Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 238 (Friday, December 11, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 238 (Friday, December 11, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 77088-77122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31169]

[[Page 77087]]

Vol. 80

Friday,

No. 238

December 11, 2015

Part II

Department of the Interior

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Fish and Wildlife Service

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50 CFR Part 20

Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting
Regulations; Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 238 / Friday, December 11, 2015 /
Proposed Rules

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2015-0034; FF09M21200-167-FXMB1231099BPP0]
RIN 1018-BA70

Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Migratory Bird
Hunting Regulations

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we)
is proposing to establish the 2016-17 hunting regulations for certain
migratory game birds. We annually prescribe frameworks, or outer
limits, for dates and times when hunting may occur and the number of
birds that may be taken and possessed in hunting seasons. These
frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and
limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels compatible with
population and habitat conditions.

DATES: You must submit comments on the proposed migratory bird hunting
frameworks by January 11, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments: You may submit comments on the proposals by one of
the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-HQ-
MB-2015-0034.
U.S. mail or hand delivery: Public Comments Processing,
Attn: FWS-HQ-MB-2015-0034; Division of Policy, Performance, and
Management Programs; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; MS: BPHC; 5275
Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
We will post all comments on http://www.regulations.gov. This
generally means that we will post any personal information you provide
us (see the Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council
Recommendations section, below, for more information).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron W. Kokel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Department of the Interior, MS: MB, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls
Church, VA 22041-3803; (703) 358-1967.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of DOI's retrospective regulatory
review, we developed a schedule for migratory game bird hunting
regulations that is more efficient and will provide dates much earlier
than was possible under the old process. This will facilitate planning
for the States and all parties interested in migratory bird hunting.
Beginning with the 2016-17 hunting season, we are using a new schedule
for establishing our annual migratory game bird hunting regulations. We
will combine the current early- and late-season regulatory actions into
a single process, based on predictions derived from long-term
biological information and harvest strategies, to establish migratory
bird hunting seasons much earlier than the system we have used for many
years. Under the new process, we will develop proposed hunting season
frameworks for a given year in the fall of the prior year. We will
finalize those frameworks a few months later, thereby enabling the
State agencies to select and publish their season dates in early
summer.

Regulations Schedule for 2016

On August 6, 2015, we published in the Federal Register (80 FR
47388) 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
2016-17 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal
Register notifications were also identified in the August 6, 2015,
proposed rule. Further, we explained that all sections of subsequent
documents outlining hunting frameworks and guidelines were organized
under numbered headings. Those headings are:

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

Subsequent documents will refer only to numbered items requiring
attention. Therefore, it is important to note that we will omit those
items requiring no attention, and remaining numbered items will be
discontinuous and appear incomplete.
The August 6 proposed rule also provided detailed information on
the proposed 2016-17 regulatory schedule and announced the Service
Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council meetings.
On October 20-21, 2015, we held open meetings with the Flyway
Council Consultants, at which the participants reviewed information on
the current status of migratory game birds and developed
recommendations for the 2016-17 regulations for these species.
This document deals specifically with proposed frameworks for the
migratory bird hunting regulations. It will lead to final frameworks
from which States may select season dates, shooting hours, areas, and
limits.
We have considered all pertinent comments received through October
23, 2015, on the August 6, 2015, proposed rulemaking document in
developing this document. In addition, new proposals for certain
regulations are provided for public comment. The comment period is
specified above under DATES. We will publish final regulatory
frameworks for migratory game bird hunting in the Federal Register on
or around February 28, 2016.

Population Status and Harvest

The following paragraphs provide information on the status and
harvest of migratory game birds excerpted from various reports. Due to
the overlapping nature this first year of the new regulatory process
for establishing the annual migratory game bird hunting regulations,
most all of this information was previously reported in the July 21,
2015, and August 25, 2015, proposed rules for the 2015-16 migratory
game bird hunting seasons (80 FR 43266 and 80 FR 51658). However, as an
aid to the reader, we are providing it again here. We are also
providing updated status information for the Mid-Continent

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Population of sandhill cranes from the March, 2015 surveys.
For more detailed information on methodologies and results, you may
obtain complete copies of the various reports at the address indicated
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or from our Web site at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewsPublicationsReports.html.

Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey

Federal, provincial, and State agencies conduct surveys each spring
to estimate the size of breeding populations and to evaluate habitat
conditions. These surveys are conducted using fixed-wing aircraft,
helicopters, and ground crews and encompass principal breeding areas of
North America, covering an area over 2.0 million square miles. The
traditional survey area comprises Alaska, western Canada, and the north
central United States, and includes approximately 1.3 million square
miles. The eastern survey area includes parts of Ontario, Quebec,
Labrador, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New
Brunswick, New York, and Maine, an area of approximately 0.7 million
square miles.
Despite an early spring over most of the survey area, habitat
conditions during the 2015 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat
Survey (WBPHS) were similar to or poorer than last year. With the
exception of portions of southern Saskatchewan and central latitudes of
eastern Canada, in many areas the decline in habitat conditions was due
to average to below-average annual precipitation. The total pond
estimate (Prairie Canada and United States combined) was 6.3 0.2 million, which was 12 percent below the 2014 estimate of 7.2
0.2 million but 21 percent above the long-term average of
5.2 0.03 million. The 2015 estimate of ponds in Prairie
Canada was 4.2 0.1 million. This estimate was 10 percent
below the 2014 estimate of 4.6 0.2 million but 19 percent
above the long-term average (3.5 0.02 million). The 2015
pond estimate for the north central United States was 2.2
0.09 million, which was 16 percent below the 2014 estimate of 2.6
0.1 million and 28 percent above the long-term average
(1.7 0.02 million).
Additional details of the 2015 Survey were provided in the July 21,
2015, Federal Register and are available from our Web site at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds.

Breeding Population Status

In the traditional survey area, which includes strata 1-18, 20-50,
and 75-77, the total duck population estimate (excluding scoters
[Melanitta spp.], eiders [Somateria spp. and Polysticta stelleri],
long-tailed ducks [Clangula hyemalis], mergansers [Mergus spp. and
Lophodytes cucullatus], and wood ducks [Aix sponsa]) was 49.5 0.8 [SE] million birds. This estimate is similar to the 2014
estimate of 49.2 0.8 million, and is 43 percent higher
than the long-term average (1955-2014). This year also marks the
highest estimates in the time series for mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)
and green-winged teal (A. crecca). Estimated mallard abundance was 11.6
0.4 million, which was similar to the 2014 estimate of
10.9 0.3 million, and 51 percent above the long-term
average of 7.7 0.04 million. Estimated abundance of
gadwall (A. strepera; 3.8 0.2 million) and American wigeon
(A. americana; 3.0 0.2 million) were similar to last
year's estimates, and were 100 percent and 17 percent above their long-
term averages of 1.9 0.02 million and 2.6
0.02 million, respectively. The estimated abundance of green-winged
teal was 4.1 0.3 million, which was 19 percent above the
2014 estimate of 3.4 0.2 million and 98 percent above the
long-term average (2.1 0.02 million). Estimated blue-
winged teal (A. discors; 8.5 0.4 million) abundance was
similar to the 2014 estimate, and 73 percent above the long-term
average of 4.9 0.04 million.
Estimated Abundance of Northern Shovelers
(A. clypeata; 4.4 0.2 million) was 17 percent below
the 2014 estimate but 75 percent above the long-term average of 2.5
0.02 million. Northern pintail abundance (A. acuta; 3.0
0.2 million) was similar to the 2014 estimate and 24
percent below the long-term average of 4.0 0.04 million.
Abundance estimates for redheads (Aythya americana; 1.2
0.1 million) and canvasbacks (A. valisineria; 0.8 0.06
million) were similar to their 2014 estimates and were 71 percent and
30 percent above their long-term averages of 0.7 0.01
million and 0.6 0.01 million, respectively. Estimated
abundance of scaup (A. affinis and A. marila combined; 4.4
0.3 million) was similar to the 2014 estimate and 13 percent below the
long-term average of 5.0 0.05 million.
The eastern survey area was restratified in 2005, and is now
composed of strata 51-72. In the eastern survey area, estimated
abundance of American black ducks (Anas rubripes) was 0.5
.04 million, which was 11 percent below last year's estimate and 13
percent below the 1990-2014 average. The estimated abundance of
mallards (0.4 0.1 million) and mergansers (0.4 0.04 million) were similar to the 2014 estimates and their 1990-
2014 averages. Abundance estimates of green-winged teal (0.2 0.04 million) and goldeneyes (common and Barrow's [Bucephala
clangula and B. islandica], 0.4 0.4 million) were similar
to their 2014 estimates, and were 14 percent and 15 percent below their
1990-2014 averages of 0.3 0.04 million and 0.4 0.07 million, respectively. The abundance estimate of ring-
necked ducks (Aythya collaris, 0.5 0.07 million) was
similar to the 2014 estimate and the 1990-2014 average.

Status of Geese and Swans

We provide information on the population status and productivity of
North American Canada geese (Branta canadensis), brant (B. bernicla),
snow geese (Chen caerulescens), Ross's geese (C. rossii), emperor geese
(C. canagica), white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons), and tundra swans
(Cygnus columbianus). Production of arctic-nesting geese depends
heavily upon the timing of snow and ice melt, and spring and early-
summer temperatures.
In 2015, conditions in the Arctic and boreal areas important for
geese were variable. Compared to last year, snow and ice conditions
were less extensive in the western Arctic, more extensive in the
central Arctic, and similar in the eastern Arctic. Breeding conditions
were good on Bylot Island in the eastern Arctic, and an average to
above-average fall flight was expected for greater snow geese.
Biologists reported later-than-average spring phenology at Southampton
Island, the northern and western coastal areas of the Hudson Bay, and
the southern portion of Baffin Island. Atlantic brant have had 3 years
of low production, and below-average production was expected again this
year. Habitat conditions across Atlantic Canada were generally good,
except for a more persistent spring snow pack and ice coverage in
higher elevation areas in Newfoundland and Labrador. Nesting conditions
were below average on the Ungava Peninsula, and lakes and ponds along
the eastern Hudson Bay coast remained frozen in mid-June. North
Atlantic Population and Atlantic Population Canada goose numbers were
similar to recent averages, and average fall flights were expected. Of
the Canada goose populations that migrate through the Mississippi
Flyway, Eastern Prairie Population numbers were similar to last year,
and average to above-average production was expected; Southern James
Bay Population and Mississippi Valley Population breeding numbers were
down relative to recent years, with

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average and below-average fall flights predicted, respectively. Ice
breakup and nesting phenology in the Queen Maud Gulf region of the
central Arctic were similar to long-term averages, and nesting
conditions and habitat were good to above average in the western Arctic
and Northwest Territories. Thus, average to above-average production
was expected for Ross's, mid-continent snow, mid-continent white-
fronted, and lesser and Central Flyway Arctic nesting Canada geese.
Alaska experienced an early spring and mild breakup of ice with
minimal flooding on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and other interior areas
of the State. With less persistent ice and snow cover and favorable
breeding conditions in the western Arctic and Alaska, the outlook for
goose and swan populations nesting in these areas was good to
excellent. With the exception of cackling Canada geese, indices for
geese and swans that breed on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta were lower this
year compared to last year, though later survey timing relative to the
early spring conditions may have contributed to lower counts. Record
high counts were observed this year for the Wrangel Island Population
of lesser snow geese and dusky Canada geese, and the spring index for
emperor geese was the highest recorded in over three decades.
Across much of the Canadian and U.S. prairies, spring phenology was
early. Habitat conditions were generally rated good to fair on the
Canadian prairies and fair to poor on the U.S. prairies. Southern and
central portions of the western United States were exceptionally dry,
and habitat conditions there were generally poor. However, production
of temperate-nesting Canada geese over most of their North American
range is expected to be average, and similar to previous years.
Of the 28 goose and swan populations included in the report, 6 had
significant positive trends during the most recent 10-year period (P <
0.05): Western Prairie and Great Plains Population, dusky, and Aleutian
Canada geese; and mid-continent, Western Central Flyway, and Western
Arctic and Wrangel Island light geese. Three populations, Atlantic
brant, and the Atlantic and Southern James Bay Populations of Canada
geese, showed a statistically significant negative 10-year trend. Of
the 13 populations for which primary indices included variance
estimates, Ross's geese statistically significantly increased and 2
populations statistically significantly decreased (Southern James Bay
Population and Mississippi Valley Population Canada geese) in 2015
compared to 2014. Of the 15 populations for which primary indices did
not include variance estimates, 8 populations were higher than last
year, and 7 populations were lower.

Waterfowl Harvest and Hunter Activity

National surveys of migratory bird hunters were conducted during
the 2013-14 and 2014-15 hunting seasons. More than 1 million waterfowl
hunters harvested 13,716,400 ( 6 percent) ducks and
3,360,400 ( 6 percent) geese in 2013, and more than 1
million waterfowl hunters harvested 13,267,800 ( 4 percent)
ducks and 3,321,100 ( 11 percent) geese in 2014. Mallard,
green-winged teal, gadwall, blue-winged/cinnamon teal, and wood duck
(Aix sponsa) were the five most-harvested duck species in the United
States, and Canada goose was the predominant goose species in the goose
harvest.

Sandhill Cranes

The annual indices to abundance of the Mid-Continent Population
(MCP) of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) have been relatively stable
since 1982, but have shown more inter-annual variability in recent
years. The spring 2015 estimate of sandhill cranes in the Central
Platte River Valley (CPRV), Nebraska, was 452,616 birds. This estimate
is 31 percent lower than the estimate from March 2014. The 3-year
average for photo-corrected counts (which are more accurate than ocular
estimates because they account for birds present but not seen by aerial
crews) for 2013-15 was 623,812, which is above the established
population-objective range of 349,000- 472,000 cranes. All Central
Flyway States, except Nebraska, allowed crane hunting in portions of
their States during 2014-15. An estimated 7,825 Central Flyway hunters
participated in these seasons, which was 24 percent lower than the
number that participated in the previous season. Hunters harvested
15,776 MCP cranes in the U.S. portion of the Central Flyway during the
2014-15 seasons, which was 27 percent lower than the harvest for the
previous year but 6 percent higher than the long-term average. The
retrieved harvest of MCP cranes in hunt areas outside of the Central
Flyway (Arizona, Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico, Minnesota,
Alaska, Canada, and Mexico combined) was 13,221 during 2014-15. The
preliminary estimate for the North American MCP sport harvest,
including crippling losses, was 32,666 birds, which was a 19 percent
decrease from the previous year's estimate. The long-term (1982-2012)
trends for the MCP indicate that harvest has been increasing at a
higher rate than population growth.
The fall 2014 pre-migration survey for the Rocky Mountain
Population (RMP) resulted in a count of 19,668 cranes. The 3-year
average was 18,482 sandhill cranes, which is within the established
population objective of 17,000-21,000 for the RMP. Hunting seasons
during 2014-15 in portions of Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico,
Utah, and Wyoming resulted in a harvest of 624 RMP cranes, an 8 percent
decrease from the previous year's harvest.
The Eastern Population (EP) sandhill crane fall survey index
(83,479) increased by 30 percent in 2014, and a combined total of 401
cranes were harvested in Kentucky's fourth hunting season and
Tennessee's second season.

Woodcock

The American woodcock (Scolopax minor) is managed as two management
regions, the Eastern and the Central. Singing Ground and Wing-
collection Surveys are conducted to assess population status. The
Singing Ground Survey is intended to measure long-term changes in
woodcock population levels.
Singing Ground Survey data for 2015 indicate that the number of
singing male woodcock per route in the Eastern and Central Management
Regions was unchanged from 2014. There was a statistically significant,
declining 10-year trend in woodcock heard for the Eastern Management
Region during 2005-15, while the 10-year trend in the Central
Management Region was not significant. This marks the second year in a
row that the 10-year trend in the Eastern Management Region has shown a
decline. Both management regions have a long-term (1968-2015) declining
trend (-1.1 percent per year in the Eastern Management Region and -0.7
percent per year in the Central Management Region).
The Wing-collection Survey provides an index to recruitment. Wing-
collection Survey data indicate that the 2014 recruitment index for the
U.S. portion of the Eastern Region (1.49 immatures per adult female)
was 6.9 percent less than the 2013 index, and 8.9 percent less than the
long-term (1963-2013) average. The recruitment index for the U.S.
portion of the Central Region (1.39 immatures per adult female) was 9.7
percent less than the 2013 index and 10.6 percent less than the long-
term (1963-2013) average.
During the 2014-15 seasons, hunters in the Eastern Region harvested
58,600 birds, which was 6.2 percent below the number for the previous
season and 31.4 percent below the long-term (1999-2013) average. In the
Central Region, 141,500 woodcock were harvested, 21.4

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percent less than in 2013 and 36.5 percent less than the long-term
average.

Band-Tailed Pigeons

Two subspecies of band-tailed pigeon (Columba fasciata) occur north
of Mexico, and are managed as two separate populations: Interior and
Pacific Coast. Information on the abundance and harvest of band-tailed
pigeons is collected annually in the United States and British
Columbia. Abundance information comes from the Breeding Bird Survey
(BBS) and the Mineral Site Survey (MSS, specific to the Pacific Coast
Population). Harvest and hunter participation are estimated from the
Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP).
The BBS provided evidence that the abundance of Pacific Coast band-
tailed pigeons decreased (-1.8 percent per year) over the long term
(1968-2014). No trends in abundance were evident during the recent 10-
and 5-year periods for both the BBS and MSS. Harvest estimates indicate
that 2,900 active hunters took 12,000 pigeons and spent 8,800 days
afield in 2014. Composition of harvest was 25 percent hatching-year
pigeons.
For Interior band-tailed pigeons, the BBS provided evidence that
abundance decreased (-5.5 percent per year) over the long term (1968-
2014). Similar to Pacific Coast birds, no trends in abundance were
evident during the recent 10- and 5-year periods. An estimated 1,500
hunters harvested 1,500 pigeons and spent 3,300 days afield in 2014.

Mourning Doves

Doves in the United States are managed in three management units,
Eastern (EMU), Central (CMU), and Western (WMU). We annually summarize
information collected in the United States on survival, recruitment,
abundance, and harvest of mourning doves (Zenaida macroura). We report
on trends in the number of doves heard and seen per route from the all-
bird BBS, and provide absolute abundance estimates based on band
recovery and harvest data. Harvest and hunter participation are
estimated from the HIP.
BBS data suggested that the abundance of mourning doves over the
last 49 years increased in the Eastern Management Unit (EMU) and
decreased in the Central (CMU) and Western (WMU) Management Units.
Estimates of absolute abundance are available only since 2003 and
indicate that there are about 274 million doves in the United States.
Predicted abundances for 2015 (and lower 70 percent credible intervals
[CI]) are 79.3 million birds (64.3) for the EMU, 139.5 million (124.3)
for the CMU, and 52.6 million (45.0) for the WMU.
Current (2014) HIP estimates for mourning dove total harvest,
active hunters, and total days afield in the United States were
13,809,500 birds, 839,600 hunters, and 2,386,700 days afield. Harvest
and hunter participation at the unit level were: EMU, 4,889,800 birds,
310,200 hunters, and 791,300 days afield; CMU, 7,654,700 birds, 427,100
hunters, and 1,333,600 days afield; and WMU, 1,265,000 birds, 102,300
hunters, and 261,800 days afield.

Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations

The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the August
6, 2015, Federal Register, opened the public comment period for
migratory game bird hunting regulations and discussed the regulatory
alternatives for the 2016-17 duck hunting season. Comments are
summarized below and numbered in the order used in the August 6, 2015,
proposed rule. We have included only the numbered items pertaining to
issues for which we received written comments. Consequently, the issues
do not follow in successive numerical order.
We received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils. Some
recommendations supported continuation of last year's frameworks. Due
to the comprehensive nature of the annual review of the frameworks
performed by the Councils, support for continuation of last year's
frameworks is assumed for items for which no recommendations were
received. Council recommendations for changes in the frameworks are
summarized below.
We seek additional information and comments on the recommendations
in this supplemental proposed rule. New proposals and modifications to
previously described proposals are discussed below. Wherever possible,
they are discussed under headings corresponding to the numbered items
in the August 6, 2015, proposed rule.

General

Written Comments: A commenter protested the entire migratory bird
hunting regulations process, the killing of all migratory birds, and
status and habitat data on which the migratory bird hunting regulations
are based.
Service Response: Our long-term objectives continue to include
providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game
bird populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each
population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Having taken
into account the zones of temperature and the distribution, abundance,
economic value, breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of
migratory birds, we believe that the hunting seasons provided for
herein are compatible with the current status of migratory bird
populations and long-term population goals. Additionally, we are
obligated to, and do, give serious consideration to all information
received as public comment. While there are problems inherent with any
type of representative management of public-trust resources, we believe
that the Flyway-Council system of migratory game bird management has
been a longstanding example of State-Federal cooperative management
since its establishment in 1952. However, as always, we continue to
seek new ways to streamline and improve the process.

