02-20713. Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Proposed rule; supplemental.

SUMMARY:

The Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we) is proposing to establish the 2002-03 late-season hunting regulations for certain migratory game birds. We annually prescribe frameworks, or outer limits, for dates and times when hunting may occur and the number of birds that may be taken and possessed in late seasons. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels compatible with population and habitat conditions.

DATES:

You must submit comments on the proposed migratory bird hunting late-season frameworks by August 30, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Send your comments on these proposals to the Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, room 634-Arlington Square, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240. All comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the public record. You may inspect comments during normal business hours in room 634, Arlington Square Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert Blohm, Acting Chief, or Ron W. Kokel, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations Schedule for 2002

On March 19, 2002, we published in the Federal Register (67 FR 12501) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal provided a background and overview of the migratory bird hunting regulations process, and dealt with the establishment of seasons, limits, the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2002-03 duck hunting season, and other regulations for migratory game birds under §§ 20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. On June 11, 2002, we published in the Federal Register (67 FR 40128) a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations frameworks and the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2002-03 duck hunting season. The June 11 supplement also provided detailed information on the 2002-03 regulatory schedule and announced the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council meetings.

On June 19-20, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council Consultants at which the participants reviewed information on the current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and developed recommendations for the 2002-03 regulations for these species plus regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, special September waterfowl seasons in designated States, special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic Flyway, and extended falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and discussed preliminary information on the status of waterfowl as it relates to the development and selection of the regulatory packages for the 2002-03 regular waterfowl seasons. On July 17, we published in the Federal Register (67 FR 47224) a third document specifically dealing with the proposed frameworks for early-season regulations and the final regulatory alternatives for the 2002-03 duck hunting season. We will publish a rulemaking establishing final frameworks for early-season migratory bird hunting regulations for the 2002-03 season in late August.

On July 31 and August 1, 2002, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council Consultants at which the participants reviewed the status of waterfowl and developed recommendations for the 2002-03 regulations for these species. This document deals specifically with proposed frameworks for the late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. It will lead to final frameworks from which States may select season dates, shooting hours, areas, and limits.

We have considered all pertinent comments received through August 1, 2002, in developing this document. In addition, new proposals for certain late-season regulations are provided for public comment. Comment periods are specified above under DATES. We will publish final regulatory frameworks for late-season migratory game bird hunting in the Federal Register on or about September 16, 2002.

Population Status and Harvest

The following paragraphs provide a brief summary of information on the status and harvest of waterfowl excerpted from various reports. For more detailed information on methodologies and results, complete copies of the various reports are available at the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES or from our website at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov.

Status of Ducks

Federal, provincial, and State agencies conduct surveys each spring to estimate the size of breeding populations and to evaluate the conditions of the habitats. These surveys are conducted using fixed-wing aircraft and encompass principal breeding areas of North America, and cover over 2.0 million square miles. The Traditional survey area is comprised of Alaska, Canada, and the northcentral U.S., and includes approximately 1.3 million square miles. The Eastern survey area includes parts of Ontario, Quebec, Labrador, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, New York, and Maine, an area of approximately 0.7 million square miles.

Breeding Ground Conditions

In summary, below average winter and spring precipitation in the prairies and parklands and cold spring temperatures in eastern North America resulted in generally poorer habitat conditions for breeding waterfowl this year than in 2001. Dry conditions were reflected in the number of ponds counted this year. Total May ponds (U.S. prairies and Canadian prairies and parkland combined) were 2.7 ± 0.1 million, which is the second lowest count recorded since this estimate was first calculated in 1974, when this estimate was first recorded, 41% below last year's estimate of 4.6 ± 0.1 million, and 45% below the long-term average. This value was 41% below last year's estimate of 4.6 ± 0.1 million, and 45% below the long-term average (4.9 ± 0.1 million). May ponds in Canada (1.4 ± 0.1 million) and the U.S. (1.3 ± 0.1 million) were below 2001 estimates (−48% in Canada and −32% in the U.S) and their long-term averages (−58% in Canada and −16% in the U.S). Canadian May ponds were the lowest recorded since surveys began in 1961.

In both the traditional (northcentral United States, western Ontario, prairie Provinces and States, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Alaska) and eastern survey areas (the northeastern United States, eastern Ontario, Quebec, and the Canadian Maritimes), most regions entered into the spring of 2002 with a water deficit remaining from winter. Spring rains helped recharge wetlands in most of the Northeast, but conditions remained very dry in the West. Western Montana, southern Saskatchewan, and much of southern Manitoba and southern and central Alberta were hardest hit by drought. Fewer ponds available to nesting birds caused crowding on remaining ponds. Relative to other parts of the prairies, the Dakotas were fair. Permanent wetlands remained in good condition following the wet period of 1993-2001. However survey results suggest that many prairie-nesting species such as mallards, shovelers, pintails, and blue-winged teal, flew over the prairies and parklands to the boreal forest, where wetland conditions are more stable. Cold spring temperatures also negatively affected nesting waterfowl this year. Winter-like conditions hit the entire surveyed area in early May, when snowstorms and cold temperatures caused birds to halt migration for several weeks. Snow and cold may have caused some nest loss in the prairies and parklands. Spring ice break-up was several weeks late over many of the northern survey areas. Break-up was so late in parts of the Northeast that biologists predicted little nesting activity in these areas. Conditions in northern Canada were generally good, but cold temperatures likely had a negative impact on early nesting species such as mallards, green-winged teal, and pintails.

The only region where habitat conditions for breeding waterfowl improved over last year was Alaska, due to warmer post-thaw temperatures than last year. However, rapid ice melt may have caused flooding of nests in parts of Alaska as well as Labrador.

Weather and habitat conditions during the summer months can influence waterfowl production. Good wetland conditions increase renesting and brood survival. During late May and early June, many parts of the prairies, including Montana, the western Dakotas, and southern Saskatchewan and Alberta received substantial precipitation. Though this late rain and snow may have encouraged good reproductive effort by late-nesting species such as gadwall, many of the earlier nesting ducks likely bypassed the prairies altogether. For those ducks that did nest, this late water should improve brood-rearing conditions, as brood and duckling survival tends to increase with higher wetland densities. Results of the July Production Survey indicate that the number of ponds in Prairie Canada and the north-central U.S. combined was 1.8 ± 0.1 million ponds. This was 36% below last year's estimate of 2.9 ± 0.1 million ponds, and 33% below the long-term average. July ponds in Prairie Canada were at 1.0 ± 0.1 million. This was 46% below last year's estimate of 1.8 ± 0.07 million and 43% below the long-term average. July ponds in the north-central U.S. were estimated at 0.84 ± 0.04 million. This was 19% below last year's estimate of 1.0 ± 0.06 million, but similar to the long-term average.

Breeding waterfowl habitat conditions in the eastern survey area were highly variable, but all areas experienced a warm, dry winter. In the New York, Eastern Ontario and Southern Quebec survey area the winter of 2001-2002 was warm and dry, and drought conditions persisted throughout much of this region. Waterfowl returned early to this region, but early spring habitat conditions were poor. However, several weeks before and during surveys, cooler temperatures and increased precipitation were the rule, and wetland habitat conditions greatly improved. A similar weather pattern was reported for western Ontario. Maine and the southern Maritimes experienced a warm, dry winter, and above normal temperatures and precipitation in early spring that produced good to excellent conditions for breeding ducks. By contrast, Newfoundland and Labrador experienced a late, cool spring. In Newfoundland, temperatures moderated and good waterfowl production was expected, but extended cold, stormy weather in Labrador made for poor nesting conditions.

Breeding Population Status

In the traditional survey area, total duck abundance was 31.2 ± 0.5 million birds. This was 14% below last year's estimate of 36.1 ± 0.6 million birds, and 6% below the long-term (1955-2001) average. Mallard abundance was 7.5 ± 0.2 million, similar to the 2001 estimate of 7.9 ± 0.2 million, and essentially identical to the long-term average. Blue-winged teal abundance was 4.2 ± 0.2 million, which was 27% below last year's estimate of 5.8 ± 0.3 million, but similar to the long-term average. Gadwall (2.2 ± 0.1 million, −17%), shovelers (2.3 ± 0.1 million, −30%), and pintails (1.8 ± 0.1 million, −46%) were below 2001 estimates. Wigeon (2.3 ± 0.1 million), green-winged teal (2.3 ± 0.1 million), redheads (0.6 ± 0.1 million), canvasbacks (0.5 ± 0.1 million), and scaup (3.5 ± 0.2 million) were unchanged from 2001 estimates. Gadwall (+37%), green-winged teal (+28%), and shovelers (+10%) all remained above their long-term averages, whereas wigeon (−12%), pintail (−58%), canvasback (−14%), and scaup numbers (−34%) were below long-term averages. Northern pintails and scaup were the lowest and second lowest counts on record, respectively. The redhead estimate was similar to the long-term average.

In the eastern survey area, the 2002 total duck population estimate for this area was 4.4 ± 0.3 million birds, 32% higher than last year's (3.3 ± 0.3 million), and 41% higher than the 1996-2001 average. Numbers of most individual species were similar to those of last year, with the exception of mergansers (0.8 ± 0.1 million, +90%) and green-winged teal (0.7 ± 0.1 million, +174%), which increased compared to last year. Mergansers (+68%) and green-winged teal (+102%) were also above their 1996-2001 averages, as were scoters (0.3 ± 0.1 million, +178%). Estimates for all other species were similar to last year's estimates and to long-term averages.

Breeding Activity and Production

The number of broods in the north-central U.S. and Prairie Canada combined was 352,600, 35% lower than last year's estimate, and 25% below the long-term average. The number of broods in Prairie Canada and the North-central U.S. were 54% and 37% below last year's estimates, respectively. Brood indices in Prairie Canada were 69% below the long-term average, while brood counts were 12% above the long-term average in the north-central U.S. The brood index in the Canadian boreal forest was 21% higher than last year's, but 16% below the long-term average. The late-nesting index, the number of pairs and lone drakes without broods seen during July surveys, was 9% higher than last year, but 43% lower than the long-term average, for all areas combined. The late-nesting index was down 12% and 33% relative to last year in boreal Canada and the north-central U.S., respectively, but up 32% in Prairie Canada, perhaps reflecting late rains there. However, the late nesting index was below the long-term average by more than 60% in boreal Canada and the north-central U.S., and by 24% in prairie Canada.

Fall Flight Estimate

The size of the mid-continent mallard population, which is comprised of mallards from the traditional survey area, plus Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, was 8.5 million birds. This is similar to that of 2001 (8.7 million). The 2002 mid-continent mallard fall-flight estimate is 8.9 million birds, statistically similar to the 2001 estimate of 9.7 million birds. These estimates were based on revised mid-continent mallard population models, and therefore, differ from those previously published.

See section 1.B. Regulatory Alternatives for further discussion on the implications of this information for this year's selection of the appropriate hunting regulations.

Status of Geese and Swans

We annually assess the population status and productivity of 30 populations of North American Canada geese (Branta canadensis), brant (B. bernicla), snow geese (Chen caerulescens), Ross's geese (C. rossii), emperor geese (C. canagicus), white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) and tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus). Reproductive performance of several goose populations likely were impacted by colder and dryer than average conditions during spring migration in 2002. The timing of snowmelt in most areas of the Arctic was near average, but arrival to nesting areas and initiation of nesting for many goose populations were delayed by adverse migration conditions. In the Hudson Bay Lowlands and northern Quebec, a cold and snowy May delayed nesting and reduced production for several populations. Throughout most of Alaska, Wrangel Island, and the northwestern Canadian mainland the timing of snowmelt was early and conditions for nesting geese and swans were very favorable. Of the 25 populations for which current primary population indices were available, 11 populations (Atlantic Population, Aleutian, and 4 resident populations of Canada geese; greater snow geese; Pacific and Mid-continent White-fronted Goose Populations; Atlantic brant; and Eastern Population tundra swans) displayed positive trends, and only Short Grass Prairie Population Canada geese displayed a significant negative trend over the most recent 10-year period. Forecasts for production of young across the Arctic and subarctic in 2002 varied regionally, but generally will be improved in western areas and reduced in eastern areas compared to 2001.

Waterfowl Harvest and Hunter Activity

During the 2001-02 hunting season, duck stamp sales in 2001 were slightly below sales in 2000. United States waterfowl hunters hunted about 8% more days and bagged about 9% fewer ducks, 5% more geese and 27% fewer coots than in 2000. Duck stamp sales totaled 1,659,485 (slight decrease) and 13,933,700 ducks (−9%), 3,225,300 geese (+5%), and 142,700 coots (−27%) were harvested during 14,999,000 hunter-days (+8%). Persons buying duck stamps for hunting averaged 8.8 days afield (+8%) and bagged an average of 8.4 ducks (−9%) and 2.0 geese (+6%) each. The five most commonly harvested duck species were mallard (37%), gadwall (11%), green-winged teal (10%), blue-winged/cinnamon teal (9%), and wood duck (8%).

In the Atlantic Flyway, duck stamp sales totaled 310,092 (+1% from 2000), and 1,626,300 ducks (−13%), 612,100 geese (+40%), and 12,100 coots (−37%) were harvested during 2,269,600 hunter-days (+9%). Persons buying duck stamps for hunting averaged 7.5 days afield (+6%) and bagged an average of 6.0 ducks (−14%) and 2.1 geese (+34%) each. The three most commonly harvested duck species in 2001 were mallard (25%), wood duck (22%), and green-winged teal (9%).

In the Mississippi Flyway, duck stamp sales totaled 739,387 (−1%), and 6,630,900 ducks (−16%), 1,060,000 geese (−13%), and 103,700 coots (−21%) were harvested during 7,647,300 hunter-days (+8%). Persons buying duck stamps for hunting averaged 10.0 days afield (+8%) and bagged an average of 9.4 ducks (−15%) and 1.6 geese (−10%) each. The three most commonly harvested duck species were mallard (38%), gadwall (13%), and blue-winged teal (12%).

In the Central Flyway, duck stamp sales totaled 364,538 (+2%), and 3,446,500 ducks (+6%), 1,189,800 geese (+19%), and 15,100 coots (−42%) were harvested during 3,043,000 hunter-days (+15%). Persons buying duck stamps for hunting averaged 8.0 days afield (+12) and bagged an average of 7.7 ducks (+6%) and 3.1 geese (+22%) each. The three most commonly harvested duck species were mallard (38%), gadwall (16%), and green-winged teal (10%).

