[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 169 (Thursday, August 29, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45836-45848]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22187]



[[Page 45835]]


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Part XIII





Department of the Interior





_______________________________________________________________________



Fish and Wildlife Service



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50 CFR Part 20



Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory 
Bird Hunting Regulations; Final Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 169 / Thursday, August 29, 1996 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 45836]]



DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN 1018-AD69


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

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This rule prescribes final early-season frameworks which 
States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands may select season dates, 
limits, and other options for the 1996-97 migratory bird hunting 
seasons. Early seasons are those which generally open prior to October 
1. The effect of this final rule is to facilitate the selection of 
hunting seasons by the States and Territories to further the annual 
establishment of the early-season migratory bird hunting regulations. 
These selections will be published in the Federal Register as 
amendments to Secs. 20.101 through 20.107, and Sec. 20.109 of title 50 
CFR part 20.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule takes effect on August 29, 1996.

ADDRESSES: States and Territories should send their season selections 
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. The Public may inspect comments 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 1996

    On March 22, 1996, the Service published in the Federal Register 
(61 FR 11992) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal dealt 
with the establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for 
migratory game birds under Secs.  20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and 
20.110 of subpart K. On June 13, 1996, the Service published in the 
Federal Register (61 FR 30114) a second document providing supplemental 
proposals for early- and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations 
frameworks. The June 13 supplement also provided detailed information 
on the 1996-97 regulatory schedule and announced the Service Migratory 
Bird Regulations Committee and Flyway Council meetings. On June 14, 
1996, the Service published in the Federal Register (61 FR 30490) a 
third document describing the Service's proposed 1996-97 regulatory 
alternatives for duck hunting and its intent to consider establishing a 
special youth waterfowl hunting day.
    On June 27, 1996, the Service held a public hearing in Washington, 
DC, as announced in the March 22 and June 14 Federal Registers to 
review the status of migratory shore and upland game birds. The Service 
discussed hunting regulations for these species and for other early 
seasons. On July 22, 1996, the Service published in the Federal 
Register (61 FR 37994) a fourth document specifically dealing with 
proposed early-season frameworks for the 1996-97 season. This document 
also extended the public comment period to August 1, 1996, for early-
season proposals. This rulemaking establishes final frameworks for 
early-season migratory bird hunting regulations for the 1996-97 season.

Review of Flyway Council Recommendations, Public Comments and the 
Service's Responses

    As of August 9, 1996, the Service had received 199 written 
comments; 25 of these specifically addressed early-season issues. The 
Service also received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils. 
Early-season comments are summarized and discussed in the order used in 
the March 22 Federal Register. Only the numbered items pertaining to 
early seasons for which comments were received are included. Flyway 
Council recommendations shown below include only those involving 
changes from the 1995-96 early-season frameworks. For those topics 
where a Council recommendation is not shown, the Council supported 
continuing the same frameworks as in 1995-96.

General

    Public Hearing Comments: Mr. Dale Bartlett, representing the Humane 
Society of the United States (HSUS), expressed concern that the Service 
continues to establish liberal hunting regulations on species without 
adequate data. HSUS claims the Service acted too quickly to liberalize 
duck hunting regulations since the populations of many species remain 
below goals set by the North American Waterfowl Management Plan 
(NAWMP). HSUS is frustrated with the failure of the Service to close 
seasons on species in decline such as woodcock, coastal populations of 
band-tailed pigeon, white-winged doves in Arizona, and mourning doves 
in the Western Management Unit. HSUS believes that bag limits and 
season lengths on several species of webless migratory birds are 
ridiculously high and flies in the face of the principles of wise and 
ethical use of the resource. They also recommend that the Service 
require all seasons to open at noon during mid-week to reduce large 
kills. They further urged the Service to disallow one-half hour before 
sunrise shooting.
    Mr. Don Kraege, representing the Pacific Flyway Council, expressed 
appreciation for the Service's efforts to enhance cooperative waterfowl 
management.
    Mr. Joe Kramer, representing the Central Flyway Council, reviewed 
recommendations passed by the Council regarding establishment of this 
year's migratory bird hunting regulations. He supported the proposed 
expansion of the Rocky Mountain Greater Sandhill Crane hunt area in 
Wyoming. Reviewing status information on blue- and green-winged teal 
populations, he indicated this year's combined spring-breeding 
population of about 8.9 million was a record high level and the 
projected fall flight will probably be the largest ever recorded. He 
indicated that the Central and Mississippi Flyway Councils would 
complete a more comprehensive harvest approach for these special 
seasons by March 1997. He supported the Central Flyway Council's 
recommendation to expand this year's teal bag limit from 4 to 5 and 
increase the teal season length from 9 to 16 days. Mr. Kramer supported 
efforts by the Service to review baiting regulations, but he pointed 
out continuing desires by many Central Flyway States to review the 
timing of the early- and late-season meetings.
    Mr. Charles D. Kelley, representing the Southeastern Association of 
Fish and Wildlife Agencies, commended the Service for its efforts in 
developing the Harvest Information Program, which will provide improved 
harvest estimates for a number of species.
    Ms. Anne Muller, representing the Committee to Abolish Sport 
Hunting, and its affiliate, the Coalition to Prevent the Destruction of 
Canada Geese, requested public hearings be held during evening hours to 
increase public attendance.
    Mr. Peter Muller, also representing the Committee to Abolish Sport 
Hunting, requested that the Service maintain and enforce strict 
waterfowl baiting regulations.

    Written Comments: The Humane Society recommended all seasons open

[[Page 45837]]

at noon, mid-week, to reduce the large kills associated with the 
traditional Saturday openings. They also recommend that hunting during 
the one-half hour before sunrise be eliminated and wounded but 
unretrieved birds count towards the daily bag limit.

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.

F. Zones and Splits

    Written Comments: The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and 
Wildlife commended the Service for allowing a duck zone boundary 
modification but expressed displeasure with the Service's failure to 
authorize an experimental third zone in Maine. They contended there was 
no biological justification to deny this request. They further 
suggested the guidelines should not be ``a hard-and-fast rule'' and 
should be modified to account for the geographic scale of any 
particular State. Two individuals from Maine also provided comments 
supporting Maine's request for a third zone.
    The Indiana Department of Natural Resources and three individuals 
supported Indiana's proposal to change zone boundaries during the 1996 
open season.
    The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks submitted an alternate 
duck hunting zone proposal for 1996 to 2000. This proposal replaced one 
submitted previously which did not meet the Service's criteria.
    The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (Wyoming), commenting on the 
policy governing the use of zone and split seasons for duck seasons, 
requested an exception from the policy that precludes the use of non-
contiguous zone boundaries. Wyoming contended the Service should be 
more flexible to accommodate the State's complex physiographies. 
Wyoming recommended the Service revaluate its policy prior to the next 
zones/splits open season in 2001.
    Service Response: In 1990, the Service established guidelines for 
the use of zones and split seasons for duck hunting (Federal Register, 
55 FR 38901) following extensive review and endorsement of the Flyway 
Councils and Technical Sections. The primary purpose of the guidelines 
was to provide a framework for controlling the proliferation of changes 
in zone and split options, which compromise our ability to measure 
impacts of various regulatory changes on harvest. The guidelines were 
not developed preferentially according to the geographic size of any 
State, but rather, were administered equally to all States. The Service 
believes that the guidelines must be applied fairly and consistently to 
all States in order to prevent further proliferations in zone/split 
configurations. However, the Service will review these concerns prior 
to the next scheduled open season in 2001.
    In the July 22, 1996, Federal Register, the Service indicated the 
boundary changes proposed by Indiana did not meet the Service's 
guidelines for zones and split seasons for the 1996-2000 period, and 
requested the State revise its proposal accordingly. Subsequently, 
Indiana indicated they would retain the current boundaries.
    Kansas' alternate proposal was within the established guidelines 
and is approved for the 1996-2001 period.
    The Service also accepts the amended zone/split proposal for the 
Central Flyway portion of Wyoming. Although Wyoming modified its 
proposal to meet the language of the guidelines, the Service believes 
it may also circumvent the intent of the guidelines with respect to the 
use of non-contiguous zone boundaries. Current zone/split guidelines 
prohibit the use of non-contiguous zone boundaries. The Service will 
conduct a cooperative review of the guidelines with the Councils prior 
to the next open season, and if at that time any modification in the 
guidelines does not allow the Wyoming configuration, then 
``grandfather'' status will not be granted.

