[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 183 (Thursday, September 22, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55666-55689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18970]



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Part II





Department of the Interior





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Fish and Wildlife Service



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50 CFR Part 20



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

  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 183 / Thursday, September 22, 2005 / 
Rules and Regulations  

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN 1018-AT76


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

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) prescribes final 
late-season frameworks from which States may select season dates, 
limits, and other options for the 2005-06 migratory bird hunting 
seasons. These late seasons include most waterfowl seasons, the 
earliest of which commences on September 24, 2005. The effect of this 
final rule is to facilitate the States' selection of hunting seasons 
and to further the annual establishment of the late-season migratory 
bird hunting regulations.

DATES: This rule takes effect on September 22, 2005.

ADDRESSES: States 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 our 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 2005

    On April 6, 2005, we published in the Federal Register (70 FR 
17574) 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 2005-06 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 24, 2005, we 
published in the Federal Register (70 FR 36794) a second document 
providing supplemental proposals for early- and late-season migratory 
bird hunting regulations frameworks and the regulatory alternatives for 
the 2005-06 duck hunting season. The June 24 supplement also provided 
detailed information on the 2005-06 regulatory schedule.
    On June 22 and 23, 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 2005-06 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.
    On August 1, 2005, we published in the Federal Register (70 FR 
44200) a document dealing with the proposed frameworks for early-season 
regulations. In the August 30, 2004, Federal Register (70 FR 51522), we 
published final frameworks for early migratory bird hunting seasons 
from which wildlife conservation agency officials from the States, 
Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands selected 2005-06 early-season 
hunting dates, hours, areas, and limits. On August 31, 2005, we 
published a final rule in the Federal Register (70 FR 51946) amending 
subpart K of title 50 CFR part 20 to set hunting seasons, hours, areas, 
and limits for early seasons.
    On July 27-28, 2005, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council 
Consultants, at which the participants reviewed the status of waterfowl 
and developed recommendations for the 2005-06 regulations for these 
species. On August 22, 2005, we published in the Federal Register (70 
FR 49068) the proposed frameworks for the 2005-06 late-season migratory 
bird hunting regulations. This document establishes final frameworks 
for late-season migratory bird hunting regulations for the 2005-06 
season. We will publish State selections in the Federal Register as 
amendments to Sec. Sec.  20.101 through 20.107, and 20.109 of title 50 
CFR part 20.

Population Status and Harvest

    A brief summary of information on the status and harvest of 
waterfowl excerpted from various reports was included in the August 22 
supplemental proposed rule. For more detailed information on 
methodologies and results, complete copies of the various reports are 
available at the address indicated under ADDRESSES or from our Web site 
at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov.

Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations

    The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the April 6, 
2005, Federal Register, opened the public comment period for migratory 
game bird hunting regulations. The supplemental proposed rule, which 
appeared in the June 24, 2005, Federal Register, discussed the 
regulatory alternatives for the 2005-06 duck hunting season. Late-
season comments are summarized below and numbered in the order used in 
the April 6 Federal Register. We have included only the numbered items 
pertaining to late-season issues for which we received written 
comments. Consequently, the issues do not follow in direct numerical or 
alphabetical order.
    We received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils. Some 
recommendations supported continuation of last year's frameworks. Due 
to the comprehensive nature of the annual review of the frameworks 
performed by the Councils, support for continuation of last year's 
frameworks is assumed for items for which no recommendations were 
received. Council recommendations for changes in the frameworks are 
summarized below.

General

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
increasing the waterfowl possession limit to four times the daily bag 
limit, except where currently more liberal.
    Service Response: We do not support the recommendation to increase 
possession limits. The possession limit regulation [50 CFR 20.33] is 
sometimes the only tool law enforcement personnel have to combat over-
bag violations, due to the remoteness of some hunting locations and the 
difficulties officers/agents encounter while conducting surveillance of 
hunter compliance. Further, we believe the deterrence to violate would 
be substantially reduced by increasing the traditional possession 
limits.

1. Ducks

    Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest 
management are: (A) Harvest Strategy Considerations, (B) Regulatory 
Alternatives, (C) Zones and Split Seasons, and (D) Special Seasons/
Species Management. The categories correspond to previously published 
issues/discussion, and only those containing substantial 
recommendations are discussed below.

[[Page 55667]]

A. Harvest Strategy Considerations

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Central, and Pacific Flyway 
Councils and the Upper- and Lower-Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended the adoption of the ``liberal'' 
regulatory alternative, with the exception of some specific bag limits 
described below in section 1.D. Special Seasons/Species Management. 
More specifically, recommendations concerned sections ii. September 
Teal/Wood Duck Seasons, iii. Black Ducks, iv. Canvasbacks, v. Pintails, 
and vii. Scaup.
    Service Response: We are continuing development of an Adaptive 
Harvest Management (AHM) protocol that would allow hunting regulations 
to vary among Flyways in a manner that recognizes each Flyway's unique 
breeding-ground derivation of mallards. For the 2005 season, we believe 
that the prescribed regulatory choice for the Mississippi, Central, and 
Pacific Flyways should continue to depend on the status of midcontinent 
mallards and that the regulatory choice for the Atlantic Flyway should 
continue to depend on the status of eastern mallards. Investigations of 
the dynamics of western mallards (and their potential effect on 
regulations in the West) are continuing; therefore we are not yet 
prepared to recommend an AHM protocol for this mallard stock.
    For the 2005 hunting season, we are continuing to consider the same 
regulatory alternatives as those used last year. The nature of the 
restrictive, moderate, and liberal alternatives has remained 
essentially unchanged since 1997, except that extended framework dates 
have been offered in the moderate and liberal regulatory alternatives 
since 2002. Also, we agreed in 2003 to place a constraint on closed 
seasons in the western three Flyways whenever the midcontinent mallard 
breeding-population size (traditional survey area plus MN, MI, and WI) 
is >=5.5 million.
    Optimal AHM strategies for the 2005 hunting season were calculated 
using: (1) Harvest-management objectives specific to each mallard 
stock; (2) the 2005 regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population 
models and associated weights for midcontinent and eastern mallards. 
Based on this year's survey results of 7.54 million midcontinent 
mallards (traditional surveys area plus MN, WI, and MI), 3.9 million 
ponds in Prairie Canada, and 1.05 million eastern mallards, the 
prescribed regulatory choice for all four Flyways is the liberal 
alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the 
Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways regarding selection 
of the ``liberal'' regulatory alternative and adopt the ``liberal'' 
regulatory alternative, as described in the June 24 Federal Register.

C. Zones and Split Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that the Service allow three zones, with two-way splits in each zone, 
as an additional option for duck season configurations in 2006-2010. 
Guidelines for zone-split configurations should be finalized by 
September 2005 so States have adequate opportunity to consider possible 
changes for 2006.
    The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended that the Service allow three zones, with two-way 
splits in each zone, and four zones with no splits, as additional 
options for duck season configurations in 2006-2010. In addition, the 
Committee recommended that States with existing grandfathered status be 
allowed to retain that status.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended allowing three zones, with 
three-segment splits in each zone, and four zones with no splits, as 
additional options for in 2006-2010.
    Written Comments: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 
the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board, the Missouri Department of 
Conservation, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources 
expressed support for the Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation that the Service allow 
three zones, with two-way splits in each zone, and four zones with no 
splits, as additional options for duck season configurations in 2006-
2010. In addition, Missouri questioned allowing some States the ability 
to ``grandfather'' zone and split season arrangements and requested 
that we establish criteria that are consistently applied to all States.
    The Colorado Wildlife Commission recommended allowing three zones, 
with three-segment splits in each zone as an additional option for duck 
season configurations in 2006-2010. The Colorado Division of Wildlife 
recommended allowing three zones, with two-segment splits in each zone 
as an additional option for duck season configurations in 2006-2010.
    Congressman Ron Kind, the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, the 
LaCrosse County Conservation Alliance, and the Wisconsin Waterfowl 
Association supported the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' 
request that the Service allow three zones, with two-way splits in each 
zone, and four zones with no splits, as additional options for duck 
season configurations in 2006-2010.
    An individual from Ohio proposed the addition of a third zone in 
Ohio, while an individual from Wisconsin requested that we allow three 
zones, with two-way splits in each zone.
    Service Response: In 1990, because of concerns about the 
proliferation of zones and split seasons for duck hunting, a 
cooperative review and evaluation of the historical use of zone/split 
options was conducted. This review did not show that the proliferation 
of these options had increased harvest pressure; however, the ability 
to detect the impact of zone/split configurations was poor because of 
unreliable response variables, the lack of statistical tests to 
differentiate between real and perceived changes, and the absence of 
adequate experimental controls. Consequently, guidelines were 
established to provide a framework for controlling the proliferation of 
changes in zone/split options. The guidelines identified a limited 
number of zone/split configurations that could be used for duck hunting 
and restricted the frequency of changes in these configurations to 5-
year intervals. In 1996, the guidelines were revised to provide States 
greater flexibility in using their zone/split arrangements. Open 
seasons for changes occurred in 1991, 1996, and 2001. The fourth open 
season will occur next year when zone/split configurations will be 
established for the 2006-2010 period.
    In response to recommendations from the Flyway Councils, we 
considered changes to the current zone/split guidelines. We believe 
that the current guidelines continue to achieve their intended 
objectives while allowing States sufficient flexibility to address 
differences in physiography, climate, and other factors and that the 
guidelines need not be changed. Thus, the following guidelines will be 
used to guide zone/split selection for next year's and future open 
seasons:

Guidelines for Duck Zones and Split Seasons

    The following zone/split-season guidelines apply only for the 
regular duck season:
    a. A zone is a geographic area or portion of a State, with a 
contiguous boundary, for which independent dates may be selected for 
the regular duck season.
    b. Consideration of changes for management-unit boundaries is not 
subject to the guidelines and provisions

[[Page 55668]]

governing the use of zones and split seasons for ducks.
    c. Only minor (less than a county in size) boundary changes will be 
allowed for any grandfather arrangement, and changes are limited to the 
open season.
    d. Once a zone/split option is selected during an open season, it 
must remain in place for the following 5 years.
    Any State may continue the configuration used in the previous 5-
year period. If changes are made, the zone/split-season configuration 
must conform to one of the following options:
    1. Three zones with no splits,
    2. Split seasons (no more than 3 segments) with no zones, or
    3. Two zones with the option for 2-way (2-segment) split seasons in 
one or both zones.

Grandfathered Zone/Split Arrangements

    When the zone/split guidelines were first implemented in 1991, 
several States had completed experiments with zone/split arrangements 
different from Options 1-3 above. Those States were offered a one-time 
opportunity to continue those arrangements, with the stipulation that 
only minor changes could be made to zone boundaries; and if they ever 
wished to change their zone/split arrangement, the new arrangement 
would have to conform to one of the 3 options identified above. If a 
grandfathered State changes its zoning arrangement, it cannot go back 
to the grandfathered arrangement it previously had in place. We request 
that by April 15, 2006, States notify us whether or not they plan to 
change their zone/split configurations for the next 5-year period 
(2006-2010). Those States wishing to change their configuration should 
submit a proposal for the change by this date.
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
ii. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
increasing the wood duck bag limit in the Atlantic Flyway to three 
birds during October 1 to the first Sunday in November for a 3-year 
experimental period (2005/06-2007/08).
    Written Comments: The New York Division of Fish, Wildlife and 
Marine Resources (NYDFW) expressed concern that we did not support the 
Atlantic Flyway's proposal to increase the wood duck bag limit. They 
cited Breeding Bird Survey data showing a significant increase in wood 
duck numbers over the past 20 years and one of the most abundant 
breeding duck species in the Flyway. Further, they believed this change 
in bag limits would not jeopardize any wood duck populations and would 
allow for an informed assessment during a 3-year experimental period.
    Service Response: We do not support the Atlantic Flyway Council's 
proposal to increase the bag limit for wood ducks. We note that 
breeding bird survey estimates for the past 10 years exhibit no 
significant trend, suggesting the population may be stable and using 
population data over the past 20 years does not accurately reflect 
recent trends during which season lengths have increased significantly. 
In addition, preliminary harvest-rate estimates from the cooperative 
band-reporting-rate study suggest that current wood duck harvest rates 
are higher than previously thought. We believe that a full assessment 
of this information is needed to determine whether or not wood ducks 
can sustain additional harvest pressure. We will continue our 
cooperative assessments of available wood duck population data with 
both the Mississippi and Atlantic Flyways, and expect a full assessment 
to take several years.
iii. Black Ducks
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that we give conceptual approval to allow the States of Maine, New 
Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, 
and New Jersey an option to return to a two-black-duck daily bag limit 
in any or all waterfowl management zones for possible implementation in 
2006. The season length for black ducks would be reduced for the number 
of days appropriate to ensure no increase in black duck harvest or 
harvest rate. This approach would require the development of a 3-year 
experimental design covering a block of States large enough to support 
appropriate evaluation.
    Written Comments: The Atlantic Flyway Council was disappointed that 
we rejected their recommendation to explore a two bird bag-limit option 
in exchange for a reduction in season length within a portion of the 
Flyway. They cited our lack of flexibility and resiliency to work 
collaboratively with the Flyway Councils on new or emerging constructs 
for sub-regional duck harvest management.
    The NYDFW was also concerned that we did not support the Flyway's 
proposal. They cited population survey data in much of eastern Canada 
showing that black ducks have been stable or increasing over the past 
15 years and that the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data for the Atlantic 
Flyway shows a significant positive trend for the past 10 years. They 
urged us to work collaboratively with the States to make responsible 
changes in black duck regulations in 2006 and to be receptive to the 
possibility of differential regulations within the flyway as a more 
effective way to achieve flyway management objectives.
    Service Response: During this past year, we have continued dialogue 
with the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils regarding assessments 
of the harvest potential of black ducks. We are particularly concerned 
about evidence of a long-term decline in the productivity of black 
ducks, which implies declining harvest potential. Harvest rates of 
black ducks have increased concurrently with implementation of AHM and 
the return to longer seasons. Current harvest rates are now at or near 
maximum sustainable harvest levels. If the decline in productivity 
continues and harvest rates are not reduced, harvest and population 
size can be expected to decline as well. In light of these concerns 
resulting from the assessment work conducted to date, we do not support 
the Atlantic Flyway Council's proposal. Further, breeding surveys in 
eastern Canada are currently being expanded to reflect range-wide 
changes in breeding numbers and can be used to more reliably monitor 
population trends in the future. The Atlantic Flyway Breeding Plot 
Survey shows a significant decline in breeding pairs over the history 
of the survey (1993-2005) and do not support the BBS data which is less 
targeted toward waterfowl.
    In addition to the biological concerns expressed above, we have a 
more basic conceptual concern with this proposal. In general, we do not 
support dividing Flyways into regions with differential species 
regulations and/or regulatory options. This policy is predicated on the 
fact that our monitoring and assessment capacity is primarily designed 
to monitor harvest and population status at the Flyway scale. In many 
cases, our monitoring programs do not have the necessary precision to 
evaluate the management of duck stocks at smaller spatial scales. Also, 
our recent assessments using the latest banding data shows considerable 
overlap in harvest derivations and high harvest rates of regional 
breeding stocks to the northern and southern portions of the Atlantic 
Flyway. Therefore, these data do not lend support for regional sub-
divisions. Although additional effort can be directed at refining these 
estimates, we believe the costs of the additional information far 
outweighs any potential benefits to resource

