Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations and Regulatory Alternatives for the 1999-2000 Duck Hunting Season; Notice of Meeting

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN 1018-AF24

Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Early-Season

Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations and Regulatory Alternatives for the

1999-2000 Duck Hunting Season; Notice of Meeting

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; Supplemental.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we)

is proposing to establish the 1999-2000 early-season hunting

regulations for certain migratory game birds. We annually prescribe

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

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

early seasons. Early seasons generally open prior to October 1, and

include seasons in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of final

seasons and limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels

compatible with population status and habitat conditions. This

supplement to the proposed rule also provides the regulatory

alternatives for the 1999-2000 duck hunting season.

DATES: To comment on the proposed early-season frameworks, you must do

so by August 2, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on these proposals to the Chief, Office

of Migratory Bird Management (MBMO), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

room 634-Arlington Square, Washington, DC 20240. All comments received,

including names and addresses, will become part of the public record.

You may inspect comments during normal business hours in room 634,

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Andrew, Chief, or Ron W.

Kokel, Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service, (703) 358-1714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations Schedule for 1999

On May 3, 1999, we published in the Federal Register (64 FR 23742)

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 Sec. 20.101

[[Page 39461]]

through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. On June 17, we

published in the Federal Register (64 FR 32758) a second document

providing supplemental proposals for early-and late-season migratory

bird hunting regulations frameworks and the proposed regulatory

alternatives for the 1999-2000 duck hunting season. The June 17

supplement also provided detailed information on the 1999-2000

regulatory schedule and announced the Service Migratory Bird

Regulations Committee and Flyway Council meetings.

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

and final rulemaking documents for migratory bird hunting regulations

and deals specifically with proposed frameworks for early-season

regulations and the final regulatory alternatives for the 1999-2000

duck hunting season. It will lead to final frameworks from which States

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

limits for the 1999-2000 season. We have considered all pertinent

comments received through July 2, 1999, in developing this document. In

addition, new proposals for certain early-season regulations are

provided for public comment. Comment periods are specified above under

DATES. We will publish final regulatory frameworks for early seasons in

the Federal Register on or about August 20, 1999.

Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee Meetings

The June 22-23 meetings reviewed information on the current status

of migratory shore and upland game birds and developed 1999-2000

migratory game bird regulations recommendations for these species plus

regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the

Virgin Islands; special September waterfowl seasons in designated

States; special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic Flyway; and extended

falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and discussed preliminary

information on the status of waterfowl as it relates to the development

and selection of the regulatory packages for the 1999-2000 regular

waterfowl seasons. The previously announced August 3-4 meetings will

review information on the current status of waterfowl and develop 1999-

2000 migratory game bird regulations recommendations for regular

waterfowl seasons and other species and seasons not previously

discussed at the early season meetings. In accordance with Departmental

policy, these meetings are open to public observation and you may

submit written comments to the Director on the matters discussed.

Population Status and Harvest

May Breeding Waterfowl and Habitat Survey

In the Western or Traditional survey area, breeding habitat

conditions were generally good to excellent, and overall better than

conditions in 1998. An early warm spring and plenty of precipitation

resulted in abundant ponds and excellent nesting cover in most of the

Dakotas, northern Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories, and western

Ontario. The exceptions to these good conditions were southern and

central Alberta, central Saskatchewan, and western Montana, where a dry

early spring limited nesting habitat; and Alaska, where spring was as

much as 2 weeks late. The estimated number of May ponds in the

traditional survey area (6.7 0.3 million) was 46% greater

(P 0.8 million birds, an increase (P 0.4) million, an increase of 17% (P 0.4) million, similar (P=0.10) to 1998,

but 66% greater than the long term average (P 0.2 million, +21%), scaup (4.4 0.2

million, +27%), green-winged teal (2.8 0.2 million, +36%),

and northern shoveler (3.9 0.2 million, +22%) increased

from 1998 estimates (P 0.2 million,

+110%), green-winged teal (+61%), northern shoveler (+95%), redheads

(1.0 0.1 million, +60%), and canvasbacks (0.7

0.1 million, +34%) were above their respective long term

averages (P 0.1 million)

remained unchanged from last year and the 1995-98 average. Abundances

of individual species in the east were similar (P0.11) to

those of last year, except for increased estimates of goldeneye (+197%)

(P0.1) from 1998 levels. In the Central Region, there

was a 13.4% decrease in the number of woodcock heard displaying

(P4.2, the

bag limit for scaup should equal the regular daily duck limit as

determined by the AHM process.

Service Response: We remain concerned about the long-term status

and trends in North American scaup populations. Further, we appreciate

the efforts of all four Flyway Councils to constructively address the

issue of a harvest strategy for scaup and will continue to work with

the Councils to finalize a harvest strategy for scaup for the 1999-2000

season.

iv. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of

the Mississippi Flyway Council requested that the Service clarify the

linkage between the Flyway-wide wood duck harvest strategy, September

teal seasons, and regional (reference area) September wood duck

seasons. They further recommended the continuation of the experimental

September teal/wood duck seasons in Kentucky and Tennessee in 1999 with

no changes from the 1998 season.

Service Response: In the July 17, 1998, Federal Register (63 FR

38707) we

[[Page 39465]]

indicated that September wood duck seasons would be allowed to continue

for a maximum of 3 years. Results from the Wood Duck Population

Monitoring Initiative indicate that sufficient monitoring capabilities

currently do not exist at the sub-Flyway level to support continuation

of September wood duck seasons. Therefore, the seasons in Florida,

Kentucky, and Tennessee will be discontinued after September 2000.

