§ 20.119 — Establishing the authorization conditions.

§ 20.119 Establishing the authorization conditions.

(a) The authorization conditions will be determined using available biological and habitat information and decision frameworks. A list of current decision frameworks is posted on the Service's website with the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Memorandum. The Service will apply available biological and habitat information to the relevant decision framework for that species and will announce the outcomes as the authorization conditions within which States and Tribes may establish their migratory game bird hunting regulations in accordance with the regulations in this part and other applicable Federal regulations.

(b) Consistent with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the authorization conditions for any migratory game bird season must:

(1) Not start prior to September 1;

(2) Not end after March 10, except the season for ducks, mergansers, and coots may not end later than January 31 (16 U.S.C. 704(c)(1)(B)); and

(3) Not exceed 107 days.

(c) The Service and Flyway Councils may establish decision frameworks for the determination of authorization conditions that are more restrictive than the provisions in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.