[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23945]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 27, 1994]


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Part III





Department of the Interior





_______________________________________________________________________



Fish and Wildlife Service



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50 CFR Part 20




Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Bird 
Hunting Regulations; Final Rule
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN 1018-AA24

 
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Late-Season 
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule prescribes final late-season frameworks from which 
States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 1994-
95 migratory bird hunting season. These late seasons include most 
waterfowl seasons, the earliest of which generally commence on or about 
October 1, 1994. The effects of this final rule are to facilitate the 
selection of hunting seasons by the States to further the annual 
establishment of the late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. 
State selections will be published in the Federal Register as 
amendments to Secs. 20.104 through 20.107 and Sec. 20.109 of title 50 
CFR part 20.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 27, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Season selections from States are to be mailed to: Chief, 
Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Department of the Interior, ms 634--ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20240. Comments received are available for public 
inspection during normal business hours in room 634, Arlington Square 
Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul R. Schmidt, Chief, Office of 
Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department 
of the Interior, ms 634--ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20240, (703) 358-1714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Regulations Schedule for 1994

    On April 7, 1994, the Service published for public comment in the 
Federal Register (59 FR 16762) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20, with 
comment periods ending July 21 for early-season proposals and September 
2 for late-season proposals. The deadline for late-season proposals was 
subsequently extended to September 9 in the September 7 Federal 
Register (58 FR 46320). These regulations would be proposed for certain 
designated members of the avian families Anatidae (ducks, geese, and 
swans); Columbidae (doves and pigeons), Gruidae (cranes); Rallidae 
(rails, coots, moorhens, and gallinules); and Scolopacidae (woodcock 
and snipe). These species are designated as ``migratory game birds'' in 
conventions between the United States and several foreign nations for 
the protection and management of these birds. All other birds 
designated as migratory (under 10.13 of Subpart B of 50 CFR Part 10) in 
the aforementioned conventions may not be hunted. On June 8, 1994, the 
Service published for public comment a second document (59 FR 29700) 
which provided supplemental proposals for early- and late-season 
migratory bird hunting regulations frameworks. On June 23, 1994, a 
public hearing was held in Washington, DC, as announced in the April 7 
and June 8 Federal Registers, to review the status of migratory shore 
and upland game birds. Proposed hunting regulations were discussed for 
these species and for other early seasons. On July 12, 1993, the 
Service published in the Federal Register (59 FR 35566) a third 
document in the series of proposed, supplemental, and final rulemaking 
documents which dealt specifically with proposed early-season 
frameworks for the 1994-95 season. On August 4, 1994, a public hearing 
was held in Washington, DC, as announced in the April 7, June 8, and 
July 12 Federal Registers, to review the status of waterfowl. Proposed 
hunting regulations were discussed for these late seasons. On August 
17, 1994, the Service published a fourth document (59 FR 42474) 
containing final frameworks for early migratory bird hunting seasons 
from which wildlife conservation agency officials from the States, 
Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands selected early-season hunting 
dates, hours, areas, and limits for 1994-95. The fifth document in the 
series, published August 24, 1994 (59 FR 43684), dealt specifically 
with proposed frameworks for the 1994-95 late-season migratory bird 
hunting regulations. On September 1, 1994, the Service published in the 
Federal Register a sixth document consisting of a final rule amending 
subpart K of title 50 CFR part 20 to set hunting seasons, hours, areas, 
and limits for early seasons. On September 7, 1994, the Service 
published in the Federal Register a seventh document announcing an 
extension of the closing date for the comment period on late-season 
regulations from September 2 to September 9. This document, which 
establishes final frameworks for late-season migratory bird hunting 
regulations for the 1994-95 season, is the eighth in the series.

Review of Comments and the Service's Response

    Public-hearing and written comments received through September 9, 
1994, relating to proposed late-season frameworks are discussed and 
addressed here. Ten individuals presented statements at the August 4, 
1994, public hearing. Individuals and the organizations represented 
were: Dr. Rollin Sparrowe, Wildlife Management Institute; Walter Sikes, 
California Waterfowl Association; Brian Cavey, Office of Senator Max 
Baucus; Bruce Barbour, National Audubon Society; K.L. Cool, Central 
Flyway Council; Scott Sutherland, Ducks Unlimited; Congressman Jay 
Dickey, 4th Congressional District in Arkansas; Congressman Tim Petrie, 
6th Congressional District in Wisconsin; Dr. Gary Will, Pacific Flyway 
Council; and Congressman Steve Gunderson, 3rd Congressional District in 
Wisconsin. The Service received 504 written comments that specifically 
addressed late-season issues. These late-season comments are summarized 
and discussed in the subject order used in the April 7, 1994, Federal 
Register. Only the numbered items pertaining to late seasons for which 
comments were received are included. Flyway Council recommendations 
shown below include only those involving changes from the 1993-94 late-
season frameworks. For those topics where a Council recommendation is 
not shown, the Council supported continuing the same frameworks as in 
1993-94.

General

    Public-Hearing Comments: Dr. Rollin Sparrowe, Mr. Brian Cavey, Mr. 
Bruce Barbour, Mr. K. L. Cool, and Mr. Scott Sutherland expressed 
optimism for the recovery of duck populations this year due to the 
return of good water and improved upland habitat conditions. They noted 
that a variety of circumstances likely contributed to this improvement 
but praised the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the cooperative 
efforts of private landowners, State and Federal wildlife agencies, and 
conservation organizations for having played a significant role. 
However, Mr. Sutherland stated that several species, including the 
mallard, black duck, pintail, American wigeon, blue-winged teal, 
canvasback, and scaup are still below the North American Waterfowl 
Management Plan goals. He stressed the need to expand and improve 
population surveys and banding program databases which would allow the 
development of refined regional and flyway management plans.
    Written Comments: The California Waterfowl Association urged the 
Service to consider the link between hunting opportunities and hunter 
support of habitat programs when formulating regulations. They believe 
that the current sizes of waterfowl populations justify a relaxation of 
restrictions.
    An individual from California requested that waterfowl harvests be 
managed on a flyway basis.
    Dr. Robert McLandress, Director of the Waterfowl and Wetland 
Program of the California Waterfowl Association, expressed his concern 
for the 65 percent decrease in California waterfowl hunters during the 
past two decades and the impact of such losses on wetland habitat 
preservation and maintenance. He noted that the number of California 
waterfowl hunters was more highly correlated with pintail harvests and 
pintail breeding populations than with harvests and populations of 
other ducks.
    Mr. Walter R. Sikes, representing the California Waterfowl 
Association, noted that 1994 would be the second year of good 
production for Pacific Flyway duck populations which should provide 
relief to the existing regulations restrictions. He commented that 
reduced waterfowl populations and hunting opportunities had discouraged 
support for habitat restoration efforts in California; but nonetheless, 
California waterfowlers have spent millions of dollars on waterfowl 
habitat improvement programs in that State. He further indicated that 
historical data supported relaxation of regulations, noting that during 
years with similar duck populations, seasons were 31 percent longer, 
bag limits were 75 percent higher, and hunter numbers were at least 35 
percent greater than in 1993.
    Two local sportsmen's organizations from Massachusetts requested 
threshold figures for all species of waterfowl defining when seasons 
shall be opened or closed.
    The Fund for Animals expressed concern that many States are 
establishing late-season migratory bird hunting dates prior to the 
publication of the final frameworks by the Service. They contend that 
such premature action by State agencies, regardless of the time 
constraint the agencies may face, conflict with the notice and comment 
requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act. The purpose of 
publishing the Federal Register proposed rulemaking document and 
allowing a subsequent comment period is to provide opportunity for 
interested parties to submit data and facts and to present their views. 
They maintain that this scenario places the Service in a difficult 
situation and compromises its ability to make changes. As a result, 
they believe that the Service does not seriously consider comments 
received and thus does not involve the public in the decision-making 
process.
    The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 
expressed concern regarding the timing of the process required to 
establish final frameworks for setting migratory game bird regulations 
and asked that the Service modify the administrative process. They 
suggested that regulations should be finalized a month earlier in order 
to establish season dates and provide information to hunters in an 
orderly and timely manner.
    The Humane Society of the United States (hereinafter the Humane 
Society) expressed concern that the public was not well represented in 
the regulations-establishment process. They requested establishment of 
a system directly involving the non-hunting public. They also requested 
that the Service undertake efforts to obtain population estimates for 
all hunted species.
    Service Response: When the preliminary proposed rulemaking document 
was published in the Federal Register on April 7, 1994, the Service 
announced the comment periods for the early-season and late-season 
proposals and gave notice that the process of promulgating hunting 
regulations ``must, by its nature, operate under time constraints''. 
Ample time must be given to gather and interpret survey data, consider 
recommendations and develop proposals, and to receive public comment. 
Scheduled dates are set to give the greatest possible opportunity for 
public input. If States do take action to establish their seasons prior 
to the final decisions on the frameworks, they risk having to withdraw 
and modify those actions. The Service is obligated to, and does, give 
serious consideration to all information received as public comment. 
The Service has long recognized the problems associated with the length 
of time necessary to establish the final frameworks, and in conjunction 
with States, Flyway Councils, and the public, continues to seek new 
ways to streamline and improve the regulatory process.
    Regarding population estimates, the long-term objectives of the 
Service include providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain 
migratory game bird populations and to limit harvests to levels 
compatible with each population's ability to maintain healthy, viable 
numbers. Annually, the status of populations are evaluated and the 
potential impacts of hunting are considered. The Service believes that 
hunting seasons are consistent with the current status of waterfowl 
populations and long-term population goals.