In the Pacific Flyway, duck stamp sales totaled 287,138 (+2%), and 2,168,200 ducks (−5%), 354,900 geese (−11%), and 11,800 coots (−35%) were harvested during 1,984,400 hunter-days (no change). Persons buying duck stamps for hunting averaged 8.1 days afield (+3%) and bagged an average of 9.3 ducks (−2%) and 1.5 geese (−9%) each. The three most commonly harvested duck species were mallard (44%), green-winged teal (14%) and wigeon (13%).

In Alaska, duck stamp sales totaled 10,068 (−1%), and 61,900 ducks (−12%) and 8,600 geese (+30%) were taken during 54,700 hunter-days (+3%). Persons buying duck stamps for hunting averaged 5.0 days afield (+3%) and bagged an average of 6.3 ducks (−8%) and 0.9 geese (+35%) each. The three most commonly harvested duck species were mallard (38%), wigeon (23%), and northern pintail (15%).

Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations

The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the March 19 Federal Register, opened the public comment period for migratory game bird hunting regulations. The supplemental proposed rule, which appeared in the June 11 Federal Register, defined the public comment period for the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2002-03 duck hunting season. The public comment period for the proposed regulatory alternatives ended June 21, 2002. Late-season comments and comments pertaining to the proposed alternatives are summarized below and numbered in the order used in the March 19 Federal Register document. We have included only the numbered items pertaining to late-season issues and the proposed regulatory alternatives for which we received written comments. Consequently, the issues do not follow in direct numerical or alphabetical order.

We 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.

We seek additional information and comments on the recommendations in this supplemental proposed rule. New proposals and modifications to previously described proposals are discussed below. Wherever possible, they are discussed under headings corresponding to the numbered items in the March 19, 2002, Federal Register document.

1. Ducks

Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest management are: (A) Harvest Strategy Considerations, (B) Regulatory Alternatives, (C) Zones and Split Seasons, and (D) Special Seasons/Species Management. The categories correspond to previously published issues/discussion, and only those containing substantial recommendations are discussed below.

B. Regulatory Alternatives

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council and the Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended adoption of the “liberal” regulations package for duck hunting seasons in 2002-03.

The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council and the Pacific Flyway Council recommended adoption of the “moderate” regulations package for duck hunting seasons in 2002-03.

The Central Flyway Council recommended the adoption of the “liberal” regulatory package with the exception of the framework closing date. The Council recommended a framework closing date of the Sunday nearest January 20.

Service Response: Developing duck hunting regulations that are biologically sound and broadly supported by conservation professionals and the public is always a challenge. This year is especially challenging for a number of reasons:

(1) Water conditions in the important prairie nesting area of mid-continent North America have deteriorated dramatically from last year, and pond numbers in May in southern Canada were the lowest on record. However, duck breeding population estimates this spring declined only slightly, and remained near their long-term average.

(2) Some important revisions have been made this year to the Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) protocols that are used to suggest the appropriate regulatory alternative. Most importantly, empirical corrections have been made for the positive bias in estimated growth rates of mid-continent and eastern mallards (for more details about these corrections, refer to the reports available on the AHM website at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov). Although there were initial indications of the bias in estimated growth rates of mid-continent mallards as early as the late 1970s, predictive population models were not used to help set hunting regulations. With the advent of AHM and the expanded use of population dynamic models to help recommend regulations, it has become necessary to correct these models for any source of bias. The bias-correction resulted in a slightly more conservative regulatory strategy (i.e., the regulations prescribed for a range of population and pond levels) than used in the past for mid-continent mallards. However, correction for the bias would not have changed the selection of hunting regulations since 1995 because population and pond numbers were so high. The bias correction has had little effect on the outlook for regulations in the Atlantic Flyway, which are based on the status of eastern mallards. The source of the bias in mallard growth rates remains unknown, but monitoring programs used to estimate survival and reproductive rates are being carefully scrutinized.

(3) Earlier this year, we considered a number of possible changes to the set of regulatory alternatives (very restrictive, restrictive, moderate, and liberal) (see the July 17, 2002, Federal Register). The only change we adopted was an extension of opening and closing framework dates in the “moderate” and “liberal” regulatory alternatives. The initial prediction is that these extensions will cause harvest rates of mid-continent and eastern mallards to increase by 15% and 5%, respectively.

Drought conditions in key breeding areas, the correction for the positive bias in estimated growth rates of mallards, and framework-date extensions all tend to lead to more conservatism in hunting regulations through the AHM process. To assist the Service and Flyway Councils in developing a regulatory proposal for the 2002-03 season, the AHM Working Group derived an optimal AHM regulatory strategy for the three western Flyways (Mississippi, Central and Pacific Flyways). The strategy used the revised population models and associated model weights for mid-continent mallards, harvest and population objectives, and the 2002 regulatory alternatives specified in the July 17, 2002, Federal Register. Based on a mid-continent population size of 8.5 million mallards (traditional surveyed area plus the States of Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin) and 1.44 million ponds in Prairie Canada, the AHM prescription for the Pacific, Central, and Mississippi Flyways in 2002 is the “liberal” alternative.

Similarly, the AHM Working Group calculated an optimal regulatory strategy for the Atlantic Flyway based on the revised population models and associated weights for eastern mallards, harvest objectives, and the regulatory alternatives specified in the July 17, 2002, Federal Register. Based on a breeding population size of 1.0 million eastern mallards, the AHM prescription for the Atlantic Flyway in 2002 is the “liberal” alternative.

Considering the low numbers of ponds in May, these results were somewhat unexpected. However, the weight of biological evidence suggests that mallards can support harvest rates associated with the 2002 “liberal” regulatory alternative (the observed harvest rate on adult male mid-continent mallards during the 2001-02 “liberal” season was 11%, and with framework-date extensions it is expected to be 14%). We are comfortable that most other duck species can also support the hunting opportunity afforded by the “liberal” regulatory alternative. Generally, harvest rates of most duck species are lower than those for mallards. Therefore, we are proposing the “liberal” regulatory alternative for all four Flyways (the details of Flyway-specific season lengths, bag limits, and framework dates are provided later in this document).

Nonetheless, it is increasingly apparent that the long-term success of AHM will depend heavily on our collective ability to account more rigorously for the harvest potentials of duck species other than mallards. This need is particularly evident in a year like this, when some species remain below objective levels and when production of most duck species is expected to be poor. Therefore, we believe that a general solution to this problem must be the highest priority of the AHM Working Group. In the meantime, we will not hesitate to take regulatory action to restrict hunting opportunities on species whose population status is of concern (e.g., pintails, canvasbacks, black ducks, scaup). Such restrictive actions are being proposed this year for some duck species (see section D. Special Seasons/Species Management below for details).

With regard to the Central Flyway's recommendation to limit the framework-date extension to the earliest opening date, we note that the specifics of the regulatory alternatives were finalized in the July 17, 2002, Federal Register. One of the primary goals of AHM has been to establish these alternatives early in the year, so that debate in the late-season process can be focused solely on selection of an alternative.

D. Special Seasons/Species Management

iii. Black Ducks

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended allowing States to increase the daily bag limit on black ducks to 2 per day for up to 30 consecutive hunting days, provided the black duck season is closed for an equivalent number of days. During the remainder of the season, the black duck bag daily bag limit would be 1 bird per day. Both two-bird bag days and closed days could be split into no more than two segments.

Service Response: We remain concerned about the status of black duck populations and believe the International Harvest strategy should be completed before other regulatory alternatives are implemented. Further, we do not support allowing regulatory options because of the difficulty in assessing whether or not these options are in fact harvest-neutral. This proposal would allow States, or portions of States, several different combinations of bag limits from 2 to 1 bird daily, and include a period of season closure. We believe this option would add considerable complexity (zones within States, combinations of days and bags, etc.) and greater uncertainty during a time in which framework dates have been extended. The effects of framework-date extensions are expected to result in some additional harvest. We do not have the necessary harvest monitoring in place to assess all aspects of this proposal, including possible changes in the harvest distribution of black ducks within the Atlantic Flyway. We suggest that the Atlantic Flyway work within the guidelines being developed by the International Harvest Strategy Working Group.

iv. Canvasbacks

Council Recommendations: All four Flyway Councils recommended that the Canvasback Harvest Management Strategy be changed so that hunting seasons would be open if the population model predicts a subsequent-year breeding population of 400,000 or more. The objectives from the 1994 strategy would be modified as follows:

1. the goal for the size of the breeding population should be 540,000 birds, consistent with the North American Waterfowl Management Plan,

2. the strategy should permit a greater possibility for a sustained sport harvest than has occurred recently using a closure threshold of 500,000, and

3. the amount of harvest in any one year should not result in a predicted spring population lower than 400,000, allowing harvest opportunity on this prairie nesting species at reasonable levels above and below long-term population levels.

4. full-length canvasback seasons with 1-bird limits should be offered to all flyways when the breeding population is predicted to be above the closure threshold; however, the option of abbreviated canvasback seasons within basic duck seasons should be considered when harvest reduction is likely to sustain the breeding population above 400,000 birds.

With the above changes in mind, the Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a limited canvasback hunting season of 20 days in the Atlantic Flyway, the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a limited canvasback hunting season of 20 days in the Mississippi Flyway, the Central Flyway Council recommended a limited canvasback hunting season of 25 days in the Central Flyway, and the Pacific Flyway Council recommended a limited canvasback hunting season of 38 days in the Pacific Flyway during the 2002-03 season, with a daily bag limit of one bird per day.

Service Response: For canvasbacks, we continue to support the harvest strategy adopted by the Service in 1994, and believe that it should be used to guide seasons this year. The 2002 spring breeding population estimate was 487,000, which was lower than the objective level of 500,000. The number of ponds in prairie Canada was 1.44 million, the lowest recorded in the history of the survey. Because predicted production is directly proportional to the abundance of ponds in Canada in May, we expect recruitment to be among the lowest ever experienced. Even with no harvest during the 2002-03 season, the canvasback model predicts the spring population will be below 500,000 in 2003. Thus, we believe that the season on canvasbacks should be closed.

In review of canvasback management, it is clear that this species has some unique biological attributes that have resulted in a long history of special harvest-management considerations necessary to maintain the population at the desired level. Canvasbacks have low recruitment potential and are very sensitive to drought conditions.

Further, the current population objective of 500,000 has a long history. This level was first established in a 1976 Environmental Assessment. This objective was then used in the National Species of Special Emphasis document, the National Waterfowl Management Plan, and the most recent 1983 Environmental Assessment. We believe that the current goal of 500,000 has served us well in managing this population over the past three decades.

Last year, our objective was to allow some hunting opportunity while maintaining the 2002 spring population level above the 500,000 objective level. That objective was not achieved with a breeding population already below 500,000 and with a very poor production outlook, we believe a season closure this year is warranted.

v. Pintails

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended that the pintail season be limited to 20 days with a bag limit of one bird per day in the states of Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. States could select these days during any time period within their regular duck season.

The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a 45-day season, while the Lower-Region Regulations Committee a 30-day season.

The Central Flyway Council recommended a 1-bird daily bag limit for pintails for the entire duck season.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommends the Service adopt the “restrictive” package season length (60 days) and allow States to split those seasons, consistent with existing zone and split regulations, for pintails in the Pacific Flyway in 2002-03.

Service Response: We appreciate the time and careful attention by the Flyway Councils to the situation we currently face regarding appropriate pintail harvest regulations this year. The record low numbers, combined with the poor production forecast, have convinced us that a departure from the pintail harvest strategy is justified, as was evidenced by the majority of Council recommendations we received this year. Therefore, we propose that the restrictive season length be used for pintails in all four Flyways. Further, we support the recommendation that the restrictive pintail season may be split according to applicable zone/split configurations approved for each State during the last open season.

vi. Scaup

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyway Councils recommended a daily bag limit of three scaup for the 2002-03 hunting season.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a daily bag limit of four scaup in the Pacific Flyway for the 2002-03 hunting season.

Service Response: In 1999, the Service restricted the bag limit of scaup to 3 in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways and 4 in the Pacific Flyway. During the past 3 seasons, harvest has been 210,700, 300,700, and 388,900, respectively. In addition, age ratios in the harvest over the last few years have suggested reduced productivity for scaup (the lowest on record in 2000).

For the 2002-03 season, we recommend that these restrictions be maintained. We remain concerned about the status of this species, and will continue to support ongoing research efforts that are attempting to clarify those factors responsible for the decline in numbers and work with the technical committees of the Flyway Councils to improve our collective abilities to guide the harvest management of this species.

3. Mergansers

Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommends that the season on mergansers run concurrently with the duck season, with a daily bag/possession limit of 5, of which no more than 1 may be a hooded merganser. The possession limit will be twice the daily bag limit. Shooting hours for mergansers will be one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Service Response: We concur with the recommendation.

4. Canada Geese

B. Regular Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council had several recommendations concerning Canada goose populations in the Atlantic Flyway. For the North Atlantic Population (NAP), the Council recommended the establishment of high and low harvest areas within the existing NAP goose zone. They recommended the NAP season frameworks would be October 1 to January 31 with a 60-day season and a 2-bird daily bag limit in high harvest zones, and a 70-day, 3-bird daily bag limit in low harvest zones.

For Atlantic Population (AP) hunting regulations, the Council recommended liberalization of season frameworks in 2002-03 to include a 45-day season with a daily bag limit of 2 geese in the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions, with a framework opening date of the last Saturday in October and a closing date of January 31. In the Chesapeake region, the season length would be 45 days with a daily bag limit of 1 goose and a framework opening date of November 15 and a closing date of January 31. Remaining AP harvest areas (Northeast Hunt Unit in North Carolina and Back Bay, Virginia) would remain closed.

The Atlantic Flyway Council also recommended allowing regular seasons designed to maximize harvest of Resident Population (RP) Canada geese in designated areas of the Atlantic Flyway beginning in 2002. Regular seasons in designated RP harvest areas of Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Virginia, should be 70 days with a 5-bird daily bag limit. In Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, the framework opening and closing dates would be November 15 to February 15. In New York and Connecticut, the framework dates would be the last Saturday in October to February 15. In North Carolina, the framework dates would be October 1 to February 15. The season would be subject to annual evaluation of band-recovery and harvest data.

