Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations

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

proposing to establish the 1995-96 late-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 number of birds that may be taken and possessed in late

seasons. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of

seasons and limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels

compatible with population and habitat conditions.

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

on September 7, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed to Chief, Office of Migratory Bird

Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior,

ms 634--ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW., 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, (703) 358-

1714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations Schedule for 1995

On March 24, 1995, the Service published for public comment in the

Federal Register (60 FR 15642) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20, with

comment periods ending July 21 for early-season proposals and September

4 for late-season proposals. Due to some unforeseen and uncontrollable

publishing delays in the proposed late-season regulations frameworks,

the Service has extended the public comment period to September 7,

1995. On June 16, 1995, the Service published for public comment a

second document (60 FR 31890) which provided supplemental proposals for

early- and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations frameworks.

On June 22, 1995, a public hearing was held in Washington, DC, as

announced in the March 24 and June 16 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.

On July 21, 1995, the Service published in the Federal Register (60

FR 37754) a third document which dealt specifically with proposed

early-season frameworks for the 1995-96 season.

On August 3, 1995, a public hearing was held in Washington, DC, as

announced in the March 24, June 16, and July 21 Federal Registers, to

review the status of waterfowl. Proposed hunting regulations were

discussed for these late seasons. The Service later published a fourth

document containing final frameworks for early seasons from which

wildlife conservation agency officials from the States and Territories

selected early-season hunting dates, hours, areas, and limits.

This document is the fifth in the series of proposed, supplemental,

and final rulemaking documents for migratory bird hunting regulations

and deals specifically with proposed frameworks for the late-season

migratory bird hunting regulations. It will lead to final frameworks

from which States may select season dates, hours, areas, and limits.

All pertinent comments on the proposals received through August 3,

1995, have been considered in developing this document. In addition,

new proposals for certain late-season regulations are provided for

public comment. The comment period is specified above under Dates.

Final regulatory frameworks for late-season migratory game bird hunting

are scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on or about

September 25, 1995.

Presentations at Public Hearing

A report on the status of waterfowl was presented. This report is

briefly reviewed below as a matter of public information, and is a

summary of information contained in the ``Status of Waterfowl and Fall

Flight Forecast'' report.

Most goose and swan populations in North America remain numerically

sound and the size of most fall flights will be similar to those of

last year. Production of young in 1995 is expected to be above average

for most populations. Generally, spring phenology was earlier than

normal in the western Arctic and Ungave Peninsula, later than normal in

the prairie pothole region, and near normal in other important nesting

areas. Habitat

[[Page 44464]]

conditions for nesting geese were variable in southern Canada and the

northern U.S. Flooding in the western U.S. likely reduced the

productivity of several Canada goose populations. Recent declines in

sizes of the Atlantic, Southern James Bay, and dusky Canada goose

populations are of continuing concern.

The 1995 estimate of total ducks in the traditional survey area was

35.9 million, an increase of 10 percent from that in 1994 and 11

percent higher than the long-term average. Mallards increased 18

percent to 8.3 million, the highest estimate since 1972. Gadwalls,

redheads, and canvasbacks also increased over 1994 estimates to record-

high levels. The number of ponds in May was similar to that of last

year, but was 38 percent above the long-term average. In eastern areas

of Canada and the U.S., surveys of strata 51-56 were conducted for the

sixth consecutive year. In this area, the number of total ducks was

similar to that of last year, but was 22 percent below the 1990-94

average. Habitats in many eastern areas were drier than average. The

preliminary fall-flight index for all ducks is about 80 million birds,

compared to 71 million last year. The fall flight will include

approximately 11.1 million mallards, an increase of 15 percent over

that of 1994.

During the 1994-95 hunting season, there were increases in the

number of hunters, their days afield, and in both duck and goose

harvests compared to the previous year. However, the number of

waterfowl hunters continues to remain below levels observed in the

1970's. The sport harvest of ducks continues to increase from the

record low in 1988, but remains well below the historic average. Goose

harvest has increased three-fold during 1961-94. The rate at which

ducks are harvested did not appear to increase during the 1994-95

season, in spite of liberalizations in hunting regulations. Harvest-

survey data suggest that the reproductive success of ducks in the

midcontinent region increased last year, but recruitment may have been

poorer in other areas. Most goose species experienced declines in

recruitment in 1994 compared to the exceptionally good year of 1993.

Review of Comments Received at Public Hearing

Seven individuals presented statements at the August 3, 1995,

public hearing. These comments are summarized below.

Mr. Lloyd Alexander, representing the Delaware Division of Fish and

Wildlife, supported the proposal to close the Canada goose season

throughout the Atlantic Flyway. He stated that existing data do not

support a limited 30-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit in the

New England States. He suggests that survival rates on birds migrating

through the Maritime Provinces of Canada are actually lower than those

breeding in northern Quebec and that better data are needed to

delineate this population. He encouraged the Service to contact the

Canadian Wildlife Service and request that the sport harvest on the

Atlantic Population Canada Geese be suspended in Quebec and Ontario by

emergency closure this year. Further, he asked the Service to work with

representatives of the native communities to reduce subsistence taking

in northern Quebec and ask the Canadian Wildlife Service to review the

harvest and consider restrictions on Canada geese in the Maritime

Provinces.

He commended the Service for extending the framework closing date

on greater snow geese to March 10th, but asked the Service to consider

the option of allowing states to split their seasons into 3 segments.

He believed that the requested option is needed to allow more

flexibility in helping farmers deal with crop depredation problems.

Mr. Bruce Barbour, representing the National Audubon Society,

indicated that both the Eastern and Western Populations of tundra swans

are stable and of no management concern. The National Audubon Society

supports efforts to restore trumpeter swans throughout their former

range, and believes that issues related to the incidental take of

trumpeter swans during tundra swan seasons have been adequately

addressed in this year's proposal. He reminded the Service of the

concern for the Atlantic and Southern James Bay Populations of Canada

geese and the dusky subspecies, and recommended that further

restrictions should be sought for their recovery. Mr. Barbour then

indicated concern for the extremely high populations of Mid-Continent

Snow Geese that have resulted in severe damage to Arctic nesting areas.

He reviewed this year's breeding duck population status and supported

the Adaptive Harvest Management process used in selecting this year's

liberal package and specified species restrictions. He indicated that

increased hunting opportunity will occur on all species under the

liberal option, and efforts should be initiated to cooperatively

develop harvest approaches for these species. Finally, many programs

are responsible for the recovery of the continent's duck resources;

however, many of these programs are under attack through budget-

balancing and any reductions could jeopardize future status and the

increases in hunting opportunity.

Mr. Richard Elden, representing the Michigan Department of Natural

Resources, commended the Service for its efforts to improve the

regulations-setting process. He stated that the process has markedly

improved and he is optimistic about adaptive harvest management. He

summarized the development of Canada goose management plans in the

Mississippi Flyway and their role in improving the cooperative

management of the various populations. He stated that, based on the

status of redheads this year, liberalization of the daily bag limit for

this species is warranted and biologically supported, and requested

that the Service reconsider its proposal and increase the number of

redheads in the daily bag limit from 1 to 2 birds in the Mississippi

Flyway.

Mr. Mike Harris, representing the Maryland Guide Association

commented that Canada geese have changed their movement patterns in

recent years and no longer migrate north in the spring, as they once

did. Rather, he believes they remain as resident birds and breed

locally. He maintains that although these geese are in good numbers,

early seasons on these birds should not be allowed, because it reduces

the overall numbers of geese available during the regular season. He

claims that it is difficult to stay in business and suggests that if

the hunting season is closed on Canada geese, the guides and outfitters

should receive some financial assistance from the Federal Government.

He recommended that a 30-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit be

offered until the changing patterns of resident geese could be

reviewed.

