95-21788. Migratory Bird Hunting: Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on Certain Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands for the 1995-96 Early Season  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 170 (Friday, September 1, 1995)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 46012-46016]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-21788]
    
    
    
    
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    Part VIII
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of the Interior
    
    
    
    
    
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    Fish and Wildlife Service
    
    
    
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    50 CFR Part 20
    
    
    
    Migratory Bird Hunting: Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands; 
    Final Rule
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 170 / Friday, September 1, 1995 / 
    Rules and Regulations
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
    
    Fish and Wildlife Service
    
    50 CFR Part 20
    
    RIN 1018-AC79
    
    
    Migratory Bird Hunting: Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on 
    Certain Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands for the 1995-96 
    Early Season
    
    AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This rule prescribes special early season migratory bird 
    hunting regulations for certain tribes on Federal Indian reservations, 
    off-reservation trust lands and ceded lands. This is in response to 
    tribal requests for Service recognition of their authority to regulate 
    hunting under established guidelines. This rule is necessary to allow 
    establishment of season bag limits and, thus, harvest at levels 
    compatible with populations and habitat conditions.
    EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule takes effect on September 1, 1995.
    ADDRESSES: Comments received, if any, on the proposed special hunting 
    regulations and tribal proposals are available for public inspection 
    during normal business hours in Room 634, Arlington Square Building, 
    4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA. Communications regarding the 
    documents should be sent to: Director (FWS/MBMO), U.S. Fish and 
    Wildlife Service, Room 634-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 
    20240.
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron W. Kokel or Dr. Keith A. 
    Morehouse, Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
    Service, (703/358-1714).
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of July 3, 
    1918 (40 Stat. 755; 16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.), authorizes and directs the 
    Secretary of the Department of the Interior, having due regard for the 
    zones of temperature and for the distribution, abundance, economic 
    value, breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of migratory game 
    birds, to determine when, to what extent, and by what means such birds 
    or any part, nest or egg thereof may be taken, hunted, captured, 
    killed, possessed, sold, purchased, shipped, carried, exported or 
    transported.
        In the August 17, 1995 Federal Register (60 FR 42960), the U.S. 
    Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposed special migratory bird 
    hunting regulations for the 1995-96 hunting season for certain Indian 
    tribes, under the guidelines described in the June 4, 1985, Federal 
    Register (50 FR 23467). The guidelines were developed in response to 
    tribal requests for Service recognition of their reserved hunting 
    rights, and for some tribes, recognition of their authority to regulate 
    hunting by both tribal members and nonmembers on their reservations. 
    The guidelines include possibilities for: (1) on-reservation hunting by 
    both tribal members and nonmembers, with hunting by nontribal members 
    on some reservations to take place within Federal frameworks but on 
    dates different from those selected by the surrounding State(s); (2) 
    on-reservation hunting by tribal members only, outside of usual Federal 
    frameworks for season dates and length, and for daily bag and 
    possession limits; and (3) off-reservation hunting by tribal members on 
    ceded lands, outside of usual framework dates and season length, with 
    some added flexibility in daily bag and possession limits. In all 
    cases, the regulations established under the guidelines have to be 
    consistent with the March 10-September 1 closed season mandated by the 
    1916 Migratory Bird Treaty with Canada.
        Tribes that desired special hunting regulations in the 1995-96 
    hunting season were requested in the March 24, 1995, Federal Register 
    (60 FR 15642) to submit a proposal that included details on: (1) 
    requested season dates and other regulations to be observed; (2) 
    harvest anticipated under the requested regulations; (3) methods that 
    will be employed to measure or monitor harvest; (4) steps that will be 
    taken to limit level of harvest, where it could be shown that failure 
    to limit such harvest would impact seriously on the migratory bird 
    resource; and (5) tribal capabilities to establish and enforce 
    migratory bird hunting regulations. No action is required if a tribe 
    wishes to observe the hunting regulations that are established by the 
    State(s) in which an Indian reservation is located. The guidelines have 
    been used successfully since the 1985-86 hunting season, and they were 
    made final beginning with the 1988-89 hunting season (August 18, 1988; 
    53 FR 31612).
        Although the proposed rule includes generalized regulations for 
    both early and late season hunting, this rulemaking addresses only the 
    early season proposals. Late season hunting will be addressed in the 
    rulemaking to follow in September 1995. As a general rule, early 
    seasons begin during September each year and have a primary emphasis on 
    such species as mourning and white-winged dove. Late seasons are those 
    that begin about October 1 or later each year and have a primary 
    emphasis on waterfowl.
    
