[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 188 (Tuesday, September 29, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51998-52020]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25926]



[[Page 51997]]

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Part II





Department of the Interior





_______________________________________________________________________



Fish and Wildlife Service



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50 CFR Part 20



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

  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 188 / Tuesday, September 29, 1998 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 51998]]



DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN 1018-AE93


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

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule prescribes final late-season frameworks from which 
States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 1998-
99 migratory bird hunting seasons. These late seasons include most 
waterfowl seasons, the earliest of which generally commence on or about 
October 1, 1998. The effect of this final rule is to facilitate the 
selection of hunting seasons by the States to further the annual 
establishment of the late-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 September 29, 1998

ADDRESSES: States 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: Robert J. Blohm, Acting Chief, Office 
of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (703) 
358-1838.

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. The July 
17 supplement also established the final regulatory alternatives for 
the 1998-99 duck hunting season for all States except Alabama, 
Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. On August 5, 
1998, the Service published in the Federal Register (63 FR 41926) a 
fourth document dealing specifically with the final regulatory 
alternatives for the 1998-99 duck hunting season for the States of 
Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. On 
August 6, 1998, the Service held a public hearing in Washington, DC, as 
announced in the March 20, May 29, and July 17 Federal Registers, to 
review the status of waterfowl. Proposed hunting regulations were 
discussed for late seasons. On August 25, 1998, the Service published a 
fifth document (63 FR 45350) which dealt specifically with proposed 
frameworks for the 1998-99 late-season migratory bird hunting 
regulations. On August 28, 1998, the Service published a sixth document 
(63 FR 46124) containing final frameworks for early migratory bird 
hunting seasons from which wildlife conservation agency officials from 
the States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands selected early-season 
hunting dates, hours, areas, and limits for the 1998-99 season. On 
August 31, 1998, the Service published in the Federal Register (63 FR 
46336) a seventh document consisting of a final rule amending subpart K 
of title 50 CFR part 20 to set hunting seasons, hours, areas, and 
limits for early seasons. This document, which establishes final 
frameworks for late-season migratory bird hunting regulations for the 
1998-99 season, is the eighth in the series.
    Review of Flyway Council Recommendations, Public Comments, and the 
Service's Response The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared 
in the March 20 Federal Register, opened the public-comment period for 
late-season migratory game bird hunting regulations. The Service 
received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils. Public-hearing 
and written comments received through September 8, 1998, relating to 
the proposed late-season frameworks are summarized and discussed in the 
order used in the March 20 Federal Register. Only the numbered items 
pertaining to late seasons for which written comments were received are 
included. Flyway Council recommendations shown below include only those 
involving changes from the 1997-98 late-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) 
expressed concern that the general public was not well represented in 
the regulations-development process and requested establishment of a 
system directly involving the non-hunting public. In addition, they 
recommended that the Service undertake efforts to obtain population 
estimates for all hunted species and that all seasons open at noon, 
mid-week, to reduce the large kills associated with the traditional 
Saturday openings. They also recommend that pre-sunrise shooting be 
disallowed.
    Service Response: As we have stated previously, when the 
preliminary proposed rulemaking document was published in the Federal 
Register on March 20, 1998, the Service announced the comment periods 
for the early-season and late-season proposals and gave notice that the 
process of promulgating hunting regulations ``must, by its nature, 
operate under time constraints.'' Ample time must be given to gather 
and interpret survey data, consider recommendations and develop 
proposals, and to receive public comment. Scheduled dates are set to 
give the greatest possible opportunity for public input. The Service is 
obligated to, and does, give serious consideration to all information 
received as public comment. The Service has long recognized the 
problems associated with the length of time necessary to establish the 
final frameworks, and in conjunction with States, Flyway Councils, and 
the public, continues to seek new ways to streamline and improve the 
process.
    Regarding the Service's efforts to obtain population estimates, the 
long-term objectives of the Service continue to include providing 
opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game bird 
populations and to limit

[[Page 51999]]

harvests to levels compatible with each population's ability to 
maintain healthy, viable numbers. Annually, the Service evaluates the 
status of populations and considers the potential impacts of hunting. 
The Service believes that the hunting seasons provided herein are 
consistent with the current status of waterfowl populations and long-
term population goals.
    Regarding the Humane Society's recommendation for mid-week season 
openings, the Service has previously stated in the Federal Register (58 
FR 50190) that a State may choose to delay its opening date to 
correspond with a particular day of the week or to close earlier to 
maximize the number of weekends that hunting is allowed.
    In regard to shooting hours, the Service has compiled information 
which demonstrates that shooting hours beginning one-half hour before 
sunrise do not contribute significantly to the harvest of non-target 
species. Consistent with the Service's long-term strategy for shooting 
hours, published in the September 21, 1990, Federal Register (55 FR 
38898), the frameworks herein provide for shooting hours of one-half 
hour before sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise specified.

1. Ducks

    The categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest 
management are as follows: (A) General Harvest Strategy, (B) Framework 
Dates, (C) Season Length, (D) Closed Seasons, (E) Bag Limits, (F) Zones 
and Split Seasons, and (G) Special Seasons/Species Management. Only 
those categories containing substantial recommendations are included 
below.
A. General Harvest Strategy
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council, the Upper-
Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council, the 
Central Flyway Council, and the Pacific Flyway Council recommended 
adopting the ``liberal'' alternative for the 1998-99 duck hunting 
season.
    The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended adoption of the ``liberal'' alternative with a 
modification of the framework closing date. Specific details are 
discussed in B. Framework Dates.
    The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the Service and/or 
the Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) Working Group consider: (1) the 
definition of the blank cells in the AHM matrix, (2) the utility of 
eliminating the ``very restrictive'' regulations package, and (3) the 
utility of a constraint that the packages may change by no more than 
one level between consecutive hunting seasons.
    Written Comments: The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and 
Wildlife concurred with the continuation of the ``liberal'' package for 
1998-99. However, they noted that mallard numbers, as measured by the 
Northeastern States plot survey, had declined for the third straight 
year as season lengths have increased. They believed the situation 
should be closely monitored.
    The Minnesota Waterfowl Association recommended a more conservative 
approach in establishing the 1998-99 regulations in light of 
anticipated waterfowl population declines. The Wildlife Management 
Institute (WMI) strongly supported the Service's determination to 
continue using the AHM approach to setting seasons and bag limits. WMI 
agreed that an extended period of set regulatory alternatives is 
essential to maximizing the successful implementation of AHM.
    An individual from Maryland recommended decreasing the bag limits 
over the next two years and the discontinuance of all waterfowl hunting 
by the year 2000.
    Service Response: In 1995, the Service endorsed the concept of 
adaptive resource management for regulating duck harvests in the United 
States. The adaptive approach explicitly recognizes that the 
consequences of hunting regulations cannot be predicted with certainty, 
and provides a framework for making objective decisions in the face of 
that uncertainty. Moreover, AHM relies on the iterative cycle of 
monitoring, assessment, and decision-making to clarify relationships 
among hunting regulations, harvests, and waterfowl abundance.
    A critical need for the successful implementation of AHM is a set 
of regulatory alternatives that remain fixed for an extended period. 
When AHM was first implemented in 1995, three regulatory alternatives 
characterized as liberal, moderate, and restrictive were defined based 
on recent regulatory experience. The 1995 regulatory alternatives also 
were used for the 1996 hunting season. In 1997, the regulatory 
alternatives were modified in response to requests from the Flyway 
Councils. Changes included provisions for additional hunting 
opportunity under the moderate and liberal alternatives, as well as the 
addition of a very restrictive alternative. For the 1998-99 season, no 
further changes in the set of regulatory alternatives have been made.
    To date, AHM has focused primarily on midcontinent mallards, but 
progress is being made on extending the process to account for mallards 
breeding eastward and westward of the midcontinent region. The ultimate 
goal is to develop Flyway-specific harvest strategies, which represent 
an average of optimal strategies for each mallard breeding population, 
weighted by the relative contribution of each population to the 
respective Flyways. Geographic boundaries used to define midcontinent 
and eastern mallards have been established, and mathematical models of 
population dynamics are available for predicting regulatory impacts. 
Investigations regarding the geographic bounds and population dynamics 
of western mallards are ongoing.
    AHM strategies for 1998 were derived for midcontinent and eastern 
mallards, but they do not yet allow for Flyway-specific regulatory 
choices. The strategy for midcontinent mallards was based on: (1) an 
objective to maximize long-term harvest and achieve a population goal 
of 8.7 million; (2) the regulatory alternatives for 1998; and (3) 
current understanding of regulatory impacts. Based on a breeding 
population size of 10.6 million mallards (traditional surveyed area 
plus the Lake States) and 2.5 million ponds in Prairie Canada, the 
optimal regulatory choice for midcontinent mallards in 1998 is the 
liberal alternative. The strategy for eastern mallards was based on: 
(1) an objective to maximize long-term harvest; (2) the regulatory 
alternatives for 1998; and (3) a ``working model'' of population 
dynamics. Based on a breeding population size of 1.0 million mallards 
and spring precipitation of 11.6 inches, the optimal regulatory choice 
for eastern mallards in 1998 also is the liberal alternative. 
Therefore, the Service agrees with the Flyway Councils and will utilize 
the liberal alternative for the 1998 duck hunting season.
    The framework closing date recommended by the Lower-Region 
Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council differed from 
those in the ``liberal'' alternative established in the August 5 
Federal Register. The Service's frameworks are consistent with the 
``liberal'' alternative outlined in the July 17 and August 5 Federal 
Registers and was supported by the other three Flyway Councils as well 
as the Mississippi Flyway Council's Upper-Region Regulations Committee.
    The Service understands the desire of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council to clarify some aspects of the current AHM strategies. The 
``blank cells in the AHM matrix'' represent combinations of mallard 
population size and environmental conditions that are insufficient for 
an open season on

[[Page 52000]]

mallards, given current regulatory alternatives. In the case of 
midcontinent mallards, the prescriptions for closed seasons largely are 
a result of the harvest management objective, which emphasizes 
population growth at the expense of hunting opportunity when mallard 
numbers are below the NAWMP goal. The Service will request that the AHM 
working group investigate the implications of eliminating the very 
restrictive option, and of constraining annual changes among 
alternatives.
B. Framework Dates
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that the Service not allow framework date extensions in any States 
during the 1998-99 season, and that the Service work with the National 
Flyway Council to develop a process and timetable for addressing the 
issue.
    The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended framework dates from October 3 to January 31. Any 
State opting for a framework closure later than the Sunday nearest 
January 20 would be assessed a 10% penalty in days.
    Public Hearing Comments: Mr. Brad Bales, Oregon Department of Fish 
and Wildlife, spoke on behalf of the Pacific Flyway Council. He 
indicated that the Council supported and appreciated the Service's 
decision on the framework issue and was also in strong support of the 
proposed National Flyway Council review of this issue.
    Written Comments: The HSUS recommended that season openings be 
delayed by 2 weeks in all breeding areas in order to allow ducks time 
to leave natal marshes before being subjected to hunting.
    Service Response: In the August 5 Federal Register, the Service 
outlined the reasons why it did not support an expansion of the 
framework dates at this time.
    Regarding HSUS's comment on the framework opening date, the Service 
reiterates previous responses that the frameworks provided herein are 
appropriate and that there is no evidence to indicate that they have 
adversely impacted local populations.
F. Zones and Split Seasons
    Written Comments: The Ohio Division of Wildlife requested 
elimination of the Pymatuning Waterfowl Hunting Area in Ohio and 
incorporation of the affected area into the North Zone beginning in the 
1998-99 season.
    The HSUS urged the Service to discontinue all split and special 
seasons and recommended that any State establishing such seasons reduce 
the total number of hunting days by a minimum of 10 days.
    Service Response: In the past, hunting seasons in that portion of 
Ohio had to be the same as those selected 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.
    In regard to the recommendation that split and special seasons be 
discontinued, the Service notes that States always have the option of 
selecting a continuous season with no splits. Furthermore, the Service 
is not aware of any information suggesting that split and special 
seasons are causing detrimental impacts to populations.

G. Special Seasons/Species Management

1. Black Ducks
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that the individual Atlantic Flyway States achieve a 42 percent 
reduction in their black duck harvest during the 1998-99 season 
compared with the 1977-81 base-line harvest.
    Service Response: The Service agrees with the Atlantic Flyway 
Council's recommendation and acknowledges the Council's concern for the 
population status of black ducks. Black duck populations remain below 
the North American Wildlife Management Plan goal and while the decline 
seems to have halted, little increase is evident. The Service believes 
the harvest restrictions identified in the 1983 Environmental 
Assessment should be maintained until a revised harvest strategy is 
developed.
    ii. Canvasbacks. The Service continues to support the canvasback 
harvest strategy adopted in 1994. Current population and habitat status 
suggest that a daily bag limit of 1 canvasback during the 1998-99 
season will result in a harvest within levels allowed by the strategy.
    iii. Pintails. Council Recommendations: All four Flyway Councils 
recommended a daily bag limit of 1 pintail in the 1998-99 hunting 
season as prescribed by the Interim Pintail Harvest Strategy.
    Written Comments: Delta Waterfowl Foundation recommended suspension 
of the Interim Pintail Strategy pending further review and revision and 
a daily bag limit of 1 pintail for all Flyways in 1998.
    An individual from Washington was concerned with the liberalization 
of pintail harvest last year and urged the Service to review the status 
of pintails.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the Councils' 
recommendations.
    iv. Scaup. Council recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council 
recommended a 4-bird daily bag limit for scaup in the Atlantic Flyway, 
and that the Atlantic Flyway cooperate with the other Flyway Councils 
and the Service to develop a conservation plan for scaup, to include a 
harvest management strategy.
    The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the Mississippi 
Flyway cooperate with other Flyway Councils and the Service to develop 
a harvest management strategy for scaup prior to the 1999-2000 hunting 
season. The Council believes that the strategy should address the 
criteria recommended by the Service in the July 22, 1996 Federal 
Register (61 FR 37994) prior to changing species harvest management: 
(1) An assessment of how the population responds to harvest and 
environmental conditions; (2) Criteria that prescribe when regulations 
should be changed; (3) The levels of changes in regulations that will 
be considered (e.g., ranges of bag limits and season lengths); and (4) 
Considerations for determining the efficacy of the harvest strategy. 
The Council further recommended that the Service take the lead to 
coordinate strategy development. The Council believes that this is the 
highest priority of the new species-specific management issues for 
consideration in developing 1999-2000 duck hunting regulations 
packages.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended no change in scaup 
regulations for the 1998-99 hunting season and suggested that the 
Service establish a study group of MBMO biologists and a representative 
from each of the four Flyways to develop a draft Scaup Harvest 
Management Strategy prior to the spring 1999 Flyway Technical Committee 
meetings.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended no internal bag limit 
restrictions on scaup in the Pacific Flyway for the 1998-99 hunting 
season. Further, the Council offered their assistance to a cooperative 
effort to investigate causes of the decline in scaup populations while 
noting the harvest in the Pacific Flyway was small relative to other 
Flyways.
    Written Comments: The Minnesota Waterfowl Association recommended 
consideration of a reduction in the daily bag limit for scaup in view 
of the further decreases in scaup populations. They recommended a 3-
bird daily bag limit as a starting point for consideration.

