Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations; Proposed Rule DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter the Service) is

proposing to establish the 1994-95 early-season hunting regulations for

certain migratory game birds. The Service annually prescribes

frameworks, or outer limits, for dates and times when hunting may occur

and the maximum number of birds that may be taken and possessed in

early seasons. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections

of final seasons and limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels

compatible with population status and habitat conditions.

DATES: The comment period for proposed early-season frameworks will end

on July 21, 1994; and for late-season proposals on August 29, 1994. A

public hearing on late-season regulations will be held on August 4,

1994, starting at 9 a.m.

ADDRESSES: The August 4 public hearing will be held in the Auditorium

of the Department of the Interior Building, 1849 C Street, NW.,

Washington, DC. Written comments on these proposals and notice of

intention to participate in the late-season hearing should be sent in

writing to the Chief, Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service, room 634--Arlington Square, Washington, DC 20240.

Comments received will be available for public inspection during normal

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

Drive, Arlington, Virginia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul R. Schmidt, Chief, Office of

Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, room 634--

Arlington Square, Washington, DC 20240, (703) 358-1714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations Schedule for 1994

On April 7, 1994, the Service published for public comment in the

Federal Register (59 FR 16762) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20, with

comment periods ending as noted earlier. On June 8, 1994, the Service

published for public comment a second document (59 FR 29700) which

provided supplemental proposals for early- and late-season migratory

bird hunting regulations frameworks.

On June 23, 1994, a public hearing was held in Washington, DC, as

announced in the April 7 and June 8 Federal Registers to review the

status of migratory shore and upland game birds. Proposed hunting

regulations were discussed for these species and for other early

seasons.

This document is the third in a series of proposed, supplemental,

and final rulemaking documents for migratory bird hunting regulations

and deals specifically with proposed frameworks for early-season

regulations. It will lead to final frameworks from which States may

select season dates, shooting hours, and daily bag and possession

limits for the 1994-95 season. All pertinent comments received through

June 23, 1994, have been considered in developing this document. In

addition, new proposals for certain early-season regulations are

provided for public comment. Comment periods are specified above under

DATES. Final regulatory frameworks for early seasons are scheduled for

publication in the Federal Register on or about August 16, 1994.

This supplemental proposed rulemaking consolidates further changes

in the original framework proposals published in the April 7 Federal

Register. The regulations for early waterfowl hunting seasons proposed

in this document are based on the most current information available

about the status of waterfowl populations and habitat conditions on the

breeding grounds.

Presentations at Public Hearing

Four Service employees presented reports on the status of various

migratory bird species for which early hunting seasons are being

proposed. These reports are briefly reviewed as a matter of public

information.

Dr. John Bruggink, Woodcock Specialist, reported on the 1994 status

of American woodcock. Age-ratio information from harvested woodcock

indicated that the 1993 recruitment index (ratio of immatures to adult

females) was 23.5 percent below the long-term average in the Eastern

Region and 11.8 percent lower than the long-term average in the Central

Region. Daily hunting success in the Eastern Region decreased from 2.0

woodcock bagged per hunter in 1992 to 1.9 woodcock bagged per hunter in

1993 (-5 percent). The seasonal-hunting-success index decreased from

9.7 to 7.0 woodcock per hunter (-27.8 percent). In the Central Region,

the daily-success index decreased from 2.4 birds per hunter in 1992 to

2.3 birds per hunter in 1993 (-4.2 percent), and the seasonal success

index decreased from 11.7 to 11.0 woodcock bagged per hunter (-6

percent). Analysis of data from the Singing-ground Survey indicated

that the number of woodcock declined between 1993 and 1994 in the

Eastern and Central Regions. Ten-year (1985-94) trends from the

Singing-ground Survey also indicated declining populations. Since 1968,

breeding population indices declined 1.9 percent per year in the

Eastern Region and 1.1 percent per year in the Central Region.

Mr. David Dolton, Dove Specialist, presented the status of mourning

doves in 1994. The report summarized call-count information gathered

over the past 29 years. Trends were calculated for the most recent 10-

year interval and for the entire 29-year period. Between 1993 and 1994,

the average number of doves heard per route did not significantly

change in any of the 3 management units. No significant trend was found

in doves heard in the Eastern or Central Units for either the 10- or

29-year time frames. In the Western Unit, no trend was evident over the

most recent 10 years, but there has been a significant decline over the

past 29 years. Trends for doves seen at the unit level over the 10- and

29-year periods agreed with trends for doves heard.

Mr. Dolton also presented the status of western white-winged doves

in Arizona. Whitewing populations declined rapidly in the 1970's, and

have since remained relatively stable at a reduced level. In 1993, the

Arizona whitewing harvest of 91,000 birds declined 3.7 percent from the

harvest in 1992 and was 30 percent below the 1980-89 mean. The 1994

whitewing call-count survey indicated an 18 percent decrease from 1993.

Mr. Dolton then reported on the status of eastern white-winged

doves and white-tipped doves in Texas. Results of the 1994 whitewing

call-count survey indicated that 615,000 birds were nesting in the

Lower Rio Grande Valley in Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy

Counties. This estimate represents a 40 percent increase from 1993 and

is 22 percent above the 33-year average of 501,000. In upper south

Texas, more than 577,000 whitewings were nesting throughout a 19-county

area. This is a 20 percent increase over last year's population and

marks the sixth year of a population expansion in this portion of the

State. West Texas supports a small population of whitewings. The 1994

estimate of 17,000 birds was 10 percent below the 1993 estimate. For

white-tipped doves, an average of 0.78 birds were heard per stop in

both brush and citrus locations in 1994. This is 30 percent below the

1993 level.

Finally, Mr. Dolton presented population and harvest information

for band-tailed pigeons. This species is managed as two separate

populations: the Coastal Population (California, Nevada, Oregon, and

Washington) and the Four-Corners or Interior Population (Arizona,

Colorado, New Mexico and Utah). For the Coastal Population, the

Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) indicated a significant decline between 1968

and 1993. However, the population apparently has stabilized in the 9

years from 1985 to 1993. Mineral-spring counts conducted in Oregon

suggest that bandtails experienced a precipitous decline in 1973 and

again in 1985. Since 1985, these counts indicate that the population

has been increasing gradually, but it remains at a lower level than

during the 1970's. The 1993 count decreased 1.6 percent from 1992.

Washington's call-count survey yielded a 1993 index 44 percent above

that of 1992, although this change was not statistically significant.

