# Migratory Bird Hunting; Final 2021-22 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations, and Special Procedures for Issuance of Annual Hunting Regulations

> Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more.

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A2021-15084

## Record

- **Collection:** Federal Register
- **Document type:** Rule
- **Published:** July 16, 2021
- **Citation:** 86 FR 37854

## Text

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2020-0032; FF09M22000-212-FXMB1231099BPP0]
RIN 1018-BE34
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final 2021-22 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations, and Special Procedures for Issuance of Annual Hunting Regulations

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) is establishing the final frameworks from which States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2021-22 migratory game bird hunting season, and making a minor change to the special procedures for issuance of annual hunting regulations. We annually prescribe outside limits, frameworks, within which States may select hunting seasons. Frameworks specify the outside dates, season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and areas where migratory game bird hunting may occur. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and limits and to allow harvest at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions. Migratory game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance, and aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds.

DATES:

This rule takes effect on July 16, 2021.

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 at
http://www.regulations.gov
at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2020-0032. You may obtain copies of referenced reports from the street address above, or from the Division of Migratory Bird Management's website at
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/,
or at
http://www.regulations.gov
at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2020-0032.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jerome Ford, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, (202) 208-1050.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The process for promulgating annual regulations for the hunting of migratory game birds involves the publication of a series of proposed and final rulemaking documents. In this final rule, in addition to our normal procedure of setting forth frameworks for the annual hunting regulations (described below), we are also making minor changes to the permanent regulations that govern the migratory bird hunting program. The annual regulations are set forth in subpart K of part 20 of the regulations in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). In this document, we also make minor changes to subpart N of 50 CFR part 20, as follows:

Changes to Regulations at 50 CFR Part 20 (Subpart N)

The regulations governing special procedures for issuance of annual hunting regulations are at 50 CFR part 20, subpart N. The rules of subpart N apply only to subpart K regarding the issuance of the annual regulations establishing seasons, bag limits, and other requirements for the seasonal hunting of migratory birds.

In subpart N, the current regulations require that the Service publish a notice of meetings of the Service's Regulations Committee and the Flyway Councils in the process of developing frameworks for migratory bird hunting seasons. Specifically, notice of each meeting of the Regulations Committee and Flyway Council to be attended by any official of the Department of the Interior will be published in the
Federal Register
at least 2 weeks before the meeting or as soon as practicable after the Service learns of the Flyway Council meeting.

In addition to or in place of publishing a meeting notice in the
Federal Register
, we add posting on the Service's Migratory Bird Program website as a method to notify the public of these meetings. We are making this change because it will increase our ability to provide more timely information as meeting information becomes available, and more flexibility to inform the public of changes in meeting dates and locations should such changes be necessary. Greater flexibility has become critical when unforeseen exigencies require venue changes for these meetings.

Process for Establishing Annual Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations (Subpart K)

As part of the Department of the Interior's retrospective regulatory review, in 2015 we developed a schedule for migratory game bird hunting regulations that is more efficient and establishes hunting season dates earlier than was possible under the previous process. Under the current process, we develop proposed hunting season frameworks for a given year in the fall of the prior year. We then finalize those frameworks a few months later, thereby enabling the State agencies to select and publish their season dates in early summer. We provided a detailed overview of the current process in the August 3, 2017,
Federal Register
(82 FR 36308). This rule is the third in a series of proposed and final rules that establish regulations for the 2021-22 migratory bird hunting season.

Regulations Schedule for 2021

On October 9, 2020, we published in the
Federal Register
(85 FR 64097) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. 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 2021-22 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and
Federal Register
notifications were illustrated in the diagram at the end of the October 9, 2020, proposed rule. For this regulatory cycle, we have combined elements of the document that is described in the diagram as Supplemental Proposals with the document that is described as Proposed Season Frameworks.

Further, in the October 9, 2020, proposed rule we explained that all sections of subsequent documents outlining hunting frameworks and guidelines would be organized under numbered headings, which were set forth at 85 FR 64098. This and subsequent documents will refer only to numbered items requiring attention. We will omit those items not requiring attention, and remaining numbered items may be discontinuous and appear incomplete.

We provided the meeting dates and locations for the Service Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council meetings on Flyway calendars posted on our website at
https://www.fws.gov/birds/management/flyways.php.
We announced the April SRC meeting in the April 9, 2020,
Federal Register
(85 FR 19952). The October 9, 2020, proposed rule provided detailed information on the proposed 2021-22 regulatory schedule and announced the October SRC meeting.

On February 22, 2021, we published in the
Federal Register
(86 FR 10622)

the proposed frameworks for the 2021-22 season migratory bird hunting regulations. We have considered all pertinent comments received through March 24, 2021, which includes comments submitted in response to our October 9 and February 22 proposed rulemaking documents and comments from the October SRC meeting. This document establishes final frameworks for migratory bird hunting regulations for the 2021-22 season and includes no substantive changes from the February 22, 2021, proposed rule except a minor correction (see 4. Canada and Cackling Geese, below). 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 reports that provide detailed information on the status and harvest of certain migratory game bird species. These reports are available at the address indicated under
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
or from our website at
https://www.fws.gov/birds/surveys-and-data/reports-and-publications/population-status.php.

We used the following annual reports published in August 2020 in the development of proposed frameworks for the migratory bird hunting regulations: Adaptive Harvest Management, 2021 Hunting Season; American Woodcock Population Status, 2020; Band-tailed Pigeon Population Status, 2020; Migratory Bird Hunting Activity and Harvest During the 2018-19 and 2019-20 Hunting Seasons; Mourning Dove Population Status, 2020; Status and Harvests of Sandhill Cranes, Mid-continent, Rocky Mountain, Lower Colorado River Valley and Eastern Populations, 2020; and Waterfowl Population Status, 2020.

Our long-term objectives continue to include providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game bird populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Having taken into account the zones of temperature and the distribution, abundance, economic value, breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of migratory birds, we conclude that the hunting seasons provided for herein are compatible with the current status of migratory bird populations and long-term population goals. Additionally, we are obligated to, and do, give serious consideration to all information received during the public comment period.

Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations

The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the October 9, 2020,
Federal Register
,
opened the public comment period for migratory game bird hunting regulations and described the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2021-22 duck hunting season. Comments and recommendations are summarized below and numbered in the order set forth in the October 9, 2020, proposed rule (see 85 FR 64098).

We received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils at the April and October SRC meetings; all recommendations are from the October meeting unless otherwise noted. 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. As explained earlier in this document, 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:
Several commenters protested the entire migratory bird hunting regulations process, protested the killing of all migratory birds, and questioned the status and habitat data on which the migratory bird hunting regulations are based.

Service Response:
As we indicated above under Population Status and Harvest, 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. Sustaining migratory bird populations and ensuring a variety of sustainable uses, including harvest, is consistent with the guiding principles by which migratory birds are to be managed under the conventions between the United States and several foreign nations for the protection and management of these birds. We have taken into account available information and considered public comments and continue to conclude that the hunting seasons provided for herein are compatible with the current status of migratory bird populations and long-term population goals. In regard to the regulations process, the Flyway Council system of migratory bird management has been a longstanding example of State-Federal cooperative management since its establishment in 1952 in regulation development process and bird population and habitat monitoring. However, as always, we continue to seek new ways to streamline and improve the process and ensure adequate conservation of the resource.

1. Ducks

A. General Harvest Strategy

Council Recommendations:
The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory alternative for their respective flyways.

Service Response:
As we stated in the October 9, 2020, proposed rule, we intend to continue use of Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) to help determine appropriate duck-hunting regulations for the 2021-22 season. AHM is a tool that permits sound resource decisions in the face of uncertain regulatory impacts and provides a mechanism for reducing that uncertainty over time. We use an AHM protocol (decision framework) to evaluate four regulatory alternatives, each with a different expected harvest level, and choose the optimal regulation for duck hunting based on the status and demographics of mallards for the Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways, and based on the status and demographics of a suite of four species (eastern waterfowl) in the Atlantic Flyway (see below, and the earlier referenced report “Adaptive Harvest Management, 2021 Hunting Season” for more details). We have specific AHM protocols that guide appropriate bag limits and season lengths for species of special concern, including black ducks, scaup, and pintails, within the general duck season. These protocols use the same outside season dates and lengths as those regulatory alternatives for the 2021-22 general duck season.

