General Overview
This is an informative summary of the 2014 Alaska subsistence spring/summer migratory bird harvest regulations contained in 50 CFR Part 92, simplified for your convenience. There may be errors or omissions that have not been identified and changes that occur after printing. This booklet is intended as an informational guide only. To be certain of current regulations, refer to the official Code of Federal Regulations and the Federal Register publications.
These regulations will become effective April 2, 2014, by publication of the Final Rule in the Federal Register. These regulations apply to the spring and summer subsistence harvest of migratory birds in Alaska, valid April 2 until August 31, 2014. Migratory bird hunting from September 1, 2014 through March 10, 2015 is managed under separate Federal regulations in 50 CFR Part 20 and State regulations in 5AAC. The Alaska Migratory Bird Co-Management Council (Council) will review and recommend needed modifications of these harvest regulations on an annual basis, working within the schedule of the Federal late season migratory bird hunting regulations process.
Legislative History
As early as 1916, Migratory Bird Treaties with Canada and Mexico failed to recognize Alaska's traditional spring/summer subsistence harvest. After years of negotiations, the treaties were amended in 1997 to recognize this customary and traditional harvest. The amendment set the stage for the creation of the Alaska Migratory Bird Co-Management Council and the 2003 harvest regulations. The Council, which includes representatives from the Alaska Native community, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acting as equal partners, was formed with the specific purpose of developing recommendations related to the spring/summer subsistence harvest of migratory birds. Eleven regional management bodies were created to provide crucial local input to the Council in developing the bird harvest list, regional season dates, methods and means and other annual regulatory recommendations.
Definitions
Closures mean the season is closed to all forms of harvest including hunting and egg gathering, unless specified otherwise.
Eligible person means a permanent resident of an included community within a subsistence harvest area.
Edible Meat means the meat from the breast. back, thighs, legs, wings, gizzard, and heart. The head, neck, feet, other internal organs, and skin are considered optional.
Immediate family means spouse, children, parents, grandchildren, grandparents, siblings.
Game Management Unit, also referred to simply as Unit, means 1 of the 26 geographical areas listed in the codified State of Alaska hunting and trapping regulations and on maps of the Alaska State Game Management Units.
Non-wasteful taking means making a reasonable effort to retrieve all birds killed or wounded, and retaining all edible meat until the birds have been transported to the location where they will be consumed, processed, or preserved as human food.
Permanent resident means any person whose primary, physical address/permanent residence for the previous 12 months was within a subsistence harvest area in Alaska. Factors demonstrating a person's primary, permanent residence may include: the physical address listed on your Alaska Permanent Fund dividend application; the physical address listed on your Alaska hunting license; an Alaska driver's license; voter registration; location of residences owned, rented or leased; location of stored household goods; residence of spouse, minor children or dependents; tax documents; whether the person claims residence in another location for any purpose; and membership of a tribe in a subsistence harvest area. Mailing address alone is not proof of residency.
Seabirds refers to all bird species within the families Alcidae, Laridae, Procellariidae, and Phalacrocoracidae (in general: murres, puffins, auklets, fulmars and cormorants).
Shorebirds refers to all bird species within the families Charadriidae, Haematopodidae, and Scolopacidae (in general: sandpipers, plovers, oystercatchers, dunlin, godwits, turnstones, knots, and phalaropes).
Subsistence means the customary and traditional harvest or use of migratory birds and their eggs by eligible users for their own nutritional and other essential needs.
Subsistence harvest areas encompass customary and traditional hunting areas of villages in Alaska that qualify for a spring or summer subsistence harvest of migratory birds under this part.
Taxidermy refers to birds preserved and mounted in life-like representations. Taxidermy does not include preserving bird parts to be integrated into traditional arts and crafts, such as use of skin or feathers for the making of clothing or ceremonial fans.
Waterfowl refers to all bird species within the family Anatidae (in general: ducks, geese and swans).
Village is defined as a permanent settlement with one or more year-round residents.
Who is Eligible to Participate?
If you are a permanent resident of a village within a subsistence harvest area, you will be eligible to harvest migratory birds and their eggs for subsistence purposes in the spring and summer.
Included areas
Village areas located within the Alaska Peninsula, Kodiak Archipelago, the Aleutian Islands, or in areas north and west of the Alaska Range are subsistence harvest areas. The communities of: Gulkana, Gakona, Tazlina, Copper Center, Mentasta Lake, Chitina, Chistochina, Tatitlek, Chenega, Port Graham, Nanwalek, Tyonek and Hoonah were added in 2004. The communities of Craig, Hydaburg and Yakutat were added in 2005.
Excluded areas
Village areas located in Anchorage, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Central Interior Excluded area, or the Kenai Peninsula roaded area. In the Gulf of Alaska, Copper River Region, Cook Inlet or Southeast Alaska, only residents of the previously listed communities can participate in the harvest.
Anyone can petition the Council to change a community's exclusion/inclusion status. The petition must address how the area does or does not meet the qualifying criteria for inclusion. Upon receipt, the Council will seek regional input and then submit a recommendation to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to either include or exclude the community from the subsistence harvest.
Participation by permanent residents of excluded areas. Immediate family members who are residents of excluded areas may participate in the customary spring and summer subsistence harvest in a village's subsistence area with permission of the village council, to assist indigenous inhabitants in meeting their nutritional and other essential needs or for the teaching of cultural knowledge. A letter of invitation will be sent by the village council to the hunter with a copy to the Executive Director of the Co-management Council, who will inform law enforcement and the Service Co-management Council coordination office within 2 working days. The Service will then inform any affected Federal agency when residents of excluded areas are allowed to participate in the subsistence harvest within their Federal lands.
Special Requirements for National Park Service Lands
Subsistence use of resources on National Park Service lands is restricted to only those national monuments parks, and preserves open to subsistence. National Park Service regulations govern which communities or individual residents qualify to subsistence harvest for specific National Parks and Monuments. Glacier Bay National Park, Katmai National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, McKinley National Park and Sitka National Historical Park are closed to subsistence. Users of National Parks and Monuments open for subsistence are responsible for complying with these regulations (50 CFR Part 13, Subparts A, B, and C). For more information about National Park Service lands contact: National Park Service, 240 West 5th Avenue, Room 114 Anchorage, AK 99501 Phone 907-644-3432 Fax 907-644-3807.
Use and Possession of Migratory Birds
You may not sell, offer for sale, purchase, or offer to purchase migratory birds, their parts, or eggs.
Eligible persons - You may take birds for human consumption only. Harvest and possession of migratory birds must be done using non-wasteful taking. Non-edible byproducts of birds taken for food may be used for other purposes, except that taxidermy is not allowed.
Non-eligible persons - You may receive portions of birds or their eggs not kept for human consumption from eligible persons only if you have a valid U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service permit for scientific research or education.
Required Licenses and Stamps
Starting in the 2015 season (April 2-August 31) hunters will not be required to have a Federal Duck Stamp for the Alaska Subsistence Migratory Bird Harvest.
Waterfowl Hunters 18 years or older are still required to have a State hunting licence and a State Duck Stamp, except disabled veterans, those 60 years or older, and those that qualify for a low income license.
State stamps and hunting licenses are available from most State license vendors, ADF&G offices or online at: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/store/.
State Duck stamps must be signed in ink across the face and must be carried at all times while hunting waterfowl, but are not required for hunting non-waterfowl species or gathering eggs.