[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 26, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44730-44750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18374]



[[Page 44729]]

Vol. 76

Tuesday,

No. 143

July 26, 2011

Part IV





Department of the Interior





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





Fish and Wildlife Service





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





50 CFR Part 20





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

  Federal Register / Vol. 76 , No. 143 / Tuesday, July 26, 2011 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 44730]]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

[Docket No. FWS-R9-MB-2011-0014; 91200-1231-9BPP-L2]
RIN 1018-AX34


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.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we) 
is proposing to establish the 2011-12 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. This proposed 
rule also provides the final regulatory alternatives for the 2011-12 
duck hunting seasons.

DATES: Comments: You must submit comments on the proposed early-season 
frameworks by August 5, 2011.
    Meetings: The Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee (SRC) 
will meet to consider and develop proposed regulations for late-season 
migratory bird hunting and the 2012 spring/summer migratory bird 
subsistence seasons in Alaska on July 27 and 28, 2011. All meetings 
will commence at approximately 8:30 a.m.

ADDRESSES: Comments: You may submit comments on the proposals by one of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-R9-
MB-2011-0014.
     U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, 
Attn: FWS-R9-MB-2011-0014; Division of Policy and Directives 
Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 
2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.
    We will not accept e-mailed or faxed comments. We will post all 
comments on http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we 
will post any personal information you provide us (see the Public 
Comments section below for more information).
    Meetings: The SRC will meet in room 200 of the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service's Arlington Square Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Dr., 
Arlington, VA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron W. Kokel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Department of the Interior, MS MBSP-4107-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20240; (703) 358-1714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations Schedule for 2011

    On April 8, 2011, we published in the Federal Register (76 FR 
19876) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal provided a 
background and overview of the migratory bird hunting regulations 
process, and addressed the establishment of seasons, limits, 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 
2011-12 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal 
Register notifications were also identified in the April 8 proposed 
rule.
    Further, we explained that all sections of subsequent documents 
outlining hunting frameworks and guidelines were organized under 
numbered headings. Those headings are:

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. Wood Ducks
    ix. Youth Hunt
    x. Mallard Management Units
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. Sandhill Cranes
10. Coots
11. Moorhens and Gallinules
12. Rails
13. Snipe
14. Woodcock
15. Band-Tailed Pigeons
16. Doves
17. Alaska
18. Hawaii
19. Puerto Rico
20. Virgin Islands
21. Falconry
22. 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 22, 2011, we published in the Federal Register (76 FR 
36508) a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- 
and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. The June 22 
supplement also provided detailed information on the 2011-12 regulatory 
schedule and announced the 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 and the regulatory alternatives for the 2011-12 duck 
hunting seasons. It will lead to final frameworks from which States may 
select season dates, shooting hours, and daily bag and possession 
limits for the 2011-12 season.
    We have considered all pertinent comments received through June 30, 
2011, on the April 8 and June 22, 2011, 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 
16, 2011.

Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee Meetings

    Participants at the June 22-23, 2011, meetings reviewed information 
on the current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and 
developed 2011-12 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 July 27-28, 2011, meetings 
will review information on the current status of waterfowl and develop 
recommendations for the 2011-12 regulations pertaining to regular

[[Page 44731]]

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 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 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or from our Web site at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewsPublicationsReports.html.

Waterfowl Breeding 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, helicopters, and ground crews and encompass principal 
breeding areas of North America, covering an area 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 during the 2011 Waterfowl Breeding 
Population and Habitat Survey were characterized by average to above-
average moisture and a normal winter and spring across the entire 
traditional and eastern survey areas. The exception was a portion of 
the west-central traditional survey area that had received below-
average moisture. The total pond estimate (Prairie Canada and United 
States combined) was 8.1  0.2 million. This was 22 percent 
above the 2010 estimate of 6.7  0.2 million ponds, and 62 
percent above the long-term average of 5.0  0.03 million 
ponds.
Traditional Survey Area (U.S. and Canadian Prairies and Parklands)
    Conditions across the Canadian Prairies were greatly improved 
relative to last year. Building on excellent conditions from 2010 in 
portions of southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, the area of 
excellent conditions in the prairies expanded in 2011, including a 
region along the Alberta and Saskatchewan border that had been poor for 
the last 2 years. The 2011 estimate of ponds in Prairie Canada was 4.9 
 0.2 million. This was 31 percent above last year's 
estimate (3.7  0.2 million) and 43 percent above the 1955-
2010 average (3.4  0.03 million). As expected, residual 
water from summer 2010 precipitation remained in the Parklands and the 
majority of the area was classified as good. Fair to poor conditions, 
however, were observed in the Parklands of Alberta.
    Wetland numbers and conditions were excellent in the U.S. prairies. 
The 2011 pond estimate for the north-central U.S. was 3.2  
0.1 million, which was similar to last year's estimate (2.9  0.1 million) and 102 percent above the 1974-2010 average (1.6 
 0.02 million). The eastern U.S. prairies benefitted from 
abundant moisture in 2010 and the entire U.S. prairies experienced 
above-average winter and spring precipitation in 2010 and 2011, 
resulting in good to excellent conditions across nearly the entire 
region. The western Dakotas and eastern Montana, which were extremely 
dry in 2010, improved from fair to poor in 2010 to good to excellent in 
2011. Further, the abundant moisture and delayed farming operations in 
the north-central U.S. and southern Canadian prairies likely benefitted 
early-nesting waterfowl species.
Bush (Alaska, Northern Manitoba, Northern Saskatchewan, Northwest 
Territories, Yukon Territory, Western Ontario)
    In the bush regions of the traditional survey area (Northwest 
Territories, northern Manitoba, northern Saskatchewan, and western 
Ontario), spring breakup was late in 2011. However, a period of warm, 
fair weather just prior to the survey, greatly accelerated ice-out. 
Habitats improved from 2010 across most of northern Saskatchewan and 
Manitoba as a result of average to above-average summer and fall 
precipitation in 2010. Habitat conditions in the Northwest Territories 
and Alaska were classified as good in 2011. Dry conditions in the 
boreal forest of Alberta in 2010 persisted into 2011 as habitat 
conditions were again rated as fair to poor. The dry conditions in this 
region contributed to numerous forest fires during the 2011 survey.
Eastern Survey Area
    In the eastern survey area, winter temperatures were above average 
and precipitation was below average over most of the region, with the 
exception of the Maritimes and Maine, which had colder than normal 
temperatures and above-average precipitation. Despite regional 
differences in winter conditions, above-average spring precipitation 
recharged deficient wetlands, subsequently providing good to excellent 
production habitat across the region. The boreal forest and Canadian 
Maritimes of the eastern survey area continued to have good to 
excellent habitat conditions in 2011. Habitat conditions in Ontario and 
southern Quebec improved from poor to fair in 2010 to good to 
excellent. Northern sections of the eastern survey area continued to 
remain in good to excellent conditions in 2011.

Status of Teal

    The estimate of blue-winged teal from the traditional survey area 
is 8.9 million. This record-high count represents a 41.0 percent 
increase from 2010, and is 91 percent above the 1955-2010 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 spring 2011 index for 
sandhill cranes in the Central Platte River Valley, Nebraska, 
uncorrected for visibility bias, was 363,356 birds. The photo-
corrected, 3-year average for 2008-10 was 600,892 cranes, which is 
above 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 2010-11. An estimated 8,738 hunters 
participated in these seasons, which was 10 percent higher than the 
number that participated in the previous season. Hunters harvested 
18,727 MCP cranes in the U.S. portion of the Central Flyway during the 
2010-11 seasons, which was 23 percent higher than the estimated harvest 
for the previous year and 29 percent higher than the long-term average. 
The retrieved harvest of MCP cranes in hunt areas outside of the 
Central Flyway (Arizona, Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico, 
Minnesota, Alaska, Canada, and Mexico combined) was 15,025 birds during 
2010-11. The preliminary estimate for the North American MCP sport 
harvest, including crippling losses, was 38,561 birds, which was a 51 
percent increase from the previous year's estimate. The long-term 
(1982-2008) trends for the MCP indicate that harvest has been 
increasing at a higher rate than population growth.

