[Federal Register: August 30, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 167)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51521-51535]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30au05-16]
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Part IV
Department of the Interior
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Fish and Wildlife Service
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50 CFR Part 20
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory
Bird Hunting Regulations; Final Rule
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
RIN 1018-AT76
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This rule prescribes final early-season frameworks from which
the States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands may select season
dates, limits, and other options for the 2005-06 migratory bird hunting
seasons. Early seasons are those that generally open prior to October
1, and include seasons in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin
Islands. The effect of this final rule is to facilitate the selection
of hunting seasons by the States and Territories to further the annual
establishment of the early-season migratory bird hunting regulations.
DATES: This rule takes effect on August 30, 2005.
ADDRESSES: States and Territories should send their season selections
to: Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, MBSP-4107-ARLSQ, 1849 C
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. You may inspect comments during
normal business hours at the Service's office in room 4107, 4501 N.
Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Millsap, Chief, or Ron W. Kokel,
Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
(703) 358-1714.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulations Schedule for 2005
On April 6, 2005, we published in the Federal Register (70 FR
17574) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal provided a
background and overview of the migratory bird hunting regulations
process, and dealt with the establishment of seasons, limits, the
proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2005-06 duck hunting season,
and other regulations for migratory game birds under Sec. Sec. 20.101
through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. On June 24, 2005, we
published in the Federal Register (70 FR 36794) a second document
providing supplemental proposals for early- and late-season migratory
bird hunting regulations frameworks and the regulatory alternatives for
the 2005-06 duck hunting season. The June 24 supplement also provided
detailed information on the 2005-06 regulatory schedule and announced
the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway
Council meetings.
On June 22 and 23, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council
Consultants at which the participants reviewed information on the
current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and developed
recommendations for the 2005-06 regulations for these species plus
regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the
Virgin Islands, special September waterfowl seasons in designated
States, special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic Flyway, and extended
falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and discussed preliminary
information on the status of waterfowl as it relates to the development
and selection of the regulatory packages for the 2005-06 regular
waterfowl seasons. On August 1, we published in the Federal Register
(70 FR 44200) a third document specifically dealing with the proposed
frameworks for early-season regulations, and on August 22, we published
in the Federal Register (70 FR 49068) a fourth document specifically
dealing with the proposed frameworks for late-season regulations.
This document is the fifth in a series of proposed, supplemental,
and final rulemaking documents. It establishes final frameworks from
which States may select season dates, shooting hours, and daily bag and
possession limits for the 2005-06 season. These selections will be
published in the Federal Register as amendments to Sec. Sec. 20.101
through 20.107, and Sec. 20.109 of title 50 CFR part 20.
Review of Public Comments
The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the April 6
Federal Register, opened the public comment period for migratory game
bird hunting regulations. We have considered all pertinent comments
received. Comments are summarized below and numbered in the order used
in the April 6 Federal Register. We have included only the numbered
items pertaining to early-season issues for which we received comments.
Consequently, the issues do not follow in successive numerical or
alphabetical order. We received recommendations from all Flyway
Councils. Some recommendations supported continuation of last year's
frameworks. Due to the comprehensive nature of the Councils' annual
review of the frameworks, we assume Council support for continuation of
last year's frameworks for items for which we received no
recommendation. Council recommendations for changes are summarized
below.
1. Ducks
Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest
management are: (A) General Harvest Strategy, (B) Regulatory
Alternatives, including specification of framework dates, season
length, and bag limits, (C) Zones and Split Seasons, and (D) Special
Seasons/Species Management. The categories correspond to previously
published issues/discussions, and only those containing substantial
recommendations are discussed below.
4. Canada Geese
A. Special Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that Connecticut's September goose season framework dates of 1
September to 30 September become operational.
The Central Flyway Council recommended that Oklahoma's Experimental
September Canada Goose Hunting Season become operational for the time
period September 16-25, beginning with the September 2005 hunting
season.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended extending Idaho's
geographically limited September season framework to a Statewide
framework.
Service Response: We concur with the recommendations regarding
Connecticut's and Idaho's September goose seasons. We do not support
the Central Flyway Council recommendation to give operational status to
the experimental season in Oklahoma. The sample size of tail fans
necessary to determine the portion of migrant Canada geese in the
harvest is insufficient for the experimental period. We believe that
the experimental season should be extended for 1 year and we will work
with Oklahoma to complete collections required for this assessment.
B. Regular Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations
Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the
framework opening date for all species of geese be September 16 in 2005
and future years. If this recommendation is not approved, the
Committees recommended that the framework opening date for all species
of geese for
[[Page 51523]]
the regular goose seasons in Michigan and Wisconsin be September 16.
Service Response: We concur with the objective to increase harvest
pressure on resident Canada geese in the Mississippi Flyway, but do not
concur with a September 16 framework opening date throughout the
Flyway. A September 16 opening date Flyway-wide would require
establishing the regular season during the early-season regulations
process, which presents a number of administrative problems and has
implications beyond the Mississippi Flyway. Regarding the
recommendations for a September 16 framework opening date in Wisconsin
and Michigan, we concur. However, the opening dates in both States will
continue to be considered exceptions to the general Flyway opening
date, to be reconsidered annually.
9. Sandhill Cranes
Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended
using the 2005 Rocky Mountain Population sandhill crane harvest
allocation of 906 birds as proposed in the allocation formula using the
2002-2004 3-year running average. In addition, the Council recommended
no changes in the Mid-continent Population sandhill crane hunting
frameworks.
Service Response: As we indicated in the April 6 Federal Register,
during last year's waterfowl and sandhill crane hunting season, a group
of hunters in Kansas accidentally shot at some whooping cranes. Two of
the whooping cranes from this flock sustained injuries and were
subsequently captured and treated by agency and university personnel.
Both subsequently died after capture. We have worked with staff from
the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to review this incident,
and we concur with the Central Flyway Council recommendation for no
change to the Mid-Continent Sandhill Crane Population hunting season
frameworks. The State of Kansas has indicated that they will increase
and improve hunter outreach and education efforts concerning whooping
cranes in cooperation with the Service and will delay the opening of
the sandhill crane season through State regulations. We believe these
actions will minimize the potential conflicts with whooping cranes and
hunting in this area.
12. Rails
Written Comments: An individual expressed concern over the status
of several rail species and subspecies, particularly clapper rails in
Florida, and believed that since many States have closed rail hunting
that the Service should take similar action.
Service Response: Historically, monitoring of rail populations is
difficult due to their inconspicuous behavior and dense habitats that
they occupy. A recent status assessment of king rails in the
Mississippi Flyway indicated that loss of wetland habitat is
responsible for the perceived declines in king rails, and we believe
habitat declines are responsible for declines in other species. There
is no evidence that hunting mortality is responsible for such declines.
Recent estimates of rail harvest from the Harvest Information Program
indicate that total rail harvest in Florida was only 1,200 birds in
2003 and 4,900 birds in 2004 (report available at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/reports
). Further, clapper rail harvest accounts
for only 50% of the total rail harvest in the Atlantic Flyway;
therefore, we believe harvest of this species in Florida is low. We
promulgate hunting season frameworks (i.e. season length, bag limits)
for rails, within which States can choose their own seasons. As always,
States may be more restrictive than Federal frameworks, including
closures.
16. Mourning Doves
Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations
Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that zoning
remain an option for States in their management of mourning dove
harvest. The Committees recommend the following elements should be
noted or made part of any change in zoning policy by the Service:
1. There is no strong biological basis to establish a latitudinal
line below which zoning is mandatory in the Eastern Management Unit;
2. Use of September 20th as the earliest opening date for a South
Zone has no biological basis; and
3. Limiting the frequency that a State can select or change zoning
options is supported, but the time period between changes should not
exceed 5 years and States selecting Zoning should be able to revert
back to a non-zoning option for any remaining years left before Zoning
is again a regulatory option.
