[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 169 (Thursday, September 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-21761]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 1, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN 1018-AA24

 

Migratory Bird Hunting: Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on 
Certain Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands for the 1994-95 
Early Season

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule prescribes special early season migratory bird 
hunting regulations for certain tribes on Federal Indian reservations, 
off-reservation trust lands and ceded lands. This is in response to 
tribal requests for Service recognition of their authority to regulate 
hunting under established guidelines. This rule is necessary to allow 
establishment of season bag limits and, thus, harvest at levels 
compatible with populations and habitat conditions.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule takes effect on September 1, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments received, if any, on the proposed special hunting 
regulations and tribal proposals are available for public inspection 
during normal business hours in Room 634, Arlington Square Building, 
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA. Communications regarding the 
documents should be sent to: Director (FWS/MBMO), U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Room 634-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 
20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Keith A. Morehouse, Office of 
Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department 
of the Interior, Room 634-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 
20240 (703/358-1714).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of July 3, 
1918 (40 Stat. 755; 16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.), authorizes and directs the 
Secretary of the Department of the Interior, having due regard for the 
zones of temperature and for the distribution, abundance, economic 
value, breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of migratory game 
birds, to determine when, to what extent, and by what means such birds 
or any part, nest or egg thereof may be taken, hunted, captured, 
killed, possessed, sold, purchased, shipped, carried, exported or 
transported.
    In the August 16, 1994 Federal Register (59 FR 42017), the U. S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposed special migratory bird 
hunting regulations for the 1994-95 hunting season for certain Indian 
tribes, under the guidelines described in the June 4, 1985, Federal 
Register (50 FR 23467). The guidelines were developed in response to 
tribal requests for Service recognition of their reserved hunting 
rights, and for some tribes, recognition of their authority to regulate 
hunting by both tribal members and nonmembers on their reservations. 
The guidelines include possibilities for: (1) On-reservation hunting by 
both tribal members and nonmembers, with hunting by nontribal members 
on some reservations to take place within Federal frameworks but on 
dates different from those selected by the surrounding State(s); (2) 
on-reservation hunting by tribal members only, outside of usual Federal 
frameworks for season dates and length, and for daily bag and 
possession limits; and (3) off-reservation hunting by tribal members on 
ceded lands, outside of usual framework dates and season length, with 
some added flexibility in daily bag and possession limits. In all 
cases, the regulations established under the guidelines have to be 
consistent with the March 10-September 1 closed season mandated by the 
1916 Migratory Bird Treaty with Canada.
    Tribes that desired special hunting regulations in the 1994-95 
hunting season were requested in the April 7, 1994, Federal Register 
(59 FR 16762) to submit a proposal that included details on: (1) 
Requested season dates and other regulations to be observed; (2) 
harvest anticipated under the requested regulations; (3) methods that 
will be employed to measure or monitor harvest; (4) steps that will be 
taken to limit level of harvest, where it could be shown that failure 
to limit such harvest would impact seriously on the migratory bird 
resource; and (5) tribal capabilities to establish and enforce 
migratory bird hunting regulations. No action is required if a tribe 
wishes to observe the hunting regulations that are established by the 
State(s) in which an Indian reservation is located. The guidelines have 
been used successfully since the 1985-86 hunting season, and they were 
made final beginning with the 1988-89 hunting season (August 18, 1988; 
53 FR 31612).
    Although the proposed rule includes generalized regulations for 
both early and late season hunting, this rulemaking addresses only the 
early season proposals. Late season hunting will be addressed in the 
rulemaking to follow in September 1994. As a general rule, early 
seasons begin during September each year and have a primary emphasis on 
such species as mourning and white-winged dove. Late seasons are those 
that begin about October 1 or later each year and have a primary 
emphasis on waterfowl.
    In the proposed rule, the Service pointed out that there was reason 
for cautious optimism with regard to liberalization of duck hunting 
regulations in the 1994-95 season. However, at that time production 
information was not available and assessments could not be made on 
which to base final frameworks decisions. From survey data, it now 
appears that duck production is up on a continental basis, with a 
projected fall flight index of about 71 million ducks, and the Service 
has responded to this by making minor adjustments in regulations. Most 
notably, bag limit frameworks provide for one more duck than allowed 
last year, with an additional mallard drake. However, the restriction 
on mallard hens to one in the daily bag will remain in effect. A season 
on canvasbacks is optional nationwide. Other species restrictions are 
still in effect. The Service has eased off, somewhat, the more 
restrictive regulations of past seasons because duck populations have 
generally rebounded from the lows of last year and several previous 
years. Duck populations recovery is closely linked to more favorable 
water conditions throughout most of the better duck production areas of 
the U.S. and Canada, as well as to more restrictive regulations imposed 
in the past. However, the Service has been conservative in this 
liberalization because the potential is there for a more complete 
recovery of populations in the future, compared to long-term averages, 
if water conditions stabilize and/or continue to improve. Length of 
season is considered to be a factor more closely associated with 
determining magnitude of harvest than is minor adjustment in bag limit 
so frameworks for season length across all four flyways will remain the 
same. The fact that some liberalization has occurred in bag limits is 
considered in these final regulations, many of which were proposed 
before final decisions were made on late season frameworks.

