96-18430. Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 141 (Monday, July 22, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37994-38011]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18430]



[[Page 37993]]


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Part IV





Department of the Interior





_______________________________________________________________________



Fish and Wildlife Service



_______________________________________________________________________



50 CFR Part 20



Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory 
Bird Hunting Regulations; Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 141 / Monday, July 22, 1996 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 37994]]



DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN 1018-AD69


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

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 1996-97 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 final 
regulatory alternatives for the 1996-97 duck hunting season.

DATES: The comment period for proposed early-season frameworks will end 
on August 1, 1996; and for late-season proposals on September 3, 1996. 
The Service will hold a public hearing on late-season regulations 
August 2, 1996, starting at 9 a.m.

ADDRESSES: The Service will hold a public hearing August 2 in the 
Department of the Interior's 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, [phone].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Regulations Schedule for 1996

    On March 22, 1996, the Service published in the Federal Register 
(61 FR 11992) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal dealt 
with the establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for 
migratory game birds under Secs.  20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and 
20.110 of subpart K. On June 13, 1996, the Service published in the 
Federal Register (61 FR 30114) a second document providing supplemental 
proposals for early- and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations 
frameworks. The June 13 supplement also provided detailed information 
on the 1996-97 regulatory schedule and announced the Service Migratory 
Bird Regulations Committee and Flyway Council meetings. On June 14, 
1996, the Service published in the Federal Register (61 FR 30490) a 
third document describing the Service's proposed 1996-97 regulatory 
alternatives for duck hunting and its intent to consider establishing a 
special youth waterfowl hunting day.
    This document is the fourth 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. It will lead to final frameworks from which States may 
select season dates, shooting hours, and daily bag and possession 
limits for the 1996-97 season. The Service has considered all pertinent 
comments received through July 8, 1996, 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 16, 1996.
    This supplemental proposed rulemaking consolidates further changes 
in the original framework proposals published in the March 22 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.
    Dr. Jim Dubovsky, Waterfowl Specialist, presented information on 
1996 habitat conditions for waterfowl, preliminary estimates of duck 
abundance, and harvests during the 1995 September teal seasons. Most of 
the midcontinent region experienced unusually cool temperatures during 
May and early June. Spring conditions were delayed approximately 2-3 
weeks throughout most of the region. In the northcentral United States, 
southern Saskatchewan, and southern Manitoba, habitat conditions for 
nesting ducks were good to excellent. Abundant water existed in natural 
and artificial basins, and land managed in conservation easements in 
the United States continued to provide good nesting cover. Southern 
Alberta had improved wetland conditions relative to recent years, but 
nesting cover was limited because grazing reduced the amount of 
residual vegetation, and cool temperatures slowed growth of grasses. 
The pond estimate for the northcentral United States and prairie Canada 
combined was 7.5 million. This estimate was the second highest 
recorded, and was 61 percent above the long-term average. Farther north 
in the prairie provinces and in the Northwest Territories, habitat 
conditions were much improved from last spring, when habitats were 
extremely dry and forest fires were common. This year, most areas had 
abundant water. Conditions in Alaska and in survey areas throughout 
eastern portions of the United States and Canada also were favorable 
for nesting waterfowl. Estimates of duck abundance for most species 
during spring 1996 generally were similar to those of last year. Blue-
winged teal and northern shoveler increased in abundance. American 
wigeon numbers decreased. The 1995 May breeding population survey 
yielded an estimate of 6.4 million blue-winged teal, which was greater 
than the 1995 estimate of 5.1 million and 53 percent above the long-
term average. The estimated harvest of blue-winged teal during the 1995 
September teal season was approximately 370,000 birds, which was about 
100,000 birds more than the 1994 teal-season harvest. However, the 1995 
estimate was within the range of harvests experienced historically. 
Band-recovery rates of blue-winged teal suggested that 1995-96 harvest 
rates were similar to or lower than those during the 1970's and early 
1980's.
    Dr. David 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

[[Page 37995]]

