[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 140 (Monday, July 23, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40194-40214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14071]



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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; Proposed Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory 
Bird Hunting Regulations; Notice of Meetings; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 140 / Monday, July 23, 2007 / 
Proposed Rules  

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN 1018-AV12


Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Early-Season 
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations; Notice of Meetings

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we) 
is proposing to establish the 2007-08 early-season hunting regulations 
for certain migratory game birds. We annually prescribe frameworks, or 
outer limits, for dates and times when hunting may occur and the 
maximum number of birds that may be taken and possessed in early 
seasons. Early seasons may open as early as September 1, and include 
seasons in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 
These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of specific 
final seasons and limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels 
compatible with population status and habitat conditions.

DATES: The Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee will meet to 
consider and develop proposed regulations for late-season migratory 
bird hunting and the 2008 spring/summer migratory bird subsistence 
seasons in Alaska on August 1 and 2, 2007. All meetings will commence 
at approximately 8:30 a.m. You must submit comments on the proposed 
migratory bird hunting-season frameworks for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto 
Rico, the Virgin Islands, and other early seasons by August 2, 2007, 
and for the forthcoming proposed late-season frameworks by August 30, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: The Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee will meet 
in room 200 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Arlington Square 
Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia. Send your 
comments on the proposals to the 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. All 
comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of 
the public record. You may inspect comments during normal business 
hours at the Service's office in room 4107, 4501 N. Fairfax Drive, 
Arlington, Virginia.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations Schedule for 2007

    On April 11, 2007, we published in the Federal Register (72 FR 
18328) 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, proposed 
regulatory alternatives for the 2007-08 duck hunting season, and other 
regulations for hunting migratory game birds under Sec. Sec.  20.101 
through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. Major steps in the 
2007-08 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal 
Register notifications were also identified in the April 11 proposed 
rule. Further, we explained that all sections of subsequent documents 
outlining hunting frameworks and guidelines were organized under 
numbered headings. As an aid to the reader, we reiterate those headings 
here:

1. Ducks
    A. General Harvest Strategy
    B. Regulatory Alternatives
    C. Zones and Split Seasons
    D. Special Seasons/Species Management
    i. September Teal Seasons
    ii. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons
    iii. Black Ducks
    iv. Canvasbacks
    v. Pintails
    vi. Scaup
    vii. Mottled Ducks
    viii. Youth Hunt
2. Sea Ducks
3. Mergansers
4. Canada Geese
    A. Special Seasons
    B. Regular Seasons
    C. Special Late Seasons
5. White-fronted Geese
6. Brant
7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese
8. Swans
9. Cranes
10. Coots
11. Moorhens and Gallinules
12. Rails
13. Snipe
14. Woodcock
15. Band-Tailed Pigeons
16. Mourning Doves
17. White-Winged and White-Tipped Doves
18. Alaska
19. Hawaii
20. Puerto Rico
21. Virgin Islands
22. Falconry
23. Other

    Subsequent documents will refer only to numbered items requiring 
attention. Therefore, it is important to note that we will omit those 
items requiring no attention, and remaining numbered items will be 
discontinuous and appear incomplete.
    On June 8, 2007, we published in the Federal Register (72 FR 31789) 
a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- and late-
season migratory bird hunting regulations and the regulatory 
alternatives for the 2007-08 duck hunting season. The June 8 supplement 
also provided detailed information on the 2007-08 regulatory schedule 
and announced the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee (SRC) 
and Flyway Council meetings.
    This document, the third in a series of proposed, supplemental, and 
final rulemaking documents for migratory bird hunting regulations, 
deals specifically with proposed frameworks for early-season 
regulations. It will lead to final frameworks from which States may 
select season dates, shooting hours, and daily bag and possession 
limits for the 2007-08 season. We have considered all pertinent 
comments received through July 6, 2007, on the April 11 and June 8, 
2007, rulemaking documents in developing this document. In addition, 
new proposals for certain early-season regulations are provided for 
public comment. Comment periods are specified above under DATES. We 
will publish final regulatory frameworks for early seasons in the 
Federal Register on or about August 20, 2007.

Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee Meetings

    Participants at the June 20-21, 2007, meetings reviewed information 
on the current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and 
developed 2007-08 migratory game bird regulations recommendations for 
these species plus regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska, 
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; special September waterfowl 
seasons in designated States; special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic 
Flyway; and extended falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and 
discussed preliminary information on the status of waterfowl. 
Participants at the previously announced August 1-2, 2007, meetings 
will review information on the current status of waterfowl and develop 
recommendations for the 2007-08 regulations pertaining to regular

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waterfowl seasons and other species and seasons not previously 
discussed at the early-season meetings. In accordance with Department 
of the Interior policy, these meetings are open to public observation 
and you may submit comments to the Director on the matters discussed.

Population Status and Harvest

    The following paragraphs provide preliminary information on the 
status of waterfowl and information on the status and harvest of 
migratory shore and upland game birds excerpted from various reports. 
For more detailed information on methodologies and results, you may 
obtain complete copies of the various reports at the address indicated 
under ADDRESSES or from our Web site at http://fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports.

May Breeding Waterfowl and Habitat Survey

    Federal, provincial, and State agencies conduct surveys each spring 
to estimate the size of breeding populations and to evaluate the 
conditions of the habitats. These surveys are conducted using fixed-
wing aircraft and helicopters and encompass principal breeding areas of 
North America, and cover over 2.0 million square miles. The Traditional 
survey area comprises Alaska, Canada, and the northcentral United 
States, and includes approximately 1.3 million square miles. The 
Eastern survey area includes parts of Ontario, Quebec, Labrador, 
Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, New 
York, and Maine, an area of approximately 0.7 million square miles.
    Overall, habitat conditions for breeding waterfowl in 2007 are 
fairly similar or slightly improved compared to conditions in 2006.
Canadian Prairies
    For the third year in a row, habitat conditions were good-to-
excellent in the northern grasslands and parklands of southern 
Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba. Three years of plentiful 
precipitation has generally maintained or improved the quality of the 
wetland and upland vegetation in this region. However, some areas of 
the parklands of southern Saskatchewan experienced severe flooding due 
to record amounts of spring runoff. This runoff may have flooded some 
nests. The southern grasslands of Saskatchewan and Manitoba were dry, 
and in fair or poor condition. Conditions in southern Alberta, which 
have generally been fair or poor for much of the last decade, improved 
for the second consecutive year. Improvements this year came largely as 
a result of melting of large snowpacks and wet soil conditions, which 
caused above-average natural runoff volume in many river basins.
U.S. Prairies
    Habitat conditions in U.S. prairies are highly variable, and mostly 
ranged from good to poor. The drought conditions seen last year in the 
Eastern Dakotas were improved by abundant fall and winter 
precipitation, especially in eastern South Dakota. Exceptionally heavy 
rain events during May helped to improve conditions in eastern Montana 
and parts of the Dakotas. Unfortunately, the area covered by the May 
rains did not include the high quality duck habitat of the Missouri 
Coteau region in the Eastern Dakotas. Although the May rains occurred 
after many ducks had moved through the survey area, the precipitation 
should benefit renesting birds and improve the quality of vegetation in 
wetlands and uplands, thereby aiding brood survival.
Bush (Alaska, Northern Manitoba, Northern Saskatchewan, Western 
Ontario)
    Habitat in the bush regions of the traditional survey area were 
mostly classified as good due to a normal spring break-up and generally 
good water conditions in the beaver ponds, river deltas, and small 
lakes and ponds that are characteristic of this region. Spring 
phenology and water levels varied slightly in local areas. For example 
spring was slightly late in the Old Crow Flats, slightly early in the 
Yukon Delta, and it was slightly drier in the Yukon Flats compared to 
other regions in Alaska, but habitat conditions were still generally 
good across the bush region. The exceptions were the slightly drier 
conditions in northwest Saskatchewan and central Alberta. There is also 
the potential for some flooding in northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Eastern Survey Area
    The boreal forests of the eastern survey area were generally in 
good or excellent condition this spring, except for a few drier patches 
in Northern Quebec, that were in fair condition. Spring arrived early 
in the James and Hudson Bay Lowlands for the third consecutive year, 
and habitat conditions were classified as excellent. In eastern and 
southern Ontario, the winter snowpack was below normal, however, a good 
frost seal, spring runoff, and spring storms left this region in good 
condition at the time of the survey. Storms following the survey period 
produced local flooding of some nesting habitat. Wetland basins in 
Quebec were adequately charged and spring temperatures were near 
normal. There was some potential for flooding of nests in Maine and the 
Maritimes due to heavy rain during mid-May, but this was not as 
problematic as it has been during the past few years. Newfoundland and 
Labrador experienced a late spring compared to the last 5 years, with 
northernmost part of the survey region in Labrador still frozen in late 
May. However, this region was still considered to be in good condition.

Status of Teal

    The estimate of blue-winged teal numbers from the Traditional 
Survey Area is 6.7 million. This represents a 14 percent increase from 
2006 and is 48 percent above the 1955-2006 average.

Sandhill Cranes

    Compared to increases recorded in the 1970s, annual indices to 
abundance of the Mid-Continent Population (MCP) of sandhill cranes have 
been relatively stable since the early 1980s. The Central Platte River 
Valley, Nebraska, spring index for 2007, uncorrected for visibility 
bias, was 302,600 sandhill cranes. The photo-corrected, 3-year average 
for 2004-06 was 378,420, which is within the established population-
objective range of 349,000-472,000 cranes. All Central Flyway States, 
except Nebraska, allowed crane hunting in portions of their States 
during 2006-07. About 10,120 hunters participated in these seasons, 
which was similar to the number that participated in the previous year 
season. Hunters harvested 17,631 MCP cranes in the U.S. portion of the 
Central Flyway during the 2006-07 seasons, which was 3 percent lower 
than the estimated harvest for the previous year. The retrieved harvest 
of MCP cranes in hunt areas outside the Central Flyway (Arizona, New 
Mexico, Alaska, Canada, and Mexico combined) was estimated at 13,048 
during 2006-07. The preliminary estimate for the North American MCP 
sport harvest, including crippling losses, was 35,341 birds, which is 3 
percent lower than the previous year's estimate. The long-term (1982-
2004) trends for the MCP indicate that harvest has been increasing at a 
higher rate than population growth.
    The fall 2006 pre-migration survey for the Rocky Mountain 
Population (RMP) was not completed due to engine problems with the 
survey aircraft. The 3-year average for 2003-05 was 19,633 sandhill 
cranes, which is within established population objectives of 17,000-
21,000 for the RMP. Hunting

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seasons during 2006-07 in portions of Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New 
Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, resulted in a harvest of 907 RMP cranes, a 
29 percent increase from the harvest of 702 the year before, and a 
record high harvest for this population.

