[Federal Register: July 17, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 137)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 42545-42561]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17jy03-33]
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Part IV
Department of the Interior
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Fish and Wildlife Service
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50 CFR Part 20
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory
Bird Hunting Regulations; Notice of Meetings; Proposed Rule
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
RIN 1018-AI93
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Early-Season
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations; Notice of Meetings
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we)
is proposing to establish the 2003-04 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.
DATES: The Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee will meet to
consider and develop proposed regulations for late-season migratory
bird hunting and the 2004 spring/summer migratory bird subsistence
seasons in Alaska on July 30 and 31, 2003. All meetings will commence
at approximately 8:30 a.m. You must submit comments on the proposed
migratory bird hunting-season frameworks for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto
Rico, the Virgin Islands, and other early seasons by July 30, 2003, and
for the forthcoming proposed late-season frameworks and subsistence
hunting seasons in Alaska by August 30, 2003.
ADDRESSES: The Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee will meet
in room 200 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Arlington Square
Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia. Send your
comments on the proposals to the Chief, Division of Migratory Bird
Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior,
ms MBSP-4107-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. All
comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of
the public record. You may inspect comments during normal business
hours at the Service's office in room 4107, 4501 N. Fairfax Drive,
Arlington, Virginia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Millsap, Chief, or Ron W. Kokel,
Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
(703) 358-1714.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulations Schedule for 2003
On May 6, 2003, we published in the Federal Register (68 FR 24324)
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 2003-04 duck hunting season, and other
regulations for migratory game birds under Sec. Sec. 20.101 through
20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. On June 23, 2003, we published
in the Federal Register (68 FR 37362) a second document providing
supplemental proposals for early- and late-season migratory bird
hunting regulations frameworks and the regulatory alternatives for the
2003-04 duck hunting season. The June 23 supplement also provided
detailed information on the 2003-04 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. It will lead to final frameworks from which States may
select season dates, shooting hours, and daily bag and possession
limits for the 2003-04 season. We have considered all pertinent
comments received through June 27, 2003, on the May 6 and June 23,
2003, 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, 2003.
Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee Meetings
Participants at the June 18-19, 2003, meetings reviewed information
on the current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and
developed 2003-04 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 30-31, 2003, meetings
will review information on the current status of waterfowl and develop
recommendations for the 2003-04 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
Habitat conditions for breeding waterfowl have improved over last
year in the prairie survey areas, except for eastern South Dakota. Most
prairie areas had warm temperatures and plenty of rain this spring. Two
areas of dramatic improvement over the past several years were south-
central Alberta and southern Saskatchewan, where conditions went from
poor to good after much-needed precipitation relieved several years of
drought. Other areas in the prairies also improved in condition over
2002, but to a lesser extent. However, years of dry conditions in parts
of the United States and Canadian prairies, combined with agricultural
practices, have lessened the quality and quantity of residual nesting
cover and over-water nest sites in many regions. This could potentially
limit production for both dabbling and diving ducks, if the warm spring
temperatures and good moisture of 2003 does not result in rapid growth
of new cover. Eastern South Dakota was the one area of the prairies
where wetland habitat conditions were generally worse than last year,
mostly due to low soil moisture, little winter precipitation, and no
significant rainfall in April. By the time this region received several
inches of rain in May, most birds probably had overflown the area to
wetter conditions in other regions to the north and west.
In the northwestern survey areas, habitat was in generally good
condition and most areas had normal water levels. The exception was
northern Manitoba, where low water levels in small streams
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and beaver ponds resulted in overall breeding habitat conditions that
were only fair. Warm spring temperatures arrived much earlier this year
than the exceptionally late spring last year. However, a cold snap in
early May could have hurt early-nesting species such as mallards and
pintails, particularly in the northern Northwest Territories.
Habitat conditions in the eastern survey area ranged from excellent
to fair. In the southern and western part of this survey area, water
and nesting cover were plentiful and temperatures were mild this
spring.
Habitat quality decreased to the north, especially in northern and
western Quebec, where many shallow marshes and bogs were either
completely dry or reduced to mudflats. Beaver-pond habitat was also
noticeably less common than normal. To the east in Maine and most of
the Maritime provinces, conditions were excellent, with adequate water,
vegetation, and warm spring temperatures.
