waterfowl hunting zones and splits for the 2011 – 2015 seasons

Waterfowl Hunting Zones and Splits for the 2011 – 2015 Seasons

Paul LinkPaul Link

LWF CommissionLWF Commission

2/8/20112/8/2011

Zone/Split Season Guidelines:Zone/Split Season Guidelines:

• Zones and Split Seasons can only be Zones and Split Seasons can only be changed at 5 year intervals.changed at 5 year intervals.

• The selection this year will be used for the The selection this year will be used for the next 5 duck hunting seasons (2011-2015).next 5 duck hunting seasons (2011-2015).

• A decision is needed by JulyA decision is needed by July

Fish and Wildlife Service OptionsFish and Wildlife Service Options• Two zones with the option for split seasons Two zones with the option for split seasons

in one or both zones.in one or both zones.• Three zones with straight seasons (no splits).Three zones with straight seasons (no splits).• No zones with up to 2 season splits (3 seasonNo zones with up to 2 season splits (3 season

segments)segments)

Proposed for 2011:Proposed for 2011:• 4 zones with straight seasons (no splits).4 zones with straight seasons (no splits).• 3 zones with the option for split seasons in any of 3 zones with the option for split seasons in any of

those zonesthose zones

What if we choose a new option?What if we choose a new option?

… … we requested that the National Flyway Council develop we requested that the National Flyway Council develop explicit human dimensions objectivesexplicit human dimensions objectives related to expanding related to expanding zone and split options and zone and split options and a study plan to evaluate the a study plan to evaluate the effect of the proposed action in achieving those objectiveseffect of the proposed action in achieving those objectives . . We expect the study plan will include hypotheses and We expect the study plan will include hypotheses and specific predictions about the effect of changing zone/split specific predictions about the effect of changing zone/split criteria on stated human dimensions objectives, and criteria on stated human dimensions objectives, and monitoring and evaluations that would be used to test those monitoring and evaluations that would be used to test those predictions.predictions.

Paul Schmidt, Chairman of USFWS Regulations Committee, 1/25/2011Paul Schmidt, Chairman of USFWS Regulations Committee, 1/25/2011

Human Dimensions DataHuman Dimensions Data

2005 Hunter Opinion Survey:2005 Hunter Opinion Survey:• 53% favored current 2 zones with split seasons53% favored current 2 zones with split seasons

• 41% favored no zones with 2 splits (3 season 41% favored no zones with 2 splits (3 season segments)segments)

• 6% favored 3 zones with straight seasons (no 6% favored 3 zones with straight seasons (no splits)splits)


2010 Hunter Opinion Survey: Random Mail-out Sample2010 Hunter Opinion Survey: Random Mail-out Sample• 34% favored 2 zones with split seasons.34% favored 2 zones with split seasons.• 17% favored new North and South zones with split seasons.17% favored new North and South zones with split seasons.• 30% favored no zones with 2 splits (3 season segments).30% favored no zones with 2 splits (3 season segments).• 20% had no opinion or didn’t care.20% had no opinion or didn’t care.

2010 Hunter Opinion Survey: Internet Sample2010 Hunter Opinion Survey: Internet Sample • 36% favored 2 zones with split seasons.36% favored 2 zones with split seasons.• 23% favored new North and South zones with split seasons.23% favored new North and South zones with split seasons.• 28% favored no zones with 2 splits (3 season segments).28% favored no zones with 2 splits (3 season segments).• 13% had no opinion or didn’t care.13% had no opinion or didn’t care.


Recent Internet Solicitation: 61 contactsRecent Internet Solicitation: 61 contacts• 54% favored 2 zones with split seasons.54% favored 2 zones with split seasons.

• 33% favored no zones with 2 splits (3 33% favored no zones with 2 splits (3 season segments).season segments).

• 11% favored 3 zones with split seasons.11% favored 3 zones with split seasons.

• 2% favored no zones with split seasons.2% favored no zones with split seasons.

General Issues to ConsiderGeneral Issues to Consider

• Potential hunting season length over the next 5 Potential hunting season length over the next 5 years is 60, 45 or 30 days.years is 60, 45 or 30 days.

