[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 143 (Thursday, July 24, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43289-43312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-16515]
[[Page 43289]]
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Part II
Department of the Interior
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Fish and Wildlife Service
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50 CFR Part 20
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory
Bird Hunting Regulations; Notice of Meetings; Proposed Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 143 / Thursday, July 24, 2008 /
Proposed Rules
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
[FWS-R9-MB-2008-0032; 91200-1231-9BPP-L2]
RIN 1018-AV62
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Early-Season
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations; Notice of Meetings
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we)
is proposing to establish the 2008-09 early-season hunting regulations
for certain migratory game birds. We annually prescribe frameworks, or
outer limits, for dates and times when hunting may occur and the
maximum number of birds that may be taken and possessed in early
seasons. Early seasons may open as early as September 1, and include
seasons in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of specific
final seasons and limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels
compatible with population status and habitat conditions. This proposed
rule also provides the final regulatory alternatives for the 2008-09
duck hunting seasons.
DATES: You must submit comments on the proposed early-season frameworks
by August 4, 2008. The Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee
(SRC) will meet to consider and develop proposed regulations for late-
season migratory bird hunting and the 2009 spring/summer migratory bird
subsistence seasons in Alaska on July 30 and 31, 2008. All meetings
will commence at approximately 8:30 a.m. Following later Federal
Register documents, you will be given an opportunity to submit comments
for proposed late-season frameworks and subsistence migratory bird
seasons in Alaska by August 31, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposals by one of the
following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing,
Attn: 1018-AV62; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; Arlington,
VA 22203.
We will not accept e-mail or faxes. We will post all comments on
http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any
personal information you provide us (see the Public Comments section
below for more information).
The SRC will meet in room 200 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service's Arlington Square Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington,
VA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron W. Kokel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Department of the Interior, MS MBSP-4107-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20240; (703) 358-1714.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulations Schedule for 2008
On May 28, 2008, we published in the Federal Register (73 FR 30712)
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, and other regulations
for hunting migratory game birds under Sec. Sec. 20.101 through
20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. Major steps in the 2008-09
regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal Register
notifications were also identified in the May 28 proposed rule.
Further, we explained that all sections of subsequent documents
outlining hunting frameworks and guidelines were organized under
numbered headings. As an aid to the reader, we reiterate those headings
here:
1. Ducks
A. General Harvest Strategy
B. Regulatory Alternatives
C. Zones and Split Seasons
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
i. September Teal Seasons
ii. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons
iii. Black ducks
iv. Canvasbacks
v. Pintails
vi. Scaup
vii. Mottled ducks
viii. Wood ducks
ix. Youth Hunt
2. Sea Ducks
3. Mergansers
4. Canada Geese
A. Special Seasons
B. Regular Seasons
C. Special Late Seasons
5. White-fronted Geese
6. Brant
7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese
8. Swans
9. Sandhill Cranes
10. Coots
11. Moorhens and Gallinules
12. Rails
13. Snipe
14. Woodcock
15. Band-tailed Pigeons
16. Mourning Doves
17. White-winged and White-tipped Doves
18. Alaska
19. Hawaii
20. Puerto Rico
21. Virgin Islands
22. Falconry
23. Other
Subsequent documents will refer only to numbered items requiring
attention. Therefore, it is important to note that we will omit those
items requiring no attention, and remaining numbered items will be
discontinuous and appear incomplete.
On June 18, 2008, we published in the Federal Register (73 FR
34692) a second document providing supplemental proposals for early-
and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. The June 18
supplement also provided detailed information on the 2008-09 regulatory
schedule and announced the SRC and Flyway Council meetings.
This document, the third in a series of proposed, supplemental, and
final rulemaking documents for migratory bird hunting regulations,
deals specifically with proposed frameworks for early-season
regulations and the regulatory alternatives for the 2008-09 duck
hunting seasons. It will lead to final frameworks from which States may
select season dates, shooting hours, and daily bag and possession
limits for the 2008-09 season.
We have considered all pertinent comments received through June 30,
2008, on the May 28 and June 18, 2008, rulemaking documents in
developing this document. In addition, new proposals for certain early-
season regulations are provided for public comment. Comment periods are
specified above under DATES. We will publish final regulatory
frameworks for early seasons in the Federal Register on or about August
17, 2008.
Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee Meetings
Participants at the June 25-26, 2008, meetings reviewed information
on the current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and
developed 2008-09 migratory game bird regulations recommendations for
these species plus regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska,
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; special September waterfowl
seasons in designated States; special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic
Flyway; and extended falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and
discussed preliminary information on the status of waterfowl.
Participants at the previously announced July 30-31, 2008, meetings
will review information on the current
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status of waterfowl and develop recommendations for the 2008-09
regulations pertaining to regular waterfowl seasons and other species
and seasons not previously discussed at the early-season meetings. In
accordance with Department of the Interior policy, these meetings are
open to public observation and you may submit comments to the Director
on the matters discussed.
Population Status and Harvest
The following paragraphs provide preliminary information on the
status of waterfowl and information on the status and harvest of
migratory shore and upland game birds excerpted from various reports.
For more detailed information on methodologies and results, you may
obtain complete copies of the various reports at the address indicated
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or from our Web site at http://fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports/report.html.
Waterfowl Breeding and Habitat Survey
Federal, provincial, and State agencies conduct surveys each spring
to estimate the size of breeding populations and to evaluate the
conditions of the habitats. These surveys are conducted using fixed-
wing aircraft, helicopters, and ground crews and encompass principal
breeding areas of North America, covering an area over 2.0 million
square miles. The Traditional survey area comprises Alaska, Canada, and
the northcentral United States, and includes approximately 1.3 million
square miles. The Eastern survey area includes parts of Ontario,
Quebec, Labrador, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New
Brunswick, New York, and Maine, an area of approximately 0.7 million
square miles.
Overall, habitat conditions during the 2008 May waterfowl survey
were characterized in many areas by a delayed spring compared to
several preceding years. Drought in many parts of the traditional
survey area contrasted sharply with record amounts of snow and rainfall
in the eastern survey area.
Traditional Survey Area (U.S. and Canadian Prairies)
Although spring was delayed in much of the traditional survey area,
field crews reported that habitat conditions were suitable for nesting
at the time of the survey. Much of the prairie potholes experienced
drought conditions this spring and many semi-permanent wetlands and
livestock dugouts were dry. At the time of the survey this area was
considered to be in fair to poor condition, with the exceptions being
regions with temporary and seasonal water in southeastern South Dakota,
and areas of western South Dakota that received abundant rain and
snowfall in early May; conditions were classified as good in both of
these areas. Parts of the prairie pothole region experienced heavy
rains following completion of the survey. This may improve habitat
conditions for late nesters and may improve the success of re-nesting
attempts.
The parklands were drier in 2008 than in 2007 when excess water
created much additional waterfowl habitat; still, this area was
classified as fair to good overall with most seasonal and semi-
permanent wetlands full. A late April snowstorm recharged wetlands in
some areas of the northern parklands and these areas were classified as
excellent.
Bush (Alaska, Northern Manitoba, Northern Saskatchewan, Northwest
Territories, Yukon Territory, Western Ontario)
In the boreal forest, spring break-up was later in 2008 than in
recent years, with locally variable snowfall and, consequently,
variable runoff that resulted in habitat conditions ranging from fair
in the east to good in the west. Most large lakes were still frozen on
May 20 in the Northwest Territories; however, warmer temperatures in
late May led to habitat conditions suitable for nesting during the
survey period. Good conditions were present throughout Alaska, with
slightly late spring conditions in some coastal areas.
Eastern Survey Area
In the eastern survey area, a cold winter with heavy snows and
colder than average spring temperatures delayed spring conditions by 1-
2 weeks relative to the early springs of preceding years. An exception
was northern Quebec, which experienced an early spring with most ice
melting by the last week of May. Quickly rising temperatures combined
with spring rains led to flooding in parts of Maine and the Maritimes,
which disrupted spring nesting phenology; as a result habitat
conditions in these areas were classified as fair. Elsewhere in the
East, abundant water in most lakes and wetlands resulted in habitat
conditions being classified as good or excellent.
Status of Teal
The estimate of blue-winged teal numbers from the Traditional
Survey Area is 6.6 million. This represents a 1.0 percent decrease from
2007 and is 45 percent above the 1955-2007 average.
Sandhill Cranes
Compared to increases recorded in the 1970s, annual indices to
abundance of the Mid-Continent Population (MCP) of sandhill cranes have
been relatively stable since the early 1980s. The Central Platte River
Valley, Nebraska, spring index for 2008, uncorrected for visibility
bias, was 472,128 sandhill cranes. The photo-corrected, 3-year average
for 2005-07 was 364,281, which is within the established population-
objective range of 349,000-472,000 cranes.
All Central Flyway States, except Nebraska, allowed crane hunting
in portions of their States during 2007-08. About 9,808 hunters
participated in these seasons, which was similar to the number that
participated in the previous season. Hunters harvested 18,610 MCP
cranes in the U.S. portion of the Central Flyway during the 2007-08
seasons, which was 6 percent higher than the estimated harvest for the
previous year. The retrieved harvest of MCP cranes in hunt areas
outside of the Central Flyway (Arizona, Pacific Flyway portion of New
Mexico, Alaska, Canada, and Mexico combined) was 13,567 during 2007-08.