1. Ducks

A. General Harvest Strategy
    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended 
seasons and limits similar to those in effect during 1985-87 (with the 
exception of pintail), when significant reductions in bag and season 
length were imposed to protect certain declining duck populations. The 
Council presented information on duck populations, hunter numbers, and 
duck harvest in support of their recommendations.
    Public-Hearing Comments: Dr. Rollin Sparrowe indicated that while a 
recovery of duck populations appears to be underway, a single year does 
not represent an upward trend. He noted that some liberalization may be 
warranted this year, but added that the major question was how much and 
how fast should these liberalizations be implemented. Mr. Bruce Barbour 
advised a cautious restraint and suggested that our goal should be to 
return as many breeding pairs as possible next spring to take full 
advantage of the likely excellent nesting conditions. Mr. Walter Sikes 
and Mr. Brian Cavey commented that with the increased breeding 
populations and improved fall flight of ducks, some liberalization in 
the hunting regulations was justified this year. Tim Petrie believed 
that Wisconsin hunters were deserving of additional hunting 
opportunities because of their support and participation in habitat 
programs. Mr. Walter Sikes accused the Service of imposing restrictions 
based on a trend towards continental waterfowl management and a desire 
to simplify regulations. He believed such restrictions were unnecessary 
on healthy populations and inconsistent with the status of populations 
and habitat conditions within a flyway.
    Written Comments: The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and 
Fisheries expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision by the 
Service to offer an option package on duck seasons this year. They 
indicated that most optional regulations regarding waterfowl hunting 
were abandoned years ago.
    The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission commented that 
regulations changes should ideally result in measurable responses to 
those changes and that ``tinkering'' should be avoided. They maintained 
that the hybrid option proposed by the Service this year will further 
complicate evaluations and impede our capabilities to learn about the 
effects of those regulation changes.
    The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission asked the Service to explain 
the basis of information used to change the proposed frameworks from 
those presented at the public hearing on August 4, 1994, to those 
published in the Federal Register on August 24, 1994. Further, they 
indicated that they were unaware of the opportunity to provide comments 
regarding the regulations frameworks prior to the publication of the 
proposed late-season rulemaking document in the Federal Register.
    The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department was critical of the 
regulations-development process this year and questioned the 
partnership between the Service, States, and Flyway Councils. They 
indicated that certain perceptions or politics were driving the 
decision process rather than constructive compromise based on sound 
biology. They advocated the need for greater focus on population 
biology, current and projected habitat conditions, and concerns of 
those who still hunt ducks. They believe this will build the base of 
knowledge on which sound decisions should be made.
    The Central Flyway Council commented that the Service's proposal of 
one additional bird or 10 additional days was overly conservative, 
penalized hunters, and was inconsistent with our biological knowledge. 
They stated that it appeared as if biologically-based action had been 
overridden by risk-aversive conservatism and clearly amounted to 
``tinkering'', which would impede learning.
    The Delta Waterfowl Foundation expressed concern that the increase 
in the spring population survey represented a redistribution of ducks 
from unsurveyed areas, and raised concerns about the reliability of 
short-term population projections in justifying significant changes in 
harvest strategies. Given the fact that 1994 was only the first year of 
good production and considering the uncertain variability in the fall-
flight index, they maintained that a conservative framework was 
justified. They further recommended allowing populations to rebuild 
during these potentially short-lived years of good cover and water 
conditions.
    The Federation of State Waterfowl Associations expressed concern 
that the Service was moving towards a continental waterfowl-management 
approach and a simplification of regulations rather than using the 
flyway concept to tailor regulations to specific populations and to 
promote habitat management.
    Two individuals asked that shooting hours be returned to sunrise 
rather than one-half hour before sunrise to reduce crippling loss and 
aid in species identification and management.
    Service Response: During most of the past decade, drought 
conditions on the principal duck breeding grounds have resulted in 
depressed duck populations, with numbers of some species reaching all-
time lows. This situation necessitated restrictions in hunting 
regulations to reduce harvest rates commensurate with the status of 
ducks. This year, habitat conditions were much improved and breeding-
population indices for many duck species and fall-flight indices for 
both mallards and all ducks combined increased substantially. Further, 
the continuation of good habitat conditions into mid-summer this year 
increases the likelihood that breeding habitat conditions may again be 
favorable for good production in 1995.
    As a result of the increases observed in breeding-population and 
production surveys this year, the Service believed that some relaxation 
of the harvest restrictions that have been in place in recent years was 
warranted. The question was how much relaxation should occur in this 
first year of improvement. Several alternatives were available, 
including: (1) to continue harvest restraints one more year by making 
little or no change in regulations in an attempt to provide maximum 
population growth and potentially be in a better position to 
capitalize, in terms of duck production, on the prospects for good 
habitat conditions next year, or (2) to increase harvest opportunity to 
a greater extent this year and have a lesser chance for continued 
growth in duck populations. The Service felt that the first alternative 
offered the greatest opportunity for long-term benefit for both duck 
populations and harvest opportunity.
    Flyway Councils felt that more liberalization in the hunting 
regulations was justified and recommended increases in both season 
length and bag limits for the duck season. In the Service's view, these 
changes would significantly increase harvests and were more in line 
with the second alternative identified above. Consequently, the Service 
opted for increases in bag limits similar to those recommended by the 
Councils, but preferred to retain last year's season lengths. The 
Service felt that this approach would provide additional harvest 
opportunity for hunters but would have a lesser impact on overall 
harvest than longer seasons.
    At the public hearing for late-season regulations on August 4, 
1994, in Washington, DC, the Service proposed duck-season frameworks 
consisting of the same season length as last year and an increase of 
one bird in the overall daily bag limit. In response to numerous 
comments received after the public hearing, the proposed frameworks 
published in the Federal Register on August 24, 1994, were changed to 
include an option for States to select either the same season length as 
last year with a larger bag limit or a season length 10 days longer 
than last year with essentially the same bag limit.
    The Service recognizes the wide divergence of views concerning an 
appropriate harvest strategy for ducks during this first year of 
significant improvement in the status of ducks. However, 1 year of 
significant growth does not constitute a full recovery and several 
years of growth are needed to rebuild the principal stocks in the 
surveyed area that were depressed during the 1980s. The Service remains 
committed to this goal and believes that in order to reach these 
desired population levels, we must take full advantage of the much-
improved habitat conditions and prudently manage harvest rates. The 
Service welcomes this challenge and asks that States, Flyway Councils, 
hunters and the general public join in this effort.
    In regard to shooting hours, the Service has received considerable 
support for the proposed shooting hours. The Service has compiled 
information which demonstrates that shooting hours beginning at one-
half hour before sunrise do not contribute significantly to the harvest 
of nontarget species. Consistent with the Service's long-term strategy 
for shooting hours, published in the September 21, 1990, Federal 
Register (55 FR 38898), the frameworks herein provide for shooting 
hours of one-half hour before sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise 
specified.
B. Framework Dates
    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended 
that the hunting-season frameworks for ducks, coots, and mergansers 
begin on the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 1, 1994) and extend 
until the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 22, 1995).
    The Upper-Region and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended framework opening and closing 
dates of the Saturday nearest October 1 to January 20. The Lower-Region 
Regulations Committee also recommended that opening and closing dates 
be established as a basic regulation and not fluctuate annually.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended outside season dates of the 
Saturday nearest October 1 to the Sunday nearest January 20. Floating 
framework dates are recommended because (1) the flyway has 
traditionally been offered Saturday openings and Sunday closing for 
most migratory game birds, (2) fixed calendar dates will further 
restrict hunting opportunity in those States that traditionally open 
hunting on Saturday and close on Sunday, (3) departure from this 
traditional format will be confusing and unnecessarily restrictive, (4) 
there are no biological consequences to floating frameworks since we 
are dealing with only plus or minus 3 days in opening and closing 
dates, (5) a Saturday opening allows participation by school-age 
hunters and those that have a traditional work week, (6) there are no 
biological or political justifications which warrant a change from 
previous outside framework dates.
    Written Comments: The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission requested 
the Service to consider the use of floating framework dates, rather 
than the proposed fixed dates.
    The Humane Society recommends that all seasons open on Wednesday in 
order to reduce the high level of harvest associated with traditional 
Saturday season openings.
    Service Response: The use of floating framework dates automatically 
allows earliest opening and latest closing dates to vary by almost a 
full week over a period of years. These kinds of annual variations tend 
to confound assessment of the impact of hunting regulations on duck 
populations. As the Service has previously stated in the Federal 
Register (58 FR 50190), a State may choose to delay its opening date to 
correspond with a particular day of the week or to close earlier to 
maximize the number of weekends that hunting is allowed. Regarding the 
consideration of framework dates as ``basic'' rather than ``annual'' 
regulations, the Service has previously stated its policy to retain the 
use of framework dates as a harvest-management tool.
C. Season Lengths
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council and the Upper-
Region and Lower- Region Regulations Committees of the Mississippi 
Flyway Council recommended a 40-day duck season.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended that the season length in 
the High Plains Mallard Management Unit be 69 days, 16 of which must 
begin no earlier than the Saturday nearest December 10 (December 10, 
1994). For the remainder of the Flyway, the Council recommended a 
season length of 53 days.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a season length of 79 days, 
with 7 additional days in the Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit.
    Public-Hearing Comments: Mr. Walter Sikes, Mr. Brian Cavey, Mr. K. 
L. Cool, and Mr. Scott Sutherland supported the Flyway Councils' 
recommendations to expand season lengths and allow hunters to have more 
opportunity. Mr. Jay Dickey supported a 10-day season extension in 
Arkansas to allow families additional time to spend together. 
Congressman Steve Gunderson (Wisconsin) commented on the inequity of an 
additional 9-day teal season in ``non-production'' States without 
making some additional duck harvest opportunity available to 
``production'' States.
    Written Comments: The Federation of State Waterfowl Associations 
supported the adoption of recommendations by the Flyway Councils. They 
believe that the recommendations provide an incentive to duck hunters 
to maintain and enhance waterfowl habitat under their control.
    An individual from California asked that the Service consider 
allowing 86 days of duck hunting in the Pacific Flyway.
    The Nebraska Low Plains Waterfowlers' Association urged the Service 
to allow 46 days of duck hunting in the Low Plains portion of the 
Central Flyway.
    The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources endorsed the 
recommendations of the Mississippi Flyway Council's Upper-Region 
Regulations Committee and requested that the Service reconsider its 
proposal for a 30-day duck season with a 4-bird daily bag limit. They 
suggested that if the Service feels a more conservative season is 
necessary this year, a 40-day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit 
would be more acceptable. They also expressed concern that ``non-
production'' States are offered a 9-day special teal season while 
production States are not offered some type of compensatory 
opportunity.
    Two local sportsmen's organizations in Massachusetts requested a 
35-day season for duck hunting in the Atlantic Flyway.
    The Illinois Department of Conservation urged the Service to 
consider a 40-day season framework with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    Congressman Steve Gunderson of Wisconsin expressed concern about 
the Service's proposal to allow a 30-day season and asked that 
consideration be given to a 40-day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit 
to provide more recreational opportunity for hunters.
    Both the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and the Wisconsin 
Conservation Congress asked the Service to consider a 40-day season 
with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    The Michigan Department of Natural Resources expressed concern that 
the Service did not support the Mississippi Flyway Council proposal for 
a 40-day season with a 4-bird daily bag limit and suggested that if 
further protection was warranted, they would prefer a 40-day season 
with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    The Indiana Department of Natural Resources disagreed with the 
Service's proposal and asked for reconsideration of a 40-day season 
with a 4-bird daily bag limit, but they indicated they would accept a 
3-bird daily bag limit and a 40-day season, if necessary.
    The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources indicated 
preference for an increase in the season length rather than an increase 
in the daily-bag limit, but stated that they may support the decisions 
of the Service, if conservative measures were necessary, based on 
additional information.
    The Ohio Department of Natural Resources asked for a season of 40 
days with a 4-bird bag limit, but if not acceptable to the Service, 
they would opt for a longer season over an expanded bag limit.
    The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources felt that input 
from the States was being disregarded and that the Service's 
restrictive proposal did not show support for hunting and would be 
difficult to explain to sportsmen.
    The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife recommended a 
35-day to 40-day season in the Atlantic Flyway with a 3-bird daily bag 
limit, stating that an additional 5 to 10 days of hunting is an 
appropriate response to the improved situation of the past 3 years.
    The Maryland Department of Natural Resources supported a 40-day 
season with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the 
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the Florida Game and Fresh Water 
Fish Commission, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 
the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Mississippi 
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, the Missouri Department 
of Conservation, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, 
the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the Ohio Department 
of Natural Resources, the South Carolina Department of Natural 
Resources, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency supported the 
recommendations of the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils for a 
40-day season and a 4-bird daily bag limit.
    The New York Department of Environmental Conservation stated that a 
40-day season with a 4 bird daily bag limit would help biologists 
evaluate harvest under regulations comparable to 1985-87. Further, they 
would support implementation of these recommendations in 1995 to help 
future evaluations.
    The Missouri Department of Conservation expressed concern that the 
frameworks did not adequately reflect the substantial input from the 
Flyway Councils. Further, they stated that the recommendation to return 
to hunting seasons similar to those in 1985-87 was justified when 
considered in the context of existing management plans, the current and 
expected improvement in breeding populations, and the status of 
breeding habitat.
    The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency believed the recommendation 
of the Mississippi Flyway Council was biologically justified.
    The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries stated that the 
breeding-pair and production survey information clearly supported 
reasonable upward adjustments in the bag limit and season length for 
the Mississippi Flyway.
    The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 
commented that they see no biological reason why the season should not 
be 40 days and the requested increase was modest at best. However, they 
stated that if 10 additional days is deemed to be inappropriate, 7 
additional days would be acceptable.
    The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission commented that a 
40-day season and a 4-bird daily bag limit represented a reasonable 
response to improved duck population status.
    The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, while 
supporting the Flyway's recommendation, believed that there was 
abundant information to support a 40-day season and a 5-bird daily bag 
limit.
    Senators David Pryor and Dale Bumpers of Arkansas expressed support 
for the recommendations of the Mississippi Flyway Council for a 40-day 
season and a 4-bird daily bag limit. Senator Bumpers commented that it 
appears that the scientific recommendations of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council were ignored.
    The Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, composed of over 180 House 
Members and 35 Senators, supported the recommendations of the Flyway 
Councils for expanded seasons and bag limits and felt that maintaining 
a 30-day season with a daily bag limit of 3 birds sets a dangerous 
precedent of ignoring sound scientific information in making management 
decisions.
    Congressman G.V. Montgomery and Congresswoman Blanche Lambert of 
Arkansas; Congressmen Don Sundquist, John Tanner, James Quillen, Jim 
Cooper, Bart Gordon, Bob Clement, and John Duncan, Congresswoman 
Marilyn Lloyd, and Senators Jim Sasser and Harlan Matthews of 
Tennessee; and Senators J. Bennett Johnston and John Breaux, 
Congressmen Robert Livingston, W.J. Tauzin, Jimmy Hayes, William 
Jefferson, Richard Baker, Jim McCrery, and Cleo Fields of Louisiana 
supported the recommendations of the Mississippi Flyway Council for a 
40-day season with a daily bag limit of 4 birds.
    Congressman John Dingell of Michigan expressed support for the 
Michigan Department of Natural Resources' recommendation for a 40-day 
season with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    Governor Jim Guy Tucker of Arkansas, State Senators James Scott and 
Jay Bradford of Arkansas, and State Senator Joe McPherson of Louisiana 
expressed support for a 40-day season and a 4-bird daily bag limit.
    Other organizations supporting Flyway Council recommendations for a 
40-day season and a 4-bird daily bag limit included the North Carolina 
Wildlife Federation, Arkansas Ducks Unlimited, the North Carolina 
Wildlife Habitat Foundation, the Alliance for Wetlands, the Southern 
Illinois Quotazone Waterfowl Association, the South Shore Waterfowlers 
Association of New York, the Sabine Chapter (Texas) of Ducks Unlimited, 
Migratory Waterfowl Hunters, Inc. of Illinois, and the Illinois 
Federation of Outdoor Resources.
    The Delta Waterfowl Foundation supported the proposal for a 30-day 
season and stated that they did not believe this was the time to 
liberalize duck hunting regulations. Stating that now was the time for 
patience and to build for the future, they further commented that 
limiting the liberalization to the increase in bag limits and not days 
was appropriate and should be the final decision for the late-season 
frameworks.
    The National Wildlife Federation concurred with the Service's 
proposal of either a 10-day increase in the season or an additional 
bird, but not both. They commented that it was critical to err on the 
side of conservation in the interest of ensuring the long-term well-
being of waterfowl populations.
    One hundred and eighty individuals in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, 
Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New 
York, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin expressed support for a 40-day 
season with a 4-bird daily bag limit.
    One hundred and forty-nine individuals from Arkansas, Florida, 
Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, 
Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin expressed support for a 40-day 
season with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    Three hundred and thirty-one individuals, including one petition 
containing 237 names, from Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, 
Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Tennessee requested 
a 40-day season.
    Thirteen individuals from Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, 
Minnesota, South Carolina, and Texas expressed support for a daily bag 
limit of 4 birds and a 30-day season.
    Twelve individuals from Illinois, Minnesota, Texas, and Wisconsin 
supported the rejection of a 40-day season.
    Twenty-three individuals from Arkansas, Iowa, Florida, Minnesota, 
Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin were opposed to any increase in either 
the daily bag limit or season length.
    The Central Flyway Council urged the Service to reconsider and 
grant the original Central Flyway proposal for a modest liberalization 
in the 1994 season.
    The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department supported the 
recommendations of the Central Flyway Council for a 49-day season with 
a daily bag limit of 4 birds. They believed these proposals were 
warranted and would not jeopardize continued expansion of the duck 
population.
    The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks urged support for a 53-
day season and a daily bag limit of 4 birds, stating that this 
expansion would not threaten the continued recovery of our duck 
resources.
    The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation urged the Service 
to reconsider additional hunting days in all Flyways with an additional 
10-14 days provided in the Central Flyway. They further pointed out 
that in mid-latitude States, additional season length is very 
important, since duck availability can be very variable.
    The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks encouraged the 
Service to consider adopting regulations more typical of those in the 
early 1980s. They stated that their information supported modest 
increases in both bag and season length and would not jeopardize 
continued increases in duck populations from habitat areas on the 
northern plains.
    Congressman Martin Frost of Texas supported the Flyway Council's 
recommendation to expand the season length and bag limits in the 
Central Flyway.
    The Wetland Habitat Alliance of Texas supported a 5-bird daily bag 
limit and 49-day season.
    The Sportsmen Conservationists of Texas, the Texas Handicapped 
Sportsman, and Hunt County (Texas) Ducks Unlimited expressed support 
for a 49-day season and a 4-bird daily bag limit.
    Thirty individuals from Texas expressed support for the 
recommendations of the Central Flyway Council for an extended season 
and a larger daily bag limit.
    In the Pacific Flyway, the California Department of Fish and Game 
and the Nevada Division of Wildlife supported the recommendations of 
the Pacific Flyway Council. As an alternative to the proposed 
framework, the California Department of Fish and Game requested that an 
additional 8 days of hunting be considered. Both the California 
Department of Fish and Game and the Nevada Division of Wildlife 
believed that the 1994 duck population status justifies the seasons and 
bag limits proposed by the Pacific Flyway Council.
    Congressmen Calvin Dooley, Vic Fazio, Richard Lehman, Robert 
Matsui, and George Miller of California, the California Waterfowl 
Association, and the California Rice Industry Association also 
expressed their support for the recommendations of the Pacific Flyway 
Council and for the California Department of Fish and Game's request 
for an additional 8 days of hunting.
    The Westside Associated Duck Clubs and Wildlife Refuge of Utah 
urged the addition of more hunting days.
    Southern California Ducks and twelve individuals from Utah and 
California supported the recommendations of the Pacific Flyway Council.
    Seven individuals from Utah and California and the Grassland Water 
District of California expressed support for the California Department 
of Fish and Game recommendation for an additional 8 days of hunting.
    An individual from Utah urged that the season be lengthened at the 
expense of the additional bird in the daily bag limit.
    The Nebraska Low Plains Waterfowlers' Association requested 
liberalizations in duck hunting frameworks this year. They requested 
that, if both season length and bag limits cannot be increased, season 
length alone should be liberalized. They believe it is time to reward 
sportsmen for their support of waterfowl management.
    The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources urged the Service to 
liberalize season length rather than bag limits if both could not be 
liberalized this year.
    Service Response: At the public hearing for late-season regulations 
on August 4, 1994, in Washington, DC, the Service proposed duck-season 
frameworks consisting of the same season length as last year and an 
increase of 1 bird in the daily bag limit. In response to numerous 
comments received after the public hearing, the proposed frameworks 
published in the Federal Register on August 24, 1994, included an 
option for States to select either the same season length as last year 
with a larger daily bag limit or a season length 10 days longer than 
last year with essentially the same bag limits as last year. 
Recommendations from Flyway Councils and numerous comments included 
increases in both season length and daily bag limits; however, the 
Service believes that increasing both season length and daily bag 
limits for ducks is not appropriate this first year of substantial 
improvement in the status of ducks. Therefore, the frameworks herein 
contain the same options as those in the proposed frameworks. Regarding 
comments on the inequity of the special teal seasons in ``non-
production States,'' the Service previously responded to this issue in 
the August 17, 1994, Federal Register (59 FR 42474).
E. Bag Limits
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a 
4-bird daily bag limit for the regular duck season, which would include 
no more than 1 canvasback, 1 black duck, 1 pintail; 2 wood ducks, 2 
redheads; and 3 mallards (of which only 1 could be a hen).
    The Central Flyway Council requested that the Service review its 
policy for the use of the point-system bag-limit option that requires 
that it be no more liberal than the conventional bag limit.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended that with respect to duck, 
coot and merganser hunting regulations, States selecting the High 
Plains Mallard Management Unit season option of additional late hunting 
opportunity may select either the point system or the conventional bag 
limit for establishing daily possession limits in the entire State.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended that for those States where 
the daily bag and possession limits are established by the conventional 
bag limit, the daily bag would be 4 birds with species and sex 
restrictions as follows: hen mallard, pintail, redhead, mottled duck, 
and canvasback, 1 bird; wood duck, 2 birds; all other species and sexes 
not mentioned above, 4 birds. The possession limit would be twice the 
daily bag limit.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended that for those States where 
the daily bag and possession limits are established by the point-system 
bag limit, point values for species and sexes would be as follows: 
redhead, canvasback, hen mallard, pintail, hooded merganser and mottled 
duck, 100 points each; wood duck, 50 points each; mallard drake, 
gadwall, wigeon, green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, cinnamon teal, 
shoveler, whistling duck, common and red-breasted merganser, 20 points 
each; all other species and sexes of ducks, 35 points each. The 
possession limit under the point system would be the maximum number of 
birds that legally could be taken in 2 days.
    The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended a point-system bag-limit option that would provide, 
for several species, 1 more bird in the daily bag limit than the 
conventional bag limit.
    The Upper-Region and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council requested that the Service review its 
current point-system bag-limit policy. They feel that at least 1 more 
bird should be allowed in the point system than in the conventional bag 
limit.
    The Upper-Region and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the overall duck bag limit 
be increased from 3 to 4, that the number of male mallards allowed be 
increased from 2 to 3, and that 1 canvasback be allowed daily. The 
Lower-Region Regulations Committee also recommended a restriction of 3 
mottled ducks in the 4-bird daily limit. Other species/sex restrictions 
would be the same as last year.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the Service: (1) review 
its current point-system policy, (2) work with both Pacific and Central 
Flyway Technical Committees to interpret available data, and (3) 
consider all available new information and evaluate the point system 
against other bag-limit systems. The Council also recommended a daily 
bag limit of 5 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (only 1 of 
which may be a hen), 2 pintails (only 1 of which may be a hen), 2 
redheads, and 1 canvasback.
    Public-Hearing Comments: Mr. K. L. Cool stated that he could not 
support the elimination of the point system because of its success in 
directing harvest pressure toward abundant species and away from 
species and sexes of concern. Dr. Gary Wills argued that an increase in 
the pintail bag limit was biologically sound and would not greatly 
increase harvest pressure from its current low level.
    Written Comments: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 
supported the Mississippi Flyway Council's Upper-Region Regulations 
Committee recommendation for a daily bag limit of 4 ducks.
    An individual from California requested that the Service consider 
increasing the total-duck daily bag limit to 5, the mallard limit to 5, 
and the pintail limit to 2 in the Pacific Flyway.
    The Nebraska Low Plains Waterfowlers' Association urged the Service 
to allow a daily bag limit of 3 mallards in the Low Plains portion of 
the Central Flyway.
    An individual from California requested that the duck daily bag 
limit be increased to 6, with a daily bag limit of 1 or 2 for mallards, 
or no mallards at all as an acceptable alternative. He also requested 
increasing the daily bag limit of pintails to 2.
    Dr. Robert McLandress presented historical information on 
regulations and harvests of pintails and believed that an increase in 
the pintail daily bag limit to at least 3 birds was warranted and would 
provide much-needed encouragement for hunters and habitat management in 
California. He believed bag-limit restrictions for mallards in 
California were inappropriate given evidence of a preponderance of 
California-produced mallards in the harvest, consistently high nesting 
success and good brood survival. He believed the breeding population 
decline in California in 1994 was caused by the elimination of set-
aside rice lands, favored by nesting mallards; however, there were 
significant increases elsewhere in the State. In addition to increased 
limits of mallards and pintails, he recommended an addition of 1 duck 
to the daily bag limit and 8 additional days.
    Senator Lauch Faircloth of North Carolina commented that in light 
of the favorable data this year on duck populations, the Service should 
raise the limit to promote reasonable hunting privileges.
    The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation requested that the 
Service work with the Flyway Councils to cooperatively review its 
policy on the use of the point system for determining daily bag limits 
for ducks. It was pointed out that the Central Flyway Council believes 
that the 1990 point-system review contained misinterpretations and 
omissions that should be cooperatively resolved prior to any decision 
on the use of this important harvest-management tool. Further, they 
stated that the process used for the handling of the updated review of 
the point system appeared to be a breach of the cooperative spirit and 
partnership approach to migratory bird management programs in the 
Central Flyway.
    The Colorado Division of Wildlife questioned the objectivity of the 
Service's review and analysis of the point system. They stated that 
illogical conclusions were drawn from inconsistent reasoning. They also 
criticized the Service for failing to work cooperatively with States on 
the point-system issue.
    The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department urged the Service and 
Flyway Councils to develop a cooperative approach to review the point 
system and strengthen Federal/State partnerships.
    The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission expressed concern about the 
elimination of the point system without thorough consultation with the 
Flyway Councils and asked that it be offered to States as a bag-limit 
option.
    An individual from Georgia requested that the point system be 
revisited to reward knowledgeable hunters and to penalize those hunters 
who shoot group limits.
    An individual from Wyoming commented on the value of the point 
system to protect hen mallards and asked the Service to reconsider the 
point system for the 1995 hunting season.
    The Humane Society expressed support for abandoning the point 
system as a bag-limit option. They cited strong evidence that many 
hunters are reordering their bag limits to achieve higher harvests and 
many are unable to distinguish ducks by species. As a regulatory tool, 
they claim that the point system is highly vulnerable to abuse. 
Further, they supported no increase in daily bag limits from the 1993-
94 season.
    The California Department of Fish and Game asked that the Service 
consider adding a second pintail, of which no more than one could be a 
hen, to the daily bag limit in the Pacific Flyway.
    The Idaho Fish and Game Department and the Nevada Division of 
Wildlife expressed support for California's request to add a second 
pintail to the daily bag limit.
    Congressmen Calvin Dooley, Vic Fazio, Richard Lehman, Robert 
Matsui, and George Miller of California recommended adding a second 
pintail (no more than 1 hen) to the daily bag limit of 5 ducks in the 
Pacific Flyway.
    Several individuals from California asked that the Service support 
the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation for a second pintail in the 
daily bag limit.
    Several individuals from California requested that the daily bag 
limit on hen mallards be increased to 2, as many hens are being thrown 
away in the field.
    An individual from Illinois requested a 4-bird daily bag limit 
including 2 drake mallards, allowing no hens, and a 2-scaup bag limit.
    Service Response: The Service, with input from the Flyway Councils, 
completed a comprehensive review of the point system in 1990, and 
established a policy that the point system should be restricted to a 
maximum daily bag no greater than that allowed under the conventional 
daily bag limit. In 1994, the Flyway Councils asked the Service to 
review this policy. The Service's review was completed in July 1994 and 
sent to all Flyway Councils. The 1990 review indicated that (1) there 
was little evidence that the point system was more effective than the 
conventional bag at redirecting harvest (2) major problems remained 
with determining appropriate species- and sex-specific point values (3) 
species closures eliminated the bird-in-hand identification advantage 
of the point system (4) reordering of point values in the field was an 
incentive under the point system and enforceability remained a major 
concern and (5) most problems with the point system were in application 
and not concept.
    In the 1994 review, the Service considered additional information 
that has been gathered since the 1990 review, and concluded that the 
point-system alternative to the conventional bag limit should be 
discontinued. Over the years, the Flyway Councils and States have had 
substantial opportunity to provide input into the review of scientific 
studies and analysis of this information. The completion of the 1990 
and 1994 reviews and the decision to discontinue the point system have 
considered input from all entities. The Service has worked with the 
Flyway Councils on this issue several times in an effort to resolve 
differences.
    Three of the four Flyway Councils recommended retaining the 1-
pintail limit. Pintail breeding populations have not increased above 
levels of the mid-1980s, when major restrictions were first 
implemented, and winter population indices for the pintail in the 
Pacific Flyway remain at record low levels. While the production 
outlook has improved over the last 2 nesting seasons, the Service 
believes that, until more evidence of a sustained recovery is 
available, additional liberalization of the pintail in the daily bag 
limit is not warranted.
F. Zones and Splits
    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended 
continuation of the Southern San Joaquin Valley Waterfowl Zone in 
California in 1994 and that this zone be made permanent. About 3,500 
acres of Tulare Basin wetlands are managed as duck clubs, compared to 
about 5,000 acres of managed wetlands in 1971. About 200 additional 
acres of wetlands had been flooded for waterfowl and other wetland-
dependent wildlife in response to the creation of the zone. During 
1991-93, this zone has allowed for a month delay in the opening date 
from the surrounding Balance-of-the-State and Southern California 
zones. This delay allows private wetland owners to take advantage of 
reduced electric pumping rates which become effective November 1, as 
well as reduced evapotranspiration rates which occur as temperatures 
decline. This results in an approximate 20 percent reduction in the 
cost of flooding. Any reductions in water cost provide an incentive for 
the continued flooding of private wetlands. The situation is not 
relieved by improvements in rainfall, because although surface water 
availability improves somewhat, ground water pumping costs are still 
high.
    Establishment of the zone has not affected harvest. Estimated 
harvest of ducks from Kern, Kings and Tulare Counties constituted 
between 3.0 and 5.6 percent of the Statewide harvest in the periods 
1961-1990. Since implementation of the zone in 1991, 2.5 percent of the 
State duck harvest has occurred in the zone. Pintail harvest in the 
zone declined from a high of 4.5 percent of the State harvest to 2.5 
percent.
    Written Comments: Two local sportsmen's organizations from 
Massachusetts requested continuation of zoning for their State.
    Two individuals from Texas requested a third zone in Texas between 
the Mallard High Plains Management Area and the Eastern Zone, due to 
the size of the State.
    The Humane Society urges the Service to discontinue all split and 
special seasons and recommends that any State establishing such seasons 
reduce the total number of hunting days by a minimum of 10 days.
    Mr. Boyd Gibbons, Director, California Department of Fish and Game, 
provided information on wetland habitat and waterfowl harvests in the 
Southern San Joaquin Valley Duck Zone and requested that the temporary 
zone be made permanent. Twenty percent of the remaining Tulare Basin 
wetlands are managed as private clubs, with most relying on costly, 
pumped groundwater. Allowing this zone to set a late, straight season 
which typically differs from adjacent zones would allow clubs to flood 
later when evaporative rates were lower and pumping costs significantly 
reduced. Estimated harvests of pintails and total ducks during 2 years 
with the zone (1991-92) were 16 percent less and 5 percent more, 
respectively, than during the 2 years prior (1989-90).
    An individual from Minnesota expressed support for a straight (non-
split) season due to cold weather onset at the first of November in the 
extreme northern portions of the State.
    Service Response: The Service acknowledges that the Southern San 
Joaquin Valley Zone in California appears to provide economic 
incentives for maintaining privately-managed wetlands, especially 
during recent years when season lengths have been relatively short. The 
Service will allow this zone to continue on a temporary basis for this 
year. With longer seasons, such as currently offered as an option to 
larger limits, the necessity and advantages for such a zone diminish. 
Regarding comments about zoning in Massachusetts and Texas, current 
zoning arrangements will continue until 1996, at which time States will 
have the opportunity to modify zone configurations in accordance with 
Service guidelines previously established. In reference to split 
seasons in Minnesota, the State has the option to change from 3-way 
splits to continuous seasons or 2-way splits if it wishes to do so.
G. Special Seasons/Species Management
    i. Canvasback
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that an open season for canvasbacks be allowed with a 1-bird daily bag 
limit throughout the length of the 1994 season in the Atlantic Flyway.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended that the Service adopt the 
alternative canvasback harvest-management strategy developed by State 
representatives on the Adaptive Harvest Management Working Group from 
all four Flyways.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended that an open season for 
canvasbacks throughout the regular duck season be allowed for all four 
Flyways with a 1-bird daily bag limit beginning in 1994, contingent 
upon breeding population and habitat conditions.
    The Upper-Region and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that an open season for 
canvasbacks be allowed in the Mississippi Flyway with a 1-bird daily 
bag limit throughout the regular duck season.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended adoption of an interim 
canvasback strategy that would allow harvest of that species throughout 
the regular duck season in all four Flyways, with a daily bag limit of 
1 canvasback (either sex), when the 3-year running average of the 
estimated May breeding population is at or above 480,000 birds. No 
season should be allowed when the average index is below that level.
    Public-Hearing Comments: Mr. Bruce Barbour expressed support for 
the Service's proposed canvasback harvest strategy but cautioned that 
the Service should consider the use of closures in specific areas where 
canvasback concentrate and may be especially vulnerable. Congressman 
Steve Gunderson supported the opening of the canvasback season Flyway-
wide with certain restrictions recommended by the Upper-Region 
Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council.
    Written Comments: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources 
supported the Service's strategy for canvasback harvest management. 
They recommended allowing a canvasback season in 1994 and continuing 
the season for at least 3 years.
    The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources opposed the 
reestablishment of closed areas for canvasback hunting, preferring 
instead that the season be open Flyway-wide.
    The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife recommended 
that 1 canvasback be allowed in the daily bag limit and the New York 
Department of Environmental Conservation supported the canvasback daily 
bag limit of 1 bird throughout the duck season.
    The Ohio Department of Natural Resources commented that if 
canvasback numbers were a concern, they would not oppose removing 
canvasbacks from the daily bag limit.
    The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the 
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the Florida Game and Fresh 
Water Fish Commission supported the opening of canvasback season.
    The National Wildlife Federation agreed with the Service proposal 
to open the canvasback season nationwide and restrict the daily bag 
limit to 1 bird.
    The Sportsmen Conservationists of Texas supported the allowance of 
1 canvasback per day in the daily bag limit.
    An individual from Wisconsin opposed the opening of a season for 
canvasbacks, stating that the population is still rebuilding. If, 
however, the season were to be opened, options considered should be 1) 
a drake-only season, 2) issuance of 1 to 2 tags per hunter, and 3) only 
a 1 to 2-week season.
    Several individuals from Wisconsin and Minnesota disagreed with the 
proposal to open the canvasback season and allow 1 canvasback in the 
daily bag limit.
    An individual from Minnesota supported the addition of a canvasback 
in the daily bag limit.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with recommendations to open 
the hunting season on canvasbacks during the 1994-95 season. Based on 
current population levels, expected production, and projected harvest 
estimates, the Service believes that a season in all Flyways with a 1-
bird daily bag limit is warranted. Area closures designed to protect 
key migrational and wintering concentrations from heavy harvest 
pressure and to reduce enforcement problems are not being considered at 
this time, but, some States may opt to close local areas that are 
problematic. The Service is aware of the high harvest potential for 
this species and will closely monitor this season's canvasback harvest 
and the population status next spring. As an interim strategy, the 
Service will annually assess several population parameters to manage 
future harvests of canvasbacks.