G. Special Seasons/Species Management

    iii. September Teal Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of 
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a 5-day experimental 
September teal season be offered to the production States of Iowa, 
Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin for a 3-year period. The Committee 
recommended a daily bag limit of 4 teal with sunrise to sunset shooting 
hours.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended a harvest strategy of 
linking regulatory packages developed for the September teal season 
with those developed for the regular duck season under the Adaptive 
Harvest Management process. For 1996, the Council recommended either a 
``restrictive'' package of 5 days with a daily bag limit of 3 teal, a 
``moderate'' package of 9 days with a daily bag limit of 4 teal, or a 
``liberal'' package of 16 days with a daily bag limit of 5 teal.
    Written Comments: The Central Flyway Council and the Texas Parks 
and Wildlife Department recommended a 16-day September teal season with 
a 5-bird daily bag limit for 1996. The Council supported the 
preparation of a cooperatively developed teal management plan, but did 
not wish to delay implementation of more liberal regulations until plan 
completion.
    An individual from Texas requested a 16-day September teal season 
with a 5-teal daily bag limit, or alternatively a 16-day season with a 
4-teal daily bag limit.
    Public-Hearing Comments: Mr. Joe Kramer representing the Central 
Flyway Council indicated that the Central and Mississippi Flyway 
Councils would complete a more comprehensive harvest approach for 
special teal seasons by March 1997.
    Service Response: The Service previously determined in the 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual 
Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (SEIS 88) 
that proposals for expansion of existing special regulations require a 
comprehensive evaluation plan. The plan should contain study 
objectives, experimental design, decision criteria, and identification 
of data needs. The Service believes the proper approach for permitting 
experimental expansions would be to design a comprehensive study that 
would evaluate the cumulative impacts of all teal-season hunting 
opportunities, in both production and non-production States, on teal 
and other ducks. The proposals recommended by the Flyways are disjunct, 
with one containing an evaluation plan (Mississippi Flyway) and the 
other (Central Flyway) absent one. As such, these proposals represent a 
fragmented approach to expanding and evaluating teal-season hunting 
opportunities, which is inconsistent with the desire of the Service. 
Future consideration by the Service of any proposal to expand teal-
season hunting opportunities will take into account the evaluation 
plan, the manpower and funding requirements necessary to implement the 
plan, and the priority of this issue relative to other Service 
programs.
    iv. September Duck Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of 
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended Iowa be allowed to hold up 
to 5 days of its regular duck hunting

[[Page 45838]]

season in September, starting no earlier than the Saturday nearest 
September 14. The remainder of the Iowa regular duck season could begin 
no earlier than October 10.
    Service Response: The Service previously determined in SEIS 88 that 
the extension of framework dates into September for Iowa's September 
duck season was a type of special season. The original evaluation of 
this season suggested little impact on duck species other than teal. 
However, the Service notes the original evaluation did not include 
information from the periods requested in the proposal, so inferences 
about effects of the proposed changes on duck populations are not 
clear. More importantly, the Service believes that mixed-species 
special seasons (as defined in the context of SEIS 88) are not a 
preferred management approach, and does not wish to entertain 
refinements to this season or foster expansions of this type of season 
into other States.

3. Sea Ducks

    Public Hearing Comments: Mr. Dale Bartlett, representing the Humane 
Society, proposed sea duck seasons be closed or severely restricted 
until adequate data on population status and species biology are 
available.
    Written Comments: The Humane Society recommended this season either 
be closed or severely restricted until more complete information on 
biology and population status is available. They repeated their concern 
regarding seasons and limits on sea ducks which they deem too liberal, 
considering the adequacy of data on population status and biology.
    Service Response: The Service continues to be concerned about the 
status of sea ducks and the potential impact that increased hunting 
activity could have on these species. While there is no special season 
on sea ducks in the Pacific Flyway, Alaska has a sea duck limit that is 
additional to the limit on other ducks. In recognition of the need for 
additional information on these species, the Service prepared a report 
in June of 1993 on sea duck and merganser hunting seasons, status, and 
harvests in Alaska and the Pacific Flyway coastal States. The Service 
prepared this document for use by the Service and the Pacific Flyway 
Council in evaluating the effects of these seasons on these ducks. A 
report describing the status of sea ducks in the Atlantic Flyway was 
completed in April of 1994. There are ongoing cooperative efforts to 
summarize additional information on sea ducks. However, the Service 
still emphasizes the importance of completing the sea duck management 
plan. Furthermore, the Service considers improvements in survey 
capabilities for these species to be extremely important for future 
management actions. In 1993, the Service reduced bag limits on scoters 
from 7 to 4 within an overall 7-bird sea duck limit. The Service will 
continue to monitor these species and notes that further harvest 
restrictions may be necessary.

4. Canada Geese

A. Special Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
the frameworks for September Canada goose seasons in the Atlantic 
Flyway be modified as follows:
    September 1-15: Montezuma region of New York, Lake Champlain region 
of New York and Vermont, Maryland (Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, and 
Talbot Counties), South Carolina, and Delaware.
    September 1-20: North Carolina (Currituck, Camden, Pasquotank, 
Perquimans, Chowan, Bertie, Washington, Tyrrell, Dare, and Hyde 
Counties).
    September 1-30: New Jersey and remaining portion of North Carolina.
    September 1-25: Remaining portion of Flyway, except Georgia and 
Florida.
    The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended the Service continue to closely monitor the impacts 
of early Canada goose seasons, including both special seasons and 
September openings of regular seasons, to insure that cumulative 
impacts do not adversely affect migrant Canada geese and to insure that 
special seasons adhere to the criteria established by the Service.
    The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council, the Central Flyway Council, and the Pacific Flyway Council 
made several September Canada goose seasons recommendations. All of the 
recommendations were within the established criteria for special Canada 
goose seasons published in the August 29, 1995, Federal Register (60 FR 
45020).
    Public Hearing Comments: Mr. Dale Bartlett, representing the Humane 
Society expressed concern about the general direction of the Service 
towards resident Canada goose management.
    Mr. Joe Kramer, representing the Central Flyway Council, supported 
the additional flexibility allowed to address resident goose problems 
through special hunting seasons.
    Mr. Charles D. Kelley, representing the Southeastern Association of 
Fish and Wildlife Agencies, stated that he appreciated the Service's 
recognition of the problems caused by rapidly-expanding populations of 
giant Canada geese and the need to work toward solving them.
    Ms. Anne Muller, representing the Committee to Abolish Sport 
Hunting, and its affiliate, the Coalition to Prevent the Destruction of 
Canada Geese, said State and Federal wildlife agencies are exploiting 
wild Canada geese to supply hunters with more targets by increasing 
resident goose populations on wildlife management areas in every State. 
Further, she objected to the roundup and shipment of geese by game 
agencies personnel to slaughter houses to feed the poor, and believed 
this action violates the rights of the general citizenry. Finally, she 
requested the Service directly involve communities to help resolve 
nuisance Canada geese conflicts.
    Mr. Peter Muller, representing the Committee to Abolish Sport 
Hunting, expressed concern that the special Canada goose seasons 
currently held in New York and New Jersey were responsible for the 
decline of migrant geese nesting in northern Quebec. He questioned 
whether the criteria allowing 10 and 20 percent harvest of migrant 
geese during the special early and late seasons, respectively, were too 
liberal. Further, he argued that statistics regarding this goose 
population were highly dubious since very little banding had occurred 
on the breeding ground to accurately determine the racial composition 
of the harvest. He indicated little is known regarding the interactions 
between resident and migrant geese and recommended suspension of these 
seasons until more information regarding population affiliation is 
available. To assess the beneficial effects of these liberal hunting 
seasons on resident Canada geese, he asked the Service to develop an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
    Dr. Ann Stirling Frisch expressed opposition to a proposed new hunt 
area for special early Canada goose seasons in Wisconsin. Dr. Frisch 
suggested such seasons are ineffective in controlling local Canada 
goose populations, that habitat management was a preferable alternative 
to hunting seasons, and that other lethal means of control were 
undesirable. She further stated that National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) requirements were not met in establishing such seasons.
    Written Comments: The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and 
Wildlife supported extending the