The Central Flyway Council recommends the following guidelines for
mourning dove hunting zones and periods in the Central Management Unit
(CMU).
1. The time interval between changes in zone boundaries or periods
within States in the CMU should not exceed five (5) years consistent
with the review schedule for duck zones and periods (i.e., 2006-2010,
2011-2015, etc).
2. States may select two (2) zones and three (3) segments except
Texas has the option to select three (3) zones and two (2) segments.
3. The opening date of September 20 in the South Zone in Texas with
the three (3) zone option will remain unchanged.
Service Response: We will defer the decision on dove zoning for 1
year, and will work with the Flyway Councils and Dove technical
committees to develop a consensus position on dove zoning by March
2006.
17. White-Winged and White-Tipped Doves
Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended
that the boundary for the White-winged Dove Area in Texas be extended
to include the area south and west of Interstate Highway 37 and U.S.
Highway 90, with an aggregate daily bag limit of 12 doves, no more than
3 of which may be mourning doves. All other regulations would remain
unchanged. The Council subsequently modified its recommendation to
reduce the expansion to that area south and west of Interstate Highway
35 and U.S. Highway 90, with an aggregate daily bag limit of 12 doves,
no more than 4 of which may be mourning doves and 2 of which may be
white-tipped doves.
Service Response: We concur with the modified Council
recommendation to expand the Special White-winged Dove Area to I-35 and
U.S. 90 and allow an aggregate daily bag limit of 12 doves, of which no
more than 4 may be mourning doves and 2 may be white-tipped doves.
However, we are concerned about the potential increased take of
mourning doves and will monitor the effects of this change. Further, we
appreciate Texas' willingness to work with the Service to establish
those surveys or studies that are needed and feasible to determine the
effects of this expanded hunting area on mourning doves. Specifically,
we are hopeful that the proposed comprehensive harvest surveys along
with implementation of extensive nesting and banding studies will
provide data that will help make future decisions.
18. Alaska
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended
that the Canvasback Harvest Strategy include a statement to the effect
that ``In general, Alaska may annually select a canvasback season with
limits of one daily, three in possession in lieu of annual
prescriptions from this strategy. In the event that the breeding
population declines to a level that
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indicates seasons will be closed for several years, the Service will
consult with the Pacific Flyway Council to decide whether Alaska
seasons should be closed.'' The Council and Service should appreciate
that if season closure decisions are made during the late season
process, Alaska will have to implement regulation changes by emergency
orders, which will conflict with widely distributed public regulations
summaries produced in July. Further, the Council recommended removal of
the [Canada] goose closure in the Aleutian Islands (Unit 10), reduction
of dark goose limits in Units 18 and 9(E) to four daily with no more
than two cackling/Canada geese, and reduction in the brant season
length in Unit 9(D) from 107 days to 30 days. The Council's latter two
recommendations are contingent on concomitant restrictions on primary
migration and wintering areas in the lower 48 states.
Service Response: We concur with the Council's recommendations.
Further, we support the recommendation for the additional language to
be added to the existing canvasback strategy describing the season
closure process for the State of Alaska. However, we request that the
Pacific Flyway Council continue to work with the Service to define what
objective measures might be used to more clearly describe when
canvasbacks would be closed in Alaska.
NEPA Consideration
NEPA considerations are covered by the programmatic document
``Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual
Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FSES 88-
14),'' filed with the Environmental Protection Agency on June 9, 1988.
We published a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on June
16, 1988 (53 FR 22582). We published our Record of Decision on August
18, 1988 (53 FR 31341). In addition, an August 1985 environmental
assessment entitled ``Guidelines for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
on Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands'' is available from the
address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES. Further, in a proposed
rule published in the April 30, 2001, Federal Register (66 FR 21298),
we expressed our intent to begin the process of developing a new
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the migratory bird
hunting program. We plan to begin the public scoping process this year.
Endangered Species Act Consideration
Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as amended (16 U.S.C.
1531-1543; 87 Stat. 884), provides that, ``The Secretary shall review
other programs administered by him and utilize such programs in
furtherance of the purposes of this Act'' (and) shall ``insure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out * * * is not likely to
jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or
threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification
of [critical] habitat * * *.'' Consequently, we conducted formal
consultations to ensure that actions resulting from these regulations
would not likely jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or
threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification
of their critical habitat. Findings from these consultations are
included in a biological opinion, which concluded that the regulations
are not likely to adversely affect any endangered or threatened
species. Additionally, these findings may have caused modification of
some regulatory measures previously proposed, and the final frameworks
reflect any such modifications. Our biological opinions resulting from
this Section 7 consultation are public documents available for public
inspection at the address indicated under ADDRESSES.
Executive Order 12866
The migratory bird hunting regulations are economically significant
and were reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under
Executive Order 12866. As such, a cost/benefit analysis was initially
prepared in 1981. This analysis was subsequently revised annually from
1990-96, updated in 1998, and updated again in 2004. It is further
discussed under the heading Regulatory Flexibility Act. Results from
the 2004 analysis indicate that the expected welfare benefit of the
annual migratory bird hunting frameworks is on the order of $734 to
$1,064 million, with a mid-point estimate of $899 million. Copies of
the cost/benefit analysis are available upon request from the address
indicated under ADDRESSES or from our Web site at http://www.migratorybirds.gov
.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
These regulations have a significant economic impact on substantial
numbers of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.). We analyzed the economic impacts of the annual
hunting regulations on small business entities in detail as part of the
1981 cost-benefit analysis discussed under Executive Order 12866. This
analysis was revised annually from 1990-95. In 1995, the Service issued
a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis), which was subsequently
updated in 1996, 1998, and 2004. The primary source of information
about hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting is the
National Hunting and Fishing Survey, which is conducted at 5-year
intervals. The 2004 Analysis was based on the 2001 National Hunting and
Fishing Survey and the U.S. Department of Commerce's County Business
Patterns, from which it was estimated that migratory bird hunters would
spend between $481 million and $1.2 billion at small businesses in
2004. Copies of the Analysis are available upon request from the
address indicated under ADDRESSES or from our Web site at http: //
http://www.migratorybirds.gov.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
This rule is a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. For the reasons outlined above,
this rule has an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more.
However, because it establishes hunting seasons, we do not plan to
defer the effective date required by 5 U.S.C. 801 under the exemption
contained in 5 U.S.C. 808(1).
Paperwork Reduction Act
We examined these regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995. The various recordkeeping and reporting requirements imposed
under regulations established in 50 CFR part 20, Subpart K, are
utilized in the formulation of migratory game bird hunting regulations.
Specifically, OMB has approved the information collection requirements
of the surveys associated with the Migratory Bird Harvest Information
Program and assigned clearance number 1018-0015 (expires 2/29/2008).
This information is used to provide a sampling frame for voluntary
national surveys to improve our harvest estimates for all migratory
game birds in order to better manage these populations. OMB has also
approved the information collection requirements of the Sandhill Crane
Harvest Survey and assigned clearance number 1018-0023 (expires 11/30/
2007). The information from this survey is used to estimate the
magnitude and the geographical and temporal distribution of the
harvest, and the portion it constitutes of the total population. A
Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required
to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
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Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
We have determined and certify, in compliance with the requirements
of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this
rulemaking will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given
year on local or State government or private entities. Therefore, this
rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act.
Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988
In promulgating this rule, we have determined that it will not
unduly burden the judicial system and that it meets the requirements of
sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.