The preliminary estimate for the North American MCP sport harvest,
including crippling losses, was 36,567 birds, which is similar to the
previous year's estimate. The long-term (1982-2004) trends for the MCP
indicate that harvest has been increasing at a higher rate than
population growth.
The fall 2007 pre-migration survey for the Rocky Mountain
Population (RMP) resulted in a record high count of 22,822 cranes. The
3-year average for 2004, 2005, and 2007 (no survey was conducted in
2006) was 20,732 sandhill cranes, which is within established
population objectives of 17,000-21,000 for the RMP. Hunting seasons
during 2007-08 in portions of Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico,
Utah, and Wyoming, resulted in a harvest of 820 RMP cranes, a 10
percent decrease from the harvest of 907 the year before.
Woodcock
Singing-ground and Wing-collection Surveys were conducted to assess
the population status of the American woodcock (Scolopax minor). The
Singing-ground Survey is intended to measure long-term changes in
woodcock population levels. Singing-ground Survey data for 2008
indicate that the number of displaying woodcock in the Eastern Region
in 2008 was unchanged from 2007, while the Central Region experienced a
9.2 percent decline. However, we note that measurement of short-term
(i.e., annual) trends tends to give estimates with larger variances and
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is more prone to be influenced by climatic factors that may affect
local counts during the survey.There was no significant trend in
woodcock heard in the Eastern Region during 1998-2008; however, there
was a declining trend of -1.5 percent per year in the Central Region.
This represents the fifth consecutive year that the 10-year trend
estimate for the Eastern Region did not indicate a significant decline,
while it is the first time since 2003 that the Central Region had a
declining trend. There were long-term (1968-2008) declines of 1.2
percent per year in the Eastern Region and 1.1 percent per year in the
Central Region.
Wing-collection Survey data indicate that the 2007 recruitment
index for the U.S. portion of the Eastern Region (1.6 immatures per
adult female) was 4 percent higher than the 2006 index, and 4 percent
lower than the long-term average. The recruitment index for the U.S.
portion of the Central Region (1.5 immatures per adult female) was 10
percent lower than the 2006 index and 8 percent below the long-term
average.
Band-tailed Pigeons and Doves
Annual counts of Interior band-tailed pigeons seen and heard per
Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) route have not changed significantly since
implementation of the BBS in 1966; however, they decreased
significantly over the last 10 years. The 2007 harvest was estimated to
be 4,800 birds. For Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons, annual BBS
counts of birds seen and heard per route have decreased since 1966, but
they have not changed significantly over the last 10 years. According
to the Pacific Coast Mineral Site Survey, annual counts of Pacific
Coast band-tailed pigeons seen per mineral site have increased
significantly since the survey was experimentally implemented in 2001.
The 2007 harvest was estimated to be 12,700 birds.
Analyses of Mourning Dove Call-count Survey data over the most
recent 10 years indicated no significant trend for doves heard in
either the Eastern or Western Management Units while the Central Unit
showed a significant decline. Over the 43-year period, 1966-2007, all 3
units exhibited significant declines. In contrast, for doves seen over
the 10-year period, no significant trends were found for any of the
three Management Units. Over 43 years, no trend was found for doves
seen in the Eastern and Central Units while a significant decline was
indicated for the Western Unit. The preliminary 2007 harvest estimate
for the United States was 20,550,000 doves. A banding program is
underway to obtain current information in order to develop mourning
dove population models for each Management Unit to provide guidance for
improving our decision-making process with respect to harvest
management.
The two key States with a white-winged dove population are Arizona
and Texas. California and New Mexico have much smaller populations.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) monitors white-winged
dove populations by means of a call-count survey to provide an annual
index to population size. The index peaked at a mean of 52.3 doves
heard per route in 1968, but fell precipitously in the late 1970s. The
index has stabilized to around 25 doves per route in the last few
years. In 2008, the mean number of doves heard per route was 26.9. AGFD
also monitors harvest. Harvest during the 15-day season (September 1-
15) peaked in the late 1960s at ~740,000 birds and has since stabilized
at around 100,000 birds. The 2007 Harvest Information Program (HIP)
estimate was 127,600 birds. In 2007, Arizona redesigned their dove
harvest survey questionnaire to sample only from hunters registered
under HIP. In the future, AGFD and HIP harvest estimates should be more
comparable than they have been in the past.
In Texas, white-winged doves continue to expand their breeding
range. Nesting by whitewings has been recorded in most counties, except
for the northeastern part of the state primarily. Nesting is
essentially confined to urban areas, but appears to be expanding to
exurban areas. Concomitant with this range expansion has been a
continuing increase in whitewing abundance. A new DISTANCE sampling
protocol was implemented for Central and South Texas for 2007, and
expanded in 2008 so that coverage is almost statewide. Once fully
implemented, biologists should have the ability to obtain a good
estimate of white-winged dove abundance in Texas. While 2008 data were
not available at this time, 2007 surveys indicated an estimated
abundance throughout surveyed areas (representing about 20 percent of
the State) of about 2,300,000 whitewings. Total Statewide harvest has
averaged about 2 million birds annually.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is working to improve
management of white-winged doves in Texas in the following ways: (1)
Expanding current surveys of spring populations to encompass areas
throughout the State that now have breeding populations; (2) Completing
the Tamaulipas-Texas White-winged Dove Strategic Plan so that there are
consistent and comparable harvest management strategies, surveys,
research, and data collection across the breeding range of the species;
(3) Expanding operational banding in 2008 that was begun in 2007 to
derive estimates of survival and harvest rates; (4) Implementing a
wing-collection survey for recruitment rates in lieu of the feeding
flight and production surveys; (5) Estimating probability of detection
for more accurate estimates of breeding populations within urban
environments; and (6) Evaluating and estimating reproductive success in
urban areas to better estimate population increases.
In California, BBS data (although imprecise due to a small sample
size) indicate that there has been a significant increase in the
population between 1968 and 2007. According to HIP surveys, the
preliminary harvest estimate for 2007 was 67,900. In New Mexico, BBS
data (very imprecise due to a small sample size) also showed a
significant increase over the long term. In 2007, the estimated harvest
was 64,000.
White-tipped doves are believed to be maintaining a relatively
stable population in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas.
DISTANCE sampling procedures in the LRGV include whitetips. However,
until the sampling frame includes rural Rio Grande corridor habitats,
not many whitetips will be reported. Sampling frame issues are expected
to be resolved by next year. However, annual white-tipped dove harvest
during the special season is only averaging 3,000-4,000 birds.
Review of Public Comments
The preliminary proposed rulemaking (May 28 Federal Register)
opened the public comment period for migratory game bird hunting
regulations and announced the proposed regulatory alternatives for the
2008-09 duck hunting season. Comments concerning early-season issues
and the proposed alternatives are summarized below and numbered in the
order used in the May 28 Federal Register document. Only the numbered
items pertaining to early-seasons issues and the proposed regulatory
alternatives for which written comments were received are included.
Consequently, the issues do not follow in consecutive numerical or
alphabetical order.
We received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils. Some
recommendations supported continuation of last year's frameworks. Due
to the comprehensive nature of the annual review of the frameworks
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performed by the Councils, support for continuation of last year's
frameworks is assumed for items for which no recommendations were
received. Council recommendations for changes in the frameworks are
summarized below.
We seek additional information and comments on the recommendations
in this supplemental proposed rule. New proposals and modifications to
previously described proposals are discussed below. Wherever possible,
they are discussed under headings corresponding to the numbered items
in the May 28 Federal Register document.
General
Written Comments: An individual commenter protested the entire
migratory bird hunting regulations process, the killing of all
migratory birds, and the Flyway Council process.
Service Response: Our long-term objectives continue to include
providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game
bird populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each
population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Having taken
into account the zones of temperature and the distribution, abundance,
economic value, breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of
migratory birds, we believe that the hunting seasons provided herein
are compatible with the current status of migratory bird populations
and long-term population goals. Additionally, we are obligated to, and
do, give serious consideration to all information received as public
comment. While there are problems inherent with any type of
representative management of public-trust resources, we believe that
the Flyway Council system of migratory bird management has been a
longstanding example of State-Federal cooperative management since its
establishment in 1952. However, as always, we continue to seek new ways
to streamline and improve the process.
1. Ducks
Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest
management are: (A) General Harvest Strategy; (B) Regulatory
Alternatives, including specification of framework dates, season
lengths, and bag limits; (C) Zones and Split Seasons; and (D) Special
Seasons/Species Management. The categories correspond to previously
published issues/discussions, and only those containing substantial
recommendations are discussed below.
A. General Harvest Strategy
Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations
Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that
regulations changes be restricted to one step per year, both when
restricting as well as liberalizing hunting regulations. Both
Committees further recommended not implementing the western mallard
Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) protocol.
The Central Flyway Council recommended not implementing the western
mallard AHM protocol.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended implementing the Service's
proposal for a revised protocol for managing the harvest of mallards in
Western North America. They further recommended inclusion of the
following initial components:
(1) Regulation packages that are currently in place in the Pacific
Flyway and generally described as Liberal, Moderate, Restrictive, and
Closed, with associated target harvest rates of 12, 8, 4, and 0
percent, respectively;
(2) A harvest objective that corresponds to no more than 95 percent
of the Maximum Sustained Yield (MSY) on the yield curve (they further
note that current harvest estimates suggest that the current Pacific
Flyway mallard harvest is at 80 percent of MSY);
(3) Consider use of a weighting factor within the decision matrix
that would soften the knife-edge effect of optimal policies when
regulation changes are warranted;
(4) No change in the duck regulation provisions for Alaska, except
implementation through the western mallard AHM strategy;
(5) An optimization based only on western mallards; and
(6) Clarification of the impacts of removing Alaska from the mid-
continent mallard strategy.
