U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee Meeting

Purpose

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee (SRC) will meet on April 22, 2025 to identify and discuss preliminary issues and develop initial recommendations for the 2026-27 migratory game bird hunting season. The meeting will commence at approximately 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) and is open to public observation. The meeting will be conducted by videotelephony or telephonically with or without the aid of video technology. 

Accommodation requests: Please submit all requests for meeting accommodations at least 7 days prior to the meeting date.

For more information contact Todd Sanders, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Program, Division of Migratory Bird Management, 445 W Gunnison Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501; (970) 238-8173.

The SRC meeting will be live-streamed on the USFWS YouTube channel.

• April 22, 2025
• 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. or until finished (Eastern Time)
• USFWS YouTube Channel 

SRC recommendations will lead to federal rulemaking for annual migratory game bird hunting regulations. Rulemaking involves publishing a series of 4 proposed or final rules in the Federal Register and will include opportunities for public review and comment. Steps in the annual rulemaking process are described in a preliminary proposed rule, which opens the annual process. The preliminary proposed rule will be published in about August–February after the spring SRC meeting. We will publish reports that provide detailed information on the status and harvest of certain migratory game bird species and will propose and finalize the limits within which States may select migratory game bird hunting seasons. We then publish state selected hunting seasons which authorizes these seasons and concludes the annual process. Migratory game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance; aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds; and permit harvests at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions.

Agenda

PURPOSE

Identify and discuss preliminary issues and develop initial recommendations for the 2026-27 migratory game bird hunting season.

INTRODUCTIONS

1. Participant Introductions
2. Meeting Purpose

GENERAL

1. Monitoring Program Updates
   1. Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey
   2. Harvest Surveys
2. AHM Task Force Update

DUCKS

1. Overview of Harvest Frameworks
2. Regulatory Alternatives
3. Special Seasons/Species Management
4. Other Flyway Council Recommendations

GEESE/SWANS

1. Overview of Goose Harvest Strategies
2. Flyway Council Recommendations

WEBLESS

1. Overview of Webless Harvest Strategies
2. Other Flyway Council Recommendations

OTHER ISSUES/UPDATES