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

SUMMARY: This rule prescribes final late-season frameworks from which

States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 1996-

97 migratory bird hunting season. These late seasons include most

waterfowl seasons, the earliest of which generally commence on or about

October 1, 1996. The effects of this final rule are to facilitate the

selection of hunting seasons by the States to further the annual

establishment of the late-season migratory bird hunting regulations.

State selections will be published in the Federal Register as

amendments to Secs. 20.104 through 20.107 and Sec. 20.109 of title 50

CFR part 20.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 26, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Season selections from States are to 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 are 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 1996

On March 22, 1996, the Service published in the Federal Register

(61 FR 11992) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal dealt

with the establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for

migratory game birds under Secs. 20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and

20.110 of subpart K. On June 13, 1996, the Service published in the

Federal Register (61 FR 30114) a second document providing supplemental

proposals for early- and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations

frameworks. The June 13 supplement also provided detailed information

on the 1996-97 regulatory schedule and announced the Service Migratory

Bird Regulations Committee and Flyway Council meetings. On June 14,

1996, the Service published in the Federal Register (61 FR 30490) a

third document describing the Service's proposed 1996-97 regulatory

alternatives for duck hunting and its intent to consider establishing a

special youth waterfowl hunting day.

On June 27, 1996, the Service held a public hearing in Washington,

DC, as announced in the March 22 and June 14 Federal Registers, to

review the status of migratory shore and upland game birds. The Service

discussed hunting regulations for these species and for other early

seasons. On July 22, 1996, the Service published in the Federal

Register (61 FR 37994) a fourth document specifically dealing with

proposed early-season frameworks for the 1996-97 season. This document

also extended the public comment period to August 1, 1996, for early-

season proposals. This rulemaking establishes final frameworks for

early-season migratory bird hunting regulations for the 1996-97 season.

On August 2, 1996, a public hearing was held in Washington, DC, as

announced in the March 22, June 14, and July 22 Federal Registers, to

review the status of waterfowl. Proposed hunting regulations were

discussed for these late seasons. On August 15, 1996, (61 FR 42506),

the Service published a fifth and sixth document on migratory bird

hunting. The fifth document dealt specifically with proposed frameworks

for the 1996-97 late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. The

sixth document proposed establishing a youth waterfowl hunting day for

the 1996-97 duck-hunting season. On August 29, 1996, the Service

published a seventh document containing final frameworks for early

migratory bird hunting seasons from which wildlife conservation agency

officials from the States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands selected

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

On August 30, 1996, the Service published in the Federal Register

(61 FR 45836) an eighth document consisting of a final rule amending

subpart K of title 50 CFR part 20 to set hunting seasons, hours, areas,

and limits for early seasons. This document, which establishes final

frameworks for late-season migratory bird hunting regulations for the

1996-97 season, is the ninth in the series.

Review of Comments and the Service's Response

Public-hearing and written comments received through September 6,

1996, relating to proposed late-season frameworks, are discussed and

addressed here. Two individuals presented statements at the August 2,

1996, public hearing. They were: Joe Kramer, representing the Central

Flyway Council and Bruce Barbour, representing National Audubon

Society. The Service received 28 written comments that specifically

addressed late-season issues. These late-season comments are summarized

and discussed in the subject order used in the March 22, 1996, Federal

Register. Only the numbered items pertaining to late seasons for which

comments were received are included. Flyway Council recommendations

shown below include only those involving changes from the 1995-96 late-

season frameworks. For those topics where a Council recommendation is

not shown, the Council supported continuing the same frameworks as in

1995-96.

General

Written Comments: The Humane Society of the United States (Humane

Society) expressed concern that the public was not well represented in

the regulations-development process and requested establishment of a

system directly involving the non-hunting public. In addition, they

recommended that the Service undertake efforts to obtain population

estimates for all hunted species. Finally, they recommended pre-sunrise

shooting be disallowed.

Service Response: When the preliminary proposed rulemaking document

was published in the Federal Register on March 22, 1996, the Service

announced the comment periods for the early-season and late-season

proposals and gave notice that the process of promulgating hunting

regulations ``must, by its nature, operate under time constraints.''

Ample time must be given to gather and interpret survey data, consider

recommendations and develop proposals, and to receive public comment.

Scheduled dates are set to give the greatest possible opportunity for

public input. The Service is obligated to, and does, give serious

consideration to all information received as public comment. The

Service has long recognized the problems associated with the length of

time necessary to establish the final frameworks, and in conjunction

with States, Flyway Councils, and the public, continues to seek new

ways to streamline and improve the regulatory process.

Regarding the Service's efforts to obtain population estimates, the

long-term objectives of the Service include providing opportunities to

harvest

[[Page 50663]]

portions of certain migratory game bird populations and to limit

harvests to levels compatible with each population's ability to

maintain healthy, viable numbers. Annually, the Service evaluates the

status of populations and considers the potential impacts of hunting.

The Service believes that the hunting seasons provided herein are

consistent with the current status of waterfowl populations and long-

term population goals.

In regard to shooting hours, the Service has compiled information

which demonstrates that shooting hours beginning one-half hour before

sunrise do not contribute significantly to the harvest of nontarget

species. Consistent with the Service's long-term strategy for shooting

hours, published in the September 21, 1990, Federal Register (55 FR

388898), the frameworks herein provide for shooting hours of one-half

hour before sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise specified.

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, (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

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council, the Upper-

Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council, the

Central Flyway Council, and the Pacific Flyway Council recommended

adopting the ``liberal'' alternative for the 1996-97 duck hunting

season.

The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council recommended some specific modifications to the ``liberal''

alternative. These modifications are detailed in B. Framework Dates, C.

Season Length, and E. Bag Limits.

Written Comments: Senator John Breaux of Louisiana asked for

consideration of the Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the

Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation.

Senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott of Mississippi, John Breaux

and Bennett Johnston of Louisiana, and Richard Shelby of Alabama,

supported the recommendations of the Lower-Region Regulations Committee

of the Mississippi Flyway Council.

The Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) supported the Service's

proposed frameworks for late-season hunting regulations. WMI supported

adaptive harvest management (AHM) and believed that recent attempts by

some States to circumvent the established regulatory process threatens

the future of AHM as a useful process.

The National Wildlife Federation concurred with the Service's

proposal to generally maintain harvest levels similar to last year,

with some areas slightly increased.

Service Response: Beginning in 1995, the Service, Flyway Councils,

and States introduced a new approach to the regulation of duck

harvests, called Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM). An integral part of

this harvest-management approach is the cooperative establishment of a

set of regulatory alternatives that includes specified season lengths

and bag limits for restrictive, moderate, and liberal seasons. The

alternatives established for this year's hunting season are similar to

those of the 1995 season and are the result of extensive discussions

with the Flyway Councils and States since last January, as well as

involvement by the public during an open comment period.

The estimate of total ducks this year is 16 percent higher than the

long-term average and several species are at record levels. The outlook

for production is excellent and the 1996 fall flight will be comparable

to those observed during the 1970s. Based on favorable input, the

Service seeks to continue use of the AHM approach initiated last year.

The AHM strategy for 1996 prescribes the liberal regulatory alternative

based on high mallard and pond numbers.

The frameworks recommended by the Lower-Region Regulations

Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council differed from those in the

``liberal'' alternative established earlier this year. The Service's

proposal is consistent with the ``liberal'' alternative outlined in the

July 22 Federal Register and was supported by the other three Flyway

Councils as well as the Mississippi Flyway Council's Upper-Region

Regulations Committee.

The Service recognizes the need to address the issue of harvest

opportunity for species other than mallards that may be at or above

objective population levels. Consequently, as part of the continuing

development of AHM, the Service and Flyway Councils will soon begin a

comprehensive review of regulatory alternatives, including all aspects

of duck hunting regulations, in preparation for the 1997-98 hunting

season.

Additionally, in the July 22, 1996, Federal Register, the Service

reported that all four Flyways continued to express support for the AHM

approach, but that the Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils had

recommended some specific modifications to the harvest-management

objective (objective function). The Service and Flyway Councils have

examined the role of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan

(NAWMP) in harvest management and have explored a range of possible

objectives designed to balance harvest and population goals. The

Service emphasizes that population goals are not necessary for ensuring

resource persistence if the basic objective is one of maximizing long-

term cumulative harvest. In this sense, the NAWMP is neither a system

for regulating harvest nor a substitute for Flyway management. However,

NAWMP goals do provide a means to reflect non-harvest conservation

values, an ecosystem context for management, and a potential vehicle

for future integration of harvest and habitat management.

Based on recommendations from the Flyway Councils, the Service has

decided to adopt a harvest-management objective that implements a

proportional decrease in harvest value when the mallard population is

expected to recede from the NAWMP goal. This change in harvest-

management objective results in a somewhat more liberal harvest

strategy than that used in 1995, all other things being equal. However,

the Service notes that: (1) a proportional decrease in harvest value

provides a reasonable balance of harvest and population goals, while

still calling for very restrictive seasons with low pond and mallard

numbers; and (2) the frequency of regulatory changes and potential for

closed seasons are expected to be lower when compared with the

objective function from 1995.

B. Framework Dates

Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of

the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended fixed September 28 and

January 23 framework dates.

Written Comments: Senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott of

Mississippi recommended an experimental January 31 framework closing

date for Mississippi.

The Delta Outfitters Association of Mississippi and the Delta

Wildlife Foundation of Mississippi requested a January 31 framework

closing date for Mississippi, citing scientific benefits, habitat

incentives, equal hunting opportunities, and additional economic income

for Mississippi.

An individual from Texas recommended extending the season through

the second week of February.

[[Page 50664]]

The Humane Society recommended that all seasons open at noon on

Wednesdays in order to reduce the high level of harvest associated with

traditional Saturday season openings. Furthermore, the Humane Society

recommended that season openings be delayed by two weeks in all

breeding areas in order to allow ducks time to leave natal marshes

before being subjected to hunting pressure.