They also requested that the Service explore options of
incorporating mallards and other waterfowl stocks derived from surveyed
areas in Canada important to the Pacific Flyway (e.g., Alberta,
Northwest Territories) into the decision process in the future.
Service Response: As we stated in the May 28 Federal Register, we
intend to continue use of adaptive harvest management (AHM) to help
determine appropriate duck-hunting regulations for the 2008-09 season.
AHM is a tool that permits sound resource decisions in the face of
uncertain regulatory impacts, as well as providing a mechanism for
reducing that uncertainty over time. The current AHM protocol is used
to evaluate four alternative regulatory levels based on the population
status of mallards (special hunting restrictions are enacted for
certain species, such as canvasbacks, scaup, and pintails).
In recent years, the prescribed regulatory alternative for the
Pacific, Central, and Mississippi Flyways has been based on the status
of mallards and breeding-habitat conditions in central North America
(Federal survey strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77, and State surveys in
Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan). In the May 28 Federal Register, we
also stated our intent for the 2008-09 hunting season to consider
setting hunting regulations in the Pacific Flyway based on the status
and dynamics of a newly defined stock of ``western'' mallards. For now,
western mallards would be defined as those breeding in Alaska (as based
on Federal surveys in strata 1-12), and in California and Oregon (as
based on State-conducted surveys).
We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to
implement the western mallard AHM protocol for the 2008-09 hunting
season. However, implementation of this new AHM decision framework for
western mallards requires several other considerations. First, we
believe that implementation of this new protocol necessitates that we
``rescale'' the closed season constraint in the existing mid-continent
mallard (identified above as those breeding in central North America)
AHM strategy to 4.75 million mallards from the existing 5.5 million
mallards. This ``rescaling'' is necessary to adjust for removing
mallards breeding in Alaska from the mid-continent population and
assigning them to the western mallard population. Second, the optimal
regulatory policies for western mallards (and mid-continent mallards)
would be based on independent optimization. That is, the optimum
regulations for mid-continent mallards and western mallards would be
determined independently, and based upon the breeding stock that
contributes primarily to each Flyway (western mallards for the Pacific
Flyway and mid-continent mallards for the Central and Mississippi
Flyways). Third, that the current regulatory alternatives remain in
place for the Pacific Flyway, while we continue to work with the Flyway
to develop regulatory options necessary to effect a substantive
increase or decrease in the harvest rate of western mallards. And
lastly, regulations in Alaska would continue to be addressed as an
early season issue and future consideration of Alaska regulatory
changes would be based on the status of the western
[[Page 43294]]
mallards rather than mid-continent mallards.
Additionally, since 2000, we have prescribed a regulatory
alternative for the Atlantic Flyway based on the population status of
mallards breeding in eastern North America (Federal survey strata 51-54
and 56, and State surveys in New England and the mid-Atlantic region).
We will continue this protocol for the 2008-09 season.
Regarding incorporation of a one-step constraint into the AHM
process, our incorporation of a one-step constraint into the AHM
process was addressed by the AHM Task Force of the Association of Fish
and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) in its report and recommendations. This
recommendation will be included in considerations of potential changes
to the set of regulatory alternatives at a yet to be determined later
date. Currently, there is no consensus on behalf of the Flyway Councils
on how to modify the regulatory alternatives. We believe that the new
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the migratory bird
hunting program (see NEPA Consideration section), currently in
preparation, may be an appropriate venue for considering such changes
in a more comprehensive manner that involves input from all Flyways.
We will propose a specific regulatory alternative for each of the
Flyways during the 2008-09 season after survey information becomes
available later this summer. More information on AHM is located at
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/mgmt/AHM/AHM-intro.htm.
B. Regulatory Alternatives
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that the current restriction of two hens in the 4-bird mallard daily
bag limit be removed from the ``liberal'' package in the Atlantic
Flyway to allow the harvest of 4 mallards of any sex.
The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the
Mississippi Flyway Council and the Central Flyway Council recommended
that regulatory alternatives for duck hunting seasons remain the same
as those used in 2007.
Service Response: We do not support the Atlantic Flyway Council's
proposal to remove the hen mallard restriction in the ``liberal''
alternative for the Atlantic Flyway. The AHM approach requires that the
regulatory packages remain relatively constant over time to insure
relatively consistent expected impacts of the various harvest
management alternatives. Additionally, we strongly support the
development and inclusion of a process to review and revise the basic
regulatory packages. As we stated above, we believe that the new
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the migratory bird
hunting program (see NEPA Consideration section), currently in
preparation, may be an appropriate venue for considering such changes
in a more comprehensive manner that involves input from all Flyways. We
do not support a frequent and/or piecemeal approach to the review and
revision of the basic regulatory packages and believe that such an
approach would not be consistent with the existing AHM process.
Therefore, the regulatory alternatives proposed in the May 28
Federal Register will be used for the 2008-09 hunting season (see
accompanying table for specifics). In 2005, the AHM regulatory
alternatives were modified to consist only of the maximum season
lengths, framework dates, and bag limits for total ducks and mallards.
Restrictions for certain species within these frameworks that are not
covered by existing harvest strategies will be addressed during the
late-season regulations process. For those species with harvest
strategies (canvasbacks, pintails, black ducks, and scaup), those
strategies will be used for the 2008-09 hunting season.
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
i. September Teal Seasons
Utilizing the criteria developed for the teal season harvest
strategy, this year's estimate of 6.6 million blue-winged teal from the
traditional survey area indicates that a 16-day September teal season
in the Central and Mississippi Flyway and a 9-day September teal season
in the Atlantic Flyway is appropriate in 2008.
iii. Black Ducks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council endorsed the
interim international harvest strategy for black ducks, with the
following modifications: (1) The original criteria of a 25 percent
change in the 5-year running average from the long-term (1998-2007)
breeding population (BPOP) should be changed to a 15 percent change
measured by a 3-year running average, and (2) the original criteria of
a 5-year running average to measure parity should be changed to a 3-
year running average.
The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the
Mississippi Flyway Council endorsed the agreement in concept and the
interim approach to the harvest management of black ducks as outlined
by the Black Duck International Management Group.
Service Response: For several years we have consulted with the
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils, the Canadian Wildlife
Service, and provincial wildlife agencies in eastern Canada concerning
the development of an international harvest strategy for black ducks.
As we described in the June 18 Federal Register, in 2008, U.S. and
Canadian waterfowl managers developed a draft interim harvest strategy
that was designed to be employed by both countries over the next three
seasons (2008-09 to 2010-11), allowing time for the development of a
formal strategy based on the principles of Adaptive Harvest Management.
The interim harvest strategy is prescriptive, in that it would call for
no substantive changes in hunting regulations unless the black duck
breeding population, averaged over the most recent 3 years, exceeds or
falls below the long-term average breeding population by 15 percent or
more. It would allow additional harvest opportunity (commensurate with
the population increase) if the 3-year average breeding population
exceeds the long-term average by 15 percent or more, and would require
reduction of harvest opportunity if the 3-year average falls below the
long-term average by 15 percent or more. The strategy is designed to
share the black duck harvest equally between the two countries;
however, recognizing incomplete control of harvest through regulations,
it will allow realized harvest in either country to vary between 40 and
60 percent.
We support the interim international black duck harvest strategy
put forward by the International Black Duck Management Group and
propose to adopt its use for the 2008-09, 2009-10, and 2010-11 seasons,
unless it is supplanted by a new, fully adaptive strategy prior to the
2010-11 season. We note that this strategy was recommended by the
Mississippi Flyway Council, and differs from the Atlantic Flyway
Council's recommendation only in that it employs a 5-year running
average to assess harvest parity between Canada and the United States,
rather than the 3-year average recommended by the Atlantic Flyway
Council. We support the 5-year average negotiated in the International
Agreement.
iv. Canvasbacks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that the canvasback harvest strategy be
[[Page 43295]]
modified to include a provision to allow a daily bag limit of 2
canvasbacks when the predicted breeding population is greater than
750,000 birds.
The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended an alternative canvasback
harvest management strategy that uses threshold levels based on
breeding population size in order to determine bag limits. These
threshold levels would allow 2 canvasbacks per day when the population
is above 800,000, 1 canvasback per day when the population is between
400,000 and 800,000, and close the season when the population drops
below 400,000.
The Central Flyway Council recommended maintaining the current
canvasback harvest strategy and updating harvest predictions in the
current model.
The Pacific Flyway Council requested revision of the canvasback
harvest strategy to include a harvest management prescription for a
two-bird, full season option when the canvasback breeding population
and predicted harvest will sustain the population at or above 600,000.
Service Response: In the May 28 and June 18 Federal Registers, we
indicated our support for modification of the existing canvasback
strategy to allow for a 2-bird daily bag limit when the projected
breeding population in the next year exceeds an established threshold
level. Our support was contingent on receiving Flyway Council and
public input regarding the exact threshold level to be employed for the
bag limit increase. Based on our recent biological assessment this
threshold should fall between 600,000 and 750,000 canvasbacks projected
as the next year's breeding population.
