www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18747]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2021-0057; FF09M30000-223-FXMB1231099BPP0]
RIN 1018-BF07
Migratory Bird Hunting; Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on
Certain Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands for the 2022-23
Season
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This rule prescribes special migratory bird hunting
regulations for certain Tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off-
reservation trust lands, and ceded lands. This rule responds to Tribal
requests for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter ``Service'' or
``we'') recognition of their authority to regulate hunting under
established guidelines. This rule allows the establishment of season
bag limits and, thus, harvest at levels compatible with populations and
habitat conditions.
DATES: This rule takes effect on August 31, 2022.
ADDRESSES: You may inspect comments received on the migratory bird
hunting regulations at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-
HQ-MB-2021-0057. You may obtain copies of referenced reports from the
Division of Migratory Bird Management's website at https://www.fws.gov/program/migratory-birds or at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No.
FWS-HQ-MB-2021-0057.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerome Ford, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Department of the Interior, (703) 358-2606.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of July 3, 1918 (16 U.S.C. 703
et seq.), authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Department of the
Interior, having due regard for the zones of temperature and for the
distribution, abundance, economic value, breeding habits, and times and
lines of flight of migratory game birds, to determine when, to what
extent, and by what means such birds or any part, nest, or egg thereof
may be taken, hunted, captured, killed, possessed, sold, purchased,
shipped, carried, exported, or transported.
In the June 14, 2022, Federal Register (87 FR 35942), we proposed
special
[[Page 53405]]
migratory bird hunting regulations for the 2022-23 hunting season for
certain Indian Tribes, under the guidelines described in the June 4,
1985, Federal Register (50 FR 23467). The guidelines respond to Tribal
requests for Service recognition of their reserved hunting rights, and
for some Tribes, recognition of their authority to regulate hunting by
both Tribal members and nonmembers on their reservations. The
guidelines include possibilities for:
(1) On-reservation hunting by both Tribal members and nonmembers,
with hunting by nontribal members on some reservations to take place
within Federal frameworks but on dates different from those selected by
the surrounding State(s);
(2) On-reservation hunting by Tribal members only, outside of usual
Federal frameworks for season dates and length, and for daily bag and
possession limits; and
(3) Off-reservation hunting by Tribal members on ceded lands,
outside of usual framework dates and season length, with some added
flexibility in daily bag and possession limits.
In all cases, the regulations established under the guidelines must
be consistent with the March 10-September 1 closed season mandated by
the 1916 Migratory Bird Treaty with Canada.
In the August 31, 2021, Federal Register (86 FR 48649), we
requested that Tribes desiring special hunting regulations in the 2022-
23 hunting season submit a proposal including details on:
(1) Harvest anticipated under the requested regulations;
(2) Methods that would be employed to measure or monitor harvest
(such as bag checks, mail questionnaires, etc.);
(3) Steps that would be taken to limit level of harvest, where it
could be shown that failure to limit such harvest would adversely
impact the migratory bird resource; and
(4) Tribal capabilities to establish and enforce migratory bird
hunting regulations.
No action is required if a Tribe wishes to observe the hunting
regulations established by the State(s) in which an Indian reservation
is located. We have successfully used the guidelines since the 1985-86
hunting season. We finalized the guidelines beginning with the 1988-89
hunting season (53 FR 31612, August 18, 1988).
The final rule described here is the final in the series of
proposed and final rulemaking documents for migratory bird hunting
regulations on certain Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands for
the 2022-23 season. This rule sets hunting seasons, hours, areas, and
limits for migratory game bird species on reservations and ceded
territories. This final rule is the culmination of the rulemaking
process for the Tribal migratory game bird hunting seasons, which
started with the August 31, 2021, proposed rule. This final rule sets
the migratory bird hunting regulations on certain Federal Indian
reservations and ceded lands for the 2022-23 season.
Population Status and Harvest
Each year we publish reports that provide detailed information on
the status and harvest of certain migratory game bird species. These
reports are available at the address indicated under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT or from our website at https://www.fws.gov/library/collections/population-status, or https://www.fws.gov/library/collections/migratory-bird-hunting-activity-and-harvest-reports.
We used the following annual reports published in August 2021 in
the development of proposed frameworks for the migratory bird hunting
regulations: Adaptive Harvest Management, 2022 Hunting Season; American
Woodcock Population Status, 2021; Band-tailed Pigeon Population Status,
2021; Migratory Bird Hunting Activity and Harvest During the 2019-20
and 2020-21 Hunting Seasons; Mourning Dove Population Status, 2021;
Status and Harvests of Sandhill Cranes, Mid-continent, Rocky Mountain,
Lower Colorado River Valley and Eastern Populations, 2021; and
Waterfowl Population Status, 2021.
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 conclude that the hunting seasons provided for
herein are compatible with the current status of migratory bird
populations and long-term population goals. Additionally, we are
obligated to, and do, give serious consideration to all information
received during the public comment period.
Comments and Issues Concerning Tribal Proposals
For the 2022-23 migratory bird hunting season, we proposed
regulations (87 FR 35942, June 14, 2022) for 29 Tribes or Indian groups
that followed the 1985 guidelines and were considered appropriate for
final rulemaking.
The comment period for the June 14, 2022, proposed rule closed on
July 14, 2022. We received one comment on our proposed rule; the
commenter requested not to allow the killing of migratory birds. The
Service appreciates the opportunity to establish special migratory bird
hunting regulations in recognition of the Tribes' reserved hunting
rights, and for some Tribes, recognition of their authority to regulate
hunting by both Tribal members and nonmembers on their reservations. We
addressed this one comment in our final rule to set 2022-23 frameworks
for migratory bird hunting regulations (87 FR 42598, July 15, 2022).
Required Determinations
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Consideration
The programmatic document, ``Second Final Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual Regulations
Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (EIS 20130139),'' filed
with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on May 24, 2013,
addresses NEPA compliance by the Service for issuance of the annual
framework regulations for hunting of migratory game bird species. We
published a notice of availability in the Federal Register on May 31,
2013 (78 FR 32686), and our record of decision on July 26, 2013 (78 FR
45376). We also address NEPA compliance for waterfowl hunting
frameworks through the annual preparation of separate environmental
assessments, the most recent being ``Duck Hunting Regulations for 2022-
23,'' with its corresponding March 2022 finding of no significant
impact. In addition, an environmental assessment entitled ``Guidelines
for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on Federal Indian Reservations
and Ceded Lands'' is available from the person listed above under the
caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Endangered Species Act Consideration
Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), provides that the Secretary 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. After we published the August 31, 2021, proposed rule, we
conducted formal consultations to ensure that actions resulting from
these regulations would
[[Page 53406]]
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. The biological opinion resulting from this
section 7 consultation is available for public inspection at the
address indicated under ADDRESSES.
