Lek locations and nesting habitat should determine core areas. What raises my eyebrows is the exclusion of some areas (from the state plan, not a BLM plan) that should have been defined as core areas but coincidentally are prime targets for gas development. There is a clear ongoing effort on the part of oil and gas to hinder wind development, and not for the benefit of sage grouse. One look at Wyoming's flush state coffers will let you know where they stand. I've been right in the thick of it working with BLM on energy projects since the late 90s. http://www.hcn.org/issues/41.22/wind-resistanceareas are in CORE Sage Grouse areas.....LEK location determines "core" and LEK locations are on ridges....right wherre the towers would be located......
The gas people have the same problem but its more related to road and transmission line locations....RAHHHH ROHHHH on the ridges where the LEK's are.......
But how is one supposed to know which birds on the Federal list if they are not on my local regulations?
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]But how is one supposed to know which birds on the Federal list if they are not on my local regulations?
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Pat,
Good question, especially when claims are being made about the inclusion of Harlequins on this list.
I found the list on the USFW web site at this link BIRDS PROTECTED BY THE MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY ACT
As you can see when you scroll down the list, the Harlequin Duck is not a protected duck in the eyes of the law and regulations. Therefore it is perfectly legal to shoot a Harlequin in any State in which it is not specifically prohibited.
This link will give you info on states in which one can encounter the Harlequin based on past sightings.
States/US Territories in which the Harlequin duck is known to occur: Alaska , Arizona , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Idaho , Iowa , Kansas , Maine , Maryland , Massachusetts , Minnesota , Missouri , Montana , Nebraska , Nevada , New Hampshire , New Jersey , New Mexico , Oklahoma , Oregon , Rhode Island , South Dakota , Texas , Utah , Washington , Wyoming
Thumbing through my reference books these are for consideration:
Red Billed Whistling Duck which occur as far north as the TX coast
Emporer Goose in Alaska