[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 188 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50662-50681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24733]


      

[[Page 50661]]


_______________________________________________________________________

Part VIII





Department of the Interior





_______________________________________________________________________



Fish and Wildlife Service



_______________________________________________________________________



50 CFR Part 20



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

  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 188 / Thursday, September 26, 1996 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 50662]]



DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN 1018-AD69


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

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This rule prescribes final late-season frameworks from which 
States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 1996-
97 migratory bird hunting season. These late seasons include most 
waterfowl seasons, the earliest of which generally commence on or about 
October 1, 1996. The effects of this final rule are to facilitate the 
selection of hunting seasons by the States to further the annual 
establishment of the late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. 
State selections will be published in the Federal Register as 
amendments to Secs. 20.104 through 20.107 and Sec. 20.109 of title 50 
CFR part 20.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 26, 1996.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul R. Schmidt, Chief, Office of 
Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (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.
    On August 2, 1996, a public hearing was held in Washington, DC, as 
announced in the March 22, June 14, and July 22 Federal Registers, to 
review the status of waterfowl. Proposed hunting regulations were 
discussed for these late seasons. On August 15, 1996, (61 FR 42506), 
the Service published a fifth and sixth document on migratory bird 
hunting. The fifth document dealt specifically with proposed frameworks 
for the 1996-97 late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. The 
sixth document proposed establishing a youth waterfowl hunting day for 
the 1996-97 duck-hunting season. On August 29, 1996, the Service 
published a seventh document containing final frameworks for early 
migratory bird hunting seasons from which wildlife conservation agency 
officials from the States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands selected 
early-season hunting dates, hours, areas, and limits.
    On August 30, 1996, the Service published in the Federal Register 
(61 FR 45836) an eighth document consisting of a final rule amending 
subpart K of title 50 CFR part 20 to set hunting seasons, hours, areas, 
and limits for early seasons. This document, which establishes final 
frameworks for late-season migratory bird hunting regulations for the 
1996-97 season, is the ninth in the series.

Review of Comments and the Service's Response

    Public-hearing and written comments received through September 6, 
1996, relating to proposed late-season frameworks, are discussed and 
addressed here. Two individuals presented statements at the August 2, 
1996, public hearing. They were: Joe Kramer, representing the Central 
Flyway Council and Bruce Barbour, representing National Audubon 
Society. The Service received 28 written comments that specifically 
addressed late-season issues. These late-season comments are summarized 
and discussed in the subject order used in the March 22, 1996, Federal 
Register. Only the numbered items pertaining to late seasons for which 
comments were received are included. Flyway Council recommendations 
shown below include only those involving changes from the 1995-96 late-
season frameworks. For those topics where a Council recommendation is 
not shown, the Council supported continuing the same frameworks as in 
1995-96.

General

    Written Comments: The Humane Society of the United States (Humane 
Society) expressed concern that the public was not well represented in 
the regulations-development process and requested establishment of a 
system directly involving the non-hunting public. In addition, they 
recommended that the Service undertake efforts to obtain population 
estimates for all hunted species. Finally, they recommended pre-sunrise 
shooting be disallowed.
    Service Response: When the preliminary proposed rulemaking document 
was published in the Federal Register on March 22, 1996, the Service 
announced the comment periods for the early-season and late-season 
proposals and gave notice that the process of promulgating hunting 
regulations ``must, by its nature, operate under time constraints.'' 
Ample time must be given to gather and interpret survey data, consider 
recommendations and develop proposals, and to receive public comment. 
Scheduled dates are set to give the greatest possible opportunity for 
public input. The Service is obligated to, and does, give serious 
consideration to all information received as public comment. The 
Service has long recognized the problems associated with the length of 
time necessary to establish the final frameworks, and in conjunction 
with States, Flyway Councils, and the public, continues to seek new 
ways to streamline and improve the regulatory process.
    Regarding the Service's efforts to obtain population estimates, the 
long-term objectives of the Service include providing opportunities to 
harvest

[[Page 50663]]

portions of certain migratory game bird populations and to limit 
harvests to levels compatible with each population's ability to 
maintain healthy, viable numbers. Annually, the Service evaluates the 
status of populations and considers the potential impacts of hunting. 
The Service believes that the hunting seasons provided herein are 
consistent with the current status of waterfowl populations and long-
term population goals.
    In regard to shooting hours, the Service has compiled information 
which demonstrates that shooting hours beginning one-half hour before 
sunrise do not contribute significantly to the harvest of nontarget 
species. Consistent with the Service's long-term strategy for shooting 
hours, published in the September 21, 1990, Federal Register (55 FR 
388898), the frameworks herein provide for shooting hours of one-half 
hour before sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise specified.

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, (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

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council, the Upper-
Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council, the 
Central Flyway Council, and the Pacific Flyway Council recommended 
adopting the ``liberal'' alternative for the 1996-97 duck hunting 
season.
    The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended some specific modifications to the ``liberal'' 
alternative. These modifications are detailed in B. Framework Dates, C. 
Season Length, and E. Bag Limits.
    Written Comments: Senator John Breaux of Louisiana asked for 
consideration of the Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation.
    Senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott of Mississippi, John Breaux 
and Bennett Johnston of Louisiana, and Richard Shelby of Alabama, 
supported the recommendations of the Lower-Region Regulations Committee 
of the Mississippi Flyway Council.
    The Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) supported the Service's 
proposed frameworks for late-season hunting regulations. WMI supported 
adaptive harvest management (AHM) and believed that recent attempts by 
some States to circumvent the established regulatory process threatens 
the future of AHM as a useful process.
    The National Wildlife Federation concurred with the Service's 
proposal to generally maintain harvest levels similar to last year, 
with some areas slightly increased.
    Service Response: Beginning in 1995, the Service, Flyway Councils, 
and States introduced a new approach to the regulation of duck 
harvests, called Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM). An integral part of 
this harvest-management approach is the cooperative establishment of a 
set of regulatory alternatives that includes specified season lengths 
and bag limits for restrictive, moderate, and liberal seasons. The 
alternatives established for this year's hunting season are similar to 
those of the 1995 season and are the result of extensive discussions 
with the Flyway Councils and States since last January, as well as 
involvement by the public during an open comment period.
    The estimate of total ducks this year is 16 percent higher than the 
long-term average and several species are at record levels. The outlook 
for production is excellent and the 1996 fall flight will be comparable 
to those observed during the 1970s. Based on favorable input, the 
Service seeks to continue use of the AHM approach initiated last year. 
The AHM strategy for 1996 prescribes the liberal regulatory alternative 
based on high mallard and pond numbers.
    The frameworks recommended by the Lower-Region Regulations 
Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council differed from those in the 
``liberal'' alternative established earlier this year. The Service's 
proposal is consistent with the ``liberal'' alternative outlined in the 
July 22 Federal Register and was supported by the other three Flyway 
Councils as well as the Mississippi Flyway Council's Upper-Region 
Regulations Committee.
    The Service recognizes the need to address the issue of harvest 
opportunity for species other than mallards that may be at or above 
objective population levels. Consequently, as part of the continuing 
development of AHM, the Service and Flyway Councils will soon begin a 
comprehensive review of regulatory alternatives, including all aspects 
of duck hunting regulations, in preparation for the 1997-98 hunting 
season.
    Additionally, in the July 22, 1996, Federal Register, the Service 
reported that all four Flyways continued to express support for the AHM 
approach, but that the Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils had 
recommended some specific modifications to the harvest-management 
objective (objective function). The Service and Flyway Councils have 
examined the role of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan 
(NAWMP) in harvest management and have explored a range of possible 
objectives designed to balance harvest and population goals. The 
Service emphasizes that population goals are not necessary for ensuring 
resource persistence if the basic objective is one of maximizing long-
term cumulative harvest. In this sense, the NAWMP is neither a system 
for regulating harvest nor a substitute for Flyway management. However, 
NAWMP goals do provide a means to reflect non-harvest conservation 
values, an ecosystem context for management, and a potential vehicle 
for future integration of harvest and habitat management.
    Based on recommendations from the Flyway Councils, the Service has 
decided to adopt a harvest-management objective that implements a 
proportional decrease in harvest value when the mallard population is 
expected to recede from the NAWMP goal. This change in harvest-
management objective results in a somewhat more liberal harvest 
strategy than that used in 1995, all other things being equal. However, 
the Service notes that: (1) a proportional decrease in harvest value 
provides a reasonable balance of harvest and population goals, while 
still calling for very restrictive seasons with low pond and mallard 
numbers; and (2) the frequency of regulatory changes and potential for 
closed seasons are expected to be lower when compared with the 
objective function from 1995.

B. Framework Dates

    Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of 
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended fixed September 28 and 
January 23 framework dates.
    Written Comments: Senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott of 
Mississippi recommended an experimental January 31 framework closing 
date for Mississippi.
    The Delta Outfitters Association of Mississippi and the Delta 
Wildlife Foundation of Mississippi requested a January 31 framework 
closing date for Mississippi, citing scientific benefits, habitat 
incentives, equal hunting opportunities, and additional economic income 
for Mississippi.
    An individual from Texas recommended extending the season through 
the second week of February.

[[Page 50664]]

    The Humane Society recommended that all seasons open at noon on 
Wednesdays in order to reduce the high level of harvest associated with 
traditional Saturday season openings. Furthermore, the Humane Society 
recommended that season openings be delayed by two weeks in all 
breeding areas in order to allow ducks time to leave natal marshes 
before being subjected to hunting pressure.
    Service Response: Regarding the Mississippi Flyway Council's Lower-
Region Regulations Committee recommendation of fixed framework dates, 
the Service responded last year in the September 27, 1995, Federal 
Register (60 FR 50042) that 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, it returned to the traditional procedure using fixed 
calendar dates for the Atlantic Flyway and floating dates for the 
Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways. All floating dates would be 
oriented to the October 1 - January 20 period. Further, the Service 
reiterated its previously-stated policy to retain the option of using 
framework dates as a harvest-management tool. Traditionally, 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. In recent 
years, the Service has established fixed calendar dates of October 1 - 
January 20 for all Flyways. The fixed calendar 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 for the Atlantic Flyway and the floating 
dates for the Central and Pacific Flyways.
    Regarding the requests for a January 31 framework closing date in 
Mississippi, we reiterate our long-standing concerns that hunting 
disturbance in late winter may interfere with pair bonding and inhibit 
nutrient acquisition and storage with subsequent impacts to 
reproductive potential. However, we continue to support investigations 
by the AHM technical working group to assess the suitability of all 
aspects of the current regulatory alternatives, including framework 
dates. Before the Service can consider changes to the timing of the 
framework closing date, additional information to alleviate these 
concerns is necessary.
    Regarding the Humane Society's recommendation for Wednesday season 
openings, the Service has previously stated in the Federal Register (58 
FR 50190) that a State may choose to delay its opening date to 
correspond with a particular day of the week or to close earlier to 
maximize the number of weekends that hunting is allowed.