Status of Teal
Breeding population estimates for blue-winged teal from surveyed
areas total 5.5 million blue-winged teal, which is above the 4.7
million needed to trigger the 16-day teal season in the Central and
Mississippi Flyways, and the 3.3 million needed to trigger the 9-day
teal season in the Atlantic Flyway.
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
2003, uncorrected for visibility, was 316,676 cranes. The most recent
photo-corrected 3-year average (for 2000-2002) was 375,875, 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 2002-03. About 8,800
hunters participated in these seasons, which was 10 percent higher than
the number participating in the previous year. An estimated 16,650
cranes were harvested in the Central Flyway during 2001-02 seasons,
which was 11% higher than the previous year's estimate. Retrieved
harvests in the Pacific Flyway, Canada, and Mexico were estimated to be
about 11,650 cranes for the 2002-03 period. The total North American
sport harvest, including crippling losses, was estimated at 31,830,
which is similar to 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 2002 pre-migration survey estimate for the Rocky Mountain
Population of sandhill cranes was 18,803, which was 12% higher than the
previous year's estimate of 16,559. Limited special seasons were held
during 2002 in portions of Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah,
and Wyoming, resulting in a harvest of 639 cranes, which is 29% below
the previous year's 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 2003 indicate that the numbers of
displaying woodcock in the Eastern and Central Regions were unchanged
from 2002 (P0.10); although the point estimates of the
trends were higher. Trends from the Singing-Ground Survey during 1993-
2003 were -1.3 and -1.6 percent change per year for the Eastern and
Central regions, respectively (P<0.05). There were long-term (1968-03)
declines (P<0.01) of 2.3 percent per year in the Eastern Region and 1.8
percent per year in the Central Region.
The 2002 recruitment index for the Eastern Region (1.4 immatures
per adult female) was similar to the 2001 index, but was 18 percent
below the long-term average. The recruitment index for the Central
Region (1.6 immatures per adult female) was 17 percent higher than the
2001 index of 1.3 immatures per female, and was similar to the long-
term average. The index of daily hunting success in the Eastern Region
increased slightly from 1.8 woodcock per successful hunt in 2001 to 1.9
in 2002, but seasonal hunting success declined from 6.9 woodcock per
successful hunter in 2001 to 6.6 in 2002. In the Central Region, the
daily success index was 2.1 woodcock per successful hunt in both 2001
and 2002; but seasonal hunting success increased from 10.0 woodcock per
successful hunter in 2001 to 11.0 in 2002.
Band-tailed Pigeons and Doves
A significant decline in the Coastal population of band-tailed
pigeons occurred during 1968-2002, 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
1998-02 and a nonsignificant increase during 1975-02. According to
Harvest Information Program (HIP) surveys, approximately 9,600 pigeons
were taken during the 2002-03 season. The Interior band-tailed pigeon
population is stable with no trend indicated by the BBS over the short-
or long-term periods. An estimated 3,700 birds were taken in 2002-03.
Analyses of Mourning Dove Call-Count Survey data over the most
recent 10 years indicated no trend in doves heard in any Management
Unit. Between 1966 and 2003, all 3 Units exhibited significant
declines. In contrast, for doves seen over the 10-year period, a
significant increase was found in the Eastern Unit while no trends were
found in the Central and Western Units. Over 38 years, no trend was
found for doves seen in the Eastern and Central Units while a decline
was indicated for the Western Unit. HIP surveys indicated that about
22,700,000 mourning doves were bagged nationwide during the 2002-03
season.
In Arizona, the white-winged dove population has shown a
significant decline between 1962 and 2003. However, the number of
whitewings has been fairly stable since the 1970s and, over the most
recent 10 years, there is no significant trend indicated. The 2002
harvest estimate from the HIP survey was 102,700. In Texas, the range
and density of white-winged doves continue to expand. In 2003, the
whitewing population in Texas was estimated to be 2,525,000 birds, an
increase of 8.4 percent from 2002. A more inclusive count in San
Antonio documented more than 1.3 million birds. HIP surveys indicated a
harvest of 943,000 whitewings during the 2002-03 season. The expansion
of whitewings northward and eastward from Texas has led to reports of
nesting 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 2003
survey averaged 0.95 birds per stop, a 2 percent decrease over the 2002
survey. During the special 4-day whitewing season, about 2,700
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whitetips were bagged, according to State harvest-survey estimates.