1. Ducks

A. General Harvest Strategy

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended the adoption of the ``liberal''
regulatory alternative.
Service Response: We propose to continue using adaptive harvest
management (AHM) to help determine appropriate duck-hunting regulations
for the 2016-17 season. AHM permits sound resource decisions in the
face of uncertain regulatory impacts and provides a mechanism for
reducing that uncertainty over time. We use AHM to evaluate four
alternative regulatory levels for duck hunting based on the population
status of mallards. (We enact other hunting regulations for species of
special concern, such as canvasbacks, scaup, and pintails).
The prescribed regulatory alternative for the Atlantic,
Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways is based on the status of
mallard populations that contribute primarily to each Flyway. In the
Atlantic Flyway, we set hunting regulations based on the population
status of mallards breeding in eastern North America (Federal survey
strata 51-54 and 56, and State surveys in New England and the mid-
Atlantic region). In the Central and Mississippi Flyways, we set
hunting regulations based on the status and dynamics of mid-continent
mallards. Mid-continent mallards are those breeding in central North
America (Federal survey strata 13-18, 20-50, and 75-77, and State
surveys in Minnesota,

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Wisconsin, and Michigan). In the Pacific Flyway, we set hunting
regulations based on the status and dynamics of western mallards.
Western mallards are those breeding in Alaska and the northern Yukon
Territory (as based on Federal surveys in strata 1-12), and in
California and Oregon (as based on State-conducted surveys).
For the 2016-17 season, we recommend continuing to use independent
optimization to determine the optimal regulatory choice for each
mallard stock. This means that we would develop regulations for eastern
mallards, mid-continent mallards, and western mallards independently,
based upon the breeding stock that contributes primarily to each
Flyway. We detailed implementation of this AHM decision framework for
western and mid-continent mallards in the July 24, 2008, Federal
Register (73 FR 43290) and for eastern mallards in the July 20, 2012,
Federal Register (77 FR 42920). We further documented how adjustments
were made to these decision frameworks in order to be compatible with
the new regulatory schedule (http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/pdf/management/AHM/SEIS&AHMReportFinal.pdf).
For the 2016-17 hunting season, we are continuing to consider the
same regulatory alternatives as those used last year. The nature of the
``restrictive,'' ``moderate,'' and ``liberal'' alternatives has
remained essentially unchanged since 1997, except that extended
framework dates have been offered in the ``moderate'' and ``liberal''
regulatory alternatives since 2002 (67 FR 47224; July 17, 2002).
The optimal AHM strategies for mid-continent, eastern, and western
mallards for the 2016-17 hunting season were calculated using: (1)
Harvest-management objectives specific to each mallard stock; (2) the
2016-17 regulatory alternatives (see further discussion below under B.
Regulatory Alternatives); and (3) current population models and
associated weights. Based on ``liberal'' regulatory alternatives
selected for the 2015 hunting season, the 2015 survey results of 11.79
million mid-continent mallards (traditional survey area minus Alaska
and the Old Crow Flats area of the Yukon Territory, plus Minnesota,
Wisconsin, and Michigan) and 4.15 million ponds in Prairie Canada, 0.73
million eastern mallards (0.19 million and 0.54 million respectively in
northeast Canada and the northeastern United States), and 0.73 million
western mallards (0.26 million in California-Oregon and 0.47 million in
Alaska), the optimal regulatory choice for all four Flyways is the
``liberal'' alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations
of the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils
regarding selection of the ``liberal'' regulatory alternative for the
2016-17 season and propose to adopt the ``liberal'' regulatory
alternative, as described in the August 6, 2015, Federal Register.

B. Regulatory Alternatives

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended that the framework closing date for ducks be
extended to January 31 in the ``moderate'' and ``liberal'' regulatory
alternatives.
Service Response: We do not support the Councils' recommendation to
extend the duck season framework closing date to January 31 at this
time. We note that the current framework opening and closing dates were
developed through a cooperative effort between all four Flyway Councils
and that framework dates are only one of several components that
comprise the regulatory packages utilized in AHM. Regulatory packages
also consider season length, daily bag limits, and shooting hours. We
believe the current regulatory packages in the Atlantic and Mississippi
Flyways should remain unchanged until revisions to the AHM protocols
have been completed. Those efforts will include examination of duck
harvest management objectives, model updates, and revisions to
regulatory packages, including framework dates. We prefer that the
issue of framework dates and any other component of the regulatory
packages be addressed through this cooperative process and would prefer
a comprehensive approach to revising regulatory packages rather than
making incremental changes.

D. Special Seasons/Species Management

i. September Teal Seasons
For the 2016-17 season, we will utilize the 2015 breeding
population estimate of 8.3 million blue-winged teal from the
traditional survey area and the criteria developed for the teal season
harvest strategy. Thus, a 16-day September teal season in the Atlantic,
Central, and Mississippi Flyways is appropriate for the 2016 season.
iii. Black Ducks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended that the Service continue to follow the
International Black Duck AHM Strategy for the 2016-17 season.
Service Response: In 2012, we adopted the International Black Duck
AHM Strategy (77 FR 49868; August 17, 2012). The formal strategy is the
result of 14 years of technical and policy decisions developed and
agreed upon by both Canadian and U.S. agencies and waterfowl managers.
The strategy clarifies what harvest levels each country will manage for
and reduces conflicts over country-specific regulatory policies.
Further, the strategy allows for attainment of fundamental objectives
of black duck management: Resource conservation, perpetuation of
hunting tradition, and equitable access to the black duck resource
between Canada and the United States while accommodating the
fundamental sources of uncertainty, partial controllability and
observability, structural uncertainty, and environmental variation. The
underlying model performance is assessed annually, with a comprehensive
evaluation of the entire strategy (objectives and model set) planned
after 6 years.
A copy of the strategy is available at the address indicated under
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, or from our Web site at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewsPublicationsReports.html.
For the 2016-17 season, the optimal country-specific regulatory
strategies were calculated using: (1) The black duck harvest objective
(98 percent of long-term cumulative harvest); (2) 2016-17 country-
specific regulatory alternatives; (3) current parameter estimates for
mallard competition and additive mortality; and (4) 2015 survey results
of 0.54 million breeding black ducks and 0.41 million breeding mallards
in the core survey area. The optimal regulatory choices for the 2016-17
season are the ``moderate'' package in Canada and the ``restrictive''
package in the United States.
iv. Canvasbacks
Council Recommendations: The Mississippi, Central, and Pacific
Flyway Councils recommended a full season for canvasbacks with a 2-bird
daily bag limit. The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a full season
for canvasbacks with a 1-bird daily bag limit. Season lengths would be
60 days in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 74 days in the Central
Flyway, and 107 days in the Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: Since 1994, we have followed a canvasback harvest
strategy whereby if canvasback population status and production are
sufficient to permit a harvest of one canvasback per day nationwide for
the

[[Page 77093]]

entire length of the regular duck season, while still attaining an
objective of 500,000 birds the following spring, the season on
canvasbacks should be opened. A partial season would be allowed if the
estimated allowable harvest was below that associated with a 1-bird
daily bag limit for the entire season. If neither of these conditions
can be met, the harvest strategy calls for a closed season on
canvasbacks nationwide. In 2008 (73 FR 43290; July 24, 2008), we
announced our decision to modify the canvasback harvest strategy to
incorporate the option for a 2-bird daily bag limit for canvasbacks
when the predicted breeding population the subsequent year exceeds
725,000 birds.
As we discussed in the August 6, 2015, proposed rule, the current
harvest strategy relies on information that is not yet available under
this new regulatory process. Thus, the current canvasback harvest
management strategy is no longer usable for the 2016-17 season and
beyond. We further stated that we do not yet have a new harvest
strategy to propose for use in the future and that we would review the
most recent information on canvasback populations, habitat conditions,
and harvests with the goal of compiling the best information available
for use in making a harvest management decision for the 2016-17 season.
As such, we support the Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways'
recommendation for a 2-canvasback daily bag limit for the 2016-17
season and will offer the opportunity to all four Flyways. This past
year's spring survey resulted in an estimate of 757,000 canvasbacks and
4.15 million Canadian ponds. The former canvasback harvest strategy
predicts a 2016 canvasback breeding population of 727,000 birds under
the current 2015-16 ``liberal'' duck season with a 2-canvasback daily
bag limit. Our analysis indicates that the expected harvest associated
with a 2-bird bag limit during the 2016 season poses a very small
possibility of the spring 2017 canvasback abundance falling below
500,000 birds given the current abundance of canvasbacks. However, we
also recognize that in previous years where 2 canvasbacks per day were
allowed in the daily bag limit, the following year required a more
restrictive daily bag limit, and we are prepared to recommend
restrictions for the 2017-18 season if necessary. Thus, we strongly
encourage the Flyways to begin working with Service staff to develop a
process for informing canvasback harvest management decisions prior to
the Flyway meetings next March.
v. Pintails
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended a full season for pintails,
consisting of a 2-bird daily bag limit and a 60-day season in the
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, a 74-day season in the Central
Flyway, and a 107-day season in the Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: The current derived pintail harvest strategy was
adopted by the Service and Flyway Councils in 2010 (75 FR 44856; July
29, 2010). For the 2016-17 season, an optimal regulatory strategy for
pintails was calculated with: (1) An objective of maximizing long-term
cumulative harvest, including a closed-season constraint of 1.75
million birds; (2) the regulatory alternatives and associated predicted
harvest; and (3) current population models and their relative weights.
Based on a ``liberal'' regulatory alternative with a 2-bird daily bag
limit in 2015, the 2015 survey results of 3.04 million pintails
observed at a mean latitude of 55.9 and a latitude-adjusted breeding
population of 4.16 million birds, the optimal regulatory choice for all
four Flyways for the 2016-17 hunting season is the ``liberal''
alternative with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
vi. Scaup
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended use of the ``moderate'' regulation
package, consisting of a 60-day season with a 2-bird daily bag in the
Atlantic Flyway and a 3-bird daily bag in the Mississippi Flyway, a 74-
day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit in the Central Flyway, and an
86-day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit in the Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: In 2008, we adopted and implemented a new scaup
harvest strategy (73 FR 43290 on July 24, 2008, and 73 FR 51124 on
August 29, 2008) with initial ``restrictive,'' ``moderate,'' and
``liberal'' regulatory packages adopted for each Flyway.
For scaup, optimal regulatory strategies for the 2016-17 season
were calculated using: (1) An objective to achieve 95 percent of long-
term cumulative harvest, (2) current scaup regulatory alternatives, and
(3) updated model parameters and weights. Based on a ``moderate''
regulatory alternative selected in 2015 and the 2015 survey results of
4.40 million scaup, the optimal regulatory choice for the 2016-17
season for all four Flyways is the ``moderate'' regulatory alternative.
ix. Youth Hunt
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
allowing the States to use their definitions of age for youth hunters
as the age requirement for participation in youth hunting days.
The Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils recommended that we
allow States to use their established definitions of age for youth
hunters as the age requirement for participation in youth hunting days,
not to include anyone over the age of 17.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended striking the participation
restriction that youth hunters must be 15 years of age or younger and
allowing each State to use their established definition for the age of
youth hunters as long as it is 17 years of age or younger. The Council
further recommended retaining other participation restrictions
requiring that an adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the
youth hunter into the field.
Service Response: Since its inception in 1996, the Special Youth
Waterfowl Days have fostered greater involvement of youth in waterfowl
hunting and conservation. However, we recognize that many States allow
individuals 17 years and younger to participate in youth hunting
seasons other than those for waterfowl, whereas the current Federal
framework for the Youth Waterfowl Hunt is 15 years and younger. We
further recognize that this difference has caused some confusion and
frustration from youth hunters, especially those between the ages of 15
and 17. Thus, we agree that allowing individual States to have a common
definition of youth age for all of their different youth hunting
seasons would simplify the issue for many States. States would still
have the option to adopt an age restriction younger than 17 if they so
choose. For those youth hunters 16 years of age and older, the
requirement to possess a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and
Conservation Stamp (also known as Federal Duck Stamp) would remain in
effect, as would the requirement that any youth hunter must be
accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age.

2. Sea Ducks

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that sea ducks in the Atlantic Flyway be exposed to no more than 60
days of hunting in any Special Sea Duck Area, or regular duck hunting
area or zone. They further recommended that in ``Special Sea Duck
Areas,'' the bag limit

[[Page 77094]]

for sea ducks would be 5, to include no more than 4 eiders, 4 scoters,
or 4 long-tailed ducks. In regular duck season areas and in States with
no special sea duck areas, sea ducks would count toward the total bag
of 6 ducks, which could include no more than 4 eiders, 4 scoters, and 4
long-tailed ducks. Splits would be allowed in the Special Sea Duck Area
if the sea duck season is set concurrently with the regular duck
season; otherwise, season dates in the Special Sea Duck Area could not
be split. Lastly, the Council recommended that the taking of crippled
waterfowl under power be allowed to continue in Special Sea Duck Areas
as they are currently delineated (50 CFR 20.105) (regardless of whether
a special sea duck season is held).
Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's
recommendations to reduce the harvest of sea ducks. The recent Sea Duck
Harvest Potential Assessment indicates that the likelihood of
overharvest of scoter, Atlantic common eider, and long-tailed duck
populations ranges from 48 percent (Eastern black scoter) to 95 percent
(long-tailed duck). Further, sea ducks have a low reproduction rate
normally offset by the longevity of adults. As such, hunting mortality
is almost entirely additive. One of the incentives for sea duck hunting
has been the opportunity for hunters to achieve a high daily bag limit
(7 ducks). The Atlantic Flyway Council believes, and we concur, that
reducing the general daily bag limit to 5 will reduce that incentive,
but still allow special sea duck hunting opportunity. They further
estimate that the recommended changes in season length, daily bag
limits, and area restrictions are expected to achieve an approximate
harvest reduction of 25 percent.

4. Canada Geese

A. Special Early Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended
generalizing the special early Canada goose season frameworks in the
Pacific Flyway to apply to all States except Alaska. Specifically, the
Council recommended a Canada goose season of up to 15 days during
September 1-20 with a daily bag limit of not more than 5 Canada geese,
except in Pacific County, Washington, where the daily bag limit could
not exceed 15 Canada geese. The Council recommended that all areas open
to hunting of Canada geese in each State must be described, delineated,
and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Service Response: We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's
recommendation to generalize the special early Canada goose season
framework to apply to all Pacific Flyway States except Alaska. The
special early Canada goose hunting season is generally designed to
reduce or control overabundant resident Canada goose populations. Early
Canada goose seasons are currently allowed in 6 of 11 Pacific Flyway
States excluding Alaska. Allowing a general season length of up to 15
days during September 1-20 and a bag limit of up to 5 Canada geese in
all of the Pacific Flyway States except Alaska will simplify and
standardize the early Canada goose season framework among Pacific
Flyway States and provide a tool to help reduce or control the
abundance of resident Canada geese in all Pacific Flyway States. The
Flyway-wide framework is more consistent with the frameworks for other
species and the special early Canada goose season frameworks in other
Flyways.

B. Regular Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended
that the opening and closing framework dates for all geese in the
Mississippi Flyway be September 1 to February 15 beginning in 2016.
They also recommended that the frameworks for Canada geese in the
Mississippi Flyway, beginning in 2016, allow 107 days with up to a 5-
bird daily bag limit September 1-30 (except in the Intensive Harvest
Zone in Minnesota, which may have up to a 10-bird daily bag limit) and
a 3-bird daily bag limit for the remainder of the season. Seasons could
be split into 4 segments.
Service Response: As we have previously indicated (77 FR 58448,
September 20, 2012), we support the Mississippi Flyway Council
recommendations to move from State-specific frameworks to Flyway-wide
Canada goose frameworks. Management of Canada geese in the Mississippi
Flyway is complicated by the need to balance potentially conflicting
objectives for arctic, subarctic, and temperate (resident) breeding
populations. Increased abundance of temperate-breeding Canada geese has
caused conflicts with people and human activities, and regulations have
been gradually liberalized to increase harvest of such birds to reduce
those conflicts. The Council believes that hunting is an important
means of controlling goose populations in the Mississippi Flyway, but
notes that Canada goose harvest has declined since 2006, even with
recent liberalizations enacted in the flyway. The Council believes the
recommended season structure will allow State managers additional
flexibility in days, dates, and bag limits to meet management needs and
the desires of goose hunters in their State, and we concur.
We also agree with the Council's recommendation to adjust the
opening and closing framework dates for all geese in the Mississippi
Flyway to September 1 through February 15 beginning in 2016. The
Council's recommendation to change the goose framework opening date
from the Saturday nearest September 24 to September 1 is compatible
with the recent change in our regulatory schedule that combines the
early and late season regulations processes (see also 5. White-fronted
Geese and 7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese, below).
Lastly, we note that the Council is developing a general Canada
Goose Management Plan for the flyway, which will incorporate aspects of
existing management plans for migrant populations (Eastern Prairie
Population (EPP), Mississippi Valley Population (MVP), and Southern
James Bay Population (SJBP)) and the temperate-nesting Giant Canada
Goose population. Although the Flyway no longer recognizes zones for
EPP, MVP and SJBP populations, we note that portions of the SJBP
population migrate to the Atlantic Flyway. Therefore, we urge the
Mississippi Flyway Council to consult with the Atlantic Flyway Council
as the general Canada goose management plan is being developed for the
Mississippi Flyway.

5. White-Fronted Geese

Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended
that the opening and closing framework dates for all geese in the
Mississippi Flyway be September 1 to February 15 beginning in 2016.
Service Response: We agree with the Mississippi Flyway Council's
recommendation to adjust the opening and closing framework dates for
all geese in the Mississippi Flyway to September 1 through February 15
beginning in 2016. Currently, framework dates for white-fronted geese
are from the Saturday nearest Sept. 24 to the Sunday nearest Feb. 15.
Adjusting the framework dates for other geese (snow and white-fronted
geese) will allow States flexibility to open and/or close all goose
seasons on the same date. Since the numbers of white-fronted geese
present in the Mississippi Flyway in September are low, we expect no
impacts from this change.

[[Page 77095]]

6. Brant

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommends
that the 2016-17 season for Atlantic brant follow the Atlantic Flyway
Brant Hunt plan pending the results of the 2016 Atlantic Flyway mid-
winter waterfowl survey. The Council also recommended that if the
results of the 2016 mid-winter survey are not available, then the
results of the most recent mid-winter survey should be used.
Service Response: As we discussed in the August 6, 2015, proposed
rule, the current harvest strategy used to determine the Atlantic brant
season frameworks does not fit well within the new regulatory process,
similar to the RMP sandhill crane issue discussed below under 9.
Sandhill Cranes. In developing the annual proposed frameworks for
Atlantic brant in the past, the Atlantic Flyway Council and the Service
used the number of brant counted during the Mid-winter Waterfowl Survey
(MWS) in the Atlantic Flyway, and took into consideration the brant
population's expected productivity that summer. The MWS is conducted
each January, and expected brant productivity is based on early-summer
observations of breeding habitat conditions and nesting effort in
important brant nesting areas. Thus, the data under consideration were
available before the annual Flyway and SRC decision-making meetings
took place in late July. Although the former regulatory alternatives
for Atlantic brant were developed by factoring together long-term
productivity rates (observed during November and December productivity
surveys) with estimated observed harvest under different framework
regulations, the primary decision-making criterion for selecting the
annual frameworks was the MWS count.
Under the new regulatory schedule for the 2016-17 migratory bird
hunting regulations, neither the expected 2016 brant production
information (available summer 2016) nor the 2016 MWS count (conducted
in January 2016) is yet available. However, the 2016 MWS will be
completed and winter brant data will be available by the expected
publication of the final frameworks (late February 2016). Therefore, in
the September 24, 2015, Federal Register (80 FR 57664), we adopted the
Atlantic Flyway's changes to the then-current Atlantic brant hunt plan
strategies. Current harvest packages (strategies) for Atlantic brant
hunting seasons are now as follows:
If the mid-winter waterfowl survey (MWS) count is <100,000
Atlantic brant, the season would be closed.
If the MWS count is between 100,000 and 115,000 brant,
States could select a 30-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit.
If the MWS count is between 115,000 and 130,000 brant,
States could select a 30-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
If the MWS count is between 130,000 and 150,000 brant,
States could select a 50-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
If the MWS count is between 150,000 and 200,000 brant,
States could select a 60-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
If the MWS count is >200,000 brant, States could select a
60-day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Under all the above open-season alternatives, seasons would be
between the Saturday nearest September 24 and January 31. Further,
States could split their seasons into 2 segments.
When we acquire the 2016 MWS brant count in January 2016, we will
select the appropriate Atlantic brant hunting season for 2016-17 from
the above Atlantic brant hunt strategies and publish the result in the
final frameworks rule.

7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese

Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended
that the opening and closing framework dates for all geese in the
Mississippi Flyway be September 1 to February 15 beginning in 2016.
Service Response: As we stated above under 5. White-fronted Geese,
we agree with the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation to adjust
the opening and closing framework dates for all geese in the
Mississippi Flyway to September 1 through February 15 beginning in
2016. Currently, framework dates for snow geese are from the Saturday
nearest Sept. 24 to the Sunday nearest Feb. 15. Adjusting the framework
dates for other geese (snow and white-fronted geese) will allow States
flexibility to open and/or close all goose seasons on the same date.
Since there are low numbers of snow geese present in the Mississippi
Flyway in September, we expect no impacts from this change.

