[Federal Register: July 17, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 137)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 47223-47241]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17jy02-50]
[[Page 47223]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Part VII
Department of the Interior
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fish and Wildlife Service
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
50 CFR Part 20
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory
Bird Hunting Regulations and Regulatory Alternatives for the 2002-03
Duck Hunting Season; Notice of Meetings; Proposed Rule
[[Page 47224]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
RIN 1018-AI30
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Early-Season
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations and Regulatory Alternatives for the
2002-03 Duck Hunting Season; Notice of Meetings
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we)
is proposing to establish the 2002-03 early-season hunting regulations
for certain migratory game birds. We annually prescribe frameworks, or
outer limits, for dates and times when hunting may occur and the
maximum number of birds that may be taken and possessed in early
seasons. Early seasons may open as early as September 1, and include
seasons in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of specific
final seasons and limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels
compatible with population status and habitat conditions. This
supplement to the proposed rule of March 19, 2002, also provides the
final regulatory alternatives for the 2002-03 duck hunting season.
DATES: We will accept all comments on the proposed migratory bird
hunting-season frameworks for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands, and other early seasons that are postmarked or received in our
office by July 30, 2002, and for the forthcoming proposed late-season
frameworks by August 30, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments on these proposals to the Chief, Division
of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Department of the Interior, room 634-Arlington Square, 1849 C Street,
NW, Washington, DC 20240 or fax comments to (703) 358-2272. All
comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of
the public record. You may inspect comments during normal business
hours in room 634, Arlington Square Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive,
Arlington, VA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Blohm, Acting Chief, or Ron W.
Kokel, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, (703) 358-1714.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulations Schedule for 2002
On March 19, 2002, we published in the Federal Register (67 FR
12501) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal provided a
background and overview of the migratory bird hunting regulations
process, and dealt with the establishment of seasons, limits, the
proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2002-03 duck hunting season,
and other regulations for migratory game birds under Secs. 20.101
through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. On June 11, 2002, we
published in the Federal Register (67 FR 40128) a second document
providing supplemental proposals for early- and late-season migratory
bird hunting regulations frameworks and the proposed regulatory
alternatives for the 2002-03 duck hunting season. The June 11
supplement also provided detailed information on the 2002-03 regulatory
schedule and announced the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee
(SRC) and Flyway Council meetings.
This document, the third in a series of proposed, supplemental, and
final rulemaking documents for migratory bird hunting regulations,
deals specifically with proposed frameworks for early-season
regulations and the final regulatory alternatives for the 2002-03 duck
hunting season. It will lead to final frameworks from which States may
select season dates, shooting hours, and daily bag and possession
limits for the 2002-03 season. We have considered all pertinent
comments received through June 21, 2002, on the March 19 and June 11,
2002, rulemaking documents in developing this document. In addition,
new proposals for certain early-season regulations are provided for
public comment. Comment periods are specified above under DATES. We
will publish final regulatory frameworks for early seasons in the
Federal Register on or about August 20, 2002.
Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee Meetings
Participants at the June 19-20, 2002, meetings reviewed information
on the current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and
developed 2002-03 migratory game bird regulations recommendations for
these species plus regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska,
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; special September waterfowl
seasons in designated States; special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic
Flyway; and extended falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and
discussed preliminary information on the status of waterfowl.
Participants at the previously announced July 31 and August 1, 2002,
meetings will review information on the current status of waterfowl and
develop recommendations for the 2002-03 regulations pertaining to
regular waterfowl seasons and other species and seasons not previously
discussed at the early-season meetings. In accordance with Department
of the Interior policy, these meetings are open to public observation
and you may submit written comments to the Director of the Service on
the matters discussed.
Population Status and Harvest
The following paragraphs provide preliminary information on the
status of waterfowl and information on the status and harvest of
migratory shore and upland game birds.
May Breeding Waterfowl and Habitat Survey
The May Breeding Waterfowl and Habitat Survey was delayed and
extended due to the unusually cold and late spring and only recently
completed. Thus, this information is preliminary and population
estimates are not yet available. Habitat conditions in May for breeding
waterfowl in Canada and the U.S. are generally worse this year than
they were last year, due primarily to lack of water in the prairies and
cold spring temperatures in the East.
Most survey areas started this spring with a water deficit left
over from the winter. Spring rains helped recharge wetlands in the most
of northeast, but conditions remained very dry in the west. Conditions
in the southern Saskatchewan prairies were the driest in over 30 years.
Much of southern Manitoba also was dry this year, and drought continued
in most of Alberta. There were fewer wetlands available to birds,
because most temporary and seasonal wetlands were dry. In the Dakotas,
Montana, and southern Saskatchewan, birds were forced to crowd onto the
remaining semi-permanent and permanent ponds. A bright spot in the
prairies was the Dakotas, where permanent wetlands remained in good
condition from the wet period of 1993-2001. Preliminary reports and
survey results suggest that many ducks over-flew these dry areas in the
prairies to the boreal forest, where water levels are more stable.
A further negative impact on nesting waterfowl this year was the
cold spring temperatures. Winter-like conditions hit the entire
surveyed area in early May, and snowstorms and cold temperatures caused
birds to halt migration. Migration was delayed for several weeks, as
many birds waited for
[[Page 47225]]
temperatures to warm up and ice to thaw. Snow and cold may have caused
some nest loss in the prairies. In many of the northern survey areas,
survey biologists reported that this was the latest spring ice break-up
in memory. Break-up was so late in northern Ontario, northern Quebec,
and Labrador that survey biologists suspected that it came too late for
waterfowl to breed in these northeastern areas. However, spring break-
up was not too late to prevent breeding in the northwestern areas, from
the northern portions of the prairie provinces to Alaska. Conditions
there were generally good, but the cold temperatures likely had a
negative impact on early-nesting species such as mallards, green-winged
teal, and pintails. The only region where habitat conditions for
breeding waterfowl are better this year than they were last year is
Alaska, where conditions went from poor/fair in 2001 to fair/good in
2002. This improvement is a result of the warmer post-thaw temperatures
this year than last year. However, because the ice-melt was very rapid
when it finally happened, nests may have been flooded out in parts of
Alaska and Labrador.
Since the surveys were flown, water conditions have improved in
Montana, the western Dakotas, southern Saskatchewan, and southern
Alberta. These areas have received from several inches to a foot or
more of rain and/or snow. However, this amount of moisture in such a
short period of time has resulted in a lot of flooding, and most
biologists think that the rain was probably too late to help nesting
waterfowl this year. These improved conditions may help some broods,
and may lead to improved water conditions next year.
In summary, waterfowl production is expected to be below normal in
most southwestern survey areas, except for the Dakotas, where
conditions are better. Production in the northwestern survey areas is
harder to assess, because habitat conditions are good but cold spring
temperatures likely will have a negative impact on early-nesting
species. In the eastern survey areas, conditions ranged from good to
excellent in the southern regions, to poor in the north where ice-thaw
came too late.
Status of Teal
Preliminary estimates for blue-winged teal from surveyed areas
total 4.2 million blue-winged teal, which is below the 4.7 million
needed to trigger the 16-day teal season in the Central and Mississippi
Flyways.
