Harvest Information Program Permit Required for Migratory Game Bird Hunting

Alabama hunters are reminded by the Alabama Game and Fish Division that all licensed hunters of migratory game birds are required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to obtain a Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit prior to hunting doves, ducks, geese, coots, snipe, rails or woodcock. Even lifetime license holders are required to obtain the permit. The permits are free and available at all sporting license vendors in the state.

The HIP program provides improved data collection on these species. This will allow hunting seasons for the various species to be set in an objective and efficient manner while maintaining healthy populations. As the threat to migratory bird populations continues to mount, it is in the hunters’ best interest to have wildlife management decisions based on scientific evidence. The Harvest Information Program, through the cooperation of hunters, provides wildlife biologists with the facts they need to ensure that migratory bird resources will be around for future generations to enjoy.

To receive a permit, hunters must complete a Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) card, providing name, address and answers to a few short questions about last season’s harvest. The survey card will be exchanged for a permit that must be available for inspection when hunting migratory game birds in Alabama. A small percentage of hunters completing the HIP permit information will be contacted and asked to provide detailed harvest information for the current year.

It only takes a few minutes to provide the needed information for the Harvest Information Program, but the results could have a far-reaching impact on the future of migratory bird hunting.

#####