[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 170 (Friday, August 31, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53752-53768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-21294]



[[Page 53751]]

Vol. 77

Friday,

No. 170

August 31, 2012

Part III





Department of the Interior





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





Fish and Wildlife Service





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





50 CFR Part 20





Migratory Bird Hunting; Early Seasons and Bag and Possession Limits for 
Certain Migratory Game Birds in the Contiguous United States, Alaska, 
Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands; Final Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 77 , No. 170 / Friday, August 31, 2012 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 53752]]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

[Docket No. FWS-R9-MB-2012-0005; FF09M21200-123-FXMB1231099BPP0L2]
RIN 1018-AX97


Migratory Bird Hunting; Early Seasons and Bag and Possession 
Limits for Certain Migratory Game Birds in the Contiguous United 
States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This rule prescribes the hunting seasons, hours, areas, and 
daily bag and possession limits of mourning, white-winged, and white-
tipped doves; band-tailed pigeons; rails; moorhens and gallinules; 
woodcock; common snipe; sandhill cranes; sea ducks; early (September) 
waterfowl seasons; migratory game birds in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, 
and the Virgin Islands; youth waterfowl day; and some extended falconry 
seasons. Taking of migratory birds is prohibited unless specifically 
provided for by annual regulations. This rule permits taking of 
designated species during the 2012-13 season.

DATES: This rule is effective on September 1, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may inspect comments received on the migratory bird 
hunting regulations during normal business hours at the Service's 
office in Room 4107, Arlington Square Building, 4501 N. Fairfax Drive, 
Arlington, VA. You may obtain copies of referenced reports from the 
street address above, or from the Division of Migratory Bird 
Management's Web site at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/, or at 
http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R9-MB-2012-0005.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations Schedule for 2011

    On April 17, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 
23094) 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 
2012-13 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal 
Register notifications were also identified in the April 17 proposed 
rule.
    On May 17, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 29516) 
a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- and late-
season migratory bird hunting regulations. The May 17 supplement also 
provided detailed information on the 2012-13 regulatory schedule and 
announced the Service Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council 
meetings.
    On June 12, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 
34931) a third document revising our previously announced dates of the 
June 2012 SRC meetings.
    On June 19 and 20, 2012, we held open meetings with the Flyway 
Council Consultants where the participants reviewed information on the 
current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and developed 
recommendations for the 2012-13 regulations for these species plus 
regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the 
Virgin Islands; special September waterfowl seasons in designated 
States; special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic Flyway; and extended 
falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and discussed preliminary 
information on the status of waterfowl as it relates to the development 
and selection of the regulatory packages for the 2012-13 regular 
waterfowl seasons.
    On July 20, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 
42920) a fourth document specifically dealing with the proposed 
frameworks for early-season regulations. In late August 2012, we 
published in the Federal Register a final rule which contained final 
frameworks for early migratory bird hunting seasons from which wildlife 
conservation agency officials from the States, Puerto Rico, and the 
Virgin Islands selected early-season hunting dates, hours, areas, and 
limits.
    On July 25-26, 2012, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council 
Consultants at which the participants reviewed the status of waterfowl 
and developed recommendations for the 2012-13 regulations for these 
species. Proposed hunting regulations were discussed for late seasons. 
We published proposed frameworks for the 2012-13 late-season migratory 
bird hunting regulations in an August 17, 2012 Federal Register (77 FR 
49868).
    The final rule described here is the seventh in the series of 
proposed, supplemental, and final rulemaking documents for migratory 
game bird hunting regulations and deals specifically with amending 
subpart K of 50 CFR part 20. It sets hunting seasons, hours, areas, and 
limits for mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped doves; band-tailed 
pigeons; rails; moorhens and gallinules; woodcock; common snipe; 
sandhill cranes; sea ducks; early (September) waterfowl seasons; 
migratory game birds in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin 
Islands; youth waterfowl hunting day; and some extended falconry 
seasons.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Consideration

    NEPA considerations are covered by the programmatic document 
``Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual 
Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FSES 88-
14),'' filed with the Environmental Protection Agency on June 9, 1988. 
We published a notice of availability in the Federal Register on June 
16, 1988 (53 FR 22582). We published our Record of Decision on August 
18, 1988 (53 FR 31341). In addition, an August 1985 environmental 
assessment entitled ``Guidelines for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations 
on Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands'' is available from the 
address indicated under the caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    In a notice published in the September 8, 2005, Federal Register 
(70 FR 53376), we announced our intent to develop a new Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the migratory bird hunting 
program. Public scoping meetings were held in the spring of 2006, as 
detailed in a March 9, 2006, Federal Register (71 FR 12216). We 
released the draft SEIS on July 9, 2010 (75 FR 39577). The draft SEIS 
is available either by writing to the address indicated under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or by viewing our Web site at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

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

[[Page 53753]]

Consequently, we conducted formal consultations to ensure that actions 
resulting from these regulations would not likely jeopardize the 
continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in 
the destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitat. 
Findings from these consultations are included in a biological opinion, 
which concluded that the regulations are not likely to jeopardize the 
continued existence of any endangered or threatened species. 
Additionally, these findings may have caused modification of some 
regulatory measures previously proposed, and the final frameworks 
reflect any such modifications. Our biological opinions resulting from 
this section 7 consultation are public documents available for public 
inspection at the address indicated under ADDRESSES.

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)

    Executive Order 12866 provides that the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
will review all significant rules. OIRA has determined that this rule 
is significant because it will have an annual effect of $100 million or 
more on the economy.
    Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while 
calling for improvements in the nation's regulatory system to promote 
predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most 
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends. 
The executive order directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches 
that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for 
the public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and 
consistent with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further 
that regulations must be based on the best available science and that 
the rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open 
exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent 
with these requirements.
    An economic analysis was prepared for the 2008-09 season. This 
analysis was based on data from the 2006 National Hunting and Fishing 
Survey, the most recent year for which data are available (see 
discussion in Regulatory Flexibility Act section below). This analysis 
estimated consumer surplus for three alternatives for duck hunting 
(estimates for other species are not quantified due to lack of data). 
The alternatives are (1) Issue restrictive regulations allowing fewer 
days than those issued during the 2007-08 season, (2) Issue moderate 
regulations allowing more days than those in alternative 1, and (3) 
Issue liberal regulations identical to the regulations in the 2007-08 
season. For the 2008-09 season, we chose alternative 3, with an 
estimated consumer surplus across all flyways of $205-$270 million. We 
also chose alternative 3 for the 2009-10 and the 2010-11 seasons. At 
this time, we are proposing no changes to the season frameworks for the 
2011-12 season, and as such, we will again consider these three 
alternatives. However, final frameworks for waterfowl will be dependent 
on population status information available later this year. For these 
reasons, we have not conducted a new economic analysis, but the 2008-09 
analysis is part of the record for this rule and is available at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/SpecialTopics/SpecialTopics.html#HuntingRegs or at http://www.regulations.gov at 
Docket No. FWS-R9-MB-2012-0005.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The annual migratory bird hunting regulations have a significant 
economic impact on substantial numbers of small entities under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). We analyzed the 
economic impacts of the annual hunting regulations on small business 
entities in detail as part of the 1981 cost-benefit analysis. This 
analysis was revised annually from 1990-95. In 1995, the Service issued 
a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis), which was subsequently 
updated in 1996, 1998, 2004, and 2008. The primary source of 
information about hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting 
is the National Hunting and Fishing Survey, which is conducted at 5-
year intervals. The 2008 Analysis was based on the 2006 National 
Hunting and Fishing Survey and the U.S. Department of Commerce's County 
Business Patterns, from which it was estimated that migratory bird 
hunters would spend approximately $1.2 billion at small businesses in 
2008.
    Copies of the Analysis are available upon request from the Division 
of Migratory Bird Management (see ADDRESSES) or from our Web site at 
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/SpecialTopics/SpecialTopics.html#HuntingRegs or at http://www.regulations.gov at 
Docket No. FWS-R9-MB-2012-0005.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

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

Paperwork Reduction Act

    We examined these regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). The various recordkeeping and reporting 
requirements imposed under regulations established in 50 CFR part 20, 
subpart K, are utilized in the formulation of migratory game bird 
hunting regulations. Specifically, OMB has approved the information 
collection requirements of our Migratory Bird Surveys and assigned 
control number 1018-0023 (expires 4/30/2014). This information is used 
to provide a sampling frame for voluntary national surveys to improve 
our harvest estimates for all migratory game birds in order to better 
manage these populations. OMB has also approved the information 
collection requirements of the Alaska Subsistence Household Survey, an 
associated voluntary annual household survey used to determine levels 
of subsistence take in Alaska, and assigned control number 1018-0124 
(expires 4/30/2013).
    A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

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

Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988

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

Takings Implication Assessment

    In accordance with Executive Order 12630, this rule, authorized by 
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, does not have significant takings 
implications and does not affect any constitutionally protected 
property rights. This rule will

[[Page 53754]]

not result in the physical occupancy of property, the physical invasion 
of property, or the regulatory taking of any property. In fact, this 
rule allows hunters to exercise otherwise unavailable privileges and, 
therefore, reduce restrictions on the use of private and public 
property.

Energy Effects--Executive Order 13211

    Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of 
Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. While this rule is a 
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, it is not 
expected to adversely affect energy supplies, distribution, or use. 
Therefore, this action is not a significant energy action and no 
Statement of Energy Effects is required.

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

    In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, 
``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal 
Governments'' (59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175, and 512 DM 2, we 
have evaluated possible effects on Federally-recognized Indian tribes 
and have determined that there are no effects on Indian trust 
resources. However, in the April 17 Federal Register, we solicited 
proposals for special migratory bird hunting regulations for certain 
Tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands, and 
ceded lands for the 2012-13 migratory bird hunting season. The 
resulting proposals were contained in a separate August 16, 2012, 
proposed rule (77 FR 49680). By virtue of these actions, we have 
consulted with Tribes affected by this rule.

