[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 137 (Friday, July 17, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38700-38718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19124]
[[Page 38699]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part III
Department of the Interior
_______________________________________________________________________
Fish and Wildlife Service
_______________________________________________________________________
50 CFR Part 20
Migratory Bird Hunting: Proposed
Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations and
Regulatory Alternatives for the 1998-99 Duck Hunting Season Meeting;
Proposed Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 137 / Friday, July 17, 1998 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 38700]]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
RIN 1018-AE93
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Early-Season
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations and Regulatory Alternatives for the
1998-99 Duck Hunting Season; Notice of Meeting
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; Supplemental.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter the Service) is
proposing to establish the 1998-99 early-season hunting regulations for
certain migratory game birds. The Service annually prescribes
frameworks, or outer limits, for dates and times when hunting may occur
and the maximum number of birds that may be taken and possessed in
early seasons. Early seasons generally open prior to October 1, and
include seasons in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of final
seasons and limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels
compatible with population status and habitat conditions. This
supplement to the proposed rule also provides the Service's regulatory
alternatives for the 1998-99 duck hunting season.
DATES: The comment period for proposed early-season frameworks will end
on July 31, 1998; and for late-season proposals on September 7, 1998.
The Service will hold a public hearing on late-season regulations
August 6, 1998, starting at 9 a.m.
ADDRESSES: The Service will hold a public hearing August 6 in the
Department of the Interior's South Auditorium, 1951 Constitution
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. This hearing was previously announced in
the May 29, 1998 Federal Register (63 FR 29518) as taking place at the
Main Auditorium, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC. Parties should
submit written comments on these proposals and/or a notice of intention
to participate in the late-season hearing to the Chief, Office of
Migratory Bird Management (MBMO), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, room
634-Arlington Square, Washington, DC 20240. The public may inspect
comments during normal business hours in room 634, Arlington Square
Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul R. Schmidt, Chief, MBMO, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, (703) 358-1714.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulations Schedule for 1998
On March 20, 1998, the Service published in the Federal Register
(63 FR 13748) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal dealt
with the establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for
migratory game birds under Secs. 20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and
20.110 of subpart K. On May 29, 1998, the Service published in the
Federal Register (63 FR 29518) a second document providing supplemental
proposals for early- and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations
frameworks and the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 1998-99
duck hunting season. The May 29 supplement also provided detailed
information on the 1998-99 regulatory schedule and announced the
Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee and Flyway Council
meetings.
This document is the third in a series of proposed, supplemental,
and final rulemaking documents for migratory bird hunting regulations
and deals specifically with proposed frameworks for early-season
regulations and the regulatory alternatives for the 1998-99 duck
hunting season. It will lead to final frameworks from which States may
select season dates, shooting hours, and daily bag and possession
limits for the 1998-99 season. The Service has considered all pertinent
comments received through July 1, 1998, in developing this document. In
addition, new proposals for certain early-season regulations are
provided for public comment. Comment periods are specified above under
DATES. The Service will publish final regulatory frameworks for early
seasons in the Federal Register on or about August 21, 1998.
This supplemental proposed rulemaking consolidates further changes
in the original framework proposals published in the March 20 Federal
Register. The regulations for early waterfowl hunting seasons proposed
in this document are based on the most current information available
about the status of waterfowl populations and habitat conditions on the
breeding grounds.
Presentations at Public Hearing
Five Service employees presented reports on the status of various
migratory bird species for which early hunting seasons are proposed.
These reports are briefly reviewed below.
Mr. James R. Kelley, Jr., Wildlife Biologist, Population and
Habitat Assessment Section, provided preliminary information from the
May Breeding Waterfowl and Habitat survey conducted each year by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in conjunction with the Canadian
Wildlife Service and various State and provincial cooperators.
Estimates of ponds and duck abundance that were presented are
preliminary and subject to change upon further verification. Palmer
drought indices for mid to late May indicated a large area of moderate
to severe dryness in the prairie pothole region, especially in western
and central areas. Moderate to extreme wetness was indicated in
portions of the eastern Dakotas. Breeding habitat conditions as
determined by biologists in surveyed areas indicate substantial changes
from 1997. In Alaska, there was very little flooding associated with
ice break-up this spring, which will favor waterfowl production.
Eastern and central portions of Alaska experienced early spring break-
up and production will be good to excellent. South-central and western
tundra areas had a cool wet spring and production should be fair to
good.
Throughout much of Canada and the northern tier of the U.S. spring
conditions arrived up to 2 weeks earlier than normal and precipitation
was below normal in many regions. Western prairie pothole and parkland
areas, as well as Montana, experienced fair to poor habitat conditions,
which is a major deterioration from last year's favorable conditions.
Numerous forest fires persisted throughout much of May in northern
parkland regions of western Canada. Fair to poor conditions extended
into southern Manitoba. However, northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as
well as the Dakotas had mostly good to excellent habitat conditions. In
western Ontario, ice-out was very early and the habitat outlook was
excellent. In eastern regions, good to excellent conditions extended
from Maine to eastern and central Ontario. However, the outlook for
southern Ontario was only fair.
The preliminary 1998 estimate of May ponds in the traditional
survey area is 4.6 million, which is a 38% decrease from 1997, but is
similar to the long-term average. The number of ponds in Prairie Canada
is 2.5 million, which is 50% lower than in 1997 and 27% below the long-
term average. In the northcentral U.S., May ponds were estimated at 2.1
million, which is 14% below 1997 but is 44% above the long-term
average.
The 1998 total duck population estimate for the traditional survey
area
[[Page 38701]]
is 37.5 million birds. This estimate is 12% lower than that of 1997,
but is 15% above the long-term average. For the early season
regulations meeting the breeding population estimate for blue-winged
teal is of particular interest. This year's preliminary estimate for
blue-wing teal is 6.5 million, which would be the highest estimate on
record, but is not significantly different from 1997. This estimate is
52% above the long-term average. Unfortunately, harvest estimates from
the 1997 September teal season are not available at this time. Updated
band-recovery information indicates that direct recovery rates in 1997
remained below 2% for all reference areas, and are similar to recovery
rates observed in years in which September teal seasons were held
previously. However, until a new band-reporting rate study is
conducted, we cannot determine teal harvest rates from banding data.
Dr. Dave Caithamer, Wildlife Biologist, reviewed the status of
several populations of Canada geese for which the Service is proposing
September seasons. In Alaska, five subspecies of Canada geese are
hunted including Dusky Canada geese and Cackling Canada geese. Numbers
of Dusky Canada geese, which nest primarily in the Copper River Delta
of Alaska, have declined steadily since an earthquake in 1964 altered
their nesting habitat and resulted in lowered recruitment rates. The
January 1997 population index revealed approximately 21,300 geese,
which is significantly greater than the previous year's estimate of
11,200. The Service remains concerned about the continued poor status
of this population. The December 1997 survey of Cackling Canada geese
revealed 205,000 geese. No comparable survey was conducted in the
previous year. However, this population has grown about 11 percent per
year since 1988. The 3 other subspecies of Canada geese hunted in
Alaska are thought to be at or above objective levels. In the Pacific
Flyway, the Rocky Mountain Population of Canada geese is surveyed
during winter and spring surveys. These surveys indicate an increasing
or stable population since 1988. However, results from neither of these
surveys are available from the surveys conducted in 1998. The December
1997 composite index of Great Plains and Western Prairie Populations of
Canada geese in the Central Flyway was 482,000 birds, which represents
a 6 percent increase from 1996. Population estimates obtained from
spring surveys increased at an average rate of 4 percent per year since
1988. The population of Mississippi Flyway giant Canada geese has
increased in recent years, and the population estimates for the spring
of 1997 was approximately 1 million geese. In some areas, numbers of
giant geese have increased to record-high levels. The situation is
similar in the northeastern U.S., where the ``resident'' goose
population has more than doubled since 1989 to about 1 million birds.
The Service is concerned about the rapid growth rate and large sizes of
resident Canada goose populations in parts of the Atlantic and
Mississippi Flyways. In some regions, the management of these large
populations of resident geese is confounded by the presence of other
populations, which are below population objectives. The Service
recognizes the challenge facing management agencies which are striving
to increase migrant populations, while simultaneously attempting to
control resident populations.
Dr. Caithamer also summarized the status of several populations of
sea ducks. During 1972-1996, breeding population estimates of oldsquaws
declined 5 percent per year, while those of scoters declined 2 percent
per year. Christmas Bird Counts conducted along across the continent
indicate that white-winged scoters declined 2 percent per year during
1972-95, while no trends were detected for the other species of
scoters, common eiders, oldsquaws, and harlequin ducks. In the Atlantic
Flyway, indices of trends for oldsquaws were inconsistent. Common eider
populations in the U.S. portion of the Atlantic Flyway appear to have
increased since 1972. Indices of scoter abundance in the Atlantic
Flyway suggest declining or stable populations. In the Pacific Flyway,
Christmas Bird Counts of white-winged scoters declined 2 percent per
year during 1972-1995.
Mr. David Sharp, Central Flyway Representative, reported on the
status and harvests of sandhill cranes. The Mid-Continent Population
appears to have stabilized following dramatic increases in the early
1980's. The Central Platte River Valley 1998 preliminary spring index,
uncorrected for visibility, was 335,000. This index is 5 percent lower
than the 1997 index of 351,000. The photo-corrected 3-year average for
the 1995-97 period was 460,265, which was 4 percent above the previous
year's 3-year running average and within the established population-
objective range of 343,000-465,000 cranes. All Central Flyway States,
except Nebraska, elected to allow crane hunting in portions of their
respective States in 1997-98; about 46,800 Federal permits were issued
and approximately 8,850 permittees hunted one or more times. The number
of active hunters were 21 percent higher than the previous year's
seasons. About 20,668 cranes were harvested in 1997-98 in the Central
Flyway, a 21 percent increase from the previous year's high estimate.
Harvests from Pacific Flyway, Canada and Mexico are estimated to be
about 10,000 for 1997-98 sport-hunting seasons. The total North
American sport harvest including crippling losses was estimated to be
about 36,535 for the Mid-Continent Population.
The fall 1997 pre-migration survey for the Rocky Mountain
Population was 18,036, which is 6% larger than the 1996 estimate.
Limited special seasons were held during 1997 in portions of Arizona,
Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, and resulted in an
estimated harvest of 453 cranes.
Dr. John Bruggink, Eastern Shore and Upland Game Bird Specialist,
reported on the 1998 status of the American woodcock. The 1997
recruitment index for the Eastern Region (1.4 immatures per adult
female) was 18 percent below the long-term regional average; the
recruitment index for the Central Region (1.4 immatures per adult
female) also was 18 percent below the long-term regional average.
Singing-ground Survey data indicated that the number of displaying
woodcock in the Eastern Region was unchanged (P>0.1) from 1997 levels.
