[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 167 (Friday, August 28, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46124-46138]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23266]
[[Page 46123]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part VI
Department of the Interior
_______________________________________________________________________
Fish and Wildlife Service
_______________________________________________________________________
50 CFR Part 20
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory
Bird Hunting Regulations: Final Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 167 / Friday, August 28, 1998 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 46124]]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
RIN 1018-AE93
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This rule prescribes final early-season frameworks which
States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands may select season dates,
limits, and other options for the 1998-99 migratory bird hunting
seasons. Early seasons are those which generally open prior to October
1, and include seasons in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin
Islands. The effect of this final rule is to facilitate the selection
of hunting seasons by the States and Territories to further the annual
establishment of the early-season migratory bird hunting regulations.
These selections will be published in the Federal Register as
amendments to Secs. 20.101 through 20.107, and Sec. 20.109 of title 50
CFR part 20.
DATES: This rule takes effect on August 28, 1998.
ADDRESSES: States and Territories should send their season selections
to: Chief, Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Department of the Interior, ms 634-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20240. The public may inspect comments during normal
business hours in room 634, Arlington Square, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive,
Arlington, Virginia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul R. Schmidt, Chief, MBMO, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, (703) 358-1714.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulations Schedule for 1998
On March 20, 1998, the Service published in the Federal Register
(63 FR 13748) 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 May 29, 1998, the Service published in the
Federal Register (63 FR 29518) a second document providing supplemental
proposals for early-and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations
frameworks and the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 1998-99
duck hunting season. The May 29 supplement also provided detailed
information on the 1998-99 regulatory schedule and announced the
Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee and Flyway Council
meetings.
On June 25, 1998, the Service held a public hearing in Washington,
DC, as announced in the March 20 and May 29 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 17, 1998, the Service published in the Federal
Register (63 FR 38700) a third document specifically dealing with
proposed early-season frameworks for the 1998-99 season. This
rulemaking establishes final frameworks for early-season migratory bird
hunting regulations for the 1998-99 season.
Review of Flyway Council Recommendations, Public Comments and the
Service's Responses
The public comment period for early-season issues ended on July 31,
1998. The Service received recommendations from all four Flyway
Councils. Early-season comments are summarized and discussed in the
order used in the March 20 Federal Register. Only the numbered items
pertaining to early seasons for which comments were received are
included. Flyway Council recommendations shown below include only those
involving changes from the 1997-98 early-season frameworks. For those
topics where a Council recommendation is not shown, the Council
supported continuing the same frameworks as in 1997-98.
General
Written Comments: The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
recommended all seasons open at noon, mid-week, to reduce the large
kills associated with the traditional Saturday openings. They also
recommend that hunting during the one-half hour before sunrise be
eliminated.
1. Ducks
The categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest
management are as follows: (A) General Harvest Strategy, (B) Framework
Dates, (C) Season Length, (D) Closed Seasons, (E) Bag Limits, (F) Zones
and Split Seasons, and (G) Special Seasons/Species Management. Only
those categories containing substantial recommendations are included
below.
F. Zones and Split Seasons
Written Comments: The Ohio Division of Wildlife requested
elimination of the Pymatuning Waterfowl Hunting Zone in Ohio and
incorporation of the affected area into the North Zone beginning in the
1998-99 season.
Service Response: In the past, hunting seasons in that portion of
Ohio had to be the same as those selected by Pennsylvania for that
portion of Pennsylvania. Beginning this year, the Pymatuning Area will
no longer be included in the Federal waterfowl hunting frameworks as a
separate area, and will be considered part of Ohio's North Zone.
G. Special Seasons/Species Management
iii. September Teal Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
the establishment of an experimental September teal season option in
the Atlantic Flyway. States deriving more than 80 percent of their teal
harvest from the mid-continent regions (Delaware, Georgia, Florida,
Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and
West Virginia) could hold a 9-day season between September 1 and 30
with a daily bag limit of 4 teal.
The Central Flyway Council recommended an experimental September
teal season harvest strategy in the nonproduction States of the Central
Flyway based on the May breeding population index (BPI) of blue-winged
teal. When the BPI of blue-winged teal is 4.7 million or greater, the
Council's recommended harvest strategy would consist of an additional 7
days of hunting (for a total of 16 days). When the BPI of blue-winged
teal is below 4.7 million but remains at or above 3.3 million, the
Council's recommended harvest strategy would maintain the current 9-day
season. When the BPI of blue-winged teal is below 3.3 million, the
Council's recommended harvest strategy would consider closure of
September teal seasons.
Public Hearing Comments: Mr. Robert McDowell, representing the
Atlantic Flyway Council, expressed appreciation for authorizing a 9-day
September teal season in a portion of the Atlantic Flyway. However, he
asked the Service to reconsider a 16-day teal season.
Written Comments: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was
disappointed in the proposal to offer additional days of teal hunting
to nonproduction States before addressing the equatability issue in
production States.
One individual from Wisconsin and 1 from Minnesota urged the
Service to consider a special teal season for the production States.
[[Page 46125]]
Service Response: The Service supports the Atlantic Flyway
Council's proposal for an experimental 9-day special September teal
season in those States that derive 80% of their teal harvest from the
mid-continent region (to include States from Pennsylvania and Delaware
southward). These States would be required to evaluate the impacts to
non-target waterfowl species by conducting hunter performance surveys.
The Service remains concerned with the definition of production and
non-production States but will work with the Flyway to establish
decision criteria based on historic harvests of non-target species in
other Flyways. The Service strongly encourages as many of the States as
possible to participate in the evaluation, as sampling requirements
will be based on the number of States involved. This season will be
experimental for a 3-year period but must include a pre-sunrise
evaluation in order to have shooting hours begin \1/2\-hour before
sunrise. The Service will develop and implement a Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) between the Service and participating States to
stipulate the guidelines and implementation of this season. These MOAs
must be in place before the start of any season.
The Service also supports the Central Flyway Council's proposal for
a September-teal-season harvest strategy that would provide a 16-day
special season in those States that currently have operational special
September teal seasons when blue-winged teal populations are above 4.7
million. The evaluation plan submitted by the Council appears adequate
for annual monitoring and assessment of this expanded opportunity.
Although current changes in band-reporting rates make interpretation of
band-recovery data difficult, the Service believes that the 4.7 million
breeding population trigger is an adequate threshold for conducting
these expanded seasons. The expanded season also will be offered to
those States in the Mississippi Flyway that currently are offered a
special teal season, under the same stipulations given to the Central
Flyway. An annual evaluation of pertinent population, habitat, and
harvest information will be required, with a final report due after the
seasons have been conducted for 3 years. Continuation of the season is
conditional upon the completion of the annual and final reports.
The Service believes that a comprehensive review of blue-winged
teal biology, an assessment of the cumulative effects of all teal
harvest, and an evaluation of possible expansion of hunting opportunity
in production States is needed. In order to facilitate such an
evaluation, the Service proposes to host a meeting this fall. The
Service asks Flyway Councils to designate two representatives from each
of the three involved Flyways to meet with Office of Migratory Bird
Management staff to design a comprehensive evaluation of blue-winged
teal biology and harvest management.
iv. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
the continuation of the Florida September wood duck/teal season on an
operational basis.
The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended that the experimental September teal/wood duck
seasons in Kentucky and Tennessee be continued in 1998 with no changes
from the 1997 season. The Lower-Region Regulations Committee further
recommended that if such seasons are suspended, all non-production
States should be permitted to take up to 5 days of the regular season
in September.
