Some changes will occur to split the snipe season, increase northwest Oregon permit goose hunting days, open Snake River goose hunting in the Hells Canyon area, and decrease canvasback hunting days.

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission heard a population status report and voted August 9th to adopt migratory bird hunting seasons. The migratory seasons are set annually based on frameworks established through a process led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The six-member Commission meets monthly to establish rules and policies for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). The Commission has the authority to manage Oregon's upland game bird populations and adopted the 2001-2002 seasons earlier.

Brad Bales, game bird program manager for ODFW, reported that an emerging drought cycle in Alaska and the Canadian Arctic has reduced reproduction and chick survival rates and will likely lead to decreased waterfowl bag limits in future years.

A summary of next year's seasons follows:

Upland Game Bird: Early reports indicate that a mild spring and early summer has led to good brood production for pheasants, chukar, forest grouse and quail. The seasons and bag limits for upland game birds are unchanged from last year and match the Oregon Upland Game Bird Hunting Season Framework.

Sage Grouse: A conservative, controlled five-day season will again occur this year with no changes from 2000. Oregon is only expected to harvest close to 3 percent of the estimated fall population, and has the most conservative of western state season limits. Hunters must apply for 1,265 permits by August 28.

Western Oregon Fee Pheasant Hunts: Pheasant hunts for stocked birds will continue as in past years at Denman, Fern Ridge, Sauvie Island, and E.E. Wilson state wildlife areas in September and October. The popular program pays for itself through special tag revenues from 7,500 participating hunters.

Snipe: The 2001-02 season will change to a split 107-day season to take advantage of late-season hunting in western Oregon. The season will be October 6 to November 23 and December 29 to February 24. About 3,000 snipe are harvested annually.

Duck/Meganser: A 107-day season will occur with a seven bird daily bag limit. However, due to concerns with population declines in canvasbacks, a separate season will allow a one-per-day canvasback harvest from November 1 to December. 8 only.

Goose: The early goose season in September will continue with no change. The liberal fall goose season is slightly expanded to increase legal hunting areas in Douglas and Lane counties. In addition, the northwest permit goose season, established to reduce agricultural depredation while protecting limited numbers of dusky Canada geese, will expand to four days per week.

Brandt: A conservative approach to brandt hunting adopted three years ago will continue with a 14-day season in November. Population numbers increased last winter along the Oregon coast.

Youth Hunts: The Commission established a statewide waterfowl hunt September 22-23 for hunters 15 and younger, which results in closing the season for adult hunters. Youth pheasant hunts were established for September 15-16 and September 22-23 at several state wildlife areas and participating private lands.

The adopted rules will be published in the 2001-02 Oregon Game Bird Regulations, scheduled to be printed and available at license agents in Oregon by August 23, 2001. The regulations will also be posted to the ODFW web site at www.dfw.state.or.us.