2013-2014 Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations, 58753-58783 [2013-21804]
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Vol. 78
Tuesday,
No. 185
September 24, 2013
Part IV
Department of the Interior
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Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Parts 25 and 32
2013–2014 Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations;
Proposed Rule
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 24, 2013 / Proposed Rules
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Parts 25 and 32
[Docket No. FWS–HQ–NWRS–2013–0074];
[FXRS12650900000–134–FF09R20000]
RIN 1018–AZ87
2013–2014 Refuge-Specific Hunting
and Sport Fishing Regulations
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service proposes to add 6 national
wildlife refuges (NWRs) to the list of
areas open for hunting and/or sport
fishing, add new hunts at 6 refuges,
increase the hunting activities available
at 20 other refuges, and increase fishing
opportunities at two refuges, along with
pertinent refuge-specific regulations on
other refuges that pertain to migratory
game bird hunting, upland game
hunting, big game hunting, and sport
fishing for the 2013–2014 season.
DATES: We will accept comments
received or postmarked on or before
October 24, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
by one of the following methods:
• Electronically: Go to the Federal
eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Search for Docket
No. FWS–HQ–NWRS–2013–0074,
which is the docket number for this
rulemaking. On the resulting screen,
find the correct document and submit a
comment by clicking on ‘‘Comment
Now!’’
• By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail
or hand delivery: Public Comments
Processing, Attn: FWS–HQ–NWRS–
2013–0074; Division of Policy and
Directives Management; U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service; 4401 N Fairfax Drive,
MS 2042–PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.
We will not accept email or faxes. We
will post all comments on https://
www.regulations.gov. This generally
means that we will post any personal
information you provide us (see the
Request for Comments section below for
more information). For information on
specific refuges’ public use programs
and the conditions that apply to them or
for copies of compatibility
determinations for any refuge(s), contact
individual programs at the addresses/
phone numbers given in ‘‘Available
Information for Specific Refuges’’ under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul
F. Steblein, (703) 358–2678.
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SUMMARY:
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The
National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966 closes
national wildlife refuges in all States
except Alaska to all uses until opened.
The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary)
may open refuge areas to any use,
including hunting and/or sport fishing,
upon a determination that such uses are
compatible with the purposes of the
refuge and National Wildlife Refuge
System mission. The action also must be
in accordance with provisions of all
laws applicable to the areas, developed
in coordination with the appropriate
State fish and wildlife agency(ies),
consistent with the principles of sound
fish and wildlife management and
administration, and otherwise in the
public interest. These requirements
ensure that we maintain the biological
integrity, diversity, and environmental
health of the Refuge System for the
benefit of present and future generations
of Americans.
We annually review refuge hunting
and sport fishing programs to determine
whether to include additional refuges or
whether individual refuge regulations
governing existing programs need
modifications. Changing environmental
conditions, State and Federal
regulations, and other factors affecting
fish and wildlife populations and
habitat may warrant modifications to
refuge-specific regulations to ensure the
continued compatibility of hunting and
sport fishing programs and to ensure
that these programs will not materially
interfere with or detract from the
fulfillment of refuge purposes or the
Refuge System’s mission.
Provisions governing hunting and
sport fishing on refuges are in title 50 of
the Code of Federal Regulations in part
32 (50 CFR part 32). We regulate
hunting and sport fishing on refuges to:
• Ensure compatibility with refuge
purpose(s);
• Properly manage the fish and
wildlife resource(s);
• Protect other refuge values;
• Ensure refuge visitor safety; and
• Provide opportunities for quality
fish- and wildlife-dependent recreation.
On many refuges where we decide to
allow hunting and sport fishing, our
general policy of adopting regulations
identical to State hunting and sport
fishing regulations is adequate in
meeting these objectives. On other
refuges, we must supplement State
regulations with more-restrictive
Federal regulations to ensure that we
meet our management responsibilities,
as outlined in the ‘‘Statutory Authority’’
section. We issue refuge-specific
hunting and sport fishing regulations
when we open wildlife refuges to
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
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migratory game bird hunting, upland
game hunting, big game hunting, or
sport fishing. These regulations list the
wildlife species that you may hunt or
fish, seasons, bag or creel (container for
carrying fish) limits, methods of hunting
or sport fishing, descriptions of areas
open to hunting or sport fishing, and
other provisions as appropriate. You
may find previously issued refugespecific regulations for hunting and
sport fishing in 50 CFR part 32. In this
rulemaking, we are also proposing to
standardize and clarify the language of
existing regulations.
Statutory Authority
The National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C.
668dd–668ee, as amended by the
National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997 [Improvement
Act]) (Administration Act), and the
Refuge Recreation Act of 1962 (16
U.S.C. 460k–460k–4) (Recreation Act)
govern the administration and public
use of refuges.
Amendments enacted by the
Improvement Act, built upon the
Administration Act in a manner that
provides an ‘‘organic act’’ for the Refuge
System, are similar to those that exist
for other public Federal lands. The
Improvement Act serves to ensure that
we effectively manage the Refuge
System as a national network of lands,
waters, and interests for the protection
and conservation of our Nation’s
wildlife resources. The Administration
Act states first and foremost that we
focus our Refuge System mission on
conservation of fish, wildlife, and plant
resources and their habitats. The
Improvement Act requires the Secretary,
before allowing a new use of a refuge,
or before expanding, renewing, or
extending an existing use of a refuge, to
determine that the use is compatible
with the purpose for which the refuge
was established and the mission of the
Refuge System. The Improvement Act
established as the policy of the United
States that wildlife-dependent
recreation, when compatible, is a
legitimate and appropriate public use of
the Refuge System, through which the
American public can develop an
appreciation for fish and wildlife. The
Improvement Act established six
wildlife-dependent recreational uses as
the priority general public uses of the
Refuge System. These uses are: Hunting,
fishing, wildlife observation and
photography, and environmental
education and interpretation.
The Recreation Act authorizes the
Secretary to administer areas within the
Refuge System for public recreation as
an appropriate incidental or secondary
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use only to the extent that doing so is
practicable and not inconsistent with
the primary purpose(s) for which
Congress and the Service established the
areas. The Recreation Act requires that
any recreational use of refuge lands be
compatible with the primary purpose(s)
for which we established the refuge and
not inconsistent with other previously
authorized operations.
The Administration Act and
Recreation Act also authorize the
Secretary to issue regulations to carry
out the purposes of the Acts and
regulate uses.
We develop specific management
plans for each refuge prior to opening it
to hunting or sport fishing. In many
cases, we develop refuge-specific
regulations to ensure the compatibility
of the programs with the purpose(s) for
which we established the refuge and the
Refuge System mission. We ensure
initial compliance with the
Administration Act and the Recreation
Act for hunting and sport fishing on
newly acquired refuges through an
interim determination of compatibility
made at or near the time of acquisition.
These regulations ensure that we make
the determinations required by these
acts prior to adding refuges to the lists
of areas open to hunting and sport
fishing in 50 CFR part 32. We ensure
continued compliance by the
development of comprehensive
conservation plans, specific plans, and
by annual review of hunting and sport
fishing programs and regulations.
Amendments to Existing Regulations
This document proposes to codify in
the Code of Federal Regulations all of
the Service’s hunting and/or sport
fishing regulations that are applicable at
Refuge System units previously opened
58755
to hunting and/or sport fishing. We are
doing this to better inform the general
public of the regulations at each refuge,
to increase understanding and
compliance with these regulations, and
to make enforcement of these
regulations more efficient. In addition to
now finding these regulations in 50 CFR
part 32, visitors to our refuges will
usually find them reiterated in literature
distributed by each refuge or posted on
signs.
We cross-reference a number of
existing regulations in 50 CFR parts 26,
27, 28, and 32 to assist hunting and
sport fishing visitors with
understanding safety and other legal
requirements on refuges. This
redundancy is deliberate, with the
intention of improving safety and
compliance in our hunting and sport
fishing programs.
TABLE 1—CHANGES FOR 2013–2014 HUNTING/FISHING SEASON
State
Migratory bird
hunting
Upland game
hunting
Big game
hunting
Aransas NWR (2) ..............................................
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR (4) ........
Balcones Canyonlands NWR (2) ......................
Bandon Marsh NWR (1) ....................................
Baskett Slough NWR (1) ...................................
Cherry Valley NWR (5) .....................................
Cokeville Meadows NWR (6) ............................
Colusa NWR (8) ................................................
Cypress Creek NWR (3) ...................................
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge For the Columbian
White-Tailed Deer (1).
Kootenai NWR (1) .............................................
Malheur NWR (1) ..............................................
Middle Mississippi River NWR (3) ....................
Mingo NWR (3) .................................................
Neal Smith NWR (3) .........................................
Nestucca Bay NWR (1) .....................................
Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR (3) ..................
Patoka River NWR and Management Area (3)
Port Louisa NWR (3) .........................................
Rachel Carson NWR (5) ...................................
St. Marks NWR (4) ............................................
San Andres NWR (2) ........................................
Shawangunk Grasslands NWR (5) ...................
Siletz Bay NWR (1) ...........................................
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (5).
Willapa NWR (1) ...............................................
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Refuge/region (*)
Texas ..........................
Florida .........................
Texas ..........................
Oregon ........................
Oregon ........................
Pennsylvania ...............
Wyoming .....................
California .....................
Illinois ..........................
Oregon and Washington.
Idaho ...........................
Oregon ........................
Illinois ..........................
Missouri .......................
Iowa .............................
Oregon ........................
Iowa .............................
Indiana ........................
Iowa .............................
Maine ..........................
Florida .........................
New Mexico ................
New York ....................
Oregon ........................
Vermont .......................
B .....................
Already open ..
C .....................
C .....................
A .....................
A .....................
A .....................
C .....................
C .....................
C .....................
closed .............
closed .............
C .....................
closed .............
closed .............
A .....................
A .....................
C .....................
C .....................
closed .............
Already open ..
B .....................
C .....................
closed .............
closed .............
A .....................
A .....................
closed .............
C .....................
Already open ..
Already
Already
closed.
Already
closed.
closed.
closed.
closed.
Already
Already
Already open ..
C .....................
C .....................
C .....................
C/D .................
A .....................
C/D .................
C .....................
C .....................
C .....................
C .....................
closed .............
closed .............
A .....................
C .....................
D .....................
Already open ..
C .....................
C/D .................
C/D .................
closed .............
C/D .................
C .....................
C .....................
C/D .................
C .....................
closed .............
closed .............
closed .............
C .....................
Already open ..
Already open ..
C .....................
C .....................
C/D .................
closed .............
C/D .................
C .....................
C .....................
C/D .................
C .....................
D .....................
A .....................
closed .............
C .....................
Already
C.
Already
Already
closed.
closed.
closed.
Already
C.
Already
Already
closed.
closed.
closed.
closed.
Washington .................
C .....................
Already open ..
C .....................
Already open.
Sport fishing
open.
open.
open.
open.
open.
open.
open.
open.
open.
open.
open.
Key:
* number in ( ) refers to the Region as explained in the preamble to this proposed rule for additional information regarding refuge specific regulations.
A = New Refuge opened.
B = New activity on a refuge previously open to other activities.
C = Refuge already open to activity, but added new lands/waters or modified areas open to hunting or fishing.
D = Refuge already open to activity but added new species to hunt.
The changes for the 2013–14 hunting/
fishing season noted in the chart above
are each based on a complete
administrative record which, among
other detailed documentation, also
includes a hunt plan, a compatibility
determination, and the appropriate
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National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) analysis,
all of which were the subject of a public
review and comment process. These
documents are available upon request.
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Fish Advisory
For health reasons, anglers should
review and follow State-issued
consumption advisories before enjoying
recreational sport fishing opportunities
on Service-managed waters. You can
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find information about current fish
consumption advisories on the Internet
at: https://www.epa.gov/waterscience/
fish/.
Plain Language Mandate
In this proposed rule, we propose
some of the revisions to the individual
refuge units to comply with a
Presidential mandate to use plain
language in regulations; as such, these
particular revisions do not modify the
substance of the previous regulations.
These types of changes include using
‘‘you’’ to refer to the reader and ‘‘we’’
to refer to the Refuge System, using the
word ‘‘allow’’ instead of ‘‘permit’’ when
we do not require the use of a permit for
an activity, and using active voice (i.e.,
‘‘We restrict entry into the refuge’’ vs.
‘‘Entry into the refuge is restricted’’).
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Request for Comments
You may submit comment and
materials on this proposed rule by any
one of the methods listed in the
ADDRESSES section. We will not accept
comments sent by email or fax or to an
address not listed in the ADDRESSES
section. We will not consider handdelivered comments that we do not
receive, or mailed comments that are
not postmarked, by the date specified in
the DATES section.
We will post your entire comment on
https://www.regulations.gov. Before
including personal identifying
information in your comment, you
should be aware that we may make your
entire comment—including your
personal identifying information—
publicly available at any time. While
you can ask us in your comment to
withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so. We will post all hardcopy
comments on https://
www.regulations.gov.
Public Comment
Department of the Interior policy is,
whenever practicable, to afford the
public a meaningful opportunity to
participate in the rulemaking process.
The process of opening refuges is done
in stages, with the fundamental work
being performed on the ground at the
refuge and in the community where the
program is administered. In these stages,
the public is given other opportunities
to comment, for example, on the
comprehensive conservation plans and
the compatibility determinations. The
second stage is this document, when we
publish the proposed rule in the Federal
Register for additional comment,
commonly for a 30-day comment
period.
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There is nothing contained in this
annual regulation outside the scope of
the annual review process where we
determine whether individual refuges
need modifications, deletions, or
additions made to them. We make every
attempt to collect all of the proposals
from the refuges nationwide and process
them expeditiously to maximize the
time available for public review. We
believe that a 30-day comment period,
through the broader publication
following the earlier public
involvement, gives the public sufficient
time to comment and allows us to
establish hunting and fishing programs
in time for the upcoming seasons. Many
of these rules also relieve restrictions
and allow the public to participate in
recreational activities on a number of
refuges. In addition, in order to continue
to provide for previously authorized
hunting opportunities while at the same
time providing for adequate resource
protection, we must be timely in
providing modifications to certain
hunting programs on some refuges.
We considered providing a 60-day,
rather than a 30-day, comment period.
However, we determined that an
additional 30-day delay in processing
these refuge-specific hunting and sport
fishing regulations would hinder the
effective planning and administration of
our hunting and sport fishing programs.
Such a delay would jeopardize enacting
amendments to hunting and sport
fishing programs in time for
implementation this year and/or early
next year, or shorten the duration of
these programs.
Even after issuance of a final rule, we
accept comments, suggestions, and
concerns for consideration for any
appropriate subsequent rulemaking.
When finalized, we will incorporate
these regulations into 50 CFR part 32.
Part 32 contains general provisions and
refuge-specific regulations for hunting
and sport fishing on refuges.
Clarity of This Rule
We are required by Executive Orders
12866 and 12988 and by the
Presidential Memorandum of June 1,
1998, to write all rules in plain
language. This means that each rule we
publish must:
(a) Be logically organized;
(b) Use the active voice to address
readers directly;
(c) Use clear language rather than
jargon;
(d) Be divided into short sections and
sentences; and
(e) Use lists and tables wherever
possible.
If you feel that we have not met these
requirements, send us comments by one
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of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES
section. To better help us revise the
rule; your comments should be a
specific as possible. For example, you
should tell us the numbers of the
sections or paragraphs that are unclearly
written, which sections or sentences are
too long, the sections where you feel
lists or tables would be useful, etc.
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. OIRA has determined that this
rule is not significant.
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.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
(as amended by the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
[SBREFA] of 1996) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.),
whenever a Federal agency is required
to publish a notice of rulemaking for
any proposed or final rule, it must
prepare and make available for public
comment a regulatory flexibility
analysis that describes the effect of the
rule on small entities (i.e., small
businesses, small organizations, and
small government jurisdictions).
However, no regulatory flexibility
analysis is required if the head of an
agency certifies that the rule would not
have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities.
Thus, for a regulatory flexibility analysis
to be required, impacts must exceed a
threshold for ‘‘significant impact’’ and a
threshold for a ‘‘substantial number of
small entities.’’ See 5 U.S.C. 605(b).
SBREFA amended the Regulatory
Flexibility Act to require Federal
agencies to provide a statement of the
factual basis for certifying that a rule
would not have a significant economic
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impact on a substantial number of small
entities.
This proposed rule adds 6 national
wildlife refuges to the list of refuges
open to hunting, increases hunting
activities on 20 additional national
wildlife refuges, and increases fishing
activities at 2 refuges. As a result, visitor
use for wildlife-dependent recreation on
these national wildlife refuges will
change. If the refuges establishing new
programs were a pure addition to the
current supply of such activities, it
would mean an estimated increase of
19,425 user days (one person per day
participating in a recreational
opportunity) (Table 2). Because the
58757
participation trend is flat in these
activities since 1991, this increase in
supply will most likely be offset by
other sites losing participants.
Therefore, this is likely to be a
substitute site for the activity and not
necessarily an increase in participation
rates for the activity.
TABLE 2—ESTIMATED CHANGE IN RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES IN 2013/2014
[dollars in thousands]
Additional
days
Refuge
Additional
expenditures
2,600
11
93
108
140
315
500
165
0
0
0
95
11,835
1,500
25
120
10
26
0
0
30
4
43
100
875
830
121.1
0.5
4.3
5.0
6.5
14.7
23.3
7.7
........................
........................
........................
4.4
551.2
69.9
1.2
5.6
0.5
1.2
........................
........................
1.4
0.2
2.0
4.66
40.8
38.7
TOTAL ..............................................................................................................................................................
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Aransas NWR ..........................................................................................................................................................
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR ....................................................................................................................
Balcones Canyonlands NWR ..................................................................................................................................
Bandon Marsh NWR ................................................................................................................................................
Baskett Slough NWR ...............................................................................................................................................
Cherry Valley NWR .................................................................................................................................................
Cokeville Meadows NWR ........................................................................................................................................
Colusa NWR ............................................................................................................................................................
Cypress Creek NWR ...............................................................................................................................................
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge For the Columbian White-Tailed Deer .......................................................................
Kootenai NWR .........................................................................................................................................................
Malheur NWR ..........................................................................................................................................................
Middle Mississippi River NWR ................................................................................................................................
Mingo NWR .............................................................................................................................................................
Neal Smith NWR .....................................................................................................................................................
Nestucca Bay NWR .................................................................................................................................................
Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR ..............................................................................................................................
Patoka River NWR and Management Area ............................................................................................................
Port Louisa NWR .....................................................................................................................................................
Rachel Carson NWR ...............................................................................................................................................
St. Marks NWR ........................................................................................................................................................
San Andres NWR ....................................................................................................................................................
Shawangunk Grasslands NWR ...............................................................................................................................
Siletz Bay NWR .......................................................................................................................................................
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge .................................................................................................
Willapa NWR ...........................................................................................................................................................
19,425
904.8
To the extent visitors spend time and
money in the area of the refuge that they
would not have spent there anyway,
they contribute new income to the
regional economy and benefit local
businesses. Due to the unavailability of
site-specific expenditure data, we use
the national estimates from the 2011
National Survey of Fishing, Hunting,
and Wildlife Associated Recreation to
identify expenditures for food and
lodging, transportation, and other
incidental expenses. Using the average
expenditures for these categories with
the maximum expected additional
participation of the Refuge System
yields approximately $904,800 in
recreation-related expenditures (Table
2). By having ripple effects throughout
the economy, these direct expenditures
are only part of the economic impact of
these recreational activities. Using a
national impact multiplier for hunting
activities (2.27) derived from the report
‘‘Hunting in America: An Economic
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Force for Conservation’’ yields a total
economic impact of approximately $2.1
million (2012 dollars) (Southwick
Associates, Inc., 2012). Using a local
impact multiplier would yield more
accurate and smaller results. However,
we employed the national impact
multiplier due to the difficulty in
developing local multipliers for each
specific region.
Since we know that most of the
fishing and hunting occurs within 100
miles of a participant’s residence, then
it is unlikely that most of this spending
would be ‘‘new’’ money coming into a
local economy; therefore, this spending
would be offset with a decrease in some
other sector of the local economy. The
net gain to the local economies would
be no more than $2.1 million, and most
likely considerably less. Since 80
percent of the participants travel less
than 100 miles to engage in hunting and
fishing activities, their spending
patterns would not add new money into
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the local economy and, therefore, the
real impact would be on the order of
about $411,000 annually.
Small businesses within the retail
trade industry (such as hotels, gas
stations, taxidermy shops, bait and
tackle shops, and similar businesses)
may be impacted from some increased
or decreased refuge visitation. A large
percentage of these retail trade
establishments in the local communities
around national wildlife refuges qualify
as small businesses (Table 3). We expect
that the incremental recreational
changes will be scattered, and so we do
not expect that the rule will have a
significant economic effect on a
substantial number of small entities in
any region or nationally. As noted
previously, we expect approximately
$411,000 to be spent in total in the
refuges’ local economies. The maximum
increase at most would be less than onetenth of 1 percent for local retail trade
spending (Table 3).
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TABLE 3—COMPARATIVE EXPENDITURES FOR RETAIL TRADE ASSOCIATED WITH ADDITIONAL REFUGE VISITATION FOR
2013/2014
[thousands, 2012 dollars]
Retail trade
in 2007
Refuge/county(ies)
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Aransas NWR:
Calhoun, TX ..................................................................
Aransas, TX ..................................................................
Arthur R Marshall Loxahatchee NWR: Palm Beach, FL .....
Balcones Canyonlands NWR:
Burnet, TX .....................................................................
Travis, TX .....................................................................
Williamson, TX ..............................................................
Bandon Marsh NWR: Coos, OR ..........................................
Baskett Slough NWR: Polk, OR ..........................................
Cherry Valley NWR:
Monroe, PA ...................................................................
Northampton, PA ..........................................................
Cokeville Meadows NWR: Lincoln, WY ...............................
Colusa NWR: Colusa, CA ....................................................
Malheur NWR: Harney, OR .................................................
Middle Mississippi River NWR:
Randolph, IL .................................................................
Jackson, IL ....................................................................
Jefferson, IN .................................................................
Monroe, IL .....................................................................
Mingo NWR:
Stoddard, MO ...............................................................
Wayne, MO ...................................................................
Neal Smith NWR: Jasper, IA ...............................................
Nestucca Bay NWR: Tillamook, OR ....................................
Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR: Jasper, IA .......................
Patoka River NWR:
Gibson, IN .....................................................................
Pike, IN .........................................................................
St. Marks NWR:
Wakulla, FL ...................................................................
Jefferson, FL .................................................................
Taylor, FL ......................................................................
San Andres NWR: Dona Ana, NM ......................................
Shawangunk Grasslands NWR: Ulster, NY ........................
Siletz Bay NWR: Lincoln, OR ..............................................
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge:
Essex, VT .....................................................................
Windham, VT ................................................................
Willapa NWR: Pacific, WA ...................................................
With the small change in overall
spending anticipated from this proposed
rule, it is unlikely that a substantial
number of small entities will have more
than a small impact from the spending
change near the affected refuges.
Therefore, we certify that this proposed
rule will not have a significant
economic effect on a substantial number
of small entities as defined under the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601
et seq.). An initial/final regulatory
flexibility analysis is not required.
Accordingly, a small entity compliance
guide is not required.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act
The proposed rule is not a major rule
under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small
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20:10 Sep 23, 2013
Jkt 229001
Estimated
maximum
addition
from new
activities
Frm 00006
Establishments in 2011
Establ. with
<10 emp in
2011
$356,827
267,465
21,395,255
$60.6
60.6
0.5
0.017
0.023
<0.001
61
70
5,256
43
53
3,961
708,176
15,369,020
10,982,412
792,881
415,314
1.4
1.4
1.4
5.0
6.5
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
0.001
0.002
176
3,454
1,237
268
135
146
2,398
812
191
102
2,231,111
3,770,434
245,506
230,924
96,975
7.3
7.3
23.3
7.7
4.4
<0.001
<0.001
0.009
0.003
0.005
631
876
79
60
28
422
608
62
40
20
367,968
757,506
628,548
449,266
137.8
137.8
137.8
137.8
0.037
0.018
0.022
0.031
105
225
182
95
68
141
132
65
482,886
72,844
303,361
249,040
303,361
34.9
34.9
1
5.6
0.5
0.007
0.048
<0.001
0.002
<0.001
120
37
116
107
116
84
29
80
89
80
490,105
61,937
1.2
1.2
<0.001
0.002
122
31
84
22
185,694
98,234
229,296
2,132,201
2,481,614
619,646
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.2
2.0
4.66
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
0.001
59
47
96
510
733
310
46
35
75
341
548
247
16,644
731,645
126,764
20.4
20.4
38.7
0.122
0.003
0.030
20
289
87
16
217
77
Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act. We anticipate no
significant employment or small
business effects. This rule:
a. Would not have an annual effect on
the economy of $100 million or more.
The minimal impact would be scattered
across the country and would most
likely not be significant in any local
area.
b. Would not cause a major increase
in costs or prices for consumers;
individual industries; Federal, State, or
local government agencies; or
geographic regions. This proposed rule
would have only a slight effect on the
costs of hunting opportunities for
Americans. If the substitute sites are
farther from the participants’ residences,
then an increase in travel costs would
PO 00000
Addition as
% of total
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
occur. The Service does not have
information to quantify this change in
travel cost but assumes that, since most
people travel less than 100 miles to
hunt, the increased travel cost would be
small. We do not expect this proposed
rule to affect the supply or demand for
hunting opportunities in the United
States and, therefore, it should not affect
prices for hunting equipment and
supplies, or the retailers that sell
equipment.
c. Would not have significant adverse
effects on competition, employment,
investment, productivity, innovation, or
the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to
compete with foreign-based enterprises.
This proposed rule represents only a
small proportion of recreational
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spending at national wildlife refuges.
Therefore, this rule would have no
measurable economic effect on the
wildlife-dependent industry, which has
annual sales of equipment and travel
expenditures of $72 billion nationwide.
12866, and we do not expect it to
significantly affect energy supplies,
distribution, and use. Therefore, this
action is a not a significant energy
action and no Statement of Energy
Effects is required.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Since this proposed rule would apply
to public use of federally owned and
managed refuges, it would not impose
an unfunded mandate on State, local, or
Tribal governments or the private sector
of more than $100 million per year. The
rule would not have a significant or
unique effect on State, local, or Tribal
governments or the private sector. A
statement containing the information
required by the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not
required.
Consultation and Coordination With
Indian Tribal Governments (E.O.
13175)
In accordance with E.O. 13175, we
have evaluated possible effects on
federally recognized Indian tribes and
have determined that there are no
effects. We coordinate recreational use
on national wildlife refuges with Tribal
governments having adjoining or
overlapping jurisdiction before we
propose the regulations.
Takings (E.O. 12630)
In accordance with E.O. 12630, this
proposed rule would not have
significant takings implications. This
regulation would affect only visitors at
national wildlife refuges and describe
what they can do while they are on a
refuge.
Federalism (E.O. 13132)
As discussed in the Regulatory
Planning and Review and Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act sections above,
this proposed rule would not have
sufficient federalism summary impact
statement implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment
under E.O. 13132. In preparing this
proposed rule, we worked with State
governments.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)
In accordance with E.O. 12988, the
Office of the Solicitor has determined
that the proposed rule would not
unduly burden the judicial system and
that it meets the requirements of
sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of the Order.
The regulation would clarify established
regulations and result in better
understanding of the regulations by
refuge visitors.
Energy Supply, Distribution or Use
(E.O. 13211)
On May 18, 2001, the President issued
E.O. 13211 on regulations that
significantly affect energy supply,
distribution, and use. E.O. 13211
requires agencies to prepare Statements
of Energy Effects when undertaking
certain actions. Because this proposed
rule would increase activities at 21
other refuges, at add new hunts at five
refuges and increase fishing
opportunities at two refuges, it is not a
significant regulatory action under E.O.
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20:10 Sep 23, 2013
Jkt 229001
Paperwork Reduction Act
This regulation does not contain any
information collection requirements
other than those already approved by
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction
Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) (OMB
Control Numbers are 1018–0102 and
1018–0140). In this proposed rule, we
propose to revise 50 CFR 25.23 to
provide correct information concerning
OMB approval for the collections of
information contained in subchapter C
of title 50 of the Code of Federal
Regulations. An 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.
Endangered Species Act Section 7
Consultation
We comply with section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), when
developing comprehensive conservation
plans (CCPs) and step-down
management plans (which would
include hunting and/or fishing plans)
for public use of refuges, and prior to
implementing any new or revised public
recreation program on a refuge as
identified in 50 CFR 26.32. We have
completed section 7 consultation on
each of the affected refuges.
National Environmental Policy Act
We analyzed this proposed rule in
accordance with the criteria of the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4332(C)), 43
CFR part 46, and 516 Departmental
Manual (DM) 8.
A categorical exclusion from NEPA
documentation applies to publication of
proposed amendments to refuge-specific
hunting and fishing regulations since
they are technical and procedural in
nature, and the environmental effects
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
58759
are too broad, speculative, or conjectural
to lend themselves to meaningful
analysis (43 CFR 46.210 and 516 DM 8).
Concerning the actions that are the
subject of this proposed rulemaking, we
have complied with NEPA at the project
level when developing each proposal.
This is consistent with the Department
of the Interior instructions for
compliance with NEPA where actions
are covered sufficiently by an earlier
environmental document (43 CFR
46.120).
Prior to the addition of a refuge to the
list of areas open to hunting and fishing
in 50 CFR part 32, we develop hunting
and fishing plans for the affected
refuges. We incorporate these proposed
refuge hunting and fishing activities in
the refuge CCPs and/or other step-down
management plans, pursuant to our
refuge planning guidance in 602 Fish
and Wildlife Service Manual (FW) 1, 3,
and 4. We prepare these CCPs and stepdown plans in compliance with section
102(2)(C) of NEPA, and the Council on
Environmental Quality’s regulations for
implementing NEPA in 40 CFR parts
1500–1508. We invite the affected
public to participate in the review,
development, and implementation of
these plans. Copies of all plans and
NEPA compliance are available from the
refuges at the addresses provided below.
Available Information for Specific
Refuges
Individual refuge headquarters have
information about public use programs
and conditions that apply to their
specific programs and maps of their
respective areas. To find out how to
contact a specific refuge, contact the
appropriate Regional office listed below:
Region 1—Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, and
Washington. Regional Chief, National
Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Eastside Federal
Complex, Suite 1692, 911 NE. 11th
Avenue, Portland, OR 97232–4181;
Telephone (503) 231–6214.
Region 2—Arizona, New Mexico,
Oklahoma, and Texas. Regional Chief,
National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Box 1306,
500 Gold Avenue, Albuquerque, NM
87103; Telephone (505) 248–7419.
Region 3—Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio,
and Wisconsin. Regional Chief,
National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, 1 Federal
Drive, Federal Building, Fort Snelling,
Twin Cities, MN 55111; Telephone
(612) 713–5401.
Detroit River International Wildlife
Refuge, 9311 Groh Road, Large Lakes
Research Station, Grosse Ile, MI
43138; Telephone (734) 692–7608.
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 24, 2013 / Proposed Rules
Region 4—Alabama, Arkansas, Florida,
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and
the Virgin Islands. Regional Chief,
National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875
Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA
30345; Telephone (404) 679–7166.
Region 5—Connecticut, Delaware,
District of Columbia, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia. Regional
Chief, National Wildlife Refuge
System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 300 Westgate Center Drive,
Hadley, MA 01035–9589; Telephone
(413) 253–8306.
Region 6—Colorado, Kansas, Montana,
Nebraska, North Dakota, South
Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Regional
Chief, National Wildlife Refuge
System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 134 Union Blvd., Lakewood,
CO 80228; Telephone (303) 236–8145.
Region 7—Alaska. Regional Chief,
National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E.
Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK 99503;
Telephone (907) 786–3545.
Region 8—California and Nevada.
Regional Chief, National Wildlife
Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 2800 Cottage Way, Room W–
2606, Sacramento, CA 95825;
Telephone (916) 414–6464.
Primary Author
Paul Steblein, Division of
Conservation Planning and Policy,
National Wildlife Refuge System is the
primary author of this rulemaking
document.
List of Subjects
50 CFR Part 25
Administrative practice and
procedure, Concessions, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Safety,
Wildlife refuges.
50 CFR Part 32
Fishing, Hunting, Reporting, and
recordkeeping requirements, Wildlife,
Wildlife refuges.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Proposed Regulation Promulgation
For the reasons set forth in the
preamble, we propose to amend title 50,
chapter I, subchapter C of the Code of
Federal Regulations as follows:
PART 25—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 25
continues to read as follows:
■
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20:10 Sep 23, 2013
Jkt 229001
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 460k,
664, 668dd, and 715i, 3901 et seq.; and Pub.
L. 102–402, 106 Stat. 1961.
■
2. Revise § 25.23 to read as follows:
§ 25.23 What are the general regulations
and information collection requirements?
The Office of Management and Budget
has approved the information collection
requirements contained in subchapter C,
parts 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 36
under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. and
assigned the following control numbers:
1018–0102 for National Wildlife Refuge
Special Use Permit Applications and
Reports; 1018–0140 for Hunting and
Fishing Application Forms and Activity
Reports for National Wildlife Refuges;
and 1018–0153 for National Wildlife
Refuge Visitor Check-In Permit and Use
Report. We collect information to assist
us in administering our programs in
accordance with statutory authorities
that require that recreational or other
uses be compatible with the primary
purposes for which the areas were
established. Send comments on any
aspect of these forms or the information
collection requirements to the
Information Collection Clearance
Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
MS 2042–PDM, Washington, DC 20240.
PART 32—[AMENDED]
3. The authority citation for part 32
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 460k,
664, 668dd–668ee, and 715i.
4. Amend § 32.7 ‘‘What refuge units
are open to hunting and/or sport
fishing?’’ by:
■ a. Adding an entry for ‘‘Silvio O.
Conte National Fish and Wildlife
Refuge’’ and placing it in alphabetical
order in the State of Connecticut;
■ b. Adding an entry for ‘‘Silvio O.
Conte National Fish and Wildlife
Refuge’’ and placing it in alphabetical
order in the State of Massachusetts;
■ c. Adding an entry for ‘‘Shawangunk
Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge’’
and placing it in alphabetical order in
the State of New York;
■ d. Adding an entry for ‘‘Baskett
Slough National Wildlife Refuge’’ and
placing it in alphabetical order in the
State of Oregon;
■ e. Adding an entry for ‘‘Nestucca Bay
National Wildlife Refuge’’ and placing it
in alphabetical order in the State of
Oregon;
■ f. Adding an entry for ‘‘Siletz Bay
National Wildlife Refuge’’ and placing it
in alphabetical order in the State of
Oregon;
■ g. Adding an entry for ‘‘Cherry Valley
National Wildlife Refuge’’ and placing it
in alphabetical order in the State of
Pennsylvania;
■
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
h. Adding an entry for ‘‘Silvio O.
Conte National Fish and Wildlife
Refuge’’ and placing it in alphabetical
order in the State of Vermont; and
■ i. Adding an entry for ‘‘Cokeville
Meadows National Wildlife Refuge’’ and
placing it in alphabetical order in the
State of Wyoming.
■ 5. Amend § 32.20 Alabama by:
■ a. Revising paragraphs B.1, B.2, B.3,
B.4, B.5, B.6, B.7, C.1, C.3, C.4, C.5, and
D.1; adding paragraphs B.8 and B.9; and
removing paragraphs C.6, C.7, C.8, and
D.2 under Cahaba River National
Wildlife Refuge.
■ b. Revising paragraphs B.5, B.6, B.8,
B.9, B.10, C.1, C.2, C.3, C.4, D.1, D.2,
and D.8 and adding paragraph C.6 under
Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge.
■ c. Revising paragraphs B.1, B.4, and
C.1 under Eufaula National Wildlife
Refuge.
■ d. Revising paragraphs A.1, A.4, A.5,
and B.1 and adding paragraphs A.6, A.7,
and B.3 under Key Cave National
Wildlife Refuge.
■ e. Revising paragraphs A.1, A.2, A.3,
A.4, B.1, B.2, B.3, C.1, and C.4 and
adding paragraphs A.5, A.6, A.7, B.4,
and B.5 under Mountain Longleaf
National Wildlife Refuge.
■ f. Revising paragraph B under Sauta
Cave National Wildlife Refuge.
■ g. . Revising paragraphs B.1, B.2, B.4,
B.7, B.10, C.1, C.2, C.3, C.4, C.5, and
C.7; removing paragraphs C.8 and C.9;
and adding paragraphs B.11, B.12, and
B.13 under Wheeler National Wildlife
Refuge.
These revisions and additions read as
follows:
■
§ 32.20
*
Alabama.
*
*
*
*
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. We require hunters to hunt in
accordance with Alabama Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources’
William R. Ireland, Sr.—Cahaba River
Wildlife Management Area hunting
permit conditions.
2. We require hunters to possess and
carry a current and signed Alabama
Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources’ William R. Ireland, Sr.—
Cahaba River Wildlife Management
Area hunting permit when hunting on
the refuge.
3. All youth hunters under age 16
must be supervised by a licensed and
permitted adult 21 years of age or older,
and must remain with the adult while
hunting. One adult may supervise no
more than two youth hunters.
4. We prohibit the use of horses,
mules, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
on the refuge.
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5. Hunters may hunt with shotguns
using only nontoxic #4 shot or smaller
(see § 32.2(k)), rifles and handguns
using rim-fire ammunition only, or
archery equipment that complies with
State and Federal regulations.
6. We prohibit hunting or discharging
firearms (including muzzle loaders)
from within 50 yards (45 meters) of
River Trace Road.
7. Hunting dogs may be used to hunt
upland game and must be controlled by
the owner/handler at all times (see
§ 26.21(b) of this chapter).
8. Hunters may only hunt designated
game species during specified days,
which are published within the Cahaba
River National Wildlife Refuge Hunting
dates portion of the permit.
9. Hunters must remove tree stands,
blinds, or other personal property from
the refuge each day (see § 27.93 of this
chapter).
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions B1, B2, B4, B6, and B8
through B10 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
3. We allow hunters to hunt from tree
stands in accordance with 50 CFR
32.2(i). Hunters must use a body safety
harness at all times while hunting from
a tree.
4. All youth hunters under age 16
must be supervised by a properly
licensed and permitted adult 21 years of
age or older, and must remain with the
adult while hunting. One adult may
supervise no more than one youth
hunter.
5. Hunters may not hunt by aid of or
participate in drives to take deer or feral
hogs.
D. Sport Fishing. * * *
1. Condition B4 applies.
Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
5. All persons 15 years of age or
younger, while hunting on the refuge,
must be in the presence and under
direct supervision of a licensed or
exempt hunter at least 21 years of age.
A licensed hunter supervising a youth
as provided in this section must hold a
valid State license for the species being
hunted. One adult may supervise no
more than one youth hunter.
