Leg-band Reporting
Every hunter can promote sound waterfowl management by promptly reporting all banded or neck collared ducks and geese harvested including date and location taken. This information is used to determine annual survival, migration routes and contribution to the state harvest from different breeding grounds.
TO REPORT BANDS, CALL
1-800-327-BAND
GO ONLINE:
www.reportband.gov
OR WRITE:
NATIONAL BIOLOGICAL SURVEY
BIRD BANDING LABORATORY
12100 BEECH FOREST ROAD
LAUREL MD 20708-4037
Hunter Surveys
Some hunters are randomly selected each year to participate in state or federal harvest surveys, including collection of wings, tails, and other body parts. Accurate and complete reporting is essential for biologists to estimate the annual harvest and impact of hunting. Please do your part to help manage waterfowl by responding to surveys. The knowledge gained permits selection of annual regulations that maximize hunting opportunities while perpetuating healthy waterfowl populations for future hunters.
Harvest Information Program (HIP)
The Harvest Information Program is a cooperative survey to help states and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determine harvest and hunting effort associated with various migratory bird species groups (ducks, geese, woodcock, etc.). When purchasing your Michigan Small Game License, the cashier processing your license purchase should ask a few questions about migratory bird hunting. If the cashier neglects to ask you about your migratory bird harvest and hunting effort, please remind them to complete the survey. Your participation will improve harvest information used by biologists to manage migratory birds. (Info)
North American Waterfowl Management Plan
Michigan wetlands are highlighted in an international plan to restore wetlands and uplands important to waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife in North America. This ambitious effort is entitled the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP). It seeks to combine the scientific knowledge and financial resources of government at the federal, provincial and state levels, along with private conservation groups and individuals, to restore and improve millions of acres of wetland and grass-land nesting cover in the United States and Canada. This can only be achieved through teamwork or partnerships of many groups and individuals, since the task is too large and expensive for any one group or organization. Want to do your part to help? Get involved.
Ducks Unlimited and other conservation organizations are cooperating with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and County Soil Conservation Districts in wetland and grass-land restoration projects. Donations for wetland acquisition and restoration can be accepted by the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Bureau and many other conservation organizations that are supporting the NAWMP. The USFWS and Farm Service Agency can also fund wetland restoration projects on private lands. Contact your nearest DNR, USFS, or USFWS office or local offices of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for additional information.