Takings Implication Assessment
In accordance with Executive Order 12630, this rule, authorized by
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, does not have significant takings
implications and does not affect any constitutionally protected
property rights. This rule will not result in the physical occupancy of
property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory taking
of any property. In fact, these rules allow hunters to exercise
otherwise unavailable privileges and, therefore, reduce restrictions on
the use of private and public property.
Energy Effects--Executive Order 13211
On May 18, 2001, the President issued Executive Order 13211 on
regulations that significantly affect energy supply, distribution, and
use. Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of
Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. While this rule is a
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, it is not
expected to adversely affect energy supplies, distribution, or use.
Therefore, this action is not a significant energy action and no
Statement of Energy Effects is required.
Federalism Effects
Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the
Federal Government has been given responsibility over these species by
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We annually prescribe frameworks from
which the States make selections regarding the hunting of migratory
birds, and we employ guidelines to establish special regulations on
Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. This process preserves the
ability of the States and tribes to determine which seasons meet their
individual needs. Any State or tribe may be more restrictive than the
Federal frameworks at any time. The frameworks are developed in a
cooperative process with the States and the Flyway Councils. This
process allows States to participate in the development of frameworks
from which they will make selections, thereby having an influence on
their own regulations. These rules do not have a substantial direct
effect on fiscal capacity, change the roles or responsibilities of
Federal or State governments, or intrude on State policy or
administration. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132,
these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and do not
have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a
federalism assessment.
Regulations Promulgation
The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its
nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, we intend that
the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to comment. Thus,
when the preliminary proposed rulemaking was published, we established
what we believed were the longest periods possible for public comment.
In doing this, we recognized that when the comment period closed, time
would be of the essence. That is, if there were a delay in the
effective date of these regulations after this final rulemaking, States
would have insufficient time to select season dates and limits; to
communicate those selections to us; and to establish and publicize the
necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions. We
therefore find that ``good cause'' exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, and these frameworks
will, therefore, take effect immediately upon publication. Therefore,
under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July 3, 1918), as
amended (16 U.S.C. 703-711), we prescribe final frameworks setting
forth the species to be hunted, the daily bag and possession limits,
the shooting hours, the season lengths, the earliest opening and latest
closing season dates, and hunting areas, from which State conservation
agency officials will select hunting season dates and other options.
Upon receipt of season selections from these officials, we will publish
a final rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect seasons, limits,
and shooting hours for the conterminous United States for the 2005-06
season.
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 2005-06
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742
a-j.
Dated: August 11, 2005.
Julie MacDonald,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
Final Regulations Frameworks for 2005-06 Early Hunting Seasons on
Certain Migratory Game Birds
Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated
authorities, the Department of the Interior approved the following
frameworks, which prescribe season lengths, bag limits, shooting hours,
and outside dates within which States may select hunting seasons for
certain migratory game birds between September 1, 2005, and March 10,
2006.
General
Dates: All outside dates noted below are inclusive.
Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise
specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.
Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits
are twice the daily bag limit.
Flyways and Management Units
Waterfowl Flyways
Atlantic Flyway--includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway--includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri,
Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Central Flyway--includes Colorado (east of the Continental Divide),
Kansas, Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith Basin,
Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties east thereof),
Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except the
Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the Continental Divide).
Pacific Flyway--includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho,
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado,
Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.
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Management Units
Mourning Dove Management Units:
Eastern Management Unit--All States east of the Mississippi River,
and Louisiana.
Central Management Unit--Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas,
Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Western Management Unit--Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Woodcock Management Regions:
Eastern Management Region--Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia.
Central Management Region--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Other geographic descriptions are contained in a later portion of
this document.
Compensatory Days in the Atlantic Flyway: In the Atlantic Flyway
States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, where Sunday
hunting is prohibited statewide by State law, all Sundays are closed to
all take of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and coots).
Special September Teal Season
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season
on all species of teal may be selected by the following States in areas
delineated by State regulations:
Atlantic Flyway--Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North
Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Central Flyway--Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska (part), New
Mexico (part), Oklahoma, and Texas.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 9 consecutive
days in the Atlantic Flyway and (to be determined) in the Mississippi
and Central Flyways. The daily bag limit is 4 teal.
Shooting Hours:
Atlantic Flyway--One-half hour before sunrise to sunset except in
Maryland, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.
Mississippi and Central Flyways--One-half hour before sunrise to
sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri,
and Ohio, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.
Special September Duck Seasons
Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee: In lieu of a special September
teal season, a 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September.
The daily bag limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the
aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks.
Iowa: Iowa may hold up to 5 days of its regular duck hunting season
in September. All ducks that are legal during the regular duck season
may be taken during the September segment of the season. The September
season segment may commence no earlier than the Saturday nearest
September 20 (September 17). The daily bag and possession limits will
be the same as those in effect last year, but are subject to change
during the late-season regulations process. The remainder of the
regular duck season may not begin before October 10.
Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days
Outside Dates: States may select two consecutive days (hunting days
in Atlantic Flyway States with compensatory days) per duck-hunting
zone, designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,'' in addition to
their regular duck seasons. The days must be held outside any regular
duck season on a weekend, holidays, or other non-school days when youth
hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate. The days may
be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-season
frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or within any
other open season on migratory birds.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits may include ducks, geese,
mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and would be the same as
those allowed in the regular season. Flyway species and area
restrictions would remain in effect.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Participation Restrictions: Youth hunters must be 15 years of age
or younger. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age must
accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult may not duck hunt
but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special youth
day.
Scoter, Eider, and Oldsquaw Ducks (Atlantic Flyway)
Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 107 days, with
a daily bag limit of 7, singly or in the aggregate, of the listed sea-
duck species, of which no more than 4 may be scoters.
Daily Bag Limits During the Regular Duck Season: Within the special
sea duck areas, during the regular duck season in the Atlantic Flyway,
States may choose to allow the above sea duck limits in addition to the
limits applying to other ducks during the regular duck season. In all
other areas, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular open season
for ducks and are part of the regular duck season daily bag (not to
exceed 4 scoters) and possession limits.
Areas: In all coastal waters and all waters of rivers and streams
seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in any waters
of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay which are
separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and
emergent vegetation in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Georgia; and in
any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay
which are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any shore,
island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina,
and Virginia; and provided that any such areas have been described,
delineated, and designated as special sea-duck hunting areas under the
hunting regulations adopted by the respective States.
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons
Atlantic Flyway
General Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected for the Eastern Unit of Maryland and Delaware. Seasons not to
exceed 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected for Connecticut,
the Northeast Hunt Unit of North Carolina, New Jersey, and Rhode
Island. Except for experimental seasons described below, 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 8 Canada geese.
Experimental Seasons
Experimental Canada goose seasons of up to 25 days during September
1-25
[[Page 51527]]
may be selected for the Montezuma Region of New York and the Lake
Champlain Region of New York and Vermont. Experimental seasons of up to
30 days during September 1-30 may be selected by Florida, Georgia, New
York (Long Island Zone), North Carolina (except in the Northeast Hunt
Unit), and South Carolina. 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 8 Canada geese.
Mississippi Flyway
General Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected, except in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, where the season
may not extend beyond September 10, and in Minnesota (except in the
Northwest Goose Zone), where a season of up to 22 days during September
1-22 may be selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada
geese. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described,
delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
A Canada goose season of up to 10 consecutive days during September
1-10 may be selected by Michigan for Huron, Saginaw, and Tuscola
Counties, except that the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge,
Shiawassee River State Game Area Refuge, and the Fish Point Wildlife
Area Refuge will remain closed. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5
Canada geese.
