Waterfowl Hunting Season Coming to a Close

Broadneck residents are poised at the intersection of Annapolitain sophistication and Bay country simplicity, keeping one foot in each world while indulging in the luxuries of both urban and rural lifestyles. One such indulgence that celebrates this dichotomy and epitomizes the Chesapeake Bay lifestyle is the local waterfowl hunting season.

Preservationist and outdoorsmen alike will marvel at the diversity and abundance of the Bay’s migratory waterfowl population. The Bay is known worldwide for its vast numbers of Canadian geese, snow geese, black ducks, and mallards just to name a few. During the winter, their wealth and numbers draw huntsmen from all over the world who appreciate the Bay’s beauty and culture.

Local hunters enjoy the Broadneck peninsula’s proximity to the Eastern Shore, where the best hunting conditions are available, but also take advantage of the hunting grounds here at home. Some species of huntable geese are attracted to the open fields found in areas like St. Margaret’s and Pleasant Plains, while ducks are hunted from small boats across the waters of the Magothy and Severn Rivers. 

The ideal days for shooting birds on the water are overcast, cold, and raining. The traditional image of the avid goose hunter layered in camouflage print polar fleece against the cold of winter stems from the advantage of hunting in this weather.

Local hunter Mike Burgess of Angler's Sporting Goods explains, “The cloudy, windy, rainy conditions keeps the birds low in flight and gets them to fly shorter distances. Then they are easier to get.”

Unlike the Bay’s marine life forms, migratory birds are less affected by environmental factors, and more influenced by climate. This season has been a particularly abundant season on the Bay as frequent storms and cold weather in the north has driven many species to our region where they are less familiar with their surroundings and more vulnerable to a hunter's attack. 

Broadneck hunter and resident Christian Schow says, “The late season was really great because the snow up north pushed the birds down into the Bay. There were a few tough weeks when all the creeks were frozen and you couldn't get in there to hunt, but it’s been a good season overall.”  

The bird hunting seasons are closely regulated by the Department of Natural Resources who forbid baiting with grains and shooting birds on the ground and  control limits and licenses. Fowl hunters will lure birds in through the use of decoys and calls, spreading out from four to a dozen goose decoys in order to attract newcomers to their “flock.” A wide range of decoys and goose calls (or quack whistles) are available at Angler's on Whitehall Road off of Route 50.

While the Canadian goose season has wrapped for the year, hunters are currently enjoying an extended light goose conservation season, as this species has become overpopulated and needs to be controlled. Hunters may shoot and possess an unregulated number for these birds until the season closes in April.

Though the actual shooting of the birds can leave some squeamish, the elegance of the roasted goose on a stunning platter presents a savory memory for others. However, if hunting birds is not for you, enjoy the birds in the sky for a few more weeks before they fly off as our warmer spring season arrives.