Service Response: Regarding the Mississippi Flyway Council's Lower-

Region Regulations Committee recommendation of fixed framework dates,

the Service responded last year in the September 27, 1995, Federal

Register (60 FR 50042) that 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, it returned to the traditional procedure using fixed

calendar dates for the Atlantic Flyway and floating dates for the

Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways. All floating dates would be

oriented to the October 1 - January 20 period. Further, the Service

reiterated its previously-stated policy to retain the option of using

framework dates as a harvest-management tool. Traditionally, 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. In recent

years, the Service has established fixed calendar dates of October 1 -

January 20 for all Flyways. The fixed calendar 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 for the Atlantic Flyway and the floating

dates for the Central and Pacific Flyways.

Regarding the requests for a January 31 framework closing date in

Mississippi, we reiterate our long-standing concerns that hunting

disturbance in late winter may interfere with pair bonding and inhibit

nutrient acquisition and storage with subsequent impacts to

reproductive potential. However, we continue to support investigations

by the AHM technical working group to assess the suitability of all

aspects of the current regulatory alternatives, including framework

dates. Before the Service can consider changes to the timing of the

framework closing date, additional information to alleviate these

concerns is necessary.

Regarding the Humane Society's recommendation for Wednesday season

openings, the Service has previously stated in the Federal Register (58

FR 50190) that a State may choose to delay its opening date to

correspond with a particular day of the week or to close earlier to

maximize the number of weekends that hunting is allowed.

C. Season Length

Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of

the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a 53-day season.

Written Comments: Congressman Jimmy Hayes of Louisiana requested

the Service grant the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries'

request to extend the season by 3 days.

Service Response: The Service responded in the July 22, 1996,

Federal Register that it believes that any modifications to season

length under the three regulatory alternatives must be approached

carefully, with due consideration to differences among Flyways. Current

differences in season length among the Flyways are predicated on

historic (ca. 1950) patterns of duck abundance and hunter activity,

with longer seasons available to Flyways with relatively more ducks and

fewer hunters. Further, the Service believes that a thorough review of

Flyway differences in season lengths is needed and is seeking technical

guidance from the Flyway Councils, the AHM technical working group, and

others. Current differences in hunter activity and duck abundance, as

well as the origin and status of duck stocks contributing to each

Flyway, should be investigated using recent data and current analytical

techniques. Until such analyses are conducted, the Service is concerned

that changes in season lengths contained in the regulatory alternatives

could alter the allocation of harvest in unpredictable, undesirable or

inappropriate ways. Therefore, the Service prefers to approach all

proposed changes to season length, regardless of the number of days

involved, in a systematic and comprehensive manner.

E. Bag Limits

Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of

the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a 6-duck daily bag limit,

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

hen), 4 mottled ducks, 4 scaup, 4 ringnecks, 4 goldeneyes, 4

buffleheads, 2 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, and 1

black duck.

Written Comments: Senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott of

Mississippi recommended an experimental 6-bird daily bag limit for

Mississippi.

The Delta Outfitters Association of Mississippi and the Delta

Wildlife Foundation of Mississippi requested a 6-bird daily bag limit

for Mississippi.

An individual from Texas recommended a 5-bird daily bag limit,

including at least 2 pintails and 2 redheads. Another individual from

Texas recommended a 5-bird daily bag limit, including 2 to 3 pintails.

Service Response: The Service responded in the July 22, 1996,

Federal Register that it cannot support the proposal of the Lower-

Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council to

increase the overall bag limit in the ``liberal'' alternative from 5 to

6 in order to provide additional hunting opportunity on several

abundant species. The Service believes that major changes to the

regulatory alternatives should be addressed in a deliberate and

comprehensive manner. Historic efforts at species-specific management

have been predicated largely on the assumptions that: (a) mallard

harvest rates can be used as a standard by which to judge the

appropriateness of harvest rates for other species; (b) target stocks

of ducks can be isolated in time or space, or that hunters can shoot

selectively; and (c) that management costs are largely fixed, whether

managing one stock or many. Recent information has led the Service to

question the validity of these assumptions. The Service believes that a

number of issues must be addressed prior to major reforms in species-

specific harvest strategies: (1) how much must species or populations

differ in terms of their population dynamics to warrant differential

harvest regulations? (2) what are the relative costs and benefits of

managing individual duck stocks? (3) what is the ability of hunters to

harvest selectively? and (4) do hunters prefer the maximum hunting

opportunity afforded by complex regulations or simpler hunting

regulations that offer less hunting opportunity? The Service awaits

further guidance from the Councils and the AHM technical working group

before considering significant changes to species-specific bag limits.

F. Zones and Split Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended

that the Service implement the proposed changes to guidelines for the

use of zones and split seasons, and determine if States could be

allowed to

[[Page 50665]]

have 3 zones, with split seasons in each, where the numbers of hunters

and ducks harvested in one or more zones would be very small.

The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council recommended an additional option of 3 zones and 2-way splits be

provided as a regular option to all States in 1997.

Written Comments: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the

Ohio Division of Wildlife, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural

Resources requested the Service add the option of 3 zones and 2-way

splits in one or more zones to the 1996-2000 zones and splits

guidelines. Collectively, they believe that delay in the consideration

of this recommendation until the next open period in 2001 is

unreasonable and further request that States would have up to 1 year to

select this option (prior to the 1997 season).

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (Wyoming) appreciated the

proposed approval of their zone/split configuration for the 1996-2000

period. However, they recommended the Service establish more detailed

requirements on the minimum acceptable zone width for use during the

next open season. Wyoming believed that guidelines should be

sufficiently clear to prevent unintended interpretations and explicit

regarding their intent. Finally, Wyoming believed that States with

diverse, non-contiguous physiography should be allowed exceptions to

the existing guidelines.

An individual from Wyoming requested the Service's guidelines allow

non-contiguous zones. One individual from Indiana desired for a fourth

zone in Indiana while another requested consideration for allowing

changes to Indiana's zone boundaries. An individual from Maine

recommended the Service consider Maine's proposal to change zone

boundaries and create an additional zone citing the loss of late season

hunting opportunities due to cold weather.

The Humane Society urges the Service to discontinue all split and

special seasons and recommends that any State establishing such seasons

reduce the total number of hunting days by a minimum of 10 days.

Service Response: For the 1996 open season, the Service provided

final guidelines on the use of zones and split seasons for the 1996-

2000 period in the July 22, 1996, Federal Register. As we previously

stated, the Service established these guidelines in 1990 (Federal

Register, 55 FR 38901) following extensive review and endorsement of

the Flyway Councils and Technical Sections. The primary purpose of the

guidelines was to provide a framework for controlling the proliferation

of changes in zone and split options, which compromise our ability to

measure impacts of various regulatory changes on harvest. The

guidelines were not developed preferentially according to the

geographic size of any State, but rather, were administered equally to

all States. We continue to believe that the guidelines must be applied

fairly and consistently to all States in order to prevent further

proliferations in zone/split configurations and that current guidelines

offer States sufficient flexibility to address unique differences in

physiograpy, climate, and biology. However, we will work with the

Flyway Councils to cooperatively review these guidelines, as well as

those concerns identified above, prior to the next scheduled open

season in 2001.

With respect to Wyoming's recommendation for increased levels of

detail in existing guidelines, we believe the guidelines should only be

as detailed as necessary to achieve the desired intent, while allowing

as much flexibility as possible in selecting a zone/split

configuration.

In regard to the recommendation that split and special seasons be

discontinued, the Service notes that States always have the option of

selecting a continuous season with no splits. Furthermore, the Service

is not aware of any information that split seasons are causing

detrimental impacts to populations.

G. Special Seasons/Species Management

Written Comments: WMI believes the Service must aggressively

develop processes for management of harvest programs for species that

do not easily fall under the existing scientific base for AHM.

Service Response: The Service is committed to working with the

Flyway Councils and States to address those species that may not be

managed optimally with the existing AHM framework. However, the Service

believes that species-specific harvest strategies should be developed

in a deliberate and comprehensive manner, and that a number of issues

must be addressed prior to major changes. These issues were described

in the July 22, 1996, Federal Register (61 FR 37999). The Service will

soon undertake a comprehensive review of species-specific harvest

management and will actively seek advice on appropriate approaches from

the Flyway Councils, States, and the public.

i. Black Ducks

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended

that the individual Atlantic Flyway States achieve a 40 percent

reduction in their black duck harvest during the 1996-97 season

compared with the 1977-81 base-line harvest.

Written Comments: An individual from Maine questioned the need for

black duck harvest reductions.

Service Response: The Service agrees with the Atlantic Flyway

Council's recommendation and acknowledges the Council's concern for the

population status of black ducks. Black duck populations remain below

the NAWMP goal and while the decline seems to have halted, little

increase is evident. The Service believes the harvest restrictions

identified in the 1983 Environmental Assessment should be maintained

until a revised harvest strategy is developed.

ii. Canvasbacks

Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of

the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a daily bag limit of 2

canvasbacks.

Written Comments: An individual from Washington recommended a daily

bag limit of 2 canvasbacks.

Service Response: The Service continues to support the canvasback

harvest strategy adopted in 1994. Current population and habitat status

suggests that a daily bag limit of 1 canvasback during the 1996-97

season will result in a harvest within levels allowed by the strategy.

The Service believes that it has insufficient experience with this

harvest strategy to consider modifications at this time, and is

concerned that an overly aggressive strategy could precipitate a return

to closed seasons. The Service will continue to monitor the performance

of the current strategy for canvasbacks.

4. Canada Geese

Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of

the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended several changes in Canada

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

management plans.

The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council recommended the Service allow 3-way splits for goose seasons.

The Council further recommended that 3-way split seasons for Canada

geese require both Council and Service

[[Page 50666]]

approval and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State.

The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council recommended a dark goose daily bag limit of 3 Canada geese, 2

white-fronted geese, and 2 brant.

The Central Flyway Council recommended a 4-bird dark goose

aggregate bag limit in the west-tier States, except for the Western

Goose Zone of Texas.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a closing framework date in

the NW Oregon Special Permit Zone of the Sunday closest to February 28.

During the extended period, hunting would occur one day per week. The

Council also recommended the morphological definition of a dusky Canada

goose be defined as dark-breasted (Munsell 10YR color value of 5 or

less) with a culmen measurement of 40 to 50 millimeters.