In the Central Region, there was a 24 percent increase (P<0.01) over="" 1997="" levels="" in="" the="" number="" of="" woodcock="" heard="" displaying.="" trends="" from="" the="" singing-ground="" survey="" during="" 1988-98="" were="" negative="" (-4.3="" and="" -4.2="" percent="" per="" year="" for="" the="" eastern="" and="" central="" regions,="" respectively;=""><0.01). there="" were="" long-term="" (1968-98)="" declines=""><0.01) of="" 2.6="" percent="" per="" year="" in="" the="" eastern="" region="" and="" 1.6="" percent="" per="" year="" in="" the="" central="" region.="" mr.="" david="" dolton,="" western="" shore="" and="" upland="" game="" bird="" biologist,="" presented="" the="" mourning="" dove="" population="" status.="" the="" report="" summarized="" call-count="" information="" gathered="" over="" the="" past="" 33="" years.="" trends="" were="" calculated="" for="" the="" most="" recent="" 2="" and="" 10-year="" intervals="" and="" for="" the="" entire="" 33-year="" period.="" between="" 1997="" and="" 1998,="" the="" average="" number="" of="" doves="" heard="" per="" route="" increased="" significantly="" in="" the="" eastern="" management="" unit.="" there="" was="" no="" significant="" change="" in="" doves="" heard="" in="" either="" the="" central="" or="" western="" units.="" over="" the="" 10-year="" period,="" a="" significant="" decline="" was="" indicated="" in="" doves="" heard="" for="" both="" the="" eastern="" and="" western="" management="" units="" while="" a="" decline="" in="" the="" central="" unit="" was="" not="" significant.="" between="" 1966="" and="" 1998,="" all="" three="" management="" units="" exhibited="" significant="" declines="" in="" doves="" heard.="" [[page="" 38702]]="" mr.="" dolton="" also="" presented="" the="" status="" of="" white-winged="" doves.="" in="" arizona,="" the="" 1998="" call-count="" index="" of="" 35="" doves="" heard="" per="" route="" was="" higher="" than="" the="" index="" of="" 31="" doves="" per="" route="" in="" 1997.="" in="" the="" lower="" rio="" grande="" valley="" of="" texas,="" the="" total="" number="" of="" whitewings="" estimated="" to="" be="" breeding="" was="" about="" 424,000,="" an="" increase="" of="" 9="" percent="" from="" 1997="" and="" 4="" percent="" above="" the="" previous="" 10-year="" average.="" additionally,="" about="" 23,000="" whitewings="" were="" estimated="" to="" be="" nesting="" in="" west="" texas,="" 62,000="" in="" the="" lake="" corpus="" christi="" area,="" and="" 709,000="" nesting="" throughout="" a="" 13-county="" area="" in="" upper="" south="" texas.="" whitewings="" are="" continuing="" to="" increase="" in="" density="" and="" distribution.="" for="" example,="" in="" san="" antonio,="" whitewing="" numbers="" have="" gone="" from="" 174,000="" in="" 1989="" to="" 279,000="" in="" 1998.="" the="" remainder="" of="" south="" texas="" has="" increased="" from="" 95,000="" in="" 1989="" to="" 430,000="" in="" 1998.="" the="" grand="" total="" of="" 1.2="" million="" whitewings="" was="" up="" slightly="" from="" the="" 1.1="" million="" estimated="" for="" 1997.="" breeding="" has="" now="" been="" documented="" in="" wichita="" falls="" and="" amarillo.="" next,="" mr.="" dolton="" reported="" on="" white-tipped="" doves="" in="" texas.="" in="" 1998,="" an="" average="" of="" 0.41="" whitetips="" were="" heard="" per="" stop="" on="" 653="" stops,="" an="" increase="" of="" 17="" percent="" over="" 1997.="" the="" annual="" harvest="" of="" these="" birds="" is="" small;="" in="" 1996="" it="" was="" less="" than="" 4,000="" birds.="" last,="" mr.="" dolton="" presented="" information="" on="" band-tailed="" pigeons.="" for="" the="" coastal="" population,="" the="" breeding="" bird="" survey="" indicated="" a="" significant="" decline="" between="" 1968="" and="" 1996.="" data="" for="" 1997="" are="" not="" available="" at="" this="" time.="" there="" has="" also="" been="" a="" significant="" decline="" over="" the="" most="" recent="" 10-year="" period,="" 1986-96.="" late="" august="" mineral="" spring="" counts="" conducted="" in="" oregon="" indicate="" that="" the="" pigeon="" population="" increased="" 16="" percent="" between="" 1996="" and="" 1997="" from="" 8,874="" to="" 9,075.="" washington's="" call-count="" survey="" showed="" no="" significant="" change="" between="" 1996="" and="" 1997.="" no="" significant="" trend="" is="" evident="" in="" the="" population="" from="" 1975-97.="" however,="" there="" has="" been="" a="" significant="" increase="" over="" the="" most="" recent="" 5="" years,="" 1993-97.="" two="" indirect="" population="" estimates="" suggest="" that="" the="" population="" was="" somewhere="" between="" 2.4="" and="" 3.1="" million="" birds="" in="" 1992.="" bag="" limits="" and="" season="" lengths="" continue="" to="" be="" restricted.="" in="" oregon,="" the="" 1996="" harvest="" estimate="" was="" 3,300="" birds="" while,="" in="" california,="" it="" was="" 13,700.="" for="" the="" interior="" population,="" breeding="" bird="" survey="" data="" indicated="" a="" stable="" population="" between="" 1968="" and="" 1996="" with="" no="" trend="" being="" evident.="" the="" same="" was="" true="" for="" the="" most="" recent="" 10-year="" period.="" the="" combined="" harvest="" for="" the="" interior="" population="" in="" 1996="" was="" 723="" birds.="" this="" was="" less="" than="" the="" 1,600="" taken="" in="" 1995="" and="" well="" below="" the="" harvest="" in="" earlier="" years="" which="" ranged="" up="" to="" 6,000="" birds.="" comments="" received="" at="" public="" hearing="" mr.="" brad="" bales,="" gamebird="" program="" coordinator="" for="" the="" oregon="" department="" of="" fish="" and="" wildlife,="" made="" two="" statements="" on="" behalf="" of="" two="" separate="" organizations.="" the="" first,="" on="" behalf="" of="" the="" national="" flyway="" council,="" was="" an="" announcement="" that="" the="" national="" flyway="" council="" would="" establish="" a="" committee="" to="" address="" the="" framework="" question="" from="" a="" national="" perspective.="" at="" their="" next="" meeting,="" the="" national="" flyway="" council="" will="" determine="" the="" composition="" of="" the="" group="" and="" establish="" a="" time="" frame="" for="" the="" committee="" to="" complete="" their="" work="" and="" make="" their="" recommendations="" back="" to="" the="" national="" flyway="" council.="" mr.="" bales'="" second="" comment="" was="" on="" behalf="" of="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council.="" he="" indicated="" that="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council="" urged="" the="" service="" not="" to="" extend="" the="" framework="" dates="" for="" duck="" hunting="" in="" the="" lower="" mississippi="" flyway="" as="" recently="" proposed="" in="" the="" federal="" register.="" further,="" he="" offered="" the="" support="" of="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council="" for="" the="" effort="" proposed="" by="" the="" national="" flyway="" council.="" mr.="" robert="" mcdowell,="" representing="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" council="" thanked="" the="" service="" for="" providing="" more="" hunting="" opportunity="" during="" the="" youth="" hunt="" day="" by="" allowing="" geese="" to="" be="" included="" in="" the="" bag="" limit.="" also,="" he="" thanked="" the="" service="" for="" agreeing="" to="" clarify="" the="" sea="" duck="" bag="" limits.="" he="" expressed="" appreciation="" for="" approving="" florida's="" september="" duck="" season="" and="" for="" authorizing="" a="" 9-day="" september="" teal="" season="" in="" a="" portion="" of="" the="" atlantic="" flyway.="" however,="" he="" asked="" the="" service="" to="" reconsider="" a="" 16-day="" teal="" season.="" also,="" he="" asked="" the="" service="" to="" reconsider="" new="" york's="" proposal="" to="" expand="" their="" early="" canada="" goose="" season="" in="" the="" montezuma="" area.="" he="" stressed="" the="" flyway's="" proposal="" that="" framework="" dates="" remain="" fixed="" where="" they="" currently="" are="" in="" all="" flyways="" and="" disapproved="" of="" attempts="" occurring="" outside="" the="" formal="" regulatory="" process="" to="" change="" them.="" he="" further="" indicated="" that="" if="" the="" service="" finalized="" the="" proposed="" framework="" closing="" date="" extensions,="" all="" states="" should="" have="" the="" same="" opportunity.="" he="" supported="" the="" national="" flyway="" council="" efforts="" to="" resolve="" this="" problem="" that="" is="" divisive="" among="" flyways.="" mr.="" charles="" kelley,="" representing="" the="" alabama="" department="" of="" conservation="" and="" natural="" resources,="" commented="" in="" support="" of="" the="" proposed="" extension="" of="" the="" framework="" closing="" date="" for="" duck="" hunting,="" stating="" that="" the="" state="" had="" been="" requesting="" an="" extension="" for="" a="" number="" of="" years="" because="" a="" later="" hunting="" season="" would="" allow="" them="" to="" take="" better="" advantage="" of="" duck="" abundance="" in="" the="" state.="" written="" comments="" received="" the="" preliminary="" proposed="" rulemaking,="" which="" appeared="" in="" the="" march="" 20="" federal="" register,="" opened="" the="" public="" comment="" period="" for="" migratory="" game="" bird="" hunting="" regulations.="" the="" supplemental="" proposed="" rule,="" which="" appeared="" in="" the="" may="" 29="" federal="" register,="" defined="" the="" public="" comment="" period="" for="" the="" service's="" proposed="" regulatory="" alternatives="" for="" the="" 1998-="" 99="" duck="" hunting="" season.="" the="" public="" comment="" period="" for="" the="" proposed="" regulatory="" alternatives="" ended="" july="" 1,="" 1998.="" early-season="" comments="" and="" comments="" pertaining="" to="" the="" proposed="" alternatives="" are="" summarized="" below="" and="" numbered="" in="" the="" order="" used="" in="" the="" march="" 20="" federal="" register.="" only="" the="" numbered="" items="" pertaining="" to="" early="" seasons="" items="" and="" the="" proposed="" regulatory="" alternatives="" for="" which="" written="" comments="" were="" received="" are="" included.="" the="" service="" received="" recommendations="" from="" all="" four="" flyway="" councils.="" some="" recommendations="" supported="" continuation="" of="" last="" year's="" frameworks.="" due="" to="" the="" comprehensive="" nature="" of="" the="" annual="" review="" of="" the="" frameworks="" performed="" by="" the="" councils,="" support="" for="" continuation="" of="" last="" year's="" frameworks="" is="" assumed="" for="" items="" for="" which="" no="" recommendations="" were="" received.="" council="" recommendations="" for="" changes="" in="" the="" frameworks="" are="" summarized="" below.="" general="" 1.="" ducks="" the="" categories="" used="" to="" discuss="" issues="" related="" to="" duck="" harvest="" management="" are="" as="" follows:="" (a)="" general="" harvest="" strategy,="" (b)="" framework="" dates,="" (c)="" season="" length,="" (d)="" closed="" seasons,="" (e)="" bag="" limits,="" (f)="" zones="" and="" split="" seasons,="" and="" (g)="" special="" seasons/species="" management.="" only="" those="" categories="" containing="" substantial="" recommendations="" are="" included="" below.="" a.="" harvest="" strategy="" considerations.="" on="" may="" 29,="" 1998,="" the="" service="" published="" for="" public="" comment="" the="" proposed="" regulatory="" alternatives="" for="" the="" 1998-99="" duck="" hunting="" season="" (63="" fr="" 29518).="" the="" proposed="" regulatory="" alternatives="" were="" identical="" to="" the="" alternatives="" utilized="" in="" 1997-98="" except="" for="" the="" proposal="" to="" offer="" an="" extension="" of="" the="" framework="" closing="" date="" to="" no="" later="" than="" january="" 31="" in="" those="" states="" in="" the="" lower="" region="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" (arkansas,="" alabama,="" kentucky,="" louisiana,="" mississippi,="" and="" tennessee).="" further="" discussion="" of="" the="" framework="" issue="" can="" be="" found="" in="" b.="" framework="" dates.="" [[page="" 38703]]="" council="" recommendations:="" all="" four="" flyway="" councils="" generally="" endorsed="" continuation="" of="" the="" 1997-98="" regulatory="" alternatives.="" modifications="" recommended="" by="" the="" councils="" were="" identified="" and="" discussed="" in="" the="" may="" 29,="" 1998,="" federal="" register.="" the="" recommendations="" are="" reiterated="" below="" and="" modified="" where="" necessary="" based="" on="" subsequent="" comments="" received="" from="" the="" flyway="" councils.="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" that="" the="" duck="" hunting="" packages="" used="" for="" the="" 1997-98="" season="" be="" continued="" for="" the="" 1998-99="" season.="" the="" upper-regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" that="" the="" 1997-98="" regulations="" packages="" be="" maintained="" for="" the="" 1998-99="" duck="" season.="" these="" consisted="" of="" 20-,="" 30-,="" 45-,="" and="" 60-day="" seasons,="" with="" bag="" limits="" ranging="" from="" 3="" to="" 6="" ducks,="" including="" appropriate="" species="" restrictions,="" and="" frameworks="" dates="" from="" the="" saturday="" nearest="" october="" 1="" to="" the="" sunday="" nearest="" january="" 20.="" the="" lower-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" that="" the="" regulatory="" packages="" for="" the="" 1997-98="" season="" be="" continued="" in="" 1998-99,="" with="" the="" exception="" of="" framework="" dates="" (see="" further="" discussion="" in="" b.="" framework="" dates).="" the="" central="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" that="" the="" duck="" hunting="" packages="" used="" for="" the="" 1997-98="" season="" be="" continued="" for="" the="" 1998-99="" season.="" service="" response:="" for="" the="" 1998-99="" regular="" duck="" hunting="" season,="" the="" service="" will="" utilize="" the="" four="" regulatory="" alternatives="" detailed="" in="" the="" accompanying="" table.="" alternatives="" are="" specified="" for="" each="" flyway="" and="" are="" designated="" as="" ``very="" res''="" for="" the="" very="" restrictive,="" ``res''="" for="" the="" restrictive,="" ``mod''="" for="" the="" moderate,="" and="" ``lib''="" for="" the="" liberal="" alternative.="" the="" service="" is="" convinced="" that="" these="" alternatives="" will="" be="" successful="" at="" providing="" maximum="" hunting="" opportunity,="" while="" not="" jeopardizing="" the="" ability="" of="" duck="" species="" to="" attain="" population="" goals="" when="" habitat="" conditions="" are="" adequate.="" the="" service="" will="" propose="" a="" specific="" regulatory="" alternative="" when="" survey="" data="" on="" waterfowl="" population="" and="" habitat="" status="" are="" available.="" b.="" framework="" dates.="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" no="" change="" to="" the="" current="" framework="" dates,="" believing="" that="" extensions="" would="" be="" premature="" without="" knowing="" the="" potential="" harvest="" impacts,="" which="" could="" reduce="" the="" frequency="" of="" liberal="" regulations="" and="" would="" reduce="" the="" likelihood="" that="" eastern="" mallards="" will="" be="" fully="" incorporated="" into="" adaptive="" harvest="" management="" (ahm)="" this="" year.="" in="" a="" subsequent="" letter,="" the="" council="" opposed="" the="" service's="" may="" 29,="" 1998,="" framework="" extension="" proposal="" because="" the="" proposal="" was="" developed="" outside="" the="" normal="" flyway="" meeting="" schedule="" which="" prohibited="" flyway="" council="" review.="" the="" council="" voiced="" concerns="" regarding="" the="" impact="" on="" the="" ahm="" process,="" adverse="" impacts="" on="" hunting="" opportunities="" across="" all="" flyways="" to="" accommodate="" desires="" of="" a="" small="" region="" which="" already="" enjoys="" very="" high="" hunter="" success,="" negative="" biological="" impacts="" on="" mallard="" pairing="" and="" hen="" body="" condition,="" and="" impacts="" on="" eastern="" mallard="" stocks,="" black="" ducks,="" and="" wood="" ducks.="" they="" believe="" the="" proposal="" calls="" into="" question="" the="" fair="" allocation="" of="" a="" shared="" resource="" and="" mechanisms="" used="" to="" achieve="" that="" allocation.="" the="" council="" warned="" that="" allowing="" extensions="" without="" using="" existing="" flyway="" council="" protocol="" would="" fracture="" the="" existing="" flyway="" system="" and="" politicize="" the="" system.="" the="" council="" recommended="" delaying="" action="" on="" frameworks="" for="" at="" least="" one="" year="" to="" allow="" appropriate="" state="" and="" flyway="" review.