Review of Public Comments
The preliminary proposed rulemaking (May 6 Federal Register) opened
the public comment period for migratory game bird hunting regulations
and the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2003-04 duck hunting
season. Comments concerning early-season issues and the proposed
alternatives are summarized below and numbered in the order used in the
May 6 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 May 6, 2003, 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/discussions, and only those containing substantial
recommendations are discussed below.
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
i. September Teal Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that States that have participated in the recent experimental teal
season (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina,
and Georgia) be offered an operational September teal season beginning
in 2003. They recommend that the season run for nine consecutive days
during September 1-30, 2003, with a bag limit not to exceed four teal,
whenever the breeding population estimate for blue-winged teal exceeds
3.3 million in the traditional survey area. Delaware, Georgia, North
Carolina, and Virginia may have shooting hours between one-half hour
before sunrise and sunset, while shooting hours for Maryland and South
Carolina may be between sunrise and sunset.
The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the 16-day September teal
seasons continue to be used when the blue-winged teal breeding
population is at or above 4.7 million, based on the recently completed
report, ``Assessment of 16-Day September Teal Seasons 1998-2000 in the
Central and Mississippi Flyways.''
The Central Flyway Council recommended that Nebraska's experimental
September teal season become operational.
Service Response: In 2001, the Atlantic Flyway Council requested
operational status for a special teal season in the four States
(Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, and Virginia) that fully met the
established criteria. During the ensuing comment period, North Carolina
and South Carolina submitted written requests that we reconsider our
proposed decision to discontinue their September season based upon
data-analysis inconsistencies and requested further analysis. We
decided to continue the 9-day special season experimentally in all six
States until a final report was submitted.
In 2002, we delayed action on the continuance of these seasons in
the Atlantic Flyway until completion of a final report. Based on the
criteria that were established and agreed to by the individual
participating States and the Service, we propose operational September
teal seasons in Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, and Georgia. However, the
States of North Carolina and South Carolina have not met the criteria
that hunter nontarget attempt rates be less than 25 percent over the 3-
year experimental period. Thus, we propose to suspend the season in
these two States.
Although we are aware of the Atlantic Flyway's request that we
evaluate hunter performance on a pooled basis among States rather than
on a State-by-State basis, we do not believe that it is appropriate to
continue these seasons given the explicit criteria in the MOU to
evaluate hunter performance on a State basis. All States, including
North Carolina and South Carolina, signed the MOU at the start of the
experimental study in 1998 and agreed to the conditions of the MOU that
stipulated that the attempts at nontarget species not exceed 25 percent
on an individual State basis.
Regarding Nebraska's special teal season, we do not concur with the
Central Flyway Council's recommendation for operational status of this
season. We believe that the season should remain experimental until a
final report on the experiment is completed.
ii. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that the bag limit for Florida's special September wood duck and teal
season remain at 4 wood ducks and teal in the aggregate.
Service Response: In 2001, we granted operational status to
September teal/wood duck seasons in the States of Florida, Kentucky,
and Tennessee. The September teal/wood duck season in all three States
is a 5-day season, with a daily bag limit of four birds, no more than
two of which can be wood ducks. We do not support the Council's request
for a 4-wood duck daily bag limit in Florida, as previously existed.
This change was a condition of grandfathering these special seasons.
Additionally, we have concerns about our ability to track the status of
Florida's wood duck population and the low hen wood duck survival rates
noted during the recently completed Monitoring Initiative.
iii. Youth Hunt
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that the Service allow all States the option of holding ``youth
waterfowl hunt days'' on nonconsecutive hunting days, while maintaining
the requirement that they must be held on non-school days.
Service Response: In 2000, in light of continuing interest from the
Flyway Councils, we decided to expand the special youth waterfowl hunt
from 1 day to 2 consecutive days. Anecdotal data suggested that the
special hunt is very popular and has provided an excellent opportunity
to introduce youth hunters to the sport of waterfowling and waterfowl
and wetland conservation. Expansion of the special hunt to 2
consecutive days was implemented to help reduce travel difficulties and
scheduling conflicts inherent with the 1-day hunt previously
implemented.
