[Federal Register: August 29, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 169)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 51124-51149]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29au08-22]
[[Page 51124]]
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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 Late-Season
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we) is
proposing to establish the 2008-09 late-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 number
of birds that may be taken and possessed in late seasons. These
frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and
limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels compatible with
population and habitat conditions.
DATES: You must submit comments on the proposed migratory bird hunting
late-season frameworks by September 8, 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).
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.
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.
On June 25 and 26, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council
Consultants, at which the participants reviewed information on the
current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and developed
recommendations for the 2008-09 regulations for these species plus
regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the
Virgin Islands; special September waterfowl seasons in designated
States; special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic Flyway; and extended
falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and discussed preliminary
information on the status of waterfowl as it relates to the development
and selection of the regulatory packages for the 2008-09 regular
waterfowl seasons. On July 24, 2008, we published in the Federal
Register (73 FR 43290) a third document specifically dealing with the
proposed frameworks for early-season regulations. On August 27, 2008,
we published a rulemaking establishing final frameworks for early-
season migratory bird hunting regulations for the 2008-09 season.
On July 30-31, 2008, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council
Consultants, at which the participants reviewed the status of waterfowl
and developed recommendations for the 2008-09 regulations for these
species. This document deals specifically with proposed frameworks for
the late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. It will lead to
final frameworks from which States may select season dates, shooting
hours, areas, and limits.
We have considered all pertinent comments received through August
1, 2008, in developing this document. In addition, new proposals for
certain late-season regulations are provided for public comment. The
comment period is specified above under DATES. We will publish final
regulatory frameworks for late-season migratory game bird hunting in
the Federal Register on or around September 22, 2008.
Population Status and Harvest
The following paragraphs provide a brief summary of information on
the status and harvest of waterfowl 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
ADDRESSES or from our Web site at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/
reports/reports.html.
Status of Ducks
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 and helicopters and encompass principal breeding areas of
North America, and cover 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.
Breeding Ground Conditions
Habitat conditions during the 2008 Waterfowl Breeding Population
and Habitat 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 snow and
rainfall in the eastern survey area. The total pond estimate (Prairie
Canada and United States combined) was 4.4 0.2 million
ponds, 37 percent below last year's estimate of 7.0 0.3
million ponds and 10 percent lower than the long-term average of 4.9
0.03 million ponds. The 2008 estimate of ponds in Prairie
Canada was 3.1 0.1 million. This was a 39 percent decrease
from last year's estimate (5.0 0.3 million), and 11
percent below the 1955-2007 average (3.4 0.03 million).
The 2008 pond estimate for the north-central United States (1.4 0.1 million) was 30 percent lower than last year's estimate (2.0
0.1 million) and 11 percent below the long-term average
(1.5 0.02 million).
[[Page 51125]]
Breeding Population Status
In the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey traditional
survey area (strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), the total duck population
estimate was 37.3 0.6 [SE] million birds. This was 9
percent lower than last year's estimate of 41.2 0.7
million birds, but 11 percent above the 1955-2007 long-term average.
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) abundance was 7.7 0.3 million
birds, similar to last year's estimate of 8.3 0.3 million
birds and to the long-term average. Blue-winged teal (A. discors)
estimated abundance was 6.6 0.3 million birds similar to
last year's estimate of 6.7 0.4 million birds, and 45
percent above the long-term average. Estimated abundances of gadwall
(A. strepera; 2.7 0.2 million) and northern shovelers (A.
clypeata; 3.5 0.2 million) were lower than those of last
year (-19 percent and -23 percent, respectively), but both remained 56
percent above their long-term averages. Estimated abundance of American
wigeon (A. americana; 2.5 0.2 million) was similar to the
2007 estimate and the long-term average. Estimated abundances of green-
winged teal (A. crecca; 3.0 0.2 million) and redheads
(Aythya americana; 1.1 0.1 million) were similar to last
year's, but were each >50 percent above their long-term averages. The
redhead and green-winged teal estimates were the highest and the second
highest ever for the traditional survey area. The canvasback (A.
valisineria) estimate of 0.5 0.05 million was down 44
percent relative to 2007's record high, and 14 percent below the long-
term average. Northern pintails (Anas acuta; 2.6 0.1
million) were 22 percent below last year's estimate and 36 percent
below their long-term average. The scaup (Aythya affinis and A. marila
combined; 3.7 0.2 million) estimate was similar to that of
2007, and remained 27 percent below the long-term average.
The eastern survey area was restratified in 2005 and is now
composed of strata 51-72. Estimates of mallards, scaup, scoters (black
[Melanitta nigra], white-winged [M. fusca], and surf [M.
perspicillata]), green-winged teal, American wigeon, bufflehead (B.
albeola), American black duck (A. rubripes), ring-necked duck (Aythya
collaris), mergansers (red-breasted [Mergus serrator], common [M.
merganser], and hooded [Lophodytes cucullatus]), and goldeneye (common
[Bucephala clangula] and Barrow's [B. islandica]) all were similar to
their 2007 estimates and long-term averages.
Fall Flight Estimate
The mid-continent mallard population is composed of mallards from
the traditional survey area (revised in 2008 to exclude Alaska
mallards), Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and was estimated to be
7.7 0.3 million. This was similar to the revised 2007
estimate of 8.5 0.3 million. In 2007, we reported a
projected mallard fall-flight index of 11.4 million 1.0
million. After the removal of Alaska mallards from the mid-continent
stock, the revised 2007 fall-flight estimate was 10.9 1.0
million, which was not significantly different from the 2008 estimate
of 9.2 0.8 million. These indices were based on mid-
continent mallard population models revised in 2002, and the 2008
updated model weights, and therefore differ from those previously
published.
See section 1.A. Harvest Strategy Considerations for further
discussion of the implications of this information for this year's
selection of the appropriate hunting regulations.
Status of Geese and Swans
We provide information on the population status and productivity of
North American Canada geese (Branta canadensis), brant (B. bernicla),
snow geese (Chen caerulescens), Ross' geese (C. rossii), emperor geese
(C. canagica), white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons), and tundra swans
(Cygnus columbianus). In May of 2008, much of eastern Arctic and
subarctic Canada experienced well above-average temperatures which
contributed to average or early availability of nesting sites. Reports
from most other important goose and swan nesting areas indicated near-
average nesting phenology and average production of young in 2008. Poor
nesting conditions were reported from Wrangel Island, Russia and
relatively small areas along western Hudson Bay, Bristol Bay (Alaska),
and interior Alaska. Reduced wetland abundance in the Canadian and U.S.
prairies, and a cool and wet spring in other southern areas may have
reduced the production of some temperate-nesting Canada geese in 2008.
Primary abundance indices increased for 17 goose populations and
decreased for 9 goose populations in 2008 compared to 2007. Primary
abundance indices for both populations of tundra swans decreased in
2008 from 2007 levels. The following populations displayed significant
positive trends during the most recent 10-year period (P < 0.05):
Mississippi Flyway Giant, Aleutian, Atlantic Canada geese, Western
Arctic/Wrangel Island snow geese, and Pacific white-fronted geese. No
populations showed a significant negative 10-year trend. The forecast
for the production of geese and swans in North America in 2008 is
regionally variable, but production for many populations will be
improved from the generally low production observed in 2007.
Waterfowl Harvest and Hunter Activity
National surveys of migratory bird hunters were conducted during
the 2006 and 2007 hunting seasons. About 1.2 million waterfowl hunters
harvested 13,808,100 ( 4 percent) ducks and 3,579,100
( 5 percent) geese in 2006, and harvested 14,578,900
( 4 percent) ducks and 3,666,100 ( 6 percent)
geese in 2007. Mallard, green-winged teal, gadwall, blue-winged/
cinnamon teal (Anas cyanoptera), and wood duck (Aix sponsa) were the
most-harvested duck species, and Canada goose was the predominant goose
species in the harvest. Coot hunters (about 39,400 in 2006 and 33,700
in 2007) harvested 199,100 ( 29 percent) coots in 2006 and
198,300 ( 29 percent) in 2007.
Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations
The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the May 28,
2008, Federal Register, opened the public comment period for migratory
game bird hunting regulations. The supplemental proposed rule, which
appeared in the June 18, 2008, Federal Register, discussed the
regulatory alternatives for the 2008-09 duck hunting season. Late-
season comments are summarized below and numbered in the order used in
the May 28 and June 18 Federal Register documents. We have included
only the numbered items pertaining to late-season issues for which we
received written comments. Consequently, the issues do not follow in
successive 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
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,
[[Page 51126]]
they are discussed under headings corresponding to the numbered items
in the May 28 and June 18, 2008, Federal Register documents.
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) Harvest Strategy Considerations, (B) Regulatory
Alternatives, (C) Zones and Split Seasons, and (D) Special Seasons/
Species Management. The categories correspond to previously published
issues/discussion, and only those containing substantial
recommendations are discussed below.
A. Harvest Strategy Considerations
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Pacific Flyway Councils
and the Upper- and Lower-Regulations Committees of the Mississippi
Flyway Council recommended the adoption of the ``liberal'' regulatory
alternative.
The Mississippi Flyway Council opposed the implementation of the
western mallard Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) protocol and
recommended the midcontinent mallard AHM protocol should be used for
all three western Flyways.
The Central Flyway Council also recommended the ``liberal''
alternative. However, as part of their Hunter's Choice experiment, they
recommended continuation of the following bag limits:
In Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, the
daily bag limit would be six ducks, with species and sex
restrictions as follows: five mallards (no more than two of which
may be females), two redheads, two scaup, two wood ducks, one
pintail, one mottled duck, and one canvasback. For pintails and
canvasbacks, the season length would be 39 days, which may be split
according to applicable zones/split duck hunting configurations
approved for each State.
In Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the
daily bag limit would be five ducks, with species and sex
restrictions as follows: two scaup, two redheads, and two wood
ducks, and only one from the following group--hen mallards, mottled
ducks, pintails, canvasbacks.
Service Response: We are continuing development of an AHM protocol
that would allow hunting regulations to vary among Flyways in a manner
that recognizes each Flyway's unique breeding-ground derivation of
mallards. In the July 24 Federal Register, we described and adopted a
protocol for regulatory decision-making for the newly defined stock of
western mallards. For the 2008 hunting season, we believe that the
prescribed regulatory choice for Pacific Flyway should be based on the
status of this western mallard breeding stock, while the regulatory
choice for the Mississippi and Central Flyways should depend on the
status of the recently redefined mid-continent mallard stock. In
defining the western breeding stock, based on available data, mallards
breeding in Alaska were disassociated with the mid-continent mallard
stock and reassigned to the western stock. We also recommend that the
regulatory choice for the Atlantic Flyway continue to depend on the
status of eastern mallards.
For the 2008 hunting season, we are continuing to consider the same
regulatory alternatives as those used last year. The nature of the
restrictive, moderate, and liberal alternatives has remained
essentially unchanged since 1997, except that extended framework dates
have been offered in the moderate and liberal regulatory alternatives
since 2002. Also, in 2003, we agreed to place a constraint on closed
seasons in the western three Flyways whenever the midcontinent mallard
breeding-population size (as defined prior to 2008; traditional survey
area plus Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin) was >=5.5 million. As we
described in the July 24 Federal Register, redefinition of the
midcontinent mallard stock through the removal of Alaska necessitated
that both the population constraint (North American Waterfowl
Management Plan goal plus Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin) and the
closed season constraint in the midcontinent mallard objective function
be rescaled to 4.75 million in order to achieve performance of the mid-
continent mallard strategy that is comparable to performance prior to
the stock redefinition.
Optimal AHM strategies for the 2008 hunting season were calculated
using: (1) Harvest-management objectives specific to each mallard
stock; (2) the 2008 regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population
models and associated weights for midcontinent, western, and eastern
mallards. Based on this year's survey results of 7.87 million
midcontinent mallards (traditional survey area minus Alaska plus
Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan), 3.06 million ponds in Prairie
Canada, 913.8 thousand western mallards (381.1 and 532.4 thousand
respectively in California-Oregon and Alaska) and 815 thousand eastern
mallards, the prescribed regulatory choice for all four Flyways is the
liberal alternative.
Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the Atlantic,
Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils regarding selection
of the ``liberal'' regulatory alternative and propose to adopt the
``liberal'' regulatory alternative, as described in the June 18 Federal
Register.
Regarding Hunter's Choice, we support continuation of the Central
Flyway Council's recommendation for a 3-year evaluation of the Central
Flyway's Hunter's Choice duck bag limit. The Central Flyway's Hunter's
Choice regulations are intended to limit harvest on pintails and
canvasbacks in a manner similar to the season-within-a-season
regulations. Hunter's Choice regulations should also reduce harvests of
mottled ducks and hen mallards, while maintaining full hunting
opportunity on abundant species such as drake mallards. For the species
included in the aggregate bag limit, the harvest of one species is
intended to ``buffer'' the harvest of the others, thus reducing the
harvest of all species included in the one-bird category. The Central
Flyway has accumulated 4 years of baseline information on harvests
resulting from ``season-within-a-season'' regulations in the Central
Flyway; the season length for pintails and canvasbacks in season-
within-a-season States under the ``liberal'' alternative will be 39
days.
Five States (Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and
Wyoming)
[[Page 51127]]
were randomly assigned to Hunter's Choice regulations and the remaining
five States (Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma)
serve as controls (season-within-a-season regulations) as the
evaluation proceeds. The overall duck daily bag limit is reduced from
six to five for the Hunter's Choice States.
While we continue to support the Central Flyway's Hunter's Choice
experiment, we reiterate that we believe implementation of this
experiment should not preclude any future changes in hunting
regulations that may be deemed necessary on an annual basis for any
other duck species in the Central Flyway, if such changes are deemed
necessary.
Regarding the Mississippi Flyway Council's opposition to the
western mallard AHM protocol, we have cooperated with the Pacific
Flyway during the past several years to develop a protocol for managing
the harvest of the western stock of mallards. As we discussed above, in
July 2008, we formally adopted the western mallard protocol (73 FR
43290). This decision resulted in Alaska mallards being removed from
the midcontinent mallard stock and placing them in the western mallard
stock. This change resulted in an increase (+7 percent) in the
frequency of closed seasons in the Central and Mississippi Flyways
under the midcontinent mallard AHM protocol. As we also discussed
above, to address this concern, we modified the closed season
constraint for midcontinent mallards from 5.25 to 4.75 million
mallards.
We recognize the concerns expressed by the Mississippi Flyway
Council with regard to implementation of the western mallard protocol.
However, we believe that establishment of a western mallard protocol is
justified, and we have made an appropriate adjustment to the
midcontinent mallard protocol to reduce the impact of removing Alaska
from that stock of birds. With regard to potential impacts of higher
frequency of liberal seasons in the Pacific Flyway on midcontinent
mallards, a preliminary joint optimization of western and midcontinent
mallards was assessed. The preliminary analysis suggested that joint
optimization does not result in a significant difference in the
performance of either protocol. Therefore, we believe an independent
harvest strategy for western mallards poses little risk to the
midcontinent stock. With regard to the potential impacts of near-
permanent liberal regulations in the Pacific Flyway on other species of
waterfowl, it is presently unclear how such impacts would be assessed.