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conservation, harvest opportunity, or hunter satisfaction. We will 
continue to work collaboratively with Flyway Councils to develop the 
assessment tools needed to inform harvest management decisions.
iv. Canvasbacks
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Central, and Pacific Flyway 
Councils and the Upper- and Lower-Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the Service allow a 
``restrictive'' canvasback season consisting of a 1-bird daily bag 
limit and a 30-day season in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 39-
day season in the Central Flyway, and 60-day season in the Pacific 
Flyway.
    Service Response: Based on regulatory actions in recent years and 
recommendations from the Flyway Councils, the canvasback harvest 
strategy was modified in 2004 to allow partial seasons within the 
regular duck season. The modification allows a canvasback season length 
equal to that of the ``restrictive'' AHM regulatory alternative if a 
full season is not supported, but the reduced harvest from the 
restricted season predicts a spring abundance the following year equal 
to or greater than the objective of 500,000 birds. Otherwise, the 
season on canvasbacks would be closed. Further, Alaska would have a 1-
bird daily bag limit for the entire regular duck season in all years 
unless we determine that it is in the best interest of the canvasback 
resource to close the season in Alaska as well as the lower 48 States.
    This year's spring survey resulted in an estimate of 520,574 
canvasbacks. The estimate of ponds in Prairie Canada was 3.9 million, 
which was 17% above the average. The allowable U.S. harvest calculated 
from these numbers is 84,424 birds, which is below the predicted U.S. 
harvest of 118,904 associated with the ``liberal'' duck season 
alternative. Thus, for 2005-06, a canvasback season the entire length 
of the regular season is not supported. However, the ``restrictive'' 
season length within the regular duck season is expected to result in a 
harvest of about 61,758 canvasbacks and a spring 2006 population of 
about 531,000, and is supported. Thus, we will establish a season 
length at the level of the ``restrictive'' AHM alternative (i.e., 30 
days in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 39 days in the Central 
Flyway, and 60 days in the Pacific Flyway) for this year. Seasons may 
be split according to applicable zones/split duck hunting 
configurations approved for each State.
v. Pintails
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Central, and Pacific Flyway 
Councils and the Upper- and Lower-Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a full season for pintails 
consisting of a 1-bird daily bag limit and a 60-day season in the 
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, a 74-day season in the Central 
Flyway, and a 107-day season in the Pacific Flyway.
    Service Response: We earlier endorsed the continued use of the 
pintail harvest strategy without alteration from the provision adopted 
in 2004. With an observed spring breeding population of 2,561,000 and a 
projected fall flight of 3,215,000 pintails, the harvest strategy 
prescribes a full season and a 1-bird daily bag limit in all Flyways. 
Under the ``liberal'' season length, this regulation is expected to 
result in a harvest of 603,000 pintails with 2,288,000 birds in next 
year's breeding population. Thus, we concur with the Atlantic, 
Mississippi, and Pacific Flyway Council recommendations for the 
selection of a full season for pintails.
    Furthermore, we agree with the Central Flyway's recommendation to 
adopt a 39-day ``season within a season'' for pintails. We understand 
that this departure from the pintail strategy is a necessary step for 
the Flyway to complete a 3-year evaluation of the ``season within a 
season'' structure for pintails and canvasbacks. This baseline 
information will allow a comparison to a proposed strategy to implement 
an experimental ``Hunter's Choice'' season in the future.
vi. Scaup
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway recommended States be 
given the option of choosing a scaup season of 60 days with a one-bird 
daily bag limit, or a restrictive 30-day (consecutive) season with a 
three-bird daily bag limit.
    Written Comments: Delta Waterfowl Foundation urged delay of the 
Service's proposed daily bag limit reduction in order to achieve a 
better science-based foundation for management decisions on scaup 
populations, an assessment of potential scaup management options on 
waterfowl hunter clients and the future of waterfowl hunting, and a 
more collaborative process for management decisions pertaining to scaup 
populations.
    Service Response: In 1998, we first publicly stated our concern 
about the declining trend in the scaup population, and stated that 
substantial reductions in harvest opportunity might soon be necessary. 
We also stated our intent to work with the Flyway Councils to 
cooperatively develop regulatory guidelines for scaup.
    In 1999, we reiterated our concerns, heightened by an increasing 
trend in harvest. We also completed an in-depth review of the status of 
lesser and greater scaup in North America and provided that report to 
the Flyway Councils for their review and consideration. Following that 
report, we drafted a preliminary strategy to help guide the development 
of hunting regulations for scaup and asked the Flyway Councils to 
provide feedback. No consensus was reached among the Flyway Councils on 
a strategy for regulating scaup harvest. In light of this continuing 
decline, we reduced the daily bag limit by three birds in all Flyways 
in an effort to reduce harvest until such time as a more comprehensive 
strategy can be developed.
    During 2000-2003, we continued to state our concern about the 
decline of the continental scaup population and that little progress 
was being made toward an acceptable harvest strategy. The lack of 
progress was in part due to other priorities that dominated the agendas 
of both the Service and the Flyway Councils, but probably also in part 
due to the widespread belief that harvest had played little, if any, 
role in the population decline. In 2004, we issued an in-depth report 
concerning the population dynamics of scaup. The report suggested that 
scaup harvests had not declined with the bag-limit restrictions imposed 
in 1999, that the breeding population was continuing to decline, and 
that harvest rates had increased dramatically. We decided to take no 
regulatory action in 2004 in order to provide the Flyway Councils 
adequate time to review these findings.
    A second assessment report provided to the Flyway Councils this 
summer strengthened our confidence in these conclusions. Although 
harvest has not been demonstrated to be a causal factor in the 
population decline, harvests now appear to be at or near maximum 
sustainable levels. Perhaps more importantly, there is increasing 
evidence that the long-term decline of the scaup population has been 
accompanied by declines in the sustainable levels of harvest. Based on 
assessments of available data to date, we believe that additional 
regulatory restrictions on scaup at this time are warranted. We also 
believe that the Flyway Councils and the public have had sufficient 
opportunity to review scientific findings and collaborate in all 
aspects of the regulatory process over

[[Page 55670]]

the last five years. Therefore, we will: (1) Reduce the daily bag limit 
for scaup by 1 bird in each Flyway; (2) continue assessment work with a 
goal of developing a framework for making more informed regulatory 
decisions for scaup harvest management; and finally; and (3) ascertain 
if this bag-limit restriction results in a meaningful reduction in 
harvest rate to a level that is more consistent with scaup population 
levels and harvest potential than is currently the case. Our most 
recent (February 2004 and July 2005) assessment reports on scaup are 
available at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/mgmt/ahm/special-topics.htm. 
We continue to invite critical technical review of this assessment 
work.
    Lastly, we appreciate the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation 
calling for further restrictions on scaup harvest. However, we do not 
support their request for an optional bag limit in exchange for a 
shorter season length due to our inability to assess the effects on 
harvest.

3. Mergansers

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that we offer Atlantic Flyway States the option of including the 
merganser bag limit within the regular duck bag limit (the merganser 
limit would be the same as the regular duck bag limit). States would 
also have the option of selecting a separate merganser bag limit. The 
Council further recommended that the daily bag limit on hooded 
mergansers be increased from one to two birds.
    Service Response: We concur with the recommendation to allow 
mergansers to be included in the duck bag limit in the Atlantic Flyway. 
Regarding hooded mergansers, we understand that a variety of data 
sources suggest that hooded mergansers may be increasing. However, the 
recommendation from the Council to increase the bag limit has 
implications beyond the Atlantic Flyway. Therefore, we will defer a 
decision until next year to allow the other Flyway Councils to consider 
the ramifications of this recommendation in their respective Flyways.

4. Canada Geese

B. Regular Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that Atlantic Population (AP) Canada goose hunting regulations include 
a 45-day season, with a daily bag limit of three geese in the New 
England and Mid-Atlantic Regions with an opening framework date of the 
fourth Saturday in October and a closing date of January 31. In the 
Chesapeake Region (except Back Bay, VA), season length would be 45 
days, with a daily bag limit of two geese. In Back Bay, VA, season 
length would be 15 days at the end of the Virginia's AP season, with a 
daily bag limit of one goose. The framework opening date in the 
Chesapeake Region would be November 15 and the closing date would be 
January 31. Remaining AP harvest areas (i.e., Northeast Hunt Unit in 
coastal NC) would remain closed. The Council also recommended 
modification of the Pymatuning Zone in Pennsylvania to include a 
portion of Crawford County. Further, the Council recommended that the 
framework for the SJBP Canada goose zone in Pennsylvania be 70 hunting 
days between the second Saturday in October and February 15 with a 
daily bag limit of no more than two for days used before January 15 and 
a daily bag limit of five for days used between January 15 and February 
15. Lastly, the Council recommended modifications to Atlantic Flyway 
Resident Population (AFRP) regular-season hunting zones in New York, 
Pennsylvania, Maryland, and North Carolina.
    The Upper- and Lower-Regulations Committees of the Mississippi 
Flyway Council recommended a number of changes in season length, season 
dates, bag limits, and quotas for Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri in 
response to changes in the status of the Eastern Prairie Population 
(EPP) Canada goose population and in Kentucky, Tennessee, Wisconsin, 
Michigan, and Illinois in response to changes in the status of the 
Mississippi Valley Population (MVP) Canada goose population.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended the following changes for 
geese in the Pacific Flyway: (1) Increase the daily bag limit for 
Aleutian and cackling geese in California's Northeast zone and Balance 
of State zone from one per day to four per day; (2) remove the Canada 
goose hunting closure in the Sacramento Valley of the Balance of State 
Zone in California; (3) decrease the cackling goose daily bag limit 
from four per day to two per day in the Oregon and Washington special 
permit goose zones; (4) remove the restriction on Aleutian geese in the 
Oregon special permit goose zone; and (5) remove the goose hunting 
closure in Coos and Curry counties Oregon.
    Written Comments: The NYDFW stated that the framework opening date 
for Canada goose hunting in New York's RP Zone should be corrected to 
the fourth Saturday in October.
    Service Response: We concur with all of the Atlantic Flyway 
Council's recommendations and New York's framework correction. However, 
regarding the recommendation to establish a limited season in Back Bay, 
Virginia, we are establishing the addition of a 15-day season, one bird 
per season, in North Carolina's Northeastern Hunt Unit. Both States 
will be required to conduct a 3-year evaluation to determine the origin 
of the harvested birds. We will work with Virginia and North Carolina 
to develop an MOU specifying criteria regarding sample sizes and 
methods of assessment. These assessments will be conducted at the 
individual State level.
    We also concur with the Mississippi Flyway Council's 
recommendations.
    Further, we concur with all of the recommendations forwarded by the 
Pacific Flyway Council with one exception, the request to increase 
small Canada goose bag limits from one to four in California. We are 
aware of the concerns regarding increasing depredation complaints 
stemming from increasing numbers of Aleutian Canada geese in 
California. We are also committed to achieving the population 
objectives for cackling geese and support the recommendations from the 
Pacific Flyway Council to achieve the targeted harvest reductions. The 
proposal to increase the small Canada goose bag limit in the 
Northeastern and Balance-of-State Zones in California does address the 
Aleutian depredation problem, but not the requested targeted harvest 
reductions for cackling geese. Therefore, since we believe only 
cackling geese occur in the Northeastern Zone, we do not support the 
proposed bag limit increase for this zone, as this change will not 
address the Aleutian goose depredation issue and will increase the 
harvest of cackling geese. However, in recognition of the depredation 
issue, and recognizing the very limited cackler harvest expected to 
result from the proposed bag limit increase in the Balance-of-State 
Zone, we support the increase in the bag limit from one to four small 
Canada geese in this zone.

5. White-Fronted Geese

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that the Service include white-fronted geese as part of Canada goose 
hunting regulation frameworks in the Atlantic Flyway to allow the legal 
take of this species.
    The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the 2005-06 white-fronted 
goose regulations be consistent with the ``base'' regulations in the

[[Page 55671]]

current White-fronted Goose Management Plan. This would result in 
regulations options of 72 days and two white-fronted geese per day or 
86 days and one white-fronted goose per day. Their recommendation is 
contingent upon the same regulations being implemented in the eastern 
portion of the Central Flyway.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended a season framework of 72 
days with a daily bag limit of two white-fronted geese, or an 
alternative season of 86 days with a bag limit of one, in all East-tier 
States. In the West Tier States, the Council recommended a season 
framework of 107 days, except in Texas and Colorado where the season 
would be 95 days, with a daily bag limit of five white-fronted geese 
except in the Western Goose Zone of Texas where the daily bag limit 
will be one white-fronted goose. In both cases, States could split the 
season once.
    Service Response: We concur with the recommendations of the 
Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils to return to the base 
regulations package for white-fronted geese this year as described in 
the original management plan. We also support the Atlantic Flyway 
Council's recommendation to include white-fronted geese as part of the 
Canada goose hunting regulation frameworks in the Atlantic Flyway.