Public Hearing Comments: Mr. Robert McDowell, representing the
Atlantic Flyway Council expressed appreciation for approving Florida's
September Duck Season.
Written Comments: Representatives John S. Tanner, John J. Duncan,
Harold Ford, Jr., William Jenkins, Van Hilleary, Zach Wamp, Ed Bryant,
Bob Clement, Bart Gordon, and Senators Fred Thompson and Bill Frist
from Tennessee requested that the Service not close Tennessee's early
wood duck season. The commenters state that a decision by the Service
to close the season would appear to be one based on administrative
rationale, rather than sound biology. Further, facts that support
continuation of the season are: (1) the season has been approved for 17
years; (2) the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has met its
preseason banding obligations; and (3) no downward trends in the wood
duck populations have been recorded in stream-float surveys, summer
bandings, or the Breeding Bird Survey. Finally, survival rates for
Tennessee wood ducks are similar to, or higher, than rates observed
prior to 1981. Roughly one third of Tennessee's waterfowlers
participate in the early wood duck season. The commenters believe that
closing the season would discourage their active involvement in wood
duck management.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (Tennessee) expressed
disappointment that the Service intended to suspend the September wood
duck season. They pointed out that Tennessee hunters have never
complained about decreased wood duck numbers, and that empirical
evidence demonstrates that the wood duck population is not experiencing
any long-term declines. Further, Tennessee stated that closing the
popular 5-day season would be hard to justify because the evaluation of
the season could not conclude whether the season is good or bad.
Tennessee mentioned that the high costs associated with regional wood
duck population monitoring will discourage most States from
participating in any monitoring programs beyond what is currently being
done. They pointed out that eliminating the September season without a
clearly stated harvest alternative would stymie any new data-collection
efforts. Thus, they requested that Tennessee's September wood duck
season be granted operational status and be grandfathered into the
existing frameworks.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (Kentucky)
also expressed disappointment that the Service would recommend
suspending the September wood duck season in Kentucky. They stated that
evaluation of the season indicated that it met the objective of
limiting harvest to local wood ducks without negatively impacting
southern wood duck populations. They recognized that the conclusions of
the evaluation were based on data where the level of precision was
questionable, but that the data were the best available and should not
be discarded. Kentucky emphasized that data collected by their agency
indicated no negative impacts on local wood duck populations and
therefore requested that Kentucky's September season be granted
operational status and grandfathered into the existing frameworks. In a
subsequent letter, they stated that the Service proposal to discontinue
the special season after September 2000 is premature; that such a
decision should not be made until a Flyway harvest strategy is
developed.
The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission opposed suspension
of the September Wood Duck Seasons based on the Service's contention
that adequate population monitoring was lacking. They maintained that
their monitoring programs have not detected any undue negative effects
on local wood duck populations after 17 years. They believe that if the
Service is comfortable with the regular-season harvest pressure on wood
ducks caused by several changes in season lengths,
[[Page 46126]]
then concern over Florida's September season hardly seem warranted.
They believe the Service has continued to raise the standard for
evaluation long after these seasons were initiated and did not provide
specific criteria. They maintain that there is no evidence that
Florida's season is negatively influencing their local wood populations
and it appeared as though the reason for suspending the seasons was
unjustly based on administrative convenience rather than biological
concern.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources opposed hunting
opportunities that are not offered to hunters in all States within a
flyway. If the September wood duck seasons are suspended, they would
not support non-production States in the Lower Region taking up to 5
days from the regular season in September.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources concurred with the
Service's proposal to manage wood ducks on a Flyway basis but was
concerned with the decision to delay the elimination of the special
wood duck seasons for Tennessee, Kentucky, and Florida. Wisconsin
believed that elimination of these seasons this year seemed to be
consistent with Service policy.
The Alabama Waterfowl Association indicated that they do not see
any reason to suspend the early wood duck season and maintain that
southern States provide habitat enhancement projects and deserve to
have harvest opportunities on locally-reared wood ducks.
A petition letter signed by 110 individuals from Tennessee stress
the fact that to do away with the wood duck September season would
deplete a lot of interest among several organizations who get involved
with nest box programs and habitat improvement projects.
Thirty-three individuals from Tennessee, 14 from Florida, and 9
from Kentucky expressed support for continuing with the September wood
duck seasons to provide hunting opportunities and opposed any action by
the Service to discontinue these seasons.
Service Response: As indicated in the July 17 Federal Register,
after many years of trying to develop regional wood duck population-
monitoring programs, attempts to evaluate the experimental September
wood duck seasons have been unsuccessful. Without adequate regional
monitoring, special seasons that target regional wood duck populations
should be discontinued. Instead, wood duck harvest management should be
approached at the Flyway level during the regular season. The recently-
completed Wood Duck Population Monitoring Initiative showed that
managers have much of the capability needed to monitor wood ducks at
the Flyway level. The Service recognizes that improvements in the way
we develop regular-season approaches to wood duck harvest management
are possible. These improvements should incorporate information about
the status and dynamics of wood ducks. However, there is a need to
conduct additional technical assessments in order to develop flyway
harvest strategies. The Service will coordinate with Flyway Councils
and Technical Sections to develop such strategies.
During the interim period, the Service will allow Florida,
Kentucky, and Tennessee to hold September wood duck seasons for a
maximum of 3 more years. After September 2000, the seasons in Florida,
Kentucky, and Tennessee will be discontinued. Flyway harvest strategies
will then be implemented for the 2001/02 hunting season. Should the
technical assessment be completed sooner, and a Flyway strategy be
implemented, the September seasons would be suspended at that time.
v. Youth Hunt
Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that a special one-day youth
waterfowl season include the harvesting of geese.
The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended that a special 2-day youth waterfowl season include
the harvesting of geese.
The Central Flyway Council recommended expansion of the special
youth waterfowl hunt to 2 consecutive days with a legal bag that
includes geese.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended continuation of the one-day
youth hunt that allows States to select outside the general season and
frameworks. The Council further recommended the addition of 1 goose to
the bag limit.
Public Hearing Comments: Mr. Robert McDowell, representing the
Atlantic Flyway Council, thanked the Service for providing more hunting
opportunity during the youth hunt day by allowing geese to be included
in the bag limit.
Written Comments: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
supported continuation of the special youth waterfowl hunt day.
Senator John T. Traynor of the North Dakota Senate expressed his
support for the youth hunt and urged the Service to expand the special
season to 2 days and include geese in the bag limit.
The Delta Waterfowl Foundation supported the expansion of the
special youth hunt to 2 days and the inclusion of geese in the bag
limit.
Service Response: The Service appreciates the recommendations from
the Flyway Councils regarding the continuation of a youth waterfowl
hunting day. Upon establishment of the special youth hunting day, the
Service viewed it as a unique educational opportunity which would help
ensure safe, high-quality hunting for future generations of Americans.
The Service's intent was not to recruit youth hunters, but to provide
the best and safest learning environment for those of our youth who are
interested in hunting. Further, the Service believes that establishing
such a day was consistent with our responsibility to provide general
education and training in the wise use of our nation's valuable
wildlife resources. The Service believes the long-term conservation of
North America's migratory bird resources depends on the future
attitudes and actions of today's youth and that the special youth day
assists in the formation and development of a conservation ethic in
future generations. The Service's intent in establishing this special
day is to introduce youth to the concepts of ethical utilization and
stewardship of waterfowl and other natural resources, encourage
youngsters and adults to experience the outdoors together, and
contribute to the long-term conservation of the migratory bird
resource. With these intents in mind, there is not a compelling reason
to extend the opportunity an additional day.
