# Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A2017-11042 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Rule - **Published:** May 30, 2017 - **Citation:** 82 FR 24786 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 20 [Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2016-0051; FF09M21200-178-FXMB1231099BPP0] RIN 1018-BB40 Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) prescribes final frameworks from which States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2017-18 migratory bird hunting seasons. The effect of this final rule is to facilitate the States' selection of hunting seasons and to further the annual establishment of the migratory bird hunting regulations. We annually prescribe frameworks, or outer limits, for dates and times when hunting may occur and the number of birds that may be taken and possessed in hunting seasons. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels compatible with population and habitat conditions. DATES: This rule takes effect on May 30, 2017. ADDRESSES: States should send their season selections to: Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: MB, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803. You may inspect comments received on the migratory bird hunting regulations during normal business hours at the Service's office at 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 or at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2016-0051. You may obtain copies of referenced reports from the street address above, or from the Division of Migratory Bird Management's Web site at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/, or at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2016-0051. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron W. Kokel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, MS: MB, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803; (703) 358-1967. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations Schedule for 2017 On June 10, 2016, we published a proposal to amend title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at part 20 (81 FR 38050). The proposal provided a background and overview of the migratory bird hunting regulations process, and addressed the establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for hunting migratory game birds under §§ 20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. Major steps in the 2017-18 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal Register notifications were also identified in the June 10, 2016, proposed rule. Further, we explained that all sections of subsequent documents outlining hunting frameworks and guidelines were organized under numbered headings. Those headings are: 1. Ducks A. General Harvest Strategy B. Regulatory Alternatives C. Zones and Split Seasons D. Special Seasons/Species Management i. September Teal Seasons ii. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons iii. Black ducks iv. Canvasbacks v. Pintails vi. Scaup vii. Mottled ducks viii. Wood ducks ix. Youth Hunt x. Mallard Management Units xi. Other 2. Sea Ducks 3. Mergansers 4. Canada Geese A. Special Early Seasons B. Regular Seasons C. Special Late Seasons 5. White-fronted Geese 6. Brant 7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese 8. Swans 9. Sandhill Cranes 10. Coots 11. Moorhens and Gallinules 12. Rails 13. Snipe 14. Woodcock 15. Band-tailed Pigeons 16. Doves 17. Alaska 18. Hawaii 19. Puerto Rico 20. Virgin Islands 21. Falconry 22. Other Subsequent sections of this document refer only to the numbered items requiring attention. Therefore, the numbered items discussed below will be discontinuous and appear incomplete. The June 10, 2016, proposed rule also provided detailed information on the proposed 2017-18 regulatory schedule and announced the Service Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council meetings. On August 12, 2016, we published in the Federal Register (81 FR 53391) a second document providing supplemental proposals for migratory bird hunting regulations. The August 12 supplement also provided detailed information on the 2017-18 regulatory schedule and re-announced the SRC and Flyway Council meetings. On October 25-26, 2016, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council Consultants, at which the participants reviewed information on the current status of migratory game birds and developed recommendations for the 2017-18 regulations for these species. On February 9, 2017, we published in the Federal Register (82 FR 10222) the proposed frameworks for the 2017-18 season migratory bird hunting regulations. This document establishes final frameworks for migratory bird hunting regulations for the 2017-18 season. There are no substantive changes from the February 9 proposed rule. We will publish State selections in the Federal Register as amendments to §§ 20.101 through 20.107 and 20.109 of title 50 CFR part 20. Population Status and Harvest Each year we publish various species status reports that provide detailed information on the status and harvest of migratory game birds, including information on the methodologies and results. These reports are available at the address indicated under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or from our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/birds/surveys-and-data/reports-and-publications/population-status.php. We used the following reports: Adaptive Harvest Management, 2017 Hunting Season (August 2016); American Woodcock Population Status, 2016 (August 2016); Band-tailed Pigeon Population Status, 2016 (September 2016); Migratory Bird Hunting Activity and Harvest During the 2014-15 and 2015-16 Hunting Seasons (October 2016); Mourning Dove Population Status, 2016 (August 2016); Status and Harvests of Sandhill Cranes, Mid-continent, Rocky Mountain, Lower Colorado River Valley and Eastern Populations, 2016 (September 2016); and Waterfowl Population Status, 2016 (August 2016). Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the June 10, 2016, Federal Register , opened the public comment period for migratory game bird hunting regulations and discussed the regulatory alternatives for the 2017-18 duck hunting season. The February 9, 2017, Federal Register publication discussed and proposed the frameworks for the 2017-18 season migratory bird hunting regulations. Comments and recommendations are summarized below and numbered in the order from the above list of topics. 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 have included only the numbered items pertaining to issues for which we received recommendations. Consequently, the issues do not follow in successive numerical order. General Written Comments: A commenter provided several comments that protested the entire migratory bird hunting regulations process, the killing of all migratory birds, and status and habitat data on which the migratory bird hunting regulations are based. Another commenter opposed the use of the term “sport” and taxpayer funds to either increase the number of birds taken or monitor hunters in Idaho and Washington. Several other commenters expressed support for the proposed regulations. A commenter expressed general support for moving the March 10 framework ending date for all waterfowl to an April closing date. A commenter requested that the rule address lead ammunition and potential concerns about lead contamination. A commenter requested that the regulation of migratory bird hunting be left to the individual States rather than the Federal Government. Service Response: Our long-term objectives continue to include providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game bird populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Having taken into account the zones of temperature and the distribution, abundance, economic value, breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of migratory birds, we conclude that the hunting seasons provided for herein are compatible with the current status of migratory bird populations and long-term population goals. Additionally, we are obligated to, and do, give serious consideration to all information received as public comment. While there are problems inherent with any type of representative management of public-trust resources, the Flyway-Council system of migratory game bird management has been a longstanding example of State-Federal cooperative management since its establishment in 1952. However, as always, we continue to seek new ways to streamline and improve the process. In regard to the request for a later framework closing date, we note that the March 10 date is the latest date for migratory bird hunting specified in the Migratory Bird Treaty with Canada. In regard to lead ammunition, the regulations pertaining to the use of nontoxic shot are contained in 50 CFR 20.21(j) and are not the subject of this rule. In regard to turning over the establishment of these regulations to the individual States, we note that, due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, and for the protection and management of these birds, the Federal Government has been given responsibility over these species by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712), the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to determine when “hunting, taking, capture, killing, possession, sale, purchase, shipment, transportation, carriage, or export of any * * * bird, or any part, nest, or egg” of migratory game birds can take place, and to adopt regulations for this purpose. These regulations are written after giving due regard to “the zones of temperature and to the distribution, abundance, economic value, breeding habits, and times and lines of migratory flight of such birds” and are updated annually (16 U.S.C. 704(a)). However, migratory game bird management is a cooperative effort of State, Tribal, and Federal governments. Annually, the Service, the Canadian Wildlife Service, and State and Provincial wildlife-management agencies gather, analyze, and interpret biological survey data and provide this information to all those involved in the process through a series of published status reports and presentations to Flyway Councils and other interested parties. We then cooperatively develop migratory game bird hunting regulations by establishing the frameworks, or outside limits, for season lengths, bag limits, and areas for migratory game bird hunting 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. After frameworks are established, States may select season dates, bag limits, and other regulatory options for the hunting seasons. This process preserves the ability of the States to determine which seasons meet their individual needs. 1. Ducks A. General Harvest Strategy Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended the adoption of the “liberal” regulatory alternative. The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that regulation changes be restricted to one step per year, both when restricting as well as liberalizing hunting regulations. Service Response: We propose to continue using adaptive harvest management (AHM) to help determine appropriate duck-hunting regulations for the 2017-18 season. AHM allows sound resource decisions in the face of uncertain regulatory impacts and provides a mechanism for reducing that uncertainty over time. We use AHM to evaluate four alternative regulatory levels for duck hunting based on the population status of mallards. (We enact other hunting regulations for species of special concern, such as canvasbacks, scaup, and pintails). The prescribed regulatory alternative for the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways is based on the status of mallard populations that contribute primarily to each Flyway. In the Atlantic Flyway, we set hunting regulations based on the population status of mallards breeding in eastern North America (Federal survey strata 51-54 and 56, and State surveys in New England and the mid-Atlantic region). In the Central and Mississippi Flyways, we set hunting regulations based on the status and dynamics of mid-continent mallards. Mid-continent mallards are those breeding in central North America (Federal survey strata 13-18, 20-50, and 75-77, and State surveys in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan). In the Pacific Flyway, we set hunting regulations based on the status and dynamics of western mallards. Western mallards are those breeding in Alaska and the northern Yukon Territory (as based on Federal surveys in strata 1-12), and in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California (as based on Canadian Wildlife Service and State-conducted surveys). For the 2017-18 season, we recommend continuing to use independent optimization to determine the optimal regulatory choice for each mallard stock. This means that we would develop regulations for eastern mallards, mid-continent mallards, and western mallards independently, based upon the breeding stock that contributes primarily to each Flyway. We detailed implementation of this AHM decision framework for western and mid-continent mallards in the July 24, 2008, Federal Register (73 FR 43290) and for eastern mallards in the July 20, 2012, Federal Register (77 FR 42920). We further documented how adjustments were made to these decision frameworks in order to be compatible with the new regulatory schedule ( https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/pdf/management/AHM/SEIS&AHMReportFinal.pdf ). As we stated in the August 12, 2016, proposed rule, for the 2017-18 hunting season, we are continuing to consider the same regulatory alternatives as those used last year. The nature of the “restrictive,” “moderate,” and “liberal” alternatives