[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 54 (Thursday, March 19, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15870-15907]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04918]



[[Page 15869]]

Vol. 85

Thursday,

No. 54

March 19, 2020

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 2020-21 Frameworks for Migratory Bird 
Hunting Regulations; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 85 , No. 54 / Thursday, March 19, 2020 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 15870]]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2019-0004; FF09M21200-201-FXMB1231099BPP0]
RIN 1018-BD89


Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed 2020-21 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 (Service or we) is 
proposing to establish the 2020-21 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 harvest at levels compatible with migratory game 
bird population status and habitat conditions. Migratory game bird 
hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance and 
aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the management of 
migratory game birds.

DATES: You must submit comments on the proposed migratory bird hunting 
frameworks by April 20, 2020.

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-2019-0004.
     U.S. mail or hand delivery: Public Comments Processing, 
Attn: FWS-HQ-MB-2019-0004; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: JAO/1N, 
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 Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations, 
below, for more information).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerome Ford, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Department of the Interior, (202) 208-1050.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Process for Establishing Annual Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations

    As part of the Department of the Interior's retrospective 
regulatory review, in 2015 we developed a schedule for migratory game 
bird hunting regulations that is more efficient and establishes hunting 
season dates earlier than was possible under the previous process. 
Under the current process, we develop proposed hunting season 
frameworks for a given year in the fall of the prior year. We then 
finalize those frameworks a few months later, thereby enabling the 
State agencies to select and publish their season dates in early 
summer. We provided a detailed overview of the current process in the 
August 3, 2017, Federal Register (82 FR 36308). This proposed rule is 
the second in a series of proposed and final rules for the 
establishment of the 2020-21 migratory bird hunting seasons.

Regulations Schedule for 2020

    On October 15, 2019, we published a proposal to amend title 50 of 
the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at part 20 (84 FR 55120). 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. This document is the second in a series of proposed and final rules 
for migratory game bird hunting regulations. Major steps in the 2020-21 
regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal Register 
notifications were illustrated in the diagram at the end of the October 
15, 2019, proposed rule. For this regulatory cycle, we have combined 
elements of the document that is described in the diagram as 
Supplemental Proposals with the document that is described as Proposed 
Season Frameworks.
    Further, in the October 15, 2019, proposed rule 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 and Veterans-Active Military Personnel Hunting Days
    x. Mallard Management Units
    xi. Other
2. Sea Ducks
3. Mergansers
4. Canada Geese
    A. Special Early 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

    This and subsequent documents will refer only to numbered items 
requiring attention. We will omit those items not requiring attention, 
and remaining numbered items may be discontinuous and appear 
incomplete.
    We provided the meeting dates and locations for the Service 
Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council meetings on Flyway 
calendars posted on our website at https://www.fws.gov/birds/management/flyways.php. The October 15, 2019, proposed rule provided 
detailed information on the proposed 2020-21 regulatory schedule and 
announced the SRC meetings. On October 8-9, 2019, 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 2020-21 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 
November 2019, which includes comments submitted in response to our 
October 15 proposed rulemaking document and comments from the October 
SRC meeting. 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

[[Page 15871]]

migratory game bird hunting in the Federal Register around June, 2020.

Population Status and Harvest

    Each year we publish reports that provide detailed information on 
the status and harvest of certain migratory gamebird species. These 
reports are available at the address indicated under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT or from our website at https://www.fws.gov/birds/surveys-and-data/reports-and-publications/population-status.php.
    We used the following annual reports published in August 2019 in 
the development of proposed frameworks for the migratory bird hunting 
regulations: Adaptive Harvest Management, 2020 Hunting Season; American 
Woodcock Population Status, 2019; Band-tailed Pigeon Population Status, 
2019; Migratory Bird Hunting Activity and Harvest During the 2017-18 
and 2018-19 Hunting Seasons; Mourning Dove Population Status, 2019; 
Status and Harvests of Sandhill Cranes, Mid-continent, Rocky Mountain, 
Lower Colorado River Valley and Eastern Populations, 2019; and 
Waterfowl Population Status, 2019.
    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 proposed 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 during the public comment period.

Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations

    The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the October 
15, 2019, Federal Register, opened the public comment period for 
migratory game bird hunting regulations and described the proposed 
regulatory alternatives for the 2020-21 duck hunting season. Comments 
and recommendations are summarized below and numbered in the order used 
in the October 15, 2019, proposed rule.
    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. As explained earlier in this document, we have 
included only the numbered items pertaining to issues for which we 
received recommendations. Consequently, the issues do not follow in 
successive numerical order.
    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 October 15, 2019, proposed rule.

General

    Written Comments: Four commenters expressed interest in a longer 
duck season in the Pacific and Mississippi Flyways; a commenter 
expressed support for youth waterfowl hunting longer than one day and 
more than one week before the regular duck season; and a commenter 
expressed concern that penalties for regulation violations may be 
inadequate to dissuade violations.
    Service Response: In regard to longer duck seasons, we develop duck 
hunting regulations cooperatively with the four Flyway Councils and use 
an adaptive harvest management (AHM) decision framework that allows 
selection of the optimal regulation each year based on agreed-upon 
objectives, regulatory alternatives, population models, observed and 
expected harvest, habitat conditions, and the status of duck 
populations (see 1. Ducks, below, for more details on the process for 
establishing duck hunting regulations). Public comments are considered 
in developing and revising these AHM protocols. Also, recent duck 
seasons in the Pacific Flyway are 107 days, which is the maximum season 
length allowed by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Finally, Federal 
guidelines currently allow States to offer 2 special youth waterfowl 
hunting days and these days can be up to 14 days before the regular 
duck season.
    Regarding law enforcement, this rule proposes frameworks, or 
outside limits, for migratory bird hunting. States then select hunting 
seasons within these outside limits to allow harvest at levels 
compatible with migratory bird population status and habitat 
conditions. States subsequently establish regulations consistent with 
these season selections. Enforcement of migratory bird hunting 
regulations is a shared responsibility between State and Federal 
Government agencies, and penalties for violations of these regulations 
are established under separate State and Federal rule making processes. 
The Service's Division of Migratory Bird Management discusses 
regulatory issues with law enforcement personnel to ensure that 
proposed regulations are enforceable.

1. Ducks

A. General Harvest Strategy

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and 
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory 
alternative for their respective flyways.
    The Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils further recommended 
several changes to the AHM decision framework for mid-continent 
mallards beginning with the 2021-2022 (next) season. Specifically, the 
Mississippi Flyway Council made the following recommendations:
    (1) Continue to base the annual regulatory decision on current 
mallard breeding population estimates and spring pond counts in central 
North America (Federal Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey 
[WBPHS] strata 13-18, 20-50, and 75-77), and in Michigan, Minnesota, 
and Wisconsin (State surveys).
    (2) Remove the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) 
mallard population goal from the AHM objective function.
    (3) Replace the current four discrete models with a model 
parameterization based on the estimation results from an annually 
updated integrated population model.
    (4) For the three AHM regulatory open-season alternatives, provide 
a duck hunting season framework start date of the Saturday nearest 
September 24 and an end date of 31 January.
    (5) Allow no other changes from current AHM regulatory alternatives 
until additional work on revisions to other species' strategies are 
completed.
    (6) Allow no changes to current bag limits or harvest strategies 
for duck species other than mallards until additional work on revisions 
to other species' strategies are completed.
    The Central Flyway Council recommendations were consistent with 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommendations 1-4 and 6, but the Central 
Flyway Council also recommended that the bag limit for male mallards in 
the moderate and

[[Page 15872]]

liberal regulatory alternatives for the Central Flyway be increased by 
one bird, so that the male mallard bag limit would be the same as the 
overall duck bag limit of six birds. This recommendation is in 
opposition to Mississippi Flyway Council recommendation 5.
    Service Response: As we stated in the October 15, 2019, proposed 
rule, we intend to continue use of AHM to help determine appropriate 
duck-hunting regulations for the 2020-21 season. AHM is a tool that 
permits sound resource decisions in the face of uncertain regulatory 
impacts and provides a mechanism for reducing that uncertainty over 
time. We use an AHM protocol (decision framework) to evaluate four 
regulatory alternatives, each with a different expected harvest level, 
and choose the optimal regulation for duck hunting based on the status 
and demographics of mallards for the Mississippi, Central, and Pacific 
Flyways, and based on the status and demographics of a suite of four 
species (eastern waterfowl) in the Atlantic Flyway (see below, and the 
earlier referenced report ``Adaptive Harvest Management, 2020 Hunting 
Season'' for more details). We have specific AHM protocols for species 
of special concern, including black ducks, scaup, and pintails, that 
guide appropriate bag limits and season lengths for these species 
within the general duck season. These protocols use the same outside 
season dates and lengths as those alternatives for the 2020-21 duck 
hunting season.
    For the 2020-21 hunting season, we will continue to use independent 
optimizations to determine the appropriate regulatory alternative for 
mallard stocks in the Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways and for 
eastern waterfowl in the Atlantic Flyway. This means that we will 
develop regulations for mid-continent mallards, western mallards, and 
eastern waterfowl independently based on the breeding stock that 
contributes primarily to each Flyway. We detailed implementation of AHM 
protocols for mid-continent and western mallards in the July 24, 2008, 
Federal Register (73 FR 43290), and for eastern waterfowl in the 
September 21, 2018, Federal Register (83 FR 47868).
    Regarding the Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils' 
recommendations for changes to the mid-continent mallard AHM protocol 
for next season, the Service has used an AHM protocol since 1995 to 
determine appropriate hunting season regulations for mid-continent 
mallards. The protocol includes (1) an objective function that devalues 
harvest if predicted population size of mid-continent mallards is below 
the population goal described in the NAWMP; (2) a set of four discrete 
models that incorporates the effects of harvest and mallard density on 
population demographics; and (3) a set of four regulatory alternatives. 
During the past five years, the Service and the Mississippi and Central 
Flyway Councils have undertaken a revision process to examine both the 
objectives of harvest management for the mid-continent mallard 
population, and the appropriateness of the models used to estimate 
changes in their demographics. As a result of this review, the two 
Flyway Councils have recommended changes to the mid-continent mallard 
AHM protocol.
    We agree with the Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils' 
recommendations for changes to the mid-continent mallard AHM protocol 
beginning with the 2021-22 season where the recommendations from the 
two Councils are in agreement (see B. Regulatory Alternatives, below, 
for more discussion on Council recommended changes to regulatory 
alternatives). The two Councils' recommendations differed in mallard 
daily bag limits. Consistent with past issues where Councils that share 
a migratory bird population have differing recommendations, the Service 
will not choose one Council's recommendation over another. Rather, the 
two Councils should forward a consensus recommendation that either (1) 
adopts the Central Flyway Council recommendation for mallard bag 
limits; (2) adopts the Mississippi Flyway Council recommendation for 
mallard bag limits (status quo); or (3) endorses each other's 
recommendation and accepts differences in the regulatory alternatives 
across flyways. Since such an agreement between the flyways has not yet 
been reached, the Service supports mallard bag limits for the 2021-22 
season that are the same as those from the 2020-21 season where the two 
Councils were last in agreement (i.e., no change).
Atlantic Flyway
    For the Atlantic Flyway, we set duck-hunting regulations based on 
the status and demographics of a suite of four duck species (eastern 
waterfowl) in eastern Canada and the Atlantic Flyway States: green-
winged teal, common goldeneye, ring-necked duck, and wood duck. For 
purposes of the assessment, eastern waterfowl stocks are those breeding 
in eastern Canada and Maine (Federal WBPHS fixed-wing surveys in strata 
51-53, 56, and 62-70, and helicopter plot surveys in strata 51-52, 63-
64, 66-68, and 70-72) and in Atlantic Flyway States from New Hampshire 
south to Virginia (Atlantic Flyway Breeding Waterfowl Survey, AFBWS). 
Breeding population size estimates for green-winged teal, ring-necked 
ducks, and goldeneyes are derived annually by integrating fixed-wing 
and helicopter survey data from eastern Canada and Maine (WBPHS strata 
51-53, 56, and 62-72). Counts of green-winged teal, ring-necked ducks, 
and goldeneyes in the AFBWS are negligible and therefore excluded from 
population estimates for those species. Breeding population size 
estimates for wood ducks in the Atlantic Flyway (Maine south to 
Florida) are estimated by integrating data from the AFBWS and the North 
American Breeding Bird Survey. Counts of wood ducks from the WBPHS are 
negligible and therefore excluded from population estimates.
    For the 2020-21 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest 
regulations for eastern waterfowl using: (1) A management objective of 
98 percent of maximum long-term sustainable harvest for eastern 
waterfowl; (2) the 2020-21 regulatory alternatives; and (3) current 
stock-specific population models and associated weights. Based on the 
liberal regulatory alternative selected for the 2019-20 duck hunting 
season, the 2019 survey estimates of 0.30 million green-winged teal, 
1.02 million wood ducks, 0.69 million ring-necked ducks, and 0.52 
million goldeneyes, the optimal regulation for the Atlantic Flyway is 
the liberal alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendation 
of the Atlantic Flyway Council regarding selection of the liberal 
regulatory alternative as described in the October 15, 2019, proposed 
rule for the 2020-21 season.
    The mallard bag limit in the Atlantic Flyway is based on a separate 
assessment of the harvest potential of eastern mallards (see xi. Other, 
below, for further discussion on the mallard bag limit in the Atlantic 
Flyway).
Mississippi and Central Flyways
    For the Mississippi and Central Flyways, we set duck-hunting 
regulations based on the status and demographics of mid-continent 
mallards and habitat conditions (pond numbers in Prairie Canada). For 
purposes of the assessment, mid-continent mallards are those breeding 
in central North America (Federal WBPHS strata 13-18, 20-50, and 75-
77), and in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (State surveys).
    For the 2020-21 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest 
regulations