9. Sandhill Cranes

Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended
that Tennessee be allowed an additional year (2016-17) of their
experimental sandhill crane hunting season under harvest guidelines set
for their experimental season.
The Central and Pacific Flyway Council's recommended (1) the
addition of a new Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) sandhill crane
hunting unit in Carbon County Montana, (2) a new hunt area for RMP
sandhill cranes in Sheridan, Johnson, and Natrona Counties, Wyoming,
and (3) that allowable harvest be determined based on the formula
described in the Pacific and Central Flyway Management Plan for RMP
sandhill cranes.
Service Response: We agree with the Mississippi Flyway Council to
allow Tennessee an additional year under the existing experimental
season. The Council notes that harvest during the first 2 years of the
experiment was well below the permitted number, 342 and 393 cranes,
respectively, in 2013 and 2014. The approved Tennessee sandhill crane
hunt plan allows Tennessee to issue 775 hunters a total of 2,325
permits (3 per person). This permit allocation was based on a peak
number of cranes observed in Tennessee (23,334 during 2009-13), so the
continued allotment of permits would still fall within guidelines set
by the Eastern Population Crane Management Plan. While the 2015-16
season marks the completion of Tennessee's experimental 3-year sandhill
crane season, Tennessee will collect and analyze population and hunter
data during the 2015-16 season and prepare a final report on the
experimental season for distribution at the late summer 2016 Flyway
meeting. We expect a proposal for an operational season will likely be
made at that time.
We also agree with the Central and Pacific Flyway Council's
recommendation for new RMP sandhill crane hunting areas in Montana
(Carbon County) and Wyoming (Sheridan, Johnson, and Natrona Counties).
The new hunt areas are consistent with the Pacific and Central Flyway
Council's RMP sandhill crane management plan hunting area requirements.
Regarding the RMP crane harvest, as we discussed in the August 6,
2015, proposed rule, the current harvest strategy used to calculate the
allowable harvest of the RMP of sandhill cranes does not fit well
within the new regulatory process, similar to the Atlantic brant issue
discussed above under 6. Brant. Currently, results of the fall survey
of RMP sandhill cranes, upon which the annual allowable harvest is
based, will continue to be released between December 15 and January 31
each year, which is after the date for which proposed frameworks will
be formulated in the new regulatory process. If the usual procedures
for

[[Page 77096]]

determining allowable harvest were used, data 2-4 years old would be
used to determine the annual allocation for RMP sandhill cranes. Due to
the variability in fall survey counts and recruitment for this
population, and their impact on the annual harvest allocations, we
agree that relying on data that is 2-4 years old is not ideal.
Thus, we agree that the formula to determine the annual allowable
harvest for RMP sandhill cranes should be used under the new regulatory
schedule and propose to utilize it as such. That formula uses
information on abundance and recruitment collected annually through
operational monitoring programs, as well as constant values based on
past research or monitoring for survival of fledglings to breeding age
and harvest retrieval rate. The formula is:

H = C x P x R x L x f

Where:

H = total annual allowable harvest;
C = the average of the three most recent, reliable fall population
indices;
P = the average proportion of fledged chicks in the fall population
in the San Luis Valley during the most recent 3 years for which data
are available;
R = estimated recruitment of fledged chicks to breeding age (current
estimate is 0.5);
L = retrieval rate of 0.80 (allowance for an estimated 20 percent
crippling loss based on hunter interviews); and
f = (C/16,000)\3\ (a variable factor used to adjust the total
harvest to achieve a desired effect on the entire population)

A final estimate for the allowable harvest would be available to
publish in the final rule, allowing us to use data that is 1-3 years
old as is currently practiced.

14. Woodcock

In 2011, we implemented a harvest strategy for woodcock (76 FR
19876, April 8, 2011). The harvest strategy provides a transparent
framework for making regulatory decisions for woodcock season length
and bag limit while we work to improve monitoring and assessment
protocols for this species. Utilizing the criteria developed for the
strategy, the 3-year average for the Singing Ground Survey indices and
associated confidence intervals fall within the ``moderate package''
for both the Eastern and Central Management Regions. As such, a
``moderate season'' for both management regions for the 2016-17 season
is appropriate.
Specifics of the harvest strategy can be found at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewsPublicationsReports.html.

16. Doves

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended use of the ``standard'' season framework
comprising a 90-day season and 15-bird daily bag limit for States
within the Eastern Management Unit. The daily bag limit could be
composed of mourning doves and white-winged doves, singly or in
combination.
The Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils recommended the use of
the ``standard'' season package of a 15-bird daily bag limit and a 90-
day season for the 2016-17 mourning dove season in the States within
the Central Management Unit.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended use of the ``standard''
season framework for States in the Western Management Unit (WMU)
population of mourning doves. In Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and
Washington, the season length would be no more than 60 consecutive days
with a daily bag limit of 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the
aggregate. In Arizona and California, the season length would be no
more than 60 consecutive days, which could be split between two
periods, September 1-15 and November 1-January 15. In Arizona, during
the first segment of the season, the daily bag limit would be 15
mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more than
10 could be white-winged doves. During the remainder of the season, the
daily bag limit would be 15 mourning doves. In California, the daily
bag limit would be 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate,
of which no more than 10 could be white-winged doves.
Service Response: Based on the harvest strategies and current
population status, we agree with the recommended selection of the
``standard'' season frameworks for doves in the Eastern, Central, and
Western Management Units for the 2016-17 season.

17. Alaska

Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended
increasing the daily bag limit for brant from 2 to 3, and increasing
the daily bag limit for light geese from 4 to 6.
Service Response: We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's
recommendation to increase the daily bag limit in Alaska from 2 to 3
brant. The Flyway management plan for Pacific brant allows harvest to
increase by two times the current level if the 3-year average
population index exceeds 135,000 brant based on the mid-winter
waterfowl survey. The 3-year (2013-2015) average is 157,700 brant, and
is near the population objective of 162,000 brant. Increasing the daily
bag limit from 2 to 3 brant will allow additional hunting opportunity
while maintaining the season length at the maximum of 107 days for
brant, and is not expected to increase harvest appreciably from that
anticipated with a 2-brant daily bag limit.
We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to
increase the light goose daily bag limit from 4 to 6 light geese in
Alaska. Two populations of light geese occur in Alaska, and both are
above Flyway management plan objectives based on the most recent
breeding population indices. The population estimate for the Western
Arctic Population (WAP) of lesser snow geese was 451,000 in 2013 (most
recent estimate), which is above the objective of 200,000 geese. Most
of WAP lesser snow geese nest in the Egg River colony on Banks Island,
Canada, but there are small, but growing, nesting colonies along the
Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska. In 2015, biologists noted high lesser
snow goose nest survival (>95%) on the Colville River Delta and
Ikpikpuk colonies on the Alaskan Arctic Coastal Plain. Biologists also
noted earlier gosling development than any prior documented instance at
the later colony. Favorable nesting conditions were also observed
across much of the North Slope of Alaska and western Arctic. The
population estimate for Wrangel Island snow geese was 240,000 in 2015,
which is above the objective of 120,000 geese.

Public Comments

The Department of the Interior's policy is, whenever possible, to
afford the public an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking
process. Accordingly, we invite interested persons to submit written
comments, suggestions, or recommendations regarding the proposed
regulations. Before promulgating final migratory game bird hunting
regulations, we will consider all comments we receive. These comments,
and any additional information we receive, may lead to final
regulations that differ from these proposals.
You may submit your comments and materials concerning this proposed
rule by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. We will not accept
comments sent by email or fax. We will not consider hand-delivered
comments that we do not receive, or mailed comments that are not
postmarked, by the date specified in DATES.
We will post all comments in their entirety--including your
personal

[[Page 77097]]

identifying information--on http://www.regulations.gov. Before
including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal
identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your
entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be
made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your
comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public
review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting
documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule, will be
available for public inspection on http://www.regulations.gov, or by
appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, 5275 Leesburg
Pike, Falls Church, Virginia.
We will consider, but possibly may not respond in detail to, each
comment. As in the past, we will summarize all comments we receive
during the comment period and respond to them after the closing date in
the preambles of any final rules.

Required Determinations

Based on our most current data, we are affirming our required
determinations made in the August 6 proposed rule; for descriptions of
our actions to ensure compliance with the following statutes and
Executive Orders, see our August 6, 2015, proposed rule (80 FR 47388):
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Consideration;
Endangered Species Act Consideration;
Regulatory Flexibility Act;
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act;
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act;
Executive Orders 12630, 12866, 12988, 13132, 13175, 13211,
and 13563.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20

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

The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2016-17
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742
a-j.

Dated: December 2, 2015.
Michael J. Bean,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 2016-17 Hunting Seasons on Certain
Migratory Game Birds

Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated
authorities, the Department of the Interior approved the following
proposals for season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession
limits, and outside dates within which States may select seasons for
hunting migratory game birds between the dates of September 1, 2016,
and March 10, 2017. These frameworks are summarized below.

General

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

Flyways and Management Units

Waterfowl Flyways

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

Duck Management Units

High Plains Mallard Management Unit: roughly defined as that
portion of the Central Flyway that lies west of the 100th meridian.
Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: In Washington, all areas
east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River
in Klickitat County; and in Oregon, the counties of Gilliam, Morrow,
and Umatilla.

Mourning Dove Management Units

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

Woodcock Management Regions

Eastern Management Region: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia.
Central Management Region: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,

[[Page 77098]]

Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota,
Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Other geographic descriptions are contained in a later portion of
this document.

Definitions

For the purpose of hunting regulations listed below, the collective
terms ``dark'' and ``light'' geese include the following species:
Dark geese: Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant (except in
Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, and the Atlantic Flyway), and
all other goose species except light geese.
Light geese: Snow (including blue) geese and Ross's geese.
Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Geographic descriptions related
to regulations are contained in a later portion of this document.
Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks for open seasons, season
lengths, bag and possession limits, and other special provisions are
listed below by Flyway.

Waterfowl Seasons in the Atlantic Flyway

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

Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days

Outside Dates: States may select 2 days per duck-hunting zone,
designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,'' in addition to their
regular duck seasons. The days must be held outside any regular duck
season on a weekend, holidays, or other non-school days when youth
hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate. The days may
be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-season
frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or within any
other open season on migratory birds.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits may include ducks, geese,
tundra swans, mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and would be
the same as those allowed in the regular season. Flyway species and
area restrictions would remain in effect.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Participation Restrictions: States may use their established
definition of age for youth hunters. However, youth hunters may not be
over the age of 17. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age must
accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult may not duck hunt
but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special youth
day. Youth hunters 16 years of age and older must possess a Federal
Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (also known as Federal
Duck Stamp). Tundra swans may only be taken by participants possessing
applicable tundra swan permits.

Special September Teal Season

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season
on all species of teal may be selected by the following States in areas
delineated by State regulations:
Atlantic Flyway: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North
Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee,
and Wisconsin. The seasons in Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin are
experimental.
Central Flyway: Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico
(part), Oklahoma, and Texas. The season in the northern portion of
Nebraska is experimental.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 16 consecutive
hunting days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. The
daily bag limit is 6 teal.
Shooting Hours:
Atlantic Flyway: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except in
South Carolina, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.
Mississippi and Central Flyways: One-half hour before sunrise to
sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin, where the hours are
from sunrise to sunset.

Special September Duck Seasons

Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee: In lieu of a special September
teal season, a 5-consecutive-day teal/wood duck season may be selected
in September. The daily bag limit may not exceed 6 teal and wood ducks
in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks. In
addition, a 4-consecutive-day experimental teal-only season may be
selected in September either immediately before or immediately after
the 5-consecutive-day teal/wood duck season. The daily bag limit is 6
teal.
Iowa: In lieu of an experimental special September teal season,
Iowa may hold up to 5 days of its regular duck hunting season in
September. All ducks that are legal during the regular duck season may
be taken during the September segment of the season. The September
season segment may commence no earlier than the Saturday nearest
September 20 (September 17). The daily bag and possession limits will
be the same as those in effect during the remainder of the regular duck
season. The remainder of the regular duck season may not begin before
October 10.

Waterfowl

Atlantic Flyway

[[Page 77099]]

Carolina, and Virginia may select a Special Sea Duck Season in
designated Special Sea Duck Areas. If a Special Sea Duck Season is
selected, scoters, eiders, and long-tailed ducks may be taken in the
designated Special Sea Duck Area(s) only during the Special Sea Duck
Season dates; scoter, eiders, and long-tailed ducks may be taken
outside of Special Sea Duck Area(s) during the regular duck season, in
accordance with the frameworks for ducks, mergansers, and coots
specified above.
Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 31.
Special Sea Duck Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: 60 consecutive
hunting days, with a daily bag limit of 5, singly or in the aggregate,
of the listed sea duck species, including no more than 4 scoters, 4
eiders, and 4 long-tailed ducks. If the regular duck season is open in
the Special Sea Duck Area, other ducks may be taken in the Special Sea
Duck Area(s), but the total daily bag limit cannot exceed 6 ducks in
these areas, including no more than 5 sea ducks. At no time or place
are special sea duck daily bag limits considered to be in addition to
daily bag limits for regular ducks.
Special Sea Duck Areas: In all coastal waters and all waters of
rivers and streams seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New
Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in
New Jersey, all coastal waters seaward from the International
Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) Demarcation
Lines shown on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Nautical Charts and further described in 33 CFR 80.165, 80.170, 80.501,
and 80.503; in any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters
of any bay that are separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any
shore, island, and emergent vegetation in South Carolina and Georgia;
and in any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any
bay that are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any
shore, island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North
Carolina, and Virginia; and provided that any such areas have been
described, delineated, and designated as special sea duck hunting areas
under the hunting regulations adopted by the respective States.
Canada Geese
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons
A Canada goose season of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected for the Eastern Unit of Maryland. Seasons not to exceed 30
days during September 1-30 may be selected for Connecticut, Florida,
Georgia, New Jersey, New York (Long Island Zone only), North Carolina,
Rhode Island, and South Carolina. Seasons may not exceed 25 days during
September 1-25 in the remainder of the Flyway. Areas open to the
hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated
as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 Canada geese.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during any special early Canada goose season, shooting hours may extend
to one-half hour after sunset if all other waterfowl seasons are closed
in the specific applicable area.
Regular Canada Goose Seasons
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Specific regulations for
Canada geese are shown below by State. These seasons may also include
white-fronted geese in an aggregate daily bag limit. Unless specified
otherwise, seasons may be split into two segments.
Connecticut:
North Atlantic Population (NAP) Zone: Between October 1 and
February 15, a 70-day season may be held with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Atlantic Population (AP) Zone: A 50-day season may be held between
October 10 and February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
South Zone: A special season may be held between January 15 and
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
Resident Population (RP) Zone: An 80-day season may be held between
October 1 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season
may be split into 3 segments.
Delaware: A 50-day season may be held between November 15 and
February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Florida: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments.
Georgia: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments.
Maine: A 70-day season may be held Statewide between October 1 and
February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Maryland:
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between November 15 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between November 15 and
February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Massachusetts:
NAP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and
February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, a special
season may be held from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily
bag limit.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between October 10 and
February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
New Hampshire: A 70-day season may be held Statewide between
October 1 and February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
New Jersey:
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 22) and February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday
in October (October 22) and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
The season may be split into 3 segments.
Special Late Goose Season Area: A special season may be held in
designated areas of North and South New Jersey from January 15 to
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
New York:
NAP Zone: Between October 1 and February 15, a 70-day season may be
held, with a 3-bird daily bag limit in both the High Harvest and Low
Harvest areas.
Special Late Goose Season Area: A special season may be held
between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit in
designated areas of Suffolk County.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 22), except in the Lake Champlain Area where the
opening date is October 10, through February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag
limit.
Western Long Island RP Zone: A 107-day season may be held between
the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and March 10, with an
8-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments.
Rest of State RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the
fourth Saturday in October (October 22) and March 10, with a 5-bird
daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments.
North Carolina:
SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and
December 31, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments.
Northeast Hunt Unit: A 14-day season may be held between the
Saturday prior to December 25 (December 24) and January 31, with a 1-
bird daily bag limit.

[[Page 77100]]

Pennsylvania:
SJBP Zone: A 78-day season may be held between the first Saturday
in October (October 1) and February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday
in October (October 22) and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
The season may be split into 3 segments.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 22) and February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Rhode Island: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and
February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. A special late season may
be held in designated areas from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-
bird daily bag limit.
South Carolina: In designated areas, an 80-day season may be held
between October 1 and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The
season may be split into 3 segments.
Vermont:
Lake Champlain Zone and Interior Zone: A 50-day season may be held
between October 10 and February 5 with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Connecticut River Zone: A 70-day season may be held between October
1 and February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Virginia:
SJBP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between November 15 and
January 14, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, a special late
season may be held between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird
daily bag limit.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between November 15 and
February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between November 15 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments.
West Virginia: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and
March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments in each zone.
Light Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 107-
day season between October 1 and March 10, with a 25-bird daily bag
limit and no possession limit. States may split their seasons into
three segments.
Brant
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 30-
day season between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and
January 31. States may split their seasons into two segments. Season
length and daily bag limits will be based on the upcoming MWS results
and the Atlantic brant hunt plan.

Mississippi Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
24) and the last Sunday in January (January 29).
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: The season may not exceed 60 days,
with a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards
(no more than 2 of which may be females), 1 mottled duck, 1 black duck,
2 pintails, 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 3 scaup, and 2 redheads.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, only 2 of which may be
hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in the duck bag
limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, only 2 of
which may be hooded mergansers.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and
Wisconsin may select hunting seasons by zones.
In Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be split into
two segments in each zone.
In Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi, the season may be split into
three segments.
Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits:
Canada Geese: States may select seasons for Canada geese not to
exceed 107 days with a 5-bird daily bag limit September 1-30 (except in
the Intensive Harvest Zone in Minnesota, which may have up to a 10-bird
daily bag limit) and a 3-bird daily bag limit for the remainder of the
season. Seasons may be held between September 1 and February 15 and may
be split into 4 segments.
White-fronted Geese and Brant: Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana,
Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee may select a season for
white-fronted geese not to exceed 74 days with 3 geese daily, or 88
days with 2 geese daily, or 107 days with 1 goose daily between
September 1 and February 15; Alabama, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin may select a season for white-fronted
geese not to exceed 107 days with 5 geese daily, in aggregate with dark
geese. States may select a season for brant not to exceed 70 days with
2 brant daily, or 107 days with 1 brant daily with outside dates the
same as for Canada geese; alternately, States may include brant in an
aggregate goose bag limit with either Canada geese, white-fronted
geese, or dark geese.
Light Geese: States may select seasons for light geese not to
exceed 107 days, with 20 geese daily between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 24) and February 15. There is no possession
limit for light geese.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after
sunset for Canada geese if all other waterfowl and crane seasons are
closed in the specific applicable area.
Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments
unless otherwise indicated.

Central Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
24) and the last Sunday in January (January 29).
Hunting Seasons:
High Plains Mallard Management Unit (roughly defined as that
portion of the Central Flyway that lies west of the 100th meridian): 97
days. The last 23 days must run consecutively and may start no earlier
than the Saturday nearest December 10 (December 10).
Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74 days.
Duck Limits: The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, with species and sex
restrictions as follows: 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be
females), 3 scaup, 2 redheads, 3 wood ducks, 2 pintails, and 2
canvasbacks. In Texas, the daily bag limit on mottled ducks is 1,
except that no mottled ducks may be taken during the first 5 days of
the season. In addition to the daily limits listed above, the States of
Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, in lieu of selecting
an experimental September teal season, may include an additional daily
bag and possession limit of 2 and 6 blue-winged teal, respectively,
during the first 16 days of the regular duck season in each respective
duck hunting zone. These extra limits are in addition to the regular
duck bag and possession limits.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5 mergansers, only 2 of
which may be hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in
the duck daily

[[Page 77101]]

bag limit, the daily limit may be the same as the duck bag limit, only
two of which may be hooded mergansers.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Colorado, Kansas (Low Plains portion),
Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains portion), South
Dakota (Low Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains portion), and Wyoming
may select hunting seasons by zones.
In Colorado, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma,
South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the regular season may be split into
two segments.
Geese
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons:
In Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas, Canada
goose seasons of up to 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected.
In Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming, Canada
goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be selected.
The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese, except in Kansas,
Nebraska, and Oklahoma, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 8
Canada geese and in North Dakota and South Dakota, where the daily bag
limit may not exceed 15 Canada geese. Areas open to the hunting of
Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in
each State's hunting regulations.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after
sunset if all other waterfowl and crane seasons are closed in the
specific applicable area.
Regular Goose Seasons:
Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments.
Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Central Flyway Council
and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year evaluation by
each participating State.
Outside Dates: For dark geese, seasons may be selected between the
outside dates of the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and
the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 12). For light geese, outside
dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 24) and March 10. In the Rainwater Basin Light
Goose Area (East and West) of Nebraska, temporal and spatial
restrictions that are consistent with the late-winter snow goose
hunting strategy cooperatively developed by the Central Flyway Council
and the Service are required.
Season Lengths and Limits:
Light Geese: States may select a light goose season not to exceed
107 days. The daily bag limit for light geese is 50 with no possession
limit.
Dark Geese: In Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, States may select a season
for Canada geese (or any other dark goose species except white-fronted
geese) not to exceed 107 days with a daily bag limit of 8. For white-
fronted geese, these States may select either a season of 74 days with
a bag limit of 3, or an 88-day season with a bag limit of 2, or a
season of 107 days with a bag limit of 1.
In Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming, States may select
seasons not to exceed 107 days. The daily bag limit for dark geese is 5
in the aggregate.
In the Western Goose Zone of Texas, the season may not exceed 95
days. The daily bag limit for Canada geese (or any other dark goose
species except white-fronted geese) is 5. The daily bag limit for
white-fronted geese is 2.