• Duck seasons “must” be open during the Duck seasons “must” be open during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays.holidays.

• Which option will provide the greatest flexibility?Which option will provide the greatest flexibility?

• Zones and split seasons are completely separate Zones and split seasons are completely separate for ducks and geese.for ducks and geese.

• What are we trying to accomplish, and what will What are we trying to accomplish, and what will be required for evaluation?be required for evaluation?

Specific ConsiderationsSpecific Considerations

Current 2 zones with split seasons:Current 2 zones with split seasons:

• This arrangement has been used for 30 This arrangement has been used for 30 years and is familiar to hunters.years and is familiar to hunters.

• Allows hunters to hunt in both zones, Allows hunters to hunt in both zones, thereby increasing hunting opportunities.thereby increasing hunting opportunities.

• FlexibilityFlexibility


No zones with 2 splits (3 season segments):No zones with 2 splits (3 season segments):

• Three opening days versus 2, but same total number Three opening days versus 2, but same total number of weekends (10) and 1 of those opening days might of weekends (10) and 1 of those opening days might not be on a weekend.not be on a weekend.

• 2 rest periods versus one.2 rest periods versus one.

• The opportunity to move across zones is eliminated.The opportunity to move across zones is eliminated.

• Less flexibility if season length is reduced.Less flexibility if season length is reduced.

Example: 2011-12 potential datesExample: 2011-12 potential dates

2-zones/2-splits2-zones/2-splits No zones/3-splitsNo zones/3-splits

Nov 12 – Dec 4Nov 12 – Dec 4 Nov 19 – Dec 4Nov 19 – Dec 4 Nov 12 – Nov 27 Nov 12 – Nov 27

Dec 17 – Jan 22Dec 17 – Jan 22 Dec 17 – Jan 29Dec 17 – Jan 29 Dec 10 – Jan 8 Dec 10 – Jan 8

* Jan 16 – Jan 29* Jan 16 – Jan 29

West ZoneWest Zone East Zone East Zone

* Season opens on a Monday* Season opens on a Monday


3 zones with split seasons:3 zones with split seasons:• Additional opportunity to hunt different Additional opportunity to hunt different

zones.zones.

• Additional flexibility.Additional flexibility.

• Statement of objectives and study plan with Statement of objectives and study plan with methods to monitor and evaluate.methods to monitor and evaluate.

Example: Northwest LA zoneExample: Northwest LA zone

Justification??Justification??

ZoneZoneWeekWeek SouthwestSouthwest Southeast Northwest Southeast Northwest 11 22.0 22.0 19.819.8 14.0 14.0 22 13.6 13.6 12.712.7 16.2 16.2 33 11.1 11.1 (46.7)(46.7) 12.1 12.1 (44.6)(44.6) 11.4 11.4 (41.6)(41.6)

44 4.8 4.8 6.5 6.5 5.2 5.2 55 1.4 1.4 2.5 2.5 0.9 0.9 66 11.0 11.0 11.811.8 12.4 12.4 77 9.7 9.7 10.010.0 12.0 12.0 8 8 8.8 8.8 7.2 7.2 9.5 9.5 99 7.0 7.0 6.7 6.7 8.1 8.1 1010 7.1 7.1 7.2 7.2 6.2 6.2 1111 3.5 3.5 (47.1)(47.1) 3.3 3.3 (46.2)(46.2) 3.8 3.8 (52.0)(52.0)

Chronology of Harvest: 2000-2009 seasons:Chronology of Harvest: 2000-2009 seasons:

Anticipated Time-lineAnticipated Time-line

• Options may not be finalized in time for Options may not be finalized in time for adoption for the 2011 season.adoption for the 2011 season.

• Public comment will be accepted at Public comment will be accepted at announced public meetingsannounced public meetings

• Department recommendations in July with Department recommendations in July with opportunity for additional public commentopportunity for additional public comment

• Decision at August LWF Commission Decision at August LWF Commission meetingmeeting

waterfowl hunting zones and splits for the 2011 – 2015 seasons

Documents