[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 166 (Monday, August 28, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44463-44476]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-21316]



DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN 1018-AC79


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

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter the Service) is 
proposing to establish the 1995-96 late-season hunting regulations for 
certain migratory game birds. The Service annually prescribes 
frameworks, or outer limits, for dates and times when hunting may occur 
and the number of birds that may be taken and possessed in late 
seasons. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of 
seasons and limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels 
compatible with population and habitat conditions.

DATES: The comment period for proposed late-season frameworks will end 
on September 7, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments should 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 will be 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, (703) 358-
1714.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Regulations Schedule for 1995

    On March 24, 1995, the Service published for public comment in the 
Federal Register (60 FR 15642) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20, with 
comment periods ending July 21 for early-season proposals and September 
4 for late-season proposals. Due to some unforeseen and uncontrollable 
publishing delays in the proposed late-season regulations frameworks, 
the Service has extended the public comment period to September 7, 
1995. On June 16, 1995, the Service published for public comment a 
second document (60 FR 31890) which provided supplemental proposals for 
early- and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations frameworks.
    On June 22, 1995, a public hearing was held in Washington, DC, as 
announced in the March 24 and June 16 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 21, 1995, the Service published in the Federal Register (60 
FR 37754) a third document which dealt specifically with proposed 
early-season frameworks for the 1995-96 season.
    On August 3, 1995, a public hearing was held in Washington, DC, as 
announced in the March 24, June 16, and July 21 Federal Registers, to 
review the status of waterfowl. Proposed hunting regulations were 
discussed for these late seasons. The Service later published a fourth 
document containing final frameworks for early seasons from which 
wildlife conservation agency officials from the States and Territories 
selected early-season hunting dates, hours, areas, and limits.
    This document is the fifth in the series of proposed, supplemental, 
and final rulemaking documents for migratory bird hunting regulations 
and deals specifically with proposed frameworks for the late-season 
migratory bird hunting regulations. It will lead to final frameworks 
from which States may select season dates, hours, areas, and limits. 
All pertinent comments on the proposals received through August 3, 
1995, have been considered in developing this document. In addition, 
new proposals for certain late-season regulations are provided for 
public comment. The comment period is specified above under Dates. 
Final regulatory frameworks for late-season migratory game bird hunting 
are scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on or about 
September 25, 1995.

Presentations at Public Hearing

    A report on the status of waterfowl was presented. This report is 
briefly reviewed below as a matter of public information, and is a 
summary of information contained in the ``Status of Waterfowl and Fall 
Flight Forecast'' report.
    Most goose and swan populations in North America remain numerically 
sound and the size of most fall flights will be similar to those of 
last year. Production of young in 1995 is expected to be above average 
for most populations. Generally, spring phenology was earlier than 
normal in the western Arctic and Ungave Peninsula, later than normal in 
the prairie pothole region, and near normal in other important nesting 
areas. Habitat 

[[Page 44464]]
conditions for nesting geese were variable in southern Canada and the 
northern U.S. Flooding in the western U.S. likely reduced the 
productivity of several Canada goose populations. Recent declines in 
sizes of the Atlantic, Southern James Bay, and dusky Canada goose 
populations are of continuing concern.
    The 1995 estimate of total ducks in the traditional survey area was 
35.9 million, an increase of 10 percent from that in 1994 and 11 
percent higher than the long-term average. Mallards increased 18 
percent to 8.3 million, the highest estimate since 1972. Gadwalls, 
redheads, and canvasbacks also increased over 1994 estimates to record-
high levels. The number of ponds in May was similar to that of last 
year, but was 38 percent above the long-term average. In eastern areas 
of Canada and the U.S., surveys of strata 51-56 were conducted for the 
sixth consecutive year. In this area, the number of total ducks was 
similar to that of last year, but was 22 percent below the 1990-94 
average. Habitats in many eastern areas were drier than average. The 
preliminary fall-flight index for all ducks is about 80 million birds, 
compared to 71 million last year. The fall flight will include 
approximately 11.1 million mallards, an increase of 15 percent over 
that of 1994.
    During the 1994-95 hunting season, there were increases in the 
number of hunters, their days afield, and in both duck and goose 
harvests compared to the previous year. However, the number of 
waterfowl hunters continues to remain below levels observed in the 
1970's. The sport harvest of ducks continues to increase from the 
record low in 1988, but remains well below the historic average. Goose 
harvest has increased three-fold during 1961-94. The rate at which 
ducks are harvested did not appear to increase during the 1994-95 
season, in spite of liberalizations in hunting regulations. Harvest-
survey data suggest that the reproductive success of ducks in the 
midcontinent region increased last year, but recruitment may have been 
poorer in other areas. Most goose species experienced declines in 
recruitment in 1994 compared to the exceptionally good year of 1993.

Review of Comments Received at Public Hearing

    Seven individuals presented statements at the August 3, 1995, 
public hearing. These comments are summarized below.
    Mr. Lloyd Alexander, representing the Delaware Division of Fish and 
Wildlife, supported the proposal to close the Canada goose season 
throughout the Atlantic Flyway. He stated that existing data do not 
support a limited 30-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit in the 
New England States. He suggests that survival rates on birds migrating 
through the Maritime Provinces of Canada are actually lower than those 
breeding in northern Quebec and that better data are needed to 
delineate this population. He encouraged the Service to contact the 
Canadian Wildlife Service and request that the sport harvest on the 
Atlantic Population Canada Geese be suspended in Quebec and Ontario by 
emergency closure this year. Further, he asked the Service to work with 
representatives of the native communities to reduce subsistence taking 
in northern Quebec and ask the Canadian Wildlife Service to review the 
harvest and consider restrictions on Canada geese in the Maritime 
Provinces.
    He commended the Service for extending the framework closing date 
on greater snow geese to March 10th, but asked the Service to consider 
the option of allowing states to split their seasons into 3 segments. 
He believed that the requested option is needed to allow more 
flexibility in helping farmers deal with crop depredation problems.
    Mr. Bruce Barbour, representing the National Audubon Society, 
indicated that both the Eastern and Western Populations of tundra swans 
are stable and of no management concern. The National Audubon Society 
supports efforts to restore trumpeter swans throughout their former 
range, and believes that issues related to the incidental take of 
trumpeter swans during tundra swan seasons have been adequately 
addressed in this year's proposal. He reminded the Service of the 
concern for the Atlantic and Southern James Bay Populations of Canada 
geese and the dusky subspecies, and recommended that further 
restrictions should be sought for their recovery. Mr. Barbour then 
indicated concern for the extremely high populations of Mid-Continent 
Snow Geese that have resulted in severe damage to Arctic nesting areas. 
He reviewed this year's breeding duck population status and supported 
the Adaptive Harvest Management process used in selecting this year's 
liberal package and specified species restrictions. He indicated that 
increased hunting opportunity will occur on all species under the 
liberal option, and efforts should be initiated to cooperatively 
develop harvest approaches for these species. Finally, many programs 
are responsible for the recovery of the continent's duck resources; 
however, many of these programs are under attack through budget-
balancing and any reductions could jeopardize future status and the 
increases in hunting opportunity.
    Mr. Richard Elden, representing the Michigan Department of Natural 
Resources, commended the Service for its efforts to improve the 
regulations-setting process. He stated that the process has markedly 
improved and he is optimistic about adaptive harvest management. He 
summarized the development of Canada goose management plans in the 
Mississippi Flyway and their role in improving the cooperative 
management of the various populations. He stated that, based on the 
status of redheads this year, liberalization of the daily bag limit for 
this species is warranted and biologically supported, and requested 
that the Service reconsider its proposal and increase the number of 
redheads in the daily bag limit from 1 to 2 birds in the Mississippi 
Flyway.
    Mr. Mike Harris, representing the Maryland Guide Association 
commented that Canada geese have changed their movement patterns in 
recent years and no longer migrate north in the spring, as they once 
did. Rather, he believes they remain as resident birds and breed 
locally. He maintains that although these geese are in good numbers, 
early seasons on these birds should not be allowed, because it reduces 
the overall numbers of geese available during the regular season. He 
claims that it is difficult to stay in business and suggests that if 
the hunting season is closed on Canada geese, the guides and outfitters 
should receive some financial assistance from the Federal Government. 
He recommended that a 30-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit be 
offered until the changing patterns of resident geese could be 
reviewed.
    Rollin W. Sparrowe, representing the Wildlife Management Institute, 
supported overall the Service's regulatory proposals. He commended the 
Service and State cooperators for their commitment toward implementing 
the Adaptive Harvest Management approach to duck hunting and to 
distance the process from political influence. He supported partial 
adoption of the Adaptive Harvest Management approach this year which 
recognized goals established in the North American Waterfowl Management 
Plan. He was pleased that after years of concern about the status of 
ducks, more liberal seasons could be offered. He asked why the Service 
did not consider adding an additional redhead to the bag limit in the 
Mississippi and Central Flyways when populations seemed 