Additionally, the Service has not conducted an evaluation of the
effects of the special youth hunt day to date, nor does the Service
plan to conduct such an evaluation due to cost/benefit considerations.
Because the special 1-day hunt is limited to youths, the Service
believes that waterfowl populations can support the limited additional
harvest. However, an additional day would potentially double the
effect, which would result in increased uncertainty.
With regard to geese, the Service supports the inclusion of the
regular-season daily bag limit for geese in the special youth-hunt bag
limit. However, there are two considerations that States must consider
regarding the inclusion of geese in the youth hunt: (1) In many cases,
States already use the legal limit
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of 107 goose hunting days and the inclusion of geese in the youth day
bag will require a 1-day reduction in the regular season length, and
(2) all area/species restrictions would apply, thus complicating the
regulations in areas with species restrictions or area closures.
3. Sea Ducks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that the Service clarify regulatory language concerning bag limits for
sea ducks so that bag limits for these ducks during the regular season
cannot exceed bag limits established in the special sea duck season,
whether inside or outside the special sea duck area.
Public Hearing Comments: Mr. Robert McDowell, representing the
Atlantic Flyway Council, thanked the Service for agreeing to clarify
the sea duck bag limits.
Written Comments: The HSUS recommended the sea duck season either
be closed or severely restricted until more complete information on
biology and population status is available.
Service Response: The Service will continue to work with the
Atlantic Flyway Council as they prepare their management plan for
common eiders, and encourages the Flyway to develop management goals
for other populations of sea ducks. The Service believes that a
conservative approach to sea duck hunting is warranted, especially if
management plans or goals have not been adopted. The Service will
assess the appropriateness of current sea duck hunting regulations
after finalizing a report on the status of sea duck populations;
changes will be considered for the 1999 hunting season.
4. Canada Geese
A. Special Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that the closing date of the September goose season around Montezuma
National Wildlife Refuge be extended from September 15 to 25.
The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended that the Service reevaluate criteria for special
Canada goose seasons (early and late), particularly as they relate to
the cumulative harvest of migrant Canada geese from populations of
special concern, to insure that the criteria are consistent with
management efforts to increase and/or maintain migrant populations of
special concern to/at planned objective levels.
Public Hearing Comments: Mr. Robert McDowell, representing the
Atlantic Flyway Council, asked the Service to reconsider New York's
proposal to expand their early Canada goose season in the Montezuma
area.
Written Comments: The New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation urged the Service to reconsider the extension of the
closing date around Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. New York
believed that the potential harvest of migrant geese in this small area
would be insignificant, and in accordance with the 10% criterion when
compared to the total September goose harvest statewide or locally. New
York further asked for the same opportunity to evaluate the season
extension on an experimental basis for the next 3 years.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources requested that the
regular Canada goose season be allowed to open as early as September 19
throughout the State in order to assist in reducing the harvest of
Mississippi Valley Population Canada geese while maintaining or
increasing the harvest of giant Canada geese.
Service Response: In accordance with the criteria established for
early seasons on resident Canada geese, the harvest of migrant geese
cannot exceed 10%. Collar observations provided by New York for 1995-97
exceed this level. Thus, the Service does not support this request. The
criteria only address the proportion of collar observations of migrant
geese without regard to the area size or number of collars or geese
observed. Based on the evidence provided by New York, the potential to
harvest AP geese increases substantially in late September. The Service
recognizes that in some cases a single observation of a potential
migrant may exceed the 10% criterion, but at this fine scale, it is
very difficult to fully assess the impacts of expanding the season to
September 25. The size of the hunt area under consideration is the
prerogative of the State and is not a specific condition of the
criteria to expand the special season on resident Canada geese. The
Service believes that the decision criteria agreed upon by the State
and the Atlantic Flyway Council are clear.
The criteria for special Canada goose seasons are designed to
provide additional harvest of locally-nesting Canada geese without
additional impact on migrant populations. The Service believes that to
date, this objective has been achieved; however, the Service will
continue to monitor harvest information with reference to the
provisions of the special-season criteria and objectives for migrant
Canada goose populations.
With regard to the request from Michigan, the Service concurs.
B. Regular Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the 1998 regular goose
season opening date be as early as September 26 in Michigan's Upper
Peninsula and September 19 in Wisconsin.
Service Response: The Service concurs with the recommendation.
9. Sandhill Cranes
Council Recommendations: The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils
recommended that the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) greater sandhill
crane hunt in Wyoming's Area 6 (Park and Bighorn Counties) become
operational in 1998. The Councils further recommended that the third
year of monitoring and data collection for the experimental hunt be
waived.
Written Comments: The HSUS recommends that all crane seasons be
closed. The HSUS believes that these seasons are held largely to
sustain hunter interest.
Service Response: The Service concurs with the Central and Pacific
Flyway Council recommendations for removal of experimental status of
the RMP greater sandhill crane hunt in Big Horn and Park Counties of
Wyoming. The third year of monitoring and data collection will be
waived.
Regarding HSUS's recommendations for closed seasons, available
information indicates that harvest pressure on cranes is commensurate
with the population status and the various crane management plans.
Crane harvest is closely monitored by the Service, the Flyway Councils,
and the States and there is no evidence to suggest the frameworks
provided are not appropriate.
12. Rails
Written Comments: The HSUS believes that the season length and bag
limits for rails are relatively long and high, respectively, despite
indications of declining populations or insufficient data.
Service Response: Available information indicates that harvest
pressure on rails is relatively light and there is no evidence to
suggest the frameworks provided are not appropriate.
[[Page 46128]]
13. Snipe
Written Comments: The HSUS believes that the season length and bag
limits for snipe are relatively long and high, respectively, despite
indications of declining populations or insufficient data.
Service Response: Available information indicates that harvest
pressure on snipe is relatively light and there is no evidence to
suggest the frameworks provided are not appropriate.
16. Mourning Doves
Written Comments: The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries requested an extension of the framework closing date from
January 15 to January 20.
The HSUS recommends reduced season lengths and bag limits for
mourning doves in the Eastern and Central Management Units, given the
long-term significant population declines.
Service Response: The Service does not support Louisiana's request
at this time and asks that the issue be incorporated into the mourning
dove management plan for the Eastern Management Unit, which is
currently being prepared.
Regarding HSUS's recommendations, available information indicates
that harvest pressure on doves is commensurate with the population
status and there is no evidence to suggest the frameworks provided are
not appropriate.
18. Alaska
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended an
increase in Alaska's Canada goose daily bag and possession limit from 1
and 2 to 3 and 6, respectively, within overall dark goose bag and
possession limits of 4 and 8 in Alaska Game Management Subunit (GMU)
9(E) (Alaska Peninsula) and Unit 18 (Y-K Delta).
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended an archery-only Canada goose
hunt on Middleton Island, Alaska (GMU 6); by registration permit only,
with no more than 10 permits; mandatory goose identification class,
check-in, and check-out; season dates of September 28 to December 16;
bag and possession limit of 1; season to close if incidental harvest
includes 5 dusky Canada geese.
Written Comments: The HSUS recommended that the opening date for
all seasons in Alaska be delayed by 2 weeks so that young birds are
able to leave natal marshes before being subjected to hunting pressure.
Service Response: The Service supports the Council's recommendation
for increased Canada goose bag limits within the overall dark goose bag
limit and the limited season for Canada Geese on Middleton Island with
all of the conditions recommended by the Pacific Flyway Council, except
the limitation of the method of take to only archery. The Service has
received no rationale for limiting the method of take and believes to
do so without reason would establish an undesirable precedent.