The 2001-02 season was the fourth consecutive year of an extended
(16 days vs. 9 days) September teal season in the Central and
Mississippi Flyways. The Atlantic Flyway also had a 9-day teal season.
Harvest estimates are not available at this time.
The Division of Migratory Bird Management is working with the
Central, Mississippi, and Atlantic Flyways on a comprehensive review of
teal population and harvest information. The purposes of this review
are to (1) evaluate the effects of extending the September teal season
from 9 to 16 days in the Central and Mississippi Flyways, (2) evaluate
the effects of the 9 day teal season in the Atlantic Flyway
(implemented in 1998), and (3) evaluate the effect of all (September
and regular season) harvest on teal populations. Progress is continuing
on this review.
Sandhill Cranes
The Mid-Continent Population of Sandhill Cranes has generally
stabilized at comparatively high levels, following increases in the
1970s. The Central Platte River Valley, Nebraska, spring index for
2002, uncorrected for visibility, was 313,600 cranes. The photo-
corrected 3-year average for 1999-2001 was 396,167, which is within the
established population-objective range of 343,000-465,000 cranes. All
Central Flyway States, except Nebraska, allowed crane hunting in
portions of their respective States in 2001-02. About 8,650 hunters
participated in these seasons, which was 24 percent higher than the
number participating in the previous year. An estimated 13,964 cranes
were harvested in the Central Flyway during 2001-02 seasons, which was
similar to the previous year's estimate. Retrieved harvests in the
Pacific Flyway, Canada, and Mexico were estimated to be about 12,381
cranes for the 2001-02 period. The total North American sport harvest,
including crippling losses, was estimated at 28,821, about 13 percent
lower than the previous year's estimate. The long-term trend analysis
for the Mid-Continent Population during 1982-2000 indicates that
harvests have been increasing at a higher rate than the trend in
population growth over the same period.
The fall 2001 pre-migration survey estimate for the Rocky Mountain
Population of sandhill cranes was 16,559, which was similar to the
previous year's estimate of 19,990. Limited special seasons were held
during 2001 in portions of Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah,
and Wyoming, resulting in a record high harvest of 898 cranes.
Woodcock
Singing-ground and wing-collection surveys were conducted to assess
the population status of the American woodcock (Scolopax minor).
Singing-ground Survey data for 2002 indicate that the number of
displaying woodcock in the Eastern Region was 1.3 percent lower than
levels observed in 2001; however, this decrease was not significant
(P0.10). In the Central Region, there was a 7.9 percent
decrease in the number of woodcock heard displaying; however, this
change was also not significant. Trends from the Singing-ground Survey
during 1992-2002 were -2.1 and -1.5 percent change per year for the
Eastern and Central regions, respectively (P<0.01). There were long-
term (1968-02) declines (P<0.01) of 2.3 percent per year in the Eastern
Region and 1.6 percent per year in the Central Region.
The 2001 recruitment index for the Eastern Region (1.4 immatures
per adult female) was the same as the 2000 index, but was 18 percent
below the long-term regional average. The recruitment index for the
Central Region (1.3 immatures per adult females) was slightly higher
than the 2000 index of 1.2 immatures per female, but was 23 percent
below the long-term regional average. The index of daily hunting
success in the Eastern Region was 2.0 woodcock per successful hunt in
both 2000 and 2001, and seasonal hunting success was 8.7 woodcock per
successful hunter in both years. In the Central Region, the daily
success index increased slightly from 2.0 woodcock per successful hunt
in 2000 to 2.1 in 2001; but seasonal hunting success decreased from
10.7 to 10.5 woodcock per successful hunter.
Band-tailed Pigeons and Doves
A significant decline in the Coastal population of band-tailed
pigeons occurred during 1968-2001, as indicated by the Breeding Bird
Survey (BBS); however, no trend was noted over the most recent 10
years. Additionally, mineral-site counts at 10 selected sites in Oregon
indicate a general increase over the most recent 10 years. Call-count
surveys conducted in Washington showed a significant increase during
1997-01 and a non-significant increase during 1975-01. The Interior
band-tailed pigeon population is stable with no trend indicated by the
BBS over the short- or long-term periods.
Analyses of Mourning Dove Call-count Survey data indicated
significant declines in doves heard over both the most recent 10 years
and the entire 37 years of the survey in the Central and
[[Page 47226]]
Western Management Units. In the Eastern Unit, a significant decline
was detected over 37 years but no significant trend was indicated over
the most recent 10 years. In contrast, a significant increase was found
for doves seen over the 10-year period, in the Eastern Unit, while no
trends were found in the Central and Western Units. Over the 37-year
period, no trend was found for doves seen in the Eastern and Central
Units, while a decline was indicated for the Western Unit. A project is
under way to develop mourning dove population models for each unit to
provide guidance for improving our decision-making process with respect
to harvest management. Additionally, a small-scale banding study is
being planned to obtain additional information.
The number of white-winged doves in Arizona has been fairly stable
since the 1970s. The average number of doves heard per route in 2002
was 26.7. Estimated harvests (99,900 in 2001) are low compared to those
occurring several decades ago. In Texas, the range and density of
white-winged doves continue to expand. In 2002, the whitewing
population in Texas was estimated to be 2,329,000 birds, an increase of
5.7 percent from 2001. A more inclusive count in San Antonio documented
more than 1 million birds. An estimated 197,000 whitewings were taken
during the special whitewing season in south Texas, with an additional
986,000 birds taken statewide during the regular mourning dove season.
The expansion of whitewings northward and eastward from Texas has led
to nesting being reported in Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and
Missouri. They have been sighted in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Iowa,
and Minnesota. Whitewings are believed to be expanding northward from
Florida and have been seen in Georgia, the Carolinas, and Pennsylvania.
White-tipped doves are maintaining a relatively stable population
in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. They are most abundant in
cities and, for the most part, are not available to hunting. The count
in 2002 averaged 0.97 birds per stop, a 43 percent increase over the
count in 2001. The estimated harvest during the special 4-day whitewing
season was about 2,400 birds.
Review of Public Comments
The preliminary proposed rulemaking (March 19 Federal Register)
opened the public comment period for migratory game bird hunting
regulations and the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2002-03
duck hunting season. The supplemental proposed rule (June 11 Federal
Register) re-opened the public comment period for the proposed
regulatory alternatives until June 21, 2002. Comments concerning early-
season issues and the proposed alternatives are summarized below and
numbered in the order used in the March 19 Federal Register document.
Only the numbered items pertaining to early-seasons issues and the
proposed regulatory alternatives for which written comments were
received are included. Consequently, the issues do not follow in direct
numerical or alphabetical order.
We received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils. Some
recommendations supported continuation of last year's frameworks. Due
to the comprehensive nature of the annual review of the frameworks
performed by the Councils, support for continuation of last year's
frameworks is assumed for items for which no recommendations were
received. Council recommendations for changes in the frameworks are
summarized below. We seek additional information and comments on the
recommendations in this supplemental proposed rule. New proposals and
modifications to previously described proposals are discussed below.
Wherever possible, they are discussed under headings corresponding to
the numbered items in the March 19, 2002, Federal Register document.