[[Page 44465]]
appropriate and urged the Service to reexamine this aspect before 
frameworks were finalized. He expressed continued concern about the 
status of pintails. He commended the Service and the Atlantic Flyway 
Council for proposing the closure on Canada goose hunting in the 
Atlantic Flyway, urged the Service to request the Canadian Wildlife 
Service to take similar action in Canada, and initiate research to 
understand the problem. He complimented the Service and Flyway Councils 
in the regulatory process and their systematic use of data in 
developing specific recommendations. All parties were urged to keep 
explaining to their constituencies the Adaptive Harvest Management 
process.
    Rollin W. Sparrowe, also representing The Trumpeter Swan Society, 
was supportive of the ongoing efforts to restore and redistribute the 
Rocky Mountain Population of trumpeter swans within the Tri-State Area. 
He spoke of the conflict between range expansion efforts and waterfowl 
hunting programs in the Pacific Flyway, including tundra swan seasons 
in Montana, Utah, and Nevada. However, The Trumpeter Swan Society was 
satisfied with the Service's proposal to allow significantly modified 
swan seasons in those three States, which should enhance the likelihood 
for successful range expansion by trumpeter swans. He thanked the 
Pacific Flyway Council, the States of Montana, Utah, Nevada, and 
Oregon, and the Service for successfully developing a compromise that 
meets everyone's needs. He said his organization was small, with 
limited resources, but wants to assist all parties in the responsible 
effort to manage swans.
    Scott Sutherland, representing Ducks Unlimited, expressed support 
for Adaptive Harvest Management and the regulatory matrix proposed by 
the Service this year which resulted in the liberal package 
recommendation. Under full implementation of AHM, however, Mr. 
Sutherland expressed a desire to modify the framework packages allowing 
a consideration of longer seasons with smaller daily bag limits. Mr. 
Sutherland also expressed his continued support for the Conservation 
Reserve Program and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.
    Mr. George Vandel, representing the Central Flyway Council, 
indicated that as Chairman of the Central Flyway Council, he was 
pleased with this year's process for establishing the proposed 
frameworks for late seasons. The Central Flyway supported the proposed 
use of flexible framework opening and closing dates for duck seasons in 
the Central Flyway, the liberal regulatory package, and the Adaptive 
Harvest Management process that was used in this interim year prior to 
its full implementation. He thanked the Service for the assistance with 
communication efforts on behalf of Adaptive Harvest Management, but 
pointed out that continuing efforts will be necessary for successful 
implementation in future years. He then strongly suggested that the 
Service work closely with the Flyway Councils in developing regulatory 
packages for next year. He believed that this cooperation will be 
especially crucial for further implementation by facilitating ownership 
and support for full implementation of Adaptive Harvest Management in 
1996. Mr. Vandel summarized the history of goose population status in 
the Central Flyway and noted the great success of cooperative 
management practices that has resulted in record high flyway harvest of 
geese in 1994. However, he pointed out that the high population levels 
of light geese were of great concern. He recommended that the Service 
work through an international effort to identify specific actions 
needed to reduce these high populations and prevent further 
deterioration of important nesting habitats. He pointed out the 
importance of maintaining strong migratory bird survey efforts, as 
these tools are vital to the development of our management approaches. 
Finally, he indicated that the recovery of duck populations was clear 
evidence that the Conservation Reserve Program and other habitat 
programs are working.

Flyway Council Recommendations and Written Comments

    The preliminary proposed rulemaking which appeared in the March 24 
Federal Register, opened the public-comment period for late-season 
migratory game bird hunting regulations. As of August 3, 1995, the 
Service had received 27 comments; 25 of these specifically addressed 
late-season issues. The Service also received recommendations from all 
four Flyway Councils. Late-season comments are summarized and discussed 
in the order used in the March 24 Federal Register. Only the numbered 
items pertaining to late seasons for which written comments were 
received are included.

General

    Written Comments: An individual from Wisconsin expressed support 
for the existing shooting hours of one-half hour before sunrise to 
sunset. He also opposed the requirement for steel shot and urged the 
development of non-toxic alternatives.

1. Ducks

    The categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest 
management are as follows: (A) General Harvest Strategy, (B) Framework 
Dates, (C) Season Length, (D) Closed Seasons, (E) Bag Limits, (F) Zones 
and Split Seasons, and (G) Special Seasons/Species Management. Only 
those categories containing substantial recommendations are included 
below.