6. The refuge is open every day from
1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after
sunset, except authorized uses. Personal
property must be removed from the
refuge daily (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
*
*
*
*
*
8. Persons possessing, transporting, or
carrying firearms on the refuge must
comply with all provisions of State and
VerDate Mar<15>2010
20:10 Sep 23, 2013
Jkt 229001
local law. Persons may only use
(discharge) firearms in accordance with
refuge regulations (see § 27.42 of this
chapter and specific refuge regulations
in part 32). Persons may only use
approved nontoxic shot in shotgun
shells (see § 32.2(k)), .22 caliber rimfire
or smaller rifles, or legal archery
equipment according to State
regulations. We prohibit magnum
ammunition.
9. We prohibit equestrian use and all
forms of motorized off-road vehicles.
10. We allow hunting of designated
species with dogs during designated
hunts.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions B1 through B9 and B11
apply.
2. We allow hunters to hunt from tree
stands in accordance with 50 CFR
32.2(i). While climbing a tree, installing
a tree stand that uses climbing aids, or
while hunting from a tree stand on the
refuge, hunters must use a fall-arrest
system (full body harness) that is
manufactured to Treestand
Manufactures Associations standards.
3. We prohibit damaging trees or
hunting from a tree that contains an
inserted metal object (see § 32.2(i)).
Personal property must be removed
from the refuge each day except for one
portable stand (including tripods and
ground blinds) (see § 27.93 of this
chapter). The stand is required to be
tagged with the hunter’s name, address,
and phone number permanently and
legibly written on or attached to the
stand. Stands left on the area do not
reserve hunting locations. Portable
stands may not be installed on the area
prior to 7 days before deer season opens,
nor left longer than 7 days after deer
season closes. Stands not in compliance
with these regulations may be
confiscated and disposed of by the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service.
4. Hunters may not hunt by aid of or
harassment of game for purposes of take
of deer or feral hogs.
*
*
*
*
*
6. Hunter orange is required according
to State regulations during gun deer
season in Choctaw County, AL. We
recommend all user groups wear hunter
orange during hunting seasons.
D. Sport Fishing. * * *
1. We allow fishing year-round,
except in the waterfowl sanctuary,
which is closed from November 15
through March 1.
2. Conditions B2 and B6 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
8. We prohibit fishing tournaments on
all refuge waters.
Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge
*
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*
*
Frm 00009
*
Fmt 4701
*
Sfmt 4702
58761
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A1, A2, A3, and A7
through A15 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
4. We only allow shotguns as the
means of take for upland game hunting.
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A1, A7 through A15,
and B5 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
1. We require hunters to possess and
carry a current and signed Key Cave
National Wildlife Refuge permit, which
is included with the Alabama
Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources’ Seven Mile Island Wildlife
Management Area hunting permit when
hunting on the refuge.
*
*
*
*
*
4. All youth hunters under age 16
must be supervised by a licensed and
permitted adult 21 years of age or older,
and must remain with the adult while
hunting. One adult may supervise no
more than two youth hunters.
5. We allow hunters to use hunting
dogs to hunt migratory game birds and
upland game. The dogs must be
controlled by the owner/handler at all
times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
6. Hunters may only hunt designated
game species during specified days,
which are published within the Key
Cave National Wildlife Refuge Hunting
Dates portion of the permit.
7. We prohibit the use of horses,
mules or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on
all refuge hunts.
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A1 and A3 through A7
apply.
*
*
*
*
*
3. Hunters may hunt with shotguns
using only nontoxic #4 shot or smaller
(see § 32.2(k)), rifles and handguns
using rim-fire ammunition only, or
archery equipment that complies with
State regulations. Possession of lead
shot shells for hunting is prohibited.
*
*
*
*
*
Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife
Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
1. We require hunters to hunt in
accordance with Alabama Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources’
Choccolocco Wildlife Management Area
hunting permit conditions.
2. We require hunters to possess and
carry a current and signed Alabama
Department of Conservation and Natural
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Resources’ Choccolocco Wildlife
Management Area hunting permit when
hunting on the refuge.
3. All youth hunters under age 16
must be supervised by a properly
licensed and permitted adult 21 years of
age or older, and must remain with the
adult while hunting. One adult may
supervise no more than two youth
hunters.
4. We prohibit the use of horses,
mules and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on
the refuge.
5. Hunters may only hunt designated
game species during specified days,
which are published within the
Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife
Refuge Hunting Dates portion of the
permit.
6. Hunters must remove tree stands,
blinds, or other personal property from
the refuge each day (see § 27.93 of this
chapter).
7. Hunters may hunt with shotguns
using only nontoxic #4 shot or smaller
(see § 32.2(k)). Possession of lead shot
shells for hunting is prohibited.
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A1 through A7 apply.
2. Hunters may hunt during daylight
hours only.
3. We allow hunters to hunt from tree
stands in accordance with 50 CFR
32.2(i). Hunters must use a body safety
harness at all times while hunting from
a tree.
4. Hunting dogs may be used to hunt
quail, squirrel, and rabbit and must be
controlled by the owner/handler at all
times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
5. Possession of lead shot shells for
hunting is prohibited.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A1, A2, and A4 through
A7 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
4. All youth hunters under age 16
must be supervised by a licensed and
permitted adult 21 years of age or older,
and must remain with the adult while
hunting. One adult may supervise no
more than one youth hunter.
*
*
*
*
*
Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
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*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of quail, squirrel, rabbit,
raccoon, and opossum on designated
area of the refuge in accordance with
Federal and State regulations subject to
the following conditions:
1. We require hunters to hunt in
accordance with Alabama Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources’
North Sauta refuge hunting permit.
2. We require hunters to possess and
carry a current and signed Sauta Cave
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National Wildlife Refuge permit, which
is found on the Alabama Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources’
Jackson County Waterfowl, Management
Areas, refuges and Coon Gulf Tract
hunting permit, when hunting.
3. Hunters may only hunt designated
game species during specified days,
which are published within the Sauta
Cave National Wildlife Refuge Hunting
Dates portion of the permit.
4. Hunters may hunt with shotguns
using only nontoxic #4 shot or smaller
(see § 32.2(k)), rifles and handguns
using rim-fire ammunition only, or
archery equipment that complies with
State regulations. Possession of lead
shot shells for hunting is prohibited.
5. All youth hunters under age 16
must be supervised by a licensed and
permitted adult 21 years of age or older,
and must remain with the adult while
hunting. One adult may supervise no
more than two youth hunters.
6. We allow hunters to use hunting
dogs to hunt upland game. The dogs
must be controlled by the owner/
handler at all times (see § 26.21(b) of
this chapter).
*
*
*
*
*
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. We require hunters to possess and
carry a current and signed hunting
permit, found on the Wheeler National
Wildlife Refuge Hunting Brochure,
when hunting on the refuge. These
brochures are available at the refuge
visitor center, refuge headquarters, and
on the refuge’s Web site.
2. Hunters may hunt with shotguns
using only nontoxic #4 shot or smaller
(see § 32.2(k)), rifles and handguns
using rim-fire ammunition only, or
archery equipment that complies with
State regulations.
*
*
*
*
*
4. We prohibit hunting or discharging
firearms (including Flintlocks) in the
Triana recreation area or from any road
or road shoulder or from within 50
yards (45 meters) of any designated
walking trail or boardwalk.
*
*
*
*
*
7. All youth hunters under age 16
must be supervised by a licensed and
permitted adult 21 years of age or older,
and must remain with the adult while
hunting. One adult may supervise no
more than two youth hunters.
*
*
*
*
*
10. Hunting dogs may be used to hunt
upland game and must be controlled by
the owner/handler at all times (see
§ 26.21(b) of this chapter).
11. We allow hunters to hunt from
tree stands in accordance with 50 CFR
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Frm 00010
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
32.2(i). Hunters must use a body safety
harness at all times while hunting from
a tree.
12. Hunters must remove tree stands,
blinds, or other personal property from
the refuge each day (see § 27.93 of this
chapter).
13. Hunters may only hunt designated
game species during specified days,
which are published within the Wheeler
National Wildlife Refuge Hunting
Brochure.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions B1, B3 through B6, B8,
B9, and B11 through B13 apply.
2. Hunters may not hunt by aid of or
harassment of game for purposes of take
for deer or feral hogs.
3. Hunters may only hunt with
archery equipment that complies with
State regulations and flintlocks .40
caliber or larger.
4. All youth hunters under age 16
must be supervised by a licensed and
permitted adult 21 years of age or older,
and must remain with the adult while
hunting. One adult may supervise no
more than one youth hunter.
5. Hunters must report the sex,
approximate size, and hunt area for any
deer or hogs they harvested from the
refuge within 72 hours. Reports must be
given by phone or in person to the
refuge Visitor Center (256/350–6639) or
refuge headquarters (256/353–7243).
*
*
*
*
*
7. You may only hunt feral hog during
the refuge archery and flintlock deer
season.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 6. Amend § 32.24 California by:
■ a. Revising paragraphs A.3, A.4, A.5,
A.6, A.7, A.8, and B.1; adding
paragraphs A.9; and removing
paragraph B.2 under Colusa National
Wildlife Refuge.
■ b. Revising paragraphs A. 4, A.10,
A.11, and B.2; and removing paragraphs
B.3, B.4, B.5, B.6, B.7, and B.8 under
Delevan National Wildlife Refuge.
■ c. Revising paragraphs A.6, A.10,
A.11, and B.2; and removing paragraphs
B.3, B.4, B.5, B.6, B.7, and B.8 under
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge.
■ d. Revising paragraphs A.3, A.4, A.5,
A.6, A.7, A.8, and B.1; adding
paragraphs A.9; and removing
paragraphs B.2, B.3, B.4, B.5, B.6, and
B.7 under Sutter National Wildlife
Refuge.
These revisions and additions read as
follows:
§ 32.24
*
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Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
3. Access to the hunt area is by foot
traffic only. Bicycles and other
conveyances are not allowed. Mobilityimpaired hunters must consult the
refuge manager for allowed
conveyances.
4. We allow boats with electric motors
to be used by hunters with disabilities
only in designated areas.
5. No person may build or maintain
fires. Portable gas stoves are
permissible.
6. You may enter or exit only at
designated locations.
7. Vehicles may stop only at
designated parking areas. We prohibit
the dropping of passengers or
equipment or stopping between
designated parking areas.
8. Overnight stays, using passenger
vehicles, motor homes, and trailers, are
allowed only at the check station
parking areas. Tents are prohibited.
9. We require dogs be kept on a leash,
except for hunting dogs engaged in
authorized hunting activities and under
the immediate control of a licensed
hunter.
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A.1 through A.9 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Delevan National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
4. Access to the hunt area is by foot
traffic only. Bicycles and other
conveyances are not allowed. Mobilityimpaired hunters should consult the
refuge manager for allowed
conveyances.
*
*
*
*
*
10. Overnight stays, using passenger
vehicles, motor homes, and trailers, are
allowed only at the check station
parking areas. Tents are prohibited.
11. We require dogs be kept on a
leash, except for hunting dogs engaged
in authorized hunting activities and
under the immediate control of a
licensed hunter.
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
2. Conditions A.4 through A.11 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
6. Access to the hunt area is by foot
traffic only. Bicycles and other
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conveyances are not allowed. Mobilityimpaired hunters must consult the
refuge manager for allowed
conveyances.
*
*
*
*
*
10. Overnight stays, using passenger
vehicles, motor homes, and trailers, are
allowed only at the check station
parking areas. Tents are prohibited.
11. We require dogs be kept on a
leash, except for hunting dogs engaged
in authorized hunting activities and
under the immediate control of a
licensed hunter.
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
2. Conditions A.4 through A.11 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
Sutter National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
3. Access to the hunt area is by foot
traffic only. Bicycles and other
conveyances are not allowed. Mobilityimpaired hunters should consult the
refuge manager for allowed
conveyances.
4. Boats with electric motors allowed
only by hunters with disabilities in
designated areas.
5. No person may build or maintain
fires. Portable gas stoves are
permissible.
6. You may enter or exit only at
designated locations.
7. Vehicles may only stop at
designated parking areas. We prohibit
the dropping of passengers or
equipment or stopping between
designated parking areas.
8. Overnight stays, using passenger
vehicles, motor homes, and trailers, are
allowed only at the check station
parking areas. Tents are prohibited.
9. Dogs must be kept on a leash,
except for hunting dogs engaged in
authorized hunting activities and under
the immediate control of a licensed
hunter.
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A.1 through A.9 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
7. Amend § 32.25 Colorado by
revising the introductory text in
paragraphs A and B and by adding
paragraphs A.6, B.4, D.4, and D.5 under
Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge to
read as follows:
§ 32.25
*
*
Colorado.
*
*
*
Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of duck, coot, merganser,
Canada goose, snipe, Virginia and Sora
PO 00000
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Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
58763
rail, and mourning dove on designated
areas of the refuge in accordance with
State and Federal regulations, subject to
the following conditions:
*
*
*
*
*
6. Legal method of take for migratory
game birds is by shotgun only.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of jackrabbit, cottontail rabbit,
and sage grouse on designated areas of
the refuge in accordance with State
regulations, subject to the following
conditions:
*
*
*
*
*
4. Legal method of take for upland
game is by shotgun only.
*
*
*
*
*
D. Sport Fishing. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
4. Fishing is closed in Unit C when
the refuge is open to big game rifle
hunting.
5. Lead sinkers and live bait are not
allowed for fishing.
*
*
*
*
*
8. Amend § 32.26 Connecticut by
adding, in alphabetical order, an entry
for Silvio O. Conte National Fish and
Wildlife Refuge to read as follows:
§ 32.26
*
Connecticut.
*
*
*
*
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and
Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
[RESERVED]
B. Upland Game Hunting.
[RESERVED]
C. Big Game Hunting. [RESERVED]
D. Sport Fishing. [RESERVED]
*
*
*
*
*
■ 9. Amend § 32.28 Florida by:
■ a. Revising the introductory text in
paragraphs A and D; revising paragraph
A.2; removing paragraph A.4;
redesignating A.5, A.6, A.7, A.8, A.9,
A.10, A.11, A.12, A.13, A.14, A.15,
A.16, A.17 and A.18 as paragraphs A.4,
A.5, A.6, A.7, A.8, A.9, A.10, A.11,
A.12, A.13, A.14, A.15, A.16 and A.17
revising newly designated paragraph
A.12; and adding a new paragraph C
under Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee
National Wildlife Refuge.
■ b. Revising paragraphs D.4, D.5, and
D.7; redesignating paragraphs D.8, D.9,
D.10, D.11, D.12, D.13, D.14, D.15, D.16,
D.17, D.18, D.19, and D.20 as paragraphs
D.9, D.10, D.11, D.12, D.13, D.14, D.15,
D.16, D.17, D.18, D.19, D.20, and D.21,
respectively; revising newly designated
paragraphs D.13 and D.21; and adding
paragraph D.8 under J.N. ‘‘Ding’’ Darling
National Wildlife Refuge.
■ c. Revising paragraphs A.3, B.1, C.4,
C.8, and C.9 and adding paragraphs B.12
and C.12 under St. Marks National
Wildlife Refuge.
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These additions and revisions read as
follows:
§ 32.28
*
*
Florida.
*
*
*
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee
National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of duck and coot on
designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State and Federal
regulations subject to the following
conditions:
*
*
*
*
*
2. We allow hunting in the interior of
the refuge south of latitude line
26.27.130 and north of mile markers 12
and 14 (SEE PERMIT MAP). We prohibit
hunting from canals or levees and those
areas posted as closed.
*
*
*
*
*
12. All youth hunters under age 16
must be supervised by a licensed and
permitted adult 21 years of age or older,
and must remain with the adult while
hunting. Youth hunters must have
completed a hunter education course.
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of alligators on designated areas
of the refuge in accordance with Federal
and State regulations and subject to the
following conditions:
1. You must possess and carry a
signed refuge alligator hunt permit
(signed brochure) while hunting. These
brochures are available at the refuge
visitor center and on the refuge’s Web
site (https://www.fws.gov/loxahatchee/).
2. We allow hunting in the interior of
the refuge south of latitude line
26.27.130 and north of mile markers 12
and 14, including the canals south of
that line (SEE PERMIT MAP). We
prohibit hunting from levees and those
areas posted as closed.
3. Consult the refuge manager for
current alligator hunt season dates and
times.
4. We allow hunting on the refuge 1
hour before sunset on Friday night
through 1 hour after sunrise Saturday
morning, and 1 hour before sunset on
Saturday night through 1 hour after
sunrise Sunday morning. Alligator
hunting will be permitted the first two
weekends during Harvest Period 1
(August) and the first two weekends
during Harvest Period 2 (September).
Following the close of Harvest Period 2,
the remaining weekends in October will
be open for alligator harvest permittees
who possess unused CITES tags.
Specific dates for the alligator hunt will
be provided on the harvest permit.
5. Hunters 18 years and older must be
in possession of all necessary State and
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Federal licenses, permits, and CITES
tags, as well as a refuge hunt permit
(signed hunt brochure) while hunting
on the refuge. They must possess an
Alligator Trapping License with CITES
tags or an Alligator Trapping Agent
License, if applicable.
6. Hunters under the age of 18 may
not hunt, but may only accompany an
adult of at least 21 years of age who
possesses an Alligator Trapping Agent
License.
7. Hunters may only enter and leave
the refuge at the Hillsboro Area
(Loxahatchee Road, Boca Raton).
8. Alligators may be taken using handheld snares, harpoons, gigs, snatch
hooks, artificial lures, manually
operated spears, spear guns, and
crossbows. Alligators may not be taken
using baited hooks, baited wooden pegs,
or firearms. Bang sticks (a hand held
pole with a pistol or shotgun cartridge
on the end in a very short barrel) with
non-toxic ammunition are only
permitted for taking alligators attached
to a restraining line. Once an alligator is
captured, it must be killed immediately.
Once the alligator is taken or harvested,
a CITES tag must be locked through the
skin of the carcass within 6 inches of
the tip of the tail. The tag must remain
attached to the alligator at all times.
9. Hunters must complete a Big Game
Harvest Report (FWS Form 3–2359) and
place it in an entrance fee canister each
day prior to exiting the refuge. A State
Alligator Report form required by the
State along with the hunt permit (signed
refuge brochure) must be submitted to
the refuge within 24 hours of taking
each alligator.
10. Persons possessing, transporting,
or carrying firearms on national wildlife
refuges must comply with all provisions
of Federal, State, and local law. Persons
may only use (discharge) firearms in
accordance with refuge regulations (see
§ 27.42 of this chapter and specific
refuge regulations in this part 32).
11. Hunters must remove all personal
property (see § 27.93 of this chapter)
from the hunting area each day.
12. Conditions A13 through A17
apply.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on
designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with Federal and State
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
*
*
*
*
*
J.N. ‘‘Ding’’ Darling National Wildlife
Refuge
*
*
*
*
*
D. Sport Fishing. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
4. We allow the take of blue crabs
with the use of dip nets only.
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5. The daily limit of blue crabs is 20
per person (including no more than 10
non-eggbearing females).
*
*
*
*
*
7. We allow vessels propelled only by
polling, paddling, or floating in the
posted ‘‘no-motor zone’’ of the J.N.
‘‘Ding’’ Darling Wilderness Area. All
motors, including electric motors, must
be in a nonuse position (out of the
water) when in the ‘‘no-motor zone.’’
8. We allow vessels propelled only by
polling, paddling, floating, or electric
motors in the posted ‘‘pole/troll zone’’
of the Wulfert Flats Management Area.
All non-electric motors must be in a
non-use position (out of the water)
when in the ‘‘pole/troll zone.’’
*
*
*
*
*
13. We prohibit all public entry into
the impoundments on the left side of
Wildlife Drive.
*
*
*
*
*
21. We close to public entry all refuge
islands (including rookery islands)
except for designated trails.
*
*
*
*
*
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
3. We prohibit migratory game bird
hunting in the Executive Closure Areas
on the refuge.
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. We require refuge permits (signed
brochure) for hunting upland game.
Permits are available at no cost from the
refuge office or can be downloaded and
printed from the refuge Web site. Each
hunter must possess and carry a signed
refuge permit while participating in a
hunt.
*
*
*
*
*
12. Portions of the refuge adjacent to
Flint Rock Wildlife Management Area
(as specified in the hunt brochure) will
be open concurrent with Flint Rock
Wildlife Management Area seasons and
regulations except only feral hog, grey
squirrel, rabbit, and raccoon may be
harvested.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
4. There is a two deer limit per hunt
as specified in condition C8 below,
except in the youth hunt where the limit
is as specified in C9 below. The limit for
turkey is one per hunt. There is no limit
on feral hog.
*
*
*
*
*
8. The bag limit for white-tailed deer
is two deer per scheduled hunt period.
We allow hunters to harvest two
antlerless deer per scheduled hunt
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period. We define antlerless deer per
State regulations (i.e., un-antlered deer
or antlered deer with both antlers less
than 5 inches in length). Otherwise,
hunters may harvest one antlerless deer
and one antlered deer per hunt. Hunters
must ensure that antlered deer must
have at least 3 points, of 1 inch (2.5
centimeters) or more length.
9. There is one youth hunt, for youth
ages 12 to 17, on the St. Marks Unit in
an area we will specify in the refuge
hunt brochure. Hunters may harvest two
deer, either two un-antlered deer as
defined in C8 or one un-antlered deer
and one antlered deer. An adult age 21
or older acting as a mentor must
accompany each youth hunter. One
youth turkey hunt will be conducted in
a similar manner. The limit will be one
gobbler per hunter. Only the youth
hunter may handle or discharge
firearms. Contact the refuge office for
specific dates.
*
*
*
*
*
12. Portions of the refuge adjacent to
Flint Rock Wildlife Management Area
(as specified in the hunt brochure) will
be open concurrent with Flint Rock
Wildlife Management Area seasons and
regulations except only white-tailed
deer, feral hog, and turkey may be
harvested. We require a refuge permit
(signed brochure).
*
*
*
*
*
■ 10. Amend § 32.29 Georgia by:
■ a. Revising paragraph A.3 under
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge.
These revisions read as follows:
§ 32.29
*
*
Georgia.
*
*
*
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
3. We prohibit hunting on or within
100 yards (90 meters) of U.S. Highway
17, GA Highway 25/SC Highway 170,
refuge facilities, road, trails, and
railroad rights-of-way, and within areas
marked as closed.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 11. Amend § 32.31 Idaho by revising
the introductory text in paragraph A and
by revising paragraphs A.3, B, C, and D
under Kootenai Flat National Wildlife
Refuge to read as follows:
§ 32.31
*
*
Idaho.
*
*
*
Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of goose, duck, and coot
on designated areas (designated area
changed due to increased size of safety
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Jkt 229001
zone) of the refuge in accordance with
State and Federal regulations subject to
the following conditions:
*
*
*
*
*
3. We prohibit the discharge of
firearms in the posted retrieving/safety
zone.
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of forest grouse and wild turkey
on that portion of the refuge that lies
west of Lion’s Den Road in accordance
with State regulations subject to the
following condition: You may possess
only approved nontoxic shotshells (see
§ 32.2(k)) while in the field.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of deer, elk, black bear, moose,
and mountain lion on that portion of the
refuge that lies west of Lion’s Den Road
and hunting of deer at an ADAaccessible blind near Aspen Slough in
accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
1. We prohibit all use of dogs for
hunting of big game.
2. You may only participate in deer
hunting at the ADA-accessible blind
with valid State licenses and tags.
3. You may only participate in deer
hunting at the ADA-accessible blind
with a refuge permit issued through a
random drawing for up to four 7-day
archery-only permits and up to six 7day archery/special weapons-only
permits.
4. We only allow deer hunting at the
ADA-accessible blind using the
following weapons: Muzzleloader,
archery equipment, crossbow, shotgun
using slugs, or handgun using straightwalled cartridges not originally
established for rifles.
5. We prohibit use of toxic (lead)
ammunition when deer hunting at the
ADA-accessible blind.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport
fishing on Myrtle Creek in accordance
with State regulations subject to the
following condition: We allow bank
fishing only.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 12. Amend § 32.32 Illinois by:
■ a. Removing paragraphs A.1 and A.7;
redesignating paragraphs A.2, A.3, A.4,
A.5, and A.6 as paragraphs A.1, A.2,
A.3, A.4, and A.5, respectively; revising
newly designated paragraph A.1;
revising paragraphs B.1, C.1, and D.1;
and adding paragraphs B.3, C.2, and C.3
under Cypress Creek National Wildlife
Refuge.
■ b. Revising introductory text in
paragraph A; revising paragraphs A.2, B,
C.1, C.2, and C.3; and adding paragraphs
A.3, C.4, C.5, and C.6 under Middle
Mississippi River National Wildlife
Refuge.
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c. Revising paragraph B and adding
paragraph C.3 under Two Rivers
National Wildlife Refuge.
These additions and revisions read as
follows:
■
§ 32.32
*
Illinois.
*
*
*
*
Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
1. You must remove all boats, decoys,
blinds, blind materials, stands, and
platforms (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this
chapter) brought onto the refuge at the
end of each day’s hunt.
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A1, A2, A4, and A5
apply.
*
*
*
*
*
3. We allow the use of .22 and .17
caliber rimfire lead ammunition for the
taking of small game and furbearers
during open season.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A1, A2, A4, and A5
apply.
2. We prohibit deer drives, by person
or animal, and participating in deer
drives on all refuge divisions.
3. You may only use or possess
approved nontoxic shot shells while in
the field, including shot shells used for
hunting wild turkey (see § 32.2(k)).
D. Sport Fishing. * * *
1. Conditions A1 and A3 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
Middle Mississippi River National
Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of migratory game birds
on the Meissner, Wilkinson, and Beaver
Island Divisions in accordance with
State regulations and subject to the
following conditions:
*
*
*
*
*
2. You must remove boats, blinds,
blind materials, stands, decoys, and
other hunting equipment (see §§ 27.93
and 27.94 of this chapter) from the
refuge at the end of each day.
3. We allow portable blinds on a daily
basis on a first-come, first-served basis.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of upland game (squirrels,
rabbits, and bobwhite quail only) on the
refuge in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. We allow hunting of furbearers
only from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
2. You may only use or possess
approved nontoxic shot shells while in
the field (see § 32.2(k)).
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
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1. Conditions A1 and A2 apply.
2. In the Harlow, Crains, and Meissner
Island Divisions you may use only
archery equipment to harvest whitetailed deer.
3. You may only use or possess
approved nontoxic shot shells while in
the field, including shot shells used for
hunting wild turkey (see § 32.2(k)).
4. We prohibit deer drives, by person
or animal, and participating in deer
drives on all refuge divisions.
5. We prohibit placing temporary tree
stands in dead or dying trees.
6. You may not remove any tree or
limbs greater than 1 inch in diameter.
*
*
*
*
*
Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
upland game hunting only on the Apple
Creek Division and the portion of the
Calhoun Division east of the Illinois
River Road in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. We allow hunting from legal
sunrise to legal sunset.
2. You may only use or possess
approved nontoxic shot shells while in
the field, including shot shells used for
hunting wild turkey (see § 32.2(k)).
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
3. Condition B2 applies.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 13. Amend § 32.33 Indiana by:
■ a. Revising paragraphs C.4, C.8, and
C.9 and adding paragraphs C.10, C.11,
and D.7 under Muscatatuck National
Wildlife Refuge.
■ b. Revising A.2, C.2, C.3, D.2.iv, and
D.3 and adding paragraphs A.7, A.8, and
B.3 under Patoka River National
Wildlife Refuge and Management Area.
These additions and revisions read as
follows:
§ 32.33
*
*
Indiana.
*
*
*
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
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*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
4. You may take only two deer per
day from the refuge, only one of which
may be an antlered buck.
*
*
*
*
*
8. We permit archery deer hunting in
designated areas after National Wildlife
Refuge Week during the State season
with the exceptions that archery deer
hunting is closed during the youth deer
hunt in November and during the State
muzzleloader season.
9. Turkey hunting ends at 1 p.m.
daily.
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10. We prohibit the use or possession
of game trail cameras on the refuge.
11. We require you to remove arrows
from crossbows during transport in a
vehicle.
D. Sport Fishing. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
7. We allow only children under 18
years of age to fish in the Office Pond.
*
*
*
*
*
Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge
and Management Area
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
2. You must remove all boats, decoys,
blinds, and blind materials after each
day’s hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of
this chapter).
*
*
*
*
*
7. We prohibit hunting and the
discharge of a weapon within 150 yards
of any dwelling or any building that
may be occupied by people, pets, or
livestock.
8. You may only use or possess
approved nontoxic shot shells while in
the field, including shot shells used for
hunting wild turkey (see § 32.2(k)).
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
3. Conditions A7 and A8 apply.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
2. We prohibit marking trails with
tape, ribbons, paper, paint, tacks, tree
blazes, or other devices.
3. Conditions A6 through A8 apply.
D. Sport Fishing.
*
*
*
*
*
2. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
iv. You may not collect or harvest
minnows, crayfish, or any reptiles and
amphibians (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
3. You must remove boats at the end
of each day’s fishing activity (see § 27.93
of this chapter).
*
*
*
*
*
■ 14. Amend § 32.34 Iowa by:
■ a. Revising paragraphs A, B, C.1, and
C.2 and removing paragraph C.3 under
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge.
■ b. Redesignating paragraphs A.1, A.2,
A.3, A.4, A.5, A.6, A.7, and A.8 as
paragraphs A.2, A.3, A.4, A.5, A.6, A.7,
A.8, and A.9, respectively; redesignating
paragraphs B.1, B.2, B.3, and B.4 as
paragraphs B.2, B.3, B.4, and B.5,
respectively; redesignating paragraphs
C.1, C.2, and C.3 as paragraphs C.2, C.3,
and C.4, respectively; revising the
introductory text in paragraphs A, B,
and C; revising paragraphs B.5 and C.4;
and adding paragraphs A.1, B.1, and C.1
under Northern Tallgrass Prairie
National Wildlife Refuge.
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c. Revising the entry for Port Louisa
National Wildlife Refuge.
These additions and revisions read as
follows:
■
§ 32.34
*
Iowa.
*
*
*
*
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow the hunting of duck, goose, and
coot on designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State and Federal
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. We prohibit all hunting February 1
through August 31 due to conflict with
existing appropriate and compatible
uses.
2. You may only possess approved
nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) while
hunting for any permitted bird,
including waterfowl and wild turkey, or
other upland or small game.
3. We allow entry into the refuge 1
hour before sunrise and require hunters
to leave the refuge no later than 1 hour
after sunset.
4. We prohibit shooting on or over
any refuge road within 50 feet (15
meters) from the centerline.
5. You must possess and carry a
refuge permit (free brochure available at
the refuge visitor center).
6. We allow the use of dogs for
waterfowl, pheasant, and quail hunting
only.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of ring-necked pheasant,
bobwhite quail, pigeon, mourning dove,
crow, cottontail rabbit, gray and fox
squirrel, and fall wild turkey (2 weeks
within the season) on designated areas
of the refuge in accordance with State
regulations subject to the following
condition: Conditions A1 to A6 apply.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A1 and A3 to A5 apply.
2. We allow the use of portable stands
and blinds for hunting, and hunters
must remove them at the end of each
day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
*
*
*
*
*
Northern Tallgrass Prairie National
Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of duck, goose,
merganser, coot, rail (Virginia and Sora
only), woodcock, and snipe on
designated areas in accordance with
State regulations and subject to the
following conditions:
1. For units adjacent to and managed
by Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge,
you must follow the refuge-specific
regulations provided in this section of
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the regulations for Neal Smith National
Wildlife Refuge.
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
the hunting of ring-necked pheasant,
bobwhite quail, gray partridge, rabbit
(cottontail and jack), squirrel (fox and
gray), groundhog, raccoon, opossum, fox
(red and gray), coyote, badger, striped
skunk, and crow on designated areas of
the refuge in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. For units adjacent to and managed
by Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge,
you must follow the refuge-specific
regulations provided in this section of
the regulations for Neal Smith National
Wildlife Refuge.
*
*
*
*
*
5. Conditions A8 and A9 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow the
hunting of deer and turkey on
designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
1. For units adjacent to and managed
by Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge,
you must follow the refuge-specific
regulations provided in this section of
the regulations for Neal Smith National
Wildlife Refuge.
*
*
*
*
*
4. Conditions A6, A8, and A9 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of duck, goose, teal,
brant, merganser, coot, sora and Virginia
rail, dove, woodcock and snipe on Iowa
River Corridor Project lands in
accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
1. You may possess only approved
nontoxic shot while hunting migratory
birds (see § 32.2(k)).
2. You must remove boats, decoys,
and portable blinds at the end of each
day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of upland game in accordance
with State regulations and subject to the
following condition: You may only
possess approved nontoxic shot while
hunting upland game (see § 32.2(k)); you
may use lead shot to hunt turkey.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of big game in accordance with
State regulations and subject to the
following condition: We only allow the
use of portable stands and you must
remove them at the end of each day (see
§ 27.93 of this chapter).
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport
fishing on all areas of the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and
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subject to the following condition: You
must remove boats and all other fishing
devices at the end of each day’s fishing.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 15. Amend § 32.38 Maine by
redesignating paragraphs A.5, A.6, and
A.7 as paragraphs A.6, A.7, and A.8,
respectively; adding a new paragraph
A.5; revising the introductory text in
paragraph B; and revising paragraphs
A.1, A.4, B.1, B.2, B.3, and C under
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
to read as follows:
§ 32.38
*
*
Maine.
*
*
*
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
1. Prior to entering designated refuge
hunting areas, you must obtain a refuge
hunting permit (FWS Form 3–2357), pay
a recreation fee, and sign and carry the
permit at all times.
*
*
*
*
*
4. We open Designated Youth Hunting
Areas to hunters age 15 and under who
possess and carry a refuge hunting
permit. Youth hunters must be
accompanied by an adult age 18 or
older. The accompanying adult must
possess and carry a refuge hunting
permit and may also hunt.
5. You may only possess approved
nontoxic shot for hunting (see § 32.2(k))
on the refuge.
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of pheasant, quail, and grouse
on designated areas of the Brave Boat
Harbor, Lower Wells, Upper Wells,
Mousam River, Goose Rocks, Goosefare
Brook, and Spurwink River division of
the refuge in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. Conditions A1 and A7 apply.
2. You may take pheasant, quail, and
grouse by falconry during State seasons.
3. You may only possess approved
nontoxic shot for hunting (see § 32.2(k))
on the refuge.
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey
on designated areas of the Brave Boat
Harbor, Lower Wells, Upper Wells,
Mousam River, Goose Rocks, Little
River, Goosefare Brook, and Spurwink
River divisions of the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1, A4, and A7 apply.
2. We allow hunting of deer and
turkey with shotgun and archery only.
We prohibit rifles and muzzleloading
firearms for hunting.
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3. We allow turkey hunting during the
fall season only, as designated by the
State. All State regulations governing
the hunting of turkey will be followed.
4. We allow portable tree stands,
ladders, and blinds only, and they must
be removed daily (see § 27.93 of this
chapter). The use of nails, wire, screws
or bolts to attach a stand to a tree, or
hunting from a tree into which a metal
object has been driven to support a
hunter is prohibited. You must keep
vegetation disturbance (including tree
limbs) to a minimum (see § 32.2(i)).
5. We close the Moody and Biddeford
Pool divisions of the refuge to whitetailed deer and turkey hunting.
6. We allow archery on only those
areas of the Little River division open to
hunting.
7. We allow hunting of fox and coyote
with archery or shotgun with a refuge
big game permit, during State firearm
deer season. You may only possess
approved nontoxic shot for hunting (see
§ 32.2(k)) on the refuge.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 16. Amend § 32.39 Maryland by
removing paragraphs A.9.vi and D.9;
redesignating paragraphs D.10, D.11,
D.12, D.13, D.14, D.15, and D.16 as
paragraphs D.9, D.10, D.11, D.12, D.13,
D.14, and D.15, respectively; revising
paragraphs A.9.iv, A.9.v, A.13, B.8,
C.3.ii, C.6, and C.12; and revising newly
designated paragraphs D.14.i and D.15.i
under Patuxent Research Refuge to read
as follows:
§ 32.39
*
Maryland.
*
*
*
*
Patuxent Research Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
9. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
iv. You may hunt from the roadside,
except on the Wildlife Loop, at
designated areas, if you possess a
Maryland Department of Natural
Resources issued ‘‘Universal Disability
Pass’’.
v. You may hunt from the roadside for
waterfowl at the five designated hunting
blind sites at Lake Allen.
*
*
*
*
*
13. We require waterfowl hunters to
use trained adult retrieving dogs while
hunting duck and goose within 50 yards
(45 meters) of the following impounded
waters: Blue Heron Pond, Lake Allen,
New Marsh, and Wood Duck Pond.
i. We require dogs to be under the
immediate control of their owner at all
times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
*
*
*
*
*
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B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
8. We select turkey hunters by a
computerized lottery for youth,
disabled, and general public hunts. We
require Maryland Department of Natural
Resources required documentation to
accommodate hunters with disabilities.
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
3. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
ii. We prohibit the discharging of any
hunting weapons before or after legal
shooting hours, including the unloading
of muzzleloaders.
*
*
*
*
*
6. We require bow hunters to wear
either a cap of solid-fluorescent-orange
color at all times or a vest or jacket
containing back and front panels of at
least 250 square inches (1,625 square
centimeters) of solid-fluorescent-orange
color when moving to and from their
vehicle to their deer stand or their
hunting spot and while tracking or
dragging out their deer. We do not
require bow hunters to wear solidfluorescent-orange when positioned to
hunt except during the North Tract
Youth Firearms Deer Hunts, the
muzzleloader seasons, and the firearms
seasons, when they must wear it at all
times.
*
*
*
*
*
12. If you wish to track wounded deer
beyond 2 hours after legal sunset, you
must gain consent from a refuge law
enforcement officer. We prohibit
tracking 3 hours after legal sunset. You
must make a reasonable effort to retrieve
the wounded deer, which includes nextday tracking. There is no tracking on
Sundays and Federal holidays except on
a case-by-case basis. Hunters authorized
to track on Sundays or Federal holidays
must be accompanied afield by a refuge
law enforcement officer.
*
*
*
*
*
D. Sport Fishing. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
14. * * *
i. Conditions D1 through D13 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
15. * * *
i. Conditions D1 through D12 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 17. Amend § 32.40 Massachusetts by
adding, in alphabetical order, an entry
for Silvio O. Conte National Fish and
Wildlife Refuge to read as follows:
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*
§ 32.40
*
*
Massachusetts.
*
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*
*
20:10 Sep 23, 2013
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Silvio O. Conte National Fish and
Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
[RESERVED]
B. Upland Game Hunting.
[RESERVED]
C. Big Game Hunting. [RESERVED]
D. Sport Fishing. [RESERVED]
*
*
*
*
*
■ 18. Amend § 32.41 Michigan by
revising paragraph C.3 and adding
paragraph C.8 under Detroit River
International Wildlife Refuge to read as
follows:
§ 32.41
*
*
Michigan.
*
*
*
Detroit River International Wildlife
Refuge
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
3. We allow only single-projectile
shells for firearm deer hunting. We
prohibit the use of buckshot for any
hunting on the refuge.