1. Ducks
Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest
management are: (A) General Harvest Strategy, (B) Regulatory
Alternatives, including specification of framework dates, season
length, and bag limits, (C) Zones and Split Seasons, and (D) Special
Seasons/Species Management. The categories correspond to previously
published issues/discussion, and only those containing substantial
recommendations are discussed below.
A. General Harvest Strategy
Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council supported
the proposed correction factor for biases in predicted annual growth
rates and revision to the procedure for comparing predicted and
observed population sizes.
Written Comments: The Mississippi Department of Wildlife,
Fisheries, and Parks cited numerous complaints with the Adaptive
Harvest Management (AHM) process, and recommended that the Service
temper their use of AHM as the primary decision tool because of its
current uncertainty and variability.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Georgia Department of
Natural Resources, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the
Colorado Division of Wildlife, the Missouri Department of Conservation,
and 3 individual commented in support of the proposed correction for
the bias in predicted mallard growth rates and revision to the
procedure for comparing predicted and observed population sizes.
The Mississippi Flyway Council reiterated their support for the
proposed correction factor for biases in predicted annual growth rates
and revision to the procedure for comparing predicted and observed
population sizes.
An organization expressed concern about the AHM population models
and the reliance on inaccurate population data and models.
Service Response: AHM was developed cooperatively by the Service,
the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Flyway Councils, and the States,
and since its implementation in 1995 has enjoyed widespread support
among both federal and state waterfowl technicians and administrators.
Moreover, the AHM process has been subject to extensive, ongoing review
from the scientific community since its development in the early
1990's, and no credible technical arguments have been presented that
would cause us to abandon the process. AHM represents state-of-the-art
science, and its predictive capabilities provide greater insights to
population dynamics than that of most other natural-resource management
programs. Moreover, AHM's iterative process of resource monitoring,
assessment, and decision-making provides a formal mechanism for
learning from experience, thus improving future regulatory decisions.
The essential elements of AHM are: (a) unambiguous management
objectives; (b) a finite set of regulatory alternatives; (c)
alternative models (or hypotheses) of population dynamics, which
predict the effect of hunting regulations and uncontrolled
environmental factors; and (d) a resource monitoring program. The
alternative models are the product of over 50 years of waterfowl
research and assessment, and represent descriptions of duck biology
that are plausible given the limits of current understanding. The
alternative models influence the choice of hunting regulations to the
extent that their respective predictions agree with observations from
the resource monitoring program. Because of the scrutiny these
population models receive, the Service and USGS were able to identify a
bias common to all models
[[Page 47227]]
that resulted in overly optimistic projections of population growth.
This bias has now been corrected, and we appreciate the support we have
received for implementing this revision.
While the AHM population models are a product of science, the
specification of harvest-management objectives and regulatory
alternatives involve value-based judgements. While decisions regarding
management objectives and regulatory alternatives certainly have
biological implications, the decisions are inherently subjective. The
AHM process merely provides a way to combine these subjective elements
with population biology to produce hunting opportunities consistent
with the long-term viability of the waterfowl resource.
To help chart the future course of AHM with as much of a consensus
among stakeholders as possible relative to the subjective elements of
AHM, we are proposing to convene a task force comprised of recognized
state and federal leaders in waterfowl management, whose charge will be
to collaborate with the AHM Working Group and Flyway Councils to
examine current harvest-management goals, objectives, constraints, and
the set of regulatory alternatives and develop policy-level guidance
for the Service regarding these non-technical aspects of AHM.
B. Regulatory Alternatives
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that regulatory alternatives for duck hunting seasons in the Atlantic
Flyway for 2002-03 should be the same as those used in 1997-2001,
except that the ``liberal'' and ``moderate'' regulatory alternatives
should have an opening date of the Saturday nearest September 24th and
a closing date of the last Sunday in January on an experimental basis.
The Atlantic Flyway Council also recommended that annual changes in
regulations should be limited to no more than one step up or down among
the regulatory alternatives (e.g., from ``liberal'' to ``moderate,''
``moderate'' to ``restrictive'').
The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the AHM regulatory
alternatives be modified as follows, beginning in 2002-03: (a)
Eliminate the ``very restrictive'' alternative; (b) limit increments of
year-to-year change to single regulation steps; and (c) replace closed
seasons for some combinations of population size and pond numbers with
the ``restrictive'' alternative so that seasons could be open at
similar mallard population levels that were hunted in the past.
The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended that duck season framework dates for 2002-03 be the
Saturday nearest September 24th and the last Sunday in January in the
``moderate'' and ``liberal'' regulatory alternatives, as noted in the
March 19th Federal Register, provided that if the extended framework
dates result in a more conservative hunting season, mid-latitude States
(all States in the Upper Region except Minnesota, Wisconsin and
Michigan) would be allowed an additional 7 days in season length. The
Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council
recommended the outside framework dates for the regular duck season in
the ``moderate'' and ``liberal'' alternatives be the Saturday nearest
September 24 and the last Sunday in January with no penalty in season
length, and that this option be available either Statewide or in
individual zones.
The Central Flyway Council recommended the elimination of the
``very restrictive'' regulatory alternative and the replacement of
closed-season cells for some combinations of mallard breeding
population size and pond numbers with the ``restrictive'' alternative
in order that seasons could be opened when similar population levels
were hunted in the past. The Central Flyway Council also recommended
that the Service adopt the proposed 2002-03 regulatory alternatives and
species/sex restrictions for the Central Flyway, except for the
following modifications: (a) The opening date will be the Saturday
closest to September 24th in the ``liberal'' and ``moderate'' AHM
regulation alternatives, there will be no offset penalties (reduced or
restricted bag limits or reduction in season length), and the framework
closing date in the Central Flyway will remain the Sunday closest to
January 20th; and (b) if the earlier framework dates are selected, the
Central Flyway Council recommends the Special September Teal Season be
allowed according to established criteria throughout September without
penalty (using regular season days).
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the Service examine how
eliminating the closed season and the ``very restrictive'' alternative
from the set of regulatory alternatives may influence optimal
regulations decisions, considering proposed model revisions. If the
results of this evaluation are consistent with past analyses conducted
by the Mississippi Flyway, the Council would support elimination of the
``very restrictive'' alternative. The Council believes closed seasons
should not be considered when breeding populations and pond numbers
exist at levels at which seasons have been offered in the past. The
Pacific Flyway Council also supports duck season framework extensions
and evaluation of their impacts to harvest distribution and rates as
outlined in the Service's March 19, 2002, Federal Register.
Written Comments: The Mississippi Flyway Council reiterated their
previous recommendations to eliminate the ``very restrictive''
alternative, limit increments of year-to-year change to single
regulation steps, and replace closed seasons for some combinations of
population size and pond numbers with the ``restrictive'' alternative
so that seasons could be open at similar mallard population levels that
were hunted in the past.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Illinois Department
of Natural Resources supported elimination of the ``very restrictive''
alternative and providing for open seasons at similar mallard
population levels that were hunted in the past, but opposed limiting
increments of year-to-year change to single regulations steps.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Iowa
Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Missouri
Department of Conservation, one organization, and one individual
supported the recommendations to eliminate the ``very restrictive''
regulatory alternative, limit increments of year-to-year change to
single regulations steps, and provide for open seasons at similar
mallard population levels that were hunted in the past.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the
Pennsylvania Game Commission, and the Maryland Department of Natural
Resources supported limiting increments of year-to-year change to
single regulations steps.