Rollin W. Sparrowe, representing the Wildlife Management Institute,

supported overall the Service's regulatory proposals. He commended the

Service and State cooperators for their commitment toward implementing

the Adaptive Harvest Management approach to duck hunting and to

distance the process from political influence. He supported partial

adoption of the Adaptive Harvest Management approach this year which

recognized goals established in the North American Waterfowl Management

Plan. He was pleased that after years of concern about the status of

ducks, more liberal seasons could be offered. He asked why the Service

did not consider adding an additional redhead to the bag limit in the

Mississippi and Central Flyways when populations seemed

[[Page 44465]]

appropriate and urged the Service to reexamine this aspect before

frameworks were finalized. He expressed continued concern about the

status of pintails. He commended the Service and the Atlantic Flyway

Council for proposing the closure on Canada goose hunting in the

Atlantic Flyway, urged the Service to request the Canadian Wildlife

Service to take similar action in Canada, and initiate research to

understand the problem. He complimented the Service and Flyway Councils

in the regulatory process and their systematic use of data in

developing specific recommendations. All parties were urged to keep

explaining to their constituencies the Adaptive Harvest Management

process.

Rollin W. Sparrowe, also representing The Trumpeter Swan Society,

was supportive of the ongoing efforts to restore and redistribute the

Rocky Mountain Population of trumpeter swans within the Tri-State Area.

He spoke of the conflict between range expansion efforts and waterfowl

hunting programs in the Pacific Flyway, including tundra swan seasons

in Montana, Utah, and Nevada. However, The Trumpeter Swan Society was

satisfied with the Service's proposal to allow significantly modified

swan seasons in those three States, which should enhance the likelihood

for successful range expansion by trumpeter swans. He thanked the

Pacific Flyway Council, the States of Montana, Utah, Nevada, and

Oregon, and the Service for successfully developing a compromise that

meets everyone's needs. He said his organization was small, with

limited resources, but wants to assist all parties in the responsible

effort to manage swans.

Scott Sutherland, representing Ducks Unlimited, expressed support

for Adaptive Harvest Management and the regulatory matrix proposed by

the Service this year which resulted in the liberal package

recommendation. Under full implementation of AHM, however, Mr.

Sutherland expressed a desire to modify the framework packages allowing

a consideration of longer seasons with smaller daily bag limits. Mr.

Sutherland also expressed his continued support for the Conservation

Reserve Program and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.

Mr. George Vandel, representing the Central Flyway Council,

indicated that as Chairman of the Central Flyway Council, he was

pleased with this year's process for establishing the proposed

frameworks for late seasons. The Central Flyway supported the proposed

use of flexible framework opening and closing dates for duck seasons in

the Central Flyway, the liberal regulatory package, and the Adaptive

Harvest Management process that was used in this interim year prior to

its full implementation. He thanked the Service for the assistance with

communication efforts on behalf of Adaptive Harvest Management, but

pointed out that continuing efforts will be necessary for successful

implementation in future years. He then strongly suggested that the

Service work closely with the Flyway Councils in developing regulatory

packages for next year. He believed that this cooperation will be

especially crucial for further implementation by facilitating ownership

and support for full implementation of Adaptive Harvest Management in

1996. Mr. Vandel summarized the history of goose population status in

the Central Flyway and noted the great success of cooperative

management practices that has resulted in record high flyway harvest of

geese in 1994. However, he pointed out that the high population levels

of light geese were of great concern. He recommended that the Service

work through an international effort to identify specific actions

needed to reduce these high populations and prevent further

deterioration of important nesting habitats. He pointed out the

importance of maintaining strong migratory bird survey efforts, as

these tools are vital to the development of our management approaches.

Finally, he indicated that the recovery of duck populations was clear

evidence that the Conservation Reserve Program and other habitat

programs are working.

Flyway Council Recommendations and Written Comments

The preliminary proposed rulemaking which appeared in the March 24

Federal Register, opened the public-comment period for late-season

migratory game bird hunting regulations. As of August 3, 1995, the

Service had received 27 comments; 25 of these specifically addressed

late-season issues. The Service also received recommendations from all

four Flyway Councils. Late-season comments are summarized and discussed

in the order used in the March 24 Federal Register. Only the numbered

items pertaining to late seasons for which written comments were

received are included.

General

Written Comments: An individual from Wisconsin expressed support

for the existing shooting hours of one-half hour before sunrise to

sunset. He also opposed the requirement for steel shot and urged the

development of non-toxic alternatives.

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.

A. General Harvest Strategy

Written Comments: The Pennsylvania Game Commission expressed

support for the proposed regulations strategies as an interim approach

for 1995 only. They continue to be concerned, however, that the process

relies on mid-continent mallards as a basis for regulatory changes in

the Atlantic Flyway.

Likewise, the Delaware Department of Fish and Wildlife generally

endorsed the concept of regulatory packages but remained concerned that

the process was linked to the mid-continent populations of mallards and

prairie wetland conditions.

The Illinois Department of Conservation also expressed support for

the Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) process but were concerned that

there had been insufficient time to properly educate the public about

AHM. They also felt that the set of regulatory options offered may be

too limited, particularly with regard to bag limits.

The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks expressed

support for AHM and the interim steps proposed for the 1995-95 hunting

season. Additionally, they supported the idea of expanding the status

of duck breeding populations and habitat used in AHM from mallards and

prairie Canada ponds to include other duck species and ponds in the

Dakotas and Montana.

The California Waterfowl Association commended the Service for

moving towards AHM. They did express concern, however, for the

potential of a season closure in California, the AHM terminology

regarding regulations packages, and the use of only mid-continent

mallards and prairie habitat conditions in the AHM process.

Individuals from Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee

expressed support for the AHM process and the Service's proposed

regulatory packages. However, one individual from Arkansas stated that

future AHM criteria should be adjusted to be more conservative.

[[Page 44466]]

B. Framework Dates

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended

framework dates of October 1 to January 20.

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

Mississippi Flyway Council recommended framework dates of September 28

and January 23.

The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended framework dates

of the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) to the Sunday nearest

January 20 (January 21).

Written Comments: The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and

Parks opposed a fixed framework opening date.

An individual from Mississippi expressed support for a January 31

framework closing date.

Service Response: Traditional framework opening and closing dates

have been oriented to the period October 1 - January 20, either as

fixed calendar dates or ``floating'' dates, using as a guideline the

Saturday nearest October 1 and the Sunday nearest January 20 to select

opening and closing dates annually. The fixed framework dates of

September 28 - January 23 recommended for the Mississippi Flyway this

year would provide consistently wider frameworks over the years than

the fixed October 1 - January 20 dates recommended for the Atlantic

Flyway and the floating dates recommended for the Central and Pacific

Flyways. To maintain consistency among flyways in the procedures for

selecting framework dates, and because floating dates have been

recommended annually for the Mississippi Flyway in recent years, the

Service proposes to return to the use of floating framework dates for

the Mississippi Flyway as well as the Central and Pacific Flyways.

C. Season Length and Bag Limits

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a

50-day season with a 5-bird daily bag limit, including no more than 1

black duck, 1 hen mallard, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 wood ducks, 2

redheads, and no harlequin ducks. Further, the Council recommended that

States maintain a 40-percent reduction in the harvest of black ducks

from the 1977-81 base period.

The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council recommended a 50-day season with a 5-bird daily bag limit,

including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 1 of which may be a

hen), 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 wood ducks, and 2

redheads.

The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council recommended a 50-day season with a 5-bird daily bag limit,

including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 1 of which may be a

hen), 3 mottled ducks, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 wood

ducks, and 2 redheads.

The Central Flyway Council recommended a 60-day season (83 days in

the High Plains Mallard Management Unit with the last 23 days of the

season taken no earlier than the Saturday closest to December 10) with

a 5-bird daily bag limit, including no more than 1 hen mallard, 1

mottled duck, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 wood ducks, and 1 redhead.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a 93-day season (100 days in

the Columbia Basin Management Unit) with a 6-bird daily bag limit,

including no more than 1 hen mallard, 2 pintails, 1 canvasback, and 2

redheads.

Written Comments: Individuals from Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin,

and Iowa expressed support for the proposed increase in season length

but were against the proposed bag limit increase. An individual from

Wisconsin expressed support for a 70-day season. Another individual

from Wisconsin supported a 50-day season and a 4-bird daily bag limit,

while an individual from Tennessee supported a 40-day season and a 4-

bird daily bag limit.

