[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 167 (Monday, August 30, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52970-52984]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-19709]



[[Page 52969]]

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

Part II





Department of the Interior





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



Fish and Wildlife Service



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



50 CFR Part 20



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

  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 167 / Monday, August 30, 2004 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 52970]]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN: 1018-AT53


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

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This rule prescribes final early-season frameworks from which 
the States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands may select season 
dates, limits, and other options for the 2004-05 migratory bird hunting 
seasons. Early seasons are those that generally open prior to October 
1, and include seasons in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin 
Islands. The effect of this final rule is to facilitate the selection 
of hunting seasons by the States and Territories to further the annual 
establishment of the early-season migratory bird hunting regulations.

DATES: This rule takes effect on August 30, 2004.

ADDRESSES: States and Territories should send their season selections 
to: Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, ms MBSP-4107-ARLSQ, 1849 
C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. You may inspect comments during 
normal business hours at the Service's office in room 4107, 4501 N. 
Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Millsap, Chief, or Ron W. Kokel, 
Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
(703) 358-1714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations Schedule for 2004

    On March 22, 2004, we published in the Federal Register (69 FR 
13440) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal provided a 
background and overview of the migratory bird hunting regulations 
process, and dealt with the establishment of seasons, limits, the 
proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2004-05 duck hunting season, 
and other regulations for migratory game birds under Sec. Sec.  20.101 
through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. On June 9, 2004, we 
published in the Federal Register (69 FR 32418) a second document 
providing supplemental proposals for early- and late-season migratory 
bird hunting regulations frameworks and the regulatory alternatives for 
the 2004-05 duck hunting seasons. The June 9 supplement also provided 
detailed information on the 2004-05 regulatory schedule and announced 
the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway 
Council meetings.
    On June 23 and 24, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council 
Consultants at which the participants reviewed information on the 
current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and developed 
recommendations for the 2004-05 regulations for these species plus 
regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the 
Virgin Islands, special September waterfowl seasons in designated 
States, special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic Flyway, and extended 
falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and discussed preliminary 
information on the status of waterfowl as it relates to the development 
and selection of the regulatory packages for the 2004-05 regular 
waterfowl seasons. On July 21, we published in the Federal Register (69 
FR 43694) a third document specifically dealing with the proposed 
frameworks for early-season regulations.
    This document is the fourth in a series of proposed, supplemental, 
and final rulemaking documents. It establishes final frameworks from 
which States may select season dates, shooting hours, and daily bag and 
possession limits for the 2004-05 season. These selections will be 
published in the Federal Register as amendments to Sec. Sec.  20.101 
through 20.107, and Sec.  20.109 of title 50 CFR part 20.

Review of Public Comments

    The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the March 22 
Federal Register, opened the public comment period for migratory game 
bird hunting regulations. The public comment period for early-season 
issues ended on August 2, 2004. We have considered all pertinent 
comments received. Comments are summarized below and numbered in the 
order used in the March 22 Federal Register. We have included only the 
numbered items pertaining to early-season issues for which we received 
comments. Consequently, the issues do not follow in successive 
numerical or alphabetical order. We received recommendations from all 
Flyway Councils. Some recommendations supported continuation of last 
year's frameworks. Due to the comprehensive nature of the Councils' 
annual review of the frameworks, we assume Council support for 
continuation of last year's frameworks for items for which we received 
no recommendation. Council recommendations for changes are summarized 
below.

1. Ducks

    Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest 
management are: (A) General Harvest Strategy, (B) Regulatory 
Alternatives, including specification of framework dates, season 
length, and bag limits, (C) Zones and Split Seasons, and (D) Special 
Seasons/Species Management. The categories correspond to previously 
published issues/discussions, and only those containing substantial 
recommendations are discussed below.

D. Special Seasons/Species Management

i. September Teal Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended 
that the Service change the status of the Nebraska September teal 
season from experimental to operational beginning with the 2004-05 
hunting season. Criteria for Nebraska's September teal season would be 
the same as for other nonproduction Central Flyway States and confined 
to that area opened to teal hunting during the experimental phase. The 
Council believes that presunrise shooting hours are justified given 
results from evaluation of nontarget attempt rates.
    Service Response: We concur.
iv. Canvasbacks
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council and the Upper- 
and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended modifying the current Canvasback Harvest Strategy 
to allow partial seasons within the regular duck season. The harvest 
management strategy would include 3 levels: closed, ``restrictive'' 
season length, and full season.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended managing canvasbacks with 
the ``Hunters Choice Bag Limit'' (aggregate daily bag limit of 1 hen 
mallard, mottled duck, pintail, or canvasback). The Council further 
recommends that until the ``Hunter Choice Bag Limit'' becomes 
available, the current strategy should be modified to include three 
levels of harvest opportunity: full, closed, and partial seasons. The 
partial season would consist of the ``restrictive'' season length (39 
days in the Central Flyway).
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended modifying the current 
canvasback harvest management

[[Page 52971]]

strategy to allow partial canvasback seasons within regular duck season 
frameworks. The harvest management strategy would include four levels 
for the Pacific Flyway: ``liberal''--107 days, ``moderate''--86 days, 
``restrictive''--60 days, and closed seasons. The Council also 
recommended that the strategy include a statement specifying that 
Alaska's season will maintain a fixed restriction of one canvasback 
daily in lieu of the annual prescriptions from the strategy.
    Service Response: The Service concurs with the Atlantic, 
Mississippi, and Central Flyway Council recommendations for 
modification of the canvasback harvest strategy to allow for two 
potential levels of canvasback seasons:
    (1) An open season with daily bag and possession limits of 1 and 2, 
respectively, for the entire regular duck season whenever the allowable 
harvest projects a breeding population in the subsequent year of 
500,000 or more canvasbacks;
    (2) A partial season at the ``restrictive'' package level (30 days 
in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 39 days in the Central Flyway, 
and 60 in the Pacific Flyway) within the regular duck season whenever a 
full season projects a breeding population in the subsequent year of 
less than 500,000 but a partial season projects a breeding population 
of 500,000 or more birds; and
    (3) Whenever the allowable harvest under both the full and partial 
seasons projects a breeding population in the subsequent year of less 
than 500,000, the season will be closed in all Flyways.
    Season splits must conform to each State's zone/split configuration 
for duck hunting. If a State is authorized to split its regular duck 
season and chooses not to do so, the partial season may still be split 
into two segments. In Alaska, a 1-bird daily bag limit for the entire 
regular duck season length will be used in all years unless we 
determine that a complete season closure is in the best interest of the 
canvasback resource and believe it necessary to close the season in 
Alaska as well as in the lower 48 States.
v. Pintails
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
modifying the Interim Strategy for Northern Pintail Harvest Management 
to allow partial seasons within the regular duck season. The Council 
recommended using partial seasons to allow hunting opportunity for this 
species when (1) a full season is predicted to return a breeding 
population below 1.5 million (the threshold for season closure) and (2) 
when a partial season is expected to return a breeding population at or 
above 1.5 million.
    The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the current interim pintail 
harvest management strategy be modified to allow partial seasons within 
the regular duck hunting season. The harvest management strategy would 
include 3 levels: closed, ``restrictive'' season length, and full 
season.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended that the interim pintail 
harvest strategy be revised as follows:

    In the Central Flyway, pintails will be included in a ``Hunters 
Choice'' daily bag limit (hen mallard, or mottled duck, or pintail, or 
canvasback--daily bag of 1). When the interim pintail harvest strategy 
model projections allow for a daily bag of >=2, pintails will be 
removed from the 1-bird aggregate bag and the prescribed daily bag 
limit will be selected.

    If this recommendation was not approved, the Council recommended 
the following modification to the existing harvest strategy:

    When the May Breeding Population Survey in the traditional survey 
areas is below 1.5 million or the projected fall flight is predicted to 
be below 2 million (as calculated by the models in the interim 
strategy), adopt the ``restrictive'' AHM package season length (39 days 
in the Central Flyway) with a daily bag limit of 1, if these 
regulations are projected to produce harvest at levels that would 
provide for the 6% annual growth identified as an objective in the 
strategy. If the Restrictive package regulations are expected to 
provide for <6% population growth, the season on pintails will be 
closed.

