[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 187 (Friday, September 26, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50660-50680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25517]



[[Page 50659]]

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Part II





Department of the Interior





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Fish and Wildlife Service



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50 CFR Part 20



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

  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 50660]]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN 1018-AE14


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

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule prescribes final late-season frameworks from which 
States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 1997-
98 migratory bird hunting season. These late seasons include most 
waterfowl seasons, the earliest of which generally commence on or about 
October 1, 1997. 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.

DATE: This rule takes effect on September 26, 1997.

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 1997

    On March 13, 1997, the Service published in the Federal Register 
(62 FR 39712) 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 6, 1997, the Service published in the 
Federal Register (62 FR 31298) a second document providing supplemental 
proposals for early- and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations 
frameworks and the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 1997-98 
duck hunting season. The June 6 supplement also provided detailed 
information on the 1997-98 regulatory schedule and announced the 
Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee and Flyway Council 
meetings. On June 27, 1997, the Service held a public hearing in 
Washington, DC, as announced in the March 13 and June 6 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 23, 1997, the Service published in the 
Federal Register (62 FR 39712) a third document. This document 
contained the final regulatory alternatives for the 1997-98 duck 
hunting season and the proposed early-season frameworks for the 1997-98 
season.
    On August 7, 1997, the Service held a public hearing in Washington, 
DC, as announced in the March 13, June 6, and July 23 Federal Registers 
to review the status of waterfowl. Proposed hunting regulations were 
discussed for late seasons. On August 20, 1997, the Service published a 
fifth document (62 FR 44229) 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 25, 
1997, the Service published a sixth document (62 FR 45078) which dealt 
specifically with proposed frameworks for the 1997-98 late-season 
migratory bird hunting regulations. On August 29, 1997, the Service 
published in the Federal Register (62 FR 46512) a seventh 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 1997-98 season, is the 
eighth in the series.

Review of Comments and the Service's Response

    Public-hearing and written comments received through September 4, 
1997, relating to proposed late-season frameworks, are discussed and 
addressed here. Mr. Robert McDowell, representing the Atlantic Flyway 
Council, presented a statement at the August 7, 1997, public hearing. 
Late-season comments are summarized and discussed in the order used in 
the March 13, 1997, 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 1996-97 late-season frameworks. For those 
topics where a Council recommendation is not shown, the Council 
supported continuing the same frameworks as in 1996-97.

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: As we have stated previously, when the 
preliminary proposed rulemaking document was published in the Federal 
Register on March 13, 1997, 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 continue to include providing 
opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game bird 
populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each 
population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Annually, the 
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

[[Page 50661]]

significantly to the harvest of nontarget species. Consistent with the 
Service's long-term strategy for shooting hours, published in the 
September 21, 1990, Federal Register (55 FR 38898), the frameworks 
herein provide for shooting hours of one-half hour before sunrise to 
sunset, unless otherwise specified.

1. Ducks

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

A. General Harvest Strategy

    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 1997-98 duck hunting 
season.
    The Atlantic and Pacific Flyway Councils further recommended that 
the four regulatory packages adopted by the Service in the July 23, 
1997, Federal Register be maintained until such time as the Service and 
Flyway Councils agree that there is compelling justification for 
modification.
    The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended adoption of the ``liberal'' alternative with a 
modification of the framework closing date. Specific details are 
discussed in B. Framework Dates.
    Written Comments: The Pennsylvania Game Commission (Pennsylvania) 
supported the Adaptive Harvest Management process and was encouraged 
that information from eastern mallards was beginning to be used to 
develop harvest strategies for the Atlantic Flyway. While Pennsylvania 
supported the final four alternatives for 1997-98, they continue to 
support consideration for a fixed bag limit in all alternatives.
    Individuals from California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, 
Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North 
Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah requested that 
bag limits and season lengths not be increased this year since at least 
six duck populations (mallard, wigeon, pintail, redhead, scaup, and 
black ducks) declined in 1996.
    Delta Waterfowl (Delta) believed that the Service was placing 
tremendous burden on individual States that recognize that the 
regulation package was overly excessive. Delta further believed that 
the Service should play more of a leadership role in the aspects of 
hunter attitudes and ethical standards of waterfowl hunting. By 
promoting soley highly technical, statistically confusing data and 
ignoring constituencies, Delta believed that the Service was not acting 
in the best interest of waterfowling. Further, Delta believed that 
hunters did not ask for extensive liberalizations in the regulations.
    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 very restrictive, restrictive, moderate, and liberal 
seasons. The alternatives established for this year's hunting season 
were 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 1997 
fall flight will be comparable to those observed during the 1970s. 
Based on favorable input, the Service will continue use of the AHM 
approach initiated last year. The AHM strategy for 1997 prescribes the 
``liberal'' regulatory alternative based on high mallard and pond 
numbers.
    The framework closing date recommended by the Lower-Region 
Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council differed from 
those in the ``liberal'' alternative established in the July 23 Federal 
Register. The Service's frameworks are consistent with the ``liberal'' 
alternative outlined in the July 23 Federal Register and was supported 
by the other three Flyway Councils as well as the Mississippi Flyway 
Council's Upper-Region Regulations Committee.

B. Framework Dates

    Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of 
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended an experimental extension of 
the framework closing date to January 31 to allow evaluation of the 
extension, as long as this does not affect regulations/framework 
packages in non-participating states.

    Written Comments: The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries 
and Parks (Mississippi) requested Service support and approval of the 
Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council's 
study/framework extension proposal. Mississippi further offered to (1) 
accept a 50-day season in return for a January 31 closure, (2) close 
the season on the Sunday before January 31, (3) accept one less hen 
mallard in the bag, and (4) assist with the necessary funding to 
conduct the study.
    The Humane Society recommended that all seasons open at noon mid-
week 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 2 weeks in all breeding 
areas in order to allow ducks time to leave natal marshes before being 
subjected to hunting pressure.

