Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations, 49622-49637 [E7-17028]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 28, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49622-49637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-17028]



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Part V





Department of the Interior





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Fish and Wildlife Service



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50 CFR Part 20



 Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory 
Bird Hunting Regulations; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 28, 2007 / 
Rules and Regulations

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN 1018-AV12


Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season 
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule prescribes final early-season frameworks from which 
the States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands may select season 
dates, limits, and other options for the 2007-08 migratory bird hunting 
seasons. Early seasons are those that generally open prior to October 
1, and include seasons in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin 
Islands. The effect of this final rule is to facilitate the selection 
of hunting seasons by the States and Territories to further the annual 
establishment of the early-season migratory bird hunting regulations.

DATES: This rule takes effect on August 28, 2007.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Blohm, 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, 2007, we published in the Federal Register (72 FR 
18328) 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 2007-08 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 
2007-08 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal 
Register notifications were also identified in the April 11 proposed 
rule. Further, we explained that all sections of subsequent documents 
outlining hunting frameworks and guidelines were organized under 
numbered headings. As an aid to the reader, we reiterate those headings 
here:

1. Ducks
    A. General Harvest Strategy
    B. Regulatory Alternatives
    C. Zones and Split Seasons
    D. Special Seasons/Species Management
    i. September Teal Seasons
    ii. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons
    iii. Black ducks
    iv. Canvasbacks
    v. Pintails
    vi. Scaup
    vii. Mottled ducks
    viii. Youth Hunt
2. Sea Ducks
3. Mergansers
4. Canada Geese
    A. Special Seasons
    B. Regular Seasons
    C. Special Late Seasons
5. White-fronted Geese
6. Brant
7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese
8. Swans
9. Cranes
10. Coots
11. Moorhens and Gallinules
12. Rails
13. Snipe
14. Woodcock
15. Band-tailed Pigeons
16. Mourning Doves
17. White-winged and White-tipped Doves
18. Alaska
19. Hawaii
20. Puerto Rico
21. Virgin Islands
22. Falconry
23. Other

    Subsequent documents will refer only to numbered items requiring 
attention. Therefore, it is important to note that we will omit those 
items requiring no attention, and remaining numbered items will be 
discontinuous and appear incomplete.
    On June 8, 2007, we published in the Federal Register (72 FR 31789) 
a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- and late-
season migratory bird hunting regulations and the regulatory 
alternatives for the 2007-08 duck hunting season. The June 8 supplement 
also provided detailed information on the 2007-08 regulatory schedule 
and announced the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee (SRC) 
and Flyway Council meetings. On June 20 and 21, 2007, 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 2007-08 
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 2007-08 regular waterfowl seasons. On July 
23, 2007, we published in the Federal Register (72 FR 40194) a third 
document specifically dealing with the proposed frameworks for early-
season regulations. We will publish the proposed frameworks for late-
season regulations (primarily hunting seasons that start after October 
1 and most waterfowl seasons not already established) in a late August 
Federal Register.
    This document is the fourth in a series of proposed, supplemental, 
and final rulemaking documents. It establishes final frameworks from 
which States may select season dates, shooting hours, and daily bag and 
possession limits for the 2007-08 season. These selections will be 
published in the Federal Register as amendments to Sec. Sec.  20.101 
through 20.107, and Sec.  20.109 of title 50 CFR part 20.

Review of Public Comments

    The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the April 11 
Federal Register, opened the public comment period for migratory game 
bird hunting regulations. We have considered all pertinent comments 
received. Comments are summarized below and numbered in the order used 
in the April 11 Federal Register. We have included only the numbered 
items pertaining to early-season issues for which we received comments. 
Consequently, the issues do not follow in successive numerical or 
alphabetical order. We received recommendations from all Flyway 
Councils. Some recommendations supported continuation of last year's 
frameworks. Due to the comprehensive nature of the Councils' annual 
review of the frameworks, we assume Council support for continuation of 
last year's frameworks for items for which we received no 
recommendation. Council recommendations for changes are summarized 
below.

General

    Written Comments: An individual commenter protested the entire

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migratory bird hunting regulations process, the killing of all 
migratory birds, and the Flyway Council process.
    Service Response: Our long-term objectives continue to include 
providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game 
bird populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each 
population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Having taken 
into account the zones of temperature and the distribution, abundance, 
economic value, breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of 
migratory birds, we believe that the hunting seasons provided herein 
are compatible with the current status of migratory bird populations 
and long-term population goals. Additionally, we are obligated to, and 
do, give serious consideration to all information received as public 
comment. While there are problems inherent with any type of 
representative management of public-trust resources, we believe that 
the Flyway-Council system of migratory bird management has been a 
longstanding example of State-Federal cooperative management since its 
establishment in 1952. However, as always, we continue to seek new ways 
to streamline and improve the process.

1. Ducks

    Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest 
management are: (A) General Harvest Strategy; (B) Regulatory 
Alternatives, including specification of framework dates, season 
lengths, and bag limits; (C) Zones and Split Seasons; and (D) Special 
Seasons/Species Management. The categories correspond to previously 
published issues/discussions, and only those containing substantial 
recommendations are discussed below.