has remained essentially unchanged since 1997, except that extended framework dates have been offered in the “moderate” and “liberal” regulatory alternatives since 2002 (67 FR 47224; July 17, 2002). The optimal AHM strategies for mid-continent, eastern, and western mallards for the 2017-18 hunting season were calculated using: (1) Harvest-management objectives specific to each mallard stock; (2) the 2017-18 regulatory alternatives (see further discussion below under B. Regulatory Alternatives); and (3) current population models and associated weights. Based on “liberal” regulatory alternatives selected for the 2016 hunting season, the 2016 survey results of 11.89 million mid-continent mallards (traditional survey area minus Alaska and the Old Crow Flats area of the Yukon Territory, plus Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan) and 3.49 million ponds in Prairie Canada, 0.72 million eastern mallards, and 1.07 million western mallards (0.48 million in California-Oregon and 0.58 million in Alaska), the optimal regulatory choice for all four Flyways is the “liberal” alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils regarding selection of the “liberal” regulatory alternative for the 2017-18 season and propose to adopt the “liberal” regulatory alternative, as described in the August 12, 2016, Federal Register . Regarding the Mississippi Flyway Council recommendation to limit regulatory changes to one step per year, as we stated in the August 12, 2016, Federal Register , we recognize the longstanding interest by the Council to impose a one-step constraint on regulatory changes. We note that the Central and Mississippi Flyways have worked with Service staff over the past 2 years to re-visit the AHM protocol for managing harvest of mid-continent mallards ( i.e., “double-looping”). This effort has included a discussion of appropriate management objectives, regulatory packages, and management of non-mallard stocks. These discussions are the appropriate venue to discuss what role, if any, a one-step constraint might play in management of waterfowl in the Central and Mississippi Flyways. Such discussions should include the potential impact of a one-step constraint on the frequency of when the liberal, moderate, and restrictive packages would be recommended. On a final note, while we recognize the Council's concern about potentially communicating a large regulatory change to hunters, we have concerns about the appropriateness of a one-step constraint in situations when the status of the waterfowl resource may warrant a different measure. We look forward to continued work with the Flyway Councils on this issue. B. Regulatory Alternatives Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended changing the framework closing date to January 31 during “moderate” and “liberal” seasons. Written Comments: A commenter disagreed with South Dakota's selected season dates for duck hunting in certain zones in recent years. Service Response: As we stated in the August 12, 2016, Federal Register , we do not support the Council's recommendation to extend the duck season framework closing date to January 31 at this time. We note that the current framework opening and closing dates were developed through a cooperative effort between all four Flyway Councils and that framework dates are only one of several components that comprise the regulatory packages utilized in AHM. Regulatory packages also consider season length, daily bag limits, and shooting hours. We conclude the current regulatory packages should remain unchanged until revisions to the AHM protocols have been completed. Those efforts will include examination of duck harvest management objectives, model updates, and revisions to regulatory packages, including framework dates. We prefer that the issue of framework dates and any other component of the regulatory packages be addressed through this cooperative process and would prefer a comprehensive approach to revising regulatory packages rather than making incremental changes. Regarding season dates in South Dakota, the State of South Dakota has the prerogative to select any season dates they desire within the overall frameworks. We assume South Dakota is weighing the concerns and wishes of all their hunters and other affected interests when doing so. D. Special Seasons/Species Management i. September Teal Seasons Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council requested granting operational status for the pre-sunrise portion of Maryland's September teal season. They further requested that we allow an additional year of the experimental teal-only season in Florida, as Florida needs another year to increase sample size to properly assess the effects of the experimental season on nontarget species. The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that States with ongoing experimental teal seasons in the Mississippi Flyway be allowed an additional year (2017-18 seasons) to evaluate impacts to nontarget species. The Central Flyway Council recommended that we allow an experimental September teal season in the northern portion of Nebraska to continue for the 2017-18 hunting season. Service Response: For the 2017-18 season, we will utilize the 2016 breeding population estimate of 6.6 million blue-winged teal from the traditional survey area and the criteria developed for the teal season harvest strategy. Thus, a 16-day September teal season in the Atlantic, Central, and Mississippi Flyways is appropriate for the 2017 season. We agree with the Atlantic Flyway's request to grant operation status to Maryland's pre-sunrise portion of their season. Available information collected during the 2013-16 seasons indicates that both nontarget harvest and attempt rates were well below the maximum allowed rates. We also agree with the Councils' requests to extend the current experimental seasons for another season in order to collect additional data. Sample size requirement criteria are specified in the memorandums of agreement (MOAs) between the various States and the Service, and the MOAs allow for an extension of the experimental seasons to meet these data needs, with concurrence by both the Service and the State. iii. Black Ducks Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils recommended that the Service continue to follow the International Black Duck AHM Strategy for the 2017-18 season. Service Response: In 2012, we adopted the International Black Duck AHM Strategy (77 FR 49868; August 17, 2012). The formal strategy is the result of 14 years of technical and policy decisions developed and agreed upon by both Canadian and U.S. agencies and waterfowl managers. The strategy clarifies what harvest levels each country will manage for and reduces conflicts over country-specific regulatory policies. Further, the strategy allows for attainment of fundamental objectives of black duck management: Resource conservation; perpetuation of hunting tradition; and equitable access to the black duck resource between Canada and the United States while accommodating the fundamental sources of uncertainty, partial controllability and observability, structural uncertainty, and environmental variation. The underlying model performance is assessed annually, with a comprehensive evaluation of the entire strategy (objectives and model set) planned after 6 years. A copy of the strategy is available at the address indicated under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT , or from our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/pdf/management/AHM/BlackDuckInternationalHarvestStrategy.pdf. For the 2017-18 season, the optimal country-specific regulatory strategies were calculated using: (1) The black duck harvest objective (98 percent of long-term cumulative harvest); (2) 2017-18 country-specific regulatory alternatives; (3) current parameter estimates describing the effects of mallard competition on black duck productivity and additive mortality on black duck annual survival; and (4) 2016 survey results of 0.61 million breeding black ducks and 0.41 million breeding mallards in the core survey area. The optimal regulatory choices for the 2017-18 season are the “liberal” package in Canada and the “moderate” package in the United States. iv. Canvasbacks Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended a full season for canvasbacks with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Season lengths would be 60 days in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 74 days in the Central Flyway (with an additional 23 days in High Plains Mallard Management Unit areas), and 107 days in the Pacific Flyway. Service Response: As we discussed in the March 28, 2016, final rule (81 FR 17302), the canvasback harvest strategy that we had relied on until 2015 was not viable under our new regulatory process because it required biological information that was not yet available at the time a decision on season structure needed to be made. We do not yet have a new harvest strategy to propose for use in guiding canvasback harvest management in the future. However, we have worked with technical staff of the four Flyway Councils to develop a decision framework that relies on the best biological information available to make a harvest management proposal for the 2017-18 season. This framework utilized available information (1994-2014) on canvasback population size, growth rate, survival, and harvest to derive an optimal harvest policy with an objective of maximum sustained yield. The resulting policy suggests a 2-bird daily bag limit whenever the most recent canvasback population estimate is above 480,000 birds. Given that the 2016 canvasback breeding population estimate was 736,500 birds, we support the Flyways' recommendations for a 2-canvasback daily bag limit for the 2017-18 season. v. Pintails Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended a full season for pintails, consisting of a 1-bird daily bag limit and a 60-day season in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, a 74-day season in the Central Flyway (with an additional 23 days in High Plains Mallard Management Unit areas), and a 107-day season in the Pacific Flyway. Service Response: The current derived pintail harvest strategy was adopted by the Service and Flyway Councils in 2010 (75 FR 44856; July 29, 2010). For the 2017-18 season, an optimal regulatory strategy for pintails was calculated with: (1) An objective of maximizing long-term cumulative harvest, including a closed-season constraint of 1.75 million birds; (2) the regulatory alternatives and associated predicted harvest; and (3) current population models and their relative weights. Based on a “liberal” regulatory alternative with a 2-bird daily bag limit in 2016, and the 2016 survey results of 2.62 million pintails observed at a mean latitude of 58.6 degrees, the optimal regulatory choice for all four Flyways for the 2017-18 hunting season is the “liberal” alternative with a 1-bird daily bag limit. vi. Scaup Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended use of the “moderate” regulation package, consisting of a 60-day season with a 2-bird daily bag in the Atlantic Flyway and a 3-bird daily bag in the Mississippi Flyway, a 74-day season (with an additional 23 days in High Plains Mallard Management Unit areas) with a 3-bird daily bag limit in the Central Flyway, and an 86-day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit in the Pacific Flyway. Service Response: In 2008, we adopted and implemented a new scaup harvest strategy (73 FR 43290 on July 24, 2008, and 73 FR 51124 on August 29, 2008) with initial “restrictive,” “moderate,” and “liberal” regulatory packages adopted for each Flyway. For scaup, optimal regulatory strategies for the 2017-18 season were calculated using: (1) An objective to achieve 95 percent of long-term cumulative harvest, (2) current scaup regulatory alternatives, and (3) updated model parameters and weights. Based on a “moderate” regulatory alternative selected in 2016, and the 2016 survey results of 4.99 million scaup, the optimal regulatory choice for the 2017-18 season for all four Flyways is the “moderate” regulatory alternative. 