# 87 FR 5946: Migratory Bird Hunting; 2022-23 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_2022-01852

## Section

- **Citation:** 87 FR 5946
- **Heading:** Migratory Bird Hunting; 2022-23 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Federal Register / Vol. 87 / 87 FR 5946

## Text

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 20 [Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2021-0057; FF09M2200-223-FXMB1231099BPP0] RIN 1018-BF07 Migratory Bird Hunting; 2022-23 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations AGENCY:
Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:
Proposed rule; supplemental.

SUMMARY:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) is proposing to establish the 2022-23 hunting regulations for certain migratory game birds. We annually prescribe outside limits (which we call frameworks) within which States may select hunting seasons. Frameworks specify the outside dates, season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and areas where migratory game bird hunting may occur. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and limits and to allow harvest at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions. Migratory game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance, and aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds.

DATES:
You must submit comments on the proposed migratory bird hunting frameworks by March 4, 2022.

ADDRESSES:

Comments: You may submit comments on the proposals by one of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter the docket number or RIN for this rulemaking (presented above in the document headings). For best results, do not copy and paste either number; instead, type the docket number or RIN into the Search box using hyphens. Then, click on the Search button. On the resulting page, in the panel on the left side of the screen, under the Document Type heading, check the Proposed Rule box to locate this document. You may submit a comment by clicking on “Comment.”
• U.S. Mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-HQ-MB-2021-0057; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: JAO/3W, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803
Then, click on the Search button. On the resulting page, in the panel on the left side of the screen, under the Document Type heading, check the Proposed Rule box to locate this document. You may submit a comment by clicking on “Comment.”
• U.S. Mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-HQ-MB-2021-0057; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: JAO/3W, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
We will not accept emailed or faxed comments. We will post all comments on https://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any personal information you provide us (see Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations, below, for more information).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jerome Ford, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, (202) 208-1050.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Process for Establishing Annual Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations
As part of the Department of the Interior's retrospective regulatory review, in 2015 we developed a schedule for migratory game bird hunting regulations that is more efficient and establishes hunting season dates earlier than was possible under the previous process. Under the current process, we develop proposed hunting season frameworks for a given year in the fall of the prior year. We then finalize those frameworks a few months later, thereby enabling the State agencies to select and publish their season dates in early summer. We provided a detailed overview of the current process in the August 3, 2017, Federal Register (82 FR 36308). This proposed rule is the second in a series of proposed and final rules that establish regulations for the 2022-23 migratory game bird-hunting season.
Regulations Schedule for 2022
The process for promulgating annual regulations for the hunting of migratory game birds involves the publication of a series of proposed and final rulemaking documents. On August 31, 2021, we published in the Federal Register (86 FR 48649) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20
final rules that establish regulations for the 2022-23 migratory game bird-hunting season.
Regulations Schedule for 2022
The process for promulgating annual regulations for the hunting of migratory game birds involves the publication of a series of proposed and final rulemaking documents. On August 31, 2021, we published in the Federal Register (86 FR 48649) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal provided a background and overview of the migratory bird hunting regulations process, and addressed the establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for hunting migratory game birds under §§ 20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. This document is the second in a series of proposed and final rules for promulgating annual migratory game bird hunting regulations. Major steps in the 2022-23 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal Register notifications were illustrated in the diagram at the end of the August 31, 2021, proposed rule. For this regulatory cycle, we have combined elements of the document that is described in the diagram as Supplemental Proposals with the document that is described as Proposed Season Frameworks.
Further, in the August 31, 2021, proposed rule we explained that all sections of subsequent documents outlining hunting frameworks and guidelines would be organized under numbered headings, which were set forth at 86 FR 48649. This and subsequent documents will refer only to numbered items requiring attention. Because we will omit those items not requiring attention, the remaining numbered items may be discontinuous, and the list will appear incomplete.
We provided the meeting dates and locations for the Service Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council meetings on Flyway calendars posted on our website at https://www.fws.gov/birds/management/flyways.php. We announced the April SRC meeting in the March 25, 2021, Federal Register (86 FR 15957) and on our website
ining numbered items may be discontinuous, and the list will appear incomplete.
We provided the meeting dates and locations for the Service Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council meetings on Flyway calendars posted on our website at https://www.fws.gov/birds/management/flyways.php. We announced the April SRC meeting in the March 25, 2021, Federal Register (86 FR 15957) and on our website. The August 31, 2021, proposed rule provided detailed information on the proposed 2022-23 regulatory schedule and announced the September SRC meeting. The SRC conducted an open meeting with the Flyway Council Consultants on April 6, 2021, to discuss preliminary issues for the 2022-23 regulations, and on September 28-29, 2021, to review information on the current status of migratory game birds and develop recommendations for the 2022-23 regulations for these species.
This supplemental proposed rule provides the regulatory alternatives for the 2022-23 duck hunting season and provides proposed frameworks for the 2022-23 migratory bird hunting season. It will lead to final frameworks from which States may select season dates, shooting hours, areas, and limits. We have considered all pertinent comments received through September 2021, which includes comments submitted in response to our August 31 proposed rulemaking document and comments from the September SRC meeting. In addition, new proposals for certain regulations are provided for public comment. The comment period is specified above under DATES . We anticipate publishing final regulatory frameworks for migratory game bird hunting in the Federal Register around May 2022.
Population Status and Harvest
Each year we publish reports that provide detailed information on the status and harvest of certain migratory game bird species. These reports are available at the address indicated under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or from our website at https://www.fws.gov/birds/surveys-and-data/reports-and-publications/population-status.php
Federal Register around May 2022.
Population Status and Harvest
Each year we publish reports that provide detailed information on the status and harvest of certain migratory game bird species. These reports are available at the address indicated under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or from our website at https://www.fws.gov/birds/surveys-and-data/reports-and-publications/population-status.php.
We used the following annual reports published in August 2021 in the development of proposed frameworks for the migratory bird hunting regulations: Adaptive Harvest Management, 2022 Hunting Season; American Woodcock Population Status, 2021; Band-tailed Pigeon Population Status, 2021; Migratory Bird Hunting Activity and Harvest During the 2019-20 and 2020-21 Hunting Seasons; Mourning Dove Population Status, 2021; Status and Harvests of Sandhill Cranes, Mid-continent, Rocky Mountain, Lower Colorado River Valley and Eastern Populations, 2021; and Waterfowl Population Status, 2021.
Our long-term objectives continue to include providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game bird populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Migratory game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance, and aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds. Having taken into account the zones of temperature and the distribution, abundance, economic value, breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of migratory birds, we conclude that the proposed hunting seasons provided for herein are compatible with the current status of migratory bird populations and long-term population goals. Additionally, we are obligated to, and do, give serious consideration to all information received during the public comment period
ibution, abundance, economic value, breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of migratory birds, we conclude that the proposed hunting seasons provided for herein are compatible with the current status of migratory bird populations and long-term population goals. Additionally, we are obligated to, and do, give serious consideration to all information received during the public comment period.
Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations
The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the August 31, 2021, Federal Register , opened the public comment period for migratory game bird hunting regulations and described the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2022-23 duck hunting season. Comments and recommendations are summarized below and numbered in the order used in the August 31, 2021, proposed rule (see 86 FR 48649).
We received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils at the April and September SRC meetings; all recommendations are from the September meeting unless otherwise noted. Some recommendations supported continuation of last year's frameworks. Due to the comprehensive nature of the annual review of the frameworks performed by the Councils, support for continuation of last year's frameworks is assumed for items for which no recommendations were received. Council recommendations for changes in the frameworks are summarized below. As explained earlier in this document, we have included only the numbered items pertaining to issues for which we received recommendations. Consequently, the issues do not follow in successive numerical order.
We seek additional information and comments on the recommendations in this supplemental proposed rule. New proposals and modifications to previously described proposals are discussed below. Wherever possible, proposals are discussed under headings corresponding to the numbered items in the August 31, 2021, proposed rule
tions. Consequently, the issues do not follow in successive numerical order.
We seek additional information and comments on the recommendations in this supplemental proposed rule. New proposals and modifications to previously described proposals are discussed below. Wherever possible, proposals are discussed under headings corresponding to the numbered items in the August 31, 2021, proposed rule.
General
Written Comments: Several commenters protested the entire migratory bird hunting regulations process, the killing of all migratory birds, and questioned the status and habitat data on which the migratory bird hunting regulations are based.
Service Response: As we indicated above under Population Status and Harvest, our long-term objectives continue to include providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game bird populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Sustaining migratory bird populations and ensuring a variety of sustainable uses, including harvest, is consistent with the guiding principles by which migratory birds are to be managed under the conventions between the United States and several foreign nations for the protection and management of these birds. We have taken into account available information and considered public comments and continue to conclude that the hunting seasons provided for herein are compatible with the current status of migratory bird populations and long-term population goals. In regard to the regulations process, the Flyway Council system of migratory bird management has been a longstanding example of State-Federal cooperative management since its establishment in 1952 in the regulation development process and bird population and habitat monitoring. However, as always, we continue to seek new ways to streamline and improve the process and ensure adequate conservation of the resource.
1. Ducks
A
rocess, the Flyway Council system of migratory bird management has been a longstanding example of State-Federal cooperative management since its establishment in 1952 in the regulation development process and bird population and habitat monitoring. However, as always, we continue to seek new ways to streamline and improve the process and ensure adequate conservation of the resource.
1. Ducks
A. General Harvest Strategy
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory alternative for their respective flyways.
Service Response: As we stated in the August 31, 2021, proposed rule, we intend to continue use of Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) to help determine appropriate duck-hunting regulations for the 2022-23 season. AHM is a tool that permits sound resource decisions in the face of uncertain regulatory impacts and provides a mechanism for reducing that uncertainty over time. We use an AHM protocol (decision framework) to evaluate four regulatory alternatives, each with a different expected harvest level, and choose the optimal regulation for duck hunting based on the status and demographics of mallards for the Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways, and based on the status and demographics of a suite of four species (eastern waterfowl) in the Atlantic Flyway (see below, and the earlier referenced report “Adaptive Harvest Management, 2022 Hunting Season” for more details). We have specific AHM protocols that guide appropriate bag limits and season lengths for species of special concern, including black ducks, scaup, and pintails, within the general duck season. These protocols use the same outside season dates and lengths as those regulatory alternatives for the 2022-23 general duck season
report “Adaptive Harvest Management, 2022 Hunting Season” for more details). We have specific AHM protocols that guide appropriate bag limits and season lengths for species of special concern, including black ducks, scaup, and pintails, within the general duck season. These protocols use the same outside season dates and lengths as those regulatory alternatives for the 2022-23 general duck season.