Comments and Issues Concerning Tribal Proposals

    For the 1994-95 migratory bird hunting season, the Service proposed 
regulations for fourteen tribes and/or Indian groups that followed the 
1985 guidelines and were considered appropriate for final rulemaking. 
In addition, the Penobscot Indian Nation had not submitted a proposal 
but was expected to do so, as it had routinely in the past, and was 
included in the proposed rule. The Penobscots have been excluded from 
these final regulations because of a failure to submit the appropriate 
materials. Some of the proposals submitted by the tribes have both 
early and late season elements. However, as noted earlier, only those 
with early season proposals are included in this final rulemaking; six 
tribes have proposals with early seasons. Comments and revised 
proposals received to date are addressed in the following section. The 
comment period for the proposed rule, published on August 16, closed on 
August 31, 1994. Because of the brief comment period that was 
necessary, any comments received on the proposed rule and/or these 
early season regulations not responded to herein will be addressed in 
the late season final rule to be published in September.

Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, WI

    To date, the Service has received two letters regarding the 
proposal of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission 
(GLIFWC). One dated July 22 from the State of Wisconsin Department of 
Natural Resources (WIDNR) to the GLIFWC, was copied to the Service. In 
this letter, the WIDNR communicated concerns regarding: (1) Canada 
goose bag limits of 10 per day, and concern for the harvest of 
Mississippi Valley Population (MVP) and giant Canada geese. The WIDNR 
voiced concerns over the status of giant and MVP Canada geese, and 
asked that the bag limit be returned to the 1992 level. The WIDNR cited 
improvements in the population status of MVP Canada geese this past 
spring resulting from major reductions in harvest by MVP States over 
the past two seasons, but voiced apprehension over the likelihood of a 
good production year in 1994 because of a late spring on the breeding 
grounds. With regard to giant Canada geese, WIDNR cited 10 or more 
years of effort to restore breeding populations that could be 
jeopardized by overharvest locally; (2) the length of other goose 
seasons and bag limits for the GLIFWC in comparison to those required 
for non-tribal hunters by the State of Wisconsin. The WIDNR thought 
that GLIFWC goose seasons and bag limits should be consistent with 
those of the State; (3) the September 15 opening of the duck season. 
The WIDNR continues to oppose the early duck season opener in concern 
for late nesting hens and their broods that might still be in molt or 
just recovering from the molt that would make them especially 
vulnerable to harvest; (4) the increase in the proposed duck daily bag 
limit to 20. The WIDNR believes that drastically increasing bag limits 
may negatively impact efforts by the State and others, including the 
GLIFWC, to restore local duck breeding populations in northern 
Wisconsin; and (5) honoring the noon opening for shooting hours for the 
first day of the State's duck season.
    The second letter of comment, dated July 5, was provided directly 
to the Service by the State of Minnesota Department of Natural 
Resources (MNDNR). A direct reply to this letter has been provided to 
the MNDNR. In their letter, the MNDNR referenced the practice of the 
GLIFWC in some previous years to defer selection of bag limits until 
after production is known. The MNDNR also commented that a bag limit of 
20 ducks is ``inconsistent with current duck population status'' and 
that a bag limit of 10 geese is ``excessive.''
    It is necessary to place this proposal by the GLIFWC in the context 
of a tribal entity having court established legal rights on ceded lands 
in one instance (Wisconsin) and legal precedent for establishing those 
rights on ceded lands in the other (Minnesota). Further, it is the 
policy of the Service to recognize treaty rights wherever there is 
substantial proof that they occur, e.g., more recently in the Michigan 
1836 Treaty area. Thus, the GLIFWC proposal has as its umbrella the 
recognition by the Federal Government of those reserved rights by bands 
to an unquantified amount of any harvestable migratory bird surpluses 