[[Page 44732]]

    The fall 2010 pre-migration survey for the Rocky Mountain 
Population (RMP) resulted in a count of 21,064 cranes. The 3-year 
average was 20,847 sandhill cranes, which is within the established 
population objective of 17,000-21,000 for the RMP. Hunting seasons 
during 2010-11 in portions of Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, 
Utah, and Wyoming resulted in a harvest of 1,336 RMP cranes, a 4 
percent decrease from the record-high harvest of 1,392 in 2009-10.
    The Lower Colorado River Valley Population (LCRVP) survey results 
indicate a slight increase from 2,264 birds in 2010 to 2,415 birds in 
2011. However, despite this slight increase, the 3-year average fell to 
2,360 LCRVP cranes, which is below the population objective of 2,500.
    The Eastern Population (EP) rebounded from near extirpation in the 
late 1800s to almost 30,000 cranes by 1996. In the fall of 2010, the 
estimate of EP cranes was approximately 50,000 birds. As a result of 
this increase and their range expansion, the Atlantic and Mississippi 
Flyway Councils developed a cooperative management plan for this 
population and criteria have been developed describing when hunting 
seasons can be opened. Kentucky has proposed to initiate the first 
hunting season on this population in the 2011-12 season (see 9. 
Sandhill Cranes section for further discussion).

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 for 2011 
indicate that the number of singing male woodcock in the Eastern and 
Central Management Regions were unchanged from 2010. There were no 
significant 10-year trends in woodcock heard in the Eastern or Central 
Management Regions during 2001-2011, which marks the eighth consecutive 
year that the 10-year trend estimate for the Eastern Region was stable, 
while the trend in the Central Region returned to being not 
statistically significant after being negative last year. There were 
long-term (1968-2011) declines of 1.0 percent per year in both 
management regions.
    The Wing-collection Survey provides an index to recruitment. Wing-
collection Survey data indicate that the 2010 recruitment index for the 
U.S. portion of the Eastern Region (1.5 immatures per adult female) was 
1.2 percent lower than the 2009 index, and 10.2 percent lower than the 
long-term (1963-2009) average. The recruitment index for the U.S. 
portion of the Central Region (1.6 immatures per adult female) was 30.2 
percent above the 2009 index and 2.1 percent below the long-term (1963-
2009) average.

Band-tailed Pigeons

    Two subspecies of band-tailed pigeon occur north of Mexico, and 
they are managed as two separate populations in the United States: the 
Interior Population and the Pacific Coast Population. Information on 
the abundance and harvest of band-tailed pigeons is collected annually 
in the United States and British Columbia. Abundance information comes 
from the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and, for the Pacific Coast 
Population, the BBS and the Mineral Site Survey (MSS). Annual counts of 
Interior band-tailed pigeons seen and heard per route have declined 
since implementation of the BBS in 1968. No statistically significant 
trends in abundance are evident during the recent 5- and 10-year 
periods. The 2010 harvest of Interior band-tailed pigeons was estimated 
to be 5,000 birds.
    BBS counts of Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons seen and heard per 
route also have declined since 1968, but trends in abundance during the 
recent 5- and 10-year periods were not significant. The MSS, however, 
provided evidence that abundance decreased during the recent 5- and 7-
year (since survey implementation) periods. The 2010 estimate of 
harvest for Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons was 18,400 birds.

Mourning Doves

    The Mourning Dove Call-count Survey (CCS) data is analyzed within a 
Bayesian hierarchical modeling framework, consistent with analysis 
methods for other long-term point count surveys such as the American 
Woodcock Singing-ground Survey and the North American Breeding Bird 
Survey. According to the analysis of the CCS, there was no trend in 
counts of mourning doves heard over the most recent 10 years (2002-11) 
in the Eastern Management Unit. There was a negative trend in mourning 
doves heard for the Central and Western Management Units. Over the 46-
year period, 1966-2011, the number of mourning doves heard per route 
decreased in all three dove management units. The number of doves seen 
per route was also collected during the CCS. For the past 10 years, 
there was no trend in doves seen for the Central and Western Management 
Units; however, there was evidence of an increasing trend in the 
Eastern Management Unit. Over 46 years, there was of a positive trend 
in doves seen in the Eastern Management Unit, and declining trends were 
indicated for the Central and Western Management Units. The preliminary 
2010 harvest estimate for the United States was 17,230,400 mourning 
doves.

White-Winged Doves

    Two states harbor substantial populations of white-winged dove 
population: Arizona and Texas. California and New Mexico have much 
smaller populations. The Arizona Game and Fish Department monitors 
white-winged dove populations by means of a CCS to provide an annual 
index to population size. It runs concurrently with the Service's 
Mourning Dove CCS. The index of mean number of white-winged doves heard 
per route from this survey peaked at 52.3 in 1968, but then declined 
until about 2000. The index has stabilized at around 25 doves per route 
in the last few years; in 2011, the mean number of doves heard per 
route was 24.4. Arizona Game and Fish also historically monitored 
white-winged dove harvest. Harvest of white-winged doves in Arizona 
peaked in the late 1960s at approximately 740,000 birds, and has since 
declined and stabilized at around 100,000 birds; the preliminary 2010 
Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) estimate of harvest 
was 84,900 birds.
    In Texas, white-winged doves continue to expand their breeding 
range. Nesting by white-winged doves has been recorded in most 
counties, with new colonies recently found in east Texas. Nesting is 
essentially confined to urban areas, but appears to be expanding to 
exurban areas. Concomitant with this range expansion has been a 
continuing increase in white-winged dove abundance. A new distance-
based sampling protocol was implemented for Central and South Texas in 
2007, and has been expanded each year. In 2010, 4,650 points were 
surveyed statewide and the urban population of breeding white-winged 
doves was estimated at 4.6 million. Current year's survey data are 
being analyzed and abundance estimates will be available later this 
summer. Additionally, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has an 
operational white-winged dove banding program and has banded 52,001 
white-winged doves from 2006 to 2010. The estimated harvest of white-
wings in Texas in the 2010 season was 1,436,800 birds. The Texas Parks 
and Wildlife Department continues to work to improve the scientific 
basis for management of white-winged doves.

[[Page 44733]]

    In California, Florida, Louisiana, and New Mexico available BBS 
data indicate an increasing trend in the population indices between 
1966 and 2010. According to HIP surveys, the preliminary harvest 
estimates were 78,200 white-winged doves in California, 6,200 in 
Florida, 4,600 in Louisiana, and 29,500 in New Mexico.

White-Tipped Doves

    White-tipped doves occur primarily south of the United States-
Mexico border; however, the species does occur in Texas. Monitoring 
information is presently limited. White-tipped doves are believed to be 
maintaining a relatively stable population in the Lower Rio Grande 
Valley of Texas. Distance-based sampling procedures implemented in 
Texas are also providing limited information on white-tipped dove 
abundance. Texas is working to improve the sampling frame to include 
the rural Rio Grande corridor in order to improve the utility of 
population indices. Annual estimates for white-tipped dove harvest in 
Texas average between 3,000 and 4,000 birds.

Review of Public Comments

    The preliminary proposed rulemaking (April 8 Federal Register) 
opened the public comment period for migratory game bird hunting 
regulations and announced the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 
2011-12 duck hunting season. Comments concerning early-season issues 
and the proposed alternatives are summarized below and numbered in the 
order used in the April 8 Federal Register document. Only the numbered 
items pertaining to early-seasons issues and the proposed regulatory 
alternatives for which we received written comments 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 8 Federal Register document.

General

    Written Comments: An individual commenter protested the entire 
migratory bird hunting regulations process, the killing of all 
migratory birds, and the lack of accepting electronic public comments.
    Service Response: Our long-term objectives continue to include 
providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game 
bird populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each 
population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Having taken 
into account the zones of temperature and the distribution, abundance, 
economic value, breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of 
migratory birds, we believe that the hunting seasons provided herein 
are compatible with the current status of migratory bird populations 
and long-term population goals. Additionally, we are obligated to, and 
do, give serious consideration to all information received as public 
comment. While there are problems inherent with any type of 
representative management of public-trust resources, we believe that 
the Flyway-Council system of migratory bird management has been a 
longstanding example of State-Federal cooperative management since its 
establishment in 1952. However, as always, we continue to seek new ways 
to streamline and improve the process.
    Regarding the comment concerning our acceptance, or lack thereof, 
of electronic public comments, we do accept electronic comments filed 
through the official Federal eRulemaking portal (http://www.regulations.gov). Public comment methods are identified and listed 
above under ADDRESSES.