*
*
*
*
*
8. The Fix Unit is closed to firearm
deer hunting. We allow only archery
deer hunting in the Fix Unit.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 19. Amend § 32.42 Minnesota by:
■ a. Revising the introductory text in
paragraph A; revising paragraphs A.1,
A.2, and A.5; adding paragraph A.9;
revising paragraphs C.1 and C.2;
removing paragraphs C.3, C.7, and C.10;
redesignating paragraphs C.4, C.5, C.6,
C.8, and C.9 as paragraphs C.3, C.4, C.5,
C.6, and C.7, respectively; revising
newly designated paragraph C.6; and
adding paragraph C.8 under Agassiz
National Wildlife Refuge.
■ b. Revising paragraph B under Big
Stone Wetland Management District.
■ c. Revising paragraphs C.1, C.2, and
C.8 and removing paragraph C.11 under
Crane Meadows National Wildlife
Refuge.
■ d. Revising paragraph B under Detroit
Lakes Wetland Management District.
■ e. Revising paragraphs A.2 and B
under Fergus Falls Wetland
Management District.
■ f. Revising paragraph B under
Litchfield Wetland Management
District.
■ g. Revising paragraphs A.2, B, and C.2
under Morris Wetland Management
District.
■ h. Adding paragraph C.3 under
Northern Tallgrass Prairie National
Wildlife Refuge.
■ i. Revising paragraphs A.2, A.3, A.5,
B.3, C.1, C.7, and D under Sherburne
National Wildlife Refuge.
■ j. Revising paragraph B under
Windom Wetland Management District.
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These additions and revisions read as
follows:
§ 32.42
*
Minnesota.
*
*
*
*
Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of waterfowl on
designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow a youth hunt only in
designated areas in accordance with
State regulations.
2. The refuge is closed from 7:00 p.m.
to 5:30 a.m.
*
*
*
*
*
5. You must remove all personal
property, which includes stands, boats,
decoys, and blinds brought onto the
refuge, each day of hunting (see §§ 27.93
and 27.94 of this chapter).
*
*
*
*
*
9. We allow the public onto the refuge
the day prior to the opening of the
season for scouting purposes.
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. We are currently closed to moose
hunting.
2. Conditions A2 through A5, A7, A8
and A9 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
6. We prohibit hunters from
occupying illegally set up or
constructed ground and tree stands (see
conditions A5 and C5).
*
*
*
*
*
8. Shooting on, from, over, across, or
within 30 feet of a road edge open to
public vehicle transportation at a big
game animal or a decoy of a big game
animal is prohibited.
*
*
*
*
*
Big Stone Wetland Management District
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
upland game hunting throughout the
district in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. Conditions A3 through A5 apply.
2. You may only use or possess
approved nontoxic shot shells while in
the field, including shot shells used for
hunting wild turkey (see § 32.2(k)).
*
*
*
*
*
Crane Meadows National Wildlife
Refuge
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. We only allow an archery deer hunt
for youth hunters and a firearm deer
hunt for persons with disabilities by
special use permit (FWS Form 3–1383–
G).
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2. We only allow a turkey hunt for
youth hunters and persons with
disabilities by special use permit (FWS
Form 3–1383–G).
*
*
*
*
*
8. We prohibit entry to hunting areas
earlier than 2 hours before legal
shooting hours.
*
*
*
*
*
Detroit Lakes Wetland Management
District
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
upland game hunting in accordance
with State regulations throughout the
district (except that we allow no
hunting on the refuge headquarters
Waterfowl Production Area [WPA] in
Becker County, the Hitterdal WPA in
Clay County, and the McIntosh WPA in
Polk County) and subject to the
following conditions:
1. Conditions A3 through A5 apply.
2. You may only use or possess
approved nontoxic shot shells while in
the field, including shot shells used for
hunting wild turkey (see § 32.2(k)).
*
*
*
*
*
Fergus Falls Wetland Management
District
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
2. You must remove boats, decoys,
blinds, and blind materials (see § 27.93
of this chapter) brought onto the WPAs
at the end of each day’s hunt.
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
upland game hunting throughout the
district (except that we prohibit hunting
on the Townsend, Mavis, Gilmore, and
designated portions of Knollwood
Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) in
Otter Tail County, and Larson WPA in
Douglas County) in accordance with
State regulations and subject to the
following conditions:
1. Conditions A2, A3, and A6 apply.
2. You may only use or possess
approved nontoxic shot shells while in
the field, including shot shells used for
hunting wild turkey (see § 32.2(k)).
*
*
*
*
*
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Litchfield Wetland Management
District
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
upland game hunting throughout the
district (except we prohibit hunting on
that part of the Phare Lake Waterfowl
Production Area in Renville County) in
accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1, A4, and A5 apply.
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2. You may only use or possess
approved nontoxic shot shells while in
the field, including shot shells used for
hunting wild turkey (see § 32.2(k)).
*
*
*
*
*
Morris Wetland Management District
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
2. You must remove boats, decoys,
blinds, and blind materials (see § 27.93
of this chapter) at the end of hunting
hours.
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of upland game, except that we
prohibit hunting on the designated
portions of the Edward-Long Lake
Waterfowl Production Area in Stevens
County, in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. Conditions A2 through A4 apply.
2. You may only use or possess
approved nontoxic shot shells while in
the field, including shot shells used for
hunting wild turkey (see § 32.2(k)).
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
2. You must remove all portable
hunting stands and blinds each day at
the close of hunting hours (see § 27.93
of this chapter).
*
*
*
*
*
Northern Tallgrass Prairie National
Wildlife Refuge
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
3. You may only use or possess
approved nontoxic shot shells while in
the field, including shot shells used for
hunting wild turkey (see § 32.2(k)).
*
*
*
*
*
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
2. We allow non-motorized boats in
areas open to waterfowl hunting during
the waterfowl hunting season, and they
must be launched at designated access
sites.
3. You must remove boats, decoys,
and blinds from the refuge following
each day’s hunt.
*
*
*
*
*
5. We prohibit hunting from March 1
through August 31.
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
3. Conditions A5 through A7 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 4701
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58769
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. The refuge is closed to turkey
hunting, except we allow a turkey hunt
for youth hunters and persons with
disabilities by special use permit (FWS
Form 3–1383–G).
*
*
*
*
*
7. Turkey hunters may possess only
approved nontoxic shot while in the
field (see § 32.2(k)).
*
*
*
*
*
D. Sport Fishing. Fishing is permitted
on the St. Francis River and Battle
Brook during daylight hours in
accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
1. From March 1 through August 31
(the refuge Wildlife Sanctuary period),
fishing is only permitted from nonmotorized boats on the designated canoe
route and on banks within 100 yards
(both upstream and downstream) of
designated access points.
2. We prohibit the taking of any
mussel (clam), crayfish, frog, leech, and
turtle species by any method on the
refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
3. We prohibit the use of dip nets,
traps, or seines for collecting bait.
*
*
*
*
*
Windom Wetland Management District
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of upland game throughout the
district, except that you may not hunt
on the Worthington Waterfowl
Production Area (WPA) in Nobles
County, Headquarters WPA in Jackson
County, or designated portions of the
Wolf Lake WPA in Cottonwood County,
in accordance with State regulations
and subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A3 through A5 apply.
2. You may only use or possess
approved nontoxic shot shells while in
the field, including shot shells used for
hunting wild turkey (see § 32.2(k)).
*
*
*
*
*
■ 20. Amend § 32.44 Missouri by:
■ a. Revising the entry for Middle
Mississippi River National Wildlife
Refuge.
■ b. Revising the introductory text in
paragraphs A and B; revising paragraphs
A.3, A.6, B.1, B.2, B.5, B.6, B.7, and C;
redesignating paragraphs A.7 and A.8 as
A.8, and A.9; and adding paragraphs
A.7, and B.8 under Mingo National
Wildlife Refuge.
These additions and revisions read as
follows:
§ 32.44
*
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Middle Mississippi River National
Wildlife Refuge
Refer to § 32.32 (Illinois) for Missouri
regulations.
*
*
*
*
*
Mingo National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow waterfowl hunting in Pool 7 and
Pool 8 in accordance with State and
Federal regulations and subject to the
following conditions:
*
*
*
*
*
3. We prohibit the use of paint, nonbiodegradable flagging, reflectors, tacks,
or other manmade materials to mark
trails or hunting locations (see § 27.61 of
this chapter).
*
*
*
*
*
6. We require hunters to go through
the Missouri Department of
Conservation daily draw process at
Duck Creek Conservation Area to hunt
in Pool 7 and Pool 8.
7. We will only open Pool 7 for
waterfowl hunting 3 days a week, when
conditions allow.
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of squirrel, raccoon, and bobcat
in designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A3, A8, and A9 apply.
2. We allow hunter access from 11⁄2
hours before legal shooting time until
11⁄2 hours after legal shooting time.
*
*
*
*
*
5. We allow squirrel hunting from the
State opening day until the day before
the State opening of archery deer
season.
6. You may only use or possess
approved nontoxic shot shells while in
the field (see § 32.2(k)) and rifles
chambered for rimfire cartridges.
7. Archery hunters may take squirrels,
raccoons, and bobcats while archery
deer hunting.
8. We allow raccoon hunting by
special use permit during the Statewide
raccoon season.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow big
game hunting in designated areas of the
refuge in accordance with State
regulations subject to the following
conditions:
1. Conditions A3, A5, A8, A9, and B2
apply.
2. We require that all hunters register
at the hunter sign-in stations and
complete the Big Game Harvest Report
(FWS Form 3–2359) located at the exit
kiosks prior to exiting the refuge.
3. We allow archery hunting for deer
and turkey during the fall season.
4. We allow spring turkey hunting.
You may only use or possess approved
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20:10 Sep 23, 2013
Jkt 229001
nontoxic shot shells while in the field,
including shot shells used for hunting
wild turkey (see § 32.2(k)).
5. You must remove all boats brought
onto the refuge at the end of each day
(see § 27.93 of this chapter).
6. We allow archery hunting in the
Expanded General Hunt Area through
October 31.
7. We allow portable tree stands only
from 2 weeks before to 2 weeks after the
State archery deer season with the
following exception: In the Expanded
General Hunt Area, you must remove all
personal property.
8. We allow only one tree stand per
deer hunter.
9. We only allow non-motorized boats
in the Mingo Wilderness Area.
10. We require archery deer hunters to
wear a hunter-orange (i.e., blaze or
international orange) hat and a hunterorange shirt, vest, or coat. These hunterorange clothes need to be plainly visible
from all sides while scouting or hunting
during the overlapping portion of the
squirrel, archery deer, and turkey
seasons. Camouflage orange does not
satisfy this requirement.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 21. Amend § 32.45 Montana by:
■ a. Removing paragraph A.7;
redesignating paragraphs A.3, A.4, A.5,
and A.6 as paragraphs A.4, A.5, A.6, and
A.7, respectively; revising paragraph
B.1; and adding paragraphs A.3 and B.4
under Benton Lake National Wildlife
Refuge.
■ b. Revising the introductory text in
paragraphs A, B, and C under Benton
Lake Wetland Management District.
■ c. Revising paragraphs A.1, A.3, A.5,
A.7, A.13, C.1, C.3, and C.4 and adding
paragraphs A.19, C.10, and C.11 under
Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge.
■ d. Revising paragraphs B.1, B.3, B.5,
B.6, B.7, B.9, C.1, C.2, and C.3 and
removing paragraphs C.4, C.5, C.6, C.7,
C.8, C.9, C.10, and C.11 under Lost Trail
National Wildlife Refuge.
■ e. Revising paragraphs A.1, A.2, B.1,
B.2, C.1, and D; redesignating paragraph
A.3 as paragraph A.6; and adding
paragraphs A.3, A.4, A.5, A.7, C.2, and
C.3 under Northwest Montana Wetland
Management District.
■ f. Revising paragraphs A.5 and C.10
under Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife
Refuge.
■ g. Revising paragraph A under Swan
River National Wildlife Refuge.
These additions and revisions read as
follows:
§ 32.45
*
PO 00000
*
Montana.
*
Frm 00018
*
Fmt 4701
*
Sfmt 4702
Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
3. We allow hunting during youth
waterfowl hunts in accordance with
State regulations.
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A2 and A7 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
4. We allow hunting during youth
pheasant hunts in accordance with State
regulations.
*
*
*
*
*
Benton Lake Wetland Management
District
A. Migratory Game Bird Management.
We allow migratory game bird hunting
on Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA)
throughout the District, excluding Sands
WPA in Hill County and H2–0 WPA in
Powell County, in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
the hunting of coyotes, skunks, red fox,
raccoons, hares, rabbits, and tree
squirrels on Waterfowl Production
Areas (WPAs) throughout the District,
excluding Sands WPA in Hill County
and H2–0 WPA in Powell County, in
accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow big
game hunting on WPAs throughout the
District, excluding Sands WPA in Hill
County and H2–0 WPA in Powell
County, in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following
condition: Condition B2 applies.
*
*
*
*
*
Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
1. Hunting Access: Hunters must
enter and exit the Waterfowl Hunt Area
(see map in refuge Hunting and Fishing
brochure) through the Waterfowl Hunt
Area parking lot. All hunters, except
those with a Montana disability license,
must park in the Waterfowl Hunt Area
parking lot to access the Waterfowl
Hunt Area. For those hunters with
Montana disability licenses, contact the
Refuge Manager by phone or email for
disability guidelines. Hunters must walk
to the blind selected along mowed trails
designated in the refuge Hunting and
Fishing brochure. Legal entry time into
the hunting area is no earlier than 2
hours before legal shooting hours.
Wildlife observation, scouting, and
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 24, 2013 / Proposed Rules
loitering during waterfowl hunting
season are prohibited at the Waterfowl
Hunting Area parking lot and on the
refuge road leading to the Waterfowl
Hunt Area parking lot.
*
*
*
*
*
3. Registration (Kiosk Sign-In/SignOut box): Each hunter must complete
the Migratory Bird Hunt Report (FWS
Form 3–2361), must set the appropriate
blind selector (metal flip tag) before and
after hunting, and must record hunting
data (hours hunted and birds harvested)
on FWS Form 3–2361 before departing
the hunting area.
*
*
*
*
*
5. We prohibit attempting to ‘‘reserve’’
a blind for use later in the day by
depositing a vehicle or other equipment
on the refuge. A hunter must be
physically present in the hunting area in
order to use a blind. The exceptions are
blinds 2 and 7, which may be reserved
for hunters with disabilities.
*
*
*
*
*
7. Hunters with a documented
mobility disability (you must have a
current year Resident with a Disability
Conservation License issued by
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks) may
reserve an accessible blind in advance
by contacting a refuge law enforcement
officer.
*
*
*
*
*
13. We prohibit boats, fishing, and
fires (see § 27.95 of this chapter).
*
*
*
*
*
19. Any mechanical decoy powered
by battery or solar usage is prohibited.
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Hunting Access: Hunters must
enter and exit the hunt areas (see map
in refuge Hunting and Fishing brochure)
through the designated Hunter Access
Parking sites. We open access points to
hunters intending to immediately hunt
on the refuge. We prohibit wildlife
observation, scouting, and loitering at
access points and parking areas. Hunters
may only enter the hunt area 2 hours
prior to legal hunting hours and must
exit no later than 2 hours after legal
hunting hours.
*
*
*
*
*
3. Registration (Sign-In/Sign-Out box):
Each hunter must complete the Big
Game Harvest Report (FWS Form 3–
2359) before departing the hunting area.
4. Tree Stands and Ground Blinds: We
allow each hunter the use of portable
tree stands or ground blinds. All tree
stands and ground blinds must be
identified with a tag that has the
owner’s name and Montana archery
license (ALS) number on it. We prohibit
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*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. We do not allow hunting in areas
posted as ‘‘Closed to Hunting’’ and
identified in the public use leaflet.
*
*
*
*
*
3. We allow use of riding or pack
stock on designated access routes
through the refuge to access off-refuge
lands as identified in the public use
leaflet.
*
*
*
*
*
5. Hunters may possess only approved
nontoxic shot while in the field (see
§ 32.2(k)).
6. We prohibit overnight camping and
open fires (see § 27.95(a) of this
chapter).
7. We prohibit retrieval of game in
areas closed to hunting without a refuge
retrieval permit.
*
*
*
*
*
9. We allow parking in designated
areas only as identified in the public use
leaflet.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions B1 through B9 apply.
2. The first week of the archery elk
and deer hunting season and the first
week of general elk and deer hunting
season are open to youth-only (ages 12–
15 only) hunting. A non-hunting adult
at least 18 years of age must accompany
the youth hunter in the field.
3. Persons assisting disabled hunters
must not be afield with a hunting
firearm, bow, or other hunting device.
*
*
*
*
*
Northwest Montana Wetland
Management District
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
1. Hunters must remove all boats,
decoys, portable blinds (including those
made of native materials), boat blinds,
and all other personal property at the
end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94
of this chapter).
2. We prohibit motorboats except on
the Flathead and Smith Lake Waterfowl
Production Areas (WPAs) in Flathead
County. Motorboats must be operated at
no wake speeds.
3. We prohibit the construction or use
of permanent blinds, stands, or
scaffolds.
4. We allow the use of hunting dogs,
provided the dog is under the
immediate control of the hunter at all
times during the State-approved hunting
season. Commercial dog trials are not
allowed. Pets must be on a leash at all
other times.
5. Shotgun hunters may possess only
approved nontoxic shot while in the
field (see § 32.2(k)).
*
*
*
*
*
7. We prohibit overnight camping and
open fires (see § 27.95(a) of this
chapter).
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. We prohibit hunting with a shotgun
capable of holding more than three
shells.
2. Conditions A1 through A7 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. We allow portable tree stands and/
or portable ground blinds; however,
hunters must remove them and all other
personal property at the end of each day
(see § 27.93 of this chapter). We prohibit
construction and/or use of tree stands or
portable ground blinds from
dimensional lumber. We prohibit the
use of nails, wire, screws, or bolts to
attach a stand to a tree or hunting from
a tree into which a metal object has been
driven (see § 32.2(i)).
2. Conditions A2, A3, A6, A7 and B1
apply.
3. Flathead, Blasdel, and Batavia
WPAs are restricted to hunting with
archery equipment, shotgun, traditional
handgun, muzzleloader, or crossbow
only.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport
fishing on all Waterfowl Production
Areas (WPAs) throughout the wetland
district in accordance with State law
(Flathead County WPAs) and per Joint
State and confederated Salish and
Kootenai Tribal regulations (Lake
County WPAs) and subject to the
following conditions:
1. We prohibit leaving or dumping
any dead animal, fish or fish entrails,
garbage, or litter on the refuge (see
§ 27.94 of this chapter).
2. We prohibit all public access on
WPAs from March 1 to July 15 (Flathead
County WPAs) each year to protect
nesting birds.
3. Conditions A2 and A7 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife
Refuge
hunters leaving each stand/blind
unattended for more than 72 hours.
*
*
*
*
*
10. Rallying game to another hunter
and/or deer drives is prohibited.
11. We prohibit the installation or use
of remote cameras on the refuge.
*
*
*
*
*
Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge
*
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Fmt 4701
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A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
5. We prohibit camping along
roadsides. We allow camping only in
two established campgrounds. We
restrict camping to 16 consecutive days
within any 30-day period. We prohibit
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Swan River National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of geese, ducks, and coots
on designated areas of the refuge subject
to the following condition: Hunters may
possess only approved nontoxic shot
while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
*
*
*
*
*
■ 22. Amend § 32.46 Nebraska by:
■ a. Revising paragraphs C.1, C.2, C.4,
and C.5; redesignating paragraphs C.6,
C.7, and C.8 as paragraphs C.7, C.8, and
C.9, respectively; revising newly
designated paragraph C.9; and adding
paragraphs C.6, C.10, C.11, C.12, C.13,
D.3, and D.4 under Fort Niobrara
National Wildlife Refuge.
■ b. Revising the entry for Valentine
National Wildlife Refuge.
These additions and revisions read as
follows:
§ 32.46
*
*
Nebraska.
*
*
*
Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
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*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. We require the submission of a Big/
Upland Game Hunt Application (FWS
Form 3–2356). We require hunters to
carry a signed refuge hunting access
permit (hunt application signed by the
refuge officer) while hunting. We
require hunters to complete a Big Game
Harvest Report (FWS Form 3–2359) and
return it to the refuge at the conclusion
of the hunting season.
2. We allow deer hunting with
muzzleloader and archery equipment.
We prohibit deer hunting with firearms
capable of firing cartridge ammunition.
*
*
*
*
*
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4. We allow deer hunting in the area
defined as, ‘‘Those refuge lands situated
north and west of the Niobrara River.’’
We allow access to this area only from
designated refuge parking areas and the
Niobrara River.
5. We prohibit hunting within 200
yards (180 meters) of any public use
facility.
6. We allow hunter access from 2
hours before legal sunrise until 2 hours
after legal sunset.
*
*
*
*
*
9. We require tree stands, elevated
platforms, and ground blinds to be
removed daily. We require hunters to
clearly label unattended tree stands,
elevated platforms, and ground blinds
with the hunter’s name and address or
hunting license number legible from the
ground. Tree stands, elevated platforms,
and/or ground blinds may be put up no
earlier than the opening day of deer
season and must be removed by the last
day of deer season.
10. We prohibit hunting during the
Nebraska November Firearm Deer
Season.
11. We prohibit the use of game carts
or any other wheeled device to retrieve
game on the Wilderness Area portion of
the refuge that is opened for hunting.
12. We prohibit the marking of any
tree or other refuge feature with
reflectors, flagging, paint, or other
substances.
13. We prohibit the use of electronic
or photographic trail monitoring
devices.
D. Sport Fishing. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
3. We prohibit the take of baitfish,
reptiles, and amphibians.
4. We prohibit use or possession of
alcoholic beverages while fishing on
refuge lands and waters.
*
*
*
*
*
and coyote on designated areas of the
refuge in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following
refuge-specific regulations:
1. Conditions A1 and A2 apply.
2. Coyote hunting is allowed from the
Saturday closest to November 13
through March 15. Shooting hours are
1⁄2 hour before sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after
sunset. The use of dogs or bait to hunt
coyotes is prohibited.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of white-tailed and mule deer
on designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following refuge-specific
condition: Condition A1 applies.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on
designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following refuge-specific
regulations:
1. We close the refuge to the general
public from legal sunset to legal sunrise;
however anglers may enter the refuge 1
hour before legal sunrise and remain 1.5
hours after legal sunset.
2. We prohibit the take of reptiles,
amphibians, and minnows, with the
exception that bullfrogs may be taken on
refuge lakes open to fishing.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 23. Amend § 32.50 New Mexico by:
■ a. Revising paragraphs A.2.i, A.2.ii,
A.2.iii, A.2.iv, A.5, A.8, B.2.iii, and C.2
and adding paragraph B.2.iv under
Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
■ b. Revising the entry for Bosque del
Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
■ c. Revising paragraph C under San
Andres National Wildlife Refuge.
■ d. Revising paragraph A under
Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge.
These revisions and additions read as
follows:
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge
horses in the campgrounds. From March
1 to December 1, all bear attractants
including, but not limited to, food,
garbage, and carcasses or parts thereof,
must be acceptably stored at night
(unless in immediate use) and during
the day if unattended. Acceptably stored
means any of the following:
i. Suspended at least 10 feet high and
4 feet from any vertical support 100
yards from any camp or hiking trail;
ii. Secured in a certified bear safe
container; or
iii. Secured in a hard-sided vehicle,
including an enclosed camper or horse
trailer.
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
10. We prohibit hunting and/or
shooting from or onto refuge lands from
within 50 yards (45 meters) of the
centerline of any public road open to
motorized vehicles.
*
*
*
*
*
Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
2. * * *
i. In the designated public hunting
area, this is located in the southern
portion of the Tract;
ii. To no closer than 100 yards (90
meters) to the public auto tour route;
iii. To Tuesdays, Thursdays, and
Saturdays during the period when the
State seasons for the Middle Tract area
are open simultaneously for hunting all
of the species allowed; and
iv. All hunting must cease at 1 p.m.
(local time) on each permitted hunt day.
*
*
*
*
*
5. We prohibit pit or permanent
blinds and require removal of all
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of waterfowl and coots on
designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following refuge-specific
regulations:
1. We close the refuge to the general
public from legal sunset to legal sunrise;
however we allow hunter access from 2
hours before legal sunrise to 2 hours
after legal sunset.
2. We only allow you to unleash dogs
used to locate, point, and retrieve
upland and small game and migratory
birds on the refuge while hunting (see
§ 26.21(b) of this chapter).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of sharp-tailed grouse, prairie
chicken, ring-necked pheasant, dove,
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*
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waterfowl decoys and all temporary
blinds/stands daily after each hunt (see
§ 27.93 of this chapter).
*
*
*
*
*
8. We do not require refuge or other
special hunt permits other than those
required by the State.
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
2. * * *
iii. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and
Saturdays during the appropriate State
season for that area; and
iv. All hunting must cease at 1 p.m.
(local time) on each permitted hunt day.
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
2. Conditions A8 and A9 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife
Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of mourning and whitewinged dove and light goose on
designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State and Federal
regulations and any special posting or
publications and subject to the
following conditions:
1. We allow hunting of light goose on
dates to be determined by refuge staff.
The permit is available through a lottery
drawing (Waterfowl Lottery
Application, FWS Form 3–2355) and
hunters must pay a fee. Contact the
refuge for more information.
2. Legal hunting hours will run from
1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise and will not
extend past 1:00 p.m. (local time) on
each hunt day.
3. Refer to the refuge hunt leaflet for
designated hunting areas.
4. You may use only approved
nontoxic shot while hunting (see
§ 32.2(k)).
5. We prohibit pit or permanent
blinds and require daily removal of all
waterfowl decoys, spent shells, all
temporary blinds/stands, and all other
personal equipment (see §§ 27.93 and
27.94 of this chapter).
6. We allow unleashed hunting and/
or retrieving dogs on the refuge when
hunters are legally present in areas
where we allow hunters, only if the
dogs are under the immediate control of
hunters at all time (see § 26.21(b) of this
chapter), and only to pursue species
legally in season at that time.
7. We prohibit hunters and dogs from
entering closed areas for retrieval of
game.
8. We prohibit falconry on the refuge.
9. We prohibit canoeing, boating, or
floating through the refuge on the Rio
Grande.
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10. We prohibit hunting any species
on the Rio Grande within the refuge.
11. We prohibit overnight camping
without a permit.
12. All State and Federal hunting and
fishing regulations regarding methods of
take, dates, bag limits, and other factors
apply to all hunting and fishing on the
refuge, in addition to these refugespecific regulations.
13. Visit the refuge visitor center or
Web site, and/or refer to additional onsite brochures, leaflets, or postings for
additional information.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of quail and cottontail rabbit on
designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and
any special posting or publications
subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow only shotguns and
archery equipment for hunting of
upland game. We prohibit the use of
archery equipment on the refuge except
when hunting for upland and big game.
2. Conditions A2 through A13 apply.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of mule deer, oryx, and bearded
Rio Grande turkey on designated areas
of the refuge in accordance with State
regulations and any special posting or
publications subject to the following
conditions:
1. Conditions A5 through A13 apply.
2. Refer to the refuge hunt leaflet for
designated hunting areas.
3. Hunting on the east side of the Rio
Grande is only by foot, horseback, or
bicycle. Bicycles must stay on
designated roads.
4. We may allow oryx hunting from
the east bank of the Rio Grande to the
east boundary of the refuge for
population management purposes for
hunters possessing a valid State permit.
We may also establish special hunts of
the oryx on dates established by refuge
staff. Contact the refuge for more
information.
5. Legal hunting hours will run from
1 hour before legal sunrise and will not
extend past 1 hour after legal sunset.
6. We allow hunting of bearded Rio
Grande turkey for youth hunters only on
dates determined by refuge staff. All
hunters must fill out (FWS Form 3–
2356) (Big/Upland Game Hunt
Application) and pay a fee. The permit
is available through a lottery drawing. If
selected you must carry your refuge
special use permit (FWS Form 3–1383–
G) at all times during the hunt. All
hunters are required to fill out a harvest
report (FWS Form 3–2359, Big Game
Harvest Report) and return it to the
refuge within 72 hours. Contact the
refuge for more information.
7. Youth hunters age 17 and under
must successfully complete a State-
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58773
approved hunter education course prior
to the refuge hunt. While hunting, each
youth must possess and carry a card or
certificate of completion.
8. Each youth hunter must remain
with an adult companion age 18 or
older. Each adult companion must
possess and carry an adult companion
permit (signed refuge youth turkey hunt
brochure) and can supervise no more
than one youth hunter. Adult
companions may observe and call, but
they cannot shoot.
9. We allow the use of temporary
ground blinds only for youth turkey
hunts, and hunters must remove them
from the refuge daily (see § 27.93 of this
chapter). It is unlawful to damage, cut,
or mark any tree or other refuge
structure with paint, flagging tape,
ribbon, cat-eyes, or any similar marking
device.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on
designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and
any special posting or publications
subject to the following conditions:
1. Condition A9 applies.
2. We allow fishing from April 1
through September 30.
3. We allow fishing from 1⁄2 hour
before legal sunrise until 1⁄2 hour after
legal sunset.
4. We allow fishing on all canals
within the refuge boundaries (Interior
Drain, Riverside, Canal, and Low Flow
Conveyance Channel), and unit 25AS
either from the boardwalk or from shore.
5. We prohibit trotlines, bows and
arrows, boats or other floatation devices,
seining, dip netting, traps, using bait
taken from the refuge, taking of turtle,
littering, and all other activities not
expressly allowed (see § 27.21 of this
chapter).
6. Access to the canals is via the tour
loop. We prohibit fishing in closed areas
of the refuge, with the exception of the
Low Flow Conveyance Channel.
7. We allow frogging for bullfrog on
the refuge in areas that are open to
fishing.
8. All State and Federal fishing
regulations regarding methods of take,
dates, creel limits, and other factors
apply to all fishing on the refuge, in
addition to these refuge-specific
regulations.
9. We prohibit fishing for any species
on the Rio Grande within the refuge.
*
*
*
*
*
San Andres National Wildlife Refuge
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. Hunting of oryx
or gemsbok (Oryx gazella) and desert
bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis
mexicana) is allowed on designated
areas of the refuge in accordance with
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 24, 2013 / Proposed Rules
New Mexico Department of Game and
Fish (NMDGF) and White Sands Missile
Range (WSMR) regulations and subject
to the following conditions:
1. Hunters are required to check in
and out of the hunt area.
2. Hunters are required to complete an
unexploded ordnance (UXO) training
prior to entering hunt area.
3. The hunter may be accompanied by
no more than three guests including
their guide(s).
4. Only approved WSMR outfitters
can be used.
5. All hunters must enter and exit
through the Small Missile Range gate on
Range Road 7.
6. All members of the hunting party
are required to wear solid or camouflage
style florescent orange (hunter’s orange)
clothing while away from the vehicle
and in the field hunting. A minimum of
144 square inches must appear on both
the chest and back (a typical blaze
orange hunting vest).
7. Hunters may be escorted, but not
guided, by WSMR, NMDGF, or refuge
personnel or their agent(s). Check
stations may be used in lieu of hunt
escorts.
8. Hunters must follow photo and
video policy as described by WSMR
regulations.
9. Youth hunters, 16 years of age and
younger, must be under the direct
supervision of an adult, 18 years of age
or older.
10. Persons possessing, transporting,
or carrying firearms on National
Wildlife Refuges must comply with all
provisions of State and local law.
Persons may only use (discharge)
firearms in accordance with refuge
regulations (see § 27.42 of this chapter
and specific refuge regulations in this
part 32).
11. Hunters and their guests must
abide by all rules established by the
refuge, WSMR, and NMDGF regulations.
12. Bighorn Sheep: Hunting desert
bighorn sheep is allowed on designated
areas of the refuge in accordance with
NMDGF and WSMR regulations and
subject to the following conditions
specifically for bighorn sheep:
i. If camping is permitted on WSMR
lands, then camping is allowed at Little
San Nicholas Camp on the refuge.
ii. Four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle
(ATV) use by hunters or members of
their hunting party is prohibited on the
refuge, although ATVs may be used to
retrieve game on WSMR.
iii. Hunters using livestock (i.e.,
horses or mules) must provide only
weed-free feed to their animals while on
the refuge.
iv. Hunters or other members of the
hunting party are not permitted to hunt
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Jkt 229001
small game or other species during
desert bighorn ram hunts. Only bighorn
sheep may be hunted by individuals
with ram tags.
13. Oryx. Hunting oryx is allowed on
designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with NMDGF and WSMR
regulations and subject to the following
condition specifically for oryx: Fourwheeled all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use by
hunters or members of their hunting
party is allowed on the refuge and
WSMR only to retrieve game.
*
*
*
*
*
Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of mourning and whitewinged doves, geese, ducks, and coots
on designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and
any special posting or publications and
subject to the following conditions:
1. Legal hunting hours will run from
1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise and will not
extend past 1:00 p.m. (local time) on
each hunt day.
2. The refuge may designate special
youth and/or persons with disabilities
hunting days during the regular game
bird season. This will apply to areas and
species that are currently part of the
refuge’s hunting program. Contact the
refuge for more information.
3. Refer to the refuge hunt leaflet for
designated hunting areas.
4. You may use only approved
nontoxic shot while hunting (see
§ 32.2(k)) in the field, in quantities of 25
or fewer.
5. We prohibit pit or permanent
blinds and require daily removal of all
waterfowl decoys, spent shells, all
temporary blinds/stands, and all other
personal equipment (see §§ 27.93 and
27.94 of this chapter).
6. We allow unleashed hunting and/
or retrieving dogs on the refuge when
hunters are legally present in areas
where we allow hunters, only if the
dogs are under the immediate control of
hunters at all time (see § 26.21(b) of this
chapter), and only to pursue species
legally in season at that time.
7. We prohibit hunters and dogs from
entering closed areas for retrieval of
game.
8. We prohibit falconry on the refuge.
9. All State and Federal hunting
regulations regarding methods of take,
dates, bag limits, and other factors,
apply to all hunting on the refuge, in
addition to these refuge-specific
regulations.
10. Visit the refuge visitor center or
Web site, and/or refer to additional onsite brochures, leaflets, or postings for
additional information.
*
*
*
*
*
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24. Amend § 32.51 New York by
adding, in alphabetical order, an entry
for Shawangunk Grasslands National
Wildlife Refuge to read as follows:
■
§ 32.51
*
New York.
*
*
*
*
Shawangunk Grasslands National
Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
[RESERVED]
B. Upland Game Hunting.
[RESERVED]
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of white-tailed deer on
designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State of New York
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. You must submit a Big/Upland
Game Hunt Application (FWS Form 3–
2356) to hunt on the refuge. We require
hunters to possess a signed refuge hunt
permit (name and address only) at all
times while scouting and hunting on the
refuge. We charge a fee for all hunters
except youth age 16 and younger.
2. We provide hunters with hunt
maps and parking permits (name only),
which they must clearly display in their
vehicle. Hunters who park on the refuge
must park in identified hunt parking
areas.
3. We prohibit the use of all-terrain
vehicles (ATVs) on the refuge.
4. We prohibit baiting on refuge lands
(see § 32.2(h)).
5. We require hunters to wear (in a
conspicuous manner) a minimum of 400
square inches (2,600 square centimeters)
of solid-color, hunter-orange clothing or
material on the head, chest, and back.
6. We prohibit hunters using or
erecting permanent blinds.
7. We allow pre-hunt scouting
beginning two weeks prior to the bow
opener and continuing through the end
of the deer season.
8. The refuge only allows archery
equipment (crossbows permitted) to
harvest deer.
D. Sport Fishing. [RESERVED]
*
*
*
*
*
■ 25. Amend § 32.53 North Dakota by:
■ a. Adding paragraph B.4 under
Audubon National Wildlife Refuge.
■ b. Revising paragraphs B and C under
Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge.
■ c. Revising the introductory text in
paragraphs B and D; revising paragraphs
A.2, B.2, B.3, B.4, B.5, C.2, C.3, C.4, C.5,
D.2, D.3, D.4, D.5, and D.6; and adding
paragraphs B.6, B.7, B.8, B.9, C.6, C.7,
C.8, C.9, D.7, and D.8 under J. Clark
Salyer National Wildlife Refuge.
■ d. Revising the introductory text in
paragraph B and revising paragraphs C.2
and D under Tewaukon National
Wildlife Refuge.
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These revisions and additions read as
follows:
■
§ 32.53
*
*
North Dakota.
*
*
*
Audubon National Wildlife Refuge
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
4. You may possess only approved
nontoxic shot while in the field (see
§ 32.2(k)).
*
*
*
*
*
Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge
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*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. Hunters
may hunt sharp-tailed grouse,
Hungarian partridge, turkey, ringnecked pheasant, cottontail rabbit,
jackrabbit, snowshoe hare, and fox on
designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
1. We open the refuge daily from 5
a.m. to 10 p.m.
2. You may possess only approved
nontoxic shot while in the field, (see
§ 32.2(k)).
3. Upland game bird and rabbit season
opens on the day following the close of
the regular firearm deer season through
the end of the State season.
4. Hunting dogs used for retrieval of
upland game is permitted. Dogs must be
under direct control.
5. Turkey hunting is subject to all
State regulations, license requirements,
units, and dates.
6. Fox hunting is permitted on the day
following the regular firearm deer
season and closes on March 31.
7. We prohibit hunting the area
around refuge headquarters, buildings,
shops, and residences. We post these
areas with ‘‘Closed to Hunting’’ signs.
8. We prohibit the use of
snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles
(ATVs), off-highway vehicles (OHVs),
utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs), bicycles,
or similar vehicles on the refuge.
9. We prohibit the use of horses,
mules, or similar livestock on the refuge
during all hunting seasons.
10. We prohibit accessing refuge lands
from refuge waters.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow deer
hunting on designated areas of the
refuge in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. We open the refuge daily from 5
a.m. to 10 p.m.
2. We only allow the use of portable
tree stands and ground blinds. We
prohibit leaving stands and blinds
overnight (see § 27.93 of this chapter) on
the refuge. Tree stands cannot injure
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trees. Screw-in steps, bolts, nails, wire,
or other objects that penetrate the bark
of the tree cannot be used (see § 32.2(i)).
3. We prohibit entry to the refuge
before 12 p.m. (noon) on the first day of
the respective bow, gun, or
muzzleloader deer hunting seasons.
4. We prohibit the use of flagging, trail
markers, paint, reflective tacks, or other
types of markers (see § 27.93 of this
chapter).
5. We prohibit the use of trail cameras
and other electronic equipment.
6. Conditions B7 through B10 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
2. We allow the use of dogs for
hunting and retrieving game birds. Dogs
must be under direct control of the
hunter (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of ruffed and sharp-tailed
grouse, Hungarian partridge, turkey,
ring-necked pheasant, and fox on
designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
*
*
*
*
*
2. We allow hunting for sharp-tailed
grouse, Hungarian partridge, and ringnecked pheasant on nine designated
Public Hunting Areas as delineated on
the refuge hunting brochure map
available at the refuge headquarters or
posted on refuge information boards
and/or kiosks.
3. We allow hunting for sharp-tailed
grouse, ruffed grouse, Hungarian
partridge and turkey south of the
Upham-Willow City Road in accordance
with State seasons.
4. We open to hunting-for sharp-tailed
grouse, Hungarian partridge, and ringnecked pheasant north of the WillowUpham road on the day following the
close of the regular firearm deer season.
