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The following hearing statement is submitted in conjunction with invited testimony 

 before the U S IHouse of Representatives, Committee on Resources, regarding 

 regulation of migratory bird hunting. These statements specifically pertain to the 

 interpretation, enforcement, and improvement of regulations that deal with taking 

 migratory game birds over bait or baited areas (50 CFR 20 21) that are promulgated by 

 the Fish and Wildlife Service pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 USAC 703) 

 Proposed changes to regulatory language are submitted as Attachment 1. 



Hunters have a long tradition in this country of supporting wildlife conservation. 

 Through the Wildlife Restoration Act alone, hunters willingly contribute $76 million per 

 year to wildlife enhancement Efforts to conserve wildlife and our natural environment 

 for future generations would be well served by encouraging lawful participation in this 

 sport as provided for in state and federal regulations Federal regulations that restrict 

 hunting migratory birds over bait, however, are currently interpreted and enforced to 

 discourage such participation Hunters are subject to arrest and fines for unknowingly 

 hunting over areas that are considered baited; it is not clear what specific practices 

 constitute baiting; and practices that should not be considered baiting are prohibited. 

 Migratory bird hunters are abandoning their sport as a result 



I experienced first hand how federal regulations are unfair and unclear in what 

 constitutes hunting over a baited field On October 13, 1995, I hosted a dove hunt to 

 benefit a popular charity in Florida, The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches Several 

 hundred individuals were invited to the event, and around 150 people arrived for the 

 hunt, which was held on a farm in Dixie County, Florida Many in attendance did not 

 hunt, but socialized with the group After lunch, I addressed the hunters and stressed 

 the importance of safety and observing all game laws In addition, signs were 

 conspicuously placed urging them to be safe and legal Hunters began entering the 

 field around 1 00 pm. The actual field hunted was a small area in a large tract of land 

 Many of the hunters, before hunting, checked out the area for any signs of bait, and 

 according to those hunters, no bait was found If anyone had notified me that they had 

 found bait, I would have stopped the hunt immediately The hunt had been in progress 

 for about 3 hours when around 330 pm to 4 00 pm, agents from the US Fish and 

 Wildlife Service entered the field and declared that the hunters were hunting over a 

 baited field and in violation of migratory game-bird baiting laws Approximately 88 

 hunters were detained and later issued a citation. Some of the hunters left after being 

 instructed by the Federal agents on the matter, but most remained to have dinner and 

 socialize. 



Since the event, I have grown more outraged in how the event was handled 

 Most importantly, I felt that something must be done to correct and clarify the 

 regulations relating to "baiting". In researching, I have discovered several simple ways 

 in which Congress can clarify and simplify federal regulations pertaining to hunting 

 migratory birds, specifically, dove. 



