05-18970. Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) prescribes final late-season frameworks from which States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2005-06 migratory bird hunting seasons. These late seasons include most waterfowl seasons, the earliest of which commences on September 24, 2005. The effect of this final rule is to facilitate the States' selection of hunting seasons and to further the annual establishment of the late-season migratory bird hunting regulations.

DATES:

This rule takes effect on September 22, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

States should send their season selections to: Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, ms MBSP-4107-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. You may inspect comments during normal business hours at our office in room 4107, 4501 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations Schedule for 2005

On April 6, 2005, we published in the Federal Register (70 FR 17574) 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 2005-06 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 24, 2005, we published in the Federal Register (70 FR 36794) a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations frameworks and the regulatory alternatives for the 2005-06 duck hunting season. The June 24 supplement also provided detailed information on the 2005-06 regulatory schedule.

On June 22 and 23, 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 2005-06 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.

On August 1, 2005, we published in the Federal Register (70 FR 44200) a document dealing with the proposed frameworks for early-season regulations. In the August 30, 2004, Federal Register (70 FR 51522), we published final frameworks for early migratory bird hunting seasons from which wildlife conservation agency officials from the States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands selected 2005-06 early-season hunting dates, hours, areas, and limits. On August 31, 2005, we published a final rule in the Federal Register (70 FR 51946) amending subpart K of title 50 CFR part 20 to set hunting seasons, hours, areas, and limits for early seasons.

On July 27-28, 2005, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council Consultants, at which the participants reviewed the status of waterfowl and developed recommendations for the 2005-06 regulations for these species. On August 22, 2005, we published in the Federal Register (70 FR 49068) the proposed frameworks for the 2005-06 late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. This document establishes final frameworks for late-season migratory bird hunting regulations for the 2005-06 season. We will publish State selections in the Federal Register as amendments to §§ 20.101 through 20.107, and 20.109 of title 50 CFR part 20.

Population Status and Harvest

A brief summary of information on the status and harvest of waterfowl excerpted from various reports was included in the August 22 supplemental proposed rule. For more detailed information on methodologies and results, complete copies of the various reports are available at the address indicated under ADDRESSES or from our Web site at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov.

Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations

The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the April 6, 2005, Federal Register, opened the public comment period for migratory game bird hunting regulations. The supplemental proposed rule, which appeared in the June 24, 2005, Federal Register, discussed the regulatory alternatives for the 2005-06 duck hunting season. Late-season comments are summarized below and numbered in the order used in the April 6 Federal Register. We have included only the numbered items pertaining to late-season issues 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.

General

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended increasing the waterfowl possession limit to four times the daily bag limit, except where currently more liberal.

Service Response: We do not support the recommendation to increase possession limits. The possession limit regulation [50 CFR 20.33] is sometimes the only tool law enforcement personnel have to combat over-bag violations, due to the remoteness of some hunting locations and the difficulties officers/agents encounter while conducting surveillance of hunter compliance. Further, we believe the deterrence to violate would be substantially reduced by increasing the traditional possession limits.

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.

A. Harvest Strategy Considerations

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils and the Upper- and Lower-Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended the adoption of the “liberal” regulatory alternative, with the exception of some specific bag limits described below in section 1.D. Special Seasons/Species Management. More specifically, recommendations concerned sections ii. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons, iii. Black Ducks, iv. Canvasbacks, v. Pintails, and vii. Scaup.

Service Response: We are continuing development of an Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) protocol that would allow hunting regulations to vary among Flyways in a manner that recognizes each Flyway's unique breeding-ground derivation of mallards. For the 2005 season, we believe that the prescribed regulatory choice for the Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways should continue to depend on the status of midcontinent mallards and that the regulatory choice for the Atlantic Flyway should continue to depend on the status of eastern mallards. Investigations of the dynamics of western mallards (and their potential effect on regulations in the West) are continuing; therefore we are not yet prepared to recommend an AHM protocol for this mallard stock.

For the 2005 hunting season, we are continuing to consider the same regulatory alternatives as those used last year. The nature of the restrictive, moderate, and liberal alternatives has remained essentially unchanged since 1997, except that extended framework dates have been offered in the moderate and liberal regulatory alternatives since 2002. Also, we agreed in 2003 to place a constraint on closed seasons in the western three Flyways whenever the midcontinent mallard breeding-population size (traditional survey area plus MN, MI, and WI) is ≥5.5 million.

Optimal AHM strategies for the 2005 hunting season were calculated using: (1) Harvest-management objectives specific to each mallard stock; (2) the 2005 regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population models and associated weights for midcontinent and eastern mallards. Based on this year's survey results of 7.54 million midcontinent mallards (traditional surveys area plus MN, WI, and MI), 3.9 million ponds in Prairie Canada, and 1.05 million eastern mallards, the prescribed regulatory choice for all four Flyways is the liberal alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways regarding selection of the “liberal” regulatory alternative and adopt the “liberal” regulatory alternative, as described in the June 24 Federal Register.

C. Zones and Split Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended that the Service allow three zones, with two-way splits in each zone, as an additional option for duck season configurations in 2006-2010. Guidelines for zone-split configurations should be finalized by September 2005 so States have adequate opportunity to consider possible changes for 2006.

The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the Service allow three zones, with two-way splits in each zone, and four zones with no splits, as additional options for duck season configurations in 2006-2010. In addition, the Committee recommended that States with existing grandfathered status be allowed to retain that status.

The Central Flyway Council recommended allowing three zones, with three-segment splits in each zone, and four zones with no splits, as additional options for in 2006-2010.

Written Comments: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board, the Missouri Department of Conservation, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources expressed support for the Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation that the Service allow three zones, with two-way splits in each zone, and four zones with no splits, as additional options for duck season configurations in 2006-2010. In addition, Missouri questioned allowing some States the ability to “grandfather” zone and split season arrangements and requested that we establish criteria that are consistently applied to all States.

The Colorado Wildlife Commission recommended allowing three zones, with three-segment splits in each zone as an additional option for duck season configurations in 2006-2010. The Colorado Division of Wildlife recommended allowing three zones, with two-segment splits in each zone as an additional option for duck season configurations in 2006-2010.

Congressman Ron Kind, the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, the LaCrosse County Conservation Alliance, and the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association supported the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' request that the Service allow three zones, with two-way splits in each zone, and four zones with no splits, as additional options for duck season configurations in 2006-2010.

An individual from Ohio proposed the addition of a third zone in Ohio, while an individual from Wisconsin requested that we allow three zones, with two-way splits in each zone.