D. Special Seasons/Species Management

i. September Teal Seasons
    Utilizing the criteria developed for the teal season harvest 
strategy, this year's estimate of 6.7 million blue-winged teal from the 
Traditional Survey Area indicates that a 16-day September teal season 
is appropriate for the Central and Mississippi Flyways and a 9-day 
September season for the Atlantic Flyway.

4. Canada Geese

A. Special Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council made several 
recommendations dealing with early Canada goose seasons. First, the 
Council recommended allowing the experimental seasons in portions of 
Florida, Georgia, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Vermont 
to become operational in 2007. Lastly, the Council recommended that the 
Service allow the use of special regulations (electronic calls, 
unplugged guns, extended hunting hours) later than September 15 during 
existing September Canada goose hunting seasons in Atlantic Flyway 
States. Use of these special regulations would be limited to the 
geographic areas of States that were open to hunting and under existing 
September season ending dates as approved by the Service for the 2007 
regulation cycle.
    The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the closing dates for 
Canada goose hunting during the September goose season in the Northwest 
Goose Zone of Minnesota be extended through September 22 to coincide 
with the remainder of the State with a waiver of the experimental 
season requirements of collecting Canada goose parts.
    Written Comments: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 
(Minnesota) provided an evaluation plan for the extension of the 
framework closing date in the Northwest Goose Zone.
    Service Response: We support the Atlantic Flyway Council's request 
to make the experimental seasons in portions of Florida, Georgia, New 
York, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Vermont operational in 2007. 
Data and analysis submitted by the Council shows a minimal impact of 
these seasons on migrant stocks of Canada geese and demonstrates that 
they meet the criteria for establishment of special early Canada goose 
hunting seasons.
    We also support the Atlantic Flyway Council's desire to increase 
opportunities to harvest resident Canada geese during special early 
Canada goose hunting seasons. In many areas of the Flyway, resident 
Canada geese remain overabundant. Recent spring population surveys 
continue to estimate that approximately 1 million geese reside in the 
States of the Atlantic Flyway--a number far in excess of the Flyway's 
established goal of 650,000 resident geese. Allowing the use of these 
special expanded hunting methods would be consistent with our August 
10, 2006, final rule on resident Canada goose management (71 FR 45964) 
and November 2005 Final Environmental Impact Statement on resident 
Canada goose management, would have a minimal impact on migrant Canada 
goose populations, would contribute to maximizing the harvest of 
resident Canada geese in the Flyway, would allow greater flexibility to 
affected States, would be consistent with the Atlantic Flyway Resident 
Canada Goose Management Plan, and would provide a simplified, 
consistent set of regulations throughout the September goose seasons.
    In the July 23 proposed rule, we stated that we did not support the 
Mississippi Flyway Council's request to extend the framework closing 
date for the September goose season in Minnesota's Northwest Goose Zone 
to September 22. Our lack of support was based solely on their request 
to wave the experimental season evaluation requirements (60 FR 45022, 
August 29, 1995).
    Special September Canada goose seasons were implemented for the 
purpose of controlling local breeding populations or nuisance geese 
that nest primarily in the conterminous United States (60 FR 45021, 
August 29, 1995). Prior to 1995, in order to implement a special 
season, each State was required to conduct a 3-year evaluation to 
determine whether the take of non-target Canada goose populations 
(migrants) exceeded 10 percent of the harvest. This evaluation 
requirement was removed in 1995 for special seasons held September 1-
15, but remained in effect for all such seasons, or extensions of 
seasons, after September 15.
    In 1999, Minnesota received approval to initiate a 3-year 
experimental extension of the September goose season from September 15-
22. Minnesota's experiment did not include the Northwest Goose Zone, 
due to concerns (at that time) about the status and potential impacts 
to migrant Canada geese. While parts collection, harvest, and banding 
data obtained in the evaluation of Minnesota's experiment indicated 
that migrant geese in areas adjacent to the Northwest Goose Zone 
comprised less than 5 percent of the harvest, we stated in the July 23 
proposed rule that granting an extension of the framework closing date 
without conducting an experiment would be contrary to established 
criteria for such seasons and would likely invite requests for similar 
waivers. While we recognize that collection of sufficient parts and 
harvest data in the Northwest Zone is problematic, Minnesota has now 
provided us with an evaluation plan to collect parts during the 
experimental framework extension. As such, we are satisfied with the 
general approach of the evaluation plan and we approve the Council's 
request. However, further refinements in the plan may be needed

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pending first year data collection results.

B. Regular Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations 
Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the 
framework opening date for all species of geese for the regular goose 
seasons in Michigan and Wisconsin be September 16, 2007.
    Service Response: We concur. As we stated last year (71 FR 51406, 
August 29, 2006), we agree with the objective to increase harvest 
pressure on resident Canada geese in the Mississippi Flyway and will 
continue to consider the opening dates in both States as exceptions to 
the general Flyway opening date, to be reconsidered annually.

