Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations, 51401-51422 [2014-20361]
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Vol. 79
Thursday,
No. 167
August 28, 2014
Part II
Department of the Interior
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Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory Bird
Hunting Regulations; Final Rule
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 167 / Thursday, August 28, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
[Docket No. FWS–HQ–MB–2014–0017;
FF09M21200–134–FXMB1231099BPP0]
RIN 1018–AZ80
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final
Frameworks for Early-Season
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This rule prescribes final
early-season frameworks from which the
States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin
Islands may select season dates, limits,
and other options for the 2014–15
migratory bird hunting seasons. Early
seasons are those that generally open
prior to October 1, and include seasons
in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the
Virgin Islands. The effect of this final
rule is to facilitate the selection of
hunting seasons by the States and
Territories to further the annual
establishment of the early-season
migratory bird hunting regulations.
DATES: This rule takes effect on August
28, 2014.
ADDRESSES: States and Territories
should send their season selections to:
Chief, Division of Migratory Bird
Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, MS: MB, 5275 Leesburg Pike,
Falls Church, VA 22041–3803. You may
inspect comments during normal
business hours at the Service’s office at
5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church,
Virginia, or at https://
www.regulations.gov at Docket No.
FWS–HQ–MB–2014–0017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron
W. Kokel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Department of the Interior, MS:
MB, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church,
VA 22041–3803; (703) 358–1967.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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SUMMARY:
Regulations Schedule for 2014
On April 30, 2014, we published in
the Federal Register (79 FR 24512) a
proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The
proposal provided a background and
overview of the migratory bird hunting
regulations process, and addressed the
establishment of seasons, limits, and
other regulations for hunting migratory
game birds under §§ 20.101 through
20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K.
Major steps in the 2014–15 regulatory
cycle relating to open public meetings
and Federal Register notifications were
also identified in the April 30 proposed
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rule. Further, we explained that all
sections of subsequent documents
outlining hunting frameworks and
guidelines were organized under
numbered headings. Subsequent
documents will refer only to numbered
items requiring attention. Therefore, it is
important to note that we omit those
items requiring no attention, and
remaining numbered items might be
discontinuous or appear incomplete.
On June 4, 2014, we published in the
Federal Register (79 FR 32418) a second
document providing supplemental
proposals for early- and late-season
migratory bird hunting regulations. The
June 4 supplement also provided
detailed information on the 2014–15
regulatory schedule and announced the
Service Regulations Committee (SRC)
and Flyway Council meetings.
On July 31, 2014, we published in the
Federal Register (79 FR 44580) a third
document specifically dealing with the
proposed frameworks for early-season
regulations. We published the proposed
frameworks for late-season regulations
(primarily hunting seasons that start
after October 1 and most waterfowl
seasons not already established) in a late
August 2014, Federal Register.
This document is the fifth in a series
of proposed, supplemental, and final
rulemaking documents. It establishes
final frameworks from which States may
select season dates, shooting hours, and
daily bag and possession limits for the
2014–15 season. These selections will
be published in the Federal Register as
amendments to §§ 20.101 through
20.107, and § 20.109 of title 50 CFR part
20.
Population Status and Harvest
Information on the status of waterfowl
and information on the status and
harvest of migratory shore and upland
game birds, including detailed
information on methodologies and
results, is available at the address
indicated under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT or from our Web
site at https://www.fws.gov/
migratorybirds/
NewsPublicationsReports.html
Review of Public Comments
The preliminary proposed rulemaking
(April 30 Federal Register) opened the
public comment period for migratory
game bird hunting regulations.
Comments concerning early-season
issues are summarized below and
numbered in the order used in the April
30 Federal Register document. Only the
numbered items pertaining to earlyseasons issues for which we received
written comments are included.
Consequently, the issues do not follow
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in consecutive numerical or
alphabetical order.
We received recommendations from
all four Flyway Councils. Some
recommendations supported
continuation of last year’s frameworks.
Due to the comprehensive nature of the
annual review of the frameworks
performed by the Councils, support for
continuation of last year’s frameworks is
assumed for items for which no
recommendations were received.
Council recommendations for changes
in the frameworks are summarized
below.
General
Written Comments: A commenter
protested the entire migratory bird
hunting regulations process, the killing
of all migratory birds, and status and
habitat data on which the migratory bird
hunting regulations are based.
Service Response: Our long-term
objectives continue to include providing
opportunities to harvest portions of
certain migratory game bird populations
and to limit harvests to levels
compatible with each population’s
ability to maintain healthy, viable
numbers. Having taken into account the
zones of temperature and the
distribution, abundance, economic
value, breeding habits, and times and
lines of flight of migratory birds, we
believe that the hunting seasons
provided for herein are compatible with
the current status of migratory bird
populations and long-term population
goals. Additionally, we are obligated to,
and do, give serious consideration to all
information received as public
comment. We believe that the FlywayCouncil system of migratory bird
management has been a longstanding,
successful example of State-Federal
cooperative management since its
establishment in 1952. However, as
always, we continue to seek new ways
to streamline and improve the
process.
1. Ducks
Categories used to discuss issues
related to duck harvest management are:
(A) General Harvest Strategy; (B)
Regulatory Alternatives, including
specification of framework dates, season
lengths, and bag limits; (C) Zones and
Split Seasons; and (D) Special Seasons/
Species Management. The categories
correspond to previously published
issues/discussions, and only those
containing substantial recommendations
are discussed below.
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D. Special Seasons/Species
Management
i. September Teal Seasons
Council Recommendations: The
Mississippi Flyway Council
recommended that Iowa, Minnesota,
Michigan, and Wisconsin be granted
special September teal hunting seasons
for an experimental 3-year period
beginning in September 2014. The
Council recommended that the
framework for these seasons follow the
established teal harvest strategy (i.e., 9
or 16 days with up to 6 bird daily limits)
with sunrise to sunset shooting hours.
Further, they recommended that the
Service work with these States to
develop a mutually acceptable
evaluation plan prior to June 2014. In
the event that this recommendation is
not approved or Iowa declines the
opportunity, the Council recommended
that Iowa be allowed to retain their early
September duck season.
The Central Flyway Council
recommended allowing an experimental
September teal season in the portion of
Nebraska not currently open to
September teal hunting. Criteria for the
experimental season would be the same
as for other non-production States, and
the State of Nebraska will work with the
Service to develop an evaluation plan
for the experiment.
Service Response: We appreciate the
long-standing interest by the Flyway
Councils to pursue additional teal
harvest opportunity. With this interest
in mind, in 2009, the Flyways and
Service began to assess the collective
results of all teal harvest, including
harvest during special September
seasons. The Teal Harvest Potential
Working Group conducted this
assessment work, which included a
thorough assessment of the harvest
potential for both blue-winged and
green-winged teal, as well as an
assessment of the impacts of current
special September seasons on these two
species. Cinnamon teal were
subsequently included in this
assessment.
In the April 9, 2013, Federal Register
(78 FR 21200), we stated that the final
report of the Teal Harvest Potential
Working Group (https://www.fws.gov/
migratorybirds/NewReports
Publications/Teal/Final%20Teal%
20Assessment%20Report%20Mar%
2012%202013.pdf) indicated that
additional opportunity could be
provided for blue-winged teal and
green-winged teal. Therefore, last year,
we supported recommendations from
the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central
Flyway Councils to increase the daily
bag limit from 4 to 6 teal in the
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aggregate during the Special September
teal season in 2013–14. However, at that
time, we did not support additional
changes to the structure of the
September teal season until specific
management objectives for teal had been
articulated and a comprehensive, crossflyway approach to developing and
evaluating other potential avenues by
which additional teal harvest
opportunity could be provided had been
completed. We recognized, however,
that this comprehensive approach could
include addition of new hunting
seasons (e.g., September teal seasons in
northern States) as well as expanded
hunting opportunities (e.g., season
lengths, bag limits) in States with
existing teal seasons.
After the February SRC meeting, in
the April 30, 2014, Federal Register (79
FR 24518), we indicated that we were
willing to consider proposals to conduct
experimental September teal seasons in
production States if fully evaluated for
impacts to teal and non-target species.
Thus, we agree with the Mississippi
Flyway Council’s recommendation to
allow an experimental special
September teal season in Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa, and the
Central Flyway Council’s
recommendation to allow an
experimental season in the production
area of Nebraska (generally north of the
Platte River). During the 3-year
experiment, a 16-day season with a 6teal daily bag limit will be offered if the
blue-winged teal population estimate
from the traditional survey area (i.e.,
strata 1–18, 20–50, and 75–77) is > 4.7
million birds, and a 9-day season will be
offered when the blue-winged teal
estimate is between 3.3 and 4.7 million
birds. We will work with the five
affected States to develop evaluation
plans and associated memoranda of
agreement (MOA) for these experiments.
The plan will consist of a 3-year
evaluation of hunter performance (via
spy blind studies) with regard to
attempt rates on non-target species
during the experimental September teal
season.
Before the season is approved
operationally, the participating States
must demonstrate negligible impacts to
non-target species, defined as a nontarget attempt rate no greater than 0.25
and non-target kill rate no greater than
0.10. The season will not be approved
for operational status if the experiment
determines that (1) the upper 90 percent
confidence limit on the attempt rate at
non-target species exceeds 0.25, or (2)
the kill of non-target species exceeds 10
percent of the kill of teal and non-target
species combined. Additional specifics
regarding the evaluations will be
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contained in the MOAs (available at the
address indicated under ADDRESSES).
Further, if any of the participating States
wish to allow pre-sunrise shooting
hours during the special September teal
season experiment, this evaluation must
examine attempt rates on non-target
species during both the period 30
minutes prior to sunrise and the postsunrise period. Nebraska should
conduct their experiment independent
from the four States in the Mississippi
Flyway.
If Iowa decides to participate in this
experiment, Iowa must suspend their 5day September duck season for the
duration of their participation. Iowa has
requested, and we concur, that upon
conclusion of the experiment they be
given the opportunity to revert back to
a 5-day September duck season if they
so desire, regardless of the results of the
experiment. However, if Iowa decides to
retain their 5-day September duck
season, or revert to it after the
experiment, they will not be allowed to
implement a September teal season in
subsequent years. States should submit
annual progress reports for this
evaluation and a final report must be
submitted and accepted by the Service
before we consider making such seasons
operational.
Regarding the regulations for this
year, utilizing the criteria developed for
the teal season harvest strategy, this
year’s estimate of 8.5 million bluewinged teal from the traditional survey
area indicates that a 16-day September
teal season in the Atlantic, Central, and
Mississippi Flyways is appropriate for
2014.
We prepared an environmental
assessment (EA) on the new teal hunting
opportunities. Specifics of the five
alternatives we analyzed and a copy of
the EA can be found on our Web site at
https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds, or at
https://www.regulations.gov.
ii. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that the daily bag limit for teal in
Florida during the September teal/wood
duck season be a total of 6 birds with
no more than 2 wood ducks (the current
total bag is 4 birds with no more than
2 wood ducks). The Council further
recommended that Florida be permitted
to add additional teal-only days to their
September teal/wood duck season. In
years when the teal harvest strategy
calls for a 9-day teal season, Florida
would maintain their current 5-day teal/
wood duck season. In years when the
teal harvest strategy calls for a 16-day
teal season, Florida would add 4
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additional teal-only days to their current
5-day teal/wood duck season.
The Mississippi Flyway Council
recommended that the teal bag limit
during Kentucky and Tennessee’s
September teal/wood duck seasons be
the same as that permitted in other
States with September teal-only seasons.
The Council further recommended that
States with September teal/wood duck
seasons (Kentucky and Tennessee) be
permitted to add additional teal-only
days to their September teal/wood duck
seasons. In years when the teal harvest
strategy calls for a 9-day teal season,
those States would maintain their
current 5-day wood duck/teal season. In
years when the teal harvest strategy
calls for a 16-day teal season, those
States would add 4 additional teal-only
days to their current 5-day teal/wood
duck season.
Written Comments: Over 100
individual commenters primarily from
Tennessee, Kentucky, and Florida
expressed support for additional tealonly days and an increase in the teal
daily bag limit in Tennessee, Kentucky,
and Florida.
Service Response: Given the results
from the previously referenced final
report of the Teal Harvest Potential
Working Group indicating that
additional opportunity could be
provided for blue-winged teal and
green-winged teal (see discussion in D.
Special Seasons/Species Management, i.
September Teal Seasons), we concur
with the Atlantic and Mississippi
Flyway Councils’ recommendations to
allow 4 additional teal-only days during
their September teal/wood duck season
in Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee
when the teal harvest strategy provides
for a 16-day Special September teal
season. The 4 additional days must be
consecutive and be held contiguously
(i.e., no split) with the wood duck/teal
portion of this special season.
Furthermore, this change must be
accompanied by an extensive public
outreach effort to alert hunters to the
differential regulations for the two time
periods during the special season,
especially with regard to wood ducks.
Finally, this change is contingent on
completion of a 3-year evaluation of
hunter performance (via spy blind
studies) with regard to attempt rates on
non-target species during the ‘‘tealonly’’ portion of this special season.
Before the ‘‘teal only’’ portion of this
season is approved operationally, the
States must demonstrate negligible
impacts to non-target species, defined as
a non-target attempt rate no greater than
0.25 and non-target kill rate no greater
than 0.10. The ‘‘teal only’’ portion of
this season will not be approved for
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operational status if the experiment
determines that (1) the upper 90 percent
confidence limit on the attempt rate at
non-target species exceeds 0.25, or (2)
the kill of non-target species exceeds 10
percent of the kill of teal and non-target
species combined. Additional specifics
regarding the evaluations will be
contained in the MOAs (available at the
address indicated under ADDRESSES). If
any of the 3 States wishes to retain presunrise shooting hours during the ‘‘teal
only’’ portion of the season, this
evaluation must examine attempt rates
on non-target species during both the
period 30 minutes prior to sunrise and
the post-sunrise period. This special
season will not be expanded to other
States.
We prepared an environmental
assessment (EA) on the new teal hunting
opportunities. Specifics of the five
alternatives we analyzed and a copy of
the EA can be found on our Web site at
https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds, or at
https://www.regulations.gov.
4. Canada Geese
A. Special Seasons
Council Recommendations: The
Pacific Flyway Council recommended
increasing the daily bag limit from 5 to
15 Canada geese in Pacific County,
Washington. The Council also pointed
out the need to eliminate several
previously approved framework
restrictions in Wyoming and Idaho.
Service Response: We agree with the
Pacific Flyway Council’s request to
increase the Canada goose daily bag
limit in Pacific County, Washington,
and eliminate several previously
approved framework restrictions in
Wyoming and Idaho. The special early
Canada goose hunting season is
generally designed to reduce or control
overabundant resident Canada goose
populations. Increasing the daily bag
limit from 5 to 15 geese in Pacific
County, Washington, may help reduce
or control existing populations of
resident Canada geese, particularly
those non-migratory (resident) darkbreasted Canada geese. Resident darkbreasted Canada geese are a result of the
release in the mid-1970s of a
transplanted flock of dusky Canada
geese held in captivity since 1958.
These transplanted geese hybridized
with native, non-migratory western
Canada geese and are similar in
appearance to migratory dusky Canada
geese for which there are especially
restrictive regulations to minimize
incidental harvest. While there are no
migratory dusky Canada geese present
in these areas in September, harvest of
dark-breasted resident Canada geese
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during the regular hunting season can
result in violation and premature
closure of the regular Canada goose
hunting season if these geese are
misidentified as migratory dusky
Canada geese.
B. Regular Seasons
Council Recommendations: The
Mississippi Flyway Council
recommended that the framework
opening date for all species of geese for
the regular goose seasons in the Lower
Peninsula of Michigan and Wisconsin
be September 16, 2014, and in the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan be
September 11, 2014.
Service Response: We concur with
recommended framework opening
dates. Michigan, beginning in 1998, and
Wisconsin, beginning in 1989, have
opened their regular Canada goose
seasons prior to the Flyway-wide
framework opening date to address
resident goose management concerns in
these States. As we have previously
stated (73 FR 50678, August 27, 2008),
we agree with the objective to increase
harvest pressure on resident Canada
geese in the Mississippi Flyway and
will continue to consider the opening
dates in both States as exceptions to the
general Flyway opening date, to be
reconsidered annually. The framework
closing date for the early goose season
in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is
September 10. By changing the
framework opening date for the regular
season to September 11 in the Upper
Peninsula of Michigan there will be no
need to close goose hunting in that area
for 5 days and thus lose the ability to
maintain harvest pressure on resident
Canada geese. We note that the most
recent resident Canada goose estimate
for the Mississippi Flyway was a record
high 1,767,900 geese during the spring
of 2012, 8 percent higher than the 2011
estimate of 1,629,800 geese, and well
above the Flyway’s population goal of
1.18 to 1.40 million birds.
C. Special Late Seasons
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that Rhode Island be approved for minor
expansion of the late season hunting
zone boundary for Canada geese.
Service Response: We concur with the
Council’s recommended minor late
season hunting zone expansion in
Rhode Island. Resident Canada geese are
overabundant in the Atlantic Flyway,
and their numbers continue to increase
in Rhode Island despite special early
and late seasons designed to control
them. No harvest of migrant Canada
geese has been documented during
Rhode Island’s special late season for
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resident Canada geese, and we expect
that this expansion will increase harvest
pressure on resident geese without
impacting migrant Canada geese.
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9. Sandhill Cranes
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended that Kentucky
be allowed a 1-year continuation of their
sandhill crane season for the 2014–15
season under harvest guidelines
approved for their experimental season.
The Central and Pacific Flyway
Councils recommended the expansion
of an existing Rocky Mountain
Population (RMP) sandhill crane
hunting unit in southwestern Montana
(the Dillon/Twin Bridges/Cardwell hunt
area to include all of Madison and
Gallatin Counties). The Councils also
recommended using the 2014 RMP
sandhill crane harvest allocation of 676
birds as proposed in the allocation
formula using the 3-year running
population average for 2011–13.
Service Response: We agree with the
recommendation to allow Kentucky a
1-year continuation of their sandhill
crane season. Although data from the
third year of the experimental season
are not yet available for review and
incorporation into their assessment and
final report, data from the first and
second years indicate that harvest has
been within the anticipated harvest
analyzed in the 2011 environmental
assessment. We look forward to
receiving the final report this winter and
will make a decision on the season’s
continuation next summer.
We also agree with the Central and
Pacific Flyway Councils’
recommendations on the RMP sandhill
crane hunt area expansion in
southwestern Montana and harvest
allocation of 676 birds for the 2014–15
season, as outlined in the RMP sandhill
crane management plan’s hunt area
requirements and harvest allocation
formula. The objective for RMP sandhill
cranes is to manage for a stable
population index of 17,000–21,000
cranes determined by an average of the
three most recent, reliable September
(fall pre-migration) surveys.
Additionally, the RMP management
plan allows for the regulated harvest of
cranes when the 3-year average of the
population indices exceeds 15,000
cranes. In 2013, 20,360 cranes were
counted in the September survey, an
increase from the previous year’s count
of 15,417 cranes. The most recent 3-year
average for the RMP sandhill crane fall
index was 17,757, a slight decrease from
the previous 3-year average of 17,992.
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14. Woodcock
In 2011, we implemented an interim
harvest strategy for woodcock for a
period of 5 years (2011–15) (76 FR
19876, April 8, 2011). The interim
harvest strategy provides a transparent
framework for making regulatory
decisions for woodcock season length
and bag limit while we work to improve
monitoring and assessment protocols for
this species. Utilizing the criteria
developed for the interim strategy, the
3-year average for the Singing Ground
Survey indices and associated
confidence intervals fall within the
‘‘moderate package’’ for both the Eastern
and Central Management Regions. As
such, a ‘‘moderate season’’ for both
management regions for the 2014–15
woodcock hunting season is
appropriate. Specifics of the interim
harvest strategy can be found at https://
www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/News
PublicationsReports.html.
15. Band-Tailed Pigeons
Last year, the Pacific Flyway Council
recommended reducing the daily bag
limit for the Interior population of bandtailed pigeons from 5 birds to 2 (season
length was unchanged at about 30 days),
and the Central Flyway Council
recommended no change. The Pacific
Flyway Council also expressed concern
about the status of the population and
what an appropriate framework may be,
and expressed concern about the
inequity between frameworks between
the Pacific Coast and Interior
populations given similar population
trajectories. While we did not change
the Federal frameworks, we did reiterate
our longstanding practice of giving
considerable deference to harvest
strategies developed in cooperative
Flyway management plans. We further
stated that a harvest strategy does not
exist for the Interior population of bandtailed pigeons even though the
development of one was identified as a
high priority when the management
plan was adopted in 2001. Thus, we
recommended that the two Flyway
Councils discuss this issue and advise
us of the results of these deliberations
at our June 2014 regulatory meeting. It
is our desire to see adoption of a
mutually acceptable harvest strategy for
this population as soon as possible. We
also note that both Arizona and Utah
opted for more restrictive regulations
last year than the Federal frameworks
allow. While we recognize the proactive nature of these voluntary State
restrictions in part of the species’ range,
the actions do not fully address
population-wide concerns expressed by
the Pacific Flyway Council.
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Despite our request, the Pacific and
Central Flyway Councils did not reach
consensus on what an appropriate
framework may be (although both the
Pacific and Central Flyways
recommended no change in the Federal
framework this year, leaving the option
for restriction up to individual States),
and indicated that development of a
harvest strategy was not forthcoming.
We have taken a close look at the
limited data, and believe further
investigation is warranted to ensure
harvest is commensurate with
population status. We recognize the
need and difficulty in obtaining
additional data for this population, but
believe that there are analytical
techniques that may allow use of
available information to quantify the
harvest potential of this population and
better inform what an appropriate
framework may be. We recommend that
the Council’s work together and with
the Service’s Division of Migratory Bird
Management to review available
information and conduct an assessment
of the harvest potential of this
population. We request they advise us
of the results of this assessment and
develop a regulatory recommendation
using this information at our June 2015
regulatory meeting.
16. Mourning Doves
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended use of the
‘‘standard’’ season framework
comprised of a 90-day season and 15bird daily bag limit for States within the
Eastern Management Unit. The daily bag
limit could be composed of mourning
doves and white-winged doves, singly
or in combination.
The Mississippi and Central Flyway
Councils recommend the use of the
‘‘standard’’ season package of a 15-bird
daily bag limit and a 70-day season for
the 2014–15 mourning dove season in
the States within the Central
Management Unit.
The Pacific Flyway Council
recommended use of the ‘‘standard’’
season framework for States in the
Western Management Unit (WMU)
population of doves. In Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, and Washington, the
season length would be no more than 60
consecutive days with a daily bag limit
of 15 mourning and white-winged doves
in the aggregate. In Arizona and
California, the season length would be
no more than 60 consecutive days,
which could be split between two
periods, September 1–15 and November
1–January 15. In Arizona, during the
first segment of the season, the daily bag
limit would be 15 mourning and white-
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winged doves in the aggregate, of which
no more than 10 could be white-winged
doves. During the remainder of the
season, the daily bag limit would be 15
mourning doves. In California, the daily
bag limit would be 15 mourning and
white-winged doves in the aggregate, of
which no more than 10 could be whitewinged doves.
The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central,
and Pacific Flyway Councils also
recommended that the Service use a 3year running average to calculate the
predicted dove abundance in the annual
assessment of the status of mourning
doves in support of the regulationsetting process under the dove harvest
strategy beginning with the 2015–16
hunting season.
Service Response: Last year, we
approved implementation of the
national mourning dove harvest
strategy, as developed by the Mourning
Dove Task Force, for the 2014–15
hunting season (78 FR 52658, August
23, 2013). This strategy replaced the
interim harvest strategies that had been
in place since 2009. A copy of the new
strategy is available at available on our
Web site at https://www.fws.gov/
migratorybirds/
NewReportsPublications/Dove/MODO%
20Harvest%20Strategy%202014.pdf, or
at https://www.regulations.gov.
We also support modification of this
national harvest strategy such that a 3year running average is used to calculate
each year’s abundance estimate and
calculate predicted dove abundance in
the annual assessment of the status of
mourning doves beginning with the
2015–16 hunting season as
recommended by all four flyway
Councils and vetted through the
Mourning Dove Task Force. This Task
Force continues to be a useful venue for
developing issues for consideration and
potential modification to the National
Strategy.
This year, based on the harvest
strategies and current population status,
we agree with the recommended
selection of the ‘‘standard’’ season
frameworks for doves in the Eastern,
Central, and Western Management
Units.
daily bag and possession limits remains
the same as it was under ‘‘Dark Geese.’’
3. In Unit 18, in western Alaska,
white-fronted geese daily bag and
possession limits would be increased
from a dark goose daily bag limit of 6
birds, 18 in possession, to a whitefronted goose daily bag limit of 8 birds,
24 in possession.
4. In Units 6B, 6C, and Hawkins and
Hinchinbrook Islands in 6D, if dusky
Canada geese exceed the population
threshold to return to Action Level 1
status (3-year average based on May
2011, 2012, and 2014 surveys), then
implement Action Level 1 regulations as
stated in the Pacific Flyway Council’s
management plan for dusky geese, and
eliminate requirements for a special
permit hunt and harvest quota, but
maintain possession limits at 2 times
the daily bag limit.
Service Response: We agree with the
Pacific Flyway Council’s recommended
changes in the Alaska early season
frameworks, including elimination of
requirements for a special permit hunt
and harvest quota in Units 6B, 6C, and
Hawkins and Hinchinbrook Islands in
6D. The 3-year (2011–13) moving
average fall population of Pacific whitefronted geese was 628,198 geese, and is
well above the population objective of
300,000 geese as identified in the Pacific
Flyway Council’s management plan for
this population. The Yukon-Kuskowim
Delta (Unit 18) supports over 95 percent
of the breeding population of Pacific
white-fronted geese.
With regard to the Action Level
regulations as described in the Council’s
management plan for dusky Canada
geese, the dusky Canada goose
population estimate for 2014 was 15,049
geese and represents an increase from
the 2012 estimate of 13,660 geese (there
was no estimate available in 2013). The
recent 3-year (2011–14) average
population estimate was 13,503 geese,
which is above the threshold of 12,500
geese necessary to remove Action Level
2 harvest restrictions and return to
Action Level 1 harvest regulations,
which do not require a special permit
hunt and harvest quota for dusky
Canada geese.
18. Alaska
Council Recommendations: The
Pacific Flyway Council recommended
several changes in the Alaska early
season frameworks. Specifically, they
recommended:
1. Splitting the ‘‘Dark Geese’’
framework into separate frameworks for
Canada geese and white-fronted geese.
2. For both Canada geese and whitefronted geese, the basic framework for
season dates, outside dates, zones, and
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA)
The programmatic document,
‘‘Second Final Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement:
Issuance of Annual Regulations
Permitting the Sport Hunting of
Migratory Birds (EIS 20130139),’’ filed
with the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) on May 24, 2013,
addresses NEPA compliance by the
Service for issuance of the annual
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framework regulations for hunting of
migratory game bird species. We
published a notice of availability in the
Federal Register on May 31, 2013 (78
FR 32686), and our Record of Decision
on July 26, 2013 (78 FR 45376). We also
address NEPA compliance for waterfowl
hunting frameworks through the annual
preparation of separate environmental
assessments, the most recent being
‘‘Duck Hunting Regulations for 2014–
15,’’ with its corresponding August
2014, finding of no significant impact.