Pacific Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
24) and the last Sunday in January (January 29).
Hunting Seasons and Duck and Merganser Limits: 107 days. The daily
bag limit is 7 ducks and mergansers, including no more than 2 female
mallards, 2 pintails, 2 canvasbacks, 3 scaup, and 2 redheads. For
scaup, the season length is 86 days, which may be split according to
applicable zones and split duck hunting configurations approved for
each State.
Coot, Common Moorhen, and Purple Gallinule Limits: The daily bag
limit of coots, common moorhens, and purple gallinules is 25, singly or
in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho,
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming may select hunting
seasons by zones and may split their seasons into two segments.
Montana and New Mexico may split their seasons into three segments.
Colorado River Zone, California: Seasons and limits should be the
same as seasons and limits selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona
(South Zone).
Geese
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons:
A Canada goose season of up to 15 days during September 1-20 may be
selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese, except in
Pacific County, Washington, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 15
Canada geese. Areas open to hunting of Canada geese in each State must
be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's
hunting regulations.
Regular Goose Seasons:
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits:
Canada geese and brant: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day
seasons may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 24) and the last Sunday in January (January
29). In Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Utah, the daily
bag limit is 4 Canada geese and brant in the aggregate. In New Mexico
and Wyoming, the daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese and brant in the
aggregate. In California, Oregon, and Washington, the daily bag limit
is 4 Canada geese. For brant, Oregon and Washington may select a 16-day
season and California a 37-day season. Days must be consecutive.
Washington and California may select hunting seasons for up to two
zones. The daily bag limit is 2 brant and is in addition to other goose
limits. In Oregon and California, the brant season must end no later
than December 15.
White-fronted geese: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day seasons
may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 24) and March 10. The daily bag limit is 10.
Light geese: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day seasons may be
selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24
(September 24) and March 10. The daily bag limit is 20.
Split Seasons: Unless otherwise specified, seasons for geese may be
split into up to 3 segments. Three-way split seasons for Canada geese
and white-fronted geese require Pacific Flyway Council and U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service approval and a 3-year evaluation by each
participating State.
California: The daily bag limit for Canada geese is 10.
Balance of State Zone: A Canada goose season may be selected with
outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24)
and March 10. In the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area, the
season on white-fronted geese must end on or before December 28, and
the daily bag limit is 3 white-fronted geese. In the North Coast
Special Management Area, hunting days that occur after the last Sunday
in January should be concurrent with Oregon's South Coast Zone.
Idaho:

[[Page 77102]]

Zone 2: Idaho will continue to monitor the snow goose hunt that
occurs after the last Sunday in January in the American Falls
Reservoir/Fort Hall Bottoms and surrounding areas at 3-year intervals.
Oregon: The daily bag limit for light geese is 6 on or before the
last Sunday in January.
Harney and Lake County Zone: For Lake County only, the daily white-
fronted goose bag limit is 1.
Northwest Permit Zone: A Canada goose season may be selected with
outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24)
and March 10. Goose seasons may be split into 3 segments. The daily bag
limit of light geese is 6. In the Tillamook County Management Area, the
hunting season is closed on geese.
South Coast Zone: A Canada goose season may be selected with
outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24)
and March 10. The daily bag limit of Canada geese is 6. Hunting days
that occur after the last Sunday in January should be concurrent with
California's North Coast Special Management Area. Goose seasons may be
split into 3 segments.
Utah: A Canada goose and brant season may be selected in the
Wasatch Front and Washington County Zones with outside dates between
the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and the first Sunday
in February (February 5).
Washington: The daily bag limit is 4 geese.
Area 1: Goose season outside dates are between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 24) and the last Sunday in January (January
29).
Areas 2A and 2B (Southwest Permit Zone): A Canada goose season may
be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September
24 (September 24) and March 10. Goose seasons may be split into 3
segments.
Area 4: Goose seasons may be split into 3 segments.
Permit Zones
In Oregon and Washington permit zones, the hunting season is closed
on dusky Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada
goose (Munsell 10 YR color value five or less) with a bill length
between 40 and 50 millimeters. Hunting of geese will only be by hunters
possessing a State-issued permit authorizing them to do so. Shooting
hours for geese may begin no earlier than sunrise. Regular Canada goose
seasons in the permit zones of Oregon and Washington remain subject to
the Memorandum of Understanding entered into with the Service regarding
monitoring the impacts of take during the regular Canada goose season
on the dusky Canada goose population.

Swans

In portions of the Pacific Flyway (Montana, Nevada, and Utah), an
open season for taking a limited number of swans may be selected.
Permits will be issued by the State and will authorize each permittee
to take no more than 1 swan per season with each permit. Nevada may
issue up to 2 permits per hunter. Montana and Utah may issue only 1
permit per hunter. Each State's season may open no earlier than the
Saturday nearest October 1 (October 1). These seasons are also subject
to the following conditions:
Montana: No more than 500 permits may be issued. The season must
end no later than December 1. The State must implement a harvest-
monitoring program to measure the species composition of the swan
harvest and should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter
compliance in reporting bill measurement and color information.
Utah: No more than 2,000 permits may be issued. During the swan
season, no more than 10 trumpeter swans may be taken. The season must
end no later than the second Sunday in December (December 11) or upon
attainment of 10 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs
earliest. The Utah season remains subject to the terms of the
Memorandum of Agreement entered into with the Service in August 2003,
regarding harvest monitoring, season closure procedures, and education
requirements to minimize the take of trumpeter swans during the swan
season.
Nevada: No more than 650 permits may be issued. During the swan
season, no more than 5 trumpeter swans may be taken. The season must
end no later than the Sunday following January 1 (January 8) or upon
attainment of 5 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs
earliest.
In addition, the States of Utah and Nevada must implement a
harvest-monitoring program to measure the species composition of the
swan harvest. The harvest-monitoring program must require that all
harvested swans or their species-determinant parts be examined by
either State or Federal biologists for the purpose of species
classification. The States should use appropriate measures to maximize
hunter compliance in providing bagged swans for examination. Further,
the States of Montana, Nevada, and Utah must achieve at least an 80-
percent hunter compliance rate, or subsequent permits will be reduced
by 10 percent. All three States must provide to the Service by June 30,
2017, a report detailing harvest, hunter participation, reporting
compliance, and monitoring of swan populations in the designated hunt
areas.

Tundra Swans

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

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

In the Central Flyway:

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

Sandhill Cranes

Regular Seasons in the Mississippi Flyway:
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28 in Minnesota and
between September 1 and January 31 in Kentucky.
Hunting Seasons: A season not to exceed 37 consecutive days may be
selected in the designated portion of northwestern Minnesota (Northwest
Goose Zone), and a season not to exceed 60 consecutive days, in
Kentucky.
Daily Bag Limit: 2 sandhill cranes. In Kentucky the seasonal bag
limit is 3 sandhill cranes.
Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane
seasons must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting
permit.
Other Provisions: The number of permits (where applicable), open
areas, season dates, protection plans for other species, and other
provisions of seasons

[[Page 77103]]

must be consistent with the management plans and approved by the
Mississippi Flyway Council.
Experimental Season in the Mississippi Flyway:
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: A season not to exceed 60 consecutive days may be
selected in Tennessee.
Bag Limit: Not to exceed 3 daily and 3 per season in Tennessee.
Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane
season must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting
permit.
Other Provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates,
protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons
must be consistent with the management plan and approved by the
Mississippi Flyway Council.
Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway:
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28.
Hunting Seasons: Seasons not to exceed 37 consecutive days may be
selected in designated portions of Texas (Area 2). Seasons not to
exceed 58 consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of
the following States: Colorado, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, South
Dakota, and Wyoming. Seasons not to exceed 93 consecutive days may be
selected in designated portions of the following States: New Mexico,
Oklahoma, and Texas.
Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes, except 2 sandhill cranes in
designated portions of North Dakota (Area 2) and Texas (Area 2).
Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane
season must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting
permit.
Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways:
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming
may select seasons for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the
Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) subject to the following conditions:
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: The season in any State or zone may not exceed 30
consecutive days.
Bag limits: Not to exceed 3 daily and 9 per season.
Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the
appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.
Other Provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates,
protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons
must be consistent with the management plan and approved by the Central
and Pacific Flyway Councils, with the following exceptions:
A. In Utah, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP
quota;
B. In Arizona, monitoring the racial composition of the harvest
must be conducted at 3-year intervals;
C. In Idaho, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP
quota; and
D. In New Mexico, the season in the Estancia Valley is
experimental, with a requirement to monitor the level and racial
composition of the harvest; greater sandhill cranes in the harvest will
be assigned to the RMP quota.

Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and the last Sunday in January
(January 29) in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. States
in the Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons
between the outside dates for the season on ducks, mergansers, and
coots; therefore, frameworks for common moorhens and purple gallinules
are included with the duck, merganser, and coot frameworks.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70
days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. Seasons may be
split into 2 segments. The daily bag limit is 15 common moorhens and
purple gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of the two species.
Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck
hunting.

Rails

Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between
September 1 and the last Sunday in January (January 29) on clapper,
king, sora, and Virginia rails.
Hunting Seasons: Seasons may not exceed 70 days, and may be split
into 2 segments.
Daily Bag Limits:
Clapper and King Rails: In Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New
Jersey, and Rhode Island, 10, singly or in the aggregate of the two
species. In Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, 15, singly or in the
aggregate of the two species.
Sora and Virginia Rails: In the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central
Flyways and the Pacific Flyway portions of Colorado, Montana, New
Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 rails, singly or in the aggregate of the two
species. The season is closed in the remainder of the Pacific Flyway.

Snipe

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

American Woodcock

Outside Dates: States in the Eastern Management Region may select
hunting seasons between October 1 and January 31. States in the Central
Management Region may select hunting seasons between the Saturday
nearest September 22 (September 24) and January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 45
days in the Eastern and Central Regions. The daily bag limit is 3.
Seasons may be split into two segments.
Zoning: New Jersey may select seasons in each of two zones. The
season in each zone may not exceed 36 days.

Band-Tailed Pigeons

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

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

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

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and November 30.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 14 consecutive
days, with a daily bag limit of 2.
Zoning: New Mexico may select hunting seasons not to exceed 14
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the South Zone may
not open until October 1.

Doves

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

[[Page 77104]]

Eastern Management Unit

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 90 days, with a
daily bag limit of 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more
than three periods. Regulations for bag and possession limits, season
length, and shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting
zones.

Central Management Unit

For all States except Texas:
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 90 days, with a
daily bag limit of 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more
than three periods.
Texas
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 90 days, with a
daily bag limit of 15 mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped doves in
the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be white-tipped doves.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Texas may select hunting seasons for each
of three zones subject to the following conditions:
A. The hunting season may be split into not more than two periods,
except in that portion of Texas in which the special white-winged dove
season is allowed, where a limited take of mourning and white-tipped
doves may also occur during that special season (see Special White-
winged Dove Area).
B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between
September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between the Friday
nearest September 20 (September 23), but not earlier than September 17,
and January 25.
C. Except as noted above, regulations for bag and possession
limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within each
hunting zone.
Special White-winged Dove Area in Texas:
In addition, Texas may select a hunting season of not more than 4
days for the Special White-winged Dove Area of the South Zone between
September 1 and September 19. The daily bag limit may not exceed 15
white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of
which no more than 2 may be mourning doves and no more than 2 may be
white-tipped doves.

Western Management Unit

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

Alaska

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

Hawaii

Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 65 days (75 under the alternative)
for mourning doves.
Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 (12 under the alternative) mourning
doves.
Note: Mourning doves may be taken in Hawaii in accordance with
shooting hours and other regulations set by the State of Hawaii, and
subject to the applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20.

[[Page 77105]]

Puerto Rico

Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 20 Zenaida,
mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which not more
than 10 may be Zenaida doves and 3 may be mourning doves. Not to exceed
5 scaly-naped pigeons.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the white-crowned pigeon
and the plain pigeon, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico.
Closed Areas: There is no open season on doves or pigeons in the
following areas: Municipality of Culebra, Desecheo Island, Mona Island,
El Verde Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas.
Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and Snipe
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 days may be selected for hunting
ducks, common moorhens, and common snipe. The season may be split into
two segments.
Daily Bag Limits:
Ducks: Not to exceed 6.
Common moorhens: Not to exceed 6.
Common snipe: Not to exceed 8.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck,
and masked duck, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico. The season also is closed on the purple gallinule, American coot,
and Caribbean coot.
Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, common moorhens,
and common snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island.

Virgin Islands

Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days for Zenaida doves.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida doves.
Closed Seasons: No open season is prescribed for ground or quail
doves or pigeons.
Closed Areas: There is no open season for migratory game birds on
Ruth Cay (just south of St. Croix).
Local Names for Certain Birds: Zenaida dove, also known as mountain
dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as Barbary dove or partridge;
common ground-dove, also known as stone dove, tobacco dove, rola, or
tortolita; scaly-naped pigeon, also known as red-necked or scaled
pigeon.
Ducks
Outside Dates: Between December 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 consecutive days.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 6.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck,
and masked duck.

Special Falconry Regulations

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

Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions

Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut

North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-95.
South Zone: Remainder of the State.

Maine

North Zone: That portion north of the line extending east along
Maine State Highway 110 from the New Hampshire-Maine State line to the
intersection of Maine State Highway 11 in Newfield; then north and east
along Route 11 to the intersection of U.S. Route 202 in Auburn; then
north and east on Route 202 to the intersection of I-95 in Augusta;
then north and east along I-95 to Route 15 in Bangor; then east along
Route 15 to Route 9; then east along Route 9 to Stony Brook in
Baileyville; then east along Stony Brook to the United States border.
Coastal Zone: That portion south of a line extending east from the
Maine-New Brunswick border in Calais at the Route 1 Bridge; then south
along Route 1 to the Maine-New Hampshire border in Kittery.
South Zone: Remainder of the State.

Maryland

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

Massachusetts

Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending
south from the Vermont State line on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA
10, south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut
State line.
Central Zone: That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire State line on
I-95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south
on MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195,
west to the Rhode Island State line; except the waters, and the lands
150 yards inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River
upstream to the MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the
Center St.-Elm St. bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone.
Coastal Zone: That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the
Central Zone.

New Hampshire

Northern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of the
Inland Zone beginning at the Jct. of Rte. 10 and Rte. 25-A in Orford,
east on Rte. 25A to Rte. 25 in Wentworth, southeast on Rte. 25 to Exit
26 of Rte. I-93 in Plymouth, south on Rte. I-93 to Rte. 3 at Exit 24 of
Rte. I-93 in Ashland, northeast on Rte. 3 to Rte. 113 in Holderness,
north on Rte. 113 to Rte. 113-A in Sandwich,

[[Page 77106]]

north on Rte. 113-A to Rte. 113 in Tamworth, east on Rte. 113 to Rte.
16 in Chocorua, north on Rte. 16 to Rte. 302 in Conway, east on Rte.
302 to the Maine-New Hampshire border.
Inland Zone: That portion of the State south and west of the
Northern Zone, west of the Coastal Zone, and includes the area of
Vermont and New Hampshire as described for hunting reciprocity. A
person holding a New Hampshire hunting license that allows the taking
of migratory waterfowl or a person holding a Vermont resident hunting
license that allows the taking of migratory waterfowl may take
migratory waterfowl and coots from the following designated area of the
Inland Zone: The State of Vermont east of Rte. I-91 at the
Massachusetts border, north on Rte. I-91 to Rte. 2, north on Rte. 2 to
Rte. 102, north on Rte. 102 to Rte. 253, and north on Rte. 253 to the
border with Canada and the area of New Hampshire west of Rte. 63 at the
Massachusetts border, north on Rte. 63 to Rte. 12, north on Rte. 12 to
Rte. 12-A, north on Rte. 12-A to Rte 10, north on Rte. 10 to Rte. 135,
north on Rte. 135 to Rte. 3, north on Rte. 3 to the intersection with
the Connecticut River.
Coastal Zone: That portion of the State east of a line beginning at
the Maine-New Hampshire border in Rollinsford, then extending to Rte. 4
west to the city of Dover, south to the intersection of Rte. 108, south
along Rte. 108 through Madbury, Durham, and Newmarket to the junction
of Rte. 85 in Newfields, south to Rte. 101 in Exeter, east to
Interstate 95 (New Hampshire Turnpike) in Hampton, and south to the
Massachusetts border.

New Jersey

Coastal Zone: That portion of the State seaward of a line beginning
at the New York State line in Raritan Bay and extending west along the
New York State line to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west on NJ 440 to the
Garden State Parkway; south on the Garden State Parkway to the
shoreline at Cape May and continuing to the Delaware State line in
Delaware Bay.
North Zone: That portion of the State west of the Coastal Zone and
north of a line extending west from the Garden State Parkway on NJ 70
to the New Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike to U.S. 206, north on
U.S. 206 to U.S. 1 at Trenton, west on U.S. 1 to the Pennsylvania State
line in the Delaware River.
South Zone: That portion of the State not within the North Zone or
the Coastal Zone.

New York

Lake Champlain Zone: That area east and north of a continuous line
extending along U.S. 11 from the New York-Canada International boundary
south to NY 9B, south along NY 9B to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY
22 south of Keesville; south along NY 22 to the west shore of South
Bay, along and around the shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east
shore of South Bay; southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along
U.S. 4 to the Vermont State line.
Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their
tidal waters.
Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along
I-81 to the Pennsylvania State line.
Northeastern Zone: That area north of a continuous line extending
from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-
81, south along I-81 to NY 31, east along NY 31 to NY 13, north along
NY 13 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to NY 28,
east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to NY 22, north along NY 22
to Washington County Route 153, east along CR 153 to the New York-
Vermont boundary, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.
Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.

Pennsylvania

Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters of Pennsylvania and a
shoreline margin along Lake Erie from New York on the east to Ohio on
the west extending 150 yards inland, but including all of Presque Isle
Peninsula.
Northwest Zone: The area bounded on the north by the Lake Erie Zone
and including all of Erie and Crawford Counties and those portions of
Mercer and Venango Counties north of I-80.
North Zone: That portion of the State east of the Northwest Zone
and north of a line extending east on I-80 to U.S. 220, Route 220 to I-
180, I-180 to I-80, and I-80 to the Delaware River.
South Zone: The remaining portion of Pennsylvania.

Vermont

Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area north and west of the line extending from the New York border
along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes;
U.S. 7 to VT 78 at Swanton; VT 78 to VT 36; VT 36 to Maquam Bay on Lake
Champlain; along and around the shoreline of Maquam Bay and Hog Island
to VT 78 at the West Swanton Bridge; VT 78 to VT 2 in Alburg; VT 2 to
the Richelieu River in Alburg; along the east shore of the Richelieu
River to the Canadian border.
Interior Zone: That portion of Vermont east of the Lake Champlain
Zone and west of a line extending from the Massachusetts border at
Interstate 91; north along Interstate 91 to U.S. 2; east along U.S. 2
to VT 102; north along VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 253 to the
Canadian border.
Connecticut River Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont east of
the Interior Zone.

Mississippi Flyway

Illinois

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
west from the Indiana border along Peotone-Beecher Road to Illinois
Route 50, south along Illinois Route 50 to Wilmington-Peotone Road,
west along Wilmington-Peotone Road to Illinois Route 53, north along
Illinois Route 53 to New River Road, northwest along New River Road to
Interstate Highway 55, south along I-55 to Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road,
west along Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road to Illinois Route 47, north along
Illinois Route 47 to I-80, west along I-80 to I-39, south along I-39 to
Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois Route 29,
south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois Route 17, west along Illinois
Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and due south across the Mississippi
River to the Iowa border.
Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Duck
Zone line to a line extending west from the Indiana border along I-70
to Illinois Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route
161, west along Illinois Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south and
west along Illinois Route 158 to Illinois Route 159, south along
Illinois Route 159 to Illinois Route 3, south along Illinois Route 3 to
St. Leo's Road, south along St. Leo's Road to Modoc Road, west along
Modoc Road to Modoc Ferry Road, southwest along Modoc Ferry Road to
Levee Road, southeast along Levee Road to County Route 12 (Modoc Ferry
entrance Road), south along County Route 12 to the Modoc Ferry route
and southwest on the Modoc Ferry route across the Mississippi River to
the Missouri border.
South Zone: That portion of the State south and east of a line
extending west from the Indiana border along Interstate 70, south along
U.S. Highway 45, to Illinois Route 13, west along Illinois Route 13 to
Greenbriar Road, north on

[[Page 77107]]

Greenbriar Road to Sycamore Road, west on Sycamore Road to N. Reed
Station Road, south on N. Reed Station Road to Illinois Route 13, west
along Illinois Route 13 to Illinois Route 127, south along Illinois
Route 127 to State Forest Road (1025 N), west along State Forest Road
to Illinois Route 3, north along Illinois Route 3 to the south bank of
the Big Muddy River, west along the south bank of the Big Muddy River
to the Mississippi River, west across the Mississippi River to the
Missouri border.
South Central Zone: The remainder of the State between the south
border of the Central Zone and the North border of the South Zone.