[[Page 52001]]

    Service Response: The Service supports the Flyway Councils' 
recommendations for scaup hunting regulations. However, the Service 
remains concerned about the declining trend in the size of the scaup 
breeding population and believes that substantial reductions in hunting 
opportunity may soon be necessary. The Service intends to cooperate 
with the Flyway Councils in an effort to develop a strategy for guiding 
scaup harvest management regulations beginning in 1999. This strategy 
will build upon information in a status report on scaup that the 
Service currently is preparing.
    v. Wood Ducks. Written Comments: The Massachusetts Division of 
Fisheries and Wildlife stated concerns about the effects of longer 
seasons on total wood duck harvest and the increasing disparity in the 
harvest between northern and southern States. They noted that wood duck 
harvest in the Atlantic Flyway had increased 86 percent from 30-day 
seasons to 60-day seasons and that most of this increased harvest had 
occurred in the southeastern States of North Carolina, South Carolina, 
and Georgia.
    They looked forward to developing a fair and equitable harvest 
strategy for wood ducks.
4. Canada Geese
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
the Service not open the regular hunting season on Atlantic Population 
(AP) Canada geese during the 1998-99 season. However, the Council 
recommended that the Service adopt a regular season on the newly 
defined North Atlantic Population of Canada geese. This season would be 
offered in Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and portions of 
Massachusetts (Coastal and Central Zones), Connecticut (except for 
Hartford and Litchfield Counties west of the Connecticut River), and 
New York (Long Island Zone) and would consist of a 40-day season with a 
2-bird daily bag limit between October 1 and December 15 (December 31 
in New York's Long Island Zone). The Council also recommended that New 
York be permitted to change the boundary of their regular Canada goose 
season in western New York (portions of Genesee, Niagara, and Wyoming 
Counties).
    The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended that the 1998 regular goose season opening date be 
as early as September 19 throughout Michigan. The Committee also 
recommended several changes in Canada goose quotas, season lengths, 
etc., based on population status and population management plans and 
programs.
    The Central Flyway Council made several recommendations on goose 
frameworks. In the East Tier, the Council recommended a Canada goose 
(or any other goose species except light geese and white-fronted geese) 
season of 93 days with a daily bag limit of 3. Outside framework dates 
would be the Saturday nearest October 1 (Oct. 3, 1998) and the Sunday 
nearest February 15 (Feb. 14, 1999). The Council further recommended 
that the boundary between Nebraska's East and West Units be modified 
and that Southwest and Northwest Dark Goose Hunt Units be established 
in Nebraska. In the West Tier, the Council recommended dark goose 
outside framework dates of the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 3, 
1998) and the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 14, 1999), with a 
daily bag and possession limits of 4 and 12, respectively. In the 
western goose zone of Texas, the Council recommended a daily bag limit 
of 4 Canada geese and 1 white-fronted goose and a possession limit of 
14, including no more than 12 Canada geese and 2 white-fronted geese. 
The Council further recommended an expansion of New Mexico's Middle Rio 
Grande Valley dark goose zone to include Valencia and the remainder of 
Socorro Counties.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the bag limit for dark 
geese be increased from 3 to 4 in the Oregon and Washington Special 
Goose Management Area for both the regular and Special late seasons. 
The Council also recommended that this limit include no internal 
restrictions on cackling Canada geese. In addition, the Council 
recommended that a portion of Grays Harbor County, Washington, be added 
to the Washington Special Goose Management Area.
    Public Hearing Comments: Mr. Brad Bales, Oregon Department of Fish 
and Wildlife, spoke on behalf of the Pacific Flyway Council. He 
expressed the support of the States of Washington and Oregon as well as 
the Council for the Service's endorsement of the proposed changes in 
dark goose regulations in the dusky Canada goose control zones.
    Written Comments: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources 
disagreed with the Service's reduction in the daily bag limit of Canada 
geese from 2 birds to 1 in the South Zone during the last 2 days of 
their proposed early-opening regular Canada goose season if these days 
coincide with the first two days of the duck season; stating that this 
change is unnecessarily restrictive to hunters.
    The California Department of Fish and Game recommended increasing 
the possession limit for dark geese in the Southern Zone of California 
to twice the daily bag limit.
    The Maryland Wildlife Advisory Commission expressed concerns for 
the problem of crop losses on the State's Eastern Shore, caused by too 
many Canada geese and the lack of a hunting season. Also, they cite the 
lack of winter foods for geese since there is no longer an economic 
incentive to make food available. The Commission recommended 
consideration of a hunting season on AP Canada geese as soon as the 
geese can withstand it biologically. Other individuals from Maryland 
and Virginia recommended consideration of reopening the regular season 
on AP Canada geese.
    An individual from Illinois questioned how the distribution of the 
Canada goose quota was determined for Illinois' goose zones.
    An individual from Minnesota questioned the proposed restrictions 
for Eastern Prairie Population (EPP) Canada geese in Minnesota. He 
believes Minnesota shoulders an unfair burden for reducing the EPP 
harvest compared to South Dakota and North Dakota and recommended a 
voluntary restraint program. Another individual from Minnesota urged 
reconsideration of the EPP restrictions.
    Service Response: The Service supports the Atlantic Flyway 
Council's request to adopt a regular season on the North Atlantic 
Population of Canada geese in the areas described. Monitoring and 
assessment programs specified in the newly developed interim management 
plan, 1998-2000, appear to be adequate to determine the status of this 
population and evaluate the impacts of hunting. Breeding ground surveys 
in Labrador indicate that this population currently exceeds the 
population goal stipulated in the plan. The harvest strategy in the 
plan has targeted a range of harvest rates to be achieved under each 
regulatory alternative. The ``moderate'' alternative recommended seems 
to be appropriate at this time. The Service encourages further 
development of the management plan during the interim period to include 
the addition of portions of Newfoundland and Quebec in the breeding 
survey database and to expand the banding program beyond Prince Edward 
Island to late-summer staging areas in Newfoundland and Labrador. This 
information will facilitate updating the population goal and improving 
harvest-rate estimates. The Service appreciates the efforts of the 
Council and its Technical Section to delineate

[[Page 52002]]

and improve the management of this population.
    The Service recognizes the problems related to a closed hunting 
season on the Atlantic Population but maintains that the recovery to 
acceptable numbers must be sustained into the future. The good 
production recorded on the breeding grounds in 1997 and 1998 will help 
speed the recovery and is encouraging news. A regular season harvest of 
AP Canada geese will be considered when the breeding population index 
indicates a sustained recovery and exceeds 60,000 pairs. Until then, no 
additional harvest is prescribed in any portion of the populations' 
range that might slow or jeopardize its recovery to objective levels.
    The Service concurs with the boundary modification to New York's 
regular Canada goose season in the western hunt area.
    Regarding the Michigan proposal, the Service believes that this 
change will assist in accomplishing the Mississippi Flyway Council's 
harvest-management objectives for this hunting season to reduce the 
harvest of Mississippi Valley Population Canada geese and not increase 
the harvest of the Southern James Bay Population. The season will still 
provide additional opportunity, with the earlier opening and retention 
of the 2-bird daily bag limit for most of the season, to harvest Canada 
geese from the State's burgeoning resident population.
    The Service concurs with the Central Flyway's request for expansion 
of Canada goose seasons in the east tier. However, this expansion would 
include a liberalization for Eastern Prairie Population (EPP) of Canada 
geese in a small portion of Grant County, South Dakota. The Service 
believes that restrictions for EPP that have been put into effect this 
year in the Mississippi Flyway should also apply to this area. 
Historically, this area accounted for about 5% of the EPP recoveries, 
but has declined to 1.5% in recent years. Neck-collar observations also 
indicate that the majority of EPP geese do not use this area until 
after December 1. To address the status of these EPP geese, the Service 
proposes a bag limit of 3 birds until November 30, and 1 bird 
thereafter for this area (Power Plant Area) in Grant County, South 
Dakota. This would be a reduction from the 2-bird daily bag limit last 
year.
    The Service concurs with the Central Flyway Council's 
recommendation for a boundary modification in Nebraska.
    Regarding the Central Flyway Council's recommendations in the West 
Tier, the Service concurs with the recommendation for a change in the 
framework closing date for dark geese from January 31 to the Sunday 
nearest February 15; however, the Service does not support the change 
in the possession limit from twice to three times the daily bag limit. 
The Service maintains a general practice of setting possession limits 
for all migratory game birds as twice the daily bag limit throughout 
the conterminous U.S., with the only exceptions for light geese and 
under certain circumstances for Canada geese, where harvest quotas are 
in place. Attempts to encourage hunter participation by increasing 
possession limits have not been shown to be effective, and changes in 
the general approach of altering possession limits would result in law 
enforcement concerns. The Service does support the expansion of New 
Mexico's Middle Rio Grande Valley dark goose zone.
    The Service concurs with the Pacific Flyway Council and 
California's recommendations.

C. Special Late Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of 
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the Service work 
closely with the Council's Technical Section in evaluating the 
cumulative effects that special seasons may have on non-target 
populations.
    Written Comments: The Humane Society opposed special late seasons 
targeting resident geese. They believe that such hunts fail to target 
the populations ostensibly responsible for conflicts with humans and as 
such are ineffective.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the Council 
recommendation and will work with the Council's Technical Section as 
requested.
    Regarding the HSUS's comment that such hunts fail to target 
specific populations, we recognize the problems caused by increasing 
populations of resident geese and the continuing concern for the status 
of certain migratory flocks. However, as we have stated previously, we 
remain committed to focusing these special seasons on locally-breeding 
and/or injurious Canada goose populations. The Service and the Flyway 
Councils have cooperatively reviewed and structured these special 
seasons to accomplish that objective while protecting migratory flocks. 
We do not wish to increase the composition of migrants in the harvest 
beyond that which is currently identified in the criteria for these 
seasons.
5. White-fronted Geese
    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommendations 
regarding dark geese in the West Tier involve white-fronted geese (see 
item 4. Canada Geese). For the East Tier, the Council recommended a 
season of 72 days with a daily bag limit of 2 white-fronted geese, or a 
season of 86 days with a daily bag limit of 1 white-fronted goose.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the recommendation.
7. Snow and Ross' Geese
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended an 
increase in the daily bag limit to 15, a possession limit of 45, 
shooting hours ending one-half hour after sunset, and the use of 
electronic calling devices when other seasons are closed. The Council 
requested that these changes in basic regulations be implemented as 
soon as legally possible.
    The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended liberalization of daily bag limits, possession 
limits, tagging requirements, shooting hours, and hunting methods 
(electronic calls and unplugged guns) for light geese, following the 
close of the other waterfowl seasons in an area, to help reduce the 
population size of snow geese.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended a light goose hunting season 
of 107 days, with a daily bag limit of 20 and a possession limit of 80. 
The Council also recommended no limit on the number of splits or zones 
within a season. For the Rainwater Basin area of Nebraska, the Council 
recommended that the Service eliminate the use of refuges and 
alternate-day hunting for snow geese during the spring migration 
period. The Council further recommended that the Service develop a 
proposed rule to amend the portions of 50 CFR part 20 pertaining to the 
methods of taking light geese including the use of electronic calls, 
live decoys and other techniques in the Central Flyway States during 
regular hunting seasons when other seasons are closed and prior to 
March 10, with the goal of having those changes in place prior to the 
beginning of the 1999-2000 light goose season.
    Written Comments: The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission provided 
an alternative to the proposed frameworks for the hunting of light 
geese during the late-winter period in the Rainwater Basin Area. This 
alternative includes a four-year study proposal and hunt strategy that 
would