In addition, an August 1985
environmental assessment entitled
‘‘Guidelines for Migratory Bird Hunting
Regulations on Federal Indian
Reservations and Ceded Lands’’ is
available from the person indicated
under the caption FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
Endangered Species Act Consideration
Section 7 of the Endangered Species
Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.), provides that, ‘‘The Secretary
shall review other programs
administered by him and utilize such
programs in furtherance of the purposes
of this Act’’ (and) shall ‘‘insure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out
* * * is not likely to jeopardize the
continued existence of any endangered
species or threatened species or result in
the destruction or adverse modification
of [critical] habitat. * * *.’’
Consequently, we conducted formal
consultations to ensure that actions
resulting from these regulations would
not likely jeopardize the continued
existence of endangered or threatened
species or result in the destruction or
adverse modification of their critical
habitat. Findings from these
consultations are included in a
biological opinion, which concluded
that the regulations are not likely to
jeopardize the continued existence of
any endangered or threatened species.
Additionally, these findings may have
caused modification of some regulatory
measures previously proposed, and the
final frameworks reflect any such
modifications. Our biological opinions
resulting from this section 7
consultation are public documents
available for public inspection at the
address indicated under ADDRESSES.
Regulatory Planning and Review
(Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)
Executive Order 12866 provides that
the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs (OIRA) will review all significant
rules. OIRA has reviewed this rule and
has determined that this rule is
significant because it would have an
annual effect of $100 million or more on
the economy.
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Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the
principles of E.O. 12866 while calling
for improvements in the nation’s
regulatory system to promote
predictability, to reduce uncertainty,
and to use the best, most innovative,
and least burdensome tools for
achieving regulatory ends. The
executive order directs agencies to
consider regulatory approaches that
reduce burdens and maintain flexibility
and freedom of choice for the public
where these approaches are relevant,
feasible, and consistent with regulatory
objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes
further that regulations must be based
on the best available science and that
the rulemaking process must allow for
public participation and an open
exchange of ideas. We have developed
this rule in a manner consistent with
these requirements.
An updated economic analysis was
prepared for the 2013–14 season. This
analysis was based on data from the
newly released 2011 National Hunting
and Fishing Survey, the most recent
year for which data are available (see
discussion in Regulatory Flexibility Act
section below). This analysis estimated
consumer surplus for three alternatives
for duck hunting (estimates for other
species are not quantified due to lack of
data). The alternatives were: (1) Issue
restrictive regulations allowing fewer
days than those issued during the 2012–
13 season, (2) issue moderate
regulations allowing more days than
those in alternative 1, and (3) issue
liberal regulations identical to the
regulations in the 2012–13 season. For
the 2013–14 season, we chose
Alternative 3, with an estimated
consumer surplus across all flyways of
$317.8–$416.8 million. For the 2014–15
season, we have also chosen alternative
3. We also chose alternative 3 for the
2009–10, the 2010–11, the 2011–12, and
the 2012–13 seasons. The 2013–14
analysis is part of the record for this rule
and is available at https://
www.regulations.gov at Docket No.
FWS–HQ–MB–2014–0017.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The annual migratory bird hunting
regulations have a significant economic
impact on substantial numbers of small
entities under the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). We analyzed
the economic impacts of the annual
hunting regulations on small business
entities in detail as part of the 1981 costbenefit analysis. This analysis was
revised annually from 1990–95. In 1995,
the Service issued a Small Entity
Flexibility Analysis (Analysis), which
was subsequently updated in 1996,
1998, 2004, 2008, and 2013. The
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primary source of information about
hunter expenditures for migratory game
bird hunting is the National Hunting
and Fishing Survey, which is conducted
at 5-year intervals. The 2013 Analysis
was based on the 2011 National Hunting
and Fishing Survey and the U.S.
Department of Commerce’s County
Business Patterns, from which it was
estimated that migratory bird hunters
would spend approximately $1.5 billion
at small businesses in 2013. Copies of
the Analysis are available upon request
from the Division of Migratory Bird
Management (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT) or from our Web
site at https://www.fws.gov/
migratorybirds/
NewReportsPublications/SpecialTopics/
SpecialTopics.html#HuntingRegs or at
https://www.regulations.gov at Docket
No. FWS–HQ–MB–2014–0017.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act
This rule is a major rule under 5
U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act.
For the reasons outlined above, this rule
will have an annual effect on the
economy of $100 million or more.
However, because this rule establishes
hunting seasons, we are not deferring
the effective date under the exemption
contained in 5 U.S.C. 808(1).
Paperwork Reduction Act
This final rule does not contain any
new information collection that requires
approval under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.). We may not conduct or sponsor
and you are not required to respond to
a collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) control
number. OMB has reviewed and
approved the information collection
requirements associated with migratory
bird surveys and assigned the following
OMB control numbers:
• 1018–0010—Mourning Dove Call
Count Survey (discontinued 7/29/2014).
• 1018–0019—North American
Woodcock Singing Ground Survey
(expires 4/30/2015).
• 1018–0023—Migratory Bird
Surveys (expires 6/30/2017). Includes
Migratory Bird Harvest Information
Program, Migratory Bird Hunter
Surveys, Sandhill Crane Survey, and
Parts Collection Survey.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
We have determined and certify, in
compliance with the requirements of the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2
U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this rulemaking
will not impose a cost of $100 million
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51407
or more in any given year on local or
State government or private entities.
Therefore, this rule is not a ‘‘significant
regulatory action’’ under the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act.
Civil Justice Reform—Executive Order
12988
The Department, in promulgating this
rule, has determined that this rule will
not unduly burden the judicial system
and that it meets the requirements of
sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive
Order 12988.
Takings Implication Assessment
In accordance with Executive Order
12630, this rule, authorized by the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C.
703–711), does not have significant
takings implications and does not affect
any constitutionally protected property
rights. This rule will not result in the
physical occupancy of property, the
physical invasion of property, or the
regulatory taking of any property. In
fact, this rule allows hunters to exercise
otherwise unavailable privileges and,
therefore, reduce restrictions on the use
of private and public property.
Energy Effects—Executive Order 13211
Executive Order 13211 requires
agencies to prepare Statements of
Energy Effects when undertaking certain
actions. While this rule is a significant
regulatory action under Executive Order
12866, it is not expected to adversely
affect energy supplies, distribution, or
use. Therefore, this action is not a
significant energy action and no
Statement of Energy Effects is required.
Government-to-Government
Relationship With Tribes
In accordance with the President’s
memorandum of April 29, 1994,
‘‘Government-to-Government Relations
with Native American Tribal
Governments’’ (59 FR 22951), Executive
Order 13175, and 512 DM 2, we have
evaluated possible effects on Federallyrecognized Indian tribes and have
determined that there are no effects on
Indian trust resources. However, in the
April 30 Federal Register, we solicited
proposals for special migratory bird
hunting regulations for certain Tribes on
Federal Indian reservations, offreservation trust lands, and ceded lands
for the 2014–15 migratory bird hunting
season. The resulting proposals were
contained in a separate August 11, 2014,
proposed rule (79 FR 46940). By virtue
of these actions, we have consulted with
affected Tribes.
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Federalism Effects
Due to the migratory nature of certain
species of birds, the Federal
Government has been given
responsibility over these species by the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We annually
prescribe frameworks from which the
States make selections regarding the
hunting of migratory birds, and we
employ guidelines to establish special
regulations on Federal Indian
reservations and ceded lands. This
process preserves the ability of the
States and tribes to determine which
seasons meet their individual needs.
Any State or Indian tribe may be more
restrictive than the Federal frameworks
at any time. The frameworks are
developed in a cooperative process with
the States and the Flyway Councils.
This process allows States to participate
in the development of frameworks from
which they will make selections,
thereby having an influence on their
own regulations. These rules do not
have a substantial direct effect on fiscal
capacity, change the roles or
responsibilities of Federal or State
governments, or intrude on State policy
or administration. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 13132,
these regulations do not have significant
federalism effects and do not have
sufficient federalism implications to
warrant the preparation of a federalism
summary impact statement.
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Regulations Promulgation
The rulemaking process for migratory
game bird hunting must, by its nature,
operate under severe time constraints.
However, we intend that the public be
given the greatest possible opportunity
to comment. Thus, when the
preliminary proposed rulemaking was
published, we established what we
believed were the longest periods
possible for public comment. In doing
this, we recognized that when the
comment period closed, time would be
of the essence. That is, if there were a
delay in the effective date of these
regulations after this final rulemaking,
States would have insufficient time to
select season dates and limits; to
communicate those selections to us; and
to establish and publicize the necessary
regulations and procedures to
implement their decisions. We therefore
find that ‘‘good cause’’ exists, within the
terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the
Administrative Procedure Act, and
these frameworks will, therefore, take
effect immediately upon publication.
Therefore, under authority of the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July 3, 1918),
as amended (16 U.S.C. 703–711), we
prescribe final frameworks setting forth
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the species to be hunted, the daily bag
and possession limits, the shooting
hours, the season lengths, the earliest
opening and latest closing season dates,
and hunting areas, from which State
conservation agency officials will select
hunting season dates and other options.
Upon receipt of season selections from
these officials, we will publish a final
rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to
reflect seasons, limits, and shooting
hours for the conterminous United
States for the 2014–15 season.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20
Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements,
Transportation, Wildlife.
The rules that eventually will be
promulgated for the 2014–15 hunting
season are authorized under 16 U.S.C.
703–712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 a–j.
Dated: August 13, 2014.
Michael J. Bean,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish
and Wildlife and Parks.
Final Regulations Frameworks for
2014–15 Early Hunting Seasons on
Certain Migratory Game Birds
Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty
Act and delegated authorities, the
Department of the Interior approved the
following frameworks, which prescribe
season lengths, bag limits, shooting
hours, and outside dates within which
States may select hunting seasons for
certain migratory game birds between
September 1, 2014, and March 10, 2015.
These frameworks are summarized
below.
General
Dates: All outside dates noted below
are inclusive.
Shooting and Hawking (taking by
falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise
specified, from one-half hour before
sunrise to sunset daily.
Possession Limits: Unless otherwise
specified, possession limits are three
times the daily bag limit.
Permits: For some species of
migratory birds, the Service authorizes
the use of permits to regulate harvest or
monitor their take by sport hunters, or
both. In many cases (e.g., tundra swans,
some sandhill crane populations), the
Service determines the amount of
harvest that may be taken during
hunting seasons during its formal
regulations-setting process, and the
States then issue permits to hunters at
levels predicted to result in the amount
of take authorized by the Service. Thus,
although issued by States, the permits
would not be valid unless the Service
approved such take in its regulations.
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These Federally authorized, Stateissued permits are issued to individuals,
and only the individual whose name
and address appears on the permit at the
time of issuance is authorized to take
migratory birds at levels specified in the
permit, in accordance with provisions of
both Federal and State regulations
governing the hunting season. The
permit must be carried by the permittee
when exercising its provisions and must
be presented to any law enforcement
officer upon request. The permit is not
transferrable or assignable to another
individual, and may not be sold,
bartered, traded, or otherwise provided
to another person. If the permit is
altered or defaced in any way, the
permit becomes invalid.
Flyways and Management Units
Waterfowl Flyways
Atlantic Flyway—includes
Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, South Carolina, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway—includes
Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio,
Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Central Flyway—includes Colorado
(east of the Continental Divide), Kansas,
Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon,
Fergus, Judith Basin, Stillwater,
Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all Counties
east thereof), Nebraska, New Mexico
(east of the Continental Divide except
the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation),
North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota,
Texas, and Wyoming (east of the
Continental Divide).
Pacific Flyway—includes Alaska,
Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those
portions of Colorado, Montana, New
Mexico, and Wyoming not included in
the Central Flyway.
Management Units
Mourning Dove Management Units
Eastern Management Unit—All States
east of the Mississippi River, and
Louisiana.
Central Management Unit—Arkansas,
Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota,
Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New
Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Western Management Unit—Arizona,
California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah,
and Washington.
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Woodcock Management Regions
Eastern Management Region—
Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, South Carolina, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia.
Central Management Region—
Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee,
Texas, and Wisconsin.
Other geographic descriptions are
contained in a later portion of this
document.
Carolina, where the hours are from
sunrise to sunset.
Mississippi and Central Flyways—
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset,
except in the States of Arkansas,
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and
Wisconsin, where the hours are from
sunrise to sunset.
Special September Teal Season
Special September Duck Seasons
Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee: In
lieu of a special September teal season,
a 5-consecutive-day season may be
selected in September. The daily bag
limit may not exceed 6 teal and wood
ducks in the aggregate, of which no
more than 2 may be wood ducks. In
addition, a 4-consecutive-day
experimental season may be selected in
September either immediately before or
immediately after the 5-consecutive day
teal/wood duck season. The daily bag
limit is 6 teal.
Iowa: In lieu of an experimental
special September teal season, Iowa may
hold up to 5 days of its regular duck
hunting season in September. All ducks
that are legal during the regular duck
season may be taken during the
September segment of the season. The
September season segment may
commence no earlier than the Saturday
nearest September 20 (September 20).
The daily bag and possession limits will
be the same as those in effect last year
but are subject to change during the lateseason regulations process. The
remainder of the regular duck season
may not begin before October 10.
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and September 30, an open season on
all species of teal may be selected by the
following States in areas delineated by
State regulations:
Atlantic Flyway—Delaware, Florida,
Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina,
South Carolina, and Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway—Alabama,
Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio,
Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The seasons
in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and
Wisconsin are experimental.
Central Flyway—Colorado (part),
Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico (part),
Oklahoma, and Texas. The season in the
northern portion of Nebraska is
experimental.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits: Not to exceed 16 consecutive
hunting days in the Atlantic,
Mississippi, and Central Flyways. The
daily bag limit is 6 teal.
Shooting Hours:
Atlantic Flyway—One-half hour
before sunrise to sunset, except in South
Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days
Outside Dates: States may select 2
days per duck-hunting zone, designated
as ‘‘Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,’’ in
addition to their regular duck seasons.
The days must be held outside any
regular duck season on a weekend,
holidays, or other non-school days
when youth hunters would have the
maximum opportunity to participate.
The days may be held up to 14 days
before or after any regular duck-season
frameworks or within any split of a
regular duck season, or within any other
open season on migratory birds.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits
may include ducks, geese, mergansers,
coots, and gallinules and will be the
same as those allowed in the regular
season. Flyway species and area
restrictions will remain in effect.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before
sunrise to sunset.
Participation Restrictions: Youth
hunters must be 15 years of age or
younger. In addition, an adult at least 18
years of age must accompany the youth
hunter into the field. This adult may not
Definitions
Dark geese: Canada geese, whitefronted geese, brant (except in Alaska,
California, Oregon, Washington, and the
Atlantic Flyway), and all other goose
species, except light geese.
Light geese: snow (including blue)
geese and Ross’s geese.
Waterfowl Seasons in the Atlantic
Flyway
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In the Atlantic Flyway States of
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey,
North Carolina, and Pennsylvania,
where Sunday hunting is prohibited
Statewide by State law, all Sundays are
closed to all take of migratory waterfowl
(including mergansers and coots).
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51409
duck hunt but may participate in other
seasons that are open on the special
youth day.
Scoters, Eiders, and Long-tailed Ducks
(Atlantic Flyway)
Outside Dates: Between September 15
and January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits: Not to exceed 107 days, with a
daily bag limit of 7, singly or in the
aggregate, of the listed sea duck species,
of which no more than 4 may be scoters.
Daily Bag Limits During the Regular
Duck Season: Within the special sea
duck areas, during the regular duck
season in the Atlantic Flyway, States
may choose to allow the above sea duck
limits in addition to the limits applying
to other ducks during the regular duck
season. In all other areas, sea ducks may
be taken only during the regular open
season for ducks and are part of the
regular duck season daily bag (not to
exceed 4 scoters) and possession limits.
Areas: In all coastal waters and all
waters of rivers and streams seaward
from the first upstream bridge in Maine,
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode
Island, Connecticut, and New York; in
any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in
any tidal waters of any bay which are
separated by at least 1 mile of open
water from any shore, island, and
emergent vegetation in New Jersey,
South Carolina, and Georgia; and in any
waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any
tidal waters of any bay which are
separated by at least 800 yards of open
water from any shore, island, and
emergent vegetation in Delaware,
Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia;
and provided that any such areas have
been described, delineated, and
designated as special sea duck hunting
areas under the hunting regulations
adopted by the respective States.
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons
Atlantic Flyway
General Seasons
A Canada goose season of up to 15
days during September 1–15 may be
selected for the Eastern Unit of
Maryland. Seasons not to exceed 30
days during September 1–30 may be
selected for Connecticut, Florida,
Georgia, New Jersey, New York (Long
Island Zone only), North Carolina,
Rhode Island, and South Carolina.
Seasons may not exceed 25 days during
September 1–25 in the remainder of the
Flyway. Areas open to the hunting of
Canada geese must be described,
delineated, and designated as such in
each State’s hunting regulations.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15
Canada geese.
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Shooting Hours: One-half hour before
sunrise to sunset, except that during any
general season, shooting hours may
extend to one-half hour after sunset if
all other waterfowl seasons are closed in
the specific applicable area.
Mississippi Flyway
General Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days
during September 1–15 may be selected,
except in the Upper Peninsula in
Michigan, where the season may not
extend beyond September 10, and in
Minnesota, where a season of up to 22
days during September 1–22 may be
selected. The daily bag limit may not
exceed 5 Canada geese, except in
designated areas of Minnesota where the
daily bag limit may not exceed 10
Canada geese. Areas open to the hunting
of Canada geese must be described,
delineated, and designated as such in
each State’s hunting regulations.
A Canada goose season of up to 10
consecutive days during September
1–10 may be selected by Michigan for
Huron, Saginaw, and Tuscola Counties,
except that the Shiawassee National
Wildlife Refuge, Shiawassee River State
Game Area Refuge, and the Fish Point
Wildlife Area Refuge will remain
closed. The daily bag limit may not
exceed 5 Canada geese.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before
sunrise to sunset, except that during
September 1–15 shooting hours may
extend to one-half hour after sunset if
all other waterfowl and crane seasons
are closed in the specific applicable
area.
are closed in the specific applicable
area.
Pacific Flyway
General Seasons
California may select a 9-day season
in Humboldt County during September
1–15. The daily bag limit is 2.
Colorado may select a 9-day season
during September 1–15. The daily bag
limit is 4.
Oregon may select a 15-day season
during September 1–15. In addition,
Oregon may select a 15-day season in
the Northwest Zone during September
1–20. The daily bag limit is 5.
Idaho may select a 7-day season
during September 1–15. The daily bag
limit is 2.
Washington may select a 15-day
season during September 1–15. The
daily bag limit is 5, except in Pacific
County where the daily bag limit is 15.
Wyoming may select an 8-day season
during September 1–15. The daily bag
limit is 3.
Areas open to hunting of Canada
geese in each State must be described,
delineated, and designated as such in
each State’s hunting regulations.
Regular Goose Seasons
Mississippi Flyway
Regular goose seasons may open as
early as September 11 in the Upper
Peninsula of Michigan and September
16 in Wisconsin and the Lower
Peninsula of Michigan. Season lengths,
bag and possession limits, and other
provisions will be established during
the late-season regulations process.
Sandhill Cranes
General Seasons
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES2
Central Flyway
Regular Seasons in the Mississippi
Flyway
In Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma,
South Dakota, and Texas, Canada goose
seasons of up to 30 days during
September 1–30 may be selected. In
Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Montana, and Wyoming, Canada goose
seasons of up to 15 days during
September 1–15 may be selected. The
daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada
geese, except in Kansas, Nebraska, and
Oklahoma, where the daily bag limit
may not exceed 8 Canada geese and in
North Dakota and South Dakota, where
the daily bag limit may not exceed 15
Canada geese. Areas open to the hunting
of Canada geese must be described,
delineated, and designated as such in
each State’s hunting regulations.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before
sunrise to sunset, except that during
September 1–15 shooting hours may
extend to one-half hour after sunset if
all other waterfowl and crane seasons
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Outside Dates: Between September 1
and February 28.
Hunting Seasons: A season not to
exceed 37 consecutive days may be
selected in the designated portion of
northwestern Minnesota (Northwest
Goose Zone).
Daily Bag Limit: 2 sandhill cranes.
Permits: Each person participating in
the regular sandhill crane season must
have a valid Federal or State sandhill
crane hunting permit.
Experimental Seasons in the Mississippi
Flyway
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: A season not to
exceed 30 consecutive days may be
selected in Kentucky and a season not
to exceed 60 consecutive days may be
selected in Tennessee.
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Daily Bag Limit: Not to exceed 2 daily
and 2 per season in Kentucky. Not to
exceed 3 daily and 3 per season in
Tennessee.
Permits: Each person participating in
the regular sandhill crane season must
have a valid Federal or State sandhill
crane hunting permit.
Other Provisions: Numbers of permits,
open areas, season dates, protection
plans for other species, and other
provisions of seasons must be consistent
with the management plan and
approved by the Mississippi Flyway
Council.
Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and February 28.
Hunting Seasons: Seasons not to
exceed 37 consecutive days may be
selected in designated portions of Texas
(Area 2). Seasons not to exceed 58
consecutive days may be selected in
designated portions of the following
States: Colorado, Kansas, Montana,
North Dakota, South Dakota, and
Wyoming. Seasons not to exceed 93
consecutive days may be selected in
designated portions of the following
States: New Mexico, Oklahoma, and
Texas.
Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes,
except 2 sandhill cranes in designated
portions of North Dakota (Area 2) and
Texas (Area 2).
Permits: Each person participating in
the regular sandhill crane season must
have a valid Federal or State sandhill
crane hunting permit.
Special Seasons in the Central and
Pacific Flyways
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana,
New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming may
select seasons for hunting sandhill
cranes within the range of the Rocky
Mountain Population (RMP) subject to
the following conditions:
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: The season in any
State or zone may not exceed 30
consecutive days.
Bag limits: Not to exceed 3 daily and
9 per season.
Permits: Participants must have a
valid permit, issued by the appropriate
State, in their possession while hunting.
Other Provisions: Numbers of permits,
open areas, season dates, protection
plans for other species, and other
provisions of seasons must be consistent
with the management plan and
approved by the Central and Pacific
Flyway Councils, with the following
exceptions:
A. In Utah, 100 percent of the harvest
will be assigned to the RMP quota;
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B. In Arizona, monitoring the racial
composition of the harvest must be
conducted at 3-year intervals;
C. In Idaho, 100 percent of the harvest
will be assigned to the RMP quota; and
D. In New Mexico, the season in the
Estancia Valley is experimental, with a
requirement to monitor the level and
racial composition of the harvest;
greater sandhill cranes in the harvest
will be assigned to the RMP quota.
Special Seasons in the Pacific Flyway
Arizona may select a season for
hunting sandhill cranes within the
range of the Lower Colorado River
Population (LCR) of sandhill cranes,
subject to the following conditions:
Outside Dates: Between January 1 and
January 31.
Hunting Seasons: The season may not
exceed 3 days.
Bag limits: Not to exceed 1 daily and
1 per season.
Permits: Participants must have a
valid permit, issued by the appropriate
State, in their possession while hunting.
Other provisions: The season is
experimental. Numbers of permits, open
areas, season dates, protection plans for
other species, and other provisions of
seasons must be consistent with the
management plan and approved by the
Pacific Flyway Council.
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES2
Common Moorhens and Purple
Gallinules
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and the last Sunday in January (January
25) in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and
Central Flyways. States in the Pacific
Flyway have been allowed to select
their hunting seasons between the
outside dates for the season on ducks;
therefore, they are late-season
frameworks, and no frameworks are
provided in this document.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70 days
in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central
Flyways. Seasons may be split into 2
segments. The daily bag limit is 15
common moorhens and purple
gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of
the two species.
Zoning: Seasons may be selected by
zones established for duck hunting.
Rails
Outside Dates: States included herein
may select seasons between September
1 and the last Sunday in January
(January 25) on clapper, king, sora, and
Virginia rails.
Hunting Seasons: Seasons may not
exceed 70 days, and may be split into
2 segments.
Daily Bag Limits:
Clapper and King Rails—In Rhode
Island, Connecticut, New Jersey,
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Delaware, and Maryland, 10, singly or
in the aggregate of the two species. In
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama,
Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North
Carolina, and Virginia, 15, singly or in
the aggregate of the two species.
Sora and Virginia Rails—In the
Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central
Flyways and the Pacific Flyway
portions of Colorado, Montana, New
Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 rails, singly
or in the aggregate of the two species.
The season is closed in the remainder of
the Pacific Flyway.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits: Not more than 30 consecutive
days, with a daily bag limit of 5.
Zoning: New Mexico may select
hunting seasons not to exceed 20
consecutive days in each of two zones.
The season in the South Zone may not
open until October 1.
Snipe
Eastern Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits: Not more than 90 days, with a
daily bag limit of 15 mourning and
white-winged doves in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may
select hunting seasons in each of two
zones. The season within each zone may
be split into not more than three
periods. Regulations for bag and
possession limits, season length, and
shooting hours must be uniform within
specific hunting zones.
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and February 28, except in Maine,
Vermont, New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey,
Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia,
where the season must end no later than
January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits: Seasons may not exceed 107
days and may be split into two
segments. The daily bag limit is 8 snipe.
Zoning: Seasons may be selected by
zones established for duck hunting.
American Woodcock
Outside Dates: States in the Eastern
Management Region may select hunting
seasons between October 1 and January
31. States in the Central Management
Region may select hunting seasons
between the Saturday nearest September
22 (September 20) and January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits: Seasons may not exceed 45 days
in the Eastern Region and 45 days in the
Central Region. The daily bag limit is 3.
Seasons may be split into two segments.
Zoning: New Jersey may select
seasons in each of two zones. The
season in each zone may not exceed 36
days.
Band-Tailed Pigeons
Pacific Coast States (California, Oregon,
Washington, and Nevada)
Outside Dates: Between September 15
and January 1.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive
days, with a daily bag limit of 2.
Zoning: California may select hunting
seasons not to exceed 9 consecutive
days in each of two zones. The season
in the North Zone must close by October
3.
Four-Corners States (Arizona, Colorado,
New Mexico, and Utah)
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and November 30.
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Doves
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and January 15, except as otherwise
provided, States may select hunting
seasons and daily bag limits as follows:
Central Management Unit
For all States except Texas: Hunting
Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more
than 70 days, with a daily bag limit of
15 mourning and white-winged doves in
the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may
select hunting seasons in each of two
zones. The season within each zone may
be split into not more than three
periods.
Texas:
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits: Not more than 70 days, with a
daily bag limit of 15 mourning, whitewinged, and white-tipped doves in the
aggregate, of which no more than 2 may
be white-tipped doves.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Texas may
select hunting seasons for each of three
zones subject to the following
conditions:
A. The hunting season may be split
into not more than two periods, except
in that portion of Texas in which the
special white-winged dove season is
allowed, where a limited take of
mourning and white-tipped doves may
also occur during that special season
(see Special White-winged Dove Area).
B. A season may be selected for the
North and Central Zones between
September 1 and January 25; and for the
South Zone between the Friday nearest
September 20 (September 19), but not
earlier than September 17, and January
25.
C. Except as noted above, regulations
for bag and possession limits, season
length, and shooting hours must be
uniform within each hunting zone.
