FWS

Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed the Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) final frameworks for early-season migratory bird hunting regulations and early seasons and bag and possession limits for certain migratory game birds. GAO noted that: (1) the final frameworks rule would establish the early-season frameworks from which states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands may select dates and other options available to them for the 1998-99 migratory bird hunting seasons; (2) the early seasons and bag and possession limits rule would prescribe hunting seasons, hours, areas, and daily bag limits and possession limits for specific game birds in the contiguous states, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands; and (3) FWS complied with applicable requirements in promulgating the rule.