6. Brant

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a 
30-day season with a two-bird daily bag limit for Atlantic brant in 
2005.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommends decreasing the brant season 
length in Washington from 16 days to 8 days and decreasing the brant 
season in California from 30 days to 15 days. Both States may create 
two zones. Seasons in Oregon and California must end by December 15.
    Written Comments: An individual from Massachusetts recommended 
allowing a 50- or 51-day season with a one-bird daily bag limit.
    Service Response: We concur with the Atlantic and Pacific Flyway 
Councils' recommendations.

7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended 
increasing the light goose limit throughout the Flyway from three per 
day to four per day.
    Service Response: We concur.

National Environmental Policy Act (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 Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on June 16, 
1988 (53 FR 22582), and our Record of Decision on August 18, 1988 (53 
FR 31341). In addition, 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 EIS for the migratory bird hunting 
program. Our notice beginning the public scoping process was published 
in the September 8, 2005, Federal Register (70 FR 53376).

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 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 prepared in 
1981. This analysis was subsequently revised annually from 1990-96, 
updated in 1998, and updated again in 2004. 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 to $1,064 
million, with a mid-point 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 1990-95. 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 http://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 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 surveys associated

[[Page 55672]]

with the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program and assigned 
clearance number 1018-0015 (expires 2/29/2008). 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. 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, it 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. 
Thus, this rule is not a significant energy action and no Statement of 
Energy Effects is required.

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

    In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, 
``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal 
Governments'' (59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175, and 512 DM 2, we 
have evaluated possible effects on Federally recognized Indian tribes 
and have determined that there are no effects.

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 Indian 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 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 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 2005-06 hunting 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 2005-06 
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 
742a-j.

    Dated: September 14, 2005.
Craig Manson,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Final Regulations Frameworks for 2005-06 Late Hunting Seasons on 
Certain Migratory Game Birds

    Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated 
authorities, the Department has approved the following frameworks for 
season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and outside 
dates within which States may select seasons for hunting waterfowl and 
coots between the dates of September 1, 2005, and March 10, 2006.

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,

[[Page 55673]]

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

Atlantic Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
24) and the last Sunday in January (January 29).
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days, except for the season for 
canvasbacks, which may not exceed 30 days, and season splits must 
conform to each State's zone/split configuration for duck hunting. The 
daily bag limit is 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 
2 scaup, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 1 mottled duck, 1 
fulvous whistling duck, 2 wood ducks, 2 redheads, and 4 scoters. A 
single canvasback may also be included in the 6-bird daily bag limit 
for designated youth-hunt days.
    Closures: The season on harlequin ducks is closed.
    Sea Ducks: Within the special sea duck areas, during the regular 
duck season in the Atlantic Flyway, States may choose to allow the 
above sea duck limits in addition to the limits applying to other ducks 
during the regular duck season. In all other areas, sea ducks may be 
taken only during the regular open season for ducks and are part of the 
regular duck season daily bag (not to exceed 4 scoters) and possession 
limits.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5, only 1 of 
which may be a hooded merganser. In States that include mergansers in 
the duck bag limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, 
only one of which may be a hooded merganser.
    Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
    Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and 
shooting hours shall be the same as those selected for the Lake 
Champlain Zone of Vermont.
    Connecticut River Zone, Vermont: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and 
shooting hours shall be the same as those selected for the Inland Zone 
of New Hampshire.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, 
North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia may split 
their seasons into three segments; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, 
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West 
Virginia may select hunting seasons by zones and may split their 
seasons into two segments in each zone.

Canada Geese

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Specific regulations for 
Canada geese are shown below by State. These seasons also include 
white-fronted geese. Unless specified otherwise, seasons may be split 
into two segments. In areas within States where the framework closing 
date for Atlantic Population (AP) goose seasons overlaps with special 
late-season frameworks for resident geese, the framework closing date 
for AP goose seasons is January 14.
Connecticut
    North Atlantic Population (NAP) Zone: Between October 1 and January 
31, a 60-day season may be held with a 2-bird daily bag limit in the H 
Unit and a 70-day season with a 3-bird daily bag in the L Unit.
    Atlantic Population (AP) Zone: A 45-day season may be held between 
the fourth Saturday in October (October 22) and January 31, with a 3-
bird daily bag limit.
    South Zone: A special season may be held between January 15 and 
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
Delaware
    A 45-day season may be held between November 15 and January 31, 
with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Florida
    A 70-day season may be held between November 15 and February 15, 
with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
Georgia
    In specific areas, a 70-day season may be held between November 15 
and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
Maine
    A 60-day season may be held Statewide between October 1 and January 
31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Maryland
    Resident Population (RP) Zone: A 70-day season may be held between 
November 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between November 15 and 
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Massachusetts
    NAP Zone: A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and January 
31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, a special season may 
be held from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in 
October (October 22) and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
New Hampshire
    A 60-day season may be held statewide between October 1 and January 
31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
New Jersey
    Statewide: A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday 
in October (October 22) and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held 
in

[[Page 55674]]

designated areas of North and South New Jersey from January 15 to 
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
New York
    NAP Zone: Between October 1 and January 31, a 60-day season may be 
held, with a 2-bird daily bag limit in the High Harvest areas; and a 
70-day season may be held, with a 3-bird daily bag limit in the Low 
Harvest areas.
    Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held 
between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit in 
designated areas of Chemung, Delaware, Tioga, Broome, Sullivan, 
Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, and Rockland 
Counties.
    AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in 
October (October 22) and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    RP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in 
October (October 22) and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
North Carolina
    SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and 
December 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    RP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and February 
15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    Northeast Hunt Unit: A 15-day experimental season may be held 
concurrent with the season selected for the Back Bay Area of Virginia. 
The seasonal bag limit is 1 bird.
Pennsylvania
    SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between the second Saturday 
in October (October 8) and February 15, with a 2-bird daily bag limit 
until January 14 and a 5-bird daily bag limit between January 15 and 
February 15.
    Pymatuning Zone: A 35-day season may be held between October 1 and 
January 31, with a 1-bird daily bag limit.
    RP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between November 15 and 
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in 
October (October 22) and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held 
from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
Rhode Island
    A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and January 31, with 
a 2-bird daily bag limit. An experimental season may be held in 
designated areas from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily 
bag limit.
South Carolina
    In designated areas, a 70-day season may be held during November 15 
to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
Vermont
    A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in October 
(October 22) and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Virginia
    SJBP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between November 15 and 
January 14, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, an 
experimental season may be held between January 15 and February 15, 
with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between November 15 and 
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    RP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between November 15 and 
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    Back Bay Area: A 15-day experimental season may be held during the 
last 15 days of the AP Zone season with a 1-bird daily bag limit.
West Virginia
    A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and January 31, with 
a 3-bird daily bag limit.

Light Geese

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 107-
day season between October 1 and March 10, with a 15-bird daily bag 
limit and no possession limit. States may split their seasons into 
three segments, except in Delaware and Maryland, where, following the 
completion of their duck season, and until March 10, Delaware and 
Maryland may split the remaining portion of the season to allow hunting 
on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only.

Brant

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 30-
day season between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and 
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. States may split their 
seasons into two segments.

Mississippi Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
24) and the last Sunday in January (January 29).
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days, except that the season 
for canvasbacks may not exceed 30 days, and season splits must conform 
to each State's zone/split configuration for duck hunting. The daily 
bag limit is 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 
of which may be females), 3 mottled ducks, 2 scaup, 1 black duck, 1 
pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 wood ducks, and 2 redheads. A single 
canvasback may also be included in the 6-bird daily bag limit for 
designated youth-hunt days.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, only 1 of which may be 
a hooded merganser. In States that include mergansers in the duck bag 
limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, only one of 
which may be a hooded merganser.
    Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, 
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin 
may select hunting seasons by zones.
    In Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, 
Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be split into two segments in 
each zone.
    In Arkansas, Minnesota, and Mississippi, the season may be split 
into three segments.

Geese

    Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments. 
Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Mississippi Flyway 
Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval and a 3-year 
evaluation by each participating State.
    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select 
seasons for light geese not to exceed 107 days, with 20 geese daily 
between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and March 10; 
for white-fronted geese not to exceed 72 days, with 2 geese daily or 86 
days with 1 goose daily between the Saturday nearest September 24 
(September 24) and the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 12); and 
for brant not to exceed 70 days, with 2 brant daily or 107 days with 1 
brant daily between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) 
and January 31. There is no possession limit for light geese. Specific 
regulations for Canada geese and exceptions to the above general 
provisions are shown below by State. Except as noted below, the outside 
dates for Canada geese are the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
24) and January 31.

[[Page 55675]]

Alabama
    In the SJBP Goose Zone, the season for Canada geese may not exceed 
50 days. Elsewhere, the season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days 
in the respective duck-hunting zones. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada 
geese.
Arkansas
    In the Northwest Zone, the season for Canada geese may extend for 
33 days, provided that one segment of at least 9 days occurs prior to 
October 15. In the remainder of the State, the season may not exceed 23 
days. The season may extend to February 15, and may be split into 2 
segments. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
Illinois
    The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be limited to 
80,600 birds. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. The possession 
limit is 10 Canada geese.
    (a) North Zone--The season for Canada geese will close after 86 
days or when 16,000 birds have been harvested in the Northern Illinois 
Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.
    (a) Central Zone--The season for Canada geese will close after 86 
days or when 20,600 birds have been harvested in the Central Illinois 
Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.
    (c) South Zone--The season for Canada geese will close after 86 
days or when 8,200 birds have been harvested in the Southern Illinois 
Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.
Indiana
    The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days, except in the 
SJBP Zone, where the season may not exceed 50 days. The daily bag limit 
is 2 Canada geese.
Iowa
    The season may extend for 70 days and may be split into 3 segments 
in each zone. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
Kentucky
    (a) Western Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 66 
days (81 days in Fulton County), and the harvest will be limited to 
10,300 birds. Of the 10,300-bird quota, 6,700 birds will be allocated 
to the Ballard Reporting Area and 2,600 birds will be allocated to the 
Henderson/Union Reporting Area. If the quota in either reporting area 
is reached prior to completion of the 66-day season, the season in that 
reporting area will be closed. If the quotas in both the Ballard and 
Henderson/Union reporting areas are reached prior to completion of the 
66-day season, the season in the counties and portions of counties that 
comprise the Western Goose Zone (listed in State regulations) may 
continue for an additional 7 days, not to exceed a total of 66 days (81 
days in Fulton County). The season in Fulton County may extend to 
February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone--The season may extend for 50 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) Remainder of the State--The season may extend for 50 days. The 
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
Louisiana
    The season for Canada geese may extend for 9 days. During the 
season, the daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose and 2 white-fronted geese 
with a 72-day white-fronted goose season or 1 white-fronted goose with 
an 86-day season. Hunters participating in the Canada goose season must 
possess a special permit issued by the State.
Michigan
    (a) MVP--Upper and Lower Peninsula Zones--The total harvest of 
Canada geese will be limited to 50,000 birds for these zones combined. 
The framework opening date for all geese is September 16 and the season 
for Canada geese may extend for 28 days. The daily bag limit is 2 
Canada geese.
    (1) Allegan County Game Management Unit (GMU)--The Canada goose 
season will close after 25 days or when 1,500 birds have been 
harvested, whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada 
geese.
    (2) Muskegon Wastewater GMU--The Canada goose season will close 
after 25 days or when 500 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs 
first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) SJBP Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 16 and the season for Canada geese may extend for 28 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (1) Saginaw County GMU--The Canada goose season will close after 50 
days or when 2,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. 
The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (2) Tuscola/Huron GMU--The Canada goose season will close after 50 
days or when 750 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. The 
daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (c) Southern Michigan GMU--A 30-day special Canada goose season may 
be held between December 31 and February 7. The daily bag limit may not 
exceed 5 Canada geese.
    (d) Central Michigan GMU--A 30-day special Canada goose season may 
be held between December 31 and February 7. The daily bag limit may not 
exceed 5 Canada geese.
Minnesota
    (a) West Zone.
    (1) West Central Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 
40 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (2) Remainder of West Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 40 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (b) Northwest Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 40 
days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (c) Remainder of the State--The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (d) Special Late Canada Goose Season--A special Canada goose season 
of up to 10 days may be held in December, except in the West Central 
Goose zone. During the special season, the daily bag limit is 5 Canada 
geese, except in the Southeast Goose Zone, where the daily bag limit is 
2.
Mississippi
    The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days. The daily bag 
limit is 3 Canada geese.
Missouri
    (a) Southeast Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 77 
days. The season may be split into 3 segments, provided that at least 1 
segment occurs prior to December 1. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada 
geese through October 31 and 2 Canada geese thereafter.
    (b) Remainder of the State--
    (1) North Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 77 days, 
with no more than 40 days occurring after November 30. The season may 
be split into 3 segments, provided that 1 segment of at least 9 days 
occurs prior to October 16. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese 
through October 31, and 2 Canada geese thereafter.
    (2) Middle Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 77 
days, with no more than 40 days occurring after November 30. The season 
may be split into 3 segments, provided that 1 segment of at least 9 
days occurs prior to October 16. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese 
through October 31, and 2 Canada geese thereafter.
    (3) South Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 77 days. 
The season may be split into 3 segments, provided that at least 1 
segment occurs prior to December 1. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada 
geese through October 31 and 2 Canada geese thereafter.