The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the opening date for regular goose seasons in all States, except Michigan and Wisconsin, be as early as the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21, 2002) if the duck hunting season framework dates are extended to the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21, 2002). The Committees also recommended a number of changes in season lengths, bag limits, zones, and quotas for Canada geese. All of these changes are based on improved population status and current management plans.

The Central Flyway Council recommended that the regular seasons for all species of geese in all Central Flyway States be as early as the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21, 2002) if the duck hunting season framework dates are extended to that date.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommended extension of the late goose season framework closing date for the Pacific Flyway to the last Sunday in January. In Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, the Council also recommended extension of the late goose season framework opening date to the Saturday nearest September 24, and an increase of the season-length to 107 days. In addition, the Council proposed several minor area and/or season length changes. The specific changes are summarized as follow:

1. For all States, extend the regular goose season framework ending date to the last Sunday in January;

2. For Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, extend the regular goose season framework opening date to the Saturday nearest September 24, and increase the length of goose seasons to 107 days;

3. In California's Northeastern Zone, increase the white-fronted and cackling Canada goose season length from 44 days to 100 days;

4. In California's Southern California Zone, establish the Imperial County Special Management Area and extend the white goose season ending date to the first Sunday in February in this area;.

5. In California's Balance-of-State Zone, increase the goose season length from 79 to 86 days;

6. In California's Balance-of-State Zone, allow a 9-day Canada goose season in Del Norte and Humboldt counties;

7. In southeast Oregon, clarify wording of the Harney, Klamath, Lake, and Malheur goose zone (no change in regulations); and

8. In western Oregon, modify closed zones in Lincoln and Coos Counties to allow general fall goose hunting, and modify the zone description for the Northwest Permit Goose Zone.

Service Response: We concur with the above recommendations.

C. Special Late Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that Minnesota be allowed to continue their special December experimental Canada goose season in 2002 to gather additional information. The Committees also recommended that Ohio's special late Canada goose season be granted operational status in 8 counties beginning the first Saturday after January 10th, for a maximum of 22 days, with a daily bag of 2 Canada geese.

Service Response: We concur with the recommendations.

6. Brant

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended that the 2002-03 season for Atlantic brant be 60 days in length with a 3 bird daily bag limit and with a framework opening date of the Saturday closest to September 24, and a closing date of January 31.

Service Response: We concur with the recommended change.

8. Swans

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended the Service propose a season, or some other measure, to allow hunters participating in tundra swan seasons to substitute mute swan for tundra swan in the seasonal bag limit.

For the 2002-03 season, the Pacific Flyway Council accepts the swan frameworks outlined in the Service's Environmental Assessment (dated June 15, 2001) entitled “Proposal to establish operational/experimental general swan hunting seasons in the Pacific Flyway.”

Service Response: Given the action of the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in December 2001, the provisions of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act now apply to mute swans. Management of this species could involve a number of options, including hunting (others include issuance of depredation permits, establishment of a depredation order, etc.). Consideration of hunting, however, will require the development of proper NEPA documentation, including the development of an Environmental Assessment, and Section 7 (endangered species) consultations.

This is comparable with those steps we follow for all other hunted species. We recognize the efforts of the Atlantic Flyway to prepare a Flyway management plan for mute swans and encourage the development of other Flyway plans that would help the Service and the Councils to establish effective hunting season frameworks.

10. Coots

Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommends that the season on coots run concurrently with the duck season, with daily bag/possession limits of 15 and 30, respectively. Shooting hours for coots will be one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommended outside dates, season length, and zones be the same as duck season frameworks.

Service Response: We concur with the recommendations.

Public Comment Invited

The Department of the Interior's policy is, whenever practicable, to afford the public an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process. We intend that adopted final rules be as responsive as possible to all concerned interests and, therefore, seek the comments and suggestions of the public, other concerned governmental agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and other private interests on these proposals. Accordingly, we invite interested persons to submit written comments, suggestions, or recommendations regarding the proposed regulations to the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

Special circumstances involved in the establishment of these regulations limit the amount of time that we can allow for public comment. Specifically, two considerations compress the time in which the rulemaking process must operate: (1) The need to establish final rules at a point early enough in the summer to allow affected State agencies to adjust their licensing and regulatory mechanisms; and (2) the unavailability, before mid-June, of specific, reliable data on this year's status of some waterfowl and migratory shore and upland game bird populations. Therefore, we believe that to allow comment periods past the dates specified is contrary to the public interest.

Before promulgation of final migratory game bird hunting regulations, we will take into consideration all comments received. Such comments, and any additional information received, may lead to final regulations that differ from these proposals. You may inspect comments received on the proposed annual regulations during normal business hours at the Service's office in room 634, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia. For each series of proposed rulemakings, we will establish specific comment periods. We will consider, but possibly may not respond in detail to, each comment. However, as in the past, we will summarize all comments received during the comment period and respond to them in the final rule.

NEPA Consideration

NEPA considerations are covered by the programmatic document, “Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FSES 88-14),” filed with the Environmental Protection Agency on June 9, 1988. We published a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on June 16, 1988 (53 FR 22582). We published our Record of Decision on August 18, 1988 (53 FR 31341). Copies are available from the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

Additionally, issues pertaining to swan hunting in the Pacific Flyway were covered under a separate NEPA document, “Swan Hunting in the Pacific Flyway,” issued June 14, 2001, with a Finding of No Significant Impact issued June 14, 2001. Copies are available from the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

Prior to issuance of the 2002-03 migratory game bird hunting regulations, we will consider provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543; hereinafter the Act) to ensure that hunting is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any species designated as endangered or threatened or modify or destroy its critical habitat and that the proposed action is consistent with conservation programs for those species. Consultations under Section 7 of this Act may cause us to change proposals in this and future supplemental proposed rulemakings.

Executive Order 12866

While this individual supplemental rule was not reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the migratory bird hunting regulations are economically significant and are annually reviewed by OMB under Executive Order 12866.

Executive Order 12866 requires each agency to write regulations that are easy to understand. We invite comments on how to make this rule easier to understand, including answers to questions such as the following: (1) Are the requirements in the rule clearly stated? (2) Does the rule contain technical language or jargon that interferes with its clarity? (3) Does the format of the rule (grouping and order of sections, use of headings, paragraphing, etc.) aid or reduce its clarity? (4) Would the rule be easier to understand if it were divided into more (but shorter) sections? (5) Is the description of the rule in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of the preamble helpful in understanding the rule? What else could we do to make the rule easier to understand?

Send a copy of any written comments about how we could make this rule easier to understand to: Office of Regulatory Affairs, Department of the Interior, Room 7229, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. You may also email comments to: [e-mail].

Regulatory Flexibility Act

These regulations have a significant economic impact on substantial numbers of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). We analyzed the economic impacts of the annual hunting regulations on small business entities in detail and issued a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis) in 1998. The Analysis documented the significant beneficial economic effect on a substantial number of small entities. The primary source of information about hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting is the National Hunting and Fishing Survey, which is conducted at 5-year intervals. The Analysis was based on the 1996 National Hunting and Fishing Survey and the U.S. Department of Commerce's County Business Patterns, from which it was estimated that migratory bird hunters would spend between $429 million and $1.084 billion at small businesses in 1998. Copies of the Analysis are available upon request from the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

This rule is a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. For the reasons outlined above, this rule has an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more. However, because this rule establishes hunting seasons, we do not plan to defer the effective date under the exemption contained in 5 U.S.C. 808(1) .

Paperwork Reduction Act

We examined these regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The various recordkeeping and reporting requirements imposed under regulations established in 50 CFR part 20, Subpart K, are utilized in the formulation of migratory game bird hunting regulations. Specifically, OMB has approved the information collection requirements of the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program and assigned control number 1018-0015 (expires 10/31/2004). This information is used to provide a sampling frame for voluntary national surveys to improve our harvest estimates for all migratory game birds in order to better manage these populations. A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

We have determined and certify, in compliance with the requirements of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this rulemaking will not “significantly or uniquely” affect small governments, and will not produce a Federal mandate of $100 million or more in any given year on local or State government or private entities. Therefore, this proposed rule is not a “significant regulatory action” under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

Civil Justice Reform—Executive Order 12988

The Department, in promulgating this proposed rule, has determined that this rule will not unduly burden the judicial system and meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.

Energy Effects—Executive Order 13211

On May 18, 2001, the President issued an Executive Order 13211 on regulations that significantly affect energy supply, distribution, and use. Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. While this supplemental proposed rule is a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, it is not expected to adversely affect energy supplies, distribution, or use. Therefore, this proposed action is not a significant energy action and no Statement of Energy Effects is required.

Takings Implication Assessment

In accordance with Executive Order 12630, this proposed rule does not have significant takings implications and does not affect any constitutionally protected property rights. This rule will not result in the physical occupancy of property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory taking of any property. In fact, this rule will allow hunters to exercise otherwise unavailable privileges, and, therefore, reduces restrictions on the use of private and public property.

Federalism Effects

Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the Federal Government has been given responsibility over these species by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We annually prescribe frameworks from which the States make selections and employ guidelines to establish special regulations on Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. This process preserves the ability of the States and Tribes to determine which seasons meet their individual needs. Any State or Tribe may be more restrictive than the Federal frameworks at any time. The frameworks are developed in a cooperative process with the States and the Flyway Councils. This allows States to participate in the development of frameworks from which they will make selections, thereby having an influence on their own regulations. These rules do not have a substantial direct effect on fiscal capacity, change the roles or responsibilities of Federal or State governments, or intrude on State policy or administration. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132, these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and do not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20

• Exports
• Hunting
• Imports
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
• Transportation
• Wildlife

The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2002-03 hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 a-j.

Dated: August 8, 2002.

David P. Smith,

Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 2002-03 Late Hunting Seasons on Certain Migratory Game Birds

Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated authorities, the Department has approved frameworks for season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and outside dates within which States may select seasons for hunting waterfowl and coots between the dates of September 1, 2002, and March 10, 2003.

General

Dates: All outside dates noted below are inclusive.

Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.

Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits are twice the daily bag limit.

Flyways and Management Units

Waterfowl Flyways

Atlantic Flyway—includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Mississippi Flyway—includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Central Flyway—includes Colorado (east of the Continental Divide), Kansas, Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith Basin, Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties east thereof), Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the Continental Divide).

Pacific Flyway—includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.

Management Units

High Plains Mallard Management Unit—roughly defined as that portion of the Central Flyway which lies west of the 100th meridian.

Definitions: For the purpose of hunting regulations listed below, the collective terms “dark” and “light” geese include the following species:

Dark geese—Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant, and all other goose species except light geese.

Light geese—snow (including blue) geese and Ross' geese.

Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Geographic descriptions related to late-season regulations are contained in a later portion of this document.

Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks for open seasons, season lengths, bag and possession limits, and other special provisions are listed below by Flyway.

Compensatory Days in the Atlantic Flyway: In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, where Sunday hunting is prohibited statewide by State law, all Sundays are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and coots).

Atlantic Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21) and the last Sunday in January (January 26).

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days, except pintails which may not exceed 30 days, and daily bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 scaup, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 2 wood ducks, 2 redheads, and 4 scoters.

Closures: The season on canvasbacks and harlequin ducks is closed.

Sea Ducks: Within the special sea duck areas, during the regular duck season in the Atlantic Flyway, States may choose to allow the above sea duck limits in addition to the limits applying to other ducks during the regular duck season. In all other areas, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular open season for ducks and are part of the regular duck season daily bag (not to exceed 4 scoters) and possession limits.

Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5, only 1 of which may be a hooded merganser.

Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.

Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and shooting hours shall be the same as those selected for the Lake Champlain Zone of Vermont.

Connecticut River Zone, Vermont: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and shooting hours shall be the same as those selected for the Inland Zone of New Hampshire.

Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia may split their seasons into three segments; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West Virginia may select hunting seasons by zones and may split their seasons into two segments in each zone.

Canada Geese

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Specific regulations for Canada geese are shown below by State. Unless specified otherwise, seasons may be split into two segments. In areas within States where the framework closing date for Atlantic Population (AP) goose seasons overlaps with special late season frameworks for resident geese, the framework closing date for AP goose seasons is January 14.

Connecticut:

North Atlantic Population (NAP) Zone: Between October 1 and January 31, a 60-day season may be held with a 2-bird daily bag limit in the H Unit and a 70-day season with a 3-bird daily bag in the L Unit.

Atlantic Population (AP) Zone: A 45-day season may be held between the last Saturday in October (October 26) and January 31 with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

South Zone: A special experimental season may be held between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

Delaware: A 45-day season may be held between November 15 and January 31 with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

Florida: A 70-day season may be held between November 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

Georgia: In specific areas, a 70-day season may be held between November 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

Maine: A 60-day season may be held Statewide between October 1 and January 31 with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

Maryland:

Resident Population (RP) Zone: A 70-day season may be held between November 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split 3-ways.

AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between November 15 and January 31 with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

Massachusetts:

NAP Zone: A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and January 31 with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, a special season may be held from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between last Saturday in October (October 26) and January 31 with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

New Hampshire: A 60-day season may be held statewide between October 1 and January 31 with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

New Jersey:

Statewide: A 45-day season may be held between the last Saturday in October (October 26) and January 31 with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held in designated areas of North and South New Jersey from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

New York:

Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) Zone: A 70-day season may be held between the last Saturday in October (October 26) and January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

NAP Zone: Between October 1 and January 31, a 60-day season may be held with a 2-bird daily bag limit in the High Harvest areas and a 70-day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit in the Low Harvest areas.

Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit in designated areas of Chemung, Delaware, Tioga, Broome, Sullivan, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, and Rockland Counties.

AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between the last Saturday in October (October 26) and January 31 with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

RP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between the last Saturday in October (October 26) and January 31 with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

North Carolina: SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and December 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit, except for the Northeast Hunt Unit and Northampton County, which is closed.