Regarding the opening date for seasons in Alaska, the Service
reiterates previous responses that hunting pressure on migratory birds
is comparatively light. Many northern species migrate from the State
before seasons open there in September and there is no evidence to
indicate regulated hunting has adversely impacted local populations.
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 Considerations
As in the past, the Service designs hunting regulations to remove
or alleviate chances of conflict between migratory game bird hunting
seasons and the protection and conservation of endangered and
threatened species. Consultations have been conducted to ensure that
actions resulting from these regulatory proposals will not likely
jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species
or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical
habitat. Findings from these consultations are included in a biological
opinion and may cause modification of some regulatory measures
previously proposed. The final frameworks reflect any modifications.
The Service's biological opinions resulting from its Section 7
consultation are public documents available for public inspection in
the Service's Division of Endangered Species and MBMO, at the address
indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
In the March 20, 1998, Federal Register, the Service reported
measures it took to comply with requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act. One measure was to update the 1996 Small Entity
Flexibility Analysis (Analysis) documenting the significant beneficial
economic effect on a substantial number of small entities. The 1996
Analysis estimated that migratory bird hunters would spend between $254
and $592 million at small businesses. The Service has updated the 1996
Analysis with information from the 1996 National Hunting and Fishing
Survey. Nationwide, the Service now estimates that migratory bird
hunters will spend between $429 and $1,084 million at small businesses
in 1998. Copies of the 1998 Analysis are available upon request from
the Office of Migratory Bird Management.
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.
E.O. 12866 requires each agency to write regulations that are easy
to understand. The Service invites comments on how to make this rule
easier to understand, including answers to questions such as the
following: (1) Are the requirements in the rule clearly stated? (2)
Does the rule contain technical language or jargon that interferes with
its clarity? (3) Does the format of the rule (grouping and order of
sections, use of headings, paragraphing, etc.) aid or reduce its
clarity? (4) Would the rule be easier to understand if it were divided
into more (but shorter) sections? (5) Is the description of the rule in
the ``Supplementary Information'' section of the preamble helpful in
understanding the proposed rule? What else could the Service do to make
the rule easier to understand?
Send a copy of any comments that concern how this rule could be
made easier to understand to: Office of Regulatory Affairs, Department
of the Interior, Room 7229, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20240. Comments may also be e-mailed to: E[email protected].
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
[[Page 46129]]
U.S.C. 808(1); therefore, the Department determines that this rule
shall take effect immediately.
Paperwork Reduction Act
The Service examined these regulations under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995. The various recordkeeping and reporting
requirements imposed under regulations established in 50 CFR Part 20,
Subpart K, are utilized in the formulation of 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 (expires
08/31/1998). The renewal clearance packet was submitted to OMB July 22,
1998. This information is used to provide a sampling frame for
voluntary national surveys to improve Service harvest estimates for all
migratory game birds in order to better manage these populations. The
information collection requirements of the Sandhill Crane Harvest
Questionnaire have been approved by OMB and assigned clearance number
1018-0023 (expires 09/30/2000). The information from this survey is
used to estimate the magnitude, the geographical and temporal
distribution of harvest, and the portion it constitutes of the total
population. The Service may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
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.
Takings Implication Assessment
In accordance with Executive Order 12630, these rules, authorized
by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, do not have significant takings
implications and do not affect any constitutionally protected property
rights. These rules will not result in the physical occupancy of
property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory taking
of any property. In fact, these rules allow hunters to exercise
privileges that would be otherwise unavailable; and, therefore, reduce
restrictions on the use of private and public property.
Federalism Effects
Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the
Federal government has been given responsibility over these species by
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Service annually prescribes
frameworks from which the States make selections and employs guidelines
to establish special regulations on Federal Indian reservations and
ceded lands. This process preserves the ability of the States and
Tribes to determine which seasons meet their individual needs. Any
State or Tribe may be more restrictive than the Federal frameworks at
any time. The frameworks are developed in a cooperative process with
the States and the Flyway Councils. This allows States to participate
in the development of frameworks from which they will make selections,
thereby having an influence on their own regulation. These rules do not
have a substantial direct effect on fiscal capacity, change the roles
or responsibilities of Federal or State governments, or intrude on
State policy or administration. Therefore, in accordance with Executive
Order 12612, these regulations do not have significant federalism
effects and do not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
Government-to-Government Relationship with Tribes
In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994,
``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American tribal
Governments'' (59 FR 22951) and 512 DM 2, we have evaluated possible
effects on Federally recognized Indian tribes and have determined that
there are no effects.
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 will 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 1998-99 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 alternatives will, therefore, take effect immediately upon
publication.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20
Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.
The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 1998-99
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742
a-j.
Dated: August 14, 1998.
Stephen C. Saunders,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
Final Regulations Frameworks for 1998-99 Early Hunting Seasons on
Certain Migratory Game Birds
Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated
authorities, the Department of the Interior approved the following
frameworks which prescribe season lengths, bag limits, shooting hours,
and outside dates within which States may select for certain migratory
game birds between September 1, 1998, and March 10, 1999.
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.
[[Page 46130]]
Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits
are twice the daily bag limit.
Flyways and Management Units
Waterfowl Flyways
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.
Mississippi Flyway--includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri,
Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
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).
Pacific Flyway--includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho,
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado,
Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.
Management Units
Mourning Dove Management Units
Eastern Management Unit--All States east of the Mississippi River,
and Louisiana.
Central Management Unit--Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas,
Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Western Management Unit--Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Woodcock Management Regions
Eastern Management Region--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.
Central Management Region--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Other geographic descriptions are contained in a later portion of
this document.
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).
Special September Teal Season
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season
on all species of teal may be selected by the following States in areas
delineated by State regulations:
Atlantic Flyway--Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. All seasons
are experimental.
Mississippi Flyway--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Central Flyway--Colorado (part), Kansas, New Mexico (part),
Oklahoma, and Texas.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 9 consecutive
days in the Atlantic Flyway and 16 consecutive days in the Mississippi
and Central Flyways. The daily bag limit is 4 teal.
Shooting Hours
Atlantic Flyway--One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, if
evaluated; otherwise sunrise to sunset.
Mississippi and Central Flyways--One-half hour before sunrise to
sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri,
and Ohio, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.
Special September Duck Seasons
Florida: A 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September.
The daily bag limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the
aggregate.
Kentucky and Tennessee: In lieu of a special September teal season,
a 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September. The daily bag
limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the aggregate, of which
no more than 2 may be wood ducks.
Iowa: Iowa may hold up to 5 days of its regular duck hunting season
in September. All ducks which are legal during the regular duck season
may be taken during the September segment of the season. The September
season segment may commence no earlier than the Saturday nearest
September 20 (September 19). The daily bag and possession limits will
be the same as those in effect last year, but are subject to change
during the late-season regulations process. The remainder of the
regular duck season may not begin before October 10.
Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day
Outside Dates: States may select 1 day per duck-hunting zone,
designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day,'' in addition to their
regular duck seasons. The day must be held outside any regular duck
season on a weekend, holiday, or other non-school day when youth
hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate. The day may
be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-season
frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or within any
other open season on migratory birds.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limit may include ducks, geese,
mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and would be the same as
that allowed in the regular season. Flyway species and area
restrictions would remain in effect.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Participation Restrictions: Youth hunters must be 15 years of age
or younger. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age must
accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult could not duck
hunt but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special
youth day.
Scoter, Eider, and Oldsquaw Ducks (Atlantic Flyway)
Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 20.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 107 days, with
a daily bag limit of 7, singly or in the aggregate of the listed sea-
duck species, of which no more than 4 may be scoters.