Written Comments: The NWF supported the general suspension of the

regular season on Canada geese in the Atlantic Flyway.

Service Response: The Service concurs with the above

recommendations regarding bag limits in the Mississippi and Central

Flyways and the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation for a framework

closing date of February 28 in the NW Oregon Special Permit Zone.

Further, the Service also concurs with the Upper-Region Regulations

Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation on 3-way

split seasons for Canada geese.

The Service concurs with the need for a uniform classification

procedure to determine the harvest of dusky Canada geese in the quota

zones in Washington and Oregon. The Service also agrees with the

criteria proposed by the Pacific Flyway Council for this purpose. The

Service would encourage the Pacific Flyway to continue to evaluate

these criteria to ensure that the harvest management objectives are

met.

C. Special Late Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended

new experimental late seasons for resident geese in Maryland, Rhode

Island, and Virginia, and additional days and area modifications for

existing seasons in Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York,

Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.

The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council recommended the special late season in the Fergus Falls/

Alexandria Goose Zone of Minnesota be made operational.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a daily bag and possession

limit of 2 and 4 cackling Canada geese, respectively, in the SW

Washington Special Goose Zone during the February 5 to March 10 late

season.

Written Comments: The NWF stressed the importance of setting

regulations that would increase the harvest of resident geese in the

Atlantic Flyway while decreasing or eliminating harvest on migrant

populations.

The Humane Society opposed the proposed late season Canada goose

hunts, citing that such hunts fail to target the goose populations

ostensibly responsible for conflicts with humans.

Service Response: The Service concurs with the Atlantic Flyway

Council's recommendations to expand seasons in those areas that meet

existing criteria. Several new seasons were initiated this year and

many others were expanded to increase harvest of resident birds in lieu

of the closed season on the migrant Atlantic Population. However, these

seasons are experimental and the Service encourages all States to

initiate or continue existing evaluations to assess the potential

impacts on the migratory population.

The Service also concurs with the Mississippi Flyway Council's

Upper-Region Regulations Committee recommendation on the special late

season in the Fergus Falls/Alexandria Goose Zone of Minnesota and the

Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation on cackling Canada geese in the

SW Washington Special Goose Zone.

Regarding the Humane Society's comment that such hunts fail to

target specific populations, we recognize the problems caused by

increasing populations of resident geese and the continuing concern for

the status of certain migratory flocks. However, as we stated

previously, we remain committed to targeting these special seasons at

locally-breeding and/or injurious Canada goose populations. The Service

and the Flyway Councils have cooperatively reviewed and structured

these special seasons to protect migratory flocks and target specific

locally-breeding populations. The Service does not wish to increase the

composition of migrants in the harvest beyond that which is currently

identified in the criteria for these seasons.

6. Brant

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a

30-day Atlantic brant season with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

Service Response: The Service concurs with the Atlantic Flyway

Council's recommendation to reduce the season length as prescribed in

the interim hunt plan.

7. Snow and Ross's Geese

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a

March 10 framework closing date with a daily bag and possession limit

of 8 and 24, respectively. The Council also recommended allowing the

season to be split into three segments.

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

Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a March 10 framework closing

date with a daily bag and possession limit of 10 and 30, respectively.

The Central Flyway Council recommended a March 10 framework closing

date, except for Federal and State lands in the Rainwater Basin

counties in Nebraska, with a daily bag and possession limit of 10 and

40, respectively.

Written Comments: The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (Nebraska)

recommended the closing framework for the 17 Rainwater Basin counties

in south-central Nebraska be extended from the Sunday nearest February

15 (February 16, 1997) to March 10, 1997, except for lands owned by the

Service and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Nebraska believed

this mixture of open and closed areas would provide adequate protection

for other species of migratory birds and not impact the public from

viewing concentrations of migratory birds.

In a second alternative proposal, Nebraska recommended the proposed

county boundary be changed to existing roads, highways, and the Platte

River. This change would provide a more identifiable boundary for

hunters and allow some areas to be included for study in that portion

of the Basin that will be hunted until March 10. The results of these

studies would allow more objective establishment of late-season snow

goose regulations in the future.

An individual from Wyoming requested a March 10 framework closing

date. An individual from Nebraska recommended a March 10 framework

closing date and inclusion of the Rainwater Basin counties in the snow

goose hunt area.

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 areas

[[Page 50667]]

that do not pose a threat to the management and welfare of other

migratory bird species during the spring migration and nesting period.

In this regard, the Service appreciates the comments from Nebraska;

however, we do not support the original proposal that would allow for a

mixture of open and closed areas in the Rainwater Basin counties for

snow goose hunting until March 10. The Service believes hunting could

result in disturbance to other migratory birds and alter natural

distributions of waterfowl. This important spring staging area provides

critical habitat for many species of migratory birds, and the impacts

of hunting have not been adequately studied. In addition, potential

impacts to eco-tourism, endangered species, and disease management have

not been adequately addressed.

The alternative proposal which more clearly delineates the

boundaries according to existing roads and highways, is generally

acceptable to the Service. However, the Service continues to have

concerns over late-season snow goose hunting along the Big Bend reach

of the Platte River. The proposed east and south boundaries would allow

hunting on some of the southern-most basins and on Harlan County

Reservoir. These additional hunting opportunities will allow for

studies to assess the impact of hunting on distributions of migratory

birds.

Therefore, the Service will allow light goose hunting in Nebraska

until March 10 except in the area bounded by: the intersection of the

Platte River and U.S. Highway (Hwy) 92 in Polk County, east on Hwy 92

to NE Hwy 15, south on Hwy 15 to NE Hwy 4, west on NE Hwy 4 to U.S. Hwy

34, west on U.S. Hwy 34 to U.S. Hwy 283, north on U.S. Hwy 283 to U.S.

Hwy 30, east on U.S. Hwy 30 to U.S. Hwy 281, south on U.S. Hwy 281 to

NE Hwy 34 & 2, east on NE Hwy 34 to the Platte River, and then north

and east along the Platte River to the beginning. In this area, the

closing date will be the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 16,

1997).

8. Swans

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended

that 5600 tundra swan permits be issued for the 1996-97 season. The

Council recommended that North Carolina receive 5,000 permits and

Virginia 600. The Council also recommended eliminating the requirement

that tundra swan seasons must be held during snow goose seasons.

Written Comments: The Humane Society requested that the Service

close all swan hunting seasons, citing that tundra swan seasons were

impeding, if not preventing, winter range expansion and recovery of

trumpeter swans.

Service Response: The Service concurs with the Atlantic Flyway

Council's recommendation to reduce the number of permits issued in the

Flyway to 5,600 and to eliminate the requirement that these seasons are

concurrent with the light goose season. The Service supports the

Flyway's effort to carefully monitor the harvest and status of the

Eastern Population of tundra swans and encourages the completion of the

revisions to the management plan.

In regards to the Humane Society's comment, we would refer to our

detailed response in the September 27, 1995, Federal Register (60 FR

50042) concerning the establishment of a general swan season. Enhancing

Rocky Mounting Population trumpeter swan range expansion while

retaining most aspects of tundra swan hunting were covered in detail in

our 1995 Environmental Assessment ``Proposal to Establish General Swan

Seasons in Parts of the Pacific Flyway for the 1995-99 Seasons''

(August 1995) which compares various alternative strategies for

reconciling conflicting swan management strategies. Copies are

available from the Service at the address indicated under the caption

ADDRESSES.

23. Other

Written Comments: The Concerned Coastal Sportsmen's Association, a

local organization in Massachusetts, requested compensatory days for

those States that prohibit Sunday hunting.

Service Response: The Service has previously stated its position on

this issue in the September 24, 1993, Federal Register (58 FR 50188),

but has recently agreed to work with the Atlantic Flyway Council to

review and clarify various technical and policy concerns. While this

assessment is still pending, the Service will continue its long-held

policy for the 1996-97 season that all States should be treated equally

under existing Federal regulations and allowed similar frameworks

within each Flyway to hunt migratory birds.

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. The Service published a Notice

of Availability in the June 16, 1988, Federal Register (53 FR 22582).

The Service published its Record of Decision 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

As in the past, the Service designs hunting regulations to remove

or alleviate chances of conflict between migratory game bird hunting

seasons and the protection and conservation of endangered and

threatened species. Consultations have been conducted to ensure that

actions resulting from these regulatory proposals will not likely

jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species

or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical

habitat. Findings from these consultations are included in a biological

opinion and may cause modification of some regulatory measures

previously proposed. The final frameworks reflect any modifications.

The Service's biological opinions resulting from its Section 7

consultation are public documents available for public inspection in

the Service's Division of Endangered Species and MBMO, at the address

indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

Executive Order (E.O.) 12866

This rule is economically significant and was reviewed by the

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

Congressional Review

In accordance with Section 251 of the Small Business Regulatory

Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 8), this rule has been

submitted to Congress and has been declared major. Because this rule

establishes hunting seasons, this rule qualifies for an exemption under

5 U.S.C. 808(1); therefore, the Department determines that this rule

shall take effect immediately.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

These regulations have a significant economic impact on a

substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility

Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq). In the March 22, 1996, Federal Register, the

Service reported measures it took to comply with requirements of the

Act. One measure was to prepare a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis

(Analysis) documenting the significant beneficial economic effects on a

substantial number of small entities. The Analysis estimated that

migratory bird hunters would spend between $254 and $592 million at

small businesses in 1996. Copies of the Analysis are

[[Page 50668]]

available upon request from the Office of Migratory Bird Management.

Paperwork Reduction Act

The Department examined these regulations under the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995. The various information collection requirements

are utilized in the formulation of migratory game bird hunting

regulations. OMB has approved these information collection requirements

and assigned clearance number 1018-0015.

Regulations Promulgation

The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its

nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, the Service

intends that the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to

comment on the regulations. Thus, when the preliminary proposed

rulemaking was published, the Service established what it believed were

the longest periods possible for public comment. In doing this, the

Service recognized that when the comment period closed, time would be

of the essence. That is, if there were a delay in the effective date of

these regulations after this final rulemaking, the States would have

insufficient time to select season dates and limits; to communicate

those selections to the Service; and to establish and publicize the

necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions.