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Special White-Winged Dove Area in
Texas:
In addition, Texas may select a
hunting season of not more than 4 days
for the Special White-winged Dove Area
of the South Zone between September 1
and September 19. The daily bag limit
may not exceed 15 white-winged,
mourning, and white-tipped doves in
the aggregate, of which no more than 2
may be mourning doves and no more
than 2 may be white-tipped doves.
Western Management Unit
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES2
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits:
Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and
Washington—Not more than 60
consecutive days, with a daily bag limit
of 15 mourning and white-winged doves
in the aggregate.
Arizona and California—Not more
than 60 days, which may be split
between two periods, September 1–15
and November 1–January 15. In
Arizona, during the first segment of the
season, the daily bag limit is 15
mourning and white-winged doves in
the aggregate, of which no more than 10
could be white-winged doves. During
the remainder of the season, the daily
bag limit is 15 mourning doves. In
California, the daily bag limit is 15
mourning and white-winged doves in
the aggregate, of which no more than 10
could be white-winged doves.
Alaska
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and January 26.
Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select
107 consecutive days for waterfowl,
sandhill cranes, and common snipe in
each of 5 zones. The season may be split
without penalty in the Kodiak Zone.
The seasons in each zone must be
concurrent.
Closures: The hunting season is
closed on emperor geese, spectacled
eiders, and Steller’s eiders.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits:
Ducks—Except as noted, a basic daily
bag limit of 7 ducks. Daily bag limits in
the North Zone are 10, and in the Gulf
Coast Zone, they are 8. The basic limits
may include no more than 1 canvasback
daily and may not include sea ducks.
In addition to the basic duck limits,
Alaska may select sea duck limits of 10
daily, singly or in the aggregate,
including no more than 6 each of either
harlequin or long-tailed ducks. Sea
ducks include scoters, common and
king eiders, harlequin ducks, long-tailed
ducks, and common and red-breasted
mergansers.
Light Geese—The daily bag limit is 4.
Canada Geese—The daily bag limit is
4 with the following exceptions:
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A. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of
Canada geese is permitted from
September 28 through December 16.
B. On Middleton Island in Unit 6, a
special, permit-only Canada goose
season may be offered. A mandatory
goose identification class is required.
Hunters must check in and check out.
The bag limit is 1 daily and 1 in
possession. The season will close if
incidental harvest includes 5 dusky
Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is
any dark-breasted Canada goose
(Munsell 10 YR color value five or less)
with a bill length between 40 and 50
millimeters.
C. In Units 6–B, 6–C, and on
Hinchinbrook and Hawkins Islands in
Unit 6–D, the possession limit is two
times the daily bag limit.
D. In Units 9, 10, 17, and 18, the daily
bag limit is 6 Canada geese.
White-fronted Geese—The daily bag
limit is 4 with the following exceptions:
A. In Units 9, 10, and 17, the daily bag
limit is 6 white-fronted geese.
B. In Unit 18, the daily bag limit is 8
white-fronted geese.
Brant—The daily bag limit is 2.
Snipe—The daily bag limit is 8.
Sandhill cranes—The daily bag limit
is 2 in the Southeast, Gulf Coast,
Kodiak, and Aleutian Zones, and Unit
17 in the North Zone. In the remainder
of the North Zone (outside Unit 17), the
daily bag limit is 3.
Tundra Swans—Open seasons for
tundra swans may be selected subject to
the following conditions:
A. All seasons are by registration
permit only.
B. All season framework dates are
September 1–October 31.
C. In Unit 17, no more than 200
permits may be issued during this
operational season. No more than 3
tundra swans may be authorized per
permit, with no more than 1 permit may
be issued per hunter per season.
D. In Unit 18, no more than 500
permits may be issued during the
operational season. No more than 3
tundra swans may be authorized per
permit. No more than 1 permit may be
issued per hunter per season.
E. In Unit 22, no more than 300
permits may be issued during the
operational season. No more than 3
tundra swans may be authorized per
permit. No more than 1 permit may be
issued per hunter per season.
F. In Unit 23, no more than 300
permits may be issued during the
operational season. No more than 3
tundra swans may be authorized per
permit. No more than 1 permit may be
issued per hunter per season.
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Hawaii
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and
January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 65
days (75 under the alternative) for
mourning doves.
Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 (12
under the alternative) mourning doves.
Note: Mourning doves may be taken
in Hawaii in accordance with shooting
hours and other regulations set by the
State of Hawaii, and subject to the
applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20.
Puerto Rico
Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60
days.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not
to exceed 20 Zenaida, mourning, and
white-winged doves in the aggregate, of
which not more than 10 may be Zenaida
doves and 3 may be mourning doves.
Not to exceed 5 scaly-naped pigeons.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed
on the white-crowned pigeon and the
plain pigeon, which are protected by the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Closed Areas: There is no open season
on doves or pigeons in the following
areas: Municipality of Culebra,
Desecheo Island, Mona Island, El Verde
Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality
and adjacent areas.
Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and
Snipe
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and
January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55
days may be selected for hunting ducks,
common moorhens, and common snipe.
The season may be split into two
segments.
Daily Bag Limits:
Ducks—Not to exceed 6.
Common moorhens—Not to exceed 6.
Common snipe—Not to exceed 8.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed
on the ruddy duck, white-cheeked
pintail, West Indian whistling duck,
fulvous whistling duck, and masked
duck, which are protected by the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The
season also is closed on the purple
gallinule, American coot, and Caribbean
coot.
Closed Areas: There is no open season
on ducks, common moorhens, and
common snipe in the Municipality of
Culebra and on Desecheo Island.
Virgin Islands
Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and January 15.
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Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60
days for Zenaida doves.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not
to exceed 10 Zenaida doves.
Closed Seasons: No open season is
prescribed for ground or quail doves or
pigeons.
Closed Areas: There is no open season
for migratory game birds on Ruth Cay
(just south of St. Croix).
Local Names for Certain Birds:
Zenaida dove, also known as mountain
dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as
Barbary dove or partridge; common
ground-dove, also known as stone dove,
tobacco dove, rola, or tortolita; scalynaped pigeon, also known as red-necked
or scaled pigeon.
Ducks
Outside Dates: Between December 1
and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55
consecutive days.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 6.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed
on the ruddy duck, white-cheeked
pintail, West Indian whistling duck,
fulvous whistling duck, and masked
duck.
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES2
Special Falconry Regulations
Falconry is a permitted means of
taking migratory game birds in any State
meeting Federal falconry standards in
50 CFR 21.29. These States may select
an extended season for taking migratory
game birds in accordance with the
following:
Extended Seasons: For all hunting
methods combined, the combined
length of the extended season, regular
season, and any special or experimental
seasons must not exceed 107 days for
any species or group of species in a
geographical area. Each extended season
may be divided into a maximum of 3
segments.
Framework Dates: Seasons must fall
between September 1 and March 10.
Daily Bag Limits: Falconry daily bag
limits for all permitted migratory game
birds must not exceed 3 birds, singly or
in the aggregate, during extended
falconry seasons, any special or
experimental seasons, and regular
hunting seasons in all States, including
those that do not select an extended
falconry season.
Regular Seasons: General hunting
regulations, including seasons and
hunting hours, apply to falconry in each
State listed in 50 CFR 21.29. Regular
season bag limits do not apply to
falconry. The falconry bag limit is not in
addition to gun limits.
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Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions
Doves
Alabama
South Zone—Baldwin, Barbour,
Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia,
Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile
Counties.
North Zone—Remainder of the State.
California
White-winged Dove Open Areas—
Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino
Counties.
Florida
Northwest Zone—The Counties of
Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin,
Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson,
Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton,
Washington, Leon (except that portion
north of U.S. 27 and east of State Road
155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of
State Road 59 and north of U.S. 98), and
Wakulla (except that portion south of
U.S. 98 and east of the St. Marks River).
South Zone—Remainder of State.
Louisiana
North Zone—That portion of the State
north of a line extending east from the
Texas border along State Highway 12 to
U.S. Highway 190, east along U.S. 190
to Interstate Highway 12, east along
Interstate 12 to Interstate Highway 10,
then east along Interstate Highway 10 to
the Mississippi border.
South Zone—The remainder of the
State.
Mississippi
North Zone—That portion of the State
north and west of a line extending west
from the Alabama State line along U.S.
Highway 84 to its junction with State
Highway 35, then south along State
Highway 35 to the Louisiana State line.
South Zone—The remainder of
Mississippi.
Texas
North Zone—That portion of the State
north of a line beginning at the
International Bridge south of Fort
Hancock; north along FM 1088 to TX 20;
west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along
TX 148 to I–10 at Fort Hancock; east
along I–10 to I–20; northeast along I–20
to I–30 at Fort Worth; northeast along I–
30 to the Texas–Arkansas State line.
South Zone—That portion of the State
south and west of a line beginning at the
International Bridge south of Del Rio,
proceeding east on U.S. 90 to State Loop
1604 west of San Antonio; then south,
east, and north along Loop 1604 to
Interstate Highway 10 east of San
Antonio; then east on I–10 to Orange,
Texas.
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51413
Special White-winged Dove Area in
the South Zone— That portion of the
state south and west of a line beginning
at the International Toll Bridge in Del
Rio; then northeast along U.S. Highway
277 Spur to Highway 90 in Del Rio;
thence east along U.S. Highway 90 to
State Loop 1604; thence along Loop
1604 south and east to Interstate
Highway 37; thence south along
Interstate Highway 37 to U.S. Highway
181 in Corpus Christi; thence north and
east along U.S. 181 to the Corpus Christi
Ship Channel, thence eastwards along
the south shore of the Corpus Christi
Ship Channel to the Gulf of Mexico.
Central Zone—That portion of the
State lying between the North and South
Zones.
Band-Tailed Pigeons
California
North Zone—Alpine, Butte, Del Norte,
Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, Mendocino,
Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra,
Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity Counties.
South Zone—The remainder of the
State.
New Mexico
North Zone—North of a line following
U.S. 60 from the Arizona State line east
to I–25 at Socorro and then south along
I–25 from Socorro to the Texas State
line.
South Zone—The remainder of the
State.
Washington
Western Washington—The State of
Washington excluding those portions
lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and
east of the Big White Salmon River in
Klickitat County.
Woodcock
New Jersey
North Zone—That portion of the State
north of NJ 70.
South Zone—The remainder of the
State.
Special September Canada Goose
Seasons
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
North Zone—That portion of the State
north of I–95.
South Zone—The remainder of the
State.
Maryland
Eastern Unit—Calvert, Caroline, Cecil,
Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen
Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot,
Wicomico, and Worcester Counties; and
that part of Anne Arundel County east
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of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and Route
3; that part of Prince George’s County
east of Route 3 and Route 301; and that
part of Charles County east of Route 301
to the Virginia State line.
Western Unit—Allegany, Baltimore,
Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard,
Montgomery, and Washington Counties
and that part of Anne Arundel County
west of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and
Route 3; that part of Prince George’s
County west of Route 3 and Route 301;
and that part of Charles County west of
Route 301 to the Virginia State line.
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES2
Massachusetts
Western Zone—That portion of the
State west of a line extending south
from the Vermont border on I–91 to MA
9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, south on MA
10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the
Connecticut border.
Central Zone—That portion of the
State east of the Berkshire Zone and
west of a line extending south from the
New Hampshire border on I–95 to U.S.
1, south on U.S. 1 to I–93, south on I–
93 to MA 3, south on MA 3 to U.S. 6,
west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA
28 to I–195, west to the Rhode Island
border; except the waters, and the lands
150 yards inland from the high-water
mark, of the Assonet River upstream to
the MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton
River upstream to the Center St.–Elm St.
bridge will be in the Coastal Zone.
Coastal Zone—That portion of
Massachusetts east and south of the
Central Zone.
New York
Lake Champlain Goose Area—The
same as the Lake Champlain Waterfowl
Hunting Zone, which is that area of New
York State lying east and north of a
continuous line extending along Route
11 from the New York–Canada
International boundary south to Route
9B, south along Route 9B to Route 9,
south along Route 9 to Route 22 south
of Keeseville, south along Route 22 to
the west shore of South Bay along and
around the shoreline of South Bay to
Route 22 on the east shore of South Bay,
southeast along Route 22 to Route 4,
northeast along Route 4 to the New
York–Vermont boundary.
Northeast Goose Area—The same as
the Northeastern Waterfowl Hunting
Zone, which is that area of New York
State lying north of a continuous line
extending from Lake Ontario east along
the north shore of the Salmon River to
Interstate 81, south along Interstate
Route 81 to Route 31, east along Route
31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to
Route 49, east along Route 49 to Route
365, east along Route 365 to Route 28,
east along Route 28 to Route 29, east
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along Route 29 to Route 22 at
Greenwich Junction, north along Route
22 to Washington County Route 153,
east along CR 153 to the New York–
Vermont boundary, exclusive of the
Lake Champlain Zone.
East Central Goose Area—That area of
New York State lying inside of a
continuous line extending from
Interstate Route 81 in Cicero, east along
Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route
13 to Route 49, east along Route 49 to
Route 365, east along Route 365 to
Route 28, east along Route 28 to Route
29, east along Route 29 to Route 147 at
Kimball Corners, south along Route 147
to Schenectady County Route 40 (West
Glenville Road), west along Route 40 to
Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna
Road to Schenectady County Route 59,
south along Route 59 to State Route 5,
east along Route 5 to the Lock 9 bridge,
southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to
Route 5S, southeast along Route 5S to
Schenectady County Route 58,
southwest along Route 58 to the NYS
Thruway, south along the Thruway to
Route 7, southwest along Route 7 to
Schenectady County Route 103, south
along Route 103 to Route 406, east along
Route 406 to Schenectady County Route
99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route
99 to Dunnsville Road, south along
Dunnsville Road to Route 397,
southwest along Route 397 to Route 146
at Altamont, west along Route 146 to
Albany County Route 252, northwest
along Route 252 to Schenectady County
Route 131, north along Route 131 to
Route 7, west along Route 7 to Route 10
at Richmondville, south on Route 10 to
Route 23 at Stamford, west along Route
23 to Route 7 in Oneonta, southwest
along Route 7 to Route 79 to Interstate
Route 88 near Harpursville, west along
Route 88 to Interstate Route 81, north
along Route 81 to the point of
beginning.
West Central Goose Area—That area
of New York State lying within a
continuous line beginning at the point
where the northerly extension of Route
269 (County Line Road on the Niagara–
Orleans County boundary) meets the
International boundary with Canada,
south to the shore of Lake Ontario at the
eastern boundary of Golden Hill State
Park, south along the extension of Route
269 and Route 269 to Route 104 at
Jeddo, west along Route 104 to Niagara
County Route 271, south along Route
271 to Route 31E at Middleport, south
along Route 31E to Route 31, west along
Route 31 to Griswold Street, south along
Griswold Street to Ditch Road, south
along Ditch Road to Foot Road, south
along Foot Road to the north bank of
Tonawanda Creek, west along the north
bank of Tonawanda Creek to Route 93,
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south along Route 93 to Route 5, east
along Route 5 to Crittenden–Murrays
Corners Road, south on Crittenden–
Murrays Corners Road to the NYS
Thruway, east along the Thruway 90 to
Route 98 (at Thruway Exit 48) in
Batavia, south along Route 98 to Route
20, east along Route 20 to Route 19 in
Pavilion Center, south along Route 19 to
Route 63, southeast along Route 63 to
Route 246, south along Route 246 to
Route 39 in Perry, northeast along Route
39 to Route 20A, northeast along Route
20A to Route 20, east along Route 20 to
Route 364 (near Canandaigua), south
and east along Route 364 to Yates
County Route 18 (Italy Valley Road),
southwest along Route 18 to Yates
County Route 34, east along Route 34 to
Yates County Route 32, south along
Route 32 to Steuben County Route 122,
south along Route 122 to Route 53,
south along Route 53 to Steuben County
Route 74, east along Route 74 to Route
54A (near Pulteney), south along Route
54A to Steuben County Route 87, east
along Route 87 to Steuben County Route
96, east along Route 96 to Steuben
County Route 114, east along Route 114
to Schuyler County Route 23, east and
southeast along Route 23 to Schuyler
County Route 28, southeast along Route
28 to Route 409 at Watkins Glen, south
along Route 409 to Route 14, south
along Route 14 to Route 224 at Montour
Falls, east along Route 224 to Route 228
in Odessa, north along Route 228 to
Route 79 in Mecklenburg, east along
Route 79 to Route 366 in Ithaca,
northeast along Route 366 to Route 13,
northeast along Route 13 to Interstate
Route 81 in Cortland, north along Route
81 to the north shore of the Salmon
River to shore of Lake Ontario,
extending generally northwest in a
straight line to the nearest point of the
International boundary with Canada,
south and west along the International
boundary to the point of beginning.
Hudson Valley Goose Area—That area
of New York State lying within a
continuous line extending from Route 4
at the New York-Vermont boundary,
west and south along Route 4 to Route
149 at Fort Ann, west on Route 149 to
Route 9, south along Route 9 to
Interstate Route 87 (at Exit 20 in Glens
Falls), south along Route 87 to Route 29,
west along Route 29 to Route 147 at
Kimball Corners, south along Route 147
to Schenectady County Route 40 (West
Glenville Road), west along Route 40 to
Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna
Road to Schenectady County Route 59,
south along Route 59 to State Route 5,
east along Route 5 to the Lock 9 bridge,
southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to
Route 5S, southeast along Route 5S to
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Schenectady County Route 58,
southwest along Route 58 to the NYS
Thruway, south along the Thruway to
Route 7, southwest along Route 7 to
Schenectady County Route 103, south
along Route 103 to Route 406, east along
Route 406 to Schenectady County Route
99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route
99 to Dunnsville Road, south along
Dunnsville Road to Route 397,
southwest along Route 397 to Route 146
at Altamont, southeast along Route 146
to Main Street in Altamont, west along
Main Street to Route 156, southeast
along Route 156 to Albany County
Route 307, southeast along Route 307 to
Route 85A, southwest along Route 85A
to Route 85, south along Route 85 to
Route 443, southeast along Route 443 to
Albany County Route 301 at Clarksville,
southeast along Route 301 to Route 32,
south along Route 32 to Route 23 at
Cairo, west along Route 23 to Joseph
Chadderdon Road, southeast along
Joseph Chadderdon Road to Hearts
Content Road (Greene County Route 31),
southeast along Route 31 to Route 32,
south along Route 32 to Greene County
Route 23A, east along Route 23A to
Interstate Route 87 (the NYS Thruway),
south along Route 87 to Route 28 (Exit
19) near Kingston, northwest on Route
28 to Route 209, southwest on Route
209 to the New York-Pennsylvania
boundary, southeast along the New
York-Pennsylvania boundary to the New
York-New Jersey boundary, southeast
along the New York-New Jersey
boundary to Route 210 near Greenwood
Lake, northeast along Route 210 to
Orange County Route 5, northeast along
Orange County Route 5 to Route 105 in
the Village of Monroe, east and north
along Route 105 to Route 32, northeast
along Route 32 to Orange County Route
107 (Quaker Avenue), east along Route
107 to Route 9W, north along Route 9W
to the south bank of Moodna Creek,
southeast along the south bank of
Moodna Creek to the New WindsorCornwall town boundary, northeast
along the New Windsor-Cornwall town
boundary to the Orange-Dutchess
County boundary (middle of the Hudson
River), north along the county boundary
to Interstate Route 84, east along Route
84 to the Dutchess-Putnam County
boundary, east along the county
boundary to the New York-Connecticut
boundary, north along the New YorkConnecticut boundary to the New YorkMassachusetts boundary, north along
the New York-Massachusetts boundary
to the New York-Vermont boundary,
north to the point of beginning.
Eastern Long Island Goose Area (NAP
High Harvest Area)—That area of
Suffolk County lying east of a
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continuous line extending due south
from the New York-Connecticut
boundary to the northernmost end of
Roanoke Avenue in the Town of
Riverhead; then south on Roanoke
Avenue (which becomes County Route
73) to State Route 25; then west on
Route 25 to Peconic Avenue; then south
on Peconic Avenue to County Route
(CR) 104 (Riverleigh Avenue); then
south on CR 104 to CR 31 (Old
Riverhead Road); then south on CR 31
to Oak Street; then south on Oak Street
to Potunk Lane; then west on Stevens
Lane; then south on Jessup Avenue (in
Westhampton Beach) to Dune Road (CR
89); then due south to international
waters.
Western Long Island Goose Area (RP
Area)—That area of Westchester County
and its tidal waters southeast of
Interstate Route 95 and that area of
Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying west
of a continuous line extending due
south from the New York-Connecticut
boundary to the northernmost end of the
Sunken Meadow State Parkway; then
south on the Sunken Meadow Parkway
to the Sagtikos State Parkway; then
south on the Sagtikos Parkway to the
Robert Moses State Parkway; then south
on the Robert Moses Parkway to its
southernmost end; then due south to
international waters.
Central Long Island Goose Area (NAP
Low Harvest Area)—That area of Suffolk
County lying between the Western and
Eastern Long Island Goose Areas, as
defined above.
South Goose Area—The remainder of
New York State, excluding New York
City.
Pennsylvania
Southern James Bay Population (SJBP)
Zone—The area north of I–80 and west
of I–79, including in the city of Erie
west of Bay Front Parkway to and
including the Lake Erie Duck Zone
(Lake Erie, Presque Isle, and the area
within 150 yards of the Lake Erie
Shoreline).
Vermont
Lake Champlain Zone—The U.S.
portion of Lake Champlain and that area
north and west of the line extending
from the New York border along U.S. 4
to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S.
7 at Vergennes; U.S. 7 to VT 78 at
Swanton; VT 78 to VT 36; VT 36 to
Maquam Bay on Lake Champlain; along
and around the shoreline of Maquam
Bay and Hog Island to VT 78 at the West
Swanton Bridge; VT 78 to VT 2 in
Alburg; VT 2 to the Richelieu River in
Alburg; along the east shore of the
Richelieu River to the Canadian border.
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51415
Interior Zone—That portion of
Vermont east of the Lake Champlain
Zone and west of a line extending from
the Massachusetts border at Interstate
91; north along Interstate 91 to US 2;
east along US 2 to VT 102; north along
VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 253
to the Canadian border.
Connecticut River Zone—The
remaining portion of Vermont east of
the Interior Zone.
Mississippi Flyway
Arkansas
Early Canada Goose Area—Baxter,
Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clark, Conway,
Crawford, Faulkner, Franklin, Garland,
Hempstead, Hot Springs, Howard,
Johnson, Lafayette, Little River, Logan,
Madison, Marion, Miller, Montgomery,
Newton, Perry, Pike, Polk, Pope,
Pulaski, Saline, Searcy, Sebastian,
Sevier, Scott, Van Buren, Washington,
and Yell Counties.
Illinois
North September Canada Goose
Zone—That portion of the State north of
a line extending west from the Indiana
border along Interstate 80 to I–39, south
along I–39 to Illinois Route 18, west
along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois Route
29, south along Illinois Route 29 to
Illinois Route 17, west along Illinois
Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and
due south across the Mississippi River
to the Iowa border.
Central September Canada Goose
Zone—That portion of the State south of
the North September Canada Goose
Zone line to a line extending west from
the Indiana border along I–70 to Illinois
Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to
Illinois Route 161, west along Illinois
Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south
and west along Illinois Route 158 to
Illinois Route 159, south along Illinois
Route 159 to Illinois Route 3, south
along Illinois Route 3 to St. Leo’s Road,
south along St. Leo’s road to Modoc
Road, west along Modoc Road to Modoc
Ferry Road, southwest along Modoc
Ferry Road to Levee Road, southeast
along Levee Road to County Route 12
(Modoc Ferry entrance Road), south
along County Route 12 to the Modoc
Ferry route and southwest on the Modoc
Ferry route across the Mississippi River
to the Missouri border.
South September Canada Goose
Zone—That portion of the State south
and east of a line extending west from
the Indiana border along Interstate 70,
south along U.S. Highway 45, to Illinois
Route 13, west along Illinois Route 13
to Greenbriar Road, north on Greenbriar
Road to Sycamore Road, west on
Sycamore Road to N. Reed Station Road,
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south on N. Reed Station Road to
Illinois Route 13, west along Illinois
Route 13 to Illinois Route 127, south
along Illinois Route 127 to State Forest
Road (1025 N), west along State Forest
Road to Illinois Route 3, north along
Illinois Route 3 to the south bank of the
Big Muddy River, west along the south
bank of the Big Muddy River to the
Mississippi River, west across the
Mississippi River to the Missouri
border.
South Central September Canada
Goose Zone—The remainder of the State
between the south border of the Central
Zone and the North border of the South
Zone.
Iowa
North Zone—That portion of the State
north of U.S. Highway 20.
South Zone—The remainder of Iowa.
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Goose Zone—
Includes portions of Linn and Johnson
Counties bounded as follows: Beginning
at the intersection of the west border of
Linn County and Linn County Road
E2W; then south and east along County
Road E2W to Highway 920; then north
along Highway 920 to County Road E16;
then east along County Road E16 to
County Road W58; then south along
County Road W58 to County Road E34;
then east along County Road E34 to
Highway 13; then south along Highway
13 to Highway 30; then east along
Highway 30 to Highway 1; then south
along Highway 1 to Morse Road in
Johnson County; then east along Morse
Road to Wapsi Avenue; then south
along Wapsi Avenue to Lower West
Branch Road; then west along Lower
West Branch Road to Taft Avenue; then
south along Taft Avenue to County Road
F62; then west along County Road F62
to Kansas Avenue; then north along
Kansas Avenue to Black Diamond Road;
then west on Black Diamond Road to
Jasper Avenue; then north along Jasper
Avenue to Rohert Road; then west along
Rohert Road to Ivy Avenue; then north
along Ivy Avenue to 340th Street; then
west along 340th Street to Half Moon
Avenue; then north along Half Moon
Avenue to Highway 6; then west along
Highway 6 to Echo Avenue; then north
along Echo Avenue to 250th Street; then
east on 250th Street to Green Castle
Avenue; then north along Green Castle
Avenue to County Road F12; then west
along County Road F12 to County Road
W30; then north along County Road
W30 to Highway 151; then north along
the Linn-Benton County line to the
point of beginning.
Des Moines Goose Zone—Includes
those portions of Polk, Warren, Madison
and Dallas Counties bounded as follows:
Beginning at the intersection of
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Northwest 158th Avenue and County
Road R38 in Polk County; then south
along R38 to Northwest 142nd Avenue;
then east along Northwest 142nd
Avenue to Northeast 126th Avenue;
then east along Northeast 126th Avenue
to Northeast 46th Street; then south
along Northeast 46th Street to Highway
931; then east along Highway 931 to
Northeast 80th Street; then south along
Northeast 80th Street to Southeast 6th
Avenue; then west along Southeast 6th
Avenue to Highway 65; then south and
west along Highway 65 to Highway 69
in Warren County; then south along
Highway 69 to County Road G24; then
west along County Road G24 to
Highway 28; then southwest along
Highway 28 to 43rd Avenue; then north
along 43rd Avenue to Ford Street; then
west along Ford Street to Filmore Street;
then west along Filmore Street to 10th
Avenue; then south along 10th Avenue
to 155th Street in Madison County; then
west along 155th Street to Cumming
Road; then north along Cumming Road
to Badger Creek Avenue; then north
along Badger Creek Avenue to County
Road F90 in Dallas County; then east
along County Road F90 to County Road
R22; then north along County Road R22
to Highway 44; then east along Highway
44 to County Road R30; then north
along County Road R30 to County Road
F31; then east along County Road F31
to Highway 17; then north along
Highway 17 to Highway 415 in Polk
County; then east along Highway 415 to
Northwest 158th Avenue; then east
along Northwest 158th Avenue to the
point of beginning.