Federalism Effects

    Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the 
Federal Government has been given responsibility over these species by 
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We annually prescribe frameworks from 
which the States make selections regarding the hunting of migratory 
birds, and we employ guidelines to establish special regulations on 
Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. This process preserves the 
ability of the States and tribes to determine which seasons meet their 
individual needs. Any State or Indian tribe may be more restrictive 
than the Federal frameworks at any time. The frameworks are developed 
in a cooperative process with the States and the Flyway Councils. This 
process allows States to participate in the development of frameworks 
from which they will make selections, thereby having an influence on 
their own regulations. These rules do not have a substantial direct 
effect on fiscal capacity, change the roles or responsibilities of 
Federal or State governments, or intrude on State policy or 
administration. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132, 
these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and do not 
have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a 
federalism summary impact statement.

Regulations Promulgation

    The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its 
nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, we intend that 
the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to comment. Thus, 
when the preliminary proposed rulemaking was published, we established 
what we believed were the longest periods possible for public comment. 
In doing this, we recognized that, when the comment period closed, time 
would be of the essence. That is, if there were a delay in the 
effective date of these regulations after this final rulemaking, States 
would have insufficient time to select season dates and limits; to 
communicate those selections to us; and to establish and publicize the 
necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions. We 
find that ``good cause'' exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) 
of the Administrative Procedure Act, and therefore, under authority of 
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July 3, 1918), as amended (16 U.S.C. 
703-711), these regulations will take effect less than 30 days after 
publication. Accordingly, with each conservation agency having had an 
opportunity to participate in selecting the hunting seasons desired for 
its State or Territory on those species of migratory birds for which 
open seasons are now prescribed, and consideration having been given to 
all other relevant matters presented, certain sections of title 50, 
chapter I, subchapter B, part 20, subpart K, are hereby amended as set 
forth below.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20

    Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.

    Dated: August 16, 2012.
Rachel Jacobson,
Principal Assistant Deputy Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, title 50, chapter I, 
subchapter B, part 20, subpart K of the Code of Federal Regulations is 
amended as follows:

PART 20--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 20 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 40 Stat. 755, 16 U.S.C. 
703-712; Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, 16 U.S.C. 742 a-j, Public 
Law 106-108, 113 Stat. 1491, Note Following 16 U.S.C. 703.

    Note: The following annual hunting regulations provided for by 
Sec. Sec.  20.101 through 20.106 and 20.109 of 50 CFR 20 will not 
appear in the Code of Federal Regulations because of their seasonal 
nature.


0
2. Section 20.101 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  20.101   Seasons, limits, and shooting hours for Puerto Rico and 
the Virgin Islands.

    Subject to the applicable provisions of the preceding sections of 
this part, areas open to hunting, respective open seasons (dates 
inclusive), shooting and hawking hours, and daily bag and possession 
limits for the species designated in this section are prescribed as 
follows:
    Shooting and hawking hours are one-half hour before sunrise until 
sunset.
    CHECK COMMONWEALTH REGULATIONS FOR AREA DESCRIPTIONS AND ANY 
ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS.
    (a) Puerto Rico.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Limits
                                                          Season dates           -------------------------------
                                                                                        Bag         Possession
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doves and Pigeons:
    Zenaida, white-winged,and mourning doves    Sept. 1-Oct. 29.................              20              20
     (1).
    Scaly-naped pigeons.......................  Sept. 1-Oct. 29.................               5               5
Ducks.........................................  Nov. 10-Dec. 17 &...............               6              12
                                                Jan. 12-Jan. 28.................               6              12
Common Moorhens...............................  Nov. 10-Dec. 17 &...............               6              12
                                                Jan. 12-Jan. 28.................               6              12

[[Page 53755]]

 
Common Snipe..................................  Nov. 10-Dec. 17 &...............               8              16
                                                Jan. 12-Jan. 28.................               8              16
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Not more than 10 Zenaida and 3 mourning doves in the aggregate.

    Restrictions: In Puerto Rico, the season is closed on the ruddy 
duck, white-cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous 
whistling duck, masked duck, purple gallinule, American coot, Caribbean 
coot, white-crowned pigeon, and plain pigeon.
    Closed Areas: Closed areas are described in the July 20, 2012, 
Federal Register (77 FR 42920).
    (b) Virgin Islands.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Limits
                                                          Season dates           -------------------------------
                                                                                        Bag         Possession
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zenaida doves.................................  Sept. 1-Sept. 30................              10              10
Ducks.........................................  CLOSED..........................  ..............  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Restrictions: In the Virgin Islands, the seasons are closed for 
ground or quail doves, pigeons, ruddy duck, white-cheeked pintail, West 
Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, masked duck, and purple 
gallinule.
    Closed Areas: Ruth Cay, just south of St. Croix, is closed to the 
hunting of migratory game birds. All Offshore Cays under jurisdiction 
of the Virgin Islands Government are closed to the hunting of migratory 
game birds.

0
3. Section 20.102 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  20.102   Seasons, limits, and shooting hours for Alaska.

    Subject to the applicable provisions of the preceding sections of 
this part, areas open to hunting, respective open seasons (dates 
inclusive), shooting and hawking hours, and daily bag and possession 
limits for the species designated in this section are prescribed as 
follows:
    Shooting and hawking hours are one-half hour before sunrise until 
sunset. Area descriptions were published in the July 20, 2012, Federal 
Register (77 FR 42920).
    CHECK STATE REGULATIONS FOR AREA DESCRIPTIONS AND ANY ADDITIONAL 
RESTRICTIONS.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Area seasons                             Dates
------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Zone............................  Sept. 1-Dec. 16.
Gulf Coast Zone.......................  Sept. 1-Dec. 16.
Southeast Zone........................  Sept. 16-Dec. 31.
Pribilof & Aleutian Islands Zone......  Oct. 8-Jan. 22.
Kodiak Zone...........................  Oct. 8-Jan. 22.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                             Daily Bag and Possession Limits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Dark geese     Light  geese                                      Sandhill
                          Area                               Ducks (1)       (2)(3)(4)          (2)          Brant (2)     Common snipe     cranes (5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Zone..............................................           10-30             4-8             4-8             2-4            8-16             3-6
Gulf Coast Zone.........................................            8-24             4-8             4-8             2-4            8-16             2-4
Southeast Zone..........................................            7-21             4-8             4-8             2-4            8-16             2-4
Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone......................            7-21             4-8             4-8             2-4            8-16             2-4
Kodiak Zone.............................................            7-21             4-8             4-8             2-4            8-16             2-4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The basic duck bag limits may include no more than 1 canvasback daily, 3 in possession, and may not include sea ducks. In addition to the basic duck
  limits, 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, are allowed. Special sea duck limits will be available to nonresidents, but at lower daily limits than residents, and they may take no more
  than a possession limit of 20 per season, including no more than 4 each of harlequin and long-tailed ducks, black, surf, and white-winged scoters, and
  king and common eiders. In Unit 15C, Kachemak Bay east of a line from Point Pogibshi to Anchor Point, the special sea duck daily bag limit for
  residents and nonresidents is 2 per day, 4 in possession, for harlequin and long-tailed ducks, and 1 per day, 2 in possession, for eiders (king and
  common collectively). Sea ducks include scoters, common and king eiders, harlequin ducks, long-tailed ducks, and common and red-breasted mergansers.
  The season for Steller=s and spectacled eiders is closed.
(2) Dark geese include Canada and white-fronted geese. Light geese include snow geese and Ross' geese. Separate limits apply to brant. The season for
  emperor geese is closed Statewide.
(3) In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is only permitted from September 28 through December 16. In the Middleton Island portion of Unit 6, the
  taking of Canada geese is by special permit only, with a maximum of 10 permits for the season and a daily bag and possession limit of 1. The season
  shall close if incidental harvest includes 5 dusky Canada geese. In Unit 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 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 harvest reaches 40.
(4) In Units 9, 10, 17, and 18, dark goose limits are 6 per day, 12 in possession.
(5) In Unit 17, the daily bag limit for sandhill cranes is 2 and the possession limit is 4.

    Falconry: The total combined bag and possession limit for migratory 
game birds taken with the use of a falcon under a falconry permit is 3 
per day, 6 in possession, and may not exceed a more restrictive limit 
for any species listed in this subsection.
    Special Tundra Swan Season: In Units 17, 18, 22, and 23, there will 
be a tundra swan season from September 1 through October 31 with a 
season limit of 3 tundra swans per hunter. This season is by 
registration permit only; hunters will be issued 1 permit allowing the 
take of up to 3 tundra swans. Hunters will be required to file a 
harvest report after the season is completed. Up

[[Page 53756]]

to 500 permits may be issued in Unit 18; 300 permits each in Units 22 
and 23; and 200 permits in Unit 17.

0
4. Section 20.103, including the heading, is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  20.103   Seasons, limits, and shooting hours for doves and 
pigeons.

    Subject to the applicable provisions of the preceding sections of 
this part, areas open to hunting, respective open seasons (dates 
inclusive), shooting and hawking hours, and daily bag and possession 
limits for the species designated in this section are prescribed as 
follows:
    Shooting and hawking hours are one-half hour before sunrise until 
sunset except as otherwise noted. Area descriptions were published in 
the July 20, 2012, Federal Register (77 FR 42920).
    CHECK STATE REGULATIONS FOR AREA DESCRIPTIONS AND ANY ADDITIONAL 
RESTRICTIONS.
    (a) Doves.