After consideration of the various Flyway Council proposals, we
have modified the existing canvasback harvest strategy to allow a 2-
bird bag when the breeding population in the following year is
projected to be at least 725,000 birds. This approach is consistent
with the guidance previously offered by the Service. Further, we prefer
to retain use of the existing canvasback strategy rather than replace
it with the more prescriptive approach advocated by the Upper- and
Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council.
In addition, we will undertake a review of the existing canvasback
strategy and model structures as time and opportunity permit.
v. Pintails
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
several modifications and considerations for the proposed pintail
derived harvest strategy. They recommended we continue exploration of a
derived strategy versus a prescribed strategy and consider a closure
constraint. They also commented that Flyway-specific bag limits may not
be needed to maintain the desired harvest distribution.
The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended continued use of the current
prescribed northern pintail harvest management strategy until they can
see further modeling results of emphasizing a management objective that
minimizes the frequency of closed and partial seasons.
The Central Flyway Council recommended that the proposed derived
pintail harvest strategy not be adopted and recommended continued use
of the current prescribed strategy.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the current prescribed
harvest management protocol for pintail be continued in 2008.
Service Response: Based on Flyway Council comments and
recommendations, we propose to continue the use of the current pintail
harvest strategy for the 2008-09 season. We will continue to work with
the Flyway Councils to address their concerns on a derived strategy
over the next year.
vi. Scaup
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
implementation of the proposed scaup harvest strategy in 2008
conditional upon several modifications:
(1) A harvest management objective that achieves 95 percent of the
long-term cumulative harvest when the breeding population is less than
4.0 million birds;
(2) Seasons remain open when the breeding population is at or above
2 million scaup;
(3) Agreement to use alternative methodology developed by the
Atlantic Flyway Technical Section to predict scaup harvests in the
Atlantic Flyway;
(4) Allow a ``hybrid'' season option for the Atlantic Flyway that
allows for at least 20 days of the general duck season to have a daily
bag limit of at least 2 while the remaining days would have a daily bag
limit of 1;
(5) A ``restrictive'' harvest package in the Atlantic Flyway
consisting of a 20-day season with a daily bag limit of 2, and a 40-day
season with a daily bag limit of 1;
(6) A ``moderate'' harvest package in the Atlantic Flyway
consisting of a 60-day season with a daily bag limit of 2;
(7) A ``liberal'' harvest package in the Atlantic Flyway consisting
of a 60-day season with a daily bag limit of 3;
(8) Designation of the proposed strategy as ``interim'' and subject
to immediate reconsideration if alternative/competing scaup population
models are available that will inform management decisions; and
(9) Reconsideration of the model elements after 3 years.
The Council also urged us to expedite the exploration of
alternative/competing models describing scaup population dynamics that
may be used to inform a harvest management strategy.
The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended we not adopt the proposed scaup
harvest strategy and urged us to delay implementation until some
alternative models can be developed.
The Central Flyway Council recommended that we delay implementation
of the proposed scaup harvest strategy until alternative models are
developed and evaluated.
The Pacific Flyway Council supported the implementation of a scaup
harvest strategy in 2008, with the following conditions:
(1) A ``shoulder'' strategy objective that corresponds to 95
percent of MSY;
(2) Revision of harvest prediction models to provide a greater
capacity to predict Pacific Flyway scaup harvest; and
(3) Revision of flyway harvest allocations to recognize proportions
of greater scaup in flyway harvests.
They also urged us to continue to work on alternative models to
incorporate into the decision framework as soon as possible.
Written Comments: Several non-governmental organizations expressed
concerns about the proposed scaup harvest strategy and potential scaup
bag limit reductions. Both organizations urged consideration of
alternative models. One organization also submitted a detailed review
of the scaup harvest strategy by a review panel.
Service Response: The continental scaup (greater Aythya marila and
lesser Aythya affinis combined) population has experienced a long-term
decline over the past 20 years. Over the past several years in
particular, we have continued to express our growing concern about the
status of scaup. The
[[Page 43296]]
2007 breeding population estimate for scaup was 3.45 million,
essentially unchanged from the 2006 estimate, and the third lowest
estimate on record.
In the May 28 Federal Register, we reviewed the actions we have
taken over the last few years to synthesize data relevant to scaup
harvest management and frame a scientifically-sound scaup harvest
strategy (for a complete list of reports see http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports/reports.html). We also solicited Flyway Council
feedback regarding alternative approaches to developing and
implementing a scaup harvest strategy, seeking specific feedback on
three alternative courses of action:
(1) Delay implementation of any strategy and continue to work on
the alternative model(s) of population dynamics;
(2) Implement the strategy proposed in the June 8 and July 23,
2007, Federal Registers (72 FR 31789 and 72 FR 40194) and continue to
work on the alternative model(s); or
(3) Discontinue work on alternative models and implement the
strategy proposed last year.
In addition, we sought feedback from the Flyway Councils regarding
several policy issues. These included the specific objectives that
would be used to derive a scaup harvest strategy, the appropriate
Flyway-specific harvest models that will be used in part to determine
Flyway-specific regulatory alternatives, and feedback regarding flyway-
specific combinations of bag limit and season length that would meet
target harvest levels under each regulatory package (restrictive,
moderate, and liberal).
After considering Flyway Council feedback, we proposed in the June
18 Federal Register to adopt the scaup harvest strategy as originally
proposed last year (June 8 and July 23, 2007, Federal Registers, 72 FR
31789 and 72 FR 40194). We stated then, and continue to believe, that
an informed, scientifically-based decision process is far preferable to
any other approach. Further, we noted that we had been patient in
allowing additional time for review of the proposed strategy by the
Flyway Councils and general public. We acknowledge and support the
comments received that suggest additional models based on changing
carrying capacity should be investigated and used if they can be
developed and are supported by existing scaup population data. However,
we note that we consider all strategies currently employed for species-
specific harvest regulation to be subject to further analysis, review
and improvement as new information becomes available, and we intend to
pursue such improvements for the proposed scaup strategy.
We have considered the Flyway Councils' recommendations. At this
time, we believe that the decision-making framework for scaup proposed
last year provides the best available scientific basis for regulatory
decision-making. Thus, we propose to implement this harvest strategy
for scaup in 2008.
Regarding the specifics of the various Flyway Council
recommendations on the proposed strategy, we support the recommendation
of the Pacific Flyway Council to implement a revised version of the
Pacific Flyway harvest model since this model does provide for slightly
improved harvest predictions over our initially proposed model.
While we do not support the alternative harvest model proposed by
the Atlantic Flyway Council, we understand the Council's concerns
regarding the initial harvest model we proposed and request that the
Flyway continue to work with us to develop a harvest model with broader
support within the Atlantic Flyway.
We also support the recommendations of the Atlantic and Pacific
Flyway Councils that the harvest management objective for scaup should
be to achieve 95 percent of the maximum sustainable harvest. We do not
currently support the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendations that an
objective of 95 percent of maximum sustainable harvest be in effect
until the scaup population exceeds a breeding population of 4 million
and that a closed season constraint of 2 million scaup be included in
the objective function. We believe that these particular
recommendations should be reviewed and considered by all four Flyways.
We also do not accept the Pacific Flyway's recommendation that the
flyway-specific harvest allocation be modified to reflect the
distribution of harvest of greater and lesser scaup based on the belief
that the status of greater scaup is not of concern. The monitoring
programs for scaup do not currently support species-specific management
and we believe that additional effort is required to ascertain the
species-specific status and harvest potential of greater and lesser
scaup prior to considering this recommendation further. Additionally,
we feel that any questions of harvest allocation need to be addressed
broadly by all four flyways as this recommendation would alter the
harvest allocation for all flyways.
Finally, we do not support the Atlantic Flyway Council's
recommendation for a hybrid season as it is currently presented. We are
concerned that this season configuration may not result in the
necessary harvest reduction under a ``restrictive'' package due to the
timing and duration of the 2-bird daily bag portion of the season that
potentially could be selected by individual States.
Consistent with all harvest strategies, we remain committed to
working with the Flyway Councils to continue to refine the assessment
and decision-making framework and to improve the scientific basis for
scaup regulatory decisions.
Given our decision to implement the strategy in 2008, it is
critical that we receive recommendations from the Flyway Councils this
July on season lengths and daily bag limits that would define Flyway-
specific ``restrictive,'' ``moderate,'' and ``liberal'' regulatory
alternatives that are predicted to achieve Flyway-specific harvest
allocations under each package. It is our intent that, once defined,
these packages would remain fixed in each Flyway for a period of 3
years at which time they would be re-examined in light of realized
scaup harvests.
Lastly, we would like to acknowledge the report of the scaup
harvest strategy review panel, but note that many of the committee's
concerns have been previously addressed during the development and
review process that has been ongoing since 2003. However, several
comments dealt with specific technical issues that we agree are worthy
of additional investigation. Nonetheless, we do not believe that such
work precludes the use of the best assessment currently available to
determine the appropriate level of harvest of scaup. Much of the focus
of the comments received has been toward the development of competing
models, and we acknowledge that such model(s) would be desirable. We
note, however, that alternative models as described in the review panel
report do not presently exist and that there are considerable technical
hurdles to their development. Specific details of the review panel's
report, all the comments received, and our more detailed technical
responses can be found on our Web site at http://fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports/report.html or at http://www.regulations.gov.
viii. Wood Ducks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council provided the
following comments on the proposed wood duck harvest strategy:
(1) The Council endorses the use of the Potential Biological
Removal method for calculating allowable harvest;
[[Page 43297]]
(2) Adult males should be the cohort to monitor;
(3) The management objective should be MSY, with the test criteria
that the upper 95 percent confidence interval of the 3-year running
average of both northern and region-wide adult male observed kill rates
not exceed MSY based on their respective allowable kill rates;
(4) Should monitoring show impact on northern males, the harvest
strategy should revert to a 2-bird daily bag limit;
(5) Bag limits should be allowed to differ between flyways; and
(6) The strategy should be adopted in 2008.