Central Flyway
General Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open
to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and
designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
A Canada goose season of up to 15 consecutive days during September
16-30 may be selected by South Dakota. The daily bag limit may not
exceed 5 Canada geese.
Experimental Seasons
An experimental Canada goose season of up to 9 consecutive days
during September 22-30 may be selected by Oklahoma. The daily bag limit
may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
An experimental Canada goose season of up to 15 consecutive days
during September 16-30 may be selected by Nebraska. The daily bag limit
may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
Pacific Flyway
General Seasons
California may select a 9-day season in Humboldt County during the
period September 1-15. The daily bag limit is 2.
Colorado may select a 9-day season during the period of September
1-15. The daily bag limit is 3.
Oregon may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days
during the period September 1-15. In addition, in the NW goose
management zone in Oregon, a 15-day season may be selected during the
period September 1-20. Daily bag limits may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
Idaho may select a 7-day season during the period September 1-15.
The daily bag limit is 2 and the possession limit is 4.
Washington may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15
days during the period September 1-15. Daily bag limits may not exceed
5 Canada geese.
Wyoming may select an 8-day season on Canada geese between
September 1-15. This season is subject to the following conditions:
1. Where applicable, the season must be concurrent with the
September portion of the sandhill crane season.
2. A daily bag limit of 2, with season and possession limits of 4,
will apply to the special season.
Areas open to hunting of Canada geese in each State must be
described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting
regulations.
Regular Goose Seasons
Regular goose seasons may open as early as September 16 in
Wisconsin and Michigan. Season lengths, bag and possession limits, and
other provisions will be established during the late-season regulations
process.
Sandhill Cranes
Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway:
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28.
Hunting Seasons: Seasons not to exceed 37 consecutive days may be
selected in designated portions of North Dakota (Area 2) and Texas
(Area 2). Seasons not to exceed 58 consecutive days may be selected in
designated portions of the following States: Colorado, Kansas, Montana,
North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Seasons not to exceed 93
consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of the
following States: New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes, except 2 sandhill cranes in
designated portions of North Dakota (Area 2) and Texas (Area 2).
Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane
seasons must have a valid Federal sandhill crane hunting permit and/or,
in those States where a Federal sandhill crane permit is not issued, a
State-issued Harvest Information Survey Program (HIP) certification for
game bird hunting in their possession while hunting.
Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways: Arizona,
Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming may select
seasons for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the Rocky
Mountain Population (RMP) subject to the following conditions:
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: The season in any State or zone may not exceed 30
days.
Bag limits: Not to exceed 3 daily and 9 per season.
Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the
appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.
Other provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates,
protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons
must be consistent with the management plan and approved by the Central
and Pacific Flyway Councils with the following exceptions:
1. In Utah, the requirement for monitoring the racial composition
of the harvest in the experimental season is waived, and 100 percent of
the harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota;
2. In Arizona, monitoring the racial composition of the harvest
must be conducted at 3 year intervals;
3. In Idaho, seasons are experimental, and the requirement for
monitoring the racial composition of the harvest is waived; 100 percent
of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota; and
4. In New Mexico, the season in the Estancia Valley is
experimental, with a requirement to monitor the level and racial
composition of the harvest; greater sandhill cranes in the harvest will
be assigned to the RMP quota.
Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 20 in the Atlantic
Flyway, and between September 1 and the Sunday nearest January 20
(January 22) in the Mississippi and Central Flyways. States in the
Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons
between the outside dates for the season on ducks; therefore, they are
late-season frameworks, and no frameworks are provided in this
document.
[[Page 51528]]
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 20 on clapper, king, sora, and Virginia rails.
Hunting Seasons: The season may not exceed 70 days, and may be
split into 2 segments.
Daily Bag Limits: Clapper and King Rails--In Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, 10, singly or in the
aggregate of the two species. In Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi,
Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and
Virginia, 15, singly or in the aggregate of the two species.
Sora and Virginia Rails--In the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central
Flyways and the Pacific-Flyway portions of Colorado, Montana, New
Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 daily and 25 in possession, singly or in the
aggregate of the two species. The season is closed in the remainder of
the Pacific Flyway.
Common Snipe
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28, except in
Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia,
where the season must end no later than January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 107
days and may be split into two segments. The daily bag limit is 8
snipe.
Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck
hunting.
American Woodcock
Outside Dates: States in the Eastern Management Region may select
hunting seasons between October 1 and January 31. States in the Central
Management Region may select hunting seasons between the Saturday
nearest September 22 (September 24) and January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 30
days in the Eastern Region and 45 days in the Central Region. The daily
bag limit is 3. Seasons may be split into two segments.
Zoning: New Jersey may select seasons in each of two zones. The
season in each zone may not exceed 24 days.
Band-Tailed Pigeons
Pacific Coast States (California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada)
Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 1.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive
days, with a daily bag limit of 2 band-tailed pigeons.
Zoning: California may select hunting seasons not to exceed 9
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the North Zone
must close by October 3.
Four-Corners States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah)
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and November 30.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 30 consecutive
days, with a daily bag limit of 5 band-tailed pigeons.
Zoning: New Mexico may select hunting seasons not to exceed 20
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the South Zone may
not open until October 1.
Mourning Doves
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15, except as
otherwise provided, States may select hunting seasons and daily bag
limits as follows:
Eastern Management Unit. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not
more than 70 days with a daily bag limit of 12, or not more than 60
days with a daily bag limit of 15.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more
than three periods. The hunting seasons in the South Zones of Alabama,
Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana may commence no earlier than September
20. Regulations for bag and possession limits, season length, and
shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting zones.
Central Management Unit. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not
more than 70 days with a daily bag limit of 12 mourning and white-
winged doves in the aggregate, or not more than 60 days with a bag
limit of 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more
than three periods.
Texas may select hunting seasons for each of three zones subject to
the following conditions:
A. The hunting season may be split into not more than two periods,
except in that portion of Texas in which the special white-winged dove
season is allowed, where a limited mourning dove season may be held
concurrently with that special season (see white-winged dove
frameworks).
B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between
September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between September 20
and January 25.
C. Daily bag limits are aggregate bag limits with mourning, white-
winged, and white-tipped doves (see white-winged dove frameworks for
specific daily bag limit restrictions).
D. Except as noted above, regulations for bag and possession
limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within each
hunting zone.
Western Management Unit. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits:
Idaho, Oregon, and Washington--Not more than 30 consecutive days with a
daily bag limit of 10 mourning doves.
Utah--Not more than 30 consecutive days with a daily bag limit that
may not exceed 10 mourning doves and white-winged doves in the
aggregate.
Nevada--Not more than 30 consecutive days with a daily bag limit of
10 mourning doves, except in Clark and Nye Counties, where the daily
bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the
aggregate.
Arizona and California--Not more than 60 days, which may be split
between two periods, September 1-15 and November 1-January 15. In
Arizona, during the first segment of the season, the daily bag limit is
10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more
than 6 may be white-winged doves. During the remainder of the season,
the daily bag limit is 10 mourning doves. In California, the daily bag
limit is 10 mourning doves, except in Imperial, Riverside, and San
Bernardino Counties, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 10
mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
White-Winged and White-Tipped Doves
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Except as shown below,
seasons must be concurrent with mourning dove seasons.
Eastern Management Unit: In Florida, the daily bag limit may not
exceed 12 mourning and white-winged doves (15 under the alternative) in
the aggregate, of which no more than 4 may be white-winged doves.
In the remainder of the Eastern Management Unit, the season is
closed.
