[Federal Register: August 25, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 163)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 43007-43024]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25au09-14]
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Part IV
Department of the Interior
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Fish and Wildlife Service
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50 CFR Part 20
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory
Bird Hunting Regulations; Final Rule
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
[FWS-R9-MB-2008-0124; 91200-1231-9BPP-L2]
RIN 1018-AW31
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This rule prescribes final early-season frameworks from which
the States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands may select season
dates, limits, and other options for the 2009-10 migratory bird hunting
seasons. Early seasons are those that generally open prior to October
1, and include seasons in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin
Islands. The effect of this final rule is to facilitate the selection
of hunting seasons by the States and Territories to further the annual
establishment of the early-season migratory bird hunting regulations.
DATES: This rule is effective on August 25, 2009.
ADDRESSES: States and Territories should send their season selections
to: Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, ms MBSP-4107-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington,
DC 20240. You may inspect comments during normal business hours at the
Service's office in room 4107, 4501 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington,
Virginia, or at www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Blohm, Chief, or Ron W. Kokel,
Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
(703) 358-1714.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulations Schedule for 2009
On April 10, 2009, we published in the Federal Register (74 FR
16339) 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
2009-10 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal
Register notifications were also identified in the April 10 proposed
rule. Further, we explained that all sections of subsequent documents
outlining hunting frameworks and guidelines were organized under
numbered headings. Subsequent documents will refer only to numbered
items requiring attention. Therefore, it is important to note that we
will omit those items requiring no attention, and remaining numbered
items will be discontinuous and appear incomplete.
On May 27, 2009, we published in the Federal Register (74 FR 25209)
a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- and late-
season migratory bird hunting regulations. The May 27 supplement also
provided detailed information on the 2009-10 regulatory schedule and
announced the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee (SRC) and
Flyway Council meetings.
On June 24 and 25, 2009, 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 2009-10 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 2009-10 regular
waterfowl seasons. On July 24, 2009, we published in the Federal
Register (74 FR 36870) a third document specifically dealing with the
proposed frameworks for early-season regulations. We will publish the
proposed frameworks for late-season regulations (primarily hunting
seasons that start after October 1 and most waterfowl seasons not
already established) in a late August Federal Register.
This document is the fourth in a series of proposed, supplemental,
and final rulemaking documents. It establishes final frameworks from
which States may select season dates, shooting hours, and daily bag and
possession limits for the 2009-10 season. These selections will be
published in the Federal Register as amendments to Sec. Sec. 20.101
through 20.107, and Sec. 20.109 of title 50 CFR part 20.
Review of Public Comments
The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the April 10
Federal Register, opened the public comment period for migratory game
bird hunting regulations. We have considered all pertinent comments
received. Comments are summarized below and numbered in the order used
in the April 10 Federal Register. We have included only the numbered
items pertaining to early-season issues for which we received comments.
Consequently, the issues do not follow in successive numerical or
alphabetical order. We received recommendations from all Flyway
Councils. Some recommendations supported continuation of last year's
frameworks. Due to the comprehensive nature of the Councils' annual
review of the frameworks, we assume Council support for continuation of
last year's frameworks for items for which we received no
recommendation. Council recommendations for changes are summarized
below.
General
Written Comments: An individual commenter protested the entire
migratory bird hunting regulations process, the killing of all
migratory birds, and the Flyway Council process.
Service Response: Our long-term objectives continue to include
providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game
bird populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each
population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Having taken
into account the zones of temperature and the distribution, abundance,
economic value, breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of
migratory birds, we believe that the hunting seasons provided herein
are compatible with the current status of migratory bird populations
and long-term population goals. Additionally, we are obligated to, and
do, give serious consideration to all information received as public
comment. While there are problems inherent with any type of
representative management of public-trust resources, we believe that
the Flyway-Council system of migratory bird management has been a
longstanding example of State-Federal cooperative management since its
establishment in 1952. However, as always, we continue to seek new ways
to streamline and improve the process.
1. Ducks
Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest
management are: (A) General Harvest Strategy; (B) Regulatory
Alternatives, including specification of framework dates, season
lengths, and bag limits; (C) Zones and Split Seasons; and (D) Special
Seasons/Species Management. The categories
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correspond to previously published issues/discussions, and only those
containing substantial recommendations are discussed below.
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
i. September Teal Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that the number of hunting days during the special September teal
season in the Atlantic Flyway be increased from 9 consecutive days to
16 consecutive days whenever the blue-winged teal breeding population
exceeds 4.7 million birds.
Service Response: We concur with the Atlantic Flyway Council's
recommendation to increase the number of hunting days during the
special September teal season from 9 consecutive hunting days to 16
consecutive hunting days in the Atlantic Flyway whenever the blue-
winged teal breeding population estimate for the traditional survey
area exceeds 4.7 million birds. The Mississippi and Central Flyways
have had operational 16-day September teal seasons (whenever the blue-
winged teal breeding population estimate for the traditional survey
area exceeds 4.7 million birds) since 1998. In the Atlantic Flyway,
existing 9-day September teal seasons were first implemented
experimentally in 1998 and made operational in 2003. We estimate that
the additional 7 hunting days will result in an increased harvest of
about 7,700 blue-winged teal, or about a 10 percent increase in the
Flyway's overall blue-winged teal harvest of about 75,000 (average of
75,290 since 1998). In 2007, blue-winged teal harvest in the
Mississippi and Central Flyways was about 532,000 in the special
September season, and more than 973,000 overall.
In providing the Atlantic Flyway this expanded opportunity for
teal, we offer several notes to the Atlantic, Central, and Mississippi
Flyway Councils regarding teal. First, although we agree with the
analysis prepared and submitted by the Atlantic Flyway Council
regarding the expected harvest of the expanded special September teal
season in the Atlantic Flyway (minor impacts of less than a 1 percent
increase in the overall U.S. blue-winged teal harvest and again only a
10 percent harvest increase for the Flyway), the Atlantic Flyway
Council should prepare a report that evaluates pertinent teal
population and harvest information after the 16-day season has been
conducted for 3 years. The Atlantic Flyway's initial analysis, however,
is consistent with our belief and best available science that the
expanded season would not have a significant impact on teal populations
and thus the Service approves these changes. Second, we note that a new
assessment of the cumulative effects of all teal harvest, including
harvest during special September seasons, is warranted before any
further modifications of special September teal seasons. Therefore, we
will not agree to any further modifications of special September teal
seasons or other special September duck seasons until a thorough
assessment of the harvest potential has been completed for both blue-
winged and green-winged teal, as well as an assessment of the impacts
of current special September seasons on these two species. We request
that the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyway Councils designate
representatives who will assist Service staff with the technical
aspects of these assessments. Our goal is to complete this important
assessment work within 3 years.
Finally, utilizing the criteria developed for the teal season
harvest strategy, this year's estimate of 7.4 million blue-winged teal
from the traditional survey area indicates that a 16-day September teal
season in the Atlantic, Central, and Mississippi Flyways is appropriate
for 2009.
4. Canada Geese
B. Regular Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations
Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the
framework opening date for all species of geese for the regular goose
seasons in Michigan and Wisconsin be September 16, 2009.
Written Comments: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
expressed appreciation for the Service's approval of a September 16,
2009, framework opening date for all species of geese for the regular
goose seasons in Michigan and Wisconsin.
Service Response: We concur. As we stated last year (73 FR 50678),
we agree with the objective to increase harvest pressure on resident
Canada geese in the Mississippi Flyway and will continue to consider
the opening dates in both States as exceptions to the general Flyway
opening date, to be reconsidered annually.
9. Sandhill Cranes
Council Recommendations: The Mississippi, Central, and Pacific
Flyway Councils recommended expanding the area open to Mid-continent
Population (MCP) sandhill crane hunting in Wyoming to include Johnson
and Sheridan Counties. The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils
recommended using the 2009 Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) sandhill
crane harvest allocation of 1,939 birds as proposed in the allocation
formula using the 3-year running average.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended extending the experimental,
limited hunt for Lower Colorado River sandhill cranes in Arizona for an
additional 3 years. The extension is necessary due to difficulties
initiating the new hunt, which was approved by the Service in 2007.
Service Response: We agree with the Councils' recommendations on
the RMP sandhill crane harvest allocation of 1,939 birds for the 2009-
10 season as outlined in the RMP sandhill crane management plan's
harvest allocation formula. Regarding the modification of the MCP
sandhill crane hunt area in Wyoming to included portions of Johnson and
Sheridan Counties, we agree. Both of these areas are within existing
MCP hunt plans.
In 2007, the Pacific Flyway Council recommended, and we approved,
the establishment of a limited hunt for the Lower Colorado River Valley
Population (LCRVP) of sandhill cranes in Arizona (72 FR 49622).