Flyway harvest strategies that address regular-season wood duck

regulations will then be implemented for the 2001-2002 season. We see

no linkage between the Flyway-wide wood duck strategy, September teal

seasons, and regional September wood duck seasons.

v. Youth Hunt

Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of

the Mississippi Flyway Council and the Central Flyway Council

recommended expansion of the special youth waterfowl hunt to 2 days.

Written Comments: The Alabama Division of Game and Fish recommended

expansion of the special youth hunt to 2 consecutive days.

Service Response: We appreciate the Flyway Councils' support of the

youth waterfowl hunting day, but do not support the recommendation of

the Mississippi Flyway Council's Lower-Region Regulations Committee and

the Central Flyway Council to expand the youth hunt to two consecutive

days. Our intent in establishing this special day of opportunity was to

introduce youth to the concepts of ethical utilization and stewardship

of waterfowl and other natural resources, encourage youngsters and

adults to experience the outdoors together, and to contribute to the

long-term conservation of the migratory bird resource. We view the

special youth hunting day as a unique educational opportunity, above

and beyond the regular season, which helps ensure high-quality learning

experiences for those youth indicating interest in hunting. We believe

that the youth hunting day will help develop a conservation ethic in

our youth and is consistent with the Service's responsibility to foster

an appreciation for our nation's valuable wildlife resources. We do not

believe an extensive evaluation of the effects of youth hunting day is

cost effective but believe waterfowl populations can support this

limited additional opportunity. Increases in the duration of this

unique opportunity would increase the pressure to conduct additional

evaluations. With the above objectives and potential costs in mind,

there is not a compelling reason to extend the opportunity beyond the

1-day period.

4. Canada Geese

A. Special Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council made several

recommendations concerning September goose seasons. They recommended

the approval of operational status for a September 1 to 25 framework in

Crawford County, Pennsylvania, and a September 1 to 30 framework in New

Jersey. They further recommended the expansion of the September goose

season framework closing date around Montezuma National Wildlife

Refuge, New York from September 15 to 20.

The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council recommended that Minnesota be allowed to have an experimental

extension of their September special season from September 16 to 22,

except in the Northwest Goose Zone, for the 1999-2001 hunting seasons.

The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council urged the Service to use caution in changing or expanding

special goose seasons.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommended the addition of the Bridger

Valley hunt unit to the existing September RMP Canada goose seasons in

western Wyoming, with frameworks of September 1 to 7.

Written Comments: The Alabama Division expressed appreciation for

the caution demonstrated by the Service in changing or expanding

special Canada goose seasons.

The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau recommended lengthening hunting

seasons for resident geese to provide relief from excessive crop

damage. An individual in Pennsylvania also supported increasing hunting

seasons to help farmers control excessive goose damage.

Service Response: We concur with the recommendations regarding the

change in status for the New Jersey and Pennsylvania special seasons.

Additionally, we concur with the recommendations for experimental

extensions of the special September Canada goose seasons in New York

and Minnesota, with the provisions and evaluation outlined in their

proposals. We also concur with the proposal to add the Bridger Valley

Hunt Unit in Wyoming.

B. Regular Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of

the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the 1999 regular goose

season opening date be as early as September 18 in Michigan and

Wisconsin.

Service Response: We concur with the recommendations for a

September 18 opening date in Wisconsin and the North Zone (Upper

Peninsula) of Michigan. For the Lower Peninsula (Middle and South

Zones) of Michigan, we concur with the recommendation for a September

18 opening under the conditions for Canada geese identified in the

following frameworks. Continuation of an opening date earlier than the

Saturday nearest October 1 in the Lower Peninsula beyond the 1999-2000

hunting season will be contingent upon the State's developing a

proposal for evaluating the population composition of the Canada goose

harvest during the earlier regular seasons in comparison to seasons

with a traditional opening date. In addition to identifying the kinds

of data to be collected and analyzed during the next few years, the

proposal should include a summary of data collected during the earlier

regular seasons in 1998-99 and 1999-2000. Michigan should submit the

proposal to us and the Mississippi Flyway Council prior to the

Council's March 2000 meeting.

Regarding the Lower-Region Regulation Committee's concern for

cumulative impacts of special-season harvests on migrant Canada goose

populations of concern, we are aware of the Committee's concern and are

monitoring the harvests occurring during these seasons.

9. Sandhill Cranes

Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended

removal of the ``float'' portion (10% of the total allowable harvest)

of the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) greater sandhill crane annual

harvest allocation for the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons. The Council

recommended removal of this harvest portion to allow a research study.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommended several changes in sandhill

crane seasons. For greater sandhill cranes, the Council recommended the

establishment of a new experimental crane hunt in Box Elder County,

Utah, between September 1 and September 30. For RMP cranes, the Council

recommended that the frameworks be modified to include Bear Lake and

Fremont Counties in Idaho, and that the current requirement for hunter

check stations in these counties be waived. The Council further

recommended that the annual check station requirement for the Arizona

[[Page 39466]]

RMP Greater Sandhill Crane hunt be modified to a required check station

every 3 years.

Service Response: We concur with the various proposals from the

Central and Pacific Flyway Councils regrading RMP Cranes. We note that

several of the proposals received from the Pacific Flyway Council were

requests for exemptions from specific provisions of the management plan

for this population. We believe the biological information was clearly

in support of the recommended exemptions, however, it would also note

that it is our strong preference to see the Councils address these

types of issues through management plan revisions rather than through

exemptions to procedures placed in Federal regulations. Therefore, we

have approved these recommendations but require that the management

plan for this population be revised to reflect these changes in

procedures by July, 2001. Further, we request that the Pacific Flyway

Council give consideration to changing management plans rather than

requesting federal regulatory changes if similar situations should

develop with this or other populations of migratory game birds in the

future.