4. Canada Geese A. Special Early Seasons Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended an extension of North Dakota's September early Canada goose season framework to September 22. Service Response: We agree with the Central Flyway Council's request. When September Canada goose seasons were established in 1999 to allow harvest of primarily resident Canada geese, the Service established a limit that no more than 10 percent of the geese harvested could be migrant birds. Data collected in North Dakota at that time indicated that their harvest of migrants exceeded 10 percent after September 15, so their season was restricted to the middle of the month. An analysis of data from recent hunting seasons shows that the harvest of migrants from September 15-25 now is below 10 percent, so we support the extension. B. Regular Seasons Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended increasing the daily bag limit from 3 to 4 for Canada geese and brant in the aggregate in Wyoming and New Mexico. Written Comments: The State of Idaho requested modifications to their goose zones effective for the 2017-18 seasons. They state that the requested changes are a result of an extensive waterfowl hunter opinion survey conducted in an effort to better align duck and goose zones with hunter preferences. Further, the changes will better align with existing duck hunting zones, improve hunter opportunity, and reduce regulatory complexity in State and Federal regulations. An individual from Wisconsin expressed desire for a longer early season (September 1-15) targeting resident geese, a regular season that can run into January, and an increase in the daily bag limit from 2 to 3 birds. Service Response: We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to increase the daily bag limit from 3 to 4 Canada geese and brant in the aggregate in Wyoming and New Mexico. The basic daily bag limit is 4 for Canada geese and brant in the aggregate for Interior States within the Pacific Flyway. State restrictions have been imposed in many States in the Pacific Flyway to help establish and build breeding population segments (flocks) identified by State reference areas in the Flyway management plan. The current 3-year average breeding population estimate (2014-16) for the Rocky Mountain Population of western Canada geese is 195,320, which is substantially above the Flyway population objective of 117,000 geese and thresholds for restriction (<88,000 geese) and liberalization (<146,000 geese). Removal of the States' daily bag limit restrictions in Wyoming and New Mexico will result in Canada goose bag limits that are the same in all Pacific Flyway States, and result in greater consistency throughout the Flyway. In the Mississippi Flyway, we note that during the past several years the Mississippi Flyway has moved from State-specific frameworks to a general flyway-wide framework for Canada goose regulations. At the same time, population monitoring programs have been modified to become more cost-efficient and have focused on obtaining general subarctic goose population estimates rather than separate estimates for the Mississippi Valley Population (MVP), the Eastern Prairie Population (EPP), and the Southern James Bay Population (SJBP). We have allowed changes to Mississippi Flyway Canada goose frameworks with the expectation that a new Canada goose management plan would be developed. Because the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils currently share a joint management plan for the SJBP population, we conclude the Atlantic Flyway must be included in the development of the new Canada goose management plan in the Mississippi Flyway. Thus, we urge the Mississippi Flyway to complete the Canada goose management plan this winter and collaborate with the Atlantic Flyway where appropriate. The final plan should be presented at the June 2017 SRC meeting. We will not entertain further changes to Mississippi Flyway Canada goose frameworks in the absence of a final management plan. We agree with Idaho's requested modifications to their goose zones for the 2017-18 seasons. Since the changes are an outgrowth of an extensive waterfowl hunter opinion survey and will better align with existing duck hunting zones, we support their request. Lastly, in regard to the comments concerning Wisconsin's goose season, we point out that the current frameworks for Canada geese in Wisconsin allow that “States may select seasons for Canada geese not to exceed 107 days with a 5-bird daily bag limit September 1-30 (except in the Intensive Harvest Zone in Minnesota, which may have up to a 10-bird daily bag limit) and a 3-bird daily bag limit for the remainder of the season. Seasons may be held between September 1 and February 15 and may be split into 4 segments.” 5. White-fronted Geese Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the number of segments available for non-Canada geese should be increased from 3 to 4 for the Mississippi Flyway. The Pacific Flyway Council recommended allowing a 3-segment split hunting season for white-fronted geese in the Northeast Zone of California. Written Comments: The State of Idaho requested modifications to their goose zones effective for the 2017-18 seasons. They state that the requested changes are a result of an extensive waterfowl hunter opinion survey conducted in an effort to better align duck and goose zones with hunter preferences. Further, the changes will better align with existing duck hunting zones, improve hunter opportunity, and reduce regulatory complexity in State and Federal regulations. Service Response: We agree with the Mississippi Flyway Council's request to increase the number of segments available for non-Canada geese from 3 to 4 for the Mississippi Flyway. Increasing the number of segments for other geese (snow geese, white-fronted geese, and brant) will allow States flexibility to open and/or close all goose seasons on the same date. Since the numbers of white-fronted geese present in the Mississippi Flyway in September are low, we expect no impacts from this change. We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to allow a 3-segment split hunting season for white-fronted geese in the Northeast Zone of California. Current frameworks allow a 3-segment split for Canada geese and greater white-fronted geese; but this arrangement requires Pacific Flyway Council and Service approval and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State. The current 3-year average predicted fall population estimate (2014-16) for the Pacific Population of greater white-fronted geese is 600,592, which is substantially above the Flyway population objective of 300,000. Agricultural complaints have increased in the Northeastern Zone of California and there have been requests to allow more days during the late part of the season, in addition to days during the early part of the season. White-fronted geese use the Northeastern Zone as a fall and spring staging area, but otherwise winter primarily in the Sacramento Valley. A 3-segment season would allow hunting to coincide with white-fronted goose occurrence in this zone, and would be consistent with the frameworks for splitting the light goose season in the same zone. California proposed to evaluate the three-segment split season for greater white-fronted geese in the Northeastern Zone by monitoring the harvest of Tule greater white-fronted geese that are known to occur in that zone in late winter and early spring. Morphometric measurements will be obtained from hunters who allow their harvested birds to be measured, and band recovery data will be reviewed to identify subspecies harvest of white-fronted geese. Regarding Idaho's requested modifications to their goose zones, see our response above under 4. Canada Geese, B. Regular Seasons. 6. Brant Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommends that the 2017-18 season for Atlantic brant follow the Atlantic Flyway Brant Hunt plan pending the results of the 2017 Atlantic Flyway mid-winter waterfowl survey. The Council also recommended that if the results of the 2017 mid-winter survey are not available, then the results of the most recent mid-winter survey should be used. The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the number of segments available for non-Canada geese should be increased from 3 to 4 for the Mississippi Flyway. The Pacific Flyway Council recommended increasing the daily bag limit from 3 to 4 for Canada geese and brant in the aggregate in Wyoming and New Mexico. Written Comments: The State of Idaho requested modifications to their goose zones effective for the 2017-18 seasons. They state that the requested changes are a result of an extensive waterfowl hunter opinion survey conducted in an effort to better align duck and goose zones with hunter preferences. Further, the changes will better align with existing duck hunting zones, improve hunter opportunity, and reduce regulatory complexity in State and Federal regulations. Service Response: As we discussed in the March 28, 2016, final rule (81 FR 17302), the current harvest strategy used to determine the Atlantic brant season frameworks does not fit well within the new regulatory process, similar to the RMP sandhill crane issue discussed below under 9. Sandhill Cranes. In developing the annual proposed frameworks for Atlantic brant in the past, the Atlantic Flyway Council and the Service used the number of brant counted during the Mid-winter Waterfowl Survey (MWS) in the Atlantic Flyway, and took into consideration the brant population's expected productivity that summer. The MWS is conducted each January, and expected brant productivity is based on early-summer observations of breeding habitat conditions and nesting effort in important brant nesting areas. Thus, the data under consideration were available before the annual Flyway and SRC decision-making meetings took place in late July. Although the former regulatory alternatives for Atlantic brant were developed by factoring together long-term productivity rates (observed during November and December productivity surveys) with estimated observed harvest under different framework regulations, the primary decision-making criterion for selecting the annual frameworks was the MWS count. Under the new regulatory schedule, neither the expected 2017 brant production information (available summer 2017) nor the 2017 MWS count (conducted in January 2017) is yet available. However, the 2017 MWS will be completed and winter brant data will be available by the expected publication of the final frameworks (late February 2017). Therefore, in the September 24, 2015, Federal Register (80 FR 57664), we adopted the Atlantic Flyway's changes to the then-current Atlantic brant hunt plan strategies. Current harvest packages (strategies) for Atlantic brant hunting seasons are now as follows: • If the mid-winter waterfowl survey (MWS) count is <100,000 Atlantic brant, the season would be closed. • If the MWS count is between 100,000 and 115,000 brant, States could select a 30-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit. • If the MWS count is between 115,000 and 130,000 brant, States could select a 30-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit. • If the MWS count is between 130,000 and 150,000 brant, States could select a 50-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit. • If the MWS count is between 150,000 and 200,000 brant, States could select a 60-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit. • If the MWS count is >200,000 brant, States could select a 60-day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit. Under all the above open-season alternatives, seasons would be between the Saturday nearest September 24 and January 31. Further, States could split their seasons into 2 segments. The recently completed 2017 MWS Atlantic brant count was 161,661 brant. Thus, utilizing the above Atlantic brant hunt strategies, the appropriate Atlantic brant hunting season for the 2017-18 season is a 60-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit. As we stated above under 5. White-fronted Geese, we agree with the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation request to increase the number of segments available for non-Canada geese from 3 to 4 for the Mississippi Flyway. Increasing the number of segments for other geese (snow geese, white-fronted geese, and brant) will allow States flexibility to open and/or close all goose seasons on the same date. Since the numbers of brant present in the Mississippi Flyway in September are low, we expect no impacts from this change. As we stated above under 4. Canada Geese, B. Regular Seasons, we agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's request to increase the daily bag limit from 3 to 4 for Canada geese and brant in the aggregate in Wyoming and New Mexico. We expect no impacts to brant from this change. Regarding Idaho's requested modifications to their goose zones, see our response above under 4. Canada Geese, B. Regular Seasons. 7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the number of segments available for non-Canada geese should be increased from 3 to 4 for the Mississippi Flyway. The Pacific Flyway Council recommended two changes to the light goose season frameworks. Specifically, the Council recommended: 1. In Washington, removing the daily bag limit restriction of not more than 4 geese per day, and adding that the daily bag limit for light geese is 6. 