[[Page 51529]]
Central Management Unit: In Texas, the daily bag limit may not
exceed 12 mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped doves (15 under the
alternative) in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be white-
tipped doves. In addition, Texas also may select a hunting season of
not more than 4 days for the special white-winged dove area of the
South Zone between September 1 and September 19. The daily bag limit
may not exceed 12 white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the
aggregate, of which no more than 4 may be mourning doves and 2 may be
white-tipped doves.
In the remainder of the Central Management Unit, the daily bag
limit may not exceed 12 (15 under the alternative) mourning and white-
winged doves in the aggregate.
Western Management Unit: Arizona may select a hunting season of not
more than 30 consecutive days, running concurrently with the first
segment of the mourning dove season. The daily bag limit may not exceed
10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more
than 6 may be white-winged doves.
In Utah, the Nevada Counties of Clark and Nye, and in the
California Counties of Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino, the
daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in
the aggregate.
In the remainder of the Western Management Unit, the season is
closed.
Alaska
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 26.
Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select 107 consecutive days for
waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and common snipe in each of 5 zones. The
season may be split without penalty in the Kodiak Zone. The seasons in
each zone must be concurrent.
Closures: The hunting season is closed on emperor geese, spectacled
eiders, and Steller's eiders.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Ducks--Except as noted, a basic
daily bag limit of 7 and a possession limit of 21 ducks. Daily bag and
possession limits in the North Zone are 10 and 30, and in the Gulf
Coast Zone, they are 8 and 24. The basic limits may include no more
than 1 canvasback daily and 3 in possession and may not include sea
ducks.
In addition to the basic duck limits, Alaska may select sea duck
limits of 10 daily, 20 in possession, singly or in the aggregate,
including no more than 6 each of either harlequin or long-tailed ducks.
Sea ducks include scoters, common and king eiders, harlequin ducks,
long-tailed ducks, and common and red-breasted mergansers.
Light Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 3 and a possession limit of
6.
Dark Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit of
8.
Dark-goose seasons are subject to the following exceptions:
1. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from
September 28 through December 16. A special, permit-only Canada goose
season may be offered on Middleton Island. No more than 10 permits can
be issued. A mandatory goose identification class is required. Hunters
must check in and check out. The bag limit is 1 daily and 1 in
possession. The season will close if incidental harvest includes 5
dusky Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada
goose (Munsell 10 YR color value five or less) with a bill length
between 40 and 50 millimeters.
2. In Unit 9(D) and the Unimak Island portion of Unit 10, the
limits for dark geese are 6 daily and 12 in possession.
3. In Units 9(E) and 18, the limit for dark geese is 4 daily,
including no more than 2 Canada geese.
4. In Unit 9, season length for brant is 30 days.
Brant--A daily bag limit of 2.
Common snipe--A daily bag limit of 8.
Sandhill cranes--Bag and possession limits of 2 and 4,
respectively, in the Southeast, Gulf Coast, Kodiak, and Aleutian Zones,
and Unit 17 in the Northern Zone. In the remainder of the Northern Zone
(outside Unit 17), bag and possession limits of 3 and 6, respectively.
Tundra Swans--Open seasons for tundra swans may be selected subject
to the following conditions:
1. All seasons are by registration permit only.
2. All season framework dates are September 1-October 31.
3. In Game Management Unit (GMU) 17, no more than 200 permits may
be issued during this operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans
may be authorized per permit with no more than 1 permit issued per
hunter per season.
4. In Game Management Unit (GMU) 18, no more than 500 permits may
be issued during the operational season. Up to 3 tundra swans may be
authorized per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter
per season.
5. In GMU 22, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the
operational season. Each permittee may be authorized to take up to 3
tundra swan per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter
per season.
6. In GMU 23, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the
operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans may be authorized per
permit with no more than 1 permit issued per hunter per season.
Hawaii
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 65 days (75 under the alternative)
for mourning doves.
Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 (12 under the alternative) mourning
doves.
Note: Mourning doves may be taken in Hawaii in accordance with
shooting hours and other regulations set by the State of Hawaii, and
subject to the applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20.
Puerto Rico
Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 15 Zenaida,
mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which not more
than 3 may be mourning doves. Not to exceed 5 scaly-naped pigeons.
Closed Areas: There is no open season on doves or pigeons in the
following areas: Municipality of Culebra, Desecheo Island, Mona Island,
El Verde Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas.
Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and Snipe
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 days may be selected for hunting
ducks, common moorhens, and common snipe. The season may be split into
two segments.
Daily Bag Limits: Ducks--Not to exceed 6.
Common moorhens--Not to exceed 6.
Common snipe--Not to exceed 8.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, 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.
[[Page 51530]]
Virgin Islands
Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days for Zenaida doves.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida doves.
Closed Seasons: No open season is prescribed for ground or quail
doves, or pigeons in the Virgin Islands.
Closed Areas: There is no open season for migratory game birds on
Ruth Cay (just south of St. Croix).
Local Names for Certain Birds: Zenaida dove, also known as mountain
dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as Barbary dove or partridge;
Common ground-dove, also known as stone dove, tobacco dove, rola, or
tortolita; scaly-naped pigeon, also known as red-necked or scaled
pigeon.
Ducks
Outside Dates: Between December 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 consecutive days.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 6.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck,
and masked duck.
Special Falconry Regulations
Falconry is a permitted means of taking migratory game birds in any
State meeting Federal falconry standards in 50 CFR 21.29(k). These
States may select an extended season for taking migratory game birds in
accordance with the following:
Extended Seasons: For all hunting methods combined, the combined
length of the extended season, regular season, and any special or
experimental seasons must not exceed 107 days for any species or group
of species in a geographical area. Each extended season may be divided
into a maximum of 3 segments.
Framework Dates: Seasons must fall between September 1 and March
10.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Falconry daily bag and possession
limits for all permitted migratory game birds must not exceed 3 and 6
birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate, during extended
falconry seasons, any special or experimental seasons, and regular
hunting seasons in all States, including those that do not select an
extended falconry season.
Regular Seasons: General hunting regulations, including seasons and
hunting hours, apply to falconry in each State listed in 50 CFR
21.29(k). Regular-season bag and possession limits do not apply to
falconry. The falconry bag limit is not in addition to gun limits.
Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions
Mourning and White-Winged Doves
Alabama
South Zone--Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia,
Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties.
North Zone--Remainder of the State.
California
White-winged Dove Open Areas--Imperial, Riverside, and San
Bernardino Counties.
Florida
Northwest Zone--The Counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin,
Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton,
Washington, Leon (except that portion north of U.S. 27 and east of
State Road 155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of State Road 59 and
north of U.S. 98), and Wakulla (except that portion south of U.S. 98
and east of the St. Marks River).
South Zone--Remainder of State.
Louisiana
North Zone--That portion of the State north of Interstate Highway
10 from the Texas State line to Baton Rouge, Interstate Highway 12 from
Baton Rouge to Slidell and Interstate Highway 10 from Slidell to the
Mississippi State line.
South Zone--The remainder of the State.
Nevada
White-winged Dove Open Areas--Clark and Nye Counties.
Texas
North Zone--That portion of the State north of a line beginning at
the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; north along FM 1088 to
TX 20; west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along TX 148 to I-10 at Fort
Hancock; east along I-10 to I-20; northeast along I-20 to I-30 at Fort
Worth; northeast along I-30 to the Texas-Arkansas State line.
South Zone--That portion of the State south and west of a line
beginning at the International Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east
on U.S. 90 to State Loop 1604 west of San Antonio; then south, east,
and north along Loop 1604 to Interstate Highway 10 east of San Antonio;
then east on I-10 to Orange, Texas.
