Published: 04 July 2021

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The notice (Docket No. FWS–R7–ES–2020–N109) for the Draft Recovery Plan for the Alaska-breeding Population of Steller's Eider, First Revision is scheduled to publish today, Wednesday, June 23, 2021.

The document will appear here - https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/current, - and in the hard copy version of the Federal Register. After the date of publication, links to documents can be found here: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=FR

For additional information and a copy of the Draft Recovery Plan please visit our website: https://www.fws.gov/alaska/stories/draft-revised-recovery-plan-alaska-breeding-stellers-eiders-available-public-review-and

The current 2020 Alaska Subsistence Migratory Birds Harvest Regulations Handbook have been posted here:

http://www.alaskamigratorybirds.com/index.php/regulations-by-region/current-regulations

Here is the 2020 Alaska Seabird Die-off Fact Sheet (508c PDF for on-line sharing) and can be found here:

https://www.fws.gov/alaska/stories/2020-alaska-seabird-dieoff-update

A law was enacted to exempt qualified Alaska subsistence waterfowl hunters from having to purchase and carry a federal Duck Stamp.

Who is eligible for the exemption from the requirement to purchase a Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp to hunt migratory birds in Alaska?

• permanent resident of a village within a subsistence harvest area (50 CFR Part 92.4 and 92.5), or
• federally qualified subsistence user (50 CFR Parts 92.4 and 100.23)

When can an eligible person hunt migratory waterfowl without a Federal Duck Stamp?

The times when you may hunt without a Federal Duck Stamp vary depending on how you qualify for this exemption.

• permanent resident of a village within a subsistence harvest area, you may hunt migratory waterfowl without a Federal Duck Stamp during any waterfowl season in Alaska, including spring/summer subsistence season and the fall sport season.
• federally qualified subsistence user (but NOT a resident of a village within a subsistence harvest area) you may hunt migratory waterfowl without a Federal Duck Stamp in Alaska during the fall sport season.

Where can a qualified person hunt without a Federal Duck Stamp?

If you qualify for this exemption, you may hunt migratory waterfowl without a Federal Duck Stamp anywhere in Alaska in accordance with state law, including relevant safety statutes. You must have a Federal Duck Stamp to hunt migratory waterfowl anywhere else in the United States.

If a person is eligible for this exemption, does that person have to purchase and carry state-required licenses or stamps while hunting?

All waterfowl hunters over 16 years or older are required to have a State hunting license and State Duck Stamp, except disabled veterans, those 60 years or older and those that qualify for a low income license.