Bluebill regulations

[h2ofwlr]

Bluebill regulations
http://www.startribune.com/outdoors/story/1263539.html

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's regulations committee didn't adopt a proposal last week that would have resulted in a reduction in the bag limit for scaup this fall. But it's still possible federal officials still could recommend a restricted scaup -- or bluebill -- harvest.

Instead of using a new biological model to manage the scaup population, the committee elected to use the current strategy, said Steve Cordts, waterfowl specialist with the state DNR.

"But they sent a strong message that they're very concerned about the status of scaup," Cordts said. Their populations have been declining.

The Fish and Wildlife Service will announce later this summer the bag limits and season length for the 2007 duck season.

Meanwhile, Cordts said Minnesota's waterfowl habitat this spring looks similar to last year, which is average. The DNR likely will release more details of spring duck counts this week.