The state's Division of Fish and Wildlife has adopted the same basic regulations as last year with small changes to dates and, given the excellent shape of waterfowl populations have led to some increased bag limits. The Scaup bag limit has been increased to four birds daily and the Canada Goose season has been increased by five days. Because Atlantic flyway populations have improved, a 60-day season with a six duck limit is baseline.
The bag limit is six ducks this year, no more than four mallards (no more than two of those hens), four scoters, four scaup, three wood ducks, two redheads, two pintails, one canvasback and one black duck. The limit for all other species is six. Merganser bag limits are five per day (in addition to duck bag limit) with no more than two hooded.
Due to overpopulation of snow geese, there will be 107-day season with a 25 bag limit and no possession limit.
For dates and regulations, visit the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife page for the 2012-2013 Migratory Bird Season.