Therefore, the Service, under authority of the Migratory Bird

Treaty Act (July 3, 1918), as amended, (16 U.S.C. 703-711), prescribes

final frameworks setting forth the species to be hunted, the daily bag

and possession limits, the shooting hours, the season lengths, the

earliest opening and latest closing season dates, and hunting areas,

from which State conservation agency officials may select hunting

season dates and other options. Upon receipt of season and option

selections from these officials, the Service will publish in the

Federal Register a final rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect

seasons, limits, and shooting hours for the conterminous United States

for the 1995-96 season.

The Service therefore finds that ``good cause'' exists, within the

terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, and

these frameworks will, therefore, take effect immediately upon

publication.

Unfunded Mandates

The Service has determined and certifies in compliance with the

requirements of the Unfunded Mandates Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that

this rulemaking will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any

given year on local or State government or private entities.

Civil Justice Reform - Executive Order 12988

The Department, in promulgating this rule, has determined that

these regulations meet the applicable standards provided in Sections

3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.

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 1996-97

hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742

a--j.

Dated: September 17, 1996.

George T. Frampton, Jr.

Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Final Regulations Frameworks for 1996-97 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, 1996, and March 10, 1997.

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.

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 related

to late-season regulations are contained in a later portion of this

document.

Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks for open seasons, season

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

listed below by Flyway.

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, Florida, Georgia, Maryland,

North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, 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.

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 70-day experimental season may be

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

geese per day.

Maryland: An experimental season may be held in designated areas of

[[Page 50669]]

western Maryland from January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese per day.

Massachusetts: In the Central Zone and a portion of the Coastal

Zone, a season may be held from January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese

per day.

New Jersey: An expanded experimental season may be held in

designated areas of North and South New Jersey from January 15 to

February 15, with 5 geese per day.

New York: An experimental season may be held between January 15 and

February 15, with 5 geese daily in Westchester County and portions of

Nassau, Orange, 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 expanded experimental season may be held in the designated areas

of western Pennsylvania from January 15 to February 15 with 5 geese per

day.

Rhode Island: An experimental season may be held in a designated

area from January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese per day,

South Carolina: A 70-day special season may be held in the

designated areas during November 15 to February 15, with a daily bag

limit of 5 Canada geese per day.

Virginia: An experimental season may be held from January 15 to

February 15, with 5 geese per day, in all areas west of Interstate 95.

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 March 10, with 8 geese per day and 24

in possession. States may split their seasons into three segments.

Brant

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 30-

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

States may split their seasons into two segments.

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 28

) and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 19).

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 2 redheads.

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, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee,

and Wisconsin may select hunting seasons by zones.

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

Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be split

into two segments in each zone.

In Minnesota and 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 three segments.

Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Mississippi Flyway

Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year

evaluation, by each participating State.

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 28) and January 31, and 107 days

for light geese between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 28)

and March 10. The daily bag limit is 10 light geese, 3 Canada geese, 2

white-fronted geese, and 2 brant. The possession limit for light geese

is 30. Specific regulations for Canada geese and exceptions to the

above general provisions are shown below by State.

Alabama: In the Southern James Bay Population (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 94,900 birds. Limits are 2 Canada geese daily and 10 in

possession.

(a) North Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after 93

days or when 11,000 birds have been harvested in the Northern Illinois

Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.

(b) Central Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after 93

days or when 17,600 birds have been harvested in the Central Illinois

Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.

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

Illinois and Rend Lake Quota Zones will be limited to 36,600 and 10,400

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

close after 84 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 Zone, the season may extend for 84

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 24,200 birds.

(a) Posey County - The season for Canada geese will close after 65

days or when 4,350 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 65 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 2

Canada geese.

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

[[Page 50670]]

(80 days in Fulton County), and the harvest will be limited to 21,000

birds. Of the 21,000-bird quota, 13,650 birds will be allocated to the

Ballard Reporting Area and 3,990 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 2 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 53,300 birds.

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

September 28 and the season for Canada geese may extend for 20 days.

The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(b) Middle Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 20

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 2,200 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 53 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 50 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 50 days or when 750 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs

first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(5) Remainder of South Zone - The season for Canada geese may

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

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

season may be held between January 4 and February 2. 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) Remainder of the State - 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) Fergus Falls/Alexandria Zone - A 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) Remainder of the State - The season for Canada geese may extend

for 70 days in the respective duck-hunting zones. The season may be

split into 3 segments, provided that one segment of at least 9 days

occurs prior to October 15. 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 Pymatuning 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

78 days or when 8,000 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 2 Canada geese.

(b) Southwest Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 63

days, and the harvest will be limited to 700 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 69,600 birds.

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

September 21. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 36,600 birds.

The season may not exceed 86 days. All Canada geese harvested must be

tagged. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose 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 21. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 1,100 birds.

The season may not exceed 68 days. All Canada geese harvested must be

tagged. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose 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 28. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 27,400 birds,

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

may not exceed 79 days and the daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose. 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 26,900

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

[[Page 50671]]

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 28 and January 19.

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 canvasback, 2 redheads,

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

Saturday nearest December 10 (December 7).

(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 canvasback, 2 redheads, and 2 wood ducks.

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

which may be a hooded merganser.

Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.

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

Nebraska (Low Plains portion), New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains

portion), South Dakota (Low Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains

portion), and Wyoming may select hunting seasons by zones.

In Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma,

South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the regular season may be split into

two segments.

In Colorado, 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 28) and January 31, except in the Western Goose Zone of

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

(February 16). For light geese, outside dates for seasons may be

selected between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 28) and

March 10, except in the Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area of Nebraska

where the closing date is the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 16).

Seasons may be split into two segments. The daily bag and possession

limits for light geese are 10 and 40, respectively.

Dark goose daily bag limits in States and goose management zones

within States, may be as follows:

Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and South Dakota: 2 dark geese,

including no more than 1 white-fronted goose.

Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming: 4 dark geese.

North Dakota: 2 dark geese.

Texas: For the Western Goose Zone, the daily bag limit is 5 dark

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

For the Eastern Goose Zone, the daily bag limit is 2 dark geese,

including no more than 1 white-fronted goose.

Pacific Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, and Common Moorhens

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

limit of 7 ducks, including no more than 1 female mallard, 2 pintails,

2 redheads and 1 canvasback.

The season on coots and common moorhens may be between the outside

dates for the season on ducks, but not to exceed 93 days. In the

Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit, the seasons may be an

additional 7 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

28) and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 19).

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.

Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming may split their 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 (September 28), and the Sunday nearest

January 20 (January 19), and the basic daily bag limits are 3 light

geese and 4 dark geese, except in California, Oregon, and Washington,

where the dark goose bag limit does not include brant.

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 these States, the daily bag limit is 2 brant and is

in addition to dark goose limits.

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,

[[Page 50672]]

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

Lincoln and 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 1 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 132 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 2 cackling Canada geese.

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 72 dusky Canada geese.

See section on quota zones.

Wyoming: The daily bag limit is 4 dark geese.

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 2 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 Aleutian Canada geese. In the Special

Canada Goose Management Area of Oregon, the framework closing date is

extended to February 28th.

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 28). 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 require that all harvested swans or

their species-determinant parts be examined by either State or Federal

biologists for the purpose of species classification. 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 1) 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 5) 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 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, from October 1 to January 31.

--In North Carolina, no more than 5,000 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.

Area, Unit and Zone Descriptions

Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut

North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-95.

South Zone: Remainder of the State.

Maine

North Zone: That portion north of the line extending east along

Maine State Highway 110 from the New Hampshire and Maine border to the

intersection of Maine State Highway 11 in Newfield; then north and east

along Route 11 to the intersection of U.S. Route 202 in Auburn; then

north and east on Route 202 to the intersection of Interstate Highway

95 in Augusta; then north and east along I-95 to Route 15 in Bangor;

then east along Route 15 to Route 9; then east along Route 9 to Stony

Brook in Baileyville; then east along Stony Brook to the United States

border.

[[Page 50673]]

South Zone: Remainder of the State.

Massachusetts

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

south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10,

south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut

border.

Central Zone: That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone

and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-

95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on

MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west

to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards

inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the

MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St.

bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone.

Coastal Zone: That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the

Central Zone.

New Hampshire

Coastal Zone: That portion of the State east of a line extending

west from Maine border in Rollinsford on NH 4 to the city of Dover,

south to NH 108, south along NH 108 through Madbury, Durham, and

Newmarket to NH 85 in Newfields, south to NH 101 in Exeter, east to NH

51 (Exeter-Hampton Expressway), east to I-95 (New Hampshire Turnpike)

in Hampton, and south along I-95 to the Massachusetts border.

Inland Zone: That portion of the State north and west of the above

boundary.

New Jersey

Coastal Zone: That portion of the State seaward of a line beginning

at the New York border in Raritan Bay and extending west along the New

York border to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west on NJ 440 to the Garden

State Parkway; south on the Garden State Parkway to the shoreline at

Cape May and continuing to the Delaware border in Delaware Bay.

North Zone: That portion of the State west of the Coastal Zone and

north of a line extending west from the Garden State Parkway on NJ 70

to the New Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike to U.S. 206, north on

U.S. 206 to U.S. 1 at Trenton, west on U.S. 1 to the Pennsylvania

border in the Delaware River.

South Zone: That portion of the State not within the North Zone or

the Coastal Zone.

New York

Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that

area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian

border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south

along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the

shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay;

southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont

border.

Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk

County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their

tidal waters.

Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario

east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along

I-81 to the Pennsylvania border.

Northeastern Zone: That area north of a line extending from Lake

Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south

along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to

NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along

I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along

NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive

of the Lake Champlain Zone.

Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.

Pennsylvania

Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters of Pennsylvania and a

shoreline margin along Lake Erie from New York on the east to Ohio on

the west extending 150 yards inland, but including all of Presque Isle

Peninsula.

Northwest Zone: The area bounded on the north by the Lake Erie Zone

and including all of Erie and Crawford Counties and those portions of

Mercer and Venango Counties north of I-80.

