U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Finalizes Light Goose Conservation Rules
December 3, 2008
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently finalized rules allowing the use of expanded hunting methods and implementation of a conservation order to increase light goose harvest. The regulations have been in place in the Central and Mississippi Flyways on an interim basis since 1999, when the Arctic Tundra Habitat Emergency Conservation Act was passed. The final rule makes the regulations permanent in those flyways, and also makes Atlantic Flyway states eligible to implement them. To finalize the regulations, the Service published a Record of Decision and Final Rule that completes the National Environmental Policy Act process for light goose management in the November 5, 2008, Federal Register.
“The overabundance of light geese is harming their fragile arctic breeding habitat,” said H. Dale Hall, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “The damage to the habitat is, in turn, harming the health of the light geese and other bird species that depend on the tundra habitat. Returning the light goose population to sustainable levels is necessary to protect this delicate habitat, and every species dependent on it.”
During the last few decades, populations of greater and lesser snow geese and Ross’s geese, collectively called “light geese,” have grown to historic highs. The current breeding population of mid-continent light geese likely exceeds 5 million birds, an increase of more than 300 percent since the mid-1970s. Historic numbers of central arctic light geese have denuded portions of their fragile tundra breeding habitat to the point many areas may take decades to recover. The geese are showing lower-than-normal body size and suffering a decrease in gosling survival due to habitat degradation. The deteriorating habitat is also having a negative impact on some local populations of other bird species. For example, the number of semi-palmated sandpiper and red-necked phalarope nests have declined at La Perouse Bay, Manitoba, where habitat has been severely degraded by the geese. Overabundant greater snow geese have also damaged natural marsh habitats and caused agricultural depredations on migration and wintering areas in eastern Canada and Atlantic coast states. Decreasing the light goose population will help ease the pressure on the arctic and migration habitats, improving the health for all its associated wildlife populations, including light geese.
Since implementation of the conservation order in 1999, the harvest of mid-continent light geese has more than doubled, and the population growth rate as measured by the midwinter index has been reduced. The management goal is to reduce the number of mid-continent light geese by 50 percent, and to reduce the greater snow geese population to 500,000 birds.
The final rule authorizes the use of new hunting methods, such as electronic calls and unplugged shotguns, to harvest light geese during normal hunting season frameworks. These regulations are allowed during a light-goose-only hunting season when all other waterfowl and crane hunting seasons, excluding falconry, are closed. Further, the rule authorizes States to implement a conservation order to allow the harvest of light geese outside of traditional hunting seasons. In addition, the conservation order allows shooting hours to continue until one-half hour after sunset and removes the daily bag limit for light geese.
The Service published two rules in 1999 to authorize 24 southern and Midwestern States to increase the harvest of light geese in order to reduce the population. The rules were the result of an extensive study of arctic light goose populations completed in 1997 by the Arctic Goose Habitat Working Group, as well as dozens of scientific papers describing the burgeoning light goose population and subsequent degradation of arctic habitat and associated wildlife health. The rules were withdrawn to prevent further litigation following a court challenge by the Humane Society of the United States, Animal Alliance of Canada, Canadian Environmental Defence Fund, and The Animal Protection Institute. However, Congress subsequently passed the Arctic Tundra Habitat Emergency Conservation Act in 1999 to reinstate the rules while the Service completed an Environmental Impact Statement on light goose management. The Service published the Final Environmental Impact Statement in June of 2007 after undergoing public comments and hearings on the Draft EIS. The EIS examined five alternatives for managing light goose populations, ranging from no action, direct agency population control, to the preferred alternative of authorizing regulations to increase harvest.
The Final Rule that implements the preferred alternative in the EIS is available on the internet at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/fedreg/MGBHR.HTML
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The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
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Grants Totaling $ 1.509 Million to Fund Improvements to Wildlife Habitat in California’s Central Valley
September 23, 2008
Two grants totaling more than $1.5 million will help fund two wildlife habitat restoration and conservation projects in California, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced Monday (Sept. 15). Funded under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), these two projects will help protect, restore and enhance more than 8,600 acres of wetlands, riparian and associated habitat in the Central Valley. Partners in these projects will contribute an additional $2.895 million in non-federal matching funds to help support these conservation effects.
