State Officials Announce Migratory Bird Seasons

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi wildlife officials have approved the dates for the 2015-2016 early hunting seasons for migratory game birds.

These early seasons include resident Canada geese, early teal, snipe, woodcock, dove and rails.

The mourning dove season will open statewide at noon on Sept. 4.

The season will run for 90 days with a 15-bird daily bag limit. The possession limit is 45 birds.

Mississippi is divided into two zones to maximize hunting opportunities throughout the state.

The North Dove Zone is defined as areas north of U.S. Highway 84 plus areas south of Highway 84 and west of Mississippi Highway 35.

Season dates for the North Zone are: Sept. 4 to Oct. 7; Oct. 10 to Oct. 31; and Dec. 13 to Jan. 15, 2016.

The South Dove Zone is defined as areas south of Highway 84 and east of Mississippi 35.

Season dates are: Sept. 4 through Sept. 13; Oct. 10 to Nov. 15; and Dec. 4 to Jan. 15, 2016.

After opening day, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

Other early Migratory Game Bird seasons:

– Canada Geese: Sept. 1 to Sept. 15. Bag Limit 5. Possession 15.

– Teal: Sept. 12 to Sept. 27. Bag Limit 6. Possession 18.

– Rails (Sora and Virginia): Sept. 12 to Nov. 20. Bag Limit 25. Possession 75.

– Rails (Clapper and King): Sept. 12 to Nov. 20. Bag Limit 15. Possession 45.

– Gallinules (Common and Purple): Sept. 12 to Nov. 20. Bag Limit 15. Possession 45.

– Snipe: Nov. 14 to Feb. 28. Bag Limit 8. Possession 24.

– Woodcock: Dec. 18 to Jan. 31. Bag Limit 3. Possession 9.