Two indirect population estimates in 1992 suggested that the population

ranged between 2.4 and 3.1 million birds. The estimated harvest in 1993

was 6,000 birds in California and 3,200 in Oregon. Washington did not

have a bandtail season in 1993.

In the Four-Corners area, BBS data indicated a stable population

between 1968 and 1993. The combined harvest for all four States in 1993

was 828 birds. This was a decrease of 60 percent from more than 2,000

bandtails harvested in 1992.

Dr. Jim Dubovsky, Waterfowl Specialist, presented information on

1994 habitat conditions for waterfowl and preliminary estimates of

blue-winged teal abundance and harvests. A video was shown depicting

wetland and upland conditions in the Dakotas and the Prairie Provinces

of Canada. Generally, nesting conditions were favorable throughout most

of the survey area, with abundant wetlands and improved upland cover.

Biologists in several regions stated that conditions were the best they

have observed since the 1970's. There were approximately 6 million

ponds in Prairie Canada and the northcentral U.S. This estimate is

significantly greater than the estimate for 1993 and the long-term

average.

The 1994 May breeding population survey yielded an estimate of 4.6

million blue-winged teal, 45 percent higher than the 1993 estimate of

3.2 million. The 1994 estimate was also 14 percent above the long-term

average. The estimated harvest of blue-winged teal during the 1993

September teal season was approximately 134,000 birds, 30 percent below

the outcome of the 1992 teal season. The combined September and

regular-season harvest of all teal was approximately 1.03 million, 42

percent below the 1985-87 average. Harvest rates of blue-winged teal

remained low during 1993-94 and were not different from those of last

year or the 1985-87 period.

Mr. David Sharp, Central Flyway Representative, reported on the

status and harvests of sandhill cranes. The Mid-Continent Population

appears to have stabilized following dramatic increases in the early

1980's. The preliminary 1994 spring index for the Central Platte River

Valley, uncorrected for visibility, was about 384,850. This index is 52

percent larger than the 1993 index of 253,800. The photo-corrected 3-

year average for the 1991-93 period was 375,300, which is within the

established population-objective range of 343,000-465,000 cranes. All

Central Flyway States, except Nebraska, elected to allow crane hunting

in portions of their respective States in 1993-94; about 19,000 permits

were issued and approximately 7,200 permittees hunted one or more

times. Compared to the previous year's seasons, the number of

permittees increased about 10 percent and active hunters increased 35

percent. About 19,000 cranes were harvested in 1993-94, a 53 percent

increase from the 12,433 harvested in 1992-93. In Canada, the retrieved

harvest fell (51%) from 5,600 in the 1992-93 seasons to 2,800 in the

1993-94 seasons. Also, Mid-Continent cranes are hunted in Alaska and

Mexico. Data for these areas are not yet available, but the combined

harvest should not exceed 3,500 during the 1993-94 seasons. The total

North American sport harvest was estimated to be about 30,200 cranes,

which is near (-5%) the record high reported in the 1990-91 seasons

(31,700), and only the second time the total has exceeded the 30,000

level.

Annual surveys of the Rocky Mountain Population, which migrates

through the San Luis Valley of Colorado in March, suggest that the

population has been relatively stable since 1984. The 1994 index of

17,214 cranes (uncorrected for visibility bias) was near the

established objective range of 18,000-22,000. Limited special seasons

were held during 1993 in portions of Arizona, Montana, New Mexico,

Utah, and Wyoming, and resulted in an estimated harvest of 704 cranes.

Comments Received at Public Hearing

Mr. Charles D. Kelley, representing the Southeastern Association of

Fish and Wildlife Agencies, reiterated the request made by a majority

of States in the Southeast to prohibit dove hunting over top-sown wheat

and urged the Service to include this prohibition in its final revision

of the Code of Federal Regulations (50 CFR). He also expressed

opposition to the proposed inclusion of wounded birds in the daily bag

limit.

Mr. Ron Stromstad, representing the Central Flyway Council and the

North Dakota Game and Fish Department, stated that he appreciated the

work of the Service Regulations Committee in developing this year's

annual hunting-season proposals. He indicated that the Central Flyway

Council looked forward to working with the recently established Mid-

Continent Population Sandhill Crane Working Group to revise the harvest

strategy for this population. He supported the Central Flyway Council's

recommendations regarding the conduct of September teal seasons and

emphasized that evaluation of any proposed changes to these seasons

should be undertaken on a flyway basis. He supported the Texas request

for dove hunting during 3 time periods in the Central and Southern

Zones. He appreciated the proposed change in the aggregate bag limit

for white-winged doves from 2 to 6 in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. He

noted that over the past 3 years, whitewings have expanded their range

and populations have grown significantly. In the Rio Grande Valley,

numbers are now well above average. With regard to the proposed

revision of 50 CFR, he encouraged the Service to proceed slowly in the

development of the proposed rule and suggested that the Service

continue to work closely with the States. He supported the

recommendations from the other Flyway Councils, with the exception of

the proposed changes in the woodcock season in Tennessee. He emphasized

that the record should clearly indicate that the Conservation Reserve

Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is

providing secure nesting habitats for grassland-nesting migratory

birds. Improved water conditions on the prairies, coupled with the

millions of acres of secure nesting cover, will undoubtedly have a

significant beneficial effect on this year's recruitment of nesting

birds in the northcentral States.

Written Comments Received

The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the April 7

Federal Register, opened the public comment period for migratory game

bird hunting regulations. As of June 23, 1994, the Service had received

22 comments; 6 of these specifically addressed early-season issues.

These early-season comments are summarized below and numbered in the

order used in the April 7 Federal Register. Only the numbered items

pertaining to early seasons for which written comments were received

are included. The Service received recommendations from all four Flyway

Councils. Some recommendations supported continuation of last year's

frameworks. Due to the comprehensive nature of the annual review of the

frameworks performed by the Councils, support for continuation of last

year's frameworks is also assumed for items for which no

recommendations were received. Council recommendations for changes in

the frameworks are summarized below.

General

Written Comments: An individual from Minnesota expressed concern

that the Service is de-emphasizing waterfowl in terms of habitat,

predator control, enforcement of regulations, and support for the North

American Waterfowl Management Plan. He noted that waterfowl hunters

help pay for management programs through purchase of ``duck stamps,''

excise taxes, and donations to private conservation organizations.

1. Ducks

The categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest

management are as follows: (A) General Harvest Strategy, (B) Framework

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

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

those categories containing substantial recommendations are included

below.