Service Response: In 1990, because of concerns about the proliferation of zones and split seasons for duck hunting, a cooperative review and evaluation of the historical use of zone/split options was conducted. This review did not show that the proliferation of these options had increased harvest pressure; however, the ability to detect the impact of zone/split configurations was poor because of unreliable response variables, the lack of statistical tests to differentiate between real and perceived changes, and the absence of adequate experimental controls. Consequently, guidelines were established to provide a framework for controlling the proliferation of changes in zone/split options. The guidelines identified a limited number of zone/split configurations that could be used for duck hunting and restricted the frequency of changes in these configurations to 5-year intervals. In 1996, the guidelines were revised to provide States greater flexibility in using their zone/split arrangements. Open seasons for changes occurred in 1991, 1996, and 2001. The fourth open season will occur next year when zone/split configurations will be established for the 2006-2010 period.

In response to recommendations from the Flyway Councils, we considered changes to the current zone/split guidelines. We believe that the current guidelines continue to achieve their intended objectives while allowing States sufficient flexibility to address differences in physiography, climate, and other factors and that the guidelines need not be changed. Thus, the following guidelines will be used to guide zone/split selection for next year's and future open seasons:

Guidelines for Duck Zones and Split Seasons

The following zone/split-season guidelines apply only for the regular duck season:

a. A zone is a geographic area or portion of a State, with a contiguous boundary, for which independent dates may be selected for the regular duck season.

b. Consideration of changes for management-unit boundaries is not subject to the guidelines and provisions governing the use of zones and split seasons for ducks.

c. Only minor (less than a county in size) boundary changes will be allowed for any grandfather arrangement, and changes are limited to the open season.

d. Once a zone/split option is selected during an open season, it must remain in place for the following 5 years.

Any State may continue the configuration used in the previous 5-year period. If changes are made, the zone/split-season configuration must conform to one of the following options:

1. Three zones with no splits,

2. Split seasons (no more than 3 segments) with no zones, or

3. Two zones with the option for 2-way (2-segment) split seasons in one or both zones.

Grandfathered Zone/Split Arrangements

When the zone/split guidelines were first implemented in 1991, several States had completed experiments with zone/split arrangements different from Options 1-3 above. Those States were offered a one-time opportunity to continue those arrangements, with the stipulation that only minor changes could be made to zone boundaries; and if they ever wished to change their zone/split arrangement, the new arrangement would have to conform to one of the 3 options identified above. If a grandfathered State changes its zoning arrangement, it cannot go back to the grandfathered arrangement it previously had in place. We request that by April 15, 2006, States notify us whether or not they plan to change their zone/split configurations for the next 5-year period (2006-2010). Those States wishing to change their configuration should submit a proposal for the change by this date.

D. Special Seasons/Species Management

ii. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended increasing the wood duck bag limit in the Atlantic Flyway to three birds during October 1 to the first Sunday in November for a 3-year experimental period (2005/06-2007/08).

Written Comments: The New York Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources (NYDFW) expressed concern that we did not support the Atlantic Flyway's proposal to increase the wood duck bag limit. They cited Breeding Bird Survey data showing a significant increase in wood duck numbers over the past 20 years and one of the most abundant breeding duck species in the Flyway. Further, they believed this change in bag limits would not jeopardize any wood duck populations and would allow for an informed assessment during a 3-year experimental period.

Service Response: We do not support the Atlantic Flyway Council's proposal to increase the bag limit for wood ducks. We note that breeding bird survey estimates for the past 10 years exhibit no significant trend, suggesting the population may be stable and using population data over the past 20 years does not accurately reflect recent trends during which season lengths have increased significantly. In addition, preliminary harvest-rate estimates from the cooperative band-reporting-rate study suggest that current wood duck harvest rates are higher than previously thought. We believe that a full assessment of this information is needed to determine whether or not wood ducks can sustain additional harvest pressure. We will continue our cooperative assessments of available wood duck population data with both the Mississippi and Atlantic Flyways, and expect a full assessment to take several years.

iii. Black Ducks

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended that we give conceptual approval to allow the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey an option to return to a two-black-duck daily bag limit in any or all waterfowl management zones for possible implementation in 2006. The season length for black ducks would be reduced for the number of days appropriate to ensure no increase in black duck harvest or harvest rate. This approach would require the development of a 3-year experimental design covering a block of States large enough to support appropriate evaluation.

Written Comments: The Atlantic Flyway Council was disappointed that we rejected their recommendation to explore a two bird bag-limit option in exchange for a reduction in season length within a portion of the Flyway. They cited our lack of flexibility and resiliency to work collaboratively with the Flyway Councils on new or emerging constructs for sub-regional duck harvest management.

The NYDFW was also concerned that we did not support the Flyway's proposal. They cited population survey data in much of eastern Canada showing that black ducks have been stable or increasing over the past 15 years and that the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data for the Atlantic Flyway shows a significant positive trend for the past 10 years. They urged us to work collaboratively with the States to make responsible changes in black duck regulations in 2006 and to be receptive to the possibility of differential regulations within the flyway as a more effective way to achieve flyway management objectives.

Service Response: During this past year, we have continued dialogue with the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils regarding assessments of the harvest potential of black ducks. We are particularly concerned about evidence of a long-term decline in the productivity of black ducks, which implies declining harvest potential. Harvest rates of black ducks have increased concurrently with implementation of AHM and the return to longer seasons. Current harvest rates are now at or near maximum sustainable harvest levels. If the decline in productivity continues and harvest rates are not reduced, harvest and population size can be expected to decline as well. In light of these concerns resulting from the assessment work conducted to date, we do not support the Atlantic Flyway Council's proposal. Further, breeding surveys in eastern Canada are currently being expanded to reflect range-wide changes in breeding numbers and can be used to more reliably monitor population trends in the future. The Atlantic Flyway Breeding Plot Survey shows a significant decline in breeding pairs over the history of the survey (1993-2005) and do not support the BBS data which is less targeted toward waterfowl.

In addition to the biological concerns expressed above, we have a more basic conceptual concern with this proposal. In general, we do not support dividing Flyways into regions with differential species regulations and/or regulatory options. This policy is predicated on the fact that our monitoring and assessment capacity is primarily designed to monitor harvest and population status at the Flyway scale. In many cases, our monitoring programs do not have the necessary precision to evaluate the management of duck stocks at smaller spatial scales. Also, our recent assessments using the latest banding data shows considerable overlap in harvest derivations and high harvest rates of regional breeding stocks to the northern and southern portions of the Atlantic Flyway. Therefore, these data do not lend support for regional sub-divisions. Although additional effort can be directed at refining these estimates, we believe the costs of the additional information far outweighs any potential benefits to resource conservation, harvest opportunity, or hunter satisfaction. We will continue to work collaboratively with Flyway Councils to develop the assessment tools needed to inform harvest management decisions.

iv. Canvasbacks

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils and the Upper- and Lower-Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the Service allow a “restrictive” canvasback season consisting of a 1-bird daily bag limit and a 30-day season in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 39-day season in the Central Flyway, and 60-day season in the Pacific Flyway.