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for mid-continent mallards using: (1) A management objective of maximum 
long-term sustainable harvest; (2) the 2020-21 regulatory alternatives; 
and (3) current population models and associated weights. Based on a 
liberal regulatory alternative selected for the 2019-20 hunting season, 
the 2019 survey estimates of 9.73 million mid-continent mallards and 
2.86 million ponds in Prairie Canada, the optimal regulation for the 
Mississippi and Central Flyways is the liberal alternative. Therefore, 
we concur with the recommendations of the Mississippi and Central 
Flyway Councils regarding selection of the liberal regulatory 
alternative as described in the October 15, 2019, proposed rule for the 
2020-21 season.
Pacific Flyway
    For the Pacific Flyway, we set duck-hunting regulations based on 
the status and demographics of western mallards. For purposes of the 
assessment, western mallards consist of two substocks and are those 
breeding in Alaska and Yukon Territory (Federal WBPHS strata 1-12) and 
those breeding in the southern Pacific Flyway including California, 
Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia (State and Provincial surveys) 
combined.
    For the 2020-21 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest 
regulations for western mallards using: (1) A management objective of 
maximum long-term sustainable harvest; (2) the 2020-21 regulatory 
alternatives; and (3) the current population model. Based on a liberal 
regulatory alternative selected for the 2019-20 hunting season, the 
2019 survey estimates of 0.89 million western mallards in Alaska and 
the Yukon Territory (0.36 million) and the southern Pacific Flyway 
(0.52 million), the optimal regulation for the Pacific Flyway is the 
liberal alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendation of 
the Pacific Flyway Council regarding selection of the liberal 
regulatory alternative as described in the October 15, 2019, proposed 
rule for the 2020-21 season.

B. Regulatory Alternatives

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and 
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended that AHM regulatory alternatives 
for duck hunting seasons in 2020-21 remain the same as those used in 
the previous year. The Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils also 
recommended that, beginning with the 2021-22 (next) season, the duck 
framework opening and closing dates be the Saturday nearest September 
24 and January 31, respectively, for the three AHM regulatory open-
season alternatives.
    Service Response: Consistent with Flyway recommendations, the AHM 
regulatory alternatives proposed for the Atlantic, Mississippi, 
Central, and Pacific Flyways in the October 15, 2019, proposed rule (84 
FR 55128) will be used for the 2020-21 hunting season (see accompanying 
table at the end of that document for specific information). The AHM 
regulatory alternatives consist only of the maximum season lengths, 
framework dates, and bag limits for total ducks and mallards. 
Restrictions for certain species within these frameworks that are not 
covered by existing harvest strategies will be addressed elsewhere in 
these proposed frameworks. For those species with specific harvest 
strategies (pintails, black ducks, and scaup), those strategies will 
again be used for the 2020-21 hunting season.
    We also agree with the Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils' 
recommendations for opening and closing dates for duck season 
frameworks beginning with the 2021-22 season, which are slightly 
different from what the Service identified in the October 15, 2019, 
proposed rule (84 FR 55128). The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, 
Management, and Recreation Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 116-9) amended the 
Migratory Bird Treaty Act to establish that the closing framework date 
for duck seasons will be January 31, unless a flyway chooses an earlier 
closing date. The recommendations to change the opening framework date 
represent a one-week earlier opening in the restrictive regulatory 
alternative for the Mississippi and Central Flyways, but no changes to 
the moderate or liberal alternatives. We expect this change to have a 
negligible impact on duck harvests, and note that changes in season 
lengths and bag limits are still available to effect changes in duck 
harvests and will ensure long-term conservation of duck populations.

C. Zones and Split Seasons

    Zones and split seasons are ``special regulation'' designed to 
distribute hunting opportunities and harvests according to temporal, 
geographic, and demographic variability in waterfowl and other 
migratory game bird populations. For ducks, States have been allowed 
the option of dividing their allotted hunting days into two (or in some 
cases three) segments (splits) to take advantage of species-specific 
peaks of abundance or to satisfy hunters in different areas who want to 
hunt during the peak of waterfowl abundance in their area. However, the 
split-season option does not fully satisfy many States who wish to 
provide a more equitable distribution of harvest opportunities. 
Therefore, we also have allowed the establishment of independent 
seasons in up to four zones within States for the purpose of providing 
more equitable distribution of harvest opportunity for hunters 
throughout the State.
    In 1978, we prepared an environmental assessment (EA) on the use of 
zones to set duck hunting regulations. A primary tenet of the 1978 EA 
was that zoning would be used to provide equitable distribution of duck 
hunting opportunities within a State or region. The intent was not to 
increase total annual waterfowl harvest in the zoned areas; target 
harvest levels were to be adjusted downward if they exceeded 
traditional levels as a result of zoning. Subsequent to the 1978 EA, we 
conducted a review of the use of zones and split seasons in 1990. The 
ability to detect the impacts of zones and splits use on waterfowl 
demographics and harvest was poor because of the absence of adequate 
study designs and experimental controls, limitations in monitoring 
capacities, imprecise parameter estimates, and low power to detect 
changes in parameter estimates. Substantial concern remained about the 
unknown consequences of zones and split seasons on duck populations and 
harvest redistribution among states and flyways, potential reduced 
effectiveness of regulations (season length and bag limit) to reduce 
duck harvest if needed, and the administrative burden associated with 
changing regulations annually. Consequently, we established guidelines 
to provide a framework for controlling the proliferation of zones and 
split seasons. The guidelines identified a limited number of zone and 
split-season configurations that could be used for duck hunting and 
restricted the frequency of changes in State selection among these 
configurations to open seasons at the beginning of five-year intervals. 
The first open season was in 1991, with subsequent open seasons in 
1996, 2001, 2006, 2011-2012, and 2016-2017. In 2011, we prepared a new 
EA analyzing proposed changes to the guidelines for zones and split 
seasons. Revised guidelines were finalized in 2011 (76 FR 53536; August 
26, 2011).
    We discussed and presented guidelines for duck zones and split 
seasons during 2021-25 seasons in the October 15, 2019, proposed rule. 
We also stated that for those States wishing to change zone and split-
season configurations in time for the 2021-25 seasons, we would need to 
receive configuration selections and zone descriptions by May 1, 2020.

[[Page 15874]]

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and 
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended that we modify the existing 
guidelines for duck zones and split seasons to allow an additional 
configuration including two zones with up to three season segments per 
zone for use beginning with the 2021-22 duck hunting season. The 
Mississippi Flyway Council also recommended the requirement that States 
selecting this additional configuration conduct an evaluation of 
changes in hunter numbers, satisfaction, and harvest. The Central and 
Pacific Flyway Councils further recommended additional zone and split-
season configurations including: (1) One zone in each State may 
comprise up to two geographically separated areas, and (2) three zones 
with up to three season segments per zone. Finally, the Atlantic Flyway 
Council recommended that the deadline for States to select their zone 
and split-season configurations and define new zone boundaries be 
extended from May 1 to July 1, 2020.
    Service Response: We agree with the recommendations of the 
Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils to allow an 
additional duck zone and split-season configuration with two zones and 
up to three season segments per zone beginning with the 2021-22 season. 
States that select this new configuration must conduct an evaluation of 
impacts to hunter dynamics (e.g., hunter numbers, satisfaction) and 
harvest during the fixed five-year period it is implemented (e.g., 
2021-25 period) and need to involve human dimensions specialists in the 
assessment.
    We do not support the recommendations of the Central and Pacific 
Flyway Councils to add additional configurations including one zone 
with discontinuous boundaries or three zones with up to three season 
segments per zone. We remain concerned about the proliferation of 
zones, impacts to harvest, and potential confounding of these 
additional zone and split-season configurations with results from the 
Central Flyway Council's proposed two-tier license experiment. We need 
to better understand how additional zone and split-season 
configurations might influence hunter recruitment, retention, and 
reactivation (R3) efforts, and whether additional options run counter 
to the desire to simplify regulations. Therefore, we are supportive of 
additional discussions at the spring 2020 SRC meetings to help us 
better understand these additional options and how they can help us 
meet our mutual objectives while addressing R3 and waterfowl population 
concerns.
    Finally, we will extend the deadline for States to select their 
zone and split-season configurations and to define potential new zone 
boundaries for the 2021-25 seasons to July 1, 2020, but we encourage 
States to submit their selections and zone boundaries as soon as 
possible.
    For the 2021-25 seasons, the guidelines for duck zones and split 
seasons are as follows:
Guidelines for Duck Zones and Split Seasons
    The following guidelines for zones and split seasons apply only for 
the regular duck season:
    (1) A zone is a geographic area or portion of a State, with a 
contiguous boundary, for which independent dates may be selected for 
the regular duck season.
    (2) Consideration of changes for management-unit boundaries is not 
subject to the guidelines and provisions governing the use of zones and 
split seasons for ducks.
    (3) Only minor (less than a county in size) boundary changes will 
be allowed for any grandfathered arrangement, and changes are limited 
to the open season.
    (4) Once a zone and split-season configuration is selected during 
an open season, it must remain in place for the following five years.
    Any State may continue their zone and split-season configuration 
used in the previous five-year period. If changes are made, the zone 
and split-season configuration must conform to one of the following 
five options:

    (1) One zone (same as no zones) with up to three season 
segments;
    (2) Two zones with up to two season segments in each zone;
    (3) Two zones with up to three season segments in each zone;
    (4) Three zones with up to two season segments in each zone; or
    (5) Four zones with a continuous season (i.e., no segments) in 
each zone.

    Because this is a new configuration, States that select the 
configuration with two zones and three season segments must conduct an 
evaluation of impacts to hunter dynamics (e.g., hunter numbers, 
satisfaction) and harvest during the fixed five-year period it is 
implemented (e.g., 2021-25 period).
Grandfathered Zone and Split Arrangements
    When we first implemented the zone and split-season guidelines in 
1991, several States had completed experiments with zone and split-
season arrangements different from our original options. We offered 
those States a one-time opportunity to continue (``grandfather'') those 
arrangements, with the stipulation that only minor changes could be 
made to zone boundaries. If any of those States now wish to change 
their zone and split arrangement:
    (1) The new arrangement must conform to one of the five options 
identified above; and
    (2) The State cannot go back to the grandfathered arrangement that 
it previously had in place.
Mallard Management Units
    For the States that have a recognized management unit (Columbia 
Basin Management Unit in the Pacific Flyway, High Plains Management 
Unit in the Central Flyway) and include a non-management unit portion, 
an independent 2-segment duck season with no zones can be selected for 
the management unit. The remainder of the State in the non-management 
unit portion can be zoned and have split seasons according to existing 
guidelines. In the Central Flyway, additional duck season days afforded 
to the management unit must occur on or after the Saturday nearest 
December 10.

