U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced proposed frameworks

[webfoot]

July 24, 2001
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced proposed frameworks for early
season migratory bird hunting today that, if approved, will be used by
State wildlife agencies to set season dates, lengths and bag limits.

The hunting season proposals were developed after consultation with the
four Flyway Councils, made up of State representatives, following extensive
review of habitat and population information collected by surveys of
breeding grounds throughout North America in the spring of 2001.

"Although duck numbers declined slightly this year, they remain above their
historic average. From the Service's perspective, the stability seen over
the past five years is very encouraging," said acting Service Director
Marshall Jones.

Blue-winged teal abundance this spring was approximately 5.8 million, down
from last year's record high of 7.4 million, but 29 percent above the
1955-2000 average. Green-winged teal abundance was estimated at 3.2
million, which is 21 percent below last year's estimate, but 39 percent
above the long-term average.

Woodcock Singing-ground Survey data indicated that the number of displaying
woodcock in the Eastern Region was not significantly different from 2000
levels. In the Central Region, there was a 12.9% decrease in the number of
woodcock heard displaying compared to 2000 levels.

The Mid-Continent Population of Sandhill Cranes has generally stabilized at
comparatively high levels, since increases that were recorded in the
1970-80s. The Central Platte River Valley, Nebraska, spring index for 2001
was 396,000 cranes. About 16,850 cranes were harvested in the Central
Flyway during 2000-01 seasons, which was similar to estimated harvests for
the previous year.

The fall 2000 pre-migration survey estimate for the Rocky Mountain
Population of sandhill cranes was 19,990, which was similar to the previous
year's estimate of 19,501. Limited special seasons were held during 2000
in portions of Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming,
resulting in a record high harvest of 810 cranes.

Analyses of Mourning Dove Call-count Survey data indicated significant
declines in doves heard over the most recent 10 years and the entire 36
years of the survey in both the Central and Western Management Units. A
project has been funded recently to develop mourning dove population models
for each unit to provide guidance to improve the decision-making process
for harvest management.

The Service is proposing to approve an operational September teal and wood
duck special season in Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida, rather than
continuing it on an experimental basis. As a condition of this status,
Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida would maintain wood duck population
monitoring and banding efforts. The September teal/wood duck season in all
three States will be five days, with a daily bag limit of four birds, no
more than two of which can be wood ducks.

The 2000-01 season was the third consecutive year of an extended 16-day
September teal season in the Central and Mississippi Flyways, as well as
the third year of a three-year experimental September teal season in the
Atlantic Flyway. Preliminary harvest estimates from last year's September
teal season indicate that the combined estimated harvest in the Mississippi
and Central Flyways was 631,200 cinnamon, blue- and green-winged teal,
which is 17 percent greater than the 1999 estimate. Six states in the
Atlantic Flyway harvested an estimated 31,000 blue-and green-winged teal,
similar to the 32,000 harvested during 1999.

Although the data from the experimental teal season in the Atlantic Flyway
have been collected, results are incomplete at this time. The Service will
conduct a full assessment of the season when final reports are received.
However, the Atlantic Flyway Council did not recommend renewing teal
seasons in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and West Virginia.

Other highlights of the proposed early season frameworks follow. For
additional information on these species or for others not listed below
(such as cranes, snipe, woodcock and doves), consult the Division of
Migratory Bird Management web site at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov. The
Service will accept comments on the proposed early season frameworks until
August 3. Comments should be sent to Chief, Division of Migratory Bird
Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, ms
634-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240.

SPECIAL SEPTEMBER TEAL SEASON - Between September 1 and September 30, an
open season on all species of teal may be selected by the following States
in areas delineated by State regulations:

Atlantic Flyway - The states of Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, and
Virginia may select an experimental teal season not to exceed 9 consecutive
days. The daily bag limit is four birds. Shooting hours may extend one-half
hour before sunrise to sunset except in Maryland, where the hours are from
sunrise to sunset.

Mississippi Flyway - The states of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee may select
a teal season that cannot exceed 16 consecutive days. The daily bag limit
is four birds. Shooting hours may extend from one-half hour before sunrise
to sunset, except in the states of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri,
and Ohio, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.