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 Mississippi Flyway Council recommended 
that regulations changes be restricted to one step per year, both when 
restricting as well as liberalizing hunting regulations.
    Service Response: As we stated in the April 8 Federal Register, we 
intend to continue use of Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) to help 
determine appropriate duck-hunting regulations for the 2011-12 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 and their breeding habitat (i.e., abundance of 
ponds) (special hunting restrictions are enacted for certain species, 
such as canvasbacks, black ducks, scaup, and pintails).
    As we previously stated regarding incorporation of a one-step 
constraint into the AHM process (73 FR 50678, August 27, 2008), this 
proposal was addressed by the AHM Task Force of the Association of Fish 
and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) in its report and recommendations. Because 
there is no consensus on behalf of the Flyway Councils on how to modify 
the regulatory alternatives, we believe that the new Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement for the migratory bird hunting program 
(see NEPA Consideration section in the April 8 Federal Register) is an 
appropriate venue for considering such changes in a more comprehensive 
manner that involves input from all Flyways.
    We will propose a specific regulatory alternative for each of the 
Flyways during the 2011-12 season after survey information becomes 
available later this summer. More information on AHM is located at 
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Management/AHM/AHM-intro.htm.

B. Regulatory Alternatives

    Council Recommendations: The Mississippi and Central Flyway 
Councils recommended that regulatory alternatives for duck hunting 
seasons remain the same as those used in 2010.
    Service Response: The regulatory alternatives proposed in the April 
8 Federal Register will be used for the 2011-12 hunting season (see 
accompanying table at the end of this proposed rule for specifics). In 
2005, the AHM regulatory alternatives were modified to consist only of 
the maximum season lengths, framework dates, and bag limits for total 
ducks and mallards. Restrictions for certain species within these 
frameworks that are not covered by existing harvest strategies will be 
addressed during the late-season regulations process. For those species

[[Page 44734]]

with specific harvest strategies (canvasbacks, pintails, black ducks, 
and scaup), those strategies will again be used for the 2011-12 hunting 
season.

C. Zones and Split Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
allowing States two periods for selecting their zone and split options: 
spring 2011 for currently offered options, and spring 2012 for possible 
additional available options.
    The Mississippi Flyway Council urged us to provide new options for 
zones/split-season criteria (i.e., three zones with two splits or four 
zones) for use during the 2011-12 regulations cycle season (see the 
April 8 Federal Register for a full discussion). They note, however, 
that some States may not be able to use these new criteria even if they 
are approved this spring because of their internal regulations-setting 
process. Thus, they request extending the open season for States to 
select zone/split-season configurations through the 2012 regulations 
cycle.
    The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended extending the 
current open season for States to select regular season zone/split 
configurations for 2011-15 through June 2012.
    Written Comments: The Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils and 
the States of Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, New York, Wisconsin 
and Wyoming expressed their support for our April 8 proposal to modify 
the zones and split season guidelines to allow up to four zones (no 
splits) and up to three zones with two splits, including all 
grandfathered arrangements. Both the Councils and States supported the 
extension of the open season for State selections of zone and split 
season configurations into the 2012-13 regulatory cycle. There was also 
widespread support for the creation of a Human Dimensions Working Group 
that is capable of advancing informed decision-making frameworks for 
explicitly considering human dimensions aspects of waterfowl management 
issues. The States appreciated our efforts to assess the potential 
impacts of changes in the criteria on duck harvest, and believed that 
such impacts would be minimal.
    Six non-governmental organizations from Illinois and 106 
individuals from Illinois, Ohio, and Wisconsin expressed support for 
the Flyway Councils' recommended changes to the guidelines. Twenty 
individuals did not support changing the guidelines, while four 
individuals supported the abolishment of zone and split season criteria 
altogether.
    Service Response: As we discussed in the April 8 Federal Register, 
we proposed new guidelines for duck zones and split seasons for use by 
States in setting their seasons for the 2011-15 hunting seasons. We 
also prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) on the proposed 
zone and split season guidelines and provided a brief summary of the 
anticipated impacts of the preferred alternative with regard to the 
guidelines. Specifics of each of the four alternatives we analyzed can 
be found on our Web site at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds, or at 
http://www.regulations.gov. The comment period on the EA closed on May 
15, 2011.
    We remain supportive of the Flyway Councils' desire to expand the 
existing zone and split season criteria, but note that the adequacy of 
the National Flyway Council's human dimensions study design that we 
required last year (75 FR 58250, September 23, 2010) as part of our 
initial intent and proposal still does not meet our expectations. Thus, 
the Councils and the Service have committed to form a smaller working 
group to help resolve these differences, and we will consider a revised 
study proposal as soon as it is available. Assuming an acceptable study 
plan can be agreed upon, we will consider offering the expanded zone/
split criteria to States in both the current year's regulation cycle 
and again in the 2012-13 regulations cycle.

D. Special Seasons/Species Management

i. Special Teal Seasons
    Regarding the regulations for this year, utilizing the criteria 
developed for the teal season harvest strategy, this year's estimate of 
8.9 million blue-winged teal from the traditional survey area indicates 
that a 16-day September teal season in the Atlantic, Central, and 
Mississippi Flyways is appropriate for 2011.
ix. Youth Hunt
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that we remove the criteria for youth hunting days to be 2 consecutive 
hunting days and allow the 2 days to be taken singularly or 
consecutively outside any regular duck season on a weekend, holidays, 
or other non-school days when youth hunters would have the maximum 
opportunity to participate.
    Service Response: We concur with the Atlantic Flyway Council's 
recommendation to allow States to offer 2 youth hunt days in addition 
to their regular seasons, with no requirement that the youth hunts be 
held on consecutive hunting days. Our intent in first establishing this 
special day of opportunity in 1996 (61 FR 49232, September 18, 1996) 
was to introduce youth to the concepts of ethical utilization and 
stewardship of waterfowl and other natural resources, encourage 
youngsters and adults to experience the outdoors together, and to 
contribute to the long-term conservation of the migratory bird 
resource. We stated then that we viewed the special youth hunting day 
as a unique educational opportunity, above and beyond the regular 
season, which helps ensure high-quality learning experiences for those 
youth indicating an interest in hunting. We further believed that the 
youth hunting day would help develop a conservation ethic in our youth 
and was consistent with the Service's responsibility to foster an 
appreciation for our nation's valuable wildlife resources. However, 
there have been few attempts to determine whether youth hunts have 
achieved their intended purpose. Thus, we request that when the Human 
Dimensions Working Group is formed, that it be charged with assessing 
the effectiveness of youth waterfowl hunts as a hunter recruitment 
tool. Until such an assessment has been conducted, we will not consider 
any further changes to the criteria for youth hunts.
x. Mallard Management Units
    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended 
changes to the High Plains Mallard Management Unit boundary in Nebraska 
and Kansas for simplification and clarification of regulations 
enforcement.
    Service Response: We do not support the modification of the 
boundary of the High Plains Mallard Management Unit in Kansas and 
Nebraska. While we appreciate the Council's desire for ways to improve 
enforcement, we note that the boundaries in those two States have been 
in place since the 1970s and are sufficiently clear for enforcement of 
waterfowl hunting regulations. Further, we do not believe sufficient 
biological information is available to warrant changes to the boundary 
at the scales proposed. However, if the Flyway Council believes the 
demographics of ducks have changed and may warrant a change in the 
boundary, we suggest that an assessment of data should be conducted 
that could inform a change at the Management Unit level.