in the ceded areas. The above has been amplified in our response to the 
MNDNR, which states that, ``As to the existence of treaty rights, it is 
the Federal Government's position that they do exist until such time as 
a Federal court says otherwise. Our position derives from the special 
status that Native Americans have with regard to the Federal 
Government's `trust responsibility,' as well as precedent setting court 
decisions in Wisconsin and elsewhere when these reserved treaty rights 
have been at issue.''
    As to the details of the proposal comments, our response as stated 
in the MNDNR letter continues to be that ``[W]hile the Commission's 
proposed bag limits are somewhat greater than they have been in 
previous years, I disagree that they are `inconsistent with current 
duck population status' and `excessive' for geese. The Service's 
position is that the current populations of birds can support the 
limited harvest of the bands. In past years, the numbers of ducks and 
geese taken annually by the Commission's member bands have been about 
2,000 and 500, respectively. In 1993-94, 1631 ducks and 402 geese were 
taken. Under the proposed regulations, the annual harvest is 
anticipated to be approximately 3,000 ducks and 900 geese. Further, as 
you state, the Commission has modified its original proposal with 
regard to sex and species considerations, in line with current 
management concerns. If approved, the Commission will be obligated to 
monitor the harvest to ensure that local breeding populations of ducks 
are not being adversely affected.''
    Thus, although the first consideration for approval has been the 
legal grounding of the request, the Service is also sensitive to the 
inherent conservation issue. It should be emphasized here that the 
willingness of the GLIFWC to compromise on the original bag limit 
proposal to one which is biologically acceptable signals their 
continuing responsibility and sensitivity to the status of the 
waterfowl resource.
    The September 15 opening date for the GLIFWC meets the framework 
the Service has established for approval of tribal duck seasons. This 
date should provide ample time for even late broods and molting ducks 
to be flighted. These referenced guidelines were originally established 
by the Service's Region 3 Office in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, for use 
in the Great Lakes areas but have been generally applied elsewhere in 
the States, as appropriate. The Service also requests that tribal 
members honor both the noon opening for shooting hours for the first 
day of the State's duck season and with Wisconsin's open water hunting 
restrictions.
    As these regulations are being approved in this early season final 
rule, it is incumbent upon the GLIFWC to continue to closely monitor 
both the duck and goose harvests to ensure that local and/or regional 
breeding populations are not being negatively impacted by an increased 
harvest.
    In summary, this rule amends section 20.110 of 50 CFR to make 
current for the early 1994-95 migratory bird hunting season the 
regulations that will apply on Federal Indian reservations, off-
reservation trust lands and ceded lands. These regulations take into 
account the improved production status of ducks and the need to 
maintain somewhat restrictive regulations to continue the reduced 
harvest of some migratory birds.

NEPA Consideration

    Pursuant to the requirements of section 102(2)(C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(C)), the ``Final 
Environmental Statement for the Issuance of Annual Regulations 
Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FES-75-74)'' was filed 
with the Council on Environmental Quality on June 6, 1975, and notice 
of availability was published in the Federal Register on June 13, 1975 
(40 FR 25241). A supplement to the final environmental statement, the 
``Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual 
Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (SEIS 88-
14)'' was filed on June 9, 1988, and notice of availability was 
published in the Federal Register on June 16, 1988 (53 FR 22582), and 
June 17, 1988 (53 FR 22727). In addition, an August 1985 environmental 
assessment titled ``Guidelines for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations 
on Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands'' is available from the 
Service.

