Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations, 50224-50247 [06-7027]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 164 (Thursday, August 24, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50224-50247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-7027]



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Part IV





Department of the Interior





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Fish and Wildlife Service



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50 CFR Part 20



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

Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 164 / Thursday, August 24, 2006 / 
Proposed Rules

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN 1018-AU42


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

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we) is 
proposing to establish the 2006-07 late-season hunting regulations for 
certain migratory game birds. We annually prescribe frameworks, or 
outer limits, for dates and times when hunting may occur and the number 
of birds that may be taken and possessed in late seasons. These 
frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and 
limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels compatible with 
population and habitat conditions.

DATES: You must submit comments on the proposed migratory bird hunting 
late-season frameworks by September 5, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the proposals to the Chief, Division 
of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Department of the Interior, ms MBSP-4107-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20240. All comments received, including names and 
addresses, will become part of the public record. You may inspect 
comments during normal business hours at the Service's office in room 
4107, Arlington Square Building, 4501 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, 
Virginia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Millsap, Chief, or Ron W. Kokel, 
Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
(703) 358-1714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations Schedule for 2006

    On April 11, 2006, we published in the Federal Register (71 FR 
18562) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal provided a 
background and overview of the migratory bird hunting regulations 
process, and dealt with the establishment of seasons, limits, proposed 
regulatory alternatives for the 2006-07 duck hunting season, and other 
regulations for hunting migratory game birds under Sec. Sec.  20.101 
through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. Major steps in the 
2006-07 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal 
Register notifications were also identified in the April 11 proposed 
rule.
    On May 30, 2006, we published in the Federal Register (71 FR 30786) 
a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- and late-
season migratory bird hunting regulations and the regulatory 
alternatives for the 2006-07 duck hunting season. The May 30 supplement 
also provided detailed information on the 2006-07 regulatory schedule 
and announced the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee (SRC) 
and Flyway Council meetings.
    On June 21 and 22, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council 
Consultants, at which the participants reviewed information on the 
current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and developed 
recommendations for the 2006-07 regulations for these species plus 
regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the 
Virgin Islands; special September waterfowl seasons in designated 
States; special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic Flyway; and extended 
falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and discussed preliminary 
information on the status of waterfowl as it relates to the development 
and selection of the regulatory packages for the 2006-07 regular 
waterfowl seasons. On July 28, 2006, we published in the Federal 
Register (71 FR 43008) a third document specifically dealing with the 
proposed frameworks for early-season regulations. In late August, we 
will publish a rulemaking establishing final frameworks for early-
season migratory bird hunting regulations for the 2006-07 season.
    On July 26-27, 2006, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council 
Consultants, at which the participants reviewed the status of waterfowl 
and developed recommendations for the 2006-07 regulations for these 
species. This document deals specifically with proposed frameworks for 
the late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. It will lead to 
final frameworks from which States may select season dates, shooting 
hours, areas, and limits.
    We have considered all pertinent comments received through July 31, 
2006, in developing this document. In addition, new proposals for 
certain late-season regulations are provided for public comment. The 
comment period is specified above under DATES. We will publish final 
regulatory frameworks for late-season migratory game bird hunting in 
the Federal Register on or around September 20, 2006.

Population Status and Harvest

    The following paragraphs provide a brief summary of information on 
the status and harvest of waterfowl excerpted from various reports. For 
more detailed information on methodologies and results, you may obtain 
complete copies of the various reports at the address indicated under 
ADDRESSES or from our Web site at https://migratorybirds.fws.gov.

Status of Ducks

    Federal, provincial, and State agencies conduct surveys each spring 
to estimate the size of breeding populations and to evaluate the 
conditions of the habitats. These surveys are conducted using fixed-
wing aircraft and helicopters and encompass principal breeding areas of 
North America, and cover over 2.0 million square miles. The Traditional 
survey area comprises Alaska, Canada, and the northcentral United 
States, and includes approximately 1.3 million square miles. The 
Eastern survey area includes parts of Ontario, Quebec, Labrador, 
Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, New 
York, and Maine, an area of approximately 0.7 million square miles.
Breeding Ground Conditions
    Despite a very warm winter, breeding waterfowl habitat quality in 
the United States and Canada is slightly better this year than last 
year. Improvements in Canadian and U.S. prairie habitats were primarily 
due to average to above-average precipitation, warm spring 
temperatures, and carry-over effects from the good summer conditions of 
2005. Improved habitat conditions were reflected in the higher number 
of ponds counted in Prairie Canada this year compared to last year. The 
2006 estimate of ponds in Prairie Canada was 4.4  0.2 
million ponds, a 13 percent increase from last year's estimate of 3.9 
 0.2 million ponds, and 32 percent above the 1955-2005 
average. Habitat conditions on the U.S prairies were more variable than 
those on the Canadian prairies. The 2006 pond estimate for the 
northcentral United States (1.6  0.1 million) was similar 
to last year's estimate and the long-term average. The total pond 
estimate (Prairie Canada and United States combined) was 6.1  0.2 million ponds. This was 13 percent greater than last year's 
estimate of 5.4  0.2 million and 26 percent higher than the 
long-term average of 4.8  0.1 million ponds.
    In the Eastern Survey Area (strata 51-72), spring-like conditions 
also arrived early with an early ice break-up and