[[Page 52003]]

have an alternating open/closed approach for the western half of the 
area, i.e. in 1999 the western portion would be closed, in 2000 the 
entire area would be open, in 2001 the western portion would be closed, 
and finally in 2002 the entire area would again be open.
    The Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) supported the increase of 
the light goose daily bag limit to 20 with elimination of the 
possession limit. WMI believes that a daily bag limit of 20 is 
preferable to larger bag limits or elimination of bag limits.
    The HSUS believes that the proposed bag limits for snow geese are 
too high, devaluing the birds.
    An individual from North Dakota recommended all-day hunting for 
light geese in North Dakota, no bag limits, and discontinuation of the 
3-shotgun shell restriction.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the recommendation for a 
change in the daily bag limit for light geese from 10 to 20; but does 
not support the recommended change in the possession limit from 40 to 
80. Upon review, the Service believes that possession limits for light 
geese are no longer a useful management tool and proposes to eliminate 
the possession limit.
    The Service does not support the recommendation for use of 
unlimited splits during light goose seasons. In 1997, the Service 
allowed an increase from 2 to 3 season segments for geese in all four 
Flyways. This increase resulted in a more consistent use of split-
season options among all Flyways. In addition, within any established 
season, a State may also designate certain days as non-hunt days, if 
that hunt strategy is desired. The use of zoning for light geese 
remains a management tool that is currently not contained by specific 
guidelines for use by a State. The Service believes that the current 
ability to divide a 107-day season into 3 segments with the unlimited 
use of zones provides adequate flexibility for States to set seasons 
for light geese.
    The Service does not support the Central Flyway Council's proposal 
to eliminate the use of refuges and alternate day hunting for light 
geese during the late winter-early spring migration period in 
Nebraska's Rainwater Basin area. The Service continues to have concerns 
about potential negative impacts on other migratory birds caused by 
light goose hunting during this period. The Council's current proposal 
would result in a termination of the experimental late-winter hunting 
strategy and evaluation proposed by the Council in 1997 and supported 
by the Service. Finally, the Council's current proposal contains no 
evaluation component and has the potential to concentrate birds even 
more than with the experimental approach, contrary to the Council's and 
Service's objective of reducing light goose concentrations in the area.
    Although the Service supports continuation of the experimental 
approach initiated in February, 1998, to evaluate the impacts of light 
goose hunting on northern pintails, white-fronted geese, and light 
geese and to investigate the influence of hunting on the incidence of 
avian cholera. The Service is prepared to cooperate with the Nebraska 
Game and Parks Commission to develop a mutually acceptable, multi-year 
experimental approach to hunting light geese in this internationally 
significant migration area. The Service believes that information 
gained from experimentation is critical to the development of a 
strategy that will contribute to reducing the abundance of the mid-
continent light goose species while minimizing the negative impacts to 
other migratory birds.
    The study proposal submitted by the Nebraska Game and Parks 
Commission has not been fully evaluated at this time, but Service staff 
will work with representatives from the Nebraska Game and Parks 
Commission and research biologists from the U.S. Geological Survey's 
Biological Resources Division in design of an acceptable research 
proposal for Nebraska's Rainwater Basin Area. The Service believes that 
a multi-year strategy must contain an evaluation component that 
facilitates the most powerful statistical analyses for testing effects 
of hunting and a valid test for hunting-by-region interaction. Specific 
effects of hunting on body condition, nutrient-reserve dynamics, time-
activity budgets, and daily energy expenditure of lesser snow geese, 
greater white-fronted geese, and northern pintails should be 
investigated in this evaluation. Where possible the hunt strategy 
should also allow for evaluation of the influence of hunting on the 
incidence of avian cholera. If a mutually acceptable and funded study 
can be designed by December 1, 1998, the Service would allow this 
strategy to be implemented during late winter-early spring of 1999.
    Further, the Service does not support the recommendation to hunt 
snow geese after sunset because of the problems involving incidental 
take of non-target species, retrieving crippled or downed birds, 
disturbance to roosting sites for other waterfowl, and potential safety 
problems created by the increasing darkness.
    The Service acknowledges the Councils' requests that would require 
a change in the basic regulation contained in the 50 Code of Federal 
Regulations part 20. Such changes are beyond the scope of annual 
regulation changes addressed in this document. In the coming year, the 
Service will consider this request and will explore opportunities to 
initiate a process to evaluate changes in the basic regulations for the 
hunting of light geese when other season are closed, if staff time 
becomes available.
8. Swans
    Written Comments: The HSUS requested that the Service close swan 
hunting seasons in Utah, Nevada, and the Pacific Flyway portion of 
Montana, citing that these seasons threatened trumpeter swans.
    Service Response: The Service would refer the HSUS to our detailed 
response in the September 27, 1995, Federal Register (60 FR 50042) 
concerning the establishment of a general swan season. Enhancing Rocky 
Mountain Population trumpeter swan range expansion while retaining most 
aspects of tundra swan hunting were covered in detail in our 1995 
Environmental Assessment ``Proposal to Establish General Swan Seasons 
in Parts of the Pacific Flyway for the 1995-99 Seasons'' (August 1995) 
which compares various alternative strategies for reconciling 
conflicting swan management strategies. Copies are available from the 
Service at the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.
10. Coots
    Written Comments: The HSUS believes that the bag limits for coots 
are too high, devaluing the birds.
    Service Response: Available information indicates that harvest 
pressure on coots is relatively light and there is no evidence to 
suggest the frameworks provided are not appropriate.
10. Moorhens and Gallinules
    Written Comments: The HSUS believes that the bag limits for 
moorhens and gallinules are too high, devaluing the birds.
    Service Response: Available information indicates that harvest 
pressure on these birds is relatively light and there is no evidence to 
suggest the frameworks provided are not appropriate.

[[Page 52004]]

23. Other

A. Compensatory Days

    Written Comments: The HSUS opposes granting compensatory days in 
those Atlantic Flyway states where Sunday hunting is prohibited. The 
HSUS believes that hunters in those States should work for the passage 
of legislation to change State law regarding Sunday closures rather 
than requesting that the Service compensate them.
    Service Response: In 1995, the Service committed to working with 
the Atlantic Flyway Council to review and better clarify the issue of 
compensatory days for those States prohibiting Sunday hunting in an 
attempt to resolve this long-standing issue. In the past, the Service 
had maintained the policy that this problem was an individual State 
issue, to be resolved by each State removing their self-imposed 
restrictions. However, recognizing the difficulties involved with 
changing State law, the Service was sympathetic to the loss of hunting 
opportunity that results from the existing prohibitions on Sunday 
hunting. A 1997 Service assessment suggested that compensatory days for 
Sunday closures would result in a slight increase in the harvest rates 
of mallards breeding in eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S., which 
would be accompanied by a small decrease in average breeding population 
size. A similar effect was expected on other species. Thus, after 
examining the various technical and policy concerns, the Service 
believed that any additional harvest impacts could be adjusted by 
changing regulatory frameworks where needed and that various 
administrative and procedural concerns could be managed. Thus, during 
the 1997-98 hunting season, the Service offered compensatory days to 
States in accordance to the following guidelines: (1) Only States in 
the Atlantic Flyway that prohibit Sunday hunting Statewide by State law 
prior to 1997 were eligible (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, 
Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and 
West Virginia); (2) All Sundays would be closed to all take (including 
extended falconry) of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and 
coots) by Federal rulemaking. Other migratory game species would not be 
eligible for compensatory days; (3) Season days must run consecutively 
within prescribed framework dates and season length, excluding the 
Sunday closure, and conform to existing split-season criteria. Total 
season days (including extended falconry) must not exceed 107 days. The 
Service sees no compelling reason to change this policy and, therefore, 
will continue to offer compensatory days to those States in the 
Atlantic Flyway that meet the above outlined conditions/guidelines.

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 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 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 
09/30/2001). This information is used to provide a sampling frame for 
voluntary national

[[Page 52005]]

surveys to improve Service harvest estimates for all migratory game 
birds in order to better manage these populations. 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: September 18, 1998.
Donald J. Barry,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
    Final Regulations Frameworks for 1998-99 Late Hunting Seasons on 
Certain Migratory Game Birds
    Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated 
authorities, the Department has approved frameworks for season lengths, 
shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and outside dates within 
which States may select seasons for hunting waterfowl and coots between 
the dates of September 1, 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.
    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.

[[Page 52006]]

Management Units

    High Plains Mallard Management Unit--roughly defined as that 
portion of the Central Flyway which lies west of the 100th meridian.
    Definitions: For the purpose of hunting regulations listed below, 
the collective terms ``dark'' and ``light'' geese include the following 
species:
    Dark geese--Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant, and all other 
goose species except light geese.
    Light geese--snow (including blue) geese and Ross' geese.
    Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Geographic descriptions related 
to late-season regulations are contained in a later portion of this 
document.
    Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks for open seasons, season 
lengths, bag and possession limits, and other special provisions are 
listed below by Flyway.
    Compensatory Days in the Atlantic Flyway: In the Atlantic Flyway 
States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New 
Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, 
where Sunday hunting is prohibited statewide by State law, all Sundays 
are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and 
coots).

Atlantic Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
    Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 20.
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days and daily bag limit of 6 
ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 4 scaup, 1 black 
duck, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 2 wood 
ducks, 2 redheads, 1 canvasback, and 4 scoters.
    Closures: The season on harlequin ducks is closed.
    Sea Ducks: 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.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5, only 1 of 
which may be a hooded merganser.
    Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
    Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and 
shooting hours shall be the same as those selected for the Lake 
Champlain Zone of Vermont.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, 
North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia may split 
their seasons into three segments; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, 
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West 
Virginia may select hunting seasons by zones and may split their 
seasons into two segments in each zone.
Canada Geese
    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Specific regulations for 
Canada geese are shown below by State. The Canada goose season is 
suspended throughout a major portion of the Flyway except as noted. 
Unless specified otherwise, seasons may be split into two segments.
    Connecticut: Statewide, except for Hartford and Litchfield Counties 
west of the Connecticut River, a 40-day season may be held between 
October 1 and December 15 with a daily bag of 2. A special experimental 
season may be held in the South Zone between January 15 and February 
15, with 5 geese per day.
    Florida: A 70-day season may be held between November 15 to 
February 15, with 5 geese per day.
    Georgia: In specific areas, a 70-day season may be held between 
November 15 and February 15, with a limit of 5 Canada geese per day.
    Maine: A 40-day season may be held Statewide between October 1 and 
December 15 with a daily bag of 2.
    Maryland: In designated areas, a 40-day season may be held between 
November 15 to January 14, with 2 geese per day. An experimental season 
in designated areas of western Maryland may be held from January 15 to 
February 15, with 5 geese per day.
    Massachusetts: In the Central Zone and a portion of the Coastal 
Zone a 40-day season may be held between October 1 to December 15 with 
a daily bag of 2, and a special season may be held from January 15 to 
February 15, with 5 geese per day.
    New Hampshire: A 40-day season may be held statewide between 
October 1 and December 15 with a daily bag of 2.
    New Jersey: An experimental season may be held in designated areas 
of North and South New Jersey from January 15 to February 15, with 5 
geese per day.
    New York: In designated areas, a 70-day season may be held between 
November 15 and January 30, with 2 geese per day. In the Long Island 
Zone, a 40-day season may be held between October 1 and December 31 
with a daily bag of 2. An experimental season may be held between 
January 15 and February 15, with 5 geese daily in designated areas of 
Chemung, Delaware, Tioga, Broome, Sullivan, Westchester, Nassau, 
Suffolk, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, and Rockland Counties.
    North Carolina: A 46-day season may be held between October 1 and 
November 15, with 2 geese per day Statewide, except for the Northeast 
Hunt Unit and Northampton County.
    Pennsylvania: In designated areas, a 40-day season may be held 
between November 15 to January 14, with 2 geese per day. In Erie, 
Mercer, and Butler Counties, a 70-day season may be held between 
October 1 and January 31, with 2 geese per day. In Crawford County, a 
35-day season may be held between October 1 and January 20, with 1 
goose per day. An experimental season may be held in the designated 
areas of western Pennsylvania from January 15 to February 15 with 5 
geese per day.
    Rhode Island: A 40-day season may be held between October 1 and 
December 15 with a daily bag of 2. An experimental season may be held 
in a designated area from January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese per 
day,
    South Carolina: In designated areas, a 70-day season may be held 
during November 15 to February 15, with a daily bag limit of 5 birds.
    Virginia: In designated areas, a 40-day season may be held between 
November 15 to January 14, with 2 geese per day. An experimental season 
may be held between January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese per day, in 
all areas west of Interstate 95.
    West Virginia: a 70-day season may be held between October 1 and 
January 31, with 3 geese per day.
Light Geese
    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 107-
day season between October 1 and March 10, with 15 geese per day and no 
possession limit. States may split their seasons into three segments.
Brant
    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 50-
day season between October 1 and January 20, with 2 brant per day. 
States may split their seasons into two segments.

Mississippi Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 3) 
and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 17).
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days with a daily bag limit of 
6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may 
be females),

[[Page 52007]]