RP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and February 15 with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

Pennsylvania:

SJBP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between November 15 and January 14, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

Pymatuning Zone: A 35-day season may be held between October 1 and January 31, with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

RP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between November 15 and January 31, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between the last Saturday in October (October 26) and January 31 with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held from January 15 to February 15 with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

Rhode Island: A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. An experimental season may be held in designated areas from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

South Carolina: In designated areas, a 70-day season may be held during November 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

Vermont: A 45-day season may be held between the last Saturday in October (October 26) and January 31 with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

Virginia:

SJBP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between November 15 and January 14, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, an experimental season may be held between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between November 15 and January 31 with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

RP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between November 15 and February 15 with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

Back Bay Area: Season is closed.

West Virginia: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.

Light Geese

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 107-day season between October 1 and March 10, with a 15-bird daily bag limit and no possession limit. States may split their seasons into three segments, except in Delaware and Maryland, where, following the completion of their duck season, and until March 10, Delaware and Maryland may split the remaining portion of the season to hunt on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only.

Brant

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 60-day season between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21) and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. States may split their seasons into two segments.

Mississippi Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21) and the last Sunday in January 20 (January 26).

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days, except that the season for pintails may not exceed 30 days and the season for canvasbacks is closed. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be females), 3 mottled ducks, 3 scaup, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 2 wood ducks, and 2 redheads.

Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, only 1 of which may be a hooded merganser. In States that include mergansers in the duck bag limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, only one of which may be a hooded merganser.

Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.

Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin may select hunting seasons by zones.

In Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be split into two segments in each zone.

In Arkansas, Minnesota, and Mississippi, the season may be split into three segments.

Geese

Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments. Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Mississippi Flyway Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State.

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select seasons for light geese not to exceed 107 days with 20 geese daily between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21) and March 10; for white-fronted geese not to exceed 86 days with 2 geese daily or 107 days with 1 goose daily between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21) and the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 16); and for brant not to exceed 70 days with 2 brant daily or 107 days with 1 brant daily between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21) and January 31. There is no possession limit for light geese. Specific regulations for Canada geese and exceptions to the above general provisions are shown below by State. Except as noted below, the outside dates for Canada geese are the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21) and January 31.

Alabama: In the SJBP Goose Zone, the season for Canada geese may not exceed 50 days. Elsewhere, the season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days in the respective duck-hunting zones. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Arkansas: In the Northwest Zone, the season for Canada geese may extend for 33 days, provided that one segment of at least nine days occurs prior to October 15. In the remainder of the State, the season may not exceed 23 days. The season may extend to February 15, and may be split into two segments. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Illinois: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be limited to 64,100 birds. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. The possession limit is 10 Canada geese.

(a) North Zone—The season for Canada geese will close after 80 days or when 9,300 birds have been harvested in the Northern Illinois Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.

(a) Central Zone—The season for Canada geese will close after 80 days or when 12,800 birds have been harvested in the Central Illinois Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.

(c) South Zone—The season for Canada geese will close after 80 days or when 16,100 birds have been harvested in the Southern Illinois Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.

Indiana: The season for Canada geese may extend for 60 days, except in the SJBP Zone, where the season may not exceed 50 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Iowa: The season may extend for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Kentucky: (a) Western Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 56 days (71 days in Fulton County), and the harvest will be limited to 10,300 birds. Of the 10,300-bird quota, 6,700 birds will be allocated to the Ballard Reporting Area and 2,575 birds will be allocated to the Henderson/Union Reporting Area. If the quota in either reporting area is reached prior to completion of the 56-day season, the season in that reporting area will be closed. If the quotas in both the Ballard and Henderson/Union reporting areas are reached prior to completion of the 56-day season, the season in the counties and portions of counties that comprise the Western Goose Zone (listed in State regulations) may continue for an additional 7 days, not to exceed a total of 56 days (71 days in Fulton County). The season in Fulton County may extend to February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(b) Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone—The season may extend for 50 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(c) Remainder of the State—The season may extend for 50 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Louisiana: The season for Canada geese may extend for 9 days. During the season, the daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose and 2 white-fronted geese with an 86-day white-fronted goose season or 1 white-fronted goose with a 107-day season. Hunters participating in the Canada goose season must possess a special permit issued by the State.

Michigan: (a) Mississippi Valley Population (MVP) Zone—The total harvest of Canada geese will be limited to 46,400 birds. The framework opening date for all geese is September 16 and the season for Canada geese may extend for 21 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(1) Allegan County GMU—The Canada goose season will close after 25 days or when 1,400 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(2) Muskegon Wastewater GMU—The Canada goose season will close after 25 days or when 450 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(b) SJBP Zone—The framework opening date for all geese is September 16 and the season for Canada geese may extend for 30 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(1) Saginaw County GMU—The Canada goose season will close after 50 days or when 2,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(2) Tuscola/Huron GMU—The Canada goose season will close after 50 days or when 750 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(c) Southern Michigan GMU—A special Canada goose season may be held between January 4 and February 2. The daily bag limit is 5 Canada geese.

(d) Central Michigan GMU—A special Canada goose season may be held between January 4 and February 2. The daily bag limit is 5 Canada geese.

Minnesota: (a) West Zone—(1) West Central Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 40 days. In the Lac Qui Parle Zone, the season will close after 40 days or when 12,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. Throughout the West Central Zone, the daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(2) Remainder of West Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 40 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(b) Northwest Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 40 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(c) Remainder of the State—The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(d) Special Late Canada Goose Season—An experimental special Canada goose season of up to 10 days may be held in December, except in the West Central and Lac qui Parle Goose zones. During the special season, the daily bag limit is 5 Canada geese, except in the Southeast Goose Zone, where the daily bag limit is 2.

Mississippi: The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.

Missouri: (a) Swan Lake Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 77 days, with no more than 30 days occurring after November 30. The season may be split into 3 segments. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(b) Southeast Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 77 days. The season may be split into 3 segments, provided that at least 1 segment occurs prior to December 1. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese through October 31, and 2 Canada geese thereafter.

(c) Remainder of the State—

(1) North Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 77 days, with no more than 30 days occurring after November 30. The season may be split into 3 segments, provided that 1 segment of at least 9 days occurs prior to October 15. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese through October 31, and 2 Canada geese thereafter.

(2) Middle Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 77 days, with no more than 30 days occurring after November 30. The season may be split into 3 segments, provided that 1 segment of at least 9 days occurs prior to October 15. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese through October 31, and 2 Canada geese thereafter.

(3) South Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 77 days. The season may be split into 3 segments, provided that at least 1 segment occurs prior to December 1. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese through October 31, and 2 Canada geese thereafter.

Ohio: The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days in the respective duck-hunting zones, with a daily bag limit of 2 Canada geese, except in the Lake Erie SJBP Zone, where the season may not exceed 35 days and the daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose. A special Canada goose season of up to 22 days, beginning the first Saturday after January 10, may be held in the following counties: Allen (north of U.S. Highway 30), Fulton, Geauga (north of Route 6), Henry, Huron, Lucas (Lake Erie Zone closed), Seneca, and Summit (Lake Erie Zone closed). During the special season, the daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Tennessee:

(a) Northwest Zone—The season for Canada geese may not exceed 71 days, and may extend to February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(b) Southwest Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 50 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(c) Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 50 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(d) Remainder of the State—The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Wisconsin: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be limited to 48,500 birds.

(a) Horicon Zone—The framework opening date for all geese is September 16. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 18,000 birds. The season may not exceed 94 days. All Canada geese harvested must be tagged. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese, and the season limit will be the number of tags issued to each permittee.

(b) Collins Zone—The framework opening date for all geese is September 16. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 600 birds. The season may not exceed 68 days. All Canada geese harvested must be tagged. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese, and the season limit will be the number of tags issued to each permittee.

(c) Exterior Zone—The framework opening date for all geese is September 21. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 25,400 birds, with 500 birds allocated to the Mississippi River Subzone. The season may not exceed 94 days, except in the Mississippi River Subzone, where the season may not exceed 71 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose. In that portion of the Exterior Zone outside the Mississippi River Subzone, the progress of the harvest must be monitored, and the season closed, if necessary, to ensure that the harvest does not exceed 25,400 birds.

Additional Limits: In addition to the harvest limits stated for the respective zones above, an additional 4,500 Canada geese may be taken in the Horicon Zone under special agricultural permits.

Quota Zone Closures: When it has been determined that the quota of Canada geese allotted to the Northern Illinois, Central Illinois, and Southern Illinois Quota Zones in Illinois; the Ballard and Henderson-Union Subzones in Kentucky; the Allegan County, Muskegon Wastewater, Saginaw County, and Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Units in Michigan; the Lac Qui Parle Zone in Minnesota; and the Exterior Zone in Wisconsin will have been filled, the season for taking Canada geese in the respective zone (and associated area, if applicable) will be closed by either the Director upon giving public notice through local information media at least 48 hours in advance of the time and date of closing, or by the State through State regulations with such notice and time (not less than 48 hours) as they deem necessary.

Central Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21) and the last Sunday in January (January 26).

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits:

(1) High Plains Mallard Management Unit (roughly defined as that portion of the Central Flyway which lies west of the 100th meridian): 97 days, except pintails which may not exceed 39 days, and a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be hens), 1 mottled duck, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 3 scaup, and 2 wood ducks. The last 23 days may start no earlier than the Saturday nearest December 10 (December 7). The season on canvasbacks is closed.

(2) Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74 days, except pintails which may not exceed 39 consecutive days, and a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be hens), 1 mottled duck, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 3 scaup, and 2 wood ducks. The season on canvasbacks is closed.

Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5 mergansers, only 1 of which may be a hooded merganser. In States that include mergansers in the duck daily bag limit, the daily limit may be the same as the duck bag limit, only one of which may be a hooded merganser.

Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.

Zoning and Split Seasons: Kansas (Low Plains portion), Montana, Nebraska (Low Plains portion), New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains portion), South Dakota (Low Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains portion), and Wyoming may select hunting seasons by zones.

In Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the regular season may be split into two segments.

In Colorado, the season may be split into three segments.

Geese

Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments. Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Central Flyway Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State.

Outside Dates: For dark geese, seasons may be selected between the outside dates of the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21) and the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 17). For light geese, outside dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21) and March 10. In the Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (East and West) of Nebraska, temporal and spatial restrictions consistent with the experimental late-winter snow goose hunting strategy endorsed by the Central Flyway Council in July 1999, are required.

Season Lengths and Limits:

Light Geese: States may select a light goose season not to exceed 107 days. The daily bag limit for light geese is 20 with no possession limit.

Dark Geese: In Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, States may select a season for Canada geese (or any other dark goose species except white-fronted geese) not to exceed 95 days with a daily bag limit of 3. Additionally, in the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, an alternative season of 107 days with a daily bag limit of 1 Canada goose may be selected. For white-fronted geese, these States may select either a season of 86 days with a bag limit of 2 or a 107-day season with a bag limit of 1.

In South Dakota, for Canada geese in the Big Stone Power Plant Area of Canada Goose Unit 3, the daily bag limit is 3 until November 30 and 2 thereafter.

In Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming, States may select seasons not to exceed 107 days. The daily bag limit for dark geese is 5 in the aggregate.

In the Western Goose Zone of Texas, the season may not exceed 107 days. The daily bag limit for Canada geese (or any other dark goose species except white-fronted geese) is 5. The daily bag limit for white-fronted geese is 1.

Pacific Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, Common Moorhens, and Purple Gallinules

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: Concurrent 107 days and daily bag limit of 7 ducks and mergansers, including no more than 2 female mallards, 1 pintail, 4 scaup, 2 redheads. The season on pintails is closed, except one pintail may be included in the daily bag limit for 60 days within the Pacific Flyway duck season. A single pintail may also be included in the 7-bird daily bag limit for designated youth-hunt days. The season on canvasbacks is closed.

The season on coots and common moorhens may be between the outside dates for the season on ducks, but not to exceed 107 days.

Coot, Common Moorhen, and Purple Gallinule Limits: The daily bag and possession limits of coots, common moorhens, and purple gallinules are 25, singly or in the aggregate.

Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21) and the last Sunday in January (January 26).

Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington may select hunting seasons by zones.

Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington may split their seasons into two segments.

Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming may split their seasons into three segments.

Colorado River Zone, California: Seasons and limits shall be the same as seasons and limits selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona (South Zone).

Geese

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: California, Oregon, and Washington: Except as subsequently noted, 100-day seasons may be selected, with outside dates between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 28), and the last Sunday in January (January 26). Basic daily bag limits are 3 light geese and 4 dark geese, except in California, Oregon, and Washington, where the dark goose bag limit does not include brant.

Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day seasons may be selected, with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21), and the last Sunday in January (January 26). Basic daily bag limits are 3 light geese and 4 dark geese.

Split Seasons: Unless otherwise specified, seasons for geese may be split into up to 3 segments. Three-way split seasons for Canada geese and white-fronted geese require Pacific Flyway Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State.

Brant Season—A 16-consecutive-day season may be selected in Oregon. A 16-day season may be selected in Washington, and this season may be split into 2-segments. A 30-consecutive-day season may be selected in California. In these States, the daily bag limit is 2 brant and is in addition to dark goose limits.

Arizona: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.

California:

Northeastern—The daily bag limit is 3 geese and may include no more than 2 dark geese; including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose or 1 Aleutian Canada goose.

Southern California Zone—In the Imperial County Special Management Area, light geese only may be taken from the end of the general goose hunting season through the first Sunday in February (February 2).

Balance-of-the-State Zone—An 86-day season may be selected. Limits may not include more than 3 geese per day, of which not more than 2 may be white-fronted geese and not more than 1 may be a cackling Canada goose or Aleutian Canada goose. Three areas in the Balance-of-the-State Zone are restricted in the hunting of certain geese:

(1) In the Counties of Del Norte and Humboldt, the open season for Canada geese may be 9 days. The daily bag limit shall contain no more than 1 Canada goose, cackling Canada goose or Aleutian Canada goose.

(2) In the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (West), the season on white-fronted geese must end on or before December 14, and, in the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (East), there will be no open season for Canada geese.

(3) In the San Joaquin Valley Special Management Area, there will be no open season for Canada geese.

Oregon: Except as subsequently noted, the dark goose daily bag limit is 4, including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose or Aleutian Canada goose.

Harney, Klamath, Lake, and Malheur County Zone—For Lake County only, the daily dark goose bag limit may not include more than 2 white-fronted geese.