    Service Response: In the July 23 Federal Register, the Service 
outlined the reasons why it did not support an expansion of the 
framework dates at this time.
    Regarding the Humane Society's recommendation for mid-week 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.

F. Zones and Split Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of 
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended the Service allow ``3 zones 
and 2-way splits in one or more zones'' as an additional option to the 
current zoning process. The Committee also requested that the Service 
allow States up to 1 year to choose this option, based on the public-
input process States undertake, before they provide the Service with 
their proposal (prior to the 1998-99 regular-duck season).

    Written Comments: The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and 
Wildlife (Maine) supported the use of 3 zones and 2-way splits in one 
or more zones as an additional option to the current zoning criteria. 
Maine further requested this change be accomplished prior to the 2001 
regulation cycle.
    Several individuals from Iowa recommended an elimination of zones 
and allowing a continuous, statewide season. An individual from 
Missouri recommended the use of a 3-way split season in Missouri.
    The Humane Society urges the Service to discontinue all split and

[[Page 50662]]

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: In 1990, the Service established guidelines for 
the use of zones and split seasons for duck hunting (Federal Register, 
55 FR 38901). These guidelines were based upon an evaluation of the 
historical use of zone/split options, and were reviewed by the Flyway 
Councils. The primary purpose of the guidelines was to provide a 
framework for controlling the proliferation of changes in zones and 
split seasons which compromise our ability to measure impacts of 
various regulatory changes on harvest. One of the guidelines is that 
once a State selects a zone/split option during an open season, the 
option must remain in place for the following 5 years.
    The first open season for changes was in 1991 and the second 
occurred last year when zone/split configurations were established for 
the 1996-2000 period. Last year during the open season, the Service 
revised the 1990 guidelines, based largely on recommendations from the 
four Flyway Councils. Final guidelines were published in the July 22, 
1996, Federal Register. Currently, the 1997-98 season will be only the 
second year of the 5-year moratorium period. The next open season for 
changes in zone/split configurations will be in 2001.
    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 suggesting that split and special 
seasons are causing detrimental impacts to populations.

G. Special Seasons/Species Management

    i. Black Ducks

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that the individual Atlantic Flyway States achieve a 42 percent 
reduction in their black duck harvest during the 1997-98 season 
compared with the 1977-81 base-line harvest.

    Written Comments: The New Jersey Waterfowlers Association 
recommended a uniform black duck daily bag limit of 2 birds in the 
Atlantic Flyway.

    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 North American Waterfowl Management Plan 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

    Written Comments: The New Jersey Waterfowlers Association 
recommended a canvasback daily bag limit of 2 birds based on 1995 and 
1996 breeding population indices.

    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 1997-98 
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, as stated in previous Federal 
Registers, is continuing to monitor the performance of the canvasback 
harvest strategy adopted in 1994. The Service is particularly 
interested in harvest information from the coming duck season, which 
will have the longest season lengths offered in decades. Prior to next 
summer, the Service plans to assess how well observed harvests and 
population abundance were predicted by the strategy. The Service notes 
that the development of the canvasback strategy took several years and 
required a lot of technical work and consensus-building. The resulting 
strategy appears to have been fairly successful at meeting the major 
needs expressed: (1) provides a consistent harvest strategy (i.e., 
minimizing closed seasons as previously experienced); (2) provides 
hunting opportunity over a wide geographic area; (3) does not include 
seasons within seasons; and (4) provides for a fairly stabilized 
population.
    A complete reassessment of the strategy is not a high priority, 
given other pressing issues with AHM. The extent of the assessment will 
be tempered by the amount of staff time needed to address higher-
priority issues.
    iii. Pintails

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a 
2-bird daily bag limit for pintails in the 1997-98 hunting season 
instead of the 3-bird daily bag limit prescribed by the Interim Pintail 
Harvest Strategy.
    Written Comments: The Pennsylvania Game Commission did not support 
the proposed interim pintail harvest strategy. They believe that the 
status of pintails derived from eastern areas is uncertain and that 
increasing the bag limit to 3 birds will lead to negative perceptions 
from hunters. They recommend a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Delta Waterfowl did not support a 3-pintail daily bag limit in all 
four Flyways. They believed that the proposal did not have adequate 
time for public input and that such a change would further erode the 
confidence of hunters in AHM. They recommended that, if a 3-bird limit 
were approved, that no more than 1 hen pintail be allowed. Individuals 
from Michigan and Minnesota recommended that the pintail daily bag 
limit remain at 1 bird.
    The National Wildlife Federation was concerned that pintails remain 
below population objectives and believed it would be prudent to reduce 
the pintail daily bag limit to 2.
    The Wildlife Management Institute expressed concern over the status 
of pintails, but believed the interim strategy provides the Service 
with a solid foundation for the time being.
    Service Response: In the July 23 Federal Register, the Service 
adopted the Interim Strategy for Northern Pintail Harvest Regulations 
detailed in the June 6 and July 23 Federal Registers. The Service 
adopted this interim strategy with the understanding that it would be 
replaced by a more fully adaptive approach at the earliest opportunity 
and because it addressed key Service concerns outlined in the July 22, 
1996, Federal Register (61 FR 37994). For the 1997-98 hunting season, 
the interim harvest strategy prescribes a 3-bird daily bag limit for 
pintails in all four Flyways.

    iv. High Plains Management Unit

    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended 
minor administrative changes to the High Plains Mallard Management Unit 
boundary in North Dakota and South Dakota for boundary clarification 
and wetland development.

    Service Response: The Service concurs.

