Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations, 56863-56890 [2014-22518]
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Vol. 79
Tuesday,
No. 184
September 23, 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 Late-Season Migratory Bird
Hunting Regulations; Final Rule
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 184 / Tuesday, September 23, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
[Docket No. FWS–HQ–MB–2014–0017;
FF09M21200–145–FXMB1231099BPP0]
RIN 1018–AZ80
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final
Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory
Bird Hunting Regulations
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service or we) prescribes final lateseason frameworks from which States
may select season dates, limits, and
other options for the 2014–15 migratory
bird hunting seasons. These late seasons
include most waterfowl seasons, the
earliest of which commences on
September 27, 2014. The effect of this
final rule is to facilitate the States’
selection of hunting seasons and to
further the annual establishment of the
late-season migratory bird hunting
regulations.
SUMMARY:
This rule takes effect on
September 23, 2014.
ADDRESSES: States 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
received on the migratory bird hunting
regulations during normal business
hours at the Service’s office at 5275
Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–
3803. You may obtain copies of
referenced reports from the street
address above, or from the Division of
Migratory Bird Management’s Web site
at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/,
or at https://www.regulations.gov at
Docket No. FWS–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) 358–1714.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DATES:
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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
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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 and that subsequent
documents 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 appear
discontinuous and 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 proposed
2014–15 regulatory schedule and
announced the Service Regulations
Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council
meetings.
On June 25–26, 2014, we held open
meetings with the Flyway Council
Consultants, at which the participants
reviewed information on the current
status of migratory shore and upland
game birds and developed
recommendations for the 2014–15
regulations for these species plus
regulations for migratory game birds in
Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin
Islands; special September waterfowl
seasons in designated States; special sea
duck seasons in the Atlantic Flyway;
and extended falconry seasons. In
addition, we reviewed and discussed
preliminary information on the status of
waterfowl as it relates to the
development and selection of the
regulatory packages for the 2014–15
regular waterfowl seasons.
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. On August 28, 2014, we
published in the Federal Register (79
FR 51402) a final rule which contained
final frameworks for early migratory
bird hunting seasons from which
wildlife conservation agency officials
from the States, Puerto Rico, and the
Virgin Islands selected early-season
hunting dates, hours, areas, and limits.
Subsequently, on August 29, 2014, we
published a final rule in the Federal
Register (79 FR 51712) amending
subpart K of title 50 CFR part 20 to set
hunting seasons, hours, areas, and limits
for early seasons.
On July 30–31, 2014, we held open
meetings with the Flyway Council
Consultants, at which the participants
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reviewed the status of waterfowl and
developed recommendations for the
2014–15 regulations for these species.
On August 22, 2014, we published in
the Federal Register (79 FR 50512) the
proposed frameworks for the 2014–15
late-season migratory bird hunting
regulations. This document establishes
final frameworks for late-season
migratory bird hunting regulations for
the 2014–15 season. There are no
substantive changes from the August 22
proposed rule. We will publish State
selections 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
In the August 22 proposed rule we
provided preliminary information on
the status and harvest of waterfowl
excerpted from various reports. For
more detailed information on
methodologies and results, you may
obtain complete copies of the various
reports at the address indicated under
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or
from our Web site at https://
www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/
NewsPublicationsReports.html.
Review of Public Comments and
Flyway Council Recommendations
The preliminary proposed
rulemaking, which appeared in the
April 30, 2014, Federal Register,
opened the public comment period for
migratory game bird hunting
regulations. The supplemental proposed
rule, which appeared in the June 4,
2014, Federal Register, discussed the
regulatory alternatives for the 2014–15
duck hunting season. Late-season
comments are summarized below and
numbered in the order used in the June
4 Federal Register. We have included
only the numbered items pertaining to
late-season issues for which we received
written comments. Consequently, the
issues do not follow in successive
numerical order.
We received recommendations from
all four Flyway Councils. Some
recommendations supported
continuation of last year’s frameworks.
Due to the comprehensive nature of the
annual review of the frameworks
performed by the Councils, support for
continuation of last year’s frameworks is
assumed for items for which no
recommendations were received.
Council recommendations for changes
in the frameworks are summarized
below. Wherever possible, they are
discussed under headings
corresponding to the numbered items in
the April 30 and June 4, 2014, Federal
Register documents.
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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 in this rule are compatible
with the current status of migratory bird
populations and long-term population
goals.
Additionally, we are obligated to, and
do, give serious consideration to all
information received as public
comment. While there are problems
inherent with any type of representative
management of public-trust resources,
we believe that the Flyway-Council
system of migratory game bird
management has been a longstanding
example of State-Federal cooperative
management since its establishment in
1952. However, as always, we continue
to seek new ways to streamline and
improve the process.
1. Ducks
Categories used to discuss issues
related to duck harvest management are:
(A) General Harvest Strategy, (B)
Regulatory Alternatives, (C) Zones and
Split Seasons, and (D) Special Seasons/
Species Management. The categories
correspond to previously published
issues/discussion, and only those
containing substantial recommendations
are discussed below.
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A. General Harvest Strategy
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended
the adoption of the ‘‘liberal’’ regulatory
alternative.
Service Response: We continue to use
adaptive harvest management (AHM)
protocols that allow hunting regulations
to vary among Flyways in a manner that
recognizes each Flyway’s breedingground derivation of mallards. In 2008,
we described and adopted a protocol for
regulatory decision-making for the
newly defined stock of western mallards
(73 FR 43290; July 24, 2008). For the
2014 hunting season, we continue to
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believe that the prescribed regulatory
choice for the Pacific Flyway should be
based on the status of this western
mallard breeding stock, while the
regulatory choice for the Mississippi
and Central Flyways should depend on
the status of the redefined midcontinent mallard stock. We also
recommend that the regulatory choice
for the Atlantic Flyway continue to
depend on the status of eastern
mallards.
For the 2014 hunting season, we are
continuing to consider the same
regulatory alternatives as those used last
year. The nature of the ‘‘restrictive,’’
‘‘moderate,’’ and ‘‘liberal’’ alternatives
has remained essentially unchanged
since 1997, except that extended
framework dates have been offered in
the ‘‘moderate’’ and ‘‘liberal’’ regulatory
alternatives since 2002 (67 FR 47224;
July 17, 2002). Also, in 2003, we agreed
to place a constraint on closed seasons
in the Mississippi and Central Flyways
whenever the midcontinent mallard
breeding-population size (as defined
prior to 2008; traditional survey area
plus Minnesota, Michigan, and
Wisconsin) was ≥ 5.5 million (68 FR
37362; June 23, 2003). This constraint
subsequently was revised in 2008 to ≥
4.75 million to account for the change
in the definition of midcontinent
mallards to exclude birds from Alaska
and the Old Crow Flats area of the
Yukon Territory (73 FR 43293; July 24,
2008).
The optimal AHM strategies for
midcontinent and western mallards for
the 2014–15 hunting season were
calculated using: (1) Harvestmanagement objectives specific to each
mallard stock; (2) the 2014 regulatory
alternatives; and (3) current population
models and associated weights for
midcontinent and western mallards.