[[Page 44735]]

4. Canada Geese

A. Special Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that the 10-day experimental season extension (September 16-25) of the 
special September Canada goose hunting season in Delaware become 
operational.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended that we increase the daily 
bag limit framework from five to eight for North Dakota during the 
special early Canada goose hunting season in September.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended increasing the daily bag 
limit in the Pacific Flyway portion of Colorado from three geese to 
four geese, and increasing the possession limit from six to eight birds 
during the special September season.
    Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's 
recommendation that Delaware's September Canada goose season become 
operational. As the Council notes in their recommendation, resident 
Canada geese remain overabundant in many areas of the Flyway. The 
current population exceeds approximately 1 million while the goal in 
the Atlantic Flyway Resident Canada Goose Management Plan is 650,000 
geese. Approval of this season would be consistent with the current 
management plan. Specifically in Delaware, the resident Canada goose 
population has continued to increase with a 2010 population index of 
10,880 birds, well above the breeding population goal of 1,000 birds. 
Further, results of the 3-year experimental extension (2008-10) 
demonstrated that the harvest during this season is comprised of 
predominately resident geese and meets the current criteria established 
for Special Canada Goose Seasons. Band recovery data also indicated 
that no direct recovery of Atlantic Population (AP)-banded geese 
occurred during the entire 3-year experimental timeframe. We concur 
that making the season operational would help maximize harvest of 
resident Canada geese within Delaware, with minimal to no additional 
impact to migrant geese, while also increasing hunting opportunities.
    We also agree with the Central Flyway Council's request to increase 
the Canada goose daily bag limit in North Dakota. Last year, we 
increased the daily bag limit in South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and 
Oklahoma during their special early Canada goose seasons (75 FR 52873, 
August 30, 2010). The Special Early Canada Goose hunting season is 
generally designed to reduce or control overabundant resident Canada 
geese populations. Increasing the daily bag limit from 5 to 8 geese may 
help North Dakota reduce or control existing high populations of 
resident Canada geese; currently in excess of 325,000 geese (May 2010 
estimate) with a population objective of 60,000-100,000.
    Regarding the increase in the daily bag limit in Colorado, we 
agree. As the Pacific Flyway Council notes in their recommendation, the 
2010 Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) breeding population index (BPI) 
was 143,842, a 15 percent increase from the 2009 index of 124,684, but 
10 percent below the 3-year average BPI of 160,434. Further, while the 
2011 RMP Midwinter Index (MWI) of 124,427 showed a 17 percent decrease 
from the previous year's index of 149,831, and the 2011 RMP MWI was 7 
percent below its running 3-year average of 133,312 geese, this total 
is still well above the level in the management plan which allows for 
harvest liberalization (80,000). Further, population index data and 
estimated harvest effects support increasing the bag and possession 
limits in Colorado. In the past 3 years, while counts from the spring 
breeding survey have stayed relatively stable, post-hunting indices 
collected as part of the mid-winter survey have increased. An increase 
in the daily bag limit is expected to result in minimal increases in 
Canada goose harvest rates.

B. Regular Seasons

    Council Recommendations: 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, 2011.
    Service Response: We concur. Michigan, beginning in 1998, and 
Wisconsin, beginning in 1989, have opened their regular Canada goose 
seasons prior to the Flyway-wide framework opening date to address 
resident goose management concerns in these States. As we have 
previously stated (73 FR 50678, August 27, 2008), 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. We note that the most recent resident Canada 
goose estimate for the Mississippi Flyway was 1.61 million birds in 
2010, which was 10 percent higher than the 2009 estimate, and well 
above the Flyway's population goal of 1.18 to 1.40 million birds.

9. Sandhill Cranes

    Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended 
a 3-year experimental 30-day sandhill crane season for the Eastern 
Population (EP) of sandhill cranes in Kentucky beginning in the 2011-12 
season.
    The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils recommend using the 2011 
Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) sandhill crane harvest allocation of 
1,771 birds as proposed in the allocation formula described in the 
management plan for this population. The Councils also recommended the 
establishment of two new hunting areas for RMP greater sandhill crane 
hunting in Montana; the addition of Golden Valley County to an existing 
RMP sandhill crane hunting unit, and the establishment of a new RMP 
sandhill crane hunting unit in Broadwater County.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended not allowing a limited hunt 
for Lower Colorado River Valley Population (LCRVP) Sandhill Cranes in 
Arizona during the 2011-12 hunting season. Survey results indicate the 
3-year average population estimate is below the 2,500 birds required by 
the EA and management plan to hunt this population.
    Written Comments: The International Crane Foundation (ICF) and an 
individual commented that no population modeling had been done for EP 
sandhill cranes and that the proposed harvest in Kentucky could consume 
a substantial portion of the productivity of the EP breeding crane 
population in the Upper Midwest. The ICF also believed that data on the 
origin of birds that would be harvested in Kentucky were incomplete. 
Finally, the ICF provided several comments regarding the development of 
the EP crane management plan.
    The ICF and the Kentucky Resources Council (KRC) commented that the 
Kentucky proposal did not include details about the degree of public 
participation that would be sought in the decision regarding whether 
and how to hunt cranes; that sufficient public input had not be 
solicited to date; and that the Service should defer on the decision to 
hunt cranes.
    Lastly, the KRC noted that the new Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for the migratory bird hunting program has not 
been finalized, and that given the significant scientific uncertainties 
associated with Kentucky's proposal, and the fact that there is a 
distinct possibility the sandhill crane hunt might result in the taking 
of endangered whooping cranes,

[[Page 44736]]

an EIS should be developed to evaluate a full range of reasonable 
management alternatives for EP sandhill cranes.
    The Buckley Hills Audubon Society also expressed concern about the 
scientific uncertainty of the Kentucky proposal and for the potential 
taking of whooping cranes.
    Service Response: Last year, the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway 
Councils adopted a management plan for EP cranes. This year, Kentucky 
has submitted a crane hunt proposal to both Flyways that follows the 
hunt plan guidelines and calls for a 30-day season with a maximum 
harvest of 400 cranes. We support the Kentucky crane hunt proposal. 
Total anticipated harvest and crippling loss would be less than 1 
percent of the current 3-year average population index for EP cranes 
(51,217 cranes), well below the level of harvest of other crane 
populations (e.g., MCP harvest is 6.7 percent of the population size, 
while RMP is 4.9 percent).
    Additionally, we prepared a draft EA on the hunting of EP sandhill 
cranes as allowed under the management plan. Specifics of the two 
alternatives we analyzed can be found on our Web site at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds, or at http://www.regulations.gov. Our EA 
outlines two different approaches for assessing the ability of the EP 
crane population to withstand the level of harvest contained in EP 
management plan: (1) The potential biological removal allowance method; 
and (2) a simple population model using fall survey data and annual 
survival rates. The EA concluded that the anticipated combined level of 
harvest and crippling loss in Kentucky could be sustained by the 
proposed hunt. Furthermore, population modeling indicated that any 
harvest below 2,000 birds would still result in a growing population of 
EP cranes.
    With regard to the origin of cranes harvested in Kentucky, we note 
that EP cranes are managed as one population and that no monitoring at 
the sub-population level is required, or necessary, by the EP 
management plan. We believe that we have fulfilled our NEPA obligation 
with the preparation of an EA, and therefore an EIS is not required.
    With regard to the potential taking of endangered whooping cranes, 
the season dates contained in the Kentucky proposal were chosen such 
that they would begin approximately 3 weeks after whooping cranes have 
normally migrated through the State, reducing the likelihood that 
sandhill crane hunters would encounter whooping cranes. We further 
point out that whooping cranes that migrate through Kentucky are part 
of the Experimental Nonessential Population of whooping cranes (NEP). 
In 2001, the Service announced its intent to reintroduce whooping 
cranes (Grus americana) into historic habitat in the eastern United 
States with the intent to establish a migratory flock that would summer 
and breed in Wisconsin, and winter in west-central Florida (66 FR 
14107, March 9, 2001). We designated this reintroduced population as an 
NEP according to section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(Act), as amended. Mississippi and Atlantic Flyway States within the 
NEP area maintain their management prerogatives regarding the whooping 
crane (66 FR 33903, June 26, 2001). They are not directed by the 
reintroduction program to take any specific actions to provide any 
special protective measures, nor are they prevented from imposing 
restrictions under State law, such as protective designations, and area 
closures.
    We further note that the harvest of cranes in Kentucky will be 
controlled by a mandatory tagging and phone reporting system, which 
will ensure that the harvest objective of 400 birds is not exceeded. 
Additionally, the season would be closed early if the harvest objective 
is met before 30 days.
    We also agree with the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils' 
recommendations on the RMP sandhill crane harvest allocation of 1,771 
birds for the 2011-12 season, as outlined in the RMP sandhill crane 
management plan's harvest allocation formula. The objective for the RMP 
sandhill crane is to manage for a stable population index of 17,000-
21,000 cranes determined by an average of the three most recent, 
reliable September (fall pre-migration) surveys. Additionally, the RMP 
sandhill crane management plan allows for the regulated harvest of 
cranes when the population index exceeds 15,000 cranes. In 2010, 21,064 
cranes were counted in the September survey and the most recent 3-year 
average for the RMP sandhill crane fall index is 20,847 birds. Both of 
the new hunt areas in Montana are allowed under the management plan.
    Regarding the proposal to discontinue the limited hunt for LCRVP 
cranes in Arizona this year, we agree. In 2007, the Pacific Flyway 
Council recommended, and we approved, the establishment of a limited 
hunt for the LCRVP sandhill cranes in Arizona (72 FR 49622, August 28, 
2007). However, due to problems that year with the population inventory 
on which the LCRVP hunt plan is based, the Arizona Game and Fish 
Department chose to not conduct the hunt in 2007, and sought approval 
from the Service again in 2008, to begin conducting the hunt. We 
subsequently again approved the limited hunt (73 FR 50678, August 27, 
2008). Then, due to complications encountered with the proposed 
initiation of this new season occurring during litigation regarding 
opening new hunting seasons on Federal National Wildlife Refuges, the 
experimental limited hunt season was not opened in 2008. Thus, in 2009, 
the State of Arizona requested that 2009-12 be designated as the new 
experimental period and designated an area under State control where 
the experimental hunt would be conducted. Last year, Arizona did 
implement the planned limited hunt; however, no cranes were harvested.
    This year, the LCRVP survey results indicate that the 3-year 
average of LCRVP cranes is below the population objective of 2,500. 
Thus, while we continue to support the 3-year experimental framework 
for this hunt, conditional on successful monitoring being conducted as 
called for in the Flyway hunt plan for this population, we concur with 
the Pacific Flyway Council that the hunt should not be held this year.