Endangered Species Act Considerations

    Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as amended (16 
U.S.C. 1531-1543; 87 Stat. 884), provides that, ``The Secretary shall 
review other programs administered by him and utilize such programs in 
furtherance of the purposes of this Act'' (and) shall ``insure that any 
action authorized, funded or carried out * * * is not likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or 
threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification 
of [critical] habitat * * *'' Thus, the Service has initiated Section 7 
consultation for the proposed migratory bird hunting seasons including 
those which occur on Federally recognized Indian reservations and ceded 
lands. The Service's biological opinion resulting from its consultation 
under Section 7 of the ESA may be inspected by the public in, and will 
be available from, the Service's address given under the caption 
ADDRESSES.
    In an August 1994 finding, the Service concluded that the proposed 
action is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed 
species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their 
critical habitats. Among other reasons, hunting regulations are 
designed to remove or alleviate chances of conflict between seasons for 
migratory game birds and the protection and conservation of endangered 
and threatened species and their habitats.

Regulatory Flexibility Act, Executive Order 12866, and the Paperwork 
Reduction Act

    In the April 7 Federal Register, the Service reported measures it 
had undertaken to comply with requirements of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) and Executive Order 
12866. These included preparing an Analysis of Regulatory Effects, 
preparing a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, and publishing a summary of the latter. This 
information is included in the present document by reference. This rule 
was not subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget under 
Executive Order 12866. This rule does not contain any information 
collection requiring approval by the Office of Management and Budget 
under 44 U.S.C. 3504.

Authorship

    The primary author of this early season final rule is Dr. Keith A. 
Morehouse, Staff Specialist, Office of Migratory Bird Management.

Regulations Promulgation

    The rulemaking process for migratory bird hunting must, by its 
nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, the Service is 
of the view that every attempt should be made to give the public the 
greatest possible opportunity to comment on the regulations. Thus, when 
the proposed hunting regulations for certain tribes were published on 
August 11, 1994, the Service established the longest possible period 
for public comments. In doing this, the Service recognized that time 
would be of the essence. However, the comment period provided the 
maximum amount of time possible while ensuring that this final rule 
would be published before the beginning of the early hunting season 
beginning on September 1, 1994.
    Under the authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of July 3, 
1918, as amended (40 Stat. 755; 16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.), the Service 
prescribes final hunting regulations for certain tribes on Federal 
Indian reservations (including off-reservation trust lands) and ceded 
lands. The regulations specify the species to be hunted and establish 
season dates, bag and possession limits, season length, and shooting 
hours for migratory game birds other than waterfowl.
    Therefore, for the reasons set out above, the Service finds that 
``good cause'' exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the 
Administrative Procedure Act, and this final rule will take effect on 
September 1, 1994.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20

    Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.

    Accordingly, Part 20, Subchapter B, Chapter I of Title 50 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

PART 20--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 20 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July 3, 1918), as amended 
(16 U.S.C. 703-711); the Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 1978 
(November 8, 1978), as amended (16 U.S.C. 712); and the Fish and 
Wildlife Act of 1956 (August 8, 1956), as amended (16 U.S.C. 742 a-d 
and e-j).

    (Editorial Note: The following hunting regulations provided for 
by Sec. 20.110 of 50 CFR Part 20 will not appear in the Code of 
Federal Regulations because of their seasonal nature.)

    2. Section 20.110 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 20.110  Seasons, limits and other regulations for certain Federal 
Indian reservations, Indian Territory, and ceded lands.