3. Mergansers

    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended 
point-value changes under the point-system bag-limit option that 
involve mergansers. See item 1. Ducks, E. Bag Limits.
    Service Response: No point-system option is provided in the 1994-95 
frameworks. See item 1. Ducks, E. Bag Limits.

4. Canada Geese

A. Special Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that the Service amend the criteria for late special Canada goose 
seasons to require a 2-year data-collection period for proposal 
submission. They also recommended a 3-year late experimental season in 
northeastern New Jersey for 1995-97. The Council also requested that 
the late special Canada goose season in Long Island, New York, be 
discontinued.
    Written Comments: The South Carolina Department of Natural 
Resources requested that the frameworks for their resident Canada goose 
season be expanded to 8 days, occurring between December 1 and February 
15.
    The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources asked that the 
Criteria for Special Canada Goose Seasons be modified to allow harvest 
of both resident and migrant birds in metropolitan areas where their 
occurrence causes problems and should be discouraged. Further, they 
believe it is unreasonable and an unnecessary burden to require the 
experimental period to continue for 3 more years in order to evaluate 
the impacts of adding 2 hunting days beyond September 10.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the expanded season 
frameworks on resident geese in South Carolina, the addition of an 
experimental season in New Jersey, and discontinuing the season in Long 
Island. The Service asks that evaluations of these seasons continue in 
accordance with the criteria that have been established. These criteria 
are subject to periodic review and may be modified upon agreement and 
consensus of the Service and Flyway Councils. The Service will request 
input from the other Flyways regarding expanding from 1 to 2 years the 
data-collection period required prior to proposal submission for a late 
special season. The Service requests that Minnesota provide a 
biological rational for their contention that migrant geese harvested 
in metropolitan areas during special goose season not be subject to the 
special Canada goose season criteria. The Service also notes that 
Minnesota has the option of not extending their special season 2 days 
and thus avoiding further evaluation if, in their judgement, such an 
extension does not warrant the additional evaluation costs.
B. Regular Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended 
that the dark goose hunting regulations in the east-tier States 
(Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas 
[Eastern Goose Zone]) be 86 days with a bag limit of 2 in North Dakota 
and 2 with no more than 1 white-fronted goose in Kansas, Nebraska, 
Oklahoma, South Dakota and the eastern goose zone of Texas. The white-
fronted goose season in Texas should not exceed 72 days, and during the 
remaining 14 days of the season, the bag limit will be no more than 2 
Canada geese.
    The Upper-Region and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended several changes in Canada goose 
quotas, season lengths, etc., based on population status and population 
management plans and programs. The Upper-Region Regulations Committee 
also recommended that the Service allow seasons for geese to be split 
into 3 segments.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended allowing cackling Canada 
geese to be taken outside their normal range in California, Oregon, and 
Washington as part of the prevailing limit on Canada geese. Within 
their normal range, the Council recommended that the bag limit include 
not more than 1 cackling Canada goose. The 1-cackler limit would apply 
to the Southwestern Washington Goose Quota Area, all of Oregon, and a 
majority of California where the season would be concurrent with the 
restricted white-fronted goose season.
    The Pacific Flyway Council also recommended that for Oregon, the 
Malheur County Zone be incorporated into a Harney, Klamath, Lake, and 
Malheur Counties Zone, thereby allowing the season on dark geese to end 
on the Saturday nearest January 20 instead of the first Sunday in 
January. The dark goose limit would be increased from 3 to 4, including 
not more than 2 whitefronts. The adjacent Southwestern Zone in Idaho 
would be permitted frameworks similar to those recommended for Malheur 
County.
    The Pacific Flyway Council sought a limited resumption of cackling 
Canada goose hunting throughout the population's range and recommended 
that the Service provide an expedited Section 7 Consultation review of 
their recommended changes in cackling Canada goose regulations for 
possible impacts on Aleutian Canada geese.
    Public-Hearing Comments: Congressman Steve Gunderson of Wisconsin 
endorsed a procedure recommended by the Mississippi Flyway Council to 
manage Canada goose harvest in the Mississippi River Subzone in 
southwest Wisconsin.
    Written Comments: The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife 
requested that the Service review the Federal frameworks for hunting 
Canada geese on the DelMarva Peninsula. They believe that the existing 
frameworks are more liberal than can be justified based on the size of 
the population. They maintained that high harvest rates on adult birds 
are suppressing the population and preventing a recovery. During the 
1993-94 hunting season, Delaware voluntarily restricted their seasons, 
but because these Canada goose populations move about the Peninsula, 
they believe that harvest pressure should be reviewed in parts of 
Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia and appropriate action taken to reduce 
harvest and protect these migrant Canada geese.
    Congressman Steve Gunderson (Wisconsin) requested that the 
Mississippi River Subzone in Wisconsin be declared a giant Canada goose 
harvest area and removed from Canada goose harvest-quota considerations 
for the State.
    The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources requested a change in 
the boundary of their West-Central Goose Zone, as required by State 
legislation. They indicated that they had requested endorsement of the 
proposed change by the Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council; however, the Committee did not endorse it.
    An individual from Wisconsin commented that Wisconsin's goose 
harvest quota should be more than the allotted 60,000 geese since the 
Mississippi Valley Population has increased from 1993.
    The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Sportsmen 
Conservationists of Texas, and the Wetland Habitat Alliance of Texas 
expressed their support for the Service's proposal to extend the 
framework for dark geese to 86 days with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Service Response: The Service generally concurs with 
recommendations from the Flyway Councils for the 1994-95 frameworks. 
However, the Service does not endorse 3-way splits for Canada goose 
seasons at this time. The use of 3-way splits as a harvest-management 
tool may have merit, but a more detailed proposal, including plans for 
a Flyway-wide evaluation and projections of potential impacts, should 
be prepared prior to implementing such a change. The Service is willing 
to work with the Mississippi Flyway Council to investigate the 
desirability of this option during the coming year.
    Regarding the Mississippi River Subzone in southwest Wisconsin, the 
Service concurs with the Mississippi Flyway Council recommendation to 
assign a reasonable portion of the State's Canada goose quota to the 
Subzone and remove the monitoring requirement.
    In reference to season frameworks for the Delmarva Peninsula, the 
Service believes that a departure from the Flyway Council's recommended 
3-year harvest strategy is not warranted at this time, since this is 
the third year of that period. The Service suggests that Delaware work 
with other concerned Flyway States during the coming year to develop 
appropriate harvest strategies for this important wintering area of the 
Atlantic Flyway Population of Canada geese.
    Regarding the recommendation by Minnesota for a boundary change in 
the West-Central Goose Zone, the Service believes that such changes 
should be made in cooperation with other Flyway States involved in the 
management of the Eastern Prairie Canada Goose Population. Since the 
Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council 
did not endorse the Minnesota proposal, the Service does not concur 
with the recommended change.
    Concerning Canada goose harvest quotas in Wisconsin, 
recommendations for the annual allocation of allowable harvests among 
harvest areas are developed cooperatively by Flyway States involved in 
the management of the various Canada goose populations. The Service 
endorses this procedure, and notes that the Wisconsin quota provided in 
the following frameworks is larger than 60,000.

5. White-fronted Geese

    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommendations 
regarding dark geese involve white-fronted geese. See item 4. Canada 
Geese.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that: for Washington, the 
special bag-limit restriction on white-fronted geese be removed, 
allowing them to be included in the overall 4-dark-goose limit; for 
Oregon, the season on white-fronted geese would open at the same time 
as the dark-goose season, approximately 1 week earlier than currently 
allowed; and for California, the white-fronted goose season would be 
extended by 2 weeks within the Sacramento Valley special goose-closure 
portion of the ``Balance-of-the-State'' Zone.
    Public-Hearing Comments: Dr. Gary Will recommended allowing modest 
liberalization of the take of white-fronted geese in California, 
Oregon, and Washington, which would still allow a 5-10 percent increase 
in annual growth. He indicated that the population would likely be at 
the objective level this fall and that the Service's request for a 
long-term harvest strategy would be completed.
    Written Comments: The Association of Village Council Presidents, 
representing Native American interests in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta 
area of Alaska, supported modest liberalizations of white-fronted goose 
seasons in Alaska and Washington. However, they did not support further 
liberalizations in Oregon or California, noting that liberalizations 
occurred during each of the preceding years and that it was difficult 
to measure the effects of these incremental changes.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the Flyway Council 
recommendations for season frameworks, except the changes recommended 
by the Pacific Flyway Council for Washington, Oregon, and California. 
Although the Flyway's population of white-fronted geese is increasing, 
it remains below the management objective endorsed by the Council. The 
Flyway harvest strategy for this population of geese has not been 
completed, and some members of the Native American Community in Alaska 
have not endorsed portions of this recommendation. Further, changes in 
white-fronted seasons made last year have not yet been fully evaluated. 
For these reasons, the Service believes the recommended changes are not 
warranted at this time.

6. Brant

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a 
2-bird daily bag limit and a 50-day season length for brant.
    The Central Flyway Council recommendations regarding dark geese 
involve brant. See item 4. Canada Geese.
    The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended that the daily bag limit for brant be reduced to 2 
birds to better conform with limits in other Flyways.
    Written Comments: The New York Department of Environmental 
Conservation supported the increase in season length to 50 days in the 
Atlantic Flyway.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the recommendations 
regarding Brant seasons.

7. Snow and Ross' (Light) Geese

    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended 
that the framework dates for light geese be from the Saturday nearest 
October 1 (October 1, 1994) through the Sunday nearest February 15 
(February 12, 1995), except in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, 
and Kansas where the closing framework date would be extended to 
February 28, 1995. The Council also recommended that the State of 
Kansas be allowed to modify its boundary for Zone 1 (light goose) to 
include that portion of Kansas east of the Kansas Highway 99, and Zone 
2 include the remainder of the State west of Highway 99.
    The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the season length 
for light geese be increased from 80 to 107 days.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a season framework 
adjustment to extend the light-goose closing date for Malheur County of 
Oregon and southwest Idaho from the first Sunday in January to the 
Sunday nearest January 20. Malheur County would become part of a 
Harney, Klamath, Lake, and Malheur Counties Zone. This adjustment 
aligns the framework of the affected area with the remainder of the 
Flyway.
    Written Comments: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department supported 
a change in the Federal frameworks that would extend the framework 
closing date for light geese until February 28. This change would allow 
for increased harvest of the Mid-continent Population of lesser snow 
geese which are at record-high levels and, because of these levels, may 
be threatening their own breeding habitat.
    The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Sportsmen 
Conservationists of Texas, and the Wetland Habitat Alliance of Texas 
agreed with the Service's proposal to extend the framework for light 
geese to February 28.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the above 
recommendations.