For the 2021-22 hunting season, we will continue to use independent optimizations to determine the appropriate regulatory alternative for mallard stocks in the Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways and for eastern waterfowl in the Atlantic Flyway. This means that we will develop regulations for mid-continent mallards, western mallards, and eastern waterfowl independently based on the breeding stock(s) that contributes primarily to each Flyway. We detailed implementation of AHM protocols for

mid-continent and western mallards in the July 24, 2008,
Federal Register
(73 FR 43290), and for eastern waterfowl in the September 21, 2018,
Federal Register
(83 FR 47868).

We also stated in the October 9, 2020, proposed rule, that the coronavirus pandemic prevented the Service and their partners from performing the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (WBPHS) and estimating waterfowl breeding abundances and habitat conditions in the spring of 2020. As a result, AHM protocols have been adjusted to inform decisions on duck hunting regulations based on model predictions of breeding abundances and habitat conditions. In most cases, system models specific to each AHM decision framework have been used to predict breeding abundances from the available information (
e.g.,
2019 observations). However, for some system state variables (
i.e.,
pond numbers and mean latitude) we have used updated time series models to forecast 2020 values based on the most recent information. These technical adjustments are described in detail in the report entitled “Adaptive Harvest Management, 2021 Hunting Season” referenced above under Population Status and Harvest.

Atlantic Flyway

For the Atlantic Flyway, we set duck-hunting regulations based on the status and demographics of a suite of four duck species (eastern waterfowl) in eastern Canada and the Atlantic Flyway States: Green-winged teal, common goldeneye, ring-necked duck, and wood duck. For purposes of the assessment, eastern waterfowl stocks are those breeding in eastern Canada and Maine (Federal WBPHS fixed-wing surveys in strata 51-53, 56, and 62-70, and helicopter plot surveys in strata 51-52, 63-64, 66-68, and 70-72) and in Atlantic Flyway States from New Hampshire south to Virginia (Atlantic Flyway Breeding Waterfowl Survey, AFBWS). Abundance estimates for green-winged teal, ring-necked ducks, and goldeneyes are derived annually by integrating fixed-wing and helicopter survey data from eastern Canada and Maine (WBPHS strata 51-53, 56, and 62-72). Counts of green-winged teal, ring-necked ducks, and goldeneyes in the AFBWS are negligible and therefore excluded from population estimates for those species. Abundance estimates for wood ducks in the Atlantic Flyway (Maine south to Florida) are estimated by integrating data from the AFBWS and the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Counts of wood ducks from the WBPHS are negligible and therefore excluded from population estimates.

For the 2021-22 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for eastern waterfowl using: (1) A management objective of 98 percent of maximum long-term sustainable harvest for eastern waterfowl; (2) the 2021-22 regulatory alternatives; and (3) current stock-specific population models and associated weights. Based on the liberal regulatory alternative selected for the 2020-21 duck hunting season, the 2020 model predictions of 0.35 million green-winged teal, 0.94 million wood ducks, 0.70 million ring-necked ducks, and 0.58 million goldeneyes, the optimal regulation for the Atlantic Flyway is the liberal alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendation of the Atlantic Flyway Council regarding selection of the liberal regulatory alternative as described in the October 9, 2020, proposed rule for the 2021-22 season.

The mallard bag limit in the Atlantic Flyway is based on a separate assessment of the harvest potential of eastern mallards (see xi. Other, below, for further discussion on the mallard bag limit in the Atlantic Flyway).

Mississippi and Central Flyways

For the Mississippi and Central Flyways, we set duck-hunting regulations based on the status and demographics of mid-continent mallards and habitat conditions (pond numbers in Prairie Canada). For purposes of the assessment, mid-continent mallards are those breeding in central North America (Federal WBPHS strata 13-18, 20-50, and 75-77), and in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (State surveys).

For the 2021-22 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for mid-continent mallards using: (1) A management objective of maximum long-term sustainable harvest; (2) the 2021-22 regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population models and associated weights. Based on a liberal regulatory alternative selected for the 2020-21 hunting season, the 2020 model predictions of 9.07 million mid-continent mallards and 3.40 million ponds in Prairie Canada, the optimal regulation for the Mississippi and Central Flyways is the liberal alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils regarding selection of the liberal regulatory alternative as described in the October 9, 2020, proposed rule for the 2021-22 season.

Pacific Flyway

For the Pacific Flyway, we set duck-hunting regulations based on the status and demographics of western mallards. For purposes of the assessment, western mallards consist of two substocks and are those breeding in Alaska and Yukon Territory (Federal WBPHS strata 1-12) and those breeding in the southern Pacific Flyway including California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia (State and Provincial surveys) combined.

For the 2021-22 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for western mallards using: (1) A management objective of maximum long-term sustainable harvest; (2) the 2021-22 regulatory alternatives; and (3) the current population model. Based on a liberal regulatory alternative selected for the 2020-21 hunting season, the 2020 model predictions of 0.94 million western mallards in Alaska and the Yukon Territory (0.41 million) and the southern Pacific Flyway (0.53 million), the optimal regulation for the Pacific Flyway is the liberal alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendation of the Pacific Flyway Council regarding selection of the liberal regulatory alternative as described in the October 9, 2020, proposed rule for the 2021-22 season.

B. Regulatory Alternatives

Council Recommendations:
At the April SRC meeting, the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended that AHM regulatory alternatives for duck hunting seasons in 2021-22 remain the same as those used in the previous year with one exception that we agreed to in 2020: Moving the opening framework date to 1 week earlier in the restrictive regulatory alternative for the Mississippi and Central Flyways beginning with the 2021-22 season based on their recommendations (85 FR 15870; March 19, 2020). The Central Flyway Council further recommended at the April SRC meeting that the bag limit for male mallards in the moderate and liberal regulatory alternatives for the Central Flyway be increased by one bird, so that the male mallard bag limit would be the same as the overall duck bag limit of six ducks. This recommendation is in opposition to Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation that AHM regulatory alternatives for duck hunting seasons in 2021-22 remain the same as those used in the previous year with the exception noted above.

Service Response:
Consistent with Flyway Council recommendations in April and the Flyway Council

recommendations we earlier adopted in the August 21, 2020, final rule (85 FR 51854) for the 2021-22 duck season, the AHM regulatory alternatives proposed for the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways in the October 9, 2020, proposed rule (85 FR 64097) will be used for the 2021-22 hunting season. The AHM regulatory alternatives consist only of the maximum season lengths, framework dates, and bag limits for total ducks and mallards. Restrictions for certain species within these frameworks that are not covered by existing harvest strategies will be addressed elsewhere in these frameworks. For those species with specific harvest strategies (pintails, black ducks, and scaup), those strategies will again be used for the 2021-22 hunting season.

Last year, we considered proposals for mid-continent mallard duck regulations from the Central and Mississippi Flyways, which differed in the number of drake mallards in the daily bag limit. The recommendations from the two Councils in April are the same with regard to the bag limit for drake mallards as those we addressed in 2020 (85 FR 51854; August 21, 2020). Since the recommendations have not changed, our decision also has not changed. Because mid-continent mallards are shared between the two Flyways, the two Flyways need to work together to create a suite of regulatory alternatives to which both can agree. Since such an agreement between the flyways has not yet been reached, the Service supports mallard bag limits for the 2021-22 season that are the same as those from the 2020-21 season where the two Councils were last in agreement (
i.e.,
no change).

C. Zones and Split Seasons

Zones and split seasons are “special regulations” designed to distribute hunting opportunities and harvests according to temporal, geographic, and demographic variability in waterfowl and other migratory game bird populations. For ducks, States have been allowed the option of dividing their allotted hunting days into two (or in some cases three) segments (splits) to take advantage of species-specific peaks of abundance or to satisfy hunters in different areas who want to hunt during the peak of waterfowl abundance in their area. We discussed and presented guidelines for duck zones and split seasons during 2021-25 seasons in the August 21, 2020, final rule (see 85 FR 51857). Also at that time, based on a Flyway Council recommendation, we extended the deadline for States to select their zone and split-season configurations and to define potential new zone boundaries for the 2021-25 seasons from May 1, 2020, to August 15, 2020.

Council Recommendations:
The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils recommended that States be allowed an additional year to select their zone and split-season configurations and to define potential new zone boundaries for the 2021-25 seasons, and that those selections would remain in effect for 4 years (2022-25). At the April SRC meeting, the Pacific Flyway Council recommended that Alaska be allowed to move their two-segment season option from the Kodiak zone to the Southeast Zone and retain grandfathered status (5 zones and 1 zone with a split season).