However, the population inventory on which the LCRVP hunt plan is based
was not completed that year. Thus, the Arizona Game and Fish Department
chose to not conduct the hunt in 2007 and sought approval from the
Service again last year to begin conducting the hunt. We again approved
the limited hunt (73 FR 50678). However, due to complications
encountered with the proposed onset of this new season falling within
ongoing efforts to open new hunting seasons on Federal wildlife
refuges, the experimental limited hunt season was not opened last year.
As such, the State of Arizona has requested that the next 3 years
(2009-12) be designated as the new experimental season and has
designated an area under State control where the experimental hunt will
be conducted. Given that the LCRVP survey results indicate an increase
from 1,900 birds in 1998 to 2,401 birds in 2009, and that the 3-year
average of 2,981 LCRVP cranes is above the population objective of
2,500, we continue to support the establishment of the 3-year
experimental framework for this hunt, conditional on successful
monitoring being conducted as called for in the Flyway hunt plan for
this population.
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Our final environmental assessment (FEA) on this new hunt can be
obtained by writing Robert Trost, Pacific Flyway Representative, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird management, 911
NE 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232-4181, or it may be viewed online at
http://www.regulations.gov.
16. Mourning Doves
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended use of the ``moderate'' season framework for
States within the Eastern Management Unit population of mourning doves,
resulting in a 70-day season and 15-bird daily bag limit. The daily bag
limit could be composed of mourning doves and white-winged doves,
singly or in combination.
The Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils recommend the use of
the standard (or ``moderate'') season package of a 15-bird daily bag
limit and a 70-day season for the 2009-10 mourning dove season in the
States within the Central Management Unit. The daily bag limit could be
composed of mourning doves and white-winged doves, singly or in
combination. The Councils also recommended changing the opening date
for dove hunting in the South Zone in Texas to the Friday nearest
September 20, but not earlier than September 17.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended use of the ``moderate''
season framework for States in the Western Management Unit (WMU)
population of mourning doves, which represents no change from last
year's frameworks.
Written Comments: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
supported the Councils' recommendation for a ``moderate'' season
package for mourning doves for the 2009-10 season.
Service Response: Last year, we accepted and endorsed the interim
harvest strategies for the Central, Eastern, and Western Management
Units (73 FR 50678). As we stated then, the interim mourning dove
harvest strategies are a step towards implementing the Mourning Dove
National Strategic Harvest Plan (Plan) that was approved by all four
Flyway Councils in 2003. The Plan represents a new, more informed means
of decision-making for dove harvest management besides relying solely
on traditional roadside counts of mourning doves as indicators of
population trend. However, recognizing that a more comprehensive,
national approach would take time to develop, we requested the
development of interim harvest strategies, by management unit, until
the elements of the Plan can be fully implemented. In 2004, each
management unit submitted its respective strategy, but the strategies
used different datasets and different approaches or methods. After
initial submittal and review in 2006, we requested that the strategies
be revised, using similar, existing datasets among the management units
along with similar decision-making criteria. In January 2008, we
recommended that, following approval by the respective Flyway Councils
in March, the strategies be submitted in 2008 for endorsement by the
Service, with implementation for the 2009-10 hunting season. Thus,
based on the new interim harvest strategies and current population
status, we agree with the recommended selection of the ``moderate''
season frameworks for doves in the Eastern, Central, and Western
Management Units.
Regarding the recommended change in the opening date for dove
hunting in the South Zone in Texas, we agree. Allowing Texas to use a
``floating'' framework opening date for the South Zone is a relatively
minor change that would allow Texas additional flexibility in
establishing its season.
17. White-winged and White-tipped Doves
Council Recommendations: The Mississippi and Central Flyway
Councils recommend modifying the boundary for the Special White-winged
Dove Area (SWWDA) in Texas by removing portions of Jim Hogg and
northern Starr Counties, and modifying the daily bag limit in the SWWDA
in Texas to 15 doves per day in the aggregate to be consistent with
mourning dove frameworks.
Service Response: We agree with the Councils' recommendation to
remove portions of the SWWDA area in Texas. Removal of the areas with
poorer quality white-winged dove habitat from the SWWDA hunt area will
allow Texas to more appropriately manage the overall dove harvest. We
also agree with the Councils' recommendation to modify the daily bag
limit in the SWWDA from 12 to 15 birds per day. Increasing the overall
aggregate daily bag limit on doves, while maintaining the existing
internal bag limit restrictions on mourning and white-tipped doves,
will provide hunters more consistent and easily understood dove hunting
regulations.
18. Alaska
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended
reducing the daily bag limits for brant in Alaska from 3 per day with 6
in possession to 2 per day with 4 in possession. The Council also
subsequently recommended at the June SRC meeting several goose season
modifications to address new survey information regarding estimates of
dusky Canada geese. They recommended delaying the opening of goose
hunting in the affected areas by one week, implementing an education
and outreach program to notify hunters of the need for further harvest
restrictions, initiation of a voluntary check station for dusky Canada
geese in those areas, and implementation of actions identified in the
Pacific Flyway Management Plan for dusky Canada geese in 2010.
Service Response: This year, the annual population index of dusky
Canada geese, based on the breeding pair survey on the Copper River
Delta, is 6,709, a decrease from the previous year's index of 9,152.
The 3-year average index is 8,682. This decline triggers implementation
of further measures of protection for this population as described
under Action level 2 in the management plan. These results further
increase our longstanding concern for this subspecies of Canada goose.
We appreciate the fact that the Pacific Flyway had planned for this
possible situation when the Flyway management plan for this population
was revised in 2008, and we strongly support the development and use of
these cooperatively developed management plans. Therefore, we will
enact the harvest management program called for in the Flyway
management plan at this population level. More specifically:
(1) A mandatory State-issued permit is required to hunt Canada
geese in Alaska GMU 6-C, and on Middleton, Hinchinbrook and Hawkins
Islands in the Gulf of Alaska adjacent to GMU 6-C;
(2) All geese harvested from these areas must be taken to a State-
operated check station where the subspecies will be determined;
(3) The season for all Canada geese will be closed if a total of 40
dusky Canada geese are harvested; and
(4) The State of Alaska will conduct an effort to educate the
hunting public about the conservation concerns surrounding the dusky
Canada goose in the area of Cordova, Alaska.
We recognize the fact that implementation of the permit hunt in a
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relatively short time will prove challenging, but we strongly believe
that the actions outlined in the management plan constitute the best
course of action for harvest management of the dusky Canada goose.
We recognize the work involved in crafting the amended
recommendation from the Pacific Flyway Council on behalf of the State
of Alaska. However, this recommendation consists of harvest management
actions not addressed in the Flyway management plan, and their impact
on dusky Canada goose harvest is unknown. Further, the Council's
amended proposal does not establish a limit on the number of dusky
Canada geese that could be taken, nor would they provide any
information regarding the harvest of dusky Canada geese in the Copper
River Delta area.
We concur with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to
decrease the daily bag and possession limit for brant.
20. Puerto Rico
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that Puerto Rico be permitted to adopt a 20-bird bag limit for doves in
the aggregate for the next three hunting seasons, 2009-2011. Legally
hunted dove species in Puerto Rico are the Zenaida dove, the white-
winged dove, and the mourning dove. They also recommended that the 20-
bird aggregate bag limit should include no more than 10 Zenaida doves
and no more than 3 mourning doves.
Service Response: As we stated last year when we approved Puerto
Rico's proposal (73 FR 50678), we concur with the intent of the 3-year
experimental season to increase harvest pressure on a rapidly growing
population of white-winged doves while decreasing hunting pressure on
Zenaida and mourning doves.
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 by
writing to the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.
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 ADDRESSES or by viewing on our website at http://www.fws.gov/
migratorybirds/.
Endangered Species Act Consideration
Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as amended (16 U.S.C.
1531-1543; 87 Stat. 884), provides that, ``The Secretary shall review
other programs administered by him and utilize such programs in
furtherance of the purposes of this Act'' (and) shall ``insure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out * * * is not likely to
jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or
threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification
of [critical] habitat. * * *.'' Consequently, we conducted formal
consultations to ensure that actions resulting from these regulations
would not likely jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or
threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification
of their critical habitat. Findings from these consultations are
included in a biological opinion, which concluded that the regulations
are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered
or threatened species. Additionally, these findings may have caused
modification of some regulatory measures previously proposed, and the
final frameworks reflect any such modifications. Our biological
opinions resulting from this section 7 consultation are public
documents available for public inspection at the address indicated
under ADDRESSES.
Executive Order 12866
The 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 of regulatory significance 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.