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relatively mild temperatures. Biologists reported that habitat 
conditions were generally good across most of the survey area.
Breeding Population Status
    In the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey traditional 
survey area (strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), the total duck population 
estimate was 36.2  0.6 [SE] million birds. This was 14 
percent greater than last year's estimate of 31.7  0.6 
million birds and 9 percent above the 1955-2005 long-term average. 
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) abundance was 7.3  0.2 million 
birds, which was similar to last year's estimate of 6.8  
0.3 million birds and to the long-term average. Blue-winged teal (A. 
discors) abundance was 5.9  0.3 million birds. This value 
was 28 percent greater than last year's estimate of 4.6  
0.2 million birds and 30 percent above the long-term average. The 
estimated abundance of green-winged teal (A. crecca; 2.6  
0.2 million) was 20 percent greater than last year and 39 percent above 
the long-term average. The estimated number of gadwall (A. strepera; 
2.8  0.2 million) was 30 percent greater than last year and 
was 67 percent above the long-term average, and the estimated number of 
redheads (Aythya americana; 0.9  0.1 million) increased 55 
percent relative to 2005 and was 47 percent above the long-term 
average. The canvasback estimate (A. valisineria; 0.7  0.1 
million) was 33 percent higher than last year's and was 23 percent 
higher than the long-term average. The Northern shoveler (Anas 
clypeata; 3.7  0.2 million) estimate was similar to last 
year's, and 69 percent above the long-term average. Although estimates 
for most species increased relative to last year's and were greater 
than their long-term averages, American wigeon (A. americana; 2.2 
 0.1 million) and scaup (Aythya affinis and A. marila 
combined; 3.2  0.2 million) estimates were unchanged 
relative to 2005, but remained 17 percent and 37 percent below their 
long-term averages, respectively. The estimate for scaup was a record 
low for the second consecutive year. The Northern pintail (Anas acuta; 
3.4  0.2 million) estimate was 18 percent below its 1955-
2005 average, although this year's estimate was 32 percent greater than 
that of last year.
    The eastern survey area was restratified in 2005, and is now 
composed of strata 51-72. Mergansers (red-breasted [Mergus serrator], 
common [M. merganser], and hooded [Lophodytes cucullatus;]), mallards, 
American black ducks (A. rubripes), Ringnecked ducks (Aythya collaris), 
goldeneyes (common [Bucephala clangula] and Barrow's [B. islandica]) 
and green-winged teal were all similar to their 2005 estimates. 
American wigeon (-51 percent) and buffleheads ([B. albeola], -58 
percent) were lower than their 2005 estimates. None of the species in 
the eastern survey area differed from long-term averages.
Fall Flight Estimate
    The mid-continent mallard population is composed of mallards from 
the traditional survey area, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and is 
7.9  0.2 million. This is similar to the 2005 estimate of 
7.5  0.3 million. The projected mallard fall flight index 
was 9.8  0.1 million, similar to the 2005 estimate of 9.3 
 0.1 million birds. These indices were based on revised 
mid-continent mallard population models, and therefore, differ from 
those previously published.
    See section 1.A. Harvest Strategy Considerations for further 
discussion of the implications of this information for this year's 
selection of the appropriate hunting regulations.

Status of Geese and Swans

    We provide information on the population status and productivity of 
North American Canada geese (Branta canadensis), brant (B. bernicla), 
snow geese (Chen caerulescens), Ross' geese (C. rossii), emperor geese 
(C. canagica), white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons), and tundra swans 
(Cygnus columbianus). In 2006, the timing of spring snowmelt in 
important goose and swan nesting areas in most of the Arctic and 
subarctic was earlier than average. Delayed nesting phenology or 
reduced nesting effort was indicated for only Alaska's Yukon Delta, 
other coastal areas of Alaska, and near the Mackenzie River Delta in 
the western Canadian Arctic. Primary abundance indices in 2006 
increased from 2005 levels for 13 goose populations and decreased for 
11 goose populations. Primary abundance indices in 2006 for both 
populations of tundra swans increased from 2005 levels. The Mississippi 
Flyway Giant and the Atlantic Canada goose populations, the Western 
Arctic/Wrangel Island snow goose population, and the Pacific white-
fronted goose population displayed significant positive trends during 
the most recent 10-year period. The Short Grass Prairie Canada goose 
and the Mid-continent light goose populations showed significant 
negative 10-year trends. The forecast for the production of geese and 
swans in North America in 2006 is generally favorable and improved from 
that of 2005.

Waterfowl Harvest and Hunter Activity

    During the 2005-06 hunting season, both duck and goose harvest 
increased from the previous year. U.S. hunters harvested 12,510,800 
ducks in 2005-06, compared to 12,385,700 in 2004-05, and they harvested 
3,660,700 geese, compared to 3,200,400 geese taken in 2004-05. The five 
most commonly harvested duck species were mallard (4,466,927), green-
winged teal (1,500,479), gadwall (1,363,954), wood duck (1,119,921), 
and blue-winged/cinnamon teal (703,534).

Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations

    The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the April 
11, 2006, Federal Register, opened the public comment period for 
migratory game bird hunting regulations. The supplemental proposed 
rule, which appeared in the May 30, 2006, Federal Register, discussed 
the regulatory alternatives for the 2006-07 duck hunting season. Late-
season comments are summarized below and numbered in the order used in 
the April 11 and July 28 Federal Register documents. We have included 
only the numbered items pertaining to late-season issues for which we 
received written comments. Consequently, the issues do not follow in 
successive numerical or alphabetical order.
    We received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils. Some 
recommendations supported continuation of last year's frameworks. Due 
to the comprehensive nature of the annual review of the frameworks 
performed by the Councils, support for continuation of last year's 
frameworks is assumed for items for which no recommendations were 
received. Council recommendations for changes in the frameworks are 
summarized below.
    We seek additional information and comments on the recommendations 
in this supplemental proposed rule. New proposals and modifications to 
previously described proposals are discussed below. Wherever possible, 
they are discussed under headings corresponding to the numbered items 
in the April 11 and July 28, 2006, Federal Register documents.