resulted in lowered recruitment rates. The January 1995 population 
index revealed approximately 8,500 geese. Unfortunately, no survey was 
conducted in January 1996 due to the furlough of federal employees and 
inclement weather. However, preliminary results from a spring survey of 
Dusky geese on the Copper River Delta suggest that the size of the 
breeding population is similar to the record-low size observed last 
spring. The Service remains concerned about the continued poor status 
of this population. The December 1995 survey of Cackling Canada geese 
revealed approximately 161,000 geese, which was about 6 percent higher 
than 1994 index. This population has grown approximately 14 percent per 
year since 1986. 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 increased 18 
percent from 1995 to 109,000 geese. The population of Mississippi 
Flyway giant Canada geese has increased at a rate of about 5 percent 
per year during the last 10 years. In some areas, numbers of giant 
geese have increased to record-high and nuisance levels. The situation 
is similar in the northeastern U.S., where the ``resident'' goose 
population has approximately doubled since 1989 to nearly 800,000 
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. A case in point is 
the migratory population of Atlantic Canada geese which nests in 
northern Quebec and winters in the Atlantic Flyway. The number of 
breeding pairs of Atlantic Canada geese has declined from 118,000 in 
1988 to only 29,000 in 1995. The Service recognizes the challenge 
facing management agencies which are striving to increase migrant 
populations, while simultaneously attempting to decrease resident 
populations.
    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 
1980s. The Central Platte River Valley 1996 preliminary spring index, 
uncorrected for visibility, was 315,200. This index is 15 percent 
higher than 1995's index of 273,376. However, the photo-corrected 3-
year average for the 1993-95 period was 394,093, which was 6 percent 
below 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 1995-96; about 20,200 Federal 
permits were issued and approximately 7,400 permittees hunted one or 
more times. The number of permittees and active hunters were similar to 
the previous year's seasons. About 20,777 cranes were harvested in 
1995-96, a 20 percent increase from the previous year's estimate. 
Harvest from Alaska, Canada and Mexico are estimated to be less than 
10,000 for 1995-96 sport-hunting seasons. The total North American 
sport harvest was estimated to be about 34,773, which is an all time 
record high level. Annual surveys of the Rocky Mountain Population, 
which migrates through the San Luis Valley of Colorado in March, 
suggest a relatively stable population since 1984. The 1996 index of 
20,500 cranes was within the established objective range of 18,000-
22,000. Limited special seasons were held during 1995 in portions of 
Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, and resulted in an 
estimated harvest of 378 cranes.
    Dr. John Bruggink, Eastern Shore and Upland Game Bird Specialist, 
reported on the 1996 status of the American woodcock. The 1995 
recruitment index for the Eastern Region (1.2 immatures per adult 
female) was 29 percent below the long-term regional average; the 
recruitment index for the Central Region (1.4 immatures per adult 
female) was 18 percent below the long-term regional average. Singing-
ground Survey data indicated that the number of displaying woodcock 
decreased (P<0.01) between="" 1995="" and="" 1996="" in="" the="" eastern="" and="" central="" regions="" (-20.2="" and="" -11.5="" percent,="" respectively).="" trends="" from="" the="" singing-ground="" survey="" during="" 1986-96="" also="" were="" negative="" (-3.2="" and="" -3.7="" percent="" per="" year="" for="" the="" eastern="" and="" central="" regions,="" respectively)=""><0.01). there="" were="" long-term="" (1968-96)="" declines=""><0.01) of="" 2.5="" 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="" specialist,="" presented="" the="" mourning="" dove="" population="" status.="" the="" report="" summarized="" call-count="" information="" gathered="" over="" the="" past="" 31="" years.="" trends="" were="" calculated="" for="" the="" most="" recent="" 2="" and="" 10-year="" intervals="" and="" for="" the="" entire="" 31-year="" period.="" between="" 1995="" and="" 1996,="" the="" average="" number="" of="" doves="" heard="" per="" route="" declined="" significantly="" in="" all="" three="" management="" units.="" in="" the="" eastern="" management="" unit="" (emu),="" a="" significant="" decline="" in="" doves="" heard="" was="" found="" over="" the="" most="" recent="" 10="" years,="" but="" no="" trend="" was="" indicated="" over="" 31="" years.="" the="" central="" management="" unit="" (cmu)="" showed="" significant="" declines="" for="" both="" the="" 10="" and="" 31-year="" time="" frames.="" in="" the="" western="" management="" unit="" (wmu),="" no="" trend="" was="" evident="" over="" the="" most="" recent="" 10="" years,="" but="" there="" has="" been="" a="" significant="" decline="" over="" 31="" years.="" trends="" for="" doves="" seen="" at="" the="" unit="" level="" over="" the="" 10="" and="" 31-year="" periods="" agreed="" with="" trends="" for="" doves="" heard="" in="" the="" wmu.="" no="" trend="" was="" found="" in="" doves="" seen="" over="" 10="" years="" in="" the="" emu="" and="" for="" 31="" years="" in="" the="" cmu.="" trends="" for="" doves="" seen="" in="" other="" time="" periods="" were="" comparable="" to="" those="" in="" doves="" heard.="" mr.="" dolton="" also="" presented="" the="" status="" of="" western="" white-winged="" doves="" in="" arizona.="" since="" the="" 1980's,="" whitewing="" populations="" have="" remained="" relatively="" stable.="" the="" 1996="" whitewing="" call-count="" index="" of="" 31.1="" doves="" heard="" per="" route="" was="" essentially="" the="" same="" as="" the="" index="" of="" 31.2="" doves="" heard="" per="" route="" in="" 1995.="" since="" 1987,="" hunters="" have="" harvested="" around="" 100,000="" birds="" annually.="" in="" 1995,="" an="" estimated="" 107,000="" birds="" were="" harvested,="" a="" 22="" percent="" decrease="" from="" 1994.="" mr.="" dolton="" then="" reported="" on="" the="" status="" of="" eastern="" white-winged="" doves="" and="" white-tipped="" doves="" in="" texas.="" results="" of="" the="" 1996="" whitewing="" call-count="" survey="" indicate="" 391,000="" birds="" were="" nesting="" in="" the="" lower="" rio="" grande="" valley="" counties="" of="" starr,="" hidalgo,="" cameron,="" and="" willacy.="" this="" is="" an="" 11="" percent="" decrease="" from="" 1995,="" but="" 6="" percent="" below="" the="" previous="" 6-="" year="" average="" count="" (1990-95).="" this="" decline="" may="" be="" due="" to="" a="" drought="" in="" the="" lower="" rio="" grande="" valley="" since="" december="" 1994="" which="" may="" be="" affecting="" available="" native="" and="" domestic="" feed="" and="" nesting="" habitat.="" in="" upper="" south="" texas,="" an="" estimated="" 620,000="" whitewings="" were="" nesting="" throughout="" a="" 19-="" county="" area.="" this="" was="" essentially="" the="" same="" count="" as="" last="" year.="" west="" texas="" also="" supports="" a="" small="" population="" of="" whitewings.="" the="" 1996="" estimate="" of="" 18,750="" birds="" was="" 19="" percent="" above="" the="" 1995="" estimate.="" for="" white-="" tipped="" doves,="" an="" average="" of="" 0.47="" birds="" were="" heard="" per="" stop="" in="" both="" brush="" and="" citrus="" locations="" in="" 1996.="" last,="" mr.="" dolton="" presented="" population="" and="" harvest="" information="" on="" band-tailed="" pigeons.="" band-tailed="" pigeons="" are="" managed="" as="" two="" separate="" populations:="" the="" coastal="" population="" (washington,="" oregon,="" california,="" and="" nevada)="" and="" the="" four-corners="" or="" interior="" population="" (utah,="" colorado,="" arizona,="" and="" new="" mexico).="" for="" the="" coastal="" population,="" the="" breeding="" bird="" survey="" (bbs)="" indicates="" a="" significant="" decline="" between="" 1968="" and="" 1995.="" mineral="" site="" counts="" conducted="" in="" oregon="" in="" 1995="" showed="" a="" 23="" percent="" decrease="" in="" pigeon="" use="" over="" 1994.="" [[page="" 37996]]="" washington's="" call-count="" showed="" essentially="" no="" change="" in="" the="" population="" between="" 1994="" and="" 1995.="" between="" 1975="" and="" 1995="" there="" was="" no="" significant="" trend="" found="" in="" the="" population,="" but="" a="" significant="" increase="" was="" noted="" during="" the="" most="" recent="" 5-year="" period="" between="" 1991="" and="" 1995.="" two="" indirect="" population="" estimates="" suggest="" that="" the="" population="" was="" between="" 2.4="" and="" 3.1="" million="" birds="" in="" 1992.="" with="" continuing="" restrictions="" on="" bag="" limits="" and="" season="" length,="" the="" 1995="" harvest="" was="" an="" estimated="" 2,074="" pigeons="" in="" oregon="" and="" 10,428="" in="" california.="" washington="" has="" had="" a="" closed="" season="" since="" 1991.="" in="" the="" four-corners="" area,="" bbs="" data="" showed="" a="" stable="" population="" between="" 1968="" and="" 1995.="" the="" 1995="" combined="" harvest="" for="" all="" four="" states="" was="" 1,518="" birds;="" well="" below="" the="" harvest="" in="" earlier="" years="" which="" ranged="" up="" to="" 6,000="" birds.="" comments="" received="" at="" public="" hearing="" mr.="" dale="" bartlett,="" representing="" the="" humane="" society="" of="" the="" united="" states="" (hsus),="" expressed="" concern="" that="" the="" service="" continues="" to="" establish="" liberal="" hunting="" regulations="" on="" species="" without="" adequate="" data.="" hsus="" believes="" that="" sea="" duck="" seasons="" should="" be="" closed="" or="" severely="" restricted="" until="" adequate="" data="" on="" population="" status="" and="" species="" biology="" are="" available.="" hsus="" claims="" that="" the="" service="" acted="" too="" quickly="" to="" liberalize="" duck="" hunting="" regulations="" since="" the="" populations="" of="" many="" species="" remain="" below="" goals="" set="" by="" the="" north="" american="" waterfowl="" management="" plan="" (nawmp).="" hsus="" is="" frustrated="" with="" the="" failure="" of="" the="" service="" to="" close="" seasons="" on="" species="" in="" decline="" such="" as="" woodcock,="" coastal="" populations="" of="" band-tailed="" pigeon,="" white-winged="" doves="" in="" arizona,="" and="" mourning="" doves="" in="" the="" western="" management="" unit.="" hsus="" believes="" that="" bag="" limits="" and="" season="" lengths="" on="" several="" species="" of="" webless="" migratory="" birds="" are="" ridiculously="" high="" and="" fly="" in="" the="" face="" of="" the="" principles="" of="" wise="" and="" ethical="" use="" of="" the="" resource.="" they="" strongly="" recommend="" that="" opening="" dates="" in="" alaska="" be="" delayed="" at="" least="" 2="" weeks="" to="" allow="" birds="" to="" leave="" their="" natal="" marshes.="" they="" also="" recommend="" that="" the="" service="" require="" all="" seasons="" to="" open="" at="" noon="" during="" mid-week="" to="" reduce="" large="" kills.="" they="" further="" urged="" the="" service="" to="" disallow="" one-half="" hour="" before="" sunrise="" shooting.="" finally,="" they="" expressed="" concern="" about="" the="" general="" direction="" of="" the="" service="" towards="" resident="" canada="" goose="" management.="" mr.="" don="" kraege,="" representing="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council,="" expressed="" appreciation="" for="" the="" service's="" efforts="" to="" enhance="" cooperative="" waterfowl="" management.="" he="" stated="" that="" the="" flyway="" generally="" supports="" the="" idea="" of="" limiting="" zone/split="" configurations="" for="" duck="" hunting.="" however,="" he="" requested="" the="" service="" reconsider="" the="" council's="" recommendation="" on="" splits="" and="" zones="" for="" duck="" seasons.="" specifically,="" he="" recommended="" removal="" of="" the="" requirement="" that="" duck="" seasons="" in="" different="" zones="" differ="" by="" at="" least="" one="" day.="" he="" suggested="" that="" this="" change="" would="" lead="" to="" regulatory="" simplification,="" increased="" hunter="" satisfaction,="" enhance="" waterfowl="" habitat="" efforts="" on="" private="" lands,="" and="" would="" not="" significantly="" alter="" harvest.="" mr.="" joe="" kramer,="" representing="" the="" central="" flyway="" council,="" reviewed="" recommendations="" passed="" by="" the="" council="" regarding="" establishment="" of="" this="" year's="" migratory="" bird="" hunting="" regulations.="" he="" supported="" the="" proposed="" expansion="" of="" the="" rocky="" mountain="" greater="" sandhill="" crane="" hunt="" area="" in="" wyoming.="" reviewing="" status="" information="" on="" blue-="" and="" green-winged="" teal="" populations,="" he="" indicated="" that="" this="" year's="" combined="" spring-breeding="" population="" of="" about="" 8.9="" million="" was="" a="" record="" high="" level="" and="" that="" the="" projected="" fall="" flight="" will="" probably="" be="" the="" largest="" ever="" recorded.="" he="" indicated="" that="" the="" central="" and="" mississippi="" flyway="" councils="" would="" complete="" a="" more="" comprehensive="" harvest="" approach="" for="" these="" special="" seasons="" by="" march="" 1997.="" he="" supported="" the="" central="" flyway="" council's="" recommendation="" to="" expand="" this="" year's="" teal="" bag="" limit="" from="" 4="" to="" 5="" and="" increase="" the="" teal="" season="" length="" from="" 9="" to="" 16="" days.="" he="" also="" reaffirmed="" the="" council's="" strong="" support="" for="" the="" adaptive="" harvest="" management="" process,="" but="" recommended="" an="" increase="" in="" season="" length="" from="" 60="" to="" 67="" days="" under="" the="" ``liberal''="" alternative.