An Economic Analysis was prepared for the 2008-2009 season. This
analysis was based on data from the 2006 National Hunting and Fishing
Survey, the most recent year for which data are available (see
discussion in Regulatory Flexibility Act section below). This analysis
estimates consumer surplus for three alternatives for duck hunting
(estimates for other species are not quantified due to lack of data).
The alternatives are 1) Issue restrictive regulations allowing fewer
days than those issued during the 2007-2008 season, 2) Issues moderate
regulations allowing more days than those in alternative 1, and 3)
Issue liberal regulations identical to the regulations in the 2007-2008
season. For the 2008-2009 season, we chose alternative 3, with an
estimated consumer surplus across all flyways of $205-$270 million. For
the upcoming 2009-2010 season, we again considered these three
alternatives and again chose alternative 3 for ducks. We made minor
modifications to the season frameworks for some other species, but
these do not significantly change the economic impacts of the rule,
which were not quantified for other species. For these reasons, we have
not conducted a new Economic Analysis, but the 2008-2009 analysis is
part of the record for this rule and is available at http://
www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/SpecialTopics/
SpecialTopics.html#HuntingRegs or at http://www.regulations.gov.
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. 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,
[[Page 43012]]
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 ADDRESSES or from our website at
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/SpecialTopics/
SpecialTopics.html#HuntingRegs 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.
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 rule, has determined that this
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 rule, authorized by
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, does not have significant takings
implications and does not affect any constitutionally protected
property rights. This rule will not result in the physical occupancy of
property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory taking
of any property. In fact, these rules allow hunters to exercise
otherwise unavailable privileges and, therefore, reduce restrictions on
the use of private and public property.
Energy Effects--Executive Order 13211
Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of
Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. While this rule is a
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, it is not
expected to adversely affect energy supplies, distribution, or use.
Therefore, this action is not a significant energy action and no
Statement of Energy Effects is required.
Government-to-Government Relationship with Tribes
In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994,
``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal
Governments'' (59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175, and 512 DM 2, we
have evaluated possible effects on Federally-recognized Indian tribes
and have determined that there are no effects on Indian trust
resources. However, in the April 10 Federal Register, we solicited
proposals for special migratory bird hunting regulations for certain
Tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands, and
ceded lands for the 2009-10 migratory bird hunting season. The
resulting proposals were contained in a separate proposed rule (74 FR
36870). By virtue of these actions, we have consulted with Tribes
affected by this rule.
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.
Regulations Promulgation
The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its
nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, we intend that
the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to comment. Thus,
when the preliminary proposed rulemaking was published, we established
what we believed were the longest periods possible for public comment.
In doing this, we recognized that when the comment period closed, time
would be of the essence. That is, if there were a delay in the
effective date of these regulations after this final rulemaking, States
would have insufficient time to select season dates and limits; to
communicate those selections to us; and to establish and publicize the
necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions. We
therefore find that ``good cause'' exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, and these frameworks
will, therefore, take effect immediately upon publication. Therefore,
under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July 3, 1918), as
amended (16 U.S.C. 703-711), we prescribe final frameworks setting
forth the species to be hunted, the daily bag and possession limits,
the shooting hours, the season lengths, the earliest opening and latest
closing season dates, and hunting areas, from which State conservation
agency officials will select
[[Page 43013]]
hunting season dates and other options. Upon receipt of season
selections from these officials, we will publish a final rulemaking
amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect seasons, limits, and shooting hours
for the conterminous United States for the 2009-10 season.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20
Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.
The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2009-10
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742
a-j.
Dated: August 5, 2009
Jane Lyder
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
Final Regulations Frameworks for 2009-10 Early Hunting Seasons on
Certain Migratory Game Birds
Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated
authorities, the Department of the Interior approved the following
frameworks, which prescribe season lengths, bag limits, shooting hours,
and outside dates within which States may select hunting seasons for
certain migratory game birds between September 1, 2009, and March 10,
2010.
General
Dates: All outside dates noted below are inclusive.
Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise
specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.
Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits
are twice the daily bag limit.
Flyways and Management Units
Waterfowl Flyways
Atlantic Flyway -- includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida,
Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New
York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina,
Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway -- includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Central Flyway -- includes Colorado (east of the Continental
Divide), Kansas, Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith
Basin, Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties east
thereof), Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except
the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the Continental Divide).
Pacific Flyway -- includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho,
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado,
Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.
Management Units
Mourning Dove Management Units:
Eastern Management Unit -- All States east of the Mississippi
River, and Louisiana.
Central Management Unit -- Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas,
Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Western Management Unit -- Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Woodcock Management Regions:
Eastern Management Region -- Connecticut, Delaware, Florida,
Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New
York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina,
Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Central Management Region -- Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Other geographic descriptions are contained in a later portion of
this document.
Definitions
Dark geese: Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant (except in
Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, and the Atlantic Flyway), and
all other goose species, except light geese.
Light geese: snow (including blue) geese and Ross's geese.
Waterfowl Seasons in the Atlantic Flyway
In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and
Virginia, where Sunday hunting is prohibited Statewide by State law,
all Sundays are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including
mergansers and coots).
Special September Teal Season
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season
on all species of teal may be selected by the following States in areas
delineated by State regulations:
Atlantic Flyway -- Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North
Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway -- Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Central Flyway -- Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska (part), New
Mexico (part), Oklahoma, and Texas.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 16 consecutive
hunting days in the Atlantic, Mississippi and Central Flyways. The
daily bag limit is 4 teal.
Shooting Hours:
Atlantic Flyway -- One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except
in Maryland, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.
Mississippi and Central Flyways -- One-half hour before sunrise to
sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri,
and Ohio, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.
Special September Duck Seasons
Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee: In lieu of a special September
teal season, a 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September.
The daily bag limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the
aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks.
Iowa: Iowa may hold up to 5 days of its regular duck hunting season
in September. All ducks that are legal during the regular duck season
may be taken during the September segment of the season. The September
season segment may commence no earlier than the Saturday nearest
September 20 (September 19). The daily bag and possession limits will
be the same as those in effect last year but are subject to change
during the late-season regulations process. The remainder of the
regular duck season may not begin before October 10.
Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days
Outside Dates: States may select 2 consecutive days (hunting days
in Atlantic Flyway States with compensatory days) per duck-hunting
zone, designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,'' in addition to
their regular duck seasons. The days must be held outside any regular
duck season on a weekend, holidays, or other non-school days when youth
hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate. The days may
be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-season
frameworks or within any split
[[Page 43014]]
of a regular duck season, or within any other open season on migratory
birds.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits may include ducks, geese,
mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and would be the same as
those allowed in the regular season. Flyway species and area
restrictions would remain in effect.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Participation Restrictions: Youth hunters must be 15 years of age
or younger. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age must
accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult may not duck hunt
but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special youth
day.
Scoter, Eider, and Long-tailed Ducks (Atlantic Flyway)
Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 107 days, with
a daily bag limit of 7, singly or in the aggregate, of the listed sea-
duck species, of which no more than 4 may be scoters.
Daily Bag Limits During the Regular Duck Season: Within the special
sea duck areas, during the regular duck season in the Atlantic Flyway,
States may choose to allow the above sea duck limits in addition to the
limits applying to other ducks during the regular duck season. In all
other areas, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular open season
for ducks and are part of the regular duck season daily bag (not to
exceed 4 scoters) and possession limits.
Areas: In all coastal waters and all waters of rivers and streams
seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in any waters
of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay which are
separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and
emergent vegetation in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Georgia; and in
any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay
which are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any shore,
island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina,
and Virginia; and provided that any such areas have been described,
delineated, and designated as special sea-duck hunting areas under the
hunting regulations adopted by the respective States.
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons
Atlantic Flyway
General Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected for the Eastern Unit of Maryland and Delaware. Seasons not to
exceed 25 days during September 1-25 may be selected for the Montezuma
Region of New York and the Lake Champlain Region of New York and
Vermont. Seasons not to exceed 30 days during September 1-30 may be
selected for Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New York (Long
Island Zone), North Carolina, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. Seasons
may not exceed 25 days during September 1-25 in the remainder of the
Flyway. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described,
delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 Canada geese.
Experimental Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 10 days during September 16-25 may be
selected in Delaware. The daily bag limit may not exceed 15 Canada
geese. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described,
delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during any general season, shooting hours may extend to one-half hour
after sunset if all other waterfowl seasons are closed in the specific
applicable area.
Mississippi Flyway
General Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected, except in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, where the season
may not extend beyond September 10, and in Minnesota (except in the
Northwest Goose Zone), where a season of up to 22 days during September
1-22 may be selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada
geese. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described,
delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
A Canada goose season of up to 10 consecutive days during September
1-10 may be selected by Michigan for Huron, Saginaw, and Tuscola
Counties, except that the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge,
Shiawassee River State Game Area Refuge, and the Fish Point Wildlife
Area Refuge will remain closed. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5
Canada geese.