14. Woodcock

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
adoption of the ``moderate'' season package of 45 days with a 3-bird 
daily bag limit in the Eastern Management Region for the 2011-12 season 
as outlined in the Interim American Woodcock Harvest Strategy 
(available at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewsPublicationsReports.html). They also recommended that States 
previously allowed to zone for woodcock be allowed to continue that 
arrangement with the associated 20-percent penalty in season length 
(i.e., 36 days in each of New Jersey's zones).
    Service Response: Last year, following review and comment by the 
Flyway Councils and the public, we adopted an interim harvest strategy 
for woodcock beginning in the 2011-12 hunting season for a period of 5 
years (2011-15) (75 FR 52873, August 30, 2010). Specifics of the 
interim harvest strategy can be found at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewsPublicationsReports.html.
    As we stated last year, the interim harvest strategy provides a 
transparent framework for making regulatory decisions for woodcock 
season length and bag limit while we work to improve monitoring and 
assessment protocols for this species.

[[Page 44737]]

16. Mourning Doves

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway 
Councils recommended use of the ``moderate'' season framework for 
States within the Eastern Management Unit population of mourning doves 
resulting in a 70-day season and 15-bird daily bag limit. The daily bag 
limit could be composed of mourning doves and white-winged doves, 
singly or in combination.
    The Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils recommend the use of 
the standard (or ``moderate'') season package of a 15-bird daily bag 
limit and a 70-day season for the 2011-12 mourning dove season in the 
States within the Central Management Unit. The Central Flyway Council 
also recommended that the opening date for the South Dove Zone in Texas 
be the Friday before the third Saturday in September.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended use of the ``moderate'' 
season framework for States in the Western Management Unit (WMU) 
population of mourning doves, which represents no change from last 
year's frameworks. The Council also recommended combining mourning and 
white-winged dove season frameworks into a single framework, and 
allowing an aggregate bag in all Pacific Flyway States in the WMU.
    Service Response: In 2008, we accepted and endorsed the interim 
harvest strategies for the Central, Eastern, and Western Management 
Units (73 FR 50678, August 27, 2008). As we stated then, the interim 
mourning dove harvest strategies are a step towards implementing the 
Mourning Dove National Strategic Harvest Plan (Plan) that was approved 
by all four Flyway Councils in 2003. The Plan represents a new, more 
informed means of decision-making for dove harvest management besides 
relying solely on traditional roadside counts of mourning doves as 
indicators of population trend. However, recognizing that a more 
comprehensive, national approach would take time to develop, we 
requested the development of interim harvest strategies, by management 
unit, until the elements of the Plan can be fully implemented. In 2009, 
the interim harvest strategies were successfully employed and 
implemented in all three Management Units (74 FR 36870, July 24, 2009).
    This year, based on the interim harvest strategies and current 
population status, we agree with the recommended selection of the 
``moderate'' season frameworks for doves in the Eastern, Central, and 
Western Management Units.
    Regarding the Central Flyway Council's recommendation to move the 
opening date for the South Dove Zone in Texas from the Saturday nearest 
September 20 (but not earlier than September 17) to the Friday before 
the third Saturday in September, we do not support the Council's 
recommendation. We remain concerned about the potential impact on the 
recruitment of late-nesting doves of opening of hunting seasons earlier 
than the State currently does. We believe that additional biological 
information should be collected to assess potential biological impacts 
before making additional changes to the opening date.
    Lastly, we concur with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation 
to combine mourning and white-winged dove season frameworks into a 
single framework, and allow an aggregate bag in all Pacific Flyway 
States in the WMU. We believe this change will simplify the frameworks 
for use by the States when selecting seasons. Further, we have applied 
this change to all dove frameworks in all management units (see the 
Doves framework section of this proposed rule for further information).

18. Alaska

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended 
removal of Canada goose daily bag limit restrictions within the overall 
dark goose daily bag limit in Units 9, 10, 17, and 18. In these Units, 
the dark goose limits would be 6 geese per day, with 12 geese in 
possession.
    Service Response: We concur with the proposed removal of the Canada 
goose daily bag limit restrictions within the overall dark goose daily 
bag limit. We agree with the Council that cackling geese restrictions 
on primary breeding and staging areas are not warranted given recent 
reassessments of population data and the fact that Alaska's Units 9, 
10, 17, and 18 have very little Canada goose sport harvest. We expect 
the harvest increase in Alaska will be small.

22. Falconry

    Written Comments: An individual proposed adding a spring hunting 
season for falconers, primarily in March.
    Service Response: Currently, we allow falconry as a permitted means 
of taking migratory game birds in any State meeting Federal falconry 
standards in 50 CFR 21.29. Such States may select an extended season 
for taking migratory game birds as long as the combined length of the 
extended season, regular season, and any special or experimental 
seasons does not exceed 107 days for any species or group of species in 
a geographical area. In addition, all such seasons must fall between 
September 1 and March 10, as stipulated in the Migratory Bird Treaty 
(Treaty).
    We note that in those States that already experience 107-day 
seasons (i.e., ducks in the Pacific Flyway), there is no opportunity 
for extended falconry seasons. Further, given the Treaty limitations, 
no hunting seasons may extend past March 10.

Public Comments

    The Department of the Interior's policy is, whenever possible, 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 promulgating final migratory game bird hunting 
regulations, we will consider all comments we receive. These comments, 
and any additional information we receive, may lead to final 
regulations that differ from these proposals.
    You may submit your comments and materials concerning this proposed 
rule by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. We will not 
accept comments sent by e-mail or fax. We will not consider hand-
delivered comments that we do not receive, or mailed comments that are 
not postmarked, by the date specified in the DATES section.
    We will post all comments in their entirety--including your 
personal identifying information--on http://www.regulations.gov. 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.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule, will be 
available for public inspection on http://www.regulations.gov, or by 
appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, 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

[[Page 44738]]

summarize all comments we receive during the comment period and respond 
to them after the closing date in the preambles of any final rules.

Required Determinations

    Based on our most current data, we are affirming our required 
determinations made in the proposed rule; for descriptions of our 
actions to ensure compliance with the following statutes and Executive 
Orders, see our April 8, 2011, proposed rule (76 FR 19876):
     National Environmental Policy Act;
     Endangered Species Act;
     Regulatory Flexibility Act;
     Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act;
     Paperwork Reduction Act;
     Unfunded Mandates Reform Act;
     Executive Orders 12630, 12866, 12988, 13175, 13132, and 
13211.

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 2011-12 
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 
a-j.

    Dated: July 13, 2011.
Eileen Sobeck,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 2011-12 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, 
2011, and March 10, 2012. These frameworks are summarized below.

