[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 188 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50662-50681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24733]
[[Page 50661]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part VIII
Department of the Interior
_______________________________________________________________________
Fish and Wildlife Service
_______________________________________________________________________
50 CFR Part 20
Final Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations;
Final Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 188 / Thursday, September 26, 1996 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 50662]]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
RIN 1018-AD69
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Late-Season
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This rule prescribes final late-season frameworks from which
States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 1996-
97 migratory bird hunting season. These late seasons include most
waterfowl seasons, the earliest of which generally commence on or about
October 1, 1996. The effects of this final rule are to facilitate the
selection of hunting seasons by the States to further the annual
establishment of the late-season migratory bird hunting regulations.
State selections will be published in the Federal Register as
amendments to Secs. 20.104 through 20.107 and Sec. 20.109 of title 50
CFR part 20.
EFFECTIVE DATE: September 26, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Season selections from States are to be mailed to: Chief,
Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Department of the Interior, ms 634--ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20240. Comments received are available for public
inspection during normal business hours in room 634, Arlington Square
Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul R. Schmidt, Chief, Office of
Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (703) 358-
1714.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulations Schedule for 1996
On March 22, 1996, the Service published in the Federal Register
(61 FR 11992) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal dealt
with the establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for
migratory game birds under Secs. 20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and
20.110 of subpart K. On June 13, 1996, the Service published in the
Federal Register (61 FR 30114) a second document providing supplemental
proposals for early- and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations
frameworks. The June 13 supplement also provided detailed information
on the 1996-97 regulatory schedule and announced the Service Migratory
Bird Regulations Committee and Flyway Council meetings. On June 14,
1996, the Service published in the Federal Register (61 FR 30490) a
third document describing the Service's proposed 1996-97 regulatory
alternatives for duck hunting and its intent to consider establishing a
special youth waterfowl hunting day.
On June 27, 1996, the Service held a public hearing in Washington,
DC, as announced in the March 22 and June 14 Federal Registers, to
review the status of migratory shore and upland game birds. The Service
discussed hunting regulations for these species and for other early
seasons. On July 22, 1996, the Service published in the Federal
Register (61 FR 37994) a fourth document specifically dealing with
proposed early-season frameworks for the 1996-97 season. This document
also extended the public comment period to August 1, 1996, for early-
season proposals. This rulemaking establishes final frameworks for
early-season migratory bird hunting regulations for the 1996-97 season.
On August 2, 1996, a public hearing was held in Washington, DC, as
announced in the March 22, June 14, and July 22 Federal Registers, to
review the status of waterfowl. Proposed hunting regulations were
discussed for these late seasons. On August 15, 1996, (61 FR 42506),
the Service published a fifth and sixth document on migratory bird
hunting. The fifth document dealt specifically with proposed frameworks
for the 1996-97 late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. The
sixth document proposed establishing a youth waterfowl hunting day for
the 1996-97 duck-hunting season. On August 29, 1996, the Service
published a seventh document containing final frameworks for early
migratory bird hunting seasons from which wildlife conservation agency
officials from the States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands selected
early-season hunting dates, hours, areas, and limits.
On August 30, 1996, the Service published in the Federal Register
(61 FR 45836) an eighth document consisting of a final rule amending
subpart K of title 50 CFR part 20 to set hunting seasons, hours, areas,
and limits for early seasons. This document, which establishes final
frameworks for late-season migratory bird hunting regulations for the
1996-97 season, is the ninth in the series.
Review of Comments and the Service's Response
Public-hearing and written comments received through September 6,
1996, relating to proposed late-season frameworks, are discussed and
addressed here. Two individuals presented statements at the August 2,
1996, public hearing. They were: Joe Kramer, representing the Central
Flyway Council and Bruce Barbour, representing National Audubon
Society. The Service received 28 written comments that specifically
addressed late-season issues. These late-season comments are summarized
and discussed in the subject order used in the March 22, 1996, Federal
Register. Only the numbered items pertaining to late seasons for which
comments were received are included. Flyway Council recommendations
shown below include only those involving changes from the 1995-96 late-
season frameworks. For those topics where a Council recommendation is
not shown, the Council supported continuing the same frameworks as in
1995-96.
General
Written Comments: The Humane Society of the United States (Humane
Society) expressed concern that the public was not well represented in
the regulations-development process and requested establishment of a
system directly involving the non-hunting public. In addition, they
recommended that the Service undertake efforts to obtain population
estimates for all hunted species. Finally, they recommended pre-sunrise
shooting be disallowed.
Service Response: When the preliminary proposed rulemaking document
was published in the Federal Register on March 22, 1996, the Service
announced the comment periods for the early-season and late-season
proposals and gave notice that the process of promulgating hunting
regulations ``must, by its nature, operate under time constraints.''
Ample time must be given to gather and interpret survey data, consider
recommendations and develop proposals, and to receive public comment.
Scheduled dates are set to give the greatest possible opportunity for
public input. The Service is obligated to, and does, give serious
consideration to all information received as public comment. The
Service has long recognized the problems associated with the length of
time necessary to establish the final frameworks, and in conjunction
with States, Flyway Councils, and the public, continues to seek new
ways to streamline and improve the regulatory process.
Regarding the Service's efforts to obtain population estimates, the
long-term objectives of the Service include providing opportunities to
harvest
[[Page 50663]]
portions of certain migratory game bird populations and to limit
harvests to levels compatible with each population's ability to
maintain healthy, viable numbers. Annually, the Service evaluates the
status of populations and considers the potential impacts of hunting.
The Service believes that the hunting seasons provided herein are
consistent with the current status of waterfowl populations and long-
term population goals.
In regard to shooting hours, the Service has compiled information
which demonstrates that shooting hours beginning one-half hour before
sunrise do not contribute significantly to the harvest of nontarget
species. Consistent with the Service's long-term strategy for shooting
hours, published in the September 21, 1990, Federal Register (55 FR
388898), the frameworks herein provide for shooting hours of one-half
hour before sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise specified.
1. Ducks
The categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest
management are as follows: (A) General Harvest Strategy, (B) Framework
Dates, (C) Season Length, (E) Bag Limits, (F) Zones and Split Seasons,
and (G) Special Seasons/Species Management. Only those categories
containing substantial recommendations are included below.
A. General Harvest Strategy
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council, the Upper-
Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council, the
Central Flyway Council, and the Pacific Flyway Council recommended
adopting the ``liberal'' alternative for the 1996-97 duck hunting
season.
The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended some specific modifications to the ``liberal''
alternative. These modifications are detailed in B. Framework Dates, C.
Season Length, and E. Bag Limits.
Written Comments: Senator John Breaux of Louisiana asked for
consideration of the Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the
Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation.
Senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott of Mississippi, John Breaux
and Bennett Johnston of Louisiana, and Richard Shelby of Alabama,
supported the recommendations of the Lower-Region Regulations Committee
of the Mississippi Flyway Council.
The Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) supported the Service's
proposed frameworks for late-season hunting regulations. WMI supported
adaptive harvest management (AHM) and believed that recent attempts by
some States to circumvent the established regulatory process threatens
the future of AHM as a useful process.
The National Wildlife Federation concurred with the Service's
proposal to generally maintain harvest levels similar to last year,
with some areas slightly increased.
Service Response: Beginning in 1995, the Service, Flyway Councils,
and States introduced a new approach to the regulation of duck
harvests, called Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM). An integral part of
this harvest-management approach is the cooperative establishment of a
set of regulatory alternatives that includes specified season lengths
and bag limits for restrictive, moderate, and liberal seasons. The
alternatives established for this year's hunting season are similar to
those of the 1995 season and are the result of extensive discussions
with the Flyway Councils and States since last January, as well as
involvement by the public during an open comment period.
The estimate of total ducks this year is 16 percent higher than the
long-term average and several species are at record levels. The outlook
for production is excellent and the 1996 fall flight will be comparable
to those observed during the 1970s. Based on favorable input, the
Service seeks to continue use of the AHM approach initiated last year.
The AHM strategy for 1996 prescribes the liberal regulatory alternative
based on high mallard and pond numbers.
The frameworks recommended by the Lower-Region Regulations
Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council differed from those in the
``liberal'' alternative established earlier this year. The Service's
proposal is consistent with the ``liberal'' alternative outlined in the
July 22 Federal Register and was supported by the other three Flyway
Councils as well as the Mississippi Flyway Council's Upper-Region
Regulations Committee.
The Service recognizes the need to address the issue of harvest
opportunity for species other than mallards that may be at or above
objective population levels. Consequently, as part of the continuing
development of AHM, the Service and Flyway Councils will soon begin a
comprehensive review of regulatory alternatives, including all aspects
of duck hunting regulations, in preparation for the 1997-98 hunting
season.
Additionally, in the July 22, 1996, Federal Register, the Service
reported that all four Flyways continued to express support for the AHM
approach, but that the Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils had
recommended some specific modifications to the harvest-management
objective (objective function). The Service and Flyway Councils have
examined the role of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan
(NAWMP) in harvest management and have explored a range of possible
objectives designed to balance harvest and population goals. The
Service emphasizes that population goals are not necessary for ensuring
resource persistence if the basic objective is one of maximizing long-
term cumulative harvest. In this sense, the NAWMP is neither a system
for regulating harvest nor a substitute for Flyway management. However,
NAWMP goals do provide a means to reflect non-harvest conservation
values, an ecosystem context for management, and a potential vehicle
for future integration of harvest and habitat management.
Based on recommendations from the Flyway Councils, the Service has
decided to adopt a harvest-management objective that implements a
proportional decrease in harvest value when the mallard population is
expected to recede from the NAWMP goal. This change in harvest-
management objective results in a somewhat more liberal harvest
strategy than that used in 1995, all other things being equal. However,
the Service notes that: (1) a proportional decrease in harvest value
provides a reasonable balance of harvest and population goals, while
still calling for very restrictive seasons with low pond and mallard
numbers; and (2) the frequency of regulatory changes and potential for
closed seasons are expected to be lower when compared with the
objective function from 1995.
B. Framework Dates
Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended fixed September 28 and
January 23 framework dates.
Written Comments: Senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott of
Mississippi recommended an experimental January 31 framework closing
date for Mississippi.
The Delta Outfitters Association of Mississippi and the Delta
Wildlife Foundation of Mississippi requested a January 31 framework
closing date for Mississippi, citing scientific benefits, habitat
incentives, equal hunting opportunities, and additional economic income
for Mississippi.
An individual from Texas recommended extending the season through
the second week of February.
[[Page 50664]]
The Humane Society recommended that all seasons open at noon on
Wednesdays in order to reduce the high level of harvest associated with
traditional Saturday season openings. Furthermore, the Humane Society
recommended that season openings be delayed by two weeks in all
breeding areas in order to allow ducks time to leave natal marshes
before being subjected to hunting pressure.