North Zone: That portion of the State east of the Northwest Zone

and north of a line extending east on I-80 to U.S. 220, Route 220 to I-

180, I-180 to I-80, and I-80 to the Delaware River.

South Zone: The remaining portion of Pennsylvania.

Vermont

Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that

area north and west of the line extending from the New York border

along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes;

U.S. 7 to the Canadian border.

Interior Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont.

West Virginia

Zone 1 : That portion outside the boundaries in Zone 2.

Zone 2 (Allegheny Mountain Upland): That area bounded by a line

extending south along U.S. 220 through Keyser to U.S. 50; U.S. 50 to WV

93; WV 93 south to WV 42; WV 42 south to Petersburg; WV 28 south to

Minnehaha Springs; WV 39 west to U.S. 219; U.S. 219 south to I-64; I-64

west to U.S. 60; U.S. 60 west to U.S. 19; U.S. 19 north to I-79, I-79

north to U.S. 48; U.S. 48 east to the Maryland border; and along the

border to the point of beginning.

Mississippi Flyway

Alabama

South Zone: Mobile and Baldwin Counties.

North Zone: The remainder of Alabama.

Illinois

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending

east from the Iowa border along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate

Highway 280, east along I-280 to I-80, then east along I-80 to the

Indiana border.

Central Zone: That portion of the State between the North and South

Zone boundaries.

South Zone: That portion of the State south of a line extending

east from the Missouri border along the Modoc Ferry route to Modoc

Ferry Road, east along Modoc Ferry Road to Modoc Road, northeasterly

along Modoc Road and St. Leo's Road to Illinois Highway 3, north along

Illinois 3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159 to Illinois 161,

east along Illinois 161 to Illinois 4, north along Illinois 4 to

Interstate Highway 70, east along I-70 to the Bond County line, north

and east along the Bond County line to Fayette County, north and east

along the Fayette County line to Effingham County, east and south along

the Effingham County line to I-70, then east along I-70 to the Indiana

border.

Indiana

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending

east from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. Highway 31,

north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to Huntington, then

southeast along U.S. 224 to the Ohio border.

Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line

extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 64 to

New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State 56, east along State 56

to Vevay, east and north on State 156 along the Ohio River to North

Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Highway 50, then northeast along

U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.

South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio

River Zone boundaries.

Southern Illinois Quota Zone: Alexander, Jackson, Union, and

Williamson Counties.

Rend Lake Quota Zone: Franklin and Jefferson Counties.

Iowa

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending

east from the Nebraska border along State Highway

[[Page 50674]]

175 to State 37, southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south

along U.S. 59 to Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the

Illinois border.

South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.

Kentucky

West Zone: All counties west of and including Butler, Daviess,

Ohio, Simpson, and Warren Counties.

East Zone: The remainder of Kentucky.

Louisiana

West Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending south

from the Arkansas border along Louisiana Highway 3 to Bossier City,

east along Interstate Highway 20 to Minden, south along Louisiana 7 to

Ringgold, east along Louisiana 4 to Jonesboro, south along U.S. Highway

167 to Lafayette, southeast along U.S. 90 to Houma, then south along

the Houma Navigation Channel to the Gulf of Mexico through Cat Island

Pass.

East Zone: The remainder of Louisiana.

Catahoula Lake Area: All of Catahoula Lake, including those

portions known locally as Round Prairie, Catfish Prairie, and Frazier's

Arm. See State regulations for additional information.

Michigan

North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.

Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line

beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the

mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly

and southerly along the south shore of, Stony Creek to Webster Road,

easterly and southerly along Webster Road to Stony Lake Road, easterly

along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along

Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of

Midland, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, east along U.S. 10 to

Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north along I-75/U.S. 23 to the

U.S. 23 exit at Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore Road in Arenac

County, east along Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout, then on a

line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a

line directly northeast to the Canada border.

South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.

Mississippi

Zone 1: Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties.

Zone 2: The remainder of Mississippi.

Missouri

North Zone: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west

from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 70 to U.S. Highway

54, south along U.S. 54 to U.S. 50, then west along U.S. 50 to the

Kansas border.

South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west

from the Illinois border along Missouri Highway 34 to Interstate

Highway 55; south along I-55 to U.S. Highway 62, west along U.S. 62 to

Missouri 53, north along Missouri 53 to Missouri 51, north along

Missouri 51 to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to Missouri 21, north along

Missouri 21 to Missouri 72, west along Missouri 72 to Missouri 32, west

along Missouri 32 to U.S. 65, north along U.S. 65 to U.S. 54, west

along U.S. 54 to Missouri 32, south along Missouri 32 to Missouri 97,

south along Missouri 97 to Dade County NN, west along Dade County NN to

Missouri 37, west along Missouri 37 to Jasper County N, west along

Jasper County N to Jasper County M, west along Jasper County M to the

Kansas border.

Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri.

Ohio

North Zone: The Counties of Darke, Miami, Clark, Champaign, Union,

Delaware, Licking (excluding the Buckeye Lake Area), Muskingum,

Guernsey, Harrison and Jefferson and all counties north thereof.

Pymatuning Area: Pymatuning Reservoir and that part of Ohio bounded

on the north by County Road 306 (known as Woodward Road), on the west

by Pymatuning Lake Road, and on the south by U.S. Highway 322.

Ohio River Zone: The Counties of Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, Adams,

Scioto, Lawrence, Gallia and Meigs.

South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio

River Zone boundaries, including the Buckeye Lake Area in Licking

County bounded on the west by State Highway 37, on the north by U.S.

Highway 40, and on the east by State 13.

Tennessee

Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake and Obion Counties.

State Zone: The remainder of Tennessee.

Wisconsin

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending

east from the Minnesota border along State Highway 77 to State 27,

south along State 27 and 77 to U.S. Highway 63, and continuing south

along State 27 to Sawyer County Road B, south and east along County B

to State 70, southwest along State 70 to State 27, south along State 27

to State 64, west along State 64/27 and south along State 27 to U.S.

12, south and east on State 27/U.S. 12 to U.S. 10, east on U.S. 10 to

State 310, east along State 310 to State 42, north along State 42 to

State 147, north along State 147 to State 163, north along State 163 to

Kewaunee County Trunk A, north along County Trunk A to State 57, north

along State 57 to the Kewaunee/Door County Line, west along the

Kewaunee/Door County Line to the Door/Brown County Line, west along the

Door/Brown County Line to the Door/Oconto/Brown County Line, northeast

along the Door/Oconto County Line to the Marinette/Door County Line,

northeast along the Marinette/Door County Line to the Michigan border.

South Zone: The remainder of Wisconsin.

Central Flyway

Kansas

High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.

Low Plains Early Zone: That portion of the State east of the High

Plains Zone and west of a line extending south from the Nebraska border

along KS 28 to U.S. 36, east along U.S. 36 to KS 199, south along KS

199 to Republic County Road 563, south along Republic County Road 563

to KS 148, east along KS 148 to Republic County Road 138, south along

Republic County Road 138 to Cloud County Road 765, south along Cloud

County Road 765 to KS 9, west along KS 9 to U.S. 24, west along U.S 24

to U.S. 281, north along U.S. 281 to U.S. 36, west along U.S. 36 to

U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to U.S. 24, west along U.S. 24 to KS 18,

southeast along KS 18 to U.S, 183, south along U.S. 183 to KS 4, east

along KS 4 to I-135, south along I-135 to KS 61, southwest along KS 61

to KS 96, northwest on KS 96 to U.S. 56, west along U.S. 56 to U.S.

281, south along U.S. 281 to U.S. 54, then west along U.S. 54 to U.S.

283.

Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder of Kansas.

Montana (Central Flyway Portion)

Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Daniels, Dawson,

Fallon, Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, McCone,

Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Richland, Roosevelt,

Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, and

Yellowstone.

Zone 2: The remainder of Montana.

Nebraska

High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of Highways U.S.

183 and U.S. 20 from the South Dakota border to Ainsworth, NE 7 and NE

91 to Dunning, NE 2 to Merna, NE 93 to Arnold, NE 40 and NE 47 through

Gothenburg to NE 23, NE 23 to Elwood, and U.S. 283 to the Kansas

border.

Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High

Plains Zone and north and east of a line extending from the South

Dakota border along NE 26E Spur to U.S. 20, west on U.S. 20 to NE 12,

west on NE 12 to the Knox/Keya Paha County line, south along the county

line to the Niobrara River and

[[Page 50675]]

along the Niobrara River to U.S. 183 (the High Plains Zone line). Where

the Niobrara River forms the boundary, both banks will be in Zone 1.

Low Plains Zone 2: That portion of the State east of the High

Plains Zone and bounded by designated highways and political boundaries

starting on U.S. 73 at the Kansas border, north to NE 67, north to U.S.

75, north to NE 2, west to NE 43, north to U.S. 34, east to NE 63;

north and west to U.S. 77; north to NE 92; west to U.S. 81; south to NE

66; west to NE 14; south to U.S. 34; west to NE 2; south to I-80; west

to Hamilton/Hall County line (Gunbarrel Road), south to Giltner Road;

west to U.S. 34; west to U.S. 136; east on U.S. 135 to NE 10; south to

the State line; west to U.S. 283; north to NE 23; west to NE 47; north

to U.S. 30; east to NE 14; north to NE 52; northeasterly to NE 91; west

to U.S. 281, north to NE 91 in Wheeler County, west to U.S. 183; north

to northerly boundary of Loup County; east along the north boundaries

of Loup, Garfield, and Wheeler County; south along the east Wheeler

County line to NE 70; east on NE 70 from Wheeler County to NE 14; south

to NE 39; southeast to NE 22; east to U.S. 81; southeast to U.S. 30;

east along U.S. 30 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to the Washington/

Burt County line; then east along the county line to the Iowa border.

Low Plains Zone 3: The area east of the High Plains Zone, excluding

Low Plains Zone 1, north of Low Plains Zone 2.

Low Plains Zone 4: The area east of the High Plains Zone and south

of Zone 2.

New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)

North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.

South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.

North Dakota

High Plains Unit: That portion of the State west of a line from the

South Dakota border along U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41, north to ND 53,

west to U.S. 83, north to ND 23, west to ND 8, north to U.S. 2, west to

U.S. 85, north to the Canadian border.