[[Page 55676]]

Ohio
    The season for Canada geese may extend for 60 days in the 
respective duck-hunting zones, with a daily bag limit of 2 Canada 
geese, except in the Lake Erie SJBP Zone, where the season may not 
exceed 40 days and the daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. A special 
Canada goose season of up to 22 days, beginning the first Saturday 
after January 10, may be held in the following Counties: Allen (north 
of U.S. Highway 30), Fulton, Geauga (north of Route 6), Henry, Huron, 
Lucas (Lake Erie Zone closed), Seneca, and Summit (Lake Erie Zone 
closed). During the special season, the daily bag limit is 2 Canada 
geese.
Tennessee
    (a) Northwest Zone--The season for Canada geese may not exceed 72 
days, and may extend to February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada 
geese.
    (b) Southwest Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 59 
days, at least 9 of which must occur before Oct. 16. The daily bag 
limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone--The season for Canada geese may 
extend for 59 days, at least 9 of which must occur before Oct. 16. The 
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (d) Remainder of the State--The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
Wisconsin
    The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be limited to 
62,500 birds.
    (a) Horicon Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 16. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 21,000 birds. 
The season may not exceed 92 days. All Canada geese harvested must be 
tagged. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese, and the season limit 
will be the number of tags issued to each permittee.
    (b) Collins Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 16. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 800 birds. The 
season may not exceed 65 days. All Canada geese harvested must be 
tagged. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese, and the season limit 
will be the number of tags issued to each permittee.
    (c) Exterior Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 16. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 40,700 birds, 
500 of which are allocated to the Mississippi River Subzone. The season 
may not exceed 92 days, except in the Mississippi River Subzone, where 
the season may not exceed 72 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada 
geese. In that portion of the Exterior Zone outside the Mississippi 
River Subzone, the progress of the harvest must be monitored, and the 
season closed, if necessary, to ensure that the harvest does not exceed 
40,200 birds.
    Additional Limits: In addition to the harvest limits stated for the 
respective zones above, an additional 4,500 Canada geese may be taken 
in the Horicon Zone under special agricultural permits.
    Quota Zone Closures: When it has been determined that the quota of 
Canada geese allotted to the Northern Illinois, Central Illinois, and 
Southern Illinois Quota Zones in Illinois; the Ballard and Henderson--
Union Subzones in Kentucky; the Allegan County, Muskegon Wastewater, 
Saginaw County, and Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Units in Michigan; 
and the Exterior Zone in Wisconsin will have been filled, the season 
for taking Canada geese in the respective zone (and associated area, if 
applicable) will be closed, either by the Director upon giving public 
notice through local information media at least 48 hours in advance of 
the time and date of closing, or by the State through State regulations 
with such notice and time (not less than 48 hours) as they deem 
necessary.

Central Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
24) and the last Sunday in January (January 29).
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits:
    (1) High Plains Mallard Management Unit (roughly defined as that 
portion of the Central Flyway which lies west of the 100th meridian): 
97 days, except canvasbacks and pintails, which may not exceed 39 days, 
and season splits must conform to each State's zone/split configuration 
for duck hunting. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, including no more 
than 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be hens), 1 mottled duck, 
1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, and 2 wood ducks. The 
last 23 days may start no earlier than the Saturday nearest December 10 
(December 10). A single canvasback and pintail may also be included in 
the 6-bird daily bag limit for designated youth-hunt days.
    (2) Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74 days, except canvasbacks 
and pintails, which may not exceed 39 days, and season splits must 
conform to each State's zone/split configuration for duck hunting. The 
daily bag limit is 6 ducks, including no more than 5 mallards (no more 
than 2 of which may be hens), 1 mottled duck, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 
2 redheads, 2 scaup, and 2 wood ducks. A single canvasback and pintail 
may also be included in the 6-bird daily bag limit for designated 
youth-hunt days.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5 mergansers, only 1 of 
which may be a hooded merganser. In States that include mergansers in 
the duck daily bag limit, the daily limit may be the same as the duck 
bag limit, only one of which may be a hooded merganser.
    Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Kansas (Low Plains portion), Montana, 
Nebraska (Low Plains portion), New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains 
portion), South Dakota (Low Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains 
portion), and Wyoming may select hunting seasons by zones.
    In Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, 
South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the regular season may be split into 
two segments.
    In Colorado, the season may be split into three segments.

Geese

    Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments. 
Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Central Flyway Council 
and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year evaluation by 
each participating State.
    Outside Dates: For dark geese, seasons may be selected between the 
outside dates of the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and 
the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 12). For light geese, outside 
dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest 
September 24 (September 24) and March 10. In the Rainwater Basin Light 
Goose Area (East and West) of Nebraska, temporal and spatial 
restrictions consistent with the experimental late-winter snow goose 
hunting strategy endorsed by the Central Flyway Council in July 1999 
are required.
    Season Lengths and Limits:
    Light Geese: States may select a light goose season not to exceed 
107 days. The daily bag limit for light geese is 20 with no possession 
limit.
    Dark Geese: In Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South 
Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, States may select a season 
for Canada geese (or any other dark goose species except white-fronted 
geese) not to exceed 95 days with a daily bag limit of 3. Additionally, 
in the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, an alternative season of 107 days 
with a daily bag limit of 1

[[Page 55677]]

Canada goose may be selected. For white-fronted geese, these States may 
select either a season of 72 days with a bag limit of 2 or a 86-day 
season with a bag limit of 1.
    In South Dakota, for Canada geese in the Big Stone Power Plant Area 
of Canada Goose Unit 3, the daily bag limit is 3 until November 30, and 
2 thereafter.
    In Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming, States may select seasons not 
to exceed 107 days. The daily bag limit for dark geese is 5 in the 
aggregate.
    In Colorado, the season may not exceed 95 days. The daily bag limit 
is 3 dark geese in the aggregate.
    In the Western Goose Zone of Texas, the season may not exceed 95 
days. The daily bag limit for Canada geese (or any other dark goose 
species except white-fronted geese) is 3. The daily bag limit for 
white-fronted geese is 1.

Pacific Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, Common Moorhens, and Purple Gallinules

    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: Concurrent 107 days, except that 
the season for canvasbacks may not exceed 60 days, and season splits 
must conform to each State's zone/split configuration for duck hunting. 
The daily bag limit is 7 ducks and mergansers, including no more than 2 
female mallards, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 3 scaup, and 2 redheads. A 
single canvasback may also be included in the 7-bird daily bag limit 
for designated youth-hunt days.
    The season on coots and common moorhens may be between the outside 
dates for the season on ducks, but not to exceed 107 days.
    Coot, Common Moorhen, and Purple Gallinule Limits: The daily bag 
and possession limits of coots, common moorhens, and purple gallinules 
are 25, singly or in the aggregate.
    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
24) and the last Sunday in January (January 29).
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, 
Oregon, Utah, and Washington may select hunting seasons by zones.
    Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington 
may split their seasons into two segments.
    Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming may split their seasons 
into three segments.
    Colorado River Zone, California: Seasons and limits shall be the 
same as seasons and limits selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona 
(South Zone).

Geese

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits:
    California, Oregon, and Washington: Except as subsequently noted, 
100-day seasons may be selected, with outside dates between the 
Saturday nearest October 1 (October 1), and the last Sunday in January 
(January 29). Basic daily bag limits are 4 light geese and 4 dark 
geese, except in California, Oregon, and Washington, where the dark 
goose bag limit does not include brant.
    Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and 
Wyoming: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day seasons may be selected, 
with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
24), and the last Sunday in January (January 29). Basic daily bag 
limits are 4 light geese and 4 dark geese.
    Split Seasons: Unless otherwise specified, seasons for geese may be 
split into up to 3 segments. Three-way split seasons for Canada geese 
and white-fronted geese require Pacific Flyway Council and U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service approval and a 3-year evaluation by each 
participating State.

Brant Season

    Oregon may select a 16-day season, Washington an 8-day season, and 
California a 15-day season. Days must be consecutive. Washington and 
California may select hunting seasons by up to two zones. The daily bag 
limit is 2 brant and is in addition to dark goose limits. In Oregon and 
California, the brant season must end no later than December 15.
Arizona
    The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.
California
    Northeastern Zone: The daily bag limit is 4 geese and may include 
no more than than 1 cackling Canada goose or 1 Aleutian Canada goose 
and 2 white-fronted geese.
    Southern Zone: In the Imperial County Special Management Area, 
light geese only may be taken from the end of the general goose hunting 
season through the first Sunday in February (February 5).
    Balance-of-the-State Zone: Limits may not include more than 4 geese 
per day, of which not more than 3 may be white-fronted geese. In the 
Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (West), the season on white-
fronted geese must begin no earlier than the last Saturday in October 
and end on or before December 14, and the daily bag limit shall contain 
no more than 2 white-fronted geese.
Oregon
    Except as subsequently noted, the dark goose daily bag limit is 4, 
including not more than 1 cackling or Aleutian goose.
    Harney, Klamath, Lake, and Malheur County Zone: For Lake County 
only, the daily dark goose bag limit may not include more than 2 white-
fronted geese.
    Northwest Special Permit Zone: Except for designated areas, there 
will be no open season on Canada geese. In the designated areas, 
individual quotas will be established that collectively will not exceed 
165 dusky geese. See section on quota zones. In those designated areas, 
the daily bag limit of dark geese is 4 including not more than 2 
cackling or Aleutian geese.
    Closed Zone: All of Tillamook County.
    Southwest Zone: The daily dark goose bag limit is 4 including 
cackling and Aleutian geese.
Washington
    The daily bag limit is 4 geese. A 107-day season may be selected in 
Areas 4 and 5 (eastern Washington).
    Southwest Quota Zone: In the Southwest Quota Zone, except for 
designated areas, there will be no open season on Canada geese. In the 
designated areas, individual quotas will be established that 
collectively will not exceed 85 dusky geese. See section on quota 
zones. In this area, the daily bag limit may include 2 cackling geese. 
In Southwest Quota Zone Area 2B (Pacific and Grays Harbor Counties), 
the daily bag limit may include 1 Aleutian goose.
Colorado
    The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3 geese.
Idaho
    The daily bag limit is 4 geese.
Nevada
    The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3 except in the Lincoln and 
Clark County Zone, where the daily bag limit of dark geese is 2.
New Mexico
    The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.
Utah
    The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.

Quota Zones

    Seasons on dark geese must end upon attainment of individual quotas 
of

[[Page 55678]]

dusky geese allotted to the designated areas of Oregon and Washington. 
The September Canada goose season, the regular goose season, any 
special late dark goose season, and any extended falconry season, 
combined, must not exceed 107 days, and the established quota of dusky 
geese must not be exceeded. Hunting of dark geese in those designated 
areas will only be by hunters possessing a State-issued permit 
authorizing them to do so. In a Service-approved investigation, the 
State must obtain quantitative information on hunter compliance of 
those regulations aimed at reducing the take of dusky geese. If the 
monitoring program cannot be conducted, for any reason, the season must 
immediately close. In the designated areas of the Washington Southwest 
Quota Zone, a special late dark goose season may be held between the 
Saturday following the close of the general goose season and March 10. 
In the Northwest Special Permit Zone of Oregon, the framework closing 
date is extended to the Sunday closest to March 1 (February 26). 
Regular dark goose seasons may be split into 3 segments within the 
Oregon and Washington quota zones.

Swans

    In portions of the Pacific Flyway (Montana, Nevada, and Utah), an 
open season for taking a limited number of swans may be selected. 
Permits will be issued by the State and will authorize each permittee 
to take no more than 1 swan per season. Each State's season may open no 
earlier than the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 1). These seasons 
are also subject to the following conditions:
Montana
    No more than 500 permits may be issued. The season must end no 
later than December 1. The State must implement a harvest-monitoring 
program to measure the species composition of the swan harvest and 
should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance in 
reporting bill measurement and color information.
Utah
    No more than 2,000 permits may be issued. During the swan season, 
no more than 10 trumpeter swans may be taken. The season must end no 
later than the second Sunday in December (December 11) or upon 
attainment of 10 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs 
earliest. The Utah season remains subject to the terms of the 
Memorandum of Agreement entered into with the Service in August 2001, 
regarding harvest monitoring, season closure procedures, and education 
requirements to minimize the take of trumpeter swans during the swan 
season.
Nevada
    No more than 650 permits may be issued. During the swan season, no 
more than 5 trumpeter swans may be taken. The season must end no later 
than the Sunday following January 1 (January 8) or upon attainment of 5 
trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs earliest.
    In addition, the States of Utah and Nevada must implement a 
harvest-monitoring program to measure the species composition of the 
swan harvest. The harvest-monitoring program must require that all 
harvested swans or their species-determinant parts be examined by 
either State or Federal biologists for the purpose of species 
classification. The States should use appropriate measures to maximize 
hunter compliance in providing bagged swans for examination. Further, 
the States of Montana, Nevada, and Utah must achieve at least an 80-
percent compliance rate, or subsequent permits will be reduced by 10 
percent. All three States must provide to the Service by June 30, 2004, 
a report detailing harvest, hunter participation, reporting compliance, 
and monitoring of swan populations in the designated hunt areas.

Tundra Swans

    In portions of the Atlantic Flyway (North Carolina and Virginia) 
and the Central Flyway (North Dakota, South Dakota [east of the 
Missouri River], and that portion of Montana in the Central Flyway), an 
open season for taking a limited number of tundra swans may be 
selected. Permits will be issued by the States that authorize the take 
of no more than 1 tundra swan per permit. A second permit may be issued 
to hunters from unused permits remaining after the first drawing. The 
States must obtain harvest and hunter participation data. These seasons 
are also subject to the following conditions:
    In the Atlantic Flyway:

--The season is experimental.
--The season may be 90 days, from October 1 to January 31.
--In North Carolina, no more than 5,000 permits may be issued.
--In Virginia, no more than 600 permits may be issued.

    In the Central Flyway:

--The season may be 107 days, from the Saturday nearest October 1 
(October 1) to January 31.
--In the Central Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 500 permits 
may be issued.
--In North Dakota, no more than 2,200 permits may be issued.
--In South Dakota, no more than 1,300 permits may be issued.

Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions

Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-95.
    South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Maine
    North Zone: That portion north of the line extending east along 
Maine State Highway 110 from the New Hampshire and Maine State line to 
the intersection of Maine State Highway 11 in Newfield; then north and 
east along Route 11 to the intersection of U.S. Route 202 in Auburn; 
then north and east on Route 202 to the intersection of Interstate 
Highway 95 in Augusta; then north and east along I-95 to Route 15 in 
Bangor; then east along Route 15 to Route 9; then east along Route 9 to 
Stony Brook in Baileyville; then east along Stony Brook to the United 
States border.
    South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Massachusetts
    Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending 
south from the Vermont State line 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 
State line.
    Central Zone: That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone 
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire State line 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 State line; except the waters, and the lands 
150 yards inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River 
upstream to the MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the 
Center St.-Elm St. bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone.
    Coastal Zone: That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the 
Central Zone.
New Hampshire
    Coastal Zone: That portion of the State east of a line extending 
west from the Maine State line in Rollinsford on NH 4 to the city of 
Dover, south to NH 108, south along NH 108 through Madbury, Durham, and 
Newmarket to

[[Page 55679]]

NH 85 in Newfields, south to NH 101 in Exeter, east to NH 51 (Exeter-
Hampton Expressway), east to I-95 (New Hampshire Turnpike) in Hampton, 
and south along I-95 to the Massachusetts State line.
    Inland Zone: That portion of the State north and west of the above 
boundary and along the Massachusetts State line crossing the 
Connecticut River to Interstate 91 and northward in Vermont to Route 2, 
east to 102, northward to the Canadian border.
New Jersey
    Coastal Zone: That portion of the State seaward of a line beginning 
at the New York State line in Raritan Bay and extending west along the 
New York State line to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west on NJ 440 to the 
Garden State Parkway; south on the Garden State Parkway to the 
shoreline at Cape May and continuing to the Delaware State line in 
Delaware Bay.
    North Zone: That portion of the State west of the Coastal Zone and 
north of a line extending west from the Garden State Parkway on NJ 70 
to the New Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike to U.S. 206, north on 
U.S. 206 to U.S. 1 at Trenton, west on U.S. 1 to the Pennsylvania State 
line in the Delaware River.
    South Zone: That portion of the State not within the North Zone or 
the Coastal Zone.
New York
    Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian 
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south 
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the 
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; 
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont 
State line.
    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 State line.
    Northeastern Zone: That area north of a line extending from Lake 
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81 to NY 
31, east along NY 31 to NY 13, north along NY 13 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 State line, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.
    Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.
Pennsylvania
    Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters of Pennsylvania and a 
shoreline margin along Lake Erie from New York on the east to Ohio on 
the west extending 150 yards inland, but including all of Presque Isle 
Peninsula.
    Northwest Zone: The area bounded on the north by the Lake Erie Zone 
and including all of Erie and Crawford Counties and those portions of 
Mercer and Venango Counties north of I-80.
    North Zone: That portion of the State east of the Northwest Zone 
and north of a line extending east on I-80 to U.S. 220, Route 220 to I-
180, I-180 to I-80, and I-80 to the Delaware River.
    South Zone: The remaining portion of Pennsylvania.
Vermont
    Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area north and west of the line extending from the New York State line 
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 State line 
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.
West Virginia
    Zone 1: That portion outside the boundaries in Zone 2.
    Zone 2 (Allegheny Mountain Upland): That area bounded by a line 
extending south along U.S. 220 through Keyser to U.S. 50; U.S. 50 to WV 
93; WV 93 south to WV 42; WV 42 south to Petersburg; WV 28 south to 
Minnehaha Springs; WV 39 west to U.S. 219; U.S. 219 south to I-64; I-64 
west to U.S. 60; U.S. 60 west to U.S. 19; U.S. 19 north to I-79, I-79 
north to I-68; I-68 east to the Maryland State line; and along the 
State line to the point of beginning.

Mississippi Flyway

Alabama
    South Zone: Mobile and Baldwin Counties.
    North Zone: The remainder of Alabama.
Illinois
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Iowa State line along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate 
Highway 280, east along I-280 to I-80, then east along I-80 to the 
Indiana State line.
    Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Zone to 
a line extending east from the Missouri State line 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 State line.
    South Zone: The remainder of Illinois.
Indiana
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Illinois State line 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 State line.
    Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line 
extending east from the Illinois State line along Interstate Highway 64 
to New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State Road 56, east along 
State Road 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 State line.
    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 State line along State Highway 175 to State 
Highway 37, southeast along State Highway 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south 
along U.S. 59 to Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the 
Illinois State line.
    South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
Kentucky
    West Zone: All counties west of and including Butler, Daviess, 
Ohio, Simpson, and Warren Counties.
    East Zone: The remainder of Kentucky.

[[Page 55680]]

Louisiana
    West Zone: That portion of the State west and south of a line 
extending south from the Arkansas State line along Louisiana Highway 3 
to Bossier City, east along Interstate Highway 20 to Minden, south 
along Louisiana 7 to Ringgold, east along Louisiana 4 to Jonesboro, 
south along U.S. Highway 167 to Lafayette, southeast along U.S. 90 to 
the Mississippi State line.
    East Zone: The remainder of Louisiana.
    Catahoula Lake Area: All of Catahoula Lake, including those 
portions known locally as Round Prairie, Catfish Prairie, and Frazier's 
Arm. See State regulations for additional information.
Michigan
    North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
    Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line 
beginning at the Wisconsin State line 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, easterly along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, easterly along U.S. 10 
to Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, northerly along I-75/U.S. 23 
to the U.S. 23 exit at Standish, easterly along 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.
    South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.
Missouri
    North Zone: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west 
from the Illinois State line (Lock and Dam 25) on Lincoln County 
Highway N to Missouri Highway 79; south on Missouri Highway 79 to 
Missouri Highway 47; west on Missouri Highway 47 to Interstate 70; west 
on Interstate 70 to U.S. Highway 54; south on U.S. Highway 54 to U.S. 
Highway 50; west on U.S. Highway 50 to the Kansas State line.
    South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west 
from the Illinois State line on Missouri Highway 34 to Interstate 55; 
south on Interstate 55 to U.S. Highway 62; west on U.S. Highway 62 to 
Missouri Highway 53; north on Missouri Highway 53 to Missouri Highway 
51; north on Missouri Highway 51 to U.S. Highway 60; west on U.S. 
Highway 60 to Missouri Highway 21; north on Missouri Highway 21 to 
Missouri Highway 72; west on Missouri Highway 72 to Missouri Highway 
32; west on Missouri Highway 32 to U.S. Highway 65; north on U.S. 
Highway 65 to U.S. Highway 54; west on U.S. Highway 54 to the Kansas 
State line.
    Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri.
Ohio
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Indiana State line along U.S. Highway 30 to State Route 
37, south along SR 37 to SR 95, east along SR 95 to LaRue-Prospect 
Road, east along LaRue-Prospect Road to SR 203, south along SR 203 to 
SR 739, east along SR 739 to SR 4, north along SR 4 to SR 309, east 
along SR 309 to U.S. 23, north along U.S. 23 to SR 231, north along SR 
231 to U.S. 30, east along U.S. 30 to SR 42, north along SR 42 to SR 
603, south along SR 603 to U.S. 30, east along U.S. 30 to SR 60, south 
along SR 60 to SR 39/60, east along SR 39/60 to SR 39, east along SR 39 
to SR 241, east along SR 241 to U.S. 30, then east along U.S. 30 to the 
West Virginia State line.
    South Zone: The remainder of Ohio.
Tennessee
    Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake and Obion Counties.
    State Zone: The remainder of Tennessee.
Wisconsin
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Minnesota State line along State Highway 77 to State 27, 
south along State 27 and 77 to U.S. Highway 63, and continuing south 
along State 27 to Sawyer County Road B, south and east along County B 
to State 70, southwest along State 70 to State 27, south along State 27 
to State 64, west along State 64/27 and south along State 27 to U.S. 
12, south and east on State 27/U.S. 12 to U.S. 10, U.S. 10 east to U.S. 
110, east along U.S. 110 to State 96, east along State 96 to State 76, 
south along State 76 to U.S. 10, east on U.S. 10 to State 310, east 
along State 310 to State 42, north along State 42 to State 147, north 
along State 147 to State 163, north along State 163 to Kewaunee County 
Trunk A, north along County Trunk A to State 57, north along State 57 
to the Kewaunee/Door County Line, west along the Kewaunee/Door County 
Line to the Door/Brown County Line, west along the Door/Brown County 
Line to the Door/Oconto/Brown County Line, northeast along the Door/
Oconto County Line to the Marinette/Door County Line, northeast along 
the Marinette/Door County Line to the Michigan State line.
    South Zone: The remainder of Wisconsin.

Central Flyway

Kansas
    High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.
    Low Plains Early Zone: That area of Kansas east of U.S. 283, and 
generally west of a line beginning at the Junction of the Nebraska 
State line and KS 28; south on KS 28 to U.S. 36; east on U.S. 36 to KS 
199; south on KS 199 to Republic Co. Road 563; south on Republic Co. 
Road 563 to KS 148; east on KS 148 to Republic Co. Road 138; south on 
Republic Co. Road 138 to Cloud Co. Road 765; south on Cloud Co. Road 
765 to KS 9; west on KS 9 to U.S. 24; west on U.S. 24 to U.S. 281; 
north on U.S. 281 to U.S. 36; west on U.S. 36 to U.S. 183; south on 
U.S. 183 to U.S. 24; west on U.S. 24 to KS 18; southeast on KS 18 to 
U.S. 183; south on U.S. 183 to KS 4; east on KS 4 to I-135; south on I-
135 to KS 61; southwest on KS 61 to KS 96; northwest on KS 96 to U.S. 
56; west on U.S. 56 to U.S. 281; south on U.S. 281 to U.S. 54; west on 
U.S. 54 to U.S. 183; north on U.S. 183 to U.S. 56; and southwest on 
U.S. 56 to U.S. 283.
    Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder of Kansas.
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
    Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Daniels, Dawson, 
Fallon, Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, McCone, 
Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Richland, Roosevelt, 
Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, and 
Yellowstone.
    Zone 2: The remainder of Montana.
Nebraska
    High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of highways U.S. 
183 and U.S. 20 from the South Dakota State line to Ainsworth, NE 7 and 
NE 91 to Dunning, NE 2 to Merna, NE 92 to Arnold, NE 40 and NE 47 
through Gothenburg to NE 23, NE 23 to Elwood, and U.S. 283 to the 
Kansas State line.
    Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High 
Plains Zone and north and west of a line extending from the South 
Dakota State line along NE 26E Spur to NE 12, west on NE 12 to the 
Knox/Boyd County line, south along the county line to the Niobrara 
River and along the Niobrara River to

[[Page 55681]]

U.S. 183 (the High Plains Zone line). Where the Niobrara River forms 
the boundary, both banks will be in Zone 1.
    Low Plains Zone 2: Area bounded by designated Federal and State 
highways and political boundaries beginning at the Kansas-Nebraska 
State line on U.S. Hwy. 73; north to NE Hwy. 67 north to U.S. Hwy 136; 
east to the Steamboat Trace (Trace); north to Federal Levee R-562; 
north and west to the Trace/Burlington Northern Railroad right-of-way; 
north to NE Hwy 2; west to U.S. Hwy 75; north to NE Hwy. 2; west to NE 
Hwy. 43; north to U.S. Hwy. 34; east to NE Hwy. 63; north and west to 
U.S. Hwy. 77; north to NE Hwy. 92; west to U.S. Hwy. 81; south to NE 
Hwy. 66; west to NE Hwy. 14; south to U.S. Hwy 34; west to NE Hwy. 2; 
south to U.S. Hwy. I-80; west to Gunbarrrel Rd. (Hall/Hamilton county 
line); south to Giltner Rd.; west to U.S. Hwy. 281; south to U.S. Hwy. 
34; west to NE Hwy 10; north to County Road ``R'' (Kearney County) and 
County Road 742 (Phelps County); west to County Road 
438 (Gosper County line); south along County Road 438 
(Gosper County line) to County Road 726 (Furnas County Line); 
east to County Road 438 (Harlan County Line); south to U.S. 
Hwy 34; south and west to U.S. Hwy. 136; east to NE Hwy. 10; south to 
the Kansas-Nebraska State line.
    Low Plains Zone 3: The area east of the High Plains Zone, excluding 
Low Plains Zone 1, north of Low Plains Zone 2.
    Low Plains Zone 4: The area east of the High Plains Zone and south 
of Zone 2.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
    South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.
North Dakota
    High Plains Unit: That portion of the State south and west of a 
line from the South Dakota State line along U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41, 
north to U.S. 2, west to the Williams/Divide County line, then north 
along the County line to the Canadian border.
    Low Plains: The remainder of North Dakota.
Oklahoma
    High Plains Zone: The Counties of Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas.
    Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High 
Plains Zone and north of a line extending east from the Texas State 
line along OK 33 to OK 47, east along OK 47 to U.S. 183, south along 
U.S. 183 to I-40, east along I-40 to U.S. 177, north along U.S. 177 to 
OK 33, west along OK 33 to I-35, north along I-35 to U.S. 412, west 
along U.S. 412 to OK 132, then north along OK 132 to the Kansas State 
line.
    Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of Oklahoma.
South Dakota
    High Plains Unit: That portion of the State west of a line 
beginning at the North Dakota State line and extending south along U.S. 
83 to U.S. 14, east along U.S. 14 to Blunt-Canning Road in Blunt, south 
along Blunt-Canning Road to SD 34, east to SD 47, south to I-90, east 
to SD 47, south to SD 49, south to Colome and then continuing south on 
U.S. 183 to the Nebraska State line.
    North Zone: That portion of northeastern South Dakota east of the 
High Plains Unit and north of a line extending east along U.S. 212 to 
the Minnesota State line.
    South Zone: That portion of Gregory County east of SD 47, Charles 
Mix County south of SD 44 to the Douglas County line, south on SD 50 to 
Geddes, east on the Geddes Hwy. to U.S. 281, south on U.S. 281 and U.S. 
18 to SD 50, south and east on SD 50 to Bon Homme County line, the 
Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton, and Clay south of SD 50, and Union 
County south and west of SD 50 and I-29.
    Middle Zone: The remainder of South Dakota.
Texas
    High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of a line 
extending south from the Oklahoma State line along U.S. 183 to Vernon, 
south along U.S. 283 to Albany, south along TX 6 to TX 351 to Abilene, 
south along U.S. 277 to Del Rio, then south along the Del Rio 
International Toll Bridge access road to the Mexico border.
    Low Plains North Zone: That portion of northeastern Texas east of 
the High Plains Zone and north of a line beginning at the International 
Toll Bridge south of Del Rio, then extending east on U.S. 90 to San 
Antonio, then continuing east on I-10 to the Louisiana State line at 
Orange, Texas.
    Low Plains South Zone: The remainder of Texas.
Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)
    Zone 1: The Counties of Converse, Goshen, Hot Springs, Natrona, 
Platte, and Washakie; and the portion of Park County east of the 
Shoshone National Forest boundary and south of a line beginning where 
the Shoshone National Forest boundary meets Park County Road 8VC, east 
along Park County Road 8VC to Park County Road 1AB, continuing east 
along Park County Road 1AB to Wyoming Highway 120, north along WY 
Highway 120 to WY Highway 294, south along WY Highway 294 to Lane 9, 
east along Lane 9 to Powel and WY Highway 14A, and finally east along 
WY Highway 14A to the Park County and Big Horn County line.
    Zone 2: The remainder of Wyoming.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona--Game Management Units (GMU) as Follows:
    South Zone: Those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 in Yavapai County, and 
GMUs 10 and 12B-45.
    North Zone: GMUs 1-5, those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 within 
Coconino County, and GMUs 7, 9, 12A.
California
    Northeastern Zone: 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 State 
line 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