An individual from Michigan was against any increase in the daily

bag limit. An individual from Louisiana was opposed to a 50-day season

and 5-bird daily bag limit and an individual from Iowa was opposed to a

40- to 50-day season with the proposed 5-bird daily bag limit. One

individual from Kentucky expressed general support for low limits.

F. Zones and Split Seasons

Written Comments: The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urged the

Service to modify its existing zoning policy related to special

management unit limitations.

G. Special Seasons/Species Management

i. Canvasback

Written Comments: An individual from Wisconsin supported the

opening of canvasback season.

Service Response: In 1994, the Service adopted a strategy to manage

canvasback harvests that considered population status, habitat

conditions, and potential harvest. In brief, the strategy stated that

if population status and expected production were sufficient to permit

a harvest of 1 canvasback per day nationwide for the entire length of

the regular duck season, the season on canvasbacks should be opened.

Otherwise, the season on canvasbacks should be closed nationwide. This

spring, results from the May Breeding Waterfowl and Habitat Survey

indicate that habitat conditions and the size of the canvasback

population are sufficient to open the season on canvasbacks. Therefore,

the Service proposes a bag limit of 1 canvasback per day during the

1995-96 regular duck season.

ii. Redheads

Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended

a bag limit of 2 redheads per day, an increase from the bag limit of 1

redhead per day proposed by the Service in March 1995.

Written Comments: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department also

requested a bag limit of 2 redheads per day in the Central Flyway.

Service Response: The Service prefers that proposals for changes in

species- or population-specific regulations be based on more long-term

strategies rather than in response to short-term changes in population

estimates. The Service believes that such strategies should include the

following: (1) an assessment of how the population responds to harvest

and environmental conditions, (2) criteria that prescribe when

regulations should be changed (i.e., become more restrictive or more

liberal), (3) the range of regulatory options that will be considered

(e.g., ranges of season lengths and bag limits), and (4) considerations

for determining the efficacy of the harvest strategy. The proposals to

permit a bag limit of 2 redheads per day were received in late July,

and were based primarily in response to the estimated size of the

redhead population during spring 1995. The Service believes that, due

to the timing of the request, analyses of biological data sufficient to

address the four criteria above have not been conducted. Further,

additional harvest opportunities on redheads in all Flyways will result

from increases in season lengths proposed for this year. The Service

recommends that MBMO and the Flyways cooperatively develop protocol and

strategies which address how to handle species- and population-specific

proposals within the context of the Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM)

Initiative, and believes the AHM Working Group is the appropriate forum

for this endeavor.

[[Page 44467]]

iii. Other Species

Written Comments: An individual from Kentucky expressed support for

keeping the black duck daily bag limit at 1 bird.

4. Canada Geese

B. Regular Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended

that the regular season on the Atlantic Flyway Population of Canada

geese be suspended; except for West Virginia, the Southern James Bay

Population harvest areas of Pennsylvania, and a newly created New

England Zone [Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont (excluding

the Lake Champlain Zone), Massachusetts (excluding the Western Zone),

and Connecticut (excluding Litchford and Hartford Counties)]. In the

New England Zone, the Council recommended a 30-day season, with a

framework of October 1 through November 30, with a 1-bird daily bag

limit.

The Atlantic Flyway Council also recommended that, in light of the

decision to suspend the regular season on migrant Canada geese flyway-

wide, the Service should immediately begin a review of framework dates

for resident Canada goose seasons to determine whether dates could be

expanded to increase harvests.

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

Mississippi Flyway Council recommended several changes in Canada goose

quotas, season lengths, etc., based on population status and population

management plans and programs.

The Central Flyway Council recommended several changes for west-

tier dark geese: (1) an increase in the aggregate bag limit from 3 to 4

birds, (2) an extension of the closing framework from January 31 to the

Sunday nearest February 15 (February 18) for the Western Goose Zone of

Texas, and (3) an increase in the dark goose bag limit from 2 to 4

birds in Sheridan County, Montana.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the bag limit for

Canada geese in central Montana, western Wyoming, and southeastern

Idaho be increased from 3 to 4 birds. The Council also recommended that

the daily bag limit for cackling Canada geese in the quota zones of

western Oregon and western Washington be increased from 1 to 2 birds.

Written Comments: An individual from the Eastern Shore of Maryland

expressed support for the closure of the regular Canada goose season

for as long as it takes to rebuild the population to the levels of the

mid-1980s.

An individual from Washington urged additional protection for the

dusky Canada goose population wintering along the Chehalis River.

Service Response: Based on the continuing decline in the number of

breeding pairs of Atlantic Flyway Population Canada geese, the Service

endorses the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation to suspend the

1995-96 regular Canada goose season in the Chesapeake and Mid-Atlantic

regions of the Atlantic Flyway, with exceptions for West Virginia and a

portion of northwest Pennsylvania. The substantial drop in numbers of

migratory Atlantic Flyway Canada geese (27 percent from 1994 and 75

percent from 1988) has continued despite harvest restrictions imposed

in 1992. However, the Service does not support the recommendation to

provide a 30-day season, betweeen October 1 and November 30, with a 1-

bird daily bag limit, for States in the New England Zone. The Atlantic

Flyway Population is currently managed under an approved Flyway

Management Plan as a single Atlantic population unit, along with those

birds breeding in the Ungava Bay and east-coastal Hudson Bay areas of

Quebec. The Service will continue to manage geese on a population

basis, guided by cooperatively developed management plans.

The information available to objectively separate these populations

into two distinct management units, as the basis for the New England

Zone, is currently very limited. Survival rates, based on limited

bandings, are actually lower for the Maritimes component of the

population than for geese in the area where the Flyway Council

recommended a complete season closure. Also, productivity information,

which would help assess the differences in survival rates, is very

limited. In addition, only 2 years of population survey data are

available for Canada geese breeding in the Maritimes, and these are too

inconclusive to indicate whether numbers of breeding pairs are stable

or declining. The Service does not oppose the delineation of a Maritime

population of Atlantic Flyway Canada geese, if warranted, but believes

that more information is needed before beginning a harvest strategy

different from that for the population breeding in Quebec. Therefore,

the Service encourages the Flyway Council to work cooperatively with

the Canadian Provinces during the coming year to gather more data,

review the key population parameters involving the Maritime component

of Canada geese, update its Canada goose management plan, and make

recommendations regarding an appropriate harvest strategy for this

group of geese.

The Service concurs with the Central Flyway Council's recommended

increase in the dark goose aggregate bag limit from 3 to 4 for the

west-tier States. However, while this increase is justified for Canada

geese, the Service believes that it is not appropriate for white-

fronted geese. In the Western Goose Zone in Texas, biologists have

identified a large group of wintering white-fronted geese believed to

be part of the western segment of the Mid-Continent Greater White-

fronted Goose Population. For this reason, the Service believes that

the bag limit for whitefronts should be similar to those of other

States in the range of this segment in the east-tier of the Central

Flyway. Therefore, the Service proposes a 5-bird dark goose bag limit,

including no more than 1 white-fronted goose and 4 Canada geese in the

west-tier States of the Central Flyway.

C. Special Late Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a

new experimental late season for resident Canada geese in New York, and

additional days and area modifications for existing seasons in New

Jersey, South Carolina, and Georgia. In addition, because of the high

harvest of migrant Canada geese, the Council recommended suspension of

the special late season in the Coastal Zone of Massachusetts.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommended revision of the Canada goose

season framework in Cowlitz County south of the Kalama River and Clark

County, Washington, to allow a special late season. The season would be

subject to the following conditions: (1) season dates would be February

5 through March 10, (2) bag limits and checking requirements would be

the same as the regular season, except that the season on cackling

Canada geese would be closed, (3) the season would end upon the

attainment of a quota of 5 dusky Canada geese (this quota would be

taken from the total of 90 allocated under the regular season), and (4)

fields selected for the season would not have more than 10 percent

duskys in the flocks using the fields. Additionally, the season would

be contingent upon an operational hazing program in place in the hunt

area, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Damage

Control (ADC) in Washington. ADC would identify fields receiving

depredation and contact hunters from a list supplied by the Washington

Department of Fish and Game (WDFG).