Based on this year’s survey results of
11.04 million midcontinent mallards
(traditional survey area minus Alaska
and the Old Crow Flats area of the
Yukon Territory, plus Minnesota,
Wisconsin, and Michigan) and 4.63
million ponds in Prairie Canada, the
prescribed regulatory choice for the
Mississippi and Central Flyways is the
‘‘liberal’’ alternative. Similarly, based on
an estimated 0.82 million western
mallards (0.32 in California-Oregon and
0.50 in Alaska) the prescribed regulatory
alternative in the Pacific Flyway is also
‘‘liberal.’’
In 2013, mechanical problems and
corresponding safety concerns with
Service aircraft limited survey coverage,
which precluded our ability to estimate
breeding population sizes for the eastern
strata of the Waterfowl Breeding and
Population Habitat Survey (WBPHS). As
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a result, we were unable to update
eastern mallard AHM model weights
and derive an optimal harvest policy for
2014. Therefore, the 2014 eastern
mallard AHM decision will be based on
the 2014 eastern mallard population
estimate and the optimal regulatory
strategy derived for the Atlantic Flyway
in 2012. Based on an estimated eastern
mallard population of 0.86 million (0.22
and 0.63 million respectively in
northeast Canada and the northeastern
United States), the prescribed regulatory
choice for the Atlantic Flyway is the
‘‘liberal’’ alternative. We note that in
2012, the eastern mallard observed
breeding population was 0.84 million.
Therefore, we concur with the
recommendations of the Atlantic,
Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway
Councils regarding selection of the
‘‘liberal’’ regulatory alternative and will
adopt the ‘‘liberal’’ regulatory
alternative, as described in the June 4,
2014, Federal Register.
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
iii. Black Ducks
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended that the Service
follow the International Black Duck
AHM Strategy for 2014–15.
Service Response: In 2012, we
adopted the International Black Duck
AHM Strategy (77 FR 49868; August 17,
2012). The formal strategy is the result
of 14 years of technical and policy
decisions developed and agreed upon
by both Canadian and U. S. agencies
and waterfowl managers. The strategy
clarifies what harvest levels each
country will manage for and reduces
conflicts over country-specific
regulatory policies. Further, the strategy
allows for attainment of fundamental
objectives of black duck management:
Resource conservation, perpetuation of
hunting tradition, and equitable access
to the black duck resource between
Canada and the United States while
accommodating the fundamental
sources of uncertainty, partial
controllability and observability,
structural uncertainty, and
environmental variation. The
underlying model performance is
assessed annually, with a
comprehensive evaluation of the entire
strategy (objectives and model set)
planned after 6 years. A copy of the
strategy is available at the address
indicated under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT, or from our Web
site at https://www.fws.gov/
migratorybirds/
NewsPublicationsReports.html.
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For the 2014–15 season, the optimal
country-specific regulatory strategies
were calculated in September 2013
using: (1) The black duck harvest
objective (98 percent of long-term
cumulative harvest); (2) 2014–15
country-specific regulatory alternatives;
(3) parameter estimates for mallard
competition and additive mortality; and
(4) 2013 estimates of 0.62 million
breeding black ducks and 0.50 million
breeding mallards in the core survey
area. The optimal regulatory choices are
the moderate package in Canada and the
restrictive package in the United States.
iv. Canvasbacks
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended
a full season for canvasbacks with a 1bird daily bag limit. Season lengths
would be 60 days in the Atlantic and
Mississippi Flyways, 74 days in the
Central Flyway, and 107 days in the
Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: Since 1994, we
have followed a canvasback harvest
strategy whereby if canvasback
population status and production are
sufficient to permit a harvest of one
canvasback per day nationwide for the
entire length of the regular duck season,
while still attaining an objective of
500,000 birds the following spring, the
season on canvasbacks should be
opened. A partial season would be
permitted if the estimated allowable
harvest was below that associated with
a 1-bird daily bag limit for the entire
season. If neither of these conditions
can be met, the harvest strategy calls for
a closed season on canvasbacks
nationwide. In 2008 (73 FR 43290; July
24, 2008), we announced our decision to
modify the canvasback harvest strategy
to incorporate the option for a 2-bird
daily bag limit for canvasbacks when
the predicted breeding population the
subsequent year exceeds 725,000 birds.
This year’s spring survey resulted in
an estimate of 685,000 canvasbacks.
This was similar to the 2013 estimate of
787,000 canvasbacks and 18 percent
above the 1955–2013 average. The
estimate of ponds in Prairie Canada was
4.6 million, which was also similar to
last year’s estimate of 4.6 million and 33
percent above the long-term average.
Based on harvest predictions using data
through 2009, the canvasback harvest
strategy predicts a 2015 canvasback
population of 730,600 birds under a
liberal duck season with a 1-bird daily
bag limit and 671,000 with a 2-bird
daily bag limit. Because the predicted
2015 spring canvasback population
under a ‘‘liberal’’ 1-bird bag season is
greater than 500,000, and the predicted
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population under a ‘‘liberal’’ 2-bird bag
is less than 725,000, and since the
recommended duck season under AHM
is ‘‘liberal,’’ the harvest strategy
stipulates that there should be a full
canvasback season with a 1-bird daily
bag limit.
v. Pintails
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended
a full season for pintails, consisting of
a 2-bird daily bag limit and a 60-day
season in the Atlantic and Mississippi
Flyways, a 74-day season in the Central
Flyway, and a 107-day season in the
Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: The current derived
pintail harvest strategy was adopted by
the Service and Flyway Councils in
2010 (75 FR 44856; July 29, 2010). For
this year, an optimal regulatory strategy
for pintails was calculated with: (1) An
objective of maximizing long-term
cumulative harvest, including a closedseason constraint of 1.75 million birds;
(2) the regulatory alternatives and
associated predicted harvest; and (3)
current population models and their
relative weights. Based on this year’s
survey results of 3.22 million pintails
observed at a mean latitude of 53.9
degrees and a latitude-adjusted breeding
population of 3.79 million birds, the
optimal regulatory choice for all four
Flyways is the ‘‘liberal’’ alternative with
a 2-bird daily bag limit.
vi. Scaup
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended
use of the ‘‘moderate’’ regulation
package.
Service Response: In 2008, we
adopted and implemented a new scaup
harvest strategy (73 FR 43290 on July
24, 2008, and 73 FR 51124 on August
29, 2008) with initial ‘‘restrictive,’’
‘‘moderate,’’ and ‘‘liberal’’ regulatory
packages adopted for each Flyway.
The 2014 breeding population
estimate for scaup is 4.61 million,
which is similar to the 2013 estimate of
4.17 million. Total estimated U.S. scaup
harvest for the 2013–14 season was 0.33
million birds. An optimal regulatory
strategy for scaup was calculated with
an objective of achieving 95 percent of
maximum long-term cumulative harvest
and updated model parameters and
their relative weights. Based on this
year’s breeding population estimate of
4.61 million, the optimal regulatory
choice for scaup is the ‘‘moderate’’
package in all four Flyways.
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xi. Other
Council Recommendations: The
Central Flyway Council recommended
that two additional (bonus) blue-winged
teal be allowed in the daily duck bag for
the first 16 days of the regular duck
season in the production States of
Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota,
and Wyoming.