[[Page 55682]]

County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of Desert 
Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on this 
road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the 
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley 
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to 
U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; 
south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
    Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding 
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the 
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City 
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of 
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest 
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to 
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on 
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada 
State line.
    Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare 
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included 
in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the 
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.
Idaho
    Zone 1: Includes all lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian 
Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham 
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; 
and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.
    Zone 2: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties: 
Adams; Bear Lake; Benewah; Bingham within the Blackfoot Reservoir 
drainage; those portions of Blaine west of ID 75, south and east of 
U.S. 93, and between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 outside the 
Silver Creek drainage; Bonner; Bonneville; Boundary; Butte; Camas; 
Caribou except the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Cassia within the 
Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Clark; Clearwater; Custer; Elmore 
within the Camas Creek drainage; Franklin; Fremont; Idaho; Jefferson; 
Kootenai; Latah; Lemhi; Lewis; Madison; Nez Perce; Oneida; Power within 
the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Shoshone; Teton; and Valley 
Counties.
    Zone 3: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties: 
Ada; Blaine between ID 75 and U.S. 93 south of U.S. 20 and that 
additional area between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 within the 
Silver Creek drainage; Boise; Canyon; Cassia except within the Minidoka 
National Wildlife Refuge; Elmore except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; 
Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee; Payette; Power west of ID 
37 and ID 39 except that portion within the Minidoka National Wildlife 
Refuge; Twin Falls; and Washington Counties.
Nevada
    Lincoln and Clark County Zone: All of Clark and Lincoln Counties.
    Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.
Oregon
    Zone 1: Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane, Douglas, Coos, Curry, 
Josephine, Jackson, Linn, Benton, Polk, Marion, Yamhill, Washington, 
Columbia, Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, 
Morrow and Umatilla Counties.
    Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Gilliam, Morrow, and 
Umatilla Counties.
    Zone 2: The remainder of the State.
Utah
    Zone 1: All of Box Elder, Cache, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Morgan, 
Rich, Salt Lake, Summit, Unitah, Utah, Wasatch, and Weber Counties, and 
that part of Toole County north of I-80.
    Zone 2: The remainder of Utah.
Washington
    East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of 
the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
    Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Same as East Zone.
    West Zone: All areas to the west of the East Zone.

Geese

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut
    NAP L-Unit: That portion of Fairfield County north of Interstate 95 
and that portion of New Haven County: starting at I-95 bridge on 
Housatonic River; north of Interstate 95; west of Route 10 to the 
intersection of Interstate 691; west along Interstate 691 to Interstate 
84; west and south on Interstate 84 to Route 67; north along Route 67 
to the Litchfield County line, then extending west along the Litchfield 
County line to the Shepaug River, then south to the intersection of the 
Litchfield and Fairfield County lines.
    NAP H-Unit: All of the rest of the State not included in the AP or 
NAP-L descriptions.
    AP Unit: Litchfield County and the portion of Hartford County, west 
of a line beginning at the Massachusetts State line in Suffield and 
extending south along Route 159 to its intersection with Route 91 in 
Hartford, and then extending south along Route 91 to its intersection 
with the Hartford/Middlesex County line.
    South Zone: Same as for ducks.
    North Zone: Same as for ducks.
Maryland
    Resident Population (RP) Zone: Garrett, Allegany, Washington, 
Frederick, Howard, and Montgomery Counties; that portion of Baltimore 
County south of Route 138, Route 137, and Mount Carmel Road; that 
portion of Anne Arundel County west of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 
and Route 3; that portion of Prince George's County west of Route 3 and 
Route 301, that portion of Charles County west of Route 301 to the 
Virginia State line; and that portion of Carroll County south of Route 
88, west of Route 30 from the intersection of Route 30 and Route 88 to 
the intersection of Route 30 and Route 482, south of Route 482, south 
of Route 27 from the intersection of Route 27 and Route 482 to the 
intersection of Route 27 and Route 97, and west of Route 97 from the 
Intersection of Route 27 and Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line.
    AP Zone: Remainder of the State.
Massachusetts
    NAP Zone: Central Zone (same as for ducks) and that portion of the 
Coastal Zone that lies north of route 139 from Green Harbor.
    AP Zone: Remainder of the State.
    Special Late Season Area: That portion of the Coastal Zone (see 
duck zones) that lies north of the Cape Cod Canal and east of Route 3, 
north to the New Hampshire line.
New Hampshire
    Same zones as for ducks.
New Jersey
    North--that portion of the State within a continuous line that runs 
east along the New York State boundary line to the Hudson River; then 
south along the New York State boundary to its intersection with Route 
440 at Perth Amboy; then west on Route 440 to its intersection with 
Route 287; then west along Route 287 to its intersection with Route 206 
in Bedminster (Exit 18); then north along Route 206 to its intersection 
with Route 94: then west along Route 94 to the tollbridge in Columbia; 
then north along the Pennsylvania State boundary in the Delaware River 
to the beginning point.

[[Page 55683]]

    South--that portion of the State within a continuous line that runs 
west from the Atlantic Ocean at Ship Bottom along Route 72 to Route 70; 
then west along Route 70 to Route 206; then south along Route 206 to 
Route 536; then west along Route 536 to Route 322; then west along 
Route 322 to Route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 553 (Buck 
Road); then south along Route 553 to Route 40; then east along Route 40 
to route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 552 (Sherman Avenue); 
then west along Route 552 to Carmel Road; then south along Carmel Road 
to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 555; then south along 
Route 555 to Route 553; then east along Route 553 to Route 649; then 
north along Route 649 to Route 670; then east along Route 670 to Route 
47; then north along Route 47 to Route 548; then east along Route 548 
to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 50; then south along 
Route 50 to Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route 625 (Sea Isle 
City Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to the Atlantic Ocean; then 
north to the beginning point.
New York
    Lake Champlain Goose Area--that area of New York State lying east 
and north of a continuous line extending along Route 11 from the New 
York-Canada boundary south to Route 9B, south along Route 9B to Route 
9, south along Route 9 to Route 22 south of Keeseville, south along 
Route 22 to the west shore of South Bay along and around the shoreline 
of South Bay to Route 22 on the east shore of South Bay, southeast 
along Route 22 to Route 4, northeast along Route 4 to the New York-
Vermont boundary.
    North Central Goose Area--that area of New York State lying north 
of a continuous line extending from Route 4 at the New York-Vermont 
boundary, west and south along Route 4 to Route 149 at Fort Ann, west 
on Route 149 to Route 9, south along Route 9 to Interstate Route 87 (at 
Exit 20 in Glens Falls), south along Route 87 to Route 29, west along 
Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball Corners, south along Route 147 to 
Schenectady County Route 40 (West Glenville Road), west along Route 40 
to Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna Road to Schenectady County 
Route 59, south along Route 59 to State Route 5, east along Route 5 to 
the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S, 
southeast along Route 5S to Schenectady County Route 58, southwest 
along Route 58 to the NYS Thruway, south along the Thruway to Route 7, 
southwest along Route 7 to Schenectady County Route 103, south along 
Route 103 to Route 406, east along Route 406 to Schenectady County 
Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route 99 to Dunnsville Road, 
south along Dunnsville Road to Route 397, southwest along Route 397 to 
Route 146 at Altamont, west along Route 146 to Albany County Route 252, 
northwest along Route 252 to Schenectady County Route 131, north along 
Route 131 to Route 7, west along Route 7 to Route 10 at Richmondville, 
south on Route 10 to Route 23 at Stamford, west along Route 23 to the 
south bank of the Susquehanna River, southwest along the south bank of 
the Susquehanna River to Interstate Route 88 near Harpursville, west 
along Route 88 to Route 79, northwest along Route 79 to Route 26 in 
Whitney Point, southwest along Route 26 to Interstate Route 81, north 
along Route 81 to the north shore of the Salmon River, west along the 
north shore of the Salmon River to the shore of Lake Ontario, extending 
generally northwest in a straight line to the nearest point of the 
international boundary with Canada, excluding the Lake Champlain Goose 
Hunting Area.
    West Central Goose Area--that area of New York State lying within a 
continuous line beginning at the point where the northerly extension of 
Route 269 (County Line Road on the Niagara-Orleans County boundary) 
meets the International boundary with Canada, south to the shore of 
Lake Ontario at the eastern boundary of Golden Hill State Park, south 
along the extension of Route 269 and Route 269 to Route 104 at Jeddo, 
west along Route 104 to Niagara County Route 271, south along Route 271 
to Route 31E at Middleport, south along Route 31E to Route 31, west 
along Route 31 to Griswold Street, south along Griswold Street to Ditch 
Road, south along Ditch Road to Foot Road, south along Foot Road to the 
north bank of Tonawanda Creek, west along the north bank of Tonawanda 
Creek to Route 93, south along Route 93 to the NYS Thruway, east along 
the Thruway 90 to Route 98 (at Thruway Exit 48) in Batavia, south along 
Route 98 to Route 20, east along Route 20 to Route 19 in Pavilion 
Center, south along Route 19 to Route 63, southeast along Route 63 to 
Route 246, south along Route 246 to Route 39 in Perry, south along 
Route 39 to Route 19A (south of Castile), south and southeast along 
Route 19A to Route 436, east along Route 436 to Route 36 in Dansville, 
south along Route 36 to Route 17, east along Route 17 to Belfast Street 
at Bath, east along Belfast Street to Route 415 (West Washington 
Street), southeast along Route 415 to Route 54, northeast along Route 
54 to Steuben County Route 87, northeast along Route 87 to Steuben 
County Route 96, east along Route 96 to Steuben County Route 114, east 
along Route 114 to Schuyler County Route 23, east and southeast along 
Route 23 to Schuyler County Route 28, southeast along Route 28 to Route 
409 at Watkins Glen, south along Route 409 to Route 14, south along 
Route 14 to Route 224 at Montour Falls, east along Route 224 to Route 
228 in Odessa, north along Route 228 to Route 79 in Mecklenburg, east 
along Route 79 to Route 366 in Ithaca, northeast along Route 366 to 
Route 13, northeast along Route 13 to Interstate Route 81 in Cortland, 
north along Route 81 to the north shore of the Salmon River to shore of 
Lake Ontario, extending generally northwest in a straight line to the 
nearest point of the International boundary with Canada, south and west 
along the International boundary to the point of beginning.
    Hudson Valley Goose Area--that area of New York State lying within 
a continuous line extending from Route 4 at the New York-Vermont 
boundary, west and south along Route 4 to Route 149 at Fort Ann, west 
on Route 149 to Route 9, south along Route 9 to Interstate Route 87 (at 
Exit 20 in Glens Falls), south along Route 87 to Route 29, west along 
Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball Corners, south along Route 147 to 
Schenectady County Route 40 (West Glenville Road), west along Route 40 
to Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna Road to Schenectady County 
Route 59, south along Route 59 to State Route 5, east along Route 5 to 
the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S, 
southeast along Route 5S to Schenectady County Route 58, southwest 
along Route 58 to the NYS Thruway, south along the Thruway to Route 7, 
southwest along Route 7 to Schenectady County Route 103, south along 
Route 103 to Route 406, east along Route 406 to Schenectady County 
Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route 99 to Dunnsville Road, 
south along Dunnsville Road to Route 397, southwest along Route 397 to 
Route 146 at Altamont, southeast along Route 146 to Main Street in 
Altamont, west along Main Street to Route 156, southeast along Route 
156 to Albany County Route 307, southeast along Route 307 to Route 85A, 
southwest along Route 85A to Route 85, south along Route 85 to Route 
443, southeast along Route 443 to Albany County Route 301 at 
Clarksville, southeast along Route 301 to Route 32, south along Route 
32 to Route 23 at Cairo, west along Route 23 to Joseph Chadderdon Road, 
southeast along Joseph Chadderdon Road to Hearts

[[Page 55684]]