    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended maintaining the Interim 
Northern Pintail Harvest Strategy as originally adopted by the Service.
    Service Response: In 1997, the Service formally adopted the use of 
the interim pintail harvest strategy (62 FR 39712). The interim harvest 
strategy is based on a mathematical model of the continental pintail 
population and predicts allowable harvest of pintails in the lower 48 
States based on the current size of the pintail breeding population, 
anticipated recruitment, anticipated natural mortality, anticipated 
mortality due to hunting, and the desired size of the population in the 
following spring. In 2002, we updated the harvest prediction equations 
with the concurrence of all four Flyway Councils (67 FR 40128).
    In the March 22 Federal Register, we requested that the Flyway 
Councils consider a modification to the interim harvest strategy 
because for the 2002-03 and 2003-04 hunting seasons we had departed 
from the interim strategy by implementing partial seasons (67 FR 59110 
and 68 FR 55784). We concur with the recommendations of the Atlantic, 
Mississippi, and Central Flyway Councils to include the use of partial 
seasons when circumstances warrant, and to modify the interim harvest 
strategy to provide for partial seasons under the following conditions:

    When the current-year breeding population estimate for northern 
pintails is lower than 2.5 million and the population projection of the 
model in the harvest strategy predicts that the breeding population 
will decline in the following year.

    The partial season will consist of the number of days currently 
allowed in all Flyways under the ``restrictive'' packages with a 1-bird 
daily bag limit. Under all other circumstances, all existing provisions 
and conditions of the current harvest strategy will continue to apply. 
Season splits must conform to each State's zone/split configuration for 
duck hunting. If a State is authorized to split its regular duck season 
and chooses not to do so, the partial season may still be split into 
two segments.

4. Canada Geese

A. Special Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that Connecticut's September goose season framework dates of September 
1 to September 25 become operational.
    The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that Michigan be granted 
operational status for the September 1-10 early Canada goose season, 
with a 5-bird daily limit within Huron, Tuscola, and Saginaw Counties.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended allowing a 3-year 
experimental late September Canada goose season in eastern Nebraska. 
The Council also recommended that South Dakota's 2000-02 3-year 
Experimental Late-September Canada Goose Hunting Season (September 16-
30) become operational in 20 eastern South Dakota counties beginning 
with the September 2004 hunting season.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended expanding the September 
season in Wyoming to include the entire Pacific Flyway portion of 
Wyoming, reducing the daily bag limit from 3 to

[[Page 52972]]

2, and eliminating the quota on the number of geese harvested.
    Service Response: We concur with the recommendations regarding 
Connecticut, Michigan, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming's September 
goose seasons.

B. Regular Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations 
Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the 
framework opening date for all species of geese for the regular goose 
seasons be September 16 in 2004 and future years. If this 
recommendation is not approved, the Council recommended that the 
framework opening date for all species of geese for the regular goose 
seasons in Michigan and Wisconsin be September 16, 2004.
    Service Response: We concur with the objective to increase harvest 
pressure on resident Canada geese in the Mississippi Flyway, and a 
Michigan evaluation of an earlier framework opening indicates that a 
September 16 opening date would accomplish that objective. However, a 
September 16 opening date Flyway-wide would require that the regular 
season be established during the early-season regulations process, 
which presents a number of administrative problems. In addition, a 
September 16 opening date has implications beyond the Mississippi 
Flyway, and the other Flyway Councils have not had a chance to consider 
the advisability of such an early opening in their respective Flyways. 
Therefore, we are deferring the decision on a September 16 opening 
until next year so that we and the Mississippi Flyway Council can 
consider the administrative ramifications of establishing regular goose 
season frameworks during the early-season process and to provide an 
opportunity for the other Flyway Councils to consider such a change.
    Regarding the recommendations for a September 16 framework opening 
date in Wisconsin and Michigan in 2004, we concur. However, we will 
continue to consider the opening dates in both States as exceptions to 
the general Flyway opening date, to be reconsidered annually, until the 
issue of an earlier Flyway-wide opening date is addressed.

9. Sandhill Cranes

    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended 
using the 2004 Rocky Mountain Population sandhill crane harvest 
allocation of 656 birds as proposed in the allocation formula using the 
2001-03 3-year running average.
    Service Response: We concur.

16. Mourning Doves

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended 
that the daily bag limit in Utah be changed from 10 mourning doves to 
10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
    Written Comments: The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries 
Division requested moving Conecuh County from the South Zone to the 
North Zone for the 2004 season.
    The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department requested that a portion of 
the South Zone be moved to the Central Zone to allow greater hunter 
utilization of the white-winged dove population around San Antonio. 
Texas also requested clarification regarding the framework opening date 
in its southern zone.
    An individual from Louisiana requested a split dove season in the 
South Zone with the opening split earlier than September 20.
    Service Response: We concur with the Pacific Flyway Council's 
recommendation concerning Utah's daily bag limit.
    Regarding the requests by Texas and Alabama, the nature of the 
requests made us realize that we need to work with the States to review 
our current policy regarding zoning for dove hunting. In particular, we 
ask the Flyway Councils and Mourning Dove Management Unit Technical 
Committees to review the current policies regarding the use of zones 
and split seasons for dove hunting, with a view toward establishing 
guidelines for the use of these harvest-management tools, as has been 
done for waterfowl. Items to be considered should include the number of 
zone/split-season configurations that could be used, the frequency with 
which those configurations could be changed, and the need for a 
restricted framework opening date in south zones.
    Regarding the specific zoning requests this year, we concur with 
the requests by Alabama and Texas to modify their existing zone 
boundaries. Our approval is based largely on our past history of 
approving these types of requests and the fact that we anticipate no 
adverse biological impact by these proposed changes. In the future, 
however, we will be very reluctant to approve any request for zone 
boundary changes until the development and approval of a new policy on 
zoning. Additionally, we ask that all future zoning requests come 
through the appropriate Technical Committees and Flyway Councils.
    Regarding the issue of framework opening dates in south zones prior 
to September 20, there is no precedent for the requested change and we 
desire to wait for Flyway Council and Dove Technical Committee review 
of the current zoning policies and the cooperative development of 
guidelines for the use of zones and split seasons before departing from 
the current policy.

18. Alaska

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommends that 
the tundra swan season in Unit 17 become operational.
    Service Response: We concur.

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 the Environmental Protection Agency on June 9, 1988. 
We published a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on June 
16, 1988 (53 FR 22582). We published our Record of Decision on August 
18, 1988 (53 FR 31341). In addition, an August 1985 environmental 
assessment entitled ``Guidelines for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations 
on Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands'' is available from the 
address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.
    In a proposed rule published in the April 30, 2001, Federal 
Register (66 FR 21298), we expressed our intent to begin the process of 
developing a new Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the 
migratory bird hunting program. We plan to begin the public scoping 
process in 2005.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

    Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 
1531-1543; 87 Stat. 884), provides that, ``The Secretary shall review 
other programs administered by him and utilize such programs in 
furtherance of the purposes of this Act'' (and) shall ``insure that any 
action authorized, funded, or carried out * * * is not likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or 
threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification 
of [critical] habitat. * * *'' Consequently, we conducted formal 
consultations to ensure that actions resulting from these regulations 
would 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

[[Page 52973]]

biological opinion, which concluded that the regulations are not likely 
to adversely affect any endangered or threatened species. Additionally, 
these findings may have caused modification of some regulatory measures 
previously proposed, and the final frameworks reflect any such 
modifications. Our biological opinions resulting from this Section 7 
consultation are public documents available for public inspection at 
the address indicated under ADDRESSES.

