MIGRATORY SURVEY

Missouri is one of a handful of states that have volunteered to participate in the start-up of a new, nationwide program to improve knowledge about the harvest of ducks, geese, mourning doves, woodcock and other migratory game birds.

Missouri Department of Conservation Director Jerry Presley said his agency had volunteered for the National Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program.

If the state is approved as a phase-one state, any one who hunts doves, woodcock, rails, snipe, coots, duck or geese in Missouri will be required to obtain a Migratory Bird Harvest Information Card, for the 1992-93 season.

During the 1992-93 season, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will survey a sampling of hunters who obtained the cards. Data form the survey will provide reliable, detailed information to state and federal biologists who are responsible for managing migratory game birds.

Presley said details concerning the program would be announced later. Other states which have volunteered for the project include California, Minnesota, and South Dakota.

"The new survey will allow us to get a better handle on the number of hunters and the number of migratory birds harvested," said Steve Sheriff, of the U.S. Wildlife Service.