18. Alaska

Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council made several

recommendations concerning Alaska. For sea ducks, the Council

recommended reducing the separate sea duck bag and possession limits

from

15/30 to 10/20 king and common eiders, scoters, and mergansers in the

aggregate. Long-tailed ducks (oldsquaws) and harlequins would be

included in general duck limits and seasons would remain closed for

spectacled and Steller's eiders. For Canada geese, the Council

recommended removal of Canada goose bag limit restrictions within dark

goose bag limits (4/8) in Alaska Game Management Subunit 9E (Alaska

Peninsula) and Unit 18 (Y-K Delta). Further, for tundra swans, the

Council recommended that tundra swan permits issued for swan hunts in

Alaska allow the take of up to 3 swans per permit, with no change in

reporting requirements or other framework conditions.

Written comments: A constituent from Alaska wrote regarding the

need for greater reductions in sea duck harvest regulations than had

been proposed by the Pacific Flyway Council.

Service Response: We concur with the recommendations of the Pacific

Flyway Council regarding Alaska's migratory game birds regulations for

the 1999-2000 hunting season. We have carefully reviewed the

recommendation regarding changes in sea duck regulations for Alaska

from both the Council and from a concerned constituent from Alaska. The

population status of sea ducks remains a concern to us. We believe that

the changes proposed by the Council constitute a good first step in

developing a more comprehensive strategy for the long-term harvest

management of sea ducks in Alaska. We are convinced that the long-term

solution will involve both sport and subsistence harvest as well as

meeting many of the pressing information needs for this important group

of waterfowl. We look forward to working with our partners in the newly

formed Sea Duck Joint Venture to meet these challenges.

Additionally, we note that the tundra swan permit request for

Alaska is another instance where the Council is requesting an exemption

from procedures outlined in approved management plans. While we

recognize the special circumstances that have lead to this

recommendation and have approved the change in procedures as

recommended by the Council, we strongly prefer that future deviations

from procedures in the management plan be addressed through management

plan revisions rather than Federal regulation. Further, it is our

belief that changes in total harvest allocation were not intended to

result from the proposed changes in the permit procedure. Therefore, we

have not changed the total swan harvest allocated to Alaska. We

strongly recommend that the western tundra swan management and hunt

plans be revised in a timely fashion and prior to any further requests

for exceptions to the procedures outlined in the management and hunt

plans. We suggest that July of 2001 would seem a reasonable target date

for completion of such a revision and will work with the Council to

achieve this goal.

Public Comment Invited

We intend that adopted final rules be as responsive as possible to

all concerned interests, and therefore desire to obtain the comments

and suggestions of the public, other governmental agencies, non-

governmental organizations, and other private interests on these

proposals. However, special circumstances are involved in the

establishment of these regulations which limit the amount of time that

we can allow for public comment. Specifically, two considerations

compress the time in which the rulemaking process must operate: (1) the

need to establish final rules at a point early enough in the summer to

allow affected State agencies to appropriately adjust their licensing

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

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

migratory shore and upland game bird populations. Therefore, we believe

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

the public interest.

The Department of the Interior's policy is, whenever practicable,

to afford the public an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking

process. Accordingly, we invite interested persons to submit written

comments, suggestions, or recommendations regarding the proposed

regulations. Before promulgation of final migratory game bird hunting

regulations, we will take into consideration all comments received.

Such comments, and any additional information received, may lead to

final regulations that differ from these proposals. We invite

interested persons to participate in this rulemaking by submitting

written comments to the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

You may inspect comments received on the proposed annual regulations

during normal business hours at the Service's office in room 634, 4401

North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia. For each series of proposed

rulemakings, we will establish specific comment periods. We will

consider, but possibly may not respond in detail to, each comment. As

in the past, we will summarize all comments received during the comment

period and respond to them after the closing date.

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 the Environmental Protection Agency on June 9, 1988.

We published a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on June

16, 1988 (53 FR 22582). We published our Record of Decision on August

18, 1988 (53 FR 31341). Copies are available from the address indicated

under the caption ADDRESSES.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

Prior to issuance of the 1999-2000 migratory game bird hunting

regulations, we will consider provisions of the Endangered Species Act

of 1973, as amended, (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543; hereinafter the Act) to

ensure that hunting is not likely to jeopardize the

[[Page 39467]]

continued existence of any species designated as endangered or

threatened or modify or destroy its critical habitat and that the

proposed action is consistent with conservation programs for those

species. Consultations under Section 7 of this Act may cause us to

change proposals in this and future supplemental proposed rulemakings.

Executive Order (E.O.) 12866

While this individual supplemental rule was not reviewed by the

Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the migratory bird hunting

regulations are economically significant and are annually reviewed by

OMB under E.O. 12866. E.O. 12866 requires each agency to write

regulations that are easy to understand. We invite comments on how to

make this rule easier to understand, including answers to questions

such as the following: (1) Are the requirements in the rule clearly

stated? (2) Does the rule contain technical language or jargon that

interferes with its clarity? (3) Does the format of the rule (grouping

and order of sections, use of headings, paragraphing, etc.) aid or

reduce its clarity? (4) Would the rule be easier to understand if it

were divided into more (but shorter) sections? (5) Is the description

of the rule in the ``Supplementary Information'' section of the

preamble helpful in understanding the rule? What else could we do to

make the rule easier to understand?

