Proposal to Establish Operational/Experimental General Swan Hunting Seasons in the Pacific Flyway

In developing management actions for migratory game birds, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has publicly supported the goals, objectives, and management strategies identified in the various Flyway management plans for both Tundra (C. columbianus) and Trumpeter (C. buccinator) swans (Hartwig 1989, Gritman 1991, Schmidt 2000). It has encouraged cooperative, multi-State-sponsored, Flyway Council-endorsed projects for restoring migratory flocks of Trumpeter swans within their historic range and has supported Flyway Council-endorsed hunting seasons on Tundra swans within prescribed guidelines that meet overall objectives for all swan populations.und for doves seen in the Eastern and Central Units while a decline was indicated for the Western Unit.