    Comments and Issues Concerning Tribal Proposals
    
        For the 1995-96 migratory bird hunting season, the Service proposed 
    regulations for seventeen tribes and/or Indian groups that followed the 
    1985 guidelines and were considered appropriate for final rulemaking. 
    Some of the proposals submitted by the tribes have both early and late 
    season elements. However, as noted earlier, only those with early 
    season proposals are included in this final rulemaking; 9 tribes have 
    proposals with early seasons. Comments and revised proposals received 
    to date are addressed in the following section. The comment period for 
    the proposed rule, published on August 18, 1995, closed on August 28, 
    1995. Because of the brief comment period that was necessary, any 
    comments received on the proposed rule and/or these early season 
    regulations not responded to herein will be addressed in the late 
    season final rule to be published in September.
    
    Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, Wisconsin
    
        To date, the Service has received one letter regarding the proposal 
    of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC). The 
    State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR) July 6, 1995 
    letter to the GLIFWC, was copied to the Service. In this letter, the 
    WIDNR communicated concerns regarding: (1) Canada goose bag limits of 
    10 per day, and concern for the harvest of local giant Canada geese. 
    With regard to giant Canada geese, WIDNR cited 10 or more years of 
    effort to restore breeding populations that could be jeopardized by 
    overharvest locally; (2) the length of other goose seasons and bag 
    limits for the GLIFWC in comparison to those required for non-tribal 
    hunters by the State of Wisconsin. The WIDNR thought that GLIFWC goose 
    seasons and bag limits should be consistent with those of the State; 
    (3) the September 15 opening of the duck season. The WIDNR continues to 
    oppose the early duck season opener in concern for late nesting hens 
    and their broods that might still be in molt or just recovering from 
    the molt that would make them especially vulnerable to harvest; (4) the 
    proposed duck daily bag limit to 20. The WIDNR believes that the 
    proposed bag limits may negatively impact efforts by the State and 
    others, including the GLIFWC, to restore local duck breeding 
    populations in northern Wisconsin; and (5) honoring the noon 
    