D. Special Seasons/Species Management

i. September Teal Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
Florida be granted operational status for the September teal-only 
season beginning with the 2020 season.
    Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's 
recommendation. Florida has met the minimum requirements for sample 
size and targets for nontarget species attempt rates in both the pre-
sunrise and post-sunrise periods, which were below the acceptable rate 
of 25 percent. In addition the nontarget species harvest rates for both 
pre- and post-sunrise periods were below the acceptable rate of 10 
percent.
iii. Black Ducks
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway 
Councils recommended continued use of the AHM protocol for black ducks, 
and adoption of the moderate regulatory alternative for their 
respective flyways. The Flyway-specific regulations consist of a daily 
bag limit of two black ducks and a season length of 60 days.
    Service Response: The Service, Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway 
Councils, and Canada adopted an international AHM protocol for black

[[Page 15875]]

ducks in 2012 (77 FR 49868; August 17, 2012) whereby we set black duck 
hunting regulations for the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways (and 
Canada) based on the status and demographics of these birds. The AHM 
protocol clarifies country-specific target harvest levels, and reduces 
conflicts over regulatory policies.
    For the 2020-21 hunting season, we evaluated country-specific 
alternative harvest regulations using: (1) A management objective of 98 
percent of maximum long-term sustainable harvest; (2) country-specific 
regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population models and 
associated weights. Based on the 2019 survey estimates of 0.56 million 
breeding black ducks and 0.36 million breeding mallards (Federal WBPHS 
strata 51, 52, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, and 72; core survey area), 
the optimal regulation for the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways is the 
moderate alternative (and the liberal alternative in Canada). 
Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the Atlantic and 
Mississippi Flyway Councils regarding selection of the moderate 
regulatory alternative for the 2020-21 season.
iv. Canvasbacks
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and 
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory 
alternative for their respective flyways. The Flyway-specific 
regulations consist of a daily bag limit of two canvasbacks and a 
season length of 60 days in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 74 
days in the Central Flyway, and 107 days in the Pacific Flyway.
    Service Response: As we discussed in the March 28, 2016, Federal 
Register (81 FR 17302), the canvasback harvest strategy that we had 
relied on until 2015 was not viable under our new regulatory process 
because it required biological information that was not yet available 
at the time a decision on season structure needed to be made. We do not 
yet have a new harvest strategy to propose for use in guiding 
canvasback harvest management in the future. However, we have worked 
with technical staff of the four Flyway Councils to develop a decision 
framework (hereafter, decision support tool) that relies on the best 
biological information available to develop recommendations for annual 
canvasback harvest regulations. The decision support tool uses 
available information (1994-2014) on canvasback breeding population 
size in Alaska and north central North America (Federal WBPHS 
traditional survey area, strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), growth rate, 
survival, and harvest, and a population model to evaluate alternative 
harvest regulations based on a management objective of maximum long-
term sustainable harvest. The decision support tool calls for a closed 
season when the population is below 460,000, a 1-bird daily bag limit 
when the population is between 460,000 and 480,000, and a 2-bird daily 
bag limit when the population is greater than 480,000. Based on the 
2019 survey estimate of 686,000 canvasbacks, we concur with the 
recommendations of the four Flyway Councils regarding selection of the 
liberal regulatory alternative for the 2020-21 season.
v. Pintails
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and 
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory 
alternative for their respective flyway. The Flyway-specific 
regulations consist of a daily bag limit of one pintail and a season 
length of 60 days in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 74 days in 
the Central Flyway, and 107 days in the Pacific Flyway.
    Service Response: The Service and four Flyway Councils adopted an 
AHM protocol for pintail in 2010 (75 FR 44856; July 29, 2010) whereby 
we set pintail hunting regulations in all four Flyways based on the 
status and demographics of these birds.
    For the 2020-21 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest 
regulations for pintails using: (1) A management objective of maximum 
long-term sustainable harvest, including a closed-season constraint of 
1.75 million birds; (2) the regulatory alternatives; and (3) current 
population models and associated weights. Based on a liberal regulatory 
alternative with a 1-bird daily bag limit for the 2019-20 season, and 
the 2019 survey estimates of 2.27 million pintails observed at a mean 
latitude of 54.4 degrees (Federal WBPHS traditional survey area, strata 
1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), the optimal regulation for all four Flyways is 
the liberal alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations 
of the four Flyway Councils regarding selection of the liberal 
regulatory alternative for the 2020-21 season.
vi. Scaup
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and 
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the restrictive 
regulatory alternative for the 2020-21 season. The Flyway-specific 
regulations consist of a 60-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit 
during 40 consecutive days and a 2-bird daily bag limit during 20 
consecutive days in the Atlantic Flyway, a 60-day season with a 2-bird 
daily bag limit during 45 consecutive days and a 1-bird daily bag limit 
during 15 consecutive days in the Mississippi Flyway, a 1-bird daily 
bag limit for 74 days in the Central Flyway, and an 86-day season with 
a 2-bird daily bag limit in the Pacific Flyway.
    Service Response: The Service and four Flyway Councils adopted an 
AHM protocol for scaup in 2008 (73 FR 43290, July 24, 2008; and 73 FR 
51124, August 29, 2008) whereby we set scaup hunting regulations in all 
four Flyways based on the status and demographics of these birds.
    For the 2020-21 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest 
regulations for scaup using: (1) A management objective of 95 percent 
of maximum sustainable harvest; (2) the regulatory alternatives; and 
(3) the current population model. Based on a moderate regulatory 
alternative for the 2019-20 season, and the 2019 survey results of 3.59 
million scaup (Federal WBPHS traditional survey area, strata 1-18, 20-
50, and 75-77), the optimal regulation for all four Flyways is the 
restrictive alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations 
of the four Flyway Councils regarding selection of the restrictive 
alternative for the 2020-21 season.
xi. Other
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a 
mallard daily bag limit of two birds, only one of which could be 
female, for the Atlantic Flyway. The Central Flyway Council recommended 
that the Service allow South Dakota and Nebraska to evaluate a two-tier 
licensing system, wherein two different types of licenses would be 
available to hunters to harvest ducks. One license type would allow 
maximum harvest opportunity under the regulations, and would require 
the hunter to comply with all species and sex restrictions on the take 
of the various duck species. The second type of license would allow the 
hunter to take three ducks of any species each day of the season, thus 
not requiring the hunter to identify species prior to shooting them. 
The intent of this less restrictive license type is to recruit and 
retain waterfowl hunters. The recommendation proposes that South Dakota 
and Nebraska be allowed to evaluate this new license system beginning 
with the 2020-21 season. The less-restrictive license would be 
available to any hunter (both residents and nonresidents), but the 
first license purchased in the State would require that the individual 
hunt under that

[[Page 15876]]

license type for the entire season (for example, hunters purchasing 
multiple licenses in that State in a given season would always have to 
hunt under the strictures of the first license purchased; they could 
not change between the typical license type and the less-restrictive 
license type).
    Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's 
recommendation for a mallard daily bag limit of two birds, of which 
only one may be female, for the Atlantic Flyway. The Atlantic Flyway 
Council's eastern waterfowl AHM protocol (see above) did not 
specifically address bag limits for mallards. The number of breeding 
mallards in the northeastern United States (about two-thirds of the 
eastern mallard population in 1998) has decreased by about 38 percent 
since 1998, and the overall population has declined by about 1 percent 
per year during that time period. This situation has resulted in 
reduced harvest potential for that population. The Service conducted a 
Prescribed Take Level (PTL) analysis to estimate the allowable take 
(kill rate) for eastern mallards, and compared that with the expected 
kill rate under the most liberal season length (60 days) considered as 
part of the eastern waterfowl AHM regulatory alternatives.
    Using contemporary data and assuming a management objective of 
maximum long-term sustainable harvest, the PTL analysis estimated an 
allowable kill rate of 0.194-0.198. The expected kill rate for eastern 
mallards under a 60-day season and a 2-mallard daily bag limit in the 
U.S. portion of the Atlantic Flyway was 0.193 (SE = 0.016), which is 
slightly below (but not significantly different from) the point 
estimate of allowable kill at maximum long-term sustainable harvest. 
This indicates that a 2-bird daily bag limit is sustainable at this 
time.
    Regarding the Central Flyway Council's recommendation for a two-
tier license system, the Service notes that a similar recommendation 
was first presented to the SRC by the Council in 2012, and was debated 
by the Service at that time. In 2015, after several years of discussion 
with the Council, the SRC concluded that, although they saw some merit 
in the proposal, the SRC did not believe sufficient evidence was 
presented showing that duck identification was a significant barrier to 
waterfowl recruitment and retention. Thus, the SRC did not support the 
proposal at that time, but stated that they would reconsider their 
decision if evidence showing that duck identification was a significant 
barrier to participation became available.
    Since 2015, several surveys have been conducted which included 
questions asking respondents whether duck identification might deter 
them from hunting waterfowl. Results from some surveys suggest that may 
be the case, addressing at least in part the concerns the SRC had 
identified. However, the Service also recognizes that this proposal 
represents a significant change to the way it has set regulations since 
the early 1900s, and that a change of that magnitude requires 
significant input, planning, and documentation to meet legal concerns 
and ensure that reliable information results from the study to assist 
decision makers in the future.
    Therefore, the Service intends to approve a limited two-tier 
licensing system in selected States to assess impacts to hunters and 
duck harvests, but not during the 2020-21 season as proposed in the 
Central Flyway Council's recommendation. Rather, the Service tasks 
Division of Migratory Bird Management staff to work with the Flyway 
Councils to develop a team to address the components needed in an 
evaluation, and to have a draft evaluation plan that is supported by 
both the Division of Migratory Bird Management and the Flyway Councils 
ready for review prior to the spring 2020 SRC meeting. The Service 
believes that completing NEPA compliance, developing shared objectives, 
identifying appropriate metrics for evaluation, potentially modifying 
monitoring efforts, and addressing law enforcement concerns are 
important elements to consider before implementing a limited two-tier 
licensing system for evaluation. The Service wants this work completed 
in time to implement the limited two-tier licensing system for the 
2021-22 hunting season. Over the last two years, the Service has 
completed extensive work with our State partners reviewing hunting and 
fishing regulations on Refuge lands. Our commitment is for the Service 
to continue to explore opportunities to enhance the waterfowl hunting 
experience for the American public.

4. Canada Geese

B. Regular Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a 
framework closing date of January 31 in places where the closing date 
is currently the last Sunday in January.
    Service Response: We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's 
recommendation. The Canada goose season framework dates traditionally 
have coincided with the duck, coot, and merganser season framework 
dates except where there are exceptions for a later Canada goose season 
framework closing date. We earlier discussed under 1. Ducks, B. 
Regulatory Alternatives that last year we extended the duck, coot, and 
merganser season framework closing date from the last Sunday in January 
to January 31 across all four Flyways as directed by the John D. 
Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, signed into 
law on March 12, 2019 (Pub. L. 116-9). Therefore, we are supportive of 
adjusting the general Canada goose season framework closing date to 
again coincide with the duck, coot, and merganser season framework 
closing date, and expect this to have negligible impact to Canada goose 
population status.

6. Brant

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that the 2020-21 season for Atlantic brant follow the Atlantic Flyway 
Council's brant harvest strategy pending the results of the 2020 
Atlantic Flyway Mid-winter Waterfowl Survey (MWS). The Council also 
recommended that if results of the 2020 MWS are not available, then 
results of the most recent MWS should be used.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a framework closing date of 
January 31 in places were the closing date is currently the last Sunday 
in January. The Council also recommended that the 2020-21 brant season 
frameworks be determined based on the harvest strategy in the Council's 
management plan for the Pacific population of brant pending results of 
the 2020 Winter Brant Survey (WBS). If results of the 2020 WBS are not 
available, results of the most recent WBS should be used.
    Service Response: As we discussed in the March 28, 2016, Federal 
Register (81 FR 17302), the current harvest strategy used to determine 
the Atlantic brant season frameworks does not fit well within the new 
regulatory process, similar to the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of 
sandhill cranes 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 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

[[Page 15877]]

habitat conditions and nesting effort in important brant nesting areas. 
Thus, the data under consideration were available before the annual 
Flyway Council and SRC decision-making meetings 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 current regulatory schedule, neither the expected 2020 
brant production information (available spring) nor the 2020 MWS count 
(available January) is yet available. However, the 2020 MWS will be 
completed and winter brant data will be available by the expected 
publication of the final frameworks. Therefore, in the September 24, 
2015, Federal Register (80 FR 57664), we adopted the Atlantic Flyway 
Council's changes to the then-current Atlantic brant harvest strategy. 
The current harvest strategy for Atlantic brant is as follows:
     If the 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 two segments.
    When we acquire the 2020 MWS brant survey results, we will select 
the appropriate Atlantic brant hunting season for 2020-21 from the 
above Atlantic brant harvest strategy and publish the result in the 
final frameworks rule.
    We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation for a 
framework closing date of January 31 in places where the closing date 
is currently the last Sunday in January for brant in the Pacific 
Flyway. The brant season framework dates traditionally have coincided 
with the duck, coot, and merganser season framework dates except where 
there are earlier brant season framework closing date restrictions. We 
earlier discussed under 1. Ducks, B. Regulatory Alternatives that last 
year we extended the duck, coot, and merganser season framework closing 
date from the last Sunday in January to January 31 across all four 
Flyways as directed by the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, 
Management, and Recreation Act, signed into law on March 12, 2019 (Pub. 
L. 116-9). Therefore, we are supportive of adjusting the general brant 
season framework closing date to again coincide with the duck, coot, 
and merganser season framework closing date, and expect this to have 
negligible impact to Pacific brant population status.
    We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation that 
the 2020-21 Pacific brant season frameworks be determined by the 
harvest strategy in the Council's management plan for the Pacific 
population of brant pending results of the 2020 WBS. Similar to the 
case for Atlantic brant, the harvest strategy used to determine the 
Pacific brant season frameworks does not fit well within the current 
regulatory process. In developing the annual proposed frameworks for 
Pacific brant, the Pacific Flyway Council and the Service use the 
three-year average number of brant counted during the WBS in the 
Pacific Flyway to determine annual allowable season length and daily 
bag limits. The WBS is conducted each January, which is after the date 
that proposed frameworks are formulated in the regulatory process. 
However, the data are typically available by the expected publication 
of final frameworks. When we acquire the current survey data, we will 
select the appropriate frameworks for the 2020-21 Pacific brant season 
according to the harvest strategy in the Pacific Flyway Council's 
management plan for Pacific brant and publish the result in the final 
frameworks rule. The current harvest strategy for Pacific brant is as 
follows:
     If the WBS index is <102,000 brant, then the brant season 
is closed, and the season may not reopen until the 3-year average WBS 
index exceeds 112,000 brant.
     If the WBS index is between 102,000 and 122,000 brant, 
then Alaska may select a 51-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit, 
and California, Oregon, and Washington may select a 16-day season with 
a 2-bird daily bag limit.
     If the WBS index is between 122,001 and 147,000 brant, 
then Alaska may select a 107-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit, 
and California, Oregon, and Washington may select a 27-day season with 
a 2-brant daily bag limit.
     If the WBS index is greater than 147,000 brant, then 
Alaska may select a 107-day season with a 4-bird daily bag limit, and 
California, Oregon, and Washington may select a 37-day season with a 2-
bird daily bag limit.
    Under all the above open-season alternatives, the framework outside 
season dates are September 1 through January 26 in Alaska, Saturday 
closest to September 24 through December 15 in California and Oregon, 
and Saturday closest to September 24 through January 31 in Washington.