C. Season Length

    Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of 
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a 53-day season.
    Written Comments: Congressman Jimmy Hayes of Louisiana requested 
the Service grant the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' 
request to extend the season by 3 days.
    Service Response: The Service responded in the July 22, 1996, 
Federal Register that it believes that any modifications to season 
length under the three regulatory alternatives must be approached 
carefully, with due consideration to differences among Flyways. Current 
differences in season length among the Flyways are predicated on 
historic (ca. 1950) patterns of duck abundance and hunter activity, 
with longer seasons available to Flyways with relatively more ducks and 
fewer hunters. Further, the Service believes that a thorough review of 
Flyway differences in season lengths is needed and is seeking technical 
guidance from the Flyway Councils, the AHM technical working group, and 
others. Current differences in hunter activity and duck abundance, as 
well as the origin and status of duck stocks contributing to each 
Flyway, should be investigated using recent data and current analytical 
techniques. Until such analyses are conducted, the Service is concerned 
that changes in season lengths contained in the regulatory alternatives 
could alter the allocation of harvest in unpredictable, undesirable or 
inappropriate ways. Therefore, the Service prefers to approach all 
proposed changes to season length, regardless of the number of days 
involved, in a systematic and comprehensive manner.

E. Bag Limits

    Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of 
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a 6-duck daily bag limit, 
including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 1 of which could be a 
hen), 4 mottled ducks, 4 scaup, 4 ringnecks, 4 goldeneyes, 4 
buffleheads, 2 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, and 1 
black duck.
    Written Comments: Senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott of 
Mississippi recommended an experimental 6-bird daily bag limit for 
Mississippi.
    The Delta Outfitters Association of Mississippi and the Delta 
Wildlife Foundation of Mississippi requested a 6-bird daily bag limit 
for Mississippi.
    An individual from Texas recommended a 5-bird daily bag limit, 
including at least 2 pintails and 2 redheads. Another individual from 
Texas recommended a 5-bird daily bag limit, including 2 to 3 pintails.
    Service Response: The Service responded in the July 22, 1996, 
Federal Register that it cannot support the proposal of the Lower-
Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council to 
increase the overall bag limit in the ``liberal'' alternative from 5 to 
6 in order to provide additional hunting opportunity on several 
abundant species. The Service believes that major changes to the 
regulatory alternatives should be addressed in a deliberate and 
comprehensive manner. Historic efforts at species-specific management 
have been predicated largely on the assumptions that: (a) mallard 
harvest rates can be used as a standard by which to judge the 
appropriateness of harvest rates for other species; (b) target stocks 
of ducks can be isolated in time or space, or that hunters can shoot 
selectively; and (c) that management costs are largely fixed, whether 
managing one stock or many. Recent information has led the Service to 
question the validity of these assumptions. The Service believes that a 
number of issues must be addressed prior to major reforms in species-
specific harvest strategies: (1) how much must species or populations 
differ in terms of their population dynamics to warrant differential 
harvest regulations? (2) what are the relative costs and benefits of 
managing individual duck stocks? (3) what is the ability of hunters to 
harvest selectively? and (4) do hunters prefer the maximum hunting 
opportunity afforded by complex regulations or simpler hunting 
regulations that offer less hunting opportunity? The Service awaits 
further guidance from the Councils and the AHM technical working group 
before considering significant changes to species-specific bag limits.

F. Zones and Split Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that the Service implement the proposed changes to guidelines for the 
use of zones and split seasons, and determine if States could be 
allowed to

[[Page 50665]]

have 3 zones, with split seasons in each, where the numbers of hunters 
and ducks harvested in one or more zones would be very small.
    The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended an additional option of 3 zones and 2-way splits be 
provided as a regular option to all States in 1997.
    Written Comments: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the 
Ohio Division of Wildlife, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural 
Resources requested the Service add the option of 3 zones and 2-way 
splits in one or more zones to the 1996-2000 zones and splits 
guidelines. Collectively, they believe that delay in the consideration 
of this recommendation until the next open period in 2001 is 
unreasonable and further request that States would have up to 1 year to 
select this option (prior to the 1997 season).
    The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (Wyoming) appreciated the 
proposed approval of their zone/split configuration for the 1996-2000 
period. However, they recommended the Service establish more detailed 
requirements on the minimum acceptable zone width for use during the 
next open season. Wyoming believed that guidelines should be 
sufficiently clear to prevent unintended interpretations and explicit 
regarding their intent. Finally, Wyoming believed that States with 
diverse, non-contiguous physiography should be allowed exceptions to 
the existing guidelines.
    An individual from Wyoming requested the Service's guidelines allow 
non-contiguous zones. One individual from Indiana desired for a fourth 
zone in Indiana while another requested consideration for allowing 
changes to Indiana's zone boundaries. An individual from Maine 
recommended the Service consider Maine's proposal to change zone 
boundaries and create an additional zone citing the loss of late season 
hunting opportunities due to cold weather.
    The Humane Society urges the Service to discontinue all split and 
special seasons and recommends that any State establishing such seasons 
reduce the total number of hunting days by a minimum of 10 days.
    Service Response: For the 1996 open season, the Service provided 
final guidelines on the use of zones and split seasons for the 1996-
2000 period in the July 22, 1996, Federal Register. As we previously 
stated, the Service established these guidelines in 1990 (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. We continue to believe that the guidelines must be applied 
fairly and consistently to all States in order to prevent further 
proliferations in zone/split configurations and that current guidelines 
offer States sufficient flexibility to address unique differences in 
physiograpy, climate, and biology. However, we will work with the 
Flyway Councils to cooperatively review these guidelines, as well as 
those concerns identified above, prior to the next scheduled open 
season in 2001.
    With respect to Wyoming's recommendation for increased levels of 
detail in existing guidelines, we believe the guidelines should only be 
as detailed as necessary to achieve the desired intent, while allowing 
as much flexibility as possible in selecting a zone/split 
configuration.
    In regard to the recommendation that split and special seasons be 
discontinued, the Service notes that States always have the option of 
selecting a continuous season with no splits. Furthermore, the Service 
is not aware of any information that split seasons are causing 
detrimental impacts to populations.

G. Special Seasons/Species Management

    Written Comments: WMI believes the Service must aggressively 
develop processes for management of harvest programs for species that 
do not easily fall under the existing scientific base for AHM.
    Service Response: The Service is committed to working with the 
Flyway Councils and States to address those species that may not be 
managed optimally with the existing AHM framework. However, the Service 
believes that species-specific harvest strategies should be developed 
in a deliberate and comprehensive manner, and that a number of issues 
must be addressed prior to major changes. These issues were described 
in the July 22, 1996, Federal Register (61 FR 37999). The Service will 
soon undertake a comprehensive review of species-specific harvest 
management and will actively seek advice on appropriate approaches from 
the Flyway Councils, States, and the public.
i. Black Ducks
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that the individual Atlantic Flyway States achieve a 40 percent 
reduction in their black duck harvest during the 1996-97 season 
compared with the 1977-81 base-line harvest.
    Written Comments: An individual from Maine questioned the need for 
black duck harvest reductions.
    Service Response: The Service agrees with the Atlantic Flyway 
Council's recommendation and acknowledges the Council's concern for the 
population status of black ducks. Black duck populations remain below 
the NAWMP goal and while the decline seems to have halted, little 
increase is evident. The Service believes the harvest restrictions 
identified in the 1983 Environmental Assessment should be maintained 
until a revised harvest strategy is developed.
ii. Canvasbacks
    Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of 
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a daily bag limit of 2 
canvasbacks.
    Written Comments: An individual from Washington recommended a daily 
bag limit of 2 canvasbacks.
    Service Response: The Service continues to support the canvasback 
harvest strategy adopted in 1994. Current population and habitat status 
suggests that a daily bag limit of 1 canvasback during the 1996-97 
season will result in a harvest within levels allowed by the strategy. 
The Service believes that it has insufficient experience with this 
harvest strategy to consider modifications at this time, and is 
concerned that an overly aggressive strategy could precipitate a return 
to closed seasons. The Service will continue to monitor the performance 
of the current strategy for canvasbacks.

4. Canada Geese

    Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of 
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended several changes in Canada 
goose quotas, season lengths, etc., based on population status and 
management plans.
    The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended the Service allow 3-way splits for goose seasons. 
The Council further recommended that 3-way split seasons for Canada 
geese require both Council and Service

[[Page 50666]]

approval and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State.
    The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended a dark goose daily bag limit of 3 Canada geese, 2 
white-fronted geese, and 2 brant.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended a 4-bird dark goose 
aggregate bag limit in the west-tier States, except for the Western 
Goose Zone of Texas.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a closing framework date in 
the NW Oregon Special Permit Zone of the Sunday closest to February 28. 
During the extended period, hunting would occur one day per week. The 
Council also recommended the morphological definition of a dusky Canada 
goose be defined as dark-breasted (Munsell 10YR color value of 5 or 
less) with a culmen measurement of 40 to 50 millimeters.
    Written Comments: The NWF supported the general suspension of the 
regular season on Canada geese in the Atlantic Flyway.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the above 
recommendations regarding bag limits in the Mississippi and Central 
Flyways and the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation for a framework 
closing date of February 28 in the NW Oregon Special Permit Zone. 
Further, the Service also concurs with the Upper-Region Regulations 
Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation on 3-way 
split seasons for Canada geese.
    The Service concurs with the need for a uniform classification 
procedure to determine the harvest of dusky Canada geese in the quota 
zones in Washington and Oregon. The Service also agrees with the 
criteria proposed by the Pacific Flyway Council for this purpose. The 
Service would encourage the Pacific Flyway to continue to evaluate 
these criteria to ensure that the harvest management objectives are 
met.