A grant of $1,000,000 to Ducks Unlimited will support Phase 2 of a multi-phase initiative to conserve wetlands and associated habitats in the northern Tulare and San Joaquin basins of California?s Central Valley in Fresno and Merced Counties. Partners will protect, restore and enhance 5,210 of wetlands, 205 acres of riparian and 1,334 acres of associated wildlife habitats consisting of native grasslands, scrublands and managed upland habitats. Habitat conserved through this grant will benefit waterfowl, shorebirds and other wetland-dependent birds throughout the year.
A second grant of $509,039 to the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service will support the seventh phase of a multi-phase initiative to protect, restore and enhance wetlands and associated uplands within the Grasslands Wildlife Management Area and the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge acquisition boundary. The work will restore and enhance 1,854 acres of wetlands, riparian and wetland associated habitat, which will provide resting and foraging habitat for wintering migratory waterfowl and year-round habitat for other riparian and wetlands dependent birds and wildlife. These lands will provide long-term benefits to wetlands conservation and migratory birds because the lands are protected under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service perpetual conservation easements. The northern San Joaquin Valley–especially the wetlands in Merced and Stanislaus counties–is a critically important wintering area for Pacific Flyway migratory birds, with peak annual numbers of ducks and geese ranging from 800,000 to 1,000,000.
The two grants were awarded under NAWCA?s U.S. Standard Grants Program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Central Valley Joint Venture ( http://www.centralvalleyjointventure.org ). The grants are funded by annual Congressional appropriations; fines, penalties and forfeitures levied under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; interest accrued on funds under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and excise taxes paid on small engine fuels through the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Fund.
The commission includes Senators Thad Cochran of Mississippi and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, Representatives John Dingell of Michigan and Wayne Gilchrest of Maryland, Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson, as well as state representatives serving as ex officio members who vote on projects located within their respective states.
More information about NAWCA grant programs and summaries of the projects is available at: http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NAWCA/index.shtm.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
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Marsh Hen, Teal Seasons Open Soon in South Carolina
September 16, 2008
The migratory bird hunting seasons for marsh hens (rails) and teal will soon open.
The two-part season for marsh hens—including king, clapper, sora and Virginia rails—and common moorhens and purple gallinules will be from Sept. 15–Sept. 20 and Oct. 13–Dec. 15. The daily bag limit for king and/or clapper rails is 15 birds per hunter and moorhens and/or purple gallinules are 15 birds per hunter. The daily limit for sora and/or Virginia rails is 25 birds per hunter. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset. Lead shot is legal for rail hunting, except that non-toxic shot is required on National Wildlife Refuges.
The South Carolina early season for teal will be Sept. 19-27. The daily bag limit is four birds. Shooting hours are sunrise until sunset (not 30 minutes before sunrise, as with other migratory bird seasons). Nontoxic shot is required for all waterfowl hunting.
For more information, write to Early-Season Migratory Birds, S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR), PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202, call (803) 734-3886 in Columbia.
South Carolina migratory bird hunters age 16 and older must have a state hunting license and a free migratory bird permit. Additionally, participants in the September Canada Goose season and the early teal season must have the Federal Waterfowl Stamp and SC Waterfowl Permit. Completion of an approved hunter education course is mandatory for resident and nonresident South Carolina hunters born after June 30, 1979, to purchase a license, and voluntary for older and younger hunters.
DNR protects and manages South Carolina’s natural resources by making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state’s natural resources and its people.
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Woodcock Season Opens Sept. 20 in Wisconsin
September 9, 2008
MADISON — The woodcock population across its range in the Midwest and northeast United States has shown a steady decline over the last 30-plus years, a drop that wildlife biologists believe is primarily related to changes in forest habitat.
However, in Wisconsin, this decline appears to have leveled off with no significant change over the last decade.
“Interest in pursuing the ‘timberdoodle’ throughout the forests of Wisconsin remains high with more than 17,000 woodcock hunters spending 79,000 days in the field in 2007,” says Kent Van Horn, migratory wildlife specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. “Wisconsin ranks second in the nation for woodcock harvest at about 48,000 birds. Overall, hunters should expect to see woodcock numbers similar to the last few years and depending on the weather, should enjoy a good fall.”