Experimental Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 7 days during September 16-22 may be
selected in the Northwest Goose Zone in Minnesota. The daily bag limit
may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open to the hunting of Canada
geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each
State's hunting regulations.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after
sunset if all other waterfowl seasons are closed in the specific
applicable area.
Central Flyway
General Seasons
In Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas, Canada
goose seasons of up to 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected.
In Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming, Canada
goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be selected.
The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open to the
hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated
as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after
sunset if all other waterfowl seasons are closed in the specific
applicable area.
Pacific Flyway
General Seasons
California may select a 9-day season in Humboldt County during the
period September 1-15. The daily bag limit is 2.
Colorado may select a 9-day season during the period of September
1-15. The daily bag limit is 3.
Oregon may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days
during the period September 1-15. In addition, in the NW Goose
Management Zone in Oregon, a 15-day season may be selected during the
period September 1-20. Daily bag limits may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
Idaho may select a 7-day season during the period September 1-15.
The daily bag limit is 2 and the possession limit is 4.
Washington may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15
days during the period September 1-15. Daily bag limits may not exceed
5 Canada geese.
Wyoming may select an 8-day season on Canada geese between
September 1-15. This season is subject to the following conditions:
1. Where applicable, the season must be concurrent with the
September portion of the sandhill crane season.
2. A daily bag limit of 2, with season and possession limits of 4,
will apply to the special season.
[[Page 43015]]
Areas open to hunting of Canada geese in each State must be
described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting
regulations.
Regular Goose Seasons
Regular goose seasons may open as early as September 16 in
Wisconsin and Michigan. Season lengths, bag and possession limits, and
other provisions will be established during the late-season regulations
process.
Sandhill Cranes
Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28.
Hunting Seasons: Seasons not to exceed 37 consecutive days may be
selected in designated portions of North Dakota (Area 2) and Texas
(Area 2). Seasons not to exceed 58 consecutive days may be selected in
designated portions of the following States: Colorado, Kansas, Montana,
North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Seasons not to exceed 93
consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of the
following States: New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes, except 2 sandhill cranes in
designated portions of North Dakota (Area 2) and Texas (Area 2).
Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane
season must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting
permit.
Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming
may select seasons for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the
Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) subject to the following conditions:
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: The season in any State or zone may not exceed 30
days.
Bag limits: Not to exceed 3 daily and 9 per season.
Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the
appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.
Other provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates,
protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons
must be consistent with the management plan and approved by the Central
and Pacific Flyway Councils, with the following exceptions:
1. In Utah, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP
quota;
2. In Arizona, monitoring the racial composition of the harvest
must be conducted at 3-year intervals;
3. In Idaho, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP
quota; and
4. In New Mexico, the season in the Estancia Valley is
experimental, with a requirement to monitor the level and racial
composition of the harvest; greater sandhill cranes in the harvest will
be assigned to the RMP quota.
Special Seasons in the Pacific Flyway
Arizona may select a season for hunting sandhill cranes within the
range of the Lower Colorado River Population (LCR) of sandhill cranes,
subject to the following conditions:
Outside Dates: Between January 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: The season may not exceed 3 days.
Bag limits: Not to exceed 1 daily and 1 per season.
Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the
appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.
Other provisions: The season is experimental. Numbers of permits,
open areas, season dates, protection plans for other species, and other
provisions of seasons must be consistent with the management plan and
approved by the Pacific Flyway Council.
Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and the last Sunday in January
(January 31) in the Atlantic, Mississippi and Central Flyways. States
in the Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons
between the outside dates for the season on ducks; therefore, they are
late-season frameworks, and no frameworks are provided in this
document.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70
days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. Seasons may be
split into 2 segments. The daily bag limit is 15 common moorhens and
purple gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of the two species.
Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck
hunting.
Rails
Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between
September 1 and the last Sunday in January (January 31) on clapper,
king, sora, and Virginia rails.
Hunting Seasons: Seasons may not exceed 70 days, and may be split
into 2 segments.
Daily Bag Limits:
Clapper and King Rails -- In Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey,
Delaware, and Maryland, 10, singly or in the aggregate of the 2
species. In Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida,
South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, 15, singly or in the
aggregate of the two species.
Sora and Virginia Rails -- In the Atlantic, Mississippi, and
Central Flyways and the Pacific-Flyway portions of Colorado, Montana,
New Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 daily and 25 in possession, singly or in
the aggregate of the two species. The season is closed in the remainder
of the Pacific Flyway.
Common Snipe
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28, except in
Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia,
where the season must end no later than January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 107
days and may be split into two segments. The daily bag limit is 8
snipe.
Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck
hunting.
American Woodcock
Outside Dates: States in the Eastern Management Region may select
hunting seasons between October 1 and January 31. States in the Central
Management Region may select hunting seasons between the Saturday
nearest September 22 (September 19) and January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 30
days in the Eastern Region and 45 days in the Central Region. The daily
bag limit is 3. Seasons may be split into two segments.
Zoning: New Jersey may select seasons in each of two zones. The
season in each zone may not exceed 24 days.
Band-tailed Pigeons
Pacific Coast States (California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada)
Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 1.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive
days, with a daily bag limit of 2 band-tailed pigeons.
Zoning: California may select hunting seasons not to exceed 9
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the North Zone
must close by October 3.
Four-Corners States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah)
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and November 30.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 30 consecutive
[[Page 43016]]
days, with a daily bag limit of 5 band-tailed pigeons.
Zoning: New Mexico may select hunting seasons not to exceed 20
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the South Zone may
not open until October 1.
Mourning Doves
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15, except as
otherwise provided, States may select hunting seasons and daily bag
limits as follows:
Eastern Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days, with a
daily bag limit of 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more
than three periods. Regulations for bag and possession limits, season
length, and shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting
zones.
Central Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days, with a
daily bag limit of 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons
States may select hunting seasons in each of two zones. The season
within each zone may be split into not more than three periods.
Texas may select hunting seasons for each of three zones subject to
the following conditions:
A. The hunting season may be split into not more than two periods,
except in that portion of Texas in which the special white-winged dove
season is allowed, where a limited mourning dove season may be held
concurrently with that special season (see white-winged dove
frameworks).
B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between
September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between the Friday
nearest September 20 (September 18), but not earlier than September 17,
and January 25.
C. Daily bag limits are aggregate bag limits with mourning, white-
winged, and white-tipped doves (see white-winged dove frameworks for
specific daily bag limit restrictions).
D. Except as noted above, regulations for bag and possession
limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within each
hunting zone.
Western Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits
Idaho, Oregon, and Washington -- Not more than 30 consecutive days,
with a daily bag limit of 10 mourning doves.
Utah -- Not more than 30 consecutive days, with a daily bag limit
that may not exceed 10 mourning doves and white-winged doves in the
aggregate.
Nevada -- Not more than 30 consecutive days, with a daily bag limit
of 10 mourning doves, except in Clark and Nye Counties, where the daily
bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the
aggregate.
Arizona and California -- Not more than 60 days, which may be split
between two periods, September 1-15 and November 1-January 15. In
Arizona, during the first segment of the season, the daily bag limit is
10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more
than 6 may be white-winged doves. During the remainder of the season,
the daily bag limit is 10 mourning doves. In California, the daily bag
limit is 10 mourning doves, except in Imperial, Riverside, and San
Bernardino Counties, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 10
mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
White-winged and White-tipped Doves
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits:
Except as shown below, seasons must be concurrent with mourning
dove seasons.
Eastern Management Unit: The daily bag limit may not exceed 15
mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
Central Management Unit
In Texas, the daily bag limit may not exceed 15 mourning, white-
winged, and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of which no more than
2 may be white-tipped doves. In addition, Texas also may select a
hunting season of not more than 4 days for the special white-winged
dove area of the South Zone between September 1 and September 19. The
daily bag limit may not exceed 15 white-winged, mourning, and white-
tipped doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 4 may be mourning
doves and 2 may be white-tipped doves.
In the remainder of the Central Management Unit, the daily bag
limit may not exceed 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the
aggregate.
Western Management Unit
Arizona may select a hunting season of not more than 30 consecutive
days, running concurrently with the first segment of the mourning dove
season. The daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged
doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 6 may be white-winged
doves.
In Utah, the Nevada Counties of Clark and Nye, and in the
California Counties of Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino, the
daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in
the aggregate.
In the remainder of the Western Management Unit, the season is
closed.
Alaska
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 26.
Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select 107 consecutive days for
waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and common snipe in each of 5 zones. The
season may be split without penalty in the Kodiak Zone. The seasons in
each zone must be concurrent.
