# 2025-15703: FWS Sets 2025 Bird Hunting Seasons: Hunt Responsibly, Protect Feathers

2025-15703, Migratory Bird Hunting; Final 2025-26 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations, is a Federal Register rule from Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service published 2025-08-18, effective For the 2025-26 migratory game bird hunting season; deemed significant under Executive Order 12866 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-15703
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2025-15703
- Title: Migratory Bird Hunting; Final 2025-26 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Interior Department; Fish and Wildlife Service
- Citation: 90 FR 40178
- Published: 2025-08-18
- Effective: For the 2025-26 migratory game bird hunting season
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: yes (OIRA_API)
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1018-BH65
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

FWS Sets 2025 Bird Hunting Seasons: Hunt Responsibly, Protect Feathers

## Summary

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service set the official rules for the 2025-26 migratory bird hunting season, letting States choose season dates, limits, and hunting areas within safe boundaries. These rules help protect bird populations while giving hunters a fun and fair chance to enjoy the sport. Hunters, States, and Tribes should get ready for the upcoming season with these new guidelines in place.

## Abstract

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) is establishing the final frameworks from which States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2025-26 migratory game bird hunting season. We annually prescribe limits (which we call frameworks) within which States may select hunting seasons. Frameworks specify the outside dates, season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and areas where migratory game bird hunting may occur. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and limits and to allow harvest at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions. Migratory game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance, and aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds.

## Effects PRIA read

- Federal Frameworks Set Hunting Limits: mixed, medium. If you hunt migratory game birds, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has set the 2025-26 federal frameworks that define outside dates, season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and areas where hunting may occur. States will use these frameworks when picking their own seasons and li…
- States Choose Season Details Within Frameworks: mixed, low. If you hunt in different states, each State may select its own 2025-26 season dates, bag limits, and hunting areas from the federal frameworks, so season rules can vary by State. Hunters, States, and Tribes are advised to prepare for those State selections.
- Frameworks Aim to Keep Harvest Sustainable: benefit, medium. The frameworks are set to allow harvest at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions for the 2025-26 season, which helps protect bird populations and supports continued recreational and subsistence hunting.

## Related documents

- [2026-14629](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14629): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat, 2026-07-21
- [2026-14633](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14633): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations Pertaining to Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, 2026-07-21
- [2026-14299](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14299): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the Contiguous U.S. Distinct Population Segment…, 2026-07-16
- [2026-14195](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14195): Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act, 2026-07-14
- [2026-12955](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12955): Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting, 2026-06-26
- [2026-12951](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12951): Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting, 2026-06-26

## Sources
- [2025-15703 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/18/2025-15703/migratory-bird-hunting-final-2025-26-frameworks-for-migratory-bird-hunting-regulations)
- [2025-15703 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-08-18/pdf/2025-15703.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2025-15689, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-15689)
- [Next: 2025-15720, Civil Penalties; 2025 Inflation Adjustments for Civil Monetary Penalties](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-15720)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-15703 (as of 2026-06-11).