Content Road (Greene County Route 31), southeast along Route 31 to 
Route 32, south along Route 32 to Greene County Route 23A, east along 
Route 23A to Interstate Route 87 (the NYS Thruway), south along Route 
87 to Route 28 (Exit 19) near Kingston, northwest on Route 28 to Route 
209, southwest on Route 209 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary, 
southeast along the New York-Pennsylvania boundary to the New York-New 
Jersey boundary, southeast along the New York-New Jersey boundary to 
Route 210 near Greenwood Lake, northeast along Route 210 to Orange 
County Route 5, northeast along Orange County Route 5 to Route 105 in 
the Village of Monroe, east and north along Route 105 to Route 32, 
northeast along Route 32 to Orange County Route 107 (Quaker Avenue), 
east along Route 107 to Route 9W, north along Route 9W to the south 
bank of Moodna Creek, southeast along the south bank of Moodna Creek to 
the New Windsor-Cornwall town boundary, northeast along the New 
Windsor-Cornwall town boundary to the Orange-Dutchess County boundary 
(middle of the Hudson River), north along the county boundary to 
Interstate Route 84, east along Route 84 to the New York-Connecticut 
boundary, north along the New York-Connecticut boundary to the New 
York-Massachusetts boundary, north along the New York-Massachusetts 
boundary to the New York-Vermont boundary, north to the point of 
beginning.
    Western Long Island Goose Area--that area of Westchester County and 
its tidal waters lying southeast of Interstate Route 95, and that area 
of Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying west of a continuous line 
extending due south from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the 
northern end of Sound Road (near Wading River), then south along Sound 
Road to North Country Road, then west along North Country Road to 
Randall Road, then south along Randall Road to State Route 25A, then 
west along Route 25A to the William Floyd Parkway (County Route 46), 
then south along William Floyd Parkway to Fire Island Beach Road, then 
due south to International waters.
    Eastern Long Island Goose Area--that area of Suffolk County that is 
not part of the Western Long Island Goose Hunting Area, as defined 
above.
    South Goose Area--the remainder of New York State, excluding New 
York City.
    Special Late Canada Goose Area--that area of Westchester County 
lying southeast of Interstate Route 95, and that area of Nassau and 
Suffolk Counties lying north of State Route 25A and west of a 
continuous line extending northward from State Route 25A along Randall 
Road (near Shoreham) to North Country Road, then east to Sound Road and 
then north to Long Island Sound and then due north to the New York-
Connecticut boundary.
North Carolina
    SJBP Hunt Zone: Includes the following counties or portions of 
counties: Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Halifax (that 
portion east of NC 903), Montgomery (that portion west of NC 109), 
Northampton (all of the county with the exception of that portion that 
is both north of U.S. 158 and east of NC 35), Richmond (that portion 
south of NC 73 and west of U.S. 220 and north of U.S. 74), Rowan, 
Stanly, Union, and Wake.
    RP Hunt Zone: Includes the following counties or portions of 
counties: Alamance, Alleghany, Alexander, Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie 
(that portion south and west of a line formed by NC 45 at the 
Washington Co. line to U.S. 17 in Midway, U.S. 17 in Midway to U.S. 13 
in Windsor, U.S. 13 in Windsor to the Hertford Co. line), Bladen, 
Brunswick, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Carteret, Caswell, Catawba, 
Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Davie, Duplin, 
Edgecombe, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Gates, Graham, Granville, Greene, 
Guilford, Halifax (that portion west of NC 903), Harnett, Haywood, 
Henderson, Hertford, Hoke, Iredell, Jackson, Johnston, Jones, Lee, 
Lenoir, Lincoln, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Martin, Mecklenburg, 
Mitchell, Montgomery (that portion that is east of NC 109), Moore, 
Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico, Pender, Person, Pitt, Polk, 
Randolph, Richmond (all of the county with exception of that portion 
that is south of NC 73 and west of U.S. 220 and north of U.S. 74), 
Robeson, Rockingham, Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Stokes, Surry, 
Swain, Transylvania, Vance, Warren, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes, Wilson, 
Yadkin, and Yancey.
    Northeast Hunt Unit: Includes the following counties or portions of 
counties: Bertie (that portion north and east of a line formed by NC 45 
at the Washington County line to U.S. 17 in Midway, U.S. 17 in Midway 
to U.S. 13 in Windsor, U.S. 13 in Windsor to the Hertford Co. line), 
Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Northampton (that portion that 
is both north of U.S. 158 and east of NC 35), Pasquotank, Perquimans, 
Tyrrell, and Washington.
Pennsylvania
    Resident Canada Goose Zone: All of Pennsylvania except for 
Crawford, Erie, and Mercer counties and the area east of route SR 97 
from Maryland State Line to the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 
to intersection of U.S. Route 30, south of U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, 
east of SR 441 to SR 743, east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east 
of I-81 to intersection of I-80, south of I-80 to New Jersey State 
line).
    SJBP Zone: Erie, Mercer and Crawford Counties except for the 
Pymatuning Zone.
    Pymatuning Zone: The area south of SR 198 from the Ohio State line 
to intersection of SR 18, SR 18 south to SR 618, SR 618 south to U.S. 
Route 6, U.S. Route 6 east to U.S. Route 322/SR 18, U.S. Route 322/SR 
18 west to intersection of SR 3013, SR 3013 south to the Crawford/
Mercer County line.
    AP Zone: The area east of route SR 97 from Maryland State Line to 
the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of U.S. 
Route 30, south of U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743, 
east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of 
I-80, south of I-80 to New Jersey State line.
Rhode Island
    Special Area for Canada Geese: Kent and Providence Counties and 
portions of the towns of Exeter and North Kingston within Washington 
County (see State regulations for detailed descriptions).
South Carolina
    Canada Goose Area: Statewide except for Clarendon County and that 
portion of Lake Marion in Orangeburg County and Berkeley County.
Vermont
    Same zones as for ducks.
Virginia
    AP Zone: The area east and south of the following line--the 
Stafford County line from the Potomac River west to Interstate 95 at 
Fredericksburg, then south along Interstate 95 to Petersburg, then 
Route 460 (SE) to City of Suffolk, then south along Route 32 to the 
North Carolina line.
    SJBP Zone: The area to the west of the AP Zone boundary and east of 
the following line: the ``Blue Ridge'' (mountain spine) at the West 
Virginia-Virginia Border (Loudoun County-Clarke County line) south to 
Interstate 64 (the Blue Ridge line follows county borders along the 
western edge of Loudoun-Fauquier-Rappahannock-Madison-Greene-Albemarle 
and into Nelson Counties), then east along Interstate Rt. 64 to Route 
15, then south along Rt. 15 to the North Carolina line.

[[Page 55685]]

    RP Zone: The remainder of the State west of the SJBP Zone.
    Back Bay Area: The waters of Back Bay and its tributaries and the 
marshes adjacent thereto, and on the land and marshes between Back Bay 
and the Atlantic Ocean from Sandbridge to the North Carolina line, and 
on and along the shore of North Landing River and the marshes adjacent 
thereto, and on and along the shores of Binson Inlet Lake (formerly 
known as Lake Tecumseh) and Red Wing Lake and the marshes adjacent 
thereto.
West Virginia
    Same zones as for ducks.

Mississippi Flyway

Alabama
    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    SJBP Zone: That portion of Morgan County east of U.S. Highway 31, 
north of State Highway 36, and west of U.S. 231; that portion of 
Limestone County south of U.S. 72; and that portion of Madison County 
south of Swancott Road and west of Triana Road.
Arkansas
    Northwest Zone: Benton, Carroll, Baxter, Washington, Madison, 
Newton, Crawford, Van Buren, Searcy, Sebastion, Scott, Franklin, Logan, 
Johnson, Pope, Yell, Conway, Perry, Faulkner, Pulaski, Boone, and 
Marion Counties.
Illinois
    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    North Zone:
    Northern Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of McHenry, Lake, Kane, 
DuPage, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties north of 
Interstate Highway 80.
    Central Zone:
    Central Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of Woodford, Peoria, 
Knox, Fulton, Tazewell, Mason, Cass, Morgan, Pike, Calhoun, and Jersey, 
and those portions of Grundy, LaSalle and Will Counties south of 
Interstate Highway 80.
    South Zone:
    Southern Illinois Quota Zone: Alexander, Jackson, Union, and 
Williamson Counties.
Indiana
    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    SJBP Zone: Jasper, LaGrange, LaPorte, Starke, and Steuben Counties, 
and that portion of the Jasper'Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in 
Pulaski County.
Iowa
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of U.S. Highway 20.
    South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
Kentucky
    Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at 
the Tennessee State line at Fulton and extending north along the 
Purchase Parkway to Interstate Highway 24, east along I-24 to U.S. 
Highway 641, north along U.S. 641 to U.S. 60, northeast along U.S. 60 
to the Henderson County line, then south, east, and northerly along the 
Henderson County line to the Indiana State line.
    Ballard Reporting Area: That area encompassed by a line beginning 
at the northwest city limits of Wickliffe in Ballard County and 
extending westward to the middle of the Mississippi River, north along 
the Mississippi River and along the low-water mark of the Ohio River on 
the Illinois shore to the Ballard-McCracken County line, south along 
the county line to Kentucky Highway 358, south along Kentucky 358 to 
U.S. Highway 60 at LaCenter; then southwest along U.S. 60 to the 
northeast city limits of Wickliffe.
    Henderson-Union Reporting Area: Henderson County and that portion 
of Union County within the Western Zone.
    Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone: Butler, Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and 
Warren Counties and all counties lying west to the boundary of the 
Western Goose Zone.
Michigan
    MVP-Upper Peninsula Zone: The MVP-Upper Peninsula Zone consists of 
the entire Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
    MVP-Lower Peninsula Zone: The MVP-Lower Peninsula Zone consists of 
the area within the Lower Peninsula of Michigan that is 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 east to the southwest 
corner of Eaton county, then north to the southern border of Ionia 
county, then east to the southwest corner of Clinton county, then north 
along the western border of Clinton County continuing north along the 
county border of Gratiot and Montcalm counties to the southern border 
of Isabella county, then east to the southwest corner of Midland 
county, then north 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 and 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.
    Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU): Those portions of 
Tuscola and Huron Counties bounded on the south by Michigan Highway 138 
and Bay City Road, on the east by Colwood and Bay Port Roads, on the 
north by Kilmanagh Road and a line extending directly west off the end 
of Kilmanagh Road into Saginaw Bay to the west boundary, and on the 
west by the Tuscola-Bay County line and a line extending directly north 
off the end of the Tuscola-Bay County line into Saginaw Bay to the 
north boundary.
    Allegan County GMU: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate Highway 196 in Lake Town 
Township and extending easterly along 136th Avenue to Michigan Highway 
40, southerly along Michigan 40 through the city of Allegan to 108th 
Avenue in Trowbridge Township, westerly along 108th Avenue to 46th 
Street, northerly \1/2\ mile along 46th Street to 109th Avenue, 
westerly along 109th Avenue to I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly 
along I-196 to the point of beginning.
    Saginaw County GMU: That portion of Saginaw County bounded by 
Michigan Highway 46 on the north; Michigan 52 on the west; Michigan 57 
on the south; and Michigan 13 on the east.
    Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That portion of Muskegon County within the 
boundaries of the Muskegon County wastewater system, east of the 
Muskegon State Game Area, in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 
30, and 32, T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, and 
25, T10N R15W, as posted.
    Special Canada Goose Seasons:
    Southern Michigan GMU: That portion of the State, including the 
Great Lakes and interconnecting waterways and excluding the Allegan 
County GMU, south of a line beginning at the Ontario border at the 
Bluewater Bridge in the city of Port Huron and extending westerly and 
southerly along Interstate Highway 94 to I-69, westerly along I-69 to 
Michigan Highway 21, westerly along Michigan 21 to I-96, northerly 
along I-96 to I-196, westerly along I-196 to Lake Michigan Drive (M-45) 
in Grand Rapids, westerly along Lake Michigan Drive to the Lake 
Michigan shore, then directly west from the end of Lake

[[Page 55686]]

Michigan Drive to the Wisconsin State line.
    Central Michigan GMU: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of 
the Southern Michigan GMU but south of a line beginning at the 
Wisconsin State line 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, easterly along Michigan 
20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of Midland, 
easterly along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, easterly along U.S. 10 to 
Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, northerly along I-75/U.S. 23 to 
the U.S. 23 exit at Standish, easterly along 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, excluding the Tuscola/Huron GMU, Saginaw County GMU, 
and Muskegon Wastewater GMU.
Minnesota
    West Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line 
beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa 
State line, 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 State line.
    West Central Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the 
intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 29 and U.S. Highway 212 and 
extending west along U.S. 212 to U.S. 59, south along U.S. 59 to STH 
67, west along STH 67 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to County State 
Aid Highway (CSAH) 30 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 30 to 
the western boundary of the State, north along the western boundary of 
the State to a point due south of the intersection of STH 7 and CSAH 7 
in Big Stone County, and continuing due north to said intersection, 
then north along CSAH 7 to CSAH 6 in Big Stone County, east along CSAH 
6 to CSAH 21 in Big Stone County, south along CSAH 21 to CSAH 10 in Big 
Stone County, east along CSAH 10 to CSAH 22 in Swift County, east along 
CSAH 22 to CSAH 5 in Swift County, south along CSAH 5 to U.S. 12, east 
along U.S. 12 to CSAH 17 in Swift County, south along CSAH 17 to CSAH 9 
in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to STH 40, east along STH 40 to 
STH 29, then south along STH 29 to the point of beginning.
    Northwest Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line 
extending east from the North Dakota State line along U.S. Highway 2 to 
State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east along 
STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north along 
CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to STH 1, 
east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 28 
to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in Roseau 
County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 310, and 
north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
    Special Canada Goose Seasons:
    Southeast 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.
Missouri
    Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
    Middle Zone
    Southeast Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line 
beginning at the intersection of Missouri Highway (MO) 34 and 
Interstate 55 and extending south along I-55 to U.S. Highway 62, west 
along U.S. 62 to MO 53, north along MO 53 to MO 51, north along MO 51 
to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to MO 21, north along MO 21 to MO 72, 
east along MO 72 to MO 34, then east along MO 34 to I-55.
Ohio
    Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
    North Zone
    Lake Erie SJBP Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a 
line beginning in Lucas County at the Michigan State line on I-75, and 
extending south along I-75 to I-280, south along I-280 to I-80, east 
along I-80 to the Pennsylvania State line in Trumbull County, north 
along the Pennsylvania State line to SR 6 in Ashtabula County, west 
along SR 6 to the Lake/Cuyahoga County line, north along the Lake/
Cuyahoga County line to the shore of Lake Erie.
Tennessee
    Southwest Zone: That portion of the State south of State Highways 
20 and 104, and west of U.S. Highways 45 and 45W.
    Northwest Zone: Lake, Obion, and Weakley Counties and those 
portions of Gibson and Dyer Counties not included in the Southwest 
Tennessee Zone.
    Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone: That portion of the State bounded on 
the west by the eastern boundaries of the Northwest and Southwest Zones 
and on the east by State Highway 13 from the Alabama State line to 
Clarksville and U.S. Highway 79 from Clarksville to the Kentucky State 
line.
Wisconsin
    Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
    Horicon Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the 
intersection of State Highway 21 and the Fox River in Winnebago County 
and extending westerly along State 21 to the west boundary of Winnebago 
County, southerly along the west boundary of Winnebago County to the 
north boundary of Green Lake County, westerly along the north 
boundaries of Green Lake and Marquette Counties to State 22, southerly 
along State 22 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to Interstate 
Highway 39, southerly along Interstate Highway 39 to Interstate Highway 
90/94, southerly along I-90/94 to State 60, easterly along State 60 to 
State 83, northerly along State 83 to State 175, northerly along State 
175 to State 33, easterly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 45, northerly 
along U.S. 45 to the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River, northerly 
along the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River to Lake Winnebago, 
northerly along the western shoreline of Lake Winnebago to the Fox 
River, then westerly along the Fox River to State 21.
    Collins Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the 
intersection of Hilltop Road and Collins Marsh Road in Manitowoc County 
and extending westerly along Hilltop Road to Humpty Dumpty Road, 
southerly along Humpty Dumpty Road to Poplar Grove Road, easterly along 
Poplar Grove Road to Rockea Road, southerly along Rockea Road to County 
Highway JJ, southeasterly along County JJ to Collins Road, southerly 
along Collins Road to the Manitowoc River, southeasterly along the 
Manitowoc River to Quarry Road, northerly along Quarry Road to

[[Page 55687]]

Einberger Road, northerly along Einberger Road to Moschel Road, 
westerly along Moschel Road to Collins Marsh Road, northerly along 
Collins Marsh Road to Hilltop Road.
    Exterior Zone: That portion of the State not included in the 
Horicon or Collins Zones.
    Mississippi River Subzone: That area encompassed by a line 
beginning at the intersection of the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe 
Railway and the Illinois State line in Grant County and extending 
northerly along the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway to the city 
limit of Prescott in Pierce County, then west along the Prescott city 
limit to the Minnesota State line.
    Rock Prairie Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the intersection of the Illinois State line and Interstate Highway 90 
and extending north along I-90 to County Highway A, east along County A 
to U.S. Highway 12, southeast along U.S. 12 to State Highway 50, west 
along State 50 to State 120, then south along 120 to the Illinois State 
line.
    Brown County Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the intersection of the Fox River with Green Bay in Brown County and 
extending southerly along the Fox River to State Highway 29, 
northwesterly along State 29 to the Brown County line, south, east, and 
north along the Brown County line to Green Bay, due west to the 
midpoint of the Green Bay Ship Channel, then southwesterly along the 
Green Bay Ship Channel to the Fox River.