[[Page 44468]]

WDFG would evaluate season effectiveness and estimate harvest,

subspecies composition, hunter participation, and report band

recoveries.

5. White-fronted Geese

Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommendations

regarding dark geese involve white-fronted geese. See item 4. Canada

Geese. Specifically pertaining to white-fronted geese, the Council

recommended an increase in the season length in the Eastern Goose Zone

of Texas from 72 to 86 days.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommended several changes to white-

fronted goose frameworks. The Council recommended that special bag-

limit restrictions on whitefronts be removed by placing them within the

overall dark goose limits except in the primary whitefront harvest

areas in Alaska; the Counties of Lake, Klamath, and Harney in Oregon;

and in the Northeastern and Balance-of-State Zones in California. In

Oregon, the Council recommended that all whitefront seasons be

concurrent with dark goose seasons. In California, the Council

recommended that the whitefront season be extended by two weeks in the

Sacramento Valley special goose closure portion of the Balance-of-State

Zone.

7. Snow and Ross's Geese

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended

extending the framework closing date for snow geese to March 10.

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

Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the framework closing date

for light geese be extended to March 10 and the daily bag limit be

increased to 10 birds.

The Central Flyway Council recommended that the framework closing

date for east- and west-tier light geese be extended to March 10.

Written Comments: The Pennsylvania Game Commission recommended that

the State of Pennsylvania be included in those wintering States offered

an extended framework closing date of March 10. They stated that

increasing the framework would allow farmers to deal with depredation

problems and provide additional hunting opportunity to Pennsylvania

hunters.

Service Response: The Service concurs with the requests to extend

the framework closing date for light geese to March 10 in the Atlantic,

Mississippi, and Central Flyways, but believes that this extension

should be limited to the primary wintering range of light geese in each

flyway. The Service emphasizes that it believes that sport hunting

opportunities should be limited to the fall migration and winter

periods. The Service proposes to use Interstate Highway 80 as the

northern boundary of this extension in the Central and Mississippi

Flyways and that it be limited to the States of Delaware, Maryland,

Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia

in the Atlantic Flyway. In the coming year, the Service requests that

States identify important staging areas for snow geese where they are

co-mingled with other species to the extent that sport-hunting

activities may potentially cause significant disturbance to other

species. A major staging area has been identified in the Rainwater-

Basin Area of Nebraska, and the Service proposes not to extend the

framework date in the following counties or portions of counties that

are south of the identified I-80 boundary: Adams, Clay, Fillmore,

Franklin, Gosper, Hall, Hamilton, Harland, Kearney, Nuckolls, Phelps,

Saline, Seward, Thayer, and York.

8. Swans

Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council reiterated its

recommendations for a swan season in portions of Montana, Utah, and

Nevada (see the June 16, 1995, Federal Register), except that the

period should be 3 years instead of 5 years and the trumpeter swan

quota allocation was made. Features of the Council's recommendation

include: (1) changing ending framework dates in all three States from

the Sunday closest to January 20 to December 1 for Montana, Sunday

closest to December 15 for Utah, and the Sunday following January 1 for

Nevada; (2) changing the hunt area in Montana by deleting those

portions of Pondera and Teton Counties west of U.S. Highways 287-89 but

including all of Chouteau County; (3) reduce Utah's statewide season to

just the Great Salt Lake Basin, defined at those portions of Box Elder,

Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, and Tooele counties lying south of State

Highway 30 and I-80/84, west of I-15, and north of I-80. Number of swan

permits would remain unchanged for Montana (500) and Nevada (650) but

would be increased from 2,500 to 2,750 for Utah. A trumpeter swan quota

of 20 birds would be allocated, with 15 to Utah and 5 to Nevada, with

the season being closed either by the framework date or attainment of

the quota, whichever occurs first. All hunters in Utah and Nevada would

be required to participate in a mandatory parts check at designated

sites within 72 hours of harvest for species determination; and hunters

in Montana would continue to participate in a voluntary bill-

measurement card program. The States would continue to monitor harvest

composition, swan population during the hunt, and collect related

harvest data. This information would be reported to the Service in a

preliminary report by March 31 and a final report by June 30, 1996.

The Council offered the proposed frameworks in an attempt to

forward trumpeter swan range expansion efforts throughout the western

states and to cooperate with the Trumpeter Swan Society in their

efforts with this species. The quota on trumpeter swans is believed to

be biologically insignificant and estimated to be less than 1 percent

of the population. The combined sport and subsistence harvest of

Western Population tundra swans has averaged about 10 percent of the

midwinter index during the past 10 years without negative impact to

population status. In Utah, 26 percent of the swan harvest has occurred

after December 1 and 15 percent after December 15, with December

harvests as high as 57 percent in 1993. The Council believed that until

December hunts can be demonstrated to threaten trumpeter swans they

should be allowed to continue. Between 1962-94, upwards of 99 percent

of the Utah harvest occurred in the Great Salt Lake area; therefore,

closing of other areas will mainly remove local opportunity but not

have a great effect on the overall harvest. The 250 (10 percent)

increase in permits for Utah is requested to replace opportunity and

harvest lost through area and season closures. Nevada biologists have

no data suggesting that State's season is having any impact on

trumpeter migration between the Tristate area and wintering areas in

California. The Council offered these recommendations in an effort to

integrate Western Population tundra swan and Rocky Mountain Population

trumpeter swan management programs and to move ahead and evaluate

various aspects of both programs.

Written Comments: Ruth E. Shea, a wildlife biologist associated

with research and management of Rocky Mountain Population trumpeter

swans since 1976, by letter of July 29, 1995, described a proposal by

her and Dr. Rod Drewien which was the foundation of recommendations

from The Trumpeter Swan Society and the Pacific Flyway Council included

herein. The Shea-Drewien proposal incorporated two primary strategies:

(1) increasing protection of migrant trumpeter swans

[[Page 44469]]

by tightly focusing tundra swan hunts in time and place; and (2)

authorizing a small quota of trumpeter swans within each tundra swan

hunt area in order to eliminate the liability of the otherwise

legitimate tundra swan hunters who accidently shoot a trumpeter swan,

with mandatory check of birds to adequately implement a quota system.

She attributes the vulnerable status of this population to a diminished

tendency to migrate and to a winter distribution that is largely in

overcrowded, less favorable sites. She believes building a migration

southward from eastern Idaho, to the fall staging area of the Bear

River Delta in Utah would be an important step in restoring a secure

winter distribution. To enhance survival of those few trumpeters that

currently migrate into Utah and Nevada, Shea and Drewein proposed

focusing tundra swan hunting only in areas and at times where tundra

swans are abundant and trumpeters are less likely to be present or have

access to suitable security areas. She deemed an ending date of ``plus

or minus'' December 1, in Utah to be the single most important feature

of their proposal. Rationale for using this date included: (1) in most

years security areas on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge freeze

around Thanksgiving, potentially forcing swans to use non-secure

habitats; and (2) Service and Pacific Flyway efforts to assist in

winter distribution includes hazing swans from overcrowded areas, as

early as practical in November, which when coupled with shrinking

habitat with the onset of winter has potential for pushing swans into

the Great Salt Lake Basin by late November. She said that a December 1

closure would still give Utah swan hunters about 45 days of opportunity

and would provide future opportunity to translocated trumpeters from

Idaho to the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge vicinity during December.

She believes trumpeter swan restoration efforts have been stymied by

real or perceived conflicts with the swan hunt, but believes their

recommended approach would meet the very different management needs for

two species of swans.