="" he="" supported="" the="" recommended="" change="" in="" the="" redhead="" daily="" bag="" limit="" from="" 1="" to="" 2="" in="" the="" ``liberal''="" alternative="" for="" the="" central="" and="" mississippi="" flyways.="" with="" respect="" to="" the="" zone/split="" criteria="" for="" the="" establishment="" of="" duck="" hunting="" seasons,="" mr.="" kramer="" reiterated="" the="" central="" flyway's="" objection="" to="" constraints="" on="" the="" use="" of="" additional="" days="" in="" the="" high="" plains="" mallard="" management="" unit.="" mr.="" kramer="" supported="" efforts="" by="" the="" service="" to="" review="" baiting="" regulations,="" but="" he="" pointed="" out="" continuing="" desires="" by="" many="" central="" flyway="" states="" to="" review="" the="" timing="" of="" the="" early-="" and="" late-season="" meetings.="" finally,="" mr.="" kramer="" supported="" the="" additional="" flexibility="" allowed="" to="" address="" resident="" goose="" problems="" through="" special="" hunting="" seasons,="" and="" the="" concept="" of="" establishing="" a="" youth="" waterfowl="" hunt.="" mr.="" charles="" d.="" kelley,="" representing="" the="" southeastern="" association="" of="" fish="" and="" wildlife="" agencies,="" commended="" the="" service="" for="" its="" efforts="" in="" developing="" the="" harvest="" information="" program,="" which="" will="" provide="" improved="" harvest="" estimates="" for="" a="" number="" of="" species.="" he="" also="" stated="" that="" he="" appreciated="" the="" service's="" recognition="" of="" the="" problems="" caused="" by="" rapidly-expanding="" populations="" of="" giant="" canada="" geese="" and="" the="" need="" to="" work="" toward="" solving="" them.="" ms.="" anne="" muller,="" representing="" the="" committee="" to="" abolish="" sport="" hunting,="" and="" its="" affiliate,="" the="" coalition="" to="" prevent="" the="" destruction="" of="" canada="" geese,="" commented="" that="" state="" and="" federal="" wildlife="" agencies="" are="" exploiting="" wild="" canada="" geese="" to="" supply="" hunters="" with="" targets="" by="" increasing="" resident="" goose="" populations="" on="" wildlife="" management="" areas="" in="" every="" state.="" she="" claimed="" that="" this="" is="" done="" in="" order="" to="" collect="" excise="" taxes="" on="" lethal="" weapons="" and="" ammunition.="" further,="" she="" objected="" to="" the="" roundup="" and="" shipment="" of="" geese="" by="" game="" agencies="" personnel="" to="" slaughter="" houses="" to="" feed="" the="" poor,="" and="" believed="" this="" action="" violates="" the="" rights="" of="" the="" general="" citizenry.="" ms.="" muller="" asked="" that="" the="" service="" change="" the="" current="" depredation="" permitting="" process.="" finally,="" she="" requested="" that="" public="" hearings="" be="" held="" during="" evening="" hours="" to="" increase="" pubic="" attendance="" and="" that="" the="" service="" directly="" involve="" communities="" to="" help="" resolve="" nuisance="" canada="" geese="" conflicts.="" mr.="" peter="" muller,="" representing="" the="" committee="" to="" abolish="" sport="" hunting,="" expressed="" concern="" that="" the="" special="" canada="" goose="" seasons="" currently="" held="" in="" new="" york="" and="" new="" jersey="" were="" responsible="" for="" the="" decline="" of="" migrant="" geese="" nesting="" in="" northern="" quebec.="" he="" questioned="" whether="" the="" criteria="" allowing="" 10="" and="" 20="" percent="" harvest="" of="" migrant="" geese="" during="" the="" special="" early="" and="" late="" seasons,="" respectively,="" were="" too="" liberal.="" further,="" he="" argued="" that="" statistics="" regarding="" this="" goose="" population="" were="" highly="" dubious="" since="" very="" little="" banding="" had="" occurred="" on="" the="" breeding="" ground="" to="" accurately="" determine="" the="" racial="" composition="" of="" the="" harvest.="" he="" indicated="" that="" little="" is="" known="" regarding="" the="" interactions="" between="" resident="" and="" migrant="" geese="" and="" recommended="" suspension="" of="" these="" seasons="" until="" more="" information="" regarding="" population="" affiliation="" was="" available.="" to="" assess="" the="" beneficial="" effects="" of="" these="" liberal="" hunting="" seasons="" on="" resident="" canada="" geese,="" he="" asked="" that="" the="" service="" develop="" an="" environmental="" impact="" statement="" (eis).="" he="" requested="" that="" the="" service="" maintain="" and="" enforce="" strict="" waterfowl="" baiting="" regulations.="" finally,="" he="" was="" disturbed="" by="" the="" trend="" of="" state="" and="" federal="" management="" agencies="" of="" shifting="" to="" more="" liberal="" policies.="" dr.="" ann="" stirling="" frisch="" expressed="" opposition="" to="" a="" proposed="" new="" hunt="" area="" for="" special="" early="" canada="" goose="" seasons="" in="" wisconsin.="" dr.="" frisch="" suggested="" such="" seasons="" are="" ineffective="" at="" controlling="" [[page="" 37997]]="" local="" canada="" goose="" populations,="" that="" habitat="" management="" was="" a="" preferable="" alternative="" to="" hunting="" seasons,="" that="" other="" lethal="" means="" of="" control="" were="" undesirable.="" she="" further="" stated="" that="" national="" environmental="" policy="" act="" (nepa)="" requirements="" were="" not="" met="" in="" establishing="" such="" seasons.="" written="" comments="" received="" the="" preliminary="" proposed="" rulemaking,="" which="" appeared="" in="" the="" march="" 22="" federal="" register,="" opened="" the="" public="" comment="" period="" for="" migratory="" game="" bird="" hunting="" regulations.="" as="" of="" july="" 8,="" 1996,="" the="" service="" had="" received="" 82="" comments;="" 18="" of="" these="" specifically="" addressed="" early-season="" issues="" and="" 9="" addressed="" the="" proposed="" regulatory="" alternatives="" for="" duck="" hunting.="" early-season="" comments="" are="" summarized="" below="" and="" numbered="" in="" the="" order="" used="" in="" the="" march="" 22="" federal="" register.="" only="" the="" numbered="" items="" pertaining="" to="" early="" seasons="" 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.="" 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="" in="" the="" march="" 22,="" 1996,="" federal="" register,="" the="" service="" described="" the="" underlying="" principles="" of="" adaptive="" harvest="" management="" (ahm)="" and="" the="" progress="" made="" on="" its="" implementation="" in="" 1995.="" in="" addition,="" the="" service="" reported="" recommendations="" made="" by="" an="" ahm="" technical="" working="" group="" for="" the="" 1996-97="" regulatory="" process.="" comprised="" of="" representatives="" from="" the="" service="" and="" the="" four="" flyway="" councils,="" the="" working="" group="" was="" established="" in="" 1992="" to="" develop="" technical="" recommendations="" for="" improving="" duck="" harvest="" regulations.="" one="" of="" the="" recommendations="" of="" the="" ahm="" working="" group="" for="" the="" 1996-97="" regulatory="" process="" was="" to="" continue="" the="" regulatory="" alternatives="" used="" in="" 1995,="" with="" a="" minor="" exception="" in="" the="" pacific="" flyway.="" in="" 1995,="" the="" service="" limited="" the="" choice="" of="" regulatory="" alternatives="" for="" the="" 1995-96="" regular="" duck="" hunting="" season="" to="" three="" sets="" of="" frameworks="" similar="" to="" those="" in="" effect="" during="" the="" 1979-93="" hunting="" seasons.="" these="" three="" sets="" of="" frameworks="" were="" described="" in="" a="" relative="" sense="" as="" restrictive,="" moderate,="" and="" liberal.="" in="" general,="" specific="" guidelines="" for="" selection="" of="" one="" of="" the="" regulatory="" alternatives="" are="" based="" on="" the="" size="" of="" the="" mallard="" breeding="" population="" and="" habitat="" conditions.="" council="" recommendations:="" in="" the="" june="" 13,="" 1996,="" federal="" register,="" the="" service="" reported="" that="" all="" four="" flyways="" continued="" to="" express="" support="" for="" the="" ahm="" approach.="" the="" mississippi,="" central,="" and="" pacific="" flyway="" councils="" recommended="" some="" specific="" modifications="" to="" the="" regulatory="" alternatives="" recommended="" by="" the="" working="" group="" and="" these="" recommendations="" were="" identified="" in="" the="" june="" 13,="" 1996,="" document="" and="" are="" reiterated="" here="" and="" under="" ``framework="" dates,''="" ``season="" length,''="" ``bag="" limits,''="" and="" ``special="" seasons/species="" management.''="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" council="" endorsed="" the="" ahm="" technical="" working="" group's="" recommendations="" regarding="" harvest-management="" objectives,="" use="" of="" mid-continent="" mallard="" population="" models,="" and="" regulatory="" options="" for="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" in="" 1996.="" the="" upper-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" expressed="" support="" for="" no="" more="" than="" three="" regulations="" packages,="" but="" recommended="" a="" harvest-management="" objective="" (objective="" function)="" that="" achieves="" an="" equal="" balance="" between="" harvest="" and="" a="" breeding="" population="" objective="" of="" 8.1="" million="" mallards.="" the="" lower-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" requested="" the="" working="" group="" investigate="" the="" addition="" of="" both="" a="" more="" conservative="" and="" a="" more="" liberal="" regulatory="" package="" to="" the="" group="" of="" regulations="" packages="" offered="" for="" the="" 1997-98="" hunting="" season.="" the="" central="" flyway="" council="" supported="" the="" working="" group's="" recommendation="" to="" modify="" the="" objective="" function="" so="" that="" it="" continue="" to="" reflect="" the="" broad="" resource="" values="" of="" the="" population="" goals="" of="" the="" nawmp,="" but="" commented="" that="" many="" technical="" issues="" need="" to="" be="" resolved="" before="" ahm's="" fully="" operational="" for="" multiple="" duck="" stocks.="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council="" endorsed="" the="" ahm="" working="" group's="" 1996="" duck="" regulations="" approach="" and,="" with="" the="" exception="" of="" a="" harvest="" strategy="" for="" pintails,="" recommendations="" for="" 1996.="" public-hearing="" comments:="" mr.="" joe="" kramer,="" chairman="" of="" the="" central="" flyway="" council,="" expressed="" continued="" support="" for="" ahm.="" however,="" he="" questioned="" the="" service's="" proposal="" to="" largely="" maintain="" the="" interim="" regulatory="" alternatives="" from="" last="" year.="" mr.="" don="" kraege,="" chairman="" of="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council="" study="" committee,="" expressed="" support="" for="" the="" cooperative="" development="" of="" ahm="" as="" a="" means="" to="" improve="" the="" scientific="" management="" of="" mallards="" and="" other="" species.="" written="" comments:="" the="" texas="" parks="" and="" wildlife="" department="" supports="" the="" concept="" of="" ahm,="" but="" feels="" that="" minor="" changes="" to="" regulatory="" alternatives="" should="" not="" be="" precluded="" because="" full="" implementation="" of="" ahm="" may="" take="" several="" years.="" the="" missouri="" department="" of="" conservation="" applauded="" the="" service="" for="" continued="" progress="" on="" ahm="" and="" supports:="" (1)="" the="" use="" of="" nawmp="" population="" goals;="" (2)="" regulatory="" alternatives="" that="" are="" similar="" to="" those="" of="" 1995;="" (3)="" continued="" use="" of="" current="" hypotheses="" concerning="" harvest="" and="" reproduction;="" and="" (4)="" ahm="" development="" for="" other="" populations="" or="" species.="" missouri="" also="" noted="" the="" important="" role="" of="" communication="" in="" ensuring="" long-term="" support="" for="" ahm="" and="" urged="" that="" data-collection="" efforts="" be="" maintained="" in="" the="" face="" of="" changing="" budgets="" and="" priorities.="" in="" a="" second="" letter,="" the="" missouri="" expressed="" continued="" support="" for="" ahm,="" including="" the="" proposed="" regulatory="" alternatives.="" missouri="" also="" urged="" continued="" progress="" on="" a="" broader="" range="" of="" regulatory="" alternatives="" and="" inclusion="" of="" other="" duck="" species="" in="" the="" ahm="" strategy.="" the="" minnesota="" department="" of="" natural="" resources="" supports="" the="" three="" regulatory="" alternatives="" as="" outlined="" in="" the="" june="" 14="" supplement.="" minnesota="" also="" supports="" finalization="" of="" the="" regulatory="" alternatives="" prior="" to="" the="" july="" flyway="" meetings="" and="" wishes="" to="" pursue="" cooperative="" development="" of="" regulatory="" alternatives="" that="" will="" be="" appropriate="" over="" the="" long-term="" for="" the="" mississippi="" flyway.="" the="" illinois="" department="" of="" natural="" resources="" encouraged="" the="" service="" to="" examine="" the="" pros="" and="" cons="" of="" four="" or="" five="" regulatory="" alternatives,="" rather="" than="" three.="" illinois="" believes="" that="" the="" addition="" of="" a="" more="" restrictive="" and/or="" a="" more="" liberal="" alternative="" could="" provide="" greater="" flexibility="" in="" responding="" to="" changing="" population="" status,="" but="" may="" be="" undesirable="" if="" they="" lead="" to="" greater="" annual="" fluctuations="" in="" hunting="" regulations.="" [[page="" 37998]]="" the="" kansas="" department="" of="" wildlife="" and="" parks="" has="" supported="" the="" principles="" of="" ahm,="" but="" is="" concerned="" that="" the="" process="" now="" is="" being="" used="" to="" circumvent="" the="" traditional="" process="" of="" allowing="" input="" of="" the="" states="" through="" the="" flyway="" councils.