Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations, 53117-53135 [2012-21293]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 169 (Thursday, August 30, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53117-53135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-21293]



[[Page 53117]]

Vol. 77

Thursday,

No. 169

August 30, 2012

Part VI





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. 77 , No. 169 / Thursday, August 30, 2012 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 53118]]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

[Docket No. FWS-R9-MB-2012-0005: FF09M21200-123-FXMB1231099BPP0L2]
RIN 1018-AX97


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 2012-13 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 30, 2012.

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, or at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R9-MB-
2012-0005.

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 2012

    On April 17, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 
23094) 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 
2012-13 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal 
Register notifications were also identified in the April 17 proposed 
rule. Further, we explained that all sections of subsequent documents 
outlining hunting frameworks and guidelines were organized under 
numbered headings. Subsequent documents will refer only to numbered 
items requiring attention. Therefore, it is important to note that we 
omit those items requiring no attention, and remaining numbered items 
might be discontinuous or appear incomplete.
    On May 17, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 29516) 
a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- and late-
season migratory bird hunting regulations. The May 17 supplement also 
provided detailed information on the 2012-13 regulatory schedule and 
announced the Service Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council 
meetings.
    On June 12, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 
34931) a third document revising our previously announced dates of the 
June 2012 SRC meetings.
    On June 19 and 20, 2012, we held open meetings with the Flyway 
Council Consultants where the participants reviewed information on the 
current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and developed 
recommendations for the 2012-13 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 2012-13 regular 
waterfowl seasons.
    On July 20, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 
42920) a fourth document specifically dealing with the proposed 
frameworks for early-season regulations. We published the proposed 
frameworks for late-season regulations (primarily hunting seasons that 
start after October 1 and most waterfowl seasons not already 
established) in an August 17, 2012, Federal Register (77 FR 49868).
    This document is the sixth 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 2012-13 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.

Population Status and Harvest

    Information on the status of waterfowl and information on the 
status and harvest of migratory shore and upland game birds, including 
detailed information on methodologies and results, is available 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

    The preliminary proposed rulemaking (April 17 Federal Register) 
opened the public comment period for migratory game bird hunting 
regulations and announced the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 
2012-13 duck hunting season. Comments concerning early-season issues 
and the proposed alternatives are summarized below and numbered in the 
order used in the April 17 Federal Register document. Only the numbered 
items pertaining to early-seasons issues and the proposed regulatory 
alternatives for which we received written comments are included. 
Consequently, the issues do not follow in consecutive numerical or 
alphabetical order.
    We received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils. Some 
recommendations supported continuation of last year's frameworks. Due 
to the comprehensive nature of the annual review of the frameworks 
performed by the Councils, support for continuation of last year's 
frameworks is assumed for items for which no recommendations were 
received. Council recommendations for changes in the frameworks are 
summarized below.

General

    Written Comments: An individual commenter provided several comments 
protesting the entire migratory bird hunting regulations process, the 
killing of all migratory birds, and the lack of accepting electronic 
public comments.
    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 for 
herein are compatible with the current status of migratory bird

[[Page 53119]]

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.
    Regarding the comment concerning our acceptance, or lack thereof, 
of electronic public comments, we do accept electronic comments 
submitted through the official Federal eRulemaking portal (https://www.regulations.gov). Public comment methods are identified in the 
ADDRESSES sections of the documents we published in the Federal 
Register on April 17, 2012 (77 FR 23094); May 17, 2012 (77 FR 29516); 
and July 20, 2012 (77 FR 42920).

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. Special Teal Seasons
    Regarding the regulations for this year, utilizing the criteria 
developed for the teal season harvest strategy, this year's estimate of 
9.2 million blue-winged teal from the traditional survey area indicates 
that a 16-day September teal season in the Atlantic, Central, and 
Mississippi Flyways is appropriate for 2012.

4. Canada Geese

A. Special Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended 
that we increase the daily bag limit framework from 8 to 15 for North 
Dakota and South Dakota during the special early Canada goose hunting 
season in September.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended increasing the daily bag 
limit in the Pacific Flyway portion of Wyoming from two to three geese, 
and increasing the possession limit from four to six birds during the 
special September season.
    Service Response: We agree with the Central Flyway Council's 
request to increase the Canada goose daily bag limit in North Dakota 
and South Dakota. Last year, we increased the daily bag limit in North 
Dakota from 5 to 8 geese in an effort to address increasing numbers of 
resident Canada geese (76 FR 54052, August 30, 2011). In 2010, we 
increased daily bag limits in South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and 
Oklahoma during their special early Canada goose seasons (75 FR 52873, 
August 30, 2010). The Special Early Canada Goose hunting season is 
generally designed to reduce or control overabundant resident Canada 
geese populations. Increasing the daily bag limit from 8 to 15 geese 
may help both States reduce or control existing high populations of 
resident Canada geese, which greatly exceed population objectives. In 
2012, the estimated spring population in the portion of Western Prairie 
and Great Plains Populations range included in the May Waterfowl 
Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (WBPHS) was 1.8 million geese. 
This estimate was 54 percent higher than last year's estimate of 1.17 
million and has increased an average of 10 percent per year since 2003.
    Regarding the increase in the daily bag limit in Wyoming, we agree. 
As the Pacific Flyway Council notes in their recommendation, the 2011 
Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) breeding population index (BPI) was 
120,363, with a 3-year average BPI of 139,298. Further, the 2012 RMP 
Midwinter Index (MWI) of 166,994 showed a 38 percent increase from the 
previous year's index and was the highest on record. All estimates 
exceed levels in the management plan which allow for harvest 
liberalization (80,000). An increase in the daily bag limit is expected 
to result in minimal increases in Canada goose harvest rates and allow 
Wyoming to address some localized goose depredation issues.
B. Regular Seasons
    Council Recommendations: 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, 2012.
    Service Response: We concur. Michigan, beginning in 1998, and 
Wisconsin, beginning in 1989, have opened their regular Canada goose 
seasons prior to the Flyway-wide framework opening date to address 
resident goose management concerns in these States. As we have 
previously stated (73 FR 50678, August 27, 2008), 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. We note that the most recent resident Canada 
goose estimate for the Mississippi Flyway was 1.76 million birds in 
2012, which was 8 percent higher than the 2011 estimate, and well above 
the Flyway's population goal of 1.18 to 1.40 million birds.

9. Sandhill Cranes

    Council Recommendations: The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils 
recommend using the 2012 Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) sandhill crane 
harvest allocation of 1,270 birds as proposed in the allocation formula 
described in the management plan for this population. The Pacific 
Flyway Council also recommended an expansion of the hunting area for 
RMP greater sandhill crane hunting in Arizona and the establishment of 
a new RMP sandhill crane hunt area in Idaho. (We note that Councils' 
recommendation to establish a new RMP sandhill crane hunt area in 
northwest Colorado, identified in the May 17 proposed rule, was 
withdrawn by both Councils at the June 19-20 SRC meetings.)
    Written Comments: The Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition stated 
concerns about the harvest of RMP cranes, particularly those in 
proposed new hunt areas of Arizona, Colorado, and Idaho, and questioned 
the validity of the data we use to promulgate annual hunting 
regulations.
    An individual believed that the data used to support crane harvest-
management decisions were insufficient, and advocated that such 
decisions be allowed only after a thorough scientific review of the 
data and publication of peer-reviewed articles.
    Service Response: We agree with the Central and Pacific Flyway 
Councils' recommendations on the RMP sandhill crane harvest allocation 
of 1,270 birds for the 2012-13 season, as outlined in the RMP sandhill 
crane management plan's harvest allocation formula. The objective for 
the RMP sandhill crane is to manage for a stable population index of 
17,000-21,000 cranes determined by an average of the three most recent, 
reliable September (fall pre-migration) surveys. Additionally, the RMP 
sandhill crane management plan allows for the regulated harvest of 
cranes when the population index exceeds 15,000 cranes.