For the 2022-23 hunting season, we will continue to use independent optimizations to determine the appropriate regulatory alternative for mallard stocks in the Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways and for eastern waterfowl in the Atlantic Flyway. This means that we will develop regulations for mid-continent mallards, western mallards, and eastern waterfowl independently based on the breeding stock(s) that contributes primarily to each Flyway. We detailed implementation of AHM protocols for mid-continent and western mallards in the July 24, 2008, Federal Register (73 FR 43290), and for eastern waterfowl in the September 21, 2018, Federal Register (83 FR 47868).
We also stated in the August 31, 2021, proposed rule that the coronavirus pandemic and associated travel restrictions and human health concerns in the United States and Canada prevented the Service and their partners from performing the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (WBPHS) and estimating waterfowl e.g., 2019 observations). However, for some system state variables ( i.e., pond numbers and mean latitude), we have used updated time series models to forecast 2021 values based on the most recent information. These technical adjustments are described in detail in the report entitled “Adaptive Harvest Management, 2022 Hunting Season” referenced above under Population Status and Harvest
g waterfowl e.g., 2019 observations). However, for some system state variables ( i.e., pond numbers and mean latitude), we have used updated time series models to forecast 2021 values based on the most recent information. These technical adjustments are described in detail in the report entitled “Adaptive Harvest Management, 2022 Hunting Season” referenced above under Population Status and Harvest.
Atlantic Flyway
For the Atlantic Flyway, we set duck-hunting regulations based on the status and demographics of a suite of four duck species (eastern waterfowl) in eastern Canada and the Atlantic Flyway States: green-winged teal, common goldeneye, ring-necked duck, and wood duck. For purposes of the assessment, eastern waterfowl stocks are those breeding in eastern Canada and Maine (Federal WBPHS fixed-wing surveys in strata 51-53, 56, and 62-70, and helicopter plot surveys in strata 51-52, 63-64, 66-68, and 70-72) and in Atlantic Flyway States from New Hampshire south to Virginia (Atlantic Flyway Breeding Waterfowl Survey, AFBWS). Abundance estimates for green-winged teal, ring-necked ducks, and goldeneyes are derived annually by integrating fixed-wing and helicopter survey data from eastern Canada and Maine (WBPHS strata 51-53, 56, and 62-72). Counts of green-winged teal, ring-necked ducks, and goldeneyes in the AFBWS are negligible and therefore excluded from population estimates for those species. Abundance estimates for wood ducks in the Atlantic Flyway (Maine south to Florida) are estimated by integrating data from the AFBWS and the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Counts of wood ducks from the WBPHS are negligible and therefore excluded from population estimates.
For the 2022-23 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for eastern waterfowl using: (1) A management objective of 98 percent of maximum long-term sustainable harvest for eastern waterfowl; (2) the 2022-23 regulatory alternatives; and (3) current stock-specific population models and associated weights
the WBPHS are negligible and therefore excluded from population estimates.
For the 2022-23 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for eastern waterfowl using: (1) A management objective of 98 percent of maximum long-term sustainable harvest for eastern waterfowl; (2) the 2022-23 regulatory alternatives; and (3) current stock-specific population models and associated weights. Based on the liberal regulatory alternative selected for the 2021-22 duck hunting season, the 2021 abundances of 1.02 million observed wood ducks, and 0.34 million American green-winged teal, 0.71 million ring-necked ducks, and 0.59 million goldeneyes predicted for the eastern survey area and Atlantic Flyway, the optimal regulation for the Atlantic Flyway is the liberal alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendation of the Atlantic Flyway Council regarding selection of the liberal regulatory alternative as described in the August 31, 2021, proposed rule for the 2022-23 season.
The mallard bag limit in the Atlantic Flyway is based on a separate assessment of the harvest potential of eastern mallards (see xi. Other, below, for further discussion on the mallard bag limit in the Atlantic Flyway).
Mississippi and Central Flyways
For the Mississippi and Central Flyways, we set duck-hunting regulations based on the status and demographics of mid-continent mallards and habitat conditions (pond numbers in Prairie Canada). For purposes of the assessment, mid-continent mallards are those breeding in central North America (Federal WBPHS strata 13-18, 20-50, and 75-77), and in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (State surveys).
For the 2022-23 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for mid-continent mallards using: (1) A management objective of maximum long-term sustainable harvest; (2) the 2022-23 regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population models and associated weights
North America (Federal WBPHS strata 13-18, 20-50, and 75-77), and in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (State surveys).
For the 2022-23 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for mid-continent mallards using: (1) A management objective of maximum long-term sustainable harvest; (2) the 2022-23 regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population models and associated weights. Based on a liberal regulatory alternative selected for the 2021-22 hunting season, the 2021 model predictions of 8.62 million mid-continent mallards and 2.94 million ponds in Prairie Canada, the optimal regulation for the Mississippi and Central Flyways is the liberal alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils regarding selection of the liberal regulatory alternative as described in the August 31, 2021, proposed rule for the 2022-23 season.
Pacific Flyway
For the Pacific Flyway, we set duck-hunting regulations based on the status and demographics of western mallards. For purposes of the assessment, western mallards consist of two substocks and are those breeding in Alaska and Yukon Territory (Federal WBPHS strata 1-12) and those breeding in the southern Pacific Flyway including California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia (State and Provincial surveys) combined.
For the 2022-23 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for western mallards using: (1) A management objective of maximum long-term sustainable harvest; (2) the 2022-23 regulatory alternatives; and (3) the current population model. Based on a liberal regulatory alternative selected for the 2021-22 hunting season, and 2021 abundances of 1.17 million western mallards observed in Alaska (0.64 million) and predicted for the southern Pacific Flyway (0.53 million), the optimal regulation for the Pacific Flyway is the liberal alternative
ainable harvest; (2) the 2022-23 regulatory alternatives; and (3) the current population model. Based on a liberal regulatory alternative selected for the 2021-22 hunting season, and 2021 abundances of 1.17 million western mallards observed in Alaska (0.64 million) and predicted for the southern Pacific Flyway (0.53 million), the optimal regulation for the Pacific Flyway is the liberal alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendation of the Pacific Flyway Council regarding selection of the liberal regulatory alternative as described in the August 31, 2021, proposed rule for the 2022-23 season.
B. Regulatory Alternatives
Council Recommendations: At the April SRC meeting, the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended that AHM regulatory alternatives for duck hunting during the 2022-23 season remain the same as those used in the previous season.
Service Response: Consistent with Flyway Council recommendations, the AHM regulatory alternatives proposed for the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways in the August 31, 2021, proposed rule (86 FR 48649) will be used for the 2022-23 hunting season (see accompanying table at the end of that document for specific information). The AHM regulatory alternatives consist only of the maximum season lengths, framework dates, and bag limits for total ducks and mallards. Restrictions for certain species within these frameworks that are not covered by existing harvest strategies will be addressed elsewhere in these proposed frameworks. For those species with specific harvest strategies (pintails, black ducks, and scaup), those strategies will again be used for the 2022-23 hunting season.
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
i. Early Teal Seasons
Because a spring 2021 abundance estimate from the WBPHS for blue-winged teal was not available, we used time series models to predict their abundance. The predicted estimate was 5.83 million birds
with specific harvest strategies (pintails, black ducks, and scaup), those strategies will again be used for the 2022-23 hunting season.
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
i. Early Teal Seasons
Because a spring 2021 abundance estimate from the WBPHS for blue-winged teal was not available, we used time series models to predict their abundance. The predicted estimate was 5.83 million birds. Because this estimate is greater than 4.7 million birds, the special early teal season guidelines (see 79 FR 51403, August 28, 2014) indicate that a 16-day special early (September)
ii. Early Teal-Wood Duck Seasons
In Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee, in lieu of a special early teal season, a 5-consecutive-day teal-wood duck season may be selected in September. The daily bag limit may not exceed 6 teal and wood ducks in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks. In addition, a 4-consecutive-day special early teal-only season may be selected in September either immediately before or immediately after the 5-consecutive-day teal-wood duck season. The daily bag limit is 6 teal.
iii. Black Ducks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils recommended continued use of the AHM protocol for black ducks, and adoption of the moderate regulatory alternative for their respective flyways. The Flyway-specific regulations consist of a daily bag limit of two black ducks and a season length of 60 days.
Service Response: The Service, Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils, and Canada adopted an international AHM protocol for black ducks in 2012 (77 FR 49868; August 17, 2012) whereby we set black duck hunting regulations for the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways (and Canada) based on the status and demographics of these birds. The AHM protocol clarifies country-specific target harvest levels and reduces conflicts over regulatory policies
d Mississippi Flyway Councils, and Canada adopted an international AHM protocol for black ducks in 2012 (77 FR 49868; August 17, 2012) whereby we set black duck hunting regulations for the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways (and Canada) based on the status and demographics of these birds. The AHM protocol clarifies country-specific target harvest levels and reduces conflicts over regulatory policies.
For the 2022-23 hunting season, we evaluated country-specific alternative harvest regulations using: (1) A management objective of 98 percent of maximum long-term sustainable harvest; (2) country-specific regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population models and associated weights. Based on the moderate regulatory alternative selected for the 2021-22 hunting season and the 2021 model predictions of 0.54 million breeding black ducks and 0.39 million breeding mallards (Federal WBPHS strata 51, 52, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, and 72; core survey area), the optimal regulation for the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways is the moderate alternative (and the liberal alternative in Canada). Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils.
iv. Canvasbacks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory alternative for their respective flyways. The Flyway-specific regulations consist of a daily bag limit of two canvasbacks and a season length of 60 days in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 74 days in the Central Flyway, and 107 days in the Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: As we discussed in the March 28, 2016, Federal Register (81 FR 17302), the canvasback harvest strategy that we had relied on until 2015 was not viable under our new regulatory process because it required biological information that was not yet available at the time a decision on season structure needed to be made
4 days in the Central Flyway, and 107 days in the Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: As we discussed in the March 28, 2016, Federal Register (81 FR 17302), the canvasback harvest strategy that we had relied on until 2015 was not viable under our new regulatory process because it required biological information that was not yet available at the time a decision on season structure needed to be made. We do not yet have a new harvest strategy to propose for use in guiding canvasback harvest management in the future. However, we have worked with technical staff of the four Flyway Councils to develop a decision framework (hereafter, decision support tool) that relies on the best biological information available to develop recommendations for annual canvasback harvest regulations. The decision support tool uses available information (1994-2014) on canvasback breeding population size in Alaska and north-central North America (Federal WBPHS traditional survey area, strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), growth rate, survival, and harvest, and a population model to evaluate alternative harvest regulations based on a management objective of maximum long-term sustainable harvest. The decision support tool calls for a closed season when the population is below 460,000, a 1-bird daily bag limit when the population is between 460,000 and 480,000, and a 2-bird daily bag limit when the population is greater than 480,000. Because abundance estimates were not available from the WBPHS, we used two different methods to predict canvasback abundance during spring 2021. One used a population model initially developed in the 1990s, and the other used the time series of recent abundances from the WBPHS. Based on the resulting predictions of 639,239 and 677,422 canvasbacks, respectively, for the two approaches, we concur with the recommendations of the four Flyway Councils regarding selection of the liberal regulatory alternative for the 2022-23 season.
v
ng 2021. One used a population model initially developed in the 1990s, and the other used the time series of recent abundances from the WBPHS. Based on the resulting predictions of 639,239 and 677,422 canvasbacks, respectively, for the two approaches, we concur with the recommendations of the four Flyway Councils regarding selection of the liberal regulatory alternative for the 2022-23 season.
v. Pintails
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory alternative with a 1-pintail daily bag limit for their respective flyways. The Flyway-specific regulations consist of a season length of 60 days in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 74 days in the Central Flyway, and 107 days in the Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: The Service and four Flyway Councils adopted an AHM protocol for pintail in 2010 (75 FR 44856; July 29, 2010) whereby we set pintail hunting regulations in all four Flyways based on the status and demographics of these birds.
