[Federal Register: August 27, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 166)]

[Rules and Regulations]               

[Page 47071-47085]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr27au99-19]                         





[[Page 47071]]















Part V



Department of the Interior











Fish and Wildlife Service











50 CFR Part 20

Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory 

Bird Hunting Regulations; Final Rule





[[Page 47072]]







DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR



Fish and Wildlife Service



50 CFR Part 20



RIN 1018-AF24



 

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 which 

States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands may select season dates, 

limits, and other options for the 1999-2000 migratory bird hunting 

seasons. Early seasons are those which 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. 

These selections will be published in the Federal Register as 

amendments to 20.101 through 20.107, and 20.109 of title 50 CFR part 

20.



DATES: This rule takes effect on August 27, 1999.



ADDRESSES: States and Territories should send their season selections 

to: Chief, Office of Migratory Bird Management, US Fish and Wildlife 

Service, Department of the Interior, ms 634-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW, 

Washington, DC 20240. You may inspect comments during normal business 

hours in room 634, Arlington Square Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, 

Arlington, Virginia.



FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Andrew, Chief, or Ron W. 

Kokel, Office of Migratory Bird Management, US Fish and Wildlife 

Service, (703) 358-1714.



SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:



Regulations Schedule for 1999



    On May 3, 1999, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter 

Service or we) published in the Federal Register (64 FR 23742) a 

proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal dealt with the 

establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for migratory 

game birds under 20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart 

K. On June 17, we published in the Federal Register (64 FR 32758) a 

second document providing supplemental proposals for early-and late-

season migratory bird hunting regulations frameworks and the proposed 

regulatory alternatives for the 1999-2000 duck hunting season. The June 

17 supplement also provided detailed information on the 1999-2000 

regulatory schedule and announced the Service Migratory Bird 

Regulations Committee and Flyway Council meetings.

    On June 22-23, we held meetings that reviewed information on the 

current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and developed 

1999-2000 migratory game bird regulations recommendations 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 1999-2000 

regular waterfowl seasons. On July 22, we published in the Federal 

Register (64 FR 39460) a third document specifically dealing with the 

proposed frameworks for early-season regulations for the 1999-2000 duck 

hunting season.

    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 1999-2000 season.



Review of Public Comments



    The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the May 3 

Federal Register, opened the public comment period for migratory game 

bird hunting regulations. The public comment period for early season 

issues ended on August 2, 1999. We have considered all pertinent 

comments received in developing this document. Early-season comments 

are summarized below and numbered in the order used in the May 3 

Federal Register. Only the numbered items pertaining to early seasons 

issues for which written comments were received are included. We 

received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils. Some 

recommendations supported continuation of last year's frameworks. Due 

to the comprehensive nature of the annual review of the frameworks 

performed by the Councils, support for continuation of last year's 

frameworks is assumed for items for which no recommendations were 

received. Council recommendations for changes in the frameworks are 

summarized below.



General



    Written Comments: The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) 

believed that all migratory bird seasons should be closed or severely 

restricted for those species either lacking reliable population data or 

which data indicates significant and sustained declines. HSUS 

recommended all seasons open at noon, mid-week, to reduce the large 

kills associated with the traditional Saturday openings and that 

hunting during the one-half hour before sunrise be eliminated.

    Service Response: The long-term objectives of the Service 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. Annually, we evaluate the status of populations and considers 

the potential impacts of hunting. We believe that the hunting seasons 

provided herein are consistent with the current status of populations 

and long-term population goals and there is no evidence to suggest the 

frameworks provided are not appropriate.

    Regarding mid-week season openings, we have previously stated in 

the Federal Register (58 FR 50190) that a State may choose to delay its 

opening date to correspond with a particular day of the week or to 

close earlier to maximize the number of weekends that hunting is 

allowed.

    In regard to shooting hours, we have compiled information which 

demonstrates that shooting hours beginning one-half hour before sunrise 

do not contribute significantly to the harvest of nontarget species. 

Consistent with the Service's long-term strategy for shooting hours, 

published in the September 21, 1990, Federal Register (55 FR 38898), 

the frameworks herein provide for shooting hours of one-half hour 

before sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise specified.



1. Ducks



    Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest 

management are: (A) Harvest Strategy Considerations, (B) Framework 

Dates, (C) Season Length, (D) Closed Seasons, (E) Bag Limits, (F) Zones 

and Split Seasons, and (G) Special Seasons/Species Management. The 

categories correspond to previous published issues/discussion and only 

those containing substantial recommendations are discussed below.



[[Page 47073]]



G. Special Seasons/Species Management



iv. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of 

the Mississippi Flyway Council requested that the Service clarify the 

linkage between the Flyway-wide wood duck harvest strategy, September 

teal seasons, and regional (reference area) September wood duck 

seasons. They further recommended the continuation of the experimental 

September teal/wood duck seasons in Kentucky and Tennessee in 1999 with 

no changes from the 1998 season.

    Written Comments: The Wildlife Management Institute supported the 

decision to discontinue special teal and wood duck seasons in Florida, 

Kentucky, and Tennessee after September 2000 and to replace those 

seasons with Flyway-wide prescriptions.

    An individual in Alabama, citing Tennessee's experimental September 

teal/wood duck season requested we allow wood ducks in the daily bag 

limit during Alabama's September teal season.

    Service Response: In the July 17, 1998, Federal Register (63 FR 

38707) we indicated that September wood duck seasons would be allowed 

to continue for a maximum of 3 years. Results from the Wood Duck 

Population Monitoring Initiative indicate that sufficient monitoring 

capabilities currently do not exist at the sub-Flyway level to support 

continuation of September wood duck seasons. Therefore, the seasons in 

Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee will be discontinued after September 

2000. Flyway harvest strategies that address regular-season wood duck 

regulations will then be implemented for the 2001-2002 season. We see 

no linkage between the Flyway-wide wood duck strategy, September teal 

seasons, and regional September wood duck seasons.

v. Youth Hunt

    Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of 

the Mississippi Flyway Council and the Central Flyway Council 

recommended expansion of the special youth waterfowl hunt to 2 days.

    Written Comments: The Alabama Division of Game and Fish recommended 

expansion of the special youth hunt to 2 consecutive days.

