Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations, 58682-58704 [2011-24084]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 21, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58682-58704]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24084]



[[Page 58681]]

Vol. 76

Wednesday,

No. 183

September 21, 2011

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

Federal Register / Vol. 76 , No. 183 / Wednesday, September 21, 2011 
/ Rules and Regulations

[[Page 58682]]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

[Docket No. FWS-R9-MB-2011-0014; 91200-1231-9BPP-L2]
RIN 1018-AX34


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

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) prescribes final 
late-season frameworks from which States may select season dates, 
limits, and other options for the 2011-12 migratory bird hunting 
seasons. These late seasons include most waterfowl seasons, the 
earliest of which commences on September 24, 2011. The effect of this 
final rule is to facilitate the States' selection of hunting seasons 
and to further the annual establishment of the late-season migratory 
bird hunting regulations.

DATES: This rule takes effect on September 21, 2011.

ADDRESSES: States 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 received on the migratory bird hunting regulations 
during normal business hours at the Service's office in room 4107, 
Arlington Square Building, 4501 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA. You 
may obtain copies of referenced reports from the street address above, 
or from the Division of Migratory Bird Management's Web site at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/, or at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket 
No. FWS-R9-MB-2011-0014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron W. Kokel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Department of the Interior, MS MBSP-4107-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20240; (703) 358-1714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations Schedule for 2011

    On April 8, 2011, we published in the Federal Register (76 FR 
19876) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal provided a 
background and overview of the migratory bird hunting regulations 
process, and addressed the establishment of seasons, limits, 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 
2011-12 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal 
Register notifications were also identified in the April 8 proposed 
rule. Further, we explained that all sections of subsequent documents 
outlining hunting frameworks and guidelines were organized under 
numbered headings.
    On June 22, 2011, we published in the Federal Register (76 FR 
36508) a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- 
and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. The June 22 
supplement also provided detailed information on the 2011-12 regulatory 
schedule and announced the Service Regulations Committee (SRC) and 
Flyway Council meetings.
    On June 22 and 23, 2011, 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 2011-12 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 2011-12 regular 
waterfowl seasons. On July 26, 2011, we published in the Federal 
Register (76 FR 44730) a third document specifically dealing with the 
proposed frameworks for early-season regulations. On August 30, 2011, 
we published in the Federal Register (76 FR 54052) a final rule which 
contained final frameworks for early migratory bird hunting seasons 
from which wildlife conservation agency officials from the States, 
Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands selected early-season hunting 
dates, hours, areas, and limits. Subsequently, on September 1, 2011, we 
published a final rule in the Federal Register (76 FR 54658) amending 
subpart K of title 50 CFR part 20 to set hunting seasons, hours, areas, 
and limits for early seasons.
    On July 27-28, 2011, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council 
Consultants at which the participants reviewed the status of waterfowl 
and developed recommendations for the 2011-12 regulations for these 
species. Proposed hunting regulations were discussed for late seasons. 
On August 26, 2011, we published in the Federal Register (76 FR 53536) 
the proposed frameworks for the 2011-12 late-season migratory bird 
hunting regulations. This document establishes final frameworks for 
late-season migratory bird hunting regulations for the 2011-12 season. 
There are no substantive changes from the August 26 proposed rule. We 
will publish State selections in the Federal Register as amendments to 
Sec. Sec.  20.101 through 20.107, and 20.109 of title 50 CFR part 20.

Population Status and Harvest

    The following paragraphs provide preliminary information on the 
status of waterfowl and information on the status and harvest of 
migratory shore and upland game birds 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 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or from our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewsPublicationsReports.html.

Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations

    The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the April 8, 
2011, Federal Register, opened the public comment period for migratory 
game bird hunting regulations. The supplemental proposed rule, which 
appeared in the June 22, 2011, Federal Register, discussed the 
regulatory alternatives for the 2011-12 duck hunting season. Late-
season comments are summarized below and numbered in the order used in 
the April 8 and June 22 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. Wherever possible, they are discussed under headings 
corresponding to the numbered items in the April 8 and June 22, 2011, 
Federal Register documents.

