checking in waterfowl

[mossberg500]

each hunting season i buy my waterfowl stamps ( fed & state ) and get my hip number , i don't see waterfowl where i hunt at , my question is this : if i get a chance to actually get a duck or goose do they need to be brought to a check station like you would do for deer and turkey or do i just call 1-800-hip and report my harvest , i want to start getting more involved in waterfowl hunting , but i want to know and understand the regulations more better before i start .

[morrison]

Waterfowl taken during the normal waterfowl seasons are not required to be checked in. the following year when you obtain your next HIP number, they will ask you questions pertaining to the number of migratory birds harvested in the previous season.