For the 2022-23 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for pintails using: (1) A management objective of maximum long-term sustainable harvest, including a closed-season constraint of 1.75 million birds; (2) the regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population models and associated weights. Based on a liberal regulatory alternative with a 1-bird daily bag limit for the 2021-22 season, and the 2021 model predictions of 2.50 million pintails with the center of the population predicted to occur at a mean latitude of 55.47 degrees (Federal WBPHS traditional survey area, strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), the optimal regulation for all four Flyways is the liberal alternative with a 1-pintail daily bag limit. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the four Flyway Councils.
vi
nd the 2021 model predictions of 2.50 million pintails with the center of the population predicted to occur at a mean latitude of 55.47 degrees (Federal WBPHS traditional survey area, strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), the optimal regulation for all four Flyways is the liberal alternative with a 1-pintail daily bag limit. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the four Flyway Councils.
vi. Scaup
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the restrictive regulatory alternative for the 2022-23 season. The Flyway-specific regulations consist of a 60-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit during 40 consecutive days and a 2-bird daily bag limit during 20 consecutive days in the Atlantic Flyway, a 60-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit during 45 consecutive days and a 1-bird daily bag limit during 15 consecutive days in the Mississippi Flyway, a 1-bird daily bag limit for 74 days in the Central Flyway (which may have separate segments of 39 days and 35 days), and an 86-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit in the Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: The Service and four Flyway Councils adopted an AHM protocol for scaup in 2008 (73 FR 43290, July 24, 2008; and 73 FR 51124, August 29, 2008) whereby we set scaup hunting regulations in all four Flyways based on the status and demographics of these birds.
For the 2022-23 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for scaup using: (1) A management objective of 95 percent of maximum sustainable harvest; (2) the regulatory alternatives; and (3) the current population model. Based on a moderate regulatory alternative for the 2020-21
xi. Other
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a mallard daily bag limit of two birds, only one of which could be female, for the Atlantic Flyway
ns for scaup using: (1) A management objective of 95 percent of maximum sustainable harvest; (2) the regulatory alternatives; and (3) the current population model. Based on a moderate regulatory alternative for the 2020-21
xi. Other
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a mallard daily bag limit of two birds, only one of which could be female, for the Atlantic Flyway.
Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation for a mallard daily bag limit of two birds, of which only one may be female, for the Atlantic Flyway. The Atlantic Flyway Council's eastern waterfowl AHM protocol (see above) did not specifically address bag limits for mallards. The number of breeding mallards in the northeastern United States (about two-thirds of the eastern mallard population in 1998) has decreased by about 38 percent since 1998, and the overall population has declined by about 1 percent per year during that time period. This situation has resulted in reduced harvest potential for that population. The Service conducted a Prescribed Take Level (PTL) analysis to estimate the allowable take (kill rate) for eastern mallards and compared that with the expected kill rate under the most liberal season length (60 days) considered as part of the eastern waterfowl AHM regulatory alternatives.
Using contemporary data and assuming a management objective of maximum long-term sustainable harvest, the PTL analysis estimated an allowable kill rate of 0.194-0.198. The expected kill rate for eastern mallards under a 60-day season and a 2-mallard daily bag limit in the U.S. portion of the Atlantic Flyway was 0.193 (SE = 0.016), which is slightly below (but not significantly different from) the point estimate of allowable kill at maximum long-term sustainable harvest. This estimate indicates that a 2-bird daily bag limit is sustainable at this time.
2
0.198. The expected kill rate for eastern mallards under a 60-day season and a 2-mallard daily bag limit in the U.S. portion of the Atlantic Flyway was 0.193 (SE = 0.016), which is slightly below (but not significantly different from) the point estimate of allowable kill at maximum long-term sustainable harvest. This estimate indicates that a 2-bird daily bag limit is sustainable at this time.
2. Sea Ducks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended three changes to the sea duck hunting regulations in the Atlantic Flyway: (1) Elimination of the special sea duck season; (2) reduction of the sea duck daily bag limit within the regular duck season to 4 sea ducks of which no more than 3 may be scoters, long-tailed ducks, or eiders, and no more than 1 may be a hen eider; and (3) retention of the exception that allows shooting of crippled waterfowl from a boat under power in the currently defined special sea duck areas in the Atlantic Flyway. These recommendations were consistent with the recommendations presented by the Atlantic Flyway Council during the April 6, 2021, SRC meeting for initial discussion. We announced these possible changes to sea duck hunting regulations in the Atlantic Flyway in the August 31, 2021, proposed rule to allow the greatest opportunity for public review and comment.
Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendations for the sea duck harvest regulations in the Atlantic Flyway. Special season regulations are used to provide additional hunting opportunity for species considered to be underutilized. We have authorized a special sea duck season (including eiders, long-tailed duck, and scoters) in the Atlantic Flyway since 1938. By 1973, 13 of the 17 Atlantic Flyway States allowed special seasons consisting of 107 days with a daily bag limit of 7 sea ducks. We reduced the scoter daily bag limit to 4 ducks in 1993
provide additional hunting opportunity for species considered to be underutilized. We have authorized a special sea duck season (including eiders, long-tailed duck, and scoters) in the Atlantic Flyway since 1938. By 1973, 13 of the 17 Atlantic Flyway States allowed special seasons consisting of 107 days with a daily bag limit of 7 sea ducks. We reduced the scoter daily bag limit to 4 ducks in 1993. In 2016, we reduced the season length from 107 to 60 days and the daily bag limit from 6 to 5 sea ducks of which no more than 4 may be eiders, long-tailed ducks, or scoters. We anticipated the 2016 restrictions would reduce average annual sea duck harvest by approximately 25 percent compared to average annual harvest during the period 2011-2015. See the March 28, 2016, Federal Register (81 FR 17305) for a discussion of the Sea Duck Harvest Potential Assessment completed at that time.
The changes to the 2016 Atlantic Flyway sea duck regulations did not achieve the target reduction in total sea duck harvest. Therefore, we are supportive of the changes recommended by the Atlantic Flyway Council due to the continued concern regarding the status and trends of sea duck populations in the Atlantic Flyway, and our desire to reduce sea duck harvest in the Atlantic Flyway below the average annual harvest observed during 2011-2015. Regarding existing regulation that allows shooting of crippled waterfowl from a boat under power in the currently defined special sea duck area, the purpose of this regulation is to protect human safety and minimize duck crippling loss associated with hunting ducks at sea in the Atlantic Flyway. Protecting human safety and minimizing duck crippling loss are important considerations in duck hunting at sea regardless of whether this is during a special or regular duck hunting season.
3. Mergansers
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended removing the species-specific restriction of two hooded mergansers beginning with the 2022-23 season
ea in the Atlantic Flyway. Protecting human safety and minimizing duck crippling loss are important considerations in duck hunting at sea regardless of whether this is during a special or regular duck hunting season.
3. Mergansers
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended removing the species-specific restriction of two hooded mergansers beginning with the 2022-23 season. Hooded mergansers would become part of an aggregate merganser (common, red-breasted, and hooded) bag limit. The Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils supported the recommendation if an evaluation was conducted to determine the effects of the change on merganser populations and harvest.
Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council recommendation to remove the 2 hooded merganser daily bag limit and implementation of an aggregate merganser bag (common, red-breasted, and hooded) beginning with the 2022 season. The Service also agrees with the recommendation from the Mississippi Flyway Council that the Atlantic Flyway Council should conduct an evaluation of the regulation change on merganser populations and harvest. This assessment should be conducted following the completion of the 2024-25 season.
4. Canada and Cackling Geese
B. Regular Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 3 changes to the dark goose season framework in the Atlantic Flyway including:
1. Adopting the restrictive regulatory option as described in the Atlantic Flyway Council's Atlantic Population (AP) Canada Geese Harvest Strategy (30-day season between December 25 through January 25 with a daily bag limit of 1 goose) for all AP Canada geese zones in the U.S. portion of the Atlantic Flyway including North Carolina.
2. The addition of a special late season in Vermont, the Lake Champlain Zone of New York, and the AP Canada geese zones in Connecticut and Massachusetts
's Atlantic Population (AP) Canada Geese Harvest Strategy (30-day season between December 25 through January 25 with a daily bag limit of 1 goose) for all AP Canada geese zones in the U.S. portion of the Atlantic Flyway including North Carolina.
2. The addition of a special late season in Vermont, the Lake Champlain Zone of New York, and the AP Canada geese zones in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The season may be December 1-February 15 in Vermont, and the Lake Champlain Zone of New York and December 15-February 15 in the AP Canada geese zones of Connecticut and Massachusetts. The daily bag limit is 5 geese.
3. Eliminating the Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) of Canada geese zone in Pennsylvania with this area becoming part of Pennsylvania's Atlantic Flyway Resident Population (RP) of Canada geese zone.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended several changes to the Canada and cackling goose and brant season framework in the Pacific Flyway. Specifically:
1. Increasing the daily bag limit for Canada and cackling geese and brant in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming from 4 to 5 geese in the aggregate;
2. Changing the closing date for Canada and cackling geese and brant in Utah's Wasatch Front Zone from the first Sunday in February to February 15;
3. Approving a 3-segment season option for Canada and cackling geese in California's Balance of State Zone; and
4. Decreasing the daily bag limit for Canada and cackling geese in Washington's Southwest Permit Zone and Oregon's Northwest Permit Zone from 4 to 3 geese in the aggregate.
Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's 3 recommended changes to the Canada and cackling goose season framework in the Atlantic Flyway. The Service and Atlantic Flyway Council have been concerned with the status of AP Canada geese for several years, and the restrictive regulatory alternative is commensurate with the population's status
ne from 4 to 3 geese in the aggregate.
Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's 3 recommended changes to the Canada and cackling goose season framework in the Atlantic Flyway. The Service and Atlantic Flyway Council have been concerned with the status of AP Canada geese for several years, and the restrictive regulatory alternative is commensurate with the population's status. More specifically, AP Canada geese declined in abundance precipitously (from 118,000 to 34,000 breeding pairs) between 1988 and 1995 due to high harvest pressure and poor production. Hunting season restrictions were enacted in response to the decline. These restrictions and several years of favorable nesting conditions and good gosling production resulted in a rapid recovery of the population, and by 2002 the breeding pair estimate had rebounded to 182,000. For the next 15 years, pair counts remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 161,000 and 216,000 breeding pairs. However, in the 2018 breeding season the breeding pair estimate dropped abruptly to 112,000, and gosling productivity was almost nonexistent. The 2019 breeding pair estimate was statistically similar to 2018, and productivity was near the long-term average. No breeding pair survey was conducted in 2020 or 2021 due to logistical constraints arising from the coronavirus pandemic.
In 2021, the Atlantic Flyway Council, in collaboration with the Service, updated their 2013 harvest strategy for AP Canada geese. The revision incorporated several additional years of experience on effects of contemporary harvest regulations on AP Canada geese abundance and recent advances in population modeling and other analytical tools. The harvest strategy supports the Council's 2008 management plan for AP Canada geese and is consistent with the overarching goal of the plan: To maintain AP Canada geese and their habitats at a level that provides optimum opportunities for people to use and enjoy geese on a sustainable basis
lations on AP Canada geese abundance and recent advances in population modeling and other analytical tools. The harvest strategy supports the Council's 2008 management plan for AP Canada geese and is consistent with the overarching goal of the plan: To maintain AP Canada geese and their habitats at a level that provides optimum opportunities for people to use and enjoy geese on a sustainable basis.
Regarding the additional special late seasons in 3 areas, these areas account for a small proportion of the AP Canada goose harvest. Since 1999, the New England region (including AP, NAP, and RP Canada goose zones) has accounted for only 1.3% of all AP Canada goose band recoveries. The special late season occurs after most AP Canada geese have migrated from the region (early to mid-December). The objective of the special late season is to increase harvest of RP Canada geese while minimizing impacts to AP Canada geese. An existing late special season with a similar objective has been allowed in parts of New Jersey since 1994. The additional special late seasons will provide increased opportunity for hunters and an additional tool for State agencies to manage resident populations of geese.
Regarding the Council's recommendation to eliminate the SJBP Canada geese zone in Pennsylvania, the SJBP of Canada geese is no longer recognized as a separate population by the Service or the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils. The SJBP of Canada geese is now considered part of the larger Southern Hudson Bay Population (SHBP) of Canada geese, which is monitored and managed according to the Mississippi Flyway Council's management plan. Elimination of the SJBP Canada geese zone in Pennsylvania and incorporation of this area into the RP Canada geese zone will expose Canada geese in the area to slightly more liberal regulations but will not appreciably increase harvest of AP Canada geese
uthern Hudson Bay Population (SHBP) of Canada geese, which is monitored and managed according to the Mississippi Flyway Council's management plan. Elimination of the SJBP Canada geese zone in Pennsylvania and incorporation of this area into the RP Canada geese zone will expose Canada geese in the area to slightly more liberal regulations but will not appreciably increase harvest of AP Canada geese. This change will simplify regulations, provide increased hunting opportunity, and provide increased opportunity to manage resident population of geese.
We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to increase the daily bag limit for Canada and cackling geese and brant in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming from 4 to 5 geese in the aggregate. Cackling geese and brant are uncommon in interior States in the Pacific Flyway. The basic goose season framework for the Pacific Flyway includes these species in an aggregate bag limit for interior States because of the difficulty in hunter differentiation of these species and because harvest of cackling geese and brant is negligible to their population status. The western Canada goose is the primary subspecies of Canada goose occurring in interior States in the Pacific Flyway. There are two populations of western Canada goose in the Pacific Flyway: Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) and Pacific Population (PP). The most recent 3-year (2017-2019) average population estimate for RMP western Canada geese is 205,338 and is well above the Council's population objective of 117,000 geese. Similarly, the most recent 3-year (2017-2019) average population estimate for PP western Canada geese is 330,725 and is well above the Council's population objective of about 120,000 geese. Since 1970, western Canada goose abundance in the Pacific Flyway has increased 5.4% per year based on the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey
ve the Council's population objective of 117,000 geese. Similarly, the most recent 3-year (2017-2019) average population estimate for PP western Canada geese is 330,725 and is well above the Council's population objective of about 120,000 geese. Since 1970, western Canada goose abundance in the Pacific Flyway has increased 5.4% per year based on the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey. The Pacific Flyway Council's management plans for PP and RMP Canada geese prescribe liberalized hunting seasons when population status is over objective levels. The proposed change would simplify regulations in States split into two flyways ( i.e., Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and New Mexico). Currently, there is a daily bag limit of 4 geese in the Pacific Flyway portions of these States and 5 geese in the Central Flyway portions.
We also agree with the Council's recommendation to change the closing date for Canada and cackling geese and brant in Utah's Wasatch Front Zone from the first Sunday in February to February 15. The western Canada goose is the primary subspecies of Canada goose in Utah. Abundance of RMP Canada geese is well above the Council's population objective (see above). The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has been collecting data on Canada geese in urban areas along the Wasatch Front ( i.e., Salt Lake, Weber, Davis, and Utah Counties) since 2006. Data indicate abundance of urban geese has increased up to about 10,000 geese. Approximately 58.3% of all resident RMP Canada geese banded in Utah are harvested during the last 3 weeks of the season in the Wasatch Front Zone. Allowing a later closing date will provide additional flexibility to the State to address increasing depredation and nuisance complaints associated with Canada geese in urban areas and provide hunting opportunity.
We also agree with the Council's recommendation to allow a 3-segment split hunting season for Canada and cackling geese in California's Balance of State Zone
in the Wasatch Front Zone. Allowing a later closing date will provide additional flexibility to the State to address increasing depredation and nuisance complaints associated with Canada geese in urban areas and provide hunting opportunity.
We also agree with the Council's recommendation to allow a 3-segment split hunting season for Canada and cackling geese in California's Balance of State Zone. Current frameworks allow a 3-segment split for Canada and cackling geese, but this arrangement requires Pacific Flyway Council and Service approval and a 3-year evaluation by
Finally, we also agree with the Council's recommendation that the daily bag limit for Canada and cackling geese in Washington's Southwest Permit Zone and Oregon's Northwest Permit Zone be reduced from 4 to 3 geese in the aggregate. The most recent 3-year (2018, 2019, 2021) average of available fall projected population estimates for minima cackling geese is 206,763 and is below the Council's population objective of 250,000 ± 10 percent (225,000-275,000). Band recovery data from hunter harvest of minima cackling geese indicates that most (77%) of the fall-winter harvest occurs in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington, and the next highest harvest area (6%) is western Alaska (Units 9, 17, and 18). Accordingly, the Pacific Flyway Council also recommended that the daily bag limit for Canada and cackling geese in parts of Alaska be reduced from 6 to 4 geese in the aggregate. The decrease in the daily bag limits is specifically intended to maintain objective abundance of minima cackling geese and is consistent with the Council's harvest strategy for these birds.
6. Brant
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the 2022-23 brant season frameworks be determined based on the harvest strategy in the Council's management plan for the Pacific population of brant pending results of the 2022 Winter Brant Survey (WBS). If results of the 2022 WBS are not available, results of the most recent WBS should be used
ategy for these birds.
6. Brant
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the 2022-23 brant season frameworks be determined based on the harvest strategy in the Council's management plan for the Pacific population of brant pending results of the 2022 Winter Brant Survey (WBS). If results of the 2022 WBS are not available, results of the most recent WBS should be used.
Service Response: We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation. As we discussed in the August 21, 2020, Federal Register (85 FR 51854), the harvest strategy used to determine the Pacific brant season frameworks does not fit well within the current regulatory process. In developing the annual proposed frameworks for Pacific brant, the Pacific Flyway Council and the Service use the 3-year average number of brant counted during the WBS in the Pacific Flyway to determine annual allowable season length and daily bag limits. The WBS is conducted each January, which is after the date that proposed frameworks are formulated in the regulatory process. However, the data are typically available by the expected publication of final frameworks. When we acquire the survey data, we will determine the appropriate allowable harvest for the Pacific brant season according to the harvest strategy in the Pacific Flyway Council's management plan for the Pacific population of brant published in the August 21, 2020, Federal Register (85 FR 51854) and publish the results in the final frameworks rule.
8. Swans
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended the initial allocation of swan hunting permits of 347 in Delaware, 4,721 in North Carolina, and 532 in Virginia (5,600 total) for the 2022-23 seasons and allowing unissued swan hunting permits to be reallocated to States within the Atlantic Flyway.
Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendations for changes to the swan hunting permit allocation in the Atlantic Flyway
he initial allocation of swan hunting permits of 347 in Delaware, 4,721 in North Carolina, and 532 in Virginia (5,600 total) for the 2022-23 seasons and allowing unissued swan hunting permits to be reallocated to States within the Atlantic Flyway.
Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendations for changes to the swan hunting permit allocation in the Atlantic Flyway. In 2021, the Atlantic Flyway Council updated an assessment to allocate allowable tundra swan hunting permits among States in the Atlantic Flyway based on the distribution of tundra swans from the 3 most recent Mid-winter Survey counts. The permit allocation is reevaluated every 3 years. The evaluation in 2021 provided that the 3-year (2019-2021) average distribution of tundra swan abundance during the Mid-winter Survey was 6.2% in Delaware, 84.3% in North Carolina, and 9.5% in Virginia. Given the current allowable harvest of 5,600 tundra swans in the Atlantic Flyway, the allocation of swan hunting permits is 347 in Delaware, 4,721 in North Carolina, and 532 in Virginia. This is a minor change from the 2021 season permit allocation, which was 67 in Delaware, 4,895 in North Carolina, and 638 in Virginia. Distributing allowable tundra swan harvest among States based on the distribution of tundra swans during winter is consistent with the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Council's management plan for the Eastern Population (EP) of tundra swans and provides equitable hunting opportunity among States. Finally, a State may have insufficient applicants to issue all available swan hunting permits. The swan season framework currently allows a second permit to be issued to hunters from unissued permits remaining after the first drawing. Should permits still remain unissued, any portion of these unused permits would be available for temporary redistribution to other States with swan seasons in the flyway
lly, a State may have insufficient applicants to issue all available swan hunting permits. The swan season framework currently allows a second permit to be issued to hunters from unissued permits remaining after the first drawing. Should permits still remain unissued, any portion of these unused permits would be available for temporary redistribution to other States with swan seasons in the flyway. This procedure is consistent with the Councils' management plan for EP tundra swans, provides the greatest tundra swan hunting opportunity, and maintains harvest within allowable limits for the population and within each flyway.