Service Response: Regarding the Mississippi Flyway Council's Lower-
Region Regulations Committee recommendation of fixed framework dates,
the Service responded last year in the September 27, 1995, Federal
Register (60 FR 50042) that to maintain consistency among Flyways in
the procedures for selecting framework dates, and because floating
dates have been recommended annually for the Mississippi Flyway in
recent years, it returned to the traditional procedure using fixed
calendar dates for the Atlantic Flyway and floating dates for the
Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways. All floating dates would be
oriented to the October 1 - January 20 period. Further, the Service
reiterated its previously-stated policy to retain the option of using
framework dates as a harvest-management tool. Traditionally, framework
opening and closing dates have been oriented to the period October 1 -
January 20, either as fixed calendar dates or ``floating'' dates, using
as a guideline the Saturday nearest October 1 and the Sunday nearest
January 20 to select opening and closing dates annually. In recent
years, the Service has established fixed calendar dates of October 1 -
January 20 for all Flyways. The fixed calendar dates of September 28 -
January 23 recommended for the Mississippi Flyway this year would
provide consistently wider frameworks over the years than the fixed
October 1 - January 20 dates for the Atlantic Flyway and the floating
dates for the Central and Pacific Flyways.
Regarding the requests for a January 31 framework closing date in
Mississippi, we reiterate our long-standing concerns that hunting
disturbance in late winter may interfere with pair bonding and inhibit
nutrient acquisition and storage with subsequent impacts to
reproductive potential. However, we continue to support investigations
by the AHM technical working group to assess the suitability of all
aspects of the current regulatory alternatives, including framework
dates. Before the Service can consider changes to the timing of the
framework closing date, additional information to alleviate these
concerns is necessary.
Regarding the Humane Society's recommendation for Wednesday season
openings, the Service has previously stated in the Federal Register (58
FR 50190) that a State may choose to delay its opening date to
correspond with a particular day of the week or to close earlier to
maximize the number of weekends that hunting is allowed.
C. Season Length
Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a 53-day season.
Written Comments: Congressman Jimmy Hayes of Louisiana requested
the Service grant the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries'
request to extend the season by 3 days.
Service Response: The Service responded in the July 22, 1996,
Federal Register that it believes that any modifications to season
length under the three regulatory alternatives must be approached
carefully, with due consideration to differences among Flyways. Current
differences in season length among the Flyways are predicated on
historic (ca. 1950) patterns of duck abundance and hunter activity,
with longer seasons available to Flyways with relatively more ducks and
fewer hunters. Further, the Service believes that a thorough review of
Flyway differences in season lengths is needed and is seeking technical
guidance from the Flyway Councils, the AHM technical working group, and
others. Current differences in hunter activity and duck abundance, as
well as the origin and status of duck stocks contributing to each
Flyway, should be investigated using recent data and current analytical
techniques. Until such analyses are conducted, the Service is concerned
that changes in season lengths contained in the regulatory alternatives
could alter the allocation of harvest in unpredictable, undesirable or
inappropriate ways. Therefore, the Service prefers to approach all
proposed changes to season length, regardless of the number of days
involved, in a systematic and comprehensive manner.
E. Bag Limits
Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a 6-duck daily bag limit,
including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 1 of which could be a
hen), 4 mottled ducks, 4 scaup, 4 ringnecks, 4 goldeneyes, 4
buffleheads, 2 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, and 1
black duck.
Written Comments: Senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott of
Mississippi recommended an experimental 6-bird daily bag limit for
Mississippi.
The Delta Outfitters Association of Mississippi and the Delta
Wildlife Foundation of Mississippi requested a 6-bird daily bag limit
for Mississippi.
An individual from Texas recommended a 5-bird daily bag limit,
including at least 2 pintails and 2 redheads. Another individual from
Texas recommended a 5-bird daily bag limit, including 2 to 3 pintails.
Service Response: The Service responded in the July 22, 1996,
Federal Register that it cannot support the proposal of the Lower-
Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council to
increase the overall bag limit in the ``liberal'' alternative from 5 to
6 in order to provide additional hunting opportunity on several
abundant species. The Service believes that major changes to the
regulatory alternatives should be addressed in a deliberate and
comprehensive manner. Historic efforts at species-specific management
have been predicated largely on the assumptions that: (a) mallard
harvest rates can be used as a standard by which to judge the
appropriateness of harvest rates for other species; (b) target stocks
of ducks can be isolated in time or space, or that hunters can shoot
selectively; and (c) that management costs are largely fixed, whether
managing one stock or many. Recent information has led the Service to
question the validity of these assumptions. The Service believes that a
number of issues must be addressed prior to major reforms in species-
specific harvest strategies: (1) how much must species or populations
differ in terms of their population dynamics to warrant differential
harvest regulations? (2) what are the relative costs and benefits of
managing individual duck stocks? (3) what is the ability of hunters to
harvest selectively? and (4) do hunters prefer the maximum hunting
opportunity afforded by complex regulations or simpler hunting
regulations that offer less hunting opportunity? The Service awaits
further guidance from the Councils and the AHM technical working group
before considering significant changes to species-specific bag limits.
F. Zones and Split Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that the Service implement the proposed changes to guidelines for the
use of zones and split seasons, and determine if States could be
allowed to
[[Page 50665]]
have 3 zones, with split seasons in each, where the numbers of hunters
and ducks harvested in one or more zones would be very small.
The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended an additional option of 3 zones and 2-way splits be
provided as a regular option to all States in 1997.
Written Comments: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the
Ohio Division of Wildlife, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources requested the Service add the option of 3 zones and 2-way
splits in one or more zones to the 1996-2000 zones and splits
guidelines. Collectively, they believe that delay in the consideration
of this recommendation until the next open period in 2001 is
unreasonable and further request that States would have up to 1 year to
select this option (prior to the 1997 season).
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (Wyoming) appreciated the
proposed approval of their zone/split configuration for the 1996-2000
period. However, they recommended the Service establish more detailed
requirements on the minimum acceptable zone width for use during the
next open season. Wyoming believed that guidelines should be
sufficiently clear to prevent unintended interpretations and explicit
regarding their intent. Finally, Wyoming believed that States with
diverse, non-contiguous physiography should be allowed exceptions to
the existing guidelines.
An individual from Wyoming requested the Service's guidelines allow
non-contiguous zones. One individual from Indiana desired for a fourth
zone in Indiana while another requested consideration for allowing
changes to Indiana's zone boundaries. An individual from Maine
recommended the Service consider Maine's proposal to change zone
boundaries and create an additional zone citing the loss of late season
hunting opportunities due to cold weather.
The Humane Society urges the Service to discontinue all split and
special seasons and recommends that any State establishing such seasons
reduce the total number of hunting days by a minimum of 10 days.
Service Response: For the 1996 open season, the Service provided
final guidelines on the use of zones and split seasons for the 1996-
2000 period in the July 22, 1996, Federal Register. As we previously
stated, the Service established these guidelines in 1990 (Federal
Register, 55 FR 38901) following extensive review and endorsement of
the Flyway Councils and Technical Sections. The primary purpose of the
guidelines was to provide a framework for controlling the proliferation
of changes in zone and split options, which compromise our ability to
measure impacts of various regulatory changes on harvest. The
guidelines were not developed preferentially according to the
geographic size of any State, but rather, were administered equally to
all States. We continue to believe that the guidelines must be applied
fairly and consistently to all States in order to prevent further
proliferations in zone/split configurations and that current guidelines
offer States sufficient flexibility to address unique differences in
physiograpy, climate, and biology. However, we will work with the
Flyway Councils to cooperatively review these guidelines, as well as
those concerns identified above, prior to the next scheduled open
season in 2001.
With respect to Wyoming's recommendation for increased levels of
detail in existing guidelines, we believe the guidelines should only be
as detailed as necessary to achieve the desired intent, while allowing
as much flexibility as possible in selecting a zone/split
configuration.
In regard to the recommendation that split and special seasons be
discontinued, the Service notes that States always have the option of
selecting a continuous season with no splits. Furthermore, the Service
is not aware of any information that split seasons are causing
detrimental impacts to populations.
G. Special Seasons/Species Management
Written Comments: WMI believes the Service must aggressively
develop processes for management of harvest programs for species that
do not easily fall under the existing scientific base for AHM.
Service Response: The Service is committed to working with the
Flyway Councils and States to address those species that may not be
managed optimally with the existing AHM framework. However, the Service
believes that species-specific harvest strategies should be developed
in a deliberate and comprehensive manner, and that a number of issues
must be addressed prior to major changes. These issues were described
in the July 22, 1996, Federal Register (61 FR 37999). The Service will
soon undertake a comprehensive review of species-specific harvest
management and will actively seek advice on appropriate approaches from
the Flyway Councils, States, and the public.
i. Black Ducks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that the individual Atlantic Flyway States achieve a 40 percent
reduction in their black duck harvest during the 1996-97 season
compared with the 1977-81 base-line harvest.
Written Comments: An individual from Maine questioned the need for
black duck harvest reductions.
Service Response: The Service agrees with the Atlantic Flyway
Council's recommendation and acknowledges the Council's concern for the
population status of black ducks. Black duck populations remain below
the NAWMP goal and while the decline seems to have halted, little
increase is evident. The Service believes the harvest restrictions
identified in the 1983 Environmental Assessment should be maintained
until a revised harvest strategy is developed.
ii. Canvasbacks
Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a daily bag limit of 2
canvasbacks.
Written Comments: An individual from Washington recommended a daily
bag limit of 2 canvasbacks.
Service Response: The Service continues to support the canvasback
harvest strategy adopted in 1994. Current population and habitat status
suggests that a daily bag limit of 1 canvasback during the 1996-97
season will result in a harvest within levels allowed by the strategy.
The Service believes that it has insufficient experience with this
harvest strategy to consider modifications at this time, and is
concerned that an overly aggressive strategy could precipitate a return
to closed seasons. The Service will continue to monitor the performance
of the current strategy for canvasbacks.
4. Canada Geese
Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended several changes in Canada
goose quotas, season lengths, etc., based on population status and
management plans.
The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended the Service allow 3-way splits for goose seasons.
The Council further recommended that 3-way split seasons for Canada
geese require both Council and Service
[[Page 50666]]
approval and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State.
The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended a dark goose daily bag limit of 3 Canada geese, 2
white-fronted geese, and 2 brant.
The Central Flyway Council recommended a 4-bird dark goose
aggregate bag limit in the west-tier States, except for the Western
Goose Zone of Texas.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a closing framework date in
the NW Oregon Special Permit Zone of the Sunday closest to February 28.
During the extended period, hunting would occur one day per week. The
Council also recommended the morphological definition of a dusky Canada
goose be defined as dark-breasted (Munsell 10YR color value of 5 or
less) with a culmen measurement of 40 to 50 millimeters.
Written Comments: The NWF supported the general suspension of the
regular season on Canada geese in the Atlantic Flyway.
Service Response: The Service concurs with the above
recommendations regarding bag limits in the Mississippi and Central
Flyways and the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation for a framework
closing date of February 28 in the NW Oregon Special Permit Zone.
Further, the Service also concurs with the Upper-Region Regulations
Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation on 3-way
split seasons for Canada geese.
The Service concurs with the need for a uniform classification
procedure to determine the harvest of dusky Canada geese in the quota
zones in Washington and Oregon. The Service also agrees with the
criteria proposed by the Pacific Flyway Council for this purpose. The
Service would encourage the Pacific Flyway to continue to evaluate
these criteria to ensure that the harvest management objectives are
met.
C. Special Late Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
new experimental late seasons for resident geese in Maryland, Rhode
Island, and Virginia, and additional days and area modifications for
existing seasons in Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.
The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended the special late season in the Fergus Falls/
Alexandria Goose Zone of Minnesota be made operational.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a daily bag and possession
limit of 2 and 4 cackling Canada geese, respectively, in the SW
Washington Special Goose Zone during the February 5 to March 10 late
season.