A. General Harvest Strategy

    Written Comments: The Pennsylvania Game Commission expressed 
support for the proposed regulations strategies as an interim approach 
for 1995 only. They continue to be concerned, however, that the process 
relies on mid-continent mallards as a basis for regulatory changes in 
the Atlantic Flyway.
    Likewise, the Delaware Department of Fish and Wildlife generally 
endorsed the concept of regulatory packages but remained concerned that 
the process was linked to the mid-continent populations of mallards and 
prairie wetland conditions.
    The Illinois Department of Conservation also expressed support for 
the Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) process but were concerned that 
there had been insufficient time to properly educate the public about 
AHM. They also felt that the set of regulatory options offered may be 
too limited, particularly with regard to bag limits.
    The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks expressed 
support for AHM and the interim steps proposed for the 1995-95 hunting 
season. Additionally, they supported the idea of expanding the status 
of duck breeding populations and habitat used in AHM from mallards and 
prairie Canada ponds to include other duck species and ponds in the 
Dakotas and Montana.
    The California Waterfowl Association commended the Service for 
moving towards AHM. They did express concern, however, for the 
potential of a season closure in California, the AHM terminology 
regarding regulations packages, and the use of only mid-continent 
mallards and prairie habitat conditions in the AHM process.
    Individuals from Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee 
expressed support for the AHM process and the Service's proposed 
regulatory packages. However, one individual from Arkansas stated that 
future AHM criteria should be adjusted to be more conservative.

[[Page 44466]]


B. Framework Dates

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
framework dates of October 1 to January 20.
    The Upper-Region and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended framework dates of September 28 
and January 23.
    The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended framework dates 
of the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) to the Sunday nearest 
January 20 (January 21).
    Written Comments: The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and 
Parks opposed a fixed framework opening date.
    An individual from Mississippi expressed support for a January 31 
framework closing date.
    Service Response: Traditional framework opening and closing dates 
have been oriented to the period October 1 - January 20, either as 
fixed calendar dates or ``floating'' dates, using as a guideline the 
Saturday nearest October 1 and the Sunday nearest January 20 to select 
opening and closing dates annually. The fixed framework dates of 
September 28 - January 23 recommended for the Mississippi Flyway this 
year would provide consistently wider frameworks over the years than 
the fixed October 1 - January 20 dates recommended for the Atlantic 
Flyway and the floating dates recommended for the Central and Pacific 
Flyways. To maintain consistency among flyways in the procedures for 
selecting framework dates, and because floating dates have been 
recommended annually for the Mississippi Flyway in recent years, the 
Service proposes to return to the use of floating framework dates for 
the Mississippi Flyway as well as the Central and Pacific Flyways.

C. Season Length and Bag Limits

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a 
50-day season with a 5-bird daily bag limit, including no more than 1 
black duck, 1 hen mallard, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 wood ducks, 2 
redheads, and no harlequin ducks. Further, the Council recommended that 
States maintain a 40-percent reduction in the harvest of black ducks 
from the 1977-81 base period.
    The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended a 50-day season with a 5-bird daily bag limit, 
including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 1 of which may be a 
hen), 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 wood ducks, and 2 
redheads.
    The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended a 50-day season with a 5-bird daily bag limit, 
including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 1 of which may be a 
hen), 3 mottled ducks, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 wood 
ducks, and 2 redheads.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended a 60-day season (83 days in 
the High Plains Mallard Management Unit with the last 23 days of the 
season taken no earlier than the Saturday closest to December 10) with 
a 5-bird daily bag limit, including no more than 1 hen mallard, 1 
mottled duck, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 wood ducks, and 1 redhead.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a 93-day season (100 days in 
the Columbia Basin Management Unit) with a 6-bird daily bag limit, 
including no more than 1 hen mallard, 2 pintails, 1 canvasback, and 2 
redheads.
    Written Comments: Individuals from Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, 
and Iowa expressed support for the proposed increase in season length 
but were against the proposed bag limit increase. An individual from 
Wisconsin expressed support for a 70-day season. Another individual 
from Wisconsin supported a 50-day season and a 4-bird daily bag limit, 
while an individual from Tennessee supported a 40-day season and a 4-
bird daily bag limit.
    An individual from Michigan was against any increase in the daily 
bag limit. An individual from Louisiana was opposed to a 50-day season 
and 5-bird daily bag limit and an individual from Iowa was opposed to a 
40- to 50-day season with the proposed 5-bird daily bag limit. One 
individual from Kentucky expressed general support for low limits.

F. Zones and Split Seasons

    Written Comments: The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urged the 
Service to modify its existing zoning policy related to special 
management unit limitations.

G. Special Seasons/Species Management

i. Canvasback
    Written Comments: An individual from Wisconsin supported the 
opening of canvasback season.
    Service Response: In 1994, the Service adopted a strategy to manage 
canvasback harvests that considered population status, habitat 
conditions, and potential harvest. In brief, the strategy stated that 
if population status and expected production were sufficient to permit 
a harvest of 1 canvasback per day nationwide for the entire length of 
the regular duck season, the season on canvasbacks should be opened. 
Otherwise, the season on canvasbacks should be closed nationwide. This 
spring, results from the May Breeding Waterfowl and Habitat Survey 
indicate that habitat conditions and the size of the canvasback 
population are sufficient to open the season on canvasbacks. Therefore, 
the Service proposes a bag limit of 1 canvasback per day during the 
1995-96 regular duck season.
ii. Redheads
    Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended 
a bag limit of 2 redheads per day, an increase from the bag limit of 1 
redhead per day proposed by the Service in March 1995.
    Written Comments: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department also 
requested a bag limit of 2 redheads per day in the Central Flyway.
    Service Response: The Service prefers that proposals for changes in 
species- or population-specific regulations be based on more long-term 
strategies rather than in response to short-term changes in population 
estimates. The Service believes that such strategies should include the 
following: (1) an assessment of how the population responds to harvest 
and environmental conditions, (2) criteria that prescribe when 
regulations should be changed (i.e., become more restrictive or more 
liberal), (3) the range of regulatory options that will be considered 
(e.g., ranges of season lengths and bag limits), and (4) considerations 
for determining the efficacy of the harvest strategy. The proposals to 
permit a bag limit of 2 redheads per day were received in late July, 
and were based primarily in response to the estimated size of the 
redhead population during spring 1995. The Service believes that, due 
to the timing of the request, analyses of biological data sufficient to 
address the four criteria above have not been conducted. Further, 
additional harvest opportunities on redheads in all Flyways will result 
from increases in season lengths proposed for this year. The Service 
recommends that MBMO and the Flyways cooperatively develop protocol and 
strategies which address how to handle species- and population-specific 
proposals within the context of the Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) 
Initiative, and believes the AHM Working Group is the appropriate forum 
for this endeavor. 

[[Page 44467]]

iii. Other Species
    Written Comments: An individual from Kentucky expressed support for 
keeping the black duck daily bag limit at 1 bird.