However, we are committed to monitoring of these potential impacts and
will discuss any findings with all of the Flyway Councils prior to
implementing any appropriate regulatory changes to address such
impacts.
B. Regulatory Alternatives
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that the Service propose a process and time line by June 2009 for
review and modification of the regulatory alternatives for
implementation by the 2011 season.
Service Response: We plan to address this issue within the context
of the new Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the
migratory bird hunting program (see NEPA Consideration for further
discussion) and anticipate the issuance of the draft SEIS by the date
desired by the Atlantic Flyway Council.
C. Special Seasons/Species Management
iii. Black Ducks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that black duck harvest regulations remain unchanged for the 2008-09
season.
Service Response: In the July 24 Federal Register we described the
black duck interim harvest strategy developed by U.S. and Canadian
waterfowl managers that will be employed by both countries to make
regulatory decisions over the next three seasons (2008-09 to 2010-11),
allowing time for the development of a formal strategy based on the
principles of AHM. The interim harvest strategy is prescriptive, in
that it calls 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. 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.
The 2008 composite estimate (based on hierarchical modeling and
both Service and Canadian Wildlife Service survey data) for the Eastern
Survey Area is 683.4 thousand. The 1998-2007 mean estimate is 713.8
thousand and the most recent 3-year running mean estimate is 721.6
thousand. Based on these estimates, we agree with the Atlantic Flyway
Council that no restriction or liberalization of harvest is warranted.
iv. Canvasbacks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a
full season for canvasbacks consisting of a 1-bird daily bag limit and
a 60-day season in the Atlantic Flyway.
The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the
Mississippi Flyway Council reiterated their recommended alternative
canvasback harvest management strategy that uses threshold levels based
on breeding population size in order to determine bag limits (detailed
in the June 18 Federal Register). Using their strategy would result in
a 1-bird daily bag limit and a 60-day season in the Mississippi Flyway.
The Central Flyway Council, as part of their Hunter's Choice
experiment, recommended a full season (74 days) for canvasbacks with a
1-bird daily bag limit in Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas,
and Wyoming and a 39-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit in
Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a closed season for
canvasbacks.
Service Response: Since 1994, we have followed a canvasback harvest
strategy that if canvasback population status and production are
sufficient to permit a harvest of one canvasback per day nationwide for
the entire length of the regular duck season, while still attaining a
projected spring population objective of 500,000 birds, the season on
canvasbacks should be opened. A partial season would be permitted if
the estimated allowable harvest was within the projected harvest for a
shortened season. If neither of these conditions can be met, the
harvest strategy calls for a closed season on canvasbacks nationwide.
In the July 24 Federal Register we announced our decision to modify the
Canvasback Harvest Strategy to incorporate the option for a 2-bird
daily bag limit for canvasbacks when the predicted breeding population
the subsequent year exceeds 725,000 birds.
This year's spring survey resulted in an estimate of 489,000
canvasbacks. This was 44 percent below the 2007 estimate of 865,000
canvasbacks and 14 percent below the 1955-2007 average. The estimate of
ponds in Prairie Canada was 3.06 million, which was 39 percent below
last year and 11 percent below the long-term average. According to the
Canvasback Harvest Strategy, the allowable harvest in the conterminous
United States is 24,700 birds, which is less than the expected harvest
in the United States for all four flyways under their respective
restrictive season
[[Page 51128]]
lengths (61,758 birds). Thus, the Canvasback Harvest Strategy
stipulates a canvasback season closure for the upcoming season.
Last year, the estimate of canvasback abundance was a record-high
of 865,000 birds. In response to Flyway requests for additional harvest
opportunities due to that estimate, we increased the daily bag limit to
2 birds per day. As expected, the harvest of canvasbacks increased last
year, but not to the extent that could explain the large decrease in
the estimate of canvasback abundance this spring. We have conducted a
comprehensive review of canvasback survey information, with a
particular focus on the change in estimates between 2007 and 2008.
Investigations into the estimation procedures for canvasbacks revealed
that numbers of canvasbacks observed during the May survey increased
across many survey areas last year, but counts were consistently lower
in those same areas this spring. We found no anomalies in the data,
leading us to conclude with confidence that the estimate this year is
as reliable as previous estimates. Annual canvasback estimates
typically have higher variances than for most other species counted
during May, and large changes from year-to-year have happened
historically. It is possible that the discrepancy between this year's
estimate and last year's record-high estimate is purely the result of
sampling variation, but other factors may have contributed.
However, we support the completion of the Hunter's Choice
experiment in the Central Flyway. For the last 2 years, the average
harvest of canvasbacks in the U.S. portion of the Central Flyway has
been about 14,800 birds. This, together with the average expected
harvest in Alaska (350 birds), is below the allowable U.S. harvest
resulting from the strategy this year. Thus, we propose that the States
in the Central Flyway be allowed an open season on canvasbacks this
year according to the Hunter's Choice experimental design, but the
seasons on canvasbacks would be closed in the Atlantic, Mississippi,
and Pacific Flyways.
v. Pintails
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Pacific Flyway Councils
and the Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a full season for pintails
consisting of a 1-bird daily bag limit and a 60-day season in the
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, and a 107-day season in the Pacific
Flyway.
The Central Flyway Council, as part of their Hunter's Choice
experiment, recommended a full season (74 days) for pintails with a 1-
bird daily bag limit in Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and
Wyoming and a 39-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit in Colorado,
Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
Service Response: Based on the current strategy, along with an
observed spring breeding population of 2.61 million, an overflight-
bias-corrected breeding population of 4.24 million and a projected fall
flight of 4.47 million pintails, the Pintail Harvest Strategy
prescribes a full season and a 1-bird bag in all Flyways. Under the
``liberal'' season length, this regulation is expected to result in a
harvest of 569,000 pintails and an observed breeding population
estimate of 3.53 million in 2009, not considering any potential effect
from continuation of the Hunter's Choice evaluation in the Central
Flyway.
Furthermore, we agree with the Central Flyway Council's
recommendation to adopt a 39-day ``season-within-a-season'' for
pintails in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. We
understand that this departure from the pintail strategy is a necessary
part of the experimental ``Hunter's Choice'' season.
vi. Scaup
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that the following regulatory packages for scaup be allowed for the
Atlantic Flyway for the next 3 years and that we use their harvest
prediction methodology to predict scaup harvests in the Atlantic
Flyway:
(1) Under the restrictive harvest policy, a 40-day season with a 1-
bird daily bag and a 20-day season with a 2-bird daily bag. The 20 days
with the 2-bird daily bag shall be 20 consecutive hunting days;
(2) Under the moderate harvest policy, a 60-day season with a 2-
bird daily bag; and
(3) Under the liberal harvest policy, a 60-day season with a 4-bird
daily bag.
For 2008-09, the Council recommended implementation of the
restrictive season package, based on results of the scaup harvest
model.
The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a 60-day season with a 2-bird
daily bag limit for the 2008-09 season. They further recommended a
restrictive and moderate regulatory package of 60 days with a 2-bird
daily bag limit and a liberal regulatory package of 60 days with a 4-
bird daily bag limit.
The Central Flyway Council recommended the continuation of the
Hunter's Choice bag limit for the 2008-09 season. After completion of
the Hunter's Choice experiment, the Central Flyway Council recommends
the following potential scaup regulatory alternatives (season lengths
and daily bag limits) for Central Flyway States:
(1) Restrictive Policy--74 days with a 1-bird daily bag limit;
(2) Moderate Policy--74 days with a 2-bird daily bag limit; and
(3) Liberal Policy--74 days with a 6-bird daily bag limit.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended the adoption of the
following scaup regulation packages for the Pacific Flyway for the next
three years:
(1) Restrictive season package: 86 days, 2 bag limit.
(2) Moderate season package: 86 days, 3 bag limit.
(3) Liberal season package: 107 days, 7 bag limit.
In addition, the Pacific Flyway Council requested that split and
zone configurations be available to individual States for scaup
seasons, similar to the split and zone options we previously provided
for pintail seasons. For 2008-09, the Council recommended
implementation of the restrictive season package, based on results of
the scaup harvest model.
Service Response: As we have stated over the last several years,
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 (see the May
28 Federal Register for a review of 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 or for a
complete list of reports see http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports/
reports.html).
In the July 24 Federal Register, we adopted a scaup harvest
strategy that resulted from three years of development and review in
cooperation with the Flyway Councils. The 2008 scaup breeding
population estimate was 3.74 million. Total estimated scaup harvest in
2007-08 was 295,000. Employing these estimates as the input to the
scaup harvest strategy, the optimal harvest for the 2008-09 hunting
season is 200,000 (including the 40,000 scaup harvest expected in
Canada and
[[Page 51129]]
Alaska). The available harvest results in a recommendation for a
restrictive package in all four Flyways (except Alaska).
We appreciate the time and attention that the Flyways have given
this issue. We further support the recommendations received from the
Atlantic, Central and Pacific Flyways for their restrictive, moderate
and liberal packages for scaup. We also support the packages
recommended by the Mississippi Flyway for their moderate and liberal
packages. However, the restrictive package recommended by the
Mississippi Flyway is not projected to be sufficient to achieve the
required harvest reductions. In further consultation with the
Mississippi Flyway Consultants, we accepted the same season structure
recommended by the Atlantic Flyway for restrictive seasons in the
Mississippi Flyway. These season structures will be used for the next
three years and evaluated at the end of that period.
In addition, we have adopted the alternative harvest prediction
models suggested by the Atlantic and Central Flyways. We also support
the proposal by the Pacific Flyway to afford States the opportunity to
use their existing zone/split rules for their respective States when
choosing scaup season frameworks.
vii. Mottled Ducks
Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations
Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended continuation
of a 60-day season and a 3-bird daily bag limit for mottled ducks for
the 2008-09 waterfowl season. They further recommended that given
adequate justification for a 30 percent reduction in harvest, and no
further analyses of effects of harvest regulations on mottled duck
harvests sometime in the future, the following:
(a) Season length of 45 days with a daily bag limit of 1 per day in
years when AHM prescribes a liberal or moderate regulations package.
(b) Season length of 30 days with a daily bag limit of 2 per day in
years when AHM prescribes a restrictive regulations package.
(c) Outside the mottled duck breeding range, mottled duck season
length and bag limits would be the same as for hen mallards.
The Central Flyway Council recommended that no further harvest
reductions were warranted at this time.
Service Response: We are not proposing any changes to mottled duck
regulations for the 2008-09 season. Because of our long-standing
concern about the status of mottled ducks, we are encouraged by the
progress made to date on improving population monitoring programs for
this species in the Gulf Coast region. We look forward to working with
the Flyways on continued development of such surveys. Further, we
appreciate the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendations on
potential regulatory packages that could serve to reduce harvest
pressure on mottled ducks if deemed necessary at some future date. We
will take under consideration the Council's recommendation regarding
regulations in areas outside the mottled duck breeding range. We also
recognize that the Central Flyway Council has taken voluntary
restrictions in mottled duck regulations in the past and, together with
reductions in harvest resulting from the Hunter's Choice experiment,
has reduced harvest pressure on mottled ducks, primarily in Texas.
viii. Wood Ducks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Central Flyway Councils
and the Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the wood duck bag limit in
the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways be increased to 3 birds
per day during the regular duck season for an experimental 3-year
period beginning in 2008.
Service Response: We support the proposal to increase the daily bag
limit for wood ducks from 2 to 3 birds in the Atlantic, Mississippi,
and Central Flyways beginning in 2008. We do not, however, believe that
this change warrants an experiment because the assessment work that
justifies the bag limit increase has already been done. However, we
recognize the importance of maintaining the current wood duck banding
effort that is needed to assess the effects of the change. Further, we
look forward to continuing involvement by the Flyways in developing a
wood duck harvest strategy, including (1) determining specific harvest
management objectives; (2) determining regulatory alternatives; (3)
designation of and support for appropriate population monitoring
programs; and (4) designation of the appropriate test criteria for
making management decisions. We would like the Flyways to develop this
strategy for implementation during the 2010-2011 hunting season.
viii. Youth Hunt
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that the Service allow States to select any two weekend days, holidays
or other non-school days for their youth waterfowl hunting days.
Service Response: We do not support the Atlantic Flyway's proposal
to allow the selection of any two weekend days, holidays, or other non-
school days for their youth waterfowl hunting days. In 2000, we
expanded the special youth waterfowl hunt to two consecutive days in
order to reduce travel and scheduling conflicts for youth hunt
participants--issues identified by the Flyways as problems with
promoting participation under the original 1-day youth hunt guidelines
(65 FR 51496). The following year, we further supported a change to two
consecutive hunting days to address the inability of some States in the
Atlantic Flyway to hunt on Sundays (66 FR 44010). As we stated in 2003
when presented with a similar proposal by the Atlantic Flyway, we
believe the proposal is inconsistent with the original purpose put
forth by the Flyway Councils in 2000 to facilitate travel and
scheduling of youth hunt participants (68 FR 51658).
4. Canada Geese
B. Regular Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council forwarded a
number of recommendations concerning Canada geese. First, the Council
recommended that we modify the existing criteria for delineation of
Atlantic Flyway Resident Population (AFRP) Canada goose hunting zones
in the Atlantic Flyway by proposing that AFRP hunting zones may not
contain more than 10 percent of all Atlantic Population (AP) band
recoveries, or more than 10 percent of all North Atlantic Population
(NAP) recoveries, within a State from 2002-2007.
Second, the Council recommended that we adopt the following
criteria for evaluation of AFRP hunting zones in the Atlantic Flyway
during 2008-2010:
(1) All areas holding an AFRP regular season must collectively
account for no more than a 1 percent direct recovery rate for adults
for any migrant goose population during the open AFRP regular seasons.
Areas contributing disproportionately to the cumulative recovery rate
will be identified and these areas may be eliminated to stay below the
1 percent threshold;
(2) AFRP hunting zones must not account for more than 10 percent of
all AP band recoveries, or more than 10 percent of all NAP recoveries,
in any State during the 3-year period 2008-2010;
(3) If a season is closed for any migrant population, AFRP hunting
zones would remain open as long as
[[Page 51130]]
they do not result in exceeding the cumulative 1 percent adult recovery
rate threshold; and
(4) Band recovery data will be examined annually, and at 3-year
intervals all available data will be examined to determine if zone
modifications and/or changes to opening and closing framework dates are
needed to ensure continued compliance with the above criteria.
As a result of the above delineation criteria modifications, the
Council recommended modifications to existing AFRP hunting zones in New
York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland beginning in 2008, and that we extend
the opening and closing framework dates for Canada geese in AFRP
harvest zones in Pennsylvania (from the fourth Saturday in October to
March 10), Maryland and Virginia (from November 15 to March 10), and
North Carolina (from October 1 to March 10). They also recommended
allowing Connecticut and New York to establish new AFRP harvest zones
with framework dates between 1 October and 15 February and bag limits
of 5 geese per day.
