Migratory Game Bird Permit

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) requires all hunters of migratory game birds, such as waterfowl, dove and woodcock, to participate in the National Harvest Information Program. Migratory bird hunters are asked to complete a Migratory Game Bird Survey when purchasing a license.

To comply with these federal requirements, licensed hunters of nonwaterfowl migratory birds (including mourning dove, woodcock, snipe, Virginia rail, sora, common moorhen and purple gallinule) must purchase a Kentucky Migratory Game Bird Permit. The permit costs $10.

Holders of a Kentucky Waterfowl Permit will be covered for all migratory bird hunting and do not need to purchase an additional permit. Furthermore, the Migratory Game Bird Permit is not required to hunt crow.

Why was the Harvest Information Program established?

Wildlife biologists and hunters have noted that populations of migratory game birds, such as dove and woodcock, have declined in recent years. Habitat loss is believed to be the primary problem, yet data to support this conclusion has not been available. Statistics to better assess the role of harvest is needed. Inadequate information about the impact of hunting on bird populations has been cited in legal challenges to hunting seasons in some states.

Past migratory bird harvest surveys concentrated on waterfowl species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) conducts a voluntary survey of hunters who purchase federal duck stamps. However, this survey did not include an estimated 2.3 million hunters of dove, woodcock and other migratory species.

Differing methods and timing of individual state surveys make it impossible to estimate migratory bird harvest along the flyways. Because migratory birds are a shared resource among many states, the harvest information program will be implemented across the country by 1998.

How does the Harvest Information Program work?

Migratory Game Bird Survey Cards must be filled out prior to purchasing either a Kentucky Migratory Game Bird Permit or a Kentucky Waterfowl Permit. The card simply asks for the hunter's name, address, date of birth and basic information about last year's hunting activity. Left with the license vendor, the card will be mailed to the USFWS.

Later, the USFWS will select a small, random sample of hunters for a more detailed survey. Selected recipients should record bird species hunted, tally daily success rate and return the completed card at the end of migratory bird seasons. The USFWS will compile, analyze and send data reports back to the state fish and wildlife agencies. State agencies may also conduct polls for statistics on a regional level. Lists of cooperators will be destroyed following the surveys.

Your participation and support of the Harvest Information Program means more accurate data for determining future migratory game bird harvests. Biologists may then propose optimal hunting regulations that insure the future of migratory game bird resources.

TURKEY HARVEST DATA LEADS TO ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY

Though not considered a migratory game bird, wild turkeys and hunters also benefit from harvest data. Information gained through turkey check stations shows that Kentucky's turkey populations are growing fast. Understanding the impact of hunting wild turkeys has led to changes in season length, limits and check-in procedures.

Beginning in 1997, hunters may purchase a spring season permit and/or a fall archery season permit. Possession of both permits enables hunters to bag a total of four birds compared to the previous limit of three turkeys.

Spring shotgun and archery season has been lengthened to three weeks. By extending the fall archery season from October 1 through December 31, bowhunters have an additional 31 days to pursue their quarry. Fall check-in times have also been stretched until 9:00 a.m. on the day after the turkey was taken.

WANTED:

Kentucky Hunters

VOLUNTEER COOPERATOR PROGRAMS

Unlike the National Harvest Information Program, much data on state wildlife populations is collected voluntarily from hunters. Cooperator surveys help wildlife biologists track the size, health and distribution of game species. Information from volunteers regarding their past season's hunting experience along with animal parts, such as quail wings, grouse rump feathers, rabbit skulls and deer jaws, are used for research, population monitoring and computer modeling. Future hunting regulations for each species are developed using this hunter-reported data. The number of hunters participating in these programs influences the quality of data on which to base management plans and actions. In other words, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) depends upon you, the hunter, to properly manage our wildlife resources.