="" kansas="" objects="" to="" the="" ahm="" technical="" working="" group="" establishing="" regulations="" by="" ``popular="" vote''="" among="" individuals="" from="" all="" four="" flyways,="" employees="" of="" the="" service's="" mbmo,="" and="" their="" academic="" associates.="" kansas="" is="" also="" concerned="" that="" the="" regulatory="" alternatives="" used="" in="" 1995="" and="" proposed="" for="" 1996="" are="" becoming="" entrenched="" and="" that="" future="" changes="" will="" be="" increasingly="" difficult.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" appreciates="" the="" continued="" support="" of="" the="" flyway="" councils="" and="" states="" for="" implementation="" of="" ahm.="" agreement="" on="" a="" limited="" number="" of="" regulatory="" alternatives,="" on="" the="" role="" of="" nawmp="" population="" goals="" in="" guiding="" harvest="" management,="" and="" on="" alternative="" hypotheses="" of="" mallard="" population="" dynamics="" has="" greatly="" reduced="" the="" annual="" debate="" over="" appropriate="" duck-hunting="" regulations.="" more="" importantly,="" these="" elements="" constitute="" key="" components="" of="" a="" systematic="" process="" to="" increase="" knowledge="" of="" regulatory="" effects="" and,="" thus,="" improve="" long-term="" management="" performance.="" the="" service="" also="" recognizes,="" however,="" that="" continued="" progress="" in="" ahm="" will="" demand="" deliberate="" and="" methodical="" attention="" to="" a="" number="" of="" previously="" ignored="" or="" unresolved="" issues="" in="" waterfowl="" management.="" these="" include:="" (1)="" hunter="" dynamics="" and="" how="" regulations="" affect="" hunter="" activity="" and="" success;="" (2)="" factors="" affecting="" duck="" reproduction="" on="" a="" continental="" scale;="" (3)="" relative="" costs="" and="" benefits="" of="" species,="" population,="" and="" sex-specific="" management;="" and="" (4)="" allocation="" of="" harvest="" opportunities="" among="" countries,="" flyways,="" and="" states.="" continued="" progress="" also="" will="" depend="" heavily="" on="" further="" education="" and="" communication,="" particularly="" as="" it="" concerns="" field="" biologists,="" wildlife-area="" managers,="" and="" other="" resource-agency="" staff.="" the="" service="" is="" urging="" its="" partners="" to="" cooperatively="" address="" these="" technical="" and="" communication="" issues="" in="" a="" comprehensive="" and="" coherent="" manner.="" the="" service="" recognizes="" that="" schedules="" for="" clarifying="" issues,="" receiving="" flyway="" councils="" and="" others="" input,="" and="" conducting="" necessary="" assessments="" must="" be="" developed="" so="" that="" expectations="" for="" progress="" are="" realistic.="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" ahm="" implementation="" must="" itself="" be="" adaptive="" and="" that="" there="" will="" be="" a="" continuing="" need="" for="" periodic="" review="" of="" all="" technical="" specifications,="" including="" management="" objectives,="" regulatory="" alternatives,="" and="" theories="" (or="" models)="" of="" population="" dynamics.="" the="" limited="" set="" of="" regulatory="" alternatives="" (i.e.,="" ``restrictive'',="" ``moderate'',="" and="" ``liberal'')="" continues="" to="" draw="" criticism="" from="" some="" flyway="" councils="" and="" states.="" at="" issue="" is="" both="" the="" number="" of="" regulatory="" alternatives="" and="" the="" specific="" combination="" of="" season="" length="" and="" bag="" limits="" for="" each="" alternative.="" the="" service="" recognizes="" that="" the="" proposed="" alternatives="" do="" not="" satisfy="" all="" partners="" and="" will="" continue="" to="" treat="" these="" alternatives="" as="" interim,="" pending="" further="" investigation="" by="" the="" ahm="" technical="" working="" group="" and="" others.="" however,="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" adjustments="" to="" the="" set="" of="" regulatory="" alternatives="" should="" be="" based="" on="" the="" following="" criteria:="" (1)="" alternatives="" should="" differ="" sufficiently="" so="" that="" differences="" in="" harvest="" levels="" and="" their="" impacts="" on="" duck="" populations="" can="" be="" detected="" with="" current="" monitoring="" programs;="" (2)="" the="" set="" of="" alternatives="" should="" produce="" enough="" variation="" in="" harvest="" rates="" to="" permit="" identification="" of="" optimal="" harvest="" strategies;="" and="" (3)="" regulatory="" alternatives="" should="" reflect="" the="" needs="" of="" law="" enforcement="" and="" the="" desires="" and="" abilities="" of="" hunters.="" the="" set="" of="" alternatives="" can="" be="" reduced="" or="" expanded="" as="" needed,="" but="" it="" is="" important="" to="" use="" the="" alternatives="" long="" enough="" to="" identify="" patterns="" in="" harvest="" rates="" under="" each="" alternative.="" because="" relevant="" issues="" have="" not="" yet="" been="" addressed="" adequately,="" the="" service="" is="" denying="" requests="" this="" year="" to="" modify="" the="" basic="" structure="" of="" regulatory="" alternatives.="" prior="" to="" the="" 1997-98="" hunting="" season,="" the="" service="" will="" work="" with="" the="" flyway="" councils="" and="" the="" ahm="" technical="" working="" group="" to="" investigate="" the="" merits="" of="" major="" modifications="" to="" the="" set="" of="" regulatory="" alternatives.="" the="" role="" of="" the="" ahm="" working="" group="" is="" to="" provide="" technical="" guidance="" to="" decision-makers.="" this="" working="" group="" is="" comprised="" of="" two="" representatives="" appointed="" by="" each="" flyway="" council,="" in="" addition="" to="" biological="" staff="" from="" the="" service="" and="" the="" national="" biological="" service.="" the="" flyway="" councils'="" appointees="" effectively="" represent="" the="" perspectives="" of="" their="" respective="" flyways,="" but="" they="" must="" be="" concerned="" also="" with="" continental="" issues="" that="" cross="" flyway="" boundaries.="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" this="" arrangement="" works="" exceedingly="" well="" and="" that="" individual="" states="" have="" ample="" opportunity="" to="" comment="" on="" recommendations="" offered="" by="" the="" ahm="" working="" group,="" either="" through="" their="" flyway="" councils="" or="" directly="" to="" the="" service.="" the="" service="" emphasizes="" that="" the="" working="" group="" does="" not="" establish="" regulations.="" moreover,="" the="" working="" group="" develops="" its="" recommendations="" through="" consensus,="" and="" does="" not="" use="" a="" voting="" process.="" for="" the="" 1996-97="" regular="" duck="" hunting="" season,="" the="" service="" will="" use="" the="" three="" regulatory="" alternatives="" detailed="" in="" the="" accompanying="" table="" (at="" the="" end="" of="" this="" document).="" alternatives="" are="" specified="" for="" each="" flyway="" and="" are="" designated="" as="" ``res''="" for="" the="" restrictive,="" ``mod''="" for="" the="" moderate,="" and="" ``lib''="" for="" the="" liberal="" alternative.="" the="" service="" will="" propose="" a="" specific="" regulatory="" alternative="" when="" survey="" data="" on="" waterfowl="" population="" and="" habitat="" status="" are="" available="" in="" late="" july.="" b.="" framework="" dates="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" lower-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" the="" ahm="" technical="" working="" group="" investigate="" the="" impacts="" of="" a="" january="" 31="" framework="" closing="" date.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" supports="" investigations="" by="" the="" ahm="" technical="" working="" group="" to="" assess="" the="" suitability="" of="" all="" aspects="" of="" the="" current="" regulatory="" alternatives,="" including="" framework="" dates.="" however,="" the="" service="" reiterates="" its="" long-standing="" concerns="" that="" hunting="" disturbance="" in="" late="" winter="" may="" interfere="" with="" pair="" bonding="" and="" inhibit="" nutrient="" acquisition="" and="" storage="" with="" subsequent="" impacts="" to="" reproductive="" potential.="" before="" the="" service="" can="" consider="" changes="" to="" the="" timing="" of="" the="" framework="" closing="" date,="" additional="" information="" to="" alleviate="" these="" concerns="" is="" necessary.="" the="" service="" notes="" that="" the="" framework="" dates="" in="" the="" proposed="" regulatory="" alternatives="" for="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" published="" in="" the="" june="" 14="" supplement="" did="" not="" accurately="" reflect="" the="" policy="" established="" by="" the="" service="" last="" year="" (september="" 27,="" 1995,="" federal="" register="" 60="" fr="" 50042).="" this="" discrepancy="" was="" unintentional.="" the="" service="" reaffirms="" its="" policy="" of="" fixed="" dates="" of="" october="" 1="" to="" january="" 20="" for="" the="" atlantic="" flyway,="" and="" of="" floating="" framework="" dates="" (saturday="" closest="" to="" october="" 1,="" sunday="" closest="" to="" january="" 20)="" for="" the="" mississippi,="" central,="" and="" pacific="" flyways.="" the="" appropriate="" change="" in="" framework="" dates="" for="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" is="" reflected="" in="" the="" final="" regulatory="" alternatives.="" c.="" season="" length="" council="" recommendations:="" in="" the="" regulatory="" alternatives="" recommended="" for="" 1996-97,="" the="" upper-="" and="" lower-region="" regulations="" committees="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" the="" season="" length="" in="" the="" ``liberal''="" package="" be="" 51="" days="" instead="" of="" 50="" days.="" the="" central="" flyway="" council="" [[page="" 37999]]="" recommended="" the="" season="" length="" in="" the="" ``liberal''="" package="" be="" 67="" days.="" public-hearing="" comments:="" mr.="" joe="" kramer,="" chairman="" of="" the="" central="" flyway="" council,="" urged="" the="" service="" to="" adopt="" the="" council's="" proposal="" to="" increase="" the="" season="" length="" from="" 60="" to="" 67="" days="" in="" the="" ``liberal''="" alternative.="" written="" comments:="" the="" texas="" parks="" and="" wildlife="" department="" also="" urged="" a="" change="" from="" 60="" to="" 67="" days="" in="" the="" ``liberal''="" alternative="" for="" the="" central="" flyway.="" the="" kansas="" department="" of="" wildlife="" and="" parks="" also="" recommended="" that="" the="" ``liberal''="" alternative="" for="" the="" central="" flyway="" provide="" 67="" days="" of="" duck="" hunting.="" kansas="" believes="" that="" they="" are="" ``locked="" into''="" an="" unnecessarily="" restrictive="" regulation="" without="" any="" recourse="" for="" addressing="" the="" problem.="" the="" wyoming="" game="" and="" fish="" department="" supports="" extending="" the="" season="" from="" 60="" to="" 67="" days="" under="" the="" ``liberal''="" alternative="" for="" the="" central="" flyway.="" wyoming="" feels="" that="" the="" current="" regulatory="" options="" will="" be="" used="" for="" an="" indefinite="" number="" of="" years="" and="" that="" postponing="" an="" appropriate="" correction="" to="" season="" length="" is="" unacceptable.="" the="" minnesota="" department="" of="" natural="" resources="" supports="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" proposal="" to="" increase="" the="" season="" length="" in="" the="" ``liberal''="" alternative="" by="" one="" day.="" the="" illinois="" department="" of="" natural="" resources="" also="" supports="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" proposal="" to="" increase="" the="" ``liberal''="" alternative="" season="" length="" by="" one="" day.="" illinois="" believed="" this="" minor="" change="" would="" provide="" additional="" weekend="" hunting="" opportunity="" without="" adverse="" impact.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" any="" modifications="" to="" season="" length="" under="" the="" three="" regulatory="" alternatives="" must="" be="" approached="" carefully,="" with="" due="" consideration="" to="" differences="" among="" flyways.="" current="" differences="" in="" season="" length="" among="" the="" flyways="" are="" predicated="" on="" historic="" (ca.="" 1950)="" patterns="" of="" duck="" abundance="" and="" hunter="" activity,="" with="" longer="" seasons="" available="" to="" flyways="" with="" relatively="" more="" ducks="" and="" fewer="" hunters.="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" a="" thorough="" review="" of="" flyway="" differences="" in="" season="" lengths="" is="" needed="" and="" is="" seeking="" technical="" guidance="" from="" the="" flyway="" councils,="" the="" ahm="" working="" group,="" and="" others.="" current="" differences="" in="" hunter="" activity="" and="" duck="" abundance,="" as="" well="" as="" the="" origin="" and="" status="" of="" duck="" stocks="" contributing="" to="" each="" flyway,="" should="" be="" investigated="" using="" modern="" data="" and="" analytical="" techniques.="" until="" such="" analyses="" are="" available,="" the="" service="" is="" concerned="" that="" changes="" in="" season="" lengths="" contained="" in="" the="" regulatory="" alternatives="" could="" alter="" the="" allocation="" of="" harvest="" in="" unpredictable,="" undesirable="" or="" inappropriate="" ways.="" therefore,="" the="" service="" prefers="" to="" approach="" all="" proposed="" changes="" to="" season="" length,="" regardless="" of="" the="" number="" of="" days="" involved,="" in="" a="" systematic="" and="" comprehensive="" manner.="" e.="" bag="" limits="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" upper-="" and="" lower-region="" regulations="" committees="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" and="" the="" central="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" the="" redhead="" daily="" bag="" limit="" in="" the="" ``liberal''="" package="" be="" 2="" birds="" instead="" of="" 1.