9. Sandhill Cranes
Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a 1-year extension to the 3-year (2019, 2020, and 2021) experimental sandhill crane season in Alabama. The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended that allowable harvest of Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of cranes be determined based on the formula described in the Pacific and Central Flyway Councils' Management Plan for RMP cranes pending results of the fall 2021 abundance and recruitment surveys.
Service Response: We agree with the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation for a 1-year extension to the 3-year (2019, 2020, and 2021) experimental sandhill crane season in Alabama. As we provided above under Process for Establishing Annual Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations, we now develop proposed hunting season frameworks for a given year in the fall of the prior year. According to the Eastern Population Sandhill Crane Management Plan and Memorandum of Agreement between the Service and Atlantic Flyway Council, 3 years of data are needed for evaluation before experimental seasons can be approved as operational. Alabama will administer the third year of an experimental sandhill crane season during the 2021 hunting season, and has only 2 years of data to evaluate at the time of the proposed regulations for the 2022-23 season
Plan and Memorandum of Agreement between the Service and Atlantic Flyway Council, 3 years of data are needed for evaluation before experimental seasons can be approved as operational. Alabama will administer the third year of an experimental sandhill crane season during the 2021 hunting season, and has only 2 years of data to evaluate at the time of the proposed regulations for the 2022-23 season. Approval of an additional year for the 3-year experimental sandhill crane season in Alabama allows the season to continue during the 2022 hunting season when 3 years of experimental season data will be available and allow consideration of
We agree with the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils' recommendations to determine allowable harvest of RMP cranes using the formula in the Pacific and Central Flyway Councils' management plan for RMP cranes pending results of the fall 2021 abundance and recruitment surveys. As we discussed in the March 28, 2016, Federal Register (81 FR 17302), the harvest strategy used to calculate the allowable harvest of RMP cranes does not fit well within the current regulatory process. In developing the annual proposed frameworks for RMP cranes, the Flyway Councils and the Service use the fall abundance and recruitment surveys of RMP cranes to determine annual allowable harvest. Results of the fall abundance and recruitment surveys of RMP cranes are released between December 1 and January 31 each year, which is after the date proposed frameworks are developed. However, the data are typically available by the expected publication of final frameworks. When we acquire the survey data, we will determine the appropriate allowable harvest for the RMP crane season according to the harvest strategy in the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils' management plan for RMP cranes published in the March 28, 2016, Federal Register (81 FR 17302) and publish the results in the final frameworks rule.
16
available by the expected publication of final frameworks. When we acquire the survey data, we will determine the appropriate allowable harvest for the RMP crane season according to the harvest strategy in the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils' management plan for RMP cranes published in the March 28, 2016, Federal Register (81 FR 17302) and publish the results in the final frameworks rule.
16. Doves
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the standard regulatory alternative as prescribed in the national mourning dove harvest strategy for their respective Mourning Dove Management Units. The standard regulatory alternative consists of a 90-day season and 15-bird daily bag limit for States within the Eastern and Central Management Units, and a 60-day season and 15-bird daily bag limit for States in the Western Management Unit.
Service Response: Based on the harvest strategies and current population status, we agree with the recommended selection of the standard season frameworks for doves in the Eastern, Central, and Western Management Units for the 2022-23 season.
17. Alaska
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the daily bag limit for Canada and cackling geese ( i.e., minima cackling geese) be reduced from 6 to 4 geese in the aggregate in Units 9, 17, and 18.
Service Response: We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation. The most recent 3-year (2018, 2019, 2021) average of available fall projected population estimates for minima cackling geese is 206,763 and is below the Council's population objective of 250,000 ± 10 percent (225,000-275,000). Band recovery data from hunter harvest of minima cackling geese indicates that most (77%) of the fall-winter harvest occurs in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington, and the next highest harvest area (6%) is western Alaska (Units 9, 17, and 18)
ed population estimates for minima cackling geese is 206,763 and is below the Council's population objective of 250,000 ± 10 percent (225,000-275,000). Band recovery data from hunter harvest of minima cackling geese indicates that most (77%) of the fall-winter harvest occurs in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington, and the next highest harvest area (6%) is western Alaska (Units 9, 17, and 18). Accordingly, the Pacific Flyway Council also recommended that the daily bag limit for Canada and cackling geese in parts of Oregon and Washington be reduced from 4 to 3 geese in the aggregate. The decrease in the daily bag limits is specifically intended to maintain objective abundance of minima cackling geese and is consistent with the Council's harvest strategy for these birds.
Public Comments
The Department of the Interior's policy is, whenever possible, 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 promulgating final migratory game bird hunting regulations, we will consider all comments we receive. These comments, and any additional information we receive, may lead to final regulations that differ from these proposals.
You may submit your comments and materials concerning this proposed rule by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. We will not accept comments sent by email or fax. We will not consider hand-delivered comments that we do not receive, or mailed comments that are not postmarked, by the date specified in DATES .
We may post all comments in their entirety—including your personal identifying information—on https://www.regulations.gov. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time
specified in DATES .
We may post all comments in their entirety—including your personal identifying information—on https://www.regulations.gov. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule, will be available for public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov, or by appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia. We will consider, but possibly may not respond in detail to, each comment. As in the past, we will summarize all comments we receive during the comment period and respond to them after the closing date in the preambles of any final rules.
Required Determinations
Based on our most current data, we are affirming our required determinations made in the August 31, 2021, proposed rule; for descriptions of our actions to ensure compliance with the following statutes and Executive Orders, see our August 31, 2021, proposed rule (86 FR 48649):
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Consideration;
• Endangered Species Act Consideration;
• Regulatory Flexibility Act;
• Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act;
• Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995;
• Unfunded Mandates Reform Act;
• Executive Orders 12630, 12866, 12988, 13132, 13175, 13211, and 13563.
Authority
The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2022-23 hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 a-j
Consideration;
• Regulatory Flexibility Act;
• Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act;
• Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995;
• Unfunded Mandates Reform Act;
• Executive Orders 12630, 12866, 12988, 13132, 13175, 13211, and 13563.
Authority
The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2022-23 hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 a-j.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20
Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.

Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 2022-23 Hunting Seasons on Certain Migratory Game Birds
Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated authorities, the Department of the Interior is proposing the following frameworks for outside dates, season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and areas within which States may select seasons for hunting migratory game birds between the dates of September 1, 2022, and March 10, 2023. These frameworks are summarized below.
Table of Contents
a. General
i. Flyways and Management Units 1. Waterfowl Flyways 2. Mallard Management Units 3. Mourning Dove Management Units 4. Woodcock Management Regions ii. Definitions iii. Migratory Game Bird Seasons in the Atlantic Flyway b. Season Frameworks i. Special Youth and Veterans—Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days i. Special Early Teal Seasons iii. Special Early Teal-Wood Duck Seasons iv. Duck, Merganser, Coot and Goose Seasons 1. Atlantic Flyway a. Duck, Merganser and Coot Seasons b. Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons c. Dark Goose Seasons d. Light Goose Seasons e. Brant Seasons 2. Mississippi Flyway a. Duck, Merganser, and Coot Seasons b. Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons c. White-Fronted Goose Seasons d. Brant Seasons e. Dark Goose Seasons f. Light Goose Seasons 3. Central Flyway a. Duck, Merganser, and Coot Seasons b. Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons c. Canada Goose, Cackling Goose, and Brant Seasons d. White-Fronted Goose Seasons e
sons e. Brant Seasons 2. Mississippi Flyway a. Duck, Merganser, and Coot Seasons b. Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons c. White-Fronted Goose Seasons d. Brant Seasons e. Dark Goose Seasons f. Light Goose Seasons 3. Central Flyway a. Duck, Merganser, and Coot Seasons b. Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons c. Canada Goose, Cackling Goose, and Brant Seasons d. White-Fronted Goose Seasons e. Light Goose Seasons 4. Pacific Flyway a. Duck, Merganser, Coot, and Gallinule Seasons b. Goose Seasons i. Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons ii. Canada Goose Cackling Goose and Brant Seasons iii. Brant Seasons iv. White-Fronted Goose Seasons v. Light Goose Seasons 5. Swan Seasons 6. Sandhill Crane Seasons 7. Gallinule Seasons 8. Rail Seasons 9. Snipe Seasons 10. American Woodcock Seasons 11. Band-tailed Pigeon Seasons 12. Dove Seasons 13. Alaska a. Duck, Goose, Sandhill Crane, and Snipe Seasons b. Tundra Swan Seasons 14. Hawaii a. Mourning Dove Seasons 15. Puerto Rico a. Dove and Pigeon Seasons b. Duck, Coot, Gallinule, and Snipe Seasons 16. Virgin Islands a. Dove and Pigeon Seasons b. Duck Seasons 17. Special Falconry Regulations c. Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions a. General
Outside Dates: Outside dates are the earliest and latest dates within which States may establish hunting seasons. All outside dates specified below are inclusive.
Season Lengths: Season lengths are the maximum number of days hunting may occur within the outside dates for hunting seasons. Days are consecutive and concurrent for all species included in each season framework unless otherwise specified.
Season Segments: Season segments are the maximum number of consecutive-day segments the season lengths may be divided. The sum of the hunting days for all season segments may not exceed the season lengths allowed.
Zones: Unless otherwise specified, States may select hunting seasons by zones
consecutive and concurrent for all species included in each season framework unless otherwise specified.
Season Segments: Season segments are the maximum number of consecutive-day segments the season lengths may be divided. The sum of the hunting days for all season segments may not exceed the season lengths allowed.
Zones: Unless otherwise specified, States may select hunting seasons by zones. Zones for duck seasons (and associated youth and veterans—active military waterfowl hunting days, gallinule seasons, and snipe seasons) and dove seasons may be selected only in years we declare such changes can be made ( i.e., open seasons for zones and splits) and according to federally established guidelines for duck and dove zones and split seasons.
Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Areas open to hunting must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations and published in the Federal Register as a Federal migratory bird hunting frameworks final rule. Geographic descriptions related to regulations are contained in a later portion of this document.
Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.
Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits are three times the daily bag limits.
Permits: For some species of migratory birds, the Service authorizes the use of permits to regulate harvest or monitor their take by hunters, or both. In such cases, the Service determines the amount of harvest that may be taken during hunting seasons during its formal regulations-setting process, and the States then issue permits to hunters at levels predicted to result in the amount of take authorized by the Service. Thus, although issued by States, the permits would not be valid unless the Service approved such take in its regulations
r both. In such cases, the Service determines the amount of harvest that may be taken during hunting seasons during its formal regulations-setting process, and the States then issue permits to hunters at levels predicted to result in the amount of take authorized by the Service. Thus, although issued by States, the permits would not be valid unless the Service approved such take in its regulations.