With regard to frameworks in Southern James Bay Population (SJBP)
harvest zones, the Council recommended allowing Pennsylvania a 70-day
Canada goose hunting season, with a 3-bird daily bag limit, between the
second Saturday in October and February 15; Virginia, a 40-day season
between November 15 and January 14 with a 3-bird daily bag limit and an
experimental season between January 15-February 15 with a 5-bird daily
bag limit; and North Carolina a 70-day season with a 5-bird daily bag
limit between October 1 and December 31. In addition, they recommended
modifying the SJBP harvest zone in Pennsylvania to include the former
Pymatuning Zone and that portion of Mercer, Crawford and Erie Counties
north of Interstate 80 and west of Interstate 79 including Lake Erie,
Presque Isle, and the area within 150 yards of the Lake Erie shoreline.
The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a number of changes in Canada
goose zones, seasons lengths, and bag limits for several States in the
Flyway. These changes are a result of approved revisions to the
Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) Canada goose harvest strategy and
management plan that were made in agreement with the Atlantic Flyway.
These changes are consistent with the revised harvest strategies for
Canada geese in the Mississippi Flyway.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended revising Idaho zone
designations for 2 counties (Adams and Valley Counties from Zone 2 to
Zone 1), and reducing the bag limit on dark geese in Wyoming from 4 to
3 geese.
Service Response: We concur with the Atlantic Flyway Council's
recommendations to modify existing criteria for delineation and
subsequent evaluation of AFRP hunting zones. Evaluations of AFRP
seasons since 2002 have demonstrated that these seasons have met the
established criteria of less than a 1 percent direct recovery rate of
migrant geese. We note that a migrant (AP, NAP, SJBP) direct recovery
rate of 0.35 percent was realized for the 2005-2007 period. AFRP zones
have resulted in higher hunter opportunity and higher AFRP goose
harvests, and current North Atlantic Population Canada Goose Low
Harvest zones have shown to be effective in minimizing NAP harvest. The
Atlantic Flyway Council's proposed modification to allow certain
portions of existing NAP Harvest zones to become AFRP zones will allow
for greater harvest opportunity on AFRP geese while further protecting
NAP stocks. Current direct recovery rates of NAP geese in the United
States are 2.9 percent, equating to a harvest rate of <6 percent. As
band return data accumulate, adjustments to existing AFRP zones and
establishment of new zones should utilize these data. We will continue
to evaluate these AFRP seasons annually through leg band recoveries and
at 3-year intervals a comprehensive evaluation of all available data
will occur to ensure compliance with established criteria. Lastly, we
note that these proposed modifications for delineation of new AFRP
zones in certain portions of existing NAP harvest zones are in
accordance with the current North Atlantic Population Canada Goose
Management Plan.
We also concur with the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendations
to modify AFRP hunting zones in Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania,
establish new AFRP zones in Connecticut and Long Island, New York, and
modify the AFRP zone season opening and closing framework dates in
Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. These recommended
changes all conform to the existing criteria, as amended above, for
delineating AFRP hunting zones and establishing AFRP season framework
dates. We further note that resident Canada geese are overabundant in
many areas of the Atlantic Flyway and currently number approximately
1.0 million birds, significantly above the goal in the Atlantic Flyway
Resident Canada Goose Management Plan of 650,000 geese. All of the
Flyway's objectives to increase the harvest of resident Canada geese
are consistent with those identified in the Service's 2005 Final
Environmental Impact Statement on Resident Canada Goose Management (70
FR 69985, November 18, 2005).
We also concur with the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommended
frameworks for the SJBP harvest zones in the Atlantic Flyway. We note
that the SJBP Management Plan was recently revised and approved by both
the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils and guides management
decisions in both flyways. The plan goal is to maintain the SJBP at a
level that can sustain use throughout its current range, while allowing
for the management of resident Canada geese. A key part of the plan is
a harvest strategy designed to test the resident Canada goose buffering
hypothesis. This hypothesis states that large populations of resident
Canada geese are now buffering the harvest of SJBP geese, and therefore
liberalization in hunting regulations will result in more harvest of
resident Canada geese, and not SJBP Canada geese. Further, genetic
studies and analysis of band recoveries indicate SJBP harvest zones in
many States no longer function as concentration zones for SJBP geese
and may therefore be ineffective at protecting SJBP geese. We agree
that these reductions in hunting opportunity and hunting pressure on
resident Canada geese may not be warranted when many SJBP harvest zones
hold a smaller proportion of SJBP geese than they did historically. The
newly revised SJBP plan also calls for holding regulations stable for a
5-year period (2008-2013). If the spring population estimate falls
below 50,000 in combination with either an unabated negative trend in
the estimate over 3 years or more, and evidence of unsustainable
harvest rates, then appropriate regulation changes will be implemented
as/when necessary in both the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways. We
believe that these proposed regulation changes will provide for
increased hunting opportunity and harvest of AFRP geese, while
maintaining the SJBP at levels identified in the 2008 plan.
We also concur with all of the recommendations forwarded by the
Pacific Flyway Council. Some of these changes are designed to afford
greater protection to Tule white-fronted geese and the Service strongly
supports these efforts (see discussion under 5. White-fronted Geese).
In addition, the other changes in Canada goose seasons are relatively
minor and are being
[[Page 51131]]
undertaken for administrative reasons and are not expected to impact
populations.
5. White-fronted Geese
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended the
following area, bag, and season length changes described below:
(1) In the Lake County portion of the Harney, Lake, and Malheur
County Zone reduce the daily bag limit for white-fronted geese from 2
to 1;
(2) In the Klamath County Zone of Oregon, for hunting days
occurring after the last Sunday in January, change the daily bag limit
of 2 white-fronted geese to a bag limit of 1 white-fronted goose and 3
white geese; and
(3) Reduce the bag limit on dark geese in Wyoming from 4 to 3
geese.
Service Response: We concur with the proposed changes in goose
frameworks proposed by the Pacific Flyway Council. In general, these
changes are designed to afford greater protection to Tule white-fronted
geese and we strongly support these efforts. Tule greater white-fronted
geese continue to be of concern because of low population numbers. In
Oregon, Tule white-fronted geese are predominantly encountered in Lake
County where the bag limit for white-fronted geese has been two for
some time. Because of the continued concern for Tule geese, and
uncertainty about their true population size, we agree with the Pacific
Flyway Council that a reduction in harvest is warranted. This proposed
change will keep Tule goose harvest in Oregon at minimum levels and
support ongoing research efforts to assess population status.
We note, however, that indices to the Pacific population of white-
fronted geese exceed management plan goals and this population is
responsible for numerous agricultural depredation complaints in the
Klamath Basin as well. However, given the concerns over the status of
population of Tule white-fronted geese, which, as documented through
telemetry observations, are present in at least very low numbers in the
Oregon portion of the Klamath Basin during this time period, further
assessment is warranted.
6. Brant
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommends a
60-day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit for Atlantic brant.
Service Response: We concur with the Atlantic Flyway Council's
recommendation. The 2008 Mid-Winter Index (MWI) for Atlantic brant was
160,618 brant. The Brant Management Plan prescribes a 60-day season
with a 3-bird daily bag limit when the MWI estimate is above 150,000
and productivity and food supplies are deemed sufficient to sustain
additional harvest opportunity. We note that productivity for 2008
looks very good on the main breeding grounds and that productivity in
2007 was good, with approximately 28-31 percent young in the fall
productivity surveys. Thus, we agree with the Council that an increase
of 10 days with the associated daily bag limit increase is the proper
approach for the upcoming season.
7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended
several area, bag, and season length changes for light geese:
(1) In the States of California, Oregon, and Washington increase
the light goose season length to 107 days, and in the States of
California and Oregon increase the bag limit to 6 light geese per day
and extend the light goose framework ending date to March 10;
(2) Increase the bag limit to 10 light geese per day in all other
states of the Pacific Flyway with a framework ending date of March 10;
and
(3) In the Klamath County Zone of Oregon, for hunting days
occurring after the last Sunday in January, change the daily bag limit
of 2 white-fronted geese to a bag limit of 1 white-fronted goose and 3
white geese.
Service Response: We support the proposed changes for light geese
in the Pacific Flyway. Last year the Flyway's December goose count
exceeded 1 million for the first time, representing a doubling of this
index since 1999. Light goose indices (Snow and Ross' geese combined)
indicate that all recognized populations currently exceed management
plan goals. In some areas of the Pacific Flyway, these goose
populations are leading to increasing depredation complaints. In
addition, numbers of light geese breeding on Wrangle Island, Russia, a
colony that has been of concern in the past, has recovered to near
record levels in the past few years. We support efforts to increase
harvest of these geese in aid of limiting further population growth and
perhaps avoiding the overabundance problems associated with the species
that have been documented in several of the mid-continent region.
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 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 a notice of availability in the Federal Register on June
16, 1988 (53 FR 22582). We published our Record of Decision on August
18, 1988 (53 FR 31341). In addition, an August 1985 environmental
assessment entitled ``Guidelines for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
on Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands'' is available from the
address indicated
[[Page 51132]]
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).
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.
[[Page 51133]]
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: August 25, 2008.
David M. Verhey,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 2008-09 Late Hunting Seasons on
Certain Migratory Game Birds
Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated
authorities, the Department has approved frameworks for season lengths,
shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and outside dates within
which States may select seasons for hunting waterfowl and coots between
the dates of 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
High Plains Mallard Management Unit--roughly defined as that
portion of the Central Flyway that lies west of the 100th meridian.
Definitions: For the purpose of hunting regulations listed below,
the collective terms ``dark'' and ``light'' geese include the following
species:
Dark geese: Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant (except in
California, Oregon, Washington, and the Atlantic Flyway), and all other
goose species except light geese.
Light geese: snow (including blue) geese and Ross' geese.
Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Geographic descriptions related
to late-season regulations are contained in a later portion of this
document.
Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks for open seasons, season
lengths, bag and possession limits, and other special provisions are
listed below by Flyway.
Waterfowl Seasons in the Atlantic Flyway
In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, 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 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, holiday, or other non-school day when youth
hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate. The days may
be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-season
frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or within any
other open season on migratory birds.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits may include ducks, geese,
tundra swans, mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and would be
the same as those allowed in the regular season. Flyway species and
area restrictions would remain in effect.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Participation Restrictions: 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. Tundra swans may only be taken by participants possessing
applicable tundra swan permits.
[[Page 51134]]
Atlantic Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
27) and the last Sunday in January (January 25).
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days. The daily bag limit is 6
ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 1 black duck, 1
pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 3 wood ducks, 2
redheads, and 4 scoters. For scaup, the daily bag limit may be 2 for up
to 20 consecutive hunting days, which may be split according to
applicable zones/split duck hunting configurations approved for each
State, and 1 for the remainder of the season. A daily bag limit of 2
scaup may also be included in the 6-bird daily bag limit for designated
youth-hunt days.
Closures: The season on canvasbacks and harlequin ducks is closed.
Sea Ducks: Within the special sea duck areas, during the regular
duck season in the Atlantic Flyway, States may choose to allow the
above sea duck limits in addition to the limits applying to other ducks
during the regular 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.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5, only 2 of
which may be hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in
the duck bag limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit,
only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and
shooting hours shall be the same as those selected for the Lake
Champlain Zone of Vermont.
Connecticut River Zone, Vermont: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and
shooting hours shall be the same as those selected for the Inland Zone
of New Hampshire.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland,
North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia may split
their seasons into three segments; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West
Virginia may select hunting seasons by zones and may split their
seasons into two segments in each zone.
Canada Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Specific regulations for
Canada geese are shown below by State. These seasons also include
white-fronted geese. Unless specified otherwise, seasons may be split
into two segments. In areas within States where the framework closing
date for Atlantic Population (AP) goose seasons overlaps with special
late-season frameworks for resident geese, the framework closing date
for AP goose seasons is January 14.
Connecticut:
North Atlantic Population (NAP) Zone: Between October 1 and January
31, a 60-day season may be held with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Atlantic Population (AP) Zone: A 45-day season may be held between
the fourth Saturday in October (October 25) and January 31, with a 3-
bird daily bag limit.
South Zone: A special season may be held between January 15 and
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
Resident Population (RP) Zone: An 80-day season may be held between
October 1 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season
may be split into 3 segments.
Delaware: A 45-day season may be held between November 15 and
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Florida: An 80-day season may be held between November 15 and
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split
into 3 segments.
Georgia: In specific areas, an 80-day season may be held between
November 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season
may be split into 3 segments.
Maine: A 60-day season may be held statewide between October 1 and
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Maryland:
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between November 15 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments.
AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between November 15 and
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Massachusetts:
NAP Zone: A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and January
31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, a special season may
be held from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between October 20 and January
31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
New Hampshire: A 60-day season may be held statewide between
October 1 and January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
New Jersey:
Statewide: A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday
in October (October 25) and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held
in designated areas of North and South New Jersey from January 15 to
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
New York:
NAP Zone: Between October 1 and January 31, a 60-day season may be
held, with a 2-bird daily bag limit in the High Harvest areas; and
between October 1 and February 15, a 70-day season may be held, with a
3-bird daily bag limit in the Low Harvest areas.
Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held
between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit in
designated areas of Chemung, Delaware, Tioga, Broome, Sullivan,
Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, and Rockland
Counties.
AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 25), except in the Lake Champlain Area where the
opening date is October 20, and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag
limit.
Western Long Island RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between
October 1 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season
may be split into 3 segments.
Rest of State RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the
fourth Saturday in October (October 25) and March 10, with a 5-bird
daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments.
North Carolina:
SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and
December 31, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments.
Northeast Hunt Unit: A 30-day experimental season (1,000 permits)
may be held concurrent with the season selected for the Back Bay Area
of Virginia. The seasonal bag limit is 1 bird.
Pennsylvania:
SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between the second Saturday
in October (October 11) and February 15.
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday
in October (October 25) and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
The season may be split into 3 segments.
AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 25) and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Rhode Island: A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and
January
[[Page 51135]]
31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. An experimental season may be held
in designated areas from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily
bag limit.
South Carolina: In designated areas, an 80-day season may be held
during November 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The
season may be split into 3 segments.
Vermont: A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 25), except in the Lake Champlain Zone and Interior
Zone where the opening date is October 20, and January 31, with a 3-
bird daily bag limit.
Virginia:
SJBP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between November 15 and
January 14, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, an
experimental season may be held between January 15 and February 15,
with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between November 15 and
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between November 15 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments.
Back Bay Area: A 30-day experimental season may be held between
December 22 and January 24 in the AP Zone, with a 2-bird daily bag
limit.
West Virginia: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and
January 31, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into
2 segments in each zone.
Light Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 107-
day season between October 1 and March 10, with a 15-bird daily bag
limit and no possession limit. States may split their seasons into 3
segments, except in Delaware and Maryland, where, following the
completion of their duck season, and until March 10, Delaware and
Maryland may split the remaining portion of the season to allow hunting
on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only.
Brant
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 60-
day season between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 27) and
January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. States may split their
seasons into 2 segments.
Mississippi Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
27) and the last Sunday in January (January 25).