Daily Bag Limits During the Regular Duck Season: Within the special
sea duck areas, during the regular duck season in the Atlantic Flyway,
States may choose to allow the above sea duck limits in addition to the
limits applying to other ducks during the regular duck season. In all
other areas, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular open season
for ducks and are part of the regular duck season daily bag (not to
exceed 4 scoters) and possession limits.
Areas: In all coastal waters and all waters of rivers and streams
seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in any waters
of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay which are
separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and
emergent vegetation in New Jersey,
[[Page 46131]]
South Carolina, and Georgia; and in any waters of the Atlantic Ocean
and in any tidal waters of any bay which are separated by at least 800
yards of open water from any shore, island, and emergent vegetation in
Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia; and provided that any
such areas have been described, delineated, and designated as special
sea-duck hunting areas under the hunting regulations adopted by the
respective States.
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons
Atlantic Flyway
General Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected for the Montezuma Region of New York; the Lake Champlain
Region of New York and Vermont; the Eastern Unit of Maryland; Delaware;
and Crawford County in Pennsylvania. Seasons not to exceed 20 days
during September 1-20 may be selected for the Northeast Hunt Unit of
North Carolina. Seasons may not exceed 25 days during September 1-25 in
the remainder of the Flyway, except Georgia and Florida, where the
season is closed. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be
described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting
regulations.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5 Canada geese.
Experimental Seasons
Experimental Canada goose seasons of up to 30 days during September
1-30 may be selected by New Jersey, New York (Long Island Zone), North
Carolina (except in the Northeast Hunt Unit), and South Carolina.
Experimental Canada goose seasons of up to 25 days during September 1-
25 may be selected in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. Areas open to the
hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated
as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5 Canada geese.
Mississippi Flyway
General Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected, except in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, where the season
may not extend beyond September 10, and in the Michigan Counties of
Huron, Saginaw and Tuscola, where no special season may be held. The
daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open to the
hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated
as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Central Flyway
General Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open
to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and
designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Pacific Flyway
General Seasons
Wyoming may select an 8-day season on Canada geese between
September 1-15. This season is subject to the following conditions:
1. Where applicable, the season must be concurrent with the
September portion of the sandhill crane season.
2. All participants must have a valid State permit for the special
season.
3. A daily bag limit of 2, with season and possession limits of 4
will apply to the special season.
Oregon may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days
during the period September 1-15. In addition, in the NW goose
management zone, a 15-day season may be selected during the period
September 1-20. Any portion of the season selected between September 16
and 20 will be considered experimental. Daily bag limits may not exceed
5 Canada geese. In the NW goose zone, at a minimum, Oregon must provide
an annual evaluation of the number of dusky Canada geese present in the
hunt zone during the period September 16-20 and agree to adjust seasons
as necessary to avoid any potential harvest of dusky Canada geese.
Washington may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15
days during the period September 1-15. Daily bag limits may not exceed
3 Canada geese.
Idaho may select a 15-day season in the special East Canada Goose
Zone, as described in State regulations, during the period September 1-
15. All participants must have a valid State permit and the total
number of permits issued is not to exceed 110 for this zone. The daily
bag limit is 2.
Idaho may select a 7-day Canada Goose Season during the period
September 1-15 in Nez Perce County, with a bag limit of 4.
California may select a 9-day season in Humboldt County during the
period September 1-15. The daily bag limit is 2.
Areas open to hunting of Canada geese in each State must be
described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting
regulations.
Regular Goose Seasons
Regular goose seasons may open as early as September 19 in
Wisconsin and Michigan. In Wisconsin, and in Michigan for all geese
except Canada geese, season lengths and bag and possession limits will
be the same as those in effect last year, but are subject to change
during the late-season regulations process. In Michigan, for Canada
goose seasons opening September 19, the season may extend for 16 days.
The daily bag limit will be 2 Canada geese, except that in the South
Zone, during that portion of the season that overlaps the duck season,
the daily bag limit will be one Canada goose. Provision for seasons
opening October 3 or later will be contained in the late-season
frameworks.
Sandhill Cranes
Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28.
Hunting Seasons: Seasons not to exceed 58 consecutive days may be
selected in designated portions of the following States: Colorado,
Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Seasons not
to exceed 93 consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of
the following States: New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes.
Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane
seasons must have a valid Federal sandhill crane hunting permit in
their possession while hunting.
Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming
may select seasons for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the
Rocky Mountain Population subject to the following conditions:
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: The season in any State or zone may not exceed 30
days.
Bag limits: Not to exceed 3 daily and 9 per season.
Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the
appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.
Other provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates,
protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons
must be consistent with the management plan and approved by the Central
and Pacific Flyway Councils. Seasons in Idaho are experimental.
[[Page 46132]]
Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 20 in the Atlantic
Flyway, and between September 1 and the Sunday nearest January 20
(January 17) in the Mississippi and Central Flyways. States in the
Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons
between the outside dates for the season on ducks; therefore, they are
late-season frameworks and no frameworks are provided in this document.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70
days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. Seasons may be
split into 2 segments. The daily bag limit is 15 common moorhens and
purple gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of the two species.
Rails
Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between
September 1 and January 20 on clapper, king, sora, and Virginia rails.
Hunting Seasons: The season may not exceed 70 days, and may be
split into 2 segments.
Daily Bag Limits
Clapper and King Rails--In Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey,
Delaware, and Maryland, 10, singly or in the aggregate of the two
species. In Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida,
South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, 15, singly or in the
aggregate of the two species.
Sora and Virginia Rails--In the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central
Flyways and the Pacific-Flyway portions of Colorado, Montana, New
Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 daily and 25 in possession, singly or in the
aggregate of the two species. The season is closed in the remainder of
the Pacific Flyway.
Common Snipe
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28, except in
Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia,
where the season must end no later than January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 107
days and may be split into two segments. The daily bag limit is 8
snipe.
American Woodcock
Outside Dates: States in the Eastern Management Region may select
hunting seasons between October 6 and January 31. States in the Central
Management Region may select hunting seasons between the Saturday
nearest September 22 (September 19) and January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 30
days in the Atlantic Flyway and 45 days in the Central and Mississippi
Flyways. The daily bag limit is 3. Seasons may be split into two
segments.
Zoning: New Jersey may select seasons in each of two zones. The
season in each zone may not exceed 24 days.
Band-Tailed Pigeons
Pacific Coast States (California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada)
Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 1.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive
days, with bag and possession limits of 2 and 2 band-tailed pigeons,
respectively.
Zoning: California may select hunting seasons not to exceed 9
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the North Zone
must close by October 7.
Four-Corners States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah)
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and November 30.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 30 consecutive
days, with a daily bag limit of 5 band-tailed pigeons.
Zoning: New Mexico may select hunting seasons not to exceed 20
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the South Zone may
not open until October 1.
Mourning Doves
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15, except as
otherwise provided, States may select hunting seasons and daily bag
limits as follows:
Eastern Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a
daily bag limit of 12, or not more than 60 days with a daily bag limit
of 15.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more
than three periods. The hunting seasons in the South Zones of Alabama,
Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi may commence no earlier
than September 20. Regulations for bag and possession limits, season
length, and shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting
zones.
Central Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a
daily bag limit of 12, or not more than 60 days with a daily bag limit
of 15.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more
than three periods. Texas may select hunting seasons for each of three
zones subject to the following conditions:
A. The hunting season may be split into not more than two periods,
except in that portion of Texas in which the special white-winged dove
season is allowed, where a limited mourning dove season may be held
concurrently with that special season (see white-winged dove
frameworks).