    Service Response: We appreciate the Flyway Councils' support of the 

youth waterfowl hunting day, but do not support the recommendation of 

the Mississippi Flyway Council's Lower-Region Regulations Committee and 

the Central Flyway Council to expand the youth hunt to two consecutive 

days. Our intent in establishing this special day of opportunity was to 

introduce youth to the concepts of ethical utilization and stewardship 

of waterfowl and other natural resources, encourage youngsters and 

adults to experience the outdoors together, and to contribute to the 

long-term conservation of the migratory bird resource. We view the 

special youth hunting day as a unique educational opportunity, above 

and beyond the regular season, which helps ensure high-quality learning 

experiences for those youth indicating interest in hunting. We believe 

that the youth hunting day will help develop a conservation ethic in 

our youth and is consistent with the Service's responsibility to foster 

an appreciation for our nation's valuable wildlife resources. We do not 

believe an extensive evaluation of the effects of youth hunting day is 

cost effective but believe waterfowl populations can support this 

limited additional opportunity. Increases in the duration of this 

unique opportunity would increase the pressure to conduct additional 

evaluations. With the above objectives and potential costs in mind, 

there is not a compelling reason to extend the opportunity beyond the 

1-day period.



4. Canada Geese



A. Special Seasons



    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council made several 

recommendations concerning September goose seasons. They recommended 

the approval of operational status for a September 1 to 25 framework in 

Crawford County, Pennsylvania, and a September 1 to 30 framework in New 

Jersey. They further recommended the expansion of the September goose 

season framework closing date around Montezuma National Wildlife 

Refuge, New York from September 15 to 20.

    The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 

Council recommended that Minnesota be allowed to have an experimental 

extension of their September special season from September 16 to 22, 

except in the Northwest Goose Zone, for the 1999-2001 hunting seasons. 

The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 

Council urged the Service to use caution in changing or expanding 

special goose seasons.

    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended the addition of the Bridger 

Valley hunt unit to the existing September RMP Canada goose seasons in 

western Wyoming, with frameworks of September 1 to 7.

    Written Comments: The Alabama Division expressed appreciation for 

the caution demonstrated by the Service in changing or expanding 

special Canada goose seasons.

    The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau recommended lengthening hunting 

seasons for resident geese to provide relief from excessive crop 

damage. An individual in Pennsylvania also supported increasing hunting 

seasons to help farmers control excessive goose damage.

    The Friends of Lake Shelbyville Wildlife opposed any hunting of 

Canada geese in the Lake Shelbyville, Illinois area due to declining 

populations in this area. They further request that the Service and the 

Illinois Department of Natural Resources examine the circumstances for 

the population decline.

    The Wildlife Management Institute supported the proposed changes in 

Canada goose special seasons in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, 

Minnesota, and Wyoming.

    Service Response: We concur with the recommendations regarding the 

change in status for the New Jersey and Pennsylvania special seasons. 

Additionally, we concur with the recommendations for experimental 

extensions of the special September Canada goose seasons in New York 

and Minnesota, with the provisions and evaluation outlined in their 

proposals. We also concur with the proposal to add the Bridger Valley 

Hunt Unit in Wyoming.

    Regarding the specific area of concern in Illinois, we note that 

the Mississippi Flyway Giant Population (MFGP) of Canada geese (i.e., 

resident Canada geese) now numbers almost 1.4 million according to the 

1999 spring survey. Additionally, conditions were favorable to 

extremely favorable for nesting geese throughout their breeding range 

this year and we expect another large fall flight. While localized 

populations may have experienced recent declines, we believe the 

current population status of MFGP supports the continued use of special 

seasons. Further, we note that, as always, Illinois may be more 

restrictive than Federal frameworks. As such, we have forwarded the 

comments in question to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.



B. Regular Seasons



    Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of 

the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the 1999 regular goose 

season opening date be as early as



[[Page 47074]]



September 18 in Michigan and Wisconsin.

    Service Response: We concur with the recommendations for a 

September 18 opening date in Wisconsin and the North Zone (Upper 

Peninsula) of Michigan. For the Lower Peninsula (Middle and South 

Zones) of Michigan, we concur with the recommendation for a September 

18 opening under the conditions for Canada geese identified in the 

following frameworks. Continuation of an opening date earlier than the 

Saturday nearest October 1 in the Lower Peninsula beyond the 1999-2000 

hunting season will be contingent upon the State's developing a 

proposal for evaluating the population composition of the Canada goose 

harvest during the earlier regular seasons in comparison to seasons 

with a traditional opening date. In addition to identifying the kinds 

of data to be collected and analyzed during the next few years, the 

proposal should include a summary of data collected during the earlier 

regular seasons in 1998-99 and 1999-2000. Michigan should submit the 

proposal to us and the Mississippi Flyway Council prior to the 

Council's March 2000 meeting.

    Regarding the Lower-Region Regulation Committee's concern for 

cumulative impacts of special-season harvests on migrant Canada goose 

populations of concern, we are aware of the Committee's concern and are 

monitoring the harvests occurring during these seasons.



9. Sandhill Cranes



    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended 

removal of the ``float'' portion (10% of the total allowable harvest) 

of the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) greater sandhill crane annual 

harvest allocation for the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons. The Council 

recommended removal of this harvest portion to allow a research study.

    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended several changes in sandhill 

crane seasons. For greater sandhill cranes, the Council recommended the 

establishment of a new experimental crane hunt in Box Elder County, 

Utah, between September 1 and September 30. For RMP cranes, the Council 

recommended that the frameworks be modified to include Bear Lake and 

Fremont Counties in Idaho, and that the current requirement for hunter 

check stations in these counties be waived. The Council further 

recommended that the annual check station requirement for the Arizona 

RMP Greater Sandhill Crane hunt be modified to a required check station 

every 3 years.

    Written Comments: The HSUS recommends that all crane seasons be 

closed. The HSUS believes that these seasons are held largely to 

sustain hunter interest.

    Service Response: We concur with the various proposals from the 

Central and Pacific Flyway Councils regarding RMP Cranes. We note that 

several of the proposals received from the Pacific Flyway Council were 

requests for exemptions from specific provisions of the management plan 

for this population. We believe the biological information was clearly 

in support of the recommended exemptions, however, we would also note 

that it is our strong preference to see the Councils address these 

types of issues through management plan revisions rather than through 

exemptions to procedures placed in Federal regulations. Therefore, we 

have approved these recommendations but require that the management 

plan for this population be revised to reflect these changes in 

procedures by July, 2001. Further, we request that the Pacific Flyway 

Council give consideration to changing management plans rather than 

requesting federal regulatory changes if similar situations should 

develop with this or other populations of migratory game birds in the 

future.