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: The season may not exceed 60 days,
with a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards
(no more than 2 of which may be females), 3 mottled ducks, 1 black
duck, 1 pintail, 3 wood ducks, and 2 redheads. For scaup, the daily bag
limit may be 2 for up to 20 consecutive hunting days, which may be
split according to applicable zones/split duck hunting configurations
approved for each State, and 1 for the remainder of the season. The
season for canvasbacks is closed. A daily bag limit of 2 scaup may also
be included in the 6-bird daily bag limit for designated youth-hunt
days.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, only 2 of which may be
hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in the duck bag
limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, only 2 of
which may be hooded mergansers.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee,
and Wisconsin may select hunting seasons by zones.
In Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be split into
2 segments in each zone.
In Arkansas and Mississippi, the season may be split into 3
segments.
Geese
Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into 3 segments.
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select
seasons for light geese not to exceed 107 days, with 20 geese daily
between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 27) and March 10;
for white-fronted geese not to exceed 72 days with 2 geese daily or 86
days with 1 goose daily between the Saturday nearest September 24
(September 27) and the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 15); and
for brant not to exceed 70 days, with 2 brant daily or 107 days with 1
brant daily between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 27)
and January 31. There is no possession limit for light geese. Specific
regulations for Canada geese and exceptions to the above general
provisions are shown below by State. Except as noted below, the outside
dates for Canada geese are the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
27) and January 31.
Alabama: In the SJBP Goose Zone, the season for Canada geese may
not exceed 70 days. Elsewhere, the season for Canada geese may extend
for 70 days in the respective duck-hunting zones. The daily bag limit
is 2 Canada geese.
Arkansas: In the Northwest Zone, the season for Canada geese may
extend for 50 days. In the remainder of the State, the season may not
exceed 40 days. The season may extend to February 15. The daily bag
limit is 2 Canada geese.
Illinois: The season for Canada geese may extend for 85 days in the
North and Central Zones and 66 days in the South Zone. The daily bag
limit is 2 Canada geese.
Indiana: The season for Canada geese may extend for 74 days. The
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
Late Canada Goose Season Zone--an experimental special Canada goose
season of up to 15 days may be held during February 1-15. During this
special season the daily bag limit cannot exceed 5 Canada geese.
Iowa: The season for Canada geese may extend for 90 days. The daily
bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
Kentucky:
(a) Western Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 70
days (85 days in Fulton County). The season in Fulton County may extend
to February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(b) Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone--The season may extend for 70 days.
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(c) Remainder of the State--The season may extend for 70 days. The
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
Louisiana: The season for Canada geese may extend for 16 days.
During the season, the daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose and 2 white-
fronted geese with a 72-day white-fronted goose season or 1 white-
fronted goose with an 86-day season. Hunters participating in the
Canada goose season must possess a special permit issued by the State.
Michigan:
(a) North Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is
September 16 and the season for Canada geese may extend for 45 days.
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(b) Middle Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is
September 16 and the season for Canada geese may extend for 45 days.
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(c) South Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is
September 16 and the season for Canada geese may
[[Page 51136]]
extend for 45 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(1) Allegan County and Muskegon Wastewater GMU--The framework
opening date for all geese is September 16 and the season for Canada
geese may extend for 45 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(3) Saginaw County and Tuscola/Huron GMUs--The framework opening
date for all geese is September 16 and the season for Canada geese may
extend for 45 days through December 30 and an additional 30 days may be
held between December 31 and February 7. The daily bag limit is 2
Canada geese.
(d) Southern Michigan Late Season Canada Goose Zone--A 30-day
special Canada goose season may be held between December 31 and
February 7. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
Minnesota:
(a) West Zone.
(1) West Central Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for
41 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(2) Remainder of West Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend
for 60 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(b) Remainder of the State--The season for Canada geese may extend
for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(c) Special Late Canada Goose Season--A special Canada goose season
of up to 10 days may be held in December, except in the West Central
Goose zone. During the special season, the daily bag limit is 5 Canada
geese, except in the Southeast Goose Zone, where the daily bag limit is
2.
Mississippi: The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days.
The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.
Missouri: The season for Canada geese may extend for 79 days and
may be split into 3 segments provided that at least 1 segment of at
least 9 days occurs prior to October 16. The daily bag limit is 3
Canada geese through October 15 and 2 Canada geese thereafter.
Ohio:
(a) Lake Erie Zone--The season may extend for 70 days with no more
than one split and must close no later than December 28, 2008. The
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(b) North Zone--The season may extend for 70 days with no more than
one split and must close no later than January 11, 2009. The daily bag
limit is 2 Canada geese.
(c) South Zone--The season may extend for 70 days with no more than
one split and must close no later than January 25, 2009. The daily bag
limit is 2 Canada geese.
Tennessee:
(a) Northwest Zone--The season for Canada geese may not exceed 72
days, and may extend to February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada
geese.
(b) Southwest Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 72
days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(c) Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone--The season for Canada geese may
extend for 72 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(d) Remainder of the State--The season for Canada geese may extend
for 72 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
Wisconsin:
(a) Horicon Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is
September 16. The season may not exceed 92 days. All Canada geese
harvested must be tagged. The season limit will be 6 Canada geese per
permittee.
(b) Collins Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is
September 16. The season may not exceed 70 days. All Canada geese
harvested must be tagged. The season limit will be 6 Canada geese per
permittee.
(c) Exterior Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is
September 16. The season may not exceed 85 days. The daily bag limit is
2 Canada geese.
Additional Limits: In addition to the harvest limits stated for the
respective zones above, an additional 4,500 Canada geese may be taken
in the Horicon Zone under special agricultural permits.
Central Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
27) and the last Sunday in January (January 25).
Hunting Seasons:
(1) High Plains Mallard Management Unit (roughly defined as that
portion of the Central Flyway which lies west of the 100th meridian):
97 days. The last 23 days may start no earlier than the Saturday
nearest December 10 (December 13).
(2) Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74 days.
Bag Limits:
(1) Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma: The
daily bag limit is 6 ducks, with species and sex restrictions as
follows: 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be females), 2
redheads, 2 scaup, 2 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, and 1
canvasback. For pintails and canvasbacks, the season length would be 39
days, which may be split according to applicable zones/split duck
hunting configurations approved for each State. A single canvasback and
pintail may also be included in the 6-bird daily bag limit for
designated youth-hunt days.
(2) Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming: The
daily bag limit is 5 ducks, with species and sex restrictions as
follows: 2 scaup, 2 redheads, and 2 wood ducks, and only 1 duck from
the following group--hen mallard, mottled duck, pintail, canvasback.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5 mergansers, only 2 of
which may be hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in
the duck daily bag limit, the daily limit may be the same as the duck
bag limit, only two of which may be hooded mergansers.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Kansas (Low Plains portion), Montana,
Nebraska (Low Plains portion), New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains
portion), South Dakota (Low Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains
portion), and Wyoming may select hunting seasons by zones.
In Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma,
South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the regular season may be split into
two segments.
In Colorado, the season may be split into three segments.
Geese
Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments.
Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Central Flyway Council
and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year evaluation by
each participating State.
Outside Dates: For dark geese, seasons may be selected between the
outside dates of the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 27) and
the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 15). For light geese, outside
dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 27) and March 10. In the Rainwater Basin Light
Goose Area (East and West) of Nebraska, temporal and spatial
restrictions that are consistent with the late-winter snow goose
hunting strategy cooperatively developed by the Central Flyway Council
and the Service are required.
Season Lengths and Limits:
Light Geese: States may select a light goose season not to exceed
107 days. The daily bag limit for light geese is 20 with no possession
limit.
Dark Geese: In Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas,
[[Page 51137]]
States may select a season for Canada geese (or any other dark goose
species except white-fronted geese) not to exceed 107 days with a daily
bag limit of 3. Additionally, in the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, an
alternative season of 107 days with a daily bag limit of 1 Canada goose
may be selected. For white-fronted geese, these States may select
either a season of 72 days with a bag limit of 2 or an 86-day season
with a bag limit of 1.
In Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming, States may select seasons not
to exceed 107 days. The daily bag limit for dark geese is 5 in the
aggregate.
In Colorado, the season may not exceed 107 days. The daily bag
limit is 4 dark geese in the aggregate.
In the Western Goose Zone of Texas, the season may not exceed 95
days. The daily bag limit for Canada geese (or any other dark goose
species except white-fronted geese) is 4. The daily bag limit for
white-fronted geese is 1.
Pacific Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, Common Moorhens, and Purple Gallinules
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: Concurrent 107 days. The daily bag
limit is 7 ducks and mergansers, including no more than 2 female
mallards, 1 pintail, 2 scaup, and 2 redheads. For scaup, the season
length would be 86 days, which may be split according to applicable
zones/split duck hunting configurations approved for each State. The
season on canvasbacks is closed. A daily bag limit of 2 scaup may also
be included in the 7-bird daily bag limit for designated youth-hunt
days.
The season on coots and common moorhens may be between the outside
dates for the season on ducks, but not to exceed 107 days.
Coot, Common Moorhen, and Purple Gallinule Limits: The daily bag
and possession limits of coots, common moorhens, and purple gallinules
are 25, singly or in the aggregate.
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
27) and the last Sunday in January (January 25).
Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming may select hunting seasons by
zones. Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington,
and Wyoming may split their seasons into two segments.
Colorado, Montana, and New Mexico may split their seasons into
three segments.
Colorado River Zone, California: Seasons and limits shall be the
same as seasons and limits selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona
(South Zone).
Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits:
California, Oregon, and Washington:
Dark geese: Except as subsequently noted, 100-day seasons may be
selected, with outside dates between the Saturday nearest October 1
(October 4), and the last Sunday in January (January 25). The basic
daily bag limit is 4 dark geese, except the dark goose bag limit does
not include brant.
Light geese: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day seasons may be
selected, with outside dates between the Saturday nearest October 1
(October 4), and March 10. The daily bag limit is 6 light geese.
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and
Wyoming:
Dark geese: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day seasons may be
selected, with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24
(September 27), and the last Sunday in January (January 25). The basic
daily bag limit is 4 dark geese.
Light geese: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day seasons may be
selected, with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24
(September 27), and March 10. The basic daily bag limit is 10 light
geese.
Split Seasons: Unless otherwise specified, seasons for geese may be
split into up to 3 segments. Three-way split seasons for Canada geese
and white-fronted geese require Pacific Flyway Council and U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service approval and a 3-year evaluation by each
participating State.
Brant Season
Oregon may select a 16-day season, Washington a 16-day season, and
California a 30-day season. Days must be consecutive. Washington and
California may select hunting seasons by up to two zones. The daily bag
limit is 2 brant and is in addition to dark goose limits. In Oregon and
California, the brant season must end no later than December 15.
Arizona: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.
California:
Northeastern Zone: The daily bag limit is 6 dark geese and may
include no more than 1 cackling Canada goose or 1 Aleutian Canada
goose.
Balance-of-the-State Zone: Limits may not include more than 6 dark
geese per day. In the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (West),
the season on white-fronted geese must begin no earlier than the last
Saturday in October and end on or before December 14, and the daily bag
limit shall contain no more than 2 white-fronted geese. In the North
Coast Special Management Area, 107-day seasons may be selected, with
outside dates between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4) and
March 10. Hunting days that occur after the last Sunday in January
shall be concurrent with Oregon's South Coast Zone.
Colorado: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3 geese.
Nevada: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.
New Mexico: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.
Oregon: Except as subsequently noted, the dark goose daily bag
limit is 4, including not more than 1 cackling or Aleutian goose.
Harney, Lake, and Malheur County Zone: For Lake County only, the
daily dark goose bag limit may not include more than 1 white-fronted
goose.
Klamath County Zone: A 107-day season may be selected, with outside
dates between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4), and March 10.
A 3-way split season may be selected. The daily goose bag limit is 4
dark geese and 4 white geese except for hunting days that occur after
the last Sunday in January when only light geese and white-fronted
geese may be taken. The daily bag limit of geese is 4 of which only 3
may be light geese and only 1 may be a white-fronted goose.
Northwest Special Permit Zone: Outside dates are between the
Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4), and the Sunday closest to March
1 (March 1). The daily bag limit of dark geese is 4 including not more
than 2 cackling or Aleutian geese and daily bag limit of light geese is
4. In those designated areas of Tillamook County open to hunting, the
daily bag limit of dark geese is 2.
South Coast Zone: The daily dark goose bag limit is 4 including
cackling and Aleutian geese. In Oregon's South Coast Zone 107-day
seasons may be selected, with outside dates between the Saturday
nearest October 1 (October 4) and March 10. Hunting days that occur
after the last Sunday in January shall be concurrent with California's
North Coast Special Management Area. A 3-way split season may be
selected.
Southwest Zone: The daily dark goose bag limit is 4 including
cackling and Aleutian geese.
Utah: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.
Washington: The daily bag limit is 4 geese.
[[Page 51138]]
Area 1: Outside dates are between the Saturday nearest October 1
(October 4), and the last Sunday in January (January 25).
Areas 2A and 2B (Southwest Quota Zone): Except for designated
areas, there will be no open season on Canada geese. See section on
quota zones. In this area, the daily bag limit may include 2 cackling
geese. In Southwest Quota Zone Area 2B (Pacific County), the daily bag
limit may include 1 Aleutian goose.
Areas 4 and 5: A 107 day season may be selected for dark geese.
Wyoming: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.
Quota Zones
Seasons on geese must end upon attainment of individual quotas of
dusky geese allotted to the designated areas of Oregon (165) and
Washington (85). The September Canada goose season, the regular goose
season, any special late dark goose season, and any extended falconry
season, combined, must not exceed 107 days, and the established quota
of dusky geese must not be exceeded. Hunting of geese in those
designated areas will only be by hunters possessing a State-issued
permit authorizing them to do so. In a Service approved investigation,
the State must obtain quantitative information on hunter compliance of
those regulations aimed at reducing the take of dusky geese. If the
monitoring program cannot be conducted, for any reason, the season must
immediately close. In the designated areas of the Washington Southwest
Quota Zone, a special late goose season may be held between the
Saturday following the close of the general goose season and March 10.
In the Northwest Special Permit Zone of Oregon, the framework closing
date is extended to the Sunday closest to March 1 (March 1). Regular
goose seasons may be split into 3 segments within the Oregon and
Washington quota zones.
Swans
In portions of the Pacific Flyway (Montana, Nevada, and Utah), an
open season for taking a limited number of swans may be selected.
Permits will be issued by the State and will authorize each permittee
to take no more than 1 swan per season with each permit. Nevada may
issue up to 2 permits per hunter. Montana and Utah may only issue 1
permit per hunter. Each State's season may open no earlier than the
Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4). These seasons are also subject
to the following conditions:
Montana: No more than 500 permits may be issued. The season must
end no later than December 1. The State must implement a harvest-
monitoring program to measure the species composition of the swan
harvest and should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter
compliance in reporting bill measurement and color information.
Utah: No more than 2,000 permits may be issued. During the swan
season, no more than 10 trumpeter swans may be taken. The season must
end no later than the second Sunday in December (December 14) or upon
attainment of 10 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs
earliest. The Utah season remains subject to the terms of the
Memorandum of Agreement entered into with the Service in August 2001,
regarding harvest monitoring, season closure procedures, and education
requirements to minimize the take of trumpeter swans during the swan
season.