The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks supported
elimination of the ``very restrictive'' alternative and providing for
open seasons at similar mallard population levels that were hunted in
the past.
One individual supported providing for open seasons at similar
mallard population levels that were hunted in the past, but did not
support elimination of the ``very restrictive'' alternative or limiting
increments of year-to-year change to single regulations steps.
[[Page 47228]]
An organization supported tabling the proposed recommendations from
the Flyway Councils until a more solid understanding of the various
outcomes can be generated.
One individual opposed the recommendations to eliminate the ``very
restrictive'' regulatory alternative, limit increments of year-to-year
change to single regulations steps, and provide for open seasons at
similar mallard population levels that were hunted in the past.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks,
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Alabama Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources, Georgia Department of Natural
Resources, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks,
Pennsylvania Game Commission, two organizations, and five individuals
supported the proposal to extend the duck hunting framework opening and
closing dates to the Saturday nearest September 24 and the last Sunday
in January.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Department
of Natural Resources, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Kansas
Department of Wildlife and Parks, Missouri Department of Conservation,
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Wyoming Game and Fish Department,
10 organizations, and 39 individuals opposed the extension of framework
opening and closing dates. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources
also indicates that if the Service decides to extend framework dates,
they recommend that mid-latitude states be offered 7 additional days in
season length for ``restrictive'' and ``moderate'' packages.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommended a
fixed framework closing date of January 31.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recommended fixed
framework dates of an October 1 opening, a January 31 closing in the
``liberal'' regulatory alternative, and a January 20 closing in the
other alternatives.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources supported the
extension of framework dates, except that the closing date should be a
fixed date of January 31.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and 1 individual
supported the proposed extension of the framework opening date, but
opposed extension of the closing date.
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection opposed the
extension of the framework opening date and recommended that any
framework-date changes be limited to the ``liberal'' regulatory
alternative.
One organization and one individual opposed the extension of the
framework opening date. Three individuals opposed any reductions in
season length. Eight individuals requested that both season length and
bag limit be reduced. One individual requested that the ``liberal''
regulatory alternative not be used. Four individuals requested a longer
duck season with a lower daily bag limit. One individual requested a
lower daily bag limit. Five individuals recommended several season-
length and/or bag-limit modifications to the regulatory alternatives.
Service Response: We have decided to implement the framework-date
extensions for the ``moderate'' and ``liberal'' regulatory alternatives
as proposed in the March 19, 2002 Federal Register. In the absence of
more definitive information, we are assuming that harvest rates of mid-
continent and eastern mallards will increase by 15 percent and 5
percent, respectively. These projected increases will be taken into
account in the selection of a regulatory alternative for the 2002-03
hunting season. Projected changes in mallard harvest rates will be
revised next year after estimates of harvest rates resulting from
implementation of the framework-date extensions become available. Our
ability to predict changes in the mortality and reproductive rates of
other duck stocks that might occur as a result of the framework-date
extensions is limited. However, changes in harvest of all duck stocks
will be closely monitored and regulatory action will be taken if
adverse impacts are perceived.
We also considered the requests to modify the set of regulatory
alternatives in other ways. However, we have decided not to implement
any of these changes until a more comprehensive review of the
regulatory alternatives and harvest-management objectives has been
completed (see our response under A. General Harvest Strategy).
Therefore, for the 2002-03 hunting season, there will be no
modifications to the four regulatory alternatives proposed in the March
19 Federal Register (see accompanying table for specifics).
Alternatives are specified for each Flyway and are designated as ``VERY
RES'' for the very restrictive, ``RES'' for the restrictive, ``MOD''
for the moderate, and ``LIB'' for the liberal alternative. We will
propose the choice of regulatory alternative for the 2002-03 hunting
season in August.
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
i. September Teal Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended
that the geographic boundaries for the September teal season in
Colorado be amended to include Lake and Chaffee Counties and all lands
east of I-25.
Service Response: We concur with the Central Flyway Council's
recommendation for a geographic boundary change for the September teal
season in the Central Flyway portion of Colorado. The change is
included in the framework proposed.
iv. Canvasbacks
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended
annotation in the Service's Canvasback Harvest Strategy that Alaska
will retain fixed frameworks in lieu of annual prescriptions.
Service Response: We concur with the Pacific Flyway Council's
recommendation.
4. Canada Geese
A. Special Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that Georgia and Lake Seminole in Florida be offered an early Canada
goose hunting season not to exceed 30 days between September 1-30, with
a bag limit not to exceed 5 geese daily (10 in possession). They
further recommended that Connecticut's Special September Canada goose
season framework be extended from September 25 to September 30.
The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that Minnesota be allowed to
continue their experimental special September experimental Canada goose
season (1-week extension) in 2002 while the 3-year evaluation is being
completed.
Service Response: We concur with the Atlantic Flyway Council's
recommended changes. The addition of Georgia and Lake Seminole in
Florida will have no impact to migrant Canada geese and would allow the
harvest of resident Canada geese during their September teal season.
Regarding Connecticut's special September Canada goose season, leg-band
recoveries and neck-collar observations suggest few migrants are
available. Additionally, this season would be experimental.
We also concur with the extension of Minnesota's experimental
special season to allow completion of the evaluation.
[[Page 47229]]
B. Regular Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations
Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the
framework opening date for all species of geese for the regular goose
seasons in Michigan and Wisconsin be September 16, 2002.
Service Response: We concur with the earlier regular Canada goose
season opening dates in Michigan and Wisconsin.
9. Sandhill Cranes
Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended
accepting the 2002 Rocky Mountain sandhill crane population harvest
allocation of 833 birds as proposed by the Pacific Flyway. However,
during the next revision of the Cooperative Population Management Plan,
the Council desires a better definition of what factors will be used to
determine when a survey should be considered unreliable.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended establishing an experimental
season for Rocky Mountain Population sandhill cranes for 2002-03, in
Uintah County, Utah. The framework for the 30-day season would be
September 1 to January 31, 2003, with a bag limit not to exceed 3 daily
and 9 per season. Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the
appropriate State, in their possession while hunting. 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.
Service Response: The Service concurs with the recommended changes.
14. Woodcock
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that the hunting regulations framework dates for American woodcock in
the Eastern Region be changed back to the pre-1997 dates of October 1
to January 31.
Service Response: In 1997, the framework opening date for American
woodcock in the Eastern Region was changed from October 1 to October 6.
This change, coupled with a reduction in the season length from 45 days
to 30 days, was made in an effort to reduce overall harvest. An
analysis of daily wing-receipt data suggests that changing the
framework opening date back to October 1 likely will not result in a
meaningful increase in harvest, given that the season length is only 30
days. Therefore, we concur with the Council's recommendation.