[[Page 45839]]

frameworks for September Canada goose seasons in the Atlantic Flyway to 
September 25.
    The Pennsylvania Game Commission objected to the Service's decision 
to limit the special Canada goose season in Crawford County to 
September 1-15 rather than expanding it to September 25 as requested by 
the Atlantic Flyway Council. They indicated data is available to 
support the extension. Subsequently, in a follow-up response, 
Pennsylvania provided additional data from observations of neck-banded 
Canada geese to assess the potential migrant harvest in Crawford County 
during September 1-25 period.
    The New York Department of Environmental Conservation appreciated 
the Service's extension of the framework closing date to September 25 
in most areas of the Atlantic Flyway but expressed concern that the 
extension was only temporary and would be discontinued when regular 
seasons are reinstated. They question the Service's desire to reinstate 
the existing criteria if the harvest of migrants during this period 
meets the established criteria and provides additional harvest pressure 
on resident geese.
    The New Jersey Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife commented that 
numbers of resident Canada geese have exceeded the cultural carrying 
capacity with humans, in some areas, and urged the Service to grant a 
September 30 framework extension to the special September Canada goose 
season. They further requested that this season be operational rather 
than experimental. They indicated that several years of intensive neck-
collar observations have been conducted to justify this extension, and 
that the extension would result in an estimated harvest of less than 3 
percent migrant geese.
    Four individuals and one petition containing 108 signatures opposed 
a new September Canada goose season in Wisconsin.
    Service Response: The Service recognizes the problems caused by 
increasing populations of resident Canada geese and the continuing 
concern for the status of certain migratory flocks. As the Service has 
stated previously, it is committed to targeting these special seasons 
at locally breeding and/or injurious Canada goose populations that nest 
primarily within the conterminous United States. However, the Service 
does not wish to increase the composition of migrants in the harvest 
beyond that which is currently identified in the criteria for these 
seasons.
    Overall, the Service concurs with the Atlantic Flyway's 
recommendation to modify the frameworks for special early Canada goose 
seasons in the Atlantic Flyway and is granting the Atlantic Flyway a 
temporary exemption to the special early Canada goose season criteria. 
Specifically, the Service is allowing States in the Atlantic Flyway to 
extend the framework closing date from September 15 to September 25, 
except in certain areas where migrant geese are known to arrive early. 
Seasons extending beyond September 25 are classified as experimental. 
In addition, the Service is approving the extension of the framework 
closing date to September 25 for Crawford County, Pennsylvania, on an 
experimental basis, based on the observational neck collar data 
submitted by Pennsylvania. The Service is granting this temporary 
exemption for the Atlantic Flyway because of the suspension of the 
regular season on Atlantic Population Canada geese and the Flyway's 
need for greater flexibility in dealing with increasing numbers of 
resident Canada geese. The exemption is proposed to remain in effect 
until the regular season on migrant Canada geese is reinstated. The 
Service encourages all States selecting framework dates after September 
15 to continue with data-gathering and monitoring efforts in order to 
further evaluate any proportional changes in the harvest of migrant 
geese.
    Wisconsin has held a special September Canada goose season for 
several years. This year, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 
requested that the open area for the season be expanded. The Service 
concurs with that request, and the larger area is included in the 
frameworks herein.

B. Regular Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of 
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a September 21 framework 
opening date for the regular goose season in the Upper Peninsula of 
Michigan and statewide in Wisconsin.
    The Pacific Flyway Council reiterated its 1995 recommendation that 
Alaska, Oregon, and Washington take actions to reduce the harvest of 
dusky Canada geese.
    Service Response: Regarding the Pacific Flyway Council's 
recommendation, the Service recognizes this need and proposes 
establishing uniform criteria to measure the harvest of dusky Canada 
geese in Washington's and Oregon's Quota Zones. The Service solicits 
input from the Council and other parties in the development of these 
criteria for the 1996-97 season.

9. Sandhill Cranes

    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended 
Wyoming's sandhill crane hunt area expand to include Park and Big Horn 
Counties.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended season modifications in 
Montana and Wyoming. In Montana, the Council recommended a new hunt 
zone in the Ovando-Helmville area. In Wyoming, the Council recommended 
expanding the season from 3 to 8 days, increasing the number of 
permits, and establishing a new hunt zone in Park and Big Horn 
Counties.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the Councils' 
recommendations.

12. Rails

    Written Comments: The Humane Society believes that bag limits for 
sora and Virginia rails are extremely high.
    Service Response: Available information indicates that harvest 
pressure on rails is relatively light and there is no evidence to 
suggest the frameworks provided are not appropriate.

14. Woodcock

    The Service is increasingly concerned about the gradual long-term 
declines in woodcock populations in the Eastern and Central management 
regions. Although habitat changes appear to be the primary cause of the 
declines, the Service believes that hunting regulations should be 
commensurate with the woodcock population status and rates of declines. 
The Service seeks active participation by the Atlantic and Mississippi 
Flyway Councils in the development of short and long-term woodcock 
harvest management strategies, which identify the circumstances under 
which additional harvest restrictions should be implemented and what 
those restrictions should be.

18. Alaska

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended the 
establishment of separate basic limits for geese. For dark geese, the 
Council recommended a basic daily bag limit of 4, with 8 in possession. 
For light geese, the Council recommended a daily bag limit of 3, with 6 
in possession. The proposed limits would be subject to area 
restrictions for Canada geese and limits for brant and emperor geese 
would remain separate.

[[Page 45840]]

    Public Hearing Comments: Mr. Dale Bartlett, representing the Humane 
Society strongly recommended that opening dates in Alaska be delayed at 
least 2 weeks to allow birds to leave their natal marshes.
    Written Comments: The Humane Society of the United States 
recommends that the opening date for all seasons in Alaska be delayed 
by 2 weeks so that young birds are able to leave natal marshes before 
being subjected to hunting pressure.
    Service Response: The Service agrees with the Council's 
recommendation regarding the establishment of separate basic limits for 
geese.
    It is important to note that in Alaska, hunting pressure on 
migratory birds is comparatively light. Many northern species migrate 
from the State before seasons open there in September and there is no 
evidence to indicate regulated hunting has adversely impacted local 
populations.