="" the="" lower-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" also="" recommended="" the="" overall="" daily="" bag="" limit="" in="" the="" ``liberal''="" package="" be="" 6="" birds="" instead="" of="" 5,="" and="" within="" this="" overall="" limit,="" the="" daily="" bag="" limit="" for="" mottled="" ducks="" be="" 4="" instead="" of="" 3;="" and="" the="" limit="" for="" ringnecks,="" scaup,="" goldeneyes,="" and="" buffleheads="" be="" 4="" instead="" of="" 5.="" limits="" for="" black="" ducks,="" pintails,="" wood="" ducks,="" and="" canvasbacks="" would="" be="" the="" same="" as="" in="" 1995.="" public-hearing="" comments:="" mr.="" joe="" kramer,="" chairman="" of="" the="" central="" flyway="" council,="" expressed="" support="" for="" the="" service's="" proposal="" to="" increase="" the="" redhead="" limit="" from="" 1="" to="" 2="" under="" the="" ``liberal''="" alternative.="" the="" minnesota="" department="" of="" natural="" resources="" also="" supports="" the="" service's="" proposal="" to="" allow="" a="" second="" redhead="" in="" the="" daily="" bag="" under="" the="" central="" and="" mississippi="" flyways="" ``liberal''="" alternative.="" written="" comments:="" the="" massachusetts="" division="" of="" fisheries="" and="" wildlife="" recommended="" any="" ``liberal''="" regulatory="" package="" delete="" the="" hen="" mallard="" restriction="" in="" the="" atlantic="" flyway.="" the="" michigan="" department="" of="" natural="" resources="" supports="" the="" service's="" proposal="" to="" allow="" a="" second="" redhead="" in="" the="" daily="" bag="" under="" the="" ``liberal''="" alternative="" for="" the="" central="" and="" mississippi="" flyways.="" michigan="" also="" requested="" the="" rationale="" for="" allowing="" an="" additional="" duck="" in="" the="" daily="" bag="" limit="" of="" the="" ``liberal''="" alternative="" for="" the="" pacific="" flyway.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" concurs="" with="" the="" recommendations="" to="" increase="" the="" bag="" limit="" of="" redheads="" from="" 1="" to="" 2="" in="" the="" ``liberal''="" alternative="" of="" the="" central="" and="" mississippi="" flyways.="" however,="" the="" service="" cannot="" support="" the="" proposal="" of="" the="" lower-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" to="" increase="" the="" overall="" bag="" limit="" in="" the="" ``liberal''="" alternative="" from="" 5="" to="" 6="" in="" order="" to="" provide="" additional="" hunting="" opportunity="" on="" several="" abundant="" species.="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" major="" changes="" to="" the="" regulatory="" alternatives="" should="" be="" addressed="" in="" a="" deliberate="" and="" comprehensive="" manner.="" historic="" efforts="" at="" species-specific="" management="" have="" been="" predicated="" largely="" on="" the="" assumptions="" that:="" (a)="" mallard="" harvest="" rates="" can="" be="" used="" as="" a="" standard="" by="" which="" to="" judge="" the="" appropriateness="" of="" harvest="" rates="" for="" other="" species;="" (b)="" target="" stocks="" of="" ducks="" can="" be="" isolated="" in="" time="" or="" space,="" or="" that="" hunters="" can="" shoot="" selectively;="" and="" (c)="" that="" management="" costs="" are="" largely="" fixed="" whether="" managing="" one="" stock="" or="" many.="" recent="" information="" has="" led="" the="" service="" to="" question="" the="" validity="" of="" these="" assumptions.="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" a="" number="" of="" issues="" must="" be="" addressed="" prior="" to="" major="" reforms="" in="" species-specific="" harvest="" strategies:="" (1)="" how="" much="" must="" species="" or="" populations="" differ="" in="" terms="" of="" their="" population="" dynamics="" to="" warrant="" differential="" harvest="" regulations?="" (2)="" what="" are="" the="" relative="" costs="" and="" benefits="" of="" managing="" individual="" duck="" stocks?="" (3)="" what="" is="" the="" ability="" of="" hunters="" to="" harvest="" selectively?="" and="" (4)="" do="" hunters="" prefer="" the="" maximum="" hunting="" opportunity="" afforded="" by="" complex="" regulations="" or="" simpler="" hunting="" regulations="" that="" offer="" less="" hunting="" opportunity?="" the="" service="" awaits="" further="" guidance="" from="" the="" councils="" and="" the="" ahm="" technical="" working="" group="" before="" considering="" significant="" changes="" to="" species-specific="" bag="" limits.="" the="" service="" acknowledges="" that="" liberal="" hunting="" regulations="" in="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" historically="" had="" no="" sex-specific="" conventional="" bag="" limits="" for="" mallards="" (although="" there="" were="" hen="" restrictions="" for="" states="" using="" the="" point="" system).="" however,="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" it="" is="" premature="" to="" remove="" hen="" restrictions="" that="" have="" been="" in="" effect="" in="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" since="" 1985.="" the="" role="" of="" sex-specific="" bag="" limits="" in="" regulating="" mallard="" harvest,="" total="" mortality,="" and="" recruitment="" is="" uncertain.="" further="" investigation="" of="" the="" potential="" consequences="" of="" eliminating="" hen="" restrictions="" on="" mallards="" is="" necessary="" before="" considering="" fundamental="" changes="" in="" sex-specific="" bag="" limits="" of="" mallards.="" the="" service="" also="" urges="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" council="" to="" begin="" development="" of="" a="" harvest-management="" objective="" for="" mallards="" breeding="" in="" eastern="" north="" america="" so="" that="" the="" implications="" of="" changes="" in="" hen="" bag="" limits="" can="" be="" assessed.="" the="" service="" is="" allowing="" a="" 7-duck="" daily="" bag="" limit="" in="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" ``liberal''="" alternative,="" representing="" a="" 1-duck="" increase="" compared="" to="" the="" 1995="" ``liberal''="" alternative.="" the="" service="" agreed="" to="" this="" change="" because="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" had="" a="" 7-duck="" bag="" limit="" during="" the="" 1979-84="" period,="" which="" provided="" the="" basis="" for="" [[page="" 38000]]="" season="" lengths="" and="" bag="" limits="" under="" the="" current="" ``liberal''="" alternative.="" mallard="" harvest="" rates="" realized="" with="" a="" 7-duck="" daily="" bag="" limit="" in="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" are="" accounted="" for="" within="" the="" ahm="" framework="" and="" are="" consistent="" with="" current="" resource="" status.="" regarding="" the="" final="" regulatory="" alternatives,="" the="" service="" notes="" that="" the="" daily="" bag="" limit="" for="" redheads="" in="" the="" pacific="" flyway's="" overall="" daily="" bag="" limit="" was="" inadvertently="" omitted="" from="" the="" proposed="" regulatory="" alternatives="" in="" the="" june="" 14,="" 1996,="" federal="" register.="" consistent="" with="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" frameworks="" established="" last="" year="" (september="" 27,="" 1995,="" federal="" register),="" a="" daily="" bag="" limit="" of="" 2="" redheads="" is="" reflected="" in="" the="" final="" regulatory="" alternatives.="" f.="" zones="" and="" split="" seasons="" in="" 1990,="" the="" service="" established="" guidelines="" for="" the="" use="" of="" zones="" and="" split="" seasons="" for="" duck="" hunting="" (federal="" register="" 55="" fr="" 38901).="" these="" guidelines="" were="" based="" upon="" a="" cooperative="" review="" and="" evaluation="" of="" the="" historical="" use="" of="" zone/split="" options.="" the="" service="" reiterated="" 1977="" criteria="" that="" the="" primary="" purpose="" of="" these="" options="" would="" be="" to="" provide="" more="" equitable="" distribution="" of="" harvest="" opportunity="" for="" hunters="" throughout="" a="" state.="" in="" 1977,="" the="" service="" had="" also="" stated="" that="" these="" regulations="" should="" not="" substantially="" change="" the="" pattern="" of="" harvest="" distribution="" among="" states="" within="" a="" flyway,="" nor="" should="" these="" options="" detrimentally="" change="" the="" harvest="" distribution="" pattern="" among="" species="" or="" populations="" at="" either="" the="" state="" or="" flyway="" level.="" the="" 1990="" review="" did="" not="" show="" that="" the="" proliferation="" of="" these="" options="" had="" increased="" harvest="" pressure;="" however,="" the="" ability="" to="" detect="" the="" impact="" of="" zone/split="" configurations="" was="" poor="" because="" of="" poorly="" chosen="" response="" variables,="" the="" lack="" of="" statistical="" tests="" to="" differentiate="" between="" real="" and="" perceived="" changes,="" and="" the="" absence="" of="" adequate="" experimental="" controls.="" therefore,="" the="" 1990="" strategy="" intended="" to="" provide="" a="" framework="" for="" controlling="" the="" proliferation="" of="" changes="" in="" zone/split="" options="" and="" limited="" changes="" to="" 5-year="" intervals.="" the="" first="" open="" season="" for="" changes="" was="" in="" 1991="" and="" the="" second="" occurs="" this="" year="" when="" zone/split="" configurations="" will="" be="" established="" for="" the="" 1996-2000="" period.="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" flyway="" councils="" made="" several="" recommendations="" on="" the="" service's="" proposed="" guidelines="" on="" the="" use="" of="" zones="" and="" split="" seasons="" for="" duck="" hunting.="" the="" service="" published="" these="" guidelines="" in="" the="" march="" 22,="" 1996,="" federal="" register.="" the="" central="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" non-contiguous="" zones="" be="" allowed="" when="" supported="" by="" adequate="" justification.="" the="" council="" also="" made="" several="" recommendations="" regarding="" the="" use="" of="" additional="" days="" in="" the="" high="" plains="" management="" unit.="" the="" council="" recommended="" the="" restrictions="" ``must="" be="" consecutive''="" and="" ``after="" the="" regular="" duck="" season''="" be="" removed="" from="" the="" proposed="" guidelines.="" further,="" the="" council="" recommended="" additional="" days="" in="" the="" management="" unit="" be="" restricted="" to="" one="" split="" (i.e.,="" 2="" segments).="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" the="" guidelines="" for="" zones="" allow="" identical="" season="" dates="" and/or="" different="" zoning="" configurations="" with="" different="" regulatory="" packages.="" regarding="" flyway="" council="" recommendation="" for="" specific="" changes="" requested="" by="" states,="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" the="" state="" of="" maine="" be="" granted="" a="" waiver="" for="" its="" proposed="" zoning="" option="" for="" 1996-="" 2000.="" the="" upper-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" the="" service="" approve="" changes="" to="" zone-boundary="" configurations="" proposed="" by="" illinois,="" indiana,="" michigan,="" and="" wisconsin="" for="" the="" 1996-2000="" period.="" the="" central="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" the="" service="" approve="" nebraska's="" duck="" hunting="" zone="" proposal.="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" the="" service="" approve="" duck="" zone="" changes="" in="" arizona,="" nevada,="" oregon,="" and="" utah="" for="" the="" 1996-2000="" period.="" written="" comments:="" the="" nebraska="" game="" and="" parks="" commission="" and="" the="" kansas="" department="" of="" wildlife="" and="" parks="" recommended="" the="" restrictions="" ``must="" be="" consecutive''="" and="" ``after="" the="" regular="" duck="" season''="" be="" removed="" from="" the="" proposed="" guidelines="" on="" the="" use="" of="" additional="" days="" in="" the="" high="" plains="" management="" unit.="" both="" noted="" these="" requirements="" were="" new="" and="" seemed="" unnecessary.="" nebraska="" also="" recommended="" the="" addition="" of="" a="" provision="" allowing="" the="" use="" of="" non-contiguous="" zones="" when="" supported="" by="" strong="" justification.="" the="" wyoming="" game="" and="" fish="" department="" also="" requested="" a="" variance="" from="" the="" contiguous-boundary="" criterion,="" stating="" that="" the="" current="" zoning="" guidelines="" do="" not="" seem="" to="" contain="" the="" flexibility="" needed="" to="" address="" the="" considerable="" variation="" in="" hunting="" opportunity="" associated="" with="" the="" diverse="" physiographic="" regions="" found="" in="" many="" rocky="" mountain="" states.="" service="" response:="" for="" the="" 1996="" open="" season,="" the="" service="" proposed="" in="" the="" march="" 22,="" 1996,="" federal="" register="" use="" of="" the="" existing="" 1990="" guidelines,="" with="" an="" exception="" for="" the="" handling="" of="" special="" management="" units.="" the="" service="" proposed="" to="" delete="" the="" following="" from="" the="" 1990="" guidelines:="" special="" management="" unit="" limitation:="" within="" existing="" flyway="" boundaries,="" states="" may="" not="" zone="" and/or="" use="" a="" 3-way="" split="" season="" simultaneously="" within="" a="" special="" management="" unit="" and="" the="" remainder="" of="" the="" state.="" the="" service="" proposed="" this="" change="" with="" the="" understanding="" that="" the="" additional="" days="" allowed="" for="" a="" management="" unit="" must="" be="" consecutive="" and,="" for="" the="" central="" flyway,="" be="" held="" both="" after="" the="" saturday="" nearest="" december="" 10="" and="" after="" the="" regular="" duck="" season.