[[Page 58683]]

1. Ducks

    Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest 
management are: (A) Harvest Strategy Considerations, (B) Regulatory 
Alternatives, (C) Zones and Split Seasons, and (D) Special Seasons/
Species Management. The categories correspond to previously published 
issues/discussion, and only those containing substantial 
recommendations are discussed below.
A. Harvest Strategy Considerations
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Central, and Pacific Flyway 
Councils and the Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended the adoption of the ``liberal'' 
regulatory alternative.
    Service Response: We continue to use Adaptive Harvest Management 
(AHM) protocols that allow hunting regulations to vary among Flyways in 
a manner that recognizes each Flyway's unique breeding-ground 
derivation of mallards. In 2008, we described and adopted a protocol 
for regulatory decision-making for the newly defined stock of western 
mallards (73 FR 43290; July 24, 2008). For the 2011 hunting season, we 
continue to believe that the prescribed regulatory choice for the 
Pacific Flyway should be based on the status of this western mallard 
breeding stock, while the regulatory choice for the Mississippi and 
Central Flyways should depend on the status of the recently redefined 
mid-continent mallard stock. We also recommend that the regulatory 
choice for the Atlantic Flyway continue to depend on the status of 
eastern mallards.
    For the 2011 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, in 2003, we agreed to place a 
constraint on closed seasons in the Mississippi and Central Flyways 
whenever the midcontinent mallard breeding-population size (as defined 
prior to 2008; traditional survey area plus Minnesota, Michigan, and 
Wisconsin) was >= 5.5 million.
    Optimal AHM strategies for the 2011-12 hunting season were 
calculated using: (1) Harvest-management objectives specific to each 
mallard stock; (2) the 2011 regulatory alternatives; and (3) current 
population models and associated weights for midcontinent, western, and 
eastern mallards. Based on this year's survey results of 9.46 million 
midcontinent mallards (traditional survey area minus Alaska plus 
Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan), 4.89 million ponds in Prairie 
Canada, 798,413 western mallards (382,588 and 415,825 respectively in 
California-Oregon and Alaska) and 746,000 eastern mallards (strata 51-
54, 56 and the northeastern United States), the prescribed regulatory 
choice for all four Flyways is the ``liberal'' alternative.
    Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the Atlantic, 
Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils regarding selection 
of the ``liberal'' regulatory alternative and will adopt the 
``liberal'' regulatory alternative, as described in the June 22, 2011, 
Federal Register.
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
iii. Black Ducks
    In 2008, U.S. and Canadian waterfowl managers developed an interim 
harvest strategy that will be employed by both countries until a formal 
strategy based on the principles of AHM is completed. We detailed this 
interim strategy in the July 24, 2008, Federal Register (73 FR 43290). 
The interim harvest strategy is prescriptive, in that it calls for no 
substantive changes in hunting regulations unless the black duck 
breeding population, averaged over the most recent 3 years, exceeds or 
falls below the long-term average breeding population by 15 percent or 
more. The strategy is designed to share the black duck harvest equally 
between the two countries; however, recognizing incomplete control of 
harvest through regulations, it will allow realized harvest in either 
country to vary between 40 and 60 percent.
    Each year in November, Canada publishes its proposed migratory bird 
hunting regulations for the upcoming hunting season. Thus, last fall 
the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) used the interim strategy to 
establish its proposed black duck regulations for the 2011-12 season, 
based on the most current data available at that time: breeding 
population estimates for 2008, 2009, and 2010, and an assessment of 
parity based on harvest estimates for the 2005-09 hunting seasons. 
Although updates of both breeding population estimates and harvest 
estimates are now available, the United States will base its 2011-12 
black duck regulations on the same data CWS used, to ensure comparable 
application of the strategy. The long-term (1998-2007) breeding 
population mean estimate is 929,100, and the 2008-10, 3-year running 
mean estimate is 858,300. From 2005-09, 45 percent of the black duck 
harvest occurred in Canada and 55 percent in the United States; this 
falls within the accepted parity bounds of 40 and 60 percent. Based on 
these estimates, no restriction or liberalization of black duck harvest 
is warranted.
iv. Canvasbacks
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Central, and Pacific Flyway 
Councils and the Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a full season for canvasbacks 
with a 1-bird daily bag limit. Season lengths would be 60 days in the 
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 74 days in the Central Flyway, and 
107 days in the Pacific Flyway.
    Service Response: Since 1994, we have followed a canvasback harvest 
strategy that if canvasback population status and production are 
sufficient to permit a harvest of one canvasback per day nationwide for 
the entire length of the regular duck season, while still attaining a 
projected spring population objective of 500,000 birds, the season on 
canvasbacks should be opened. A partial season would be permitted if 
the estimated allowable harvest was within the projected harvest for a 
shortened season. If neither of these conditions can be met, the 
harvest strategy calls for a closed season on canvasbacks nationwide. 
In 2008 (73 FR 43290; July 24, 2008), we announced our decision to 
modify the Canvasback Harvest Strategy to incorporate the option for a 
2-bird daily bag limit for canvasbacks when the predicted breeding 
population the subsequent year exceeds 725,000 birds.
    This year's spring survey resulted in an estimate of 692,000 
canvasbacks. This was statistically similar to the 2010 estimate of 
585,000 canvasbacks and 21 percent above the 1955-2010 average. The 
estimate of ponds in Prairie Canada was 4.9 million, which was 31 
percent above last year and 43 percent above the long-term average. 
Based on updated harvest predictions using data from recent hunting 
seasons, the canvasback harvest strategy predicts a 2012 canvasback 
population of 756,000 birds under a liberal duck season with a 1-bird 
daily bag limit and 697,000 with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Because the 
predicted 2012 population under the 1-bird daily bag limit is greater 
than 500,000, while the prediction under the 2-bird daily bag limit is 
less than 725,000, the canvasback harvest strategy stipulates a full 
canvasback season with a 1-bird daily bag limit for the upcoming 
season.