Service Response:
We agree with the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils' recommendation to allow States an additional opportunity to select their duck zone and split-season configurations and to define potential new zone boundaries for the 5-year period originally planned for the 2021-25 seasons. This opportunity will apply only to States that have not yet made a change in their zone and split-season configurations for the 2021-25 seasons, and these selections would remain in effect for the 2022-25 seasons. The deadline for States to select their zone and split-season configuration and to define potential new zone boundaries for the 2022-25 seasons was May 1, 2021, but we encourage States to submit their selections and zone boundaries as soon as possible. The guidelines for duck zones and split seasons during 2022-25 seasons will remain the same as those established in the August 21, 2020, final rule (see 85 FR 51857). Any State that selects the new configuration allowed by the Service beginning with the 2021-22 season (
i.e.,
two zones with three segments in each zone) must conduct an evaluation of the impacts of zones and splits on hunter dynamics (
e.g.,
hunter numbers, satisfaction) and harvest.

We are agreeable to allowing States an additional opportunity to select their zone and split-season configurations because some States were planning public input meetings during early spring 2020 to gather additional input prior to making their selection for the 2021-25 seasons. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, those public meetings were cancelled, so States were unable to gather that input. However, in the future, we expect to adhere to our established guidelines that restrict the frequency of changes in State selection among these configurations to open seasons at the beginning of 5-year intervals. This is necessary to increase our ability to detect the impacts of zones and splits on waterfowl demographics and harvest. Substantial concern remains about the unknown consequences of zones and split seasons on duck populations and harvest redistribution among States and flyways, potential reduced effectiveness of regulations (season length and bag limit) to reduce duck harvest if needed, and the administrative burden associated with changing regulations annually.

After this open period, the next regularly scheduled open season for changes to zone and split-season configurations will be in 2026, for use during the 2026-30 seasons. In order to allow sufficient time for States to solicit public input regarding their selections of zone and split season configurations in 2026, we will reaffirm the criteria during the 2025 season regulations process. At that time, we will notify States that changes to zone and split-season configurations should be provided to the Service by May 1, 2026.

We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation that Alaska be allowed to move their two-segment season option from the Kodiak zone to the Southeast Zone and retain grandfathered status. The current guidelines indicate that only minor (less than a county in size) boundary changes will be allowed for any grandfathered arrangement. Although this is not a boundary change, the transfer of the split to a different, existing zone is simply a reconfiguration of the grandfathered zone and split structure, and the change is expected to have negligible impacts to duck population status and harvest. However, because the intent of zone and split regulations is not to affect harvest distribution, the State of Alaska will be required to provide the Service with an evaluation of impacts to duck harvest and hunter dynamics (
e.g.,
hunter numbers, hunter success, hunter satisfaction, etc.) during the fixed 5-year period it is implemented (
e.g.,
2021-25 period), and is encouraged to involve a human dimensions specialist in the assessment. This review should assist the Service in ascertaining whether major undesirable changes in harvest occurred or hunter participation improved as a result of the regulation change.

D. Special Seasons/Species Management

i. September Teal Seasons

Because a spring 2020 abundance estimate from the WBPHS for blue-winged teal was not available, we used time series models to predict their

abundance. The predicted estimate was 5.83 million birds. Because this estimate is greater than 4.7 million birds, the teal season guidelines indicate that a 16-day special September teal season with a 6-teal daily bag limit is appropriate for States in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central flyways. Further, the guidelines indicate that in Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee, in lieu of a 16-day special September teal season, a 5-day special September teal-wood duck season with a daily bag limit of 6 birds in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks, is appropriate. In addition, a 4-day special September teal season with a 6-teal daily bag limit, either immediately before or immediately after the 5-day teal-wood duck season, is appropriate.

Council Recommendations:
The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that Minnesota be allowed to conduct an experimental special September teal season for a 3-year period beginning in 2021 or 2022 following the framework for all other States in the Mississippi Flyway.

Service Response:
As we described in the August 28, 2014,
Federal Register
(79 FR 51402), the Flyway Councils and Service completed a thorough assessment of the harvest potential for teal (blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon), as well as an assessment of the impacts of current special September seasons on these three species. The assessment indicated that additional hunting opportunity could be provided for teal. Therefore, we supported recommendations from the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyway Councils to establish new hunting seasons (
e.g.,
September teal seasons in northern States) and expanded hunting opportunities (
e.g.,
season lengths, bag limits) in States with existing teal seasons. Further, we confirmed that we were willing to consider proposals to conduct experimental September teal seasons in northern (production) States if fully evaluated for impacts to teal and nontarget species. We also provided criteria for evaluation of these experimental seasons. Thus, we agree with the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation to allow an experimental special September teal season in Minnesota beginning in 2021 or 2022.

We earlier approved a 3-year experimental season in Minnesota beginning in 2014. However, Minnesota opted out of the experiment at that time. The criteria established in 2014 regarding the experimental season and transition to operational status will again apply (see 79 FR 51403, August 28, 2014). In addition, we clarify that criteria for operational status must be met by Minnesota's experimental season results alone, and not in combination with data from other States. We will work with Minnesota to develop an evaluation plan and associated memorandum of agreement (MOA) for this experiment detailing the required sample sizes, decision criteria for the experimental season to become operational, and roles and responsibilities. The plan will consist of a 3-year evaluation of hunter performance (via spy blind studies) with regard to attempt and kill rates on nontarget species during the experimental September teal season.

ii. September Teal-Wood Duck Seasons

Using band-recovery data for birds banded in summer and fall 2019 and harvested during the 2019-20 hunting season, we estimated kill rates for adult male wood ducks in the eastern United States to be 0.112 (rangewide) and 0.119 (northern birds only). These values are below those in which analyses suggest bag limit restrictions may be needed (rangewide = 0.166; northern birds = 0.143). These results, combined with the predicted blue-winged teal estimate reported above indicate a 5-day September teal-wood duck season with a daily bag limit of 6 birds in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks, is appropriate in Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee for the 2021-22 season.

iii. Black Ducks

Council Recommendations:
The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils recommended continued use of the AHM protocol for black ducks, and adoption of the moderate regulatory alternative for their respective flyways. The Flyway-specific regulations consist of a daily bag limit of two black ducks and a season length of 60 days.

Service Response:
The Service, Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils, and Canada adopted an international AHM protocol for black ducks in 2012 (77 FR 49868; August 17, 2012) whereby we set black duck hunting regulations for the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways (and Canada) based on the status and demographics of these birds. The AHM protocol clarifies country-specific target harvest levels, and reduces conflicts over regulatory policies.

For the 2021-22 hunting season, we evaluated country-specific alternative harvest regulations using: (1) A management objective of 98 percent of maximum long-term sustainable harvest; (2) country-specific regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population models and associated weights. Based on the moderate regulatory alternative selected for the 2020-21 hunting season and the 2020 model predictions of 0.50 million breeding black ducks and 0.39 million breeding mallards (Federal WBPHS strata 51, 52, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, and 72; core survey area), the optimal regulation for the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways is the moderate alternative (and the liberal alternative in Canada). Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils.

iv. Canvasbacks

Council Recommendations:
The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory alternative for their respective flyways. The Flyway-specific regulations consist of a daily bag limit of two canvasbacks and a season length of 60 days in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 74 days in the Central Flyway, and 107 days in the Pacific Flyway.

Service Response:
As we discussed in the March 28, 2016,
Federal Register
(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 (hereafter, decision support tool) that relies on the best biological information available to develop recommendations for annual canvasback harvest regulations. The decision support tool uses available information (1994-2014) on canvasback breeding population size in Alaska and north-central North America (Federal WBPHS traditional survey area, strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), growth rate, survival, and harvest, and a population model to evaluate alternative harvest regulations based on a management objective of maximum long-term sustainable harvest. The decision support tool calls for a closed season when the population is below 460,000, a 1-bird daily bag limit when the population is between 460,000 and 480,000, and a 2-bird daily bag limit when the population is greater than 480,000. Because abundance estimates were not available from the WBPHS, we used two different methods to predict canvasback abundance during spring 2020. One used a population model

initially developed in the 1990s, and the other used the time series of recent abundances from the WBPHS. Based on the resulting predictions of 550,799 and 671,280 canvasbacks, respectively, for the two approaches, we concur with the recommendations of the four Flyway Councils regarding selection of the liberal regulatory alternative for the 2021-22 season.

v. Pintails

Council Recommendations:
The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory alternative with a 1-pintail daily bag limit for their respective flyways. The Flyway-specific regulations consist of a season length of 60 days in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 74 days in the Central Flyway, and 107 days in the Pacific Flyway.