Central Flyway - The states of Colorado, Nebraska and New Mexico may select
a teal season for the parts of their states in the Central Flyway. Oklahoma
and Texas may select a teal season for the entire state. For all states
except Nebraska, where the season is experimental, the season cannot exceed
16 consecutive days. The experimental season in Nebraska is not to exceed 9
consecutive days. The daily bag limit is 4 teal for all states. Shooting
hours may extend from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

SEPTEMBER DUCK SEASONS

Florida: In lieu of a special September teal season, a 5-consecutive-day
special teal/wood duck season may be selected in September. The daily bag
limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the aggregate, of which no
more than 2 may be wood ducks.

Kentucky and Tennessee: In lieu of a special September teal season, a
5-consecutive-day special teal/wood duck season may be selected in
September. The daily bag limit may not exceed a total of 4 teal and wood
ducks, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks.

Iowa: Iowa may hold up to 5 days of its regular duck hunting season in
September. All ducks that are legal during the regular duck season may be
taken during the September segment of the season. The September season
segment may commence no earlier than September 22. The daily bag and
possession limits will be the same as those in effect last year, but are
subject to change during the late-season regulations process. The
remainder of the regular duck season may not begin before October 10.

SPECIAL YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNTING DAYS

States may select two consecutive days (hunting days in Atlantic Flyway
States with compensatory days) per duck-hunting zone, designated as "Youth
Waterfowl Hunting Days," in addition to their regular duck seasons. The
days must be held outside any regular duck season on a weekend, holidays,
or other non-school days when youth hunters would have the maximum
opportunity to participate. The days may be held up to 14 days before or
after any regular duck-season frameworks or within any split of a regular
duck season, or within any other open season on migratory birds.

The daily bag limit may include ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, moorhens,
and gallinules and would be the same as that allowed in the regular season.
Flyway species and area restrictions would remain in effect. Shooting hours
may extend one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.Youth hunters must be 15
years of age or younger. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age
must accompany the youth hunter into the field. The adult may not hunt
ducks but may participate in other open seasons on the special youth day.

SCOTER, EIDER AND OLDSQUAW DUCKS

Atlantic Flyway - Between September 15 and January 20, states may choose a
season for these species not to exceed 107 days, with a daily combined bag
limit of 7 birds for all species, of which no more than 4 may be scoters.

Within specially designated sea duck areas, states may also choose to allow
the above sea duck limits in addition to the limits applying to other ducks
during the regular duck season. In all other areas, sea ducks may be taken
only during the regular open season for ducks and are part of the regular
duck season daily bag (not to exceed 4 scoters) and possession limits. See
the Service's web site or the Federal Register notice for details of the
sea duck areas.

SPECIAL EARLY CANADA GOOSE SEASONS

Atlantic Flyway - Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September
1-15 may be selected for the Eastern Unit of Maryland and Delaware.
Seasons not to exceed 20 days during September 1-20 may be selected for the
Northeast Hunt Unit of North Carolina. Seasons not to exceed 30 days
during September 1-30 may be selected by New Jersey. Seasons may not
exceed 25 days during September 1-25 in the remainder of the Flyway, except
Georgia and Florida, where the season is closed. Areas open to the hunting
of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in
each State's hunting regulations. Daily Bag limits may not exceed 5 Canada
geese.

Experimental Seasons - Experimental Canada goose seasons of up to 25 days
from September 1-25 may be selected by the Montezuma Region of New York,
the Lake Champlain Region of New York and Vermont. Experimental seasons of
up to 30 days from September 1-30 may be selected by New York (Long Island
Zone), North Carolina (except in the Northeast Hunt Unit), and South
Carolina. Daily bag limits may not exceed 5 Canada geese.

Mississippi Flyway

General Seasons- Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September
1-15 may be selected, except in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, where the
season may not extend beyond September 10. The daily bag limit may not
exceed 5 Canada geese.

Experimental Seasons - An experimental Canada goose season of up to 7
consecutive days during September 16-22 may be selected by Minnesota,
except in the Northwest Goose Zone. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5
Canada geese. An experimental Canada goose season of up to 10 consecutive
days during September 1-10 may be selected by Michigan for Huron, Saginaw,
and Tuscola Counties, except that the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge,
Shiawassee River State Game Area Refuge, and the Fish Point Wildlife Area
Refuge will remain closed. The daily bag limit may not exceed 2 Canada
geese.

Central Flyway

General Seasons - Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September
1-15 may be selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated,
and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.