3 mottled ducks, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 2 wood ducks, 1 canvasback, 
and 2 redheads.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, only 1 of which may be 
a hooded merganser.
    Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, 
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, 
and Wisconsin may select hunting seasons by zones.
    In Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, 
Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be split 
into two segments in each zone.
    In Minnesota and Arkansas, the season may be split into three 
segments.
Geese
    Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments. 
Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Mississippi Flyway 
Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year 
evaluation, by each participating State.
    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select 
seasons for geese not to exceed 70 days for dark geese between the 
Saturday nearest October 1 (October 3) and January 31, and 107 days for 
light geese between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 3) and 
March 10. The daily bag limit is 20 light geese, 2 white-fronted geese, 
and 2 brant. There is no possession limit for light geese. Specific 
regulations for Canada geese and exceptions to the above general 
provisions are shown below by State.
    Alabama: In the Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) Goose Zone, 
the season for Canada geese may not exceed 35 days. Elsewhere, the 
season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days in the respective duck-
hunting zones. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Arkansas: The season for Canada geese may extend for 23 days in the 
East Zone and 16 days in the West Zone. In both zones, the season may 
extend to February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. In the 
remainder of the State, the season for Canada geese is closed. For 
white-fronted geese, the season may extend to February 15.
    Illinois: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be 
limited to 40,800 birds. Limits are 1 Canada goose daily and 10 in 
possession, except for the last 14 days in each zone, when the limit is 
2 Canada geese daily.
    (a) North Zone--The season for Canada geese will close after 67 
days or when 5,600 birds have been harvested in the Northern Illinois 
Quota Zone, whichever occurs first. The season may be split into 3 
segments.
    (b) Central Zone--The season for Canada geese will close after 67 
days or when 7,100 birds have been harvested in the Central Illinois 
Quota Zone, whichever occurs first. The season may be split into 3 
segments.
    (c) South Zone--The harvest of Canada geese in the Southern 
Illinois and Rend Lake Quota Zones will be limited to 13,100 and 2,300 
birds, respectively. The season for Canada geese in each zone will 
close after 67 days or when the harvest limit has been reached, 
whichever occurs first. In the Southern Illinois Quota Zone, if any of 
the following conditions exist after December 20, the State, after 
consultation with the Service, will close the season by emergency order 
with 48 hours notice:
    (1) Average body weights of adult female geese less than 3,200 
grams as measured from a weekly sample of a minimum of 50 geese.
    (2) Starvation or a major disease outbreak resulting in observed 
mortality exceeding 5,000 birds in 10 days, or a total mortality 
exceeding 10,000 birds.
    In the remainder of the South Zone, the season may extend for 67 
days or until both the Southern Illinois and Rend Lake Quota Zones have 
been closed, whichever occurs first.
    Indiana: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be 
limited to 10,500 birds. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (a) Posey County--The season for Canada geese will close after 66 
days or when the Canada goose harvest at the Hovey Lake Fish and 
Wildlife Area exceeds 760 birds, whichever occurs first.
    (b) North Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 51 days, 
except in the SJBP Zone, where the season may not exceed 35 days.
    (c) Remainder of the State--The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 56 days.
    Iowa: The season may extend for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 
Canada geese through October 31 and 1 Canada goose thereafter, except 
in the South Zone where the daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese beginning 
December 1.
Kentucky
    (a) Western Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 50 
days (65 days in Fulton County), and the harvest will be limited to 
9,000 birds. Of the 9,000-bird quota, 5,800 birds will be allocated to 
the Ballard Reporting Area and 1,800 birds will be allocated to the 
Henderson/Union Reporting Area. If the quota in either reporting area 
is reached prior to completion of the 50-day season, the season in that 
reporting area will be closed. If this occurs, the season in those 
counties and portions of counties outside of, but associated with, the 
respective reporting area (listed in State regulations) may continue 
for an additional 7 days, not to exceed a total of 50 days (65 days in 
Fulton County). The season in Fulton County may extend to February 15. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone--The season may extend for 35 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) Remainder of the State--The season may extend for 50 days. The 
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Louisiana: The season for Canada geese may extend for 9 days. 
During the season, the daily bag limit for Canada and white-fronted 
geese is 2, no more than 1 of which may be a Canada goose. Hunters 
participating in the Canada goose season must possess a special permit 
issued by the State. The season for white-fronted geese may extend to 
February 15.
    Michigan: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be 
limited to 22,900 birds. The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 19.
    (a) North Zone--If the season for Canada geese opens September 19, 
it may extend for 16 days. If the season opens October 3 or later, it 
may extend for 7 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Middle Zone--If the season for Canada geese opens September 19, 
it may extend for 16 days. If the season opens October 3 or later, it 
may extend for 7 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) South Zone.
    (1) Allegan County GMU--The season for Canada geese will close 
after 21 days or when 880 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs 
first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (2) Muskegon Wastewater GMU--The season for Canada geese will close 
after 22 days or when 280 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs 
first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (3) Saginaw County GMU--The season for Canada geese will close 
after 50 days or when 2,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs 
first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (4) Tuscola/Huron GMU--The season for Canada geese will close after 
50 days or when 750 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. 
The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (5) Remainder of South Zone--If the season for Canada geese opens 
September 19, it may extend for 16

[[Page 52008]]

days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese, except during that portion 
of the season that overlaps the duck season, when the daily bag limit 
is one Canada goose. If the season opens October 3 or later, it may 
extend for 9 days with a daily bag limit of 1 Canada goose.
    (d) Southern Michigan GMU--A special Canada goose season may be 
held between January 9 and February 7. The daily bag limit is 5 Canada 
geese.
    (e) Central Michigan GMU--An experimental special Canada goose 
season may be held between January 9 and February 7. The daily bag 
limit is 5 Canada geese.
Minnesota
    (a) West Zone.
    (1) West Central Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 
20 days. In the Lac Qui Parle Zone, the season will close after 20 days 
or when 10,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. 
Throughout the West Central Zone, the daily bag limit is 1 Canada 
goose.
    (2) Remainder of West Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 25 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (b) Northwest Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 20 
days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (c) Northeast Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 
days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (d) Remainder of the State--The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 70 days, except in the Twin Cities Metro Zone and Olmsted County, 
where the season may not exceed 80 days. The daily bag limit is 1 
Canada goose for the first 30 days of the season, and 2 Canada geese 
thereafter.
    (e) Fergus Falls/Alexandria Zone--A special Canada goose season of 
up to 10 days may be held in December. During the special season, the 
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Mississippi: The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days. 
The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.
Missouri
    (a) Swan Lake Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 40 
days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese through November 30, and 1 
Canada goose thereafter.
    (b) Schell-Osage Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 
40 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese through November 30, and 
1 Canada goose thereafter.
    (c) Remainder of the State:
    (1) North Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 60 days, 
with no more than 30 days after November 30. The season may be split 
into 3 segments, provided that one segment of at least 9 days occurs 
prior to October 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (2) Middle Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 60 days 
with no more than 30 days after November 30. The season may be split 
into 3 segments, provided that at least one segment occurs prior to 
December 1. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (3) South Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 60 days. 
The season may be split into 3 segments, provided that at least one 
segment occurs prior to December 1. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada 
geese.
    Ohio: The season may extend for 70 days in the respective duck-
hunting zones, with a daily bag limit of 2 Canada geese, except in the 
Lake Erie SJBP Zone, where the season may not exceed 30 days and the 
daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
Tennessee
    (a) Northwest Zone--The season for Canada geese will close after 65 
days or when 3,400 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. 
The season may extend to February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada 
geese.
    (b) Southwest Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 50 
days, and the harvest will be limited to 400 birds. The daily bag limit 
is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone--The season for Canada geese will 
close after 50 days or when 1,800 birds have been harvested, whichever 
occurs first. All geese harvested must be tagged. The daily bag limit 
is 2 Canada geese. In lieu of the quota and tagging requirement above, 
the State may select either a 50-day season with a 1-bird daily bag 
limit or a 35-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit for this Zone.
    (d) Remainder of the State--The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Wisconsin: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be 
limited to 32,500 birds.
    (a) Horicon Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 19. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 15,500 birds. 
The season may not exceed 86 days. All Canada geese harvested must be 
tagged. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose and the season limit will 
be the number of tags issued to each permittee.
    (b) Collins Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 19. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 500 birds. The 
season may not exceed 68 days. All Canada geese harvested must be 
tagged. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose and the season limit will 
be the number of tags issued to each permittee.
    (c) Exterior Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
October 3. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 12,000 birds, with 
500 birds allocated to the Mississippi River Subzone. The season may 
not exceed 49 days, except in the Mississippi River Subzone, where the 
season may not exceed 70 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose. 
In that portion of the Exterior Zone outside the Mississippi River 
Subzone, the progress of the harvest must be monitored, and the season 
closed, if necessary, to ensure that the harvest does not exceed 12,000 
birds.
    Additional Limits: In addition to the harvest limits stated for the 
respective zones above, an additional 4,500 Canada geese may be taken 
in the Horicon Zone under special agricultural permits.
    Quota Zone Closures: When it has been determined that the quota of 
Canada geese allotted to the Northern Illinois, Central Illinois, 
Southern Illinois, and Rend Lake Quota Zones in Illinois, Posey County 
in Indiana, the Ballard and Henderson-Union Subzones in Kentucky, the 
Allegan County, Muskegon Wastewater, Saginaw County, and Tuscola/Huron 
Goose Management Units in Michigan, the Lac Qui Parle Zone in 
Minnesota, the Northwest and Kentucky/Barkley Lakes (if applicable) 
Zones in Tennessee, and the Exterior Zone in Wisconsin will have been 
filled, the season for taking Canada geese in the respective zone (and 
associated area, if applicable) will be closed by either the Director 
upon giving public notice through local information media at least 48 
hours in advance of the time and date of closing, or by the State 
through State regulations with such notice and time (not less than 48 
hours) as they deem necessary.

Central Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 3) 
and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 17).
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits:
    (1) High Plains Mallard Management Unit (roughly defined as that 
portion of the Central Flyway which lies west of the 100th meridian): 
97 days and a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 5 
mallards (no more than 2 of which may be hens) 1 mottled duck, 1 
canvasback, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, and 2 wood ducks. The last 23 days 
may start no earlier than the Saturday nearest December 10 (December 
12).

[[Page 52009]]

    (2) Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74 days and a daily bag limit 
of 6 ducks, including no more than 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which 
may be hens), 1 mottled duck, 1 canvasback, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, and 
2 wood ducks.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5 mergansers, only 1 of 
which may be a hooded merganser.
    Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Kansas (Low Plains portion), Montana, 
Nebraska (Low Plains portion), New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains 
portion), South Dakota (Low Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains 
portion), and Wyoming may select hunting seasons by zones.
    In Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, 
South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the regular season may be split into 
two segments.
    In Colorado, the season may be split into three segments.
Geese
    Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments. 
Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Central Flyway Council 
and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year evaluation by 
each participating State.
    Outside Dates: For dark geese, seasons may be selected between the 
outside dates of the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 3) and the 
Sunday nearest February 15 (February 14), except for white-fronted 
geese in east tier States, where the closing date is January 31. For 
light geese, outside dates for seasons may be selected between the 
Saturday nearest October 1 (October 3) and March 10, except in the 
Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area of Nebraska where the closing date is 
February 1 in the West and March 10 in the East with temporal and 
spatial restrictions consistent with the experimental late-winter snow 
goose hunting strategy endorsed by the Central Flyway Council in July 
1997, or with an alternative multi-year experimental strategy that 
includes evaluation of the impacts of hunting light geese on other 
species of migratory birds if such an alternative can be mutually 
developed by the Service and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission by 
December 1, 1998.
    Season Lengths and Limits:
    Light Geese: States may select a light goose season not to exceed 
107 days. The daily bag limit for light geese is 20 with no possession 
limit.
    Dark Geese: In Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South 
Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, States may select a season 
for Canada geese (or any other dark goose species except white-fronted 
geese) not to exceed 93 days with a daily bag limit of 3. For white-
fronted geese, these States may select either a season of 72 days with 
a bag limit of 2 or an 86-day season with a bag limit of 1.
    In South Dakota, for Canada geese in the Power Plant Area of Dark 
Goose Unit 1, the daily bag limit is 3 until November 30 and 1 
thereafter.
    In Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming, States may select 
seasons not to exceed 107 days. The daily bag limit for dark geese is 4 
in the aggregate.
    In the Western Goose Zone of Texas, the season may not exceed 107 
days. The daily bag limit for Canada geese (or any other dark goose 
species except white-fronted geese) is 4. The daily bag limit for 
white-fronted geese is 1.

Pacific Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, and Common Moorhens
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: Concurrent 107 days and daily bag 
limit of 7 ducks and mergansers, including no more than 2 female 
mallards, 1 pintail, 2 redheads and 1 canvasback.
    The season on coots and common moorhens may be between the outside 
dates for the season on ducks, but not to exceed 107 days.
    Coot and Common Moorhen Limits: The daily bag and possession limits 
of coots and common moorhens are 25, singly or in the aggregate.
    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 3) 
and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 17).
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, 
Oregon, Utah, and Washington may select hunting seasons by zones.
    Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington 
may split their seasons into two segments.
    Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming may split their seasons 
into three segments.
    Colorado River Zone, California: Seasons and limits shall be the 
same as seasons and limits selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona 
(South Zone).
Geese
    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Except as subsequently 
noted, 100-day seasons may be selected, with outside dates between the 
Saturday nearest October 1 (October 3), and the Sunday nearest January 
20 (January 17), and the basic daily bag limits are 3 light geese and 4 
dark geese, except in California, Oregon, and Washington, where the 
dark goose bag limit does not include brant.
    Split Seasons: Unless otherwise specified, seasons for geese may be 
split into up to 3 segments. Three-way split seasons for Canada geese 
and white-fronted geese require Pacific Flyway Council and U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service approval and a 3-year evaluation by each 
participating State.
    Brant Season--A 16-consecutive-day season may be selected in Oregon 
and Washington, and a 30-consecutive-day season may be selected in 
California. In these States, the daily bag limit is 2 brant and is in 
addition to dark goose limits.
    Closures: There will be no open season on Aleutian Canada geese in 
the Pacific Flyway. The States of California, Oregon, and Washington 
must include a statement on the closure for that subspecies in their 
respective regulations leaflet. Emergency closures may be invoked for 
all Canada geese should Aleutian Canada goose distribution patterns or 
other circumstances justify such actions.
    Arizona: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2.
California
    Northeastern Zone--White-fronted geese and cackling Canada geese 
may be taken only during the first 23 days of the goose season. The 
daily bag limit is 3 geese and may include no more than 2 dark geese; 
including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.
    Colorado River Zone--The seasons and limits must be the same as 
those selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona (South Zone).
    Southern Zone--The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2 geese, 
including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone--A 79-day season may be selected. Limits 
may not include more than 3 geese per day and 6 in possession, of which 
not more than 2 daily and 4 in possession may be white-fronted geese 
and not more than 1 daily or 2 in possession may be cackling Canada 
geese.
    Three areas in the Balance-of-the-State Zone are restricted in the 
hunting of certain geese:
    (1) In the Counties of Del Norte and Humboldt, there will be no 
open season for Canada geese.
    (2) In the Sacramento Valley Area, the season on white-fronted 
geese must end on or before December 14, and, except in the Western 
Canada Goose Hunt Area, there will be no open season for Canada geese.
    (3) In the San Joaquin Valley Area, the hunting season for Canada 
geese will close no later than November 23.