4. Canada Geese

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
the Service not open the regular hunting season on Atlantic Population 
(AP) Canada geese during the 1997-98 season except that a 10-day season 
with a 1-bird daily bag limit be allowed during November in that 
portion of New England east of the Connecticut River and in eastern 
Long Island, New York, where geese from the Maritime segment of the AP 
population may occur.
    The Atlantic Flyway Council also recommended the establishment of

[[Page 50663]]

regular-season frameworks in Maine, West Virginia, South Carolina, 
Georgia, and Florida, and those portions of New York, Pennsylvania, 
Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina that have been determined not to 
contain AP Canada geese. The Council's recommended frameworks would 
consist of a 70-day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit for Maine, 
West Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida with framework 
dates of October 1 to February 15; a 70-day season with a 3-bird daily 
bag limit for designated portions of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, 
and New York with framework dates of November 15 to February 15; and a 
46-day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit in designated portions of 
North Carolina with framework dates of October 1 to November 15.
    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 population management 
plans and programs.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended several changes in Canada 
goose frameworks. In southwest Washington and northwest Oregon, the 
Council recommended increasing the bag and possession limits on 
cackling Canada geese from 2/4 to 3/6 respectively in the regular 
season. In the Balance-of-the-State Zone in California, the Council 
recommended that the season for cackling Canada geese be extended by 
two weeks and the possession limit be expanded from 1 to 2 birds. In 
western New Mexico, the Council recommended increasing the bag and 
possession limit from 2/4 to 3/6, respectively. Regarding dusky Canada 
goose harvest quotas, the Council recommended establishment of a 85 
dusky Canada goose quota in Washington's Lower Columbia River Special 
Goose Management Area and a 165 dusky Canada goose quota in Oregon's 
Special Goose Management Area. Finally, the Council recommended a minor 
revision the Western Washington Goose Management Area 2.
    Written Comments: The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and 
Wildlife supported the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation for a 
10 day, 1-bird daily bag in the New England area.
    The Pennsylvania Game Commission expressed disappointment with the 
Service's proposal to not accept the Atlantic Flyway Council's 
recommendation for regular goose seasons in areas free of AP geese. 
They believed that the Service's proposal is not supported by available 
data and serves to further complicate regulations in Pennsylvania by 
creating four areas with different goose regulations. They disagree 
with the Service's position to manage much of western Pennsylvania as 
Southern James Bay Population harvest areas and are concerned that the 
Service has ignored available data supporting the creation of regular-
season resident goose areas. They also questioned the need to evaluate 
the special late season in areas free of migrant geese.
    The National Wildlife Federation agreed with the Service's 
frameworks intended to help restore migratory geese in the Atlantic 
Flyway, while the Wildlife Management Institute applauded the Service's 
decision to forego seasons on Atlantic Population geese even though 
production appears to have improved.
    The Southshore Waterfowlers Association of New York and the 
Concerned Coastal Sportsmen's Association of Massachusetts supported 
the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation of a 10-day season in New 
England.
    An individual from Massachusetts supported keeping the season on AP 
geese closed, while an individual from Pennsylvania recommended 
reinstatement of the regular season on AP geese.
    An individual from Washington recommended a 4-bird limit in the 
Southwest Washington Zone.
    Service Response: The Service does not support the Atlantic Flyway 
Council's request for a November season (10 days) with a 1-bird daily 
bag limit in that portion of New England east of the Connecticut River, 
including eastern Long Island, NY, because this stock of geese has been 
considered part of the Atlantic Population and a management plan 
describing this Maritime Population of Canada geese has not yet been 
developed. The Service first requested that a Plan be developed in 1995 
and encouraged the Council to work cooperatively with the Canadian 
Provinces to gather more data, review key population parameters, and 
establish an appropriate harvest strategy. Although the Service does 
not oppose the delineation of a Maritime population, if warranted, more 
information is needed to separate the Atlantic Population into two 
units. A management plan should set population goals, identify 
monitoring programs and contain some means to evaluate its status and 
the effects of harvest. The Service reiterates its longstanding policy 
to manage Canada geese on a population basis, guided by cooperatively 
developed management plan.
    Regarding the Atlantic Flyway Council's request to establish a 
regular season on Canada geese in portions of the Flyway determined not 
to contain AP geese, the Service believes that it is appropriate to 
conduct such a season provided that it is consistent with the Southern 
James Bay Population (SJBP) Management Plan, and maintains those 
restrictions currently in place in several areas (Pennsylvania and 
South Carolina).
    Thus, the Service will allow the following: in designated areas of 
Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, a 40-day season with a 2-bird 
daily bag limit between November 15 and January 14 and the continuation 
of existing experimental 30-day special late seasons with a 5-bird 
daily bag limit between January 15 and February 15; in designated areas 
of New York, a 70-day season with 2-bird daily bag limit between 
November 15 and January 31; in designated areas of North Carolina, a 
46-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit between October 1 and 
November 15; in West Virginia, a 70-day season with a 3-bird daily bag 
limit between October 1 and January 31; in South Carolina, Georgia, and 
Florida, a 70-day season with a 5-bird daily bag limit between October 
1 and February 15.
    The Service does not support the Council's request for a regular 
season in Maine because a management plan for Maritime Canada geese has 
not been developed. The Service believes that it would be inconsistent 
to establish a season without having a management plan for the entire 
New England area. Therefore, the Service again asks that the Council 
work to develop a management plan for Maritime Canada geese.
    The Service recognizes Pennsylvania's concerns regarding the 
complicated configurations of Canada goose hunting regulations in 
different areas of the State and believes that these regulations should 
be reviewed and simplified to the extent possible. However, the Service 
does not agree that a regular season on resident Canada geese should be 
established in most areas that are more liberal than those prescribed 
by the SJBP Management Plan. Presently, the Service has not established 
migrate-free regular seasons in any Flyway. Furthermore, the regular 
season request approved by the Atlantic Flyway included areas in other 
states that are harvesting SJBP geese. Also, several of these areas, 
including portions of Pennsylvania, have special late seasons 
specifically designed to harvest resident Canada geese. These

[[Page 50664]]

seasons remain experimental and continue to be evaluated. The Service 
encourages the Atlantic Flyway Council to continue its review of 
harvest strategies for specific populations of Canada geese, and to 
update management plans and simplify regulations wherever possible.
    The Service concurs with the changes proposed by the Pacific Flyway 
Council.