="" in="" the="" june="" 13,="" 1996,="" federal="" register,="" the="" service="" proposed="" an="" additional="" special="" provision="" for="" management="" units:="" for="" the="" states="" that="" have="" a="" recognized="" management="" unit="" and="" include="" a="" non-management="" unit="" portion,="" an="" independent="" 2-way="" split="" season="" with="" no="" zones="" can="" be="" selected="" for="" the="" management="" unit.="" the="" remainder="" of="" the="" state="" in="" the="" non-management="" unit="" portion="" can="" be="" zoned/="" split="" according="" to="" established="" guidelines.="" regarding="" the="" central="" flyway="" council="" recommendation="" that="" the="" criteria="" ``must="" be="" consecutive''="" and="" ``after="" the="" regular="" duck="" season''="" be="" removed="" from="" the="" guidelines="" on="" the="" use="" of="" additional="" high="" plains="" management="" unit="" days,="" the="" service="" stated="" in="" the="" june="" 13="" federal="" register="" that="" the="" restrictions="" regarding="" the="" use="" of="" additional="" days="" should="" remain="" as="" proposed.="" regarding="" flyway="" council="" recommendations="" to="" alter="" the="" definition="" and="" interpretation="" of="" a="" ``zone''="" that="" would="" allow="" the="" establishment="" of="" hunting="" areas="" with="" non-contiguous="" boundaries="" or="" concurrent="" seasons,="" the="" service="" stated="" in="" the="" june="" 13="" federal="" register="" that="" it="" believes="" the="" definition/interpretations="" previously="" used="" are="" still="" appropriate.="" however,="" after="" further="" review,="" the="" service="" now="" believes="" that="" the="" requirement="" for="" different="" season="" dates="" among="" zones="" can="" be="" removed="" without="" detriment="" to="" the="" objectives="" of="" the="" guidelines="" for="" use="" of="" zones/="" split="" seasons="" for="" duck="" hunting.="" this="" change="" will="" allow="" states="" additional="" flexibility="" in="" addressing="" differences="" in="" physiography,="" climate,="" etc.="" within="" a="" state.="" the="" following="" zone/split-season="" guidelines="" apply="" only="" for="" the="" regular="" duck="" season:="" 1.="" a="" zone="" is="" a="" geographic="" area="" or="" portion="" of="" a="" state,="" with="" a="" contiguous="" boundary,="" for="" which="" independent="" dates="" may="" be="" selected="" for="" the="" regular="" duck="" season.="" 2.="" consideration="" of="" changes="" for="" management-unit="" boundaries="" are="" not="" subject="" to="" the="" guidelines="" and="" provisions="" governing="" the="" use="" of="" zones="" and="" split="" seasons="" for="" ducks.="" [[page="" 38001]]="" 3.="" only="" minor="" (less="" than="" a="" county="" in="" size)="" boundary="" changes="" will="" be="" allowed="" for="" any="" grandfather="" arrangement,="" and="" changes="" are="" limited="" to="" the="" open="" season.="" 4.="" once="" a="" zone/split="" option="" is="" selected="" during="" an="" open="" season,="" it="" must="" remain="" in="" place="" for="" the="" following="" 5="" years.="" for="" the="" 1996-2000="" period,="" any="" state="" may="" continue="" the="" configuration="" used="" in="" 1991-1995.="" if="" changes="" are="" made,="" the="" zone/split-season="" configuration="" must="" conform="" to="" one="" of="" the="" following="" options:="" 1.="" three="" zones="" with="" no="" splits,="" 2.="" split="" seasons="" (no="" more="" than="" 3="" segments)="" with="" no="" zones,="" or="" 3.="" two="" zones="" with="" the="" option="" for="" 2-way="" split="" seasons="" in="" one="" or="" both="" zones.="" at="" the="" end="" of="" 5="" years="" after="" any="" changes="" in="" splits="" or="" zones,="" states="" will="" be="" required="" to="" provide="" the="" service="" with="" a="" review="" of="" pertinent="" data="" (e.g.,="" estimates="" of="" harvest,="" hunter="" numbers,="" hunter="" success,="" etc.).="" this="" review="" does="" not="" have="" to="" be="" the="" result="" of="" a="" rigorous="" experimental="" design,="" but="" nonetheless="" should="" assist="" the="" service="" in="" ascertaining="" whether="" major="" undesirable="" changes="" in="" harvest="" or="" hunter="" activity="" occurred="" as="" a="" result="" of="" split="" and="" zone="" regulations.="" the="" next="" open="" season="" for="" changes="" in="" zone/split="" configurations="" will="" be="" 2001.="" using="" the="" above="" revised="" guidelines,="" the="" service="" reviewed="" specific="" proposals="" for="" zoning="" changes="" submitted="" to="" date,="" including="" those="" recommended="" by="" the="" flyway="" councils="" and="" those="" proposed="" by="" the="" various="" states.="" proposals="" by="" the="" states="" of="" arizona,="" illinois,="" kentucky,="" maine="" (boundary="" change),="" michigan,="" mississippi,="" montana,="" nebraska="" (low="" plains="" zone="" boundary="" changes),="" nevada,="" oregon,="" south="" dakota,="" utah,="" wisconsin,="" and="" wyoming="" were="" within="" the="" established="" guidelines="" and="" are="" approved="" for="" the="" 1996-2000="" period.="" proposals="" by="" the="" states="" of="" indiana,="" kansas,="" maine="" (creation="" of="" third="" zone),="" and="" nebraska="" (creation="" of="" new="" zone)="" did="" not="" comply="" with="" the="" revised="" guidelines="" and="" the="" service="" requests="" these="" states="" revise="" their="" proposals="" accordingly.="" g.="" special="" seasons/species="" management="" i.="" canvasbacks="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" lower-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" canvasback="" regulations="" fluctuate="" within="" the="" regulations="" packages="" commensurate="" with="" model="" predictions,="" breeding-population="" indices,="" and="" habitat="" conditions.="" public-hearing="" comments:="" mr.="" joe="" kramer,="" chairman="" of="" the="" central="" flyway="" council,="" expressed="" support="" for="" the="" service's="" canvasback="" harvest="" strategy.="" written="" comments:="" the="" texas="" parks="" and="" wildlife="" department="" asked="" the="" service="" to="" consider="" an="" additional="" canvasback="" in="" the="" daily="" bag="" if="" the="" resulting="" harvest="" would="" not="" exceed="" that="" provided="" under="" current="" modeling="" procedures.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" implemented="" an="" interim="" harvest-="" management="" strategy="" for="" canvasbacks="" in="" 1994.="" the="" service="" allows="" one="" canvasback="" in="" the="" daily="" bag="" in="" all="" four="" flyways="" as="" long="" as="" the="" harvest="" is="" not="" expected="" to="" exceed="" the="" ``harvestable="" surplus.''="" this="" surplus="" is="" the="" number="" of="" canvasbacks="" that="" could="" be="" taken="" by="" hunters="" while="" maintaining="" a="" subsequent="" breeding="" population="" of="" at="" least="" 500,000.="" calculation="" of="" the="" harvestable="" surplus="" is="" based="" on="" breeding="" population="" size,="" predicted="" production="" during="" the="" current="" year,="" and="" expected="" rates="" of="" natural="" mortality="" and="" crippling="" loss.="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" it="" has="" insufficient="" experience="" with="" this="" harvest="" strategy="" and="" that="" proposed="" modifications="" are="" premature.="" the="" service="" also="" notes="" the="" high="" harvest="" potential="" for="" this="" species="" and="" is="" concerned="" that="" an="" overly="" aggressive="" harvest="" strategy="" could="" precipitate="" a="" return="" to="" closed="" seasons.="" the="" service="" will="" continue="" to="" monitor="" canvasback="" harvests="" and="" population="" status="" and="" may="" be="" willing="" to="" consider="" modifications="" in="" the="" future.="" ii.="" pintails="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" central="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" a="" harvest="" strategy="" for="" pintails="" based="" on="" the="" breeding="" population="" size.="" the="" pintail="" daily="" bag="" limit="" would="" be="" 1="" with="" a="" pintail="" breeding="" population="" below="" 3.0="" million;="" 2="" with="" a="" breeding="" population="" between="" 3.0="" and="" 4.5="" million;="" 3="" with="" a="" breeding="" population="" between="" 4.5="" and="" 5.6="" million;="" and="" equal="" to="" the="" overall="" daily="" bag="" limit="" with="" a="" breeding="" population="" above="" 5.6="" million.="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" guidelines="" for="" the="" 1996-97="" pacific="" flyway="" pintail="" harvest="" regulations="" based="" on="" a="" prescriptive="" basis.="" a="" matrix="" of="" breeding="" population="" size="" from="" a="" subset="" of="" survey="" strata="" association="" with="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" breeding="" population="" and="" the="" numbers="" of="" prairie="" ponds="" counted="" during="" the="" may="" survey="" would="" determine="" bag="" limits.="" written="" comments:="" the="" texas="" parks="" and="" wildlife="" department="" urged="" the="" service="" to="" adopt="" the="" central="" flyway's="" proposal="" for="" a="" pintail="" harvest="" strategy.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" is="" supportive="" of="" any="" attempt="" at="" a="" more="" objective="" approach="" to="" pintail="" harvest="" regulations.="" however,="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" a="" more="" deliberate="" and="" careful="" assessment="" is="" needed="" before="" considering="" changes="" in="" harvest="" strategies,="" particularly="" in="" light="" of="" pintail="" population="" status="" and="" the="" harvest="" liberalization="" that="" occurred="" in="" 1994="" and="" again="" during="" the="" 1995-96="" season.="" such="" an="" assessment="" would="" include,="" among="" other="" things,="" explicit="" harvest-="" management="" objectives,="" comprehensive="" model="" development="" for="" continental="" pintails,="" and="" a="" consideration="" of="" the="" regulatory="" constraints="" imposed="" by="" the="" adaptive="" harvest="" strategy="" for="" mid-continent="" mallards.="" the="" service="" currently="" is="" working="" with="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council="" study="" committee,="" the="" cooperative="" fish="" and="" wildlife="" research="" units,="" and="" other="" interested="" parties="" to="" ensure="" that="" such="" an="" assessment="" is="" forthcoming.="" to="" that="" end,="" the="" service="" and="" the="" national="" biological="" service="" have="" agreed="" to="" provide="" funding="" that="" in="" total="" exceeds="" $65,000.="" the="" service="" is="" hopeful="" that="" additional="" funding="" can="" be="" made="" available="" from="" the="" states="" and="" other="" organizations="" to="" complete="" development="" of="" population="" models="" and="" an="" acceptable="" adaptive="" harvest="" strategy="" for="" pintails.="" iii.="" september="" teal="" seasons="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" upper-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" a="" 5-day="" experimental="" september="" teal="" season="" be="" offered="" to="" the="" production="" states="" of="" iowa,="" michigan,="" minnesota,="" and="" wisconsin="" for="" a="" 3-year="" period.="" the="" committee="" recommended="" a="" daily="" bag="" limit="" of="" 4="" teal="" with="" sunrise="" to="" sunset="" shooting="" hours.="" the="" central="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" a="" harvest="" strategy="" of="" linking="" regulatory="" packages="" developed="" for="" the="" september="" teal="" season="" with="" those="" developed="" for="" the="" regular="" duck="" season="" under="" the="" ahm="" process.="" for="" 1996,="" the="" council="" recommended="" either="" a="" ``restrictive''="" package="" of="" 5="" days="" with="" a="" daily="" bag="" limit="" of="" 3="" teal,="" a="" ``moderate''="" package="" of="" 9="" days="" with="" a="" daily="" bag="" limit="" of="" 4="" teal,="" or="" a="" ``liberal''="" package="" of="" 16="" days="" with="" a="" daily="" bag="" limit="" of="" 5="" teal.="" public-hearing="" comments:="" mr.="" joe="" kramer="" representing="" the="" central="" flyway="" council="" indicated="" that="" the="" central="" and="" mississippi="" flyway="" councils="" would="" complete="" a="" more="" comprehensive="" harvest="" approach="" for="" special="" teal="" seasons="" by="" march="" 1997.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" previously="" determined="" in="" the="" supplemental="" environmental="" impact="" statement:="" issuance="" of="" annual="" regulations="" permitting="" the="" sport="" hunting="" of="" migratory="" birds="" (seis="" 88)="" that="" proposals="" for="" expansion="" of="" existing="" special="" regulations="" require="" a="" comprehensive="" evaluation="" plan="" containing="" study="" objectives,="" experimental="" design,="" decision="" criteria,="" and="" identification="" of="" data="" needs.="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" the="" proper="" approach="" for="" permitting="" experimental="" expansions="" would="" be="" to="" design="" a="" [[page="" 38002]]="" comprehensive="" study="" that="" would="" evaluate="" the="" cumulative="" impacts="" of="" all="" teal-season="" hunting="" opportunities,="" in="" both="" production="" and="" non-="" production="" states,="" on="" teal="" and="" other="" ducks.="" the="" proposals="" recommended="" by="" the="" flyways="" are="" disjunct,="" with="" one="" containing="" an="" evaluation="" plan="" (mississippi="" flyway)="" and="" the="" other="" (central="" flyway)="" absent="" one.="" as="" such,="" these="" proposals="" represent="" a="" fragmented="" approach="" to="" expanding="" and="" evaluating="" teal-season="" hunting="" opportunities,="" which="" is="" inconsistent="" with="" the="" desire="" of="" the="" service.="" future="" consideration="" by="" the="" service="" of="" any="" proposal="" to="" expand="" teal-season="" hunting="" opportunities="" will="" take="" into="" account="" the="" evaluation="" plan,="" the="" manpower="" and="" funding="" requirements="" necessary="" to="" implement="" the="" plan,="" and="" the="" priority="" of="" this="" issue="" relative="" to="" other="" service="" programs.