Regulatory Flexibility Act

These regulations have a significant economic impact on substantial

numbers of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5

U.S.C. 601 et seq.). We analyzed the economic impacts of the annual

hunting regulations on small business entities in detail and issued a

Small Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis) in 1998. The Analysis

documented the significant beneficial economic effect on a substantial

number of small entities. The primary source of information about

hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting is the National

Hunting and Fishing Survey, which is conducted at 5-year intervals. The

Analysis was based on the 1996 National Hunting and Fishing Survey and

the U.S. Department of Commerce's County Business Patterns from which

it was estimated that migratory bird hunters would spend between $429

and $1,084 million at small businesses in 1998. Copies of the Analysis

are available upon request.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

This rule is a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business

Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. For the reasons outlined above,

this rule has an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more.

However, because this rule establishes hunting seasons, we do not plan

to defer the effective date under the exemption contained in 5 U.S.C.

808(1) .

Paperwork Reduction Act

We examined these regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of

1995. We utilize the various recordkeeping and reporting requirements

imposed under regulations established in 50 CFR part 20, Subpart K, in

the formulation of migratory game bird hunting regulations.

Specifically, OMB has approved the information collection requirements

of the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program and assigned

clearance number 1018-0015 (expires 9/30/2001). This information is

used to provide a sampling frame for voluntary national surveys to

improve our harvest estimates for all migratory game birds in order to

better manage these populations. OMB has also approved the information

collection requirements of the Sandhill Crane Harvest Questionnaire and

assigned clearance number 1018-0023 (expires 9/30/2000). The

information from this survey is used to estimate the magnitude, the

geographical and temporal distribution of harvest, and the portion it

constitutes of the total population. A Federal agency may not conduct

or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of

information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

We have determined and certify, in compliance with the requirements

of the Unfunded Mandates 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 proposed rule, has determined

that these regulations meet the applicable standards found in Sections

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

Takings Implication Assessment

In accordance with Executive Order 12630, this proposed rule,

authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, does not have significant

takings implications and does not affect any constitutionally protected

property rights. This rule will not result in the physical occupancy of

property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory taking

of any property. In fact, these rules allow hunters to exercise

otherwise unavailable privileges; and, therefore, reduce restrictions

on the use of private and public property.

Federalism Effects

Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the

Federal government has been given responsibility over these species by

the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We annually prescribe frameworks from

which the States make selections and employ guidelines to establish

special regulations on Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands.

This process preserves the ability of the States and Tribes to

determine which seasons meet their individual needs. Any State or Tribe

may be more restrictive than the Federal frameworks at any time. The

frameworks are developed in a cooperative process with the States and

the Flyway Councils. This allows States to participate in the

development of frameworks from which they will make selections, thereby

having an influence on their own regulations. These rules do not have a

substantial direct effect on fiscal capacity, change the roles or

responsibilities of Federal or State governments, or intrude on State

policy or administration. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order

12612, these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and

do not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

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 1999-2000

hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-711, 16 U.S.C. 712,

and 16 U.S.C. 742a-j.

Dated: July 13, 1999.

Donald J. Barry,

Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 1999-2000 Early Hunting Seasons

on Certain Migratory Game Birds

Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated

authorities, the Department of the Interior approved the following

proposed frameworks which prescribe season lengths, bag limits,

shooting hours, and outside dates

[[Page 39468]]

within which States may select for certain migratory game birds between

September 1, 1999, and March 10, 2000.

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.

Flyways and Management Units

Waterfowl Flyways

Atlantic Flyway--includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia,

Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,

North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont,

Virginia, and West Virginia.

Mississippi Flyway--includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,

Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri,

Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Central Flyway--includes Colorado (east of the Continental Divide),

Kansas, Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith Basin,

Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties east thereof),

Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except the

Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, South

Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the Continental Divide).

Pacific Flyway--includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho,

Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado,

Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.

Management Units

Mourning Dove Management Units

Eastern Management Unit--All States east of the Mississippi River,

and Louisiana.

Central Management Unit--Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas,

Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota,

Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.

Western Management Unit--Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,

Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

Woodcock Management Regions

Eastern Management Region--Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia,

Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,

North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont,

Virginia, and West Virginia.

Central Management Region--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,

Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,

Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota,

Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Other geographic descriptions are contained in a later portion of

this document.

Compensatory Days in the Atlantic Flyway: In the Atlantic Flyway

States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New

Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia,

where Sunday hunting is prohibited statewide by State law, all Sundays

are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and

coots).

Special September Teal Season

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

on all species of teal may be selected by the following States in areas

delineated by State regulations:

Atlantic Flyway--Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina,

Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. All seasons

are experimental.

Mississippi Flyway--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,

Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee.

Central Flyway--Colorado (part), Kansas, New Mexico (part),

Oklahoma, and Texas.

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

days in the Atlantic Flyway and 16 consecutive days in the Mississippi

and Central Flyways. The daily bag limit is 4 teal.

Shooting Hours

Atlantic Flyway--One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, if

evaluated; otherwise sunrise to sunset.

Mississippi and Central Flyways--One-half hour before sunrise to

sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri,

and Ohio, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.

Special September Duck Seasons

Florida: A 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September.

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

aggregate.

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

a 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September. The daily bag

limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the aggregate, of which

no more than 2 may be wood ducks.

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

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

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

season segment may commence no earlier than the Saturday nearest

September 20 (September 18). The daily bag and possession limits will

be the same as those in effect last year, but are subject to change

during the late-season regulations process. The remainder of the

regular duck season may not begin before October 10.

Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day

Outside Dates: States may select 1 day per duck-hunting zone,

designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day,'' in addition to their

regular duck seasons. The day must be held outside any regular duck

season on a weekend, holiday, or other non-school day when youth

hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate. The day may

be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-season

frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or within any

other open season on migratory birds.

Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limit may include ducks, geese,

mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and would be the same as

that allowed in the regular season. Flyway species and area

restrictions would remain in effect.

Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Participation Restrictions: Youth hunters must be 15 years of age

or younger. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age must

accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult could not duck

hunt but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special

youth day.

Scoter, Eider, and Oldsquaw Ducks (Atlantic Flyway)

Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 20.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

for ducks and are part of the regular duck season daily bag (not to

exceed 4 scoters) and possession limits.

[[Page 39469]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

hunting regulations adopted by the respective States.

Special Early Canada Goose Seasons

Atlantic Flyway

General Seasons

Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be

selected for the Montezuma Region of New York, the Lake Champlain

Region of New York and Vermont, the Eastern Unit of Maryland, and

Delaware. Seasons not to exceed 20 days during September 1-20 may be

selected for the Northeast Hunt Unit of North Carolina. Seasons not to

exceed 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected by New Jersey.

Seasons may not exceed 25 days during September 1-25 in the remainder

of the Flyway, except Georgia and Florida, where the season is closed.

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

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

Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5 Canada geese.

Experimental Seasons

Experimental Canada goose seasons of up to 20 days during September

1-20 may be selected by New York (Montezuma Region). Experimental

seasons of up to 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected by New

York (Long Island Zone), North Carolina (except in the Northeast Hunt

Unit), and South Carolina. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese

must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's

hunting regulations.

Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5 Canada geese.

Mississippi Flyway

General Seasons

Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be

selected, except in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, where the season

may not extend beyond September 10, and in the Michigan Counties of

Huron, Saginaw and Tuscola, where no special season may be held. The

daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open to the

hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated

as such in each State's hunting regulations.

Experimental Seasons

An experimental Canada goose season of up to 7 consecutive days

during September 16-22 may be selected by Minnesota, except in the

Northwest Goose Zone. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada

geese.

Central Flyway

General Seasons

Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be

selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open

to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and

designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.

Pacific Flyway

General Seasons

Wyoming may select an 8-day season on Canada geese between

September 1-15. This season is subject to the following conditions:

1. Where applicable, the season must be concurrent with the

September portion of the sandhill crane season.

2. All participants must have a valid State permit for the special

season.

3. A daily bag limit of 2, with season and possession limits of 4

will apply to the special season.

Oregon may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days

during the period September 1-15. In addition, in the NW goose

management zone, a 15-day season may be selected during the period

September 1-20. Any portion of the season selected between September 16

and 20 will be considered experimental. Daily bag limits may not exceed

5 Canada geese. In the NW goose zone, at a minimum, Oregon must provide

an annual evaluation of the number of dusky Canada geese present in the

hunt zone during the period September 16-20 and agree to adjust seasons

as necessary to avoid any potential harvest of dusky Canada geese.

Washington may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15

days during the period September 1-15. Daily bag limits may not exceed

3 Canada geese.

Idaho may select a 15-day season in the special East Canada Goose

Zone, as described in State regulations, during the period September 1-

15. All participants must have a valid State permit and the total

number of permits issued is not to exceed 110 for this zone. The daily

bag limit is 2.

Idaho may select a 7-day Canada Goose Season during the period

September 1-15 in Nez Perce County, with a bag limit of 4.

California may select a 9-day season in Humboldt County during the

period September 1-15. The daily bag limit is 2.

Areas open to hunting of Canada geese in each State must be

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

regulations.

Regular Goose Seasons

Regular goose seasons may open as early as September 18 in

Wisconsin and Michigan. In Wisconsin, and in Michigan for all geese

except Canada geese, season lengths and bag and possession limits will

be the same as those in effect last year, but are subject to change

during the late-season regulations process. In the Middle and South

Zones of Michigan, for Canada goose seasons opening September 18, the

season may not exceed 23 days. The daily bag limit will be 2 Canada

geese, except that in the South Zone, during that portion of the season

that overlaps the duck season, the daily bag limit will be one Canada

goose. Provision for seasons opening October 2 or later will be

contained in the late-season frameworks.

Sandhill Cranes

Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28.

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

selected in designated portions of the following States: Colorado,

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

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

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

Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes.

Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane

seasons must have a valid Federal sandhill crane hunting permit and/or,

in those States where a Federal sandhill crane permit is not issued, a

State-issued Harvest Information Survey Program (HIP) certification for

game bird hunting, in their possession while hunting.

Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways

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

may

[[Page 39470]]

select seasons for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the

Rocky Mountain Population subject to the following conditions:

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.

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

days.

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

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

appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.

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

protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons

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

and Pacific Flyway Councils with the following exceptions:

(1) In Utah, the requirement for monitoring the racial composition

of the harvest in the experimental season is waived and 100% of the

harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota;

(2) In Arizona, the annual requirement for monitoring the racial

composition of the harvest is changed to once every 3 years; and

(3) In Idaho, seasons are experimental and the requirement for

monitoring the racial composition of the harvest is waived, 100% of the

harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota.

Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules

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

Flyway, and between September 1 and the Sunday nearest January 20

(January 23) in the Mississippi and Central Flyways. States in the

Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons

between the outside dates for the season on ducks; therefore, they are

late-season frameworks and no frameworks are provided in this document.

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

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

split into 2 segments. The daily bag limit is 15 common moorhens and

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

Rails

Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between

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

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

split into 2 segments.