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In 2011, 17,494 cranes were counted in the September survey and the 
most recent 3-year average for the RMP sandhill crane fall index is 
19,626 birds. Both the new hunt area in Idaho and the expansion of the 
existing hunt area in Arizona are allowed under the management plan.
    Regarding the comments concerning the harvest of RMP cranes and 
questioning the validity of the data we use to promulgate annual 
hunting regulations, RMP sandhill cranes have been hunted in one or 
more States since 1981. Although abundance surveys for the RMP have 
been in place since 1984, we have used a fall pre-migration survey in 
the States of Montana, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado to monitor 
the numbers of these birds since 1987. The fall 2011 count of the RMP 
was 17,494 birds, which is only slightly lower than the first official 
fall count of 18,036 birds in 1997, and 10 percent lower than the long-
term average. Additionally, because counts from surveys conducted 
during migration periods can be variable, depending on annual phenology 
and weather events, we use a 3-year average count when developing 
harvest regulations. The most recent 3-year average is within the range 
(18,295 to 21,614 birds) of 3-year average counts since 1997. Thus, we 
believe there is no evidence of a sustained decline in the numbers of 
RMP cranes.
    We recognize that counts from surveys during migration can be 
highly variable, particularly at small scales. Thus, we believe that 
analyzing trends at small scales from these types of surveys can lead 
to inappropriate conclusions about bird status. Rather, the overall 
status of the birds is of primary importance, and we believe the 
overall survey area for the RMP is sufficiently large to encompass most 
of the pre-migration staging areas and provides a good index to annual 
abundance of the RMP.
    In addition to surveys to estimate abundance, we and our partners 
also annually monitor the harvest and recruitment of RMP cranes. All of 
this information is used in calculating an annual allowable harvest for 
these birds to ensure that hunting mortality is commensurate with their 
annual population status. Although not scientifically peer-reviewed, 
the management plan, data collection protocols, and harvest strategy 
were developed by professional wildlife biologists and managers and are 
designed to result in a sustainable harvest. Following the harvest 
strategy laid out in the management plan has not resulted in any 
detrimental impacts to the RMP since hunting was first allowed in 1981. 
The allowable annual harvest for the RMP is allocated to the States 
using an agreed-upon formula in the management plan. Addition, or 
removal, of hunt areas does not change the calculation of the annual 
allowable harvest. Although the allocation among and within States may 
change in response to modifying harvest areas, overall harvest on the 
population is not increased as new areas are added. Thus, the addition 
of proposed new hunt areas in Colorado (which was subsequently 
withdrawn and will not be implemented this year), Idaho, and Arizona 
should not impact the overall status of the RMP. States periodically 
change hunt areas to address changes in crane use of areas, 
depredation, and other issues to either increase or decrease numbers of 
cranes in certain areas. As a result, numbers of birds at smaller 
(e.g., State) scales may change. If such area-specific changes occur, 
the States can be more restrictive than the Federal regulations.

14. Woodcock

    Last year, we implemented an interim harvest strategy for woodcock 
for a period of 5 years (2011-15) (76 FR 19876, April 8, 2011). The 
interim harvest strategy provides a transparent framework for making 
regulatory decisions for woodcock season length and bag limit while we 
work to improve monitoring and assessment protocols for this species. 
Utilizing the criteria developed for the interim strategy, the 3-year 
average for the Singing Ground Survey indices and associated confidence 
intervals fall within the ``moderate package'' for both the Eastern and 
Central Management Regions. As such, a ``moderate season'' for both 
management regions for the 2012-13 woodcock hunting season is 
appropriate for 2012. Specifics of the interim harvest strategy can be 
found at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewsPublicationsReports.html.

15. Band-Tailed Pigeons

    Written Comments: An individual commented that there should be no 
hunting season for the Pacific Coast population of band-tailed pigeons. 
The request was based on perceived wide-spread landscape changes, 
specifically the lack of food items in British Columbia, Washington, 
and Oregon resulting from current forest management practices 
(including use of herbicides), and in California resulting from fire 
and drought.
    Service Response: Management of the Pacific Coast population band-
tailed pigeons is detailed in a plan endorsed by the Pacific Flyway 
Council. The long-term objectives include providing opportunities to 
harvest portions of certain migratory bird populations and to limit 
harvests to levels compatible with each population's ability to 
maintain healthy, viable numbers. Based on the harvest strategy and 
current data, the prescribed regulatory alternative for the Pacific 
Coast States (California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada) during the 
2012-13 hunting season is the restrictive regulatory alternative. This 
represents no change from the previous year. While studies do indicate 
that food availability does appear to be a major determinant of band-
tailed pigeon abundance, distribution, and productivity, two 
independent surveys provide little or no evidence that abundance of 
Pacific Coast pigeons decreased during the recent 8 or 10 years. Thus, 
we believe that the hunting seasons provided herein are consistent with 
current population status and long-term population goals for band-
tailed pigeons.

16. Mourning Doves

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway 
Councils recommended use of the ``moderate'' season framework for 
States within the Eastern Management Unit population of mourning doves, 
resulting in a 70-day season and 15-bird daily bag limit. The daily bag 
limit could be composed of mourning doves and white-winged doves, 
singly or in combination.
    The Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils recommend the use of 
the standard (or ``moderate'') season package of a 15-bird daily bag 
limit and a 70-day season for the 2012-13 mourning dove season in the 
States within the Central Management Unit. They also recommended that 
the Special White-winged Dove Area in Texas be expanded to Interstate 
Highway 37 in the 2013-14 season.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended use of the ``moderate'' 
season framework for States in the Western Management Unit (WMU) 
population of doves, which represents no change from last year's 
frameworks.
    Service Response: In 2008, we accepted and endorsed the interim 
harvest strategies for the Central, Eastern, and Western Management 
Units (73 FR 50678, August 27, 2008). As we stated then, the interim 
mourning dove harvest strategies are a step towards implementing the 
Mourning Dove National Strategic Harvest Plan (Plan) that was approved 
by all four Flyway Councils in 2003. The Plan represents a new, more 
informed means of decision-making for dove harvest management

[[Page 53121]]

besides relying solely on traditional roadside counts of mourning doves 
as indicators of population trend. However, recognizing that a more 
comprehensive, national approach would take time to develop, we 
requested the development of interim harvest strategies, by management 
unit, until the elements of the Plan can be fully implemented. In 2009, 
the interim harvest strategies were successfully employed and 
implemented in all three Management Units (74 FR 36870, July 24, 2009).
    This year, based on the interim harvest strategies and current 
population status, we agree with the recommended selection of the 
``moderate'' season frameworks for doves in the Eastern, Central, and 
Western Management Units.
    Regarding the Central Flyway Council's recommendation to expand the 
Special White-winged Dove Area in Texas, we support the Council's 
recommendation to provide additional hunting opportunities for white-
winged doves. However, we believe an important tenet of special 
regulations is that harvest pressure be effectively directed primarily 
at target stocks. While we believe that the expanding white-winged dove 
population in Texas can support additional harvest, and support the 
geographic expansion of the Special White-winged Dove Area, we note 
that about 40 percent of the harvest in the current Special White-
winged Dove Area is comprised of mourning doves. We believe this 
proportion is higher than that which should occur during a special 
season that targets white-winged doves. Therefore, to reduce the 
proportion of non-target species taken during this season, we will 
reduce the bag limit of mourning doves from 4 to 2 doves within the 
aggregate bag of 15 doves during this season throughout the Special 
White-winged Dove Area. The changes will take effect during the 2013-14 
hunting season.

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.

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)

    Executive Order 12866 provides that the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) will review all significant rules. The Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs has determined that this rule is 
significant because it will have an annual effect of $100 million or 
more on the economy.
    Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while 
calling for improvements in the nation's regulatory system to promote 
predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most 
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends. 
The executive order directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches 
that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for 
the public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and 
consistent with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further 
that regulations must be based on the best available science and that 
the rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open 
exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent 
with these requirements.
    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. At 
this time, we are proposing no changes to the season frameworks for the 
2011-12 season, and as such, we will again consider these three 
alternatives. However, final frameworks for waterfowl will be dependent 
on population status information available later this year. 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-2012-0005.

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

[[Page 53122]]

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 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-2012-0005.

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 will have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or 
more. However, because this rule establishes hunting seasons, we are 
not deferring 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, the Office of Management and Budget 
(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 will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given 
year on local or State government or private entities. Therefore, this 
rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act.

Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988

    The Department, in promulgating this rule, has determined that 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 will not result in the physical occupancy of 
property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory taking 
of any property. In fact, this rule allows 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 17 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 2012-13 migratory bird hunting season. The 
resulting proposals were contained in a separate August 16, 2012, 
proposed rule (77 FR 49680). 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

[[Page 53123]]

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 rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect 
seasons, limits, and shooting hours for the conterminous United States 
for the 2012-13 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 2012-13 
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 
a-j.