Nevada: No more than 650 permits may be issued. During the swan
season, no more than 5 trumpeter swans may be taken. The season must
end no later than the Sunday following January 1 (January 4) or upon
attainment of 5 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs
earliest.
In addition, the States of Utah and Nevada must implement a
harvest-monitoring program to measure the species composition of the
swan harvest. The harvest-monitoring program must require that all
harvested swans or their species-determinant parts be examined by
either State or Federal biologists for the purpose of species
classification. The States should use appropriate measures to maximize
hunter compliance in providing bagged swans for examination. Further,
the States of Montana, Nevada, and Utah must achieve at least an 80-
percent compliance rate, or subsequent permits will be reduced by 10
percent. All three States must provide to the Service by June 30, 2009,
a report detailing harvest, hunter participation, reporting compliance,
and monitoring of swan populations in the designated hunt areas.
Tundra Swans
In portions of the Atlantic Flyway (North Carolina and Virginia)
and the Central Flyway (North Dakota, South Dakota [east of the
Missouri River], and that portion of Montana in the Central Flyway), an
open season for taking a limited number of tundra swans may be
selected. Permits will be issued by the States that authorize the take
of no more than 1 tundra swan per permit. A second permit may be issued
to hunters from unused permits remaining after the first drawing. The
States must obtain harvest and hunter participation data. These seasons
are also subject to the following conditions:
In the Atlantic Flyway:
--The season may be 90 days, from October 1 to January 31.
--In North Carolina, no more than 5,000 permits may be issued.
--In Virginia, no more than 600 permits may be issued.
In the Central Flyway:
--The season may be 107 days, from the Saturday nearest October 1
(October 4) to January 31.
--In the Central Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 500 permits
may be issued.
--In North Dakota, no more than 2,200 permits may be issued.
--In South Dakota, no more than 1,300 permits may be issued.
Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions
Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-95.
South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Maine
North Zone: That portion north of the line extending east along
Maine State Highway 110 from the New Hampshire and Maine State line to
the intersection of Maine State Highway 11 in Newfield; then north and
east along Route 11 to the intersection of U.S. Route 202 in Auburn;
then north and east on Route 202 to the intersection of Interstate
Highway 95 in Augusta; then north and east along I-95 to Route 15 in
Bangor; then east along Route 15 to Route 9; then east along Route 9 to
Stony Brook in Baileyville; then east along Stony Brook to the United
States border.
South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Massachusetts
Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending
south from the Vermont State line on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA
10, south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut
State line.
Central Zone: That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire State line on
I-95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south
on MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195,
west to the Rhode Island State line; except the waters, and the lands
150 yards inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River
upstream to the MA 24 bridge, and the
[[Page 51139]]
Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St. bridge shall be in the
Coastal Zone.
Coastal Zone: That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the
Central Zone.
New Hampshire
Coastal Zone: That portion of the State east of a line extending
west from the Maine State line in Rollinsford on NH 4 to the city of
Dover, south to NH 108, south along NH 108 through Madbury, Durham, and
Newmarket to NH 85 in Newfields, south to NH 101 in Exeter, east to NH
51 (Exeter-Hampton Expressway), east to I-95 (New Hampshire Turnpike)
in Hampton, and south along I-95 to the Massachusetts State line.
Inland Zone: That portion of the State north and west of the above
boundary and along the Massachusetts State line crossing the
Connecticut River to Interstate 91 and northward in Vermont to Route 2,
east to 102, northward to the Canadian border.
New Jersey
Coastal Zone: That portion of the State seaward of a line beginning
at the New York State line in Raritan Bay and extending west along the
New York State line to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west on NJ 440 to the
Garden State Parkway; south on the Garden State Parkway to the
shoreline at Cape May and continuing to the Delaware State line in
Delaware Bay.
North Zone: That portion of the State west of the Coastal Zone and
north of a line extending west from the Garden State Parkway on NJ 70
to the New Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike to U.S. 206, north on
U.S. 206 to U.S. 1 at Trenton, west on U.S. 1 to the Pennsylvania State
line in the Delaware River.
South Zone: That portion of the State not within the North Zone or
the Coastal Zone.
New York
Lake Champlain Zone: 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
State line.
Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their
tidal waters.
Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along
I-81 to the Pennsylvania State line.
Northeastern Zone: That area north of a line extending from Lake
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81 to NY
31, east along NY 31 to NY 13, north along NY 13 to NY 49, east along
NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29,
east along NY 29 to 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 State line, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.
Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.
Pennsylvania
Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters of Pennsylvania and a
shoreline margin along Lake Erie from New York on the east to Ohio on
the west extending 150 yards inland, but including all of Presque Isle
Peninsula.
Northwest Zone: The area bounded on the north by the Lake Erie Zone
and including all of Erie and Crawford Counties and those portions of
Mercer and Venango Counties north of I-80.
North Zone: That portion of the State east of the Northwest Zone
and north of a line extending east on I-80 to U.S. 220, Route 220 to I-
180, I-180 to I-80, and I-80 to the Delaware River.
South Zone: The remaining portion of Pennsylvania.
Vermont
Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area north and west of the line extending from the New York State line
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 State line
at Interstate 91; north along Interstate 91 to U.S. 2; east along U.S.
2 to VT 102; north along VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 253 to the
Canadian border.
Connecticut River Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont east of
the Interior Zone.
West Virginia
Zone 1: That portion outside the boundaries in Zone 2.
Zone 2 (Allegheny Mountain Upland): That area bounded by a line
extending south along U.S. 220 through Keyser to U.S. 50; U.S. 50 to WV
93; WV 93 south to WV 42; WV 42 south to Petersburg; WV 28 south to
Minnehaha Springs; WV 39 west to U.S. 219; U.S. 219 south to I-64; I-64
west to U.S. 60; U.S. 60 west to U.S. 19; U.S. 19 north to I-79, I-79
north to I-68; I-68 east to the Maryland State line; and along the
State line to the point of beginning.
Mississippi Flyway
Alabama
South Zone: Mobile and Baldwin Counties.
North Zone: The remainder of Alabama.
Illinois
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
west from the Indiana border along Peotone-Beecher Road to Illinois
Route 50, south along Illinois Route 50 to Wilmington-Peotone Road,
west along Wilmington-Peotone Road to Illinois Route 53, north along
Illinois Route 53 to New River Road, northwest along New River Road to
Interstate Highway 55, south along I-55 to Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road,
west along Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road to Illinois Route 47, north along
Illinois Route 47 to I-80, west along I-80 to I-39, south along I-39 to
Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois Route 29,
south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois Route 17, west along Illinois
Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and due south across the Mississippi
River to the Iowa border.
Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North 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.
Indiana
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Illinois State line 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 State line.
Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line
extending east from the Illinois State line along Interstate
[[Page 51140]]
Highway 64 to New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State Road 56,
east along State Road 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 State line.
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.
Kentucky
West Zone: All counties west of and including Butler, Daviess,
Ohio, Simpson, and Warren Counties.
East Zone: The remainder of Kentucky.
Louisiana
West Zone: That portion of the State west and south of a line
extending south from the Arkansas State line along Louisiana Highway 3
to Bossier City, east along Interstate Highway 20 to Minden, south
along Louisiana 7 to Ringgold, east along Louisiana 4 to Jonesboro,
south along U.S. Highway 167 to Lafayette, southeast along U.S. 90 to
the Mississippi State line.
East Zone: The remainder of Louisiana.
Michigan
North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line
beginning at the Wisconsin State line in Lake Michigan due west of the
mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly
and southerly along the south shore of Stony Creek to Scenic Drive,
easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly
along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along
Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of
Midland, easterly along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, easterly along U.S. 10
to Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, northerly along I-75/U.S. 23
to the U.S. 23 exit at Standish, easterly along U.S. 23 to the
centerline of the Au Gres River, then southerly along the centerline of
the Au Gres River to Saginaw Bay, then on a line directly east 10 miles
into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a line directly northeast to
the Canadian border.
South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.
Minnesota
North Duck Zone: That portion of the State north of a line
extending east from the North Dakota State line along State Highway 210
to State Highway 23, east along State Highway 23 to State Highway 39,
then east along State Highway 39 to the Wisconsin State line at the
Oliver Bridge.
South Duck Zone: The remainder of Minnesota.
Missouri
North Zone: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west
from the Illinois State line (Lock and Dam 25) on Lincoln County
Highway N to Missouri Highway 79; south on Missouri Highway 79 to
Missouri Highway 47; west on Missouri Highway 47 to Interstate 70; west
on Interstate 70 to the Kansas State line.
South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west
from the Illinois State line on Missouri Highway 34 to Interstate 55;
south on Interstate 55 to U.S. Highway 62; west on U.S. Highway 62 to
Missouri Highway 53; north on Missouri Highway 53 to Missouri Highway
51; north on Missouri Highway 51 to U.S. Highway 60; west on U.S.
Highway 60 to Missouri Highway 21; north on Missouri Highway 21 to
Missouri Highway 72; west on Missouri Highway 72 to Missouri Highway
32; west on Missouri Highway 32 to U.S. Highway 65; north on U.S.
Highway 65 to U.S. Highway 54; west on U.S. Highway 54 to the Kansas
State line.
Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri.
Ohio
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Indiana State line along U.S. Highway 33 to State Route
127, south along SR 127 to SR 703, south along SR 703 to SR 219, east
along SR 219 to SR 364, north along SR 364 to SR 703, east along SR 703
to SR 66, north along SR 66 to U.S. 33, east along U.S. 33 to SR 385,
east along SR 385 to SR 117, south along SR 117 to SR 273, east along
SR 273 to SR 31, south along SR 31 to SR 739, east along SR 739 to SR
4, north along SR 4 to SR 95, east along SR 95 to SR 13, southeast
along SR 13 to SR 3, northeast along SR 3 to SR 60, north along SR 60
to U.S. 30, east along U.S. 30 to SR 3, south along SR 3 to SR 226,
south along SR 226 to SR 514, southwest along SR 514 to SR 754, south
along SR 754 to SR 39/60, east along SR 39/60 to SR 241, north along SR
241 to U.S. 30, east along U.S.30 to SR 39, east along SR 39 to the
Pennsylvania State line.
South Zone: The remainder of Ohio.
Tennessee
Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake and Obion Counties.
State Zone: The remainder of Tennessee.
Wisconsin
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Minnesota State line along U.S. Highway 10 to U.S.
Highway 41, then north on U.S. Highway 41 to the Michigan State line.
South Zone: The remainder of Wisconsin.
Central Flyway
Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)
Eastern Plains Zone: That portion of the State east of Interstate
25, and all of El Paso, Pueblo, Heurfano, and Las Animas Counties.
Mountain/Foothills Zone: That portion of the State west of
Interstate 25 and east of the Continental Divide, except El Paso,
Pueblo, Heurfano, and Las Animas Counties.
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
border 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; southwest on U.S. 56 to KS 19; east on KS 19 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; southwest on U.S. 56 to Ford Co. Road 126; south on Ford Co.
Road 126 to U.S. 400; northwest on U.S. 400 to U.S. 283.
Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder of Kansas.
[[Page 51141]]
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Daniels, Dawson,
Fallon, Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, McCone,
Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Richland, Roosevelt,
Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, and
Yellowstone.
Zone 2: The remainder of Montana.
Nebraska
High Plains Zone: That portion of Nebraska lying west of a line
beginning at the South Dakota-Nebraska border on U.S. 183, south on
U.S. 183 to U.S. 20, west on U.S. 20 to NE 7, south on NE 7 to NE 91,
southwest on NE 91 to NE 2, southeast on NE 2 to NE 92, west on NE 92
to NE 40, south on NE 40 to NE 47, south on NE 47 to NE 23, east on NE
23 to U.S. 283 and south on U.S. 283 to the Kansas-Nebraska border.
Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of Dixon County west of NE 26E Spur
and north of NE 12; those portions of Cedar County north of NE 12;
those portions of Knox counties north of NE 12 to intersection of
Niobrara River; all of Boyd County; Keya Paha County east of U.S. 183.
Both banks of the Niobrara River in Keya Paha, Boyd, and Knox counties
east of U.S. 183 shall be included in Zone 1.
Low Plains Zone 2: Area bounded by designated Federal and State
highways and political boundaries beginning at the Kansas-Nebraska
border on U.S. 75 to U.S. 136; east to the intersection of U.S. 136 and
the Steamboat Trace (Trace); north along the Trace to the intersection
with Federal Levee R-562; north along Federal Levee R-562 to the
intersection with the Trace; north along the Trace/Burlington Northern
Railroad right-of-way to NE 2; west to U.S. 75; north to NE 2; west to
NE 43; north to U.S. 34; east to NE 63; north and west to U.S. 77;
north to NE 92; west to U.S. 81; south to NE 66; west to NE 14; south
to County Road 22 (Hamilton County); west to County Road M, south to
County Road 21; west to County Road K; south U.S. 34; west to NE 2;
south to U.S. I-80; west to Gunbarrel Road. (Hall/Hamilton county
line); south to Giltner Road.; west to U.S. 281; south to U.S. 34; west
to NE 10; north to County Road ``R'' (Kearney County) and County Road
742 (Phelps County); west to County Road 438 (Gosper
County line); south along County Road 438 (Gosper County line)
to County Road 726 (Furnas County line); east to County Road
438 (Harlan County line); south to U.S. 34; south and west to
U.S. 136; east to NE 14; south to the Kansas-Nebraska border, west to
U.S. 283; north to NE 23; west to NE 47; north to U.S. 30; east to NE
14; north to NE 52; west and north to NE 91 to U.S. 281; south to NE
22; west to NE 11; northwest to NE 91; west to Loup County Line, north
to Loup-Brown county line; east along northern boundaries of Loup,
Garfield and Wheeler counties; south on the Wheeler-Antelope county
line to NE 70; east to NE 14; south to NE 39; southeast to NE 22; east
to U.S. 81; southeast to U.S. 30; east to U.S. 75, north to the
Washington County line; east to the Iowa-Nebraska border; south along
the Iowa-Nebraska border; to the beginning at U.S. 75 and the Kansas-
Nebraska border.
Low Plains Zone 3: The area east of the High Plains Zone, excluding
Low Plains Zone 1, north of Low Plains Zone 2.
Low Plains Zone 4: The area east of the High Plains Zone and south
of Zone 2.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.
North Dakota
High Plains Unit: That portion of the State south and west of a
line from the South Dakota State line along U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41,
north to U.S. 2, west to the Williams/Divide County line, then north
along the County line to the Canadian border.
Low Plains Unit: The remainder of North Dakota.
Oklahoma
High Plains Zone: The Counties of Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas.
Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High
Plains Zone and north of a line extending east from the Texas State
line along OK 33 to OK 47, east along OK 47 to U.S. 183, south along
U.S. 183 to I-40, east along I-40 to U.S. 177, north along U.S. 177 to
OK 33, east along OK 33 to OK 18, north along OK 18 to OK 51, west
along OK 51 to I-35, north along I-35 to U.S. 412, west along U.S. 412
to OK 132, then north along OK 132 to the Kansas State line.
Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of Oklahoma.
South Dakota
High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of a line
beginning at the North Dakota State line and extending south along U.S.
83 to U.S.14, east on U.S.14 to Blunt, south on the Blunt-Canning road
to SD 34, east and south on SD 34 to SD 50 at Lee's Corner, south on SD
50 to I-90, east on I-90 to SD 50, south on SD 50 to SD 44, west on SD
44 across the Platte-Winner bridge to SD 47, south on SD 47 to U.S.18,
east on U.S. 18 to SD 47, south on SD 47 to the Nebraska State line.
North Zone: That portion of northeastern South Dakota east of the
High Plains Unit and north of a line extending east along U.S. 212 to
the Minnesota State line.
South Zone: That portion of Gregory County east of SD 47 and south
of SD 44; Charles Mix County south of SD 44 to the Douglas County line;
south on SD 50 to Geddes; east on the Geddes Highway to U.S. 281; south
on U.S. 281 and U.S. 18 to SD 50; south and east on SD 50 to the Bon
Homme County line; the Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton, and Clay south
of SD 50; and Union County south and west of SD 50 and I-29.
Middle Zone: The remainder of South Dakota.
Texas
High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of a line
extending south from the Oklahoma State line along U.S. 183 to Vernon,
south along U.S. 283 to Albany, south along TX 6 to TX 351 to Abilene,
south along U.S. 277 to Del Rio, then south along the Del Rio
International Toll Bridge access road to the Mexico border.
Low Plains North Zone: That portion of northeastern Texas east of
the High Plains Zone and north of a line beginning at the International
Toll Bridge south of Del Rio, then extending east on U.S. 90 to San
Antonio, then continuing east on I-10 to the Louisiana State line at
Orange, Texas.
Low Plains South Zone: The remainder of Texas.
Wyoming (Central Flyway portion)
Zone 1: The Counties of Converse, Goshen, Hot Springs, Natrona,
Platte, and Washakie; and the portion of Park County east of the
Shoshone National Forest boundary and south of a line beginning where
the Shoshone National Forest boundary meets Park County Road 8VC, east
along Park County Road 8VC to Park County Road 1AB, continuing east
along Park County Road 1AB to Wyoming Highway 120, north along WY
Highway 120 to WY Highway 294, south along WY Highway 294 to Lane 9,
east along Lane 9 to Powel and WY Highway 14A, and finally east along
WY Highway 14A to the Park County and Big Horn County line.
Zone 2: The remainder of Wyoming.
[[Page 51142]]
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
Game Management Units (GMU) as follows:
South Zone: Those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 in Yavapai County, and
GMUs 10 and 12B-45.
North Zone: GMUs 1-5, those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 within
Coconino County, and GMUs 7, 9, 12A.
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 or Yreka; west along Walters Lane to its
junction with Easy Street; south along Easy Street to the junction with
Old Highway 99: south along Old Highway 99 to the point of intersection
with Interstate 5 north of the town of Weed; south along Interstate 5
to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to
Main Street Greenville; north and east to its junction with North
Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and
east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the
junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington
Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the
junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and
east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-
Nevada State line; north along the California-Nevada State line to the
junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon State lines; west along the
California-Oregon State line to the point of origin.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada State
line south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south 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 seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road;
south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada
State line.
Southern San Joaquin Valley 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.
Idaho
Zone 1: Includes all lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage;
and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.
Zone 2: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties:
Adams; Bear Lake; Benewah; Bingham within the Blackfoot Reservoir
drainage; Blaine; Bonner; Bonneville; Boundary; Butte; Camas; Caribou
except the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Cassia within the Minidoka
National Wildlife Refuge; Clark; Clearwater; Custer; Elmore within the
Camas Creek drainage; Franklin; Fremont; Idaho; Jefferson; Kootenai;
Latah; Lemhi; Lewis; Madison; Nez Perce; Oneida; Power within the
Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Shoshone; Teton; and Valley
Counties.
Zone 3: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties:
Ada; Boise; Canyon; Cassia except within the Minidoka National Wildlife
Refuge; Elmore except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; Gooding; Jerome;
Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee; Payette; Power west of ID 37 and ID 39
except that portion within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Twin
Falls; and Washington Counties.
Nevada
Lincoln and Clark County Zone: All of Clark and Lincoln Counties.
Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.
Oregon
Zone 1: Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane, Douglas, Coos, Curry,
Josephine, Jackson, Linn, Benton, Polk, Marion, Yamhill, Washington,
Columbia, Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Morrow and Umatilla Counties.
Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Gilliam, Morrow, and
Umatilla Counties.
Zone 2: The remainder of the State.
Utah
Zone 1: All of Box Elder, Cache, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Morgan,
Rich, Salt Lake, Summit, Unitah, Utah, Wasatch, and Weber Counties, and
that part of Toole County north of I-80.
Zone 2: The remainder of Utah.
Washington
East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of
the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Same as East Zone.
West Zone: All areas to the west of the East Zone.
Wyoming
Snake River Zone: Beginning at the south boundary of Yellowstone
National Park and the Continental Divide; south along the Continental
Divide to Union Pass and the Union Pass Road (U.S.F.S. Road 600); west
and south along the Union Pass Road to U.S.F.S. Road 605; south along
U.S.F.S. Road 605 to the Bridger-Teton National Forest boundary; along
the national forest boundary to the Idaho State line; north along the
Idaho State line to the south boundary of Yellowstone National Park;
east along the Yellowstone National Park boundary to the Continental
Divide.
Balance of Flyway Zone: Balance of the Pacific Flyway in Wyoming
outside the Snake River Zone.
Geese
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
AP Unit: Litchfield County and the portion of Hartford County west
of a line beginning at the Massachusetts border in Suffield and
extending south along Route 159 to its intersection with Route 91 in
Hartford, and then extending south along Route 91 to its intersection
with the Hartford/Middlesex County line.
AFRP Unit: Starting at the intersection of I-95 and the Quinnipiac
River, north on the Quinnipiac River to its intersection with I-91,
north on I-91 to I-691, west on I-691 to the Hartford County line, and
encompassing the rest
[[Page 51143]]
of New Haven County and Fairfield County in its entirety.
NAP H-Unit: All of the rest of the State not included in the AP or
AFRP descriptions above.
South Zone: Same as for ducks.
North Zone: Same as for ducks.
Maryland
Resident Population (RP) Zone: Garrett, Allegany, Washington,
Frederick, and Montgomery Counties; that portion of Prince George's
County west of Route 3 and Route 301; that portion of Charles County
west of Route 301 to the Virginia State line; and that portion of
Carroll County west of Route 31 to the intersection of Route 97, and
west of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line.
AP Zone: Remainder of the State.
Massachusetts
NAP Zone: Central and Coastal Zones (see duck zones).
AP Zone: The Western Zone (see duck zones).
Special Late Season Area: The Central Zone and that portion of the
Coastal Zone (see duck zones) that lies north of the Cape Cod Canal,
north to the New Hampshire line.
New Hampshire
Same zones as for ducks.
New Jersey
North: That portion of the State within a continuous line that runs
east along the New York State boundary line to the Hudson River; then
south along the New York State boundary to its intersection with Route
440 at Perth Amboy; then west on Route 440 to its intersection with
Route 287; then west along Route 287 to its intersection with Route 206
in Bedminster (Exit 18); then north along Route 206 to its intersection
with Route 94: then west along Route 94 to the tollbridge in Columbia;
then north along the Pennsylvania State boundary in the Delaware River
to the beginning point.
South: That portion of the State within a continuous line that runs
west from the Atlantic Ocean at Ship Bottom along Route 72 to Route 70;
then west along Route 70 to Route 206; then south along Route 206 to
Route 536; then west along Route 536 to Route 322; then west along
Route 322 to Route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 553 (Buck
Road); then south along Route 553 to Route 40; then east along Route 40
to route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 552 (Sherman Avenue);
then west along Route 552 to Carmel Road; then south along Carmel Road
to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 555; then south along
Route 555 to Route 553; then east along Route 553 to Route 649; then
north along Route 649 to Route 670; then east along Route 670 to Route
47; then north along Route 47 to Route 548; then east along Route 548
to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 50; then south along
Route 50 to Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route 625 (Sea Isle
City Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to the Atlantic Ocean; then
north to the beginning point.
New York
Lake Champlain Goose Area: That area of New York State lying east
and north of a continuous line extending along Route 11 from the New
York-Canada International boundary south to Route 9B, south along Route
9B to Route 9, south along Route 9 to Route 22 south of Keeseville,
south along Route 22 to the west shore of South Bay along and around
the shoreline of South Bay to Route 22 on the east shore of South Bay,
southeast along Route 22 to Route 4, northeast along Route 4 to the New
York-Vermont boundary.
Northeast Goose Area: The same as the Northeastern Waterfowl
Hunting Zone, which is that area of New York State lying north of a
continuous line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore
of the Salmon River to Interstate 81, south along Interstate Route 81
to Route 31, east along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to
Route 49, east along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to
Route 28, east along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to
Interstate Route 87, north along Interstate Route 87 to Route 9 (at
Exit 20), north along Route 9 to Route 149, east along Route 149 to
Route 4, north along Route 4 to the New York-Vermont boundary,
exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.
East Central Goose Area: That area of New York State lying inside
of a continuous line extending from Interstate Route 81 in Cicero, east
along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to Route 49, east
along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to Route 28, east
along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball
Corners, south along Route 147 to Schenectady County Route 40 (West
Glenville Road), west along Route 40 to Touareuna Road, south along
Touareuna Road to Schenectady County Route 59, south along Route 59 to
State Route 5, east along Route 5 to the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along
the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S, southeast along Route 5S to Schenectady
County Route 58, southwest along Route 58 to the NYS Thruway, south
along the Thruway to Route 7, southwest along Route 7 to Schenectady
County Route 103, south along Route 103 to Route 406, east along Route
406 to Schenectady County Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route
99 to Dunnsville Road, south along Dunnsville Road to Route 397,
southwest along Route 397 to Route 146 at Altamont, west along Route
146 to Albany County Route 252, northwest along Route 252 to
Schenectady County Route 131, north along Route 131 to Route 7, west
along Route 7 to Route 10 at Richmondville, south on Route 10 to Route
23 at Stamford, west along Route 23 to the south bank of the
Susquehanna River, southwest along the south bank of the Susquehanna
River to Interstate Route 88 near Harpursville, west along Route 88 to
Route 79, northwest along Route 79 to Route 26 in Whitney Point,
southwest along Route 26 to Interstate Route 81, north along Route 81
to the point of beginning.
West Central Goose Area: That area of New York State lying within a
continuous line beginning at the point where the northerly extension of
Route 269 (County Line Road on the Niagara-Orleans County boundary)
meets the International boundary with Canada, south to the shore of
Lake Ontario at the eastern boundary of Golden Hill State Park, south
along the extension of Route 269 and Route 269 to Route 104 at Jeddo,
west along Route 104 to Niagara County Route 271, south along Route 271
to Route 31E at Middleport, south along Route 31E to Route 31, west
along Route 31 to Griswold Street, south along Griswold Street to Ditch
Road, south along Ditch Road to Foot Road, south along Foot Road to the
north bank of Tonawanda Creek, west along the north bank of Tonawanda
Creek to Route 93, south along Route 93 to Route 5, east along Route 5
to Crittenden-Murrays Corners Road, south on Crittenden-Murrays Corners
Road to the NYS Thruway, east along the Thruway 90 to Route 98 (at
Thruway Exit 48) in Batavia, south along Route 98 to Route 20, east
along Route 20 to Route 19 in Pavilion Center, south along Route 19 to
Route 63, southeast along Route 63 to Route 246, south along Route 246
to Route 39 in Perry, northeast along Route 39 to Route 20A, northeast
along Route 20A to Route 20, east along Route 20 to Route 364 (near
Canandaigua), south and east along Route 364 to Yates County Route 18
(Italy Valley Road), southwest along Route 18 to Yates County Route 34,
east along Route 34 to Yates County Route 32, south along Route 32 to
Steuben County Route 122, south along Route 122 to Route 53, south
along Route 53 to Steuben County
[[Page 51144]]
Route 74, east along Route 74 to Route 54A (near Pulteney), south along
Route 54A to Steuben County Route 87, east along Route 87 to Steuben
County Route 96, east along Route 96 to Steuben County Route 114, east
along Route 114 to Schuyler County Route 23, east and southeast along
Route 23 to Schuyler County Route 28, southeast along Route 28 to Route
409 at Watkins Glen, south along Route 409 to Route 14, south along
Route 14 to Route 224 at Montour Falls, east along Route 224 to Route
228 in Odessa, north along Route 228 to Route 79 in Mecklenburg, east
along Route 79 to Route 366 in Ithaca, northeast along Route 366 to
Route 13, northeast along Route 13 to Interstate Route 81 in Cortland,
north along Route 81 to the north shore of the Salmon River to shore of
Lake Ontario, extending generally northwest in a straight line to the
nearest point of the International boundary with Canada, south and west
along the International boundary to the point of beginning.
Hudson Valley Goose Area: That area of New York State lying within
a continuous line extending from Route 4 at the New York-Vermont
boundary, west and south along Route 4 to Route 149 at Fort Ann, west
on Route 149 to Route 9, south along Route 9 to Interstate Route 87 (at
Exit 20 in Glens Falls), south along Route 87 to Route 29, west along
Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball Corners, south along Route 147 to
Schenectady County Route 40 (West Glenville Road), west along Route 40
to Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna Road to Schenectady County
Route 59, south along Route 59 to State Route 5, east along Route 5 to
the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S,
southeast along Route 5S to Schenectady County Route 58, southwest
along Route 58 to the NYS Thruway, south along the Thruway to Route 7,
southwest along Route 7 to Schenectady County Route 103, south along
Route 103 to Route 406, east along Route 406 to Schenectady County
Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route 99 to Dunnsville Road,
south along Dunnsville Road to Route 397, southwest along Route 397 to
Route 146 at Altamont, southeast along Route 146 to Main Street in
Altamont, west along Main Street to Route 156, southeast along Route
156 to Albany County Route 307, southeast along Route 307 to Route 85A,
southwest along Route 85A to Route 85, south along Route 85 to Route
443, southeast along Route 443 to Albany County Route 301 at
Clarksville, southeast along Route 301 to Route 32, south along Route
32 to Route 23 at Cairo, west along Route 23 to Joseph Chadderdon Road,
southeast along Joseph Chadderdon Road to Hearts Content Road (Greene
County Route 31), southeast along Route 31 to Route 32, south along
Route 32 to Greene County Route 23A, east along Route 23A to Interstate
Route 87 (the NYS Thruway), south along Route 87 to Route 28 (Exit 19)
near Kingston, northwest on Route 28 to Route 209, southwest on Route
209 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary, southeast along the New
York-Pennsylvania boundary to the New York-New Jersey boundary,
southeast along the New York-New Jersey boundary to Route 210 near
Greenwood Lake, northeast along Route 210 to Orange County Route 5,
northeast along Orange County Route 5 to Route 105 in the Village of
Monroe, east and north along Route 105 to Route 32, northeast along
Route 32 to Orange County Route 107 (Quaker Avenue), east along Route
107 to Route 9W, north along Route 9W to the south bank of Moodna
Creek, southeast along the south bank of Moodna Creek to the New
Windsor-Cornwall town boundary, northeast along the New Windsor-
Cornwall town boundary to the Orange-Dutchess County boundary (middle
of the Hudson River), north along the county boundary to Interstate
Route 84, east along Route 84 to the Dutchess-Putnam County boundary,
east along the county boundary to the New York-Connecticut boundary,
north along the New York-Connecticut boundary to the New York-
Massachusetts boundary, north along the New York-Massachusetts boundary
to the New York-Vermont boundary, north to the point of beginning.