Indiana

North Zone: That part of Indiana north of a line extending east
from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. 31; north along
U.S. 31 to U.S. 24; east along U.S. 24 to Huntington; southeast along
U.S. 224; south along State Road 5; and east along State Road 124 to
the Ohio border.
Central Zone: That part of Indiana south of the North Zone boundary
and north of the South Zone boundary.
South Zone: That part of Indiana south of a line extending east
from the Illinois border along U.S. 40; south along U.S. 41; east along
State Road 58; south along State Road 37 to Bedford; and east along
U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.

Iowa

North Zone: That portion of Iowa north of a line beginning on the
South Dakota-Iowa border at Interstate 29, southeast along Interstate
29 to State Highway 175, east along State Highway 175 to State Highway
37, southeast along State Highway 37 to State Highway 183, northeast
along State Highway 183 to State Highway 141, east along State Highway
141 to U.S. Highway 30, and along U.S. Highway 30 to the Illinois
border.
Missouri River Zone: That portion of Iowa west of a line beginning
on the South Dakota-Iowa border at Interstate 29, southeast along
Interstate 29 to State Highway 175, and west along State Highway 175 to
the Iowa-Nebraska border.
South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.

Kentucky

West Zone: All counties west of and including Butler, Daviess,
Ohio, Simpson, and Warren Counties.
East Zone: The remainder of Kentucky.

Louisiana

East Zone: That area of the State between the Mississippi State
line and a line going south on Hwy 79 from the Arkansas border to
Homer, then south on Hwy 9 to Arcadia, then south on Hwy 147 to Hodge,
then south on Hwy 167 to Turkey Creek, then south on Hwy 13 to Eunice,
then west on Hwy 190 to Kinder, then south on Hwy 165 to Iowa, then
west on I-10 to its junction with Hwy 14 at Lake Charles, then south
and east on Hwy 14 to its junction with Hwy 90 in New Iberia, then east
on Hwy 90 to the Mississippi State line.
West Zone: That area between the Texas State line and a line going
east on I-10 from the Texas border to Hwy 165 at Iowa, then north on
Hwy 165 to Kinder, then east on Hwy 190 to Eunice, then north on Hwy 13
to Turkey Creek, then north on Hwy 167 to Hodge, then north on Hwy 147
to Arcadia, then north on Hwy 9 to Homer, then north on Hwy 79 to the
Arkansas border.
Coastal Zone: Remainder of the State.

Michigan

North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line
beginning at the Wisconsin State line in Lake Michigan due west of the
mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly
and southerly along the south shore of Stony Creek to Scenic Drive,
easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly
along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along
Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of
Midland, easterly along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, easterly along U.S. 10
to Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, northerly along I-75/U.S. 23
to the U.S. 23 exit at Standish, easterly along U.S. 23 to the
centerline of the Au Gres River, then southerly along the centerline of
the Au Gres River to Saginaw Bay, then on a line directly east 10 miles
into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a line directly northeast to
the Canadian border.
South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.

Minnesota

North Duck Zone: That portion of the State north of a line
extending east from the North Dakota State line along State Highway 210
to State Highway 23 and east to State Highway 39 and east to the
Wisconsin State line at the Oliver Bridge.
South Duck Zone: The portion of the State south of a line extending
east from the South Dakota State line along U.S. Highway 212 to
Interstate 494 and east to Interstate 94 and east to the Wisconsin
State line.
Central Duck Zone: The remainder of the State.

Missouri

North Zone: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west
from the Illinois border at Lock and Dam 25; west on Lincoln County
Hwy. N to Mo. Hwy. 79; south on Mo. Hwy. 79 to Mo. Hwy. 47; west on Mo.
Hwy. 47 to I-70; west on I-70 to the Kansas border.
Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri not included in other zones.
South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west
from the Illinois border on Mo. Hwy. 74 to Mo. Hwy. 25; south on Mo.
Hwy. 25 to U.S. Hwy. 62; west on U.S. Hwy. 62 to Mo. Hwy. 53; north on
Mo. Hwy. 53 to Mo. Hwy. 51; north on Mo. Hwy. 51 to U.S. Hwy. 60; west
on U.S. Hwy. 60 to Mo. Hwy. 21; north on Mo. Hwy. 21 to Mo. Hwy. 72;
west on Mo. Hwy. 72 to Mo. Hwy. 32; west on Mo. Hwy. 32 to U.S. Hwy.
65; north on U.S. Hwy. 65 to U.S. Hwy. 54; west on U.S. Hwy. 54 to U.S.
Hwy. 71; south on U.S. Hwy. 71 to Jasper County Hwy. M (Base Line
Blvd.); west on Jasper County Hwy. M (Base Line Blvd.) to CRD 40 (Base
Line Blvd.); west on CRD 40 (Base Line Blvd.) to the Kansas border.

Ohio

Lake Erie Marsh Zone: Includes all land and water within the
boundaries of the area bordered by a line beginning at the intersection
of Interstate 75 at the Ohio-Michigan State line and continuing south
to Interstate 280, then south on I-280 to the Ohio Turnpike (I-80/I-
90), then east on the Ohio Turnpike to the Erie-Lorain county line,
then north to Lake Erie, then following the Lake Erie shoreline at a
distance of 200 yards offshore, then following the shoreline west
toward and around the northern tip of Cedar Point Amusement Park, then
continuing from the westernmost point of Cedar Point toward the
southernmost tip of the sand bar at the mouth of Sandusky Bay and out
into Lake Erie at a distance of 200 yards offshore continuing parallel
to the Lake Erie shoreline north and west toward the northernmost tip
of Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge, then following a direct line
toward the southernmost tip of Wood Tick Peninsula in Michigan to a
point that intersects the Ohio-Michigan State line, then following the
State line back to the point of the beginning.
North Zone: That portion of the State, excluding the Lake Erie
Marsh Zone, north of a line extending east from the

[[Page 77108]]

Indiana State line along U.S. Highway 33 to State Route 127, then south
along SR 127 to SR 703, then south along SR 703 and including all lands
within the Mercer Wildlife Area to SR 219, then east along SR 219 to SR
364, then north along SR 364 and including all lands within the St.
Mary's Fish Hatchery to SR 703, then east along SR 703 to SR 66, then
north along SR 66 to U. S. 33, then east along U. S. 33 to SR 385, then
east along SR 385 to SR 117, then south along SR 117 to SR 273, then
east along SR 273 to SR 31, then south along SR 31 to SR 739, then east
along SR 739 to SR 4, then north along SR 4 to SR 95, then east along
SR 95 to SR 13, then southeast along SR 13 to SR 3, then northeast
along SR 3 to SR 60, then north along SR 60 to U.S. 30, then east along
U.S. 30 to SR 3, then south along SR 3 to SR 226, then south along SR
226 to SR 514, then southwest along SR 514 to SR 754, then south along
SR 754 to SR 39/60, then east along SR 39/60 U.S. to SR 241, then north
along SR 241 to U.S. 30, then east along U.S. 30 to SR 39, then east
along SR 39 to the Pennsylvania State line.
South Zone: The remainder of Ohio not included in the Lake Erie
Marsh Zone or the North Zone.

Tennessee

Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake and Obion Counties.
Remainder of State: That portion of Tennessee outside of the
Reelfoot Zone.

Wisconsin

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Minnesota State line along U.S. Highway 10 into Portage
County to County Highway HH, east on County Highway HH to State Highway
66 and then east on State Highway 66 to U.S. Highway 10, continuing
east on U.S. Highway 10 to U.S. Highway 41, then north on U.S. Highway
41 to the Michigan State line.
Mississippi River Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning
at the intersection of the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway and
the Illinois State line in Grant County and extending northerly along
the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway to the city limit of
Prescott in Pierce County, then west along the Prescott city limit to
the Minnesota State line.
South Zone: The remainder of Wisconsin.

Central Flyway

Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)

Special Teal Season Area: Lake and Chaffee Counties and that
portion of the State east of Interstate Highway 25.
Northeast Zone: All areas east of Interstate 25 and north of
Interstate 70.
Southeast Zone: All areas east of Interstate 25 and south of
Interstate 70, and all of El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano, and Las Animas
Counties.
Mountain/Foothills Zone: All areas west of Interstate 25 and east
of the Continental Divide, except El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano, and Las
Animas Counties.

Kansas

High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.
Low Plains Early Zone: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from
the federal highway US-283 and state highway US-96 junction, then east
on federal highway US-96 to its junction with federal highway US-183,
then north on federal highway US-183 to its junction with federal
highway US-24, then east on federal highway US-24 to its junction with
federal highway US-281, then north on federal highway US-281 to its
junction with federal highway US-36, then east on federal highway US-36
to its junction with state highway K-199, then south on state highway
K-199 to its junction with Republic County 30th Road, then south on
Republic County 30th Road to its junction with state highway K-148,
then east on state highway K-148 to its junction with Republic County
50th Road, then south on Republic County 50th Road to its junction with
Cloud County 40th Road, then south on Cloud County 40th Road to its
junction with state highway K-9, then west on state highway K-9 to its
junction with federal highway US-24, then west on federal highway US-24
to its junction with federal highway US-181, then south on federal
highway US-181 to its junction with state highway K-18, then west on
state highway K-18 to its junction with federal highway US-281, then
south on federal highway US-281 to its junction with state highway K-4,
then east on state highway K-4 to its junction with interstate highway
I-135, then south on interstate highway I-135 to its junction with
state highway K-61, then southwest on state highway K-61 to its
junction with McPherson County 14th Avenue, then south on McPherson
County 14th Avenue to its junction with McPherson County Arapaho Rd,
then west on McPherson County Arapaho Rd to its junction with state
highway K-61, then southwest on state highway K-61 to its junction with
state highway K-96, then northwest on state highway K-96 to its
junction with federal highway US-56, then southwest on federal highway
US-56 to its junction with state highway K-19, then east on state
highway K-19 to its junction with federal highway US-281, then south on
federal highway US-281 to its junction with federal highway US-54, then
west on federal highway US-54 to its junction with federal highway US-
183, then north on federal highway US-183 to its junction with federal
highway US-56, then southwest on federal highway US-56 to its junction
with North Main Street in Spearville, then south on North Main Street
to Davis Street, then east on Davis Street to Ford County Road 126
(South Stafford Street), then south on Ford County Road 126 to Garnett
Road, then east on Garnett Road to Ford County Road 126, then south on
Ford County Road 126 to Ford Spearville Road, then west on Ford
Spearville Road to its junction with federal highway US-400, then
northwest on federal highway US-400 to its junction with federal
highway US-283, and then north on federal highway US-283 to its
junction with federal highway US-96.
Low Plains Late Zone: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from
the federal highway US-283 and federal highway US-96 junction, then
north on federal highway US-283 to the Kansas-Nebraska state line, then
east along the Kansas-Nebraska state line to its junction with the
Kansas-Missouri state line, then southeast along the Kansas-Missouri
state line to its junction with state highway K-68, then west on state
highway K-68 to its junction with interstate highway I-35, then
southwest on interstate highway I-35 to its junction with Butler County
NE 150th Street, then west on Butler County NE 150th Street to its
junction with federal highway US-77, then south on federal highway US-
77 to its junction with the Kansas-Oklahoma state line, then west along
the Kansas-Oklahoma state line to its junction with federal highway US-
283, then north on federal highway US-283 to its junction with federal
highway US-400, then east on federal highway US-400 to its junction
with Ford Spearville Road, then east on Ford Spearville Road to Ford
County Road 126 (South Stafford Street), then north on Ford County Road
126 to Garnett Road, then west on Garnett Road to Ford County Road 126,
then north on Ford County Road 126 to Davis Street, then west on Davis
Street to North Main Street, then north on North Main Street to its
junction with federal highway US-56, then east on federal highway US-56
to its junction with federal highway US-183, then south on federal
highway US-183 to its junction with federal highway US-54, then east on
federal highway US-54 to its junction with federal highway US-281, then
north on federal

[[Page 77109]]

highway US-281 to its junction with state highway K-19, then west on
state highway K-19 to its junction with federal highway US-56, then
east on federal highway US-56 to its junction with state highway K-96,
then southeast on state highway K-96 to its junction with state highway
K-61, then northeast on state highway K-61 to its junction with
McPherson County Arapaho Road, then east on McPherson County Arapaho
Road to its junction with McPherson County 14th Avenue, then north on
McPherson County 14th Avenue to its junction with state highway K-61,
then east on state highway K-61 to its junction with interstate highway
I-135, then north on interstate highway I-135 to its junction with
state highway K-4, then west on state highway K-4 to its junction with
federal highway US-281, then north on federal highway US-281 to its
junction with state highway K-18, then east on state highway K-18 to
its junction with federal highway US-181, then north on federal highway
US-181 to its junction with federal highway US-24, then east on federal
highway US-24 to its junction with state highway K-9, then east on
state highway K-9 to its junction with Cloud County 40th Road, then
north on Cloud County 40th Road to its junction with Republic County
50th Road, then north on Republic County 50th Road to its junction with
state highway K-148, then west on state highway K-148 to its junction
with Republic County 30th Road, then north on Republic County 30th Road
to its junction with state highway K-199, then north on state highway
K-199 to its junction with federal highway US-36, then west on federal
highway US-36 to its junction with federal highway US-281, then south
on federal highway US-281 to its junction with federal highway US-24,
then west on federal highway US-24 to its junction with federal highway
US-183, then south on federal highway US-183 to its junction with
federal highway US-96, and then west on federal highway US-96 to its
junction with federal highway US-283.
Southeast Zone: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the
Missouri-Kansas State line west on K-68 to its junction with I-35, then
southwest on I-35 to its junction with Butler County, NE 150th Street,
then west on NE 150th Street to its junction with federal highway US-
77, then south on federal highway US-77 to the Oklahoma-Kansas State
line, then east along the Kansas-Oklahoma State line to its junction
with the Kansas-Missouri State line, then north along the Kansas-
Missouri State line to its junction with K-68.

Montana (Central Flyway Portion)

Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine, Carter, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon,
Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, McCone, Musselshell,
Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan,
Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Valley, Wheatland, and Wibaux.
Zone 2: The Counties of Big Horn, Carbon, Custer, Prairie, Rosebud,
Treasure, and Yellowstone.

Nebraska

Special Teal Season Area (south): That portion of the State south
of a line beginning at the Wyoming State line; east along U.S. 26 to
Nebraska Highway L62A east to U.S. 385; south to U.S. 26; east to NE
92; east along NE 92 to NE 61; south along NE 61 to U.S. 30; east along
U.S. 30 to the Iowa border.
Special Teal Season Area (north): The remainder of the State.
High Plains: That portion of Nebraska lying west of a line
beginning at the South Dakota-Nebraska border on U.S. Hwy. 183; south
on U.S. Hwy. 183 to U.S. Hwy. 20; west on U.S. Hwy. 20 to NE Hwy. 7;
south on NE Hwy. 7 to NE Hwy. 91; southwest on NE Hwy. 91 to NE Hwy. 2;
southeast on NE Hwy. 2 to NE Hwy. 92; west on NE Hwy. 92 to NE Hwy. 40;
south on NE Hwy. 40 to NE Hwy. 47; south on NE Hwy. 47 to NE Hwy. 23;
east on NE Hwy. 23 to U.S. Hwy. 283; and south on U.S. Hwy. 283 to the
Kansas-Nebraska border.
Zone 1: Area bounded by designated Federal and State highways and
political boundaries beginning at the South Dakota-Nebraska border west
of NE Hwy. 26E Spur and north of NE Hwy. 12; those portions of Dixon,
Cedar, and Knox Counties north of NE Hwy. 12; that portion of Keya Paha
County east of U.S. Hwy. 183; and all of Boyd County. Both banks of the
Niobrara River in Keya Paha and Boyd counties east of U.S. Hwy. 183
shall be included in Zone 1.
Zone 2: The area south of Zone 1 and north of Zone 3.
Zone 3: Area bounded by designated Federal and State highways,
County Roads, and political boundaries beginning at the Wyoming-
Nebraska border at the intersection of the Interstate Canal; east along
northern borders of Scotts Bluff and Morrill Counties to Broadwater
Road; south to Morrill County Rd 94; east to County Rd 135; south to
County Rd 88; southeast to County Rd 151; south to County Rd 80; east
to County Rd 161; south to County Rd 76; east to County Rd 165; south
to County Rd 167; south to U.S. Hwy 26; east to County Rd 171; north to
County Rd 68; east to County Rd 183; south to County Rd 64; east to
County Rd 189; north to County Rd 70; east to County Rd 201; south to
County Rd 60A; east to County Rd 203; south to County Rd 52; east to
Keith County Line; east along the northern boundaries of Keith and
Lincoln Counties to NE Hwy 97; south to U.S. Hwy 83; south to E Hall
School Rd; east to N Airport Road; south to U.S. Hwy 30; east to NE Hwy
47; north to Dawson County Rd 769; east to County Rd 423; south to
County Rd 766; east to County Rd 428; south to County Rd 763; east to
NE Hwy 21 (Adams Street); south to County Rd 761; east to the Dawson
County Canal; south and east along the Dawson County Canal to County Rd
444; south to U.S. Hwy 30; east to U.S. Hwy 183; north to Buffalo
County Rd 100; east to 46th Avenue; north to NE Hwy 40; south and east
to NE Hwy 10; north to Buffalo County Rd 220 and Hall County Husker
Hwy; east to Hall County Rd 70; north to NE Hwy 2; east to U.S. Hwy
281; north to Chapman Rd; east to 7th Rd; south to U.S. Hwy 30; east to
Merrick County Rd 13; north to County Rd O; east to NE Hwy 14; north to
NE Hwy 52; west and north to NE Hwy 91; west to U.S. Hwy 281; south to
NE Hwy 22; west to NE Hwy 11; northwest to NE Hwy 91; west to U.S. Hwy
183; south to Round Valley Rd; west to Sargent River Rd; west to Drive
443; north to Sargent Rd; west to NE Hwy S21A; west to NE Hwy 2; west
and north to NE Hwy 91; north and east to North Loup Spur Rd; north to
North Loup River Rd; east to Pleasant Valley/Worth Rd; east to Loup
County Line; north to Loup-Brown county line; east along northern
boundaries of Loup and Garfield Counties to Cedar River Rd; south to NE
Hwy 70; east to U.S. Hwy 281; north to NE Hwy 70; east to NE Hwy 14;
south to NE Hwy 39; southeast to NE Hwy 22; east to U.S. Hwy 81;
southeast to U.S. Hwy 30; east to U.S. Hwy 75; north to the Washington
County line; east to the Iowa-Nebraska border; south to the Missouri-
Nebraska border; south to Kansas-Nebraska border; west along Kansas-
Nebraska border to Colorado-Nebraska border; north and west to Wyoming-
Nebraska border; north to intersection of Interstate Canal; and
excluding that area in Zone 4.
Zone 4: Area encompassed by designated Federal and State highways
and County Roads beginning at the intersection of NE Hwy 8 and U.S. Hwy
75; north to U.S. Hwy 136; east to the intersection of U.S. Hwy 136 and
the Steamboat Trace (Trace); north along the Trace to the intersection
with Federal

[[Page 77110]]

Levee R-562; north along Federal Levee R-562 to the intersection with
Nemaha County Rd 643A; south to the Trace; north along the Trace/
Burlington Northern Railroad right-of-way to NE Hwy 2; west to U.S. Hwy
75; north to NE Hwy 2; west to NE Hwy 50; north to U.S. Hwy 34; west to
NE Hwy 63; north to NE Hwy 66; north and west to U.S. Hwy 77; north to
NE Hwy 92; west to NE Hwy Spur 12F; south to Butler County Rd 30; east
to County Rd X; south to County Rd 27; west to County Rd W; south to
County Rd 26; east to County Rd X; south to County Rd 21 (Seward County
Line); west to NE Hwy 15; north to County Rd 34; west to County Rd H;
south to NE Hwy 92; west to U.S. Hwy 81; south to NE Hwy 66; west to
Polk County Rd C; north to NE Hwy 92; west to U.S. Hwy 30; west to
Merrick County Rd 17; south to Hordlake Road; southeast to Prairie
Island Road; southeast to Hamilton County Rd T; south to NE Hwy 66;
west to NE Hwy 14; south to County Rd 22; west to County Rd M; south to
County Rd 21; west to County Rd K; south to U.S. Hwy 34; west to NE Hwy
2; south to U.S. Hwy I-80; west to Gunbarrel Rd (Hall/Hamilton county
line); south to Giltner Rd; west to U.S. Hwy 281; south to Lochland Rd;
west to Holstein Avenue; south to U.S. Hwy 34; west to NE Hwy 10; north
to Kearney County Rd R and Phelps County Rd 742; west to U.S. Hwy 283;
south to U.S. Hwy 34; east to U.S. Hwy 136; east to U.S. Hwy 183; north
to NE Hwy 4; east to NE Hwy 10; south to U.S. Hwy 136; east to NE Hwy
14; south to NE Hwy 8; east to U.S. Hwy 81; north to NE Hwy 4; east to
NE Hwy 15; south to U.S. Hwy 136; east to Jefferson County Rd 578
Avenue; south to PWF Rd; east to NE Hwy 103; south to NE Hwy 8; east to
U.S. Hwy 75.

New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)

North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.

North Dakota

High Plains Unit: That portion of the State south and west of a
line from the South Dakota State line along U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41,
north to U.S. 2, west to the Williams-Divide County line, then north
along the County line to the Canadian border.
Low Plains Unit: The remainder of North Dakota.