Service Response:
The Service and four Flyway Councils adopted an AHM protocol for pintail in 2010 (75 FR 44856; July 29, 2010) whereby we set pintail hunting regulations in all four Flyways based on the status and demographics of these birds.

For the 2021-22 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for pintails using: (1) A management objective of maximum long-term sustainable harvest, including a closed-season constraint of 1.75 million birds; (2) the regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population models and associated weights. Based on a liberal regulatory alternative with a 1-bird daily bag limit for the 2020-21 season, and the 2020 model predictions of 2.45 million pintails with the center of the population predicted to occur at a mean latitude of 55.2 degrees (Federal WBPHS traditional survey area, strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), the optimal regulation for all four Flyways is the liberal alternative with a 1-pintail daily bag limit. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the four Flyway Councils.

vi. Scaup

Council Recommendations:
The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the restrictive regulatory alternative for the 2021-22 season. The Flyway-specific regulations consist of a 60-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit during 40 consecutive days and a 2-bird daily bag limit during 20 consecutive days in the Atlantic Flyway, a 60-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit during 45 consecutive days and a 1-bird daily bag limit during 15 consecutive days in the Mississippi Flyway, a 1-bird daily bag limit for 74 days in the Central Flyway (which may have separate segments of 39 days and 35 days), and an 86-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit in the Pacific Flyway. Also, at the April SRC meeting, the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the restrictive regulatory alternative for scaup in the Mississippi Flyway be a season of 60 days with a daily bag limit of 2 scaup.

Service Response:
The Service and four Flyway Councils adopted an AHM protocol for scaup in 2008 (73 FR 43290, July 24, 2008; 73 FR 51124, August 29, 2008) whereby we set scaup hunting regulations in all four Flyways based on the status and demographics of these birds.

For the 2021-22 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for scaup using: (1) A management objective of 95 percent of maximum sustainable harvest; (2) the regulatory alternatives; and (3) the current population model. Based on a moderate regulatory alternative for the 2020-21 season, and the 2020 model prediction of 3.53 million scaup (Federal WBPHS traditional survey area, strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), the optimal regulation for all four Flyways is the restrictive alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the four Flyway Councils regarding selection of the restrictive alternative for the 2021-22 season.

We do not support the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation to revise the restrictive scaup regulatory alternative for the Mississippi Flyway to include a 60-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit. The scaup harvest strategy prescribes allowable harvest limits for each flyway. In 2009, we accepted the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation for a hybrid season with 45 days at a 2-bird daily bag limit and 15 days at a 1-bird daily bag under the restrictive alternative to stay within allowable harvest limits. We do not support the current recommendation because it is outside the normal process for revising national harvest strategies, which involves working with the Service and Flyway Councils through the Harvest Management Working Group. Further, predicted harvest under this recommendation would exceed the harvest threshold established for the Mississippi Flyway restrictive alternative, as we previously indicated in 2008 when we received a similar recommendation. We note the Mississippi Flyway Council observation that realized harvests in the Mississippi Flyway have exceeded thresholds in other years, but do not agree that because that has occurred the alternative should be replaced with one that explicitly exceeds the threshold. We encourage the Mississippi Flyway Council to work with the other Flyway Councils through the Harvest Management Working Group to review and possibly revise the current scaup harvest strategy as appropriate, similar to the process that is underway for the pintail harvest strategy.

xi. Other

Council Recommendations:
The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a mallard daily bag limit of two birds, only one of which could be female, for the Atlantic Flyway. At the April SRC meeting, the Central Flyway Council presented an evaluation plan in support of their earlier recommendation that the Service allow South Dakota and Nebraska to evaluate a two-tier regulations system, wherein two different types of regulations would be available to hunters to harvest ducks (see 85 FR 51857, August 21, 2020).

Service Response:
We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation for a mallard daily bag limit of two birds, of which only one may be female, for the Atlantic Flyway. The Atlantic Flyway Council's eastern waterfowl AHM protocol (see above) did not specifically address bag limits for mallards. The number of breeding mallards in the northeastern United States (about two-thirds of the eastern mallard population in 1998) has decreased by about 38 percent since 1998, and the overall population has declined by about 1 percent per year during that time period. This situation has resulted in reduced harvest potential for that population. The Service conducted a Prescribed Take Level (PTL) analysis to estimate the allowable take (kill rate) for eastern mallards, and compared that with the expected kill rate under the most liberal season length (60 days) considered as part of the eastern waterfowl AHM regulatory alternatives.

Using contemporary data and assuming a management objective of maximum long-term sustainable harvest, the PTL analysis estimated an allowable kill rate of 0.194-0.198. The expected kill rate for eastern mallards under a 60-day season and a 2-mallard daily bag limit in the U.S. portion of the Atlantic Flyway was 0.193 (SE = 0.016), which is slightly below (but not significantly different from) the point estimate of allowable kill at maximum long-term sustainable harvest. This indicates that a 2-bird daily bag limit is sustainable at this time.

Regarding the Central Flyway Council's evaluation plan for a two-tier

regulations system, we earlier noted our intent to approve the Central Flyway Council's recommendation for a limited two-tier regulations system in selected States to assess impacts to hunters and duck harvests during the 2021-22 season as published in the
Federal Register
(see 85 FR 51857, August 21, 2020). In October 2019, the Service tasked Division of Migratory Bird Management staff to work with the Flyway Councils to develop a team to address the components needed in an evaluation, and to have a draft evaluation plan that is supported by both the Division of Migratory Bird Management and the Flyway Councils ready for review prior to the spring 2020 SRC meeting. As of spring of 2021 the components of the evaluation plan (compliance, developing shared objectives, identifying appropriate metrics for evaluation, monitoring efforts, and addressing law enforcement concerns) have been addressed in an MOA between the Service and the two States, which outlines the roles and responsibilities of each partner in the agreement.

We appreciate the work that the Flyway Councils and the Division of Migratory Bird Management have completed to finalize an evaluation plan for the first year of a two-tier regulation study for duck harvests. The group has completed the work we requested last October, and therefore we support moving forward with the study beginning with the 2021-22 season. The study will allow different species-specific and overall bag limits for each of the two license types. We encourage the Central Flyway and the Division of Migratory Bird Management to review information collected during the first season and as the study progresses. The goal of the data collection is to determine whether improvement of collection methods is necessary or appropriate, and to assess possible enforcement issues faced by conservation officers from two-tier regulations.

4. Canada and Cackling Geese

B. Regular Seasons

Council Recommendations:
The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended increasing the daily bag limit for Canada and cackling geese from 3 to 5 geese in the aggregate in the Mississippi Flyway. The Pacific Flyway Council recommended decreasing the daily bag limit for Canada and cackling geese from 6 to 4 geese in the aggregate in Oregon's Northwest Permit Zone.

Written Comments:
The Atlantic Flyway Council noted that a regulatory change for the for Atlantic Population (AP) Canada geese recommended by the Atlantic Flyway Council on September 25, 2020, was made to and approved by the Service Regulations Committee on October 21, 2020, but was not reflected in the February 22, 2021, proposed rule for the 2021-2022 season. The Council recommended a season length of 30 days with a daily bag limit of 1 goose for all AP goose harvest areas (other than the Northeast Hunt Unit of North Carolina) in the U.S. portion of the Atlantic Flyway for the 2021-2022 season; and in the Northeast Hunt Unit of North Carolina, a season length of 14 days with a daily bag limit of 1 goose.

Service Response:
We agree with the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation to increase the daily bag limit for Canada and cackling geese from 3 to 5 geese in the aggregate for the entire 107-day season. The Council's technical assessment suggests that this change will maintain the harvest rate for subarctic Canada and cackling goose breeding populations at or below 11 percent, which serves as a decision threshold between liberal and standard frameworks in the Mississippi Flyway Council's management plan. If operational monitoring for subarctic Canada and cackling goose populations is not conducted during spring and summer 2021 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we will discuss with the Mississippi Flyway Council the appropriate daily bag limit for the subsequent season due to the lack of monitoring information.