These federally authorized, State-issued permits are issued to individuals, and only the individual whose name and address appears on the permit at the time of issuance is authorized to take migratory birds at levels specified in the permit, in accordance with provisions of both Federal and State regulations governing the hunting season. The permit must be carried by the permittee when exercising its provisions and must be presented to any law enforcement officer upon request. The permit is not transferrable or assignable to another individual, and may not be sold, bartered, traded, or otherwise provided to another person. If the permit is altered or defaced in any way, the permit becomes invalid.
i. Flyways and Management Units
We generally set migratory bird hunting frameworks for the conterminous U.S. States by Flyway or Management Unit/Region. Frameworks for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are contained in separate sections near the end of the frameworks portion of this document. The States included in the Flyways and Management Units/Regions are described below.
1. 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
ntic Flyway: Includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway: Includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Central Flyway: Includes Colorado (east of the Continental Divide), Kansas, Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith Basin, Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties east thereof), Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the Continental Divide).
Pacific Flyway: Includes Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.
2. Mallard Management Units
High Plains Management Unit: Roughly defined as that portion of the Central Flyway that lies west of the 100th meridian. See Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions, Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots, below, for specific boundaries in each State.
Columbia Basin Management Unit: In Washington, all areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County; and in Oregon, the counties of Gilliam, Morrow, and Umatilla.
3. 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.
4
nd Umatilla.
3. 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.
4. 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.
ii. Definitions
For the purpose of the hunting regulations listed below, the collective terms “dark” and “light” geese include the following species:
Dark geese: Canada geese, cackling geese, white-fronted geese, brant (except in Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, and the Atlantic Flyway), and all other goose species except light geese.
Light geese: Snow (including blue) geese and Ross's geese.
iii. Migratory Game Bird Seasons in the Atlantic Flyway
In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, where Sunday hunting of migratory birds is prohibited statewide by State law or regulation, all Sundays are closed to the take of all migratory game birds.
b. Season Frameworks
i
geese and Ross's geese.
iii. Migratory Game Bird Seasons in the Atlantic Flyway
In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, where Sunday hunting of migratory birds is prohibited statewide by State law or regulation, all Sundays are closed to the take of all migratory game birds.
b. Season Frameworks
i. Special Youth and Veterans-Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days
Outside Dates and Season Lengths: States may select 2 days per duck-hunting zone, designated as “Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,” and 2 days per duck-hunting zone, designated as “Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days,” in addition to their regular duck seasons. The days may be held concurrently or may be nonconsecutive. The Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days must be held outside any regular duck season on weekends, holidays, or other non-school days when youth hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate. Both sets of days may be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-season frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or within any other open season on migratory birds.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits may include ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, coots, and gallinules. Bag limits are the same as those allowed in the regular season except in States that implement a hybrid season for scaup ( i.e., different bag limits during different portions of the season), in which case the bag limit will be 2 scaup per day. Flyway species and area restrictions would remain in effect.
Participation Restrictions for Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days: States may use their established definition of age for youth hunters. However, youth hunters must be under the age of 18. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult may not duck hunt but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special youth day
main in effect.
Participation Restrictions for Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days: States may use their established definition of age for youth hunters. However, youth hunters must be under the age of 18. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult may not duck hunt but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special youth day. Swans may be taken only by participants possessing applicable swan permits.
Participation Restrictions for Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days: Veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code) and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training), may participate. Swans may be taken only by participants possessing applicable swan permits.
ii. Special Early Teal Seasons
Areas:
Atlantic Flyway: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The season in Minnesota is experimental.
Central Flyway: Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico (part), Oklahoma, and Texas.
Outside Dates: September 1-30.
Season Lengths: 16 days.
Daily Bag Limits: 6 teal.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, and Wisconsin, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.
iii. Special Early Teal-Wood Duck Seasons
Areas: Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Seasons: In lieu of a special early teal season, a 5-day teal-wood duck season may be selected in September. The daily bag limit may not exceed 6 teal and wood ducks in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks
uri, Ohio, South Carolina, and Wisconsin, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.
iii. Special Early Teal-Wood Duck Seasons
Areas: Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Seasons: In lieu of a special early teal season, a 5-day teal-wood duck season may be selected in September. The daily bag limit may not exceed 6 teal and wood ducks in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks. In addition, a 4-day teal-only season may be selected in September either immediately before or immediately after the 5-day teal-wood duck season. The daily bag limit is 6 teal.
iv. Duck, Merganser, Coot, and Goose Seasons
1. Atlantic Flyway
a. Duck, Merganser, and Coot Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24)-January 31.
Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: 60 days. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, including no more than 2 mallards (no more than 1 of which can be female), 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 4 sea ducks (including no more than 3 scoters, 3 long-tailed ducks, or 3 eiders and no more than 1 female eider). The season for scaup may be split into 2 segments, with one segment consisting of 40 consecutive days with a 1-scaup daily bag limit, and the second segment consisting of 20 consecutive days with a 2-scaup daily bag limit. The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5. In States that include mergansers in the duck bag limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit. The daily bag limit of coots is 15.
Closed Seasons: There is no open season on the harlequin duck.
Zones and Split Seasons: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and West Virginia may split their seasons into 3 segments. Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont may select seasons in each of 3 zones; Pennsylvania may select seasons in each of 4 zones; and New York may select seasons in each of 5 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 2 segments
asons: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and West Virginia may split their seasons into 3 segments. Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont may select seasons in each of 3 zones; Pennsylvania may select seasons in each of 4 zones; and New York may select seasons in each of 5 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 2 segments. Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia may select seasons in each of 2 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 3 segments. Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia must conduct an evaluation of the impacts of zones and splits on hunter dynamics ( e.g., hunter numbers, satisfaction) and harvest during the 2021-25 seasons.
Special Provisions: The seasons, limits, and shooting hours should be the same between New York's Lake Champlain Zone and Vermont's Lake Champlain Zone, and between Vermont's Connecticut River Zone and New Hampshire's Inland Zone.
A craft under power may be used to shoot and retrieve dead or crippled sea ducks in the Sea Duck Area in the Atlantic Flyway. The Sea Duck Area includes all coastal waters and all waters of rivers and streams seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in New Jersey, all coastal waters seaward from the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) Demarcation Lines shown on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Nautical Charts and further described in 33 CFR 80.165, 80.501, 80.502, and 80.503; in any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay that are separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and emergent vegetation in South Carolina and Georgia; and in any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay that are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any shore, island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, a
Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay that are separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and emergent vegetation in South Carolina and Georgia; and in any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay that are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any shore, island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia; and provided that any such areas have been described, delineated, and designated as special sea duck hunting areas under the hunting regulations adopted by the respective States.
b. Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons
Outside Dates and Season Lengths: 15 days during September 1-15 in the Eastern Unit of Maryland; 30 days during September 1-30 in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Long Island Zone of New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and South Carolina; and 25 days during September 1-25 in the remainder of the Atlantic Flyway.
Daily Bag Limits: 15 geese in the aggregate.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that during any special early Canada and cackling goose season, shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after sunset if all other waterfowl seasons are closed in the specific applicable area.
c. Dark Goose Seasons
Outside Dates, Season Lengths, and Daily Bag Limits: Regulations are State and zone specific as provided below.
Area Outside dates Season length Season segments Daily bag limit Connecticut: Atlantic Population (AP) Zone Oct 10-Feb 5 30 2 1 AP Zone Late Season Area (Special Season) Dec 15-Feb 15 63 1 5 North Atlantic Population (NAP) Zone Oct 1-Jan 31 60 2 2 NAP Late Season Area (Special Season) Jan 15-Feb 15 32 1 5 Resident Population (RP) Zone Oct 1-Feb 15 80 3 5 Delaware Nov 15-Feb 5 30 2 1 Florida Oct 1-Mar 10 80 3 5 Georgia Oct 1-Mar 10 80 3 5 Maine: NAP North High Harvest Zone Oct 1-Jan 31 60 2 2 NAP South High Harvest Zone Oct 1-Jan 31 60 2 2 NAP Low Harvest Zone Oct 1-Feb 15 70 2 3 Maryland: AP Zone Nov 15-Feb 5 30 2 1 RP
e Oct 1-Jan 31 60 2 2 NAP Late Season Area (Special Season) Jan 15-Feb 15 32 1 5 Resident Population (RP) Zone Oct 1-Feb 15 80 3 5 Delaware Nov 15-Feb 5 30 2 1 Florida Oct 1-Mar 10 80 3 5 Georgia Oct 1-Mar 10 80 3 5 Maine: NAP North High Harvest Zone Oct 1-Jan 31 60 2 2 NAP South High Harvest Zone Oct 1-Jan 31 60 2 2 NAP Low Harvest Zone Oct 1-Feb 15 70 2 3 Maryland: AP Zone Nov 15-Feb 5 30 2 1 RP Zone Nov 15-Mar 10 80 3 5 Massachusetts: AP Zone Oct 10-Feb 5 30 2 2 AP Zone Late Season Area (Special season) Dec 15-Feb 15 63 1 5 NAP Zone Oct 1-Jan 31 60 2 2 NAP Late Season Area (Special season) Jan 15-Feb 15 32 1 5 New Hampshire Oct 1-Jan 31 60 2 2 New Jersey: AP Zone Fourth Saturday in Oct (22)-Feb 5 30 2 2 NAP Zone Oct 1-Jan 31 60 2 2 NAP Late Season Area (Special season) Jan 15-Feb 15 32 1 5 New York: AP Zone Fourth Saturday in Oct (22)-Feb 5 30 2 2 AP (Lake Champlain) Zone Oct 10-Feb 5 30 2 2 NAP High Harvest Zone Oct 1-Jan 31 60 2 2 NAP Low Harvest Zone Oct 1-Feb 15 70 2 3 Western Long Island RP Zone Saturday nearest Sep 24 (24)-last day of Feb (28) 107 3 8 Remainder of RP Zone Fourth Saturday in Oct (22)-last day of Feb (28) 80 3 5 AP (Lake Champlain) Zone Late Season (Special season) Dec 1-Feb 15 77 1 5 North Carolina: Northeast Zone Saturday prior to Dec 25 (24)-Jan 31 14 1 1 RP Zone Oct 1-Mar 10 80 3 5 Pennsylvania: AP Zone Fourth Saturday in Oct (22)-Feb 5 30 2 1 RP Zone Fourth Saturday in Oct (22)-Mar 10 80 3 5 Rhode Island: Statewide Oct 1-Jan 31 60 2 2 Late Season Area (Special season) Jan 15-Feb 15 32 2 5 South Carolina Oct 1-Mar 10 80 3 5 Vermont: Connecticut River Zone Oct 1-Jan 31 60 2 3 Interior Zone Oct 10-Feb 5 30 2 2 Lake Champlain Zone Oct 10-Feb 5 30 2 2 Connecticut, Interior, and Lake Champlain Zones Late Season (Special Season) Dec 1-Feb 15 77 1 5 Virginia: AP Zone Nov 15-Feb 15 30 2 1 RP Zone Nov 15-Mar 10 80 3 5 West Virginia Oct 1-Mar 10 80 3 5 d. Light Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: October 1-March 10.