Service Response: Based on regulatory actions in recent years and recommendations from the Flyway Councils, the canvasback harvest strategy was modified in 2004 to allow partial seasons within the regular duck season. The modification allows a canvasback season length equal to that of the “restrictive” AHM regulatory alternative if a full season is not supported, but the reduced harvest from the restricted season predicts a spring abundance the following year equal to or greater than the objective of 500,000 birds. Otherwise, the season on canvasbacks would be closed. Further, Alaska would have a 1-bird daily bag limit for the entire regular duck season in all years unless we determine that it is in the best interest of the canvasback resource to close the season in Alaska as well as the lower 48 States.

This year's spring survey resulted in an estimate of 520,574 canvasbacks. The estimate of ponds in Prairie Canada was 3.9 million, which was 17% above the average. The allowable U.S. harvest calculated from these numbers is 84,424 birds, which is below the predicted U.S. harvest of 118,904 associated with the “liberal” duck season alternative. Thus, for 2005-06, a canvasback season the entire length of the regular season is not supported. However, the “restrictive” season length within the regular duck season is expected to result in a harvest of about 61,758 canvasbacks and a spring 2006 population of about 531,000, and is supported. Thus, we will establish a season length at the level of the “restrictive” AHM alternative (i.e., 30 days in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 39 days in the Central Flyway, and 60 days in the Pacific Flyway) for this year. Seasons may be split according to applicable zones/split duck hunting configurations approved for each State.

v. Pintails

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils and the Upper- and Lower-Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a full season for pintails consisting of a 1-bird daily bag limit and a 60-day season in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, a 74-day season in the Central Flyway, and a 107-day season in the Pacific Flyway.

Service Response: We earlier endorsed the continued use of the pintail harvest strategy without alteration from the provision adopted in 2004. With an observed spring breeding population of 2,561,000 and a projected fall flight of 3,215,000 pintails, the harvest strategy prescribes a full season and a 1-bird daily bag limit in all Flyways. Under the “liberal” season length, this regulation is expected to result in a harvest of 603,000 pintails with 2,288,000 birds in next year's breeding population. Thus, we concur with the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Pacific Flyway Council recommendations for the selection of a full season for pintails.

Furthermore, we agree with the Central Flyway's recommendation to adopt a 39-day “season within a season” for pintails. We understand that this departure from the pintail strategy is a necessary step for the Flyway to complete a 3-year evaluation of the “season within a season” structure for pintails and canvasbacks. This baseline information will allow a comparison to a proposed strategy to implement an experimental “Hunter's Choice” season in the future.

vi. Scaup

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway recommended States be given the option of choosing a scaup season of 60 days with a one-bird daily bag limit, or a restrictive 30-day (consecutive) season with a three-bird daily bag limit.

Written Comments: Delta Waterfowl Foundation urged delay of the Service's proposed daily bag limit reduction in order to achieve a better science-based foundation for management decisions on scaup populations, an assessment of potential scaup management options on waterfowl hunter clients and the future of waterfowl hunting, and a more collaborative process for management decisions pertaining to scaup populations.

Service Response: In 1998, we first publicly stated our concern about the declining trend in the scaup population, and stated that substantial reductions in harvest opportunity might soon be necessary. We also stated our intent to work with the Flyway Councils to cooperatively develop regulatory guidelines for scaup.

In 1999, we reiterated our concerns, heightened by an increasing trend in harvest. We also completed an in-depth review of the status of lesser and greater scaup in North America and provided that report to the Flyway Councils for their review and consideration. Following that report, we drafted a preliminary strategy to help guide the development of hunting regulations for scaup and asked the Flyway Councils to provide feedback. No consensus was reached among the Flyway Councils on a strategy for regulating scaup harvest. In light of this continuing decline, we reduced the daily bag limit by three birds in all Flyways in an effort to reduce harvest until such time as a more comprehensive strategy can be developed.

During 2000-2003, we continued to state our concern about the decline of the continental scaup population and that little progress was being made toward an acceptable harvest strategy. The lack of progress was in part due to other priorities that dominated the agendas of both the Service and the Flyway Councils, but probably also in part due to the widespread belief that harvest had played little, if any, role in the population decline. In 2004, we issued an in-depth report concerning the population dynamics of scaup. The report suggested that scaup harvests had not declined with the bag-limit restrictions imposed in 1999, that the breeding population was continuing to decline, and that harvest rates had increased dramatically. We decided to take no regulatory action in 2004 in order to provide the Flyway Councils adequate time to review these findings.

A second assessment report provided to the Flyway Councils this summer strengthened our confidence in these conclusions. Although harvest has not been demonstrated to be a causal factor in the population decline, harvests now appear to be at or near maximum sustainable levels. Perhaps more importantly, there is increasing evidence that the long-term decline of the scaup population has been accompanied by declines in the sustainable levels of harvest. Based on assessments of available data to date, we believe that additional regulatory restrictions on scaup at this time are warranted. We also believe that the Flyway Councils and the public have had sufficient opportunity to review scientific findings and collaborate in all aspects of the regulatory process over the last five years. Therefore, we will: (1) Reduce the daily bag limit for scaup by 1 bird in each Flyway; (2) continue assessment work with a goal of developing a framework for making more informed regulatory decisions for scaup harvest management; and finally; and (3) ascertain if this bag-limit restriction results in a meaningful reduction in harvest rate to a level that is more consistent with scaup population levels and harvest potential than is currently the case. Our most recent (February 2004 and July 2005) assessment reports on scaup are available at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/​mgmt/​ahm/​special-topics.htm. We continue to invite critical technical review of this assessment work.

Lastly, we appreciate the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation calling for further restrictions on scaup harvest. However, we do not support their request for an optional bag limit in exchange for a shorter season length due to our inability to assess the effects on harvest.

3. Mergansers

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended that we offer Atlantic Flyway States the option of including the merganser bag limit within the regular duck bag limit (the merganser limit would be the same as the regular duck bag limit). States would also have the option of selecting a separate merganser bag limit. The Council further recommended that the daily bag limit on hooded mergansers be increased from one to two birds.

Service Response: We concur with the recommendation to allow mergansers to be included in the duck bag limit in the Atlantic Flyway. Regarding hooded mergansers, we understand that a variety of data sources suggest that hooded mergansers may be increasing. However, the recommendation from the Council to increase the bag limit has implications beyond the Atlantic Flyway. Therefore, we will defer a decision until next year to allow the other Flyway Councils to consider the ramifications of this recommendation in their respective Flyways.

4. Canada Geese

B. Regular Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended that Atlantic Population (AP) Canada goose hunting regulations include a 45-day season, with a daily bag limit of three geese in the New England and Mid-Atlantic Regions with an opening framework date of the fourth Saturday in October and a closing date of January 31. In the Chesapeake Region (except Back Bay, VA), season length would be 45 days, with a daily bag limit of two geese. In Back Bay, VA, season length would be 15 days at the end of the Virginia's AP season, with a daily bag limit of one goose. The framework opening date in the Chesapeake Region would be November 15 and the closing date would be January 31. Remaining AP harvest areas (i.e., Northeast Hunt Unit in coastal NC) would remain closed. The Council also recommended modification of the Pymatuning Zone in Pennsylvania to include a portion of Crawford County. Further, the Council recommended that the framework for the SJBP Canada goose zone in Pennsylvania be 70 hunting days between the second Saturday in October and February 15 with a daily bag limit of no more than two for days used before January 15 and a daily bag limit of five for days used between January 15 and February 15. Lastly, the Council recommended modifications to Atlantic Flyway Resident Population (AFRP) regular-season hunting zones in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and North Carolina.