    Note: Unless noted, the seasons listed below are for mourning 
and white-winged doves in the aggregate.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Limits
                                                          Season dates           -------------------------------
                                                                                        Bag         Possession
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EASTERN MANAGEMENT UNIT
Alabama:
    North Zone:
        12 noon to sunset.....................  Sept. 8 only....................              15              15
        1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.....  Sept. 9-Oct. 7 &................              15              15
                                                Oct. 20-Nov. 3 &................              15              15
                                                Dec. 8-Jan. 1...................              15              15
    South Zone:
        12 noon to sunset.....................  Sept. 22 only...................              15              15
        1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.....  Sept. 23-Oct 21 &...............              15              15
                                                Nov. 22-Nov. 25 &...............              15              15
                                                Dec. 1-Jan. 5...................              15              15
Delaware......................................  Sept. 1-Sept. 29 &..............              15              30
                                                Oct. 13-Oct. 27 &...............              15              30
                                                Dec. 18-Jan. 12.................              15              30
Florida:
    12 noon to sunset.........................  Oct. 6-Oct. 29..................              15              30
    1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.........  Nov. 10-Nov. 25 &...............              15              30
                                                Dec. 8-Jan. 6...................              15              30
Georgia:
    12 noon to sunset.........................  Sept. 1 only....................              15              30
    1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.........  Sept. 2-Sept. 16................              15              30
                                                Oct. 13-Oct. 21 &...............              15              30
                                                Nov. 22-Jan. 5..................              15              30
Illinois (1)..................................  Sept. 1-Oct. 28 &...............              15              30
                                                Nov. 3-Nov. 14..................              15              30
Indiana.......................................  Sept. 1-Oct. 23 &...............              15              30
                                                Nov. 9-Nov. 25..................              15              30
Kentucky:
    11 a.m. to sunset.........................  Sept. 1 only....................              15              30
    1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.........  Sept. 2-Oct. 24 &...............              15              30
                                                Nov. 22-Nov. 30 &...............              15              30
                                                Dec. 29-Jan. 4..................              15              30
Louisiana:
    North Zone:
        12 noon to sunset.....................  Sept. 1 only....................              15              30
        1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.....  Sept. 2-Sept. 16 &..............              15              30
                                                Oct. 6-Nov. 4 &.................              15              30
                                                Dec. 15-Jan. 7..................              15              30
    South Zone:
        12 noon to sunset.....................  Sept. 1 only....................              15              30
        1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.....  Sept. 2-Sept. 9 &...............              15              30
                                                Oct. 13-Nov. 25 &...............              15              30
                                                Dec. 22-Jan. 7..................              15              30
Maryland:
        12 noon to sunset.....................  Sept. 1-Oct. 6..................              15              30
        1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.....  Nov. 3-Nov. 23 &................              15              30
                                                Dec. 22-Jan. 3..................              15              30
Mississippi:
    North Zone................................  Sept. 1-Sept. 23 &..............              15              30
                                                Oct. 13-Nov. 11 &...............              15              30
                                                Dec. 15-Dec. 31.................              15              30
    South Zone................................  Sept. 1-Sept. 9 &...............              15              30
                                                Oct. 6-Nov. 11 &................              15              30
                                                Dec. 21-Jan. 13.................              15              30
North Carolina................................  Sept. 1-Oct. 6 &................              15              30
                                                Nov. 19-Nov. 24 &...............              15              30
                                                Dec. 15-Jan. 11.................              15              30
Ohio..........................................  Sept. 1-Oct. 21 &...............              15              30
                                                Dec. 15-Jan. 2..................              15              30

[[Page 53757]]

 
Pennsylvania:
    12 noon to sunset.........................  Sept. 1-Sept. 29 &..............              15              30
    1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.........  Oct. 27-Nov. 24 &...............              15              30
                                                Dec. 26-Jan. 5..................              15              30
Rhode Island:
    12 noon to sunset.........................  Sept. 15-Oct. 15................              12              24
    1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.........  Oct. 20-Nov. 10 &...............              12              24
                                                Dec. 19-Jan. 4..................              12              24
South Carolina:
    12 noon to sunset.........................  Sept. 1-Sept. 3.................              15              30
    1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.........  Sept. 4-Oct. 6 &................              15              30
                                                Nov. 17-Nov. 24 &...............              15              30
                                                Dec. 21-Jan. 15.................              15              30
Tennessee:
    12 noon to sunset.........................  Sept. 1 only....................              15              30
    1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.........  Sept. 2-Sept. 26 &..............              15              30
                                                Oct. 13-Oct. 28 &...............              15              30
                                                Dec. 19-Jan. 15.................              15              30
Virginia:
    12 noon to sunset.........................  Sept. 1-Sept. 7.................              15              30
    1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.........  Sept. 8-Oct. 13 &...............              15              30
                                                Oct. 17-Oct. 27 &...............              15              30
                                                Dec. 28-Jan. 12.................              15              30
West Virginia:
    12 noon to sunset.........................  Sept. 1 only....................              15              30
    1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.........  Sept. 2-Oct. 6 &................              15              30
                                                Oct. 22-Nov. 10 &...............              15              30
                                                Dec. 24-Jan. 5..................              15              30
Wisconsin.....................................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..................              15              30
 
CENTRAL MANAGEMENT UNIT
Arkansas......................................  Sept. 1-Oct. 25 &...............              15              30
                                                Dec. 26-Jan. 9..................              15              30
Colorado......................................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..................              15              30
Iowa..........................................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..................              15              30
Kansas........................................  Sept. 1-Oct. 31 &...............              15              30
                                                Nov. 3-Nov. 11..................              15              30
Minnesota.....................................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..................              15              30
Missouri......................................  Sept. 1-Nov 9...................              15              30
Montana.......................................  Sept. 1-Oct. 30.................              15              30
Nebraska......................................  Sept. 1-Oct. 30.................              15              30
New Mexico:
    North Zone................................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..................              15              30
    South Zone................................  Sept. 1-Oct. 9 &................              15              30
                                                Dec. 1-Dec. 31..................              15              30
North Dakota..................................  Sept. 1-Oct. 30.................              15              30
Oklahoma......................................  Sept. 1-Oct. 31 &...............              15              30
                                                Dec. 22-Dec. 30.................              15              30
South Dakota..................................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..................              15              30
Texas (2):
    North Zone................................  Sept. 1-Oct. 24 &...............              15              30
                                                 Dec. 22-Jan. 6.................              15              30
    Central Zone..............................  Sept. 1-Oct. 24 &...............              15              30
                                                Dec. 22-Jan. 6..................              15              30
    South Zone:
        Special Area..........................  Sept. 21-Oct. 28 &..............              15              30
                                                Dec. 22-Jan. 18.................              15              30
        (Special Season) 12 noon to sunset....  Sept. 1-Sept. 2 &...............              15              30
                                                Sept. 8-Sept. 9.................              15              30
    Remainder of the South Zone...............  Sept. 21-Oct. 28 &..............              15              30
                                                Dec. 22-Jan. 22.................              15              30
Wyoming.......................................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..................              15              30
 
WESTERN MANAGEMENT UNIT
Arizona (3)...................................  Sept. 1-Sept. 15 &..............              10              20
                                                Nov. 23-Jan. 6..................              10              20
California....................................  Sept. 1-Sept. 15 &..............              10              20
                                                Nov. 10-Dec. 24.................              10              20
Idaho.........................................  Sept. 1-Sept. 30................              10              20
Nevada........................................  Sept. 1-Sept. 30................              10              20
Oregon........................................  Sept. 1-Sept. 30................              10              20
Utah..........................................  Sept. 1-Sept. 30................              10              20
Washington....................................  Sept. 1-Sept. 30................              10              20
 
OTHER POPULATIONS

[[Page 53758]]

 
Hawaii (4)....................................  Nov. 3-Nov. 25 &................              10              10
                                                Dec. 1-Dec. 23 &................              10              10
                                                Jan. 5-Jan. 21..................              10              10
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) In Illinois, shooting hours are sunrise to sunset.
(2) In Texas, the daily bag limit is either 15 mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped doves in the aggregate,
  of which no more than 2 may be white-tipped doves with a maximum 70-day season. Possession limits are twice
  the daily bag limit. During the special season in the Special White-winged Dove Area of the South Zone, the
  daily bag limit is 15 mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 4
  may be mourning doves and 2 may be white-tipped doves. Possession limits are twice the daily bag limit.
(3) In Arizona, during September 1 through 15, the daily bag limit is 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the
  aggregate, of which no more than 6 may be white-wing doves. During November 23 through January 6, the daily
  bag limit is 10 mourning doves. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.
(4) In Hawaii, the season is only open on the island of Hawaii. The daily bag and possession limits are 10
  mourning doves, spotted doves and chestnut-bellied sandgrouse in the aggregate. Shooting hours are from one-
  half hour before sunrise through one-half hour after sunset. Hunting is permitted only on weekends and State
  holidays.

    (b) Band-tailed Pigeons.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Limits
                                                               Season dates            -------------------------
                                                                                            Bag       Possession
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona..........................................  Sept. 7-Sept. 30...................            5           10
California:
    North Zone...................................  Sept. 15-Sept. 23..................            2            4
    South Zone...................................  Dec. 15-Dec. 23....................            2            4
Colorado.........................................  Sept. 1-Sept. 30...................            5           10
New Mexico (1):
    North Zone...................................  Sept. 1-Sept. 20...................            5           10
    South Zone...................................  Oct. 1-Oct. 20.....................            5           10
Oregon...........................................  Sept. 15-Sept. 23..................            2            4
Utah (2).........................................  Sept. 1-Sept. 30...................            5           10
Washington.......................................  Sept. 15-Sept. 23..................            2            4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) In New Mexico, each band-tailed pigeon hunter must have a band-tailed pigeon hunting permit issued by the
  State.
(2) In Utah, each band-tailed pigeon hunter must have either a band-tailed pigeon hunting permit or a special
  bird permit stamp issued by the State.