C. Special Late Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
new experimental late seasons for resident geese in Maryland, Rhode 
Island, and Virginia, and additional days and area modifications for 
existing seasons in Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, 
Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.
    The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended the special late season in the Fergus Falls/
Alexandria Goose Zone of Minnesota be made operational.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a daily bag and possession 
limit of 2 and 4 cackling Canada geese, respectively, in the SW 
Washington Special Goose Zone during the February 5 to March 10 late 
season.
    Written Comments: The NWF stressed the importance of setting 
regulations that would increase the harvest of resident geese in the 
Atlantic Flyway while decreasing or eliminating harvest on migrant 
populations.
    The Humane Society opposed the proposed late season Canada goose 
hunts, citing that such hunts fail to target the goose populations 
ostensibly responsible for conflicts with humans.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the Atlantic Flyway 
Council's recommendations to expand seasons in those areas that meet 
existing criteria. Several new seasons were initiated this year and 
many others were expanded to increase harvest of resident birds in lieu 
of the closed season on the migrant Atlantic Population. However, these 
seasons are experimental and the Service encourages all States to 
initiate or continue existing evaluations to assess the potential 
impacts on the migratory population.
    The Service also concurs with the Mississippi Flyway Council's 
Upper-Region Regulations Committee recommendation on the special late 
season in the Fergus Falls/Alexandria Goose Zone of Minnesota and the 
Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation on cackling Canada geese in the 
SW Washington Special Goose Zone.
    Regarding the Humane Society's comment that such hunts fail to 
target specific populations, we recognize the problems caused by 
increasing populations of resident geese and the continuing concern for 
the status of certain migratory flocks. However, as we stated 
previously, we remain committed to targeting these special seasons at 
locally-breeding and/or injurious Canada goose populations. The Service 
and the Flyway Councils have cooperatively reviewed and structured 
these special seasons to protect migratory flocks and target specific 
locally-breeding populations. 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.

6. Brant

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a 
30-day Atlantic brant season with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the Atlantic Flyway 
Council's recommendation to reduce the season length as prescribed in 
the interim hunt plan.

7. Snow and Ross's Geese

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a 
March 10 framework closing date with a daily bag and possession limit 
of 8 and 24, respectively. The Council also recommended allowing the 
season to be split into three segments.
    The Upper-Region and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a March 10 framework closing 
date with a daily bag and possession limit of 10 and 30, respectively.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended a March 10 framework closing 
date, except for Federal and State lands in the Rainwater Basin 
counties in Nebraska, with a daily bag and possession limit of 10 and 
40, respectively.
    Written Comments: The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (Nebraska) 
recommended the closing framework for the 17 Rainwater Basin counties 
in south-central Nebraska be extended from the Sunday nearest February 
15 (February 16, 1997) to March 10, 1997, except for lands owned by the 
Service and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Nebraska believed 
this mixture of open and closed areas would provide adequate protection 
for other species of migratory birds and not impact the public from 
viewing concentrations of migratory birds.
    In a second alternative proposal, Nebraska recommended the proposed 
county boundary be changed to existing roads, highways, and the Platte 
River. This change would provide a more identifiable boundary for 
hunters and allow some areas to be included for study in that portion 
of the Basin that will be hunted until March 10. The results of these 
studies would allow more objective establishment of late-season snow 
goose regulations in the future.
    An individual from Wyoming requested a March 10 framework closing 
date. An individual from Nebraska recommended a March 10 framework 
closing date and inclusion of the Rainwater Basin counties in the snow 
goose hunt area.
    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 areas

[[Page 50667]]

that do not pose a threat to the management and welfare of other 
migratory bird species during the spring migration and nesting period. 
In this regard, the Service appreciates the comments from Nebraska; 
however, we do not support the original proposal that would allow for a 
mixture of open and closed areas in the Rainwater Basin counties for 
snow goose hunting until March 10. The Service believes hunting could 
result in disturbance to other migratory birds and alter natural 
distributions of waterfowl. This important spring staging area provides 
critical habitat for many species of migratory birds, and the impacts 
of hunting have not been adequately studied. In addition, potential 
impacts to eco-tourism, endangered species, and disease management have 
not been adequately addressed.
    The alternative proposal which more clearly delineates the 
boundaries according to existing roads and highways, is generally 
acceptable to the Service. However, the Service continues to have 
concerns over late-season snow goose hunting along the Big Bend reach 
of the Platte River. The proposed east and south boundaries would allow 
hunting on some of the southern-most basins and on Harlan County 
Reservoir. These additional hunting opportunities will allow for 
studies to assess the impact of hunting on distributions of migratory 
birds.
    Therefore, the Service will allow light goose hunting in Nebraska 
until March 10 except in the area bounded by: the intersection of the 
Platte River and U.S. Highway (Hwy) 92 in Polk County, east on Hwy 92 
to NE Hwy 15, south on Hwy 15 to NE Hwy 4, west on NE Hwy 4 to U.S. Hwy 
34, west on U.S. Hwy 34 to U.S. Hwy 283, north on U.S. Hwy 283 to U.S. 
Hwy 30, east on U.S. Hwy 30 to U.S. Hwy 281, south on U.S. Hwy 281 to 
NE Hwy 34 & 2, east on NE Hwy 34 to the Platte River, and then north 
and east along the Platte River to the beginning. In this area, the 
closing date will be the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 16, 
1997).

8. Swans

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that 5600 tundra swan permits be issued for the 1996-97 season. The 
Council recommended that North Carolina receive 5,000 permits and 
Virginia 600. The Council also recommended eliminating the requirement 
that tundra swan seasons must be held during snow goose seasons.
    Written Comments: The Humane Society requested that the Service 
close all swan hunting seasons, citing that tundra swan seasons were 
impeding, if not preventing, winter range expansion and recovery of 
trumpeter swans.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the Atlantic Flyway 
Council's recommendation to reduce the number of permits issued in the 
Flyway to 5,600 and to eliminate the requirement that these seasons are 
concurrent with the light goose season. The Service supports the 
Flyway's effort to carefully monitor the harvest and status of the 
Eastern Population of tundra swans and encourages the completion of the 
revisions to the management plan.
    In regards to the Humane Society's comment, we would refer to our 
detailed response in the September 27, 1995, Federal Register (60 FR 
50042) concerning the establishment of a general swan season. Enhancing 
Rocky Mounting Population trumpeter swan range expansion while 
retaining most aspects of tundra swan hunting were covered in detail in 
our 1995 Environmental Assessment ``Proposal to Establish General Swan 
Seasons in Parts of the Pacific Flyway for the 1995-99 Seasons'' 
(August 1995) which compares various alternative strategies for 
reconciling conflicting swan management strategies. Copies are 
available from the Service at the address indicated under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

23. Other

    Written Comments: The Concerned Coastal Sportsmen's Association, a 
local organization in Massachusetts, requested compensatory days for 
those States that prohibit Sunday hunting.
    Service Response: The Service has previously stated its position on 
this issue in the September 24, 1993, Federal Register (58 FR 50188), 
but has recently agreed to work with the Atlantic Flyway Council to 
review and clarify various technical and policy concerns. While this 
assessment is still pending, the Service will continue its long-held 
policy for the 1996-97 season that all States should be treated equally 
under existing Federal regulations and allowed similar frameworks 
within each Flyway to hunt migratory birds.

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.

Executive Order (E.O.) 12866

    This rule is economically significant and was reviewed by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under E.O. 12866.

Congressional Review

    In accordance with Section 251 of the Small Business Regulatory 
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 8), this rule has been 
submitted to Congress and has been declared major. Because this rule 
establishes hunting seasons, this rule qualifies for an exemption under 
5 U.S.C. 808(1); therefore, the Department determines that this rule 
shall take effect immediately.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    These regulations have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq). In the March 22, 1996, Federal Register, the 
Service reported measures it took to comply with requirements of the 
Act. One measure was to prepare a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis 
(Analysis) documenting the significant beneficial economic effects on a 
substantial number of small entities. The Analysis estimated that 
migratory bird hunters would spend between $254 and $592 million at 
small businesses in 1996. Copies of the Analysis are

[[Page 50668]]

available upon request from the Office of Migratory Bird Management.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Department examined these 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 number 1018-0015.

Regulations Promulgation

    The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its 
nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, the Service 
intends that the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to 
comment on the regulations. Thus, when the preliminary proposed 
rulemaking was published, the Service established what it believed were 
the longest periods possible for public comment. In doing this, the 
Service recognized that when the comment period closed, time would be 
of the essence. That is, if there were a delay in the effective date of 
these regulations after this final rulemaking, the States would have 
insufficient time to select season dates and limits; to communicate 
those selections to the Service; and to establish and publicize the 
necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions.
    Therefore, the Service, under authority of the Migratory Bird 
Treaty Act (July 3, 1918), as amended, (16 U.S.C. 703-711), prescribes 
final frameworks setting forth the species to be hunted, the daily bag 
and possession limits, the shooting hours, the season lengths, the 
earliest opening and latest closing season dates, and hunting areas, 
from which State conservation agency officials may select hunting 
season dates and other options. Upon receipt of season and option 
selections from these officials, the Service will publish in the 
Federal Register a final rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect 
seasons, limits, and shooting hours for the conterminous United States 
for the 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 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. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 
a--j.

Dated: September 17, 1996.
George T. Frampton, Jr.
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Final Regulations Frameworks for 1996-97 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, 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.
    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 related 
to late-season regulations 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, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, 
North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, 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.

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 70-day experimental season may be 
held between November 15 and February 15, with a limit of 5 Canada 
geese per day.
    Maryland: An experimental season may be held in designated areas of

[[Page 50669]]

western Maryland from January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese per day.
    Massachusetts: In the Central Zone and a portion of the Coastal 
Zone, a season may be held from January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese 
per day.
    New Jersey: An expanded experimental season may be held in 
designated areas of North and South New Jersey from January 15 to 
February 15, with 5 geese per day.
    New York: An experimental season may be held between January 15 and 
February 15, with 5 geese daily in Westchester County and portions of 
Nassau, Orange, 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 expanded experimental season may be held in the designated areas 
of western Pennsylvania from January 15 to February 15 with 5 geese per 
day.
    Rhode Island: An experimental season may be held in a designated 
area from January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese per day,
    South Carolina: A 70-day special season may be held in the 
designated areas during November 15 to February 15, with a daily bag 
limit of 5 Canada geese per day.
    Virginia: An experimental season may be held from January 15 to 
February 15, with 5 geese per day, in all areas west of Interstate 95.
    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 March 10, with 8 geese per day and 24 
in possession. States may split their seasons into three segments.

Brant

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 30-
day season between October 1 and January 20, with 2 brant per day. 
States may split their seasons into two segments.