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    opening for shooting hours for the first day of the State's duck 
    season.
        It is necessary to place this proposal by the GLIFWC in the context 
    of a tribal entity having court established legal rights on ceded 
    lands. Further, it is the policy of the Service to recognize treaty 
    rights wherever there is substantial proof that they occur, e.g., more 
    recently in the Michigan 1836 Treaty area. Thus, the GLIFWC proposal 
    has as its umbrella the recognition by the Federal Government of those 
    reserved rights by bands to an unquantified amount of any harvestable 
    migratory bird surpluses in the ceded areas. Our position derives from 
    the special status that Native Americans have with regard to the 
    Federal Government's trust responsibility, as well as precedent setting 
    court decisions in Wisconsin and elsewhere when these reserved treaty 
    rights have been at issue.
        As to the details of the proposal comments, our response continues 
    to be that while the Commission's proposed bag limits are somewhat 
    greater than they were several years ago, we disagree that they are 
    ``inconsistent with past FWS harvest and population management 
    strategies'' and ``excessive'' for geese. The Service's position is 
    that the current populations of birds can support the limited harvest 
    of the bands. In past years, the numbers of ducks and geese taken 
    annually by the Commission's member bands have been about 2,000 and 
    500, respectively. In 1994-95, under nearly identical regulations, 1901 
    ducks and 719 geese were taken. Under the proposed regulations, the 
    annual harvest is anticipated to be approximately 3,000 ducks and 900 
    geese. Further, the Commission has proposed specific sex and species 
    considerations, in line with current management concerns. If approved, 
    the Commission will be obligated to monitor the harvest to ensure that 
    local breeding populations of ducks are not being adversely affected.
        The September 15 opening date for the GLIFWC meets the framework 
    the Service has established for approval of tribal duck seasons. This 
    date should provide ample time for even late broods and molting ducks 
    to be flighted. These referenced guidelines were originally established 
    by the Service's Region 3 Office in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, for use 
    in the Great Lakes areas but have been generally applied elsewhere in 
    the States, as appropriate. The Service also requests that tribal 
    members honor both the noon opening for shooting hours for the first 
    day of the State's duck season and Wisconsin's open water hunting 
    restrictions.
        As these regulations are being approved in this early season final 
    rule, it is incumbent upon the GLIFWC to continue to closely monitor 
    both the duck and goose harvests to ensure that local and/or regional 
    breeding populations are not being negatively impacted by an increased 
    harvest.
        In summary, this rule amends section 20.110 of 50 CFR to make 
    current for the early 1995-96 migratory bird hunting season the 
    regulations that will apply on Federal Indian reservations, off-
    reservation trust lands and ceded lands. These regulations take into 
    account the improved status of ducks and the need to maintain somewhat 
    restrictive regulations to reduce harvest on some migratory bird 
    populations.
    
    NEPA Consideration
    
        Pursuant to the requirements of section 102(2)(C) of the National 
    Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(C)), the ``Final 
    Environmental Statement for the Issuance of Annual Regulations 
    Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FES 75-74)'' was filed 
    with the Council on Environmental Quality on June 6, 1975, and notice 
    of availability was published in the Federal Register on June 13, 1975, 
    (40 FR 25241). A supplement to the final environmental statement, the 
    ``Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual 
    Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (SEIS 88-
    14)'' was filed on June 9, 1988, and notice of availability was 
    published in the Federal Register on June 16, 1988 (53 FR 22582), and 
    June 17, 1988 (53 FR 22727). In addition, an August 1985 environmental 
    assessment titled ``Guidelines for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations 
    on Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands'' is available from the 
    Service.
    
    Endangered Species Act Considerations
    
        Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as amended (16 
    U.S.C. 1531-1543; 87 Stat. 884), provides that, ``The Secretary shall 
    review other programs administered by him and utilize such programs in 
    furtherance of the purposes of this Act'' (and) shall ``insure that any 
    action authorized, funded or carried out ... is not likely to 
    jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or 
    threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification 
    of [critical] habitat...'' Thus, the Service initiated Section 7 
    consultation for the proposed migratory bird hunting seasons including 
    those which occur on Federally recognized Indian reservations and ceded 
    lands. The Service's biological opinion resulting from its consultation 
    under Section 7 of the ESA may be inspected by the public in, and will 
    be available from, the Service's address given under the caption 
    ADDRESSES.
        In an August 1995 finding, the Service concluded that the proposed 
    action is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed 
    species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their 
    critical habitats. Among other reasons, hunting regulations are 
    designed to remove or alleviate chances of conflict between seasons for 
    migratory game birds and the protection and conservation of endangered 
    and threatened species and their habitats.
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Act, Executive Order 12866, and the 
    Paperwork Reduction Act.
    