9. Sandhill Cranes

    Council Recommendations: The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils 
recommended using the 2006 Rocky Mountain Population sandhill crane 
harvest allocation of 1,321 birds, as proposed in the allocation 
formula, using the 2003-2005 3-year running average.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended initiating a limited hunt 
for Lower Colorado River sandhill cranes in Arizona, with the goal 
being a limited harvest of 5 cranes in January. To limit harvest, 
Arizona would issue permits to hunters and require mandatory check of 
all harvested cranes. To limit disturbance of wintering cranes, Arizona 
would restrict the hunt to one 3-day period. Arizona would also 
coordinate with the National Wildlife Refuges where cranes occur.
    Service Response: Greater and lesser sandhill cranes are presently 
hunted in parts of their range and have been divided into management 
populations based on their geographic distribution during fall and 
winter. The current Flyway Management Plan for the Lower Colorado River 
Valley Population (LCRVP) of sandhill cranes allows for hunting of this 
population when the wintering population exceeds 2,500 cranes, a 
population level now exceeded. In 2005, the Pacific Flyway Council 
proposed a limited open season on this population. In response to 
proposal, we stated in the August 29, 2006, Federal Register (71 FR 
51406) that while we were in general support of allowing a very 
limited, carefully controlled harvest of sandhill cranes from this 
population, we did not believe that this limited harvest was of 
immediate concern, and recommended that prior to initiating such a 
season, a more detailed harvest strategy be developed by the Flyway 
Council. We stated that this harvest strategy should be included as an 
appendix to the management plan prior to any hunting season being 
initiated. The Pacific Flyway has modified the management plan as 
recommended.
    We prepared a draft environmental assessment (DEA) considering the 
action to begin a limited harvest of sandhill cranes from the LCRVP by 
reviewing current management strategies and population objectives, and 
examining alternatives to current management programs. The preferred 
alternative in the DEA was to institute the limited season. We made 
this DEA available for public comment and received only two responses. 
We have addressed these comments and prepared a final environmental 
assessment (FEA).
    Based on our FEA, we will authorize a limited experimental season 
for this population of sandhill cranes as requested by the Pacific 
Flyway Council. All of the described requirements in the management 
plan and the FEA will apply to this 3-year experiment. Further, we will 
work with the participating Pacific Flyway States to meet the 
monitoring and assessment requirements described in the management plan 
for the evaluation of this experimental season. In addition, we 
encourage the participating States to work with us to improve our 
understanding and management of this important group of sandhill 
cranes. The FEA can be obtained by writing Robert Trost, Pacific Flyway 
Representative, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory 
Bird Management, 911 NE. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4181, or 
it may be viewed via the Service's home page at https://fws.gov/
migratorybirds/reports/reports.html.

14. Woodcock

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
allowing compensatory days for woodcock hunting in States where Sunday 
hunting is prohibited by State law.
    Service Response: In 1995, the Atlantic Flyway Council asked us to 
reconsider our longstanding policy of denying compensatory days to 
those States that forego hunting opportunity due to State laws that 
prohibit Sunday hunting. We agreed to work with the Flyway Council to 
``frame'' or better clarify this issue with regard to aspects such as 
Federal authority, number of States involved, migratory birds affected, 
harvest impacts, framework adjustments, etc. In 1997, the Council again 
requested that we grant compensatory days for States in their Flyway 
that were closed to waterfowl hunting statewide on Sunday by State law. 
The Council's requested compensatory days applied to waterfowl seasons 
only and not to other migratory game birds (62 FR 44234, August 20, 
1997). We granted this request and stipulated that all Sundays would be 
closed to all take of migratory waterfowl and that other migratory game 
species were not eligible for compensatory days. Furthermore, only 
States in the Atlantic Flyway that prohibited Sunday hunting statewide 
by State law prior to 1997 were eligible for compensatory days for 
waterfowl.
    We are sensitive to the Atlantic Flyway's desire to provide 
additional woodcock hunting opportunity, and acknowledge the 
longstanding difficulties some States have in reversing statutes that 
prevent hunting on Sundays. However, granting a request for 
compensatory days for hunting American woodcock would be contrary to 
the agreement reached between the Service and the Flyway Council that 
limited granting of compensatory days to waterfowl hunting. We also 
note that the ability to hunt on Sundays may provide more opportunities 
for hunter recruitment than the allowance of compensatory days. 
Further, we do not view this as a good time to liberalize woodcock 
regulations. Although we cannot attribute a cause-and-effect 
relationship between 1997 woodcock harvest restrictions and improved 
woodcock population status, the stabilization of woodcock trends in 
both the Eastern and Central Region is encouraging.