0
5. Section 20.104 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  20.104  Seasons, limits, and shooting hours for rails, woodcock, 
and common snipe.

    Subject to the applicable provisions of the preceding sections of 
this part, areas open to hunting, respective open seasons (dates 
inclusive), shooting and hawking hours, and daily bag and possession 
limits for the species designated in this section are prescribed as 
follows:
    Shooting and hawking hours are one-half hour before sunrise until 
sunset except as otherwise noted. Area descriptions were published in 
the July 20, 2012, Federal Register (77 FR 42920).
    CHECK STATE REGULATIONS FOR AREA DESCRIPTIONS AND ANY ADDITIONAL 
RESTRICTIONS.

    Note: States with deferred seasons will select those seasons at 
the same time they select waterfowl seasons in August. Consult late-
season regulations for further information.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Sora and Virginia  Clapper and King
                                     rails              rails           Woodcock             Common snipe
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daily bag limit..............  25 (1)...........  15 (2)..........  3...............  8
Possession limit.............  25 (1)...........  30 (2)..........  6...............  16
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
Connecticut (3)..............  Sept. 4-Nov. 12..  Sept. 4-Nov. 12.  Oct. 24-Nov. 24   Oct. 24-Nov. 24 &
                                                                     &.               Nov. 26-Dec. 8
                                                                    Nov. 26-Dec. 8..
Delaware.....................  Sept. 1-Nov. 8...  Sept. 1-Nov. 8..  Nov. 19-Dec. 8 &  Nov. 19-Dec. 8 &
                                                                    Dec. 12-Jan. 5..  Dec. 12-Jan. 5
Florida......................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..  Dec. 18-Jan. 31.  Nov. 1-Feb. 15
Georgia......................  Sept. 14-Oct. 31   Sept. 14-Oct. 31  Dec. 8-Jan. 21..  Nov. 15-Feb. 28
                                &.                 &.
                               Nov. 10-Dec. 1...  Nov. 10-Dec. 1..
Maine........................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Closed..........  Oct. 1-Nov. 14..  Sept. 1-Dec. 15
Maryland (4).................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..  Oct. 26-Nov. 23   Sept. 25-Nov. 23 &
                                                                     &.               Dec. 11-Jan. 26
                                                                    Jan. 11-Jan. 26.
Massachusetts (5)............  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Closed..........  Deferred........  Sept. 1-Dec. 15
New Hampshire................  Closed...........  Closed..........  Oct. 1-Nov. 14..  Sept. 15-Nov. 14
New Jersey (6):
    North Zone...............  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..  Oct. 20-Nov. 24.  Sept. 17-Jan. 1

[[Page 53759]]

 
    South Zone...............  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..  Nov. 10-Dec. 1 &  Sept. 17-Jan. 1
                                                                    Dec. 19-Jan. 1..
New York (7).................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Closed..........  Oct. 1-Nov. 14..  Sept. 1-Nov. 9
North Carolina...............  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..  Dec. 13-Jan. 26.  Nov. 14-Feb. 28
Pennsylvania (8).............  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Closed..........  Oct. 13-Nov. 24.  Oct. 13-Nov. 24
Rhode Island (9).............  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..  Oct. 20-Nov. 30.  Sept. 1-Nov. 9
South Carolina...............  Sept. 18-Sept. 22  Sept. 18-Sept.    Dec. 18-Jan. 31.  Nov. 14-Feb. 28
                                &.                 22 &.
                               Oct. 13-Dec. 16..  Oct. 13-Dec. 16.
Vermont......................  Closed...........  Closed..........  Oct. 1-Nov. 14..  Oct. 1-Nov. 14
Virginia.....................  Sept. 8-Sept. 29   Sept. 8-Sept. 29  Oct. 27-Nov. 2 &  Oct. 4-Oct. 8 &
                                &.                 &.               Dec. 6-Jan. 12..  Oct. 22-Jan. 31
                               Oct. 1-Nov. 17...  Oct. 1-Nov. 17..
West Virginia................  Sept. 1-Nov. 3...  Closed..........  Oct. 13-Nov. 26.  Sept. 1-Dec. 8
 
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
Alabama (10).................  Nov. 23-Jan. 27..  Nov. 23-Jan. 27.  Dec. 18-Jan. 31.  Nov. 14-Feb. 28
Arkansas.....................  Sept. 8-Nov. 16..  Closed..........  Nov. 3-Dec. 17..  Nov. 1-Feb. 15
Illinois (11)................  Sept. 8-Nov. 16..  Closed..........  Oct. 20-Dec. 3..  Sept. 8-Dec. 23
Indiana (12).................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Closed..........  Oct. 15-Nov. 28.  Sept. 1-Dec. 16
Iowa (13)....................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Closed..........  Oct. 6-Nov. 19..  Sept. 1-Nov. 30
Kentucky.....................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Closed..........  Nov. 1-Dec. 15..  Sept. 19-Oct. 28 &
                                                                                      Nov. 22-Jan. 27
Louisiana (14)...............  Sept. 15-Sept. 30  Sept. 15-Sept.    Dec. 18-Jan. 31.  Deferred
                                                   30.
Michigan (15)................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Closed..........  Sept. 22-Nov. 5.  Sept. 1-Nov. 9
Minnesota....................  Sept. 1-Nov. 5...  Closed..........  Sept. 22-Nov. 5.  Sept. 1-Nov. 5
Mississippi..................  Sept. 22-Nov. 30.  Sept. 22-Nov. 30  Dec. 18-Jan. 31.  Nov. 14-Feb. 28
Missouri.....................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Closed..........  Oct. 15-Nov. 28.  Sept. 1-Dec. 16
Ohio.........................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Closed..........  Oct. 12-Nov. 25.  Sept. 1-Nov. 25 &
                                                                                      Dec. 15-Jan. 4
Tennessee....................  Deferred.........  Closed..........  Oct. 27-Dec. 10.  Nov. 14-Feb. 28
Wisconsin....................  Deferred.........  Closed..........  Sept. 22-Nov. 5.  Deferred
 
CENTRAL FLYWAY
Colorado.....................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Closed..........  Closed..........  Sept. 1-Dec. 16
Kansas.......................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Closed..........  Oct. 13-Nov. 26.  Sept. 1-Dec. 16
Montana......................  Closed...........  Closed..........  Closed..........  Sept. 1-Dec. 16
Nebraska (16)................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Closed..........  Sept. 24-Nov. 7.  Sept. 1-Dec. 16
New Mexico (16)..............  Sept. 15-Nov. 23.  Closed..........  Closed..........  Oct. 13-Jan. 27
North Dakota.................  Closed...........  Closed..........  Sept. 22-Nov. 5.  Sept. 15-Dec. 2
Oklahoma.....................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Closed..........  Nov. 1-Dec. 15..  Oct. 1-Jan. 15
                                                                                      Sept. 15-Dec. 2
South Dakota (17)............  Closed...........  Closed..........  Closed..........  Sept. 1-Oct. 31
Texas........................  Sept. 15-Sept. 30  Sept. 15-Sept.    Dec. 18-Jan. 31.  Nov. 3-Feb. 17
                                &.                 30 &.
                               Nov. 3-Dec. 26...  Nov. 3-Dec. 26..
Wyoming......................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Closed..........  Closed..........  Sept. 1-Dec. 16
 
PACIFIC FLYWAY
Arizona......................  Closed...........  Closed..........  Closed..........  Deferred
California...................  Closed...........  Closed..........  Closed..........  Oct. 20-Feb. 3
Colorado.....................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Closed..........  Closed..........  Sept. 1-Dec. 16
Idaho:
    Area 1...................  Closed...........  Closed..........  Closed..........  Deferred
    Area 2...................  Closed...........  Closed..........  Closed..........  Deferred
Montana......................  Closed...........  Closed..........  Closed..........  Sept. 1-Dec. 16
Nevada.......................  Closed...........  Closed..........  Closed..........  Deferred
New Mexico (16)..............  Sept. 15-Nov. 23.  Closed..........  Closed..........  Oct. 13-Jan. 27
Oregon.......................  Closed...........  Closed..........  Closed..........  Deferred
Utah.........................  Closed...........  Closed..........  Closed..........  Oct. 6-Jan. 19
Washington...................  Closed...........  Closed..........  Closed..........  Deferred
Wyoming......................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9...  Closed..........  Closed..........  Sept. 1-Dec. 16
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The bag and possession limits for sora and Virginia rails apply singly or in the aggregate of these species.
(2) All bag and possession limits for clapper and king rails apply singly or in the aggregate of the two species
  and, unless otherwise specified, the limits are in addition to the limits on sora and Virginia rails in all
  States. In Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey, the limits for clapper and king rails are 10 daily
  and 20 in possession.
(3) In Connecticut, the daily bag and possession limits may not contain more than 1 king rail.
(4) In Maryland, no more than 1 king rail may be taken per day.
(5) In Massachusetts, the sora rail limits are 5 daily and 5 in possession; the Virginia rail limits are 10
  daily and 10 in possession.
(6) In New Jersey, the season for king rails is closed by State regulation.
(7) In New York, the rail daily bag and possession limits are 8 and 16, respectively. Seasons for sora and
  Virginia rails and common snipe are closed on Long Island.
(8) In Pennsylvania, the daily bag and possession limits for rails are 3 and 6, respectively.
(9) In Rhode Island, the sora and Virginia rails limits are 3 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in the
  aggregate; the clapper and king rail limits are 1 daily and 2 in possession, singly or in the aggregate; the
  common snipe limits are 5 daily and 10 in possession.
(10) In Alabama, the rail limits are 15 daily and 15 in possession, singly or in the aggregate.
(11) In Illinois, shooting hours are from sunrise to sunset.
(12) In Indiana, the sora rail limits are 25 daily and 25 in possession. The season on Virginia rails is closed.
(13) In Iowa, the limits for sora and Virginia rails are 12 daily and 24 in possession.

