Public can Comment About Early Federal Bird Seasons

Photo by Craig Holt

Sportsmen can comment for the first time about proposed early-season federal gamebird season dates, such as for doves, by going to the WRC website.

For the first time, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is inviting citizens to provide input on the early waterfowl and webless migratory game bird hunting seasons.

People can comment on proposed dates for the seasons, which begin prior to October 1, by going to www.ncwildlife.org and clicking on "Submit Your Comments!" Comments will be accepted until the end of June.

“In the past, people could always write a letter or make a phone call to tell us what they thought of the options for the early seasons,” said Joe Fuller, the WRC’s Migratory Game Bird Coordinator. “But there wasn’t a formal way for people to give us input. This tool gives us that option and allows people across the state to easily and quickly let us know what they think.”

Each year the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides frameworks from which to choose the seasons, and the WRC selects the dates within these guidelines. Public-input meetings traditionally have been held to receive comments regarding late waterfowl seasons.

However, before this year, there’s been no formal way for the public to comment about early seasons, which include early seasons for waterfowl and for species such as mourning doves, woodcock, snipe and rail.

Members of the public can log on to www.ncwildlife.org until June 30 to comment about proposed season dates.