8. Tundra swans

    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended 
that the experimental tundra swan season in North Dakota be granted an 
additional year of experimental status with a final report due on June 
1, 1995.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the number of permits 
in Utah authorizing the take of 1 tundra swan per season be increased 
from 2,500 to 2,800 to compensate for lost hunting opportunity from a 
State-imposed early season closure. As an informational item, the 
Council recommended that Montana, Nevada, and Utah implement a 
monitoring program to assess the number of trumpeter swans, if any, 
taken accidentally during the tundra swan season. The Council also 
recommended that Utah be more restrictive than the Federal frameworks 
by ending its season on or before December 15 and closing the Green 
River Area to swan hunting. The 3-year-average midwinter population 
index of 79,406 tundra swans is well above the Flyway objective level 
of 38,000. Proposed frameworks will result in harvest levels within 
those prescribed in the 1989 Tundra Swan Hunt Plan endorsed by the 
Pacific Flyway Council. The changes are premised on the implementation 
of the State-Federal cooperative program for hazing trumpeter swans 
from winter concentration areas near Harriman State Park in Idaho to 
more favorable sites.
    Public-Hearing Comments: Dr. Gary Will reemphasized the Council's 
support for restrictions on tundra swan hunting in portions of the 
Pacific Flyway to minimize the accidental take of trumpeter swans and 
encouraged the Service to continue to cooperate with the Council and 
participating States in the management of the Rocky Mountain Population 
(RMP) of trumpeter swans. He recommended that a reasonable harvest of 
tundra swans be continued while also accommodating the range expansion 
of trumpeter swans to resolve winter bottleneck problems in 
southeastern Idaho.
    Written Comments: Mr. D. C. Carlton, representing the Biodiversity 
Legal Foundation (Foundation), commented on the management of the RMP 
of trumpeter swans. He detailed the status and perceived threats to 
these swans, reviewed past and current management actions, and 
concluded that leadership, actions, and funding by the Service are 
inadequate to assure the population's recovery and believes they 
warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act. Among many 
recommendations directed at improving the effectiveness of range-
expansion efforts directed at benefiting these swans, those germane to 
hunting regulations included: (1) not allowing either a permitted or 
incidental take of trumpeter swans during a tundra swan season, (2) 
having no open seasons for hunting tundra swans in the most critical 
trumpeter swan range-expansion areas, including all of Utah and Nevada, 
(3) modifying hunting regulations on National Wildlife Refuges in 
Montana, Utah, and Nevada to provide sanctuary for resting, 
reproduction, and rearing of cygnets, and (4) ending waterfowl hunting 
after October 20 at two sites on the Snake River in Idaho, at a site on 
the Green River, including Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge in 
Wyoming, and in unspecified areas within the Tristate Yellowstone 
region.
    Ms. Heidi Prescott, on behalf of The Fund for Animals, Inc., 
highlighted recent survey reports, reviewed portions of the Pacific 
Flyway Council's management plan and a report by Ms. Ruth Shea, a 
Service employee, and presented the group's views regarding management 
action pertaining to RMP trumpeter swans. The Fund for Animals, Inc., 
concurred with the recommendations of the Foundation pertaining to 
migratory game bird hunting contained in the aforementioned letter from 
Mr. D. C. Carlton of the Foundation.
    Mr. D. J. Schubert, also on behalf of the Fund for Animals, Inc., 
reiterated certain concerns and needed actions deemed necessary for 
successful range expansion of RMP trumpeter swans. He believed that a 
mandatory check of swans taken by hunters in Utah and Nevada is 
necessary to measure the level of accidental take. While the purposeful 
hazing of trumpeter swans to more favorable winter sites has merit, it 
put more trumpeter swans at risk in tundra swan hunt areas; and he 
therefore recommended a new management strategy. The Fund for Animals 
believes there are two possible management strategy changes that would 
minimize excessive killing of trumpeter swans and still be consistent 
with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act: (1) prohibit hunting of tundra 
swans in Utah and Nevada; or, although less preferred, (2) prohibit 
hunting in certain critical areas in Utah. Under both options, security 
areas should be established in Idaho, and recreational activities such 
as waterfowl hunting and boating should be evaluated for possible 
negative impacts on trumpeter swan behavior and habitat use. Should 
intensive hazing be pursued to disperse birds to more favorable 
wintering sites, and if law enforcement policy is to be changed to 
facilitate the collection of information on the accidental take of 
trumpeter swans during the tundra swan season, the Fund for Animals 
recommended that: (1) both Idaho and Wyoming Game and Fish Departments 
provide sanctuaries in designated areas; (2) the Utah Division of 
Wildlife Resources, at the maximum, not allow swan hunting or, at the 
minimum, not allow swan hunting in Box Elder, Cache, and Rich Counties; 
(3) the Nevada Division of Wildlife close Stillwater Wildlife 
Management Area to swan hunting; (4) the Service close all National 
Wildlife Refuges in Utah and Nevada to the hunting of tundra swans; and 
(5) should the aforenamed States not exercise the recommended action, 
the Service should do so. Additionally, all States should enhance their 
hunter-education programs to emphasize proper identification of swans 
and waterfowl to minimize the accidental take of trumpeter swans as a 
result of other hunting seasons.
    Mr. D. J. Schubert, in comments representing both The Fund for 
Animals, Inc., and the Foundation, reiterated and elaborated upon 
previous recommendations from those two organizations for curtailing 
tundra swan hunting and waterfowl hunting to enhance RMP trumpeter swan 
winter-range expansion (see above and 59 FR 43691-43692) and made 
specific comments on the proposed frameworks. At a minimum, Mr. 
Schubert recommends prohibiting tundra swan hunting and restricting 
waterfowl hunting on all Federal lands in south-central Montana, 
southern Idaho, western Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada. He believes that the 
Service is negligent in not using to the fullest extent various 
management provisions afforded and mandated by the Migratory Bird 
Treaty Act of 1918, the National Wildlife Refuge Administration Act, 
and the Refuge Recreation Act to protect RMP trumpeter swans. He 
described the historic RMP trumpeter swan populations, probable causes 
for their current restricted winter distribution, and past and current 
management efforts aimed at restoring the population; he offered 
management solutions to restore the population; and he argued in 
support of a petition for listing the RMP trumpeter as a threatened 
species which had been dismissed by the Service. He insists that the 
Service is obligated by law to restore the trumpeter swan to its native 
range. He contends that the Service is operating under an unpublished 
policy of nonenforcement of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act with respect 
to tundra swan hunters who might accidentally shoot a trumpeter swan. 
He recanted his previous recommendation for measuring the level of 
accidental take, by saying that there was sufficient information to 
know that it occurred.
    Mr. Michael Roy, on behalf of the National Wildlife Federation, 
expressed concern about the successful continuation of the RMP 
trumpeter swan range-expansion program, in part because of a perceived 
ineffective and confusing management structure that is not adequately 
represented by all interested parties, and in part by accidental take 
of trumpeter swans during tundra swan seasons in Utah. He believes 
certain recommendations provided by Ms. Ruth Shea, a Service employee, 
were reasoned and practical and, if implemented, would enhance range-
expansion efforts. Premised on Ms. Shea's recommendations, he 
recommended that tundra swan hunting in Utah be discontinued from the 
southern boundary of the Bear River National Wildlife Refuge north and 
east to the Idaho and Wyoming borders for an initial 5-year period. 
This closure would be intended to minimize the accidental take of 
trumpeter swans during translocation activities and, hopefully, tundra 
swan hunting could be reinstated afterwards.
    Ms. Louisa Willcox, representing the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, 
raised questions regarding the Service's role in managing RMP trumpeter 
swans and funding efforts to increase their numbers and expand their 
distribution. She asked how the Service will monitor the accidental 
take of trumpeter swans during tundra swan hunting seasons in Montana, 
Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah and what measures will be 
taken to minimize the potential losses. She also asked why the Service 
has not sought establishment of trumpeter swan wintering sites outside 
the Montana-Idaho-Wyoming region. She requested that the Service 
develop a long-term strategy to prevent wintering waterfowl, including 
trumpeter swans, from damaging vegetation and fish habitat at Harriman 
State Park in Idaho.
    The Humane Society recommended that all tundra swan seasons be 
closed.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the recommendation to 
extend the experimental tundra swan season in North Dakota one 
additional year, with a final report due by June 1, 1995.
    In conjunction with a larger Federal-State-Flyway effort to enhance 
and monitor both winter and summer distribution of RMP trumpeter swans, 
the Service believes that modification of tundra swan hunting seasons 
in the Pacific Flyway portion of Montana, in Utah, and in Nevada is 
warranted to minimize the accidental killing of trumpeter swans by 
tundra swan hunters. Accordingly, final frameworks require: (1) States 
to collect and report information on the accidental take of trumpeter 
swans in conjunction with tundra swan seasons, and (2) in Utah, the 
season must end on or before December 15 and four counties would be 
closed to swan hunting. The Pacific Flyway Council's request for 
additional permits to compensate for lost hunting opportunities in Utah 
is not without merit from the standpoint of tundra swan management; 
however, the Service denied the Council's request and believes a 
conservative approach is warranted because of the possibility of 
trumpeter swans moving into the general hunting area. Further, there 
has been no change in either policy or law regarding enforcement of 
migratory game bird hunting regulations as they apply to the illegal 
take of trumpeter swans. Monitoring of the winter distribution of 
trumpeter swans will provide the Service with additional opportunities 
to further modify hunt programs if warranted.
    Trumpeter swans are expected to number about 17,000-20,000 
individuals during the next range-wide survey scheduled for 1995 and 
have been increasing at about 6 percent per year during 1968-90 (1990 
was the last year in which a range-wide survey was conducted). 
Populations such as the RMP warrant additional attention, which the 
Service continues to give with considerable assistance from State and 
other Federal agencies and moral, if not financial, support from 
several non-governmental organizations.
    Regarding closure of all tundra swan seasons, the Service believes 
that the status of tundra swan populations does not warrant such 
closures.

23. Other

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that the Service provide compensatory days for State-imposed Sunday-
hunting prohibitions.
    Written Comments: Two local sportsmen's organizations from 
Massachusetts suggested compensatory days for those days lost due to 
State-imposed Sunday-hunting prohibitions.
    The Humane Society supported the closure of hunting on Sundays.
    Service Response: The Service is not aware of any biological basis 
for prohibiting hunting on Sundays and therefore neither promotes nor 
condones prohibition of Sunday hunting. Sunday-hunting closures are 
established by State or local law. The Service has stated previously in 
the September 24, 1993, Federal Register (58 FR 50188) that it believes 
this problem is an individual State issue and can best be resolved by 
each State removing its self-imposed restrictions.

NEPA Consideration

    NEPA considerations are covered by the programmatic document, 
``Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual 
Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FSES 88-
14),'' filed with EPA on June 9, 1988. Notice of Availability was 
published in the Federal Register on June 16, 1988 (53 FR 22582). The 
Service's Record of Decision was published on August 18, 1988 (53 FR 
31341). However, this programmatic document does not prescribe year-
specific regulations; those are developed annually. The annual 
regulations and options are being considered in the Environmental 
Assessment, ``Waterfowl Hunting Regulations for 1994,'' which is 
available upon request.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

    In August 1994, the Division of Endangered Species 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. Hunting regulations are designed, among 
other things, 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. The Service's 
biological opinions resulting from its consultation under Section 7 are 
considered public documents and are available for inspection in the 
Division of Endangered Species and the Office of Migratory Bird 
Management.

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

    In the Federal Register dated April 7, 1994 (59 FR 16762), the 
Service reported measures it had undertaken to comply with requirements 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the Executive Order. These 
included preparing an Analysis of Regulatory Effects and an updated 
Final Regulatory Impact Analysis, under the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
(5 U.S.C. 601 et seq), and publication of a summary of the latter. This 
information is included in the present document by reference. This 
action was not subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget 
under E.O. 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 proposed rule is Robert J. Blohm, Office 
of Migratory Bird Management.

Regulations Promulgation

    The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its 
nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, the Service 
intends that the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to 
comment on the regulations. Thus, when the preliminary proposed 
rulemaking was published, the Service established what it believed were 
the longest periods possible for public comment. In doing this, the 
Service recognized that when the comment period closed, time would be 
of the essence. That is, if there were a delay in the effective date of 
these regulations after this final rulemaking, the States would have 
insufficient time to select season dates and limits; to communicate 
those selections to the Service; and to establish and publicize the 
necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions.
    Therefore, the Service, under authority of the Migratory Bird 
Treaty Act (July 3, 1918), as amended, (16 U.S.C. 703-711), prescribes 
final frameworks setting forth the species to be hunted, the daily bag 
and possession limits, the shooting hours, the season lengths, the 
earliest opening and latest closing season dates, and hunting areas, 
from which State conservation agency officials may select hunting 
season dates and other options. Upon receipt of season and option 
selections from these officials, the Service will publish in the 
Federal Register a final rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect 
seasons, limits, and shooting hours for the conterminous United States 
for the 1994-95 season.
    The Service therefore finds that ``good cause'' exists, within the 
terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, and 
these frameworks will, therefore, take effect immediately upon 
publication.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20

    Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.
    The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 1994-95 
hunting season are authorized under the 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).

    Dated: September 22, 1994.
Robert P. Davison,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Final Regulations Frameworks for 1994-95 Late Hunting Seasons on 
Certain Migratory Game Birds

    Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated 
authorities, the Director has approved frameworks for season lengths, 
shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and outside dates within 
which States may select seasons for hunting waterfowl and coots between 
the dates of September 1, 1994, and March 10, 1995.

General

    Dates: All outside dates noted below are inclusive.
    Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise 
specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.
    Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits 
are twice the daily bag limit.
    Definitions: For the purpose of hunting regulations listed below, 
the collective terms ``dark'' and ``light'' geese include the following 
species:
    Dark geese - Canada geese, white-fronted geese, and brant.
    Light geese - lesser snow (including blue) geese, greater snow 
geese, and Ross' geese.
    Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Geographic descriptions are 
contained in a later portion of this document.
    Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks for open seasons, season 
lengths, bag and possession limits, and other special provisions are 
listed below by flyway.

Atlantic Flyway

    The Atlantic Flyway includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, 
Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New 
York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, 
Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

    Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 20.
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: Either (a) 30 days and daily bag 
limit of 4 ducks, including no more than 3 mallards (no more than 1 of 
which may be a female), 2 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 1 canvasback, 1 black 
duck, 1 mottled duck, 1 pintail, and 1 fulvous whistling duck or (b) 40 
days and daily bag limit of 3 ducks, and the other restrictions shown 
above.
    Closures: The season on harlequin ducks is closed.
    Sea Ducks: In all areas outside of special sea duck areas, sea 
ducks are included in the regular duck daily bag and possession limits. 
However, during the regular duck season within the special sea duck 
areas, the sea duck daily bag and possession limits may be in addition 
to the regular duck daily bag and possession limits.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5, only 1 of 
which may be a hooded merganser.
    Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
    Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and 
shooting hours shall be the same as those selected for the Lake 
Champlain Zone of Vermont.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Rhode 
Island, and Virginia may split their seasons into three segments; 
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West Virginia may select hunting seasons by 
zones and may split their seasons into two segments in each zone; while 
Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina may split their Statewide seasons 
into two segments.

Canada Geese

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Unless specified 
otherwise, seasons may be split into two segments. Seasons in States, 
and in independently described goose management units within States, 
may be as follows:
    Connecticut: 70 days between October 1 and January 31, with 1 goose 
per day through October 15; 2 geese per day through December 31; and 3 
geese per day thereafter; 1 goose per day for the first 8 days after 
the opening. In addition, a special experimental season may be held in 
the South Zone between January 15 and February 15, with 5 geese per 
day.
    Delaware: 60 days between November 16 and January 20, with 1 goose 
per day for the first 20 days; 2 geese per day thereafter.
    Florida: Closed season.
    Georgia: In specific areas, an 8-day experimental season may be 
held between November 15 and February 5, with a limit of 5 Canada geese 
per day.
    Maine: 70 days between October 1 and January 31, with 1 goose per 
day through October 15; 2 geese per day through December 31; and 3 
geese per day thereafter; 1 goose per day for the first 8 days after 
the opening.
    Maryland: 60 days between November 16 and January 20, with 1 goose 
per day for the first 20 days and 2 geese per day thereafter.
    Massachusetts: 70 days between October 1 and January 31, with 1 
goose per day through October 15; 2 geese per day through December 31; 
and 3 geese per day thereafter; 1 goose per day for the first 8 days 
after the opening. In addition, a special 16-day season for resident 
Canada geese may be held in the Coastal and Central Zones during 
January 21 to February 5, with 5 geese per day.
    New Hampshire: 70 days between October 1 and January 31, with 1 
goose per day through October 15; 2 geese per day through December 31; 
and 3 geese per day thereafter; 1 goose per day for the first 8 days 
after the opening.
    New Jersey: 70 days between October 15 and January 31, with 1 goose 
per day through November 15; 2 geese per day through December 31; 3 
geese per day thereafter; 1 goose per day for the first 8 days after 
the opening; no more than 15 days before November 16. In addition, an 
experimental special season may be held in a designated area of 
Northeastern New Jersey from January 28 to February 11, 1995, with 5 
geese per day.
    New York:
    Northeastern Zone - 70 days between October 1 and January 31, with 
1 goose per day through October 15; 2 geese per day through December 
31; and 3 geese per day thereafter; 1 goose per day for the first 8 
days after the opening.
    Remainder of State - 70 days between October 15 and January 31, 
with 1 goose per day through November 15; 2 geese per day through 
December 31; 3 geese per day thereafter; 1 goose per day for the first 
8 days after the opening; no more than 15 days before November 16.
    North Carolina:
    East Zone - Suspended.
    West Zone - Suspended.
    Pennsylvania:
    South Zone - 70 days between October 15 and January 31, with 1 
goose per day through November 15; 2 geese per day through December 31; 
3 geese per day thereafter; 1 goose per day for the first 8 days after 
the opening; no more than 15 days before November 16. In addition, an 
experimental season may be held in the Susquehanna/Juniata Zones from 
January 20 to February 5 with 5 geese per day.
    Erie, Mercer, and Butler Counties - 70 days between October 1 and 
January 31, with 1 goose per day through October 15; 2 geese per day 
thereafter; 1 goose per day for the first 8 days after the opening.
    Crawford County - 35 days between October 1 and January 20; with 1 
goose per day.
    Remainder of State - 70 days between October 1 and January 31, with 
1 goose per day through October 15; 2 geese per day through December 
31; and 3 geese per day thereafter; 1 goose per day for the first 8 
days after the opening.
    Rhode Island: 70 days between October 1 and January 31, with 1 
goose per day through October 15; 2 geese per day through December 31; 
and 3 geese per day thereafter; 1 goose per day for the first 8 days 
after the opening.
    South Carolina: Suspended regular season. An 8-day special season 
may be held in the Central Piedmont, Western Piedmont, and Mountain 
Hunt Units during December 1 to February 15, with a daily bag limit of 
5 Canada geese per day.
    Vermont: 70 days between October 1 and January 31, with 1 goose per 
day through October 15; 2 geese per day through December 31; and 3 
geese per day thereafter; 1 goose per day for the first 8 days after 
the opening.
    Virginia:
    Back Bay - Suspended.
    Remainder - 60 days between November 16 and January 20, with 1 
goose per day for the first 20 days; 2 geese per day thereafter.
    West Virginia: 70 days between October 1 and January 20, with 3 
geese per day.