[[Page 53760]]

 
(14) Additional days occurring after September 30 will be published with the late season selections.
(15) In Michigan, the aggregate limits for sora and Virginia rails are 8 daily and 16 in possession.
(16) In Nebraska and New Mexico, the rail limits are 10 daily and 20 in possession.
(17) In South Dakota, the snipe limits are 5 daily and 15 in possession.


0
6. Section 20.105 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  20.105  Seasons, limits, and shooting hours for waterfowl, coots, 
and gallinules.

    Subject to the applicable provisions of the preceding sections of 
this part, areas open to hunting, respective open seasons (dates 
inclusive), shooting and hawking hours, and daily bag and possession 
limits for the species designated in this section are prescribed as 
follows:
    Shooting and hawking hours are one-half hour before sunrise until 
sunset, except as otherwise noted. Area descriptions were published in 
the July 20, 2012, Federal Register (77 FR 42920).
    CHECK STATE REGULATIONS FOR AREA DESCRIPTIONS AND ANY ADDITIONAL 
RESTRICTIONS.

    Note: States with deferred seasons may select those seasons at 
the same time they select waterfowl seasons in August. Consult late-
seasons regulations for further information.

    (a) Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Limits
                                Season dates   -------------------------
                                                    Bag       Possession
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
Delaware....................  Sept. 1-Nov. 8..           15           30
Florida (1).................  Sept. 1-Nov.9...           15           30
Georgia.....................  Deferred........  ...........  ...........
New Jersey..................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..           10           20
New York:
    Long Island.............  Closed..........  ...........  ...........
    Remainder of State......  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..            8           16
North Carolina..............  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..           15           30
Pennsylvania................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..            3            6
South Carolina..............  Sept. 18-Sept.             15           30
                               22 &.
                              Oct. 13-Dec. 16.
Virginia....................  Deferred........  ...........  ...........
West Virginia...............  Deferred........  ...........  ...........
 
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
Alabama.....................  Nov. 23-Jan. 27.           15           15
Arkansas....................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..           15           30
Kentucky....................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..           15           30
Louisiana (2)...............  Sept. 15-Sept.             15           30
                               30.
Michigan....................  Deferred........  ...........  ...........
Minnesota...................  Deferred........  ...........  ...........
Mississippi.................  Sept. 22-Nov. 30           15           30
Ohio........................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..           15           30
Tennessee...................  Deferred........  ...........  ...........
Wisconsin...................  Deferred........  ...........  ...........
 
CENTRAL FLYWAY
New Mexico:
    Zone 1..................  Sept. 29-Dec. 7.            1            2
    Zone 2..................  Sept. 29-Dec. 7.            1            2
Oklahoma....................  Sept. 1-Nov. 9..           15           30
Texas.......................  Sept. 15-Sept.             15           30
                               30 &.                     15           30
                              Nov. 3-Dec. 26..
PACIFIC FLYWAY
All States..................  Deferred........  ...........  ...........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The season applies to common moorhens only.
(2) Additional days occurring after September 30 will be published with
  the late season selections.

    (b) Sea Ducks (scoter, eider, and long-tailed ducks in Atlantic 
Flyway).
    Within the special sea duck areas, the daily bag limit is 7 scoter, 
eider, and long-tailed ducks, singly or in the aggregate, of which no 
more than 4 may be scoters. Possession limits are twice the daily bag 
limit. These limits may be in addition to regular duck bag limits only 
during the regular duck season in the special sea duck hunting areas.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Limits
                                Season dates   -------------------------
                                                    Bag       Possession
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connecticut (1).............  Sept. 20-Jan. 19            5           10
Delaware....................  Sept. 25-Jan. 26            7           14
Georgia.....................  Deferred........  ...........  ...........
Maine (2)...................  Oct. 1-Jan. 31..            7           14
Maryland....................  Deferred........  ...........  ...........

[[Page 53761]]

 
Massachusetts...............  Deferred........  ...........  ...........
New Hampshire (3)...........  Oct. 1-Jan. 15..            7           14
New Jersey..................  Sept. 20-Jan. 22            7           14
New York....................  Oct. 13-Jan. 27.            7           14
North Carolina..............  Deferred........  ...........  ...........
Rhode Island................  Oct. 6-Jan. 20..            5           10
South Carolina..............  Deferred........  ...........  ...........
Virginia....................  Deferred........  ...........  ...........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Notwithstanding the provisions of this Part 20, the shooting of
  crippled waterfowl from a motorboat under power will be permitted in
  Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New
  York, Delaware, Virginia and Maryland in those areas described,
  delineated, and designated in their respective hunting regulations as
  special sea duck hunting areas.
(1) In Connecticut, the daily bag limit may include no more than 4 long-
  tailed ducks.
(2) In Maine, the daily bag limit for eiders is 4, and the possession
  limit is 8.
(3) In New Hampshire, the daily bag limit may include no more than 4
  eiders or 4 long-tailed ducks.

    (c) Early (September) Duck Seasons.

    Note: Unless otherwise specified, the seasons listed below are 
for teal only.


------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Limits
                                Season dates   -------------------------
                                                    Bag       Possession
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
Delaware (1)................  Sept. 12-Sept.              4            8
                               29.
Florida (2).................  Sept. 22--Sept.             4            8
                               26.
Georgia.....................  Sept. 8-Sept. 23            4            8
Maryland (1)(3).............  Sept. 17-Sept.              4            8
                               29.
North Carolina (1)..........  Sept. 8-Sept. 26            4            8
South Carolina (3)..........  Sept. 15-Sept.              4            8
                               30.
Virginia (1)................  Sept. 17-Sept.              4            8
                               29.
 
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
Alabama.....................  Sept. 8-Sept. 23            4            8
Arkansas (3)................  Sept. 8-Sept. 23            4            8
Illinois (3)................  Sept. 8-Sept. 23            4            8
Indiana (3).................  Sept. 1-Sept. 16            4            8
Iowa (4):
    North Zone..............  Sept. 22-Sept.    ...........  ...........
                               26.
    Missouri River Zone.....  Sept. 22-Sept.    ...........  ...........
                               26.
    South Zone..............  Sept. 22-Sept.    ...........  ...........
                               26.
Kentucky (2)................  Sept. 19-Sept.              4            8
                               23.
Louisiana...................  Sept. 15-Sept.              4            8
                               30.
Mississippi.................  Sept. 15-Sept.              4            8
                               30.
Missouri (3)................  Sept. 8-Sept. 23            4            8
Ohio (3)....................  Sept. 1-Sept. 16            4            8
Tennessee (2)...............  Sept. 8-Sept. 12            4            8
 
CENTRAL FLYWAY
Colorado (1)................  Sept. 8-Sept. 16            4            8
Kansas:
    Low Plains..............  Sept. 8-Sept. 23            4            8
    High Plains.............  Sept. 15-Sept.              4            8
                               23.
Nebraska (1):
    Low Plains..............  Sept. 8-Sept. 23            4            8
    High Plains.............  Sept. 8-Sept. 16            4            8
New Mexico..................  Sept. 15-Sept.              4            8
                               23.
Oklahoma....................  Sept. 8-Sept. 23            4            8
Texas:
    High Plains.............  Sept. 15-Sept.              4            8
                               30.
    Rest of State...........  Sept. 15-Sept.              4            8
                               30.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Area restrictions. See State regulations.
(2) In Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee, the daily bag limit is 4 wood
  ducks and teal in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood
  ducks. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.
(3) Shooting hours are from sunrise to sunset.
(4) In Iowa, the September season is part of the regular season, and
  limits will conform to those set for the regular season.

    (d) Special Early Canada Goose Seasons.

[[Page 53762]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Limits
                                Season dates   -------------------------
                                                    Bag       Possession
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
Connecticut (1):
    North Zone..............  Sept. 4-Sept. 29           15           30
    South Zone..............  Sept. 15-Sept.             15           30
                               29.
Delaware....................  Sept. 1-Sept. 25           15           30
Florida.....................  Sept. 1-Sept. 26            5           10
Georgia.....................  Sept. 1-Sept. 30            5           10
Maine:
    Northern Zone...........  Sept. 1-Sept. 25            6           12
    Southern Zone...........  Sept. 1-Sept. 25            8           16
    Coastal Zone............  Sept. 1-Sept. 25            8           16
Maryland (1)(2):
    Eastern Unit............  Sept. 1-Sept. 15            8           16
    Western Unit............  Sept. 1-Sept. 25            8           16
Massachusetts:
    Central Zone............  Sept. 4-Sept. 25            7           14
    Coastal Zone............  Sept. 4-Sept. 25            7           14
    Western Zone............  Sept. 4-Sept. 25            7           14
New Hampshire...............  Sept. 4-Sept. 25            5           10
New Jersey (1)(2)(3)........  Sept. 1-Sept. 30           15           30
New York:
    Lake Champlain Zone.....  Sept. 4-Sept. 25            5           10
    Northeastern Zone.......  Sept. 1-Sept. 25            8           16
    Western Zone............  Sept. 1-Sept. 25            8           16
    Southeastern Zone.......  Sept. 1-Sept. 25            8           16
    Western Long Island Zone  Closed..........  ...........  ...........
    Central Long Island Zone  Sept. 4-Sept. 30            8           16
    Eastern Long Island Zone  Sept. 4-Sept. 30            8           16
North Carolina (4)(5).......  Sept. 1-Sept. 29           15           30
Pennsylvania (6):
    SJBP Zone (7)...........  Sept. 1-Sept. 25            3            6
    Rest of State (8).......  Sept. 1-Sept. 25            8           16
Rhode Island (1)............  Sept. 1-Sept. 30           15           30
South Carolina:
    Early-Season Hunt Unit..  Sept. 1-Sept. 30           15           30
Vermont:
    Lake Champlain Zone (9).  Sept. 4-Sept. 25            5           10
    Interior Vermont Zone...  Sept. 4-Sept. 25            5           10
    Connecticut River Zone    Sept. 4-Sept. 25            5           10
     (10).
Virginia (11)...............  Sept. 1-Sept. 25           10           20
West Virginia...............  Sept. 1-Sept. 15            5           10
 