1. Ducks

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

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issues/discussion, and only those containing substantial 
recommendations are discussed below.
A. Harvest Strategy Considerations
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Pacific Flyway Councils 
and the Upper- and Lower-Regulations Committees of the Mississippi 
Flyway Council recommended the adoption of the ``liberal'' regulatory 
alternative.
    The Central Flyway Council also recommended the ``liberal'' 
alternative. However, as part of their Hunter's Choice experiment, they 
recommended the following bag limits:

    In Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, the 
daily bag limit would be six ducks, with species and sex 
restrictions as follows: five mallards (no more than two of which 
may be females), two redheads, two scaup, two wood ducks, one 
pintail, one mottled duck, and one canvasback. For pintails and 
canvasbacks, the season length would be 39 days, which may be split 
according to applicable zones/split duck hunting configurations 
approved for each State.
    In Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the 
daily bag limit would be five ducks, with species and sex 
restrictions as follows: two scaup, two redheads, and two wood 
ducks, and only one from the following group--hen mallards, mottled 
ducks, pintails, canvasbacks.

    Service Response: We are continuing development of an Adaptive 
Harvest Management (AHM) protocol that would allow hunting regulations 
to vary among Flyways in a manner that recognizes each Flyway's unique 
breeding-ground derivation of mallards. For the 2006 hunting season, we 
believe that the prescribed regulatory choice for the Mississippi, 
Central, and Pacific Flyways should continue to depend on the status of 
midcontinent mallards. We also recommend that the regulatory choice for 
the Atlantic Flyway continue to depend on the status of eastern 
mallards. Investigations of the dynamics of western mallards (and their 
potential effect on regulations in the West) are continuing; therefore 
we are not yet prepared to recommend an AHM protocol for this mallard 
stock.
    For the 2006 hunting season, we are continuing to consider the same 
regulatory alternatives as those used last year. The nature of the 
restrictive, moderate, and liberal alternatives has remained 
essentially unchanged since 1997, except that extended framework dates 
have been offered in the moderate and liberal regulatory alternatives 
since 2002. Also, we agreed in 2003 to place a constraint on closed 
seasons in the western three Flyways whenever the midcontinent mallard 
breeding-population size (traditional survey area plus Minnesota, 
Michigan, and Wisconsin) is >=5.5 million.
    Optimal AHM strategies for the 2006 hunting season were calculated 
using: (1) Harvest-management objectives specific to each mallard 
stock; (2) the 2006 regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population 
models and associated weights for midcontinent and eastern mallards. 
Based on this year's survey results of 7.86 million midcontinent 
mallards (traditional survey area plus Michigan, Minnesota, and 
Wisconsin), 4.45 million ponds in Prairie Canada, and 899,000 eastern 
mallards, we believe the appropriate regulatory choice for all four 
Flyways is the ``liberal'' alternative.
    Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the Atlantic, 
Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils regarding selection 
of the ``liberal'' regulatory alternative and propose to adopt the 
``liberal'' regulatory alternative, as described in the May 30 Federal 
Register.
    Regarding Hunter's Choice, we support the Central Flyway Council's 
recommendation to initiate a 3-year evaluation of the Central Flyway's 
Hunter's Choice duck bag limit this year. The Central Flyway's Hunter's 
Choice regulations are intended to limit harvest on pintails and 
canvasbacks in a manner similar to the season-within-a-season 
regulations. Hunter's Choice regulations should also reduce harvests of 
mottled ducks and hen mallards, while maintaining full hunting 
opportunity on abundant species such as drake mallards. For the species 
included in the aggregate bag limit, the harvest of one species is 
intended to ``buffer'' the harvest of the others, thus reducing the 
harvest of all species included in the one-bird category. The Central 
Flyway has accumulated 4 years of baseline information on harvests 
resulting from ``season-within-a-season'' regulations in the Central 
Flyway; the season length for pintails and canvasbacks in season-
within-a-season States under the ``liberal'' alternative will be 39 
days.
    Five States (Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and 
Wyoming) have been randomly assigned to Hunter's Choice regulations and 
the remaining five States (Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and 
Oklahoma) will serve as controls (season-within-a-season regulations) 
as the evaluation proceeds. The overall duck daily bag limit will be 
reduced from six to five for the Hunter's Choice States.
    Finally, we believe that implementation of this experiment should 
not preclude any future changes in hunting regulations that may be 
deemed necessary on an annual basis for any other duck species in the 
Central Flyway, if such changes are deemed necessary.
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
iii. Black Ducks
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council and the Upper- 
and Lower-Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council 
recommended that black duck harvest regulations remain unchanged for 
the 2006-07 season, while the Joint Atlantic Flyway--Mississippi Flyway 
Black Duck Committee continues to work with the Canadian Wildlife 
Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service to reach consensus on an 
interim black duck harvest strategy.
    Service Response: We are proposing no change in the current harvest 
strategy on black ducks this year until new analyses are completed and 
evaluated with the United States Geological Survey and the 
International Black Duck Harvest Strategy Committee. We encourage both 
the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils to participate in this 
process. An important component of any new harvest strategy will be 
agreement on population objectives and regulatory strategies to inform 
future harvest-management decisions.
iv. Canvasbacks
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Pacific Flyway Councils 
and the Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a full season for canvasbacks 
consisting of a 1-bird daily bag limit and a 60-day season in the 
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, and 107-day season in the Pacific 
Flyway.
    The Central Flyway Council, as part of their Hunter's Choice 
experiment, recommended a full season (74 days) for canvasbacks with a 
1-bird daily bag limit in Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, 
and Wyoming and a 39-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit in 
Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
    Service Response: This year's spring survey resulted in an estimate 
of 691,000 canvasbacks. This was 33 percent above the 2005 estimate of 
520,600 canvasbacks and 23 percent above the 1955-2005 average. The 
estimate of ponds in Prairie Canada was 4.4 million, which was 13 
percent above last year and 32 percent above the long-term average. 
According to the canvasback harvest strategy, the