    Regarding HSUS's recommendations for closed seasons, available 

information indicates that harvest pressure on cranes is commensurate 

with the population status and the various crane management plans. 

Crane harvest is closely monitored by the Service, the Flyway Councils, 

and the States and there is no evidence to suggest the frameworks 

provided are not appropriate.



18. Alaska



    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council made several 

recommendations concerning Alaska. For sea ducks, the Council 

recommended reducing the separate sea duck bag and possession limits 

from 15/30 to 10/20 king and common eiders, scoters, and mergansers in 

the aggregate. Long-tailed ducks (oldsquaws) and harlequins would be 

included in general duck limits and seasons would remain closed for 

spectacled and Steller's eiders. For Canada geese, the Council 

recommended removal of Canada goose bag limit restrictions within dark 

goose bag limits (4/8) in Alaska Game Management Subunit 9E (Alaska 

Peninsula) and Unit 18 (Y-K Delta). Further, for tundra swans, the 

Council recommended that tundra swan permits issued for swan hunts in 

Alaska allow the take of up to 3 swans per permit, with no change in 

reporting requirements or other framework conditions.

    Written comments: The HSUS recommended that the opening date for 

all seasons in Alaska be delayed by 2 weeks so that young birds are 

able to leave natal marshes before being subjected to hunting pressure.

    A constituent from Alaska wrote regarding the need for greater 

reductions in sea duck harvest regulations than had been proposed by 

the Pacific Flyway Council. The constituent noted the declining trends 

seen in sea ducks, the differing reproductive strategy of sea ducks, 

pertinent biological considerations, cumulative mortality factors, 

historical bag limits, and additive mortality considerations.

    Service Response: We concur with the recommendations regarding 

Alaska's migratory game birds regulations for the 1999-2000 hunting 

season. We have carefully reviewed the recommendation regarding changes 

in Alaska's sea duck regulations from both the Council and from a 

concerned constituent. The population status of sea ducks remains a 

concern. We believe that the Council's proposed changes constitute a 

good first step in developing a more comprehensive strategy for the 

long-term harvest management of sea ducks in Alaska. We are convinced 

that the long-term solution will involve both sport and subsistence 

harvest as well as meeting many of the pressing information needs for 

this important waterfowl group. We look forward to working with our 

partners in the newly formed Sea Duck Joint Venture to meet these 

challenges.

    Additionally, we note that the tundra swan permit request for 

Alaska is another instance where the Council is requesting an exemption 

from procedures outlined in approved management plans. While we 

recognize the special circumstances that have led to this 

recommendation and have approved the change in procedures as 

recommended by the Council, we strongly prefer that future deviations 

from procedures in the management plan be addressed through management 

plan revisions rather than Federal regulation. Further, it is our 

belief that changes in total harvest allocation were not intended to 

result from the proposed changes in the permit procedure. Therefore, we 

have not changed the total swan harvest allocated to Alaska. We 

strongly recommend that the western tundra swan management and hunt 

plans be revised in a timely fashion and prior to any further requests



[[Page 47075]]



for exceptions to the procedures outlined in the management and hunt 

plans. We suggest that July of 2001 would seem a reasonable target date 

for completion of such a revision and will work with the Council to 

achieve this goal.

    Regarding Alaska's opening date, we reiterate previous responses 

that hunting pressure on migratory birds is comparatively light. Many 

species migrate from Alaska before seasons opening in September and 

there is no evidence indicating regulated hunting has adversely 

impacted local populations.



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). Copies are available from the address indicated 

under the caption ADDRESSES.



Endangered Species Act Consideration



    As in the past, we design hunting regulations to remove or 

alleviate chances of conflict between migratory game bird hunting 

seasons and the protection and conservation of endangered and 

threatened species. We conducted consultations to ensure that actions 

resulting from these regulatory proposals will 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 

and may have caused modification of some regulatory measures previously 

proposed. Final frameworks reflect any modifications. The biological 

opinions resulting from section 7 consultation are public documents 

available for inspection in the Service's Division of Endangered 

Species and MBMO, at the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.



Executive Order (E.O.) 12866



    This rule is economically significant and was reviewed by the 

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under E.O. 12866.

    E.O. 12866 requires each agency to write regulations that are easy 

to understand. We invite comments on how to make this rule easier to 

understand, including answers to questions such as the following: (1) 

Are the requirements in the rule clearly stated? (2) Does the rule 

contain technical language or jargon that interferes with its clarity? 

(3) Does the format of the rule (grouping and order of sections, use of 

headings, paragraphing, etc.) aid or reduce its clarity? (4) Would the 

rule be easier to understand if it were divided into more (but shorter) 

sections? (5) Is the description of the rule in the Supplementary 

Information section of the preamble helpful in understanding the rule? 

What else could we do to make the rule easier to understand?



Regulatory Flexibility Act



    These regulations have a significant economic impact on substantial 

numbers of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 

U.S.C. 601 et seq.). We analyzed the economic impacts of the annual 

hunting regulations on small business entities in detail and issued a 

Small Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis) in 1998. The Analysis 

documented the significant beneficial economic effect. The primary 

source of information about hunter expenditures for migratory game bird 

hunting is the National Hunting and Fishing Survey, which is conducted 

at 5-year intervals. The Analysis was based on the 1996 National 

Hunting and Fishing Survey and the U.S. Department of Commerce's County 

Business Patterns from which it was estimated that migratory bird 

hunters would spend between $429 and $1,084 million at small businesses 

in 1998. Copies of the Analysis are available upon request.



Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act



    This rule is a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business 

Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. For the reasons outlined above, 

this rule has an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more. 

However, because this rule establishes hunting seasons, we do not plan 

to defer the effective date under the exemption contained in 5 U.S.C. 

808(1).



Paperwork Reduction Act



    We examined these regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 

1995. We utilize the various recordkeeping and reporting requirements 

imposed under regulations established in 50 CFR part 20, subpart K, in 

the formulation of migratory game bird hunting regulations. 

Specifically, OMB has approved the information collection requirements 

of the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program and assigned 

clearance number 1018-0015 (expires 9/30/2001). This information is 

used to provide a sampling frame for voluntary national surveys to 

improve our harvest estimates for all migratory game birds in order to 

better manage these populations. OMB has also approved the information 

collection requirements of the Sandhill Crane Harvest Questionnaire and 

assigned clearance number 1018-0023 (expires 9/30/2000). The 

information from this survey is used to estimate the magnitude, the 

geographical and temporal distribution of harvest, and the portion it 

constitutes of the total population. A Federal agency may not conduct 

or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of 

information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.