Written Comments: The NWF stressed the importance of setting
regulations that would increase the harvest of resident geese in the
Atlantic Flyway while decreasing or eliminating harvest on migrant
populations.
The Humane Society opposed the proposed late season Canada goose
hunts, citing that such hunts fail to target the goose populations
ostensibly responsible for conflicts with humans.
Service Response: The Service concurs with the Atlantic Flyway
Council's recommendations to expand seasons in those areas that meet
existing criteria. Several new seasons were initiated this year and
many others were expanded to increase harvest of resident birds in lieu
of the closed season on the migrant Atlantic Population. However, these
seasons are experimental and the Service encourages all States to
initiate or continue existing evaluations to assess the potential
impacts on the migratory population.
The Service also concurs with the Mississippi Flyway Council's
Upper-Region Regulations Committee recommendation on the special late
season in the Fergus Falls/Alexandria Goose Zone of Minnesota and the
Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation on cackling Canada geese in the
SW Washington Special Goose Zone.
Regarding the Humane Society's comment that such hunts fail to
target specific populations, we recognize the problems caused by
increasing populations of resident geese and the continuing concern for
the status of certain migratory flocks. However, as we stated
previously, we remain committed to targeting these special seasons at
locally-breeding and/or injurious Canada goose populations. The Service
and the Flyway Councils have cooperatively reviewed and structured
these special seasons to protect migratory flocks and target specific
locally-breeding populations. The Service does not wish to increase the
composition of migrants in the harvest beyond that which is currently
identified in the criteria for these seasons.
6. Brant
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a
30-day Atlantic brant season with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Service Response: The Service concurs with the Atlantic Flyway
Council's recommendation to reduce the season length as prescribed in
the interim hunt plan.
7. Snow and Ross's Geese
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a
March 10 framework closing date with a daily bag and possession limit
of 8 and 24, respectively. The Council also recommended allowing the
season to be split into three segments.
The Upper-Region and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a March 10 framework closing
date with a daily bag and possession limit of 10 and 30, respectively.
The Central Flyway Council recommended a March 10 framework closing
date, except for Federal and State lands in the Rainwater Basin
counties in Nebraska, with a daily bag and possession limit of 10 and
40, respectively.
Written Comments: The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (Nebraska)
recommended the closing framework for the 17 Rainwater Basin counties
in south-central Nebraska be extended from the Sunday nearest February
15 (February 16, 1997) to March 10, 1997, except for lands owned by the
Service and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Nebraska believed
this mixture of open and closed areas would provide adequate protection
for other species of migratory birds and not impact the public from
viewing concentrations of migratory birds.
In a second alternative proposal, Nebraska recommended the proposed
county boundary be changed to existing roads, highways, and the Platte
River. This change would provide a more identifiable boundary for
hunters and allow some areas to be included for study in that portion
of the Basin that will be hunted until March 10. The results of these
studies would allow more objective establishment of late-season snow
goose regulations in the future.
An individual from Wyoming requested a March 10 framework closing
date. An individual from Nebraska recommended a March 10 framework
closing date and inclusion of the Rainwater Basin counties in the snow
goose hunt area.
Service Response: The Service concurs with the requests to extend
the framework closing date for light geese to March 10 in the Atlantic,
Mississippi, and Central Flyways, but believes that this extension
should be limited to areas
[[Page 50667]]
that do not pose a threat to the management and welfare of other
migratory bird species during the spring migration and nesting period.
In this regard, the Service appreciates the comments from Nebraska;
however, we do not support the original proposal that would allow for a
mixture of open and closed areas in the Rainwater Basin counties for
snow goose hunting until March 10. The Service believes hunting could
result in disturbance to other migratory birds and alter natural
distributions of waterfowl. This important spring staging area provides
critical habitat for many species of migratory birds, and the impacts
of hunting have not been adequately studied. In addition, potential
impacts to eco-tourism, endangered species, and disease management have
not been adequately addressed.
The alternative proposal which more clearly delineates the
boundaries according to existing roads and highways, is generally
acceptable to the Service. However, the Service continues to have
concerns over late-season snow goose hunting along the Big Bend reach
of the Platte River. The proposed east and south boundaries would allow
hunting on some of the southern-most basins and on Harlan County
Reservoir. These additional hunting opportunities will allow for
studies to assess the impact of hunting on distributions of migratory
birds.
Therefore, the Service will allow light goose hunting in Nebraska
until March 10 except in the area bounded by: the intersection of the
Platte River and U.S. Highway (Hwy) 92 in Polk County, east on Hwy 92
to NE Hwy 15, south on Hwy 15 to NE Hwy 4, west on NE Hwy 4 to U.S. Hwy
34, west on U.S. Hwy 34 to U.S. Hwy 283, north on U.S. Hwy 283 to U.S.
Hwy 30, east on U.S. Hwy 30 to U.S. Hwy 281, south on U.S. Hwy 281 to
NE Hwy 34 & 2, east on NE Hwy 34 to the Platte River, and then north
and east along the Platte River to the beginning. In this area, the
closing date will be the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 16,
1997).
8. Swans
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that 5600 tundra swan permits be issued for the 1996-97 season. The
Council recommended that North Carolina receive 5,000 permits and
Virginia 600. The Council also recommended eliminating the requirement
that tundra swan seasons must be held during snow goose seasons.
Written Comments: The Humane Society requested that the Service
close all swan hunting seasons, citing that tundra swan seasons were
impeding, if not preventing, winter range expansion and recovery of
trumpeter swans.
Service Response: The Service concurs with the Atlantic Flyway
Council's recommendation to reduce the number of permits issued in the
Flyway to 5,600 and to eliminate the requirement that these seasons are
concurrent with the light goose season. The Service supports the
Flyway's effort to carefully monitor the harvest and status of the
Eastern Population of tundra swans and encourages the completion of the
revisions to the management plan.
In regards to the Humane Society's comment, we would refer to our
detailed response in the September 27, 1995, Federal Register (60 FR
50042) concerning the establishment of a general swan season. Enhancing
Rocky Mounting Population trumpeter swan range expansion while
retaining most aspects of tundra swan hunting were covered in detail in
our 1995 Environmental Assessment ``Proposal to Establish General Swan
Seasons in Parts of the Pacific Flyway for the 1995-99 Seasons''
(August 1995) which compares various alternative strategies for
reconciling conflicting swan management strategies. Copies are
available from the Service at the address indicated under the caption
ADDRESSES.
23. Other
Written Comments: The Concerned Coastal Sportsmen's Association, a
local organization in Massachusetts, requested compensatory days for
those States that prohibit Sunday hunting.
Service Response: The Service has previously stated its position on
this issue in the September 24, 1993, Federal Register (58 FR 50188),
but has recently agreed to work with the Atlantic Flyway Council to
review and clarify various technical and policy concerns. While this
assessment is still pending, the Service will continue its long-held
policy for the 1996-97 season that all States should be treated equally
under existing Federal regulations and allowed similar frameworks
within each Flyway to hunt migratory birds.
NEPA Consideration
NEPA considerations are covered by the programmatic document,
``Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual
Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FSES 88-
14),'' filed with EPA on June 9, 1988. The Service published a Notice
of Availability in the June 16, 1988, Federal Register (53 FR 22582).
The Service published its Record of Decision on August 18, 1988 (53 FR
31341). Copies of these documents are available from the Service at the
address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.
Endangered Species Act Consideration
As in the past, the Service designs hunting regulations to remove
or alleviate chances of conflict between migratory game bird hunting
seasons and the protection and conservation of endangered and
threatened species. Consultations have been conducted to ensure that
actions resulting from these regulatory proposals will not likely
jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species
or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical
habitat. Findings from these consultations are included in a biological
opinion and may cause modification of some regulatory measures
previously proposed. The final frameworks reflect any modifications.
The Service's biological opinions resulting from its Section 7
consultation are public documents available for public inspection in
the Service's Division of Endangered Species and MBMO, at the address
indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.
Executive Order (E.O.) 12866
This rule is economically significant and was reviewed by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under E.O. 12866.
Congressional Review
In accordance with Section 251 of the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 8), this rule has been
submitted to Congress and has been declared major. Because this rule
establishes hunting seasons, this rule qualifies for an exemption under
5 U.S.C. 808(1); therefore, the Department determines that this rule
shall take effect immediately.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
These regulations have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq). In the March 22, 1996, Federal Register, the
Service reported measures it took to comply with requirements of the
Act. One measure was to prepare a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis
(Analysis) documenting the significant beneficial economic effects on a
substantial number of small entities. The Analysis estimated that
migratory bird hunters would spend between $254 and $592 million at
small businesses in 1996. Copies of the Analysis are
[[Page 50668]]
available upon request from the Office of Migratory Bird Management.
Paperwork Reduction Act
The Department examined these regulations under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995. The various information collection requirements
are utilized in the formulation of migratory game bird hunting
regulations. OMB has approved these information collection requirements
and assigned clearance number 1018-0015.
Regulations Promulgation
The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its
nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, the Service
intends that the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to
comment on the regulations. Thus, when the preliminary proposed
rulemaking was published, the Service established what it believed were
the longest periods possible for public comment. In doing this, the
Service 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, the States would have
insufficient time to select season dates and limits; to communicate
those selections to the Service; and to establish and publicize the
necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions.
Therefore, the Service, under authority of the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act (July 3, 1918), as amended, (16 U.S.C. 703-711), prescribes
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 may select hunting
season dates and other options. Upon receipt of season and option
selections from these officials, the Service 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 1995-96 season.
The Service therefore finds 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.
Unfunded Mandates
The Service has determined and certifies in compliance with the
requirements of the Unfunded Mandates Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that
this rulemaking will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any
given year on local or State government or private entities.
Civil Justice Reform - Executive Order 12988
The Department, in promulgating this rule, has determined that
these regulations meet the applicable standards provided in Sections
3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20
Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.
The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 1996-97
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742
a--j.
Dated: September 17, 1996.
George T. Frampton, Jr.
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
Final Regulations Frameworks for 1996-97 Late Hunting Seasons on
Certain Migratory Game Birds
Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated
authorities, the Department has approved frameworks for season lengths,
shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and outside dates within
which States may select seasons for hunting waterfowl and coots between
the dates of September 1, 1996, and March 10, 1997.
General
Dates: All outside dates noted below are inclusive.
Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise
specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.
Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits
are twice the daily bag limit.
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.
Atlantic Flyway
The 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.
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 20.
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 50 days and daily bag limit of 5
ducks, including no more than 1 hen mallard, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 1
mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 2 wood ducks, 2 redheads, and 1
canvasback.
Closures: The season on harlequin ducks is closed.
Sea Ducks: In all areas outside of special sea duck areas, sea
ducks are included in the regular duck daily bag and possession limits.
However, during the regular duck season within the special sea duck
areas, the sea duck daily bag and possession limits may be in addition
to the regular duck daily bag and possession limits.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5, only 1 of
which may be a hooded merganser.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and
shooting hours shall be the same as those selected for the Lake
Champlain Zone of Vermont.
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: The Canada goose season
is suspended throughout the Flyway except as noted below. Unless
specified otherwise, seasons may be split into two segments.
Connecticut: A special experimental season may be held in the South
Zone between January 15 and February 15, with 5 geese per day.
Georgia: In specific areas, a 70-day experimental season may be
held between November 15 and February 15, with a limit of 5 Canada
geese per day.
