For Release: September 2, 1998

Contact: Charles Allin 222-1267

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife announces that the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) permits are now available at all hunting license vendors in the state.

Federal law requires all hunters to carry a HIP permit while hunting migratory game birds this season. In Rhode Island, this includes ducks, geese, rails, coot, snipe, doves, and woodcock.

To obtain a permit, hunters must fill out a HIP questionnaire provided by the vendor that includes the previous season's hunting success. The hunter will then receive a free, numbered HIP stamp to affix to the back of the current hunting license. Completed permits will be sent to the US Fish and Wildlife Service for review, and the service will select a sample of hunters to participate in a more intensive survey for the upcoming season.

The program is intended to provide better information to fully understand the impact of hunting on wildlife resources, according to Michael Lapisky, Deputy Chief of Wildlife Resources at DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife. "Inadequate information about the impact of hunting on species populations has been used to legally challenge hunting seasons in some states," he said, "and differing methods and timings of state surveys have made it impossible to estimate migratory bird harvest at regional and national levels.

"The new HIP permit will allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and states nationwide to gather important harvest information on migratory game birds, which is critical for the effective management of those populations," Lapisky said.

"The program is essential for ensuring the future of migratory bird hunting, and will be implemented nationwide by the 1998 hunting season," he added, "and we in the Division of Fish and Wildlife thank Rhode Island hunters for their participation in this new and valuable national program."

A public hearing on this season's proposed waterfowl season dates is scheduled for Thursday, September 3 at 7 p.m. at the North Kingstown Community Center, Beach Street, Wickford. The proposed seasons and bag limits are similar to those of last year.