Woodcock

    Singing-ground and Wing-collection Surveys were conducted to assess 
the population status of the American woodcock (Scolopax minor). The 
Singing-ground Survey is intended to measure long-term changes in 
woodcock population levels. Singing-ground Survey data indicated that 
the numbers of displaying American woodcock in the Eastern Region in 
2007 declined 11.6 percent from 2006; however, the Central Region was 
unchanged. We note that measurement of short-term (i.e., annual) trends 
tend to give estimates with larger variances and is more prone to be 
influenced by climatic factors that may affect local counts during the 
survey. For example, it is possible that the decrease observed in the 
Eastern Region this year may have been due in part to late season 
snowfalls that portions of the Northeast received after woodcock 
arrived on the breeding grounds.
    There was no significant trend in woodcock heard in either the 
Eastern or Central Regions during 1997-2007. This represents the fourth 
consecutive year since 1992 that the 10-year trend estimate for either 
region did not indicate a significant decline. There were long-term 
(1968-2007) declines of 2.0 percent per year in the Eastern Region and 
1.8 percent per year in the Central Region. Wing-collection survey data 
indicate that the 2006 recruitment index for the U.S. portion of the 
Eastern Region (1.5 immatures per adult female) was 7 percent lower 
than the 2005 index, and 8 percent lower than the long-term average. 
The recruitment index for the U.S. portion of the Central Region (1.6 
immatures per adult female) was 11 percent higher than the 2005 index, 
and 2 percent higher than the long-term average.

Band-Tailed Pigeons and Doves

    A rangewide survey for the Pacific Coast Band-tailed Pigeon 
Population was initiated on an experimental basis in 2001 and became 
operational in 2004. Pigeons are counted at selected mineral sites 
throughout their range in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and 
California. Results are used as an index to determine the population 
trend over time. Rangewide trend estimates showed an increase in 
Pacific Coast pigeons during 2001-2006 of over 10 percent/year. Pigeon 
counts at more than half of mineral sites (54 percent) increased in 
2006. In 2006, there were 44 sites counted.
    Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data are used to monitor the Interior 
Band-tailed Pigeon Population. Analyses of BBS data over the most 
recent 10 years (1997-2006) showed a significant decline, while there 
was no trend indicated between 1968 and 2006. For the Pacific Coast 
Population, the preliminary 2006 harvest estimate from the Harvest 
Information Program (HIP) was 16,600 pigeons. For the Interior 
Population, the preliminary harvest estimate was 1,600 pigeons.
    Analyses of Mourning Dove Call-count Survey data over the most 
recent 10 years indicated no significant trend for doves heard in 
either the Eastern or Western Management Units, while the Central Unit 
showed a significant decline. Over the 42-year period 1966-2007, all 3 
units exhibited significant declines in mourning doves heard. In 
contrast, for doves seen over the 10-year period, no significant trends 
were found in any of the three Management Units. For doves seen over 42 
years, no trend was found in the Eastern and Central Units, while a 
significant decline was indicated for the Western Unit. The preliminary 
2006 harvest estimate for the United States was 19,245,300 doves, a 13 
percent decrease from 2005. A banding project is underway to obtain 
current information in order to develop mourning dove population models 
for each unit to provide guidance for improving our decision-making 
process with respect to harvest management.
    The two key states with a white-winged dove population are Arizona 
and Texas. California and New Mexico have much smaller populations. In 
Arizona, the white-winged dove population showed a significant decline 
between 1962 and 1980. To adjust harvest with population size, the bag 
limits, season length, and shooting hours have been reduced over the 
years, most recently in 1988. These regulations changes appear to have 
slowed the decline, and in recent years, the harvest has stabilized at 
around 110,000 birds per year. Arizona is currently experiencing the 
greatest drought in recorded history. In 2007, the Call-count index was 
24.6. According to HIP surveys, the 2006 harvest estimate was 107,400 
doves.
    In Texas, white-winged doves continue to expand their breeding 
range and are even extending into the northeast part of the state. 
Nesting is essentially confined to urban areas, but appears to be 
expanding to exurban areas. Concomitant with this range expansion has 
been a dramatic increase in whitewing abundance. Moreover, because 
until recently, whitewing populations were not surveyed outside south 
Texas, the population increase has probably been even more dramatic. A 
new distance sampling protocol was implemented for Central and South 
Texas for 2007. It is anticipated that this protocol will be 
implemented statewide in 2008, which should give the ability to obtain 
a good estimate of white-winged dove abundance in Texas. The 2007 data 
were not available at the time of this report. However, 2006 surveys in 
Central Texas indicated a population in this region of 991,103 to 
1,394,300 whitewings. Preliminary harvest estimates suggest that, 
during the 2006-07 season, 2,165,128 white-winged doves were harvested 
statewide. This includes approximately 278,000 whitewings harvested 
during the special white-winged dove season in the Special White-winged 
Dove Zone, and approximately 319,000 white-wings harvested during the 
same period outside the Special Zone. Total statewide harvest 
represents a slight, but not necessarily significant, change from the 
previous season of 1,840,536 whitewings.
    In California, BBS data indicate that there has been a significant 
increase in the population between 1968 and 2006 while no trend was 
indicated over the most recent 10 years. According to HIP surveys, the 
preliminary harvest estimate for 2006 was 55,200. In New Mexico, both 
the long- and short-term trends show a significant increase. In 2006, 
the estimated harvest was 66,100 doves.
    White-tipped doves are maintaining a relatively stable population 
in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. They are most abundant in 
cities and, for the most part, are not available to hunting. White-
winged dove distance sampling in the Valley included white-tipped doves 
for the first time in 2007. However, these data were not available at 
the time of this report. Once available, they should provide, for the 
first time, an estimate of actual white-tipped dove abundance in Texas. 
During the 2006-07 season, an estimated total of 150,521 white-tipped 
doves were killed in Texas. This is essentially unchanged from the 
2005-06 estimate of 144,302 doves.

Review of Public Comments

    The preliminary proposed rulemaking (April 11 Federal Register) 
opened the public comment period for migratory game bird hunting 
regulations and announced the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 
2007-08 duck hunting season. Comments concerning

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early-season issues and the proposed alternatives are summarized below 
and numbered in the order used in the April 11 Federal Register 
document. Only the numbered items pertaining to early-seasons issues 
and the proposed regulatory alternatives for which written comments 
were received are included. Consequently, the issues do not follow in 
consecutive 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.
    We seek additional information and comments on the recommendations 
in this supplemental proposed rule. New proposals and modifications to 
previously described proposals are discussed below. Wherever possible, 
they are discussed under headings corresponding to the numbered items 
in the April 11 Federal Register document.

1. Ducks

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

A. General Harvest Strategy

    Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations 
Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that 
regulations changes be restricted to one step per year, both when 
restricting as well as liberalizing hunting regulations.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the proposal developed 
by the Service for a revised protocol for managing the harvest of 
mallards in Western North America be implemented in 2008. The Council 
stated that this delay is needed to fully understand and pick a 
management objective, to incorporate explicit consideration of mallards 
derived from those portions of Alberta that contribute mallards to the 
Pacific Flyway, to determine how this strategy relates to Alaska's 
early season regulations, and to investigate the addition of 
alternative models.
    Service Response: As we stated in the April 11 Federal Register, we 
intend to continue use of adaptive harvest management (AHM) to help 
determine appropriate duck-hunting regulations for the 2007-08 season. 
AHM is a tool that permits sound resource decisions in the face of 
uncertain regulatory impacts, as well as providing a mechanism for 
reducing that uncertainty over time. The current AHM protocol is used 
to evaluate four alternative regulatory levels based on the population 
status of mallards (special hunting restrictions are enacted for 
certain species, such as canvasbacks, scaup, and pintails).
    In recent years, the prescribed regulatory alternative for the 
Pacific, Central, and Mississippi Flyways has been based on the status 
of mallards and breeding-habitat conditions in central North America 
(Federal survey strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77, and State surveys in 
Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan). In the April 11 Federal Register, 
we also stated our intent for the 2007 hunting season to consider 
setting hunting regulations in the Pacific Flyway based on the status 
and dynamics of a newly defined stock of ``western'' mallards. For now, 
western mallards would be defined as those breeding in Alaska (as based 
on Federal surveys in strata 1-12), and in California and Oregon (as 
based on State-conducted surveys). However, upon further review of the 
issue, we agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to 
delay implementation of the revised protocol for managing the harvest 
of mallards in Western North America until 2008 for the reasons 
identified by the Council. Delaying implementation of the revised 
protocol until 2008 should allow us and the Council to more effectively 
consider these management concerns.
    Finally, since 2000, we have prescribed a regulatory alternative 
for the Atlantic Flyway based on the population status of mallards 
breeding in eastern North America (Federal survey strata 51-54 and 56, 
and State surveys in New England and the mid-Atlantic region). We will 
continue this protocol for the 2007-08 season.
    Regarding incorporation of a one-step constraint into the AHM 
process, as we stated in the June 24, 2005, Federal Register (70 FR 
36794), and last year in the May 30, 2006, Federal Register (71 FR 
30786), our incorporation of a one-step constraint into the AHM process 
was addressed by the AHM Task Force of the International Association of 
Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA) in its report and recommendations. 
This recommendation will be included in considerations of potential 
changes to the set of regulatory alternatives at a yet to be determined 
later date.
    We will propose a specific regulatory alternative for each of the 
Flyways during the 2007-08 season after survey information becomes 
available later this summer. More information on AHM is located at 
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/mgmt/AHM/AHM-intro.htm.