16. Mourning Doves

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council and the Upper- 
and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended that, based on criteria set forth in the current 
version of the Mourning Dove Harvest Management Strategy for the 
Eastern Management Unit (EMU), no changes in bag limit and season 
length components of the mourning dove harvest framework are warranted. 
They both further recommended that EMU States should be offered the 
choice of either a 12-bird daily bag limit and 70-day season or a 15-
bird daily bag limit and 60-day season for the 2007-08 mourning dove 
hunting season, with a standardized 15-bird daily bag limit and 70-day 
season beginning with the 2008-09 mourning dove hunting season. The 
standardized bag limit and season length will then be used as the 
``moderate'' harvest option for revising

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the Initial Mourning Dove Harvest Management Strategy.
    Service Response: We concur with the recommendation to maintain the 
current bag limit and season length options of 70 days with a 12-bird 
daily bag limit or 60 days with a 15-bird daily bag for the 2007-08 
season. However, we recommend that the proposal to standardize this 
framework as a 70-day season length with a 15-bird daily bag limit, 
beginning with the 2008-09 season, be included in ongoing discussions 
on the interim harvest strategy for the Eastern Management Unit, rather 
than considered at this time. While it is our understanding that this 
framework represents the ``moderate'' harvest option for the Eastern 
Unit's harvest strategy, we anticipate that these interim strategies, 
representing each of the three management units, will be introduced at 
the January 2008 SRC meeting, and formally proposed and finalized prior 
to the early-season SRC meeting next June.

18. Alaska

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended 
maintaining status quo in the Alaska early-season framework, except for 
increasing the dark goose daily bag limit in selected units to provide 
more harvest opportunity for white-fronted geese.
    Service Response: We concur. Pacific white-fronted geese are nearly 
70 percent above current management objectives at 509,000 birds. The 
Council's proposed liberalization of white-fronted geese limits to as 
many as 6 per day within most of the range is consistent with 
liberalizations in Pacific Flyway coastal states. Further, the 
Council's recommendation is crafted to avoid additional harvest in 
units where Tule white-fronts occur (Units 1-16), and retains the 
restrictions on cackling geese on the primary breeding and staging 
areas (Unit 9E and 18) because the population is below objective.

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). Annual NEPA considerations are covered under a 
separate Environmental Assessment (EA), ``Duck Hunting Regulations for 
2007-08,'' and an August 2007, Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FONSI). Copies of the EA and FONSI are available upon request from the 
address indicated under 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 detailed in 
a March 9, 2006, Federal Register (71 FR 12216). A scoping report 
summarizing the scoping comments and scoping meetings is available 
either at the address indicated under ADDRESSES or on our Web site at 
https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

    Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 
1531-1543; 87 Stat. 884), provides that, ``The Secretary shall review 
other programs administered by him and utilize such programs in 
furtherance of the purposes of this Act'' (and) shall ``insure that any 
action authorized, funded, or carried out * * * is not likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or 
threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification 
of [critical] habitat. * * *.'' Consequently, we conducted formal 
consultations to ensure that actions resulting from these regulations 
would not likely jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or 
threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification 
of their critical habitat. Findings from these consultations are 
included in a biological opinion, which concluded that the regulations 
are not likely to adversely affect any endangered or threatened 
species. Additionally, these findings may have caused modification of 
some regulatory measures previously proposed, and the final frameworks 
reflect any such modifications. Our biological opinions resulting from 
this Section 7 consultation are public documents available for public 
inspection at the address indicated under ADDRESSES.

Executive Order 12866

    The migratory bird hunting regulations are economically significant 
and were reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 
Executive Order 12866. As such, a cost/benefit analysis was initially 
prepared in 1981. This analysis was subsequently revised annually from 
1990-96 and updated in 1998 and 2004. It is further discussed under the 
heading Regulatory Flexibility Act. Results from the 2004 analysis 
indicate that the expected welfare benefit of the annual migratory bird 
hunting frameworks is on the order of $734 to $1,064 million, with a 
mid-point estimate of $899 million. This year, due to limited data 
availability, we partially updated the 2004 analysis, but restricted 
our analysis to duck hunting. Results indicate that the total consumer 
surplus of the annual duck hunting frameworks is on the order of $222 
to $360 million, with a mid-point estimate of $291 million. We plan to 
perform a full update of the analysis in 2008. Copies of the cost/
benefit analysis and the updated analysis are available from the 
address indicated under ADDRESSES or from our Web site at https://
www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports/SpecialTopics/EconomicAnalysis-
Final-2004.pdf and https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports/
SpecialTopics/EconomicAnalysis-2007Update.pdf.

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. This year, due to limited data availability, we partially updated 
the 2004 analysis, but restricted our analysis to duck hunting. Results 
indicate that the duck hunters would spend between $291 million and 
$473.5 million at small businesses in 2007. We plan to perform a full 
update of the analysis in 2008 when the full results from the 2006 
National Hunting and Fishing Survey is available. Copies of the cost/
benefit analysis and the updated analysis are available from the 
address indicated under ADDRESSES or from our Web site at https://
www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports/

[[Page 49626]]

SpecialTopics/EconomicAnalysis-Final-2004.pdf and https://www.fws.gov/
migratorybirds/reports/SpecialTopics/EconomicAnalysis-2007Update.pdf.

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 it establishes hunting seasons, we do not plan to 
defer the effective date required by 5 U.S.C. 801 under the exemption 
contained in 5 U.S.C. 808(1).