4. Canada Geese

B. Regular Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that the regular season on the Atlantic Flyway Population of Canada 
geese be suspended; except for West Virginia, the Southern James Bay 
Population harvest areas of Pennsylvania, and a newly created New 
England Zone [Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont (excluding 
the Lake Champlain Zone), Massachusetts (excluding the Western Zone), 
and Connecticut (excluding Litchford and Hartford Counties)]. In the 
New England Zone, the Council recommended a 30-day season, with a 
framework of October 1 through November 30, with a 1-bird daily bag 
limit.
    The Atlantic Flyway Council also recommended that, in light of the 
decision to suspend the regular season on migrant Canada geese flyway-
wide, the Service should immediately begin a review of framework dates 
for resident Canada goose seasons to determine whether dates could be 
expanded to increase harvests.
    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 Central Flyway Council recommended several changes for west-
tier dark geese: (1) an increase in the aggregate bag limit from 3 to 4 
birds, (2) an extension of the closing framework from January 31 to the 
Sunday nearest February 15 (February 18) for the Western Goose Zone of 
Texas, and (3) an increase in the dark goose bag limit from 2 to 4 
birds in Sheridan County, Montana.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the bag limit for 
Canada geese in central Montana, western Wyoming, and southeastern 
Idaho be increased from 3 to 4 birds. The Council also recommended that 
the daily bag limit for cackling Canada geese in the quota zones of 
western Oregon and western Washington be increased from 1 to 2 birds.
    Written Comments: An individual from the Eastern Shore of Maryland 
expressed support for the closure of the regular Canada goose season 
for as long as it takes to rebuild the population to the levels of the 
mid-1980s.
    An individual from Washington urged additional protection for the 
dusky Canada goose population wintering along the Chehalis River.
    Service Response: Based on the continuing decline in the number of 
breeding pairs of Atlantic Flyway Population Canada geese, the Service 
endorses the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation to suspend the 
1995-96 regular Canada goose season in the Chesapeake and Mid-Atlantic 
regions of the Atlantic Flyway, with exceptions for West Virginia and a 
portion of northwest Pennsylvania. The substantial drop in numbers of 
migratory Atlantic Flyway Canada geese (27 percent from 1994 and 75 
percent from 1988) has continued despite harvest restrictions imposed 
in 1992. However, the Service does not support the recommendation to 
provide a 30-day season, betweeen October 1 and November 30, with a 1-
bird daily bag limit, for States in the New England Zone. The Atlantic 
Flyway Population is currently managed under an approved Flyway 
Management Plan as a single Atlantic population unit, along with those 
birds breeding in the Ungava Bay and east-coastal Hudson Bay areas of 
Quebec. The Service will continue to manage geese on a population 
basis, guided by cooperatively developed management plans.
    The information available to objectively separate these populations 
into two distinct management units, as the basis for the New England 
Zone, is currently very limited. Survival rates, based on limited 
bandings, are actually lower for the Maritimes component of the 
population than for geese in the area where the Flyway Council 
recommended a complete season closure. Also, productivity information, 
which would help assess the differences in survival rates, is very 
limited. In addition, only 2 years of population survey data are 
available for Canada geese breeding in the Maritimes, and these are too 
inconclusive to indicate whether numbers of breeding pairs are stable 
or declining. The Service does not oppose the delineation of a Maritime 
population of Atlantic Flyway Canada geese, if warranted, but believes 
that more information is needed before beginning a harvest strategy 
different from that for the population breeding in Quebec. Therefore, 
the Service encourages the Flyway Council to work cooperatively with 
the Canadian Provinces during the coming year to gather more data, 
review the key population parameters involving the Maritime component 
of Canada geese, update its Canada goose management plan, and make 
recommendations regarding an appropriate harvest strategy for this 
group of geese.
    The Service concurs with the Central Flyway Council's recommended 
increase in the dark goose aggregate bag limit from 3 to 4 for the 
west-tier States. However, while this increase is justified for Canada 
geese, the Service believes that it is not appropriate for white-
fronted geese. In the Western Goose Zone in Texas, biologists have 
identified a large group of wintering white-fronted geese believed to 
be part of the western segment of the Mid-Continent Greater White-
fronted Goose Population. For this reason, the Service believes that 
the bag limit for whitefronts should be similar to those of other 
States in the range of this segment in the east-tier of the Central 
Flyway. Therefore, the Service proposes a 5-bird dark goose bag limit, 
including no more than 1 white-fronted goose and 4 Canada geese in the 
west-tier States of the Central Flyway.

C. Special Late Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a 
new experimental late season for resident Canada geese in New York, and 
additional days and area modifications for existing seasons in New 
Jersey, South Carolina, and Georgia. In addition, because of the high 
harvest of migrant Canada geese, the Council recommended suspension of 
the special late season in the Coastal Zone of Massachusetts.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended revision of the Canada goose 
season framework in Cowlitz County south of the Kalama River and Clark 
County, Washington, to allow a special late season. The season would be 
subject to the following conditions: (1) season dates would be February 
5 through March 10, (2) bag limits and checking requirements would be 
the same as the regular season, except that the season on cackling 
Canada geese would be closed, (3) the season would end upon the 
attainment of a quota of 5 dusky Canada geese (this quota would be 
taken from the total of 90 allocated under the regular season), and (4) 
fields selected for the season would not have more than 10 percent 
duskys in the flocks using the fields. Additionally, the season would 
be contingent upon an operational hazing program in place in the hunt 
area, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Damage 
Control (ADC) in Washington. ADC would identify fields receiving 
depredation and contact hunters from a list supplied by the Washington 
Department of Fish and Game (WDFG). 

[[Page 44468]]
WDFG would evaluate season effectiveness and estimate harvest, 
subspecies composition, hunter participation, and report band 
recoveries.

5. White-fronted Geese

    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommendations 
regarding dark geese involve white-fronted geese. See item 4. Canada 
Geese. Specifically pertaining to white-fronted geese, the Council 
recommended an increase in the season length in the Eastern Goose Zone 
of Texas from 72 to 86 days.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended several changes to white-
fronted goose frameworks. The Council recommended that special bag-
limit restrictions on whitefronts be removed by placing them within the 
overall dark goose limits except in the primary whitefront harvest 
areas in Alaska; the Counties of Lake, Klamath, and Harney in Oregon; 
and in the Northeastern and Balance-of-State Zones in California. In 
Oregon, the Council recommended that all whitefront seasons be 
concurrent with dark goose seasons. In California, the Council 
recommended that the whitefront season be extended by two weeks in the 
Sacramento Valley special goose closure portion of the Balance-of-State 
Zone.

7. Snow and Ross's Geese

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
extending the framework closing date for snow geese to March 10.
    The Upper-Region and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the framework closing date 
for light geese be extended to March 10 and the daily bag limit be 
increased to 10 birds.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended that the framework closing 
date for east- and west-tier light geese be extended to March 10.
    Written Comments: The Pennsylvania Game Commission recommended that 
the State of Pennsylvania be included in those wintering States offered 
an extended framework closing date of March 10. They stated that 
increasing the framework would allow farmers to deal with depredation 
problems and provide additional hunting opportunity to Pennsylvania 
hunters.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the requests to extend 
the framework closing date for light geese to March 10 in the Atlantic, 
Mississippi, and Central Flyways, but believes that this extension 
should be limited to the primary wintering range of light geese in each 
flyway. The Service emphasizes that it believes that sport hunting 
opportunities should be limited to the fall migration and winter 
periods. The Service proposes to use Interstate Highway 80 as the 
northern boundary of this extension in the Central and Mississippi 
Flyways and that it be limited to the States of Delaware, Maryland, 
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia 
in the Atlantic Flyway. In the coming year, the Service requests that 
States identify important staging areas for snow geese where they are 
co-mingled with other species to the extent that sport-hunting 
activities may potentially cause significant disturbance to other 
species. A major staging area has been identified in the Rainwater-
Basin Area of Nebraska, and the Service proposes not to extend the 
framework date in the following counties or portions of counties that 
are south of the identified I-80 boundary: Adams, Clay, Fillmore, 
Franklin, Gosper, Hall, Hamilton, Harland, Kearney, Nuckolls, Phelps, 
Saline, Seward, Thayer, and York.

