The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking input on the upcoming migratory-bird hunting season.

In 2016, the Commission began setting all hunting season dates one time during the year, instead of following early and late cycle processes, according to a press release.

“Previously, the schedule was divided into an early and late season process. The early cycle included seasons for webless species (doves, woodcock, etc.) and waterfowl seasons starting before October 1,” the release stated. “Early seasons were normally approved by the Commission in early July. The late cycle included the traditional waterfowl seasons and were typically approved in late August.”

Some of the most recent dates were as follows:

 

• General duck season: Oct. 5-8, 2016, Nov. 12 – Dec. 3, 2016, Dec. 17, 2016 – Jan. 28

Daily bag includes: Six ducks with no more than four scoters, four eiders, four long-tailed ducks, four mallards with no more than two hen mallards, three wood ducks, two scaup, two redheads, two pintails, two canvasbacks, one black or mottled duck and one fulvous whistling duck

 

• Canada goose: Sept. 1-30, 2016

Expanded hunting methods allowed only west of U.S. Highway 17.

Daily bag includes: 15 geese

 

• Tundra swan: Nov. 12, 2016 – Jan. 31

Daily bag includes: one per season

The Commission now wants to know what the public thinks about last season’s dates and regulations.

“Public-input meetings have traditionally been held to receive comments on waterfowl seasons. However, attendance at these meetings declined over time, and public input was minimal at most locations. As a cost-saving measure and to create an easy means for statewide citizen input, the agency developed an online comment system several years ago,” the release stated.

The Commission hopes to set dates for the new hunting seasons by April 20. Comments will be accepted through April 9.

To offer input, visit www.ncwildlife.org, and then click on the “Migratory Game Bird Proposed Seasons” icon at the bottom of the page.