17. White-Winged and White-Tipped Doves
Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended
that the hunting area for white-winged doves be expanded from its
current area in New Mexico and Texas to include the remainder of the
Central Flyway States that are in the Central Management Unit. The
white-winged dove season should run concurrently with the mourning dove
season with an aggregate bag.
Service Response: We concur with the Council's recommendation to
allow all Central-Flyway states in the Central Management Unit to
select a white-winged dove season that runs concurrently with the
mourning dove season with an aggregate bag limit. However, we believe
that this change should apply to all States in the Central Management
Unit, rather than just those in the Central-Flyway portion of the unit.
Public Comment Invited
The Department of the Interior's policy is, whenever practicable,
to afford the public an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking
process. We intend that adopted final rules be as responsive as
possible to all concerned interests and, therefore, seek the comments
and suggestions of the public, other concerned governmental agencies,
nongovernmental organizations, and other private interests on these
proposals. Accordingly, we invite interested persons to submit written
comments, suggestions, or recommendations regarding the proposed
regulations to the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.
Special circumstances involved in the establishment of these
regulations limit the amount of time that we can allow for public
comment. Specifically, two considerations compress the time in which
the rulemaking process must operate: (1) The need to establish final
rules at a point early enough in the summer to allow affected State
agencies to adjust their licensing and regulatory mechanisms; and (2)
the unavailability, before mid-June, of specific, reliable data on this
year's status of some waterfowl and migratory shore and upland game
bird populations. Therefore, we believe that to allow comment periods
past the dates specified is contrary to the public interest.
Before promulgation of final migratory game bird hunting
regulations, we will take into consideration all comments received.
Such comments, and any additional information received, may lead to
final regulations that differ from these proposals. You may inspect
comments received on the proposed annual regulations during normal
business hours at the Service's office in room 634, 4401 North Fairfax
Drive, Arlington, Virginia. For each series of proposed rulemakings, we
will establish specific comment periods. We will consider, but possibly
may not respond in detail to, each comment. However, as in the past, we
will summarize all comments received during the comment period and
respond to them in the final rule.
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
Prior to issuance of the 2002-03 migratory game bird hunting
regulations, we will consider provisions of the Endangered Species Act
of 1973, as amended, (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543; hereinafter the Act) to
ensure that hunting is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence
of any species designated as endangered or threatened or modify or
destroy its critical habitat and that the proposed action is consistent
with conservation programs for those species. Consultations under
Section 7 of this Act may cause us to change proposals in this and
future supplemental proposed rulemakings.
Executive Order 12866
While this individual supplemental rule was not reviewed by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the migratory bird hunting
regulations are economically significant and are annually reviewed by
OMB under Executive Order 12866. Executive Order 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
[[Page 47230]]
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 on a substantial
number of small entities. 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
million and $1.084 billion at small businesses in 1998. Copies of the
Analysis are available upon request from the address indicated under
the caption ADDRESSES.
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. The various recordkeeping and reporting requirements imposed
under regulations established in 50 CFR part 20, Subpart K, are
utilized in the formulation of migratory game bird hunting regulations.
Specifically, OMB has approved the information collection requirements
of the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program and assigned control
number 1018-0015 (expires 10/31/2004). 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 control number 1018-0023 (expires 07/31/2003). The information
from this survey is used to estimate the magnitude and 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 Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this
rulemaking will not ``significantly or uniquely'' affect small
governments, and will not produce a Federal mandate of $100 million or
more in any given year on local or State government or private
entities. Therefore, this proposed rule is not a ``significant
regulatory action'' under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988
The Department, in promulgating this proposed rule, has determined
that this rule will not unduly burden the judicial system and meets the
requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.
Energy Effects--Executive Order 13211
On May 18, 2001, the President issued Executive Order 13211 on
regulations that significantly affect energy supply, distribution, and
use. Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of
Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. As this supplemental
proposed rule is not expected to significantly affect energy supplies,
distribution, or use, this proposed action is not a significant energy
action and no Statement of Energy Effects is required.
Takings Implication Assessment
In accordance with Executive Order 12630, this proposed rule does
not have significant takings implications and does not affect any
constitutionally protected property rights. This rule will not result
in the physical occupancy of property, the physical invasion of
property, or the regulatory taking of any property. In fact, this rule
will allow hunters to exercise otherwise unavailable privileges, and,
therefore, reduces 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 and employ guidelines to establish
special regulations on Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands.
This process preserves the ability of the States and Tribes to
determine which seasons meet their individual needs. Any State or Tribe
may be more restrictive than the Federal frameworks at any time. The
frameworks are developed in a cooperative process with 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 Executive Order
13132, these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and
do not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20
Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.
The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2002-03
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742
a-j.
Dated: July 9, 2002.
Paul Hoffman,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 2002-03 Early Hunting Seasons on
Certain Migratory Game Birds
Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated
authorities, the Department of the Interior approved the following
proposed frameworks, which prescribe season lengths, bag limits,
shooting hours, and outside dates
[[Page 47231]]
within which States may select hunting seasons for certain migratory
game birds between September 1, 2002, and March 10, 2003.
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, and Virginia, where Sunday
hunting is prohibited statewide by State law, all Sundays are closed to
all take of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and coots).
Special September Teal Season
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season
on all species of teal may be selected by the following States in areas
delineated by State regulations:
Atlantic Flyway--Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North
Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. All seasons are experimental.
Mississippi Flyway--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Central Flyway--Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska (part), New
Mexico (part), Oklahoma, and Texas. The season in Nebraska is
experimental.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 9 consecutive
days. The daily bag limit is 4 teal.
Shooting Hours
Atlantic Flyway--One-half hour before sunrise to sunset except in
Maryland, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.
Mississippi and Central Flyways--One-half hour before sunrise to
sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri,
and Ohio, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.
Special September Duck Seasons
Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee: In lieu of a special September
teal season, a 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September.
The daily bag limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the
aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks.
Iowa: Iowa may hold up to 5 days of its regular duck hunting season
in September. All ducks that are legal during the regular duck season
may be taken during the September segment of the season. The September
season segment may commence no earlier than the Saturday nearest
September 20 (September 21). The daily bag and possession limits will
be the same as those in effect last year, but are subject to change
during the late-season regulations process. The remainder of the
regular duck season may not begin before October 10.
Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days
Outside Dates: States may select two consecutive days (hunting days
in Atlantic Flyway States with compensatory days) per duck-hunting
zone, designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,'' in addition to
their regular duck seasons. The days must be held outside any regular
duck season on a weekend, holidays, or other non-school days when youth
hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate. The days may
be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-season
frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or within any
other open season on migratory birds.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits may include ducks, geese,
mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and would be the same as
those allowed in the regular season. Flyway species and area
restrictions would remain in effect.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Participation Restrictions: Youth hunters must be 15 years of age
or younger. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age must
accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult 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
[[Page 47232]]
from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in any waters of the Atlantic
Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay which are separated by at
least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and emergent
vegetation in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Georgia; and in any
waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay which
are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any shore,
island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina
and Virginia; and provided that any such areas have been described,
delineated, and designated as special sea-duck hunting areas under the
hunting regulations adopted by the respective States.