="" the="" lower-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" the="" service="" allow="" states="" to="" choose="" a="" framework="" closing="" date="" as="" late="" as="" january="" 31="" with="" a="" 10%="" penalty="" in="" days.="" the="" upper-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" no="" change="" in="" existing="" framework="" dates.="" the="" committee="" also="" recommended="" that="" if="" the="" service="" were="" to="" offer="" states="" the="" opportunity="" to="" extend="" frameworks,="" the="" extension="" should="" be="" coupled="" with="" a="" commensurate="" reduction="" in="" season="" length="" and/or="" bag="" limits="" in="" the="" participating="" states="" to="" offset="" the="" predicted="" increase="" in="" harvest.="" the="" central="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" maintaining="" the="" current="" opening="" and="" closing="" framework="" dates="" adopted="" under="" ahm.="" however,="" at="" some="" future="" date,="" when="" the="" packages="" are="" reviewed="" for="" modification,="" the="" council="" recommended="" that="" the="" framework="" dates="" issue="" should="" be="" cooperatively="" dealt="" with="" by="" all="" flyways="" in="" seeking="" an="" agreement="" for="" equitable="" harvest="" opportunity.="" in="" a="" subsequent="" letter,="" the="" council="" opposed="" the="" service's="" may="" 29,="" 1998,="" proposal="" because="" it="" was="" developed="" outside="" the="" normal="" flyway="" council/service="" review="" process.="" they="" believe="" the="" proposal's="" adoption="" will="" create="" animosity="" among="" states="" and="" erode="" the="" cooperative="" framework="" the="" council="" system="" has="" provided="" for="" the="" past="" fifty="" years,="" and="" threaten="" the="" success="" of="" ahm.="" the="" council="" perceives="" the="" extension="" issue="" as="" one="" of="" fair="" allocation="" of="" harvest="" opportunity.="" the="" council="" is="" concerned="" that="" other="" states="" are="" not="" being="" offered="" the="" extension="" and="" may="" be="" held="" to="" a="" more="" stringent="" criteria="" for="" future="" changes.="" the="" council="" urged="" the="" service="" to="" work="" with="" flyways="" to="" continue="" development="" of="" the="" ahm="" program,="" which="" the="" council="" believes="" will="" promote="" enhanced="" hunting="" opportunities="" in="" the="" future.="" the="" council="" stated="" that="" both="" early="" and="" late="" framework="" issues="" should="" be="" addressed="" when="" ahm="" packages="" are="" next="" revised="" and="" that="" they="" look="" forward="" to="" working="" with="" the="" other="" flyways="" and="" the="" service="" towards="" an="" agreement="" on="" equitable="" harvest="" opportunity.="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" maintaining="" the="" current="" opening="" and="" closing="" duck="" season="" framework="" dates="" adopted="" under="" ahm="" for="" the="" near="" future.="" written="" comments:="" the="" mississippi="" department="" of="" wildlife,="" fisheries,="" and="" parks="" commented="" in="" favor="" of="" extending="" the="" framework="" closing="" date="" to="" january="" 31="" and="" submitted="" an="" analysis="" of="" data="" based="" on="" the="" most="" recent="" two="" years.="" although="" their="" analysis="" indicated="" an="" appropriate="" reduction="" in="" season="" length="" of="" 3="" days,="" they="" proposed="" to="" reduce="" the="" season="" length="" 8="" days,="" based="" on="" a="" more="" liberal="" estimate="" of="" harvest="" increases.="" the="" kentucky="" department="" of="" fish="" and="" wildlife="" resources="" communicated="" their="" interest="" in="" having="" the="" option="" of="" a="" january="" 31="" framework="" closing="" date.="" while="" the="" state="" had="" no="" specific="" data="" related="" to="" an="" appropriate="" penalty="" for="" the="" extension,="" they="" believed="" mississippi's="" analysis="" was="" applicable="" for="" the="" lower="" region="" at="" this="" time,="" unless="" more="" appropriate="" analyses="" had="" been="" conducted="" elsewhere.="" kentucky="" urged="" the="" service="" to="" develop="" final="" framework="" packages="" based="" on="" the="" information="" that="" most="" accurately="" reflects="" the="" anticipated="" impacts.="" the="" arkansas="" game="" and="" fish="" commission="" expressed="" concern="" that="" the="" framework="" issue="" had="" been="" pursued="" largely="" outside="" the="" flyway="" council="" process="" and="" threatened="" the="" long-term="" waterfowl="" management="" process,="" but="" believed="" a="" component="" of="" its="" hunters="" was="" interested="" in="" the="" extended="" opportunity.="" arkansas="" expressed="" concern="" over="" the="" potential="" for="" the="" extensions="" to="" result="" in="" more="" restrictive="" harvest="" regulations="" in="" the="" future,="" and="" the="" inability="" to="" accurately="" measure="" harvest="" rates="" and="" assess="" impacts="" of="" the="" extensions.="" the="" tennessee="" wildlife="" resources="" agency="" stated="" that="" the="" recent="" warmer-than-normal="" conditions="" had="" renewed="" sportsmen's="" interest="" in="" framework="" extensions.="" the="" state="" pledged="" the="" assistance="" of="" its="" personnel="" to="" help="" resolve="" the="" framework="" issue="" in="" a="" fair,="" equitable,="" and="" non-="" divisive="" manner.="" an="" agency="" resolution="" called="" for="" the="" service="" and="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" to="" [[page="" 38704]]="" work="" towards="" extending="" season="" frameworks="" in="" a="" fair="" and="" equitable="" manner="" for="" the="" 1998-99="" season="" and="" beyond.="" the="" louisiana="" department="" of="" wildlife="" and="" fisheries="" supported="" a="" framework="" extension="" to="" january="" 31="" as="" long="" as="" the="" state's="" participation="" does="" not="" require="" a="" reduction="" in="" hunting="" days="" or="" bag="" limits.="" louisiana="" was="" disappointed="" by="" the="" proposed="" rule="" and="" hoped="" the="" service="" would="" develop="" a="" practical="" resolution="" to="" this="" contentious="" issue.="" a="" 1997="" opinion="" survey="" of="" louisiana="" hunters="" indicated="" a="" large="" majority="" preferred="" a="" january="" 31="" closing="" date="" and="" state="" waterfowl="" survey="" data="" indicate="" that="" more="" ducks="" are="" in="" louisiana="" during="" december="" and="" january.="" the="" state="" was="" unable="" to="" develop,="" in="" the="" allotted="" period,="" an="" estimate="" of="" the="" impact="" on="" harvest="" rates="" that="" they="" would="" consider="" reliable.="" the="" alabama="" department="" of="" conservation="" and="" natural="" resources="" stated="" that="" they="" had="" supported="" framework="" extensions="" in="" alabama="" for="" many="" years="" and="" support="" maximizing="" hunting="" opportunities="" as="" long="" as="" the="" resource="" is="" not="" negatively="" impacted.="" the="" department="" stated="" that="" alabama="" hunter="" success="" is="" near="" or="" below="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" average="" as="" shown="" by="" seasonal="" duck="" harvest="" per="" hunter="" and="" that="" an="" increased="" proportion="" of="" mallards="" harvested="" in="" alabama="" may="" help="" offset="" the="" long-term="" decline="" in="" canada="" goose="" harvest="" opportunity="" in="" alabama.="" alabama="" had="" no="" data="" regarding="" an="" offset="" penalty="" and="" would="" rely="" on="" the="" analysis="" from="" mississippi.="" the="" pennsylvania="" game="" commission="" opposed="" the="" extension="" proposal.="" pennsylvania="" stated="" the="" proposal="" was="" developed="" without="" consultation="" with="" the="" other="" flyway="" councils,="" it="" conflicted="" with="" cooperatively="" developed="" ahm="" packages,="" and="" would="" confound="" attempts="" to="" assess="" impacts="" of="" season="" length="" on="" harvest.="" concern="" was="" expressed="" about="" the="" potential="" for="" increased="" harvest="" of="" eastern="" duck="" stocks="" and="" the="" potential="" for="" more="" restrictive="" harvest="" opportunities="" on="" a="" broad="" scale="" if="" frameworks="" were="" extended="" in="" southern="" states.="" pennsylvania="" believed="" that,="" at="" the="" very="" least,="" consideration="" of="" this="" proposal="" should="" be="" delayed="" until="" flyway="" councils="" and="" the="" ahm="" working="" group="" had="" assessed="" its="" ramifications.="" the="" south="" carolina="" department="" of="" natural="" resources="" objected="" to="" the="" proposal="" to="" limit="" the="" extension="" of="" the="" framework="" closing="" date="" to="" the="" southern="" portion="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway.="" they="" stated="" that="" waterfowl="" hunters="" in="" south="" carolina="" have="" been="" dissatisfied="" with="" the="" framework="" dates="" for="" a="" very="" long="" time,="" and="" the="" proposal="" to="" restrict="" the="" extension="" is="" arbitrary="" and="" capricious="" and="" violates="" the="" tenet="" of="" ``fairness''="" that="" we="" have="" operated="" under="" for="" so="" many="" years="" as="" relates="" to="" the="" nationwide="" management="" of="" migratory="" birds="" through="" the="" regulatory="" process="" administered="" by="" the="" service.="" they="" recommended="" that="" the="" same="" option="" for="" extension="" of="" the="" framework="" closing="" date="" be="" offered="" to="" states="" in="" the="" southern="" portion="" of="" the="" atlantic="" flyway.="" the="" georgia="" department="" of="" natural="" resources="" did="" not="" support="" the="" extension="" proposal="" because="" it="" undermined="" the="" primary="" goals="" of="" the="" ahm="" process="" which="" had="" been="" adopted="" by="" all="" flyways.="" they="" believed="" adoption="" of="" the="" proposal="" would="" serve="" as="" a="" catalyst="" for="" additional="" regional="" campaigns="" leading="" to="" increased="" regulatory="" inconsistency.="" many="" of="" georgia's="" hunters="" strongly="" desire="" a="" framework="" extension="" to="" january="" 31;="" however,="" until="" current="" packages="" are="" tested="" over="" a="" longer="" period,="" it="" was="" not="" in="" the="" long-term="" interest="" of="" waterfowl="" to="" extend="" frameworks.="" if="" changes="" are="" to="" be="" made="" now,="" extensions="" should="" be="" available="" to="" all="" states.="" the="" lower="" mississippi="" flyway="" proposal="" has="" triggered="" discussions="" regarding="" a="" southern="" coalition="" within="" the="" atlantic="" flyway,="" intended="" to="" pursue="" southern="" issues="" and="" framework="" extensions="" in="" that="" region.="" the="" new="" york="" state="" department="" of="" environmental="" conservation="" requested="" that="" the="" proposed="" framework="" extension="" be="" deferred="" for="" one="" year="" to="" allow="" adequate="" review="" by="" all="" flyway="" councils="" and="" the="" ahm="" working="" group.="" new="" york="" expressed="" concerns="" that="" the="" proposal="" was="" developed="" without="" flyway="" council="" review,="" was="" counter="" to="" ahm="" principles,="" that="" efforts="" on="" framework="" extensions="" would="" delay="" the="" incorporation="" of="" eastern="" mallards="" into="" the="" decision="" process,="" future="" harvest="" opportunity="" for="" all="" flyways="" could="" be="" adversely="" affected,="" eastern="" duck="" stocks="" could="" be="" impacted,="" and="" that="" adoption="" of="" the="" proposal="" would="" spawn="" additional="" requests="" from="" special="" interest="" groups.="" the="" department="" stated="" that="" when="" regulation="" packages="" were="" set="" and="" agreed="" to="" by="" all="" councils,="" it="" was="" understood="" that="" they="" would="" be="" stable="" for="" several="" years,="" new="" york="" recommended="" that="" the="" flyway="" councils="" and="" the="" ahm="" working="" group="" work="" this="" year="" to="" devise="" a="" strategy="" for="" 1999.="" the="" north="" dakota="" game="" and="" fish="" department="" stressed="" that="" waterfowl="" harvest="" management="" should="" be="" based="" on="" sound="" scientific="" information="" and="" objectives="" established="" through="" the="" flyway="" council="" process.="" north="" dakota="" expressed="" great="" concern="" over="" the="" unfairness="" of="" extending="" southern="" frameworks="" when="" northern="" states="" have="" benefitted="" little="" from="" special="" teal="" seasons="" and="" recently="" lengthened="" seasons.="" they="" believed="" if="" an="" extension="" is="" offered="" to="" southern="" states="" similar="" opportunity="" must="" be="" offered="" to="" all="" states.="" the="" south="" dakota="" department="" of="" game,="" fish="" and="" parks="" urged="" the="" service="" to="" not="" extend="" the="" framework="" closing="" date="" in="" the="" southern="" part="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway,="" since="" all="" other="" flyway="" councils="" and="" the="" upper-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" that="" framework="" dates="" not="" be="" changed.="" such="" action="" would="" be="" totally="" unfair="" to="" all="" other="" states="" that="" are="" willing="" to="" use="" the="" ahm="" process="" to="" fairly="" and="" biologically="" determine="" the="" framework="" issue.="" the="" kansas="" department="" of="" wildlife="" &="" parks="" strongly="" opposed="" the="" proposal="" to="" offer="" extended="" duck="" hunting="" season="" framework="" dates="" to="" states="" in="" the="" lower="" region="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway,="" stating="" that="" it="" is="" blatantly="" unfair="" to="" other="" states="" that="" may="" be="" interested="" in="" such="" changes,="" and="" that="" it="" will="" establish="" an="" undesirable="" precedent="" regarding="" how="" we="" implement="" harvest="" regulations.="" the="" delaware="" department="" of="" natural="" resources="" opposed="" a="" framework="" extension="" for="" the="" southern="" mississippi="" flyway="" because="" it="" conflicted="" with="" recommendations="" from="" all="" flyways="" councils="" (1997)="" to="" maintain="" consistency="" in="" regulatory="" packages="" and="" it="" could="" negatively="" affect="" other="" states="" through="" redistribution="" of="" harvest.="" delaware="" urged="" all="" four="" councils="" and="" the="" ahm="" working="" group="" work="" to="" recommend="" a="" specific="" strategy="" for="" 1999="" to="" address="" all="" concerns.="" the="" missouri="" department="" of="" conservation="" opposed="" the="" framework="" extension="" due="" to="" concerns="" regarding="" biological="" impacts="" on="" the="" waterfowl="" resource="" including="" changes="" in="" harvest="" timing="" and="" composition="" (age,="" species,="" and="" sex),="" the="" inequitable="" provision="" of="" the="" extension="" opportunities,="" and="" conflicts="" with="" the="" ahm="" process.="" missouri="" believes="" adopting="" this="" proposal="" would="" set="" an="" unfortunate="" precedent="" and="" have="" negative="" implications="" for="" the="" future="" of="" cooperative="" waterfowl="" and="" wetland="" management.="" the="" michigan="" department="" of="" natural="" resources="" strongly="" opposed="" the="" extension="" proposal="" on="" the="" basis="" of="" its="" conflict="" with="" previous="" recommendations="" of="" the="" upper-region="" regulations="" committee.="" michigan="" believed="" if="" extensions="" were="" implemented,="" both="" early="" and="" late="" extensions="" should="" be="" offered="" to="" all="" states.="" the="" connecticut="" department="" of="" environmental="" protection="" opposed="" the="" extension="" proposal="" and="" requested="" the="" service="" defer="" action="" until="" full="" review="" by="" all="" flyways="" is="" possible.="" connecticut="" [[page="" 38705]]="" voiced="" concern="" over="" reduced="" hunting="" opportunity="" across="" the="" nation="" and="" impacts="" to="" black="" ducks="" which="" are="" more="" vulnerable="" in="" late="" winter.="" the="" minnesota="" department="" of="" natural="" resources="" continued="" to="" support="" recommendations="" of="" the="" upper-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" and="" the="" other="" 3="" flyway="" councils="" for="" no="" change="" in="" framework="" dates.="" they="" believe="" the="" extension="" proposal="" is="" extremely="" divisive="" and="" threatens="" the="" future="" of="" the="" flyway="" council="" system="" and="" ahm.="" they="" stated="" that="" the="" potentially="" negative="" physiological="" impacts="" on="" ducks="" of="" extensions="" have="" not="" been="" addressed="" and="" should="" be="" evaluated="" by="" states="" and="" the="" service="" prior="" to="" implementing="" extensions.="" minnesota="" believed="" northern="" states="" have="" the="" strongest="" argument="" for="" framework="" extensions="" because="" of="" weather-related="" limitations="" to="" long="" duck="" seasons.