Early teal season approved

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Conservation Commission has approved dates for the early teal-hunting season, contingent on the results of population surveys.

Blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon teal are legal during the September teal season in Missouri. The season was established primarily for blue-winged teal (BWT) because this early-migrating species is essentially not present during the regular waterfowl season. Teal season frameworks depend on the current year’s BWT breeding population indices, which are determined after surveys conducted in May.

Each year, the Conservation Commission approves season dates contingent on results of these surveys in order to meet deadlines for the state rule-making process. This year’s contingent dates are:

• Sept. 6 through 21 (16 days) if the BWT breeding population index is 4.7 million or greater.
• Sept. 6-14 (nine days) if the breeding population index is at least 3.3 million but less than 4.7 million.
• No season if the BWT breeding population index is below 3.3 million.

If there is an early teal season, the limits will be six daily and 18 in possession.