Western Zone—Special Canada Goose Management Area, except for designated areas, there will be no open season on Canada geese. In the designated areas, individual quotas will be established that collectively will not exceed 165 dusky Canada geese. See section on quota zones. In those designated areas, the daily bag limit of dark geese is 4 and may include no more than 1 Aleutian Canada goose.

Closed Zone: Those portions of Coos and Curry Counties south of Bandon and west of US 101 and all of Tillamook County.

Washington: The daily bag limit is 4 geese, including 4 dark geese but not more than 3 light geese.

Southwest Quota Zone—In the Special Goose Management Area, except for designated areas, there will be no open season on Canada geese. In the designated areas, individual quotas will be established that collectively will not exceed 85 dusky Canada geese. See section on quota zones. In this area, the daily bag limit of dark geese is 4 and may include 4 cackling Canada geese. In Southwest Quota Zone Area 2B (Pacific and Grays Harbor Counties) the dark goose bag limit may include 1 Aleutian Canada goose.

Colorado: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3 geese.

Idaho: Northern Unit—The daily bag limit is 4 geese, including 4 dark geese, but not more than 3 light geese.

Southwest Unit and Southeastern Unit—The daily bag limit on dark geese is 4.

Montana:

West of Divide Zone and East of Divide Zone—The daily bag limit of dark geese is 4.

Nevada: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3 except in the Lincoln and Clark County Zone, where the daily bag limit of dark geese is 2.

New Mexico: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.

Utah: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.

Wyoming: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 4.

Quota Zones: Seasons on dark geese must end upon attainment of individual quotas of dusky Canada geese allotted to the designated areas of Oregon and Washington. The September Canada goose season, the regular goose season, any special late dark goose season, and any extended falconry season, combined, must not exceed 107 days, and the established quota of dusky Canada geese must not be exceeded. Hunting of dark geese in those designated areas will only be by hunters possessing a State-issued permit authorizing them to do so. In a Service-approved investigation, the State must obtain quantitative information on hunter compliance of those regulations aimed at reducing the take of dusky Canada geese. If the monitoring program cannot be conducted, for any reason, the season must immediately close. In the designated areas of the Washington Quota Zone, a special late dark goose season may be held between the Saturday following the close of the general goose season and March 10. In the Special Canada Goose Management Area of Oregon, the framework closing date is extended to the Sunday closest to March 1 (March 3). Regular dark goose seasons may be split into 3 segments within the Oregon and Washington quota zones.

Swans

In designated areas of Utah, Nevada, and the Pacific Flyway portion of Montana, an open season for taking a limited number of swans may be selected. Permits will be issued by States and will authorize each permittee to take no more than 1 swan per season. The season may open no earlier than the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 28). The States must implement a harvest-monitoring program to measure the species composition of the swan harvest. In Utah and Nevada, the harvest-monitoring program must require that all harvested swans or their species-determinant parts be examined by either State or Federal biologists for the purpose of species classification. All States should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance in providing bagged swans for examination or, in the case of Montana, reporting bill-measurement and color information. All States must achieve at least an 80-percent compliance rate, or subsequent permits will be reduced by 10 percent. All States must provide to the Service by June 30, 2003, a report covering harvest, hunter participation, reporting compliance, and monitoring of swan populations in the designated hunt areas. These seasons will be subject to the following conditions:

In Utah, no more than 2,000 permits may be issued. The season must end no later than the second Sunday in December (December 8) or upon attainment of 10 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs earliest. Utah must enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Service regarding harvest monitoring, season closure procedures, and education requirements for swan seasons in Utah.

In Nevada, no more than 650 permits may be issued. The season must end no later than the Sunday following January 1 (January 5) or upon attainment of 5 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs earliest.

In Montana, no more than 500 permits may be issued. The season must end no later than December 1.

Tundra Swans

In the Central Flyway portion of Montana, and in North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota (east of the Missouri River), and Virginia, an open season for taking a limited number of tundra swans may be selected. Permits will be issued by States that authorize the take of no more than 1 tundra swan per permit. A second permit may be issued to hunters from unused permits remaining after the first drawing. The States must obtain harvest and hunter participation data. These seasons will be subject to the following conditions:

In the Atlantic Flyway

—The season will be experimental.

—The season may be 90 days, from October 1 to January 31.

—In North Carolina, no more than 5,000 permits may be issued.

—In Virginia, no more than 600 permits may be issued.

In the Central Flyway

—The season may be 107 days, from the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 28) to January 31.

—In the Central Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 500 permits may be issued.

—In North Dakota, no more than 2,000 permits may be issued.

—In South Dakota, no more than 1,500 permits may be issued.

Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions

Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut:

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

South Zone: Remainder of the State.

Maine:

North Zone: That portion north of the line extending east along Maine State Highway 110 from the New Hampshire and Maine border to the intersection of Maine State Highway 11 in Newfield; then north and east along Route 11 to the intersection of U.S. Route 202 in Auburn; then north and east on Route 202 to the intersection of Interstate Highway 95 in Augusta; then north and east along I-95 to Route 15 in Bangor; then east along Route 15 to Route 9; then east along Route 9 to Stony Brook in Baileyville; then east along Stony Brook to the United States border.

South Zone: Remainder of the State.

Massachusetts:

Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut border.

Central Zone: That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St. bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone.

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

New Hampshire:

Coastal Zone: That portion of the State east of a line extending west from the Maine border in Rollinsford on NH 4 to the city of Dover, south to NH 108, south along NH 108 through Madbury, Durham, and Newmarket to NH 85 in Newfields, south to NH 101 in Exeter, east to NH 51 (Exeter-Hampton Expressway), east to I-95 (New Hampshire Turnpike) in Hampton, and south along I-95 to the Massachusetts border.

Inland Zone: That portion of the State north and west of the above boundary and along the Massachusetts border crossing the Connecticut River to Interstate 91 and northward in Vermont to Route 2, east to 102, northward to the Canadian border.

New Jersey:

Coastal Zone: That portion of the State seaward of a line beginning at the New York border in Raritan Bay and extending west along the New York border to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west on NJ 440 to the Garden State Parkway; south on the Garden State Parkway to the shoreline at Cape May and continuing to the Delaware border in Delaware Bay.

North Zone: That portion of the State west of the Coastal Zone and north of a line extending west from the Garden State Parkway on NJ 70 to the New Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike to U.S. 206, north on U.S. 206 to U.S. 1 at Trenton, west on U.S. 1 to the Pennsylvania border in the Delaware River.

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

New York:

Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border.

Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their tidal waters.

Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along I-81 to the Pennsylvania border.

Northeastern Zone: That area north of a line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81 to NY 31, east along NY 31 to NY 13, north along NY 13 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.

Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.

Pennsylvania:

Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters of Pennsylvania and a shoreline margin along Lake Erie from New York on the east to Ohio on the west extending 150 yards inland, but including all of Presque Isle Peninsula.

Northwest Zone: The area bounded on the north by the Lake Erie Zone and including all of Erie and Crawford Counties and those portions of Mercer and Venango Counties north of I-80.

North Zone: That portion of the State east of the Northwest Zone and north of a line extending east on I-80 to U.S. 220, Route 220 to I-180, I-180 to I-80, and I-80 to the Delaware River.

South Zone: The remaining portion of Pennsylvania.

Vermont:

Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that area north and west of the line extending from the New York border along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes; U.S. 7 to the Canadian border.

Interior Zone: That portion of Vermont west of the Lake Champlain Zone and eastward of a line extending from the Massachusetts border at Interstate 91; north along Interstate 91 to U.S. 2; east along U.S. 2 to VT 102; north along VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 253 to the Canadian border.

Connecticut River Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont east of the Interior Zone.

West Virginia:

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

Zone 2 (Allegheny Mountain Upland): That area bounded by a line extending south along U.S. 220 through Keyser to U.S. 50; U.S. 50 to WV 93; WV 93 south to WV 42; WV 42 south to Petersburg; WV 28 south to Minnehaha Springs; WV 39 west to U.S. 219; U.S. 219 south to I-64; I-64 west to U.S. 60; U.S. 60 west to U.S. 19; U.S. 19 north to I-79, I-79 north to I-68; I-68 east to the Maryland border; and along the border to the point of beginning.

Mississippi Flyway

Alabama:

South Zone: Mobile and Baldwin Counties.

North Zone: The remainder of Alabama.

Illinois:

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Iowa border along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate Highway 280, east along I-280 to I-80, then east along I-80 to the Indiana border.

Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Zone to a line extending east from the Missouri border along the Modoc Ferry route to Modoc Ferry Road, east along Modoc Ferry Road to Modoc Road, northeasterly along Modoc Road and St. Leo's Road to Illinois Highway 3, north along Illinois 3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159 to Illinois 161, east along Illinois 161 to Illinois 4, north along Illinois 4 to Interstate Highway 70, east along I-70 to the Bond County line, north and east along the Bond County line to Fayette County, north and east along the Fayette County line to Effingham County, east and south along the Effingham County line to I-70, then east along I-70 to the Indiana border.

South Zone: The remainder of Illinois.

Indiana:

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. Highway 31, north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to Huntington, then southeast along U.S. 224 to the Ohio border.

Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 64 to New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State Road 56, east along State Road 56 to Vevay, east and north on State 156 along the Ohio River to North Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Highway 50, then northeast along U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.

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

Iowa:

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State Highway 37, southeast along State Highway 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border.

South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.

Kentucky:

West Zone: All counties west of and including Butler, Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and Warren Counties.

East Zone: The remainder of Kentucky.

Louisiana:

West Zone: That portion of the State west and south of a line extending south from the Arkansas border along Louisiana Highway 3 to Bossier City, east along Interstate Highway 20 to Minden, south along Louisiana 7 to Ringgold, east along Louisiana 4 to Jonesboro, south along U.S. Highway 167 to Lafayette, southeast along U.S. 90 to the Mississippi State line.

East Zone: The remainder of Louisiana.

Catahoula Lake Area: All of Catahoula Lake, including those portions known locally as Round Prairie, Catfish Prairie, and Frazier's Arm. See State regulations for additional information.

Michigan:

North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.

Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly and southerly along the south shore of Stony Creek to Scenic Drive, easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of Midland, easterly along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, easterly along U.S. 10 to Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, northerly along I-75/U.S. 23 to the U.S. 23 exit at Standish, easterly along U.S. 23 to the centerline of the Au Gres River, then southerly along the centerline of the Au Gres River to Saginaw Bay, then on a line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a line directly northeast to the Canadian border.

South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.

Missouri:

North Zone: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west from the Illinois border (Lock and Dam 25) on Lincoln County Highway N to Missouri Highway 79; south on Missouri Highway 79 to Missouri Highway 47; west on Missouri Highway 47 to Interstate 70; west on Interstate 70 to U.S. Highway 54; south on U.S. Highway 54 to U.S. Highway 50; west on U.S. Highway 50 to the Kansas border.

South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west from the Illinois border on Missouri Highway 34 to Interstate 55; south on Interstate 55 to U.S. Highway 62; west on U.S. Highway 62 to Missouri Highway 53; north on Missouri Highway 53 to Missouri Highway 51; north on Missouri Highway 51 to U.S. Highway 60; west on U.S. Highway 60 to Missouri Highway 21; north on Missouri Highway 21 to Missouri Highway 72; west on Missouri Highway 72 to Missouri Highway 32; west on Missouri Highway 32 to U.S. Highway 65; north on U.S. Highway 65 to U.S. Highway 54; west on U.S. Highway 54 to the Kansas border.

Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri.

Ohio:

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Indiana border along U.S. Highway 30 to State Route 37, south along SR 37 to SR 95, east along SR 95 to LaRue-Prospect Road, east along LaRue-Prospect Road to SR 203, south along SR 203 to SR 739, east along SR 739 to SR 4, north along SR 4 to SR 309, east along SR 309 to U.S. 23, north along U.S. 23 to SR 231, north along SR 231 to U.S. 30, east along U.S. 30 to SR 42, north along SR 42 to SR 603, south along SR 603 to U.S. 30, east along U.S. 30 to SR 60, south along SR 60 to SR 39/60, east along SR 39/60 to SR 39, east along SR 39 to SR 241, east along SR 241 to U.S. 30, then east along U.S. 30 to the West Virginia border.

South Zone: The remainder of Ohio.

Tennessee:

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

State Zone: The remainder of Tennessee.

Wisconsin:

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Minnesota border along State Highway 77 to State 27, south along State 27 and 77 to U.S. Highway 63, and continuing south along State 27 to Sawyer County Road B, south and east along County B to State 70, southwest along State 70 to State 27, south along State 27 to State 64, west along State 64/27 and south along State 27 to U.S. 12, south and east on State 27/U.S. 12 to U.S. 10, east on U.S. 10 to State 310, east along State 310 to State 42, north along State 42 to State 147, north along State 147 to State 163, north along State 163 to Kewaunee County Trunk A, north along County Trunk A to State 57, north along State 57 to the Kewaunee/Door County Line, west along the Kewaunee/Door County Line to the Door/Brown County Line, west along the Door/Brown County Line to the Door/Oconto/Brown County Line, northeast along the Door/Oconto County Line to the Marinette/Door County Line, northeast along the Marinette/Door County Line to the Michigan border.

South Zone: The remainder of Wisconsin.

Central Flyway

Kansas:

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

Low Plains Early Zone: That area of Kansas east of U.S. 283, and generally west of a line beginning at the Junction of the Nebraska border and KS 28; south on KS 28 to U.S. 36; east on U.S. 36 to KS 199; south on KS 199 to Republic Co. Road 563; south on Republic Co. Road 563 to KS 148; east on KS 148 to Republic Co. Road 138; south on Republic Co. Road 138 to Cloud Co. Road 765; south on Cloud Co. Road 765 to KS 9; west on KS 9 to U.S. 24; west on U.S. 24 to U.S. 281; north on U.S. 281 to U.S. 36; west on U.S. 36 to U.S. 183; south on U.S. 183 to U.S. 24; west on U.S. 24 to KS 18; southeast on KS 18 to U.S. 183; south on U.S. 183 to KS 4; east on KS 4 to I-135; south on I-135 to KS 61; southwest on KS 61 to KS 96; northwest on KS 96 to U.S. 56; west on U.S. 56 to U.S. 281; south on U.S. 281 to U.S. 54; and west on U.S. 54 to U.S. 183; north on U.S. 183 to U.S. 56; southwest on U.S. 56 to U.S. 283.

Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder of Kansas.

Montana (Central Flyway Portion):

Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, McCone, Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, and Yellowstone.

Zone 2: The remainder of Montana.

Nebraska:

High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of highways U.S. 183 and U.S. 20 from the South Dakota border to Ainsworth, NE 7 and NE 91 to Dunning, NE 2 to Merna, NE 92 to Arnold, NE 40 and NE 47 through Gothenburg to NE 23, NE 23 to Elwood, and U.S. 283 to the Kansas border.

Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High Plains Zone and north and west of a line extending from the South Dakota border along NE 26E Spur to NE 12, west on NE 12 to the Knox/Boyd County line, south along the county line to the Niobrara River and along the Niobrara River to U.S. 183 (the High Plains Zone line). Where the Niobrara River forms the boundary, both banks will be in Zone 1.

Low Plains Zone 2: Area bounded by designated Federal and State highway's and political boundaries beginning at the Kansas-Nebraska border on U.S. Hwy. 73; north to NE Hwy. 67 north to U.S. Hwy 136; east to the Steamboat Trace (Trace); north to Federal Levee R-562; north and west to the Trace/Burlington Northern Railroad right-of-way; north to NE Hwy 2; west to U.S. Hwy 75; north to NE Hwy. 2; west to NE Hwy. 43; north to U.S. Hwy. 34; east to NE Hwy. 63; north and west to U.S. Hwy. 77; north to NE Hwy. 92; west to U.S. Hwy. 81; south to NE Hwy. 66; west to NE Hwy. 14; south to U.S. Hwy 34; west to NE Hwy. 2; south to U.S. Hwy. I-80; west to Gunbarrrel Rd. (Hall/Hamilton county line); south to Giltner Rd.; west to U.S. Hwy. 281; south to U.S. Hwy. 34; west to NE Hwy 10; north to County Road “R” (Kearney County) and County Road #742 (Phelps County); west to County Road #438 (Gosper County line); south along County Road #438 (Gosper County line) to County Road #726 (Furnas County Line); east to County Road #438 (Harlan County Line); south to U. S. Hwy 34; south and west to U.S. Hwy. 136; east to NE Hwy. 10; south to the Kansas-Nebraska border.

Low Plains Zone 3: The area east of the High Plains Zone, excluding Low Plains Zone 1, north of Low Plains Zone 2.

Low Plains Zone 4: The area east of the High Plains Zone and south of Zone 2.

New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion):

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

South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.

North Dakota:

High Plains Unit: That portion of the State south and west of a line from the South Dakota border along U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41, north to U.S. 2, west to the Williams/Divide County line, then north along the County line to the Canadian border.

Low Plains: The remainder of North Dakota.

Oklahoma:

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

Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High Plains Zone and north of a line extending east from the Texas border along OK 33 to OK 47, east along OK 47 to U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to I-40, east along I-40 to U.S. 177, north along U.S. 177 to OK 33, west along OK 33 to I-35, north along I-35 to U.S. 412, west along U.S. 412 to OK 132, then north along OK 132 to the Kansas border.

Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of Oklahoma.

South Dakota:

High Plains Unit: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the North Dakota border and extending south along U.S. 83 to U.S. 14, east along U.S. 14 to Blunt-Canning Road in Blunt, south along Blunt-Canning Road to SD 34, east to SD 47, south to I-90, east to SD 47, south to SD 49, south to Colome and then continuing south on U.S. 183 to the Nebraska border.

North Zone: That portion of northeastern South Dakota east of the High Plains Unit and north of a line extending east along US 212 to the Minnesota border.

South Zone: That portion of Gregory County east of SD 47, Charles Mix County south of SD 44 to the Douglas County line, south on SD 50 to Geddes, east on the Geddes Hwy. to U.S. 281, south on U.S. 281 and U.S. 18 to SD 50, south and east on SD 50 to Bon Homme County line, the Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton, and Clay south of SD 50, and Union County south and west of SD 50 and I-29.

Middle Zone: The remainder of South Dakota.

Texas:

High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending south from the Oklahoma border along U.S. 183 to Vernon, south along U.S. 283 to Albany, south along TX 6 to TX 351 to Abilene, south along U.S. 277 to Del Rio, then south along the Del Rio International Toll Bridge access road to the Mexico border.

Low Plains North Zone: That portion of northeastern Texas east of the High Plains Zone and north of a line beginning at the International Toll Bridge south of Del Rio, then extending east on U.S. 90 to San Antonio, then continuing east on I-10 to the Louisiana border at Orange, Texas.

Low Plains South Zone: The remainder of Texas.

Wyoming (Central Flyway portion):

Zone 1: The Counties of Converse, Goshen, Hot Springs, Natrona, Platte, and Washakie Counties; and the portion of Park County east of the Shoshone National Forest boundary and south of a line beginning where the Shoshone National Forest boundary meets Park County Road 8VC, east along Park County Road 8VC to Park County Road 1AB, continuing east along Park County Road 1AB to Wyoming Highway 120, north along WY Highway 120 to WY Highway 294, south along WY Highway 294 to Lane 9, east along Lane 9 to Powel and WY Highway 14A, and finally east along WY Highway 14A to the Park County and Big Horn County line.

Zone 2: The reminder of Wyoming.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona—Game Management Units (GMU) as follows:

South Zone: Those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 in Yavapai County, and GMUs 10 and 12B-45.

North Zone: GMUs 1-5, those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 within Coconino County, and GMUs 7, 9, 12A.

California:

Northeastern Zone: In that portion of California lying east and north of a line beginning at the intersection of the Klamath River with the California-Oregon line; south and west along the Klamath River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; along Shovel Creek to its intersection with Forest Service Road 46N05 at Burnt Camp; west to its junction with Forest Service Road 46N10; south and east to its Junction with County Road 7K007; south and west to its junction with Forest Service Road 45N22; south and west to its junction with Highway 97 and Grass Lake Summit; south along to its junction with Interstate 5 at the town of Weed; south to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to main street Greenville; north and east to its junction with North Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-Nevada state line; north along the California-Nevada state line to the junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon state lines west along the California-Oregon state line to the point of origin

Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as “Aqueduct Road” in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in Riverside County as the “Desert Center to Rice Road” to the town of Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.

Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada border.

Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.

Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.

Idaho:

Zone 1: Includes all lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.

Zone 2: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties: Adams; Bear Lake; Benewah; Bingham within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; those portions of Blaine west of ID 75, south and east of U.S. 93, and between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 outside the Silver Creek drainage; Bonner; Bonneville; Boundary; Butte; Camas; Caribou except the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Cassia within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Clark; Clearwater; Custer; Elmore within the Camas Creek drainage; Franklin; Fremont; Idaho; Jefferson; Kootenai; Latah; Lemhi; Lewis; Madison; Nez Perce; Oneida; Power within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Shoshone; Teton; and Valley Counties.

Zone 3: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties: Ada; Blaine between ID 75 and U.S. 93 south of U.S. 20 and that additional area between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 within the Silver Creek drainage; Boise; Canyon; Cassia except within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Elmore except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee; Payette; Power west of ID 37 and ID 39 except that portion within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Twin Falls; and Washington Counties.

Nevada:

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

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

Oregon:

Zone 1: Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane, Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine, Jackson, Linn, Benton, Polk, Marion, Yamhill, Washington, Columbia, Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow and Umatilla Counties.

Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Gilliam, Morrow, and Umatilla Counties.

Zone 2: The remainder of the State.

Utah:

Zone 1: All of Box Elder, Cache, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Morgan, Rich, Salt Lake, Summit, Unitah, Utah, Wasatch, and Weber Counties and that part of Toole County north of I-80.

Zone 2: The remainder of Utah.

Washington:

East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.

Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Same as East Zone.

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

Geese

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut:

NAP L-Unit: That portion of Fairfield County north of Interstate 95 and that portion of New Haven County: starting at I-95 bridge on Housatonic River; north of Interstate 95; west of Route 10 to the intersection of Interstate 691; west along Interstate 691 to Interstate 84; west and south on Interstate 84 to Route 67; north along Route 67 to the Litchfield County line, then extending west along the Litchfield County line to the Shepaug River, then south to the intersection of the Litchfield and Fairfield County lines.

NAP H-Unit: All of the rest of the State not included in the AP or NAP-L descriptions.

AP Unit: Litchfield County and the portion of Hartford County, west of a line beginning at the Massachusetts border in Suffield and extending south along Route 159 to its intersection with Route 91 in Hartford, and then extending south along Route 91 to its intersection with the Hartford/Middlesex County line.

South Zone: Same as for ducks.

North Zone: Same as for ducks.

Maryland:

SJBP Zone: Allegheny, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Washington counties and the portion of Montgomery County south of Interstate 270 and west of Interstate 495 to the Potomac River.

AP Zone: Remainder of the State.

Massachusetts:

NAP Zone: Central Zone (same as for ducks) and that portion of the Coastal Zone that lies north of route 139 from Green Harbor.

AP Zone: Remainder of the State.

Special Late Season Area: That portion of the Coastal Zone (see duck zones) that lies north of Route 14, east of St. George Road, and east of the Powder Point Bridge.

New Hampshire:

Same zones as for ducks.

New Jersey:

North—that portion of the State within a continuous line that runs east along the New York State boundary line to the Hudson River; then south along the New York State boundary to its intersection with Route 440 at Perth Amboy; then west on Route 440 to its intersection with Route 287; then west along Route 287 to its intersection with Route 206 in Bedminster (Exit 18); then north along Route 206 to its intersection with Route 94: then west along Route 94 to the tollbridge in Columbia; then north along the Pennsylvania State boundary in the Delaware River to the beginning point.

South—that portion of the State within a continuous line that runs west from the Atlantic Ocean at Ship Bottom along Route 72 to Route 70; then west along Route 70 to Route 206; then south along Route 206 to Route 536; then west along Route 536 to Route 322; then west along Route 322 to Route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 553 (Buck Road); then south along Route 553 to Route 40; then east along Route 40 to Route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 552 (Sherman Avenue); then west along Route 552 to Carmel Road; then south along Carmel Road to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 555; then south along Route 555 to Route 553; then east along Route 553 to Route 649; then north along Route 649 to Route 670; then east along Route 670 to Route 47; then north along Route 47 to Route 548; then east along Route 548 to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 50; then south along Route 50 to Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route 625 (Sea Isle City Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to the Atlantic Ocean; then north to the beginning point.

New York:

Special Late Season Area for Canada Geese: All of Tioga and Broome Counties; and that area of Chemung County lying east of a continuous line extending southeast along Route 224 from the Schuyler County line to Route 34, then south along Route 34 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary; and that area of Delaware, Sullivan, and Orange Counties lying southwest of a continuous line extending east along State Route 17 from the Broome County line to U.S. Route 209 at Wurtsboro and then south along Route 209 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary at Port Jervis, excluding areas on or within 50 yards of the Delaware River between the confluence of the West Branch and East Branch below Hancock and the mouth of the Shingle Kill (3 miles upstream from Port Jervis); and that area of Orange, Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester Counties lying southeast of a continuous line extending north along State Route 17 from the New York-New Jersey boundary at Suffern to Interstate Route 87, then north along Route 87 to Interstate Route 84, then east along Route 84 to the northern boundary of Putnam County, then east along that boundary to the New York-Connecticut boundary; and that area of Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying north of State Route 25A and west of a continuous line extending northward from State Route 25A along Randall Road (near Shoreham) to North Country Road, then east to Sound Road and then north to Long Island Sound and then due north to the New York-Connecticut boundary.

Long Island (NAP) Zone: Same as Long Island Duck Zone.

Southwest (SJBP) Zone: All of Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua Counties; and that area of Niagara, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, Schuyler, Chemung and Tioga Counties lying south and west of a continuous line extending from the New York-Ontario boundary near Lewiston east along Interstate Route 190 to Route 31, then east along Route 31 to Route 78 in Lockport, then south along Route 78 to the Niagara-Erie County boundary (Tonawanda Creek), then east along the Niagara-Erie County boundary to Route 93, then south along Route 93 to Route 5, then east along Route 5 to Crittenden-Murrays Corners Road, then south along Crittenden-Murrays Corners Road to the NY State Thruway, then east along the Thruway to Route 98 at Batavia, then south along Route 98 to Route 20, then east along Route 20 to Route 19, then south along Route 19 to Route 63, then southeast along Route 63 to Route 246, then south along Route 246 to Route 39, then southwest along Route 39 to Route 19A, then south and east along Route 19A to Route 436, then east along Route 436 to Route 36 in Dansville, then south along Route 36 to Route 17, then east along Route 17 to Belfast Street in Bath, then east along Belfast Street to Route 415 (Washington Street), then east along Route 415 to Route 54, then northeast along Route 54 to Steuben County Route 87, then east along Route 87 to Steuben County Route 96, then east along Route 96 to Steuben County Route 114, then east along Route 114 to Schuyler County Route 23, then east along Route 23 to Schuyler County Route 28, then southeast along Route 28 to Route 409 at Watkins Glen, then southeast along Route 409 to Route 14, then south along Route 14 to Route 224, then southeast along Route 224 to Route 34 at Van Etten, then south along Route 34 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary.

AP Zone: Remainder of the State.

North Carolina:

SJBP Hunt Zone: Includes the following counties or portions of counties: Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Halifax (that portion east of NC 903), Iredell (that portion south of Interstate 40), Montgomery (that portion west of NC 109), Northampton (all of the county with the exception of that portion that is both north of US 158 and east of NC 35), Richmond (that portion south of NC 73 and west of US 220 and north of US 74), Rowan, Stanly, Union, and Wake.