Woodcock season runs Sept. 20 to Nov. 3, with a daily bag of three birds.
Since woodcock are a migratory species, hunters should remember that if they wish to hunt woodcock they must not use a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells unless the magazine has been plugged. This also means they need to be registered for the Harvest Information Program (HIP), a federal program that helps the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitor the harvest of migratory bird species by randomly selecting a sample of HIP registered hunters and asking them to participate in a harvest survey. HIP registration is free and available at all locations where hunting licenses are sold.
Becoming HIP registered is a simple process. When hunters apply for a license they are asked if they intend to hunt migratory game birds in Wisconsin this year. If they answer “yes,” they are asked about the number of ducks and geese harvested last year and whether or not they hunted other migratory birds. Once those questions are answered, the hunter is HIP registered.
Many hunters hunt ruffed grouse and woodcock at the same time and the federal requirements for HIP registration and hunting with a shotgun limited to holding thrershells are not required for ruffed grouse. However, these regulations must be followed if hunting both species at the same time.
Detailed woodcock hunting regulations can be found in the Small Game Hunting Regulations.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kent Van Horn, DNR Migratory Game Bird ecologist - (608) 266-8841 or James Christopoulos (608) 261-6458
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Dove Hunting Regulation and Safety Reminders
August 29, 2008
Doves are migratory birds so hunters must use a plugged shot gun with a capacity not to exceed three shells in the magazine and chamber combined.
Dove hunters must be registered with the federal Harvest Information Program (HIP). HIP registration is free and available at all locations where hunting licenses are sold. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service randomly selects a sample of HIP registered hunters and asks them to participate in a harvest survey.
Remember to avoid shooting at doves near power lines and horizontally at low-flying birds where other hunters may be present.
Dove hunters are encouraged to be sure to pick up all litter, including spent shell casings, while hunting. DNR wardens report some dove hunters are leaving behind large numbers of shell casings on public lands and that they will be increasing enforcement of litter laws this season.
“Take a moment to think about how you’d like to find a hunting spot – clean, picked up and with only boot prints left hehind,” said Mike Dickhoff, DNR Rock County conservation warden. “Then extend that same courtesy to the next hunter.”
Always remember the basic rules of firearms safety: TAB-K:
- Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
- Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
- Be sure of your target and beyond.
- Keep your finger out of the trigger guard until you’re ready to shoot.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kent Van Horn (608) 266-8841
Mourning dove season opens on Sept. 1 In Wisconsin / 2008 season extended by 10 days
Hunters participating in the 2008 mourning dove season in Wisconsin will enjoy an extra 10 days of hunting opportunity, and those hunters hunting on state and federal lands will only be able to use nontoxic shot.
The 2008 season opens Sept. 1 and runs through Nov. 9, which is 10 days longer than previous seasons. In a June 2008 decision, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided for states to select an additional 10 days of dove hunting. In August, the state Natural Resources Board approved extending the Wisconsin mourning dove season to Nov. 9. Because the change was made so late, the 2008 Small Game Hunting Regulations pamphlet does not reflect this increase of 10 additional hunting days.
Also new this year is a requirement for nontoxic shot for hunting mourning doves on all DNR managed lands in addition to the previous requirement for nontoxic shot on National Wildlife Refuges and federally owned Waterfowl Production Areas.
Between 10,000 and 15,000 hunters have taken to the fields in pursuit of mourning doves in recent years, according to Kent Van Horn, migratory game bird ecologist with the Department of Natural Resources.
“During this same period, mourning doves have shown a 1 to 5 percent increase in population, while hunters were harvesting 100,000 to 200,000 doves annually,” Van Horn notes.
The mourning dove is a fast flying game bird, which Van Horn says, presents a challenging target but fine food on the dinner table. Additional information on dove hunting is available on the DNR Web site.
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Dove Season Set to Open on Sept. 1st Throughout North Carolina
August 26, 2008
RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina’s dove season opens statewide on Monday, Sept. 1 at noon with a daily bag limit of 15 doves per hunter per day.
Traditionally Labor Day weekend is the opening of dove season in North Carolina and includes both Saturday and Monday – giving most hunters two days off from work to hunt. However, under the federal frameworks for hunting migratory birds the season cannot open before Sept. 1, so the season will open on the Monday of Labor Day weekend this year.