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In 2001, the Service concurred with the Atlantic Flyway Council's
recommendation to expand the youth hunt to 2 consecutive hunting days
because Sunday hunting is prohibited in some States in the Flyway. We
do not support further expansion of the special youth hunt to 2
nonconsecutive hunting days. Further separation of hunting days would
be inconsistent with the purpose identified earlier by the Flyway
Councils for expanding the special hunt to 2 days, which was to reduce
travel difficulties and scheduling conflicts inherent with the former
1-day hunt.
2. Sea Ducks
During last year's season, we were made aware of a conflict between
the framework closing date for ducks and that for sea ducks. The latest
closing dates for ducks was extended to the last Sunday in January,
while the closing date for sea ducks remained at January 20. Therefore,
to avoid the complications of sea ducks in the regular-duck-season bag,
we propose that the closing date for sea ducks be January 31.
4. Canada Geese
A. Special Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that the Service increase the special September Canada goose hunting
season bag limit to 8, with no possession limit, beginning with the
2003-04 hunting season. They further recommended that the framework
closing date for the special September Canada goose season in North
Carolina's Northeast Hunt Zone be extended from September 20 to
September 30. They also recommended that the September 1-30 framework
dates for Rhode Island's September resident Canada goose season be made
operational.
The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the experimental early
Canada goose season in Huron, Tuscola, and Saginaw counties in Michigan
be extended for 1 year. Further, the Committees recommended that the
Service grant operational status to Minnesota's Special September
Canada Goose Season extension (16-22 September).
The Central Flyway Council recommended that South Dakota's 3-year
experimental September Canada goose season (September 16-30) become
operational for all of eastern South Dakota (east of the Missouri
River), beginning in 2003.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that Wyoming's special-
season framework for the Rocky Mountain population of western Canada
geese consist of an 8-day season during September 1-15 in Bear River,
Salt River, Farson-Eden Area, Bridger Valley, and Teton Counties, and
the Little Snake River drainage portion of Carbon County. All
participants must have a valid State permit for the special season. The
number of permits may not exceed 240 in the Bear River, Salt River,
Farson-Eden Area, and Bridger Valley area, and 20 permits in the Little
Snake River drainage portion of Carbon County. The daily bag limit
would be 3, with season and possession limits of 6. Where applicable,
the season must be concurrent with the September portion of the
sandhill crane season.
Service Response: We concur with the Atlantic Flyway Council's
request regarding North Carolina and Rhode Island. We also concur with
the recommendation to increase the daily bag limit in the September
Canada goose seasons from 5 to 8, but believe that the possession limit
should be 16.
Regarding South Dakota's experimental September Canada goose
season, we believe the season should remain experimental until a final
report is prepared, approved by the Flyway Council, and transmitted to
the Service. This is consistent with the normal procedures for approval
of experimental seasons. We do not concur with the recommendation for
operational status of any areas outside the current experimental area.
Special seasons after September 15 in other portions of the State
initially must be experimental.
We concur with the recommendations from the Upper- and Lower-Region
Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council and the
Pacific Flyway Council.
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, 2003.
Service Response: We concur.
9. Sandhill Cranes
Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended
accepting the 2002 Rocky Mountain population of sandhill cranes harvest
allocation of 668 birds as proposed by the Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: We concur.
20. Puerto Rico
Written Comments: The Puerto Rico Department of Natural and
Environmental Resources requested increasing the daily bag limit for
doves from 10 to 15 doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 3
could be mourning doves.
Service Response: We concur. Surveys in Puerto Rico indicate that
white-winged and Zenaida doves are increasing while mourning doves are
declining. Additionally, a review of banding records failed to document
any interchange of doves between Puerto Rico and the United States;
thus, a change in hunting regulations would have no impact on U.S. dove
populations.
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 in DATES 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
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4107, 4501 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 Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on June 16,
1988 (53 FR 22582). We published our Record of Decision on August 18,
1988 (53 FR 31341). In addition, an August 1985 environmental
assessment entitled ``Guidelines for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
on Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands'' is available from the
address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.