D. Special Seasons/Species Management

i. September Teal Seasons
    Utilizing the criteria developed for the teal season harvest 
strategy, this year's estimate of 6.7 million blue-winged teal from the 
Traditional Survey Area indicates that a 16-day September teal season 
is appropriate in 2007.
iii. Black Ducks
    Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations 
Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council endorsed the draft 
International Harvest Strategy for Black Ducks developed by the Black 
Duck AHM Working Group until such time that a full AHM model is 
available and requested a dialogue with the Service on options for 
implementing harvest restrictions, assuming harvest restrictions are 
warranted.
    Service Response: In the April 11 Federal Register we announced our 
intent to propose the specifics of a joint black duck harvest strategy 
with Canada in this rule. The draft strategy consisted of a maximum 
harvest rate for the continental black duck population, as well as 
criteria for maintaining approximate parity in harvest between the two 
countries. However, although the Mississippi Flyway Council approved 
the draft strategy, the Atlantic Flyway Council did not, due to 
concerns over several technical issues. Thus, further consultations are 
required between all parties to determine an acceptable upper limit to 
the overall harvest rate, procedures for determining whether the 
realized harvest rate is below this limit, procedures for determining 
whether the distribution of harvest between the countries is 
acceptable, and rules for changing regulations if the harvest-rate and 
parity criteria are not met. We will continue to work with the Black 
Duck Adaptive Harvest Management Working Group to refine the black duck 
strategy to address outstanding concerns. We hope to present a revised 
strategy to the Flyway

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Councils prior to their summer Flyway meetings.
v. Pintails
    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended 
that the proposal developed by the Service for the addition of a 
compensatory model for Northern Pintail harvest management be 
incorporated in 2007 and that work continue on improving the harvest 
management decision-making process for pintail. Additionally, the 
Council urged the Service to complete its banding needs assessment and 
to work with the Flyways and the Canadian Wildlife Service to improve 
the basic biological data to more fully inform decision making.
    Written Comments: An individual expressed support for liberalizing 
pintail limits as we continue to refine the pintail harvest strategy.
    Service Response: We concur with the Pacific Flyway Council's 
proposal to incorporate a compensatory model of harvest into the 
existing pintail harvest strategy and agree that this strategy will 
benefit by including this alternative model. We also believe that 
further technical improvements should be pursued with the objective of 
achieving a more fully adaptive strategy in the future. Lastly, we 
appreciate the Council's continued support for improving this strategy 
and remain committed to making the best regulatory decisions possible 
based on application of the best scientific approaches we can 
cooperatively develop.
vi. Scaup
    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended not 
implementing a scaup harvest strategy that uses an objective function 
based on Maximum Sustained Yield (MSY). They suggested that scaup 
regulatory alternatives for the Central Flyway in 2009 be based on the 
most recent 3-year running mean of the May Breeding Population 
estimates (BPOP) as follows:
    a. BPOP mean > 4.0 million, daily bag limit of 3.
    b. BPOP mean 3.25-4.0 million, daily bag limit of 2.
    c. BPOP mean 2.5-3.25 million, daily bag limit of 1.
    d. BPOP mean < 2.5 million, Hunter's Choice or 1-bird daily bag 
limit with a season-within-a-season.
    The Pacific Flyway Council was supportive of the proposed approach 
outlined in the recently proposed Service assessment and decision-
making framework to inform scaup harvest management, and endorsed a 
shoulder strategy of less than Maximum Sustained Yield (MSY). In 
developing regulation packages to implement the framework, the Council 
further requested recognition of flyway differences in scaup 
populations and harvest potential.
    Written Comments: We received comments from the Atlantic, 
Mississippi, and Central Flyway Councils; wildlife agencies in the 
States of Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Dakota, 
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming; 5 non-
governmental organizations; and 13 individuals. None of the commenters 
supported the implementation of the proposed scaup strategy at this 
time and all expressed various technical, biological, social, and 
policy concerns with the Service's scaup assessment and draft decision-
making framework (summarized below).
    Service Response: The continental scaup (greater Aythya marila and 
lesser Aythya affinis combined) population has experienced a long-term 
decline over the past 20 years. Over the past several years in 
particular, we have continued to express our growing concern about the 
status of scaup. Last year, we stated that we did not change scaup 
harvest regulations with the firm understanding that a draft harvest 
strategy would be available for Flyway Council review prior to the 
winter meetings (71 FR 55654, September 22, 2006) and be in place to 
guide development of scaup hunting regulations in 2007. As part of this 
effort, we developed an assessment framework that uses available data 
to help predict the effects of harvest and other uncontrollable 
environmental factors on the scaup population. After extensive review 
that we believe resulted in substantial improvements, the final 
technical assessment was presented during the Winter Flyway Technical 
Section meetings and made available for public review in the April 11 
Federal Register. We stated then, and continue to believe, that this 
technical assessment represents an objective and comprehensive 
synthesis of data relevant to scaup harvest management and can help 
frame a scientifically-sound scaup harvest strategy. We note that 
results of the assessment suggest that a reduction in scaup harvest is 
commensurate with the current population status of scaup. Based on this 
updated technical assessment, a proposed scaup harvest strategy was 
made available for public review in the June 8 Federal Register. The 
proposed harvest strategy included initial Service recommendations on a 
harvest management objective and proposed Flyway-specific harvest 
allocations, as well as an additional analysis that predicted scaup 
harvest from various combinations of Flyway-specific season lengths and 
bag limits (www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports).
    We received a number of comments on the proposed assessment. Some 
comments were very general in nature or related to fundamental concerns 
about the models we used or the assumptions we made in the assessment. 
Other comments were more specific and technical in nature. We have 
attempted to respond to the more general, broad-based comments, 
concerns, and issues in this proposed rule. A more detailed, technical 
response to other comments received can be found at (www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports).
    Many of the comments concerned scaup population biology. However, 
it is important to recognize that a full understanding of these 
biological processes does not presently exist even for mallards, a 
species where we have accumulated a significant amount of information. 
The primary purpose of management models is to provide a tool to 
predict rather than to explain. If data are abundant, it may be 
possible to do both. But with scaup, and probably most other species 
besides mallards, we often must rely on more empirical models (i.e., 
models that lack details of biological processes). Nonetheless, these 
models must be well supported by data, allow us to make reasonable 
predictions, and be updated as experience allows. The logistic growth 
model is an empirical model that has proven to be robust for describing 
patterns in population abundance for a large variety of species and, in 
the case of scaup, efficiently uses available data.
    Some commenters focused on the use of a yield curve, which depicts 
the relationship between sustainable harvests and breeding population 
size. Yield curves are derived from specific hypotheses concerning 
fundamental aspects of population biology. They underlie modern harvest 
theory and actually have been the basis for optimizing harvests and 
regulations in mid-continent and eastern mallards, black ducks, and 
other stocks for some time.
    Another common misconception was that the proposed scaup harvest 
assessment uses a single model to describe scaup dynamics. The 
accounting for uncertainty is perhaps more obvious with other harvest 
assessment frameworks used by the Service, such as mid-continent 
mallards, because we use four discrete models with mechanistic names 
(e.g.,

[[Page 40199]]

additive hunting mortality and weakly density-dependent reproduction) 
to describe mallard population dynamics. Nonetheless, while the scaup 
assessment framework utilizes a single functional form (the logistic 
growth model), it still accounts for the high degree of uncertainty in 
the model parameters (e.g., carrying capacity, intrinsic rate of 
growth).
    Several commenters questioned the need to restrict hunting 
opportunity if harvest is not likely the cause of the scaup population 
decline. We acknowledge that the decline in scaup since the early 1980s 
was most likely driven by large-scale changes in environmental 
conditions. Regardless, smaller populations have less harvestable 
surpluses than large populations, everything else being equal. In 
addition, harvest rates of scaup appear to have increased while the 
harvest potential of scaup appears to have declined. The proposed 
strategy seeks to make scaup harvest commensurate with current 
population status.
    Several common concerns involved misconceptions about the 
assumptions we made in the assessment or disagreement with some of the 
associated inferences and underlying assumptions. The first was that 
within the proposed assessment framework, all scaup harvest is assumed 
to be additive because no correlation has been demonstrated between 
harvest and population size. We must note, however, that it is not 
possible to make any inference about additive hunting mortality with a 
correlation between harvest and population size without explicitly 
accounting for possible density-dependent and other environmental 
factors. We do acknowledge that a standard logistic model with harvest 
incorporated does assume that hunting mortality is additive. However, 
the logistic model upon which the assessment framework is based 
incorporates a scaling factor to allow for the possibility of 
compensatory harvest mortality. Additionally, the logistic model allows 
for compensation for hunting losses in subsequent breeding seasons 
through both the survival and recruitment processes.
    The second concern related to inferences from the assessment was 
that the estimated carrying capacity (K) for scaup is 8.2 million when 
the population has never been that high. The scaup assessment suggests 
that population size would only reach this level in the complete 
absence of harvest and if there were no further deterioration in 
habitat conditions. Under the proposed assessment, we are the first to 
acknowledge that considerable uncertainty exists in the estimate of K 
(95% credibility interval for K is 5.7-12.2 million). However, for 
purposes of developing the harvest strategy for scaup, it is important 
to note that the uncertainty surrounding any estimate of K can be 
accounted for within the assessment framework.
    The third concern was that the logistic model employed by the 
Service for scaup does not account for the fact that the reproductive 
value of some cohorts is higher than others and thus, for example, 
shooting a female has the same effect on the population as shooting a 
male. It is true that the logistic model does not distinguish among 
age-sex cohorts. Unfortunately, available data are not sufficient to 
support a more detailed model. In addition, accounting for age and sex-
specific effects of hunting mortality would be of little practical use 
unless the age and sex composition of the harvest could be controlled, 
which we do not believe is the case.
    A final concern was that the carrying capacity (K) of scaup is 
changing over time and, therefore, historical data cannot be used as a 
basis to determine allowable harvests. However, a review of historical 
data does suggest that scaup population dynamics have changed since the 
early 1980s and that this change has resulted in lower harvest 
potential. The assessment framework used permits model parameters like 
K to be updated annually so changes can be tracked. If history is not a 
useful guide to the future, no modeling effort based on data will 
provide useful information for harvest management. Further, in the 
absence of a model, decisions about hunting regulations would be 
subjective and not supported by our biological knowledge.
    While we continue to support the technical assessment of scaup 
harvest potential, we are sensitive to the concerns expressed by the 
Flyway Councils about the policy and social aspects of implementation 
of the proposed strategy at this time. Specifically, we agree that more 
dialogue about the nature of harvest management objectives and 
regulatory alternatives is necessary for successful implementation of 
the strategy. Failure to agree on crucial policy aspects of the 
proposed strategy in a timely fashion increases the risk that more 
drastic regulatory measures may be necessary in the future. In 
preparation for that dialogue, we reiterate our longstanding objections 
to State-specific regulations and encourage the Flyway Councils to 
focus efforts on achieving consensus around Flyway-wide regulatory 
alternatives. Secondly, we recognize that additional effort is 
necessary over the coming year to communicate the rationale for a scaup 
strategy and possible regulatory changes to the Flyways and the public. 
We intend to review progress on policy issues at the winter 2008 SRC 
meeting and anticipate significant progress by that time.
    Having considered all of these concerns, we agree that another year 
is needed to develop consensus on a harvest strategy for scaup. We 
believe that one year is sufficient time to resolve all outstanding 
issues and it is our intent to implement a strategy in 2008. This does 
not preclude the possibility that we would consider possible changes to 
scaup harvest regulations for the 2007-08 hunting season, based on 
population status. We will work with the Flyway Councils to resolve 
outstanding issues and to continue ongoing cooperative efforts to 
improve the monitoring programs and databases upon which scaup 
regulatory decisions are based. These include: Evaluation of potential 
biases in population estimates, expansion and improvement of population 
surveys, and a feasibility assessment of a broad-scale scaup banding 
program. Additionally, we will continue retrospective analyses of 
existing databases to assist in the identification of casual factors 
which might explain the continued scaup decline.
    Finally, we acknowledge that many misconceptions about our 
technical assessment of scaup harvest potential exist and commit to 
continued work with the Flyway Councils to reach a common understanding 
about the true strengths, limitations, and implications of this 
framework. Throughout this process, we will continue to incorporate 
reviews or model refinements that are supported by data.