[[Page 52010]]

    Colorado: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2 geese.
Idaho
    Northern Unit--The daily bag limit is 4 geese, including 4 dark 
geese, but not more than 3 light geese.
    Southwest Unit and Southeastern Unit--The daily bag limit on dark 
geese is 4.
Montana
    West of Divide Zone and East of Divide Zone--The daily bag limit of 
dark geese is 4.
Nevada
    Lincoln and Clark County Zone--The daily bag limit of dark geese is 
2.
    New Mexico: The daily bag limit of dark geese is 3.
    Oregon: Except as subsequently noted, the dark goose daily bag 
limit is 4, including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.
    Harney, Lake, Klamath, and Malheur Counties Zone--The season length 
may be 100 days. The dark goose limit is 4, including not more than 2 
white-fronted geese and 1 cackling Canada goose.
    Western Zone--In the Special Canada Goose Management Area, except 
for designated areas, there shall be no open season on Canada geese. In 
the designated areas, individual quotas shall be established which 
collectively shall not exceed 165 dusky Canada geese. See section on 
quota zones. In those designated areas, the daily bag limit of dark 
geese is 4 and may include 4 cackling Canada geese.
    Utah: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2 geese.
    Washington: The daily bag limit is 4 geese, including 4 dark geese 
but not more than 3 light geese.
    West Zone--In the Lower Columbia River Special Goose Management 
Area, except for designated areas, there shall be no open season on 
Canada geese. In the designated areas, individual quotas shall be 
established which collectively shall not exceed 85 dusky Canada geese. 
See section on quota zones. In this area, the daily bag limit of dark 
geese is 4 and may include 4 cackling Canada geese.
    Wyoming: The daily bag limit is 4 dark geese.
    Quota Zones: Seasons on dark geese must end upon attainment of 
individual quotas of dusky Canada geese allotted to the designated 
areas of Oregon and Washington. The September Canada goose season, the 
regular goose season, any special late dark goose season, and any 
extended falconry season, combined, must not exceed 107 days and the 
established quota of dusky Canada geese must not be exceeded. Hunting 
of dark geese in those designated areas shall only be by hunters 
possessing a State-issued permit authorizing them to do so. In a 
Service-approved investigation, the State must obtain quantitative 
information on hunter compliance of those regulations aimed at reducing 
the take of dusky Canada geese and eliminating the take of Aleutian 
Canada geese.
    In the designated areas of the Washington Quota Zone, a special 
late dark goose season may be held between January 23 and March 10. The 
daily bag limit may not include Aleutian Canada geese. In the Special 
Canada Goose Management Area of Oregon, the framework closing date is 
extended the Sunday closest to March 1 (Feb. 28).
Swans
    In designated areas of Utah, Nevada, and the Pacific Flyway portion 
of Montana, an open season for taking a limited number of swans may be 
selected. Permits will be issued by States and will authorize each 
permittee to take no more than 1 swan per season. The season may open 
no earlier than the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 3). The States 
must implement a harvest-monitoring program to measure the species 
composition of the swan harvest. In Utah and Nevada, the harvest-
monitoring program must require that all harvested swans or their 
species-determinant parts be examined by either State or Federal 
biologists for the purpose of species classification. All States should 
use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance in providing 
bagged swans for examination or, in the case of Montana, reporting 
bill-measurement and color information. All States must provide to the 
Service by June 30, 1998, a report covering harvest, hunter 
participation, reporting compliance, and monitoring of swan populations 
in the designated hunt areas. These seasons will be subject to the 
following conditions:
    In Utah, no more than 2,750 permits may be issued. The season must 
end no later than the first Sunday in December (December 6) or upon 
attainment of 15 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs 
earliest.
    In Nevada, no more than 650 permits may be issued. The season must 
end no later than the Sunday following January 1 (January 3) or upon 
attainment of 5 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs 
earliest.
    In Montana, no more than 500 permits may be issued. The season must 
end no later than December 1.
Tundra Swans
    In Central Flyway portion of Montana, and in North Carolina, North 
Dakota, South Dakota (east of the Missouri River), and Virginia, an 
open season for taking a limited number of tundra swans may be 
selected. Permits will be issued by the States and will authorize each 
permittee to take no more than 1 tundra swan per season. The States 
must obtain harvest and hunter participation data. These seasons will 
be subject to the following conditions:
In the Atlantic Flyway
--The season will be experimental.
--The season may be 90 days, from October 1 to January 31.
--In North Carolina, no more than 5,000 permits may be issued.
--In Virginia, no more than 600 permits may be issued.
In the Central Flyway
--The season may be 107 days and must occur during the light goose 
season.
--In the Central Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 500 permits 
may be issued.
--In North Dakota, no more than 2,000 permits may be issued.
--In South Dakota, no more than 1,500 permits may be issued.
Area, Unit and Zone Descriptions
Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-95.
    South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Maine
    North Zone: That portion north of the line extending east along 
Maine State Highway 110 from the New Hampshire and Maine border to the 
intersection of Maine State Highway 11 in Newfield; then north and east 
along Route 11 to the intersection of U.S. Route 202 in Auburn; then 
north and east on Route 202 to the intersection of Interstate Highway 
95 in Augusta; then north and east along I-95 to Route 15 in Bangor; 
then east along Route 15 to Route 9; then east along Route 9 to Stony 
Brook in Baileyville; then east along Stony Brook to the United States 
border.
    South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Massachusetts
    Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending 
south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, 
south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut 
border.

[[Page 52011]]

    Central Zone: That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone 
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-
95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on 
MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west 
to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards 
inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the 
MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St. 
bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone.
    Coastal Zone: That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the 
Central Zone.
New Hampshire
    Coastal Zone: That portion of the State east of a line extending 
west from Maine border in Rollinsford on NH 4 to the city of Dover, 
south to NH 108, south along NH 108 through Madbury, Durham, and 
Newmarket to NH 85 in Newfields, south to NH 101 in Exeter, east to NH 
51 (Exeter-Hampton Expressway), east to I-95 (New Hampshire Turnpike) 
in Hampton, and south along I-95 to the Massachusetts border.
    Inland Zone: That portion of the State north and west of the above 
boundary.
New Jersey
    Coastal Zone: That portion of the State seaward of a line beginning 
at the New York border in Raritan Bay and extending west along the New 
York border to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west on NJ 440 to the Garden 
State Parkway; south on the Garden State Parkway to the shoreline at 
Cape May and continuing to the Delaware border in Delaware Bay.
    North Zone: That portion of the State west of the Coastal Zone and 
north of a line extending west from the Garden State Parkway on NJ 70 
to the New Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike to U.S. 206, north on 
U.S. 206 to U.S. 1 at Trenton, west on U.S. 1 to the Pennsylvania 
border in the Delaware River.
    South Zone: That portion of the State not within the North Zone or 
the Coastal Zone.
New York
    Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian 
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south 
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the 
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; 
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont 
border.
    Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk 
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their 
tidal waters.
    Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario 
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along 
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border.
    Northeastern Zone: That area north of a line extending from Lake 
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south 
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to 
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along 
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along 
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive 
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
    Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.
Pennsylvania
    Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters of Pennsylvania and a 
shoreline margin along Lake Erie from New York on the east to Ohio on 
the west extending 150 yards inland, but including all of Presque Isle 
Peninsula.
    Northwest Zone: The area bounded on the north by the Lake Erie Zone 
and including all of Erie and Crawford Counties and those portions of 
Mercer and Venango Counties north of I-80.
    North Zone: That portion of the State east of the Northwest Zone 
and north of a line extending east on I-80 to U.S. 220, Route 220 to I-
180, I-180 to I-80, and I-80 to the Delaware River.
    South Zone: The remaining portion of Pennsylvania.
Vermont
    Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area north and west of the line extending from the New York border 
along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes; 
U.S. 7 to the Canadian border.
    Interior Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont.
West Virginia
    Zone 1: That portion outside the boundaries in Zone 2.
    Zone 2 (Allegheny Mountain Upland): That area bounded by a line 
extending south along U.S. 220 through Keyser to U.S. 50; U.S. 50 to WV 
93; WV 93 south to WV 42; WV 42 south to Petersburg; WV 28 south to 
Minnehaha Springs; WV 39 west to U.S. 219; U.S. 219 south to I-64; I-64 
west to U.S. 60; U.S. 60 west to U.S. 19; U.S. 19 north to I-79, I-79 
north to U.S. 48; U.S. 48 east to the Maryland border; and along the 
border to the point of beginning.

Mississippi Flyway

Alabama
    South Zone: Mobile and Baldwin Counties.
    North Zone: The remainder of Alabama.
Illinois
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Iowa border along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate 
Highway 280, east along I-280 to I-80, then east along I-80 to the 
Indiana border.
    Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Zone to 
a line extending east from the Missouri border along the Modoc Ferry 
route to Modoc Ferry Road, east along Modoc Ferry Road to Modoc Road, 
northeasterly along Modoc Road and St. Leo's Road to Illinois Highway 
3, north along Illinois 3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159 to 
Illinois 161, east along Illinois 161 to Illinois 4, north along 
Illinois 4 to Interstate Highway 70, east along I-70 to the Bond County 
line, north and east along the Bond County line to Fayette County, 
north and east along the Fayette County line to Effingham County, east 
and south along the Effingham County line to I-70, then east along I-70 
to the Indiana border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Illinois.
Indiana
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. Highway 31, 
north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to Huntington, then 
southeast along U.S. 224 to the Ohio border.
    Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line 
extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 64 to 
New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State 56, east along State 56 
to Vevay, east and north on State 156 along the Ohio River to North 
Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Highway 50, then northeast along 
U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.
    South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio 
River Zone boundaries.
Iowa
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State 37, 
southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to 
Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border.

[[Page 52012]]

    South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
Kentucky
    West Zone: All counties west of and including Butler, Daviess, 
Ohio, Simpson, and Warren Counties.
    East Zone: The remainder of Kentucky.
Louisiana
    West Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending south 
from the Arkansas border along Louisiana Highway 3 to Bossier City, 
east along Interstate Highway 20 to Minden, south along Louisiana 7 to 
Ringgold, east along Louisiana 4 to Jonesboro, south along U.S. Highway 
167 to Lafayette, southeast along U.S. 90 to Houma, then south along 
the Houma Navigation Channel to the Gulf of Mexico through Cat Island 
Pass.
    East Zone: The remainder of Louisiana.
    Catahoula Lake Area: All of Catahoula Lake, including those 
portions known locally as Round Prairie, Catfish Prairie, and Frazier's 
Arm. See State regulations for additional information.
Michigan
    North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
    Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line 
beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the 
mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly 
and southerly along the south shore of, Stony Creek to Scenic Drive, 
easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly 
along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along 
Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of 
Midland, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, east along U.S. 10 to 
Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north along I-75/U.S. 23 to the 
U.S. 23 exit at Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore Road in Arenac 
County, east along Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout, then on a 
line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a 
line directly northeast to the Canada border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.
Mississippi
    Zone 1: Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties.
    Zone 2: The remainder of Mississippi.
Missouri
    North Zone: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west 
from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 70 to U.S. Highway 
54, south along U.S. 54 to U.S. 50, then west along U.S. 50 to the 
Kansas border.
    South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west 
from the Illinois border along Missouri Highway 34 to Interstate 
Highway 55; south along I-55 to U.S. Highway 62, west along U.S. 62 to 
Missouri 53, north along Missouri 53 to Missouri 51, north along 
Missouri 51 to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to Missouri 21, north along 
Missouri 21 to Missouri 72, west along Missouri 72 to Missouri 32, west 
along Missouri 32 to U.S. 65, north along U.S. 65 to U.S. 54, west 
along U.S. 54 to Missouri 32, south along Missouri 32 to Missouri 97, 
south along Missouri 97 to Dade County NN, west along Dade County NN to 
Missouri 37, west along Missouri 37 to Jasper County N, west along 
Jasper County N to Jasper County M, west along Jasper County M to the 
Kansas border.
    Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri.
Ohio
    North Zone: The Counties of Darke, Miami, Clark, Champaign, Union, 
Delaware, Licking (excluding the Buckeye Lake Area), Muskingum, 
Guernsey, Harrison and Jefferson and all counties north thereof.
    Ohio River Zone: The Counties of Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, Adams, 
Scioto, Lawrence, Gallia and Meigs.
    South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio 
River Zone boundaries, including the Buckeye Lake Area in Licking 
County bounded on the west by State Highway 37, on the north by U.S. 
Highway 40, and on the east by State 13.
Tennessee
    Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake and Obion Counties.
    State Zone: The remainder of Tennessee.
Wisconsin
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Minnesota border along State Highway 77 to State 27, 
south along State 27 and 77 to U.S. Highway 63, and continuing south 
along State 27 to Sawyer County Road B, south and east along County B 
to State 70, southwest along State 70 to State 27, south along State 27 
to State 64, west along State 64/27 and south along State 27 to U.S. 
12, south and east on State 27/U.S. 12 to U.S. 10, east on U.S. 10 to 
State 310, east along State 310 to State 42, north along State 42 to 
State 147, north along State 147 to State 163, north along State 163 to 
Kewaunee County Trunk A, north along County Trunk A to State 57, north 
along State 57 to the Kewaunee/Door County Line, west along the 
Kewaunee/Door County Line to the Door/Brown County Line, west along the 
Door/Brown County Line to the Door/Oconto/Brown County Line, northeast 
along the Door/Oconto County Line to the Marinette/Door County Line, 
northeast along the Marinette/Door County Line to the Michigan border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Wisconsin.
Central Flyway
Kansas
    High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.
    Low Plains Early Zone: That portion of the State east of the High 
Plains Zone and west of a line extending south from the Nebraska border 
along KS 28 to U.S. 36, east along U.S. 36 to KS 199, south along KS 
199 to Republic County Road 563, south along Republic County Road 563 
to KS 148, east along KS 148 to Republic County Road 138, south along 
Republic County Road 138 to Cloud County Road 765, south along Cloud 
County Road 765 to KS 9, west along KS 9 to U.S. 24, west along U.S 24 
to U.S. 281, north along U.S. 281 to U.S. 36, west along U.S. 36 to 
U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to U.S. 24, west along U.S. 24 to KS 18, 
southeast along KS 18 to U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to KS 4, east 
along KS 4 to I-135, south along I-135 to KS 61, southwest along KS 61 
to KS 96, northwest on KS 96 to U.S. 56, west along U.S. 56 to U.S. 
281, south along U.S. 281 to U.S. 54, then west along U.S. 54 to U.S. 
283.
    Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder of Kansas.
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
    Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Daniels, Dawson, 
Fallon, Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, McCone, 
Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Richland, Roosevelt, 
Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, and 
Yellowstone.
    Zone 2: The remainder of Montana.
Nebraska
    High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of highways U.S. 
183 and U.S. 20 from the South Dakota border to Ainsworth, NE 7 and NE 
91 to Dunning, NE 2 to Merna, NE 92 to Arnold, NE 40 and NE 47 through 
Gothenburg to NE 23, NE 23 to Elwood, and U.S. 283 to the Kansas 
border.
    Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High 
Plains Zone and north and east of a line extending from the South 
Dakota border along NE 26E Spur to U.S. 20, west on U.S. 20 to NE 12, 
west on NE 12 to the Knox/Keya