Oklahoma

High Plains Zone: The Counties of Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas.
Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High
Plains Zone and north of a line extending east from the Texas State
line along OK 33 to OK 47, east along OK 47 to U.S. 183, south along
U.S. 183 to I-40, east along I-40 to U.S. 177, north along U.S. 177 to
OK 33, east along OK 33 to OK 18, north along OK 18 to OK 51, west
along OK 51 to I-35, north along I-35 to U.S. 412, west along U.S. 412
to OK 132, then north along OK 132 to the Kansas State line.
Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of Oklahoma.

South Dakota

High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of a line
beginning at the North Dakota State line and extending south along U.S.
83 to U.S. 14, east on U.S. 14 to Blunt, south on the Blunt-Canning Rd
to SD 34, east and south on SD 34 to SD 50 at Lee's Corner, south on SD
50 to I-90, east on I-90 to SD 50, south on SD 50 to SD 44, west on SD
44 across the Platte-Winner bridge to SD 47, south on SD 47 to U.S. 18,
east on U.S. 18 to SD 47, south on SD 47 to the Nebraska State line.
North Zone: That portion of northeastern South Dakota east of the
High Plains Unit and north of a line extending east along U.S. 212 to
the Minnesota State line.
South Zone: That portion of Gregory County east of SD 47 and south
of SD 44; Charles Mix County south of SD 44 to the Douglas County line;
south on SD 50 to Geddes; east on the Geddes Highway to U.S. 281; south
on U.S. 281 and U.S. 18 to SD 50; south and east on SD 50 to the Bon
Homme County line; the Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton, and Clay south
of SD 50; and Union County south and west of SD 50 and I-29.
Middle Zone: The remainder of South Dakota.

Texas

High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of a line
extending south from the Oklahoma State line along U.S. 183 to Vernon,
south along U.S. 283 to Albany, south along TX 6 to TX 351 to Abilene,
south along U.S. 277 to Del Rio, then south along the Del Rio
International Toll Bridge access road to the Mexico border.
Low Plains North Zone: That portion of northeastern Texas east of
the High Plains Zone and north of a line beginning at the International
Toll Bridge south of Del Rio, then extending east on U.S. 90 to San
Antonio, then continuing east on I-10 to the Louisiana State line at
Orange, Texas.
Low Plains South Zone: The remainder of Texas.

Wyoming (Central Flyway portion)

Zone C1: Big Horn, Converse, Goshen, Hot Springs, Natrona, Park,
Platte, and Washakie Counties; and Fremont County excluding the
portions west or south of the Continental Divide.
Zone C2: Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston
Counties.
Zone C3: Albany and Laramie Counties; and that portion of Carbon
County east of the Continental Divide.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona

North Zone: Game Management Units 1-5, those portions of Game
Management Units 6 and 8 within Coconino County, and Game Management
Units 7, 9, and 12A.
South Zone: Those portions of Game Management Units 6 and 8 in
Yavapai County, and Game Management Units 10 and 12B-45.

California

Northeastern Zone: In that portion of California lying east and
north of a line beginning at the intersection of Interstate 5 with the
California-Oregon line; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with
Walters Lane south of the town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane to its
junction with Easy Street; south along Easy Street to the junction with
Old Highway 99; south along Old Highway 99 to the point of intersection
with Interstate 5 north of the town of Weed; south along Interstate 5
to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to
Main Street Greenville; north and east to its junction with North
Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and
east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the
junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington
Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the
junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and
east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-
Nevada State line; north along the California-Nevada State line to the
junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon State lines; west along the
California-Oregon State line to the point of origin.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada State
line south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south

[[Page 77111]]

on a road known in Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice
Road'' to the town of Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley
Well Road; south on this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-
Milpitas Road to the Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south
on the Blythe-Brawley paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road;
south on this road to U.S. 80; east 7 miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-
Algodones Road; south on this paved road to the Mexican border at
Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada
State line.
Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone: All of Kings and Tulare Counties
and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
Balance of State Zone: The remainder of California not included in
the Northeastern, Colorado River, Southern, and the Southern San
Joaquin Valley Zones.

Colorado

Eastern Zone: Routt, Grand, Summit, Eagle, and Pitkin counties,
those portions of Saguache, San Juan, Hinsdale, and Mineral in the
Pacific Flyway (i.e., west of the Continental Divide), and Gunnison
County except the following area: The portion of Gunnison County west
of Curecanti Creek, west of the Gunnison River-North Fork of Gunnison
River divide to Kebler Pass, west of Kebler Pass and the Ruby Range
summit, and west and south of the Pitkin/Gunnison County line west of
the Ruby Range. This area corresponds to the North Fork of Gunnison
River Valley, and is already established by Colorado Division of Parks
and Wildlife as the Gunnison County portions of GMU 521, 53, and 63.
Western Zone: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway portion of
Colorado not included in the Eastern Zone.

Idaho

Zone 1: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation, including private in-holdings; Bannock County; Bingham
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage;
Caribou County within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; and Power
County east of State Highway 37 and State Highway 39.
Zone 2: Adams, Bear Lake, Benewah, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville,
Boundary, Butte, Camas, Clark, Clearwater, Custer, Franklin, Fremont,
Idaho, Jefferson, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Madison, Nez Perce,
Oneida, Shoshone, Teton, and Valley Counties; Bingham County within the
Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; Caribou County, except the Fort Hall
Indian Reservation; and Power County west of State Highway 37 and State
Highway 39.
Zone 3: Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome,
Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, and Washington
Counties.

Nevada

Northeast Zone: Elko and White Pine Counties.
Northwest Zone: Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Esmeralda, Eureka,
Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Storey, and Washoe
Counties.
South Zone: Clark and Lincoln Counties.
Moapa Valley Special Management Area: That portion of Clark County
including the Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin
Rivers.

Oregon

Zone 1: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas,
Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion,
Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Umatilla, Wasco,
Washington, and Yamhill, Counties.
Zone 2: The remainder of Oregon not included in Zone 1.

Utah

Zone 1: Box Elder, Cache, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Morgan, Rich,
Salt Lake, Summit, Uintah, Utah, Wasatch, and Weber Counties, and that
part of Toole County north of I-80.
Zone 2: The remainder of Utah not included in Zone 1.

Washington

East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of
the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
West Zone: The remainder of Washington not included in the East
Zone.

Wyoming (Pacific Flyway Portion)

Snake River Zone: Beginning at the south boundary of Yellowstone
National Park and the Continental Divide; south along the Continental
Divide to Union Pass and the Union Pass Road (U.S.F.S. Road 600); west
and south along the Union Pass Road to U.S.F.S. Road 605; south along
U.S.F.S. Road 605 to the Bridger-Teton National Forest boundary; along
the national forest boundary to the Idaho State line; north along the
Idaho State line to the south boundary of Yellowstone National Park;
east along the Yellowstone National Park boundary to the Continental
Divide.
Balance of State Zone: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway portion
of Wyoming not included in the Snake River Zone.

Geese

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut

Early Canada Goose Seasons:
South Zone: Same as for ducks.
North Zone: Same as for ducks.
Regular Seasons:
AP Unit: Litchfield County and the portion of Hartford County west
of a line beginning at the Massachusetts border in Suffield and
extending south along Route 159 to its intersection with Route 91 in
Hartford, and then extending south along Route 91 to its intersection
with the Hartford-Middlesex County line.
Atlantic Flyway Resident Population (AFRP) Unit: Starting at the
intersection of I-95 and the Quinnipiac River, north on the Quinnipiac
River to its intersection with I-91, north on I-91 to I-691, west on I-
691 to the Hartford County line, and encompassing the rest of New Haven
County and Fairfield County in its entirety.
NAP H--Unit: All of the rest of the State not included in the AP or
AFRP descriptions above.
South Zone: Same as for ducks.

Maine

Same zones as for ducks.

Maryland

Early Canada Goose Seasons
Eastern Unit: Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent,
Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester
Counties; and that part of Anne Arundel County east of Interstate 895,
Interstate 97, and Route 3; that part of Prince George's County east of
Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County east of Route
301 to the Virginia State line.
Western Unit: Allegany, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett,
Howard, Montgomery, and Washington Counties and that part of Anne
Arundel County west of Interstate 895, Interstate 97, and Route 3; that
part of Prince George's County west of Route 3 and Route 301;

[[Page 77112]]

and that part of Charles County west of Route 301 to the Virginia State
line.
Regular Seasons
Resident Population (RP) Zone: Allegany, Frederick, Garrett,
Montgomery, and Washington Counties; that portion of Prince George's
County west of Route 3 and Route 301; that portion of Charles County
west of Route 301 to the Virginia State line; and that portion of
Carroll County west of Route 31 to the intersection of Route 97, and
west of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line.
AP Zone: Remainder of the State.

Massachusetts

NAP Zone: Central and Coastal Zones (see duck zones).
AP Zone: The Western Zone (see duck zones).
Special Late Season Area: The Central Zone and that portion of the
Coastal Zone (see duck zones) that lies north of the Cape Cod Canal,
north to the New Hampshire line.

New Hampshire

Same zones as for ducks.

New Jersey

AP Zone: North and South Zones (see duck zones).
RP Zone: The Coastal Zone (see duck zones).
Special Late Season Area: In northern New Jersey, that portion of
the State within a continuous line that runs east along the New York
State boundary line to the Hudson River; then south along the New York
State boundary to its intersection with Route 440 at Perth Amboy; then
west on Route 440 to its intersection with Route 287; then west along
Route 287 to its intersection with Route 206 in Bedminster (Exit 18);
then north along Route 206 to its intersection with Route 94: Then west
along Route 94 to the tollbridge in Columbia; then north along the
Pennsylvania State boundary in the Delaware River to the beginning
point. In southern New Jersey, that portion of the State within a
continuous line that runs west from the Atlantic Ocean at Ship Bottom
along Route 72 to Route 70; then west along Route 70 to Route 206; then
south along Route 206 to Route 536; then west along Route 536 to Route
322; then west along Route 322 to Route 55; then south along Route 55
to Route 553 (Buck Road); then south along Route 553 to Route 40; then
east along Route 40 to route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 552
(Sherman Avenue); then west along Route 552 to Carmel Road; then south
along Carmel Road to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 555;
then south along Route 555 to Route 553; then east along Route 553 to
Route 649; then north along Route 649 to Route 670; then east along
Route 670 to Route 47; then north along Route 47 to Route 548; then
east along Route 548 to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 50;
then south along Route 50 to Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route
625 (Sea Isle City Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to the
Atlantic Ocean; then north to the beginning point.

New York

Lake Champlain Goose Area: The same as the Lake Champlain Waterfowl
Hunting Zone, which is that area of New York State lying east and north
of a continuous line extending along Route 11 from the New York-Canada
International boundary south to Route 9B, south along Route 9B to Route
9, south along Route 9 to Route 22 south of Keeseville, south along
Route 22 to the west shore of South Bay along and around the shoreline
of South Bay to Route 22 on the east shore of South Bay, southeast
along Route 22 to Route 4, northeast along Route 4 to the New York-
Vermont boundary.
Northeast Goose Area: The same as the Northeastern Waterfowl
Hunting Zone, which is that area of New York State lying north of a
continuous line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore
of the Salmon River to Interstate 81, south along Interstate Route 81
to Route 31, east along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to
Route 49, east along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to
Route 28, east along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Route
22 at Greenwich Junction, north along Route 22 to Washington County
Route 153, east along CR 153 to the New York-Vermont boundary,
exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.
East Central Goose Area: That area of New York State lying inside
of a continuous line extending from Interstate Route 81 in Cicero, east
along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to Route 49, east
along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to Route 28, east
along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball
Corners, south along Route 147 to Schenectady County Route 40 (West
Glenville Road), west along Route 40 to Touareuna Road, south along
Touareuna Road to Schenectady County Route 59, south along Route 59 to
State Route 5, east along Route 5 to the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along
the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S, southeast along Route 5S to Schenectady
County Route 58, southwest along Route 58 to the NYS Thruway, south
along the Thruway to Route 7, southwest along Route 7 to Schenectady
County Route 103, south along Route 103 to Route 406, east along Route
406 to Schenectady County Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route
99 to Dunnsville Road, south along Dunnsville Road to Route 397,
southwest along Route 397 to Route 146 at Altamont, west along Route
146 to Albany County Route 252, northwest along Route 252 to
Schenectady County Route 131, north along Route 131 to Route 7, west
along Route 7 to Route 10 at Richmondville, south on Route 10 to Route
23 at Stamford, west along Route 23 to Route 7 in Oneonta, southwest
along Route 7 to Route 79 to Interstate Route 88 near Harpursville,
west along Route 88 to Interstate Route 81, north along Route 81 to the
point of beginning.
West Central Goose Area: That area of New York State lying within a
continuous line beginning at the point where the northerly extension of
Route 269 (County Line Road on the Niagara-Orleans County boundary)
meets the International boundary with Canada, south to the shore of
Lake Ontario at the eastern boundary of Golden Hill State Park, south
along the extension of Route 269 and Route 269 to Route 104 at Jeddo,
west along Route 104 to Niagara County Route 271, south along Route 271
to Route 31E at Middleport, south along Route 31E to Route 31, west
along Route 31 to Griswold Street, south along Griswold Street to Ditch
Road, south along Ditch Road to Foot Road, south along Foot Road to the
north bank of Tonawanda Creek, west along the north bank of Tonawanda
Creek to Route 93, south along Route 93 to Route 5, east along Route 5
to Crittenden-Murrays Corners Road, south on Crittenden-Murrays Corners
Road to the NYS Thruway, east along the Thruway 90 to Route 98 (at
Thruway Exit 48) in Batavia, south along Route 98 to Route 20, east
along Route 20 to Route 19 in Pavilion Center, south along Route 19 to
Route 63, southeast along Route 63 to Route 246, south along Route 246
to Route 39 in Perry, northeast along Route 39 to Route 20A, northeast
along Route 20A to Route 20, east along Route 20 to Route 364 (near
Canandaigua), south and east along Route 364 to Yates County Route 18
(Italy Valley Road), southwest along Route 18 to Yates County Route 34,
east along Route 34 to Yates County Route 32, south along Route 32 to
Steuben County Route 122, south along Route 122 to Route 53, south
along Route 53 to Steuben County Route 74, east along Route 74 to Route
54A (near Pulteney), south along Route 54A to Steuben County Route 87,
east

[[Page 77113]]

along Route 87 to Steuben County Route 96, east along Route 96 to
Steuben County Route 114, east along Route 114 to Schuyler County Route
23, east and southeast along Route 23 to Schuyler County Route 28,
southeast along Route 28 to Route 409 at Watkins Glen, south along
Route 409 to Route 14, south along Route 14 to Route 224 at Montour
Falls, east along Route 224 to Route 228 in Odessa, north along Route
228 to Route 79 in Mecklenburg, east along Route 79 to Route 366 in
Ithaca, northeast along Route 366 to Route 13, northeast along Route 13
to Interstate Route 81 in Cortland, north along Route 81 to the north
shore of the Salmon River to shore of Lake Ontario, extending generally
northwest in a straight line to the nearest point of the International
boundary with Canada, south and west along the International boundary
to the point of beginning.
Hudson Valley Goose Area: That area of New York State lying within
a continuous line extending from Route 4 at the New York-Vermont
boundary, west and south along Route 4 to Route 149 at Fort Ann, west
on Route 149 to Route 9, south along Route 9 to Interstate Route 87 (at
Exit 20 in Glens Falls), south along Route 87 to Route 29, west along
Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball Corners, south along Route 147 to
Schenectady County Route 40 (West Glenville Road), west along Route 40
to Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna Road to Schenectady County
Route 59, south along Route 59 to State Route 5, east along Route 5 to
the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S,
southeast along Route 5S to Schenectady County Route 58, southwest
along Route 58 to the NYS Thruway, south along the Thruway to Route 7,
southwest along Route 7 to Schenectady County Route 103, south along
Route 103 to Route 406, east along Route 406 to Schenectady County
Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route 99 to Dunnsville Road,
south along Dunnsville Road to Route 397, southwest along Route 397 to
Route 146 at Altamont, southeast along Route 146 to Main Street in
Altamont, west along Main Street to Route 156, southeast along Route
156 to Albany County Route 307, southeast along Route 307 to Route 85A,
southwest along Route 85A to Route 85, south along Route 85 to Route
443, southeast along Route 443 to Albany County Route 301 at
Clarksville, southeast along Route 301 to Route 32, south along Route
32 to Route 23 at Cairo, west along Route 23 to Joseph Chadderdon Road,
southeast along Joseph Chadderdon Road to Hearts Content Road (Greene
County Route 31), southeast along Route 31 to Route 32, south along
Route 32 to Greene County Route 23A, east along Route 23A to Interstate
Route 87 (the NYS Thruway), south along Route 87 to Route 28 (Exit 19)
near Kingston, northwest on Route 28 to Route 209, southwest on Route
209 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary, southeast along the New
York-Pennsylvania boundary to the New York-New Jersey boundary,
southeast along the New York-New Jersey boundary to Route 210 near
Greenwood Lake, northeast along Route 210 to Orange County Route 5,
northeast along Orange County Route 5 to Route 105 in the Village of
Monroe, east and north along Route 105 to Route 32, northeast along
Route 32 to Orange County Route 107 (Quaker Avenue), east along Route
107 to Route 9W, north along Route 9W to the south bank of Moodna
Creek, southeast along the south bank of Moodna Creek to the New
Windsor-Cornwall town boundary, northeast along the New Windsor-
Cornwall town boundary to the Orange-Dutchess County boundary (middle
of the Hudson River), north along the county boundary to Interstate
Route 84, east along Route 84 to the Dutchess-Putnam County boundary,
east along the county boundary to the New York-Connecticut boundary,
north along the New York-Connecticut boundary to the New York-
Massachusetts boundary, north along the New York-Massachusetts boundary
to the New York-Vermont boundary, north to the point of beginning.
Eastern Long Island Goose Area (NAP High Harvest Area): That area
of Suffolk County lying east of a continuous line extending due south
from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the northernmost end of
Roanoke Avenue in the Town of Riverhead; then south on Roanoke Avenue
(which becomes County Route 73) to State Route 25; then west on Route
25 to Peconic Avenue; then south on Peconic Avenue to County Route (CR)
104 (Riverleigh Avenue); then south on CR 104 to CR 31 (Old Riverhead
Road); then south on CR 31 to Oak Street; then south on Oak Street to
Potunk Lane; then west on Stevens Lane; then south on Jessup Avenue (in
Westhampton Beach) to Dune Road (CR 89); then due south to
international waters.
Western Long Island Goose Area (RP Area): That area of Westchester
County and its tidal waters southeast of Interstate Route 95 and that
area of Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying west of a continuous line
extending due south from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the
northernmost end of Sound Road (just east of Wading River Marsh); then
south on Sound Road to North Country Road; then west on North Country
Road to Randall Road; then south on Randall Road to Route 25A, then
west on Route 25A to the Sunken Meadow State Parkway; then south on the
Sunken Meadow Parkway to the Sagtikos State Parkway; then south on the
Sagtikos Parkway to the Robert Moses State Parkway; then south on the
Robert Moses Parkway to its southernmost end; then due south to
international waters.
Central Long Island Goose Area (NAP Low Harvest Area): That area of
Suffolk County lying between the Western and Eastern Long Island Goose
Areas, as defined above.
South Goose Area: The remainder of New York State, excluding New
York City.
Special Late Canada Goose Area: That area of the Central Long
Island Goose Area lying north of State Route 25A and west of a
continuous line extending northward from State Route 25A along Randall
Road (near Shoreham) to North Country Road, then east to Sound Road and
then north to Long Island Sound and then due north to the New York-
Connecticut boundary.

North Carolina

SJBP Hunt Zone: Includes the following Counties or portions of
Counties: Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Halifax (that
portion east of NC 903), Montgomery (that portion west of NC 109),
Northampton, Richmond (that portion south of NC 73 and west of U.S. 220
and north of U.S. 74), Rowan, Stanly, Union, and Wake.
RP Hunt Zone: Includes the following Counties or portions of
Counties: Alamance, Alleghany, Alexander, Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie
(that portion south and west of a line formed by NC 45 at the
Washington Co. line to U.S. 17 in Midway, U.S. 17 in Midway to U.S. 13
in Windsor, U.S. 13 in Windsor to the Hertford Co. line), Bladen,
Brunswick, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Carteret, Caswell, Catawba,
Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Davie, Duplin,
Edgecombe, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Gates, Graham, Granville, Greene,
Guilford, Halifax (that portion west of NC 903), Harnett, Haywood,
Henderson, Hertford, Hoke, Iredell, Jackson, Johnston, Jones, Lee,
Lenoir, Lincoln, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Martin, Mecklenburg,
Mitchell, Montgomery (that portion that is east of NC 109), Moore,
Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico, Pender, Person, Pitt, Polk,
Randolph, Richmond (all of the county with exception of that portion
that is south of NC 73 and west of U.S. 220 and north of U.S. 74),
Robeson, Rockingham,

[[Page 77114]]

Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania,
Vance, Warren, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes, Wilson, Yadkin, and Yancey.
Northeast Hunt Unit: Includes the following Counties or portions of
Counties: Bertie (that portion north and east of a line formed by NC 45
at the Washington County line to U.S. 17 in Midway, U.S. 17 in Midway
to U.S. 13 in Windsor, U.S. 13 in Windsor to the Hertford Co. line),
Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell,
and Washington.

