The 2011-12 early season frameworks

The 2011-12 early season frameworks, which cover migratory bird hunting seasons opening before Oct. 1, continue allowing a 16-day teal-only season when estimated breeding population of blue-winged teal is 4.7 million birds or more. A nine-day season is allowed when bluewing populations are below 4.7 million.

Preliminary estimates from the annual breeding population survey conducted during May and June on major duck nesting areas of the north-central United States and south-central Canada pegs this year's bluewing population at 8.9 million birds.

That's the highest blue-wing breeding population estimate since the standardized surveys began in 1955. The previous high was 7.4 million in 2000.

TPWD earlier this year proposed Sept. 10-25 as teal season dates statewide, if a 16-day season was allowed.

Also, Texas this year plans to take advantage of federal frameworks allowing an early hunting season aimed at reducing populations of resident, feral Canada geese.

As has happened in other states, Texas is seeing introduced flocks of Canada geese expand their range and populations, mostly in urban areas where the large, feral waterfowl have become pests, damaging vegetation, fouling landscapes and otherwise causing problems.

The majority of these "resident" flocks of Canada geese are in North Texas, mostly along the Red River but also with growing numbers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Henderson County in northeast Texas holds the state's largest flock of resident Canadas, with some estimates of as many as 15,000 of the big birds in that county.

TPWD plans to allow its first early season Canada goose season this year, with the season set to run concurrent with the teal season.