Insights
By Don Young, Executive Vice President
Flyway Forum
"Untold hours are spent collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. The issue of harvest is complex."
There is no limit to the discussion among waterfowlers when talk turns to season dates and regulations This summer, for only the second time in history, representatives of the nation's four flyway councils met at the same location. That they chose to convene in Memphis, the home of Ducks Unlimited's national headquarters, was extremely gratifying.
The purpose of this forum was, among many other considerations, to establish proposed season dates for the 2000/2001 waterfowl season, and other regulations. A simple exercise? Think again.
More than 200 flyway council and technical session members participated in no less than 74 meetings over a six-day time span. These individuals included state, federal, and private waterfowl biologists, and agency officials.
Among the business at hand was the task of formulating recommendations that will be submitted to the U.S. Department of the Interior, which ultimately determines the final season dates and bag limits. These recommendations will be entered in the Federal Register. The public has access to these recommendations, and the opportunity to comment on the proposals.
I bring this up for a couple of reasons. On an organizational front, each year Ducks Unlimited receives phone calls, letters, and faxes from members asking why we (DU) set the waterfowl seasons as such and such. Please understand, DU does not determine the season opening and closing dates, bag limits, and similar regulations. DU never has.
Our role in this most recent meeting, and at flyway council meetings in general, is to assist in providing waterfowl population and habitat status reports. Ducks Unlimited, along with representatives from the Canadian Wildlife Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, performed that function again this year. Otherwise, throughout the year DU remains focused on its mission to restore and protect the habitat upon which the birds depend throughout the annual cycle.
In addition, DU staff provided input on a variety of issues, including federal legislation that may influence waterfowl habitat conservation efforts throughout the nation.
DU's position on waterfowl season dates and regulations? Simply put, if there is an error to be made, let it be made on the side of the waterfowl resource. Our members, I am quite sure, would agree. They have shown, through more than 60 years of unparalleled support, that the birds come first.
Flyway council members also have the birds' best interest in mind when they make their recommendations. Make no mistake, this is a difficult assignment. Untold hours are spent collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. The issue of harvest is complex. And, let's face it, everyone is not going to be happy with the waterfowl hunting regulations-no matter what they might be. Some want their local season to start earlier, some later. Others may be unhappy about the number of days, or the season end date.
You will read later in this issue that the fall flight is expected to be somewhat less this year when compared to last. However, for most duck species, populations remain quite healthy. And that is good news. Nonetheless, two species continue to merit concern-the pintail and the lesser scaup.
This again points to the need for vigilance, the importance of research to assess the source of the problem, and then action to solve the problem-something DU has been consistently known for. Enjoy the upcoming season. Act responsibly when afield and continue to support habitat conservation efforts. That is the least we can do.