="" the="" extension="" proposal="" was="" contrary="" to="" the="" cooperative="" process="" of="" establishing="" migratory="" bird="" regulations;="" however,="" if="" it="" is="" offered,="" it="" should="" be="" offered="" to="" all="" states.="" the="" wisconsin="" department="" of="" natural="" resources="" supported="" no="" change="" in="" framework="" dates.="" wisconsin="" found="" the="" extension="" proposal="" completely="" unacceptable="" because="" it="" increases="" inequity,="" citing="" the="" current="" higher="" hunter="" success="" rates="" in="" southern="" states,="" frequently="" truncated="" season="" length="" in="" northern="" states="" due="" to="" freeze-up,="" and="" differences="" in="" special-="" teal-season="" availability.="" wisconsin="" expressed="" concern="" about="" the="" possible="" impacts="" of="" late-winter="" hunting="" on="" mallard="" pair="" formation="" and="" nutrient-reserve="" accumulation.="" wisconsin="" opposed="" offering="" southern="" states="" an="" extension,="" but="" believed="" if="" the="" extension="" was="" granted="" to="" southern="" states,="" northern="" states="" must="" be="" offered="" an="" extension="" on="" season="" opening="" dates.="" the="" illinois="" department="" of="" natural="" resources="" stated="" the="" extension="" proposal="" was="" patently="" unfair="" because="" it="" was="" not="" available="" to="" all="" states="" in="" all="" flyways.="" the="" state="" remains="" concerned="" about="" biological="" impacts="" on="" duck="" pair="" formation="" and="" acquisition="" of="" body="" reserves.="" illinois="" believed="" this="" is="" an="" issue="" of="" national="" consequence="" and="" without="" time="" for="" a="" full="" public="" debate="" and="" analysis="" before="" the="" 1998="" season,="" the="" service="" should="" postpone="" implementation="" of="" any="" framework="" extensions="" until="" at="" least="" the="" 1999="" season.="" however,="" if="" extensions="" are="" implemented,="" the="" offset="" penalty="" should="" be="" determined="" by="" the="" service="" or="" third="" party="" and="" illinois="" should="" be="" allowed="" to="" split="" the="" duck="" season="" in="" their="" three="" zones.="" the="" oklahoma="" department="" of="" wildlife="" conservation="" was="" strongly="" opposed="" to="" the="" extension="" proposal.="" oklahoma="" believed="" that="" the="" proposal="" seriously="" undermines="" the="" long-standing="" cooperative="" flyway="" and="" service="" process="" for="" establishing="" waterfowl="" hunting="" regulations="" and="" calls="" into="" question="" the="" service's="" commitment="" to="" the="" ahm="" process.="" oklahoma="" further="" recommended="" that="" the="" service="" deny="" the="" framework="" extension="" until="" such="" time="" as="" the="" issue="" can="" be="" addressed="" through="" the="" ahm="" process="" and="" all="" states'="" interests="" are="" fairly="" and="" objectively="" considered.="" the="" wyoming="" game="" and="" fish="" department="" opposed="" the="" framework="" extension="" because="" they="" believe="" that="" season="" recommendations="" should="" be="" based="" on="" flyway/service="" review="" and="" approval="" and="" not="" political="" considerations,="" the="" proposed="" extension="" threatens="" ahm,="" other="" states="" are="" not="" offered="" a="" similar="" opportunity,="" and="" the="" proposal="" creates="" animosity="" between="" states="" and="" erodes="" the="" cooperative="" framework="" of="" the="" flyway="" council="" system.="" they="" further="" encourage="" the="" service="" to="" work="" with="" the="" flyways="" to="" continue="" to="" develop="" and="" enhance="" ahm="" and="" believe="" that="" early="" and="" late="" framework="" issues="" should="" be="" addressed="" when="" the="" next="" round="" of="" ahm="" packages="" are="" developed.="" the="" new="" jersey="" division="" of="" fish,="" game="" and="" wildlife="" opposed="" implementation="" of="" framework="" extensions="" due="" to="" their="" commitment="" to="" the="" ahm="" process,="" concern="" regarding="" impacts="" on="" migrating="" wood="" ducks,="" and="" the="" potential="" to="" divide="" the="" flyway="" system.="" the="" wisconsin="" conservation="" congress="" opposed="" the="" framework="" extension="" proposal="" stating="" that="" it="" was="" in="" direct="" conflict="" with="" the="" principles="" of="" the="" service="" to="" manage="" the="" resource="" for="" the="" benefit="" of="" all="" people.="" the="" delta="" waterfowl="" foundation="" did="" not="" support="" the="" framework="" extension="" proposal.="" while="" supporting="" the="" service's="" goal="" of="" ensuring="" that="" nonparticipating="" states="" will="" not="" be="" impacted,="" they="" believed="" that="" reductions="" in="" bag="" limits="" and="" species="" restrictions="" should="" also="" be="" considered.="" they="" further="" stated="" that="" the="" service="" should="" entertain="" other="" framework="" date="" extensions,="" such="" as="" opening="" dates.="" the="" alabama="" waterfowl="" association="" requested="" a="" january="" 31="" extension="" in="" alabama="" be="" experimental="" beginning="" in="" the="" 1998="" season.="" the="" association="" would="" accept="" a="" 10%="" penalty="" in="" hunting="" days.="" they="" cite="" conflicts="" between="" farmers="" and="" hunting-lease="" holders="" or="" hunters="" in="" mid-="" november="" when="" incomplete="" crop="" harvest="" prevents="" flooding="" of="" agricultural="" fields.="" the="" association="" believed="" an="" extended="" framework="" would="" allow="" improved="" habitat="" management="" and="" availability="" at="" the="" start="" of="" the="" season="" and="" would="" have="" less="" impact="" on="" the="" resource="" than="" the="" additional="" hen="" in="" the="" bag="" recently="" offered.="" two="" individuals="" from="" michigan,="" 45="" from="" wisconsin,="" 30="" from="" minnesota,="" 1="" from="" arkansas,="" 1="" from="" iowa,="" 1="" from="" florida,="" and="" 3="" from="" tennessee="" commented="" in="" opposition="" to="" the="" proposed="" extension="" of="" the="" framework="" closing="" date.="" three="" individuals="" from="" alabama,="" 1="" from="" florida,="" 5="" from="" arkansas,="" 2="" from="" georgia,="" 31="" from="" tennessee,="" and="" 110="" from="" mississippi="" commented="" in="" favor="" of="" extending="" the="" framework="" closing="" date.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" appreciates="" the="" extensive="" comments="" it="" received="" regarding="" the="" may="" 29="" proposal="" (63="" fr="" 29518)="" to="" extend="" the="" framework="" closing="" date="" to="" january="" 31="" in="" the="" six="" states="" of="" the="" southern="" mississippi="" flyway="" (al,="" ar,="" ky,="" la,="" ms,="" tn).="" in="" the="" proposal,="" the="" southern="" mississippi="" flyway="" would="" be="" permitted="" a="" framework-date="" extension,="" provided="" it="" was="" accompanied="" by="" a="" reduction="" in="" season="" length="" sufficient="" to="" offset="" the="" expected="" increase="" in="" harvest.="" the="" service's="" goal="" was="" to="" provide="" hunting="" opportunity="" that="" had="" been="" requested="" by="" southern="" mississippi="" flyway="" states,="" without="" expanding="" overall="" harvest="" in="" those="" states="" or="" affecting="" hunting="" opportunities="" in="" other="" states="" and="" flyways.="" the="" service="" will="" establish="" a="" final="" framework="" closing="" date="" for="" the="" 1998-99="" duck="" hunting="" season="" in="" these="" six="" states="" in="" conjunction="" with="" the="" late-season="" regulations="" process.="" f.="" zones="" and="" split="" seasons.written="" comments:="" the="" ohio="" division="" of="" wildlife="" requested="" elimination="" of="" the="" pymatuning="" waterfowl="" hunting="" zone="" in="" ohio="" and="" incorporation="" of="" the="" affected="" area="" into="" the="" north="" zone="" beginning="" in="" the="" 1998-99="" season.="" service="" response:="" in="" the="" past,="" hunting="" seasons="" in="" that="" portion="" of="" ohio="" had="" to="" be="" the="" same="" as="" those="" selected="" by="" pennsylvania="" for="" that="" portion="" of="" pennsylvania.="" beginning="" this="" year,="" the="" pymatuning="" area="" will="" no="" longer="" be="" included="" in="" the="" federal="" waterfowl="" hunting="" frameworks="" as="" a="" separate="" area,="" and="" will="" be="" considered="" part="" of="" ohio's="" north="" zone.="" g.="" special="" seasons/species="" management="" iii.="" september="" teal="" seasons="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" the="" establishment="" of="" an="" experimental="" september="" teal="" season="" option="" in="" the="" atlantic="" flyway.="" states="" deriving="" more="" [[page="" 38706]]="" than="" 80="" percent="" of="" their="" teal="" harvest="" from="" mid-continent="" populations="" (delaware,="" georgia,="" florida,="" maryland,="" north="" carolina,="" pennsylvania,="" south="" carolina,="" virginia,="" and="" west="" virginia)="" could="" hold="" a="" 9-day="" season="" between="" september="" 1="" and="" 30="" with="" a="" daily="" bag="" limit="" of="" 4="" teal.="" the="" central="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" an="" experimental="" september="" teal="" season="" harvest="" strategy="" in="" the="" nonproduction="" states="" of="" the="" central="" flyway="" based="" on="" the="" may="" breeding="" population="" index="" (bpi)="" of="" blue-winged="" teal.="" when="" the="" bpi="" of="" blue-winged="" teal="" is="" 4.7="" million="" or="" greater,="" the="" council's="" recommended="" harvest="" strategy="" would="" consist="" of="" an="" additional="" 7="" days="" of="" hunting="" (for="" a="" total="" of="" 16="" days).="" when="" the="" bpi="" of="" blue-winged="" teal="" is="" below="" 4.7="" million="" but="" remains="" at="" or="" above="" 3.3="" million,="" the="" council's="" recommended="" harvest="" strategy="" would="" maintain="" the="" current="" 9-day="" season.="" when="" the="" bpi="" of="" blue-winged="" teal="" is="" below="" 3.3="" million,="" the="" council's="" recommended="" harvest="" strategy="" would="" consider="" closure="" of="" september="" teal="" seasons.="" written="" comments:="" one="" individual="" from="" wisconsin="" and="" 1="" from="" minnesota="" urged="" the="" service="" to="" consider="" a="" special="" teal="" season="" for="" the="" production="" states.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" supports="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" council's="" proposal="" for="" an="" experimental="" 9-day="" special="" september="" teal="" season="" in="" those="" states="" that="" derive="" 80%="" of="" their="" harvest="" from="" the="" mid-="" continent="" blue-winged="" teal="" populations="" (to="" include="" states="" from="" pennsylvania="" and="" delaware="" southward).="" these="" states="" would="" be="" required="" to="" evaluate="" the="" impacts="" to="" non-target="" waterfowl="" species="" by="" conducting="" hunter="" performance="" surveys.="" the="" service="" remains="" concerned="" with="" the="" definition="" of="" production="" and="" non-production="" states,="" but="" will="" work="" with="" the="" flyway="" to="" establish="" decision="" criteria="" based="" on="" historic="" harvests="" of="" non-target="" species="" in="" other="" flyways.="" the="" service="" strongly="" encourages="" as="" many="" of="" the="" states="" as="" possible="" to="" participate="" in="" the="" evaluation,="" as="" sampling="" requirements="" will="" be="" based="" on="" the="" number="" of="" states="" involved.="" this="" season="" will="" be="" experimental="" for="" a="" 3-year="" period="" but="" must="" include="" a="" pre-sunrise="" evaluation="" in="" order="" to="" have="" shooting="" hours="" begin="" \1/2\-hour="" before="" sunrise.="" the="" service="" will="" develop="" a="" memorandum="" of="" agreement="" to="" stipulate="" the="" guidelines="" and="" implementation="" of="" this="" season.="" the="" service="" also="" supports="" the="" central="" flyway="" council's="" proposal="" for="" a="" september-teal-season="" harvest="" strategy="" that="" would="" provide="" a="" 16-day="" special="" season="" in="" those="" states="" that="" currently="" have="" operational="" special="" september="" teal="" seasons="" when="" blue-winged="" teal="" populations="" are="" above="" 4.7="" million.="" the="" evaluation="" plan="" submitted="" by="" the="" council="" appears="" adequate="" for="" annual="" monitoring="" and="" assessment="" of="" this="" expanded="" opportunity.="" although="" current="" changes="" in="" band-reporting="" rates="" make="" interpretation="" of="" band-recovery="" data="" difficult,="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" the="" 4.7="" million="" breeding="" population="" trigger="" is="" an="" adequate="" threshold="" for="" conducting="" these="" expanded="" seasons.="" the="" expanded="" season="" also="" will="" be="" offered="" to="" those="" states="" in="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" that="" currently="" are="" offered="" a="" special="" teal="" season,="" under="" the="" same="" stipulations="" as="" for="" the="" central="" flyway.="" an="" annual="" evaluation="" of="" pertinent="" population,="" habitat,="" and="" harvest="" information="" will="" be="" required,="" with="" a="" final="" report="" due="" after="" the="" seasons="" have="" been="" conducted="" for="" 3="" years.="" continuation="" of="" the="" season="" is="" conditional="" upon="" the="" completion="" of="" the="" annual="" and="" final="" reports.="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" a="" comprehensive="" review="" of="" blue-winged="" teal="" biology,="" an="" assessment="" of="" the="" cumulative="" effects="" of="" all="" teal="" harvest,="" and="" an="" evaluation="" of="" possible="" expansion="" of="" hunting="" opportunity="" in="" production="" states="" is="" needed.="" in="" order="" to="" facilitate="" such="" an="" evaluation="" the="" service="" proposes="" to="" host="" a="" meeting="" this="" fall.="" the="" service="" asks="" flyway="" councils="" to="" designate="" two="" representatives="" from="" each="" of="" the="" three="" involved="" flyways="" to="" meet="" with="" office="" of="" migratory="" bird="" management="" staff="" to="" design="" a="" comprehensive="" evaluation="" of="" blue-winged="" teal="" biology="" and="" harvest="" management.="" iv.="" september="" teal/wood="" duck="" seasons="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" the="" continuation="" of="" the="" florida="" september="" wood="" duck/teal="" season="" on="" an="" operational="" basis.="" the="" lower-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" that="" the="" experimental="" september="" teal/wood="" duck="" seasons="" in="" kentucky="" and="" tennessee="" be="" continued="" in="" 1998="" with="" no="" changes="" from="" the="" 1997="" season.="" the="" lower-region="" regulations="" committee="" further="" recommended="" that="" if="" such="" seasons="" are="" suspended,="" all="" non-production="" states="" should="" be="" permitted="" to="" take="" up="" to="" 5="" days="" of="" the="" regular="" season="" in="" september.="" written="" comments:="" representatives="" john="" s.="" tanner,="" john="" j.="" duncan,="" harold="" ford,="" jr.,="" william="" jenkins,="" van="" hilleary,="" zach="" wamp,="" ed="" bryant,="" bob="" clement,="" bart="" cordon,="" and="" senators="" fred="" thompson="" and="" bill="" frist="" from="" tennessee="" requested="" that="" the="" service="" not="" close="" tennessee's="" early="" wood="" duck="" season.="" the="" commenters="" state="" that="" a="" decision="" by="" the="" service="" to="" close="" the="" season="" would="" appear="" to="" be="" one="" based="" on="" administrative="" rationale,="" rather="" than="" sound="" biology.="" further,="" facts="" that="" support="" continuation="" of="" the="" season="" are="" that:="" the="" season="" has="" been="" approved="" for="" 17="" years,="" that="" the="" tennessee="" wildlife="" resources="" agency="" has="" met="" its="" preseason="" banding="" obligations,="" that="" no="" downward="" trends="" in="" the="" wood="" duck="" populations="" have="" been="" recorded="" in="" stream-float="" surveys,="" summer="" bandings,="" or="" the="" breeding="" bird="" survey.="" finally,="" survival="" rates="" for="" tennessee="" wood="" ducks="" are="" similar="" to,="" or="" higher,="" than="" rates="" observed="" prior="" to="" 1981.="" roughly="" one="" third="" of="" tennessee's="" waterfowlers="" participate="" in="" the="" early="" wood="" duck="" season.="" the="" commenters="" believe="" that="" closing="" the="" season="" would="" discourage="" their="" active="" involvement="" in="" wood="" duck="" management.