Eastern Long Island Goose Area (NAP High Harvest Area): That area
of Suffolk County lying east of a continuous line extending due south
from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the northernmost end of
Roanoke Avenue in the Town of Riverhead; then south on Roanoke Avenue
(which becomes County Route 73) to State Route 25; then west on Route
25 to Peconic Avenue; then south on Peconic Avenue to County Route (CR)
104 (Riverleigh Avenue); then south on CR 104 to CR 31 (Old Riverhead
Road); then south on CR 31 to Oak Street; then south on Oak Street to
Potunk Lane; then west on Stevens Lane; then south on Jessup Avenue (in
Westhampton Beach) to Dune Road (CR 89); then due south to
international waters.
Western Long Island Goose Area (RP Area): That area of Westchester
County and its tidal waters southeast of Interstate Route 95 and that
area of Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying west of a continuous line
extending due south from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the
northernmost end of the Sunken Meadow State Parkway; then south on the
Sunken Meadow Parkway to the Sagtikos State Parkway; then south on the
Sagtikos Parkway to the Robert Moses State Parkway; then south on the
Robert Moses Parkway to its southernmost end; then due south to
international waters.
Central Long Island Goose Area (NAP Low Harvest Area): That area of
Suffolk County lying between the Western and Eastern Long Island Goose
Areas, as defined above.
South Goose Area: The remainder of New York State, excluding New
York City.
Special Late Canada Goose Area: That area of the Central Long
Island Goose Area lying north of State Route 25A and west of a
continuous line extending northward from State Route 25A along Randall
Road (near Shoreham) to North Country Road, then east to Sound Road and
then north to Long Island Sound and then due north to the New York-
Connecticut boundary.
North Carolina
SJBP Hunt Zone: Includes the following counties or portions of
counties: Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Halifax (that
portion east of NC 903), Montgomery (that portion west of NC 109),
Northampton, Richmond (that portion south of NC 73 and west of U.S. 220
and north of U.S. 74), Rowan, Stanly, Union, and Wake.
RP Hunt Zone: Includes the following counties or portions of
counties: Alamance, Alleghany, Alexander, Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie
(that portion south and west of a line formed by NC 45 at the
Washington Co. line to U.S. 17 in Midway, U.S. 17 in Midway to U.S. 13
in Windsor, U.S. 13 in Windsor to the Hertford Co. line), Bladen,
Brunswick, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Carteret, Caswell, Catawba,
Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Davie, Duplin,
Edgecombe, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Gates, Graham, Granville, Greene,
Guilford, Halifax (that portion west of NC 903), Harnett, Haywood,
Henderson, Hertford, Hoke, Iredell, Jackson, Johnston, Jones, Lee,
Lenoir, Lincoln, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Martin, Mecklenburg,
Mitchell, Montgomery (that portion that is east of NC 109), Moore,
Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico, Pender, Person, Pitt, Polk,
Randolph, Richmond (all of the county with exception of that portion
that is south of NC 73 and west of U.S. 220 and north of U.S. 74),
Robeson, Rockingham, Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Stokes, Surry,
Swain, Transylvania, Vance, Warren, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes,
[[Page 51145]]
Wilson, Yadkin, and Yancey. Northeast Hunt Unit: Includes the following
counties or portions of counties: Bertie (that portion north and east
of a line formed by NC 45 at the Washington County line to U.S. 17 in
Midway, U.S. 17 in Midway to U.S. 13 in Windsor, U.S. 13 in Windsor to
the Hertford Co. line), Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde,
Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington.
Pennsylvania
Resident Canada Goose Zone: All of Pennsylvania except for SJBP
Zone and the area east of route SR 97 from the Maryland State Line to
the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of U.S.
Route 30, south of U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743,
east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of
I-80, and south of I-80 to the New Jersey State line.
SJBP Zone: The area north of I-80 and west of I-79 including in the
city of Erie west of Bay Front Parkway to and including the Lake Erie
Duck zone (Lake Erie, Presque Isle, and the area within 150 yards of
the Lake Erie Shoreline).
AP Zone: The area east of route SR 97 from Maryland State Line to
the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of U.S.
Route 30, south of U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743,
east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of
I-80, south of I-80 to New Jersey State line.
Rhode Island
Special Area for Canada Geese: Kent and Providence Counties and
portions of the towns of Exeter and North Kingston within Washington
County (see State regulations for detailed descriptions).
South Carolina
Canada Goose Area: Statewide except for Clarendon County, that
portion of Orangeburg County north of SC Highway 6, and that portion of
Berkeley County north of SC Highway 45 from the Orangeburg County line
to the junction of SC Highway 45 and State Road S-8-31 and that portion
west of the Santee Dam.
Vermont
Same zones as for ducks.
Virginia
AP Zone: The area east and south of the following line--the
Stafford County line from the Potomac River west to Interstate 95 at
Fredericksburg, then south along Interstate 95 to Petersburg, then
Route 460 (SE) to City of Suffolk, then south along Route 32 to the
North Carolina line.
SJBP Zone: The area to the west of the AP Zone boundary and east of
the following line: the ``Blue Ridge'' (mountain spine) at the West
Virginia-Virginia Border (Loudoun County-Clarke County line) south to
Interstate 64 (the Blue Ridge line follows county borders along the
western edge of Loudoun-Fauquier-Rappahannock-Madison-Greene-Albemarle
and into Nelson Counties), then east along Interstate Rt. 64 to Route
15, then south along Rt. 15 to the North Carolina line.
RP Zone: The remainder of the State west of the SJBP Zone.
Back Bay Area: The waters of Back Bay and its tributaries and the
marshes adjacent thereto, and on the land and marshes between Back Bay
and the Atlantic Ocean from Sandbridge to the North Carolina line, and
on and along the shore of North Landing River and the marshes adjacent
thereto, and on and along the shores of Binson Inlet Lake (formerly
known as Lake Tecumseh) and Red Wing Lake and the marshes adjacent
thereto.
West Virginia
Same zones as for ducks.
Mississippi Flyway
Alabama
Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
SJBP Zone: That portion of Morgan County east of U.S. Highway 31,
north of State Highway 36, and west of U.S. 231; that portion of
Limestone County south of U.S. 72; and that portion of Madison County
south of Swancott Road and west of Triana Road.
Arkansas
Northwest Zone: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Conway, Crawford,
Faulkner, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Madison, Marion, Newton, Perry,
Pope, Pulaski, Searcy, Sebastian, Scott, Van Buren, Washington, and
Yell Counties.
Illinois
Same zones as for ducks.
Indiana
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
Special Canada Goose Seasons
Indiana Late Canada Goose Season Zone: That part of the state
encompassed by the following counties: Steuben, Lagrange, Elkhart, St.
Joseph, La Porte, Starke, Marshall, Kosciusko, Noble, De Kalb, Allen,
Whitley, Huntington, Wells, Adams, Boone, Hamilton, Madison, Hendricks,
Marion, Hancock, Morgan, Johnson, Shelby, Vermillion, Parke, Vigo,
Clay, Sullivan, and Greene.
Iowa
North Zone: That portion of the State north of U.S. Highway 20.
South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
Kentucky
Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at
the Tennessee State line at Fulton and extending north along the
Purchase Parkway to Interstate Highway 24, east along I-24 to U.S.
Highway 641, north along U.S. 641 to U.S. 60, northeast along U.S. 60
to the Henderson County line, then south, east, and northerly along the
Henderson County line to the Indiana State line.
Ballard Reporting Area: That area encompassed by a line beginning
at the northwest city limits of Wickliffe in Ballard County and
extending westward to the middle of the Mississippi River, north along
the Mississippi River and along the low-water mark of the Ohio River on
the Illinois shore to the Ballard-McCracken County line, south along
the county line to Kentucky Highway 358, south along Kentucky 358 to
U.S. Highway 60 at LaCenter; then southwest along U.S. 60 to the
northeast city limits of Wickliffe.
Henderson-Union Reporting Area: Henderson County and that portion
of Union County within the Western Zone.
Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone: Butler, Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and
Warren Counties and all counties lying west to the boundary of the
Western Goose Zone.
Michigan
(a) North Zone--Same as North duck zone.
(b) Middle Zone--Same as Middle duck zone.
(c) South Zone--Same as South duck zone
Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU): Those portions of
Tuscola and Huron Counties bounded on the south by Michigan Highway 138
and Bay City Road, on the east by Colwood and Bay Port Roads, on the
north by Kilmanagh Road and a line extending directly west off the end
of Kilmanagh Road into Saginaw Bay to the west boundary, and on the
west by the Tuscola-Bay County line and a line extending directly north
off the end of the Tuscola-Bay County line into Saginaw Bay to the
north boundary.
Allegan County GMU: That area encompassed by a line beginning at
the junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate Highway 196 in Lake Town
Township
[[Page 51146]]
and extending easterly along 136th Avenue to Michigan Highway 40,
southerly along Michigan 40 through the city of Allegan to 108th Avenue
in Trowbridge Township, westerly along 108th Avenue to 46th Street,
northerly ( mile along 46th Street to 109th Avenue, westerly along
109th Avenue to I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly along I-196 to
the point of beginning.
Saginaw County GMU: That portion of Saginaw County bounded by
Michigan Highway 46 on the north; Michigan 52 on the west; Michigan 57
on the south; and Michigan 13 on the east.
Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That portion of Muskegon County within the
boundaries of the Muskegon County wastewater system, east of the
Muskegon State Game Area, in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29,
30, and 32, T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, and
25, T10N R15W, as posted.
Special Canada Goose Seasons:
Southern Michigan Late Season Canada Goose Zone: Same as the South
Duck Zone excluding Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU), Allegan
County GMU, Saginaw County GMU, and Muskegon Wastewater GMU.
Minnesota
West Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line
beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa
State line, 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 State line.
West Central Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the
intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 29 and U.S. Highway 212 and
extending west along U.S. 212 to U.S. 59, south along U.S. 59 to STH
67, west along STH 67 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to County State
Aid Highway (CSAH) 30 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 30 to
the western boundary of the State, north along the western boundary of
the State to a point due south of the intersection of STH 7 and CSAH 7
in Big Stone County, and continuing due north to said intersection,
then north along CSAH 7 to CSAH 6 in Big Stone County, east along CSAH
6 to CSAH 21 in Big Stone County, south along CSAH 21 to CSAH 10 in Big
Stone County, east along CSAH 10 to CSAH 22 in Swift County, east along
CSAH 22 to CSAH 5 in Swift County, south along CSAH 5 to U.S. 12, east
along U.S. 12 to CSAH 17 in Swift County, south along CSAH 17 to CSAH 9
in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to STH 40, east along STH 40 to
STH 29, then south along STH 29 to the point of beginning.
Special Canada Goose Seasons:
Southeast Zone: That part of the State within the following
described boundaries: beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 52
and the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone;
thence along the U.S. Highway 52 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 57;
thence along STH 57 to the municipal boundary of Kasson; thence along
the municipal boundary of Kasson County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 13,
Dodge County; thence along CSAH 13 to STH 30; thence along STH 30 to
U.S. Highway 63; thence along U.S. Highway 63 to the south boundary of
the State; thence along the south and east boundaries of the State to
the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; thence
along said boundary to the point of beginning.
Missouri
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
Middle Zone
Southeast Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line
beginning at the intersection of Missouri Highway (MO) 34 and
Interstate 55 and extending south along I-55 to U.S. Highway 62, west
along U.S. 62 to MO 53, north along MO 53 to MO 51, north along MO 51
to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to MO 21, north along MO 21 to MO 72,
east along MO 72 to MO 34, then east along MO 34 to I-55.
Ohio
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
North Zone
Lake Erie Zone: That portion of the North Duck Zone encompassed by
and north and east of a line beginning in Lucas County at the Michigan
State line on I-75, and extending south along I-75 to I-280, south
along I-280 to I-80, and east along I-80 to the Pennsylvania State line
in Trumbull County.
Tennessee
Southwest Zone: That portion of the State south of State Highways
20 and 104, and west of U.S. Highways 45 and 45W.
Northwest Zone: Lake, Obion, and Weakley Counties and those
portions of Gibson and Dyer Counties not included in the Southwest
Tennessee Zone. Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone: That portion of the State
bounded on the west by the eastern boundaries of the Northwest and
Southwest Zones and on the east by State Highway 13 from the Alabama
State line to Clarksville and U.S. Highway 79 from Clarksville to the
Kentucky State line.
Wisconsin
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
Horicon Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the
intersection of State Highway 21 and the Fox River in Winnebago County
and extending westerly along State 21 to the west boundary of Winnebago
County, southerly along the west boundary of Winnebago County to the
north boundary of Green Lake County, westerly along the north
boundaries of Green Lake and Marquette Counties to State 22, southerly
along State 22 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to Interstate
Highway 39, southerly along Interstate Highway 39 to Interstate Highway
90/94, southerly along I-90/94 to State 60, easterly along State 60 to
State 83, northerly along State 83 to State 175, northerly along State
175 to State 33, easterly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 45, northerly
along U.S. 45 to the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River, northerly
along the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River to Lake Winnebago,
northerly along the western shoreline of Lake Winnebago to the Fox
River, then westerly along the Fox River to State 21.
Collins Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the
intersection of Hilltop Road and Collins Marsh Road in Manitowoc County
and extending westerly along Hilltop Road to Humpty Dumpty Road,
southerly along Humpty Dumpty Road to Poplar Grove Road, easterly along
Poplar Grove Road to Rockea Road, southerly along Rockea Road to County
Highway JJ, southeasterly along County JJ to Collins Road, southerly
along Collins Road to the Manitowoc River, southeasterly along the
Manitowoc River to Quarry Road, northerly along Quarry Road to
Einberger Road, northerly along Einberger Road to Moschel Road,
westerly along Moschel Road to Collins Marsh Road, northerly along
Collins Marsh Road to Hilltop Road.
Exterior Zone: That portion of the State not included in the
Horicon or Collins Zones.
Mississippi River Subzone: That area encompassed by a line
beginning at the intersection of the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe
Railway and the Illinois State line in Grant County and extending
northerly along the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway to the city
limit of Prescott in Pierce County, then west along the Prescott city
limit to the Minnesota State line.
Rock Prairie Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at
the
[[Page 51147]]
intersection of the Illinois State line and Interstate Highway 90 and
extending north along I-90 to County Highway A, east along County A to
U.S. Highway 12, southeast along U.S. 12 to State Highway 50, west
along State 50 to State 120, then south along 120 to the Illinois State
line.