Special White-winged Dove Area in the South Zone--That portion of
the State south and west of a line beginning at the International
Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east on U.S. 90 to State Loop 1604
west of San Antonio, southeast on State Loop 1604 to Interstate Highway
35, southwest on Interstate Highway 35 to TX 44; east along TX 44 to TX
16 at Freer; south along TX 16 to TX 285 at Hebbronville; east along TX
285 to FM 1017; southwest along FM 1017 to TX 186 at Linn; east along
TX 186 to the Mansfield Channel at Port Mansfield; east along the
Mansfield Channel to the Gulf of Mexico.
Area with additional restrictions--Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and
Willacy Counties.
Central Zone--That portion of the State lying between the North and
South Zones.
Band-Tailed Pigeons
California
North Zone--Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen,
Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity
Counties.
South Zone--The remainder of the State.
New Mexico
North Zone--North of a line following U.S. 60 from the Arizona
State line east to I-25 at Socorro and then south along I-25 from
Socorro to the Texas State line.
South Zone--Remainder of the State.
Washington
Western Washington--The State of Washington excluding those
portions lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big
White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
Woodcock
New Jersey
North Zone--That portion of the State north of NJ 70.
South Zone--The remainder of the State.
Special September Canada Goose Seasons
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
North Zone--That portion of the State north of I-95.
South Zone--Remainder of the State.
Maryland
Eastern Unit--Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles,
Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot,
Wicomico, and Worcester Counties, and those portions of Baltimore,
Howard, and Prince George's Counties east of I-95.
[[Page 51531]]
Western Unit--Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery,
and Washington Counties, and those portions of Baltimore, Howard, and
Prince George's Counties west of I-95.
Massachusetts
Western Zone--That portion of the State west of a line extending
south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10,
south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut
border.
Central Zone--That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-
95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on
MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west
to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards
inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the
MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St.
bridge will be in the Coastal Zone.
Coastal Zone--That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the
Central Zone.
New York
Lake Champlain Zone--The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay;
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont
border.
Long Island Zone--That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their
tidal waters.
Western Zone--That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border, except for the Montezuma Zone.
Montezuma Zone--Those portions of Cayuga, Seneca, Ontario, Wayne,
and Oswego Counties north of U.S. Route 20, east of NYS Route 104,
south of NYS Route 104, and west of NYS Route 34.
Northeastern Zone--That area north of a line extending from Lake
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
Southeastern Zone--The remaining portion of New York.
North Carolina
Northeast Hunt Unit--Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde,
Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties; that portion
of Bertie County north and east of a line formed by NC 45 at the
Washington County line to U.S. 17 in Midway, U.S. 17 in Midway to U.S.
13 in Windsor to the Hertford County line; and that portion of
Northampton County that is north of U.S. 158 and east of NC 35.
Vermont
Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area north and west of the line extending from the New York border
along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes;
U.S. 7 to the Canadian border.
Interior Zone: That portion of Vermont west of the Lake Champlain
Zone and eastward of a line extending from the Massachusetts border at
Interstate 91; north along Interstate 91 to U.S. 2; east along U.S. 2
to VT 102; north along VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 253 to the
Canadian border.
Connecticut River Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont east of
the Interior Zone.
Mississippi Flyway
Illinois
Northeast Canada Goose Zone--Cook, Du Page, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee,
Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.
North Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast Canada
Goose Zone and north of a line extending east from the Iowa border
along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate Highway 280, east along I-280
to I-80, then east along I-80 to the Indiana border.
Central Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast
Canada Goose Zone and south of the North Zone to a line extending east
from the Missouri border along the Modoc Ferry route to Modoc Ferry
Road, east along Modoc Ferry Road to Modoc Road, northeasterly along
Modoc Road and St. Leo's Road to Illinois Highway 3, north along
Illinois 3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159 to Illinois 161,
east along Illinois 161 to Illinois 4, north along Illinois 4 to
Interstate Highway 70, east along I-70 to the Bond County line, north
and east along the Bond County line to Fayette County, north and east
along the Fayette County line to Effingham County, east and south along
the Effingham County line to I-70, then east along I-70 to the Indiana
border.
South Zone: The remainder of Illinois.
Iowa
North Zone: That portion of the State north of U.S. Highway 20.
South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Goose Zone. Includes portions of Linn and
Johnson Counties bounded as follows: Beginning at the intersection of
the west border of Linn County and Linn County Road E2W; thence south
and east along County Road E2W to Highway 920; thence north along
Highway 920 to County Road E16; thence east along County Road E16 to
County Road W58; thence south along County Road W58 to County Road E34;
thence east along County Road E34 to Highway 13; thence south along
Highway 13 to Highway 30; thence east along Highway 30 to Highway 1;
thence south along Highway 1 to Morse Road in Johnson County; thence
east along Morse Road to Wapsi Avenue; thence south along Wapsi Avenue
to Lower West Branch Road; thence west along Lower West Branch Road to
Taft Avenue; thence south along Taft Avenue to County Road F62; thence
west along County Road F62 to Kansas Avenue; thence north along Kansas
Avenue to Black Diamond Road; thence west on Black Diamond Road to
Jasper Avenue; thence north along Jasper Avenue to Rohert Road; thence
west along Rohert Road to Ivy Avenue; thence north along Ivy Avenue to
340th Street; thence west along 340th Street to Half Moon Avenue;
thence north along Half Moon Avenue to Highway 6; thence west along
Highway 6 to Echo Avenue; thence north along Echo Avenue to 250th
Street; thence east on 250th Street to Green Castle Avenue; thence
north along Green Castle Avenue to County Road F12; thence west along
County Road F12 to County Road W30; thence north along County Road W30
to Highway 151; thence north along the Linn-Benton County line to the
point of beginning.
Des Moines Goose Zone. Includes those portions of Polk, Warren,
Madison and Dallas Counties bounded as follows: Beginning at the
intersection of Northwest 158th Avenue and County Road R38 in Polk
County; thence south along R38 to Northwest 142nd Avenue; thence east
along Northwest 142nd Avenue to Northeast 126th Avenue; thence east
along Northeast 126th Avenue to Northeast 46th Street; thence south
along Northeast 46th Street to Highway 931; thence east along Highway
931 to Northeast 80th Street; thence south along Northeast 80th Street
[[Page 51532]]
to Southeast 6th Avenue; thence west along Southeast 6th Avenue to
Highway 65; thence south and west along Highway 65 to Highway 69 in
Warren County; thence south along Highway 69 to County Road G24; thence
west along County Road G24 to Highway 28; thence southwest along
Highway 28 to 43rd Avenue; thence north along 43rd Avenue to Ford
Street; thence west along Ford Street to Filmore Street; thence west
along Filmore Street to 10th Avenue; thence south along 10th Avenue to
155th Street in Madison County; thence west along 155th Street to
Cumming Road; thence north along Cumming Road to Badger Creek Avenue;
thence north along Badger Creek Avenue to County Road F90 in Dallas
County; thence east along County Road F90 to County Road R22; thence
north along County Road R22 to Highway 44; thence east along Highway 44
to County Road R30; thence north along County Road R30 to County Road
F31; thence east along County Road F31 to Highway 17; thence north
along Highway 17 to Highway 415 in Polk County; thence east along
Highway 415 to Northwest 158th Avenue; thence east along Northwest
158th Avenue to the point of beginning.
Michigan
North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line
beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the
mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly
and southerly along the south shore of, Stony Creek to Scenic Drive,
easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly
along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along
Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of
Midland, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, east along U.S. 10 to
Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north along I-75/U.S. 23 to the
U.S. 23 exit at Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore Road in Arenac
County, east along Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout, then on a
line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a
line directly northeast to the Canada border.