4. Canada Geese

A. Special Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council made several 
recommendations dealing with early Canada goose seasons. First, the 
Council recommended allowing the experimental seasons in portions of 
Florida, Georgia, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Vermont 
to become operational in 2007. Lastly, the Council recommended that the 
Service allow the use of special regulations (electronic calls, 
unplugged guns, extended hunting hours) later than September 15 during 
existing September Canada goose hunting

[[Page 40200]]

seasons in Atlantic Flyway States. Use of these special regulations 
would be limited to the geographic areas of States that were open to 
hunting and under existing September season ending dates as approved by 
the Service for the 2007 regulation cycle.
    The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the closing dates for 
Canada goose hunting during the September goose season in the Northwest 
goose zone of Minnesota be extended through September 22 to coincide 
with the remainder of the state with a waiver of the experimental 
season requirements of collecting Canada goose parts.
    Service Response: We support the Atlantic Flyway Council's request 
to make the experimental seasons in portions of Florida, Georgia, New 
York, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Vermont operational in 2007. 
Data and analysis submitted by the Council shows a minimal impact of 
these seasons on migrant stocks of Canada geese and demonstrates that 
they meet the criteria for establishment of special early Canada goose 
hunting seasons.
    We also support the Atlantic Flyway Council's desire to increase 
opportunities to harvest resident Canada geese during special early 
Canada goose hunting seasons. In many areas of the Flyway, resident 
Canada geese remain overabundant. Recent spring population surveys 
continue to estimate that approximately 1 million geese reside in the 
States of the Atlantic Flyway--a number far in excess of the Flyway's 
established goal of 650,000 resident geese. Allowing the use of these 
special expanded hunting methods would be consistent with our August 
10, 2006, final rule on resident Canada goose management (71 FR 45964) 
and November 2005 Final Environmental Impact Statement on resident 
Canada goose management, would have a minimal impact on migrant Canada 
goose populations, would contribute to maximizing the harvest of 
resident Canada geese in the Flyway, would allow greater flexibility to 
affected States, would be consistent with the Atlantic Flyway Resident 
Canada Goose Management Plan, and would provide a simplified, 
consistent set of regulations throughout the September Canada goose 
season.
    We do not support the Mississippi Flyway Council's request to 
extend the framework closing date for the September goose season in the 
Northwest Goose Zone of Minnesota to September 22. Special September 
Canada goose seasons were implemented for the purpose of controlling 
local breeding populations or nuisance geese that nest primarily in the 
conterminous United States (60 FR 45021). Prior to 1995, in order to 
implement a special season, each State was required to conduct a 3-year 
evaluation to determine whether the take of non-target Canada goose 
populations (migrants) exceeded 10 percent of the harvest. This 
evaluation requirement was removed in 1995 for special seasons held 
September 1-15, but remained in effect for all such seasons, or 
extensions of seasons, after September 15.
    In 1999, Minnesota received approval to initiate a 3-year 
experimental extension of the September goose season from September 15-
22. Minnesota was granted a 1-year extension of the experiment in 2002. 
Minnesota's experiment did not include the Northwest Goose Zone, due to 
concerns (at that time) about the status and potential impacts to 
migrant Canada geese, particularly Eastern Prairie Population (EPP) 
Canada geese. While parts collection, harvest, and banding data 
obtained in the evaluation of Minnesota's experiment indicated that 
migrant geese in areas adjacent to the Northwest Goose Zone comprised 
less than 5 percent of the harvest, granting an extension of the 
framework closing date without conducting an experiment would be 
contrary to established criteria for such seasons. Although the 
magnitude of expected harvest of migrant geese during September 16-22 
in the Northwest Goose Zone is small, a waiver of the evaluation 
criteria will likely invite requests for similar waivers. Further, we 
recognize that collection of sufficient parts collection and harvest 
data in the Northwest zone is problematic. However, we are open to 
working with Minnesota to develop an appropriate evaluation plan.

B. Regular Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations 
Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the 
framework opening date for all species of geese for the regular goose 
seasons in Michigan and Wisconsin be September 16, 2007.
    Service Response: We concur. As we stated last year (71 FR 51406), 
we agree with the objective to increase harvest pressure on resident 
Canada geese in the Mississippi Flyway and will continue to consider 
the opening dates in both States as exceptions to the general Flyway 
opening date, to be reconsidered annually.

9. Sandhill Cranes

    Council Recommendations: The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils 
recommended using the 2006 Rocky Mountain Population sandhill crane 
harvest allocation of 1,321 birds, as proposed in the allocation 
formula, using the 2003-2005 3-year running average.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended initiating a limited hunt 
for Lower Colorado River sandhill cranes in Arizona, with the goal of 
the hunt being a limited harvest of 5 cranes in January. To limit 
harvest, Arizona would issue permits to hunters and require mandatory 
check of all harvested cranes. To limit disturbance of wintering 
cranes, Arizona would restrict the hunt to one 3-day period. Arizona 
would also coordinate with the National Wildlife Refuges where cranes 
occur.
    Service Response: Greater and lesser sandhill cranes are presently 
hunted in parts of their range and have been divided into management 
populations based on their geographic distribution during Fall and 
Winter. The current Flyway Management Plan for the Lower Colorado River 
Valley Population (LCRVP) of sandhill cranes allows for hunting of this 
population when the wintering population exceeds 2,500 cranes, a 
population level now exceeded. In 2005, the Pacific Flyway Council 
proposed a limited open season on this population. In response to 
proposal, we stated in the August 29, 2006, Federal Register (71 FR 
51406) that while we were in general support of allowing a very 
limited, carefully controlled harvest of sandhill cranes from this 
population, we did not believe that this limited harvest was of 
immediate concern, and recommended that prior to initiating such a 
season, a more detailed harvest strategy be developed by the Flyway 
Council. We stated that this harvest strategy should be included as an 
appendix to the management plan prior to any hunting season being 
initiated. The Pacific Flyway has modified the management plan as 
recommended.
    We prepared a draft environmental assessment (DEA) considering the 
action to begin a limited harvest of sandhill cranes from the LCRVP by 
reviewing current management strategies and population objectives, and 
examining alternatives to current management programs. The preferred 
alternative in the DEA was to institute the limited season. We made 
this DEA available for public comment and received only two responses. 
We have addressed these

[[Page 40201]]

comments and prepared a final environmental assessment (FEA).
    Based on our FEA, we will authorize a limited experimental season 
for this population of sandhill cranes as requested by the Pacific 
Flyway Council. All of the described requirements in the management 
plan and the FEA will apply to this 3-year experiment. Further, we will 
work with the participating Pacific Flyway States to meet the 
monitoring and assessment requirements described in the management plan 
for the evaluation of this experimental season. In addition, we 
encourage the participating States to work with us to improve our 
understanding and management of this important group of sandhill 
cranes.
    The FEA can be obtained by writing Robert Trost, Pacific Flyway 
Representative, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory 
Bird Management, 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4181, or it 
may be viewed via the Service's home page at http://fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports.

14. Woodcock

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
allowing compensatory days for woodcock hunting in States where Sunday 
hunting is prohibited by State law.
    Service Response: In 1995, the Atlantic Flyway Council asked the 
Service to reconsider its longstanding policy of denying compensatory 
days to those States that forego hunting opportunity due to State laws 
that prohibit Sunday hunting. We agreed to work with the Flyway Council 
to ``frame'' or better clarify this issue with regard to aspects such 
as Federal authority, number of States involved, migratory birds 
affected, harvest impacts, framework adjustments, etc. In 1997, the 
Council again requested that we grant compensatory days for States in 
their Flyway that were closed to waterfowl hunting statewide on Sunday 
by State law. The Council's requested compensatory days applied to 
waterfowl seasons only and not to other migratory game birds (62 FR 
44234). We granted this request and stipulated that all Sundays would 
be closed to all take of migratory waterfowl and that other migratory 
game species were not eligible for compensatory days. Furthermore, only 
States in the Atlantic Flyway that prohibited Sunday hunting statewide 
by State law prior to 1997 were eligible for compensatory days for 
waterfowl.
    We are sensitive to the Atlantic Flyway's desire to provide 
additional woodcock hunting opportunity, and acknowledge the 
longstanding difficulties some States have in reversing statutes that 
prevent hunting on Sundays. However, granting a request for 
compensatory days for hunting American woodcock would be contrary to 
the agreement reached between the Service and the Flyway Council that 
limited granting of compensatory days to waterfowl hunting. We also 
note that the ability to hunt on Sundays may provide more opportunities 
for hunter recruitment than the allowance of compensatory days.
    Further, we do not view this as a good time to liberalize woodcock 
regulations. Although we cannot attribute a cause-and-effect 
relationship between 1997 woodcock harvest restrictions and improved 
woodcock population status, the stabilization of woodcock trends in 
both the Eastern and Central Region is encouraging.