Daily Bag Limits

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

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

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

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

aggregate of the two species.

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

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

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

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

the Pacific Flyway.

Common Snipe

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28, except in

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

Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia,

where the season must end no later than January 31.

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

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

snipe.

American Woodcock

Outside Dates: States in the Eastern Management Region may select

hunting seasons between October 6 and January 31. States in the Central

Management Region may select hunting seasons between the Saturday

nearest September 22 (September 25) and January 31.

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 30

days in the Atlantic Flyway and 45 days in the Central and Mississippi

Flyways. The daily bag limit is 3. Seasons may be split into two

segments.

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

season in each zone may not exceed 24 days.

Band-Tailed Pigeons

Pacific Coast States (California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada)

Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 1.

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

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

respectively.

Zoning: California may select hunting seasons not to exceed 9

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

must close by October 4.

Four-Corners States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah)

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and November 30.

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

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

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

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

not open until October 1.

Mourning Doves

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

otherwise provided, States may select hunting seasons and daily bag

limits as follows:

Eastern Management Unit

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

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

of 15.

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

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

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

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

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

length, and shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting

zones.

Central Management Unit

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

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

of 15.

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

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

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

zones subject to the following conditions:

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

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

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

concurrently with that special season (see white-winged dove

frameworks).

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

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

and January 25.

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

alternative) in the aggregate, no more than 2 of which may be white-

tipped doves, except that during the special white-winged dove season,

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

white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 5 may be

mourning doves and 2 may be white-tipped doves.

[[Page 39471]]

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

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

hunting zone.

Western Management Unit

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah,

and Washington--Not more than 30 consecutive days with a daily bag

limit of 10 mourning doves (in Nevada, the daily bag limit may not

exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

in the aggregate.

White-Winged and White-Tipped Doves

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits

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

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

seasons.

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

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

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

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

doves.

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

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

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

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

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

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

aggregate.

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

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

In Texas, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 doves (15 under the

alternative) in the aggregate, of which not more than 2 may be white-

tipped doves.

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

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

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

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

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

white-tipped doves.

Alaska

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 26.

Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select 107 consecutive days for

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

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

each zone must be concurrent.

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

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

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

eiders.

Daily Bag and Possession Limits

Ducks--Except as noted, a basic daily bag limit of 7 and a

possession limit of 21 ducks. Daily bag and possession limits in the

North Zone are 10 and 30, and in the Gulf Coast Zone they are 8 and 24,

respectively. The basic limits may include no more than 1 canvasback

daily and 3 in possession.

In addition to the basic duck limits, there is a sea duck daily bag

limit of 10, with a possession limit of 20, scoter, common and king

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

aggregate. Alaska may choose to allow these sea duck limits in addition

to regular duck bag limits. However, the total daily bag limit for any

duck species may not exceed 10.

Light Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 3 and a possession limit of

6.

Dark Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit of

8.

Dark-goose seasons are subject to the following exceptions:

1. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from

September 28 through December 16. A special, permit only Canada goose

season may be offered on Middleton Island. No more than 10 permits can

be issued. A mandatory goose identification class is required . Hunters

must check-in and check-out. Bag limit of 1 daily and 1 in possession.

Season to close if incidental harvest includes 5 dusky Canada geese. A

dusky Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR

color value five or less) with a bill length between 40 and 50

millimeters.

2. In Unit 10 (except Unimak Island), the taking of Canada geese is

prohibited.

3. In Unit 9(D) and the Unimak Island portion of Unit 10, the

limits for dark geese are 6 daily and 12 in possession.

Brant--A daily bag limit of 2.

Common snipe--A daily bag limit of 8.

Sandhill cranes--A daily bag limit of 3.

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

to the following conditions:

1. All seasons are by registration permit only.

2. All season framework dates are September 1-October 31.

3. In GMU 18, no more than 500 swans may be harvested during the

operational season. Up to 3 tundra swans may be authorized per permit.

No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter per season.

4. In GMU 22, no more than 300 swans may be harvested during the

operational season. Each permittee may be authorized to take up to 3

tundra swan per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter

per season.

5. In GMU 23, no more than 300 swans may be harvested during the

experimental season. No more than 3 tundra swans may be authorized per

permit with no more than 1 permit issued per hunter per season. The

experimental season evaluation must adhere to the guidelines for

experimental seasons as described in the Pacific Flyway Management Plan

for the Western Population of (Tundra) Swans.

Hawaii

Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.

Hunting Seasons: Not more than 65 days (75 under the alternative)

for mourning doves.

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

doves.

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

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

subject to the applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20.

Puerto Rico

Doves and Pigeons

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.

Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days.

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

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

scaly-naped pigeons.

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

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

El Verde

[[Page 39472]]

Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas.

Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and Snipe

Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.

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

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

two segments.

Daily Bag Limits

Ducks--Not to exceed 6.

Common moorhens--Not to exceed 6.

Common snipe--Not to exceed 8.

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

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

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

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

and Caribbean coot.

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

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

Virgin Islands

Doves and Pigeons

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.

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

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

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

doves, or pigeons in the Virgin Islands.

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

Ruth Cay (just south of St. Croix).

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

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

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

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

pigeon.

Ducks

Outside Dates: Between December 1 and January 31.

Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 consecutive days.

Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 6.

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

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

and masked duck.

Special Falconry Regulations

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

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

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

accordance with the following:

Extended Seasons: For all hunting methods combined, the combined

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

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

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

into a maximum of 3 segments.

Framework Dates: Seasons must fall between September 1 and March

10.

Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Falconry daily bag and possession

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

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

falconry seasons, any special or experimental seasons, and regular

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

extended falconry season.

Regular Seasons: General hunting regulations, including seasons and

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

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

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

Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions

Mourning and White-Winged Doves

Alabama

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

Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties.

North Zone--Remainder of the State.

California

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

Bernardino Counties.

Florida

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

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

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

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

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

and east of the St. Marks River).

South Zone--Remainder of State.

Georgia

Northern Zone--That portion of the State lying north of a line

running west to east along U.S. Highway 280 from Columbus to Wilcox

County, thence southward along the western border of Wilcox County;

thence east along the southern border of Wilcox County to the Ocmulgee

River, thence north along the Ocmulgee River to Highway 280, thence

east along Highway 280 to the Little Ocmulgee River; thence southward

along the Little Ocmulgee River to the Ocmulgee River; thence

southwesterly along the Ocmulgee River to the western border of the

Jeff Davis County; thence south along the western border of Jeff Davis

County; thence east along the southern border of Jeff Davis and Appling

Counties; thence north along the eastern border of Appling County, to

the Altamaha River; thence east to the eastern border of Tattnall

County; thence north along the eastern border of Tattnall County;

thence north along the western border of Evans to Candler County;

thence west along the southern border of Candler County to the Ohoopee

River; thence north along the western border of Candler County to

Bulloch County; thence north along the western border of Bulloch County

to U.S. Highway 301; thence northeast along U.S. Highway 301 to the

South Carolina line.

South Zone--Remainder of the State.

Louisiana

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

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

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

Mississippi State line.

South Zone--The remainder of the State.

Mississippi

South Zone--The Counties of Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock,

Harrison, Jackson, Lamar, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Stone, and

Walthall.

North Zone--The remainder of the State.

Nevada

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

Texas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[[Page 39473]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

of Mexico.

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

Willacy Counties.

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

South Zones.

Band-Tailed Pigeons

California

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

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

Counties.

South Zone--The remainder of the State.

New Mexico

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

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

Socorro to the Texas State line.

South Zone--Remainder of the State.

Washington

Western Washington--The State of Washington excluding those

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

White Salmon River in Klickitat County.

Woodcock

New Jersey

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

South Zone--The remainder of the State.

Special September Canada Goose Seasons

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut

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

Maryland

Eastern Unit--Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles,

Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Annes, St. Marys, Somerset, Talbot,

Wicomico, and Worcester Counties, and those portions of Baltimore,

Howard, and Prince George's Counties east of I-95.

Western Unit--Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery,

and Washington Counties, and those portions of Baltimore, Howard, and

Prince George's Counties east of I-95.

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 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, except for the Montezuma Zone.

Montezuma Zone--Those portions of Cayuga, Seneca, Ontario, Wayne,

and Oswego Counties north of U.S. Route 20, east of NYS Route 14, south

of NYS Route 104, and west of NYS Route 34.

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.

North Carolina

Northeast Hunt Unit--Counties of Bertie, Camden, Chovan, Currituck,

Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington.

South Carolina

Early-season Hunt Unit--Clarendon County and those portions of

Orangeburg County north of SC Highway 6 and Berkeley County north of SC

Highway 45 from the Orangeburg County line to the junction of SC

Highway 45 and State Road S-8-31 and west of the Santee Dam.

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.

Mississippi Flyway

Illinois

Northeast Canada Goose Zone--Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee,

Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.

North Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast Canada

Goose Zone and 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 outside the Northeast

Canada Goose Zone and south of the North Zone to 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.

South Zone: The remainder of Illinois.

[[Page 39474]]

Iowa

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

east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 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.

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 Scenic Drive,

easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive 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.

Minnesota

Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone.

A. All of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.

B. In Anoka County, all of Columbus Township lying south of County

State Aid Highway (CSAH) 18, Anoka County; all of the cities of Ramsey,

Andover, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Spring Lake Park, Fridley, Hilltop,

Columbia Heights, Blaine, Lexington, Circle Pines, Lino Lakes, and

Centerville; and all of the city of Ham Lake except that portion lying

north of CSAH 18 and east of U.S. Highway 65.

C. That part of Carver County lying north and east of the following

described line: Beginning at the northeast corner of San Francisco

Township; thence west along the north boundary of San Francisco

Township to the east boundary of Dahlgren Township; thence north along

the east boundary of Dahlgren Township to U.S. Highway 212; thence west

along U.S. Highway 212 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 284; thence north

on STH 284 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10; thence north and west

on CSAH 10 to CSAH 30; thence north and west on CSAH 30 to STH 25;

thence east and north on STH 25 to CSAH 10; thence north on CSAH 10 to

the Carver County line.

D. In Scott County, all of the cities or Shakopee, Savage, Prior

Lake, and Jordan, and all of the Townships of Jackson, Louisville, St.

Lawrence, Sand Creek, Spring Lake, and Credit River.

E. In Dakota County, all of the cities of Burnsville, Eagan,

Mendota Heights, Mendota, Sunfish Lake, Inver Grove Heights, Apple

Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Farmington, Hastings, Lilydale, West St.

Paul, and South St. Paul, and all of the Township of Nininger.

F. That portion of Washington County lying south of the following

described line: Beginning at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 on the

west boundary of the county; thence east on CSAH 2 to U.S. Highway 61;

thence south on U.S. Highway 61 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 97; thence

east on STH 97 to the intersection of STH 97 and STH 95; thence due

east to the east boundary of the State.

Northwest Goose Zone (included for reference only, not a special

September Goose Season 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.

Two Goose Zone--That portion of the state lying east of Interstate

Highway 35 and south of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone.