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allowable harvest in the United States is 266,000 birds. Since 
allowable harvest is larger than the predicted harvest in the United 
States during a ``liberal'' duck season (118,900 canvasbacks), a 
canvasback season spanning the entire length of the 2006-07 regular 
duck season is supported.
    Furthermore, we agree with the Central Flyway Council's 
recommendation to adopt a 39-day ``season-within-a-season'' for 
canvasbacks in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. 
We understand that this departure from the canvasback strategy is a 
necessary part of the experimental ``Hunter's Choice'' season.
v. Pintails
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Pacific Flyway Councils 
and the Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a full season for pintails 
consisting of a 1-bird daily bag limit and a 60-day season in the 
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, and a 107-day season in the Pacific 
Flyway.
    The Central Flyway Council, as part of their Hunter's Choice 
experiment, recommended a full season (74 days) for pintails with a 1-
bird daily bag limit in Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and 
Wyoming and a 39-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit in Colorado, 
Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
    Service Response: During the spring of 2006, each Flyway Council 
endorsed the incorporation of several technical updates to the modeling 
framework used in the pintail harvest strategy. Based on these 
technical updates, along with an observed spring breeding population of 
3.39 million, an overflight-bias-corrected breeding population of 4.23 
million, and a projected fall flight of 5.34 million pintails, the 
interim pintail harvest strategy prescribes a full season and a 1-bird 
daily bag limit in all Flyways. Under the ``liberal'' season length, 
this regulation is expected to result in a harvest of 569,000 pintails 
and an observed breeding population estimate of 3.45 million in 2007.
    Furthermore, we agree with the Central Flyway Council's 
recommendation to adopt a 39-day ``season-within-a-season'' for 
pintails in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. We 
understand that this departure from the pintail strategy is a necessary 
part of the experimental ``Hunter's Choice'' season.
vi. Scaup
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Central, and Pacific Flyway 
Councils and the Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended no changes in scaup harvest 
regulations for 2006. All the Flyway Councils reiterated their support 
for the cooperative development of a comprehensive scaup harvest 
management strategy.
    Service Response: We are aware that the Flyway Councils and the 
Service have not made the progress anticipated in the development of a 
viable strategy to manage harvest that acknowledges the uncertainty 
about what factors are really influencing scaup numbers, but at the 
same time provides guidance on what changes in regulations are still 
appropriate.
    Although we remain very concerned about the continued decline in 
scaup numbers and other evidence that this species is not doing well, 
we are proposing no change in scaup regulations for the 2006-07 hunting 
season. This decision is made with the firm understanding that a 
harvest strategy will be available for review this fall. The Service 
will develop the draft in time for review by the Flyway Councils at 
their winter meetings. Recommendations regarding the strategy will be 
expected from the Council meetings next March for consideration during 
the early-season regulations process.
    We also are aware that much time and effort have been spent to date 
by researchers and managers to begin to help identify those factors 
during the scaup's annual cycle that are most important in influencing 
population change and we want this momentum to continue. We also 
acknowledge that our database on scaup, compared to many other 
waterfowl species, is limited; and any enhancement of our understanding 
of scaup population dynamics, which has a direct bearing on the utility 
of the harvest strategy, will require better information from the 
field. We encourage the Flyway Councils to work with us to help 
identify and support additional data-gathering activities for scaup and 
work with other groups and organizations to ensure that their programs, 
including existing or new habitat initiatives, can also be aligned to 
benefit scaup populations.
vii. Mottled Ducks
    We continue to be concerned about the status of the Western Gulf 
Coast Population of mottled ducks. We recognize that the mottled duck 
is an integral part of the Central Flyway's Hunter's Choice bag-limit 
experiment, and we support inclusion of the mottled duck among those 
species with bag-limit restriction in the experiment as requested by 
the Central Flyway Council. However, we want to be clear that if it is 
determined that further reductions in harvest, or a different approach 
to harvest reduction, are warranted at any time over the next 3 years, 
we will make those changes. Thus, the implementation of this experiment 
will not preclude any future changes in hunting regulations that may be 
deemed necessary on an annual basis for mottled ducks.
    We are pleased to see that the Central and Mississippi Flyway 
Councils and Service staff have initiated the work we requested on an 
approach to accomplish harvest reductions if reductions are determined 
to be necessary. We encourage that work to continue.

3. Mergansers

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council and Upper- and 
Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council 
recommended that the daily bag limit on hooded mergansers be increased 
from 1 to 2 birds.
    Service Response: We support the recommendations of the Atlantic 
and Mississippi Flyway to increase the bag limit for hooded mergansers 
from 1 to 2 and note that the survey information suggests this species 
is increasing throughout its range. Based on this fact, we propose a 2-
bird daily bag limit for hooded mergansers in the Atlantic, 
Mississippi, and Central Flyways.