C. Special Late Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that New York be allowed to expand its existing experimental late 
season area to new areas along the north shore of Long Island and in 
other areas of southeastern New York.
    The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended a special late season for four counties in Indiana. 
The Committee also recommended that the experimental special late 
season in Michigan's Southern Michigan Goose Management Unit (GMU) be 
extended for one additional year to allow completion of the final 
report, and that the bag limit be increased from 2 to 5. The Committee 
further recommended a new experimental late season be initiated in the 
Central Michigan GMU with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended that in areas where Canada goose populations of 
special concern exist, the Service should closely monitor any 
cumulative effects that special seasons may have on non-target 
populations.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended several changes in the 
special late-season frameworks. In southwest Washington, the Council 
recommended increasing the bag and possession limits on cackling Canada 
geese from 2/4 to 3/6, respectively, in the late season. Regarding 
dusky Canada geese, the Council recommended changing the late-season 
framework opening date to January 24 in Washington's Lower Columbia 
River Special Goose Management Area.
    Written Comments: An individual from Massachusetts requested a 
special late season for Canada geese on Cape Cod.
    The Humane Society opposed special late seasons targeting resident 
geese. They believe that such hunts fail to target the populations 
ostensibly responsible for conflicts with humans and as such are 
ineffective.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the Atlantic Flyway 
Council's recommendation to expand New York's existing late season to 
new areas of Long Island and southeastern New York.
    Regarding the Mississippi Flyway Council's Upper-Region Regulations 
Committee recommendation to allow an experimental special late Canada 
goose season in four counties in Indiana beginning in 1997, the Service 
does not support the experimental season. The criteria for special 
seasons require two years of data collection prior to the beginning of 
an experiment and that the data demonstrate that the season likely will 
meet the criterion regarding proportion of migrants in the special-
season harvest. Of the four counties proposed, no data were presented 
for one county and only one year of data for another. The limited data 
available (a total of only 12 collars were seen, 3 of which were 
migrant collars) indicate that about 25 percent of the harvest would be 
migrant geese, which exceeds the 20 percent level in the special-season 
criteria. The Service concurs with the recommendations for Michigan's 
special late seasons. The Service notes the concern expressed by the 
Mississippi Flyway Council's Lower-Region Regulations Committee about 
the cumulative effects of special-season harvests and will continue to 
monitor those harvests in all areas.
    The Service concurs with the changes proposed by the Pacific Flyway 
Council.

5. White-fronted geese

    Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations 
Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended extending the 
season length from 70 to 86 days and changing the framework closing 
date from January 31 to February 15.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommends that hunting frameworks for 
1997-98 be changed by adding 14 days and 1 bird to the daily bag and 
possession limits for dark geese in the Balance-of-the-State Zone in 
California.
    Written Comments: An individual from Louisiana recommended a 75- to 
80-day season with a 3-dark goose limit including no more than 1 Canada 
goose.
    Service Response: The Service will continue use of the same 
frameworks as last year in 1997-98. Greater white-fronted geese in the 
Central and Mississippi Flyways previously have been managed as 
separate segments of the Mid-continent Population under separate 
management plans. Recent information has suggested that Mid-continent 
whitefronts should be managed as one population, and revision/
combination of the management plans into one plan is under way. The 
Central Flyway Council and Canada both are considering liberalizations 
in harvest opportunity for Mid-continent whitefronts, but are delaying 
recommendations for such changes until the new management plan is in 
place. The Service believes that changes in the Mississippi Flyway also 
should be deferred until the new management plan is in place, when all 
recommendations for liberalizing harvest opportunity can be considered 
in light of the goals, objectives, and harvest strategies in the new 
plan.
    The Service concurs with the changes proposed by the Pacific Flyway 
Council.

6. Brant

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a 
50-day Atlantic brant season with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Written Comments: The New Jersey Waterfowlers Association supported 
the continued use of the Atlantic brant hunt plan.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the recommendation.

7. Snow and Ross's Geese

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a 
daily bag and possession limit of 10 and 30, respectively.
    The Lower Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended that in a further effort to increase snow goose 
harvest, the Service implement regulatory changes, as suggested by the 
Arctic Goose Joint Venture Management Board, for the 1998-99 hunting 
season.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended a March 10 framework closing 
date, except for the Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area in Nebraska, 
where the framework closing date would vary according to an 
experimental late-winter snow goose hunting strategy proposed by the 
Council. The Council also recommended no limit on the number of season 
splits in the East-tier States.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended expanding the possession 
limit to twice the daily bag limit in the Balance-of-the-State Zone in 
California.
    Written Comments: The Rainwater Basin Joint Venture Management 
Board of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan urged the Service 
to consider the possibility of alternatives to the hunting regulations 
of the last 2 years (complete closure of the Rainwater Basin region 
after mid-February).
    The National Wildlife Federation agreed with the Service's 
frameworks intended to help reduce white goose populations.
    The Wildlife Management Institute supported the need to reduce