Regulatory Planning and Review--Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 provides that the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) will review all significant rules. OIRA has determined
that the annual migratory bird hunting regulations are significant
because they have an annual effect of $100 million or more on the
economy.
E.O. 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while calling for
improvements in the nation's regulatory system to promote
predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends.
E.O. 13563 directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches that
reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for the
public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and consistent
with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further that
regulations must be based on the best available science and that the
rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open
exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent
with these requirements.
An economic analysis was prepared for the 2022-23 migratory bird
hunting season. This analysis was based on data from the 2016 National
Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation
(National Survey), the most recent year for which data are available
(see discussion under Regulatory Flexibility Act, below). This analysis
estimated consumer surplus for three alternatives for duck hunting
regulations. As defined by OMB Circular A-4, consumers' surplus is the
difference between what a consumer pays for a unit of a good or service
and the maximum amount the consumer would be willing to pay for that
unit. The duck hunting regulatory alternatives are (1) issue
restrictive regulations allowing fewer days than those issued during
the 2021-22 season, (2) issue moderate regulations allowing more days
than those in alternative 1, and (3) issue liberal regulations similar
to the regulations in the 2021-22 season. For the 2022-23 season, we
chose alternative 3, with an estimated consumer surplus across all
flyways of $329 million. We also chose alternative 3 for the 2009-10
through 2021-22 seasons. The 2022-23 analysis is part of the record for
this rule and is available at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No.
FWS-HQ-MB-2021-0057.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The annual migratory bird hunting 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 prepare
regulatory flexibility analyses, updated annually, to analyze the
economic impacts of the annual hunting regulations on small business
entities. The primary source of information about hunter expenditures
for migratory game bird hunting is the National Survey, which is
generally conducted at 5-year intervals. The 2022 analysis is based on
the 2016 National Survey and the U.S. Department of Commerce's County
Business Patterns, from which it is estimated that migratory bird
hunters would spend approximately $2.2 billion at small businesses in
2022. Copies of the analysis are available upon request from the person
listed above under the caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, or from
https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2021-0057.
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 will have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or
more. However, because this rule establishes hunting seasons, which are
time sensitive, we do not plan to defer the effective date under the
exemption contained in 5 U.S.C. 808(1).
Paperwork Reduction Act
This rule does not contain any new collection of information that
requires approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). OMB has
previously approved the information collection requirements associated
with migratory bird surveys and the procedures for establishing annual
migratory bird hunting seasons under the following OMB control numbers:
1018-0019, ``North American Woodcock Singing Ground
Survey'' (expires 02/29/2024).
1018-0023, ``Migratory Bird Surveys, 50 CFR 20.20''
(expires 04/30/2023). Includes Migratory Bird Harvest Information
Program, Migratory Bird Hunter Surveys, Sandhill Crane Survey, and
Parts Collection Survey.
1018-0171, ``Establishment of Annual Migratory Bird
Hunting Seasons, 50 CFR part 20'' (expires 10/31/2024).
You may view the information collection request(s) at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. An 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 E.O. 12988.
Takings Implication Assessment
In accordance with E.O. 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, this rule will allow hunters to exercise
otherwise unavailable privileges and, therefore, will reduce
restrictions on the use of private and public property.
Energy Effects--Executive Order 13211
E.O. 13211 requires agencies to prepare statements of energy
effects when undertaking certain actions. While this rule is a
significant regulatory action under E.O. 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.
[[Page 53407]]
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), E.O. 13175, and 512 DM 2, we have
evaluated possible effects on Federally recognized Indian Tribes and
have determined that there are de minimis effects on Indian trust
resources. 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 2022-23 migratory bird
hunting season in the August 31, 2021, proposed rule (86 FR 48649). The
resulting proposals were published in a separate proposed rule (87 FR
35942, June 14, 2022). Through this process to establish annual hunting
regulations, we regularly coordinate with Tribes that are 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 Tribe may be more restrictive in its
regulations 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 E.O. 13132,
these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and do not
have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a
federalism summary impact statement.
Regulations Promulgation
The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting, by its
nature, operates under a time constraint as seasons must be established
each year or hunting seasons remain closed. However, we intend that the
public be provided extensive opportunity for public input and
involvement in compliance with Administrative Procedure Act
requirements (5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.). Thus, when the preliminary
proposed rulemaking was published on August 31, 2021 (86 FR 48649), we
established what we concluded were the longest periods possible for
public comment and the most opportunities for public involvement. We
also provided notification of our participation in multiple Flyway
Council meetings, opportunities for additional public review and
comment on all Flyway Council proposals for regulatory change, and
opportunities for additional public review during the Service
Regulations Committee meeting. Therefore, sufficient public notice and
opportunity for involvement have been given to affected persons
regarding the migratory bird hunting frameworks for the 2022-23 hunting
season.
For the reasons cited above, we find that ``good cause'' exists,
within the terms of the Administrative Procedure Act at 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3) for these regulations to take effect immediately upon
publication.
Accordingly, with each participating Tribe having had an
opportunity to participate in selecting the hunting seasons desired for
its reservation or ceded territory on those species of migratory birds
for which open seasons are now prescribed, and consideration having
been given to all other relevant matters presented, certain sections of
title 50, chapter I, subchapter B, part 20, subpart K, are hereby
amended as set forth below.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20
Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.
Signing Authority
On August 25, 2022, Shannon Estenoz, Assistant Secretary for Fish
and Wildlife and Parks, approved this action for publication. On August
25, 2022, Shannon Estenoz also authorized the undersigned to sign this
document electronically and submit it to the Office of the Federal
Register for publication as an official document of the Department of
the Interior.
Accordingly, part 20, subchapter B, chapter I of title 50 of the
Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:
PART 20--MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING
0
1. The authority citation for part 20 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703 et seq., and 16 U.S.C. 742a-j.
(Note: The following hunting regulations provided for by 50 CFR
20.110 will not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations because of
their seasonal nature).
0
2. Section 20.110 is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 20.110 Seasons, limits, and other regulations for certain
Federal Indian reservations, Indian Territory, and ceded lands.
Unless specifically provided for in the following entries, all of
the regulations contained in 50 CFR part 20 apply to the seasons listed
herein.
(a) Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Flathead Indian
Reservation, Pablo, Montana (Tribal Members and Nontribal Hunters).
Tribal Members Only
Ducks (Including Mergansers), Coots, and Geese
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-March 10, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The Tribe does not have specific
bag and possession restrictions for Tribal members. The season on
harlequin duck is closed.