4. Canada Geese

B. Regular Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council forwarded a 
number of recommendations concerning Canada geese. First, the Council 
recommended that the framework opening date for the regular Canada 
goose season in the Lake Champlain Zones of Vermont and New York, the 
Interior Zone of Vermont, and the Western Zone of Massachusetts be 
fixed at October 20, beginning in 2006. Regarding the experimental 
season in Back Bay, Virginia, the Council recommended that the Service 
allow 1,000 permits to be issued in North Carolina's Northeast Hunt 
Unit, that the daily bag limit in Virginia be increased from 1 bird to 
2 birds, and that the experimental season in both North Carolina and 
Virginia be expanded from 15 days to 30 days. Third, the Council 
recommended that the framework

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closing date for North Atlantic Population (NAP) geese in established 
Low Harvest Zones be extended from January 31 to February 15. Lastly, 
the Council recommended that the season frameworks for Southern James 
Bay Population (SJBP) Canada geese in the Pymatuning Zone of 
Pennsylvania be increased to a 50-day season with framework dates of 
October 1 to January 31 and a daily bag limit of 2 geese.
    The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a number of changes in Canada 
goose seasons lengths and bag limits for several States in the Flyway. 
These changes are an outgrowth of recent revisions made to Canada goose 
harvest and population management plans and an evolving Canada goose 
harvest-management philosophy in the Flyway. The changes in harvest 
strategies and philosophies are largely driven by the increasing 
numbers of giant Canada geese in the Flyway and the decreasing 
importance of interior Canada geese to goose harvest opportunities in 
the Flyway. It appears that the large numbers of giant Canada geese may 
be buffering, to some extent, hunting pressure on interior Canada goose 
populations. These changes will allow States to evaluate the potential 
of this buffering effect. In keeping with the change in harvest 
management philosophy for Canada geese in the Flyway, the Council is 
also recommending to eliminate the requirement for Council and Service 
approval for States wanting to split their Canada goose seasons into 3 
segments, including the requirement for a 3-year evaluation.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended increasing the season length 
for Canada geese from 95 to 107 days in the east-tier States of the 
Flyway.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended the following changes for 
geese in the Pacific Flyway:
    1. Modify the frameworks for Aleutian Canada geese in southwest 
Oregon and northwest California by:
    a. Changing season lengths to allow 107 days and changing outside 
dates to allow seasons until March 10 in Oregon and California in 
specified zones;
    b. Redefining Oregon's Southwest Zone and creating a new South 
Coast Zone, with same bag limits in both zones; and
    c. Authorizing a 3-way split season in Oregon's new South Coast 
Zone.
    2. Remove Grays Harbor County, Washington, from the Southwest 
Washington Quota Zone.
    3. Increase the dark goose daily bag limit in the Lincoln and Clark 
County Zone of Nevada from 2 to 3 per day.
    4. Eliminate Utah's Washington County Canada Goose Zone and create 
a Northern Utah Goose Zone.
    Service Response: We concur with the Atlantic Flyway Council's 
recommendation to change the opening framework date to a fixed date of 
October 20 in a portion of the Atlantic Population (AP) harvest area 
provided these changes are consistent with the objectives of the 
pending AP Management Plan. In addition, we concur with the recommended 
changes in the number of permits, season length, and bag limits for 
Back Bay, Virginia, and North Carolina's Northeast Hunt Unit as allowed 
in the MOA's during the 3-year evaluation. Further, we concur with the 
season framework closing-date extension to February 15 in the Low 
Harvest Zones for the North Atlantic Population. And, finally, we 
concur with framework changes recommended for the Pymatuning Zone of 
Pennsylvania to harvest SJBP Canada geese.
    With reference to three-way split seasons for Canada geese in the 
Mississippi Flyway, we concur that the move toward redirection of 
harvest management from one of managing specific populations of Canada 
geese toward a more general approach of managing the collective harvest 
of Canada geese in the Flyway, together with the experience gained to 
date with three-way splits, eliminates the need for State-by-State 
approval by the Flyway Council and the Service and a 3-year evaluation.
    We concur with the Central Flyway's recommendation to increase the 
season length from 95 to 107 days for Canada geese in the east tier 
States. The Tall Grass Prairie and Western Prairie/Great Plains 
Populations of Canada geese that migrate through and winter in this 
portion of the Flyway are above population objective levels, therefore 
the proposed increase in season length will provide additional hunting 
opportunity on these populations.
    We also concur with all of the recommendations forwarded by the 
Pacific Flyway Council. The Service supports the changes proposed and 
recognizes that the changes in California and Oregon are intended to 
address increasing depredation problems associated with Aleutian Canada 
geese. Aleutian Canada geese continue to increase rapidly and currently 
are above the population objective levels identified in the Flyway 
management plan. The increased harvest opportunity will help address 
these depredation concerns in northwest California and southwest 
Oregon. The other changes proposed for Canada geese in Washington, 
Utah, and Nevada, are relatively minor boundary changes in harvest 
zones or bag limit increases that will help address depredation 
concerns in these States and will not impact the harvest of other 
Canada goose populations of management concern in the Flyway.

5. White-Fronted Geese

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended 
modification of frameworks for white-fronted geese in the Klamath Basin 
of Oregon and California by:
    1. Increasing the white-fronted goose daily bag limit from 2 to 4 
in California's Northeastern Zone;
    2. Increasing the white-fronted goose daily bag limit from 3 to 4 
in California's Balance of State Zone (except in the Sacramento Valley 
Special Management Area);
    3. Redefine Oregon's Harney, Klamath, Lake and Malheur County Zone 
and create a new zone comprised of just Klamath County;
    4. Change the outside dates in the new Klamath County Zone only to 
extend to March 10;
    5. In the Klamath County Zone, late seasons would be for white-
fronted geese only with a daily bag limit of 2;
    6. Create a 3-way split in Oregon's new Klamath County Zone.
    Service Response: We support the recommendations of the Pacific 
Flyway Council. Pacific white-fronted geese are currently well above 
population objective levels with this year's index totaling more than 
500,000, well above the population objective of 300,000. Increasing 
numbers of this population are now staging in the Klamath Basin region 
of Oregon and California in the spring. These increasing numbers of 
geese are causing agricultural depredation problems that can be 
partially addressed by this proposed change in season structure for 
these geese. We support the use of sport harvest to address these 
concerns when possible. We will require monitoring and evaluation of 
these season changes to ensure that no adverse impacts occur on other 
goose populations of management concern.