Cedar Falls/Waterloo Goose Zone—
Includes those portions of Black Hawk
County bounded as follows: Beginning
at the intersection of County Roads C66
and V49 in Black Hawk County, then
south along County Road V49 to County
Road D38, then west along County Road
D38 to State Highway 21, then south
along State Highway 21 to County Road
D35, then west along County Road D35
to Grundy Road, then north along
Grundy Road to County Road D19, then
west along County Road D19 to Butler
Road, then north along Butler Road to
County Road C57, then north and east
along County Road C57 to U.S. Highway
63, then south along U.S. Highway 63 to
County Road C66, then east along
County Road C66 to the point of
beginning.
Michigan
North Zone—Same as North duck
zone.
Middle Zone—Same as Middle duck
zone.
South Zone—Same as South duck
zone.
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Minnesota
Northwest Goose Zone—That portion
of the State encompassed by a line
extending east from the North Dakota
border along U.S. Highway 2 to State
Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along
STH 32 to STH 92, east along STH 92
to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2
in Polk County, north along CSAH 2 to
CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north
along CSAH 27 to STH 1, east along
STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington
County, north along CSAH 28 to CSAH
54 in Marshall County, north along
CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in Roseau County,
north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west
along STH 11 to STH 310, and north
along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
Intensive Harvest Zone—That portion
of the State encompassed by a line
extending east from the junction of US
2 and the North Dakota border, US 2
east to MN 32 N, MN 32 N to MN 92
S, MN 92 S to MN 200 E, MN 200 E to
US 71 S, US 71 S to US 10 E, US 10
E to MN 101 S, MN 101 S to Interstate
94 E, Interstate 94 E to US 494 S, US 494
S to US 212 W, US 212 W to MN 23 S,
MN 23 S to US 14 W, US 14 W to the
South Dakota border, South Dakota
Border north to the North Dakota
border, North Dakota border north to US
2 E.
Rest of State: Remainder of
Minnesota.
Wisconsin
Early-Season Subzone A—That
portion of the State encompassed by a
line beginning at the intersection of U.S.
Highway 141 and the Michigan border
near Niagara, then south along U.S. 141
to State Highway 22, west and
southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45,
south along U.S. 45 to State 22, west
and south along State 22 to State 110,
south along State 110 to U.S. 10, south
along U.S. 10 to State 49, south along
State 49 to State 23, west along State 23
to State 73, south along State 73 to State
60, west along State 60 to State 23,
south along State 23 to State 11, east
along State 11 to State 78, then south
along State 78 to the Illinois border.
Early-Season Subzone B—The
remainder of the State.
Central Flyway
North Dakota
Missouri River Canada Goose Zone—
The area within and bounded by a line
starting where ND Hwy 6 crosses the
South Dakota border; then north on ND
Hwy 6 to I–94; then west on I–94 to ND
Hwy 49; then north on ND Hwy 49 to
ND Hwy 200; then north on Mercer
County Rd. 21 to the section line
between sections 8 and 9 (T146N–
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R87W); then north on that section line
to the southern shoreline to Lake
Sakakawea; then east along the southern
shoreline (including Mallard Island) of
Lake Sakakawea to U.S. Hwy 83; then
south on U.S. Hwy 83 to ND Hwy 200;
then east on ND Hwy 200 to ND Hwy
41; then south on ND Hwy 41 to U.S.
Hwy 83; then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to
I–94; then east on I–94 to U.S. Hwy 83;
then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to the South
Dakota border; then west along the
South Dakota border to ND Hwy 6.
Rest of State—Remainder of North
Dakota.
South Dakota
Special Early Canada Goose Unit—
The Counties of Campbell, Marshall,
Roberts, Day, Clark, Codington, Grant,
Hamlin, Deuel, Walworth; that portion
of of Perrkins County west of State
Highway 75 and south of State Highway
20; that portion of Dewey County north
of Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 8,
Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 9, and the
section of U.S. Highway 212 east of the
Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 8
junction; that portion of Potter County
east of U.S. Highway 83; that portion of
Sully County east of U.S. Highway 83;
portions of Hyde, Buffalo, Brule, and
Charles Mix counties north and east of
a line beginning at the Hughes-Hyde
County line on State Highway 34, east
to Lees Boulevard, southeast to the State
Highway 34, east 7 miles to 350th
Avenue, south to Interstate 90 on 350th
Avenue, south and east on State
Highway 50 to Geddes, east on 285th
Street to U.S. Highway 281, and north
on U.S. Highway 281 to the Charles
Mix-Douglas County boundary; that
portion of Bon Homme County north of
State Highway 50; McPherson,
Edmunds, Kingsbury, Brookings, Lake,
Moody, Miner, Faulk, Hand, Jerauld,
Douglas, Hutchinson, Turner, Lincoln,
Union, Clay, Yankton, Aurora, Beadle,
Davison, Hanson, Sanborn, Spink,
Brown, Harding, Butte, Lawrence,
Meade, Shannon, Jackson, Mellette,
Todd, Jones, Haakon, Corson, Ziebach,
McCook, and Minnehaha Counties.
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Texas
Eastern Goose Zone—East of a line
from the International Toll Bridge at
Laredo, north following IH–35 and 35W
to Fort Worth, northwest along U.S.
Hwy. 81 and 287 to Bowie, north along
U.S. Hwy. 81 to the Texas-Oklahoma
State line.
Pacific Flyway
Oregon
Northwest Zone—Benton, Clackamas,
Clatsop, Columbia, Lane, Lincoln, Linn,
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Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook,
Washington, and Yamhill Counties.
Southwest Zone—Coos, Curry,
Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and
Klamath Counties.
East Zone—Baker, Gilliam, Malheur,
Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, and
Wasco Counties.
Washington
Area 1—Skagit, Island, and
Snohomish Counties.
Area 2A (SW Quota Zone)—Clark
County, except portions south of the
Washougal River; Cowlitz County; and
Wahkiakum County.
Area 2B (SW Quota Zone)—Pacific
County.
Area 3—All areas west of the Pacific
Crest Trail and west of the Big White
Salmon River that are not included in
Areas 1, 2A, and 2B.
Area 4—Adams, Benton, Chelan,
Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas,
Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla
Walla Counties.
Area 5—All areas east of the Pacific
Crest Trail and east of the Big White
Salmon River that are not included in
Area 4.
Ducks
Atlantic Flyway
New York
Lake Champlain Zone—The U.S.
portion of Lake Champlain and that area
east and north of a line extending along
NY 9B from the Canadian border to U.S.
9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of
Keesville; south along NY 22 to the west
shore of South Bay, along and around
the shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on
the east shore of South Bay; southeast
along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along
U.S. 4 to the Vermont border.
Long Island Zone—That area
consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk
County, that area of Westchester County
southeast of I–95, and their tidal waters.
Western Zone—That area west of a
line extending from Lake Ontario east
along the north shore of the Salmon
River to I–81, and south along I–81 to
the Pennsylvania border.
Northeastern Zone—That area north
of a line extending from Lake Ontario
east along the north shore of the Salmon
River to I–81, south along I–81 to NY 49,
east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along
NY 365 to NY 28, east along NY 28 to
NY 29, east along NY 29 to I–87, north
along I–87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north
along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along NY
149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the
Vermont border, exclusive of the Lake
Champlain Zone.
Southeastern Zone—The remaining
portion of New York.
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Maryland
Special Teal Season Area— Calvert,
Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford,
Kent, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s,
Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and
Worcester Counties; that part of Anne
Arundel County east of Interstate 895,
Interstate 97, and Route 3; that part of
Prince Georges County east of Route 3
and Route 301; and that part of Charles
County east of Route 301 to the Virginia
State Line.
Mississippi Flyway
Indiana
North Zone—That part of Indiana
north of a line extending east from the
Illinois border along State Road 18 to
U.S. 31; north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24;
east along U.S. 24 to Huntington;
southeast along U.S. 224; south along
State Road 5; and east along State Road
124 to the Ohio border.
Central Zone—That part of Indiana
south of the North Zone boundary and
north of the South Zone boundary.
South Zone—That part of Indiana
south of a line extending east from the
Illinois border along U.S. 40; south
along U.S. 41; east along State Road 58;
south along State Road 37 to Bedford;
and east along U.S. 50 to the Ohio
border.
Iowa
North Zone—That portion of Iowa
north of a line beginning on the South
Dakota-Iowa border at Interstate 29,
southeast along Interstate 29 to State
Highway 175, east along State Highway
175 to State Highway 37, southeast
along State Highway 37 to State
Highway 183, northeast along State
Highway 183 to State Highway 141, east
along State Highway 141 to U.S.
Highway 30, and along U.S. Highway 30
to the Illinois border.
Missouri River Zone—That portion of
Iowa west of a line beginning on the
South Dakota-Iowa border at Interstate
29, southeast along Interstate 29 to State
Highway 175, and west along State
Highway 175 to the Iowa-Nebraska
border.
South Zone—The remainder of Iowa.
Michigan
North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
Middle Zone: That portion of the
Lower Peninsula north of a line
beginning at the Wisconsin State line in
Lake Michigan due west of the mouth of
Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due
east to, and easterly and southerly along
the south shore of Stony Creek to Scenic
Drive, easterly and southerly along
Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road,
easterly along Stony Lake and Garfield
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Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east
along Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10
Business Route (BR) in the city of
Midland, easterly along U.S. 10 BR to
U.S. 10, easterly along U.S. 10 to
Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23,
northerly along I–75/U.S. 23 to the U.S.
23 exit at Standish, easterly along U.S.
23 to the centerline of the Au Gres
River, then southerly along the
centerline of the Au Gres River to
Saginaw Bay, then on a line directly east
10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from
that point on a line directly northeast to
the Canadian border.
South Zone: The remainder of
Michigan.
Wisconsin
North Zone: That portion of the State
north of a line extending east from the
Minnesota State line along U.S.
Highway 10 into Portage County to
County Highway HH, east on County
Highway HH to State Highway 66 and
then east on State Highway 66 to U.S.
Highway 10, continuing east on U.S.
Highway 10 to U.S. Highway 41, then
north on U.S. Highway 41 to the
Michigan State line.
Mississippi River Zone: That area
encompassed by a line beginning at the
intersection of the Burlington Northern
& Santa Fe Railway and the Illinois
State line in Grant County and
extending northerly along the
Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway
to the city limit of Prescott in Pierce
County, then west along the Prescott
city limit to the Minnesota State line.
South Zone: The remainder of
Wisconsin.
Central Flyway
Colorado
Special Teal Season Area—Lake and
Chaffee Counties and that portion of the
State east of Interstate Highway 25.
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Kansas
High Plains Zone—That portion of the
State west of U.S. 283.
Early Zone—That part of Kansas
bounded by a line from the NebraskaKansas State line south on K–128 to its
junction with U.S.–36, then east on
U.S.–36 to its junction with K–199, then
south on K–199 to its junction with
Republic County 30 Rd, then south on
Republic County 30 Rd to its junction
with K–148, then east on K–148 to its
junction with Republic County 50 Rd,
then south on Republic County 50 Rd to
its junction with Cloud County 40th Rd,
then south on Cloud County 40th Rd to
its junction with K–9, then west on
K–9 to its junction with U.S.–24, then
west on U.S.–24 to its junction with
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U.S.–281, then north on U.S.–281 to its
junction with U.S.–36, then west on
U.S.–36 to its junction with U.S.–183,
then south on U.S.–183 to its junction
with U.S.–24, then west on U.S.–24 to
its junction with K–18, then southeast
on K–18 to its junction with U.S.–183,
then south on U.S.–183 to its junction
with K–4, then east on K–4 to its
junction with I–135, then south on
I–135 to its junction with K–61, then
southwest on K–61 to McPherson
County 14th Avenue, then south on
McPherson County 14th Avenue to its
junction with Arapaho Rd, then west on
Arapaho Rd to its junction with K–61,
then southwest on K–61 to its junction
with K–96, then northwest on K–96 to
its junction with U.S.–56, then
southwest on U.S.–56 to its junction
with K–19, then east on K–19 to its
junction with U.S.–281, then south on
U.S.–281 to its junction with U.S.–54,
then west on U.S.–54 to its junction
with U.S.–183, then north on U.S.–183
to its junction with U.S.–56, then
southwest on U.S.–56 to its junction
with Ford County Rd 126, then south on
Ford County Rd 126 to its junction with
U.S.–400, then northwest on U.S.–400
to its junction with U.S.–283, then north
on U.S.–283 to its junction with the
Nebraska-Kansas State line, then east
along the Nebraska-Kansas State line to
its junction with K–128.
Late Zone—That part of Kansas
bounded by a line from the NebraskaKansas State line south on K–128 to its
junction with U.S.–36, then east on
U.S.–36 to its junction with K–199, then
south on K–199 to its junction with
Republic County 30 Rd, then south on
Republic County 30 Rd to its junction
with K–148, then east on K–148 to its
junction with Republic County 50 Rd,
then south on Republic County 50 Rd to
its junction with Cloud County 40th Rd,
then south on Cloud County 40th Rd to
its junction with K–9, then west on
K–9 to its junction with U.S.–24, then
west on U.S.–24 to its junction with
U.S.–281, then north on U.S.–281 to its
junction with U.S.–36, then west on
U.S.–36 to its junction with U.S.–183,
then south on U.S.–183 to its junction
with U.S.–24, then west on U.S.–24 to
its junction with K–18, then southeast
on K–18 to its junction with U.S.–183,
then south on U.S.–183 to its junction
with K–4, then east on K–4 to its
junction with I–135, then south on I–
135 to its junction with K–61, then
southwest on K–61 to 14th Avenue,
then south on 14th Avenue to its
junction with Arapaho Rd, then west on
Arapaho Rd to its junction with K–61,
then southwest on K–61 to its junction
with K–96, then northwest on K–96 to
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its junction with U.S.–56, then
southwest on U.S.–56 to its junction
with K–19, then east on K–19 to its
junction with U.S.–281, then south on
U.S.–281 to its junction with U.S.–54,
then west on U.S.–54 to its junction
with U.S.–183, then north on U.S.–183
to its junction with U.S.–56, then
southwest on U.S.–56 to its junction
with Ford County Rd 126, then south on
Ford County Rd 126 to its junction with
U.S.–400, then northwest on U.S.–400
to its junction with U.S.–283, then south
on U.S.–283 to its junction with the
Oklahoma-Kansas State line, then east
along the Oklahoma-Kansas State line to
its junction with U.S.–77, then north on
U.S.–77 to its junction with Butler
County, NE 150th Street, then east on
Butler County, NE 150th Street to its
junction with U.S.–35, then northeast
on U.S.–35 to its junction with K–68,
then east on K–68 to the KansasMissouri State line, then north along the
Kansas-Missouri State line to its
junction with the Nebraska State line,
then west along the Kansas-Nebraska
State line to its junction with K–128.
Southeast Zone—That part of Kansas
bounded by a line from the MissouriKansas State line west on K–68 to its
junction with U.S.–35, then southwest
on U.S.–35 to its junction with Butler
County, NE 150th Street, then west on
NE 150th Street until its junction with
K–77, then south on K–77 to the
Oklahoma-Kansas State line, then east
along the Kansas-Oklahoma State line to
its junction with the Missouri State line,
then north along the Kansas-Missouri
State line to its junction with K–68.
Nebraska
Special Teal Season Area (south)—
That portion of the State south of a line
beginning at the Wyoming State line;
east along U.S. 26 to Nebraska Highway
L62A east to U.S. 385; south to U.S. 26;
east to NE 92; east along NE 92 to NE
61; south along NE 61 to U.S. 30; east
along U.S. 30 to the Iowa border.
Special Teal Season Area (north)—
The remainder of the State.
High Plains—That portion of
Nebraska lying west of a line beginning
at the South Dakota-Nebraska border on
U.S. Hwy. 183; south on U.S. Hwy. 183
to U.S. Hwy. 20; west on U.S. Hwy. 20
to NE Hwy. 7; south on NE Hwy. 7 to
NE Hwy. 91; southwest on NE Hwy. 91
to NE Hwy. 2; southeast on NE Hwy. 2
to NE Hwy. 92; west on NE Hwy. 92 to
NE Hwy. 40; south on NE Hwy. 40 to
NE Hwy. 47; south on NE Hwy. 47 to
NE Hwy. 23; east on NE Hwy. 23 to U.S.
Hwy. 283; and south on U.S. Hwy. 283
to the Kansas-Nebraska border.
Zone 1—Area bounded by designated
Federal and State highways and
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political boundaries beginning at the
South Dakota-Nebraska border west of
NE Hwy. 26E Spur and north of NE
Hwy. 12; those portions of Dixon, Cedar
and Knox Counties north of NE Hwy.
12; that portion of Keya Paha County
east of U.S. Hwy. 183; and all of Boyd
County. Both banks of the Niobrara
River in Keya Paha and Boyd counties
east of U.S. Hwy. 183 shall be included
in Zone 1.
Zone 2—The area south of Zone 1 and
north of Zone 3.
Zone 3—Area bounded by designated
Federal and State highways, County
Roads, and political boundaries
beginning at the Wyoming-Nebraska
border at the intersection of the
Interstate Canal; east along northern
borders of Scotts Bluff and Morrill
Counties to Broadwater Road; south to
Morrill County Rd 94; east to County Rd
135; south to County Rd 88; southeast
to County Rd 151; south to County Rd
80; east to County Rd 161; south to
County Rd 76; east to County Rd 165;
south to Country Rd 167; south to U.S.
Hwy. 26; east to County Rd 171; north
to County Rd 68; east to County Rd 183;
south to County Rd 64; east to County
Rd 189; north to County Rd 70; east to
County Rd 201; south to County Rd
60A; east to County Rd 203; south to
County Rd 52; east to Keith County
Line; east along the northern boundaries
of Keith and Lincoln Counties to NE
Hwy. 97; south to U.S. Hwy 83; south
to E Hall School Rd; east to N Airport
Road; south to U.S. Hwy. 30; east to
Merrick County Rd 13; north to County
Rd O; east to NE Hwy. 14; north to NE
Hwy. 52; west and north to NE Hwy. 91;
west to U.S. Hwy. 281; south to NE
Hwy. 22; west to NE Hwy. 11; northwest
to NE Hwy. 91; west to U.S. Hwy. 183;
south to Round Valley Rd; west to
Sargent River Rd; west to Sargent Rd;
west to Milburn Rd; north to Blaine
County Line; east to Loup County Line;
north to NE Hwy. 91; west to North
Loup Spur Rd; north to North Loup
River Rd; east to Pleasant Valley/Worth
Rd; east to Loup County Line; north to
Loup-Brown county line; east along
northern boundaries of Loup and
Garfield Counties to Cedar River Rd;
south to NE Hwy. 70; east to U.S. Hwy.
281; north to NE Hwy. 70; east to NE
Hwy. 14; south to NE Hwy. 39;
southeast to NE Hwy. 22; east to U.S.
Hwy. 81; southeast to U.S. Hwy. 30; east
to U.S. Hwy. 75; north to the
Washington County line; east to the
Iowa-Nebraska border; south to the
Missouri-Nebraska border; south to
Kansas-Nebraska border; west along
Kansas-Nebraska border to ColoradoNebraska border; north and west to
Wyoming-Nebraska border; north to
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intersection of Interstate Canal; and
excluding that area in Zone 4.
Zone 4—Area encompassed by
designated Federal and State highways
and County Roads beginning at the
intersection of NE Hwy. 8 and U.S.
Hwy. 75; north to U.S. Hwy. 136; east
to the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 136 and
the Steamboat Trace (Trace); north along
the Trace to the intersection with
Federal Levee R–562; north along
Federal Levee R–562 to the intersection
with the Trace; north along the Trace/
Burlington Northern Railroad right-ofway to NE Hwy. 2; west to U.S. Hwy.
75; north to NE Hwy. 2; west to NE
Hwy. 43; north to U.S. Hwy. 34; east to
NE Hwy. 63; north to NE Hwy. 66; north
and west to U.S. Hwy. 77; north to NE
Hwy. 92; west to NE Hwy. Spur 12F;
south to Butler County Rd 30; east to
County Rd X; south to County Rd 27;
west to County Rd W; south to County
Rd 26; east to County Rd X; south to
County Rd 21 (Seward County Line);
west to NE Hwy. 15; north to County Rd
34; west to County Rd J; south to NE
Hwy. 92; west to U.S. Hwy. 81; south to
NE Hwy. 66; west to Polk County Rd C;
north to NE Hwy. 92; west to U.S. Hwy.
30; west to Merrick County Rd 17; south
to Hordlake Road; southeast to Prairie
Island Road; southeast to Hamilton
County Rd T; south to NE Hwy. 66; west
to NE Hwy. 14; south to County Rd 22;
west to County Rd M; south to County
Rd 21; west to County Rd K; south to
U.S. Hwy. 34; west to NE Hwy. 2; south
to U.S. Hwy. I–80; west to Gunbarrel Rd
(Hall/Hamilton county line); south to
Giltner Rd; west to U.S. Hwy. 281; south
to U.S. Hwy. 34; west to NE Hwy. 10;
north to Kearney County Rd R and
Phelps County Rd 742; west to U.S.
Hwy. 283; south to U.S. Hwy 34; east to
U.S. Hwy. 136; east to U.S. Hwy. 183;
north to NE Hwy. 4; east to NE Hwy. 10;
south to U.S. Hwy. 136; east to NE Hwy.
14; south to NE Hwy. 8; east to U.S.
Hwy. 81; north to NE Hwy. 4; east to NE
Hwy. 15; south to U.S. Hwy. 136; east
to NE Hwy. 103; south to NE Hwy. 8;
east to U.S. Hwy. 75.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
North Zone—That portion of the State
north of I–40 and U.S. 54.
South Zone—The remainder of New
Mexico.
Pacific Flyway
California
Northeastern Zone—In that portion of
California lying east and north of a line
beginning at the intersection of
Interstate 5 with the California-Oregon
line; south along Interstate 5 to its
junction with Walters Lane south of the
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51419
town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane
to its junction with Easy Street; south
along Easy Street to the junction with
Old Highway 99; south along Old
Highway 99 to the point of intersection
with Interstate 5 north of the town of
Weed; south along Interstate 5 to its
junction with Highway 89; east and
south along Highway 89 to Main Street
Greenville; north and east to its junction
with North Valley Road; south to its
junction of Diamond Mountain Road;
north and east to its junction with North
Arm Road; south and west to the
junction of North Valley Road; south to
the junction with Arlington Road (A22);
west to the junction of Highway 89;
south and west to the junction of
Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to
Highway 395; south and east on
Highway 395 to the point of intersection
with the California-Nevada State line;
north along the California-Nevada State
line to the junction of the CaliforniaNevada-Oregon State lines west along
the California-Oregon State line to the
point of origin.
Colorado River Zone—Those portions
of San Bernardino, Riverside, and
Imperial Counties east of a line
extending from the Nevada border south
along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south
on a road known as ‘‘Aqueduct Road’’
in San Bernardino County through the
town of Rice to the San BernardinoRiverside County line; south on a road
known in Riverside County as the
‘‘Desert Center to Rice Road’’ to the
town of Desert Center; east 31 miles on
I–10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along
the Army-Milpitas Road to the Blythe,
Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south
on the Blythe-Brawley paved road to the
Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on
this road to U.S. 80; east 7 miles on U.S.
80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road;
south on this paved road to the Mexican
border at Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone—That portion of
southern California (but excluding the
Colorado River Zone) south and east of
a line extending from the Pacific Ocean
east along the Santa Maria River to CA
166 near the City of Santa Maria; east on
CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the
crest of the Tehachapi Mountains at
Tejon Pass; east and north along the
crest of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA
178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south
on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on CA 58 to
I–15; east on I–15 to CA 127; north on
CA 127 to the Nevada border.
Southern San Joaquin Valley
Temporary Zone—All of Kings and
Tulare Counties and that portion of
Kern County north of the Southern
Zone.
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Balance-of-the-State Zone—The
remainder of California not included in
the Northeastern, Southern, and
Colorado River Zones, and the Southern
San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.
Canada Geese
Michigan
North Zone—Same as North duck
zone.
Middle Zone—Same as Middle duck
zone.
South Zone—Same as South duck
zone.
Tuscola/Huron Goose Management
Unit (GMU): Those portions of Tuscola
and Huron Counties bounded on the
south by Michigan Highway 138 and
Bay City Road, on the east by Colwood
and Bay Port Roads, on the north by
Kilmanagh Road and a line extending
directly west off the end of Kilmanagh
Road into Saginaw Bay to the west
boundary, and on the west by the
Tuscola-Bay County line and a line
extending directly north off the end of
the Tuscola-Bay County line into
Saginaw Bay to the north boundary.
Allegan County GMU: That area
encompassed by a line beginning at the
junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate
Highway 196 in Lake Town Township
and extending easterly along 136th
Avenue to Michigan Highway 40,
southerly along Michigan 40 through
the city of Allegan to 108th Avenue in
Trowbridge Township, westerly along
108th Avenue to 46th Street, northerly
along 46th Street to 109th Avenue,
westerly along 109th Avenue to I–196 in
Casco Township, then northerly along
I–196 to the point of beginning.
Saginaw County GMU: That portion
of Saginaw County bounded by
Michigan Highway 46 on the north;
Michigan 52 on the west; Michigan 57
on the south; and Michigan 13 on the
east.
Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That
portion of Muskegon County within the
boundaries of the Muskegon County
wastewater system, east of the
Muskegon State Game Area, in sections
5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, and 32,
T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11,
12, 13, 14, 24, and 25, T10N R15W, as
posted.
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES2
Wisconsin
Same zones as for ducks but in
addition:
Horicon Zone: That area encompassed
by a line beginning at the intersection of
State 21 and the Fox River in
Winnebago County and extending
westerly along State 21 to the west
boundary of Winnebago County,
southerly along the west boundary of
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Winnebago County to the north
boundary of Green Lake County,
westerly along the north boundaries of
Green Lake and Marquette Counties to
State 22, southerly along State 22 to
State 33, westerly along State 33 to
I–39, southerly along I–39 to I–90/94,
southerly along I–90/94 to State 60,
easterly along State 60 to State 83,
northerly along State 83 to State 175,
northerly along State 175 to State 33,
easterly along State 33 to U.S. 45,
northerly along U.S. 45 to the east shore
of the Fond Du Lac River, northerly
along the east shore of the Fond Du Lac
River to Lake Winnebago, northerly
along the western shoreline of Lake
Winnebago to the Fox River, then
westerly along the Fox River to State 21.
Exterior Zone: That portion of the
State not included in the Horicon Zone.
Mississippi River Subzone: That area
encompassed by a line beginning at the
intersection of the Burlington Northern
& Santa Fe Railway and the Illinois
State line in Grant County and
extending northerly along the
Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway
to the city limit of Prescott in Pierce
County, then west along the Prescott
city limit to the Minnesota State line.