Light Geese

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 107-
day season between October 1 and February 10, with 5 geese per day. 
States may split their seasons into two segments.

Brant

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 50-
day season between October 1 and January 20, with 2 brant per day.

Mississippi Flyway

    The Mississippi Flyway includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, 
Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, 
Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

    Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 20.
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: Either (a) 30 days and daily bag 
limit of 4 ducks, including no more than 3 mallards (no more than 1 of 
which may be a female), 3 mottled ducks, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 2 
wood ducks, 1 canvasback, and 1 redhead or (b) 40 days and daily bag 
limit of 3 ducks, including no more than 2 mallards (no more than 1 of 
which may be a female), and the other restrictions shown above.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, only 1 of which may be 
a hooded merganser.
    Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, 
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin 
may select hunting seasons by zones.
    In Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, 
Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be split into two segments in 
each zone.
    In Mississippi, the season may be split into two segments.
    In Arkansas and Minnesota, the season may be split into three 
segments.
    Pymatuning Reservoir Area, Ohio: The seasons, limits, and shooting 
hours shall be the same as those selected in the adjacent portion of 
Pennsylvania (Northwest Zone).

Geese

    Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into two segments.
    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select 
seasons for geese not to exceed 70 days for dark geese between the 
Saturday nearest October 1 (October 1) and January 31, and 107 days for 
light geese between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 1), and 
February 14. The daily bag limit is 7 geese, to include no more than 2 
Canada geese, 2 white-fronted geese, and 2 brant. Specific regulations 
for Canada geese and exceptions to the above general provisions are 
shown below by State.
    Alabama: In the SJBP Goose Zone, the season for Canada geese may 
not exceed 35 days. Elsewhere, the season for Canada geese may extend 
for 70 days in the respective duck-hunting zones. The daily bag limit 
is 2 Canada geese.
    Arkansas: The season for Canada geese may extend for 23 days in the 
East Zone. In the West Zone, an experimental season for Canada geese of 
up to 14 days may be selected. In both zones, the season may extend to 
February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. In the remainder of 
the State, the season for Canada geese is closed.
    Illinois: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be 
limited to 109,600 birds.
    (a) Southern Illinois Quota Zone - The season for Canada geese will 
close after 51 days or when 39,800 birds have been harvested, whichever 
occurs first. Limits are 2 Canada geese daily and 10 in possession. All 
harvested Canada geese in excess of twice the daily bag limit that are 
transported outside the zone must be tagged with tags containing the 
name and signature of the hunter and the date and location where the 
birds were taken. If any of the following conditions exist after 
December 20, the State, after consultation with the Service, will close 
the season by emergency order with 48 hours notice:
    1. 10 consecutive days of snow cover, 3 inches or more in depth.
    2. 10 consecutive days of daily high temperatures less than 20 
degrees F.
    3. Average body weights of adult female geese less than 3,200 
grams as measured from a weekly sample of a minimum of 50 geese.
    4. Starvation or a major disease outbreak resulting in observed 
mortality exceeding 5,000 birds in 10 days, or a total mortality 
exceeding 10,000 birds.

    (b) Rend Lake Quota Zone - The season for Canada geese will close 
after 51 days or when 11,400 birds have been harvested, whichever 
occurs first. Limits are 2 Canada geese daily and 10 in possession. All 
harvested Canada geese in excess of twice the daily bag limit that are 
transported outside the zone must be tagged with tags containing the 
name and signature of the hunter and the date and location where the 
birds were taken.
    (c) Northern Illinois Quota Zone - The season for Canada geese will 
close after 51 days or when 13,000 birds have been harvested, whichever 
occurs first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (d) Central Illinois Quota Zone - The season for Canada geese will 
close after 51 days or when 22,400 birds have been harvested, whichever 
occurs first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (e) Remainder of the State - The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 51 days in the respective goose zones. The daily bag limit is 2 
Canada geese.
    Indiana: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be 
limited to 61,900 birds.
    (a) Posey County - The season for Canada geese will close after 53 
days or when 4,550 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Remainder of the State - The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 70 days in the respective duck-hunting zones, except in the SJBP 
Zone, where the season may not exceed 35 days. The daily bag limit is 2 
Canada geese.
    Iowa: The season may extend for 55 days in the respective duck-
hunting zones and may open no earlier than October 8. The daily bag 
limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Kentucky:
    (a) Western Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 53 
days (66 days in Fulton County), and the harvest will be limited to 
21,900 birds. Of the 21,900-bird quota, 14,300 birds will be allocated 
to the Ballard Reporting Area and 4,200 birds will be allocated to the 
Henderson/Union Reporting Area. If the quota in either reporting area 
is reached prior to completion of the 53-day season, the season in that 
reporting area will be closed. If this occurs, the season in those 
counties and portions of counties outside of, but associated with, the 
respective subzone (listed in State regulations) may continue for an 
additional 7 days, not to exceed a total of 53 days (66 days in Fulton 
County). The season in Fulton County may extend to February 13. The 
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone - The season may extend for 35 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) Remainder of the State - The season may extend for 50 days. The 
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Louisiana: Louisiana may hold 107-day seasons for light geese and 
70-day seasons for white-fronted geese and brant between the Saturday 
nearest October 1 (October 1) and February 14 in the respective duck-
hunting zones. The daily bag limit is 7 geese, to include no more than 
2 white-fronted geese and 2 brant, except as noted below. In the 
Southwest Zone, a 9-day season for Canada geese may be held. During the 
Canada goose season, the daily bag limit for Canada and white-fronted 
geese in the Southwest Zone is 2, no more than 1 of which may be a 
Canada goose. Hunters participating in the Canada goose season must 
possess a special permit issued by the State.
    Michigan: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be 
limited to 63,100 birds.
    (a) North Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 24 and the season for Canada geese may extend for 23 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Middle Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 23 
days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) South Zone
    (1) Allegan County GMU - The season for Canada geese will close 
after 50 days or when 2,000 birds have been harvested, whichever 
occurs first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (2) Muskegon Wastewater GMU - The season for Canada geese will 
close after 53 days or when 400 birds have been harvested, whichever 
occurs first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (3) Saginaw County GMU - The season for Canada geese will close 
after 40 days or when 2,000 birds have been harvested, whichever 
occurs first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (4) Tuscola/Huron GMU - The season for Canada geese will close 
after 40 days or when 750 birds have been harvested, whichever 
occurs first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (5) Remainder of South Zone - The season for Canada geese may 
extend for 30 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (d) Southern Michigan GMU - An experimental special Canada goose 
season may be held between January 7 and February 5. The daily bag 
limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Minnesota:
    (a) West Zone
    (1) West Central Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 30 days. In the Lac Qui Parle Zone the season will close after 
30 days or when a harvest index of 4,000 birds has been reached, 
whichever occurs first. Throughout the West Central Zone, the daily 
bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (2) Remainder of West Zone - The season for Canada geese may 
extend for 40 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

    (b) Northwest Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 40 
days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (c) Southeast Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 
days, except in the Twin Cities Metro Zone and Olmsted County, where 
the season may not exceed 80 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada 
geese.
    (d) Remainder of the State - The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 50 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (e) Fergus Falls/Alexandria Zone - An experimental special Canada 
goose season of up to 10 days may be held in December. During the 
special season, the daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Mississippi: The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Missouri:
    (a) Swan Lake Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after 
40 days or when 5,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs 
first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Schell-Osage Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 
40 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) Central Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 50 
days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. An experimental special 
season of up to 10 consecutive days prior to October 15 may be selected 
in addition to the regular season. During the special season, the daily 
bag limit is 3 Canada geese.
    (d) Remainder of the State - The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 50 days in the respective duck-hunting zones. The daily bag limit 
is 2 Canada geese.
    Ohio: The season may extend for 70 days in the respective duck-
hunting zones, with a daily bag limit of 2 Canada geese, except in the 
Lake Erie SJBP Zone, where the season may not exceed 30 days and the 
daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose. In the Pymatuming Reservoir Area, 
the seasons, limits, and shooting hours for all geese shall be the same 
as those selected in the adjacent portion of Pennsylvania.
    Tennessee:
    (a) Northwest Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after 
75 days or when 8,100 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs 
first. The season may extend to February 15. All geese harvested must 
be tagged. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Southwest Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 59 
days, and the harvest will be limited to 1,000 birds. The daily bag 
limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone - The season for Canada geese will 
close after 50 days or when 1,800 birds have been harvested, whichever 
occurs first. All geese harvested must be tagged. The daily bag limit 
is 2 Canada geese.
    (d) Remainder of the State - The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Wisconsin: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be 
limited to 76,800 birds.
    (a) Horicon Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 24. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 41,000 birds. 
The season may not exceed 80 days. All Canada geese harvested must be 
tagged. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose and the season limit will 
be the number of tags issued to each permittee.
    (b) Collins Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 24. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 1,300 birds. 
The season may not exceed 61 days. All Canada geese harvested must be 
tagged. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese and the season limit will 
be the number of tags issued to each permittee.
    (c) Exterior Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is 
October 1. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 30,000 birds, with 
500 birds allocated to the Mississippi River Subzone. The season may 
not exceed 70 days and the daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose. In the 
Mississippi River Subzone, the season for Canada geese may extend for 
70 days in each duck zone. In that portion of the Exterior Zone outside 
the Mississippi River Subzone, the progress of the harvest must be 
monitored, and the season closed, if necessary, to ensure that the 
harvest does not exceed 29,500 birds.
    Additional Limits: In addition to the harvest limits stated for the 
respective zones above, an additional 4,500 Canada geese may be taken 
in the Horicon Zone under special agricultural permits.
    Quota Zone Closures: When it has been determined that the quota of 
Canada geese allotted to the Northern Illinois, Central Illinois, 
Southern Illinois, and Rend Lake Quota Zones in Illinois, Posey County 
in Indiana, the Ballard and Henderson-Union Subzones in Kentucky, the 
Allegan County, Muskegon Wastewater, Saginaw County, and Tuscola/Huron 
Goose Management Units in Michigan, the Lac Qui Parle Zone in 
Minnesota, the Swan Lake Zone in Missouri, and the Northwest and 
Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zones in Tennessee will have been filled, the 
season for taking Canada geese in the respective area will be closed by 
either the Director upon giving public notice through local information 
media at least 48 hours in advance of the time and date of closing, or 
by the State through State regulations with such notice and time (not 
less than 48 hours) as they deem necessary.

Central Flyway

    The Central Flyway includes Colorado (east of the Continental 
Divide), Kansas, Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith 
Basin, Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties east 
thereof), Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except 
the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, South 
Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the Continental Divide).

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

    Outside Dates: October 1 through January 20.
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits:
    (1) High Plains Mallard Management Unit (roughly defined as that 
portion of the Central Flyway which lies west of the 100th meridian): 
Either (a) 51 days and daily bag limit of 4 ducks, including no more 
than 1 of which may be a female mallard, 1 mottled duck, 1 pintail, 1 
redhead, 1 canvasback and 2 wood ducks or (b) 61 days and daily bag 
limit of 3, and the other restrictions shown above. Under both options, 
the last 12 days may start no earlier than the Saturday nearest 
December 10 (December 10).
    (2) Remainder of the Central Flyway: Either (a) 39 days and daily 
bag limit of 4 ducks, including no more than 1 female mallard, 1 
mottled duck, 1 pintail, 1 redhead, 1 canvasback and 2 wood ducks or 
(b) 49 days and daily bag limit of 3 ducks, and the other restrictions 
shown above.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit of 5 mergansers may be taken, 
only 1 of which may be a hooded merganser.
    Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Montana, Nebraska (Low Plains portion), 
New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains portion), and South Dakota (Low Plains 
portion) may select hunting seasons by zones.
    In Montana, Nebraska (Low and High Plains portions), New Mexico, 
North Dakota (Low Plains portion), Oklahoma (Low and High Plains 
portions), South Dakota (High Plains portion), and Texas (Low Plains 
portion), the season may be split into two segments.
    In Colorado, Kansas (Low and High Plains portions), North Dakota 
(High Plains portion), and Wyoming, the season may be split into three 
segments.

Geese

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Seasons may be split 
into two segments. The Saturday nearest October 1 (October 1), through 
January 31, for dark geese and the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 
1), through the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 12), except in 
Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, where the closing 
date is February 28, for light geese. Seasons in States, and 
independently in described goose management units within States, may be 
as follows:
    Colorado: No more than 107 days, with a daily bag limit of 5 light 
and 3 dark geese.
    Kansas: For dark geese, no more than 86 days, with a daily bag 
limit of 2, including no more than 1 white-fronted goose.
    For light geese, no more than 107 days, with a daily bag limit of 
10.
    Montana: No more than 107 days, with daily bag limits of 2 dark and 
5 light geese in Sheridan County and 4 dark and 5 light geese in the 
remainder of the Central Flyway portion.
    Nebraska: For dark geese, no more than 86 days, with a daily bag 
limit of not more than 2, which may include no more than 1 white-
fronted goose.
    For light geese, no more than 107 days, with a daily bag limit of 
10.
    New Mexico: No more than 107 days, with a daily bag limit of 5 
light and 3 dark geese, except in the Middle Rio Grande Valley where 
the daily bag limit of light geese is 10.
    North Dakota: For dark geese, no more than 86 days, with a daily 
bag limit of 2.
    For light geese, no more than 107 days, with a daily bag limit of 
10.
    Oklahoma: For dark geese, no more than 86 days, with a daily bag 
limit of 2, including no more than 1 white-fronted goose.
    For light geese, no more than 107 days, with a daily bag limit of 
10.
    South Dakota: For dark geese, no more than 86 days, with a daily 
bag limit of not more than 2, including no more than 1 white-fronted 
goose.
    For light geese, no more than 107 days, with a daily bag limit of 
10.
    Texas: For the West Unit, no more than 107 days, with a daily bag 
limit of 5 light and 3 dark geese.
    For dark geese in the East Unit, no more than 86 days. The daily 
bag limit is 2, including no more than 1 white-fronted goose during the 
first 72 days; during the last 14 days, the season is closed on white-
fronted geese and the daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    For light geese in the East Unit, no more than 107 days, with a 
daily bag limit of 10.
    Wyoming: No more than 107 days, with a daily bag limit of 5 light 
and 3 dark geese.

Pacific Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, and Common Moorhens

    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: Either (a) Concurrent 59 days and 
daily bag limit of 5 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more 
than 1 of which may be a female), 1 pintail, 2 redheads and 1 
canvasback or (b) Concurrent 69 days and daily bag limit of 4 ducks, 
including no more than 3 mallards, and the other restrictions shown 
above.
    In the Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit, the seasons may be 
an additional 7 days. The season on coots and common moorhens may be 
between the outside dates for the season on ducks, but not to exceed 93 
days.
    Coot and Common Moorhen Limits: The daily bag and possession limits 
of coots and common moorhens are 25, singly or in the aggregate.
    Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 20.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, 
Oregon, Utah, and Washington may select hunting seasons by zones.
    Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington 
may split their seasons into two segments either Statewide or in each 
zone.
    Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming may split their duck 
seasons into three segments.
    Colorado River Zone, California: Seasons and limits shall be the 
same as seasons and limits selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona 
(South Zone).

Geese

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Except as subsequently 
noted, 100-day seasons may be selected, with outside dates between the 
Saturday nearest October 1 (October 1), and the Sunday nearest January 
20 (January 22), and the basic daily bag limits are 3 light geese and 3 
dark geese, including no more than 2 white-fronted geese.
    Brant Season - A 16-consecutive-day season may be selected in 
Oregon and Washington, and a 30-consecutive day season may be selected 
in California. In only California, Oregon, and Washington, the daily 
bag limit is 2 brant and is additional to dark goose limits, and the 
open season on brant in those States may differ from that for other 
geese.
    Closures: There will be no open season on Aleutian Canada geese in 
the Pacific Flyway. The States of California, Oregon, and Washington 
must include a statement on the closure for that subspecies in their 
respective regulations leaflet. Emergency closures may be invoked for 
all Canada geese should Aleutian Canada goose distribution patterns or 
other circumstances justify such actions.
    Arizona: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2 geese.
    California:
    Northeastern Zone - White-fronted geese and cackling Canada geese 
may be taken only during the first 23 days of the goose season. The 
daily bag limit is 3 geese and may include no more than 2 dark geese; 
including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.
    Colorado River Zone - The seasons and limits must be the same as 
those selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona (South Zone).
    Southern Zone - The daily bag and possession limits for dark geese 
is 2 geese, including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone - A 79-day season may be selected, except 
that white-fronted geese and cackling Canada geese may be taken during 
only the first 65 days of such season. Limits may not include more than 
3 geese per day and in possession, of which not more than 1 may be a 
dark goose. The dark goose limits may be expanded to 2, provided that 
they are Canada geese other than cackling Canada geese for which the 
daily limit is 1.
    Three areas in the Balance-of-the-State Zone are restricted in the 
hunting of certain geese:
    (1) In the Counties of Del Norte and Humboldt, there will be no 
open season for Canada geese.
    (2) In the Sacramento Valley Area, the season on white-fronted 
geese and cackling Canada geese must end on or before November 30, and, 
except in the Western Canada Goose Hunt Area, there will be no open 
season for Canada geese.
    (3) In the San Joaquin Valley Area, the hunting season for Canada 
geese will close no later than November 23.
    Colorado: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2 geese.
    Idaho:
    Northern Unit - The daily bag limit is 4 geese, including 4 dark 
geese, including not more than 2 white-fronted geese, and 3 light 
geese.
    Southwest Unit - The daily bag limit on dark geese is 4, including 
not more than 2 white-fronted geese.
    Southeastern Unit - The daily bag limit is 3 geese, including not 
more than 2 white-fronted geese.
    Montana:
    West of Divide Zone - The daily bag limit on dark geese is 4, 
including not more than 2 white-fronted geese.
    Nevada:
    Clark County Zone - The daily bag limit of dark geese is 2 geese.
    New Mexico: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2 geese.
    Oregon: Except as subsequently noted, the dark goose limit is 4, 
including not more than 2 white-fronted geese and 1 cackling Canada 
goose.
    Harney, Lake, Klamath, and Malheur Counties Zone - The season 
length may be 100 days. White-fronted geese may not be taken before 
October 17 during the regular goose season.
    Western Zone - In the Special Canada Goose Management Area, except 
for designated areas, there shall be no open season on Canada geese. In 
the designated areas, individual quotas shall be established which 
collectively shall not exceed 210 dusky Canada geese. See section on 
quota zones. In those designated areas, the daily bag limit of dark 
geese is 3, including not more than 2 white-fronted geese and 1 
cackling Canada goose.
    Utah: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2 geese.
    Washington: The daily bag limit is 4 geese, including 4 dark geese, 
but not more than 2 white-fronted geese, and 3 light geese.
    West Zone - In the Lower Columbia River Special Goose Management 
Area, except for designated areas, there shall be no open season on 
Canada geese. In the designated areas, individual quotas shall be 
established which collectively shall not exceed 90 dusky Canada geese. 
See section on quota zones.
    Wyoming: In Lincoln, Sweetwater, and Sublette Counties, the 
combined special September Canada goose seasons and the regular goose 
season shall not exceed 100 days.
    Quota Zones: Seasons on Canada geese must end upon attainment of 
individual quotas of dusky Canada geese allotted to the designated 
areas of Oregon and Washington. Hunting of Canada geese in those 
designated areas shall only be by hunters possessing a State-issued 
permit authorizing them to do so. In a Service-approved investigation, 
the State must obtain quantitative information on hunter compliance of 
those regulations aimed at reducing the take of dusky Canada geese and 
eliminating the take of Aleutian Canada geese. The daily bag limit of 
Canada geese may not include more than 1 cackling Canada goose.

