In most of California, waterfowl season opens this year on Oct. 24.

New regulations for the 2009-2010 hunting season have been approved by the California Fish and Game Commission, featuring expanded limits for many birds over those from recent years.

The most significant (and long overdue) change is in the pintail regulations. The limit has been increased to two per day, up from just one per day as it’s been since 1997. Populations of pintail have surged in the past few years, warranting the limit increase.

“The ‘liberal’ regulations approved this year are the result of a strong western stock of mallards, and improved local duck production this year because of timely spring rains,” said Greg Yarris, Director of Conservation Policy for California Waterfowl Association.

Yarris attended the Fish and Game Commission meeting to provide a strong voice for California waterfowl hunters during the regulatory process.

The duck season will run for 100 days through Jan. 31, 2010, with a daily bag limit of seven ducks. The bag limit on redheads remains two birds, but the limit on canvasbacks is just one for the entire season (it was closed altogether last season). This canvasback limit is really going to be impossible to enforce, so we duck hunters will have to be on the honor system for this one.

The scaup season length remains at 86 days, but the bag limit increases from two birds to three.

The pintail breeding population increased by 23 percent in North America, but it was the change in the distribution of pintail from the north to prairies further south that had the greatest effect on the regulatory outcome. “Pintail are typically more successful when breeding in Prairie habitats,” explained Bob McLandress, President of CWA, “which allows for more hunter opportunity and an increased bag limit due to a southern shift in their distribution.”

Through the Partnering for Pintail Program, CWA is working with partners to improve regulations for pintail and hopefully ensure future opportunities for the California hunter.

“We believe a bag limit of three is justified,” emphasized McLandress.

For complete waterfowl regulations, visit the Department of Fish & Game’s Web site at dfg.ca.gov/regulations/09-10-waterfowl-sum.html.

Now all we need is some nasty weather this winter to make this year a great one for waterfowl hunting. The “El Nino” phenomenon is expected to return, along with its unpredictable effects on our local winter weather patterns.

Last year we experienced only two or three major storms during the waterfowl season, making for some meager duck days for many hunters.

Why Hunt?

The California Waterfowl Association has put together an excellent video that shines a light on the reasons why hunters hunt, and the intimate connection between hunters and the environment. It’s about six minutes long, and really rings true with what it means to be a hunter.

Have you ever had trouble explaining why you enjoy hunting to someone who’s never done it? This video really sums it up well, defining the relationship of the responsible hunter with the natural order of the world.

It’s great viewing for the active hunter too, helping you reconnect with the reasons you enjoy hunting, and rekindling the emotions that drive you to pursue the sport.

Visit www.calwaterfowl.org /web2/programs /heritage/

whyhuntvideo.htm to give it a watch.

Send it to your non-hunting friends, as well, to give them some insight into your choice to be a hunter.

Guy Carl is a CPA and partner with BDCo Accountants and Advisors in

St. Helena (www.bdcocpa.com).

Contact Guy at GC.outdoors@

sbcglobal.net.