Brown County Subzone: That area
encompassed by a line beginning at the
intersection of the Fox River with Green
Bay in Brown County and extending
southerly along the Fox River to State
29, northwesterly along State 29 to the
Brown County line, south, east, and
north along the Brown County line to
Green Bay, due west to the midpoint of
the Green Bay Ship Channel, then
southwesterly along the Green Bay Ship
Channel to the Fox River.
Sandhill Cranes
Mississippi Flyway
Minnesota
Northwest Goose Zone—That portion
of the State encompassed by a line
extending east from the North Dakota
border along U.S. Highway 2 to State
Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along
STH 32 to STH 92, east along STH 92
to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2
in Polk County, north along CSAH 2 to
CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north
along CSAH 27 to STH 1, east along
STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington
County, north along CSAH 28 to CSAH
54 in Marshall County, north along
CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in Roseau County,
north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west
along STH 11 to STH 310, and north
along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
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Tennessee
Hunt Zone—That portion of the State
south of Interstate 40 and east of State
Highway 56.
Closed Zone—Remainder of the State.
Central Flyway
Colorado—The Central Flyway
portion of the State except the San Luis
Valley (Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla,
Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande, and
Saguache Counties east of the
Continental Divide) and North Park
(Jackson County).
Kansas—That portion of the State
west of a line beginning at the
Oklahoma border, north on I–35 to
Wichita, north on I–135 to Salina, and
north on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border.
Montana—The Central Flyway
portion of the State except for that area
south and west of Interstate 90, which
is closed to sandhill crane hunting.
New Mexico
Regular-Season Open Area—Chaves,
Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay, and
Roosevelt Counties.
Middle Rio Grande Valley Area—The
Central Flyway portion of New Mexico
in Socorro and Valencia Counties.
Estancia Valley Area—Those portions
of Santa Fe, Torrance and Bernallilo
Counties within an area bounded on the
west by New Mexico Highway 55
beginning at Mountainair north to NM
337, north to NM 14, north to I–25; on
the north by I–25 east to U.S. 285; on
the east by U.S. 285 south to U.S. 60;
and on the south by U.S. 60 from U.S.
285 west to NM 55 in Mountainair.
Southwest Zone—Area bounded on
the south by the New Mexico/Mexico
border; on the west by the New Mexico/
Arizona border north to Interstate 10; on
the north by Interstate 10 east to U.S.
180, north to N.M. 26, east to N.M. 27,
north to N.M. 152, and east to Interstate
25; on the east by Interstate 25 south to
Interstate 10, west to the Luna county
line, and south to the New Mexico/
Mexico border.
North Dakota
Area 1—That portion of the State west
of U.S. 281.
Area 2—That portion of the State east
of U.S. 281.
Oklahoma—That portion of the State
west of I–35.
South Dakota—That portion of the
State west of U.S. 281.
Texas
Zone A—That portion of Texas lying
west of a line beginning at the
international toll bridge at Laredo, then
northeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its
junction with Interstate Highway 35 in
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Laredo, then north along Interstate
Highway 35 to its junction with
Interstate Highway 10 in San Antonio,
then northwest along Interstate Highway
10 to its junction with U.S. Highway 83
at Junction, then north along U.S.
Highway 83 to its junction with U.S.
Highway 62, 16 miles north of
Childress, then east along U.S. Highway
62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State line.
Zone B—That portion of Texas lying
within boundaries beginning at the
junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the
Texas-Oklahoma State line, then
southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its
junction with U.S. Highway 287 in
Montague County, then southeast along
U.S. Highway 287 to its junction with
Interstate Highway 35W in Fort Worth,
then southwest along Interstate
Highway 35 to its junction with
Interstate Highway 10 in San Antonio,
then northwest along Interstate Highway
10 to its junction with U.S. Highway 83
in the town of Junction, then north
along U.S. Highway 83 to its junction
with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of
Childress, then east along U.S. Highway
62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State line,
then south along the Texas-Oklahoma
State line to the south bank of the Red
River, then eastward along the
vegetation line on the south bank of the
Red River to U.S. Highway 81.
Zone C—The remainder of the State,
except for the closed areas.
Closed areas—(A) That portion of the
State lying east and north of a line
beginning at the junction of U.S.
Highway 81 and the Texas-Oklahoma
State line, then southeast along U.S.
Highway 81 to its junction with U.S.
Highway 287 in Montague County, then
southeast along U.S. Highway 287 to its
junction with Interstate Highway 35W
in Fort Worth, then southwest along
Interstate Highway 35 to its junction
with U.S. Highway 290 East in Austin,
then east along U.S. Highway 290 to its
junction with Interstate Loop 610 in
Harris County, then south and east
along Interstate Loop 610 to its junction
with Interstate Highway 45 in Houston,
then south on Interstate Highway 45 to
State Highway 342, then to the shore of
the Gulf of Mexico, and then north and
east along the shore of the Gulf of
Mexico to the Texas-Louisiana State
line.
(B) That portion of the State lying
within the boundaries of a line
beginning at the Kleberg-Nueces County
line and the shore of the Gulf of Mexico,
then west along the County line to Park
Road 22 in Nueces County, then north
and west along Park Road 22 to its
junction with State Highway 358 in
Corpus Christi, then west and north
along State Highway 358 to its junction
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with State Highway 286, then north
along State Highway 286 to its junction
with Interstate Highway 37, then east
along Interstate Highway 37 to its
junction with U.S. Highway 181, then
north and west along U.S. Highway 181
to its junction with U.S. Highway 77 in
Sinton, then north and east along U.S.
Highway 77 to its junction with U.S.
Highway 87 in Victoria, then south and
east along U.S. Highway 87 to its
junction with State Highway 35 at Port
Lavaca, then north and east along State
Highway 35 to the south end of the
Lavaca Bay Causeway, then south and
east along the shore of Lavaca Bay to its
junction with the Port Lavaca Ship
Channel, then south and east along the
Lavaca Bay Ship Channel to the Gulf of
Mexico, and then south and west along
the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the
Kleberg-Nueces County line.
Wyoming
Regular Season Open Area—
Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen,
Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston
Counties.
Riverton-Boysen Unit—Portions of
Fremont County.
Park and Big Horn County Unit—All
of Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park and
Washakie Counties.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
Special Season Area—Game
Management Units 28, 30A, 30B, 31,
and 32.
Idaho
Special Season Area—See State
regulations.
Montana
Special Season Area—See State
regulations.
Utah
Special Season Area—Rich, Cache,
and Unitah Counties and that portion of
Box Elder County beginning on the
Utah-Idaho State line at the Box ElderCache County line; west on the State
line to the Pocatello Valley County
Road; south on the Pocatello Valley
County Road to I–15; southeast on I–15
to SR–83; south on SR–83 to Lamp
Junction; west and south on the
Promontory Point County Road to the
tip of Promontory Point; south from
Promontory Point to the Box ElderWeber County line; east on the Box
Elder-Weber County line to the Box
Elder-Cache County line; north on the
Box Elder-Cache County line to the
Utah-Idaho State line.
PO 00000
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51421
Wyoming
Bear River Area—That portion of
Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Salt River Area—That portion of
Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Farson-Eden Area—Those portions of
Sweetwater and Sublette Counties
described in State regulations.
Uinta County Area—That portion of
Uinta County described in State
regulations.
All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska
North Zone—State Game Management
Units 11–13 and 17–26.
Gulf Coast Zone—State Game
Management Units 5–7, 9, 14–16, and
10 (Unimak Island only).
Southeast Zone—State Game
Management Units 1–4.
Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone—
State Game Management Unit 10 (except
Unimak Island).
Kodiak Zone—State Game
Management Unit 8.
All Migratory Game Birds in the Virgin
Islands
Ruth Cay Closure Area—The island of
Ruth Cay, just south of St. Croix.
All Migratory Game Birds in Puerto
Rico
Municipality of Culebra Closure
Area—All of the municipality of
Culebra.
Desecheo Island Closure Area—All of
Desecheo Island.
Mona Island Closure Area—All of
Mona Island.
El Verde Closure Area—Those areas
of the municipalities of Rio Grande and
Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All
lands between Routes 956 on the west
and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the
north to the juncture of Routes 956 and
186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands
between Routes 186 and 966 from the
juncture of 186 and 966 on the north, to
the Caribbean National Forest Boundary
on the south; (3) all lands lying west of
Route 186 for 1 kilometer from the
juncture of Routes 186 and 956 south to
Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within
Km 14 and Km 6 on the west and the
Caribbean National Forest Boundary on
the east; and (5) all lands within the
Caribbean National Forest Boundary
whether private or public.
Cidra Municipality and adjacent
areas—All of Cidra Municipality and
portions of Aguas Buenas, Caguas,
Cayey, and Comerio Municipalities as
encompassed within the following
boundary: Beginning on Highway 172 as
it leaves the municipality of Cidra on
the west edge, north to Highway 156,
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pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES2
east on Highway 156 to Highway 1,
south on Highway 1 to Highway 765,
south on Highway 765 to Highway 763,
south on Highway 763 to the Rio
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Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to
Highway 1, southwest on Highway 1 to
Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to
Highway 729, north on Highway 729 to
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[FR Doc. 2014–20361 Filed 8–27–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 167 (Thursday, August 28, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51401-51422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-20361]
[[Page 51401]]
Vol. 79
Thursday,
No. 167
August 28, 2014
Part II
Department of the Interior
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fish and Wildlife Service
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
50 CFR Part 20
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory
Bird Hunting Regulations; Final Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 79 , No. 167 / Thursday, August 28, 2014 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 51402]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2014-0017; FF09M21200-134-FXMB1231099BPP0]
RIN 1018-AZ80
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This rule prescribes final early-season frameworks from which
the States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands may select season
dates, limits, and other options for the 2014-15 migratory bird hunting
seasons. Early seasons are those that generally open prior to October
1, and include seasons in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin
Islands. The effect of this final rule is to facilitate the selection
of hunting seasons by the States and Territories to further the annual
establishment of the early-season migratory bird hunting regulations.
DATES: This rule takes effect on August 28, 2014.
ADDRESSES: States and Territories should send their season selections
to: Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, MS: MB, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-
3803. You may inspect comments during normal business hours at the
Service's office at 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia, or at
https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2014-0017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron W. Kokel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Department of the Interior, MS: MB, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls
Church, VA 22041-3803; (703) 358-1967.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulations Schedule for 2014
On April 30, 2014, we published in the Federal Register (79 FR
24512) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal provided a
background and overview of the migratory bird hunting regulations
process, and addressed the establishment of seasons, limits, and other
regulations for hunting migratory game birds under Sec. Sec. 20.101
through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. Major steps in the
2014-15 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal
Register notifications were also identified in the April 30 proposed
rule. Further, we explained that all sections of subsequent documents
outlining hunting frameworks and guidelines were organized under
numbered headings. Subsequent documents will refer only to numbered
items requiring attention. Therefore, it is important to note that we
omit those items requiring no attention, and remaining numbered items
might be discontinuous or appear incomplete.
On June 4, 2014, we published in the Federal Register (79 FR 32418)
a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- and late-
season migratory bird hunting regulations. The June 4 supplement also
provided detailed information on the 2014-15 regulatory schedule and
announced the Service Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council
meetings.
On July 31, 2014, we published in the Federal Register (79 FR
44580) a third document specifically dealing with the proposed
frameworks for early-season regulations. We published the proposed
frameworks for late-season regulations (primarily hunting seasons that
start after October 1 and most waterfowl seasons not already
established) in a late August 2014, Federal Register.
This document is the fifth in a series of proposed, supplemental,
and final rulemaking documents. It establishes final frameworks from
which States may select season dates, shooting hours, and daily bag and
possession limits for the 2014-15 season. These selections will be
published in the Federal Register as amendments to Sec. Sec. 20.101
through 20.107, and Sec. 20.109 of title 50 CFR part 20.
Population Status and Harvest
Information on the status of waterfowl and information on the
status and harvest of migratory shore and upland game birds, including
detailed information on methodologies and results, is available at the
address indicated under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or from our Web
site at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewsPublicationsReports.html
Review of Public Comments
The preliminary proposed rulemaking (April 30 Federal Register)
opened the public comment period for migratory game bird hunting
regulations. Comments concerning early-season issues are summarized
below and numbered in the order used in the April 30 Federal Register
document. Only the numbered items pertaining to early-seasons issues
for which we received written comments are included. Consequently, the
issues do not follow in consecutive numerical or alphabetical order.
We received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils. Some
recommendations supported continuation of last year's frameworks. Due
to the comprehensive nature of the annual review of the frameworks
performed by the Councils, support for continuation of last year's
frameworks is assumed for items for which no recommendations were
received. Council recommendations for changes in the frameworks are
summarized below.
General
Written Comments: A commenter protested the entire migratory bird
hunting regulations process, the killing of all migratory birds, and
status and habitat data on which the migratory bird hunting regulations
are based.
Service Response: Our long-term objectives continue to include
providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game
bird populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each
population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Having taken
into account the zones of temperature and the distribution, abundance,
economic value, breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of
migratory birds, we believe that the hunting seasons provided for
herein are compatible with the current status of migratory bird
populations and long-term population goals. Additionally, we are
obligated to, and do, give serious consideration to all information
received as public comment. We believe that the Flyway-Council system
of migratory bird management has been a longstanding, successful
example of State-Federal cooperative management since its establishment
in 1952. However, as always, we continue to seek new ways to streamline
and improve the process.\n\n
1. Ducks
Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest
management are: (A) General Harvest Strategy; (B) Regulatory
Alternatives, including specification of framework dates, season
lengths, and bag limits; (C) Zones and Split Seasons; and (D) Special
Seasons/Species Management. The categories correspond to previously
published issues/discussions, and only those containing substantial
recommendations are discussed below.
[[Page 51403]]
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
i. September Teal Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended
that Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin be granted special
September teal hunting seasons for an experimental 3-year period
beginning in September 2014. The Council recommended that the framework
for these seasons follow the established teal harvest strategy (i.e., 9
or 16 days with up to 6 bird daily limits) with sunrise to sunset
shooting hours. Further, they recommended that the Service work with
these States to develop a mutually acceptable evaluation plan prior to
June 2014. In the event that this recommendation is not approved or
Iowa declines the opportunity, the Council recommended that Iowa be
allowed to retain their early September duck season.
The Central Flyway Council recommended allowing an experimental
September teal season in the portion of Nebraska not currently open to
September teal hunting. Criteria for the experimental season would be
the same as for other non-production States, and the State of Nebraska
will work with the Service to develop an evaluation plan for the
experiment.
Service Response: We appreciate the long-standing interest by the
Flyway Councils to pursue additional teal harvest opportunity. With
this interest in mind, in 2009, the Flyways and Service began to assess
the collective results of all teal harvest, including harvest during
special September seasons. The Teal Harvest Potential Working Group
conducted this assessment work, which included a thorough assessment of
the harvest potential for both blue-winged and green-winged teal, as
well as an assessment of the impacts of current special September
seasons on these two species. Cinnamon teal were subsequently included
in this assessment.
In the April 9, 2013, Federal Register (78 FR 21200), we stated
that the final report of the Teal Harvest Potential Working Group
(https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/Teal/Final%20Teal%20Assessment%20Report%20Mar%2012%202013.pdf) indicated
that additional opportunity could be provided for blue-winged teal and
green-winged teal. Therefore, last year, we supported recommendations
from the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyway Councils to increase
the daily bag limit from 4 to 6 teal in the aggregate during the
Special September teal season in 2013-14. However, at that time, we did
not support additional changes to the structure of the September teal
season until specific management objectives for teal had been
articulated and a comprehensive, cross-flyway approach to developing
and evaluating other potential avenues by which additional teal harvest
opportunity could be provided had been completed. We recognized,
however, that this comprehensive approach could include addition of new
hunting seasons (e.g., September teal seasons in northern States) as
well as expanded hunting opportunities (e.g., season lengths, bag
limits) in States with existing teal seasons.
After the February SRC meeting, in the April 30, 2014, Federal
Register (79 FR 24518), we indicated that we were willing to consider
proposals to conduct experimental September teal seasons in production
States if fully evaluated for impacts to teal and non-target species.
Thus, we agree with the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation to
allow an experimental special September teal season in Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa, and the Central Flyway Council's
recommendation to allow an experimental season in the production area
of Nebraska (generally north of the Platte River). During the 3-year
experiment, a 16-day season with a 6-teal daily bag limit will be
offered if the blue-winged teal population estimate from the
traditional survey area (i.e., strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77) is > 4.7
million birds, and a 9-day season will be offered when the blue-winged
teal estimate is between 3.3 and 4.7 million birds. We will work with
the five affected States to develop evaluation plans and associated
memoranda of agreement (MOA) for these experiments. The plan will
consist of a 3-year evaluation of hunter performance (via spy blind
studies) with regard to attempt rates on non-target species during the
experimental September teal season.
Before the season is approved operationally, the participating
States must demonstrate negligible impacts to non-target species,
defined as a non-target attempt rate no greater than 0.25 and non-
target kill rate no greater than 0.10. The season will not be approved
for operational status if the experiment determines that (1) the upper
90 percent confidence limit on the attempt rate at non-target species
exceeds 0.25, or (2) the kill of non-target species exceeds 10 percent
of the kill of teal and non-target species combined. Additional
specifics regarding the evaluations will be contained in the MOAs
(available at the address indicated under ADDRESSES). Further, if any
of the participating States wish to allow pre-sunrise shooting hours
during the special September teal season experiment, this evaluation
must examine attempt rates on non-target species during both the period
30 minutes prior to sunrise and the post-sunrise period. Nebraska
should conduct their experiment independent from the four States in the
Mississippi Flyway.
If Iowa decides to participate in this experiment, Iowa must
suspend their 5-day September duck season for the duration of their
participation. Iowa has requested, and we concur, that upon conclusion
of the experiment they be given the opportunity to revert back to a 5-
day September duck season if they so desire, regardless of the results
of the experiment. However, if Iowa decides to retain their 5-day
September duck season, or revert to it after the experiment, they will
not be allowed to implement a September teal season in subsequent
years. States should submit annual progress reports for this evaluation
and a final report must be submitted and accepted by the Service before
we consider making such seasons operational.
Regarding the regulations for this year, utilizing the criteria
developed for the teal season harvest strategy, this year's estimate of
8.5 million blue-winged teal from the traditional survey area indicates
that a 16-day September teal season in the Atlantic, Central, and
Mississippi Flyways is appropriate for 2014.
We prepared an environmental assessment (EA) on the new teal
hunting opportunities. Specifics of the five alternatives we analyzed
and a copy of the EA can be found on our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds, or at https://www.regulations.gov.
ii. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that the daily bag limit for teal in Florida during the September teal/
wood duck season be a total of 6 birds with no more than 2 wood ducks
(the current total bag is 4 birds with no more than 2 wood ducks). The
Council further recommended that Florida be permitted to add additional
teal-only days to their September teal/wood duck season. In years when
the teal harvest strategy calls for a 9-day teal season, Florida would
maintain their current 5-day teal/wood duck season. In years when the
teal harvest strategy calls for a 16-day teal season, Florida would add
4
[[Page 51404]]
additional teal-only days to their current 5-day teal/wood duck season.
The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the teal bag limit
during Kentucky and Tennessee's September teal/wood duck seasons be the
same as that permitted in other States with September teal-only
seasons. The Council further recommended that States with September
teal/wood duck seasons (Kentucky and Tennessee) be permitted to add
additional teal-only days to their September teal/wood duck seasons. In
years when the teal harvest strategy calls for a 9-day teal season,
those States would maintain their current 5-day wood duck/teal season.
In years when the teal harvest strategy calls for a 16-day teal season,
those States would add 4 additional teal-only days to their current 5-
day teal/wood duck season.
Written Comments: Over 100 individual commenters primarily from
Tennessee, Kentucky, and Florida expressed support for additional teal-
only days and an increase in the teal daily bag limit in Tennessee,
Kentucky, and Florida.
Service Response: Given the results from the previously referenced
final report of the Teal Harvest Potential Working Group indicating
that additional opportunity could be provided for blue-winged teal and
green-winged teal (see discussion in D. Special Seasons/Species
Management, i. September Teal Seasons), we concur with the Atlantic and
Mississippi Flyway Councils' recommendations to allow 4 additional
teal-only days during their September teal/wood duck season in Florida,
Kentucky, and Tennessee when the teal harvest strategy provides for a
16-day Special September teal season. The 4 additional days must be
consecutive and be held contiguously (i.e., no split) with the wood
duck/teal portion of this special season. Furthermore, this change must
be accompanied by an extensive public outreach effort to alert hunters
to the differential regulations for the two time periods during the
special season, especially with regard to wood ducks. Finally, this
change is contingent on completion of a 3-year evaluation of hunter
performance (via spy blind studies) with regard to attempt rates on
non-target species during the ``teal-only'' portion of this special
season.
Before the ``teal only'' portion of this season is approved
operationally, the States must demonstrate negligible impacts to non-
target species, defined as a non-target attempt rate no greater than
0.25 and non-target kill rate no greater than 0.10. The ``teal only''
portion of this season will not be approved for operational status if
the experiment determines that (1) the upper 90 percent confidence
limit on the attempt rate at non-target species exceeds 0.25, or (2)
the kill of non-target species exceeds 10 percent of the kill of teal
and non-target species combined. Additional specifics regarding the
evaluations will be contained in the MOAs (available at the address
indicated under ADDRESSES). If any of the 3 States wishes to retain
pre-sunrise shooting hours during the ``teal only'' portion of the
season, this evaluation must examine attempt rates on non-target
species during both the period 30 minutes prior to sunrise and the
post-sunrise period. This special season will not be expanded to other
States.
We prepared an environmental assessment (EA) on the new teal
hunting opportunities. Specifics of the five alternatives we analyzed
and a copy of the EA can be found on our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds, or at https://www.regulations.gov.
4. Canada Geese
A. Special Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended
increasing the daily bag limit from 5 to 15 Canada geese in Pacific
County, Washington. The Council also pointed out the need to eliminate
several previously approved framework restrictions in Wyoming and
Idaho.
Service Response: We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's
request to increase the Canada goose daily bag limit in Pacific County,
Washington, and eliminate several previously approved framework
restrictions in Wyoming and Idaho. The special early Canada goose
hunting season is generally designed to reduce or control overabundant
resident Canada goose populations. Increasing the daily bag limit from
5 to 15 geese in Pacific County, Washington, may help reduce or control
existing populations of resident Canada geese, particularly those non-
migratory (resident) dark-breasted Canada geese. Resident dark-breasted
Canada geese are a result of the release in the mid-1970s of a
transplanted flock of dusky Canada geese held in captivity since 1958.
These transplanted geese hybridized with native, non-migratory western
Canada geese and are similar in appearance to migratory dusky Canada
geese for which there are especially restrictive regulations to
minimize incidental harvest. While there are no migratory dusky Canada
geese present in these areas in September, harvest of dark-breasted
resident Canada geese during the regular hunting season can result in
violation and premature closure of the regular Canada goose hunting
season if these geese are misidentified as migratory dusky Canada
geese.
B. Regular Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended
that the framework opening date for all species of geese for the
regular goose seasons in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan and Wisconsin
be September 16, 2014, and in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan be
September 11, 2014.
Service Response: We concur with recommended framework opening
dates. Michigan, beginning in 1998, and Wisconsin, beginning in 1989,
have opened their regular Canada goose seasons prior to the Flyway-wide
framework opening date to address resident goose management concerns in
these States. As we have previously stated (73 FR 50678, August 27,
2008), we agree with the objective to increase harvest pressure on
resident Canada geese in the Mississippi Flyway and will continue to
consider the opening dates in both States as exceptions to the general
Flyway opening date, to be reconsidered annually. The framework closing
date for the early goose season in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is
September 10. By changing the framework opening date for the regular
season to September 11 in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan there will be
no need to close goose hunting in that area for 5 days and thus lose
the ability to maintain harvest pressure on resident Canada geese. We
note that the most recent resident Canada goose estimate for the
Mississippi Flyway was a record high 1,767,900 geese during the spring
of 2012, 8 percent higher than the 2011 estimate of 1,629,800 geese,
and well above the Flyway's population goal of 1.18 to 1.40 million
birds.
C. Special Late Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that Rhode Island be approved for minor expansion of the late season
hunting zone boundary for Canada geese.
Service Response: We concur with the Council's recommended minor
late season hunting zone expansion in Rhode Island. Resident Canada
geese are overabundant in the Atlantic Flyway, and their numbers
continue to increase in Rhode Island despite special early and late
seasons designed to control them. No harvest of migrant Canada geese
has been documented during Rhode Island's special late season for
[[Page 51405]]
resident Canada geese, and we expect that this expansion will increase
harvest pressure on resident geese without impacting migrant Canada
geese.
9. Sandhill Cranes
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended that Kentucky be allowed a 1-year continuation of
their sandhill crane season for the 2014-15 season under harvest
guidelines approved for their experimental season.
The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended the expansion
of an existing Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) sandhill crane hunting
unit in southwestern Montana (the Dillon/Twin Bridges/Cardwell hunt
area to include all of Madison and Gallatin Counties). The Councils
also recommended using the 2014 RMP sandhill crane harvest allocation
of 676 birds as proposed in the allocation formula using the 3-year
running population average for 2011-13.
Service Response: We agree with the recommendation to allow
Kentucky a 1-year continuation of their sandhill crane season. Although
data from the third year of the experimental season are not yet
available for review and incorporation into their assessment and final
report, data from the first and second years indicate that harvest has
been within the anticipated harvest analyzed in the 2011 environmental
assessment. We look forward to receiving the final report this winter
and will make a decision on the season's continuation next summer.
We also agree with the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils'
recommendations on the RMP sandhill crane hunt area expansion in
southwestern Montana and harvest allocation of 676 birds for the 2014-
15 season, as outlined in the RMP sandhill crane management plan's hunt
area requirements and harvest allocation formula. The objective for RMP
sandhill cranes is to manage for a stable population index of 17,000-
21,000 cranes determined by an average of the three most recent,
reliable September (fall pre-migration) surveys. Additionally, the RMP
management plan allows for the regulated harvest of cranes when the 3-
year average of the population indices exceeds 15,000 cranes. In 2013,
20,360 cranes were counted in the September survey, an increase from
the previous year's count of 15,417 cranes. The most recent 3-year
average for the RMP sandhill crane fall index was 17,757, a slight
decrease from the previous 3-year average of 17,992.
14. Woodcock
In 2011, we implemented an interim harvest strategy for woodcock
for a period of 5 years (2011-15) (76 FR 19876, April 8, 2011). The
interim harvest strategy provides a transparent framework for making
regulatory decisions for woodcock season length and bag limit while we
work to improve monitoring and assessment protocols for this species.
Utilizing the criteria developed for the interim strategy, the 3-year
average for the Singing Ground Survey indices and associated confidence
intervals fall within the ``moderate package'' for both the Eastern and
Central Management Regions. As such, a ``moderate season'' for both
management regions for the 2014-15 woodcock hunting season is
appropriate. Specifics of the interim harvest strategy can be found at
https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewsPublicationsReports.html.
