As duck season opens in southern Michigan, Department of Natural Resources wildlife officials remind hunters that the daily bag limit on scaup (bluebills) changes twice during the season.

"The federal framework allows Michigan hunters to harvest two scaup daily for 20 days of the season and just one a day for the remaining 40 days," explained DNR waterfowl specialist Barb Avers. "As a result -- and in consultation with our Citizens Waterfowl Advisory Committee -- we chose 20-day periods in the midst of the duck season that correspond to the traditional peak of migration for scaup through Michigan, which will allow hunters the best opportunity to take two birds a day."

"Although the variable bag limits are somewhat confusing to hunters, this is not the first time the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has included this provision in its rules. In recent years, hunters have had variable bag limits for pintails and canvasbacks, as well."

Segments of duck season that allow a two-scaup daily bag include:

• North Zone; Oct. 11-30;
• Middle Zone; Oct. 18 - Nov. 6;
• South Zone; Oct. 25- Nov. 13.

The day bag limit is six ducks, no more than four mallards (no more than one of which may be a hen), three wood ducks, two redheads, one pintail, one black duck and one or two scaup, depending on the hunting zone and date.