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
Alabama.....................  Sept. 1-Sept. 15            5           10
Arkansas (12)...............  Sept. 1-Sept. 15            5           10
Illinois:
    North Zone..............  Sept. 1-Sept. 15            5           10
    Central Zone............  Sept. 1-Sept. 15            5           10
    South Central Zone......  Sept. 1-Sept. 15            2            4
    South Zone..............  Sept. 1-Sept. 15            2            4
Indiana.....................  Sept. 1-Sept. 15            5           10
Iowa:
    South Goose Zone:.......
        Des Moines Goose      Sept. 1-Sept. 9.            5           10
         Zone.
        Cedar Rapids/Iowa     Sept. 1-Sept. 9.            5           10
         City Goose Zone.
        Remainder of South    Closed..........  ...........  ...........
         Zone.
    North Goose Zone:.......
        Cedar Falls/Waterloo  Sept. 1-Sept. 9.            5           10
         Zone.
        Remainder of North    Closed..........  ...........  ...........
         Zone.
Kentucky (12)...............  Sept. 1-Sept. 15            2            4
Michigan:
    North Zone..............  Sept. 1-Sept. 10            5           10
    Middle Zone.............  Sept. 1-Sept. 15            5           10
    South Zone..............  Sept. 1-Sept. 15            5           10
    Huron, Saginaw, and       Sept. 1-Sept. 10            5           10
     Tuscola Counties.
Minnesota...................  Sept. 1-Sept. 21            5           10
Mississippi.................  Sept. 1-Sept. 15            5           10
Ohio........................  Sept. 1-Sept. 15            4            8
Tennessee...................  Sept. 1-Sept. 15            5           10
Wisconsin...................  Sept. 1-Sept. 15            5           10
 
CENTRAL FLYWAY
North Dakota:

[[Page 53763]]

 
    Missouri River Zone.....  Sept. 1-Sept. 7.           15           30
    Remainder of State......  Sept. 1-Sept. 15           15           30
Oklahoma....................  Sept. 8-Sept. 17            8           16
South Dakota (12)...........  Sept. 1-Sept. 30            8           16
Texas:
    East Zone...............  Sept. 15-Sept.              5           10
                               30.
 
PACIFIC FLYWAY
Colorado....................  Sept. 1-Sept. 9.            4            8
Oregon:
    Northwest Zone..........  Sept. 8-Sept. 17            5           10
    Southwest Zone (13).....  Sept. 8-Sept. 12            5           10
    East Zone (13)..........  Sept. 8-Sept. 12            5           10
Washington:
    Mgmt. Area 2B...........  Sept. 1-Sept. 15            5           10
    Mgmt. Areas 1 & 3.......  Sept. 10-Sept.              5           10
                               15.
    Mgmt. Area 4 & 5........  Sept. 14-Sept.              3            6
                               15.
    Mgmt. Area 2A...........  Sept. 10-Sept.              3            6
                               15.
Wyoming:
    Teton County............  Sept. 1-Sept. 8.            3            6
    Rest of State...........  Sept. 1-Sept. 8.            2            4
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour
  after sunset.
(2) The use of shotguns capable of holding more than 3 shotshells is
  allowed.
(3) The use of electronic calls is allowed.
(4) In North Carolina, the use of unplugged guns and electronic calls is
  allowed in that area west of U.S. Highway 17 only.
(5) In North Carolina, shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise
  to one-half hour after sunset in that area west of U.S. Highway 17
  only.
(6) In Pennsylvania, shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to
  one-half hour after sunset from September 1 to September 14, September
  16 to September 21, and September 23 to September 25. On September 15
  and September 22, shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to
  sunset.
(7) In Pennsylvania, in the area south of SR 198 from the Ohio state
  line to intersection of SR 18, SR 18 south to SR 618, SR 618 south to
  U.S. Route 6, U.S. Route 6 east to U.S. Route 322/SR 18, U.S. Route
  322/SR 18 west to intersection of SR 3013, SR 3013 south to the
  Crawford/Mercer County line, not including the Pymatuning State Park
  Reservoir and an area to extend 100 yards inland from the shoreline of
  the reservoir, excluding the area east of SR 3011 (Hartstown Road),
  the daily bag limit is one goose. The season is closed on State Game
  Lands 214.
(8) In Pennsylvania, in the area of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties north
  of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, east of SR 501 to SR 419, south of SR
  419 to the Lebanon-Berks County line, west of the Lebanon-Berks County
  line and the Lancaster-Berks County line to SR 1053, west of SR 1053
  to the Pennsylvania Turnpike I-76, the daily bag limit is 1 goose with
  a possession limit of 2 geese. On State Game Lands No. 46 (Middle
  Creek Wildlife Mgmt Area), the season is closed.
(9) In Vermont, in Addison County north of Route 125, the daily bag and
  possession limit is 2 and 4, respectively.
(10) In Vermont, the season in the Connecticut River Zone is the same as
  the New Hampshire Inland Zone season, set by New Hampshire.
(11) In Virginia, shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-
  half hour after sunset from September 1 to September 15, and one-half
  hour before sunrise to sunset from September 17 to September 25 in the
  area east of I-95 where the September teal season is open. Shooting
  hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset
  from September 1 to September 22, and one-half hour before sunrise to
  sunset from September 24 to September 25 in the area west of I-95.
(12) See State regulations for additional information and restrictions.
(13) In Oregon, the season is closed in the Southcoast Zone and the
  Klamath County Zone.

    (e) Regular Goose Seasons.

    Note: Bag and possession limits will conform to those set for 
the regular season. Additional season dates occurring after 
September 30 will be published with the late season selections.


------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Season dates
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
Michigan..............................  Deferred
Wisconsin:
    North Zone........................  Sept. 16-Sept. 30
    South Zone........................  Sept. 16-Sept. 30
    Mississippi River Zone............  Sept. 22-Sept. 30
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (f) Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days.
    The following seasons are open only to youth hunters. Youth hunters 
must be accompanied into the field by an adult at least 18 years of 
age. This adult cannot duck hunt but may participate in other open 
seasons.

Definitions

    Youth Hunters: Includes youths 15 years of age or younger.
    The 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.
    The Mississippi Flyway: Includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, 
Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, 
Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
    The Central Flyway: Includes Colorado (east of the Continental 
Divide), Kansas, Montana (Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith Basin, 
Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties east thereof), 
Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except that the 
Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation is in the Pacific Flyway), North 
Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the 
Continental Divide).
    The Pacific Flyway: Includes Arizona, California, Colorado (west of 
the Continental Divide), Idaho, Montana (including and to the west of 
Hill, Chouteau, Cascade, Meagher, and Park Counties), Nevada, New 
Mexico (the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation and west of the 
Continental Divide), Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming (west of the 
Continental Divide including the Great Divide Basin).

    Note: Bag and possession limits will conform to those set for 
the regular season unless there is a special season already open 
(e.g., September Canada goose season), in which case, that season's 
daily bag limit will prevail.


[[Page 53764]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        Season dates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
Connecticut.............................  ...............................  Deferred.
Delaware................................  Ducks, geese, brant,             Oct. 13 & Dec. 8.
                                           mergansers, and coots.
Florida.................................  ...............................  Deferred.
Georgia.................................  Ducks, geese, mergansers,        Nov. 10 & 11.
                                           coots, moorhens, and
                                           gallinules.
Maine...................................  Ducks, geese, mergansers, and    .....................................
                                           coots.
                                          North Zone.....................  Sept. 15 & Dec. 15.
                                          South Zone & Coastal Zone......  Sept. 22 & Nov. 17.
Maryland (1)............................  ...............................  Deferred.
Massachusetts...........................  ...............................  Deferred.
New Hampshire...........................  Ducks, geese, mergansers, and    Sept. 29 & 30.
                                           coots.
New Jersey..............................  ...............................  Deferred .
New York (2)............................  Ducks, mergansers, coots,
                                           brant, and Canada geese.
                                          Long Island Zone...............  Nov. 10 & 11.
                                          Lake Champlain Zone............  Sept. 29 & 30.
                                          Northeastern Zone..............  Sept. 22 & 23.
                                          Southeastern Zone..............  Sept. 29 & 30.
                                          Western Zone...................  Oct. 13 & 14.
North Carolina..........................  ...............................  Deferred.
Pennsylvania............................  Ducks, mergansers, Canada        Sept. 15 & 22.
                                           geese, coots, and moorhens.
Rhode Island............................  Ducks, mergansers and coots....  Oct. 20 & 21.
South Carolina..........................  ...............................  Deferred.
Vermont.................................  Ducks, geese, mergansers and     Sept. 29 & 30.
                                           coots.
Virginia................................  ...............................  Deferred.
West Virginia (3).......................  Ducks, geese, mergansers,        Sept. 22 & Nov. 3.
                                           coots, moorhens, and
                                           gallinules.
 
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
Alabama.................................  Ducks, mergansers, coots,        Feb. 9 & 10.
                                           geese, moorhens, and
                                           gallinules.
Arkansas................................  ...............................  Deferred.
Illinois................................  ...............................  Deferred.
Indiana.................................  ...............................  Deferred.
Iowa....................................  ...............................  Deferred .
Kentucky................................  ...............................  Deferred.
Louisiana...............................  ...............................  Deferred.
Michigan................................  Ducks, geese, mergansers,        Sept. 15 & 16.
                                           coots, moorhens, and
                                           gallinules.
Minnesota...............................  Ducks, geese, mergansers,        Sept. 8.
                                           coots, moorhens, and
                                           gallinules.
Mississippi.............................  ...............................  Deferred.
Missouri................................  ...............................  Deferred.
Ohio....................................  ...............................  Deferred.
Tennessee...............................  ...............................  Deferred.
Wisconsin...............................  Ducks, geese, mergansers,        Sept. 15 & 16.
                                           coots, moorhens, and
                                           gallinules.
 