Unfunded Mandates Reform Act



    We have determined and certify, in compliance with the requirements 

of the Unfunded Mandates 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.



Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988



    The Department, in promulgating this rule, has determined that 

these regulations meet the applicable standards found in 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, these rules allow hunters to exercise 

otherwise unavailable privileges; and, therefore, reduce restrictions 

on the use of private and public property.



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. This process preserves the ability of 

the States to determine which seasons meet their individual needs. Any 

State may be more restrictive than the Federal frameworks. The 

frameworks are developed in a cooperative process with



[[Page 47076]]



the States and the Flyway Councils. This 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. 

12612, these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and 

do not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.



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) and 512 DM 2, we evaluated possible effects 

on Federally recognized Indian tribes and have determined that there 

are no effects.



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 on the 

regulations. 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, the States would have insufficient time to select 

season dates and limits; to communicate those selections to us; and to 

establish and publicize the necessary regulations and procedures to 

implement their decisions. We therefore find that ``good cause'' 

exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the Administrative 

Procedure Act, and these frameworks will, therefore, take effect 

immediately upon publication.

    Therefore, under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July 

3, 1918), as amended, (16 U.S.C. 703-711), we prescribe final 

frameworks setting forth the species to be hunted, the daily bag and 

possession limits, the shooting hours, the season lengths, the earliest 

opening and latest closing season dates, and hunting areas, from which 

State conservation agency officials will select hunting season dates 

and other options. Upon receipt of season and option selections from 

these officials, we will publish in the Federal Register a final 

rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect seasons, limits, and 

shooting hours for the conterminous United States for the 1999-2000 

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 1999-2000 

hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-711, 16 U.S.C. 712, 

and 16 U.S.C. 742 a-j.



    Dated: August 16, 1999.

Stephen C. Saunders,

Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.



    Final Regulations Frameworks for 1999-2000 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 for 

certain migratory game birds between September 1, 1999, and March 10, 

2000.



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.

    Compensatory Days in the Atlantic Flyway: In the Atlantic Flyway 

States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New 

Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West 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, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, 

Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. All seasons 

are experimental.

    Mississippi Flyway--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, 

Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee.

    Central Flyway--Colorado (part), Kansas, New Mexico (part), 

Oklahoma, and Texas.



[[Page 47077]]



    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 9 consecutive 

days in the Atlantic Flyway and 16 consecutive days in the Mississippi 

and Central Flyways. The daily bag limit is 4 teal.

    Shooting Hours:

    Atlantic Flyway--One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, if 

evaluated; otherwise 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: 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.

    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 which 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 18). 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 Day



    Outside Dates: States may select 1 day per duck-hunting zone, 

designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day,'' in addition to their 

regular duck seasons. The day must be held outside any regular duck 

season on a weekend, holiday, or other non-school day when youth 

hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate. The day may 

be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-season 

frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or within any 

other open season on migratory birds.

    Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limit may include ducks, geese, 

mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and would be the same as 

that 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 could not duck 

hunt but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special 

youth day.



Scoter, Eider, and Oldsquaw Ducks (Atlantic Flyway)



    Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 20.

    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 Montezuma Region of New York, the Lake Champlain 

Region of New York and Vermont, the Eastern Unit of Maryland, and 

Delaware. Seasons not to exceed 20 days during September 1-20 may be 

selected for the Northeast Hunt Unit of North Carolina. Seasons not to 

exceed 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected by New Jersey. 

Seasons may not exceed 25 days during September 1-25 in the remainder 

of the Flyway, except Georgia and Florida, where the season is closed. 

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 5 Canada geese.

Experimental Seasons

    Experimental Canada goose seasons of up to 20 days during September 

1-20 may be selected by New York (Montezuma Region). Experimental 

seasons of up to 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected by New 

York (Long Island Zone), North Carolina (except in the Northeast Hunt 

Unit), and South Carolina. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese 

must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's 

hunting regulations.

    Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5 Canada geese.



Mississippi Flyway



General Seasons

    Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be 

selected, except in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, where the season 

may not extend beyond September 10, and in the Michigan Counties of 

Huron, Saginaw and Tuscola, where no special season may be held. 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.

Experimental Seasons

    An experimental Canada goose season of up to 7 consecutive days 

during September 16-22 may be selected by Minnesota, except in the 

Northwest Goose Zone. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada 

geese.



Central Flyway



General Seasons

    Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be 

selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open 

to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and 

designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.



Pacific Flyway



General Seasons

    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.



[[Page 47078]]



    2. All participants must have a valid State permit for the special 

season.

    3. A daily bag limit of 2, with season and possession limits of 4 

will apply to the special season.

    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, a 15-day season may be selected during the period 

September 1-20. Any portion of the season selected between September 16 

and 20 will be considered experimental. Daily bag limits may not exceed 

5 Canada geese. In the NW goose zone, at a minimum, Oregon must provide 

an annual evaluation of the number of dusky Canada geese present in the 

hunt zone during the period September 16-20 and agree to adjust seasons 

as necessary to avoid any potential harvest of dusky Canada geese.

    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 

3 Canada geese.

    Idaho may select a 15-day season in the special East Canada Goose 

Zone, as described in State regulations, during the period September 1-

15. All participants must have a valid State permit and the total 

number of permits issued is not to exceed 110 for this zone. The daily 

bag limit is 2.

    Idaho may select a 7-day Canada Goose Season during the period 

September 1-15 in Nez Perce County, with a bag limit of 4.

    California may select a 9-day season in Humboldt County during the 

period September 1-15. The daily bag limit is 2.

    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 18 in 

Wisconsin and Michigan. In Wisconsin, and in Michigan for all geese 

except Canada geese, season lengths and 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. In the Middle and South 

Zones of Michigan, for Canada goose seasons opening September 18, the 

season may not exceed 23 days. The daily bag limit will be 2 Canada 

geese, except that in the South Zone, during that portion of the season 

that overlaps the duck season, the daily bag limit will be one Canada 

goose. Provision for seasons opening October 2 or later will be 

contained in the late-season frameworks.



Sandhill Cranes



Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway



    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28.

    Hunting Seasons: 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.

    Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane 

seasons must have a valid Federal sandhill crane hunting permit and/or, 

in those States where a Federal sandhill crane permit is not issued, a 

State-issued Harvest Information Survey Program (HIP) certification for 

game bird hunting, in their possession while hunting.



Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways:



    Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming 

may select seasons for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the 

Rocky Mountain Population subject to the following conditions:

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.

    Hunting Seasons: The season in any State or zone may not exceed 30 

days.

    Bag limits: Not to exceed 3 daily and 9 per season.

    Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the 

appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.

    Other provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates, 

protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons 

must be consistent with the management plan and approved by the Central 

and Pacific Flyway Councils with the following exceptions:

    (1) In Utah, the requirement for monitoring the racial composition 

of the harvest in the experimental season is waived and 100% of the 

harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota;

    (2) In Arizona, the annual requirement for monitoring the racial 

composition of the harvest is changed to once every 3 years; and

    (3) In Idaho, seasons are experimental and the requirement for 

monitoring the racial composition of the harvest is waived, 100% of the 

harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota.



Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules



    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 20 in the Atlantic 

Flyway, and between September 1 and the Sunday nearest January 20 

(January 23) in the Mississippi and Central Flyways. States in the 

Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons 

between the outside dates for the season on ducks; therefore, they are 

late-season frameworks and no frameworks are provided in this document.

    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.



Rails



    Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between 

September 1 and January 20 on clapper, king, sora, and Virginia rails.

    Hunting Seasons: The season may not exceed 70 days, and may be 

split into 2 segments.

    Daily Bag Limits:

    Clapper and King Rails--In Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, 

Delaware, and Maryland, 10, singly or in the aggregate of the two 

species. In Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, 

South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, 15, singly or in the 

aggregate of the two species.

    Sora and Virginia Rails--In the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central 

Flyways and the Pacific-Flyway portions of Colorado, Montana, New 

Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 daily and 25 in possession, singly or in the 

aggregate of the two species. The season is closed in the remainder of 

the Pacific Flyway.



Common Snipe



    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28, except in 

Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 

Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, 

where the season must end no later than January 31.

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 107 

days and may be split into two segments. The daily bag limit is 8 

snipe.



American Woodcock



    Outside Dates: States in the Eastern Management Region may select 

hunting seasons between October 6 and January 31. States in the Central 

Management Region may select hunting seasons between the Saturday 

nearest September 22 (September 25) and January 31.

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 30 

days in the Atlantic Flyway and 45 days in



[[Page 47079]]



the Central and Mississippi Flyways. 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 bag and possession limits of 2 and 2 band-tailed pigeons, 

respectively.

    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 4.



Four-Corners States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah)



    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and November 30.

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 30 consecutive 

days, with a daily bag limit of 5 band-tailed pigeons.

    Zoning: New Mexico may select hunting seasons not to exceed 20 

consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the South Zone may 

not open until October 1.



Mourning Doves



    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15, except as 

otherwise provided, States may select hunting seasons and daily bag 

limits as follows:



Eastern Management Unit



    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a 

daily bag limit of 12, or not more than 60 days with a daily bag limit 

of 15.

    Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each 

of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more 

than three periods. The hunting seasons in the South Zones of Alabama, 

Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi may commence no earlier 

than September 20. Regulations for bag and possession limits, season 

length, and shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting 

zones.



Central Management Unit



    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a 

daily bag limit of 12, or not more than 60 days with a daily bag limit 

of 15.

    Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each 

of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more 

than three periods. Texas may select hunting seasons for each of three 

zones subject to the following conditions:

    A. The hunting season may be split into not more than two periods, 

except in that portion of Texas in which the special white-winged dove 

season is allowed, where a limited mourning dove season may be held 

concurrently with that special season (see white-winged dove 

frameworks).

    B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between 

September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between September 20 

and January 25.

    C. Each zone may have a daily bag limit of 12 doves (15 under the 

alternative) in the aggregate, no more than 2 of which may be white-

tipped doves, except that during the special white-winged dove season, 

the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 white-winged, mourning, and 

white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 5 may be 

mourning doves and 2 may be white-tipped doves.

    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, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, 

and Washington--Not more than 30 consecutive days with a daily bag 

limit of 10 mourning doves (in Nevada, 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 restricted to 10 mourning doves. In California, 

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 in Arizona, California, Florida, 

Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas must be concurrent with mourning dove 

seasons.

    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 Florida, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning and 

white-winged doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate, of 

which no more than 4 may be white-winged doves.

    In the 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 New Mexico, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning and 

white-winged doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate.

    In Texas, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 doves (15 under the 

alternative) in the aggregate, of which not more than 2 may be white-

tipped doves.

    In addition, Texas may also 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 10 white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the 

aggregate, of which no more than 5 may be mourning doves and 2 may be 

white-tipped doves.



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 five zones. The 

season may be split without penalty in the Kodiak Zone. The seasons in 

each zone must be concurrent.

    Closures: The season is closed on Canada geese from Unimak Pass 

westward in the Aleutian Island chain. The hunting season is closed on 

Aleutian Canada geese, 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, 

respectively. The basic limits may include no more than 1 canvasback 

daily and 3 in possession.

    In addition to the basic duck limits, there is a sea duck daily bag 

limit of 10, with a possession limit of 20, scoter, common and king 

eiders, and common and red-breasted mergansers, singly or in the 

aggregate. Alaska may choose to allow these sea duck limits in addition 

to regular duck bag limits. However, the



[[Page 47080]]



total daily bag limit for any duck species may not exceed 10.

    Light Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 3 and a possession limit of 

6.

    Dark Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit of 

8.

    Dark-goose seasons are subject to the following exceptions:

    1. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from 

September 28 through December 16. A special, permit only Canada goose 

season may be offered on Middleton Island. No more than 10 permits can 

be issued. A mandatory goose identification class is required . Hunters 

must check-in and check-out. Bag limit of 1 daily and 1 in possession. 

Season to close if incidental harvest includes 5 dusky Canada geese. A 

dusky Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR 

color value five or less) with a bill length between 40 and 50 

millimeters.

    2. In Unit 10 (except Unimak Island), the taking of Canada geese is 

prohibited.

    3. In Unit 9(D) and the Unimak Island portion of Unit 10, the 

limits for dark geese are 6 daily and 12 in possession.

    Brant--A daily bag limit of 2.

    Common snipe--A daily bag limit of 8.

    Sandhill cranes--A daily bag limit of 3.

    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 GMU 18, no more than 500 swans may be harvested 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.