    Dated: August 9, 2012.
Michael J. Bean,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Final Regulations Frameworks for 2012-13 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, 2012, and March 10, 
2013.

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

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 16 consecutive 
hunting days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. The 
daily bag limit is 4 teal.

[[Page 53124]]

    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 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, 
mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and will be the same as 
those allowed in the regular season. Flyway species and area 
restrictions will 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. Seasons not to exceed 30 
days during September 1-30 may be selected for Connecticut, Florida, 
Georgia, New Jersey, New York (Long Island Zone only), 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.
    Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that 
during any general season, shooting hours may extend to one-half hour 
after sunset if all other waterfowl seasons are closed in the specific 
applicable area.

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, 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.
    Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that 
during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after 
sunset if all other waterfowl seasons are closed in the specific 
applicable area.

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, except in Kansas, 
Nebraska, and Oklahoma, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 8 
Canada geese and in North Dakota and South Dakota, where the daily bag 
limit may not exceed 15 Canada geese. Areas open to the hunting of 
Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in 
each State's hunting regulations.
    Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that 
during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after 
sunset if all other waterfowl seasons are closed in the specific 
applicable area.

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.

[[Page 53125]]

    Colorado may select a 9-day season during the period of September 
1-15. The daily bag limit is 4.
    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 during the 
period September 1-15. This season is subject to the following 
conditions:
    A. Where applicable, the season must be concurrent with the 
September portion of the sandhill crane season.
    B. A daily bag limit of 3, with season and possession limits of 6, 
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 Mississippi Flyway

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28.
    Hunting Seasons: A season not to exceed 37 consecutive days may be 
selected in the designated portion of northwestern Minnesota (Northwest 
Goose Zone).
    Daily Bag Limit: 2 sandhill cranes.
    Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane 
season must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting 
permit.

Experimental Seasons in the Mississippi Flyway

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: A season not to exceed 30 consecutive days may be 
selected in Kentucky.
    Daily Bag Limit: Not to exceed 2 daily and 2 per season.
    Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane 
season must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting 
permit.
    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 
Mississippi Flyway Council.

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 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 
season must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting 
permit.

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 
consecutive 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:
    A. In Utah, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP 
quota;
    B. In Arizona, monitoring the racial composition of the harvest 
must be conducted at 3-year intervals;
    C. In Idaho, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP 
quota; and
    D. 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.

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: Seasons 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 two 
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

[[Page 53126]]

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 45 
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 36 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.

Doves

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

    For all States except Texas:
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days, with a 
daily 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:
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days, with a 
daily bag limit of 15 mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped doves in 
the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be white-tipped doves.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: 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 take of mourning and white-tipped 
doves may also occur during that special season (see Special White-
winged Dove Area).
    B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between 
September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between the Friday 
nearest September 20 (September 21), but not earlier than September 17, 
and January 25.
    C. Except as noted above, regulations for bag and possession 
limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within each 
hunting zone.
    Special White-winged Dove Area in Texas:
    In addition, Texas 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 15 
white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of 
which no more than 4 may be mourning doves and no more than 2 may be 
white-tipped doves.

Western Management Unit

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits:
    Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington--Not more than 30 
consecutive days, with a daily bag limit of 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. During the 
remainder of the season, the daily bag limit is 10 mourning doves. In 
California, the daily bag limit is 10 mourning and white-winged doves 
in the aggregate.

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: A. In 
Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from September 
28 through December 16.
    B. On Middleton Island in Unit 6, a special, permit-only Canada 
goose season may be offered. 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.
    C. In Units 6-B, 6-C, and on Hinchinbrook and Hawkins Islands in 
Unit 6-D, a special, permit-only Canada goose season may be offered. 
Hunters must have all harvested geese checked and classified to 
subspecies. The daily

[[Page 53127]]

bag limit is 4 daily and 8 in possession. The Canada goose season will 
close in all of the permit areas if the total dusky goose (as defined 
above) harvest reaches 40.
    D. In Units 9, 10, 17, and 18, dark goose limits are 6 per day, 12 
in possession.
    Brant--A daily bag limit of 2 and a possession limit of 4.
    Common snipe--A daily bag limit of 8.
    Sandhill cranes--Bag and possession limits of 2 and 4, 
respectively, in the 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:
    A. All seasons are by registration permit only.
    B. All season framework dates are September 1-October 31.
    C. 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.
    D. 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.
    E. 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.
    F. 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 under the alternative) 
for mourning doves.
    Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 (12 under the alternative) mourning 
doves.

    Note:  Mourning doves may be taken in Hawaii in accordance with 
shooting hours and other regulations set by the State of Hawaii, and 
subject to the applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20.

Puerto Rico

Doves and Pigeons
    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 20 Zenaida, 
mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which not more 
than 10 may be Zenaida doves and 3 may be mourning doves. Not to exceed 
5 scaly-naped pigeons.
    Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the white-crowned pigeon 
and the plain pigeon, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico.
    Closed Areas: There is no open season on doves or pigeons in the 
following areas: Municipality of Culebra, Desecheo Island, Mona Island, 
El Verde Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas.
Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and Snipe
    Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 days may be selected for hunting 
ducks, common moorhens, and common snipe. The season may be split into 
two segments.
    Daily Bag Limits:
    Ducks--Not to exceed 6.
    Common moorhens--Not to exceed 6.
    Common snipe--Not to exceed 8.
    Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, 
and masked duck, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico. The season also is closed on the purple gallinule, American coot, 
and Caribbean coot.
    Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, common moorhens, 
and common snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island.

Virgin Islands

Doves and Pigeons
    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days for Zenaida doves.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida doves.
    Closed Seasons: No open season is prescribed for ground or quail 
doves or pigeons.
    Closed Areas: There is no open season for migratory game birds on 
Ruth Cay (just south of St. Croix).
    Local Names for Certain Birds: Zenaida dove, also known as mountain 
dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as Barbary dove or partridge; 
common ground-dove, also known as stone dove, tobacco dove, rola, or 
tortolita; scaly-naped pigeon, also known as red-necked or scaled 
pigeon.
Ducks
    Outside Dates: Between December 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 consecutive days.
    Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 6.
    Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, 
and masked duck.

Special Falconry Regulations

    Falconry is a permitted means of taking migratory game birds in any 
State meeting Federal falconry standards in 50 CFR 21.29. These States 
may select an extended season for taking migratory game birds in 
accordance with the following:
    Extended Seasons: For all hunting methods combined, the combined 
length of the extended season, regular season, and any special or 
experimental seasons must not exceed 107 days for any species or group 
of species in a geographical area. Each extended season may be divided 
into a maximum of 3 segments.
    Framework Dates: Seasons must fall between September 1 and March 
10.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Falconry daily bag and possession 
limits for all permitted migratory game birds must not exceed 3 and 6 
birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate, during extended 
falconry seasons, any special or experimental seasons, and regular 
hunting seasons in all States, including those that do not select an 
extended falconry season.
    Regular Seasons: General hunting regulations, including seasons and 
hunting hours, apply to falconry in each State listed in 50 CFR 21.29. 
Regular season bag and possession limits do not apply to falconry. The 
falconry bag limit is not in addition to gun limits.

Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions

Doves

Alabama
    South Zone--Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, 
Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties.
    North Zone--Remainder of the State.
California
    White-winged Dove Open Areas--Imperial, Riverside, and San 
Bernardino Counties.