Nontribal Hunters
Ducks (Including Mergansers), Coots, and Geese
Season Dates: Same as Pacific Flyway portion of Montana.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Same as Pacific Flyway portion of
Montana.
General Conditions: Tribal and nontribal hunters must comply with
all basic Federal migratory bird hunting regulations contained in 50
CFR part 20 regarding manner of taking. In addition, shooting hours are
sunrise to sunset, and each waterfowl hunter 16 years of age or older
must carry on his/her person a valid Migratory Bird Hunting and
Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) signed in ink across the stamp face.
Special regulations established by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai
Tribes also apply on the reservation.
(b) Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Cloquet,
Minnesota (Tribal Members Only).
Ducks
1. 1854 and 1837 Ceded Territories:
Season Dates: September 1-November 30, 2022.
[[Page 53408]]
Daily Bag Limits: 18 ducks, including no more than 12 mallards or 9
of any other species.
2. Reservation:
Season Dates: September 1-November 30, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 12 ducks, including no more than 8 mallards or 6
of any other species.
Mergansers
1. 1854 and 1837 Ceded Territories:
Season Dates: September 1-November 30, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 15 mergansers, including no more than 6 hooded
mergansers.
2. Reservation:
Season Dates: September 1-November 30, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 10 mergansers, including no more than 4 hooded
mergansers.
Canada/Cackling Geese: All Areas
Season Dates: September 1-November 30, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 20 Canada/cackling geese.
Sandhill Cranes: 1854 and 1837 Ceded Territories Only
Season Dates: September 1-November 30, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes. A crane carcass tag is
required prior to hunting.
Tundra and Trumpeter Swans: Reservation Only
Season Dates: September 1-November 30, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 2 swans. Swan carcass tags are required prior to
hunting.
Coots and Common Gallinules: All Areas
Season Dates: September 1-November 30, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 20 coots and common gallinules in the aggregate.
Sora and Virginia Rails: All Areas
Season Dates: September 1-November 30, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 25 sora and Virginia rails in the aggregate.
Snipe: All Areas
Season Dates: September 1-November 30, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 8 snipe.
Woodcock: All Areas
Season Dates: September 1-November 30, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 3 woodcock.
Mourning Doves: All Areas
Season Dates: September 1-November 30, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 30 mourning doves.
General Conditions:
1. While hunting waterfowl, a Tribal member must carry on his/her
person a valid Ceded Territory License.
2. Shooting hours for migratory birds are one-half hour before
sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
3. Except as otherwise noted, Tribal members will be required to
comply with Tribal codes that will be no less restrictive than the
provisions of chapter 10 of the Model Off-Reservation Code. Except as
modified by Service rules, these amended regulations parallel Federal
requirements in 50 CFR part 20 as to hunting methods, transportation,
sale, exportation, and other conditions generally applicable to
migratory bird hunting.
4. Band members in each zone will comply with State regulations
providing for closed and restricted waterfowl hunting areas.
5. There are no possession limits for migratory birds. For purposes
of enforcing bag limits, all migratory birds in the possession or
custody of Band members on ceded lands will be considered to have been
taken on those lands unless tagged by a Tribal or State conservation
warden as having been taken on-reservation. All migratory birds that
fall on reservation lands will not count as part of any off-reservation
bag or possession limit.
(c) Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Suttons
Bay, Michigan (Tribal Members Only).
Ducks
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-January 20, 2023.
Daily Bag Limits: 35 ducks, including no more than 8 pintail, 4
canvasbacks, 5 hooded mergansers, 8 black ducks, 10 wood ducks, 8
redheads, and 20 mallards (only 10 of which may be females).
Canada/Cackling Geese and Snow Geese
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-February 15, 2023.
Daily Bag Limits: 15 geese.
White-Fronted Geese and Brant
Season Dates: September 20-December 30, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 5 geese.
Rails (Sora and Virginia Rail), Snipe, and Woodcock
Season Dates: September 1-November 14, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 10 rails, 10 snipe, and 5 woodcock.
Mourning Doves
Season Dates: September 1-November 14, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 25 mourning doves.
Sandhill Cranes
Season Dates: September 1-November 14, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 2 sandhill cranes, with a season
limit of 4.
General Conditions: A valid Grand Traverse Band Tribal license is
required and must be in possession before taking any wildlife. Shooting
hours for migratory birds are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half
hour after sunset. All other basic regulations contained in 50 CFR part
20 are valid. Other Tribal regulations apply and may be obtained at the
Tribal office in Suttons Bay, Michigan.
(d) Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah,
Wisconsin (Tribal Members Only).
The 2022-23 waterfowl hunting season regulations apply to all
treaty areas (except where noted):
Ducks
Season Dates: September 1-December 31, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 50 ducks in the 1837 and 1842 Treaty Area; 30
ducks in the 1836 Treaty Area.
Mergansers
Season Dates: September 1-December 31, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 10 mergansers.
Geese
Season Dates: September 1-December 31, 2022. In addition, any
portion of the ceded territory that is open to State-licensed hunters
for goose hunting outside of these dates will also be open concurrently
for Tribal members.
Daily Bag Limits: 20 geese in the aggregate.
Coots and Common Gallinules
Season Dates: September 1-December 31, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 20 coots and common gallinules in the aggregate.
Sora and Virginia Rails
Season Dates: September 1-December 31, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 20 sora and
Virginia rails in the aggregate, and the possession limit is 25 sora
and Virginia rails in the aggregate.
Snipe
Season Dates: September 1-December 31, 2022.
[[Page 53409]]
Daily Bag Limits: 16 snipe.
Woodcock
Season Dates: 1836 Ceded Territory: September 1-December 31, 2022;
1837 and 1842 Ceded Territories: September 3-December 31, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 10 woodcock.
Mourning Doves: 1837 and 1842 Ceded Territories only
Season Dates: September 1-November 29, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 15 mourning doves.
Sandhill Cranes
Season Dates: September 1-December 31, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 10 sandhill cranes and no seasonal bag limit in
the 1837 and 1842 Treaty areas; 3 sandhill cranes and no seasonal bag
limit in the 1836 Treaty area.
Swans: 1837 and 1842 Ceded Territories only
Season Dates: September 1-December 31, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 5 swans. All harvested swans must be registered
by presenting the fully feathered carcass to a Tribal registration
station or GLIFWC warden. If the total number of trumpeter swans
harvested reaches 20, the swan season will be closed by emergency
Tribal rule.
General Conditions:
1. All Tribal members who wish to hunt are required to obtain a
valid Tribal waterfowl hunting permit.
2. Except as otherwise noted, Tribal members must comply with
Tribal codes that are no less restrictive than the model ceded
territory conservation codes approved by Federal courts in the Lac
Courte Oreilles v. State of Wisconsin (Voigt) and Mille Lacs Band v.