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v. Pintails
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Central, 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 2-bird daily bag limit and a 60-day season in the 
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, a 74-day season in the Central 
Flyway, and a 107-day season in the Pacific Flyway.
    Service Response: The current derived pintail harvest strategy was 
adopted by the Service and Flyway Councils in 2010 (75 FR 44856; July 
29, 2010). For this year, optimal regulatory strategies were calculated 
with: (1) An objective of maximizing long-term cumulative harvest, 
including a closed-season constraint of 1.75 million birds, (2) the 
regulatory alternatives and associated predicted harvest, and (3) 
current population models and their relative weights. Based on this 
year's survey results of 4.43 million pintails observed and a mean 
latitude of 51.7 for the breeding population, the optimal regulatory 
choice for all four Flyways is the ``liberal'' alternative with a 2-
bird daily bag limit.
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 use of the ``moderate'' 
regulation package, consisting of a 60-day season with a 2-bird daily 
bag in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, a 74-day season with a 2-
bird daily bag limit in the Central Flyway, and an 86-day season with a 
3-bird daily bag limit in the Pacific Flyway.
    Service Response: In 2008, we adopted and implemented a new scaup 
harvest strategy (73 FR 43290 on July 24, 2008, and 73 FR 51124 on 
August 29, 2008) with initial ``restrictive,'' ``moderate,'' and 
``liberal'' regulatory packages adopted for each Flyway. Further 
opportunity to revise these packages was afforded prior to the 2009-10 
season and modifications by the Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils 
were endorsed by the Service in July 2009 (74 FR 36870; July 24, 2009). 
These packages will remain in effect for at least 3 years prior to 
their re-evaluation.
    The 2011 breeding population estimate for scaup is 4.32 million, up 
2 percent from, but statistically similar to, the 2010 estimate of 4.24 
million. Total estimated scaup harvest for the 2010-11 season was 
358,000 birds. Based on updated model parameter estimates, the optimal 
regulatory choice for scaup is the ``moderate'' package in all four 
Flyways.
vii. Mottled Ducks
    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended 
removal of the restriction in Texas requiring a 5-day delay in the 
opening date of the mottled duck season from the opening of the general 
duck season (i.e., must be closed the first 5 days of the duck season).
    Service Response: We remain concerned about the status of mottled 
ducks, particularly those in the Western Gulf Coast Population (WGCP). 
In 2009, the Central and Mississippi Flyways implemented restrictions 
in either bag limit or season length in an attempt to achieve harvest 
reductions we believed were appropriate given the status of those 
mottled ducks. In the Central Flyway, the restrictions included a delay 
of 5 days in the opening date when dusky ducks (mottled duck, black 
duck and their hybrids, or Mexican-like duck) may be taken in Texas. 
Although the harvest estimates associated with those restrictions did 
not achieve the targeted 30 percent reduction, the reduction approached 
what we believed was appropriate for the current status of the WGCP. 
Therefore, we do not support removal of this restriction and believe 
that regulations in effect for the last two hunting seasons are 
appropriate for the 2011-12 season, including the delay in the opening 
date in which dusky ducks may be taken in Texas.
xii. Other
    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council and the Upper-
Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council 
recommended that the daily and possession bag limits for redheads 
during the 2011-12 duck hunting season be 3 and 6, respectively.
    Service Response: While we recognize the desire to provide 
additional hunting opportunity for redheads, at this time we do not 
support the recommendations to increase the daily bag limit of redheads 
from 2 to 3 birds. As we have done with other species (such as 
canvasbacks, pintails, etc.), we believe that changes to redhead daily 
bag limits should only be considered with guidance from an agreed-upon 
harvest strategy that is supported by all four Flyway Councils and the 
Service. Thus, we suggest that the Flyways work collaboratively to 
develop a redhead harvest strategy, which would include: (1) Clearly 
defined and agreed-upon management objectives; (2) clearly defined 
regulatory alternatives; and (3) a model that can be used to predict 
population responses to harvest mortality. If the development of a 
harvest strategy for redheads is a priority for the Flyways, a 
conceptual framework for a redhead harvest strategy could be discussed 
at the Harvest Management Working Group meeting in November 2011. 
However, we note that if the Flyway Councils wish to implement a 
redhead harvest strategy for the 2012-13 season, a draft strategy needs 
to be available for review and discussion by the February 2012 SRC 
meeting, finalized by the Flyways Councils at their March 2012 
meetings, and forwarded as a recommendation for SRC consideration at 
the early season SRC meeting (June 2012).