In a proposed rule published in the April 30, 2001, Federal
Register (66 FR 21298), we expressed our intent to begin the process of
developing a new EIS for the migratory bird hunting program.
Endangered Species Act Consideration
Prior to issuance of the 2003-04 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 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 rulemaking documents.
Executive Order 12866
This rule is economically significant and was reviewed by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Executive Order 12866. The
migratory bird hunting regulations are economically significant and are
annually reviewed by OMB under Executive Order 12866. As such, a cost/
benefit analysis was prepared in 1998 and is further discussed below
under the heading Regulatory Flexibility Act. Copies of the cost/
benefit analysis are available upon request from the address indicated
under the caption ADDRESSES.
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 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?
(6) What else could we do to make the rule easier to understand?
Send a copy of any comments that concern how we could make this
rule easier to understand to: Office of the Executive Secretariat and
Regulatory Affairs, Department of the Interior, Room 7229, 1849 C
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. You may also e-mail comments to this
address: Exsec@ios.doi.gov.
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.). In 1998, we analyzed the economic impacts of the
annual hunting regulations on small business entities in detail, and
issued a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis). The 1998
Analysis documented the significant beneficial economic effect on a
substantial number of small entities and estimated that migratory bird
hunters would spend between $429 million and $1.084 billion at small
businesses in 1998. The primary source of information about hunter
expenditures for migratory game bird hunting is the National Survey of
Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, which is
conducted at 5-year intervals. The 1998 Analysis utilized the 1996
National Hunting and Fishing Survey and the U.S. Department of
Commerce's County Business Patterns. In 2002, the results from the 2001
National Hunting and Fishing Survey were released. This year, we will
update the 1998 Analysis with information from the 2001 National
Hunting and Fishing Survey. Copies of the 1998 Analysis are available
upon request from the Division of Migratory Bird Management.
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 required by 5 U.S.C. 801 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
clearance 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 clearance 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 the 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 impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given
year on local or State government or private entities. Therefore, this
rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act.
Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988
The Department, in promulgating this proposed rule, has determined
that this rule will not unduly burden the judicial system and meets the
requirements of
[[Page 42551]]
sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.
Takings Implication Assessment
In accordance with Executive Order 12630, this proposed rule,
authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, does not have significant
takings implications and does not affect any constitutionally protected
property rights. This rule will not result in the physical occupancy of
property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory taking
of any property. In fact, these rules allow hunters to exercise
otherwise unavailable privileges and, therefore, reduce restrictions on
the use of private and public property.
Energy Effects--Executive Order 13211
On May 18, 2001, the President issued Executive Order 13211 on
regulations that significantly affect energy supply, distribution, and
use. Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of
Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. While this proposed
rule is a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, it
is not expected to adversely affect energy supplies, distribution, or
use. Therefore, this action is not a significant energy action and no
Statement of Energy Effects is required.
Federalism Effects
Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the
Federal Government has been given responsibility over these species by
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We annually prescribe frameworks from
which the States make selections regarding the hunting of migratory
birds, and we employ guidelines to establish special regulations on
Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. This process preserves the
ability of the States and tribes to determine which seasons meet their
individual needs. Any State or tribe may be more restrictive than the
Federal frameworks at any time. The frameworks are developed in a
cooperative process with the States and the Flyway Councils. This
process allows States to participate in the development of frameworks
from which they will make selections, thereby having an influence on
their own regulations. These rules do not have a substantial direct
effect on fiscal capacity, change the roles or responsibilities of
Federal or State governments, or intrude on State policy or
administration. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132,
these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and do not
have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a
Federalism Assessment.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20
Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.
The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2003-04
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742
a-j.
Dated: July 9, 2003.
Craig Manson,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 2003-04 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 within which States may select
hunting seasons for certain migratory game birds between September 1,
2003, and March 10, 2004.
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, and
Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Central Flyway--Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska (part), New
Mexico (part), Oklahoma, and Texas. The season in Nebraska is
experimental.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 16 consecutive
days, except in the Atlantic Flyway and Nebraska in the Central Flyway,
where
[[Page 42552]]
the season may not 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 20). 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 may 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 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 107 days, with
a daily bag limit of 7, singly or in the aggregate of the listed sea-
duck species, of which no more than 4 may be scoters.