G. Special Seasons/Species Management

i. September Teal Seasons

In the April 9, 1993, Federal Register (58 FR 37830), the Service

reiterated that, consistent with the strategy for the use of shooting

hours developed by the Service in 1990, shooting hours will begin at

sunrise unless States can demonstrate that the impact of presunrise

shooting hours on nontarget duck species is negligible. States will be

allowed to continue presunrise shooting hours during their September

seasons under the condition that they conduct studies or provide

information that demonstrates a negligible impact on nontarget duck

species during the one-half hour period prior to sunrise. Three States

in the Mississippi Flyway (Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana) and

five in the Central Flyway (Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and New

Mexico) conducted hunter observations during the 1993 September teal

season that demonstrated that the attempted harvest of non-target

species was no different between pre- and post-sunrise periods.

Council Recommendations:

The Central Flyway Council recommended that September teal season

shooting hours begin one-half hour before sunrise to sunset without

further evaluation for all non-production Central Flyway States.

The Central Flyway Council recommended that the Service review the

guidelines for establishing a September teal season for any new

requests for seasons.

The Upper-Region and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the

Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that Michigan be permitted to

hold an experimental September teal season in southeastern portions of

the State.

The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council requested that September teal season shooting hours beginning

one-half hour before sunrise be made operational and that no further

evaluation of shooting hours be required.

Written Comments: An individual representing a group of duck

hunters from Wisconsin expressed concern that some States with a

September teal season are allowed shooting hours that begin one-half

hour before sunrise. He believes that hunters are unable to identify

ducks and that most crippling loss occurs prior to sunrise.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources requested that

Michigan be allowed to conduct a teal season in areas where teal

concentrate. They proposed limiting the season to no more than 2,000

hunters and believed that hunters' skills at identifying waterfowl are

better now than they were during initial evaluations of teal seasons in

the 1960's. Four individuals from Michigan supported the proposed

September teal season for portions of Michigan.

ii. September Duck Seasons

A cooperative Wood Duck Initiative undertaken by the Service and

the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils in 1991 is designed to

improve banding programs and evaluate techniques for obtaining

estimates of breeding population size and production. The Service does

not propose to discontinue the September wood duck/teal seasons in

Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida or expand seasons elsewhere until this

initiative has been completed. Furthermore, the Service requests an

updated report on these seasons for Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida,

by February 1, 1995. These reports should contain wood duck recovery

and survival rates, harvest, and the derivation of banded birds

harvested during these seasons.

The Service has published a strategy concerning shooting hours

which indicates that during species-specific duck seasons, shooting

hours will begin at sunrise unless States can demonstrate that the

impact of presunrise shooting hours on nontarget duck species is

negligible. The Service received information from Kentucky, Tennessee,

and Florida regarding the effect of presunrise shooting hours. This

information was deemed sufficient to demonstrate a negligible impact of

presunrise shooting hours on nontarget duck species during seasons

directed at both teal and wood ducks. Therefore, Florida, Kentucky, and

Tennessee will be allowed to continue presunrise shooting hours during

their September seasons without further evaluation.

Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region and Lower-Region

Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended

that Iowa be permitted to hold a portion of their regular duck season

in September to increase harvest opportunity on blue-winged teal.

Written Comments: One individual and a petition with 467 signatures

requested nine additional days of duck hunting in Wisconsin. The

request notes that the efforts of duck hunters, the Wisconsin

Department of Natural Resources, Ducks Unlimited, and various

sportsmen's organizations have resulted in record levels of duck

production. The additional nine days of duck hunting would make

Wisconsin's season equal in length to certain other States in the

Mississippi Flyway that are permitted a September teal season.

3. Sea Ducks

Since 1992, the Service has expressed its concern about the status

of sea ducks and the potential impact that increased hunting activity

could have on these species. In 1993, the Service reduced bag limits on

scoters from 7 to 4 within an overall 7-bird sea duck limit. Although

data needed to monitor these species remain less than satisfactory, the

Service reiterates its request that the Flyway Councils continue to

review the status of sea ducks and complete management plans. States

are asked to participate in improving population surveys, harvest

estimates, and production indices.

4. Canada Geese

A. Special Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended

that West Virginia be permitted to initiate a 3-year experimental

resident Canada goose season during September 1-15.

The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended modifications to hunt zones

for September seasons on resident Canada geese in Maryland, North

Carolina, Pennsylvania (Northwestern and Southeastern Zones), and

Virginia. These proposed changes would be experimental.

The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council made the following recommendations pertaining to special Canada

goose seasons:

In Indiana, expand the September season hunting area to Statewide

with a September 1-15 framework. The proposed changes would not be

experimental.

In Michigan, extend the seasons in the northern Lower Peninsula and

Upper Peninsula for 2 additional years and expand the zone in the Upper

Peninsula to approximately the eastern half of the Peninsula; change

the season length in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula from 10

to 15 days (September 1-15) for 3 years and include the southern

portions of Tuscola and Huron Counties. The proposed changes would be

experimental.

In Minnesota, expand the Fergus Falls/Alexandria Zone and extend

the framework for the 10-day season to September 1-16 for 3 years. The

proposed changes would be experimental.

In Ohio, expand the September-season hunting area to Statewide with

a September 1-15 framework. The proposed changes would not be

experimental.

In Wisconsin, enlarge the size of the Southeastern Wisconsin Zone

and continue as a special season with a September 1-13 framework. The

proposed changes would not be experimental.

The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council requested that the Service closely monitor all Canada goose

seasons and fully analyze data from existing special or experimental

seasons before expanding seasons that cumulatively might increase

harvest of the Southern James Bay Population. Also, current special

seasons should adhere to present criteria designed by the Service.

The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council also requested that a 3-year experimental, 10-day September

Canada goose season be permitted in the eastern portion of Tennessee.

B. Regular Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of

the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the early-season

frameworks provide for the opening of regular goose seasons in

Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as early as September 24.

The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council requested that the Service closely monitor all Canada goose

seasons and fully analyze data from existing special or experimental

seasons before expanding seasons that cumulatively might increase

harvest of the Southern James Bay Population of Canada geese.

The Pacific Flyway Council seeks a limited resumption of cackling

Canada goose hunting throughout their range and recommends that the

Service provide an expedited review of their recommended changes in

cackling Canada goose regulations for impacts on Aleutian Canada geese

under the Section 7 consultation process.