[[Page 53128]]

Florida
    Northwest Zone--The Counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, 
Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, 
Washington, Leon (except that portion north of U.S. 27 and east of 
State Road 155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of State Road 59 and 
north of U.S. 98), and Wakulla (except that portion south of U.S. 98 
and east of the St. Marks River).
    South Zone--Remainder of State.
Louisiana
    North Zone--That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Texas border along State Highway 12 to U.S. Highway 190, 
east along U.S. 190 to Interstate Highway 12, east along Interstate 12 
to Interstate Highway 10, then east along Interstate Highway 10 to the 
Mississippi border.
    South Zone--The remainder of the State.
Mississippi
    North Zone--That portion of the State north and west of a line 
extending west from the Alabama State line along U.S. Highway 84 to its 
junction with State Highway 35, then south along State Highway 35 to 
the Louisiana State line.
    South Zone--The remainder of Mississippi.
Texas
    North Zone--That portion of the State north of a line beginning at 
the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; north along FM 1088 to 
TX 20; west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along TX 148 to I-10 at Fort 
Hancock; east along I-10 to I-20; northeast along I-20 to I-30 at Fort 
Worth; northeast along I-30 to the Texas-Arkansas State line.
    South Zone--That portion of the State south and west of a line 
beginning at the International Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east 
on U.S. 90 to State Loop 1604 west of San Antonio; then south, east, 
and north along Loop 1604 to Interstate Highway 10 east of San Antonio; 
then east on I-10 to Orange, Texas.
    Special White-winged Dove Area in the South Zone--That portion of 
the State south and west of a line beginning at the International 
Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east on U.S. 90 to State Loop 1604 
west of San Antonio, southeast on State Loop 1604 to Interstate Highway 
35, southwest on Interstate Highway 35 to TX 44; east along TX 44 to TX 
16 at Freer; south along TX 16 to FM 649 in Randado; south on FM 649 to 
FM 2686; east on FM 2686 to FM 1017; southeast on FM 1017 to TX 186 at 
Linn; east along TX 186 to the Mansfield Channel at Port Mansfield; 
east along the Mansfield Channel to the Gulf of Mexico.
    Central Zone--That portion of the State lying between the North and 
South Zones.

Band-Tailed Pigeons

California
    North Zone--Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, 
Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity 
Counties.
    South Zone--The remainder of the State.
New Mexico
    North Zone--North of a line following U.S. 60 from the Arizona 
State line east to I-25 at Socorro and then south along I-25 from 
Socorro to the Texas State line.
    South Zone--The remainder of the State.
Washington
    Western Washington--The State of Washington excluding those 
portions lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big 
White Salmon River in Klickitat County.

Woodcock

New Jersey
    North Zone--That portion of the State north of NJ 70.
    South Zone--The remainder of the State.

Special September Canada Goose Seasons

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut
    North Zone--That portion of the State north of I-95.
    South Zone--The remainder of the State.
Maryland
    Eastern Unit--Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, 
Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester 
Counties; and that part of Anne Arundel County east of Interstate 895, 
Interstate 97 and Route 3; that part of Prince George's County east of 
Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County east of Route 
301 to the Virginia State line.
    Western Unit--Allegany, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, 
Howard, Montgomery, and Washington Counties and that part of Anne 
Arundel County west of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and Route 3; that 
part of Prince George's County west of Route 3 and Route 301; and that 
part of Charles County west of Route 301 to the Virginia State line.
Massachusetts
    Western Zone--That portion of the State west of a line extending 
south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, 
south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut 
border.
    Central Zone--That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone 
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-
95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on 
MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west 
to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards 
inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the 
MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St. 
bridge will be in the Coastal Zone.
    Coastal Zone--That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the 
Central Zone.
New York
    Lake Champlain Zone--The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian 
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south 
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the 
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; 
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont 
border.
    Eastern Long Island Goose Area (North Atlantic Population (NAP) 
High Harvest Area)--That area of Suffolk County lying east of a 
continuous line extending due south from the New York-Connecticut 
boundary to the northernmost end of Roanoke Avenue in the Town of 
Riverhead; then south on Roanoke Avenue (which becomes County Route 73) 
to State Route 25; then west on Route 25 to Peconic Avenue; then south 
on Peconic Avenue to County Route (CR) 104 (Riverleigh Avenue); then 
south on CR 104 to CR 31 (Old Riverhead Road); then south on CR 31 to 
Oak Street; then south on Oak Street to Potunk Lane; then west on 
Stevens Lane; then south on Jessup Avenue (in Westhampton Beach) to 
Dune Road (CR 89); then due south to international waters.
    Western Long Island Goose Area (Resident Population (RP) Area)--
That area of Westchester County and its tidal waters southeast of 
Interstate Route 95 and that area of Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying 
west of a continuous line extending due south from the New York-
Connecticut boundary to the northernmost end of the Sunken Meadow State 
Parkway; then south on

[[Page 53129]]

the Sunken Meadow Parkway to the Sagtikos State Parkway; then south on 
the Sagtikos Parkway to the Robert Moses State Parkway; then south on 
the Robert Moses Parkway to its southernmost end; then due south to 
international waters.
    Central Long Island Goose Area (NAP Low Harvest Area)--That area of 
Suffolk County lying between the Western and Eastern Long Island Goose 
Areas, as defined above.
    Western Zone--That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario 
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along 
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border.
    Northeastern Zone--That area north of a line extending from Lake 
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south 
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to 
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along 
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along 
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive 
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
    Southeastern Zone--The remaining portion of New York.
Pennsylvania
    Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) Zone--The area north of I-80 
and west of I-79, including in the city of Erie west of Bay Front 
Parkway to and including the Lake Erie Duck Zone (Lake Erie, Presque 
Isle, and the area within 150 yards of the Lake Erie Shoreline).
Vermont
    Lake Champlain Zone--The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area north and west of the line extending from the New York border 
along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes; 
U.S. 7 to VT 78 at Swanton; VT 78 to VT 36; VT 36 to Maquam Bay on Lake 
Champlain; along and around the shoreline of Maquam Bay and Hog Island 
to VT 78 at the West Swanton Bridge; VT 78 to VT 2 in Alburg; VT 2 to 
the Richelieu River in Alburg; along the east shore of the Richelieu 
River to the Canadian border.
    Interior Zone--That portion of Vermont east of the Lake Champlain 
Zone and west of a line extending from the Massachusetts border at 
Interstate 91; north along Interstate 91 to US 2; east along US 2 to VT 
102; north along VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 253 to the Canadian 
border.
    Connecticut River Zone--The remaining portion of Vermont east of 
the Interior Zone.

Mississippi Flyway

Arkansas
    Early Canada Goose Area--Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clark, 
Conway, Crawford, Faulkner, Franklin, Garland, Hempstead, Hot Springs, 
Howard, Johnson, Lafayette, Little River, Logan, Madison, Marion, 
Miller, Montgomery, Newton, Perry, Pike, Polk, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, 
Searcy, Sebastian, Sevier, Scott, Van Buren, Washington, and Yell 
Counties.
Illinois
    North September Canada Goose Zone--That portion of the State north 
of a line extending west from the Indiana border along Interstate 80 to 
I-39, south along I-39 to Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route 
18 to Illinois Route 29, south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois 
Route 17, west along Illinois Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and 
due south across the Mississippi River to the Iowa border.
    Central September Canada Goose Zone--That portion of the State 
south of the North September Canada Goose Zone line to a line extending 
west from the Indiana border along I-70 to Illinois Route 4, south 
along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route 161, west along Illinois Route 
161 to Illinois Route 158, south and west along Illinois Route 158 to 
Illinois Route 159, south along Illinois Route 159 to Illinois Route 3, 
south along Illinois Route 3 to St. Leo's Road, south along St. Leo's 
road to Modoc Road, west along Modoc Road to Modoc Ferry Road, 
southwest along Modoc Ferry Road to Levee Road, southeast along Levee 
Road to County Route 12 (Modoc Ferry entrance Road), south along County 
Route 12 to the Modoc Ferry route and southwest on the Modoc Ferry 
route across the Mississippi River to the Missouri border.
    South September Canada Goose Zone--That portion of the State south 
and east of a line extending west from the Indiana border along 
Interstate 70, south along U.S. Highway 45, to Illinois Route 13, west 
along Illinois Route 13 to Greenbriar Road, north on Greenbriar Road to 
Sycamore Road, west on Sycamore Road to N. Reed Station Road, south on 
N. Reed Station Road to Illinois Route 13, west along Illinois Route 13 
to Illinois Route 127, south along Illinois Route 127 to State Forest 
Road (1025 N), west along State Forest Road to Illinois Route 3, north 
along Illinois Route 3 to the south bank of the Big Muddy River, west 
along the south bank of the Big Muddy River to the Mississippi River, 
west across the Mississippi River to the Missouri border.
    South Central September Canada Goose Zone--The remainder of the 
State between the south border of the Central Zone and the North border 
of the South Zone
Iowa
    North Zone--That portion of the State north of U.S. Highway 20.
    South Zone--The remainder of Iowa.
    Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Goose Zone--Includes portions of Linn and 
Johnson Counties bounded as follows: Beginning at the intersection of 
the west border of Linn County and Linn County Road E2W; then south and 
east along County Road E2W to Highway 920; then north along Highway 920 
to County Road E16; then east along County Road E16 to County Road W58; 
then south along County Road W58 to County Road E34; then east along 
County Road E34 to Highway 13; then south along Highway 13 to Highway 
30; then east along Highway 30 to Highway 1; then south along Highway 1 
to Morse Road in Johnson County; then east along Morse Road to Wapsi 
Avenue; then south along Wapsi Avenue to Lower West Branch Road; then 
west along Lower West Branch Road to Taft Avenue; then south along Taft 
Avenue to County Road F62; then west along County Road F62 to Kansas 
Avenue; then north along Kansas Avenue to Black Diamond Road; then west 
on Black Diamond Road to Jasper Avenue; then north along Jasper Avenue 
to Rohert Road; then west along Rohert Road to Ivy Avenue; then north 
along Ivy Avenue to 340th Street; then west along 340th Street to Half 
Moon Avenue; then north along Half Moon Avenue to Highway 6; then west 
along Highway 6 to Echo Avenue; then north along Echo Avenue to 250th 
Street; then east on 250th Street to Green Castle Avenue; then north 
along Green Castle Avenue to County Road F12; then west along County 
Road F12 to County Road W30; then north along County Road W30 to 
Highway 151; then north along the Linn-Benton County line to the point 
of beginning.
    Des Moines Goose Zone--Includes those portions of Polk, Warren, 
Madison and Dallas Counties bounded as follows: Beginning at the 
intersection of Northwest 158th Avenue and County Road R38 in Polk 
County; then south along R38 to Northwest 142nd Avenue; then east along 
Northwest 142nd Avenue to Northeast 126th Avenue; then east along 
Northeast 126th Avenue to Northeast 46th Street; then south along 
Northeast 46th Street to Highway 931; then east along Highway 931 to 
Northeast 80th Street; then south along Northeast 80th Street to 
Southeast 6th Avenue; then west along Southeast 6th

