Restrictions Lifted: US Hunters Allowed to Keep Skin on Canadian Game Birds
Waterfowl and upland game bird hunters from the United States will benefit from new regulations introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The latest update, issued as part of the 2023 rule, now allows hunters to retain the skin on Canadian game birds they bring back home. This change comes after close consultation with waterfowl scientists from Ducks Unlimited (DU), a prominent conservation group.
The previous rule, implemented in 2022 to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), required hunters to remove the skin from harvested game birds obtained from Canada. However, DU scientists engaged with APHIS and highlighted the lack of evidence supporting the effectiveness of this regulation in curbing the spread of avian influenza. After considering scientific input, APHIS revised the rule and eliminated the requirement to remove the skin from carcasses.
Adam Putnam, CEO of Ducks Unlimited, expressed gratitude for the USDA’s acceptance of DU scientists’ opinions throughout the decision-making process. Putnam praised the USDA for incorporating the best available science into the 2023 rule. Additionally, he emphasized that the revised regulation allows American waterfowlers to plan their trips to Canada with clear guidance on limiting the spread of HPAI.
While the 2023 rule allows the skin to remain intact, other existing restrictions on transporting unprocessed hunter-harvested wild game bird carcasses from Canada to the United States remain unchanged. Waterfowl enthusiasts are advised to adhere to the specific conditions outlined in the rule.
These conditions include ensuring that the bird carcasses are packaged individually and labeled correctly with the hunter’s name, address, and hunting license information. Moreover, all birds must be properly identified by species and sex. This information will assist APHIS officials in conducting effective inspections upon entry into the United States.
Notably, on September 2, 2022, APHIS initially introduced a regulation prohibiting the importation of game birds taken by hunters in Canada. However, DU scientists questioned the efficacy of this measure during discussions held with APHIS. Consequently, APHIS revised its regulation on September 12, 2022, and permitted the transportation of carcasses with certain restrictions. The 2023 rule aligns with these revised regulations, while removing the prerequisite to remove the skin from carcasses.
Karen Waldrop, DU’s chief conservation officer, emphasized that the rulemaking process prioritizes limiting the spread of HPAI by using the best available scientific evidence. The minimal risk posed by carcasses transported by American hunters supports this assertion. To ensure responsible transportation of game birds, waterfowlers are urged to follow the provided import guidelines diligently. Ducks Unlimited will play an active role in educating hunters on the safest methods of transporting game birds.
For detailed criteria regarding the restrictions and additional recommendations from APHIS for hunters, visit their website at www.aphis.usda.gov. To gain further insights into highly pathogenic avian influenza and the information waterfowlers should be aware of, you can visit DU’s dedicated avian influenza webpage at www.ducks.org.
With the latest revisions to the regulations, US hunters can now enjoy their hunting trips to Canada without the burden of removing the skin from harvested game birds. These changes, made in consultation with experts and based on scientific evidence, strike a balance between conservation efforts and practicality for waterfowl enthusiasts. By adhering to the provided import guidelines, hunters can contribute to limiting the spread of avian influenza while enjoying their passion for hunting in Canada’s abundant wilderness.