Closures: The hunting season is closed on emperor geese, spectacled
eiders, and Steller's eiders.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits
Ducks -- Except as noted, a basic daily bag limit of 7 and a
possession limit of 21 ducks. Daily bag and possession limits in the
North Zone are 10 and 30, and in the Gulf Coast Zone, they are 8 and
24. The basic limits may include no more than 1 canvasback daily and 3
in possession and may not include sea ducks.
In addition to the basic duck limits, Alaska may select sea duck
limits of 10 daily, 20 in possession, singly or in the aggregate,
including no more than 6 each of either harlequin or long-tailed ducks.
Sea ducks include scoters, common and king eiders, harlequin ducks,
long-tailed ducks, and common and red-breasted mergansers.
Light Geese -- A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit
of 8.
Dark Geese -- A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit
of 8.
Dark-goose seasons are subject to the following exceptions:
1. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from
September 28 through December 16.
2. On Middleton Island in Unit 6, a special, permit-only Canada
goose season may be offered. A mandatory goose identification class is
required. Hunters must check in and check out. The bag limit is 1 daily
and 1 in possession. The season will close if incidental harvest
includes 5 dusky Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is any dark-
breasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR color value five or less) with a
bill length between 40 and 50 millimeters.
[[Page 43017]]
3. In Units 6-B, 6-C and on Hinchinbrook and Hawkins Islands in
Unit 6-D, a special, permit-only Canada goose season may be offered.
Hunters must have all harvested geese checked and classified to
subspecies. The daily bag limit is 4 daily and 8 in possession. The
Canada goose season will close in all of the permit areas if the total
dusky goose (as defined above) harvest reaches 40.
4. In Units 9, 10, 17, and 18, dark goose limits are 6 per day, 12
in possession; however, no more than 2 may be Canada geese in Units
9(E) and 18; and no more than 4 may be Canada geese in Units 9(A-C), 10
(Unimak Island portion), and 17.
Brant -- A daily bag limit of 2 and a possession limit of 4.
Common snipe -- A daily bag limit of 8.
Sandhill cranes -- Bag and possession limits of 2 and 4,
respectively, in the Southeast, Gulf Coast, Kodiak, and Aleutian Zones,
and Unit 17 in the Northern Zone. In the remainder of the Northern Zone
(outside Unit 17), bag and possession limits of 3 and 6, respectively.
Tundra Swans -- Open seasons for tundra swans may be selected
subject to the following conditions:
1. All seasons are by registration permit only.
2. All season framework dates are September 1 - October 31.
3. In Game Management Unit (GMU) 17, no more than 200 permits may
be issued during this operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans
may be authorized per permit, with no more than 1 permit issued per
hunter per season.
4. In Game Management Unit (GMU) 18, no more than 500 permits may
be issued during the operational season. Up to 3 tundra swans may be
authorized per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter
per season.
5. In GMU 22, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the
operational season. Each permittee may be authorized to take up to 3
tundra swans per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter
per season.
6. In GMU 23, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the
operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans may be authorized per
permit, with no more than 1 permit issued per hunter per season.
Hawaii
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 65 days (75 under the alternative)
for mourning doves.
Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 (12 under the alternative) mourning
doves.
Note: Mourning doves may be taken in Hawaii in accordance with
shooting hours and other regulations set by the State of Hawaii, and
subject to the applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20.
Puerto Rico
Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 20 Zenaida,
mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which not more
than 10 may be Zenaida doves and 3 may be mourning doves. Not to exceed
5 scaly-naped pigeons.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the white-crowned pigeon
and the plain pigeon, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico.
Closed Areas: There is no open season on doves or pigeons in the
following areas: Municipality of Culebra, Desecheo Island, Mona Island,
El Verde Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas.
Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and Snipe
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 days may be selected for hunting
ducks, common moorhens, and common snipe. The season may be split into
two segments.
Daily Bag Limits:
Ducks -- Not to exceed 6.
Common moorhens -- Not to exceed 6.
Common snipe -- Not to exceed 8.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck,
and masked duck, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico. The season also is closed on the purple gallinule, American coot,
and Caribbean coot.
Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, common moorhens,
and common snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island.
Virgin Islands
Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days for Zenaida doves.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida doves.
Closed Seasons: No open season is prescribed for ground or quail
doves, or pigeons in the Virgin Islands.
Closed Areas: There is no open season for migratory game birds on
Ruth Cay (just south of St. Croix).
Local Names for Certain Birds: Zenaida dove, also known as mountain
dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as Barbary dove or partridge;
Common ground-dove, also known as stone dove, tobacco dove, rola, or
tortolita; scaly-naped pigeon, also known as red-necked or scaled
pigeon.
Ducks
Outside Dates: Between December 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 consecutive days.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 6.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck,
and masked duck.
Special Falconry Regulations
Falconry is a permitted means of taking migratory game birds in any
State meeting Federal falconry standards in 50 CFR 21.29. These States
may select an extended season for taking migratory game birds in
accordance with the following:
Extended Seasons: For all hunting methods combined, the combined
length of the extended season, regular season, and any special or
experimental seasons must not exceed 107 days for any species or group
of species in a geographical area. Each extended season may be divided
into a maximum of 3 segments.
Framework Dates: Seasons must fall between September 1 and March
10.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Falconry daily bag and possession
limits for all permitted migratory game birds must not exceed 3 and 6
birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate, during extended
falconry seasons, any special or experimental seasons, and regular
hunting seasons in all States, including those that do not select an
extended falconry season.
Regular Seasons: General hunting regulations, including seasons and
hunting hours, apply to falconry in each State listed in 50 CFR 21.29.
Regular-season bag and possession limits do not apply to falconry. The
falconry bag limit is not in addition to gun limits.
[[Page 43018]]
Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions
Mourning and White-winged Doves
Alabama
South Zone -- Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia,
Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties.
North Zone -- Remainder of the State.
California
White-winged Dove Open Areas -- Imperial, Riverside, and San
Bernardino Counties.
Florida
Northwest Zone -- The Counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin,
Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton,
Washington, Leon (except that portion north of U.S. 27 and east of
State Road 155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of State Road 59 and
north of U.S. 98), and Wakulla (except that portion south of U.S. 98
and east of the St. Marks River).
South Zone -- Remainder of State.
Louisiana
North Zone -- That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Texas border along State Highway 12 to U.S. Highway 190,
east along U.S. 190 to Interstate Highway 12, east along Interstate 12
to Interstate Highway 10, then east along Interstate Highway 10 to the
Mississippi border.
South Zone -- The remainder of the State.
Mississippi
North Zone -- That portion of the State north and west of a line
extending west from the Alabama State line along U.S. Highway 84 to its
junction with State Highway 35, then south along State Highway 35 to
the Louisiana State line.
South Zone -- The remainder of Mississippi.
Nevada
White-winged Dove Open Areas -- Clark and Nye Counties.
Oklahoma
North Zone - That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Texas border along U.S. Highway 62 to Interstate 44, east
along Oklahoma State Highway 7 to U.S. Highway 81, then south along
U.S. Highway 81 to the Texas border at the Red River.
Southwest Zone - The remainder of Oklahoma.
Texas
North Zone -- That portion of the State north of a line beginning
at the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; north along FM 1088
to TX 20; west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along TX 148 to I-10 at
Fort Hancock; east along I-10 to I-20; northeast along I-20 to I-30 at
Fort Worth; northeast along I-30 to the Texas-Arkansas State line.
South Zone -- That portion of the State south and west of a line
beginning at the International Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east
on U.S. 90 to State Loop 1604 west of San Antonio; then south, east,
and north along Loop 1604 to Interstate Highway 10 east of San Antonio;
then east on I-10 to Orange, Texas.
Special White-winged Dove Area in the South Zone -- That portion of
the State south and west of a line beginning at the International
Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east on U.S. 90 to State Loop 1604
west of San Antonio, southeast on State Loop 1604 to Interstate Highway
35, southwest on Interstate Highway 35 to TX 44; east along TX 44 to TX
16 at Freer; south along TX 16 to FM 649 in Randado; south on FM 649 to
FM 2686; east on FM 2686 to FM 1017; southeast on FM 1017 to TX 186 at
Linn; east along TX 186 to the Mansfield Channel at Port Mansfield;
east along the Mansfield Channel to the Gulf of Mexico.
Area with additional restrictions -- Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and
Willacy Counties.
Central Zone -- That portion of the State lying between the North
and South Zones.
Band-tailed Pigeons
California
North Zone -- Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen,
Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity
Counties.
South Zone -- The remainder of the State.
New Mexico
North Zone -- North of a line following U.S. 60 from the Arizona
State line east to I-25 at Socorro and then south along I-25 from
Socorro to the Texas State line.
