Despite our name, the Mattamuskeet Goose Club is home to hunters of many waterfowl species. Ducks, geese, and even swans are fair game when it comes to Lake Mattamuskeet. But hunting comes with a hefty responsibility of conservation the natural resources that we’ve been given. Throughout history, some animal species have been overhunted to the point of extinction, erasing their kind from the face of the planet. And what’s a hunter without their prey?
Conservation is something of a buzzword in the hunting industry. That’s why it’s so important to keep an eye on the migration outlook for the upcoming season. Pair this information with the legal season limits issued by your state, and you’ll have a solid foundation for sustainable hunting practices. Read on for more information on the overall forecast and data pertaining to the remainder of the 2023 hunting season.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service released their 2023 population status update back in August, and these numbers are a key indicator of what the coming months may hold for hunters across the country. According to the data presented in this document, the total duck population estimate for 2023 hovers around 32.3 million. This estimate represents a 7% drop from the population statistics in 2022, and it sits well below the long-term average of 35.5 million. Species like the mallard and the blue-winged teal have decreased since this time last year, while others like the Northern pintail seem to have increased. It’s also worth noting that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recorded a similar overall negative trend across the general swan and goose populations.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has issued the season restrictions and limits for this coming hunting season. The official document contains charts and notes with all the information a waterfowl hunter could need to achieve legal hunting status. Whether you’re hunting ducks, coots, geese, or swans, the NCWRC has supplied relevant season dates for each species and daily bag limits to monitor your catch. Military veterans and youth under the age of 18 can also take advantage of specific hunting dates, provided they follow the posted guidelines. With every hunting season, species populations fluctuate. As a hunter, it’s critical that you stay on top of the waterfowl migration outlook and compare yearly data. With the 50,000-acre Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge located on and around the lake, conservation is a big part of who we are at the Mattamuskeet Goose Club. Are you ready to join in and be a part of our Founder’s Club? Become a member today, and support the relaunch of this historic Southern legacy!