[[Page 50665]]

populations of snow geese which are creating habitat problems on 
northern breeding areas. They further recognized that customary 
approaches to harvest have not controlled populations and that more 
innovative actions may be necessary.
    An individual from Louisiana recommended a 12-bird limit. Other 
individuals from Louisiana, Kansas, and Missouri recommended allowing 
the use of electronic calls to hunt snow geese. Another individual from 
Arkansas recommended the use of rifles for snow geese. Several 
individuals from Iowa recommended allowing a later and longer hunt in 
the spring. An individual from Texas recommended allowing the use of 
lead shot.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the Atlantic Flyway 
Council's recommendation to increase the daily bag and possession 
limits on snow geese. The Service believes that the extension of the 
ending framework date for hunting of light geese until March 10 in 
Nebraska's Rainwater Basin Area may pose a threat to the management and 
welfare of other migratory bird species during the spring migration 
period. In response to these concerns, the Central Flyway Council 
proposed an experimental late-winter hunting strategy in the eastern 
portion of this important spring staging area. This proposal contains 
the use of both temporal and spacial constraints on hunting activity 
and results in a hunting strategy that would allow for evaluation of 
any negative impacts related to disturbance and distribution of other 
migratory birds, disease management, eco-tourism, and endangered 
species. The Service supports this experimental strategy, provided a 
mutually-acceptable evaluation component is developed and implemented. 
The Service will cooperate with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 
to develop and complete assessments of this experimental strategy.
    The Service does not support the Central Flyway proposal for East 
Tier States that would allow for an unlimited number of splits during 
light goose seasons. Alternatively, the Service supports increasing the 
allowed number of season segments from 2 to 3. This increase would 
result in a more consistent use of split-season options among all 
flyways. The Service also believes that the ability to divide light 
goose seasons into 3 segments provides adequate flexibility to use the 
current season length of 107 days.
    The Service concurs with the changes proposed by the Pacific Flyway 
Council.
    Regarding the recommendations from several commenters on expanding 
the allowable hunting methods for snow geese, the Service recognizes 
the problems associated with over-population of Mid-continent snow 
geese and believes that some management actions, including modification 
of the basic regulations, may be appropriate. However before any such 
modifications to the basic regulations, the Service must conduct a 
thorough public review process.

8. Swans

    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 would refer the Humane Society 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

A. Compensatory Days

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council requested the 
Service grant compensatory days for States in their Flyway that are 
closed to waterfowl hunting statewide on Sunday by State law. The 
Council's requested compensatory days would apply to waterfowl seasons 
only and not to other migratory game birds. The request includes the 
States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New 
Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The 
Council believes that granting this request at this time will allow 
integration of these changes into AHM evaluations of harvest rates in 
the Flyway and selection of appropriate regulatory alternatives.

    Public-Hearing Comments: Mr. Robert McDowell, representing the 
Atlantic Flyway Council, offered to modify the Flyway's original 
request for compensatory days to states closed to Sunday hunting by 
restricting it to only those states with existing statewide 
prohibitions in place prior to its implementation. This action prevents 
any states from enacting new laws to close Sunday hunting in order to 
be eligible for compensatory days.

    Written Comments: The South Carolina Department of Natural 
Resources asserted that Sunday closures of waterfowl hunting are State 
issues and should not be addressed by the Service. South Carolina 
further asserted that if the Service grants compensatory days to States 
that are currently closed on Sundays by State law, then compensatory 
days should also be granted to States that enact Sunday closures in the 
future. In a subsequent letter, South Carolina asserted that the 
Service's action was arbitrary and capricious and in violation of the 
First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
    The Georgia Department of Natural Resources objected to the Service 
offering compensatory days to States in the Atlantic Flyway with Sunday 
closures. They believed that this was a State issue and, as such, the 
Federal government should not be involved. They further believed that 
each State should change any applicable self-imposed restrictions 
relating to Sunday hunting closures and that involving Federal 
procedures to circumvent State laws sets a bad precedent that could 
open the door for further involvement in future unresolved issues.
    The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife (Delaware) recommended 
the Service grant compensatory days in lieu of Sunday hunting on a 1 
for 1 basis to restricted States with no penalty to unrestricted 
States. In a subsequent letter, Delaware thanked the Service for 
proposing to grant compensatory days to those States and believed that 
the issue was more symbolic than biological. Further, Delaware did not 
believe that any significant change in harvest would result.
    The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (Maryland) requested 
that the Service grant compensatory days to the 10 Atlantic Flyway 
States that are closed to waterfowl hunting on Sunday by State law. 
They believe that compensatory days would enable these States to 
equally share in the recreational benefits derived from the Flyway's 
waterfowl resource. Maryland supported the Federal closure of Sunday 
for the taking of wild waterfowl if the Service deemed this approach 
necessary to provide compensatory days. However, Maryland requested the 
Service give consideration to the current Sunday hunting exception 
Maryland grants falconers.
    The New Jersey Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife (New Jersey)

[[Page 50666]]