We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to decrease the daily bag limit for Canada and cackling geese from 6 to 4 geese in the aggregate in Oregon's Northwest Permit Zone. The most recently available 3-year average predicted fall population estimate (2017-19) for
minima
cackling geese is 235,137, which is near the lower end of the Council's population objective of 250,000 ± 10 percent (225,000-275,000). The decrease in bag limit is specifically intended to maintain objective abundance of
minima
cackling geese, and is consistent with the Council's harvest strategy for these birds. Also, the bag limit for Canada and cackling geese of 4 per day in the aggregate in Oregon's Northwest Permit Zone will simplify regulations by matching the 4-bird bag limit currently allowed for Canada and cackling geese in the aggregate in the basic season framework for Oregon and the Pacific Flyway.

We also agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation for a season length of 30 days with a daily bag limit of 1 goose for all AP goose harvest areas (other than the Northeast Hunt Unit of North Carolina) in the U.S. portion of the Atlantic Flyway for the 2021-2022 season; and in the Northeast Hunt Unit of North Carolina, a season length of 14 days with a daily bag limit of 1 goose. The recommendation is consistent with the Atlantic Flyway Council's AP goose harvest strategy and available data on the status of the population. The estimated abundance of breeding pairs has declined over the past 5 years combined with poor recruitment since 2009. Also, the Council's recommendation standardizes regulations among States in the Atlantic Flyway and addresses a social concern regarding differential bag limits under the harvest strategy's restrictive package.

6. Brant

Council Recommendations:
The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended that the Service discontinue use of the harvest strategy for Atlantic brant adopted by the Service in 2015 for setting annual Atlantic brant hunting regulations. The Atlantic Flyway Council also recommended frameworks with a 50-day season and a 2-bird daily bag limit for Atlantic brant in the Atlantic Flyway for the 2021-22 season.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the 2021-22 brant season frameworks be determined based on the harvest strategy in the Council's management plan for the Pacific population of brant pending results of the 2021 Winter Brant Survey (WBS). If results of the 2021 WBS are not available, results of the most recent WBS should be used.

Service Response:
We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation to discontinue use of the harvest strategy for Atlantic brant adopted by the Service in 2015 for establishing Atlantic brant season frameworks. As we discussed in the March 28, 2016,
Federal Register
(81 FR 17302), we adopted in 2015 the Atlantic Flyway Council's harvest strategy to determine the Atlantic brant season frameworks. In developing the annual proposed frameworks for Atlantic brant, the Atlantic Flyway Council and the Service used the number of brant counted during the Midwinter Waterfowl Survey (MWS) in the Atlantic Flyway to determine annual allowable season length and daily bag limits. The MWS is conducted each January, which is after the date that proposed frameworks are formulated in the regulatory process. However, the data were typically available by the expected publication of final frameworks. When we acquired the

survey data, we determined the appropriate allowable harvest for the Atlantic brant season according to the harvest strategy, and published the results in the final frameworks rule. However, in 2020, the Atlantic Flyway Council developed and adopted a new harvest strategy for Atlantic brant that uses available data and a demographic model to predict population abundance for the subsequent year and determine the appropriate regulatory alternative. The Atlantic Flyway Council's newly adopted harvest strategy now fits within the regulatory schedule, and makes the Service's 2015 adopted harvest strategy obsolete and unnecessary. Based on the Atlantic Flyway Council's new harvest strategy, the 2021 predicted Atlantic brant population index is 126,000 birds and results in a prescribed season framework with a 50-day season and a 2-bird daily bag limit for Atlantic brant in the Atlantic Flyway for the 2021-22 season. Therefore, we also agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation for a framework for Atlantic brant with a 50-day season and 2-bird daily bag limit for the 2021-22 season.

We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation that the 2021-22 Pacific brant season framework be determined by the harvest strategy in the Council's management plan for the Pacific population of brant pending results of the 2021 WBS. As we discussed in the August 21, 2020,
Federal Register
(85 FR 51854), the harvest strategy used to determine the Pacific brant season frameworks does not fit well within the current regulatory process. In developing the annual proposed frameworks for Pacific brant, the Pacific Flyway Council and the Service use the 3-year average number of brant counted during the WBS in the Pacific Flyway to determine annual allowable season length and daily bag limits. The WBS is conducted each January, which is after the date that proposed frameworks are formulated in the regulatory process. However, the data are typically available by the expected publication of these final frameworks. When we acquire the survey data, we determine the appropriate allowable harvest for the Pacific brant season according to the harvest strategy in the Pacific Flyway Council's management plan for the Pacific population of brant published in the August 21, 2020,
Federal Register
(85 FR 51854).

The recent 3-year average (2019-2021) WBS count of Pacific brant was 151,434. Based on the harvest strategy, the appropriate season length and daily bag limit framework for Pacific brant in the 2021-22 season is a 107-day season with a 4-bird daily bag limit in Alaska, and a 37-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit in California, Oregon, and Washington.

7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese

Council Recommendations:
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended two changes to the light goose season frameworks in the Pacific Flyway. Specifically, the Council recommended:

1. In Oregon, increasing the daily bag limit for light geese to 20 per day, statewide and during the entire season framework, and

2. In Washington, increasing the daily bag limit for light geese on or before the last Sunday in January to 10 per day and 20 per day thereafter.

Service Response:
We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendations for increasing the daily bag limit for light geese in Oregon and Washington. Three populations of light geese occur in the Pacific Flyway and are above the Council's management plan population objectives based on the most recently available breeding population indices. The population estimate for the Western Arctic Population (WAP) of lesser snow geese was 419,800 in 2013, which is above the objective of 200,000 geese. Ross's geese were estimated at 233,300 in 2019, and are above the objective of 100,000 geese. The Wrangel Island Population (WIP) of lesser snow geese was 685,120 in 2020, and the recent 3-year (2018-2020) average was 477,640, which is above the objective of 120,000 geese based on the 3-year average. Also, light geese in the Pacific Flyway are indexed by fall and winter surveys in California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. The most recent winter index was 1,599,641 light geese in 2019. The annual index has increased 6.04 percent annually since 2000, when the index averaged about 550,000, and indicates continued growth of light goose populations in the Pacific Flyway. Current evidence suggests most light geese in Oregon and Washington during fall and early winter are primarily WIP snow geese, but an influx of WAP snow and Ross's geese occurs during late winter as birds begin to move north toward breeding areas. The current 6-bird daily bag limit for light geese in Oregon (on or before the last Sunday in January, and in the Northwest Permit Zone season long) and Washington were intended to minimize harvest of WIP snow geese when they were below the population objective. The bag limit increase to 20 light geese per day in Oregon and Washington will simplify regulations by matching the 20-bird daily bag limit currently allowed for light geese in the basic season framework for the Pacific Flyway.

9. Sandhill Cranes

Council Recommendations:
The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended establishment of two new hunting areas for the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of sandhill cranes including Duchesne County in northeast Utah and Cascade and Teton Counties in northcentral Montana, and that allowable harvest of RMP cranes be determined based on the formula described in the Pacific and Central Flyway Councils' Management Plan for RMP cranes.

Service Response:
We agree with the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils' recommendations to establish the two new hunting areas for RMP cranes. The new hunting areas are consistent with the hunting area requirements in the Pacific and Central Flyway Councils' RMP crane management plan.

We also agree with the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils' recommendations to determine allowable harvest of RMP cranes using the formula in the Pacific and Central Flyway Councils' management plan for RMP cranes pending results of the fall 2020 abundance and recruitment surveys. As we discussed in the March 28, 2016,
Federal Register
(81 FR 17302), the harvest strategy used to calculate the allowable harvest of RMP cranes does not fit well within the current regulatory process. In developing the annual proposed frameworks for RMP cranes, the Flyway Councils and the Service use the fall abundance and recruitment surveys of RMP cranes to determine annual allowable harvest. Results of the fall abundance and recruitment surveys of RMP cranes are released between December 1 and January 31 each year, which is after the date proposed frameworks are developed. However, the data are typically available by the expected publication of these final frameworks. When we acquire the survey data, we determine the appropriate allowable harvest for the RMP crane season according to the harvest strategy in the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils' management plan for RMP cranes published in the March 28, 2016,
Federal Register
(81 FR 17302).

The 2020 fall RMP crane abundance estimate was 25,636 cranes, resulting in a 3-year (2018-20) average of 22,909 cranes, similar to the previous 3-year average, which was 20,894 cranes. The RMP crane recruitment estimate was 9.70 percent young in the fall

population, resulting in a 3-year (2018-20) average of 8.84 percent, which is similar to the previous 3-year average of 8.25 percent. Using the current harvest strategy and the above most recent 3-year average abundance and recruitment estimates, the allowable harvest for the 2021-22 season is 2,378 cranes.