19. Hawaii

    Written Comments: The Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife 
(Hawaii) requested an extension in the mourning dove framework closing 
date from January 15 to January 21 and an increase in the season length 
from 70 days to 85 days. Hawaii requests this to accommodate their 
traditional opening date of the first Saturday in November and their 
closing date of either the third Saturday in January or Martin Luther 
King Day, whichever occurs later.
    Service Response: In recent years, outside dates for Hawaii have 
been between September 1 and January 15, consistent with frameworks 
established in other management units. However, due to natural calendar 
cycle, Hawaii's traditional season dates fall outside of established 
framework dates on the average of once every 7 years. The Service 
recognizes Hawaii's uniqueness relative to the conterminous United 
States and agrees some flexibility should be employed. The Service 
further notes Hawaii's season length and daily bag limit have 
traditionally been far more conservative than those allowed by Federal 
frameworks. Thus, to accommodate Hawaii's request, the Service agrees 
to shift the outside dates to October 1 and January 31. The Service 
notes that in the South Zone of Texas, framework dates are shifted to 
September 20 and January 25. Regarding Hawaii's request for an increase 
in the season length, the Service reminds Hawaii that the season may be 
split into three segments.

Public Comment Invited

    The Service intends that adopted final rules be as responsive as 
possible to all concerned interests, and wants to obtain the comments 
and suggestions from all interested areas of the public, as well as 
other governmental agencies. Such comments, and any additional 
information received, may lead to final regulations that differ from 
these proposals. However, special circumstances involved in the 
establishment of these regulations limit the amount of time 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, before mid-June, of 
specific, reliable data on this year's status of some waterfowl and 
migratory shore and upland game bird populations. Therefore, the 
Service believes allowing comment periods past the dates specified is 
contrary to public interest.

Comment Procedure

    It is the policy of the Department of the Interior to afford the 
public an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process, 
whenever practical. Accordingly, interested persons may participate by 
submitting written comments to the Chief, MBMO, at the address listed 
under the caption ADDRESSES. The public may inspect comments during 
normal business hours at the Service's office address listed under the 
caption ADDRESSES. The Service will consider all relevant comments 
received and will try to acknowledge received comments, but may not 
provide an individual response to each commenter.

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. The Service published a Notice 
of Availability in the June 16, 1988, Federal Register (53 FR 22582). 
The Service published its Record of Decision on August 18, 1988 (53 FR 
31341). Copies of these documents are available from the Service at the 
address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

    As in the past, the Service designs hunting regulations to remove 
or alleviate chances of conflict between migratory game bird hunting 
seasons and the protection and conservation of endangered and 
threatened species. Consultations have been conducted to ensure that 
actions resulting from these regulatory proposals will not likely 
jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species 
or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical 
habitat. Findings from these consultations are included in a biological 
opinion and may cause modification of some regulatory measures 
previously proposed. The final frameworks reflect any modifications. 
The Service's biological opinions resulting from its Section 7 
consultation are public documents available for public inspection in 
the Service's Division of Endangered Species and MBMO, at the address 
indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

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

    In the March 22, 1996, Federal Register, the Service reported 
measures it took to comply with requirements of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act and E.O. 12866. One measure was to prepare a Small 
Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis) in 1996 documenting the 
significant beneficial economic effect on a substantial number of small 
entities. The Analysis estimated that migratory bird hunters would 
spend between $254 and $592 million at small businesses. Copies of the 
Analysis are available upon request from the Office of Migratory Bird 
Management. This rule was reviewed under E.O. 12866.
    The Department examined these proposed regulations under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The various information collection 
requirements are utilized in the formulation of migratory game bird 
hunting regulations. OMB has approved these information collection 
requirements and assigned clearance numbers 1018-0015 and 1018-0023.

Regulations Promulgation

    The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its 
nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, the Service 
intends that the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to 
comment on the regulations. Thus, when the preliminary proposed 
rulemaking was published, the Service established what it believed

[[Page 45841]]

were the longest periods possible for public comment. In doing this, 
the Service recognized that when the comment period closed, time would 
be of the essence. That is, if there were a delay in the effective date 
of these regulations after this final rulemaking, the States would have 
insufficient time to select season dates and limits; to communicate 
those selections to the Service; and to establish and publicize the 
necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions.
    Therefore, the Service, under authority of the Migratory Bird 
Treaty Act (July 3, 1918), as amended, (16 U.S.C. 703-711), prescribes 
final frameworks setting forth the species to be hunted, the daily bag 
and possession limits, the shooting hours, the season lengths, the 
earliest opening and latest closing season dates, and hunting areas, 
from which State conservation agency officials may select hunting 
season dates and other options. Upon receipt of season and option 
selections from these officials, the Service will publish in the 
Federal Register a final rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect 
seasons, limits, and shooting hours for the conterminous United States 
for the 1995-96 season.
    The Service therefore finds that ``good cause'' exists, within the 
terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, and 
these frameworks will, therefore, take effect immediately upon 
publication.

Unfunded Mandates

    The Service has determined and certifies in compliance with the 
requirements of the Unfunded Mandates Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that 
this rulemaking will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any 
given year on local or State government or private entities.

Civil Justice Reform - Executive Order 12988

    The Department, in promulgating this proposed rule, has determined 
that these regulations meet the applicable standards provided in 
Sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20

    Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.
    The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 1996-97 
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-711, 16 U.S.C. 712, 
and 16 U.S.C. 742 a-j.

    Dated: August 19, 1996
George T. Frampton, Jr.
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks

Final Regulations Frameworks for 1996-97 Early Hunting Seasons on 
Certain Migratory Game Birds

    Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated 
authorities, the Department of Interior approved the following proposed 
frameworks which prescribe season lengths, bag limits, shooting hours, 
and outside dates within which States may select seasons for certain 
migratory game birds between September 1, 1996, and March 10, 1997.

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.
    Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Geographic descriptions are 
contained in a later portion of this document.

Special September Teal Season

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season 
on all species of teal may be selected by Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado 
(Central Flyway portion only), Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, 
Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico (Central Flyway portion 
only), Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas in areas delineated by 
State regulations.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 9 consecutive 
days, with a daily bag limit of 4 teal.
    Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except in 
Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio, where the hours are 
from sunrise to sunset.

Special September Duck Seasons

    Florida: An experimental 5-consecutive-day season may be selected 
in September. The daily bag limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks 
in the aggregate.
    Kentucky and Tennessee: In lieu of a special September teal season, 
an experimental 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September. 
The daily bag limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the 
aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks.
    Iowa: Iowa may hold up to 5 days of its regular duck hunting season 
in September. All ducks which are legal during the regular duck season 
may be taken during the September segment of the season. The September 
season segment may commence no earlier than the Saturday nearest 
September 20 (September 21, 1996), with daily bag and possession limits 
being the same as those in effect last year. The remainder of the 
regular duck season may not begin before October 15.

Scoter, Eider, and Oldsquaw Ducks (Atlantic Flyway)

    Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 20.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 107 days, with 
a daily bag limit of 7, singly or in the aggregate of the listed sea-
duck species, of which no more than 4 may be scoters.
    Daily Bag Limits During the Regular Duck Season: Within the special 
sea duck areas, during the regular duck season in the Atlantic Flyway, 
States may choose to allow the above sea duck limits in addition to the 
limits applying to other ducks during the regular duck season. In all 
other areas, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular open season 
for ducks and must be included in the regular duck season daily bag and 
possession limits.
    Areas: In all coastal waters and all waters of rivers and streams 
seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New Hampshire, 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in any waters 
of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay which are 
separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and 
emergent vegetation in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Georgia; and in 
any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay 
which are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any shore, 
island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina 
and Virginia; and provided that any such areas have been described, 
delineated, and designated as special sea-duck hunting areas under the 
hunting regulations adopted by the respective States.