The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the
Mississippi Flyway Council endorsed use of the Potential Biological
Removal method to assess wood duck harvest potential and provided the
following guidance on outstanding wood duck harvest management policy
issues:
(1) Monitor adult male kill rates from the Atlantic and Mississippi
Flyways combined to determine whether actual kill rates exceed
allowable kill rates;
(2) Use the point of Maximum Sustained Yield (\1/2\
rmax), combined with a test criteria requirement that the
upper 95 percent confidence interval of the observed kill rate be below
the allowable kill rate, as the management objective;
(3) Allow wood duck bag limits to differ between the Atlantic and
Mississippi Flyways; and
(4) Implement in the 2008-09 season.
The Central Flyway Council recommended that the Central Flyway be
included in the development and implementation of the wood duck harvest
strategy for the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways.
Written Comments: In a joint recommendation submitted at the June
25 Service Regulations Committee meeting, the Atlantic, Mississippi,
and Central Flyway Councils recommended:
(1) Endorsement of the use of the Potential Biological Removal
(PBR) method for calculating allowable harvest;
(2) Bag limits should be allowed to differ between flyways;
(3) The cohorts to monitor for the Atlantic Flyway are both range-
wide and northern adult males banded in the Atlantic Flyway:
(4) The cohort to monitor for the Mississippi and Central Flyways
is range-wide adult males banded in the Mississippi and Central Flyway;
(5) The management objective should be allowable kill rate (AKR),
with the test criteria that the upper 95% confidence interval of the 3-
year running average of the monitored cohort observed kill rates not
exceed AKR;
(6) The strategy, including 3-bird bag limit, should be adopted for
an experimental 3-year period beginning in 2008; and
(7) The Service should calculate allowable kill rates that are
specific to the Atlantic Flyway, and specific to the Central and
Mississippi Flyways combined before the experimental period is
complete.
Service Response: In the May 28 Federal Register, we reported on
the significant technical progress that had been made in estimating the
harvest potential of wood ducks in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway.
This progress included our preparation of a scoping document describing
how our assessment of the harvest potential could fit within an overall
harvest strategy for wood ducks (see http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports/reports.html).
While we have not formally proposed a wood duck harvest strategy,
we stated our support for a wood duck harvest strategy based on the
Potential Biological Removal method, with the management objective of
95 percent confidence that harvest will not exceed an allowable kill
rate equal to the estimated harvest rate which would achieve the
maximum long-term sustainable harvest. We further stated in the June 18
Federal Register that we planned to evaluate feedback from the Flyways
in order to make a determination whether it would be feasible to
consider implementation of a wood duck harvest strategy for the
Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways in 2008. After considering
the Flyway Councils' comments and recommendations, we do not support
adoption of a wood duck harvest strategy at this time. We do, however,
continue to strongly support the development of such a strategy and
request the Flyways continued help and cooperation in developing one.
Our delay in adopting the strategy is based largely on the fact that
our current assessment of harvest potential did not evaluate an east/
west split, nor did it consider separate monitoring of kill rates of
Atlantic Flyway and Mississippi/Central Flyway wood ducks, which would
be required by this new proposal. Additionally, we support an approach
that treats the eastern population of wood ducks as a whole and are
willing to work with the Flyways to determine the appropriate cohort
for monitoring kill rates. We believe that additional dialogue is
needed to decide upon the appropriate monitoring cohort, and clarify
other aspects of this new proposal. We look forward to continued work
with the Flyway Councils to complete this important harvest strategy.
4. Canada Geese
A. Special Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
allowing a 10-day experimental extension of the September Resident
Canada goose season in Delaware from September 16 to September 25
consistent with September Canada goose seasons in Atlantic Population
(AP) zones in the adjacent States of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and
other States in the Atlantic Flyway. They requested that this
experimental season be permitted for a 3-year period, at which time an
analysis of direct band recoveries will be conducted to determine if
the harvest of AP Canada geese exceeds 10 percent of the overall goose
harvest during Delaware's 10-day extension of the early season. This
extended season will not incorporate the ``expanded hunting methods''
and would be implemented in 2008.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended allowing Wyoming to modify
its current framework that allows 4 geese per season to a 4-bird
possession limit.
Service Response: We support the Atlantic Flyway Council's request
to allow a 10-day extension of Delaware's September Canada goose season
on an experimental basis for 3 years. We note that Delaware's
evaluation plan meets the criteria currently set forth by the Service
for experimental Canada goose seasons. Further, we would also note that
we plan to review the efficacy of these criteria in the near future,
but we do not believe that such a review will have any impact on this
proposal.
We also support the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation
regarding Wyoming and note that this requested possession limit change
falls within previously established frameworks for September Canada
goose seasons.
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 for the regular goose
seasons in Michigan and Wisconsin be September 16, 2008.
Service Response: We concur. As we stated last year (72 FR 40194),
we agree with the objective to increase harvest pressure on resident
Canada geese in the Mississippi Flyway and will continue to
[[Page 43298]]
consider the opening dates in both States as exceptions to the general
Flyway opening date, to be reconsidered annually.
9. Sandhill Cranes
Council Recommendations: The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils
recommended using the 2008 Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) sandhill
crane harvest allocation of 1,633 birds as proposed in the allocation
formula using the 3-year running average. They further recommended that
a new RMP greater sandhill crane hunt area be established in Uinta
County, Wyoming.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended modifying Wyoming's RMP hunt
areas by: (1) Expanding the hunt area in Lincoln County to include the
Hams Fork drainage, and (2) expanding Area 6 in the Bighorn Basin to
include all of Park, Bighorn, Hot Springs and Washakie Counties. The
Council also recommended initiating a limited hunt for Lower Colorado
River sandhill cranes in Arizona, with the goal of the hunt being a
limited harvest of 6 cranes in January. To limit harvest, Arizona would
issue permit tags to hunters and require mandatory checking of all
harvested cranes. To limit disturbance of wintering cranes, Arizona
would restrict the hunt to one 3-day period. Arizona would also
coordinate with the National Wildlife Refuges where cranes occur.
Service Response: Last year the Pacific Flyway Council recommended,
and we approved, the establishment of a limited hunt for the Lower
Colorado River Valley Population (LCRVP) of sandhill cranes in Arizona
(72 FR 49622). However, the population inventory on which the LCRVP
hunt plan is based was not completed last year. Thus, the Arizona Game
and Fish Department chose to not conduct the hunt last year. We
continue to support the continuation of the 3-year experimental
framework for this hunt conditional on successful monitoring being
conducted as called for in the Flyway hunt plan for this population.
Our final environmental assessment (FEA) on this new hunt can be
obtained by writing Robert Trost, Pacific Flyway Representative, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird management, 911
NE 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4181, or it may be viewed via
the Service's home page at http://fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports/reports.html or at http://www.regulations.gov.
Regarding the establishment of a new RMP greater sandhill crane
hunt area in Uinta County, Wyoming, and the Pacific Flyway Council's
recommended modification of several of Wyoming's RMP hunt areas, we
agree. All of these areas are within existing RMP hunt plans and RMP
harvest is controlled by the RMP crane harvest allocation identified in
the RMP hunt plan.
16. Mourning Doves
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council and the Upper-
and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended that States within the Eastern Management Unit
should be offered a 70-day season and 15-bird daily bag limit for the
2008-09 mourning dove hunting season, and the dichotomous hunting
season structure should be eliminated.
The Atlantic Flyway Council, the Upper- and Lower-Region
Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council, and the
Central Flyway Council submitted interim mourning dove harvest
management strategies for the Eastern Management Unit and the Central
Management Unit for implementation in 2009.
Service Response: We concur with the recommendation to eliminate
dichotomous bag limit choice and standardize the dove hunting framework
to a 70-day season with a 15-bird daily bag limit in the Eastern
Management Unit beginning with the 2008-09 season. Our assessment
indicates that the increase in harvest will be minimal. We agree that
this will be a simplification in the regulations and facilitate future
harvest evaluations.
We also accept and endorse the interim harvest strategies for the
Central and Eastern Management Units and await the submittal of an
interim harvest strategy for the Western Management Unit in late July.
The interim mourning dove harvest strategies are a step towards
implementing the Mourning Dove National Strategic Harvest Plan (Plan)
that was approved by all four Flyway Councils in 2003. The Plan
represents a new, more informed means of decision-making for dove
harvest management besides relying solely on traditional roadside
counts of mourning doves as indicators of population trend. However,
recognizing that a more comprehensive, national approach would take
time to develop, we requested the development of interim harvest
strategies, by management unit, until the elements of the Plan can be
fully implemented. In 2004, each management unit submitted its
respective strategy, but the strategies used different datasets and
different approaches or methods. After initial submittal and review in
2006, we requested that the strategies be revised, using similar,
existing datasets among the management units along with similar
decision-making criteria. In January 2008, we recommended that,
following approval by the respective Flyway Councils in March, they be
submitted in 2008 for endorsement by the Service with implementation
for the 2009-10 hunting season.