Paperwork Reduction Act

    We examined these regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995. The various recordkeeping and reporting requirements imposed 
under regulations established in 50 CFR part 20, Subpart K, are 
utilized in the formulation of migratory game bird hunting regulations. 
Specifically, OMB has approved the information collection requirements 
of the surveys associated with the Migratory Bird Harvest Information 
Program and assigned clearance number 1018-0015 (expires 2/29/2008). 
This information is used to provide a sampling frame for voluntary 
national surveys to improve our harvest estimates for all migratory 
game birds in order to better manage these populations. OMB has also 
approved the information collection requirements of the Sandhill Crane 
Harvest Survey and assigned clearance number 1018-0023 (expires 11/30/
2007). The information from this survey is used to estimate the 
magnitude and the geographical and temporal distribution of the 
harvest, and the portion it constitutes of the total population. 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

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

Takings Implication Assessment

    In accordance with Executive Order 12630, this rule, authorized by 
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, does not have significant takings 
implications and does not affect any constitutionally protected 
property rights. This rule will not result in the physical occupancy of 
property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory taking 
of any property. In fact, 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 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 2007-08 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 tribe may be more restrictive than the 
Federal frameworks. The frameworks are developed in a cooperative 
process with the States and the Flyway Councils. This process allows 
States to participate in the development of frameworks from which they 
will make selections, thereby having an influence on their own 
regulations. These rules do not have a substantial direct effect on 
fiscal capacity, change the roles or responsibilities of Federal or 
State governments, or intrude on State policy or administration. 
Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132, these regulations 
do not have significant federalism effects and do not have sufficient 
federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism 
Assessment.

Regulations Promulgation

    The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its 
nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, we intend that 
the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to comment. Thus, 
when the preliminary proposed rulemaking was published, we established 
what we believed were the longest periods possible for public comment. 
In doing this, we recognized that when the comment period closed, time 
would be of the essence. That is, if there were a delay in the 
effective date of these regulations after this final rulemaking, States 
would have insufficient time to select season dates and limits; to 
communicate those selections to us; and to establish and publicize the 
necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions. We 
therefore find that ``good cause'' exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C. 
553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, and these frameworks 
will, therefore, take effect immediately upon publication. Therefore, 
under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July 3, 1918), as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 703-711), we prescribe final frameworks setting 
forth the species to be hunted, the daily bag and possession limits, 
the shooting hours, the season lengths, the earliest opening and latest 
closing season dates, and hunting areas, from which State

[[Page 49627]]

conservation agency officials will select hunting season dates and 
other options. Upon receipt of season selections from these officials, 
we will publish a final rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect 
seasons, limits, and shooting hours for the conterminous United States 
for the 2007-08 season.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20

    Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.
    The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2007-08 
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 
a-j.

    Dated: August 13, 2007.
Todd Willens,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Final Regulations Frameworks for 2007-08 Early Hunting Seasons on 
Certain Migratory Game Birds

    Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated 
authorities, the Department of the Interior approved the following 
frameworks, which prescribe season lengths, bag limits, shooting hours, 
and outside dates within which States may select hunting seasons for 
certain migratory game birds between September 1, 2007, and March 10, 
2008.

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

Mourning Dove Management Units
    Eastern Management Unit--All States east of the Mississippi River, 
and Louisiana.
    Central Management Unit--Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, 
Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, 
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
    Western Management Unit--Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, 
Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Woodcock Management Regions
    Eastern Management Region--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.
    Central Management Region--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, 
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, 
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, 
Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
    Other geographic descriptions are contained in a later portion of 
this document.

Definitions

    Dark geese: Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant (except in 
Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, and the Atlantic Flyway), and 
all other goose species except light geese.
    Light geese: snow (including blue) geese and Ross's geese.

Waterfowl Seasons 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).

Special September Teal Season

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season 
on all species of teal may be selected by the following States in areas 
delineated by State regulations:
    Atlantic Flyway--Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North 
Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
    Mississippi Flyway--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, 
Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee.
    Central Flyway--Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska (part), New 
Mexico (part), Oklahoma, and Texas.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 9 consecutive 
days in the Atlantic Flyway and 16 consecutive days in the Mississippi 
and Central Flyways. The daily bag limit is 4 teal.

Shooting Hours

    Atlantic Flyway--One-half hour before sunrise to sunset except in 
Maryland, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.
    Mississippi and Central Flyways--One-half hour before sunrise to 
sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, 
and Ohio, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.

Special September Duck Seasons

    Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee: In lieu of a special September 
teal season, a 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September. 
The daily bag limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the 
aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks.
    Iowa: Iowa may hold up to 5 days of its regular duck hunting season 
in September. All ducks that are legal during the regular duck season 
may be taken during the September segment of the season. The September 
season segment may commence no earlier than the Saturday nearest 
September 20 (September 22). The daily bag and possession limits will 
be the same as those in effect last year, but are subject to change 
during the late-season regulations process. The remainder of the 
regular duck season may not begin before October 10.

Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days

    Outside Dates: States may select two consecutive days (hunting days 
in Atlantic Flyway States with compensatory days) per duck-hunting 
zone, designated as ''Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,'' in addition to 
their regular duck seasons. The days must be held outside any regular 
duck season on a weekend, holidays, or other non-school days when youth 
hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate. The days may 
be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-

[[Page 49628]]

season frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or 
within any other open season on migratory birds.
    Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits may include ducks, geese, 
mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and would be the same as 
those allowed in the regular season. Flyway species and area 
restrictions would remain in effect.
    Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
    Participation Restrictions: Youth hunters must be 15 years of age 
or younger. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age must 
accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult may not duck hunt 
but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special youth 
day.

Scoter, Eider, and Long-Tailed Ducks (Atlantic Flyway)

    Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 107 days, with 
a daily bag limit of 7, singly or in the aggregate, of the listed sea-
duck species, of which no more than 4 may be scoters.
    Daily Bag Limits During the Regular Duck Season: 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.
    Areas: In all coastal waters and all waters of rivers and streams 
seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New Hampshire, 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in any waters 
of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay which are 
separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and 
emergent vegetation in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Georgia; and in 
any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay 
which are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any shore, 
island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, 
and Virginia; and provided that any such areas have been described, 
delineated, and designated as special sea-duck hunting areas under the 
hunting regulations adopted by the respective States.

Special Early Canada Goose Seasons

Atlantic Flyway

General Seasons
    Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be 
selected for the Eastern Unit of Maryland and Delaware. Seasons not to 
exceed 25 days during September 1-25 may be selected for the Montezuma 
Region of New York and the Lake Champlain Region of New York and 
Vermont. Seasons not to exceed 30 days during September 1-30 may be 
selected for Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New York (Long 
Island Zone), North Carolina, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. Seasons 
may not exceed 25 days during September 1-25 in the remainder of the 
Flyway. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, 
delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
    Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 Canada geese.

Mississippi Flyway

General Seasons
    Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be 
selected, except in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, where the season 
may not extend beyond September 10, and in Minnesota (except in the 
Northwest Goose Zone), where a season of up to 22 days during September 
1-22 may be selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada 
geese. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, 
delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
    A Canada goose season of up to 10 consecutive days during September 
1-10 may be selected by Michigan for Huron, Saginaw, and Tuscola 
Counties, except that the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, 
Shiawassee River State Game Area Refuge, and the Fish Point Wildlife 
Area Refuge will remain closed. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 
Canada geese.
General Seasons
    Experimental Seasons. Canada goose seasons of up to 7 days during 
September 16-22 may be selected in the Northwest Goose Zone in 
Minnesota. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas 
open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and 
designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.

Central Flyway

General Seasons
    In Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas, Canada 
goose seasons of up to 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected. 
In Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming, Canada 
goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be selected. 
The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open to the 
hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated 
as such in each State's hunting regulations.

Pacific Flyway

General Seasons
    California may select a 9-day season in Humboldt County during the 
period September 1-15. The daily bag limit is 2.
    Colorado may select a 9-day season during the period of September 
1-15. The daily bag limit is 3.
    Oregon may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days 
during the period September 1-15. In addition, in the NW goose 
management zone in Oregon, a 15-day season may be selected during the 
period September 1-20. Daily bag limits may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
    Idaho may select a 7-day season during the period September 1-15. 
The daily bag limit is 2 and the possession limit is 4.
    Washington may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 
days during the period September 1-15. Daily bag limits may not exceed 
5 Canada geese.
    Wyoming may select an 8-day season on Canada geese between 
September 1-15. This season is subject to the following conditions:
    1. Where applicable, the season must be concurrent with the 
September portion of the sandhill crane season.
    2. A daily bag limit of 2, with season and possession limits of 4, 
will apply to the special season.
    Areas open to hunting of Canada geese in each State must be 
described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting 
regulations.

Regular Goose Seasons

    Regular goose seasons may open as early as September 16 in 
Wisconsin and Michigan. Season lengths, bag and possession limits, and 
other provisions will be established during the late-season regulations 
process.

Sandhill Cranes

    Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway:
    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28.
    Hunting Seasons: Seasons not to exceed 37 consecutive days may be 
selected in designated portions of North

[[Page 49629]]