B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between
September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between September 20
and January 25.
C. Each zone may have a daily bag limit of 12 doves (15 under the
alternative) in the aggregate, no more than 2 of which may be white-
tipped doves, except that during the special white-winged dove season,
the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 white-winged, mourning, and
white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 5 may be
mourning doves and 2 may be white-tipped doves.
D. Except as noted above, regulations for bag and possession
limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within each
hunting zone.
Western Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah,
and Washington--Not more than 30 consecutive days with a daily bag
limit of 10 mourning doves (in Nevada, the daily bag limit may not
exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate).
Arizona and California--Not more than 60 days which may be split
between two periods, September 1-15 and November 1-January 15. In
Arizona, during the first segment of the season, the daily bag limit is
10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more
than 6 may be white-winged doves. During the remainder of the season,
the daily bag limit is restricted to 10 mourning doves. In California,
the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves
in the aggregate.
[[Page 46133]]
White-Winged and White-tipped Doves
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits
Except as shown below, seasons in Arizona, California, Florida,
Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas must be concurrent with mourning dove
seasons.
Arizona may select a hunting season of not more than 30 consecutive
days, running concurrently with the first segment of the mourning dove
season. The daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged
doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 6 may be white-winged
doves.
In Florida, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning and
white-winged doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate, of
which no more than 4 may be white-winged doves.
In the Nevada Counties of Clark and Nye, and in the California
Counties of Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino, the daily bag
limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the
aggregate.
In New Mexico, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning and
white-winged doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate.
In Texas, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 doves (15 under the
alternative) in the aggregate, of which not more than 2 may be white-
tipped doves.
In addition, Texas may also select a hunting season of not more
than 4 days for the special white-winged dove area of the South Zone
between September 1 and September 19. The daily bag limit may not
exceed 10 white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the
aggregate, of which no more than 5 may be mourning doves and 2 may be
white-tipped doves.
Alaska
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 26.
Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select 107 consecutive days for
waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and common snipe in each of five zones. The
season may be split without penalty in the Kodiak Zone. The seasons in
each zone must be concurrent.
Closures: The season is closed on Canada geese from Unimak Pass
westward in the Aleutian Island chain. The hunting season is closed on
Aleutian Canada geese, emperor geese, spectacled eiders, and Steller's
eiders.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits
Ducks--Except as noted, a basic daily bag limit of 7 and a
possession limit of 21 ducks. Daily bag and possession limits in the
North Zone are 10 and 30, and in the Gulf Coast Zone they are 8 and 24,
respectively. The basic limits may include no more than 1 canvasback
daily and 3 in possession.
In addition to the basic limit, there is a daily bag limit of 15
and a possession limit of 30 scoter, common and king eiders, oldsquaw,
harlequin, and common and red-breasted mergansers, singly or in the
aggregate of these species.
Light Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 3 and a possession limit of
6.
Dark Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit of
8.
Dark-goose seasons are subject to the following exceptions:
1. In Units 9(e) and 18, the limits for dark geese are 3 daily and
6 in possession.
2. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from
September 28 through December 16. A special, permit only Canada goose
season may be offered on Middleton Island. No more than 10 permits can
be issued. A mandatory goose identification class is required. Hunters
must check-in and check-out. Bag limit of 1 daily and 1 in possession.
Season to close if incidental harvest includes 5 dusky Canada geese. A
dusky Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR
color value five or less) with a bill length between 40 and 50
millimeters.
3. In Unit 10 (except Unimak Island), the taking of Canada geese is
prohibited.
4. In Unit 9(D) and the Unimak Island portion of Unit 10, the
limits for dark geese are 6 daily and 12 in possession.
Brant--A daily bag limit of 2.
Common snipe--A daily bag limit of 8.
Sandhill cranes--A daily bag limit of 3.
Tundra Swans--Open seasons for tundra swans may be selected subject
to the following conditions:
1. All seasons are by registration permit only.
2. All season framework dates are September 1--October 31.
3. In GMU 18, no more than 500 permits may be issued during the
operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans permits may be issued
per hunter and permits must be issued sequentially one at a time, upon
filing a harvest report.
4. In GMU 22, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the
operational season authorizing each permittee to take 1 tundra swan per
season.
5. In GMU 23, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the
experimental season. No more than 3 tundra swans permits may be issued
per hunter and permits must be issued sequentially, one at a time, upon
filing a harvest report. The experimental season evaluation must adhere
to the guidelines for experimental seasons as described in the Pacific
Flyway Management Plan for the Western Population of (Tundra) Swans.
Hawaii
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 65 days (75 under the alternative)
for mourning doves.
Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 (12 under the alternative) mourning
doves.
Note: Mourning doves may be taken in Hawaii in accordance with
shooting hours and other regulations set by the State of Hawaii, and
subject to the applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20.
Puerto Rico
Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida,
mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate. Not to exceed 5
scaly-naped pigeons.
Closed Areas: There is no open season on doves or pigeons in the
following areas: Municipality of Culebra, Desecheo Island, Mona Island,
El Verde Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas.
Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and Snipe
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 days may be selected for hunting
ducks, common moorhens, and common snipe. The season may be split into
two segments.
Daily Bag Limits
Ducks--Not to exceed 6.
Common moorhens--Not to exceed 6.
Common snipe--Not to exceed 8.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck,
and masked duck, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico. The season also is closed on the purple gallinule, American coot,
and Caribbean coot.
Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, common moorhens,
and common snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island.
[[Page 46134]]
Virgin Islands
Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days for Zenaida doves.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida doves.
Closed Seasons: No open season is prescribed for ground or quail
doves, or pigeons in the Virgin Islands.
Closed Areas: There is no open season for migratory game birds on
Ruth Cay (just south of St. Croix).
Local Names for Certain Birds: Zenaida dove, also known as mountain
dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as Barbary dove or partridge;
Common ground-dove, also known as stone dove, tobacco dove, rola, or
tortolita; scaly-naped pigeon, also known as red-necked or scaled
pigeon.
Ducks
Outside Dates: Between December 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 consecutive days.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 6.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck,
and masked duck.
Special Falconry Regulations
Falconry is a permitted means of taking migratory game birds in any
State meeting Federal falconry standards in 50 CFR 21.29(k). These
States may select an extended season for taking migratory game birds in
accordance with the following:
Extended Seasons: For all hunting methods combined, the combined
length of the extended season, regular season, and any special or
experimental seasons shall not exceed 107 days for any species or group
of species in a geographical area. Each extended season may be divided
into a maximum of 3 segments.
Framework Dates: Seasons must fall between September 1 and March
10.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Falconry daily bag and possession
limits for all permitted migratory game birds shall not exceed 3 and 6
birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate, during extended
falconry seasons, any special or experimental seasons, and regular
hunting seasons in all States, including those that do not select an
extended falconry season.
Regular Seasons: General hunting regulations, including seasons and
hunting hours, apply to falconry in each State listed in 50 CFR
21.29(k). Regular-season bag and possession limits do not apply to
falconry. The falconry bag limit is not in addition to gun limits.
Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions
Mourning and White-winged Doves
Alabama
South Zone--Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Dale,
Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties.
North Zone--Remainder of the State.
California
White-winged Dove Open Areas--Imperial, Riverside, and San
Bernardino Counties.
Florida
Northwest Zone--The Counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin,
Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton,
Washington, Leon (except that portion north of U.S. 27 and east of
State Road 155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of State Road 59 and
north of U.S. 98), and Wakulla (except that portion south of U.S. 98
and east of the St. Marks River).