Special Early Canada Goose Seasons

Atlantic Flyway

General Seasons
    Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be 
selected for the Montezuma Region of New York; the Lake Champlain 
Region of New York and Vermont; the Counties of Caroline, Cecil, 
Dorchester, and Talbot in Maryland; Delaware; and Crawford County in 
Pennsylvania. Seasons not to

[[Page 45842]]

exceed 20 days during September 1-20 may be selected for the Northeast 
Hunt Unit of North Carolina. Seasons may not exceed 25 days during 
September 1-25 in the remainder of the Flyway, except Georgia and 
Florida, where the season is closed. Areas open to the hunting of 
Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in 
each State's hunting regulations.
    Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5 Canada geese.
Experimental Seasons
    Experimental Canada goose seasons of up to 30 days during September 
1-30 may be selected by New Jersey, North Carolina (except in the 
Northeast Hunt Unit), and South Carolina. Experimental Canada goose 
seasons of up to 25 days during September 1-25 may be selected in 
Crawford County, Pennsylvania. Areas open to the hunting of Canada 
geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each 
State's hunting regulations.
    Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5 Canada geese.

Mississippi Flyway

General Seasons
    Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be 
selected by Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan (except in the Upper 
Peninsula, where the season may not extend beyond September 10, and in 
Huron, Saginaw and Tuscola Counties, where no special season may be 
held), Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The daily 
bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open to the hunting of 
Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in 
each State's hunting regulations.

Central Flyway

General Seasons
    Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be 
selected by South Dakota. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada 
geese. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, 
delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.

Pacific Flyway

General Seasons
    Wyoming may select an 8-day season on Canada geese between 
September 1-15. This season is subject to the following conditions:
    1. Where applicable, the season must be concurrent with the 
September portion of the sandhill crane season.
    2. All participants must have a valid State permit for the 
special season.
    3. A daily bag limit of 2, with season and possession limits of 
6 will apply to the special season.
    Oregon may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days 
during the period September 1-15. Daily bag limits not to exceed 3 
Canada geese with 6 in possession.
    Washington may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 
days during the period September 1-15. Daily bag limits not to exceed 3 
Canada geese with 6 in possession.
    Idaho may select a 15-day season in the special East Canada Goose 
Zone as described in State regulations during the period September 1-
15. All participants must have a valid State permit and the total 
number of permits issued is not to exceed 110 for this zone. The daily 
bag limit is 2 and the possession limit is 4.
    Idaho may select a 7-day Canada Goose Season during the period 
September 1-15 in Nez Perce County with a bag limit of 4 and a 
possession limit of 8. All participants must have a valid State permit 
and the total number of permits is not to exceed 200 for the season in 
Nez Perce County.
    Areas open to hunting of Canada geese in each State must be 
described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting 
regulations.

Regular Goose Seasons

    Regular goose seasons in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of 
Michigan may open as early as September 21. Season lengths and bag and 
possession limits will be the same as those in effect last year but are 
subject to change during the late-season regulations process.

Sandhill Cranes

Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway:

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28.
    Hunting Seasons: Seasons not to exceed 58 consecutive days may be 
selected in designated portions of the following States: Colorado, 
Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Seasons not 
to exceed 93 consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of 
the following States: New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
    Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes.
    Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane 
seasons must have a valid Federal sandhill crane hunting permit in 
their possession while hunting.

Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways:

    Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming 
may select seasons for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the 
Rocky Mountain Population subject to the following conditions:
    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: The season in any State or zone may not exceed 30 
days.
    Bag limits: Not to exceed 3 daily and 9 per season.
    Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the 
appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.
    Other provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates, 
protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons 
must be consistent with the management plan and approved by the Central 
and Pacific Flyway Councils. Seasons in Montana and the Park-Big Horn 
Unit in Wyoming are experimental.

Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 20 in the Atlantic 
Flyway, and between September 1 and the Sunday nearest January 20 
(January 19) in the Mississippi and Central Flyways. States in the 
Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons 
between the outside dates for the season on ducks; therefore, they are 
late-season frameworks and no frameworks are provided in this document.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70 
days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. Seasons may be 
split into 2 segments. The daily bag limit is 15 common moorhens and 
purple gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of the two species.

Rails

    Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between 
September 1 and January 20 on clapper, king, sora, and Virginia rails.
    Hunting Seasons: The season may not exceed 70 days, and may be 
split into 2 segments.
    Daily Bag Limits:
    Clapper and King Rails - In Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, 
Delaware, and Maryland, 10, singly or in the aggregate of the two 
species. In Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, 
South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, 15, singly or in the 
aggregate of the two species.
    Sora and Virginia Rails - In the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central 
Flyways and the Pacific-Flyway portions of Colorado, Montana, New 
Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 daily and 25 in possession, singly or in the 
aggregate

[[Page 45843]]

of the two species. The season is closed in the remainder of the 
Pacific Flyway.

Common Snipe

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28, except in 
Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, 
where the season must end no later than January 31.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 107 
days and may be split into two segments. The daily bag limit is 8 
snipe.

American Woodcock

    Outside Dates: States in the Atlantic Flyway may select hunting 
seasons between October 1 and January 31. States in the Central and 
Mississippi Flyways may select hunting seasons between September 1 and 
January 31.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: In the Atlantic Flyway, 
seasons may not exceed 45 days, with a daily bag limit of 3; in the 
Central and Mississippi Flyways, seasons may not exceed 65 days, with a 
daily bag limit of 5. Seasons may be split into two segments.
    Zoning: New Jersey may select seasons in each of two zones. The 
season in each zone may not exceed 35 days.

Band-tailed Pigeons

Pacific Coast States (California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada)

    Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 1.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive 
days, with bag and possession limits of 2 and 2 band-tailed pigeons, 
respectively.
    Permit Requirement: The appropriate State agency must issue permits 
or participate in the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program.
    Zoning: California may select hunting seasons not to exceed 9 
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the North Zone 
must close by October 7.

Four-Corners States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah)

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and November 30.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 30 consecutive 
days, with a daily bag limit of 5 band-tailed pigeons.
    Permit Requirement: The appropriate State agency must issue permits 
or participate in the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program.
    Zoning: New Mexico may select hunting seasons not to exceed 20 
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the South Zone may 
not open until October 1.

Mourning Doves

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15, except as 
otherwise provided, States may select hunting seasons and daily bag 
limits as follows:

Eastern Management Unit (All States east of the Mississippi River, and 
Louisiana)

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a 
daily bag limit of 12, or not more than 60 days with a daily bag limit 
of 15.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each 
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more 
than three periods. The hunting seasons in the South Zones of Alabama, 
Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi may commence no earlier 
than September 20. Regulations for bag and possession limits, season 
length, and shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting 
zones.

Central Management Unit (Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, 
Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South 
Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming)

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a 
daily bag limit of 12, or not more than 60 days with a daily bag limit 
of 15.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each 
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more 
than three periods. Texas may select hunting seasons for each of three 
zones subject to the following conditions:
    A. The hunting season may be split into not more than two periods, 
except in that portion of Texas in which the special white-winged dove 
season is allowed, where a limited mourning dove season may be held 
concurrently with that special season (see white-winged dove 
frameworks).
    B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between 
September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between September 20 
and January 25.
    C. Each zone may have a daily bag limit of 12 doves (15 under the 
alternative) in the aggregate, no more than 6 of which may be white-
winged doves and no more than 2 of which may be white-tipped doves, 
except that during the special white-winged dove season, the daily bag 
limit may not exceed 10 white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves 
in the aggregate, of which no more than 5 may be mourning doves and 2 
may be white-tipped doves.
    D. Except as noted above, regulations for bag and possession 
limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within each 
hunting zone.

