The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter. [volume] (Manteo, N.C.) 1959-1973, 1961-08-25
DUCK LIMIT CUT;
OTHER MEASURES
TO SAVE BIRDS

restrictions this year as a result of
poor production on the summer
nesting grounds. Limits on ducks
have been reduced by third in an
effort to prevent excessive harvest
of the birds.
Another restriction, designed to
lower duck harvest, changes the
lopening time from half an hour
before sunrise last year to sunrise
during the coming season. On open
i ing day duck hunting viii begin at
noon. Some of the best waterfowl
shooting comes during the twilight
hours just before sunrise.
The North Carolina Wildlife Re-
sources Commission was offered a
framework of shooting dates yes
terday by the Bureau of Sport
Fisheries and Wildlife, u. S. De-
partment of the Interior. The fed
eral agency regulates migratory
waterfowl hunting, allowing state
game agencies to choose hunting
dates within a set framework.
The commission must make a de-
cision on its choices of dates not
later than August 25. Recommen-
dations within the following frame
work must be submitted to Wash
lington:
Dates may be chosen between
October / and January 8 for Cana
ola geese and brant, and from Octo-
her Is to December 80 for ducks
and coots. Last year the framework
of dates ran through January for
ducks and coots as well as for
geese and brant.
North Carolina is again allowed
60 consecutive days of hunting for
Canada geese and brant, with dali
ly limit of two and possession limit
of four for geese and 10 brant dali
Fly and 10 in possession. There is no
open season on snow geese.
The number of hunting days re-
mains unchanged from last year,
when the commission chose a sea-
son from November 9 to january
z. Two additional brant are allowed
this year. Hunting on Sunday is
illegal in North Carolina, but Sum
days must be counted in the con-
secutive 60-day framework.
With best hunting toward mid
winter, North Carolina may be ex-
lpected to again choose the latest
possible dates for geese and brant.
The severe restriction in the
1961-62 framework comes in the
duck season. This year North Car
lolina has been offered the alterna-
tives of a 40-day season with three
ducks daily and six in possession,
Tor a 50-day season with two ducks
daily, four in possession. Another
alternative provides for a split sea-
son in either case, but with 10
percent penalty in the number of
days allowed.
Last year the alternatives were
40 days with four daily and eight
ducks in possession, or 50-day
season. with three and six. Last
year North Carolina chose the
longer season, which opened Nov
ember 10 and ended January z.
Some waterfowl hunters objected
to opening the duck and coot sea-
son 10 days earlier than the goose
season last year, but sentiment at
Ia public hearing held in Raleigh
pointed toward postponing the
opening date in order to have more
mid-winter days in January.
This year there is little, alterna-
tive in closing dates, since the fed
|eral framework requires that duck
and coot seasons close no later
than December 80.
In addition to the drastic reduc-
ton in duck limits, coots have been
restricted somewhat. Last year the
daily limit was six and the
possession limit was IL. Within the
new framework the daily limit re-
mains the same, but possession linn
it has been reduced to six.
Restrictions continue on four
species, and another duck has been
added to the limited list. Canvas
backs and redheads cannot be taxi
en- at all, and only two wood ducks
and one hooded merganser are al
lowed in possession. Should North
Carolina choose the shorter duck
season with daily limit Of three
only two per day of the popular
black duck may be taken, change
from 1860.
Choices facing the Wildlife Com
mission involve opening and closing
dates, for both geese and ducks,
and decision between the 40-day
duck season with bags Of three and
six and the longer 50-day season
with reduced bags Of two and four.
Hunters attending the Raleigh
hearing last year, when the COM
mission faced a similar choice, fav-
ored the longer season and latest
possible closing dates.
Jf., and daughter, Cathy, left Mon
day for their home in Chapel Hill
-