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 28 
) and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 19).
    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 2 redheads.
    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, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, 
and Wisconsin may select hunting seasons by zones.
    In Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, 
Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be split 
into two segments in each zone.
    In Minnesota and 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 three segments. 
Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Mississippi Flyway 
Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year 
evaluation, by each participating State.
    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 28) and January 31, and 107 days 
for light geese between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 28) 
and March 10. The daily bag limit is 10 light geese, 3 Canada geese, 2 
white-fronted geese, and 2 brant. The possession limit for light geese 
is 30. Specific regulations for Canada geese and exceptions to the 
above general provisions are shown below by State.
    Alabama: In the Southern James Bay Population (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 94,900 birds. Limits are 2 Canada geese daily and 10 in 
possession.
    (a) North Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after 93 
days or when 11,000 birds have been harvested in the Northern Illinois 
Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.
    (b) Central Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after 93 
days or when 17,600 birds have been harvested in the Central Illinois 
Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.
    (c) South Zone - The harvest of Canada geese in the Southern 
Illinois and Rend Lake Quota Zones will be limited to 36,600 and 10,400 
birds, respectively. The season for Canada geese in each zone will 
close after 84 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 Zone, the season may extend for 84 
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 24,200 birds.
    (a) Posey County - The season for Canada geese will close after 65 
days or when 4,350 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 65 days in the respective duck-hunting zones, except in the SJBP 
Zone, where the season may not exceed 35 days. The daily bag limit is 2 
Canada geese.
    Iowa: The season may extend for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 
Canada geese.
    Kentucky
    (a) Western Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 65 
days

[[Page 50670]]

(80 days in Fulton County), and the harvest will be limited to 21,000 
birds. Of the 21,000-bird quota, 13,650 birds will be allocated to the 
Ballard Reporting Area and 3,990 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 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone - The season may extend for 35 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) Remainder of the State - The season may extend for 50 days. The 
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Louisiana: 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 53,300 birds.
    (a) North Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 28 and the season for Canada geese may extend for 20 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Middle Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 20 
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 2,200 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 53 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 50 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 50 days or when 750 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs 
first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (5) Remainder of South Zone - The season for Canada geese may 
extend for 30 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (d) Southern Michigan GMU - An experimental special Canada goose 
season may be held between January 4 and February 2. 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) Remainder of the State - 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) Fergus Falls/Alexandria Zone - A 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) Remainder of the State - The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 70 days in the respective duck-hunting zones. The season may be 
split into 3 segments, provided that one segment of at least 9 days 
occurs prior to October 15. 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 Pymatuning 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 
78 days or when 8,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs 
first. The season may extend to February 15. All geese harvested must 
be tagged. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Southwest Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 63 
days, and the harvest will be limited to 700 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 69,600 birds.
    (a) Horicon Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 21. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 36,600 birds. 
The season may not exceed 86 days. All Canada geese harvested must be 
tagged. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose and the season limit will 
be the number of tags issued to each permittee.
    (b) Collins Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 21. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 1,100 birds. 
The season may not exceed 68 days. All Canada geese harvested must be 
tagged. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose and the season limit will 
be the number of tags issued to each permittee.
    (c) Exterior Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 28. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 27,400 birds, 
with 500 birds allocated to the Mississippi River Subzone. The season 
may not exceed 79 days and the daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose. 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 26,900 
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

[[Page 50671]]

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 28 and January 19.
    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 canvasback, 2 redheads, 
and 2 wood ducks. The last 23 days may start no earlier than the 
Saturday nearest December 10 (December 7).
    (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 canvasback, 2 redheads, and 2 wood ducks.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5 mergansers, only 1 of 
which may be a hooded merganser.
    Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Kansas (Low Plains portion), Montana, 
Nebraska (Low Plains portion), New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains 
portion), South Dakota (Low Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains 
portion), and Wyoming may select hunting seasons by zones.
    In Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, 
South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the regular season may be split into 
two segments.
    In Colorado, 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 28) and January 31, except in the Western Goose Zone of 
Texas, where the closing date is the Sunday nearest February 15 
(February 16). For light geese, outside dates for seasons may be 
selected between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 28) and 
March 10, except in the Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area of Nebraska 
where the closing date is the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 16). 
Seasons may be split into two segments. The daily bag and possession 
limits for light geese are 10 and 40, respectively.
    Dark goose daily bag limits in States and goose management zones 
within States, may be as follows:
    Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and South Dakota: 2 dark geese, 
including no more than 1 white-fronted goose.
    Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming: 4 dark geese.
    North Dakota: 2 dark geese.
    Texas: For the Western Goose Zone, the daily bag limit is 5 dark 
geese, including no more than 1 white-fronted and 4 Canada geese.
    For the Eastern Goose Zone, the daily bag limit is 2 dark geese, 
including no more than 1 white-fronted goose.

Pacific Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, and Common Moorhens

    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: Concurrent 93 days and daily bag 
limit of 7 ducks, including no more than 1 female mallard, 2 pintails, 
2 redheads and 1 canvasback.
    The season on coots and common moorhens may be between the outside 
dates for the season on ducks, but not to exceed 93 days. In the 
Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit, the seasons may be an 
additional 7 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 
28) and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 19).
    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.
    Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming may split their 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 (September 28), and the Sunday nearest 
January 20 (January 19), and the basic daily bag limits are 3 light 
geese and 4 dark geese, except in California, Oregon, and Washington, 
where the dark goose bag limit does not include brant.
    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 these States, the daily bag limit is 2 brant and is 
in addition to dark goose limits.
    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,

[[Page 50672]]

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
    Lincoln and 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 1 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 132 dusky Canada geese. See section on 
quota zones. In those designated areas, the daily bag limit of dark 
geese is 3, including not more than 2 cackling Canada geese.
    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 72 dusky Canada geese. 
See section on quota zones.
    Wyoming: The daily bag limit is 4 dark geese.
    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 2 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 Aleutian Canada geese. In the Special 
Canada Goose Management Area of Oregon, the framework closing date is 
extended to February 28th.

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 28). 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 require that all harvested swans or 
their species-determinant parts be examined by either State or Federal 
biologists for the purpose of species classification. 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 1) 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 5) 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 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, from October 1 to January 31.
    --In North Carolina, no more than 5,000 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.

Area, Unit and Zone Descriptions

Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots

Atlantic Flyway
    Connecticut
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-95.
    South Zone: Remainder of the State.
    Maine
    North Zone: That portion north of the line extending east along 
Maine State Highway 110 from the New Hampshire and Maine border to the 
intersection of Maine State Highway 11 in Newfield; then north and east 
along Route 11 to the intersection of U.S. Route 202 in Auburn; then 
north and east on Route 202 to the intersection of Interstate Highway 
95 in Augusta; then north and east along I-95 to Route 15 in Bangor; 
then east along Route 15 to Route 9; then east along Route 9 to Stony 
Brook in Baileyville; then east along Stony Brook to the United States 
border.

[[Page 50673]]

    South Zone: Remainder of the State.
    Massachusetts
    Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending 
south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, 
south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut 
border.
    Central Zone: That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone 
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-
95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on 
MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west 
to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards 
inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the 
MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St. 
bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone.
    Coastal Zone: That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the 
Central Zone.
    New Hampshire
    Coastal Zone: That portion of the State east of a line extending 
west from Maine border in Rollinsford on NH 4 to the city of Dover, 
south to NH 108, south along NH 108 through Madbury, Durham, and 
Newmarket to NH 85 in Newfields, south to NH 101 in Exeter, east to NH 
51 (Exeter-Hampton Expressway), east to I-95 (New Hampshire Turnpike) 
in Hampton, and south along I-95 to the Massachusetts border.
    Inland Zone: That portion of the State north and west of the above 
boundary.
    New Jersey
    Coastal Zone: That portion of the State seaward of a line beginning 
at the New York border in Raritan Bay and extending west along the New 
York border to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west on NJ 440 to the Garden 
State Parkway; south on the Garden State Parkway to the shoreline at 
Cape May and continuing to the Delaware border in Delaware Bay.
    North Zone: That portion of the State west of the Coastal Zone and 
north of a line extending west from the Garden State Parkway on NJ 70 
to the New Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike to U.S. 206, north on 
U.S. 206 to U.S. 1 at Trenton, west on U.S. 1 to the Pennsylvania 
border in the Delaware River.
    South Zone: That portion of the State not within the North Zone or 
the Coastal Zone.
    New York
    Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian 
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south 
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the 
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; 
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont 
border.
    Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk 
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their 
tidal waters.
    Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario 
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along 
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border.
    Northeastern Zone: That area north of a line extending from Lake 
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south 
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to 
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along 
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along 
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive 
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
    Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.
    Pennsylvania
    Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters of Pennsylvania and a 
shoreline margin along Lake Erie from New York on the east to Ohio on 
the west extending 150 yards inland, but including all of Presque Isle 
Peninsula.
    Northwest Zone: The area bounded on the north by the Lake Erie Zone 
and including all of Erie and Crawford Counties and those portions of 
Mercer and Venango Counties north of I-80.
    North Zone: That portion of the State east of the Northwest Zone 
and north of a line extending east on I-80 to U.S. 220, Route 220 to I-
180, I-180 to I-80, and I-80 to the Delaware River.
    South Zone: The remaining portion of Pennsylvania.
    Vermont
    Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area north and west of the line extending from the New York border 
along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes; 
U.S. 7 to the Canadian border.
    Interior Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont.
    West Virginia
    Zone 1 : That portion outside the boundaries in Zone 2.
    Zone 2 (Allegheny Mountain Upland): That area bounded by a line 
extending south along U.S. 220 through Keyser to U.S. 50; U.S. 50 to WV 
93; WV 93 south to WV 42; WV 42 south to Petersburg; WV 28 south to 
Minnehaha Springs; WV 39 west to U.S. 219; U.S. 219 south to I-64; I-64 
west to U.S. 60; U.S. 60 west to U.S. 19; U.S. 19 north to I-79, I-79 
north to U.S. 48; U.S. 48 east to the Maryland border; and along the 
border to the point of beginning.
Mississippi Flyway
    Alabama
    South Zone: Mobile and Baldwin Counties.
    North Zone: The remainder of Alabama.
    Illinois
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Iowa border along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate 
Highway 280, east along I-280 to I-80, then east along I-80 to the 
Indiana border.
    Central Zone: That portion of the State between the North and South 
Zone boundaries.
    South Zone: That portion of the State south of a line extending 
east from the Missouri border along the Modoc Ferry route to Modoc 
Ferry Road, east along Modoc Ferry Road to Modoc Road, northeasterly 
along Modoc Road and St. Leo's Road to Illinois Highway 3, north along 
Illinois 3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159 to Illinois 161, 
east along Illinois 161 to Illinois 4, north along Illinois 4 to 
Interstate Highway 70, east along I-70 to the Bond County line, north 
and east along the Bond County line to Fayette County, north and east 
along the Fayette County line to Effingham County, east and south along 
the Effingham County line to I-70, then east along I-70 to the Indiana 
border.
    Indiana
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. Highway 31, 
north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to Huntington, then 
southeast along U.S. 224 to the Ohio border.
    Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line 
extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 64 to 
New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State 56, east along State 56 
to Vevay, east and north on State 156 along the Ohio River to North 
Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Highway 50, then northeast along 
U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.
    South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio 
River Zone boundaries.
    Southern Illinois Quota Zone: Alexander, Jackson, Union, and 
Williamson Counties.
    Rend Lake Quota Zone: Franklin and Jefferson Counties.
    Iowa
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Nebraska border along State Highway