[[Page 53130]]

Avenue to Highway 65; then south and west along Highway 65 to Highway 
69 in Warren County; then south along Highway 69 to County Road G24; 
then west along County Road G24 to Highway 28; then southwest along 
Highway 28 to 43rd Avenue; then north along 43rd Avenue to Ford Street; 
then west along Ford Street to Filmore Street; then west along Filmore 
Street to 10th Avenue; then south along 10th Avenue to 155th Street in 
Madison County; then west along 155th Street to Cumming Road; then 
north along Cumming Road to Badger Creek Avenue; then north along 
Badger Creek Avenue to County Road F90 in Dallas County; then east 
along County Road F90 to County Road R22; then north along County Road 
R22 to Highway 44; then east along Highway 44 to County Road R30; then 
north along County Road R30 to County Road F31; then east along County 
Road F31 to Highway 17; then north along Highway 17 to Highway 415 in 
Polk County; then east along Highway 415 to Northwest 158th Avenue; 
then east along Northwest 158th Avenue to the point of beginning.
    Cedar Falls/Waterloo Goose Zone--Includes those portions of Black 
Hawk County bounded as follows: Beginning at the intersection of County 
Roads C66 and V49 in Black Hawk County, then south along County Road 
V49 to County Road D38, then west along County Road D38 to State 
Highway 21, then south along State Highway 21 to County Road D35, then 
west along County Road D35 to Grundy Road, then north along Grundy Road 
to County Road D19, then west along County Road D19 to Butler Road, 
then north along Butler Road to County Road C57, then north and east 
along County Road C57 to U.S. Highway 63, then south along U.S. Highway 
63 to County Road C66, then east along County Road C66 to the point of 
beginning.
Michigan
    (a) North Zone--Same as North duck zone.
    (b) Middle Zone--Same as Middle duck zone.
    (c) South Zone--Same as South duck zone.
Minnesota
    Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone--
    A. All of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.
    B. In Anoka County, all of Columbus Township lying south of County 
State Aid Highway (CSAH) 18, Anoka County; all of the cities of Ramsey, 
Andover, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Spring Lake Park, Fridley, Hilltop, 
Columbia Heights, Blaine, Lexington, Circle Pines, Lino Lakes, and 
Centerville; and all of the city of Ham Lake except that portion lying 
north of CSAH 18 and east of U.S. Highway 65.
    C. That part of Carver County lying north and east of the following 
described line: Beginning at the northeast corner of San Francisco 
Township; then west along the north boundary of San Francisco Township 
to the east boundary of Dahlgren Township; then north along the east 
boundary of Dahlgren Township to U.S. Highway 212; then west along U.S. 
Highway 212 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 284; then north on STH 284 to 
County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10; then north and west on CSAH 10 to 
CSAH 30; then north and west on CSAH 30 to STH 25; then east and north 
on STH 25 to CSAH 10; then north on CSAH 10 to the Carver County line.
    D. In Scott County, all of the cities of Shakopee, Savage, Prior 
Lake, and Jordan, and all of the Townships of Jackson, Louisville, St. 
Lawrence, Sand Creek, Spring Lake, and Credit River.
    E. In Dakota County, all of the cities of Burnsville, Eagan, 
Mendota Heights, Mendota, Sunfish Lake, Inver Grove Heights, Apple 
Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Farmington, Hastings, Lilydale, West St. 
Paul, and South St. Paul, and all of the Township of Nininger.
    F. That portion of Washington County lying south of the following 
described line: Beginning at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 on the 
west boundary of the county; then east on CSAH 2 to U.S. Highway 61; 
then south on U.S. Highway 61 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 97; then 
east on STH 97 to the intersection of STH 97 and STH 95; then due east 
to the east boundary of the State.
    Northwest Goose Zone--That portion of the State encompassed by a 
line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 
to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east 
along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north 
along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to 
STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along 
CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in 
Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 
310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
    Southeast Goose Zone--That part of the State within the following 
described boundaries: beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 52 
and the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; then 
along the U.S. Highway 52 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 57; then along 
STH 57 to the municipal boundary of Kasson; then along the municipal 
boundary of Kasson County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 13, Dodge County; 
then along CSAH 13 to STH 30; then along STH 30 to U.S. Highway 63; 
then along U.S. Highway 63 to the south boundary of the State; then 
along the south and east boundaries of the State to the south boundary 
of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; then along said boundary to 
the point of beginning.
    Five Goose Zone--That portion of the State not included in the Twin 
Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone, the Northwest Goose Zone, or the 
Southeast Goose Zone.
    West Zone--That portion of the State encompassed by a line 
beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa 
border, then north and east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, north 
along U.S. 71 to I-94, then north and west along I-94 to the North 
Dakota border.
Tennessee
    Middle Tennessee Zone--Those portions of Houston, Humphreys, 
Montgomery, Perry, and Wayne Counties east of State Highway 13; and 
Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles, 
Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Moore, 
Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson 
Counties.
    East Tennessee Zone--Anderson, Bledsoe, Bradley, Blount, Campbell, 
Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Grainger, 
Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jackson, 
Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, 
Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, 
Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, and 
White Counties.
Wisconsin
    Early-Season Subzone A--That portion of the State encompassed by a 
line beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 141 and the Michigan 
border near Niagara, then south along U.S. 141 to State Highway 22, 
west and southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45, south along U.S. 45 to 
State 22, west and south along State 22 to State 110, south along State 
110 to U.S. 10, south along U.S. 10 to State 49, south along State 49 
to State 23, west along State 23 to State 73, south along State 73 to 
State

[[Page 53131]]

60, west along State 60 to State 23, south along State 23 to State 11, 
east along State 11 to State 78, then south along State 78 to the 
Illinois border.
    Early-Season Subzone B--The remainder of the State.