South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.
Minnesota
Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone--
A. All of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.
B. In Anoka County, all of Columbus Township lying south of County
State Aid Highway (CSAH) 18, Anoka County; all of the cities of Ramsey,
Andover, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Spring Lake Park, Fridley, Hilltop,
Columbia Heights, Blaine, Lexington, Circle Pines, Lino Lakes, and
Centerville; and all of the city of Ham Lake except that portion lying
north of CSAH 18 and east of U.S. Highway 65.
C. That part of Carver County lying north and east of the following
described line: Beginning at the northeast corner of San Francisco
Township; thence west along the north boundary of San Francisco
Township to the east boundary of Dahlgren Township; thence north along
the east boundary of Dahlgren Township to U.S. Highway 212; thence west
along U.S. Highway 212 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 284; thence north
on STH 284 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10; thence north and west
on CSAH 10 to CSAH 30; thence north and west on CSAH 30 to STH 25;
thence east and north on STH 25 to CSAH 10; thence north on CSAH 10 to
the Carver County line.
D. In Scott County, all of the cities of Shakopee, Savage, Prior
Lake, and Jordan, and all of the Townships of Jackson, Louisville, St.
Lawrence, Sand Creek, Spring Lake, and Credit River.
E. In Dakota County, all of the cities of Burnsville, Eagan,
Mendota Heights, Mendota, Sunfish Lake, Inver Grove Heights, Apple
Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Farmington, Hastings, Lilydale, West St.
Paul, and South St. Paul, and all of the Township of Nininger.
F. That portion of Washington County lying south of the following
described line: Beginning at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 on the
west boundary of the county; thence east on CSAH 2 to U.S. Highway 61;
thence south on U.S. Highway 61 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 97; thence
east on STH 97 to the intersection of STH 97 and STH 95; thence due
east to the east boundary of the State.
Northwest Goose Zone--That portion of the State encompassed by a
line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2
to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east
along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north
along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to
STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along
CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in
Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH
310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
Southeast Goose Zone--That part of the State within the following
described boundaries: beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 52
and the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone;
thence along the U.S. Highway 52 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 57;
thence along STH 57 to the municipal boundary of Kasson; thence along
the municipal boundary of Kasson County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 13,
Dodge County; thence along CSAH 13 to STH 30; thence along STH 30 to
U.S. Highway 63; thence along U.S. Highway 63 to the south boundary of
the State; thence along the south and east boundaries of the State to
the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; thence
along said boundary to the point of beginning.
Five Goose Zone--That portion of the State not included in the Twin
Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone, the Northwest Goose Zone, or the
Southeast Goose Zone.
West Zone--That portion of the State encompassed by a line
beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa
border, then north and east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, north
along U.S. 71 to Interstate Highway 94, then north and west along I-94
to the North Dakota border.
Tennessee
Middle Tennessee Zone--Those portions of Houston, Humphreys,
Montgomery, Perry, and Wayne Counties east of State Highway 13; and
Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles,
Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Moore,
Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson
Counties.
East Tennessee Zone--Anderson, Bledsoe, Bradley, Blount, Campbell,
Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Grainger,
Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jackson,
Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe,
Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie,
Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, and
White Counties.
Wisconsin
Early-Season Subzone A--That portion of the State encompassed by a
line beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 141 and the Michigan
border near Niagara, then south along U.S. 141 to State Highway 22,
west and southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45, south along U.S. 45 to
State 22, west
[[Page 51533]]
and south along State 22 to State 110, south along State 110 to U.S.
10, south along U.S. 10 to State 49, south along State 49 to State 23,
west along State 23 to State 73, south along State 73 to State 60, west
along State 60 to State 23, south along State 23 to State 11, east
along State 11 to State 78, then south along State 78 to the Illinois
border.
Early-Season Subzone B--The remainder of the State.
Central Flyway
Kansas
September Canada Goose Kansas City/Topeka Unit--That part of Kansas
bounded by a line from the Kansas-Missouri State line west on KS 68 to
its junction with KS 33, then north on KS 33 to its junction with U.S.
56, then west on U.S. 56 to its junction with KS 31, then west-
northwest on KS 31 to its junction with KS 99, then north on KS 99 to
its junction with U.S. 24, then east on U.S. 24 to its junction with KS
63, then north on KS 63 to its junction with KS 16, then east on KS 16
to its junction with KS 116, then east on KS 116 to its junction with
U.S. 59, then northeast on U.S. 59 to its junction with the Kansas-
Missouri line, then south on the Kansas-Missouri line to its junction
with KS 68.
September Canada Goose Wichita Unit--That part of Kansas bounded by
a line from I-135 west on U.S. 50 to its junction with Burmac Road,
then south on Burmac Road to its junction with 279 Street West
(Sedgwick/Harvey County line), then south on 279 Street West to its
junction with KS 96, then east on KS 96 to its junction with KS 296,
then south on KS 296 to its junction with 247 Street West, then south
on 247 Street West to its junction with U.S. 54, then west on U.S. 54
to its junction with 263 Street West, then south on 263 Street West to
its junction with KS 49, then south on KS 49 to its junction with 90
Avenue North, then east on 90 Avenue North to its junction with KS 55,
then east on KS 55 to its junction with KS 15, then east on KS 15 to
its junction with U.S. 77, then north on U.S. 77 to its junction with
Ohio Street, then north on Ohio to its junction with KS 254, then east
on KS 254 to its junction with KS 196, then northwest on KS 196 to its
junction with I-135, then north on I-135 to its junction with U.S. 50.
Nebraska
September Canada Goose Unit--That part of Nebraska bounded by a
line from the Nebraska-Iowa State line west on U.S. Highway 30 to U.S.
Highway 81, then south on U.S. Highway 81 to NE Highway 64, then east
on NE Highway 64 to NE Highway 15, then south on NE Highway 15 to NE
Highway 41, then east on NE Highway 41 to NE Highway 50, then north on
NE Highway 50 to NE Highway 2, then east on NE Highway 2 to the
Nebraska-Iowa State line.
South Dakota
September Canada Goose Unit A--Brown, Campbell, Edmunds, Faulk,
McPherson, Spink, and Walworth Counties.
September Canada Goose Unit B--Clark, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant,
Hamlin, Marshall, and Roberts Counties.
September Canada Goose Unit C--Beadle, Brookings, Hanson,
Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, and
Turner Counties.
September Canada Goose Unit D--Union County.
Pacific Flyway
Idaho
East Zone--Bonneville, Caribou, Fremont, and Teton Counties.
Oregon
Northwest Zone--Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane,
Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and
Yamhill Counties.
Southwest Zone--Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and
Klamath Counties.
East Zone--Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla,
Union, and Wasco Counties.
Washington
Area 1--Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
Area 2A (SW Quota Zone)--Clark County, except portions south of the
Washougal River; Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties.
Area 2B (SW Quota Zone)--Pacific and Grays Harbor Counties.
Area 3--All areas west of the Pacific Crest Trail and west of the
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Areas 1, 2A, and 2B.
Area 4--Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas,
Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties.
Area 5--All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Area 4.
Ducks
Atlantic Flyway
New York
Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay;
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont
border.
Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their
tidal waters.
Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border.
Northeastern Zone: That area north of a line extending from Lake
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.
Mississippi Flyway
Indiana
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. Highway 31,
north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to Huntington, then
southeast along U.S. 224 to the Ohio border.
Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line
extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 64 to
New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State 56, east along State 56
to Vevay, east and north on State 156 along the Ohio River to North
Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Highway 50, then northeast along
U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.
South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio
River Zone boundaries.
Iowa
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State 37,
southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to
Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border.