[[Page 50674]]

175 to State 37, southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south 
along U.S. 59 to Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the 
Illinois border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
    Kentucky
    West Zone: All counties west of and including Butler, Daviess, 
Ohio, Simpson, and Warren Counties.
    East Zone: The remainder of Kentucky.
    Louisiana
    West Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending south 
from the Arkansas border along Louisiana Highway 3 to Bossier City, 
east along Interstate Highway 20 to Minden, south along Louisiana 7 to 
Ringgold, east along Louisiana 4 to Jonesboro, south along U.S. Highway 
167 to Lafayette, southeast along U.S. 90 to Houma, then south along 
the Houma Navigation Channel to the Gulf of Mexico through Cat Island 
Pass.
    East Zone: The remainder of Louisiana.
    Catahoula Lake Area: All of Catahoula Lake, including those 
portions known locally as Round Prairie, Catfish Prairie, and Frazier's 
Arm. See State regulations for additional information.
    Michigan
    North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
    Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line 
beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the 
mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly 
and southerly along the south shore of, Stony Creek to Webster Road, 
easterly and southerly along Webster Road to Stony Lake Road, easterly 
along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along 
Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of 
Midland, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, east along U.S. 10 to 
Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north along I-75/U.S. 23 to the 
U.S. 23 exit at Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore Road in Arenac 
County, east along Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout, then on a 
line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a 
line directly northeast to the Canada border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.
    Mississippi
    Zone 1: Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties.
    Zone 2: The remainder of Mississippi.
    Missouri
    North Zone: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west 
from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 70 to U.S. Highway 
54, south along U.S. 54 to U.S. 50, then west along U.S. 50 to the 
Kansas border.
    South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west 
from the Illinois border along Missouri Highway 34 to Interstate 
Highway 55; south along I-55 to U.S. Highway 62, west along U.S. 62 to 
Missouri 53, north along Missouri 53 to Missouri 51, north along 
Missouri 51 to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to Missouri 21, north along 
Missouri 21 to Missouri 72, west along Missouri 72 to Missouri 32, west 
along Missouri 32 to U.S. 65, north along U.S. 65 to U.S. 54, west 
along U.S. 54 to Missouri 32, south along Missouri 32 to Missouri 97, 
south along Missouri 97 to Dade County NN, west along Dade County NN to 
Missouri 37, west along Missouri 37 to Jasper County N, west along 
Jasper County N to Jasper County M, west along Jasper County M to the 
Kansas border.
    Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri.
    Ohio
    North Zone: The Counties of Darke, Miami, Clark, Champaign, Union, 
Delaware, Licking (excluding the Buckeye Lake Area), Muskingum, 
Guernsey, Harrison and Jefferson and all counties north thereof.
    Pymatuning Area: Pymatuning Reservoir and that part of Ohio bounded 
on the north by County Road 306 (known as Woodward Road), on the west 
by Pymatuning Lake Road, and on the south by U.S. Highway 322.
    Ohio River Zone: The Counties of Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, Adams, 
Scioto, Lawrence, Gallia and Meigs.
    South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio 
River Zone boundaries, including the Buckeye Lake Area in Licking 
County bounded on the west by State Highway 37, on the north by U.S. 
Highway 40, and on the east by State 13.
    Tennessee
    Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake and Obion Counties.
    State Zone: The remainder of Tennessee.
    Wisconsin
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Minnesota border along State Highway 77 to State 27, 
south along State 27 and 77 to U.S. Highway 63, and continuing south 
along State 27 to Sawyer County Road B, south and east along County B 
to State 70, southwest along State 70 to State 27, south along State 27 
to State 64, west along State 64/27 and south along State 27 to U.S. 
12, south and east on State 27/U.S. 12 to U.S. 10, east on U.S. 10 to 
State 310, east along State 310 to State 42, north along State 42 to 
State 147, north along State 147 to State 163, north along State 163 to 
Kewaunee County Trunk A, north along County Trunk A to State 57, north 
along State 57 to the Kewaunee/Door County Line, west along the 
Kewaunee/Door County Line to the Door/Brown County Line, west along the 
Door/Brown County Line to the Door/Oconto/Brown County Line, northeast 
along the Door/Oconto County Line to the Marinette/Door County Line, 
northeast along the Marinette/Door County Line to the Michigan border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Wisconsin.
Central Flyway
    Kansas
    High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.
    Low Plains Early Zone: That portion of the State east of the High 
Plains Zone and west of a line extending south from the Nebraska border 
along KS 28 to U.S. 36, east along U.S. 36 to KS 199, south along KS 
199 to Republic County Road 563, south along Republic County Road 563 
to KS 148, east along KS 148 to Republic County Road 138, south along 
Republic County Road 138 to Cloud County Road 765, south along Cloud 
County Road 765 to KS 9, west along KS 9 to U.S. 24, west along U.S 24 
to U.S. 281, north along U.S. 281 to U.S. 36, west along U.S. 36 to 
U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to U.S. 24, west along U.S. 24 to KS 18, 
southeast along KS 18 to U.S, 183, south along U.S. 183 to KS 4, east 
along KS 4 to I-135, south along I-135 to KS 61, southwest along KS 61 
to KS 96, northwest on KS 96 to U.S. 56, west along U.S. 56 to U.S. 
281, south along U.S. 281 to U.S. 54, then west along U.S. 54 to U.S. 
283.
    Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder of Kansas.
    Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
    Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Daniels, Dawson, 
Fallon, Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, McCone, 
Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Richland, Roosevelt, 
Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, and 
Yellowstone.
    Zone 2: The remainder of Montana.
    Nebraska
    High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of Highways U.S. 
183 and U.S. 20 from the South Dakota border to Ainsworth, NE 7 and NE 
91 to Dunning, NE 2 to Merna, NE 93 to Arnold, NE 40 and NE 47 through 
Gothenburg to NE 23, NE 23 to Elwood, and U.S. 283 to the Kansas 
border.
    Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High 
Plains Zone and north and east of a line extending from the South 
Dakota border along NE 26E Spur to U.S. 20, west on U.S. 20 to NE 12, 
west on NE 12 to the Knox/Keya Paha County line, south along the county 
line to the Niobrara River and

[[Page 50675]]

along the Niobrara River to U.S. 183 (the High Plains Zone line). Where 
the Niobrara River forms the boundary, both banks will be in Zone 1.
    Low Plains Zone 2: That portion of the State east of the High 
Plains Zone and bounded by designated highways and political boundaries 
starting on U.S. 73 at the Kansas border, north to NE 67, north to U.S. 
75, north to NE 2, west to NE 43, north to U.S. 34, east to NE 63; 
north and west to U.S. 77; north to NE 92; west to U.S. 81; south to NE 
66; west to NE 14; south to U.S. 34; west to NE 2; south to I-80; west 
to Hamilton/Hall County line (Gunbarrel Road), south to Giltner Road; 
west to U.S. 34; west to U.S. 136; east on U.S. 135 to NE 10; south to 
the State line; west to U.S. 283; north to NE 23; west to NE 47; north 
to U.S. 30; east to NE 14; north to NE 52; northeasterly to NE 91; west 
to U.S. 281, north to NE 91 in Wheeler County, west to U.S. 183; north 
to northerly boundary of Loup County; east along the north boundaries 
of Loup, Garfield, and Wheeler County; south along the east Wheeler 
County line to NE 70; east on NE 70 from Wheeler County to NE 14; south 
to NE 39; southeast to NE 22; east to U.S. 81; southeast to U.S. 30; 
east along U.S. 30 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to the Washington/
Burt County line; then east along the county line to the Iowa border.
    Low Plains Zone 3: The area east of the High Plains Zone, excluding 
Low Plains Zone 1, north of Low Plains Zone 2.
    Low Plains Zone 4: The area east of the High Plains Zone and south 
of Zone 2.
    New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
    South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.
    North Dakota
    High Plains Unit: That portion of the State west of a line from the 
South Dakota border along U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41, north to ND 53, 
west to U.S. 83, north to ND 23, west to ND 8, north to U.S. 2, west to 
U.S. 85, north to the Canadian border.
    Low Plains: The remainder of North Dakota.
    Oklahoma
    High Plains Zone: The Counties of Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas.
    Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High 
Plains Zone and north of a line extending east from the Texas border 
along OK 33 to OK 47, east along OK 47 to U.S. 183, south along U.S. 
183 to I-40, east along I-40 to U.S. 177, north along U.S. 177 to OK 
33, west along OK 33 to I-35, north along I-35 to U.S. 60, west along 
U.S. 60 to U.S. 64, west along U.S. 64 to OK 132, then north along OK 
132 to the Kansas border.
    Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of Oklahoma.
    South Dakota
    High Plains Unit: That portion of the State west of a line 
beginning at the North Dakota border and extending south along U.S. 83 
to U.S. 14, east along U.S. 14 to Blunt-Canning Road in Blunt, south 
along Blunt-Canning Road to SD 34, south across a line over the 
Missouri River to the northwestern corner of the Lower Brule Indian 
Reservation, south along the Reservation Boundary to Lyman County Road, 
south along Lyman County Road to I-90 at Presho, east on I-90 to U.S. 
183, then south along U.S. 183 to Nebraska border.
    North Zone: That portion of northeastern South Dakota east of the 
High Plains Unit and north of a line extending east along US 212 to SD 
15, then north along SD 15 to Big Stone Lake at the Minnesota border.
    South Zone: That portion of Gregory County east of SD 47, Charles 
Mix County south of SD 44 to the Douglas County line, south on SD 50 to 
Geddes, east on the Geddes Hwy. to U.S. 281, south on U.S. 281 and U.S. 
18 to SD 50, south and east on SD 50 to Bon Homme County line, the 
Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton, and Clay south of SD 50, and Union 
County south and west of SD 50 and I-29.
    Middle Zone: The remainder of South Dakota.
    Texas
    High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of a line 
extending south from the Oklahoma border along U.S. 183 to Vernon, 
south along U.S. 283 to Albany, south along TX 6 to TX 351 to Abilene, 
south along U.S. 277 to Del Rio, then south along the Del Rio 
International Toll Bridge access road to the Mexico border.
    Wyoming (Central Flyway portion)
    Zone 1: The Counties of Converse, Goshen, Hot Springs, Natrona, 
Platte, Washakie, and that portion of Park County south of T58N and not 
within the boundary of the Shoshone National Forest.
    Zone 2: The remainder of Wyoming.
Pacific Flyway
    Arizona--Game Management Units (GMU) as follows:
    South Zone: Those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 in Yavapai County, and 
GMUs 10 and 12B-45.
    North Zone: GMUs 1-5, those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 within 
Coconino County, and GMUs 7, 9, 12A.
    California
    Northeastern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of a 
line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath 
River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest 
Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and 
south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west 
along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89; 
east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north 
on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S. 
395 to the Nevada border.
    Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, 
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border 
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as 
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to 
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in 
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of 
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on 
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the 
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley 
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to 
U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; 
south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
    Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding 
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the 
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City 
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of 
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest 
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to 
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on 
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada 
border.
    Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare 
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included 
in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the 
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.
    Idaho
    Zone 1: Includes all lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian 
Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham 
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir

[[Page 50676]]

drainage; and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.
    Zone 2: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties: 
Adams; Bear Lake; Benewah; Bingham within the Blackfoot Reservoir 
drainage; those portions of Blaine west of ID 75, south and east of 
U.S. 93, and between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 outside the 
Silver Creek drainage; Bonner; Bonneville; Boundary; Butte; Camas; 
Caribou except the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Cassia within the 
Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Clark; Clearwater; Custer; Elmore 
within the Camas Creek drainage; Franklin; Fremont; Idaho; Jefferson; 
Kootenai; Latah; Lemhi; Lewis; Madison; Nez Perce; Oneida; Power within 
the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Shoshone; Teton; and Valley 
Counties.
    Zone 3: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties: 
Ada; Blaine between ID 75 and U.S. 93 south of U.S. 20 and that 
additional area between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 within the 
Silver Creek drainage; Boise; Canyon; Cassia except within the Minidoka 
National Wildlife Refuge; Elmore except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; 
Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee; Payette; Power west of ID 
37 and ID 39 except that portion within the Minidoka National Wildlife 
Refuge; Twin Falls; and Washington Counties.
    Nevada
    Lincoln and Clark County Zone: All of Clark and Lincoln Counties.
    Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.
    Oregon
    Zone 1: Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane, Douglas, Coos, Curry, 
Josephine, Jackson, Linn, Benton, Polk, Marion, Yamhill, Washington, 
Columbia, Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, 
Morrow and Umatilla Counties.
    Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Gilliam, Morrow, and 
Umatilla Counties.
    Zone 2: The remainder of the State.
    Utah
    Zone 1: All of Box Elder, Cache, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Morgan, 
Rich, Salt Lake, Summit, Unitah, Utah, Wasatch, and Weber Counties and 
that part of Toole County north of I-80.
    Zone 2: The remainder of Utah.
    Washington
    East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of 
the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
    Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Same as East Zone.
    West Zone: All areas to the west of the East Zone.

Geese

Atlantic Flyway
    Connecticut
    Same zones as for ducks.
    Georgia
    Special Area for Canada Geese: Statewide.
    Maryland
    Special Area for Canada Geese: Allegheny, Carroll, Frederick, 
Garrett, Washington counties and the portion of Montgomery County south 
of Interstate 270 and west of Interstate 495 to the Potomac River.
    Massachusetts
    Special Area for Canada Geese: Central Zone (same as for ducks) and 
that portion of the Coastal Zone that lies north of route 139 from 
Green Harbor.
    New Hampshire
    Same zones as for ducks.
    New Jersey
    Special Area for Canada Geese
    North - 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 Route 94: then west along Route 94 to the tollbridge 
in Columbia; then north along the Pennsylvania State boundary in the 
Delaware River to the beginning point.
    South - that portion of the State within a continuous line that 
runs west 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 (at Pleasant Mills); then north (upstream) 
along the Mullica River to Route 206; then south along Route 206 to 
Route 536; then west along Route 536 to Route 322; then west along 
Route 322 to Route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 553 (Buck 
Road); then south along Route 553 to Route 40; then east along Route 40 
to route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 552 (Sherman Avenue); 
then west along Route 552 to Carmel Road; then south along Carmel Road 
to Route 49; then south along Route 49 to Route 50; then east along 
Route 50 to Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route 625 (Sea Isle 
City Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to the Atlantic Ocean; then 
north to the beginning point.
    New York
    Special Area for Canada Geese: Westchester County and portions of 
Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, and Suffolk Counties--See State 
regulations for detailed description.
    Pennsylvania
    Erie, Mercer, and Butler Counties: All of Erie, Mercer, and Butler 
Counties.
    Special Area for Canada Geese: Statewide except for the Counties of 
Erie, Mercer, Butler, Crawford, and the area east of Interstate 83 from 
the Maryland State line to the intersection of U.S. Route 30 to the 
intersection of state Route 441, east of SR 441 to intersection of 
Interstate 283, east of I-283 to I-83, east of I-83 to intersection of 
I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of I-80, and south of I-80 to the 
New Jersey State line.
    Rhode Island
    Special Area for Canada Geese: Kent and Providence Counties and 
portions of the towns of Exeter and North Kingston within Washington 
County (see State regulations for detailed descriptions).
    South Carolina
    Canada Goose Area: Statewide except for Clarendon County and that 
portion of Lake Marion in Orangeburg County and Berkeley County.
    Virginia
    Back Bay Area--Defined for white geese as the waters of Back Bay 
and its tributaries and the marshes adjacent thereto, and on the land 
and marshes between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean from Sandbridge to 
the North Carolina line, and on and along the shore of North Landing 
River and the marshes adjacent thereto, and on and along the shores of 
Binson Inlet Lake (formerly known as Lake Tecumseh) and Red Wing Lake 
and the marshes adjacent thereto.
    West Virginia
    Same zones as for ducks.
Mississippi Flyway
    Alabama
    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    SJBP Zone: That portion of Morgan County east of U.S. Highway 31, 
north of State Highway 36, and west of U.S. 231; that portion of 
Limestone County south of U.S. 72; and that portion of Madison County 
south of Swancott Road and west of Triana Road.
    Arkansas
    East Zone: Arkansas, Ashley, Chicot, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, 
Cross, Desha, Drew, Greene, Independence, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, 
Lee, Lincoln, Lonoke, Mississippi, Monroe, Phillips, Poinsett, Prairie, 
Pulaski, Randolph, St. Francis, White, and Woodruff Counties.
    West Zone: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Cleburne, Conway, 
Crawford,

[[Page 50677]]

Faulkner, Franklin, Fulton, Izard, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Newton, 
Pope, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, and Washington Counties, and 
those portions of Logan, Perry, Sebastian, and Yell Counties lying 
north of a line extending east from the Oklahoma border along State 
Highway 10 to Perry, south on State 9 to State 60, then east on State 
60 to the Faulkner County line.
    Illinois
    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    North Zone:
    Northern Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of McHenry, Lake, Kane, 
DuPage, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties north of 
Interstate Highway 80.
    Central Zone:
    Central Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of Grundy, Woodford, 
Peoria, Knox, Fulton, Tazewell, Mason, Cass, Morgan, Pike, Calhoun, and 
Jersey, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties south of 
Interstate Highway 80.
    South Zone:
    Southern Illinois Quota Zone: Alexander, Jackson, Union, and 
Williamson Counties.
    Rend Lake Quota Zone: Franklin and Jefferson Counties.
    Indiana
    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    SJBP Zone: Jasper, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, 
Pulaski, Starke, and Steuben Counties.
    Iowa
    Same zones as for ducks.
    Kentucky
    Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at 
the Tennessee border at Fulton and extending north along the Purchase 
Parkway to Interstate Highway 24, east along I-24 to U.S. Highway 641, 
north along U.S. 641 to U.S. 60, northeast along U.S. 60 to the 
Henderson County line, then south, east, and northerly along the 
Henderson County line to the Indiana border.
    Ballard Reporting Area: That area encompassed by a line beginning 
at the northwest city limits of Wickliffe in Ballard County and 
extending westward to the middle of the Mississippi River, north along 
the Mississippi River and along the low-water mark of the Ohio River on 
the Illinois shore to the Ballard-McCracken County line, south along 
the county line to Kentucky Highway 358, south along Kentucky 358 to 
U.S. Highway 60 at LaCenter; then southwest along U.S. 60 to the 
northeast city limits of Wickliffe.
    Henderson-Union Reporting Area: Henderson County and that portion 
of Union County within the Western Zone.
    Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone: Butler, Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and 
Warren Counties and all counties lying west to the boundary of the 
Western Goose Zone.
    Michigan
    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    South Zone
    Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU): Those portions of 
Tuscola and Huron Counties bounded on the south by Michigan Highway 138 
and Bay City Road, on the east by Colwood and Bay Port Roads, on the 
north by Kilmanagh Road and a line extending directly west off the end 
of Kilmanagh Road into Saginaw Bay to the west boundary, and on the 
west by the Tuscola-Bay County line and a line extending directly north 
off the end of the Tuscola-Bay County line into Saginaw Bay to the 
north boundary.
    Allegan County GMU: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate Highway 196 in Lake Town 
Township and extending easterly along 136th Avenue to Michigan Highway 
40, southerly along Michigan 40 through the city of Allegan to 108th 
Avenue in Trowbridge Township, westerly along 108th Avenue to 46th 
Street, northerly 1/2 mile along 46th Street to 109th Avenue, westerly 
along 109th Avenue to I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly along I-
196 to the point of beginning.
    Saginaw County GMU: That portion of Saginaw County bounded by 
Michigan Highway 46 on the north; Michigan 52 on the west; Michigan 57 
on the south; and Michigan 13 on the east.
    Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That portion of Muskegon County within the 
boundaries of the Muskegon County wastewater system, east of the 
Muskegon State Game Area, in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 
30, and 32, T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, and 
25, T10N R15W, as posted.
    Special Canada Goose Seasons:
    Southern Michigan GMU: That portion of the State, including the 
Great Lakes and interconnecting waterways and excluding the Allegan 
County GMU, south of a line beginning at the Ontario border at the 
Bluewater Bridge in the city of Port Huron and extending westerly and 
southerly along Interstate Highway 94 to I-69, westerly along I-69 to 
Michigan Highway 21, westerly along Michigan 21 to I-96, northerly 
along I-96 to I-196, westerly along I-196 to Lake Michigan Drive (M-45) 
in Grand Rapids, westerly along Lake Michigan Drive to the Lake 
Michigan shore, then directly west from the end of Lake Michigan Drive 
to the Wisconsin border.
    Minnesota
    West Zone: That portion of the state encompassed by a line 
beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa 
border, then north and east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, north 
along U.S. 71 to Interstate Highway 94, then north and west along I-94 
to the North Dakota border.
    West Central Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the 
intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 29 and U.S. Highway 212 and 
extending west along U.S. 212 to U.S. 59, south along U.S. 59 to STH 
67, west along STH 67 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to County State 
Aid Highway (CSAH) 30 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 30 to 
County Road 70 in Lac qui Parle County, west along County 70 to the 
western boundary of the State, north along the western boundary of the 
State to a point due south of the intersection of STH 7 and CSAH 7 in 
Big Stone County, and continuing due north to said intersection, then 
north along CSAH 7 to CSAH 6 in Big Stone County, east along CSAH 6 to 
CSAH 21 in Big Stone County, south along CSAH 21 to CSAH 10 in Big 
Stone County, east along CSAH 10 to CSAH 22 in Swift County, east along 
CSAH 22 to CSAH 5 in Swift County, south along CSAH 5 to U.S. 12, east 
along U.S. 12 to CSAH 17 in Swift County, south along CSAH 17 to CSAH 9 
in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to STH 40, east along STH 40 to 
STH 29, then south along STH 29 to the point of beginning.
    Lac qui Parle Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the intersection of U.S. Highway 212 and County State Aid Highway 
(CSAH) 27 in Lac qui Parle County and extending north along CSAH 27 to 
CSAH 20 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 20 to State Trunk 
Highway (STH) 40, north along STH 40 to STH 119, north along STH 119 to 
CSAH 34 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 34 to CSAH 19 in Lac 
qui Parle County, north and west along CSAH 19 to CSAH 38 in Lac qui 
Parle County, west along CSAH 38 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to STH 
7, east along STH 7 to CSAH 6 in Swift County, east along CSAH 6 to 
County Road 65 in Swift County, south along County 65 to County 34 in 
Chippewa County, south along County 34 to CSAH 12 in Chippewa County, 
east along CSAH 12 to CSAH 9 in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to 
STH 7, southeast along STH 7 to Montevideo and along the municipal 
boundary of Montevideo to U.S. 212; then west along U.S. 212 to the 
point of beginning.