After opening day, hunting opens a half hour before sunrise to sunset. Dove season will be split into three segments this hunting season, with the first segment from Sept. 1 through Oct. 4. The second segment is from Nov. 24 through Nov. 29, and the final segment from Dec. 12 through Jan. 10.
When dove hunting, wildlife officers with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission advise:
- BE SAFE: When hunting in a group, know where others are and communicate. Never shoot at low-flying birds and alert companions when a bird is too low to safely allow a shot. Wearing proper eye and ear protection is advised.
- SHOOT RESPONSIBLY: Know your field of fire and don’t pepper people, nearby buildings or vehicles with falling shot.
- KNOW THE RULES: Don’t hunt over baited fields. According to state regulations, placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering of salt, grain or other feed that could serve as a lure for migratory game can constitute a baited area.
- ENROLL IN HUNTER EDUCATION: First-time hunting license buyers must successfully complete a Hunter Education Course, offered free across the state.
- FOR MORE INFORMATION: Click here to consult the online version of the 2008-2009 N.C. Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest or call (919) 707-0031.
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Early Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set in New Hampshire
August 18, 2008
CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has finalized the 2008 hunting season dates and bag limits for early season migratory game birds, with no significant changes from last year. The 2008 seasons for these game birds are as follows:
Resident Canada geese: The bag limit is five birds per day during the September season, which extends from September 2 (the day after Labor Day) through September 25, 2008. As was true last year, New Hampshire’s resident Canada goose population continues to grow and has a statewide distribution.
Youth Waterfowl Weekend: The last weekend in September, this year the youth weekend falls on Saturday and Sunday, September 27 and 28. All regular season waterfowl regulations, including bag limits, shooting hours, use of non-toxic shot, etc., apply during the youth weekend.
Woodcock: October 6 - November 4, 2008. Bag limit is 3 birds per day.
Snipe: September 15 to November 4, 2008. Bag limit is 8 birds per day.
Sea ducks: October 1, 2008 - January 15, 2009. Bag limit is 7 birds per day, with no more than 4 scoters, 4 eiders or 4 long-tailed ducks
Crows: The fall crow-hunting season runs from August 15 to November 30, 2008; next spring’s two-week crow season will be March 16-31, 2009.
Hunters of all migratory game birds must have a 2008 New Hampshire hunting license and are required by federal law to register for the National Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP). In New Hampshire, this includes all who hunt ducks, geese, snipe, woodcock and coots. Separate HIP permits are needed in each state. Licensed hunters should call 1-800-207-6183, or go to the “Buy Your License Online” section of the Fish and Game website www.HuntNH.com, to receive a permit number (there is no charge). This number should be written on the hunting license. Harvest information from HIP helps Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service make more reliable estimates of the number of all migratory birds harvested. Each year, a random selection of hunters is asked to complete a voluntary harvest survey.
Waterfowl hunters must also obtain a federal duck stamp and a New Hampshire Migratory Waterfowl hunting license.
If you’re new to waterfowl hunting or thinking about getting started, get an introduction at a free waterfowl hunting seminar being offered by N.H. Fish and Game on Saturday, September 13, 2008, from 9 a.m. - noon at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center on Perch Pond Road in Holderness. The session will be taught by veteran waterfowler Pete Lester. Pre-registration is required. To sign up for the workshop, call (603) 536-3954. For more information, click here.
Late-season waterfowl dates for the upcoming season in New Hampshire will be finalized after a public hearing on August 26, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. at N.H. Fish and Game headquarters on Hazen Drive in Concord, N.H. For more information, visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Newsroom/News_2008/News_2008_Q3/Waterfowl_Hearing_080508.html.
Hunters are asked to report all banded birds by calling toll-free to 1-800-327-BAND. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will send a certificate with information about the bird.
For more information on New Hampshire hunting season dates and regulations, click here.
To buy licenses and permits online, visit www.HuntNH.com.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats.
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Duck Season in South Dakota Set with Third Year of Hunter’s Choice Experiment
August 15, 2008
FORT SISSETON HISTORIC STATE PARK, S.D.–As it enters its third and final year, the Hunter’s Choice experiment for duck hunters seems to be achieving its desired effects. That’s what Game, Fish and Parks Commissioners heard prior to finalizing the state duck hunting season at their August meeting at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park.