8. Swans

    We first approved a hunting season for the Eastern Population (EP) 
of tundra swans in the early 1980s, and gradually expanded 
opportunities to include the States of Montana, North Dakota, North 
Carolina, South Dakota, and Virginia by the late 1980s. Recently, we 
also allowed Delaware to initiate an experimental hunting season on 
these birds. Harvest of EP tundra swans is guided by a cooperative 
management plan, which specifies a population objective and harvest 
levels designed to maintain population abundance near that objective. 
In recent years, some Interior Population (IP) trumpeter swans have 
been present during fall and winter in States where EP tundra swan 
hunting is allowed. As a result of restoration efforts and natural 
population growth, the IP has grown from 43 adult and subadult birds in 
1968 to over 27,000 in 2015. Given the growth and range expansion that 
has occurred in the IP, it is likely that migrating and wintering 
trumpeter swan numbers will increase in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and 
Central Flyways. Tundra and trumpeter swans are very similar in 
appearance, particularly at a distance. As the number and range of 
trumpeter swans continue to increase during fall and winter in States 
where tundra swan hunting is allowed, the risk of accidental harvest of 
trumpeter swans by hunters will increase. Thus, there is a need to 
address the potential for misidentification and accidental harvest of 
trumpeter swans that may occur during existing tundra swan seasons.
    To address this issue, the Service reviewed information and drafted 
an EA to determine whether harvest of IP trumpeter swans during current 
EP tundra swan hunting seasons could be permitted while sustaining IP 
trumpeter

[[Page 15878]]

swans at desired levels. The proposed action is to establish a 
regulatory framework for swan hunting that would govern the harvest of 
both trumpeter and tundra swans in portions of the Atlantic, 
Mississippi, and Central Flyways that currently have operational 
hunting seasons on EP tundra swans or may have them in the future. The 
framework would allow a limited take of trumpeter swans, but only 
during hunting seasons established to provide opportunities to hunt 
tundra swans. New hunting seasons (i.e., seasons in areas that are 
currently closed to swan hunting) will not be approved unless the 
requesting State demonstrates that >=90% of the swans in the proposed 
hunting area are tundra swans. Any season where take of both swan 
species is allowed would require data collection, which would ensure 
harvests of IP trumpeter swans remain within appropriate levels, and 
allow modification of the seasons if necessary. Importantly, no State 
that currently has a tundra swan season is required to change that 
season to a general swan season; the latter is only an option that is 
available to States if they want to implement such a season. A copy of 
the Final EA--including background information on the swan species 
impacted, levels of take of IP trumpeter swans that would be allowed, 
and specifics of the five alternatives we analyzed--can be found at 
either http://www.regulations.gov or on our website at https://www.fws.gov/birds/index.php.
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Central Flyway Councils 
recommended that the total number of hunting permits for EP tundra 
swans be reduced from 12,000 to 9,600, with 5,600 permits allowed in 
the Atlantic Flyway and 4,000 permits allowed in the Central Flyway. 
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the Pacific Flyway swan 
season framework allow the season to be split into two segments and 
allow a season in northern Idaho with the following parameters:

    (1) Hunting area may include the four most northwestern counties 
(Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, and Kootenai);
    (2) Not more than 50 hunting permits may be issued;
    (3) Only 1 permit may be issued per hunter; and
    (4) All hunters that harvest a swan must complete and submit a 
harvest report with the bill measurement and color information from 
the harvested swan within 72 hours of harvest for species 
determination.

    Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic and Central Flyway 
Councils' recommendations that the total number of hunting permits be 
reduced from 12,000 to 9,600, with 5,600 permits allowed in the 
Atlantic Flyway and 4,000 permits allowed in the Central Flyway. The 
recommendations are consistent with reductions called for in the 
Atlantic, Central, Mississippi, and Pacific Flyway Councils' management 
plan for EP tundra swans. The count of tundra swans from the 2019 
Midwinter Waterfowl Survey in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways 
combined resulted in 92,819 birds. The average count for the last three 
years was 107,907, which is below the 110,000-bird threshold needed to 
support 12,000 permits as specified in the Councils' management plan 
for EP tundra swans.
    We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation that 
the Pacific Flyway swan season framework allow the season to be split 
into two segments. This is a minor adjustment to realign the swan 
season framework in the Pacific Flyway with changes to the duck, coot, 
merganser, and goose season frameworks that have occurred since 1995 
when the Pacific Flyway swan season framework was established. This 
will allow States to simplify their waterfowl seasons by having season 
dates for ducks, coots, mergansers, geese, and swans coincide. Swan 
hunting will continue to be regulated primarily by the number of swan 
hunting permits a State may issue each year, which is unchanged. 
Allowing a split in the season is expected to have negligible impact to 
tundra and trumpeter swan populations in the Pacific Flyway.
    We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to 
allow limited take of swans in northern Idaho during the fall-winter 
general hunting season for migratory birds. This effectively expands 
the operational swan hunting season framework in the Pacific Flyway 
that includes parts of Montana, Nevada, and Utah to also include the 
four northwestern-most counties in Idaho (Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, 
and Kootenai). The purpose is to provide additional hunting opportunity 
in Idaho for swans that have met population goals.
    The Service authorized an experimental general swan hunting season 
(hereafter swan season) within the Pacific Flyway south of Alaska 
(parts of Montana, Utah, and Nevada) in 1995, which became operational 
in 2003. The Service addressed impacts of the swan season in a sequence 
of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental assessments 
and findings of no significant impact (1995, 2000, 2001, 2003). Idaho 
did not express interest in a swan season at that time.
    The proposed swan season in Idaho is consistent with: (1) Earlier 
NEPA documents establishing the swan season in the Pacific Flyway as 
operational, (2) applicable hunting regulations in title 50 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations, part 20, and (3) the Council management plans 
for tundra and trumpeter swans. The proposed swan season framework in 
Idaho would be experimental for a period of at least three years where 
no framework changes could occur unless restrictions were necessary. 
After that period, the framework could become operational upon approval 
by the Council and Service.
    Both the Western Population (WP) of tundra swans and Rocky Mountain 
Population (RMP) of trumpeter swans are subjected to harvest during the 
swan hunting season in the Pacific Flyway. Regarding WP tundra swans, 
the recent 3-year (2017-2019) mean abundance index was 127,556 (95% CI 
= 83,027-172,086) swans, and exceeded the Pacific Flyway Council's 
population objective of 60,000 swans. Regarding RMP trumpeter swans, 
the recent (2015) count was 11,271 white trumpeter swans (i.e., adult 
and subadult birds), and exceeded the Pacific Flyway Council's 
population objective of 10,000 white swans. The Council also has an 
objective for the U.S. breeding segment of RMP trumpeter swans. The 
recent (2018) minimum count was 810 white swans, and exceeded the 
Council's population objective of 718 white swans. The recent 3-year 
(2016-2018) average count was 774 white swans.
    The experimental swan season in Idaho will be limited to <=50 
permits per year and is expected to result in a small increase in total 
Pacific Flyway swan harvest (<=23 tundra swans and <1 trumpeter swan 
per year on average), but have negligible impact to habitat and overall 
tundra and trumpeter swan population status. The experimental season is 
expected to have positive impacts on the socioeconomic environment in 
localized areas where swans occur and are hunted, and is not expected 
to have any significant impacts on other wildlife species and their 
habitats, including endangered and threatened species.
    We prepared an EA on the proposed swan season in northern Idaho. A 
copy of the EA and specifics of the two alternatives we analyzed can be 
found at either http://www.regulations.gov or on our website at https://www.fws.gov/birds/index.php.

9. Sandhill Cranes

    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended 
that Kansas be allowed to have two hunting zones. The Central and 
Pacific

[[Page 15879]]

Flyway Councils recommended that the status of the season in Estancia 
Valley, New Mexico, be changed from experimental to operational, and 
that allowable harvest of RMP cranes be determined based on the formula 
described in the Pacific and Central Flyway Management Plan for RMP 
cranes.
    Service Response: We agree with the Central Flyway Council's 
recommendations that Kansas be allowed to have two hunting zones. In 
2004, two to three whooping cranes were shot just prior to the opening 
of the sandhill crane hunting season in Kansas. As a result, Kansas has 
been required to open their sandhill crane season later than they had 
historically to assist in protecting whooping cranes. However, because 
significant numbers of sandhill cranes migrate through Kansas prior to 
the opening date, harvest opportunity has been lost. The hunting area 
in Kansas includes the western two-thirds of the State, but whooping 
cranes primarily migrate through only the eastern part of the hunting 
area. Allowing Kansas to divide their hunting area into two zones would 
allow an earlier opening date in the western part of the hunting area 
and improve hunting opportunity, while maintaining the current opening 
date in the eastern part of the hunting area would continue to protect 
whooping cranes. Extensive information on whooping crane sightings was 
used in determining the placement of the boundary between the central 
and western hunting zones, and the Service believes the boundary and 
different zone-specific season opening dates provide sufficient 
protection to whooping cranes.
    We also agree with the recommendations of the Central and Pacific 
Flyway Councils to change the status of the season in Estancia Valley, 
New Mexico, from experimental to operational. The season is consistent 
with the requirements in the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils' RMP 
crane management plan. The experimental season required monitoring the 
level and racial composition of the harvest and to assign greater 
sandhill cranes harvested during this season to the RMP cranes quota. 
From 2001 to 2019, harvest in the Estancia Valley season was monitored 
via mandatory hunter check stations. In recent years, approximately one 
to two percent of the crane harvest comprised greater sandhill cranes 
(1-2 birds out of a harvest of approximately 100 birds in the Estancia 
Valley). New Mexico will continue to monitor the level and racial 
composition of the harvest in the Estancia Valley season using bill 
cards and assign greater cranes harvest to the RMP crane quota.
    Finally, we also agree with the Central and Pacific Flyway 
Councils' recommendations to determine allowable harvest of RMP cranes 
using the formula in the Pacific and Central Flyway Councils' 
management plan for RMP cranes pending results of the fall 2019 
abundance and recruitment surveys.
    Regarding RMP crane harvest, as we discussed in the March 28, 2016, 
Federal Register (81 FR 17302), the harvest strategy used to calculate 
the allowable harvest of RMP cranes does not fit well within the 
current regulatory process. In developing the annual proposed 
frameworks for RMP cranes, the Flyway Councils and the Service use the 
fall abundance and recruitment surveys of RMP cranes to determine 
annual allowable harvest. Results of the fall abundance and recruitment 
surveys of RMP cranes are released between December 1 and January 31 
each year, which is after the date proposed frameworks are formulated 
in the regulatory process. However, the data are typically available by 
the expected publication of final frameworks. When we acquire the 
survey data, we will determine the appropriate allowable harvest for 
the RMP crane season according to the harvest strategy in the Central 
and Pacific Flyway Councils' management plan for RMP cranes published 
in the March 28, 2016, Federal Register (81 FR 17302) and publish the 
results in the final frameworks rule.

11. Moorhens and Gallinules

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central 
Flyway Councils recommended a framework closing date of January 31 for 
moorhens and gallinules in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central 
Flyways.
    Service Response: We agree with the recommendations of the 
Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyway Councils for a framework 
closing date of January 31 rather than the last Sunday in January for 
moorhens and gallinules in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central 
Flyways. The moorhens and gallinules season framework closing date 
traditionally has coincided with the duck, coot, and merganser season 
framework closing date. We earlier discussed under 1. Ducks, B. 
Regulatory Alternatives that last year we extended the duck, coot, and 
merganser season framework closing date from the last Sunday in January 
to January 31 across all four Flyways as directed by the John D. 
Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, signed into 
law on March 12, 2019 (Pub. L. 116-9). Therefore, we are supportive of 
adjusting the moorhens and gallinules season closing date to again 
coincide with the duck, coot, and merganser season framework closing 
date, and expect this to have negligible impact to moorhen and 
gallinule population status.