RP Hunt Zone: Includes the following counties or portions of counties: Alamance, Alleghany, Alexander, Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie (that portion south and west of a line formed by NC 45 at the Washington Co. line to US 17 in Midway, US 17 in Midway to US 13 in Windsor, US 13 in Windsor to the Hertford Co. line), Bladen, Brunswick, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Carteret, Caswell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Davie, Duplin, Edgecombe, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Gates, Graham, Granville, Greene, Guilford, Halifax (that portion west of NC 903), Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Hertford, Hoke, Iredell (that portion north of Interstate 40), Jackson, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Lincoln, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Martin, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Montgomery (that portion that is east of NC 109), Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico, Pender, Person, Pitt, Polk, Randolph, Richmond (all of the county with exception of that portion that is south of NC 73 and west of US 220 and north of US 74), Robeson, Rockingham, Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Vance, Warren, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes, Wilson, Yadkin, and Yancey.

Northeast Hunt Unit: Includes the following counties or portions of counties: Bertie (that portion north and east of a line formed by NC 45 at the Washington Co. line to US 17 in Midway, US 17 in Midway to US 13 in Windsor, US 13 in Windsor to the Hertford Co. line), Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Northampton (that portion that is both north of US 158 and east of NC 35), Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington.

Pennsylvania:

Resident Canada Goose Zone: All of Pennsylvania except for Crawford, Erie, and Mercer counties and the area east of I-83 from the Maryland state line to the intersection of US Route 30 to the intersection of SR 441 to intersection of I-283, east of I-283 to I-83, east of I-83 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to the intersection of US Route 322, east of US Route 322 to intersection of SR 147, east of SR 147 to intersection of I-180, east of I-180 to intersection of US Route 220, east of US Route 220 to the New York state line.

SJBP Zone: Erie, Mercer and Crawford Counties except for the Pymatuning Zone (the area south of SR 198 from the Ohio state line to intersection of SR 18 to intersection of US Route 322/SR 18, to intersection of SR 3013, south to the Crawford/Mercer County line).

Pymatuning Zone: The area south of SR 198 from the Ohio state line to intersection of SR 18 to intersection of US Route 322/SR 18, to intersection of SR 3013, south to the Crawford/Mercer County line.

AP Zone: The area east of I-83 from the Maryland state line to the intersection of US Route 30 to the intersection of SR 441 to intersection of I-283, east of I-283 to I-83, east of I-83 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to the intersection of US Route 322, east of US Route 322 to intersection of SR 147, east of SR 147 to intersection of I-180, east of I-180 to intersection of US Route 220, east of US Route 220 to the New York state line.

Special Late Canada Goose Season Area: The SJBP zone (excluding the Pymatuning zone) and the northern portion of the AP zone defined as east of US Route 220 from the New York state line, east of US Route 220 to intersection of I-180, east of I-180 to intersection of SR 147, east of SR 147 to intersection of US Route 322, east of US Route 322 to intersection of I-81, north of I-81 to intersection of I-80, and north of I-80 to the New Jersey state line.

Rhode Island:

Special Area for Canada Geese: Kent and Providence Counties and portions of the towns of Exeter and North Kingston within Washington County (see State regulations for detailed descriptions).

South Carolina:

Canada Goose Area: Statewide except for Clarendon County and that portion of Lake Marion in Orangeburg County and Berkeley County.

Vermont:

Same zones as for ducks.

Virginia:

AP Zone: The area east and south of the following line—the Stafford County line from the Potomac River west to Interstate 95 at Fredericksburg, then south along Interstate 95 to Petersburg, then Route 460 (SE) to City of Suffolk, then south along Route 32 to the North Carolina line.

SJBP Zone: The area to the west of the AP Zone boundary and east of the following line: the “Blue Ridge” (mountain spine) at the West Virginia-Virginia Border (Loudoun County—Clarke County line) south to Interstate 64 (the Blue Ridge line follows county borders along the western edge of Loudoun-Fauquier-Rappahannock-Madison-Greene-Albemarle and into Nelson Counties), then east along Interstate Rt. 64 to Route 15, then south along Rt. 15 to the North Carolina line.

RP Zone: The remainder of the State west of the SJBP Zone.

Back Bay Area: The waters of Back Bay and its tributaries and the marshes adjacent thereto, and on the land and marshes between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean from Sandbridge to the North Carolina line, and on and along the shore of North Landing River and the marshes adjacent thereto, and on and along the shores of Binson Inlet Lake (formerly known as Lake Tecumseh) and Red Wing Lake and the marshes adjacent thereto.

West Virginia:

Same zones as for ducks.

Mississippi Flyway

Alabama:

Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:

SJBP Zone: That portion of Morgan County east of U.S. Highway 31, north of State Highway 36, and west of U.S. 231; that portion of Limestone County south of U.S. 72; and that portion of Madison County south of Swancott Road and west of Triana Road.

Arkansas:

Northwest Zone: Benton, Carroll, Baxter, Washington, Madison, Newton, Crawford, Van Buren, Searcy, Sebastion, Scott, Franklin, Logan, Johnson, Pope, Yell, Conway, Perry, Faulkner, Pulaski, Boone, and Marion Counties.

Illinois:

Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:

North Zone: Northern Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties north of Interstate Highway 80.

Central Zone: Central Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of Grundy, Woodford, Peoria, Knox, Fulton, Tazewell, Mason, Cass, Morgan, Pike, Calhoun, and Jersey, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties south of Interstate Highway 80.

South Zone: Southern Illinois Quota Zone: Alexander, Jackson, Union, and Williamson Counties.

Rend Lake Quota Zone: Franklin and Jefferson Counties.

Indiana:

Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:

SJBP Zone: Jasper, LaGrange, LaPorte, Starke, and Steuben Counties, and that portion of the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in Pulaski County.

Iowa:

Same zones as for ducks.

Kentucky:

Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the Tennessee border at Fulton and extending north along the Purchase Parkway to Interstate Highway 24, east along I-24 to U.S. Highway 641, north along U.S. 641 to U.S. 60, northeast along U.S. 60 to the Henderson County line, then south, east, and northerly along the Henderson County line to the Indiana border.

Ballard Reporting Area: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the northwest city limits of Wickliffe in Ballard County and extending westward to the middle of the Mississippi River, north along the Mississippi River and along the low-water mark of the Ohio River on the Illinois shore to the Ballard-McCracken County line, south along the county line to Kentucky Highway 358, south along Kentucky 358 to U.S. Highway 60 at LaCenter; then southwest along U.S. 60 to the northeast city limits of Wickliffe.

Henderson-Union Reporting Area: Henderson County and that portion of Union County within the Western Zone.

Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone: Butler, Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and Warren Counties and all counties lying west to the boundary of the Western Goose Zone.

Michigan:

MVP Zone: The MVP Zone consists of an area north and west of the point beginning at the southwest corner of Branch county, north continuing along the western border of Branch and Calhoun counties to the northwest corner of Calhoun county, then easterly to the southwest corner of Eaton county, then northerly to the southern border of Ionia county, then easterly to the southwest corner of Clinton county, then northerly along the western border of Clinton County continuing northerly along the county border of Gratiot and Montcalm counties to the southern border of Isabella county, then easterly to the southwest corner of Midland county, then northerly along the west Midland county border to Highway M-20, then easterly to U.S. Highway 10, then easterly to U.S. Interstate 75/U.S. Highway 23, then northerly along I-75/U.S. 23 to the U.S. 23 exit at Standish, then easterly on U.S. 23 to the centerline of the Au Gres River, then southerly along the centerline of the Au Gres River to Saginaw Bay, then on a line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a line directly northeast to the Canadian border.

SJBP Zone is the rest of the state, that area south and east of the boundary described above.

Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU): Those portions of Tuscola and Huron Counties bounded on the south by Michigan Highway 138 and Bay City Road, on the east by Colwood and Bay Port Roads, on the north by Kilmanagh Road and a line extending directly west off the end of Kilmanagh Road into Saginaw Bay to the west boundary, and on the west by the Tuscola-Bay County line and a line extending directly north off the end of the Tuscola-Bay County line into Saginaw Bay to the north boundary.

Allegan County GMU: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate Highway 196 in Lake Town Township and extending easterly along 136th Avenue to Michigan Highway 40, southerly along Michigan 40 through the city of Allegan to 108th Avenue in Trowbridge Township, westerly along 108th Avenue to 46th Street, northerly 1/2 mile along 46th Street to 109th Avenue, westerly along 109th Avenue to I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly along I-196 to the point of beginning.

Saginaw County GMU: That portion of Saginaw County bounded by Michigan Highway 46 on the north; Michigan 52 on the west; Michigan 57 on the south; and Michigan 13 on the east.

Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That portion of Muskegon County within the boundaries of the Muskegon County wastewater system, east of the Muskegon State Game Area, in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, and 32, T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, and 25, T10N R15W, as posted.

Special Canada Goose Seasons: Southern Michigan GMU: That portion of the State, including the Great Lakes and interconnecting waterways and excluding the Allegan County GMU, south of a line beginning at the Ontario border at the Bluewater Bridge in the city of Port Huron and extending westerly and southerly along Interstate Highway 94 to I-69, westerly along I-69 to Michigan Highway 21, westerly along Michigan 21 to I-96, northerly along I-96 to I-196, westerly along I-196 to Lake Michigan Drive (M-45) in Grand Rapids, westerly along Lake Michigan Drive to the Lake Michigan shore, then directly west from the end of Lake Michigan Drive to the Wisconsin border.

Central Michigan GMU: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of the Southern Michigan GMU but south of a line beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly and southerly along the south shore of Stony Creek to Scenic Drive, easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, easterly along Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of Midland, easterly along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, easterly along U.S. 10 to Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, northerly along I-75/U.S. 23 to the U.S. 23 exit at Standish, easterly along U.S. 23 to the centerline of the Au Gres River, then southerly along the centerline of the Au Gres River to Saginaw Bay, then on a line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a line directly northeast to the Canadian border, excluding the Tuscola/Huron GMU, Saginaw County GMU, and Muskegon Wastewater GMU.

Minnesota:

West Zone: That portion of the state encompassed by a line beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa border, then north and east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, north along U.S. 71 to Interstate Highway 94, then north and west along I-94 to the North Dakota border.

West Central Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 29 and U.S. Highway 212 and extending west along U.S. 212 to U.S. 59, south along U.S. 59 to STH 67, west along STH 67 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 30 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 30 to the western boundary of the State, north along the western boundary of the State to a point due south of the intersection of STH 7 and CSAH 7 in Big Stone County, and continuing due north to said intersection, then north along CSAH 7 to CSAH 6 in Big Stone County, east along CSAH 6 to CSAH 21 in Big Stone County, south along CSAH 21 to CSAH 10 in Big Stone County, east along CSAH 10 to CSAH 22 in Swift County, east along CSAH 22 to CSAH 5 in Swift County, south along CSAH 5 to U.S. 12, east along U.S. 12 to CSAH 17 in Swift County, south along CSAH 17 to CSAH 9 in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to STH 40, east along STH 40 to STH 29, then south along STH 29 to the point of beginning.

Lac qui Parle Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 212 and County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 27 in Lac qui Parle County and extending north along CSAH 27 to CSAH 20 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 20 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 40, north along STH 40 to STH 119, north along STH 119 to CSAH 34 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 34 to CSAH 19 in Lac qui Parle County, north and west along CSAH 19 to CSAH 38 in Lac qui Parle County, west and north along CSAH 38 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to STH 7, east along STH 7 to CSAH 6 in Swift County, east along CSAH 6 to County Road 65 in Swift County, south along County 65 to County 34 in Chippewa County, south along County 34 to CSAH 12 in Chippewa County, east along CSAH 12 to CSAH 9 in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to STH 7, southeast along STH 7 to Montevideo and along the municipal boundary of Montevideo to U.S. 212; then west along U.S. 212 to the point of beginning.

Northwest Zone: That portion of the state encompassed by a line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.

Special Canada Goose Seasons:

Southeast Zone: That part of the State within the following described boundaries: beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 52 and the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; thence along the U.S. Highway 52 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 57; thence along STH 57 to the municipal boundary of Kasson; thence along the municipal boundary of Kasson County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 13, Dodge County; thence along CSAH 13 to STH 30; thence along STH 30 to U.S. Highway 63; thence along U.S. Highway 63 to the south boundary of the State; thence along the south and east boundaries of the State to the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; thence along said boundary to the point of beginning.

Missouri: Same zones as for ducks but in addition:

North Zone: Swan Lake Zone: That area bounded by U.S. Highway 36 on the north, Missouri Highway 5 on the east, Missouri 240 and U.S. 65 on the south, and U.S. 65 on the west.

Middle Zone: Southeast Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of Missouri Highway (MO) 34 and Interstate 55 and extending south along I-55 to U.S. Highway 62, west along U.S. 62 to MO 53, north along MO 53 to MO 51, north along MO 51 to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to MO 21, north along MO 21 to MO 72, east along MO 72 to MO 34, then east along MO 34 to I-55.

Ohio: Same zones as for ducks but in addition:

North Zone: Lake Erie SJBP Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line beginning in Lucas County at the Michigan State line on I-75, and extending south along I-75 to I-280, south along I-280 to I-80, east along I-80 to the Pennsylvania State line in Trumbull County, north along the Pennsylvania State line to SR 6 in Ashtabula County, west along SR 6 to the Lake/Cuyahoga County line, north along the Lake/Cuyahoga County line to the shore of Lake Erie.

Tennessee:

Southwest Zone: That portion of the State south of State Highways 20 and 104, and west of U.S. Highways 45 and 45W.

Northwest Zone: Lake, Obion and Weakley Counties and those portions of Gibson and Dyer Counties not included in the Southwest Tennessee Zone.

Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone: That portion of the State bounded on the west by the eastern boundaries of the Northwest and Southwest Zones and on the east by State Highway 13 from the Alabama border to Clarksville and U.S. Highway 79 from Clarksville to the Kentucky border.

Wisconsin:

Same zones as for ducks but in addition:

Horicon Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of State Highway 21 and the Fox River in Winnebago County and extending westerly along State 21 to the west boundary of Winnebago County, southerly along the west boundary of Winnebago County to the north boundary of Green Lake County, westerly along the north boundaries of Green Lake and Marquette Counties to State 22, southerly along State 22 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to Interstate Highway 39, southerly along Interstate Highway 39 to Interstate Highway 90/94, southerly along I-90/94 to State 60, easterly along State 60 to State 83, northerly along State 83 to State 175, northerly along State 175 to State 33, easterly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 45, northerly along U.S. 45 to the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River, northerly along the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River to Lake Winnebago, northerly along the western shoreline of Lake Winnebago to the Fox River, then westerly along the Fox River to State 21.