The Upper- and Lower-Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a number of changes in season length, season dates, bag limits, and quotas for Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri in response to changes in the status of the Eastern Prairie Population (EPP) Canada goose population and in Kentucky, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois in response to changes in the status of the Mississippi Valley Population (MVP) Canada goose population.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommended the following changes for geese in the Pacific Flyway: (1) Increase the daily bag limit for Aleutian and cackling geese in California's Northeast zone and Balance of State zone from one per day to four per day; (2) remove the Canada goose hunting closure in the Sacramento Valley of the Balance of State Zone in California; (3) decrease the cackling goose daily bag limit from four per day to two per day in the Oregon and Washington special permit goose zones; (4) remove the restriction on Aleutian geese in the Oregon special permit goose zone; and (5) remove the goose hunting closure in Coos and Curry counties Oregon.

Written Comments: The NYDFW stated that the framework opening date for Canada goose hunting in New York's RP Zone should be corrected to the fourth Saturday in October.

Service Response: We concur with all of the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendations and New York's framework correction. However, regarding the recommendation to establish a limited season in Back Bay, Virginia, we are establishing the addition of a 15-day season, one bird per season, in North Carolina's Northeastern Hunt Unit. Both States will be required to conduct a 3-year evaluation to determine the origin of the harvested birds. We will work with Virginia and North Carolina to develop an MOU specifying criteria regarding sample sizes and methods of assessment. These assessments will be conducted at the individual State level.

We also concur with the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendations.

Further, we concur with all of the recommendations forwarded by the Pacific Flyway Council with one exception, the request to increase small Canada goose bag limits from one to four in California. We are aware of the concerns regarding increasing depredation complaints stemming from increasing numbers of Aleutian Canada geese in California. We are also committed to achieving the population objectives for cackling geese and support the recommendations from the Pacific Flyway Council to achieve the targeted harvest reductions. The proposal to increase the small Canada goose bag limit in the Northeastern and Balance-of-State Zones in California does address the Aleutian depredation problem, but not the requested targeted harvest reductions for cackling geese. Therefore, since we believe only cackling geese occur in the Northeastern Zone, we do not support the proposed bag limit increase for this zone, as this change will not address the Aleutian goose depredation issue and will increase the harvest of cackling geese. However, in recognition of the depredation issue, and recognizing the very limited cackler harvest expected to result from the proposed bag limit increase in the Balance-of-State Zone, we support the increase in the bag limit from one to four small Canada geese in this zone.

5. White-Fronted Geese

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended that the Service include white-fronted geese as part of Canada goose hunting regulation frameworks in the Atlantic Flyway to allow the legal take of this species.

The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the 2005-06 white-fronted goose regulations be consistent with the “base” regulations in the current White-fronted Goose Management Plan. This would result in regulations options of 72 days and two white-fronted geese per day or 86 days and one white-fronted goose per day. Their recommendation is contingent upon the same regulations being implemented in the eastern portion of the Central Flyway.

The Central Flyway Council recommended a season framework of 72 days with a daily bag limit of two white-fronted geese, or an alternative season of 86 days with a bag limit of one, in all East-tier States. In the West Tier States, the Council recommended a season framework of 107 days, except in Texas and Colorado where the season would be 95 days, with a daily bag limit of five white-fronted geese except in the Western Goose Zone of Texas where the daily bag limit will be one white-fronted goose. In both cases, States could split the season once.

Service Response: We concur with the recommendations of the Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils to return to the base regulations package for white-fronted geese this year as described in the original management plan. We also support the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation to include white-fronted geese as part of the Canada goose hunting regulation frameworks in the Atlantic Flyway.

6. Brant

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a 30-day season with a two-bird daily bag limit for Atlantic brant in 2005.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommends decreasing the brant season length in Washington from 16 days to 8 days and decreasing the brant season in California from 30 days to 15 days. Both States may create two zones. Seasons in Oregon and California must end by December 15.

Written Comments: An individual from Massachusetts recommended allowing a 50- or 51-day season with a one-bird daily bag limit.

Service Response: We concur with the Atlantic and Pacific Flyway Councils' recommendations.

7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese

Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended increasing the light goose limit throughout the Flyway from three per day to four per day.

Service Response: We concur.

National Environmental Policy Act (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 Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on June 16, 1988 (53 FR 22582), and our Record of Decision on August 18, 1988 (53 FR 31341). In addition, in a proposed rule published in the April 30, 2001, Federal Register (66 FR 21298), we expressed our intent to begin the process of developing a new EIS for the migratory bird hunting program. Our notice beginning the public scoping process was published in the September 8, 2005, Federal Register (70 FR 53376).

Endangered Species Act Consideration

Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, 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 * * *.” Consequently, we conducted formal consultations to ensure that actions resulting from these regulations would not likely jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitat. Findings from these consultations are included in a biological opinion, which concluded that the regulations are not likely to adversely affect any endangered or threatened species. Additionally, these findings may have caused modification of some regulatory measures previously proposed, and the final frameworks reflect any such modifications. Our biological opinions resulting from this Section 7 consultation are public documents available for public inspection at the address indicated under ADDRESSES.

Executive Order 12866

The migratory bird hunting regulations are economically significant and were reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Executive Order 12866. As such, a cost/benefit analysis was prepared in 1981. This analysis was subsequently revised annually from 1990-96, updated in 1998, and updated again in 2004. It is further discussed below under the heading Regulatory Flexibility Act. Results from the 2004 analysis indicate that the expected welfare benefit of the annual migratory bird hunting frameworks is on the order of $734 to $1,064 million, with a mid-point estimate of $899 million. Copies of the cost/benefit analysis are available upon request from the address indicated under ADDRESSES or from our Web site at http://www.migratorybirds.gov.

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 as part of the 1981 cost-benefit analysis discussed under Executive Order 12866. This analysis was revised annually from 1990-95. In 1995, the Service issued a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis), which was subsequently updated in 1996, 1998, and 2004. 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 2004 Analysis was based on the 2001 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 $481 million and $1.2 billion at small businesses in 2004. Copies of the Analysis are available upon request from the address indicated under ADDRESSES or from our Web site at http://www.migratorybirds.gov.

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 surveys associated with the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program and assigned clearance number 1018-0015 (expires 2/29/2008). 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 impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given year on local or State government or private entities. Therefore, this rule is not a “significant regulatory action” under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

Civil Justice Reform—Executive Order 12988

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

Takings Implication Assessment

In accordance with Executive Order 12630, this rule, authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 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, it allow hunters to exercise otherwise unavailable privileges and, therefore, reduce restrictions on the use of private and public property.