Dakota (Area 2) and Texas (Area 2). Seasons not to exceed 58 
consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of the 
following States: Colorado, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, South 
Dakota, and Wyoming. Seasons not to exceed 93 consecutive days may be 
selected in designated portions of the following States: New Mexico, 
Oklahoma, and Texas.
    Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes, except 2 sandhill cranes in 
designated portions of North Dakota (Area 2) and Texas (Area 2).
    Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane 
seasons must have a valid Federal sandhill crane hunting permit and/or, 
in those States where a Federal sandhill crane permit is not issued, a 
State-issued Harvest Information Survey Program (HIP) certification for 
game bird hunting in their possession while hunting.
    Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways: Arizona, 
Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming may select 
seasons for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the Rocky 
Mountain Population (RMP) subject to the following conditions:
    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: The season in any State or zone may not exceed 30 
days.
    Bag Limits: Not to exceed 3 daily and 9 per season.
    Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the 
appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.
    Other Provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates, 
protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons 
must be consistent with the management plan and approved by the Central 
and Pacific Flyway Councils, with the following exceptions:
    1. In Utah, the requirement for monitoring the racial composition 
of the harvest in the experimental season is waived, and 100 percent of 
the harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota;
    2. In Arizona, monitoring the racial composition of the harvest 
must be conducted at 3-year intervals;
    3. In Idaho, seasons are experimental, and the requirement for 
monitoring the racial composition of the harvest is waived; 100 percent 
of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota; and
    4. In New Mexico, the season in the Estancia Valley is 
experimental, with a requirement to monitor the level and racial 
composition of the harvest; greater sandhill cranes in the harvest will 
be assigned to the RMP quota.
    Special Seasons in the Pacific Flyway: Arizona may select a season 
for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the Lower Colorado 
River Population (LCR) of sandhill cranes, subject to the following 
conditions:
    Outside Dates: Between January 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: The season may not exceed 3 days.
    Bag Limits: Not to exceed 1 daily and 1 per season.
    Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the 
appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.
    Other provisions: The season is experimental. Numbers of permits, 
open areas, season dates, protection plans for other species, and other 
provisions of seasons must be consistent with the management plan and 
approved by the Pacific Flyway Council.

Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and the last Sunday in January 
(January 27) in the Atlantic, Mississippi and Central Flyways. States 
in the Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons 
between the outside dates for the season on ducks; therefore, they are 
late-season frameworks, and no frameworks are provided in this 
document.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70 
days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. Seasons may be 
split into 2 segments. The daily bag limit is 15 common moorhens and 
purple gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of the two species.
    Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck 
hunting.

Rails

    Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between 
September 1 and the last Sunday in January (January 27) on clapper, 
king, sora, and Virginia rails.
    Hunting Seasons: The season may not exceed 70 days, and may be 
split into 2 segments.

Daily Bag Limits

    Clapper and King Rails--In Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, 
Delaware, and Maryland, 10, singly or in the aggregate of the 2 
species. In Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, 
South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, 15, singly or in the 
aggregate of the two species.
    Sora and Virginia Rails--In the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central 
Flyways and the Pacific-Flyway portions of Colorado, Montana, New 
Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 daily and 25 in possession, singly or in the 
aggregate of the two species. The season is closed in the remainder of 
the Pacific Flyway.

Common Snipe

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28, except in 
Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, 
where the season must end no later than January 31.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 107 
days and may be split into two segments. The daily bag limit is 8 
snipe.
    Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck 
hunting.

American Woodcock

    Outside Dates: States in the Eastern Management Region may select 
hunting seasons between October 1 and January 31. States in the Central 
Management Region may select hunting seasons between the Saturday 
nearest September 22 (September 22) and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 30 
days in the Eastern Region and 45 days in the Central Region. The daily 
bag limit is 3. Seasons may be split into two segments.
    Zoning: New Jersey may select seasons in each of two zones. The 
season in each zone may not exceed 24 days.

Band-Tailed Pigeons

Pacific Coast States (California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada)

    Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 1.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive 
days, with a daily bag limit of 2 band-tailed pigeons.
    Zoning: California may select hunting seasons not to exceed 9 
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the North Zone 
must close by October 3.

Four-Corners States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah)

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and November 30.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 30 consecutive 
days, with a daily bag limit of 5 band-tailed pigeons.
    Zoning: New Mexico may select hunting seasons not to exceed 20 
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the South Zone may 
not open until October 1.

Mourning Doves

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15, except as 
otherwise

[[Page 49630]]

provided, States may select hunting seasons and daily bag limits as 
follows:

Eastern Management Unit

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a 
daily bag limit of 12 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, 
or not more than 60 days with a bag limit of 15 mourning and white-
winged doves in the aggregate.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each 
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more 
than three periods. Regulations for bag and possession limits, season 
length, and shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting 
zones.

Central Management Unit

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a 
daily bag limit of 12 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, 
or not more than 60 days with a bag limit of 15 mourning and white-
winged doves in the aggregate.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each 
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more 
than three periods.
    Texas may select hunting seasons for each of three zones subject to 
the following conditions:
    A. The hunting season may be split into not more than two periods, 
except in that portion of Texas in which the special white-winged dove 
season is allowed, where a limited mourning dove season may be held 
concurrently with that special season (see white-winged dove 
frameworks).
    B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between 
September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between September 20 
and January 25.
    C. Daily bag limits are aggregate bag limits with mourning, white-
winged, and white-tipped doves (see white-winged dove frameworks for 
specific daily bag limit restrictions).
    D. Except as noted above, regulations for bag and possession 
limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within each 
hunting zone.