The Mississippi Flyway Council
recommended that two additional teal
(blue-winged, green-winged, and
cinnamon teal collectively) be allowed
in the daily duck bag for the first 16
days of the regular duck season in the
production States of Iowa, Michigan,
Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Impacts of
both of these changes would be
evaluated over the first 3 years,
beginning with the 2014–15 hunting
season.
Service Response: In the April 30
Federal Register, we stated that ‘‘any
proposal to increase teal harvest, in
order to be consistent with the intent of
special regulations, should direct
harvest primarily at blue-winged teal
. . .’’ The recent assessment of teal
harvest potential indicated additional
harvest for this species can be supported
in most years, and we believe the
proposal for bonus blue-winged teal will
provide hunters increased opportunities
with a very low likelihood of negative
impacts to the blue-winged teal
population. Further, we believe impacts
to species other than blue-winged teal
also are likely to be low. Thus, we
support the Central Flyway Council’s
recommendation to include bonus bluewinged teal in the regular season daily
duck bag limit. We will work with the
Flyway to develop appropriate
evaluation techniques to monitor any
potential effects.
We do not support the Mississippi
Flyway Council’s recommendation to
include all teal in the bonus bag limit.
We have clearly stated that the focus of
additional teal harvest should be
directed at blue-winged teal, and do not
support new special regulations that
would target other species of waterfowl,
including the other teal species.
Although the teal harvest potential
assessment indicated some additional
harvest opportunity exists for both bluewinged and green-winged teal, the
amount of additional opportunity for
green-winged teal appears to be much
lower than for blue-winged teal. For
blue-winged teal, the optimal harvest
rates predicted for the additive model
were about 2–2.5 times higher than
observed harvest rates, but the optimal
harvest rate for green-winged teal was
only 1.3–1.5 times higher than observed
rates, suggesting less room for
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 184 / Tuesday, September 23, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
additional harvest opportunity for
green-winged teal. Furthermore, the
models used to assess the impacts of
harvest on green-winged teal population
size did not perform as well as the
models used for blue-winged teal. Thus,
we have less confidence in the results
for green-winged teal. Improving the
predictive ability of the green-winged
teal models would require
improvements to monitoring programs
(e.g., banding, harvest, and/or
abundance monitoring) beyond those
that currently exist. Data were
insufficient to assess the harvest
potential for cinnamon teal.
Thus, beginning in the 2014–15
regular duck seasons, we will allow two
bonus blue-winged teal for the first 16
days of the regular duck season of the
Central and Mississippi Flyways when
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 for the first 9
days when the blue-winged teal
estimate is between 3.3 and 4.7 million.
Bonus blue-winged teal will not be
allowed when the blue-winged teal
estimate is less than 3.3 million. In the
Central Flyway, this regulation would
be available only to the States of
Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota,
and Wyoming. In the Mississippi
Flyway, this regulation would be
available only to the States of Iowa,
Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
During the next 3 years, no additional
expansion of teal hunting opportunity
will be allowed. This will ensure that an
evaluation of recently enacted
additional teal hunting opportunities
can proceed immediately and a
comprehensive teal harvest strategy can
be developed. The evaluation plan must
be reviewed and supported by the
Service’s Division of Migratory Bird
Management, and the strategy vetted by
the Harvest Management Working
Group and approved by the Service.
Bonus birds of other species will only
be considered after a rigorous
assessment of the harvest potential of
the species, adequate evaluations of the
effects of the additional harvest
associated with the bonus bag limit on
the status of the species, and integration
of the regulations into the applicable
duck harvest management strategy(ies)
in place at the time. Flyway(s)
proposing such changes would be
responsible for providing the resources
for all necessary work.
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
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https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds, or at
https://www.regulations.gov.
4. Canada Geese
B. Regular Seasons
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that regulations for the North Atlantic
Population of Canada geese (NAP) be
liberalized per the NAP Canada Goose
Management Plan and Hunt Strategy.
The ‘‘liberal’’ season option would
consist of a 70-day season with a 3-bird
daily bag limit and a framework
between October 1 and February 15 for
the high- and low-harvest NAP areas.
The Council also recommended that the
size of the closed area surrounding
Santee National Wildlife Refuge and
lands in close proximity to the refuge be
reduced beginning with the 2014–15
hunting season. The area removed from
the closed area would be managed as an
Atlantic Flyway Resident Population
harvest area with an 80-day season and
5-bird daily bag limit.
The Pacific Flyway Council
recommended several changes to dark
goose season frameworks:
1. Simplify goose frameworks in the
Pacific Flyway by combining interior
and coastal States frameworks into
single frameworks for Canada geese and
brant, white-fronted geese, and light
geese. This would include:
a. Increasing the season length for
Canada geese in California, Oregon, and
Washington from 100 to 107 days; and
b. Changing the framework opening
date for geese in California, Oregon, and
Washington from the Saturday closest to
October 1 to the Saturday closest to
September 24.
2. In California, increase the bag limit
for Canada geese from 4 to 10 per day,
and in those zones where exceptions
exist, increase the Canada goose bag
limit from 6 to 10 per day.
3. In Oregon, increase the bag limit for
Canada geese in the South Coast Zone
on hunt days on or before the last
Sunday in January from 4 to 6 per day.
4. In Oregon, remove bag limit
restrictions for cackling and Aleutian
geese in the Northwest and Northwest
Special Permit Zones of not more than
3 per day within the overall Canada
goose daily bag limit.
5. In Washington, remove the bag
limit restriction for cackling geese in
Area 2A and 2B (Southwest Washington
Permit Zone) of not more than 3 per day
within the overall Canada goose daily
bag limit.
6. In Oregon and Washington,
increase dusky Canada goose quotas
from 90 to 165 geese in the Northwest
Special Permit Zone of Oregon, and
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from 45 to 85 geese in Area 2A and 2B
of Washington (Southwest Washington
Permit Zone).
7. In Utah, Nevada, and Arizona,
increase the daily bag limit from 3 to 4
Canada geese and brant, singly or in the
aggregate.
8. In Utah, modify the Northern Utah
Zone to include the Locomotive State
Wildlife Area and adjacent areas which
were previously in the Remainder of
State Zone.
9. In Utah, modify the descriptions of
the Wasatch Front Zone and the
Remainder of State Zone so that the
Wasatch Front Zone is described by
roads instead of county boundaries.
Service Response: We agree with the
Atlantic Flyway Council’s
recommendation concerning
liberalization of the frameworks for NAP
geese. The 3-year NAP breeding
population mean (65,344) is above the
2001–05 level of 59,994 needed for
liberalization. Further, the NAP
breeding population has been slowly
increasing for the past 5 years and NAP
harvest in the United States is buffered
to a large extent by the Atlantic Flyway
Resident Population (AFRP). We also
support the Council’s recommendation
to reduce the closed area in South
Carolina. The reduction in the size of
the closed area should continue to
provide adequate protection for migrant
Canada goose stocks associated with
this area. Further, opening some new
areas to goose hunting will provide
additional harvest opportunity on
overabundant AFRP Canada geese.