Central Flyway

Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)
    Northern Front Range Area: All lands in Adams, Boulder, Clear 
Creek, Denver, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties west of I-
25 from the Wyoming State line south to I-70; west on I-70 to the 
Continental Divide; north along the Continental Divide to the Jackson-
Larimer County Line to the Wyoming State line.
    South Park/San Luis Valley Area: Alamosa, Chaffee, Conejos, 
Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, Teller, and Rio Grande Counties 
and those portions of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Saguache Counties east of 
the Continental Divide.
    North Park Area: Jackson County.
    Remainder: Remainder of the Central Flyway portion of Colorado.
    Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose Area: that portion of the State 
east of Interstate Highway 25.
Nebraska
Dark Geese
    Niobrara Unit: That area contained within and bounded by the 
intersection of the South Dakota stateline and the Cherry County line, 
south along the Cherry County line to the Niobrara River, east to the 
Norden Road, south on the Norden Road to U.S. Hwy 20, east along U.S. 
Hwy 20 to NE Hwy 137, north along NE Hwy 137 to the Niobrara River, 
east along the Niobrara River to the Boyd County line, north along the 
Boyd County line to the South Dakota stateline. Where the Niobrara 
River forms the boundary, both banks of the river shall be included in 
the Niobrara Unit.
    Keya Paha County east of U.S. 183 and all of Boyd County, including 
the boundary waters of the Niobrara River. Where the Niobrara River 
forms the boundary, both banks will be in the Niobrara Unit.
    East Unit: That area north and east of U.S. 281 at the Kansas-
Nebraska State line, north to Giltner Road (near Doniphan), east to NE 
14, north to NE 66, east to U.S. 81, north to NE 22, west to NE 14 
north to NE 91, east to U.S. 275, south to U.S. 77, south to NE 91, 
east to U.S. 30, east to Nebraska-Iowa State line.
    Platte River Unit: That area south and west of U.S. 281 at the 
Kansas-Nebraska State line, north to Giltner Road (near Doniphan), east 
to NE 14, north to NE 66, east to U.S. 81, north to NE 22, west to NE 
14 north to NE 91, west along NE 91 to NE 11, north to the Holt County 
line, west along the northern border of Garfield, Loup, Blaine and 
Thomas Counties to the Hooker County line, south along the Thomas-
Hooker County lines to the McPherson County line, east along the south 
border of Thomas County to the western line of Custer County, south 
along the Custer-Logan County line to NE 92, west to U.S. 83, north to 
NE 92, west to NE 61, north along NE 61 to NE 2, west along NE 2 to the 
corner formed by Garden-Grant-Sheridan Counties, west along the north 
border of Garden, Morrill, and Scotts Bluff Counties to the Wyoming 
State line.
    North-Central Unit: The remainder of the State.
Light Geese
    Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (West): The area bounded by the 
junction of U.S. 283 and U.S. 30 at Lexington, east on U.S. 30 to U.S. 
281, south on U.S. 281 to NE 4, west on NE 4 to U.S. 34, continue west 
on U.S. 34 to U.S. 283, then north on U.S. 283 to the beginning.
    Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (East): The area bounded by the 
junction of U.S. 281 and U.S. 30 at Grand Island, north and east on 
U.S. 30 to NE 92, east on NE 92 to NE 15, south on NE 15 to NE 4, west 
on NE 4 to U.S. 281, north on U.S. 281 to the beginning.
    Remainder of State: The remainder portion of Nebraska.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
Dark Geese
    Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit: Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia 
Counties.
    Remainder: The remainder of the Central Flyway portion of New 
Mexico.
South Dakota
Canada Geese
    Unit 1: Statewide except for Units 2, 3 and 4.
    Big Stone Power Plant Area: That portion of Grant and Roberts 
Counties east of SD 15 and north of SD 20.
    Unit 2: Bon Homme, Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Gregory, Hughes, 
Lyman, Stanley, and Sully Counties; that portion of Dewey County south 
of U.S. 212, that portion of Hyde County south of U.S. Highway 14; that 
portion of Potter County west of U.S. Highway 83; Fall River County 
east of SD 71 and U.S. 385; and that portion of Custer County, east of 
SD 79 and south of French Creek.
    Unit 3: Clark, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Marshall, and 
Roberts Counties.
    Unit 4: Bennett County.
Texas
    Northeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and north of 
a line beginning at the Texas-Oklahoma border at U.S. 81, then 
continuing south to Bowie and then southeasterly along U.S. 81 and U.S. 
287 to I-35W and I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San Antonio, then 
east on I-10 to the Texas--Louisiana border.
    Southeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and south of 
a line beginning at the International Toll Bridge at Laredo, then 
continuing north following I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San 
Antonio, then easterly along I-10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.
    West Goose Zone: The remainder of the State.
Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)
Dark Geese
    Area 1: Converse, Hot Springs, Natrona, and Washakie Counties, and 
the portion of Park County east of the Shoshone National Forest 
boundary and south of a line beginning where the Shoshone National 
Forest boundary crosses Park County Road 8VC, easterly

[[Page 55688]]

along said road to Park County Road 1AB, easterly along said road to 
Wyoming Highway 120, northerly along said highway to Wyoming Highway 
294, southeasterly along said highway to Lane 9, easterly along said 
lane to the town of Powel and Wyoming Highway 14A, easterly along said 
highway to the Park County and Big Horn County Line.
    Area 2: Albany, Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Laramie, Niobrara, 
Sheridan, and Weston Counties, and that portion of Carbon County east 
of the Continental Divide; that portion of Park County west of the 
Shoshone National Forest boundary, and that portion of Park County 
north of a line beginning where the Shoshone National Forest boundary 
crosses Park County Road 8VC, easterly along said road to Park County 
Road 1AB, easterly along said road to Wyoming Highway 120, northerly 
along said highway to Wyoming Highway 294, southeasterly along said 
highway to Lane 9, easterly along said lane to the town of Powel and 
Wyoming Highway 14A, easterly along said highway to the Park County and 
Big Horn County Line.
    Area 3: Goshen and Platte Counties.
    Area 4: Big Horn and Fremont Counties.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona
    North Zone: Game Management Units 1-5, those portions of Game 
Management Units 6 and 8 within Coconino County, and Game Management 
units 7, 9, and 12A.
    South Zone: Those portions of Game Management Units 6 and 8 in 
Yavapai County, and Game Management Units 10 and 12B-45.
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.
    Imperial County Special Management Area: The area bounded by a line 
beginning at Highway 86 and the Navy Test Base Road; south on Highway 
86 to the town of Westmoreland; continue through the town of 
Westmoreland to Route S26; east on Route S26 to Highway 115; north on 
Highway 115 to Weist Rd.; north on Weist Rd. to Flowing Wells Rd.; 
northeast on Flowing Wells Rd. to the Coachella Canal; northwest on the 
Coachella Canal to Drop 18; a straight line from Drop 18 to Frink Rd.; 
south on Frink Rd. to Highway 111; north on Highway 111 to Niland 
Marina Rd.; southwest on Niland Marina Rd. to the old Imperial County 
boat ramp and the water line of the Salton Sea; from the water line of 
the Salton Sea, a straight line across the Salton Sea to the Salinity 
Control Research Facility and the Navy Test Base Road; southwest on the 
Navy Test Base Road to the point of beginning.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included 
in the Northeastern, Southern, and the Colorado River Zones.
    Del Norte and Humboldt Area: The Counties of Del Norte and 
Humboldt.
    Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (West): That area bounded 
by a line beginning at Willows south on I-5 to Hahn Road; easterly on 
Hahn Road and the Grimes-Arbuckle Road to Grimes; northerly on CA 45 to 
the junction with CA 162; northerly on CA 45/162 to Glenn; and westerly 
on CA 162 to the point of beginning in Willows.
Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)
    West Central Area: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, Gunnison, LaPlata, 
Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel Counties and those 
portions of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Saguache Counties west of the 
Continental Divide.
    State Area: The remainder of the Pacific-Flyway Portion of 
Colorado.
Idaho
    Zone 1: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, 
Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties.
    Zone 2: The Counties of Ada; Adams; Boise; Canyon; those portions 
of Elmore north and east of I-84, and south and west of I-84, west of 
ID 51, except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; Owyhee west of ID 51; 
Payette; Valley; and Washington.
    Zone 3: The Counties of Blaine; Camas; Cassia; those portions of 
Elmore south of I-84 east of ID 51, and within the Camas Creek 
drainage; Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee east of ID 51; 
Power within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; and Twin Falls.
    Zone 4: The Counties of Bear Lake; Bingham within the Blackfoot 
Reservoir drainage; Bonneville, Butte; Caribou except the Fort Hall 
Indian Reservation; Clark; Custer; Franklin; Fremont; Jefferson; Lemhi; 
Madison; Oneida; Power west of ID 37 and ID 39 except the Minidoka 
National Wildlife Refuge; and Teton.
    Zone 5: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian 
Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham 
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir

[[Page 55689]]

drainage; and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.
Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
    East of the Divide Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of the State 
located east of the Continental Divide.
    West of the Divide Zone: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway 
portion of Montana.
Nevada
    Lincoln Clark County Zone: All of Lincoln and Clark Counties.
    Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.
New Mexico (Pacific Flyway Portion)
    North Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located north 
of I-40.
    South Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located south 
of I-40.
Oregon
    Southwest Zone: Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine, and Jackson 
Counties.
    Northwest Special Permit Zone: That portion of western Oregon west 
and north of a line running south from the Columbia River in Portland 
along I-5 to OR 22 at Salem; then east on OR 22 to the Stayton Cutoff; 
then south on the Stayton Cutoff to Stayton and due south to the 
Santiam River; then west along the north shore of the Santiam River to 
I-5; then south on I-5 to OR 126 at Eugene; then west on OR 126 to 
Greenhill Road; then south on Greenhill Road to Crow Road; then west on 
Crow Road to Territorial Hwy; then west on Territorial Hwy to OR 126; 
then west on OR 126 to OR 36; then north on OR 36 to Forest Road 5070 
at Brickerville; then west and south on Forest Road 5070 to OR 126; 
then west on OR 126 to Milepost 19, north to the intersection of the 
Benton and Lincoln County line, north along the western boundary of 
Benton and Polk Counties to the southern boundary of Tillamook County, 
west along the Tillamook County boundary to the Pacific Coast.
    Lower Columbia/N. Willamette Valley Management Area: Those portions 
of Clatsop, Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington Counties within the 
Northwest Special Permit Zone.
    Northwest Zone: Those portions of Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion, 
Multnomah, and Washington Counties outside of the Northwest Special 
Permit Zone and all of Lincoln County.
    Closed Zone: All of Tillamook County.
    Eastern Zone: Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, 
Umatilla, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Grant, Baker, Union, 
and Wallowa Counties.
    Harney, Klamath, Lake, and Malheur County Zone: All of Harney, 
Klamath, Lake, and Malheur Counties.
Utah
    Washington County Zone: All of Washington County.
    Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Utah.
Washington
    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.

Brant

Pacific Flyway

California
    North Coast Zone: Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino Counties.
    South Coast Zone: Balance of the State.
Washington
    Puget Sound Zone: Skagit County.
    Coastal Zone: Pacific County.

Swans

Central Flyway

South Dakota
    Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo, Campbell, Clark, 
Codington, Davison, Deuel, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant, Hamlin, Hand, 
Hanson, Hughes, Hyde, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Lake, Marshall, McCook, 
McPherson, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Potter, Roberts, Sanborn, Spink, 
Sully, and Walworth Counties.

Pacific Flyway

Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
    Open Area: Cascade, Chouteau, Hill, Liberty, and Toole Counties and 
those portions of Pondera and Teton Counties lying east of U.S. 287-89.
Nevada
    Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and Pershing Counties.
Utah
    Open Area: Those portions of Box Elder, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, 
and Toole Counties lying west of I-15, north of I-80 and south of a 
line beginning from the Forest Street exit to the Bear River National 
Wildlife Refuge boundary, then north and west along the Bear River 
National Wildlife Refuge boundary to the farthest west boundary of the 
Refuge, then west along a line to Promontory Road, then north on 
Promontory Road to the intersection of SR 83, then north on SR 83 to I-
84, then north and west on I-84 to State Hwy 30, then west on State Hwy 
30 to the Nevada-Utah State line, then south on the Nevada-Utah State 
line to I-80.

[FR Doc. 05-18970 Filed 9-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P