South Zone -- Remainder of the State.
Washington
Western Washington -- The State of Washington excluding those
portions lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big
White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
Woodcock
New Jersey
North Zone -- That portion of the State north of NJ 70.
South Zone -- The remainder of the State.
Special September Canada Goose Seasons
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
North Zone -- That portion of the State north of I-95.
South Zone -- Remainder of the State.
Maryland
Eastern Unit -- Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford,
Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and
Worcester Counties; and that part of Anne Arundel County east of
Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and Route 3; that part of Prince George's
County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County
east of Route 301 to the Virginia State line.
Western Unit -- Allegany, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett,
Howard, Montgomery, and Washington Counties and that part of Anne
Arundel County west of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and Route 3; that
part of Prince George's County west of Route 3 and Route 301; and that
part of Charles County west of Route 301 to the Virginia State line.
Massachusetts
Western Zone -- That portion of the State west of a line extending
south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10,
south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut
border.
Central Zone -- That portion of the State east of the Berkshire
Zone and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border
on I-95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3,
south on MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-
195, west to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands
150 yards inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River
upstream to the MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the
Center St.-Elm St. bridge will be in the Coastal Zone.
Coastal Zone -- That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the
Central Zone.
New York
Lake Champlain Zone -- The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay;
southeast
[[Page 43019]]
along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border.
Long Island Zone -- That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their
tidal waters.
Western Zone -- That area west of a line extending from Lake
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and
south along I-81 to the Pennsylvania border.
Northeastern Zone -- That area north of a line extending from Lake
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
Southeastern Zone -- The remaining portion of New York.
North Carolina
Northeast Hunt Unit -- Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde,
Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties; that portion
of Bertie County north and east of a line formed by NC 45 at the
Washington County line to US 17 in Midway, US 17 in Midway to US 13 in
Windsor to the Hertford County line; and that portion of Northampton
County that is north of US 158 and east of NC 35.
Pennsylvania
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).
Vermont
Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area north and west of the line extending from the New York border
along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes;
U.S. 7 to the Canadian border.
Interior Zone: That portion of Vermont west of the Lake Champlain
Zone and eastward of a line extending from the Massachusetts border at
Interstate 91; north along Interstate 91 to US 2; east along US 2 to VT
102; north along VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 253 to the Canadian
border.
Connecticut River Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont east of
the Interior Zone.
Mississippi Flyway
Arkansas
Early Canada Goose Area: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clark,
Conway, Crawford, Faulkner, Franklin, Garland, Hempstead, Hot Springs,
Howard, Johnson, Lafayette, Little River, Logan, Madison, Marion,
Miller, Montgomery, Newton, Perry, Pike, Polk, Pope, Pulaski, Saline,
Searcy, Sebastian, Sevier, Scott, Van Buren, Washington, and Yell
Counties.
Illinois
Northeast Canada Goose Zone -- Cook, Du Page, Grundy, Kane,
Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.
North Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast Canada
Goose Zone and north of a line extending west from the Indiana border
along Peotone-Beecher Road to Illinois Route 50, south along Illinois
Route 50 to Wilmington-Peotone Road, west along Wilmington-Peotone Road
to Illinois Route 53, north along Illinois Route 53 to New River Road,
northwest along New River Road to Interstate Highway 55, south along I-
55 to Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road, west along Pine Bluff - Lorenzo Road to
Illinois Route 47, north along Illinois Route 47 to I-80, west along I-
80 to I-39, south along I-39 to Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois
Route 18 to Illinois Route 29, south along Illinois Route 29 to
Illinois Route 17, west along Illinois Route 17 to the Mississippi
River, and due south across the Mississippi River to the Iowa border.
Central Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast
Canada Goose Zone and south of the North Zone to a line extending west
from the Indiana border along Interstate Highway 70 to Illinois Route
4, south along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route 161, west along
Illinois Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south and west along Illinois
Route 158 to Illinois Route 159, south along Illinois Route 159 to
Illinois Route 156, west along Illinois Route 156 to A Road, north and
west on A Road to Levee Road, north on Levee Road to the south shore of
New Fountain Creek, west along the south shore of New Fountain Creek to
the Mississippi River, and due west across the Mississippi River to the
Missouri border.
South Zone: The remainder of Illinois.
Iowa
North Zone: That portion of the State north of U.S. Highway 20.
South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Goose Zone: Includes portions of Linn and
Johnson Counties bounded as follows: Beginning at the intersection of
the west border of Linn County and Linn County Road E2W; then south and
east along County Road E2W to Highway 920; then north along Highway 920
to County Road E16; then east along County Road E16 to County Road W58;
then south along County Road W58 to County Road E34; then east along
County Road E34 to Highway 13; then south along Highway 13 to Highway
30; then east along Highway 30 to Highway 1; then south along Highway 1
to Morse Road in Johnson County; then east along Morse Road to Wapsi
Avenue; then south along Wapsi Avenue to Lower West Branch Road; then
west along Lower West Branch Road to Taft Avenue; then south along Taft
Avenue to County Road F62; then west along County Road F62 to Kansas
Avenue; then north along Kansas Avenue to Black Diamond Road; then west
on Black Diamond Road to Jasper Avenue; then north along Jasper Avenue
to Rohert Road; then west along Rohert Road to Ivy Avenue; then north
along Ivy Avenue to 340th Street; then west along 340th Street to Half
Moon Avenue; then north along Half Moon Avenue to Highway 6; then west
along Highway 6 to Echo Avenue; then north along Echo Avenue to 250th
Street; then east on 250th Street to Green Castle Avenue; then north
along Green Castle Avenue to County Road F12; then west along County
Road F12 to County Road W30; then north along County Road W30 to
Highway 151; then north along the Linn-Benton County line to the point
of beginning.
Des Moines Goose Zone: Includes those portions of Polk, Warren,
Madison and Dallas Counties bounded as follows: Beginning at the
intersection of Northwest 158th Avenue and County Road R38 in Polk
County; then south along R38 to Northwest 142nd Avenue; then east along
Northwest 142nd Avenue to Northeast 126th Avenue; then east along
Northeast 126th Avenue to Northeast 46th Street; then south along
Northeast 46th Street to Highway 931; then east along Highway 931 to
Northeast 80th Street; then south along Northeast 80th Street to
Southeast 6th Avenue; then west along Southeast 6th Avenue to Highway
65; then south and west along Highway 65 to Highway 69 in Warren
County; then south along Highway 69 to County Road G24; then west along
County Road G24 to Highway 28; then southwest along Highway 28 to 43rd
Avenue; then north along 43rd Avenue to Ford Street; then west along
Ford Street to Filmore Street; then west along Filmore Street to 10th
Avenue; then south along 10th Avenue to 155th Street in Madison County;
then
[[Page 43020]]
west along 155th Street to Cumming Road; then north along Cumming Road
to Badger Creek Avenue; then north along Badger Creek Avenue to County
Road F90 in Dallas County; then east along County Road F90 to County
Road R22; then north along County Road R22 to Highway 44; then east
along Highway 44 to County Road R30; then north along County Road R30
to County Road F31; then east along County Road F31 to Highway 17; then
north along Highway 17 to Highway 415 in Polk County; then east along
Highway 415 to Northwest 158th Avenue; then east along Northwest 158th
Avenue to the point of beginning.
Cedar Falls/Waterloo Goose Zone: Includes those portions of Black
Hawk County bounded as follows: Beginning at the intersection of County
Roads C66 and V49 in Black Hawk County, then south along County Road
V49 to County Road D38, then west along County Road D38 to State
Highway 21, then south along State Highway 21 to County Road D35, then
west along County Road D35 to Grundy Road, then north along Grundy Road
to County Road D19, then west along County Road D19 to Butler Road,
then north along Butler Road to County Road C57, then north and east
along County Road C57 to U.S. Highway 63, then south along U.S. Highway
63 to County Road C66, then east along County Road C66 to the point of
beginning.
Minnesota
Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone --
A. All of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.
B. In Anoka County, all of Columbus Township lying south of County
State Aid Highway (CSAH) 18, Anoka County; all of the cities of Ramsey,
Andover, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Spring Lake Park, Fridley, Hilltop,
Columbia Heights, Blaine, Lexington, Circle Pines, Lino Lakes, and
Centerville; and all of the city of Ham Lake except that portion lying
north of CSAH 18 and east of U.S. Highway 65.
C. That part of Carver County lying north and east of the following
described line: Beginning at the northeast corner of San Francisco
Township; then west along the north boundary of San Francisco Township
to the east boundary of Dahlgren Township; then north along the east
boundary of Dahlgren Township to U.S. Highway 212; then west along U.S.
