 |
|
|
|
|
Waterfowl Baiting Regulations and Fish Farming for 2001-02 Hunting Season The USFWS has stated that minor revisions in the form of technical amendments will be made to the Waterfowl Baiting Regulations tat go into effect for the next hunting season (2001-02). The revisions will be made to correct and clarify some contradictions in only a few specific cases. There may be an opportunity for major revision of Section 20 of this policy for the 2002-2003 hunting season. There will be a few changes that address feeding farm-raised fish and waterfowl hunting. The amendments are intended to ONLY consider a possible violation of the bating regulation in specific cases when fish feed clearly serves as an attraction to lure waterfowl birds for purposes of hunting. Language in the Waterfowl Baiting Regulations brochure will be amended to remove any reference to fish farms, and therefore, the association that it is unlawful to feed fish and permit waterfowl hunting. Elements of a criminal act must clearly exist that demonstrate the use of fish feed to influence the behavior and movement of waterfowl for hunting purposes. Feeding fish as normally done for commercial aquaculture and allowing waterfowl hunting over fed ponds will be regarded as acceptable and legal practice as long as there is no direct link between feeding fish and the movement of waterfowl. If the distribution of fish feed does not serve as a lure or attractant to waterfowl hunting, hunting may take place over such ponds. If the feeding technique used does result in the feed serving as a lure and attractant to waterfowl, hunting of waterfowl over such ponds would be unlawful. Conservation officers will review any possible infractions on a case-by-case basis if needed. The reference to Cooperative Extension Service agents working for the USDA will be amended to remove "USDA" as well as the word "official" associated with any recommendation. Any further questions on this subject should
be directed to:
|