Season Lengths: 107 days. Seasons may be split into 3 segments
3 Interior Zone Oct 10-Feb 5 30 2 2 Lake Champlain Zone Oct 10-Feb 5 30 2 2 Connecticut, Interior, and Lake Champlain Zones Late Season (Special Season) Dec 1-Feb 15 77 1 5 Virginia: AP Zone Nov 15-Feb 15 30 2 1 RP Zone Nov 15-Mar 10 80 3 5 West Virginia Oct 1-Mar 10 80 3 5 d. Light Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: October 1-March 10.
Season Lengths: 107 days. Seasons may be split into 3 segments.
Daily Bag limits: 25 light geese. There is no possession limit.
e. Brant Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24)-January 31.
Season Lengths: 50 days. Seasons may be split into 2 segments.
Daily Bag Limits: 2 brant.
2. Mississippi Flyway
a. Duck, Merganser, and Coot Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24)-January 31.
Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: 60 days. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be females), 1 mottled duck, 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, and 2 redheads. The season for scaup may be split into 2 segments, with one segment consisting of 45 days with a 2-scaup daily bag limit, and the second segment consisting of 15 days with a 1-scaup daily bag limit. The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5, only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in the duck bag limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers. The daily bag limit of coots is 15.
Zones and Split Seasons: Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi may split their seasons into 3 segments. Kentucky and Tennessee may select seasons in each of 2 zones; and Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin may select seasons in each of 3 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 2 segments. Illinois may select seasons in each of 4 zones. Louisiana may select seasons in each of 2 zones and may split their season in each zone into 3 segments
nts. Kentucky and Tennessee may select seasons in each of 2 zones; and Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin may select seasons in each of 3 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 2 segments. Illinois may select seasons in each of 4 zones. Louisiana may select seasons in each of 2 zones and may split their season in each zone into 3 segments. Louisiana must conduct an evaluation of the impacts of zones and splits on hunter dynamics ( e.g., hunter numbers, satisfaction) and harvest during the 2021-25 seasons.
b. Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: September 1 and February 15.
Season Lengths: 107 days, which may be split into 4 segments.
Daily Bag Limits: 5 geese in the aggregate.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after sunset for Canada and cackling geese if all other waterfowl and crane seasons are closed in the specific applicable area.
c. White-Fronted Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: September 1 and February 15.
Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: 74 days with a daily bag limit of 3 geese, 88 days with a daily bag limit of 2 geese, or 107 days with a daily bag limit of 1 goose. Seasons may be split into 4 segments.
d. Brant Seasons
Outside Dates: September 1 and February 15.
Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: 70 days with a daily bag limit of 2 brant or 107 days with a daily bag limit of 1 brant. Seasons may be split into 4 segments.
Special Provisions: In lieu of a separate brant season, brant may be included in the season for Canada and cackling geese with a daily bag limit of 5 geese in the aggregate.
e. Dark Goose Seasons
Areas: Alabama, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin in lieu of separate seasons for Canada and cackling geese, white-fronted geese, and brant.
Outside Dates: September 1 and February 15.
Season Lengths: 107 days, which may be split into 4 segments
cluded in the season for Canada and cackling geese with a daily bag limit of 5 geese in the aggregate.
e. Dark Goose Seasons
Areas: Alabama, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin in lieu of separate seasons for Canada and cackling geese, white-fronted geese, and brant.
Outside Dates: September 1 and February 15.
Season Lengths: 107 days, which may be split into 4 segments.
Daily Bag Limits: 5 geese in the aggregate.
f. Light Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: September 1 and February 15.
Season Lengths: 107 days, which may be split into 4 segments.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 20 geese. There is no possession limit for light geese.
3. Central Flyway
a. Ducks, Merganser, and Coot Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24)-January 31.
Season Lengths and Duck Daily Bag Limits: 74 days, except in the High Plains Mallard Management Unit where the season length is 97 days and the last 23 days must be consecutive and may start no earlier than the Saturday nearest December 10 (December 10). The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, including no more than 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be females), 2 redheads, 3 wood ducks, 1 pintail, and 2 canvasbacks. The daily bag limit for scaup is 1, and the season for scaup may be split into 2 segments, with one segment consisting of 39 consecutive days and another segment consisting of 35 consecutive days. In Texas, the daily bag limit on mottled ducks is 1, except that no mottled ducks may be taken during the first 5 days of the season. In addition to the daily limits listed above, the States of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, in lieu of selecting an experimental September teal season, may include an additional daily bag and possession limit of 2 and 6 blue-winged teal, respectively, during the first 16 days of the regular duck season in each respective duck hunting zone
en during the first 5 days of the season. In addition to the daily limits listed above, the States of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, in lieu of selecting an experimental September teal season, may include an additional daily bag and possession limit of 2 and 6 blue-winged teal, respectively, during the first 16 days of the regular duck season in each respective duck hunting zone. These extra limits are in addition
Merganser Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limit is 5 mergansers, only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in the duck daily bag limit, the daily limit may be the same as the duck bag limit, only two of which may be hooded mergansers.
Coot Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
Zones and Split Seasons: Colorado, Kansas (Low Plains portion), Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains portion), South Dakota (Low Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains portion), and Wyoming may select hunting seasons by zones.
North Dakota may split their season into 3 segments. Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas may select seasons in each of 2 zones; and Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, and Wyoming may select seasons in each of 3 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 2 segments. Nebraska may select seasons in each of 4 zones.
b. Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons
Outside Dates and Seasons Lengths: In Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas, 30 days between September 1-30; in Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, and Wyoming, 15 days between September 1-15; and in North Dakota, 22 days between September 1-22.
Daily Bag Limits: 5 geese in the aggregate, except in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 8 geese in the aggregate, and in North Dakota and South Dakota, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 15 geese in the aggregate
er 1-30; in Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, and Wyoming, 15 days between September 1-15; and in North Dakota, 22 days between September 1-22.
Daily Bag Limits: 5 geese in the aggregate, except in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 8 geese in the aggregate, and in North Dakota and South Dakota, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 15 geese in the aggregate.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after sunset if all other waterfowl and crane seasons are closed in the specific applicable area.
c. Canada Goose, Cackling Goose, and Brant Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24)-the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 13).
Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: In Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, 107 days with a daily bag limit of 8 geese; and in Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming, 107 days with a daily bag limit of 5 geese; and in Texas (Western Goose Zone), 95 days with a daily bag limit of 5 geese.
Split Seasons: Seasons may be split into 3 segments. Three-segment seasons require Central Flyway Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State.
d. White-Fronted Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24)-the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 13).
Season Length and Daily Bag Limits: Except as subsequently provided, either 74 days with a daily bag limit of 3 geese, or 88 days with a daily bag limit of 2 geese, or 107 days with a daily bag limit of 1 goose. In Texas (Western Goose Zone), 95 days with a daily bag limit of 2 geese. Seasons may be split into 3 segments.
e. Light Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24)-March 10.
Season Lengths: 107 days. Seasons may be split into 3 segments
ith a daily bag limit of 3 geese, or 88 days with a daily bag limit of 2 geese, or 107 days with a daily bag limit of 1 goose. In Texas (Western Goose Zone), 95 days with a daily bag limit of 2 geese. Seasons may be split into 3 segments.
e. Light Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24)-March 10.
Season Lengths: 107 days. Seasons may be split into 3 segments.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 50 with no possession limit.
Special Provisions: In the Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (East and West) of Nebraska, temporal and spatial restrictions that are consistent with the late-winter snow goose hunting strategy cooperatively developed by the Central Flyway Council and the Service are required.
4. Pacific Flyway
a. Duck, Merganser, Coot, and Gallinule Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24)-January 31.
Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: 107 days. The daily bag limit is 7 ducks and mergansers in the aggregate, including no more than 2 female mallards, 1 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 2 scaup, and 2 redheads. For scaup, the season length is 86 days, which may be split according to applicable zones and split duck hunting configurations approved for each State. The daily bag limit of coots and gallinules is 25 in the aggregate.
Zones and Split Seasons: Montana and New Mexico may split their seasons into 3 segments. Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming may select seasons in each of 2 zones; Nevada may select seasons in each of 3 zones; and California may select seasons in each of 5 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 2 segments. Idaho may select seasons in each of 4 zones.
Special Provisions: The seasons, limits, and shooting hours should be the same between the Colorado River Zone of California and the South Zone of Arizona.
b. Goose Seasons
i. Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: September 1-20.
Season Lengths: 15 days
these States may split their season in each zone into 2 segments. Idaho may select seasons in each of 4 zones.
Special Provisions: The seasons, limits, and shooting hours should be the same between the Colorado River Zone of California and the South Zone of Arizona.
b. Goose Seasons
i. Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: September 1-20.
Season Lengths: 15 days.
Daily Bag Limits: 5 geese in the aggregate, except in Pacific County, Washington, where the daily bag limit is 15 geese in the aggregate.
ii. Canada Goose, Cackling Goose, and Brant Seasons
Outside Dates: Except as subsequently provided, September 24 (September 24) and January 31.
Season Lengths: Except as subsequently provided, 107 days.
Daily Bag Limits: Except as subsequently provided, in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, the daily bag limit is 5 Canada and cackling geese and brant in the aggregate. In Oregon and Washington, the daily bag limit is 4 Canada and cackling geese in the aggregate. In California, the daily bag limit is 10 Canada and cackling geese in the aggregate.
Split Seasons: Seasons may be split into 3 segments. Three-segment seasons require Pacific Flyway Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State.
iii. Brant Seasons
Areas: California, Oregon, and Washington.
Outside Dates: September 24 (September 24) and January 31.
Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: Season lengths and daily bag limits will be based on the upcoming Winter Brant Survey results and the Pacific brant harvest strategy.
Zones: Washington and California may select seasons in each of 2 zones.
Special Provisions: In Oregon and California, the brant season must end no later than December 15.
iv. White-Fronted Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and March 10.
Season Lengths: 107 days.
Daily Bag Limits: Except as subsequently provided, 10 geese
c brant harvest strategy.
Zones: Washington and California may select seasons in each of 2 zones.
Special Provisions: In Oregon and California, the brant season must end no later than December 15.
iv. White-Fronted Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and March 10.
Season Lengths: 107 days.
Daily Bag Limits: Except as subsequently provided, 10 geese.