12. Rails

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and 
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended a framework closing date of January 
31 for rails in the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific 
Flyways.
    Service Response: We agree with the recommendations of the 
Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils for a 
framework closing date of January 31 rather than the last Sunday in 
January for rails in the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific 
Flyways. The rail season framework closing date traditionally has 
coincided with the duck, coot, and merganser season framework closing 
date. We earlier discussed under 1. Ducks, B. Regulatory Alternatives 
that last year we extended the duck, coot, and merganser season 
framework closing date from the last Sunday in January to January 31 
across all four Flyways as directed by the John D. Dingell, Jr. 
Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, signed into law on March 
12, 2019 (Pub. L. 116-9). Therefore, we are supportive of adjusting the 
rail season closing date to again coincide with the duck, coot, and 
merganser season framework closing date, and expect this to have 
negligible impact to rail population status.

14. Woodcock

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central 
Flyway Councils recommended use of the ``moderate'' season framework 
for the 2020-21 season.
    Service Response: 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 limits while we work to improve monitoring and 
assessment protocols for this species. Utilizing the criteria developed 
for the strategy, the three-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''

[[Page 15880]]

for both management regions for the 2020-21 season is appropriate.

16. Doves

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway 
Councils recommended adoption of the standard regulatory alternative, 
which consists of 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 adoption of 
the standard regulatory alternative, which consists of a 90-day season 
and 15-bird daily bag limit for States within the Central Management 
Unit.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended adoption of the standard 
regulatory alternative, which consists of a 60-day season and 15-bird 
daily bag limit for States in the Western Management Unit (WMU). The 
Council also recommended allowing States in the WMU to select seasons 
in one or two zones with up to two segments per zone.
    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 2020-21 season.
    We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to 
allow States in the WMU to select seasons in one or two zones with up 
to two segments per zone.
    In 2004, we recognized the need to work with the States to review 
our current policy regarding zoning for dove hunting (69 FR 52970; 
August 30, 2004). We asked the Flyway Councils and Mourning Dove 
Management Unit Technical Committees to review the current policies 
regarding the use of zones and split seasons for dove hunting, with a 
view toward establishing guidelines for the use of these harvest-
management tools, as has been done for ducks. Items considered included 
the number of zone and split-season configurations that each State may 
choose among, the frequency with which each State may change their 
configuration selection, and the need for a restricted framework 
opening date in south zones. In 2006, we adopted a set of guidelines 
for dove zones and split seasons applicable in the Eastern and Central 
Mourning Dove Management Units based on recommendations of the 
Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyway Councils for use beginning in 
the 2007-08 season and conforming to those fixed five-year periods used 
for ducks, e.g., 2006-10 (71 FR 51406; August 29, 2006). These 
guidelines were not extended to the WMU at the time because they were 
not endorsed by the Pacific Flyway Council and no dove zones occurred 
in the WMU. Furthermore, the framework season length in the WMU was 30 
consecutive days, except in Arizona and California where the season 
length was 60 days, and could be split into two segments.
    The season length in the WMU was expanded to 60 days beginning with 
the 2014 hunting season. The Pacific Flyway Council is now requesting 
the same flexibility for zones and split seasons we have afforded to 
other MUs, with the exception that the WMU would be allowed only two 
season segments in one or both zones rather than three. Thus, we are 
supportive of extending the guidelines for dove zones and split seasons 
to the WMU, with the exception that seasons may be split into no more 
than two segments. Any State's zone and split-season configuration also 
must conform to those fixed five-year periods used for duck and dove 
guidelines for zones and split seasons, e.g., 2021-25. Dove harvest may 
increase slightly in those States where zones are established, 
particularly late in the season, but any additional harvest is expected 
to have negligible impact to dove population status. Finally, we will 
extend the deadline for States to select their zone and split-season 
configurations and to define potential new zone boundaries for the 
2021-25 seasons to July 1, 2020, but we encourage States to submit 
their selections and zone boundaries as soon as possible (see C. Zones 
and Split Seasons, above).
    For the 2021-25 seasons, the guidelines for dove zones and split 
seasons are as follows:
Guidelines for Dove Zones and Split Seasons
    (1) A zone is a geographic area or portion of a State, with a 
contiguous boundary, for which independent seasons may be selected for 
dove hunting.
    (2) Each State may select a zone and split-season configuration 
during an open season. The configuration must remain in place for the 
following five years except that each State may make a one-time change 
and revert to their previous zone and split-season configuration in any 
year of the five-year period. Formal approval will not be required, but 
the State must notify the Service before making the change.
    (3) Zoning periods for dove hunting will conform to those years 
used for ducks, e.g., 2021-25.
    (4) The zone and split-season configuration consists of two zones 
with the option for three-segment seasons in one or both zones, except 
in the WMU where the season in one or both zones may be split into two 
segments. As a grandfathered arrangement, Texas will have three zones 
with the option for two-segment seasons in one, two, or all three 
zones.
    (5) States that do not wish to zone for dove hunting may split 
their seasons into three segments.
    For the 2021-25 period, any State may continue the configuration 
used in 2016-20. If changes are made, the zone and split-season 
configuration must conform to one of the configurations listed above. 
If Texas uses a new configuration for the entirety of the five-year 
period, it cannot go back to the grandfathered arrangement that it 
previously had in place.

17. Alaska

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended 
reducing the emperor goose total allowable harvest in Alaska from 1,000 
to 500 geese.
    Service Response: We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's 
recommendation to reduce the emperor goose total allowable harvest in 
Alaska from 1,000 to 500 geese. The Pacific Flyway Council revised 
their management plan for emperor geese in 2016. The management plan 
includes emperor goose population objectives, commitments to monitor 
population status, and a harvest strategy. The fall-winter harvest of 
emperor geese in Alaska was resumed as a registration permit hunt in 
2017 after more than 30 years of closed seasons. The Council's harvest 
strategy is based on emperor goose abundance during spring on the 
Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Coastal Zone and thresholds for prescribed 
regulatory alternatives. The harvest strategy specifies an open hunting 
season with an annual quota of 1,000 emperor geese if the spring 
abundance index is greater than 23,000 geese; when spring abundance 
index is below 28,000 geese, a restrictive quota of 500 birds will be 
considered. The 2019 emperor goose spring abundance index was 26,585 
(95% CI = 24,161-29,008), and below the Pacific Flyway Council's 
population objective of 34,000 geese. The abundance index was also 
below the 28,000-bird threshold, which triggers consideration of 
reducing the allowable harvest quota from 1,000 to 500 birds for the 
2020-21 season.

[[Page 15881]]

19. Puerto Rico

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
increasing the daily bag limit from 20 to 30 doves in the aggregate in 
Puerto Rico beginning with the 2020-21 season. The daily bag may not 
exceed 3 mourning doves and 10 Zenaida doves, as in the current 
regulation, but may be as high as 30 white-winged doves per hunter 
daily.
    Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's 
recommendation. The daily bag may not exceed 3 mourning doves, 10 
Zenaida doves, but can be as high as 30 white-winged doves per hunter 
daily. White-winged dove abundance is estimated to be approximately 
1.04 million birds in Puerto Rico, which is above the target population 
of 0.5-0.7 million birds. The increase in the white-winged dove daily 
bag limit from 20 to 30 birds is expected to increase their harvest 
rate by 8 percent from 36.7 to 44.7 percent and reduce total population 
size of white-winged doves in Puerto Rico to 0.95 million birds, which 
is above the target population of 0.5-0.7 million birds.

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 may post all comments in their entirety--including your personal 
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 October 15 proposed rule; for descriptions 
of our actions to ensure compliance with the following statutes and 
Executive Orders, see our October 15, 2019, proposed rule (84 FR 
55120):
     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, 
13563, and 13771.

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 2020-21 
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 
a-j.

    Dated: March 5, 2020.
Rob Wallace,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 2020-21 Hunting Seasons on Certain 
Migratory Game Birds

    Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated 
authorities, the Department of the Interior is proposing the following 
frameworks 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, 2020, 
and March 10, 2021. These frameworks are summarized below.

General

    Dates: All outside dates specified below are inclusive.
    Season Lengths: All season lengths specified below are the maximum 
allowed.
    Season Segments: All season segments specified below are the 
maximum allowed.
    Zones: Unless otherwise specified, States may select hunting 
seasons by zone. Zones for duck seasons (and associated youth and 
veterans-active military waterfowl hunting days, moorhens and 
gallinules seasons, and snipe seasons) and dove seasons may be selected 
only in years we declare such changes can be made (i.e., open seasons 
for zones and splits) and according to federally established guidelines 
for dove zones and split seasons. Areas open to hunting must be 
described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting 
regulations and published in the Federal Register as a Federal 
migratory bird hunting frameworks final rule.
    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 hunters, or both. In such cases, 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.

[[Page 15882]]

Flyways and Management Units

    We set migratory bird hunting frameworks for the conterminous U.S. 
States by Flyway or Management Unit/Region. Frameworks for Alaska, 
Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are contained in separate 
sections near the end of the frameworks portion of this document. The 
States included in the Flyways and Management Units/Regions are 
described below.
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 Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, 
Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado, Montana, New 
Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.
Mallard Management Units
    High Plains Management Unit: Roughly defined as that portion of the 
Central Flyway that lies west of the 100th meridian. See Area, Unit, 
and Zone Descriptions, Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots, below, 
for specific boundaries in each State.
    Columbia Basin 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, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, 
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, 
Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Definitions
    For the purpose of the hunting regulations listed below, the 
collective terms ``dark'' and ``light'' geese include the following 
species:
    Dark geese: Canada geese (including cackling 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.

Migratory Game Bird 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 of migratory birds is prohibited Statewide by 
State law or regulation, all Sundays are closed to the take of all 
migratory game birds.

Special Youth and Veterans-Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting 
Days

    Outside Dates: States may select 2 days per duck-hunting zone, 
designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,'' and 2 days per duck-
hunting zone, designated as ``Veterans and Active Military Personnel 
Waterfowl Hunting Days,'' in addition to their regular duck seasons. 
The days may be held concurrently. The Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days 
must be held outside any regular duck season on weekends, holidays, or 
other non-school days when youth hunters would have the maximum 
opportunity to participate. Both sets of 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, 
swans, mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules. Bag limits would be 
the same as those allowed in the regular season except in states which 
implement a hybrid season for scaup (i.e., different bag limits during 
different portions of the season), in which case the bag limit will be 
2 scaup per day. Flyway species and area restrictions would remain in 
effect.
    Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
    Participation Restrictions for Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days: States 
may use their established definition of age for youth hunters. However, 
youth hunters must be under the age of 18. 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). Swans may only be taken by 
participants possessing applicable swan permits.
    Participation Restrictions for Veterans and Active Military 
Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days: Veterans (as defined in section 101 
of title 38, United States Code) and members of the Armed Forces on 
active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on 
active duty (other than for training), may participate. All hunters 
must possess a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp 
(also known as Federal Duck Stamp). Swans may only be taken by 
participants possessing applicable 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.
    Central Flyway: Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico 
(part), Oklahoma, and Texas.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 16 consecutive 
days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. The daily bag 
limit is 6 teal.

[[Page 15883]]

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 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.