14. American Woodcock

Council Recommendations:
At the April SRC meeting, the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyway Councils recommended season framework dates for American woodcock in the Eastern Management Region and Central Management Region be changed to September 13-January 31 and use of the “moderate” season framework for the 2021-22 season.

Service Response:
In 2011, we implemented a harvest strategy for American woodcock (76 FR 19876; April 8, 2011). The harvest strategy provides a transparent framework for making regulatory decisions for American woodcock season length and bag limits while we work to improve monitoring and assessment protocols for this species. The American Woodcock Harvest Strategy is available on our website at
https://www.fws.gov/birds/surveys-and-data/webless-migratory-game-birds/american-woodcock.php.

In the October 9, 2020, proposed rule (85 FR 64097), we proposed to change the opening framework date for American woodcock in the Eastern and Central Management Regions to a fixed date of September 13. Framework dates currently are October 1-January 31 and the Saturday nearest September 22-January 31 for the Eastern and Central Management Regions, respectively. Results from an assessment conducted by Service staff suggest that total season harvest would not increase in either management region as a result of these changes. Consistent with our earlier proposal, we agree with the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyway Councils' recommendations that the framework dates for the Eastern Management Region and Central Management Region be changed to September 13-January 31.

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 2021-22 season is appropriate.

16. Doves

Council Recommendations:
The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the standard regulatory alternative as prescribed in the national mourning dove harvest strategy for their respective Mourning Dove Management Units. The standard regulatory alternative consists of a 90-day season and 15-bird daily bag limit for States within the Eastern and Central Management Units, and a 60-day season and 15-bird daily bag limit for States in the Western Management Unit.

The Central Flyway Council also recommended changes to the Special White-winged Dove Area in Texas. They proposed to add 2 days to the existing 4 days allowed in that area, and to codify in Federal regulations that hunting may occur only from noon to sunset during those days. This latter restriction has been in Texas' State regulations, so making this provision would involve only codifying the shooting hours in Federal regulations.

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 2021-22 season. We also agree with the Central Flyway Council's recommendation to add 2 days to the existing 4 hunting days permitted in the Special White-winged Dove Area in Texas, and to codify in Federal regulations that shooting hours for those 6 days will be from noon to sunset. The additional days will allow more opportunity and flexibility to hunters by providing 3 consecutive days of dove hunting each of the first two weekends in September. As we have stated in the past (see 76 FR 54056, August 30, 2011), the Service remains concerned about the effect of early September hunting on late-nesting mourning doves. We note that abundances of mourning doves in the Central Management Unit have declined since 2008, and additional harvest associated with this change could exacerbate that trend. We encourage Texas and the Central Flyway Council to conduct appropriate monitoring of both mourning and white-winged doves that will inform adjustments to the dove harvest management strategy, if necessary, to maintain desired abundances of doves. Such efforts should include contemporary nesting ecology studies to determine the extent of nesting activity in September, various aspects of nesting ecology (
e.g.,
nesting rate, clutch size, nest success), and exposure of nesting adults to harvest.

Required Determinations

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Consideration

The programmatic document, “Second Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (EIS 20130139),” filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on May 24, 2013, addresses NEPA compliance by the Service for issuance of the annual framework regulations for hunting of migratory game bird species. We published a notice of availability in the
Federal Register
on May 31, 2013 (78 FR 32686), and our Record of Decision on July 26, 2013 (78 FR 45376). We also address NEPA compliance for waterfowl hunting frameworks through the annual preparation of separate environmental assessments, the most recent being “Duck Hunting Regulations for 2021-22,” with its corresponding May 2021 finding of no significant impact. The programmatic document, as well as the separate environmental assessment, is available on our website at
https://www.fws.gov/birds/index.php,
or from the address indicated under the caption
ADDRESSES
.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.
), provides that the Secretary shall insure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. After we published the October 9, 2020, proposed rule, 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. The biological opinion resulting from this section 7 consultation is available for public inspection at the address indicated under
ADDRESSES
.

Regulatory Planning and Review—Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 provides that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) will review all significant rules. OIRA has reviewed

this rule and has determined that this rule is significant because it will have an annual effect of $100 million or more on the economy.

E.O. 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while calling for improvements in the nation's regulatory system to promote predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends. E.O. 13563 directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for the public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and consistent with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further that regulations must be based on the best available science and that the rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent with these requirements.

An economic analysis was prepared for the 2021-22 season. This analysis was based on data from the 2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (National Survey), the most recent year for which data are available (see discussion under Regulatory Flexibility Act, below). This analysis estimated consumer surplus for three alternatives for duck hunting regulations. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget in Circular A-4, consumers' surplus is the difference between what a consumer pays for a unit of a good or service and the maximum amount the consumer would be willing to pay for that unit. The duck hunting regulatory alternatives are (1) issue restrictive regulations allowing fewer days than those issued during the 2020-21 season, (2) issue moderate regulations allowing more days than those in alternative 1, and (3) issue liberal regulations similar to the regulations in the 2020-21 season. For the 2021-22 season, we chose Alternative 3, with an estimated consumer surplus across all flyways of $270-$358 million with a mid-point estimate of $314 million. We also chose Alternative 3 for the 2009-10 through 2020-21 seasons. The 2021-22 analysis is part of the record for this rule and is available at
http://www.regulations.gov
at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2020-0032.

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.
). A final regulatory flexibility analysis was prepared to analyze the economic impacts of the annual hunting regulations on small business entities. This analysis is updated annually. The primary source of information about hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting is the National Survey, which is generally conducted at 5-year intervals. The 2021 analysis is based on the 2016 National Survey and the U.S. Department of Commerce's County Business Patterns, from which it is estimated that migratory bird hunters will spend approximately $2.2 billion at small businesses in 2021. Copies of the analysis are available upon request from the Division of Migratory Bird Management (see
ADDRESSES
) or from
http://www.regulations.gov
at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2020-0032.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

This rule is a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. For the reasons outlined above, this rule will have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more. However, because this rule establishes hunting seasons, which are time sensitive, we do not plan to defer the effective date under the exemption contained in 5 U.S.C. 808(1).

Paperwork Reduction Act

This rule does not contain any new collection of information that requires approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.
). OMB has previously approved the information collection requirements associated with migratory bird surveys and the procedures for establishing annual migratory bird hunting seasons under the following OMB control numbers:

• 1018-0019, “North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey” (expires 02/29/2024).

• 1018-0023, “Migratory Bird Surveys, 50 CFR 20.20” (expires 04/30/2023). Includes Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program, Migratory Bird Hunter Surveys, Sandhill Crane Survey, and Parts Collection Survey.

• 1018-0171, “Establishment of Annual Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons, 50 CFR part 20” (expires 02/29/2024).

You may view the information collection request(s) at
http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

We have determined and certify, in compliance with the requirements of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502
et seq.,
that this rulemaking will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given year on local or State government or private entities. Therefore, this rule is not a “significant regulatory action” under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

Civil Justice Reform—Executive Order 12988

The Department, in promulgating this rule, has determined that this rule will not unduly burden the judicial system and that it meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of E.O. 12988.

Takings Implication Assessment

In accordance with E.O. 12630, this rule, authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, does not have significant takings implications and does not affect any constitutionally protected property rights. This rule will not result in the physical occupancy of property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory taking of any property. In fact, this rule will allow hunters to exercise otherwise unavailable privileges and, therefore, will reduce restrictions on the use of private and public property.

Energy Effects—Executive Order 13211

E.O. 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. While this rule is a significant regulatory action under E.O. 12866, it is not expected to adversely affect energy supplies, distribution, or use. Therefore, this action is not a significant energy action and no Statement of Energy Effects is required.

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, “Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal Governments” (59 FR 22951), E.O. 13175, and 512 DM 2, we have evaluated possible effects on Federally recognized Indian tribes and have determined that there are
de minimis
effects on Indian trust resources. We solicited proposals for special migratory bird hunting regulations for certain Tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands, and ceded lands for the 2021-22 migratory bird hunting season in the October 9, 2020, proposed rule (85 FR 64097). The resulting proposals are published in a separate proposed rule. Through this

process to establish annual hunting regulations, we regularly coordinate with Tribes that are affected by this rule.