18. Alaska
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended
maintaining status quo in the Alaska early season framework, except for
increasing the daily bag limit for canvasbacks to 2 per day with 6 in
possession, and increasing the daily bag limit for brant to 3 per day
with 6 in possession.
Service Response: We concur with the Pacific Flyway Council's
recommendation for an increase in the daily bag and possession limit
for brant. However, we do not support increasing the canvasback daily
bag limit to 2 birds per day for the 2008-09 season. Our proposal is
based on two factors: (1) There is no biological data currently
available to justify a 2-bird daily bag limit for canvasbacks for the
2008-09 season, and (2) we note that prior to this year, the canvasback
strategy had no provisions for a daily bag limit greater than one bird.
In recognition of our change to the canvasback harvest strategy
(discussed above in 1.D.iv. Canvasbacks), we request that the Pacific
Flyway, in conjunction with Alaska, develop a recommendation on how to
effectively incorporate Alaska into any future regulations when 2-bird
daily bags are offered during the late season regulatory process.
20. Puerto Rico
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that Puerto Rico be permitted to adopt a 20-bird bag limit for doves in
the aggregate for the next three hunting seasons, 2008-2010. Legally
hunted dove species in Puerto Rico are the Zenaida dove, the white-
winged dove, and the mourning dove. They also recommended that the 20-
bird aggregate bag limit should include no more than 10 Zenaida doves
and no more than 3 mourning doves.
Service Response: We concur.
Public Comments
The Department of the Interior's policy is, whenever practicable,
to afford the public an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking
process. Accordingly, we invite interested persons to submit written
comments, suggestions, or recommendations
[[Page 43299]]
regarding the proposed regulations. Before promulgation of final
migratory game bird hunting regulations, we will take into
consideration all comments received. Such comments, and any additional
information received, may lead to final regulations that differ from
these proposals.
You may submit your comments and materials concerning this proposed
rule by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. We will not
consider comments sent by e-mail or fax or to an address not listed in
the ADDRESSES section. Finally, we will not consider hand-delivered
comments that we do not receive, or mailed comments that are not
postmarked, by the date specified in the DATES section.
We will post your entire comment--including your personal
identifying information--on http://www.regulations.gov. If you provide
personal identifying information in your comment, you may request at
the top of your document that we withhold this information from public
review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting
documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule, will be
available for public inspection on http://www.regulations.gov, or by
appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, Room 4107,
4501 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203.
For each series of proposed rulemakings, we will establish specific
comment periods. We will consider, but possibly may not respond in
detail to, each comment. As in the past, we will summarize all comments
received during the comment period and respond to them after the
closing date in any final rules.
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 Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on June 16,
1988 (53 FR 22582). We published our Record of Decision on August 18,
1988 (53 FR 31341). In addition, an August 1985 environmental
assessment entitled ``Guidelines for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
on Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands'' is available from the
address indicated under the caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
In a notice published in the September 8, 2005, Federal Register
(70 FR 53376), we announced our intent to develop a new Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement for the migratory bird hunting program.
Public scoping meetings were held in the spring of 2006, as detailed in
a March 9, 2006, Federal Register (71 FR 12216). We have prepared a
scoping report summarizing the scoping comments and scoping meetings.
The report is available by either writing to the address indicated
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or by viewing on our Web site at
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds.
Endangered Species Act Consideration
Prior to issuance of the 2008-09 migratory game bird hunting
regulations, we will comply with provisions of the Endangered Species
Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543; hereinafter, the Act), to
ensure that hunting is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence
of any species designated as endangered or threatened, or modify or
destroy its critical habitat, and is consistent with conservation
programs for those species. Consultations under Section 7 of this Act
may cause us to change proposals in this and future supplemental
rulemaking documents.
Executive Order 12866
The Office of Management and Budget has determined that this rule
is significant and has reviewed this rule under Executive Order 12866.
OMB bases its determination upon the following four criteria:
(a) Whether the rule will have an annual effect of $100 million or
more on the economy or adversely affect an economic sector,
productivity, jobs, the environment, or other units of the government.
(b) Whether the rule will create inconsistencies with other Federal
agencies' actions.
(c) Whether the rule will materially affect entitlements, grants,
user fees, loan programs, or the rights and obligations of their
recipients.
(d) Whether the rule raises novel legal or policy issues.
Clarity of the Rule
We are required by Executive Orders 12866 and 12988 and by the
Presidential Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain
language. This means that each rule we publish must:
(a) Be logically organized;
(b) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
(c) Use clear language rather than jargon;
(d) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
(e) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
If you feel that we have not met these requirements, send us
comments by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. To
better help us revise the rule, your comments should be as specific as
possible. For example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections
or paragraphs that are unclearly written, which sections or sentences
are too long, the sections where you feel lists or tables would be
useful, etc.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The 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, 2004, and 2008. The primary source of
information about hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting
is the National Hunting and Fishing Survey, which is conducted at 5-
year intervals. The 2008 Analysis was based on the 2006 National
Hunting and Fishing Survey and the U.S. Department of Commerce's County
Business Patterns, from which it was estimated that migratory bird
hunters would spend approximately $1.2 billion at small businesses in
2008. Copies of the Analysis are available upon request from the
address indicated under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or from our Web
site at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports/reports.html or at
http://www.regulations.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 this rule establishes hunting seasons, we do not plan
to defer the effective date under the exemption contained in 5 U.S.C.
808(1).
[[Page 43300]]
Paperwork Reduction Act
We examined these regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). The various recordkeeping and reporting
requirements imposed under regulations established in 50 CFR part 20,
Subpart K, are utilized in the formulation of migratory game bird
hunting regulations. Specifically, OMB has approved the information
collection requirements of our Migratory Bird Surveys and assigned
control number 1018-0023 (expires 2/28/2011). This information is used
to provide a sampling frame for voluntary national surveys to improve
our harvest estimates for all migratory game birds in order to better
manage these populations. OMB has also approved the information
collection requirements of the Alaska Subsistence Household Survey, an
associated voluntary annual household survey used to determine levels
of subsistence take in Alaska, and assigned control number 1018-0124
(expires 1/31/2010). A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor and a
person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless
it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
We have determined and certify, in compliance with the requirements
of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this
rulemaking will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given
year on local or State government or private entities. Therefore, this
rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act.
Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988
The Department, in promulgating this proposed rule, has determined
that this proposed rule will not unduly burden the judicial system and
that it meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of
Executive Order 12988.
Takings Implication Assessment
In accordance with Executive Order 12630, this proposed 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 proposed
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 Indian tribe may be more restrictive
than the Federal frameworks at any time. The frameworks are developed
in a cooperative process with the States and the Flyway Councils. This
process allows States to participate in the development of frameworks
from which they will make selections, thereby having an influence on
their own regulations. These rules do not have a substantial direct
effect on fiscal capacity, change the roles or responsibilities of
Federal or State governments, or intrude on State policy or
administration. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132,
these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and do not
have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a
Federalism Assessment.
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 2008-09
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742
a-j.
Dated: July 14, 2008.
Lyle Laverty,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 2008-09 Early Hunting Seasons on
Certain Migratory Game Birds
Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated
authorities, the Department of the Interior approved the following
proposed frameworks, which prescribe season lengths, bag limits,
shooting hours, and outside dates within which States may select
hunting seasons for certain migratory game birds between September 1,
2008, and March 10, 2009.
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.
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,
[[Page 43301]]
Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Western Management Unit--Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Woodcock Management Regions
Eastern Management Region--Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia.
Central Management Region--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Other geographic descriptions are contained in a later portion of
this document.
Definitions
Dark geese: Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant (except in
Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, and the Atlantic Flyway), and
all other goose species except light geese.
Light geese: snow (including blue) geese and Ross' geese.
Waterfowl Seasons in the Atlantic Flyway
In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and
Virginia, where Sunday hunting is prohibited statewide by State law,
all Sundays are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including
mergansers and coots).
Special September Teal Season
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season
on all species of teal may be selected by the following States in areas
delineated by State regulations:
Atlantic Flyway--Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North
Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Central Flyway--Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska (part), New
Mexico (part), Oklahoma, and Texas.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 9 consecutive
days in the Atlantic Flyway and 16 consecutive days 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 20). 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 Long-tailed Ducks (Atlantic Flyway)
Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 107 days, with
a daily bag limit of 7, singly or in the aggregate, of the listed sea-
duck species, of which no more than 4 may be scoters.
Daily Bag Limits During the Regular Duck Season: Within the special
sea duck areas, during the regular duck season in the Atlantic Flyway,
States may choose to allow the above sea duck limits in addition to the
limits applying to other ducks during the regular duck season. In all
other areas, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular open season
for ducks and are part of the regular duck season daily bag (not to
exceed 4 scoters) and possession limits.
Areas: In all coastal waters and all waters of rivers and streams
seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in any waters
of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay which are
separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and
emergent vegetation in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Georgia; and in
any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay
which are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any shore,
island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina,
and Virginia; and provided that any such areas have been described,
delineated, and designated as special sea-duck hunting areas under the
hunting regulations adopted by the respective States.
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons
Atlantic Flyway
General Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected for the Eastern Unit of Maryland and Delaware. Seasons not to
exceed 25 days during September 1-25 may be selected for the Montezuma
Region of New York and the Lake Champlain Region of New York and
Vermont. Seasons not to exceed 30 days during September 1-30 may be
selected for Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New York (Long
Island Zone), North Carolina, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. Seasons
may not exceed 25 days during September 1-25 in the remainder of the
Flyway. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described,
delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 Canada geese.
