182 



STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD 



by 



THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA 



for 



THE HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON RESOURCES 



U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 



on the 



BAITING REGULATIONS UNDER 



THE MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY ACT 



May 15, 1996 



The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) appreciates the opportunity to comment on 

 the baiting regulations under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The NRA, with over 2 

 million hunter members, has an abiding interest in the sound conservation of this nation's 

 migratory bird resources. With this interest comes our commitment to assist the Committee in 

 the development of recommendations for refining the baiting regulations which will continue to 

 protect migratory bird populations from e.xcessive harvest while concomitantly providing the 

 hunting community with standards that are less ambiguous and confusing. 



II 

 Background 



The use of corn, wheat or other food attractant to aid the hunter in the harvest of waterfowl, more 

 commonly referred to as "baiting," became popular before the turn of the century when "market" 

 gurming was widespread. Because a market shooter's ability to provide for his family was tied 

 directly to his ability to harvest waterfowl, the use of live decoys, sink-box blinds, and bow- 

 mounted battery guns were widely used methods of take. In much the same way, baiting 

 waterfowl with agricultural grains was seen as a sure and efficient way to improve the harvest. 



Market gunning was outlawed in 1900 with passage of the Lacey Act'. However, many of the 

 methods employed by the market shooter were accepted and used by the sporting himter. 

 Popular gun clubs along the East Coast, including many within the Chesapeake Bay area, 

 employed many of the same methods used by the market shooting to aid in the harvest of 

 waterfowl. 



Due to severe climatic changes and loss of habitat, waterfowl populations experienced a 

 noticeable decline in the 1920's and 30's. It was at this time that waterfowl managers began to 

 restrict the manner and method of take for migratory game birds. These restrictions were put 



16 U.S.C, Section 701. 3371-3378; 18 US.C. Section 42. 