="" the="" tennessee="" wildlife="" resources="" agency="" (tennessee)="" expressed="" disappointment="" that="" the="" service="" intended="" to="" suspend="" the="" september="" wood="" duck="" season.="" they="" pointed="" out="" the="" tennessee="" hunters="" have="" never="" complained="" about="" decreased="" wood="" duck="" numbers,="" and="" that="" empirical="" evidence="" demonstrates="" that="" the="" wood="" duck="" population="" is="" not="" experiencing="" any="" long-term="" declines.="" further,="" tennessee="" stated="" that="" closing="" the="" popular="" 5-day="" season="" would="" be="" hard="" to="" justify="" because="" the="" evaluation="" of="" the="" season="" could="" not="" conclude="" whether="" the="" season="" is="" good="" or="" bad.="" tennessee="" mentioned="" that="" the="" high="" costs="" associated="" with="" regional="" wood="" duck="" population="" monitoring="" will="" discourage="" most="" states="" from="" participating="" in="" any="" monitoring="" programs="" beyond="" what="" is="" currently="" being="" done.="" they="" pointed="" out="" that="" eliminating="" the="" september="" season="" without="" a="" clearly="" stated="" harvest="" alternative="" would="" stymie="" any="" new="" data="" collection="" efforts.="" thus,="" they="" requested="" that="" tennessee's="" september="" wood="" duck="" season="" be="" granted="" operational="" status="" and="" be="" grandfathered="" into="" the="" existing="" frameworks.="" the="" kentucky="" department="" of="" fish="" and="" wildlife="" resources="" (kentucky)="" also="" expressed="" disappointment="" that="" the="" service="" would="" recommend="" suspending="" the="" september="" wood="" duck="" season="" in="" kentucky.="" they="" stated="" that="" evaluation="" of="" the="" season="" indicated="" that="" it="" met="" the="" objective="" of="" limiting="" harvest="" to="" local="" wood="" ducks="" without="" negatively="" impacting="" southern="" wood="" duck="" populations.="" they="" recognized="" that="" the="" conclusions="" of="" the="" evaluation="" were="" based="" on="" data="" where="" the="" level="" of="" precision="" was="" questionable,="" but="" that="" the="" data="" were="" the="" best="" available="" and="" should="" not="" be="" discarded.="" kentucky="" emphasized="" that="" data="" collected="" by="" their="" agency="" indicated="" no="" negative="" impacts="" on="" local="" [[page="" 38707]]="" wood="" duck="" populations="" and="" therefore="" requested="" that="" kentucky's="" september="" season="" be="" granted="" operational="" status="" and="" grandfathered="" into="" the="" existing="" frameworks.="" the="" florida="" game="" and="" fresh="" water="" fish="" commission="" opposed="" suspension="" of="" the="" september="" wood="" duck="" seasons="" based="" on="" the="" service's="" contention="" that="" adequate="" population="" monitoring="" was="" lacking.="" they="" maintained="" that="" their="" monitoring="" programs="" have="" not="" detected="" any="" undue="" negative="" effects="" on="" local="" wood="" duck="" populations="" after="" 17="" years.="" they="" believe="" that="" if="" the="" service="" is="" comfortable="" with="" the="" regular-season="" harvest="" pressure="" on="" wood="" ducks="" caused="" by="" several="" changes="" in="" season="" lengths,="" then="" concern="" over="" florida's="" september="" season="" hardly="" seem="" warranted.="" they="" believe="" the="" service="" has="" continued="" to="" raise="" the="" standard="" for="" evaluation="" long="" after="" these="" seasons="" were="" initiated="" and="" did="" not="" provide="" specific="" criteria.="" they="" maintain="" that="" there="" is="" no="" evidence="" that="" florida's="" season="" is="" negatively="" influencing="" their="" local="" wood="" populations="" and="" it="" appeared="" as="" though="" the="" reason="" for="" suspending="" the="" seasons="" was="" unjustly="" based="" on="" administrative="" convenience="" rather="" than="" biological="" concern.="" the="" minnesota="" department="" of="" natural="" resources="" opposed="" hunting="" opportunities="" that="" are="" not="" offered="" to="" hunters="" in="" all="" states="" within="" a="" flyway.="" if="" the="" september="" wood="" duck="" seasons="" are="" suspended,="" they="" would="" not="" support="" non-production="" states="" in="" the="" lower="" region="" taking="" up="" to="" 5="" days="" from="" the="" regular="" season="" in="" september.="" the="" alabama="" waterfowl="" association="" indicated="" that="" they="" do="" not="" see="" any="" reason="" to="" suspend="" the="" early="" wood="" duck="" season="" and="" maintain="" that="" southern="" states="" provide="" habitat="" enhancement="" projects="" and="" deserve="" to="" have="" harvest="" opportunities="" on="" locally="" reared="" wood="" ducks.="" a="" petition="" letter="" signed="" by="" 110="" individuals="" from="" tennessee="" stress="" the="" fact="" that="" to="" do="" away="" with="" the="" wood="" duck="" september="" season="" would="" deplete="" a="" lot="" of="" interest="" among="" several="" organizations="" who="" get="" involved="" with="" nest="" box="" programs="" and="" habitat="" improvement="" projects.="" thirty-two="" individuals="" from="" tennessee,="" 13="" from="" florida,="" and="" 5="" from="" kentucky="" expressed="" support="" for="" continuing="" with="" the="" september="" wood="" duck="" seasons="" to="" provide="" hunting="" opportunities="" and="" opposed="" any="" action="" by="" the="" service="" to="" discontinue="" these="" seasons.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" notes="" that="" after="" many="" years="" of="" trying="" to="" develop="" regional="" wood="" duck="" population-monitoring="" programs,="" attempts="" to="" evaluate="" the="" experimental="" september="" wood="" duck="" seasons="" have="" been="" unsuccessful.="" without="" adequate="" regional="" monitoring,="" special="" seasons="" that="" target="" regional="" wood="" duck="" populations="" should="" be="" discontinued.="" instead,="" wood="" duck="" harvest="" management="" should="" be="" approached="" at="" the="" flyway="" level="" during="" the="" regular="" season.="" the="" recently-completed="" wood="" duck="" population="" monitoring="" initiative="" showed="" that="" managers="" have="" much="" of="" the="" capability="" needed="" to="" monitor="" wood="" ducks="" at="" the="" flyway="" level.="" the="" service="" recognizes="" that="" improvements="" in="" the="" way="" we="" develop="" regular="" season="" approaches="" to="" wood="" duck="" harvest="" management="" are="" possible.="" these="" improvements="" should="" incorporate="" information="" about="" the="" status="" and="" dynamics="" of="" wood="" ducks.="" however,="" there="" is="" a="" need="" to="" conduct="" additional="" technical="" assessments="" in="" order="" to="" develop="" flyway="" harvest="" strategies.="" the="" service="" will="" coordinate="" with="" flyway="" councils="" and="" technical="" sections="" to="" develop="" such="" strategies.="" during="" the="" interim="" period,="" the="" service="" proposes="" to="" allow="" florida,="" kentucky,="" and="" tennessee="" to="" hold="" september="" wood="" duck="" seasons="" for="" a="" maximum="" of="" 3="" more="" years.="" after="" september="" 2000,="" the="" seasons="" in="" florida,="" kentucky,="" and="" tennessee="" will="" be="" discontinued.="" flyway="" harvest="" strategies="" will="" then="" be="" implemented="" for="" the="" 2001/02="" hunting="" season.="" should="" the="" technical="" assessment="" be="" completed="" sooner,="" and="" a="" flyway="" strategy="" be="" implemented,="" the="" september="" seasons="" would="" be="" suspended="" at="" that="" time.="" v.="" youth="" hunt="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" upper-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" that="" a="" special="" one-day="" youth="" waterfowl="" season="" include="" the="" harvesting="" of="" geese.="" the="" lower-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" that="" a="" special="" 2-day="" youth="" waterfowl="" season="" include="" the="" harvesting="" of="" geese.="" the="" central="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" expansion="" of="" the="" special="" youth="" waterfowl="" hunt="" to="" 2="" consecutive="" days="" with="" a="" legal="" bag="" that="" includes="" geese.="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" continuation="" of="" the="" one-day="" youth="" hunt="" that="" allows="" states="" to="" select="" outside="" the="" general="" season="" and="" frameworks.="" the="" council="" further="" recommended="" the="" addition="" of="" 1="" goose="" to="" the="" bag="" limit.="" written="" comments:="" senator="" john="" t.="" traynor="" of="" the="" north="" dakota="" senate="" expressed="" his="" support="" for="" the="" youth="" hunt="" and="" urged="" the="" service="" to="" expand="" the="" special="" season="" to="" 2="" days="" and="" include="" geese="" in="" the="" bag="" limit.="" the="" delta="" waterfowl="" foundation="" supported="" the="" expansion="" of="" the="" special="" youth="" hunt="" to="" 2="" days="" and="" the="" inclusion="" of="" geese="" in="" the="" bag="" limit.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" appreciates="" the="" recommendations="" from="" the="" flyway="" councils="" regarding="" the="" continuation="" of="" a="" youth="" waterfowl="" hunting="" day.="" upon="" establishment="" of="" the="" special="" youth="" hunting="" day,="" the="" service="" viewed="" it="" as="" a="" unique="" educational="" opportunity="" which="" would="" help="" ensure="" safe,="" high-quality="" hunting="" for="" future="" generations="" of="" americans.="" the="" service's="" intent="" was="" not="" to="" recruit="" youth="" hunters,="" but="" to="" provide="" the="" best="" and="" safest="" learning="" environment="" for="" those="" of="" our="" youth="" who="" are="" interested="" in="" hunting.="" further,="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" establishing="" such="" a="" day="" was="" consistent="" with="" our="" responsibility="" to="" provide="" general="" education="" and="" training="" in="" the="" wise="" use="" of="" our="" nation's="" valuable="" wildlife="" resources.="" the="" service="" believes="" the="" long-term="" conservation="" of="" north="" america's="" migratory="" bird="" resources="" depends="" on="" the="" future="" attitudes="" and="" actions="" of="" today's="" youth="" and="" that="" the="" special="" youth="" day="" assists="" in="" the="" formation="" and="" development="" of="" a="" conservation="" ethic="" in="" future="" generations.="" the="" service's="" intent="" in="" establishing="" this="" special="" day="" is="" to="" introduce="" youth="" to="" the="" concepts="" of="" ethical="" utilization="" and="" stewardship="" of="" waterfowl="" and="" other="" natural="" resources,="" encourage="" youngsters="" and="" adults="" to="" experience="" the="" outdoors="" together,="" and="" contribute="" to="" the="" long-term="" conservation="" of="" the="" migratory="" bird="" resource.="" with="" these="" intents="" in="" mind,="" there="" is="" not="" a="" compelling="" reason="" to="" extend="" the="" opportunity="" an="" additional="" day.="" additionally,="" the="" service="" has="" not="" conducted="" an="" extensive="" national="" evaluation="" of="" the="" effects="" of="" the="" special="" youth="" hunt="" day="" to="" date,="" nor="" does="" the="" service="" plan="" to="" conduct="" such="" an="" evaluation="" due="" to="" cost/benefit="" considerations.="" because="" the="" special="" 1-day="" hunt="" is="" limited="" to="" youths,="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" waterfowl="" populations="" can="" support="" the="" limited="" additional="" harvest.="" however,="" an="" additional="" day="" would="" potentially="" double="" the="" effect,="" which="" would="" result="" in="" increased="" uncertainty.="" with="" regard="" to="" geese,="" the="" service="" supports="" the="" inclusion="" of="" the="" regular-season="" daily="" bag="" limit="" for="" geese="" in="" the="" special="" youth-hunt="" bag="" limit.="" however,="" there="" are="" two="" considerations="" that="" states="" must="" be="" aware="" of="" regarding="" the="" inclusion="" of="" geese="" in="" the="" youth="" hunt:="" (1)="" in="" many="" cases,="" states="" already="" use="" the="" legal="" limit="" of="" 107="" goose="" hunting="" days="" [[page="" 38708]]="" and="" the="" inclusion="" of="" geese="" in="" the="" youth="" day="" bag="" will="" require="" a="" 1-day="" reduction="" in="" the="" regular="" season="" length,="" and="" (2)="" all="" area/species="" restrictions="" would="" apply,="" thus="" complicating="" the="" regulations="" in="" areas="" with="" species="" restrictions="" or="" area="" closures.="" 2.="" sea="" ducks="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" that="" the="" service="" clarify="" regulatory="" language="" concerning="" bag="" limits="" for="" sea="" ducks="" so="" that="" bag="" limits="" for="" seas="" ducks="" during="" the="" regular="" season="" cannot="" exceed="" bag="" limits="" for="" sea="" ducks="" established="" in="" the="" special="" sea="" duck="" season,="" whether="" inside="" or="" outside="" the="" special="" sea="" duck="" area.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" will="" continue="" to="" work="" with="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" council="" as="" they="" prepare="" their="" management="" plan="" for="" common="" eiders,="" and="" encourages="" the="" flyway="" to="" develop="" management="" goals="" for="" other="" populations="" of="" sea="" ducks.="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" a="" conservative="" approach="" to="" sea="" duck="" hunting="" is="" warranted,="" especially="" if="" management="" plans="" or="" goals="" have="" not="" been="" adopted.="" the="" service="" will="" assess="" the="" appropriateness="" of="" current="" sea="" duck="" hunting="" regulations="" after="" finalizing="" a="" report="" on="" the="" status="" of="" sea="" duck="" populations;="" changes="" will="" be="" considered="" for="" the="" 1999="" hunting="" season.="" 4.="" canada="" geese="" a.="" special="" seasons.="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" that="" the="" closing="" date="" of="" the="" september="" goose="" season="" around="" montezuma="" national="" wildlife="" refuge="" be="" extended="" from="" september="" 15="" to="" 25.="" the="" lower-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" that="" the="" service="" reevaluate="" criteria="" for="" special="" canada="" goose="" seasons="" (early="" and="" late),="" particularly="" as="" they="" relate="" to="" the="" cumulative="" harvest="" of="" migrant="" canada="" geese="" from="" populations="" of="" special="" concern,="" to="" insure="" that="" the="" criteria="" are="" consistent="" with="" management="" efforts="" to="" increase="" and/or="" maintain="" migrant="" populations="" of="" special="" concern="" to/at="" planned="" objective="" levels.="" service="" response:="" in="" accordance="" with="" the="" criteria="" established="" for="" early="" seasons="" on="" resident="" canada="" geese,="" the="" harvest="" of="" migrant="" geese="" cannot="" exceed="" 10%.="" collar="" observations="" provided="" by="" new="" york="" for="" 1995-97="" exceed="" this="" level.="" thus,="" the="" service="" does="" not="" support="" this="" request.="" the="" criteria="" only="" address="" the="" ratio="" of="" collar="" observations="" without="" regard="" to="" the="" area="" size="" or="" number="" of="" collars="" or="" geese="" observed.="" based="" on="" the="" evidence="" provided="" by="" new="" york,="" the="" potential="" to="" harvest="" ap="" geese="" increases="" substantially="" in="" late="" september.="" the="" service="" recognizes="" that="" in="" some="" cases="" a="" single="" observation="" of="" a="" potential="" migrant="" may="" exceed="" the="" 10%="" criterion,="" but="" at="" this="" fine="" scale,="" it="" is="" very="" difficult="" to="" fully="" assess="" the="" impacts="" of="" expanding="" the="" season="" to="" september="" 25.="" the="" criteria="" for="" special="" canada="" goose="" seasons="" are="" designed="" to="" provide="" additional="" harvest="" of="" locally="" nesting="" canada="" geese="" without="" additional="" impact="" on="" migrant="" populations.="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" to="" date="" they="" have="" accomplished="" that="" objective;="" however,="" the="" service="" will="" continue="" to="" monitor="" harvest="" information="" with="" reference="" to="" the="" provisions="" of="" the="" special-season="" criteria="" and="" objectives="" for="" migrant="" canada="" goose="" populations.="" b.="" regular="" seasons.="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" upper-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" that="" the="" 1998="" regular="" goose="" season="" opening="" date="" be="" as="" early="" as="" september="" 26="" in="" michigan's="" upper="" peninsula="" and="" september="" 19="" in="" wisconsin.