State of Minnesota cases. Chapter 10 in each of these model codes
regulates ceded territory migratory bird hunting. Both versions of
chapter 10 parallel Federal requirements as to hunting methods,
transportation, sale, exportation, and other conditions generally
applicable to migratory bird hunting. They also automatically
incorporate by reference the Federal migratory bird regulations.
3. Particular regulations of note include:
A. Nontoxic shot is required for all waterfowl hunting by Tribal
members.
B. Tribal members in each zone must comply with Tribal regulations
providing for closed and restricted waterfowl hunting areas. These
regulations generally incorporate the same restrictions contained in
parallel State regulations.
C. There are no possession limits, with the exception of 25 rails
(in the aggregate) and 20 trumpeter swans total. For purposes of
enforcing bag limits, all migratory birds in the possession and custody
of Tribal members on ceded lands will be considered to have been taken
on those lands unless tagged by a Tribal or State conservation warden
as taken on reservation lands. All migratory birds that fall on
reservation lands will not count as part of any off-reservation bag or
possession limit.
D. There are no shell limit restrictions.
E. Hunting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes
after sunset, except that, within the 1837 and 1842 Ceded Territories,
hunters may use non-mechanical nets or snares that are operated by hand
to take those birds subject to an open hunting season at any time (see
further explanation provided in G.). Capturing, without the aid of
other devices (i.e., by hand), and immediately killing birds subject to
an open season may also be done regardless of the time of day.
F. Within the 1837 and 1842 Ceded Territories, Tribal members may
use electronic calls. Individuals using these devices must complete a
hunt survey for each hunt where electronic calls are used. Required
information includes the date, time, and location of the hunt; number
of hunters; the number of each species harvested per hunting event; if
other hunters were in the area, any interactions with other hunters;
and other information deemed appropriate. Survey results must be
summarized and documented in a Commission report, which will be
submitted to the Service. This application will be replicated for 2
years (through the 2023-24 season), after which a full evaluation will
be completed.
G. Within the 1837 and 1842 Ceded Territories, Tribal members may
use non-mechanical, hand-operated nets (i.e., throw/cast nets or
handheld nets typically used to land fish) and hand-operated snares and
may chase and capture migratory birds without the aid of hunting
devices (i.e., by hand). Non-attended nets or snares are not
authorized. Tribal members using nets or snares to take migratory
birds, or taking birds by hand, must complete a hunt survey for each
hunt where these methods are used and submit the data to the Commission
when requested at the end of the season. Required information includes
the date, time, and location of the hunt; number of hunters; the number
of each species harvested per hunting event; and other information
deemed appropriate. Results must be summarized and documented in a
Commission report, which will be submitted to the Service. This
application will be replicated for 2 years (through the 2023-24
season), after which a full evaluation will be completed.
(e) Jicarilla Apache Tribe, Jicarilla Indian Reservation, Dulce,
New Mexico (Tribal Members and Nontribal Hunters).
Ducks (Including Mergansers)
Season Dates: October 8-November 30, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 7,
including no more than 2 hen mallards, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 2
canvasback, and 2 scaup. The possession limit is three times the daily
bag limit.
Canada/Cackling Geese
Season Dates: October 8-November 30, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 2 and 4, respectively.
General Conditions: Tribal and nontribal hunters must comply with
all basic Federal migratory bird hunting regulations in 50 CFR part 20
regarding shooting hours and manner of taking. In addition, each
waterfowl hunter 16 years of age or older must carry on his/her person
a valid Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp)
signed in ink across the stamp face. Special regulations established by
the Jicarilla Tribe also apply on the reservation.
(f) Kalispel Tribe, Kalispel Reservation, Usk, Washington (Tribal
Members and Nontribal Hunters).
Tribal Members on Reservation Lands
Ducks and Geese
Season Dates: September 24, 2022-January 31, 2023.
Tribal Members on Ceded Lands
Ducks
Season Dates: October 1, 2022-January 31, 2023.
Geese
Season Dates: September 3, 2022-January 31, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Same as those for the duck and
goose seasons in the State of Washington.
Nontribal Hunters on Tribally Managed Lands
Ducks
Season Dates: September 24-25, 2022, and October 1, 2022-January 8,
2023.
Geese
Season Dates: The earliest possible opening date and to remain open
for the maximum number of days allowed by
[[Page 53410]]
Federal frameworks (107 days from September 24, 2022-January 8, 2023).
Hunters should obtain further information on specific hunt days from
the Kalispel Tribe.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Same as those for the duck and
goose seasons in the State of Washington.
General Conditions: All other State and Federal regulations
contained in 50 CFR part 20, such as use of nontoxic shot and
possession of a signed Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp
(Duck Stamp), apply.
(g) Klamath Tribe, Chiloquin, Oregon (Tribal Members Only).
Ducks, Coots, and Geese
Season Dates: October 5, 2022-January 31, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 9 ducks, 9 coots, and 9 geese,
with possession limits two times the daily bag limit.
General Conditions: Nontoxic shot is required. Use of live decoys,
bait, and commercial use of migratory birds are prohibited. Waterfowl
may not be pursued or taken while using motorized craft. Shooting hours
are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
(h) Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Cass Lake, Minnesota (Tribal Members
Only).
Ducks
Season Dates: September 3-December 31, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 10 ducks, including no more than 5
pintail, 5 canvasbacks, and 5 black ducks. Possession limits are two
times the daily bag limit.
Geese
Season Dates: September 3-December 31, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 10 geese. Possession limits are
two times the daily bag limit.
General Conditions: Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise
to one-half hour after sunset. Only steel or other approved nontoxic
shot may be used to harvest waterfowl. Waterfowl may not be pursued or
taken while under the power of a motorized watercraft. Use of live
decoys, bait, and commercial use of migratory birds is prohibited. No
hunting is allowed on or near a wild rice bed that is being actively
harvested. No travel by boat is allowed within a wild rice bed.
Nonnative species must be removed from watercraft and hunting equipment
before leaving an access point. Several waterfowl refuges are closed to
the taking of waterfowl.
(i) Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Manistee, Michigan (Tribal
Members Only).
Ducks and Merganser
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-January 31, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 12 ducks, including no more than 2
pintail, 4 canvasbacks, 4 black ducks, 6 wood ducks, 4 redheads, 8
mallards (only 4 of which may be female), 10 common and red-breasted
mergansers, and 2 hooded mergansers. Possession limits are three times
the daily bag limit.
Coots and Gallinules
Season Dates: September 14, 2022-January 31, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 30 coots and gallinules and 60 in
possession.
