[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]



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Part VI





Department of the Interior





_______________________________________________________________________



Fish and Wildlife Service



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50 CFR Part 20



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

  Federal Register / Vol. 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