Written Comments: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources

believes that regular goose seasons should be allowed to open as early

as September 24 in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They noted that

significant numbers of migrant geese begin arriving in the Upper

Peninsula during September 20-24 in most years. They anticipate that

harvest in this region would remain small compared to the rest of the

State. They also believe that nearly all Canada geese harvested in this

region are of the giant subspecies or the Mississippi Valley

Population. Finally, they noted that allowing a September 24 opening

would provide equitable hunting opportunity compared to other areas

because most geese leave this region by early November.

The Association of Village Council Presidents, representing Native

American interests in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta area, supported modest

liberalizations of white-fronted goose seasons in Alaska and

Washington. However, they did not support further liberlizations in

Oregon or California, noting that liberalizations occurred during each

of the preceding years and that it was difficult to measure the effects

of these incremental changes.

9. Sandhill Cranes

In 1993, the Central and Pacific Flyways completed a revision of

the Cooperative Management Plan for the Mid-Continent Population of

sandhill cranes. This revision established a goal of a stable

population at levels observed during the 1982-92 period and removed the

harvest threshold (25,000) that had been in place since 1981. The

Service believes that future management actions for Mid-Continent

cranes should be based on the recognition of biologically discrete

subpopulations, which would necessitate the development of data

collection efforts at the subspecies level. In the April 9, 1993,

Federal Register (59 FR 16765), the Service reiterated its concern that

overall harvest levels should not be increased and that there should be

no increase or shift in harvest toward the Gulf Coast Subpopulation or

to the greater sandhill crane component.

Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended no

changes in the Federal frameworks for the hunting of Mid-Continent

cranes during the 1994-95 seasons.

Written Comments: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department responded

to statements in the April 7, 1994, Federal Register (59 FR 16765) that

indicated that there should be no increase or shift in crane harvest

toward the Gulf Coast Subpopulation of Mid-Continent Sandhill Cranes

and especially the greater sandhill crane component. They noted that

the Central Flyway Council did not propose any framework changes for

the 1994-95 seasons and asked for clarification of the reasons for this

concern, especially since the population remains stable. In this

regard, they suggested that the Service provide a harvest objective,

rationale and method of evaluation of any harvest reduction proposed.

Furthermore, the appropriate level of management should be clearly

identified, i.e. population, subpopulation, or subspecies level.

Biologists working in Texas support management at the population or

subpopulation level. They indicated that zoning for the hunting of

cranes could not be attempted until these issues had been resolved.

14. Woodcock

The Service is concerned about the gradual long-term declines in

woodcock populations in both the Eastern and Central Management

Regions. Although habitat changes appear to be the primary factor in

the declines, adjustment of harvest opportunities may be appropriate in

light of current population trends. The Service and Flyway Councils

should review the status of woodcock and cooperatively develop a

harvest-management strategy.

Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of

the Mississippi Flyway Council requested that Tennessee be allowed to

divide the State into 2 zones (East and West) for woodcock hunting.

16. Mourning Doves

Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended

that Texas be allowed an increase in the number of segments from 2 to 3

in 2 of the 3 mourning dove hunting zones now offered to Texas.

17. White-winged and White-tipped doves

In the August 23, 1993, Federal Register (58 FR 44581), the Service

stated that with continued improvement in the whitewing population in

the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, serious consideration would be

given to a request to increase the number of whitewings in the

aggregate bag limit in the special white-winged dove area in 1994 from

2 to 6 during the regular mourning dove season.

Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended

that the number of white-winged doves allowed in the 12-bird aggregate

bag limit during the mourning dove season be increased from 2 to 6 in

the Texas Counties of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy.

18. Alaska

The Service proposed in the April 9, 1993, Federal Register (58 FR

19008-19012) to manage the harvest of canvasbacks based on a single,

continental breeding population. The Service does not envision that

full-season bag limits of 2 canvasbacks per day could be offered

nationwide in the foreseeable future. Therefore, the Service proposes

to reduce the bag limit in Alaska from 2 to 1 canvasback per day.

Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended

that Alaska be allowed no more than 1 Canada goose in the daily bag for

Unit 9E and the western portions of Unit 18.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the Statewide closure

on cackling Canada geese be removed.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommended removal of restrictive bag

limits for white-fronted geese in Units 1-9 and 14-18 in Alaska. The

goose limit will be 6 daily and 12 in possession, of which no more than

4 daily and 8 in possession could be any combination of Canada or

white-fronted geese.

Written Comments: The Association of Village Council Presidents,

representing Native American interests in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta

area, supported modest liberalizations of white-fronted goose seasons

in Alaska and Washington.

Public Comment Invited

Based on the results of migratory game bird studies now in progress

and having due consideration for any data or views submitted by

interested parties, the possible amendments resulting from this

supplemental rulemaking will specify open seasons, shooting hours, and

bag and possession limits for designated migratory game birds in the

United States.

The Service intends that adopted final rules be as responsive as

possible to all concerned interests, and therefore solicits the

comments and suggestions of the public, other concerned governmental

agencies, and private interests on these proposals. Such comments, and

any additional information received, may lead to final regulations that

differ from these proposals.

Special circumstances are involved in the establishment of these

regulations which limit the amount of time that the Service can allow

for public comment. Specifically, two considerations compress the time

in which the rulemaking process must operate: (1) the need to establish

final rules at a point early enough in the summer to allow affected

State agencies to appropriately adjust their licensing and regulatory

mechanisms; and (2) the unavailability before mid-June of specific,

reliable data on this year's status of some waterfowl and migratory

shore and upland game bird populations. Therefore, the Service believes

that to allow comment periods past the dates specified is contrary to

the public interest.

Comment Procedure

It is the policy of the Department of the Interior, whenever

practical, to afford the public an opportunity to participate in the

rulemaking process. Accordingly, interested persons may participate by

submitting written comments to the Chief, Office of Migratory Bird

Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, room 634, Arlington Square,

Washington, DC 20240. Comments received will be available for public

inspection during normal business hours at the Service's office in room

634, Arlington Square Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington,

Virginia. All relevant comments received during the comment period will

be considered. The Service will attempt to acknowledge comments

received, but substantive responses to individual comments may not be

provided.

NEPA Consideration

NEPA considerations are covered by the programmatic document,

``Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual

Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds'' (FSES 88-

14), filed with EPA on June 9, 1988. Notice of Availability was

published in the Federal Register on June 16, 1988 (53 FR 22582). The

Service's Record of Decision was published on August 18, 1988 (53 FR

31341). Copies of these documents are available from the Service at the

address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

The Division of Endangered Species is completing a biological

opinion on the proposed action. As in the past, hunting regulations

this year will be designed, among other things, to remove or alleviate

chances of conflict between seasons for migratory game birds and the

protection and conservation of endangered and threatened species. The

Service's biological opinions resulting from consultations under

Section 7 are considered public documents and are available for

inspection in the Division of Endangered Species (room 432) and the

Office of Migratory Bird Management (room 634), Arlington Square

Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia.