4. Canada Geese

B. Regular Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended 
increasing the Canada goose daily bag limit from 3 to 5 geese in the 
east-tier States.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended several changes to dark 
goose season frameworks. More specifically, they recommended:
    1. Within the basic dark goose bag limit for California, Oregon, 
and Washington: Remove the dark goose bag limit exception for Oregon of 
not more than one cackling Canada or Aleutian Canada geese per day.
    2. Within the Northwest Special Permit Zone for Oregon: Increase 
the dark goose bag limit exception of not more than 2 cackling Canada 
or Aleutian Canada geese per day to not more than 3 cackling Canada or 
Aleutian Canada geese per day.
    3. Within the Tillamook County Management Area of the Northwest 
Special Permit Zone for Oregon: Increase the dark goose bag limit from 
not more than 3 per day, including not more than 2 cackling Canada or 
Aleutian Canada geese, to not more than 4 per day, provided this total 
include not more than 3 cackling Canada or Aleutian Canada geese.
    4. Within the Northwest Zone for Oregon: Restrict the bag limit for 
cackling Canada and Aleutian Canada geese to not more than 3 cackling 
Canada or Aleutian Canada geese per day within the overall daily dark 
goose bag limit of not more than 4 per day.
    5. Within the South Coast Zone for Oregon: Remove the dark goose 
bag limit exception, within the basic dark goose bag limit, of up to 4 
cackling Canada and Aleutian Canada geese per day.

