Proposed rule · 2026-12955

Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) is proposing changes to the administrative process for authorizing seasonal migratory game bird hunting in the United States. Migratory game bird hunting regulations are currently promulgated annually to provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance; aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds; and allow harvests at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions.The Service proposes a more efficient administrative process for authorizing seasonal migratory game bird hunting. The Service would issue a memorandum for migratory game bird hunting once every 3 years. The Service would continue to make annual decisions on harvest levels and would update the memorandum sooner than 3 years if changes are prescribed by our decision frameworks. The process eliminates the need for subsequent annual Federal regulation promulgation and rulemaking and is expected to increase efficiency; better meet State, Tribal, and Federal rulemaking constraints; and reduce the complexity and costs. Our goal is to better serve State partners and the hunting public while continuing to meet the legal and conservation purposes of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Tribes are already authorized under a similar process.