Western Management Unit (Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, 
Utah, and Washington)

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, 
and Washington - Not more than 30 consecutive days with a daily bag 
limit of 10 mourning doves (in Nevada, the daily bag limit may not 
exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate).
    Arizona and California - Not more than 60 days which may be split 
between two periods, September 1-15 and November 1-January 15. In 
Arizona, during the first segment of the season, the daily bag limit is 
10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more 
than 6 may be white-winged doves. During the remainder of the season, 
the daily bag limit is restricted to 10 mourning doves. In California, 
the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves 
in the aggregate.

White-winged and White-tipped Doves

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits:
    Except as shown below, seasons in Arizona, California, Florida, 
Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas must be concurrent with mourning dove 
seasons.
    Arizona may select a hunting season of not more than 30 consecutive 
days, running concurrently with the first segment of the mourning dove 
season. The daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged 
doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 6 may be white-winged 
doves.
    In Florida, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning and 
white-winged doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate, of 
which no more than 4 may be white-winged doves.
    In the Nevada Counties of Clark and Nye, and in the California 
Counties of Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino, the daily bag 
limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the 
aggregate.
    In New Mexico, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning and 
white-winged doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate.
    In Texas, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning, white-
winged, and white-tipped doves (15 under the

[[Page 45844]]

alternative) in the aggregate, of which not more than 6 may be white-
winged doves and not more than 2 may be white-tipped doves.
    In addition, Texas may also select a hunting season of not more 
than 4 days for the special white-winged dove area of the South Zone 
between September 1 and September 19. The daily bag limit may not 
exceed 10 white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the 
aggregate, of which no more than 5 may be mourning doves and 2 may be 
white-tipped doves.

Alaska

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 26.
    Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select 107 consecutive days for 
waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and common snipe in each of five zones. The 
season may be split without penalty in the Kodiak Zone. The seasons in 
each zone must be concurrent.
    Closures: The season is closed on Canada geese from Unimak Pass 
westward in the Aleutian Island chain. The hunting season is closed on 
Aleutian Canada geese, emperor geese, spectacled eiders, and Steller's 
eiders.
    Daily Bag and Possession limits:
    Ducks - Except as noted, a basic daily bag limit of 7 and a 
possession limit of 21 ducks. Daily bag and possession limits in the 
North Zone are 10 and 30, and in the Gulf Coast Zone they are 8 and 24, 
respectively. The basic limits may include no more than 1 canvasback 
daily and 3 in possession.
    In addition to the basic limit, there is a daily bag limit of 15 
and a possession limit of 30 scoter, common and king eiders, oldsquaw, 
harlequin, and common and red-breasted mergansers, singly or in the 
aggregate of these species.
    Light Geese - A basic daily bag limit of 3 and a possession limit 
of 6.
    Dark Geese - A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit of 
8.
    Dark-goose seasons are subject to the following restrictions:
    1. In Units 9(e) and 18, the limits for Canada geese are 1 daily 
and 2 in possession.
    2. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted 
from September 28 through December 16. Middleton Island is closed to 
the taking of Canada geese.
    3. In Unit 10 (except Unimak Island), the taking of Canada geese 
is prohibited.
    Brant - A daily bag limit of 2.
    Common snipe - A daily bag limit of 8.
    Sandhill cranes - A daily bag limit of 3.
    Tundra swans - Open seasons for tundra swans may be selected 
subject to the following conditions:
    1. No more than 300 permits may be issued in GMU 22, authorizing 
each permittee to take 1 tundra swan per season.
    2. No more than 500 permits may be issued during the operational 
season in GMU 18. No more than 1 tundra swan may be taken per 
permit.
    3. The seasons must be concurrent with other migratory bird 
seasons.
    4. The appropriate State agency must issue permits, obtain 
harvest and hunter-participation data, and report the results of 
this hunt to the Service by June 1 of the following year.

Hawaii

    Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days (70 under the alternative) 
for mourning doves.
    Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 (12 under the alternative) mourning 
doves.
    Note: Mourning doves may be taken in Hawaii in accordance with 
shooting hours and other regulations set by the State of Hawaii, and 
subject to the applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20.

Puerto Rico

Doves and Pigeons:

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida, 
mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate. Not to exceed 5 
scaly-naped pigeons.
    Closed Areas: There is no open season on doves or pigeons in the 
following areas: Municipality of Culebra, Desecheo Island, Mona Island, 
El Verde Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas.

Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and Snipe:

    Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 days may be selected for hunting 
ducks, common moorhens, and common snipe. The season may be split into 
two segments.
    Daily Bag Limits:
    Ducks - Not to exceed 5.
    Common moorhens - Not to exceed 6.
    Common snipe - Not to exceed 8.
    Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, 
and masked duck, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico. The season also is closed on the purple gallinule, American coot, 
and Caribbean coot.
    Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, common moorhens, 
and common snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island.

Virgin Islands

Doves and Pigeons:

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days for Zenaida doves.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida doves.
    Closed Seasons: No open season is prescribed for ground or quail 
doves, or pigeons in the Virgin Islands.
    Closed Areas: There is no open season for migratory game birds on 
Ruth Cay (just south of St. Croix).
    Local Names for Certain Birds: Zenaida dove, also known as mountain 
dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as Barbary dove or partridge; 
Common ground-dove, also known as stone dove, tobacco dove, rola, or 
tortolita; scaly-naped pigeon, also known as red-necked or scaled 
pigeon.

Ducks

    Outside Dates: Between December 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 consecutive days.
    Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5.
    Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, 
and masked duck.

Special Falconry Regulations

    Falconry is a permitted means of taking migratory game birds in any 
State meeting Federal falconry standards in 50 CFR 21.29(k). These 
States may select an extended season for taking migratory game birds in 
accordance with the following:
    Extended Seasons: For all hunting methods combined, the combined 
length of the extended season, regular season, and any special or 
experimental seasons shall not exceed 107 days for any species or group 
of species in a geographical area. Each extended season may be divided 
into a maximum of 3 segments.
    Framework Dates: Seasons must fall between September 1 and March 
10.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Falconry daily bag and possession 
limits for all permitted migratory game birds shall not exceed 3 and 6 
birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate, during extended 
falconry seasons, any special or experimental seasons, and regular 
hunting seasons in all States, including those that do not select an 
extended falconry season.
    Regular Seasons: General hunting regulations, including seasons and

[[Page 45845]]

hunting hours, apply to falconry in each State listed in 50 CFR 
21.29(k). Regular-season bag and possession limits do not apply to 
falconry. The falconry bag limit is not in addition to gun limits.

Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions

    Central Flyway portion of the following States consists of:
    Colorado: That area lying east of the Continental Divide.
    Montana: That area lying east of Hill, Chouteau, Cascade, Meagher, 
and Park Counties.
    New Mexico: That area lying east of the Continental Divide but 
outside the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation.
    Wyoming: That area lying east of the Continental Divide and 
excluding the Great Divide Portion.
    The remaining portions of these States are in the Pacific Flyway.