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons
Atlantic Flyway
General Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected for the Eastern Unit of Maryland and Delaware. Seasons not to
exceed 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. Except for experimental
seasons described below, seasons may not exceed 25 days during
September 1-25 in the remainder of the Flyway. Areas open to the
hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated
as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5 Canada geese.
Experimental Seasons
Experimental Canada goose seasons of up to 25 days during September
1-25 may be selected for the Montezuma Region of New York and the Lake
Champlain Region of New York and Vermont. Experimental seasons of up to
30 days during September 1-30 may be selected by Connecticut, Florida,
Georgia, New York (Long Island Zone), North Carolina (except in the
Northeast Hunt Unit), Rhode Island, 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. 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.
An experimental Canada goose season of up to 10 consecutive days
during September 1-10 may be selected by Michigan for Huron, Saginaw,
and Tuscola Counties, except that the Shiawassee National Wildlife
Refuge, Shiawassee River State Game Area Refuge, and the Fish Point
Wildlife Area Refuge will remain closed. The daily bag limit may not
exceed 2 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.
Experimental Seasons
An experimental Canada goose season of up to 14 consecutive days
during September 16-27 may be selected by South Dakota. The daily bag
limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
An experimental Canada goose season of up to 10 consecutive days
during September 22-30 may be selected by Oklahoma. The daily bag limit
may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
An experimental Canada goose season of up to 7 consecutive days
during September 16-20 may be selected by North Dakota. The daily bag
limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
Pacific Flyway
General Seasons
California may select a 9-day season in Humboldt County during the
period September 1-15. The daily bag limit is 2.
Colorado may select a 9-day season during the period of September
1-15 in Grand County, excluding Shadow Mountain Reservoir, and that
portion of Summit County north of U.S. Interstate 70. The daily bag
limit is 3.
Oregon may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days
during the period September 1-15. In addition, in the NW goose
management zone in Oregon, a 15-day season may be selected during the
period September 1-20. Daily bag limits may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
Idaho may select a 7-day season 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.
Washington may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15
days during the period September 1-15. Daily bag limits may not exceed
5 Canada geese.
Wyoming may select an 8-day season on Canada geese between
September 1-15. This season is subject to the following conditions:
1. Where applicable, the season must be concurrent with the
September portion of the sandhill crane season.
2. All participants must have a valid State permit for the special
season.
3. A daily bag limit of 3, with season and possession limits of 6,
will apply to the special season.
Areas open to hunting of Canada geese in each State must be
described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting
regulations.
Regular Goose Seasons
Regular goose seasons may open as early as September 16 in
Wisconsin and Michigan. Season lengths, bag and possession limits, and
other provisions will be established during the late-season regulations
process.
Sandhill Cranes
Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway:
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28.
Hunting Seasons: Seasons not to exceed 37 consecutive days may be
selected in designated portions of North Dakota (Area 2) and Texas
(Area 2). Seasons not to exceed 58 consecutive days may be selected in
designated portions of the following States: Colorado, Kansas, Montana,
North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Seasons not to exceed 93
consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of the
following States: New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes, except 2 sandhill cranes in
designated portions of North Dakota (Area 2) and Texas (Area 2).
[[Page 47233]]
Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane
seasons must have a valid Federal sandhill crane hunting permit and/or,
in those States where a Federal sandhill crane permit is not issued, a
State-issued Harvest Information Survey Program (HIP) certification for
game bird hunting in their possession while hunting.
Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways: Arizona,
Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming may select
seasons for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the Rocky
Mountain Population (RMP) subject to the following conditions:
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: The season in any State or zone may not exceed 30
days.
Bag limits: Not to exceed 3 daily and 9 per season.
Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the
appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.
Other provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates,
protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons
must be consistent with the management plan and approved by the Central
and Pacific Flyway Councils with the following exceptions:
1. In Utah, the requirement for monitoring the racial composition
of the harvest in the experimental season is waived, and 100 percent 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;
3. In Idaho, seasons are experimental, and the requirement for
monitoring the racial composition of the harvest is waived; 100 percent
of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota; and
4. In New Mexico, the season in the Estancia Valley is
experimental, with a requirement to monitor the level and racial
composition of the harvest; greater sandhill cranes in the harvest will
be assigned to the RMP quota.
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 19) 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.
Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck
hunting.
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.
Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck
hunting.
American Woodcock
Outside Dates: States in the Eastern Management Region may select
hunting seasons between October 1 and January 31. States in the Central
Management Region may select hunting seasons between the Saturday
nearest September 22 (September 21) and January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 30
days in the Eastern Region and 45 days in the Central Region. The daily
bag limit is 3. Seasons may be split into two segments.
Zoning: New Jersey may select seasons in each of two zones. The
season in each zone may not exceed 24 days.
Band-Tailed Pigeons
Pacific Coast States (California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada)
Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 1.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive
days, with a daily bag limit of 2 band-tailed pigeons.
Zoning: California may select hunting seasons not to exceed 9
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the North Zone
must close by October 3.
Four-Corners States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah)
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and November 30.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 30 consecutive
days, with a daily bag limit of 5 band-tailed pigeons.
Zoning: New Mexico may select hunting seasons not to exceed 20
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the South Zone may
not open until October 1.
Mourning Doves
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15, except as
otherwise provided, States may select hunting seasons and daily bag
limits as follows:
Eastern Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a
daily bag limit of 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, and Louisiana, 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 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more
than three periods.
[[Page 47234]]
Texas may select hunting seasons for each of three zones subject to
the following conditions:
A. The hunting season may be split into not more than two periods,
except in that portion of Texas in which the special white-winged dove
season is allowed, where a limited mourning dove season may be held
concurrently with that special season (see white-winged dove
frameworks).
B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between
September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between September 20
and January 25.
C. Daily bag limits are aggregate bag limits with mourning, white-
winged, and white-tipped doves (see white-winged dove frameworks for
specific daily bag limit restrictions).
D. Except as noted above, regulations for bag and possession
limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within each
hunting zone.
Western Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and
Washington--Not more than 30 consecutive days with a daily bag limit of
10 mourning doves.
Nevada--Not more than 30 consecutive days with a daily bag limit of
10 mourning doves, except in Clark and Nye Counties where the daily bag
limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the
aggregate.
Arizona and California--Not more than 60 days, which may be split
between two periods, September 1-15 and November 1-January 15. In
Arizona, during the first segment of the season, the daily bag limit is
10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more
than 6 may be white-winged doves. During the remainder of the season,
the daily bag limit is 10 mourning doves. In California, the daily bag
limit is 10 mourning doves, except in Imperial, Riverside, and San
Bernardino Counties where the daily bag limit may not exceed 10
mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
White-Winged and White-Tipped Doves
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits
Except as shown below, seasons must be concurrent with mourning
dove seasons.
Eastern Management Unit
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 remainder of the Eastern Management Unit, the season is
closed.
Central Management Unit
In Texas, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning, white-
winged, and white-tipped doves (15 under the alternative) in the
aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be white-tipped doves. In
addition, Texas also may select a hunting season of not more than 4
days for the special white-winged dove area of the South Zone between
September 1 and September 19. The daily bag limit may not exceed 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.