Geese
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-February 15, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 10 geese. Possession limits are
three times the daily bag limit.
Woodcock, Snipe, and Rails (Sora and Virginia Rails)
Season Dates: September 1-December 31, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 5 woodcock and 25 snipe or rails
in the aggregate. Possession limits for all species are three times the
daily bag limit.
Mourning Doves
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-March 1, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 25 mourning doves. The possession
limit is three times the daily bag limit.
Sandhill Cranes
Season Dates: September 1-December 31, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 2 sandhill cranes. The possession
limit is three times the daily bag limit.
General Conditions:
1. All Tribal members who wish to hunt are required to obtain a
valid Tribal resource card and 2022-23 hunting license.
2. Except as modified by Service rules, these amended regulations
parallel all Federal regulations contained in 50 CFR part 20. Shooting
hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
3. Particular regulations of note include:
A. Nontoxic shot is required for all waterfowl hunting by Tribal
members.
B. Tribal members in each zone must comply with Tribal regulations
providing for closed and restricted waterfowl hunting areas. These
regulations generally incorporate the same restrictions contained in
parallel State regulations.
4. Tribal members hunting in Michigan will comply with Tribal codes
that contain provisions parallel to Michigan law regarding duck blinds
and decoys.
(j) The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Petoskey,
Michigan (Tribal Members Only).
Ducks and Mergansers
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-January 31, 2023.
Daily Bag Limits: 20 ducks and 10 mergansers, including no more
than 5 female mallards, 5 pintail, 5 canvasbacks, 5 scaup, 5 hooded
mergansers, 5 black ducks, 5 wood ducks, and 5 redheads.
Canada/Cackling Geese
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-February 8, 2023.
Daily Bag Limits: 20 Canada/cackling geese.
Woodcock
Season Dates: September 1-December 1, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 10 woodcock.
Snipe
Season Dates: September 1-December 31, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 15 snipe.
Mourning Doves
Season Dates: September 1-November 14, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 15 mourning doves.
Sora and Virginia Rails
Season Dates: September 1-December 31, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 20 sora and 20 Virginia rails.
Coots and Gallinules
Season Dates: September 1-December 31, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 20 coots and 20 gallinules.
Sandhill Crane
Season Dates: September 1-December 1, 2022.
Daily Bag Limit: 2 sandhill cranes.
General Conditions: Possession limits are twice the daily bag
limits. All other Federal regulations contained in 50 CFR part 20
apply, except the Tribe allows the use of electronic calls for all
species. The Tribe has agreed to extend the experimental Memorandum of
Agreement with the Service regarding
[[Page 53411]]
the use of electronic calling through the 2022-23 season
(k) Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule Reservation, Lower Brule,
South Dakota (Tribal Members and Nontribal Hunters).
Nontribal Hunters
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Season Dates: October 1, 2022-January 5, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 6 ducks (including mergansers),
including no more than 2 female mallards and 5 mallards in total, 2
pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 3 wood duck, 3 scaup, and 1 mottled
duck. Two bonus blue-winged teal are allowed during October 1-16, 2022.
Coot daily bag limits are 15. Possession limits are three times the
daily bag limits.
Canada/Cackling Geese
Season Dates: October 29, 2022-February 12, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 6 Canada/cackling geese, and
possession limits are three times the daily bag limit.
White-Fronted Geese
Season Dates: October 22, 2022-January 17, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 2 white-fronted geese, and
possession limits are three times the daily bag limit.
Light Geese
Season Dates: October 22, 2022-February 5, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 50 light geese, with no possession
limits.
Doves
Season Dates: September 1-November 29, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 15 doves, and possession limits
are three times the daily bag limit.
Tribal Members
Duck, Mergansers, and Coots
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-March 10, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 6 ducks, including no more than 2
female mallards and 5 mallards in total, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 2
canvasbacks, 3 wood ducks, 3 scaup, 2 bonus teal during the first 16
days of the season, and 2 mottled ducks; 5 mergansers, only 2 of which
can be hooded mergansers; and 15 coot. Possession limits are three
times the daily bag limits.
Canada/Cackling Geese
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-March 10, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 6 Canada/cackling geese. The
possession limits are three times the daily bag limit.
White-Fronted Geese
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-March 10, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 3 white-fronted geese. The
possession limits are three times the daily bag limit.
Light Geese
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-March 10, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 50 light geese, with no possession
limits.
Doves
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-January 31, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 15 doves. The possession limits
are three times the daily bag limit.
General Conditions: All hunters must comply with the basic Federal
migratory bird hunting regulations in 50 CFR part 20, including the use
of steel shot and shooting hours. Nontribal hunters must possess a
valid Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp. The Lower Brule
Sioux Tribe has an official Conservation Code to which hunters must
adhere when hunting in areas subject to control by the Tribe.
(l) Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Port Angeles, Washington (Tribal
Members Only).
Ducks (Including Mergansers), and Coots
Season Dates: September 4, 2022-January 2, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 7 ducks, including no more than 2
female mallards, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, and 2 redheads. The daily bag
and possession limit of harlequin ducks is 1 per season. The coot daily
bag limits are 25. The possession limits are two times the daily bag
limit, except as noted above.
Geese
Season Dates: September 4, 2022-January 2, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: No more than 3 light geese. The
season on Aleutian Canada/cackling geese is closed.
Brant
Season Dates: Season closed.
Mourning Doves and Band-Tailed Pigeons
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-February 27, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 10 mourning doves and 2 band-
tailed pigeons. The possession limits are two times the daily bag
limits.
Snipe
Season Dates: September 4, 2022-January 2, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 8 snipe. The possession limits are
two times the daily bag limit.
General Conditions: All Tribal hunters authorized to hunt migratory
birds are required to obtain a Tribal hunting permit from the Lower
Elwha Klallam Tribe pursuant to Tribal law. Hunting hours are from one-
half hour before sunrise to sunset. Only steel, tungsten-iron,
tungsten-polymer, tungsten-matrix, and tin shot are allowed for hunting
waterfowl. It is unlawful to use or possess lead shot while hunting
waterfowl. Tribal reservation police and Tribal fisheries enforcement
officers have the authority to enforce these migratory bird hunting
regulations for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.
(m) Makah Indian Tribe, Neah Bay, Washington (Tribal Members Only).
Ducks and Coots
Season Dates: September 24, 2022-January 31, 2023.
Daily Bag Limits: 7 ducks, including no more than 7 mallards (only
2 female mallards), 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, 3 scaup, and 2 redheads.
The daily bag limit for coots is 25. The Tribe has a year-round closure
on wood ducks and harlequin ducks.
Geese
Season Dates: September 24, 2022-January 31, 2023.