Low Plains: The remainder of North Dakota.

Oklahoma

High Plains Zone: The Counties of Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas.

Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High

Plains Zone and north of a line extending east from the Texas border

along OK 33 to OK 47, east along OK 47 to U.S. 183, south along U.S.

183 to I-40, east along I-40 to U.S. 177, north along U.S. 177 to OK

33, west along OK 33 to I-35, north along I-35 to U.S. 60, west along

U.S. 60 to U.S. 64, west along U.S. 64 to OK 132, then north along OK

132 to the Kansas border.

Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of Oklahoma.

South Dakota

High Plains Unit: That portion of the State west of a line

beginning at the North Dakota border and extending south along U.S. 83

to U.S. 14, east along U.S. 14 to Blunt-Canning Road in Blunt, south

along Blunt-Canning Road to SD 34, south across a line over the

Missouri River to the northwestern corner of the Lower Brule Indian

Reservation, south along the Reservation Boundary to Lyman County Road,

south along Lyman County Road to I-90 at Presho, east on I-90 to U.S.

183, then south along U.S. 183 to Nebraska border.

North Zone: That portion of northeastern South Dakota east of the

High Plains Unit and north of a line extending east along US 212 to SD

15, then north along SD 15 to Big Stone Lake at the Minnesota border.

South Zone: That portion of Gregory County east of SD 47, Charles

Mix County south of SD 44 to the Douglas County line, south on SD 50 to

Geddes, east on the Geddes Hwy. to U.S. 281, south on U.S. 281 and U.S.

18 to SD 50, south and east on SD 50 to Bon Homme County line, the

Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton, and Clay south of SD 50, and Union

County south and west of SD 50 and I-29.

Middle Zone: The remainder of South Dakota.

Texas

High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of a line

extending south from the Oklahoma border along U.S. 183 to Vernon,

south along U.S. 283 to Albany, south along TX 6 to TX 351 to Abilene,

south along U.S. 277 to Del Rio, then south along the Del Rio

International Toll Bridge access road to the Mexico border.

Wyoming (Central Flyway portion)

Zone 1: The Counties of Converse, Goshen, Hot Springs, Natrona,

Platte, Washakie, and that portion of Park County south of T58N and not

within the boundary of the Shoshone National Forest.

Zone 2: The remainder of Wyoming.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona--Game Management Units (GMU) as follows:

South Zone: Those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 in Yavapai County, and

GMUs 10 and 12B-45.

North Zone: GMUs 1-5, those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 within

Coconino County, and GMUs 7, 9, 12A.

California

Northeastern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of a

line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath

River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest

Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and

south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west

along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89;

east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north

on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S.

395 to the Nevada border.

Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,

and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border

south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as

``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to

the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in

Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of

Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on

this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the

Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley

paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to

U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road;

south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.

Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding

the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the

Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City

of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of

the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest

of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to

U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on

CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada

border.

Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare

Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.

Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included

in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the

Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.

Idaho

Zone 1: Includes all lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian

Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham

County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir

[[Page 50676]]

drainage; and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.

Zone 2: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties:

Adams; Bear Lake; Benewah; Bingham within the Blackfoot Reservoir

drainage; those portions of Blaine west of ID 75, south and east of

U.S. 93, and between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 outside the

Silver Creek drainage; Bonner; Bonneville; Boundary; Butte; Camas;

Caribou except the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Cassia within the

Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Clark; Clearwater; Custer; Elmore

within the Camas Creek drainage; Franklin; Fremont; Idaho; Jefferson;

Kootenai; Latah; Lemhi; Lewis; Madison; Nez Perce; Oneida; Power within

the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Shoshone; Teton; and Valley

Counties.

Zone 3: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties:

Ada; Blaine between ID 75 and U.S. 93 south of U.S. 20 and that

additional area between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 within the

Silver Creek drainage; Boise; Canyon; Cassia except within the Minidoka

National Wildlife Refuge; Elmore except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem;

Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee; Payette; Power west of ID

37 and ID 39 except that portion within the Minidoka National Wildlife

Refuge; Twin Falls; and Washington Counties.

Nevada

Lincoln and Clark County Zone: All of Clark and Lincoln Counties.

Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.

Oregon

Zone 1: Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane, Douglas, Coos, Curry,

Josephine, Jackson, Linn, Benton, Polk, Marion, Yamhill, Washington,

Columbia, Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,

Morrow and Umatilla Counties.

Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Gilliam, Morrow, and

Umatilla Counties.

Zone 2: The remainder of the State.

Utah

Zone 1: All of Box Elder, Cache, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Morgan,

Rich, Salt Lake, Summit, Unitah, Utah, Wasatch, and Weber Counties and

that part of Toole County north of I-80.

Zone 2: The remainder of Utah.

Washington

East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of

the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.

Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Same as East Zone.

West Zone: All areas to the west of the East Zone.

Geese

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut

Same zones as for ducks.

Georgia

Special Area for Canada Geese: Statewide.

Maryland

Special Area for Canada Geese: Allegheny, Carroll, Frederick,

Garrett, Washington counties and the portion of Montgomery County south

of Interstate 270 and west of Interstate 495 to the Potomac River.

Massachusetts

Special Area for Canada Geese: Central Zone (same as for ducks) and

that portion of the Coastal Zone that lies north of route 139 from

Green Harbor.

New Hampshire

Same zones as for ducks.

New Jersey

Special Area for Canada Geese

North - 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 Route 94: then west along Route 94 to the tollbridge

in Columbia; then north along the Pennsylvania State boundary in the

Delaware River to the beginning point.

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

runs west 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 (at Pleasant Mills); then north (upstream)

along the Mullica River to Route 206; then south along Route 206 to

Route 536; then west along Route 536 to Route 322; then west along

Route 322 to Route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 553 (Buck

Road); then south along Route 553 to Route 40; then east along Route 40

to route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 552 (Sherman Avenue);

then west along Route 552 to Carmel Road; then south along Carmel Road

to Route 49; then south along Route 49 to Route 50; then east along

Route 50 to Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route 625 (Sea Isle

City Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to the Atlantic Ocean; then

north to the beginning point.

New York

Special Area for Canada Geese: Westchester County and portions of

Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, and Suffolk Counties--See State

regulations for detailed description.

Pennsylvania

Erie, Mercer, and Butler Counties: All of Erie, Mercer, and Butler

Counties.

Special Area for Canada Geese: Statewide except for the Counties of

Erie, Mercer, Butler, Crawford, and the area east of Interstate 83 from

the Maryland State line to the intersection of U.S. Route 30 to the

intersection of state Route 441, east of SR 441 to intersection of

Interstate 283, east of I-283 to I-83, east of I-83 to intersection of

I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of I-80, and south of I-80 to the

New Jersey State line.

Rhode Island

Special Area for Canada Geese: Kent and Providence Counties and

portions of the towns of Exeter and North Kingston within Washington

County (see State regulations for detailed descriptions).

South Carolina

Canada Goose Area: Statewide except for Clarendon County and that

portion of Lake Marion in Orangeburg County and Berkeley County.

Virginia

Back Bay Area--Defined for white geese as the waters of Back Bay

and its tributaries and the marshes adjacent thereto, and on the land

and marshes between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean from Sandbridge to

the North Carolina line, and on and along the shore of North Landing

River and the marshes adjacent thereto, and on and along the shores of

Binson Inlet Lake (formerly known as Lake Tecumseh) and Red Wing Lake

and the marshes adjacent thereto.

West Virginia

Same zones as for ducks.

Mississippi Flyway

Alabama

Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:

SJBP Zone: That portion of Morgan County east of U.S. Highway 31,

north of State Highway 36, and west of U.S. 231; that portion of

Limestone County south of U.S. 72; and that portion of Madison County

south of Swancott Road and west of Triana Road.

Arkansas

East Zone: Arkansas, Ashley, Chicot, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden,

Cross, Desha, Drew, Greene, Independence, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence,

Lee, Lincoln, Lonoke, Mississippi, Monroe, Phillips, Poinsett, Prairie,

Pulaski, Randolph, St. Francis, White, and Woodruff Counties.

West Zone: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Cleburne, Conway,

Crawford,

[[Page 50677]]

Faulkner, Franklin, Fulton, Izard, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Newton,

Pope, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, and Washington Counties, and

those portions of Logan, Perry, Sebastian, and Yell Counties lying

north of a line extending east from the Oklahoma border along State

Highway 10 to Perry, south on State 9 to State 60, then east on State

60 to the Faulkner County line.

Illinois

Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:

North Zone:

Northern Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of McHenry, Lake, Kane,

DuPage, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties north of

Interstate Highway 80.

Central Zone:

Central Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of Grundy, Woodford,

Peoria, Knox, Fulton, Tazewell, Mason, Cass, Morgan, Pike, Calhoun, and

Jersey, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties south of

Interstate Highway 80.

South Zone:

Southern Illinois Quota Zone: Alexander, Jackson, Union, and

Williamson Counties.

Rend Lake Quota Zone: Franklin and Jefferson Counties.

Indiana

Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:

SJBP Zone: Jasper, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter,

Pulaski, Starke, and Steuben Counties.

Iowa

Same zones as for ducks.

Kentucky

Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at

the Tennessee border at Fulton and extending north along the Purchase

Parkway to Interstate Highway 24, east along I-24 to U.S. Highway 641,

north along U.S. 641 to U.S. 60, northeast along U.S. 60 to the

Henderson County line, then south, east, and northerly along the

Henderson County line to the Indiana border.

Ballard Reporting Area: That area encompassed by a line beginning

at the northwest city limits of Wickliffe in Ballard County and

extending westward to the middle of the Mississippi River, north along

the Mississippi River and along the low-water mark of the Ohio River on

the Illinois shore to the Ballard-McCracken County line, south along

the county line to Kentucky Highway 358, south along Kentucky 358 to

U.S. Highway 60 at LaCenter; then southwest along U.S. 60 to the

northeast city limits of Wickliffe.

Henderson-Union Reporting Area: Henderson County and that portion

of Union County within the Western Zone.

Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone: Butler, Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and

Warren Counties and all counties lying west to the boundary of the

Western Goose Zone.

