The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently completed a draft environmental assessment evaluating alternatives for resolving the issues. (Copies are available through the ????)
Subsistence hunters in Alaska and Canada routinely hunt migratory birds as a source of food in the spring. According to Alaskas Regional Director, Walter O. Stieglitz, this hunting activity conflicts with the closed season provisions of the 1916 Migratory Bird Treaty between the United States and Canada.
Currently, the Treaty calls for a period closed to all hunting between March 10 and September 1. Subsistence hunters say that restricting their hunting activities during this time period inhibits their rights to equitable access to the resource, and fails to accommodate customary and traditional use.
Although the Secretary of the Interior and Canadas Minister of the Environment jointly approved language to amend the subsistence hunting provisions of the Treaty in 1979, the amendment was never ratified and continues to raise controversy among Native groups, conservation organizations, sport hunters and officials.
In general, the Services draft environmental assessment recommends allowing a carefully regulated hunt during the closed period.
Comments regarding the draft environmental assessment on migratory bird subsistence hunting should be addressed to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Director, 634 Arlington Square, Washington, D.C. 20240, or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Regional Director, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503.
FWS