="" iv.="" september="" duck="" seasons="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" upper-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" iowa="" be="" allowed="" to="" hold="" up="" to="" 5="" days="" of="" its="" regular="" duck="" hunting="" season="" in="" september,="" starting="" no="" earlier="" than="" the="" saturday="" nearest="" september="" 14.="" the="" remainder="" of="" the="" iowa="" regular="" duck="" season="" could="" begin="" no="" earlier="" than="" october="" 10.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" previously="" determined="" in="" seis="" 88="" that="" the="" extension="" of="" framework="" dates="" into="" september="" for="" iowa's="" september="" duck="" season="" was="" a="" type="" of="" special="" season.="" the="" original="" evaluation="" of="" this="" season="" suggested="" little="" impact="" on="" duck="" species="" other="" than="" teal.="" however,="" the="" service="" notes="" that="" the="" original="" evaluation="" did="" not="" include="" information="" from="" the="" periods="" requested="" in="" the="" proposal,="" so="" inferences="" about="" effects="" of="" the="" proposed="" changes="" on="" duck="" populations="" are="" not="" clear.="" more="" importantly,="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" mixed-species="" special="" seasons="" (as="" defined="" in="" the="" context="" of="" seis="" 88)="" are="" not="" a="" preferred="" management="" approach,="" and="" does="" not="" wish="" to="" entertain="" refinements="" to="" this="" season="" or="" foster="" expansions="" of="" this="" type="" of="" season="" into="" other="" states.="" 4.="" canada="" geese="" a.="" special="" seasons="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" the="" frameworks="" for="" september="" canada="" goose="" seasons="" in="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" be="" modified="" as="" follows:="" september="" 1-15:="" montezuma="" region="" of="" new="" york,="" lake="" champlain="" region="" of="" new="" york="" and="" vermont,="" maryland="" (caroline,="" cecil,="" dorchester,="" and="" talbot="" counties),="" south="" carolina,="" and="" delaware.="" september="" 1-20:="" north="" carolina="" (currituck,="" camden,="" pasquotank,="" perquimans,="" chowan,="" bertie,="" washington,="" tyrrell,="" dare,="" and="" hyde="" counties).="" september="" 1-30:="" new="" jersey="" and="" remaining="" portion="" of="" north="" carolina.="" september="" 1-25:="" remaining="" portion="" of="" flyway,="" except="" georgia="" and="" florida.="" the="" lower-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" the="" service="" continue="" to="" closely="" monitor="" the="" impacts="" of="" early="" canada="" goose="" seasons,="" including="" both="" special="" seasons="" and="" september="" openings="" of="" regular="" seasons,="" to="" insure="" that="" cumulative="" impacts="" do="" not="" adversely="" affect="" migrant="" canada="" geese="" and="" to="" insure="" that="" special="" seasons="" adhere="" to="" the="" criteria="" established="" by="" the="" service.="" the="" upper-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council,="" the="" central="" flyway="" council,="" and="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council="" made="" several="" september="" canada="" goose="" seasons="" recommendations.="" all="" of="" the="" recommendations="" were="" within="" the="" established="" criteria="" for="" special="" canada="" goose="" seasons="" published="" in="" the="" august="" 29,="" 1995,="" federal="" register="" (60="" fr="" 45020).="" written="" comments:="" the="" massachusetts="" division="" of="" fisheries="" and="" wildlife="" supported="" extending="" the="" frameworks="" for="" september="" canada="" goose="" seasons="" in="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" to="" september="" 25.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" agrees="" with="" the="" atlantic="" flyway's="" request="" to="" modify="" the="" frameworks="" for="" special="" early="" canada="" goose="" seasons="" in="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" and="" is="" proposing="" to="" grant="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" a="" temporary="" exemption="" to="" the="" special="" early="" canada="" goose="" season="" criteria.="" specifically,="" the="" service="" is="" proposing="" to="" allow="" states="" in="" the="" atlantic="" flyway="" to="" extend="" the="" framework="" closing="" date="" from="" september="" 15="" to="" september="" 25,="" except="" in="" certain="" areas="" where="" migrant="" geese="" are="" known="" to="" arrive="" early.="" the="" service="" is="" proposing="" this="" temporary="" exemption="" because="" of="" the="" suspension="" of="" the="" regular="" season="" on="" atlantic="" population="" canada="" geese="" and="" the="" flyway's="" need="" for="" greater="" flexibility="" in="" dealing="" with="" increasing="" numbers="" of="" resident="" canada="" geese.="" the="" exemption="" is="" proposed="" to="" remain="" in="" effect="" until="" the="" regular="" season="" on="" migrant="" canada="" geese="" is="" reinstated.="" generally,="" the="" service="" agrees="" with="" the="" council's="" recommended="" framework="" modifications.="" for="" seasons="" extending="" beyond="" september="" 25,="" however,="" the="" service="" proposes="" to="" classify="" these="" as="" experimental.="" additionally,="" in="" view="" of="" the="" reinstatement="" of="" existing="" criteria="" when="" regular="" seasons="" on="" canada="" geese="" are="" reinstated="" in="" the="" flyway,="" the="" service="" encourages="" all="" states="" selecting="" framework="" dates="" after="" september="" 15="" to="" continue="" with="" data-gathering="" and="" monitoring="" efforts="" in="" order="" to="" further="" evaluate="" whether="" any="" proportional="" changes="" in="" the="" harvest="" of="" migrant="" geese="" do="" occur.="" b.="" regular="" seasons="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" upper-region="" regulations="" committee="" of="" the="" mississippi="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" a="" september="" 21="" framework="" opening="" date="" for="" the="" regular="" goose="" season="" in="" the="" upper="" peninsula="" of="" michigan="" and="" statewide="" in="" wisconsin.="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council="" reiterated="" its="" 1995="" recommendation="" that="" alaska,="" oregon,="" and="" washington="" take="" actions="" to="" reduce="" the="" harvest="" of="" dusky="" canada="" geese.="" service="" response:="" regarding="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council's="" recommendation,="" the="" service="" recognizes="" the="" need="" for="" this="" and="" proposes="" to="" establish="" uniform="" criteria="" to="" measure="" the="" harvest="" of="" dusky="" canada="" geese="" in="" washington's="" and="" oregon's="" quota="" zones.="" the="" service="" solicits="" input="" from="" the="" council="" and="" other="" parties="" in="" the="" development="" of="" these="" criteria="" for="" the="" 1996-97="" season.="" 9.="" sandhill="" cranes="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" central="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" wyoming's="" sandhill="" crane="" hunt="" area="" expand="" to="" include="" park="" and="" big="" horn="" counties.="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" season="" modifications="" in="" montana="" and="" wyoming.="" in="" montana,="" the="" council="" recommended="" a="" new="" hunt="" zone="" in="" the="" ovando-helmville="" area.="" in="" wyoming,="" the="" council="" recommended="" expanding="" the="" season="" from="" 3="" to="" 8="" days,="" increasing="" the="" number="" of="" permits,="" and="" establishing="" a="" new="" hunt="" zone="" in="" park="" and="" big="" horn="" counties.="" 14.="" woodcock="" the="" service="" is="" increasingly="" concerned="" about="" the="" gradual="" long-term="" declines="" in="" woodcock="" populations="" in="" the="" eastern="" and="" central="" management="" regions.="" although="" habitat="" changes="" appear="" to="" be="" the="" primary="" cause="" of="" the="" declines,="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" hunting="" regulations="" should="" be="" commensurate="" with="" the="" woodcock="" population="" status="" and="" rates="" of="" declines.="" the="" service="" seeks="" active="" participation="" by="" the="" atlantic="" and="" mississippi="" flyway="" councils="" in="" the="" development="" of="" short="" and="" long-term="" woodcock="" harvest="" management="" strategies,="" which="" identify="" the="" circumstances="" under="" which="" additional="" [[page="" 38003]]="" harvest="" restrictions="" should="" be="" implemented="" and="" what="" those="" restrictions="" should="" be.="" 18.="" alaska="" council="" recommendations:="" the="" pacific="" flyway="" council="" recommended="" the="" establishment="" of="" separate="" basic="" limits="" for="" geese.="" for="" dark="" geese,="" the="" council="" recommended="" a="" basic="" daily="" bag="" limit="" of="" 4,="" with="" 8="" in="" possession.="" for="" light="" geese,="" the="" council="" recommended="" a="" daily="" bag="" limit="" of="" 3,="" with="" 6="" in="" possession.="" the="" proposed="" limits="" would="" be="" subject="" to="" area="" restrictions="" for="" canada="" geese="" and="" limits="" for="" brant="" and="" emperor="" geese="" would="" remain="" separate.="" 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.="" 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="" consideration="" 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="" 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;="" executive="" order="" (e.o.)="" 12866="" and="" the="" paperwork="" reduction="" act="" in="" the="" march="" 22,="" 1996,="" federal="" register,="" the="" service="" reported="" measures="" it="" took="" to="" comply="" with="" requirements="" of="" the="" regulatory="" flexibility="" act="" and="" e.o.="" 12866.="" one="" measure="" was="" to="" prepare="" a="" small="" entity="" flexibility="" analysis="" (analysis)="" in="" 1995="" documenting="" the="" significant="" beneficial="" economic="" effect="" on="" a="" substantial="" number="" of="" small="" entities.="" the="" analysis="" estimated="" that="" migratory="" bird="" hunters="" would="" spend="" between="" $258="" and="" $586="" million="" at="" small="" businesses.="" copies="" of="" the="" analysis="" are="" available="" upon="" request="" from="" the="" office="" of="" migratory="" bird="" management.="" this="" rule="" was="" not="" subject="" to="" review="" by="" the="" office="" of="" management="" and="" budget="" under="" e.o.="" 12866.="" the="" service="" examined="" these="" proposed="" regulations="" under="" the="" paperwork="" reduction="" act="" of="" 1995="" and="" found="" no="" information="" collection="" requirements.="" list="" of="" subjects="" in="" 50="" cfr="" part="" 20="" exports,="" hunting,="" imports,="" reporting="" and="" recordkeeping="" requirements,="" transportation,="" wildlife.="" the="" rules="" that="" eventually="" will="" be="" promulgated="" for="" the="" 1996-97="" hunting="" season="" are="" authorized="" under="" 16="" u.s.c.="" 703-711,="" 16="" u.s.c.="" 712,="" and="" 16="" u.s.c.="" 742="" a-j.="" dated:="" july="" 10,="" 1996="" george="" t.="" frampton,="" jr.,="" assistant="" secretary="" for="" fish="" and="" wildlife="" and="" parks.="" proposed="" regulations="" frameworks="" for="" 1996-97="" 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,="" 1996,="" and="" march="" 10,="" 1997.="" general="" dates:="" all="" outside="" dates="" noted="" below="" are="" inclusive.="" shooting="" and="" hawking="" (taking="" by="" falconry)="" hours:="" unless="" otherwise="" specified,="" from="" one-half="" hour="" before="" sunrise="" to="" sunset="" daily.="" possession="" limits:="" unless="" otherwise="" specified,="" possession="" limits="" are="" twice="" the="" daily="" bag="" limit.="" area,="" zone,="" and="" unit="" descriptions:="" geographic="" descriptions="" are="" contained="" in="" a="" later="" portion="" of="" this="" document.="" special="" september="" teal="" season="" outside="" dates:="" between="" september="" 1="" and="" september="" 30,="" an="" open="" season="" on="" all="" species="" of="" teal="" may="" be="" selected="" by="" alabama,="" arkansas,="" colorado="" (central="" flyway="" portion="" only),="" illinois,="" indiana,="" kansas,="" kentucky,="" louisiana,="" mississippi,="" missouri,="" new="" mexico="" (central="" flyway="" portion="" only),="" ohio,="" oklahoma,="" tennessee,="" and="" texas="" in="" areas="" delineated="" by="" state="" regulations.="" hunting="" seasons="" and="" daily="" bag="" limits:="" not="" to="" exceed="" 9="" consecutive="" days,="" with="" a="" daily="" bag="" limit="" of="" 4="" teal.="" shooting="" hours:="" one-half="" hour="" before="" sunrise="" to="" sunset,="" except="" in="" arkansas,="" illinois,="" indiana,="" missouri,="" and="" ohio,="" where="" the="" hours="" are="" from="" sunrise="" to="" sunset.="" [[page="" 38004]]="" special="" september="" duck="" seasons="" florida:="" an="" experimental="" 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,="" an="" experimental="" 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="" 21,="" 1996),="" with="" daily="" bag="" and="" possession="" limits="" being="" the="" same="" as="" those="" in="" effect="" last="" year.="" the="" remainder="" of="" the="" regular="" duck="" season="" may="" not="" begin="" before="" october="" 15.="" 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="" must="" be="" included="" in="" the="" regular="" duck="" season="" daily="" bag="" 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="" counties="" of="" caroline,="" cecil,="" dorchester,="" and="" talbot="" in="" 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,="" north="" carolina="" (except="" in="" the="" northeast="" hunt="" unit),="" and="" south="" carolina.