Maryland: An experimental season may be held in designated areas of
[[Page 50669]]
western Maryland from January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese per day.
Massachusetts: In the Central Zone and a portion of the Coastal
Zone, a season may be held from January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese
per day.
New Jersey: An expanded experimental season may be held in
designated areas of North and South New Jersey from January 15 to
February 15, with 5 geese per day.
New York: An experimental season may be held between January 15 and
February 15, with 5 geese daily in Westchester County and portions of
Nassau, Orange, Putnam, and Rockland Counties.
Pennsylvania: Erie, Mercer, and Butler Counties - 70 days between
October 1 and January 31, with 1 goose per day through October 15; 2
geese per day thereafter; 1 goose per day for the first 8 days after
the opening.
Crawford County - 35 days between October 1 and January 20; with 1
goose per day.
An expanded experimental season may be held in the designated areas
of western Pennsylvania from January 15 to February 15 with 5 geese per
day.
Rhode Island: An experimental season may be held in a designated
area from January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese per day,
South Carolina: A 70-day special season may be held in the
designated areas during November 15 to February 15, with a daily bag
limit of 5 Canada geese per day.
Virginia: An experimental season may be held from January 15 to
February 15, with 5 geese per day, in all areas west of Interstate 95.
West Virginia: 70 days between October 1 and January 20, with 3
geese per day.
Light Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 107-
day season between October 1 and March 10, with 8 geese per day and 24
in possession. States may split their seasons into three segments.
Brant
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 30-
day season between October 1 and January 20, with 2 brant per day.
States may split their seasons into two segments.
Mississippi Flyway
The Mississippi Flyway includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 28
) and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 19).
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 50 days with a daily bag limit of
5 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 1 of which may
be a female), 3 mottled ducks, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 2 wood ducks, 1
canvasback, and 2 redheads.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, only 1 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, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee,
and Wisconsin may select hunting seasons by zones.
In Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan,
Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be split
into two segments in each zone.
In Minnesota and Arkansas, the season may be split into three
segments.
Pymatuning Reservoir Area, Ohio: The seasons, limits, and shooting
hours shall be the same as those selected in the adjacent portion of
Pennsylvania (Northwest Zone).
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 geese not to exceed 70 days for dark geese between the
Saturday nearest October 1 (September 28) and January 31, and 107 days
for light geese between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 28)
and March 10. The daily bag limit is 10 light geese, 3 Canada geese, 2
white-fronted geese, and 2 brant. The possession limit for light geese
is 30. Specific regulations for Canada geese and exceptions to the
above general provisions are shown below by State.
Alabama: In the Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) Goose Zone,
the season for Canada geese may not exceed 35 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: The season for Canada geese may extend for 23 days in the
East Zone and 14 days in the West Zone. In both zones, the season may
extend to February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. In the
remainder of the State, the season for Canada geese is closed.
Illinois: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be
limited to 94,900 birds. Limits are 2 Canada geese daily and 10 in
possession.
(a) North Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after 93
days or when 11,000 birds have been harvested in the Northern Illinois
Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.
(b) Central Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after 93
days or when 17,600 birds have been harvested in the Central Illinois
Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.
(c) South Zone - The harvest of Canada geese in the Southern
Illinois and Rend Lake Quota Zones will be limited to 36,600 and 10,400
birds, respectively. The season for Canada geese in each zone will
close after 84 days or when the harvest limit has been reached,
whichever occurs first. In the Southern Illinois Quota Zone, if any of
the following conditions exist after December 20, the State, after
consultation with the Service, will close the season by emergency order
with 48 hours notice:
1. 10 consecutive days of snow cover, 3 inches or more in depth.
2. 10 consecutive days of daily high temperatures less than 20
degrees F.
3. Average body weights of adult female geese less than 3,200
grams as measured from a weekly sample of a minimum of 50 geese.
4. Starvation or a major disease outbreak resulting in observed
mortality exceeding 5,000 birds in 10 days, or a total mortality
exceeding 10,000 birds.
In the remainder of the South Zone, the season may extend for 84
days or until both the Southern Illinois and Rend Lake Quota Zones have
been closed, whichever occurs first.
Indiana: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be
limited to 24,200 birds.
(a) Posey County - The season for Canada geese will close after 65
days or when 4,350 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first.
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(b) Remainder of the State - The season for Canada geese may extend
for 65 days in the respective duck-hunting zones, except in the SJBP
Zone, where the season may not exceed 35 days. The daily bag limit is 2
Canada geese.
Iowa: The season may extend for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2
Canada geese.
Kentucky
(a) Western Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 65
days
[[Page 50670]]
(80 days in Fulton County), and the harvest will be limited to 21,000
birds. Of the 21,000-bird quota, 13,650 birds will be allocated to the
Ballard Reporting Area and 3,990 birds will be allocated to the
Henderson/Union Reporting Area. If the quota in either reporting area
is reached prior to completion of the 65-day season, the season in that
reporting area will be closed. If this occurs, the season in those
counties and portions of counties outside of, but associated with, the
respective subzone (listed in State regulations) may continue for an
additional 7 days, not to exceed a total of 65 days (80 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 35 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 for Canada and white-fronted
geese is 2, no more than 1 of which may be a Canada goose. Hunters
participating in the Canada goose season must possess a special permit
issued by the State.
Michigan: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be
limited to 53,300 birds.
(a) North Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is
September 28 and the season for Canada geese may extend for 20 days.
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(b) Middle Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 20
days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(c) South Zone
(1) Allegan County GMU - The season for Canada geese will close
after 51 days or when 2,200 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs
first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
(2) Muskegon Wastewater GMU - The season for Canada geese will
close after 53 days or when 700 birds have been harvested, whichever
occurs first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(3) Saginaw County GMU - The season for Canada geese will close
after 50 days or when 2,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs
first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
(4) Tuscola/Huron GMU - The season for Canada geese will close
after 50 days or when 750 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs
first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
(5) Remainder of South Zone - The season for Canada geese may
extend for 30 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
(d) Southern Michigan GMU - An experimental special Canada goose
season may be held between January 4 and February 2. The daily bag
limit is 2 Canada geese.
Minnesota:
(a) West Zone
(1) West Central Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for
30 days. In the Lac Qui Parle Zone, the season will close after 30 days
or when 16,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first.
Throughout the West Central Zone, the daily bag limit is 1 Canada
goose.
(2) Remainder of West Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend
for 40 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
(b) Northwest Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 40
days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
(c) Remainder of the State - The season for Canada geese may extend
for 70 days, except in the Twin Cities Metro Zone and Olmsted County,
where the season may not exceed 80 days. The daily bag limit is 2
Canada geese.
(d) Fergus Falls/Alexandria Zone - A special Canada goose season of
up to 10 days may be held in December. During the special season, the
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
Mississippi: The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days.
The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.
Missouri
(a) Swan Lake Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after
40 days or when 5,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs
first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(b) Schell-Osage Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for
40 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(c) Remainder of the State - The season for Canada geese may extend
for 70 days in the respective duck-hunting zones. The season may be
split into 3 segments, provided that one segment of at least 9 days
occurs prior to October 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
Ohio: The season may extend for 70 days in the respective duck-
hunting zones, with a daily bag limit of 2 Canada geese, except in the
Lake Erie SJBP Zone, where the season may not exceed 30 days and the
daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose. In the Pymatuning Reservoir Area,
the seasons, limits, and shooting hours for all geese shall be the same
as those selected in the adjacent portion of Pennsylvania.
Tennessee
(a) Northwest Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after
78 days or when 8,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs
first. The season may extend to February 15. All geese harvested must
be tagged. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(b) Southwest Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 63
days, and the harvest will be limited to 700 birds. The daily bag limit
is 2 Canada geese.
(c) Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone - The season for Canada geese will
close after 50 days or when 1,800 birds have been harvested, whichever
occurs first. All geese harvested must be tagged. 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 69,600 birds.
(a) Horicon Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is
September 21. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 36,600 birds.
The season may not exceed 86 days. All Canada geese harvested must be
tagged. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose 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 21. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 1,100 birds.
The season may not exceed 68 days. All Canada geese harvested must be
tagged. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose 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 28. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 27,400 birds,
with 500 birds allocated to the Mississippi River Subzone. The season
may not exceed 79 days and the daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose. In
that portion of the Exterior Zone outside the Mississippi River
Subzone, the progress of the harvest must be monitored, and the season
closed, if necessary, to ensure that the harvest does not exceed 26,900
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,
Southern Illinois, and Rend Lake Quota Zones in Illinois, Posey County
in Indiana, the Ballard and Henderson-Union Subzones in Kentucky, the
Allegan County, Muskegon Wastewater, Saginaw County, and Tuscola/Huron
Goose Management Units in Michigan, the Lac Qui Parle
[[Page 50671]]
Zone in Minnesota, the Swan Lake Zone in Missouri, the Northwest and
Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zones in Tennessee, and the Exterior Zone in
Wisconsin will have been filled, the season for taking Canada geese in
the respective zone (and associated area, if applicable) will be closed
by either the Director upon giving public notice through local
information media at least 48 hours in advance of the time and date of
closing, or by the State through State regulations with such notice and
time (not less than 48 hours) as they deem necessary.
Central Flyway
The 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).
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between September 28 and January 19.
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):
83 days and a daily bag limit of 5 ducks, including no more than 1
female mallard, 1 mottled duck, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads,
and 2 wood ducks. The last 23 days may start no earlier than the
Saturday nearest December 10 (December 7).
(2) Remainder of the Central Flyway: 60 days and a daily bag limit
of 5 ducks, including no more than 1 female mallard, 1 mottled duck, 1
pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads, and 2 wood ducks.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5 mergansers, only 1 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
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select
seasons not to exceed 107 days; except for dark geese, which may not
exceed 86 days in Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas. For dark geese, outside
dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest October
1 (September 28) and January 31, except in the Western Goose Zone of
Texas, where the closing date is the Sunday nearest February 15
(February 16). For light geese, outside dates for seasons may be
selected between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 28) and
March 10, except in the Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area of Nebraska
where the closing date is the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 16).
Seasons may be split into two segments. The daily bag and possession
limits for light geese are 10 and 40, respectively.
Dark goose daily bag limits in States and goose management zones
within States, may be as follows:
Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and South Dakota: 2 dark geese,
including no more than 1 white-fronted goose.
Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming: 4 dark geese.
North Dakota: 2 dark geese.
Texas: For the Western Goose Zone, the daily bag limit is 5 dark
geese, including no more than 1 white-fronted and 4 Canada geese.
For the Eastern Goose Zone, the daily bag limit is 2 dark geese,
including no more than 1 white-fronted goose.
Pacific Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, and Common Moorhens
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: Concurrent 93 days and daily bag
limit of 7 ducks, including no more than 1 female mallard, 2 pintails,
2 redheads and 1 canvasback.
The season on coots and common moorhens may be between the outside
dates for the season on ducks, but not to exceed 93 days. In the
Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit, the seasons may be an
additional 7 days.
Coot and Common Moorhen Limits: The daily bag and possession limits
of coots and common moorhens are 25, singly or in the aggregate.
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September
28) and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 19).
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: Except as subsequently
noted, 100-day seasons may be selected, with outside dates between the
Saturday nearest October 1 (September 28), and the Sunday nearest
January 20 (January 19), and the basic daily bag limits are 3 light
geese and 4 dark geese, except in California, Oregon, and Washington,
where the dark goose bag limit does not include brant.