Split Seasons: Seasons may be split into 3 segments. Three-segment seasons
v. Light Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and March 10.
Season Lengths: 107 days. Seasons may be split into 3 segments.
Daily Bag Limits: 20 geese, except in Washington where the daily bag limit for light geese is 10 on or before the last Sunday in January (January 29).
California
Balance of State Zone: A Canada and cackling goose season may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and March 10, and may be split into 3 segments. In the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area, the season on white-fronted geese must end on or before December 28, and the daily bag limit is 3 white-fronted geese. In the North Coast Special Management Area, hunting days that occur after January 31 should be concurrent with Oregon's South Coast Zone.
Northeastern Zone: The white-fronted goose season may be split into 3 segments.
Oregon
Eastern Zone: For Lake County only, the daily white-fronted goose bag limit is 1.
Northwest Permit Zone: A Canada and cackling goose season may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and March 10 with a daily bag limit of 3 geese in the aggregate. Canada and cackling goose and white-fronted goose seasons may be split into 3 segments. In the Tillamook County Management Area, the hunting season is closed on geese
bag limit is 1.
Northwest Permit Zone: A Canada and cackling goose season may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and March 10 with a daily bag limit of 3 geese in the aggregate. Canada and cackling goose and white-fronted goose seasons may be split into 3 segments. In the Tillamook County Management Area, the hunting season is closed on geese.
South Coast Zone: A Canada and cackling goose season may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and March 10 with a daily bag limit of 6 geese in the aggregate. Canada and cackling goose and white-fronted goose seasons may be split into 3 segments. Hunting days that occur after January 31 should be concurrent with California's North Coast Special Management Area.
Utah
Wasatch Front Zone: A Canada and cackling goose and brant season may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and February 15.
Washington
Areas 2 Inland and 2 Coastal (Southwest Permit Zone): A Canada and cackling goose season may be selected in each zone with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and March 10 with a daily bag limit of 3 geese in the aggregate. Canada and cackling goose and white-fronted goose seasons may be split into 3 segments.
Area 4: Canada and cackling goose and white-fronted goose seasons may be split into 3 segments.
Permit Zones
In Oregon and Washington permit zones, the hunting season is closed on dusky Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR color value 5 or less) with a bill length between 40 and 50 millimeters. Hunting of geese will only be by hunters possessing a State-issued permit authorizing them to do so. Shooting hours for geese may begin no earlier than sunrise
ones
In Oregon and Washington permit zones, the hunting season is closed on dusky Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR color value 5 or less) with a bill length between 40 and 50 millimeters. Hunting of geese will only be by hunters possessing a State-issued permit authorizing them to do so. Shooting hours for geese may begin no earlier than sunrise. Regular Canada and cackling goose seasons in the permit zones of Oregon and Washington remain subject to the Memorandum of Understanding entered into with the Service regarding monitoring the impacts of take during the regular Canada and cackling goose season on the dusky Canada goose population.
5. Swan Seasons
Pacific Flyway
Areas: Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Utah.
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24)-January 31.
Season Lengths: 107 days. Seasons may be split into 2 segments.
Permits: Hunting is by permit only. Permits will be issued by the State. The total number of permits issued may not exceed 50 in Idaho, 500 in Montana, 650 in Nevada, and 2,750 in Utah. Permits will authorize the take of no more than 1 swan per permit. Only 1 permit may be issued per hunter in Montana and Utah; 2 permits may be issued per hunter in Nevada.
Quotas: The swan season in the respective State must end upon attainment of the following reported harvest of trumpeter swans: 20 in Utah and 10 in Nevada. There is no quota in Montana.
Monitoring: Each State must evaluate hunter participation, species-specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in providing either species-determinant parts (at least the intact head) or bill measurements (bill length from tip to posterior edge of the nares opening, and presence or absence of yellow lore spots on the bill in front of the eyes) of harvested swans for species identification. Each State should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance with the State's program for swan harvest reporting
viding either species-determinant parts (at least the intact head) or bill measurements (bill length from tip to posterior edge of the nares opening, and presence or absence of yellow lore spots on the bill in front of the eyes) of harvested swans for species identification. Each State should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance with the State's program for swan harvest reporting. Each State must achieve a hunter compliance of at least 80 percent in providing species-determinant parts or bill measurements of harvested swans for species identification, or subsequent permits will be reduced by 10 percent in the respective State. Each State must provide to the Service by June 30 following the swan season a report detailing hunter participation, species-specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in reporting harvest. In Idaho and Montana, all hunters that harvest a swan must complete and submit a reporting card (bill card) with the bill measurement and color information from the harvested swan within 72 hours of harvest for species determination. In Utah and Nevada, all hunters that harvest a swan must have the swan or species-determinant parts examined by a State or Federal biologist within 72 hours of harvest for species determination.
Other Provisions: In Utah, the season is subject to the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement entered into with the Service in January 2019 regarding harvest monitoring, season closure procedures, and education requirements to minimize take of trumpeter swans during the swan season.
Atlantic and Central Flyways
Areas: Delaware, North Carolina, and Virginia in the Atlantic Flyway and North Dakota, South Dakota east of the Missouri River, and part of Montana in the Central Flyway.
Outside Dates: October 1-January 31 in the Atlantic Flyway and the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 2)-January 31 in the Central Flyway.
Season Lengths: 90 days in the Atlantic Flyway and 107 days in the Central Flyway.
Permits: Hunting is by permit only
nd Virginia in the Atlantic Flyway and North Dakota, South Dakota east of the Missouri River, and part of Montana in the Central Flyway.
Outside Dates: October 1-January 31 in the Atlantic Flyway and the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 2)-January 31 in the Central Flyway.
Season Lengths: 90 days in the Atlantic Flyway and 107 days in the Central Flyway.
Permits: Hunting is by permit only. Permits will be issued by the States. No more than 5,600 permits may be issued in the Atlantic Flyway including 347 in Delaware, 4,721 in North Carolina, and 532 in Virginia. No more than 4,000 permits may be issued in the Central Flyway including 500 in Montana, 2,200 in North Dakota, and 1,300 in South Dakota. Permits will authorize the take of no more than 1 swan per permit. A second permit may be issued to hunters from unissued permits remaining after the first drawing. Unissued permits may be reallocated to States within a Flyway.
Monitoring: Each State must evaluate hunter participation, species-specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in providing measurements of harvested swans for species identification. Each State should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance with the State's program for swan harvest reporting. Each State must achieve a hunter compliance of at least 80 percent in providing species-determinant measurements of harvested swans for species identification. Each State must provide to the Service by June 30 following the swan season a report detailing hunter participation, species-specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in reporting harvest.
Other Provisions: In lieu of a general swan hunting season, States may select a season only for tundra swans. States selecting a season only for tundra swans must obtain harvest and hunter participation data. The season in Delaware is experimental.
6. Sandhill Crane Seasons
Mississippi Flyway
Areas: Alabama, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Tennessee
st, and hunter compliance in reporting harvest.
Other Provisions: In lieu of a general swan hunting season, States may select a season only for tundra swans. States selecting a season only for tundra swans must obtain harvest and hunter participation data. The season in Delaware is experimental.
6. Sandhill Crane Seasons
Mississippi Flyway
Areas: Alabama, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Tennessee.
Outside Dates: September 1-February 28 in Minnesota, and September 1-January 31 in Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Season Lengths: 37 days in the designated portion of Minnesota's Northwest Goose Zone, and 60 days in Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 1 crane in Minnesota, 2 cranes in Kentucky, and 3 cranes in Alabama and Tennessee. In Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee, the seasonal bag limit is 3 cranes.
Permits: Hunting is by permit only. Permits will be issued by the State.
Other Provisions: The number of permits, open areas, season dates, protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons must be consistent with Council management plans and approved by the Mississippi Flyway Council. The season in Alabama is experimental.
Central Flyway
Areas: Colorado, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Outside Dates: September 1-February 28.
Season Lengths: 37 days in Texas (Zone C), 58 days in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, and 93 days in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Daily Bag Limits: 3 cranes, except 2 cranes in North Dakota (Area 2) and Texas (Zone C).
Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane season must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting permit.
Central and Pacific Flyways
Areas: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming within the range of the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of sandhill cranes.
Outside Dates: September 1-January 31.
Season Lengths: 60 days
xas (Zone C).
Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane season must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting permit.
Central and Pacific Flyways
Areas: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming within the range of the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of sandhill cranes.
Outside Dates: September 1-January 31.
Season Lengths: 60 days. The season may be split into 3 segments.
Daily Bag and Possession limits: The daily bag limit is 3 cranes, and the possession limit is 9 cranes per season.
Permits: Hunting is by permit only. Permits will be issued by the State.
Other Provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates, protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons must be consistent with Councils' management plan and approved by the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils, with the following exceptions:
A. In Utah, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP crane quota;
B. In Arizona, monitoring the racial composition of the harvest must be conducted at 3-year intervals unless 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP crane quota;
C. In Idaho, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP crane quota; and
D. In the Estancia Valley hunt area of New Mexico, the level and racial composition of the harvest must be monitored; greater sandhill cranes in the harvest will be assigned to the RMP crane quota.
7. Gallinule Seasons
Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways
Outside Dates: September 1-January 31.
Season Lengths: 70 days.
Daily Bag Limits: 15 gallinules.
Zones and Split Seasons: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck hunting. The season in each zone may be split into 2 segments.
Pacific Flyway
States in the Pacific Flyway may select their hunting seasons between the outside dates for the season on ducks, mergansers, and coots; therefore, Pacific Flyway frameworks for gallinules are included with the duck, merganser, and coot frameworks.
8
lit Seasons: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck hunting. The season in each zone may be split into 2 segments.
Pacific Flyway
States in the Pacific Flyway may select their hunting seasons between the outside dates for the season on ducks, mergansers, and coots; therefore, Pacific Flyway frameworks for gallinules are included with the duck, merganser, and coot frameworks.
8. Rail Seasons
Areas: Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways and the Pacific Flyway Portions of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming.
Outside Dates: September 1-January 31.
Season Lengths: 70 days. Seasons may be split into 2 segments.
Daily Bag Limits:
Clapper and King Rails: In Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, 10 rails in the aggregate. In Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, 15 rails in the aggregate.
Sora and Virginia Rails: 25 rails in the aggregate.
9. Snipe Seasons
Outside Dates: September 1-February 28, except in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia, where the season must end no later than January 31.
Season Lengths: 107 days.
Daily Bag limits: 8 snipe.
Zones and Split Seasons: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck seasons. The season in each zone may be split into 2 segments.
10. American Woodcock Seasons
Areas: Eastern and Central Management Regions.
Outside Dates: September 13-January 31.
Season Lengths: Except as subsequently provided, 45 days.
Daily Bag Li

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_2022-01852. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.