Daily Bag Limits: 4 Canada/cackling geese, 10 white-fronted geese,
10 light geese, and 2 brant. The Tribe notes that there is a year-round
closure on dusky Canada geese.
Band-Tailed Pigeons
Season Dates: September 15-23, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 2 band-tailed pigeons.
General Conditions: All other Federal regulations contained in 50
CFR part 20 apply. The following restrictions also apply:
1. As per Makah Ordinance 44, only shotguns may be used to hunt any
species of waterfowl. Additionally, shotguns must not be discharged
within 300 feet of an occupied building, occupied area, or active
logging operation.
2. Hunters must be eligible enrolled Makah Tribal members and must
carry their Indian Treaty Fishing and Hunting Identification Card while
hunting. See Makah General Hunting Regulations.
3. The Makah Reservation Area is open except in designated
wilderness areas, or within 1 mile of Cape Flattery
[[Page 53412]]
and Shi-Shi Trails, or in any area that is closed to hunting by another
ordinance or regulation.
4. The use of live decoys and/or baiting to pursue any species of
waterfowl is prohibited.
5. Only approved nontoxic shot is allowed for waterfowl; the use of
lead shot is prohibited.
6. The use of dogs is permitted to hunt all species of waterfowl.
7. Shooting hours for all species of waterfowl are one-half hour
before sunrise to sunset.
8. Hunters must report any neck or leg bands placed by the Federal
Government to Natural Resources Enforcement or by calling 1-800-327-
BAND.
(n) Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, Auburn, Washington (Tribal Members
Only).
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-March 10, 2023.
Daily Bag Limits: 7, including no more than 2 female mallards, 2
canvasbacks, 2 pintail, 3 scaup, 2 redheads, 2 scoters, 2 long-tailed
ducks, and 2 goldeneyes. The daily bag limit for coots is 25. The limit
on harlequin ducks is 1 per season.
Geese
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-March 10, 2023.
Daily Bag Limits: 4 Canada/cackling geese, 6 light geese, 10 white-
fronted geese, and 2 brant. The season on dusky Canada geese is closed.
Band-Tailed Pigeons, Mourning Doves, and Snipe
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-March 10, 2023.
Daily Bag Limits: 2 band-tailed pigeons, 15 mourning doves, and 8
snipe.
General Conditions: The possession limits are three times the daily
bag limits on all species unless otherwise noted. All other Federal
regulations contained in 50 CFR part 20 apply. The following
restrictions also apply:
1. Hunting can occur on reservation and off reservation on lands
where the Tribe has treaty-reserved hunting rights or has documented
traditional use.
2. Shooting hours for all species of waterfowl are one-half hour
before sunrise to one-half after sunset.
3. Hunters must be eligible enrolled Muckleshoot Tribal members and
must carry their Tribal identification while hunting.
4. Tribal members hunting migratory birds must also have a combined
Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and Harvest Report Card.
5. The use of live decoys and/or baiting to pursue any species of
waterfowl is prohibited.
6. Hunting for migratory birds is with shotgun only. Only steel,
tungsten-iron, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-matrix, and tin shot are
allowed for hunting waterfowl. It is unlawful to use or possess lead
shot while hunting waterfowl.
(o) Navajo Nation, Navajo Indian Reservation, Window Rock, Arizona
(Tribal Members and Nontribal Hunters).
Ducks, Mergansers, Canada/Cackling Geese, and Coots
Season Dates: Earliest opening dates with a split season to end on
the last day of the season.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Same as State of Arizona.
Mourning Doves
Season Dates: September 1-30, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 10 mourning doves. Possession
limits are two times the daily bag limits.
Band-Tailed Pigeons
Season Dates: September 1-14, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 2 band-tailed pigeons. Possession
limits are two times the daily bag limits.
General Conditions: Tribal members and nontribal hunters must
comply with all basic Federal migratory bird hunting regulations in 50
CFR part 20 pertaining to shooting hours and manner of taking. In
addition, each waterfowl hunter aged 16 or older must carry on his/her
person a valid Duck Stamp, which must be signed in ink across the face.
Special regulations established by the Navajo Nation also apply on the
reservation.
(p) Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, Oneida, Wisconsin (Tribal
Members Only).
Ducks
Season Dates: September 10-December 4, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 6 ducks, which can include no more
than 3 female mallards, 2 redheads, 2 pintail, and 2 hooded mergansers.
The possession limit is 24 ducks in the aggregate.
Geese
Season Dates: September 1-December 31, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 5 geese (Canada/cackling geese,
snow/blue geese, Ross's geese, and brant) and 20 in the aggregate. If
500 geese are harvested before the season concludes, the Tribe will
recommend closing the season early.
Woodcock
Season Dates: September 1-November 6, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 2 and 4, respectively.
Mourning Doves
Season Dates: September 1-November 6, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 10 and 20, respectively.
General Conditions: Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise
to 15 minutes after sunset. Nontribal hunters hunting on the
Reservation or on lands under the jurisdiction of the Tribe must comply
with all State of Wisconsin regulations, including shooting hours of
one-half hour before sunrise to sunset, season dates, and daily bag
limits. Tribal members and nontribal hunters hunting on the Reservation
or on lands under the jurisdiction of the Tribe must observe all basic
Federal migratory bird hunting regulations found in 50 CFR part 20,
with the following exceptions: Oneida members are exempt from the
purchase of the Duck Stamp, and shotgun capacity is not limited to
three shells.
(q) Point No Point Treaty Council Tribes, Kingston, Washington
(Tribal Members Only).
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-March 10, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 7 ducks and mergansers. The daily
bag and possession limits on harlequin ducks are 1 per season. The
daily bag limits are 7 for coots. Possession limits are three times the
daily bag limits.
Geese
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-March 10, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 5 Canada/cackling geese, 6 light
geese, and 10 white-fronted geese. There is a year-round closure on
dusky Canada geese.
Brant
Season Dates: January 1-31, 2023, for the Port Gamble S'Klallam
Tribe, and January 15-31, 2023, for the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 2 brant. Possession limits are
three times the daily bag limits.
Band-Tailed Pigeons
Season Dates: September 15-November 30, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 2 band-tailed pigeons. Possession
limits are three times the daily bag limits.
[[Page 53413]]
Snipe
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-March 10, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 8 snipe. Possession limits are
three times the daily bag limits.
Mourning Doves
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-March 10, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 10 mourning doves. Possession
limits are three times the daily bag limits.
General Conditions: Tribal members must possess a Tribal hunting
permit from the Point No Point Tribal Council pursuant to Tribal law.
Hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Hunters
must observe all other basic Federal migratory bird hunting regulations
in 50 CFR part 20. The Tribal fish and wildlife enforcement officers
have the authority to enforce these Tribal regulations.