Collins Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of Hilltop Road and Collins Marsh Road in Manitowoc County and extending westerly along Hilltop Road to Humpty Dumpty Road, southerly along Humpty Dumpty Road to Poplar Grove Road, easterly and southerly along Poplar Grove Road to County Highway JJ, southeasterly along County JJ to Collins Road, southerly along Collins Road to the Manitowoc River, southeasterly along the Manitowoc River to Quarry Road, northerly along Quarry Road to Einberger Road, northerly along Einberger Road to Moschel Road, westerly along Moschel Road to Collins Marsh Road, northerly along Collins Marsh Road to Hilltop Road.

Exterior Zone: That portion of the State not included in the Horicon or Collins Zones.

Mississippi River Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway and the Illinois border in Grant County and extending northerly along the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway to the city limit of Prescott in Pierce County, then west along the Prescott city limit to the Minnesota border.

Rock Prairie Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of the Illinois border and Interstate Highway 90 and extending north along I-90 to County Highway A, east along County A to U.S. Highway 12, southeast along U.S. 12 to State Highway 50, west along State 50 to State 120, then south along 120 to the Illinois border.

Brown County Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of the Fox River with Green Bay in Brown County and extending southerly along the Fox River to State Highway 29, northwesterly along State 29 to the Brown County line, south, east, and north along the Brown County line to Green Bay, due west to the midpoint of the Green Bay Ship Channel, then southwesterly along the Green Bay Ship Channel to the Fox River.

Central Flyway

Colorado (Central Flyway Portion):

Northern Front Range Area: All lands in Adams, Boulder, Clear Creek, Denver, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties west of I-25 from the Wyoming border south to I-70; west on I-70 to the Continental Divide; north along the Continental Divide to the Jackson-Larimer County Line to the Wyoming border.

South Park/San Luis Valley Area: Alamosa, Chaffee, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, Teller, and Rio Grande Counties and those portions of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Saguache Counties east of the Continental Divide.

North Park Area: Jackson County.

Arkansas Valley Area: Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers Counties.

Pueblo County Area: Pueblo County.

Remainder: Remainder of the Central Flyway portion of Colorado.

Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose Area: that portion of the State east of Interstate Highway 25.

Nebraska:

Dark Geese—

North Unit: Keya Paha County east of U.S. 183 and all of Boyd County, including the boundary waters of the Niobrara River, all of Knox County and that portion of Cedar County west of U.S. 81. Where the Niobrara River forms the boundary, both banks will be in the north Unit.

Platte River Unit: That area south and west of U.S. 281 at the Kansas/Nebraska border, north to Giltner Road (near Doniphan), east to NE 14, north to NE 91, west to U.S. 183, south to NE 92, west to NE 61, north to U.S. 2, west to the intersection of Garden, Grant, and Sheridan counties, then west along the northern border of Garden, Morrill, and Scotts Bluff Counties to the Wyoming border.

Northcentral Unit: That area north of the Platte River Unit and west of U.S. 183.

East Unit: The remainder of Nebraska.

Light Geese—

Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (West): The area bounded by the junction of U.S. 283 and U.S. 30 at Lexington, east on U.S. 30 to U.S. 281, south on U.S. 281 to NE 4, west on NE 4 to U.S. 34, continue west on U.S. 34 to U.S. 283, then north on U.S. 283 to the beginning.

Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (East): The area bounded by the junction of U.S. 281 and U.S. 30 at Grand Island, north and east on U.S. 30 to NE 92, east on NE 92 to NE 15, south on NE 15 to NE 4, west on NE 4 to U.S. 281, north on U.S. 281 to the beginning.

Remainder of State: The remainder portion of Nebraska.

New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion):

Dark Geese—

Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit: Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia counties.

Remainder: The remainder of the Central Flyway portion of New Mexico.

South Dakota:

Canada Geese—

Unit 1: Statewide except for Units 2, 3 and 4.

Big Stone Power Plant Area: That portion of Grant and Roberts Counties east of SD 15 and north of SD 20.

Unit 2: Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Gregory, Hughes, Hyde, Lyman, Potter, Stanley, and Sully Counties and that portion of Dewey County south of U.S. 212.

Unit 3: Clark, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Marshall, and Roberts Counties.

Unit 4: Bennett County.

Texas:

West Unit: That portion of the State laying west of a line from the international toll bridge at Laredo; north along I-35 and I-35W to Fort Worth; northwest along U.S. 81 and U.S. 287 to Bowie; and north along U.S. 81 to the Oklahoma border.

East Unit: Remainder of State.

Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion):

Dark Geese—

Area 1: Hot Springs, Natrona, and Washakie Counties, and the portion of Park County east of the Shoshone National Forest boundary and south of a line beginning where the Shoshone National Forest boundary crosses Park County Road 8VC, easterly along said road to Park County Road 1AB, easterly along said road to Wyoming Highway 120, northerly along said highway to Wyoming Highway 294, southeasterly along said highway to Lane 9, easterly along said lane to the town of Powel and Wyoming Highway 14A, easterly along said highway to the Park County and Big Horn County Line.

Area 2: Converse County.

Area 3: Albany, Big Horn, Campbell, Crook, Fremont, Johnson, Laramie, Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston Counties, and that portion of Carbon County east of the Continental Divide; that portion of Park County west of the Shoshone National Forest boundary, and that Portion of Park County north of a line beginning where the Shoshone National Forest boundary crosses Park County Road 8VC, easterly along said road to Park County Road 1AB, easterly along said road to Wyoming Highway 120, northerly along said highway to Wyoming Highway 294, southeasterly along said highway to Lane 9, easterly along said lane to the town of Powel and Wyoming Highway 14A, easterly along said highway to the Park County and Big Horn County Line.

Area 4: Goshen and Platte Counties.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona:

GMU 1 and 27 Game Management Units 1 and 27.

GMU 22 and 23: Game Management Units 22 and 23.

Remainder of State: The remainder of Arizona.

California:

Northeastern Zone: In that portion of California lying east and north of a line beginning at the intersection of the Klamath River with the California-Oregon line; south and west along the Klamath River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; along Shovel Creek to its intersection with Forest Service Road 46N05 at Burnt Camp; west to its junction with Forest Service Road 46N10; south and east to its Junction with County Road 7K007; south and west to its junction with Forest Service Road 45N22; south and west to its junction with Highway 97 and Grass Lake Summit; south along to its junction with Interstate 5 at the town of Weed; south to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to main street Greenville; north and east to its junction with North Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-Nevada state line; north along the California-Nevada state line to the junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon state lines west along the California-Oregon state line to the point of origin.

Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as “Aqueduct Road” in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in Riverside County as the “Desert Center to Rice Road” to the town of Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.

Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada border.

Imperial County Special Management Area: The area bounded by a line beginning at Highway 86 and the Navy Test Base Road; south on Highway 86 to the town of Westmoreland; continue through the town of Westmoreland to Route S26; east on Route S26 to Highway 115; north on highway 115 to Weist Rd.; north on Weist Rd. to Flowing Wells Rd.; northeast on Flowing Wells Rd. to the Coachella Canal; northwest on the Coachella Canal to Drop 18; a straight line from Drop 18 to Frink Rd.; south on Frink Rd. to Highway 111; north on Highway 111 to Niland Marina Rd.; southwest on Niland Marina Rd. to the old Imperial County boat ramp and the water line of the Salton Sea; from the water line of the Salton Sea, a straight line across the Salton Sea to the Salinity Control Research Facility and the Navy Test Base Road; southwest on the Navy Test Base Road to the point of beginning.

Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included in the Northeastern, Southern, and the Colorado River Zones.

Del Norte and Humboldt Area: The Counties of Del Norte and Humboldt.

Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (East): That area bounded by a line beginning at the junction of the Gridley-Colusa Highway and the Cherokee Canal; west on the Gridley-Colusa Highway to Gould Road; west on Gould Road and due west 0.75 miles directly to Highway 45; south on Highway 45 to Highway 20; east on Highway 20 to West Butte Road; north on West Butte Road to Pass Road; west on Pass Road to West Butte Road; north on West Butte Road to North Butte Road; west on North Butte Road and due west 0.5 miles directly to the Cherokee Canal; north on the Cherokee Canal to the point of beginning.

Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (West): That area bounded by a line beginning at Willows south on I-5 to Hahn Road; easterly on Hahn Road and the Grimes-Arbuckle Road to Grimes; northerly on CA 45 to the junction with CA 162; northerly on CA 45/162 to Glenn; and westerly on CA 162 to the point of beginning in Willows.

San Joaquin Valley Special Management Area: That area bounded by a line beginning at the intersection of Highway 5 and Highway 120; south on Highway 5 to Highway 33; southeast on Highway 33 to Crows Landing Road; north on Crows Landing Road to Highway 99; north on Highway 99 to Highway 120; west on Highway 120 to the point of beginning.

Western Canada Goose Hunt Area: That portion of the above described Sacramento Valley Area lying east of a line formed by Butte Creek from the Gridley-Colusa Highway south to the Cherokee Canal; easterly along the Cherokee Canal and North Butte Road to West Butte Road; southerly on West Butte Road to Pass Road; easterly on Pass Road to West Butte Road; southerly on West Butte Road to CA 20; and westerly along CA 20 to the Sacramento River.

Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion):

West Central Area: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, Gunnison, LaPlata, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel Counties and those portions of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Saguache Counties west of the Continental Divide.

State Area: The remainder of the Pacific-Flyway Portion of Colorado.

Idaho:

Zone 1: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties.

Zone 2: The Counties of Ada; Adams; Boise; Canyon; those portions of Elmore north and east of I-84, and south and west of I-84, west of ID 51, except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; Owyhee west of ID 51; Payette; Valley; and Washington.

Zone 3: The Counties of Blaine; Camas; Cassia; those portions of Elmore south of I-84 east of ID 51, and within the Camas Creek drainage; Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee east of ID 51; Power within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; and Twin Falls.

Zone 4: The Counties of Bear Lake; Bingham within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; Bonneville, Butte; Caribou except the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Clark; Custer; Franklin; Fremont; Jefferson; Lemhi; Madison; Oneida; Power west of ID 37 and ID 39 except the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; and Teton.

Zone 5: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.

In addition, goose frameworks are set by the following geographical areas:

Northern Unit: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties.

Southwestern Unit: That area west of the line formed by U.S. 93 north from the Nevada border to Shoshone, northerly on ID 75 (formerly U.S. 93) to Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Montana border (except the Northern Unit and except Custer and Lemhi Counties).

Southeastern Unit: That area east of the line formed by U.S. 93 north from the Nevada border to Shoshone, northerly on ID 75 (formerly U.S. 93) to Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Montana border, including all of Custer and Lemhi Counties.

Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion):

East of the Divide Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of the State located east of the Continental Divide.

West of the Divide Zone: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway portion of Montana.

Nevada:

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

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

New Mexico (Pacific Flyway Portion):

North Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located north of I-40.

South Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located south of I-40.

Oregon:

Southwest Zone: Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine, and Jackson Counties.

Northwest Special Permit Zone: That portion of western Oregon west and north of a line running south from the Columbia River in Portland along I-5 to OR 22 at Salem; then east on OR 22 to the Stayton Cutoff; then south on the Stayton Cutoff to Stayton and due south to the Santiam River; then west along the north shore of the Santiam River to I-5; then south on I-5 to OR 126 at Eugene; then west on OR 126 to Greenhill Road; then south on Greenhill Road to Crow Road; then west on Crow Road to Territorial Hwy; then west on Territorial Hwy to OR 126; then west on OR 126 to OR 36; then north on OR 36 to Forest Road 5070 at Brickerville; then west and south on Forest Road 5070 to OR 126; then west on OR 126 to Milepost 19, north to the intersection of the Benton and Lincoln County line, north along the western boundary of Benton and Polk counties to the southern boundary of Tillamook County, west along the Tillamook County boundary to the Pacific Coast.

Northwest Zone: Those portions of Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, and Washington Counties outside of the Northwest Special Permit Zone and all of Lincoln County.

Closed Zone: Those portions of Coos and Curry Counties south of Bandon and west of U.S. 101 and all of Tilamook and Lincoln Counties.

Eastern Zone: Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, Umatilla, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Grant, Baker, Union, and Wallowa Counties.

Harney, Klamath, Lake, and Malheur County Zone: All of Harney, Klamath, Lake, and Malheur Counties.

Utah:

Washington County Zone: All of Washington County.

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

Washington:

Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.

Area 2A (SW Quota Zone): Clark County, except portions south of the Washougal River; Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties.

Area 2B (SW Quota Zone): Pacific and Grays Harbor Counties.

Area 3: All areas west of the Pacific Crest Trail and west of the Big White Salmon River which are not included in Areas 1, 2A and 2B.

Area 4: Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties.

Area 5: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River which are not included in Area 4.

Wyoming (Pacific Flyway Portion):

See State Regulations.

Bear River Area: That portion of Lincoln County described in State regulations.

Salt River Area: That portion of Lincoln County described in State regulations.

Eden-Farson Area: Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette Counties described in State regulations.

Swans

Central Flyway

South Dakota:

Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo, Campbell, Clark, Codington, Davison, Deuel, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant, Hamlin, Hand, Hanson, Hughes, Hyde, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Lake, Marshall, McCook, McPherson, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Potter, Roberts, Sanborn, Spink, Sully, and Walworth Counties.

Pacific Flyway

Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion):

Open Area: Cascade, Chouteau, Hill, Liberty, and Toole Counties and those portions of Pondera and Teton Counties lying east of U.S. 287-89.

Nevada:

Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and Pershing Counties.

Utah:

Open Area: Those portions of Box Elder, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, and Toole Counties lying west of I-15, north of I-80 and south of a line beginning from the Forest Street exit to the Bear River National Wildlife Refuge boundary, then north and west along the Bear River National Wildlife Refuge boundary to the farthest west boundary of the Refuge, then west along a line to Promontory Road, then north on Promontory Road to the intersection of SR 83, then north on SR 83 to I-84, then north and west on I-84 to State Hwy 30, then west on State Hwy 30 to the Nevada-Utah state line, then south on the Nevada-Utah state line to I-80.