Mourning and White-winged Doves

    Alabama
    South Zone - Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Dale, 
Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties.
    North Zone - Remainder of the State.
    California
    White-winged Dove Open Areas - Imperial, Riverside, and San 
Bernardino Counties.
    Florida
    Northwest Zone - The Counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, 
Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, 
Washington, Leon (except that portion north of U.S. 27 and east of 
State Road 155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of State Road 59 and 
north of U.S. 98), and Wakulla (except that portion south of U.S. 98 
and east of the St. Marks River).
    South Zone - Remainder of State.
    Georgia
    Northern Zone - That portion of the State lying north of a line 
running west to east along U.S. Highway 280 from Columbus to Wilcox 
County, thence southward along the western border of Wilcox County; 
thence east along the southern border of Wilcox County to the Ocmulgee 
River, thence north along the Ocmulgee River to Highway 280, thence 
east along Highway 280 to the Little Ocmulgee River; thence southward 
along the Little Ocmulgee River to the Ocmulgee River; thence 
southwesterly along the Ocmulgee River to the western border of the 
Jeff Davis County; thence south along the western border of Jeff Davis 
County; thence east along the southern border of Jeff Davis and Appling 
Counties; thence north along the eastern border of Appling County, to 
the Altamaha River; thence east to the eastern border of Tattnall 
County; thence north along the eastern border of Tattnall County; 
thence north along the western border of Evans to Candler County; 
thence west along the southern border of Candler County to the Ohoopee 
River; thence north along the western border of Candler County to 
Bulloch County; thence north along the western border of Bulloch County 
to U.S. Highway 301; thence northeast along U.S. Highway 301 to the 
South Carolina line.
    South Zone - Remainder of the State.
    Louisiana
    North Zone - That portion of the State north of Interstate Highway 
10 from the Texas State line to Baton Rouge, Interstate Highway 12 from 
Baton Rouge to Slidell and Interstate Highway 10 from Slidell to the 
Mississippi State line.
    South Zone - The remainder of the State.
    Mississippi
    South Zone - The Counties of Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, 
Harrison, Jackson, Lamar, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Stone, and 
Walthall.
    North Zone - The remainder of the State.
    Nevada
    White-winged Dove Open Areas - Clark and Nye Counties.
    Texas
    North Zone - That portion of the State north of a line beginning at 
the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; north along FM 1088 to 
TX 20; west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along TX 148 to I-10 at Fort 
Hancock; east along I-10 to I-20; northeast along I-20 to I-30 at Fort 
Worth; northeast along I-30 to the Texas-Arkansas State line.
    South Zone - That portion of the State south and west of a line 
beginning at the International Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east 
on U.S. 90 to San Antonio; then east on I-10 to Orange, Texas.
    Special White-winged Dove Area in the South Zone - That portion of 
the State south and west of a line beginning at the International 
Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east on U.S. 90 to Uvalde; south on 
U.S. 83 to TX 44; east along TX 44 to TX 16 at Freer; south along TX 16 
to TX 285 at Hebbronville; east along TX 285 to FM 1017; southwest 
along FM 1017 to TX 186 at Linn; east along TX 186 to the Mansfield 
Channel at Port Mansfield; east along the Mansfield Channel to the Gulf 
of Mexico.
    Area with additional restrictions - Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and 
Willacy Counties.
    Central Zone - That portion of the State lying between the North 
and South Zones.

Band-tailed Pigeons

    California
    North Zone - Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, 
Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity 
Counties.
    South Zone - The remainder of the State.
    New Mexico
    North Zone - North of a line following U.S. 60 from the Arizona 
State line east to I-25 at Socorro and then south along I-25 from 
Socorro to the Texas State line.
    South Zone - Remainder of the State.
    Washington
    Western Washington - The State of Washington excluding those 
portions lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big 
White Salmon River in Klickitat County.

Woodcock

    New Jersey
    North Zone - That portion of the State north of NJ 70.
    South Zone - The remainder of the State.

Special September Goose Seasons

Atlantic Flyway

    Connecticut
    North Zone - That portion of the State north of I-95.
    Maryland
    Eastern Unit - Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, 
Dorchester, Harford, St. Marys, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and 
Worcester Counties, and those portions of Baltimore, Howard, and Prince 
Georges Counties east of I-95.
    Western Unit - Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, 
and Washington Counties, and those portions of Baltimore, Howard, and 
Prince Georges Counties east of I-95.
    Massachusetts
    Western Zone - That portion of the State west of a line extending 
south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, 
south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut 
border.
    Central Zone - That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone 
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-
95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on 
MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west 
to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards 
inland from the high-water

[[Page 45846]]

mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the MA 24 bridge, and the 
Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St. bridge shall be in the 
Coastal Zone.
    Coastal Zone - That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the 
Central Zone.
    New Hampshire
    Early-season Hunt Unit - Cheshire, Hillsborough, Rockingham, and 
Strafford Counties.
    New York
    Lake Champlain Zone - The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian 
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south 
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the 
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; 
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont 
border.
    Long Island Zone - That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk 
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their 
tidal waters.
    Western Zone - That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario 
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along 
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border, except for the Montezuma Zone.
    Montezuma Zone - Those portions of Cayuga, Seneca, Ontario, Wayne, 
and Oswego Counties north of U.S. Route 20, east of NYS Route 14, south 
of NYS Route 104, and west of NYS Route 34.
    Northeastern Zone - That area north of a line extending from Lake 
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south 
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to 
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along 
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along 
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive 
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
    Southeastern Zone - The remaining portion of New York.
    North Carolina
    Northeast Hunt Unit - Counties of Bertie, Camden, Chovan, 
Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington.
    South Carolina
    Early-season Hunt Unit - Clarendon County and those portions of 
Orangeburg County north of SC Highway 6 and Berkeley County north of SC 
Highway 45 from the Orangeburg County line to the junction of SC 
Highway 45 and State Road S-8-31 and west of the Santee Dam.

Mississippi Flyway

    Illinois
    North Zone: That portion of the State outside of the Northeast Zone 
and north of a line extending east from the Iowa border along Illinois 
Highway 92 to Interstate Highway 280, east along I-280 to I-80, then 
east along I-80 to the Indiana border.
    Northeast Zone - Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, 
Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.
    Iowa
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State 37, 
southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to 
Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
    Minnesota
    Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone -
    A. All of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.
    B. In Anoka County, all of Columbus Township lying south of County 
State Aid Highway (CSAH) 18, Anoka County; all of the cities of Ramsey, 
Andover, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Spring Lake Park, Fridley, Hilltop, 
Columbia Heights, Blaine, Lexington, Circle Pines, Lino Lakes, and 
Centerville; and all of the city of Ham Lake except that portion lying 
north of CSAH 18 and east of U.S. Highway 65.
    C. That part of Carver County lying north and east of the following 
described line: Beginning at the northeast corner of San Francisco 
Township; thence west along the north boundary of San Francisco 
Township to the east boundary of Dahlgren Township; thence north along 
the east boundary of Dahlgren Township to U.S. Highway 212; thence west 
along U.S. Highway 212 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 284; thence north 
on STH 284 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10; thence north and west 
on CSAH 10 to CSAH 30; thence north and west on CSAH 30 to STH 25; 
thence east and north on STH 25 to CSAH 10; thence north on CSAH 10 to 
the Carver County line.
    D. In Scott County, all of the cities or Shakopee, Savage, Prior 
Lake, and Jordan, and all of the Townships of Jackson, Louisville, St. 
Lawrence, Sand Creek, Spring Lake, and Credit River.
    E. In Dakota County, all of the cities of Burnsville, Eagan, 
Mendota Heights, Mendota, Sunfish Lake, Inver Grove Heights, Apple 
Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Farmington, Hastings, Lilydale, West St. 
Paul, and South St. Paul, and all of the Township of Nininger.
    F. That portion of Washington County lying south of the following 
described line: Beginning at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 on the 
west boundary of the county; thence east on CSAH 2 to U.S. Highway 61; 
thence south on U.S. Highway 61 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 97; thence 
east on STH 97 to the intersection of STH 97 and STH 95; thence due 
east to the east boundary of the state.
    Northwest Goose Zone (included for reference only, not a special 
September Goose Season Zone) - That portion of the State encompassed by 
a line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 
to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east 
along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north 
along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to 
STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along 
CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in 
Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 
310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
    Four Goose Zone - That portion of the state encompassed by a line 
extending north from the Iowa border along U.S. Interstate Highway 35 
to the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose 
Zone, then west and north along the boundary of the Twin Cities 
Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone to U.S. Interstate 94, then west and 
north on U.S. Interstate 94 to the North Dakota border.
    Two Goose Zone - That portion of the state to the north of a line 
extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Interstate 94 to 
the boundary of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone, then 
north and east along the Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone 
boundary to the Wisconsin border, except the Northwest Goose Zone and 
that portion of the State encompassed by a line extending north from 
the Iowa border along U.S. Interstate 35 to the south boundary of the 
Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone, then east on the Twin Cites 
Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone boundary to the Wisconsin border.
    Tennessee
    Middle Tennessee Zone - Those portions of Houston, Humphreys, 
Montgomery, Perry, and Wayne Counties east of State Highway 13; and 
Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles, 
Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Moore, 
Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson 
Counties.