Highway 212 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 284; then north on STH 284 to
County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10; then north and west on CSAH 10 to
CSAH 30; then north and west on CSAH 30 to STH 25; then east and north
on STH 25 to CSAH 10; then north on CSAH 10 to the Carver County line.
D. In Scott County, all of the cities of Shakopee, Savage, Prior
Lake, and Jordan, and all of the Townships of Jackson, Louisville, St.
Lawrence, Sand Creek, Spring Lake, and Credit River.
E. In Dakota County, all of the cities of Burnsville, Eagan,
Mendota Heights, Mendota, Sunfish Lake, Inver Grove Heights, Apple
Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Farmington, Hastings, Lilydale, West St.
Paul, and South St. Paul, and all of the Township of Nininger.
F. That portion of Washington County lying south of the following
described line: Beginning at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 on the
west boundary of the county; then east on CSAH 2 to U.S. Highway 61;
then south on U.S. Highway 61 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 97; then
east on STH 97 to the intersection of STH 97 and STH 95; then due east
to the east boundary of the State.
Northwest Goose Zone -- That portion of the State encompassed by a
line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2
to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east
along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north
along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to
STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along
CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in
Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH
310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
Southeast Goose Zone -- That part of the State within the following
described boundaries: beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 52
and the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; then
along the U.S. Highway 52 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 57; then along
STH 57 to the municipal boundary of Kasson; then along the municipal
boundary of Kasson County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 13, Dodge County;
then along CSAH 13 to STH 30; then along STH 30 to U.S. Highway 63;
then along U.S. Highway 63 to the south boundary of the State; then
along the south and east boundaries of the State to the south boundary
of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; then along said boundary to
the point of beginning.
Five Goose Zone -- That portion of the State not included in the
Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone, the Northwest Goose Zone,
or the Southeast Goose Zone.
West Zone -- That portion of the State encompassed by a line
beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa
border, then north and east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, north
along U.S. 71 to I-94, then north and west along I-94 to the North
Dakota border.
Tennessee
Middle Tennessee Zone -- Those portions of Houston, Humphreys,
Montgomery, Perry, and Wayne Counties east of State Highway 13; and
Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles,
Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Moore,
Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson
Counties.
East Tennessee Zone -- Anderson, Bledsoe, Bradley, Blount,
Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress,
Grainger, Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jackson,
Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe,
Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie,
Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, and
White Counties.
Wisconsin
Early-Season Subzone A -- That portion of the State encompassed by
a line beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 141 and the
Michigan border near Niagara, then south along U.S. 141 to State
Highway 22, west and southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45, south along
U.S. 45 to State 22, west and south along State 22 to State 110, south
along State 110 to U.S. 10, south along U.S. 10 to State 49, south
along State 49 to State 23, west along State 23 to State 73, south
along State 73 to State 60, west along State 60 to State 23, south
along State 23 to State 11, east along State 11 to State 78, then south
along State 78 to the Illinois border.
Early-Season Subzone B -- The remainder of the State.
Central Flyway
Nebraska
September Canada Goose Unit - That part of Nebraska bounded by a
line from the Nebraska-Iowa State line west on U.S. Highway 30 to US
Highway 81, then south on US Highway 81 to NE Highway 64, then east on
NE Highway 64 to NE Highway 15, then south on NE Highway 15 to NE
Highway 41, then east on NE Highway 41 to NE Highway 50, then north on
NE Highway 50 to NE
[[Page 43021]]
Highway 2, then east on NE Highway 2 to the Nebraska-Iowa State line.
North Dakota
Missouri River Canada Goose Zone: The area within and bounded by a
line starting where ND Hwy 6 crosses the South Dakota border; then
north on ND Hwy 6 to I-94; then west on I-94 to ND Hwy 49; then north
on ND Hwy 49 to ND Hwy 200; then north on Mercer County Rd. 21 to the
section line between sections 8 and 9 (T146N-R87W); then north on that
section line to the southern shoreline to Lake Sakakawea; then east
along the southern shoreline (including Mallard Island) of Lake
Sakakawea to US Hwy 83; then south on US Hwy 83 to ND Hwy 200; then
east on ND Hwy 200 to ND Hwy 41; then south on ND Hwy 41 to US Hwy 83;
then south on US Hwy 83 to I-94; then east on I-94 to US Hwy 83; then
south on US Hwy 83 to the South Dakota border; then west along the
South Dakota border to ND Hwy 6.
Rest of State: Remainder of North Dakota.
South Dakota
Special Early Canada Goose Unit: Entire state of South Dakota
except the Counties of Bennett, Bon Home, Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix,
Custer east of SD Highway 79 and south of French Creek, Dewey south of
212, Fall River east of SD Highway 71 and US Highway 385, Gregory,
Hughes, Hyde south of US Highway 14, Lyman, Perkins, Potter west of US
Highway 83, Stanley, and Sully.
Pacific Flyway
Idaho
East Zone -- Bonneville, Caribou, Fremont, and Teton Counties.
Oregon
Northwest Zone -- Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane,
Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and
Yamhill Counties.
Southwest Zone -- Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and
Klamath Counties.
East Zone -- Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla,
Union, and Wasco Counties.
Washington
Area 1 -- Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
Area 2A (SW Quota Zone) -- Clark County, except portions south of
the Washougal River; Cowlitz County; and Wahkiakum County.
Area 2B (SW Quota Zone) -- Pacific County.
Area 3 -- All areas west of the Pacific Crest Trail and west of the
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Areas 1, 2A, and 2B.
Area 4 -- Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant,
Kittitas, Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties.
Area 5 -- All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Area 4.
Ducks
Atlantic Flyway
New York
Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay;
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont
border.
Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their
tidal waters.
Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border.
Northeastern Zone: That area north of a line extending from Lake
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.
Maryland
Special Teal Season Area: Calvert, Caroline, Dorchester, Kent,
Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester
Counties and those parts of Cecil. Harford, and Baltimore Counties east
of Interstate 95; that part of Anne Arundel County east of Interstate
895, Interstate 97, and Route 3; that part of Prince Georges County
east of Route 3 and route 301; and that part of Charles County east of
Route 301 to the Virginia State Line.
Mississippi Flyway
Indiana
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. Highway 31,
north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to Huntington, then
southeast along U.S. 224 to the Ohio border.
Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line
extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 64 to
New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State 56, east along State 56
to Vevay, east and north on State 156 along the Ohio River to North
Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Highway 50, then northeast along
U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.
South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio
River Zone boundaries.
Iowa
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State Highway
37, southeast along State Highway 37 to State Highway 183, northeast
along State Highway 183 to State Highway 141, east along State Highway
141 to U.S. Highway 30, then east along U.S. Highway 30 to the Illinois
border.
South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
Central Flyway
Colorado
Special Teal Season Area: Lake and Chaffee Counties and that
portion of the State east of Interstate Highway 25.
Kansas
High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.
Low Plains Early Zone: That area of Kansas east of U.S. 283, and
generally west of a line beginning at the Junction of the Nebraska
State line and KS 28; south on KS 28 to U.S. 36; east on U.S. 36 to KS
199; south on KS 199 to Republic Co. Road 563; south on Republic Co.
Road 563 to KS 148; east on KS 148 to Republic Co. Road 138; south on
Republic Co. Road 138 to Cloud Co. Road 765; south on Cloud Co. Road
765 to KS 9; west on KS 9 to U.S. 24; west on U.S. 24 to U.S. 281;
north on U.S. 281 to U.S. 36; west on U.S. 36 to U.S. 183; south on
U.S. 183 to U.S. 24; west on U.S. 24 to KS 18; southeast on KS 18 to
U.S. 183; south on U.S. 183 to KS 4; east on KS 4 to I-135; south on I-
135 to KS 61; southwest on KS 61 to KS 96; northwest on KS 96 to U.S.
56; west on U.S. 56 to U.S. 281; south on U.S. 281 to U.S. 54; west on
U.S. 54 to
[[Page 43022]]
U.S. 183; north on U.S. 183 to U.S. 56; and southwest on U.S. 56 to
U.S. 283.
Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder of Kansas.
Nebraska
Special Teal Season Area: That portion of the State south of a line
beginning at the Wyoming State line; east along U.S. 26 to Nebraska
Highway L62A east to U.S. 385; south to U.S. 26; east to NE 92; east
along NE 92 to NE 61; south along NE 61 to U.S. 30; east along U.S. 30
to the Iowa border.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.
Pacific Flyway
California
Northeastern Zone: In that portion of California lying east and
north of a line beginning at the intersection of Interstate 5 with the
California-Oregon line; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with
Walters Lane south of the town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane to its
junction with Easy Street; south along Easy Street to the junction with
Old Highway 99; south along Old Highway 99 to the point of intersection
with Interstate 5 north of the town of Weed; south along Interstate 5
to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to
Main Street Greenville; north and east to its junction with North
Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and
east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the
junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington
Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the
junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and
east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-
Nevada State line; north along the California-Nevada State line to the
junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon State lines west along the
California-Oregon State line to the point of origin.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as
Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in
Riverside County as the Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to
U.S. 80; east 7 miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south
on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada
border.
