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sport hunting of doves and other migratory game birds. These 

 laws and regulations ensure viable, sustainable wildlife 

 populations for the enjoyment and use of generations of Americans 

 to come . 



They also support the American tradition of ethical hunting. 

 This tradition is predicated on the spirit of fair chase and a 

 hunter's knowledge of and respect for their quarry. Those 

 hunters who exhibit, practice, and teach the spirit of fair chase 

 in their pursuit of wild game traditionally have been considered 

 true sportsmen and sportswomen, and there is a large number of 

 these sportspersons in the United States. 



Mr. Chairman, I would also like to briefly address the habitat 

 management practice known as "moist soil management." The 

 practice involves manipulating water levels to encourage natural 

 vegetation to produce foods for waterfowl. Over the last several 

 years the practice increased substantially in parts of this 

 country, often at the encouragement of Federal State, and private 

 partners managing to compensate for the loss of waterfowl habitat 

 in those areas. 



Currently, waterfowl hunting is not prohibited over any area 

 where crops or natural vegetation have been artificially 

 manipulated such as mowing, "bush-hogging, " or similar operations 

 as long as the practice does not result in the scattering of 

 seeds that would constitute an attraction for birds. On March 

 22, 1996, the Service published a Notice of Intent in the Federal 

 Register advising the public that artificial manipulation of 

 natural vegetation aspect of the waterfowl baiting issue was 

 being opened for further review and input by the public. The 

 comment period for this Notice closes on June 20, 1996. 



The Notice of Intent lays out four concerns relating to the 

 possible changing of regulations. They are: 



a) . What are the potential impacts on available habitat; 



b) . What are the potential impacts on waterfowl populations 



c) . What is the potential effect on law enforcement 

 efforts; and 



d) . What is the potential effect likely to be on existing 

 case law? 



In March, the Service contacted the International Association of 

 Fish and Wildlife Agencies and requested their assistance in 

 ascertaining the nature and the magnitude of the problem, if 

 any. The International is now initiating a broad-based 

 environmental ad hoc group to consider the issue, and ultimately 

 make recommendations to the Service. The group will include all 



