 LITTLE
ROCK - The release of captive mallards into the wild continues to be a
hot topic for commissioners from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
At last week's monthly Commission meeting, commissioners again discussed
the captive mallard issue.
“Captive-reared mallard” is a term that touches off debate among many
waterfowl hunters in Arkansas. But when facts are considered, debate
usually evaporates and sportsmen realize the dangers inherent in
releasing privately raised ducks among wild waterfowl.
If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it must be a duck. True
enough, although in this case, the subtleties of difference are loaded
with hazards. From a wildlife management standpoint, the greatest
potential hazard caused by the mass release of captive-reared mallards
is the transmission of diseases. Captive-reared ducks are typically less
resistant to diseases and are susceptible to contagious viruses such as
duck plague enteritis and avian cholera.
 The
recent spread of the avian influenza from domestic birds to waterfowl in
Asia also has biologists concerned. The spread of this virulent strain
of avian flu, identified as H5N1, could pose a public health hazard and
threaten the health of wild duck populations in the U.S.
There are also concerns about the feeding of captive ducks and the
possibility of wild ducks being drawn into an area that has captive
mallards on the water. If wild ducks are harvested in areas where
captive reared mallards are held or fed, hunters could face severe
penalties for hunting waterfowl with the use of bait and live decoys.
Releasing captive mallards into the wild is illegal and is punishable by
fines up to $5,000. These are just a few of the concerns the AGFC and
hunters are facing with the release of captive mallards.
Here's a list of what to look for if you're planning on hunting at a
captive reared mallard shooting resort:
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Make sure that the facility has a Commercial Game Bird Shooting Resort
Permit issued from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. |
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The ducks must be kept in an escape-proof structure prior to hunting.
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The resort can only release the number of ducks intended to be
harvested on that day. |
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After the hunt, all ducks either must be harvested or recaptured and
returned to their enclosure. |
| If
the shooting resort operator does not follow these regulations,
penalties for hunting over live decoys or bait could be levied against
the hunters and the resort operator. |
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Ducks taken from the premises of a commercial game bird shooting
resort must be accompanied by the written information indicating name,
address, number and species of birds, date taken by the possessor
along with the name and address of the shooting resort. |
If
you wish to operate a captive mallard shooting resort, there is more to
it than just releasing ducks. You should contact the AGFC to get a
permit application and implement a list of measures to legally operate a
game bird shooting resort facility. There is also a great deal of
information on the AGFC web site at
www.agfc.com
If
you already have a captive mallard shooting resort permit, here are a
few things you should keep in mind:
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Ducks purchased in Arkansas must come from a dealer with a Wildlife
Commercial Breeder/Dealer Permit from the Arkansas Game and Fish
Commission. |
| If
ducks are purchased outside the state, the resort must have a Wildlife
Importation Permit, the birds must be tested for duck virus enteritis
and they must be purchased from a dealer that participates in the
National Poultry Improvement Program. |
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Purchased ducks must have a seamless metal band around the duck's leg.
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In other
business, the Commission:
*Passed
new commercial turtle regulations. According to AGFC chief of fisheries
Mike Armstrong, the new regulations had three main purposes. "We want to
identify the players involved with commercial turtle harvest, we want to
permit commercial turtlers so that we'll have harvest reports that
provide information necessary for management of turtles taken from the
wild, and give special protective status for chicken turtles which is a
species of concern due to it’s documented decline in the wild," he said.
*Discussed the
2006 spring turkey hunting season date proposals. The following four
options were offered:
•Same season structure as 2005, with an April
1-2 statewide youth hunt (except Mar. 25-26 in Zone 17), April 8-May 5
(28 days, 4 weekends) in Zones 1, 2, 3, 4B, 5, 5B, 6, 7, 7A, 8, 9 and
10; April 1-28 in Zone 17; April 8-21in Zones 1A, 4, 4A, 5A and 9A.
•April 1-2 statewide youth hunt (except Mar. 25-26 in Zone 17),
April 8-30 (23 days, 4 weekends) in Zones 1, 2, 3, 4B, 5, 5B, 6, 7, 7A,
8, 9 and 10; April 1-23 in Zone 17; April 8-21 in Zones 1A, 4, 4A, 5A
and 9A.
•April 8-9 statewide youth hunt (except April 1-2 in Zone 17),
April 10-May 7 (28 days, 4 weekends) in Zones 1, 2, 3, 4B, 5, 5B, 6, 7,
7A, 8, 9 and 10; April 3-30 in Zone 17; April 10-23 in Zones 1A, 4, 4A,
5A and 9A.
•April 8-9 statewide youth hunt (except April 1-2 in Zone 17), April
15-May 7 (23 days, 4 weekends) in Zones 1, 2, 3, 4B, 5, 5B, 6, 7, 7A, 8,
9 and 10; April 8-30 in Zone 17; April 15-28 in Zones 1A, 4, 4A, 5A and
9A.
A decision on the 2006 spring turkey season will be made at the
October meeting.
*Discussed proposals to create a permit for commercial activities,
including various forms of guiding, on AGFC wildlife management areas.
If approved, the new regulations would establish commercial permits
similar to those used on federal refuges. Waterfowl hunting guides would
still be banned on all AGFC wildlife management areas. |