(r) Saginaw Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
(Tribal Members Only).
Ducks, Mergansers, and Snipe
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-January 31, 2023.
Daily Bag Limits: 20 ducks, which can include no more than 5 each
of the following: female mallards, wood ducks, black ducks, pintail,
redhead, scaup, and canvasbacks. The possession limit is 40 ducks. The
daily bag limit for mergansers is 10, no more than 5 of which may be
hooded mergansers, and 16 snipe.
Geese, Coots, Gallinules, Sora, and Virginia Rails
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-January 31, 2023.
Daily Bag Limits: 20 geese, 20 coots and gallinules in aggregate,
20 sora and Virginia rails in aggregate.
Woodcock and Mourning Doves
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-January 31, 2023.
Daily Bag Limits: 10 woodcock and 25 mourning doves.
Sandhill Cranes
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-January 31, 2023.
Daily Bag Limits: 1 sandhill crane.
General Conditions: Possession limits are twice the daily bag
limits except for rails, of which the possession limit equals the daily
bag limit (20). Tribal members must possess a Tribal hunting permit
from the Saginaw Tribe pursuant to Tribal law. Shooting hours are one-
half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. Hunters must
observe all other basic Federal migratory bird hunting regulations in
50 CFR part 20, including the use of only nontoxic shot for hunting
waterfowl.
(s) Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, Darrington, Washington (Tribal
Members Only).
Ducks, Geese, Brant, Coots, Mourning Doves, and Band-Tailed Pigeons
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-March 10, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 20 ducks, 10 geese, 5 brant, and
25 coots. The daily bag limit for mourning doves and band-tailed
pigeons is 20 in the aggregate. The possession limits are two times the
daily bag limits.
General Conditions: Hunting hours are from one-half hour before
sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. All other regulations in 50 CFR
part 20 apply, including the use of only nontoxic shot for hunting
waterfowl.
(t) Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Sault Ste. Marie,
Michigan (Tribal Members Only).
Ducks, Mergansers, and Snipe
Season Dates: September 1-December 31, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 20 ducks, which can include no more than 10
mallards (5 female mallards), 5 wood ducks, 5 black ducks, and 5
canvasbacks. The daily bag limits are 10 for mergansers and 16 for
snipe.
Geese, Coots, Gallinules, Sora, and Virginia Rails
Season Dates: September 1-December 31, 2022. In addition, any
portion of the ceded territory that is open to State-licensed hunters
for goose hunting after December 31 is also opened concurrently for
Tribal members.
Daily Bag Limits: 20 geese, 20 coots and gallinules in the
aggregate, 20 sora and Virginia rails in the aggregate.
Woodcock
Season Dates: September 2-December 1, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 10 woodcock.
Mourning Doves
Season Dates: September 1-November 14, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 10 mourning doves.
General Conditions: Possession limits are twice the daily bag
limits except for rails, of which the possession limit equals the daily
bag limit (20). Tribal members who wish to hunt must possess a Tribal
hunting permit from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe pursuant to Tribal law.
Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour
after sunset. Hunters must observe all other basic Federal migratory
bird hunting regulations in 50 CFR part 20, including the use of only
nontoxic shot for hunting waterfowl.
(u) Skokomish Tribe, Shelton, Washington (Tribal Members Only).
Ducks and Coots
Season Dates: September 16, 2022-February 28, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 7 ducks, including no more than 2
female mallards, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, and 2 redheads. The daily bag
and possession limits for harlequin ducks are 1 per season. The daily
bag limits for coots are 25. The possession limits are two times the
daily bag limits, except as noted above.
Geese
Season Dates: September 16, 2022-February 28, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 4, including no more than 3 light
geese. The possession limits are two times the daily bag limits. Closed
season on Aleutian Canada geese.
Brant
Season Dates: November 1, 2022-February 15, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 2 brant. The possession limits are
two times the daily bag limits.
Mourning Doves, Band-Tailed Pigeons, and Snipe
Season Dates: September 16, 2022-February 28, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 10 mourning doves, 2 band-tailed
pigeons, and 8 snipe. The possession limits are two times the daily bag
limits.
General Conditions: All Tribal members authorized to hunt migratory
birds are required to obtain a Tribal hunting permit from the Skokomish
Tribe pursuant to Tribal law. Shooting hours are from one-half hour
before sunrise to sunset. Only steel, tungsten-iron, tungsten-polymer,
tungsten-matrix, and tin shot are allowed for hunting waterfowl. It is
unlawful to use or possess lead shot while hunting waterfowl. The
Skokomish Public Safety Office enforcement officers have the authority
to enforce these migratory bird hunting regulations.
(v) Spokane Tribe of Indians, Spokane Indian Reservation,
Wellpinit, Washington (Tribal Members Only).
Ducks
Season Dates: September 2, 2022-January 31, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Same as State of Washington.
[[Page 53414]]
Geese
Season Dates: September 2, 2022-January 31, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Same as State of Washington.
General Conditions: Tribal members must possess a Tribal hunting
permit from the Spokane Indian Tribe pursuant to Tribal law. Shooting
hours are one-half hour before sunrise until sunset. Hunters must
observe all other basic Federal migratory bird hunting regulations in
50 CFR part 20.
(w) Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, Arlington, Washington (Tribal
Members Only).
Ducks and Geese
Season Dates: October 1, 2022-March 10, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 10 ducks (including sea ducks and
mergansers), no more than 7 mallards (3 of which may be female), 3
pintail, 3 redheads, 3 scaup, 4 hooded mergansers, and 3 canvasbacks.
Possession limits are two times the daily bag limits. Six Canada/
cackling geese, 12 white-fronted geese, and 8 light geese. The
possession limits are three times the daily bag limits. The season on
brant is closed.
Coots, Snipe, and Swans
Season Dates: October 1, 2022-January 31, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 25 coots and 10 snipe. The
possession limits are two times the daily bag limits. The daily bag and
possession limits for swans are 2 per season. Swan hunters must have a
swan hunting permit issued by the Tribe.
General Conditions: Tribal members hunting on lands must observe
all basic Federal migratory bird hunting regulations found in 50 CFR
part 20, which will be enforced by the Stillaguamish Tribal Law
Enforcement. Tribal members are required to use steel shot or a
nontoxic shot as required by Federal regulations. The swan season is by
special draw permit only.
(x) Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, LaConner, Washington (Tribal
Members Only).
Ducks (Including Mergansers), Geese, Coots, Snipe, Brant, Mourning
Doves, and Band-Tailed Pigeon
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-March 10, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 20 ducks, 10 geese, 5 brant, 25
coots, 15 snipe, 15 mourning doves, and 3 band-tailed pigeons. The
possession limits are two times the daily bag limits, except that the
possession limit for coots is three times the daily bag limit.
