With pond counts down dramatically and the overall waterfowl population dropping again this year, waterfowlers had begun to brace themselves for shorter seasons and lower bag limits. But just when it seemed certain that changes were on the way for the 2002-2003 waterfowl season, the Adaptive Harvest Management Working Group submitted a recommendation to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service to allow another year in the liberal season framework. Also included in this year’s proposal is the much debated extension of both opening and closing dates for seasons that fall within the Liberal and Moderate regulatory alternatives.
The AHM Working Group\’s recommendation is not the last word on season packages. The USFWS and state wildlife agencies do have the option of enacting more restrictive regulation. While some states have, in the past, placed more restrictive regulations on their seasons the USFWS has yet to go against the AHMWG recommendations. Meetings are scheduled this week for each of the four Flyway Councils in which final season frameworks will be decided.