Regulatory Flexibility Act; Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 and the

Paperwork Reduction Act

In the Federal Register dated April 7, 1994 (59 FR 16762), the

Service reported measures it had undertaken to comply with requirements

of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the Executive Order. These

included preparing an Analysis of Regulatory Effects and an updated

Final Regulatory Impact Analysis, under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

(5 U.S.C. 601 et seq), and publication of a summary of the latter. This

information is included in the present document by reference. This

action was not subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget

under E.O. 12866. This rule does not contain any information collection

requiring approval by the Office of Management and Budget under 44

U.S.C. 3504.

Authorship

The primary author of this proposed rulemaking is Robert J. Blohm,

Office of Migratory Bird Management.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20

Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.

The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 1994-95

hunting season are authorized under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July

3, 1918), as amended, (16 U.S.C. 703-711); the Fish and Wildlife

Improvement Act (November 8, 1978), as amended, (16 U.S.C. 712); and

the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (August 8, 1956), as amended, (16

U.S.C. 742 a--d and e--j).

Dated: June 30, 1994.

George T. Frampton, Jr.,

Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 1994-95 Early Hunting Seasons

on Certain Migratory Game Birds

Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated

authorities, the Director approved the following proposed frameworks

which prescribe season lengths, bag limits, shooting hours, and outside

dates within which States may select seasons for certain migratory game

birds between September 1, 1994, and March 10, 1995.

General

Dates: All outside dates noted below are inclusive.

Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise

specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.

Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits

are twice the daily bag limit.

Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Geographic descriptions that

differ from those published in the August 23, 1993, Federal Register

(58 FR 44576) are contained in a later portion of this document.

Special September Teal Season

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season

on all species of teal may be selected by Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado

(Central Flyway portion only), Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky,

Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico (Central Flyway portion

only), Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas in areas delineated by

State regulations.

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

days, with a daily bag limit of 4 teal.

Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except in

Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio, where the hours are

from sunrise to sunset.

Special September Duck Seasons

Florida: An experimental 5-consecutive-day season may be selected

in September. The daily bag limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks

in the aggregate.

Kentucky and Tennessee: In lieu of a special September teal season,

an experimental 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September.

The daily bag limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the

aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks.

Iowa: Iowa may hold up to 5 days of its regular duck hunting season

in September. All ducks which are legal during the regular duck season

may be taken during the September segment of the season. The September

season segment may commence no earlier than the Saturday nearest

September 20 (September 17, 1994), with daily bag and possession limits

being the same as those in effect during the 1994 regular duck season.

The remainder of the regular duck season may not begin before October

15.

Scoter, Eider, and Oldsquaw Ducks (Atlantic Flyway)

Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 20.

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 107 days, with

a daily bag limit of 7, singly or in the aggregate of the listed sea-

duck species, of which no more than 4 may be scoters.

Daily Bag Limits During the Regular Duck Season: Within the special

sea duck areas, during the regular duck season in the Atlantic Flyway,

States may choose to allow the above sea duck limits in addition to the

limits applying to other ducks during the regular duck season. In all

other areas, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular open season

for ducks and must be included in the regular duck season daily bag and

possession limits.

Areas: In all coastal waters and all waters of rivers and streams

seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New Hampshire,

Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in any waters

of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay which are

separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and

emergent vegetation in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Georgia; and in

any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay

which are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any shore,

island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina

and Virginia; and provided that any such areas have been described,

delineated, and designated as special sea-duck hunting areas under the

hunting regulations adopted by the respective States.

Special Early Canada Goose Seasons

Atlantic Flyway

Hunting Seasons: Experimental Canada goose seasons may be selected

by Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina,

Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Areas open to the hunting of

Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in

each State's hunting regulations.

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 10, except that

the closing date is September 15 in Maryland, Massachusetts, New

Jersey, New York, southeastern Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West

Virginia and September 30 in North Carolina.

Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5 Canada geese.

Mississippi Flyway

Hunting Seasons: Experimental Canada goose seasons may be selected

by Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and

Wisconsin. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described,

delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.

Outside Dates: September 1-10 in the North and Middle Zones in

Michigan; September 1-13 in Wisconsin; September 1-15 in Indiana, Ohio,

and the South Zone in Michigan; September 1-16 in Minnesota; September

1-30 in Tennessee; and October 1-15 in Missouri.

Season Length: Not to exceed 10 days except in Indiana, Ohio, and

the South Zone in Michigan, where the season may extend for 15 days.

Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5 Canada geese.

Pacific Flyway

Wyoming may select a September season on Canada geese subject to

the following conditions:

1. The season must be concurrent with the September portion of

the sandhill crane season.

2. Hunting will be by State permit.

3. No more than 150 permits, in total, may be issued.

4. Each permittee may take no more than 2 Canada geese per

season.

Oregon, in the Lower Columbia River Zone, may select a season on

Canada geese subject to the following conditions:

1. The season length is 12 days during September 1-12.

2. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.

Oregon, in the Northwest Zone, may select an experimental season on

Canada geese subject to the following conditions:

1. The season length is 12 days during September 1-12.

2. Hunting will be by State permit.

3. Each permittee may take no more than 2 Canada geese per day.

Washington may select a season on Canada geese, subject to the

following conditions, in the Lower Columbia River Zone:

1. The season length is 12 days during September 1-12.

2. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.

Regular Goose Seasons

Regular goose seasons in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of

Michigan may open as early as September 24. Season lengths and bag and

possession limits will be established during the late-season

regulations process.

Sandhill Cranes

Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway:

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28.

Hunting Seasons: Seasons not to exceed 58 consecutive days may be

selected in designated portions of the following States: Colorado,

Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Seasons not

to exceed 93 consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of

the following States: New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes.

Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane

seasons must have a valid Federal sandhill crane hunting permit in his

possession while hunting.

Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways:

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

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

Rocky Mountain Population subject to the following conditions:

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.

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

days.

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

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

appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.

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

protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons

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

and Pacific Flyway Councils. All hunts except those in Arizona, New

Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming will be experimental.

Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules

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

Mississippi, and Central Flyways. States in the Pacific Flyway have

been allowed to select their hunting seasons between the outside dates

for the season on ducks; therefore, they are late-season frameworks and

no frameworks are provided in this document.