Brant Season - A 16-consecutive-day season may be selected in
Oregon and Washington, and a 30-consecutive day season may be selected
in California. In these States, the daily bag limit is 2 brant and is
in addition to dark goose limits.
Closures: There will be no open season on Aleutian Canada geese in
the Pacific Flyway. The States of California, Oregon, and Washington
must include a statement on the closure for that subspecies in their
respective regulations leaflet. Emergency closures may be invoked for
all Canada geese should Aleutian Canada goose distribution patterns or
other circumstances justify such actions.
Arizona: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2 geese.
California
Northeastern Zone - White-fronted geese and cackling Canada geese
may be taken only during the first 23 days of the goose season. The
daily bag limit is 3 geese and may include no more than 2 dark geese;
including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.
Colorado River Zone - The seasons and limits must be the same as
those selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona (South Zone).
Southern Zone - The daily bag and possession limits for dark geese
is 2 geese, including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.
Balance-of-the-State Zone - A 79-day season may be selected, except
that white-fronted geese and cackling Canada geese may be taken during
only the first 65 days of such season. Limits may not include more than
3 geese per day and in possession, of which not more than 1 may be a
dark goose. The dark goose limits may be expanded to 2,
[[Page 50672]]
provided that they are Canada geese other than cackling Canada geese
for which the daily limit is 1.
Three areas in the Balance-of-the-State Zone are restricted in the
hunting of certain geese:
(1) In the Counties of Del Norte and Humboldt, there will be no
open season for Canada geese.
(2) In the Sacramento Valley Area, the season on white-fronted
geese must end on or before December 14, and, except in the Western
Canada Goose Hunt Area, there will be no open season for Canada geese.
(3) In the San Joaquin Valley Area, the hunting season for Canada
geese will close no later than November 23.
Colorado: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2 geese.
Idaho
Northern Unit - The daily bag limit is 4 geese, including 4 dark
geese, but not more than 3 light geese.
Southwest Unit and Southeastern Unit - The daily bag limit on dark
geese is 4.
Montana
West of Divide Zone and East of Divide Zone - The daily bag limit
on dark geese is 4.
Nevada
Lincoln and Clark County Zone - The daily bag limit of dark geese
is 2 geese.
New Mexico: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2 geese.
Oregon: Except as subsequently noted, the dark goose limit is 4,
including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.
Harney, Lake, Klamath, and Malheur Counties Zone - The season
length may be 100 days. The dark goose limit is 4, including not more
than 2 white-fronted geese and 1 cackling Canada goose.
Western Zone - In the Special Canada Goose Management Area, except
for designated areas, there shall be no open season on Canada geese. In
the designated areas, individual quotas shall be established which
collectively shall not exceed 132 dusky Canada geese. See section on
quota zones. In those designated areas, the daily bag limit of dark
geese is 3, including not more than 2 cackling Canada geese.
Utah: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2 geese.
Washington: The daily bag limit is 4 geese, including 4 dark geese
but not more than 3 light geese.
West Zone - In the Lower Columbia River Special Goose Management
Area, except for designated areas, there shall be no open season on
Canada geese. In the designated areas, individual quotas shall be
established which collectively shall not exceed 72 dusky Canada geese.
See section on quota zones.
Wyoming: The daily bag limit is 4 dark geese.
Quota Zones: Seasons on Canada geese must end upon attainment of
individual quotas of dusky Canada geese allotted to the designated
areas of Oregon and Washington. The September Canada goose season, the
regular goose season, any special late Canada goose season, and any
extended falconry season, combined, must not exceed 107 days and the
established quota of dusky Canada geese must not be exceeded. Hunting
of Canada geese in those designated areas shall only be by hunters
possessing a State-issued permit authorizing them to do so. In a
Service-approved investigation, the State must obtain quantitative
information on hunter compliance of those regulations aimed at reducing
the take of dusky Canada geese and eliminating the take of Aleutian
Canada geese. The daily bag limit of Canada geese may not include more
than 2 cackling Canada goose.
In the designated areas of the Washington Quota Zone, a special
late Canada goose may be held between February 5 and March 10. The
daily bag limit may not include Aleutian Canada geese. In the Special
Canada Goose Management Area of Oregon, the framework closing date is
extended to February 28th.
Swans
In designated areas of Utah, Nevada, and the Pacific Flyway portion
of Montana, an open season for taking a limited number of swans may be
selected. Permits will be issued by States and will authorize each
permittee to take no more than 1 swan per season. The season may open
no earlier than the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 28). The
States must implement a harvest-monitoring program to measure the
species composition of the swan harvest. In Utah and Nevada, the
harvest-monitoring program must require that all harvested swans or
their species-determinant parts be examined by either State or Federal
biologists for the purpose of species classification. All States should
use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance in providing
bagged swans for examination or, in the case of Montana, reporting
bill-measurement and color information. All States must provide to the
Service by June 30, 1996, a report covering harvest, hunter
participation, reporting compliance, and monitoring of swan populations
in the designated hunt areas. These seasons will be subject to the
following conditions:
In Utah, no more than 2,750 permits may be issued. The season must
end no later than the first Sunday in December (December 1) or upon
attainment of 15 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs
earliest.
In Nevada, no more than 650 permits may be issued. The season must
end no later than the Sunday following January 1 (January 5) or upon
attainment of 5 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs
earliest.
In Montana, no more than 500 permits may be issued. The season must
end no later than December 1.
Tundra Swans
In Central Flyway portion of Montana, and in North Carolina, North
Dakota, South Dakota, and Virginia, an open season for taking a limited
number of tundra swans may be selected. Permits will be issued by the
States and will authorize each permittee to take no more than 1 tundra
swan per season. The States must obtain harvest and hunter
participation data. These seasons will be subject to the following
conditions:
In the Atlantic Flyway
--The season will be experimental.
--The season may be 90 days, from October 1 to January 31.
--In North Carolina, no more than 5,000 permits may be issued.
--In Virginia, no more than 600 permits may be issued.
In the Central Flyway
--The season may be 107 days and must occur during the light goose
season.
--In the Central Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 500
permits may be issued.
--In North Dakota, no more than 2,000 permits may be issued.
--In South Dakota, no more than 1,500 permits may be issued.
Area, Unit and Zone Descriptions
Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-95.
South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Maine
North Zone: That portion north of the line extending east along
Maine State Highway 110 from the New Hampshire and Maine border to the
intersection of Maine State Highway 11 in Newfield; then north and east
along Route 11 to the intersection of U.S. Route 202 in Auburn; then
north and east on Route 202 to the intersection of Interstate Highway
95 in Augusta; then north and east along I-95 to Route 15 in Bangor;
then east along Route 15 to Route 9; then east along Route 9 to Stony
Brook in Baileyville; then east along Stony Brook to the United States
border.
[[Page 50673]]
South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Massachusetts
Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending
south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10,
south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut
border.
Central Zone: That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-
95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on
MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west
to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards
inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the
MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St.
bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone.
Coastal Zone: That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the
Central Zone.
New Hampshire
Coastal Zone: That portion of the State east of a line extending
west from Maine border in Rollinsford on NH 4 to the city of Dover,
south to NH 108, south along NH 108 through Madbury, Durham, and
Newmarket to NH 85 in Newfields, south to NH 101 in Exeter, east to NH
51 (Exeter-Hampton Expressway), east to I-95 (New Hampshire Turnpike)
in Hampton, and south along I-95 to the Massachusetts border.
Inland Zone: That portion of the State north and west of the above
boundary.
New Jersey
Coastal Zone: That portion of the State seaward of a line beginning
at the New York border in Raritan Bay and extending west along the New
York border to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west on NJ 440 to the Garden
State Parkway; south on the Garden State Parkway to the shoreline at
Cape May and continuing to the Delaware border in Delaware Bay.
North Zone: That portion of the State west of the Coastal Zone and
north of a line extending west from the Garden State Parkway on NJ 70
to the New Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike to U.S. 206, north on
U.S. 206 to U.S. 1 at Trenton, west on U.S. 1 to the Pennsylvania
border in the Delaware River.
South Zone: That portion of the State not within the North Zone or
the Coastal Zone.
New York
Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay;
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont
border.
Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their
tidal waters.
Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border.
Northeastern Zone: That area north of a line extending from Lake
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.
Pennsylvania
Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters of Pennsylvania and a
shoreline margin along Lake Erie from New York on the east to Ohio on
the west extending 150 yards inland, but including all of Presque Isle
Peninsula.
Northwest Zone: The area bounded on the north by the Lake Erie Zone
and including all of Erie and Crawford Counties and those portions of
Mercer and Venango Counties north of I-80.
North Zone: That portion of the State east of the Northwest Zone
and north of a line extending east on I-80 to U.S. 220, Route 220 to I-
180, I-180 to I-80, and I-80 to the Delaware River.
South Zone: The remaining portion of Pennsylvania.
Vermont
Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area north and west of the line extending from the New York border
along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes;
U.S. 7 to the Canadian border.
Interior Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont.
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 U.S. 48; U.S. 48 east to the Maryland border; and along the
border to the point of beginning.
Mississippi Flyway
Alabama
South Zone: Mobile and Baldwin Counties.
North Zone: The remainder of Alabama.
Illinois
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Iowa border along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate
Highway 280, east along I-280 to I-80, then east along I-80 to the
Indiana border.
Central Zone: That portion of the State between the North and South
Zone boundaries.
South Zone: That portion of the State south of a line extending
east from the Missouri border along the Modoc Ferry route to Modoc
Ferry Road, east along Modoc Ferry Road to Modoc Road, northeasterly
along Modoc Road and St. Leo's Road to Illinois Highway 3, north along
Illinois 3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159 to Illinois 161,
east along Illinois 161 to Illinois 4, north along Illinois 4 to
Interstate Highway 70, east along I-70 to the Bond County line, north
and east along the Bond County line to Fayette County, north and east
along the Fayette County line to Effingham County, east and south along
the Effingham County line to I-70, then east along I-70 to the Indiana
border.
Indiana
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. Highway 31,
north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to Huntington, then
southeast along U.S. 224 to the Ohio border.
Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line
extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 64 to
New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State 56, east along State 56
to Vevay, east and north on State 156 along the Ohio River to North
Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Highway 50, then northeast along
U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.
South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio
River Zone boundaries.
Southern Illinois Quota Zone: Alexander, Jackson, Union, and
Williamson Counties.
Rend Lake Quota Zone: Franklin and Jefferson Counties.
Iowa
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Nebraska border along State Highway
[[Page 50674]]
175 to State 37, southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south
along U.S. 59 to Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the
Illinois border.
South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
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 of a line extending south
from the Arkansas border along Louisiana Highway 3 to Bossier City,
east along Interstate Highway 20 to Minden, south along Louisiana 7 to
Ringgold, east along Louisiana 4 to Jonesboro, south along U.S. Highway
167 to Lafayette, southeast along U.S. 90 to Houma, then south along
the Houma Navigation Channel to the Gulf of Mexico through Cat Island
Pass.
East Zone: The remainder of Louisiana.
Catahoula Lake Area: All of Catahoula Lake, including those
portions known locally as Round Prairie, Catfish Prairie, and Frazier's
Arm. See State regulations for additional information.
