Mike Del Toro

Mike Del Toro

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USDA Closes Import of Harvested Game Birds From Canada

No Transport of Harvested Game Birds From Canada to US

In a 180-degree reversal of guidance it confirmed less than one week earlier, the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced today that game birds taken by hunters in Canada will not be permitted to enter the United States regardless of the province in which they were taken.

Canada Goose Hunting Outlook
Canada Goose Hunting

The statement was issued at 6:35 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday September 2, 2022 leading into the Labor Day holiday weekend. Waterfowl hunting seasons in a number of Canadian provinces and portions of provinces opened a day earlier — on September 1 — with US citizens participating, unaware the ducks and geese they are taking won’t be allowed back in the states.

“Both the regulation itself and its timing are extremely troubling,” said Delta’s chief policy officer John Devney. “APHIS assured us just days ago that import would only be restricted on birds taken in Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza priority control zones. Who knows how many US hunters have headed to Canadian hunting camps believing they would be able to bring the birds they harvest back into the States by following the normal transport regulations that were in place when they left? Now they are going to be totally blindsided when they get back to the border.”

Delta Waterfowl has already issued a letter of protest addressed to USDA APHIS administrator Keven Shea protesting this mid-stream policy change and requesting immediate reconsideration of the decision.

Devney added, “It’s sadly all of the law-abiding, ethical waterfowl hunters who will feel the weight of this whip-lash policy change from APHIS. Their birds will be confiscated at the border and ultimately disposed of. What a terrible waste!  The Duck Hunters Organization will do all it can to try to see that reasonable regulations are reinstated as soon as possible.”

The statement of the USDA APHIS restriction on hunter harvested wild game bird meat from Canada is posted on the USDA APHIS website.

So if you are planning on waterfowl hunting this upcoming 2022-2023 season in Canada, please note you will not be able to transport your game birds back over the border to the United States. If you enjoy eating tasty fowl you may want to stay in the US this season. Check out Cupped Wings Arkansas Guided and Self-Guided duck hunts for your next waterfowl hunting trip.

Article Courtesy of: Delta Waterfowl

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