[[Page 50678]]

    Northwest Zone: That portion of the state encompassed by a line 
extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 to 
State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east along 
STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north along 
CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to STH 1, 
east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 28 
to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in Roseau 
County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 310, and 
north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
    Special Canada Goose Seasons:
    Fergus Falls/Alexandria Zone: That area encompassed by a line 
beginning at the intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 55 and STH 
28 and extending east along STH 28 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 
33 in Pope County, north along CSAH 33 to CSAH 3 in Douglas County, 
north along CSAH 3 to CSAH 69 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 69 
to CSAH 46 in Otter Tail County, east along CSAH 46 to the eastern 
boundary of Otter Tail County, north along the east boundary of Otter 
Tail County to CSAH 40 in Otter Tail County, west along CSAH 40 to CSAH 
75 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 75 to STH 210, west along STH 
210 to STH 108, north along STH 108 to CSAH 1 in Otter Tail County, 
west along CSAH 1 to CSAH 14 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 14 
to CSAH 44 in Otter Tail County, west along CSAH 44 to CSAH 35 in Otter 
Tail County, north along CSAH 35 to STH 108, west along STH 108 to CSAH 
19 in Wilkin County, south along CSAH 19 to STH 55, then southeast 
along STH 55 to the point of beginning.
    Missouri
    Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
    North Zone
    Swan Lake Zone: That area bounded by U.S. Highway 36 on the north, 
Missouri Highway 5 on the east, Missouri 240 and U.S. 65 on the south, 
and U.S. 65 on the west.
    Middle Zone
    Schell-Osage Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line 
extending east from the Kansas border along U.S. Highway 54 to Missouri 
Highway 13, north along Missouri 13 to Missouri 7, west along Missouri 
7 to U.S. 71, north along U.S. 71 to Missouri 2, then west along 
Missouri 2 to the Kansas border.
    Ohio
    Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
    North Zone
    Pymatuning Area: Pymatuning Reservoir and that part of Ohio bounded 
on the north by County Road 306 (known as Woodward Road), on the west 
by Pymatuning Lake Road, and on the south by U.S. Highway 322.
    Lake Erie SJBP Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a 
line extending south from the Michigan border along Interstate Highway 
75 to I-280, south along I-280 to I-80, and east along I-80 to the 
Pennsylvania border.
    Tennessee
    Southwest Zone: That portion of the State south of State Highways 
20 and 104, and west of U.S. Highways 45 and 45W.
    Northwest Zone: Lake, Obion and Weakley Counties and those portions 
of Gibson and Dyer Counties not included in the Southwest Tennessee 
Zone.
    Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone: That portion of the State bounded on 
the west by the eastern boundaries of the Northwest and Southwest Zones 
and on the east by State Highway 13 from the Alabama border to 
Clarksville and U.S. Highway 79 from Clarksville to the Kentucky 
border.
    Wisconsin
    Horicon Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the 
intersection of State Highway 21 and the Fox River in Winnebago County 
and extending westerly along State 21 to the west boundary of Winnebago 
County, southerly along the west boundary of Winnebago County to the 
north boundary of Green Lake County, westerly along the north 
boundaries of Green Lake and Marquette Counties to State 22, southerly 
along State 22 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 16, 
westerly along U.S. 16 to Weyh Road, southerly along Weyh Road to 
County Highway O, southerly along County O to the west boundary of 
Section 31, southerly along the west boundary of Section 31 to the 
Sauk/Columbia County boundary, southerly along the Sauk/Columbia County 
boundary to State 33, easterly along State 33 to Interstate Highway 90/
94, southerly along I-90/94 to State 60, easterly along State 60 to 
State 83, northerly along State 83 to State 175, northerly along State 
175 to State 33, easterly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 45, northerly 
along U.S. 45 to the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River, northerly 
along the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River to Lake Winnebago, 
northerly along the western shoreline of Lake Winnebago to the Fox 
River, then westerly along the Fox River to State 21.
    Collins Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the 
intersection of Hilltop Road and Collins Marsh Road in Manitowoc County 
and extending westerly along Hilltop Road to Humpty Dumpty Road, 
southerly along Humpty Dumpty Road to Poplar Grove Road, easterly and 
southerly along Poplar Grove Road to County Highway JJ, southeasterly 
along County JJ to Collins Road, southerly along Collins Road to the 
Manitowoc River, southeasterly along the Manitowoc River to Quarry 
Road, northerly along Quarry Road to Einberger Road, northerly along 
Einberger Road to Moschel Road, westerly along Moschel Road to Collins 
Marsh Road, northerly along Collins Marsh Road to Hilltop Road.
    Exterior Zone: That portion of the State not included in the 
Horicon or Collins Zones.
    Mississippi River Subzone: That area encompassed by a line 
beginning at the intersection of the Burlington Northern Railway and 
the Illinois border in Grant County and extending northerly along the 
Burlington Northern Railway to the city limit of Prescott in Pierce 
County, then west along the Prescott city limit to the Minnesota 
border.
    Rock Prairie Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the intersection of the Illinois border and Interstate Highway 90 and 
extending north along I-90 to County Highway A, east along County A to 
U.S. Highway 12, southeast along U.S. 12 to State Highway 50, west 
along State 50 to State 120, then south along 120 to the Illinois 
border.
Central Flyway
    Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)
    Northern Front Range Area: All lands in Adams, Boulder, Clear 
Creek, Denver, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties west of I-
25 from the Wyoming border south to I-70; west on I-70 to the 
Continental Divide; north along the Continental Divide to the Jackson-
Larimer County Line to the Wyoming border.
    South Park/San Luis Valley Area: Alamosa, Chaffee, Conejos, 
Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, Teller, and Rio Grande Counties 
and those portions of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Saguache Counties east of 
the Continental Divide.
    North Park Area: Jackson County.
    Arkansas Valley Area: Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and 
Prowers Counties.
    Pueblo County Area: Pueblo County.
    Remainder: Remainder of the Central Flyway portion of Colorado.
    Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose Area: that portion of the State 
east of Interstate Highway 25.
    Kansas
    Light Geese
    Unit 1: That portion of Kansas east of KS 99.

[[Page 50679]]