5. We prohibit hunting the area
around the refuge headquarters,
buildings, shops, and residences. We
post these areas with ‘‘Closed to
Hunting’’ signs.
6. We open the refuge to fox hunting
on the day following the close of the
regular firearm deer season. Fox hunting
on the refuge closes March 31.
7. Hunters may possess only approved
nontoxic shot for all upland game
hunting, including turkey, as identified
in § 20.21(j) of this chapter.
8. We prohibit the use of
snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles
(ATVs), off highway vehicles (OHVs),
utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), bicycles,
or similar vehicles on the refuge.
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9. We prohibit the use of horses,
mules, or similar livestock on the refuge
during all hunting seasons.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
2. We prohibit hunting the area
around the refuge headquarters,
buildings, shops, and residences. We
post these areas with ‘‘Closed to
Hunting’’ signs.
3. We open nine designated Public
Hunting Areas (as delineated on the
refuge hunting brochure map available
at the refuge headquarters or posted on
refuge information boards and/or
kiosks) on the refuge for deer hunting
during the regular firearms issued from
the State.
4. You must possess and carry a
refuge permit to hunt antlered deer on
the refuge outside the nine Public
Hunting Areas during the regular
firearms season.
5. We only allow the use of portable
tree stands and ground blinds. We
prohibit leaving stands and blinds
overnight (see § 27.93 of this chapter) on
the refuge.
6. We prohibit the use of flagging, trail
markers, paint, reflective tacks, or other
types of markers (see § 27.93 of this
chapter).
7. We prohibit the use of trail cameras
and other electronic surveillance
equipment.
8. We prohibit entry to the refuge
before 12 p.m. (noon) on the first day of
the respective bow, gun, or
muzzleloader deer hunting seasons.
Refuge roads open to the public may be
accessed before 12 p.m. (noon).
9. Conditions B8 and B9 apply.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport
fishing on the refuge in accordance with
State regulations and subject to the
following conditions:
*
*
*
*
*
2. We allow boat and bank fishing
only on specifically designated portions
of the refuge as delineated on maps,
leaflets and/or signs, available at the
refuge headquarters or posted on refuge
information boards.
3. We only allow non-motorized boats
or boats with electric motors.
4. Boat fishing is allowed from May 1
through September 30.
5. We prohibit entry to or fishing from
any water control structure.
6. We open all refuge waters to ice
fishing. Ice fishing access is limited to
foot traffic only.
7. We allow the use of portable fish
houses for ice fishing. Portable fish
houses may not be left out overnight.
8. Conditions B8 and B9 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 24, 2013 / Proposed Rules
Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
ring-necked pheasant hunting on
designated areas of the refuge (see
refuge brochure/maps for designated
area) in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
2. We allow deer gun hunting on
designated areas of the refuge (see
refuge brochure/maps for designated
areas) in accordance with State
regulations.
*
*
*
*
*
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport
fishing on designated waters (Tewaukon
and Sprague Lakes only) in accordance
with State regulations and subject to the
following conditions:
1. We allow boats from May 1 through
September 30.
2. We allow ice fishing on designated
portions of Tewaukon and Sprague
Lakes (see refuge brochure/maps for
designated areas) in accordance with
State regulations.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 26. Amend § 32.54 Ohio by revising
paragraph C.2; removing paragraph C.3;
and redesignating paragraphs C.4, C.5,
C.6, C.7, C.8, and C.9 as paragraphs C.3,
C.4, C.5, C.6, C.7, and C.8, respectively,
under Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
to read as follows:
§ 32.54
*
*
Ohio.
*
*
*
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
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*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
2. We require that hunters check out
at the refuge check station with a Stateissued Big Game Harvest Report no later
than 1 hour after the conclusion of their
controlled hunt.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 27. Amend § 32.56 Oregon by:
■ a. Revising paragraph A under
Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge.
■ b. Adding, in alphabetical order, an
entry for Baskett Slough National
Wildlife Refuge.
■ c. Revising the introductory text in
paragraph A, revising paragraphs A.2
and A.3, and adding paragraph A.4
under Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the
Columbian White-Tailed Deer.
■ d. Adding paragraphs A.4 and A.5
under Lewis and Clark National
Wildlife Refuge.
■ e. Redesignating paragraph A.2 as A.4;
revising paragraphs A.1, B, C, D.1, and
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Jkt 229001
D.2; and adding paragraphs A.2, A.3,
A.5, A.6, A.7, A.8, D.3, D.4, and D.5
under Malheur National Wildlife
Refuge.
■ f. Adding, in alphabetical order, an
entry for Nestucca Bay National Wildlife
Refuge.
■ g. Adding, in alphabetical order, an
entry for Siletz Bay National Wildlife
Refuge.
These revisions and additions read as
follows:
§ 32.56
*
*
Oregon.
*
*
*
Bandon Marsh National Wildlife
Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of goose, duck, coot, and
snipe on that portion of the refuge west
of U.S. Highway 101 and outside the
Bandon city limits 7 days per week, and
hunting of goose, duck, and coot on the
Ni-les’tun Unit of the refuge 3 days per
week, in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. The established days for waterfowl
hunting on the Ni-les’tun Unit will be
Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.
2. Only portable blinds or blinds
constructed of on-site dead vegetation or
driftwood may be used (see § 27.51 of
this chapter).
3. All blinds, decoys, shotshell hulls,
and other personal equipment and
refuse must be removed from the refuge
at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and
27.94 of this chapter).
4. Only federally approved nontoxic
shot may be used or be in hunters’
possession while hunting on the refuge
(see § 32.2(k)).
5. Hunters accessing the Ni-les’tun
Unit via boat must secure or anchor
boats and use established boat launch
areas. Hunters may park boats within
the marsh while they hunt, but boats
landing on the bank of the Coquille
River within the Ni-les’tun Unit will be
required to park within a designated
location.
6. Access to the refuge will be
prohibited from 1 hour after sunset to 1
hour before sunrise.
7. Hunters may use dogs as an aid to
retrieving waterfowl during the hunting
season; however, dogs must remain
under control of the handler at all times.
Dogs must be in a vehicle or on a leash
until they are in the marsh as a part of
the hunt.
8. Hunters may enter closed areas of
the refuge only to retrieve downed
birds.
*
*
*
*
*
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Baskett Slough National Wildlife
Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of duck and goose on
designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
1. Only hunters 15 years of age and
younger are allowed to participate in the
Youth Waterfowl Hunt. Youths must be
accompanied by an adult 21 years of age
or older.
2. Blinds, decoys, and other personal
property must be removed at the end of
each day’s hunt (see § 27.93 of this
chapter).
3. Vehicles are restricted to
designated public use roads and
designated parking areas.
4. We prohibit dogs on the refuge,
except for hunting dogs engaged in
authorized hunting activities, and under
the immediate control of a licensed
hunter (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
5. You may possess only approved
nontoxic shells for hunting during the
early September Goose Hunt and the
Youth Duck Hunt.
6. Open fires are not allowed.
7. Waterfowl and goose permit (name
only) hunters must check back to the
refuge check station prior to leaving the
refuge and submit a Migratory Bird
Hunt Report (FWS Form 3–2361).
8. Goose hunters are required to space
themselves no less than 200 yards apart
from each other during the early
September Goose Hunt.
9. No overnight camping or afterhours parking is permitted on the
refuge.
10. No hunting is permitted from
refuge structures, observation blinds,
boardwalks, or similar structures.
11. Persons may only use (discharge)
firearms in accordance with refuge
regulations (see § 27.42 of this chapter
and refuge-specific regulations in this
part 32).
B. Upland Game Hunting.
[RESERVED]
C. Big Game Hunting. [RESERVED]
D. Sport Fishing. [RESERVED]
*
*
*
*
*
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the
Columbian White-Tailed Deer
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of goose, duck, coot, and
common snipe on the refuge-owned
shorelines of Crims and Wallace Islands
in accordance with State regulations
and subject to the following conditions:
*
*
*
*
*
2. We prohibit permanent blinds. You
must remove all personal property,
including decoys and boats, by 1 hour
after legal sunset (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94
of this chapter).
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3. We open the refuge for day-use
access from 11⁄2 hours before legal
sunrise until 11⁄2 hours after legal
sunset.
4. We prohibit dogs on the refuge,
except for hunting dogs engaged in
authorized hunting activities, and under
the immediate control of a licensed
hunter (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
*
*
*
*
*
Lewis and Clark National Wildlife
Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
4. We open the refuge for hunting
access from 11⁄2 hours before legal
sunrise until 11⁄2 hours after legal
sunset.
5. We prohibit dogs on the refuge,
except for hunting dogs engaged in
authorized hunting activities, and under
the immediate control of a licensed
hunter (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
*
*
*
*
*
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Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
1. We allow nonmotorized boats or
boats equipped with only electric
motors on the North and South Malheur
Lake Hunt Units. All boats are
prohibited on the Buena Vista Hunt
Unit.
2. We allow only portable and
temporary hunting blinds. We prohibit
permanent structures.
3. You must remove boats, decoys,
blinds, materials and all personal
property at the end of each day (see
§ 27.93 of this chapter).
*
*
*
*
*
5. We may close any refuge access
easement road, refuge road, or hunting
access point for public safety, or when
travel may be detrimental to the area.
6. The North Malheur Lake Hunt Unit
is open during all established State of
Oregon migratory bird hunting seasons.
7. The South Malheur Lake and Buena
Vista Hunt Units open for migratory
bird hunting on the fourth Saturday of
October and close at the end of the State
waterfowl season.
8. The South Malheur Lake Hunt Unit
may be accessed from the Boat Launch
Road, or from the North Malheur Lake
Hunt Unit, but no earlier than the fourth
Saturday of October.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of pheasant, quail, partridge,
chukar, and rabbit on designated areas
of the refuge in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
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1. You may possess only approved
nontoxic shot while in the field (see
§ 32.2(k))
2. We allow hunting of upland game
species on designated areas of the
Blitzen Valley east of Highway 205 from
the fourth Saturday in October through
the end of the State pheasant season.
3. We allow hunting of upland game
species on the North Malheur Lake Hunt
Unit concurrent with the State pheasant
season.
4. We allow hunting of all upland
game species on designated areas of the
refuge west of Highway 205 and south
of Foster Flat Road, and on designated
areas of Krumbo Creek east of the
Krumbo Reservoir in accordance with
State regulations.
5. We may close any refuge access
easement road, refuge road, or hunting
access point for public safety, or when
travel may be detrimental to the area.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of deer and pronghorn on
designated areas of the refuge west of
Highway 205 and south of Foster Flat
Road, and on designated areas of
Krumbo Creek east of the Krumbo
Reservoir, in accordance with State
regulations.
D. Sport Fishing. * * *
1. We prohibit ice fishing on and all
public access to any ice formations.
2. We allow fishing year-round on
Krumbo Reservoir and in the Blitzen
River, East Canal, and Mud Creek
upstream from and including Bridge
Creek.
3. Fishing is allowed on the north
bank of the Blitzen River from Sodhouse
Lane downstream to the bridge on the
Boat Landing Road between August 1
and September 15.
4. We prohibit boats on public fishing
areas, except that nonmotorized boats
and boats equipped with only electric
motors may be used on Krumbo
Reservoir.
5. We may close any refuge access
easement road, refuge road, or fishing
access point for public safety, or when
travel may be detrimental to the area.
*
*
*
*
*
Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of ducks and coot on
refuge lands at Brooten Marsh and the
mouth of the Little Nestucca River 7
days per week in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. Only federally approved nontoxic
shot may be used or be in hunters’
possession while hunting on the refuge
(see § 32.2(k)).
2. Only portable blinds or blinds
constructed of on-site dead vegetation or
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58777
driftwood may be used (see § 27.51 of
this chapter).
3. All blinds, decoys, shotshell hulls,
and other personal equipment and
refuse must be removed from the refuge
at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and
27.94 of this chapter).
4. Access to the refuge will be
prohibited from 1 hour after sunset to 1
hour before sunrise.
5. Hunters may use dogs as an aid to
retrieving waterfowl during the hunting
season; however, dogs must remain
under control of the handler at all times
(see § 26.21(b) of this chapter). Dogs
must be in a vehicle or on a leash until
they are in the marsh as a part of the
hunt.
6. Hunters may enter closed areas of
the refuge only to retrieve downed
birds.
B. Upland Game Hunting.
[RESERVED]
C. Big Game Hunting. [RESERVED]
D. Sport Fishing. [RESERVED]
*
*
*
*
*
Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of goose, duck, and coot
on refuge lands west of U.S. Highway
101 7 days per week and on the Millport
Slough South Unit of the refuge 3 days
per week, in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. The established days for waterfowl
hunting on the Millport Slough South
Unit will be Wednesday, Saturday, and
Sunday.
2. Only federally approved nontoxic
shot may be used or be in hunters’
possession while hunting on the refuge
(see § 32.2(k)).
3. Only portable blinds or blinds
constructed of on-site dead vegetation or
driftwood may be used (see § 27.51 of
this chapter).
4. All blinds, decoys, shotshell hulls,
and other personal equipment and
refuse must be removed from the refuge
at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and
27.94 of this chapter).
5. Access to the refuge will be
prohibited from 1 hour after sunset to 1
hour before sunrise.
6. The use or possession of alcoholic
beverages while hunting is prohibited.
7. Hunters may use dogs as an aid to
retrieving waterfowl during the hunting
season; however, dogs must remain
under control of the handler at all time
(see § 26.21(b) of this chapter). Dogs
must be in a vehicle or on a leash until
they are in the marsh as a part of the
hunt.
B. Upland Game Hunting.
[RESERVED]
C. Big Game Hunting. [RESERVED]
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D. Sport Fishing. [RESERVED]
*
*
*
*
■ 28. Amend § 32.57 Pennsylvania by
adding, in alphabetical order, an entry
for Cherry Valley National Wildlife
Refuge to read as follows:
*
§ 32.57
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*
*
Pennsylvania.
*
*
*
Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of migratory birds,
including waterfowl (i.e., ducks,
mergansers, coots, and geese), doves,
woodcock, snipe, rails, moorhens, and
gallinules, on designated areas of the
refuge in accordance with State of
Pennsylvania regulations and subject to
the following conditions:
1. You must submit a Migratory Bird
Hunt Application (FWS Form 3–2357)
to hunt on the refuge. We require
hunters to possess a signed refuge hunt
permit (name and address only) at all
times while scouting and hunting on the
refuge. We charge a fee for all hunters
except youth age 16 and younger.
2. We issue one companion permit
(no personal information) at no charge
to each hunter. We allow companions to
observe and/or call, but not to shoot a
firearm or bow. Companion and hunters
must set up in the same location. We
provide hunters with hunt maps and
parking permits (name only), which
they must clearly display in their
vehicle. Hunters who park on the refuge
must park in identified hunt parking
areas.
3. We prohibit the use of all-terrain
vehicles (ATVs) on the refuge.
4. We require hunters to wear (in a
conspicuous manner) solid-color,
hunter-orange clothing or material,
consistent with Pennsylvania Game
Commission regulations.
5. We prohibit hunters using or
erecting permanent or pit blinds.
6. We require hunters to remove all
hunting blind material, boats, and
decoys from the refuge at the end of
each hunting season (see § 27.93 of this
chapter).
7. We allow pre-hunt scouting
concurrent with big game scouting
continuing through the end of the
migratory bird season; however, we
prohibit the use of dogs during scouting.
8. Dogs may only be used for
waterfowl hunting. We limit the number
of dogs per waterfowl hunting party to
no more than two dogs.
9. We allow hunters to enter the
refuge 2 hours before shooting time (as
prescribed by Pennsylvania Game
Commission regulations), and they must
leave no later than 2 hours after the end
of shooting time.
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B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of squirrels, grouse, rabbit,
pheasant, quail, woodchuck, crow, fox,
raccoon, opossum, skunk, weasel,
coyote, and bobcat on designated areas
of the refuge in accordance with State of
Pennsylvania regulations and subject to
the following conditions:
1. We require hunters to submit a Big/
Upland Game Hunt Application/Permit
(FWS Form 3–2356) to hunt on the
refuge. We require hunters to possess a
signed refuge hunt permit (name and
address only) at all times while scouting
and hunting on the refuge. We charge a
fee for all hunters except youth age 16
and younger.
2. Conditions A3, A4, A5, and A9
apply.
3. We prohibit scouting.
4. No dogs allowed.
5. We prohibit baiting on refuge lands
(see § 32.2(h)).
6. We only allow hunting from 1 half
hour before legal sunrise to legal sunset.
We prohibit night hunting.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of white-tailed deer, bear, and
wild turkey on designated areas of the
refuge in accordance with State of
Pennsylvania regulations and subject to
the following conditions:
1. Conditions A3, A4, A5, A9, B1, and
B5 apply.
2. We allow pre-hunt scouting
beginning two weeks prior to the bow
opener and continuing through the end
of the deer season.
3. We require hunters to remove all
portable hunting blind materials from
the refuge at the end of each hunting
season (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
D. Sport Fishing. [RESERVED]
*
*
*
*
*
■ 29. Amend § 32.61 South Dakota by:
■ a. Removing paragraph A.1;
redesignating paragraphs A.2 and A.3 as
paragraphs A.1 and A.2, respectively;
revising paragraphs B.1 and C.5; and
adding paragraphs B.3 and C.10 under
Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
■ b. Revising paragraphs A, C.4, and D
under Sand Lake Wetland Management
District.
These revisions and additions read as
follows:
§ 32.61
*
*
South Dakota.
*
*
*
Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. The game bird season begins the
Monday following closure of the refuge
firearms deer season and continues
through the first Sunday in January.
*
*
*
*
*
3. Hunters are not allowed to enter the
refuge each day until 10:00 a.m.
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C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
5. Hunters may place their tree stands,
elevated platforms, and portable ground
blinds on the refuge only during their
designated licensed season. These
stands must be removed by the end of
their designated licensed season (see
§ 27.93 of this chapter).
*
*
*
*
*
10. Trail monitor cameras are not
allowed on the refuge.
*
*
*
*
*
*
Sand Lake Wetland Management
District
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow migratory game bird hunting on
Waterfowl Production Areas throughout
the District in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. You must remove boats, decoys,
portable blinds, other personal property,
and any materials brought onto the area
for blind construction by the end of
each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this
chapter).
2. We prohibit bringing any type of
live or dead vegetation onto the refuge
for any purpose at any time.
3. We allow the use of motorized
boats.
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
4. You must remove portable ground
blinds, trail cameras, and other personal
property by the end of each day (see
§§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport
fishing on Waterfowl Production Areas
throughout the District in accordance
with State regulations and subject to the
following conditions:
1. You must remove boats, motor
vehicles, fishing equipment, and other
personal property (excluding ice
houses) by the end of each day (see
§§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
2. We allow the use of motorized
boats.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 30. Amend § 32.63 Texas by:
■ a. Revising paragraphs A, C.1, C.2,
and C.3 and removing paragraphs C.4,
C.5, C.6, C.7, C.8, C.9, C.10, C.11, C.12,
C.13, C.14, C.15, C.16, C.17, C.18, C.19,
and C.20 under Aransas National
Wildlife Refuge.
■ b. Revising paragraphs A.2, A.3, A.4,
A.5, A.6, A.7, A.9, A.11, B, and C under
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife
Refuge.
These additions and revisions read as
follows:
§ 32.63
*
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 24, 2013 / Proposed Rules
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of ducks, coots, and
mergansers on designated areas of the
refuge in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. Each adult hunter 17 years of age
or older must possess an Annual Public
Hunting Permit (APH) administered by
the State.
2. Hunters may enter the refuge hunt
units no earlier than 4 a.m. Hunting
starts at the designated legal shooting
time and ends at 12 p.m. (noon).
Hunters must leave refuge hunt units by
12:30 p.m.
3. Youth under 17 years of age are
required to be under the immediate
supervision of a duly permitted,
authorized supervising adult, age 18 or
older.
4. Shotguns with nontoxic shot are
the legal means that may be used or
possessed during these hunts (see
§ 32.2(k)).
5. We prohibit pits and permanent
blinds. We allow portable blinds or
temporary natural vegetation blinds.
You must remove all blinds from the
refuge daily (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
6. We only allow vehicular travel on
designated roads and in parking areas.
7. All hunters are transported to and
from their hunting location by Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)
personnel.
8. Hunter check-in begins at 5:00 a.m.
and ends at 5:30 a.m. All hunters are
required to check in and out at the
hunter check station located on the
north end of the Island.
9. Hunters will select hunt sites on a
first-come, first-served basis.
10. Waterfowl hunts are morning
only, begin at legal shooting time, and
end at 12:00 p.m. (noon).
11. Dogs accompanying hunters must
be under the immediate control of
handlers at all times (see § 26.21(b) of
this chapter).
12. Hunters must remove all decoys,
boats, spent shells, marsh chairs, and
other equipment from the refuge daily
(see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
We prohibit the use of plastic flagging,
reflectors, or reflective tape.
13. Hunting of geese is prohibited.
14. The entire refuge or any portion
thereof may immediately close to
hunting in the event of whooping cranes
present within the hunt area.
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. On the Blackjack Unit, we allow
hunting subject to the following
conditions:
i. We may immediately close the
entire refuge or any portion thereof to
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hunting in the event of the appearance
of whooping crane in the hunt area or
in order to conduct habitat management
practices as required during the
available windows (e.g., prescribed
burns, roller chopping, fire breaks).
ii. We prohibit the use of dogs to trail
game.
iii. We prohibit target practice or any
nonhunting discharge of firearms.
iv. We prohibit hunting with the aid
of bait, salt, or any ingestible attractant
(see § 32.2(h)). We allow sprays and
other non-ingestible attractants.
v. Firearm hunters must wear a total
of 400 square inches (2,600 square
centimeters) hunter orange including
144 square inches (936 square
centimeters) visible in front and 144
square inches visible in rear. Some
hunter orange must appear on head
gear.
vi. All hunters must fill out (FWS
Form3–2359) Big Game Harvest Report
upon leaving the hunt area.
vii. For the archery and rifle season,
hunters must obtain a refuge permit
(name only required) and pay a fee. The
hunter must tape the smaller vehicle tag
on the driver’s side windshield. The
hunter must sign the larger permit and
possess it at all times while on the
refuge.
viii. We define youth hunters as ages
9 to16. A Texas-licensed, adult hunter,
age 17 or older who has successfully
completed a Hunter Education Training
Course, must accompany youth hunters.
We exempt those persons born prior to
September 2, 1971, from the Hunter
Education Training course requirement.
Each adult hunter may supervise two
youth hunters.
ix. We will annually designate bag
limits in the refuge hunt brochure.
x. We allow archery hunting within
the deer season for the county on
specified days listed in the refuge hunt
brochure.
xi. We allow firearm hunting within
the deer season for the county on
specified days listed in the refuge hunt
brochure.
xii. Hunters must clean all harvested
game in the field.
xiii. We prohibit hunting on or across
any part of the refuge road system, or
hunting from a vehicle on any refuge
road or road right-of-way. Hunters must
remain at a minimum of 100 yards (90
meters) off any designated refuge road
or structure.
xiv. We prohibit hunters using
handguns during archery and rifle
hunts. Hunters may use bows and
arrows only in accordance with State
law. We prohibit use of crossbows for
hunting unless we issue a special use
permit (FWS Form 3–1383–G) due to
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58779
‘‘upper 2 limb’’ disability. We allow the
use of archery equipment and centerfire
rifles for hunting in accordance with
State law.
xv. We allow use of portable hunting
stands, stalking of game, and still
hunting. There is a limit of two portable
stands per permitted hunter. A hunter
may set up the portable stands during
the scouting week, but must remove
them when the hunter’s permit expires
(see § 27.93 of this chapter). We prohibit
hunters from driving nails, spikes, or
other objects into trees or hunting from
stands secured with objects driven into
trees (see § 32.2(i)). We prohibit the
building of pits and permanent blinds.
xvi. We prohibit blocking of gates and
roadways (see § 27.31(h) of this
chapter). We prohibit vehicles operating
off-road for any reason. Hunters must
park vehicles in such a manner as to not
obstruct normal vehicle traffic.
xvii. We allow the use of only
biodegradable flagging tape to mark
trails and hunt stand location during the
archery and rifle hunts on the refuge.
We color-code the flagging tape used
each weekend during the rifle hunts.
Hunters must use the designated
flagging tape color specified for
particular hunt dates. We provide this
information on the refuge hunt permit
and in refuge regulations sent to
permittees. Hunters must remove
flagging (see § 27.93 of this chapter) at
the end of the hunt. The hunter must
write his/her last name in black
permanent marker on the first piece of
flagging tape nearest the adjacent
designated roadway.
xiii. We prohibit camping.
2. On the Matagorda Island Unit, we
allow hunting subject to the following
conditions:
i. Big Game Hunting Blackjack Unit
conditions: C.1.i through C.1.vi apply.
ii. Special permits are issued by
lottery drawing through the TPWD
Public Hunting Program for big game
hunts.
iii. TPWD staff will transport all
hunters to and from the designated
hunting stand.
iv. All hunters are required to stay in
their designated stand unless they are
retrieving their game. Stalking of game
is prohibited.
v. For hunts administered by TPWD,
youth hunters are not required to
complete a Hunter Education Training
Course. However, supervising adults
born on or after September 2, 1971,
must have passed a Hunter Education
Training Course or possess a Stateissued deferral.
vi. Each adult hunter may supervise
up to two youth hunters.
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vii. Hunters can clean all harvested
game in the field or at the designated
cleaning area at the headquarters.
viii. All deer harvested during the
hunt will be tagged with a TPWD-issued
Special Drawn Legal Deer Tag.
ix. Hunters are allowed to camp in the
designated camping area.
3. On the Tatton Unit, we allow
hunting subject to the following
conditions:
i. Big Game Hunting Blackjack Unit
conditions: C.1.i through C.1.v apply.
ii. We define youth hunters as ages 9
to 16. All hunters born after September
2, 1971 must have completed a Statecertified hunter education course for
refuge administered hunts. A Texaslicensed, adult hunter, age 17 or older
who has successfully completed a
Hunter Education Training Course, must
accompany youth hunters. We exempt
those persons born prior to September 2,
1971, from the Hunter Education
Training course requirement.
iii. Hunters are transported to and
from their hunting location via
government vehicles.
*
*
*
*
*
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Balcones Canyonlands National
Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
2. Hunting allowed in designated
area(s) from noon to sunset.
3. Refuge will set the bag limits.
4. You may possess only approved
nontoxic shot for hunting while in the
field (see § 32.2(k)).
5. Refuge permits (name only) are
required with payment of a hunt fee.
6. Dogs are allowed to retrieve game
birds during the hunt, but the dogs must
be under control of the handler at all
times and not allowed to roam free (see
§ 26.21(b) of this chapter).
7. Hunters must be at least 12 years
of age. An adult 21 years of age or older
must accompany hunters between the
ages of 12 and 17 (inclusive) as per State
regulations.
*
*
*
*
*
9. The entire refuge or any portion
thereof may be closed to hunting for the
protection of resources or public safety
as determined by the Refuge Manager.
*
*
*
*
*
11. Hunter may bring up to two
guests. Guests may not use a hunting
firearm. Guests must be with the hunter
at all times.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of wild turkey at designated
times on designated areas of the refuge
in accordance with State regulations
and subject to the following conditions:
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1. Hunting is permitted consistent
with the State season.
2. Hunters are required to check in
and out daily at designated check
station(s).
3. Weapons will be consistent with
State and Federal regulations.
4. The entire refuge or any portion
thereof may be closed to hunting for the
protection of resources or public safety
as determined by the Refuge Manager.
5. Hunters must be at least 12 years
of age. An adult 21 years of age or older
must accompany hunters between the
ages of 12 and 17 (inclusive) as per State
regulations. This adult may supervise
no more than two hunters.
6. The refuge will set the bag limits.
7. Hunters must visibly wear 400
square inches (2,600 square centimeters)
of hunter orange on the outermost layer
of the head, chest, and back, which
must include a hunter-orange hat or cap.
8. Refuge permits and the payment of
a hunt fee are required.
9. Dogs are not allowed for hunting.
10. Vehicles may only be operated on
designated roads and parking areas.
11. Off road use of all-terrain vehicles
(ATVs) is prohibited, except to retrieve
bagged game.
12. Standby hunting permits are
issued only if openings are available on
the day of each hunt on a first-come,
first-served basis. Contact Refuge
Manager for details.
13. The use or possession of bait is
prohibited during scouting or hunting
(see § 32.2(h)). Bait is considered
anything that may be eaten or ingested
by wildlife. Scent attractants are
allowed.
14. A hunter may bring one guest.
Guest may not use a hunting firearm or
other hunting weapon (archery). Guest
may assist hunter in game retrieval or
field dressing activities. Guest must be
with the hunter at all times.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of white-tailed deer and feral
hog at designated times on designated
areas of the refuge in accordance with
State regulations and subject to the
following conditions:
1. Conditions B1 through B14 apply.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 31. Amend § 32.64 Utah by revising
paragraphs C.4, C.5, C.6, and C.7 under
Ouray National Wildlife Refuge to read
as follows.
§ 32.64
*
*
Utah.
*
*
*
Ouray National Wildlife Refuge
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
4. We allow any-legal-weapon elk
hunting for youth, disabled, and
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depredation pool hunters during State
seasons subject to refuge regulations.
5. We allow archery elk hunting
during the general and the Uintah Basin
extended archery elk hunts during State
seasons subject to refuge regulations.
6. We are closed for the general anylegal-weapon (rifle) and muzzleloader
bull elk hunts.
7. We allow any-legal-weapon elk
hunting during limited late season
antlerless elk hunts starting on
December 1 during State seasons subject
to refuge regulations.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 32. Amend § 32.65 Vermont by
adding, in alphabetical order, an entry
for Silvio O. Conte National Fish and
Wildlife Refuge to read as follows:
§ 32.65
*
Vermont.
*
*
*
*
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and
Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of ducks, geese, crows,
and American woodcock at the
Nulhegan Basin Division and Putney
Mountain Unit in accordance with State
of Vermont regulations, seasons, and
bag limits subject to the following
conditions:
1. Shooting across, over, or within 10
feet of the traveled portion of any gravel
road is prohibited in the interest of
public safety (see §§ 25.71 of this
chapter).
2. You may only use portable blinds.
3. We allow the use of retrieving,
flushing, pointing, and pursuit dogs;
however dogs must be under control as
is reasonable and customary for that
activity, such as voice command or
remote telemetry (see § 26.21(b) of this
chapter).
4. We prohibit the use of all-terrain
and off-highway vehicles (ATVs and
OHVs).
5. You must remove all blinds,
decoys, shell casings, and other
personal equipment and refuse from the
refuge at the end of each hunt day (see
§§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of coyote, fox, raccoon, bobcat,
woodchuck, red squirrel, eastern gray
squirrel, porcupine, skunk, snowshoe
hare, eastern cottontail, and ruffed
grouse at the Nulhegan Basin Division
and Putney Mountain Unit in
accordance with State of Vermont
regulations, seasons, and bag limits
subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 through A4 apply.
2. To monitor and mitigate potential
disturbances to wildlife and neighboring
landowners, raccoon hunters hunting at
night with dogs will require a special
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use permit (FWS Form 1383–G) issued
by the Refuge Manager.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of white-tailed deer, moose,
black bear, and wild turkey at the
Nulhegan Basin Division and Putney
Mountain Unit in accordance with State
of Vermont regulations, seasons, and
bag limits subject to the following
conditions:
1. Conditions A1 through A4 apply.
2. We allow only temporary tree
stands and you must remove them (see
§ 27.93 of this chapter) by the end of the
final deer season. Your name and
address must be clearly visible on the
tree stand. We prohibit nails, screws, or
screw-in climbing pegs to build or
access a stand (see § 32.2(i)).
3. Moose may be retrieved at the
Nulhegan Basin Division by a
commercial moose hauler, subject to a
special use permit (FWS Form 1383–C)
issued by the Refuge Manager.
D. Sport Fishing. [RESERVED]
*
*
*
*
*
■ 33. Amend § 32.66 Virginia by
revising paragraphs C.1, C.5, C.12, and
C.13 under Back Bay National Wildlife
Refuge to read as follows:
§ 32.66
*
*
Virginia.
*
*
*
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
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*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Hunt regulations, hunting
application procedures, seasons,
methods of hunting, maps depicting
areas open to hunting, and the terms
and conditions under which we issue
hunting permits are available on the
refuge’s Web site.
*
*
*
*
*
5. All selected and standby applicants
must enter the refuge between 4 a.m.
and 4:30 a.m. on each hunt day. We may
issue standby hunters permits (name
only) to fill vacant slots by lottery.
Hunting hours will comply with State
laws.
*
*
*
*
*
12. We allow scouting on designated
days prior to the start of each refuge
hunt period. Hunters may enter the hunt
zones on foot, on bicycle, or through
transportation provided by the refuge
only. Scouts must wear 400 square
inches (2,600 square centimeters) of
visible blaze orange.
13. Hunters may go to Hunt Zone 1
(Long Island) only by hand-launched
watercraft (canoe, punt, rowboat, and
similar watercraft) from the canoe
launch at refuge headquarters. Your boat
must meet Coast Guard safety
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requirements. We prohibit use of
trailers.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 34. Amend § 32.67 Washington by:
■ a. Removing paragraphs B.2 and C.2
and redesignating paragraphs B.3 and
C.3 as paragraphs B.2 and C.2,
respectively, under Columbia National
Wildlife Refuge.
■ b. Revising paragraphs A, C.9, and D
under Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the
Columbian White-Tailed Deer.
■ c. Revising paragraph A.6 under
McNary National Wildlife Refuge.
■ d. Revising paragraphs A.3, A.5, A.11,
A.13, and A.14 and adding paragraph
A.17 under Ridgefield National Wildlife
Refuge.
■ e. Revising paragraphs A, B, and C
under Willapa National Wildlife Refuge.
These revisions and additions read as
follows:
§ 32.67
*
*
Washington.
*
*
*
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the
Columbian White-Tailed Deer
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of goose, duck, coot, and
common snipe on the refuge-owned
shorelines of Hunting and Price Islands
in accordance with State regulations
and subject to the following conditions:
1. You may possess only approved
nontoxic shot for hunting (see § 32.2(k)).
2. You may not shoot or discharge any
hunting firearm from, across, or along a
public highway, designated route of
travel, road, road shoulder, road
embankment, or designated parking
area.
3. We prohibit permanent blinds. You
must remove all personal property,
including decoys and boats, by 1 hour
after legal sunset (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94
of this chapter).
4. We prohibit hunting along refugeowned shorelines of Hunting and Price
Islands where it parallels Steamboat
Slough.
5. We open the refuge for hunting
access from 11⁄2 hour before legal
sunrise until 11⁄2 hour after legal sunset.
6. We prohibit dogs on the refuge,
except for hunting dogs engaged in
authorized hunting activities, and under
the immediate control of a licensed
hunter (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
*
*
*
*
*
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
9. We require hunters to sign in and
out each day at the refuge headquarters.
When signing out for the day, you must
report hunting success, failure, and any
hit-but-not retrieved animals on the Big
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58781
Game Harvest Report (FWS Form 3–
2359).
*
*
*
*
*
D. Sport Fishing. Bank fishing is
allowed from the Mainland Unit
shoreline adjoining the Elochoman and
Columbia Rivers as well as Steamboat
and Brooks Sloughs, in accordance with
State fishing regulations. Bank fishing is
allowed in the pond adjacent to the
diking district pumping station by
Brooks Slough. All other areas of the
mainland unit are closed to fishing.
Bank fishing is allowed along the
shorelines of refuge islands in
accordance with State regulations.
*
*
*
*
*
McNary National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
6. On the Peninsula Unit, we allow
hunting subject to the following
conditions: On the east shoreline of the
Peninsula Unit, we allow hunting only
from established numbered blind sites,
assigned on a first-come, first-served
basis, and we require hunters to remain
within 100 feet (30 meters) of marked
posts unless retrieving birds or setting
decoys.
*
*
*
*
*
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
* * *
*
*
*
*
*
3. We limit hunting of dusky Canada
goose in accordance with State
regulations and quotas. The State
defines dusky Canada goose as a dark
breasted Canada goose, as determined
by a Munsell color chart 10 YR, 5 or
less, with a culmen (bill) length of 40 to
50 millimeters (1.6 to 2 inches). We will
close the refuge goose season early if the
dusky Canada goose harvest reaches the
refuge quota assigned by the State.
*
*
*
*
*
5. Prior to entering the hunt area, you
must pay a recreation user fee, obtain a
blind assignment, and obtain a
Migratory Bird Hunt Report (FWS Form
3–2361). You must carry the Migratory
Bird Hunt Report while hunting as proof
of blind assignment and user fee
payment.
*
*
*
*
*
11. You may possess only approved
nontoxic shotshells for hunting (see
§ 32.2(k)) in quantities of 25 or fewer per
day.
*
*
*
*
*
13. Prior to switching blinds, you
must first report to the refuge check
station to obtain a new blind
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assignment. You must submit an
accurate Migratory Bird Hunt Report
(FWS Form 3–2361) for the blind being
vacated, and obtain a new Migratory
Bird Hunt Report for the new blind.
14. Prior to leaving the hunt area, you
must check out at the refuge check
station, submit an accurate Migratory
Bird Hunt Report (FWS Form 3–2361),
and present all harvested birds for
inspection by check station personnel.
*
*
*
*
*
17. Persons possessing, transporting,
or carrying firearms on national wildlife
refuges must comply with all provisions
of State and local law. Persons may only
use (discharge) firearms in accordance
with refuge regulations (see § 27.42 of
this chapter and specific refuge
regulations in this part 32).
*
*
*
*
*
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Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
Hunting of geese, ducks, coots, and
snipe is permitted on designated areas
of the refuge in accordance with State
hunting regulations and subject to the
following conditions:
1. Prior to entering the hunt area at
the Riekkola and Tarlatt Units, all
hunters are required to obtain and carry
a Migratory Bird Hunt Application
(FWS Form 3–2357), pay a recreation
user fee, obtain a blind assignment, and
report waterfowl taken per instructions
on the Migratory Bird Hunt Report
(FWS Form 3–2361).
2. At the Riekkola and Tarlatt Units,
hunters may take ducks and coots only
coincidental to hunting geese.
3. Goose hunting is permitted on
Wednesday and Saturday in the
Riekkola and Tarlatt Units only from
established blinds.
4. At the Riekkola and Tarlatt Units,
you may possess no more than 25
approved nontoxic shells per day while
hunting.
5. You may possess only approved
nontoxic shot for hunting (see § 32.2(k)).
6. You may not shoot or discharge any
hunting firearm from, across, or along a
public highway, designated route of
travel, road, road shoulder, road
embankment, or designated parking
area.
7. We prohibit camping on the refuge
except in designated campgrounds on
Long Island for up to 14 days.
8. We open the refuge for hunting
access from 11⁄2 hour before legal
sunrise until 11⁄2 hour after legal sunset.
9. We require dogs to be kept on a
leash, except for hunting dogs engaged
in authorized hunting activities, and
under the immediate control of a
licensed hunter (see § 26.21(b) of this
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chapter). We prohibit dogs on Long
Island and on beaches within the
Leadbetter Point Unit.
10. Access to the hunt area is by foot
or boat access only. We allow bicycles
on designated roads and trails only.