Laurence N. Gillete, President of The Trumpeter Swan Society

(TTSS), in a letter of July 31, 1995, again urged the Service to adopt

a closing date of December 1 or the first Sunday in December, if there

is a tradition of ending seasons on a Sunday, for the tundra swan

hunting season in Utah to provide additional protection for migrating

Rocky Mountain Population trumpeter swans. With the exception of the

closing date in Utah, TTSS is in agreement with the Pacific Flyway

Council's recommendations as reported in the Federal Register of June

16, 1995. Because these trumpeter swans winter in marginal habitat in

the Tristate region of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, and have a poor

tradition for migrating elsewhere, they will suffer a die-off in a

severe winter. He believes a rapid redistribution to better winter

habitat is critical to the population's survival. TTSS had previously

endorsed a 5-year experimental plan proposed by Drewien and Shea [see

comments from TTSS and Shea elsewhere in this document]. Of the

numerous recommended changes, the most critical feature of the plan was

modification of hunting seasons in Utah to increase survival of

migrating swans. The Great Salt Lake Basin is in the most likely

migration path for trumpeters from the Tristate area. The December 1

date is favored because: (1) it coincides with the average date for

freezeup of many lakes in the Tristate area which could force

trumpeters south, (2) it is about the time that many wetlands within in

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge which could increase the vulnerability

of Trumpeters that have migrated to the refuge, and (3) it anticipates

increased trumpeter migrations and not past accidental shootings. TTSS

does not object to a quota system that would allow a take of trumpeter

swans if other conditions of their proposal are met, including

modification of seasons and boundaries for swan hunting and of

management on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. The quota system is

not intended to protect trumpeters but to protect hunters from

liability if they accidentally shoot a trumpeter. He regrets the

potential loss of hunting opportunity that the December 1 closing date

would have on tundra swan hunters but believes it may be the only way

to provided adequate protection to migrating trumpeters.

The Humane Society of the United States (Humane Society) by letter

of July 21, 1995, requests that the Service close all swan hunting

seasons and contends that tundra swan hunting impedes, if not prevents,

winter range expansion and recovery of trumpeter swans. The Humane

Society says the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation for increased

permits in Utah and a quota on trumpeter swans in exchange for season

modifications should be denied.

Service Response: The Service commends both the Pacific Flyway

Council and The Trumpeter Swan Society for seeking ways to enhance

trumpeter swan range expansion while retaining tundra swan hunting. The

recommendations from both the Council and TTSS were obviously not made

easily. For persons and groups solely interested in either restoration

or hunting but not both, those recommendations will be perceived only

as without benefit.

Both sets of recommendations were similar, with the exception of

the contentious closing date in Utah. The Council recommends a closing

date for Utah that would be the Sunday closest to December 15, which

would range between December 12 and 18. TTSS recommends a closing date

of December 1, but believes there could be latitude to accommodate

Sunday closing as is traditional in most Western states.

The Service supports the basic recommendations from both the

Council and the TTSS; however, considering the significance of the

general swan season, the Service will propose a season ending date of

the first Sunday in December. This would allow the ending date to range

between December 1 and 7, with the season ending on December 3 this

year and, if changes are not deemed essential, December 1 in 1996, etc.

Further, the Service believes it is important to annually review

all information and potentially modify seasons in time and place should

circumstances warrant. While TTSS believes quotas on trumpeter swans

are not as important to protect the species, as are closing dates and

other factors, the Service believes quotas will provide additional

protection to trumpeter swans until the experimental period can be

fully evaluated. Further, we propose that the overall evaluation be

made after a 5-year period, subject to annual reporting and review.

The Service insists upon assurance from Utah and Nevada that birds

will be physically examined by biologists and that maximum compliance

with reporting be sought using whatever means is appropriate for that

particular State. We do not believe reporting must be done within 72

hours, but it seems reasonable that it could be accomplished within 3

working days. Timely classification of swans is important if the

trumpeter quota is to be used effectively. The need or lack of need for

Montana to have a season without a quota or to use a different method

of reporting harvest will be reviewed annually; and continued departure

from the requirement in Utah and Nevada will likely be contingent upon

the continued healthy status of that segment of the trumpeter swan

population that has had the potential for being affected by the Montana

season, even without the conservative changes proposed herein.

[[Page 44470]]

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 desires to obtain

for consideration 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 of specific, reliable data on

this year's status before mid-June for migratory shore and upland game

birds and some waterfowl, and before late July for most waterfowl.

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, Department of the Interior,

ms 634--ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW., 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 a substantive response 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). However, this programmatic document does not prescribe year-

specific regulations; those are developed annually. The annual

regulations and options are being considered in the Environmental

Assessment, ``Waterfowl Hunting Regulations for 1995,'' which is

available upon request. In addition, the Service has prepared an

Environmental Assessment, ``Proposal to Establish General Swan Hunting

Seasons in Parts of the Pacific Flyway'' to reconcile conflicting

strategies for managing two swan species in the Pacific Flyway by

establihsing for a trial period a general swan season in portions of

Montana, Nevada, and Utah. The Environmental Assessment is available

upon request.

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 March 24, 1995 (60 FR 15642), 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 (FRIA), and publication of a summary

of the latter. Although a FRIA is no longer required, the economic

analysis contained in the FRIA was reviewed and the Service determined

that it met the requirements of E.O. 12866. In addition, the Service

prepared a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis, under the Regulatory

Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq), which further document the

significant beneficial economic effect on a substantial number of small

entities. This rule was not subject to review by the Office of

Management and Budget (OMB) under E.O. 12866.

These proposed regulations contain no information collections

subject to OMB review under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44

U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). However, the Service does utilize information

acquired through other various information collections in the

formulation of migratory game bird hunting regulations. These

information collection requirements have been approved by OMB and

assigned clearance numbers 1018-0005, 1018-0006, 1018-0008, 1018-0009,

1018-0010, 1018-0015, 1018-0019, and 1018-0023.

Authorship

The primary author is Ron W. Kokel, Office of Migratory Bird

Management.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20

Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.

PART 20--[AMENDED]

The authority citation for Part 20 is revised to read as follows:

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703-711, 16 U.S.C. 712, and 16 U.S.C. 742

a-j.

Dated: August 17, 1995

Robert P. Davison

Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks

Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 1995-96 Late Hunting Seasons on

Certain Migratory Game Birds

Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated

authorities, the Department has approved frameworks for season lengths,

shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and outside dates within

which States may select seasons for hunting waterfowl and coots between

the dates of September 1, 1995, and March 10, 1996.

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.

[[Page 44471]]

Definitions: For the purpose of hunting regulations listed below,

the collective terms ``dark'' and ``light'' geese include the following

species:

Dark geese - Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant, and all

other goose species except light geese.

Light geese - snow (including blue) geese and Ross' geese.

Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Geographic descriptions that are

new or modified from previous years are contained in a later portion of

this document.

Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks for open seasons, season

lengths, bag and possession limits, and other special provisions are

listed below by flyway.

Atlantic Flyway

The 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.

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 20.

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 50 days and daily bag limit of 5

ducks, including no more than 1 hen mallard, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 1

mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 2 wood ducks, 2 redheads, and 1

canvasback.

Closures: The season on harlequin ducks is closed.

Sea Ducks: In all areas outside of special sea duck areas, sea

ducks are included in the regular duck daily bag and possession limits.

However, during the regular duck season within the special sea duck

areas, the sea duck daily bag and possession limits may be in addition

to the regular duck daily bag and possession limits.

Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5, only 1 of

which may be a hooded merganser.

Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.

Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and

shooting hours shall be the same as those selected for the Lake

Champlain Zone of Vermont.

Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Rhode

Island, and Virginia may split their seasons into three segments;

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,

Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West Virginia may select hunting seasons by

zones and may split their seasons into two segments in each zone; while

Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina may split their Statewide seasons

into two segments.

Canada Geese

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: The canada goose season

is suspended throughout the Flyway except as noted below. Unless

specified otherwise, seasons may be split into two segments.

Connecticut: A special experimental season may be held in the South

Zone between January 15 and February 15, with 5 geese per day.

Georgia: In specific areas, a 15-day experimental season may be

held between November 15 and February 5, with a limit of 5 Canada geese

per day.

Massachusetts: In the Central Zone, a 16-day season for resident

Canada geese may be held during January 21 to February 5, with 5 geese

per day.

New Jersey: An experimental special season may be held in

designated areas of Northeast, Northwest, and Southeast New Jersey from

January 27 to February 10, with 5 geese per day.

New York: A special experimental season may be held between January

21 and February 15, with 5 geese daily in Westchester County and

portions of Nassau, Putnam, and Rockland Counties.

