2016-17 USA Game Bird Hunting Seasons

In December, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced it is proposing continued liberal game bird season lengths and bag limits for the 2016-17 hunting seasons.

Each year, USFWS works in partnership with states from four Flyway Councils (Pacific, Central, Mississippi and Atlantic) to establish regulatory frameworks for hunting season lengths, dates and bag limits. States select their individual seasons from within the federal frameworks.

The announcement can be viewed at http://www.fws.gov/home/feature/2015/pdfs/Proposed-frameworks-2016.pdf.

USFWS publishes migratory game bird regulations each year in the Federal Register.

source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

USA National Wildlife Refuge Hunting Opportunities

In March, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) officals announced that the agency will expand hunting and fishing opportunities throughout the National Wildlife Refuge System, opening up new hunting programs on six refuges and expanding existing hunting and fishing programs on another 20 refuges.

The rule also modifies existing refuge-specific regulations for more than 75 additional refuges and wetland management districts.

Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, the Service can permit hunting and fishing where they are compatible with the refuge’s purpose and mission. Hunting, within specified limits, is permitted on more than 335 wildlife refuges. Fishing is permitted on more than 271 wildlife refuges.



The following refuges will allow hunting for the first time:

New York

Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge

Oregon

Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge
Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Pennsylvania

Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Wyoming

Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge




USFWS is expanding hunting on the following refuges:

California

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

Florida

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

Idaho

Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge

Illinois

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge

Indiana

Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area

Iowa

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge
Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge

Maine

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge

Missouri

Mingo National Wildlife Refuge

New Mexico

San Andres National Wildlife Refuge

Oregon

Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
Julia Butler Hanson Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer (OR and WA)
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

Texas

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge

Vermont

Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge

Washington

Willapa National Wildlife Refuge

To view a complete list of all hunting/sport fishing opportunities on refuges, please visit the following guides: http://www.fws.gov/refuges/hunting/ and http://www.fws.gov/refuges/fishingguide/.

source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

2014 Vermont Spring Snow Goose Season

In Vermont, a special spring season will open for snow geese as a result of a special management action referred to as a “Conservation Order” allowed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and adopted by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board.

The measure was adopted at the recommendation of federal and state wildlife scientists in response to concerns about a growing number of snow geese across North America.

Eight states in the Atlantic Flyway (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Vermont) will hold a Spring Snow Goose Conservation Order in 2014.

The Vermont 2014 Spring Snow Goose Conservation Order will occur statewide from March 11 through April 25. A 2014 Spring Snow Goose Harvest Permit is required and is available at no charge on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com). Hunters may also call the Essex Junction Office (802-878-1564) to request a permit.

In addition to this permit, hunters will need a 2014 Vermont hunting license, 2014 Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification, a 2013 federal migratory hunting stamp, and a 2014 Vermont migratory waterfowl stamp.

Hunters can register with the Harvest Information Program by going to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department website or by calling toll free 1-877-306-7091 during normal business hours.

Hunters who obtain a permit will be required to complete an online survey after April 25 and prior to May 16, 2014, whether they hunted or not. Hunters without access to the internet may obtain a copy of the survey by calling 802-878-1564.

According to Vermont Fish & Wildlife, snow geese typically move through the Champlain Valley in late March and early April. 

source: Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

2013 USFWS Waterfowl Population Status Report

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released its most recent Waterfowl Population Status Report.

The report summarizes the status of duck, goose, and swan populations in North America for 2013.

The Waterfowl Population Status, 2013 Report can be downloaded at:

http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/PopulationStatus/Waterfowl/StatusReport2013.pdf

source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service