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70

days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. Seasons may be

split into two segments. The daily bag limit is 15 common moorhens and

purple gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of the two species.

Rails

Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between

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

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

split into two segments.

Daily Bag Limits:

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

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

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

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

aggregate of the two species.

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

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

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

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

the Pacific Flyway.

Common Snipe

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28. Except, in

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

New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, the season must

end no later than January 31.

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

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

snipe.

American Woodcock

Outside Dates: States in the Atlantic Flyway may select hunting

seasons between October 1 and January 31. States in the Central and

Mississippi Flyways may select hunting seasons between September 1 and

January 31.

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: In the Atlantic Flyway,

seasons may not exceed 45 days, with a daily bag limit of 3; in the

Central and Mississippi Flyways, seasons may not exceed 65 days, with a

daily bag limit of 5. Seasons may be split into two segments.

Zoning: New Jersey may select seasons in each of two zones. The

season in each zone may not exceed 35 days.

Band-tailed Pigeons

Pacific Coast States: California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada.

Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 1.

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive

days, with bag and possession limits of 2 and 2 band-tailed pigeons,

respectively.

Permit Requirement: The appropriate State agency must issue

permits, and report on harvest and hunter participation to the Service

by June 1 of the following year, or participate in the Migratory Bird

Harvest Information Program.

Zoning: California may select hunting seasons not to exceed 9

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

must close by October 7.

Four-Corners States: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and November 30.

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

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

Permit Requirement: The appropriate State agency must issue

permits, and report on harvest and hunter participation to the Service

by June 1 of the following year, or participate in the Migratory Bird

Harvest Information Program.

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

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

not open until October 1.

Mourning Doves

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

otherwise provided, States may select hunting seasons and daily bag

limits as follows:

Eastern Management Unit (All States east of the Mississippi River, and

Louisiana)

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

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

of 15.

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

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

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

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

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

length, and shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting

zones.

Central Management Unit (Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota,

Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South

Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming)

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

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

of 15.

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

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

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

zones subject to the following conditions:

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

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

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

concurrently with that special season (see white-winged dove

frameworks).

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

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

and January 25.

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

alternative) in the aggregate, no more than 6 of which may be white-

winged doves and no more than 2 of which may be white-tipped doves,

except that during the special white-winged dove season, the daily bag

limit may not exceed 10 white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves

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

may be white-tipped doves.

D. Except as noted above, regulations for bag and possession

limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within each

hunting zone.

Western Management Unit (Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon,

Utah, and Washington)

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits:

Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington - Not more than 30

consecutive days with a daily bag limit of 10 mourning doves (in

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

doves in the aggregate).

Arizona and California - Not more than 60 days which may be split

between two periods, September 1-15 and November 1-January 15. In

Arizona, during the first segment of the season, the daily bag limit is

10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more

than 6 may be white-winged doves. During the remainder of the season,

the daily bag limit is restricted to 10 mourning doves. In California,

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

in the aggregate.

White-winged and White-tipped Doves

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits:

Except as shown below, seasons in Arizona, California, Florida,

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

seasons.

Arizona may select a hunting season of not more than 30 consecutive

days, running concurrently with the first segment of the mourning dove

season. The daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged

doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 6 may be white-winged

doves.

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

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

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

In the Nevada Counties of Clark and Nye, and in the California

Counties of Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino, the daily bag

limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the

aggregate.

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

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

In Texas, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning, white-

winged, and white-tipped doves (15 under the alternative) in the

aggregate, of which not more than 6 may be white-winged doves and not

more than 2 may be white-tipped doves.

In addition, Texas may also select a hunting season of not more

than 4 days for the special white-winged dove area of the South Zone

between September 1 and September 19. The daily bag limit may not

exceed 10 white-winged,mourning, and white-tipped doves in the

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

white-tipped doves.

Alaska

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 26.

Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select 107 consecutive days for

waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and common snipe in each of five zones. The

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

each zone must be concurrent.

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

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

Aleutian Canada geese, emperor geese, spectacled eiders, and Steller's

eiders.

Daily Bag and Possession limits:

Ducks--Except as noted, a basic daily bag limit of 5 and a

possession limit of 15 ducks. Daily bag and possession limits in the

North Zone are 8 and 24, and in the Gulf Coast Zone they are 6 and 18,

respectively. The basic limits may include no more than 2 pintails

daily and 6 in possession, and 1 canvasback daily and 3 in possession.

In addition to the basic limit, there is a daily bag limit of 15

and a possession limit of 30 scoter, common and king eiders, oldsquaw,

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

aggregate of these species.

Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 6, of which not more than 4 may

be greater white-fronted or Canada geese, singly or in the aggregate of

these species, except that the daily bag limit on Canada geese in Game

Management Units 9E and 18 is 1.

Brant--A daily bag limit of 2.

Common snipe--A daily bag limit of 8.

Sandhill cranes--A daily bag limit of 3.

Tundra swans--Open seasons for tundra swans may be selected subject

to the following conditions:

1. No more than 300 permits may be issued in GMU 22, authorizing

each permittee to take 1 tundra swan per season.

2. No more than 500 permits may be issued during the

experimental season in GMU 18. No more than 1 tundra swan may be

taken per permit.

3. The seasons must be concurrent with other migratory bird

seasons.

4. The appropriate State agency must issue permits, obtain

harvest and hunter-participation data, and report the results of

this hunt to the Service by June 1 of the following year.

Hawaii

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.

Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days (70 under the alternative)

for mourning doves.

Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 (12 under the alternative) mourning

doves.

Note: Mourning doves may be taken in Hawaii in accordance with

shooting hours and other regulations set by the State of Hawaii, and

subject to the applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20.

Puerto Rico

Doves and Pigeons:

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.

Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days.

Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida,

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

scaly-naped pigeons.

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

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

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

Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and Snipe:

Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.

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

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

two segments.

Daily Bag Limits:

Ducks--Not to exceed 3.

Common moorhens--Not to exceed 6.

Common snipe--Not to exceed 6.

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

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

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

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

and Caribbean coot.

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

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

Virgin Islands

Doves and Pigeons:

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.

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

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

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

doves, or pigeons in the Virgin Islands.

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

Ruth Cay (just south of St. Croix).

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

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

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

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

pigeon.

Ducks:

Outside Dates: Between December 1 and January 31.

Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 consecutive days.

Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 3 ducks.

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

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

and masked duck.

Special Falconry Regulations

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

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

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

accordance with the following:

Extended Seasons: For all hunting methods combined, the combined

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

experimental seasons shall not exceed 107 days for any species or group

of species in a geographical area. Each extended season may be divided

into a maximum of 3 segments.