    Unit 2: The remainder of Kansas.
    Dark Geese
    Marais des Cygne Valley Unit: The area is bounded by the Missouri 
border to KS 68, KS 68 to U.S 169, U.S. 169 to KS 7, KS 7 to KS 31, KS 
31 to U.S. 69, U.S. 69 to KS 239, KS 239 to the Missouri border.
    South Flint Hills Unit: The area is bounded by Highways U.S. 50 to 
KS 57, KS 57 to U.S. 75, U.S. 75 to KS 39, KS 39 to KS 96, KS 96 to 
U.S. 77, U.S. 77 to U.S. 50.
    Central Flint Hills Unit: That area southwest of Topeka bounded by 
Highways U.S. 75 to I-35, I-35 to U.S. 50, U.S. 50 to U.S. 77, U.S. 77 
to I-70, I-70 to U.S. 75.
    Southeast Unit: That area of southeast Kansas bounded by the 
Missouri border to U.S. 160, U.S. 160 to U.S. 69, U.S. 69 to KS 39, KS 
39 to U.S. 169, U.S. 169 to the Oklahoma border, and the Oklahoma 
border to the Missouri border.
    Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
    Sheridan County: Includes all of Sheridan County.
    Remainder: Includes the remainder of the Central Flyway portion of 
Montana.
    Nebraska
    Dark Geese
    North Unit: Keya Paha County east of U.S. 183 and all of Boyd 
County, including the boundary waters of the Niobrara River, all of 
Knox County and that portion of Cedar County west of U.S. 81.
    East Unit: The area east of a line beginning at U.S. 183 at the 
northern State line; south to NE 2; east to U.S. 281; south to the 
southern State line, excluding the North Unit.
    West Unit: All of Nebraska west of the East Unit.
    Light Geese
    Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area: The area bounded by the 
intersection of the Platte River and U.S. Highway (Hwy) 92 in Polk 
County, east on Hwy 92 to NE Hwy 15, south on Hwy 15 to NE Hwy 4, west 
on NE Hwy 4 to U.S. Hwy 34, west on U.S. Hwy 34 to U.S. Hwy 283, north 
on U.S. Hwy 283 to U.S. Hwy 30, east on U.S. Hwy 30 to U.S. Hwy 281, 
south on U.S. Hwy 281 to NE Hwy 34 & 2, east on NE Hwy 34 to the Platte 
River, and then north and east along the Platte River to the beginning.
    Remainder of State: The remainder portion of Nebraska.
    New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
    Dark Geese
    Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit: Sierra County and that portion of 
Socorro County lying south of the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge 
Boundary.
    Remainder: The remainder of the Central Flyway portion of New 
Mexico.
    North Dakota
    Dark Geese
    Missouri River Zone: That area encompassed by a line extending from 
the South Dakota border north on U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41, north to ND 
53, west to U.S. 83, north to ND 23, west to ND 37, south to ND 1804, 
south approximately 9 miles to Elbowoods Bay on Lake Sakakawea, south 
and west across the lake to ND 8, south to ND 200, east to ND 31, south 
to ND 25, south to I-94, east to ND 6, south to the South Dakota 
border, and east to the point of origin.
    Statewide: All of North Dakota.
    South Dakota
    Canada Geese
    Unit 1: Statewide except for Units 2 and 3.
    Unit 2: Brule, Buffalo, Campbell, Dewey, Hughes, Hyde, Lyman, 
Potter, Stanley, Sully, and Walworth Counties and that portion of 
Corson County east of State Highway 65.
    Unit 3: Charles Mix and Gregory Counties.
    Texas
    West Unit: That portion of the State lying west of a line from the 
international toll bridge at Laredo; north along I-35 and I-35W to Fort 
Worth; northwest along US 81 and US 287 to Bowie; and north along US 81 
to the Oklahoma border.
    East Unit: Remainder of State.
    Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)
    Area 1: Converse, Hot Springs, Natrona, and Washakie Counties, and 
that portion of Park County south of T58N.
    Area 2: Platte County.
    Area 3: Albany, Big Horn, Campbell, Crook, Fremont, Johnson, 
Laramie, Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston Counties and those portions of 
Carbon County east of the Continental Divide and Park County north of 
T58N.
    Area 4: Goshen County.
Pacific Flyway
    Arizona
    GMU 22 and 23: Game Management Units 22 and 23.
    Remainder of State: The remainder of Arizona.
    California
    Northeastern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of a 
line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath 
River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest 
Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and 
south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west 
along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89; 
east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north 
on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S. 
395 to the Nevada border.
    Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, 
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border 
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as 
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to 
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in 
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of 
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on 
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the 
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley 
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to 
U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; 
south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
    Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding 
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the 
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City 
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of 
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest 
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to 
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on 
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada 
border.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included 
in the Northeastern, Southern, and the Colorado River Zones.
    Del Norte and Humboldt Area: The Counties of Del Norte and 
Humboldt.
    Sacramento Valley Area: That area bounded by a line beginning at 
Willows in Glenn County proceeding south on I-5 to Hahn Road north of 
Arbuckle in Colusa County; easterly on Hahn Road and the Grimes 
Arbuckle Road to Grimes on the Sacramento River; southerly on the 
Sacramento River to the Tisdale Bypass to O'Banion Road; easterly on 
O'Banion Road to CA 99; northerly on CA 99 to the Gridley-Colusa 
Highway in Gridley in Butte County; westerly on the Gridley-Colusa 
Highway to the River Road; northerly on the River Road to the Princeton 
Ferry; westerly across the Sacramento River to CA 45; northerly on CA 
45 to CA 162; northerly on CA 45-162 to Glenn; westerly on CA 162 to 
the point of beginning in Willows.
    Western Canada Goose Hunt Area: That portion of the above described

[[Page 50680]]

Sacramento Valley Area lying east of a line formed by Butte Creek from 
the Gridley-Colusa Highway south to the Cherokee Canal; easterly along 
the Cherokee Canal and North Butte Road to West Butte Road; southerly 
on West Butte Road to Pass Road; easterly on Pass Road to West Butte 
Road; southerly on West Butte Road to CA 20; and westerly along CA 20 
to the Sacramento River.
    San Joaquin Valley Area: That area bounded by a line beginning at 
Modesto in Stanislaus County proceeding west on CA 132 to I-5; 
southerly on I-5 to CA 152 in Merced County; easterly on CA 152 to CA 
165; northerly on CA 165 to CA 99 at Merced; northerly and westerly on 
CA 99 to the point of beginning.
    Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)
    Gunnison/Saguache Area: Gunnison County and that portion of 
Saguache County west of the Continental Divide.
    West Central Area: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, LaPlata, Montezuma, 
Montrose, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel Counties and those portions 
of Hinsdale and Mineral Counties west of the Continental Divide.
    State Area: The remainder of the Pacific-Flyway Portion of 
Colorado.
    Idaho
    Zone 1: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, 
Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties.
    Zone 2: The Counties of Ada; Adams; Boise; Canyon; those portions 
of Elmore north and east of I-84, and south and west of I-84, west of 
ID 51, except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; Owyhee west of ID 51; 
Payette; Valley; and Washington.
    Zone 3: The Counties of Blaine; Camas; Cassia; those portions of 
Elmore south of I-84 east of ID 51, and within the Camas Creek 
drainage; Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee east of ID 51; 
Power within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; and Twin Falls.
    Zone 4: The Counties of Bear Lake; Bingham within the Blackfoot 
Reservoir drainage; Bonneville, Butte; Caribou except the Fort Hall 
Indian Reservation; Clark; Custer; Franklin; Fremont; Jefferson; Lemhi; 
Madison; Oneida; Power west of ID 37 and ID 39 except the Minidoka 
National Wildlife Refuge; and Teton.
    Zone 5: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian 
Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham 
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; 
and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.
    In addition, goose frameworks are set by the following geographical 
areas:
    Northern Unit: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, 
Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties.
    Southwestern Unit: That area west of the line formed by U.S. 93 
north from the Nevada border to Shoshone, northerly on ID 75 (formerly 
U.S. 93) to Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Montana border (except 
the Northern Unit and except Custer and Lemhi Counties).
    Southeastern Unit: That area east of the line formed by U.S. 93 
north from the Nevada border to Shoshone, northerly on ID 75 (formerly 
U.S. 93) to Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Montana border, 
including all of Custer and Lemhi Counties.
    Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
    East of the Divide Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of the State 
located east of the Continental Divide.
    West of the Divide Zone: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway 
portion of Montana.
    Nevada
    Lincoln Clark County Zone: All of Lincoln and Clark Counties
    Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.
    New Mexico (Pacific Flyway Portion)
    North Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located north 
of I-40.
    South Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located south 
of I-40.
    Oregon
    Southwest Zone: Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine and Jackson 
Counties.
    Northwest Special Permit Zone: That portion of western Oregon west 
and north of a line running south from the Columbia River in Portland 
along I-5 to OR 22 at Salem; then east on OR 22 to the Stayton Cutoff; 
then south on the Stayton Cutoff to Stayton and due south to the 
Santiam River; then west along the north shore of the Santiam River to 
I-5; then south on I-5 to OR 126 at Eugene; then west on OR 126 to 
Greenhill Road; then south on Greenhill Road to Crow Road; then west on 
Crow Road to Territorial Hwy; then west on Territorial Hwy to OR 126; 
then west on OR 126 to OR 36; then north on OR 36 to Forest Road 5070 
at Brickerville; then west and south on Forest Road 5070 to OR 126; 
then west on OR 126 to the Pacific Coast.
    Northwest Zone: Those portions of Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion, 
Multnomah, and Washington Counties outside of the Northwest Special 
Permit Zone.
    Closed Zone: Those portions of Coos, Curry, Douglas and Lane 
Counties west of US 101.
    Eastern Zone: Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, 
Umatilla, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Grant, Baker, Union, 
and Wallowa Counties.
    Harney, Klamath, Lake and Malheur Counties Zone: All of Harney, 
Klamath, Lake, and Malheur Counties.
    Utah
    Washington County Zone: All of Washington County.
    Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Utah.
    Washington
    Eastern Washington: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and 
east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
    Area 1: Lincoln, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties; that part of 
Grant County east of a line beginning at the Douglas-Lincoln County 
line on WA 174, southwest on WA 174 to WA 155, south on WA 155 to US 2, 
southwest on US 2 to Pinto Ridge Road, south on Pinto Ridge Road to WA 
28, east on WA 28 to the Stratford Road, south on the Stratford Road to 
WA 17, south on WA 17 to the Grant-Adams County line; those parts of 
Adams County east of State Highway 17; those parts of Franklin County 
east and south of a line beginning at the Adams-Franklin County line on 
WA 17, south on WA 17 to US 395, south on US 395 to I-182, west o I-182 
to the Franklin-Benton County line; those parts of Benton County south 
of I-182 and I-82; and those parts of Klickitat County east of U.S. 
Highway 97.
    Area 2: All of Okanongan, Douglas, and Kittitas Counties and those 
parts of Grant, Adams, Franklin, and Benton Counties not included in 
Eastern Washington Goose Management Area 1.
    Area 3: All other parts of eastern Washington not included in 
Eastern Washington Goose Management Areas 1 and 2.
    Western Washington: All areas west of the East Zone.
    Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
    Area 2: Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties.
    Area 3: All parts of western Washington not included in Western 
Washington Goose Management Areas 1 and 2.
    Lower Columbia River Early-Season Canada Goose Zone: Beginning at 
the Washington-Oregon border on the I-5 Bridge near Vancouver, 
Washington; north on I-5 to Kelso; west on Highway 4 from Kelso to 
Highway 401; south and west on Highway 401 to Highway 101 at the 
Astoria-Megler Bridge; west on Highway 101 to Gray Drive in the City of 
Ilwaco; west on Gray Drive to Canby Road; southwest on Canby Road to 
the

[[Page 50681]]

North Jetty; southwest on the North Jetty to its end; southeast to the 
Washington-Oregon border; upstream along the Washington-Oregon border 
to the point of origin.
    Wyoming (Pacific Flyway Portion): See State Regulations.
    Bear River Area: That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Salt River Area: That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Eden-Farson Area: Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette 
Counties described in State regulations.

Swans

Central Flyway
    South Dakota: Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Campbell, Clark, Codington, 
Deuel, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant, Hamlin, Hand, Hughes, Hyde, 
Kingsbury, Marshall, McPherson, Potter, Roberts, Spink, Sully, and 
Walworth Counties.
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.
    Nevada
    Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and Pershing Counties.
    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. 96-24733 Filed 9-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-F