Energy Effects—Executive Order 13211

On May 18, 2001, the President issued 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 rule is a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, it is not expected to adversely affect energy supplies, distribution, or use. Thus, this rule is not a significant energy action and no Statement of Energy Effects is required.

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, “Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal Governments” (59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175, and 512 DM 2, we have evaluated possible effects on Federally recognized Indian tribes and have determined that there are no effects.

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 regarding the hunting of migratory birds, and we 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 Indian 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 process 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.

Regulations Promulgation

The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, we intend that the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to comment. Thus, when the preliminary proposed rulemaking was published, we established what we believed were the longest periods possible for public comment. In doing this, we recognized that when the comment period closed, time would be of the essence. That is, if there were a delay in the effective date of these regulations after this final rulemaking, States would have insufficient time to select season dates and limits; to communicate those selections to us; and to establish and publicize the necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions. We therefore find that “good cause” exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, and these frameworks will, therefore, take effect immediately upon publication.

Therefore, under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July 3, 1918), as amended (16 U.S.C. 703-711), we prescribe final frameworks setting forth the species to be hunted, the daily bag and possession limits, the shooting hours, the season lengths, the earliest opening and latest closing season dates, and hunting areas, from which State conservation agency officials will select hunting season dates and other options. Upon receipt of selections from these officials, we will publish in the Federal Register a final rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect seasons, limits, and shooting hours for the conterminous United States for the 2005-06 hunting season.

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 2005-06 hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742a-j.

Dated: September 14, 2005.

Craig Manson,

Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Final Regulations Frameworks for 2005-06 Late Hunting Seasons on Certain Migratory Game Birds

Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated authorities, the Department has approved the following 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, 2005, and March 10, 2006.

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 that 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 24) and the last Sunday in January (January 29).

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days, except for the season for canvasbacks, which may not exceed 30 days, and season splits must conform to each State's zone/split configuration for duck hunting. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 2 scaup, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 2 wood ducks, 2 redheads, and 4 scoters. A single canvasback may also be included in the 6-bird daily bag limit for designated youth-hunt days.

Closures: The season on 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. 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.

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. These seasons also include white-fronted geese. 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 fourth Saturday in October (October 22) and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.

South Zone: A special 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 2-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.

AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between November 15 and January 31, with a 2-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 the fourth Saturday in October (October 22) and January 31, with a 3-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 fourth Saturday in October (October 22) and January 31, with a 3-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

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 may be held, 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 fourth Saturday in October (October 22) and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.

RP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in October (October 22) and February 15, 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.

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

Northeast Hunt Unit: A 15-day experimental season may be held concurrent with the season selected for the Back Bay Area of Virginia. The seasonal bag limit is 1 bird.

Pennsylvania

SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between the second Saturday in October (October 8) and February 15, with a 2-bird daily bag limit until January 14 and a 5-bird daily bag limit between January 15 and February 15.

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 February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in October (October 22) and January 31, with a 3-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 fourth Saturday in October (October 22) and January 31, with a 3-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 2-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: A 15-day experimental season may be held during the last 15 days of the AP Zone season with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

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 allow hunting on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only.

Brant

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 30-day season between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and January 31, with a 2-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 24) and the last Sunday in January (January 29).

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days, except that the season for canvasbacks may not exceed 30 days, and season splits must conform to each State's zone/split configuration for duck hunting. 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, 2 scaup, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 wood ducks, and 2 redheads. A single canvasback may also be included in the 6-bird daily bag limit for designated youth-hunt days.

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 24) and March 10; for white-fronted geese not to exceed 72 days, with 2 geese daily or 86 days with 1 goose daily between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 12); 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 24) 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 24) 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 9 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 2 segments. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Illinois

The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be limited to 80,600 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 86 days or when 16,000 birds have been harvested in the Northern Illinois Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.

(a) Central Zone—The season for Canada geese will close after 86 days or when 20,600 birds have been harvested in the Central Illinois Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.

(c) South Zone—The season for Canada geese will close after 86 days or when 8,200 birds have been harvested in the Southern Illinois Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.

Indiana

The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 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 and may be split into 3 segments in each zone. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Kentucky

(a) Western Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 66 days (81 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 2,600 birds will be allocated to the Henderson/Union Reporting Area. If the quota in either reporting area is reached prior to completion of the 66-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 66-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 66 days (81 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 a 72-day white-fronted goose season or 1 white-fronted goose with an 86-day season. Hunters participating in the Canada goose season must possess a special permit issued by the State.

Michigan

(a) MVP—Upper and Lower Peninsula Zones—The total harvest of Canada geese will be limited to 50,000 birds for these zones combined. The framework opening date for all geese is September 16 and the season for Canada geese may extend for 28 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(1) Allegan County Game Management Unit (GMU)—The Canada goose season will close after 25 days or when 1,500 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(2) Muskegon Wastewater GMU—The Canada goose season will close after 25 days or when 500 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 28 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 30-day special Canada goose season may be held between December 31 and February 7. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese.

(d) Central Michigan GMU—A 30-day special Canada goose season may be held between December 31 and February 7. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese.

Minnesota

(a) West Zone.

(1) West Central Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 40 days. 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—A special Canada goose season of up to 10 days may be held in December, except in the West Central Goose zone. 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) 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.

(b) Remainder of the State—

(1) North Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 77 days, with no more than 40 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 16. 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 40 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 16. 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 60 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 40 days and the daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. 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 72 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 59 days, at least 9 of which must occur before Oct. 16. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(c) Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 59 days, at least 9 of which must occur before Oct. 16. 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 62,500 birds.

(a) Horicon Zone—The framework opening date for all geese is September 16. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 21,000 birds. The season may not exceed 92 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 800 birds. The season may not exceed 65 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 16. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 40,700 birds, 500 of which are allocated to the Mississippi River Subzone. The season may not exceed 92 days, except in the Mississippi River Subzone, where the season may not exceed 72 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. 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 40,200 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; 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, either by 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 24) and the last Sunday in January (January 29).

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 canvasbacks and pintails, which may not exceed 39 days, and season splits must conform to each State's zone/split configuration for duck hunting. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, including no more than 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be hens), 1 mottled duck, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, and 2 wood ducks. The last 23 days may start no earlier than the Saturday nearest December 10 (December 10). A single canvasback and pintail may also be included in the 6-bird daily bag limit for designated youth-hunt days.

(2) Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74 days, except canvasbacks and pintails, which may not exceed 39 days, and season splits must conform to each State's zone/split configuration for duck hunting. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, including no more than 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be hens), 1 mottled duck, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, and 2 wood ducks. A single canvasback and pintail may also be included in the 6-bird daily bag limit for designated youth-hunt days.

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 24) and the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 12). For light geese, outside dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) 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 72 days with a bag limit of 2 or a 86-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 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 Colorado, the season may not exceed 95 days. The daily bag limit is 3 dark geese in the aggregate.

