREC cautions.

Hunters must have a valid Delaware hunting license, a license exempt number or a Maryland resident hunting license, a Delaware waterfowl stamp and a Delaware Harvest Information Program number, officials said.

DNREC says a federal waterfowl stamp is not required for this conservation order.