Five Goose Zone--That portion of the state not included in the Twin

Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone, the Northwest Goose Zone, or the

Two Goose Zone.

Tennessee

Middle Tennessee Zone--Those portions of Houston, Humphreys,

Montgomery, Perry, and Wayne Counties east of State Highway 13; and

Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles,

Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Moore,

Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson

Counties.

East Tennessee Zone--Anderson, Bledsoe, Bradley, Blount, Campbell,

Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Cumberland, Dekalb, Fentress, Grainger,

Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jackson,

Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe,

Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie,

Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, and

White Counties.

Wisconsin

Early-Season Subzone A--That portion of the State encompassed by a

line beginning at the Lake Michigan shore in Sheboygan, then west along

State Highway 23 to State 67, southerly along State 67 to County

Highway E in Sheboygan County, southerly along County E to State 28,

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

41 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to County Highway U in

Washington County, southerly along County U to County N, southeasterly

along County N to State 60, westerly along State 60 to County Highway P

in Dodge County, southerly along County P to County O, westerly along

County O to State 109, south and west along State 109 to State 26,

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

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

Illinois border, east along the Illinois border to the Michigan border

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

point directly east of State 23 in Sheboygan, then west along that line

to the point of beginning on the Lake Michigan shore in Sheboygan.

Early-Season Subzone B--That portion of the State between Early-

Season Subzone A and a line beginning at the intersection of U.S.

Highway 141 and the Michigan border near Niagara, then south along U.S.

141 to State Highway 22, west and southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45,

south along U.S. 45 to State 22, west and south along State 22 to State

110, south along State 110 to U.S. 10, south along U.S. 10 to State 49,

south along State 49 to State 23, west along State 23 to State 73,

south along State 73 to State 60, west along State 60 to State 23,

south along State 23 to State 11, east along State 11 to State 78, then

south along State 78 to the Illinois border.

[[Page 39475]]

Central Flyway

Kansas

September Canada Goose Unit--That part of Kansas bounded by a line

from the Kansas-Missouri state line west on KS-68 to its junction with

KS-33, then north on KS-33 to its junction with US-56, then west on US-

56 to its junction with KS-31, then west-northwest on KS-31 to its

junction with KS-99, then north on KS-99 to its junction with US-24,

then east on US-24 to its junction with KS-63, then north on KS-63 to

its junction with KS-16, then east on KS-16 to its junction with KS-

116, then east on KS-116 to its junction with US-59, then northeast on

US-59 to its junction with the Kansas-Missouri line, then south on the

Kansas-Missouri line to its junction with KS-68.

South Dakota

September Canada Goose Unit--Brookings, Clark, Codington, Day,

Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Kingsbury, Lake, McCook, Moody Counties, and

Miner County east of SD 25, and that portion of Minnehaha County north

and west of a line beginning at the junction of County 130 (Renner

Road) and the Minnesota border, then west on County 130 to I-29 and

along I-29 to the Lincoln County line.

Pacific Flyway

Idaho

East Zone--Bonneville, Caribou, Fremont and Teton Counties.

Oregon

Northwest Zone--Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane,

Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and

Yamhill Counties.

Southwest Zone--Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and

Klamath Counties.

East Zone--Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla,

Union and Wasco Counties.

Washington

Southwest Zone--Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties.

East Zone--Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Garfield, Klickitat, and

Whitman Counties.

Wyoming

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

regulations.

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

regulations.

Farson-Edon Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette

Counties described in State regulations.

Teton Area--Those portions of Teton County described in State

regulations.

Bridger Valley Area--The area described as the Bridger Valley Hunt

Unit in State regulations.

Ducks

Atlantic Flyway

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.

Mississippi Flyway

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.

Iowa

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

east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 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.

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.

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.

Pacific Flyway

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

[[Page 39476]]

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.

Canada Geese

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 Scenic Drive,

easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive 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.

Sandhill Cranes

Central Flyway

Colorado

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

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

Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache Counties east of the Continental

Divide) and North Park (Jackson County).

Kansas

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

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

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

New Mexico

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

and Roosevelt Counties.

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

Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties.

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

Oklahoma

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

Texas

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

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

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

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

Oklahoma border.

North Dakota

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

281.

South Dakota

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

281.

Montana

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

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

Wyoming

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

Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties.

Riverton-Boysen Unit--Portions of Fremont County.

Park and Bighorn County Unit--Portions of Park and Bighorn

Counties.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona

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

Montana

Special-Season Area--See State regulations.

Utah

Special-Season Area--Rich, Cache, and Box Elder Counties.

Wyoming

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

regulations.

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

regulations.

Eden-Farson Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette

Counties described in State regulations.

All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska

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

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

10--Unimak Island only.

Southeast Zone--State Game Management Units 1-4.

Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone--State Game Management Unit 10--

except Unimak Island.

Kodiak Zone--State Game Management Unit 8.

All Migratory Birds in the Virgin Islands

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

Croix.

All Migratory Birds in Puerto Rico

Municipality of Culebra Closure Area--All of the municipality of

Culebra.

Desecheo Island Closure Area--All of Desecheo Island.

Mona Island Closure Area--All of Mona Island.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Routes 186 and 956 south to

[[Page 39477]]

Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within Km 14 and Km 6 on the west and

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

within the Caribbean National Forest Boundary whether private or

public.

Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas--All of Cidra Municipality

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

Municipalities as encompassed within the following boundary: beginning

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

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

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

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

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

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

of beginning.

BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

[[Page 39478]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP22JY99.003

[FR Doc. 99-18672 Filed 7-21-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-55-C