Waterfowl

Atlantic Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
26) and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days. The daily bag limit is 6 
ducks, including no more than 2 mallards (no more than 1 of which can 
be female), 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous 
whistling duck, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 4 scoters, 4 
eiders, and 4 long-tailed ducks. The season for scaup may be split into 
2 segments, with one segment consisting of 40 consecutive days with a 
1-scaup daily bag limit, and the second segment consisting of 20 
consecutive days with a 2-scaup daily bag limit.
    Closures: The season on harlequin ducks is closed.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit of mergansers 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.
    Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and 
shooting hours should be the same as those selected for the Lake 
Champlain Zone of Vermont.
    Connecticut River Zone, Vermont: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and 
shooting hours should be the same as those selected for the Inland Zone 
of New Hampshire.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, 
North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, and West 
Virginia may split their seasons into 3 segments. Connecticut may 
select seasons in each of 2 zones, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, 
New Jersey, and Vermont may select seasons in each of 3 zones, 
Pennsylvania may select seasons in each of 4 zones, and New York may 
select seasons in each of 5 zones; and all these States may split their 
season in each zone into 2 segments.
Scoters, Eiders, and Long-tailed Ducks
Special Sea Duck Seasons
    Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New 
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South 
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; scoters, 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 days, 
or 60 days that are concurrent with the regular duck season, with a 
daily bag limit of 5, of the listed sea duck species, including no more 
than 4 scoters, 4 eiders, and 4 long-tailed ducks. Within the special 
sea duck areas, during the regular duck season in the Atlantic Flyway, 
States may choose to allow the above sea duck limits in addition to the 
limits applying to other ducks during the regular season. In all other 
areas, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular open season for 
ducks and are part of the regular duck season daily bag (not to exceed 
4 scoters, 4 eiders, and 4 long-tailed ducks) and possession limits.
    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, 80.501, 80.502, 
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
    Season lengths and Outside Dates: A Canada goose season of not more 
than 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 provided below by State. These seasons may also 
include white-fronted geese in an aggregate daily bag limit. Unless 
subsequently provided, seasons may be split into 2 segments.
Connecticut
    North Atlantic Population (NAP) Zone: Between October 1 and January 
31, a 60-day season may be held with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Atlantic Population (AP) Zone: A 30-day season may be held between 
October 10 and February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

[[Page 15884]]

    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 30-day season may be held between November 15 and February 5, 
with a 1-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
    North and South NAP-H Zones: A 60-day season may be held between 
October 1 and January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Coastal NAP-L Zone: A 70-day season may be held 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 30-day season may be held between November 15 and 
February 5, with a 1-bird daily bag limit.
Massachusetts
    NAP Zone: A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and January 
31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, a special season may 
be held from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    AP Zone: A 30-day season may be held between October 10 and 
February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
New Hampshire
    A 60-day season may be held Statewide between October 1 and January 
31 with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
New Jersey
    AP Zone: A 30-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in 
October (October 24) and February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    NAP Zone: A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and January 
31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    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 January 31, a 60-day season may be 
held, with a 2-bird daily bag limit in the High Harvest areas; and 
between October 1 and February 15, a 70-day season may be held, with a 
3-bird daily bag limit in the Low Harvest areas.
    AP Zone: A 30-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in 
October (October 24), except in the Lake Champlain Area where the 
opening date is October 10, through February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag 
limit.
    Western Long Island RP Zone: A 107-day season may be held between 
the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 26) and the last day of 
February, 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 24) and the last day of February, 
with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments.
North Carolina
    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 Zone: A 14-day season may be held between the Saturday 
prior to December 25 (December 19) and January 31, with a 1-bird daily 
bag limit.
Pennsylvania
    SJBP Zone: A 78-day season may be held between the first Saturday 
in October (October 3) 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 24) and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. 
The season may be split into 3 segments.
    AP Zone: A 30-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in 
October (October 24) and February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Rhode Island
    A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and January 31, with 
a 2-bird daily bag limit. 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 30-day season may be held 
between October 10 and February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Connecticut River Zone: A 60-day season may be held between October 
1 and January 31, with a 2-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 30-day season may be held between November 15 and 
February 5, with a 1-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.
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. Seasons may be split into 3 segments.
Brant
    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 
season between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 26) and 
January 31. Seasons may be split into 2 segments. The season length and 
daily bag limit will be based on the upcoming Mid-Winter Survey results 
and the Atlantic Flyway Council's Atlantic brant harvest strategy.
Mississippi Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
26) and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days. The daily bag limit is 6 
ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may 
be females), 1 mottled duck, 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 3 wood ducks, 2 
canvasbacks, and 2 redheads. The season for scaup may be split into 2 
segments, with one segment

[[Page 15885]]

consisting of 45 consecutive days with a 2-scaup daily bag limit, and 
the second segment consisting of 15 consecutive days with a 1-scaup 
daily bag limit.
    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: Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi may 
split their seasons into 3 segments. Kentucky and Tennessee may select 
seasons in each of 2 zones, and Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, 
Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin may select seasons in each of 3 
zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 2 
segments. Illinois may select seasons in each of 4 zones.
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 during September 1-30, 
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 between September 1 and February 15. 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 September 1 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 4 segments.
Central Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
26) and January 31.
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 12).
    Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74 days.
    Duck Limits: The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, including no more than 
5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be females), 2 redheads, 3 wood 
ducks, 1 pintail, and 2 canvasbacks. The daily bag limit for scaup is 1 
and the season for scaup may be split into 2 segments, with one segment 
consisting of 39 consecutive days and another segment consisting of 35 
consecutive days. 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 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.
    North Dakota may split their season into 3 segments. Montana, New 
Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas may select seasons in each of 2 zones, and 
Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, and Wyoming may select seasons in each 
of 3 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone 
into 2 segments. Nebraska may select seasons in each of 4 zones.
Geese
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons
    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: In Kansas, Nebraska, 
Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas, Canada goose seasons of not more 
than 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected. In Colorado, New 
Mexico, Montana, and Wyoming, Canada goose seasons of not more than 15 
days during September 1-15 may be selected. In North Dakota, Canada 
goose seasons of not more than 22 days during September 1-22 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
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits
    Outside Dates: For dark geese, seasons may be selected between the 
outside dates of the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 26) and 
the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 14). For light geese, outside 
dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest 
September 24 (September 26) 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.
    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

[[Page 15886]]

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.
    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.
    Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into 3 segments. 
Three-segment 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.
Pacific Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
26) and January 31.
    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, 1 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 2 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: Montana and New Mexico may split their 
seasons into 3 segments. Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Washington, 
and Wyoming may select seasons in each of 2 zones, Nevada may select 
seasons in each of 3 zones, and California may select seasons in each 
of 5 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone 
into 2 segments. Idaho may select seasons in each of 4 zones.
    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 not more than 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 provided, 107-day 
seasons may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest 
September 24 (September 26) and January 31. In Arizona, Colorado, 
Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, the daily bag 
limit is 4 Canada geese and brant in the aggregate. In California, 
Oregon, and Washington, the daily bag limit is 4 Canada geese. For 
brant, in California, Oregon and Washington, the season lengths and 
daily bag limits will be based on the upcoming Winter Brant Survey 
results and the Pacific brant harvest strategy. Days must be 
consecutive. Washington and California may select hunting seasons for 
up to 2 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 provided, 107-day 
seasons may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest 
September 24 (September 26) and March 10. The daily bag limit is 10.
    Light Geese: Except as subsequently provided, 107-day seasons may 
be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 
24 (September 26) and March 10. The daily bag limit is 20.
    Split Seasons: Seasons may be split into 3 segments. Three-segment 
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 26) 
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 January 31 
should be concurrent with Oregon's South Coast Zone.
    Northeastern Zone: The white-fronted goose season may be split into 
3 segments.
Oregon
    The daily bag limit for light geese is 6 on or before the last 
Sunday in January (January 31).
    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 26) 
and March 10. Canada goose and white-fronted goose seasons may be split 
into 3 segments. The daily bag limits of Canada geese and light geese 
are 6 each. 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 26) 
and March 10. Canada goose and white-fronted goose seasons may be split 
into 3 segments. The daily bag limit of Canada geese is 6. Hunting days 
that occur after January 31 should be concurrent with California's 
North Coast Special Management Area.
Utah
    A Canada goose and brant season may be selected in the Wasatch 
Front Zone with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 
(September 26) and the first Sunday in February (February 7).
Washington
    The daily bag limit for light geese is 6.
    Areas 2 Inland and 2 Coastal (Southwest Permit Zone): A Canada 
goose season may be selected in each zone with outside dates between 
the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 26) and March 10. Canada 
goose and white-fronted goose seasons may be split into 3 segments.
    Area 4: Canada goose and white-fronted 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 5 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

[[Page 15887]]

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

Pacific Flyway
    In portions of the Pacific Flyway (Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and 
Utah), an open season for taking a limited number of swans may be 
selected. These seasons are also subject to the following conditions:
    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
26) and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: Seasons may not exceed 107 days, and may be split 
into 2 segments.
    Permits: Swan hunting is by permit only. Permits will be issued by 
the State and will authorize each permittee to take no more than 1 swan 
per season with each permit. Only 1 permit may be issued per hunter in 
Montana and Utah, 2 permits may be issued per hunter in Nevada. The 
total number of permits issued may not exceed 50 in Idaho, 500 in 
Montana, 650 in Nevada, and 2,750 in Utah.
    Quotas: The swan season in the respective State must end upon 
attainment of the following reported harvest of trumpeter swans: 20 in 
Utah and 10 in Nevada. There is no quota in Montana.
    Monitoring: Each State must evaluate hunter participation, species-
specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in providing either 
species-determinant parts (at least the intact head) or bill 
measurements (bill length from tip to posterior edge of the nares 
opening, and presence or absence of yellow lore spots on the bill in 
front of the eyes) of harvested swans for species identification. Each 
State should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance 
with the State's program for swan harvest reporting. Each State must 
achieve a hunter compliance of at least 80 percent in providing 
species-determinant parts or bill measurements of harvested swans for 
species identification or subsequent permits will be reduced by 10 
percent in the respective State. Each State must provide to the Service 
by June 30 following the swan season a report detailing hunter 
participation, species-specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in 
reporting harvest. In Idaho and Montana, all hunters that harvest a 
swan must complete and submit a reporting card (bill card) with the 
bill measurement and color information from the harvested swan within 
72 hours of harvest for species determination. In Utah and Nevada, all 
hunters that harvest a swan must have the swan or species-determinant 
parts examined by a State or Federal biologist within 72 hours of 
harvest for species determination.
    Other Provisions: In Utah, the season is subject to the terms of 
the Memorandum of Agreement entered into with the Service in January 
2019 regarding harvest monitoring, season closure procedures, and 
education requirements to minimize take of trumpeter swans during the 
swan season.
Atlantic and Central Flyways
    In portions of the Atlantic Flyway (Delaware, 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 swans may be 
selected. Permits will be issued by the States that authorize the take 
of no more than 1 swan per permit. A second permit may be issued to 
hunters from unused permits remaining after the first drawing.
    Monitoring: Each State must evaluate hunter participation, species-
specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in providing measurements 
of harvested swans for species identification. Each State should use 
appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance with the State's 
program for swan harvest reporting. Each State must achieve a hunter 
compliance of at least 80 percent in providing species-determinant 
measurements of harvested swans for species identification. Each State 
must provide to the Service by June 30 following the swan season a 
report detailing hunter participation, species-specific swan harvest, 
and hunter compliance in reporting harvest.
    In lieu of a general swan hunting season, States may select a 
season only for tundra swans. States selecting a season only for tundra 
swans must obtain harvest and hunter participation data.
    These general swan seasons and tundra swan 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 Delaware, no more than 67 permits may be issued. The season is 
experimental.
--In North Carolina, no more than 4,895 permits may be issued.
--In Virginia, no more than 638 permits may be issued.
In the Central Flyway
--The season may be 107 days, between the Saturday nearest October 1 
(October 3) 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 Alabama, Kentucky and 
Tennessee.
    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 Alabama, 
Kentucky, and Tennessee. The season in Alabama is experimental.
    Daily Bag Limit: 1 sandhill crane in Minnesota, 2 sandhill cranes 
in Kentucky, and 3 sandhill cranes in Alabama and Tennessee. In 
Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee, the seasonal bag limit is 3 sandhill 
cranes.
    Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane 
seasons must have a valid 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 must be consistent with the management plans 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).

[[Page 15888]]

    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) of sandhill cranes 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 60 
days, and may be split into 3 segments.
    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 
crane quota;
    B. In Arizona, monitoring the racial composition of the harvest 
must be conducted at 3-year intervals unless 100 percent of the harvest 
will be assigned to the RMP crane quota;
    C. In Idaho, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP 
crane quota; and
    D. In the Estancia Valley hunt area of New Mexico, the level and 
racial composition of the harvest must be monitored; greater sandhill 
cranes in the harvest will be assigned to the RMP crane quota.

Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31 in the Atlantic, 
Mississippi, and Central Flyways. States in the Pacific Flyway may 
select their hunting seasons between the outside dates for the season 
on ducks, mergansers, and coots; therefore, Pacific Flyway 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 January 31 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 2 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 19) 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 2 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 2 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 2 zones. The season in the South Zone may 
not open until October 1.

Doves

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31 in the Eastern 
Management Unit, and between September 1 and January 15 in the Central 
and Western Management Units, except as subsequently provided, States 
may select hunting seasons and daily bag limits as follows:
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: Seasons may be split into 3 segments; 
Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi may select seasons in each of 2 
zones, and may split their season in each zone into 3 segments.
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: Seasons may be split into 3 segments; New 
Mexico may select seasons in each of 2 zones and may split their season 
in each zone into 3 segments.
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.