Central Flyway

Nebraska
    September Canada Goose Unit--That part of Nebraska bounded by a 
line from the Nebraska-Iowa State line west on U.S. Highway 30 to US 
Highway 81, then south on US Highway 81 to NE Highway 64, then east on 
NE Highway 64 to NE Highway 15, then south on NE Highway 15 to NE 
Highway 41, then east on NE Highway 41 to NE Highway 50, then north on 
NE Highway 50 to NE Highway 2, then east on NE Highway 2 to the 
Nebraska-Iowa State line.
North Dakota
    Missouri River Canada Goose Zone--The area within and bounded by a 
line starting where ND Hwy 6 crosses the South Dakota border; then 
north on ND Hwy 6 to I-94; then west on I-94 to ND Hwy 49; then north 
on ND Hwy 49 to ND Hwy 200; then north on Mercer County Rd. 21 to the 
section line between sections 8 and 9 (T146N-R87W); then north on that 
section line to the southern shoreline to Lake Sakakawea; then east 
along the southern shoreline (including Mallard Island) of Lake 
Sakakawea to US Hwy 83; then south on US Hwy 83 to ND Hwy 200; then 
east on ND Hwy 200 to ND Hwy 41; then south on ND Hwy 41 to US Hwy 83; 
then south on US Hwy 83 to I-94; then east on I-94 to US Hwy 83; then 
south on US Hwy 83 to the South Dakota border; then west along the 
South Dakota border to ND Hwy 6.
    Rest of State: Remainder of North Dakota.
South Dakota
    Special Early Canada Goose Unit--Entire State of South Dakota 
except the Counties of Bennett, Gregory, Hughes, Lyman, Perkins, and 
Stanley; that portion of Potter County west of US Highway 83; that 
portion of Bon Homme, Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix, and Hyde County 
south and west of a line beginning at the Hughes-Hyde County line of SD 
Highway 34, east to Lees Boulevard, southeast to SD 34, east 7 miles to 
350th Avenue, south to I-90, south and east on SD Highway 50 to Geddes, 
east on 285th Street to US Highway 281, south on US Highway 281 to SD 
50, east and south on SD 50 to the Bon Homme-Yankton County boundary; 
that portion of Fall River County east of SD Highway 71 and US Highway 
385; that portion of Custer County east of SD Highway 79 and south of 
French Creek; that portion of Dewey County south of BIA Road 8, BIA 
Road 9, and the section of US 212 east of BIA Road 8 junction.

Pacific Flyway

Idaho
    East Zone--Bonneville, Caribou, Fremont, and Teton Counties.
Oregon
    Northwest Zone--Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane, 
Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and 
Yamhill Counties.
    Southwest Zone--Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and 
Klamath Counties.
    East Zone--Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, 
Union, and Wasco Counties.
Washington
    Area 1--Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
    Area 2A (SW Quota Zone)--Clark County, except portions south of the 
Washougal River; Cowlitz County; and Wahkiakum County.
    Area 2B (SW Quota Zone)--Pacific County.
    Area 3--All areas west of the Pacific Crest Trail and west of the 
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Areas 1, 2A, and 2B.
    Area 4--Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, 
Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties.
    Area 5--All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the 
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Area 4.

Ducks

Atlantic Flyway

New York
    Lake Champlain Zone--The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian 
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south 
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the 
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; 
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont 
border.
    Long Island Zone--That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk 
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their 
tidal waters.
    Western Zone--That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario 
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along 
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border.
    Northeastern Zone--That area north of a line extending from Lake 
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south 
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to 
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along 
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along 
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive 
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
    Southeastern Zone--The remaining portion of New York.
Maryland
    Special Teal Season Area-- Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, 
Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, 
and Worcester Counties; that part of Anne Arundel County east of 
Interstate 895, Interstate 97, and Route 3; that part of Prince Georges 
County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County 
east of Route 301 to the Virginia State Line.

Mississippi Flyway

Indiana
    North Zone--That part of Indiana north of a line extending east 
from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. 31; north along 
U.S. 31 to U.S. 24; east along U.S. 24 to Huntington; southeast along 
U.S. 224; south along State Road 5; and east along State Road 124 to 
the Ohio border.
    Central Zone--That part of Indiana south of the North Zone boundary 
and north of the South Zone boundary.
    South Zone--That part of Indiana south of a line extending east 
from the Illinois border along U.S. 40; south along U.S. 41; east along 
State Road 58; south along State Road 37 to Bedford; and east along 
U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.
Iowa
    North Zone--That portion of Iowa north of a line beginning on the 
South Dakota-Iowa border at Interstate 29, southeast along Interstate 
29 to State Highway 175, east along State Highway 175 to State Highway 
37, southeast along State Highway 37 to State Highway 183, northeast 
along State Highway 183 to State Highway 141, east along State Highway 
141 to U.S. Highway 30, and along U.S. Highway 30 to the Illinois 
border.
    Missouri River Zone--That portion of Iowa west of a line beginning 
on the South Dakota-Iowa border at Interstate 29, southeast along 
Interstate 29 to State

[[Page 53132]]

Highway 175, and west along State Highway 175 to the Iowa-Nebraska 
border.
    South Zone--The remainder of Iowa.
Michigan
    North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
    Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line 
beginning at the Wisconsin State line in Lake Michigan due west of the 
mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly 
and southerly along the south shore of Stony Creek to Scenic Drive, 
easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly 
along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along 
Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of 
Midland, easterly along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, easterly along U.S. 10 
to Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, northerly along I-75/U.S. 23 
to the U.S. 23 exit at Standish, easterly along U.S. 23 to the 
centerline of the Au Gres River, then southerly along the centerline of 
the Au Gres River to Saginaw Bay, then on a line directly east 10 miles 
into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a line directly northeast to 
the Canadian border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.

Central Flyway

Colorado
    Special Teal Season Area--Lake and Chaffee Counties and that 
portion of the State east of Interstate Highway 25.
Kansas
    High Plains Zone--That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.
    Early Zone--That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the 
Nebraska-Kansas State line south on K-128 to its junction with US-36, 
then east on US-36 to its junction with K-199, then south on K-199 to 
its junction with Republic County 30 Rd, then south on Republic County 
30 Rd to its junction with K-148, then east on K-148 to its junction 
with Republic County 50 Rd, then south on Republic County 50 Rd to its 
junction with Cloud County 40th Rd, then south on Cloud County 40th Rd 
to its junction with K-9, then west on K-9 to its junction with US-24, 
then west on US-24 to its junction with US-281, then north on US-281 to 
its junction with US-36, then west on US-36 to its junction with US-
183, then south on US-183 to its junction with US-24, then west on US-
24 to its junction with K-18, then southeast on K-18 to its junction 
with US-183, then south on US-183 to its junction with K-4, then east 
on K-4 to its junction with I-135, then south on I-135 to its junction 
with K-61, then southwest on K-61 to McPherson County 14th Avenue, then 
south on McPherson County 14th Avenue to its junction with Arapaho Rd, 
then west on Arapaho Rd to its junction with K-61, then southwest on K-
61 to its junction with K-96, then northwest on K-96 to its junction 
with US-56, then southwest on US-56 to its junction with K-19, then 
east on K-19 to its junction with US-281, then south on US-281 to its 
junction with US-54, then west on US-54 to its junction with US-183, 
then north on US-183 to its junction with US-56, then southwest on US-
56 to its junction with Ford County Rd 126, then south on Ford County 
Rd 126 to its junction with US-400, then northwest on US-400 to its 
junction with US-283, then north on US-283 to its junction with the 
Nebraska-Kansas State line, then east along the Nebraska-Kansas State 
line to its junction with K-128.
    Late Zone--That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the Nebraska-
Kansas State line south on K-128 to its junction with US-36, then east 
on US-36 to its junction with K-199, then south on K-199 to its 
junction with Republic County 30 Rd, then south on Republic County 30 
Rd to its junction with K-148, then east on K-148 to its junction with 
Republic County 50 Rd, then south on Republic County 50 Rd to its 
junction with Cloud County 40th Rd, then south on Cloud County 40th Rd 
to its junction with K-9, then west on K-9 to its junction with US-24, 
then west on US-24 to its junction with US-281, then north on US-281 to 
its junction with US-36, then west on US-36 to its junction with US-
183, then south on US-183 to its junction with US-24, then west on US-
24 to its junction with K-18, then southeast on K-18 to its junction 
with US-183, then south on US-183 to its junction with K-4, then east 
on K-4 to its junction with I-135, then south on I-135 to its junction 
with K-61, then southwest on K-61 to 14th Avenue, then south on 14th 
Avenue to its junction with Arapaho Rd, then west on Arapaho Rd to its 
junction with K-61, then southwest on K-61 to its junction with K-96, 
then northwest on K-96 to its junction with US-56, then southwest on 
US-56 to its junction with K-19, then east on K-19 to its junction with 
US-281, then south on US-281 to its junction with US-54, then west on 
US-54 to its junction with US-183, then north on US-183 to its junction 
with US-56, then southwest on US-56 to its junction with Ford County Rd 
126, then south on Ford County Rd 126 to its junction with US-400, then 
northwest on US-400 to its junction with US-283, then south on US-283 
to its junction with the Oklahoma-Kansas State line, then east along 
the Oklahoma-Kansas State line to its junction with US-77, then north 
on US-77 to its junction with Butler County, NE 150th Street, then east 
on Butler County, NE 150th Street to its junction with US-35, then 
northeast on US-35 to its junction with K-68, then east on K-68 to the 
Kansas-Missouri State line, then north along the Kansas-Missouri State 
line to its junction with the Nebraska State line, then west along the 
Kansas-Nebraska State line to its junction with K-128.
    Southeast Zone--That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the 
Missouri-Kansas State line west on K-68 to its junction with US-35, 
then southwest on US-35 to its junction with Butler County, NE 150th 
Street, then west on NE 150th Street until its junction with K-77, then 
south on K-77 to the Oklahoma-Kansas State line, then east along the 
Kansas-Oklahoma State line to its junction with the Missouri State 
line, then north along the Kansas-Missouri State line to its junction 
with K-68.
Nebraska
    Special Teal Season Area--That portion of the State south of a line 
beginning at the Wyoming State line; east along U.S. 26 to Nebraska 
Highway L62A east to U.S. 385; south to U.S. 26; east to NE 92; east 
along NE 92 to NE 61; south along NE 61 to U.S. 30; east along U.S. 30 
to the Iowa border.
    High Plains--That portion of Nebraska lying west of a line 
beginning at the South Dakota-Nebraska border on U.S. Hwy. 183; south 
on U.S. Hwy. 183 to U.S. Hwy. 20; west on U.S. Hwy. 20 to NE Hwy. 7; 
south on NE Hwy. 7 to NE Hwy. 91; southwest on NE Hwy. 91 to NE Hwy. 2; 
southeast on NE Hwy. 2 to NE Hwy. 92; west on NE Hwy. 92 to NE Hwy. 40; 
south on NE Hwy. 40 to NE Hwy. 47; south on NE Hwy. 47 to NE Hwy. 23; 
east on NE Hwy. 23 to U.S. Hwy. 283; and south on U.S. Hwy. 283 to the 
Kansas-Nebraska border.
    Zone 1--Area bounded by designated Federal and State highways and 
political boundaries beginning at the South Dakota-Nebraska border west 
of NE Hwy. 26E Spur and north of NE Hwy. 12; those portions of Dixon, 
Cedar and Knox Counties north of NE Hwy. 12; that portion of Keya Paha 
County east of U.S. Hwy. 183; and all of Boyd County. Both banks of the 
Niobrara River in Keya Paha and Boyd counties east of U.S. Hwy. 183 
shall be included in Zone 1.