Pennsylvania: Erie, Mercer, and Butler Counties - 70 days between

October 1 and January 31, with 1 goose per day through October 15; 2

geese per day thereafter; 1 goose per day for the first 8 days after

the opening.

Crawford County - 35 days between October 1 and January 20; with 1

goose per day.

An experimental season may be held in the Susquehanna/Juniata Zones

from January 20 to February 5 with 5 geese per day.

South Carolina: A 12-day special season may be held in the Central

Piedmont, Western Piedmont, and Mountain Hunt Units during November 15

to February 15, with a daily bag limit of 5 Canada geese per day.

West Virginia: 70 days between October 1 and January 20, with 3

geese per day.

Light Geese

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 107-

day season between October 1 and February 10, with 5 geese per day,

except closing dates may be extended to March 10 in New Jersey,

Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and

Virginia. States may split their seasons into two segments.

Brant

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 50-

day season between October 1 and January 20, with 2 brant per day.

Mississippi Flyway

The Mississippi Flyway includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois,

Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,

Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September

30) and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 21).

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 50 days with a daily bag limit of

5 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 1 of which may

be a female), 3 mottled ducks, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 2 wood ducks, 1

canvasback, and 1 redhead.

Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, only 1 of which may be

a hooded merganser.

Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.

Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,

Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin

may select hunting seasons by zones.

In Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio,

Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be split into two segments in

each zone.

In Minnesota and Mississippi, the season may be split into two

segments.

In Arkansas, the season may be split into three segments.

Pymatuning Reservoir Area, Ohio: The seasons, limits, and shooting

hours shall be the same as those selected in the adjacent portion of

Pennsylvania (Northwest Zone).

Geese

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

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select

seasons for geese not to exceed 70 days for dark geese between the

Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) and January 31, and 107 days

for light geese between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30)

and February 14, except in those States and portions of States south of

Interstate Highway 80 in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, where

seasons for light geese may extend until March 10. The daily bag limit

is 10 geese, to include no more than 3 Canada geese, 2 white-fronted

geese, and 2 brant. Specific regulations for Canada

[[Page 44472]]

geese and exceptions to the above general provisions are shown below by

State.

Alabama: In the SJBP Goose Zone, the season for Canada geese may

not exceed 35 days. Elsewhere, the season for Canada geese may extend

for 70 days in the respective duck-hunting zones. The daily bag limit

is 2 Canada geese.

Arkansas: The season for Canada geese may extend for 23 days in the

East Zone and 14 days in the West Zone. In both zones, the season may

extend to February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. In the

remainder of the State, the season for Canada geese is closed.

Illinois: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be

limited to 172, 600 birds. Limits are 3 Canada geese daily and 10 in

possession.

(a) North Goose Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after

93 days or when 22,014 birds have been harvested in the Northern

Illinois Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.

(b) Central Goose Zone - The season for Canada geese will close

after 93 days or when 35,168 birds have been harvested in the Central

Illinois Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.

(c) South Goose Zone - The harvest of Canada geese in the Southern

Illinois and Rend Lake Quota Zones will be limited to 62,691 and 17,830

birds, respectively. The season for Canada geese in each zone will

close after 89 days or when the harvest limit has been reached,

whichever occurs first. In the Southern Illinois Quota Zone, if any of

the following conditions exist after December 20, the State, after

consultation with the Service, will close the season by emergency order

with 48 hours notice:

1. 10 consecutive days of snow cover, 3 inches or more in depth.

2. 10 consecutive days of daily high temperatures less than 20

degrees F.

3. Average body weights of adult female geese less than 3,200

grams as measured from a weekly sample of a minimum of 50 geese.

4. Starvation or a major disease outbreak resulting in observed

mortality exceeding 5,000 birds in 10 days, or a total mortality

exceeding 10,000 birds.

In the remainder of the South Goose Zone, the season may extend for

89 days or until both the Southern Illinois and Rend Lake Quota Zones

have been closed, whichever occurs first.

Indiana: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be

limited to 98,000 birds.

(a) Posey County - The season for Canada geese will close after

65 days or when 7,200 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs

first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(b) Remainder of the State - The season for Canada geese may

extend for 70 days in the respective duck-hunting zones, except in

the SJBP Zone, where the season may not exceed 35 days. The daily

bag limit is 3 Canada geese, except in the SJBP Zone, where the

daily bag limit is 2.

Iowa: The season may extend for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2

Canada geese.

Kentucky:

(a) Western Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 65

days (80 days in Fulton County), and the harvest will be limited to

34,500 birds. Of the 34,500-bird quota, 22,425 birds will be allocated

to the Ballard Reporting Area and 6,555 birds will be allocated to the

Henderson/Union Reporting Area. If the quota in either reporting area

is reached prior to completion of the 65-day season, the season in that

reporting area will be closed. If this occurs, the season in those

counties and portions of counties outside of, but associated with, the

respective subzone (listed in State regulations) may continue for an

additional 7 days, not to exceed a total of 65 days (80 days in Fulton

County). The season in Fulton County may extend to February 15. The

daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.

(b) Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone - The season may extend for 35 days.

The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(c) Remainder of the State - The season may extend for 50 days. The

daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Louisiana: The season for Canada geese may extend for 9 days.

During the season, the daily bag limit for Canada and white-fronted

geese is 2, no more than 1 of which may be a Canada goose. Hunters

participating in the Canada goose season must possess a special permit

issued by the State.

Michigan: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be

limited to 99,500 birds.

(a) North Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is

September 23 and the season for Canada geese may extend for 40 days.

The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(b) Middle Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 40

days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(c) South Zone

(1) Allegan County GMU - The season for Canada geese will close

after 51 days or when 2,500 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs

first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(2) Muskegon Wastewater GMU - The season for Canada geese will

close after 54 days or when 700 birds have been harvested, whichever

occurs first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(3) Saginaw County GMU - The season for Canada geese will close

after 51 days or when 2,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs

first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(4) Tuscola/Huron GMU - The season for Canada geese will close

after 51 days or when 750 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs

first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(5) Remainder of South Zone -

(i) East of U.S. Highway 27/127 - The season for Canada geese

may extend for 30 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(ii) West of U.S. Highway 27/127 - The Season for Canada geese

may extend for 40 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose during

the first 30 days, and 2 Canada geese during the remaining 10 days,

which may begin no earlier than November 23.

(d) Southern Michigan GMU - An experimental special Canada goose

season may be held between January 6 and February 4. The daily bag

limit is 2 Canada geese.

Minnesota:

(a) West Zone

(1) West Central Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for

30 days. In the Lac Qui Parle Zone, the season will close after 30 days

or when 16,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first.

Throughout the West Central Zone, the daily bag limit is 1 Canada

goose.

(2) Remainder of West Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend

for 40 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(b) Northwest Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 40

days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(c) Southeast Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 70

days, except in the Twin Cities Metro Zone and Olmsted County, where

the season may not exceed 80 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada

geese.

(d) Remainder of the State - The season for Canada geese may extend

for 50 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(e) Fergus Falls/Alexandria Zone - An experimental special Canada

goose season of up to 10 days may be held in December. During the

special season, the daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Mississippi: The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days.

The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.

Missouri:

(a) Swan Lake Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after

40 days or when 5,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs

first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(b) Schell-Osage Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for

40 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(c) Central Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 70

days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. An experimental special

season of up to

[[Page 44473]]

10 consecutive days prior to October 15 may be selected in addition to

the regular season. During the special season, the daily bag limit is 3

Canada geese.

(d) Remainder of the State - The season for Canada geese may extend

for 70 days in the respective duck-hunting zones. The daily bag limit

is 2 Canada geese.

Ohio: The season may extend for 70 days in the respective duck-

hunting zones, with a daily bag limit of 2 Canada geese, except in the

Lake Erie SJBP Zone, where the season may not exceed 30 days and the

daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose. In the Pymatuming Reservoir Area,

the seasons, limits, and shooting hours for all geese shall be the same

as those selected in the adjacent portion of Pennsylvania.

Tennessee:

(a) Northwest Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after

76 days or when 12,900 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs

first. The season may extend to February 15. All geese harvested must

be tagged. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.

