Commission refines rules for game bird shooting resorts
LITTLE ROCK - During the fall of 2003, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission learned that several landowners in the state had released large numbers of captive-reared waterfowl on private lands without permission.
In one instance, approximately 5,000 mallards were released at one time. An existing regulation had prohibited, “the release into the wild of any native or non-native species of wildlife without prior approval of the commission,” except under very limited circumstances.
In July of this year, the Commission refined the rules for captive-reared waterfowl to provide operators of game bird shooting resorts with additional details regarding the conditions for proper releasing of mallards.
Resorts must follow these rules:
*On the day of each hunt, only the number of captive mallards intended to be harvested that day may be released.
*Game bird shooting resorts must now record the number of birds released of each species and the number harvested by each hunter.
*Birds must be kept in covered pens or buildings until they are released for hunting.
*Any birds brought in from out-of-state must test negative for duck virus enteritis (duck plague) and may only be brought in with an AGFC Wildlife Translocation Permit. They also must be banded with a seamless metal band and must have come from a flock participating in the National Poultry Improvement Plan.
*A Game Bird Shooting Resort Permit is also needed at these game bird hunting resorts. The permit allows a person, firm, or corporation to engage in the business of harvesting captive-raised game birds (quail, chukar, pheasants and/or mallards) by hunter for pay or other consideration. Application for this $150 annual permit, with an expiration date of June 30, can be acquired by calling 501-223-6456 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or by calling the AGFC toll free number 1-800-364-GAME.
There also are new requirements for those raising and/or selling captive mallards:
*Breeders must comply with the Livestock and Poultry Commission requirements regarding testing for pullorum-typhoid.
*They also must test flocks annually for duck virus enteritis (duck plague).
*Birds hatched at facilities must be banded with a seamless metal band that can only be applied to young birds. There are several manufacturers of seamless bands. A list is available on the Internet at <http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/resources/supply.htm>.
LITTLE ROCK - During the fall of 2003, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission learned that several landowners in the state had released large numbers of captive-reared waterfowl on private lands without permission.
In one instance, approximately 5,000 mallards were released at one time. An existing regulation had prohibited, “the release into the wild of any native or non-native species of wildlife without prior approval of the commission,” except under very limited circumstances.
In July of this year, the Commission refined the rules for captive-reared waterfowl to provide operators of game bird shooting resorts with additional details regarding the conditions for proper releasing of mallards.
Resorts must follow these rules:
*On the day of each hunt, only the number of captive mallards intended to be harvested that day may be released.
*Game bird shooting resorts must now record the number of birds released of each species and the number harvested by each hunter.
*Birds must be kept in covered pens or buildings until they are released for hunting.
*Any birds brought in from out-of-state must test negative for duck virus enteritis (duck plague) and may only be brought in with an AGFC Wildlife Translocation Permit. They also must be banded with a seamless metal band and must have come from a flock participating in the National Poultry Improvement Plan.
*A Game Bird Shooting Resort Permit is also needed at these game bird hunting resorts. The permit allows a person, firm, or corporation to engage in the business of harvesting captive-raised game birds (quail, chukar, pheasants and/or mallards) by hunter for pay or other consideration. Application for this $150 annual permit, with an expiration date of June 30, can be acquired by calling 501-223-6456 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or by calling the AGFC toll free number 1-800-364-GAME.
There also are new requirements for those raising and/or selling captive mallards:
*Breeders must comply with the Livestock and Poultry Commission requirements regarding testing for pullorum-typhoid.
*They also must test flocks annually for duck virus enteritis (duck plague).
*Birds hatched at facilities must be banded with a seamless metal band that can only be applied to young birds. There are several manufacturers of seamless bands. A list is available on the Internet at here
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For the life of me I can't figure why somebody would go to "hunt" places like this.Let alone pay for it!!!!There is a place in North Carolina where they release the birds from under the blind.How can anyone believe the are hunting at this point?And the bad part is that alot of the customers belong to conservations groups!How can you call yourself a Sportsman and be involed in these so called "HUNTS" 
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