| What role does the Central Flyway play in setting regulations? |
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The Central Flyway Council, consisting of representatives from state and provincial game-management agencies, recommend regulations to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for waterfowl, most migratory shore and upland game birds. The Council is advised by the Flyway’s technical committee. The technical committee, made up of state and provincial biologists, evaluates species and population status, harvest, and hunter-participation data during the development of the Council regulations recommendations. Committee members meet twice annually to review the status of populations of relevant bird species, get updates on current issues and research and construct recommendations for the council regarding some hunting seasons and actions related to current issues. The Service's Office of Migratory Bird Management (MBMO), with advice from biologists in the Service's Regional Offices, evaluates the Council recommendations, considering species status and biology, cumulative effects of regulations, and existing regulatory policy, and makes recommendations to the Service's Regulations Committee, which consists of members of the Service Directorate. The Service Regulations Committee considers both the Council and MBMO recommendations, then forwards its recommendations for annual regulations to the Service Director. |