Mobility-impaired hunters should
consult the Refuge Manager for allowed
conveyances.
11. We prohibit permanent blinds.
You must remove all personal property,
including decoys and boats, by 1 hour
after legal sunset (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94
of this chapter).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of forest grouse (sooty and
ruffed) on Long Island, subject to the
following conditions:
1. Hunters are required to obtain and
carry a Big/Upland Game Hunt
Application (FWS Form 3–2356) and
report game taken, hours hunted, and
name/address/date on the Upland/Small
Game/Furbearer Report (FWS Form 3–
2362).
2. Archery hunting only.
3. You may not shoot or discharge a
firearm on Long Island.
4. Dogs are not permitted on Long
Island.
5. Conditions A7 through A10 apply.
6. We prohibit fires on the refuge,
except in designated campgrounds on
Long Island (see § 27.95(a) of this
chapter).
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of deer, elk, and bear on
designated areas of the refuge, in
accordance with State regulations
subject to the following conditions:
1. At Long Island hunters must obtain
and carry a Big/Upland Game Hunt
Application (FWS Form 3–2356) and
report game taken, hours hunted and
name/address/date on the Big Game
Harvest Report (FWS Form 3–2359).
2. At Long Island, only archery
hunting is permitted and hunting
firearms are prohibited.
3. Bear hunting is prohibited on any
portion of the refuge except Long Island.
4. The use of centerfire or rimfire
rifles is prohibited within the Lewis,
Porter Point, and Riekkola Units.
5. Dogs are prohibited.
6. Conditions A7 through A10 and B6
apply.
7. We prohibit construction or use of
permanent blinds, platforms, ladders, or
screw-in foot pegs.
8. You must remove all personal
property, including stands, from the
refuge by 11⁄2 hours after legal sunset
(see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
9. Tree stands may stay in place for
3 days and must be labeled with the
hunter’s name and phone number, and
the date the stand was set-up. The stand
may be set-up 11⁄2 hours before legal
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Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
sunrise. The stand must be removed
before 11⁄2 hours after legal sunset on
the third day.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 35. Amend § 32.69 Wisconsin by
revising paragraph B.5 and removing
paragraph B.6 under Necedah National
Wildlife Refuge to read as follows:
§ 32.69
*
Wisconsin.
*
*
*
*
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
*
*
*
*
*
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
5. You may only hunt snowshoe hare
during the season for cottontail rabbit.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 36. Amend § 32.70 Wyoming by
adding, in alphabetical order, an entry
for Cokeville Meadows National
Wildlife Refuge to read as follows:
§ 32.70
*
Wyoming.
*
*
*
*
Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife
Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We
allow hunting of ducks, dark geese,
coots, mergansers, snipe, Virginia rail,
Sora rail, sandhill crane, and mourning
dove in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. We prohibit hunting of migratory
game birds in areas of the refuge
indicated on the Cokeville Meadows
National Wildlife Refuge Hunting
Brochure and marked by signs as closed
to all hunting or closed to migratory
bird hunting.
2. You may only possess approved
nontoxic shot while in the field (see
§ 32.2(k)).
3. We prohibit pits and permanent
blinds.
4. You may use portable blinds or
blinds constructed of natural dead
vegetation (see § 27.51 of this chapter).
5. You must remove all decoys, shell
casings, portable and temporary blinds,
and other personal equipment (see
§§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) from
the refuge at the end of each day.
6. We prohibit possession or
consumption of any alcoholic beverage
while hunting (see § 32.2(j)).
7. Hunters may not enter closed areas
to retrieve animals legally shot in an
open area unless authorization has been
given by a refuge employee or State
Conservation Officer. Permission must
be obtained from private landowners
before attempting to retrieve game on
private land.
8. Dogs must be leashed and/or under
the direct control of a handler (see
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§ 26.21(b) of this chapter). The use of
dogs to find and retrieve legally
harvested migratory game birds is
allowed.
9. Hunters must park in a Designated
Hunter Parking Area, as identified by
signs.
10. Hunters are required to access and
exit the hunting areas from a Designated
Hunter Parking Area only. Drop off or
pick up of hunters is prohibited except
at Hunter Designated Parking Areas.
11. Hunters may only access the
refuge 1 hour before legal sunrise until
1 hour after legal sunset.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of blue grouse, ruffed grouse,
chuckar partridge, gray partridge,
cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hares,
squirrels (red, gray, and fox), red fox,
raccoon, and striped skunk in
accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A2 through A7 and A9
through A11 apply.
2. We prohibit hunting of upland
game species in areas of the refuge
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indicated on the Cokeville Meadows
National Wildlife Refuge Hunting
Brochure and marked by signs as closed
to all hunting.
3. Dogs must be leashed and/or under
the direct control of a handler. The use
of dogs to find and retrieve legally
harvested upland game birds, cottontail
rabbits, and squirrels is allowed and
encouraged. Dogs may not be used to
chase red fox, raccoon, striped skunk, or
any other species not specifically
allowed in A8 or this paragraph.
4. Red fox, raccoon, and striped skunk
may be taken on the refuge by licensed
migratory bird, big game, or upland/
small game hunters from September 1
until the end of the last open big game,
upland bird, or small game season. Red
fox, raccoon, or striped skunk that is
harvested must be taken into possession
and removed from the refuge.
5. We prohibit hunting of sage grouse.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow
hunting of elk, mule deer, white-tailed
deer, pronghorn, and moose in
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58783
accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A3 through A7 and A9
through A11 apply.
2. We prohibit hunting of big game in
areas of the refuge indicated on the
Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife
Refuge Hunting Brochure and marked
by signs as closed to all hunting.
3. You may hunt with the aid of a
temporary tree stand that does not
require drilling or nailing into the tree.
All personal property, including
temporary tree stands, must be removed
at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and
27.94 of this chapter).
D. Sport Fishing. [RESERVED]
*
*
*
*
*
Dated: August 27, 2013.
Rachel Jacobson,
Principal Deputy, Assistant Secretary for Fish
and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2013–21804 Filed 9–23–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 24, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58753-58783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-21804]
[[Page 58753]]
Vol. 78
Tuesday,
No. 185
September 24, 2013
Part IV
Department of the Interior
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Fish and Wildlife Service
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50 CFR Parts 25 and 32
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2013-2014 Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations;
Proposed Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 24, 2013 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 58754]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Parts 25 and 32
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2013-0074]; [FXRS12650900000-134-FF09R20000]
RIN 1018-AZ87
2013-2014 Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to add 6 national
wildlife refuges (NWRs) to the list of areas open for hunting and/or
sport fishing, add new hunts at 6 refuges, increase the hunting
activities available at 20 other refuges, and increase fishing
opportunities at two refuges, along with pertinent refuge-specific
regulations on other refuges that pertain to migratory game bird
hunting, upland game hunting, big game hunting, and sport fishing for
the 2013-2014 season.
DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before
October 24, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov. Search for Docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2013-
0074, which is the docket number for this rulemaking. On the resulting
screen, find the correct document and submit a comment by clicking on
``Comment Now!''
By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand delivery: Public
Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-HQ-NWRS-2013-0074; Division of Policy
and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N
Fairfax Drive, MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.
We will not accept email or faxes. We will post all comments on
https://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any
personal information you provide us (see the Request for Comments
section below for more information). For information on specific
refuges' public use programs and the conditions that apply to them or
for copies of compatibility determinations for any refuge(s), contact
individual programs at the addresses/phone numbers given in ``Available
Information for Specific Refuges'' under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul F. Steblein, (703) 358-2678.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966 closes national wildlife refuges in all
States except Alaska to all uses until opened. The Secretary of the
Interior (Secretary) may open refuge areas to any use, including
hunting and/or sport fishing, upon a determination that such uses are
compatible with the purposes of the refuge and National Wildlife Refuge
System mission. The action also must be in accordance with provisions
of all laws applicable to the areas, developed in coordination with the
appropriate State fish and wildlife agency(ies), consistent with the
principles of sound fish and wildlife management and administration,
and otherwise in the public interest. These requirements ensure that we
maintain the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health
of the Refuge System for the benefit of present and future generations
of Americans.
We annually review refuge hunting and sport fishing programs to
determine whether to include additional refuges or whether individual
refuge regulations governing existing programs need modifications.
Changing environmental conditions, State and Federal regulations, and
other factors affecting fish and wildlife populations and habitat may
warrant modifications to refuge-specific regulations to ensure the
continued compatibility of hunting and sport fishing programs and to
ensure that these programs will not materially interfere with or
detract from the fulfillment of refuge purposes or the Refuge System's
mission.
Provisions governing hunting and sport fishing on refuges are in
title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations in part 32 (50 CFR part
32). We regulate hunting and sport fishing on refuges to:
Ensure compatibility with refuge purpose(s);
Properly manage the fish and wildlife resource(s);
Protect other refuge values;
Ensure refuge visitor safety; and
Provide opportunities for quality fish- and wildlife-
dependent recreation.
On many refuges where we decide to allow hunting and sport fishing,
our general policy of adopting regulations identical to State hunting
and sport fishing regulations is adequate in meeting these objectives.
On other refuges, we must supplement State regulations with more-
restrictive Federal regulations to ensure that we meet our management
responsibilities, as outlined in the ``Statutory Authority'' section.
We issue refuge-specific hunting and sport fishing regulations when we
open wildlife refuges to migratory game bird hunting, upland game
hunting, big game hunting, or sport fishing. These regulations list the
wildlife species that you may hunt or fish, seasons, bag or creel
(container for carrying fish) limits, methods of hunting or sport
fishing, descriptions of areas open to hunting or sport fishing, and
other provisions as appropriate. You may find previously issued refuge-
specific regulations for hunting and sport fishing in 50 CFR part 32.
In this rulemaking, we are also proposing to standardize and clarify
the language of existing regulations.
Statutory Authority
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997 [Improvement Act]) (Administration Act), and
the Refuge Recreation Act of 1962 (16 U.S.C. 460k-460k-4) (Recreation
Act) govern the administration and public use of refuges.
Amendments enacted by the Improvement Act, built upon the
Administration Act in a manner that provides an ``organic act'' for the
Refuge System, are similar to those that exist for other public Federal
lands. The Improvement Act serves to ensure that we effectively manage
the Refuge System as a national network of lands, waters, and interests
for the protection and conservation of our Nation's wildlife resources.
The Administration Act states first and foremost that we focus our
Refuge System mission on conservation of fish, wildlife, and plant
resources and their habitats. The Improvement Act requires the
Secretary, before allowing a new use of a refuge, or before expanding,
renewing, or extending an existing use of a refuge, to determine that
the use is compatible with the purpose for which the refuge was
established and the mission of the Refuge System. The Improvement Act
established as the policy of the United States that wildlife-dependent
recreation, when compatible, is a legitimate and appropriate public use
of the Refuge System, through which the American public can develop an
appreciation for fish and wildlife. The Improvement Act established six
wildlife-dependent recreational uses as the priority general public
uses of the Refuge System. These uses are: Hunting, fishing, wildlife
observation and photography, and environmental education and
interpretation.
The Recreation Act authorizes the Secretary to administer areas
within the Refuge System for public recreation as an appropriate
incidental or secondary
[[Page 58755]]
use only to the extent that doing so is practicable and not
inconsistent with the primary purpose(s) for which Congress and the
Service established the areas. The Recreation Act requires that any
recreational use of refuge lands be compatible with the primary
purpose(s) for which we established the refuge and not inconsistent
with other previously authorized operations.
The Administration Act and Recreation Act also authorize the
Secretary to issue regulations to carry out the purposes of the Acts
and regulate uses.
We develop specific management plans for each refuge prior to
opening it to hunting or sport fishing. In many cases, we develop
refuge-specific regulations to ensure the compatibility of the programs
with the purpose(s) for which we established the refuge and the Refuge
System mission. We ensure initial compliance with the Administration
Act and the Recreation Act for hunting and sport fishing on newly
acquired refuges through an interim determination of compatibility made
at or near the time of acquisition. These regulations ensure that we
make the determinations required by these acts prior to adding refuges
to the lists of areas open to hunting and sport fishing in 50 CFR part
32. We ensure continued compliance by the development of comprehensive
conservation plans, specific plans, and by annual review of hunting and
sport fishing programs and regulations.
Amendments to Existing Regulations
This document proposes to codify in the Code of Federal Regulations
all of the Service's hunting and/or sport fishing regulations that are
applicable at Refuge System units previously opened to hunting and/or
sport fishing. We are doing this to better inform the general public of
the regulations at each refuge, to increase understanding and
compliance with these regulations, and to make enforcement of these
regulations more efficient. In addition to now finding these
regulations in 50 CFR part 32, visitors to our refuges will usually
find them reiterated in literature distributed by each refuge or posted
on signs.
We cross-reference a number of existing regulations in 50 CFR parts
26, 27, 28, and 32 to assist hunting and sport fishing visitors with
understanding safety and other legal requirements on refuges. This
redundancy is deliberate, with the intention of improving safety and
compliance in our hunting and sport fishing programs.
Table 1--Changes for 2013-2014 Hunting/Fishing Season
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refuge/region (*) State Migratory bird hunting Upland game hunting Big game hunting Sport fishing
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aransas NWR (2).................. Texas............... B...................... closed................ Already open.......... Already open.
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Florida............. Already open........... closed................ B..................... Already open.
NWR (4).
Balcones Canyonlands NWR (2)..... Texas............... C...................... C..................... C..................... closed.
Bandon Marsh NWR (1)............. Oregon.............. C...................... closed................ closed................ Already open.
Baskett Slough NWR (1)........... Oregon.............. A...................... closed................ closed................ closed.
Cherry Valley NWR (5)............ Pennsylvania........ A...................... A..................... A..................... closed.
Cokeville Meadows NWR (6)........ Wyoming............. A...................... A..................... A..................... closed.
Colusa NWR (8)................... California.......... C...................... C..................... closed................ closed.
Cypress Creek NWR (3)............ Illinois............ C...................... C..................... C..................... Already open.
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge For Oregon and C...................... closed................ Already open.......... Already open.
the Columbian White-Tailed Deer Washington.
(1).
Kootenai NWR (1)................. Idaho............... Already open........... D..................... Already open.......... Already open.
Malheur NWR (1).................. Oregon.............. C...................... Already open.......... Already open.......... C.
Middle Mississippi River NWR (3). Illinois............ C...................... C..................... C..................... Already open.
Mingo NWR (3).................... Missouri............ C...................... C/D................... C..................... Already open.
Neal Smith NWR (3)............... Iowa................ C/D.................... C/D................... C/D................... closed.
Nestucca Bay NWR (1)............. Oregon.............. A...................... closed................ closed................ closed.
Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR Iowa................ C/D.................... C/D................... C/D................... closed.
(3).
Patoka River NWR and Management Indiana............. C...................... C..................... C..................... Already open.
Area (3).
Port Louisa NWR (3).............. Iowa................ C...................... C..................... C..................... C.
Rachel Carson NWR (5)............ Maine............... C...................... C/D................... C/D................... Already open.
St. Marks NWR (4)................ Florida............. C...................... C..................... C..................... Already open.
San Andres NWR (2)............... New Mexico.......... closed................. closed................ D..................... closed.
Shawangunk Grasslands NWR (5).... New York............ closed................. closed................ A..................... closed.
Siletz Bay NWR (1)............... Oregon.............. A...................... closed................ closed................ closed.
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Vermont............. C...................... C..................... C..................... closed.
Wildlife Refuge (5).
Willapa NWR (1).................. Washington.......... C...................... Already open.......... C..................... Already open.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Key:
* number in ( ) refers to the Region as explained in the preamble to this proposed rule for additional information regarding refuge specific
regulations.
A = New Refuge opened.
B = New activity on a refuge previously open to other activities.
C = Refuge already open to activity, but added new lands/waters or modified areas open to hunting or fishing.
D = Refuge already open to activity but added new species to hunt.
The changes for the 2013-14 hunting/fishing season noted in the
chart above are each based on a complete administrative record which,
among other detailed documentation, also includes a hunt plan, a
compatibility determination, and the appropriate National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) analysis, all of which were
the subject of a public review and comment process. These documents are
available upon request.
Fish Advisory
For health reasons, anglers should review and follow State-issued
consumption advisories before enjoying recreational sport fishing
opportunities on Service-managed waters. You can
[[Page 58756]]
find information about current fish consumption advisories on the
Internet at: https://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/.
Plain Language Mandate
In this proposed rule, we propose some of the revisions to the
individual refuge units to comply with a Presidential mandate to use
plain language in regulations; as such, these particular revisions do
not modify the substance of the previous regulations. These types of
changes include using ``you'' to refer to the reader and ``we'' to
refer to the Refuge System, using the word ``allow'' instead of
``permit'' when we do not require the use of a permit for an activity,
and using active voice (i.e., ``We restrict entry into the refuge'' vs.
``Entry into the refuge is restricted'').
Request for Comments
You may submit comment and materials on this proposed rule by any
one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. We will not accept
comments sent by email or fax or to an address not listed in the
ADDRESSES section. We will not consider hand-delivered comments that we
do not receive, or mailed comments that are not postmarked, by the date
specified in the DATES section.
We will post your entire comment on https://www.regulations.gov.
Before including personal identifying information in your comment, you
should be aware that we may make your entire comment--including your
personal identifying information--publicly available at any time. While
you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so. We will post all hardcopy comments on https://www.regulations.gov.
Public Comment
Department of the Interior policy is, whenever practicable, to
afford the public a meaningful opportunity to participate in the
rulemaking process. The process of opening refuges is done in stages,
with the fundamental work being performed on the ground at the refuge
and in the community where the program is administered. In these
stages, the public is given other opportunities to comment, for
example, on the comprehensive conservation plans and the compatibility
determinations. The second stage is this document, when we publish the
proposed rule in the Federal Register for additional comment, commonly
for a 30-day comment period.
There is nothing contained in this annual regulation outside the
scope of the annual review process where we determine whether
individual refuges need modifications, deletions, or additions made to
them. We make every attempt to collect all of the proposals from the
refuges nationwide and process them expeditiously to maximize the time
available for public review. We believe that a 30-day comment period,
through the broader publication following the earlier public
involvement, gives the public sufficient time to comment and allows us
to establish hunting and fishing programs in time for the upcoming
seasons. Many of these rules also relieve restrictions and allow the
public to participate in recreational activities on a number of
refuges. In addition, in order to continue to provide for previously
authorized hunting opportunities while at the same time providing for
adequate resource protection, we must be timely in providing
modifications to certain hunting programs on some refuges.
We considered providing a 60-day, rather than a 30-day, comment
period. However, we determined that an additional 30-day delay in
processing these refuge-specific hunting and sport fishing regulations
would hinder the effective planning and administration of our hunting
and sport fishing programs. Such a delay would jeopardize enacting
amendments to hunting and sport fishing programs in time for
implementation this year and/or early next year, or shorten the
duration of these programs.
Even after issuance of a final rule, we accept comments,
suggestions, and concerns for consideration for any appropriate
subsequent rulemaking.
When finalized, we will incorporate these regulations into 50 CFR
part 32. Part 32 contains general provisions and refuge-specific
regulations for hunting and sport fishing on refuges.
Clarity of This Rule
We are required by Executive Orders 12866 and 12988 and by the
Presidential Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain
language. This means that each rule we publish must:
(a) Be logically organized;
(b) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
(c) Use clear language rather than jargon;
(d) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
(e) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
If you feel that we have not met these requirements, send us
comments by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. To
better help us revise the rule; your comments should be a specific as
possible. For example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections
or paragraphs that are unclearly written, which sections or sentences
are too long, the sections where you feel lists or tables would be
useful, etc.
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. OIRA has
determined that this rule is not significant.
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.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (as amended by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act [SBREFA] of 1996) (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.), whenever a Federal agency is required to publish a
notice of rulemaking for any proposed or final rule, it must prepare
and make available for public comment a regulatory flexibility analysis
that describes the effect of the rule on small entities (i.e., small
businesses, small organizations, and small government jurisdictions).
However, no regulatory flexibility analysis is required if the head of
an agency certifies that the rule would not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. Thus, for a
regulatory flexibility analysis to be required, impacts must exceed a
threshold for ``significant impact'' and a threshold for a
``substantial number of small entities.'' See 5 U.S.C. 605(b). SBREFA
amended the Regulatory Flexibility Act to require Federal agencies to
provide a statement of the factual basis for certifying that a rule
would not have a significant economic
[[Page 58757]]
impact on a substantial number of small entities.
This proposed rule adds 6 national wildlife refuges to the list of
refuges open to hunting, increases hunting activities on 20 additional
national wildlife refuges, and increases fishing activities at 2
refuges. As a result, visitor use for wildlife-dependent recreation on
these national wildlife refuges will change. If the refuges
establishing new programs were a pure addition to the current supply of
such activities, it would mean an estimated increase of 19,425 user
days (one person per day participating in a recreational opportunity)
(Table 2). Because the participation trend is flat in these activities
since 1991, this increase in supply will most likely be offset by other
sites losing participants. Therefore, this is likely to be a substitute
site for the activity and not necessarily an increase in participation
rates for the activity.
Table 2--Estimated Change in Recreation Opportunities in 2013/2014
[dollars in thousands]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Additional
Refuge days expenditures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aransas NWR............................. 2,600 121.1
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR...... 11 0.5
Balcones Canyonlands NWR................ 93 4.3
Bandon Marsh NWR........................ 108 5.0
Baskett Slough NWR...................... 140 6.5
Cherry Valley NWR....................... 315 14.7
Cokeville Meadows NWR................... 500 23.3
Colusa NWR.............................. 165 7.7
Cypress Creek NWR....................... 0 ..............
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge For the 0 ..............
Columbian White-Tailed Deer............
Kootenai NWR............................ 0 ..............
Malheur NWR............................. 95 4.4
Middle Mississippi River NWR............ 11,835 551.2
Mingo NWR............................... 1,500 69.9
Neal Smith NWR.......................... 25 1.2
Nestucca Bay NWR........................ 120 5.6
Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR.......... 10 0.5
Patoka River NWR and Management Area.... 26 1.2
Port Louisa NWR......................... 0 ..............
Rachel Carson NWR....................... 0 ..............
St. Marks NWR........................... 30 1.4
San Andres NWR.......................... 4 0.2
Shawangunk Grasslands NWR............... 43 2.0
Siletz Bay NWR.......................... 100 4.66
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and 875 40.8
Wildlife Refuge........................
Willapa NWR............................. 830 38.7
-------------------------------
TOTAL............................... 19,425 904.8
------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the extent visitors spend time and money in the area of the
refuge that they would not have spent there anyway, they contribute new
income to the regional economy and benefit local businesses. Due to the
unavailability of site-specific expenditure data, we use the national
estimates from the 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and
Wildlife Associated Recreation to identify expenditures for food and
lodging, transportation, and other incidental expenses. Using the
average expenditures for these categories with the maximum expected
additional participation of the Refuge System yields approximately
$904,800 in recreation-related expenditures (Table 2). By having ripple
effects throughout the economy, these direct expenditures are only part
of the economic impact of these recreational activities. Using a
national impact multiplier for hunting activities (2.27) derived from
the report ``Hunting in America: An Economic Force for Conservation''
yields a total economic impact of approximately $2.1 million (2012
dollars) (Southwick Associates, Inc., 2012). Using a local impact
multiplier would yield more accurate and smaller results. However, we
employed the national impact multiplier due to the difficulty in
developing local multipliers for each specific region.
Since we know that most of the fishing and hunting occurs within
100 miles of a participant's residence, then it is unlikely that most
of this spending would be ``new'' money coming into a local economy;
therefore, this spending would be offset with a decrease in some other
sector of the local economy. The net gain to the local economies would
be no more than $2.1 million, and most likely considerably less. Since
80 percent of the participants travel less than 100 miles to engage in
hunting and fishing activities, their spending patterns would not add
new money into the local economy and, therefore, the real impact would
be on the order of about $411,000 annually.
Small businesses within the retail trade industry (such as hotels,
gas stations, taxidermy shops, bait and tackle shops, and similar
businesses) may be impacted from some increased or decreased refuge
visitation. A large percentage of these retail trade establishments in
the local communities around national wildlife refuges qualify as small
businesses (Table 3). We expect that the incremental recreational
changes will be scattered, and so we do not expect that the rule will
have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small
entities in any region or nationally. As noted previously, we expect
approximately $411,000 to be spent in total in the refuges' local
economies. The maximum increase at most would be less than one-tenth of
1 percent for local retail trade spending (Table 3).
[[Page 58758]]
Table 3--Comparative Expenditures for Retail Trade Associated With Additional Refuge Visitation for 2013/2014
[thousands, 2012 dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated
maximum Establ. with
Refuge/county(ies) Retail trade addition from Addition as % Establishments <10 emp in
in 2007 new of total in 2011 2011
activities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aransas NWR:
Calhoun, TX................. $356,827 $60.6 0.017 61 43
Aransas, TX................. 267,465 60.6 0.023 70 53
Arthur R Marshall Loxahatchee 21,395,255 0.5 <0.001 5,256 3,961
NWR: Palm Beach, FL............
Balcones Canyonlands NWR:
Burnet, TX.................. 708,176 1.4 <0.001 176 146
Travis, TX.................. 15,369,020 1.4 <0.001 3,454 2,398
Williamson, TX.............. 10,982,412 1.4 <0.001 1,237 812
Bandon Marsh NWR: Coos, OR...... 792,881 5.0 0.001 268 191
Baskett Slough NWR: Polk, OR.... 415,314 6.5 0.002 135 102
Cherry Valley NWR:
Monroe, PA.................. 2,231,111 7.3 <0.001 631 422
Northampton, PA............. 3,770,434 7.3 <0.001 876 608
Cokeville Meadows NWR: Lincoln, 245,506 23.3 0.009 79 62
WY.............................
Colusa NWR: Colusa, CA.......... 230,924 7.7 0.003 60 40
Malheur NWR: Harney, OR......... 96,975 4.4 0.005 28 20
Middle Mississippi River NWR:
Randolph, IL................ 367,968 137.8 0.037 105 68
Jackson, IL................. 757,506 137.8 0.018 225 141
Jefferson, IN............... 628,548 137.8 0.022 182 132
Monroe, IL.................. 449,266 137.8 0.031 95 65
Mingo NWR:
Stoddard, MO................ 482,886 34.9 0.007 120 84
Wayne, MO................... 72,844 34.9 0.048 37 29
Neal Smith NWR: Jasper, IA...... 303,361 1 <0.001 116 80
Nestucca Bay NWR: Tillamook, OR. 249,040 5.6 0.002 107 89
Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR: 303,361 0.5 <0.001 116 80
Jasper, IA.....................
Patoka River NWR:
Gibson, IN.................. 490,105 1.2 <0.001 122 84
Pike, IN.................... 61,937 1.2 0.002 31 22
St. Marks NWR:
Wakulla, FL................. 185,694 0.5 <0.001 59 46
Jefferson, FL............... 98,234 0.5 <0.001 47 35
Taylor, FL.................. 229,296 0.5 <0.001 96 75
San Andres NWR: Dona Ana, NM.... 2,132,201 0.2 <0.001 510 341
Shawangunk Grasslands NWR: 2,481,614 2.0 <0.001 733 548
Ulster, NY.....................
Siletz Bay NWR: Lincoln, OR..... 619,646 4.66 0.001 310 247
Silvio O. Conte National Fish
and Wildlife Refuge:
Essex, VT................... 16,644 20.4 0.122 20 16
Windham, VT................. 731,645 20.4 0.003 289 217
Willapa NWR: Pacific, WA........ 126,764 38.7 0.030 87 77
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the small change in overall spending anticipated from this
proposed rule, it is unlikely that a substantial number of small
entities will have more than a small impact from the spending change
near the affected refuges. Therefore, we certify that this proposed
rule will not have a significant economic effect on a substantial
number of small entities as defined under the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). An initial/final regulatory flexibility
analysis is not required. Accordingly, a small entity compliance guide
is not required.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
The proposed rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. We anticipate no
significant employment or small business effects. This rule:
a. Would not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million
or more. The minimal impact would be scattered across the country and
would most likely not be significant in any local area.
b. Would not cause a major increase in costs or prices for
consumers; individual industries; Federal, State, or local government
agencies; or geographic regions. This proposed rule would have only a
slight effect on the costs of hunting opportunities for Americans. If
the substitute sites are farther from the participants' residences,
then an increase in travel costs would occur. The Service does not have
information to quantify this change in travel cost but assumes that,
since most people travel less than 100 miles to hunt, the increased
travel cost would be small. We do not expect this proposed rule to
affect the supply or demand for hunting opportunities in the United
States and, therefore, it should not affect prices for hunting
equipment and supplies, or the retailers that sell equipment.
c. Would not have significant adverse effects on competition,
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises. This
proposed rule represents only a small proportion of recreational
[[Page 58759]]
spending at national wildlife refuges. Therefore, this rule would have
no measurable economic effect on the wildlife-dependent industry, which
has annual sales of equipment and travel expenditures of $72 billion
nationwide.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Since this proposed rule would apply to public use of federally
owned and managed refuges, it would not impose an unfunded mandate on
State, local, or Tribal governments or the private sector of more than
$100 million per year. The rule would not have a significant or unique
effect on State, local, or Tribal governments or the private sector. A
statement containing the information required by the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not required.
Takings (E.O. 12630)
In accordance with E.O. 12630, this proposed rule would not have
significant takings implications. This regulation would affect only
visitors at national wildlife refuges and describe what they can do
while they are on a refuge.
Federalism (E.O. 13132)
As discussed in the Regulatory Planning and Review and Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act sections above, this proposed rule would not have
sufficient federalism summary impact statement implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment under E.O. 13132. In
preparing this proposed rule, we worked with State governments.
Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)
In accordance with E.O. 12988, the Office of the Solicitor has
determined that the proposed rule would not unduly burden the judicial
system and that it meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2)
of the Order. The regulation would clarify established regulations and
result in better understanding of the regulations by refuge visitors.
Energy Supply, Distribution or Use (E.O. 13211)
On May 18, 2001, the President issued E.O. 13211 on regulations
that significantly affect energy supply, distribution, and use. E.O.
13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of Energy Effects when
undertaking certain actions. Because this proposed rule would increase
activities at 21 other refuges, at add new hunts at five refuges and
increase fishing opportunities at two refuges, it is not a significant
regulatory action under E.O. 12866, and we do not expect it to
significantly affect energy supplies, distribution, and use. Therefore,
this action is a not a significant energy action and no Statement of
Energy Effects is required.
Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments (E.O.
13175)
In accordance with E.O. 13175, we have evaluated possible effects
on federally recognized Indian tribes and have determined that there
are no effects. We coordinate recreational use on national wildlife
refuges with Tribal governments having adjoining or overlapping
jurisdiction before we propose the regulations.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This regulation does not contain any information collection
requirements other than those already approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) (OMB Control Numbers are 1018-0102 and 1018-0140).
In this proposed rule, we propose to revise 50 CFR 25.23 to provide
correct information concerning OMB approval for the collections of
information contained in subchapter C of title 50 of the Code of
Federal Regulations. An 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.
Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation
We comply with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), when developing comprehensive
conservation plans (CCPs) and step-down management plans (which would
include hunting and/or fishing plans) for public use of refuges, and
prior to implementing any new or revised public recreation program on a
refuge as identified in 50 CFR 26.32. We have completed section 7
consultation on each of the affected refuges.
National Environmental Policy Act
We analyzed this proposed rule in accordance with the criteria of
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C.
4332(C)), 43 CFR part 46, and 516 Departmental Manual (DM) 8.
A categorical exclusion from NEPA documentation applies to
publication of proposed amendments to refuge-specific hunting and
fishing regulations since they are technical and procedural in nature,
and the environmental effects are too broad, speculative, or
conjectural to lend themselves to meaningful analysis (43 CFR 46.210
and 516 DM 8). Concerning the actions that are the subject of this
proposed rulemaking, we have complied with NEPA at the project level
when developing each proposal. This is consistent with the Department
of the Interior instructions for compliance with NEPA where actions are
covered sufficiently by an earlier environmental document (43 CFR
46.120).
Prior to the addition of a refuge to the list of areas open to
hunting and fishing in 50 CFR part 32, we develop hunting and fishing
plans for the affected refuges. We incorporate these proposed refuge
hunting and fishing activities in the refuge CCPs and/or other step-
down management plans, pursuant to our refuge planning guidance in 602
Fish and Wildlife Service Manual (FW) 1, 3, and 4. We prepare these
CCPs and step-down plans in compliance with section 102(2)(C) of NEPA,
and the Council on Environmental Quality's regulations for implementing
NEPA in 40 CFR parts 1500-1508. We invite the affected public to
participate in the review, development, and implementation of these
plans. Copies of all plans and NEPA compliance are available from the
refuges at the addresses provided below.
Available Information for Specific Refuges
Individual refuge headquarters have information about public use
programs and conditions that apply to their specific programs and maps
of their respective areas. To find out how to contact a specific
refuge, contact the appropriate Regional office listed below:
Region 1--Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Regional Chief,
National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Eastside Federal Complex, Suite 1692, 911 NE. 11th Avenue, Portland, OR
97232-4181; Telephone (503) 231-6214.
Region 2--Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Regional Chief,
National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Box
1306, 500 Gold Avenue, Albuquerque, NM 87103; Telephone (505) 248-7419.
Region 3--Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio,
and Wisconsin. Regional Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, 1 Federal Drive, Federal Building, Fort
Snelling, Twin Cities, MN 55111; Telephone (612) 713-5401.
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, 9311 Groh Road, Large
Lakes Research Station, Grosse Ile, MI 43138; Telephone (734) 692-7608.
[[Page 58760]]
Region 4--Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico,
and the Virgin Islands. Regional Chief, National Wildlife Refuge
System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard,
Atlanta, GA 30345; Telephone (404) 679-7166.
Region 5--Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. Regional Chief, National
Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate
Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035-9589; Telephone (413) 253-8306.
Region 6--Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South
Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Regional Chief, National Wildlife Refuge
System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 134 Union Blvd., Lakewood, CO
80228; Telephone (303) 236-8145.
Region 7--Alaska. Regional Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK 99503;
Telephone (907) 786-3545.
Region 8--California and Nevada. Regional Chief, National Wildlife
Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, Room
W-2606, Sacramento, CA 95825; Telephone (916) 414-6464.
Primary Author
Paul Steblein, Division of Conservation Planning and Policy,
National Wildlife Refuge System is the primary author of this
rulemaking document.
List of Subjects
50 CFR Part 25
Administrative practice and procedure, Concessions, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Safety, Wildlife refuges.
50 CFR Part 32
Fishing, Hunting, Reporting, and recordkeeping requirements,
Wildlife, Wildlife refuges.
Proposed Regulation Promulgation
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, we propose to amend
title 50, chapter I, subchapter C of the Code of Federal Regulations as
follows:
PART 25--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for part 25 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 460k, 664, 668dd, and 715i,
3901 et seq.; and Pub. L. 102-402, 106 Stat. 1961.
0
2. Revise Sec. 25.23 to read as follows:
Sec. 25.23 What are the general regulations and information
collection requirements?
The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information
collection requirements contained in subchapter C, parts 25, 26, 27,
29, 30, 31, 32, and 36 under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. and assigned the
following control numbers: 1018-0102 for National Wildlife Refuge
Special Use Permit Applications and Reports; 1018-0140 for Hunting and
Fishing Application Forms and Activity Reports for National Wildlife
Refuges; and 1018-0153 for National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Check-In
Permit and Use Report. We collect information to assist us in
administering our programs in accordance with statutory authorities
that require that recreational or other uses be compatible with the
primary purposes for which the areas were established. Send comments on
any aspect of these forms or the information collection requirements to
the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, MS 2042-PDM, Washington, DC 20240.
PART 32--[AMENDED]
0
3. The authority citation for part 32 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 460k, 664, 668dd-668ee, and
715i.
0
4. Amend Sec. 32.7 ``What refuge units are open to hunting and/or
sport fishing?'' by:
0
a. Adding an entry for ``Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife
Refuge'' and placing it in alphabetical order in the State of
Connecticut;
0
b. Adding an entry for ``Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife
Refuge'' and placing it in alphabetical order in the State of
Massachusetts;
0
c. Adding an entry for ``Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife
Refuge'' and placing it in alphabetical order in the State of New York;
0
d. Adding an entry for ``Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge'' and
placing it in alphabetical order in the State of Oregon;
0
e. Adding an entry for ``Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge'' and
placing it in alphabetical order in the State of Oregon;
0
f. Adding an entry for ``Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge'' and
placing it in alphabetical order in the State of Oregon;
0
g. Adding an entry for ``Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge'' and
placing it in alphabetical order in the State of Pennsylvania;
0
h. Adding an entry for ``Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife
Refuge'' and placing it in alphabetical order in the State of Vermont;
and
0
i. Adding an entry for ``Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge''
and placing it in alphabetical order in the State of Wyoming.
0
5. Amend Sec. 32.20 Alabama by:
0
a. Revising paragraphs B.1, B.2, B.3, B.4, B.5, B.6, B.7, C.1, C.3,
C.4, C.5, and D.1; adding paragraphs B.8 and B.9; and removing
paragraphs C.6, C.7, C.8, and D.2 under Cahaba River National Wildlife
Refuge.
0
b. Revising paragraphs B.5, B.6, B.8, B.9, B.10, C.1, C.2, C.3, C.4,
D.1, D.2, and D.8 and adding paragraph C.6 under Choctaw National
Wildlife Refuge.
0
c. Revising paragraphs B.1, B.4, and C.1 under Eufaula National
Wildlife Refuge.
0
d. Revising paragraphs A.1, A.4, A.5, and B.1 and adding paragraphs
A.6, A.7, and B.3 under Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge.
0
e. Revising paragraphs A.1, A.2, A.3, A.4, B.1, B.2, B.3, C.1, and C.4
and adding paragraphs A.5, A.6, A.7, B.4, and B.5 under Mountain
Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge.
0
f. Revising paragraph B under Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge.
0
g. . Revising paragraphs B.1, B.2, B.4, B.7, B.10, C.1, C.2, C.3, C.4,
C.5, and C.7; removing paragraphs C.8 and C.9; and adding paragraphs
B.11, B.12, and B.13 under Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.
These revisions and additions read as follows:
Sec. 32.20 Alabama.
* * * * *
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. We require hunters to hunt in accordance with Alabama Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources' William R. Ireland, Sr.--Cahaba
River Wildlife Management Area hunting permit conditions.
2. We require hunters to possess and carry a current and signed
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' William R.
Ireland, Sr.--Cahaba River Wildlife Management Area hunting permit when
hunting on the refuge.
3. All youth hunters under age 16 must be supervised by a licensed
and permitted adult 21 years of age or older, and must remain with the
adult while hunting. One adult may supervise no more than two youth
hunters.
4. We prohibit the use of horses, mules, and all-terrain vehicles
(ATVs) on the refuge.
[[Page 58761]]
5. Hunters may hunt with shotguns using only nontoxic 4
shot or smaller (see Sec. 32.2(k)), rifles and handguns using rim-fire
ammunition only, or archery equipment that complies with State and
Federal regulations.
6. We prohibit hunting or discharging firearms (including muzzle
loaders) from within 50 yards (45 meters) of River Trace Road.