Executive Order 12866

    The migratory bird hunting regulations are economically significant 
and were reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 
Executive Order 12866. As such, a cost/benefit analysis was initially 
prepared in 1981. This analysis was subsequently revised annually from 
1990 to 1996, and then updated in 1998. We have updated again this 
year. It is further discussed below under the heading Regulatory 
Flexibility Act. Results from the 2004 analysis indicate that the 
expected welfare benefit of the annual migratory bird hunting 
frameworks is on the order of $734 million to $1.064 billion, with a 
midpoint estimate of $899 million. Copies of the cost/benefit analysis 
are available upon request from the address indicated under ADDRESSES 
or from our Web site at http://www.migratorybirds.gov.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    These regulations have a significant economic impact on substantial 
numbers of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.). We analyzed the economic impacts of the annual 
hunting regulations on small business entities in detail as part of the 
1981 cost-benefit analysis discussed under Executive Order 12866. This 
analysis was revised annually from 1990 through 1995. In 1995, the 
Service issued a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis), which 
was subsequently updated in 1996, 1998, and 2004. The primary source of 
information about hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting 
is the National Hunting and Fishing Survey, which is conducted at 5-
year intervals. The 2004 Analysis was based on the 2001 National 
Hunting and Fishing Survey and the U.S. Department of Commerce's County 
Business Patterns, from which it was estimated that migratory bird 
hunters would spend between $481 million and $1.2 billion at small 
businesses in 2004. Copies of the Analysis are available upon request 
from the address indicated under ADDRESSES or from our Web site at 
www.migratorybirds.gov.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This rule is a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business 
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. For the reasons outlined above, 
this rule has an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more. 
However, because this rule establishes hunting seasons, we do not plan 
to defer the effective date required by 5 U.S.C. 801 under the 
exemption contained in 5 U.S.C. 808 (1).

Paperwork Reduction Act

    We 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, OMB has approved the information collection requirements 
of the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program and assigned 
clearance number 1018-0015 (expires 10/31/2004). This information is 
used to provide a sampling frame for voluntary national surveys to 
improve our harvest estimates for all migratory game birds in order to 
better manage these populations. OMB has also approved the information 
collection requirements of the Sandhill Crane Harvest Questionnaire and 
assigned clearance number 1018-0023 (expires 10/31/2004). The 
information from this survey is used to estimate the magnitude and the 
geographical and temporal distribution of the harvest, and the portion 
it constitutes of the total population.
    A Federal agency 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

    We have determined and certify, in compliance with the requirements 
of the Unfunded Mandates Reform 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. Therefore, this 
rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act.

Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988

    The Department, in promulgating this rule, has determined that it 
will not unduly burden the judicial system and that it meets the 
requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.

Takings Implication Assessment

    In accordance with Executive Order 12630, this rule, authorized by 
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, does not have significant takings 
implications and does not affect any constitutionally protected 
property rights. This rule 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 
otherwise unavailable privileges and, therefore, reduce restrictions on 
the use of private and public property.

Energy Effects--Executive Order 13211

    On May 18, 2001, the President issued Executive Order 13211 on 
regulations that significantly affect energy supply, distribution, and 
use. Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of 
Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. While this rule is a 
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, it is not 
expected to adversely affect energy supplies, distribution, or use. 
Therefore, this action is not a significant energy action and no 
Statement of Energy Effects is required.

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. We annually prescribe frameworks from 
which the States make selections regarding the hunting of migratory 
birds, and we employ 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 
process allows States to participate in the development of frameworks 
from which they will make selections, thereby having an influence on 
their own regulations. 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 13132, 
these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and do not 
have sufficient federalism implications to

[[Page 52974]]

warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Regulations Promulgation

    The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its 
nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, we intend that 
the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to comment. Thus, 
when the preliminary proposed rulemaking was published, we established 
what we believed were the longest periods possible for public comment. 
In doing this, we 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, States 
would have insufficient time to select season dates and limits; to 
communicate those selections to us; and to establish and publicize the 
necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions. We 
therefore find that ``good cause'' exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C. 
553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, and these frameworks 
will, therefore, take effect immediately upon publication.
    Therefore, under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July 
3, 1918), as amended (16 U.S.C. 703-711), we prescribe 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, we 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 2004-05 season.

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 2004-05 
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 
a-j.

    Dated: August 16, 2004.
David P. Smith,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Final Regulations Frameworks for 2004-05 Early Hunting Seasons on 
Certain Migratory Game Birds

    Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated 
authorities, the Department of the Interior approved the following 
frameworks, which prescribe season lengths, bag limits, shooting hours, 
and outside dates within which States may select hunting seasons for 
certain migratory game birds between September 1, 2004, and March 10, 
2005.

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.

Management Units

Mourning Dove Management Units

    Eastern Management Unit--All States east of the Mississippi River, 
and Louisiana.
    Central Management Unit--Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, 
Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, 
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
    Western Management Unit--Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, 
Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

Woodcock Management Regions

    Eastern Management Region--Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, 
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, 
Virginia, and West Virginia.
    Central Management Region--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, 
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, 
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, 
Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
    Other geographic descriptions are contained in a later portion of 
this document.
    Compensatory Days in the Atlantic Flyway: In the Atlantic Flyway 
States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New 
Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, where Sunday 
hunting is prohibited statewide by State law, all Sundays are closed to 
all take of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and coots).

Special September Teal Season

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season 
on all species of teal may be selected by the following States in areas 
delineated by State regulations:
    Atlantic Flyway--Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North 
Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
    Mississippi Flyway--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, 
Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee.
    Central Flyway--Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska (part), New 
Mexico (part), Oklahoma, and Texas.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 9 consecutive 
days. The daily bag limit is 4 teal.
    Shooting Hours:
    Atlantic Flyway--One-half hour before sunrise to sunset except in 
Maryland, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.
    Mississippi and Central Flyways--One-half hour before sunrise to 
sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, 
and Ohio, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.

Special September Duck Seasons

    Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee: In lieu of a special September 
teal season, a 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September. 
The daily bag limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the 
aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks.
    Iowa: Iowa may hold up to 5 days of its regular duck hunting season 
in September. All ducks that are legal during the regular duck season 
may be taken during the September segment of

[[Page 52975]]

the season. The September season segment may commence no earlier than 
the Saturday nearest September 20 (September 18). The daily bag and 
possession limits will be the same as those in effect last year, but 
are subject to change during the late-season regulations process. The 
remainder of the regular duck season may not begin before October 10.

Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days

    Outside Dates: States may select two consecutive days (hunting days 
in Atlantic Flyway States with compensatory days) per duck-hunting 
zone, designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,'' in addition to 
their regular duck seasons. The days must be held outside any regular 
duck season on a weekend, holidays, or other non-school days when youth 
hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate. The days may 
be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-season 
frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or within any 
other open season on migratory birds.
    Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits may include ducks, geese, 
mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and would be the same as 
those allowed in the regular season. Flyway species and area 
restrictions would remain in effect.
    Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
    Participation Restrictions: Youth hunters must be 15 years of age 
or younger. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age must 
accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult may not duck hunt 
but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special youth 
day.

Scoter, Eider, and Oldsquaw Ducks (Atlantic Flyway)

    Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 107 days, with 
a daily bag limit of 7, singly or in the aggregate, of the listed sea-
duck species, of which no more than 4 may be scoters.
    Daily Bag Limits During the Regular Duck Season: Within the special 
sea duck areas, during the regular duck season in the Atlantic Flyway, 
States may choose to allow the above sea duck limits in addition to the 
limits applying to other ducks during the regular duck season. In all 
other areas, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular open season 
for ducks and are part of the regular duck season daily bag (not to 
exceed 4 scoters) and possession limits.
    Areas: In all coastal waters and all waters of rivers and streams 
seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New Hampshire, 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in any waters 
of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay which are 
separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and 
emergent vegetation in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Georgia; and in 
any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay 
which are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any shore, 
island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, 
and Virginia; and provided that any such areas have been described, 
delineated, and designated as special sea-duck hunting areas under the 
hunting regulations adopted by the respective States.

Special Early Canada Goose Seasons

Atlantic Flyway

General Seasons
    Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be 
selected for the Eastern Unit of Maryland and Delaware. Seasons not to 
exceed 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected for the Northeast 
Hunt Unit of North Carolina, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. Except for 
experimental seasons described below, seasons may not exceed 25 days 
during September 1-25 in the remainder of the Flyway. Areas open to the 
hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated 
as such in each State's hunting regulations.
    Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 8 Canada geese.
Experimental Seasons
    Experimental Canada goose seasons of up to 25 days during September 
1-25 may be selected for the Montezuma Region of New York and the Lake 
Champlain Region of New York and Vermont. Experimental seasons of up to 
30 days during September 1-30 may be selected by Connecticut, Florida, 
Georgia, New York (Long Island Zone), North Carolina (except in the 
Northeast Hunt Unit), and South Carolina. Areas open to the hunting of 
Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in 
each State's hunting regulations.
    Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 8 Canada geese.

