Summary

GAO reviewed the Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) new rule on early seasons and bag and possession limits for certain migratory game birds in the contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. GAO found that (1) the final rule prescribes hunting seasons, hours, areas, and daily bag and possession limits of mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped doves; band-tailed pigeons; rails; moorhens and gallinules; woodcock; common snipe; sandhill cranes; sea ducks; early waterfowl seasons; migratory game birds in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands; and some extended falconry seasons, and permits the taking of designated species during the 2008-09 season; and (2) FWS complied with the applicable requirements in promulgating the rule.