    4. In GMU 22, no more than 300 swans may be harvested during the 

operational season. Each permittee may be authorized to take up to 3 

tundra swan per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter 

per season.

    5. In GMU 23, no more than 300 swans may be harvested during the 

experimental season. No more than 3 tundra swans may be authorized per 

permit with no more than 1 permit issued per hunter per season. The 

experimental season evaluation must adhere to the guidelines for 

experimental seasons as described in the Pacific Flyway Management Plan 

for the Western Population of (Tundra) Swans.



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 10 Zenaida, 

mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate. Not to exceed 5 

scaly-naped pigeons.

    Closed Areas: There is no open season on doves or pigeons in the 

following areas: Municipality of Culebra, Desecheo Island, Mona Island, 

El Verde Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas.



Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and Snipe



    Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.

    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 days may be selected for hunting 

ducks, common moorhens, and common snipe. The season may be split into 

two segments.

    Daily Bag Limits:

    Ducks--Not to exceed 6.

    Common moorhens--Not to exceed 6.

    Common snipe--Not to exceed 8.

    Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-

cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, 

and masked duck, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto 

Rico. The season also is closed on the purple gallinule, American coot, 

and Caribbean coot.

    Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, common moorhens, 

and common snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island.



Virgin Islands



Doves and Pigeons



    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.

    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days for Zenaida doves.

    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida doves.

    Closed Seasons: No open season is prescribed for ground or quail 

doves, or pigeons in the Virgin Islands.

    Closed Areas: There is no open season for migratory game birds on 

Ruth Cay (just south of St. Croix).

    Local Names for Certain Birds: Zenaida dove, also known as mountain 

dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as Barbary dove or partridge; 

Common ground-dove, also known as stone dove, tobacco dove, rola, or 

tortolita; scaly-naped pigeon, also known as red-necked or scaled 

pigeon.



Ducks



    Outside Dates: Between December 1 and January 31.

    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 consecutive days.

    Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 6.

    Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-

cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, 

and masked duck.



Special Falconry Regulations



    Falconry is a permitted means of taking migratory game birds in any 

State meeting Federal falconry standards in 50 CFR 21.29(k). These 

States may select an extended season for taking migratory game birds in 

accordance with the following:

    Extended Seasons: For all hunting methods combined, the combined 

length of the extended season, regular season, and any special or 

experimental seasons shall 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 shall not exceed 3 and 6 

birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate, during extended 

falconry seasons, any special or experimental seasons, and regular 

hunting seasons in all States, including those that do not select an 

extended falconry season.

    Regular Seasons: General hunting regulations, including seasons and 

hunting hours, apply to falconry in each State listed in 50 CFR 

21.29(k). Regular-season bag and possession limits do not apply to 

falconry. The falconry bag limit is not in addition to gun limits.



Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions



Mourning and White-Winged Doves



Alabama

    South Zone--Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Dale, 

Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties.

    North Zone--Remainder of the State.



[[Page 47081]]



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.

Georgia

    Northern Zone--That portion of the State lying north of a line 

running west to east along U.S. Highway 280 from Columbus to Wilcox 

County, thence southward along the western border of Wilcox County; 

thence east along the southern border of Wilcox County to the Ocmulgee 

River, thence north along the Ocmulgee River to Highway 280, thence 

east along Highway 280 to the Little Ocmulgee River; thence southward 

along the Little Ocmulgee River to the Ocmulgee River; thence 

southwesterly along the Ocmulgee River to the western border of the 

Jeff Davis County; thence south along the western border of Jeff Davis 

County; thence east along the southern border of Jeff Davis and Appling 

Counties; thence north along the eastern border of Appling County, to 

the Altamaha River; thence east to the eastern border of Tattnall 

County; thence north along the eastern border of Tattnall County; 

thence north along the western border of Evans to Candler County; 

thence east along the northern border of Evans County to U.S. Highway 

301; thence northeast along U.S. Highway 301 to the South Carolina 

line.

    South Zone--Remainder of the State.

Louisiana

    North Zone--That portion of the State north of Interstate Highway 

10 from the Texas State line to Baton Rouge, Interstate Highway 12 from 

Baton Rouge to Slidell and Interstate Highway 10 from Slidell to the 

Mississippi State line.

    South Zone--The remainder of the State.

Mississippi

    South Zone--The Counties of Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, 

Harrison, Jackson, Lamar, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Stone, and 

Walthall.

    North Zone--The remainder of the State.

Nevada

    White-winged Dove Open Areas--Clark and Nye Counties.

Texas

    North Zone--That portion of the State north of a line beginning at 

the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; north along FM 1088 to 

TX 20; west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along TX 148 to I-10 at Fort 

Hancock; east along I-10 to I-20; northeast along I-20 to I-30 at Fort 

Worth; northeast along I-30 to the Texas-Arkansas State line.

    South Zone--That portion of the State south and west of a line 

beginning at the International Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east 

on U.S. 90 to 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 Uvalde; south on 

U.S. 83 to TX 44; east along TX 44 to TX 16 at Freer; south along TX 16 

to TX 285 at Hebbronville; east along TX 285 to FM 1017; southwest 

along FM 1017 to TX 186 at Linn; east along TX 186 to the Mansfield 

Channel at Port Mansfield; east along the Mansfield Channel to the Gulf 

of Mexico.

    Area with additional restrictions--Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and 

Willacy Counties.

    Central Zone--That portion of the State lying between the North and 

South Zones.



Band-Tailed Pigeons



California

    North Zone--Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, 

Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity 

Counties.

    South Zone--The remainder of the State.

New Mexico

    North Zone--North of a line following U.S. 60 from the Arizona 

State line east to I-25 at Socorro and then south along I-25 from 

Socorro to the Texas State line.

    South Zone--Remainder of the State.

Washington

    Western Washington--The State of Washington excluding those 

portions lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big 

White Salmon River in Klickitat County.



Woodcock



New Jersey

    North Zone--That portion of the State north of NJ 70.

    South Zone--The remainder of the State.



Special September Canada Goose Seasons



Atlantic Flyway



Connecticut

    North Zone--That portion of the State north of I-95.

Maryland

    Eastern Unit--Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, 

Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Annes, St. Marys, Somerset, Talbot, 

Wicomico, and Worcester Counties, and those portions of Baltimore, 

Howard, and Prince George's Counties east of I-95.

    Western Unit--Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, 

and Washington Counties, and those portions of Baltimore, Howard, and 

Prince George's Counties east of I-95.