[[Page 52013]]

Paha County line, south along the county line to the Niobrara River and 
along the Niobrara River to U.S. 183 (the High Plains Zone line). Where 
the Niobrara River forms the boundary, both banks will be in Zone 1.
    Low Plains Zone 2: That portion of the State east of the High 
Plains Zone and bounded by designated highways and political boundaries 
starting on U.S. 73 at the Kansas border, north to NE 67, north to U.S. 
75, north to NE 2, west to NE 43, north to U.S. 34, east to NE 63, 
north and west to U.S. 77, north to NE 92, west to U.S. 81, south to NE 
66, west to NE 14, south to U.S. 34, west to NE 2, south to I-80, west 
to Hamilton/Hall County line (Gunbarrel Road), south to Giltner Road; 
west to U.S. 34, west to U.S. 136, east on U.S. 136 to NE 10, south to 
the State line, west to U.S. 283, north to NE 23, west to NE 47, north 
to U.S. 30, east to NE 14, north to NE 52, northeasterly to NE 91, west 
to U.S. 281, north to NE 91 in Wheeler County, west to U.S. 183, north 
to northerly boundary of Loup County, east along the north boundaries 
of Loup, Garfield, and Wheeler County, south along the east Wheeler 
County line to NE 70, east on NE 70 from Wheeler County to NE 14, south 
to NE 39, southeast to NE 22, east to U.S. 81, southeast to U.S. 30, 
east along U.S. 30 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to the Washington/
Burt County line; then east along the county line to the Iowa border.
    Low Plains Zone 3: The area east of the High Plains Zone, excluding 
Low Plains Zone 1, north of Low Plains Zone 2.
    Low Plains Zone 4: The area east of the High Plains Zone and south 
of Zone 2.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
    South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.
North Dakota
    High Plains Unit: That portion of the State south and west of a 
line from the South Dakota border along U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41, 
north to U.S. 2, west to the Williams/Divide County line, then north 
along the County line to the Canadian border.
    Low Plains: The remainder of North Dakota.
Oklahoma
    High Plains Zone: The Counties of Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas.
    Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High 
Plains Zone and north of a line extending east from the Texas border 
along OK 33 to OK 47, east along OK 47 to U.S. 183, south along U.S. 
183 to I-40, east along I-40 to U.S. 177, north along U.S. 177 to OK 
33, west along OK 33 to I-35, north along I-35 to U.S. 60, west along 
U.S. 60 to U.S. 64, west along U.S. 64 to OK 132, then north along OK 
132 to the Kansas border.
    Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of Oklahoma.
South Dakota
    High Plains Unit: That portion of the State west of a line 
beginning at the North Dakota border and extending south along U.S. 83 
to U.S. 14, east along U.S. 14 to Blunt-Canning Road in Blunt, south 
along Blunt-Canning Road to SD 34, east to SD 47, south to I-90, east 
to SD 47, south to SD 49, south to Colome and then continuing south on 
U.S. 183 to the Nebraska border.
    North Zone: That portion of northeastern South Dakota east of the 
High Plains Unit and north of a line extending east along US 212 to SD 
15, then north along SD 15 to Big Stone Lake at the Minnesota border.
    South Zone: That portion of Gregory County east of SD 47, Charles 
Mix County south of SD 44 to the Douglas County line, south on SD 50 to 
Geddes, east on the Geddes Hwy. to U.S. 281, south on U.S. 281 and U.S. 
18 to SD 50, south and east on SD 50 to Bon Homme County line, the 
Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton, and Clay south of SD 50, and Union 
County south and west of SD 50 and I-29.
    Middle Zone: The remainder of South Dakota.
Texas
    High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of a line 
extending south from the Oklahoma border along U.S. 183 to Vernon, 
south along U.S. 283 to Albany, south along TX 6 to TX 351 to Abilene, 
south along U.S. 277 to Del Rio, then south along the Del Rio 
International Toll Bridge access road to the Mexico border.
    Low Plains North Zone: That portion of northeastern Texas east of 
the High Plains Zone and north of a line beginning at the International 
Toll Bridge south of Del Rio, then extending east on U.S. 90 to San 
Antonio, then continuing east on I-10 to the Louisiana border at 
Orange, Texas.
    Low Plains South Zone: The remainder of Texas.
Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)
    Zone 1: The Counties of Converse, Goshen, Hot Springs, Natrona, 
Platte, Washakie, and that portion of Park County south of T58N and not 
within the boundary of the Shoshone National Forest.
    Zone 2: The remainder of Wyoming.
Pacific Flyway
    Arizona--Game Management Units (GMU) as follows:
    South Zone: Those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 in Yavapai County, and 
GMUs 10 and 12B-45.
    North Zone: GMUs 1-5, those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 within 
Coconino County, and GMUs 7, 9, 12A.
California
    Northeastern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of a 
line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath 
River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest 
Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and 
south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west 
along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89; 
east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north 
on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S. 
395 to the Nevada border.
    Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, 
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border 
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as 
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to 
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in 
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of 
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on 
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along 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.

[[Page 52014]]

    Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare 
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included 
in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the 
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.
Idaho
    Zone 1: Includes all lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian 
Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham 
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; 
and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.
    Zone 2: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties: 
Adams; Bear Lake; Benewah; Bingham within the Blackfoot Reservoir 
drainage; those portions of Blaine west of ID 75, south and east of 
U.S. 93, and between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 outside the 
Silver Creek drainage; Bonner; Bonneville; Boundary; Butte; Camas; 
Caribou except the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Cassia within the 
Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Clark; Clearwater; Custer; Elmore 
within the Camas Creek drainage; Franklin; Fremont; Idaho; Jefferson; 
Kootenai; Latah; Lemhi; Lewis; Madison; Nez Perce; Oneida; Power within 
the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Shoshone; Teton; and Valley 
Counties.
    Zone 3: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties: 
Ada; Blaine between ID 75 and U.S. 93 south of U.S. 20 and that 
additional area between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 within the 
Silver Creek drainage; Boise; Canyon; Cassia except within the Minidoka 
National Wildlife Refuge; Elmore except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; 
Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee; Payette; Power west of ID 
37 and ID 39 except that portion within the Minidoka National Wildlife 
Refuge; Twin Falls; and Washington Counties.
Nevada
    Lincoln and Clark County Zone: All of Clark and Lincoln Counties.
    Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.
Oregon
    Zone 1: Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane, Douglas, Coos, Curry, 
Josephine, Jackson, Linn, Benton, Polk, Marion, Yamhill, Washington, 
Columbia, Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, 
Morrow and Umatilla Counties.
    Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Gilliam, Morrow, and 
Umatilla Counties.
    Zone 2: The remainder of the State.
Utah
    Zone 1: All of Box Elder, Cache, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Morgan, 
Rich, Salt Lake, Summit, Unitah, Utah, Wasatch, and Weber Counties and 
that part of Toole County north of I-80.
    Zone 2: The remainder of Utah.
Washington
    East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of 
the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
    Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Same as East Zone.
    West Zone: All areas to the west of the East Zone.
Geese
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    Atlantic Population Canada Goose Closed Area: Litchfield County and 
that portion of Hartford County west of a line beginning at the 
Massachusetts border in Suffield and extending south along Route 159 to 
its intersection with Route 91 in Hartford, and then extending south 
along Route 91 to its intersection with the Hartford/Middlesex County 
line.
Maryland
    Special Regular and Late Seasons for Canada Geese: Allegheny, 
Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Washington counties and the portion of 
Montgomery County south of Interstate 270 and west of Interstate 495 to 
the Potomac River.
Massachusetts
    Special Area for Canada Geese: Central Zone (same as for ducks) and 
that portion of the Coastal Zone that lies north of route 139 from 
Green Harbor.
New Hampshire
    Same zones as for ducks.
New Jersey
    Special Area for Canada Geese:
    North--that portion of the State within a continuous line that runs 
east along the New York State boundary line to the Hudson River; then 
south along the New York State boundary to its intersection with Route 
440 at Perth Amboy; then west on Route 440 to its intersection with 
Route 287; then west along Route 287 to its intersection with Route 206 
in Bedminster (Exit 18); then north along Route 206 to its intersection 
with Route 94: then west along Route 94 to the tollbridge in Columbia; 
then north along the Pennsylvania State boundary in the Delaware River 
to the beginning point.
    South--that portion of the State within a continuous line that runs 
west from the Atlantic Ocean at Ship Bottom along Route 72 to the 
Garden State Parkway; then south along the Garden State Parkway to 
Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route 542; then west along Route 
542 to the Mullica River (at Pleasant Mills); then north (upstream) 
along the Mullica River to Route 206; then south along Route 206 to 
Route 536; then west along Route 536 to Route 322; then west along 
Route 322 to Route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 553 (Buck 
Road); then south along Route 553 to Route 40; then east along Route 40 
to route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 552 (Sherman Avenue); 
then west along Route 552 to Carmel Road; then south along Carmel Road 
to Route 49; then south along Route 49 to Route 50; then east along 
Route 50 to Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route 625 (Sea Isle 
City Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to the Atlantic Ocean; then 
north to the beginning point.
New York
    Special Late Season Area for Canada Geese: that area of Chemung 
County lying east of a continuous line extending south along State 
Route 13 from the Schuyler County line to State Route 17 and then south 
along Route 17 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary; all of Tioga and 
Broome Counties; that area of Delaware, Sullivan, and Orange Counties 
lying southwest of a continuous line extending east along State Route 
17 from the Broome County line to U.S. Route 209 at Wurtsboro and then 
south along Route 209 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary at Port 
Jervis, excluding areas on or within 50 yards of the Delaware River 
between the confluence of the West Branch and East Branch below Hancock 
and the mouth of the Shingle Kill (3 miles upstream from Port Jervis); 
that area of Orange, Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester 
Counties lying southeast of a continuous line extending north along 
Route 17 from the New York-New Jersey boundary at Suffern to Interstate 
Route 87, then north along Route 87 to Interstate Route 84, then east 
along Route 84 to the northern boundary of Putnam County, then east 
along that boundary to the New York-Connecticut boundary; that area of 
Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying north of State Route 25A and west of 
a continuous line extending northward from State Route 25A along 
Randall Road (near

[[Page 52015]]

Shoreham) to North Country Road, then east to Sound Road and then north 
to Long Island Sound and then due north to the New York-Connecticut 
boundary.
    Regular Season Area in Southwest for Canada Geese: all of Allegany, 
Cattaraugus, and Chautaugua Counties; that area of Erie, Wyoming and 
Niagara Counties lying south and west of a continuous line extending 
from the Rainbow Bridge below Niagara Falls, north along the Robert 
Moses Parkway to US Route 62A, then east along Route 62A to US Route 
62, then southeast along US Route 62 to Interstate Route 290, then 
south along Route 290 to Exit 50 of the NYS Thruway, then east along 
the NYS Thruway to Exit 48 in Batavia, then south along State Route 98 
to the Cattaraugus County line; and that area of Steuben and Chemung 
Counties lying south of State Route 17.
North Carolina
    Regular Season for Canada Geese: Statewide, except for Northampton 
County and the Northeast Hunt Unit--Counties of Bertie, Camden, Chowan, 
Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington.
Pennsylvania
    Erie, Mercer, and Butler Counties: All of Erie, Mercer, and Butler 
Counties.
    Regular Season Area for Canada Geese: Area from New York State line 
west of U.S. Route 220 to intersection of I-180, west of I-180 to 
intersection of SR 147, west of SR 147 to intersection of U.S. Route 
322, west of U.S. Route 322 to intersection of I-81, west of I-81 to 
intersection of I-83, west of I-83 to I-283, west of I-283 to SR 441, 
west of SR 441 to U.S. Route 30, west of U.S. Route 30 to I-83, west of 
I-83 to Maryland State line, except for the Counties of Erie, Mercer, 
Butler, and Crawford.
    Special Late Season Area for Canada Geese: Same as Regular Season 
Area and the area from New York State line east of U.S. Route 220 to 
intersection of I-180, east of I-180 to intersection of SR 147, east of 
SR 147 to intersection of U.S. Route 322, east of Route 322 to 
intersection of I-81, north of I-81 to intersection of I-80, north of 
I-80 to New Jersey State line.
Rhode Island
    Special Area for Canada Geese: Kent and Providence Counties and 
portions of the towns of Exeter and North Kingston within Washington 
County (see State regulations for detailed descriptions).
South Carolina
    Canada Goose Area: Statewide except for Clarendon County and that 
portion of Lake Marion in Orangeburg County and Berkeley County.
Virginia
    Regular and Special Late Season Area for Canada Geese: All areas 
west of I-95.
    Back Bay Area: Defined for white geese as the waters of Back Bay 
and its tributaries and the marshes adjacent thereto, and on the land 
and marshes between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean from Sandbridge to 
the North Carolina line, and on and along the shore of North Landing 
River and the marshes adjacent thereto, and on and along the shores of 
Binson Inlet Lake (formerly known as Lake Tecumseh) and Red Wing Lake 
and the marshes adjacent thereto.
West Virginia
    Same zones as for ducks.
Mississippi Flyway
Alabama
    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    SJBP Zone: That portion of Morgan County east of U.S. Highway 31, 
north of State Highway 36, and west of U.S. 231; that portion of 
Limestone County south of U.S. 72; and that portion of Madison County 
south of Swancott Road and west of Triana Road.
Arkansas
    East Zone: Arkansas, Ashley, Chicot, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, 
Cross, Desha, Drew, Greene, Independence, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, 
Lee, Lincoln, Lonoke, Mississippi, Monroe, Phillips, Poinsett, Prairie, 
Pulaski, Randolph, St. Francis, White, and Woodruff Counties.
    West Zone: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Cleburne, Conway, 
Crawford, Faulkner, Franklin, Fulton, Izard, Johnson, Madison, Marion, 
Newton, Pope, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, and Washington Counties, 
and those portions of Logan, Perry, Sebastian, and Yell Counties lying 
north of a line extending east from the Oklahoma border along State 
Highway 10 to Perry, south on State 9 to State 60, then east on State 
60 to the Faulkner County line.
Illinois
    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
North Zone
    Northern Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of McHenry, Lake, Kane, 
DuPage, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties north of 
Interstate Highway 80.
Central Zone
    Central Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of Grundy, Woodford, 
Peoria, Knox, Fulton, Tazewell, Mason, Cass, Morgan, Pike, Calhoun, and 
Jersey, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties south of 
Interstate Highway 80.
South Zone
    Southern Illinois Quota Zone: Alexander, Jackson, Union, and 
Williamson Counties.
    Rend Lake Quota Zone: Franklin and Jefferson Counties.
Indiana
    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    SJBP Zone: Jasper, LaGrange, LaPorte, Starke, and Steuben Counties, 
and that portion of the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in 
Pulaski County.
Iowa
    Same zones as for ducks.
Kentucky
    Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at 
the Tennessee border at Fulton and extending north along the Purchase 
Parkway to Interstate Highway 24, east along I-24 to U.S. Highway 641, 
north along U.S. 641 to U.S. 60, northeast along U.S. 60 to the 
Henderson County line, then south, east, and northerly along the 
Henderson County line to the Indiana border.
    Ballard Reporting Area: That area encompassed by a line beginning 
at the northwest city limits of Wickliffe in Ballard County and 
extending westward to the middle of the Mississippi River, north along 
the Mississippi River and along the low-water mark of the Ohio River on 
the Illinois shore to the Ballard-McCracken County line, south along 
the county line to Kentucky Highway 358, south along Kentucky 358 to 
U.S. Highway 60 at LaCenter; then southwest along U.S. 60 to the 
northeast city limits of Wickliffe.
    Henderson-Union Reporting Area: Henderson County and that portion 
of Union County within the Western Zone.
    Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone: Butler, Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and 
Warren Counties and all counties lying west to the boundary of the 
Western Goose Zone.
Michigan
    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:

[[Page 52016]]

South Zone
    Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU): Those portions of 
Tuscola and Huron Counties bounded on the south by Michigan Highway 138 
and Bay City Road, on the east by Colwood and Bay Port Roads, on the 
north by Kilmanagh Road and a line extending directly west off the end 
of Kilmanagh Road into Saginaw Bay to the west boundary, and on the 
west by the Tuscola-Bay County line and a line extending directly north 
off the end of the Tuscola-Bay County line into Saginaw Bay to the 
north boundary.
    Allegan County GMU: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate Highway 196 in Lake Town 
Township and extending easterly along 136th Avenue to Michigan Highway 
40, southerly along Michigan 40 through the city of Allegan to 108th 
Avenue in Trowbridge Township, westerly along 108th Avenue to 46th 
Street, northerly \1/2\ mile along 46th Street to 109th Avenue, 
westerly along 109th Avenue to I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly 
along I-196 to the point of beginning.
    Saginaw County GMU: That portion of Saginaw County bounded by 
Michigan Highway 46 on the north; Michigan 52 on the west; Michigan 57 
on the south; and Michigan 13 on the east.
    Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That portion of Muskegon County within the 
boundaries of the Muskegon County wastewater system, east of the 
Muskegon State Game Area, in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 
30, and 32, T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, and 
25, T10N R15W, as posted.
    Special Canada Goose Seasons:
    Southern Michigan GMU: That portion of the State, including the 
Great Lakes and interconnecting waterways and excluding the Allegan 
County GMU, south of a line beginning at the Ontario border at the 
Bluewater Bridge in the city of Port Huron and extending westerly and 
southerly along Interstate Highway 94 to I-69, westerly along I-69 to 
Michigan Highway 21, westerly along Michigan 21 to I-96, northerly 
along I-96 to I-196, westerly along I-196 to Lake Michigan Drive (M-45) 
in Grand Rapids, westerly along Lake Michigan Drive to the Lake 
Michigan shore, then directly west from the end of Lake Michigan Drive 
to the Wisconsin border.
    Central Michigan GMU: That portion of the South Zone north of the 
Southern Michigan GMU, excluding the Tuscola/Huron GMU, Saginaw County 
GMU, and Muskegon Wastewater GMU.
Minnesota
    West Zone: That portion of the state encompassed by a line 
beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa 
border, then north and east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, north 
along U.S. 71 to Interstate Highway 94, then north and west along I-94 
to the North Dakota border.
    West Central Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the 
intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 29 and U.S. Highway 212 and 
extending west along U.S. 212 to U.S. 59, south along U.S. 59 to STH 
67, west along STH 67 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to County State 
Aid Highway (CSAH) 30 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 30 to 
County Road 70 in Lac qui Parle County, west along County 70 to the 
western boundary of the State, north along the western boundary of the 
State to a point due south of the intersection of STH 7 and CSAH 7 in 
Big Stone County, and continuing due north to said intersection, then 
north along CSAH 7 to CSAH 6 in Big Stone County, east along CSAH 6 to 
CSAH 21 in Big Stone County, south along CSAH 21 to CSAH 10 in Big 
Stone County, east along CSAH 10 to CSAH 22 in Swift County, east along 
CSAH 22 to CSAH 5 in Swift County, south along CSAH 5 to U.S. 12, east 
along U.S. 12 to CSAH 17 in Swift County, south along CSAH 17 to CSAH 9 
in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to STH 40, east along STH 40 to 
STH 29, then south along STH 29 to the point of beginning.
    Lac qui Parle Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the intersection of U.S. Highway 212 and County State Aid Highway 
(CSAH) 27 in Lac qui Parle County and extending north along CSAH 27 to 
CSAH 20 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 20 to State Trunk 
Highway (STH) 40, north along STH 40 to STH 119, north along STH 119 to 
CSAH 34 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 34 to CSAH 19 in Lac 
qui Parle County, north and west along CSAH 19 to CSAH 38 in Lac qui 
Parle County, west along CSAH 38 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to STH 
7, east along STH 7 to CSAH 6 in Swift County, east along CSAH 6 to 
County Road 65 in Swift County, south along County 65 to County 34 in 
Chippewa County, south along County 34 to CSAH 12 in Chippewa County, 
east along CSAH 12 to CSAH 9 in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to 
STH 7, southeast along STH 7 to Montevideo and along the municipal 
boundary of Montevideo to U.S. 212; then west along U.S. 212 to the 
point of beginning.
    Northwest Zone: That portion of the state encompassed by a line 
extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 to 
State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east along 
STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north along 
CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to STH 1, 
east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 28 
to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in Roseau 
County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 310, and 
north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
    Northeast Zone--That portion of the state encompassed by the 
following boundary: Beginning on State Trunk Highway (STH) 72 at the 
northern boundary of the state, thence along STH 72 to the Tamarac 
River in Beltrami County, thence along the southerly shore of the 
Tamarac River to Upper Red Lake, thence along the easterly and 
southerly shores of Upper Red Lake to the easterly boundary of the Red 
Lake Indian Reservation, thence along the easterly boundary of said 
Reservation to STH 1, thence along STH 1 to STH 72, thence along STH 72 
to U.S. Highway 71, thence along U.S. 71 to County State Aid Highway 
(CSAH) 39 in Beltrami County, thence along CSAH 39 to CSAH 20, thence 
along CSAH 20 to CSAH 53, thence along CSAH 53 to CSAH 12, thence along 
CSAH 12 to CSAH 51, thence along CSAH 51 to CSAH 8, thence along CSAH 8 
to CSAH 25, thence along CSAH 25 to CSAH 4, thence along CSAH 4 to CSAH 
46, thence along CSAH 46 to U.S. Highway 2, thence along U.S. 2 to CSAH 
45, thence along CSAH 45 to CSAH 9, thence along CSAH 9 to CSAH 69, 
thence along CSAH 69 to CSAH 5, thence along CSAH 5 to CSAH 39, thence 
along CSAH 39 to County Road (CR) 94, thence along CR 94 to CSAH 31, 
thence along CSAH 31 to STH 200, thence along STH 200 to STH 371, 
thence along STH 371 to STH 84, thence along STH 84 to CSAH 2, thence 
along CSAH 2 to CSAH 1, thence along CSAH 1 to STH 6, thence along STH 
6 to STH 18, thence along STH 18 to U.S. Highway 169, thence due east 
to the west shore of Mille Lacs Lake, thence along the westerly and 
southerly shores of said lake to a point due north of the junction of 
U.S. 169 and STH 27, thence due south to said junction, thence along 
U.S. 169 to STH 23, thence along STH 23 to STH 65, thence along STH 65 
to STH 70, thence along STH 70 to the east boundary of the state, 
thence along the easterly and northerly boundaries of the state to the 
point of beginning.
    Special Canada Goose Seasons:

[[Page 52017]]

    Fergus Falls/Alexandria Zone: That area encompassed by a line 
beginning at the intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 55 and STH 
28 and extending east along STH 28 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 
33 in Pope County, north along CSAH 33 to CSAH 3 in Douglas County, 
north along CSAH 3 to CSAH 69 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 69 
to CSAH 46 in Otter Tail County, east along CSAH 46 to the eastern 
boundary of Otter Tail County, north along the east boundary of Otter 
Tail County to CSAH 40 in Otter Tail County, west along CSAH 40 to CSAH 
75 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 75 to STH 210, west along STH 
210 to STH 108, north along STH 108 to CSAH 1 in Otter Tail County, 
west along CSAH 1 to CSAH 14 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 14 
to CSAH 44 in Otter Tail County, west along CSAH 44 to CSAH 35 in Otter 
Tail County, north along CSAH 35 to STH 108, west along STH 108 to CSAH 
19 in Wilkin County, south along CSAH 19 to STH 55, then southeast 
along STH 55 to the point of beginning.
Missouri
    Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
North Zone
    Swan Lake Zone: That area bounded by U.S. Highway 36 on the north, 
Missouri Highway 5 on the east, Missouri 240 and U.S. 65 on the south, 
and U.S. 65 on the west.
Middle Zone
    Schell-Osage Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line 
extending east from the Kansas border along U.S. Highway 54 to Missouri 
Highway 13, north along Missouri 13 to Missouri 7, west along Missouri 
7 to U.S. 71, north along U.S. 71 to Missouri 2, then west along 
Missouri 2 to the Kansas border.
Ohio
    Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
North Zone
    Lake Erie SJBP Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a 
line extending south from the Michigan border along Interstate Highway 
75 to I-280, south along I-280 to I-80, and east along I-80 to the 
Pennsylvania border.
Tennessee
    Southwest Zone: That portion of the State south of State Highways 
20 and 104, and west of U.S. Highways 45 and 45W.
    Northwest Zone: Lake, Obion and Weakley Counties and those portions 
of Gibson and Dyer Counties not included in the Southwest Tennessee 
Zone.
    Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone: That portion of the State bounded on 
the west by the eastern boundaries of the Northwest and Southwest Zones 
and on the east by State Highway 13 from the Alabama border to 
Clarksville and U.S. Highway 79 from Clarksville to the Kentucky 
border.
Wisconsin
    Horicon Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the 
intersection of State Highway 21 and the Fox River in Winnebago County 
and extending westerly along State 21 to the west boundary of Winnebago 
County, southerly along the west boundary of Winnebago County to the 
north boundary of Green Lake County, westerly along the north 
boundaries of Green Lake and Marquette Counties to State 22, southerly 
along State 22 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 16, 
westerly along U.S. 16 to Weyh Road, southerly along Weyh Road to 
County Highway O, southerly along County O to the west boundary of 
Section 31, southerly along the west boundary of Section 31 to the 
Sauk/Columbia County boundary, southerly along the Sauk/Columbia County 
boundary to State 33, easterly along State 33 to Interstate Highway 90/
94, southerly along I-90/94 to State 60, easterly along State 60 to 
State 83, northerly along State 83 to State 175, northerly along State 
175 to State 33, easterly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 45, northerly 
along U.S. 45 to the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River, northerly 
along the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River to Lake Winnebago, 
northerly along the western shoreline of Lake Winnebago to the Fox 
River, then westerly along the Fox River to State 21.
    Collins Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the 
intersection of Hilltop Road and Collins Marsh Road in Manitowoc County 
and extending westerly along Hilltop Road to Humpty Dumpty Road, 
southerly along Humpty Dumpty Road to Poplar Grove Road, easterly and 
southerly along Poplar Grove Road to County Highway JJ, southeasterly 
along County JJ to Collins Road, southerly along Collins Road to the 
Manitowoc River, southeasterly along the Manitowoc River to Quarry 
Road, northerly along Quarry Road to Einberger Road, northerly along 
Einberger Road to Moschel Road, westerly along Moschel Road to Collins 
Marsh Road, northerly along Collins Marsh Road to Hilltop Road.
    Exterior Zone: That portion of the State not included in the 
Horicon or Collins Zones.
    Mississippi River Subzone: That area encompassed by a line 
beginning at the intersection of the Burlington Northern Railway and 
the Illinois border in Grant County and extending northerly along the 
Burlington Northern Railway to the city limit of Prescott in Pierce 
County, then west along the Prescott city limit to the Minnesota 
border.
    Rock Prairie Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the intersection of the Illinois border and Interstate Highway 90 and 
extending north along I-90 to County Highway A, east along County A to 
U.S. Highway 12, southeast along U.S. 12 to State Highway 50, west 
along State 50 to State 120, then south along 120 to the Illinois 
border.
    Brown County Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the intersection of the Fox River with Green Bay in Brown County and 
extending southerly along the Fox River to State Highway 29, 
northwesterly along State 29 to the Brown County line, south, east, and 
north along the Brown County line to Green Bay, due west to the 
midpoint of the Green Bay Ship Channel, then southwesterly along the 
Green Bay Ship Channel to the Fox River.