15. Band-Tailed Pigeons
Last year, the Pacific Flyway Council recommended reducing the
daily bag limit for the Interior population of band-tailed pigeons from
5 birds to 2 (season length was unchanged at about 30 days), and the
Central Flyway Council recommended no change. The Pacific Flyway
Council also expressed concern about the status of the population and
what an appropriate framework may be, and expressed concern about the
inequity between frameworks between the Pacific Coast and Interior
populations given similar population trajectories. While we did not
change the Federal frameworks, we did reiterate our longstanding
practice of giving considerable deference to harvest strategies
developed in cooperative Flyway management plans. We further stated
that a harvest strategy does not exist for the Interior population of
band-tailed pigeons even though the development of one was identified
as a high priority when the management plan was adopted in 2001. Thus,
we recommended that the two Flyway Councils discuss this issue and
advise us of the results of these deliberations at our June 2014
regulatory meeting. It is our desire to see adoption of a mutually
acceptable harvest strategy for this population as soon as possible. We
also note that both Arizona and Utah opted for more restrictive
regulations last year than the Federal frameworks allow. While we
recognize the pro-active nature of these voluntary State restrictions
in part of the species' range, the actions do not fully address
population-wide concerns expressed by the Pacific Flyway Council.
Despite our request, the Pacific and Central Flyway Councils did
not reach consensus on what an appropriate framework may be (although
both the Pacific and Central Flyways recommended no change in the
Federal framework this year, leaving the option for restriction up to
individual States), and indicated that development of a harvest
strategy was not forthcoming. We have taken a close look at the limited
data, and believe further investigation is warranted to ensure harvest
is commensurate with population status. We recognize the need and
difficulty in obtaining additional data for this population, but
believe that there are analytical techniques that may allow use of
available information to quantify the harvest potential of this
population and better inform what an appropriate framework may be. We
recommend that the Council's work together and with the Service's
Division of Migratory Bird Management to review available information
and conduct an assessment of the harvest potential of this population.
We request they advise us of the results of this assessment and develop
a regulatory recommendation using this information at our June 2015
regulatory meeting.
16. Mourning Doves
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended use of the ``standard'' season framework comprised
of a 90-day season and 15-bird daily bag limit for States within the
Eastern Management Unit. The daily bag limit could be composed of
mourning doves and white-winged doves, singly or in combination.
The Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils recommend the use of
the ``standard'' season package of a 15-bird daily bag limit and a 70-
day season for the 2014-15 mourning dove season in the States within
the Central Management Unit.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended use of the ``standard''
season framework for States in the Western Management Unit (WMU)
population of doves. In Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington,
the season length would be no more than 60 consecutive days with a
daily bag limit of 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
In Arizona and California, the season length would be no more than 60
consecutive days, which could be split between two periods, September
1-15 and November 1-January 15. In Arizona, during the first segment of
the season, the daily bag limit would be 15 mourning and white-
[[Page 51406]]
winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 10 could be white-
winged doves. During the remainder of the season, the daily bag limit
would be 15 mourning doves. In California, the daily bag limit would be
15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more
than 10 could be white-winged doves.
The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils
also recommended that the Service use a 3-year running average to
calculate the predicted dove abundance in the annual assessment of the
status of mourning doves in support of the regulation-setting process
under the dove harvest strategy beginning with the 2015-16 hunting
season.
Service Response: Last year, we approved implementation of the
national mourning dove harvest strategy, as developed by the Mourning
Dove Task Force, for the 2014-15 hunting season (78 FR 52658, August
23, 2013). This strategy replaced the interim harvest strategies that
had been in place since 2009. A copy of the new strategy is available
at available on our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/Dove/MODO%20Harvest%20Strategy%202014.pdf, or at
https://www.regulations.gov.
We also support modification of this national harvest strategy such
that a 3-year running average is used to calculate each year's
abundance estimate and calculate predicted dove abundance in the annual
assessment of the status of mourning doves beginning with the 2015-16
hunting season as recommended by all four flyway Councils and vetted
through the Mourning Dove Task Force. This Task Force continues to be a
useful venue for developing issues for consideration and potential
modification to the National Strategy.
This year, based on the harvest strategies and current population
status, we agree with the recommended selection of the ``standard''
season frameworks for doves in the Eastern, Central, and Western
Management Units.
18. Alaska
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended
several changes in the Alaska early season frameworks. Specifically,
they recommended:
1. Splitting the ``Dark Geese'' framework into separate frameworks
for Canada geese and white-fronted geese.
2. For both Canada geese and white-fronted geese, the basic
framework for season dates, outside dates, zones, and daily bag and
possession limits remains the same as it was under ``Dark Geese.''
3. In Unit 18, in western Alaska, white-fronted geese daily bag and
possession limits would be increased from a dark goose daily bag limit
of 6 birds, 18 in possession, to a white-fronted goose daily bag limit
of 8 birds, 24 in possession.
4. In Units 6B, 6C, and Hawkins and Hinchinbrook Islands in 6D, if
dusky Canada geese exceed the population threshold to return to Action
Level 1 status (3-year average based on May 2011, 2012, and 2014
surveys), then implement Action Level 1 regulations as stated in the
Pacific Flyway Council's management plan for dusky geese, and eliminate
requirements for a special permit hunt and harvest quota, but maintain
possession limits at 2 times the daily bag limit.
Service Response: We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's
recommended changes in the Alaska early season frameworks, including
elimination of requirements for a special permit hunt and harvest quota
in Units 6B, 6C, and Hawkins and Hinchinbrook Islands in 6D. The 3-year
(2011-13) moving average fall population of Pacific white-fronted geese
was 628,198 geese, and is well above the population objective of
300,000 geese as identified in the Pacific Flyway Council's management
plan for this population. The Yukon-Kuskowim Delta (Unit 18) supports
over 95 percent of the breeding population of Pacific white-fronted
geese.
With regard to the Action Level regulations as described in the
Council's management plan for dusky Canada geese, the dusky Canada
goose population estimate for 2014 was 15,049 geese and represents an
increase from the 2012 estimate of 13,660 geese (there was no estimate
available in 2013). The recent 3-year (2011-14) average population
estimate was 13,503 geese, which is above the threshold of 12,500 geese
necessary to remove Action Level 2 harvest restrictions and return to
Action Level 1 harvest regulations, which do not require a special
permit hunt and harvest quota for dusky Canada geese.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
The programmatic document, ``Second Final Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual Regulations
Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (EIS 20130139),'' filed
with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on May 24, 2013,
addresses NEPA compliance by the Service for issuance of the annual
framework regulations for hunting of migratory game bird species. We
published a notice of availability in the Federal Register on May 31,
2013 (78 FR 32686), and our Record of Decision on July 26, 2013 (78 FR
45376). We also address NEPA compliance for waterfowl hunting
frameworks through the annual preparation of separate environmental
assessments, the most recent being ``Duck Hunting Regulations for 2014-
15,'' with its corresponding August 2014, finding of no significant
impact. In addition, an August 1985 environmental assessment entitled
``Guidelines for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on Federal Indian
Reservations and Ceded Lands'' is available from the person indicated
under the caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Endangered Species Act Consideration
Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), provides that, ``The Secretary shall review other
programs administered by him and utilize such programs in furtherance
of the purposes of this Act'' (and) shall ``insure that any action
authorized, funded, or carried out * * * is not likely to jeopardize
the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened species
or result in the destruction or adverse modification of [critical]
habitat. * * *.'' Consequently, we conducted formal consultations to
ensure that actions resulting from these regulations would not likely
jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species
or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical
habitat. Findings from these consultations are included in a biological
opinion, which concluded that the regulations are not likely to
jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened
species. Additionally, these findings may have caused modification of
some regulatory measures previously proposed, and the final frameworks
reflect any such modifications. Our biological opinions resulting from
this section 7 consultation are public documents available for public
inspection at the address indicated under ADDRESSES.
Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)
Executive Order 12866 provides that the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) will review all significant rules. OIRA has
reviewed this rule and has determined that this rule is significant
because it would have an annual effect of $100 million or more on the
economy.
[[Page 51407]]
Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while
calling for improvements in the nation's regulatory system to promote
predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends.
The executive order directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches
that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for
the public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and
consistent with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further
that regulations must be based on the best available science and that
the rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open
exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent
with these requirements.
An updated economic analysis was prepared for the 2013-14 season.
This analysis was based on data from the newly released 2011 National
Hunting and Fishing Survey, the most recent year for which data are
available (see discussion in Regulatory Flexibility Act section below).
This analysis estimated consumer surplus for three alternatives for
duck hunting (estimates for other species are not quantified due to
lack of data). The alternatives were: (1) Issue restrictive regulations
allowing fewer days than those issued during the 2012-13 season, (2)
issue moderate regulations allowing more days than those in alternative
1, and (3) issue liberal regulations identical to the regulations in
the 2012-13 season. For the 2013-14 season, we chose Alternative 3,
with an estimated consumer surplus across all flyways of $317.8-$416.8
million. For the 2014-15 season, we have also chosen alternative 3. We
also chose alternative 3 for the 2009-10, the 2010-11, the 2011-12, and
the 2012-13 seasons. The 2013-14 analysis is part of the record for
this rule and is available at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No.
FWS-HQ-MB-2014-0017.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The annual migratory bird hunting regulations have a significant
economic impact on substantial numbers of small entities under the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). We analyzed the
economic impacts of the annual hunting regulations on small business
entities in detail as part of the 1981 cost-benefit analysis. This
analysis was revised annually from 1990-95. In 1995, the Service issued
a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis), which was subsequently
updated in 1996, 1998, 2004, 2008, and 2013. The primary source of
information about hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting
is the National Hunting and Fishing Survey, which is conducted at 5-
year intervals. The 2013 Analysis was based on the 2011 National
Hunting and Fishing Survey and the U.S. Department of Commerce's County
Business Patterns, from which it was estimated that migratory bird
hunters would spend approximately $1.5 billion at small businesses in
2013. Copies of the Analysis are available upon request from the
Division of Migratory Bird Management (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT) or from our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/SpecialTopics/SpecialTopics.html#HuntingRegs or
at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2014-0017.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
This rule is a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. For the reasons outlined above,
this rule will have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or
more. However, because this rule establishes hunting seasons, we are
not deferring the effective date under the exemption contained in 5
U.S.C. 808(1).
Paperwork Reduction Act
This final rule does not contain any new information collection
that requires approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
OMB has reviewed and approved the information collection requirements
associated with migratory bird surveys and assigned the following OMB
control numbers:
1018-0010--Mourning Dove Call Count Survey (discontinued
7/29/2014).
1018-0019--North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey
(expires 4/30/2015).
1018-0023--Migratory Bird Surveys (expires 6/30/2017).
Includes Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program, Migratory Bird
Hunter Surveys, Sandhill Crane Survey, and Parts Collection Survey.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
We have determined and certify, in compliance with the requirements
of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this
rulemaking will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given
year on local or State government or private entities. Therefore, this
rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act.
Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988
The Department, in promulgating this rule, has determined that this
rule will not unduly burden the judicial system and that it meets the
requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.
Takings Implication Assessment
In accordance with Executive Order 12630, this rule, authorized by
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-711), does not have
significant takings implications and does not affect any
constitutionally protected property rights. This rule will not result
in the physical occupancy of property, the physical invasion of
property, or the regulatory taking of any property. In fact, this rule
allows hunters to exercise otherwise unavailable privileges and,
therefore, reduce restrictions on the use of private and public
property.
Energy Effects--Executive Order 13211
Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of
Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. While this rule is a
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, it is not
expected to adversely affect energy supplies, distribution, or use.
Therefore, this action is not a significant energy action and no
Statement of Energy Effects is required.
Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes
In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994,
``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal
Governments'' (59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175, and 512 DM 2, we
have evaluated possible effects on Federally-recognized Indian tribes
and have determined that there are no effects on Indian trust
resources. However, in the April 30 Federal Register, we solicited
proposals for special migratory bird hunting regulations for certain
Tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands, and
ceded lands for the 2014-15 migratory bird hunting season. The
resulting proposals were contained in a separate August 11, 2014,
proposed rule (79 FR 46940). By virtue of these actions, we have
consulted with affected Tribes.
[[Page 51408]]
Federalism Effects
Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the
Federal Government has been given responsibility over these species by
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We annually prescribe frameworks from
which the States make selections regarding the hunting of migratory
birds, and we employ guidelines to establish special regulations on
Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. This process preserves the
ability of the States and tribes to determine which seasons meet their
individual needs. Any State or Indian tribe may be more restrictive
than the Federal frameworks at any time. The frameworks are developed
in a cooperative process with the States and the Flyway Councils. This
process allows States to participate in the development of frameworks
from which they will make selections, thereby having an influence on
their own regulations. These rules do not have a substantial direct
effect on fiscal capacity, change the roles or responsibilities of
Federal or State governments, or intrude on State policy or
administration. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132,
these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and do not
have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a
federalism summary impact statement.
Regulations Promulgation
The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its
nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, we intend that
the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to comment. Thus,
when the preliminary proposed rulemaking was published, we established
what we believed were the longest periods possible for public comment.
In doing this, we recognized that when the comment period closed, time
would be of the essence. That is, if there were a delay in the
effective date of these regulations after this final rulemaking, States
would have insufficient time to select season dates and limits; to
communicate those selections to us; and to establish and publicize the
necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions. We
therefore find that ``good cause'' exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, and these frameworks
will, therefore, take effect immediately upon publication.
Therefore, under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July
3, 1918), as amended (16 U.S.C. 703-711), we prescribe final frameworks
setting forth the species to be hunted, the daily bag and possession
limits, the shooting hours, the season lengths, the earliest opening
and latest closing season dates, and hunting areas, from which State
conservation agency officials will select hunting season dates and
other options. Upon receipt of season selections from these officials,
we will publish a final rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect
seasons, limits, and shooting hours for the conterminous United States
for the 2014-15 season.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20
Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.
The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2014-15
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742
a-j.
Dated: August 13, 2014.
Michael J. Bean,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
Final Regulations Frameworks for 2014-15 Early Hunting Seasons on
Certain Migratory Game Birds
Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated
authorities, the Department of the Interior approved the following
frameworks, which prescribe season lengths, bag limits, shooting hours,
and outside dates within which States may select hunting seasons for
certain migratory game birds between September 1, 2014, and March 10,
2015. These frameworks are summarized below.
General
Dates: All outside dates noted below are inclusive.
Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise
specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.
Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits
are three times the daily bag limit.
Permits: For some species of migratory birds, the Service
authorizes the use of permits to regulate harvest or monitor their take
by sport hunters, or both. In many cases (e.g., tundra swans, some
sandhill crane populations), the Service determines the amount of
harvest that may be taken during hunting seasons during its formal
regulations-setting process, and the States then issue permits to
hunters at levels predicted to result in the amount of take authorized
by the Service. Thus, although issued by States, the permits would not
be valid unless the Service approved such take in its regulations.
These Federally authorized, State-issued permits are issued to
individuals, and only the individual whose name and address appears on
the permit at the time of issuance is authorized to take migratory
birds at levels specified in the permit, in accordance with provisions
of both Federal and State regulations governing the hunting season. The
permit must be carried by the permittee when exercising its provisions
and must be presented to any law enforcement officer upon request. The
permit is not transferrable or assignable to another individual, and
may not be sold, bartered, traded, or otherwise provided to another
person. If the permit is altered or defaced in any way, the permit
becomes invalid.
Flyways and Management Units
Waterfowl Flyways
Atlantic Flyway--includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway--includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri,
Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Central Flyway--includes Colorado (east of the Continental Divide),
Kansas, Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith Basin,
Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all Counties east thereof),
Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except the
Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the Continental Divide).
Pacific Flyway--includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho,
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado,
Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.
Management Units
Mourning Dove Management Units
Eastern Management Unit--All States east of the Mississippi River,
and Louisiana.
Central Management Unit--Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas,
Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Western Management Unit--Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
[[Page 51409]]
Woodcock Management Regions
Eastern Management Region--Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia.
Central Management Region--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Other geographic descriptions are contained in a later portion of
this document.
Definitions
Dark geese: Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant (except in
Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, and the Atlantic Flyway), and
all other goose species, except light geese.
Light geese: snow (including blue) geese and Ross's geese.
Waterfowl Seasons in the Atlantic Flyway
In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania,
where Sunday hunting is prohibited Statewide by State law, all Sundays
are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and
coots).
Special September Teal Season
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season
on all species of teal may be selected by the following States in areas
delineated by State regulations:
Atlantic Flyway--Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North
Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio,
Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The seasons in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and
Wisconsin are experimental.
Central Flyway--Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico
(part), Oklahoma, and Texas. The season in the northern portion of
Nebraska is experimental.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 16 consecutive
hunting days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. The
daily bag limit is 6 teal.
Shooting Hours:
Atlantic Flyway--One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except in
South Carolina, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.
Mississippi and Central Flyways--One-half hour before sunrise to
sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin, where the hours are
from sunrise to sunset.
Special September Duck Seasons
Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee: In lieu of a special September
teal season, a 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September.
The daily bag limit may not exceed 6 teal and wood ducks in the
aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks. In addition, a 4-
consecutive-day experimental season may be selected in September either
immediately before or immediately after the 5-consecutive day teal/wood
duck season. The daily bag limit is 6 teal.
Iowa: In lieu of an experimental special September teal season,
Iowa may hold up to 5 days of its regular duck hunting season in
September. All ducks that are legal during the regular duck season may
be taken during the September segment of the season. The September
season segment may commence no earlier than the Saturday nearest
September 20 (September 20). The daily bag and possession limits will
be the same as those in effect last year but are subject to change
during the late-season regulations process. The remainder of the
regular duck season may not begin before October 10.
Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days
Outside Dates: States may select 2 days per duck-hunting zone,
designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,'' in addition to their
regular duck seasons. The days must be held outside any regular duck
season on a weekend, holidays, or other non-school days when youth
hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate. The days may
be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-season
frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or within any
other open season on migratory birds.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits may include ducks, geese,
mergansers, coots, and gallinules and will be the same as those allowed
in the regular season. Flyway species and area restrictions will remain
in effect.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Participation Restrictions: Youth hunters must be 15 years of age
or younger. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age must
accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult may not duck hunt
but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special youth
day.
Scoters, Eiders, and Long-tailed Ducks (Atlantic Flyway)
Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 107 days, with
a daily bag limit of 7, singly or in the aggregate, of the listed sea
duck species, of which no more than 4 may be scoters.
Daily Bag Limits During the Regular Duck Season: Within the special
sea duck areas, during the regular duck season in the Atlantic Flyway,
States may choose to allow the above sea duck limits in addition to the
limits applying to other ducks during the regular duck season. In all
other areas, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular open season
for ducks and are part of the regular duck season daily bag (not to
exceed 4 scoters) and possession limits.
Areas: In all coastal waters and all waters of rivers and streams
seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in any waters
of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay which are
separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and
emergent vegetation in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Georgia; and in
any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay
which are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any shore,
island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina,
and Virginia; and provided that any such areas have been described,
delineated, and designated as special sea duck hunting areas under the
hunting regulations adopted by the respective States.
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons
Atlantic Flyway
General Seasons
A Canada goose season of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected for the Eastern Unit of Maryland. Seasons not to exceed 30
days during September 1-30 may be selected for Connecticut, Florida,
Georgia, New Jersey, New York (Long Island Zone only), North Carolina,
Rhode Island, and South Carolina. Seasons may not exceed 25 days during
September 1-25 in the remainder of the Flyway. Areas open to the
hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated
as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 Canada geese.
[[Page 51410]]
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during any general season, shooting hours may extend to one-half hour
after sunset if all other waterfowl seasons are closed in the specific
applicable area.
Mississippi Flyway
General Seasons
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected, except in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, where the season
may not extend beyond September 10, and in Minnesota, where a season of
up to 22 days during September 1-22 may be selected. The daily bag
limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese, except in designated areas of
Minnesota where the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 Canada geese.
Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described,
delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
A Canada goose season of up to 10 consecutive days during September
1-10 may be selected by Michigan for Huron, Saginaw, and Tuscola
Counties, except that the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge,
Shiawassee River State Game Area Refuge, and the Fish Point Wildlife
Area Refuge will remain closed. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5
Canada geese.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after
sunset if all other waterfowl and crane seasons are closed in the
specific applicable area.
Central Flyway
General Seasons
In Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas, Canada
goose seasons of up to 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected.
In Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming, Canada
goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be selected.
The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese, except in Kansas,
Nebraska, and Oklahoma, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 8
Canada geese and in North Dakota and South Dakota, where the daily bag
limit may not exceed 15 Canada geese. Areas open to the hunting of
Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in
each State's hunting regulations.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after
sunset if all other waterfowl and crane seasons are closed in the
specific applicable area.
Pacific Flyway
General Seasons
California may select a 9-day season in Humboldt County during
September 1-15. The daily bag limit is 2.
Colorado may select a 9-day season during September 1-15. The daily
bag limit is 4.
Oregon may select a 15-day season during September 1-15. In
addition, Oregon may select a 15-day season in the Northwest Zone
during September 1-20. The daily bag limit is 5.
Idaho may select a 7-day season during September 1-15. The daily
bag limit is 2.
Washington may select a 15-day season during September 1-15. The
daily bag limit is 5, except in Pacific County where the daily bag
limit is 15.
Wyoming may select an 8-day season during September 1-15. The daily
bag limit is 3.
Areas open to hunting of Canada geese in each State must be
described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting
regulations.
Regular Goose Seasons
Mississippi Flyway
Regular goose seasons may open as early as September 11 in the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan and September 16 in Wisconsin and the Lower
Peninsula of Michigan. Season lengths, bag and possession limits, and
other provisions will be established during the late-season regulations
process.
Sandhill Cranes
Regular Seasons in the Mississippi Flyway
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28.
Hunting Seasons: A season not to exceed 37 consecutive days may be
selected in the designated portion of northwestern Minnesota (Northwest
Goose Zone).
Daily Bag Limit: 2 sandhill cranes.
Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane
season must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting
permit.
Experimental Seasons in the Mississippi Flyway
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: A season not to exceed 30 consecutive days may be
selected in Kentucky and a season not to exceed 60 consecutive days may
be selected in Tennessee.
Daily Bag Limit: Not to exceed 2 daily and 2 per season in
Kentucky. Not to exceed 3 daily and 3 per season in Tennessee.
Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane
season must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting
permit.
Other Provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates,
protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons
must be consistent with the management plan and approved by the
Mississippi Flyway Council.
Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28.
Hunting Seasons: Seasons not to exceed 37 consecutive days may be
selected in designated portions of Texas (Area 2). Seasons not to
exceed 58 consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of
the following States: Colorado, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, South
Dakota, and Wyoming. Seasons not to exceed 93 consecutive days may be
selected in designated portions of the following States: New Mexico,
Oklahoma, and Texas.
Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes, except 2 sandhill cranes in
designated portions of North Dakota (Area 2) and Texas (Area 2).
Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane
season must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting
permit.
Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming
may select seasons for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the
Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) subject to the following conditions:
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: The season in any State or zone may not exceed 30
consecutive days.
Bag limits: Not to exceed 3 daily and 9 per season.
Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the
appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.
Other Provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates,
protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons
must be consistent with the management plan and approved by the Central
and Pacific Flyway Councils, with the following exceptions:
A. In Utah, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP
quota;
[[Page 51411]]
B. In Arizona, monitoring the racial composition of the harvest
must be conducted at 3-year intervals;
C. In Idaho, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP
quota; and
D. In New Mexico, the season in the Estancia Valley is
experimental, with a requirement to monitor the level and racial
composition of the harvest; greater sandhill cranes in the harvest will
be assigned to the RMP quota.
Special Seasons in the Pacific Flyway
Arizona may select a season for hunting sandhill cranes within the
range of the Lower Colorado River Population (LCR) of sandhill cranes,
subject to the following conditions:
Outside Dates: Between January 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: The season may not exceed 3 days.
Bag limits: Not to exceed 1 daily and 1 per season.
Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the
appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.
Other provisions: The season is experimental. Numbers of permits,
open areas, season dates, protection plans for other species, and other
provisions of seasons must be consistent with the management plan and
approved by the Pacific Flyway Council.
Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and the last Sunday in January
(January 25) in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. States
in the Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons
between the outside dates for the season on ducks; therefore, they are
late-season frameworks, and no frameworks are provided in this
document.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70
days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. Seasons may be
split into 2 segments. The daily bag limit is 15 common moorhens and
purple gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of the two species.
Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck
hunting.
Rails
Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between
September 1 and the last Sunday in January (January 25) on clapper,
king, sora, and Virginia rails.
Hunting Seasons: Seasons may not exceed 70 days, and may be split
into 2 segments.
Daily Bag Limits:
Clapper and King Rails--In Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey,
Delaware, and Maryland, 10, singly or in the aggregate of the two
species. In Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida,
South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, 15, singly or in the
aggregate of the two species.
Sora and Virginia Rails--In the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central
Flyways and the Pacific Flyway portions of Colorado, Montana, New
Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 rails, singly or in the aggregate of the two
species. The season is closed in the remainder of the Pacific Flyway.
Snipe
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28, except in
Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia,
where the season must end no later than January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 107
days and may be split into two segments. The daily bag limit is 8
snipe.
Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck
hunting.
American Woodcock
Outside Dates: States in the Eastern Management Region may select
hunting seasons between October 1 and January 31. States in the Central
Management Region may select hunting seasons between the Saturday
nearest September 22 (September 20) and January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 45
days in the Eastern Region and 45 days in the Central Region. The daily
bag limit is 3. Seasons may be split into two segments.
Zoning: New Jersey may select seasons in each of two zones. The
season in each zone may not exceed 36 days.
Band-Tailed Pigeons
Pacific Coast States (California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada)
Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 1.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive
days, with a daily bag limit of 2.
Zoning: California may select hunting seasons not to exceed 9
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the North Zone
must close by October 3.
Four-Corners States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah)
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and November 30.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 30 consecutive
days, with a daily bag limit of 5.
Zoning: New Mexico may select hunting seasons not to exceed 20
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the South Zone may
not open until October 1.
Doves
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15, except as
otherwise provided, States may select hunting seasons and daily bag
limits as follows:
Eastern Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 90 days, with a
daily bag limit of 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more
than three periods. Regulations for bag and possession limits, season
length, and shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting
zones.
Central Management Unit
For all States except Texas: Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits:
Not more than 70 days, with a daily bag limit of 15 mourning and white-
winged doves in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more
than three periods.
Texas:
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days, with a
daily bag limit of 15 mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped doves in
the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be white-tipped doves.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Texas may select hunting seasons for each
of three zones subject to the following conditions:
A. The hunting season may be split into not more than two periods,
except in that portion of Texas in which the special white-winged dove
season is allowed, where a limited take of mourning and white-tipped
doves may also occur during that special season (see Special White-
winged Dove Area).
B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between
September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between the Friday
nearest September 20 (September 19), but not earlier than September 17,
and January 25.
C. Except as noted above, regulations for bag and possession
limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within each
hunting zone.
[[Page 51412]]
Special White-Winged Dove Area in Texas:
In addition, Texas may select a hunting season of not more than 4
days for the Special White-winged Dove Area of the South Zone between
September 1 and September 19. The daily bag limit may not exceed 15
white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of
which no more than 2 may be mourning doves and no more than 2 may be
white-tipped doves.
Western Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits:
Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington--Not more than 60
consecutive days, with a daily bag limit of 15 mourning and white-
winged doves in the aggregate.