requested the Service grant compensatory days for States in their 
Flyway that are closed to waterfowl hunting statewide on Sunday by 
State law. New Jersey's requested compensatory days would apply to 
waterfowl seasons only and not to other migratory game birds. The 
compensatory request includes the States of Connecticut, Delaware, 
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, 
Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
    The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and the 
Pennsylvania Game Commission supported the Service's proposal to allow 
compensatory days to those States prohibited from hunting on Sundays. 
They believed that compensatory days would address the issue of 
inequality in hunting opportunities that exist in the Atlantic Flyway.
    The North American Falconers Association and several individuals 
from Maryland questioned the need to close Sundays to the take of all 
migratory waterfowl, including falconry, in order to provide 
compensatory hunting days to those States prohibiting Sunday hunting.
    The Concerned Coastal Sportsmen's Association of Massachusetts 
supported and commended the Service for offering States in the Atlantic 
Flyway that now prohibit Sunday hunting compensatory hunting days. An 
individual from Massachusetts supported offering States that now 
prohibit Sunday hunting compensatory hunting days.
    The Humane Society opposed granting compensatory days in those 
Atlantic Flyway states where Sunday hunting is prohibited. The Humane 
Society believed that hunters in those States should work for the 
passage of legislation to change State law regarding Sunday closures 
rather than requesting that the Service compensate them.
    Service Response: In 1995, the Service committed to working with 
the Atlantic Flyway Council to review and better clarify the issue of 
compensatory days for those States prohibiting Sunday hunting in an 
attempt to resolve this long-standing issue. In the past, the Service 
has maintained the policy that this problem is an individual State 
issue, to be resolved by each State removing their self-imposed 
restrictions. However, recognizing the difficulties involved with 
changing State law, the Service is sympathetic to the loss of hunting 
opportunity that results from the existing prohibitions on Sunday 
hunting. A recent Service assessment suggests that compensatory days 
for Sunday closures will result in a slight increase in the harvest 
rates of mallards breeding in eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S., 
which would be accompanied by a small decrease in average breeding 
population size. A similar effect is expected on other species. Thus, 
after examining the various technical and policy concerns, the Service 
believes that any additional harvest impacts can be adjusted by 
changing regulatory frameworks where needed and that various 
administrative and procedural concerns can be managed. Therefore, 
during the 1997-98 hunting season, the Service will offer compensatory 
days to States in accordance to the following guidelines: (1) Only 
States in the Atlantic Flyway that prohibit Sunday hunting Statewide by 
State law prior to 1997 are eligible (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, 
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, 
Virginia, and West Virginia); (2) All Sundays will be closed to all 
take (including extended falconry) of migratory waterfowl (including 
mergansers and coots) by Federal rulemaking. Other migratory game 
species are not eligible for compensatory days; (3) Season days must 
run consecutively within prescribed framework dates and season length, 
excluding the Sunday closure, and conform to existing split-season 
criteria. Total season days (including extended falconry) must not 
exceed 107 days.

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 13, 1997, 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) in 1996 documenting the significant beneficial economic 
effect on a substantial number of small entities. The Analysis 
estimated that migratory bird hunters would spend between $254 and $592 
million at small businesses in 1996. Copies of the Analysis are 
available upon request from the MBMO.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Department examined these regulations under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)). Under the Act, information 
collections must be approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). The Service uses the various information collection requirements 
contained in this rule to develop future migratory game bird hunting 
regulations. Specifically, the information collection requirements of 
the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program have been approved by 
OMB and assigned clearance number 1018-0015. This information is used 
to provide a sampling frame for voluntary

[[Page 50667]]

national surveys to improve Service harvest estimates for all migratory 
game birds in order to better manage these populations.

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 1997-98 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 1997-98 
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-711, 16 U.S.C. 712, 
and 16 U.S.C. 742 a--j.

Dated: September 12, 1997.
Donald Barry,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Final Regulations Frameworks for 1997-98 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, 1997, and March 10, 1998.

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.

    Compensatory Days in the Atlantic Flyway: In the Atlantic Flyway 
States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New 
Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, 
where Sunday hunting is prohibited statewide by State law, all Sundays 
are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and 
coots).

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: 60 days and daily bag limit of 6 
ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 1 black duck, 3 
pintails, 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.
    Florida: A 70 day season may be held between November 15 to 
February 15, with 5 geese per day.
    Georgia: In specific areas, a 70-day season may be held between 
November

[[Page 50668]]

15 and February 15, with a limit of 5 Canada geese per day.
    Maryland: In designated areas, a 40-day season may be held between 
November 15 to January 14, with 2 geese per day. An experimental season 
in designated areas of western Maryland may be held 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 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: In designated areas, a 70-day season may be held between 
November 15 to January 30, with 2 geese per day. An experimental season 
may be held between January 15 and February 15, with 5 geese daily in 
designated areas of Chemung, Tioga, Broome, Sullivan, Westchester, 
Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, and Rockland Counties.
    North Carolina: A 46-day season may be held between October 1 and 
November 15, with 2 geese per day Statewide, except for the Northeast 
Hunt Unit and Northampton County.
    Pennsylvania: In designated areas, a 40-day season may be held 
between November 15 to January 14, with 2 geese per day. In Erie, 
Mercer, and Butler Counties, a 70-day season may be held between 
October 1 and January 31, with 2 geese per day. In Crawford County, a 
35-day season may be held between October 1 and January 20, with 1 
goose per day.
    An 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: In designated areas, a 70-day season may be held 
during November 15 to February 15, with a daily bag limit of 5 Canada 
geese per day.
    Virginia: In designated areas, a 40-day season may be held between 
November 15 to January 14, with 2 geese per day. An experimental season 
may be held between January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese per day, in 
all areas west of Interstate 95.
    West Virginia: a 70-day season may be held between October 1 and 
January 31, 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 10 geese per day and 30 
in possession. States may split their seasons into three segments.

Brant

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 50-
day season between October 1 and January 20, with 2 brant per day. 
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 (October 4) 
and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 18).

    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days with a daily bag limit of 
6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may 
be females), 3 mottled ducks, 1 black duck, 3 pintails, 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 (October 4) and January 31, and 107 days for 
light geese between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4) 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 16 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 74,600 birds. Limits are 2 Canada geese daily and 10 in 
possession.
    (a) North Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after 78 
days or when 8,400 birds have been harvested in the Northern Illinois 
Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.
    (b) Central Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after 78 
days or when 12,500 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 26,400 and 5,700 
birds, respectively. The season for Canada geese in each zone will 
close after 78 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) Average body weights of adult female geese less than 3,200 
grams as measured from a weekly sample of a minimum of 50 geese.
    (2) 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 78 
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 19,200 birds.