Central Flyway

Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)
    Northern Front Range Area: All lands in Adams, Boulder, Clear 
Creek, Denver, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties west of I-
25 from the Wyoming border south to I-70; west on I-70 to the 
Continental Divide; north along the Continental Divide to the Jackson-
Larimer County Line to the Wyoming border.
    South Park/San Luis Valley Area: Alamosa, Chaffee, Conejos, 
Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, Teller, and Rio Grande Counties 
and those portions of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Saguache Counties east of 
the Continental Divide.
    North Park Area: Jackson County.
    Arkansas Valley Area: Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and 
Prowers Counties.
    Pueblo County Area: Pueblo County.
    Remainder: Remainder of the Central Flyway portion of Colorado.
    Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose Area: that portion of the State 
east of Interstate Highway 25.
Kansas
Light Geese
    Unit 1: That portion of Kansas east of a line beginning at the 
intersection of

[[Page 52018]]

the Nebraska border and KS 99, extending south along KS 99 to I-70 to 
U.S. 75, south on U.S. 75 to U.S. 54, west on U.S. 54 to KS 99, and 
then south on KS 99 to the Oklahoma border.
    Unit 2: The remainder of Kansas, laying west of Unit 1.
Dark Geese
    Marais des Cygnes Valley Unit: The area is bounded by the Missouri 
border to KS 68, KS 68 to U.S. 169, U.S. 169 to KS 7, KS 7 to KS 31, KS 
31 to U.S. 69, U.S. 69 to KS 239, KS 239 to the Missouri border.
    South Flint Hills Unit: The area is bounded by highways U.S. 50 to 
KS 57, KS 57 to U.S. 75, U.S. 75 to KS 39, KS 39 to KS 96, KS 96 to 
U.S. 77, U.S. 77 to U.S. 50.
    Flint Hills Unit: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the 
junction of I-35 and K-57, then south and east on K-57 to its junction 
with US-75, then south on US-75 to its junction with K-39, then south 
and west on K-39 to its junction with K-96, then west on K-96 to its 
junction with US-77, then north on US-77 to its junction with I-70, 
then east on I-70 to its junction with US-75, then south on US-75 to 
its junction with I-35, then west on I-35 to its junction with K-57, 
except federal and state sanctuaries.
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
    Sheridan County: Includes all of Sheridan County.
    Remainder: Includes the remainder of the Central Flyway portion of 
Montana.
Nebraska
Dark Geese
    North Unit: Keya Paha County east of U.S. 183 and all of Boyd 
County, including the boundary waters of the Niobrara River, all of 
Knox County and that portion of Cedar County west of U.S. 81.
    Southcentral Unit: That area south and west of U.S. 281 at the 
Kansas/Nebraska border, north to Giltner Road (near Doniphan), east to 
NE 14, north to NE 91, west to U.S. 183, south to NE 92, west to NE 61, 
north to U.S. 2, west to the intersection of Garden, Grant, and 
Sheridan counties, then west along the northern border of Garden, 
Morrill, and Scotts Bluff counties to the Wyoming border.
    Northcentral Unit: That area north of the Southwest Unit and west 
of U.S. 183.
    East Unit: The remainder of Nebraska.
Light Geese
    Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (West): The area bounded by the 
junction of U.S. 283 and U.S. 30 at Lexington, east on U.S. 30 to U.S. 
281, south on U.S. 281 to NE 4, west on NE 4 to U.S. 34, continue west 
on U.S. 34 to U.S. 283, then north on U.S. 283 to the beginning.
    Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (East): The area bounded by the 
junction of U.S. 281 and U.S. 30 at Grand Island, north and east on 
U.S. 30 to NE 92, east on NE 92 to NE 15, south on NE 15 to NE 4, west 
on NE 4 to U.S. 281, north on U.S. 281 to the beginning.
    Remainder of State: The remainder portion of Nebraska.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
Dark Geese
    Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit: Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia 
counties.
    Remainder: The remainder of the Central Flyway portion of New 
Mexico.
North Dakota
Dark Geese
    Missouri River Zone: That area encompassed by a line extending from 
the South Dakota border north on U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41, north to ND 
53, west to U.S. 83, north to ND 23, west to ND 37, south to ND 1804, 
south approximately 9 miles to Elbowoods Bay on Lake Sakakawea, south 
and west across the lake to ND 8, south to ND 200, east to ND 31, south 
to ND 25, south to I-94, east to ND 6, south to the South Dakota 
border, and east to the point of origin.
    Statewide: All of North Dakota.
South Dakota
Canada Geese
    Unit 1: Statewide except for Units 2 and 3.
    Power Plant Area: That portion of Grant County east of SD 15 and 
north of SD 20.
    Unit 2: Brule, Buffalo, Campbell, Dewey, Hughes, Hyde, Lyman, 
Potter, Stanley, Sully, and Walworth Counties and that portion of 
Corson County east of State Highway 65.
    Unit 3: Charles Mix and Gregory Counties.
Texas
    West Unit: That portion of the State laying west of a line from the 
international toll bridge at Laredo; north along I-35 and I-35W to Fort 
Worth; northwest along U.S. 81 and U.S. 287 to Bowie; and north along 
U.S. 81 to the Oklahoma border.
    East Unit: Remainder of State.
Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)
    Area 1: Hot Springs, Natrona, and Washakie Counties, and that 
portion of Park County south of T58N.
    Area 2: Converse and Platte County.
    Area 3: Albany, Big Horn, Campbell, Crook, Fremont, Johnson, 
Laramie, Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston Counties and those portions of 
Carbon County east of the Continental Divide and Park County north of 
T58N.
    Area 4: Goshen County.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
    GMU 22 and 23: Game Management Units 22 and 23.
    Remainder of State: The remainder of Arizona.
California
    Northeastern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of a 
line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath 
River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest 
Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and 
south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west 
along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89; 
east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north 
on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S. 
395 to the Nevada border.
    Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, 
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border 
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as 
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to 
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in 
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of 
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on 
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the 
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley 
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to 
U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; 
south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
    Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding 
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the 
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City 
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of 
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest 
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to 
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on 
CA 58 to

[[Page 52019]]

I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada border.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included 
in the Northeastern, Southern, and the Colorado River Zones.
    Del Norte and Humboldt Area: The Counties of Del Norte and 
Humboldt.
    Sacramento Valley Area: That area bounded by a line beginning at 
Willows in Glenn County proceeding south on I-5 to Hahn Road north of 
Arbuckle in Colusa County; easterly on Hahn Road and the Grimes 
Arbuckle Road to Grimes on the Sacramento River; southerly on the 
Sacramento River to the Tisdale Bypass to O'Banion Road; easterly on 
O'Banion Road to CA 99; northerly on CA 99 to the Gridley-Colusa 
Highway in Gridley in Butte County; westerly on the Gridley-Colusa 
Highway to the River Road; northerly on the River Road to the Princeton 
Ferry; westerly across the Sacramento River to CA 45; northerly on CA 
45 to CA 162; northerly on CA 45-162 to Glenn; westerly on CA 162 to 
the point of beginning in Willows.
    Western Canada Goose Hunt Area: That portion of the above described 
Sacramento Valley Area lying east of a line formed by Butte Creek from 
the Gridley-Colusa Highway south to the Cherokee Canal; easterly along 
the Cherokee Canal and North Butte Road to West Butte Road; southerly 
on West Butte Road to Pass Road; easterly on Pass Road to West Butte 
Road; southerly on West Butte Road to CA 20; and westerly along CA 20 
to the Sacramento River.
    San Joaquin Valley Area: That area bounded by a line beginning at 
Modesto in Stanislaus County proceeding west on CA 132 to I-5; 
southerly on I-5 to CA 152 in Merced County; easterly on CA 152 to CA 
165; northerly on CA 165 to CA 99 at Merced; northerly and westerly on 
CA 99 to the point of beginning.
Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)
    West Central Area: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, Gunnison, LaPlata, 
Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel Counties and those 
portions of Hinsdale, Mineral and Saguache Counties west of the 
Continental Divide.
    State Area: The remainder of the Pacific-Flyway Portion of 
Colorado.
Idaho
    Zone 1: Bear Lake, Benewah, Bonner, Bonneville, Boundry, Butte, 
Clark, Clearwater, Custer, Franklin, Fremont, Idaho, Jefferson, 
Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Madison, Nez Perce, Oneida, Shoshone, 
and Teton Counties, and those portions of Bingham County within the 
Blackfoot Reservoir drainage and Caribou County, except for the Fort 
Hall Indian Reservation.
    Zone 2: Ada, Adams, Blaine, Boise, Camas, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, 
Gem, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, 
and Washington Counties, and those portions of Power County west of ID 
37 and ID 39.
    Zone 3: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian 
Reservation, including private holdings; Bannock County, Bingham 
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage, 
and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.
    In addition, goose frameworks are set by the following geographical 
areas:
    Northern Unit: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, 
Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties.
    Southwestern Unit: That area west of the line formed by U.S. 93 
north from the Nevada border to Shoshone, northerly on ID 75 (formerly 
U.S. 93) to Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Montana border (except 
the Northern Unit and except Custer and Lemhi Counties).
    Southeastern Unit: That area east of the line formed by U.S. 93 
north from the Nevada border to Shoshone, northerly on ID 75 (formerly 
U.S. 93) to Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Montana border, 
including all of Custer and Lemhi Counties.
    Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
    East of the Divide Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of the State 
located east of the Continental Divide.
    West of the Divide Zone: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway 
portion of Montana.
Nevada
    Lincoln Clark County Zone: All of Lincoln and Clark Counties
    Scripps/Washoe Lake Zone: Scripps Wildlife Management Area and 
Washoe Lake State Park.
    Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.
New Mexico (Pacific Flyway Portion)
    North Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located north 
of I-40.
    South Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located south 
of I-40.
Oregon
    Southwest Zone: Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine and Jackson 
Counties.
    Northwest Special Permit Zone: That portion of western Oregon west 
and north of a line running south from the Columbia River in Portland 
along I-5 to OR 22 at Salem; then east on OR 22 to the Stayton Cutoff; 
then south on the Stayton Cutoff to Stayton and due south to the 
Santiam River; then west along the north shore of the Santiam River to 
I-5; then south on I-5 to OR 126 at Eugene; then west on OR 126 to 
Greenhill Road; then south on Greenhill Road to Crow Road; then west on 
Crow Road to Territorial Hwy; then west on Territorial Hwy to OR 126; 
then west on OR 126 to OR 36; then north on OR 36 to Forest Road 5070 
at Brickerville; then west and south on Forest Road 5070 to OR 126; 
then west on OR 126 to the Pacific Coast.
    Northwest Zone: Those portions of Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion, 
Multnomah, and Washington Counties outside of the Northwest Special 
Permit Zone.
    Closed Zone: Those portions of Coos, Curry, Douglas and Lane 
Counties west of US 101.
    Eastern Zone: Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, 
Umatilla, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Grant, Baker, Union, 
and Wallowa Counties.
    Harney, Klamath, Lake and Malheur Counties Zone: All of Harney, 
Klamath, Lake, and Malheur Counties.
Utah
    Washington County Zone: All of Washington County.
    Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Utah.
Washington
    Eastern Washington: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and 
east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
    Area 1: Lincoln, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties; that part of 
Grant County east of a line beginning at the Douglas-Lincoln County 
line on WA 174, southwest on WA 174 to WA 155, south on WA 155 to US 2, 
southwest on US 2 to Pinto Ridge Road, south on Pinto Ridge Road to WA 
28, east on WA 28 to the Stratford Road, south on the Stratford Road to 
WA 17, south on WA 17 to the Grant-Adams County line; those parts of 
Adams County east of State Highway 17; those parts of Franklin County 
east and south of a line beginning at the Adams-Franklin County line on 
WA 17, south on WA 17 to US 395, south on US 395 to I-182, west o I-182 
to the Franklin-Benton County line; those parts of Benton County south 
of I-182 and I-82; and those parts of Klickitat County east of U.S. 
Highway 97.
    Area 2: All of Okanongan, Douglas, and Kittitas Counties and those 
parts of

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Grant, Adams, Franklin, and Benton Counties not included in Eastern 
Washington Goose Management Area 1.
    Area 3: All other parts of eastern Washington not included in 
Eastern Washington Goose Management Areas 1 and 2.
    Western Washington: All areas west of the East Zone.
    Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
    Area 2: Clark County, except portions south of the Washougal River, 
Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties, and that portion of Grays 
Harbor County south of U.S. highway 12 and east of U.S. highway 101.
    Area 3: All parts of western Washington not included in Western 
Washington Goose Management Areas 1 and 2.
    Lower Columbia River Early-Season Canada Goose Zone: Beginning at 
the Washington-Oregon border on the I-5 Bridge near Vancouver, 
Washington; north on I-5 to Kelso; west on Highway 4 from Kelso to 
Highway 401; south and west on Highway 401 to Highway 101 at the 
Astoria-Megler Bridge; west on Highway 101 to Gray Drive in the City of 
Ilwaco; west on Gray Drive to Canby Road; southwest on Canby Road to 
the North Jetty; southwest on the North Jetty to its end; southeast to 
the Washington-Oregon border; upstream along the Washington-Oregon 
border to the point of origin.
    Wyoming (Pacific Flyway Portion): See State Regulations.
    Bear River Area: That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Salt River Area: That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Eden-Farson Area: Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette 
Counties described in State regulations.
Swans
Central Flyway
    South Dakota: Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo, 
Campbell, Clark, Codington, Davison, Deuel, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant, 
Hamlin, Hand, Hanson, Hughes, Hyde, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Lake, Marshall, 
McCook, McPherson, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Potter, Roberts, Sanborn, 
Spink, Sully, and Walworth Counties.
Pacific Flyway
Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
    Open Area: Cascade, Chouteau, Hill, Liberty, and Toole Counties and 
those portions of Pondera and Teton Counties lying east of U.S. 287-89.
Nevada
    Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and Pershing Counties.
Utah
    Open Area: Those portions of Box, Elder, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, 
and Toole Counties lying south of State Hwy 30, I-80/84, west of I-15, 
and north of I-80.

[FR Doc. 98-25926 Filed 9-28-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P