2. In Idaho, eliminating the requirement to monitor the snow goose hunt that occurs after the last Sunday in January in the American Falls Reservoir/Fort Hall Bottoms and surrounding areas at 3-year intervals. Written Comments: The State of Idaho requested modifications to their goose zones effective for the 2017-18 seasons. They state that the requested changes are a result of an extensive waterfowl hunter opinion survey conducted in an effort to better align duck and goose zones with hunter preferences. Further, the changes will better align with existing duck hunting zones, improve hunter opportunity, and reduce regulatory complexity in State and Federal regulations. Service Response: As we stated above under 5. White-fronted Geese, we agree with the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation request to increase the number of segments available for non-Canada geese from 3 to 4 for the Mississippi Flyway. Increasing the number of segments for other geese (snow geese, white-fronted geese, and brant) will allow States flexibility to open and/or close all goose seasons on the same date. We expect no impacts from this change. We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to remove the daily bag limit restriction of not more than 4 geese per day, and add that the daily bag limit for light geese is 6 in Washington. Current frameworks already limit the daily bag limit to 4 Canada geese for States within the western Pacific Flyway, but do allow a daily bag limit of 10 greater white-fronted geese for States within the Pacific Flyway except Washington. The current 3-year average predicted fall population estimate (2014-16) for the Pacific Population of greater white-fronted geese is 600,592, which is substantially above the Flyway population objective of 300,000. This change would allow a daily bag limit of 10 greater white-fronted geese in Washington similar to other States in the Pacific Flyway. In regard to light geese, three populations occur in the Pacific Flyway, and all are above Flyway management plan objectives based on the most recent breeding population indices. The population estimate for the Western Arctic Population (WAP) of lesser snow geese was 419,000 in 2013 (most recent estimate) on Banks Island, which is above the objective of 200,000 geese. Ross's geese were estimated at 625,100 in 2015 (most recent estimate) at Karrak Lake and are above the objective of 100,000 geese. The 2016 population estimate for Wrangel Island snow geese is 300,000, which is above the objective of 120,000 geese. Current evidence suggests most light geese in Washington during fall and early winter are primarily Wrangel Island snow geese, but an influx of WAP lesser snow and Ross's geese may occur during late winter as birds begin to move north toward breeding areas. The current 4-bird daily bag limit for geese in Washington was intended to minimize harvest of Wrangel Island snow geese when Wrangel Island geese were below the population objective. A 6-bird daily bag limit for light geese in Washington will simplify regulations by matching the 6-bird bag limit currently allowed for light geese in Oregon on or before the last Sunday in January. We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to eliminate the requirement that Idaho monitor the snow goose hunt that occurs after the last Sunday in January in the American Falls Reservoir/Fort Hall Bottoms and surrounding areas at 3-year intervals. Since the inception of the late-winter light goose hunt in 2010, Idaho has conducted ground surveys in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015, to evaluate the effects of light goose hunting on trumpeter swans. To date, no obvious negative trends in trumpeter swan use, distribution, or abundance have been documented. We note that this program was designed to identify changes in swan distribution and swan field-feeding during the late winter light goose hunt in order to help assess if changes in that hunt were warranted. The importance of the Fort Hall Reservation to swans for field-feeding was unknown prior to the surveys conducted in 2011 and 2012. Previously, it was assumed that a majority of the field-feeding occurred on the northwestern side of the American Falls Reservoir. However, surveys indicate that the Fort Hall Reservation is an important and viable site for field-feeding swans in late winter. While there is no definitive evidence indicating that swans are disturbed and displaced by hunting pressure, if negative interactions between hunting activities and swan behavior occur, the Fort Hall Reservation provides ample field-feeding opportunities where hunting is prohibited. Thus, given no compelling concerns or issues associated with trumpeter swans wintering in eastern Idaho, and no negative impacts associated with the current late-winter light goose hunt, we see no reason to repeat monitoring efforts annually or every 3 years. Regarding Idaho's requested modifications to their goose zones, see our response above under 4. Canada Geese, B. Regular Seasons. 8. Swans Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended increasing the 2017-18 swan hunting permits for Eastern Population tundra swans by 25 percent. The total allowable harvest increase would be 2,400 swans (from 9,600 to 12,000). Service Response: We agree with the Councils' request to increase the number of available swan hunting permits by 25 percent. The 2016 combined Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway tundra swan count was 113,593 swans with a 3-year running average of 111,892. Further, the Eastern Population tundra swan population has trended upward in recent years and is currently 40 percent above the population objective of 80,000 swans. Under the approved joint Flyway Management Plan for Eastern Population Tundra Swans, a 25 percent increase in hunting permits is allowed when the 3-year running average of the combined Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway mid-winter survey exceeds 110,000 swans. 9. Sandhill Cranes Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils recommended that Tennessee's experimental sandhill crane hunting season be granted operational status for the 2017-18 season. Tennessee's sandhill crane season would consist of a maximum length of 60 days (no split) to be held between the outside dates of September 1 and January 31, a daily bag limit of 3 birds, and a season limit of 3 birds. Hunting would occur between sunrise and 3 p.m. daily. Per guidelines in the Eastern Population of Sandhill Cranes Management Plan (EP Plan) and based on the State's 5-year peak average of 23,193 birds, Tennessee would be allowed to issue a maximum of 2,319 tags during the 2017-18 season. Hunters will be required to take mandatory crane identification training, utilize Service-approved nontoxic shot shells, report harvest and tag birds, and complete a post-season survey. The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended (1) expansion of the existing sandhill crane hunting unit in southwestern Montana (Gallatin and Madison Counties and the Dillon/Twin Bridges/Cardwell hunt area) to include all of Beaverhead and Jefferson Counties, and (2) that allowable harvest be determined based on the formula described in the Pacific and Central Flyway Management Plan for the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of sandhill cranes. Written Comments: A commenter opposed the hunting of sandhill cranes. Service Response: We agree with the Mississippi Flyway Council to allow Tennessee's experimental sandhill crane hunting season be granted operational status for the 2017-18 season. The Eastern Population (EP) of sandhill cranes continues to increase and expand its range. The most recent 3-year average population estimate of 80,890 cranes, as determined by the 2015 EP crane fall survey, is the highest 3-year estimate since the survey began in 1979. Data collected from Tennessee's 3-year experimental season indicate an average annual harvest of 301 cranes, a harvest 75 percent below the annual maximum harvest threshold of 1,200 cranes set by Tennessee. The harvest also represents substantially less than 1 percent of the EP sandhill cranes and fell well within objectives set in the EP Plan. Additionally, the Council notes that the experimental season did not negatively impact distribution or peak abundance of EP sandhill cranes in Tennessee as EP crane numbers, as recorded by the fall survey, have increased during the 3 years of Tennessee's experimental season. Under the guidelines of the EP Plan, Tennessee will continue to issue permits, require mandatory harvest reporting, require a post-season hunter participation survey, and have mandatory crane identification training. These mechanisms will provide an accurate way to monitor EP crane harvest and ensure protection of the EP sandhill cranes. Regarding the RMP crane harvest, we agree with the Central and Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation for expanding the RMP sandhill crane hunting areas in Montana to include all of Beaverhead and Jefferson Counties. The new hunt areas are consistent with the Pacific and Central Flyway Council's RMP sandhill crane management plan hunting area requirements. Regarding the RMP crane harvest, as we discussed in the March 28, 2016, final rule (81 FR 17302), the current harvest strategy used to calculate the allowable harvest of the RMP of sandhill cranes does not fit well within the new regulatory process, similar to the Atlantic brant issue discussed above under 6. Brant. Currently, results of the fall abundance and recruitment surveys of RMP sandhill cranes, upon which the annual allowable harvest is based, will continue to be released between December 1 and January 31 each year, which is after the date for which proposed frameworks will be formulated in the new regulatory process. If the usual procedures for determining allowable harvest were used, data 2 to 4 years old would be used to determine the annual allocation for RMP sandhill cranes. Due to the variability in fall abundance and recruitment for this population, and their impact on the annual harvest allocations, we agree that relying on data that is 2 to 4 years old is not ideal. Thus, we agree that the formula to determine the annual allowable harvest for RMP sandhill cranes published in the March 28, 2016, final rule should be used under the new regulatory schedule and propose to utilize it as such. The formula uses information on abundance and recruitment collected annually through operational monitoring programs, as well as constant values based on past research or monitoring for survival of fledglings to breeding age and harvest retrieval rate. The formula is: H = C × P × R × L × f Where: H = total annual allowable harvest; C = the average of the three most recent, reliable fall population indices; P = the average proportion of fledged chicks in the fall population in the San Luis Valley during the most recent 3 years for which data are available; R = estimated recruitment of fledged chicks to breeding age (current estimate is 0.5); L = retrieval rate of 0.80 (allowance for an estimated 20 percent crippling loss based on hunter interviews); and f = (C/16,000) 3 (a variable factor used to adjust the total harvest to achieve a desired effect on the entire population) The 2016 fall RMP sandhill crane abundance estimate was 22,264 cranes, resulting in a 3-year (2014-16) average of 22,087 cranes, an increase from the previous 3-year average, which was 21,453 cranes. The RMP crane recruitment estimate was 8.84 percent young in the fall population, resulting in a 3-year (2014-16) average of 10.16 percent, an increase from the previous 3-year average, which was 9.41 percent. Using the above formula and the above most recent 3-year average abundance and recruitment estimates, the allowable harvest for the 2017-18 season is 2,362 cranes. Regarding the hunting of sandhill cranes, we have annually established frameworks for the hunting of sandhill cranes since 1961. Currently, 16 States in the Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways hold a sandhill crane season. Given the current population status, we conclude the final frameworks are commensurate with the population status. 14. Woodcock In 2011, we implemented a harvest strategy for woodcock (76 FR 19876, April 8, 2011). The harvest strategy provides a transparent framework for making regulatory decisions for woodcock season length and bag limit while we work to improve monitoring and assessment protocols for this species. Utilizing the criteria developed for the strategy, the 3-year average for the Singing Ground Survey indices and associated confidence intervals fall within the “moderate package” for both the Eastern and Central Management Regions. As such, a “moderate season” for both management regions for the 2017-18 season is appropriate. Specifics of the harvest strategy can be found at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/pdf/surveys-and-data/Webless%20Migratory%20Game%20Birds/American%20Woodcock%20pdf%20files/Interim%20Woodcock%20Harvest%20strategy%20-%20Feb%202,2010.pdf . 16. Doves Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils recommended use of the “standard” season framework comprising a 90-day season and 15-bird daily bag limit for States within the Eastern Management Unit (EMU). The daily bag limit could be composed of mourning doves and white-winged doves, singly or in combination. They also recommended that the closing framework date for the EMU be changed from January 15 to January 31. The Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils recommended the use of the “standard” season package of a 15-bird daily bag limit and a 90-day season for the 2017-18 mourning dove season in the States within the Central Management Unit. They further recommended that the South Zone in Texas opening framework date be changed from “the Friday nearest September 20th, but no earlier than September 17th” to a fixed date of September 14 and that the Special White-winged Dove Area boundary be expanded from its current boundary to include the entire South Zone. The Pacific Flyway Council recommended use of the “standard” season framework for States in the Western Management Unit (WMU) population of mourning doves. In Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, the season length would be no more than 60 consecutive days with a daily bag limit of 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate. In Arizona and California, the season length would be no more than 60 consecutive days, which could 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 would be 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 10 could be white-winged doves. During the remainder of the season, the daily bag limit would be 15 mourning doves. In California, the daily bag limit would be 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 10 could be white-winged doves. The Pacific Flyway Council also recommended allowing a 2-segment split season in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Written Comments: A commenter supported the proposed frameworks for dove hunting in California and Arizona. Another commenter supported extending the framework closing date to January 31 due to the general lack of hunting pressure. Service Response: Based on the harvest strategies and current population status, we agree with the recommended selection of the “standard” season frameworks for doves in the Eastern, Central, and