        In the Federal Register dated March 24, 1995 (60 FR 15642), the 
    Service reported measures it had undertaken to comply with requirements 
    of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the Executive Order. These 
    included preparing an Analysis of Regulatory Effects and an updated 
    Final Regulatory Impact Analysis (FRIA), and publication of a summary 
    of the latter. Although a FRIA is no longer required, the economic 
    analysis contained in the FRIA was reviewed and the Service determined 
    that it met the requirements of E.O. 12866. In addition, the Service 
    prepared a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis, under the Regulatory 
    Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq), which further document the 
    significant beneficial economic effect on a substantial number of small 
    entities. This rule was not subject to review by the Office of 
    Management and Budget under E.O. 12866.
        These regulations contain no information collections subject to OMB 
    review under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
    seq.). However, the Service does utilize information acquired through 
    other various information collections in the formulation of migratory 
    game bird hunting regulations. These information collection 
    requirements have been approved by OMB and assigned clearance numbers 
    1018-0005, 1018-0006, 1018-0008, 1018-0009, 1018-0010, 1018-0015, 1018-
    0019, and 1018-0023.
    
    Authorship
    
        The primary authors of this early season final rule are Ron W. 
    Kokel and Dr. Keith A. Morehouse, Office of Migratory Bird Management.
    
    
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    Regulations Promulgation
    
        The rulemaking process for migratory bird hunting must, by its 
    nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, the Service is 
    of the view that every attempt should be made to give the public the 
    greatest possible opportunity to comment on the regulations. Thus, when 
    the proposed hunting regulations for certain tribes were published on 
    August 18, 1995, the Service established the longest possible period 
    for public comments. In doing this, the Service recognized that time 
    would be of the essence. However, the comment period provided the 
    maximum amount of time possible while ensuring that this final rule 
    would be published before the beginning of the early hunting season 
    beginning on September 1, 1995.
        Under the authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of July 3, 
    1918, as amended (40 Stat. 755; 16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.), the Service 
    prescribes final hunting regulations for certain tribes on Federal 
    Indian reservations (including off-reservation trust lands) and ceded 
    lands. The regulations specify the species to be hunted and establish 
    season dates, bag and possession limits, season length, and shooting 
    hours for migratory game birds other than waterfowl.
        Therefore, for the reasons set out above, the Service finds that 
    ``good cause'' exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the 
    Administrative Procedure Act, and this final rule will take effect on 
    September 1, 1995.
    
    List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20
    
        Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping 
    requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.
        Accordingly, Part 20, Subchapter B, Chapter I of Title 50 of the 
    Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:
    
    PART 20--[AMENDED]
    
        1. The authority citation for Part 20 continues to read as follows:
        Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703-711, 16 U.S.C. 712, and 16 U.S.C. 742 
    a-j. (Editorial Note: The following hunting regulations provided for 
    by Sec. 20.110 of 50 CFR Part 20 will not appear in the Code of 
    Federal Regulations because of their seasonal nature).
        2. Section 20.110 is revised to read as follows:
        Sec. 20.110 Seasons, limits and other regulations for certain 
    Federal Indian reservations, Indian Territory, and ceded lands.
    
    (a) Colorado River Indian Tribes, Parker, Arizona (Tribal Members and 
    Nonmembers)
    
    Doves
        Season Dates: Open September 1, close September 10, 1995; then open 
    November 25, close January 14, 1996.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: For the early season, daily bag 
    limit is 10 mourning or 10 white-winged doves, singly, or in the 
    aggregate per day. For the late season, the daily bag limit is 10 
    mourning doves. Possession limits are twice the daily bag limits.
        General Conditions: A valid Colorado River Indian Reservation 
    hunting permit is required for all persons 14 years and older and must 
    be in possession before taking any wildlife on tribal lands. Any person 
    transporting game birds off the Colorado River Indian Reservation must 
    have a valid transport declaration form. Other tribal regulations 
    apply, and may be obtained at the Fish and Game Office in Parker, 
    Arizona.
    
    (b) Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Suttons Bay, 
    Michigan (Tribal Members Only)
    
    Canada Geese
        Michigan, 1836 Treaty Zone:
        Season Dates: Open September 1, close November 30, 1995, and open 
    January 1, close February 7, 1996.
        Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 5.
        General Conditions: A valid Grand Traverse Band Tribal license is 
    required for all persons 12 years and older and must be in possession 
    before taking any wildlife. All other basic regulations contained in 50 
    CFR part 20 are valid. Other tribal regulations apply, and may be 
    obtained at the tribal office in Suttons Bay, Michigan.
    