Arizona and California--Not more than 60 days, which may be split
between two periods, September 1-15 and November 1-January 15. In
Arizona, during the first segment of the season, the daily bag limit is
15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more
than 10 could be white-winged doves. During the remainder of the
season, the daily bag limit is 15 mourning doves. In California, the
daily bag limit is 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate,
of which no more than 10 could be white-winged doves.
Alaska
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 26.
Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select 107 consecutive days for
waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and common snipe in each of 5 zones. The
season may be split without penalty in the Kodiak Zone. The seasons in
each zone must be concurrent.
Closures: The hunting season is closed on emperor geese, spectacled
eiders, and Steller's eiders.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits:
Ducks--Except as noted, a basic daily bag limit of 7 ducks. Daily
bag limits in the North Zone are 10, and in the Gulf Coast Zone, they
are 8. The basic limits may include no more than 1 canvasback daily and
may not include sea ducks.
In addition to the basic duck limits, Alaska may select sea duck
limits of 10 daily, singly or in the aggregate, including no more than
6 each of either harlequin or long-tailed ducks. Sea ducks include
scoters, common and king eiders, harlequin ducks, long-tailed ducks,
and common and red-breasted mergansers.
Light Geese--The daily bag limit is 4.
Canada Geese--The daily bag limit is 4 with the following
exceptions:
A. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from
September 28 through December 16.
B. On Middleton Island in Unit 6, a special, permit-only Canada
goose season may be offered. A mandatory goose identification class is
required. Hunters must check in and check out. The bag limit is 1 daily
and 1 in possession. The season will close if incidental harvest
includes 5 dusky Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is any dark-
breasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR color value five or less) with a
bill length between 40 and 50 millimeters.
C. In Units 6-B, 6-C, and on Hinchinbrook and Hawkins Islands in
Unit 6-D, the possession limit is two times the daily bag limit.
D. In Units 9, 10, 17, and 18, the daily bag limit is 6 Canada
geese.
White-fronted Geese--The daily bag limit is 4 with the following
exceptions:
A. In Units 9, 10, and 17, the daily bag limit is 6 white-fronted
geese.
B. In Unit 18, the daily bag limit is 8 white-fronted geese.
Brant--The daily bag limit is 2.
Snipe--The daily bag limit is 8.
Sandhill cranes--The daily bag limit is 2 in the Southeast, Gulf
Coast, Kodiak, and Aleutian Zones, and Unit 17 in the North Zone. In
the remainder of the North Zone (outside Unit 17), the daily bag limit
is 3.
Tundra Swans--Open seasons for tundra swans may be selected subject
to the following conditions:
A. All seasons are by registration permit only.
B. All season framework dates are September 1-October 31.
C. In Unit 17, no more than 200 permits may be issued during this
operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans may be authorized per
permit, with no more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter per season.
D. In Unit 18, no more than 500 permits may be issued during the
operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans may be authorized per
permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter per season.
E. In Unit 22, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the
operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans may be authorized per
permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter per season.
F. In Unit 23, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the
operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans may be authorized per
permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter per season.
Hawaii
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 65 days (75 under the alternative)
for mourning doves.
Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 (12 under the alternative) mourning
doves.
Note: Mourning doves may be taken in Hawaii in accordance with
shooting hours and other regulations set by the State of Hawaii, and
subject to the applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20.
Puerto Rico
Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 20 Zenaida,
mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which not more
than 10 may be Zenaida doves and 3 may be mourning doves. Not to exceed
5 scaly-naped pigeons.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the white-crowned pigeon
and the plain pigeon, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico.
Closed Areas: There is no open season on doves or pigeons in the
following areas: Municipality of Culebra, Desecheo Island, Mona Island,
El Verde Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas.
Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and Snipe
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 days may be selected for hunting
ducks, common moorhens, and common snipe. The season may be split into
two segments.
Daily Bag Limits:
Ducks--Not to exceed 6.
Common moorhens--Not to exceed 6.
Common snipe--Not to exceed 8.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck,
and masked duck, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico. The season also is closed on the purple gallinule, American coot,
and Caribbean coot.
Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, common moorhens,
and common snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island.
Virgin Islands
Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
[[Page 51413]]
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days for Zenaida doves.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida doves.
Closed Seasons: No open season is prescribed for ground or quail
doves or pigeons.
Closed Areas: There is no open season for migratory game birds on
Ruth Cay (just south of St. Croix).
Local Names for Certain Birds: Zenaida dove, also known as mountain
dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as Barbary dove or partridge;
common ground-dove, also known as stone dove, tobacco dove, rola, or
tortolita; scaly-naped pigeon, also known as red-necked or scaled
pigeon.
Ducks
Outside Dates: Between December 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 consecutive days.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 6.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck,
and masked duck.
Special Falconry Regulations
Falconry is a permitted means of taking migratory game birds in any
State meeting Federal falconry standards in 50 CFR 21.29. These States
may select an extended season for taking migratory game birds in
accordance with the following:
Extended Seasons: For all hunting methods combined, the combined
length of the extended season, regular season, and any special or
experimental seasons must not exceed 107 days for any species or group
of species in a geographical area. Each extended season may be divided
into a maximum of 3 segments.
Framework Dates: Seasons must fall between September 1 and March
10.
Daily Bag Limits: Falconry daily bag limits for all permitted
migratory game birds must not exceed 3 birds, singly or in the
aggregate, during extended falconry seasons, any special or
experimental seasons, and regular hunting seasons in all States,
including those that do not select an extended falconry season.
Regular Seasons: General hunting regulations, including seasons and
hunting hours, apply to falconry in each State listed in 50 CFR 21.29.
Regular season bag limits do not apply to falconry. The falconry bag
limit is not in addition to gun limits.
Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions
Doves
Alabama
South Zone--Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia,
Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties.
North Zone--Remainder of the State.
California
White-winged Dove Open Areas--Imperial, Riverside, and San
Bernardino Counties.
Florida
Northwest Zone--The Counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin,
Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton,
Washington, Leon (except that portion north of U.S. 27 and east of
State Road 155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of State Road 59 and
north of U.S. 98), and Wakulla (except that portion south of U.S. 98
and east of the St. Marks River).
South Zone--Remainder of State.
Louisiana
North Zone--That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Texas border along State Highway 12 to U.S. Highway 190,
east along U.S. 190 to Interstate Highway 12, east along Interstate 12
to Interstate Highway 10, then east along Interstate Highway 10 to the
Mississippi border.
South Zone--The remainder of the State.
Mississippi
North Zone--That portion of the State north and west of a line
extending west from the Alabama State line along U.S. Highway 84 to its
junction with State Highway 35, then south along State Highway 35 to
the Louisiana State line.
South Zone--The remainder of Mississippi.
Texas
North Zone--That portion of the State north of a line beginning at
the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; north along FM 1088 to
TX 20; west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along TX 148 to I-10 at Fort
Hancock; east along I-10 to I-20; northeast along I-20 to I-30 at Fort
Worth; northeast along I-30 to the Texas-Arkansas State line.
South Zone--That portion of the State south and west of a line
beginning at the International Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east
on U.S. 90 to State Loop 1604 west of San Antonio; then south, east,
and north along Loop 1604 to Interstate Highway 10 east of San Antonio;
then east on I-10 to Orange, Texas.
Special White-winged Dove Area in the South Zone-- That portion of
the state south and west of a line beginning at the International Toll
Bridge in Del Rio; then northeast along U.S. Highway 277 Spur to
Highway 90 in Del Rio; thence east along U.S. Highway 90 to State Loop
1604; thence along Loop 1604 south and east to Interstate Highway 37;
thence south along Interstate Highway 37 to U.S. Highway 181 in Corpus
Christi; thence north and east along U.S. 181 to the Corpus Christi
Ship Channel, thence eastwards along the south shore of the Corpus
Christi Ship Channel to the Gulf of Mexico.
Central Zone--That portion of the State lying between the North and
South Zones.
Band-Tailed Pigeons
California
North Zone--Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen,
Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity
Counties.
South Zone--The remainder of the State.
New Mexico
North Zone--North of a line following U.S. 60 from the Arizona
State line east to I-25 at Socorro and then south along I-25 from
Socorro to the Texas State line.
South Zone--The remainder of the State.
Washington
Western Washington--The State of Washington excluding those
portions lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big
White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
Woodcock
New Jersey
North Zone--That portion of the State north of NJ 70.
South Zone--The remainder of the State.
Special September Canada Goose Seasons
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
North Zone--That portion of the State north of I-95.
South Zone--The remainder of the State.
Maryland
Eastern Unit--Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent,
Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester
Counties; and that part of Anne Arundel County east
[[Page 51414]]
of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and Route 3; that part of Prince
George's County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles
County east of Route 301 to the Virginia State line.
Western Unit--Allegany, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett,
Howard, Montgomery, and Washington Counties and that part of Anne
Arundel County west of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and Route 3; that
part of Prince George's County west of Route 3 and Route 301; and that
part of Charles County west of Route 301 to the Virginia State line.
Massachusetts
Western Zone--That portion of the State west of a line extending
south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10,
south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut
border.
Central Zone--That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-
95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on
MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west
to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards
inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the
MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St.
bridge will be in the Coastal Zone.
Coastal Zone--That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the
Central Zone.
New York
Lake Champlain Goose Area--The same as the Lake Champlain Waterfowl
Hunting Zone, which is that area of New York State lying east and north
of a continuous line extending along Route 11 from the New York-Canada
International boundary south to Route 9B, south along Route 9B to Route
9, south along Route 9 to Route 22 south of Keeseville, south along
Route 22 to the west shore of South Bay along and around the shoreline
of South Bay to Route 22 on the east shore of South Bay, southeast
along Route 22 to Route 4, northeast along Route 4 to the New York-
Vermont boundary.
Northeast Goose Area--The same as the Northeastern Waterfowl
Hunting Zone, which is that area of New York State lying north of a
continuous line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore
of the Salmon River to Interstate 81, south along Interstate Route 81
to Route 31, east along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to
Route 49, east along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to
Route 28, east along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Route
22 at Greenwich Junction, north along Route 22 to Washington County
Route 153, east along CR 153 to the New York-Vermont boundary,
exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.
East Central Goose Area--That area of New York State lying inside
of a continuous line extending from Interstate Route 81 in Cicero, east
along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to Route 49, east
along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to Route 28, east
along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball
Corners, south along Route 147 to Schenectady County Route 40 (West
Glenville Road), west along Route 40 to Touareuna Road, south along
Touareuna Road to Schenectady County Route 59, south along Route 59 to
State Route 5, east along Route 5 to the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along
the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S, southeast along Route 5S to Schenectady
County Route 58, southwest along Route 58 to the NYS Thruway, south
along the Thruway to Route 7, southwest along Route 7 to Schenectady
County Route 103, south along Route 103 to Route 406, east along Route
406 to Schenectady County Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route
99 to Dunnsville Road, south along Dunnsville Road to Route 397,
southwest along Route 397 to Route 146 at Altamont, west along Route
146 to Albany County Route 252, northwest along Route 252 to
Schenectady County Route 131, north along Route 131 to Route 7, west
along Route 7 to Route 10 at Richmondville, south on Route 10 to Route
23 at Stamford, west along Route 23 to Route 7 in Oneonta, southwest
along Route 7 to Route 79 to Interstate Route 88 near Harpursville,
west along Route 88 to Interstate Route 81, north along Route 81 to the
point of beginning.
West Central Goose Area--That area of New York State lying within a
continuous line beginning at the point where the northerly extension of
Route 269 (County Line Road on the Niagara-Orleans County boundary)
meets the International boundary with Canada, south to the shore of
Lake Ontario at the eastern boundary of Golden Hill State Park, south
along the extension of Route 269 and Route 269 to Route 104 at Jeddo,
west along Route 104 to Niagara County Route 271, south along Route 271
to Route 31E at Middleport, south along Route 31E to Route 31, west
along Route 31 to Griswold Street, south along Griswold Street to Ditch
Road, south along Ditch Road to Foot Road, south along Foot Road to the
north bank of Tonawanda Creek, west along the north bank of Tonawanda
Creek to Route 93, south along Route 93 to Route 5, east along Route 5
to Crittenden-Murrays Corners Road, south on Crittenden-Murrays Corners
Road to the NYS Thruway, east along the Thruway 90 to Route 98 (at
Thruway Exit 48) in Batavia, south along Route 98 to Route 20, east
along Route 20 to Route 19 in Pavilion Center, south along Route 19 to
Route 63, southeast along Route 63 to Route 246, south along Route 246
to Route 39 in Perry, northeast along Route 39 to Route 20A, northeast
along Route 20A to Route 20, east along Route 20 to Route 364 (near
Canandaigua), south and east along Route 364 to Yates County Route 18
(Italy Valley Road), southwest along Route 18 to Yates County Route 34,
east along Route 34 to Yates County Route 32, south along Route 32 to
Steuben County Route 122, south along Route 122 to Route 53, south
along Route 53 to Steuben County Route 74, east along Route 74 to Route
54A (near Pulteney), south along Route 54A to Steuben County Route 87,
east along Route 87 to Steuben County Route 96, east along Route 96 to
Steuben County Route 114, east along Route 114 to Schuyler County Route
23, east and southeast along Route 23 to Schuyler County Route 28,
southeast along Route 28 to Route 409 at Watkins Glen, south along
Route 409 to Route 14, south along Route 14 to Route 224 at Montour
Falls, east along Route 224 to Route 228 in Odessa, north along Route
228 to Route 79 in Mecklenburg, east along Route 79 to Route 366 in
Ithaca, northeast along Route 366 to Route 13, northeast along Route 13
to Interstate Route 81 in Cortland, north along Route 81 to the north
shore of the Salmon River to shore of Lake Ontario, extending generally
northwest in a straight line to the nearest point of the International
boundary with Canada, south and west along the International boundary
to the point of beginning.
Hudson Valley Goose Area--That area of New York State lying within
a continuous line extending from Route 4 at the New York-Vermont
boundary, west and south along Route 4 to Route 149 at Fort Ann, west
on Route 149 to Route 9, south along Route 9 to Interstate Route 87 (at
Exit 20 in Glens Falls), south along Route 87 to Route 29, west along
Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball Corners, south along Route 147 to
Schenectady County Route 40 (West Glenville Road), west along Route 40
to Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna Road to Schenectady County
Route 59, south along Route 59 to State Route 5, east along Route 5 to
the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S,
southeast along Route 5S to
[[Page 51415]]
Schenectady County Route 58, southwest along Route 58 to the NYS
Thruway, south along the Thruway to Route 7, southwest along Route 7 to
Schenectady County Route 103, south along Route 103 to Route 406, east
along Route 406 to Schenectady County Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south
along Route 99 to Dunnsville Road, south along Dunnsville Road to Route
397, southwest along Route 397 to Route 146 at Altamont, southeast
along Route 146 to Main Street in Altamont, west along Main Street to
Route 156, southeast along Route 156 to Albany County Route 307,
southeast along Route 307 to Route 85A, southwest along Route 85A to
Route 85, south along Route 85 to Route 443, southeast along Route 443
to Albany County Route 301 at Clarksville, southeast along Route 301 to
Route 32, south along Route 32 to Route 23 at Cairo, west along Route
23 to Joseph Chadderdon Road, southeast along Joseph Chadderdon Road to
Hearts Content Road (Greene County Route 31), southeast along Route 31
to Route 32, south along Route 32 to Greene County Route 23A, east
along Route 23A to Interstate Route 87 (the NYS Thruway), south along
Route 87 to Route 28 (Exit 19) near Kingston, northwest on Route 28 to
Route 209, southwest on Route 209 to the New York-Pennsylvania
boundary, southeast along the New York-Pennsylvania boundary to the New
York-New Jersey boundary, southeast along the New York-New Jersey
boundary to Route 210 near Greenwood Lake, northeast along Route 210 to
Orange County Route 5, northeast along Orange County Route 5 to Route
105 in the Village of Monroe, east and north along Route 105 to Route
32, northeast along Route 32 to Orange County Route 107 (Quaker
Avenue), east along Route 107 to Route 9W, north along Route 9W to the
south bank of Moodna Creek, southeast along the south bank of Moodna
Creek to the New Windsor-Cornwall town boundary, northeast along the
New Windsor-Cornwall town boundary to the Orange-Dutchess County
boundary (middle of the Hudson River), north along the county boundary
to Interstate Route 84, east along Route 84 to the Dutchess-Putnam
County boundary, east along the county boundary to the New York-
Connecticut boundary, north along the New York-Connecticut boundary to
the New York-Massachusetts boundary, north along the New York-
Massachusetts boundary to the New York-Vermont boundary, north to the
point of beginning.
Eastern Long Island Goose Area (NAP High Harvest Area)--That area
of Suffolk County lying east of a continuous line extending due south
from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the northernmost end of
Roanoke Avenue in the Town of Riverhead; then south on Roanoke Avenue
(which becomes County Route 73) to State Route 25; then west on Route
25 to Peconic Avenue; then south on Peconic Avenue to County Route (CR)
104 (Riverleigh Avenue); then south on CR 104 to CR 31 (Old Riverhead
Road); then south on CR 31 to Oak Street; then south on Oak Street to
Potunk Lane; then west on Stevens Lane; then south on Jessup Avenue (in
Westhampton Beach) to Dune Road (CR 89); then due south to
international waters.
Western Long Island Goose Area (RP Area)--That area of Westchester
County and its tidal waters southeast of Interstate Route 95 and that
area of Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying west of a continuous line
extending due south from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the
northernmost end of the Sunken Meadow State Parkway; then south on the
Sunken Meadow Parkway to the Sagtikos State Parkway; then south on the
Sagtikos Parkway to the Robert Moses State Parkway; then south on the
Robert Moses Parkway to its southernmost end; then due south to
international waters.
Central Long Island Goose Area (NAP Low Harvest Area)--That area of
Suffolk County lying between the Western and Eastern Long Island Goose
Areas, as defined above.
South Goose Area--The remainder of New York State, excluding New
York City.
Pennsylvania
Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) Zone--The area north of I-80
and west of I-79, including in the city of Erie west of Bay Front
Parkway to and including the Lake Erie Duck Zone (Lake Erie, Presque
Isle, and the area within 150 yards of the Lake Erie Shoreline).
Vermont
Lake Champlain Zone--The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area north and west of the line extending from the New York border
along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes;
U.S. 7 to VT 78 at Swanton; VT 78 to VT 36; VT 36 to Maquam Bay on Lake
Champlain; along and around the shoreline of Maquam Bay and Hog Island
to VT 78 at the West Swanton Bridge; VT 78 to VT 2 in Alburg; VT 2 to
the Richelieu River in Alburg; along the east shore of the Richelieu
River to the Canadian border.
Interior Zone--That portion of Vermont east of the Lake Champlain
Zone and west of a line extending from the Massachusetts border at
Interstate 91; north along Interstate 91 to US 2; east along US 2 to VT
102; north along VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 253 to the Canadian
border.
Connecticut River Zone--The remaining portion of Vermont east of
the Interior Zone.
Mississippi Flyway
Arkansas
Early Canada Goose Area--Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clark,
Conway, Crawford, Faulkner, Franklin, Garland, Hempstead, Hot Springs,
Howard, Johnson, Lafayette, Little River, Logan, Madison, Marion,
Miller, Montgomery, Newton, Perry, Pike, Polk, Pope, Pulaski, Saline,
Searcy, Sebastian, Sevier, Scott, Van Buren, Washington, and Yell
Counties.
Illinois
North September Canada Goose Zone--That portion of the State north
of a line extending west from the Indiana border along Interstate 80 to
I-39, south along I-39 to Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route
18 to Illinois Route 29, south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois
Route 17, west along Illinois Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and
due south across the Mississippi River to the Iowa border.
Central September Canada Goose Zone--That portion of the State
south of the North September Canada Goose Zone line to a line extending
west from the Indiana border along I-70 to Illinois Route 4, south
along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route 161, west along Illinois Route
161 to Illinois Route 158, south and west along Illinois Route 158 to
Illinois Route 159, south along Illinois Route 159 to Illinois Route 3,
south along Illinois Route 3 to St. Leo's Road, south along St. Leo's
road to Modoc Road, west along Modoc Road to Modoc Ferry Road,
southwest along Modoc Ferry Road to Levee Road, southeast along Levee
Road to County Route 12 (Modoc Ferry entrance Road), south along County
Route 12 to the Modoc Ferry route and southwest on the Modoc Ferry
route across the Mississippi River to the Missouri border.
South September Canada Goose Zone--That portion of the State south
and east of a line extending west from the Indiana border along
Interstate 70, south along U.S. Highway 45, to Illinois Route 13, west
along Illinois Route 13 to Greenbriar Road, north on Greenbriar Road to
Sycamore Road, west on Sycamore Road to N. Reed Station Road,
[[Page 51416]]
south on N. Reed Station Road to Illinois Route 13, west along Illinois
Route 13 to Illinois Route 127, south along Illinois Route 127 to State
Forest Road (1025 N), west along State Forest Road to Illinois Route 3,
north along Illinois Route 3 to the south bank of the Big Muddy River,
west along the south bank of the Big Muddy River to the Mississippi
River, west across the Mississippi River to the Missouri border.
South Central September Canada Goose Zone--The remainder of the
State between the south border of the Central Zone and the North border
of the South Zone.
Iowa
North Zone--That portion of the State north of U.S. Highway 20.
South Zone--The remainder of Iowa.
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Goose Zone--Includes portions of Linn and
Johnson Counties bounded as follows: Beginning at the intersection of
the west border of Linn County and Linn County Road E2W; then south and
east along County Road E2W to Highway 920; then north along Highway 920
to County Road E16; then east along County Road E16 to County Road W58;
then south along County Road W58 to County Road E34; then east along
County Road E34 to Highway 13; then south along Highway 13 to Highway
30; then east along Highway 30 to Highway 1; then south along Highway 1
to Morse Road in Johnson County; then east along Morse Road to Wapsi
Avenue; then south along Wapsi Avenue to Lower West Branch Road; then
west along Lower West Branch Road to Taft Avenue; then south along Taft
Avenue to County Road F62; then west along County Road F62 to Kansas
Avenue; then north along Kansas Avenue to Black Diamond Road; then west
on Black Diamond Road to Jasper Avenue; then north along Jasper Avenue
to Rohert Road; then west along Rohert Road to Ivy Avenue; then north
along Ivy Avenue to 340th Street; then west along 340th Street to Half
Moon Avenue; then north along Half Moon Avenue to Highway 6; then west
along Highway 6 to Echo Avenue; then north along Echo Avenue to 250th
Street; then east on 250th Street to Green Castle Avenue; then north
along Green Castle Avenue to County Road F12; then west along County
Road F12 to County Road W30; then north along County Road W30 to
Highway 151; then north along the Linn-Benton County line to the point
of beginning.
Des Moines Goose Zone--Includes those portions of Polk, Warren,
Madison and Dallas Counties bounded as follows: Beginning at the
intersection of Northwest 158th Avenue and County Road R38 in Polk
County; then south along R38 to Northwest 142nd Avenue; then east along
Northwest 142nd Avenue to Northeast 126th Avenue; then east along
Northeast 126th Avenue to Northeast 46th Street; then south along
Northeast 46th Street to Highway 931; then east along Highway 931 to
Northeast 80th Street; then south along Northeast 80th Street to
Southeast 6th Avenue; then west along Southeast 6th Avenue to Highway
65; then south and west along Highway 65 to Highway 69 in Warren
County; then south along Highway 69 to County Road G24; then west along
County Road G24 to Highway 28; then southwest along Highway 28 to 43rd
Avenue; then north along 43rd Avenue to Ford Street; then west along
Ford Street to Filmore Street; then west along Filmore Street to 10th
Avenue; then south along 10th Avenue to 155th Street in Madison County;
then west along 155th Street to Cumming Road; then north along Cumming
Road to Badger Creek Avenue; then north along Badger Creek Avenue to
County Road F90 in Dallas County; then east along County Road F90 to
County Road R22; then north along County Road R22 to Highway 44; then
east along Highway 44 to County Road R30; then north along County Road
R30 to County Road F31; then east along County Road F31 to Highway 17;
then north along Highway 17 to Highway 415 in Polk County; then east
along Highway 415 to Northwest 158th Avenue; then east along Northwest
158th Avenue to the point of beginning.
Cedar Falls/Waterloo Goose Zone--Includes those portions of Black
Hawk County bounded as follows: Beginning at the intersection of County
Roads C66 and V49 in Black Hawk County, then south along County Road
V49 to County Road D38, then west along County Road D38 to State
Highway 21, then south along State Highway 21 to County Road D35, then
west along County Road D35 to Grundy Road, then north along Grundy Road
to County Road D19, then west along County Road D19 to Butler Road,
then north along Butler Road to County Road C57, then north and east
along County Road C57 to U.S. Highway 63, then south along U.S. Highway
63 to County Road C66, then east along County Road C66 to the point of
beginning.
Michigan
North Zone--Same as North duck zone.
Middle Zone--Same as Middle duck zone.
South Zone--Same as South duck zone.
Minnesota
Northwest Goose Zone--That portion of the State encompassed by a
line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2
to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east
along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north
along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to
STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along
CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in
Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH
310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
Intensive Harvest Zone--That portion of the State encompassed by a
line extending east from the junction of US 2 and the North Dakota
border, US 2 east to MN 32 N, MN 32 N to MN 92 S, MN 92 S to MN 200 E,
MN 200 E to US 71 S, US 71 S to US 10 E, US 10 E to MN 101 S, MN 101 S
to Interstate 94 E, Interstate 94 E to US 494 S, US 494 S to US 212 W,
US 212 W to MN 23 S, MN 23 S to US 14 W, US 14 W to the South Dakota
border, South Dakota Border north to the North Dakota border, North
Dakota border north to US 2 E.
Rest of State: Remainder of Minnesota.
Wisconsin
Early-Season Subzone A--That portion of the State encompassed by a
line beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 141 and the Michigan
border near Niagara, then south along U.S. 141 to State Highway 22,
west and southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45, south along U.S. 45 to
State 22, west and south along State 22 to State 110, south along State
110 to U.S. 10, south along U.S. 10 to State 49, south along State 49
to State 23, west along State 23 to State 73, south along State 73 to
State 60, west along State 60 to State 23, south along State 23 to
State 11, east along State 11 to State 78, then south along State 78 to
the Illinois border.
Early-Season Subzone B--The remainder of the State.
Central Flyway
North Dakota
Missouri River Canada Goose Zone--The area within and bounded by a
line starting where ND Hwy 6 crosses the South Dakota border; then
north on ND Hwy 6 to I-94; then west on I-94 to ND Hwy 49; then north
on ND Hwy 49 to ND Hwy 200; then north on Mercer County Rd. 21 to the
section line between sections 8 and 9 (T146N-
[[Page 51417]]
R87W); then north on that section line to the southern shoreline to
Lake Sakakawea; then east along the southern shoreline (including
Mallard Island) of Lake Sakakawea to U.S. Hwy 83; then south on U.S.
Hwy 83 to ND Hwy 200; then east on ND Hwy 200 to ND Hwy 41; then south
on ND Hwy 41 to U.S. Hwy 83; then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to I-94; then
east on I-94 to U.S. Hwy 83; then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to the South
Dakota border; then west along the South Dakota border to ND Hwy 6.
Rest of State--Remainder of North Dakota.
