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Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP)

Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP)
The Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) is a voluntary survey of selected migratory bird hunters that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and your state wildlife agency use to develop reliable estimates of the number of all migratory birds harvested throughout the country. These estimates, along with annual breeding and population surveys, give biologists the Information they need to make sound decisions concerning the length and dates of future hunting seasons, bag limits, and other population management for migratory birds. If you hunt ducks, coots, geese, brant, swans, doves, band-tailed pigeons, woodcock, rails, snipe, sandhill cranes, or gallinules, in any state, you are REQUIRED to participate in HIP. When you purchase your hunting license and identify yourself as a migratory bird hunter, you will sign up with HIP and be given proof of participation. Compliance is easy. Each year the USFWS randomly selects a sample of migratory bird hunters and sends them a survey. Because the information collected through the survey is used by biologists to determine population levels and set hunting seasons and bag limits, it is very important for selected hunters to report accurate data. It is projected that changes are coming for HIP next year. For more information, contact your local Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries office.