In the Western Goose Zone of Texas, the season may not exceed 95 days. The daily bag limit for Canada geese (or any other dark goose species except white-fronted geese) is 3. 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, except that the season for canvasbacks may not exceed 60 days, and season splits must conform to each State's zone/split configuration for duck hunting. The daily bag limit is 7 ducks and mergansers, including no more than 2 female mallards, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 3 scaup, and 2 redheads. A single canvasback may also be included in the 7-bird daily bag limit for designated youth-hunt days.

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 24) and the last Sunday in January (January 29).

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 (October 1), and the last Sunday in January (January 29). Basic daily bag limits are 4 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 24), and the last Sunday in January (January 29). Basic daily bag limits are 4 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

Oregon may select a 16-day season, Washington an 8-day season, and California a 15-day season. Days must be consecutive. Washington and California may select hunting seasons by up to two zones. The daily bag limit is 2 brant and is in addition to dark goose limits. In Oregon and California, the brant season must end no later than December 15.

Arizona

The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.

California

Northeastern Zone: The daily bag limit is 4 geese and may include no more than than 1 cackling Canada goose or 1 Aleutian Canada goose and 2 white-fronted geese.

Southern 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 5).

Balance-of-the-State Zone: Limits may not include more than 4 geese per day, of which not more than 3 may be white-fronted geese. In the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (West), the season on white-fronted geese must begin no earlier than the last Saturday in October and end on or before December 14, and the daily bag limit shall contain no more than 2 white-fronted geese.

Oregon

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

Northwest Special Permit Zone: 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 geese. See section on quota zones. In those designated areas, the daily bag limit of dark geese is 4 including not more than 2 cackling or Aleutian geese.

Closed Zone: All of Tillamook County.

Southwest Zone: The daily dark goose bag limit is 4 including cackling and Aleutian geese.

Washington

The daily bag limit is 4 geese. A 107-day season may be selected in Areas 4 and 5 (eastern Washington).

Southwest Quota Zone: In the Southwest Quota Zone, 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 geese. See section on quota zones. In this area, the daily bag limit may include 2 cackling geese. In Southwest Quota Zone Area 2B (Pacific and Grays Harbor Counties), the daily bag limit may include 1 Aleutian goose.

Colorado

The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3 geese.

Idaho

The daily bag limit is 4 geese.

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.

Quota Zones

Seasons on dark geese must end upon attainment of individual quotas of dusky 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 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 geese. If the monitoring program cannot be conducted, for any reason, the season must immediately close. In the designated areas of the Washington Southwest 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 Northwest Special Permit Zone of Oregon, the framework closing date is extended to the Sunday closest to March 1 (February 26). Regular dark goose seasons may be split into 3 segments within the Oregon and Washington quota zones.

Swans

In portions of the Pacific Flyway (Montana, Nevada, and Utah), an open season for taking a limited number of swans may be selected. Permits will be issued by the State and will authorize each permittee to take no more than 1 swan per season. Each State's season may open no earlier than the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 1). These seasons are also subject to the following conditions:

Montana

No more than 500 permits may be issued. The season must end no later than December 1. The State must implement a harvest-monitoring program to measure the species composition of the swan harvest and should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance in reporting bill measurement and color information.

Utah

No more than 2,000 permits may be issued. During the swan season, no more than 10 trumpeter swans may be taken. The season must end no later than the second Sunday in December (December 11) or upon attainment of 10 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs earliest. The Utah season remains subject to the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement entered into with the Service in August 2001, regarding harvest monitoring, season closure procedures, and education requirements to minimize the take of trumpeter swans during the swan season.

Nevada

No more than 650 permits may be issued. During the swan season, no more than 5 trumpeter swans may be taken. The season must end no later than the Sunday following January 1 (January 8) or upon attainment of 5 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs earliest.

In addition, the States of Utah and Nevada must implement a harvest-monitoring program to measure the species composition of the swan harvest. 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. The States should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance in providing bagged swans for examination. Further, the States of Montana, Nevada, and Utah must achieve at least an 80-percent compliance rate, or subsequent permits will be reduced by 10 percent. All three States must provide to the Service by June 30, 2004, a report detailing harvest, hunter participation, reporting compliance, and monitoring of swan populations in the designated hunt areas.

Tundra Swans

In portions of the Atlantic Flyway (North Carolina and Virginia) and the Central Flyway (North Dakota, South Dakota [east of the Missouri River], and that portion of Montana in the Central Flyway), an open season for taking a limited number of tundra swans may be selected. Permits will be issued by the 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 are also subject to the following conditions:

In the Atlantic Flyway:

—The season is 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 (October 1) to January 31.

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

—In North Dakota, no more than 2,200 permits may be issued.

—In South Dakota, no more than 1,300 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 State line 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 State line 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 State line.

Central Zone: That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire State line 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 State line; 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 State line 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 State line.

Inland Zone: That portion of the State north and west of the above boundary and along the Massachusetts State line 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 State line in Raritan Bay and extending west along the New York State line 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 State line 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 State line 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 State line.

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 State line.

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 State line, 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 State line 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 State line 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 State line; and along the State line 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 State line along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate Highway 280, east along I-280 to I-80, then east along I-80 to the Indiana State line.

Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Zone to a line extending east from the Missouri State line 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 State line.

South Zone: The remainder of Illinois.

Indiana

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Illinois State line 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 State line.

Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line extending east from the Illinois State line 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 State line.

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 State line 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 State line.

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 State line 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 State line 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 State line (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 State line.

South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west from the Illinois State line 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 State line.

Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri.

Ohio

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Indiana State line 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 State line.

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 State line 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, U.S. 10 east to U.S. 110, east along U.S. 110 to State 96, east along State 96 to State 76, south along State 76 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 State line.

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 State line 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; west on U.S. 54 to U.S. 183; north on U.S. 183 to U.S. 56; and 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 State line 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 State line.

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 State line 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 highways and political boundaries beginning at the Kansas-Nebraska State line 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 State line.

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 State line 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 State line 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 State line.

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 State line 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 State line.

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

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 State line 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 State line 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; 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 remainder 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 State line 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 State line.

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 State line 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

Resident Population (RP) Zone: Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick, Howard, and Montgomery Counties; that portion of Baltimore County south of Route 138, Route 137, and Mount Carmel Road; that portion of Anne Arundel County west of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and Route 3; that portion of Prince George's County west of Route 3 and Route 301, that portion of Charles County west of Route 301 to the Virginia State line; and that portion of Carroll County south of Route 88, west of Route 30 from the intersection of Route 30 and Route 88 to the intersection of Route 30 and Route 482, south of Route 482, south of Route 27 from the intersection of Route 27 and Route 482 to the intersection of Route 27 and Route 97, and west of Route 97 from the Intersection of Route 27 and Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line.

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 the Cape Cod Canal and east of Route 3, north to the New Hampshire line.