Western Management Unit

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Idaho, Oregon, and 
Washington--Not more than 30 consecutive days with a daily bag limit of 
10 mourning doves.
    Utah--Not more than 30 consecutive days with a daily bag limit that 
may not exceed 10 mourning doves and white-winged doves in the 
aggregate.
    Nevada--Not more than 30 consecutive days with a daily bag limit of 
10 mourning doves, except in Clark and Nye Counties, where the daily 
bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the 
aggregate.
    Arizona and California--Not more than 60 days, which may be split 
between two periods, September 1-15 and November 1-January 15. In 
Arizona, during the first segment of the season, the daily bag limit is 
10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more 
than 6 may be white-winged doves. During the remainder of the season, 
the daily bag limit is 10 mourning doves. In California, the daily bag 
limit is 10 mourning doves, except in Imperial, Riverside, and San 
Bernardino Counties, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 
mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.

White-Winged and White-Tipped Doves

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Except as shown below, 
seasons must be concurrent with mourning dove seasons.
    Eastern Management Unit: The daily bag limit may not exceed 12 (15 
under the alternative) mourning and white-winged doves in the 
aggregate.
    Central Management Unit: In Texas, the daily bag limit may not 
exceed 12 mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped doves (15 under the 
alternative) in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be white-
tipped doves. In addition, Texas also may select a hunting season of 
not more than 4 days for the special white-winged dove area of the 
South Zone between September 1 and September 19. The daily bag limit 
may not exceed 12 white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the 
aggregate, of which no more than 4 may be mourning doves and 2 may be 
white-tipped doves.
    In the remainder of the Central Management Unit, the daily bag 
limit may not exceed 12 (15 under the alternative) mourning and white-
winged doves in the aggregate.
    Western Management Unit: Arizona may select a hunting season of not 
more than 30 consecutive days, running concurrently with the first 
segment of the mourning dove season. The daily bag limit may not exceed 
10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more 
than 6 may be white-winged doves.
    In Utah, the Nevada Counties of Clark and Nye, and in the 
California Counties of Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino, the 
daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in 
the aggregate.
    In the remainder of the Western Management Unit, the season is 
closed.

Alaska

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 26.
    Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select 107 consecutive days for 
waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and common snipe in each of 5 zones. The 
season may be split without penalty in the Kodiak Zone. The seasons in 
each zone must be concurrent.
    Closures: The hunting season is closed on emperor geese, spectacled 
eiders, and Steller's eiders.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits:
    Ducks--Except as noted, a basic daily bag limit of 7 and a 
possession limit of 21 ducks. Daily bag and possession limits in the 
North Zone are 10 and 30, and in the Gulf Coast Zone, they are 8 and 
24. The basic limits may include no more than 1 canvasback daily and 3 
in possession and may not include sea ducks.
    In addition to the basic duck limits, Alaska may select sea duck 
limits of 10 daily, 20 in possession, singly or in the aggregate, 
including no more than 6 each of either harlequin or long-tailed ducks. 
Sea ducks include scoters, common and king eiders, harlequin ducks, 
long-tailed ducks, and common and red-breasted mergansers.
    Light Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit of 
8.
    Dark Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit of 
8.
    Dark-goose seasons are subject to the following exceptions:
    1. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from 
September 28 through December 16.
    2. On Middleton Island in Unit 6, a special, permit-only Canada 
goose season may be offered. No more than 10 permits can be issued. A 
mandatory goose identification class is required. Hunters must check in 
and check out. The bag limit is 1 daily and 1 in possession. The season 
will close if incidental harvest includes 5 dusky Canada geese. A dusky 
Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR color 
value five or less) with a bill length between 40 and 50 millimeters.
    3. In Units 9, 10, 17 and 18, dark goose limits are 6 per day, 12 
in possession; however, no more than 2 may be Canada geese in Units 
9(E) and 18; and no more than 4 may be Canada geese in Units 9(A-C), 10 
(Unimak Island portion), and 17.
    Brant--A daily bag limit of 2.
    Common snipe--A daily bag limit of 8.
    Sandhill cranes--Bag and possession limits of 2 and 4, 
respectively, in the

[[Page 49631]]

Southeast, Gulf Coast, Kodiak, and Aleutian Zones, and Unit 17 in the 
Northern Zone. In the remainder of the Northern Zone (outside Unit 17), 
bag and possession limits of 3 and 6, respectively.
    Tundra Swans--Open seasons for tundra swans may be selected subject 
to the following conditions:
    1. All seasons are by registration permit only.
    2. All season framework dates are September 1-October 31.
    3. In Game Management Unit (GMU) 17, no more than 200 permits may 
be issued during this operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans 
may be authorized per permit with no more than 1 permit issued per 
hunter per season.
    4. In Game Management Unit (GMU) 18, no more than 500 permits may 
be issued during the operational season. Up to 3 tundra swans may be 
authorized per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter 
per season.
    5. In GMU 22, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the 
operational season. Each permittee may be authorized to take up to 3 
tundra swans per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter 
per season.
    6. In GMU 23, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the 
operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans may be authorized per 
permit with no more than 1 permit issued per hunter per season.

Hawaii

    Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 65 days (75 u