Massachusetts

    Western Zone--That portion of the State west of a line extending 

south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, 

south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut 

border.

    Central Zone--That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone 

and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-

95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on 

MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west 

to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards 

inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the 

MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St. 

bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone.

    Coastal Zone--That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the 

Central Zone.

New York

    Lake Champlain Zone--The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 

area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian 

border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south 

along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the 

shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; 

southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont 

border.

    Long Island Zone--That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk



[[Page 47082]]



County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their 

tidal waters.

    Western Zone--That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario 

east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along 

I-81 to the Pennsylvania border, except for the Montezuma Zone.

    Montezuma Zone--Those portions of Cayuga, Seneca, Ontario, Wayne, 

and Oswego Counties north of U.S. Route 20, east of NYS Route 14, south 

of NYS Route 104, and west of NYS Route 34.

    Northeastern Zone--That area north of a line extending from Lake 

Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south 

along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to 

NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along 

I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along 

NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive 

of the Lake Champlain Zone.

    Southeastern Zone--The remaining portion of New York.

North Carolina

    Northeast Hunt Unit--Counties of Bertie, Camden, Chovan, Currituck, 

Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington.

South Carolina

    Early-season Hunt Unit--Clarendon County and those portions of 

Orangeburg County north of SC Highway 6 and Berkeley County north of SC 

Highway 45 from the Orangeburg County line to the junction of SC 

Highway 45 and State Road S-8-31 and west of the Santee Dam.

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: The remaining portion of Vermont.



Mississippi Flyway



Illinois

    Northeast Canada Goose Zone--Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, 

Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.

    North Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast Canada 

Goose Zone and north of a line extending east from the Iowa border 

along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate Highway 280, east along I-280 

to I-80, then east along I-80 to the Indiana border.

    Central Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast 

Canada Goose Zone and south of the North Zone to a line extending east 

from the Missouri border along the Modoc Ferry route to Modoc Ferry 

Road, east along Modoc Ferry Road to Modoc Road, northeasterly along 

Modoc Road and St. Leo's Road to Illinois Highway 3, north along 

Illinois 3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159 to Illinois 161, 

east along Illinois 161 to Illinois 4, north along Illinois 4 to 

Interstate Highway 70, east along I-70 to the Bond County line, north 

and east along the Bond County line to Fayette County, north and east 

along the Fayette County line to Effingham County, east and south along 

the Effingham County line to I-70, then east along I-70 to the Indiana 

border.

    South Zone: The remainder of Illinois.

Iowa

    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 

east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State 37, 

southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to 

Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border.

    South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.

Michigan

    North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.

    Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line 

beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the 

mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly 

and southerly along the south shore of, Stony Creek to Scenic Drive, 

easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly 

along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along 

Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of 

Midland, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, east along U.S. 10 to 

Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north along I-75/U.S. 23 to the 

U.S. 23 exit at Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore Road in Arenac 

County, east along Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout, then on a 

line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a 

line directly northeast to the Canada border.

    South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.

Minnesota

    Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone--

    A. All of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.

    B. In Anoka County, all of Columbus Township lying south of County 

State Aid Highway (CSAH) 18, Anoka County; all of the cities of Ramsey, 

Andover, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Spring Lake Park, Fridley, Hilltop, 

Columbia Heights, Blaine, Lexington, Circle Pines, Lino Lakes, and 

Centerville; and all of the city of Ham Lake except that portion lying 

north of CSAH 18 and east of U.S. Highway 65.

    C. That part of Carver County lying north and east of the following 

described line: Beginning at the northeast corner of San Francisco 

Township; thence west along the north boundary of San Francisco 

Township to the east boundary of Dahlgren Township; thence north along 

the east boundary of Dahlgren Township to U.S. Highway 212; thence west 

along U.S. Highway 212 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 284; thence north 

on STH 284 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10; thence north and west 

on CSAH 10 to CSAH 30; thence north and west on CSAH 30 to STH 25; 

thence east and north on STH 25 to CSAH 10; thence north on CSAH 10 to 

the Carver County line.

    D. In Scott County, all of the cities or Shakopee, Savage, Prior 

Lake, and Jordan, and all of the Townships of Jackson, Louisville, St. 

Lawrence, Sand Creek, Spring Lake, and Credit River.

    E. In Dakota County, all of the cities of Burnsville, Eagan, 

Mendota Heights, Mendota, Sunfish Lake, Inver Grove Heights, Apple 

Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Farmington, Hastings, Lilydale, West St. 

Paul, and South St. Paul, and all of the Township of Nininger.

    F. That portion of Washington County lying south of the following 

described line: Beginning at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 on the 

west boundary of the county; thence east on CSAH 2 to U.S. Highway 61; 

thence south on U.S. Highway 61 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 97; thence 

east on STH 97 to the intersection of STH 97 and STH 95; thence due 

east to the east boundary of the State.

    Northwest Goose Zone--That portion of the State encompassed by a 

line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 

to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east 

along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north 

along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to 

STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along 

CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in 

Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 

310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.



[[Page 47083]]



    Two Goose Zone--That portion of the state lying east of Interstate 

Highway 35 and south of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone.

    Five Goose Zone--That portion of the state not included in the Twin 

Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone, the Northwest Goose Zone, or the 

Two Goose Zone.

    West Zone--That portion of the state encompassed by a line 

beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa 

border, then north and east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, north 

along U.S. 71 to Interstate Highway 94, then north and west along I-94 

to the North Dakota border.

Tennessee

    Middle Tennessee Zone--Those portions of Houston, Humphreys, 

Montgomery, Perry, and Wayne Counties east of State Highway 13; and 

Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles, 

Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Moore, 

Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson 

Counties.

    East Tennessee Zone--Anderson, Bledsoe, Bradley, Blount, Campbell, 

Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Cumberland, Dekalb, Fentress, Grainger, 

Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jackson, 

Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, 

Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, 

Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, and 

White Counties.

Wisconsin

    Early-Season Subzone A--That portion of the State encompassed by a 

line beginning at the Lake Michigan shore in Sheboygan, then west along 

State Highway 23 to State 67, southerly along State 67 to County 

Highway E in Sheboygan County, southerly along County E to State 28, 

south and west along State 28 to U.S. Highway 41, southerly along U.S. 