    (c) Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, Wisconsin 
    (Tribal Members Only)
    
    Ducks
        Wisconsin and Minnesota 1837, 1842 and 1854 Zones:
        Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 7, 1995.
        Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 20, including no more than 
    10 mallards; only 5 of which may be hen mallards; 4 black ducks; 4 
    redheads, 4 pintails and 2 canvasbacks.
    Mergansers
        Wisconsin and Minnesota Zones:
        Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 7, 1995.
        Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 5.
    Canada Geese
        Wisconsin and Minnesota Zones:
        Season Dates: Open September 15, close December 1, 1995.
        Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 10, minus the number of 
    blue, snow or white-fronted geese taken.
        Michigan, 1842 Treaty Zone:
        Season Dates: Open September 1, close September 10, 1995.
        Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 5.
        Michigan, 1836 Treaty Zone:
        Season Dates: Open September 1, close September 10, 1995, except 
    for that small portion of the ceded territory which coincides with the 
    State of Michigan's Southern Zone will open September 1 and close on 
    September 15.
        Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 5.
    Other Geese (Blue, Snow, and White-fronted)
        Wisconsin and Minnesota 1837, 1842 and 1854 Zones:
        Season Dates: Open September 15, close December 1, 1995.
        Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 10, minus the number of 
    Canada geese taken.
    Coots and Common Moorhens (Gallinule)
        Wisconsin and Minnesota 1837, 1842 and 1854 Zones:
        Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 7, 1995.
        Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 20, singly or in the 
    aggregate.
    Sora and Virginia Rails
        Wisconsin and Minnesota 1837, 1842 and 1854 Zones:
        Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 7, 1995.
        Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 25, singly or in the 
    aggregate. The possession limit is 25.
        Michigan, 1842 and 1836 Zones:
        Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 14, 1995.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 25, singly 
    or in aggregate. The possession limit is 25.
    Common Snipe
        Wisconsin and Minnesota 1837, 1842 and 1854 Zones:
        Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 7, 1995.
        Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 8.
        Michigan, 1842 and 1836 Zones:
        Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 14, 1995.
        Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 8.
    
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    Woodcock
        Wisconsin and Minnesota 1837, 1842 and 1854 Zones:
        Season Dates: Open September 5, close November 30, 1995.
        Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 5.
        Michigan, 1842 and 1836 Zones:
        Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 14, 1995.
        Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 5.
        General Conditions:
        (i) While hunting waterfowl, a tribal member must carry on his/her 
    person a valid tribal waterfowl hunting permit.
        (ii) Except as otherwise noted, tribal members will be required to 
    comply with tribal codes that will be no less restrictive than the 
    provisions of Chapter 10 of the Model Off-Reservation Code. This Model 
    Code was the subject of the stipulation in Lac Courte Oreilles v. State 
    of Wisconsin regarding migratory bird hunting. Except as modified 
    herein, these amended regulations parallel Federal requirements, 50 CFR 
    Part 20, and shooting hour regulations in 50 CFR Part 20, subpart K, as 
    to hunting methods, transportation, sale, exportation and other 
    conditions generally applicable to migratory bird hunting.
        (iii) Tribal members in each zone will comply with State 
    regulations providing for closed and restricted waterfowl hunting 
    areas.
        (iv) Minnesota and Michigan--Duck Blinds and Decoys. Tribal members 
    hunting in Minnesota will comply with tribal codes that contain 
    provisions parallel to applicable State statutes. Tribal members 
    hunting in Michigan will comply with tribal codes that contain 
    provisions parallel to Michigan law regarding duck blinds and decoys.
        (v) Possession limits for each species are double the daily bag 
    limit, except on the opening day of the season, when the possession 
    limit equals the daily bag limit, unless otherwise specified.
        (vi) Possession limits are applicable only to transportation and do 
    not include birds which are cleaned, dressed, and at a member's primary 
    residence. For purposes of enforcing bag and possession limits, all 
    migratory birds in the possession or custody of tribal members on ceded 
    lands will be considered to have been taken on those lands unless 
    tagged by a tribal or State conservation warden as having been taken 
    on-reservation. In Wisconsin, such tagging will comply with applicable 
    State statutes. All migratory birds which fall on reservation lands 
    will not count as part of any off-reservation bag or possession limit.
    