South Zone--Remainder of State.
Georgia
Northern Zone--That portion of the State lying north of a line
running west to east along U.S. Highway 280 from Columbus to Wilcox
County, thence southward along the western border of Wilcox County;
thence east along the southern border of Wilcox County to the Ocmulgee
River, thence north along the Ocmulgee River to Highway 280, thence
east along Highway 280 to the Little Ocmulgee River; thence southward
along the Little Ocmulgee River to the Ocmulgee River; thence
southwesterly along the Ocmulgee River to the western border of the
Jeff Davis County; thence south along the western border of Jeff Davis
County; thence east along the southern border of Jeff Davis and Appling
Counties; thence north along the eastern border of Appling County, to
the Altamaha River; thence east to the eastern border of Tattnall
County; thence north along the eastern border of Tattnall County;
thence north along the western border of Evans to Candler County;
thence west along the southern border of Candler County to the Ohoopee
River; thence north along the western border of Candler County to
Bulloch County; thence north along the western border of Bulloch County
to U.S. Highway 301; thence northeast along U.S. Highway 301 to the
South Carolina line.
South Zone--Remainder of the State.
Louisiana
North Zone--That portion of the State north of Interstate Highway
10 from the Texas State line to Baton Rouge, Interstate Highway 12 from
Baton Rouge to Slidell and Interstate Highway 10 from Slidell to the
Mississippi State line.
South Zone--The remainder of the State.
Mississippi
South Zone--The Counties of Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock,
Harrison, Jackson, Lamar, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Stone, and
Walthall.
North Zone--The remainder of the State.
Nevada
White-winged Dove Open Areas--Clark and Nye Counties.
Texas
North Zone--That portion of the State north of a line beginning at
the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; north along FM 1088 to
TX 20; west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along TX 148 to I-10 at Fort
Hancock; east along I-10 to I-20; northeast along I-20 to I-30 at Fort
Worth; northeast along I-30 to the Texas-Arkansas State line.
South Zone--That portion of the State south and west of a line
beginning at the International Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east
on U.S. 90 to San Antonio; then east on I-10 to Orange, Texas.
Special White-winged Dove Area in the South Zone--That portion of
the State south and west of a line beginning at the International
Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east on U.S. 90 to Uvalde; south on
U.S. 83 to TX 44; east along TX 44 to TX 16 at Freer; south along TX 16
to TX 285 at Hebbronville; east along TX 285 to FM 1017; southwest
along FM 1017 to TX 186 at Linn; east along TX 186 to the Mansfield
Channel at Port Mansfield; east along the Mansfield Channel to the Gulf
of Mexico.
Area with additional restrictions--Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and
Willacy Counties.
Central Zone--That portion of the State lying between the North and
South Zones.
Band-tailed Pigeons
California
North Zone--Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen,
Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity
Counties.
South Zone--The remainder of the State.
[[Page 46135]]
New Mexico
North Zone--North of a line following U.S. 60 from the Arizona
State line east to I-25 at Socorro and then south along I-25 from
Socorro to the Texas State line.
South Zone--Remainder of the State.
Washington
Western Washington--The State of Washington excluding those
portions lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big
White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
Woodcock
New Jersey
North Zone--That portion of the State north of NJ 70.
South Zone--The remainder of the State.
Special September Canada Goose Seasons
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
North Zone--That portion of the State north of I-95.
Maryland
Eastern Unit--Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles,
Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Annes, St. Marys, Somerset, Talbot,
Wicomico, and Worcester Counties, and those portions of Baltimore,
Howard, and Prince George's Counties east of I-95.
Western Unit--Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery,
and Washington Counties, and those portions of Baltimore, Howard, and
Prince George's Counties east of I-95.
Massachusetts
Western Zone--That portion of the State west of a line extending
south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10,
south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut
border.
Central Zone--That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-
95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on
MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west
to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards
inland from the high-water 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 York
Lake Champlain Zone--The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay;
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont
border.
Long Island Zone--That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their
tidal waters.
Western Zone--That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border, except for the Montezuma Zone.
Montezuma Zone--Those portions of Cayuga, Seneca, Ontario, Wayne,
and Oswego Counties north of U.S. Route 20, east of NYS Route 14, south
of NYS Route 104, and west of NYS Route 34.
Northeastern Zone--That area north of a line extending from Lake
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
Southeastern Zone--The remaining portion of New York.
North Carolina
Northeast Hunt Unit--Counties of Bertie, Camden, Chovan, Currituck,
Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington.
South Carolina
Early-season Hunt Unit--Clarendon County and those portions of
Orangeburg County north of SC Highway 6 and Berkeley County north of SC
Highway 45 from the Orangeburg County line to the junction of SC
Highway 45 and State Road S-8-31 and west of the Santee Dam.
Vermont
Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area north and west of a 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.
Mississippi Flyway
Illinois
Northeast Canada Goose Zone--Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee,
Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.
North Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast Canada
Goose Zone and north of a line extending east from the Iowa border
along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate Highway 280, east along I-280
to I-80, then east along I-80 to the Indiana border.
Central Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast
Canada Goose Zone and 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 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.
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.
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
[[Page 46136]]
Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a line directly northeast to the
Canada border.
South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.
Minnesota
Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone--
A. All of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.
B. In Anoka County, all of Columbus Township lying south of County
State Aid Highway (CSAH) 18, Anoka County; all of the cities of Ramsey,
Andover, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Spring Lake Park, Fridley, Hilltop,
Columbia Heights, Blaine, Lexington, Circle Pines, Lino Lakes, and
Centerville; and all of the city of Ham Lake except that portion lying
north of CSAH 18 and east of U.S. Highway 65.
C. That part of Carver County lying north and east of the following
described line: Beginning at the northeast corner of San Francisco
Township; thence west along the north boundary of San Francisco
Township to the east boundary of Dahlgren Township; thence north along
the east boundary of Dahlgren Township to U.S. Highway 212; thence west
along U.S. Highway 212 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 284; thence north
on STH 284 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10; thence north and west
on CSAH 10 to CSAH 30; thence north and west on CSAH 30 to STH 25;
thence east and north on STH 25 to CSAH 10; thence north on CSAH 10 to
the Carver County line.
D. In Scott County, all of the cities of Shakopee, Savage, Prior
Lake, and Jordan, and all of the Townships of Jackson, Louisville, St.
Lawrence, Sand Creek, Spring Lake, and Credit River.
E. In Dakota County, all of the cities of Burnsville, Eagan,
Mendota Heights, Mendota, Sunfish Lake, Inver Grove Heights, Apple
Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Farmington, Hastings, Lilydale, West St.
Paul, and South St. Paul, and all of the Township of Nininger.
F. That portion of Washington County lying south of the following
described line: Beginning at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 on the
west boundary of the county; thence east on CSAH 2 to U.S. Highway 61;
thence south on U.S. Highway 61 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 97; thence
east on STH 97 to the intersection of STH 97 and STH 95; thence due
east to the east boundary of the State.
Northwest Goose Zone (included for reference only, not a special
September Goose Season Zone)--That portion of the State encompassed by
a line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2
to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east
along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north
along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to
STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along
CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in
Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH
310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
Two Goose Zone--That portion of the state lying east of Interstate
Highway 35 and south of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone.
Five Goose Zone--That portion of the state not included in the Twin
Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone, the Northwest Goose Zone, or the
Two Goose Zone.
Tennessee
Middle Tennessee Zone--Those portions of Houston, Humphreys,
Montgomery, Perry, and Wayne Counties east of State Highway 13; and
Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles,
Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Moore,
Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson
Counties.