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    6. Within the Southwest Zone for Oregon: Remove the dark goose bag 
limit exception, within the basic dark goose bag limit, of up to 4 
cackling Canada and Aleutian Canada geese per day.
    7. In Washington's Areas 2A and 2B (Southwest Quota Zone): Increase 
the daily bag limit from 2 to 3 cackling geese.
    8. In California's Northeastern Zone: Remove the restrictions on 
small Canada geese (Aleutian and cackling geese).
    9. Increase the daily bag limit for Canada geese in the Pacific 
Flyway portion of Colorado from 3 birds to 4 birds, and possession 
limit from 6 to 8 birds.
    10. In Idaho, consolidate the current goose zones to correspond 
with duck hunting zones.
    Service Response: We do not support the Central Flyway Council's 
recommendation to increase the dark goose daily bag limit in the east-
tier States from 3 to 5 geese. While we agree that the Flyway's 
proposed bag limit increase would likely result in an increased harvest 
of resident Canada geese (Great Plains Population), there are other 
Canada goose populations that would also be subjected to additional 
harvest pressure, including the Tall Grass Prairie (TGP), Western 
Prairie, and the Eastern Prairie populations. We recognize the 
continuing problems posed by increasing numbers of resident Canada 
geese and that migrant populations of Canada geese in the Central 
Flyway are above objective levels. We also understand the Flyway's 
desire to provide as much hunting opportunity on these geese as 
possible, and we share the philosophy that hunting, not control 
permits, should be the primary tool used to manage populations of game 
birds. However, we also recognize that hunting is not necessarily the 
most appropriate or effective tool to address these issues in all 
areas. Although States have used some of the additional tools provided 
to them through annual hunting regulations, Statewide Special Canada 
goose permits, and implementation of the preferred alternative in the 
Resident Canada Goose Environmental Impact Statement, we believe 
several of these tools are not being used to the extent available. 
Thus, we encourage the States to work with Service staff to better 
identify the most appropriate tool, or tools, for the various 
situations and conflicts in the affected States. Further, as we stated 
last year (75 FR 58250; September 23, 2010), we believe that more 
progress needs to be made regarding monitoring Canada goose populations 
in east-tier States, as well as collaboration with the Mississippi 
Flyway regarding impacts to shared goose resources, including progress 
on a revision to the TGP Population Management Plan. We would consider 
increasing bag limits in the future if progress is made on these 
fronts, particularly on the management plan.
    We support all of the Pacific Flyway goose recommendations. 
Originally, Oregon's Tillamook County Management Area was established 
to provide protection for Aleutian Canada geese originating from Semidi 
Island, Alaska. Modification of the closure area, as proposed by the 
Council, will reduce the closure area by approximately 22 percent. 
However, the Council notes that the original closure area included non-
goose use areas and the refuge recommended reducing the closure area as 
the Semidi Island birds do not use the entire closure area. Most of the 
proposed newly open area constitutes agricultural lands, primarily 
dairy pastures and hay fields, and opening these lands to goose hunting 
is expected to help relieve depredations caused by wintering geese. 
While we expect goose harvest in the Management Area to increase due to 
this proposed change, harvest will continue to be monitored by check 
station and goose distribution and collar surveys, focused on Semidi 
birds.
    The recommendations for removal of small Canada goose restrictions 
in eastern Oregon and for 1-bird daily bag limit increases to address 
agricultural damage issues in Oregon and Washington are not expected to 
increase harvest of these populations substantially. We believe these 
populations are at levels that can sustain these minor increases in 
harvest without jeopardy to their long-term sustainability. However, we 
note that long-term solutions to agricultural depredation issues will 
not be completely addressed through harvest regulations and encourage 
the States of the Pacific Flyway to continue to work to implement the 
other approaches detailed in the Flyway's Canada goose depredation 
plan.
    The removal of within bag limit restrictions on small Canada geese 
(Aleutian and cackling Canada geese) in California's Northeastern Zone 
is intended to simplify goose hunting regulations, and we expect little 
or no increase in harvest. Few, if any, Aleutian geese occur in that 
portion of California and despite restrictive daily bag limits, the 
abundance of cackling geese in the Klamath Basin has declined from the 
tens of thousands in the late 1990s to essentially zero in recent years 
as cackling goose distribution has shifted northward. However, since 
that time, the Aleutian Canada goose population has grown from less 
than 1,000 birds in 1976 to over 110,000 in 2011.
    Regarding the proposed increase in the daily bag limit in Colorado 
from 3 to 4 Canada geese, we note that removal of this more restrictive 
bag limit makes it consistent with most of the remainder of the flyway. 
Further, population measurement data support an increase in the bag 
limit as counts from both the spring breeding survey and post-hunting 
indices have increased over the last 3 years.
    In Idaho, the recommendation to consolidate the current goose zones 
to correspond with duck hunting zones is intended to reduce regulatory 
complexity in State and Federal regulations. We have no issue with this 
recommendation.
C. Special Late Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
changing Rhode Island's experimental late Canada goose season status to 
operational.
    Service Response: We agree with the Council's recommendation to 
change the status of Rhode Island's late Canada goose season from 
experimental to operational. Based on band recovery data submitted by 
the Council, there were no direct recoveries of migrant geese and the 
special late season meets the established criteria for special Canada 
goose seasons of < 20 percent migrant harvest. Further, between 1997 
and 2011, only 7 banded Canada geese recovered were migrants (all of 
which were indirect recoveries).

5. White-Fronted Geese

    Council Recommendations: The Mississippi and Central Flyway 
Councils recommended that the white-fronted goose season option of a 
72-day season be increased to 74 days and the 86-day season option be 
increased to 88 days. Daily bag limits associated with each season 
option would remain unchanged.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended extending the latest closing 
date for white-fronted geese in California's Sacramento Valley Special 
Management Zone to December 28 and in California's Balance of State 
Zone to March 10.
    Service Response: We support the 2-day increase in the season 
length in the Mississippi and Central Flyways. These increases are 
consistent with the newly revised management plan for mid-continent 
white-fronted geese.