[[Page 50669]]

    (a) Posey County - The season for Canada geese will close after 65 
days or when 3,450 birds have been harvested, or when the harvest at 
the Hovey Lake Fish and Wildlife Area exceeds 1,725 birds, 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 66 
days (81 days in Fulton County), and the harvest will be limited to 
16,500 birds. Of the 16,500-bird quota, 10,750 birds will be allocated 
to the Ballard Reporting Area and 3,135 birds will be allocated to the 
Henderson/Union Reporting Area. If the quota in either reporting area 
is reached prior to completion of the 66-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 66 days (81 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 41,700 birds.
    (a) North Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 16 
days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Middle Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 16 
days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) South Zone
    (1) Allegan County GMU - The season for Canada geese will close 
after 41 days or when 1,760 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 43 days or when 560 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 20 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose the first 9 
days and 2 Canada geese thereafter.
    (d) Southern Michigan GMU - An experimental special Canada goose 
season may be held between January 3 and February 1. The daily bag 
limit is 5 Canada geese.
    (e) Central Michigan GMU - An experimental special Canada goose 
season may be held between January 3 and February 1. The daily bag 
limit is 5 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 may extend for 40 
days. 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 
79 days or when 6,150 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs 
first. The season may extend to February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 
Canada geese.
    (b) Southwest Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 64 
days, and the harvest will be limited to 750 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. In lieu of the quota and tagging requirement above, 
the State may select either a 50-day season with a 1-bird daily bag 
limit or a 35-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit for this Zone.
    (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 55,700 birds.
    (a) Horicon Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 20. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 27,600 birds. 
The season may not exceed 93 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 20. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 900 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 27. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 22,700 birds, 
with 500 birds

[[Page 50670]]

allocated to the Mississippi River Subzone. The season may not exceed 
93 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 22,200 birds.
    Additional Limits: In addition to the harvest limits stated for the 
respective zones above, an additional 4,500 Canada geese may be taken 
in the Horicon Zone under special agricultural permits.

    Quota Zone Closures: When it has been determined that the quota of 
Canada geese allotted to the Northern Illinois, Central Illinois, 
Southern Illinois, and Rend Lake Quota Zones in Illinois, Posey County 
in Indiana, the Ballard and Henderson-Union Subzones in Kentucky, the 
Allegan County, Muskegon Wastewater, Saginaw County, and Tuscola/Huron 
Goose Management Units in Michigan, the Lac Qui Parle Zone in 
Minnesota, the Northwest and Kentucky/Barkley Lakes (if applicable) 
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 October 4 and January 18.

    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): 
97 days and a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 5 
mallards (2 hens), 1 mottled duck, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 wood 
ducks, and 3 pintails. The last 23 days may start no earlier than the 
Saturday nearest December 10 (December 13).
    (2) Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74 days and a daily bag limit 
of 6 ducks, including no more than 5 mallards (2 hens), 1 mottled duck, 
1 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 wood ducks, and 3 pintails.
    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

    Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments. 
Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Central 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 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 (October 4) and January 31, except in the Western Goose Zone of 
Texas, where the closing date is the Sunday nearest February 15 
(February 15). For light geese, outside dates for seasons may be 
selected between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4) and March 
10, except in the Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area of Nebraska where 
the closing date is February 1 in the West and March 10 in the East 
with temporal and spatial restrictions consistent with the experimental 
late-winter snow goose hunting strategy endorsed by the Central Flyway 
Council in July 1997. 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 107 days and daily bag 
limit of 7 ducks and mergansers, including no more than 2 female 
mallards, 3 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 107 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 (October 4) 
and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 18).

    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 (October 4), and the Sunday nearest January 
20 (January 18), 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.

    Split Seasons: Unless otherwise specified, seasons for geese may be 
split into up to 3 segments. Three-way split seasons for Canada geese 
and white-fronted geese require Pacific Flyway Council and U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service approval and a 3-year evaluation, by each 
participating State.
    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

[[Page 50671]]

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.
    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. Limits 
may not include more than 3 geese per day and 6 in possession, of which 
not more than 2 daily and 4 in possession may be white-fronted geese 
and not more than 1 daily or 2 in possession may be cackling Canada 
geese.
    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.
    New Mexico: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.
    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 165 dusky Canada geese. See section on 
quota zones. In those designated areas, the daily bag limit of dark 
geese is 3 and may include 3 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 85 dusky Canada geese. 
See section on quota zones. In this area, the daily bag limit of dark 
geese is 3 and may include 3 cackling Canada geese.
    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 3 cackling Canada geese.
    In the designated areas of the Washington Quota Zone, a special 
late Canada goose may be held between January 24 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 the Sunday closest to March 1.

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 (October 4). 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, 1998, 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 7) 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 4) 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.

[[Page 50672]]

    --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.
    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 south of the North Zone to 
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

[[Page 50673]]

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

[[Page 50674]]

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 92 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 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. 136 to NE 10; south to 
the State line; west to U.S. 283; north to NE 23; west to NE 47; north 
to U.S. 30; east to NE 14; north to NE 52; 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 south and west of a 
line from the South Dakota border along U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41, 
north to U.S. 2, west to the Williams/Divide County line, then north 
along the County line 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, east to SD 47, south to I-90, east 
to SD 47, south to SD 49, south to Colome and then continuing south on 
U.S. 183 to the 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.
    Low Plains North Zone: That portion of northeastern Texas east of 
the High Plains Zone and north of a line beginning at the International 
Toll Bridge south of Del Rio, then extending east on U.S. 90 to San 
Antonio, then continuing east on I-10 to Louisiana border at Orange, 
Texas.
    Low Plains South Zone: The remainder of Texas.
    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