    (a) White Mountain Apache Tribe, Fort Apache Indian Reservation, 
Whiteriver, Arizona (Tribal Members and Nonmembers).
    Band-tailed Pigeons.
    Season Dates: Open September 2, close September 11, 1994.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 3 and the 
possession limit is 6.
    Mourning Doves.
    Season Dates: Open September 2, close September 11, 1994.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 8 and the 
possession limit is 16.
    General Conditions: All non-tribal hunters hunting band-tailed 
pigeons and mourning doves on Reservation lands shall have in their 
possession a valid White Mountain Apache Daily or Yearly Small Game 
Permit. In addition to a small game permit, all non-tribal hunters 
hunting band-tailed pigeons must have in their possession a White 
Mountain Special Band-tailed Pigeon Permit. Other special regulations 
established by the White Mountain Apache Tribe apply on the 
reservation. Tribal and nontribal hunters will comply with all basic 
Federal migratory bird hunting regulations in 50 CFR Part 20 regarding 
shooting hours and manner of taking.
    (b) Colorado River Indian Tribes, Parker, Arizona (Tribal Members 
and Nonmembers).
    Doves.
    Season Dates: Open September 1, close September 11, 1994; then open 
November 21, close January 8, 1995.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: For the early season, daily bag 
limit is 10 mourning or 10 white-winged doves, or 10 in the aggregate 
per day. For the late season, the daily bag limit is 10 mourning doves. 
Possession limits are twice the daily bag limits.
    General Conditions: A valid Colorado River Indian Reservation 
hunting permit is required and must be in possession before taking any 
wildlife on tribal lands. Persons fourteen years and older are required 
to have a valid permit. Any person transporting game birds off the 
Colorado River Indian Reservation must have a valid transport 
declaration form. Other tribal regulations apply, and may be obtained 
at the Fish and Game Office in Parker, Arizona.
    (c) Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, 
Wisconsin (Tribal Members Only).
    Ducks.
    Wisconsin and Minnesota 1837, 1842 and 1854 Zones:
    Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 7, 1994.
    Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 20, including no more than 
10 mallards; only 5 of which may be hen mallards; 4 black ducks; 4 
redheads, 4 pintails and 2 canvasbacks.
    Mergansers.
    Wisconsin and Minnesota Zones:
    Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 7, 1994.
    Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 5, including no more than 1 
hooded merganser.
    Canada Geese.
    Wisconsin and Minnesota Zones:
    Season Dates: Open September 15, close December 1, 1994.
    Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 10, minus the number of 
blue, snow or white-fronted geese taken.
    Michigan, 1842 Treaty Zone:
    Season Dates: Open September 1, close September 10, 1994.
    Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 5.
    Michigan, 1836 Treaty Zone:
    Season Dates: Open September 1, close September 10, 1994, except 
for that small portion of the ceded territory which coincides with the 
State of Michigan's Southern Zone will open September 1 and close on 
September 15.
    Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 5.
    Other Geese (Blue, Snow, and White-fronted).
    Wisconsin and Minnesota 1837, 1842 and 1854 Zones:
    Season Dates: Open September 15, close December 1, 1994.
    Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 10, minus the number of 
Canada geese taken.
    Coots and Common Moorhens (Gallinule).
    Wisconsin and Minnesota 1837, 1842 and 1854 Zones:
    Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 7, 1994.
    Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 20, singly or in the 
aggregate.
    Sora and Virginia Rails.
    Wisconsin and Minnesota 1837, 1842 and 1854 Zones:
    Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 7, 1994.
    Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 25, singly or in the 
aggregate. The possession limit is 25.
    Michigan, 1842 and 1836 Zones:
    Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 14, 1994.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 25, singly 
or in aggregate. The possession limit is 25.
    Common Snipe.
    Wisconsin and Minnesota 1837, 1842 and 1854 Zones:
    Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 7, 1994.
    Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 8.
    Michigan, 1842 and 1836 Zones:
    Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 14, 1994.
    Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 8.
    Woodcock.
    Wisconsin and Minnesota 1837, 1842 and 1854 Zones:
    Season Dates: Open September 6, close November 30, 1994.
    Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 5.
    Michigan, 1842 and 1836 Zones:
    Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 14, 1994.
    Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 5.
    General Conditions: (i) While hunting waterfowl, a tribal member 
must carry on his/her person a valid tribal waterfowl hunting permit.
    (ii) Except as otherwise noted, tribal members will be required to 
comply with tribal codes that will be no less restrictive than the 
provisions of Chapter 10 of the Model Off-Reservation Code. This Model 
Code was the subject of the stipulation in Lac Courte Oreilles v. State 
of Wisconsin regarding migratory bird hunting. Except as modified 
herein, these amended regulations parallel Federal requirements, 50 CFR 
Part 20, and shooting hour regulations in 50 CFR Part 20, subpart K, as 
to hunting methods, transportation, sale, exportation and other 