6. Brant

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommends 
increasing the season length for brant in California from 15 to 30 days 
and increasing the season length in Washington from 8 to 16 days.

[[Page 50229]]

    Service Response: We concur with the Pacific Flyway Council 
recommendation to return to the Pacific Brant season frameworks that 
were in place prior to last year based on the midwinter survey index 
from last year and consistency with the Flyway Management Plan. 
However, we reiterate the concern expressed previously about provisions 
in the management plan that allow frequent changes among the three 
harvest levels. We request that the Flyway Council review these 
provisions and consider methods that might reduce the potential 
frequency of annual changes, such as those we have experienced in the 
last 2 years.

8. Swans

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended 
allowing hunters in Nevada two swan permits per year.
    Service Response: We concur with the Pacific Flyway Council's 
recommendation concerning Nevada. We continue to support the carefully 
controlled harvest of Tundra swans in the Pacific Flyway States and 
continue to require careful monitoring of this harvest to insure that 
only small numbers of Trumpeter swans can be taken during this season. 
During the past 10 years, Nevada has only harvested one Trumpeter swan 
in this season. Further, Nevada's permit allocation would not be 
increased from that offered in previous years (650). The proposed 
change that would allow hunters a second permit is consistent with the 
existing harvest strategy in the Flyway management plan and no increase 
in Trumpeter swan harvest is expected. Monitoring programs will ensure 
that the season is closed if the assigned quota of five Trumpeter swans 
are harvested in the season.
    Regarding the Eastern Population (EP) of tundra swans, the mid-
winter index in 2006 was 74,500 and below the population objective of 
80,000 for the second consecutive year. As a result, the 3-year average 
population index from the mid-winter has declined to 78,100. In 
accordance with the 1998 Hunt Plan, whenever the 3-year average drops 
below the population objective for more than one year, permit 
reductions should be considered. Therefore, we encourage the Flyway 
Councils to review the current status of EP tundra swans and determine 
appropriate permit changes prior to the development of the 2007-08 
hunting regulations.

Public Comment Invited

    The Department of the Interior's policy is, whenever practicable, 
to afford the public an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking 
process. We intend that adopted final rules be as responsive as 
possible to all concerned interests and, therefore, seek the comments 
and suggestions of the public, other concerned governmental agencies, 
nongovernmental organizations, and other private interests on these 
proposals. Accordingly, we invite interested persons to submit written 
comments, suggestions, or recommendations regarding the proposed 
regulations to the address indicated under ADDRESSES.
    Special circumstances involved in the establishment of these 
regulations limit the amount of time that we can allow for public 
comment. Specifically, two considerations compress the time in which 
the rulemaking process must operate: (1) The need to establish final 
rules at a point early enough in the summer to allow affected State 
agencies to adjust their licensing and regulatory mechanisms; and (2) 
the unavailability, before mid-June, of specific, reliable data on this 
year's status of some waterfowl and migratory shore and upland game 
bird populations. Therefore, we believe that to allow comment periods 
past the dates specified in DATES is contrary to the public interest.
    Before promulgation of final migratory game bird hunting 
regulations, we will take into consideration all comments received. 
Such comments, and any additional information received, may lead to 
final regulations that differ from these proposals. You may inspect 
comments received on the proposed annual regulations during normal 
business hours at the Service's office in room 4107, 4501 North Fairfax 
Drive, Arlington, Virginia. For each series of proposed rulemakings, we 
will establish specific comment periods. We will consider, but possibly 
may not respond in detail to, each comment. However, as in the past, we 
will summarize all comments received during the comment period and 
respond to them in the final rule.

NEPA Consideration

    NEPA considerations are covered by the programmatic document 
``Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual 
Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FSES 88-
14),'' filed with the Environmental Protection Agency on June 9, 1988. 
We published a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on June 
16, 1988 (53 FR 22582). We published our Record of Decision on August 
18, 1988 (53 FR 31341). In addition, an August 1985 environmental 
assessment entitled ``Guidelines for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations 
on Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands'' is available from the 
address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES. In a notice published in 
the September 8, 2005, Federal Register (70 FR 53376), we announced our 
intent to develop a new Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for 
the migratory bird hunting program. Public scoping meetings were held 
in the spring of 2006, as we announced in a March 9, 2006, Federal 
Register notice (71 FR 12216).

Endangered Species Act Consideration

    Prior to issuance of the 2006-07 migratory game bird hunting 
regulations, we will comply with provisions of the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543; hereinafter the Act), to 
ensure that hunting is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence 
of any species designated as endangered or threatened or modify or 
destroy its critical habitat, and is consistent with conservation 
programs for those species. Consultations under Section 7 of this Act 
may cause us to change proposals in this and future supplemental 
proposed rulemaking documents.