Michigan

Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:

South Zone

Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU): Those portions of

Tuscola and Huron Counties bounded on the south by Michigan Highway 138

and Bay City Road, on the east by Colwood and Bay Port Roads, on the

north by Kilmanagh Road and a line extending directly west off the end

of Kilmanagh Road into Saginaw Bay to the west boundary, and on the

west by the Tuscola-Bay County line and a line extending directly north

off the end of the Tuscola-Bay County line into Saginaw Bay to the

north boundary.

Allegan County GMU: That area encompassed by a line beginning at

the junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate Highway 196 in Lake Town

Township and extending easterly along 136th Avenue to Michigan Highway

40, southerly along Michigan 40 through the city of Allegan to 108th

Avenue in Trowbridge Township, westerly along 108th Avenue to 46th

Street, northerly 1/2 mile along 46th Street to 109th Avenue, westerly

along 109th Avenue to I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly along I-

196 to the point of beginning.

Saginaw County GMU: That portion of Saginaw County bounded by

Michigan Highway 46 on the north; Michigan 52 on the west; Michigan 57

on the south; and Michigan 13 on the east.

Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That portion of Muskegon County within the

boundaries of the Muskegon County wastewater system, east of the

Muskegon State Game Area, in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29,

30, and 32, T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, and

25, T10N R15W, as posted.

Special Canada Goose Seasons:

Southern Michigan GMU: That portion of the State, including the

Great Lakes and interconnecting waterways and excluding the Allegan

County GMU, south of a line beginning at the Ontario border at the

Bluewater Bridge in the city of Port Huron and extending westerly and

southerly along Interstate Highway 94 to I-69, westerly along I-69 to

Michigan Highway 21, westerly along Michigan 21 to I-96, northerly

along I-96 to I-196, westerly along I-196 to Lake Michigan Drive (M-45)

in Grand Rapids, westerly along Lake Michigan Drive to the Lake

Michigan shore, then directly west from the end of Lake Michigan Drive

to the Wisconsin border.

Minnesota

West Zone: That portion of the state encompassed by a line

beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa

border, then north and east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, north

along U.S. 71 to Interstate Highway 94, then north and west along I-94

to the North Dakota border.

West Central Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the

intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 29 and U.S. Highway 212 and

extending west along U.S. 212 to U.S. 59, south along U.S. 59 to STH

67, west along STH 67 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to County State

Aid Highway (CSAH) 30 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 30 to

County Road 70 in Lac qui Parle County, west along County 70 to the

western boundary of the State, north along the western boundary of the

State to a point due south of the intersection of STH 7 and CSAH 7 in

Big Stone County, and continuing due north to said intersection, then

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. 12, east

along U.S. 12 to CSAH 17 in Swift County, south along CSAH 17 to CSAH 9

in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to STH 40, east along STH 40 to

STH 29, then south along STH 29 to the point of beginning.

Lac qui Parle Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at

the intersection of U.S. Highway 212 and County State Aid Highway

(CSAH) 27 in Lac qui Parle County and extending north along CSAH 27 to

CSAH 20 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 20 to State Trunk

Highway (STH) 40, north along STH 40 to STH 119, north along STH 119 to

CSAH 34 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 34 to CSAH 19 in Lac

qui Parle County, north and west along CSAH 19 to CSAH 38 in Lac qui

Parle County, west along CSAH 38 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to STH

7, east along STH 7 to CSAH 6 in Swift County, east along CSAH 6 to

County Road 65 in Swift County, south along County 65 to County 34 in

Chippewa County, south along County 34 to CSAH 12 in Chippewa County,

east along CSAH 12 to CSAH 9 in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to

STH 7, southeast along STH 7 to Montevideo and along the municipal

boundary of Montevideo to U.S. 212; then west along U.S. 212 to the

point of beginning.

[[Page 50678]]

Northwest Zone: That portion of the state encompassed by a line

extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 to

State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east along

STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north along

CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to STH 1,

east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 28

to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in Roseau

County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 310, and

north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.

Special Canada Goose Seasons:

Fergus Falls/Alexandria Zone: That area encompassed by a line

beginning at the intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 55 and STH

28 and extending east along STH 28 to County State Aid Highway (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 eastern

boundary of Otter Tail County, north along the east boundary 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 southeast

along STH 55 to the point of beginning.

Missouri

Same zones as for ducks but in addition:

North Zone

Swan Lake Zone: That area bounded by U.S. Highway 36 on the north,

Missouri Highway 5 on the east, Missouri 240 and U.S. 65 on the south,

and U.S. 65 on the west.

Middle Zone

Schell-Osage Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line

extending east from the Kansas border along U.S. Highway 54 to Missouri

Highway 13, north along Missouri 13 to Missouri 7, west along Missouri

7 to U.S. 71, north along U.S. 71 to Missouri 2, then west along

Missouri 2 to the Kansas border.

Ohio

Same zones as for ducks but in addition:

North Zone

Pymatuning Area: Pymatuning Reservoir and that part of Ohio bounded

on the north by County Road 306 (known as Woodward Road), on the west

by Pymatuning Lake Road, and on the south by U.S. Highway 322.

Lake Erie SJBP Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a

line extending south from the Michigan border along Interstate Highway

75 to I-280, south along I-280 to I-80, and east along I-80 to the

Pennsylvania border.

Tennessee

Southwest Zone: That portion of the State south of State Highways

20 and 104, and west of U.S. Highways 45 and 45W.

Northwest Zone: Lake, Obion and Weakley Counties and those portions

of Gibson and Dyer Counties not included in the Southwest Tennessee

Zone.

Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone: That portion of the State bounded on

the west by the eastern boundaries of the Northwest and Southwest Zones

and on the east by State Highway 13 from the Alabama border to

Clarksville and U.S. Highway 79 from Clarksville to the Kentucky

border.

Wisconsin

Horicon Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the

intersection of State Highway 21 and the Fox River in Winnebago County

and extending westerly along State 21 to the west boundary of Winnebago

County, southerly along the west boundary of Winnebago County to the

north boundary of Green Lake County, westerly along the north

boundaries of Green Lake and Marquette Counties to State 22, southerly

along State 22 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 16,

westerly along U.S. 16 to Weyh Road, southerly along Weyh Road to

County Highway O, southerly along County O to the west boundary of

Section 31, southerly along the west boundary of Section 31 to the

Sauk/Columbia County boundary, southerly along the Sauk/Columbia County

boundary to State 33, easterly along State 33 to Interstate Highway 90/

94, southerly along I-90/94 to State 60, easterly along State 60 to

State 83, northerly along State 83 to State 175, northerly along State

175 to State 33, easterly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 45, northerly

along U.S. 45 to the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River, northerly

along the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River to Lake Winnebago,

northerly along the western shoreline of Lake Winnebago to the Fox

River, then westerly along the Fox River to State 21.

Collins Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the

intersection of Hilltop Road and Collins Marsh Road in Manitowoc County

and extending westerly along Hilltop Road to Humpty Dumpty Road,

southerly along Humpty Dumpty Road to Poplar Grove Road, easterly and

southerly along Poplar Grove Road to County Highway JJ, southeasterly

along County JJ to Collins Road, southerly along Collins Road to the

Manitowoc River, southeasterly along the Manitowoc River to Quarry

Road, northerly along Quarry Road to Einberger Road, northerly along

Einberger Road to Moschel Road, westerly along Moschel Road to Collins

Marsh Road, northerly along Collins Marsh Road to Hilltop Road.

Exterior Zone: That portion of the State not included in the

Horicon or Collins Zones.

Mississippi River Subzone: That area encompassed by a line

beginning at the intersection of the Burlington Northern Railway and

the Illinois border in Grant County and extending northerly along the

Burlington Northern Railway to the city limit of Prescott in Pierce

County, then west along the Prescott city limit to the Minnesota

border.

Rock Prairie Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at

the intersection of the Illinois border and Interstate Highway 90 and

extending north along I-90 to County Highway A, east along County A to

U.S. Highway 12, southeast along U.S. 12 to State Highway 50, west

along State 50 to State 120, then south along 120 to the Illinois

border.

Central Flyway

Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)

Northern Front Range Area: All lands in Adams, Boulder, Clear

Creek, Denver, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties west of I-

25 from the Wyoming border south to I-70; west on I-70 to the

Continental Divide; north along the Continental Divide to the Jackson-

Larimer County Line to the Wyoming border.

South Park/San Luis Valley Area: Alamosa, Chaffee, Conejos,

Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, Teller, and Rio Grande Counties

and those portions of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Saguache Counties east of

the Continental Divide.

North Park Area: Jackson County.

Arkansas Valley Area: Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and

Prowers Counties.

Pueblo County Area: Pueblo County.

Remainder: Remainder of the Central Flyway portion of Colorado.

Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose Area: that portion of the State

east of Interstate Highway 25.

Kansas

Light Geese

Unit 1: That portion of Kansas east of KS 99.

[[Page 50679]]

Unit 2: The remainder of Kansas.

Dark Geese

Marais des Cygne Valley Unit: The area is bounded by the Missouri

border to KS 68, KS 68 to U.S 169, U.S. 169 to KS 7, KS 7 to KS 31, KS

31 to U.S. 69, U.S. 69 to KS 239, KS 239 to the Missouri border.

South Flint Hills Unit: The area is bounded by Highways U.S. 50 to

KS 57, KS 57 to U.S. 75, U.S. 75 to KS 39, KS 39 to KS 96, KS 96 to

U.S. 77, U.S. 77 to U.S. 50.

Central Flint Hills Unit: That area southwest of Topeka bounded by

Highways U.S. 75 to I-35, I-35 to U.S. 50, U.S. 50 to U.S. 77, U.S. 77

to I-70, I-70 to U.S. 75.

Southeast Unit: That area of southeast Kansas bounded by the

Missouri border to U.S. 160, U.S. 160 to U.S. 69, U.S. 69 to KS 39, KS

39 to U.S. 169, U.S. 169 to the Oklahoma border, and the Oklahoma

border to the Missouri border.

Montana (Central Flyway Portion)

Sheridan County: Includes all of Sheridan County.

Remainder: Includes the remainder of the Central Flyway portion of

Montana.