[[Page 58686]]

    We also support the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendations to 
extend the framework closing dates in California's Balance of State 
Zone and the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (SMA). In the 
Balance of State Zone, expanding the framework closing date to March 10 
is intended to allow additional hunting opportunity and potentially 
reduce goose crop depredation complaints. The Council notes that the 
white-fronted goose population is currently about 700,000 birds and 
above the population goal of 300,000 birds. In the SMA, extending the 
closing date to December 28 is expected to increase the harvest of 
Pacific white-fronted geese while still protecting the less numerous 
Tule subspecies. Tule greater white-fronted geese currently number 
approximately 14,578 based on preliminary indirect population 
estimates. However, over-lapping this relatively small number of Tule 
geese are burgeoning populations of Pacific greater white-fronted geese 
within the SMA. The Council estimates that the harvest of Tule geese 
are low, as determined by measurements of hunter-harvested white-
fronted geese at public hunting areas within the SMA; and the range of 
hunter-harvested adult Tule geese at the public hunt areas in the SMA 
since 1999 has ranged from a low of 13 (2005-06) to a high of 86 (2000-
01). We agree with the Council's assessment.

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 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    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 (SEIS) 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). We 
released the draft SEIS on July 9, 2010 (75 FR 39577). The draft SEIS 
is available either by writing to the address indicated under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or by viewing 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 jeopardize the continued existence of 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 Office of Management and Budget has determined that this rule 
is significant and has reviewed this rule under Executive Order 12866. 
OMB bases its determination of regulatory significance upon the 
following four criteria:
    (a) Whether the rule will have an annual effect of $100 million or 
more on the economy or adversely affect an economic sector, 
productivity, jobs, the environment, or other units of the government.
    (b) Whether the rule will create inconsistencies with other Federal 
agencies' actions.
    (c) Whether the rule will materially affect entitlements, grants, 
user fees, loan programs, or the rights and obligations of their 
recipients.
    (d) Whether the rule raises novel legal or policy issues.
    An economic analysis was prepared for the 2008-09 season. This 
analysis was based on data from the 2006 National Hunting and Fishing 
Survey, the most recent year for which data are available (see 
discussion in Regulatory Flexibility Act section below). This analysis 
estimated consumer surplus for three alternatives for duck hunting 
(estimates for other species are not quantified due to lack of data). 
The alternatives are (1) Issue restrictive regulations allowing fewer 
days than those issued during the 2007-08 season, (2) Issue moderate 
regulations allowing more days than those in alternative 1, and (3) 
Issue liberal regulations identical to the regulations in the 2007-08 
season. For the 2008-09 season, we chose alternative 3, with an 
estimated consumer surplus across all flyways of $205-$270 million. We 
also chose alternative 3 for the 2009-10 and the 2010-11 seasons. In 
the April 8 proposed rule, we proposed no changes to the season 
frameworks for the 2011-12 season, and as such, we again considered 
these three alternatives. Population status information discussed in 
the August 26 proposed rule supported selection of alternative 3 for 
the 2011-12 season. For these reasons, we have not conducted a new 
economic analysis, but the 2008-09 analysis is part of the record for 
this rule and is available at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/SpecialTopics/SpecialTopics.html#HuntingRegs or 
at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R9-MB-2011-0014.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The annual migratory bird hunting 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. 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, 2004, and 2008. 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 2008 Analysis was based on the 2006 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 approximately $1.2 billion at small businesses in 
2008. Copies of the Analysis are available upon request from the 
Division of Migratory Bird

[[Page 58687]]

Management (see ADDRESSES) or from our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/SpecialTopics/SpecialTopics.html#HuntingRegs or at https://www.regulations.gov at 
Docket No. FWS-R9-MB-2011-0014.

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 would have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or 
more. However, because this rule would establish 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 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). 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 our Migratory Bird Surveys and assigned 
control number 1018-0023 (expires 4/30/2014). 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 Alaska Subsistence Household Survey, an associated voluntary annual 
household survey used to determine levels of subsistence take in 
Alaska, and assigned control number 1018-0124 (expires 4/30/2013).
    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 would not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given 
year on local or State government or private entities. Therefore, this 
rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act.

Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988

    The Department, in promulgating this rule, has determined that this 
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 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 would not result in the physical occupancy 
of property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory 
taking of any property. In fact, these rules would allow hunters to 
exercise otherwise unavailable privileges and, therefore, reduce 
restrictions on the use of private and public property.

Energy Effects--Executive Order 13211

    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

    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 8 Federal Register, 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 2011-12 migratory bird hunting season. The 
resulting proposals were contained in a separate August 8, 2011, 
proposed rule (76 FR 48694). By virtue of these actions, we have 
consulted with 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 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 summary impact statement.

Regulations Promulgation

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

[[Page 58688]]

rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect seasons, limits, and 
shooting hours for the conterminous United States for the 2011-12 
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 2011-12 
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 
a-j.

    Dated: September 8, 2011.
Eileen Sobeck,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Final Regulations Frameworks for 2011-12 Late Hunting Seasons on 
Certain Migratory Game Birds

    Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated 
authorities, the Department has approved the following frameworks for 
season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and outside 
dates within which States may select seasons for hunting waterfowl and 
coots between the dates of September 1, 2011, and March 10, 2012. These 
frameworks are summarized below.

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.
    Permits: For some species of migratory birds, the Service 
authorizes the use of permits to regulate harvest or monitor their take 
by sport hunters, or both. In many cases (e.g., tundra swans, some 
sandhill crane populations), the Service determines the amount of 
harvest that may be taken during hunting seasons during its formal 
regulations-setting process, and the States then issue permits to 
hunters at levels predicted to result in the amount of take authorized 
by the Service. Thus, although issued by States, the permits would not 
be valid unless the Service approved such take in its regulations.
    These Federally authorized, State-issued permits are issued to 
individuals, and only the individual whose name and address appears on 
the permit at the time of issuance is authorized to take migratory 
birds at levels specified in the permit, in accordance with provisions 
of both Federal and State regulations governing the hunting season. The 
permit must be carried by the permittee when exercising its provisions 
and must be presented to any law enforcement officer upon request. The 
permit is not transferrable or assignable to another individual, and 
may not be sold, bartered, traded, or otherwise provided to another 
person. If the permit is altered or defaced in any way, the permit 
becomes invalid.

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 (except in 
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.
    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.

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 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days

    Outside Dates: States may select 2 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-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, 
tundra swans, 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. Tundra swans may only be taken by participants possessing 
applicable tundra swan permits.

Atlantic Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
24) and the last Sunday in January (January 29).
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days. The daily bag limit is 6 
ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 1 black duck, 2 
pintails, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 3 wood ducks, 2 
redheads, 2 scaup, 1 canvasback, 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

[[Page 58689]]

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 hooded mergansers. 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, Virginia, and West 
Virginia may split their seasons into three segments; Connecticut, 
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
Pennsylvania, and Vermont 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.
    Atlantic Population (AP) Zone: A 45-day season may be held between 
the fourth Saturday in October (October 22) and January 31, with a 3-
bird daily bag limit.
    South Zone: A special season may be held between January 15 and 
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    Resident Population (RP) Zone: An 80-day season may be held between 
October 1 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season 
may be split into 3 segments.
    Delaware: A 45-day season may be held between November 15 and 
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Florida: An 80-day season may be held between November 15 and 
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split 
into 3 segments.
    Georgia: In specific areas, an 80-day season may be held between 
November 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season 
may be split into 3 segments.
    Maine: A 60-day season may be held Statewide between October 1 and 
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Maryland:
    RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between November 15 and March 
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 
segments.
    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 22) and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    Special Late Goose Season Area: A special 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: A special season may be held 
between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit in 
designated areas of Suffolk County.
    AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in 
October (October 22), except in the Lake Champlain Area where the 
opening date is October 20, and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag 
limit.
    Western Long Island RP Zone: A 107-day season may be held between 
the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and March 10, with an 
8-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments.
    Rest of State RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the 
fourth Saturday in October (October 22) and March 10, with a 5-bird 
daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments.
    North Carolina:
    SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and 
December 31, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and March 
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 
segments.
    Northeast Hunt Unit: A 7-day season may be held between the 
Saturday prior to December 25 (December 24) and January 31, with a 1-
bird daily bag limit.
    Pennsylvania:
    SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between the second Saturday 
in October (October 8) and February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday 
in October (October 22) and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. 
The season may be split into 3 segments.
    AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in 
October (October 22) and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    Rhode Island: A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and 
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. A special late 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, an 80-day season may be held 
during November 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The 
season may be split into 3 segments.
    Vermont: A 45-day season may be held between October 20 and January 
31 with a 3-bird daily bag limit in the Lake Champlain Zone and 
Interior Zone. A 60-day season may be held in the Connecticut River 
Zone between October 1 and January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Virginia:
    SJBP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between November 15 and 
January 14, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, a special late 
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: An 80-day season may be held between November 15 and March

[[Page 58690]]

10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 
segments.
    West Virginia: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and 
January 31, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 
2 segments in each zone.