CENTRAL FLYWAY
Colorado................................  Ducks, dark geese, mergansers,
                                           and coots.
                                          Mountain/Foothills Zone........  Sept. 22 & 23.
                                          Northeast Zone.................  Sept. 22 & 23.
                                          Southeast Zone.................  Oct. 20 & 21.
Kansas (4)..............................  ...............................  Deferred.
Montana.................................  Ducks, geese, mergansers, and    Sept. 22 & 23.
                                           coots.
Nebraska (5)............................  Ducks, geese, mergansers, and    Deferred.
                                           coots.
New Mexico..............................  Ducks, mergansers, coots, and
                                           moorhens.
                                          North Zone.....................  Sept. 29 & 30.
                                          South Zone.....................  Oct. 13 & 14.
North Dakota............................  Ducks, geese, mergansers, and    Sept. 15 & 16.
                                           coots.
Oklahoma................................  ...............................  Deferred.
South Dakota (6)........................  Ducks, Canada geese,             Sept. 22 & 23.
                                           mergansers, and coots.
Texas...................................  ...............................  Deferred.
Wyoming.................................  Ducks, geese, mergansers, and
                                           coots.
                                          Zone 1.........................  Sept. 29 & 30.
                                          Zone 2.........................  Sept. 15 & 16.
 
PACIFIC FLYWAY
Arizona.................................  ...............................  Deferred.
California..............................  Ducks, geese, mergansers,
                                           coots, moorhens, gallinules,
                                           and brant.
                                          Northeastern Zone..............  Sept. 22 & 23.
                                          Remainder of State.............  Deferred.
Colorado................................  Ducks, geese, mergansers, and    Oct. 13 & 14.
                                           coots.
Idaho...................................  Ducks, Canada geese,             Sept. 29 & 30.
                                           mergansers, coots, moorhens,
                                           and gallinules.

[[Page 53765]]

 
Montana.................................  Ducks, geese, mergansers, and    Sept. 22 & 23.
                                           coots.
Nevada..................................  Ducks, geese, mergansers,
                                           coots, moorhens, and
                                           gallinules.
                                          Northeast Zone.................  Sept. 15 & Jan. 12.
                                          Rest of State..................  Deferred.
New Mexico..............................  Ducks, mergansers, moorhens,     Oct. 6 & 7.
                                           and coots.
Oregon (7)..............................  Ducks, Canada geese,             Sept. 22 & 23.
                                           mergansers, coots, moorhens,
                                           and gallinules.
Utah....................................  Ducks, geese, mergansers,        Sept. 22.
                                           coots, moorhens, and
                                           gallinules.
Washington..............................  Ducks, Canada geese,             Sept. 22 & 23.
                                           mergansers, and coots.
Wyoming.................................  Ducks, dark geese, mergansers,   Sept. 15 & 16.
                                           and coots.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) In Maryland, the accompanying adult must be at least 21 years of age and possess a valid Maryland hunting
  license (or be exempt from the license requirement). This accompanying adult may not shoot or possess a
  firearm.
(2) In New York, the daily bag limit for Canada geese is 2.
(3) In West Virginia, the accompanying adult must be at least 21 years of age.
(4) In Kansas, the adult accompanying the youth must possess any licenses and/or stamps required by law for that
  individual to hunt waterfowl.
(5) In Nebraska, see State regulations for additional information on the daily bag limit.
(6) In South Dakota, the limit for Canada geese is 3, except in areas where the Special Early Canada goose
  season is open. In those areas, the limit is the same as for that special season.
(7) In Oregon, the goose season is closed for the youth hunt in the Northwest Special Permit Goose Zone and the
  Northwest General Zone.


0
7. Section 20.106 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  20.106  Seasons, limits, and shooting hours for sandhill cranes.

    Subject to the applicable provisions of the preceding sections of 
this part, areas open to hunting, respective open seasons (dates 
inclusive), shooting and hawking hours, and daily bag and possession 
limits on the species designated in this section are as follows:
    Shooting and hawking hours are one-half hour before sunrise until 
sunset, except as otherwise noted. Area descriptions were published in 
the July 20, 2012, Federal Register (77 FR 42920).
    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 sandhill 
cranes at the level allowed by 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 transferable 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.
    CHECK STATE REGULATIONS FOR AREA DESCRIPTIONS AND ANY ADDITIONAL 
RESTRICTIONS.

    Note: States with deferred seasons may select those seasons at 
the same time they select waterfowl seasons in August. Consult late-
season regulations for further information.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Limits
                                                             Season dates              -------------------------
                                                                                            Bag       Possession
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
Kentucky......................................  Deferred..............................  ...........
Minnesota (1):
    NW Goose Zone.............................  Sept. 15-Oct. 21......................            2            4
 
CENTRAL FLYWAY
Colorado (1)..................................  Sept. 29-Nov. 25......................            3            6
Kansas (1)(2)(3)..............................  Nov. 7-Jan. 3.........................            3            6
Montana:
                                                                                       -------------------------
    Regular Season Area (1)...................  Sept. 29-Nov. 25......................            3            6
                                                                                       -------------------------
    Special Season Area (4)...................  Sept. 8-Sept. 30......................        2 per season
                                                                                       -------------------------
New Mexico:
    Regular Season Area (1)...................  Oct. 31-Jan. 31.......................            3            6
    Middle Rio Grande Valley Area (4)(5)......  Oct. 27-Oct. 28 &.....................            3            6
                                                Nov. 10 only &........................            3            6
                                                Nov. 17-Nov. 18 &.....................            3            6
                                                Dec. 1-Dec. 2 &.......................            3            6
                                                Jan. 12-Jan. 13.......................            3            6
    Southwest Area (4)........................  Oct. 27-Nov. 4 &......................            3            6
                                                Jan. 5-Jan. 6.........................            3            6
    Estancia Valley (4).......................  Oct. 27-Nov. 4........................            3            6
North Dakota (1):
    Area 1....................................  Sept. 15-Nov. 11......................            3            6
    Area 2....................................  Sept. 15-Oct. 21......................            2            4
Oklahoma (1)..................................  Deferred..............................  ...........  ...........
South Dakota (1)..............................  Sept. 22-Nov. 18......................            3            6
Texas (1).....................................  Deferred..............................  ...........  ...........

[[Page 53766]]

 
Wyoming:
    Regular Season (Area 7) (1)...............  Sept. 15-Nov. 11......................            3            6
                                                                                       -------------------------
    Riverton-Boysen Unit (Area 4) (4).........  Sept. 15-Oct. 7.......................        1 per season
                                                                                       -------------------------
    Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park, and Washakie   Sept. 15-Oct. 7.......................        1 per season
     Counties (Area 6) (4).
                                                                                       -------------------------
PACIFIC FLYWAY
Arizona (4):
    Special Season Area.......................  Nov. 9-Nov. 11 &......................        3 per season
                                                Nov. 16-Nov. 18 &.....................        3 per season
                                                Nov. 20-Nov. 22 &.....................        3 per season
                                                Nov. 24-Nov. 26 &.....................        3 per season
                                                Nov. 28-Nov. 30 &.....................        3 per season
                                                Dec. 7-Dec. 9.........................        3 per season
                                                                                       -------------------------
                                                Lower CO River Hunt Area..............       Closed  ...........
Idaho (4):
    Areas 1 & 6...............................  Sept. 1-Sept. 30......................            3        9 per
                                                                                                          season
    Areas 2-5.................................  Sept. 1-Sept. 15......................            3        9 per
                                                                                                          season
Montana.......................................  Special Season Area (4)...............     Sept. 8-        2 per
                                                                                           Sept. 30       season
                                                                                       -------------------------
Utah (4):
    Rich County...............................  Sept. 1-Sept. 9.......................        1 per season
    Cache County..............................  Sept. 1-Sept. 9.......................        1 per season
    Eastern Box Elder County..................  Sept. 1-Sept. 9.......................        1 per season
    Uintah County.............................  Sept. 22-Sept. 30.....................        1 per season
                                                                                       -------------------------
Wyoming (4):
    Bear River Area (Area 1)..................  Sept. 1-Sept. 8.......................        1 per season
    Salt River Area (Area 2)..................  Sept. 1-Sept. 8.......................        1 per season
    Eden-Farson Area (Area 3).................  Sept. 1-Sept. 8.......................        1 per season
    Uinta County (Area 5).....................  Sept. 1-Sept. 8.......................        1 per season
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane seasons must have a valid sandhill crane hunting
  permit and/or a State-issued Harvest Information Survey Program (HIP) certification for game bird hunting in
  their possession while hunting.
(2) In Kansas, shooting hours are from sunrise until sunset.
(3) In Kansas, each person desiring to hunt sandhill cranes is required to pass an annual, online sandhill crane
  identification examination.
(4) Hunting is by State permit only. See State regulations for further information.
(5) In New Mexico, in the Middle Rio Grande Valley Area, the season is only open for youth hunters on November
  10. See State regulations for further details.


0
8. Section 20.109 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  20.109  Extended seasons, limits, and hours for taking migratory 
game birds by falconry.

