180 



Are our Federal agents expected to look the other way whenever the rich and 

 powerful gather and violate gaming laws? While Mourning dove populations are 

 stable, other species of doves are in decline such as the Common ground dove. 

 And remember that indiscriminate hunting exterminated the Passenger pigeon. 

 When dealing with hunters who are obviously armed. Federal Law Enforcement 

 Officers must use prudent tactical methods in effecting arrests. This was the case 

 in Florida. 



As to the overall issue of baiting and. specifically, to the manipulation of natural 

 vegetation in moist soil areas to attract waterfowl for hunting, we would urge the 

 Committee to allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to continue with the 

 rational and normal course of review it has undertaken. On March 22, 1996, the 

 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a notice in the Federal Register at 

 Vol.61, No. 57 at pp.1 1805- 11 806 soliciting comments and advice on the issue of 

 baiting and moist soil management vegetative practices. The comment period is 

 open until June 20, 1996 and comments may be made on the overall issue of 

 baiting. While there may be a need for better education of some hunters and 

 landowners on Federal Regulations and the enforcement of anti-baiting practices, 

 the basic anti-baiting Regulations and their enforcement are sound and readily 

 understandable. 



The Courts have interpreted the current regulations in a number of cases and these 

 give clarity to the existing law. Again, what is needed is better education not a 

 weakening of present regulations. Allowing the mowing of vegetation once the 

 seed heads have been established in moist soil areas and then hunting waterfowl 

 over these areas clearly is baiting now and should remain such. We m.ust act to 

 prudently mange our waterfowl resources, permitting lawful and sustainable 

 hunting, but not allowing overharvest. Liberalizing anti-baiting regulations could 

 lead to overharvest, could alter the distribution of migratory waterfowl, and could 

 alter migratory behavior. Additionally, baiting brings into question the 

 "sportsmanship" of hunting. We would encourage the Committee to support the 

 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's current enforcement efforts and to allow them to 

 proceed in their solicitation of comments and review of anti-baiting regulations 

 under the process as published in the Federal Register. 



Unfortunately, a number of our traditionally hunted migratory waterfowl are in 

 steep declines. The Waterfowl Breeding Survey, conducted by U.S. and Canadian 