8. Swans

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council reiterated its 
recommendations for a swan season in portions of Montana, Utah, and 
Nevada (see the June 16, 1995, Federal Register), except that the 
period should be 3 years instead of 5 years and the trumpeter swan 
quota allocation was made. Features of the Council's recommendation 
include: (1) changing ending framework dates in all three States from 
the Sunday closest to January 20 to December 1 for Montana, Sunday 
closest to December 15 for Utah, and the Sunday following January 1 for 
Nevada; (2) changing the hunt area in Montana by deleting those 
portions of Pondera and Teton Counties west of U.S. Highways 287-89 but 
including all of Chouteau County; (3) reduce Utah's statewide season to 
just the Great Salt Lake Basin, defined at those portions of Box Elder, 
Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, and Tooele counties lying south of State 
Highway 30 and I-80/84, west of I-15, and north of I-80. Number of swan 
permits would remain unchanged for Montana (500) and Nevada (650) but 
would be increased from 2,500 to 2,750 for Utah. A trumpeter swan quota 
of 20 birds would be allocated, with 15 to Utah and 5 to Nevada, with 
the season being closed either by the framework date or attainment of 
the quota, whichever occurs first. All hunters in Utah and Nevada would 
be required to participate in a mandatory parts check at designated 
sites within 72 hours of harvest for species determination; and hunters 
in Montana would continue to participate in a voluntary bill-
measurement card program. The States would continue to monitor harvest 
composition, swan population during the hunt, and collect related 
harvest data. This information would be reported to the Service in a 
preliminary report by March 31 and a final report by June 30, 1996.
    The Council offered the proposed frameworks in an attempt to 
forward trumpeter swan range expansion efforts throughout the western 
states and to cooperate with the Trumpeter Swan Society in their 
efforts with this species. The quota on trumpeter swans is believed to 
be biologically insignificant and estimated to be less than 1 percent 
of the population. The combined sport and subsistence harvest of 
Western Population tundra swans has averaged about 10 percent of the 
midwinter index during the past 10 years without negative impact to 
population status. In Utah, 26 percent of the swan harvest has occurred 
after December 1 and 15 percent after December 15, with December 
harvests as high as 57 percent in 1993. The Council believed that until 
December hunts can be demonstrated to threaten trumpeter swans they 
should be allowed to continue. Between 1962-94, upwards of 99 percent 
of the Utah harvest occurred in the Great Salt Lake area; therefore, 
closing of other areas will mainly remove local opportunity but not 
have a great effect on the overall harvest. The 250 (10 percent) 
increase in permits for Utah is requested to replace opportunity and 
harvest lost through area and season closures. Nevada biologists have 
no data suggesting that State's season is having any impact on 
trumpeter migration between the Tristate area and wintering areas in 
California. The Council offered these recommendations in an effort to 
integrate Western Population tundra swan and Rocky Mountain Population 
trumpeter swan management programs and to move ahead and evaluate 
various aspects of both programs.
    Written Comments: Ruth E. Shea, a wildlife biologist associated 
with research and management of Rocky Mountain Population trumpeter 
swans since 1976, by letter of July 29, 1995, described a proposal by 
her and Dr. Rod Drewien which was the foundation of recommendations 
from The Trumpeter Swan Society and the Pacific Flyway Council included 
herein. The Shea-Drewien proposal incorporated two primary strategies: 
(1) increasing protection of migrant trumpeter swans 