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" concurs="" with="" the="" recommendation.="" 9.="" sandhill="" cranes="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" central="" and="" pacific="" flyway="" councils="" recommended="" that="" the="" rocky="" mountain="" population="" (rmp)="" greater="" sandhill="" crane="" hunt="" in="" wyoming's="" area="" 6="" (park="" and="" bighorn="" counties)="" become="" operational="" in="" 1998.="" the="" councils="" further="" recommended="" that="" the="" third="" year="" of="" monitoring="" and="" data="" collection="" for="" the="" experimental="" hunt="" be="" waived.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" concurs="" with="" the="" central="" and="" pacific="" flyway="" council="" recommendations="" for="" removal="" of="" experimental="" status="" of="" the="" rmp="" greater="" sandhill="" crane="" hunt="" in="" big="" horn="" and="" park="" counties="" of="" wyoming.="" the="" third="" year="" of="" monitoring="" and="" data="" collection="" will="" be="" waived.="" 16.="" mourning="" doves="" written="" comments:="" the="" louisiana="" department="" of="" wildlife="" and="" fisheries="" requested="" an="" extension="" of="" the="" framework="" closing="" date="" from="" january="" 15="" to="" january="" 20.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" does="" not="" support="" louisiana's="" request="" at="" this="" time="" and="" asks="" that="" the="" issue="" be="" incorporated="" into="" the="" mourning="" dove="" management="" plan="" for="" the="" eastern="" management="" unit="" which="" is="" currently="" being="" prepared.="" 18.="" alaska="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" an="" increase="" in="" alaska's="" canada="" goose="" daily="" bag="" and="" possession="" limit="" from="" 1="" and="" 2="" to="" 3="" and="" 6,="" respectively,="" within="" overall="" dark="" goose="" bag="" and="" possession="" limits="" of="" 4="" and="" 8="" in="" alaska="" game="" management="" subunit="" (gmu)="" 9(e)="" (alaska="" peninsula)="" and="" unit="" 18="" (y-k="" delta).="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" an="" archery-only="" canada="" goose="" hunt="" on="" middleton="" island,="" alaska="" (gmu="" 6);="" by="" registration="" permit="" only,="" with="" no="" more="" than="" 10="" permits;="" mandatory="" goose="" identification="" class,="" check-in,="" and="" check-out;="" season="" dates="" of="" september="" 28="" to="" december="" 16;="" bag="" and="" possession="" limit="" of="" 1;="" season="" to="" close="" if="" incidental="" harvest="" includes="" 5="" dusky="" canada="" geese.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" supports="" the="" council's="" recommendation="" for="" increased="" canada="" goose="" bag="" limits="" within="" the="" overall="" dark="" goose="" bag="" limit="" and="" the="" limited="" season="" for="" canada="" geese="" on="" middleton="" island="" with="" all="" of="" the="" conditions="" recommended="" by="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council="" except="" the="" limitation="" of="" the="" method="" of="" take="" to="" only="" archery.="" the="" service="" has="" received="" no="" rationale="" for="" limiting="" the="" method="" of="" take="" and="" believes="" to="" do="" so="" without="" reason="" would="" establish="" an="" undesirable="" precedent.="" public="" comment="" invited="" the="" service="" intends="" that="" adopted="" final="" rules="" be="" as="" responsive="" as="" possible="" to="" all="" concerned="" interests,="" and="" wants="" to="" obtain="" the="" comments="" and="" suggestions="" from="" all="" interested="" areas="" of="" the="" public,="" as="" well="" as="" other="" governmental="" agencies.="" such="" comments,="" and="" any="" additional="" information="" received,="" may="" lead="" to="" final="" regulations="" that="" differ="" from="" these="" proposals.="" however,="" special="" circumstances="" involved="" in="" the="" establishment="" of="" these="" regulations="" limit="" the="" amount="" of="" time="" the="" service="" can="" allow="" for="" public="" comment.="" specifically,="" two="" considerations="" compress="" the="" time="" in="" which="" the="" rulemaking="" process="" must="" operate:="" (1)="" the="" need="" to="" establish="" final="" rules="" at="" a="" point="" early="" enough="" in="" the="" summer="" to="" allow="" affected="" state="" agencies="" to="" appropriately="" adjust="" their="" licensing="" and="" regulatory="" mechanisms;="" and="" (2)="" the="" unavailability,="" before="" mid-june,="" of="" specific,="" reliable="" data="" on="" this="" year's="" status="" of="" some="" waterfowl="" and="" migratory="" shore="" and="" upland="" game="" bird="" populations.="" therefore,="" the="" service="" believes="" allowing="" comment="" periods="" past="" the="" dates="" specified="" is="" contrary="" to="" public="" interest.="" e.o.="" 12866="" requires="" each="" agency="" to="" write="" regulations="" that="" are="" easy="" to="" understand.="" the="" service="" invites="" comments="" on="" how="" to="" make="" this="" rule="" easier="" to="" understand,="" including="" answers="" to="" questions="" such="" as="" the="" following:="" (1)="" [[page="" 38709]]="" are="" the="" requirements="" in="" the="" rule="" clearly="" stated?="" (2)="" does="" the="" rule="" contain="" technical="" language="" or="" jargon="" that="" interferes="" with="" its="" clarity?="" (3)="" does="" the="" format="" of="" the="" rule="" (grouping="" and="" order="" of="" sections,="" use="" of="" headings,="" paragraphing,="" etc.)="" aid="" or="" reduce="" its="" clarity?="" (4)="" would="" the="" rule="" be="" easier="" to="" understand="" if="" it="" were="" divided="" into="" more="" (but="" shorter)="" sections?="" (5)="" is="" the="" description="" of="" the="" rule="" in="" the="" ``supplementary="" information''="" section="" of="" the="" preamble="" helpful="" in="" understanding="" the="" proposed="" rule?="" what="" else="" could="" the="" service="" do="" to="" make="" the="" rule="" easier="" to="" understand?="" send="" a="" copy="" of="" any="" comments="" that="" concern="" how="" this="" rule="" could="" be="" made="" easier="" to="" understand="" to:="" office="" of="" regulatory="" affairs,="" department="" of="" the="" interior,="" room="" 7229,="" 1849="" c="" street,="" n.w.,="" washington,="" d.c.="" 20240.="" comments="" may="" also="" be="" e-mailed="" to:="">xsec@ios.doi.gov
Comment Procedure
It is the policy of the Department of the Interior to afford the
public an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process,
whenever practical. Accordingly, interested persons may participate by
submitting written comments to the Chief, MBMO, at the address listed
under the caption ADDRESSES. The public may inspect comments during
normal business hours at the Service's office address listed under the
caption ADDRESSES. The Service will consider all relevant comments
received and will try to acknowledge received comments, but may not
provide an individual response to each commenter.
NEPA Consideration
NEPA considerations are covered by the programmatic document,
``Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual
Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FSES 88-
14),'' filed with EPA on June 9, 1988. The Service published a Notice
of Availability in the June 16, 1988, Federal Register (53 FR 22582).
The Service published its Record of Decision on August 18, 1988 (53 FR
31341). Copies of these documents are available from the Service at the
address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.
Endangered Species Act Considerations
As in the past, the Service will design hunting regulations to
remove or alleviate chances of conflict between migratory game bird
hunting seasons and the protection and conservation of endangered and
threatened species. Consultations are presently under way to ensure
that actions resulting from these regulatory proposals will not likely
jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species
or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical
habitat. Findings from these consultations will be included in a
biological opinion and may cause modification of some regulatory
measures proposed in this document. The final frameworks will reflect
any modifications. The Service's biological opinions resulting from its
Section 7 consultation are public documents and will be available for
public inspection in the Service's Division of Endangered Species and
MBMO, at the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
In the March 20, 1998, Federal Register, the Service reported
measures it took to comply with requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act. One measure was to prepare a Small Entity Flexibility
Analysis (Analysis) in 1996 documenting the significant beneficial
economic effect on a substantial number of small entities. The Analysis
estimated that migratory bird hunters would spend between $254 and $592
million at small businesses. Copies of the Analysis are available upon
request from the Office of Migratory Bird Management. The Service is
currently updating the 1996 Analysis with information from the 1996
National Hunting and Fishing Survey.
Executive Order (E.O.) 12866
This proposed rule is economically significant and will be reviewed
by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under E.O. 12866.
Paperwork Reduction Act
The Service examined these proposed regulations under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995. The various recordkeeping and reporting
requirements imposed under regulations established in 50 CFR Part 20,
Subpart K, are utilized in the formulation of migratory game bird
hunting regulations. OMB has approved these information collection
requirements and assigned clearance numbers 1018-0015 (expires 08/31/
1998) and 1018-0023 (expires 09/30/2000).
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
The Service has determined and certifies in compliance with the
requirements of the Unfunded Mandates Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that
this proposed rulemaking will not impose a cost of $100 million or more
in any given year on local or State government or private entities.
Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988
The Department, in promulgating this proposed rule, has determined
that these regulations meet the applicable standards provided in
Sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.
Taking Implication Assessment
In accordance with Executive Order 12630, these rules, authorized
by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, do not have significant takings
implications and do not affect any constitutionally protected property
rights. These rules will not result in the physical occupancy of
property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory taking
of any property. In fact, these rules allow hunters to exercise
privileges that would be otherwise unavailable; and, therefore, reduce
restrictions on the use of private and public property.
Federalism Effects
Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the
Federal government has been given responsibility over these species by
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Service annually prescribes
frameworks from which the States make selections and employs guidelines
to establish special regulations on Federal Indian reservations and
ceded lands. This process preserves the ability of the States and
Tribes to determine which seasons meet their individual needs. Any
State or Tribe may be more restrictive than the Federal frameworks at
any time. The frameworks are developed in a cooperative process with
the States and the Flyway Councils. This allows States to participate
in the development of frameworks from which they will make selections,
thereby having an influence on their own regulation. These rules do not
have a substantial direct effect on fiscal capacity, change the roles
or responsibilities of Federal or State governments, or intrude on
State policy or administration. Therefore, in accordance with Executive
Order 12612, these regulations do not have significant federalism
effects and do not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes
In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994,
``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American tribal
Governments'' (59 FR 22951) and 512
[[Page 38710]]
DM 2, we have evaluated possible effects on Federally recognized Indian
tribes and have determined that there are no effects.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20
Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.
The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 1998-99
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742
a-j.
Dated: July 7, 1998.
William Leary,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 1998-99 Early Hunting Seasons
on Certain Migratory Game Birds
Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated
authorities, the Department of the Interior approved the following
proposed frameworks which prescribe season lengths, bag limits,
shooting hours, and outside dates within which States may select for
certain migratory game birds between September 1, 1998, and March 10,
1999.
General
Dates: All outside dates noted below are inclusive.
Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise
specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.
Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits
are twice the daily bag limit.
Flyways and Management Units
Atlantic Flyway--includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway--includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri,
Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Central Flyway--includes Colorado (east of the Continental Divide),
Kansas, Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith Basin,
Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties east thereof),
Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except the
Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the Continental Divide).
Pacific Flyway--includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho,
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado,
Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.
Mourning Dove Management Units
Eastern Management Unit--All States east of the Mississippi River,
and Louisiana.
Central Management Unit--Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas,
Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Western Management Unit--Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Woodcock Management Regions
Eastern Management Region--Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia.
Central Management Region--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Other geographic descriptions are contained in a later portion of
this document.
Compensatory Days in the Atlantic Flyway: In the Atlantic Flyway
States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia,
where Sunday hunting is prohibited statewide by State law, all Sundays
are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and
coots).
Special September Teal Season
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season
on all species of teal may be selected by the following States in areas
delineated by State regulations:
Atlantic Flyway--Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. All seasons
are experimental.
Mississippi Flyway--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Central Flyway--Colorado (part), Kansas, New Mexico (part),
Oklahoma, and Texas.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 9 consecutive
days in the Atlantic Flyway and 16 consecutive days in the Mississippi
and Central Flyways. The daily bag limit is 4 teal.
Shooting Hours
Atlantic Flyway--One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, if
evaluated; otherwise sunrise to sunset.
Mississippi and Central Flyways--One-half hour before sunrise to
sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri,
and Ohio, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.
Special September Duck Seasons
Florida: A 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September.
The daily bag limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the
aggregate.
Kentucky and Tennessee: In lieu of a special September teal season,
a 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September. The daily bag
limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the aggregate, of which
no more than 2 may be wood ducks.
Iowa: Iowa may hold up to 5 days of its regular duck hunting season
in September. All ducks which are legal during the regular duck season
may be taken during the September segment of the season. The September
season segment may commence no earlier than the Saturday nearest
September 20 (September 19). The daily bag and possession limits will
be the same as those in effect last year, but are subject to change
during the late-season regulations process. The remainder of the
regular duck season may not begin before October 10.
Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day
Outside Dates: States may select 1 day per duck-hunting zone,
designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day,'' in addition to their
regular duck seasons. The day must be held outside any regular duck
season on a weekend, holiday, or other non-school day when youth
hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate. The day may
be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-season
frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or within any
other open season on migratory birds.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limit may include ducks, geese,
mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and would be the same as
that allowed in the regular season. Flyway species and area
restrictions would remain in effect.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Participation Restrictions: Youth hunters must be 15 years of age
or younger. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age must
accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult could not duck
hunt but may participate in
[[Page 38711]]
other seasons that are open on the special youth day.
Scoter, Eider, and Oldsquaw Ducks (Atlantic Flyway)
Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 20.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 107 days, with
a daily bag limit of 7, singly or in the aggregate of the listed sea-
duck species, of which no more than 4 may be scoters.
Daily Bag Limits During the Regular Duck Season: Within the special
sea duck areas, during the regular duck season in the Atlantic Flyway,
States may choose to allow the above sea duck limits in addition to the
limits applying to other ducks during the regular duck season. In all
other areas, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular open season
for ducks and are part of the regular duck season daily bag (not to
exceed 4 scoters) and possession limits.
Areas: In all coastal waters and all waters of rivers and streams
seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in any waters
of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay which are
separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and
emergent vegetation in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Georgia; and in
any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay
which are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any shore,
island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina
and Virginia; and provided that any such areas have been described,
delineated, and designated as special sea-duck hunting areas under the
hunting regulations adopted by the respective States.
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons
Atlantic Flyway
General Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected for the Montezuma Region of New York; the Lake Champlain
Region of New York and Vermont; the Eastern Unit of Maryland; Delaware;
and Crawford County in Pennsylvania. Seasons not to exceed 20 days
during September 1-20 may be selected for the Northeast Hunt Unit of
North Carolina. Seasons may not exceed 25 days during September 1-25 in
the remainder of the Flyway, except Georgia and Florida, where the
season is closed. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be
described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting
regulations.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5 Canada geese.
Experimental Seasons
Experimental Canada goose seasons of up to 30 days during September
1-30 may be selected by New Jersey, New York (Long Island Zone), North
Carolina (except in the Northeast Hunt Unit), and South Carolina.
Experimental Canada goose seasons of up to 25 days during September 1-
25 may be selected in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. Areas open to the
hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated
as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5 Canada geese.
Mississippi Flyway
General Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected, except in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, where the season
may not extend beyond September 10, and in the Michigan Counties of
Huron, Saginaw and Tuscola, where no special season may be held. The
daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open to the
hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated
as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Central Flyway
General Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open
to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and
designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Pacific Flyway
General Seasons
Wyoming may select an 8-day season on Canada geese between
September 1-15. This season is subject to the following conditions:
1. Where applicable, the season must be concurrent with the
September portion of the sandhill crane season.
2. All participants must have a valid State permit for the special
season.
3. A daily bag limit of 2, with season and possession limits of 4
will apply to the special season.
Oregon may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days
during the period September 1-15. In addition, in the NW goose
management zone, a 15-day season may be selected during the period
September 1-20. Any portion of the season selected between September 16
and 20 will be considered experimental. Daily bag limits may not exceed
5 Canada geese. In the NW goose zone, at a minimum, Oregon must provide
an annual evaluation of the number of dusky Canada geese present in the
hunt zone during the period September 16-20 and agree to adjust seasons
as necessary to avoid any potential harvest of dusky Canada geese.
Washington may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15
days during the period September 1-15. Daily bag limits may not exceed
3 Canada geese.
Idaho may select a 15-day season in the special East Canada Goose
Zone, as described in State regulations, during the period September 1-
15. All participants must have a valid State permit and the total
number of permits issued is not to exceed 110 for this zone. The daily
bag limit is 2.
Idaho may select a 7-day Canada Goose Season during the period
September 1-15 in Nez Perce County, with a bag limit of 4.
California may select a 9-day season in Humboldt County during the
period September 1-15. The daily bag limit is 2.
Areas open to hunting of Canada geese in each State must be
described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting
regulations.
Regular Goose Seasons
Regular goose seasons may open as early as September 19 in
Wisconsin and September 26 in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Season
lengths and bag and possession limits will be the same as those in
effect last year, but are subject to change during the late-season
regulations process.
Sandhill Cranes
Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28.
Hunting Seasons: Seasons not to exceed 58 consecutive days may be
selected in designated portions of the following States: Colorado,
Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Seasons not
to exceed 93 consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of
the following States: New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes.
Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane
seasons must have a valid Federal sandhill crane hunting permit in
their possession while hunting.
Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways:
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming
may
[[Page 38712]]
select seasons for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the
Rocky Mountain. Population subject to the following conditions:
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: The season in any State or zone may not exceed 30
days.
Bag limits: Not to exceed 3 daily and 9 per season.
Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the
appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.
Other provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates,
protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons
must be consistent with the management plan and approved by the Central
and Pacific Flyway Councils. Seasons in Idaho are experimental.
Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 20 in the Atlantic
Flyway, and between September 1 and the Sunday nearest January 20
(January 17) in the Mississippi and Central Flyways. States in the
Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons
between the outside dates for the season on ducks; therefore, they are
late-season frameworks and no frameworks are provided in this document.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70
days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. Seasons may be
split into 2 segments. The daily bag limit is 15 common moorhens and
purple gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of the two species.
Rails
Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between
September 1 and January 20 on clapper, king, sora, and Virginia rails.
Hunting Seasons: The season may not exceed 70 days, and may be
split into 2 segments.
Daily Bag Limits: Clapper and King Rails--In Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, 10, singly or in the
aggregate of the two species. In Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi,
Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and
Virginia, 15, singly or in the aggregate of the two species.
Sora and Virginia Rails--In the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central
Flyways and the Pacific-Flyway portions of Colorado, Montana, New
Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 daily and 25 in possession, singly or in the
aggregate of the two species. The season is closed in the remainder of
the Pacific Flyway.
Common Snipe
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28, except in
Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia,
where the season must end no later than January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 107
days and may be split into two segments. The daily bag limit is 8
snipe.
American Woodcock
Outside Dates: States in the Eastern Management Region may select
hunting seasons between October 6 and January 31. States in the Central
Management Region may select hunting seasons between the Saturday
nearest September 22 (September 19) and January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 30
days in the Atlantic Flyway and 45 days in the Central and Mississippi
Flyways. The daily bag limit is 3. Seasons may be split into two
segments.
Zoning: New Jersey may select seasons in each of two zones. The
season in each zone may not exceed 24 days.
Band-tailed Pigeons
Pacific Coast States (California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada)
Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 1.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive
days, with bag and possession limits of 2 and 2 band-tailed pigeons,
respectively.
Zoning: California may select hunting seasons not to exceed 9
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the North Zone
must close by October 7.
Four-Corners States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah)
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and November 30.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 30 consecutive
days, with a daily bag limit of 5 band-tailed pigeons.
Zoning: New Mexico may select hunting seasons not to exceed 20
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the South Zone may
not open until October 1.
Mourning Doves
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15, except as
otherwise provided, States may select hunting seasons and daily bag
limits as follows:
Eastern Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a
daily bag limit of 12, or not more than 60 days with a daily bag limit
of 15.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more
than three periods. The hunting seasons in the South Zones of Alabama,
Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi may commence no earlier
than September 20. Regulations for bag and possession limits, season
length, and shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting
zones.
Central Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a
daily bag limit of 12, or not more than 60 days with a daily bag limit
of 15.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more
than three periods. Texas may select hunting seasons for each of three
zones subject to the following conditions:
A. The hunting season may be split into not more than two periods,
except in that portion of Texas in which the special white-winged dove
season is allowed, where a limited mourning dove season may be held
concurrently with that special season (see white-winged dove
frameworks).
B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between
September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between September 20
and January 25.
C. Each zone may have a daily bag limit of 12 doves (15 under the
alternative) in the aggregate, no more than 2 of which may be white-
tipped doves, except that during the special white-winged dove season,
the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 white-winged, mourning, and
white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 5 may be
mourning doves and 2 may be white-tipped doves.
D. Except as noted above, regulations for bag and possession
limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within each
hunting zone.
Western Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah,
and Washington--Not more than 30 consecutive days with a daily bag
limit of 10 mourning doves (in Nevada, the daily bag limit may not
exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate).
[[Page 38713]]
Arizona and California--Not more than 60 days which may be split
between two periods, September 1-15 and November 1-January 15. In
Arizona, during the first segment of the season, the daily bag limit is
10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more
than 6 may be white-winged doves. During the remainder of the season,
the daily bag limit is restricted to 10 mourning doves. In California,
the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves
in the aggregate.
White-winged and White-tipped Doves
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Except as shown below,
seasons in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas
must be concurrent with mourning dove seasons.
Arizona may select a hunting season of not more than 30 consecutive
days, running concurrently with the first segment of the mourning dove
season. The daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged
doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 6 may be white-winged
doves.
In Florida, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning and
white-winged doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate, of
which no more than 4 may be white-winged doves.
In the Nevada Counties of Clark and Nye, and in the California
Counties of Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino, the daily bag
limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the
aggregate.
In New Mexico, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning and
white-winged doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate.
In Texas, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 doves (15 under the
alternative) in the aggregate, of which not more than 2 may be white-
tipped doves.
In addition, Texas may also select a hunting season of not more
than 4 days for the special white-winged dove area of the South Zone
between September 1 and September 19. The daily bag limit may not
exceed 10 white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the
aggregate, of which no more than 5 may be mourning doves and 2 may be
white-tipped doves.
Alaska
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 26.
Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select 107 consecutive days for
waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and common snipe in each of five zones. The
season may be split without penalty in the Kodiak Zone. The seasons in
each zone must be concurrent.
Closures: The season is closed on Canada geese from Unimak Pass
westward in the Aleutian Island chain. The hunting season is closed on
Aleutian Canada geese, emperor geese, spectacled eiders, and Steller's
eiders.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits
Ducks--Except as noted, a basic daily bag limit of 7 and a
possession limit of 21 ducks. Daily bag and possession limits in the
North Zone are 10 and 30, and in the Gulf Coast Zone they are 8 and 24,
respectively. The basic limits may include no more than 1 canvasback
daily and 3 in possession.
In addition to the basic limit, there is a daily bag limit of 15
and a possession limit of 30 scoter, common and king eiders, oldsquaw,
harlequin, and common and red-breasted mergansers, singly or in the
aggregate of these species.
Light Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 3 and a possession limit of
6.
Dark Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit of
8.
Dark-goose seasons are subject to the following exceptions:
1. In Units 9(e) and 18, the limits for dark geese are 3 daily and
6 in possession.
2. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from
September 28 through December 16. A special, permit only Canada goose
season may be offered on Middleton Island. No more than 10 permits can
be issued. A mandatory goose identification class is required . Hunters
must check-in and check-out. Bag limit of 1 daily and 1 in possession.
Season to close if incidental harvest includes 5 dusky Canada geese. A
dusky Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR
color value five or less) with a bill length between 40 and 50
millimeters.
3. In Unit 10 (except Unimak Island), the taking of Canada geese is
prohibited.
4. In Unit 9(D) and the Unimak Island portion of Unit 10, the
limits for dark geese are 6 daily and 12 in possession.
Brant--A daily bag limit of 2.
Common snipe--A daily bag limit of 8.
Sandhill cranes--A daily bag limit of 3.
Tundra Swans--Open seasons for tundra swans may be selected subject
to the following conditions:
1. All seasons are by registration permit only.
2. All season framework dates are September 1--October 31.
3. In GMU 18, no more than 500 permits may be issued during the
operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans permits may be issued
per hunter and permits must be issued sequentially one at a time, upon
filing a harvest report.
4. In GMU 22, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the
operational season authorizing each permittee to take 1 tundra swan per
season.
5. In GMU 23, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the
experimental season. No more than 3 tundra swans permits may be issued
per hunter and permits must be issued sequentially, one at a time, upon
filing a harvest report. The experimental season evaluation must adhere
to the guidelines for experimental seasons as described in the Pacific
Flyway Management Plan for the Western Population of (Tundra) Swans.
Hawaii
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 65 days (75 under the alternative)
for mourning doves.
Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 (12 under the alternative) mourning
doves.
Note: Mourning doves may be taken in Hawaii in accordance with
shooting hours and other regulations set by the State of Hawaii, and
subject to the applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20.
Puerto Rico
Doves and Pigeons:
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida,
mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate. Not to exceed 5
scaly-naped pigeons.
Closed Areas: There is no open season on doves or pigeons in the
following areas: Municipality of Culebra, Desecheo Island, Mona Island,
El Verde Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas.
Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and Snipe:
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 days may be selected for hunting
ducks, common moorhens, and common snipe. The season may be split into
two segments.
Daily Bag Limits: Ducks--Not to exceed 6.
Common moorhens--Not to exceed 6.
Common snipe--Not to exceed 8.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck,
[[Page 38714]]
fulvous whistling duck, and masked duck, which are protected by the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The season also is closed on the purple
gallinule, American coot, and Caribbean coot.
Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, common moorhens,
and common snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island.
Virgin Islands
Doves and Pigeons:
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days for Zenaida doves.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida doves.
Closed Seasons: No open season is prescribed for ground or quail
doves, or pigeons in the Virgin Islands.
Closed Areas: There is no open season for migratory game birds on
Ruth Cay (just south of St. Croix).
Local Names for Certain Birds: Zenaida dove, also known as mountain
dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as Barbary dove or partridge;
Common ground-dove, also known as stone dove, tobacco dove, rola, or
tortolita; scaly-naped pigeon, also known as red-necked or scaled
pigeon.
Ducks
Outside Dates: Between December 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 consecutive days.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 6.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck,
and masked duck.
Special Falconry Regulations
Falconry is a permitted means of taking migratory game birds in any
State meeting Federal falconry standards in 50 CFR 21.29(k). These
States may select an extended season for taking migratory game birds in
accordance with the following:
Extended Seasons: For all hunting methods combined, the combined
length of the extended season, regular season, and any special or
experimental seasons shall not exceed 107 days for any species or group
of species in a geographical area. Each extended season may be divided
into a maximum of 3 segments.
Framework Dates: Seasons must fall between September 1 and March
10.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Falconry daily bag and possession
limits for all permitted migratory game birds shall not exceed 3 and 6
birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate, during extended
falconry seasons, any special or experimental seasons, and regular
hunting seasons in all States, including those that do not select an
extended falconry season.
Regular Seasons: General hunting regulations, including seasons and
hunting hours, apply to falconry in each State listed in 50 CFR
21.29(k). Regular-season bag and possession limits do not apply to
falconry. The falconry bag limit is not in addition to gun limits.
Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions
Mourning and White-winged Doves
Alabama
South Zone--Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Dale,
Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties.
North Zone--Remainder of the State.
California
White-winged Dove Open Areas--Imperial, Riverside, and San
Bernardino Counties.
Florida
Northwest Zone--The Counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin,
Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton,
Washington, Leon (except that portion north of U.S. 27 and east of
State Road 155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of State Road 59 and
north of U.S. 98), and Wakulla (except that portion south of U.S. 98
and east of the St. Marks River).