Federalism Effects

Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the Federal Government has been given responsibility over these species by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We annually prescribe frameworks from which the States make selections regarding the hunting of migratory birds, and we employ guidelines to establish special regulations on Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. This process preserves the ability of the States and Tribes to determine which seasons meet their individual needs. Any State or Tribe may be more restrictive in its regulations than the Federal frameworks at any time. The frameworks are developed in a cooperative process with the States and the Flyway Councils. This process allows States to participate in the development of frameworks from which they will make selections, thereby having an influence on their own regulations. These rules do not have a substantial direct effect on fiscal capacity, change the roles or responsibilities of Federal or State governments, or intrude on State policy or administration. Therefore, in accordance with E.O. 13132, these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and do not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement.

Regulations Promulgation

The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting, by its nature, operates under a time constraint as seasons must be established each year or hunting seasons remain closed. However, we intend that the public be provided extensive opportunity for public input and involvement in compliance with Administrative Procedure Act requirements. 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 2021-22 hunting season. 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 2021-22 seasons. The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2021-22 hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 742 a-j.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20

Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.

Final Regulations Frameworks for 2021-22 Hunting Seasons on Certain Migratory Game Birds

Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated authorities, the Department of the Interior is establishing the following frameworks for outside dates, season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and areas within which States may select seasons for hunting migratory game birds between the dates of September 1, 2021, and March 10, 2022. These frameworks are summarized below.

General

Dates:
All outside dates specified below are inclusive.

Season Lengths:
All season lengths specified below are the maximum number of days allowed.

Season Segments:
All season segments specified below are the maximum number of segments allowed.

Zones:
Unless otherwise specified, States may select hunting seasons by zone. Zones for duck seasons (and associated youth and veterans-active military waterfowl hunting days, gallinule seasons, and snipe seasons) and dove seasons may be selected only in years we declare such changes can be made (
i.e.,
open seasons for zones and splits) and according to federally established guidelines for duck and dove zones and split seasons. Areas open to hunting must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations and published in the
Federal Register
as a Federal migratory bird hunting frameworks final rule.

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 hunters, or both. In such cases, 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

We set migratory bird hunting frameworks for the conterminous U.S. States by Flyway or Management Unit/Region. Frameworks for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are

contained in separate sections near the end of the frameworks portion of this document. The States included in the Flyways and Management Units/Regions are described below.

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 Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.

Mallard Management Units

High Plains Management Unit:
Roughly defined as that portion of the Central Flyway that lies west of the 100th meridian. See Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions,
Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots,
below, for specific boundaries in each State.

Columbia Basin 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.

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, cackling 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.

Migratory Game Bird 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 of migratory birds is prohibited statewide by State law or regulation, all Sundays are closed to the take of all migratory game birds.

Season Frameworks

Special Youth and Veterans—Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days

Outside Dates:
States may select 2 days per duck-hunting zone, designated as “Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,” and 2 days per duck-hunting zone, designated as “Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days,” in addition to their regular duck seasons. The days may be held concurrently. The Youth Waterfowl Hunting 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. Both sets of 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, swans, mergansers, coots, and gallinules. Bag limits would be the same as those allowed in the regular season except in States that implement a hybrid season for scaup (
i.e.,
different bag limits during different portions of the season), in which case the bag limit will be 2 scaup per day. Flyway species and area restrictions would remain in effect.

Participation Restrictions for Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days:
States may use their established definition of age for youth hunters. However, youth hunters must be under the age of 18. 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). Swans may only be taken by participants possessing applicable swan permits.

Participation Restrictions for Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days:
Veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code) and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training), may participate. All hunters must possess a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (also known as Federal Duck Stamp). Swans may only be taken by participants possessing applicable swan permits.

Special September Teal Seasons

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, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The season in Minnesota is experimental.

Central Flyway:
Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico (part), Oklahoma, and Texas.

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits:
Not to exceed 16 consecutive days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. The daily bag limit is 6 teal.

Shooting Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, 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 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.

Waterfowl

Atlantic Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

Outside Dates:
Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and January 31.

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits:
60 days. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, including no more than 2 mallards (no more than 1 of which can be female), 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 4 scoters, 4 eiders, and 4 long-tailed ducks. The season for scaup may be split into 2 segments, with one segment consisting of 40 consecutive days with a 1-scaup daily bag limit, and the second segment consisting of 20 consecutive days with a 2-scaup daily bag limit.

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, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and West Virginia may split their seasons into 3 segments. Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont may select seasons in each of 3 zones; Pennsylvania may select seasons in each of 4 zones; and New York may select seasons in each of 5 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 2 segments. Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia may select seasons in each of 2 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 3 segments. Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia must conduct an evaluation of the impacts of zones and splits on hunter dynamics (
e.g.,
hunter numbers, satisfaction) and harvest during the 2021-25 seasons.

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 days, or 60 days that are concurrent with the regular duck season, with a daily bag limit of 5, 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 and Cackling Geese

Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons

Season Lengths and Outside Dates:
A Canada and cackling goose season of not more than 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 and cackling geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.

Daily Bag Limits:
Not to exceed 15 Canada and cackling geese in the aggregate.

Shooting Hours:
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that during any special early Canada and cackling 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 Dark Goose Seasons

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits:
Specific regulations are provided below by State. The daily bag limit for Canada, cackling, and white-fronted geese is in the aggregate. Unless subsequently provided, seasons may be split into 2 segments.

Connecticut

North Atlantic Population (NAP) Zone:
Between October 1 and January 31, a 60-day season may be held with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

Atlantic Population (AP) Zone:
A 30-day season may be held between October 10 and February 5, with a 1-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 30-day season may be held between November 15 and February 5, with a 1-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

North and South NAP-H Zones:
A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

Coastal NAP-L Zone:
A 70-day season may be held 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 30-day season may be held between November 15 and February 5, with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

Massachusetts

NAP Zone:
A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and January 31, with a 2-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 30-day season may be held between October 10 and February 5, with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

New Hampshire

A 60-day season may be held statewide between October 1 and January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

New Jersey

AP Zone:
A 30-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in October (October 24) and February 5, with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

NAP Zone:
A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

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 January 31, a 60-day season may be held, with a 2-bird daily bag limit in the High Harvest areas; and between October 1 and February 15, a 70-day season may be held, with a 3-bird daily bag limit in the Low Harvest areas.

AP Zone:
A 30-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in October (October 23), except in the Lake Champlain Area where the opening date is October 10, through February 5, with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

Western Long Island RP Zone:
A 107-day season may be held between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and the last day of February, 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 23) and the last day of February, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments.

North Carolina

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 Zone:
A 14-day season may be held between the Saturday prior to December 25 (December 18) and January 31, with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

Pennsylvania

Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) Zone:
A 78-day season may be held between the first Saturday in October (October 2) 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 23) and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments.

AP Zone:
A 30-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in October (October 23) and February 5, with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

Rhode Island

A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and January 31, with a 2-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 30-day season may be held between October 10 and February 5, with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

Connecticut River Zone:
A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and January 31, with a 2-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 30-day season may be held between November 15 and February 5, with a 1-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.

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. Seasons may be split into 3 segments.

Brant

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits:
States may select a 50-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and January 31. Seasons may be split into 2 segments.

Mississippi Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

Outside Dates:
Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and January 31.

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 may be females), 1 mottled duck, 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, and 2 redheads. The season for scaup may be split into 2 segments, with one segment consisting of 45 consecutive days with a 2-scaup daily bag limit, and the second segment consisting of 15 consecutive days with a 1-scaup daily bag limit.

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:
Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi may split their seasons into 3 segments. Kentucky and Tennessee may select seasons in each of 2 zones; and Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin may select seasons in each of 3 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 2 segments. Illinois may select seasons in each of 4 zones. Louisiana may select seasons in each of 2 zones and may split their season in each zone into 3 segments. Louisiana must conduct an evaluation of the impacts of zones and splits on hunter dynamics (
e.g.,
hunter numbers, satisfaction) and harvest during the 2021-25 seasons.

Geese

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits

Canada and Cackling Geese:
States may select a 107-day season between September 1 and February 15 with a daily bag limit of 5 geese in the aggregate.

White-fronted Geese:
States may select either a 74-day season with a daily bag limit of 3 geese, an 88-day season with a daily bag limit of 2 geese, or a 107-day season with a daily bag limit of 1 goose. Seasons must be between September 1 and February 15.

Brant:
States may select either a 70-day season with a daily bag limit of 2 brant or a 107-day season with a daily bag limit of 1 brant. Seasons must be between September 1 and February 15. In lieu of a separate brant season, brant may be included in the season for Canada and cackling geese with a daily bag limit of 5 geese in the aggregate.