7. Hunting dogs may be used to hunt upland game and must be
controlled by the owner/handler at all times (see Sec. 26.21(b) of
this chapter).
8. Hunters may only hunt designated game species during specified
days, which are published within the Cahaba River National Wildlife
Refuge Hunting dates portion of the permit.
9. Hunters must remove tree stands, blinds, or other personal
property from the refuge each day (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions B1, B2, B4, B6, and B8 through B10 apply.
* * * * *
3. We allow hunters to hunt from tree stands in accordance with 50
CFR 32.2(i). Hunters must use a body safety harness at all times while
hunting from a tree.
4. All youth hunters under age 16 must be supervised by a properly
licensed and permitted adult 21 years of age or older, and must remain
with the adult while hunting. One adult may supervise no more than one
youth hunter.
5. Hunters may not hunt by aid of or participate in drives to take
deer or feral hogs.
D. Sport Fishing. * * *
1. Condition B4 applies.
Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
5. All persons 15 years of age or younger, while hunting on the
refuge, must be in the presence and under direct supervision of a
licensed or exempt hunter at least 21 years of age. A licensed hunter
supervising a youth as provided in this section must hold a valid State
license for the species being hunted. One adult may supervise no more
than one youth hunter.
6. The refuge is open every day from 1 hour before sunrise to 1
hour after sunset, except authorized uses. Personal property must be
removed from the refuge daily (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
* * * * *
8. Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on the
refuge must comply with all provisions of State and local law. Persons
may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations
(see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter and specific refuge regulations in
part 32). Persons may only use approved nontoxic shot in shotgun shells
(see Sec. 32.2(k)), .22 caliber rimfire or smaller rifles, or legal
archery equipment according to State regulations. We prohibit magnum
ammunition.
9. We prohibit equestrian use and all forms of motorized off-road
vehicles.
10. We allow hunting of designated species with dogs during
designated hunts.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions B1 through B9 and B11 apply.
2. We allow hunters to hunt from tree stands in accordance with 50
CFR 32.2(i). While climbing a tree, installing a tree stand that uses
climbing aids, or while hunting from a tree stand on the refuge,
hunters must use a fall-arrest system (full body harness) that is
manufactured to Treestand Manufactures Associations standards.
3. We prohibit damaging trees or hunting from a tree that contains
an inserted metal object (see Sec. 32.2(i)). Personal property must be
removed from the refuge each day except for one portable stand
(including tripods and ground blinds) (see Sec. 27.93 of this
chapter). The stand is required to be tagged with the hunter's name,
address, and phone number permanently and legibly written on or
attached to the stand. Stands left on the area do not reserve hunting
locations. Portable stands may not be installed on the area prior to 7
days before deer season opens, nor left longer than 7 days after deer
season closes. Stands not in compliance with these regulations may be
confiscated and disposed of by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
4. Hunters may not hunt by aid of or harassment of game for
purposes of take of deer or feral hogs.
* * * * *
6. Hunter orange is required according to State regulations during
gun deer season in Choctaw County, AL. We recommend all user groups
wear hunter orange during hunting seasons.
D. Sport Fishing. * * *
1. We allow fishing year-round, except in the waterfowl sanctuary,
which is closed from November 15 through March 1.
2. Conditions B2 and B6 apply.
* * * * *
8. We prohibit fishing tournaments on all refuge waters.
Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A1, A2, A3, and A7 through A15 apply.
* * * * *
4. We only allow shotguns as the means of take for upland game
hunting.
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A1, A7 through A15, and B5 apply.
* * * * *
Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
1. We require hunters to possess and carry a current and signed Key
Cave National Wildlife Refuge permit, which is included with the
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Seven Mile
Island Wildlife Management Area hunting permit when hunting on the
refuge.
* * * * *
4. All youth hunters under age 16 must be supervised by a licensed
and permitted adult 21 years of age or older, and must remain with the
adult while hunting. One adult may supervise no more than two youth
hunters.
5. We allow hunters to use hunting dogs to hunt migratory game
birds and upland game. The dogs must be controlled by the owner/handler
at all times (see Sec. 26.21(b) of this chapter).
6. Hunters may only hunt designated game species during specified
days, which are published within the Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Hunting Dates portion of the permit.
7. We prohibit the use of horses, mules or all-terrain vehicles
(ATVs) on all refuge hunts.
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A1 and A3 through A7 apply.
* * * * *
3. Hunters may hunt with shotguns using only nontoxic 4
shot or smaller (see Sec. 32.2(k)), rifles and handguns using rim-fire
ammunition only, or archery equipment that complies with State
regulations. Possession of lead shot shells for hunting is prohibited.
* * * * *
Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
1. We require hunters to hunt in accordance with Alabama Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources' Choccolocco Wildlife Management
Area hunting permit conditions.
2. We require hunters to possess and carry a current and signed
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
[[Page 58762]]
Resources' Choccolocco Wildlife Management Area hunting permit when
hunting on the refuge.
3. All youth hunters under age 16 must be supervised by a properly
licensed and permitted adult 21 years of age or older, and must remain
with the adult while hunting. One adult may supervise no more than two
youth hunters.
4. We prohibit the use of horses, mules and all-terrain vehicles
(ATVs) on the refuge.
5. Hunters may only hunt designated game species during specified
days, which are published within the Mountain Longleaf National
Wildlife Refuge Hunting Dates portion of the permit.
6. Hunters must remove tree stands, blinds, or other personal
property from the refuge each day (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
7. Hunters may hunt with shotguns using only nontoxic 4
shot or smaller (see Sec. 32.2(k)). Possession of lead shot shells for
hunting is prohibited.
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A1 through A7 apply.
2. Hunters may hunt during daylight hours only.
3. We allow hunters to hunt from tree stands in accordance with 50
CFR 32.2(i). Hunters must use a body safety harness at all times while
hunting from a tree.
4. Hunting dogs may be used to hunt quail, squirrel, and rabbit and
must be controlled by the owner/handler at all times (see Sec.
26.21(b) of this chapter).
5. Possession of lead shot shells for hunting is prohibited.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A1, A2, and A4 through A7 apply.
* * * * *
4. All youth hunters under age 16 must be supervised by a licensed
and permitted adult 21 years of age or older, and must remain with the
adult while hunting. One adult may supervise no more than one youth
hunter.
* * * * *
Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of quail, squirrel,
rabbit, raccoon, and opossum on designated area of the refuge in
accordance with Federal and State regulations subject to the following
conditions:
1. We require hunters to hunt in accordance with Alabama Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources' North Sauta refuge hunting
permit.
2. We require hunters to possess and carry a current and signed
Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge permit, which is found on the
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Jackson
County Waterfowl, Management Areas, refuges and Coon Gulf Tract hunting
permit, when hunting.
3. Hunters may only hunt designated game species during specified
days, which are published within the Sauta Cave National Wildlife
Refuge Hunting Dates portion of the permit.
4. Hunters may hunt with shotguns using only nontoxic 4
shot or smaller (see Sec. 32.2(k)), rifles and handguns using rim-fire
ammunition only, or archery equipment that complies with State
regulations. Possession of lead shot shells for hunting is prohibited.
5. All youth hunters under age 16 must be supervised by a licensed
and permitted adult 21 years of age or older, and must remain with the
adult while hunting. One adult may supervise no more than two youth
hunters.
6. We allow hunters to use hunting dogs to hunt upland game. The
dogs must be controlled by the owner/handler at all times (see Sec.
26.21(b) of this chapter).
* * * * *
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. We require hunters to possess and carry a current and signed
hunting permit, found on the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Hunting
Brochure, when hunting on the refuge. These brochures are available at
the refuge visitor center, refuge headquarters, and on the refuge's Web
site.
2. Hunters may hunt with shotguns using only nontoxic 4
shot or smaller (see Sec. 32.2(k)), rifles and handguns using rim-fire
ammunition only, or archery equipment that complies with State
regulations.
* * * * *
4. We prohibit hunting or discharging firearms (including
Flintlocks) in the Triana recreation area or from any road or road
shoulder or from within 50 yards (45 meters) of any designated walking
trail or boardwalk.
* * * * *
7. All youth hunters under age 16 must be supervised by a licensed
and permitted adult 21 years of age or older, and must remain with the
adult while hunting. One adult may supervise no more than two youth
hunters.
* * * * *
10. Hunting dogs may be used to hunt upland game and must be
controlled by the owner/handler at all times (see Sec. 26.21(b) of
this chapter).
11. We allow hunters to hunt from tree stands in accordance with 50
CFR 32.2(i). Hunters must use a body safety harness at all times while
hunting from a tree.
12. Hunters must remove tree stands, blinds, or other personal
property from the refuge each day (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
13. Hunters may only hunt designated game species during specified
days, which are published within the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
Hunting Brochure.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions B1, B3 through B6, B8, B9, and B11 through B13 apply.
2. Hunters may not hunt by aid of or harassment of game for
purposes of take for deer or feral hogs.
3. Hunters may only hunt with archery equipment that complies with
State regulations and flintlocks .40 caliber or larger.
4. All youth hunters under age 16 must be supervised by a licensed
and permitted adult 21 years of age or older, and must remain with the
adult while hunting. One adult may supervise no more than one youth
hunter.
5. Hunters must report the sex, approximate size, and hunt area for
any deer or hogs they harvested from the refuge within 72 hours.
Reports must be given by phone or in person to the refuge Visitor
Center (256/350-6639) or refuge headquarters (256/353-7243).
* * * * *
7. You may only hunt feral hog during the refuge archery and
flintlock deer season.
* * * * *
0
6. Amend Sec. 32.24 California by:
0
a. Revising paragraphs A.3, A.4, A.5, A.6, A.7, A.8, and B.1; adding
paragraphs A.9; and removing paragraph B.2 under Colusa National
Wildlife Refuge.
0
b. Revising paragraphs A. 4, A.10, A.11, and B.2; and removing
paragraphs B.3, B.4, B.5, B.6, B.7, and B.8 under Delevan National
Wildlife Refuge.
0
c. Revising paragraphs A.6, A.10, A.11, and B.2; and removing
paragraphs B.3, B.4, B.5, B.6, B.7, and B.8 under Sacramento National
Wildlife Refuge.
0
d. Revising paragraphs A.3, A.4, A.5, A.6, A.7, A.8, and B.1; adding
paragraphs A.9; and removing paragraphs B.2, B.3, B.4, B.5, B.6, and
B.7 under Sutter National Wildlife Refuge.
These revisions and additions read as follows:
Sec. 32.24 California.
* * * * *
[[Page 58763]]
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
3. Access to the hunt area is by foot traffic only. Bicycles and
other conveyances are not allowed. Mobility-impaired hunters must
consult the refuge manager for allowed conveyances.
4. We allow boats with electric motors to be used by hunters with
disabilities only in designated areas.
5. No person may build or maintain fires. Portable gas stoves are
permissible.
6. You may enter or exit only at designated locations.
7. Vehicles may stop only at designated parking areas. We prohibit
the dropping of passengers or equipment or stopping between designated
parking areas.
8. Overnight stays, using passenger vehicles, motor homes, and
trailers, are allowed only at the check station parking areas. Tents
are prohibited.
9. We require dogs be kept on a leash, except for hunting dogs
engaged in authorized hunting activities and under the immediate
control of a licensed hunter.
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A.1 through A.9 apply.
* * * * *
Delevan National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
4. Access to the hunt area is by foot traffic only. Bicycles and
other conveyances are not allowed. Mobility-impaired hunters should
consult the refuge manager for allowed conveyances.
* * * * *
10. Overnight stays, using passenger vehicles, motor homes, and
trailers, are allowed only at the check station parking areas. Tents
are prohibited.
11. We require dogs be kept on a leash, except for hunting dogs
engaged in authorized hunting activities and under the immediate
control of a licensed hunter.
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
2. Conditions A.4 through A.11 apply.
* * * * *
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
6. Access to the hunt area is by foot traffic only. Bicycles and
other conveyances are not allowed. Mobility-impaired hunters must
consult the refuge manager for allowed conveyances.
* * * * *
10. Overnight stays, using passenger vehicles, motor homes, and
trailers, are allowed only at the check station parking areas. Tents
are prohibited.
11. We require dogs be kept on a leash, except for hunting dogs
engaged in authorized hunting activities and under the immediate
control of a licensed hunter.
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
2. Conditions A.4 through A.11 apply.
* * * * *
Sutter National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
3. Access to the hunt area is by foot traffic only. Bicycles and
other conveyances are not allowed. Mobility-impaired hunters should
consult the refuge manager for allowed conveyances.
4. Boats with electric motors allowed only by hunters with
disabilities in designated areas.
5. No person may build or maintain fires. Portable gas stoves are
permissible.
6. You may enter or exit only at designated locations.
7. Vehicles may only stop at designated parking areas. We prohibit
the dropping of passengers or equipment or stopping between designated
parking areas.
8. Overnight stays, using passenger vehicles, motor homes, and
trailers, are allowed only at the check station parking areas. Tents
are prohibited.
9. Dogs must be kept on a leash, except for hunting dogs engaged in
authorized hunting activities and under the immediate control of a
licensed hunter.
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A.1 through A.9 apply.
* * * * *
7. Amend Sec. 32.25 Colorado by revising the introductory text in
paragraphs A and B and by adding paragraphs A.6, B.4, D.4, and D.5
under Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge to read as follows:
Sec. 32.25 Colorado.
* * * * *
Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck, coot,
merganser, Canada goose, snipe, Virginia and Sora rail, and mourning
dove on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State and
Federal regulations, subject to the following conditions:
* * * * *
6. Legal method of take for migratory game birds is by shotgun
only.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of jackrabbit, cottontail
rabbit, and sage grouse on designated areas of the refuge in accordance
with State regulations, subject to the following conditions:
* * * * *
4. Legal method of take for upland game is by shotgun only.
* * * * *
D. Sport Fishing. * * *
* * * * *
4. Fishing is closed in Unit C when the refuge is open to big game
rifle hunting.
5. Lead sinkers and live bait are not allowed for fishing.
* * * * *
8. Amend Sec. 32.26 Connecticut by adding, in alphabetical order,
an entry for Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge to read
as follows:
Sec. 32.26 Connecticut.
* * * * *
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [RESERVED]
B. Upland Game Hunting. [RESERVED]
C. Big Game Hunting. [RESERVED]
D. Sport Fishing. [RESERVED]
* * * * *
0
9. Amend Sec. 32.28 Florida by:
0
a. Revising the introductory text in paragraphs A and D; revising
paragraph A.2; removing paragraph A.4; redesignating A.5, A.6, A.7,
A.8, A.9, A.10, A.11, A.12, A.13, A.14, A.15, A.16, A.17 and A.18 as
paragraphs A.4, A.5, A.6, A.7, A.8, A.9, A.10, A.11, A.12, A.13, A.14,
A.15, A.16 and A.17 revising newly designated paragraph A.12; and
adding a new paragraph C under Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National
Wildlife Refuge.
0
b. Revising paragraphs D.4, D.5, and D.7; redesignating paragraphs D.8,
D.9, D.10, D.11, D.12, D.13, D.14, D.15, D.16, D.17, D.18, D.19, and
D.20 as paragraphs D.9, D.10, D.11, D.12, D.13, D.14, D.15, D.16, D.17,
D.18, D.19, D.20, and D.21, respectively; revising newly designated
paragraphs D.13 and D.21; and adding paragraph D.8 under J.N. ``Ding''
Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
0
c. Revising paragraphs A.3, B.1, C.4, C.8, and C.9 and adding
paragraphs B.12 and C.12 under St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.
[[Page 58764]]
These additions and revisions read as follows:
Sec. 32.28 Florida.
* * * * *
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck and coot
on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State and Federal
regulations subject to the following conditions:
* * * * *
2. We allow hunting in the interior of the refuge south of latitude
line 26.27.130 and north of mile markers 12 and 14 (SEE PERMIT MAP). We
prohibit hunting from canals or levees and those areas posted as
closed.
* * * * *
12. All youth hunters under age 16 must be supervised by a licensed
and permitted adult 21 years of age or older, and must remain with the
adult while hunting. Youth hunters must have completed a hunter
education course.
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of alligators on designated
areas of the refuge in accordance with Federal and State regulations
and subject to the following conditions:
1. You must possess and carry a signed refuge alligator hunt permit
(signed brochure) while hunting. These brochures are available at the
refuge visitor center and on the refuge's Web site (https://www.fws.gov/loxahatchee/).
2. We allow hunting in the interior of the refuge south of latitude
line 26.27.130 and north of mile markers 12 and 14, including the
canals south of that line (SEE PERMIT MAP). We prohibit hunting from
levees and those areas posted as closed.
3. Consult the refuge manager for current alligator hunt season
dates and times.
4. We allow hunting on the refuge 1 hour before sunset on Friday
night through 1 hour after sunrise Saturday morning, and 1 hour before
sunset on Saturday night through 1 hour after sunrise Sunday morning.
Alligator hunting will be permitted the first two weekends during
Harvest Period 1 (August) and the first two weekends during Harvest
Period 2 (September). Following the close of Harvest Period 2, the
remaining weekends in October will be open for alligator harvest
permittees who possess unused CITES tags. Specific dates for the
alligator hunt will be provided on the harvest permit.
5. Hunters 18 years and older must be in possession of all
necessary State and Federal licenses, permits, and CITES tags, as well
as a refuge hunt permit (signed hunt brochure) while hunting on the
refuge. They must possess an Alligator Trapping License with CITES tags
or an Alligator Trapping Agent License, if applicable.
6. Hunters under the age of 18 may not hunt, but may only accompany
an adult of at least 21 years of age who possesses an Alligator
Trapping Agent License.
7. Hunters may only enter and leave the refuge at the Hillsboro
Area (Loxahatchee Road, Boca Raton).
8. Alligators may be taken using hand-held snares, harpoons, gigs,
snatch hooks, artificial lures, manually operated spears, spear guns,
and crossbows. Alligators may not be taken using baited hooks, baited
wooden pegs, or firearms. Bang sticks (a hand held pole with a pistol
or shotgun cartridge on the end in a very short barrel) with non-toxic
ammunition are only permitted for taking alligators attached to a
restraining line. Once an alligator is captured, it must be killed
immediately. Once the alligator is taken or harvested, a CITES tag must
be locked through the skin of the carcass within 6 inches of the tip of
the tail. The tag must remain attached to the alligator at all times.
9. Hunters must complete a Big Game Harvest Report (FWS Form 3-
2359) and place it in an entrance fee canister each day prior to
exiting the refuge. A State Alligator Report form required by the State
along with the hunt permit (signed refuge brochure) must be submitted
to the refuge within 24 hours of taking each alligator.
10. Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on
national wildlife refuges must comply with all provisions of Federal,
State, and local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in
accordance with refuge regulations (see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter and
specific refuge regulations in this part 32).
11. Hunters must remove all personal property (see Sec. 27.93 of
this chapter) from the hunting area each day.
12. Conditions A13 through A17 apply.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the
refuge in accordance with Federal and State regulations and subject to
the following conditions:
* * * * *
J.N. ``Ding'' Darling National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
D. Sport Fishing. * * *
* * * * *
4. We allow the take of blue crabs with the use of dip nets only.
5. The daily limit of blue crabs is 20 per person (including no
more than 10 non-eggbearing females).
* * * * *
7. We allow vessels propelled only by polling, paddling, or
floating in the posted ``no-motor zone'' of the J.N. ``Ding'' Darling
Wilderness Area. All motors, including electric motors, must be in a
nonuse position (out of the water) when in the ``no-motor zone.''
8. We allow vessels propelled only by polling, paddling, floating,
or electric motors in the posted ``pole/troll zone'' of the Wulfert
Flats Management Area. All non-electric motors must be in a non-use
position (out of the water) when in the ``pole/troll zone.''
* * * * *
13. We prohibit all public entry into the impoundments on the left
side of Wildlife Drive.
* * * * *
21. We close to public entry all refuge islands (including rookery
islands) except for designated trails.
* * * * *
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
3. We prohibit migratory game bird hunting in the Executive Closure
Areas on the refuge.
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. We require refuge permits (signed brochure) for hunting upland
game. Permits are available at no cost from the refuge office or can be
downloaded and printed from the refuge Web site. Each hunter must
possess and carry a signed refuge permit while participating in a hunt.
* * * * *
12. Portions of the refuge adjacent to Flint Rock Wildlife
Management Area (as specified in the hunt brochure) will be open
concurrent with Flint Rock Wildlife Management Area seasons and
regulations except only feral hog, grey squirrel, rabbit, and raccoon
may be harvested.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
4. There is a two deer limit per hunt as specified in condition C8
below, except in the youth hunt where the limit is as specified in C9
below. The limit for turkey is one per hunt. There is no limit on feral
hog.
* * * * *
8. The bag limit for white-tailed deer is two deer per scheduled
hunt period. We allow hunters to harvest two antlerless deer per
scheduled hunt
[[Page 58765]]
period. We define antlerless deer per State regulations (i.e., un-
antlered deer or antlered deer with both antlers less than 5 inches in
length). Otherwise, hunters may harvest one antlerless deer and one
antlered deer per hunt. Hunters must ensure that antlered deer must
have at least 3 points, of 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) or more length.
9. There is one youth hunt, for youth ages 12 to 17, on the St.
Marks Unit in an area we will specify in the refuge hunt brochure.
Hunters may harvest two deer, either two un-antlered deer as defined in
C8 or one un-antlered deer and one antlered deer. An adult age 21 or
older acting as a mentor must accompany each youth hunter. One youth
turkey hunt will be conducted in a similar manner. The limit will be
one gobbler per hunter. Only the youth hunter may handle or discharge
firearms. Contact the refuge office for specific dates.
* * * * *
12. Portions of the refuge adjacent to Flint Rock Wildlife
Management Area (as specified in the hunt brochure) will be open
concurrent with Flint Rock Wildlife Management Area seasons and
regulations except only white-tailed deer, feral hog, and turkey may be
harvested. We require a refuge permit (signed brochure).
* * * * *
0
10. Amend Sec. 32.29 Georgia by:
0
a. Revising paragraph A.3 under Savannah National Wildlife Refuge.
These revisions read as follows:
Sec. 32.29 Georgia.
* * * * *
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
3. We prohibit hunting on or within 100 yards (90 meters) of U.S.
Highway 17, GA Highway 25/SC Highway 170, refuge facilities, road,
trails, and railroad rights-of-way, and within areas marked as closed.
* * * * *
0
11. Amend Sec. 32.31 Idaho by revising the introductory text in
paragraph A and by revising paragraphs A.3, B, C, and D under Kootenai
Flat National Wildlife Refuge to read as follows:
Sec. 32.31 Idaho.
* * * * *
Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck,
and coot on designated areas (designated area changed due to increased
size of safety zone) of the refuge in accordance with State and Federal
regulations subject to the following conditions:
* * * * *
3. We prohibit the discharge of firearms in the posted retrieving/
safety zone.
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of forest grouse and wild
turkey on that portion of the refuge that lies west of Lion's Den Road
in accordance with State regulations subject to the following
condition: You may possess only approved nontoxic shotshells (see Sec.
32.2(k)) while in the field.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of deer, elk, black bear,
moose, and mountain lion on that portion of the refuge that lies west
of Lion's Den Road and hunting of deer at an ADA-accessible blind near
Aspen Slough in accordance with State regulations and subject to the
following conditions:
1. We prohibit all use of dogs for hunting of big game.
2. You may only participate in deer hunting at the ADA-accessible
blind with valid State licenses and tags.
3. You may only participate in deer hunting at the ADA-accessible
blind with a refuge permit issued through a random drawing for up to
four 7-day archery-only permits and up to six 7-day archery/special
weapons-only permits.
4. We only allow deer hunting at the ADA-accessible blind using the
following weapons: Muzzleloader, archery equipment, crossbow, shotgun
using slugs, or handgun using straight-walled cartridges not originally
established for rifles.
5. We prohibit use of toxic (lead) ammunition when deer hunting at
the ADA-accessible blind.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport fishing on Myrtle Creek in
accordance with State regulations subject to the following condition:
We allow bank fishing only.
* * * * *
0
12. Amend Sec. 32.32 Illinois by:
0
a. Removing paragraphs A.1 and A.7; redesignating paragraphs A.2, A.3,
A.4, A.5, and A.6 as paragraphs A.1, A.2, A.3, A.4, and A.5,
respectively; revising newly designated paragraph A.1; revising
paragraphs B.1, C.1, and D.1; and adding paragraphs B.3, C.2, and C.3
under Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge.
0
b. Revising introductory text in paragraph A; revising paragraphs A.2,
B, C.1, C.2, and C.3; and adding paragraphs A.3, C.4, C.5, and C.6
under Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge.
0
c. Revising paragraph B and adding paragraph C.3 under Two Rivers
National Wildlife Refuge.
These additions and revisions read as follows:
Sec. 32.32 Illinois.
* * * * *
Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
1. You must remove all boats, decoys, blinds, blind materials,
stands, and platforms (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter)
brought onto the refuge at the end of each day's hunt.
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A1, A2, A4, and A5 apply.
* * * * *
3. We allow the use of .22 and .17 caliber rimfire lead ammunition
for the taking of small game and furbearers during open season.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A1, A2, A4, and A5 apply.
2. We prohibit deer drives, by person or animal, and participating
in deer drives on all refuge divisions.
3. You may only use or possess approved nontoxic shot shells while
in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey (see
Sec. 32.2(k)).
D. Sport Fishing. * * *
1. Conditions A1 and A3 apply.
* * * * *
Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game
birds on the Meissner, Wilkinson, and Beaver Island Divisions in
accordance with State regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
* * * * *
2. You must remove boats, blinds, blind materials, stands, decoys,
and other hunting equipment (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this
chapter) from the refuge at the end of each day.
3. We allow portable blinds on a daily basis on a first-come,
first-served basis.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of upland game (squirrels,
rabbits, and bobwhite quail only) on the refuge in accordance with
State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow hunting of furbearers only from legal sunrise to legal
sunset.
2. You may only use or possess approved nontoxic shot shells while
in the field (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
[[Page 58766]]
1. Conditions A1 and A2 apply.
2. In the Harlow, Crains, and Meissner Island Divisions you may use
only archery equipment to harvest white-tailed deer.
3. You may only use or possess approved nontoxic shot shells while
in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey (see
Sec. 32.2(k)).
4. We prohibit deer drives, by person or animal, and participating
in deer drives on all refuge divisions.
5. We prohibit placing temporary tree stands in dead or dying
trees.
6. You may not remove any tree or limbs greater than 1 inch in
diameter.
* * * * *
Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow upland game hunting only on the
Apple Creek Division and the portion of the Calhoun Division east of
the Illinois River Road in accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow hunting from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
2. You may only use or possess approved nontoxic shot shells while
in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey (see
Sec. 32.2(k)).
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
3. Condition B2 applies.
* * * * *
0
13. Amend Sec. 32.33 Indiana by:
0
a. Revising paragraphs C.4, C.8, and C.9 and adding paragraphs C.10,
C.11, and D.7 under Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge.
0
b. Revising A.2, C.2, C.3, D.2.iv, and D.3 and adding paragraphs A.7,
A.8, and B.3 under Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management
Area.
These additions and revisions read as follows:
Sec. 32.33 Indiana.
* * * * *
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
4. You may take only two deer per day from the refuge, only one of
which may be an antlered buck.
* * * * *
8. We permit archery deer hunting in designated areas after
National Wildlife Refuge Week during the State season with the
exceptions that archery deer hunting is closed during the youth deer
hunt in November and during the State muzzleloader season.
9. Turkey hunting ends at 1 p.m. daily.
10. We prohibit the use or possession of game trail cameras on the
refuge.
11. We require you to remove arrows from crossbows during transport
in a vehicle.
D. Sport Fishing. * * *
* * * * *
7. We allow only children under 18 years of age to fish in the
Office Pond.
* * * * *
Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
2. You must remove all boats, decoys, blinds, and blind materials
after each day's hunt (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
* * * * *
7. We prohibit hunting and the discharge of a weapon within 150
yards of any dwelling or any building that may be occupied by people,
pets, or livestock.
8. You may only use or possess approved nontoxic shot shells while
in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey (see
Sec. 32.2(k)).
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
3. Conditions A7 and A8 apply.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
2. We prohibit marking trails with tape, ribbons, paper, paint,
tacks, tree blazes, or other devices.
3. Conditions A6 through A8 apply.
D. Sport Fishing.
* * * * *
2. * * *
* * * * *
iv. You may not collect or harvest minnows, crayfish, or any
reptiles and amphibians (see Sec. 27.21 of this chapter).
3. You must remove boats at the end of each day's fishing activity
(see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
* * * * *
0
14. Amend Sec. 32.34 Iowa by:
0
a. Revising paragraphs A, B, C.1, and C.2 and removing paragraph C.3
under Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge.
0
b. Redesignating paragraphs A.1, A.2, A.3, A.4, A.5, A.6, A.7, and A.8
as paragraphs A.2, A.3, A.4, A.5, A.6, A.7, A.8, and A.9, respectively;
redesignating paragraphs B.1, B.2, B.3, and B.4 as paragraphs B.2, B.3,
B.4, and B.5, respectively; redesignating paragraphs C.1, C.2, and C.3
as paragraphs C.2, C.3, and C.4, respectively; revising the
introductory text in paragraphs A, B, and C; revising paragraphs B.5
and C.4; and adding paragraphs A.1, B.1, and C.1 under Northern
Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge.
0
c. Revising the entry for Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge.
These additions and revisions read as follows:
Sec. 32.34 Iowa.
* * * * *
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow the hunting of duck,
goose, and coot on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with
State and Federal regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. We prohibit all hunting February 1 through August 31 due to
conflict with existing appropriate and compatible uses.
2. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot (see Sec. 32.2(k))
while hunting for any permitted bird, including waterfowl and wild
turkey, or other upland or small game.
3. We allow entry into the refuge 1 hour before sunrise and require
hunters to leave the refuge no later than 1 hour after sunset.
4. We prohibit shooting on or over any refuge road within 50 feet
(15 meters) from the centerline.
5. You must possess and carry a refuge permit (free brochure
available at the refuge visitor center).
6. We allow the use of dogs for waterfowl, pheasant, and quail
hunting only.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of ring-necked pheasant,
bobwhite quail, pigeon, mourning dove, crow, cottontail rabbit, gray
and fox squirrel, and fall wild turkey (2 weeks within the season) on
designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations
subject to the following condition: Conditions A1 to A6 apply.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A1 and A3 to A5 apply.
2. We allow the use of portable stands and blinds for hunting, and
hunters must remove them at the end of each day (see Sec. 27.93 of
this chapter).
* * * * *
Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose,
merganser, coot, rail (Virginia and Sora only), woodcock, and snipe on
designated areas in accordance with State regulations and subject to
the following conditions:
1. For units adjacent to and managed by Neal Smith National
Wildlife Refuge, you must follow the refuge-specific regulations
provided in this section of
[[Page 58767]]
the regulations for Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge.
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow the hunting of ring-necked
pheasant, bobwhite quail, gray partridge, rabbit (cottontail and jack),
squirrel (fox and gray), groundhog, raccoon, opossum, fox (red and
gray), coyote, badger, striped skunk, and crow on designated areas of
the refuge in accordance with State regulations and subject to the
following conditions:
1. For units adjacent to and managed by Neal Smith National
Wildlife Refuge, you must follow the refuge-specific regulations
provided in this section of the regulations for Neal Smith National
Wildlife Refuge.
* * * * *
5. Conditions A8 and A9 apply.
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow the hunting of deer and turkey on
designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
1. For units adjacent to and managed by Neal Smith National
Wildlife Refuge, you must follow the refuge-specific regulations
provided in this section of the regulations for Neal Smith National
Wildlife Refuge.
* * * * *
4. Conditions A6, A8, and A9 apply.
* * * * *
Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose,
teal, brant, merganser, coot, sora and Virginia rail, dove, woodcock
and snipe on Iowa River Corridor Project lands in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while hunting
migratory birds (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
2. You must remove boats, decoys, and portable blinds at the end of
each day (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of upland game in
accordance with State regulations and subject to the following
condition: You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while hunting
upland game (see Sec. 32.2(k)); you may use lead shot to hunt turkey.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of big game in accordance
with State regulations and subject to the following condition: We only
allow the use of portable stands and you must remove them at the end of
each day (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport fishing on all areas of the refuge
in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following
condition: You must remove boats and all other fishing devices at the
end of each day's fishing.
* * * * *
0
15. Amend Sec. 32.38 Maine by redesignating paragraphs A.5, A.6, and
A.7 as paragraphs A.6, A.7, and A.8, respectively; adding a new
paragraph A.5; revising the introductory text in paragraph B; and
revising paragraphs A.1, A.4, B.1, B.2, B.3, and C under Rachel Carson
National Wildlife Refuge to read as follows:
Sec. 32.38 Maine.
* * * * *
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
1. Prior to entering designated refuge hunting areas, you must
obtain a refuge hunting permit (FWS Form 3-2357), pay a recreation fee,
and sign and carry the permit at all times.
* * * * *
4. We open Designated Youth Hunting Areas to hunters age 15 and
under who possess and carry a refuge hunting permit. Youth hunters must
be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older. The accompanying adult must
possess and carry a refuge hunting permit and may also hunt.
5. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot for hunting (see
Sec. 32.2(k)) on the refuge.
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of pheasant, quail, and
grouse on designated areas of the Brave Boat Harbor, Lower Wells, Upper
Wells, Mousam River, Goose Rocks, Goosefare Brook, and Spurwink River
division of the refuge in accordance with State regulations and subject
to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 and A7 apply.
2. You may take pheasant, quail, and grouse by falconry during
State seasons.
3. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot for hunting (see
Sec. 32.2(k)) on the refuge.
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and
turkey on designated areas of the Brave Boat Harbor, Lower Wells, Upper
Wells, Mousam River, Goose Rocks, Little River, Goosefare Brook, and
Spurwink River divisions of the refuge in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1, A4, and A7 apply.
2. We allow hunting of deer and turkey with shotgun and archery
only. We prohibit rifles and muzzleloading firearms for hunting.
3. We allow turkey hunting during the fall season only, as
designated by the State. All State regulations governing the hunting of
turkey will be followed.
4. We allow portable tree stands, ladders, and blinds only, and
they must be removed daily (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter). The use
of nails, wire, screws or bolts to attach a stand to a tree, or hunting
from a tree into which a metal object has been driven to support a
hunter is prohibited. You must keep vegetation disturbance (including
tree limbs) to a minimum (see Sec. 32.2(i)).
5. We close the Moody and Biddeford Pool divisions of the refuge to
white-tailed deer and turkey hunting.
6. We allow archery on only those areas of the Little River
division open to hunting.
7. We allow hunting of fox and coyote with archery or shotgun with
a refuge big game permit, during State firearm deer season. You may
only possess approved nontoxic shot for hunting (see Sec. 32.2(k)) on
the refuge.
* * * * *
0
16. Amend Sec. 32.39 Maryland by removing paragraphs A.9.vi and D.9;
redesignating paragraphs D.10, D.11, D.12, D.13, D.14, D.15, and D.16
as paragraphs D.9, D.10, D.11, D.12, D.13, D.14, and D.15,
respectively; revising paragraphs A.9.iv, A.9.v, A.13, B.8, C.3.ii,
C.6, and C.12; and revising newly designated paragraphs D.14.i and
D.15.i under Patuxent Research Refuge to read as follows:
Sec. 32.39 Maryland.
* * * * *
Patuxent Research Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
9. * * *
* * * * *
iv. You may hunt from the roadside, except on the Wildlife Loop, at
designated areas, if you possess a Maryland Department of Natural
Resources issued ``Universal Disability Pass''.
v. You may hunt from the roadside for waterfowl at the five
designated hunting blind sites at Lake Allen.
* * * * *
13. We require waterfowl hunters to use trained adult retrieving
dogs while hunting duck and goose within 50 yards (45 meters) of the
following impounded waters: Blue Heron Pond, Lake Allen, New Marsh, and
Wood Duck Pond.
i. We require dogs to be under the immediate control of their owner
at all times (see Sec. 26.21(b) of this chapter).
* * * * *
[[Page 58768]]
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
8. We select turkey hunters by a computerized lottery for youth,
disabled, and general public hunts. We require Maryland Department of
Natural Resources required documentation to accommodate hunters with
disabilities.
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
3. * * *
* * * * *
ii. We prohibit the discharging of any hunting weapons before or
after legal shooting hours, including the unloading of muzzleloaders.
* * * * *
6. We require bow hunters to wear either a cap of solid-
fluorescent-orange color at all times or a vest or jacket containing
back and front panels of at least 250 square inches (1,625 square
centimeters) of solid-fluorescent-orange color when moving to and from
their vehicle to their deer stand or their hunting spot and while
tracking or dragging out their deer. We do not require bow hunters to
wear solid-fluorescent-orange when positioned to hunt except during the
North Tract Youth Firearms Deer Hunts, the muzzleloader seasons, and
the firearms seasons, when they must wear it at all times.
* * * * *
12. If you wish to track wounded deer beyond 2 hours after legal
sunset, you must gain consent from a refuge law enforcement officer. We
prohibit tracking 3 hours after legal sunset. You must make a
reasonable effort to retrieve the wounded deer, which includes next-day
tracking. There is no tracking on Sundays and Federal holidays except
on a case-by-case basis. Hunters authorized to track on Sundays or
Federal holidays must be accompanied afield by a refuge law enforcement
officer.
* * * * *
D. Sport Fishing. * * *
* * * * *
14. * * *
i. Conditions D1 through D13 apply.
* * * * *
15. * * *
i. Conditions D1 through D12 apply.
* * * * *
0
17. Amend Sec. 32.40 Massachusetts by adding, in alphabetical order,
an entry for Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge to read
as follows:
Sec. 32.40 Massachusetts.
* * * * *
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [RESERVED]
B. Upland Game Hunting. [RESERVED]
C. Big Game Hunting. [RESERVED]
D. Sport Fishing. [RESERVED]
* * * * *
0
18. Amend Sec. 32.41 Michigan by revising paragraph C.3 and adding
paragraph C.8 under Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge to read
as follows:
Sec. 32.41 Michigan.
* * * * *
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
3. We allow only single-projectile shells for firearm deer hunting.
We prohibit the use of buckshot for any hunting on the refuge.
* * * * *
8. The Fix Unit is closed to firearm deer hunting. We allow only
archery deer hunting in the Fix Unit.
* * * * *
0
19. Amend Sec. 32.42 Minnesota by:
0
a. Revising the introductory text in paragraph A; revising paragraphs
A.1, A.2, and A.5; adding paragraph A.9; revising paragraphs C.1 and
C.2; removing paragraphs C.3, C.7, and C.10; redesignating paragraphs
C.4, C.5, C.6, C.8, and C.9 as paragraphs C.3, C.4, C.5, C.6, and C.7,
respectively; revising newly designated paragraph C.6; and adding
paragraph C.8 under Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge.
0
b. Revising paragraph B under Big Stone Wetland Management District.
0
c. Revising paragraphs C.1, C.2, and C.8 and removing paragraph C.11
under Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
0
d. Revising paragraph B under Detroit Lakes Wetland Management
District.
0
e. Revising paragraphs A.2 and B under Fergus Falls Wetland Management
District.