Nebraska

Dark Geese

North Unit: Keya Paha County east of U.S. 183 and all of Boyd

County, including the boundary waters of the Niobrara River, all of

Knox County and that portion of Cedar County west of U.S. 81.

East Unit: The area east of a line beginning at U.S. 183 at the

northern State line; south to NE 2; east to U.S. 281; south to the

southern State line, excluding the North Unit.

West Unit: All of Nebraska west of the East Unit.

Light Geese

Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area: The area bounded by the

intersection of the Platte River and U.S. Highway (Hwy) 92 in Polk

County, east on Hwy 92 to NE Hwy 15, south on Hwy 15 to NE Hwy 4, west

on NE Hwy 4 to U.S. Hwy 34, west on U.S. Hwy 34 to U.S. Hwy 283, north

on U.S. Hwy 283 to U.S. Hwy 30, east on U.S. Hwy 30 to U.S. Hwy 281,

south on U.S. Hwy 281 to NE Hwy 34 & 2, east on NE Hwy 34 to the Platte

River, and then north and east along the Platte River to the beginning.

Remainder of State: The remainder portion of Nebraska.

New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)

Dark Geese

Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit: Sierra County and that portion of

Socorro County lying south of the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge

Boundary.

Remainder: The remainder of the Central Flyway portion of New

Mexico.

North Dakota

Dark Geese

Missouri River Zone: That area encompassed by a line extending from

the South Dakota border north on U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41, north to ND

53, west to U.S. 83, north to ND 23, west to ND 37, south to ND 1804,

south approximately 9 miles to Elbowoods Bay on Lake Sakakawea, south

and west across the lake to ND 8, south to ND 200, east to ND 31, south

to ND 25, south to I-94, east to ND 6, south to the South Dakota

border, and east to the point of origin.

Statewide: All of North Dakota.

South Dakota

Canada Geese

Unit 1: Statewide except for Units 2 and 3.

Unit 2: Brule, Buffalo, Campbell, Dewey, Hughes, Hyde, Lyman,

Potter, Stanley, Sully, and Walworth Counties and that portion of

Corson County east of State Highway 65.

Unit 3: Charles Mix and Gregory Counties.

Texas

West Unit: That portion of the State lying west of a line from the

international toll bridge at Laredo; north along I-35 and I-35W to Fort

Worth; northwest along US 81 and US 287 to Bowie; and north along US 81

to the Oklahoma border.

East Unit: Remainder of State.

Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)

Area 1: Converse, Hot Springs, Natrona, and Washakie Counties, and

that portion of Park County south of T58N.

Area 2: Platte County.

Area 3: Albany, Big Horn, Campbell, Crook, Fremont, Johnson,

Laramie, Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston Counties and those portions of

Carbon County east of the Continental Divide and Park County north of

T58N.

Area 4: Goshen County.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona

GMU 22 and 23: Game Management Units 22 and 23.

Remainder of State: The remainder of Arizona.

California

Northeastern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of a

line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath

River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest

Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and

south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west

along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89;

east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north

on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S.

395 to the Nevada border.

Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,

and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border

south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as

``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to

the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in

Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of

Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on

this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the

Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley

paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to

U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road;

south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.

Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding

the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the

Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City

of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of

the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest

of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to

U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on

CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada

border.

Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included

in the Northeastern, Southern, and the Colorado River Zones.

Del Norte and Humboldt Area: The Counties of Del Norte and

Humboldt.

Sacramento Valley Area: That area bounded by a line beginning at

Willows in Glenn County proceeding south on I-5 to Hahn Road north of

Arbuckle in Colusa County; easterly on Hahn Road and the Grimes

Arbuckle Road to Grimes on the Sacramento River; southerly on the

Sacramento River to the Tisdale Bypass to O'Banion Road; easterly on

O'Banion Road to CA 99; northerly on CA 99 to the Gridley-Colusa

Highway in Gridley in Butte County; westerly on the Gridley-Colusa

Highway to the River Road; northerly on the River Road to the Princeton

Ferry; westerly across the Sacramento River to CA 45; northerly on CA

45 to CA 162; northerly on CA 45-162 to Glenn; westerly on CA 162 to

the point of beginning in Willows.

Western Canada Goose Hunt Area: That portion of the above described

[[Page 50680]]

Sacramento Valley Area lying east of a line formed by Butte Creek from

the Gridley-Colusa Highway south to the Cherokee Canal; easterly along

the Cherokee Canal and North Butte Road to West Butte Road; southerly

on West Butte Road to Pass Road; easterly on Pass Road to West Butte

Road; southerly on West Butte Road to CA 20; and westerly along CA 20

to the Sacramento River.

San Joaquin Valley Area: That area bounded by a line beginning at

Modesto in Stanislaus County proceeding west on CA 132 to I-5;

southerly on I-5 to CA 152 in Merced County; easterly on CA 152 to CA

165; northerly on CA 165 to CA 99 at Merced; northerly and westerly on

CA 99 to the point of beginning.

Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)

Gunnison/Saguache Area: Gunnison County and that portion of

Saguache County west of the Continental Divide.

West Central Area: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, LaPlata, Montezuma,

Montrose, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel Counties and those portions

of Hinsdale and Mineral Counties west of the Continental Divide.

State Area: The remainder of the Pacific-Flyway Portion of

Colorado.

Idaho

Zone 1: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai,

Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties.

Zone 2: The Counties of Ada; Adams; Boise; Canyon; those portions

of Elmore north and east of I-84, and south and west of I-84, west of

ID 51, except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; Owyhee west of ID 51;

Payette; Valley; and Washington.

Zone 3: The Counties of Blaine; Camas; Cassia; those portions of

Elmore south of I-84 east of ID 51, and within the Camas Creek

drainage; Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee east of ID 51;

Power within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; and Twin Falls.

Zone 4: The Counties of Bear Lake; Bingham within the Blackfoot

Reservoir drainage; Bonneville, Butte; Caribou except the Fort Hall

Indian Reservation; Clark; Custer; Franklin; Fremont; Jefferson; Lemhi;

Madison; Oneida; Power west of ID 37 and ID 39 except the Minidoka

National Wildlife Refuge; and Teton.

Zone 5: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian

Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham

County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage;

and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.

In addition, goose frameworks are set by the following geographical

areas:

Northern Unit: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho,

Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties.

Southwestern Unit: That area west of the line formed by U.S. 93

north from the Nevada border to Shoshone, northerly on ID 75 (formerly

U.S. 93) to Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Montana border (except

the Northern Unit and except Custer and Lemhi Counties).

Southeastern Unit: That area east of the line formed by U.S. 93

north from the Nevada border to Shoshone, northerly on ID 75 (formerly

U.S. 93) to Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Montana border,

including all of Custer and Lemhi Counties.

Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)

East of the Divide Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of the State

located east of the Continental Divide.

West of the Divide Zone: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway

portion of Montana.

Nevada

Lincoln Clark County Zone: All of Lincoln and Clark Counties

Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.

New Mexico (Pacific Flyway Portion)

North Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located north

of I-40.

South Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located south

of I-40.

Oregon

Southwest Zone: Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine and Jackson

Counties.

Northwest Special Permit Zone: That portion of western Oregon west

and north of a line running south from the Columbia River in Portland

along I-5 to OR 22 at Salem; then east on OR 22 to the Stayton Cutoff;

then south on the Stayton Cutoff to Stayton and due south to the

Santiam River; then west along the north shore of the Santiam River to

I-5; then south on I-5 to OR 126 at Eugene; then west on OR 126 to

Greenhill Road; then south on Greenhill Road to Crow Road; then west on

Crow Road to Territorial Hwy; then west on Territorial Hwy to OR 126;

then west on OR 126 to OR 36; then north on OR 36 to Forest Road 5070

at Brickerville; then west and south on Forest Road 5070 to OR 126;

then west on OR 126 to the Pacific Coast.

Northwest Zone: Those portions of Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion,

Multnomah, and Washington Counties outside of the Northwest Special

Permit Zone.

Closed Zone: Those portions of Coos, Curry, Douglas and Lane

Counties west of US 101.

Eastern Zone: Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow,

Umatilla, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Grant, Baker, Union,

and Wallowa Counties.

Harney, Klamath, Lake and Malheur Counties Zone: All of Harney,

Klamath, Lake, and Malheur Counties.

Utah

Washington County Zone: All of Washington County.

Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Utah.

Washington

Eastern Washington: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and

east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.

Area 1: Lincoln, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties; that part of

Grant County east of a line beginning at the Douglas-Lincoln County

line on WA 174, southwest on WA 174 to WA 155, south on WA 155 to US 2,

southwest on US 2 to Pinto Ridge Road, south on Pinto Ridge Road to WA

28, east on WA 28 to the Stratford Road, south on the Stratford Road to

WA 17, south on WA 17 to the Grant-Adams County line; those parts of

Adams County east of State Highway 17; those parts of Franklin County

east and south of a line beginning at the Adams-Franklin County line on

WA 17, south on WA 17 to US 395, south on US 395 to I-182, west o I-182

to the Franklin-Benton County line; those parts of Benton County south

of I-182 and I-82; and those parts of Klickitat County east of U.S.

Highway 97.

Area 2: All of Okanongan, Douglas, and Kittitas Counties and those

parts of Grant, Adams, Franklin, and Benton Counties not included in

Eastern Washington Goose Management Area 1.

Area 3: All other parts of eastern Washington not included in

Eastern Washington Goose Management Areas 1 and 2.

Western Washington: All areas west of the East Zone.

Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.

Area 2: Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties.

Area 3: All parts of western Washington not included in Western

Washington Goose Management Areas 1 and 2.

Lower Columbia River Early-Season Canada Goose 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

[[Page 50681]]

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 (Pacific Flyway Portion): See State Regulations.

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.

Swans

Central Flyway

South Dakota: Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Campbell, Clark, Codington,

Deuel, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant, Hamlin, Hand, Hughes, Hyde,

Kingsbury, Marshall, McPherson, Potter, Roberts, Spink, Sully, and

Walworth Counties.

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.

Nevada

Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and Pershing Counties.

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. 96-24733 Filed 9-25-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-55-F