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

Lake Champlain Goose Area—that area of New York State lying east and north of a continuous line extending along Route 11 from the New York-Canada boundary south to Route 9B, south along Route 9B to Route 9, south along Route 9 to Route 22 south of Keeseville, south along Route 22 to the west shore of South Bay along and around the shoreline of South Bay to Route 22 on the east shore of South Bay, southeast along Route 22 to Route 4, northeast along Route 4 to the New York-Vermont boundary.

North Central Goose Area—that area of New York State lying north of a continuous line extending from Route 4 at the New York-Vermont boundary, west and south along Route 4 to Route 149 at Fort Ann, west on Route 149 to Route 9, south along Route 9 to Interstate Route 87 (at Exit 20 in Glens Falls), south along Route 87 to Route 29, west along Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball Corners, south along Route 147 to Schenectady County Route 40 (West Glenville Road), west along Route 40 to Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna Road to Schenectady County Route 59, south along Route 59 to State Route 5, east along Route 5 to the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S, southeast along Route 5S to Schenectady County Route 58, southwest along Route 58 to the NYS Thruway, south along the Thruway to Route 7, southwest along Route 7 to Schenectady County Route 103, south along Route 103 to Route 406, east along Route 406 to Schenectady County Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route 99 to Dunnsville Road, south along Dunnsville Road to Route 397, southwest along Route 397 to Route 146 at Altamont, west along Route 146 to Albany County Route 252, northwest along Route 252 to Schenectady County Route 131, north along Route 131 to Route 7, west along Route 7 to Route 10 at Richmondville, south on Route 10 to Route 23 at Stamford, west along Route 23 to the south bank of the Susquehanna River, southwest along the south bank of the Susquehanna River to Interstate Route 88 near Harpursville, west along Route 88 to Route 79, northwest along Route 79 to Route 26 in Whitney Point, southwest along Route 26 to Interstate Route 81, north along Route 81 to the north shore of the Salmon River, west along the north shore of the Salmon River to the shore of Lake Ontario, extending generally northwest in a straight line to the nearest point of the international boundary with Canada, excluding the Lake Champlain Goose Hunting Area.

West Central Goose Area—that area of New York State lying within a continuous line beginning at the point where the northerly extension of Route 269 (County Line Road on the Niagara-Orleans County boundary) meets the International boundary with Canada, south to the shore of Lake Ontario at the eastern boundary of Golden Hill State Park, south along the extension of Route 269 and Route 269 to Route 104 at Jeddo, west along Route 104 to Niagara County Route 271, south along Route 271 to Route 31E at Middleport, south along Route 31E to Route 31, west along Route 31 to Griswold Street, south along Griswold Street to Ditch Road, south along Ditch Road to Foot Road, south along Foot Road to the north bank of Tonawanda Creek, west along the north bank of Tonawanda Creek to Route 93, south along Route 93 to the NYS Thruway, east along the Thruway 90 to Route 98 (at Thruway Exit 48) in Batavia, south along Route 98 to Route 20, east along Route 20 to Route 19 in Pavilion Center, south along Route 19 to Route 63, southeast along Route 63 to Route 246, south along Route 246 to Route 39 in Perry, south along Route 39 to Route 19A (south of Castile), south and southeast along Route 19A to Route 436, east along Route 436 to Route 36 in Dansville, south along Route 36 to Route 17, east along Route 17 to Belfast Street at Bath, east along Belfast Street to Route 415 (West Washington Street), southeast along Route 415 to Route 54, northeast along Route 54 to Steuben County Route 87, northeast along Route 87 to Steuben County Route 96, east along Route 96 to Steuben County Route 114, east along Route 114 to Schuyler County Route 23, east and southeast along Route 23 to Schuyler County Route 28, southeast along Route 28 to Route 409 at Watkins Glen, south along Route 409 to Route 14, south along Route 14 to Route 224 at Montour Falls, east along Route 224 to Route 228 in Odessa, north along Route 228 to Route 79 in Mecklenburg, east along Route 79 to Route 366 in Ithaca, northeast along Route 366 to Route 13, northeast along Route 13 to Interstate Route 81 in Cortland, north along Route 81 to the north shore of the Salmon River to shore of Lake Ontario, extending generally northwest in a straight line to the nearest point of the International boundary with Canada, south and west along the International boundary to the point of beginning.

Hudson Valley Goose Area—that area of New York State lying within a continuous line extending from Route 4 at the New York-Vermont boundary, west and south along Route 4 to Route 149 at Fort Ann, west on Route 149 to Route 9, south along Route 9 to Interstate Route 87 (at Exit 20 in Glens Falls), south along Route 87 to Route 29, west along Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball Corners, south along Route 147 to Schenectady County Route 40 (West Glenville Road), west along Route 40 to Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna Road to Schenectady County Route 59, south along Route 59 to State Route 5, east along Route 5 to the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S, southeast along Route 5S to Schenectady County Route 58, southwest along Route 58 to the NYS Thruway, south along the Thruway to Route 7, southwest along Route 7 to Schenectady County Route 103, south along Route 103 to Route 406, east along Route 406 to Schenectady County Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route 99 to Dunnsville Road, south along Dunnsville Road to Route 397, southwest along Route 397 to Route 146 at Altamont, southeast along Route 146 to Main Street in Altamont, west along Main Street to Route 156, southeast along Route 156 to Albany County Route 307, southeast along Route 307 to Route 85A, southwest along Route 85A to Route 85, south along Route 85 to Route 443, southeast along Route 443 to Albany County Route 301 at Clarksville, southeast along Route 301 to Route 32, south along Route 32 to Route 23 at Cairo, west along Route 23 to Joseph Chadderdon Road, southeast along Joseph Chadderdon Road to Hearts Content Road (Greene County Route 31), southeast along Route 31 to Route 32, south along Route 32 to Greene County Route 23A, east along Route 23A to Interstate Route 87 (the NYS Thruway), south along Route 87 to Route 28 (Exit 19) near Kingston, northwest on Route 28 to Route 209, southwest on Route 209 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary, southeast along the New York-Pennsylvania boundary to the New York-New Jersey boundary, southeast along the New York-New Jersey boundary to Route 210 near Greenwood Lake, northeast along Route 210 to Orange County Route 5, northeast along Orange County Route 5 to Route 105 in the Village of Monroe, east and north along Route 105 to Route 32, northeast along Route 32 to Orange County Route 107 (Quaker Avenue), east along Route 107 to Route 9W, north along Route 9W to the south bank of Moodna Creek, southeast along the south bank of Moodna Creek to the New Windsor-Cornwall town boundary, northeast along the New Windsor-Cornwall town boundary to the Orange-Dutchess County boundary (middle of the Hudson River), north along the county boundary to Interstate Route 84, east along Route 84 to the New York-Connecticut boundary, north along the New York-Connecticut boundary to the New York-Massachusetts boundary, north along the New York-Massachusetts boundary to the New York-Vermont boundary, north to the point of beginning.