Framework Dates: Seasons must fall between September 1 and March

10.

Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Falconry daily bag and possession

limits for all permitted migratory game birds shall not exceed 3 and 6

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

falconry seasons, any special or experimental seasons, and regular

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

extended falconry season.

Regular Seasons: General hunting regulations, including seasons and

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

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

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

Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions

Central Flyway portion of the following States consists of:

Colorado: That area lying east of the Continental Divide.

Montana: That area lying east of Hill, Chouteau, Cascade, Meagher,

and Park Counties.

New Mexico: That area lying east of the Continental Divide but

outside the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation.

Wyoming: That area lying east of the Continental Divide.

The remaining portions of these States are in the Pacific Flyway.

Mourning and White-winged Doves

Alabama:

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

Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties.

North Zone - Remainder of the State.

California:

White-winged Dove Open Areas - Imperial, Riverside, and San

Bernardino Counties.

Florida:

Northwest Zone - The Counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin,

Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton,

Washington, Leon (except that portion north of U.S. 27 and east of

State Road 155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of State Road 59 and

north of U.S. 98), and Wakulla (except that portion south of U.S. 98

and east of the St. Marks River).

South Zone - Remainder of State.

Georgia:

Zone 1 - That portion of the State lying north of U.S. 280 or east

of I-75.

Zone 2 - That portion of the State lying south of U.S. 280 and west

of I-75.

Louisiana:

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

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

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

Mississippi State line.

South Zone - The remainder of the State.

Mississippi:

North Zone - That portion of the State lying north of U.S. Highway

84.

South Zone - The remainder of the State.

Nevada:

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

Texas:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

on U.S. 90 to San Antonio; then east on I-10 to Orange, Texas.

Special White-winged Dove Area in the South Zone - That portion of

the State south and west of a line beginning at the International

Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east on U.S. 90 to Uvalde; south on

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

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

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

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

of Mexico.

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

Willacy Counties.

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

and South Zones.

Band-tailed Pigeons

California:

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

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

Counties.

South Zone - The remainder of the State.

New Mexico:

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

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

Socorro to the Texas State line.

South Zone - Remainder of the State.

Washington:

Western Washington - The State of Washington excluding those

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

White Salmon River in Klickitat County.

Woodcock

New Jersey

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

South Zone - The remainder of the State.

Special September Goose Seasons

Atlantic Flyway

Maryland

Open Area - Counties of Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert,

Charles, Carroll, Dorchester, Frederick, Garret, Harford, Howard,

Montgomery, Prince George's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Washington,

Wicomico, and Worcester.

Massachusetts

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

from the Vermont line at I-91, south to Route 9, west on Route 9 to

Route 10, south on Route 10 to Route 202, south on Route 202 to the

Connecticut line.

New Jersey

Open Area - That portion of New Jersey within a continuous line

that runs east along the New York State boundary line to the Hudson

River; then south along the New York State boundary to its intersection

with Route 440 at Perth Amboy; then west on Route 440 to its

intersection with the Garden State Parkway; then south on the Parkway

to its intersection with Route 70; then west on Route 70 to its

intersection with Route 206; then south on Route 206 to its

intersection with Route 54; then south on Route 54 to its intersection

with Route 40; then west on Route 40 to its intersection with the New

Jersey Turnpike; then south on the Turnpike to the Delaware State

boundary line; then north on the Delaware State boundary line to its

intersection with the Pennsylvania State boundary; then north on the

Pennsylvania boundary in the Delaware River to its intersection with

the New York State boundary.

New York

Northern Area - All or portions of St. Lawrence County; see State

hunting regulations for area descriptions.

Western Area - Counties of Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Niagara,

Orleans, and Genesee, and portions of Wyoming, Livingston, Allegany and

Steuben Counties.

Southeastern Area - All of Rockland, Westchester, Orange, Putnam,

Dutchess, Columbia, and Rensselaer Counties, and portions of Sullivan,

Delaware, Ulster, Greene, Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, Warren, and

Washington Counties.

North Carolina

Early-season Canada Goose Area - That portion of the State west and

east of I-95; see State hunting regulations for area descriptions.

Pennsylvania

Northwestern Early-Season Goose Area - Counties of Allegheny,

Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Crawford, Erie, Greene, Fayette,

Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Venango, Washington, and

Westmoreland.

Southeastern Early-Season Goose Area - Counties of Berks, Bucks,

Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Pike and

Wayne.

Virginia

Open Area - Counties of Accomack, Albemarle, Alleghany, Amelia,

Amherst, Appomattox, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Buckingham, Caroline,

Charles City, Chesterfield, Clarke, Culpepper, Cumberland, Fairfax,

Fauquier, Frederick, Fluvanna, Goochland, Greene, Hanover, Henrico,

Highland, Isle of Wight, James City, King William, Loudoun, Louisa,

Madison, Nelson, New Kent, Northampton, Orange, Page, Powhatan, Prince

George, Prince William, Rappahannock, Rockbridge, Rockingham,

Shenandoah, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Surry, Warren and York.

West Virginia - Statewide.

Mississippi Flyway

Indiana - Change from one zone to Statewide.

Michigan

Upper Peninsula - That portion of the Upper Peninsula outside the

AuTrain Basin Waterfowl Project in Alger County (described below) and

east of a line described as follows: Beginning at the point where the

meridian line 87 deg.30' intersects the United States-Canada border,

then south along the 87 deg.30' meridian line to the 47 deg.00'

parallel, west along the 47 deg.00' parallel to a point directly north

of County Road 550 in the village of Big Bay in Marquette County,

southerly along this line and County 550 through Big Bay to County 510,

southerly along County 510 to Michigan Highway 28/U.S. Highway 41,

westerly along M-28/U.S. 41 to M-35, southerly along M-35 to the Delta

County line, westerly and southerly along the Delta County line to the

Lake Michigan shoreline, then southeasterly along the Central-Eastern

time zone boundary to the Wisconsin border in Green Bay. The AuTrain

Basin Waterfowl Project is bounded on the north by M-94, on the south

by Trout Lake Road, on the east by County 509 (Rapid River Truck

Trail), and on the west by M-67.

Northern Lower Peninsula - Bay, Isabella, Mecosta, Midland,

Newaygo, and Oceana Counties and all counties north thereof.

Southern Lower Peninsula - The remainder of the Lower Peninsula,

excluding Huron, Saginaw, and Tuscola Counties.