41 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to County Highway U in 

Washington County, southerly along County U to County N, southeasterly 

along County N to State 60, westerly along State 60 to County Highway P 

in Dodge County, southerly along County P to County O, westerly along 

County O to State 109, south and west along State 109 to State 26, 

southerly along State 26 to U.S. 12, southerly along U.S. 12 to State 

89, southerly along State 89 to U.S. 14, southerly along U.S. 14 to the 

Illinois border, east along the Illinois border to the Michigan border 

in Lake Michigan, north along the Michigan border in Lake Michigan to a 

point directly east of State 23 in Sheboygan, then west along that line 

to the point of beginning on the Lake Michigan shore in Sheboygan.

    Early-Season Subzone B--That portion of the State between Early-

Season Subzone A and 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.



Central Flyway



Kansas

    September Canada Goose Unit--That part of Kansas bounded by a line 

from the Kansas-Missouri state line west on KS-68 to its junction with 

KS-33, then north on KS-33 to its junction with US-56, then west on US-

56 to its junction with KS-31, then west-northwest on KS-31 to its 

junction with KS-99, then north on KS-99 to its junction with US-24, 

then east on US-24 its junction with KS-63, then north on KS-63 to its 

junction with KS-16, then east on KS-16 to its junction with KS-116, 

then east on KS-116 to its junction with US-59, then northeast on US-59 

to its junction with the Kansas-Missouri line, then south on the 

Kansas-Missouri line to its junction with KS-68.

North Dakota

    Special Early Canada goose Unit--Richland and Sargent Counties.

South Dakota

    September Canada Goose Unit--Brookings, Clark, Codington, Day, 

Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Kingsbury, Lake, Marshall, McCook, Moody 

Counties, and Miner County east of SD 25, and that portion of Minnehaha 

County north and west of a line beginning at the junction of County 130 

(Renner Road) and the Minnesota border, then west on County 130 to I-29 

and along I-29 to the Lincoln County line.



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

    Southwest Zone--Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties.

    East Zone--Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Garfield, Klickitat, and 

Whitman Counties.

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-Edon Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette 

Counties described in State regulations.

    Teton Area--Those portions of Teton County described in State 

regulations.

    Bridger Valley Area--The area described as the Bridger Valley Hunt 

Unit in State regulations.



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



[[Page 47084]]



Vermont border, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.

    Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.



Mississippi Flyway



Indiana

    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 

east from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. Highway 31, 

north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to Huntington, then 

southeast along U.S. 224 to the Ohio border.

    Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line 

extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 64 to 

New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State 56, east along State 56 

to Vevay, east and north on State 156 along the Ohio River to North 

Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Highway 50, then northeast along 

U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.

    South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio 

River Zone boundaries.

Iowa

    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 

east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State 37, 

southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to 

Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border.

    South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.



Central Flyway



Kansas

    High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.

    Low Plains Early Zone: That portion of the State east of the High 

Plains Zone and west of a line extending south from the Nebraska border 

along KS 28 to U.S. 36, east along U.S. 36 to KS 199, south along KS 

199 to Republic County Road 563, south along Republic County Road 563 

to KS 148, east along KS 148 to Republic County Road 138, south along 

Republic County Road 138 to Cloud County Road 765, south along Cloud 

County Road 765 to KS 9, west along KS 9 to U.S. 24, west along U.S 24 

to U.S. 281, north along U.S. 281 to U.S. 36, west along U.S. 36 to 

U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to U.S. 24, west along U.S. 24 to KS 18, 

southeast along KS 18 to U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to KS 4, east 

along KS 4 to I-135, south along I-135 to KS 61, southwest along KS 61 

to KS 96, northwest on KS 96 to U.S. 56, west along U.S. 56 to U.S. 

281, south along U.S. 281 to U.S. 54, then west along U.S. 54 to U.S. 

283.

    Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder of Kansas.

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: That portion of the State east and north of a 

line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath 

River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest 

Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and 

south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west 

along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89; 

east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north 

on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S. 

395 to the Nevada border.

    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 seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; 

south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.

    Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding 

the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the 

Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City 

of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of 

the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest 

of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to 

U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on 

CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada 

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

    North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.

    Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line 

beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the 

mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly 

and southerly along the south shore of, Stony Creek to Scenic Drive, 

easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly 

along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along 

Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of 

Midland, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, east along U.S. 10 to 

Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north along I-75/U.S. 23 to the 

U.S. 23 exit at Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore Road in Arenac 

County, east along Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout, then on a 

line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a 

line directly northeast to the Canada border.

    South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.



Sandhill Cranes



Central Flyway



Colorado

    Regular-Season Open Area--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

    Regular Season Open Area--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.

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.

    Southwest Zone--Sierra, Luna, and Dona Ana Counties.

Oklahoma

    Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of I-35.



[[Page 47085]]



Texas

    Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of a line 

from the International Toll Bridge at Brownsville along U.S. 77 to 

Victoria; U.S. 87 to Placedo; Farm Road 616 to Blessing; State 35 to 

Alvin; State 6 to U.S. 290; U.S. 290 to Austin; I-35 to the Texas-

Oklahoma border.

North Dakota

    Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of U.S. 

281.

South Dakota

    Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of U.S. 

281.

Montana

    Regular-Season Open Area--The Central Flyway portion of the State 

except that area south of I-90 and west of the Bighorn River.

Wyoming

    Regular-Season Open Area--Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen, 

Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties.

    Riverton-Boysen Unit--Portions of Fremont County.

    Park and Bighorn County Unit--Portions of Park and Bighorn 

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 Box Elder Counties.

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.

    Eden-Farson Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette 

Counties described in State regulations.



All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska



    North Zone--State Game Management Units 11-13 and 17-26.

    Gulf Coast Zone--State Game Management Units 5-7, 9, 14-16, and 

10--Unimak Island only.

    Southeast Zone--State Game Management Units 1-4.

    Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone--State Game Management Unit 10--

except Unimak Island.

    Kodiak Zone--State Game Management Unit 8.



All Migratory Birds in the Virgin Islands



    Ruth Cay Closure Area--The island of Ruth Cay, just south of St. 

Croix.



All Migratory 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 one 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, Cayer, and Comerio 

Municipalities as encompassed within the following boundary: beginning 

on Highway 172 as it leaves the municipality of Cidra on the west edge, 

north to Highway 156, east on Highway 156 to Highway 1, south on 

Highway 1 to Highway 765, south on Highway 765 to Highway 763, south on 

Highway 763 to the Rio Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to Highway 1, 

southwest on Highway 1 to Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to Highway 

729, north on Highway 729 to Cidra Municipality boundary to the point 

of beginning.



[FR Doc. 99-22363 Filed 8-26-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-55-P