16. Mourning Doves

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council and the Upper- 
and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended that, based on criteria set forth in the current 
version of the Mourning Dove Harvest Management Strategy for the 
Eastern Management Unit (EMU), no changes in bag limit and season 
length components of the mourning dove harvest framework are warranted. 
They both further recommended that EMU States should be offered the 
choice of either a 12-bird daily bag limit and 70-day season or a 15-
bird daily bag limit and 60-day season for the 2007-08 mourning dove 
hunting season, with a standardized 15-bird daily bag limit and 70-day 
season beginning with the 2008-09 mourning dove hunting season. The 
standardized bag limit and season length will then be used as the 
``moderate'' harvest option for revising the Initial Mourning Dove 
Harvest Management Strategy.
    Service Response: We concur with the recommendation to maintain the 
current bag limit and season length options of 70 days with a 12-bird 
daily bag limit or 60 days with a 15-bird daily bag for the 2007-08 
season. However, we recommend that the proposal to standardize this 
framework as a 70-day season length with a 15-bird daily bag limit, 
beginning with the 2008-09 season, be included in ongoing discussions 
on the interim harvest strategy for the Eastern Management Unit, rather 
than considered at this time. While it is our understanding that this 
framework represents the ``moderate'' harvest option for the Eastern 
Unit's harvest strategy, we anticipate that these interim strategies, 
representing each of the three management units, will be introduced at 
the January 2008 SRC meeting, and formally proposed and finalized prior 
to the early-season SRC meeting next June.

18. Alaska

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended 
maintaining status quo in the Alaska early-season framework, except for 
increasing the dark goose daily bag limit in selected units to provide 
more harvest opportunity for white-fronted geese.
    Service Response: We concur. Pacific white-fronted geese are nearly 
70 percent above current management objectives at 509,000 birds. The 
Council's proposed liberalization of white-front limits to as many as 6 
per day within most of the range is consistent with liberalizations in 
Pacific Flyway coastal states. Further, the Council's recommendation is 
crafted to avoid additional harvest in units where Tule white-fronts 
occur (Units 1-16), and retains the restrictions on cackling geese on 
the primary breeding and staging areas (Unit 9E and 18) because the 
population is below objective.

Public Comments Solicited

    The Department of the Interior's policy is, whenever practicable, 
to afford the public an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking 
process. Accordingly, we invite interested persons to submit written 
comments, suggestions, or recommendations regarding the proposed 
regulations. Before promulgation of final migratory game bird hunting 
regulations, we will take into consideration all comments received. 
Such comments, and any additional information received, may lead to 
final regulations that differ from these proposals. We invite 
interested persons to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments to the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES. 
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other 
personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware 
that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.
    Special circumstances involved in the establishment of these 
regulations limit the amount of time that we can allow for public 
comment. Specifically, two

[[Page 40202]]

considerations compress the time in which the rulemaking process must 
operate: (1) The need to establish final rules at a point early enough 
in the summer to allow affected State agencies to appropriately adjust 
their licensing and regulatory mechanisms; and (2) the unavailability, 
before mid-June, of specific, reliable data on this year's status of 
some waterfowl and migratory shore and upland game bird populations. 
Therefore, we believe that to allow comment periods past the dates 
specified in DATES is contrary to the public interest. Before 
promulgation of final migratory game bird hunting regulations, we will 
take into consideration all comments received during the comment 
period. Such comments, and any additional information received, may 
lead to final regulations that differ from these proposals.
    You may inspect comments received on the proposed annual 
regulations during normal business hours at the Service's Division of 
Migratory Bird Management office in room 4107, 4501 North Fairfax 
Drive, Arlington, VA 22203. For each series of proposed rulemakings, we 
will establish specific comment periods. We will consider, but possibly 
may not respond in detail to, each comment. As in the past, we will 
summarize all comments received during the comment period and respond 
to them after the closing date in any final rules.

NEPA Consideration

    NEPA considerations are covered by the programmatic document 
``Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual 
Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FSES 88-
14),'' filed with the Environmental Protection Agency on June 9, 1988. 
We published a notice of availability in the Federal Register on June 
16, 1988 (53 FR 22582). We published our Record of Decision on August 
18, 1988 (53 FR 31341). In addition, an August 1985 environmental 
assessment entitled ``Guidelines for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations 
on Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands'' is available (see 
ADDRESSES).
    In a notice published in the September 8, 2005, Federal Register 
(70 FR 53376), we announced our intent to develop a new Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement for the migratory bird hunting program. 
Public scoping meetings were held in the spring of 2006, as detailed in 
a March 9, 2006, Federal Register (71 FR 12216). A scoping report 
summarizing the scoping comments and scoping meetings is available 
either at the address indicated under ADDRESSES or on our Web site at 
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

    Prior to issuance of the 2007-08 migratory game bird hunting 
regulations, we will comply with provisions of the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543; hereinafter, the Act), to 
ensure that hunting is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence 
of any species designated as endangered or threatened, or modify or 
destroy its critical habitat, and is consistent with conservation 
programs for those species. Consultations under Section 7 of this Act 
may cause us to change proposals in this and future supplemental 
rulemaking documents.

Executive Order 12866

    The migratory bird hunting regulations are economically significant 
and were reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 
Executive Order 12866. As such, a cost/benefit analysis was initially 
prepared in 1981. This analysis was subsequently revised annually from 
1990 through 1996, 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 midpoint estimate of $899 million. 
Copies of the cost/benefit analysis are available upon request from the 
address indicated under ADDRESSES or from our Web site at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports/SpecialTopics/EconomicAnalysis-Final-2004.pdf.
    Executive Order 12866 also requires each agency to write 
regulations that are easy to understand. We invite comments on how to 
make this rule easier to understand, including answers to questions 
such as the following: (1) Are the requirements in the rule clearly 
stated? (2) Does the rule contain technical language or jargon that 
interferes with its clarity? (3) Does the format of the rule (grouping 
and order of sections, use of headings, paragraphing, etc.) aid or 
reduce its clarity? (4) Would the rule be easier to understand if it 
were divided into more sections? (5) Is the description of the rule in 
the ``Supplementary Information'' section of the preamble helpful in 
understanding the rule? (6) What else could we do to make the rule 
easier to understand?
    Send a copy of any comments that concern how we could make this 
rule easier to understand to: Office of Regulatory Affairs, Department 
of the Interior, Room 7229, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240, 
or e-mail to [email protected].

Regulatory Flexibility Act

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

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 with the Migratory Bird Harvest Information 
Program and assigned

[[Page 40203]]

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. OMB has also approved the information 
collection requirements of the Sandhill Crane Harvest Survey and 
assigned clearance number 1018-0023 (expires 11/30/2007). The 
information from this survey is used to estimate the magnitude and the 
geographical and temporal distribution of the harvest, and the portion 
it constitutes of the total population. A Federal agency may not 
conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a 
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB 
control number.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    We have determined and certify, in compliance with the requirements 
of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this 
rulemaking will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given 
year on local or State government or private entities. Therefore, this 
rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act.

Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988

    The Department, in promulgating this proposed rule, has determined 
that this proposed rule 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 proposed rule, 
authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, does not have significant 
takings implications and does not affect any constitutionally protected 
property rights. This rule will not result in the physical occupancy of 
property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory taking 
of any property. In fact, these rules allow hunters to exercise 
otherwise unavailable privileges and, therefore, reduce restrictions on 
the use of private and public property.

Energy Effects--Executive Order 13211

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

Federalism Effects

    Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the 
Federal Government has been given responsibility over these species by 
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We annually prescribe frameworks from 
which the States make selections regarding the hunting of migratory 
birds, and we employ guidelines to establish special regulations on 
Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. This process preserves the 
ability of the States and tribes to determine which seasons meet their 
individual needs. Any State or 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.

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

    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. Thus, 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 
on Indian trust resources. However, in the April 11 proposed rule we 
solicited proposals for special migratory bird hunting regulations for 
certain Tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off-reservation trust 
lands, and ceded lands for the 2006-07 migratory bird hunting season. 
The resulting proposals will be contained in a separate proposed rule. 
By virtue of these actions, we have consulted with all the tribes 
affected by this rule.

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 2007-08 
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 
a-j.

    Dated: July 13, 2007.
David M. Verhey,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 2007-08 Early Hunting Seasons on 
Certain Migratory Game Birds

    Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated 
authorities, the Department of the Interior approved the following 
proposed frameworks, which prescribe season lengths, bag limits, 
shooting hours, and outside dates within which States may select 
hunting seasons for certain migratory game birds between September 1, 
2007, and March 10, 2008.

General

    Dates: All outside dates noted below are inclusive.
    Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise 
specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.
    Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits 
are twice the daily bag limit.

Flyways and Management Units

Waterfowl Flyways

    Atlantic Flyway--includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, 
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, 
Virginia, and West Virginia.
    Mississippi Flyway--includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, 
Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, 
Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
    Central Flyway--includes Colorado (east of the Continental Divide), 
Kansas, Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith Basin, 
Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties east thereof), 
Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except the 
Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, South 
Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the Continental Divide).
    Pacific Flyway--includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, 
Nevada,

[[Page 40204]]

Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado, Montana, New 
Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.

Management Units

Mourning Dove Management Units

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

Woodcock Management Regions

    Eastern Management Region--Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, 
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, 
Virginia, and West Virginia.
    Central Management Region--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, 
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, 
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, 
Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
    Other geographic descriptions are contained in a later portion of 
this document.

Definitions

    Dark geese: Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant (except in 
Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, and the Atlantic Flyway), and 
all other goose species except light geese.
    Light geese: snow (including blue) geese and Ross' geese.

Waterfowl Seasons in the Atlantic Flyway

    In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, 
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and 
Virginia, where Sunday hunting is prohibited statewide by State law, 
all Sundays are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including 
mergansers and coots).