Minnesota

Fergus Falls/Benson Zone - That area encompassed by a line

beginning on State Trunk Highway (STH) 55 at the Minnesota border, then

south along the Minnesota border to a point due south of the

intersection of STH 7 and County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 7 in Big

Stone County, north to the STH 7/CSAH 7 intersection and continuing

north along CSAH 7 to CSAH 6 in Big Stone County, east along CSAH 6 to

CSAH 21 in Big Stone County, south along CSAH 21 to CSAH 10 in Big

Stone County, east along CSAH 10 to CSAH 22 in Swift County, east along

CSAH 22 to CSAH 5 in Swift County, south along CSAH 5 to U.S. Highway

12, east along U.S. 12 to CSAH 17 in Swift County, south along CSAH 17

to the Swift County border, east along the south border of Swift County

and north along the east border of Swift County to the south border of

Pope County, east along the south border of Pope County and north along

the east border of Pope County to STH 28, west along STH 28 to CSAH 33

in Pope County, north along CSAH 33 to CSAH 3 in Douglas County, north

along CSAH 3 to CSAH 69 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 69 to

CSAH 46 in Otter Tail County, east along CSAH 46 to the east border of

Otter Tail County, north along the east border of Otter Tail County to

CSAH 40 in Otter Tail County, west along CSAH 40 to CSAH 75 in Otter

Tail County, north along CSAH 75 to STH 210, west along STH 210 to STH

108, north along STH 108 to CSAH 1 in Otter Tail County, west along

CSAH 1 to CSAH 14 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 14 to CSAH 44

in Otter Tail County, west along CSAH 44 to CSAH 35 in Otter Tail

County, north along CSAH 35 to STH 108, west along STH 108 to CSAH 19

in Wilkin County, south along CSAH 19 to STH 55, then west along STH 55

to the point of beginning.

Ohio - Change from two zones to statewide.

Tennessee

Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Roane,

and Union Counties and those portions of Meigs and Rhea Counties north

of Highway 68.

Wisconsin

Early-Season Subzone - That area encompassed by a line beginning at

the Illinois border on the Lake Michigan shore, then east to the

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

Lake Michigan to a point due east of Wisconsin State Highway 23, then

due west to the Lake Michigan shore in Sheboygan and continuing west

along State 23 to State 67, then southerly along State 67 to Sheboygan

County Highway E, then southerly along County E to State 28, then south

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

41 to State 33, then westerly along State 33 to State 26, then

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

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

along U.S. 14 to the Illinois border.

Pacific Flyway

Oregon

Lower Columbia River Zone - Those portions of Clatsop, Columbia,

and Multnomah Counties within the following boundary: beginning at

Portland, Oregon, at the south end of the Interstate 5 Bridge; south on

I-5 to Highway 30; west on Highway 30 to the town of Svensen; south

from Svensen to Youngs River Falls; due west from Youngs River Falls to

the Pacific Ocean coastline; north along the coastline to a point where

Clatsop Spit and the South Jetty meet; due north to the Oregon-

Washington border; east and south along the Oregon-Washington border to

the I-5 Bridge; south on the I-5 Bridge to the point of beginning.

Northwest Oregon Zone - All of Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop,

Columbia, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook,

Washington, and Yamhill Counties; except for the Lower Columbia River

Zone.

Utah

Early-season Canada Goose Area - Cache County

Washington

Lower Columbia River Zone - Beginning at the Washington-Oregon

border on the I-5 Bridge near Vancouver, Washington; north on I-5 to

Kelso; west on Highway 4 from Kelso to Highway 401; south and west on

Highway 401 to Highway 101 at the Astoria-Megler Bridge; west on

Highway 101 to Gray Drive in the City of Ilwaco; west on Gray Drive to

Canby Road; southwest on Canby Road to the North Jetty; southwest on

the North Jetty to its end; southeast to the Washington-Oregon border;

upstream along the Washington-Oregon border to the point of origin.

Wyoming

Bear River Area - That portion of Lincoln County described in State

regulations.

Salt River Area - That portion of Lincoln County described in State

regulations.

Eden-Farson Area - Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette

Counties described in State regulations.

Sandhill Cranes

Central Flyway

Colorado

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

except the San Luis Valley (Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale,

Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache Counties east of the Continental

Divide) and North Park (Jackson County).

Kansas

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

beginning at the Oklahoma border, north on I-35 to Wichita, north on I-

135 to Salina, and north on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border.

New Mexico

Regular-Season Open Area - Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay,

and Roosevelt Counties.

Middle Rio Grande Valley Area - The Central Flyway portion of New

Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties.

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

Oklahoma

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

Texas

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

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

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

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

Oklahoma border.

North Dakota

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

281.

South Dakota

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

281.

Montana

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

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

Wyoming

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

Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties.

Riverton-Boysen Unit - Portions of Fremont County.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona

Special-Season Area - Game Management Units 30A, 30B, 31, and 32.

Montana

Special-Season Area - See State regulations.

Utah

Special-Season Area - Rich and Cache Counties.

Wyoming

Bear River Area - That portion of Lincoln County described in State

regulations.

Salt River Area - That portion of Lincoln County described in State

regulations.

Eden-Farson Area - Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette

Counties described in State regulations.

All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska

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

Gulf Coast Zone - State Game Management Units 5-7, 9, 14-16, and 10

- Unimak Island only.

Southeast Zone - State Game Management Units 1-4.

Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone - State Game Management Unit 10

- except Unimak Island.

Kodiak Zone - State Game Management Unit 8.

All Migratory Birds in the Virgin Islands

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

Croix.

All Migratory Birds in Puerto Rico

Municipality of Culebra Closure Area - All of the Municipality of

Culebra.

Desecheo Island Closure Area - All of Desecheo Island.

Mona Island Closure Area - All of Mona Island.

El Verde Closure Area - Those areas of the municipalities of Rio

Grande and Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All lands between Routes

956 on the west and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the north to the

juncture of Routes 956 and 186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands

between Routes 186 and 966 from the juncture of 186 and 966 on the

north, to the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the south; (3) all

lands lying west of Route 186 for one kilometer from the juncture of

Routes 186 and 956 south to Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within Km

14 and Km 6 on the west and the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on

the east; and (5) all lands within the Caribbean National Forest

Boundary whether private or public.

Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas - All of Cidra Municipality

and portions of Aguas, Buenas, Caguas, Cayer, and Comerio

Municipalities as encompassed within the following boundary: beginning

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

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

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

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

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

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

of beginning.

[FR Doc. 94-16812 Filed 7-11-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-55-F