Federal and State Roles
Migratory birds in North America are an international
resource, with numerous species breeding throughout the United States
and Canada. In the fall of each year, these birds migrate south to
winter in the USA, Mexico, and Central and South America. Because of the
migratory nature of these species and their interstate and international
movements, ultimate management authority lies with the federal
governments in the respective countries. Migratory bird treaties with
other countries govern the management of migratory birds in the USA,
distinguishing those species that can be hunted from those that can't
and establishing outside limits on hunting-season dates and season
lengths.
Migratory game bird management in the United States is
a cooperative effort of state and federal governments. For waterfowl
management, for example, the USA and Canada are divided into four
Flyways; the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific. In the
USA, the Flyway Councils, consisting of representatives from state and
provincial game-management agencies, recommend regulations to the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), not only for waterfowl but also for
most migratory shore and upland game birds. The Councils are advised by
Flyway technical committees consisting of state and provincial
biologists. These technical committees evaluate species and population
status, harvest, and hunter-participation data during the development of
the Council regulations recommendations. The Service's Office of
Migratory Bird Management(MBMO), with advice from biologists in the
Service's Regional Offices, evaluates the Council recommendations,
considering species status and biology, cumulative effects of
regulations, and existing regulatory policy, and makes recommendations
to the Service's Regulations Committee, which consists of members of
the Service Directorate. The Service Regulations Committee considers
both the Council and MBMO recommendations, then forwards its
recommendations for annual regulations to the Service Director. Once
regulatory proposals are approved, they are published in the Federal
Register for public comment. After the comment period, final
regulations are developed, which are then signed by the Assistant
Secretary of the Interior for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
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