Mississippi Flyway

General Seasons
    Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be 
selected, except in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, where the season 
may not extend beyond September 10, and in Minnesota (except in the 
Northwest Goose Zone), where a season of up to 22 days during September 
1-22 may be selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada 
geese. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, 
delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
    A Canada goose season of up to 10 consecutive days during September 
1-10 may be selected by Michigan for Huron, Saginaw, and Tuscola 
Counties, except that the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, 
Shiawassee River State Game Area Refuge, and the Fish Point Wildlife 
Area Refuge will remain closed. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 
Canada geese.

Central Flyway

General Seasons
    Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be 
selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open 
to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and 
designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
    A Canada goose season of up to 15 consecutive days during September 
16-30 may be selected by South Dakota. The daily bag limit may not 
exceed 5 Canada geese.
Experimental Seasons
    An experimental Canada goose season of up to 9 consecutive days 
during September 22-30 may be selected by Oklahoma. The daily bag limit 
may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
    An experimental Canada goose season of up to 15 consecutive days 
during September 16-30 may be selected by Nebraska. The daily bag limit 
may not exceed 5 Canada geese.

Pacific Flyway

General Seasons
    California may select a 9-day season in Humboldt County during the 
period September 1-15. The daily bag limit is 2.
    Colorado may select a 9-day season during the period of September 
1-15. The daily bag limit is 3.
    Oregon may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days 
during the period September 1-15. In addition, in the NW goose 
management zone in Oregon, a 15-day season may be selected during the 
period September 1-20. Daily bag limits may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
    Idaho may select a 7-day season in the special East Canada Goose 
Zone, as described in State regulations, during the period September 1-
15. All participants must have a valid State

[[Page 52976]]

permit, and the total number of permits issued is not to exceed 110 for 
this zone. The daily bag limit is 2.
    Idaho may select a 7-day Canada goose season during the period 
September 1-15 in Nez Perce County, with a bag limit of 4.
    Washington may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 
days during the period September 1-15. Daily bag limits may not exceed 
5 Canada geese.
    Wyoming may select an 8-day season on Canada geese between 
September 1-15. This season is subject to the following conditions:
    1. Where applicable, the season must be concurrent with the 
September portion of the sandhill crane season.
    2. A daily bag limit of 2, with season and possession limits of 4, 
will apply to the special season.
    Areas open to hunting of Canada geese in each State must be 
described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting 
regulations.

Regular Goose Seasons

    Regular goose seasons may open as early as September 16 in 
Wisconsin and Michigan. Season lengths, bag and possession limits, and 
other provisions will be established during the late-season regulations 
process.

Sandhill Cranes

    Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway:
    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28.
    Hunting Seasons: Seasons not to exceed 37 consecutive days may be 
selected in designated portions of North Dakota (Area 2) and Texas 
(Area 2). Seasons not to exceed 58 consecutive days may be selected in 
designated portions of the following States: Colorado, Kansas, Montana, 
North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Seasons not to exceed 93 
consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of the 
following States: New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
    Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes, except 2 sandhill cranes in 
designated portions of North Dakota (Area 2) and Texas (Area 2).
    Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane 
seasons must have a valid Federal sandhill crane hunting permit and/or, 
in those States where a Federal sandhill crane permit is not issued, a 
State-issued Harvest Information Survey Program (HIP) certification for 
game bird hunting in their possession while hunting.
    Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways:
    Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming 
may select seasons for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the 
Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) subject to the following conditions:
    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: The season in any State or zone may not exceed 30 
days.
    Bag limits: Not to exceed 3 daily and 9 per season.
    Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the 
appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.
    Other provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates, 
protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons 
must be consistent with the management plan and approved by the Central 
and Pacific Flyway Councils with the following exceptions:
    1. In Utah, the requirement for monitoring the racial composition 
of the harvest in the experimental season is waived, and 100 percent of 
the harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota;
    2. In Arizona, the annual requirement for monitoring the racial 
composition of the harvest is changed to once every 3 years;
    3. In Idaho, seasons are experimental, and the requirement for 
monitoring the racial composition of the harvest is waived; 100 percent 
of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota; and
    4. In New Mexico, the season in the Estancia Valley is 
experimental, with a requirement to monitor the level and racial 
composition of the harvest; greater sandhill cranes in the harvest will 
be assigned to the RMP quota.

Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 20 in the Atlantic 
Flyway, and between September 1 and the Sunday nearest January 20 
(January 23) in the Mississippi and Central Flyways. States in the 
Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons 
between the outside dates for the season on ducks; therefore, they are 
late-season frameworks, and no frameworks are provided in this 
document.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70 
days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. Seasons may be 
split into 2 segments. The daily bag limit is 15 common moorhens and 
purple gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of the two species.
    Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck 
hunting.

Rails

    Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between 
September 1 and January 20 on clapper, king, sora, and Virginia rails.
    Hunting Seasons: The season may not exceed 70 days, and may be 
split into 2 segments.
    Daily Bag Limits:
    Clapper and King Rails--In Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, 
Delaware, and Maryland, 10, singly or in the aggregate of the two 
species. In Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, 
South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, 15, singly or in the 
aggregate of the two species.
    Sora and Virginia Rails--In the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central 
Flyways and the Pacific-Flyway portions of Colorado, Montana, New 
Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 daily and 25 in possession, singly or in the 
aggregate of the two species. The season is closed in the remainder of 
the Pacific Flyway.

Common Snipe

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28, except in 
Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, 
where the season must end no later than January 31.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 107 
days and may be split into two segments. The daily bag limit is 8 
snipe.
    Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck 
hunting.

American Woodcock

    Outside Dates: States in the Eastern Management Region may select 
hunting seasons between October 1 and January 31. States in the Central 
Management Region may select hunting seasons between the Saturday 
nearest September 22 (September 25) and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 30 
days in the Eastern Region and 45 days in the Central Region. The daily 
bag limit is 3. Seasons may be split into two segments.
    Zoning: New Jersey may select seasons in each of two zones. The 
season in each zone may not exceed 24 days.

Band-Tailed Pigeons

Pacific Coast States (California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada)

    Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 1.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive 
days, with a daily bag limit of 2 band-tailed pigeons.
    Zoning: California may select hunting seasons not to exceed 9 
consecutive

[[Page 52977]]

days in each of two zones. The season in the North Zone must close by 
October 3.

Four-Corners States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah)

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and November 30.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 30 consecutive 
days, with a daily bag limit of 5 band-tailed pigeons.
    Zoning: New Mexico may select hunting seasons not to exceed 20 
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the South Zone may 
not open until October 1.

Mourning Doves

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15, except as 
otherwise provided, States may select hunting seasons and daily bag 
limits as follows:

Eastern Management Unit

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a 
daily bag limit of 12, or not more than 60 days with a daily bag limit 
of 15.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each 
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more 
than three periods. The hunting seasons in the South Zones of Alabama, 
Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana may commence no earlier than September 
20. Regulations for bag and possession limits, season length, and 
shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting zones.

Central Management Unit

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a 
daily bag limit of 12 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, 
or not more than 60 days with a bag limit of 15 mourning and white-
winged doves in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons
    States may select hunting seasons in each of two zones. The season 
within each zone may be split into not more than three periods.
    Texas may select hunting seasons for each of three zones subject to 
the following conditions:
    A. The hunting season may be split into not more than two periods, 
except in that portion of Texas in which the special white-winged dove 
season is allowed, where a limited mourning dove season may be held 
concurrently with that special season (see white-winged dove 
frameworks).
    B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between 
September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between September 20 
and January 25.
    C. Daily bag limits are aggregate bag limits with mourning, white-
winged, and white-tipped doves (see white-winged dove frameworks for 
specific daily bag limit restrictions).
    D. Except as noted above, regulations for bag and possession 
limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within each 
hunting zone.

Western Management Unit

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits
    Idaho, Oregon, and Washington--Not more than 30 consecutive days 
with a daily bag limit of 10 mourning doves.
    Utah--Not more than 30 consecutive days with a daily bag limit that 
may not exceed 10 mourning doves and white-winged doves in the 
aggregate.
    Nevada--Not more than 30 consecutive days with a daily bag limit of 
10 mourning doves, except in Clark and Nye Counties, where the daily 
bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the 
aggregate.
    Arizona and California--Not more than 60 days, which may be split 
between two periods, September 1-15 and November 1-January 15. In 
Arizona, during the first segment of the season, the daily bag limit is 
10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more 
than 6 may be white-winged doves. During the remainder of the season, 
the daily bag limit is 10 mourning doves. In California, the daily bag 
limit is 10 mourning doves, except in Imperial, Riverside, and San 
Bernardino Counties, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 
mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.