[[Page 53133]]

    Zone 2--The area south of Zone 1 and north of Zone 3.
    Zone 3--Area bounded by designated Federal and State highways, 
County Roads, and political boundaries beginning at the Wyoming-
Nebraska border at the intersection of the Interstate Canal; east along 
northern borders of Scotts Bluff and Morrill Counties to Broadwater 
Road; south to Morrill County Rd 94; east to County Rd 135; south to 
County Rd 88; southeast to County Rd 151; south to County Rd 80; east 
to County Rd 161; south to County Rd 76; east to County Rd 165; south 
to County Rd 167; south to U.S. Hwy. 26; east to County Rd 171; north 
to County Rd 68; east to County Rd 183; south to County Rd 64; east to 
County Rd 189; north to County Rd 70; east to County Rd 201; south to 
County Rd 60A; east to County Rd 203; south to County Rd 52; east to 
Keith County Line; east along the northern boundaries of Keith and 
Lincoln Counties to NE Hwy. 97; south to U.S. Hwy 83; south to E Hall 
School Rd; east to N Airport Road; south to U.S. Hwy. 30; east to 
Merrick County Rd 13; north to County Rd O; east to NE Hwy. 14; north 
to NE Hwy. 52; west and north to NE Hwy. 91; west to U.S. Hwy. 281; 
south to NE Hwy. 22; west to NE Hwy. 11; northwest to NE Hwy. 91; west 
to U.S. Hwy. 183; south to Round Valley Rd; west to Sargent River Rd; 
west to Sargent Rd; west to Milburn Rd; north to Blaine County Line; 
east to Loup County Line; north to NE Hwy. 91; west to North Loup Spur 
Rd; north to North Loup River Rd; east to Pleasant Valley/Worth Rd; 
east to Loup County Line; north to Loup-Brown county line; east along 
northern boundaries of Loup and Garfield Counties to Cedar River Rd; 
south to NE Hwy. 70; east to U.S. Hwy. 281; north to NE Hwy. 70; east 
to NE Hwy. 14; south to NE Hwy. 39; southeast to NE Hwy. 22; east to 
U.S. Hwy. 81; southeast to U.S. Hwy. 30; east to U.S. Hwy. 75; north to 
the Washington County line; east to the Iowa-Nebraska border; south to 
the Missouri-Nebraska border; south to Kansas-Nebraska border; west 
along Kansas-Nebraska border to Colorado-Nebraska border; north and 
west to Wyoming-Nebraska border; north to intersection of Interstate 
Canal; and excluding that area in Zone 4.
    Zone 4--Area encompassed by designated Federal and State highways 
and County Roads beginning at the intersection of NE Hwy. 8 and U.S. 
Hwy. 75; north to U.S. Hwy. 136; east to the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 
136 and the Steamboat Trace (Trace); north along the Trace to the 
intersection with Federal Levee R-562; north along Federal Levee R-562 
to the intersection with the Trace; north along the Trace/Burlington 
Northern Railroad right-of-way to NE Hwy. 2; west to U.S. Hwy. 75; 
north to NE Hwy. 2; west to NE Hwy. 43; north to U.S. Hwy. 34; east to 
NE Hwy. 63; north to NE Hwy. 66; north and west to U.S. Hwy. 77; north 
to NE Hwy. 92; west to NE Hwy. Spur 12F; south to Butler County Rd 30; 
east to County Rd X; south to County Rd 27; west to County Rd W; south 
to County Rd 26; east to County Rd X; south to County Rd 21 (Seward 
County Line); west to NE Hwy. 15; north to County Rd 34; west to County 
Rd J; south to NE Hwy. 92; west to U.S. Hwy. 81; south to NE Hwy. 66; 
west to Polk County Rd C; north to NE Hwy. 92; west to U.S. Hwy. 30; 
west to Merrick County Rd 17; south to Hordlake Road; southeast to 
Prairie Island Road; southeast to Hamilton County Rd T; south to NE 
Hwy. 66; west to NE Hwy. 14; south to County Rd 22; west to County Rd 
M; south to County Rd 21; west to County Rd K; south to U.S. Hwy. 34; 
west to NE Hwy. 2; south to U.S. Hwy. I-80; west to Gunbarrel Rd (Hall/
Hamilton county line); south to Giltner Rd; west to U.S. Hwy. 281; 
south to U.S. Hwy. 34; west to NE Hwy. 10; north to Kearney County Rd R 
and Phelps County Rd 742; west to U.S. Hwy. 283; south to U.S. Hwy 34; 
east to U.S. Hwy. 136; east to U.S. Hwy. 183; north to NE Hwy. 4; east 
to NE Hwy. 10; south to U.S. Hwy. 136; east to NE Hwy. 14; south to NE 
Hwy. 8; east to U.S. Hwy. 81; north to NE Hwy. 4; east to NE Hwy. 15; 
south to U.S. Hwy. 136; east to NE Hwy. 103; south to NE Hwy. 8; east 
to U.S. Hwy. 75.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
    North Zone--That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
    South Zone--The remainder of New Mexico.

Pacific Flyway

California
    Northeastern Zone--In that portion of California lying east and 
north of a line beginning at the intersection of Interstate 5 with the 
California-Oregon line; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with 
Walters Lane south of the town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane to its 
junction with Easy Street; south along Easy Street to the junction with 
Old Highway 99; south along Old Highway 99 to the point of intersection 
with Interstate 5 north of the town of Weed; south along Interstate 5 
to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to 
Main Street Greenville; north and east to its junction with North 
Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and 
east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the 
junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington 
Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the 
junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and 
east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-
Nevada State line; north along the California-Nevada State line to the 
junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon State lines west along the 
California-Oregon State line to the point of origin.
    Colorado River Zone--Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, 
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border 
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as 
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to 
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in 
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of 
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on 
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the 
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley 
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to 
U.S. 80; east 7 miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south 
on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
    Southern Zone--That portion of southern California (but excluding 
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the 
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City 
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of 
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest 
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to 
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on 
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada 
border.
    Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone--All of Kings and Tulare 
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone--The remainder of California not included 
in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the 
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.

