Section 745.10  Purpose

The Department of Natural Resources (Department) will evaluate all-year hunting of hand-reared game birds on certain game breeding and hunting preserve areas. The evaluation shall be based on the following criteria:

a)         Demand for all-year hunting, as measured by the number of hunters who utilize the hunting preserve areas designated in Section 745.20 between April 16 and August 31 combined with the number of hunters whose reservation requests are denied, if any;

b)         Quality of hunting during April 16 to August 31, as measured by the ability of breeders to provide hand-reared game birds during this period, the field performance of the birds during this period, perceptions of hunters in regard to hunting during this period compared to standard season hunting and quality of the hunting dog field performance;

c)         Public acceptance of all-year hunting, as measured by public comment received by the Department of Natural Resources during the pilot program period.