White-Winged and White-Tipped Doves

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits
    Except as shown below, seasons must be concurrent with mourning 
dove seasons.
Eastern Management Unit
    In Florida, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning and 
white-winged doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate, of 
which no more than 4 may be white-winged doves.
    In the remainder of the Eastern Management Unit, the season is 
closed.
Central Management Unit
    In Texas, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning, white-
winged, and white-tipped doves (15 under the alternative) in the 
aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be white-tipped doves. In 
addition, Texas also may select a hunting season of not more than 4 
days for the special white-winged dove area of the South Zone between 
September 1 and September 19. The daily bag limit may not exceed 10 
white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of 
which no more than 5 may be mourning doves and 2 may be white-tipped 
doves.
    In the remainder of the Central Management Unit, the daily bag 
limit may not exceed 12 (15 under the alternative) mourning and white-
winged doves in the aggregate.
Western Management Unit
    Arizona may select a hunting season of not more than 30 consecutive 
days, running concurrently with the first segment of the mourning dove 
season. The daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged 
doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 6 may be white-winged 
doves.
    In Utah, the Nevada Counties of Clark and Nye, and in the 
California Counties of Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino, the 
daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in 
the aggregate.
    In the remainder of the Western Management Unit, the season is 
closed.

Alaska

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 26.
    Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select 107 consecutive days for 
waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and common snipe in each of 5 zones. The 
season may be split without penalty in the Kodiak Zone. The seasons in 
each zone must be concurrent.
    Closures: The season is closed on Canada geese from Unimak Pass 
westward in the Aleutian Island chain. The hunting season is closed on 
emperor geese, spectacled eiders, and Steller's eiders.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits
    Ducks--Except as noted, a basic daily bag limit of 7 and a 
possession limit of 21 ducks. Daily bag and possession limits in the 
North Zone are 10 and 30, and in the Gulf Coast Zone, they are 8 and 
24. The basic limits may include no more than 1 canvasback daily and 3 
in possession and may not include sea ducks.
    In addition to the basic duck limits, Alaska may select sea duck 
limits of 10 daily, 20 in possession, singly or in the aggregate, 
including no more than 6 each of either harlequin or long-tailed ducks. 
Sea ducks include scoters, common and king eiders, harlequin ducks, 
long-tailed ducks, and common and red-breasted mergansers.

[[Page 52978]]

    Light Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 3 and a possession limit of 
6.
    Dark Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit of 
8.
    Dark-goose seasons are subject to the following exceptions:
    1. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from 
September 28 through December 16. A special, permit-only Canada goose 
season may be offered on Middleton Island. No more than 10 permits can 
be issued. A mandatory goose identification class is required. Hunters 
must check in and check out. The bag limit is 1 daily and 1 in 
possession. The season will close if incidental harvest includes 5 
dusky Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada 
goose (Munsell 10 YR color value five or less) with a bill length 
between 40 and 50 millimeters.
    2. In Unit 10 (except Unimak Island), the taking of Canada geese is 
prohibited.
    3. In Unit 9(D) and the Unimak Island portion of Unit 10, the 
limits for dark geese are 6 daily and 12 in possession.
    Brant--A daily bag limit of 2.
    Common snipe--A daily bag limit of 8.
    Sandhill cranes--Bag and possession limits of 2 and 4, 
respectively, in the Southeast, Gulf Coast, Kodiak, and Aleutian Zones, 
and Unit 17 in the Northern Zone. In the remainder of the Northern Zone 
(outside Unit 17), bag and possession limits of 3 and 6, respectively.
    Tundra Swans--Open seasons for tundra swans may be selected subject 
to the following conditions:
    1. All seasons are by registration permit only.
    2. All season framework dates are September 1--October 31.
    3. In Game Management Unit (GMU) 17, no more than 200 permits may 
be issued during this operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans 
may be authorized per permit with no more than 1 permit issued per 
hunter per season.
    4. In Game Management Unit (GMU) 18, no more than 500 permits may 
be issued during the operational season. Up to 3 tundra swans may be 
authorized per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter 
per season.
    5. In GMU 22, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the 
operational season. Each permittee may be authorized to take up to 3 
tundra swan per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter 
per season.
    6. In GMU 23, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the 
operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans may be authorized per 
permit with no more than 1 permit issued per hunter per season.

Hawaii

    Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 65 days (75 under the alternative) 
for mourning doves.
    Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 (12 under the alternative) mourning 
doves.


    Note: Mourning doves may be taken in Hawaii in accordance with 
shooting hours and other regulations set by the State of Hawaii, and 
subject to the applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20.

Puerto Rico

Doves and Pigeons

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 15 Zenaida, 
mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which not more 
than 3 may be mourning doves. Not to exceed 5 scaly-naped pigeons.
    Closed Areas: There is no open season on doves or pigeons in the 
following areas: Municipality of Culebra, Desecheo Island, Mona Island, 
El Verde Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas.
Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and Snipe
    Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 days may be selected for hunting 
ducks, common moorhens, and common snipe. The season may be split into 
two segments.
Daily Bag Limits
    Ducks--Not to exceed 6.
    Common moorhens--Not to exceed 6.
    Common snipe--Not to exceed 8.
    Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, 
and masked duck, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico. The season also is closed on the purple gallinule, American coot, 
and Caribbean coot.
    Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, common moorhens, 
and common snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island.

Virgin Islands

Doves and Pigeons

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days for Zenaida doves.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida doves.
    Closed Seasons: No open season is prescribed for ground or quail 
doves, or pigeons in the Virgin Islands.
    Closed Areas: There is no open season for migratory game birds on 
Ruth Cay (just south of St. Croix).
    Local Names for Certain Birds: Zenaida dove, also known as mountain 
dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as Barbary dove or partridge; 
Common ground-dove, also known as stone dove, tobacco dove, rola, or 
tortolita; scaly-naped pigeon, also known as red-necked or scaled 
pigeon.

Ducks

    Outside Dates: Between December 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 consecutive days.
    Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 6.
    Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, 
and masked duck.

Special Falconry Regulations

    Falconry is a permitted means of taking migratory game birds in any 
State meeting Federal falconry standards in 50 CFR 21.29(k). These 
States may select an extended season for taking migratory game birds in 
accordance with the following:
    Extended Seasons: For all hunting methods combined, the combined 
length of the extended season, regular season, and any special or 
experimental seasons must not exceed 107 days for any species or group 
of species in a geographical area. Each extended season may be divided 
into a maximum of 3 segments.
    Framework Dates: Seasons must fall between September 1 and March 
10.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Falconry daily bag and possession 
limits for all permitted migratory game birds must not exceed 3 and 6 
birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate, during extended 
falconry seasons, any special or experimental seasons, and regular 
hunting seasons in all States, including those that do not select an 
extended falconry season.
    Regular Seasons: General hunting regulations, including seasons and 
hunting hours, apply to falconry in each State listed in 50 CFR 
21.29(k). Regular-season bag and possession limits do not apply to 
falconry. The falconry bag limit is not in addition to gun limits.