Canada Geese

Michigan

    (a) North Zone--Same as North duck zone.

[[Page 53134]]

    (b) Middle Zone--Same as Middle duck zone.
    (c) South Zone--Same as South duck zone.

Sandhill Cranes

Mississippi Flyway

Minnesota
    Northwest Goose Zone--That portion of the State encompassed by a 
line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 
to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east 
along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north 
along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to 
STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along 
CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in 
Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 
310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.

Central Flyway

    Colorado--The Central Flyway portion of the State except the San 
Luis Valley (Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande, 
and Saguache Counties east of the Continental Divide) and North Park 
(Jackson County).
    Kansas--That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the 
Oklahoma border, north on I-35 to Wichita, north on I-135 to Salina, 
and north on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border.
    Montana--The Central Flyway portion of the State except for that 
area south and west of Interstate 90, which is closed to sandhill crane 
hunting.
New Mexico
    Regular-Season Open Area--Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay, 
and Roosevelt Counties.
    Middle Rio Grande Valley Area--The Central Flyway portion of New 
Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties.
    Estancia Valley Area--Those portions of Santa Fe, Torrance and 
Bernallilo Counties within an area bounded on the west by New Mexico 
Highway 55 beginning at Mountainair north to NM 337, north to NM 14, 
north to I-25; on the north by I-25 east to U.S. 285; on the east by 
U.S. 285 south to U.S. 60; and on the south by U.S. 60 from U.S. 285 
west to NM 55 in Mountainair.
    Southwest Zone--Area bounded on the south by the New Mexico/Mexico 
border; on the west by the New Mexico/Arizona border north to 
Interstate 10; on the north by Interstate 10 east to U.S. 180, north to 
N.M. 26, east to N.M. 27, north to N.M. 152, and east to Interstate 25; 
on the east by Interstate 25 south to Interstate 10, west to the Luna 
county line, and south to the New Mexico/Mexico border.
North Dakota
    Area 1--That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
    Area 2--That portion of the State east of U.S. 281.
    Oklahoma--That portion of the State west of I-35.
    South Dakota--That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
Texas
    Zone A--That portion of Texas lying west of a line beginning at the 
international toll bridge at Laredo, then northeast along U.S. Highway 
81 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35 in Laredo, then north 
along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate Highway 10 
in San Antonio, then northwest along Interstate Highway 10 to its 
junction with U.S. Highway 83 at Junction, then north along U.S. 
Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of 
Childress, then east along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State 
line.
    Zone B--That portion of Texas lying within boundaries beginning at 
the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-Oklahoma State line, then 
southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its junction with U.S. Highway 287 
in Montague County, then southeast along U.S. Highway 287 to its 
junction with Interstate Highway 35W in Fort Worth, then southwest 
along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate Highway 10 
in San Antonio, then northwest along Interstate Highway 10 to its 
junction with U.S. Highway 83 in the town of Junction, then north along 
U.S. Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of 
Childress, then east along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State 
line, then south along the Texas-Oklahoma State line to the south bank 
of the Red River, then eastward along the vegetation line on the south 
bank of the Red River to U.S. Highway 81.
    Zone C--The remainder of the State, except for the closed areas.
    Closed areas--(A) That portion of the State lying east and north of 
a line beginning at the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-
Oklahoma State line, then southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its 
junction with U.S. Highway 287 in Montague County, then southeast along 
U.S. Highway 287 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35W in Fort 
Worth, then southwest along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with 
U.S. Highway 290 East in Austin, then east along U.S. Highway 290 to 
its junction with Interstate Loop 610 in Harris County, then south and 
east along Interstate Loop 610 to its junction with Interstate Highway 
45 in Houston, then south on Interstate Highway 45 to State Highway 
342, then to the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, and then north and east 
along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the Texas-Louisiana State 
line.
    (B) That portion of the State lying within the boundaries of a line 
beginning at the Kleberg-Nueces County line and the shore of the Gulf 
of Mexico, then west along the County line to Park Road 22 in Nueces 
County, then north and west along Park Road 22 to its junction with 
State Highway 358 in Corpus Christi, then west and north along State 
Highway 358 to its junction with State Highway 286, then north along 
State Highway 286 to its junction with Interstate Highway 37, then east 
along Interstate Highway 37 to its junction with U.S. Highway 181, then 
north and west along U.S. Highway 181 to its junction with U.S. Highway 
77 in Sinton, then north and east along U.S. Highway 77 to its junction 
with U.S. Highway 87 in Victoria, then south and east along U.S. 
Highway 87 to its junction with State Highway 35 at Port Lavaca, then 
north and east along State Highway 35 to the south end of the Lavaca 
Bay Causeway, then south and east along the shore of Lavaca Bay to its 
junction with the Port Lavaca Ship Channel, then south and east along 
the Lavaca Bay Ship Channel to the Gulf of Mexico, and then south and 
west along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the Kleberg-Nueces County 
line.
Wyoming
    Regular Season Open Area--Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen, 
Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties, and portions of Johnson 
and Sheridan Counties.
    Riverton-Boysen Unit--Portions of Fremont County.
    Park and Big Horn County Unit--All of Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park 
and Washakie Counties.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona
    Special Season Area--Game Management Units 28, 30A, 30B, 31, and 
32.
Idaho
    Special Season Area--See State regulations.
Montana
    Special Season Area--See State regulations.

[[Page 53135]]

Utah
    Special Season Area--Rich, Cache, and Unitah Counties and that 
portion of Box Elder County beginning on the Utah-Idaho State line at 
the Box Elder-Cache County line; west on the State line to the 
Pocatello Valley County Road; south on the Pocatello Valley County Road 
to I-15; southeast on I-15 to SR-83; south on SR-83 to Lamp Junction; 
west and south on the Promontory Point County Road to the tip of 
Promontory Point; south from Promontory Point to the Box Elder-Weber 
County line; east on the Box Elder-Weber County line to the Box Elder-
Cache County line; north on the Box Elder-Cache County line to the 
Utah-Idaho State line.
Wyoming
    Bear River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Salt River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Farson-Eden Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette 
Counties described in State regulations.
    Uinta County Area--That portion of Uinta County described in State 
regulations.

All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska

    North Zone--State Game Management Units 11-13 and 17-26.
    Gulf Coast Zone--State Game Management Units 5-7, 9, 14-16, and 10 
(Unimak Island only).
    Southeast Zone--State Game Management Units 1-4.
    Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone--State Game Management Unit 10 
(except Unimak Island).
    Kodiak Zone--State Game Management Unit 8.

All Migratory Game Birds in the Virgin Islands

    Ruth Cay Closure Area--The island of Ruth Cay, just south of St. 
Croix.

All Migratory Game Birds in Puerto Rico

    Municipality of Culebra Closure Area--All of the municipality of 
Culebra.
    Desecheo Island Closure Area--All of Desecheo Island.
    Mona Island Closure Area--All of Mona Island.
    El Verde Closure Area--Those areas of the municipalities of Rio 
Grande and Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All lands between Routes 
956 on the west and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the north to the 
juncture of Routes 956 and 186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands 
between Routes 186 and 966 from the juncture of 186 and 966 on the 
north, to the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the south; (3) all 
lands lying west of Route 186 for 1 kilometer from the juncture of 
Routes 186 and 956 south to Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within Km 
14 and Km 6 on the west and the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on 
the east; and (5) all lands within the Caribbean National Forest 
Boundary whether private or public.
    Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas--All of Cidra Municipality 
and portions of Aguas Buenas, Caguas, Cayey, and Comerio Municipalities 
as encompassed within the following boundary: Beginning on Highway 172 
as it leaves the municipality of Cidra on the west edge, north to 
Highway 156, east on Highway 156 to Highway 1, south on Highway 1 to 
Highway 765, south on Highway 765 to Highway 763, south on Highway 763 
to the Rio Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to Highway 1, southwest on 
Highway 1 to Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to Highway 729, north on 
Highway 729 to Cidra Municipality boundary to the point of the 
beginning.
[FR Doc. 2012-21293 Filed 8-29-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P