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included
in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.
Canada Geese
Michigan
MVP--Upper Peninsula Zone: The MVP--Upper Peninsula Zone consists
of the entire Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
MVP--Lower Peninsula Zone: The MVP--Lower Peninsula Zone consists
of the area within the Lower Peninsula of Michigan that is north and
west of the point beginning at the southwest corner of Branch County,
north continuing along the western border of Branch and Calhoun
Counties to the northwest corner of Calhoun County, then east to the
southwest corner of Eaton County, then north to the southern border of
Ionia County, then east to the southwest corner of Clinton County, then
north along the western border of Clinton County continuing north along
the county border of Gratiot and Montcalm Counties to the southern
border of Isabella county, then east to the southwest corner of Midland
County, then north along the west Midland County border to Highway M-
20, then easterly to U.S. Highway 10, then easterly to U.S. Interstate
75 / U.S. Highway 23, then northerly along I-75 / U.S. 23 and easterly
on U.S. 23 to the centerline of the Au Gres River, then southerly along
the centerline of the Au Gres River to Saginaw Bay, then on a line
directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a line
directly northeast to the Canadian border.
SJBP Zone is the rest of the State, that area south and east of the
boundary described above.
Sandhill Cranes
Central Flyway
Colorado
The Central Flyway portion of the State except the San Luis Valley
(Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande, and
Saguache Counties east of the Continental Divide) and North Park
(Jackson County).
Kansas
That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the Oklahoma
border, north on I-35 to Wichita, north on I-135 to Salina, and north
on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border.
Montana
The Central Flyway portion of the State except for that area south
and west of Interstate 90, which is closed to sandhill crane hunting.
New Mexico
Regular-Season Open Area -- Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea,
Quay, and Roosevelt Counties.
Middle Rio Grande Valley Area -- The Central Flyway portion of New
Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties.
Estancia Valley Area -- Those portions of Santa Fe, Torrance and
Bernallilo Counties within an area bounded on the west by New Mexico
Highway 55 beginning at Mountainair north to NM 337, north to NM 14,
north to I-25; on the north by I-25 east to U.S. 285; on the east by
U.S. 285 south to U.S. 60; and on the south by U.S. 60 from U.S. 285
west to NM 55 in Mountainair.
Southwest Zone -- Sierra, Luna, Dona Ana Counties, and those
portions of Grant and Hidalgo Counties south of I-10.
North Dakota
Area 1 -- That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
Area 2 -- That portion of the State east of U.S. 281.
Oklahoma
That portion of the State west of I-35.
South Dakota
That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
[[Page 43023]]
Texas
Zone A -- That portion of Texas lying west of a line beginning at
the international toll bridge at Laredo, then northeast along U.S.
Highway 81 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35 in Laredo, then
north along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate
Highway 10 in San Antonio, then northwest along Interstate Highway 10
to its junction with U.S. Highway 83 at Junction, then north along U.S.
Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of
Childress, then east along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State
line.
Zone B -- That portion of Texas lying within boundaries beginning
at the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-Oklahoma State line,
then southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its junction with U.S. Highway
287 in Montague County, then southeast along U.S. Highway 287 to its
junction with Interstate Highway 35W in Fort Worth, then southwest
along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate Highway 10
in San Antonio, then northwest along Interstate Highway 10 to its
junction with U.S. Highway 83 in the town of Junction, then north along
U.S. Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of
Childress, then east along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State
line, then south along the Texas-Oklahoma State line to the south bank
of the Red River, then eastward along the vegetation line on the south
bank of the Red River to U.S. Highway 81.
Zone C -- The remainder of the State, except for the closed areas.
Closed areas -- (A) That portion of the State lying east and north
of a line beginning at the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-
Oklahoma State line, then southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its
junction with U.S. Highway 287 in Montague County, then southeast along
U.S. Highway 287 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35W in Fort
Worth, then southwest along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with
U.S. Highway 290 East in Austin, then east along U.S. Highway 290 to
its junction with Interstate Loop 610 in Harris County, then south and
east along Interstate Loop 610 to its junction with Interstate Highway
45 in Houston, then south on Interstate Highway 45 to State Highway
342, then to the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, and then north and east
along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the Texas-Louisiana State
line.
(B) That portion of the State lying within the boundaries of a line
beginning at the Kleberg-Nueces County line and the shore of the Gulf
of Mexico, then west along the County line to Park Road 22 in Nueces
County, then north and west along Park Road 22 to its junction with
State Highway 358 in Corpus Christi, then west and north along State
Highway 358 to its junction with State Highway 286, then north along
State Highway 286 to its junction with Interstate Highway 37, then east
along Interstate Highway 37 to its junction with U.S. Highway 181, then
north and west along U.S. Highway 181 to its junction with U.S. Highway
77 in Sinton, then north and east along U.S. Highway 77 to its junction
with U.S. Highway 87 in Victoria, then south and east along U.S.
Highway 87 to its junction with State Highway 35 at Port Lavaca, then
north and east along State Highway 35 to the south end of the Lavaca
Bay Causeway, then south and east along the shore of Lavaca Bay to its
junction with the Port Lavaca Ship Channel, then south and east along
the Lavaca Bay Ship Channel to the Gulf of Mexico, and then south and
west along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the Kleberg-Nueces County
line.
Wyoming
Regular-Season Open Area -- Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen,
Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties, and those portions of
Johnson County east of Interstates 25 and 90 and Sheridan County east
of Interstate 90.
Riverton-Boysen Unit -- Portions of Fremont County.
Park and Big Horn County Unit -- Portions of Park and Big Horn
Counties.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
Special-Season Area -- Game Management Units 30A, 30B, 31, and 32.
Montana
Special-Season Area -- See State regulations.
Utah
Special-Season Area -- Rich, Cache, and Unitah Counties and that
portion of Box Elder County beginning on the Utah-Idaho State line at
the Box Elder-Cache County line; west on the State line to the
Pocatello Valley County Road; south on the Pocatello Valley County Road
to I-15; southeast on I-15 to SR-83; south on SR-83 to Lamp Junction;
west and south on the Promontory Point County Road to the tip of
Promontory Point; south from Promontory Point to the Box Elder-Weber
County line; east on the Box Elder-Weber County line to the Box Elder-
Cache County line; north on the Box Elder-Cache County line to the
Utah-Idaho State line.
Wyoming
Bear River Area -- That portion of Lincoln County described in
State regulations.
Salt River Area -- That portion of Lincoln County described in
State regulations.
Farson-Eden Area -- Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette
Counties described in State regulations.
Uinta County Area -- That portion of Uinta County described in
State regulations.
All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska
North Zone -- State Game Management Units 1113 and 1726.
Gulf Coast Zone -- State Game Management Units 57, 9, 1416, and 10
(Unimak Island only).
Southeast Zone -- State Game Management Units 14.
Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone -- State Game Management Unit 10
(except Unimak Island).
Kodiak Zone -- State Game Management Unit 8.
All Migratory Game Birds in the Virgin Islands
Ruth Cay Closure Area -- The island of Ruth Cay, just south of St.
Croix.
All Migratory Game Birds in Puerto Rico
Municipality of Culebra Closure Area -- All of the municipality of
Culebra.
Desecheo Island Closure Area -- All of Desecheo Island.
Mona Island Closure Area -- All of Mona Island.
El Verde Closure Area -- Those areas of the municipalities of Rio
Grande and Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All lands between Routes
956 on the west and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the north to the
juncture of Routes 956 and 186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands
between Routes 186 and 966 from the juncture of 186 and 966 on the
north, to the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the south; (3) all
lands lying west of Route 186 for 1 kilometer from the juncture of
Routes 186 and 956 south to Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within Km
14 and Km 6 on the west and the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on
the east; and (5) all lands within the Caribbean National Forest
Boundary whether private or public.
Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas -- All of Cidra Municipality
and portions of Aguas Buenas, Caguas, Cayey, and Comerio Municipalities
as encompassed within the following boundary: beginning on Highway 172
as it leaves the municipality of Cidra on
[[Page 43024]]
the west edge, north to Highway 156, east on Highway 156 to Highway 1,
south on Highway 1 to Highway 765, south on Highway 765 to Highway 763,
south on Highway 763 to the Rio Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to
Highway 1, southwest on Highway 1 to Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to
Highway 729, north on Highway 729 to Cidra Municipality boundary to the
point of the beginning.
[FR Doc. E9-20400 Filed 8-24-09; 8:45 am]