0
f. Revising paragraph B under Litchfield Wetland Management District.
0
g. Revising paragraphs A.2, B, and C.2 under Morris Wetland Management
District.
0
h. Adding paragraph C.3 under Northern Tallgrass Prairie National
Wildlife Refuge.
0
i. Revising paragraphs A.2, A.3, A.5, B.3, C.1, C.7, and D under
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge.
0
j. Revising paragraph B under Windom Wetland Management District.
These additions and revisions read as follows:
Sec. 32.42 Minnesota.
* * * * *
Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of waterfowl on
designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow a youth hunt only in designated areas in accordance
with State regulations.
2. The refuge is closed from 7:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
* * * * *
5. You must remove all personal property, which includes stands,
boats, decoys, and blinds brought onto the refuge, each day of hunting
(see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
* * * * *
9. We allow the public onto the refuge the day prior to the opening
of the season for scouting purposes.
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. We are currently closed to moose hunting.
2. Conditions A2 through A5, A7, A8 and A9 apply.
* * * * *
6. We prohibit hunters from occupying illegally set up or
constructed ground and tree stands (see conditions A5 and C5).
* * * * *
8. Shooting on, from, over, across, or within 30 feet of a road
edge open to public vehicle transportation at a big game animal or a
decoy of a big game animal is prohibited.
* * * * *
Big Stone Wetland Management District
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow upland game hunting throughout the
district in accordance with State regulations and subject to the
following conditions:
1. Conditions A3 through A5 apply.
2. You may only use or possess approved nontoxic shot shells while
in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey (see
Sec. 32.2(k)).
* * * * *
Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. We only allow an archery deer hunt for youth hunters and a
firearm deer hunt for persons with disabilities by special use permit
(FWS Form 3-1383-G).
[[Page 58769]]
2. We only allow a turkey hunt for youth hunters and persons with
disabilities by special use permit (FWS Form 3-1383-G).
* * * * *
8. We prohibit entry to hunting areas earlier than 2 hours before
legal shooting hours.
* * * * *
Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow upland game hunting in accordance
with State regulations throughout the district (except that we allow no
hunting on the refuge headquarters Waterfowl Production Area [WPA] in
Becker County, the Hitterdal WPA in Clay County, and the McIntosh WPA
in Polk County) and subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A3 through A5 apply.
2. You may only use or possess approved nontoxic shot shells while
in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey (see
Sec. 32.2(k)).
* * * * *
Fergus Falls Wetland Management District
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
2. You must remove boats, decoys, blinds, and blind materials (see
Sec. 27.93 of this chapter) brought onto the WPAs at the end of each
day's hunt.
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow upland game hunting throughout the
district (except that we prohibit hunting on the Townsend, Mavis,
Gilmore, and designated portions of Knollwood Waterfowl Production
Areas (WPAs) in Otter Tail County, and Larson WPA in Douglas County) in
accordance with State regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. Conditions A2, A3, and A6 apply.
2. You may only use or possess approved nontoxic shot shells while
in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey (see
Sec. 32.2(k)).
* * * * *
Litchfield Wetland Management District
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow upland game hunting throughout the
district (except we prohibit hunting on that part of the Phare Lake
Waterfowl Production Area in Renville County) in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1, A4, and A5 apply.
2. You may only use or possess approved nontoxic shot shells while
in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey (see
Sec. 32.2(k)).
* * * * *
Morris Wetland Management District
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
2. You must remove boats, decoys, blinds, and blind materials (see
Sec. 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of hunting hours.
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of upland game, except
that we prohibit hunting on the designated portions of the Edward-Long
Lake Waterfowl Production Area in Stevens County, in accordance with
State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A2 through A4 apply.
2. You may only use or possess approved nontoxic shot shells while
in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey (see
Sec. 32.2(k)).
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
2. You must remove all portable hunting stands and blinds each day
at the close of hunting hours (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
* * * * *
Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
3. You may only use or possess approved nontoxic shot shells while
in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey (see
Sec. 32.2(k)).
* * * * *
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
2. We allow non-motorized boats in areas open to waterfowl hunting
during the waterfowl hunting season, and they must be launched at
designated access sites.
3. You must remove boats, decoys, and blinds from the refuge
following each day's hunt.
* * * * *
5. We prohibit hunting from March 1 through August 31.
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
3. Conditions A5 through A7 apply.
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. The refuge is closed to turkey hunting, except we allow a turkey
hunt for youth hunters and persons with disabilities by special use
permit (FWS Form 3-1383-G).
* * * * *
7. Turkey hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in
the field (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
* * * * *
D. Sport Fishing. Fishing is permitted on the St. Francis River and
Battle Brook during daylight hours in accordance with State regulations
and subject to the following conditions:
1. From March 1 through August 31 (the refuge Wildlife Sanctuary
period), fishing is only permitted from non-motorized boats on the
designated canoe route and on banks within 100 yards (both upstream and
downstream) of designated access points.
2. We prohibit the taking of any mussel (clam), crayfish, frog,
leech, and turtle species by any method on the refuge (see Sec. 27.21
of this chapter).
3. We prohibit the use of dip nets, traps, or seines for collecting
bait.
* * * * *
Windom Wetland Management District
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of upland game throughout
the district, except that you may not hunt on the Worthington Waterfowl
Production Area (WPA) in Nobles County, Headquarters WPA in Jackson
County, or designated portions of the Wolf Lake WPA in Cottonwood
County, in accordance with State regulations and subject to the
following conditions:
1. Conditions A3 through A5 apply.
2. You may only use or possess approved nontoxic shot shells while
in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey (see
Sec. 32.2(k)).
* * * * *
0
20. Amend Sec. 32.44 Missouri by:
0
a. Revising the entry for Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife
Refuge.
0
b. Revising the introductory text in paragraphs A and B; revising
paragraphs A.3, A.6, B.1, B.2, B.5, B.6, B.7, and C; redesignating
paragraphs A.7 and A.8 as A.8, and A.9; and adding paragraphs A.7, and
B.8 under Mingo National Wildlife Refuge.
These additions and revisions read as follows:
Sec. 32.44 Missouri.
* * * * *
[[Page 58770]]
Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge
Refer to Sec. 32.32 (Illinois) for Missouri regulations.
* * * * *
Mingo National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow waterfowl hunting in Pool
7 and Pool 8 in accordance with State and Federal regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
* * * * *
3. We prohibit the use of paint, non-biodegradable flagging,
reflectors, tacks, or other manmade materials to mark trails or hunting
locations (see Sec. 27.61 of this chapter).
* * * * *
6. We require hunters to go through the Missouri Department of
Conservation daily draw process at Duck Creek Conservation Area to hunt
in Pool 7 and Pool 8.
7. We will only open Pool 7 for waterfowl hunting 3 days a week,
when conditions allow.
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel, raccoon, and
bobcat in designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A3, A8, and A9 apply.
2. We allow hunter access from 1\1/2\ hours before legal shooting
time until 1\1/2\ hours after legal shooting time.
* * * * *
5. We allow squirrel hunting from the State opening day until the
day before the State opening of archery deer season.
6. You may only use or possess approved nontoxic shot shells while
in the field (see Sec. 32.2(k)) and rifles chambered for rimfire
cartridges.
7. Archery hunters may take squirrels, raccoons, and bobcats while
archery deer hunting.
8. We allow raccoon hunting by special use permit during the
Statewide raccoon season.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow big game hunting in designated areas
of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the
following conditions:
1. Conditions A3, A5, A8, A9, and B2 apply.
2. We require that all hunters register at the hunter sign-in
stations and complete the Big Game Harvest Report (FWS Form 3-2359)
located at the exit kiosks prior to exiting the refuge.
3. We allow archery hunting for deer and turkey during the fall
season.
4. We allow spring turkey hunting. You may only use or possess
approved nontoxic shot shells while in the field, including shot shells
used for hunting wild turkey (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
5. You must remove all boats brought onto the refuge at the end of
each day (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
6. We allow archery hunting in the Expanded General Hunt Area
through October 31.
7. We allow portable tree stands only from 2 weeks before to 2
weeks after the State archery deer season with the following exception:
In the Expanded General Hunt Area, you must remove all personal
property.
8. We allow only one tree stand per deer hunter.
9. We only allow non-motorized boats in the Mingo Wilderness Area.
10. We require archery deer hunters to wear a hunter-orange (i.e.,
blaze or international orange) hat and a hunter-orange shirt, vest, or
coat. These hunter-orange clothes need to be plainly visible from all
sides while scouting or hunting during the overlapping portion of the
squirrel, archery deer, and turkey seasons. Camouflage orange does not
satisfy this requirement.
* * * * *
0
21. Amend Sec. 32.45 Montana by:
0
a. Removing paragraph A.7; redesignating paragraphs A.3, A.4, A.5, and
A.6 as paragraphs A.4, A.5, A.6, and A.7, respectively; revising
paragraph B.1; and adding paragraphs A.3 and B.4 under Benton Lake
National Wildlife Refuge.
0
b. Revising the introductory text in paragraphs A, B, and C under
Benton Lake Wetland Management District.
0
c. Revising paragraphs A.1, A.3, A.5, A.7, A.13, C.1, C.3, and C.4 and
adding paragraphs A.19, C.10, and C.11 under Lee Metcalf National
Wildlife Refuge.
0
d. Revising paragraphs B.1, B.3, B.5, B.6, B.7, B.9, C.1, C.2, and C.3
and removing paragraphs C.4, C.5, C.6, C.7, C.8, C.9, C.10, and C.11
under Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge.
0
e. Revising paragraphs A.1, A.2, B.1, B.2, C.1, and D; redesignating
paragraph A.3 as paragraph A.6; and adding paragraphs A.3, A.4, A.5,
A.7, C.2, and C.3 under Northwest Montana Wetland Management District.
0
f. Revising paragraphs A.5 and C.10 under Red Rock Lakes National
Wildlife Refuge.
0
g. Revising paragraph A under Swan River National Wildlife Refuge.
These additions and revisions read as follows:
Sec. 32.45 Montana.
* * * * *
Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
3. We allow hunting during youth waterfowl hunts in accordance with
State regulations.
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions A2 and A7 apply.
* * * * *
4. We allow hunting during youth pheasant hunts in accordance with
State regulations.
* * * * *
Benton Lake Wetland Management District
A. Migratory Game Bird Management. We allow migratory game bird
hunting on Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA) throughout the District,
excluding Sands WPA in Hill County and H2-0 WPA in Powell County, in
accordance with State regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow the hunting of coyotes, skunks,
red fox, raccoons, hares, rabbits, and tree squirrels on Waterfowl
Production Areas (WPAs) throughout the District, excluding Sands WPA in
Hill County and H2-0 WPA in Powell County, in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following conditions:
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow big game hunting on WPAs throughout
the District, excluding Sands WPA in Hill County and H2-0 WPA in Powell
County, in accordance with State regulations and subject to the
following condition: Condition B2 applies.
* * * * *
Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
1. Hunting Access: Hunters must enter and exit the Waterfowl Hunt
Area (see map in refuge Hunting and Fishing brochure) through the
Waterfowl Hunt Area parking lot. All hunters, except those with a
Montana disability license, must park in the Waterfowl Hunt Area
parking lot to access the Waterfowl Hunt Area. For those hunters with
Montana disability licenses, contact the Refuge Manager by phone or
email for disability guidelines. Hunters must walk to the blind
selected along mowed trails designated in the refuge Hunting and
Fishing brochure. Legal entry time into the hunting area is no earlier
than 2 hours before legal shooting hours. Wildlife observation,
scouting, and
[[Page 58771]]
loitering during waterfowl hunting season are prohibited at the
Waterfowl Hunting Area parking lot and on the refuge road leading to
the Waterfowl Hunt Area parking lot.
* * * * *
3. Registration (Kiosk Sign-In/Sign-Out box): Each hunter must
complete the Migratory Bird Hunt Report (FWS Form 3-2361), must set the
appropriate blind selector (metal flip tag) before and after hunting,
and must record hunting data (hours hunted and birds harvested) on FWS
Form 3-2361 before departing the hunting area.
* * * * *
5. We prohibit attempting to ``reserve'' a blind for use later in
the day by depositing a vehicle or other equipment on the refuge. A
hunter must be physically present in the hunting area in order to use a
blind. The exceptions are blinds 2 and 7, which may be reserved for
hunters with disabilities.
* * * * *
7. Hunters with a documented mobility disability (you must have a
current year Resident with a Disability Conservation License issued by
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks) may reserve an accessible blind in
advance by contacting a refuge law enforcement officer.
* * * * *
13. We prohibit boats, fishing, and fires (see Sec. 27.95 of this
chapter).
* * * * *
19. Any mechanical decoy powered by battery or solar usage is
prohibited.
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Hunting Access: Hunters must enter and exit the hunt areas (see
map in refuge Hunting and Fishing brochure) through the designated
Hunter Access Parking sites. We open access points to hunters intending
to immediately hunt on the refuge. We prohibit wildlife observation,
scouting, and loitering at access points and parking areas. Hunters may
only enter the hunt area 2 hours prior to legal hunting hours and must
exit no later than 2 hours after legal hunting hours.
* * * * *
3. Registration (Sign-In/Sign-Out box): Each hunter must complete
the Big Game Harvest Report (FWS Form 3-2359) before departing the
hunting area.
4. Tree Stands and Ground Blinds: We allow each hunter the use of
portable tree stands or ground blinds. All tree stands and ground
blinds must be identified with a tag that has the owner's name and
Montana archery license (ALS) number on it. We prohibit hunters leaving
each stand/blind unattended for more than 72 hours.
* * * * *
10. Rallying game to another hunter and/or deer drives is
prohibited.
11. We prohibit the installation or use of remote cameras on the
refuge.
* * * * *
Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. We do not allow hunting in areas posted as ``Closed to Hunting''
and identified in the public use leaflet.
* * * * *
3. We allow use of riding or pack stock on designated access routes
through the refuge to access off-refuge lands as identified in the
public use leaflet.
* * * * *
5. Hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the
field (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
6. We prohibit overnight camping and open fires (see Sec. 27.95(a)
of this chapter).
7. We prohibit retrieval of game in areas closed to hunting without
a refuge retrieval permit.
* * * * *
9. We allow parking in designated areas only as identified in the
public use leaflet.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Conditions B1 through B9 apply.
2. The first week of the archery elk and deer hunting season and
the first week of general elk and deer hunting season are open to
youth-only (ages 12-15 only) hunting. A non-hunting adult at least 18
years of age must accompany the youth hunter in the field.
3. Persons assisting disabled hunters must not be afield with a
hunting firearm, bow, or other hunting device.
* * * * *
Northwest Montana Wetland Management District
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
1. Hunters must remove all boats, decoys, portable blinds
(including those made of native materials), boat blinds, and all other
personal property at the end of each day (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and
27.94 of this chapter).
2. We prohibit motorboats except on the Flathead and Smith Lake
Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) in Flathead County. Motorboats must
be operated at no wake speeds.
3. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands,
or scaffolds.
4. We allow the use of hunting dogs, provided the dog is under the
immediate control of the hunter at all times during the State-approved
hunting season. Commercial dog trials are not allowed. Pets must be on
a leash at all other times.
5. Shotgun hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in
the field (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
* * * * *
7. We prohibit overnight camping and open fires (see Sec. 27.95(a)
of this chapter).
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. We prohibit hunting with a shotgun capable of holding more than
three shells.
2. Conditions A1 through A7 apply.
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. We allow portable tree stands and/or portable ground blinds;
however, hunters must remove them and all other personal property at
the end of each day (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter). We prohibit
construction and/or use of tree stands or portable ground blinds from
dimensional lumber. We prohibit the use of nails, wire, screws, or
bolts to attach a stand to a tree or hunting from a tree into which a
metal object has been driven (see Sec. 32.2(i)).
2. Conditions A2, A3, A6, A7 and B1 apply.
3. Flathead, Blasdel, and Batavia WPAs are restricted to hunting
with archery equipment, shotgun, traditional handgun, muzzleloader, or
crossbow only.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport fishing on all Waterfowl
Production Areas (WPAs) throughout the wetland district in accordance
with State law (Flathead County WPAs) and per Joint State and
confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal regulations (Lake County WPAs)
and subject to the following conditions:
1. We prohibit leaving or dumping any dead animal, fish or fish
entrails, garbage, or litter on the refuge (see Sec. 27.94 of this
chapter).
2. We prohibit all public access on WPAs from March 1 to July 15
(Flathead County WPAs) each year to protect nesting birds.
3. Conditions A2 and A7 apply.
* * * * *
Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
5. We prohibit camping along roadsides. We allow camping only in
two established campgrounds. We restrict camping to 16 consecutive days
within any 30-day period. We prohibit
[[Page 58772]]
horses in the campgrounds. From March 1 to December 1, all bear
attractants including, but not limited to, food, garbage, and carcasses
or parts thereof, must be acceptably stored at night (unless in
immediate use) and during the day if unattended. Acceptably stored
means any of the following:
i. Suspended at least 10 feet high and 4 feet from any vertical
support 100 yards from any camp or hiking trail;
ii. Secured in a certified bear safe container; or
iii. Secured in a hard-sided vehicle, including an enclosed camper
or horse trailer.
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
10. We prohibit hunting and/or shooting from or onto refuge lands
from within 50 yards (45 meters) of the centerline of any public road
open to motorized vehicles.
* * * * *
Swan River National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of geese, ducks,
and coots on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following
condition: Hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the
field (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
* * * * *
0
22. Amend Sec. 32.46 Nebraska by:
0
a. Revising paragraphs C.1, C.2, C.4, and C.5; redesignating paragraphs
C.6, C.7, and C.8 as paragraphs C.7, C.8, and C.9, respectively;
revising newly designated paragraph C.9; and adding paragraphs C.6,
C.10, C.11, C.12, C.13, D.3, and D.4 under Fort Niobrara National
Wildlife Refuge.
0
b. Revising the entry for Valentine National Wildlife Refuge.
These additions and revisions read as follows:
Sec. 32.46 Nebraska.
* * * * *
Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. We require the submission of a Big/Upland Game Hunt Application
(FWS Form 3-2356). We require hunters to carry a signed refuge hunting
access permit (hunt application signed by the refuge officer) while
hunting. We require hunters to complete a Big Game Harvest Report (FWS
Form 3-2359) and return it to the refuge at the conclusion of the
hunting season.
2. We allow deer hunting with muzzleloader and archery equipment.
We prohibit deer hunting with firearms capable of firing cartridge
ammunition.
* * * * *
4. We allow deer hunting in the area defined as, ``Those refuge
lands situated north and west of the Niobrara River.'' We allow access
to this area only from designated refuge parking areas and the Niobrara
River.
5. We prohibit hunting within 200 yards (180 meters) of any public
use facility.
6. We allow hunter access from 2 hours before legal sunrise until 2
hours after legal sunset.
* * * * *
9. We require tree stands, elevated platforms, and ground blinds to
be removed daily. We require hunters to clearly label unattended tree
stands, elevated platforms, and ground blinds with the hunter's name
and address or hunting license number legible from the ground. Tree
stands, elevated platforms, and/or ground blinds may be put up no
earlier than the opening day of deer season and must be removed by the
last day of deer season.
10. We prohibit hunting during the Nebraska November Firearm Deer
Season.
11. We prohibit the use of game carts or any other wheeled device
to retrieve game on the Wilderness Area portion of the refuge that is
opened for hunting.
12. We prohibit the marking of any tree or other refuge feature
with reflectors, flagging, paint, or other substances.
13. We prohibit the use of electronic or photographic trail
monitoring devices.
D. Sport Fishing. * * *
* * * * *
3. We prohibit the take of baitfish, reptiles, and amphibians.
4. We prohibit use or possession of alcoholic beverages while
fishing on refuge lands and waters.
* * * * *
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of waterfowl and
coots on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State
regulations and subject to the following refuge-specific regulations:
1. We close the refuge to the general public from legal sunset to
legal sunrise; however we allow hunter access from 2 hours before legal
sunrise to 2 hours after legal sunset.
2. We only allow you to unleash dogs used to locate, point, and
retrieve upland and small game and migratory birds on the refuge while
hunting (see Sec. 26.21(b) of this chapter).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of sharp-tailed grouse,
prairie chicken, ring-necked pheasant, dove, and coyote on designated
areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations and subject to
the following refuge-specific regulations:
1. Conditions A1 and A2 apply.
2. Coyote hunting is allowed from the Saturday closest to November
13 through March 15. Shooting hours are \1/2\ hour before sunrise to
\1/2\ hour after sunset. The use of dogs or bait to hunt coyotes is
prohibited.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed and mule deer
on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations
and subject to the following refuge-specific condition: Condition A1
applies.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the
refuge in accordance with State regulations and subject to the
following refuge-specific regulations:
1. We close the refuge to the general public from legal sunset to
legal sunrise; however anglers may enter the refuge 1 hour before legal
sunrise and remain 1.5 hours after legal sunset.
2. We prohibit the take of reptiles, amphibians, and minnows, with
the exception that bullfrogs may be taken on refuge lakes open to
fishing.
* * * * *
0
23. Amend Sec. 32.50 New Mexico by:
0
a. Revising paragraphs A.2.i, A.2.ii, A.2.iii, A.2.iv, A.5, A.8,
B.2.iii, and C.2 and adding paragraph B.2.iv under Bitter Lake National
Wildlife Refuge.
0
b. Revising the entry for Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
0
c. Revising paragraph C under San Andres National Wildlife Refuge.
0
d. Revising paragraph A under Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge.
These revisions and additions read as follows:
Sec. 32.50 New Mexico.
* * * * *
Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
2. * * *
i. In the designated public hunting area, this is located in the
southern portion of the Tract;
ii. To no closer than 100 yards (90 meters) to the public auto tour
route;
iii. To Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays during the period when
the State seasons for the Middle Tract area are open simultaneously for
hunting all of the species allowed; and
iv. All hunting must cease at 1 p.m. (local time) on each permitted
hunt day.
* * * * *
5. We prohibit pit or permanent blinds and require removal of all
[[Page 58773]]
waterfowl decoys and all temporary blinds/stands daily after each hunt
(see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
* * * * *
8. We do not require refuge or other special hunt permits other
than those required by the State.
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
2. * * *
iii. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays during the appropriate
State season for that area; and
iv. All hunting must cease at 1 p.m. (local time) on each permitted
hunt day.
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
2. Conditions A8 and A9 apply.
* * * * *
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of mourning and
white-winged dove and light goose on designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State and Federal regulations and any special posting
or publications and subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow hunting of light goose on dates to be determined by
refuge staff. The permit is available through a lottery drawing
(Waterfowl Lottery Application, FWS Form 3-2355) and hunters must pay a
fee. Contact the refuge for more information.
2. Legal hunting hours will run from \1/2\ hour before legal
sunrise and will not extend past 1:00 p.m. (local time) on each hunt
day.
3. Refer to the refuge hunt leaflet for designated hunting areas.
4. You may use only approved nontoxic shot while hunting (see Sec.
32.2(k)).
5. We prohibit pit or permanent blinds and require daily removal of
all waterfowl decoys, spent shells, all temporary blinds/stands, and
all other personal equipment (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this
chapter).
6. We allow unleashed hunting and/or retrieving dogs on the refuge
when hunters are legally present in areas where we allow hunters, only
if the dogs are under the immediate control of hunters at all time (see
Sec. 26.21(b) of this chapter), and only to pursue species legally in
season at that time.
7. We prohibit hunters and dogs from entering closed areas for
retrieval of game.
8. We prohibit falconry on the refuge.
9. We prohibit canoeing, boating, or floating through the refuge on
the Rio Grande.
10. We prohibit hunting any species on the Rio Grande within the
refuge.
11. We prohibit overnight camping without a permit.
12. All State and Federal hunting and fishing regulations regarding
methods of take, dates, bag limits, and other factors apply to all
hunting and fishing on the refuge, in addition to these refuge-specific
regulations.
13. Visit the refuge visitor center or Web site, and/or refer to
additional on-site brochures, leaflets, or postings for additional
information.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of quail and cottontail
rabbit on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State
regulations and any special posting or publications subject to the
following conditions:
1. We allow only shotguns and archery equipment for hunting of
upland game. We prohibit the use of archery equipment on the refuge
except when hunting for upland and big game.
2. Conditions A2 through A13 apply.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of mule deer, oryx, and
bearded Rio Grande turkey on designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and any special posting or
publications subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A5 through A13 apply.
2. Refer to the refuge hunt leaflet for designated hunting areas.
3. Hunting on the east side of the Rio Grande is only by foot,
horseback, or bicycle. Bicycles must stay on designated roads.
4. We may allow oryx hunting from the east bank of the Rio Grande
to the east boundary of the refuge for population management purposes
for hunters possessing a valid State permit. We may also establish
special hunts of the oryx on dates established by refuge staff. Contact
the refuge for more information.
5. Legal hunting hours will run from 1 hour before legal sunrise
and will not extend past 1 hour after legal sunset.
6. We allow hunting of bearded Rio Grande turkey for youth hunters
only on dates determined by refuge staff. All hunters must fill out
(FWS Form 3-2356) (Big/Upland Game Hunt Application) and pay a fee. The
permit is available through a lottery drawing. If selected you must
carry your refuge special use permit (FWS Form 3-1383-G) at all times
during the hunt. All hunters are required to fill out a harvest report
(FWS Form 3-2359, Big Game Harvest Report) and return it to the refuge
within 72 hours. Contact the refuge for more information.
7. Youth hunters age 17 and under must successfully complete a
State-approved hunter education course prior to the refuge hunt. While
hunting, each youth must possess and carry a card or certificate of
completion.
8. Each youth hunter must remain with an adult companion age 18 or
older. Each adult companion must possess and carry an adult companion
permit (signed refuge youth turkey hunt brochure) and can supervise no
more than one youth hunter. Adult companions may observe and call, but
they cannot shoot.
9. We allow the use of temporary ground blinds only for youth
turkey hunts, and hunters must remove them from the refuge daily (see
Sec. 27.93 of this chapter). It is unlawful to damage, cut, or mark
any tree or other refuge structure with paint, flagging tape, ribbon,
cat-eyes, or any similar marking device.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the
refuge in accordance with State regulations and any special posting or
publications subject to the following conditions:
1. Condition A9 applies.
2. We allow fishing from April 1 through September 30.
3. We allow fishing from \1/2\ hour before legal sunrise until \1/
2\ hour after legal sunset.
4. We allow fishing on all canals within the refuge boundaries
(Interior Drain, Riverside, Canal, and Low Flow Conveyance Channel),
and unit 25AS either from the boardwalk or from shore.
5. We prohibit trotlines, bows and arrows, boats or other
floatation devices, seining, dip netting, traps, using bait taken from
the refuge, taking of turtle, littering, and all other activities not
expressly allowed (see Sec. 27.21 of this chapter).
6. Access to the canals is via the tour loop. We prohibit fishing
in closed areas of the refuge, with the exception of the Low Flow
Conveyance Channel.
7. We allow frogging for bullfrog on the refuge in areas that are
open to fishing.
8. All State and Federal fishing regulations regarding methods of
take, dates, creel limits, and other factors apply to all fishing on
the refuge, in addition to these refuge-specific regulations.
9. We prohibit fishing for any species on the Rio Grande within the
refuge.
* * * * *
San Andres National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. Hunting of oryx or gemsbok (Oryx gazella) and
desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) is allowed on
designated areas of the refuge in accordance with
[[Page 58774]]
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) and White Sands Missile
Range (WSMR) regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. Hunters are required to check in and out of the hunt area.
2. Hunters are required to complete an unexploded ordnance (UXO)
training prior to entering hunt area.
3. The hunter may be accompanied by no more than three guests
including their guide(s).
4. Only approved WSMR outfitters can be used.
5. All hunters must enter and exit through the Small Missile Range
gate on Range Road 7.
6. All members of the hunting party are required to wear solid or
camouflage style florescent orange (hunter's orange) clothing while
away from the vehicle and in the field hunting. A minimum of 144 square
inches must appear on both the chest and back (a typical blaze orange
hunting vest).
7. Hunters may be escorted, but not guided, by WSMR, NMDGF, or
refuge personnel or their agent(s). Check stations may be used in lieu
of hunt escorts.
8. Hunters must follow photo and video policy as described by WSMR
regulations.
9. Youth hunters, 16 years of age and younger, must be under the
direct supervision of an adult, 18 years of age or older.
10. Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on
National Wildlife Refuges must comply with all provisions of State and
local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with
refuge regulations (see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter and specific refuge
regulations in this part 32).
11. Hunters and their guests must abide by all rules established by
the refuge, WSMR, and NMDGF regulations.
12. Bighorn Sheep: Hunting desert bighorn sheep is allowed on
designated areas of the refuge in accordance with NMDGF and WSMR
regulations and subject to the following conditions specifically for
bighorn sheep:
i. If camping is permitted on WSMR lands, then camping is allowed
at Little San Nicholas Camp on the refuge.
ii. Four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use by hunters or
members of their hunting party is prohibited on the refuge, although
ATVs may be used to retrieve game on WSMR.
iii. Hunters using livestock (i.e., horses or mules) must provide
only weed-free feed to their animals while on the refuge.
iv. Hunters or other members of the hunting party are not permitted
to hunt small game or other species during desert bighorn ram hunts.
Only bighorn sheep may be hunted by individuals with ram tags.
13. Oryx. Hunting oryx is allowed on designated areas of the refuge
in accordance with NMDGF and WSMR regulations and subject to the
following condition specifically for oryx: Four-wheeled all-terrain
vehicle (ATV) use by hunters or members of their hunting party is
allowed on the refuge and WSMR only to retrieve game.
* * * * *
Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of mourning and
white-winged doves, geese, ducks, and coots on designated areas of the
refuge in accordance with State regulations and any special posting or
publications and subject to the following conditions:
1. Legal hunting hours will run from \1/2\ hour before legal
sunrise and will not extend past 1:00 p.m. (local time) on each hunt
day.
2. The refuge may designate special youth and/or persons with
disabilities hunting days during the regular game bird season. This
will apply to areas and species that are currently part of the refuge's
hunting program. Contact the refuge for more information.
3. Refer to the refuge hunt leaflet for designated hunting areas.
4. You may use only approved nontoxic shot while hunting (see Sec.
32.2(k)) in the field, in quantities of 25 or fewer.
5. We prohibit pit or permanent blinds and require daily removal of
all waterfowl decoys, spent shells, all temporary blinds/stands, and
all other personal equipment (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this
chapter).
6. We allow unleashed hunting and/or retrieving dogs on the refuge
when hunters are legally present in areas where we allow hunters, only
if the dogs are under the immediate control of hunters at all time (see
Sec. 26.21(b) of this chapter), and only to pursue species legally in
season at that time.
7. We prohibit hunters and dogs from entering closed areas for
retrieval of game.
8. We prohibit falconry on the refuge.
9. All State and Federal hunting regulations regarding methods of
take, dates, bag limits, and other factors, apply to all hunting on the
refuge, in addition to these refuge-specific regulations.
10. Visit the refuge visitor center or Web site, and/or refer to
additional on-site brochures, leaflets, or postings for additional
information.
* * * * *
0
24. Amend Sec. 32.51 New York by adding, in alphabetical order, an
entry for Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge to read as
follows:
Sec. 32.51 New York.
* * * * *
Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [RESERVED]
B. Upland Game Hunting. [RESERVED]
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on
designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State of New York
regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. You must submit a Big/Upland Game Hunt Application (FWS Form 3-
2356) to hunt on the refuge. We require hunters to possess a signed
refuge hunt permit (name and address only) at all times while scouting
and hunting on the refuge. We charge a fee for all hunters except youth
age 16 and younger.
2. We provide hunters with hunt maps and parking permits (name
only), which they must clearly display in their vehicle. Hunters who
park on the refuge must park in identified hunt parking areas.
3. We prohibit the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on the
refuge.
4. We prohibit baiting on refuge lands (see Sec. 32.2(h)).
5. We require hunters to wear (in a conspicuous manner) a minimum
of 400 square inches (2,600 square centimeters) of solid-color, hunter-
orange clothing or material on the head, chest, and back.
6. We prohibit hunters using or erecting permanent blinds.
7. We allow pre-hunt scouting beginning two weeks prior to the bow
opener and continuing through the end of the deer season.
8. The refuge only allows archery equipment (crossbows permitted)
to harvest deer.
D. Sport Fishing. [RESERVED]
* * * * *
0
25. Amend Sec. 32.53 North Dakota by:
0
a. Adding paragraph B.4 under Audubon National Wildlife Refuge.
0
b. Revising paragraphs B and C under Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge.
0
c. Revising the introductory text in paragraphs B and D; revising
paragraphs A.2, B.2, B.3, B.4, B.5, C.2, C.3, C.4, C.5, D.2, D.3, D.4,
D.5, and D.6; and adding paragraphs B.6, B.7, B.8, B.9, C.6, C.7, C.8,
C.9, D.7, and D.8 under J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge.
0
d. Revising the introductory text in paragraph B and revising
paragraphs C.2 and D under Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge.
[[Page 58775]]
0
These revisions and additions read as follows:
Sec. 32.53 North Dakota.
* * * * *
Audubon National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
4. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field
(see Sec. 32.2(k)).
* * * * *
Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. Hunters may hunt sharp-tailed grouse,
Hungarian partridge, turkey, ring-necked pheasant, cottontail rabbit,
jackrabbit, snowshoe hare, and fox on designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. We open the refuge daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
2. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field,
(see Sec. 32.2(k)).
3. Upland game bird and rabbit season opens on the day following
the close of the regular firearm deer season through the end of the
State season.
4. Hunting dogs used for retrieval of upland game is permitted.
Dogs must be under direct control.
5. Turkey hunting is subject to all State regulations, license
requirements, units, and dates.
6. Fox hunting is permitted on the day following the regular
firearm deer season and closes on March 31.
7. We prohibit hunting the area around refuge headquarters,
buildings, shops, and residences. We post these areas with ``Closed to
Hunting'' signs.
8. We prohibit the use of snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs),
off-highway vehicles (OHVs), utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs), bicycles,
or similar vehicles on the refuge.
9. We prohibit the use of horses, mules, or similar livestock on
the refuge during all hunting seasons.
10. We prohibit accessing refuge lands from refuge waters.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow deer hunting on designated areas of
the refuge in accordance with State regulations and subject to the
following conditions:
1. We open the refuge daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
2. We only allow the use of portable tree stands and ground blinds.
We prohibit leaving stands and blinds overnight (see Sec. 27.93 of
this chapter) on the refuge. Tree stands cannot injure trees. Screw-in
steps, bolts, nails, wire, or other objects that penetrate the bark of
the tree cannot be used (see Sec. 32.2(i)).
3. We prohibit entry to the refuge before 12 p.m. (noon) on the
first day of the respective bow, gun, or muzzleloader deer hunting
seasons.
4. We prohibit the use of flagging, trail markers, paint,
reflective tacks, or other types of markers (see Sec. 27.93 of this
chapter).
5. We prohibit the use of trail cameras and other electronic
equipment.
6. Conditions B7 through B10 apply.
* * * * *
J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
2. We allow the use of dogs for hunting and retrieving game birds.
Dogs must be under direct control of the hunter (see Sec. 26.21(b) of
this chapter).
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of ruffed and sharp-tailed
grouse, Hungarian partridge, turkey, ring-necked pheasant, and fox on
designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
* * * * *
2. We allow hunting for sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge,
and ring-necked pheasant on nine designated Public Hunting Areas as
delineated on the refuge hunting brochure map available at the refuge
headquarters or posted on refuge information boards and/or kiosks.
3. We allow hunting for sharp-tailed grouse, ruffed grouse,
Hungarian partridge and turkey south of the Upham-Willow City Road in
accordance with State seasons.
4. We open to hunting-for sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge,
and ring-necked pheasant north of the Willow-Upham road on the day
following the close of the regular firearm deer season.
5. We prohibit hunting the area around the refuge headquarters,
buildings, shops, and residences. We post these areas with ``Closed to
Hunting'' signs.
6. We open the refuge to fox hunting on the day following the close
of the regular firearm deer season. Fox hunting on the refuge closes
March 31.
7. Hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot for all upland
game hunting, including turkey, as identified in Sec. 20.21(j) of this
chapter.
8. We prohibit the use of snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs),
off highway vehicles (OHVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), bicycles,
or similar vehicles on the refuge.
9. We prohibit the use of horses, mules, or similar livestock on
the refuge during all hunting seasons.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
2. We prohibit hunting the area around the refuge headquarters,
buildings, shops, and residences. We post these areas with ``Closed to
Hunting'' signs.
3. We open nine designated Public Hunting Areas (as delineated on
the refuge hunting brochure map available at the refuge headquarters or
posted on refuge information boards and/or kiosks) on the refuge for
deer hunting during the regular firearms issued from the State.
4. You must possess and carry a refuge permit to hunt antlered deer
on the refuge outside the nine Public Hunting Areas during the regular
firearms season.
5. We only allow the use of portable tree stands and ground blinds.
We prohibit leaving stands and blinds overnight (see Sec. 27.93 of
this chapter) on the refuge.
6. We prohibit the use of flagging, trail markers, paint,
reflective tacks, or other types of markers (see Sec. 27.93 of this
chapter).
7. We prohibit the use of trail cameras and other electronic
surveillance equipment.
8. We prohibit entry to the refuge before 12 p.m. (noon) on the
first day of the respective bow, gun, or muzzleloader deer hunting
seasons. Refuge roads open to the public may be accessed before 12 p.m.
(noon).
9. Conditions B8 and B9 apply.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport fishing on the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
* * * * *
2. We allow boat and bank fishing only on specifically designated
portions of the refuge as delineated on maps, leaflets and/or signs,
available at the refuge headquarters or posted on refuge information
boards.
3. We only allow non-motorized boats or boats with electric motors.
4. Boat fishing is allowed from May 1 through September 30.
5. We prohibit entry to or fishing from any water control
structure.
6. We open all refuge waters to ice fishing. Ice fishing access is
limited to foot traffic only.
7. We allow the use of portable fish houses for ice fishing.
Portable fish houses may not be left out overnight.
8. Conditions B8 and B9 apply.
* * * * *
[[Page 58776]]
Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow ring-necked pheasant hunting on
designated areas of the refuge (see refuge brochure/maps for designated
area) in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
2. We allow deer gun hunting on designated areas of the refuge (see
refuge brochure/maps for designated areas) in accordance with State
regulations.
* * * * *
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated waters
(Tewaukon and Sprague Lakes only) in accordance with State regulations
and subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow boats from May 1 through September 30.
2. We allow ice fishing on designated portions of Tewaukon and
Sprague Lakes (see refuge brochure/maps for designated areas) in
accordance with State regulations.
* * * * *
0
26. Amend Sec. 32.54 Ohio by revising paragraph C.2; removing
paragraph C.3; and redesignating paragraphs C.4, C.5, C.6, C.7, C.8,
and C.9 as paragraphs C.3, C.4, C.5, C.6, C.7, and C.8, respectively,
under Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge to read as follows:
Sec. 32.54 Ohio.
* * * * *
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
2. We require that hunters check out at the refuge check station
with a State-issued Big Game Harvest Report no later than 1 hour after
the conclusion of their controlled hunt.