Brown County Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at
the intersection of the Fox River with Green Bay in Brown County and
extending southerly along the Fox River to State Highway 29,
northwesterly along State 29 to the Brown County line, south, east, and
north along the Brown County line to Green Bay, due west to the
midpoint of the Green Bay Ship Channel, then southwesterly along the
Green Bay Ship Channel to the Fox River.
Central Flyway
Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)
Northern Front Range Area: All areas in Boulder, Larimer and Weld
Counties from the Continental Divide east along the Wyoming border to
U.S. 85, south on U.S. 85 to the Adams County line, and all lands in
Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin, and
Jefferson Counties.
North Park Area: Jackson County.
South Park and San Luis Valley Area: All of Alamosa, Chaffee,
Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, Rio Grande and Teller
Counties, and those portions of Saguache, Mineral and Hinsdale Counties
east of the Continental Divide.
Remainder: Remainder of the Central Flyway portion of Colorado.
Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose Area: That portion of the State
east of Interstate Highway 25.
Nebraska
Dark Geese
Niobrara Unit: That area contained within and bounded by the
intersection of the South Dakota State line and the Cherry County line,
south along the Cherry County line to the Niobrara River, east to the
Norden Road, south on the Norden Road to U.S. Hwy 20, east along U.S.
Hwy 20 to NE Hwy 137, north along NE Hwy 137 to the Niobrara River,
east along the Niobrara River to the Boyd County line, north along the
Boyd County line to the South Dakota State line. Where the Niobrara
River forms the boundary, both banks of the river are included in the
Niobrara Unit.
East Unit: That area north and east of U.S. 281 at the Kansas-
Nebraska State line, north to Giltner Road (near Doniphan), east to NE
14, north to NE 66, east to U.S. 81, north to NE 22, west to NE 14,
north to NE 91, east to U.S. 275, south to U.S. 77, south to NE 91,
east to U.S. 30, east to Nebraska-Iowa State line.
Platte River Unit: That area south and west of U.S. 281 at the
Kansas-Nebraska State line, north to Giltner Road (near Doniphan), east
to NE 14, north to NE 66, east to U.S. 81, north to NE 22, west to NE
14, north to NE 91, west along NE 91 to NE 11, north to the Holt County
line, west along the northern border of Garfield, Loup, Blaine and
Thomas Counties to the Hooker County line, south along the Thomas-
Hooker County lines to the McPherson County line, east along the south
border of Thomas County to the western line of Custer County, south
along the Custer-Logan County line to NE 92, west to U.S. 83, north to
NE 92, west to NE 61, north along NE 61 to NE 2, west along NE 2 to the
corner formed by Garden-Grant-Sheridan Counties, west along the north
border of Garden, Morrill, and Scotts Bluff Counties to the
intersection of the Interstate Canal, west to Wyoming State line.
North-Central Unit: The remainder of the State.
Light Geese
Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (West): The area bounded by the
junction of U.S. 283 and U.S. 30 at Lexington, east on U.S. 30 to U.S.
281, south on U.S. 281 to NE 4, west on NE 4 to U.S. 34, continue west
on U.S. 34 to U.S. 283, then north on U.S. 283 to the beginning.
Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (East): The area bounded by the
junction of U.S. 281 and U.S. 30 at Grand Island, north and east on
U.S. 30 to NE 14, south to NE 66, east to U.S. 81, north to NE 92, east
on NE 92 to NE 15, south on NE 15 to NE 4, west on NE 4 to U.S. 281,
north on U.S. 281 to the beginning.
Remainder of State: The remainder portion of Nebraska.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
Dark Geese
Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit: Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia
Counties.
Remainder: The remainder of the Central Flyway portion of New
Mexico.
North Dakota
Missouri River Canada Goose Zone: The area within and bounded by a
line starting where ND Hwy 6 crosses the South Dakota border; thence
north on ND Hwy 6 to I-94; thence west on I-94 to ND Hwy 49; thence
north on ND Hwy 49 to ND Hwy 200; thence north on Mercer County Rd. 21
to the section line between sections 8 and 9 (T146N-R87W); thence north
on that section line to the southern shoreline to Lake Sakakawea;
thence east along the southern shoreline (including Mallard Island) of
Lake Sakakawea to U.S. Hwy 83; thence south on U.S. Hwy 83 to ND Hwy
200; thence east on ND Hwy 200 to ND Hwy 41; thence south on ND Hwy 41
to U.S. Hwy 83; thence south on U.S. Hwy 83 to I-94; thence east on I-
94 to U.S. Hwy 83; thence south on U.S. Hwy 83 to the South Dakota
border; thence west along the South Dakota border to ND Hwy 6.
Rest of State: Remainder of North Dakota.
South Dakota
Canada Geese
Unit 1: Remainder of South Dakota.
Unit 2: Bon Homme, Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Custer east of SD
Hwy 79 and south of French Creek, Dewey south of U.S. Hwy 212, Fall
River east of SD Hwy 71 and U.S. Hwy 385, Gregory, Hughes, Hyde south
of U.S. Hwy 14, Lyman, Potter west of U.S. Hwy 83, Stanley, and Sully
Counties.
Unit 3: Bennett County.
Texas
Northeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and north of
a line beginning at the Texas-Oklahoma border at U.S. 81, then
continuing south to Bowie and then southeasterly along U.S. 81 and U.S.
287 to I-35W and I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San Antonio, then
east on I-10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.
Southeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and south of
a line beginning at the International Toll Bridge at Laredo, then
continuing north following I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San
Antonio, then easterly along I-10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.
West Goose Zone: The remainder of the State.
Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)
Dark Geese
Area 1: Converse, Hot Springs, Natrona, and Washakie Counties, and
the portion of Park County east of the Shoshone National Forest
boundary and south of a line beginning where the Shoshone National
Forest boundary crosses Park County Road 8VC, easterly along said road
to Park County Road 1AB, easterly along said road to Wyoming Highway
120, northerly along said highway to Wyoming Highway 294, southeasterly
along said highway to Lane 9, easterly along said lane to the town of
Powel and Wyoming Highway 14A, easterly along said highway to the Park
County and Big Horn County Line.
[[Page 51148]]
Area 2: Albany, Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Laramie, Niobrara,
Sheridan, and Weston Counties, and that portion of Carbon County east
of the Continental Divide; that portion of Park County west of the
Shoshone National Forest boundary, and that portion of Park County
north of a line beginning where the Shoshone National Forest boundary
crosses Park County Road 8VC, easterly along said road to Park County
Road 1AB, easterly along said road to Wyoming Highway 120, northerly
along said highway to Wyoming Highway 294, southeasterly along said
highway to Lane 9, easterly along said lane to the town of Powel and
Wyoming Highway 14A, easterly along said highway to the Park County and
Big Horn County Line.
Area 3: Goshen and Platte Counties.
Area 4: Big Horn and Fremont Counties.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
North Zone: Game Management Units 1-5, those portions of Game
Management Units 6 and 8 within Coconino County, and Game Management
units 7, 9, and 12A.
South Zone: Those portions of Game Management Units 6 and 8 in
Yavapai County, and Game Management Units 10 and 12B-45.
California
Northeastern Zone: In that portion of California lying east and
north of a line beginning at the intersection of Interstate 5 with the
California-Oregon line; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with
Walters Lane south of the town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane to its
junction with Easy Street; south along Easy Street to the junction with
Old Highway 99; south along Old Highway 99 to the point of intersection
with Interstate 5 north of the town of Weed; south along Interstate 5
to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to
main street Greenville; north and east to its junction with North
Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and
east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the
junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington
Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the
junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and
east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-
Nevada State line; north along the California-Nevada State line to the
junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon State lines west along the
California-Oregon State line to the point of origin.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada 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.
Imperial County Special Management Area: The area bounded by a line
beginning at Highway 86 and the Navy Test Base Road; south on Highway
86 to the town of Westmoreland; continue through the town of
Westmoreland to Route S26; east on Route S26 to Highway 115; north on
Highway 115 to Weist Rd.; north on Weist Rd. to Flowing Wells Rd.;
northeast on Flowing Wells Rd. to the Coachella Canal; northwest on the
Coachella Canal to Drop 18; a straight line from Drop 18 to Frink Rd.;
south on Frink Rd. to Highway 111; north on Highway 111 to Niland
Marina Rd.; southwest on Niland Marina Rd. to the old Imperial County
boat ramp and the water line of the Salton Sea; from the water line of
the Salton Sea, a straight line across the Salton Sea to the Salinity
Control Research Facility and the Navy Test Base Road; southwest on the
Navy Test Base Road to the point of beginning.
Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included
in the Northeastern, Southern, and the Colorado River Zones.
North Coast Special Management Area: The Counties of Del Norte and
Humboldt.
Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (West): That area bounded
by a line beginning at Willows south on I-5 to Hahn Road; easterly on
Hahn Road and the Grimes-Arbuckle Road to Grimes; northerly on CA 45 to
the junction with CA 162; northerly on CA 45/162 to Glenn; and westerly
on CA 162 to the point of beginning in Willows.
Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)
West Central Area: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, Gunnison, LaPlata,
Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel Counties and those
portions of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Saguache Counties west of the
Continental Divide.
State Area: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway portion of
Colorado.
Idaho
Zone 1: Adams, Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho,
Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, Shoshone, and Valley Counties.
Zone 2: The Counties of Ada; Boise; Canyon; those portions of
Elmore north and east of I-84, and south and west of I-84, west of ID
51, except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; Owyhee west of ID 51;
Payette; and Washington.
Zone 3: The Counties of Cassia except the Minidoka National
Wildlife Refuge; those portions of Elmore south of I-84 east of ID 51,
and within the Camas Creek drainage; Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln;
Minidoka; Owyhee east of ID 51; and Twin Falls.
Zone 4: The Counties of Bear Lake; Bingham within the Blackfoot
Reservoir drainage; Blaine; Camas; Bonneville; Butte; Caribou except
the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Cassia within the Minidoka National
Wildlife Refuge; Clark; Custer; Franklin; Fremont; Jefferson; Lemhi;
Madison; Oneida; and Teton.
Zone 5: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage;
and Power County.
Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
East of the Divide Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of the State
located east of the Continental Divide.
West of the Divide Zone: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway
portion of Montana.
Nevada
Lincoln Clark County Zone: All of Lincoln and Clark Counties.
[[Page 51149]]
Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.
New Mexico (Pacific Flyway Portion)
North Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located north
of I-40.
South Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located south
of I-40.
Oregon
Southwest Zone: Those portions of Douglas, Coos, and Curry Counties
east of Highway 101, and Josephine and Jackson Counties.
South Coast Zone: Those portions of Douglas, Coos, and Curry
Counties west of Highway 101.
Northwest Special Permit Zone: That portion of western Oregon west
and north of a line running south from the Columbia River in Portland
along I-5 to OR 22 at Salem; then east on OR 22 to the Stayton Cutoff;
then south on the Stayton Cutoff to Stayton and due south to the
Santiam River; then west along the north shore of the Santiam River to
I-5; then south on I-5 to OR 126 at Eugene; then west on OR 126 to
Greenhill Road; then south on Greenhill Road to Crow Road; then west on
Crow Road to Territorial Hwy; then west on Territorial Hwy to OR 126;
then west on OR 126 to Milepost 19, north to the intersection of the
Benton and Lincoln County line, north along the western boundary of
Benton and Polk Counties to the southern boundary of Tillamook County,
west along the Tillamook County boundary to the Pacific Coast.
Lower Columbia/N. Willamette Valley Management Area: Those portions
of Clatsop, Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington Counties within the
Northwest Special Permit Zone.
Tillamook County Management Area: All of Tillamook County is open
to goose hunting except for the following area--beginning in Cloverdale
at Hwy 101, west on Old Woods Rd to Sand Lake Rd at Woods, north on
Sand Lake Rd to the intersection with McPhillips Dr, due west (~200
yards) from the intersection to the Pacific coastline, south on the
Pacific coastline to Neskowin Creek, east along the north shores of
Neskowin Creek and then Hawk Creek to Salem Ave, east on Salem Ave in
Neskowin to Hawk Ave, east on Hawk Ave to Hwy 101, north on Hwy 101 at
Cloverdale, point of beginning.
Northwest Zone: Those portions of Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion,
Multnomah, and Washington Counties outside of the Northwest Special
Permit Zone and all of Lincoln County.
Eastern Zone: Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow,
Umatilla, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Grant, Baker, Union,
and Wallowa Counties.
Harney, Lake, and Malheur County Zone: All of Harney, Lake, and
Malheur Counties.
Klamath County Zone: All of Klamath County.
Utah
Northern Utah Zone: All of Cache and Rich Counties, and that
portion of Box Elder County beginning at I-15 and the Weber-Box Elder
County line; east and north along this line to the Weber-Cache County
line; east along this line to the Cache-Rich County line; east and
south along the Rich County line to the Utah-Wyoming State line; north
along this line to the Utah-Idaho State line; west on this line to
Stone, Idaho-Snowville, Utah road; southwest on this road to Locomotive
Springs Wildlife Management Area; east on the county road, past
Monument Point and across Salt Wells Flat, to the intersection with
Promontory Road; south on Promontory Road to a point directly west of
the northwest corner of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge boundary;
east along an imaginary line to the northwest corner of the Refuge
boundary; south and east along the Refuge boundary to the southeast
corner of the boundary; northeast along the boundary to the Perry
access road; east on the Perry access road to I-15; south on I-15 to
the Weber-Box Elder County line.
Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Utah.
Washington
Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
Area 2A (SW Quota Zone): Clark County, except portions south of the
Washougal River; Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties.
Area 2B (SW Quota Zone): Pacific 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.
Brant
Pacific Flyway
California
North Coast Zone: Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino Counties.
South Coast Zone: Balance of the State.
Washington
Puget Sound Zone: Skagit County.
Coastal Zone: Pacific County.
Swans
Central Flyway
South Dakota: Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo,
Campbell, Clark, Codington, Davison, Deuel, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant,
Hamlin, Hand, Hanson, Hughes, Hyde, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Lake, Marshall,
McCook, McPherson, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Potter, Roberts, Sanborn,
Spink, Sully, and Walworth Counties.
Pacific Flyway
Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
Open Area: Cascade, Chouteau, Hill, Liberty, and Toole Counties and
those portions of Pondera and Teton Counties lying east of U.S. 287-89.
Nevada
Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and Pershing Counties.
Utah
Open Area: Those portions of Box Elder, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake,
and Toole Counties lying west of I-15, north of I-80 and south of a
line beginning from the Forest Street exit to the Bear River National
Wildlife Refuge boundary, then north and west along the Bear River
National Wildlife Refuge boundary to the farthest west boundary of the
Refuge, then west along a line to Promontory Road, then north on
Promontory Road to the intersection of SR 83, then north on SR 83 to I-
84, then north and west on I-84 to State Hwy 30, then west on State Hwy
30 to the Nevada-Utah State line, then south on the Nevada-Utah State
line to I-80.
[FR Doc. E8-20100 Filed 8-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P