We support the Pacific Flyway
Council’s recommendations to increase
the basic season length in California,
Oregon, and Washington from 100 to
107 days, and to change the framework
opening date in California, Oregon, and
Washington. These recommendations
are intended to simplify frameworks by
establishing consistency in season
lengths and opening dates for Canada
goose, light goose, and white-fronted
goose seasons throughout the Pacific
Flyway south of Alaska. We do not
expect the increased season length to
significantly increase harvest as many
areas in these States already have
exceptions for a 107-day season length,
or have combinations of youth hunting
days, September seasons, and regular
seasons which total 107 days.
We also support the Pacific Flyway
Council’s recommendation to increase
the daily bag limit in California from 4
or 6, depending on the zone, to 10 per
day. Aleutian, cackling, and western
Canada geese represent the primary
Canada goose populations inhabiting
California, and currently exceed
population objectives identified in
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Flyway management plans. The most
recent 3-year (2012–2014) average
estimated number of Aleutian Canada
geese is 145,780, well above the
population objective of 60,000 geese.
The current 3-year (2012–2014) average
population estimate for cackling Canada
geese is 265,281, and exceeds the
population objective of 250,000 geese.
Also, the 3-year (2012–2014) average
population estimate for the Pacific
population of western Canada geese is
249,890, and is nearly double the
objective of 126,650 geese. However, the
Flyway management plan indicates that
the western Canada goose population
segment (flock) objective for the
California reference area is between
1,000 and 1,250 nesting pairs. The
traditional survey area in the northeast
portion of the California reference area
indicates only 588 nesting pairs, but a
broader survey over the California
reference area indicates a current 3-year
average breeding population estimate of
47,128 geese. We note that California
has maintained more restrictive
regulations in their Northeast Zone to
protect the breeding population of
western Canada geese there. While we
support the recommendation, we also
believe the Flyway management plan for
the Pacific population of western
Canada geese should be revised by 2016
to update the population objective if
necessary and clarify the metric used to
index the status of this population and
prescribe harvest management
regulations.
With regard to the Pacific Flyway
Council’s recommendation to increase
the daily bag limit in Oregon’s South
Coast Zone on hunt days on or before
the last Sunday in January from 4 to 6
per day, we concur. We note that
Oregon’s South Coast Zone daily bag
limit is already 6 Canada geese after the
last Sunday in January. Increased bag
limits in Oregon’s South Coast Zone are
intended to increase harvest rates of
Aleutian Canada geese, which exceed
the Flyway population objective by
more than two times.
We also support the Pacific Flyway
Council’s recommendations to remove
the daily bag limit restrictions specific
to cackling and Aleutian Canada geese
in Oregon’s Northwest and Northwest
Special Permit Zones of not more than
3 per day, and to remove the daily bag
limit restriction specific to cackling
Canada geese in Washington’s Area 2A
and 2B (Southwest Permit Zone) of not
more than 3 per day within the basic
daily bag limit of 4 Canada geese per
day in these areas. As previously noted,
Aleutian Canada goose abundance is
currently more than double the Flyway
population objective, and the number of
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cackling Canada geese also exceeds the
Flyway population objective. The bag
limit increases are intended to increase
harvest rates of cackling Canada geese
and address agricultural damage issues
in Oregon and Washington. However,
we note that long-term solutions to
agricultural depredation issues will not
be completely addressed through
harvest regulations. Thus, we encourage
the States in the Pacific Flyway to
continue to work toward implementing
other approaches for reducing
agricultural depredation as detailed in
the Flyway’s Canada goose depredation
plan.
We also support the Pacific Flyway
Council’s recommendation to increase
the dusky Canada goose quotas from 90
to 165 in Oregon’s Northwest Special
Permit Zone, and 45 to 85 in
Washington’s Area 2A and 2B
(Southwest Permit Zone). The Flyway’s
dusky Canada goose management plan
specifies that Oregon’s and
Washington’s harvest quotas will
increase from 90 and 45 to 165 and 85,
respectively, when the 3-year average
population of dusky Canada geese
exceeds 12,500 (Action level 1). The
most current 3-year average population
(2011–2014, no estimate was available
in 2013) is 13,678. We do not expect
change in the quotas to result in
increased goose harvest. Oregon and
Washington rarely exceed sub-area
dusky quotas and do not exceed the
current lower quotas. The status of
dusky Canada geese continues to be of
concern and harvest restrictions have
been in place to protect these geese
throughout their range since the 1970s.
We continue to support the harvest
strategy described in the Flyway
management plan for this population.
We also support the Pacific Flyway
Council’s recommendation to increase
the daily Canada goose and brant bag
limit from 3 to 4 singly or in the
aggregate in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.
State restrictions have been imposed in
those three States to help establish and
build breeding population segments
(flocks) identified by State reference
areas in the Flyway management plan.
However, the current 3-year average
population estimate (2012–14) for the
Rocky Mountain population of western
Canada geese is 144,255, which is
substantially above the Flyway
population objective of 117,000 geese.
The management plan for this
population indicates that when the most
recent 3-year average breeding
population index is between 87,825 and
117,000 geese, minor harvest
adjustments may be made for individual
flocks and reference areas. Removal of
the States’ daily bag limit restrictions in
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Arizona, Nevada, and Utah will make
their Canada goose bag limits the same
as those in other interior Pacific Flyway
States (Colorado, Idaho, and Montana),
resulting in greater consistency
throughout the Flyway.
Lastly, we support the Pacific Flyway
Council’s recommendations to modify
Utah’s Northern Utah Zone and to
modify the descriptions of Utah’s
Wasatch Front Zone and the Remainder
of State Zone. The modifications will
result in consistent regulations on other
nearby wildlife management areas in the
Northern Utah Zone, and we do not
expect that this change will have any
impact on goose harvest. Also, some
hunters have had difficulty determining
the boundary for the Wasatch Front
Zone because the zone was defined
based on county lines, which do not
necessarily follow visible landmarks.
This change in boundary description is
more easily identifiable based on visible
landmarks and should reduce
uncertainty by sportsmen when afield.
5. White-Fronted Geese
Council Recommendations: The
Pacific Flyway Council recommended
increasing the daily bag limit from 6 to
10 per day in the Pacific Flyway except
in Alaska, and expanding the framework
opening outside dates in California,
Oregon, and Washington from the
Saturday closest to October 1 to the
Saturday closest to September 24.
Service Response: We support the
Pacific Flyway Council’s
recommendations. The current 3-year
average population estimate (2012–14)
for Pacific white-fronted geese is
627,108, which is substantially above
the Flyway population objective of
300,000 geese. Further, the population
has shown an upward trend for nearly
the last 30 years. As the number of
Pacific white-fronted geese has
increased, so have complaints of
agricultural damage on wintering and
staging areas. The bag limit increase
should allow additional harvest of
Pacific white-fronted geese while
maintaining traditional Canada goose
hunting opportunities. We do not expect
a significant increase in Tule whitefronted goose harvest with the bag limit
increase because restrictive frameworks
remain in place in the Pacific Flyway to
limit harvest of Tule white-fronted geese
(for example, California’s Sacramento
Valley Special Management Area).