[[Page 52979]]

Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions

Mourning and White-winged Doves

Alabama
    South Zone--Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, 
Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties.
    North Zone--Remainder of the State.
California
    White-winged Dove Open Areas--Imperial, Riverside, and San 
Bernardino Counties.
Florida
    Northwest Zone--The Counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, 
Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, 
Washington, Leon (except that portion north of U.S. 27 and east of 
State Road 155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of State Road 59 and 
north of U.S. 98), and Wakulla (except that portion south of U.S. 98 
and east of the St. Marks River).
    South Zone--Remainder of State.
Georgia
    Northern Zone--That portion of the State lying north of a line 
running west to east along U.S. Highway 280 from Columbus to Wilcox 
County, thence southward along the western border of Wilcox County; 
thence east along the southern border of Wilcox County to the Ocmulgee 
River, thence north along the Ocmulgee River to Highway 280, thence 
east along Highway 280 to the Little Ocmulgee River; thence southward 
along the Little Ocmulgee River to the Ocmulgee River; thence 
southwesterly along the Ocmulgee River to the western border of Jeff 
Davis County; thence south along the western border of Jeff Davis 
County; thence east along the southern border of Jeff Davis and Appling 
Counties; thence north along the eastern border of Appling County, to 
the Altamaha River; thence east to the eastern border of Tattnall 
County; thence north along the eastern border of Tattnall County; 
thence north along the western border of Evans to Candler County; 
thence east along the northern border of Evans County to U.S. Highway 
301; thence northeast along U.S. Highway 301 to the South Carolina 
line.
    South Zone--Remainder of the State.
Louisiana
    North Zone--That portion of the State north of Interstate Highway 
10 from the Texas State line to Baton Rouge, Interstate Highway 12 from 
Baton Rouge to Slidell and Interstate Highway 10 from Slidell to the 
Mississippi State line.
    South Zone--The remainder of the State.
Nevada
    White-winged Dove Open Areas--Clark and Nye Counties.
Texas
    North Zone--That portion of the State north of a line beginning at 
the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; north along FM 1088 to 
TX 20; west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along TX 148 to I-10 at Fort 
Hancock; east along I-10 to I-20; northeast along I-20 to I-30 at Fort 
Worth; northeast along I-30 to the Texas-Arkansas State line.
    South Zone--That portion of the State south and west of a line 
beginning at the International Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east 
on U.S. 90 to State Loop 1604 west of San Antonio; then south, east, 
and north along Loop 1604 to Interstate Highway 10 east of San Antonio; 
then east on I-10 to Orange, Texas.
    Special White-winged Dove Area in the South Zone--That portion of 
the State south and west of a line beginning at the International 
Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east on U.S. 90 to Uvalde; south on 
U.S. 83 to TX 44; east along TX 44 to TX 16 at Freer; south along TX 16 
to TX 285 at Hebbronville; east along TX 285 to FM 1017; southwest 
along FM 1017 to TX 186 at Linn; east along TX 186 to the Mansfield 
Channel at Port Mansfield; east along the Mansfield Channel to the Gulf 
of Mexico.
    Area with additional restrictions--Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and 
Willacy Counties.
    Central Zone--That portion of the State lying between the North and 
South Zones.

Band-Tailed Pigeons

California
    North Zone--Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, 
Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity 
Counties.
    South Zone--The remainder of the State.
New Mexico
    North Zone--North of a line following U.S. 60 from the Arizona 
State line east to I-25 at Socorro and then south along I-25 from 
Socorro to the Texas State line.
    South Zone--Remainder of the State.
Washington
    Western Washington--The State of Washington excluding those 
portions lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big 
White Salmon River in Klickitat County.

Woodcock

New Jersey
    North Zone--That portion of the State north of NJ 70.
    South Zone--The remainder of the State.

Special September Canada Goose Seasons

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut
    North Zone--That portion of the State north of I-95.
    South Zone--Remainder of the State.
Maryland
    Eastern Unit--Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, 
Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, 
Wicomico, and Worcester Counties, and those portions of Baltimore, 
Howard, and Prince George's Counties east of I-95.
    Western Unit--Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, 
and Washington Counties, and those portions of Baltimore, Howard, and 
Prince George's Counties west of I-95.
Massachusetts
    Western Zone--That portion of the State west of a line extending 
south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, 
south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut 
border.
    Central Zone--That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone 
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-
95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on 
MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west 
to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards 
inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the 
MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St. Elm St. 
bridge will be in the Coastal Zone.
    Coastal Zone--That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the 
Central Zone.
New York
    Lake Champlain Zone--The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian 
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south 
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the 
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; 
southeast

[[Page 52980]]

along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border.
    Long Island Zone--That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk 
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their 
tidal waters.
    Western Zone--That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario 
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along 
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border, except for the Montezuma Zone.
    Montezuma Zone--Those portions of Cayuga, Seneca, Ontario, Wayne, 
and Oswego Counties north of U.S. Route 20, east of NYS Route 14, south 
of NYS Route 104, and west of NYS Route 34.
    Northeastern Zone--That area north of a line extending from Lake 
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south 
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to 
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along 
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along 
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive 
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
    Southeastern Zone--The remaining portion of New York.
North Carolina
    Northeast Hunt Unit--Counties of Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, 
Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington.
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: That portion of Vermont west of the Lake Champlain 
Zone and eastward of a line extending from the Massachusetts border at 
Interstate 91; north along Interstate 91 to U.S. 2; east along U.S. 2 
to VT 102; north along VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 253 to the 
Canadian border.
    Connecticut River Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont east of 
the Interior Zone.

Mississippi Flyway

Illinois
    Northeast Canada Goose Zone--Cook, Du Page, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, 
Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.
    North Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast Canada 
Goose Zone and north of a line extending east from the Iowa border 
along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate Highway 280, east along I-280 
to I-80, then east along I-80 to the Indiana border.
    Central Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast 
Canada Goose Zone and south of the North Zone to a line extending east 
from the Missouri border along the Modoc Ferry route to Modoc Ferry 
Road, east along Modoc Ferry Road to Modoc Road, northeasterly along 
Modoc Road and St. Leo's Road to Illinois Highway 3, north along 
Illinois 3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159 to Illinois 161, 
east along Illinois 161 to Illinois 4, north along Illinois 4 to 
Interstate Highway 70, east along I-70 to the Bond County line, north 
and east along the Bond County line to Fayette County, north and east 
along the Fayette County line to Effingham County, east and south along 
the Effingham County line to I-70, then east along I-70 to the Indiana 
border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Illinois.
Iowa
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of U.S. Highway 20.
    South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
    Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Goose Zone. Includes portions of Linn and 
Johnson Counties bounded as follows: Beginning at the intersection of 
the west border of Linn County and Linn County Road E2W; thence south 
and east along County Road E2W to Highway 920; thence north along 
Highway 920 to County Road E16; thence east along County Road E16 to 
County Road W58; thence south along County Road W58 to County Road E34; 
thence east along County Road E34 to Highway 13; thence south along 
Highway 13 to Highway 30; thence east along Highway 30 to Highway 1; 
thence south along Highway 1 to Morse Road in Johnson County; thence 
east along Morse Road to Wapsi Avenue; thence south along Wapsi Avenue 
to Lower West Branch Road; thence west along Lower West Branch Road to 
Taft Avenue; thence south along Taft Avenue to County Road F62; thence 
west along County Road F62 to Kansas Avenue; thence north along Kansas 
Avenue to Black Diamond Road; thence west on Black Diamond Road to 
Jasper Avenue; thence north along Jasper Avenue to Rohert Road; thence 
west along Rohert Road to Ivy Avenue; thence north along Ivy Avenue to 
340th Street; thence west along 340th Street to Half Moon Avenue; 
thence north along Half Moon Avenue to Highway 6; thence west along 
Highway 6 to Echo Avenue; thence north along Echo Avenue to 250th 
Street; thence east on 250th Street to Green Castle Avenue; thence 
north along Green Castle Avenue to County Road F12; thence west along 
County Road F12 to County Road W30; thence north along County Road W30 
to Highway 151; thence north along the Linn-Benton County line to the 
point of beginning.
    Des Moines Goose Zone. Includes those portions of Polk, Warren, 
Madison and Dallas Counties bounded as follows: Beginning at the 
intersection of Northwest 158th Avenue and County Road R38 in Polk 
County; thence south along R38 to Northwest 142nd Avenue; thence east 
along Northwest 142nd Avenue to Northeast 126th Avenue; thence east 
along Northeast 126th Avenue to Northeast 46th Street; thence south 
along Northeast 46th Street to Highway 931; thence east along Highway 
931 to Northeast 80th Street; thence south along Northeast 80th Street 
to Southeast 6th Avenue; thence west along Southeast 6th Avenue to 
Highway 65; thence south and west along Highway 65 to Highway 69 in 
Warren County; thence south along Highway 69 to County Road G24; thence 
west along County Road G24 to Highway 28; thence southwest along 
Highway 28 to 43rd Avenue; thence north along 43rd Avenue to Ford 
Street; thence west along Ford Street to Filmore Street; thence west 
along Filmore Street to 10th Avenue; thence south along 10th Avenue to 
155th Street in Madison County; thence west along 155th Street to 
Cumming Road; thence north along Cumming Road to Badger Creek Avenue; 
thence north along Badger Creek Avenue to County Road F90 in Dallas 
County; thence east along County Road F90 to County Road R22; thence 
north along County Road R22 to Highway 44; thence east along Highway 44 
to County Road R30; thence north along County Road R30 to County Road 
F31; thence east along County Road F31 to Highway 17; thence north 
along Highway 17 to Highway 415 in Polk County; thence east along 
Highway 415 to Northwest 158th Avenue; thence east along Northwest 
158th Avenue to the point of beginning.
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.