“We’re saving a lot of hen mallards with Hunter’s Choice,” GFP Senior Waterfowl Biologist Spencer Vaa told commissioners. Hunter’s Choice uses an aggregate bag of one hen mallard or one pintail or one canvasback. This limits the harvest of species that need protection while maintaining a full hunting opportunity on more abundant species. Prior to the implementation of Hunter’s Choice, South Dakota’s duck season used a season-within-a-season for the taking of pintails and canvasbacks.
“In two years of Hunter’s Choice, it looks like it’s doing what we wanted it to,” said Wildlife Division Assistant Director George Vandel, “limiting harvest without limiting hunting opportunity.”
Vandel reminded commissioners that federal regulations govern the taking of migratory birds. “You have to work with the other states in the Central Flyway,” Vandel said. “As a state, you just can’t do what you want.”
The original proposal before commissioners offered a limit of three wood ducks. Taking its direction from the Central Flyway, that limit was reduced to two wood ducks in the finalized season. For South Dakota, the daily duck bag limit is five comprised of no more than two scaup, two wood ducks, two redheads, one hen mallard or one pintail or one canvasback.
“Canvasbacks took a pretty good hit,” Vandel said. Of the four flyways, the states in the Central Flyway are the only ones eligible to hunt canvasbacks this year. That season is closed in the other three flyways.
In South Dakota there will also be a daily limit of 15 coot and five mergansers with the merganser bag limited to no more than two hooded mergansers. Possession limits are twice the daily bag limit.
Season dates are Oct. 4 through Jan. 8, 2009, in the High Plains; Sept. 27 through Dec. 9 in the Low Plains North and Low Plains Middle; and Oct. 11 through Dec. 23 in the Low Plains South.
As the Hunter’s Choice experiment comes to an end, Vandel said the next step will be an evaluation of the results. “We’ll study how to incorporate Hunter’s Choice into our season or if hunters even want Hunter’s Choice.” According to Vandel, part of the evaluation will include a survey of waterfowl hunters.
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Commission Adopts Game Bird Hunting Regulations: More Turkey Hunting Opportunities in NE Oregon
August 11, 2008
SALEM, Ore.– Oregon’s Fish and Wildlife Commission today adopted 2008-09 regulations for birds hunted in Oregon including migratory birds (duck, goose, mourning dove, band-tailed pigeon, coot, snipe) upland birds (pheasant, forest grouse, chukar, pheasant, California quail, mountain quail, sage grouse, turkey) and crows.
Most upland bird seasons operate under a five-year framework so hunters won’t see many changes this year. However, fall turkey hunting opportunities will expand in northeast Oregon, with 200 more tags available this year and two new hunts added (Wallowa and Grande Ronde).
“Turkey populations have increased in recent years in the Blue Mountains and other areas of northeast Oregon,” explained Dave Budeau, ODFW upland bird coordinator. “It’s a great place to hunt turkeys because many can be found on public land.”
Beginning next season (2009-2010), pheasant hunting will open the same weekend as chukar and quail in eastern Oregon. “Chukar and quail are some of the most popular game birds to hunt in Oregon, and pheasants are also a favorite,” explained Budeau. “We want to ease the burden of high fuel prices and make it possible for hunters to pursue all in the same trip.” (ODFW is announcing the shift in season dates now because many hunters plan trips well in advance.)
Budeau expects better upland bird hunting this year. “The hunting outlook generally looks to be improved over last year because of increased moisture, which promoted better habitat conditions,” he told Commissioners. Last year’s production was down on the eastside due to drought conditions, particular in southeast Oregon.
While the duck season will remain liberal overall, canvasback hunting is closed, a conservation measure in response to drought conditions on important duck breeding grounds. The scaup bag limit will be reduced from three to two and the season length will only be 86 days.
Goose hunters will see more hunting opportunity as the daily bag limit for white geese will increase from four to six birds in most of the state. Hunters in the special NW Oregon Permit Zone will also be able to hunt white geese during the third period.
In Klamath County, late season goose hunters can now take three white geese daily, but only one white-fronted