Population estimates for Tule whitefronted geese indicate a stable
population, and the current 3-year
average population estimate (2012–14)
is approximately 10,000 geese. While
the Special Management Area is in
place to restrict the harvest of Tule
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geese, the absolute number of Tule geese
harvested remains very low (ranging
from 40–173 per year). With regard to
framework dates, moving the framework
opening date ahead by 1 week is
intended to simplify frameworks by
aligning outside dates for white-fronted
goose, Canada goose, and light goose
seasons to allow consistency throughout
the Pacific Flyway south of Alaska.
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6. Brant
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
a 30-day season with a 2-bird daily bag
limit for the 2014–15 hunting season.
Service Response: The 2014 midwinter index (MWI) for Atlantic brant
was 132,936. While the brant
management plan allows for a 50-day
season with a 2-bird daily bag limit
when the MWI estimate falls between
125,000 and 150,000 brant, the hunt
plan provides for consideration of
factors other than population size in
decisions about season length. The
Council noted that the percentage of
young in the brant fall flight in the
previous 2 years was extremely low (6.5
percent and 3.7 percent) compared to
the previous 10-year average of 17.6
percent, and preliminary information
for 2014 suggests a third consecutive
year of poor production. We concur
with the Council’s conservative
approach.
7. Snow and Ross’s (Light) Geese
Council Recommendations: The
Pacific Flyway Council recommended
several changes to light goose season
frameworks:
1. Changing the framework opening
date for light geese in California,
Oregon, and Washington from the
Saturday closest to October 1 to the
Saturday closest to September 24;
2. Increasing the basic bag limit for
light geese in California, Oregon, and
Washington from 6 or 10 per day to 20
per day; and
3. Implementing a bag limit restriction
for light geese in Oregon of 6 per day
during all hunts occurring on or before
the last Sunday in January.
Service Response: We support the
Pacific Flyway Council’s
recommendation to expand the
framework opening outside dates for
light geese in California, Oregon, and
Washington. Moving the framework
opening date ahead by 1 week is
intended to simplify frameworks by
aligning outside dates for white-fronted
goose, Canada goose, and light goose
seasons to allow consistency throughout
the Pacific Flyway south of Alaska.
We also support the Pacific Flyway
Council’s recommendations to increase
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the basic bag limit for light geese in
California, Oregon, and Washington
from 6 or 10 per day to 20 per day.
Increasing the basic light goose bag limit
in California, Oregon, and Washington
will simplify frameworks by aligning
bag limits for light geese to allow
consistency throughout the Pacific
Flyway south of Alaska. Additionally,
three populations of light geese occur in
the Pacific Flyway and are above
Flyway population objectives based on
the most recent breeding population
indices. The population estimate for the
Western Arctic Population (WAP) of
lesser snow geese was 451,000 in 2013,
which is above the objective of 200,000
geese. Ross’s geese were estimated at
766,000 in 2012, and are above the
objective of 100,000 geese. The
population estimate for Wrangel Island
snow geese was 160,000 in 2013, which
is above the objective of 120,000 geese.
The Council notes that the Canadian
Wildlife Service (CWS) designated WAP
lesser snow geese and Ross’s geese as
overabundant in 2014, based on the
populations’ long-term growth, evidence
of localized habitat degradation on the
breeding grounds, low harvest rate, and
high adult survival rate. Further,
management prescriptions
recommended in the WAP lesser snow
goose and Ross’s goose management
plans are meant to keep the populations
within objective levels and prevent
habitat degradation problems. The
increase in daily bag limit is intended
to slow the growth rate of WAP lesser
snow geese and Ross’s geese.
Increasing bag limits on light geese
has the potential for additional impacts
to Wrangel Island snow geese. Wrangel
Island snow geese winter primarily in
British Columbia-Washington (60
percent) and California (40 percent), but
some winter in Oregon. California is the
winter terminus for all three
populations of light geese. The number
of light geese estimated to winter in
California is approximately 1,000,000.
Only about 5 percent of the wintering
population is composed of Wrangel
Island snow geese. We agree with the
Council that the large portion of WAP
lesser snow geese and Ross’s geese
wintering in California serve as a buffer
to the small portion of Wrangel Island
snow geese wintering in California.
Further, restrictive frameworks remain
in place in Washington and Oregon to
restrict harvest of Wrangel Island snow
geese including a 4-bird daily bag limit
for light geese in Washington’s and
Oregon’s Northwest Permit zones. Also
the Pacific Flyway Council
recommended retaining the current
daily bag limit of 6 light geese in Oregon
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56869
on or before the last Sunday in January
when light geese in the State are likely
to be Wrangel Island snow geese.
With regard to implementing a bag
limit restriction for light geese in
Oregon of 6 per day on or before the last
Sunday in January, we concur. Current
evidence suggests most light geese in
Oregon during fall and early winter are
primarily Wrangel Island snow geese,
but an influx of WAP lesser snow and
Ross’s geese occurs during late winter as
birds begin to move north toward
breeding areas. A bag limit for light
geese in Oregon of 6 per day on or
before the last Sunday in January is
similar to the 6-bird bag limit currently
allowed for light geese in Oregon, and
should retain protective measures for
Wrangel Island snow geese at a time of
the year when they make up the
majority of light geese inhabiting
Oregon.
23. Other
In a July 26, 2013, Federal Register
(78 FR 45376), the Service issued its
Record of Decision (ROD) for the
migratory bird hunting program,
prepared pursuant to National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) regulations at 40
CFR 1505.2. An integral component of
that ROD was the decision to
promulgate annual migratory bird
hunting regulations using a single
process for early and late seasons based
on predictions derived from long-term
biological information and established
harvest strategies. We believe this single
process is the most effective alternative
for addressing key issues identified
during the planning process and will
best achieve the purposes and goals of
the Service and States. At that time, we
stated that implementation of the new
process was targeted for the 2015–16
regulations cycle.
In the April 30 proposed rule we
discussed how under this new process,
the current early and late season
regulatory actions will be combined into
a new single process. Regulatory
proposals will be developed using
biological data from the preceding
year(s), model predictions, or most
recently accumulated data that are
available at the time the proposals are
being formulated. Individual harvest
strategies will be modified using either
data from the previous year(s) or model
predictions because the current year’s
data would not be available for many of
the strategies. Considerable technical
work will be necessary over a period of
years to adjust the underlying biological
models to the new regulatory time scale.
During this transition period, harvest
strategies and prescriptions will be
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modified to fit into the new regulatory
schedule. These adjustments could be
accomplished immediately upon
adoption of the new process. Many
existing regulatory prescriptions used
for Canada geese, sandhill cranes,
mourning doves, and American
woodcock currently work on this basis.
The process will be somewhat less
precise in some instances because
population projections would be used
instead of current-year status
information. The use of population
projections rather than current-year
population estimates would add
variability to the population estimate
from which the regulations are based.
However, the uncertainty associated
with these status predictions will be
accounted for and incorporated into the
process. This uncertainty will not result
in a disproportionately higher harvest
rate for any stock, nor substantially
diminish harvest opportunities, either
annually or on a cumulative basis.
Reducing the number of meetings could
lower administrative costs by 40 percent
per year and substantially lower the
Service’s carbon footprint due to a
decrease in travel and a reduction in the
costs associated with the additional
meetings.