Pennsylvania

Resident Canada Goose Zone: All of Pennsylvania except for SJBP
Zone and the area east of route SR 97 from the Maryland State Line to
the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of U.S.
Route 30, south of U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743,
east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of
I-80, and south of I-80 to the New Jersey State line.
SJBP Zone: The area north of I-80 and west of I-79 including in the
city of Erie west of Bay Front Parkway to and including the Lake Erie
Duck zone (Lake Erie, Presque Isle, and the area within 150 yards of
the Lake Erie Shoreline).
AP Zone: The area east of route SR 97 from Maryland State Line to
the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of U.S.
Route 30, south of U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743,
east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of
I-80, south of I-80 to New Jersey State line.

Rhode Island

Special Area for Canada Geese: Kent and Providence Counties and
portions of the towns of Exeter and North Kingston within Washington
County (see State regulations for detailed descriptions).

South Carolina

Canada Goose Area: Statewide except for the following area:
East of U.S. 301: That portion of Clarendon County bounded to the
North by S-14-25, to the East by Hwy 260, and to the South by the
markers delineating the channel of the Santee River.
West of U.S. 301: That portion of Clarendon County bounded on the
North by S-14-26 extending southward to that portion of Orangeburg
County bordered by Hwy 6.

Vermont

Same zones as for ducks.

Virginia

AP Zone: The area east and south of the following line--the
Stafford County line from the Potomac River west to Interstate 95 at
Fredericksburg, then south along Interstate 95 to Petersburg, then
Route 460 (SE) to City of Suffolk, then south along Route 32 to the
North Carolina line.
SJBP Zone: The area to the west of the AP Zone boundary and east of
the following line: The ``Blue Ridge'' (mountain spine) at the West
Virginia-Virginia Border (Loudoun County-Clarke County line) south to
Interstate 64 (the Blue Ridge line follows county borders along the
western edge of Loudoun-Fauquier-Rappahannock-Madison-Greene-Albemarle
and into Nelson Counties), then east along Interstate Rt. 64 to Route
15, then south along Rt. 15 to the North Carolina line.
RP Zone: The remainder of the State west of the SJBP Zone.

Mississippi Flyway

Arkansas

Northwest Zone: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Conway, Crawford,
Faulkner, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Madison, Marion, Newton, Perry,
Pope, Pulaski, Searcy, Sebastian, Scott, Van Buren, Washington, and
Yell Counties.

Illinois

Early Canada Goose Seasons
North September Canada Goose Zone: That portion of the State north
of a line extending west from the Indiana border along Interstate 80 to
I-39, south along I-39 to Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route
18 to Illinois Route 29, south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois
Route 17, west along Illinois Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and
due south across the Mississippi River to the Iowa border.
Central September Canada Goose Zone: That portion of the State
south of the North September Canada Goose Zone line to a line extending
west from the Indiana border along I-70 to Illinois Route 4, south
along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route 161, west along Illinois Route
161 to Illinois Route 158, south and west along Illinois Route 158 to
Illinois Route 159, south along Illinois Route 159 to Illinois Route 3,
south along Illinois Route 3 to St. Leo's Road, south along St. Leo's
road to Modoc Road, west along Modoc Road to Modoc Ferry Road,
southwest along Modoc Ferry Road to Levee Road, southeast along Levee
Road to County Route 12 (Modoc Ferry entrance Road), south along County
Route 12 to the Modoc Ferry route and southwest on the Modoc Ferry
route across the Mississippi River to the Missouri border.
South September Canada Goose Zone: That portion of the State south
and east of a line extending west from the Indiana border along
Interstate 70, south along U.S. Highway 45, to Illinois Route 13, west
along Illinois Route 13 to Greenbriar Road, north on Greenbriar Road to
Sycamore Road, west on Sycamore Road to N. Reed Station Road, south on
N. Reed Station Road to Illinois Route 13, west along Illinois Route 13
to Illinois Route 127, south along Illinois Route 127 to State Forest
Road (1025 N), west along State Forest Road to Illinois Route 3, north
along Illinois Route 3 to the south bank of the Big Muddy River, west
along the south bank of the Big Muddy River to the Mississippi River,
west across the Mississippi River to the Missouri border.
South Central September Canada Goose Zone: The remainder of the
State between the south border of the Central September Canada Goose
Zone and the North border of the South September Canada Goose Zone

Regular Seasons

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
west from the Indiana border along Interstate 80 to I-39, south along
I-39 to Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois
Route 29, south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois Route 17, west
along Illinois Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and due south across
the Mississippi River to the Iowa border.
Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Goose
Zone line to a line extending west from the Indiana border along I-70
to Illinois Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route
161, west along Illinois Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south and
west along Illinois Route 158 to Illinois Route 159, south along
Illinois Route 159 to Illinois Route 3, south along Illinois Route 3 to
St. Leo's Road, south along St. Leo's road to Modoc Road, west along
Modoc Road to Modoc Ferry Road, southwest along Modoc Ferry Road to
Levee Road, southeast along Levee Road to County Route 12 (Modoc Ferry
entrance Road), south along County Route 12 to the Modoc Ferry route
and southwest on the Modoc Ferry route across the Mississippi River to
the Missouri border.
South Zone: Same zone as for ducks.
South Central Zone: Same zone as for ducks.

Indiana

Same zones as for ducks but in addition:

[[Page 77115]]

Late Canada Goose Season Zone: That part of the State encompassed
by the following Counties: Adams, Allen, Boone, Clay, De Kalb, Elkhart,
Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Huntington, Johnson, Kosciusko,
Lagrange, La Porte, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Noble, Parke,
Shelby, Starke, Steuben, St. Joseph, Sullivan, Vermillion, Vigo, Wells,
and Whitley.

Iowa

Early Canada Goose Seasons
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Goose Zone: Includes portions of Linn and
Johnson Counties bounded as follows: Beginning at the intersection of
the west border of Linn County and Linn County Road E2W; then south and
east along County Road E2W to Highway 920; then north along Highway 920
to County Road E16; then east along County Road E16 to County Road W58;
then south along County Road W58 to County Road E34; then east along
County Road E34 to Highway 13; then south along Highway 13 to Highway
30; then east along Highway 30 to Highway 1; then south along Highway 1
to Morse Road in Johnson County; then east along Morse Road to Wapsi
Avenue; then south along Wapsi Avenue to Lower West Branch Road; then
west along Lower West Branch Road to Taft Avenue; then south along Taft
Avenue to County Road F62; then west along County Road F62 to Kansas
Avenue; then north along Kansas Avenue to Black Diamond Road; then west
on Black Diamond Road to Jasper Avenue; then north along Jasper Avenue
to Rohert Road; then west along Rohert Road to Ivy Avenue; then north
along Ivy Avenue to 340th Street; then west along 340th Street to Half
Moon Avenue; then north along Half Moon Avenue to Highway 6; then west
along Highway 6 to Echo Avenue; then north along Echo Avenue to 250th
Street; then east on 250th Street to Green Castle Avenue; then north
along Green Castle Avenue to County Road F12; then west along County
Road F12 to County Road W30; then north along County Road W30 to
Highway 151; then north along the Linn-Benton County line to the point
of beginning.
Des Moines Goose Zone: Includes those portions of Polk, Warren,
Madison and Dallas Counties bounded as follows: Beginning at the
intersection of Northwest 158th Avenue and County Road R38 in Polk
County; then south along R38 to Northwest 142nd Avenue; then east along
Northwest 142nd Avenue to Northeast 126th Avenue; then east along
Northeast 126th Avenue to Northeast 46th Street; then south along
Northeast 46th Street to Highway 931; then east along Highway 931 to
Northeast 80th Street; then south along Northeast 80th Street to
Southeast 6th Avenue; then west along Southeast 6th Avenue to Highway
65; then south and west along Highway 65 to Highway 69 in Warren
County; then south along Highway 69 to County Road G24; then west along
County Road G24 to Highway 28; then southwest along Highway 28 to 43rd
Avenue; then north along 43rd Avenue to Ford Street; then west along
Ford Street to Filmore Street; then west along Filmore Street to 10th
Avenue; then south along 10th Avenue to 155th Street in Madison County;
then west along 155th Street to Cumming Road; then north along Cumming
Road to Badger Creek Avenue; then north along Badger Creek Avenue to
County Road F90 in Dallas County; then east along County Road F90 to
County Road R22; then north along County Road R22 to Highway 44; then
east along Highway 44 to County Road R30; then north along County Road
R30 to County Road F31; then east along County Road F31 to Highway 17;
then north along Highway 17 to Highway 415 in Polk County; then east
along Highway 415 to Northwest 158th Avenue; then east along Northwest
158th Avenue to the point of beginning.
Cedar Falls/Waterloo Goose Zone: Includes those portions of Black
Hawk County bounded as follows: Beginning at the intersection of County
Roads C66 and V49 in Black Hawk County, then south along County Road
V49 to County Road D38, then west along County Road D38 to State
Highway 21, then south along State Highway 21 to County Road D35, then
west along County Road D35 to Grundy Road, then north along Grundy Road
to County Road D19, then west along County Road D19 to Butler Road,
then north along Butler Road to County Road C57, then north and east
along County Road C57 to U.S. Highway 63, then south along U.S. Highway
63 to County Road C66, then east along County Road C66 to the point of
beginning.
Regular Seasons
Same zones as for ducks.

Kentucky

Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at
the Tennessee State line at Fulton and extending north along the
Purchase Parkway to Interstate Highway 24, east along I-24 to U.S.
Highway 641, north along U.S. 641 to U.S. 60, northeast along U.S. 60
to the Henderson County line, then south, east, and northerly along the
Henderson County line to the Indiana State line.
Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone: Butler, Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and
Warren Counties and all counties lying west to the boundary of the
Western Goose Zone.

Louisiana

North Zone: That portion of the State north of the line from the
Texas border at Hwy 190/12 east to Hwy 49, then south on Hwy 49 to I-
10, then east on I-10 to I-12, then east on I-12 to 1-10, then east on
I-10 to the Mississippi State line.
South Zone: Remainder of the State.

Michigan

North Zone: Same as North duck zone.
Middle Zone: Same as Middle duck zone.
South Zone: Same as South duck zone.
Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU): Those portions of
Tuscola and Huron Counties bounded on the south by Michigan Highway 138
and Bay City Road, on the east by Colwood and Bay Port Roads, on the
north by Kilmanagh Road and a line extending directly west off the end
of Kilmanagh Road into Saginaw Bay to the west boundary, and on the
west by the Tuscola-Bay County line and a line extending directly north
off the end of the Tuscola-Bay County line into Saginaw Bay to the
north boundary.
Allegan County GMU: That area encompassed by a line beginning at
the junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate Highway 196 in Lake Town
Township and extending easterly along 136th Avenue to Michigan Highway
40, southerly along Michigan 40 through the city of Allegan to 108th
Avenue in Trowbridge Township, westerly along 108th Avenue to 46th
Street, northerly along 46th Street to 109th Avenue, westerly along
109th Avenue to I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly along I-196 to
the point of beginning.
Saginaw County GMU: That portion of Saginaw County bounded by
Michigan Highway 46 on the north; Michigan 52 on the west; Michigan 57
on the south; and Michigan 13 on the east.
Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That portion of Muskegon County within the
boundaries of the Muskegon County wastewater system, east of the
Muskegon State Game Area, in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29,
30, and 32, T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, and
25, T10N R15W, as posted.
Southern Michigan Late Season Canada Goose Zone: Same as the South
Duck Zone excluding Tuscola/Huron

[[Page 77116]]

Goose Management Unit (GMU), Allegan County GMU, Saginaw County GMU,
and Muskegon Wastewater GMU.

Minnesota

Early Canada Goose Seasons
Northwest Goose Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a
line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2
to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east
along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north
along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to
STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along
CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in
Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH
310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
Intensive Harvest Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a
line extending east from the junction of US 2 and the North Dakota
border, US 2 east to MN 32 N, MN 32 N to MN 92 S, MN 92 S to MN 200 E,
MN 200 E to US 71 S, US 71 S to US 10 E, US 10 E to MN 101 S, MN 101 S
to Interstate 94 E, Interstate 94 E to US 494 S, US 494 S to US 212 W,
US 212 W to MN 23 S, MN 23 S to US 14 W, US 14 W to the South Dakota
border, South Dakota Border north to the North Dakota border, North
Dakota border north to US 2 E.
Rest of State: Remainder of Minnesota.
Regular Seasons
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
Rochester Goose Zone: That part of the State within the following
described boundary:
Beginning at the intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 247 and
County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 4, Wabasha County; thence along CSAH 4
to CSAH 10, Olmsted County; thence along CSAH 10 to CSAH 9, Olmsted
County; thence along CSAH 9 to CSAH 22, Winona County; thence along
CSAH 22 to STH 74; thence along STH 74 to STH 30; thence along STH 30
to CSAH 13, Dodge County; thence along CSAH 13 to U.S. Highway 14;
thence along U.S. Highway 14 to STH 57; thence along STH 57 to CSAH 24,
Dodge County; thence along CSAH 24 to CSAH 13, Olmsted County; thence
along CSAH 13 to U.S. Highway 52; thence along U.S. Highway 52 to CSAH
12, Olmsted County; thence along CSAH 12 to STH 247; thence along STH
247 to the point of beginning.

Missouri

Same zones as for ducks.

Ohio

Same zones as for ducks.

Tennessee

Northwest Goose Zone: Lake, Obion, and Weakley Counties and those
portions of Gibson and Dyer Counties north of State Highways 20 and 104
and east of U.S. Highways 45 and 45W.
Remainder of State: That portion of Tennessee outside of the
Northwest Goose Zone.

Wisconsin

Early Canada Goose Seasons
Early-Season Subzone A: That portion of the State encompassed by a
line beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 141 and the Michigan
border near Niagara, then south along U.S. 141 to State Highway 22,
west and southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45, south along U.S. 45 to
State 22, west and south along State 22 to State 110, south along State
110 to U.S. 10, south along U.S. 10 to State 49, south along State 49
to State 23, west along State 23 to State 73, south along State 73 to
State 60, west along State 60 to State 23, south along State 23 to
State 11, east along State 11 to State 78, then south along State 78 to
the Illinois border.
Early-Season Subzone B: The remainder of the State.
Regular Seasons
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
Horicon Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a boundary
beginning at the intersection of State 23 and State 73 and moves south
along State 73 until the intersection of State 73 and State 60, then
moves east along State 60 until the intersection of State 60 and State
83, and then moves north along State 83 until the intersection of State
83 and State 33 at which point it moves east until the intersection of
State 33 and U.S. 45, then moves north along U.S. 45 until the
intersection of U.S. 45 and State 23, at which point it moves west
along State 23 until the intersection of State 23 and State 73.

Central Flyway

Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)

Northern Front Range Area: All areas in Boulder, Larimer, and Weld
Counties from the Continental Divide east along the Wyoming border to
U.S. 85, south on U.S. 85 to the Adams County line, and all lands in
Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin, and
Jefferson Counties.
North Park Area: Jackson County.
South Park and San Luis Valley Area: All of Alamosa, Chaffee,
Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, Rio Grande, and Teller
Counties, and those portions of Saguache, Mineral and Hinsdale Counties
east of the Continental Divide.
Remainder: Remainder of the Central Flyway portion of Colorado.
Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose Area: That portion of the State
east of Interstate Highway 25.

Montana (Central Flyway Portion)

Zone N: Same as Zone 1 for ducks.
Zone S: Same as Zone 2 for ducks.

Nebraska

Dark Geese
Niobrara Unit: That area contained within and bounded by the
intersection of the South Dakota State line and the eastern Cherry
County line, south along the Cherry County line to the Niobrara River,
east to the Norden Road, south on the Norden Road to U.S. Hwy 20, east
along U.S. Hwy 20 to NE Hwy 14, north along NE Hwy 14 to NE Hwy 59 and
County Road 872, west along County Road 872 to the Knox County Line,
north along the Knox County Line to the South Dakota State line. Where
the Niobrara River forms the boundary, both banks of the river are
included in the Niobrara Unit.
East Unit: That area north and east of U.S. 81 at the Kansas-
Nebraska State line, north to NE Hwy 91, east to U.S. 275, south to
U.S. 77, south to NE 91, east to U.S. 30, east to Nebraska-Iowa State
line.
Platte River Unit: That area north and west of U.S. 81 at the
Kansas-Nebraska State line, north to NE Hwy 91, west along NE 91 to NE
11, north to the Holt County line, west along the northern border of
Garfield, Loup, Blaine and Thomas Counties to the Hooker County line,
south along the Thomas-Hooker County lines to the McPherson County
line, east along the south border of Thomas County to the western line
of Custer County, south along the Custer-Logan County line to NE 92,
west to U.S. 83, north to NE 92, west to NE 61, south along NE 61 to NE
92, west along NE 92 to U.S. Hwy 26, south along U.S. Hwy 26 to Keith
County Line, south along Keith County Line to the Colorado State line.
Panhandle Unit: That area north and west of Keith-Deuel County Line
at the Nebraska-Colorado State line, north along the Keith County Line
to U.S. Hwy 26, west to NE Hwy 92, east to NE Hwy 61, north along NE
Hwy 61 to NE Hwy 2, west along NE 2 to the corner

[[Page 77117]]

formed by Garden-Grant-Sheridan Counties, west along the north border
of Garden, Morrill, and Scotts Bluff Counties to the intersection of
the Interstate Canal, west to the Wyoming State line.
North-Central Unit: The remainder of the State.
Light Geese
Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area: The area bounded by the junction
of NE Hwy. 92 and NE Hwy. 15, south along NE Hwy. 15 to NE Hwy. 4, west
along NE Hwy. 4 to U.S. Hwy. 34, west along U.S. Hwy. 34 to U.S. Hwy.
283, north along U.S. Hwy. 283 to U.S. Hwy. 30, east along U.S. Hwy. 30
to NE Hwy. 92, east along NE Hwy. 92 to the beginning.
Remainder of State: The remainder portion of Nebraska.

New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)

Dark Geese
Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit: Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia
Counties.
Remainder: The remainder of the Central Flyway portion of New
Mexico.

North Dakota

Missouri River Canada Goose Zone: The area within and bounded by a
line starting where ND Hwy 6 crosses the South Dakota border; then
north on ND Hwy 6 to I-94; then west on I-94 to ND Hwy 49; then north
on ND Hwy 49 to ND Hwy 200; then north on Mercer County Rd. 21 to the
section line between sections 8 and 9 (T146N-R87W); then north on that
section line to the southern shoreline to Lake Sakakawea; then east
along the southern shoreline (including Mallard Island) of Lake
Sakakawea to U.S. Hwy 83; then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to ND Hwy 200; then
east on ND Hwy 200 to ND Hwy 41; then south on ND Hwy 41 to U.S. Hwy
83; then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to I-94; then east on I-94 to U.S. Hwy
83; then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to the South Dakota border; then west
along the South Dakota border to ND Hwy 6.
Rest of State: Remainder of North Dakota.

South Dakota

Early Canada Goose Seasons
Special Early Canada Goose Unit: The Counties of Campbell,
Marshall, Roberts, Day, Clark, Codington, Grant, Hamlin, Deuel,
Walworth; that portion of Perkins County west of State Highway 75 and
south of State Highway 20; that portion of Dewey County north of Bureau
of Indian Affairs Road 8, Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 9, and the
section of U.S. Highway 212 east of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 8
junction; that portion of Potter County east of U.S. Highway 83; that
portion of Sully County east of U.S. Highway 83; portions of Hyde,
Buffalo, Brule, and Charles Mix counties north and east of a line
beginning at the Hughes-Hyde County line on State Highway 34, east to
Lees Boulevard, southeast to State Highway 34, east 7 miles to 350th
Avenue, south to Interstate 90 on 350th Avenue, south and east on State
Highway 50 to Geddes, east on 285th Street to U.S. Highway 281, and
north on U.S. Highway 281 to the Charles Mix-Douglas County boundary;
that portion of Bon Homme County north of State Highway 50; McPherson,
Edmunds, Kingsbury, Brookings, Lake, Moody, Miner, Faulk, Hand,
Jerauld, Douglas, Hutchinson, Turner, Union, Clay, Yankton, Aurora,
Beadle, Davison, Hanson, Sanborn, Spink, Brown, Harding, Butte,
Lawrence, Meade, Oglala Lakota (formerly Shannon), Jackson, Mellette,
Todd, Jones, Haakon, Corson, Ziebach, and McCook Counties; and those
portions of Minnehaha and Lincoln counties outside of an area bounded
by a line beginning at the junction of the South Dakota-Minnesota State
line and Minnehaha County Highway 122 (254th Street) west to its
junction with Minnehaha County Highway 149 (464th Avenue), south on
Minnehaha County Highway 149 (464th Avenue) to Hartford, then south on
Minnehaha County Highway 151 (463rd Avenue) to State Highway 42, east
on State Highway 42 to State Highway 17, south on State Highway 17 to
its junction with Lincoln County Highway 116 (Klondike Road), and east
on Lincoln County Highway 116 (Klondike Road) to the South Dakota-Iowa
State line, then north along the South Dakota-Iowa and South Dakota-
Minnesota border to the junction of the South Dakota-Minnesota State
line and Minnehaha County Highway 122 (254th Street).
Regular Seasons
Unit 1: Same as that for the September Canada Goose Season.
Unit 2: Remainder of South Dakota.
Unit 3: Bennett County.

