By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter
Starting Saturday, Sept. 12, Texas hunters will have the opportunity to hunt and harvest early teal.
An above-average season is expected for several reasons, according to Kevin Kraai, waterfowl program leader for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
“It’s mostly related to an abundance of teal that have been raised in prairies in North and South Dakota over the past couple of years. Couple that with good to excellent wetland and water-related conditions across the state of Texas,” Kraai told the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network.
He said the moon may also help increase hunters’ chances this month.
“We’re on the heels of a big full moon that triggers migration in these birds and a record-breaking cold front that moved through the state and most of the central flyway,” Kraai said. “Things are looking extremely well right now.”
The statewide early teal season runs through Sept. 27.
There’s a six bird bag limit, which may include blue-winged, green-winged and/or cinnamon teal.
“The blue-winged teal make up the majority of the harvest mostly due to migration and abundance,” Kraai said. “Blue-wings are definitely the number one bird that hunters are likely to encounter.”
The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.
“While you’re in the field, and in possession of a bird, they need to be identifiable. If you process them in any way, there needs to be a fully plumed wing attached to the breast,” Kraai said. “It needs to stay that way until they’re prepared for consumption.”
Legal shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Hunters must have a valid Texas hunting license, federal duck stamp, a Texas migratory game bird stamp endorsement and Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification.
Hunters in Texas are not required to report their early teal harvest.
“If you are registered in the Harvest Information Program, the Fish and Wildlife Service may contact you and ask you to report (your take) at a later date,” Kraai said. “Also, we have an app called MyTexasHuntHarvest, and you can go in and enter your harvest there and keep a journal, if you will, for yourself. It is not required, but you may be asked to help at some point.”
Kraai encourages hunters to be mindful of mosquitoes and alligators when hunting.
“Bring lots of mosquito spray, and be aware of the large lizards if you’re in the coastal area of the state of Texas,” Kraai said.
The Early Canada Goose season for the east zone also opens Saturday, Sept. 12, and runs through Sept. 27.
The east zone runs from the International Toll Bridge in Laredo north along IH-25 and 35 West to Fort Worth, northwest along U.S. Highway 81 and 287 to Bowie and then north along Highway 81 to the Texas-Oklahoma state line.
The bag limit is five birds. Possession limit is 15.
A map and season regulations for both birds is available on OutdoorAnnual.com and on the Outdoor Annual app.
Texas hunting licenses may be purchased online and at licensed retailers.