Obviously, under this new process,
the administrative, meeting, and
Federal Register schedule will all
change significantly. In the ROD, we
described a meeting schedule consisting
of SRC regulatory meetings in March or
April. At the latest, proposed
frameworks would be available for
public review by early June and final
frameworks published by mid-August.
The new schedule also allows 30–60
days for public input and comments
(currently, the comment period can be
as short as 10 days). Further, the ROD
stated that the four Flyway Councils
may need to meet only once instead of
twice per year, and the SRC would meet
twice a year, once sometime during fall
or early winter (September through
January) and once thereafter, instead of
the three times they currently convene.
Over the last few months we have
worked with the Flyway Councils on a
number of administrative, meeting, and
Federal Register schedule timing
options to implement the new
regulatory process. As we stated in the
April 30 proposed rule, these
discussions have led us to a mutually
agreeable regulatory schedule that
begins earlier than was envisioned in
the ROD. We plan to implement the new
regulatory schedule in 2015 when the
regulatory cycle begins for the 2016–17
hunting seasons. As a benefit to the
public, we will review and discuss these
changes here before their
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implementation next summer because of
the significantly different regulatory
schedule and the fact that the process
will begin much earlier than that
currently utilized.
Major steps in the 2016–17 regulatory
cycle relating to biological information
availability, open public meetings, and
Federal Register notifications are
illustrated in the diagram at the end of
this rule. At this time, all dates,
including biological information,
meetings, and publications of Federal
Register documents are target dates
largely consisting of either specific
targets (i.e., biological information
availability) or target windows
(meetings and Federal Register
publications). More specific target dates
will be provided next summer with
publication of specific meeting notices
and the proposed rulemaking for the
2016–17 hunting seasons.
In summary, the 2016–17 regulatory
schedule would begin in mid-June 2015
with the first SRC meeting of the
forthcoming year. Flyway technical
sections and councils would then meet
in September and early October
following the release of the waterfowl
and webless population status reports in
mid-August and the AHM report in
early September. After the last Flyway
Council meeting, the SRC and Flyway
Council Consultants would meet to
review information on the current status
of migratory shore and upland game
birds and waterfowl and develop
recommendations for the 2016–17
regulations for these species. Proposed
season frameworks, a 30-day public
comment period, and final season
frameworks would then follow with
ultimate publication of all migratory
game bird hunting seasons in late May
to mid-June of 2016 for the 2016–17
hunting seasons.
As we previously stated, however,
there remains considerable technical
work necessary over a period of years to
adjust the underlying biological models
to the new regulatory time scale. We
look forward to continuing work on
these issues with the Flyway Councils.
For a more detailed discussion of the
various technical aspects of the new
process, we refer the reader to the 2013
SEIS available on our Web site at
https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds.
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
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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
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significant because it would have an
annual effect of $100 million or more on
the economy.
Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the
principles of E.O. 12866 while calling
for improvements in the nation’s
regulatory system to promote
predictability, to reduce uncertainty,
and to use the best, most innovative,
and least burdensome tools for
achieving regulatory ends. The
executive order directs agencies to
consider regulatory approaches that
reduce burdens and maintain flexibility
and freedom of choice for the public
where these approaches are relevant,
feasible, and consistent with regulatory
objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes
further that regulations must be based
on the best available science and that
the rulemaking process must allow for
public participation and an open
exchange of ideas. We have developed
this rule in a manner consistent with
these requirements.
An 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
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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 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
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56871
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 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 seasons.
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
seasons are authorized under 16 U.S.C.
703–712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 a–j.
Dated: September 10, 2014.
Michael J. Bean,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish
and Wildlife and Parks.
Final Regulations Frameworks for
2014–15 Late 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, shooting hours, bag and
possession limits, and outside dates
within which States may select seasons
for hunting waterfowl and coots
between the dates of September 1, 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
High Plains Mallard Management
Unit—roughly defined as that portion of
the Central Flyway that lies west of the
100th meridian.
Definitions
For the purpose of hunting
regulations listed below, the collective
terms ‘‘dark’’ and ‘‘light’’ geese include
the following species:
Dark geese: Canada geese, whitefronted geese, brant (except in
California, Oregon, Washington, and the
Atlantic Flyway), and all other goose
species except light geese.
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Light geese: Snow (including blue)
geese and Ross’s geese.
Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions:
Geographic descriptions related to lateseason regulations are contained in a
later portion of this document.
Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks
for open seasons, season lengths, bag
and possession limits, and other special
provisions are listed below by Flyway.
Waterfowl Seasons in the Atlantic
Flyway
In the Atlantic Flyway States of
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey,
North Carolina, 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 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days
Outside Dates: States may select 2
days per duck-hunting zone, designated
as ‘‘Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,’’ in
addition to their regular duck seasons.
The days must be held outside any
regular duck season on a weekend,
holidays, or other non-school days
when youth hunters would have the
maximum opportunity to participate.
The days may be held up to 14 days
before or after any regular duck-season
frameworks or within any split of a
regular duck season, or within any other
open season on migratory birds.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits
may include ducks, geese, tundra
swans, mergansers, coots, moorhens,
and gallinules and would be the same
as those allowed in the regular season.
Flyway species and area restrictions
would remain in effect.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before
sunrise to sunset.
Participation Restrictions: Youth
hunters must be 15 years of age or
younger. In addition, an adult at least 18
years of age must accompany the youth
hunter into the field. This adult may not
duck hunt but may participate in other
seasons that are open on the special
youth day. Tundra swans may only be
taken by participants possessing
applicable tundra swan permits.
Atlantic Flyway
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Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday
nearest September 24 (September 27)
and the last Sunday in January (January
25).
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60
days. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks,
including no more than 4 mallards (no
more that 2 of which can be females),
1 black duck, 2 pintails, 1 mottled duck,
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1 fulvous whistling duck, 3 wood ducks,
2 redheads, 2 scaup, 1 canvasback, and
4 scoters.
Closures: The season on harlequin
ducks is closed.
Sea Ducks: Within the special sea
duck areas, during the regular duck
season in the Atlantic Flyway, States
may choose to allow the above sea duck
limits in addition to the limits applying
to other ducks during the regular duck
season. In all other areas, sea ducks may
be taken only during the regular open
season for ducks and are part of the
regular duck season daily bag (not to
exceed 4 scoters) and possession limits.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit
of mergansers is 5, only 2 of which may
be hooded mergansers. In States that
include mergansers in the duck bag
limit, the daily limit is the same as the
duck bag limit, only two of which may
be hooded mergansers.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15
coots.
Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The
waterfowl seasons, limits, and shooting
hours should be the same as those
selected for the Lake Champlain Zone of
Vermont.
Connecticut River Zone, Vermont:
The waterfowl seasons, limits, and
shooting hours should be the same as
those selected for the Inland Zone of
New Hampshire.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware,
Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North
Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina,
Virginia, and West Virginia may split
their seasons into three segments;
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, and Vermont may select
hunting seasons by zones and may split
their seasons into two segments in each
zone.