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.
    Permits: For some species of migratory birds, the Service 
authorizes the use of permits to regulate harvest or monitor their take 
by sport hunters, or both. In many cases (e.g., tundra swans, some 
sandhill crane populations), the Service determines the amount of 
harvest that may be taken during hunting seasons during its formal 
regulations-setting process, and the States then issue permits to 
hunters at levels predicted to result in the amount of take authorized 
by the Service. Thus, although issued by States, the permits would not 
be valid unless the Service approved such take in its regulations.
    These Federally authorized, State-issued permits are issued to 
individuals, and only the individual whose name and address appears on 
the permit at the time of issuance is authorized to take migratory 
birds at levels specified in the permit, in accordance with provisions 
of both Federal and State regulations governing the hunting season. The 
permit must be carried by the permittee when exercising its provisions 
and must be presented to any law enforcement officer upon request. The 
permit is not transferrable or assignable to another individual, and 
may not be sold, bartered, traded, or otherwise provided to another 
person. If the permit is altered or defaced in any way, the permit 
becomes invalid.

Flyways and Management Units

Waterfowl Flyways

    Atlantic Flyway--includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, 
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, 
Virginia, and West Virginia.
    Mississippi Flyway--includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, 
Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, 
Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
    Central Flyway--includes Colorado (east of the Continental Divide), 
Kansas, Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith Basin, 
Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties east thereof), 
Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except the 
Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, South 
Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the Continental Divide).
    Pacific Flyway--includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, 
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado, 
Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.

Management Units

Mourning Dove Management Units

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

Woodcock Management Regions

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

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's 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 16 consecutive 
hunting days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. The 
daily bag limit is 4 teal.

[[Page 44739]]

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 17). 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 2 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 Long-Tailed 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. Seasons not to exceed 30 
days during September 1-30 may be selected for Connecticut, Florida, 
Georgia, New Jersey, New York (Long Island Zone only), 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.
    Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that 
during any general season, shooting hours may extend to one-half hour 
after sunset if all other waterfowl seasons are closed in the specific 
applicable area.

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, 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.
    Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that 
during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after 
sunset if all other waterfowl seasons are closed in the specific 
applicable area.

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, except in Kansas, 
Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Dakota, where the bag limit 
may not exceed 8 Canada geese. Areas open to the hunting of Canada 
geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each 
State's hunting regulations.
    Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that 
during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after 
sunset if all other waterfowl seasons are closed in the specific 
applicable area.

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 4.

[[Page 44740]]

    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 during the 
period September 1-15. This season is subject to the following 
conditions:
    A. Where applicable, the season must be concurrent with the 
September portion of the sandhill crane season.
    B. 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 Mississippi Flyway

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28.
    Hunting Seasons: A season not to exceed 37 consecutive days may be 
selected in the designated portion of northwestern Minnesota (Northwest 
Goose Zone).
    Daily Bag Limit: 2 Sandhill cranes.
    Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane 
season must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting 
permit.

Experimental Seasons in the Mississippi Flyway

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: A season not to exceed 30 consecutive days may be 
selected in Kentucky.
    Daily Bag Limit: Not to exceed 2 daily and 2 per season.
    Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane 
season must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting 
permit.
    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 
Mississippi Flyway Council.

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 
season must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting 
permit.

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 
consecutive 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:
    A. In Utah, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP 
quota;
    B. In Arizona, monitoring the racial composition of the harvest 
must be conducted at 3-year intervals;
    C. In Idaho, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP 
quota; and
    D. In New Mexico, the season in the Estancia Valley is 
experimental, with a requirement to monitor the level and racial 
composition of the harvest; greater sandhill cranes in the harvest will 
be assigned to the RMP quota.

Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and the last Sunday in January 
(January 29) 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 29) on clapper, 
king, sora, and Virginia rails.
    Hunting Seasons: Seasons 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.

[[Page 44741]]

    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 24) and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 45 
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 36 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.

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 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

For All States Except Texas

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days, with a 
daily 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

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days, with a 
daily bag limit of 15 mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped doves in 
the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be white-tipped doves.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: 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 Special White-Winged Dove 
Area).
    B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between 
September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between the Friday 
nearest September 20 (September 23), but not earlier than September 17, 
and January 25.
    C. Except as noted above, regulations for bag and possession 
limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within each 
hunting zone.

Special White-Winged Dove Area in Texas

    In addition, Texas 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 15 
white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of 
which no more than 4 may be mourning doves and no more than 2 may be 
white-tipped doves.

Western Management Unit

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits

    Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington--Not more than 30 
consecutive days, with a daily bag limit of 10 mourning 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. During the 
remainder of the season, the daily bag limit is 10 mourning doves. In 
California, the daily bag limit is 10 mourning and white-winged doves 
in the aggregate.

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

    A. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from 
September 28 through December 16.
    B. On Middleton Island in Unit 6, a special, permit-only Canada 
goose season may be offered. 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.
    C. In Units 6-B, 6-C, and on Hinchinbrook and Hawkins Islands in 
Unit 6-D, a special, permit-only Canada goose season may be offered. 
Hunters must have all harvested geese checked

[[Page 44742]]

and classified to subspecies. The daily bag limit is 4 daily and 8 in 
possession. The Canada goose season will close in all of the permit 
areas if the total dusky goose (as defined above) harvest reaches 40.
    D. In Units 9, 10, 17, and 18, dark goose limits are 6 per day, 12 
in possession.
    Brant--A daily bag limit of 2 and a possession limit of 4.
    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:
    A. All seasons are by registration permit only.
    B. All season framework dates are September 1--October 31.
    C. 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.
    D. 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.
    E. 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 swans per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter 
per season.
    F. 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 20 Zenaida, 
mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which not more 
than 10 may be Zenaida doves and 3 may be mourning doves. Not to exceed 
5 scaly-naped pigeons.
    Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the white-crowned pigeon 
and the plain pigeon, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico.
    Closed Areas: There is no open season on doves or pigeons in the 
following areas: Municipality of Culebra, Desecheo Island, Mona Island, 
El Verde Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas.

Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and Snipe

    Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 days may be selected for hunting 
ducks, common moorhens, and common snipe. The season may be split into 
two segments.

Daily Bag Limits

    Ducks--Not to exceed 6.
    Common moorhens--Not to exceed 6.
    Common snipe--Not to exceed 8.
    Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, 
and masked duck, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico. The season also is closed on the purple gallinule, American coot, 
and Caribbean coot.
    Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, common moorhens, 
and common snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island.

Virgin Islands

Doves and Pigeons

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days for Zenaida doves.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida doves.
    Closed Seasons: No open season is prescribed for ground or quail 
doves or pigeons.
    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. 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. 
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

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.

[[Page 44743]]

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 Highway 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.
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 FM 649 in Randado; south on FM 649 to 
FM 2686; east on FM 2686 to FM 1017; southeast on FM 1017 to TX 186 at 
Linn; east along TX 186 to the Mansfield Channel at Port Mansfield; 
east along the Mansfield Channel to the Gulf of Mexico.
    Area with additional restrictions--Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and 
Willacy Counties.
    Central Zone--That portion of the State lying between the North and 
South Zones.

Band-Tailed Pigeons

California
    North Zone--Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, 
Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity 
Counties.
    South Zone--The remainder of the State.
New Mexico
    North Zone--North of a line following U.S. 60 from the Arizona 
State line east to I-25 at Socorro and then south along I-25 from 
Socorro to the Texas State line.
    South Zone--The 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--The remainder of the State.
Maryland
    Eastern Unit--Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, 
Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester 
Counties; and that part of Anne Arundel County east of Interstate 895, 
Interstate 97 and Route 3; that part of Prince George's County east of 
Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County east of Route 
301 to the Virginia State line.
    Western Unit--Allegany, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, 
Howard, Montgomery, and Washington Counties and that part of Anne 
Arundel County west of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and Route 3; that 
part of Prince George's County west of Route 3 and Route 301; and that 
part of Charles County west of Route 301 to the Virginia State line.
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.
    Eastern Long Island Goose Area (North Atlantic Population (NAP) 
High Harvest Area)--That area of Suffolk County lying east of a 
continuous line extending due south from the New York-Connecticut 
boundary to the northernmost end of Roanoke Avenue in the Town of 
Riverhead; then south on Roanoke Avenue (which becomes County Route 73) 
to State Route 25; then west on Route 25 to Peconic Avenue; then south 
on Peconic Avenue to County Route (CR) 104 (Riverleigh Avenue); then 
south on CR 104 to CR 31 (Old Riverhead Road); then south on CR 31 to 
Oak Street; then south on Oak Street to Potunk Lane; then west on 
Stevens Lane; then south on Jessup Avenue (in Westhampton Beach) to 
Dune Road (CR 89); then due south to international waters.
    Western Long Island Goose Area (Resident Population (RP) Area)--
That area of Westchester County and its tidal waters southeast of 
Interstate Route 95 and that area of Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying 
west of a continuous line extending due south from the New