(b) Southwest Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 61

days, and the harvest will be limited to 1,500 birds. The daily bag

limit is 2 Canada geese.

(c) Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone - The season for Canada geese will

close after 50 days or when 1,800 birds have been harvested, whichever

occurs first. All geese harvested must be tagged. The daily bag limit

is 2 Canada geese.

(d) Remainder of the State - The season for Canada geese may extend

for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Wisconsin: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be

limited to 118,400 birds.

(a) Horicon Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is

September 23. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 71,700 birds.

The season may not exceed 80 days. All Canada geese harvested must be

tagged. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese and the season limit will

be the number of tags issued to each permittee.

(b) Collins Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is

September 23. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 1,900 birds.

The season may not exceed 65 days. All Canada geese harvested must be

tagged. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese and the season limit will

be the number of tags issued to each permittee.

(c) Exterior Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is

September 23. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 40,300 birds,

with 500 birds allocated to the Mississippi River Subzone. The season

may not exceed 86 days and the daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. In

that portion of the Exterior Zone outside the Mississippi River

Subzone, the progress of the harvest must be monitored, and the season

closed, if necessary, to ensure that the harvest does not exceed 39,800

birds.

Additional Limits: In addition to the harvest limits stated for the

respective zones above, an additional 4,500 Canada geese may be taken

in the Horicon Zone under special agricultural permits.

Quota Zone Closures: When it has been determined that the quota of

Canada geese allotted to the Northern Illinois, Central Illinois,

Southern Illinois, and Rend Lake Quota Zones in Illinois, Posey County

in Indiana, the Ballard and Henderson-Union Subzones in Kentucky, the

Allegan County, Muskegon Wastewater, Saginaw County, and Tuscola/Huron

Goose Management Units in Michigan, the Lac Qui Parle Zone in

Minnesota, the Swan Lake Zone in Missouri, the Northwest and Kentucky/

Barkley Lakes Zones in Tennessee, and the Exterior Zone in Wisconsin

will have been filled, the season for taking Canada geese in the

respective zone (and associated area, if applicable) will be closed by

either the Director upon giving public notice through local information

media at least 48 hours in advance of the time and date of closing, or

by the State through State regulations with such notice and time (not

less than 48 hours) as they deem necessary.

Central Flyway

The 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).

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

Outside Dates: Between September 30 through January 21.

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits:

(1) High Plains Mallard Management Unit (roughly defined as that

portion of the Central Flyway which lies west of the 100th meridian):

83 days and a daily bag limit of 5 ducks, including no more than 1

female mallard, 1 mottled duck, 1 pintail, 1 redhead, 1 canvasback and

2 wood ducks. The last 23 days may start no earlier than the Saturday

nearest December 10 (December 9).

(2) Remainder of the Central Flyway: 60 days and a daily bag limit

of 5 ducks, including no more than 1 female mallard, 1 mottled duck, 1

pintail, 1 redhead, 1 canvasback, and 2 wood ducks.

Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit of 5 mergansers may be taken,

only 1 of which may be a hooded merganser.

Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.

Zoning and Split Seasons: Montana, Nebraska (Low Plains portion),

New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains portion), and South Dakota (Low Plains

portion) may select hunting seasons by zones.

In Montana, Nebraska (Low and High Plains portions), New Mexico,

North Dakota (Low Plains portion), Oklahoma (Low and High Plains

portions), South Dakota (High Plains portion), and Texas (Low Plains

portion), the season may be split into two segments.

In Colorado, Kansas (Low and High Plains portions), North Dakota

(High Plains portion), and Wyoming, the season may be split into three

segments.

Geese

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select

seasons not to exceed 107 days; except for dark geese, which may not

exceed 86 days in Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South

Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas. For dark geese, outside

dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest October

1 (September 30) and January 31, except in the Western Goose Zone of

Texas, where the closing date is the Sunday nearest February 15

(February 18). For light geese, outside dates for seasons may be

selected between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) and the

Sunday nearest February 15 (February 18), except in Colorado, Kansas,

Nebraska (south of I-80, except for Adams, Clay, Fillmore, Franklin,

Gosper, Hall, Hamilton, Harland, Kearney, Nuckolls, Phelps, Saline,

Seward, Thayer, and York Counties) New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, and

Wyoming (south of I-80) where the closing date is March 10. Seasons may

be split into two segments.

Daily bag limits in States in goose management zones within States,

may be as follows:

Colorado: The daily bag limit is 5 light and 5 dark geese,

including no more than 1 white-fronted and 4 Canada geese.

Kansas: The daily bag limit is 10 light and 2 dark geese, including

no more than 1 white-fronted goose.

Montana: The daily bag limit is 5 light and 5 dark geese, including

no more

[[Page 44474]]

than 1 white-fronted and 4 Canada geese.

Nebraska: The daily bag limit is 10 light and 2 dark geese,

including no more than 1 white-fronted goose.

New Mexico: For the Middle Rio Grande Valley Zone, the daily bag

limit is 10 light and 5 dark, including no more than 1 white-fronted

and 4 Canada geese.

For the remainder of the State, the daily bag limit is 5 light and

5 dark geese, including no more than 1 white-fronted and 4 Canada

geese.

North Dakota: The daily bag limit is 10 light and 2 dark geese.

Oklahoma: The daily bag limit is 10 light and 2 dark geese,

including no more than 1 white-fronted goose.

South Dakota: The daily bag limit is 10 light and 2 dark geese,

including no more than 1 white-fronted goose.

Texas: For the Western Goose zone, the daily bag limit is 5 light

and 5 dark geese, including no more than 1 white-fronted and 4 Canada

geese.

For the Eastern Goose Zone, the daily bag limit is 10 light and 2

dark geese, including no more than 1 white-fronted goose.

Wyoming: The daily bag limit is 5 light and 5 dark, with no more

than 1 white-fronted and 4 Canada geese.

Pacific Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, and Common Moorhens

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: Concurrent 93 days and daily bag

limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 1 female mallard, 2 pintails,

2 redheads and 1 canvasback.

In the Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit, the seasons may be

an additional 7 days. The season on coots and common moorhens may be

between the outside dates for the season on ducks, but not to exceed 93

days.

Coot and Common Moorhen Limits: The daily bag and possession limits

of coots and common moorhens are 25, singly or in the aggregate.

Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September

30) and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 21).

Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,

Oregon, Utah, and Washington may select hunting seasons by zones.

Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington

may split their seasons into two segments either Statewide or in each

zone.

Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming may split their duck

seasons into three segments.

Colorado River Zone, California: Seasons and limits shall be the

same as seasons and limits selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona

(South Zone).

Geese

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Except as subsequently

noted, 100-day seasons may be selected, with outside dates between the

Saturday nearest October 1 (October 1), and the Sunday nearest January

20 (January 21), and the basic daily bag limits are 3 light geese and 3

dark geese.

Brant Season - A 16-consecutive-day season may be selected in

Oregon and Washington, and a 30-consecutive day season may be selected

in California. In only California, Oregon, and Washington, the daily

bag limit is 2 brant and is additional to dark goose limits, and the

open season on brant in those States may differ from that for other

geese.

Closures: There will be no open season on Aleutian Canada geese in

the Pacific Flyway. The States of California, Oregon, and Washington

must include a statement on the closure for that subspecies in their

respective regulations leaflet. Emergency closures may be invoked for

all Canada geese should Aleutian Canada goose distribution patterns or

other circumstances justify such actions.

Arizona: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2 geese.

California:

Northeastern Zone - White-fronted geese and cackling Canada geese

may be taken only during the first 23 days of the goose season. The

daily bag limit is 3 geese and may include no more than 2 dark geese;

including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.

Colorado River Zone - The seasons and limits must be the same as

those selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona (South Zone).

Southern Zone - The daily bag and possession limits for dark geese

is 2 geese, including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.

Balance-of-the-State Zone - A 79-day season may be selected, except

that white-fronted geese and cackling Canada geese may be taken during

only the first 65 days of such season. Limits may not include more than

3 geese per day and in possession, of which not more than 1 may be a

dark goose. The dark goose limits may be expanded to 2, provided that

they are Canada geese other than cackling Canada geese for which the

daily limit is 1.