Texas

Northeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and north of
a line beginning at the Texas-Oklahoma border at U.S. 81, then
continuing south to Bowie and then southeasterly along U.S. 81 and U.S.
287 to I-35W and I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San Antonio, then
east on I-10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.
Southeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and south of
a line beginning at the International Toll Bridge at Laredo, then
continuing north following I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San
Antonio, then easterly along I-10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.
West Goose Zone: The remainder of the State.

Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)

Dark Geese
Zone G1: Big Horn, Converse, Hot Springs, Natrona, Park, and
Washakie Counties; and Fremont County excluding those portions south or
west of the Continental Divide.
Zone G1A: Goshen and Platte Counties.
Zone G2: Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston
Counties.
Zone G3: Albany and Laramie Counties; and that portion of Carbon
County east of the Continental Divide.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona

Same zones as for ducks.

California

Northeastern Zone: In that portion of California lying east and
north of a line beginning at the intersection of Interstate 5 with the
California-Oregon line; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with
Walters Lane south of the town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane to its
junction with Easy Street; south along Easy Street to the junction with
Old Highway 99; south along Old Highway 99 to the point of intersection
with Interstate 5 north of the town of Weed; south along Interstate 5
to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to
main street Greenville; north and east to its junction with North
Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and
east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the
junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington
Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the
junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and
east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-
Nevada State line; north along the California-Nevada State line to the
junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon State lines west along the
California-Oregon State line to the point of origin.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as
``Aqueduct Road''

[[Page 77118]]

in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to the San
Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in Riverside
County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of Desert
Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on this
road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to
U.S. 80; east 7 miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south
on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada
border.
Imperial County Special Management Area: The area bounded by a line
beginning at Highway 86 and the Navy Test Base Road; south on Highway
86 to the town of Westmoreland; continue through the town of
Westmoreland to Route S26; east on Route S26 to Highway 115; north on
Highway 115 to Weist Rd.; north on Weist Rd. to Flowing Wells Rd.;
northeast on Flowing Wells Rd. to the Coachella Canal; northwest on the
Coachella Canal to Drop 18; a straight line from Drop 18 to Frink Rd.;
south on Frink Rd. to Highway 111; north on Highway 111 to Niland
Marina Rd.; southwest on Niland Marina Rd. to the old Imperial County
boat ramp and the water line of the Salton Sea; from the water line of
the Salton Sea, a straight line across the Salton Sea to the Salinity
Control Research Facility and the Navy Test Base Road; southwest on the
Navy Test Base Road to the point of beginning.
Balance of State Zone: The remainder of California not included in
the Northeastern, Colorado River, and Southern Zones.
North Coast Special Management Area: Del Norte and Humboldt
Counties.
Sacramento Valley Special Management Area: That area bounded by a
line beginning at Willows south on I-5 to Hahn Road; easterly on Hahn
Road and the Grimes-Arbuckle Road to Grimes; northerly on CA 45 to the
junction with CA 162; northerly on CA 45/162 to Glenn; and westerly on
CA 162 to the point of beginning in Willows.

Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)

Same zones as for ducks.

Idaho

Canada Geese and Brant
Zone 1: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation, including private in-holdings; Bannock County; Bingham
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage;
Caribou County within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; and Power
County east of State Highway 37 and State Highway 39.
Zone 2: Adams, Benewah, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville, Boundary,
Butte, Camas, Clark, Clearwater, Custer, Franklin, Fremont, Idaho,
Jefferson, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Madison, Nez Perce, Oneida,
Shoshone, Teton, and Valley Counties; and Power County west of State
Highway 37 and State Highway 39.
Zone 3: Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome,
Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, and Washington
Counties.
Zone 4: Bear Lake County; Bingham County within the Blackfoot
Reservoir drainage; and Caribou County, except that portion within the
Fort Hall Indian Reservation.
White-Fronted Geese
Same zones as for ducks.

Light Geese

Zone 1: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation, including private in-holdings; Bannock County; Bingham
County east of the west bank of the Snake River, west of the McTucker
boat ramp access road, and east of the American Falls Reservoir bluff,
except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; Caribou
County within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; and Power County below
the American Falls Reservoir bluff, and within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation.
Zone 2: Bingham County west of the west bank of the Snake River,
east of the McTucker boat ramp access road, and west of the American
Falls Reservoir bluff; Power County, except below the American Falls
Reservoir bluff and those lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation.
Zone 3: Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome,
Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, and Washington
Counties.
Zone 4: Adams, Bear Lake, Benewah, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville,
Boundary, Butte, Camas, Clark, Clearwater, Custer, Franklin, Fremont,
Idaho, Jefferson, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Madison, Nez Perce,
Oneida, Shoshone, Teton, and Valley Counties; Caribou County, except
the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Bingham County within the Blackfoot
Reservoir drainage.

Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)

East of the Divide Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of Montana
located east of the Continental Divide.
West of the Divide Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of Montana
located west of the Continental Divide.

Nevada

Same zones as for ducks.

New Mexico (Pacific Flyway Portion)

North Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located north
of I-40.
South Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located south
of I-40.

Oregon

Northwest Permit Zone: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane,
Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington, and
Yamhill Counties.
Lower Columbia/N. Willamette Valley Management Area: Those portions
of Clatsop, Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington Counties within the
Northwest Special Permit Zone.
Tillamook County Management Area: That portion of Tillamook County
beginning at the point where Old Woods Rd crosses the south shores of
Horn Creek, north on Old Woods Rd to Sand Lake Rd at Woods, north on
Sand Lake Rd to the intersection with McPhillips Dr, due west (~200
yards) from the intersection to the Pacific coastline, south on the
Pacific coastline to Neskowin Creek, east along the north shores of
Neskowin Creek and then Hawk Creek to Salem Ave, east on Salem Ave in
Neskowin to Hawk Ave, east on Hawk Ave to Hwy 101, north on Hwy 101 to
Resort Dr, north on Resort Dr to a point due west of the south shores
of Horn Creek at its confluence with the Nestucca River, due east (~80
yards) across the Nestucca River to the south shores of Horn Creek,
east along the south shores of Horn Creek to the point of beginning.
Southwest Zone: Those portions of Douglas, Coos, and Curry Counties
east of Highway 101, and Josephine and Jackson Counties.
South Coast Zone: Those portions of Douglas, Coos, and Curry
Counties west of Highway 101.
Eastern Zone: Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Hood River,

[[Page 77119]]

Jefferson, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, and
Wheeler Counties.
Klamath County Zone: Klamath County.
Harney and Lake County Zone: Harney and Lake Counties.
Malheur County Zone: Malheur County.

Utah

Northern Zone: Boundary begins at the intersection of the eastern
boundary of Public Shooting Grounds Waterfowl Management Area and SR-83
(Promontory Road); east along SR-83 to I-15; south on I-15 to the Perry
access road; southwest along this road to the Bear River Bird Refuge
boundary; west, north, and then east along the refuge boundary until it
intersects the Public Shooting Grounds Waterfowl Management Area
boundary; east and north along the Public Shooting Grounds Waterfowl
Management Area boundary to SR-83.
Wasatch Front Zone: Boundary begins at the Weber-Box Elder county
line at I-15; east along Weber county line to U.S.-89; south on U.S.-89
to I-84; east and south and along I-84 to I-80; south along I-80 to
U.S.-189; south and west along U.S.-189 to the Utah County line;
southeast and then west along this line to I-15; north on I-15 to U.S.-
6; west on U.S.-6 to SR-36; north on SR-36 to I-80; north along a line
from this intersection to the southern tip of Promontory Point and
Promontory Road; east and north along this road to the causeway
separating Bear River Bay from Ogden Bay; east on this causeway to the
southwest corner of Great Salt Lake Mineral Corporations (GSLMC) west
impoundment; north and east along GSLMC's west impoundment to the
northwest corner of the impoundment; directly north from this point
along an imaginary line to the southern boundary of Bear River
Migratory Bird Refuge; east along this southern boundary to the Perry
access road; northeast along this road to I-15; south along I-15 to the
Weber-Box Elder county line.
Washington County Zone: Washington County.
Balance of State Zone: The remainder of Utah not included in the
Northern, Wasatch Front, and Washington County Zones.

Washington

Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
Area 2A (Southwest Permit Zone): Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum
Counties.
Area 2B (Southwest Permit Zone): Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties.
Area 3: All areas west of the Pacific Crest Trail and west of the
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Areas 1, 2A, and 2B.
Area 4: Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas,
Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties.
Area 5: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Area 4.

Brant

Pacific Flyway

California

Northern Zone: Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino Counties.
Balance of State Zone: The remainder of the State not included in
the Northern Zone.

Washington

Puget Sound Zone: Skagit County.
Coastal Zone: Pacific County.

Swans

Central Flyway

South Dakota

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

Pacific Flyway

Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)

Open Area: Cascade, Chouteau, Hill, Liberty, and Toole Counties and
those portions of Pondera and Teton Counties lying east of U.S. 287-89.

Nevada

Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and Pershing Counties.

Utah

Open Area: Those portions of Box Elder, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake,
and Toole Counties lying west of I-15, north of I-80, and south of a
line beginning from the Forest Street exit to the Bear River National
Wildlife Refuge boundary; then north and west along the Bear River
National Wildlife Refuge boundary to the farthest west boundary of the
Refuge; then west along a line to Promontory Road; then north on
Promontory Road to the intersection of SR 83; then north on SR 83 to I-
84; then north and west on I-84 to State Hwy 30; then west on State Hwy
30 to the Nevada-Utah State line; then south on the Nevada-Utah State
line to I-80.

Doves

Alabama

South Zone: Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia,
Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties.
North Zone: Remainder of the State.

Florida

Northwest Zone: The Counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin,
Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton,
Washington, Leon (except that portion north of U.S. 27 and east of
State Road 155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of State Road 59 and
north of U.S. 98), and Wakulla (except that portion south of U.S. 98
and east of the St. Marks River).
South Zone: Remainder of State.

Louisiana

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Texas border along State Highway 12 to U.S. Highway 190,
east along U.S. 190 to Interstate Highway 12, east along Interstate
Highway 12 to Interstate Highway 10, then east along Interstate Highway
10 to the Mississippi border.
South Zone: The remainder of the State.

Mississippi

North Zone: That portion of the State north and west of a line
extending west from the Alabama State line along U.S. Highway 84 to its
junction with State Highway 35, then south along State Highway 35 to
the Louisiana State line.
South Zone: The remainder of Mississippi.

Texas

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line beginning at
the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; north along FM 1088 to
TX 20; west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along TX 148 to I-10 at Fort
Hancock; east along I-10 to I-20; northeast along I-20 to I-30 at Fort
Worth; northeast along I-30 to the Texas-Arkansas State line.
South Zone: That portion of the State south and west of a line
beginning at the International Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east
on U.S. 90 to State Loop 1604 west of San Antonio; then south, east,
and north along Loop 1604 to I-10 east of San Antonio; then east on I-
10 to Orange, Texas.
Special White-winged Dove Area in the South Zone: That portion of
the State south and west of a line beginning at the International Toll
Bridge in Del

[[Page 77120]]

Rio; then northeast along U.S. Highway 277 Spur to U.S. Highway 90 in
Del Rio; then east along U.S. Highway 90 to State Loop 1604; then along
Loop 1604 south and east to Interstate Highway 37; then south along
Interstate Highway 37 to U.S. Highway 181 in Corpus Christi; then north
and east along U.S. 181 to the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, then
eastwards along the south shore of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel to
the Gulf of Mexico.
Central Zone: That portion of the State lying between the North and
South Zones.

Band-Tailed Pigeons

California

North Zone: Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen,
Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity
Counties.
South Zone: The remainder of the State not included in the North
Zone.

New Mexico

North Zone: North of a line following U.S. 60 from the Arizona
State line east to I-25 at Socorro and then south along I-25 from
Socorro to the Texas State line.
South Zone: The remainder of the State not included in the North
Zone.

Washington

Western Washington: The State of Washington excluding those
portions lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big
White Salmon River in Klickitat County.

Woodcock

New Jersey

North Zone: That portion of the State north of NJ 70.
South Zone: The remainder of the State.

Sandhill Cranes

Mississippi Flyway

Minnesota

Northwest Goose Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a
line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2
to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east
along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north
along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to
STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along
CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in
Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH
310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.

Tennessee

Hunt Zone: That portion of the State south of Interstate 40 and
east of State Highway 56.
Closed Zone: Remainder of the State.

Central Flyway

Colorado

The Central Flyway portion of the State except the San Luis Valley
(Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande, and
Saguache Counties east of the Continental Divide) and North Park
(Jackson County).

Kansas

That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the Oklahoma
border, north on I-35 to Wichita, north on I-135 to Salina, and north
on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border.

Montana:

Regular Season Open Area: The Central Flyway portion of the State
except for that area south and west of Interstate 90, which is closed
to sandhill crane hunting.
Special Season Open Area: Carbon County.

New Mexico

Regular-Season Open Area: Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay,
and Roosevelt Counties.
Special Season Open Areas
Middle Rio Grande Valley Area: The Central Flyway portion of New
Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties.
Estancia Valley Area: Those portions of Santa Fe, Torrance, and
Bernallilo Counties within an area bounded on the west by New Mexico
Highway 55 beginning at Mountainair north to NM 337, north to NM 14,
north to I-25; on the north by I-25 east to U.S. 285; on the east by
U.S. 285 south to U.S. 60; and on the south by U.S. 60 from U.S. 285
west to NM 55 in Mountainair.
Southwest Zone: Area bounded on the south by the New Mexico-Mexico
border; on the west by the New Mexico-Arizona border north to
Interstate 10; on the north by Interstate 10 east to U.S. 180, north to
N.M. 26, east to N.M. 27, north to N.M. 152, and east to Interstate 25;
on the east by Interstate 25 south to Interstate 10, west to the Luna
County line, and south to the New Mexico-Mexico border.

North Dakota

Area 1: That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
Area 2: That portion of the State east of U.S. 281.

Oklahoma

That portion of the State west of I-35.

South Dakota

That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.

Texas

Zone A: That portion of Texas lying west of a line beginning at the
international toll bridge at Laredo, then northeast along U.S. Highway
81 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35 in Laredo, then north
along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate Highway 10
in San Antonio, then northwest along Interstate Highway 10 to its
junction with U.S. Highway 83 at Junction, then north along U.S.
Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of
Childress, then east along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State
line.
Zone B: That portion of Texas lying within boundaries beginning at
the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-Oklahoma State line, then
southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its junction with U.S. Highway 287
in Montague County, then southeast along U.S. Highway 287 to its
junction with Interstate Highway 35W in Fort Worth, then southwest
along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate Highway 10
in San Antonio, then northwest along Interstate Highway 10 to its
junction with U.S. Highway 83 in the town of Junction, then north along
U.S. Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of
Childress, then east along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State
line, then south along the Texas-Oklahoma State line to the south bank
of the Red River, then eastward along the vegetation line on the south
bank of the Red River to U.S. Highway 81.
Zone C: The remainder of the State, except for the closed areas.
Closed areas: (A) That portion of the State lying east and north of
a line beginning at the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-
Oklahoma State line, then southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its
junction with U.S. Highway 287 in Montague County, then southeast along
U.S. Highway 287 to its junction with I-35W in Fort Worth, then
southwest along I-35 to its junction with U.S. Highway 290 East in
Austin, then east along U.S. Highway 290 to its junction with
Interstate Loop 610 in Harris County, then south and east along
Interstate Loop 610 to its junction with Interstate Highway 45 in
Houston, then south on Interstate Highway 45 to State Highway 342, then
to the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, and then north and

[[Page 77121]]

east along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the Texas-Louisiana State
line.
(B) That portion of the State lying within the boundaries of a line
beginning at the Kleberg-Nueces County line and the shore of the Gulf
of Mexico, then west along the County line to Park Road 22 in Nueces
County, then north and west along Park Road 22 to its junction with
State Highway 358 in Corpus Christi, then west and north along State
Highway 358 to its junction with State Highway 286, then north along
State Highway 286 to its junction with Interstate Highway 37, then east
along Interstate Highway 37 to its junction with U.S. Highway 181, then
north and west along U.S. Highway 181 to its junction with U.S. Highway
77 in Sinton, then north and east along U.S. Highway 77 to its junction
with U.S. Highway 87 in Victoria, then south and east along U.S.
Highway 87 to its junction with State Highway 35 at Port Lavaca, then
north and east along State Highway 35 to the south end of the Lavaca
Bay Causeway, then south and east along the shore of Lavaca Bay to its
junction with the Port Lavaca Ship Channel, then south and east along
the Lavaca Bay Ship Channel to the Gulf of Mexico, and then south and
west along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the Kleberg-Nueces County
line.

Wyoming

Regular Season Open Area
Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen, Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and
Weston Counties.
Special Season Open Areas
Riverton-Boysen Unit: Portions of Fremont County.
Park and Big Horn County Unit: All of Big Horn, Hot Springs,
Johnson, Natrona, Park, Sheridan, and Washakie Counties.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona

Special Season Area: Game Management Units 28, 30A, 30B, 31, and
32.

Idaho

Area 1: All of Bear Lake County and all of Caribou County except
that portion lying within the Grays Lake Basin.
Area 2: All of Teton County except that portion lying west of State
Highway 33 and south of Packsaddle Road (West 400 North) and north of
the North Cedron Road (West 600 South) and east of the west bank of the
Teton River.
Area 3: All of Fremont County except the Chester Wetlands Wildlife
Management Area.
Area 4: All of Jefferson County.
Area 5: All of Bannock County east of Interstate-15 and south of
U.S. Highway 30; and all of Franklin County.

Montana

Zone 1 (Warm Springs Portion of Deer Lodge County): Those portions
of Deer Lodge County lying within the following described boundary:
beginning at the intersection of I-90 and Highway 273, then westerly
along Highway 273 to the junction of Highway 1, then southeast along
said highway to Highway 275 at Opportunity, then east along said
highway to East Side County road, then north along said road to Perkins
Lake, then west on said lane to I-90, then north on said interstate to
the junction of Highway 273, the point of beginning. Except for
sections 13 and 24, T5N, R10W; and Warm Springs Pond number 3.
Zone 2 (Ovando-Helmville Area): That portion of the Pacific Flyway,
located in Powell County lying within the following described boundary:
beginning at the junction of State Routes 141 and 200, then west along
Route 200 to its intersection with the Blackfoot River at Russell Gates
Fishing Access Site (Powell-Missoula County line), then southeast along
said river to its intersection with the Ovando-Helmville Road (County
Road 104) at Cedar Meadows Fishing Access Site, then south and east
along said road to its junction with State Route 141, then north along
said route to its junction with State Route 200, the point of
beginning.
Zone 3 (Dillon/Twin Bridges/Cardwell Areas): That portion of
Beaverhead, Madison, and Jefferson counties lying within the following
described boundaries: Beginning at Dillon, then northerly along US Hwy
91 to its intersection with the Big Hole River at Brown's Bridge north
of Glen, then southeasterly and northeasterly along the Big Hole River
to High Road, then east along High Road to State Highway 41, then east
along said highway to the Beaverhead River, then north along said river
to the Jefferson River and north along the Jefferson River to the
Ironrod Bridge, then northeasterly along State Highway 41 to the
junction with State Highway 55, then northeasterly along said highway
to the junction with I-90, then east along I-90 to Cardwell and Route
359 then south along Route 359 to the Parrot Hill/Cedar Hill Road then
southwesterly along said road and the Cemetery Hill Road to the Parrot
Ditch road to the Point of Rocks Road to Carney Lane to the Bench Road
to the Waterloo Road and Bayers Lanes, to State Highway 41, then east
along State Highway 41 to the Beaverhead River, then south along the
Beaverhead River to the mouth of the Ruby River, then southeasterly
along the Ruby River to the East Bench Road, then southwesterly along
the East Bench Road to the East Bench Canal, then southwesterly along
said canal to the Sweetwater Road, then west along Sweetwater Road to
Dillon, the point of beginning, plus the remainder of Madison County
and all of Gallatin County.
Zone 4 (Broadwater County): Broadwater County.

Utah

Cache County: Cache County.
East Box Elder County: That portion of Box Elder County beginning
on the Utah-Idaho State line at the Box Elder-Cache County line; west
on the State line to the Pocatello Valley County Road; south on the
Pocatello Valley County Road to I-15; southeast on I-15 to SR-83; south
on SR-83 to Lamp Junction; west and south on the Promontory Point
County Road to the tip of Promontory Point; south from Promontory Point
to the Box Elder-Weber County line; east on the Box Elder-Weber County
line to the Box Elder-Cache County line; north on the Box Elder-Cache
County line to the Utah-Idaho State line.
Rich County: Rich County.
Uintah County: Uintah County.

Wyoming

Area 1 (Bear River): All of the Bear River and Ham's Fork River
drainages in Lincoln County.
Area 2 (Salt River Area): All of the Salt River drainage in Lincoln
County south of the McCoy Creek Road.
Area 3 (Eden Valley Area): All lands within the Bureau of
Reclamation's Eden Project in Sweetwater County.
Area 5 (Uintah County Area): Uinta County.

All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska

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

[[Page 77122]]

All Migratory Game Birds in the Virgin Islands

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

All Migratory Game Birds in Puerto Rico

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

[FR Doc. 2015-31169 Filed 12-10-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P