[[Page 44469]]
by tightly focusing tundra swan hunts in time and place; and (2) 
authorizing a small quota of trumpeter swans within each tundra swan 
hunt area in order to eliminate the liability of the otherwise 
legitimate tundra swan hunters who accidently shoot a trumpeter swan, 
with mandatory check of birds to adequately implement a quota system. 
She attributes the vulnerable status of this population to a diminished 
tendency to migrate and to a winter distribution that is largely in 
overcrowded, less favorable sites. She believes building a migration 
southward from eastern Idaho, to the fall staging area of the Bear 
River Delta in Utah would be an important step in restoring a secure 
winter distribution. To enhance survival of those few trumpeters that 
currently migrate into Utah and Nevada, Shea and Drewein proposed 
focusing tundra swan hunting only in areas and at times where tundra 
swans are abundant and trumpeters are less likely to be present or have 
access to suitable security areas. She deemed an ending date of ``plus 
or minus'' December 1, in Utah to be the single most important feature 
of their proposal. Rationale for using this date included: (1) in most 
years security areas on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge freeze 
around Thanksgiving, potentially forcing swans to use non-secure 
habitats; and (2) Service and Pacific Flyway efforts to assist in 
winter distribution includes hazing swans from overcrowded areas, as 
early as practical in November, which when coupled with shrinking 
habitat with the onset of winter has potential for pushing swans into 
the Great Salt Lake Basin by late November. She said that a December 1 
closure would still give Utah swan hunters about 45 days of opportunity 
and would provide future opportunity to translocated trumpeters from 
Idaho to the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge vicinity during December. 
She believes trumpeter swan restoration efforts have been stymied by 
real or perceived conflicts with the swan hunt, but believes their 
recommended approach would meet the very different management needs for 
two species of swans.
    Laurence N. Gillete, President of The Trumpeter Swan Society 
(TTSS), in a letter of July 31, 1995, again urged the Service to adopt 
a closing date of December 1 or the first Sunday in December, if there 
is a tradition of ending seasons on a Sunday, for the tundra swan 
hunting season in Utah to provide additional protection for migrating 
Rocky Mountain Population trumpeter swans. With the exception of the 
closing date in Utah, TTSS is in agreement with the Pacific Flyway 
Council's recommendations as reported in the Federal Register of June 
16, 1995. Because these trumpeter swans winter in marginal habitat in 
the Tristate region of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, and have a poor 
tradition for migrating elsewhere, they will suffer a die-off in a 
severe winter. He believes a rapid redistribution to better winter 
habitat is critical to the population's survival. TTSS had previously 
endorsed a 5-year experimental plan proposed by Drewien and Shea [see 
comments from TTSS and Shea elsewhere in this document]. Of the 
numerous recommended changes, the most critical feature of the plan was 
modification of hunting seasons in Utah to increase survival of 
migrating swans. The Great Salt Lake Basin is in the most likely 
migration path for trumpeters from the Tristate area. The December 1 
date is favored because: (1) it coincides with the average date for 
freezeup of many lakes in the Tristate area which could force 
trumpeters south, (2) it is about the time that many wetlands within in 
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge which could increase the vulnerability 
of Trumpeters that have migrated to the refuge, and (3) it anticipates 
increased trumpeter migrations and not past accidental shootings. TTSS 
does not object to a quota system that would allow a take of trumpeter 
swans if other conditions of their proposal are met, including 
modification of seasons and boundaries for swan hunting and of 
management on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. The quota system is 
not intended to protect trumpeters but to protect hunters from 
liability if they accidentally shoot a trumpeter. He regrets the 
potential loss of hunting opportunity that the December 1 closing date 
would have on tundra swan hunters but believes it may be the only way 
to provided adequate protection to migrating trumpeters.
    The Humane Society of the United States (Humane Society) by letter 
of July 21, 1995, requests that the Service close all swan hunting 
seasons and contends that tundra swan hunting impedes, if not prevents, 
winter range expansion and recovery of trumpeter swans. The Humane 
Society says the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation for increased 
permits in Utah and a quota on trumpeter swans in exchange for season 
modifications should be denied.
    Service Response: The Service commends both the Pacific Flyway 
Council and The Trumpeter Swan Society for seeking ways to enhance 
trumpeter swan range expansion while retaining tundra swan hunting. The 
recommendations from both the Council and TTSS were obviously not made 
easily. For persons and groups solely interested in either restoration 
or hunting but not both, those recommendations will be perceived only 
as without benefit.
    Both sets of recommendations were similar, with the exception of 
the contentious closing date in Utah. The Council recommends a closing 
date for Utah that would be the Sunday closest to December 15, which 
would range between December 12 and 18. TTSS recommends a closing date 
of December 1, but believes there could be latitude to accommodate 
Sunday closing as is traditional in most Western states.
    The Service supports the basic recommendations from both the 
Council and the TTSS; however, considering the significance of the 
general swan season, the Service will propose a season ending date of 
the first Sunday in December. This would allow the ending date to range 
between December 1 and 7, with the season ending on December 3 this 
year and, if changes are not deemed essential, December 1 in 1996, etc.
    Further, the Service believes it is important to annually review 
all information and potentially modify seasons in time and place should 
circumstances warrant. While TTSS believes quotas on trumpeter swans 
are not as important to protect the species, as are closing dates and 
other factors, the Service believes quotas will provide additional 
protection to trumpeter swans until the experimental period can be 
fully evaluated. Further, we propose that the overall evaluation be 
made after a 5-year period, subject to annual reporting and review.
    The Service insists upon assurance from Utah and Nevada that birds 
will be physically examined by biologists and that maximum compliance 
with reporting be sought using whatever means is appropriate for that 
particular State. We do not believe reporting must be done within 72 
hours, but it seems reasonable that it could be accomplished within 3 
working days. Timely classification of swans is important if the 
trumpeter quota is to be used effectively. The need or lack of need for 
Montana to have a season without a quota or to use a different method 
of reporting harvest will be reviewed annually; and continued departure 
from the requirement in Utah and Nevada will likely be contingent upon 
the continued healthy status of that segment of the trumpeter swan 
population that has had the potential for being affected by the Montana 
season, even without the conservative changes proposed herein.


[[Page 44470]]


Public Comment Invited

    Based on the results of migratory game bird studies now in 
progress, and having due consideration for any data or views submitted 
by interested parties, the possible amendments resulting from this 
supplemental rulemaking will specify open seasons, shooting hours, and 
bag and possession limits for designated migratory game birds in the 
United States.
    The Service intends that adopted final rules be as responsive as 
possible to all concerned interests, and therefore desires to obtain 
for consideration the comments and suggestions of the public, other 
concerned governmental agencies, and private interests on these 
proposals. Such comments, and any additional information received, may 
lead to final regulations that differ from these proposals.
    Special circumstances are involved in the establishment of these 
regulations which limit the amount of time that the Service can allow 
for public comment. Specifically, two considerations compress the time 
in which the rulemaking process must operate: (1) the need to establish 
final rules at a point early enough in the summer to allow affected 
State agencies to appropriately adjust their licensing and regulatory 
mechanisms; and (2) the unavailability of specific, reliable data on 
this year's status before mid-June for migratory shore and upland game 
birds and some waterfowl, and before late July for most waterfowl. 
Therefore, the Service believes that to allow comment periods past the 
dates specified is contrary to the public interest.

Comment Procedure

    It is the policy of the Department of the Interior, whenever 
practical, to afford the public an opportunity to participate in the 
rulemaking process. Accordingly, interested persons may participate by 
submitting written comments to the 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 will be available for public inspection during normal business 
hours at the Service's office in room 634, Arlington Square Building, 
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia.
    All relevant comments received during the comment period will be 
considered. The Service will attempt to acknowledge comments received, 
but a substantive response to individual comments may not be provided.

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 1995,'' which is 
available upon request. In addition, the Service has prepared an 
Environmental Assessment, ``Proposal to Establish General Swan Hunting 
Seasons in Parts of the Pacific Flyway'' to reconcile conflicting 
strategies for managing two swan species in the Pacific Flyway by 
establihsing for a trial period a general swan season in portions of 
Montana, Nevada, and Utah. The Environmental Assessment is available 
upon request.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

    The Division of Endangered Species is completing a biological 
opinion on the proposed action. As in the past, hunting regulations 
this year will be 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. The 
Service's biological opinions resulting from consultations under 
Section 7 are considered public documents and are available for 
inspection in the Division of Endangered Species (room 432) and the 
Office of Migratory Bird Management (room 634), Arlington Square 
Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia.

Regulatory Flexibility Act; Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 and the 
Paperwork Reduction Act

    In the Federal Register dated March 24, 1995 (60 FR 15642), 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 (FRIA), and publication of a summary 
of the latter. Although a FRIA is no longer required, the economic 
analysis contained in the FRIA was reviewed and the Service determined 
that it met the requirements of E.O. 12866. In addition, the Service 
prepared a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis, under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq), which further document the 
significant beneficial economic effect on a substantial number of small 
entities. This rule was not subject to review by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under E.O. 12866.
    These proposed regulations contain no information collections 
subject to OMB review under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). However, the Service does utilize information 
acquired through other various information collections in the 
formulation of migratory game bird hunting regulations. These 
information collection requirements have been approved by OMB and 
assigned clearance numbers 1018-0005, 1018-0006, 1018-0008, 1018-0009, 
1018-0010, 1018-0015, 1018-0019, and 1018-0023.

Authorship

    The primary author is Ron W. Kokel, Office of Migratory Bird 
Management.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20

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

PART 20--[AMENDED]

    The authority citation for Part 20 is revised to read as follows:
    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703-711, 16 U.S.C. 712, and 16 U.S.C. 742 
a-j.

    Dated: August 17, 1995
Robert P. Davison
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks

Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 1995-96 Late Hunting Seasons on 
Certain Migratory Game Birds

    Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated 
authorities, the Department 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, 1995, and March 10, 1996.