Michigan
North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line
beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the
mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly
and southerly along the south shore of, Stony Creek to Webster Road,
easterly and southerly along Webster Road 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, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, east along U.S. 10 to
Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north along I-75/U.S. 23 to the
U.S. 23 exit at Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore Road in Arenac
County, east along Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout, then on a
line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a
line directly northeast to the Canada border.
South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.
Mississippi
Zone 1: Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties.
Zone 2: The remainder of Mississippi.
Missouri
North Zone: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west
from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 70 to U.S. Highway
54, south along U.S. 54 to U.S. 50, then west along U.S. 50 to the
Kansas border.
South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west
from the Illinois border along Missouri Highway 34 to Interstate
Highway 55; south along I-55 to U.S. Highway 62, west along U.S. 62 to
Missouri 53, north along Missouri 53 to Missouri 51, north along
Missouri 51 to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to Missouri 21, north along
Missouri 21 to Missouri 72, west along Missouri 72 to Missouri 32, west
along Missouri 32 to U.S. 65, north along U.S. 65 to U.S. 54, west
along U.S. 54 to Missouri 32, south along Missouri 32 to Missouri 97,
south along Missouri 97 to Dade County NN, west along Dade County NN to
Missouri 37, west along Missouri 37 to Jasper County N, west along
Jasper County N to Jasper County M, west along Jasper County M to the
Kansas border.
Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri.
Ohio
North Zone: The Counties of Darke, Miami, Clark, Champaign, Union,
Delaware, Licking (excluding the Buckeye Lake Area), Muskingum,
Guernsey, Harrison and Jefferson and all counties north thereof.
Pymatuning Area: Pymatuning Reservoir and that part of Ohio bounded
on the north by County Road 306 (known as Woodward Road), on the west
by Pymatuning Lake Road, and on the south by U.S. Highway 322.
Ohio River Zone: The Counties of Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, Adams,
Scioto, Lawrence, Gallia and Meigs.
South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio
River Zone boundaries, including the Buckeye Lake Area in Licking
County bounded on the west by State Highway 37, on the north by U.S.
Highway 40, and on the east by State 13.
Tennessee
Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake and Obion Counties.
State Zone: The remainder of Tennessee.
Wisconsin
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Minnesota border along State Highway 77 to State 27,
south along State 27 and 77 to U.S. Highway 63, and continuing south
along State 27 to Sawyer County Road B, south and east along County B
to State 70, southwest along State 70 to State 27, south along State 27
to State 64, west along State 64/27 and south along State 27 to U.S.
12, south and east on State 27/U.S. 12 to U.S. 10, east on U.S. 10 to
State 310, east along State 310 to State 42, north along State 42 to
State 147, north along State 147 to State 163, north along State 163 to
Kewaunee County Trunk A, north along County Trunk A to State 57, north
along State 57 to the Kewaunee/Door County Line, west along the
Kewaunee/Door County Line to the Door/Brown County Line, west along the
Door/Brown County Line to the Door/Oconto/Brown County Line, northeast
along the Door/Oconto County Line to the Marinette/Door County Line,
northeast along the Marinette/Door County Line to the Michigan border.
South Zone: The remainder of Wisconsin.
Central Flyway
Kansas
High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.
Low Plains Early Zone: That portion of the State east of the High
Plains Zone and west of a line extending south from the Nebraska border
along KS 28 to U.S. 36, east along U.S. 36 to KS 199, south along KS
199 to Republic County Road 563, south along Republic County Road 563
to KS 148, east along KS 148 to Republic County Road 138, south along
Republic County Road 138 to Cloud County Road 765, south along Cloud
County Road 765 to KS 9, west along KS 9 to U.S. 24, west along U.S 24
to U.S. 281, north along U.S. 281 to U.S. 36, west along U.S. 36 to
U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to U.S. 24, west along U.S. 24 to KS 18,
southeast along KS 18 to U.S, 183, south along U.S. 183 to KS 4, east
along KS 4 to I-135, south along I-135 to KS 61, southwest along KS 61
to KS 96, northwest on KS 96 to U.S. 56, west along U.S. 56 to U.S.
281, south along U.S. 281 to U.S. 54, then west along U.S. 54 to U.S.
283.
Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder of Kansas.
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Daniels, Dawson,
Fallon, Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, McCone,
Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Richland, Roosevelt,
Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, and
Yellowstone.
Zone 2: The remainder of Montana.
Nebraska
High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of Highways U.S.
183 and U.S. 20 from the South Dakota border to Ainsworth, NE 7 and NE
91 to Dunning, NE 2 to Merna, NE 93 to Arnold, NE 40 and NE 47 through
Gothenburg to NE 23, NE 23 to Elwood, and U.S. 283 to the Kansas
border.
Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High
Plains Zone and north and east of a line extending from the South
Dakota border along NE 26E Spur to U.S. 20, west on U.S. 20 to NE 12,
west on NE 12 to the Knox/Keya Paha County line, south along the county
line to the Niobrara River and
[[Page 50675]]
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: That portion of the State east of the High
Plains Zone and bounded by designated highways and political boundaries
starting on U.S. 73 at the Kansas border, north to NE 67, north to U.S.
75, north to NE 2, west to NE 43, north to U.S. 34, east to NE 63;
north and west to U.S. 77; north to NE 92; west to U.S. 81; south to NE
66; west to NE 14; south to U.S. 34; west to NE 2; south to I-80; west
to Hamilton/Hall County line (Gunbarrel Road), south to Giltner Road;
west to U.S. 34; west to U.S. 136; east on U.S. 135 to NE 10; south to
the State line; west to U.S. 283; north to NE 23; west to NE 47; north
to U.S. 30; east to NE 14; north to NE 52; northeasterly to NE 91; west
to U.S. 281, north to NE 91 in Wheeler County, west to U.S. 183; north
to northerly boundary of Loup County; east along the north boundaries
of Loup, Garfield, and Wheeler County; south along the east Wheeler
County line to NE 70; east on NE 70 from Wheeler County to NE 14; south
to NE 39; southeast to NE 22; east to U.S. 81; southeast to U.S. 30;
east along U.S. 30 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to the Washington/
Burt County line; then east along the county line to the Iowa border.
Low Plains Zone 3: The area east of the High Plains Zone, excluding
Low Plains Zone 1, north of Low Plains Zone 2.
Low Plains Zone 4: The area east of the High Plains Zone and south
of Zone 2.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.
North Dakota
High Plains Unit: That portion of the State west of a line from the
South Dakota border along U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41, north to ND 53,
west to U.S. 83, north to ND 23, west to ND 8, north to U.S. 2, west to
U.S. 85, north to the Canadian border.
Low Plains: The remainder of North Dakota.
Oklahoma
High Plains Zone: The Counties of Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas.
Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High
Plains Zone and north of a line extending east from the Texas border
along OK 33 to OK 47, east along OK 47 to U.S. 183, south along U.S.
183 to I-40, east along I-40 to U.S. 177, north along U.S. 177 to OK
33, west along OK 33 to I-35, north along I-35 to U.S. 60, west along
U.S. 60 to U.S. 64, west along U.S. 64 to OK 132, then north along OK
132 to the Kansas border.
Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of Oklahoma.
South Dakota
High Plains Unit: That portion of the State west of a line
beginning at the North Dakota border and extending south along U.S. 83
to U.S. 14, east along U.S. 14 to Blunt-Canning Road in Blunt, south
along Blunt-Canning Road to SD 34, south across a line over the
Missouri River to the northwestern corner of the Lower Brule Indian
Reservation, south along the Reservation Boundary to Lyman County Road,
south along Lyman County Road to I-90 at Presho, east on I-90 to U.S.
183, then south along U.S. 183 to Nebraska border.
North Zone: That portion of northeastern South Dakota east of the
High Plains Unit and north of a line extending east along US 212 to SD
15, then north along SD 15 to Big Stone Lake at the Minnesota border.
South Zone: That portion of Gregory County east of SD 47, Charles
Mix County south of SD 44 to the Douglas County line, south on SD 50 to
Geddes, east on the Geddes Hwy. to U.S. 281, south on U.S. 281 and U.S.
18 to SD 50, south and east on SD 50 to Bon Homme County line, the
Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton, and Clay south of SD 50, and Union
County south and west of SD 50 and I-29.
Middle Zone: The remainder of South Dakota.
Texas
High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of a line
extending south from the Oklahoma border along U.S. 183 to Vernon,
south along U.S. 283 to Albany, south along TX 6 to TX 351 to Abilene,
south along U.S. 277 to Del Rio, then south along the Del Rio
International Toll Bridge access road to the Mexico border.
Wyoming (Central Flyway portion)
Zone 1: The Counties of Converse, Goshen, Hot Springs, Natrona,
Platte, Washakie, and that portion of Park County south of T58N and not
within the boundary of the Shoshone National Forest.
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: That portion of the State east and north of a
line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath
River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest
Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and
south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west
along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89;
east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north
on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S.
395 to the Nevada border.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to
U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road;
south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada
border.
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included
in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.
Idaho
Zone 1: Includes all lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir
[[Page 50676]]
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
Same zones as for ducks.
Georgia
Special Area for Canada Geese: Statewide.
Maryland
Special Area for Canada Geese: Allegheny, Carroll, Frederick,
Garrett, Washington counties and the portion of Montgomery County south
of Interstate 270 and west of Interstate 495 to the Potomac River.
Massachusetts
Special Area for Canada Geese: Central Zone (same as for ducks) and
that portion of the Coastal Zone that lies north of route 139 from
Green Harbor.
New Hampshire
Same zones as for ducks.
New Jersey
Special Area for Canada Geese
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 the
Garden State Parkway; then south along the Garden State Parkway to
Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route 542; then west along Route
542 to the Mullica River (at Pleasant Mills); then north (upstream)
along the Mullica River 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 south along Route 49 to Route 50; then east along
Route 50 to Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route 625 (Sea Isle
City Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to the Atlantic Ocean; then
north to the beginning point.
New York
Special Area for Canada Geese: Westchester County and portions of
Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, and Suffolk Counties--See State
regulations for detailed description.
Pennsylvania
Erie, Mercer, and Butler Counties: All of Erie, Mercer, and Butler
Counties.
Special Area for Canada Geese: Statewide except for the Counties of
Erie, Mercer, Butler, Crawford, and the area east of Interstate 83 from
the Maryland State line to the intersection of U.S. Route 30 to the
intersection of state Route 441, east of SR 441 to intersection of
Interstate 283, east of I-283 to I-83, east of I-83 to intersection of
I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of I-80, and south of I-80 to the
New Jersey State line.
Rhode Island
Special Area for Canada Geese: Kent and Providence Counties and
portions of the towns of Exeter and North Kingston within Washington
County (see State regulations for detailed descriptions).
South Carolina
Canada Goose Area: Statewide except for Clarendon County and that
portion of Lake Marion in Orangeburg County and Berkeley County.
Virginia
Back Bay Area--Defined for white geese as 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
East Zone: Arkansas, Ashley, Chicot, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden,
Cross, Desha, Drew, Greene, Independence, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence,
Lee, Lincoln, Lonoke, Mississippi, Monroe, Phillips, Poinsett, Prairie,
Pulaski, Randolph, St. Francis, White, and Woodruff Counties.
West Zone: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Cleburne, Conway,
Crawford,
[[Page 50677]]
Faulkner, Franklin, Fulton, Izard, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Newton,
Pope, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, and Washington Counties, and
those portions of Logan, Perry, Sebastian, and Yell Counties lying
north of a line extending east from the Oklahoma border along State
Highway 10 to Perry, south on State 9 to State 60, then east on State
60 to the Faulkner County line.