[[Page 50675]]

the Army-Milpitas Road to the Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake 
intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley paved road to the Ogilby and 
Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to U.S. 80; east seven miles on 
U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south on this paved road to the 
Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
    Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding 
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the 
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City 
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of 
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest 
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to 
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on 
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada 
border.
    Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare 
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included 
in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the 
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.
    Idaho
    Zone 1: Includes all lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian 
Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham 
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; 
and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.
    Zone 2: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties: 
Adams; Bear Lake; Benewah; Bingham within the Blackfoot Reservoir 
drainage; those portions of Blaine west of ID 75, south and east of 
U.S. 93, and between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 outside the 
Silver Creek drainage; Bonner; Bonneville; Boundary; Butte; Camas; 
Caribou except the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Cassia within the 
Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Clark; Clearwater; Custer; Elmore 
within the Camas Creek drainage; Franklin; Fremont; Idaho; Jefferson; 
Kootenai; Latah; Lemhi; Lewis; Madison; Nez Perce; Oneida; Power within 
the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Shoshone; Teton; and Valley 
Counties.
    Zone 3: 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.
    Maryland
    Special Regular and Late Seasons 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 Late Season Area for Canada Geese: that area of Chemung 
County lying east of a continuous line extending south along State 
Route 13 from the Schuyler County line to State Route 17 and then south 
along Route 17 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary; all of Tioga and 
Broome Counties; that area of Delaware, Sullivan, and Orange Counties 
lying southwest of a continuous line extending east along State Route 
17 from the Broome County line to U.S. Route 209 at Wurtsboro and then 
south along Route 209 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary at Port 
Jervis, excluding areas on or within 50 yards of the Delaware River 
between the confluence of the West Branch and East Branch below Hancock 
and the mouth of the Shingle Kill (3 miles upstream from Port Jervis); 
that area of Orange, Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester 
Counties lying southeast of a continuous line extending north along 
Route 17 from the New York-New Jersey boundary at Suffern to Interstate 
Route 87, then north along Route 87 to Interstate Route 84, then east 
along Route 84 to the northern boundary of Putnam County, then east 
along that boundary to the New York-Connecticut boundary; that area of 
Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying north of State Route 25A and west of 
a continuous line

[[Page 50676]]

extending northward from State Route 25A along Randall Road (near 
Shoreham) to North Country Road, then east to Sound Road and then north 
to Long Island Sound and then due north to the New York-Connecticut 
boundary.
    Regular Season Area in Southwest for Canada Geese: all of Allegany, 
Cattaraugus, and Chautaugua Counties; that area of Erie, Wyoming and 
Niagara Counties lying south and west of a continuous line extending 
from the Rainbow Bridge below Niagara Falls, north along the Robert 
Moses Parkway to US Route 62A, then east along Route 62A to US Route 
62, then southeast along US Route 62 to Interstate Route 290, then 
south along Route 290 to Exit 50 of the NYS Thruway, then east along 
the Thruway to Exit 49, then south along NYS Route 78 to State Route 20 
in Depew, then east along Route 20 to State Route 77 in Darien Center, 
then south along Route 77 to Java Center, then south along State Route 
98 to the Cattaraugus County line; and that area of Steuben and Chemung 
Counties lying south of State Route 17.
    North Carolina
    Regular Season for Canada Geese: Statewide, except for Northampton 
County and the Northeast Hunt Unit - Counties of Bertie, Camden, 
Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and 
Washington.
    Pennsylvania
    Erie, Mercer, and Butler Counties: All of Erie, Mercer, and Butler 
Counties.
    Regular Season Area for Canada Geese: Area from New York State line 
west of U.S. Route 220 to intersection of I-180, west of I-180 to 
intersection of SR 147, west of SR 147 to intersection of U.S. Route 
322, west of U.S. Route 322 to intersection of I-81, west of I-81 to 
intersection of I-83, west of I-83 to I-283, west of I-283 to SR 441, 
west of SR 441 to U.S. Route 30, west of U.S. Route 30 to I-83, west of 
I-83 to Maryland State line, except for the Counties of Erie, Mercer, 
Butler, and Crawford.
    Special Late Season Area for Canada Geese: Same as Regular Season 
Area and the area from New York State line east of U.S. Route 220 to 
intersection of I-180, east of I-180 to intersection of SR 147, east of 
SR 147 to intersection of U.S. Route 322, east of Route 322 to 
intersection of I-81, north of I-81 to intersection of I-80, north of 
I-80 to 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
    Regular and Special Late Season Area for Canada Geese: All areas 
west of I-95.
    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, 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, LaPorte, Starke, and Steuben Counties, 
and that portion of the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in 
Pulaski County.
    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.

[[Page 50677]]

    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.
    Central Michigan GMU: That portion of the South Zone north of the 
Southern Michigan GMU, excluding the Tuscola/Huron GMU, Saginaw County 
GMU, and Muskegon Wastewater GMU.
    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.
    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

[[Page 50678]]

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 a line beginning at the 
intersection of the Nebraska border and KS 99, extending south along KS 
99 to I-70 to U.S. 75, south on U.S. 75 to U.S. 54, west on U.S. 54 to 
KS 99, and then south on KS 99 to the Oklahoma border.
    Unit 2: The remainder of Kansas, lying west of Unit 1.
    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 (West): The area bounded by the 
junction of U.S. 283 and U.S. 30 at Lexington, east on U.S. 30 to U.S. 
281, south on U.S. 281 to NE 4, west on NE 4 to U.S. 34, continue west 
on U.S. 34 to U.S. 283, then north on U.S. 283 to the beginning.
    Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (East): The area bounded by the 
junction of U.S. 281 and NS 30 at Grand Island, north and east on U.S. 
30 to NE 92, east on NE 92 to NE 15, south on NE 15 to NE 4, west on NE 
4 to U.S. 281, north on U.S. 281 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

[[Page 50679]]

200, east to ND 31, south to ND 25, south to I-94, east to ND 6, south 
to the South Dakota border, and east to the point of origin.
    Statewide: All of North Dakota.
    South Dakota
    Dark Geese
    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 
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)
    West Central Area: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, Gunnison, LaPlata, 
Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel Counties and those 
portions of Hinsdale, Mineral and Saguache 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).

[[Page 50680]]

    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, except portions south of the Washougal River, 
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 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. 97-25517 Filed 9-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-F