Executive Order 12866

    The migratory bird hunting regulations are economically significant 
and were reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 
Executive Order 12866. As such, a cost/benefit analysis was initially 
prepared in 1981. This analysis was subsequently revised annually from 
1990-96, updated in 1998, and updated again in 2004. It is further 
discussed below under the heading Regulatory Flexibility Act. Results 
from the 2004 analysis indicate that the expected welfare benefit of 
the annual migratory bird hunting frameworks is on the order of $734 
million to $1.064 billion, with a mid-point estimate of $899 million. 
Copies of the cost/benefit analysis are available upon request from the 
address indicated under ADDRESSES or from our Web site at 
www.migratorybirds.gov.
    Executive Order 12866 also requires each agency to write 
regulations that are easy to understand. We invite comments on how to 
make this rule easier to understand, including answers to questions 
such as the following: (1) Are the requirements in the rule clearly 
stated? (2) Does the rule contain technical language or jargon that 
interferes with its clarity? (3) Does the format of the rule (grouping 
and order

[[Page 50230]]

of sections, use of headings, paragraphing, etc.) aid or reduce its 
clarity? (4) Would the rule be easier to understand if it were divided 
into more (but shorter) sections? (5) Is the description of the rule in 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of the preamble helpful in 
understanding the rule? (6) What else could we do to make the rule 
easier to understand?
    Send a copy of any comments that concern how we could make this 
rule easier to understand to: Office of Regulatory Affairs, Department 
of the Interior, Room 7229, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. 
You may also e-mail the comments to this address: Exsec@ios.doi.gov.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    These regulations have a significant economic impact on substantial 
numbers of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.). We analyzed the economic impacts of the annual 
hunting regulations on small business entities in detail as part of the 
1981 cost-benefit analysis discussed under Executive Order 12866. This 
analysis was revised annually from 1990-95. In 1995, the Service issued 
a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis), which was subsequently 
updated in 1996, 1998, and 2004. The primary source of information 
about hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting is the 
National Hunting and Fishing Survey, which is conducted at 5-year 
intervals. The 2004 Analysis was based on the 2001 National Hunting and 
Fishing Survey and the U.S. Department of Commerce's County Business 
Patterns, from which it was estimated that migratory bird hunters would 
spend between $481 million and $1.2 billion at small businesses in 
2004. Copies of the Analysis are available upon request from the 
address indicated under ADDRESSES or from our Web site at 
www.migratorybirds.gov.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

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

Paperwork Reduction Act

    We examined these regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (PRA). There are no new information collections in this proposed 
rule that would require OMB approval under the PRA. The existing 
various recordkeeping and reporting requirements imposed under 
regulations established in 50 CFR part 20, Subpart K, are utilized in 
the formulation of migratory game bird hunting regulations. 
Specifically, OMB has approved the information collection requirements 
of the surveys associated with the Migratory Bird Harvest Information 
Program and assigned clearance number 1018-0015 (expires 2/29/2008). 
This information is used to provide a sampling frame for voluntary 
national surveys to improve our harvest estimates for all migratory 
game birds in order to better manage these populations.
    A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    We have determined and certify, in compliance with the requirements 
of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this 
rulemaking will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given 
year on local or State government or private entities. Therefore, this 
rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act.

Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988

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

Takings Implication Assessment

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

Energy Effects--Executive Order 13211

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

Government-to-Government Relationship with Tribes

    Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the 
Federal Government has been given responsibility over these species by 
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Thus, in accordance with the President's 
memorandum of April 29, 1994, ``Government-to-Government Relations with 
Native American Tribal Governments'' (59 FR 22951), Executive Order 
13175, and 512 DM 2, we have evaluated possible effects on Federally 
recognized Indian tribes and have determined that there are no effects 
on Indian trust resources. However, in the April 11 proposed rule we 
solicited proposals for special migratory bird hunting regulations for 
certain Tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off-reservation trust 
lands, and ceded lands for the 2006-07 migratory bird hunting season. 
The resulting proposals will be contained in a separate proposed rule. 
By virtue of these actions, we have consulted with all the Tribes 
affected by this rule.

Federalism Effects

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

[[Page 50231]]

accordance with Executive Order 13132, these regulations do not have 
significant federalism effects and do not have sufficient federalism 
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20

    Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.

    The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2006-07 
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 
a-j.

    Dated: August 11, 2006.
David M. Verhey,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 2006-07 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, 2006, and March 10, 2007.

General

    Dates: All outside dates noted below are inclusive.
    Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise 
specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.
    Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits 
are twice the daily bag limit.

Flyways and Management Units

Waterfowl Flyways

    Atlantic Flyway--includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, 
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, 
Virginia, and West Virginia.
    Mississippi Flyway--includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, 
Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, 
Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
    Central Flyway--includes Colorado (east of the Continental Divide), 
Kansas, Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith Basin, 
Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties east thereof), 
Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except the 
Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, South 
Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the Continental Divide).
    Pacific Flyway--includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, 
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado, 
Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.

Management Units

    High Plains Mallard Management Unit--roughly defined as that 
portion of the Central Flyway that lies west of the 100th meridian.
    Definitions: For the purpose of hunting regulations listed below, 
the collective terms ``dark'' and ``light'' geese include the following 
species:
    Dark geese: Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant, and all other 
goose species except light geese.
    Light geese: snow (including blue) geese and Ross' geese.
    Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Geographic descriptions related 
to late-season regulations are contained in a later portion of this 
document.
    Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks for open seasons, season 
lengths, bag and possession limits, and other special provisions are 
listed below by Flyway.
    Compensatory Days in the Atlantic Flyway: In the Atlantic Flyway 
States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New 
Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, where Sunday 
hunting is prohibited statewide by State law, all Sundays are closed to 
all take of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and coots).