Canada Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and
Limits: Specific regulations for Canada
geese are shown below by State. These
seasons also include white-fronted
geese. Unless specified otherwise,
seasons may be split into two segments.
In areas within States where the
framework closing date for Atlantic
Population (AP) goose seasons overlaps
with special late-season frameworks for
resident geese, the framework closing
date for AP goose seasons is January 14.
Connecticut:
North Atlantic Population (NAP)
Zone: Between October 1 and February
15, a 70-day season may be held with
a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Atlantic Population (AP) Zone: A 50day season may be held between
October 10 and February 5, with a 3bird daily bag limit.
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South Zone: A special season may be
held between January 15 and February
15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
Resident Population (RP) Zone: An
80-day season may be held between
October 1 and February 15, with a 5bird daily bag limit. The season may be
split into 3 segments.
Delaware: A 50-day season may be
held between November 15 and
February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Florida: An 80-day season may be
held between October 1 and March 10,
with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season
may be split into 3 segments.
Georgia: An 80-day season may be
held between October 1 and March 10,
with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season
may be split into 3 segments.
Maine: A 70-day season may be held
Statewide between October 1 and
February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag
limit.
Maryland:
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be
held between November 15 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The
season may be split into 3 segments.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be
held between November 15 and
February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Massachusetts:
NAP Zone: A 70-day season may be
held between October 1 and February
15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Additionally, a special season may be
held from January 15 to February 15,
with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be
held between October 10 and February
5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
New Hampshire: A 70-day season may
be held Statewide between October 1
and February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag
limit.
New Jersey:
Statewide: A 50-day season may be
held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 25) and February 5,
with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Special Late Goose Season Area: A
special season may be held in
designated areas of North and South
New Jersey from January 15 to February
15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
New York:
NAP Zone: Between October 1 and
February 15, a 70-day season may be
held, with a 3-bird daily bag limit in
both the High Harvest and Low Harvest
areas.
Special Late Goose Season Area: A
special season may be held between
January 15 and February 15, with a 5bird daily bag limit in designated areas
of Suffolk County.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be
held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 25), except in the Lake
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Champlain Area where the opening date
is October 10, and February 5, with a 3bird daily bag limit.
Western Long Island RP Zone: A 107day season may be held between the
Saturday nearest September 24
(September 27) and March 10, with an
8-bird daily bag limit. The season may
be split into 3 segments.
Rest of State RP Zone: An 80-day
season may be held between the fourth
Saturday in October (October 25) and
March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
The season may be split into 3
segments.
North Carolina:
SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be
held between October 1 and December
31, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be
held between October 1 and March 10,
with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season
may be split into 3 segments.
Northeast Hunt Unit: A 14-day season
may be held between the Saturday prior
to December 25 (December 20) and
January 31, with a 1-bird daily bag limit.
Pennsylvania:
SJBP Zone: A 78-day season may be
held between the first Saturday in
October (October 4) and February 15,
with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be
held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 25) and March 10,
with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season
may be split into 3 segments.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be
held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 25) and February 5,
with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Rhode Island: A 70-day season may
be held between October 1 and February
15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. A
special late season may be held in
designated areas from January 15 to
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag
limit.
South Carolina: In designated areas,
an 80-day season may be held between
October 1 and March 10, with a 5-bird
daily bag limit. The season may be split
into 3 segments.
Vermont:
Lake Champlain Zone and Interior
Zone: A 50-day season may be held
between October 10 and February 5
with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Connecticut River Zone: A 70-day
season may be held between October 1
and February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag
limit.
Virginia:
SJBP Zone: A 40-day season may be
held between November 15 and January
14, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Additionally, a special late season may
be held between January 15 and
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag
limit.
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AP Zone: A 50-day season may be
held between November 15 and
February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be
held between November 15 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The
season may be split into 3 segments.
West Virginia: An 80-day season may
be held between October 1 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The
season may be split into 3 segments in
each zone.
Light Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and
Limits: States may select a 107-day
season between October 1 and March
10, with a 25-bird daily bag limit and no
possession limit. States may split their
seasons into three segments.
Brant
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and
Limits: States may select a 30-day
season between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 27) and
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
States may split their seasons into two
segments.
Mississippi Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday
nearest September 24 (September 27)
and the last Sunday in January (January
25).
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits:
The season may not exceed 60 days,
with a daily bag limit of 6 ducks,
including no more than 4 mallards (no
more than 2 of which may be females),
1 mottled duck, 1 black duck, 2 pintails,
3 wood ducks, 1 canvasback, 3 scaup,
and 2 redheads. In addition to the daily
limits listed above, the States of Iowa,
Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
may include an additional 2 bluewinged teal in the daily bag limit in lieu
of selecting an experimental September
teal season during the first 16 days of
the regular duck season in each
respective duck hunting zone.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit
is 5, only 2 of which may be hooded
mergansers. In States that include
mergansers in the duck bag limit, the
daily limit is the same as the duck bag
limit, only 2 of which may be hooded
mergansers.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15
coots.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama,
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and
Wisconsin may select hunting seasons
by zones.
In Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota,
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Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and
Wisconsin, the season may be split into
two segments in each zone.
In Arkansas and Mississippi, the
season may be split into three segments.
Geese
Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may
be split into three segments.
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and
Limits: States may select seasons for
light geese not to exceed 107 days, with
20 geese daily between the Saturday
nearest September 24 (September 27)
and March 10; for white-fronted geese
not to exceed 74 days with 2 geese daily
or 88 days with 1 goose daily between
the Saturday nearest September 24
(September 27) and the Sunday nearest
February 15 (February 15); and for brant
not to exceed 70 days, with 2 brant daily
or 107 days with 1 brant daily between
the Saturday nearest September 24
(September 27) and January 31. There is
no possession limit for light geese.
States may select seasons for Canada
geese not to exceed 92 days with 2 geese
daily or 78 days with 3 geese daily
between the Saturday nearest September
24 (September 27) and January 31 with
the following exceptions listed by State:
Arkansas: The season may extend to
February 15.
Indiana:
Late Canada Goose Season Area: A
special Canada goose season of up to 15
days may be held during February 1–15
in the Late Canada Goose Season Zone.
During this special season, the daily bag
limit cannot exceed 5 Canada geese.
Iowa: The season for Canada geese
may extend for 107 days. The daily bag
limit is 3 Canada geese.
Michigan:
The framework opening date for all
geese is September 11 in the Upper
Peninsula of Michigan and September
16 in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan.
Southern Michigan Late Canada
Goose Season Zone: A 30-day special
Canada goose season may be held
between December 31 and February 15.
The daily bag limit is 5 Canada geese.
Minnesota: The season for Canada
geese may extend for 107 days. The
daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.
Missouri: The season for Canada geese
may extend for 85 days. The daily bag
limit is 3 Canada geese.
Tennessee: Northwest Zone—The
season for Canada geese may extend to
February 15.
Wisconsin:
Horicon Zone: The framework
opening date for all geese is September
16.
Exterior Zone: The framework
opening date for all geese is September
16.
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Additional Limits: In addition to the
harvest limits stated for the respective
zones above, an additional 4,500 Canada
geese may be taken in the Horicon Zone
under special agricultural permits.
