New
Migratory Bird Hunting Authorizations Improve Harvest Estimates
By Don Kraege
WDFW requires
possession of hunting authorizations and harvest report cards
when hunting for several species of migratory game birds.
Authorizations are required for hunting snow geese and brant
in northern Puget Sound, brant in Willapa Bay, and band-tailed
pigeons throughout western Washington. Harvests of these species,
as well as for sea ducks (scoters, harlequin ducks, and long-tailed
ducks), are not surveyed adequately by annual hunter surveys
from WDFW and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Relatively low
numbers of hunters pursue these species compared to more numerous
dabbling ducks and Canada geese, which ongoing mail surveys
are designed to address. More accurate harvest information
is needed to document all factors affecting these species
occurring in Washington, and to provide information for international
management programs through the Pacific Flyway Council. Harvest
is recorded on harvest report cards, and then returned to
WDFW through regular mail or the via the WDFW web site (http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/wlm_survey/index.php).
For more information regarding hunting authorizations for
migratory birds, please see the 2004-05 waterfowl and upland
game pamphlet or call (360) 902-2515. |