Atlantic Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
23) and the last Sunday in January (January 28).
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days. The daily bag limit is 6 
ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 2 scaup, 1 black 
duck, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling 
duck, 2 wood ducks, 2 redheads, and 4 scoters.
    Closures: The season on harlequin ducks is closed.
    Sea Ducks: Within the special sea duck areas, during the regular 
duck season in the Atlantic Flyway, States may choose to allow the 
above sea duck limits in addition to the limits applying to other ducks 
during the regular duck season. In all other areas, sea ducks may be 
taken only during the regular open season for ducks and are part of the 
regular duck season daily bag (not to exceed 4 scoters) and possession 
limits.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5, only 2 of 
which may be a hooded merganser. In States that include mergansers in 
the duck bag limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, 
only two of which may be hooded mergansers.
    Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
    Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and 
shooting hours shall be the same as those selected for the Lake 
Champlain Zone of Vermont.
    Connecticut River Zone, Vermont: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and 
shooting hours shall be the same as those selected for the Inland Zone 
of New Hampshire.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, 
North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia may split 
their seasons into three segments; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, 
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West 
Virginia may select hunting seasons by zones and may split their 
seasons into two segments in each zone.

Canada Geese

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Specific regulations for 
Canada geese are shown below by State. These seasons also include 
white-fronted geese. Unless specified otherwise, seasons may be split 
into two segments. In areas within States where the framework closing 
date for Atlantic Population (AP) goose seasons overlaps with special 
late-season frameworks for resident geese, the framework closing date 
for AP goose seasons is January 14.
    Connecticut: North Atlantic Population (NAP) Zone: Between October 
1 and January 31, a 60-day season may be held with a 2-bird daily bag 
limit in the H Unit; and between October 1 and February 15, a 70-day 
season with a 3-bird daily bag in the L Unit.
    Atlantic Population (AP) Zone: A 45-day season may be held between 
the fourth Saturday in October (October 28) and January 31, with a 3-
bird daily bag limit.
    South Zone: A special season may be held between January 15 and 
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    Delaware: A 45-day season may be held between November 15 and 
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Florida: A 70-day season may be held between November 15 and 
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    Georgia: In specific areas, a 70-day season may be held between 
November

[[Page 50232]]

15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    Maine: A 60-day season may be held Statewide between October 1 and 
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Maryland: Resident Population (RP) Zone: A 70-day season may be 
held between November 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag 
limit.
    AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between November 15 and 
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Massachusetts: NAP Zone: A 60-day season may be held between 
October 1 and January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, 
a special season may be held from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-
bird daily bag limit.
    AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between October 20 and January 
31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    New Hampshire: A 60-day season may be held statewide between 
October 1 and January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    New Jersey: Statewide: A 45-day season may be held between the 
fourth Saturday in October (October 28) and January 31, with a 3-bird 
daily bag limit.
    Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held 
in designated areas of North and South New Jersey from January 15 to 
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    New York: NAP Zone: Between October 1 and January 31, a 60-day 
season may be held, with a 2-bird daily bag limit in the High Harvest 
areas; and between October 1 and February 15, a 70-day season may be 
held, with a 3-bird daily bag limit in the Low Harvest areas.
    Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held 
between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit in 
designated areas of Chemung, Delaware, Tioga, Broome, Sullivan, 
Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, and Rockland 
Counties.
    AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in 
October (October 28), except in the Lake Champlain Area where the 
opening date is October 20, and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag 
limit.
    RP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in 
October (October 28) and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    North Carolina: SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between 
October 1 and December 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    RP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and February 
15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    Northeast Hunt Unit: A 30-day experimental season (1,000 permits) 
may be held concurrent with the season selected for the Back Bay Area 
of Virginia. The seasonal bag limit is 1 bird.
    Pennsylvania: SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between the 
second Saturday in October (October 14) and February 15, with a 2-bird 
daily bag limit until January 14 and a 5-bird daily bag limit between 
January 15 and February 15.
    Pymatuning Zone: A 50-day season may be held between October 1 and 
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    RP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between November 15 and 
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in 
October (October 28) and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held 
from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    Rhode Island: A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and 
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. An experimental season may 
be held in designated areas from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-
bird daily bag limit.
    South Carolina: In designated areas, a 70-day season may be held 
during November 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    Vermont: A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in 
October (October 28), except in the Lake Champlain Area where the 
opening date is October 20, and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag 
limit.
    Virginia: SJBP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between November 
15 and January 14, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, an 
experimental season may be held between January 15 and February 15, 
with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between November 15 and 
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    RP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between November 15 and 
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    Back Bay Area: A 30-day experimental season may be held between 
December 25 and January 28 in the AP Zone with a 2-bird daily bag 
limit.
    West Virginia: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and 
January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.

Light Geese

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

Brant

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 30-
day season between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and 
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. States may split their 
seasons into two segments.

Mississippi Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
23) and the last Sunday in January (January 28).
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: The season may not exceed 60 days, 
with a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards 
(no more than 2 of which may be females), 3 mottled ducks, 2 scaup, 1 
black duck, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 wood ducks, and 2 redheads.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, only 2 of which may be 
hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in the duck bag 
limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, only 2 of 
which may be hooded mergansers.
    Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, 
Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, 
Tennessee, and Wisconsin may select hunting seasons by zones.
    In Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, 
Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be split into 
two segments in each zone.
    In Mississippi, the season may be split into three segments.

Geese

    Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments.
    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select 
seasons for light geese not to exceed 107 days, with 20 geese daily 
between the Saturday

[[Page 50233]]

nearest September 24 (September 23) and March 10; for white-fronted 
geese no