East Tennessee Zone--Anderson, Bledsoe, Bradley, Blount, Campbell,
Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Cumberland, Dekalb, Fentress, Grainger,
Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jackson,
Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe,
Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie,
Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, and
White Counties.
Wisconsin
Early-Season Subzone A--That portion of the State encompassed by a
line beginning at the Lake Michigan shore in Sheboygan, then west along
State Highway 23 to State 67, southerly along State 67 to County
Highway E in Sheboygan County, southerly along County E to State 28,
south and west along State 28 to U.S. Highway 41, southerly along U.S.
41 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to County Highway U in
Washington County, southerly along County U to County N, southeasterly
along County N to State 60, westerly along State 60 to County Highway P
in Dodge County, southerly along County P to County O, westerly along
County O to State 109, south and west along State 109 to State 26,
southerly along State 26 to U.S. 12, southerly along U.S. 12 to State
89, southerly along State 89 to U.S. 14, southerly along U.S. 14 to the
Illinois border, east along the Illinois border to the Michigan border
in Lake Michigan, north along the Michigan border in Lake Michigan to a
point directly east of State 23 in Sheboygan, then west along that line
to the point of beginning on the Lake Michigan shore in Sheboygan.
Early-Season Subzone B--That portion of the State between Early-
Season Subzone A and a line beginning at the intersection of U.S.
Highway 141 and the Michigan border near Niagara, then south along U.S.
141 to State Highway 22, west and southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45,
south along U.S. 45 to State 22, west and south along State 22 to State
110, south along State 110 to U.S. 10, south along U.S. 10 to State 49,
south along State 49 to State 23, west along State 23 to State 73,
south along State 73 to State 60, west along State 60 to State 23,
south along State 23 to State 11, east along State 11 to State 78, then
south along State 78 to the Illinois border.
Central Flyway
South Dakota
September Canada Goose Unit--Brookings, Clark, Codington, Day,
Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Kingsbury, Lake, McCook, Moody Counties, and
Miner County east of SD 25, and that portion of Minnehaha County north
and west of a line beginning at the junction of County 130 (Renner
Road) and the Minnesota border, then west on County 130 to I-29 and
along I-29 to the Lincoln County line.
Pacific Flyway
Idaho
East Zone--Bonneville, Caribou, Fremont and Teton Counties.
Oregon
Northwest Zone--Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane,
Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and
Yamhill Counties.
Southwest Zone--Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and
Klamath Counties.
East Zone--Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla,
Union and Wasco Counties.
Washington
Southwest Zone--Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties.
[[Page 46137]]
East Zone--Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Garfield, Klickitat, and
Whitman Counties.
Wyoming
Bear River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Salt River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Farson-Edon Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette
Counties described in State regulations.
Teton Area--Those portions of Teton County described in State
regulations.
Ducks
Atlantic Flyway
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.
Mississippi Flyway
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.
Central Flyway
Kansas
High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.
Low Plains Early Zone: That portion of the State east of the High
Plains Zone and west of a line extending south from the Nebraska border
along KS 28 to U.S. 36, east along U.S. 36 to KS 199, south along KS
199 to Republic County Road 563, south along Republic County Road 563
to KS 148, east along KS 148 to Republic County Road 138, south along
Republic County Road 138 to Cloud County Road 765, south along Cloud
County Road 765 to KS 9, west along KS 9 to U.S. 24, west along U.S 24
to U.S. 281, north along U.S. 281 to U.S. 36, west along U.S. 36 to
U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to U.S. 24, west along U.S. 24 to KS 18,
southeast along KS 18 to U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to KS 4, east
along KS 4 to I-135, south along I-135 to KS 61, southwest along KS 61
to KS 96, northwest on KS 96 to U.S. 56, west along U.S. 56 to U.S.
281, south along U.S. 281 to U.S. 54, then west along U.S. 54 to U.S.
283.
Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder of Kansas.
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.
Pacific Flyway
California
Northeastern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of a
line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath
River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest
Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and
south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west
along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89;
east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north
on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S.
395 to the Nevada border.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to
U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road;
south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada
border.
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included
in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.
Canada Geese
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,
[[Page 46138]]
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.
Sandhill Cranes
Central Flyway
Colorado
Regular-Season Open Area--The Central Flyway portion of the State
except the San Luis Valley (Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale,
Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache Counties east of the Continental
Divide) and North Park (Jackson County).
Kansas
Regular Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of a line
beginning at the Oklahoma border, north on I-35 to Wichita, north on I-
135 to Salina, and north on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border.
New Mexico
Regular-Season Open Area--Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay,
and Roosevelt Counties.
Middle Rio Grande Valley Area--The Central Flyway portion of New
Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties.
Southwest Zone--Sierra, Luna, and Dona Ana Counties.
Oklahoma
Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of I-35.
Texas
Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of a line
from the International Toll Bridge at Brownsville along U.S. 77 to
Victoria; U.S. 87 to Placedo; Farm Road 616 to Blessing; State 35 to
Alvin; State 6 to U.S. 290; U.S. 290 to Austin; I-35 to the Texas-
Oklahoma border.
North Dakota
Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of U.S.
281.
South Dakota
Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of U.S.
281.
Montana
Regular-Season Open Area--The Central Flyway portion of the State
except that area south of I-90 and west of the Bighorn River.
Wyoming
Regular-Season Open Area--Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen,
Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties.
Riverton-Boysen Unit--Portions of Fremont County.
Park and Bighorn County Unit--Portions of Park and Bighorn
Counties.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
Special-Season Area--Game Management Units 30A, 30B, 31, and 32.
Montana
Special-Season Area--See State regulations.
Utah
Special-Season Area--Rich County.
Wyoming
Bear River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Salt River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Eden-Farson Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette
Counties described in State regulations.
All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska
North Zone--State Game Management Units 11-13 and 17-26.
Gulf Coast Zone--State Game Management Units 5-7, 9, 14-16, and
10--Unimak Island only.
Southeast Zone--State Game Management Units 1-4.
Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone--State Game Management Unit 10--
except Unimak Island.
Kodiak Zone--State Game Management Unit 8.
All Migratory Birds in the Virgin Islands
Ruth Cay Closure Area--The island of Ruth Cay, just south of St.
Croix.
All Migratory Birds in Puerto Rico
Municipality of Culebra Closure Area--All of the municipality of
Culebra.
Desecheo Island Closure Area--All of Desecheo Island.
Mona Island Closure Area--All of Mona Island.
El Verde Closure Area--Those areas of the municipalities of Rio
Grande and Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All lands between Routes
956 on the west and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the north to the
juncture of Routes 956 and 186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands
between Routes 186 and 966 from the juncture of 186 and 966 on the
north, to the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the south; (3) all
lands lying west of Route 186 for one kilometer from the juncture of
Routes 186 and 956 south to Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within Km
14 and Km 6 on the west and the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on
the east; and (5) all lands within the Caribbean National Forest
Boundary whether private or public.
Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas--All of Cidra Municipality
and portions of Aguas, Buenas, Caguas, Cayer, and Comerio
Municipalities as encompassed within the following boundary: beginning
on Highway 172 as it leaves the municipality of Cidra on the west edge,
north to Highway 156, east on Highway 156 to Highway 1, south on
Highway 1 to Highway 765, south on Highway 765 to Highway 763, south on
Highway 763 to the Rio Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to Highway 1,
southwest on Highway 1 to Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to Highway
729, north on Highway 729 to Cidra Municipality boundary to the point
of beginning.
[FR Doc. 98-23266 Filed 8-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P