[[Page 44744]]

York-Connecticut boundary to the northernmost end of the Sunken Meadow 
State Parkway; then south on the Sunken Meadow Parkway to the Sagtikos 
State Parkway; then south on the Sagtikos Parkway to the Robert Moses 
State Parkway; then south on the Robert Moses Parkway to its 
southernmost end; then due south to international waters.
    Central Long Island Goose Area (NAP Low Harvest Area)--That area of 
Suffolk County lying between the Western and Eastern Long Island Goose 
Areas, as defined above.
    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.
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.
Pennsylvania
    Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) Zone--The area north of I-80 
and west of I-79, including in the city of Erie west of Bay Front 
Parkway to and including the Lake Erie Duck Zone (Lake Erie, Presque 
Isle, and the area within 150 yards of the Lake Erie Shoreline).
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

Arkansas
    Early Canada Goose Area--Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clark, 
Conway, Crawford, Faulkner, Franklin, Garland, Hempstead, Hot Springs, 
Howard, Johnson, Lafayette, Little River, Logan, Madison, Marion, 
Miller, Montgomery, Newton, Perry, Pike, Polk, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, 
Searcy, Sebastian, Sevier, Scott, Van Buren, Washington, and Yell 
Counties.
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 Bluf-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; then south and 
east along County Road E2W to Highway 920; then north along Highway 920 
to County Road E16; then east along County Road E16 to County Road W58; 
then south along County Road W58 to County Road E34; then east along 
County Road E34 to Highway 13; then south along Highway 13 to Highway 
30; then east along Highway 30 to Highway 1; then south along Highway 1 
to Morse Road in Johnson County; then east along Morse Road to Wapsi 
Avenue; then south along Wapsi Avenue to Lower West Branch Road; then 
west along Lower West Branch Road to Taft Avenue; then south along Taft 
Avenue to County Road F62; then west along County Road F62 to Kansas 
Avenue; then north along Kansas Avenue to Black Diamond Road; then west 
on Black Diamond Road to Jasper Avenue; then north along Jasper Avenue 
to Rohert Road; then west along Rohert Road to Ivy Avenue; then north 
along Ivy Avenue to 340th Street; then west along 340th Street to Half 
Moon Avenue; then north along Half Moon Avenue to Highway 6; then west 
along Highway 6 to Echo Avenue; then north along Echo Avenue to 250th 
Street; then east on 250th Street to Green Castle Avenue; then north 
along Green Castle Avenue to County Road F12; then west along County 
Road F12 to County Road W30; then north along County Road W30 to 
Highway 151; then 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; then south along R38 to Northwest 142nd Avenue; then east along 
Northwest 142nd Avenue to Northeast 126th Avenue; then east along 
Northeast 126th Avenue to Northeast 46th Street; then south along 
Northeast 46th Street to Highway 931; then east along Highway 931 to 
Northeast 80th Street; then south along Northeast 80th Street to 
Southeast 6th Avenue; then west along Southeast 6th Avenue to Highway 
65; then south and west along Highway 65 to Highway 69 in Warren 
County; then south along

[[Page 44745]]

Highway 69 to County Road G24; then west along County Road G24 to 
Highway 28; then southwest along Highway 28 to 43rd Avenue; then north 
along 43rd Avenue to Ford Street; then west along Ford Street to 
Filmore Street; then west along Filmore Street to 10th Avenue; then 
south along 10th Avenue to 155th Street in Madison County; then west 
along 155th Street to Cumming Road; then north along Cumming Road to 
Badger Creek Avenue; then north along Badger Creek Avenue to County 
Road F90 in Dallas County; then east along County Road F90 to County 
Road R22; then north along County Road R22 to Highway 44; then east 
along Highway 44 to County Road R30; then north along County Road R30 
to County Road F31; then east along County Road F31 to Highway 17; then 
north along Highway 17 to Highway 415 in Polk County; then east along 
Highway 415 to Northwest 158th Avenue; then east along Northwest 158th 
Avenue to the point of beginning.
    Cedar Falls/Waterloo Goose Zone--Includes those portions of Black 
Hawk County bounded as follows: Beginning at the intersection of County 
Roads C66 and V49 in Black Hawk County, then south along County Road 
V49 to County Road D38, then west along County Road D38 to State 
Highway 21, then south along State Highway 21 to County Road D35, then 
west along County Road D35 to Grundy Road, then north along Grundy Road 
to County Road D19, then west along County Road D19 to Butler Road, 
then north along Butler Road to County Road C57, then north and east 
along County Road C57 to U.S. Highway 63, then south along U.S. Highway 
63 to County Road C66, then east along County Road C66 to the point of 
beginning.
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; then west along the north boundary of San Francisco Township 
to the east boundary of Dahlgren Township; then north along the east 
boundary of Dahlgren Township to U.S. Highway 212; then west along U.S. 
Highway 212 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 284; then north on STH 284 to 
County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10; then north and west on CSAH 10 to 
CSAH 30; then north and west on CSAH 30 to STH 25; then east and north 
on STH 25 to CSAH 10; then 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; then east on CSAH 2 to U.S. Highway 61; 
then south on U.S. Highway 61 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 97; then 
east on STH 97 to the intersection of STH 97 and STH 95; then 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; then 
along the U.S. Highway 52 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 57; then along 
STH 57 to the municipal boundary of Kasson; then along the municipal 
boundary of Kasson County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 13, Dodge County; 
then along CSAH 13 to STH 30; then along STH 30 to U.S. Highway 63; 
then along U.S. Highway 63 to the south boundary of the State; then 
along the south and east boundaries of the State to the south boundary 
of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; then 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 I-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

[[Page 44746]]

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.
North Dakota
    Missouri River Canada Goose Zone--The area within and bounded by a 
line starting where ND Hwy 6 crosses the South Dakota border; then 
north on ND Hwy 6 to I-94; then west on I-94 to ND Hwy 49; then north 
on ND Hwy 49 to ND Hwy 200; then north on Mercer County Rd. 21 to the 
section line between sections 8 and 9 (T146N-R87W); then north on that 
section line to the southern shoreline to Lake Sakakawea; then east 
along the southern shoreline (including Mallard Island) of Lake 
Sakakawea to U.S. Hwy 83; then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to ND Hwy 200; then 
east on ND Hwy 200 to ND Hwy 41; then south on ND Hwy 41 to U.S. Hwy 
83; then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to I-94; then east on I-94 to U.S. Hwy 
83; then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to the South Dakota border; then west 
along the South Dakota border to ND Hwy 6.
    Rest of State: Remainder of North Dakota.
South Dakota
    Special Early Canada Goose Unit--Entire State of South Dakota 
except the Counties of Bennett, Gregory, Hughes, Lyman, Perkins, and 
Stanley; that portion of Potter County west of U.S. Highway 83; that 
portion of Bon Homme, Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix, and Hyde County 
south and west of a line beginning at the Hughes-Hyde County line of SD 
Highway 34, east to Lees Boulevard, southeast to SD 34, east 7 miles to 
350th Avenue, south to I-90, south and east on SD Highway 50 to Geddes, 
east on 285th Street to U.S. Highway 281, south on U.S. Highway 281 to 
SD 50, east and south on SD 50 to the Bon Homme-Yankton County 
boundary; that portion of Fall River County east of SD Highway 71 and 
U.S. Highway 385; that portion of Custer County east of SD Highway 79 
and south of French Creek; that portion of Dewey County south of BIA 
Road 8, BIA Road 9, and the section of U.S. 212 east of BIA Road 8 
junction.

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 County; and Wahkiakum County.
    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.
Maryland
    Special Teal Season Area-- Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, 
Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, 
and Worcester Counties; that part of Anne Arundel County east of 
Interstate 895, Interstate 97, and Route 3; that part of Prince Georges 
County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County 
east of Route 301 to the Virginia State Line.

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.

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.

