HARRISBURG, PA - Representatives of waterfowl organizations, interested hunters and the public are invited to attend a briefing on Friday, March 15 on the status of Atlantic Flyway waterfowl populations and proposed federal frameworks for the 2019-20 waterfowl hunting seasons.
The briefing will begin at 1 p.m., at the Pennsylvania Game Commission Northeast Region Office, 3917 Memorial Highway, Dallas, PA 18612-0220.
“Although the annual waterfowl meeting has typically rotated between locations in northwestern and southeastern Pennsylvania, waterfowl hunters in northeastern Pennsylvania long have expressed interest in holding the briefing in this portion of the Commonwealth,” said Jeremy Stempka, Game Commission waterfowl biologist. “With the Northeast Region’s new headquarters facility now available for use, the time seemed right to respond to this request. We hope to see both regular attendees and new participants at this year’s meeting.”
In addition to reviewing frameworks established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for upcoming waterfowl and migratory bird seasons, Game Commission staff will provide updates on current and planned research and management programs, as well as past hunting results.
Public comments will be accepted at the meeting; by sending a letter to: Pennsylvania Game Commission, Bureau of Wildlife Management, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797; or via email through WaterfowlComments@pa.gov.
Based on public comments and results of previous hunter surveys, Game Commission staff will prepare and present recommended waterfowl and migratory bird seasons, bag limits and related criteria to the USFWS for final approval.
All migratory bird-hunting seasons and bag limits must conform to frameworks set by the USFWS. States select their hunting seasons within these established frameworks.
There no longer are separately timed selections and announcements for “early” and “late” seasons. All selections will be made and announced at the same time, and will appear in the 2019-20 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest.
MEDIA CONTACT: Travis Lau - 717-705-6541
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