Light Geese

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 107-
day season between October 1 and March 10, with a 25-bird daily bag 
limit and no possession limit. States may split their seasons into 
three segments.
Brant
    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 50-
day season between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) and 
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. States may split their 
seasons into two segments.

Mississippi Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
24) and the last Sunday in January (January 29).
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 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), 1 mottled duck, 1 black duck, 
2 pintails, 3 wood ducks, 1 canvasback, 2 scaup, 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, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, 
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, 
and Wisconsin may select hunting seasons by zones.
    In Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, 
Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be split into 
two segments in each zone.
    In Arkansas and 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 nearest September 24 (September 24) and March 10; 
for white-fronted geese not to exceed 74 days with 2 geese daily or 88 
days with 1 goose daily between the Saturday nearest September 24 
(September 24) and the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 12); and 
for brant not to exceed 70 days, with 2 brant daily or 107 days with 1 
brant daily between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 24) 
and January 31. There is no possession limit for light geese. Specific 
regulations for Canada geese and exceptions to the above general 
provisions are shown below by State. Except as noted below, the outside 
dates for Canada geese are the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
24) and January 31.
    Alabama: In the SJBP Goose Zone, the season for Canada geese may 
not exceed 70 days. Elsewhere, the season for Canada geese may extend 
for 70 days in the respective duck-hunting zones. The daily bag limit 
is 2 Canada geese.
    Arkansas: In the Northwest Zone, the season for Canada geese may 
extend for 82 days. In the remainder of the State, the season may not 
exceed 72 days. The season may extend to February 15. The daily bag 
limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Illinois: The season for Canada geese may extend for 85 days in the 
North and Central Zones and 66 days in the South Central and South 
Zones. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Indiana: The season for Canada geese may extend for 74 days. The 
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Late Canada Goose Season Areas:
    (a) A special Canada goose season of up to 15 days may be held 
during February 1-15 in the Late Canada Goose Season Zone. During this 
special season the daily bag limit cannot exceed 5 Canada geese.
    (b) An experimental special Canada goose season of up to 15 days 
may be held during February 1-15 in the Experimental Late Canada Goose 
Zone. During this special season the daily bag limit cannot exceed 5 
Canada geese.
    Iowa: The season for Canada geese may extend for 107 days. The 
daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.
    Kentucky:
    (a) Western Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 
days (85 days in Fulton County). The season in Fulton County may extend 
to February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone--The season may extend for 70 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) Remainder of the State--The season may extend for 70 days. The 
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Louisiana: The season for Canada geese may extend for 44 days. The 
daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    Michigan:
    (a) North Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 16 and the season for Canada geese may extend for 45 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Middle Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 16 and the season for Canada geese may extend for 45 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) South Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 16 and the season for Canada geese may extend for 45 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (1) Allegan County and Muskegon Wastewater GMU--The framework 
opening date for all geese is September 16 and the season for Canada 
geese may extend for 45 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (2) Saginaw County and Tuscola/Huron GMUs--The framework opening 
date for all geese is September 16 and the season for Canada geese may 
extend for 45 days through December 30 and an additional 30 days may be 
held between December 31 and February 7. The daily bag limit is 2 
Canada geese.
    (d) Southern Michigan Late Season Canada Goose Zone--A 30-day 
special Canada goose season may be held between December 31 and 
February 7. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
    Minnesota: The season for Canada geese may extend for 85 days. The 
daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.
    Mississippi: The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days. 
The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.
    Missouri: The season for Canada geese may extend for 85 days. The 
daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.
    Ohio:
    (a) Lake Erie Zone--The season may extend for 74 days. The daily 
bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) North Zone--The season may extend for 74 days. The daily bag 
limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) South Zone--The season may extend for 74 days. The daily bag 
limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Te