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Show Water Fowl Hunters Required to Make Identifications Utah waterfowl hunters this year will be required to do something many have never done before identify the species of ducks they're shooting. The Utah Wildlife Board set the daily bag limit to five ducks, , Sjjto, Include no more than one hen pintail. As in past years, no more than two ducks in the daily bag can be redheads or canvasbacks. The waterfowl season was set for October 12 through December 29; goose for October 12 through January 5, 1986. The apparent drastic change follows a long-term decline in mallard and pintail populations throughout North America. The decline is due primarily to the combined effect of climatic trends and habitat loss in northern nesting sites. Although population size fluctuates greatly due to environmental variation, the recent decreases have biologists concerned. The loss in mallard population is graphically illustrated in the following. In 1955 the population was 10.3 million. Five years later in 1960 the population had decreased to 8.2 million in five year spans the population went down to 8.1, 8.0, to 5.5. In 30 years the mallard population hit a 35 percent below a 30 year average point. At the same time, the pintail population fluctuates in five year periods from 9.3 million, through 5.8, 4.3,7.0, 6.4, 5.4, to 2.9. being 5.0 percent below a 30 year average. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulates migratory game birds, including waterfowl. They are requiring that states set regulations that produce a 25 percent reduction in mallard and pintail harvest in an effort to rebuild the dwindling populations. The slightly shorter duck season xmd specific bag limits on mallard and -pintail should achieve this harvest reduction. There is a bright spot in this year's waterfowl forecast Canada geese. Goose populations are up throughout their range, including Utah. Canada geese respond well to agricultural development, unlike ducks, and are doing well. Goose season will begin October 12, coinciding with the duck opener, and will run through January 6 making goose hunting extend one week longer than the general waterfowl season. The goose limit remains at five, and only two may be Canada geese. Swan permits will again be available this year through a random drawing. Swan hunting coincides with the general waterfowl season dates. |