Western Long Island Goose Area—that area of Westchester County and its tidal waters lying southeast of Interstate Route 95, and that area of Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying west of a continuous line extending due south from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the northern end of Sound Road (near Wading River), then south along Sound Road to North Country Road, then west along North Country Road to Randall Road, then south along Randall Road to State Route 25A, then west along Route 25A to the William Floyd Parkway (County Route 46), then south along William Floyd Parkway to Fire Island Beach Road, then due south to International waters.

Eastern Long Island Goose Area—that area of Suffolk County that is not part of the Western Long Island Goose Hunting Area, as defined above.

South Goose Area—the remainder of New York State, excluding New York City.

Special Late Canada Goose Area—that area of Westchester County lying southeast of Interstate Route 95, 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.

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), Montgomery (that portion west of NC 109), Northampton (all of the county with the exception of that portion that is both north of U.S. 158 and east of NC 35), Richmond (that portion south of NC 73 and west of U.S. 220 and north of U.S. 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 U.S. 17 in Midway, U.S. 17 in Midway to U.S. 13 in Windsor, U.S. 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, 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 U.S. 220 and north of U.S. 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 County line to U.S. 17 in Midway, U.S. 17 in Midway to U.S. 13 in Windsor, U.S. 13 in Windsor to the Hertford Co. line), Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Northampton (that portion that is both north of U.S. 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 route SR 97 from Maryland State Line to the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of U.S. Route 30, south of U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743, east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of I-80, south of I-80 to New Jersey State line).

SJBP Zone: Erie, Mercer and Crawford Counties except for the Pymatuning Zone.

Pymatuning Zone: The area south of SR 198 from the Ohio State line to intersection of SR 18, SR 18 south to SR 618, SR 618 south to U.S. Route 6, U.S. Route 6 east to U.S. Route 322/SR 18, U.S. Route 322/SR 18 west to intersection of SR 3013, SR 3013 south to the Crawford/Mercer County line.

AP Zone: The area east of route SR 97 from Maryland State Line to the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of U.S. Route 30, south of U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743, east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of I-80, south of I-80 to 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 Woodford, Peoria, Knox, Fulton, Tazewell, Mason, Cass, Morgan, Pike, Calhoun, and Jersey, and those portions of Grundy, LaSalle and Will Counties south of Interstate Highway 80.

South Zone:

Southern Illinois Quota Zone: Alexander, Jackson, Union, and Williamson 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

North Zone: That portion of the State north of U.S. Highway 20.

South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.

Kentucky

Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the Tennessee State line 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 State line.

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-Upper Peninsula Zone: The MVP-Upper Peninsula Zone consists of the entire Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

MVP-Lower Peninsula Zone: The MVP-Lower Peninsula Zone consists of the area within the Lower Peninsula of Michigan that is 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 east to the southwest corner of Eaton county, then north to the southern border of Ionia county, then east to the southwest corner of Clinton county, then north along the western border of Clinton County continuing north along the county border of Gratiot and Montcalm counties to the southern border of Isabella county, then east to the southwest corner of Midland county, then north 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 and 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 State line.

Central Michigan GMU: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of the Southern Michigan GMU but south of a line beginning at the Wisconsin State line 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 State line, 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 State line.

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.

Northwest Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line extending east from the North Dakota State line 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:

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 State line to Clarksville and U.S. Highway 79 from Clarksville to the Kentucky State line.

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 along Poplar Grove Road to Rockea Road, southerly along Rockea 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 State line 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 State line.

Rock Prairie Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of the Illinois State line 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 State line.

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 State line 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 State line.

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.

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

Niobrara Unit: That area contained within and bounded by the intersection of the South Dakota stateline and the Cherry County line, south along the Cherry County line to the Niobrara River, east to the Norden Road, south on the Norden Road to U.S. Hwy 20, east along U.S. Hwy 20 to NE Hwy 137, north along NE Hwy 137 to the Niobrara River, east along the Niobrara River to the Boyd County line, north along the Boyd County line to the South Dakota stateline. Where the Niobrara River forms the boundary, both banks of the river shall be included in the Niobrara Unit.

Keya Paha County east of U.S. 183 and all of Boyd County, including the boundary waters of the Niobrara River. Where the Niobrara River forms the boundary, both banks will be in the Niobrara Unit.

East Unit: That area north and east of U.S. 281 at the Kansas-Nebraska State line, north to Giltner Road (near Doniphan), east to NE 14, north to NE 66, east to U.S. 81, north to NE 22, west to NE 14 north to NE 91, east to U.S. 275, south to U.S. 77, south to NE 91, east to U.S. 30, east to Nebraska-Iowa State line.

Platte River Unit: That area south and west of U.S. 281 at the Kansas-Nebraska State line, north to Giltner Road (near Doniphan), east to NE 14, north to NE 66, east to U.S. 81, north to NE 22, west to NE 14 north to NE 91, west along NE 91 to NE 11, north to the Holt County line, west along the northern border of Garfield, Loup, Blaine and Thomas Counties to the Hooker County line, south along the Thomas-Hooker County lines to the McPherson County line, east along the south border of Thomas County to the western line of Custer County, south along the Custer-Logan County line to NE 92, west to U.S. 83, north to NE 92, west to NE 61, north along NE 61 to NE 2, west along NE 2 to the corner formed by Garden-Grant-Sheridan Counties, west along the north border of Garden, Morrill, and Scotts Bluff Counties to the Wyoming State line.

North-Central Unit: The remainder of the State.

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: Bon Homme, Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Gregory, Hughes, Lyman, Stanley, and Sully Counties; that portion of Dewey County south of U.S. 212, that portion of Hyde County south of U.S. Highway 14; that portion of Potter County west of U.S. Highway 83; Fall River County east of SD 71 and U.S. 385; and that portion of Custer County, east of SD 79 and south of French Creek.

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

Unit 4: Bennett County.

Texas

Northeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and north of a line beginning at the Texas-Oklahoma border at U.S. 81, then continuing south to Bowie and then southeasterly along U.S. 81 and U.S. 287 to I-35W and I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San Antonio, then east on I-10 to the Texas—Louisiana border.

Southeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and south of a line beginning at the International Toll Bridge at Laredo, then continuing north following I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San Antonio, then easterly along I-10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.

West Goose Zone: The remainder of the State.

Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)

Dark Geese

Area 1: Converse, 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: Albany, Campbell, Crook, 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 3: Goshen and Platte Counties.

Area 4: Big Horn and Fremont Counties.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona

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

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

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 7 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 (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.

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.

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.

Lower Columbia/N. Willamette Valley Management Area: Those portions of Clatsop, Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington Counties within the Northwest Special Permit Zone.

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: All of Tillamook County.

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 that 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 that are not included in Area 4.

Brant

Pacific Flyway

California

North Coast Zone: Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino Counties.

South Coast Zone: Balance of the State.

Washington

Puget Sound Zone: Skagit County.

Coastal Zone: Pacific County.

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.