    (d) Navajo Indian Reservation, Window Rock, Arizona (Tribal Members and 
    Nonmembers).
    
    Band-tailed Pigeons
        Season Dates: Open September 1, close September 30, 1995.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 5 and the 
    possession limit is 10.
    Mourning Doves
        Season Dates: Open September 1, close September 30, 1995.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 10 and the 
    possession limit is 20.
        General Conditions: Tribal and nontribal hunters will comply with 
    all basic Federal migratory bird hunting regulations in 50 CFR Part 20, 
    regarding shooting hours and manner of taking. In addition, each 
    waterfowl hunter 16 years of age or over must carry on his/her person a 
    valid Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) signed 
    in ink across the face. Special regulations established by the Navajo 
    Nation also apply on the reservation.
    
    (e) Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, Oneida, Wisconsin (Tribal 
    Members).
    
    Ducks
        Season Dates: Open September 15, close November 30, 1995.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Daily bag limit is 5, including no 
    more than 3 mallards (only 1 of which can be a mallard hen), 4 wood 
    ducks, 1 canvasback, 1 redhead, 2 pintails, and 1 hooded merganser. 
    Possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.
    Geese
        Season Dates: Open September 1, close November 30, 1995.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese, 
    that must be tagged after harvest with tribal tags. The tribe will 
    reissue tags upon registration of the daily bag limit. A season quota 
    of 150 birds is adopted. If the quota is reached before the season 
    concludes, the season will be closed at that time.
    Mourning Dove
        Season Dates: Open September 1, close November 30, 1995.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Daily bag limit is 10, and the 
    possession limit is 20.
    Woodcock
        Season Dates: Open September 1, close November 30, 1995.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Daily bag limit is 6, and the 
    possession limit is 12.
        General Conditions: Indians and non-Indians hunting on the Oneida 
    Indian Reservation or on lands under the jurisdiction of the Oneida 
    Nation will observe all basic Federal migratory bird hunting 
    regulations found in 50 CFR. Indian hunters are exempt from the 
    requirement to purchase a Migratory Waterfowl Hunting and Conservation 
    Stamp (Duck Stamp) and the plugging of shotgun to limit capacity to 3 
    shells.
    
    (f) Seminole Tribe of Florida, Big Cypress Seminole Reservation, 
    Clewiston, Florida (Tribal and Non-tribal Members).
    
    Mourning Doves
        Season Dates: Open September 20, 1995, close January 15, 1996.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 12 and the 
    possession limit is 24.
        General Conditions: Hunting would be on Sundays only from 1:00 p.m. 
    to sunset. All other Federal regulations contained in 50 CFR part 20 
    would apply.
    
    (g) Squaxin Island Tribe, Squaxin Island Reservation, Shelton, 
    Washington (Tribal Members)
    
    Ducks
        Season Dates: Open September 15, 1995, close January 15, 1996.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Daily bag limit is 5, including no 
    more than 1 canvasback. The season on harlequin ducks is closed. 
    Possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.
    Geese
        Season Dates: Open September 15, 1995, close January 15, 1996.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Daily bag limit is 4 birds per day 
    and can include no more than 2 snow geese and 1 dusky Canada goose. The 
    season on Aleutian and Cackling Canada geese is closed. Possession 
    limit is twice the daily bag limit.
    Brant
        Season Dates: Open September 15, close December 31, 1995.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Daily bag limit is 2, and the 
    possession limit is 4.
    Coots
        Season Dates: Open September 15, 1995, close January 15, 1996.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Daily bag limit is 25.
    