[[Page 52981]]

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.
Minnesota
    Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone--
    A. All of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.
    B. In Anoka County, all of Columbus Township lying south of County 
State Aid Highway (CSAH) 18, Anoka County; all of the cities of Ramsey, 
Andover, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Spring Lake Park, Fridley, Hilltop, 
Columbia Heights, Blaine, Lexington, Circle Pines, Lino Lakes, and 
Centerville; and all of the city of Ham Lake except that portion lying 
north of CSAH 18 and east of U.S. Highway 65.
    C. That part of Carver County lying north and east of the following 
described line: Beginning at the northeast corner of San Francisco 
Township; thence west along the north boundary of San Francisco 
Township to the east boundary of Dahlgren Township; thence north along 
the east boundary of Dahlgren Township to U.S. Highway 212; thence west 
along U.S. Highway 212 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 284; thence north 
on STH 284 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10; thence north and west 
on CSAH 10 to CSAH 30; thence north and west on CSAH 30 to STH 25; 
thence east and north on STH 25 to CSAH 10; thence north on CSAH 10 to 
the Carver County line.
    D. In Scott County, all of the cities of Shakopee, Savage, Prior 
Lake, and Jordan, and all of the Townships of Jackson, Louisville, St. 
Lawrence, Sand Creek, Spring Lake, and Credit River.
    E. In Dakota County, all of the cities of Burnsville, Eagan, 
Mendota Heights, Mendota, Sunfish Lake, Inver Grove Heights, Apple 
Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Farmington, Hastings, Lilydale, West St. 
Paul, and South St. Paul, and all of the Township of Nininger.
    F. That portion of Washington County lying south of the following 
described line: Beginning at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 on the 
west boundary of the county; thence east on CSAH 2 to U.S. Highway 61; 
thence south on U.S. Highway 61 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 97; thence 
east on STH 97 to the intersection of STH 97 and STH 95; thence due 
east to the east boundary of the State.
    Northwest Goose Zone--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.
    Southeast Goose Zone--That part of the State within the following 
described boundaries: beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 52 
and the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; 
thence along the U.S. Highway 52 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 57; 
thence along STH 57 to the municipal boundary of Kasson; thence along 
the municipal boundary of Kasson County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 13, 
Dodge County; thence along CSAH 13 to STH 30; thence along STH 30 to 
U.S. Highway 63; thence along U.S. Highway 63 to the south boundary of 
the State; thence along the south and east boundaries of the State to 
the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; thence 
along said boundary to the point of beginning.
    Five Goose Zone--That portion of the State not included in the Twin 
Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone, the Northwest Goose Zone, or the 
Southeast Goose Zone.
    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.
Tennessee
    Middle Tennessee Zone--Those portions of Houston, Humphreys, 
Montgomery, Perry, and Wayne Counties east of State Highway 13; and 
Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles, 
Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Moore, 
Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson 
Counties.
    East Tennessee Zone--Anderson, Bledsoe, Bradley, Blount, Campbell, 
Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Grainger, 
Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jackson, 
Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, 
Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, 
Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, and 
White Counties.
Wisconsin
    Early-Season Subzone A--That portion of the State encompassed by a 
line beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 141 and the Michigan 
border near Niagara, then south along U.S. 141 to State Highway 22, 
west and southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45, south along U.S. 45 to 
State 22, west and south along State 22 to State 110, south along State 
110 to U.S. 10, south along U.S. 10 to State 49, south along State 49 
to State 23, west along State 23 to State 73, south along State 73 to 
State 60, west along State 60 to State 23, south along State 23 to 
State 11, east along State 11 to State 78, then south along State 78 to 
the Illinois border.
    Early-Season Subzone B--The remainder of the State.

Central Flyway

Kansas
    September Canada Goose Kansas City/Topeka Unit--That part of Kansas 
bounded by a line from the Kansas-Missouri State line west on KS 68 to 
its junction with KS 33, then north on KS 33 to its junction with U.S. 
56, then west on U.S. 56 to its junction with KS 31, then west-
northwest on KS 31 to its junction with KS 99, then north on KS 99 to 
its junction with U.S. 24, then east on U.S. 24 to its junction with KS 
63, then north on KS 63 to its junction with KS 16, then east on KS 16 
to its junction with KS 116, then east on KS 116 to its junction with 
U.S. 59, then northeast on U.S. 59 to its junction with the Kansas-
Missouri line, then south on the Kansas-Missouri line to its junction 
with KS 68.
    September Canada Goose Wichita Unit--That part of Kansas bounded by 
a line from I-135 west on U.S. 50 to its junction with Burmac Road, 
then south on Burmac Road to its junction with 279 Street West 
(Sedgwick/Harvey County line), then south on 279 Street West to its 
junction with KS 96, then east on KS 96 to its junction with KS 296, 
then south on KS 296 to its junction with 247 Street West, then south 
on 247 Street West to its junction with U.S. 54, then west on U.S. 54 
to its junction with 263 Street West, then south on 263 Street West to 
its junction with KS 49, then south on KS 49 to its junction with 90

[[Page 52982]]

Avenue North, then east on 90 Avenue North to its junction with KS 55, 
then east on KS 55 to its junction with KS 15, then east on KS 15 to 
its junction with U.S. 77, then north on U.S. 77 to its junction with 
Ohio Street, then north on Ohio to its junction with KS 254, then east 
on KS 254 to its junction with KS 196, then northwest on KS 196 to its 
junction with I-135, then north on I-135 to its junction with U.S. 50.
Nebraska
    September Canada Goose Unit--That part of Nebraska bounded by a 
line from the Nebraska-Iowa State line west on U.S. Highway 30 to NE 
Highway 15, then south on NE Highway 15 to NE Highway 41, then east on 
NE Highway 41 to NE Highway 50, then north on NE Highway 50 to NE 
Highway 2, then east on NE Highway 2 to the Nebraska-Iowa State line.
South Dakota
    September Canada Goose North Unit--Clark, Codington, Day, Deuel, 
Grant, Hamlin, Marshall, and Roberts County.
    September Canada Goose South Unit--Beadle, Brookings, Hanson, 
Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, and 
Turner Counties.

Pacific Flyway

Idaho
    East Zone--Bonneville, Caribou, Fremont, and Teton Counties.
Oregon
    Northwest Zone--Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane, 
Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and 
Yamhill Counties.
    Southwest Zone--Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and 
Klamath Counties.
    East Zone--Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, 
Union, and Wasco Counties.
Washington
    Area 1--Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
    Area 2A (SW Quota Zone)--Clark County, except portions south of the 
Washougal River; Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties.
    Area 2B (SW Quota Zone)--Pacific and Grays Harbor Counties.
    Area 3--All areas west of the Pacific Crest Trail and west of the 
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Areas 1, 2A, and 2B.
    Area 4--Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, 
Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties.
    Area 5--All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the 
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Area 4.
Wyoming
    Bear River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Salt River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Farson-Eden Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette 
Counties described in State regulations.
    Teton Area--Those portions of Teton County described in State 
regulations.
    Bridger Valley Area--The area described as the Bridger Valley Hunt 
Unit in State regulations.
    Little Snake River--That portion of the Little Snake River drainage 
in Carbon County.

Ducks

Atlantic Flyway

New York
    Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian 
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south 
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the 
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; 
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont 
border.
    Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk 
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their 
tidal waters.
    Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario 
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along 
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border.
    Northeastern Zone: That area north of a line extending from Lake 
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south 
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to 
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along 
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along 
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive 
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
    Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.