Illinois
Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
North Zone:
Northern Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of McHenry, Lake, Kane,
DuPage, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties north of
Interstate Highway 80.
Central Zone:
Central Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of Grundy, Woodford,
Peoria, Knox, Fulton, Tazewell, Mason, Cass, Morgan, Pike, Calhoun, and
Jersey, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties south of
Interstate Highway 80.
South Zone:
Southern Illinois Quota Zone: Alexander, Jackson, Union, and
Williamson Counties.
Rend Lake Quota Zone: Franklin and Jefferson Counties.
Indiana
Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
SJBP Zone: Jasper, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter,
Pulaski, Starke, and Steuben Counties.
Iowa
Same zones as for ducks.
Kentucky
Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at
the Tennessee border at Fulton and extending north along the Purchase
Parkway to Interstate Highway 24, east along I-24 to U.S. Highway 641,
north along U.S. 641 to U.S. 60, northeast along U.S. 60 to the
Henderson County line, then south, east, and northerly along the
Henderson County line to the Indiana border.
Ballard Reporting Area: That area encompassed by a line beginning
at the northwest city limits of Wickliffe in Ballard County and
extending westward to the middle of the Mississippi River, north along
the Mississippi River and along the low-water mark of the Ohio River on
the Illinois shore to the Ballard-McCracken County line, south along
the county line to Kentucky Highway 358, south along Kentucky 358 to
U.S. Highway 60 at LaCenter; then southwest along U.S. 60 to the
northeast city limits of Wickliffe.
Henderson-Union Reporting Area: Henderson County and that portion
of Union County within the Western Zone.
Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone: Butler, Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and
Warren Counties and all counties lying west to the boundary of the
Western Goose Zone.
Michigan
Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
South Zone
Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU): Those portions of
Tuscola and Huron Counties bounded on the south by Michigan Highway 138
and Bay City Road, on the east by Colwood and Bay Port Roads, on the
north by Kilmanagh Road and a line extending directly west off the end
of Kilmanagh Road into Saginaw Bay to the west boundary, and on the
west by the Tuscola-Bay County line and a line extending directly north
off the end of the Tuscola-Bay County line into Saginaw Bay to the
north boundary.
Allegan County GMU: That area encompassed by a line beginning at
the junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate Highway 196 in Lake Town
Township and extending easterly along 136th Avenue to Michigan Highway
40, southerly along Michigan 40 through the city of Allegan to 108th
Avenue in Trowbridge Township, westerly along 108th Avenue to 46th
Street, northerly 1/2 mile along 46th Street to 109th Avenue, westerly
along 109th Avenue to I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly along I-
196 to the point of beginning.
Saginaw County GMU: That portion of Saginaw County bounded by
Michigan Highway 46 on the north; Michigan 52 on the west; Michigan 57
on the south; and Michigan 13 on the east.
Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That portion of Muskegon County within the
boundaries of the Muskegon County wastewater system, east of the
Muskegon State Game Area, in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29,
30, and 32, T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, and
25, T10N R15W, as posted.
Special Canada Goose Seasons:
Southern Michigan GMU: That portion of the State, including the
Great Lakes and interconnecting waterways and excluding the Allegan
County GMU, south of a line beginning at the Ontario border at the
Bluewater Bridge in the city of Port Huron and extending westerly and
southerly along Interstate Highway 94 to I-69, westerly along I-69 to
Michigan Highway 21, westerly along Michigan 21 to I-96, northerly
along I-96 to I-196, westerly along I-196 to Lake Michigan Drive (M-45)
in Grand Rapids, westerly along Lake Michigan Drive to the Lake
Michigan shore, then directly west from the end of Lake Michigan Drive
to the Wisconsin border.
Minnesota
West Zone: That portion of the state encompassed by a line
beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa
border, then north and east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, north
along U.S. 71 to Interstate Highway 94, then north and west along I-94
to the North Dakota border.
West Central Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the
intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 29 and U.S. Highway 212 and
extending west along U.S. 212 to U.S. 59, south along U.S. 59 to STH
67, west along STH 67 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to County State
Aid Highway (CSAH) 30 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 30 to
County Road 70 in Lac qui Parle County, west along County 70 to the
western boundary of the State, north along the western boundary of the
State to a point due south of the intersection of STH 7 and CSAH 7 in
Big Stone County, and continuing due north to said intersection, then
north along CSAH 7 to CSAH 6 in Big Stone County, east along CSAH 6 to
CSAH 21 in Big Stone County, south along CSAH 21 to CSAH 10 in Big
Stone County, east along CSAH 10 to CSAH 22 in Swift County, east along
CSAH 22 to CSAH 5 in Swift County, south along CSAH 5 to U.S. 12, east
along U.S. 12 to CSAH 17 in Swift County, south along CSAH 17 to CSAH 9
in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to STH 40, east along STH 40 to
STH 29, then south along STH 29 to the point of beginning.
Lac qui Parle Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at
the intersection of U.S. Highway 212 and County State Aid Highway
(CSAH) 27 in Lac qui Parle County and extending north along CSAH 27 to
CSAH 20 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 20 to State Trunk
Highway (STH) 40, north along STH 40 to STH 119, north along STH 119 to
CSAH 34 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 34 to CSAH 19 in Lac
qui Parle County, north and west along CSAH 19 to CSAH 38 in Lac qui
Parle County, west along CSAH 38 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to STH
7, east along STH 7 to CSAH 6 in Swift County, east along CSAH 6 to
County Road 65 in Swift County, south along County 65 to County 34 in
Chippewa County, south along County 34 to CSAH 12 in Chippewa County,
east along CSAH 12 to CSAH 9 in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to
STH 7, southeast along STH 7 to Montevideo and along the municipal
boundary of Montevideo to U.S. 212; then west along U.S. 212 to the
point of beginning.
[[Page 50678]]
Northwest Zone: That portion of the state encompassed by a line
extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 to
State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east along
STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north along
CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to STH 1,
east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 28
to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in Roseau
County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 310, and
north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
Special Canada Goose Seasons:
Fergus Falls/Alexandria Zone: That area encompassed by a line
beginning at the intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 55 and STH
28 and extending east along STH 28 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH)
33 in Pope County, north along CSAH 33 to CSAH 3 in Douglas County,
north along CSAH 3 to CSAH 69 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 69
to CSAH 46 in Otter Tail County, east along CSAH 46 to the eastern
boundary of Otter Tail County, north along the east boundary of Otter
Tail County to CSAH 40 in Otter Tail County, west along CSAH 40 to CSAH
75 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 75 to STH 210, west along STH
210 to STH 108, north along STH 108 to CSAH 1 in Otter Tail County,
west along CSAH 1 to CSAH 14 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 14
to CSAH 44 in Otter Tail County, west along CSAH 44 to CSAH 35 in Otter
Tail County, north along CSAH 35 to STH 108, west along STH 108 to CSAH
19 in Wilkin County, south along CSAH 19 to STH 55, then southeast
along STH 55 to the point of beginning.
Missouri
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
North Zone
Swan Lake Zone: That area bounded by U.S. Highway 36 on the north,
Missouri Highway 5 on the east, Missouri 240 and U.S. 65 on the south,
and U.S. 65 on the west.
Middle Zone
Schell-Osage Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line
extending east from the Kansas border along U.S. Highway 54 to Missouri
Highway 13, north along Missouri 13 to Missouri 7, west along Missouri
7 to U.S. 71, north along U.S. 71 to Missouri 2, then west along
Missouri 2 to the Kansas border.
Ohio
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
North Zone
Pymatuning Area: Pymatuning Reservoir and that part of Ohio bounded
on the north by County Road 306 (known as Woodward Road), on the west
by Pymatuning Lake Road, and on the south by U.S. Highway 322.
Lake Erie SJBP Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a
line extending south from the Michigan border along Interstate Highway
75 to I-280, south along I-280 to I-80, and east along I-80 to the
Pennsylvania border.
Tennessee
Southwest Zone: That portion of the State south of State Highways
20 and 104, and west of U.S. Highways 45 and 45W.
Northwest Zone: Lake, Obion and Weakley Counties and those portions
of Gibson and Dyer Counties not included in the Southwest Tennessee
Zone.
Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone: That portion of the State bounded on
the west by the eastern boundaries of the Northwest and Southwest Zones
and on the east by State Highway 13 from the Alabama border to
Clarksville and U.S. Highway 79 from Clarksville to the Kentucky
border.
Wisconsin
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 U.S. Highway 16,
westerly along U.S. 16 to Weyh Road, southerly along Weyh Road to
County Highway O, southerly along County O to the west boundary of
Section 31, southerly along the west boundary of Section 31 to the
Sauk/Columbia County boundary, southerly along the Sauk/Columbia County
boundary to State 33, easterly along State 33 to Interstate Highway 90/
94, southerly along I-90/94 to State 60, easterly along State 60 to
State 83, northerly along State 83 to State 175, northerly along State
175 to State 33, easterly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 45, northerly
along U.S. 45 to the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River, northerly
along the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River to Lake Winnebago,
northerly along the western shoreline of Lake Winnebago to the Fox
River, then westerly along the Fox River to State 21.
Collins Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the
intersection of Hilltop Road and Collins Marsh Road in Manitowoc County
and extending westerly along Hilltop Road to Humpty Dumpty Road,
southerly along Humpty Dumpty Road to Poplar Grove Road, easterly and
southerly along Poplar Grove Road to County Highway JJ, southeasterly
along County JJ to Collins Road, southerly along Collins Road to the
Manitowoc River, southeasterly along the Manitowoc River to Quarry
Road, northerly along Quarry Road to Einberger Road, northerly along
Einberger Road to Moschel Road, westerly along Moschel Road to Collins
Marsh Road, northerly along Collins Marsh Road to Hilltop Road.
Exterior Zone: That portion of the State not included in the
Horicon or Collins Zones.
Mississippi River Subzone: That area encompassed by a line
beginning at the intersection of the Burlington Northern Railway and
the Illinois border in Grant County and extending northerly along the
Burlington Northern Railway to the city limit of Prescott in Pierce
County, then west along the Prescott city limit to the Minnesota
border.
Rock Prairie Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at
the intersection of the Illinois border and Interstate Highway 90 and
extending north along I-90 to County Highway A, east along County A to
U.S. Highway 12, southeast along U.S. 12 to State Highway 50, west
along State 50 to State 120, then south along 120 to the Illinois
border.
Central Flyway
Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)
Northern Front Range Area: All lands in Adams, Boulder, Clear
Creek, Denver, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties west of I-
25 from the Wyoming border south to I-70; west on I-70 to the
Continental Divide; north along the Continental Divide to the Jackson-
Larimer County Line to the Wyoming border.
South Park/San Luis Valley Area: Alamosa, Chaffee, Conejos,
Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, Teller, and Rio Grande Counties
and those portions of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Saguache Counties east of
the Continental Divide.
North Park Area: Jackson County.
Arkansas Valley Area: Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and
Prowers Counties.
Pueblo County Area: Pueblo County.
Remainder: Remainder of the Central Flyway portion of Colorado.
Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose Area: that portion of the State
east of Interstate Highway 25.
Kansas
Light Geese
Unit 1: That portion of Kansas east of KS 99.
[[Page 50679]]
Unit 2: The remainder of Kansas.