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    Snipe
        Season Dates: Open September 15, 1995, and close January 15, 1996.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 8, with 16 
    in possession.
    Band-tailed Pigeons
        Season Dates: Open September 15, close December 1, 1995.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Daily bag limit is 2, and the 
    possession limit is 4.
        General Conditions: All tribal hunters must obtain a Tribal Hunting 
    Tag and Permit from the tribe's Natural Resources Department and must 
    have the permit, along with the member's treaty enrollment card, on his 
    or her person while hunting. Shooting hours are one-half hour before 
    sunrise to one-half hour after sunset and steel shot is required for 
    all migratory bird hunting. Other special regulations are available at 
    the tribal office in Shelton, Washington.
    
    (h) Tulalip Tribes of Washington, Tulalip Indian Reservation, 
    Marysville, Washington (Tribal Members)
    
    Ducks/Coot
        Season Dates: Open September 15, 1995, and close February 1, 1996.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 6, with 12 
    in possession; except that bag and possession limits are restricted for 
    blue-winged teal, canvasback, harlequin, pintail and wood duck to those 
    established for the Pacific Flyway by final Federal frameworks, to be 
    announced.
    Geese
        Season Dates: Open September 15, 1995, and close February 1, 1996.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 6, with 12 
    in possession; except that the bag limits for brant and cackling and 
    dusky Canada geese are those established for the Pacific Flyway in 
    accordance with final Federal frameworks, to be announced. The tribes 
    also set a maximum annual bag limit on ducks and geese for those tribal 
    members who engage in subsistence hunting.
    Snipe
        Season Dates: Open September 1, 1995, and close February 1, 1996.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 6, with 12 
    in possession.
        General Conditions: All waterfowl hunters, members and non-members, 
    must obtain and possess while hunting a valid hunting permit from the 
    Tulalip tribes. Also, non-tribal members sixteen years of age and 
    older, hunting pursuant to Tulalip Tribes' Ordinance No. 67, must 
    possess a validated Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation 
    Stamp and a validated State of Washington Migratory Waterfowl Stamp. 
    All Tulalip tribal members must have in their possession while hunting, 
    or accompanying another, their valid tribal identification card. All 
    hunters are required to adhere to a number of other special regulations 
    enforced by the tribes and available at the tribal office.
    
    (i) White Mountain Apache Tribe, Fort Apache Indian Reservation, 
    Whiteriver, Arizona (Tribal Members and Nonmembers).
    
    Band-tailed Pigeons
        Season Dates: Open September 1, close September 10, 1995.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 3 and the 
    possession limit is 6.
    Mourning Doves
        Season Dates: Open September 1, close September 10, 1995.
        Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 8 and the 
    possession limit is 16.
        General Conditions: All non-tribal hunters hunting band-tailed 
    pigeons and mourning doves on Reservation lands shall have in their 
    possession a valid White Mountain Apache Daily or Yearly Small Game 
    Permit. In addition to a small game permit, all non-tribal hunters 
    hunting band-tailed pigeons must have in their possession a White 
    Mountain Special Band-tailed Pigeon Permit. Other special regulations 
    established by the White Mountain Apache Tribe apply on the 
    reservation. Tribal and nontribal hunters will comply with all basic 
    Federal migratory bird hunting regulations in 50 CFR Part 20 regarding 
    shooting hours and manner of taking.
        Dated: August 29, 1995
    George T. Frampton, Jr.,
    George T. Frampton, Jr., Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and 
    Parks.
    [FR Doc. 95-21788 Filed 8-31-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4310-55-F
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
9/1/1995
Published:
09/01/1995
Department:
Fish and Wildlife Service
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
95-21788
Dates:
This rule takes effect on September 1, 1995.
Pages:
46012-46016 (5 pages)
RINs:
1018-AC79
PDF File:
95-21788.pdf
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 20.110