South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
[[Page 51534]]
Central Flyway
Colorado
Special Teal Season Area: Lake and Chaffee Counties and that
portion of the State east of Interstate Highway 25.
Kansas
High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.
Low Plains Early Zone: That area of Kansas east of U.S. 283, and
generally west of a line beginning at the Junction of the Nebraska
State line and KS 28; south on KS 28 to U.S. 36; east on U.S. 36 to KS
199; south on KS 199 to Republic Co. Road 563; south on Republic Co.
Road 563 to KS 148; east on KS 148 to Republic Co. Road 138; south on
Republic Co. Road 138 to Cloud Co. Road 765; south on Cloud Co. Road
765 to KS 9; west on KS 9 to U.S. 24; west on U.S. 24 to U.S. 281;
north on U.S. 281 to U.S. 36; west on U.S. 36 to U.S. 183; south on
U.S. 183 to U.S. 24; west on U.S. 24 to KS 18; southeast on KS 18 to
U.S. 183; south on U.S. 183 to KS 4; east on KS 4 to I-135; south on I-
135 to KS 61; southwest on KS 61 to KS 96; northwest on KS 96 to U.S.
56; west on U.S. 56 to U.S. 281; south on U.S. 281 to U.S. 54; west on
U.S. 54 to U.S. 183; north on U.S. 183 to U.S. 56; and southwest on
U.S. 56 to U.S. 283.
Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder of Kansas.
Nebraska
Special Teal Season Area: That portion of the State south of a line
beginning at the Wyoming State line; east along U.S. 26 to Nebraska
Highway L62A east to U.S. 385; south to U.S. 26; east to NE 92; east
along NE 92 to NE 61; south along NE 61 to U.S. 30; east along U.S. 30
to the Iowa border.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.
Pacific Flyway
California
Northeastern Zone: In that portion of California lying east and
north of a line beginning at the intersection of the Klamath River with
the California-Oregon line; south and west along the Klamath River to
the mouth of Shovel Creek; along Shovel Creek to its intersection with
Forest Service Road 46N05 at Burnt Camp; west to its junction with
Forest Service Road 46N10; south and east to its Junction with County
Road 7K007; south and west to its junction with Forest Service Road
45N22; south and west to its junction with Highway 97 and Grass Lake
Summit; south along to its junction with Interstate 5 at the town of
Weed; south to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along
Highway 89 to Main Street Greenville; north and east to its junction
with North Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road;
north and east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to
the junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington
Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the
junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and
east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-
Nevada State line; north along the California-Nevada State line to the
junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon State lines west along the
California-Oregon State line to the point of origin.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to
U.S. 80; east 7 miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south
on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada
border.
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included
in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.
Canada Geese
Michigan
MVP--Upper Peninsula Zone: The MVP--Upper Peninsula Zone consists
of the entire Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
MVP--Lower Peninsula Zone: The MVP--Lower Peninsula Zone consists
of the area within the Lower Peninsula of Michigan that is north and
west of the point beginning at the southwest corner of Branch county,
north continuing along the western border of Branch and Calhoun
counties to the northwest corner of Calhoun county, then east to the
southwest corner of Eaton county, then north to the southern border of
Ionia county, then east to the southwest corner of Clinton county, then
north along the western border of Clinton County continuing north along
the county border of Gratiot and Montcalm counties to the southern
border of Isabella county, then east to the southwest corner of Midland
county, then north along the west Midland county border to Highway M-
20, then easterly to U.S. Highway 10, then easterly to U.S. Interstate
75/U.S. Highway 23, then northerly along I-75/U.S. 23 and easterly on
U.S. 23 to the centerline of the Au Gres River, then southerly along
the centerline of the Au Gres River to Saginaw Bay, then on a line
directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a line
directly northeast to the Canadian border.
SJBP Zone is the rest of the State, that area south and east of the
boundary described above.
Sandhill Cranes
Central Flyway
Colorado
The Central Flyway portion of the State except the San Luis Valley
(Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande, and
Saguache Counties east of the Continental Divide) and North Park
(Jackson County).
Kansas
That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the Oklahoma
border, north on I-35 to Wichita, north on I-135 to Salina, and north
on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border.
Montana
The Central Flyway portion of the State except for that area south
and west of Interstate 90, which is closed to sandhill crane hunting.
[[Page 51535]]
New Mexico
Regular-Season Open Area--Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay,
and Roosevelt Counties.
Middle Rio Grande Valley Area--The Central Flyway portion of New
Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties.
Estancia Valley Area--Those portions of Santa Fe, Torrance and
Bernallilo Counties within an area bounded on the west by New Mexico
Highway 55 beginning at Mountainair north to NM 337, north to NM 14,
north to I-25; on the north by I-25 east to U.S. 285; on the east by
U.S. 285 south to U.S. 60; and on the south by U.S. 60 from U.S. 285
west to NM 55 in Mountainair.
Southwest Zone--Sierra, Luna, Dona Ana Counties, and those portions
of Grant and Hidalgo Counties south of I-10.
North Dakota
Area 1--That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
Area 2--That portion of the State east of U.S. 281.
Oklahoma
That portion of the State west of I-35.
South Dakota
That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
Texas
Area 1--That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the
International Bridge at Laredo, north along I-35 to the Oklahoma
border.
Area 2--That portion of the State east and south of a line from the
International Bridge at Laredo northerly along I-35 to U.S. 290;
southeasterly along U.S. 290 to I-45; south and east on I-45 to State
Highway 87, south and east on TX 87 to the channel in the Gulf of
Mexico between Galveston and Point Bolivar; EXCEPT: That portion of the
State lying within the area bounded by the Corpus Christi Bay Causeway
on U.S. 181 at Portland; north and west on U.S. 181 to U.S. 77 at
Sinton; north and east along U.S. 77 to U.S. 87 at Victoria; east and
south along U.S. 87 to Texas Highway 35; north and east on TX 35 to the
west end of the Lavaca Bay Bridge; then south and east along the west
shoreline of Lavaca Bay and Matagorda Island to the Gulf of Mexico;
then south and west along the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico to the
Corpus Christi Bay Causeway.
Wyoming
Regular-Season Open Area--Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen,
Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties.
Riverton-Boysen Unit--Portions of Fremont County.
Park and Big Horn County Unit--Portions of Park and Big Horn
Counties.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
Special-Season Area--Game Management Units 30A, 30B, 31, and 32.
Montana
Special-Season Area--See State regulations.
Utah
Special-Season Area--Rich, Cache, and Unitah Counties and that
portion of Box Elder County beginning on the Utah-Idaho State line at
the Box Elder-Cache County line; west on the State line to the
Pocatello Valley County Road; south on the Pocatello Valley County Road
to I-15; southeast on I-15 to SR-83; south on SR-83 to Lamp Junction;
west and south on the Promontory Point County Road to the tip of
Promontory Point; south from Promontory Point to the Box Elder-Weber
County line; east on the Box Elder-Weber County line to the Box Elder-
Cache County line; north on the Box Elder-Cache County line to the
Utah-Idaho State line.
Wyoming
Bear River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Salt River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Farson-Eden Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette
Counties described in State regulations.
All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska
North Zone--State Game Management Units 11-13 and 17-26.
Gulf Coast Zone--State Game Management Units 5-7, 9, 14-16, and 10
(Unimak Island only).
Southeast Zone--State Game Management Units 1-4.
Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone--State Game Management Unit 10
(except Unimak Island).
Kodiak Zone--State Game Management Unit 8.
All Migratory Game Birds in the Virgin Islands
Ruth Cay Closure Area--The island of Ruth Cay, just south of St.
Croix.
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. 05-17234 Filed 8-29-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P