[[Page 15889]]

    Zoning and Split Seasons: Texas may select hunting seasons for each 
of 3 zones subject to the following conditions:
    A. The season may be split into 2 segments, 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 in 
Texas, below).
    B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between 
September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between September 14 
and January 25.
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 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 days, 
which may be split between 2 segments. The daily bag limit is 15 
mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
    Arizona and California: Not more than 60 days, which may be split 
between 2 segments, 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: Except as subsequently provided, not more than 107 
consecutive days for waterfowl (except brant), sandhill cranes, and 
common snipe concurrent in each of 5 zones. The season length for brant 
will be determined based on the upcoming brant winter survey results 
and the Pacific brant harvest strategy. The season may be split into 2 
segments in the Kodiak Zone.
    Closures: The hunting season is closed on spectacled eiders and 
Steller's eiders.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits
    Ducks: Except as subsequently provided, the basic daily bag limit 
is 7 ducks. Basic daily bag limit in the North Zone is 10, and in the 
Gulf Coast Zone is 8. The basic daily bag limits may include no more 
than 2 canvasbacks daily and may not include sea ducks.
    In addition to the basic daily bag 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 5 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.
    Emperor Geese: Open seasons for emperor geese may be selected 
subject to the following conditions:
    A. All seasons are by permit only.
    B. No more than 1 emperor goose may be harvested per hunter per 
season.
    C. Total harvest may not exceed 500 emperor geese.
    D. In State Game Management Unit 8, the Kodiak Island Road Area is 
closed to hunting. The Kodiak Island Road Area consists of all lands 
and water (including exposed tidelands) east of a line extending from 
Crag Point in the north to the west end of Saltery Cove in the south 
and all lands and water south of a line extending from Termination 
Point along the north side of Cascade Lake extending to Anton Larsen 
Bay. Marine waters adjacent to the closed area are closed to harvest 
within 500 feet from the water's edge. The offshore islands are open to 
harvest, for example: Woody, Long, Gull, and Puffin islands.
    Brant: The daily bag limit will be determined based on the upcoming 
brant winter survey results and the Pacific brant harvest strategy.
    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 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.

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 30 Zenaida, 
mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of

[[Page 15890]]

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 
2 segments.
Daily Bag Limits
    Ducks: Not to exceed 6 ducks.
    Common Moorhens: Not to exceed 6 moorhens.
    Common Snipe: Not to exceed 8 snipe.
    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 consecutive days.
    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 ducks.
    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

    In accordance with 50 CFR 21.29, falconry is a permitted means of 
taking migratory game birds in any State except for Hawaii. 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 split 
into 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. 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 U.S. 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. 25-A 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, 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,

[[Page 15891]]

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 NJ 109; 
south on NJ 109 to Cape May County Route 633 (Lafayette Street); south 
on Lafayette Street to Jackson Street; south on Jackson Street to the 
shoreline at Cape May; west along the shoreline of Cape May beach to 
COLREGS Demarcation Line 80.503 at Cape May Point; south along COLREGS 
Demarcation Line 80.503 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 15892]]

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 I-70; east along National Ave.; east 
along U.S. 150; 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 Highway (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,

[[Page 15893]]

north of a line extending east from the Indiana State line along U.S. 
Highway (U.S.) 33 to State Route (SR) 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 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: 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 U.S.-283 and State highway 96 junction, then east 
on State highway 96 to its junction with Federal highway U.S.-183, then 
north on Federal highway U.S.-183 to its junction with Federal highway 
U.S.-24, then east on Federal highway U.S.-24 to its junction with 
Federal highway U.S.-281, then north on Federal highway U.S.-281 to its 
junction with Federal highway U.S.-36, then east on Federal highway 
U.S.-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 U.S.-24, then west on Federal 
highway U.S.-24 to its junction with Federal highway U.S.-181, then 
south on Federal highway U.S.-181 to its junction with State highway K-
18, then west on State highway K-18 to its junction with Federal 
highway U.S.-281, then south on Federal highway U.S.-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 U.S.-56, then 
southwest on Federal highway U.S.-56 to its junction with State highway 
K-19, then east on State highway K-19 to its junction with Federal 
highway U.S.-281, then south on Federal highway U.S.-281 to its 
junction with Federal highway U.S.-54, then west on Federal highway 
U.S.-54 to its junction with Federal highway U.S.-183, then north on 
Federal highway U.S.-183 to its junction with Federal highway U.S.-56, 
then southwest on Federal highway U.S.-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 U.S.-400, then northwest on 
Federal highway U.S.-400 to its junction with Federal highway U.S.-283, 
and then north on Federal highway U.S.-283 to its junction with Federal 
highway U.S.-96.
    Low Plains Late Zone: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from 
the Federal highway U.S.-283 and State highway 96 junction, then north 
on Federal highway U.S.-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 U.S.-77, then south on Federal highway 
U.S.-77 to its junction with the Kansas-Oklahoma State line, then west 
along the Kansas-Oklahoma State line to its junction with Federal 
highway U.S.-283, then north on Federal highway U.S.-283 to its 
junction with Federal highway U.S.-400, then east on Federal highway 
U.S.-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

[[Page 15894]]

north on North Main Street to its junction with Federal highway U.S.-
56, then east on Federal highway U.S.-56 to its junction with Federal 
highway U.S.-183, then south on Federal highway U.S.-183 to its 
junction with Federal highway U.S.-54, then east on Federal highway 
U.S.-54 to its junction with Federal highway U.S.-281, then north on 
Federal highway U.S.-281 to its junction with State highway K-19, then 
west on State highway K-19 to its junction with Federal highway U.S.-
56, then east on Federal highway U.S.-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 U.S.-281, then north on Federal highway 
U.S.-281 to its junction with State highway K-18, then east on State 
highway K-18 to its junction with Federal highway U.S.-181, then north 
on Federal highway U.S.-181 to its junction with Federal highway U.S.-
24, then east on Federal highway U.S.-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 
U.S.-36, then west on Federal highway U.S.-36 to its junction with 
Federal highway U.S.-281, then south on Federal highway U.S.-281 to its 
junction with Federal highway U.S.-24, then west on Federal highway 
U.S.-24 to its junction with Federal highway U.S.-183, then south on 
Federal highway U.S.-183 to its junction with Federal highway U.S.-96, 
and then west on Federal highway U.S.-96 to its junction with Federal 
highway U.S.-283.
    Low Plains 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 U.S.-77, then south on Federal highway U.S.-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 State highway 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
    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 Levee R-562; north along Federal Levee

[[Page 15895]]

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: That portion of the State south and west of a line 
beginning at the junction of U.S. Hwy 83 and the South Dakota State 
line, then north along U.S. Hwy 83 and I-94 to ND Hwy 41, then north on 
ND Hwy 41 to ND Hwy 53, then west on ND Hwy 53 to U.S. Hwy 83, then 
north on U.S. Hwy 83 to U.S. Hwy 2, then west on U.S. Hwy 2 to the 
Williams County line, then north and west along the Williams and Divide 
County lines to the Canadian border.
    Low Plains: The remainder of North Dakota.
Oklahoma
    High Plains: 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: 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.
    Low Plains 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.
    Low Plains 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.
    Low Plains Middle Zone: The remainder of South Dakota.
Texas
    High Plains: 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: 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 from the intersection of Highway 
95 with the

[[Page 15896]]

California-Nevada State line; south on Highway 95 through the junction 
with Highway 40; south on Highway 95 to Vidal Junction; south through 
the town of Rice to the San Bernardino-Riverside County line on a road 
known as ``Aqueduct Road'' also known as Highway 62 in San Bernardino 
County; southwest on Highway 62 to Desert Center Rice Road; south on 
Desert Center Rice Road/Highway 177 to the town of Desert Center; east 
31 miles on Interstate 10 to its intersection with Wiley Well Road; 
south on Wiley Well Road to Wiley Well; southeast on Milpitas Wash Road 
to the Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on Blythe 
Ogilby Road also known as County Highway 34 to its intersection with 
Ogilby Road; south on Ogilby Road to its intersection with Interstate 
8; east 7 miles on Interstate 8 to its intersection with the Andrade-
Algodones Road/Highway 186; south on Highway 186 to its intersection 
with the U.S.-Mexico border at Los Algodones, Mexico.
    Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding 
the Colorado River zone) south and east of a line beginning at the 
mouth of the Santa Maria River at the Pacific Ocean; east along the 
Santa Maria River to where it crosses Highway 101-166 near the City of 
Santa Maria; north on Highway 101-166; east on Highway 166 to the 
junction with Highway 99; south on Highway 99 to the junction of 
Interstate 5; south on Interstate 5 to the crest of the Tehachapi 
Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest of the 
Tehachapi Mountains to where it intersects Highway 178 at Walker Pass; 
east on Highway 178 to the junction of Highway 395 at the town of 
Inyokern; south on Highway 395 to the junction of Highway 58; east on 
Highway 58 to the junction of Interstate 15; east on Interstate 15 to 
the junction with Highway 127; north on Highway 127 to the point of 
intersection with the California-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 (Pacific Flyway Portion)
    Eastern Zone: Routt, Grand, Summit, Eagle, and Pitkin Counties, 
those portions of Saguache, San Juan, Hinsdale, and Mineral Counties 
west of the Continental Divide, those portions of Gunnison County 
except the North Fork of the Gunnison River Valley (Game Management 
Units 521, 53, and 63), and that portion of Moffat County east of the 
northern intersection of Moffat County Road 29 with the Moffat-Routt 
County line, south along Moffat County Road 29 to the intersection of 
Moffat County Road 29 with the Moffat-Routt County line (Elkhead 
Reservoir State Park).
    Western Zone: All areas west of the Continental Divide 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: Bear Lake, Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, 
Madison, and Teton Counties; Bingham County within the Blackfoot 
Reservoir drainage; and Caribou County except within the Fort Hall 
Indian Reservation.
    Zone 3: Ada, Adams, Benewah, Blaine, Boise, Bonner, Boundary, 
Camas, Canyon, Cassia, Clearwater, Custer, Elmore, Franklin, Gem, 
Gooding, Idaho, Jerome, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Lincoln, 
Minidoka, Nez Perce, Oneida, Owyhee, Payette, Shoshone, Twin Falls, and 
Washington Counties; and Power County west of State Highway 37 and 
State Highway 39.
    Zone 4: Valley County.
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 I-91 in 
Hartford, and then extending south along I-91 to its intersection with 
the Hartford-Middlesex County line.
    NAP H-Unit: That part of the State east of a line beginning at the 
Massachusetts border in Suffield and extending south along Route 159 to 
its intersection with I-91 in Hartford and then extending south along 
I-91 to State Street in New Haven; then south on State Street to Route 
34, west on Route 34 to Route 8, south along Route 8 to Route 110, 
south along Route 110 to Route 15, north along Route 15 to the Milford 
Parkway, south along the Milford Parkway to I-95, north along I-95 to 
the intersection with the east shore of the Quinnipiac River, south to 
the mouth of the Quinnipiac River and then

[[Page 15897]]

south along the eastern shore of New Haven Harbor to the Long Island 
Sound.
    Atlantic Flyway Resident Population (AFRP) Unit: Remainder of the 
State not included in AP and NAP Units.
    South Zone: Same as for ducks.
Maine
    North NAP-H Zone: Same as North Zone for ducks.
    Coastal NAP-L Zone: Same as Coastal Zone for ducks.
    South NAP-H Zone: Same as South Zone 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; 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 State 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 State line.
New Hampshire
    Same zones as for ducks.
New Jersey
    AP Zone: North and South Zones (see duck zones).
    NAP 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 toll bridge 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 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

[[Page 15898]]

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 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.
North Carolina
    Northeast Zone: 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 County line), 
Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, 
and Washington.
    RP Zone: Remainder of the State.

[[Page 15899]]

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 the 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 the 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 Rte. 64 to Route 
15, then south along Rte. 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.
    Remainder of State: That portion of the State outside of the 
Northwest Zone.
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.
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

[[Page 15900]]

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.
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 I-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.
    Allegan County Game Management Unit (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.
    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.
Minnesota
    Same zones as for ducks.
Missouri
    Same zones as for ducks.
Ohio
    Same zones as for ducks.
Tennessee
    Reelfoot Zone: The lands and waters within the boundaries of 
Reelfoot Lake WMA only.
    Remainder of State: The remainder of the State.
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.
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 Area: Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, and Teller 
Counties.
    San Luis Valley Area: All of Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, and Rio 
Grande Counties, and those portions of Saguache, Mineral, Hinsdale, 
Archuleta, and San Juan Counties east of the Continental Divide.
    Remainder: Remainder of the Central Flyway portion of Colorado.

