Decision Frameworks for Migratory Game Bird Harvest Management

U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Birds, Washington, D.C.

August 31, 2026

Table 1. List of decision frameworks for determination of authorization conditions (Federal limits) within which States and Tribes may establish their hunting seasons for certain migratory game birds. We provided a detailed overview of the process of applying current demographic and habitat data to decision frameworks for establishing authorization conditions for seasonal migratory game bird hunting in the August 31, 2026, Federal Register  (91 FR 55794).

Species, species group, or season

Decision framework

References

Special youth and veterans– active military personnel waterfowl hunting daysSpecial youth and veterans waterfowl day16 U.S.C. 704(c);
84 FR 42996, August 19, 2019
Special early teal seasons in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central flywaysSpecial early teal season guidelines90 FR 40178, August 18, 2025;
79 FR 51402, August 28, 2014
Special early teal–wood duck seasons in the Atlantic and Mississippi flywaysSpecial early teal-wood duck season guidelines90 FR 40178, August 18, 2025;
79 FR 51402, August 28, 2014;
66 FR 44010, August 21, 2001
Bonus blue-winged teal bag limitsBonus blue-winged teal bag limit guidelines90 FR 40178, August 18, 2025;
79 FR 56864, September 23, 2014
Ducks in the Atlantic FlywayAHM protocol for eastern ducks16 U.S.C. 704(c);
83 FR 47868, September 21, 2018;
65 FR 58152, September 27, 2000
Ducks in the Mississippi and Central flywaysAHM protocol for midcontinent mallards16 U.S.C. 704(c);
85 FR 15870, March 19, 2020;
73 FR 43290, July 24, 2008;
65 FR 58152, September 27, 2000;
60 FR 37314, July 19, 1995
Ducks in the Pacific FlywayAHM protocol for western mallards16 U.S.C. 704(c);
73 FR 43290, July 24, 2008
Northern pintailAHM protocol for northern pintail90 FR 17300, April 24 2025;
75 FR 44856, July 29, 2010
ScaupAHM protocol for scaup and closure constraint73 FR 43290, July 24, 2008;
73 FR 51124, August 29, 2008
Black ducks in the Atlantic and Mississippi flywaysInternational AHM protocol for black ducks77 FR 49868, August 17, 2012
Eastern mallards in the Atlantic FlywayAHM protocol for eastern mallards87 FR 66247, November 3, 2022;
88 FR 6054, January 30, 2023
CanvasbacksCanvasback decision support tool81 FR 17302, March 28, 2016
Brant seasons in the Pacific FlywayPacific brant harvest strategy90 FR 40178, August 18, 2025;
85 FR 51854, August 21, 2020;
84 FR 42996, August 19, 2019
Dove seasons in the Eastern, Central, and Western management unitsNational mourning dove harvest strategy78 FR 52658, August 23, 2013
Sandhill crane seasons in the Central and Pacific flywaysRocky Mountain population sandhill crane harvest strategy80 FR 51090, August 21, 2015
American woodcock seasons in the Eastern and Central management unitsAmerican woodcock harvest strategy80 FR 51090, August 21, 2015 
(removed “interim” label from the 
strategy, which was then 
considered operational);
75 FR 52873, August 30, 2010
All other seasons specific to the Atlantic FlywayGeneral decision frameworks for the Atlantic Flyway91 FR 55794, August 31, 2026
All other seasons specific to the Mississippi FlywayGeneral decision frameworks for the Mississippi Flyway91 FR 55794, August 31, 2026
All other seasons specific to the Central FlywayGeneral decision frameworks for the Central Flyway91 FR 55794, August 31, 2026
All other seasons specific to the Pacific FlywayGeneral decision frameworks for the Pacific Flyway91 FR 55794, August 31, 2026
All other seasons in multiple flywaysGeneral decision frameworks for multiple flyways91 FR 55794, August 31, 2026