[[Page 44747]]

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.
    High Plains--That portion of Nebraska lying west of a line 
beginning at the South Dakota-Nebraska border on U.S. Hwy. 183; south 
on U.S. Hwy. 183 to U.S. Hwy. 20; west on U.S. Hwy. 20 to NE Hwy. 7; 
south on NE Hwy. 7 to NE Hwy. 91; southwest on NE Hwy. 91 to NE Hwy. 2; 
southeast on NE Hwy. 2 to NE Hwy. 92; west on NE Hwy. 92 to NE Hwy. 40; 
south on NE Hwy. 40 to NE Hwy. 47; south on NE Hwy. 47 to NE Hwy. 23; 
east on NE Hwy. 23 to U.S. Hwy. 283; and south on U.S. Hwy. 283 to the 
Kansas-Nebraska border.
    Low Plains Zone 1--That portion of Dixon County west of NE Hwy. 26E 
Spur and north of NE Hwy. 12; those portions of Cedar and Knox Counties 
north of NE Hwy. 12; that portion of Keya Paha County east of U.S. Hwy. 
183; and all of Boyd County. Both banks of the Niobrara River in Keya 
Paha and Boyd counties east of U.S. 183 shall be included in Zone 1.
    Low Plains Zone 2--Area bounded by designated Federal and State 
highways and political boundaries beginning at the Kansas-Nebraska 
border on U.S. Hwy. 75 to U.S. Hwy. 136; east to the intersection of 
U.S. Hwy. 136 and the Steamboat Trace (Trace); north along the Trace to 
the intersection with Federal Levee R-562; north along Federal Levee R-
562 to the intersection with the Trace; north along the Trace/
Burlington Northern Railroad right-of-way to NE Hwy. 2; west to U.S. 
Hwy. 75; north to NE Hwy. 2; west to NE Hwy. 43; north to U.S. Hwy. 34; 
east to NE Hwy. 63; north and west to U.S. Hwy. 77; north to NE Hwy. 
92; west to County Road X; south to County Road 21 (Seward County 
Line); west to NE Hwy. 15; north to County Road 34; west to County Road 
J; south to NE Hwy. 92; west to U.S. 81; south to NE 66; west to County 
Road C; north to NE Hwy. 92; west to U.S. Hwy. 30; west to NE Hwy. 14; 
south to County Road 22 (Hamilton County); west to County Road M; south 
to County Road 21; west to County Road K; south U.S. Hwy. 34; west to 
NE Hwy. 2; south to U.S. Hwy. I-80; west to Gunbarrel Road (Hall/
Hamilton county line); south to Giltner Road; west to U.S. Hwy. 281; 
south to U.S. Hwy. 34; west to NE Hwy. 10; north to County Road ``R'' 
(Kearney County) and County Road 742 (Phelps County); west to 
County Road 438 (Gosper County line); south along County Road 
438 (Gosper County line) to County Road 726 (Furnas 
County line); east to County Road 438 (Harlan County line); 
south to U.S. Hwy. 34; south and west to U.S. Hwy. 136; east to U.S. 
Hwy. 183; north to NE Hwy. 4; east to NE Hwy. 10; south to U.S. Hwy 
136; east to NE Hwy. 14; south to the Kansas-Nebraska border; west to 
U.S. Hwy. 283; north to NE Hwy. 23; west to NE Hwy. 47; north to U.S. 
Hwy. 30; east to County Road 13; north to County Road O; east to NE 
Hwy. 14; north to NE Hwy. 52; west and north to NE Hwy. 91; west to 
U.S. Hwy. 281; south to NE Hwy. 22; west to NE Hwy. 11; northwest to NE 
Hwy. 91; west to U.S. Hwy. 183; south to Round Valley Road; west to 
Sargent River Road; west to Sargent Road; west to Milburn Road; north 
to Blaine County Line; east to Loup County Line; north to NE Hwy. 91; 
west to North Loup Spur Road; north to North Loup Road; east to 
Pleasant Valley/Worth Road; east to Loup County Line; north to Loup-
Brown county line; east along northern boundaries of Loup, Garfield and 
Wheeler counties; south on the Wheeler-Antelope county line to NE Hwy. 
70; east to NE Hwy. 14; south to NE Hwy. 39; southeast to NE Hwy. 22; 
east to U.S. Hwy. 81; southeast to U.S. Hwy. 30; east to U.S. Hwy. 75; 
north to the Washington County line; east to the Iowa-Nebraska border; 
south along the Iowa-Nebraska border; to the beginning at U.S. Hwy. 75 
and the Kansas-Nebraska border.
    Low Plains Zone 3--The area east of the High Plains Zone, excluding 
Low Plains Zone 1, north of Low Plains Zone 2.
    Low Plains Zone 4--The area east of the High Plains Zone and south 
of Zone 2.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
    North Zone--That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
    South Zone--The remainder of New Mexico.

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

[[Page 44748]]

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

    Mississippi Valley Population (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 I-75/U.S. 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--The rest of the State, that area south and east of the 
boundary described above.

Sandhill Cranes

Mississippi Flyway

Minnesota
    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.

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.
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, then northeast along U.S. Highway 
81 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35 in Laredo, then north 
along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate Highway 10 
in San Antonio, then northwest along Interstate Highway 10 to its 
junction with U.S. Highway 83 at Junction, then north along U.S. 
Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of 
Childress, then 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, then 
southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its junction with U.S. Highway 287 
in Montague County, then southeast along U.S. Highway 287 to its 
junction with Interstate Highway 35W in Fort Worth, then southwest 
along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate Highway 10 
in San Antonio, then northwest along Interstate Highway 10 to its 
junction with U.S. Highway 83 in the town of Junction, then north along 
U.S. Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of 
Childress, then east along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State 
line, then south along the Texas-Oklahoma State line to the south bank 
of the Red River, then 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, then southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its 
junction with U.S. Highway 287 in Montague County, then southeast along 
U.S. Highway 287 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35W in Fort 
Worth, then southwest along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with 
U.S. Highway 290 East in Austin, then east along U.S. Highway 290 to 
its junction with Interstate Loop 610 in Harris County, then south and 
east along Interstate Loop 610 to its junction with Interstate Highway 
45 in Houston, then south on Interstate Highway 45 to State Highway 
342, then to the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, and then 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, then west along the County line to Park Road 22 in Nueces 
County, then north and west along Park Road 22 to its

[[Page 44749]]

junction with State Highway 358 in Corpus Christi, then west and north 
along State Highway 358 to its junction with State Highway 286, then 
north along State Highway 286 to its junction with Interstate Highway 
37, then east along Interstate Highway 37 to its junction with U.S. 
Highway 181, then north and west along U.S. Highway 181 to its junction 
with U.S. Highway 77 in Sinton, then north and east along U.S. Highway 
77 to its junction with U.S. Highway 87 in Victoria, then south and 
east along U.S. Highway 87 to its junction with State Highway 35 at 
Port Lavaca, then north and east along State Highway 35 to the south 
end of the Lavaca Bay Causeway, then south and east along the shore of 
Lavaca Bay to its junction with the Port Lavaca Ship Channel, then 
south and east along the Lavaca Bay Ship Channel to the Gulf of Mexico, 
and then 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, and those portions of 
Johnson County east of Interstates 25 and 90 and Sheridan County east 
of Interstate 90.
    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.
    Uinta County Area--That portion of Uinta County described in State 
regulations.

All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska

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

All Migratory Game Birds in the Virgin Islands

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

All Migratory Game Birds in Puerto Rico

    Municipality of Culebra Closure Area--All of the municipality of 
Culebra.
    Desecheo Island Closure Area--All of Desecheo Island.
    Mona Island Closure Area--All of Mona Island.
    El Verde Closure Area--Those areas of the municipalities of Rio 
Grande and Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All lands between Routes 
956 on the west and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the north to the 
juncture of Routes 956 and 186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands 
between Routes 186 and 966 from the juncture of 186 and 966 on the 
north, to the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the south; (3) all 
lands lying west of Route 186 for 1 kilometer from the juncture of 
Routes 186 and 956 south to Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within Km 
14 and Km 6 on the west and the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on 
the east; and (5) all lands within the Caribbean National Forest 
Boundary whether private or public.
    Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas--All of Cidra Municipality 
and portions of Aguas Buenas, Caguas, Cayey, and Comerio Municipalities 
as encompassed within the following boundary: beginning on Highway 172 
as it leaves the municipality of Cidra on the west edge, north to 
Highway 156, east on Highway 156 to Highway 1, south on Highway 1 to 
Highway 765, south on Highway 765 to Highway 763, south on Highway 763 
to the Rio Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to Highway 1, southwest on 
Highway 1 to Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to Highway 729, north on 
Highway 729 to Cidra Municipality boundary to the point of the 
beginning.
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

[[Page 44750]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP26JY11.001

[FR Doc. 2011-18374 Filed 7-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-C