General Conditions: Shooting hours are from 30 minutes before
official sunrise until 30 minutes after official sunset. Tribal members
must use steel shot or a nontoxic shot as required by Federal
regulations. Lead shot is prohibited. All Tribal regulations will be
enforced by Tribal fish and game officers.
(y) The Tulalip Tribes of Washington, Tulalip Indian Reservation,
Marysville, Washington (Tribal Members Only).
Ducks (Including Mergansers), Coots, and Snipe
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-February 28, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 15 ducks and 30 in possession,
except for blue-winged teal, canvasbacks, harlequin ducks, pintail, and
wood ducks. Daily bag and possession limits are the same as the limits
established by the State of Washington. 25 coots and 75 in possession.
8 snipe and 24 in possession. Ceremonial hunting may be authorized by
the Department of Natural Resources at any time upon application of a
qualified Tribal member. Such a hunt must have a bag limit designed to
limit harvest only to those birds necessary to provide for the
ceremony.
Geese
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-February 28, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 10 geese and 30 in possession,
except that the bag limits for cackling geese and dusky Canada geese
are the same as the limits established by the State of Washington. 5
brant and 10 in possession.
Mourning Doves and Band-Tailed Pigeons
Season Dates: September 1, 2022-February 28, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 15 mourning doves and 45 in
possession. 4 band-tailed pigeons and 12 in possession.
General Conditions: All hunters on Tulalip Tribal lands must adhere
to shooting hour regulations set at one-half hour before sunrise to
sunset, the use of federally approved nontoxic shot, special Tribal
permit requirements, and a number of other Tribal regulations enforced
by the Tribe. Each nontribal hunter 16 years of age and older hunting
pursuant to Tulalip Tribes' Ordinance No. 67 must possess a valid
Federal Duck Stamp and a valid State of Washington Migratory Waterfowl
Stamp. Each hunter must validate the stamp by signing across the face.
(z) Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Sedro Woolley, Washington (Tribal
Members Only).
Ducks
Season Dates: October 1, 2022-February 28, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 15 ducks and 20 in possession.
Coots
Season Dates: October 1, 2022-February 15, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 20 coots and 30 in possession.
Geese
Season Dates: October 1, 2022-February 28, 2023.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 7 geese and 10 in possession.
Brant
Season Dates: November 1-10, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 2 brant and 2 in possession.
Mourning Doves
Season Dates: September 1-December 31, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 12 mourning doves and 15 in
possession.
General Conditions: Tribal members must have the Tribal
identification and harvest report card on their person to hunt. Tribal
members hunting on the Reservation will observe all basic Federal
migratory bird hunting regulations found in 50 CFR part 20, except
shooting hours are 15 minutes before official sunrise to 15 minutes
after official sunset.
(aa) Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation (Tribal
Members Only).
Sandhill Cranes
Season Dates: October 1-December 11, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 1 sandhill crane per member/permit
(10 permits total).
Swans (Tundra/Trumpeter)
Season Dates: September 17-October 1, 2022.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 1 swan per member/permit (5
permits total). The Tribe requires all swan hunters to successfully
complete an educational course on swan identification and conservation
to minimize take of trumpeter swans during the swan season. All hunters
that harvest a swan must have the swan or species-determinant parts
examined by a biologist or other designated representative of the Tribe
within 72 hours of harvest for species
[[Page 53415]]
determination. The Tribe will evaluate hunter participation, species-
specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in providing species-
determinant parts (at least the intact head) of harvested swans for
species identification. The Tribe will use appropriate measures to
maximize hunter compliance with the Tribe's program for swan harvest
reporting. The Tribe will provide to the Service by June 30 following
the swan season a report detailing hunter participation, species-
specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in reporting harvest.
General Conditions: No rifles, revolvers, pistols, or shotgun
pellets larger than #2 birdshot may be used in pursuit of migratory
game birds. Only Service-approved nontoxic shot may be used to take
migratory game birds. No baiting is allowed, including no take of
sandhill cranes on or over lands where standing crops have been
manipulated to distribute or scatter grain or other feed on the land
where it was grown. The Tribe hunts other migratory game birds but
follows the State of Utah (Uintah and Duchesne Counties) for seasons
and bag limits except for in some cases where the Tribe may be more
restrictive. For additional information, see the Ute Indian Tribes
General Hunting Regulations.
(bb) White Earth Band of Ojibwe, White Earth, Minnesota (Tribal
Members Only).
Ducks
Season Dates: September 10-December 11, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 10 ducks, including no more than 2 female
mallards, 2 pintail, and 2 canvasbacks.
Mergansers
Season Dates: September 10-December 11, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 5 mergansers, no more than 2 of which may be
hooded mergansers.
Geese
Season Dates: Early season is September 1-23, 2022, and late season
is September 24-December 18, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 10 geese in the early season and 7 geese in the
late season.
Coots
Season Dates: September 1-November 30, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 20 coots.
Snipe, Woodcock, Rails, and Mourning Doves
Season Dates: September 1-November 30, 2022.
Daily Bag Limits: 10 snipe, 10 woodcock, 25 rails, and 25 mourning
doves.
General Conditions: Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise
to one-half hour after sunset. Nontoxic shot is required. The White
Earth Reservation Tribal Council employs four full-time conservation
officers to enforce migratory bird regulations.
(cc) White Mountain Apache Tribe, Fort Apache Indian Reservation,
Whiteriver, Arizona (Tribal Members and Nontribal Hunters).
Ducks (Except Scaup), Coots, Mergansers, Gallinules
Season Dates: October 15, 2022-January 22, 2023 (scaup November 5,
2022-January 22, 2023).
Daily Bag Limits: 7 ducks (including mergansers), which may include
no more than 2 redheads, 1 pintail, 2 scaup (when open), 2 female
mallards, and 2 canvasbacks. The daily bag limit for coots and
gallinules is 25 in the aggregate.
Canada/Cackling Geese
Season Dates: October 15, 2022-January 22, 2023.
Daily Bag Limits: 3 Canada/cackling geese.
General Conditions: Possession limits are two times the daily bag
limits. Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
There is no open season for mourning doves, band-tailed pigeons,
sandhill cranes, rails, and snipe. Tribal members and nontribal hunters
must comply with all basic Federal migratory bird hunting regulations
in 50 CFR part 20. Special regulations that apply to Tribal members and
nontribal hunters may be obtained from the White Mountain Apache Tribe
Game and Fish Department.
Maureen D. Foster,
Chief of Staff, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife
and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2022-18747 Filed 8-30-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P