="" areas="" open="" to="" the="" hunting="" of="" canada="" geese="" must="" be="" described,="" delineated,="" and="" designated="" as="" such="" in="" each="" state's="" hunting="" regulations.="" daily="" bag="" limits:="" not="" to="" exceed="" 5="" canada="" geese.="" mississippi="" flyway="" general="" seasons="" canada="" goose="" seasons="" of="" up="" to="" 15="" days="" during="" september="" 1-15="" may="" be="" selected="" by="" illinois,="" indiana,="" iowa,="" michigan="" (except="" in="" the="" upper="" peninsula,="" where="" the="" season="" may="" not="" extend="" beyond="" september="" 10,="" and="" in="" huron,="" saginaw="" and="" tuscola="" counties,="" where="" no="" special="" season="" may="" be="" held),="" minnesota,="" missouri,="" ohio,="" tennessee,="" and="" wisconsin.="" 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="" by="" south="" dakota.="" 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="" 6="" 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.="" daily="" bag="" limits="" not="" to="" exceed="" 3="" canada="" geese="" with="" 6="" in="" possession.="" washington="" may="" select="" a="" special="" canada="" goose="" season="" of="" up="" to="" 15="" days="" during="" the="" period="" september="" 1-15.="" daily="" bag="" limits="" not="" to="" exceed="" 3="" canada="" geese="" with="" 6="" in="" possession.="" 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="" and="" the="" possession="" limit="" is="" 4.="" 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="" and="" a="" possession="" limit="" of="" 8.="" all="" participants="" must="" have="" a="" valid="" state="" permit="" and="" the="" total="" number="" of="" permits="" is="" not="" to="" exceed="" 200="" for="" the="" season="" in="" nez="" perce="" county.="" 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="" in="" wisconsin="" and="" the="" upper="" peninsula="" of="" michigan="" may="" open="" as="" early="" as="" september="" 21.="" 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="" [[page="" 38005]]="" 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="" 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="" montana="" and="" the="" park-big="" horn="" unit="" in="" wyoming="" 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="" 19)="" 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="" atlantic="" flyway="" may="" select="" hunting="" seasons="" between="" october="" 1="" and="" january="" 31.="" states="" in="" the="" central="" and="" mississippi="" flyways="" may="" select="" hunting="" seasons="" between="" september="" 1="" and="" january="" 31.="" hunting="" seasons="" and="" daily="" bag="" limits:="" in="" the="" atlantic="" flyway,="" seasons="" may="" not="" exceed="" 45="" days,="" with="" a="" daily="" bag="" limit="" of="" 3;="" in="" the="" central="" and="" mississippi="" flyways,="" seasons="" may="" not="" exceed="" 65="" days,="" with="" a="" daily="" bag="" limit="" of="" 5.="" 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="" 35="" 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.="" permit="" requirement:="" the="" appropriate="" state="" agency="" must="" issue="" permits,="" and="" report="" on="" harvest="" and="" hunter="" participation="" to="" the="" service="" by="" june="" 1="" of="" the="" following="" year,="" or="" participate="" in="" the="" migratory="" bird="" harvest="" information="" program.="" 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.="" permit="" requirement:="" the="" appropriate="" state="" agency="" must="" issue="" permits,="" and="" report="" on="" harvest="" and="" hunter="" participation="" to="" the="" service="" by="" june="" 1="" of="" the="" following="" year,="" or="" participate="" in="" the="" migratory="" bird="" harvest="" information="" program.="" 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="" (all="" states="" east="" of="" the="" mississippi="" river,="" and="" louisiana)="" 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="" (arkansas,="" colorado,="" iowa,="" kansas,="" minnesota,="" missouri,="" montana,="" nebraska,="" new="" mexico,="" north="" dakota,="" oklahoma,="" south="" dakota,="" texas,="" and="" wyoming)="" 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="" [[page="" 38006]]="" 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="" 6="" of="" which="" may="" be="" white-="" winged="" doves="" and="" 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="" (arizona,="" california,="" idaho,="" nevada,="" oregon,="" utah,="" and="" washington)="" hunting="" seasons="" and="" daily="" bag="" limits:="" idaho,="" nevada,="" oregon,="" utah,="" and="" washington="" -="" not="" more="" than="" 30="" consecutive="" days="" with="" a="" daily="" bag="" limit="" of="" 10="" mourning="" doves="" (in="" nevada,="" the="" daily="" bag="" limit="" may="" not="" exceed="" 10="" mourning="" and="" white-winged="" doves="" in="" the="" aggregate).="" arizona="" and="" california="" -="" not="" more="" than="" 60="" days="" which="" may="" be="" split="" between="" two="" periods,="" september="" 1-15="" and="" november="" 1-january="" 15.="" in="" arizona,="" during="" the="" first="" segment="" of="" the="" season,="" the="" daily="" bag="" limit="" is="" 10="" mourning="" and="" white-winged="" doves="" in="" the="" aggregate,="" of="" which="" no="" more="" than="" 6="" may="" be="" white-winged="" doves.="" during="" the="" remainder="" of="" the="" season,="" the="" daily="" bag="" limit="" is="" restricted="" to="" 10="" mourning="" doves.="" in="" california,="" the="" daily="" bag="" limit="" may="" not="" exceed="" 10="" mourning="" and="" white-winged="" doves="" in="" the="" aggregate.="" white-winged="" and="" white-tipped="" doves="" hunting="" seasons="" and="" daily="" bag="" limits:="" except="" as="" shown="" below,="" seasons="" in="" arizona,="" california,="" florida,="" nevada,="" new="" mexico,="" and="" texas="" must="" be="" concurrent="" with="" mourning="" dove="" seasons.="" arizona="" may="" select="" a="" hunting="" season="" of="" not="" more="" than="" 30="" consecutive="" days,="" running="" concurrently="" with="" the="" first="" segment="" of="" the="" mourning="" dove="" season.="" the="" daily="" bag="" limit="" may="" not="" exceed="" 10="" mourning="" and="" white-winged="" doves="" in="" the="" aggregate,="" of="" which="" no="" more="" than="" 6="" may="" be="" white-winged="" doves.="" in="" florida,="" the="" daily="" bag="" limit="" may="" not="" exceed="" 12="" mourning="" and="" white-winged="" doves="" (15="" under="" the="" alternative)="" in="" the="" aggregate,="" of="" which="" no="" more="" than="" 4="" may="" be="" white-winged="" doves.="" in="" the="" nevada="" counties="" of="" clark="" and="" nye,="" and="" in="" the="" california="" counties="" of="" imperial,="" riverside,="" and="" san="" bernardino,="" the="" daily="" bag="" limit="" may="" not="" exceed="" 10="" mourning="" and="" white-winged="" doves="" in="" the="" aggregate.="" in="" new="" mexico,="" the="" daily="" bag="" limit="" may="" not="" exceed="" 12="" mourning="" and="" white-winged="" doves="" (15="" under="" the="" alternative)="" in="" the="" aggregate.="" in="" texas,="" the="" daily="" bag="" limit="" may="" not="" exceed="" 12="" mourning,="" white-="" winged,="" and="" white-tipped="" doves="" (15="" under="" the="" alternative)="" in="" the="" aggregate,="" of="" which="" not="" more="" than="" 6="" may="" be="" white-winged="" doves="" and="" 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="" restrictions:="" 1.="" in="" units="" 9(e)="" and="" 18,="" the="" limits="" for="" canada="" geese="" are="" 1="" daily="" and="" 2="" in="" possession.="" 2.="" in="" units="" 5="" and="" 6,="" the="" taking="" of="" canada="" geese="" is="" permitted="" from="" september="" 28="" through="" december="" 16.="" middleton="" island="" is="" closed="" to="" the="" taking="" of="" canada="" geese.="" 3.="" in="" unit="" 10="" (except="" unimak="" island),="" the="" taking="" of="" canada="" geese="" is="" prohibited.="" 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.="" no="" more="" than="" 300="" permits="" may="" be="" issued="" in="" gmu="" 22,="" authorizing="" each="" permittee="" to="" take="" 1="" tundra="" swan="" per="" season.="" 2.="" no="" more="" than="" 500="" permits="" may="" be="" issued="" during="" the="" operational="" season="" in="" gmu="" 18.="" no="" more="" than="" 1="" tundra="" swan="" may="" be="" taken="" per="" permit.="" 3.="" the="" seasons="" must="" be="" concurrent="" with="" other="" migratory="" bird="" seasons.="" 4.="" the="" appropriate="" state="" agency="" must="" issue="" permits,="" obtain="" harvest="" and="" hunter-participation="" data,="" and="" report="" the="" results="" of="" this="" hunt="" to="" the="" service="" by="" june="" 1="" of="" the="" following="" year.="" hawaii="" outside="" dates:="" between="" september="" 1="" and="" january="" 15.="" hunting="" seasons:="" not="" more="" than="" 60="" days="" (70="" 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.="" [[page="" 38007]]="" 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="" 5.="" common="" moorhens="" -="" not="" to="" exceed="" 6.="" common="" snipe="" -="" not="" to="" exceed="" 8.="" closed="" seasons:="" the="" season="" is="" closed="" on="" the="" ruddy="" duck,="" white-="" cheeked="" pintail,="" west="" indian="" whistling="" duck,="" fulvous="" whistling="" duck,="" and="" masked="" duck,="" which="" are="" protected="" by="" the="" commonwealth="" of="" puerto="" rico.="" the="" season="" also="" is="" closed="" on="" the="" purple="" gallinule,="" american="" coot,="" and="" caribbean="" coot.="" closed="" areas:="" there="" is="" no="" open="" season="" on="" ducks,="" common="" moorhens,="" and="" common="" snipe="" in="" the="" municipality="" of="" culebra="" and="" on="" desecheo="" island.="" virgin="" islands="" doves="" and="" pigeons:="" outside="" dates:="" between="" september="" 1="" and="" january="" 15.="" hunting="" seasons:="" not="" more="" than="" 60="" days="" for="" zenaida="" doves.="" daily="" bag="" and="" possession="" limits:="" not="" to="" exceed="" 10="" zenaida="" doves.="" closed="" seasons:="" no="" open="" season="" is="" prescribed="" for="" ground="" or="" quail="" doves,="" or="" pigeons="" in="" the="" virgin="" islands.="" closed="" areas:="" there="" is="" no="" open="" season="" for="" migratory="" game="" birds="" on="" ruth="" cay="" (just="" south="" of="" st.="" croix).="" local="" names="" for="" certain="" birds:="" zenaida="" dove,="" also="" known="" as="" mountain="" dove;="" bridled="" quail-dove,="" also="" known="" as="" barbary="" dove="" or="" partridge;="" common="" ground-dove,="" also="" known="" as="" stone="" dove,="" tobacco="" dove,="" rola,="" or="" tortolita;="" scaly-naped="" pigeon,="" also="" known="" as="" red-necked="" or="" scaled="" pigeon.="" ducks="" outside="" dates:="" between="" december="" 1="" and="" january="" 31.="" hunting="" seasons:="" not="" more="" than="" 55="" consecutive="" days.="" daily="" bag="" limits:="" not="" to="" exceed="" 5.="" 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="" central="" flyway="" portion="" of="" the="" following="" states="" consists="" of:="" colorado:="" that="" area="" lying="" east="" of="" the="" continental="" divide.="" montana:="" that="" area="" lying="" east="" of="" hill,="" chouteau,="" cascade,="" meagher,="" and="" park="" counties.="" new="" mexico:="" that="" area="" lying="" east="" of="" the="" continental="" divide="" but="" outside="" the="" jicarilla="" apache="" indian="" reservation.="" wyoming:="" that="" area="" lying="" east="" of="" the="" continental="" divide="" and="" excluding="" the="" great="" divide="" portion.="" the="" remaining="" portions="" of="" these="" states="" are="" in="" the="" pacific="" flyway.="" 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="" [[page="" 38008]]="" 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.="" 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="" goose="" seasons="" atlantic="" flyway="" north="" carolina="" northeast="" hunt="" unit="" -="" counties="" of="" bertie,="" camden,="" chovan,="" currituck,="" dare,="" hyde,="" pasquotank,="" perquimans,="" tyrrell,="" and="" washington.="" mississippi="" flyway="" illinois="" northeast="" zone="" -="" cook,="" dupage,="" grundy,="" kane,="" kankakee,="" kendall,="" lake,="" mchenry,="" and="" will="" counties.="" 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="" 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.="" four="" 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.="" [[page="" 38009]]="" 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.="" pacific="" flyway="" idaho="" east="" zone="" -="" bonneville,="" caribou,="" fremont="" and="" teton="" counties.="" oregon="" northwest="" zone="" -="" benton,="" clackamus,="" clatsop,="" columbia,="" lincoln,="" linn,="" marion,="" polk,="" multnomah,="" tillamook,="" washington,="" wayne,="" 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,="" colitz,="" pacific,="" and="" wahkiakum="" counties.="" east="" zone="" -="" asotin,="" benton,="" columbia,="" garfield,="" klickitat,="" and="" whitman="" counties.="" wyoming="" bear="" river="" area="" -="" that="" portion="" of="" lincoln="" county="" described="" in="" state="" regulations.="" salt="" river="" area="" -="" that="" portion="" of="" lincoln="" county="" described="" in="" state="" regulations.="" farson-edon="" area="" -="" those="" portions="" of="" sweetwater="" and="" sublette="" counties="" described="" in="" state="" regulations.="" teton="" area="" -="" those="" portions="" of="" teton="" county="" described="" in="" state="" regulations.="" 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="" [[page="" 38010]]="" 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-f="" [[page="" 38011]]="" [graphic]="" [tiff="" omitted]="" tp22jy96.000="" [fr="" doc.="" 96-18430="" filed="" 7-19-96;="" 8:45="" am]="" billing="" code="" 4310-55-c="">