In the remainder of the Central Management Unit, the daily bag
limit may not exceed 12 (15 under the alternative) mourning and white-
winged doves in the aggregate.
Western Management Unit
Arizona may select a hunting season of not more than 30 consecutive
days, running concurrently with the first segment of the mourning dove
season. The daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged
doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 6 may be white-winged
doves.
In the Nevada Counties of Clark and Nye, and in the California
Counties of Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino, the daily bag
limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the
aggregate.
In the remainder of the Western Management Unit, the season is
closed.
Alaska
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 26.
Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select 107 consecutive days for
waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and common snipe in each of 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
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 and may not include sea ducks.
In addition to the basic duck limits, Alaska may select sea duck
limits of 10 daily, 20 in possession, singly or in the aggregate,
including no more than 6 each of either harlequin or long-tailed ducks.
Sea ducks include scoters, common and king eiders, harlequin ducks,
long-tailed ducks, and common and red-breasted mergansers.
Light Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 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--Bag and possession limits of 2 and 4,
respectively, in the Southeast, Gulf Coast, Kodiak, and Aleutian Zones,
and Unit 17 in the Northern Zone. In the remainder of the Northern Zone
(outside Unit 17), bag and possession limits of 3 and 6, respectively.
Tundra Swans--Open seasons for tundra swans may be selected subject
to the following conditions:
1. All seasons are by registration permit only.
2. All season framework dates are September 1-October 31.
3. In Game Management Unit (GMU) 17, an experimental season may be
selected. No more than 200 permits may be issued for this 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. An
evaluation of the season must be completed, adhering to the guidelines
for experimental seasons as described in the Pacific Flyway Management
Plan for
[[Page 47235]]
the Western Population of (tundra) Swans.
4. In Game Management Unit (GMU) 18, no more than 500 permits may
be issued during the operational season. Up to 3 tundra swans may be
authorized per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter
per season.
5. In GMU 22, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the
operational season. Each permittee may be authorized to take up to 3
tundra swan per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter
per season.
6. In GMU 23, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the
operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans may be authorized per
permit with no more than 1 permit issued per hunter per season.
Hawaii
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 65 days (75 under the alternative)
for mourning doves.
Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 (12 under the alternative) mourning
doves.
Note: Mourning doves may be taken in Hawaii in accordance with
shooting hours and other regulations set by the State of Hawaii, and
subject to the applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20.
Puerto Rico
Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 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.
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 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
[[Page 47236]]
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.
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 Anne's, St. Mary's, 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 west 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
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, Chowan, 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: That portion of Vermont west of the Lake Champlain
Zone and eastward of a line extending
[[Page 47237]]
from the Massachusetts border at Interstate 91; north along Interstate
91 to US 2; east along US 2 to VT 102; north along VT 102 to VT 253;
north along VT 253 to the Canadian border.
Connecticut River Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont east of
the Interior Zone.
Mississippi Flyway
Illinois
Northeast Canada Goose Zone--Cook, Du Page, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee,
Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.
North Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast Canada
Goose Zone and north of a line extending 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 of Shakopee, Savage, Prior
Lake, and Jordan, and all of the Townships of Jackson, Louisville, St.
Lawrence, Sand Creek, Spring Lake, and Credit River.
E. In Dakota County, all of the cities of Burnsville, Eagan,
Mendota Heights, Mendota, Sunfish Lake, Inver Grove Heights, Apple
Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Farmington, Hastings, Lilydale, West St.
Paul, and South St. Paul, and all of the Township of Nininger.
F. That portion of Washington County lying south of the following
described line: Beginning at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 on the
west boundary of the county; thence east on CSAH 2 to U.S. Highway 61;
thence south on U.S. Highway 61 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 97; thence
east on STH 97 to the intersection of STH 97 and STH 95; thence due
east to the east boundary of the State.
Northwest Goose Zone--That portion of the State encompassed by a
line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2
to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east
along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north
along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to
STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along
CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in
Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH
310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
Southeast Goose Zone--That part of the State within the following
described boundaries: beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 52
and the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone;
thence along the U.S. Highway 52 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 57;
thence along STH 57 to the municipal boundary of Kasson; thence along
the municipal boundary of Kasson County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 13,
Dodge County; thence along CSAH 13 to STH 30; thence along STH 30 to
U.S. Highway 63; thence along U.S. Highway 63 to the south boundary of
the State; thence along the south and east boundaries of the State to
the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; thence
along said boundary to the point of beginning.
Five Goose Zone--That portion of the State not included in the Twin
Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone, the Northwest Goose Zone, or the
Southeast Goose Zone.
West Zone--That portion of the State encompassed by a line
beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa
border, then north and east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, north
along U.S. 71 to Interstate Highway 94, then north and west along I-94
to the North Dakota border.
Tennessee
Middle Tennessee Zone--Those portions of Houston, Humphreys,
Montgomery, Perry, and Wayne Counties east of State Highway 13; and
Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles,
Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Moore,
Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson
Counties.
[[Page 47238]]
East Tennessee Zone--Anderson, Bledsoe, Bradley, Blount, Campbell,
Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Grainger,
Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jackson,
Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe,
Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie,
Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, and
White Counties.
Wisconsin
Early-Season Subzone A--That portion of the State encompassed by a
line beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 141 and the Michigan
border near Niagara, then south along U.S. 141 to State Highway 22,
west and southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45, south along U.S. 45 to
State 22, west and south along State 22 to State 110, south along State
110 to U.S. 10, south along U.S. 10 to State 49, south along State 49
to State 23, west along State 23 to State 73, south along State 73 to
State 60, west along State 60 to State 23, south along State 23 to
State 11, east along State 11 to State 78, then south along State 78 to
the Illinois border.
Early-Season Subzone B--The remainder of the State.
Central Flyway
Kansas
September Canada Goose Kansas City/Topeka Unit--That part of Kansas
bounded by a line from the Kansas-Missouri State line west on K-68 to
its junction with K-33, then north on K-33 to its junction with U.S.-
56, then west on U.S.-56 to its junction with K-31, then west-northwest
on K-31 to its junction with K-99, then north on K-99 to its junction
with U.S.-24, then east on U.S.-24 to its junction with K-63, then
north on K-63 to its junction with K-16, then east on K-16 to its
junction with K-116, then east on K-116 to its junction with U.S.-59,
then northeast on U.S.-59 to its junction with the Kansas-Missouri
line, then south on the Kansas-Missouri line to its junction with K-68.
September Canada Goose Wichita Unit--That part of Kansas bounded by
a line from I-135 west on U.S. 50 to its junction with Burmac Road,
then south on Burmac Road to its junction with 279 Street West
(Sedgwick/Harvey County line), then south on 279 Street West to its
junction with K-96, then east on K-96 to its junction with K-296, then
south on K-296 to its junction with 247 Street West, then south on 247
Street West to its junction with U.S.-54, then west on U.S.-54 to its
junction with 263 Street West, then south on 263 Street West to its
junction with K-49, then south on K-49 to its junction with 90 Avenue
North, then east on 90 Avenue North to its junction with KS-55, then
east on KS-55 to its junction with KS-15, then east on KS-15 to its
junction with U.S.-77, then north on U.S.-77 to its junction with Ohio
Street, then north on Ohio to its junction with KS-254, then east on
KS-254 to its junction with KS-196, then northwest on KS-196 to its
junction with I-135, then north on I-135 to its junction with U.S.-50.