Daily Bag Limits During the Regular Duck Season: Within the special
sea duck areas, during the regular duck season in the Atlantic Flyway,
States may choose to allow the above sea duck limits in addition to the
limits applying to other ducks during the regular duck season. In all
other areas, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular open season
for ducks and are part of the regular duck season daily bag (not to
exceed 4 scoters) and possession limits.
Areas: In all coastal waters and all waters of rivers and streams
seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in any waters
of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay which are
separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and
emergent vegetation in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Georgia; and in
any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay
which are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any shore,
island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina
and Virginia; and provided that any such areas have been described,
delineated, and designated as special sea-duck hunting areas under the
hunting regulations adopted by the respective States.
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons
Atlantic Flyway
General Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected for the Eastern Unit of Maryland and Delaware. Seasons not to
exceed 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected for the Northeast
Hunt Unit of North Carolina, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. 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 8 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), 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 8 Canada geese.
Mississippi Flyway
General Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected, except in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, where the season
may not extend beyond September 10, and in Minnesota (except in the
Northwest Goose Zone), where a season of up to 22 days during September
1-22 may be selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada
geese. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described,
delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
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 12 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 9 consecutive days
during September 22-30 may be selected by Oklahoma. The daily bag limit
may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
[[Page 42553]]
Pacific Flyway
General Seasons
California may select a 9-day season in Humboldt County during the
period September 1-15. The daily bag limit is 2.
Colorado may select a 9-day season during the period of September
1-15. The daily bag limit is 3.
Oregon may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days
during the period September 1-15. In addition, in the NW goose
management zone in Oregon, a 15-day season may be selected during the
period September 1-20. Daily bag limits may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
Idaho may select a 7-day season 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).
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 18) 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
[[Page 42554]]
seasons between October 1 and January 31. States in the Central
Management Region may select hunting seasons between the Saturday
nearest September 22 (September 20) 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.
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.
[[Page 42555]]
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. The bag limit is 1 daily and 1 in
possession. The season will close if incidental harvest includes 5
dusky Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada
goose (Munsell 10 YR color value five or less) with a bill length
between 40 and 50 millimeters.
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 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 15 Zenaida,
mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which not more
than 3 may be mourning doves. 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 must not exceed 107 days for any species or group
of species in a geographical area. Each extended season may be divided
into a maximum of 3 segments.
[[Page 42556]]
Framework Dates: Seasons must fall between September 1 and March
10.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Falconry daily bag and possession
limits for all permitted migratory game birds must not exceed 3 and 6
birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate, during extended
falconry seasons, any special or experimental seasons, and regular
hunting seasons in all States, including those that do not select an
extended falconry season.
Regular Seasons: General hunting regulations, including seasons and
hunting hours, apply to falconry in each State listed in 50 CFR
21.29(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 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.
South Zone--Remainder of the State.
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 will be in the Coastal Zone.
[[Page 42557]]
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.
Vermont
Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area north and west of the line extending from the New York border
along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes;
U.S. 7 to the Canadian border.
Interior Zone: That portion of Vermont west of the Lake Champlain
Zone and eastward of a line extending from the Massachusetts border at
Interstate 91; north along Interstate 91 to U.S. 2; east along U.S. 2
to VT 102; north along VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 253 to the
Canadian border.
Connecticut River Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont east of
the Interior Zone.
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.
[[Page 42558]]
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.
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 Counties.
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.
[[Page 42559]]
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.
Little Snake River--That portion of the Little Snake River drainage
in Carbon County.
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. 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 state line to the point of origin.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to
U.S. 80; east 7 miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south
on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the
[[Page 42560]]
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.
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.
Farson-Eden 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 Game Birds in the Virgin Islands
Ruth Cay Closure Area--The island of Ruth Cay, just south of St.
Croix.
All Migratory Game Birds in Puerto Rico
Municipality of Culebra Closure Area--All of the municipality of
Culebra.
Desecheo Island Closure Area--All of Desecheo Island.
Mona Island Closure Area--All of Mona Island.
[[Page 42561]]
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.
[FR Doc. 03-18096 Filed 7-16-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P