Tundra Swans

    In Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, South 
Dakota, Utah, and Virginia, an open season for taking a limited number 
of tundra swans may be selected. Permits will be issued by the States 
and will authorize each permittee to take no more than 1 tundra swan 
per season. The States must obtain harvest and hunter participation 
data. These seasons will be subject to the following conditions:
    In the Atlantic Flyway
    --The season will be experimental.
    --The season may be 90 days, must occur during the light goose 
season, but may not extend beyond January 31.
    --In New Jersey, no more than 200 permits may be issued.
    --In North Carolina, no more than 6,000 permits may be issued.
    --In Virginia, no more than 600 permits may be issued.
    In the Central Flyway
    --The season may be 107 days and must occur during the light goose 
season.
    --In the Central-Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 500 
permits may be issued.
    --In North Dakota, no more than 2,000 permits may be issued during 
the experimental season.
    --In South Dakota, no more than 1,500 permits may be issued during 
the experimental season.
    In the Pacific Flyway
    --Except as subsequently noted, a 100-day season may be selected 
between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 1), and the Sunday 
nearest January 20 (January 22). Seasons may be split into 2 segments. 
The States of Montana, Nevada, and Utah must implement a harvest-
monitoring program to measure the extent of accidental harvest of 
trumpeter swans.
    --In Utah, no more than 2,500 permits may be issued. The season 
must end on or before December 15.
    --In Nevada, no more than 650 permits may be issued.
    --In the Pacific-Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 500 
permits may be issued.

Area, Unit and Zone Descriptions

Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots

Atlantic Flyway
    Connecticut
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-95.
    South Zone: That portion of the State south of I-95.
    Maine
    North Zone: Game Management Zones 1 through 5.
    South Zone: Game Management Zones 6 through 8.
    Massachusetts
    Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending 
south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, 
south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut 
border.
    Central Zone: That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone 
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-
95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on 
MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west 
to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards 
inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the 
MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St. 
bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone.
    Coastal Zone: That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the 
Central Zone.
    New Hampshire
    Coastal Zone: That portion of the State east of a line extending 
west from Maine border in Rollinsford on NH 4 to the city of Dover, 
south to NH 108, south along NH 108 through Madbury, Durham, and 
Newmarket to NH 85 in Newfields, south to NH 101 in Exeter, east to NH 
51 (Exeter-Hampton Expressway), east to I-95 (New Hampshire Turnpike) 
in Hampton, and south along I-95 to the Massachusetts border.
    Inland Zone: That portion of the State north and west of the above 
boundary.
    New Jersey
    Coastal Zone: That portion of the State seaward of a line beginning 
at the New York border in Raritan Bay and extending west along the New 
York border to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west on NJ 440 to the Garden 
State Parkway; south on the Garden State Parkway to the shoreline at 
Cape May and continuing to the Delaware border in Delaware Bay.
    North Zone: That portion of the State west of the Coastal Zone and 
north of a line extending west from the Garden State Parkway on NJ 70 
to the New Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike to U.S. 206, north on 
U.S. 206 to U.S. 1 at Trenton, west on U.S. 1 to the Pennsylvania 
border in the Delaware River.
    South Zone: That portion of the State not within the North Zone or 
the Coastal Zone.
    New York
    Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian 
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south 
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the 
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; 
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont 
border.
    Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk 
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their 
tidal waters.
    Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario 
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along 
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border.
    Northeastern Zone: That area north of a line extending from Lake 
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south 
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to 
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along 
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along 
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive 
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
    Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.
    Pennsylvania
    Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters of Pennsylvania and a 
shoreline margin along Lake Erie from New York on the east to Ohio on 
the west extending 150 yards inland, but including all of Presque Isle 
Peninsula.
    Northwest Zone: The area bounded on the north by the Lake Erie Zone 
and including all of Erie and Crawford Counties and those portions of 
Mercer and Venango Counties north of I-80.
    North Zone: That portion of the State east of the Northwest Zone 
and north of a line extending east on I-80 to U.S. 220, Route 220 to I-
180, I-180 to I-80, and I-80 to the Delaware River.
    South Zone: The remaining portion of Pennsylvania.
    Vermont
    Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area north and west of the line extending from the New York border 
along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes; 
U.S. 7 to the Canadian border.
    Interior Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont.
    West Virginia
    Zone 1 : That portion outside the boundaries in Zone 2.
    Zone 2 (Allegheny Mountain Upland): That area bounded by a line 
extending south along U.S. 220 through Keyser to U.S. 50; U.S. 50 to WV 
93; WV 93 south to WV 42; WV 42 south to Petersburg; WV 28 south to 
Minnehaha Springs; WV 39 west to U.S. 219; U.S. 219 south to I-64; I-64 
west to U.S. 60; U.S. 60 west to U.S. 19; U.S. 19 north to I-79, I-79 
north to U.S. 48; U.S. 48 east to the Maryland border; and along the 
border to the point of beginning.
Mississippi Flyway
    Alabama
    South Zone: Mobile and Baldwin Counties.
    North Zone: The remainder of Alabama.
    Illinois
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Iowa border along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate 
Highway 280, east along I-280 to I-80, then east along I-80 to the 
Indiana border.
    Central Zone: That portion of the State between the North and South 
Zone boundaries.
    South Zone: That portion of the State south of a line extending 
east from the Missouri border along the Modoc Ferry route to Randolph 
County Highway 12, north along County 12 to Illinois Highway 3, north 
along Illinois 3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159 to Illinois 
161, east along Illinois 161 to Illinois 4, north along Illinois 4 to 
Interstate Highway 70, then east along I-70 to the Indiana border.
    Indiana
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. Highway 31, 
north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to Huntington, then 
southeast along U.S. 224 to the Ohio border.
    Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line 
extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 64 to 
New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State 56, east along State 56 
to Vevay, east and north on State 156 along the Ohio River to North 
Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Highway 50, then northeast along 
U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.
    South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio 
River Zone boundaries.
    Southern Illinois Quota Zone: Alexander, Jackson, Union, and 
Williamson Counties.
    Rend Lake Quota Zone: Franklin and Jefferson Counties.
    Iowa
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State 37, 
southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to 
Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
    Kentucky
    West Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending north 
from the Tennessee border along Interstate Highway 65 to Bowling Green, 
northwest along the Green River Parkway to Owensboro, southwest along 
U.S. Bypass 60 to U.S. Highway 231, then north along U.S. 231 to the 
Indiana border.
    East Zone: The remainder of Kentucky.
    Louisiana
    West Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending south 
from the Arkansas border along Louisiana Highway 3 to Bossier City, 
east along Interstate Highway 20 to Minden, south along Louisiana 7 to 
Ringgold, east along Louisiana 4 to Jonesboro, south along U.S. Highway 
167 to Lafayette, southeast along U.S. 90 to Houma, then south along 
the Houma Navigation Channel to the Gulf of Mexico through Cat Island 
Pass.
    East Zone: The remainder of Louisiana.
    Catahoula Lake Area: All of Catahoula Lake, including those 
portions known locally as Round Prairie, Catfish Prairie, and Frazier's 
Arm. See State regulations for additional information.
    Michigan
    North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
    South Zone: That portion of the State south of a line beginning at 
the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the mouth of Stony 
Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and east and south along the 
south shore of, Stony Creek to Webster Road, east and south on Webster 
Road to Stony Lake Road, east on Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to 
Michigan Highway 20, east on Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10B.R. in the 
city of Midland, east on U.S. 10B.R. to U.S. 10, east on U.S. 10 and 
Michigan 25 to the Saginaw River, downstream along the thread of the 
Saginaw River to Saginaw Bay, then on a northeasterly line, passing 
one-half mile north of the Corps of Engineers confined disposal island 
offshore of the Carn Power Plant, to a point one mile north of the 
Charity islands, then continuing northeasterly to the Ontario border in 
Lake Huron.
    Middle Zone: The remainder of Michigan.
    Missouri
    North Zone: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west 
from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 70 to U.S. Highway 
54, south along U.S. 54 to U.S. 50, then west along U.S. 50 to the 
Kansas border.
    South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west 
from the Illinois border along Missouri Highway 34 to Interstate 
Highway 55; south along I-55 to U.S. Highway 62, west along U.S. 62 to 
Missouri 53, north along Missouri 53 to Missouri 51, north along 
Missouri 51 to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to Missouri 21, north along 
Missouri 21 to Missouri 72, west along Missouri 72 to Missouri 32, west 
along Missouri 32 to U.S. 65, north along U.S. 65 to U.S. 54, west 
along U.S. 54 to Missouri 32, south along Missouri 32 to Missouri 97, 
south along Missouri 97 to Dade County NN, west along Dade County NN to 
Missouri 37, west along Missouri 37 to Jasper County N, west along 
Jasper County N to Jasper County M, west along Jasper County M to the 
Kansas border.
    Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri.
    Ohio
    North Zone: The Counties of Darke, Miami, Clark, Champaign, Union, 
Delaware, Licking (excluding the Buckeye Lake Area), Muskingum, 
Guernsey, Harrison and Jefferson and all counties north thereof.
    Pymatuning Area: Pymatuning Reservoir and that part of Ohio bounded 
on the north by County Road 306 (known as Woodward Road), on the west 
by Pymatuning Lake Road, and on the south by U.S. Highway 322.
    Ohio River Zone: The Counties of Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, Adams, 
Scioto, Lawrence, Gallia and Meigs.
    South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio 
River Zone boundaries, including the Buckeye Lake Area in Licking 
County bounded on the west by State Highway 37, on the north by U.S. 
Highway 40, and on the east by State 13.
    Tennessee
    Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake and Obion Counties.
    State Zone: The remainder of Tennessee.
    Wisconsin
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
northerly from the Minnesota border along the center line of the 
Chippewa River to State Highway 35, east along State 35 to State 25, 
north along State 25 to U.S. Highway 10, east along U.S. 10 to its 
junction with the Manitowoc Harbor in the city of Manitowoc, then 
easterly to the eastern State boundary in Lake Michigan.
    South Zone: The remainder of Wisconsin.
Central Flyway
    Kansas
    High Plains: That area west of U.S. 283.
    Low Plains: That area east of U.S. 283.
    Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
    Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Daniels, Fergus, Garfield, 
Golden Valley, Judith Basin, McCone, Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, 
Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Valley, 
Wheatland, and Yellowstone.
    Zone 2: The Counties of Big Horn, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, 
Powder River, Prairie, Rosebud, Treasure, and Wibaux.
    Nebraska
    High Plains: West of Highways U.S. 183 and U.S. 20 from the 
northern State line to Ainsworth, NE 7 and NE 91 to Dunning, NE 2 to 
Merna, NE 92 to Arnold, NE 40 and NE 47 through Gothenburg to NE 23, NE 
23 to Elwood, and U.S. 283 to the southern State line.
    Low Plains: East of the High Plains boundary.
    Zone 1: Those portions of Burt, Dakota, and Thurston Counties north 
and east of a line starting on NE 51 on the Iowa border to U.S. 75, 
north on U.S. 75 to U.S. 20, west on U.S. 20 to NE 12; west on NE 12 to 
the Boyd County line; to include those portions of Cedar, Dakota, 
Dixon, and Knox Counties north of NE 12; all of Boyd County; Keya Paha 
County east of U.S. 183. Where the Niobrara River forms the southern 
boundary of Keya Paha and Boyd Counties, both banks of the river shall 
be included in Zone 1.
    Zone 2: The area bounded by designated highways and political 
boundaries starting on NE 2 at the State line near Nebraska City; west 
to U.S. 75; north to U.S. 34; west to NE 63; north and west to U.S. 77; 
north to NE 92; west to U.S. 81; south to NE 66; west to NE 14; south 
to U.S. 34; west to NE 2; south to I-80; west to U.S. 34; west to U.S. 
136; east on U.S. 136 to NE 10; south to the State line; west to U.S. 
283; north to NE 23; west to NE 47; north to U.S. 30; east to NE 14; 
north to NE 52; northwesterly to NE 91; west to U.S. 281, north to NE 
91 in Wheeler County; west to U.S. 183; north to northerly boundary of 
Loup County; east along the north boundaries of Loup, Garfield, and 
Wheeler Counties; south along the east Wheeler County line to NE 70; 
east on NE 70 from Wheeler County to NE 14; south to NE 39; southeast 
to NE 22; east to U.S. 81; southeast to U.S. 30; east to the State 
line; and south and west along the State line to the point of 
beginning.
    Zone 3: The area, excluding Zone 1, north of Zone 2.
    Zone 4: The area south of Zone 2.
    New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
    North Zone: The Central-Flyway portion of New Mexico north of I-40 
and U.S. 54.
    South Zone: The remainder of the Central-Flyway portion of New 
Mexico.
    North Dakota
    High Plains: That portion of North Dakota west of a line extending 
north from the South Dakota border on U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41, north 
to ND 53, west to U.S. 83, north to ND 23, west to ND 8, north to U.S. 
2, west to U.S. 85, north to the Canadian border.
    Low Plains: The remainder of North Dakota.
    Oklahoma
    High Plains: Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas Counties.
    Low Plains
    Zone 1: That portion of northwestern Oklahoma, except the 
Panhandle, bounded by the following highways: starting at the Texas 
border, OK 33 to OK 47, OK 47 to U.S. 183, U.S. 183 to I-40, I-40 to 
U.S. 177, U.S. 177 to OK 33, OK 33 to I-35, I-35 to U.S. 60, U.S. 60 to 
U.S. 64, U.S. 64 to OK 132, and OK 132 to the Kansas border.
    Zone 2: The remainder of the Low Plains portion of Oklahoma.
    South Dakota
    High Plains: West of highways and political boundaries starting at 
the State line north of Herreid; U.S. 83 and U.S. 14 to Blunt, Blunt-
Canning Road to SD 34, a line across the Missouri River to the 
northwestern corner of the Lower Brule Indian Reservation, the 
Reservation Boundary and Lyman County Road through Presho to I-90, and 
U.S. 183 to the southern State line.
    Low Plains
    North Zone: That portion of northeastern South Dakota bounded by 
the following highways: starting at the North Dakota border, U.S. 83 
south to U.S. 212, U.S. 212 east to I-29, I-29 north to SD 15, SD 15 
east to Hartford Beach, due east of Hartford Beach to the Minnesota 
border.
    South Zone: Charles Mix County south of SD 44 to the Douglas County 
line, south on SD 50 to Geddes, East on Geddes Highway to U.S. 281, 
south on U.S. 281 and U.S. 18 to SD 50, south and east on SD 50 to the 
Bon Homme County line, the Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton, and Clay 
south of SD 50, and Union County south and west of SD 50 and I-29.
    Middle Zone: The remainder of the Low Plains portion of South 
Dakota.
    Texas
    High Plains: West of highways U.S. 183 from the northern State line 
to Vernon, U.S. 283 to Albany, TX 6 and TX 351 to Abilene, U.S. 277 to 
Del Rio, and the Del Rio International Toll Bridge access road.
    Low Plains: The remainder of Texas.
Pacific Flyway
    Arizona--Game Management Units (GMU) as follows:
    South Zone: Those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 in Yavapai County, and 
GMUs 11, 12B, 13B, and 14-45.
    North Zone: GMUs 1-5, those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 within 
Coconino County, and GMUs 7, 9, 10, 12A, and 13A.
    California
    Northeastern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of a 
line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath 
River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest 
Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and 
south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west 
along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89; 
east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north 
on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S. 
395 to the Nevada border.
    Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, 
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border 
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as 
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to 
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in 
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of 
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on 
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the 
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley 
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to 
U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; 
south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
    Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding 
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the 
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City 
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of 
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest 
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to 
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on 
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada 
border.
    Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare 
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included 
in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the 
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.
    Idaho
    Zone 1: Includes all lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian 
Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham 
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; 
and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.
    Zone 2: Includes the following counties or portions of counties: 
Adams; Bear Lake; Benewah; Bingham within the Blackfoot Reservoir 
drainage; those portions of Blaine west of ID 75, south and east of 
U.S. 93, and between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 outside the 
Silver Creek drainage; Bonner; Bonneville; Boundary; Butte; Camas; 
Caribou except the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Cassia within the 
Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Clark; Clearwater; Custer; Elmore 
within the Camas Creek drainage; Franklin; Fremont; Idaho; Jefferson; 
Kootenai; Latah; Lemhi; Lewis; Madison; Nez Perce; Oneida; Power within 
the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Shoshone; Teton; and Valley 
Counties.
    Zone 3: Ada includes the Counties of; Blaine between ID 75 and U.S. 
93 south of U.S. 20 and that additional area between ID 75 and U.S. 93 
north of U.S. 20 within the Silver Creek drainage; Boise; Canyon; 
Cassia except that portion within the Minidoka National Wildlife 
Refuge; Elmore except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; Gooding; Jerome; 
Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee; Payette; Power west of ID 37 and ID 39 
except that portion within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Twin 
Falls; and Washington Counties.
    Nevada
    Clark County Zone: All of Clark County.
    Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.
    Oregon
    Zone 1: Statewide, except Deschutes, Klamath, and Lake Counties.
    Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Gilliam, Morrow, and 
Umatilla Counties.
    Zone 2: Deschutes, Klamath, and Lake Counties.
    Utah
    Zone 1: All of Box Elder, Cache, Davis, Morgan, Rich, Salt Lake, 
Summit, Utah, Wasatch, and Weber Counties and that part of Toole County 
north of I-80.
    Zone 2: The remainder of Utah.
    Washington
    East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of 
the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
    Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Same as East Zone.
    West Zone: All areas to the west of the East Zone.