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.

[[Page 44471]]

    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, brant, and all 
other goose species except light geese.
    Light geese - snow (including blue) geese and Ross' geese.
    Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Geographic descriptions that are 
new or modified from previous years 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: 50 days and daily bag limit of 5 
ducks, including no more than 1 hen mallard, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 1 
mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 2 wood ducks, 2 redheads, and 1 
canvasback.
    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: The canada goose season 
is suspended throughout the Flyway except as noted below. Unless 
specified otherwise, seasons may be split into two segments.
    Connecticut: A special experimental season may be held in the South 
Zone between January 15 and February 15, with 5 geese per day.
    Georgia: In specific areas, a 15-day experimental season may be 
held between November 15 and February 5, with a limit of 5 Canada geese 
per day.
    Massachusetts: In the Central Zone, a 16-day season for resident 
Canada geese may be held during January 21 to February 5, with 5 geese 
per day.
    New Jersey: An experimental special season may be held in 
designated areas of Northeast, Northwest, and Southeast New Jersey from 
January 27 to February 10, with 5 geese per day.
    New York: A special experimental season may be held between January 
21 and February 15, with 5 geese daily in Westchester County and 
portions of Nassau, Putnam, and Rockland Counties.
    Pennsylvania: 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.
    An experimental season may be held in the Susquehanna/Juniata Zones 
from January 20 to February 5 with 5 geese per day.
    South Carolina: A 12-day special season may be held in the Central 
Piedmont, Western Piedmont, and Mountain Hunt Units during November 15 
to February 15, with a daily bag limit of 5 Canada geese per day.
    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, 
except closing dates may be extended to March 10 in New Jersey, 
Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and 
Virginia. 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 the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 
30) and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 21).
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 50 days with a daily bag limit of 
5 ducks, including no more than 4 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.
    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 Minnesota and Mississippi, the season may be split into two 
segments.
    In Arkansas, 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 (September 30) and January 31, and 107 days 
for light geese between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) 
and February 14, except in those States and portions of States south of 
Interstate Highway 80 in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, where 
seasons for light geese may extend until March 10. The daily bag limit 
is 10 geese, to include no more than 3 Canada geese, 2 white-fronted 
geese, and 2 brant. Specific regulations for Canada 

[[Page 44472]]
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 and 14 days in the West Zone. 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 172, 600 birds. Limits are 3 Canada geese daily and 10 in 
possession.
    (a) North Goose Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after 
93 days or when 22,014 birds have been harvested in the Northern 
Illinois Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.
    (b) Central Goose Zone - The season for Canada geese will close 
after 93 days or when 35,168 birds have been harvested in the Central 
Illinois Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.
    (c) South Goose Zone - The harvest of Canada geese in the Southern 
Illinois and Rend Lake Quota Zones will be limited to 62,691 and 17,830 
birds, respectively. The season for Canada geese in each zone will 
close after 89 days or when the harvest limit has been reached, 
whichever occurs first. In the Southern Illinois Quota Zone, 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.
    In the remainder of the South Goose Zone, the season may extend for 
89 days or until both the Southern Illinois and Rend Lake Quota Zones 
have been closed, whichever occurs first.
    Indiana: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be 
limited to 98,000 birds.
    (a) Posey County - The season for Canada geese will close after 
65 days or when 7,200 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 3 Canada geese, except in the SJBP Zone, where the 
daily bag limit is 2.
    Iowa: The season may extend for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 
Canada geese.
    Kentucky:
    (a) Western Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 65 
days (80 days in Fulton County), and the harvest will be limited to 
34,500 birds. Of the 34,500-bird quota, 22,425 birds will be allocated 
to the Ballard Reporting Area and 6,555 birds will be allocated to the 
Henderson/Union Reporting Area. If the quota in either reporting area 
is reached prior to completion of the 65-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 65 days (80 days in Fulton 
County). The season in Fulton County may extend to February 15. The 
daily bag limit is 3 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: The season for Canada geese may extend for 9 days. 
During the season, the daily bag limit for Canada and white-fronted 
geese 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 99,500 birds.
    (a) North Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 23 and the season for Canada geese may extend for 40 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Middle Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 40 
days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) South Zone
    (1) Allegan County GMU - The season for Canada geese will close 
after 51 days or when 2,500 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs 
first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (2) Muskegon Wastewater GMU - The season for Canada geese will 
close after 54 days or when 700 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 51 days or when 2,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs 
first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (4) Tuscola/Huron GMU - The season for Canada geese will close 
after 51 days or when 750 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs 
first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (5) Remainder of South Zone -
    (i) East of U.S. Highway 27/127 - The season for Canada geese 
may extend for 30 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (ii) West of U.S. Highway 27/127 - The Season for Canada geese 
may extend for 40 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose during 
the first 30 days, and 2 Canada geese during the remaining 10 days, 
which may begin no earlier than November 23.
    (d) Southern Michigan GMU - An experimental special Canada goose 
season may be held between January 6 and February 4. 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 16,000 birds have been harvested, 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 3 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 70 
days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. An experimental special 
season of up to 

[[Page 44473]]
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 70 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 
76 days or when 12,900 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 3 Canada geese.
    (b) Southwest Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 61 
days, and the harvest will be limited to 1,500 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 118,400 birds.
    (a) Horicon Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 23. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 71,700 birds. 
The season may not exceed 80 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.
    (b) Collins Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 23. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 1,900 birds. 
The season may not exceed 65 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 
September 23. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 40,300 birds, 
with 500 birds allocated to the Mississippi River Subzone. The season 
may not exceed 86 days and the daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. 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 39,800 
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, the Northwest and Kentucky/
Barkley Lakes Zones in Tennessee, and the Exterior Zone in Wisconsin 
will have been filled, the season for taking Canada geese in the 
respective zone (and associated area, if applicable) 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: Between September 30 through January 21.
    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): 
83 days and a daily bag limit of 5 ducks, including no more than 1 
female mallard, 1 mottled duck, 1 pintail, 1 redhead, 1 canvasback and 
2 wood ducks. The last 23 days may start no earlier than the Saturday 
nearest December 10 (December 9).
    (2) Remainder of the Central Flyway: 60 days and a daily bag limit 
of 5 ducks, including no more than 1 female mallard, 1 mottled duck, 1 
pintail, 1 redhead, 1 canvasback, and 2 wood ducks.
    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: States may select 
seasons not to exceed 107 days; except for dark geese, which may not 
exceed 86 days in Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South 
Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas. For dark geese, outside 
dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest October 
1 (September 30) and January 31, except in the Western Goose Zone of 
Texas, where the closing date is the Sunday nearest February 15 
(February 18). For light geese, outside dates for seasons may be 
selected between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) and the 
Sunday nearest February 15 (February 18), except in Colorado, Kansas, 
Nebraska (south of I-80, except for Adams, Clay, Fillmore, Franklin, 
Gosper, Hall, Hamilton, Harland, Kearney, Nuckolls, Phelps, Saline, 
Seward, Thayer, and York Counties) New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, and 
Wyoming (south of I-80) where the closing date is March 10. Seasons may 
be split into two segments.
    Daily bag limits in States in goose management zones within States, 
may be as follows:
    Colorado: The daily bag limit is 5 light and 5 dark geese, 
including no more than 1 white-fronted and 4 Canada geese.
    Kansas: The daily bag limit is 10 light and 2 dark geese, including 
no more than 1 white-fronted goose.
    Montana: The daily bag limit is 5 light and 5 dark geese, including 
no more 