[[Page 15901]]

    Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose Area: That portion of the State 
east of Interstate Highway 25.
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
    Zone 1: Same as Zone 1 for ducks and coots.
    Zone 2: Same as Zone 2 for ducks and coots.
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 the 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 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 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 west on ND Hwy 200; then north on ND 
Hwy 8 to the Mercer/McLean County line; then east following the county 
line until it turns south toward Garrison Dam; then east along a line 
(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.
    Western North Dakota Canada Goose Zone: Same as the High Plains 
Unit for ducks, mergansers and coots, excluding the Missouri River 
Canada Goose Zone.
    Rest of State: Remainder of North Dakota.
South Dakota
Early Canada Goose Seasons
    Special Early Canada Goose Unit: The Counties of Campbell, Clark, 
Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Marshall, Roberts, 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; those portions of Yankton 
and Clay Counties north of a line beginning at the junction of State 
Highway 50 and 306th Street/County Highway 585 in Bon Homme County, 
east to U.S. Highway 81, then north on U.S. Highway 81 to 303rd Street, 
then east on 303rd Street to 444th Avenue, then south on 444th Avenue 
to 305th Street, then east on 305th Street/Bluff Road to State Highway 
19, then south to State Highway 50 and east to the Clay/Union County 
Line; Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Butte, Corson, Davison, 
Douglas, Edmunds, Faulk, Haakon, Hand, Hanson, Harding, Hutchinson, 
Jackson, Jerauld, Jones, Kingsbury, Lake, McCook, McPherson, Meade, 
Mellette, Miner, Moody, Oglala Lakota (formerly Shannon), Sanborn, 
Spink, Todd, Turner, and Ziebach 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

[[Page 15902]]

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.
    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.
    Zone G4: Fremont County excluding those portions south or west of 
the Continental Divide.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
    Same zones as for ducks.
California
    Northeastern Zone: 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.
    Klamath Basin Special Management Area: Beginning at the 
intersection of Highway 161 and Highway 97; east on Highway 161 to Hill 
Road; south on Hill Road to N Dike Road West Side; east on N Dike Road 
West Side until the junction of the Lost River; north on N Dike Road 
West Side until the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway; east on Volcanic 
Legacy Scenic Byway until N Dike Road East Side; south on the N Dike 
Road East Side; continue east on N Dike Road East Side to Highway 111; 
south on Highway 111/Great Northern Road to Highway 120/Highway 124; 
west on Highway 120/Highway 124 to Hill Road; south on Hill Road until 
Lairds Camp Road; west on Lairds Camp Road until Willow Creek; west and 
south on Willow Creek to Red Rock Road; west on Red Rock Road until 
Meiss Lake Road/Old State Highway; north on Meiss Lake Road/Old State 
Highway to Highway 97; north on Highway 97 to the point of origin.
    Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, 
and Imperial Counties east of a line from the intersection of Highway 
95 with the California-Nevada State line; south on Highway 95 through 
the junction with Highway 40; south on Highway 95 to Vidal Junction; 
south through the town of Rice to the San Bernardino-Riverside County 
line on a road known as ``Aqueduct Road'' also known as Highway 62 in 
San Bernardino County; southwest on Highway 62 to Desert Center Rice 
Road; south on Desert Center Rice Road/Highway 177 to the town of 
Desert Center; east 31 miles on Interstate 10 to its intersection with 
Wiley Well Road; south on Wiley Well Road to Wiley Well; southeast on 
Milpitas Wash Road to the Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; 
south on Blythe Ogilby Road also known as County Highway 34 to its 
intersection with Ogilby Road; south on Ogilby Road to its intersection 
with Interstate 8; east 7 miles on Interstate 8 to its intersection 
with the Andrade-Algodones Road/Highway 186; south on Highway 186 to 
its intersection with the U.S.-Mexico border at Los Algodones, Mexico.
    Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding 
the Colorado River zone) south and east of a line beginning at the 
mouth of the Santa Maria River at the Pacific Ocean; east along the 
Santa Maria River to where it crosses Highway 101-166 near the City of 
Santa Maria; north on Highway 101-166; east on Highway 166 to the 
junction with Highway 99; south on Highway 99 to the junction of 
Interstate 5; south on Interstate 5 to the crest of the Tehachapi 
Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest of the 
Tehachapi Mountains to where it intersects Highway 178 at Walker Pass; 
east on Highway 178 to the junction of Highway 395 at the town of 
Inyokern; south on Highway 395 to the junction of Highway 58; east on 
Highway 58 to the junction of Interstate 15; east on Interstate 15 to 
the junction with Highway 127; north on Highway 127 to the point of 
intersection with the California-Nevada State line.
    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 Road; north on Weist Road to Flowing Wells Road; 
northeast on Flowing Wells Road to the Coachella Canal; northwest on 
the Coachella Canal to Drop 18; a straight line from Drop 18 to Frink 
Road; south on Frink Road to Highway 111; north on Highway 111 to 
Niland Marina Road; southwest on Niland Marina Road 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.

[[Page 15903]]

    Zone 2: Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, and 
Teton Counties.
    Zone 3: Ada, Adams, Benewah, Blaine, Boise, Bonner, Boundary, 
Camas, Canyon, Cassia, Clearwater, Custer, Elmore, Franklin, Gem, 
Gooding, Idaho, Jerome, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Lincoln, 
Minidoka, Nez Perce, Oneida, Owyhee, Payette, Shoshone, Twin Falls, and 
Washington Counties; and Power County west of State Highway 37 and 
State Highway 39.
    Zone 4: Bear Lake County; Bingham County within the Blackfoot 
Reservoir drainage; and Caribou County, except that portion within the 
Fort Hall Indian Reservation.
    Zone 5: Valley County.
White-fronted Geese
    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: Bear Lake, Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, 
Madison, and Teton Counties; Bingham County within the Blackfoot 
Reservoir drainage; and Caribou County except within the Fort Hall 
Indian Reservation.
    Zone 3: Adams, Benewah, Blaine, Bonner, Boundary, Camas, 
Clearwater, Custer, Franklin, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Nez 
Perce, Oneida, and Shoshone Counties; and Power County west of State 
Highway 37 and State Highway 39.
    Zone 4: Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome, 
Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, and Washington 
Counties.
    Zone 5: Valley County.
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: Franklin and Oneida Counties; 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, Benewah, Blaine, Bonner, Boundary, Camas, 
Clearwater, Custer, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Nez Perce, 
and Shoshone Counties.
    Zone 5: Bear Lake, Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, 
Madison, and Teton Counties; Bingham County within the Blackfoot 
Reservoir drainage; and Caribou County except within the Fort Hall 
Indian Reservation.
    Zone 6: Valley County.
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 Road crosses the south shores of 
Horn Creek, north on Old Woods Road to Sand Lake Road at Woods, north 
on Sand Lake Road to the intersection with McPhillips Drive, due west 
(~200 yards) from the intersection to the Pacific coastline, south 
along the Pacific coastline to a point due west of the western end of 
Pacific Avenue in Pacific City, east from this point (~250 yards) to 
Pacific Avenue, east on Pacific Avenue to Brooten Road, south and then 
east on Brooten Road to Highway 101, north on Highway 101 to Resort 
Drive, north on Resort Drive 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, 
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
    East Box Elder County 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 on I-84 to I-80; south on I-80 to U.S.-189; 
south and west on U.S.-189 to the Utah County line; southeast and then 
west along this line to the Tooele County line; north along the Tooele 
County line to I-80; east on I-80 to Exit 99; north from Exit 99 along 
a direct line 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; north from this point along a direct 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.
    Southern Zone: Boundary includes Beaver, Carbon, Emery, Garfield, 
Grand, Iron, Juab, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, 
Washington, and Wayne Counties, and that part of Tooele County south of 
I-80.

[[Page 15904]]

    Northern Zone: The remainder of Utah not included in the East Box 
Elder County, Wasatch Front, and Southern Zones.
Washington
    Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
    Area 2 Inland (Southwest Permit Zone): Clark, Cowlitz, and 
Wahkiakum Counties, and that portion of Grays Harbor County east of 
Highway 101
    Area 2 Coastal (Southwest Permit Zone): Pacific County and that 
portion of Grays Harbor County west of Highway 101.
    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: Clallam, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties.
    Coastal Zone: Pacific County.

Swans

Central Flyway
South Dakota
    Open Area: 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
Idaho
    Open Area: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, and Kootenai Counties.
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: The remainder of the 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.
    Central Zone: That portion of the State lying between the North and 
South Zones.
    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: Same as the South Zone.

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
Alabama
    Open Area: That area north of Interstate 20 from the Georgia State 
line to the interchange with Interstate 65, then east of Interstate 65 
to the interchange with Interstate 22, then north of Interstate 22 to 
the Mississippi State line.

[[Page 15905]]

Minnesota
    Northwest 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
    Southeast Crane Zone: That portion of the State south of Interstate 
40 and east of State Highway 56.
    Remainder of State: That portion of Tennessee outside of the 
Southeast Crane Zone.
Central Flyway
Colorado
    Open Area: 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
    Central Zone: That portion of the State within an area bounded by a 
line beginning where I-35 crosses the Kansas-Oklahoma border, then 
north on I-35 to Wichita, then north on I-135 to Salina, then north on 
U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border, then west along the Kansas/Nebraska 
border to its intersection with Hwy 283, then south on Hwy 283 to the 
intersection with Hwy 18/24, then east along Hwy 18 to Hwy 183, then 
south on Hwy 183 to Route 1, then south on Route 1 to the Oklahoma 
border, then east along the Kansas/Oklahoma border to where it crosses 
I-35.
    West Zone: That portion of the State west of the western boundary 
of the Central Zone.
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 
NM 26, east to NM 27, north to NM 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
    Open Area: That portion of the State west of I-35.
South Dakota
    Open Area: That portion of the State lying west of a line beginning 
at the South Dakota-North Dakota border and State Highway 25, south on 
State Highway 25 to its junction with State Highway 34, east on State 
Highway 34 to its junction with U.S. Highway 81, then south on U.S. 
Highway 81 to the South Dakota-Nebraska border.
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 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

[[Page 15906]]

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
    Area 7: Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen, Laramie, Niobrara, 
Platte, and Weston Counties.
    Area 4: All lands within the Bureau of Reclamation's Riverton and 
Boysen Unit boundaries; those lands within Boysen State Park south of 
Cottonwood Creek, west of Boysen Reservoir, and south of U.S. Highway 
20-26; and all non[hyphen]Indian owned fee title lands within the 
exterior boundaries of the Wind River Reservation, excluding those 
lands within Hot Springs County.
    Area 6: Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park, and Washakie Counties.
    Area 8: Johnson, Natrona, and Sheridan Counties.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
    Zone 1: Beginning at the junction of the New Mexico State line and 
U.S. Hwy 80; south along the State line to the U.S.-Mexico border; west 
along the border to the San Pedro River; north along the San Pedro 
River to the junction with Arizona Hwy 77; northerly along Arizona Hwy 
77 to the Gila River; northeast along the Gila River to the San Carlos 
Indian Reservation boundary; south then east and north along the 
reservation boundary to U.S. Hwy 70; southeast on U.S. Hwy 70 to U.S. 
Hwy 191; south on U.S. Hwy 191 to the 352 exit on I-10; east on I-10 to 
Bowie-Apache Pass Road; southerly on the Bowie-Apache Pass Road to 
Arizona Hwy 186; southeasterly on Arizona Hwy 186 to Arizona Hwy 181; 
south on Arizona Hwy 181 to the West Turkey Creek-Kuykendall cutoff 
road; southerly on the Kuykendall cutoff road to Rucker Canyon Road; 
easterly on Rucker Canyon Road to the Tex Canyon Road; southerly on Tex 
Canyon Road to U.S. Hwy 80; northeast on U.S. Hwy 80 to the New Mexico 
State line.
    Zone 2: Beginning at I-10 and the New Mexico State line; north 
along the State line to Arizona Hwy 78; southwest on Arizona Hwy 78 to 
U.S. Hwy 191; northwest on U.S. Hwy 191 to Clifton; westerly on the 
Lower Eagle Creek Road (Pump Station Road) to Eagle Creek; northerly 
along Eagle Creek to the San Carlos Indian Reservation boundary; 
southerly and west along the reservation boundary to U.S. Hwy 70; 
southeast on U.S. Hwy 70 to U.S. Hwy 191; south on U.S. Hwy 191 to I-
10; easterly on I-10 to the New Mexico State line.
    Zone 3: Beginning on I-10 at the New Mexico State line; westerly on 
I-10 to the Bowie-Apache Pass Road; southerly on the Bowie-Apache Pass 
Road to AZ Hwy 186; southeast on AZ Hwy 186 to AZ Hwy 181; south on AZ 
Hwy 181 to the West Turkey Creek-Kuykendall cutoff road; southerly on 
the Kuykendall cutoff road to Rucker Canyon Road; easterly on the 
Rucker Canyon Road to Tex Canyon Road; southerly on Tex Canyon Road to 
U.S. Hwy 80; northeast on U.S. Hwy 80 to the New Mexico State line; 
north along the State line to I-10.
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.
    Area 6: That portion of Oneida County within the boundary beginning 
at the intersection of the Idaho-Utah border and Old Highway 191, then 
north on Old Highway 191 to 1500 S, then west on 1500 S to Highway 38, 
then west on Highway 38 to 5400 W, then south on 5400 W to
    Pocatello Valley Road, then west and south on Pocatello Valley Road 
to 10000 W, then south on 10000 W to the Idaho-Utah border, then east 
along the Idaho-Utah border to the beginning point.
Montana
    Zone 1: 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 Lane, 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: 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: Beaverhead, Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison Counties.
    Zone 4: 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: All of the Bear River and Ham's Fork River drainages in 
Lincoln County.
    Area 2: All of the Salt River drainage in Lincoln County south of 
the McCoy Creek Road.
    Area 3: All lands within the Bureau of Reclamation's Eden Project 
in Sweetwater County.
    Area 5: 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).

[[Page 15907]]

    Kodiak Zone: State Game Management Unit 8.

All Migratory Game Birds in the Virgin Islands

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

All Migratory Game Birds in Puerto Rico

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

[FR Doc. 2020-04918 Filed 3-18-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P