Mississippi Flyway

Indiana
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. Highway 31, 
north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to Huntington, then 
southeast along U.S. 224 to the Ohio border.
    Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line 
extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 64 to 
New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State 56, east along State 56 
to Vevay, east and north on State 156 along the Ohio River to North 
Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Highway 50, then northeast along 
U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.
    South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio 
River Zone boundaries.
Iowa
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State 37, 
southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to 
Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.

Central Flyway

Colorado
    Special Teal Season Area: Lake and Chaffee Counties and that 
portion of the State east of Interstate Highway 25.
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.
Nebraska
    Special Teal Season Area: That portion of the State south of a line 
beginning at the Wyoming State line; east along U.S. 26 to Nebraska 
Highway

[[Page 52983]]

L62A; east to U.S. 385; south to U.S. 26; east to NE 92; east along NE 
92 to NE 61; south along NE 61 to U.S. 30; east along U.S. 30 to the 
Iowa border.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
    South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.

Pacific Flyway

California
    Northeastern Zone: In that portion of California lying east and 
north of a line beginning at the intersection of the Klamath River with 
the California-Oregon line; south and west along the Klamath River to 
the mouth of Shovel Creek; along Shovel Creek to its intersection with 
Forest Service Road 46N05 at Burnt Camp; west to its junction with 
Forest Service Road 46N10; south and east to its Junction with County 
Road 7K007; south and west to its junction with Forest Service Road 
45N22; south and west to its junction with Highway 97 and Grass Lake 
Summit; south along to its junction with Interstate 5 at the town of 
Weed; south to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along 
Highway 89 to Main Street Greenville; north and east to its junction 
with North Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; 
north and east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to 
the junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington 
Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the 
junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and 
east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-
Nevada State line; north along the California-Nevada State line to the 
junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon State lines west along the 
California-Oregon State line to the point of origin.
    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 7 miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south 
on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
    Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding 
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the 
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City 
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of 
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest 
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to 
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on 
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada 
border.
    Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare 
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included 
in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the 
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.

Canada Geese

Michigan
    MVP Zone: The MVP Zone consists of an area north and west of the 
point beginning at the southwest corner of Branch county, north 
continuing along the western border of Branch and Calhoun counties to 
the northwest corner of Calhoun county, then easterly to the southwest 
corner of Eaton county, then northerly to the southern border of Ionia 
County, then easterly to the southwest corner of Clinton County, then 
northerly along the western border of Clinton County continuing 
northerly along the county border of Gratiot and Montcalm Counties to 
the southern border of Isabella County, then easterly to the southwest 
corner of Midland County, then northerly along the west Midland County 
border to Highway M-20, then easterly to U.S. Highway 10, then easterly 
to U.S. Interstate 75 / U.S. Highway 23, then northerly along I-75 / 
U.S. 23 to the U.S. 23 exit at Standish, then easterly on U.S. 23 to 
the centerline of the Au Gres River, then southerly along the 
centerline of the Au Gres River to Saginaw Bay, then on a line directly 
east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a line directly 
northeast to the Canadian border.
    SJBP Zone is the rest of the State, that area south and east of the 
boundary described above.

Sandhill Cranes

Central Flyway

Colorado
    The Central Flyway portion of the State except the San Luis Valley 
(Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande, and 
Saguache Counties east of the Continental Divide) and North Park 
(Jackson County).
Kansas
    That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the Oklahoma 
border, north on I-35 to Wichita, north on I-135 to Salina, and north 
on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border.
New Mexico
    Regular-Season Open Area--Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay, 
and Roosevelt Counties.
    Middle Rio Grande Valley Area--The Central Flyway portion of New 
Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties.
    Estancia Valley Area--Those portions of Santa Fe, Torrance and 
Bernalillo Counties within an area bounded on the west by New Mexico 
Highway 55 beginning at Mountainair north to NM 337, north to NM 14, 
north to I-25; on the north by I-25 east to U.S. 285; on the east by 
U.S. 285 south to U.S. 60; and on the south by U.S. 60 from U.S. 285 
west to NM 55 in Mountainair.
    Southwest Zone--Sierra, Luna, Dona Ana Counties, and those portions 
of Grant and Hidalgo Counties south of I-10.
Oklahoma
    That portion of the State west of I-35.
Texas
    Area 1--That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the 
International Bridge at Laredo, north along I-35 to the Oklahoma 
border.
    Area 2--That portion of the State east and south of a line from the 
International Bridge at Laredo northerly along I-35 to U.S. 290; 
southeasterly along U.S. 290 to I-45; south and east on I-45 to State 
Highway 87, south and east on TX 87 to the channel in the Gulf of 
Mexico between Galveston and Point Bolivar; EXCEPT: That portion of the 
State lying within the area bounded by the Corpus Christi Bay Causeway 
on U.S. 181 at Portland; north and west on U.S. 181 to U.S. 77 at 
Sinton; north and east along U.S. 77 to U.S. 87 at Victoria; east and 
south along U.S. 87 to Texas Highway 35; north and east on TX 35 to the 
west end of the Lavaca Bay Bridge; then south and east along the west 
shoreline of Lavaca Bay and Matagorda Island to the Gulf of Mexico; 
then south and west along the shoreline of the Gulf

[[Page 52984]]

of Mexico to the Corpus Christi Bay Causeway.
North Dakota
    Area 1--That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
    Area 2--That portion of the State east of U.S. 281.
South Dakota
    That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
Montana
    The Central Flyway portion of the State except that area south of 
I-90 and west of the Bighorn River.
Wyoming
    Regular-Season Open Area--Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen, 
Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties.
    Riverton-Boysen Unit--Portions of Fremont County.
    Park and Big Horn County Unit--Portions of Park and Big Horn 
Counties.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona
    Special-Season Area--Game Management Units 30A, 30B, 31, and 32.
Montana
    Special-Season Area--See State regulations.
Utah
    Special-Season Area--Rich, Cache, and Unitah Counties and that 
portion of Box Elder County beginning on the Utah-Idaho State line at 
the Box Elder-Cache County line; west on the State line to the 
Pocatello Valley County Road; south on the Pocatello Valley County Road 
to I-15; southeast on I-15 to SR-83; south on SR-83 to Lamp Junction; 
west and south on the Promontory Point County Road to the tip of 
Promontory Point; south from Promontory Point to the Box Elder-Weber 
County line; east on the Box Elder-Weber County line to the Box Elder-
Cache County line; north on the Box Elder-Cache County line to the 
Utah-Idaho State line.
Wyoming
    Bear River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Salt River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Farson-Eden Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette 
Counties described in State regulations.

All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska

    North Zone--State Game Management Units 11-13 and 17-26.
    Gulf Coast Zone--State Game Management Units 5-7, 9, 14-16, and 10 
(Unimak Island only).
    Southeast Zone--State Game Management Units 1-4.
    Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone--State Game Management Unit 10 
(except Unimak Island).
    Kodiak Zone--State Game Management Unit 8.

All Migratory Game Birds in the Virgin Islands

    Ruth Cay Closure Area--The island of Ruth Cay, just south of St. 
Croix.

All Migratory Game Birds in Puerto Rico

    Municipality of Culebra Closure Area--All of the municipality of 
Culebra.
    Desecheo Island Closure Area--All of Desecheo Island.
    Mona Island Closure Area--All of Mona Island.
    El Verde Closure Area--Those areas of the municipalities of Rio 
Grande and Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All lands between Routes 
956 on the west and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the north to the 
juncture of Routes 956 and 186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands 
between Routes 186 and 966 from the juncture of 186 and 966 on the 
north, to the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the south; (3) all 
lands lying west of Route 186 for 1 kilometer from the juncture of 
Routes 186 and 956 south to Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within Km 
14 and Km 6 on the west and the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on 
the east; and (5) all lands within the Caribbean National Forest 
Boundary whether private or public.
    Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas--All of Cidra Municipality 
and portions of Aguas Buenas, Caguas, Cayey, and Comerio Municipalities 
as encompassed within the following boundary: beginning on Highway 172 
as it leaves the municipality of Cidra on the west edge, north to 
Highway 156, east on Highway 156 to Highway 1, south on Highway 1 to 
Highway 765, south on Highway 765 to Highway 763, south on Highway 763 
to the Rio Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to Highway 1, southwest on 
Highway 1 to Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to Highway 729, north on 
Highway 729 to Cidra Municipality boundary to the point of the 
beginning.

[FR Doc. 04-19709 Filed 8-27-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P