Dark Geese
Marais des Cygne Valley Unit: The area is bounded by the Missouri
border to KS 68, KS 68 to U.S 169, U.S. 169 to KS 7, KS 7 to KS 31, KS
31 to U.S. 69, U.S. 69 to KS 239, KS 239 to the Missouri border.
South Flint Hills Unit: The area is bounded by Highways U.S. 50 to
KS 57, KS 57 to U.S. 75, U.S. 75 to KS 39, KS 39 to KS 96, KS 96 to
U.S. 77, U.S. 77 to U.S. 50.
Central Flint Hills Unit: That area southwest of Topeka bounded by
Highways U.S. 75 to I-35, I-35 to U.S. 50, U.S. 50 to U.S. 77, U.S. 77
to I-70, I-70 to U.S. 75.
Southeast Unit: That area of southeast Kansas bounded by the
Missouri border to U.S. 160, U.S. 160 to U.S. 69, U.S. 69 to KS 39, KS
39 to U.S. 169, U.S. 169 to the Oklahoma border, and the Oklahoma
border to the Missouri border.
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
Sheridan County: Includes all of Sheridan County.
Remainder: Includes the remainder of the Central Flyway portion of
Montana.
Nebraska
Dark Geese
North Unit: Keya Paha County east of U.S. 183 and all of Boyd
County, including the boundary waters of the Niobrara River, all of
Knox County and that portion of Cedar County west of U.S. 81.
East Unit: The area east of a line beginning at U.S. 183 at the
northern State line; south to NE 2; east to U.S. 281; south to the
southern State line, excluding the North Unit.
West Unit: All of Nebraska west of the East Unit.
Light Geese
Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area: The area bounded by the
intersection of the Platte River and U.S. Highway (Hwy) 92 in Polk
County, east on Hwy 92 to NE Hwy 15, south on Hwy 15 to NE Hwy 4, west
on NE Hwy 4 to U.S. Hwy 34, west on U.S. Hwy 34 to U.S. Hwy 283, north
on U.S. Hwy 283 to U.S. Hwy 30, east on U.S. Hwy 30 to U.S. Hwy 281,
south on U.S. Hwy 281 to NE Hwy 34 & 2, east on NE Hwy 34 to the Platte
River, and then north and east along the Platte River to the beginning.
Remainder of State: The remainder portion of Nebraska.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
Dark Geese
Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit: Sierra County and that portion of
Socorro County lying south of the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge
Boundary.
Remainder: The remainder of the Central Flyway portion of New
Mexico.
North Dakota
Dark Geese
Missouri River Zone: That area encompassed by a line extending from
the South Dakota border north on U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41, north to ND
53, west to U.S. 83, north to ND 23, west to ND 37, south to ND 1804,
south approximately 9 miles to Elbowoods Bay on Lake Sakakawea, south
and west across the lake to ND 8, south to ND 200, east to ND 31, south
to ND 25, south to I-94, east to ND 6, south to the South Dakota
border, and east to the point of origin.
Statewide: All of North Dakota.
South Dakota
Canada Geese
Unit 1: Statewide except for Units 2 and 3.
Unit 2: Brule, Buffalo, Campbell, Dewey, Hughes, Hyde, Lyman,
Potter, Stanley, Sully, and Walworth Counties and that portion of
Corson County east of State Highway 65.
Unit 3: Charles Mix and Gregory Counties.
Texas
West Unit: That portion of the State lying west of a line from the
international toll bridge at Laredo; north along I-35 and I-35W to Fort
Worth; northwest along US 81 and US 287 to Bowie; and north along US 81
to the Oklahoma border.
East Unit: Remainder of State.
Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)
Area 1: Converse, Hot Springs, Natrona, and Washakie Counties, and
that portion of Park County south of T58N.
Area 2: Platte County.
Area 3: Albany, Big Horn, Campbell, Crook, Fremont, Johnson,
Laramie, Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston Counties and those portions of
Carbon County east of the Continental Divide and Park County north of
T58N.
Area 4: Goshen County.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
GMU 22 and 23: Game Management Units 22 and 23.
Remainder of State: The remainder of Arizona.
California
Northeastern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of a
line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath
River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest
Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and
south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west
along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89;
east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north
on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S.
395 to the Nevada border.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to
U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road;
south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada
border.
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 Area: That area bounded by a line beginning at
Willows in Glenn County proceeding south on I-5 to Hahn Road north of
Arbuckle in Colusa County; easterly on Hahn Road and the Grimes
Arbuckle Road to Grimes on the Sacramento River; southerly on the
Sacramento River to the Tisdale Bypass to O'Banion Road; easterly on
O'Banion Road to CA 99; northerly on CA 99 to the Gridley-Colusa
Highway in Gridley in Butte County; westerly on the Gridley-Colusa
Highway to the River Road; northerly on the River Road to the Princeton
Ferry; westerly across the Sacramento River to CA 45; northerly on CA
45 to CA 162; northerly on CA 45-162 to Glenn; westerly on CA 162 to
the point of beginning in Willows.
Western Canada Goose Hunt Area: That portion of the above described
[[Page 50680]]
Sacramento Valley Area lying east of a line formed by Butte Creek from
the Gridley-Colusa Highway south to the Cherokee Canal; easterly along
the Cherokee Canal and North Butte Road to West Butte Road; southerly
on West Butte Road to Pass Road; easterly on Pass Road to West Butte
Road; southerly on West Butte Road to CA 20; and westerly along CA 20
to the Sacramento River.
San Joaquin Valley Area: That area bounded by a line beginning at
Modesto in Stanislaus County proceeding west on CA 132 to I-5;
southerly on I-5 to CA 152 in Merced County; easterly on CA 152 to CA
165; northerly on CA 165 to CA 99 at Merced; northerly and westerly on
CA 99 to the point of beginning.
Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)
Gunnison/Saguache Area: Gunnison County and that portion of
Saguache County west of the Continental Divide.
West Central Area: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, LaPlata, Montezuma,
Montrose, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel Counties and those portions
of Hinsdale and Mineral Counties west of the Continental Divide.
State Area: The remainder of the Pacific-Flyway Portion of
Colorado.
Idaho
Zone 1: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai,
Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties.
Zone 2: The Counties of Ada; Adams; Boise; Canyon; those portions
of Elmore north and east of I-84, and south and west of I-84, west of
ID 51, except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; Owyhee west of ID 51;
Payette; Valley; and Washington.
Zone 3: The Counties of Blaine; Camas; Cassia; those portions of
Elmore south of I-84 east of ID 51, and within the Camas Creek
drainage; Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee east of ID 51;
Power within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; and Twin Falls.
Zone 4: The Counties of Bear Lake; Bingham within the Blackfoot
Reservoir drainage; Bonneville, Butte; Caribou except the Fort Hall
Indian Reservation; Clark; Custer; Franklin; Fremont; Jefferson; Lemhi;
Madison; Oneida; Power west of ID 37 and ID 39 except the Minidoka
National Wildlife Refuge; and Teton.
Zone 5: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage;
and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.
In addition, goose frameworks are set by the following geographical
areas:
Northern Unit: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho,
Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties.
Southwestern Unit: That area west of the line formed by U.S. 93
north from the Nevada border to Shoshone, northerly on ID 75 (formerly
U.S. 93) to Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Montana border (except
the Northern Unit and except Custer and Lemhi Counties).
Southeastern Unit: That area east of the line formed by U.S. 93
north from the Nevada border to Shoshone, northerly on ID 75 (formerly
U.S. 93) to Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Montana border,
including all of Custer and Lemhi Counties.
Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
East of the Divide Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of the State
located east of the Continental Divide.
West of the Divide Zone: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway
portion of Montana.
Nevada
Lincoln Clark County Zone: All of Lincoln and Clark Counties
Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.
New Mexico (Pacific Flyway Portion)
North Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located north
of I-40.
South Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located south
of I-40.
Oregon
Southwest Zone: Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine and Jackson
Counties.
Northwest Special Permit Zone: That portion of western Oregon west
and north of a line running south from the Columbia River in Portland
along I-5 to OR 22 at Salem; then east on OR 22 to the Stayton Cutoff;
then south on the Stayton Cutoff to Stayton and due south to the
Santiam River; then west along the north shore of the Santiam River to
I-5; then south on I-5 to OR 126 at Eugene; then west on OR 126 to
Greenhill Road; then south on Greenhill Road to Crow Road; then west on
Crow Road to Territorial Hwy; then west on Territorial Hwy to OR 126;
then west on OR 126 to OR 36; then north on OR 36 to Forest Road 5070
at Brickerville; then west and south on Forest Road 5070 to OR 126;
then west on OR 126 to the Pacific Coast.
Northwest Zone: Those portions of Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion,
Multnomah, and Washington Counties outside of the Northwest Special
Permit Zone.
Closed Zone: Those portions of Coos, Curry, Douglas and Lane
Counties west of US 101.
Eastern Zone: Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow,
Umatilla, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Grant, Baker, Union,
and Wallowa Counties.
Harney, Klamath, Lake and Malheur Counties 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
Eastern Washington: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and
east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
Area 1: Lincoln, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties; that part of
Grant County east of a line beginning at the Douglas-Lincoln County
line on WA 174, southwest on WA 174 to WA 155, south on WA 155 to US 2,
southwest on US 2 to Pinto Ridge Road, south on Pinto Ridge Road to WA
28, east on WA 28 to the Stratford Road, south on the Stratford Road to
WA 17, south on WA 17 to the Grant-Adams County line; those parts of
Adams County east of State Highway 17; those parts of Franklin County
east and south of a line beginning at the Adams-Franklin County line on
WA 17, south on WA 17 to US 395, south on US 395 to I-182, west o I-182
to the Franklin-Benton County line; those parts of Benton County south
of I-182 and I-82; and those parts of Klickitat County east of U.S.
Highway 97.
Area 2: All of Okanongan, Douglas, and Kittitas Counties and those
parts of Grant, Adams, Franklin, and Benton Counties not included in
Eastern Washington Goose Management Area 1.
Area 3: All other parts of eastern Washington not included in
Eastern Washington Goose Management Areas 1 and 2.
Western Washington: All areas west of the East Zone.
Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
Area 2: Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties.
Area 3: All parts of western Washington not included in Western
Washington Goose Management Areas 1 and 2.
Lower Columbia River Early-Season Canada Goose Zone: Beginning at
the Washington-Oregon border on the I-5 Bridge near Vancouver,
Washington; north on I-5 to Kelso; west on Highway 4 from Kelso to
Highway 401; south and west on Highway 401 to Highway 101 at the
Astoria-Megler Bridge; west on Highway 101 to Gray Drive in the City of
Ilwaco; west on Gray Drive to Canby Road; southwest on Canby Road to
the
[[Page 50681]]
North Jetty; southwest on the North Jetty to its end; southeast to the
Washington-Oregon border; upstream along the Washington-Oregon border
to the point of origin.
Wyoming (Pacific Flyway Portion): See State Regulations.
Bear River Area: That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Salt River Area: That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Eden-Farson Area: Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette
Counties described in State regulations.
Swans
Central Flyway
South Dakota: Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Campbell, Clark, Codington,
Deuel, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant, Hamlin, Hand, Hughes, Hyde,
Kingsbury, Marshall, McPherson, Potter, Roberts, 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 south of State Hwy 30, I-80/84, west of I-15,
and north of I-80.
[FR Doc. 96-24733 Filed 9-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-F