[[Page 43302]]
Experimental Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 10 days during September 16-25 may be
selected in Delaware. The daily bag limit may not exceed 15 Canada
geese. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described,
delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during any general season, shooting hours may extend to one-half hour
after sunset if all other waterfowl seasons are closed in the specific
applicable area.
Mississippi Flyway
General Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected, except in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, where the season
may not extend beyond September 10, and in Minnesota (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.
General Seasons
Experimental Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 7 days during September 16-22 may be
selected in the Northwest Goose Zone in Minnesota. 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.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after
sunset if all other waterfowl seasons are closed in the specific
applicable area.
Central Flyway
General Seasons
In Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas, Canada
goose seasons of up to 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected.
In Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming, Canada
goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be selected.
The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open to the
hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated
as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after
sunset if all other waterfowl seasons are closed in the specific
applicable area.
Pacific Flyway
General Seasons
California may select a 9-day season in Humboldt County during the
period September 1-15. The daily bag limit is 2.
Colorado may select a 9-day season during the period of September
1-15. The daily bag limit is 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, 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, 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.
Special Seasons in the Pacific Flyway:
Arizona may select a season for hunting sandhill cranes within the
range of the Lower Colorado River
[[Page 43303]]
Population (LCR) of sandhill cranes, subject to the following
conditions:
Outside Dates: Between January 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: The season may not exceed 3 days.
Bag Limits: Not to exceed 1 daily and 1 per season.
Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the
appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.
Other Provisions: The season is experimental. 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 Pacific Flyway Council.
Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and the last Sunday in January
(January 25) in the Atlantic, Mississippi and Central Flyways. States
in the Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons
between the outside dates for the season on ducks; therefore, they are
late-season frameworks, and no frameworks are provided in this
document.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70
days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. Seasons may be
split into 2 segments. The daily bag limit is 15 common moorhens and
purple gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of the two species.
Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck
hunting.
Rails
Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between
September 1 and the last Sunday in January (January 25) 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 2
species. In Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida,
South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, 15, singly or in the
aggregate of the two species.
Sora and Virginia Rails--In the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central
Flyways and the Pacific-Flyway portions of Colorado, Montana, New
Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 daily and 25 in possession, singly or in the
aggregate of the two species. The season is closed in the remainder of
the Pacific Flyway.
Common Snipe
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28, except in
Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia,
where the season must end no later than January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 107
days and may be split into two segments. The daily bag limit is 8
snipe.
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 20) 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 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more
than three periods. Regulations for bag and possession limits, season
length, and shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting
zones.
Central Management Unit
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.
[[Page 43304]]
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: The daily bag limit may not exceed 15
mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
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 4 and a possession limit of
8.
Dark Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit of
8.
Dark-goose seasons are subject to the following exceptions:
1. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from
September 28 through December 16.
2. On Middleton Island in Unit 6, a special, permit-only Canada
goose season may be offered. 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.
3. In Units 9, 10, 17 and 18, dark goose limits are 6 per day, 12
in possession; however, no more than 2 may be Canada geese in Units
9(E) and 18; and no more than 4 may be Canada geese in Units 9(A-C), 10
(Unimak Island portion), and 17.
Brant--A daily bag limit of 3 and a possession limit of 6.
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 20 Zenaida,
mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which not more
than 10 may be Zenaida doves and 3 may be mourning doves. Not to exceed
5 scaly-naped pigeons.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the white-crowned pigeon
and the plain pigeon, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico.
[[Page 43305]]
Closed Areas: There is no open season on doves or pigeons in the
following areas: Municipality of Culebra, Desecheo Island, Mona Island,
El Verde Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas.
Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and Snipe
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 days may be selected for hunting
ducks, common moorhens, and common snipe. The season may be split into
two segments.
Daily Bag Limits
Ducks--Not to exceed 6.
Common moorhens--Not to exceed 6.
Common snipe--Not to exceed 8.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck,
and masked duck, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico. The season also is closed on the purple gallinule, American coot,
and Caribbean coot.
Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, common moorhens,
and common snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island.
Virgin Islands
Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days for Zenaida doves.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida doves.
Closed Seasons: No open season is prescribed for ground or quail
doves, or pigeons 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 a line extending
east from the Texas border along State Highway 12 to U.S. Highway 190,
east along U.S. 190 to Interstate Highway 12, east along Interstate 12
to Interstate Highway 10, then east along Interstate 10 to the
Mississippi border.
South Zone--The remainder of the State.
Mississippi
North Zone--That portion of the State north and west of a line
extending west from the Alabama State line along U.S. Highway 84 to its
junction with State Highway 35, then south along State Highway 35 to
the Louisiana State line.
South Zone--The remainder of Mississippi.
Nevada
White-winged Dove Open Areas--Clark and Nye Counties.
Oklahoma
North Zone--That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Texas border along U.S. Highway 62 to Interstate 44, east
along Oklahoma State Highway 7 to U.S. Highway 81, then south along
U.S. Highway 81 to the Texas border at the Red River.
Southwest Zone--The remainder of Oklahoma.
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.
[[Page 43306]]
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--Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent,
Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester
Counties; and that part of Anne Arundel County east of Interstate 895,
Interstate 97 and Route 3; that part of Prince George's County east of
Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County east of Route
301 to the Virginia State line.
Western Unit--Allegany, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett,
Howard, Montgomery, and Washington Counties and that part of Anne
Arundel County west of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and Route 3; that
part of Prince George's County west of Route 3 and Route 301; and that
part of Charles County west of Route 301 to the Virginia State line.
Massachusetts
Western Zone--That portion of the State west of a line extending
south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10,
south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut
border.
Central Zone--That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-
95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on
MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west
to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards
inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the
MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.--Elm St.
bridge will be in the Coastal Zone.
Coastal Zone--That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the
Central Zone.
New York
Lake Champlain Zone--The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay;
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont
border.
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 14, 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 US 17 in Midway, US 17 in Midway to US 13 in
Windsor to the Hertford County line; and that portion of Northampton
County that is north of US 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 US 2; east along US 2 to VT
102; north along VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 253 to the Canadian
border.
Connecticut River Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont east of
the Interior Zone.
Mississippi Flyway
Arkansas
Early Canada Goose Area: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clark,
Conway, Crawford, Faulkner, Franklin, Garland, Hempstead, Hot Springs,
Howard, Johnson, Lafayette, Little River, Logan, Madison, Marion,
Miller, Montgomery, Newton, Perry, Pike, Polk, Pope, Pulaski, Saline,
Searcy, Sebastian, Sevier, Scott, Van Buren, Washington, and Yell
Counties.
Illinois
Northeast Canada Goose Zone--Cook, Du Page, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee,
Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.
North Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast Canada
Goose Zone and north of a line extending west from the Indiana border
along Peotone-Beecher Road to Illinois Route 50, south along Illinois
Route 50 to Wilmington-Peotone Road, west along Wilmington-Peotone Road
to Illinois Route 53, north along Illinois Route 53 to New River Road,
northwest along New River Road to Interstate Highway 55, south along I-
55 to Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road, west along Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road to
Illinois Route 47, north along Illinois Route 47 to I-80, west along I-
80 to I-39, south along I-39 to Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois
Route 18 to
[[Page 43307]]
Illinois Route 29, south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois Route 17,
west along Illinois Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and due south
across the Mississippi River to the Iowa border.
Central Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast
Canada Goose Zone and south of the North Zone to a line extending west
from the Indiana border along Interstate Highway 70 to Illinois Route
4, south along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route 161, west along
Illinois Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south and west along Illinois
Route 158 to Illinois Route 159, south along Illinois Route 159 to
Illinois Route 156, west along Illinois Route 156 to A Road, north and
west on A Road to Levee Road, north on Levee Road to the south shore of
New Fountain Creek, west along the south shore of New Fountain Creek to
the Mississippi River, and due west across the Mississippi River to the
Missouri border.
South Zone: The remainder of Illinois.
Iowa
North Zone: That portion of the State north of U.S. Highway 20.
South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Goose Zone. Includes portions of Linn and
Johnson Counties bounded as follows: Beginning at the intersection of
the west border of Linn County and Linn County Road E2W; 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
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.
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
[[Page 43308]]
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 and south along State 22 to State 110, south along State
110 to U.S. 10, south along U.S. 10 to State 49, south along State 49
to State 23, west along State 23 to State 73, south along State 73 to
State 60, west along State 60 to State 23, south along State 23 to
State 11, east along State 11 to State 78, then south along State 78 to
the Illinois border.
Early-Season Subzone B--The remainder of the State.
Central Flyway
Nebraska
September Canada Goose Unit--That part of Nebraska bounded by a
line from the Nebraska-Iowa State line west on U.S. Highway 30 to US
Highway 81, then south on US 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
Special Early Canada Goose Unit: Entire state of South Dakota
except the counties of Bennett, Bon Homme, Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix,
Custer east of SD HW 79 and south of French Creek, Dewey south of 212,
Fall River east of SD HW 71 and US HW 385, Gregory, Hughes, Hyde south
of US HW 14, Lyman, Potter west of US HW 83, Stanley, and Sully.
Pacific Flyway
Idaho
East Zone--Bonneville, Caribou, Fremont, and Teton Counties.
Oregon
Northwest Zone--Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane,
Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and
Yamhill Counties.