Experimental Seasons - An experimental Canada goose season of up to 14
consecutive days during September 16-29 may be selected by South Dakota. An
experimental Canada goose season of up to 2 consecutive days during
September 16-17 may be selected by Oklahoma. An experimental Canada goose
season of up to 7 consecutive days during September 16-22 may be selected
by North Dakota. The daily bag limit for each state may not exceed 5
Canada geese.

Pacific Flyway

General Seasons - Wyoming may select an 8-day season on Canada geese
between September 1-15, subject to certain conditions. A daily bag limit of
3, with season and possession limits of 6, will apply to the special
season. Oregon may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days
during the period September 1-15. In addition, in the Northwest goose
management zone in Oregon, a 15-day season may be selected during the
period September 1-20. Daily bag limits may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
Washington may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days during
the period September 1-15. Daily bag limits may not exceed 5 Canada geese.

Idaho may select a 15-day season in the special East Canada Goose Zone, as
described in State regulations, during the period September 1-15. All
participants must have a valid State permit, and the total number of
permits issued is not to exceed 110 for this zone. The daily bag limit is
2. Idaho may select a 7-day Canada Goose Season during the period September
1-15 in Nez Perce County, with a bag limit of 4. California may select a
9-day season in Humboldt County during the period September 1-15. The
daily bag limit is 2.

REGULAR GOOSE SEASONS

Regular goose seasons may open as early as September 16 in Wisconsin and
Michigan. Season lengths, bag and possession limits, and other provisions
will be established during the late-season regulations process.

WOODCOCK

Eastern Region (Atlantic Flyway) - States may select a 30 day season
between October 6 and January 31, with a daily bag limit of 3 birds.

Central Region (Mississippi Flyway) - States may select a 45 day season
between September 22 and January 31, with a daily bag limit of 3 birds.

MOURNING DOVES

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15, except as otherwise
provided, States may select hunting seasons and daily bag limits as
follows:

Eastern Management Unit

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a daily
bag limit of 12, or not more than 60 days with a daily bag limit of 15.

Central Management Unit

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a daily
bag limit of 12, or not more than 60 days with a daily bag limit of 15.

Western Management Unit

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and
Washington - Not more than 30 consecutive days with a daily bag limit of 10
mourning doves (in Nevada, the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning
and white-winged doves in the aggregate).

Arizona and California - Not more than 60 days, which may be split between
two periods, September 1-15 and November 1-January 15. In Arizona, during
the first segment of the season, the daily bag limit is 10 mourning and
white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 6 may be
white-winged doves. During the remainder of the season, the daily bag
limit is restricted to 10 mourning doves. In California, the daily bag
limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.

SANDHILL CRANES
Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway:

Between September 1 and February 28, seasons not to exceed 37 consecutive
days may be selected in designated portions of North Dakota (Area 2) and
Texas (Area 2). Seasons not to exceed 58 consecutive days may be selected
in designated portions of the following States: Colorado, Kansas, Montana,
North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Seasons not to exceed 93
consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of the following
States: New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The daily bag limit is 3 sandhill
cranes, except 2 sandhill cranes in designated portions of North Dakota
(Area 2) and Texas (Area 2).

Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane seasons
must have a valid Federal sandhill crane hunting permit and/or, in those
States where a Federal sandhill crane permit is not issued, a State-issued
Harvest Information Survey Program (HIP) certification for game bird
hunting in their possession while hunting.

Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways:

Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming may select
seasons for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the Rocky Mountain
Population (RMP) between September 1 and January 31. The season in any
State or zone may not exceed 30 days with a bag limit not to exceed 3 daily
and 9 per season. Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the
appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.

Other provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates, protection
plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons must be consistent
with the management plan and approved by the Central and Pacific Flyway
Councils with the following exceptions: In Utah, the requirement for
monitoring the harvest in the experimental season is waived, and 100
percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota; In Arizona, the
annual requirement for monitoring the harvest is changed to once every 3
years. In Idaho, seasons are experimental, and the requirement for
monitoring the harvest is waived; 100 percent of the harvest will be
assigned to the RMP quota; and in New Mexico, the season in the Estancia
Valley is experimental, with a requirement to monitor the harvest; greater
sandhill cranes in the harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota.

[ July 24, 2001: Message edited by: Webfoot ]