DEM WILL HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED WATERFOWL SEASON AND FALCONRY REGULATIONS ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25

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PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management will hold a public hearing on proposed regulations governing the upcoming migratory waterfowl hunting season and proposed regulations governing the practice of falconry on Wednesday, August 25. The hearing on both subjects will be held at 7 p.m. at the North Kingstown Community Center on Beach Street in North Kingstown, off Route 1A just south of Wickford. As in past years, the Division will also conduct a presentation on the breeding status of waterfowl in the United States and Canada.

The proposed waterfowl regulations establish hunting seasons, bag limits, and methods of take for the 2010-2011 season. Catherine Sparks, Chief of DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife, notes that there are some changes in the Federal waterfowl regulations with which the state must comply. Changes made in the proposed RI regulations are subject to Federal approval.

Major changes from last season include an increase in the pintail limit to two birds per day. With the increase in this year's canvasback and scaup breeding populations estimates the season has likewise remained opened to a 60-day season with a one and two bird daily bag limit, respectively. In terms of dabbling ducks, this year's regulations may represent the most liberal hunting season allowed in decades. Sparks notes that there are no substantial changes to the upcoming falconry regulations.

The proposed regulations are available on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Fish and Wildlife" under "Offices and Divisions". They are also available at DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife field headquarters at Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area, 277 Great Neck Rd, West Kingston, or by calling the Division at 789-3094 weekdays.

Comments will be accepted at DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife, at the above address, through Wednesday, August 25 at 4 p.m. or via e-mail to cathy.sparks@dem.ri.gov by that date. They will also be accepted at the hearing.

Finally, for the third year, the public hearing will follow an informational event and social hosted by Ducks Unlimited with food and beverages provided at no cost to the public. This pre-hearing informal event will begin at 5:30 pm and is designed to provide a relaxed venue for waterfowl hunters to get together.

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