[[Page 45847]]

    Cumberland Plateau Zone - Bledsoe, Bradley, Clay, Cumberland, 
Dekalb, Fentress, Grundy, Hamilton, Jackson, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, 
Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, 
Van Buren, Warren, and White Counties.
    East Tennessee Zone - Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Carter, 
Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, 
Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, 
Union, and Washington Counties.
    Wisconsin
    Early-Season Subzone A - That portion of the State encompassed by a 
line beginning at the Lake Michigan shore in Sheboygan, then west along 
State Highway 23 to State 67, southerly along State 67 to County 
Highway E in Sheboygan County, southerly along County E to State 28, 
south and west along State 28 to U.S. Highway 41, southerly along U.S. 
41 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to County Highway U in 
Washington County, southerly along County U to County N, southeasterly 
along County N to State 60, westerly along State 60 to County Highway P 
in Dodge County, southerly along County P to County O, westerly along 
County O to State 109, south and west along State 109 to State 26, 
southerly along State 26 to U.S. 12, southerly along U.S. 12 to State 
89, southerly along State 89 to U.S. 14, southerly along U.S. 14 to the 
Illinois border, east along the Illinois border to the Michigan border 
in Lake Michigan, north along the Michigan border in Lake Michigan to a 
point directly east of State 23 in Sheboygan, then west along that line 
to the point of beginning on the Lake Michigan shore in Sheboygan.
    Early-Season Subzone B - That portion of the State between Early-
Season Subzone A and a line beginning at the intersection of U.S. 
Highway 141 and the Michigan border near Niagara, then south along U.S. 
141 to State Highway 22, west and southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45, 
south along U.S. 45 to State 22, west and south along State 22 to State 
110, south along State 110 to U.S. 10, south along U.S. 10 to State 49, 
south along State 49 to State 23, west along State 23 to State 73, 
south along State 73 to State 60, west along State 60 to State 23, 
south along State 23 to State 11, east along State 11 to State 78, then 
south along State 78 to the Illinois border.

Central Flyway

    South Dakota
    Unit A - Deuel, Hamlin, Codington, and Day Counties.
    Unit B - Brookings, Clark, Kingsbury, and Lake Counties and those 
portions of Moody County west of I-29 and Miner County east of SD 
Highway 25.

Pacific Flyway

    Idaho
    East Zone - Bonneville, Caribou, Fremont and Teton Counties.
    Oregon
    Northwest Zone - Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane, 
Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and 
Yamhill Counties.
    Southwest Zone - Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and 
Klamath Counties.
    East Zone - Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, 
Union and Wasco Counties.
    Washington
    Southwest Zone - Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties.
    East Zone - Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Garfield, Klickitat, and 
Whitman Counties.
    Wyoming
    Bear River Area - That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Salt River Area - That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Farson-Edon Area - Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette 
Counties described in State regulations.
    Teton Area - Those portions of Teton County described in State 
regulations.

Ducks

Mississippi Flyway

    Iowa
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State 37, 
southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to 
Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.

Sandhill Cranes

Central Flyway

    Colorado
    Regular-Season Open Area - The Central Flyway portion of the State 
except the San Luis Valley (Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, 
Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache Counties east of the Continental 
Divide) and North Park (Jackson County).
    Kansas
    Regular Season Open Area - That portion of the State west of a line 
beginning at the Oklahoma border, north on I-35 to Wichita, north on I-
135 to Salina, and north on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border.
    New Mexico
    Regular-Season Open Area - Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay, 
and Roosevelt Counties.
    Middle Rio Grande Valley Area - The Central Flyway portion of New 
Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties.
    Southwest Zone - Sierra, Luna, and Dona Ana Counties.
    Oklahoma
    Regular-Season Open Area - That portion of the State west of I-35.
    Texas
    Regular-Season Open Area - That portion of the State west of a line 
from the International Toll Bridge at Brownsville along U.S. 77 to 
Victoria; U.S. 87 to Placedo; Farm Road 616 to Blessing; State 35 to 
Alvin; State 6 to U.S. 290; U.S. 290 to Austin; I-35 to the Texas-
Oklahoma border.
    North Dakota
    Regular-Season Open Area - That portion of the State west of U.S. 
281.
    South Dakota
    Regular-Season Open Area - That portion of the State west of U.S. 
281.
    Montana
    Regular-Season Open Area - The Central Flyway portion of the State 
except that area south of I-90 and west of the Bighorn River.
    Wyoming
    Regular-Season Open Area - Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen, 
Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties.
    Riverton-Boysen Unit - Portions of Fremont County.
    Park and Bighorn County Unit - Portions of Park and Bighorn 
Counties.

Pacific Flyway

    Arizona
    Special-Season Area - Game Management Units 30A, 30B, 31, and 32.
    Montana
    Special-Season Area - See State regulations.
    Utah
    Special-Season Area - Rich County.
    Wyoming
    Bear River Area - That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Salt River Area - That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Eden-Farson Area - Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette 
Counties described in State regulations.

All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska

    North Zone - State Game Management Units 11-13 and 17-26.
    Gulf Coast Zone - State Game Management Units 5-7, 9, 14-16, and 10 
- Unimak Island only.

[[Page 45848]]

    Southeast Zone - State Game Management Units 1-4.
    Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone - State Game Management Unit 10 
- except Unimak Island.
    Kodiak Zone - State Game Management Unit 8.

All Migratory Birds in the Virgin Islands

    Ruth Cay Closure Area - The island of Ruth Cay, just south of St. 
Croix.

All Migratory Birds in Puerto Rico

    Municipality of Culebra Closure Area - All of the municipality of 
Culebra.
    Desecheo Island Closure Area - All of Desecheo Island.
    Mona Island Closure Area - All of Mona Island.
    El Verde Closure Area - Those areas of the municipalities of Rio 
Grande and Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All lands between Routes 
956 on the west and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the north to the 
juncture of Routes 956 and 186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands 
between Routes 186 and 966 from the juncture of 186 and 966 on the 
north, to the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the south; (3) all 
lands lying west of Route 186 for one kilometer from the juncture of 
Routes 186 and 956 south to Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within Km 
14 and Km 6 on the west and the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on 
the east; and (5) all lands within the Caribbean National Forest 
Boundary whether private or public.
    Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas - All of Cidra Municipality 
and portions of Aguas, Buenas, Caguas, Cayer, and Comerio 
Municipalities as encompassed within the following boundary: beginning 
on Highway 172 as it leaves the municipality of Cidra on the west edge, 
north to Highway 156, east on Highway 156 to Highway 1, south on 
Highway 1 to Highway 765, south on Highway 765 to Highway 763, south on 
Highway 763 to the Rio Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to Highway 1, 
southwest on Highway 1 to Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to Highway 
729, north on Highway 729 to Cidra Municipality boundary to the point 
of beginning.
[FR Doc. 96-22187 Filed 8-28-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-F