Geese

Atlantic Flyway
    Connecticut
    Same zones as for ducks.
    Georgia
    Special Area for Canada Geese: The Counties of Baldwin, Hancock, 
Harris, Jones, McDuffie, Meriwether, Monroe, Richmond, Upson, Warren, 
and all Counties north thereof; and Decatur and Seminole Counties and 
all of Lake Seminole within the State of Georgia.
    Massachusetts
    Same zones as for ducks.
    New Hampshire
    Same zones as for ducks.
    New Jersey
    Special Area for Canada Geese: That portion of the State within a 
continuous line that runs east along the New York State boundary line 
to the Hudson River; then south along the New York State boundary to 
its intersection with Route 440 at Perth Amboy; then west on Route 440 
to its intersection with Route 287; then west along Route 287 to its 
intersection with Route 206 in Bedminster (Exit 18); then north along 
Route 206 to its intersection with the Pennsylvania State boundary; 
then north along the Pennsylvania boundary in the Delaware River to its 
intersection with the New York State boundary.
    New York
    Same zones as for ducks.
    North Carolina
    Canada Geese
    East Zone: That portion of North Carolina east of I-95.
    West Zone: That portion of North Carolina west of I-95.
    Pennsylvania
    Erie, Mercer, and Butler Counties: All of Erie, Mercer, and Butler 
Counties.
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Ohio border along I-80 to U.S. 220, U.S. 220 to I-180, I-
180 to I-80, and I-80 to the Delaware River.
    South Zone: The remaining portion of Pennsylvania.
    Susquehanna/Juniata--See State regulations for detailed 
description.
    South Carolina
    Canada Goose Area: The Central Piedmont, Western Piedmont, and 
Mountain Hunt Units. These designated areas include: Abbeville, 
Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, 
Greenwood, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, 
Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union, and York Counties.
    Virginia
    Back Bay Area
    Defined for Canada geese as those portions of the cities of 
Virginia Beach and Chesapeake east of U.S. 17 and I-64.
    Defined for white geese as the waters of Back Bay and its 
tributaries and the marshes adjacent thereto, and on the land and 
marshes between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean from Sandbridge to the 
North Carolina line, and on and along the shore of North Landing River 
and the marshes adjacent thereto, and on and along the shores of Binson 
Inlet Lake (formerly known as Lake Tecumseh) and Red Wing Lake and the 
marshes adjacent thereto.
    West Virginia
    Same zones as for ducks.
Mississippi Flyway
    Alabama
    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    SJBP Zone: That portion of Morgan County east of U.S. Highway 31, 
north of State Highway 36, and west of U.S. 231; that portion of 
Limestone County south of U.S. 72; and that portion of Madison County 
south of Swancott Road and west of Triana Road.
    Arkansas
    East Zone: Arkansas, Ashley, Chicot, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, 
Cross, Desha, Drew, Greene, Independence, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, 
Lee, Lincoln, Lonoke, Mississippi, Monroe, Phillips, Poinsett, Prairie, 
Pulaski, Randolph, St. Francis, White, and Woodruff Counties.
    West Zone: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Cleburne, Conway, 
Crawford, Faulkner, Franklin, Fulton, Izard, Johnson, Madison, Marion, 
Newton, Pope, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, and Washington Counties, 
and those portions of Logan, Perry, Sebastian, and Yell Counties lying 
north of a line extending east from the Oklahoma border along State 
Highway 10 to Perry, south on State 9 to State 60, then east on State 
60 to the Faulkner County line.
    Illinois
    North Goose Zone: Same as for ducks.
    Northern Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of McHenry, Lake, 
Kane, DuPage, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties north 
of Interstate Highway 80.
    Central Goose Zone: That portion of the State between the North and 
South Goose Zone boundaries.
    Central Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of Grundy, Woodford, 
Peoria, Knox, Fulton, Tazewell, Mason, Cass, Morgan, Pike, Calhoun, 
and Jersey, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties south of 
Interstate Highway 80.
    South Goose Zone: That portion of the State south of a line 
extending east from the Missouri border along the Modoc Ferry route to 
Randolph County Highway 12, north along County 12 to Illinois Highway 
3, north along Illinois 3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159 to 
Illinois 161, east along Illinois 161 to Illinois 4, north along 
Illinois 4 to Interstate Highway 70, east along I-70 to the Bond County 
line, north and east along the Bond County line to Fayette County, 
north and east along the Fayette County line to Effingham County, east 
and south along the Effingham County line to I-70, then east along I-70 
to the Indiana border.
    Southern Illinois Quota Zone: Alexander, Jackson, Union, and 
Williamson Counties.
    Rend Lake Quota Zone: Franklin and Jefferson Counties.
    Indiana
    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    SJBP Zone: Jasper, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, 
Pulaski, Starke, and Steuben Counties.
    Iowa
    Same zones as for ducks.
    Kentucky
    Western Zone: That portion of the state west of a line beginning at 
the Tennessee border at Fulton and extending north along the Purchase 
Parkway to Interstate Highway 24, east along I-24 to U.S. Highway 641, 
north along U.S. 641 to U.S. 60, northeast along U.S. 60 to the 
Henderson County line, then south, east, and northerly along the 
Henderson County line to the Indiana border.
    Ballard Reporting Area: That area encompassed by a line beginning 
at the northwest city limits of Wickliffe in Ballard County and 
extending westward to the middle of the Mississippi River, north along 
the Mississippi River and along the low-water mark of the Ohio River on 
the Illinois shore to the Ballard-McCracken County line, south along 
the county line to Kentucky Highway 358, south along Kentucky 358 to 
U.S. Highway 60 at LaCenter; then southwest along U.S. 60 to the 
northeast city limits of Wickliffe.
    Henderson-Union Reporting Area: Henderson County and that portion 
of Union County within the Western Zone.
    Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone: That portion of the state between the 
Western Zone and a line described as follows: From the Indiana border 
south along U.S. Highway 231 to the Green River Parkway, southeast 
along the Green River Parkway to Interstate Highway 65, then south 
along I-65 to the Tennessee border.
    Louisiana
    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    Southwest Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line 
extending east from the Texas border along Louisiana Highway 12 to 
Ragley, east along U.S. Highway 190 to Interstate Highway 49 near 
Opelousas, south along I-49 to U.S. 167 near Lafayette, south along 
U.S. 167 to Louisiana 82 at Abbeville, south and west along Louisiana 
82 to the Intercoastal Waterway at Forked Island, westerly along the 
Intercoastal Waterway to the Calcasieu Ship Channel, south along the 
west side of the Calcasieu Ship Channel to Louisiana 82 at Cameron, 
westerly along Louisiana 82 to the Texas border. All open waters of 
Lake Arthur and the Mermentau River from the Louisiana 14 bridge 
southward are closed.
    Michigan
    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    South Zone
    Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU): Those portions of 
Tuscola and Huron Counties bounded on the south by Michigan Highway 138 
and Bay City Road, on the east by Colwood and Bayport Roads, on the 
north by Kilmanagh Road and a line extending directly west off the end 
of Kilmanagh Road into Saginaw Bay to the west boundary, and on the 
west by the Tuscola-Bay County line and a line extending directly north 
off the end of the Tuscola-Bay County line into Saginaw Bay to the 
north boundary.
    Allegan County GMU: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate Highway 196 in Lake Town 
Township and extending easterly along 136th Avenue to Michigan Highway 
40, southerly along Michigan 40 through the city of Allegan to 108th 
Avenue in Trowbridge Township, westerly along 108th Avenue to 46th 
Street, northerly 1/2 mile along 46th Street to 109th Avenue, westerly 
along 109th Avenue to I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly along I-
196 to the point of beginning.
    Saginaw County GMU: That portion of Saginaw County bounded by 
Michigan Highway 46 on the north; Michigan 52 on the west; Michigan 57 
on the south; and Michigan 13 on the east.
    Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That portion of Muskegon County within the 
boundaries of the Muskegon County wastewater system, east of the 
Muskegon State Game Area, in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 
30, and 32, T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, and 
25, T10N R15W, as posted.
    Special Canada Goose Seasons:
    Michigan
    Upper Peninsula Zone--That portion of the Upper Peninsula outside 
the AuTrain Basin Waterfowl Project in Alger County (described below) 
and east of a line described as follows: Beginning at the point where 
the meridian line 87'30' intersects the United States-Canada border, 
then south along the 87'30' meridian line to the 47'00' parallel, west 
along the 47'00' parallel to a point directly north of County Road 550 
in the village of Big Bay in Marquette County, southerly along this 
line and County 550 through Big Bay to County 510, southerly along 
County 510 to Michigan Highway 28/U.S. Highway 41, westerly along M-28/
U.S. 41 to M-35, southerly along M-35 to the Delta County line, 
westerly and southerly along the Delta County line to the Lake Michigan 
shoreline, then southeasterly along the Central-Eastern time zone 
boundary to the Wisconsin border in Green Bay. The AuTrain Basin 
Waterfowl Project is bounded on the north by M-94, on the south by 
Trout Lake Road, on the east by County 509 (Rapid River Truck Trail), 
and on the west by M-67.
    Northern Lower Peninsula Zone--Bay, Isabella, Mecosta, Midland, 
Newaygo, and Oceana Counties and all counties north thereof.
    Southern Lower Peninsula Zone--The remainder of the Lower 
Peninsula, excluding Huron, Saginaw, and Tuscola Counties.
    Southern Michigan GMU: That portion of the State, including the 
Great Lakes and interconnecting waterways and excluding the Allegan 
County GMU, south of a line beginning at the Ontario border at the 
Bluewater Bridge in the city of Port Huron and extending westerly and 
southerly along Interstate Highway 94 to I-69, westerly along I-69 to 
Michigan Highway 21, westerly along Michigan 21 to I-96, northerly 
along I-96 to I-196, westerly along I-196 to Lake Michigan Drive (M-45) 
in Grand Rapids, westerly along Lake Michigan Drive to the Lake 
Michigan shore, then directly west from the end of Lake Michigan Drive 
to the Wisconsin border.
    Minnesota
    West Zone: That portion of the state encompassed by a line 
beginning at the junction of U.S. Highway 71 and the Iowa border, then 
north along U.S. 71 to Interstate Highway 94, then north and west along 
I-94 to the North Dakota border.
    West Central Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the 
intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 29 and U.S. Highway 212 and 
extending west along U.S. 212 to U.S. 59, south along U.S. 59 to STH 
67, west along STH 67 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to County State 
Aid Highway (CSAH) 30 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 30 to 
County Road 70 in Lac qui Parle County, west along County 70 to the 
western boundary of the State, north along the western boundary of the 
State to a point due south of the intersection of STH 7 and CSAH 7 in 
Big Stone County, and continuing due north to said intersection, then 
north along CSAH 7 to CSAH 6 in Big Stone County, east along CSAH 6 to 
CSAH 21 in Big Stone County, south along CSAH 21 to CSAH 10 in Big 
Stone County, east along CSAH 10 to CSAH 22 in Swift County, east along 
CSAH 22 to CSAH 5 in Swift County, south along CSAH 5 to U.S. 12, east 
along U.S. 12 to CSAH 17 in Swift County, south along CSAH 17 to CSAH 9 
in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to STH 40, east along STH 40 to 
STH 29, then south along STH 29 to the point of beginning.
    Lac qui Parle Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the intersection of U.S. Highway 212 and County State Aid Highway 
(CSAH) 27 in Lac qui Parle County and extending north along CSAH 27 to 
CSAH 20 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 20 to State Trunk 
Highway (STH) 40, north along STH 40 to STH 119, north along STH 119 to 
CSAH 34 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 34 to CSAH 19 in Lac 
qui Parle County, north and west along CSAH 19 to CSAH 38 in Lac qui 
Parle County, west along CSAH 38 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to STH 
7, east along STH 7 to CSAH 6 in Swift County, east along CSAH 6 to 
County Road 65 in Swift County, south along County 65 to County 34 in 
Chippewa County, south along County 34 to CSAH 12 in Chippewa County, 
east along CSAH 12 to CSAH 9 in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to 
STH 7, southeast along STH 7 to Montevideo and along the municipal 
boundary of Montevideo to U.S. 212; then west along U.S. 212 to the 
point of beginning.
    Northwest Zone: That portion of the state encompassed by a line 
extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 to 
State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east along 
STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north along 
CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to STH 1, 
east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 28 
to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in Roseau 
County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 310, and 
north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
    Southeast Zone: The Counties of Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, 
Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Mower, 
Olmsted, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Steele, Wabasha, Washington, and Winona.