South Dakota
September Canada Goose North Unit--Clark, Codington, Day, Deuel,
Grant, Hamlin, Marshall, and Roberts County.
September Canada Goose South Unit--Beadle, Brookings, Hanson,
Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, and
Turner Counties,
Pacific Flyway
Idaho
East Zone--Bonneville, Caribou, Fremont, and Teton Counties.
Oregon
Northwest Zone--Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane,
Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and
Yamhill Counties.
Southwest Zone--Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and
Klamath Counties.
East Zone--Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla,
Union, and Wasco Counties.
Washington
Area 1--Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
Area 2A (SW Quota Zone)--Clark County, except portions south of the
Washougal River; Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties.
Area 2B (SW Quota Zone)--Pacific and Grays Harbor counties.
Area 3--All areas west of the Pacific Crest Trail and west of the
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Areas 1, 2A, and 2B.
Area 4--Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas,
Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties.
Area 5--All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Area 4.
Wyoming
Bear River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Salt River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Farson-Eden Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette
Counties described in State regulations.
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 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.
[[Page 47239]]
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
Colorado
Special Teal Season Area: Lake and Chaffee Counties and that
portion of the State east of Interstate Highway 25.
Kansas
High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.
Low Plains Early Zone: That 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.
Nebraska
Special Teal Season Area: That portion of the State south of a line
beginning at the Wyoming State line; east along U.S. 26 to Nebraska
Highway L62A; east to U.S. 385; south to U.S. 26; east to NE 92; east
along NE 92 to NE 61; south along NE 61 to U.S. 30; east along U.S. 30
to the Iowa border.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.
Pacific Flyway
California
Northeastern Zone: In that portion of California lying east and
north of a line beginning at the intersection of the Klamath River with
the California-Oregon line; south and west along the Klamath River to
the mouth of Shovel Creek; along Shovel Creek to its intersection with
Forest Service Road 46N05 at Burnt Camp; west to its junction with
Forest Service Road 46N10; south and east to its Junction with County
Road 7K007; south and west to its junction with Forest Service Road
45N22; south and west to its junction with Highway 97 and Grass Lake
Summit; south along to its junction with Interstate 5 at the town of
Weed; south to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along
Highway 89 to main street Greenville; north and east to its junction
with North Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road;
north and east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to
the junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington
Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the
junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and
east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-
Nevada state line ; north along the California-Nevada state line to the
junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon state lines west along the
California-Oregon line state to the point of origin.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to
U.S. 80; east 7 miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south
on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada
border.
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included
in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.
Canada Geese
Michigan
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
The Central Flyway portion of the State except the San Luis Valley
(Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande, and
Saguache Counties east of the Continental Divide) and North Park
(Jackson County).
Kansas
That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the Oklahoma
border, north on I-35 to Wichita, north on I-135 to Salina, and north
on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border.
[[Page 47240]]
New Mexico
Regular-Season Open Area--Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay,
and Roosevelt Counties.
Middle Rio Grande Valley Area--The Central Flyway portion of New
Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties.
Estancia Valley Area--Those portions of Santa Fe, Torrance and
Bernallilo Counties within an area bounded on the west by New Mexico
Highway 55 beginning at Mountainair north to NM 337, north to NM 14,
north to I-25; on the north by I-25 east to U.S. 285; on the east by
U.S. 285 south to U.S. 60; and on the south by U.S. 60 from U.S. 285
west to NM 55 in Mountainair.
Southwest Zone--Sierra, Luna, Dona Ana Counties, and those portions
of Grant and Hidalgo Counties south of I-10.
Oklahoma
That portion of the State west of I-35.
Texas
Area 1--That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the
International Bridge at Laredo, north along I-35 to the Oklahoma
border.
Area 2--That portion of the State east and south of a line from the
International Bridge at Laredo northerly along I-35 to U.S. 290;
southeasterly along U.S. 290 to I-45; south and east on I-45 to State
Highway 87, south and east on TX 87 to the channel in the Gulf of
Mexico between Galveston and Point Bolivar; EXCEPT: That portion of the
State lying within the area bounded by the Corpus Christi Bay Causeway
on U.S. 181 at Portland; north and west on U.S. 181 to U.S. 77 at
Sinton; north and east along U.S. 77 to U.S. 87 at Victoria; east and
south along U.S. 87 to Texas Highway 35; north and east on TX 35 to the
west end of the Lavaca Bay Bridge; then south and east along the west
shoreline of Lavaca Bay and Matagorda Island to the Gulf of Mexico;
then south and west along the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico to the
Corpus Christi Bay Causeway.
North Dakota
Area 1--That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
Area 2--That portion of the State east of U.S. 281.
South Dakota
That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
Montana
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 Big Horn County Unit--Portions of Park and Big Horn
Counties.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
Special-Season Area--Game Management Units 30A, 30B, 31, and 32.
Montana
Special-Season Area--See State regulations.
Utah
Special-Season Area--Rich, Cache, and Unitah Counties and that
portion of Box Elder County beginning on the Utah-Idaho State line at
the Box Elder-Cache County line; west on the State line to the
Pocatello Valley County Road; south on the Pocatello Valley County Road
to I-15; southeast on I-15 to SR-83; south on SR-83 to Lamp Junction;
west and south on the Promontory Point County Road to the tip of
Promontory Point; south from Promontory Point to the Box Elder-Weber
County line; east on the Box Elder-Weber County line to the Box Elder-
Cache County line; north on the Box Elder-Cache County line to the
Utah-Idaho State line.
Wyoming
Bear River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Salt River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
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 Game Birds in Puerto Rico
Municipality of Culebra Closure Area--All of the municipality of
Culebra.
Desecheo Island Closure Area--All of Desecheo Island.
Mona Island Closure Area--All of Mona Island.
El Verde Closure Area--Those areas of the municipalities of Rio
Grande and Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All lands between Routes
956 on the west and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the north to the
juncture of Routes 956 and 186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands
between Routes 186 and 966 from the juncture of 186 and 966 on the
north, to the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the south; (3) all
lands lying west of Route 186 for 1 kilometer from the juncture of
Routes 186 and 956 south to Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within Km
14 and Km 6 on the west and the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on
the east; and (5) all lands within the Caribbean National Forest
Boundary whether private or public.
Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas--All of Cidra Municipality
and portions of Aguas Buenas, Caguas, Cayey, and Comerio Municipalities
as encompassed within the following boundary: beginning on Highway 172
as it leaves the municipality of Cidra on the west edge, north to
Highway 156, east on Highway 156 to Highway 1, south on Highway 1 to
Highway 765, south on Highway 765 to Highway 763, south on Highway 763
to the Rio Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to Highway 1, southwest on
Highway 1 to Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to Highway 729, north on
Highway 729 to Cidra Municipality boundary to the point of the
beginning.
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
[[Page 47241]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17JY02.023
[FR Doc. 02-17937 Filed 7-16-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-C