South Dakota
Special Early Canada Goose Unit--The Counties of Campbell,
Marshall, Roberts, Day, Clark, Codington, Grant, Hamlin, Deuel,
Walworth; that portion of of Perrkins County west of State Highway 75
and south of State Highway 20; that portion of Dewey County north of
Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 8, Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 9, and
the section of U.S. Highway 212 east of the Bureau of Indian Affairs
Road 8 junction; that portion of Potter County east of U.S. Highway 83;
that portion of Sully County east of U.S. Highway 83; portions of Hyde,
Buffalo, Brule, and Charles Mix counties north and east of a line
beginning at the Hughes-Hyde County line on State Highway 34, east to
Lees Boulevard, southeast to the State Highway 34, east 7 miles to
350th Avenue, south to Interstate 90 on 350th Avenue, south and east on
State Highway 50 to Geddes, east on 285th Street to U.S. Highway 281,
and north on U.S. Highway 281 to the Charles Mix-Douglas County
boundary; that portion of Bon Homme County north of State Highway 50;
McPherson, Edmunds, Kingsbury, Brookings, Lake, Moody, Miner, Faulk,
Hand, Jerauld, Douglas, Hutchinson, Turner, Lincoln, Union, Clay,
Yankton, Aurora, Beadle, Davison, Hanson, Sanborn, Spink, Brown,
Harding, Butte, Lawrence, Meade, Shannon, Jackson, Mellette, Todd,
Jones, Haakon, Corson, Ziebach, McCook, and Minnehaha Counties.
Texas
Eastern Goose Zone--East of a line from the International Toll
Bridge at Laredo, north following IH-35 and 35W to Fort Worth,
northwest along U.S. Hwy. 81 and 287 to Bowie, north along U.S. Hwy. 81
to the Texas-Oklahoma State line.
Pacific Flyway
Oregon
Northwest Zone--Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane,
Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and
Yamhill Counties.
Southwest Zone--Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and
Klamath Counties.
East Zone--Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla,
Union, and Wasco Counties.
Washington
Area 1--Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
Area 2A (SW Quota Zone)--Clark County, except portions south of the
Washougal River; Cowlitz County; and Wahkiakum County.
Area 2B (SW Quota Zone)--Pacific County.
Area 3--All areas west of the Pacific Crest Trail and west of the
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Areas 1, 2A, and 2B.
Area 4--Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas,
Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties.
Area 5--All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Area 4.
Ducks
Atlantic Flyway
New York
Lake Champlain Zone--The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay;
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont
border.
Long Island Zone--That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their
tidal waters.
Western Zone--That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border.
Northeastern Zone--That area north of a line extending from Lake
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
Southeastern Zone--The remaining portion of New York.
Maryland
Special Teal Season Area-- Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester,
Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico,
and Worcester Counties; that part of Anne Arundel County east of
Interstate 895, Interstate 97, and Route 3; that part of Prince Georges
County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County
east of Route 301 to the Virginia State Line.
Mississippi Flyway
Indiana
North Zone--That part of Indiana north of a line extending east
from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. 31; north along
U.S. 31 to U.S. 24; east along U.S. 24 to Huntington; southeast along
U.S. 224; south along State Road 5; and east along State Road 124 to
the Ohio border.
Central Zone--That part of Indiana south of the North Zone boundary
and north of the South Zone boundary.
South Zone--That part of Indiana south of a line extending east
from the Illinois border along U.S. 40; south along U.S. 41; east along
State Road 58; south along State Road 37 to Bedford; and east along
U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.
Iowa
North Zone--That portion of Iowa north of a line beginning on the
South Dakota-Iowa border at Interstate 29, southeast along Interstate
29 to State Highway 175, east along State Highway 175 to State Highway
37, southeast along State Highway 37 to State Highway 183, northeast
along State Highway 183 to State Highway 141, east along State Highway
141 to U.S. Highway 30, and along U.S. Highway 30 to the Illinois
border.
Missouri River Zone--That portion of Iowa west of a line beginning
on the South Dakota-Iowa border at Interstate 29, southeast along
Interstate 29 to State Highway 175, and west along State Highway 175 to
the Iowa-Nebraska border.
South Zone--The remainder of Iowa.
Michigan
North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line
beginning at the Wisconsin State line in Lake Michigan due west of the
mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly
and southerly along the south shore of Stony Creek to Scenic Drive,
easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly
along Stony Lake and Garfield
[[Page 51418]]
Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10
Business Route (BR) in the city of Midland, easterly along U.S. 10 BR
to U.S. 10, easterly along U.S. 10 to Interstate Highway 75/U.S.
Highway 23, northerly along I-75/U.S. 23 to the U.S. 23 exit at
Standish, easterly along U.S. 23 to the centerline of the Au Gres
River, then southerly along the centerline of the Au Gres River to
Saginaw Bay, then on a line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay,
and from that point on a line directly northeast to the Canadian
border.
South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.
Wisconsin
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Minnesota State line along U.S. Highway 10 into Portage
County to County Highway HH, east on County Highway HH to State Highway
66 and then east on State Highway 66 to U.S. Highway 10, continuing
east on U.S. Highway 10 to U.S. Highway 41, then north on U.S. Highway
41 to the Michigan State line.
Mississippi River Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning
at the intersection of the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway and
the Illinois State line in Grant County and extending northerly along
the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway to the city limit of
Prescott in Pierce County, then west along the Prescott city limit to
the Minnesota State line.
South Zone: The remainder of Wisconsin.
Central Flyway
Colorado
Special Teal Season Area--Lake and Chaffee Counties and that
portion of the State east of Interstate Highway 25.
Kansas
High Plains Zone--That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.
Early Zone--That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the
Nebraska-Kansas State line south on K-128 to its junction with U.S.-36,
then east on U.S.-36 to its junction with K-199, then south on K-199 to
its junction with Republic County 30 Rd, then south on Republic County
30 Rd to its junction with K-148, then east on K-148 to its junction
with Republic County 50 Rd, then south on Republic County 50 Rd to its
junction with Cloud County 40th Rd, then south on Cloud County 40th Rd
to its junction with K-9, then west on K-9 to its junction with U.S.-
24, then west on U.S.-24 to its junction with U.S.-281, then north on
U.S.-281 to its junction with U.S.-36, then west on U.S.-36 to its
junction with U.S.-183, then south on U.S.-183 to its junction with
U.S.-24, then west on U.S.-24 to its junction with K-18, then southeast
on K-18 to its junction with U.S.-183, then south on U.S.-183 to its
junction with K-4, then east on K-4 to its junction with I-135, then
south on I-135 to its junction with K-61, then southwest on K-61 to
McPherson County 14th Avenue, then south on McPherson County 14th
Avenue to its junction with Arapaho Rd, then west on Arapaho Rd to its
junction with K-61, then southwest on K-61 to its junction with K-96,
then northwest on K-96 to its junction with U.S.-56, then southwest on
U.S.-56 to its junction with K-19, then east on K-19 to its junction
with U.S.-281, then south on U.S.-281 to its junction with U.S.-54,
then west on U.S.-54 to its junction with U.S.-183, then north on U.S.-
183 to its junction with U.S.-56, then southwest on U.S.-56 to its
junction with Ford County Rd 126, then south on Ford County Rd 126 to
its junction with U.S.-400, then northwest on U.S.-400 to its junction
with U.S.-283, then north on U.S.-283 to its junction with the
Nebraska-Kansas State line, then east along the Nebraska-Kansas State
line to its junction with K-128.
Late Zone--That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the Nebraska-
Kansas State line south on K-128 to its junction with U.S.-36, then
east on U.S.-36 to its junction with K-199, then south on K-199 to its
junction with Republic County 30 Rd, then south on Republic County 30
Rd to its junction with K-148, then east on K-148 to its junction with
Republic County 50 Rd, then south on Republic County 50 Rd to its
junction with Cloud County 40th Rd, then south on Cloud County 40th Rd
to its junction with K-9, then west on K-9 to its junction with U.S.-
24, then west on U.S.-24 to its junction with U.S.-281, then north on
U.S.-281 to its junction with U.S.-36, then west on U.S.-36 to its
junction with U.S.-183, then south on U.S.-183 to its junction with
U.S.-24, then west on U.S.-24 to its junction with K-18, then southeast
on K-18 to its junction with U.S.-183, then south on U.S.-183 to its
junction with K-4, then east on K-4 to its junction with I-135, then
south on I-135 to its junction with K-61, then southwest on K-61 to
14th Avenue, then south on 14th Avenue to its junction with Arapaho Rd,
then west on Arapaho Rd to its junction with K-61, then southwest on K-
61 to its junction with K-96, then northwest on K-96 to its junction
with U.S.-56, then southwest on U.S.-56 to its junction with K-19, then
east on K-19 to its junction with U.S.-281, then south on U.S.-281 to
its junction with U.S.-54, then west on U.S.-54 to its junction with
U.S.-183, then north on U.S.-183 to its junction with U.S.-56, then
southwest on U.S.-56 to its junction with Ford County Rd 126, then
south on Ford County Rd 126 to its junction with U.S.-400, then
northwest on U.S.-400 to its junction with U.S.-283, then south on
U.S.-283 to its junction with the Oklahoma-Kansas State line, then east
along the Oklahoma-Kansas State line to its junction with U.S.-77, then
north on U.S.-77 to its junction with Butler County, NE 150th Street,
then east on Butler County, NE 150th Street to its junction with U.S.-
35, then northeast on U.S.-35 to its junction with K-68, then east on
K-68 to the Kansas-Missouri State line, then north along the Kansas-
Missouri State line to its junction with the Nebraska State line, then
west along the Kansas-Nebraska State line to its junction with K-128.
Southeast Zone--That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the
Missouri-Kansas State line west on K-68 to its junction with U.S.-35,
then southwest on U.S.-35 to its junction with Butler County, NE 150th
Street, then west on NE 150th Street until its junction with K-77, then
south on K-77 to the Oklahoma-Kansas State line, then east along the
Kansas-Oklahoma State line to its junction with the Missouri State
line, then north along the Kansas-Missouri State line to its junction
with K-68.
Nebraska
Special Teal Season Area (south)--That portion of the State south
of a line beginning at the Wyoming State line; east along U.S. 26 to
Nebraska Highway L62A east to U.S. 385; south to U.S. 26; east to NE
92; east along NE 92 to NE 61; south along NE 61 to U.S. 30; east along
U.S. 30 to the Iowa border.
Special Teal Season Area (north)--The remainder of the State.
High Plains--That portion of Nebraska lying west of a line
beginning at the South Dakota-Nebraska border on U.S. Hwy. 183; south
on U.S. Hwy. 183 to U.S. Hwy. 20; west on U.S. Hwy. 20 to NE Hwy. 7;
south on NE Hwy. 7 to NE Hwy. 91; southwest on NE Hwy. 91 to NE Hwy. 2;
southeast on NE Hwy. 2 to NE Hwy. 92; west on NE Hwy. 92 to NE Hwy. 40;
south on NE Hwy. 40 to NE Hwy. 47; south on NE Hwy. 47 to NE Hwy. 23;
east on NE Hwy. 23 to U.S. Hwy. 283; and south on U.S. Hwy. 283 to the
Kansas-Nebraska border.
Zone 1--Area bounded by designated Federal and State highways and
[[Page 51419]]
political boundaries beginning at the South Dakota-Nebraska border west
of NE Hwy. 26E Spur and north of NE Hwy. 12; those portions of Dixon,
Cedar and Knox Counties north of NE Hwy. 12; that portion of Keya Paha
County east of U.S. Hwy. 183; and all of Boyd County. Both banks of the
Niobrara River in Keya Paha and Boyd counties east of U.S. Hwy. 183
shall be included in Zone 1.
Zone 2--The area south of Zone 1 and north of Zone 3.
Zone 3--Area bounded by designated Federal and State highways,
County Roads, and political boundaries beginning at the Wyoming-
Nebraska border at the intersection of the Interstate Canal; east along
northern borders of Scotts Bluff and Morrill Counties to Broadwater
Road; south to Morrill County Rd 94; east to County Rd 135; south to
County Rd 88; southeast to County Rd 151; south to County Rd 80; east
to County Rd 161; south to County Rd 76; east to County Rd 165; south
to Country Rd 167; south to U.S. Hwy. 26; east to County Rd 171; north
to County Rd 68; east to County Rd 183; south to County Rd 64; east to
County Rd 189; north to County Rd 70; east to County Rd 201; south to
County Rd 60A; east to County Rd 203; south to County Rd 52; east to
Keith County Line; east along the northern boundaries of Keith and
Lincoln Counties to NE Hwy. 97; south to U.S. Hwy 83; south to E Hall
School Rd; east to N Airport Road; south to U.S. Hwy. 30; east to
Merrick County Rd 13; north to County Rd O; east to NE Hwy. 14; north
to NE Hwy. 52; west and north to NE Hwy. 91; west to U.S. Hwy. 281;
south to NE Hwy. 22; west to NE Hwy. 11; northwest to NE Hwy. 91; west
to U.S. Hwy. 183; south to Round Valley Rd; west to Sargent River Rd;
west to Sargent Rd; west to Milburn Rd; north to Blaine County Line;
east to Loup County Line; north to NE Hwy. 91; west to North Loup Spur
Rd; north to North Loup River Rd; east to Pleasant Valley/Worth Rd;
east to Loup County Line; north to Loup-Brown county line; east along
northern boundaries of Loup and Garfield Counties to Cedar River Rd;
south to NE Hwy. 70; east to U.S. Hwy. 281; north to NE Hwy. 70; east
to NE Hwy. 14; south to NE Hwy. 39; southeast to NE Hwy. 22; east to
U.S. Hwy. 81; southeast to U.S. Hwy. 30; east to U.S. Hwy. 75; north to
the Washington County line; east to the Iowa-Nebraska border; south to
the Missouri-Nebraska border; south to Kansas-Nebraska border; west
along Kansas-Nebraska border to Colorado-Nebraska border; north and
west to Wyoming-Nebraska border; north to intersection of Interstate
Canal; and excluding that area in Zone 4.
Zone 4--Area encompassed by designated Federal and State highways
and County Roads beginning at the intersection of NE Hwy. 8 and U.S.
Hwy. 75; north to U.S. Hwy. 136; east to the intersection of U.S. Hwy.
136 and the Steamboat Trace (Trace); north along the Trace to the
intersection with Federal Levee R-562; north along Federal Levee R-562
to the intersection with the Trace; north along the Trace/Burlington
Northern Railroad right-of-way to NE Hwy. 2; west to U.S. Hwy. 75;
north to NE Hwy. 2; west to NE Hwy. 43; north to U.S. Hwy. 34; east to
NE Hwy. 63; north to NE Hwy. 66; north and west to U.S. Hwy. 77; north
to NE Hwy. 92; west to NE Hwy. Spur 12F; south to Butler County Rd 30;
east to County Rd X; south to County Rd 27; west to County Rd W; south
to County Rd 26; east to County Rd X; south to County Rd 21 (Seward
County Line); west to NE Hwy. 15; north to County Rd 34; west to County
Rd J; south to NE Hwy. 92; west to U.S. Hwy. 81; south to NE Hwy. 66;
west to Polk County Rd C; north to NE Hwy. 92; west to U.S. Hwy. 30;
west to Merrick County Rd 17; south to Hordlake Road; southeast to
Prairie Island Road; southeast to Hamilton County Rd T; south to NE
Hwy. 66; west to NE Hwy. 14; south to County Rd 22; west to County Rd
M; south to County Rd 21; west to County Rd K; south to U.S. Hwy. 34;
west to NE Hwy. 2; south to U.S. Hwy. I-80; west to Gunbarrel Rd (Hall/
Hamilton county line); south to Giltner Rd; west to U.S. Hwy. 281;
south to U.S. Hwy. 34; west to NE Hwy. 10; north to Kearney County Rd R
and Phelps County Rd 742; west to U.S. Hwy. 283; south to U.S. Hwy 34;
east to U.S. Hwy. 136; east to U.S. Hwy. 183; north to NE Hwy. 4; east
to NE Hwy. 10; south to U.S. Hwy. 136; east to NE Hwy. 14; south to NE
Hwy. 8; east to U.S. Hwy. 81; north to NE Hwy. 4; east to NE Hwy. 15;
south to U.S. Hwy. 136; east to NE Hwy. 103; south to NE Hwy. 8; east
to U.S. Hwy. 75.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
North Zone--That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
South Zone--The remainder of New Mexico.
Pacific Flyway
California
Northeastern Zone--In that portion of California lying east and
north of a line beginning at the intersection of Interstate 5 with the
California-Oregon line; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with
Walters Lane south of the town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane to its
junction with Easy Street; south along Easy Street to the junction with
Old Highway 99; south along Old Highway 99 to the point of intersection
with Interstate 5 north of the town of Weed; south along Interstate 5
to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to
Main Street Greenville; north and east to its junction with North
Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and
east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the
junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington
Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the
junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and
east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-
Nevada State line; north along the California-Nevada State line to the
junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon State lines west along the
California-Oregon State line to the point of origin.
Colorado River Zone--Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to
U.S. 80; east 7 miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south
on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone--That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada
border.
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone--All of Kings and Tulare
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
[[Page 51420]]
Balance-of-the-State Zone--The remainder of California not included
in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.
Canada Geese
Michigan
North Zone--Same as North duck zone.
Middle Zone--Same as Middle duck zone.
South Zone--Same as South duck zone.
Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU): Those portions of
Tuscola and Huron Counties bounded on the south by Michigan Highway 138
and Bay City Road, on the east by Colwood and Bay Port Roads, on the
north by Kilmanagh Road and a line extending directly west off the end
of Kilmanagh Road into Saginaw Bay to the west boundary, and on the
west by the Tuscola-Bay County line and a line extending directly north
off the end of the Tuscola-Bay County line into Saginaw Bay to the
north boundary.
Allegan County GMU: That area encompassed by a line beginning at
the junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate Highway 196 in Lake Town
Township and extending easterly along 136th Avenue to Michigan Highway
40, southerly along Michigan 40 through the city of Allegan to 108th
Avenue in Trowbridge Township, westerly along 108th Avenue to 46th
Street, northerly along 46th Street to 109th Avenue, westerly along
109th Avenue to I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly along I-196 to
the point of beginning.
Saginaw County GMU: That portion of Saginaw County bounded by
Michigan Highway 46 on the north; Michigan 52 on the west; Michigan 57
on the south; and Michigan 13 on the east.
Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That portion of Muskegon County within the
boundaries of the Muskegon County wastewater system, east of the
Muskegon State Game Area, in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29,
30, and 32, T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, and
25, T10N R15W, as posted.
Wisconsin
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
Horicon Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the
intersection of State 21 and the Fox River in Winnebago County and
extending westerly along State 21 to the west boundary of Winnebago
County, southerly along the west boundary of Winnebago County to the
north boundary of Green Lake County, westerly along the north
boundaries of Green Lake and Marquette Counties to State 22, southerly
along State 22 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to I-39, southerly
along I-39 to I-90/94, southerly along I-90/94 to State 60, easterly
along State 60 to State 83, northerly along State 83 to State 175,
northerly along State 175 to State 33, easterly along State 33 to U.S.
45, northerly along U.S. 45 to the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River,
northerly along the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River to Lake
Winnebago, northerly along the western shoreline of Lake Winnebago to
the Fox River, then westerly along the Fox River to State 21.
Exterior Zone: That portion of the State not included in the
Horicon Zone.
Mississippi River Subzone: That area encompassed by a line
beginning at the intersection of the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe
Railway and the Illinois State line in Grant County and extending
northerly along the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway to the city
limit of Prescott in Pierce County, then west along the Prescott city
limit to the Minnesota State line.
Brown County Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at
the intersection of the Fox River with Green Bay in Brown County and
extending southerly along the Fox River to State 29, northwesterly
along State 29 to the Brown County line, south, east, and north along
the Brown County line to Green Bay, due west to the midpoint of the
Green Bay Ship Channel, then southwesterly along the Green Bay Ship
Channel to the Fox River.
Sandhill Cranes
Mississippi Flyway
Minnesota
Northwest Goose Zone--That portion of the State encompassed by a
line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2
to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east
along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north
along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to
STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along
CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in
Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH
310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
Tennessee
Hunt Zone--That portion of the State south of Interstate 40 and
east of State Highway 56.
Closed Zone--Remainder of the State.
Central Flyway
Colorado--The Central Flyway portion of the State except the San
Luis Valley (Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande,
and Saguache Counties east of the Continental Divide) and North Park
(Jackson County).
Kansas--That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the
Oklahoma border, north on I-35 to Wichita, north on I-135 to Salina,
and north on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border.
Montana--The Central Flyway portion of the State except for that
area south and west of Interstate 90, which is closed to sandhill crane
hunting.
New Mexico
Regular-Season Open Area--Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay,
and Roosevelt Counties.
Middle Rio Grande Valley Area--The Central Flyway portion of New
Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties.
Estancia Valley Area--Those portions of Santa Fe, Torrance and
Bernallilo Counties within an area bounded on the west by New Mexico
Highway 55 beginning at Mountainair north to NM 337, north to NM 14,
north to I-25; on the north by I-25 east to U.S. 285; on the east by
U.S. 285 south to U.S. 60; and on the south by U.S. 60 from U.S. 285
west to NM 55 in Mountainair.
Southwest Zone--Area bounded on the south by the New Mexico/Mexico
border; on the west by the New Mexico/Arizona border north to
Interstate 10; on the north by Interstate 10 east to U.S. 180, north to
N.M. 26, east to N.M. 27, north to N.M. 152, and east to Interstate 25;
on the east by Interstate 25 south to Interstate 10, west to the Luna
county line, and south to the New Mexico/Mexico border.
North Dakota
Area 1--That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
Area 2--That portion of the State east of U.S. 281.
Oklahoma--That portion of the State west of I-35.
South Dakota--That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
Texas
Zone A--That portion of Texas lying west of a line beginning at the
international toll bridge at Laredo, then northeast along U.S. Highway
81 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35 in
[[Page 51421]]
Laredo, then north along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with
Interstate Highway 10 in San Antonio, then northwest along Interstate
Highway 10 to its junction with U.S. Highway 83 at Junction, then north
along U.S. Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles
north of Childress, then east along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-
Oklahoma State line.
Zone B--That portion of Texas lying within boundaries beginning at
the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-Oklahoma State line, then
southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its junction with U.S. Highway 287
in Montague County, then southeast along U.S. Highway 287 to its
junction with Interstate Highway 35W in Fort Worth, then southwest
along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate Highway 10
in San Antonio, then northwest along Interstate Highway 10 to its
junction with U.S. Highway 83 in the town of Junction, then north along
U.S. Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of
Childress, then east along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State
line, then south along the Texas-Oklahoma State line to the south bank
of the Red River, then eastward along the vegetation line on the south
bank of the Red River to U.S. Highway 81.
Zone C--The remainder of the State, except for the closed areas.
Closed areas--(A) That portion of the State lying east and north of
a line beginning at the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-
Oklahoma State line, then southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its
junction with U.S. Highway 287 in Montague County, then southeast along
U.S. Highway 287 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35W in Fort
Worth, then southwest along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with
U.S. Highway 290 East in Austin, then east along U.S. Highway 290 to
its junction with Interstate Loop 610 in Harris County, then south and
east along Interstate Loop 610 to its junction with Interstate Highway
45 in Houston, then south on Interstate Highway 45 to State Highway
342, then to the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, and then north and east
along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the Texas-Louisiana State
line.
(B) That portion of the State lying within the boundaries of a line
beginning at the Kleberg-Nueces County line and the shore of the Gulf
of Mexico, then west along the County line to Park Road 22 in Nueces
County, then north and west along Park Road 22 to its junction with
State Highway 358 in Corpus Christi, then west and north along State
Highway 358 to its junction with State Highway 286, then north along
State Highway 286 to its junction with Interstate Highway 37, then east
along Interstate Highway 37 to its junction with U.S. Highway 181, then
north and west along U.S. Highway 181 to its junction with U.S. Highway
77 in Sinton, then north and east along U.S. Highway 77 to its junction
with U.S. Highway 87 in Victoria, then south and east along U.S.
Highway 87 to its junction with State Highway 35 at Port Lavaca, then
north and east along State Highway 35 to the south end of the Lavaca
Bay Causeway, then south and east along the shore of Lavaca Bay to its
junction with the Port Lavaca Ship Channel, then south and east along
the Lavaca Bay Ship Channel to the Gulf of Mexico, and then south and
west along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the Kleberg-Nueces County
line.
Wyoming
Regular Season Open Area--Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen,
Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties.
Riverton-Boysen Unit--Portions of Fremont County.
Park and Big Horn County Unit--All of Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park
and Washakie Counties.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
Special Season Area--Game Management Units 28, 30A, 30B, 31, and
32.
Idaho
Special Season Area--See State regulations.
Montana
Special Season Area--See State regulations.
Utah
Special Season Area--Rich, Cache, and Unitah Counties and that
portion of Box Elder County beginning on the Utah-Idaho State line at
the Box Elder-Cache County line; west on the State line to the
Pocatello Valley County Road; south on the Pocatello Valley County Road
to I-15; southeast on I-15 to SR-83; south on SR-83 to Lamp Junction;
west and south on the Promontory Point County Road to the tip of
Promontory Point; south from Promontory Point to the Box Elder-Weber
County line; east on the Box Elder-Weber County line to the Box Elder-
Cache County line; north on the Box Elder-Cache County line to the
Utah-Idaho State line.
Wyoming
Bear River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Salt River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Farson-Eden Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette
Counties described in State regulations.
Uinta County Area--That portion of Uinta County described in State
regulations.
All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska
North Zone--State Game Management Units 11-13 and 17-26.
Gulf Coast Zone--State Game Management Units 5-7, 9, 14-16, and 10
(Unimak Island only).
Southeast Zone--State Game Management Units 1-4.
Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone--State Game Management Unit 10
(except Unimak Island).
Kodiak Zone--State Game Management Unit 8.
All Migratory Game Birds in the Virgin Islands
Ruth Cay Closure Area--The island of Ruth Cay, just south of St.
Croix.
All Migratory Game Birds in Puerto Rico
Municipality of Culebra Closure Area--All of the municipality of
Culebra.
Desecheo Island Closure Area--All of Desecheo Island.
Mona Island Closure Area--All of Mona Island.
El Verde Closure Area--Those areas of the municipalities of Rio
Grande and Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All lands between Routes
956 on the west and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the north to the
juncture of Routes 956 and 186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands
between Routes 186 and 966 from the juncture of 186 and 966 on the
north, to the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the south; (3) all
lands lying west of Route 186 for 1 kilometer from the juncture of
Routes 186 and 956 south to Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within Km
14 and Km 6 on the west and the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on
the east; and (5) all lands within the Caribbean National Forest
Boundary whether private or public.
Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas--All of Cidra Municipality
and portions of Aguas Buenas, Caguas, Cayey, and Comerio Municipalities
as encompassed within the following boundary: Beginning on Highway 172
as it leaves the municipality of Cidra on the west edge, north to
Highway 156,
[[Page 51422]]
east on Highway 156 to Highway 1, south on Highway 1 to Highway 765,
south on Highway 765 to Highway 763, south on Highway 763 to the Rio
Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to Highway 1, southwest on Highway 1 to
Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to Highway 729, north on Highway 729 to
Cidra Municipality boundary to the point of the beginning.
[FR Doc. 2014-20361 Filed 8-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P