Public Hearing: 2026–2027 Migratory Game Bird Regulations

March 11, 2026
5:17 am

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On April 13, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board is hosting a crucial Zoom webinar public hearing to hammer out the 2026–2027 migratory game bird hunting regulations—think ducks, geese, doves, and the like. This isn't some bureaucratic snoozer; it's your direct shot at influencing seasons, bag limits, and possession rules that hunters nationwide will live by. The board votes to lock it all in right after the hearing, so if you're not tuned in and chiming in, you're handing the reins to the usual suspects who push restrictive frameworks under the guise of conservation. Register now via the official channels—seats fill fast, and your voice as a stakeholder matters more than ever in an era of escalating anti-hunting sentiment. For the 2A community, this goes way beyond feathers and shotguns; it's a frontline battle in the cultural war over our hunting heritage, which is inextricably tied to firearm rights. Migratory bird regs have long been a federal-state tango under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but state boards like this one set the practical parameters that dictate when and how you wield your scattergun. With ATF's ongoing shotgun scrutiny and whispers of broader ammo taxes looming, these hearings are prime opportunities to beat back incremental erosions—remember how dove season tweaks in past years sparked 2A pushback that preserved lead shot options? Show up armed with data on population stats, harvest reports from Flyway councils, and testimonials tying bird hunting to youth recruitment in the shooting sports. Weak turnout lets enviro-lobbyists dominate, potentially shortening seasons or mandating non-toxic ammo that hikes costs and sidelines budget hunters. The implications ripple outward: robust migratory seasons keep ranges busy, families in the field, and the firearms industry humming—think Remington 870s and Benelli inertia guns flying off shelves. Slack off, and we risk a domino effect where bird-friendly rules morph into excuses for broader gun control. 2A warriors, this is your call to action—log in, speak boldly, and defend the pursuit that forged our self-reliant ethos. Miss it, and next fall's sky might look a whole lot emptier.

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For the 2A community, this goes way beyond feathers and shotguns; it’s a frontline battle in the cultural war over our hunting heritage, which is inextricably tied to firearm rights. Migratory bird regs have long been a federal-state tango under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but state boards like this one set the practical parameters that dictate when and how you wield your scattergun. With ATF’s ongoing shotgun scrutiny and whispers of broader ammo taxes looming, these hearings are prime opportunities to beat back incremental erosions—remember how dove season tweaks in past years sparked 2A pushback that preserved lead shot options? Show up armed with data on population stats, harvest reports from Flyway councils, and testimonials tying bird hunting to youth recruitment in the shooting sports. Weak turnout lets enviro-lobbyists dominate, potentially shortening seasons or mandating non-toxic ammo that hikes costs and sidelines budget hunters.

The implications ripple outward: robust migratory seasons keep ranges busy, families in the field, and the firearms industry humming—think Remington 870s and Benelli inertia guns flying off shelves. Slack off, and we risk a domino effect where bird-friendly rules morph into excuses for broader gun control. 2A warriors, this is your call to action—log in, speak boldly, and defend the pursuit that forged our self-reliant ethos. Miss it, and next fall’s sky might look a whole lot emptier.

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