conditions generally applicable to migratory bird hunting.
    (iii) Tribal members in each zone will comply with State 
regulations providing for closed and restricted waterfowl hunting 
areas.
    (iv) Minnesota and Michigan--Duck Blinds and Decoys. Tribal members 
hunting in Minnesota will comply with tribal codes that contain 
provisions parallel to applicable State statutes. Tribal members 
hunting in Michigan will comply with tribal codes that contain 
provisions parallel to Michigan law regarding duck blinds and decoys.
    (v) Possession limits for each species are double the daily bag 
limit, except on the opening day of the season, when the possession 
limit equals the daily bag limit, unless otherwise specified.
    (vi) Possession limits are applicable only to transportation and do 
not include birds which are cleaned, dressed, and at a member's primary 
residence. For purposes of enforcing bag and possession limits, all 
migratory birds in the possession or custody of tribal members on ceded 
lands will be considered to have been taken on those lands unless 
tagged by a tribal or State conservation warden as having been taken 
on-reservation. In Wisconsin, such tagging will comply with applicable 
State statutes. All migratory birds which fall on reservation lands 
will not count as part of any off-reservation bag or possession limit.
    (d) Navajo Indian Reservation, Window Rock, Arizona (Tribal Members 
and Nonmembers).
    Band-tailed Pigeons.
    Season Dates: Open September 1, close September 30, 1994.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 5 and the 
possession limit is 10.
    Mourning Doves.
    Season Dates: Open September 1, close September 30, 1994.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 10 and the 
possession limit is 20.
    General Conditions: Tribal and nontribal hunters will comply with 
all basic Federal migratory bird hunting regulations in 50 CFR Part 20, 
regarding shooting hours and manner of taking. In addition, each 
waterfowl hunter 16 years of age or over must carry on his/her person a 
valid Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) signed 
in ink across the face. Special regulations established by the Navajo 
Nation also apply on the reservation.
    (e) Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, Oneida, Wisconsin (Tribal 
Members).
    Ducks.
    Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 30, 1994.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Daily bag limit is 6, including no 
more than 4 mallards (only 1 of which can be a mallard hen), 4 wood 
ducks, 1 canvasback, 1 redhead, 2 pintails, and 1 hooded merganser. 
Possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.
    Geese.
    Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 30, 1994.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese, 
that must be tagged after harvest with tribal tags. The tribe will 
reissue tags upon registration of the daily bag limit. A season quota 
of 150 birds is adopted. If the quota is reached before the season 
concludes, the season will be closed at that time.
    Mourning Dove.
    Season Dates: Open September 1, close November 30, 1994.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Daily bag limit is 10, and the 
possession limit is 20.
    Woodcock.
    Season Dates: Open September 1, close November 30, 1994.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Daily bag limit is 6, and the 
possession limit is 12.
    General Conditions: Indians and non-Indians hunting on the Oneida 
Indian Reservation or on lands under the jurisdiction of the Oneida 
Nation will observe all basic Federal migratory bird hunting 
regulations found in 50 CFR. Indian hunters are exempt from the 
requirement to purchase of a Migratory Waterfowl Hunting and 
Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp).
    (f) Tulalip Tribes of Washington, Tulalip Indian Reservation, 
Marysville, Washington (Tribal Members).
    Ducks/Coot.
    Season Dates: Open September 15, 1994, and close February 1, 1995.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 6, with 12 
in possession; except that bag and possession limits are restricted for 
blue-winged teal, canvasback, harlequin, pintail and wood duck to those 
established for the Pacific Flyway by final Federal frameworks, to be 
announced.
    Geese.
    Season Dates: Open September 15, 1994, and close February 1, 1995.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 6, with 12 
in possession; except that the bag limits for brant and cackling and 
dusky Canada geese are those established for the Pacific Flyway in 
accordance with final Federal frameworks, to be announced. The tribes 
also set a maximum annual bag limit on ducks and geese for those tribal 
members who engage in subsistence hunting.
    Snipe.
    Season Dates: Open September 1, 1994, and close February 1, 1995.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 6, with 12 
in possession.
    General Conditions: All waterfowl hunters, members and non-members, 
must obtain and possess while hunting a valid hunting permit from the 
Tulalip tribes. Also, non-tribal members sixteen years of age and 
older, hunting pursuant to Tulalip Tribes' Ordinance No. 67, must 
possess a validated Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation 
Stamp and a validated State of Washington Migratory Waterfowl Stamp. 
All Tulalip tribal members must have in their possession while hunting, 
or accompanying another, their valid tribal identification card. All 
hunters are required to adhere to a number of other special regulations 
enforced by the tribes and available at the tribal office.

    Dated: August 25, 1994.
George T. Frampton,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 94-21761 Filed 8-31-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P