Western Management Units for the 2017-18 season. We do not support the recommendation from the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways to change the closing framework date for dove seasons in the EMU to January 31. We note that when this recommendation was presented to us in June, we requested information on the expected biological impacts of this change. That information has not been provided. We are also unclear as to what the EMU is trying to achieve with this recommendation, given that no additional harvest is expected. While we recognize that conducting a study to evaluate the biological impacts would be prohibitively expensive, we will work with the EMU to develop a feasible biological assessment. We support the Central and Mississippi Flyways' recommendations to change the opening framework date for the South Dove Zone of Texas to a fixed date of September 14, to be implemented in the 2018-19 hunting season. Based on the statements made by the Flyways at the October SRC meeting, we understand that this proposed change meets all the needs of dove hunters in that zone. Thus, we will not entertain earlier dove opening framework dates in the South Zone unless data are provided that show the impacts on the biology and harvest of doves. We agree with the Central and Mississippi Flyways' recommendations to expand the boundary of Texas' Special White-winged Dove Area to match that of the South Dove Zone for the 2017-18 season. Available evidence indicates that white-winged dove abundance continues to increase, and this change will allow additional harvest opportunities on this species, with minimal impacts to mourning and white-tipped doves. We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to allow a 2-segment split season in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Estimated abundance of the Western Management Unit Population (WMU) of mourning doves was 37,044,000 in 2015, and was predicted to be 45,220,000 in 2016 (2016 actual abundance estimates are not yet available). The 2015 observed and 2016 predicted abundance estimates are well above the thresholds that would result in a closed (<11,600,000 doves) or restrictive (<19,300,000 doves) hunting season as prescribed in the National Mourning Dove Harvest Strategy. The estimated annual harvest rates during 2003-2015 for WMU hatch-year and after-hatch-year doves was 4.4 percent and 3.7 percent, respectively. Mourning dove harvest may increase under this proposal; however, any increase is expected to constitute a small percentage of the overall mourning dove harvest among the northern States in the WMU. Harvest Information Program data indicate 85 percent of the mourning dove harvest in the northern States of the WMU occurs during the first 2 weeks of September, a pattern that is similar to most other States in the United States. The option to split the dove season in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington provides more flexibility to the States in setting doves seasons, considering that dove season length increased to 60 days starting in 2015, compared to 30 days during 1987-2014. Currently, all States in the Eastern Management Unit, the Central Management Unit, and southern States in the Western Management Unit are allowed to split their dove seasons into two or three segments. Thus, this change will make regulations regarding split dove seasons similar in all States within the Pacific Flyway, and result in greater consistency throughout all three dove management units. 17. Alaska Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended an open season for the emperor goose with a quota of 1,000 geese allotted to the State of Alaska. Service Response: We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to open the season for the emperor goose with a quota of 1,000 geese allotted to the State of Alaska. The Emperor goose hunting season has been closed since 1986, and the population has shown a relatively steady population increase since that time. In 2016, the emperor goose breeding index from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Coastal Zone survey was 34,100 geese, which was 30 percent greater than the count of 26,200 in 2015. During the past 10 years, the index increased 5 percent per year. The Pacific Flyway Council's management plan for this species was revised in 2016, and specifies a population objective of 34,100 geese (2016 abundance level). The plan allows for an open season with an allowable harvest quota of 1,000 emperor geese when the breeding index is above 23,000 geese, and provides that harvest restrictions will be considered if the breeding population index is between 23,000 and 28,000 geese. If the population index declines below 23,000 emperor geese, the hunting season will be closed. Additionally, we prepared an environmental assessment (EA) on the hunting of emperor geese in Alaska as allowed under the Pacific Flyway Council and Alaska Migratory Bird Co-management Council's management plan. A copy of the EA and specifics of the two alternatives we analyzed can be found at either http://www.regulations.gov or on our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/birds/index.php . The EA concluded that the hunt is expected to result in a limited increase (≤1,000) in emperor goose harvest, but have negligible impact to habitat and overall population status. The action also is not expected to have any significant impacts on other wildlife species and their habitats, including endangered and threatened species. However, the action is expected to have positive impacts on the socioeconomic environment in localized areas where emperor geese occur and are hunted. We conclude the preferred action will allow continued positive growth of the emperor goose population. We have fulfilled our National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. ) obligation with the preparation of an EA, and, therefore, an environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required. Required Determinations Executive Order 13771—Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs This action is not subject to Executive Order (E.O.) 13771 (82 FR 9339, February 3, 2017) because it is issued with respect to routine hunting and fishing activities. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Consideration The programmatic document, “Second Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (EIS 20130139),” filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on May 24, 2013, addresses NEPA compliance by the Service for issuance of the annual framework regulations for hunting of migratory game bird species. We published a notice of availability in the Federal Register on May 31, 2013 (78 FR 32686), and our Record of Decision on July 26, 2013 (78 FR 45376). We also address NEPA compliance for waterfowl hunting frameworks through the annual preparation of separate environmental assessments, the most recent being “Duck Hunting Regulations for 2017-18,” with its corresponding April 7, 2017, finding of no significant impact. The programmatic document as well the separate environmental assessments are available on our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/birds/index.php . or from the address indicated under the caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . Endangered Species Act Consideration Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ), provides that, “The Secretary shall review other programs administered by him and utilize such programs in furtherance of the purposes of this Act” (and) shall “insure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out * * * is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of [critical] habitat. * * *.” Consequently, we conducted formal consultations to ensure that actions resulting from these regulations would not likely jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitat. Findings from these consultations are included in a biological opinion, which concluded that the regulations are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species. Additionally, these findings may have caused modification of some regulatory measures previously proposed, and the final frameworks reflect any such modifications. Our biological opinions resulting from this section 7 consultation are public documents available for public inspection at the address indicated under ADDRESSES . Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563) E.O. 12866 provides that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) will review all significant rules. OIRA has reviewed this rule and has determined that this rule is significant because it would have an annual effect of $100 million or more on the economy. E.O. 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while calling for improvements in the nation's regulatory system to promote predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends. The executive order directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for the public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and consistent with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further that regulations must be based on the best available science and that the rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent with these requirements. An economic analysis was prepared for the 2013-14 season. This analysis was based on data from the 2011 National Hunting and Fishing Survey, the most recent year for which data are available (see discussion in Regulatory Flexibility Act section below). We used this analysis again for the 2017-18 season. This analysis estimated consumer surplus for three alternatives for duck hunting (estimates for other species are not quantified due to lack of data). The alternatives are (1) issue restrictive regulations allowing fewer days than those issued during the 2012-13 season, (2) issue moderate regulations allowing more days than those in alternative 1, and (3) issue liberal regulations identical to the regulations in the 2012-13 season. For the 2013-14 season, we chose Alternative 3, with an estimated consumer surplus across all flyways of $317.8-$416.8 million. We also chose alternative 3 for the 2009-10, the 2010-11, the 2011-12, the 2012-13, the 2014-15, the 2015-16, the 2016-17, and the 2017-18 seasons. The 2013-14 analysis is part of the record for this rule and is available at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2016-0051. Regulatory Flexibility Act The annual migratory bird hunting regulations have a significant economic impact on substantial numbers of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. ). We analyzed the economic impacts of the annual hunting regulations on small business entities in detail as part of the 1981 cost-benefit analysis. This analysis was revised annually from 1990-95. In 1995, the Service issued a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis), which was subsequently updated in 1996, 1998, 2004, 2008, and 2013. The primary source of information about hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting is the National Hunting and Fishing Survey, which is conducted at 5-year intervals. The 2013 Analysis was based on the 2011 National Hunting and Fishing Survey and the U.S. Department of Commerce's County Business Patterns, from which it was estimated that migratory bird hunters would spend approximately $1.5 billion at small businesses in 2013. Copies of the Analysis are available upon request from the Division of Migratory Bird Management (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT ) or from http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2016-0051. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act This final 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 would have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more. However, because this rule would establish hunting seasons, we do not plan to defer the effective date under the exemption contained in 5 U.S.C. 808(1). Paperwork Reduction Act This rule does not contain any new information collection that requires approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. ). We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. OMB has reviewed and approved the information collection requirements associated with migratory bird surveys and assigned the following OMB control numbers: • 1018-0019—North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey (expires 5/31/2018). • 1018-0023—Migratory Bird Surveys (expires 6/30/2017; in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10, the agency may continue to conduct or sponsor this collection of information while the submission is pending at OMB). Includes Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program, Migratory Bird Hunter Surveys, Sandhill Crane Survey, and Parts Collection Survey. 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 would not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given year on local or State government or private entities. Therefore, this rule is not a “significant regulatory action” under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. Civil Justice Reform—Executive Order 12988 The Department, in promulgating this rule, has determined that this rule will not unduly burden the judicial system and that it meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of E.O. 12988. Takings Implication Assessment In accordance with E.O. 12630, this rule, authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, does not have significant takings implications and does not affect any constitutionally protected property rights. This rule would not result in the physical occupancy of property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory taking of any property. In fact, this rule would allow hunters to exercise otherwise unavailable privileges and, therefore, reduce restrictions on the use of private and public property. Energy Effects—Executive Order 13211 E.O. 