Special September Teal Season

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season 
on all species of teal may be selected by the following States in areas 
delineated by State regulations:
    Atlantic Flyway--Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North 
Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
    Mississippi Flyway--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, 
Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee.
    Central Flyway--Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska (part), New 
Mexico (part), Oklahoma, and Texas.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 9 consecutive 
days in the Atlantic Flyway and 16 consecutive days in the Mississippi 
and Central Flyways. The daily bag limit is 4 teal.
    Shooting Hours:
    Atlantic Flyway--One-half hour before sunrise to sunset except in 
Maryland, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.
    Mississippi and Central Flyways--One-half hour before sunrise to 
sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, 
and Ohio, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.

Special September Duck Seasons

    Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee: In lieu of a special September 
teal season, a 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September. 
The daily bag limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the 
aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks.
    Iowa: Iowa may hold up to 5 days of its regular duck hunting season 
in September. All ducks that are legal during the regular duck season 
may be taken during the September segment of the season. The September 
season segment may commence no earlier than the Saturday nearest 
September 20 (September 22). The daily bag and possession limits will 
be the same as those in effect last year, but are subject to change 
during the late-season regulations process. The remainder of the 
regular duck season may not begin before October 10.

Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days

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

Scoter, Eider, and Oldsquaw Ducks (Atlantic Flyway)

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

Special Early Canada Goose Seasons

Atlantic Flyway

General Seasons
    Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be 
selected for the Eastern Unit of Maryland and Delaware. Seasons not to 
exceed 25 days during September 1-25 may be selected for the Montezuma 
Region of New York and the Lake Champlain Region of New

[[Page 40205]]

York and Vermont. Seasons not to exceed 30 days during September 1-30 
may be selected for Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New York 
(Long Island Zone), North Carolina, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. 
Seasons may not exceed 25 days during September 1-25 in the remainder 
of the Flyway. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be 
described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting 
regulations.
    Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 Canada geese.

Mississippi Flyway

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

Central Flyway

General Seasons
    In Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas, Canada 
goose seasons of up to 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected. 
In Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming, Canada 
goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be selected. 
The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open to the 
hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated 
as such in each State's hunting regulations.

Pacific Flyway

General Seasons
    California may select a 9-day season in Humboldt County during the 
period September 1-15. The daily bag limit is 2.
    Colorado may select a 9-day season during the period of September 
1-15. The daily bag limit is 3.
    Oregon may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days 
during the period September 1-15. In addition, in the NW goose 
management zone in Oregon, a 15-day season may be selected during the 
period September 1-20. Daily bag limits may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
    Idaho may select a 7-day season during the period September 1-15. 
The daily bag limit is 2 and the possession limit is 4.
    Washington may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 
days during the period September 1-15. Daily bag limits may not exceed 
5 Canada geese.
    Wyoming may select an 8-day season on Canada geese between 
September 1-15. This season is subject to the following conditions:
    1. Where applicable, the season must be concurrent with the 
September portion of the sandhill crane season.
    2. A daily bag limit of 2, with season and possession limits of 4, 
will apply to the special season.
    Areas open to hunting of Canada geese in each State must be 
described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting 
regulations.

Regular Goose Seasons

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

Sandhill Cranes

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

[[Page 40206]]

Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and the last Sunday in January 
(January 27) in the Atlantic, Mississippi and Central Flyways. States 
in the Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons 
between the outside dates for the season on ducks; therefore, they are 
late-season frameworks, and no frameworks are provided in this 
document.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70 
days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. Seasons may be 
split into 2 segments. The daily bag limit is 15 common moorhens and 
purple gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of the two species.
    Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck 
hunting.

Rails

    Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between 
September 1 and the last Sunday in January (January 27) on clapper, 
king, sora, and Virginia rails.
    Hunting Seasons: The season may not exceed 70 days, and may be 
split into 2 segments.
    Daily Bag Limits:
    Clapper and King Rails--In Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, 
Delaware, and Maryland, 10, singly or in the aggregate of the 2 
species. In Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, 
South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, 15, singly or in the 
aggregate of the two species.
    Sora and Virginia Rails--In the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central 
Flyways and the Pacific-Flyway portions of Colorado, Montana, New 
Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 daily and 25 in possession, singly or in the 
aggregate of the two species. The season is closed in the remainder of 
the Pacific Flyway.

Common Snipe

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

American Woodcock

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

Band-Tailed Pigeons

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

    Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 1.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive 
days, with a daily bag limit of 2 band-tailed pigeons.
    Zoning: California may select hunting seasons not to exceed 9 
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the North Zone 
must close by October 3.

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

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

Mourning Doves

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

Eastern Management Unit

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a 
daily bag limit of 12 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, 
or not more than 60 days with a bag limit of 15 mourning and white-
winged doves in the aggregate.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each 
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more 
than three periods. Regulations for bag and possession limits, season 
length, and shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting 
zones.

Central Management Unit

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

Western Management Unit

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

[[Page 40207]]

Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, where the daily bag limit may 
not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.

White-Winged and White-Tipped Doves

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

Alaska

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 26.
    Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select 107 consecutive days for 
waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and common snipe in each of 5 zones. The 
season may be split without penalty in the Kodiak Zone. The seasons in 
each zone must be concurrent.
    Closures: The hunting season is closed on emperor geese, spectacled 
eiders, and Steller's eiders.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits:
    Ducks--Except as noted, a basic daily bag limit of 7 and a 
possession limit of 21 ducks. Daily bag and possession limits in the 
North Zone are 10 and 30, and in the Gulf Coast Zone, they are 8 and 
24. The basic limits may include no more than 1 canvasback daily and 3 
in possession and may not include sea ducks.
    In addition to the basic duck limits, Alaska may select sea duck 
limits of 10 daily, 20 in possession, singly or in the aggregate, 
including no more than 6 each of either harlequin or long-tailed ducks. 
Sea ducks include scoters, common and king eiders, harlequin ducks, 
long-tailed ducks, and common and red-breasted mergansers.
    Light Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit of 
8.
    Dark Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit of 
8.
    Dark-goose seasons are subject to the following exceptions:
    1. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from 
September 28 through December 16.
    2. On Middleton Island in Unit 6, a special, permit-only Canada 
goose season may be offered. No more than 10 permits can be issued. A 
mandatory goose identification class is required. Hunters must check in 
and check out. The bag limit is 1 daily and 1 in possession. The season 
will close if incidental harvest includes 5 dusky Canada geese. A dusky 
Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR color 
value five or less) with a bill length between 40 and 50 millimeters.
    3. In Units 9, 10, 17 and 18, dark goose limits are 6 per day, 12 
in possession; however, no more than 2 may be Canada geese in Units 
9(E) and 18; and no more than 4 may be Canada geese in Units 9(A-C), 10 
(Unimak Island portion), and 17.
    Brant--A daily bag limit of 2.
    Common snipe--A daily bag limit of 8.
    Sandhill cranes--Bag and possession limits of 2 and 4, 
respectively, in the Southeast, Gulf Coast, Kodiak, and Aleutian Zones, 
and Unit 17 in the Northern Zone. In the remainder of the Northern Zone 
(outside Unit 17), bag and possession limits of 3 and 6, respectively.
    Tundra Swans--Open seasons for tundra swans may be selected subject 
to the following conditions:
    1. All seasons are by registration permit only.
    2. All season framework dates are September 1--October 31.
    3. In Game Management Unit (GMU) 17, no more than 200 permits may 
be issued during this operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans 
may be authorized per permit with no more than 1 permit issued per 
hunter per season.
    4. In Game Management Unit (GMU) 18, no more than 500 permits may 
be issued during the operational season. Up to 3 tundra swans may be 
authorized per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter 
per season.
    5. In GMU 22, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the 
operational season. Each permittee may be authorized to take up to 3 
tundra swan per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter 
per season.
    6. In GMU 23, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the 
operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans may be authorized per 
permit with no more than 1 permit issued per hunter per season.

Hawaii

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

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

Puerto Rico

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

[[Page 40208]]

fulvous whistling duck, and masked duck, which are protected by the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The season also is closed on the purple 
gallinule, American coot, and Caribbean coot.
    Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, common moorhens, 
and common snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island.

Virgin Islands

Doves and Pigeons

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

Ducks

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

Special Falconry Regulations

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

Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions

Mourning and White-Winged Doves

Alabama
    South Zone--Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, 
Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties.
    North Zone--Remainder of the State.
California
    White-winged Dove Open Areas--Imperial, Riverside, and San 
Bernardino Counties.
Florida
    Northwest Zone--The Counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, 
Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, 
Washington, Leon (except that portion north of U.S. 27 and east of 
State Road 155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of State Road 59 and 
north of U.S. 98), and Wakulla (except that portion south of U.S. 98 
and east of the St. Marks River).
    South Zone--Remainder of State.
Louisiana
    North Zone--That portion of the state north of a line extending 
east from the Texas border along State Highway 12 to U.S. Highway 190, 
east along U.S. 190 to Interstate Highway 12, east along Interstate 12 
to Interstate Highway 10, then east along Interstate 10 to the 
Mississippi border.
    South Zone--The remainder of the State.
Mississippi
    North Zone--That portion of the State north and west of a line 
extending west from the Alabama State line along U.S. Highway 84 to its 
junction with State Highway 35, then south along State Highway 35 to 
the Louisiana State line.
    South Zone--The remainder of Mississippi.
Nevada
    White-winged Dove Open Areas--Clark and Nye Counties.
Oklahoma
    North Zone--That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Texas border along U.S. Highway 62 to Interstate 44, east 
along Oklahoma State Highway 7 to U.S. Highway 81, then south along 
U.S. Highway 81 to the Texas border at the Red River.
    South Zone--The remainder of Oklahoma.
Texas
    North Zone--That portion of the State north of a line beginning at 
the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; north along FM 1088 to 
TX 20; west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along TX 148 to I-10 at Fort 
Hancock; east along I-10 to I-20; northeast along I-20 to I-30 at Fort 
Worth; northeast along I-30 to the Texas-Arkansas State line.
    South Zone--That portion of the State south and west of a line 
beginning at the International Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east 
on U.S. 90 to State Loop 1604 west of San Antonio; then south, east, 
and north along Loop 1604 to Interstate Highway 10 east of San Antonio; 
then east on I-10 to Orange, Texas.
    Special White-winged Dove Area in the South Zone--That portion of 
the State south and west of a line beginning at the International 
Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east on U.S. 90 to State Loop 1604 
west of San Antonio, southeast on State Loop 1604 to Interstate Highway 
35, southwest on Interstate Highway 35 to TX 44; east along TX 44 to TX 
16 at Freer; south along TX 16 to TX 285 at Hebbronville; east along TX 
285 to FM 1017; southwest along FM 1017 to TX 186 at Linn; east along 
TX 186 to the Mansfield Channel at Port Mansfield; east along the 
Mansfield Channel to the Gulf of Mexico.
    Area with additional restrictions--Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and 
Willacy Counties.
    Central Zone--That portion of the State lying between the North and 
South Zones.