South Zone--Remainder of State.
Georgia
Northern Zone--That portion of the State lying north of a line
running west to east along U.S. Highway 280 from Columbus to Wilcox
County, thence southward along the western border of Wilcox County;
thence east along the southern border of Wilcox County to the Ocmulgee
River, thence north along the Ocmulgee River to Highway 280, thence
east along Highway 280 to the Little Ocmulgee River; thence southward
along the Little Ocmulgee River to the Ocmulgee River; thence
southwesterly along the Ocmulgee River to the western border of the
Jeff Davis County; thence south along the western border of Jeff Davis
County; thence east along the southern border of Jeff Davis and Appling
Counties; thence north along the eastern border of Appling County, to
the Altamaha River; thence east to the eastern border of Tattnall
County; thence north along the eastern border of Tattnall County;
thence north along the western border of Evans to Candler County;
thence west along the southern border of Candler County to the Ohoopee
River; thence north along the western border of Candler County to
Bulloch County; thence north along the western border of Bulloch County
to U.S. Highway 301; thence northeast along U.S. Highway 301 to the
South Carolina line.
South Zone--Remainder of the State.
Louisiana
North Zone--That portion of the State north of Interstate Highway
10 from the Texas State line to Baton Rouge, Interstate Highway 12 from
Baton Rouge to Slidell and Interstate Highway 10 from Slidell to the
Mississippi State line.
South Zone--The remainder of the State.
Mississippi
South Zone--The Counties of Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock,
Harrison, Jackson, Lamar, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Stone, and
Walthall.
North Zone--The remainder of the State.
Nevada
White-winged Dove Open Areas--Clark and Nye Counties.
Texas
North Zone--That portion of the State north of a line beginning at
the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; north along FM 1088 to
TX 20; west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along TX 148 to I-10 at Fort
Hancock; east along I-10 to I-20; northeast along I-20 to I-30 at Fort
Worth; northeast along I-30 to the Texas-Arkansas State line.
South Zone--That portion of the State south and west of a line
beginning at the International Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east
on U.S. 90 to San Antonio; then east on I-10 to Orange, Texas.
Special White-winged Dove Area in the South Zone--That portion of
the State south and west of a line beginning at the International
Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east on U.S. 90 to Uvalde; south on
U.S. 83 to TX 44; east along TX 44 to TX 16 at Freer; south along TX 16
to TX 285 at Hebbronville; east along TX 285 to FM 1017; southwest
along FM 1017 to TX 186 at Linn; east along TX 186 to the Mansfield
Channel at Port Mansfield; east along the Mansfield Channel to the Gulf
of Mexico.
Area with additional restrictions--Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and
Willacy Counties.
Central Zone--That portion of the State lying between the North and
South Zones.
[[Page 38715]]
Band-tailed Pigeons
California
North Zone--Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen,
Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity
Counties.
South Zone--The remainder of the State.
New Mexico
North Zone--North of a line following U.S. 60 from the Arizona
State line east to I-25 at Socorro and then south along I-25 from
Socorro to the Texas State line.
South Zone--Remainder of the State.
Washington
Western Washington--The State of Washington excluding those
portions lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big
White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
Woodcock
New Jersey
North Zone--That portion of the State north of NJ 70.
South Zone--The remainder of the State.
Special September Canada Goose Seasons
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
North Zone--That portion of the State north of I-95.
Maryland
Eastern Unit--Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles,
Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Annes, St. Marys, Somerset, Talbot,
Wicomico, and Worcester Counties, and those portions of Baltimore,
Howard, and Prince George's Counties east of I-95.
Western Unit--Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery,
and Washington Counties, and those portions of Baltimore, Howard, and
Prince George's Counties east of I-95.
Massachusetts
Western Zone--That portion of the State west of a line extending
south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10,
south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut
border.
Central Zone--That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-
95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on
MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west
to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards
inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the
MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St.
bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone.
Coastal Zone--That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the
Central Zone.
New Hampshire
Early-season Hunt Unit--Cheshire, Hillsborough, Rockingham, and
Strafford Counties.
New York
Lake Champlain Zone--The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay;
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont
border.
Long Island Zone--That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their
tidal waters.
Western Zone--That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border, except for the Montezuma Zone.
Montezuma Zone--Those portions of Cayuga, Seneca, Ontario, Wayne,
and Oswego Counties north of U.S. Route 20, east of NYS Route 14, south
of NYS Route 104, and west of NYS Route 34.
Northeastern Zone--That area north of a line extending from Lake
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
Southeastern Zone--The remaining portion of New York.
North Carolina
Northeast Hunt Unit--Counties of Bertie, Camden, Chovan, Currituck,
Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington.
South Carolina
Early-season Hunt Unit--Clarendon County and those portions of
Orangeburg County north of SC Highway 6 and Berkeley County north of SC
Highway 45 from the Orangeburg County line to the junction of SC
Highway 45 and State Road S-8-31 and west of the Santee Dam.
Mississippi Flyway
Illinois
Northeast Canada Goose Zone--Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee,
Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.
North Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast Canada
Goose Zone and north of a line extending east from the Iowa border
along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate Highway 280, east along I-280
to I-80, then east along I-80 to the Indiana border.
Central Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast
Canada Goose Zone and south of the North Zone to a line extending east
from the Missouri border along the Modoc Ferry route to Modoc Ferry
Road, east along Modoc Ferry Road to Modoc Road, northeasterly along
Modoc Road and St. Leo's Road to Illinois Highway 3, north along
Illinois 3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159 to Illinois 161,
east along Illinois 161 to Illinois 4, north along Illinois 4 to
Interstate Highway 70, east along I-70 to the Bond County line, north
and east along the Bond County line to Fayette County, north and east
along the Fayette County line to Effingham County, east and south along
the Effingham County line to I-70, then east along I-70 to the Indiana
border.
Iowa
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State 37,
southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to
Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border.
South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
Minnesota
Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone
A. All of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.
B. In Anoka County, all of Columbus Township lying south of County
State Aid Highway (CSAH) 18, Anoka County; all of the cities of Ramsey,
Andover, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Spring Lake Park, Fridley, Hilltop,
Columbia Heights, Blaine, Lexington, Circle Pines, Lino Lakes, and
Centerville; and all of the city of Ham Lake except that portion lying
north of CSAH 18 and east of U.S. Highway 65.
C. That part of Carver County lying north and east of the following
described line: Beginning at the northeast corner of San Francisco
[[Page 38716]]
Township; thence west along the north boundary of San Francisco
Township to the east boundary of Dahlgren Township; thence north along
the east boundary of Dahlgren Township to U.S. Highway 212; thence west
along U.S. Highway 212 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 284; thence north
on STH 284 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10; thence north and west
on CSAH 10 to CSAH 30; thence north and west on CSAH 30 to STH 25;
thence east and north on STH 25 to CSAH 10; thence north on CSAH 10 to
the Carver County line.
D. In Scott County, all of the cities or Shakopee, Savage, Prior
Lake, and Jordan, and all of the Townships of Jackson, Louisville, St.
Lawrence, Sand Creek, Spring Lake, and Credit River.
E. In Dakota County, all of the cities of Burnsville, Eagan,
Mendota Heights, Mendota, Sunfish Lake, Inver Grove Heights, Apple
Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Farmington, Hastings, Lilydale, West St.
Paul, and South St. Paul, and all of the Township of Nininger.
F. That portion of Washington County lying south of the following
described line: Beginning at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 on the
west boundary of the county; thence east on CSAH 2 to U.S. Highway 61;
thence south on U.S. Highway 61 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 97; thence
east on STH 97 to the intersection of STH 97 and STH 95; thence due
east to the east boundary of the State.
Northwest Goose Zone (included for reference only, not a special
September Goose Season Zone)--That portion of the State encompassed by
a line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2
to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east
along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north
along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to
STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along
CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in
Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH
310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
Five Goose Zone--That portion of the State encompassed by a line
extending north from the Iowa border along U.S. Interstate Highway 35
to the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose
Zone, then west and north along the boundary of the Twin Cities
Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone to U.S. Interstate 94, then west and
north on U.S. Interstate 94 to the North Dakota border.
Two Goose Zone--That portion of the State to the north of a line
extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Interstate 94 to
the boundary of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone, then
north and east along the Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone
boundary to the Wisconsin border, except the Northwest Goose Zone and
that portion of the State encompassed by a line extending north from
the Iowa border along U.S. Interstate 35 to the south boundary of the
Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone, then east on the Twin Cites
Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone boundary to the Wisconsin border.
Tennessee
Middle Tennessee Zone--Those portions of Houston, Humphreys,
Montgomery, Perry, and Wayne Counties east of State Highway 13; and
Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles,
Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Moore,
Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson
Counties.
Cumberland Plateau Zone--Bledsoe, Bradley, Clay, Cumberland,
Dekalb, Fentress, Grundy, Hamilton, Jackson, Marion, McMinn, Meigs,
Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie,
Van Buren, Warren, and White Counties.
East Tennessee Zone--Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne,
Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson,
Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, and Washington
Counties.
Wisconsin
Early-Season Subzone A--That portion of the State encompassed by a
line beginning at the Lake Michigan shore in Sheboygan, then west along
State Highway 23 to State 67, southerly along State 67 to County
Highway E in Sheboygan County, southerly along County E to State 28,
south and west along State 28 to U.S. Highway 41, southerly along U.S.
41 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to County Highway U in
Washington County, southerly along County U to County N, southeasterly
along County N to State 60, westerly along State 60 to County Highway P
in Dodge County, southerly along County P to County O, westerly along
County O to State 109, south and west along State 109 to State 26,
southerly along State 26 to U.S. 12, southerly along U.S. 12 to State
89, southerly along State 89 to U.S. 14, southerly along U.S. 14 to the
Illinois border, east along the Illinois border to the Michigan border
in Lake Michigan, north along the Michigan border in Lake Michigan to a
point directly east of State 23 in Sheboygan, then west along that line
to the point of beginning on the Lake Michigan shore in Sheboygan.
Early-Season Subzone B--That portion of the State between Early-
Season Subzone A and a line beginning at the intersection of U.S.
Highway 141 and the Michigan border near Niagara, then south along U.S.
141 to State Highway 22, west and southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45,
south along U.S. 45 to State 22, west and south along State 22 to State
110, south along State 110 to U.S. 10, south along U.S. 10 to State 49,
south along State 49 to State 23, west along State 23 to State 73,
south along State 73 to State 60, west along State 60 to State 23,
south along State 23 to State 11, east along State 11 to State 78, then
south along State 78 to the Illinois border.
Central Flyway
South Dakota
September Canada Goose Unit--Brookings, Clark, Codington, Day,
Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Kingsbury, Lake, McCook, Moody Counties, and
Miner County east of SD 25, and that portion of Minnehaha County north
and west of a line beginning at the junction of County 130 (Renner
Road) and the Minnesota border, then west on County 130 to I-29 and
along I-29 to the Lincoln County line.
Pacific Flyway
Idaho
East Zone--Bonneville, Caribou, Fremont and Teton Counties.
Oregon
Northwest Zone--Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane,
Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and
Yamhill Counties.
Southwest Zone--Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and
Klamath Counties.
East Zone--Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla,
Union and Wasco Counties.
Washington
Southwest Zone--Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties.
East Zone--Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Garfield, Klickitat, and
Whitman Counties.
Wyoming
Bear River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
[[Page 38717]]
Salt River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Farson-Edon Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette
Counties described in State regulations.
Teton Area--Those portions of Teton County described in State
regulations.
Ducks
Mississippi Flyway
Iowa
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State 37,
southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to
Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border.
South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
Sandhill Cranes
Central Flyway
Colorado
Regular-Season Open Area--The Central Flyway portion of the State
except the San Luis Valley (Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale,
Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache Counties east of the Continental
Divide) and North Park (Jackson County).
Kansas
Regular Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of a line
beginning at the Oklahoma border, north on I-35 to Wichita, north on I-
135 to Salina, and north on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border.
New Mexico
Regular-Season Open Area--Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay,
and Roosevelt Counties.
Middle Rio Grande Valley Area--The Central Flyway portion of New
Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties.
Southwest Zone--Sierra, Luna, and Dona Ana Counties.
Oklahoma
Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of I-35.
Texas
Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of a line
from the International Toll Bridge at Brownsville along U.S. 77 to
Victoria; U.S. 87 to Placedo; Farm Road 616 to Blessing; State 35 to
Alvin; State 6 to U.S. 290; U.S. 290 to Austin; I-35 to the Texas-
Oklahoma border.
North Dakota
Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of U.S.
281.
South Dakota
Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of U.S.
281.
Montana
Regular-Season Open Area--The Central Flyway portion of the State
except that area south of I-90 and west of the Bighorn River.
Wyoming
Regular-Season Open Area--Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen,
Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties.
Riverton-Boysen Unit--Portions of Fremont County.
Park and Bighorn County Unit--Portions of Park and Bighorn
Counties.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
Special-Season Area--Game Management Units 30A, 30B, 31, and 32.
Montana
Special-Season Area--See State regulations.
Utah
Special-Season Area--Rich County.
Wyoming
Bear River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Salt River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Eden-Farson Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette
Counties described in State regulations.
All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska
North Zone--State Game Management Units 11-13 and 17-26.
Gulf Coast Zone--State Game Management Units 5-7, 9, 14-16, and
10--Unimak Island only.
Southeast Zone--State Game Management Units 1-4.
Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone--State Game Management Unit 10--
except Unimak Island.
Kodiak Zone--State Game Management Unit 8.
All Migratory Birds in the Virgin Islands
Ruth Cay Closure Area--The island of Ruth Cay, just south of St.
Croix.
All Migratory Birds in Puerto Rico
Municipality of Culebra Closure Area--All of the municipality of
Culebra.
Desecheo Island Closure Area--All of Desecheo Island.
Mona Island Closure Area--All of Mona Island.
El Verde Closure Area--Those areas of the municipalities of Rio
Grande and Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All lands between Routes
956 on the west and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the north to the
juncture of Routes 956 and 186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands
between Routes 186 and 966 from the juncture of 186 and 966 on the
north, to the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the south; (3) all
lands lying west of Route 186 for one kilometer from the juncture of
Routes 186 and 956 south to Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within Km
14 and Km 6 on the west and the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on
the east; and (5) all lands within the Caribbean National Forest
Boundary whether private or public.
Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas--All of Cidra Municipality
and portions of Aguas, Buenas, Caguas, Cayer, and Comerio
Municipalities as encompassed within the following boundary: beginning
on Highway 172 as it leaves the municipality of Cidra on the west edge,
north to Highway 156, east on Highway 156 to Highway 1, south on
Highway 1 to Highway 765, south on Highway 765 to Highway 763, south on
Highway 763 to the Rio Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to Highway 1,
southwest on Highway 1 to Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to Highway
729, north on Highway 729 to Cidra Municipality boundary to the point
of beginning.
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
[[Page 38718]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17JY98.053
[FR Doc. 98-19124 Filed 7-16-98; 8:45am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-C