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. While this rule is a significant regulatory action under E.O. 12866, it is not expected to adversely affect energy supplies, distribution, or use. Therefore, this action is not a significant energy action and no Statement of Energy Effects is required. Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, “Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal Governments” (59 FR 22951), E.O. 13175, and 512 DM 2, we have evaluated possible effects on Federally recognized Indian tribes and have determined that there are no effects on Indian trust resources. We have consulted with Tribes affected by this rule. Federalism Effects Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the Federal Government has been given responsibility over these species by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We annually prescribe frameworks from which the States make selections regarding the hunting of migratory birds, and we employ guidelines to establish special regulations on Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. This process preserves the ability of the States and tribes to determine which seasons meet their individual needs. Any State or Indian tribe may be more restrictive than the Federal frameworks at any time. The frameworks are developed in a cooperative process with the States and the Flyway Councils. This process allows States to participate in the development of frameworks from which they will make selections, thereby having an influence on their own regulations. These rules do not have a substantial direct effect on fiscal capacity, change the roles or responsibilities of Federal or State governments, or intrude on State policy or administration. Therefore, in accordance with E.O. 13132, these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and do not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. Regulations Promulgation The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting, by its nature, operates under a time constraint as seasons must be established each year or hunting seasons remain closed. However, we intend that the public be provided extensive opportunity for public input and involvement in compliance with Administrative Procedure Act requirements. Thus, when the preliminary proposed rulemaking was published, we established what we concluded were the longest periods possible for public comment and the most opportunities for public involvement. We also provided notification of our participation in multiple Flyway Council meetings, opportunities for additional public review and comment on all Flyway Council proposals for regulatory change, and opportunities for additional public review during the SRC meeting. Therefore, sufficient public notice and opportunity for involvement have been given to affected persons regarding the migratory bird hunting frameworks for the 2017-18 hunting seasons. Further, after establishment of the final frameworks, States need sufficient time to conduct their own public processes to select season dates and limits; to communicate those selections to us; and to establish and publicize the necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions Thus, if there were a delay in the effective date of these regulations after this final rulemaking, States might not be able to meet their own administrative needs and requirements. For the reasons cited above, we find that “good cause” exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, and these frameworks will take effect immediately upon publication. Therefore, under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July 3, 1918), as amended (16 U.S.C. 703-711), we prescribe final frameworks setting forth the species to be hunted, the daily bag and possession limits, the shooting hours, the season lengths, the earliest opening and latest closing season dates, and hunting areas, from which State conservation agency officials will select hunting season dates and other options. Upon receipt of season selections from these officials, we will publish a final rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect seasons, limits, and shooting hours for the United States for the 2017-18 seasons. The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2017-18 hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 a-j. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20 Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation, Wildlife. Dated: May 17, 2017. Maureen D. Foster, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. Final Regulations Frameworks for 2017-18 Hunting Seasons on Certain Migratory Game Birds Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated authorities, the Department of the Interior approved the following frameworks for season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and outside dates within which States may select seasons for hunting migratory game birds between the dates of September 1, 2017, and March 10, 2018. These frameworks are summarized below. 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 three times the daily bag limit. Permits: For some species of migratory birds, the Service authorizes the use of permits to regulate harvest or monitor their take by sport hunters, or both. In many cases ( e.g., tundra swans, some sandhill crane populations), the Service determines the amount of harvest that may be taken during hunting seasons during its formal regulations-setting process, and the States then issue permits to hunters at levels predicted to result in the amount of take authorized by the Service. Thus, although issued by States, the permits would not be valid unless the Service approved such take in its regulations. These Federally authorized, State-issued permits are issued to individuals, and only the individual whose name and address appears on the permit at the time of issuance is authorized to take migratory birds at levels specified in the permit, in accordance with provisions of both Federal and State regulations governing the hunting season. The permit must be carried by the permittee when exercising its provisions and must be presented to any law enforcement officer upon request. The permit is not transferrable or assignable to another individual, and may not be sold, bartered, traded, or otherwise provided to another person. If the permit is altered or defaced in any way, the permit becomes invalid. 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. Duck Management Units High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Roughly defined as that portion of the Central Flyway that lies west of the 100th meridian. Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: In Washington, all areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County; and in Oregon, the counties of Gilliam, Morrow, and Umatilla. Mourning Dove Management Units Eastern Management Unit: All States east of the Mississippi River, and Louisiana. Central Management Unit: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. Western Management Unit: Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Woodcock Management Regions Eastern Management Region: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. Central Management Region: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin. Other geographic descriptions are contained in a later portion of this document. Definitions For the purpose of the hunting regulations listed below, the collective terms “dark” and “light” geese include the following species: Dark geese: Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant (except in Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, and the Atlantic Flyway), and all other goose species except light geese. Light geese: Snow (including blue) geese and Ross's geese. Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Geographic descriptions related to regulations are contained in a later portion of this document. Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks for open seasons, season lengths, bag and possession limits, and other special provisions are listed below by Flyway. Waterfowl Seasons in the Atlantic Flyway In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, where Sunday hunting is prohibited Statewide by State law, all Sundays are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and coots). Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days Outside Dates: States may select 2 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 weekends, 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, tundra swans, 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: States may use their established definition of age for youth hunters. However, youth hunters may not be over the age of 17. 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. Youth hunters 16 years of age and older must possess a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (also known as Federal Duck Stamp). Tundra swans may only be taken by participants possessing applicable tundra swan permits. Special September Teal Season Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season on all species of teal may be selected by the following States in areas delineated by State regulations: Atlantic Flyway: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Mississippi Flyway: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The seasons in Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin are experimental. Central Flyway: Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico (part), Oklahoma, and Texas. The season in the northern portion of Nebraska is experimental. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 16 consecutive hunting days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. The daily bag limit is 6 teal. Shooting Hours Atlantic Flyway: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except in South Carolina, 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, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin, 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 teal/wood duck season may be selected in September. The daily bag limit may not exceed 6 teal and wood ducks in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks. In addition, a 4-consecutive-day experimental teal-only season may be selected in September either immediately before or immediately after the 5-consecutive-day teal/wood duck season. The daily bag limit is 6 teal. Iowa: In lieu of an experimental special September teal season, 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 23). The daily bag and possession limits will be the same as those in effect during the remainder of the regular duck season. The remainder of the regular duck season may not begin before October 10. Waterfowl Atlantic Flyway Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and the last Sunday in January (January 28). Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which can be females), 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 2 canvasbacks, 4 scoters, 4 eiders, and 4 long-tailed ducks. Closures: The season on harlequin ducks is closed. Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5, only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in the duck bag limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers. Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots. Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and shooting hours should be the same as those selected for the Lake Champlain Zone of Vermont. Connecticut River Zone, Vermont: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and shooting hours should be the same as those selected for the Inland Zone of New Hampshire. Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia may split their seasons into three segments; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont may select hunting seasons by zones and may split their seasons into two segments in each zone. Scoters, Eiders, and Long-tailed Ducks Special Sea Duck Seasons Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia may select a Special Sea Duck Season in designated Special Sea Duck Areas. If a Special Sea Duck Season is selected, scoters, eiders, and long-tailed ducks may be taken in the designated Special Sea Duck Area(s) only during the Special Sea Duck Season dates; scoters, eiders, and long-tailed ducks may be taken outside of Special Sea Duck Area(s) during the regular duck season, in accordance with the frameworks for ducks, mergansers, and coots specified above. Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 31. Special Sea Duck Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: 60 consecutive hunting days, or 60 days that are concurrent with the regular duck season, with a daily bag limit of 5, singly or in the aggregate, of the listed sea duck species, including no more than 4 scoters, 4 eiders, and 4 long-tailed ducks. 