Band-Tailed Pigeons

California
    North Zone--Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, 
Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity 
Counties.
    South Zone--The remainder of the State.
New Mexico
    North Zone--North of a line following U.S. 60 from the Arizona 
State line east to I-25 at Socorro and then south along

[[Page 40209]]

I-25 from Socorro to the Texas State line.
    South Zone--Remainder of the State.
Washington
    Western Washington--The State of Washington excluding those 
portions lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big 
White Salmon River in Klickitat County.

Woodcock

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

Special September Canada Goose Seasons

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut
    North Zone--That portion of the State north of I-95.
    South Zone--Remainder of the State.
Maryland
    Eastern Unit--Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, 
Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, 
Wicomico, and Worcester Counties; that portion of Prince Georges, 
Howard, and Baltimore Counties east of Interstate 95.
    Western Unit--Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, 
and Washington Counties; that portion of Prince Georges, Howard, and 
Baltimore Counties west of Interstate 95.
Massachusetts
    Western Zone--That portion of the State west of a line extending 
south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, 
south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut 
border.
    Central Zone--That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone 
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-
95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on 
MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west 
to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards 
inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the 
MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St. 
bridge will be in the Coastal Zone.
    Coastal Zone--That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the 
Central Zone.
New York
    Lake Champlain Zone--The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian 
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south 
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the 
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; 
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont 
border.
    Long Island Zone--That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk 
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their 
tidal waters.
    Western Zone--That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario 
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along 
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border, except for the Montezuma Zone.
    Montezuma Zone--Those portions of Cayuga, Seneca, Ontario, Wayne, 
and Oswego Counties north of U.S. Route 20, east of NYS Route 14, south 
of NYS Route 104, and west of NYS Route 34.
    Northeastern Zone--That area north of a line extending from Lake 
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south 
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to 
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along 
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along 
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive 
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
    Southeastern Zone--The remaining portion of New York.
North Carolina
    Northeast Hunt Unit--Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, 
Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties; that portion 
of Bertie County 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 to the Hertford County line; and that portion of 
Northampton County that is north of U.S. 158 and east of NC 35.
Vermont
    Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area north and west of the line extending from the New York border 
along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes; 
U.S. 7 to the Canadian border.
    Interior Zone: That portion of Vermont west of the Lake Champlain 
Zone and eastward of a line extending from the Massachusetts border at 
Interstate 91; north along Interstate 91 to U.S. 2; east along U.S. 2 
to VT 102; north along VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 253 to the 
Canadian border.
    Connecticut River Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont east of 
the Interior Zone.

Mississippi Flyway

Illinois
    Northeast Canada Goose Zone--Cook, Du Page, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, 
Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.
    North Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast Canada 
Goose Zone and north of a line extending west from the Indiana border 
along Peotone-Beecher Road to Illinois Route 50, south along Illinois 
Route 50 to Wilmington-Peotone Road, west along Wilmington-Peotone Road 
to Illinois Route 53, north along Illinois Route 53 to New River Road, 
northwest along New River Road to Interstate Highway 55, south along I-
55 to Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road, west along Pine Bluff--Lorenzo Road to 
Illinois Route 47, north along Illinois Route 47 to I-80, west along I-
80 to I-39, south along I-39 to Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois 
Route 18 to Illinois Route 29, south along Illinois Route 29 to 
Illinois Route 17, west along Illinois Route 17 to the Mississippi 
River, and due south across the Mississippi River to the Iowa border.
    Central Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast 
Canada Goose Zone and south of the North Zone to a line extending west 
from the Indiana border along Interstate Highway 70 to Illinois Route 
4, south along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route 161, west along 
Illinois Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south and west along Illinois 
Route 158 to Illinois Route 159, south along Illinois Route 159 to 
Illinois Route 156, west along Illinois Route 156 to A Road, north and 
west on A Road to Levee Road, north on Levee Road to the south shore of 
New Fountain Creek, west along the south shore of New Fountain Creek to 
the Mississippi River, and due west across the Mississippi River to the 
Missouri border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Illinois.
Iowa
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of U.S. Highway 20.
    South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
    Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Goose Zone. Includes portions of Linn and 
Johnson Counties bounded as follows: Beginning at the intersection of 
the west border of Linn County and Linn County Road E2W; thence south 
and east along County Road E2W to Highway 920; thence north along 
Highway 920 to County Road E16; thence east along County Road E16 to 
County Road W58; thence south along County Road W58 to

[[Page 40210]]

County Road E34; thence east along County Road E34 to Highway 13; 
thence south along Highway 13 to Highway 30; thence east along Highway 
30 to Highway 1; thence south along Highway 1 to Morse Road in Johnson 
County; thence east along Morse Road to Wapsi Avenue; thence south 
along Wapsi Avenue to Lower West Branch Road; thence west along Lower 
West Branch Road to Taft Avenue; thence south along Taft Avenue to 
County Road F62; thence west along County Road F62 to Kansas Avenue; 
thence north along Kansas Avenue to Black Diamond Road; thence west on 
Black Diamond Road to Jasper Avenue; thence north along Jasper Avenue 
to Rohert Road; thence west along Rohert Road to Ivy Avenue; thence 
north along Ivy Avenue to 340th Street; thence west along 340th Street 
to Half Moon Avenue; thence north along Half Moon Avenue to Highway 6; 
thence west along Highway 6 to Echo Avenue; thence north along Echo 
Avenue to 250th Street; thence east on 250th Street to Green Castle 
Avenue; thence north along Green Castle Avenue to County Road F12; 
thence west along County Road F12 to County Road W30; thence north 
along County Road W30 to Highway 151; thence north along the Linn-
Benton County line to the point of beginning.
    Des Moines Goose Zone. Includes those portions of Polk, Warren, 
Madison and Dallas Counties bounded as follows: Beginning at the 
intersection of Northwest 158th Avenue and County Road R38 in Polk 
County; thence south along R38 to Northwest 142nd Avenue; thence east 
along Northwest 142nd Avenue to Northeast 126th Avenue; thence east 
along Northeast 126th Avenue to Northeast 46th Street; thence south 
along Northeast 46th Street to Highway 931; thence east along Highway 
931 to Northeast 80th Street; thence south along Northeast 80th Street 
to Southeast 6th Avenue; thence west along Southeast 6th Avenue to 
Highway 65; thence south and west along Highway 65 to Highway 69 in 
Warren County; thence south along Highway 69 to County Road G24; thence 
west along County Road G24 to Highway 28; thence southwest along 
Highway 28 to 43rd Avenue; thence north along 43rd Avenue to Ford 
Street; thence west along Ford Street to Filmore Street; thence west 
along Filmore Street to 10th Avenue; thence south along 10th Avenue to 
155th Street in Madison County; thence west along 155th Street to 
Cumming Road; thence north along Cumming Road to Badger Creek Avenue; 
thence north along Badger Creek Avenue to County Road F90 in Dallas 
County; thence east along County Road F90 to County Road R22; thence 
north along County Road R22 to Highway 44; thence east along Highway 44 
to County Road R30; thence north along County Road R30 to County Road 
F31; thence east along County Road F31 to Highway 17; thence north 
along Highway 17 to Highway 415 in Polk County; thence east along 
Highway 415 to Northwest 158th Avenue; thence east along Northwest 
158th Avenue to the point of beginning.
Michigan
    North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
    Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line 
beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the 
mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly 
and southerly along the south shore of, Stony Creek to Scenic Drive, 
easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly 
along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along 
Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of 
Midland, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, east along U.S. 10 to 
Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north along I-75/U.S. 23 to the 
U.S. 23 exit at Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore Road in Arenac 
County, east along Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout, then on a 
line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a 
line directly northeast to the Canada border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.
Minnesota
    Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone--
    A. All of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.
    B. In Anoka County, all of Columbus Township lying south of County 
State Aid Highway (CSAH) 18, Anoka County; all of the cities of Ramsey, 
Andover, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Spring Lake Park, Fridley, Hilltop, 
Columbia Heights, Blaine, Lexington, Circle Pines, Lino Lakes, and 
Centerville; and all of the city of Ham Lake except that portion lying 
north of CSAH 18 and east of U.S. Highway 65.
    C. That part of Carver County lying north and east of the following 
described line: Beginning at the northeast corner of San Francisco 
Township; thence west along the north boundary of San Francisco 
Township to the east boundary of Dahlgren Township; thence north along 
the east boundary of Dahlgren Township to U.S. Highway 212; thence west 
along U.S. Highway 212 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 284; thence north 
on STH 284 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10; thence north and west 
on CSAH 10 to CSAH 30; thence north and west on CSAH 30 to STH 25; 
thence east and north on STH 25 to CSAH 10; thence north on CSAH 10 to 
the Carver County line.
    D. In Scott County, all of the cities of Shakopee, Savage, Prior 
Lake, and Jordan, and all of the Townships of Jackson, Louisville, St. 
Lawrence, Sand Creek, Spring Lake, and Credit River.
    E. In Dakota County, all of the cities of Burnsville, Eagan, 
Mendota Heights, Mendota, Sunfish Lake, Inver Grove Heights, Apple 
Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Farmington, Hastings, Lilydale, West St. 
Paul, and South St. Paul, and all of the Township of Nininger.
    F. That portion of Washington County lying south of the following 
described line: Beginning at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 on the 
west boundary of the county; thence east on CSAH 2 to U.S. Highway 61; 
thence south on U.S. Highway 61 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 97; thence 
east on STH 97 to the intersection of STH 97 and STH 95; thence due 
east to the east boundary of the State.
    Northwest Goose Zone--That portion of the State encompassed by a 
line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 
to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east 
along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north 
along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to 
STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along 
CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in 
Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 
310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
    Southeast Goose Zone--That part of the State within the following 
described boundaries: Beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 52 
and the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; 
thence along the U.S. Highway 52 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 57; 
thence along STH 57 to the municipal boundary of Kasson; thence along 
the municipal boundary of Kasson County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 13, 
Dodge County; thence along CSAH 13 to STH 30; thence along STH 30 to 
U.S. Highway 63; thence along U.S. Highway 63 to the south boundary of 
the State; thence along the south and east boundaries of the State to 
the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro

[[Page 40211]]

Canada Goose Zone; thence along said boundary to the point of 
beginning.
    Five Goose Zone--That portion of the State not included in the Twin 
Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone, the Northwest Goose Zone, or the 
Southeast Goose Zone.
    West Zone--That portion of the State encompassed by a line 
beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa 
border, then north and east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, north 
along U.S. 71 to Interstate Highway 94, then north and west along I-94 
to the North Dakota border.
Tennessee
    Middle Tennessee Zone--Those portions of Houston, Humphreys, 
Montgomery, Perry, and Wayne Counties east of State Highway 13; and 
Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles, 
Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Moore, 
Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson 
Counties.
    East Tennessee Zone--Anderson, Bledsoe, Bradley, Blount, Campbell, 
Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Grainger, 
Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jackson, 
Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, 
Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, 
Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, and 
White Counties.
Wisconsin
    Early-Season Subzone A--That portion of the State encompassed by a 
line beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 141 and the Michigan 
border near Niagara, then south along U.S. 141 to State Highway 22, 
west and southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45, south along U.S. 45 to 
State 22, west and south along State 22 to State 110, south along State 
110 to U.S. 10, south along U.S. 10 to State 49, south along State 49 
to State 23, west along State 23 to State 73, south along State 73 to 
State 60, west along State 60 to State 23, south along State 23 to 
State 11, east along State 11 to State 78, then south along State 78 to 
the Illinois border.
    Early-Season Subzone B--The remainder of the State.

Central Flyway

Nebraska
    September Canada Goose Unit--That part of Nebraska bounded by a 
line from the Nebraska-Iowa State line west on U.S. Highway 30 to U.S. 
Highway 81, then south on U.S. Highway 81 to NE Highway 64, then east 
on NE Highway 64 to NE Highway 15, then south on NE Highway 15 to NE 
Highway 41, then east on NE Highway 41 to NE Highway 50, then north on 
NE Highway 50 to NE Highway 2, then east on NE Highway 2 to the 
Nebraska-Iowa State line.
South Dakota
    September Canada Goose Unit A--Brown, Campbell, Edmunds, Faulk, 
McPherson, Spink, and Walworth Counties.
    September Canada Goose Unit B--Clark, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, 
Hamlin, Marshall, and Roberts Counties.
    September Canada Goose Unit C--Beadle, Brookings, Hanson, 
Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, 
Turner, and Union Counties.

Pacific Flyway

Idaho
    East Zone--Bonneville, Caribou, Fremont, and Teton Counties.
Oregon
    Northwest Zone--Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane, 
Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and 
Yamhill Counties.
    Southwest Zone--Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and 
Klamath Counties.
    East Zone--Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, 
Union, and Wasco Counties.
Washington
    Area 1--Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
    Area 2A (SW Quota Zone)--Clark County, except portions south of the 
Washougal River; Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties.
    Area 2B (SW Quota Zone)--Pacific County.
    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.

Ducks

Atlantic Flyway

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

Mississippi Flyway

Indiana
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. Highway 31, 
north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to Huntington, then 
southeast along U.S. 224 to the Ohio border.
    Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line 
extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 64 to 
New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State 56, east along State 56 
to Vevay, east and north on State 156 along the Ohio River to North 
Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Highway 50, then northeast along 
U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.
    South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio 
River Zone boundaries.
Iowa
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State Highway 
37, southeast along State Highway 37 to State Highway 183, northeast 
along State Highway 183 to State Highway 141, east along State Highway 
141 to U.S. Highway 30, then east along U.S. Highway 30 to the Illinois 
border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.

[[Page 40212]]

Central Flyway

Colorado
    Special Teal Season Area: Lake and Chaffee Counties and that 
portion of the State east of Interstate Highway 25.
Kansas
    High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.
    Low Plains Early Zone: That 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.
Nebraska
    Special Teal Season Area: That portion of the State south of a line 
beginning at the Wyoming State line; east along U.S. 26 to Nebraska 
Highway L62A east to U.S. 385; south to U.S. 26; east to NE 92; east 
along NE 92 to NE 61; south along NE 61 to U.S. 30; east along U.S. 30 
to the Iowa border.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
    South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.

Pacific Flyway

California
    Northeastern Zone: In that portion of California lying east and 
north of a line beginning at the intersection of Interstate 5 with the 
California-Oregon line; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with 
Walters Lane south of the town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane to its 
junction with Easy Street; south along Easy Street to the junction with 
Old Highway 99; south along Old Highway 99 to the point of intersection 
with Interstate 5 north of the town of Weed; south along Interstate 5 
to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to 
Main Street Greenville; north and east to its junction with North 
Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and 
east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the 
junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington 
Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the 
junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and 
east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-
Nevada state line; north along the California-Nevada State line to the 
junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon State lines west along the 
California-Oregon State line to the point of origin.
    Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, 
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border 
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as 
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to 
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in 
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of 
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on 
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the 
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley 
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to 
U.S. 80; east 7 miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south 
on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
    Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding 
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the 
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City 
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of 
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest 
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to 
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on 
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada 
border.
    Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare 
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included 
in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the 
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.

Canada Geese

Michigan
    MVP--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.

Sandhill Cranes

Central Flyway

Colorado
    The Central Flyway portion of the State except the San Luis Valley 
(Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande, and 
Saguache Counties east of the Continental Divide) and North Park 
(Jackson County).
Kansas
    That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the Oklahoma 
border, north on I-35 to Wichita, north on I-135 to Salina, and north 
on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border.
Montana
    The Central Flyway portion of the State except for that area south 
and west of Interstate 90, which is closed to sandhill crane hunting.

[[Page 40213]]

New Mexico
    Regular-Season Open Area--Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay, 
and Roosevelt Counties.
    Middle Rio Grande Valley Area--The Central Flyway portion of New 
Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties.
    Estancia Valley Area--Those portions of Santa Fe, Torrance and 
Bernallilo Counties within an area bounded on the west by New Mexico 
Highway 55 beginning at Mountainair north to NM 337, north to NM 14, 
north to I-25; on the north by I-25 east to U.S. 285; on the east by 
U.S. 285 south to U.S. 60; and on the south by U.S. 60 from U.S. 285 
west to NM 55 in Mountainair.
    Southwest Zone--Sierra, Luna, Dona Ana Counties, and those portions 
of Grant and Hidalgo Counties south of I-10.
North Dakota
    Area 1--That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
    Area 2--That portion of the State east of U.S. 281.
Oklahoma
    That portion of the State west of I-35.
South Dakota
    That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
Texas
    Zone A--That portion of Texas lying west of a line beginning at the 
international toll bridge at Laredo, thence northeast along U.S. 
Highway 81 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35 in Laredo, thence 
north along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate 
Highway 10 in San Antonio, thence northwest along Interstate Highway 10 
to its junction with U.S. Highway 83 at Junction, thence north along 
U.S. Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of 
Childress, thence east along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-Oklahoma 
State line.
    Zone B--That portion of Texas lying within boundaries beginning at 
the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-Oklahoma State line, 
thence southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its junction with U.S. 
Highway 287 in Montague County, thence southeast along U.S. Highway 287 
to its junction with Interstate Highway 35W in Fort Worth, thence 
southwest along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate 
Highway 10 in San Antonio, thence northwest along Interstate Highway 10 
to its junction with U.S. Highway 83 in Junction, thence north along 
U.S. Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of 
Childress, thence east along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-Oklahoma 
State line, thence south along the Texas-Oklahoma state line to the 
south bank of the Red River, thence eastward along the vegetation line 
on the south bank of the Red River to U.S. Highway 81.
    Zone C--The remainder of the State, except for the closed areas.
    Closed areas--(A) That portion of the State lying east and north of 
a line beginning at the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-
Oklahoma State line, thence southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its 
junction with U.S. Highway 287 in Montague County, thence southeast 
along U.S. Highway 287 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35W in 
Fort Worth, thence southwest along Interstate Highway 35 to its 
junction with U.S. Highway 290 East in Austin, thence east along U.S. 
Highway 290 to its junction with Interstate Loop 610 in Harris County, 
thence south and east along Interstate Loop 610 to its junction with 
Interstate Highway 45 in Houston, thence south on Interstate Highway 45 
to State Highway 342, thence to the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, and 
thence north and east along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the 
Texas-Louisiana State line.
    (B) That portion of the State lying within the boundaries of a line 
beginning at the Kleberg-Nueces County line and the shore of the Gulf 
of Mexico, thence west along the County line to Park Road 22 in Nueces 
County, thence north and west along Park Road 22 to its junction with 
State Highway 358 in Corpus Christi, thence west and north along State 
Highway 358 to its junction with State Highway 286, thence north along 
State Highway 286 to its junction with Interstate Highway 37, thence 
east along Interstate Highway 37 to its junction with U.S. Highway 181, 
thence north and west along U.S. Highway 181 to its junction with U.S. 
Highway 77 in Sinton, thence north and east along U.S. Highway 77 to 
its junction with U.S. Highway 87 in Victoria, thence south and east 
along U.S. Highway 87 to its junction with State Highway 35 at Port 
Lavaca, thence north and east along State Highway 35 to the south end 
of the Lavaca Bay Causeway, thence south and east along the shore of 
Lavaca Bay to its junction with the Port Lavaca Ship Channel, thence 
south and east along the Lavaca Bay Ship Channel to the Gulf of Mexico, 
and thence south and west along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the 
Kleberg-Nueces County line.
Wyoming
    Regular-Season Open Area--Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen, 
Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties.
    Riverton-Boysen Unit--Portions of Fremont County.
    Park and Big Horn County Unit--Portions of Park and Big Horn 
Counties.

Pacific Flyway

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

All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska

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

All Migratory Game Birds in the Virgin Islands

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

[[Page 40214]]

All Migratory Game Birds in Puerto Rico

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

 [FR Doc. E7-14071 Filed 7-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P