Special Canada Goose Seasons

    Fergus Falls/Alexandria Zone: That area encompassed by a line 
beginning at the intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 55 and STH 
28 and extending east along STH 28 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 
33 in Pope County, north along CSAH 33 to CSAH 3 in Douglas County, 
north along CSAH 3 to CSAH 69 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 69 
to CSAH 46 in Otter Tail County, east along CSAH 46 to the eastern 
boundary of Otter Tail County, north along the east boundary of Otter 
Tail County to CSAH 40 in Otter Tail County, west along CSAH 40 to CSAH 
75 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 75 to STH 210, west along STH 
210 to STH 108, north along STH 108 to CSAH 1 in Otter Tail County, 
west along CSAH 1 to CSAH 14 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 14 
to CSAH 44 in Otter Tail County, west along CSAH 44 to CSAH 35 in Otter 
Tail County, north along CSAH 35 to STH 108, west along STH 108 to CSAH 
19 in Wilkin County, south along CSAH 19 to STH 55, then southeast 
along STH 55 to the point of beginning.
    Fergus Falls/Benson Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning 
on State Trunk Highway (STH) 55 at the Minnesota border, then south 
along the Minnesota border to a point due south of the intersection of 
STH 7 and County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 7 in Big Stone County, north 
to the STH 7/CSAH 7 intersection and continuing north along CSAH 7 to 
CSAH 6 in Big Stone County, east along CSAH 6 to CSAH 21 in Big Stone 
County, south along CSAH 21 to CSAH 10 in Big Stone County, east along 
CSAH 10 to CSAH 22 in Swift County, east along CSAH 22 to CSAH 5 in 
Swift County, south along CSAH 5 to U.S. Highway 12, east along U.S. 12 
to CSAH 17 in Swift County, south along CSAH 17 to the Swift County 
border, east along the south border of Swift County and north along the 
east border of Swift County to the south border of Pope County, east 
along the south border of Pope County and north along the east border 
of Pope County to STH 28, west along STH 28 to CSAH 33 in Pope County, 
north along CSAH 33 to CSAH 3 in Douglas County, north along CSAH 3 to 
CSAH 69 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 69 to CSAH 46 in Otter 
Tail County, east along CSAH 46 to the east border of Otter Tail 
County, north along the east border of Otter Tail County to CSAH 40 in 
Otter Tail County, west along CSAH 40 to CSAH 75 in Otter Tail County, 
north along CSAH 75 to STH 210, west along STH 210 to STH 108, north 
along STH 108 to CSAH 1 in Otter Tail County, west along CSAH 1 to CSAH 
14 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 14 to CSAH 44 in Otter Tail 
County, west along CSAH 44 to CSAH 35 in Otter Tail County, north along 
CSAH 35 to STH 108, west along STH 108 to CSAH 19 in Wilkin County, 
south along CSAH 19 to STH 55, then west along STH 55 to the point of 
beginning.
    Southwest Canada Goose Zone - All of Blue Earth, Cottonwood, 
Faribault, Jackson, LeSueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Murray, 
Nicollet, Nobles, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan Counties; that portion 
of Brown County lying south and west of the following described line: 
beginning at the junction of U.S. Highway 14, and the east of Brown 
County line; thence west on U.S. Highway 14 to Cobden; thence due west 
one mile on U.S. Highway 14 and the township road to the Brown County 
line; thence due west 12 miles along the county line to the west Brown 
County line; that portion of Renville County east of State Trunk 
Highway 4 (STH); that portion of Meeker County south of U.S. Highway 
12; in Scott County, the Townships of Belle Plaine, Blakeley, and 
Helena, including the municipalities located therein; and that portion 
of Carver County lying west, of the following described line: beginning 
at the northeast corner of San Francisco Township, thence west along 
the San Francisco Township line to the east boundary of Dahlgren 
Township, thence north on the Dahlgren Township line to U.S. Highway 
212, thence west on U.S. Highway 212 to STH 284, thence north on STH 
284 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10, thence north and west on 
CSAH 10 to CSAH 30, thence north and west on CSAH 30 the STH 25, thence 
east and north on STH 25 to CSAH 10, thence north on CSAH 10 to the 
Carver County line.
    Twin Cities Metro Zone: All of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.
    In Anoka County; the municipalities of Andover, Anoka, Blaine, 
Centerville, Circle Pines, Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, Fridley, 
Hilltop, Lexington, Lino Lakes, Ramsey, and Spring Lake Park; that 
portion of Columbus Township lying south of County State Aid Highway 
(CSAH) 18; and all of the municipality of Ham Lake except that portion 
described as follows:
    Beginning at the intersection of CSAH 18 and U.S. Highway 65, then 
east along CSAH 18 to the eastern boundary of Ham Lake, north along the 
eastern boundary of Ham Lake to the north boundary of Ham Lake, west 
along the north boundary of Ham Lake to U.S. 65, and south along U.S. 
65 to the point of beginning.
    In Carver County; the municipalities of Carver, Chanhassen, Chaska, 
and Victoria; the Townships of Chaska and Laketown; and those portions 
of the municipalities of Cologne, Mayer, Waconia, and Watertown and the 
Townships of Benton, Dahlgren, Waconia, and Watertown lying north and 
east of the following described line:
    Beginning on U.S. 212 at the southwest corner of the municipality 
of Chaska, then west along U.S. 212 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 284, 
north along STH 284 to CSAH 10, north and west along CSAH 10 to CSAH 
30, north and west along CSAH 30 to STH 25, west and north along STH 25 
to CSAH 10, north along CSAH 10 to the Carver County Line, and east 
along the Carver County Line to the Hennepin County Line.
    In Dakota County; the municipalities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, 
Eagan, Farmington, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Lilydale, 
Mendota, Mendota Heights, Rosemont, South St. Paul, Sunfish Lake, and 
West St. Paul; and the Township of Nininger.
    In Scott County; the municipalities of Jordan, Prior Lake, Savage 
and Shakopee; and the Townships of Credit River, Jackson, Louisville, 
St. Lawrence, Sand Creek, and Spring Lake.
    In Washington County; the municipalities of Afton, Bayport, 
Birchwood, Cottage Grove, Dellwood, Forest Lake, Hastings, Hugo, Lake 
Elmo, Lakeland, Lakeland Shores, Landfall, Mahtomedi, Marine, Newport, 
Oakdale, Oak Park Heights, Pine Springs, St. Croix Beach, St. Mary's 
Point, St. Paul Park, Stillwater, White Bear Lake, Willernie, and 
Woodbury; the Townships of Baytown, Denmark, Grant, Gray Cloud Island, 
May, Stillwater, and West Lakeland; that portion of Forest Lake 
Township lying south of STH 97 and CSAH 2; and those portions of New 
Scandia Township lying south of STH 97 and a line due east from the 
intersection of STH 97 and STH 95 to the eastern border of the State.
    Missouri
    Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
    North Zone
    Swan Lake Zone: That area bounded by U.S. Highway 36 on the north, 
Missouri Highway 5 on the east, Missouri 240 and U.S. 65 on the south, 
and U.S. 65 on the west.
    Central Zone: Boone County and that portion of Callaway County west 
of U.S. Highway 54.
    Middle Zone
    Schell-Osage Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line 
extending east from the Kansas border along U.S. Highway 54 to Missouri 
Highway 13, north along Missouri 13 to Missouri 7, west along Missouri 
7 to U.S. 71, north along U.S. 71 to Missouri 2, then west along 
Missouri 2 to the Kansas border.
    Ohio
    Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
    North Zone
    Pymatuning Area: Pymatuning Reservoir and that part of Ohio bounded 
on the north by County Road 306 (known as Woodward Road), on the west 
by Pymatuning Lake Road, and on the south by U.S. Highway 322.
    Lake Erie SJBP Zone: That portion of the state encompassed by a 
line extending south from the Michigan border along Interstate Highway 
75 to I-280, south along I-280 to I-80, and east along I-80 to the 
Pennsylvania border.
    Tennessee
    Southwest Zone: That portion of the State south of State Highways 
20 and 104, and west of U.S. Highways 45 and 45W.
    Northwest Zone: Lake, Obion and Weakley Counties and those portions 
of Gibson and Dyer Counties not included in the Southwest Tennessee 
Zone.
    Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone: That portion of the State bounded on 
the west by the eastern boundaries of the Northwest and Southwest Zones 
and on the east by State Highway 13 from the Alabama border to 
Clarksville and U.S. Highway 79 from Clarksville to the Kentucky 
border.
    East Tennessee Zone--Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Knox, 
Loudon, Monroe, Roane, and Union Counties and those portions of Meigs 
and Rhea Counties north of Highway 68.
    Wisconsin
    Horicon Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the 
intersection of State Highway 21 and the Fox River in Winnebago County 
and extending westerly along State 21 to the west boundary of Winnebago 
County, southerly along the west boundary of Winnebago County to the 
north boundary of Green Lake County, westerly along the north 
boundaries of Green Lake and Marquette Counties to State 22, southerly 
along State 22 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 16, 
westerly along U.S. 16 to Weyh Road, southerly along Weyh Road to 
County Highway O, southerly along County O to the west boundary of 
Section 31, southerly along the west boundary of Section 31 to the 
Sauk/Columbia County boundary, southerly along the Sauk/Columbia County 
boundary to State 33, easterly along State 33 to Interstate Highway 90/
94, southerly along I-90/94 to State 60, easterly along State 60 to 
State 83, northerly along State 83 to State 175, northerly along State 
175 to State 33, easterly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 45, northerly 
along U.S. 45 to the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River, northerly 
along the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River to Lake Winnebago, 
northerly along the western shoreline of Lake Winnebago to the Fox 
River, then westerly along the Fox River to State 21.
    Collins Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the 
intersection of Hilltop Road and Collins Marsh Road in Manitowoc County 
and extending westerly along Hilltop Road to Humpty Dumpty Road, 
southerly along Humpty Dumpty Road to Poplar Grove Road, easterly and 
southerly along Poplar Grove Road to County Highway JJ, southeasterly 
along County JJ to Collins Road, southerly along Collins Road to the 
Manitowoc River, southeasterly along the Manitowoc River to Quarry 
Road, northerly along Quarry Road to Einberger Road, northerly along 
Einberger Road to Moschel Road, westerly along Moschel Road to Collins 
Marsh Road, northerly along Collins Marsh Road to Hilltop Road.
    Exterior Zone: That portion of the State not included in the 
Horicon or Collins Zones.
    Mississippi River Subzone: That area encompassed by a line 
beginning at the intersection of the Burlington Northern Railway and 
the Illinois border in Grant County and extending northerly along the 
Burlington Northern Railway to the city limit of Prescott in Pierce 
County, then west along the Prescott city limit to the Minnesota 
border.
    Rock Prairie Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the intersection of the Illinois border and Interstate Highway 90 and 
extending north along I-90 to County Highway A, east along County A to 
U.S. Highway 12, southeast along U.S. 12 to State Highway 50, west 
along State 50 to State 120, then south along 120 to the Illinois 
border.
    Early-Season Goose Subzone: That area encompassed by a line 
beginning at Lake Michigan in Port Washington and extending west along 
State Highway 33 to State 175, south along State 175 to State 83, south 
along State 83 to State 36, southwest along State 36 to State 120, 
south along State 120 to U.S. Highway 12, then southeast along U.S. 12 
to the Illinois border.
Central Flyway
    Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)
    Northern Front Range Area: All lands in Adams, Boulder, Clear 
Creek, Denver, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties west of I-
25 from the Wyoming border south to I-70; west on I-70 to the 
Continental Divide; north along the Continental Divide to the Jackson-
Larimer County Line to the Wyoming border.
    South Park Area: Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, and Teller 
Counties.
    San Luis Valley Area: Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, and Rio Grande 
Counties and the portion of Saguache County east of the Continental 
Divide.
    North Park Area: Jackson County.
    Arkansas Valley Area: Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and 
Prowers Counties.
    Remainder: Remainder of the Central-Flyway portion of Colorado.
    Kansas
    Light Geese
    Unit 1: That portion of Kansas east of KS 99.
    Unit 2: The remainder of Kansas.
    Dark Geese 
    Marais des Cygne Valley Unit: The area is bounded by the Missouri 
border to KS 68, KS 68 to U.S-169, U.S. 169 to KS 7, KS 7 to KS 31, KS 
31 to U.S. 69, U.S. 69 to KS 239, KS 239 to the Missouri border.
    South Flint Hills Unit: The area is bounded by Highways U.S. 50 to 
KS 57, KS 57 to U.S. 75, U.S. 75 to KS 39, KS 39 to KS 96, KS 96 to 
U.S. 77, U.S. 77 to U.S. 50.
    Central Flint Hills Unit: That area southwest of Topeka bounded by 
Highways U.S. 75 to I-35, I-35 to U.S. 50, U.S. 50 to U.S. 77, U.S. 77 
to I-70, I-70 to U.S. 75.
    Southeast Unit: That area of southeast Kansas bounded by the 
Missouri border to U.S. 160, U.S. 160 to U.S. 69, U.S. 69 to KS 39, KS 
39 to U.S. 169, U.S. 169 to the Oklahoma border, and the Oklahoma 
border to the Missouri border.
    Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
    Sheridan County: Includes all of Sheridan County.
    Remainder: Includes the remainder of the Central-Flyway portion of 
Montana.
    Nebraska
    North Unit: Keya Paha County east of U.S. 183 and all of Boyd 
County, including the boundary waters of the Niobrara River, all of 
Knox County and that portion of Cedar County west of U.S. 81.
    East Unit: The area east of a line beginning at U.S. 183 at the 
northern State line; south to NE 2; east to U.S. 281; south to the 
southern State line, excluding the North Unit.
    West Unit: All of Nebraska west of the East Unit.
    New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
    Light Geese
    Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit: The Central-Flyway portions of 
Socorro and Valencia Counties.
    Remainder: The remainder of the Central-Flyway portion of New 
Mexico.
    North Dakota
    Dark Geese
    Missouri River Zone: That area encompassed by a line extending from 
the South Dakota border north on U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41, north to ND 
53, west to U.S. 83, north to ND 23, west to ND 37, south to ND 1804, 
south approximately 9 miles to Elbowoods Bay on Lake Sakakawea, south 
and west across the lake to ND 8, south to ND 200, east to ND 31, south 
to ND 25, south to I-94, east to ND 6, south to the South Dakota 
border, and east to the point of origin.
    Statewide: All of North Dakota.
    South Dakota
    Dark Geese
    Missouri River Unit: The Counties of Bon Homme, Brule, Buffalo, 
Campbell, Charles Mix, Corson (east of SD 65), Dewey, Gregory, Haakon 
(north of Kirley Road and east of Plum Creek), Hughes, Hyde, Lyman 
(north and east of I-90 and U.S. 183), Potter, Stanley, Sully, Tripp 
(east of U.S. 183), Walworth, and Yankton (west of U.S. 81).
    Remainder: The remainder of South Dakota.
    Dark Geese
    Texas
    West Unit: That portion of the State lying west of a line from the 
international toll bridge at Laredo; north along I-35 and I-35W to Fort 
Worth; northwest along US 81 and US 287 to Bowie; and north along US 81 
to the Oklahoma border.
    East Unit: Remainder of State.
    Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)
    Area 1: Albany, Campbell, Carbon, Crook, Johnson, Laramie, 
Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston Counties east of the Continental Divide.
    Area 2: The Counties of Converse and Natrona.
    Area 3: The Counties of Bighorn, Fremont, Hot Springs, Park, and 
Washakie.
    Area 4: Goshen County.
    Area 5: Platte County.
Pacific Flyway
    Arizona
    GMU 22 and 23: Game Management Units 22 and 23.
    Remainder of State: The remainder of Arizona.
    California
    Northeastern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of a 
line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath 
River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest 
Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and 
south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west 
along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89; 
east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north 
on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S. 
395 to the Nevada border.
    Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, 
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border 
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as 
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to 
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in 
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of 
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on 
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the 
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley 
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to 
U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; 
south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
    Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding 
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the 
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City 
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of 
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest 
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to 
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on 
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada 
border.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included 
in the Northeastern, Southern, and the Colorado River Zones.
    Del Norte and Humboldt Area: The Counties of Del Norte and 
Humboldt.
    Sacramento Valley Area: That area bounded by a line beginning at 
Willows in Glenn County proceeding south on I-5 to Hahn Road north of 
Arbuckle in Colusa County; easterly on Hahn Road and the Grimes 
Arbuckle Road to Grimes on the Sacramento River; southerly on the 
Sacramento River to the Tisdale Bypass to O'Banion Road; easterly on 
O'Banion Road to CA 99; northerly on CA 99 to the Gridley-Colusa 
Highway in Gridley in Butte County; westerly on the Gridley-Colusa 
Highway to the River Road; northerly on the River Road to the Princeton 
Ferry; westerly across the Sacramento River to CA 45; northerly on CA 
45 to CA 162; northerly on CA 45-162 to Glenn; westerly on CA 162 to 
the point of beginning in Willows.
    Western Canada Goose Hunt Area: That portion of the above described 
Sacramento Valley Area lying east of a line formed by Butte Creek from 
the Gridley-Colusa Highway south to the Cherokee Canal; easterly along 
the Cherokee Canal and North Butte Road to West Butte Road; southerly 
on West Butte Road to Pass Road; easterly on Pass Road to West Butte 
Road; southerly on West Butte Road to CA 20; and westerly along CA 20 
to the Sacramento River.
    San Joaquin Valley Area: That area bounded by a line beginning at 
Modesto in Stanislaus County proceeding west on CA 132 to I-5; 
southerly on I-5 to CA 152 in Merced County; easterly on CA 152 to CA 
165; northerly on CA 165 to CA 99 at Merced; northerly and westerly on 
CA 99 to the point of beginning.
    Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)
    Browns Park Area: The Browns Park portion of Moffatt County.
    Delta/Montrose Area: All of Delta and Montrose Counties.
    Gunnison/Saguache Area: Gunnison County and that portion of 
Saguache County west of the Continental Divide.
    Dolores/Montezuma Area: All of Dolores and Montezuma Counties.
    State Area: The remainder of the Pacific-Flyway Portion of 
Colorado.
    Idaho
    Zone 1: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, 
Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties.
    Zone 2: The Counties of Ada; Adams; Boise; Canyon; those portions 
of Elmore north and east of I-84, and south and west of I-84, west of 
ID 51, except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; Owyhee west of ID 51; 
Payette; Valley; and Washington.
    Zone 3: The Counties of Blaine; Camas; Cassia; those portions of 
Elmore south of I-84 east of ID 51, and within the Camas Creek 
drainage; Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee east of ID 51; 
Power within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; and Twin Falls.
    Zone 4: The Counties of Bear Lake; Bingham within the Blackfoot 
Reservoir drainage; Bonneville, Butte; Caribou except the Fort Hall 
Indian Reservation; Clark; Custer; Franklin; Fremont; Jefferson; Lemhi; 
Madison; Oneida; Power west of ID 37 and ID 39 except the Minidoka 
National Wildlife Refuge; and Teton.
    Zone 5: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian 
Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham 
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; 
and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.
    In addition, goose frameworks are set by the following geographical 
areas:
    Northern Unit: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, 
Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties.
    Southwestern Unit: That area west of the line formed by U.S. 93 
north from the Nevada border to Shoshone, northerly on ID 75 (formerly 
U.S. 93) to Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Montana border (except 
the Northern Unit and except Custer and Lemhi Counties).
    Southeastern Unit: That area east of the line formed by U.S. 93 
north from the Nevada border to Shoshone, northerly on ID 75 (formerly 
U.S. 93) to Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Montana border, 
including all of Custer and Lemhi Counties.
    Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
    East of the Divide Zone: The Pacific-Flyway portion of the State 
located east of the Continental Divide.
    West of the Divide Zone: The remainder of the Pacific-Flyway 
portion of Montana.
    Nevada
    Clark County Zone: Clark County.
    Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.
    New Mexico (Pacific Flyway Portion)
    North Zone: The Pacific-Flyway portion of New Mexico located north 
of I-40.
    South Zone: The Pacific-Flyway portion of New Mexico located south 
of I-40.
    Oregon
    Western Zone: All counties west of the summit of the Cascades, 
excluding Klamath and Hood River Counties.
    Special Canada Goose Management Area: Those portions of Coos, 
Curry, Douglas, and Lane Counties west of U.S. 101; and that portion of 
western Oregon west and north of a line starting at the Columbia River 
at Portland, south on I-5 to OR 22 at Salem, east on OR 22 to the 
Stayton Cutoff, south on the Stayton Cutoff to Stayton and straight 
south to the Santiam River, west (downstream) along the north shore of 
the Santiam River to I-5, south on I-5 to OR 126 at Eugene, west on OR 
126 to OR 36, north on OR 36 to Forest Road 5070 at Brickerville, west 
and south on Forest Road 5070 to OR 126, west on OR 126 to the Pacific 
Coast.
    Northwest Oregon Special Permit Goose Area: Includes Sauvie Island 
Wildlife Area, only in designated areas but excluding North Unit and 
Columbia River Beaches, private lands of Sauvie Island, and including 
Scappoose Flat and Deer Island, lower Columbia River Area, Ankeny 
National Wildlife Refuge, private lands adjacent to William L. Finley 
National Wildlife Refuge, and private lands adjacent to Baskett Slough 
National Wildlife Refuge.
    Lower Columbia River Early-Season Canada Goose Zone: Those portions 
of Clatsop, Columbia, and Multnomah Counties within the following 
boundary: beginning at Portland, Oregon, at the south end of the 
Interstate 5 Bridge; south on I-5 to Highway 30; west on Highway 30 to 
the town of Svensen; south from Svensen to Youngs River Falls; due west 
from Youngs River Falls to the Pacific Ocean coastline; north along the 
coastline to a point where Clatsop Spit and the South Jetty meet; due 
north to the Oregon-Washington border; east and south along the Oregon-
Washington border to the I-5 Bridge; south on the I-5 Bridge to the 
point of beginning.
    Northwest Oregon Early-Season Canada Goose Zone: All of Benton, 
Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, 
Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill Counties; except for the 
Lower Columbia River Zone.
    Eastern Zone: All counties east of the summit of the Cascades, 
including all of Klamath and Hood River Counties.
    Columbia Basin Goose Area: Gilliam, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, 
Union, Wallowa, and Wasco Counties.
    Harney, Klamath, Lake and Malheur Counties Zone: All of Harney, 
Klamath, Lake, and Malheur Counties.
    Utah
    Washington County Zone: All of Washington County.
    Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Utah.
    Early-Season Canada Goose Area: Cache County.
    Washington
    East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of 
the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
    Columbia Basin Goose Area: Adams, Benton, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, 
Kittitas, Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Counties and east of 
Satus Pass (U.S. 97) in Klickitat County.
    West Zone: All areas west of the East Zone.
    Lower Columbia River Area: Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific and Wahkiakum 
Counties.
    Skagit Area: Island, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom Counties.
    Lower Columbia River Early-Season Canada Goose Zone: Beginning at 
the Washington-Oregon border on the I-5 Bridge near Vancouver, 
Washington; north on I-5 to Kelso; west on Highway 4 from Kelso to 
Highway 401; south and west on Highway 401 to Highway 101 at the 
Astoria-Megler Bridge; west on Highway 101 to Gray Drive in the City of 
Ilwaco; west on Gray Drive to Canby Road; southwest on Canby Road to 
the North Jetty; southwest on the North Jetty to its end; southeast to 
the Washington-Oregon border; upstream along the Washington-Oregon 
border to the point of origin.
    Wyoming (Pacific Flyway Portion): See State Regulations.
    Bear River Area: That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Salt River Area: That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Eden-Farson Area: Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette 
Counties described in State regulations.

Swans

Central Flyway
    South Dakota: Brown, Campbell, Clark, Codington, Deuel, Day, 
Edmunds, Faulk, Grant, Hamlin, Marshall, McPherson, Potter, Roberts, 
Spink, and Walworth.
Pacific Flyway
    Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
    Open Area: Cascade, Hill, Liberty, Pondera, Teton, and Toole 
Counties.
    Nevada
    Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and Pershing Counties.
    Utah:
    Open Area: Statewide, except Cache, Daggett, Rich and Uintah 
Counties.
[FR Doc. 94-23945 Filed 9-26-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-F