    Subject to the applicable provisions of the preceding sections of 
this part, areas open to hunting, respective open seasons (dates 
inclusive), hawking hours, and daily bag and possession limits for the 
species designated in this section are prescribed as follows:
    Hawking hours are one-half hour before sunrise until sunset except 
as otherwise noted. Area descriptions were published in the July 20, 
2012, Federal Register (77 FR 42920). For those extended seasons for 
ducks, mergansers, and coots, area descriptions were published in an 
August 17, 2012, Federal Register and will be published again in a 
late-September 2012, Federal Register.
    CHECK STATE REGULATIONS FOR AREA DESCRIPTIONS AND ANY ADDITIONAL 
RESTRICTIONS.

 
 
 
Daily bag limit.....................  3 migratory birds, singly or in the aggregate.
Possession limit....................  6 migratory birds, singly or in the aggregate.
 

    These limits apply to falconry during both regular hunting seasons 
and extended falconry seasons--unless further restricted by State 
regulations. The falconry bag and possession limits are not in addition 
to regular season limits. Unless otherwise specified, extended falconry 
for ducks does not include sea ducks within the special sea duck areas. 
Only extended falconry seasons are shown below. Many States permit 
falconry during the gun seasons. Please consult State regulations for 
details.
    For ducks, mergansers, coots, geese, and some moorhen seasons; 
additional season days occurring after September 30 will be published 
with the late-season selections. Some States have deferred selections. 
Consult late-season regulations for further information.

[[Page 53767]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        Extended falconry dates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATLANTIC FLYWAY:
Delaware..........................  Doves.....................  .....................  Oct. 1-Oct. 12 & Jan. 13-
                                                                                        Feb. 6.
                                    Rails.....................  .....................  Nov. 9-Dec. 16.
                                    Woodcock and snipe........  .....................  Jan. 7-Mar. 9.
Florida...........................  Doves.....................  .....................  Oct. 30-Nov. 9 & Nov. 26-
                                                                                        Dec. 7 & Jan. 7-Jan. 20.
                                    Rails.....................  .....................  Nov. 10-Dec. 16.
                                    Woodcock..................  .....................  Nov. 24-Dec. 17 & Feb. 1-
                                                                                        Mar. 10.
                                    Common moorhens...........  .....................  Nov. 10-Dec. 14.
Georgia...........................  Moorhens, gallinules, and   .....................  Nov. 26-Dec. 7 & Jan. 28-
                                     sea ducks.                                         Feb. 1.
Maryland..........................  Doves.....................  .....................  Oct. 7-Oct. 31 & Jan. 4-
                                                                                        Jan. 15.
                                    Rails.....................  .....................  Nov. 10-Dec. 16.
                                    Woodcock..................  .....................  Oct. 1-Oct. 25 & Feb. 2-
                                                                                        Mar. 10.
North Carolina....................  Doves.....................  .....................  Oct. 13-Nov. 17.
                                    Rails, moorhens, and        .....................  Nov. 17-Dec. 22.
                                     gallinules.
                                    Woodcock..................  .....................  Nov. 5-Dec. 8 & Feb. 1-
                                                                                        Feb. 28.
Pennsylvania......................  Doves.....................  .....................  Oct. 1-Oct. 26 & Nov. 26-
                                                                                        Dec. 7.
                                    Rails.....................  .....................  Nov. 10-Dec. 15.
                                    Woodcock and snipe........  .....................  Sept. 1-Oct. 12 & Nov. 26-
                                                                                        Dec. 15.
                                    Moorhens and gallinules...  .....................  Nov. 10-Dec. 15.
Virginia..........................  Doves.....................  .....................  Oct. 14-Oct. 16 & Dec. 13-
                                                                                        Dec. 27 & Jan. 13-Jan.
                                                                                        31.
                                    Woodcock..................  .....................  Oct. 17-Oct. 26 & Nov. 3-
                                                                                        Dec. 5 & Jan. 13-Jan.
                                                                                        31.
                                    Rails.....................  .....................  Sept. 30 & Nov. 18-Dec.
                                                                                        23.
 
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
Illinois..........................  Doves.....................  .....................  Oct. 29-Nov. 2 & Nov. 15-
                                                                                        Dec. 16.
                                    Rails.....................  .....................  Sept. 1-Sept. 7 & Nov. 17-
                                                                                        Dec. 16.
                                    Woodcock..................  .....................  Sept. 1-Oct. 19 & Dec. 4-
                                                                                        Dec. 16.
Indiana...........................  Doves.....................  .....................  Oct. 24-Nov. 8 & Jan. 1-
                                                                                        Jan. 21.
                                    Woodcock..................  .....................  Sept. 20-Oct. 14 & Nov.
                                                                                        29-Jan. 4.
                                    Ducks, mergansers, and      North Zone...........  Sept. 27-Sept. 30.
                                     coots (1).
Louisiana.........................  Doves.....................  .....................  Sept. 17-Oct. 3.
                                    Woodcock..................  .....................  Oct. 28-Dec. 17 & Feb. 1-
                                                                                        Feb. 11.
Minnesota.........................  Woodcock..................  .....................  Sept. 1-Sept. 21 & Nov. 6-
                                                                                        Dec. 16.
                                    Rails and snipe...........  .....................  Nov. 6-Dec. 16.
                                    Doves.....................  .....................  Nov. 10-Dec. 16.
Missouri..........................  Doves.....................  .....................  Nov. 10-Dec. 16.
                                    Ducks, mergansers, and      .....................  Sept. 8-Sept. 23.
                                     coots.
Ohio..............................  Ducks, coots, and geese...  .....................  Sept. 1-Sept. 16.
Tennessee.........................  Doves.....................  .....................  Sept. 27-Oct. 12 & Oct.
                                                                                        29-Nov. 18.
                                    Ducks (1).................  .....................  Sept. 13-Oct. 18.
Wisconsin.........................  Rails, snipe, moorhens,     .....................  Sept. 1-Sept. 21.
                                     and gallinules (1).
                                    Woodcock..................  .....................  Sept. 1-Sept. 21.
                                    Ducks, mergansers, and      .....................  Sept. 15-Sept. 16.
                                     coots.
 
CENTRAL FLYWAY
Montana (2).......................  Ducks, mergansers, and      .....................  Sept. 19-Sept. 28.
                                     coots (1).
Nebraska..........................  Ducks, mergansers, and      High Plains..........  Sept. 8-Sept. 16.
                                     coots.
                                                                Low Plains...........  Sept. 8-Sept. 23.
New Mexico........................  Doves.....................  North Zone...........  Nov. 10-Nov. 12 & Nov. 28-
                                                                                        Dec. 31.
                                                                South Zone...........  Oct. 10-Nov. 12 & Nov. 28-
                                                                                        Nov. 30.
                                    Band-tailed pigeons.......  North Zone...........  Sept. 21-Dec. 16.
                                    ..........................  South Zone...........  Oct. 21-Jan. 15.
                                    Ducks and coots...........  .....................  Sept. 15-Sept. 23.
                                    Sandhill cranes...........  Regular Season Area..  Oct. 17-Oct. 30.
                                    ..........................  Estancia Valley Area.  Nov. 5-Dec. 25.
                                    Common moorhens...........  .....................  Dec. 8-Jan. 13.
                                    Sora and Virginia rails...  .....................  Nov. 24-Dec. 30.
North Dakota......................  Ducks, mergansers, and      .....................  Sept. 3-Sept. 7 & Sept.
                                     coots.                                             10-Sept. 14.
                                    Snipe.....................  .....................  Sept. 3-Sept. 7 & Sept.
                                                                                        10-Sept. 14.
South Dakota......................  Ducks, mergansers, and      High Plains..........  Sept. 1-Sept. 8.
                                     coots (1).                 Low Plains...........
                                                                North Zone...........  Sept. 1-Sept. 14 & Sept.
                                                                                        17-Sept. 21.
                                                                Middle Zone..........  Sept. 1-Sept. 14 & Sept.
                                                                                        15-Sept. 19.
                                                                South Zone...........  Sept. 1-Sept. 14 & Sept.
                                                                                        17-Sept. 21.
Texas.............................  Doves.....................  .....................  Nov. 15-Dec. 21.
                                    Rails, gallinules, and      .....................  Jan. 28-Feb. 11.
                                     woodcock.
Wyoming...........................  Rails.....................  .....................  Nov. 10-Dec. 16.
                                    Ducks, mergansers, and      Zone 1...............  Sept. 29-Oct. 5 & Oct. 22-
                                     coots.                                             Oct. 24.
                                    ..........................  Zone 2...............  Sept. 15-Sept. 16 & Nov.
                                                                                        26-Dec. 3.
 
PACIFIC FLYWAY
Arizona...........................  Doves.....................  .....................  Sept. 16-Nov. 1.
New Mexico........................  Doves.....................  North Zone...........  Nov. 10-Nov. 12 & Nov. 28-
                                                                                        Dec. 31.

[[Page 53768]]

 
                                    ..........................  South Zone...........  Oct. 10-Nov. 12 & Nov. 28-
                                                                                        Nov. 30.
                                    Band-tailed pigeons.......  North Zone...........  Sept. 21-Dec. 16.
                                    ..........................  South Zone...........  Oct. 21-Jan. 15.
Oregon............................  Doves.....................  .....................  Oct. 1-Dec. 16.
                                    Band-tailed pigeons (3)...  .....................  Sept. 1-Sept. 14 & Sept.
                                                                                        24-Dec. 16.
Utah..............................  Doves and band-tailed       .....................  Oct. 1-Dec. 16.
                                     pigeons.
Washington........................  Doves.....................  .....................  Oct. 1-Dec. 16.
Wyoming...........................  Rails.....................  .....................  Nov. 10-Dec. 16.
                                    Ducks, mergansers, and      .....................  Sept. 15-Sept. 16.
                                     coots (1).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Additional days occurring after September 30 will be published with the late-season selections.
(2) In Montana, the bag limit is 2 and the possession limit is 6.
(3) In Oregon, no more than 1 pigeon daily in bag or possession.

[FR Doc. 2012-21294 Filed 8-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P