Three areas in the Balance-of-the-State Zone are restricted in the

hunting of certain geese:

(1) In the Counties of Del Norte and Humboldt, there will be no

open season for Canada geese.

(2) In the Sacramento Valley Area, the season on white-fronted

geese must end on or before December 14, and, except in the Western

Canada Goose Hunt Area, there will be no open season for Canada geese.

(3) In the San Joaquin Valley Area, the hunting season for Canada

geese will close no later than November 23.

Colorado: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2 geese.

Idaho:

Northern Unit - The daily bag limit is 4 geese, including 4 dark

geese, but not more than 3 light geese.

Southwest Unit and Southeastern Unit - The daily bag limit on dark

geese is 4.

Montana:

West of Divide Zone and East of Divide Zone - The daily bag limit

on dark geese is 4.

Nevada:

Clark County Zone - The daily bag limit of dark geese is 2 geese.

New Mexico: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2 geese.

Oregon: Except as subsequently noted, the dark goose limit is 4,

including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.

Harney, Lake, Klamath, and Malheur Counties Zone - The season

length may be 100 days. The dark goose limit is 4, including not more

than 2 white-fronted geese and cackling Canada goose.

Western Zone - In the Special Canada Goose Management Area, except

for designated areas, there shall be no open season on Canada geese. In

the designated areas, individual quotas shall be established which

collectively shall not exceed 210 dusky Canada geese. See section on

quota zones. In those designated areas, the daily bag limit of dark

geese is 3, including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.

Utah: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2 geese.

Washington: The daily bag limit is 4 geese, including 4 dark geese

but not more than 3 light geese.

West Zone - In the Lower Columbia River Special Goose Management

Area, except for designated areas, there shall be no open season on

Canada geese. In the designated areas, individual quotas shall be

established which collectively shall not exceed 90 dusky Canada geese.

See section on quota zones.

Wyoming: The daily bag limit is 4 dark geese. In Lincoln,

Sweetwater, and Sublette Counties, the combined special September

Canada goose seasons and the regular goose season shall not exceed 100

days.

[[Page 44475]]

Quota Zones: Seasons on Canada geese must end upon attainment of

individual quotas of dusky Canada geese allotted to the designated

areas of Oregon and Washington. The September Canada goose season, the

regular goose season, any special late Canada goose season, and any

extended falconry season, combined, must not exceed 107 days and the

established quota of dusky Canada geese must not be exceeded. Hunting

of Canada geese in those designated areas shall only be by hunters

possessing a State-issued permit authorizing them to do so. In a

Service-approved investigation, the State must obtain quantitative

information on hunter compliance of those regulations aimed at reducing

the take of dusky Canada geese and eliminating the take of Aleutian

Canada geese. The daily bag limit of Canada geese may not include more

than 1 cackling Canada goose.

In the designated areas of the Washington Quota Zone, a special

late Canada goose may be held between February 5 and March 10. The

daily bag limit may not include either Aleutian or cackling Canada

geese.

Swans

In designated areas of Utah, Nevada, and the Pacific Flyway portion

of Montana, an open season for taking a limited number of swans may be

selected. Permits will be issued by States and will authorize each

permittee to take no more than 1 swan per season. The season may open

no earlier than the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30). The

States must implement a harvest-monitoring program to measure the

species composition of the swan harvest. In Utah and Nevada, the

harvest-monitoring program must include physical examination of all

harvested swans by State or Federal biologists. All States should use

appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance in providing bagged

swans for examination or, in the case of Montana, reporting bill-

measurement and color information. All States must provide to the

Service by June 30, 1996, a report covering harvest, hunter

participation, reporting compliance, and monitoring of swan populations

in the designated hunt areas. These seasons will be subject to the

following conditions:

In Utah, no more than 2,750 permits may be issued. The season must

end no later than the first Sunday in December (December 3) or upon

attainment of 15 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs

earliest.

In Nevada, no more than 650 permits may be issued. The season must

end no later than the Sunday following January 1 (January 7) or upon

attainment of 5 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs

earliest.

In Montana, no more than 500 permits may be issued. The season must

end no later than December 1.

Tundra Swans

In Central Flyway portion of Montana, and in New Jersey, North

Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Virginia, an open season for

taking a limited number of tundra swans may be selected. Permits will

be issued by the States and will authorize each permittee to take no

more than 1 tundra swan per season. The States must obtain harvest and

hunter participation data. These seasons will be subject to the

following conditions:

In the Atlantic Flyway

--The season will be experimental.

--The season may be 90 days, must occur during the light goose

season, but may not extend beyond January 31.

--In New Jersey, no more than 200 permits may be issued.

--In North Carolina, no more than 6,000 permits may be issued.

--In Virginia, no more than 600 permits may be issued.

In the Central Flyway

--The season may be 107 days and must occur during the light goose

season.

--In the Central-Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 500

permits may be issued.

--In North Dakota, no more than 2,000 permits may be issued.

--In South Dakota, no more than 1,500 permits may be issued.

In the Pacific Flyway

--Except as subsequently noted, a 100-day season may be selected

between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 1), and the Sunday

nearest January 20 (January 21). Seasons may be split into 2 segments.

The States of Montana, Nevada, and Utah must implement a harvest-

monitoring program to measure the extent of accidental harvest of

trumpeter swans.

--In Utah, no more than 2,500 permits may be issued. The season

must end on or before December 15.

--In Nevada, no more than 650 permits may be issued.

--In the Pacific-Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 500

permits may be issued.

Area, Unit and Zone Descriptions

Geese

Atlantic Flyway

Georgia

A Special Season for Canada Geese: Statewide.

New Jersey

Special Area for Canada Geese:

Northeast - that portion of the State 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 Route 287; then west along Route 287 to its intersection with

Route 206 in Bedminster (Exit 18); then north along Route 206 to its

intersection with the Pennsylvania State boundary; then north along the

Pennsylvania boundary in the Delaware River to its intersection with

the New York State boundary.

Northwest - that portion of the State within a continuous line that

runs east from the Pennsylvania State boundary at the toll bridge in

Columbia to Route 94; then north along Route 94 to Route 206; then

north along Route 206 to the Pennsylvania State boundary in the

Delaware River; then south along the Pennsylvania State boundary int he

Delaware River to the beginning point. Hereafter this proposed

expansion of the hunt area will be refereed to as the northwestern

area.

Southeast - that portion of the State within a continuous line that

runs east from the Atlantic Ocean at Ship Bottom along Route 72 to the

Garden State Parkway; then south along the Garden State Parkway to

Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route 542; then west along Route

542 to the Mullica River; then north (upstream) on the Mullica River to

Route 206; then south on Route 206 to Route 536; then west on route 536

to Route 55; then south on Route 55 to Route 40; then east on Route 50

to Route 557; then south on Route 557 to Route 666; then south on Route

666 to Route 49; then east on Route 49 to route 50; then south on Route

50 to Route 631; then east on Route 631 to Route 623; then east on

Route 623 to the Atlantic Ocean; then north to the beginning point.

New York

Special Area for Canada Geese: Westchester County and portions of

Nassau, Putnam and Rockland Counties. See State regulations for

detailed description.

South Carolina

Canada Goose Area: The Central Piedmont, Western Piedmont, and

Mountain Hunt Units. These designated areas include: Counties of

Abbeville, Anderson, Berkeley (south of Highway 45 and east of State

Road 831), Cherokee, Chester, Dorchester, Edgefield, Fairfield,

Greenville, Greenwood, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lee, Lexington,

McCormick,

[[Page 44476]]

Newberry, Oconee, Orangebird (south of Highway 6), Pickens, Richland,

Saluda, Spartanburg, Sumten, Union, and York.

Swans

Pacific Flyway

Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)

Open Area: Cascade, Chouteau, Hill, Liberty, and Toole Counties and

those portions of Pondera and Teton Counties lying east of U.S. 287-89.

Utah

Open Area: Those portions of Box Elder, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake,

and Toole counties lying south of State Hwy 30, I-80/84, west of I-15,

and north of I-80.

[FR Doc. 95-21316 Filed 8-25-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-55-F