[[Page 44474]]
than 1 white-fronted and 4 Canada geese.
    Nebraska: The daily bag limit is 10 light and 2 dark geese, 
including no more than 1 white-fronted goose.
    New Mexico: For the Middle Rio Grande Valley Zone, the daily bag 
limit is 10 light and 5 dark, including no more than 1 white-fronted 
and 4 Canada geese.
    For the remainder of the State, the daily bag limit is 5 light and 
5 dark geese, including no more than 1 white-fronted and 4 Canada 
geese.
    North Dakota: The daily bag limit is 10 light and 2 dark geese.
    Oklahoma: The daily bag limit is 10 light and 2 dark geese, 
including no more than 1 white-fronted goose.
    South Dakota: The daily bag limit is 10 light and 2 dark geese, 
including no more than 1 white-fronted goose.
    Texas: For the Western Goose zone, the daily bag limit is 5 light 
and 5 dark geese, including no more than 1 white-fronted and 4 Canada 
geese.
    For the Eastern Goose Zone, the daily bag limit is 10 light and 2 
dark geese, including no more than 1 white-fronted goose.
    Wyoming: The daily bag limit is 5 light and 5 dark, with no more 
than 1 white-fronted and 4 Canada geese.

Pacific Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, and Common Moorhens

    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: Concurrent 93 days and daily bag 
limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 1 female mallard, 2 pintails, 
2 redheads and 1 canvasback.
    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 the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 
30) and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 21).
    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 21), and the basic daily bag limits are 3 light geese and 3 
dark 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 must end on or before December 14, 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, but not more than 3 light geese.
    Southwest Unit and Southeastern Unit - The daily bag limit on dark 
geese is 4.
    Montana:
    West of Divide Zone and East of Divide Zone - The daily bag limit 
on dark geese is 4.
    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 1 cackling Canada goose.
    Harney, Lake, Klamath, and Malheur Counties Zone - The season 
length may be 100 days. The dark goose limit is 4, including not more 
than 2 white-fronted geese and cackling Canada goose.
    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 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 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: The daily bag limit is 4 dark geese. In Lincoln, 
Sweetwater, and Sublette Counties, the combined special September 
Canada goose seasons and the regular goose season shall not exceed 100 
days. 

[[Page 44475]]

    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. The September Canada goose season, the 
regular goose season, any special late Canada goose season, and any 
extended falconry season, combined, must not exceed 107 days and the 
established quota of dusky Canada geese must not be exceeded. 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.
    In the designated areas of the Washington Quota Zone, a special 
late Canada goose may be held between February 5 and March 10. The 
daily bag limit may not include either Aleutian or cackling Canada 
geese.

Swans

    In designated areas of Utah, Nevada, and the Pacific Flyway portion 
of Montana, an open season for taking a limited number of swans may be 
selected. Permits will be issued by States and will authorize each 
permittee to take no more than 1 swan per season. The season may open 
no earlier than the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30). The 
States must implement a harvest-monitoring program to measure the 
species composition of the swan harvest. In Utah and Nevada, the 
harvest-monitoring program must include physical examination of all 
harvested swans by State or Federal biologists. All States should use 
appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance in providing bagged 
swans for examination or, in the case of Montana, reporting bill-
measurement and color information. All States must provide to the 
Service by June 30, 1996, a report covering harvest, hunter 
participation, reporting compliance, and monitoring of swan populations 
in the designated hunt areas. These seasons will be subject to the 
following conditions:
    In Utah, no more than 2,750 permits may be issued. The season must 
end no later than the first Sunday in December (December 3) or upon 
attainment of 15 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs 
earliest.
    In Nevada, no more than 650 permits may be issued. The season must 
end no later than the Sunday following January 1 (January 7) or upon 
attainment of 5 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs 
earliest.
    In Montana, no more than 500 permits may be issued. The season must 
end no later than December 1.

Tundra Swans

    In Central Flyway portion of Montana, and in New Jersey, North 
Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, 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.
    --In South Dakota, no more than 1,500 permits may be issued.
    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 21). 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

Geese

    Atlantic Flyway
    Georgia
    A Special Season for Canada Geese: Statewide.
    New Jersey
    Special Area for Canada Geese:
    Northeast - 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.
    Northwest - that portion of the State within a continuous line that 
runs east from the Pennsylvania State boundary at the toll bridge in 
Columbia to Route 94; then north along Route 94 to Route 206; then 
north along Route 206 to the Pennsylvania State boundary in the 
Delaware River; then south along the Pennsylvania State boundary int he 
Delaware River to the beginning point. Hereafter this proposed 
expansion of the hunt area will be refereed to as the northwestern 
area.
    Southeast - that portion of the State within a continuous line that 
runs east from the Atlantic Ocean at Ship Bottom along Route 72 to the 
Garden State Parkway; then south along the Garden State Parkway to 
Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route 542; then west along Route 
542 to the Mullica River; then north (upstream) on the Mullica River to 
Route 206; then south on Route 206 to Route 536; then west on route 536 
to Route 55; then south on Route 55 to Route 40; then east on Route 50 
to Route 557; then south on Route 557 to Route 666; then south on Route 
666 to Route 49; then east on Route 49 to route 50; then south on Route 
50 to Route 631; then east on Route 631 to Route 623; then east on 
Route 623 to the Atlantic Ocean; then north to the beginning point.
    New York
    Special Area for Canada Geese: Westchester County and portions of 
Nassau, Putnam and Rockland Counties. See State regulations for 
detailed description.
    South Carolina
    Canada Goose Area: The Central Piedmont, Western Piedmont, and 
Mountain Hunt Units. These designated areas include: Counties of 
Abbeville, Anderson, Berkeley (south of Highway 45 and east of State 
Road 831), Cherokee, Chester, Dorchester, Edgefield, Fairfield, 
Greenville, Greenwood, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lee, Lexington, 
McCormick, 

[[Page 44476]]
Newberry, Oconee, Orangebird (south of Highway 6), Pickens, Richland, 
Saluda, Spartanburg, Sumten, Union, and York.

Swans

    Pacific Flyway
    Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
    Open Area: Cascade, Chouteau, Hill, Liberty, and Toole Counties and 
those portions of Pondera and Teton Counties lying east of U.S. 287-89.
    Utah
    Open Area: Those portions of Box Elder, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, 
and Toole counties lying south of State Hwy 30, I-80/84, west of I-15, 
and north of I-80.
[FR Doc. 95-21316 Filed 8-25-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-F