Southwest Zone--Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and
Klamath Counties.
East Zone--Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla,
Union, and Wasco Counties.
Washington
Area 1--Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
Area 2A (SW Quota Zone)--Clark County, except portions south of the
Washougal River; Cowlitz County; and Wahkiakum County.
Area 2B (SW Quota Zone)--Pacific County.
Area 3--All areas west of the Pacific Crest Trail and west of the
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Areas 1, 2A, and 2B.
Area 4--Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas,
Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties.
Area 5--All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Area 4.
Ducks
Atlantic Flyway
New York
Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay;
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont
border.
Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their
tidal waters.
Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border.
Northeastern Zone: That area north of a line extending from Lake
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.
Maryland
Special Teal Season Area: Calvert, Caroline, Dorchester, Kent,
Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester
Counties and those parts of Cecil, Harford, and Baltimore Counties east
of Interstate 95; that part of Anne Arundel County east of Interstate
895, Interstate 97, and Route 3; that part of Prince George's County
east of Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County east of
Route 301 to the Virginia State Line.
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
[[Page 43309]]
State Road 62 to State 56, east along State 56 to Vevay, east and north
on State 156 along the Ohio River to North Landing, north along State
56 to U.S. Highway 50, then northeast along U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.
South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio
River Zone boundaries.
Iowa
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State Highway
37, southeast along State Highway 37 to State Highway 183, northeast
along State Highway 183 to State Highway 141, east along State Highway
141 to U.S. Highway 30, then east along U.S. Highway 30 to the Illinois
border.
South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
Central Flyway
Colorado
Special Teal Season Area: Lake and Chaffee Counties and that
portion of the State east of Interstate Highway 25.
Kansas
High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.
Low Plains Early Zone: That area of Kansas east of U.S. 283, and
generally west of a line beginning at the Junction of the Nebraska
State line and KS 28; south on KS 28 to U.S. 36; east on U.S. 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 Interstate 5 with the
California-Oregon line; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with
Walters Lane south of the town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane to its
junction with Easy Street; south along Easy Street to the junction with
Old Highway 99; south along Old Highway 99 to the point of intersection
with Interstate 5 north of the town of Weed; south along Interstate 5
to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to
Main Street Greenville; north and east to its junction with North
Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and
east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the
junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington
Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the
junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and
east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-
Nevada State line; north along the California-Nevada State line to the
junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon State lines west along the
California-Oregon State line to the point of origin.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to
U.S. 80; east 7 miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south
on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 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
[[Page 43310]]
(Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande, and
Saguache Counties east of the Continental Divide) and North Park
(Jackson County).
Kansas
That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the Oklahoma
border, north on I-35 to Wichita, north on I-135 to Salina, and north
on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border.
Montana
The Central Flyway portion of the State except for that area south
and west of Interstate 90, which is closed to sandhill crane hunting.
New Mexico
Regular-Season Open Area--Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay,
and Roosevelt Counties.
Middle Rio Grande Valley Area--The Central Flyway portion of New
Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties.
Estancia Valley Area--Those portions of Santa Fe, Torrance and
Bernallilo Counties within an area bounded on the west by New Mexico
Highway 55 beginning at Mountainair north to NM 337, north to NM 14,
north to I-25; on the north by I-25 east to U.S. 285; on the east by
U.S. 285 south to U.S. 60; and on the south by U.S. 60 from U.S. 285
west to NM 55 in Mountainair.
Southwest Zone--Sierra, Luna, Dona Ana Counties, and those portions
of Grant and Hidalgo Counties south of I-10.
North Dakota
Area 1--That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
Area 2--That portion of the State east of U.S. 281.
Oklahoma
That portion of the State west of I-35.
South Dakota
That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
Texas
Zone A--That portion of Texas lying west of a line beginning at the
international toll bridge at Laredo, thence northeast along U.S.
Highway 81 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35 in Laredo, thence
north along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate
Highway 10 in San Antonio, thence northwest along Interstate Highway 10
to its junction with U.S. Highway 83 at Junction, thence north along
U.S. Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of
Childress, thence east along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-Oklahoma
State line.
Zone B--That portion of Texas lying within boundaries beginning at
the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-Oklahoma State line,
thence southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its junction with U.S.
Highway 287 in Montague County, thence southeast along U.S. Highway 287
to its junction with Interstate Highway 35W in Fort Worth, thence
southwest along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate
Highway 10 in San Antonio, thence northwest along Interstate Highway 10
to its junction with U.S. Highway 83 in Junction, thence north along
U.S. Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of
Childress, thence east along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-Oklahoma
State line, thence south along the Texas-Oklahoma state line to the
south bank of the Red River, thence eastward along the vegetation line
on the south bank of the Red River to U.S. Highway 81.
Zone C--The remainder of the State, except for the closed areas.
Closed areas--(A) That portion of the State lying east and north of
a line beginning at the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-
Oklahoma State line, thence southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its
junction with U.S. Highway 287 in Montague County, thence southeast
along U.S. Highway 287 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35W in
Fort Worth, thence southwest along Interstate Highway 35 to its
junction with U.S. Highway 290 East in Austin, thence east along U.S.
Highway 290 to its junction with Interstate Loop 610 in Harris County,
thence south and east along Interstate Loop 610 to its junction with
Interstate Highway 45 in Houston, thence south on Interstate Highway 45
to State Highway 342, thence to the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, and
thence north and east along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the
Texas-Louisiana State line. (B) That portion of the State lying within
the boundaries of a line beginning at the Kleberg-Nueces County line
and the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, thence west along the County line
to Park Road 22 in Nueces County, thence north and west along Park Road
22 to its junction with State Highway 358 in Corpus Christi, thence
west and north along State Highway 358 to its junction with State
Highway 286, thence north along State Highway 286 to its junction with
Interstate Highway 37, thence east along Interstate Highway 37 to its
junction with U.S. Highway 181, thence north and west along U.S.
Highway 181 to its junction with U.S. Highway 77 in Sinton, thence
north and east along U.S. Highway 77 to its junction with U.S. Highway
87 in Victoria, thence south and east along U.S. Highway 87 to its
junction with State Highway 35 at Port Lavaca, thence north and east
along State Highway 35 to the south end of the Lavaca Bay Causeway,
thence south and east along the shore of Lavaca Bay to its junction
with the Port Lavaca Ship Channel, thence south and east along the
Lavaca Bay Ship Channel to the Gulf of Mexico, and thence south and
west along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the Kleberg-Nueces County
line.
Wyoming
Regular-Season Open Area--Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen,
Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties.
Riverton-Boysen Unit--Portions of Fremont County.
Park and Big Horn County Unit--Portions of Park and Big Horn
Counties.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
Special-Season Area--Game Management Units 30A, 30B, 31, and 32.
Montana
Special-Season Area--See State regulations.
Utah
Special-Season Area--Rich, Cache, and Unitah Counties and that
portion of Box Elder County beginning on the Utah-Idaho State line at
the Box Elder-Cache County line; west on the State line to the
Pocatello Valley County Road; south on the Pocatello Valley County Road
to I-15; southeast on I-15 to SR-83; south on SR-83 to Lamp Junction;
west and south on the Promontory Point County Road to the tip of
Promontory Point; south from Promontory Point to the Box Elder-Weber
County line; east on the Box Elder-Weber County line to the Box Elder-
Cache County line; north on the Box Elder-Cache County line to the
Utah-Idaho State line.
Wyoming
Bear River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Salt River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Farson-Eden Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette
Counties described in State regulations.
Uinta County Area--That portion of Uinta County described in State
regulations.
[[Page 43311]]
All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska
North Zone--State Game Management Units 11-13 and 17-26.
Gulf Coast Zone--State Game Management Units 5-7, 9, 14-16, and 10
(Unimak Island only).
Southeast Zone--State Game Management Units 1-4.
Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone--State Game Management Unit 10
(except Unimak Island).
Kodiak Zone--State Game Management Unit 8.
All Migratory Game Birds in the Virgin Islands
Ruth Cay Closure Area--The island of Ruth Cay, just south of St.
Croix.
All Migratory Game Birds in Puerto Rico
Municipality of Culebra Closure Area--All of the municipality of
Culebra.
Desecheo Island Closure Area--All of Desecheo Island.
Mona Island Closure Area--All of Mona Island.
El Verde Closure Area--Those areas of the municipalities of Rio
Grande and Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All lands between Routes
956 on the west and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the north to the
juncture of Routes 956 and 186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands
between Routes 186 and 966 from the juncture of 186 and 966 on the
north, to the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the south; (3) all
lands lying west of Route 186 for 1 kilometer from the juncture of
Routes 186 and 956 south to Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within Km
14 and Km 6 on the west and the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on
the east; and (5) all lands within the Caribbean National Forest
Boundary whether private or public.
Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas--All of Cidra Municipality
and portions of Aguas Buenas, Caguas, Cayey, and Comerio Municipalities
as encompassed within the following boundary: beginning on Highway 172
as it leaves the municipality of Cidra on the west edge, north to
Highway 156, east on Highway 156 to Highway 1, south on Highway 1 to
Highway 765, south on Highway 765 to Highway 763, south on Highway 763
to the Rio Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to Highway 1, southwest on
Highway 1 to Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to Highway 729, north on
Highway 729 to Cidra Municipality boundary to the point of the
beginning.
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
[[Page 43312]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24JY08.002
[FR Doc. E8-16515 Filed 7-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-C