Dark Geese:
In lieu of separate seasons for Canada and cackling geese, white-fronted geese, and brant, Alabama, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin may select a 107-day dark goose season between September 1 and February 15 with a daily bag limit of 5 geese in the aggregate.

Light Geese:
States may select a 107-day season between September 1 and February 15 with a daily bag limit of 20 geese. There is no possession limit for light geese.

Split Seasons:
Seasons for geese may be split into 4 segments.

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 and cackling geese if all other waterfowl and crane seasons are closed in the specific applicable area.

Central Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

Outside Dates:
Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and January 31.

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 11).

Remainder of the Central Flyway:
74 days.

Duck Limits:
The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, including no more than 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be females), 2 redheads, 3 wood ducks, 1 pintail, and 2 canvasbacks. The daily bag limit for scaup is 1, and the season for scaup may be split into 2 segments, with one segment consisting of 39 consecutive days and another segment consisting of 35 consecutive days. 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.

North Dakota may split their season into 3 segments. Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas may select seasons in each of 2 zones; and Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, and Wyoming may select seasons in each of 3 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 2 segments. Nebraska may select seasons in each of 4 zones.

Geese

Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits:
In Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas, Canada and cackling goose seasons of not more than 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected. In Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, and Wyoming, Canada and cackling goose seasons of not more than 15 days during September 1-15 may be selected. In North Dakota, Canada and cackling goose seasons of not more than 22 days during September 1-22 may be selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada and cackling geese in the aggregate, except in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 8 Canada and cackling geese in the aggregate, and in North Dakota and South Dakota, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 15 Canada and cackling geese in the aggregate. Areas open to the hunting of Canada and cackling 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

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits

Outside Dates:
For dark geese, seasons may be selected between the outside dates of the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 13). For light geese, outside dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) 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.

Dark Geese:
In Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, States may select a season for Canada and cackling geese (or any other dark goose species except white-fronted geese) not to exceed 107 days with a

daily bag limit of 8 in the aggregate. 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 and cackling geese (or any other dark goose species except white-fronted geese) is 5 in the aggregate. The daily bag limit for white-fronted geese is 2.

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.

Split Seasons:
Seasons for geese may be split into 3 segments. Three-segment 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.

Pacific Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

Outside Dates:
Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and January 31.

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, 2 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 and Gallinule Limits:
The daily bag limit of coots and gallinules is 25 in the aggregate.

Zoning and Split Seasons:
Montana and New Mexico may split their seasons into 3 segments. Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming may select seasons in each of 2 zones; Nevada may select seasons in each of 3 zones; and California may select seasons in each of 5 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 2 segments. Idaho may select seasons in each of 4 zones.

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 and Cackling Goose Seasons

A Canada and cackling goose season of not more than 15 days during September 1-20 may be selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada and cackling geese in the aggregate, except in Pacific County, Washington, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 15 Canada and cackling geese in the aggregate. Areas open to hunting of Canada and cackling 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, Cackling Geese, and Brant:
Except as subsequently provided, 107-day seasons may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and January 31. In Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, the daily bag limit is 4 Canada and cackling geese and brant in the aggregate. In California, Oregon, and Washington, the daily bag limit is 4 Canada and cackling geese in the aggregate. For brant, in California, Oregon and Washington, a 37-day season may be selected. Days must be consecutive. Washington and California may select hunting seasons for up to 2 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 provided, 107-day seasons may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and March 10. The daily bag limit is 10.

Light Geese:
Except as subsequently provided, 107-day seasons may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and March 10. The daily bag limit is 20.

Split Seasons:
Seasons may be split into 3 segments. Three-segment 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 and cackling geese is 10 in the aggregate.

Balance of State Zone:
A Canada and cackling goose season may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) 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 January 31 should be concurrent with Oregon's South Coast Zone.

Northeastern Zone:
The white-fronted goose season may be split into 3 segments.

Oregon

Eastern Zone:
For Lake County only, the daily white-fronted goose bag limit is 1.

Northwest Permit Zone:
A Canada and cackling goose season may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and March 10. Canada and cackling goose and white-fronted goose seasons may be split into 3 segments. In the Tillamook County Management Area, the hunting season is closed on geese.

South Coast Zone:
A Canada and cackling goose season may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and March 10. Canada and cackling goose and white-fronted goose seasons may be split into 3 segments. The daily bag limit of Canada and cackling geese is 6 in the aggregate. Hunting days that occur after January 31 should be concurrent with California's North Coast Special Management Area.

Utah

A Canada and cackling goose and brant season may be selected in the Wasatch Front Zone with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and the first Sunday in February (February 6).

Washington

The daily bag limit for light geese is 10 on or before the last Sunday in January (January 30).

Areas 2 Inland and 2 Coastal (Southwest Permit Zone):
A Canada and cackling goose season may be selected in each zone with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and March 10. Canada and cackling goose and white-fronted goose seasons may be split into 3 segments.

Area 4:
Canada and cackling goose and white-fronted 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 5 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 and cackling 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 and cackling goose season on the dusky Canada goose population.

Swans

Pacific Flyway

In portions of the Pacific Flyway (Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Utah), an open season for taking a limited number of swans may be selected. These seasons are also subject to the following conditions:

Outside Dates:
Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and January 31.

Hunting Seasons:
Seasons may not exceed 107 days, and may be split into 2 segments.

Permits:
Swan hunting is by permit only. Permits will be issued by the State and will authorize each permittee to take no more than 1 swan per season with each permit. Only 1 permit may be issued per hunter in Montana and Utah, 2 permits may be issued per hunter in Nevada. The total number of permits issued may not exceed 50 in Idaho, 500 in Montana, 650 in Nevada, and 2,750 in Utah.

Quotas:
The swan season in the respective State must end upon attainment of the following reported harvest of trumpeter swans: 20 in Utah and 10 in Nevada. There is no quota in Montana.

Monitoring:
Each State must evaluate hunter participation, species-specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in providing either species-determinant parts (at least the intact head) or bill measurements (bill length from tip to posterior edge of the nares opening, and presence or absence of yellow lore spots on the bill in front of the eyes) of harvested swans for species identification. Each State should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance with the State's program for swan harvest reporting. Each State must achieve a hunter compliance of at least 80 percent in providing species-determinant parts or bill measurements of harvested swans for species identification or subsequent permits will be reduced by 10 percent in the respective State. Each State must provide to the Service by June 30 following the swan season a report detailing hunter participation, species-specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in reporting harvest. In Idaho and Montana, all hunters that harvest a swan must complete and submit a reporting card (bill card) with the bill measurement and color information from the harvested swan within 72 hours of harvest for species determination. In Utah and Nevada, all hunters that harvest a swan must have the swan or species-determinant parts examined by a State or Federal biologist within 72 hours of harvest for species determination.

Other Provisions:
In Utah, the season is subject to the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement entered into with the Service in January 2019 regarding harvest monitoring, season closure procedures, and education requirements to minimize take of trumpeter swans during the swan season.

Atlantic and Central Flyways

In portions of the Atlantic Flyway (Delaware, 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 swans may be selected. Permits will be issued by the States that authorize the take of no more than 1 swan per permit. A second permit may be issued to hunters from unused permits remaining after the first drawing.

Monitoring:
Each State must evaluate hunter participation, species-specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in providing measurements of harvested swans for species identification. Each State should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance with the State's program for swan harvest reporting. Each State must achieve a hunter compliance of at least 80 percent in providing species-determinant measurements of harvested swans for species identification. Each State must provide to the Service by June 30 following the swan season a report detailing hunter participation, species-specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in reporting harvest.

In lieu of a general swan hunting season, States may select a season only for tundra swans. States selecting a season only for tundra swans must obtain harvest and hunter participation data.

These general swan seasons and tundra swan 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 Delaware, no more than 67 permits may be issued. The season is experimental.

—In North Carolina, no more than 4,895 permits may be issued.

—In Virginia, no more than 638 permits may be issued.

In the Central Flyway

—The season may be 107 days, between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 2) and January 31.

—In the Central Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 500 permits may be issued.

—In North Dakota, no more than 2,200 permits may be issued.

—In South Dakota, no more than 1,300 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 Alabama, 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 Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The season in Alabama is experimental.

Daily Bag Limit:
1 sandhill crane in Minnesota, 2 sandhill cranes in Kentucky, and 3 sandhill cranes in Alabama and Tennessee. In Alabama, 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 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 a designated portion of Texas (Zone C). 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 (Zone C).

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) of sandhill cranes 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 60 days, and may be split into 3 segments.

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 hunt

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A2021-15084. Public record. Not legal advice.