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 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, 4 eiders, and 4 long-tailed ducks) and possession limits. Special Sea Duck 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 New Jersey, all coastal waters seaward from the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) Demarcation Lines shown on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Nautical Charts and further described in 33 CFR 80.165, 80.501, 80.502, and 80.503; in any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay that are separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and emergent vegetation in South Carolina and Georgia; and in any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay that 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. Canada Geese Special Early Canada Goose Seasons A Canada goose season of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be selected for the Eastern Unit of Maryland. Seasons not to exceed 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected for Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New York (Long Island Zone only), North Carolina, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. Seasons may not exceed 25 days during September 1-25 in the remainder of the Flyway. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations. Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 Canada geese. Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that during any special early Canada goose season, shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after sunset if all other waterfowl seasons are closed in the specific applicable area. Regular Canada Goose Seasons Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Specific regulations for Canada geese are shown below by State. These seasons may also include white-fronted geese in an aggregate daily bag limit. Unless specified otherwise, seasons may be split into two segments. Connecticut North Atlantic Population (NAP) Zone: Between October 1 and February 15, a 70-day season may be held with a 3-bird daily bag limit. Atlantic Population (AP) Zone: A 50-day season may be held between October 10 and February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. South Zone: A special season may be held between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. Resident Population (RP) Zone: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments. Delaware: A 50-day season may be held between November 15 and February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Florida: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments. Georgia: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments. Maine: A 70-day season may be held Statewide between October 1 and February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. Maryland RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between November 15 and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments. AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between November 15 and February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Massachusetts NAP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, a special season may be held from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between October 10 and February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. New Hampshire: A 70-day season may be held Statewide between October 1 and February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. New Jersey AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in October (October 28) and February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in October (October 28) and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments. Special Late Goose Season Area: A special season may be held in designated areas of North and South New Jersey from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. New York NAP Zone: Between October 1 and February 15, a 70-day season may be held, with a 3-bird daily bag limit in both the High Harvest and Low Harvest areas. AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in October (October 28), except in the Lake Champlain Area where the opening date is October 10, through February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. Western Long Island RP Zone: A 107-day season may be held between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and March 10, with an 8-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments. Rest of State RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in October (October 28) and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments. North Carolina SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and December 31, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments. Northeast Hunt Unit: A 14-day season may be held between the Saturday prior to December 25 (December 23) and January 31, with a 1-bird daily bag limit. Pennsylvania SJBP Zone: A 78-day season may be held between the first Saturday in October (October 7) and February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in October (October 28) and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments. AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in October (October 28) and February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. Rhode Island: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. A special late season may be held in designated areas from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. South Carolina: In designated areas, an 80-day season may be held between October 1 and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments. Vermont Lake Champlain Zone and Interior Zone: A 50-day season may be held between October 10 and February 5 with a 3-bird daily bag limit. Connecticut River Zone: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. Virginia SJBP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between November 15 and January 14, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, a special late season may be held between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between November 15 and February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between November 15 and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments. West Virginia: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments in each zone. Light Geese Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 107-day season between October 1 and March 10, with a 25-bird daily bag limit and no possession limit. States may split their seasons into three segments. Brant Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 60-day season between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. States may split their seasons into two segments. Mississippi Flyway Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and the last Sunday in January (January 28). Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: The season may not exceed 60 days, with a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be females), 1 mottled duck, 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 3 scaup, and 2 redheads. Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in the duck bag limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers. Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots. Zoning and Split Seasons: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin may select hunting seasons by zones. In Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be split into two segments in each zone. In Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi, the season may be split into three segments. Geese Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits Canada Geese: States may select seasons for Canada geese not to exceed 107 days with a 5-bird daily bag limit September 1-30 (except in the Intensive Harvest Zone in Minnesota, which may have up to a 10-bird daily bag limit) and a 3-bird daily bag limit for the remainder of the season. Seasons may be held between September 1 and February 15 and may be split into 4 segments. White-fronted Geese and Brant: Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee may select a season for white-fronted geese not to exceed 74 days with 3 geese daily, or 88 days with 2 geese daily, or 107 days with 1 goose daily between September 1 and February 15; Alabama, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin may select a season for white-fronted geese not to exceed 107 days with 5 geese daily, in aggregate with dark geese between September 1 and February 15. States may select a season for brant not to exceed 70 days with 2 brant daily, or 107 days with 1 brant daily with outside dates the same as for Canada geese; alternately, States may include brant in an aggregate goose bag limit with either Canada geese, white-fronted geese, or dark geese. Light Geese: States may select seasons for light geese not to exceed 107 days, with 20 geese daily between September 1 and February 15. There is no possession limit for light geese. Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after sunset for Canada geese if all other waterfowl and crane seasons are closed in the specific applicable area. Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into four segments unless otherwise indicated. Central Flyway Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and the last Sunday in January (January 28). Hunting Seasons High Plains Mallard Management Unit (roughly defined as that portion of the Central Flyway that lies west of the 100th meridian): 97 days. The last 23 days must run consecutively and may start no earlier than the Saturday nearest December 10 (December 9). Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74 days. Duck Limits: The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, with species and sex restrictions as follows: 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be females), 3 scaup, 2 redheads, 3 wood ducks, 1 pintail, and 2 canvasbacks. In Texas, the daily bag limit on mottled ducks is 1, except that no mottled ducks may be taken during the first 5 days of the season. In addition to the daily limits listed above, the States of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, in lieu of selecting an experimental September teal season, may include an additional daily bag and possession limit of 2 and 6 blue-winged teal, respectively, during the first 16 days of the regular duck season in each respective duck hunting zone. These extra limits are in addition to the regular duck bag and possession limits. Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5 mergansers, only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in the duck daily bag limit, the daily limit may be the same as the duck bag limit, only two of which may be hooded mergansers. Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots. Zoning and Split Seasons: Colorado, Kansas (Low Plains portion), Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains portion), South Dakota (Low Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains portion), and Wyoming may select hunting seasons by zones. In Colorado, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the regular season may be split into two segments. Geese Special Early Canada Goose Seasons: In Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas, Canada goose seasons of up to 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected. In Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, and Wyoming, Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be selected. In North Dakota, Canada goose seasons of up to 22 days during September 1-22 may be selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese, except in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 8 Canada geese and in North Dakota and South Dakota, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 15 Canada geese. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations. Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after sunset if all other waterfowl and crane seasons are closed in the specific applicable area. Regular Goose Seasons Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments. Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Central Flyway Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State. Outside Dates: For dark geese, seasons may be selected between the outside dates of the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 18). For light geese, outside dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and March 10. In the Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (East and West) of Nebraska, temporal and spatial restrictions that are consistent with the late-winter snow goose hunting strategy cooperatively developed by the Central Flyway Council and the Service are required. Season Lengths and Limits Light Geese: States may select a light goose season not to exceed 107 days. The daily bag limit for light geese is 50 with no possession limit. Dark Geese: In Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, States may select a season for Canada geese (or any other dark goose species except white-fronted geese) not to exceed 107 days with a daily bag limit of 8. For white-fronted geese, these States may select either a season of 74 days with a bag limit of 3, or an 88-day season with a bag limit of 2, or a season of 107 days with a bag limit of 1. In Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming, States may select seasons not to exceed 107 days. The daily bag limit for dark geese is 5 in the aggregate. In the Western Goose Zone of Texas, the season may not exceed 95 days. The daily bag limit for Canada geese (or any other dark goose species except white-fronted geese) is 5. The daily bag limit for white-fronted geese is 2. Pacific Flyway Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and the last Sunday in January (January 28). Hunting Seasons and Duck and Merganser Limits: 107 days. The daily bag limit is 7 ducks and mergansers, including no more than 2 female mallards, 1 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 3 scaup, and 2 redheads. For scaup, the season length is 86 days, which may be split according to applicable zones and split duck hunting configurations approved for each State. Coot, Common Moorhen, and Purple Gallinule Limits: The daily bag limit of coots, common moorhens, and purple gallinules is 25, singly or in the aggregate. Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming may select hunting seasons by zones and may split their seasons into two segments. Montana and New Mexico may split their seasons into three segments. Colorado River Zone, California: Seasons and limits should be the same as seasons and limits selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona (South Zone). Geese Special Early Canada Goose Seasons: A Canada goose season of up to 15 days during September 1-20 may be selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese, except in Pacific County, Washington, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 15 Canada geese. 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 Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits Canada geese and brant: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day seasons may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and the last Sunday in January (January 28). In Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, the daily bag limit is 4 Canada geese and brant in the aggregate. In California, Oregon, and Washington, the daily bag limit is 4 Canada geese. For brant, Oregon and Washington may select a 16-day season and California a 37-day season. Days must be consecutive. Washington and California may select hunting seasons for up to two zones. The daily bag limit is 2 brant and is in addition to other goose limits. In Oregon and California, the brant season must end no later than December 15. White-fronted geese: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day seasons may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and March 10. The daily bag limit is 10. Light geese: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day seasons may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and March 10. The daily bag limit is 20. Split Seasons: Unless otherwise specified, seasons for geese may be split into up to 3 segments. Three-way split seasons for Canada geese and white-fronted geese require Pacific Flyway Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State. California: The daily bag limit for Canada geese is 10. Balance of State Zone: A Canada goose season may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and March 10. In the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area, the season on white-fronted geese must end on or before December 28, and the daily bag limit is 3 white-fronted geese. In the North Coast Special Management Area, hunting days that occur after the last Sunday in January (January 28) should be concurrent with Oregon's South Coast Zone. Oregon: The daily bag limit for light geese is 6 on or before the last Sunday in January (January 28). Harney and Lake County Zone: For Lake County only, the daily white-fronted goose bag limit is 1. Northwest Permit Zone: A Canada goose season may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and March 10. Goose seasons may be split into 3 segments. The daily bag limit of light geese is 6. In the Tillamook County Management Area, the hunting season is closed on geese. South Coast Zone: A Canada goose season may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and March 10. The daily bag limit of Canada geese is 6. Hunting days that occur after the last Sunday in January (January 28) should be concurrent with California's North Coast Special Management Area. Goose seasons may be split into 3 segments. Utah: A Canada goose and brant season may be selected in the Wasatch Front Zone with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and the first Sunday in February (February 4). Washington: The daily bag limit for light geese is 6. Area 1: Goose season outside dates are between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and the last Sunday in January (January 28). Areas 2A and 2B (Southwest Permit Zone): A Canada goose season may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and March 10. Goose seasons may be split into 3 segments. Area 4: Goose seasons may be split into 3 segments. Permit Zones: In Oregon and Washington permit zones, the hunting season is closed on 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. Hunting of geese will only be by hunters possessing a State-issued permit authorizing them to do so. Shooting hours for geese may begin no earlier than sunrise. Regular Canada goose seasons in the permit zones of Oregon and Washington remain subject to the Memorandum of Understanding entered into with the Service regarding monitoring the impacts of take during the regular Canada goose season on the dusky Canada goose population. Swans In portions of the Pacific Flyway (Montana, Nevada, and Utah), an open season for taking a limited number of swans may be selected. Permits will be issued by the State and will authorize each permittee to take no more than 1 swan per season with each permit. Nevada may issue up to 2 permits per hunter. Montana and Utah may issue only 1 permit per hunter. Each State's season may open no earlier than the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30). These seasons are also subject to the following conditions: Montana: No more than 500 permits may be issued. The season must end no later than December 1. The State must implement a harvest-monitoring program to measure the species composition of the swan harvest and should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance in reporting bill measurement and color information. Utah: No more than 2,000 permits may be issued. During the swan season, no more than 10 trumpeter swans may be taken. The season must end no later than the second Sunday in December (December 10) or upon attainment of 10 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs earliest. The Utah season remains subject to the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement entered into with the Service in August 2003, regarding harvest monitoring, season closure procedures, and education requirements to minimize the take of trumpeter swans during the swan season. Nevada: No more than 650 permits may be issued. During the swan season, no more than 5 trumpeter swans may be taken. The season must end no later than the Sunday following January 1 (January 7) or upon attainment of 5 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs earliest. In addition, the States of Utah and Nevada must implement a harvest-monitoring program to measure the species composition of the swan harvest. The harvest-monitoring program must require that all harvested swans or their species-determinant parts be examined by either State or Federal biologists for the purpose of species classification. The States should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance in providing bagged swans for examination. Further, the States of Montana, Nevada, and Utah must achieve at least an 80-percent hunter compliance rate, or subsequent permits will be reduced by 10 percent. All three States must provide to the Service by June 30, 2018, a report detailing harvest, hunter participation, reporting compliance, and monitoring of swan populations in the designated hunt areas. Tundra Swans In portions of the Atlantic Flyway (North Carolina and Virginia) and the Central Flyway (North Dakota, South Dakota [east of the Missouri River], and that portion of Montana in the Central Flyway), an open season for taking a limited number of tundra swans may be selected. Permits will be issued by the States that authorize the take of no more than 1 tundra swan per permit. A second permit may be issued to hunters from unused permits remaining after the first drawing. The States must obtain harvest and hunter participation data. These seasons are also subject to the following conditions: In the Atlantic Flyway —The season may be 90 days, between October 1 and January 31. —In North Carolina, no more than 6,250 permits may be issued. —In Virginia, no more than 750 permits may be issued. In the Central Flyway —The season may be 107 days, between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) and January 31. —In the Central Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 625 permits may be issued. —In North Dakota, no more than 2,500 permits may be issued. —In South Dakota, no more than 1,875 permits may be issued. Sandhill Cranes Regular Seasons in the Mississippi Flyway Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28 in Minnesota, and between September 1 and January 31 in Kentucky and Tennessee. Hunting Seasons: A season not to exceed 37 consecutive days may be selected in the designated portion of northwestern Minnesota (Northwest Goose Zone), and a season not to exceed 60 consecutive days in Kentucky and Tennessee. Daily Bag Limit: 2 sandhill cranes in Kentucky and Minnesota, 3 sandhill cranes in Tennessee. In Kentucky and Tennessee, the seasonal bag limit is 3 sandhill cranes. Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane seasons must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting permit. Other Provisions: The number of permits (where applicable), open areas, season dates, protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons must be consistent with the management plans and approved by the Mississippi Flyway Council. 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 Texas (Area 2). Seasons not to exceed 58 consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of the following States: Colorado, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Seasons not to exceed 93 consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of the following States: New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes, except 2 sandhill cranes in designated portions of North Dakota (Area 2) and Texas (Area 2). Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane season must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting permit. Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming may select seasons for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) subject to the following conditions: Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31. Hunting Seasons: The season in any State or zone may not exceed 30 consecutive 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: A. In Utah, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota; B. In Arizona, monitoring the racial composition of the harvest must be conducted at 3-year intervals; C. In Idaho, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota; and D. 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 the last Sunday in January (January 28) in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. States in the Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons between the outside dates for the season on ducks, mergansers, and coots; therefore, frameworks for common moorhens and purple gallinules are included with the duck, merganser, and coot frameworks. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70 days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. Seasons may be split into 2 segments. The daily bag limit is 15 common moorhens and purple gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of the two species. Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck hunting. Rails Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between September 1 and the last Sunday in January (January 28) on clapper, king, sora, and Virginia rails. Hunting Seasons: Seasons may not exceed 70 days, and may be split into 2 segments. Daily Bag Limits Clapper and King Rails: In Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, 10, singly or in the aggregate of the two species. In Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, 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 rails, singly or in the aggregate of the two species. The season is closed in the remainder of the Pacific Flyway. Snipe Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28, except in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia, where the season must end no later than January 31. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 107 days and may be split into two segments. The daily bag limit is 8 snipe. Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck hunting. American Woodcock Outside Dates: States in the Eastern Management Region may select hunting seasons between October 1 and January 31. States in the Central Management Region may select hunting seasons between the Saturday nearest September 22 (September 23) and January 31. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 45 days in the Eastern and Central Regions. 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 36 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. 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 14 consecutive days, with a daily bag limit of 2. Zoning: New Mexico may select hunting seasons not to exceed 14 consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the South Zone may not open until October 1. 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 90 days, with a daily bag limit of 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate. Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more than three periods. Regulations for bag and possession limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting zones. Central Management Unit For All States Except Texas Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 90 days, with a [Text truncated at 120,000 characters. The full text is on the page linked above.] --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A2017-11042. Public record. Not legal advice.