Framework-date Extensions for Duck Hunting in the United States: Supplemental Assessment

Wildlife Service to conduct a study of hunting-season framework extensions on migratory waterfowl populations. This report is intended to fulfill that directive, and to supplement information prepared last year in response to a similar directive. Based on past experience in Iowa and Mississippi, extensions of duck-hunting seasons beyond the traditional framework dates of October 1 to January 20 tend to increase duck harvests, with the magnitude of the increase dependent on species. Nationwide extensions of duckhunting seasons could have significant impacts on the frequency of years in which liberal hunting regulations could be offered, as well as increase the frequency of annual regulatory changes. Because the framework extension offered in the southern Mississippi Flyway this year included a 9-day season Framework-date Extensions for Duck Hunting in the United States: Supplemental Assessment