* * * * *
0
27. Amend Sec. 32.56 Oregon by:
0
a. Revising paragraph A under Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge.
0
b. Adding, in alphabetical order, an entry for Baskett Slough National
Wildlife Refuge.
0
c. Revising the introductory text in paragraph A, revising paragraphs
A.2 and A.3, and adding paragraph A.4 under Julia Butler Hansen Refuge
for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer.
0
d. Adding paragraphs A.4 and A.5 under Lewis and Clark National
Wildlife Refuge.
0
e. Redesignating paragraph A.2 as A.4; revising paragraphs A.1, B, C,
D.1, and D.2; and adding paragraphs A.2, A.3, A.5, A.6, A.7, A.8, D.3,
D.4, and D.5 under Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
0
f. Adding, in alphabetical order, an entry for Nestucca Bay National
Wildlife Refuge.
0
g. Adding, in alphabetical order, an entry for Siletz Bay National
Wildlife Refuge.
These revisions and additions read as follows:
Sec. 32.56 Oregon.
* * * * *
Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck,
coot, and snipe on that portion of the refuge west of U.S. Highway 101
and outside the Bandon city limits 7 days per week, and hunting of
goose, duck, and coot on the Ni-les'tun Unit of the refuge 3 days per
week, in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. The established days for waterfowl hunting on the Ni-les'tun
Unit will be Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.
2. Only portable blinds or blinds constructed of on-site dead
vegetation or driftwood may be used (see Sec. 27.51 of this chapter).
3. All blinds, decoys, shotshell hulls, and other personal
equipment and refuse must be removed from the refuge at the end of each
day (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
4. Only federally approved nontoxic shot may be used or be in
hunters' possession while hunting on the refuge (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
5. Hunters accessing the Ni-les'tun Unit via boat must secure or
anchor boats and use established boat launch areas. Hunters may park
boats within the marsh while they hunt, but boats landing on the bank
of the Coquille River within the Ni-les'tun Unit will be required to
park within a designated location.
6. Access to the refuge will be prohibited from 1 hour after sunset
to 1 hour before sunrise.
7. Hunters may use dogs as an aid to retrieving waterfowl during
the hunting season; however, dogs must remain under control of the
handler at all times. Dogs must be in a vehicle or on a leash until
they are in the marsh as a part of the hunt.
8. Hunters may enter closed areas of the refuge only to retrieve
downed birds.
* * * * *
Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck and goose
on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations
and subject to the following conditions:
1. Only hunters 15 years of age and younger are allowed to
participate in the Youth Waterfowl Hunt. Youths must be accompanied by
an adult 21 years of age or older.
2. Blinds, decoys, and other personal property must be removed at
the end of each day's hunt (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
3. Vehicles are restricted to designated public use roads and
designated parking areas.
4. We prohibit dogs on the refuge, except for hunting dogs engaged
in authorized hunting activities, and under the immediate control of a
licensed hunter (see Sec. 26.21(b) of this chapter).
5. You may possess only approved nontoxic shells for hunting during
the early September Goose Hunt and the Youth Duck Hunt.
6. Open fires are not allowed.
7. Waterfowl and goose permit (name only) hunters must check back
to the refuge check station prior to leaving the refuge and submit a
Migratory Bird Hunt Report (FWS Form 3-2361).
8. Goose hunters are required to space themselves no less than 200
yards apart from each other during the early September Goose Hunt.
9. No overnight camping or after-hours parking is permitted on the
refuge.
10. No hunting is permitted from refuge structures, observation
blinds, boardwalks, or similar structures.
11. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with
refuge regulations (see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter and refuge-specific
regulations in this part 32).
B. Upland Game Hunting. [RESERVED]
C. Big Game Hunting. [RESERVED]
D. Sport Fishing. [RESERVED]
* * * * *
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck,
coot, and common snipe on the refuge-owned shorelines of Crims and
Wallace Islands in accordance with State regulations and subject to the
following conditions:
* * * * *
2. We prohibit permanent blinds. You must remove all personal
property, including decoys and boats, by 1 hour after legal sunset (see
Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
[[Page 58777]]
3. We open the refuge for day-use access from 1\1/2\ hours before
legal sunrise until 1\1/2\ hours after legal sunset.
4. We prohibit dogs on the refuge, except for hunting dogs engaged
in authorized hunting activities, and under the immediate control of a
licensed hunter (see Sec. 26.21(b) of this chapter).
* * * * *
Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
4. We open the refuge for hunting access from 1\1/2\ hours before
legal sunrise until 1\1/2\ hours after legal sunset.
5. We prohibit dogs on the refuge, except for hunting dogs engaged
in authorized hunting activities, and under the immediate control of a
licensed hunter (see Sec. 26.21(b) of this chapter).
* * * * *
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
1. We allow nonmotorized boats or boats equipped with only electric
motors on the North and South Malheur Lake Hunt Units. All boats are
prohibited on the Buena Vista Hunt Unit.
2. We allow only portable and temporary hunting blinds. We prohibit
permanent structures.
3. You must remove boats, decoys, blinds, materials and all
personal property at the end of each day (see Sec. 27.93 of this
chapter).
* * * * *
5. We may close any refuge access easement road, refuge road, or
hunting access point for public safety, or when travel may be
detrimental to the area.
6. The North Malheur Lake Hunt Unit is open during all established
State of Oregon migratory bird hunting seasons.
7. The South Malheur Lake and Buena Vista Hunt Units open for
migratory bird hunting on the fourth Saturday of October and close at
the end of the State waterfowl season.
8. The South Malheur Lake Hunt Unit may be accessed from the Boat
Launch Road, or from the North Malheur Lake Hunt Unit, but no earlier
than the fourth Saturday of October.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of pheasant, quail,
partridge, chukar, and rabbit on designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field
(see Sec. 32.2(k))
2. We allow hunting of upland game species on designated areas of
the Blitzen Valley east of Highway 205 from the fourth Saturday in
October through the end of the State pheasant season.
3. We allow hunting of upland game species on the North Malheur
Lake Hunt Unit concurrent with the State pheasant season.
4. We allow hunting of all upland game species on designated areas
of the refuge west of Highway 205 and south of Foster Flat Road, and on
designated areas of Krumbo Creek east of the Krumbo Reservoir in
accordance with State regulations.
5. We may close any refuge access easement road, refuge road, or
hunting access point for public safety, or when travel may be
detrimental to the area.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of deer and pronghorn on
designated areas of the refuge west of Highway 205 and south of Foster
Flat Road, and on designated areas of Krumbo Creek east of the Krumbo
Reservoir, in accordance with State regulations.
D. Sport Fishing. * * *
1. We prohibit ice fishing on and all public access to any ice
formations.
2. We allow fishing year-round on Krumbo Reservoir and in the
Blitzen River, East Canal, and Mud Creek upstream from and including
Bridge Creek.
3. Fishing is allowed on the north bank of the Blitzen River from
Sodhouse Lane downstream to the bridge on the Boat Landing Road between
August 1 and September 15.
4. We prohibit boats on public fishing areas, except that
nonmotorized boats and boats equipped with only electric motors may be
used on Krumbo Reservoir.
5. We may close any refuge access easement road, refuge road, or
fishing access point for public safety, or when travel may be
detrimental to the area.
* * * * *
Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of ducks and coot
on refuge lands at Brooten Marsh and the mouth of the Little Nestucca
River 7 days per week in accordance with State regulations and subject
to the following conditions:
1. Only federally approved nontoxic shot may be used or be in
hunters' possession while hunting on the refuge (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
2. Only portable blinds or blinds constructed of on-site dead
vegetation or driftwood may be used (see Sec. 27.51 of this chapter).
3. All blinds, decoys, shotshell hulls, and other personal
equipment and refuse must be removed from the refuge at the end of each
day (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
4. Access to the refuge will be prohibited from 1 hour after sunset
to 1 hour before sunrise.
5. Hunters may use dogs as an aid to retrieving waterfowl during
the hunting season; however, dogs must remain under control of the
handler at all times (see Sec. 26.21(b) of this chapter). Dogs must be
in a vehicle or on a leash until they are in the marsh as a part of the
hunt.
6. Hunters may enter closed areas of the refuge only to retrieve
downed birds.
B. Upland Game Hunting. [RESERVED]
C. Big Game Hunting. [RESERVED]
D. Sport Fishing. [RESERVED]
* * * * *
Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck,
and coot on refuge lands west of U.S. Highway 101 7 days per week and
on the Millport Slough South Unit of the refuge 3 days per week, in
accordance with State regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. The established days for waterfowl hunting on the Millport
Slough South Unit will be Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.
2. Only federally approved nontoxic shot may be used or be in
hunters' possession while hunting on the refuge (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
3. Only portable blinds or blinds constructed of on-site dead
vegetation or driftwood may be used (see Sec. 27.51 of this chapter).
4. All blinds, decoys, shotshell hulls, and other personal
equipment and refuse must be removed from the refuge at the end of each
day (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
5. Access to the refuge will be prohibited from 1 hour after sunset
to 1 hour before sunrise.
6. The use or possession of alcoholic beverages while hunting is
prohibited.
7. Hunters may use dogs as an aid to retrieving waterfowl during
the hunting season; however, dogs must remain under control of the
handler at all time (see Sec. 26.21(b) of this chapter). Dogs must be
in a vehicle or on a leash until they are in the marsh as a part of the
hunt.
B. Upland Game Hunting. [RESERVED]
C. Big Game Hunting. [RESERVED]
[[Page 58778]]
D. Sport Fishing. [RESERVED]
* * * * *
0
28. Amend Sec. 32.57 Pennsylvania by adding, in alphabetical order, an
entry for Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge to read as follows:
Sec. 32.57 Pennsylvania.
* * * * *
Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of migratory
birds, including waterfowl (i.e., ducks, mergansers, coots, and geese),
doves, woodcock, snipe, rails, moorhens, and gallinules, on designated
areas of the refuge in accordance with State of Pennsylvania
regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. You must submit a Migratory Bird Hunt Application (FWS Form 3-
2357) to hunt on the refuge. We require hunters to possess a signed
refuge hunt permit (name and address only) at all times while scouting
and hunting on the refuge. We charge a fee for all hunters except youth
age 16 and younger.
2. We issue one companion permit (no personal information) at no
charge to each hunter. We allow companions to observe and/or call, but
not to shoot a firearm or bow. Companion and hunters must set up in the
same location. We provide hunters with hunt maps and parking permits
(name only), which they must clearly display in their vehicle. Hunters
who park on the refuge must park in identified hunt parking areas.
3. We prohibit the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on the
refuge.
4. We require hunters to wear (in a conspicuous manner) solid-
color, hunter-orange clothing or material, consistent with Pennsylvania
Game Commission regulations.
5. We prohibit hunters using or erecting permanent or pit blinds.
6. We require hunters to remove all hunting blind material, boats,
and decoys from the refuge at the end of each hunting season (see Sec.
27.93 of this chapter).
7. We allow pre-hunt scouting concurrent with big game scouting
continuing through the end of the migratory bird season; however, we
prohibit the use of dogs during scouting.
8. Dogs may only be used for waterfowl hunting. We limit the number
of dogs per waterfowl hunting party to no more than two dogs.
9. We allow hunters to enter the refuge 2 hours before shooting
time (as prescribed by Pennsylvania Game Commission regulations), and
they must leave no later than 2 hours after the end of shooting time.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of squirrels, grouse,
rabbit, pheasant, quail, woodchuck, crow, fox, raccoon, opossum, skunk,
weasel, coyote, and bobcat on designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State of Pennsylvania regulations and subject to the
following conditions:
1. We require hunters to submit a Big/Upland Game Hunt Application/
Permit (FWS Form 3-2356) to hunt on the refuge. We require hunters to
possess a signed refuge hunt permit (name and address only) at all
times while scouting and hunting on the refuge. We charge a fee for all
hunters except youth age 16 and younger.
2. Conditions A3, A4, A5, and A9 apply.
3. We prohibit scouting.
4. No dogs allowed.
5. We prohibit baiting on refuge lands (see Sec. 32.2(h)).
6. We only allow hunting from 1 half hour before legal sunrise to
legal sunset. We prohibit night hunting.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer, bear,
and wild turkey on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with
State of Pennsylvania regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. Conditions A3, A4, A5, A9, B1, and B5 apply.
2. We allow pre-hunt scouting beginning two weeks prior to the bow
opener and continuing through the end of the deer season.
3. We require hunters to remove all portable hunting blind
materials from the refuge at the end of each hunting season (see Sec.
27.93 of this chapter).
D. Sport Fishing. [RESERVED]
* * * * *
0
29. Amend Sec. 32.61 South Dakota by:
0
a. Removing paragraph A.1; redesignating paragraphs A.2 and A.3 as
paragraphs A.1 and A.2, respectively; revising paragraphs B.1 and C.5;
and adding paragraphs B.3 and C.10 under Sand Lake National Wildlife
Refuge.
0
b. Revising paragraphs A, C.4, and D under Sand Lake Wetland Management
District.
These revisions and additions read as follows:
Sec. 32.61 South Dakota.
* * * * *
Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
1. The game bird season begins the Monday following closure of the
refuge firearms deer season and continues through the first Sunday in
January.
* * * * *
3. Hunters are not allowed to enter the refuge each day until 10:00
a.m.
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
5. Hunters may place their tree stands, elevated platforms, and
portable ground blinds on the refuge only during their designated
licensed season. These stands must be removed by the end of their
designated licensed season (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
* * * * *
10. Trail monitor cameras are not allowed on the refuge.
* * * * *
Sand Lake Wetland Management District
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow migratory game bird
hunting on Waterfowl Production Areas throughout the District in
accordance with State regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. You must remove boats, decoys, portable blinds, other personal
property, and any materials brought onto the area for blind
construction by the end of each day (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of
this chapter).
2. We prohibit bringing any type of live or dead vegetation onto
the refuge for any purpose at any time.
3. We allow the use of motorized boats.
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
4. You must remove portable ground blinds, trail cameras, and other
personal property by the end of each day (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and
27.94 of this chapter).
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport fishing on Waterfowl Production
Areas throughout the District in accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
1. You must remove boats, motor vehicles, fishing equipment, and
other personal property (excluding ice houses) by the end of each day
(see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
2. We allow the use of motorized boats.
* * * * *
0
30. Amend Sec. 32.63 Texas by:
0
a. Revising paragraphs A, C.1, C.2, and C.3 and removing paragraphs
C.4, C.5, C.6, C.7, C.8, C.9, C.10, C.11, C.12, C.13, C.14, C.15, C.16,
C.17, C.18, C.19, and C.20 under Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.
0
b. Revising paragraphs A.2, A.3, A.4, A.5, A.6, A.7, A.9, A.11, B, and
C under Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge.
These additions and revisions read as follows:
Sec. 32.63 Texas.
* * * * *
[[Page 58779]]
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of ducks, coots,
and mergansers on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with
State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. Each adult hunter 17 years of age or older must possess an
Annual Public Hunting Permit (APH) administered by the State.
2. Hunters may enter the refuge hunt units no earlier than 4 a.m.
Hunting starts at the designated legal shooting time and ends at 12
p.m. (noon). Hunters must leave refuge hunt units by 12:30 p.m.
3. Youth under 17 years of age are required to be under the
immediate supervision of a duly permitted, authorized supervising
adult, age 18 or older.
4. Shotguns with nontoxic shot are the legal means that may be used
or possessed during these hunts (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
5. We prohibit pits and permanent blinds. We allow portable blinds
or temporary natural vegetation blinds. You must remove all blinds from
the refuge daily (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
6. We only allow vehicular travel on designated roads and in
parking areas.
7. All hunters are transported to and from their hunting location
by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) personnel.
8. Hunter check-in begins at 5:00 a.m. and ends at 5:30 a.m. All
hunters are required to check in and out at the hunter check station
located on the north end of the Island.
9. Hunters will select hunt sites on a first-come, first-served
basis.
10. Waterfowl hunts are morning only, begin at legal shooting time,
and end at 12:00 p.m. (noon).
11. Dogs accompanying hunters must be under the immediate control
of handlers at all times (see Sec. 26.21(b) of this chapter).
12. Hunters must remove all decoys, boats, spent shells, marsh
chairs, and other equipment from the refuge daily (see Sec. Sec. 27.93
and 27.94 of this chapter). We prohibit the use of plastic flagging,
reflectors, or reflective tape.
13. Hunting of geese is prohibited.
14. The entire refuge or any portion thereof may immediately close
to hunting in the event of whooping cranes present within the hunt
area.
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. On the Blackjack Unit, we allow hunting subject to the following
conditions:
i. We may immediately close the entire refuge or any portion
thereof to hunting in the event of the appearance of whooping crane in
the hunt area or in order to conduct habitat management practices as
required during the available windows (e.g., prescribed burns, roller
chopping, fire breaks).
ii. We prohibit the use of dogs to trail game.
iii. We prohibit target practice or any nonhunting discharge of
firearms.
iv. We prohibit hunting with the aid of bait, salt, or any
ingestible attractant (see Sec. 32.2(h)). We allow sprays and other
non-ingestible attractants.
v. Firearm hunters must wear a total of 400 square inches (2,600
square centimeters) hunter orange including 144 square inches (936
square centimeters) visible in front and 144 square inches visible in
rear. Some hunter orange must appear on head gear.
vi. All hunters must fill out (FWS Form3-2359) Big Game Harvest
Report upon leaving the hunt area.
vii. For the archery and rifle season, hunters must obtain a refuge
permit (name only required) and pay a fee. The hunter must tape the
smaller vehicle tag on the driver's side windshield. The hunter must
sign the larger permit and possess it at all times while on the refuge.
viii. We define youth hunters as ages 9 to16. A Texas-licensed,
adult hunter, age 17 or older who has successfully completed a Hunter
Education Training Course, must accompany youth hunters. We exempt
those persons born prior to September 2, 1971, from the Hunter
Education Training course requirement. Each adult hunter may supervise
two youth hunters.
ix. We will annually designate bag limits in the refuge hunt
brochure.
x. We allow archery hunting within the deer season for the county
on specified days listed in the refuge hunt brochure.
xi. We allow firearm hunting within the deer season for the county
on specified days listed in the refuge hunt brochure.
xii. Hunters must clean all harvested game in the field.
xiii. We prohibit hunting on or across any part of the refuge road
system, or hunting from a vehicle on any refuge road or road right-of-
way. Hunters must remain at a minimum of 100 yards (90 meters) off any
designated refuge road or structure.
xiv. We prohibit hunters using handguns during archery and rifle
hunts. Hunters may use bows and arrows only in accordance with State
law. We prohibit use of crossbows for hunting unless we issue a special
use permit (FWS Form 3-1383-G) due to ``upper 2 limb'' disability. We
allow the use of archery equipment and centerfire rifles for hunting in
accordance with State law.
xv. We allow use of portable hunting stands, stalking of game, and
still hunting. There is a limit of two portable stands per permitted
hunter. A hunter may set up the portable stands during the scouting
week, but must remove them when the hunter's permit expires (see Sec.
27.93 of this chapter). We prohibit hunters from driving nails, spikes,
or other objects into trees or hunting from stands secured with objects
driven into trees (see Sec. 32.2(i)). We prohibit the building of pits
and permanent blinds.
xvi. We prohibit blocking of gates and roadways (see Sec. 27.31(h)
of this chapter). We prohibit vehicles operating off-road for any
reason. Hunters must park vehicles in such a manner as to not obstruct
normal vehicle traffic.
xvii. We allow the use of only biodegradable flagging tape to mark
trails and hunt stand location during the archery and rifle hunts on
the refuge. We color-code the flagging tape used each weekend during
the rifle hunts. Hunters must use the designated flagging tape color
specified for particular hunt dates. We provide this information on the
refuge hunt permit and in refuge regulations sent to permittees.
Hunters must remove flagging (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter) at the
end of the hunt. The hunter must write his/her last name in black
permanent marker on the first piece of flagging tape nearest the
adjacent designated roadway.
xiii. We prohibit camping.
2. On the Matagorda Island Unit, we allow hunting subject to the
following conditions:
i. Big Game Hunting Blackjack Unit conditions: C.1.i through C.1.vi
apply.
ii. Special permits are issued by lottery drawing through the TPWD
Public Hunting Program for big game hunts.
iii. TPWD staff will transport all hunters to and from the
designated hunting stand.
iv. All hunters are required to stay in their designated stand
unless they are retrieving their game. Stalking of game is prohibited.
v. For hunts administered by TPWD, youth hunters are not required
to complete a Hunter Education Training Course. However, supervising
adults born on or after September 2, 1971, must have passed a Hunter
Education Training Course or possess a State-issued deferral.
vi. Each adult hunter may supervise up to two youth hunters.
[[Page 58780]]
vii. Hunters can clean all harvested game in the field or at the
designated cleaning area at the headquarters.
viii. All deer harvested during the hunt will be tagged with a
TPWD-issued Special Drawn Legal Deer Tag.
ix. Hunters are allowed to camp in the designated camping area.
3. On the Tatton Unit, we allow hunting subject to the following
conditions:
i. Big Game Hunting Blackjack Unit conditions: C.1.i through C.1.v
apply.
ii. We define youth hunters as ages 9 to 16. All hunters born after
September 2, 1971 must have completed a State-certified hunter
education course for refuge administered hunts. A Texas-licensed, adult
hunter, age 17 or older who has successfully completed a Hunter
Education Training Course, must accompany youth hunters. We exempt
those persons born prior to September 2, 1971, from the Hunter
Education Training course requirement.
iii. Hunters are transported to and from their hunting location via
government vehicles.
* * * * *
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
2. Hunting allowed in designated area(s) from noon to sunset.
3. Refuge will set the bag limits.
4. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot for hunting while in
the field (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
5. Refuge permits (name only) are required with payment of a hunt
fee.
6. Dogs are allowed to retrieve game birds during the hunt, but the
dogs must be under control of the handler at all times and not allowed
to roam free (see Sec. 26.21(b) of this chapter).
7. Hunters must be at least 12 years of age. An adult 21 years of
age or older must accompany hunters between the ages of 12 and 17
(inclusive) as per State regulations.
* * * * *
9. The entire refuge or any portion thereof may be closed to
hunting for the protection of resources or public safety as determined
by the Refuge Manager.
* * * * *
11. Hunter may bring up to two guests. Guests may not use a hunting
firearm. Guests must be with the hunter at all times.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of wild turkey at
designated times on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with
State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. Hunting is permitted consistent with the State season.
2. Hunters are required to check in and out daily at designated
check station(s).
3. Weapons will be consistent with State and Federal regulations.
4. The entire refuge or any portion thereof may be closed to
hunting for the protection of resources or public safety as determined
by the Refuge Manager.
5. Hunters must be at least 12 years of age. An adult 21 years of
age or older must accompany hunters between the ages of 12 and 17
(inclusive) as per State regulations. This adult may supervise no more
than two hunters.
6. The refuge will set the bag limits.
7. Hunters must visibly wear 400 square inches (2,600 square
centimeters) of hunter orange on the outermost layer of the head,
chest, and back, which must include a hunter-orange hat or cap.
8. Refuge permits and the payment of a hunt fee are required.
9. Dogs are not allowed for hunting.
10. Vehicles may only be operated on designated roads and parking
areas.
11. Off road use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) is prohibited,
except to retrieve bagged game.
12. Standby hunting permits are issued only if openings are
available on the day of each hunt on a first-come, first-served basis.
Contact Refuge Manager for details.
13. The use or possession of bait is prohibited during scouting or
hunting (see Sec. 32.2(h)). Bait is considered anything that may be
eaten or ingested by wildlife. Scent attractants are allowed.
14. A hunter may bring one guest. Guest may not use a hunting
firearm or other hunting weapon (archery). Guest may assist hunter in
game retrieval or field dressing activities. Guest must be with the
hunter at all times.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and
feral hog at designated times on designated areas of the refuge in
accordance with State regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. Conditions B1 through B14 apply.
* * * * *
0
31. Amend Sec. 32.64 Utah by revising paragraphs C.4, C.5, C.6, and
C.7 under Ouray National Wildlife Refuge to read as follows.
Sec. 32.64 Utah.
* * * * *
Ouray National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
4. We allow any-legal-weapon elk hunting for youth, disabled, and
depredation pool hunters during State seasons subject to refuge
regulations.
5. We allow archery elk hunting during the general and the Uintah
Basin extended archery elk hunts during State seasons subject to refuge
regulations.
6. We are closed for the general any-legal-weapon (rifle) and
muzzleloader bull elk hunts.
7. We allow any-legal-weapon elk hunting during limited late season
antlerless elk hunts starting on December 1 during State seasons
subject to refuge regulations.
* * * * *
0
32. Amend Sec. 32.65 Vermont by adding, in alphabetical order, an
entry for Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge to read as
follows:
Sec. 32.65 Vermont.
* * * * *
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of ducks, geese,
crows, and American woodcock at the Nulhegan Basin Division and Putney
Mountain Unit in accordance with State of Vermont regulations, seasons,
and bag limits subject to the following conditions:
1. Shooting across, over, or within 10 feet of the traveled portion
of any gravel road is prohibited in the interest of public safety (see
Sec. Sec. 25.71 of this chapter).
2. You may only use portable blinds.
3. We allow the use of retrieving, flushing, pointing, and pursuit
dogs; however dogs must be under control as is reasonable and customary
for that activity, such as voice command or remote telemetry (see Sec.
26.21(b) of this chapter).
4. We prohibit the use of all-terrain and off-highway vehicles
(ATVs and OHVs).
5. You must remove all blinds, decoys, shell casings, and other
personal equipment and refuse from the refuge at the end of each hunt
day (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of coyote, fox, raccoon,
bobcat, woodchuck, red squirrel, eastern gray squirrel, porcupine,
skunk, snowshoe hare, eastern cottontail, and ruffed grouse at the
Nulhegan Basin Division and Putney Mountain Unit in accordance with
State of Vermont regulations, seasons, and bag limits subject to the
following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 through A4 apply.
2. To monitor and mitigate potential disturbances to wildlife and
neighboring landowners, raccoon hunters hunting at night with dogs will
require a special
[[Page 58781]]
use permit (FWS Form 1383-G) issued by the Refuge Manager.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer, moose,
black bear, and wild turkey at the Nulhegan Basin Division and Putney
Mountain Unit in accordance with State of Vermont regulations, seasons,
and bag limits subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 through A4 apply.
2. We allow only temporary tree stands and you must remove them
(see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter) by the end of the final deer season.
Your name and address must be clearly visible on the tree stand. We
prohibit nails, screws, or screw-in climbing pegs to build or access a
stand (see Sec. 32.2(i)).
3. Moose may be retrieved at the Nulhegan Basin Division by a
commercial moose hauler, subject to a special use permit (FWS Form
1383-C) issued by the Refuge Manager.
D. Sport Fishing. [RESERVED]
* * * * *
0
33. Amend Sec. 32.66 Virginia by revising paragraphs C.1, C.5, C.12,
and C.13 under Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge to read as follows:
Sec. 32.66 Virginia.
* * * * *
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
1. Hunt regulations, hunting application procedures, seasons,
methods of hunting, maps depicting areas open to hunting, and the terms
and conditions under which we issue hunting permits are available on
the refuge's Web site.
* * * * *
5. All selected and standby applicants must enter the refuge
between 4 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. on each hunt day. We may issue standby
hunters permits (name only) to fill vacant slots by lottery. Hunting
hours will comply with State laws.
* * * * *
12. We allow scouting on designated days prior to the start of each
refuge hunt period. Hunters may enter the hunt zones on foot, on
bicycle, or through transportation provided by the refuge only. Scouts
must wear 400 square inches (2,600 square centimeters) of visible blaze
orange.
13. Hunters may go to Hunt Zone 1 (Long Island) only by hand-
launched watercraft (canoe, punt, rowboat, and similar watercraft) from
the canoe launch at refuge headquarters. Your boat must meet Coast
Guard safety requirements. We prohibit use of trailers.
* * * * *
0
34. Amend Sec. 32.67 Washington by:
0
a. Removing paragraphs B.2 and C.2 and redesignating paragraphs B.3 and
C.3 as paragraphs B.2 and C.2, respectively, under Columbia National
Wildlife Refuge.
0
b. Revising paragraphs A, C.9, and D under Julia Butler Hansen Refuge
for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer.
0
c. Revising paragraph A.6 under McNary National Wildlife Refuge.
0
d. Revising paragraphs A.3, A.5, A.11, A.13, and A.14 and adding
paragraph A.17 under Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.
0
e. Revising paragraphs A, B, and C under Willapa National Wildlife
Refuge.
These revisions and additions read as follows:
Sec. 32.67 Washington.
* * * * *
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck,
coot, and common snipe on the refuge-owned shorelines of Hunting and
Price Islands in accordance with State regulations and subject to the
following conditions:
1. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot for hunting (see
Sec. 32.2(k)).
2. You may not shoot or discharge any hunting firearm from, across,
or along a public highway, designated route of travel, road, road
shoulder, road embankment, or designated parking area.
3. We prohibit permanent blinds. You must remove all personal
property, including decoys and boats, by 1 hour after legal sunset (see
Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
4. We prohibit hunting along refuge-owned shorelines of Hunting and
Price Islands where it parallels Steamboat Slough.
5. We open the refuge for hunting access from 1\1/2\ hour before
legal sunrise until 1\1/2\ hour after legal sunset.
6. We prohibit dogs on the refuge, except for hunting dogs engaged
in authorized hunting activities, and under the immediate control of a
licensed hunter (see Sec. 26.21(b) of this chapter).
* * * * *
C. Big Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
9. We require hunters to sign in and out each day at the refuge
headquarters. When signing out for the day, you must report hunting
success, failure, and any hit-but-not retrieved animals on the Big Game
Harvest Report (FWS Form 3-2359).
* * * * *
D. Sport Fishing. Bank fishing is allowed from the Mainland Unit
shoreline adjoining the Elochoman and Columbia Rivers as well as
Steamboat and Brooks Sloughs, in accordance with State fishing
regulations. Bank fishing is allowed in the pond adjacent to the diking
district pumping station by Brooks Slough. All other areas of the
mainland unit are closed to fishing. Bank fishing is allowed along the
shorelines of refuge islands in accordance with State regulations.
* * * * *
McNary National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
6. On the Peninsula Unit, we allow hunting subject to the following
conditions: On the east shoreline of the Peninsula Unit, we allow
hunting only from established numbered blind sites, assigned on a
first-come, first-served basis, and we require hunters to remain within
100 feet (30 meters) of marked posts unless retrieving birds or setting
decoys.
* * * * *
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
3. We limit hunting of dusky Canada goose in accordance with State
regulations and quotas. The State defines dusky Canada goose as a dark
breasted Canada goose, as determined by a Munsell color chart 10 YR, 5
or less, with a culmen (bill) length of 40 to 50 millimeters (1.6 to 2
inches). We will close the refuge goose season early if the dusky
Canada goose harvest reaches the refuge quota assigned by the State.
* * * * *
5. Prior to entering the hunt area, you must pay a recreation user
fee, obtain a blind assignment, and obtain a Migratory Bird Hunt Report
(FWS Form 3-2361). You must carry the Migratory Bird Hunt Report while
hunting as proof of blind assignment and user fee payment.
* * * * *
11. You may possess only approved nontoxic shotshells for hunting
(see Sec. 32.2(k)) in quantities of 25 or fewer per day.
* * * * *
13. Prior to switching blinds, you must first report to the refuge
check station to obtain a new blind
[[Page 58782]]
assignment. You must submit an accurate Migratory Bird Hunt Report (FWS
Form 3-2361) for the blind being vacated, and obtain a new Migratory
Bird Hunt Report for the new blind.
14. Prior to leaving the hunt area, you must check out at the
refuge check station, submit an accurate Migratory Bird Hunt Report
(FWS Form 3-2361), and present all harvested birds for inspection by
check station personnel.
* * * * *
17. Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on
national wildlife refuges must comply with all provisions of State and
local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with
refuge regulations (see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter and specific refuge
regulations in this part 32).
* * * * *
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. Hunting of geese, ducks, coots, and
snipe is permitted on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with
State hunting regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. Prior to entering the hunt area at the Riekkola and Tarlatt
Units, all hunters are required to obtain and carry a Migratory Bird
Hunt Application (FWS Form 3-2357), pay a recreation user fee, obtain a
blind assignment, and report waterfowl taken per instructions on the
Migratory Bird Hunt Report (FWS Form 3-2361).
2. At the Riekkola and Tarlatt Units, hunters may take ducks and
coots only coincidental to hunting geese.
3. Goose hunting is permitted on Wednesday and Saturday in the
Riekkola and Tarlatt Units only from established blinds.
4. At the Riekkola and Tarlatt Units, you may possess no more than
25 approved nontoxic shells per day while hunting.
5. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot for hunting (see
Sec. 32.2(k)).
6. You may not shoot or discharge any hunting firearm from, across,
or along a public highway, designated route of travel, road, road
shoulder, road embankment, or designated parking area.
7. We prohibit camping on the refuge except in designated
campgrounds on Long Island for up to 14 days.
8. We open the refuge for hunting access from 1\1/2\ hour before
legal sunrise until 1\1/2\ hour after legal sunset.
9. We require dogs to be kept on a leash, except for hunting dogs
engaged in authorized hunting activities, and under the immediate
control of a licensed hunter (see Sec. 26.21(b) of this chapter). We
prohibit dogs on Long Island and on beaches within the Leadbetter Point
Unit.
10. Access to the hunt area is by foot or boat access only. We
allow bicycles on designated roads and trails only. Mobility-impaired
hunters should consult the Refuge Manager for allowed conveyances.
11. We prohibit permanent blinds. You must remove all personal
property, including decoys and boats, by 1 hour after legal sunset (see
Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of forest grouse (sooty
and ruffed) on Long Island, subject to the following conditions:
1. Hunters are required to obtain and carry a Big/Upland Game Hunt
Application (FWS Form 3-2356) and report game taken, hours hunted, and
name/address/date on the Upland/Small Game/Furbearer Report (FWS Form
3-2362).
2. Archery hunting only.
3. You may not shoot or discharge a firearm on Long Island.
4. Dogs are not permitted on Long Island.
5. Conditions A7 through A10 apply.
6. We prohibit fires on the refuge, except in designated
campgrounds on Long Island (see Sec. 27.95(a) of this chapter).
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of deer, elk, and bear on
designated areas of the refuge, in accordance with State regulations
subject to the following conditions:
1. At Long Island hunters must obtain and carry a Big/Upland Game
Hunt Application (FWS Form 3-2356) and report game taken, hours hunted
and name/address/date on the Big Game Harvest Report (FWS Form 3-2359).
2. At Long Island, only archery hunting is permitted and hunting
firearms are prohibited.
3. Bear hunting is prohibited on any portion of the refuge except
Long Island.
4. The use of centerfire or rimfire rifles is prohibited within the
Lewis, Porter Point, and Riekkola Units.
5. Dogs are prohibited.
6. Conditions A7 through A10 and B6 apply.
7. We prohibit construction or use of permanent blinds, platforms,
ladders, or screw-in foot pegs.
8. You must remove all personal property, including stands, from
the refuge by 1\1/2\ hours after legal sunset (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and
27.94 of this chapter).
9. Tree stands may stay in place for 3 days and must be labeled
with the hunter's name and phone number, and the date the stand was
set-up. The stand may be set-up 1\1/2\ hours before legal sunrise. The
stand must be removed before 1\1/2\ hours after legal sunset on the
third day.
* * * * *
0
35. Amend Sec. 32.69 Wisconsin by revising paragraph B.5 and removing
paragraph B.6 under Necedah National Wildlife Refuge to read as
follows:
Sec. 32.69 Wisconsin.
* * * * *
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
* * * * *
B. Upland Game Hunting. * * *
* * * * *
5. You may only hunt snowshoe hare during the season for cottontail
rabbit.
* * * * *
0
36. Amend Sec. 32.70 Wyoming by adding, in alphabetical order, an
entry for Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge to read as
follows:
Sec. 32.70 Wyoming.
* * * * *
Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of ducks, dark
geese, coots, mergansers, snipe, Virginia rail, Sora rail, sandhill
crane, and mourning dove in accordance with State regulations and
subject to the following conditions:
1. We prohibit hunting of migratory game birds in areas of the
refuge indicated on the Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Hunting Brochure and marked by signs as closed to all hunting or closed
to migratory bird hunting.
2. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field
(see Sec. 32.2(k)).
3. We prohibit pits and permanent blinds.
4. You may use portable blinds or blinds constructed of natural
dead vegetation (see Sec. 27.51 of this chapter).
5. You must remove all decoys, shell casings, portable and
temporary blinds, and other personal equipment (see Sec. Sec. 27.93
and 27.94 of this chapter) from the refuge at the end of each day.
6. We prohibit possession or consumption of any alcoholic beverage
while hunting (see Sec. 32.2(j)).
7. Hunters may not enter closed areas to retrieve animals legally
shot in an open area unless authorization has been given by a refuge
employee or State Conservation Officer. Permission must be obtained
from private landowners before attempting to retrieve game on private
land.
8. Dogs must be leashed and/or under the direct control of a
handler (see
[[Page 58783]]
Sec. 26.21(b) of this chapter). The use of dogs to find and retrieve
legally harvested migratory game birds is allowed.
9. Hunters must park in a Designated Hunter Parking Area, as
identified by signs.
10. Hunters are required to access and exit the hunting areas from
a Designated Hunter Parking Area only. Drop off or pick up of hunters
is prohibited except at Hunter Designated Parking Areas.
11. Hunters may only access the refuge 1 hour before legal sunrise
until 1 hour after legal sunset.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of blue grouse, ruffed
grouse, chuckar partridge, gray partridge, cottontail rabbits, snowshoe
hares, squirrels (red, gray, and fox), red fox, raccoon, and striped
skunk in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following
conditions:
1. Conditions A2 through A7 and A9 through A11 apply.
2. We prohibit hunting of upland game species in areas of the
refuge indicated on the Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Hunting Brochure and marked by signs as closed to all hunting.
3. Dogs must be leashed and/or under the direct control of a
handler. The use of dogs to find and retrieve legally harvested upland
game birds, cottontail rabbits, and squirrels is allowed and
encouraged. Dogs may not be used to chase red fox, raccoon, striped
skunk, or any other species not specifically allowed in A8 or this
paragraph.
4. Red fox, raccoon, and striped skunk may be taken on the refuge
by licensed migratory bird, big game, or upland/small game hunters from
September 1 until the end of the last open big game, upland bird, or
small game season. Red fox, raccoon, or striped skunk that is harvested
must be taken into possession and removed from the refuge.
5. We prohibit hunting of sage grouse.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of elk, mule deer, white-
tailed deer, pronghorn, and moose in accordance with State regulations
and subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A3 through A7 and A9 through A11 apply.
2. We prohibit hunting of big game in areas of the refuge indicated
on the Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Hunting Brochure and
marked by signs as closed to all hunting.
3. You may hunt with the aid of a temporary tree stand that does
not require drilling or nailing into the tree. All personal property,
including temporary tree stands, must be removed at the end of each day
(see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
D. Sport Fishing. [RESERVED]
* * * * *
Dated: August 27, 2013.
Rachel Jacobson,
Principal Deputy, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2013-21804 Filed 9-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P