Get duck hunting info from MDC waterfowl digest

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) provides detailed information on Missouri waterfowl hunting in its 2016-2017 Waterfowl Hunting Digest, available where permits are sold and online at short.mdc.mo.gov/ZoD.

Changes for the upcoming season include 21 more days of Canada goose hunting with all regular goose seasons opening the same day, Nov. 11, and closing the same day, Feb. 6, 2017. The Light Goose Conservation Order will begin on Feb. 7, 2017, instead of Feb. 1.

Regarding breeding-ground status, wetland numbers in Canada and the United States were 21 percent lower than 2015 estimates but still similar to the long-term average. This year’s estimate of 48.4 million ducks is similar to 2015 and is 38 percent above the long-term average. Get population estimates by species in the 2016-2017 Waterfowl Hunting Digest.

MDC reminds hunters that waterfowl hunting in Missouri is influenced by habitat conditions, weather, and the timing of migrations more than overall duck and goose numbers.

Buy permits from vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through MDC’s free mobile apps, Mo Hunting and Mo Fishing, available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.