Central Flyway
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Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday
nearest September 24 (September 27)
and the last Sunday in January (January
25).
Hunting Seasons:
High Plains Mallard Management
Unit (roughly defined as that portion of
the Central Flyway which lies west of
the 100th meridian): 97 days. The last
23 days must run consecutively and
may start no earlier than the Saturday
nearest December 10 (December 13).
Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74
days.
Bag Limits: The daily bag limit is 6
ducks, with species and sex restrictions
as follows: 5 mallards (no more than 2
of which may be females), 3 scaup, 2
redheads, 3 wood ducks, 2 pintails, and
1 canvasback. In Texas, the daily bag
limit on mottled ducks is 1, except that
no mottled ducks may be taken during
the first 5 days of the season. In addition
to the daily limits listed above, the
States of Montana, North Dakota, South
Dakota, and Wyoming, in lieu of
selecting an experimental September
teal season, may include an additional
daily bag and possession limit of 2 and
6 blue-winged teal, respectively, during
the first 16 days of the regular duck
season in each respective duck hunting
zone. These extra limits are in addition
to the regular duck bag and possession
limits.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit
is 5 mergansers, only 2 of which may be
hooded mergansers. In States that
include mergansers in the duck daily
bag limit, the daily limit may be the
same as the duck bag limit, only two of
which may be hooded mergansers.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15
coots.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Colorado,
Kansas (Low Plains portion), Montana,
Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low
Plains portion), South Dakota (Low
Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains
portion), and Wyoming may select
hunting seasons by zones.
In Colorado, Kansas, Montana, New
Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the
regular season may be split into two
segments.
Geese
Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may
be split into three segments. Three-way
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split seasons for Canada geese require
Central Flyway Council and U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service approval, and a
3-year evaluation by each participating
State.
Outside Dates: For dark geese, seasons
may be selected between the outside
dates of the Saturday nearest September
24 (September 27) and the Sunday
nearest February 15 (February 15). For
light geese, outside dates for seasons
may be selected between the Saturday
nearest September 24 (September 27)
and March 10. In the Rainwater Basin
Light Goose Area (East and West) of
Nebraska, temporal and spatial
restrictions that are consistent with the
late-winter snow goose hunting strategy
cooperatively developed by the Central
Flyway Council and the Service are
required.
Season Lengths and Limits:
Light Geese: States may select a light
goose season not to exceed 107 days.
The daily bag limit for light geese is 50
with no possession limit.
Dark Geese: In Kansas, Nebraska,
North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota,
and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas,
States may select a season for Canada
geese (or any other dark goose species
except white-fronted geese) not to
exceed 107 days with a daily bag limit
of 8. For white-fronted geese, these
States may select either a season of 74
days with a bag limit of 2 or an 88-day
season with a bag limit of 1.
In Colorado, Montana, New Mexico,
and Wyoming, States may select seasons
not to exceed 107 days. The daily bag
limit for dark geese is 5 in the aggregate.
In the Western Goose Zone of Texas,
the season may not exceed 95 days. The
daily bag limit for Canada geese (or any
other dark goose species except whitefronted geese) is 5. The daily bag limit
for white-fronted geese is 1.
Pacific Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, Common
Moorhens, and Purple Gallinules
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday
nearest September 24 (September 27)
and the last Sunday in January (January
25).
Hunting Seasons and Duck and
Merganser Limits: Concurrent 107 days.
The daily bag limit is 7 ducks and
mergansers, including no more than 2
female mallards, 2 pintails, 1
canvasback, 3 scaup, and 2 redheads.
For scaup, the season length is 86 days,
which may be split according to
applicable zones/split duck hunting
configurations approved for each State.
The season on coots, common
moorhens, and purple gallinules may be
between the outside dates for the season
on ducks, but not to exceed 107 days.
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Coot, Common Moorhen, and Purple
Gallinule Limits: The daily bag limit of
coots, common moorhens, and purple
gallinules are 25, singly or in the
aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona,
California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah,
Washington, and Wyoming may select
hunting seasons by zones. Arizona,
California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah,
Washington, and Wyoming may split
their seasons into two segments.
Colorado, Montana, and New Mexico
may split their seasons into three
segments.
Colorado River Zone, California:
Seasons and limits should be the same
as seasons and limits selected in the
adjacent portion of Arizona (South
Zone).
Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and
Limits:
Canada geese and brant: Except as
subsequently noted, 107-day seasons
may be selected with outside dates
between the Saturday nearest September
24 (September 27) and the last Sunday
in January (January 25). In Arizona,
Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and
Utah, the daily bag limit is 4 Canada
geese and brant in the aggregate. In
California, Oregon, and Washington, the
daily bag limit is 4 Canada geese. For
brant, Oregon and Washington may
select a 16-day season and California a
30-day season. Days must be
consecutive. Washington and California
may select hunting seasons for up to
two zones. The daily bag limit is 2 brant
and is in addition to other goose limits.
In Oregon and California, the brant
season must end no later than December
15.
White-fronted geese: Except as
subsequently noted, 107-day seasons
may be selected with outside dates
between the Saturday nearest September
24 (September 27) and March 10. The
daily bag limit is 10.
Light geese: Except as subsequently
noted, 107-day seasons may be selected
with outside dates between the Saturday
nearest September 24 (September 27)
and March 10. The basic daily bag limit
is 20.
Split Seasons: Unless otherwise
specified, seasons for geese may be split
into up to 3 segments. Three-way split
seasons for Canada geese and whitefronted geese require Pacific Flyway
Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service approval and a 3-year
evaluation by each participating State.
California: The daily bag limit for
Canada geese is 10.
Balance-of-State Zone: A Canada
goose season may be selected with
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outside dates between the Saturday
nearest September 24 (September 27)
and March 10. In the Sacramento Valley
Special Management Area, the season
on white-fronted geese must end on or
before December 28, and the daily bag
limit is 3 white-fronted geese. In the
North Coast Special Management Area,
hunting days that occur after the last
Sunday in January should be concurrent
with Oregon’s South Coast Zone.
Idaho:
Zone 2: Idaho will continue to
monitor the snow goose hunt that
occurs after the last Sunday in January
in the American Falls Reservoir/Fort
Hall Bottoms and surrounding areas at
3-year intervals.
New Mexico: The daily bag limit for
Canada geese and brant is 3 in the
aggregate.
Oregon: The daily bag limit for light
geese is 6 on or before the last Sunday
in January.
Harney and Lake County Zone: For
Lake County only, the daily whitefronted goose bag limit is 1.
Northwest Zone: For geese, outside
dates are between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 27) and
March 10. The season may be split into
3 segments.
Northwest Special Permit Zone: For
geese, outside dates are between the
Saturday nearest September 24
(September 27) and March 10. The
season may be split into 3 segments.
The daily bag limit of light geese is 4.
South Coast Zone: A Canada goose
season may be selected with outside
dates between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 27) and
March 10. The daily bag limit is 6.
Hunting days that occur after the last
Sunday in January should be concurrent
with California’s North Coast Special
Management Area. The season may be
split into 3 segments.
Utah: A Canada goose and brant
season may be selected in the Wasatch
Front and Washington County Zones
with outside dates between the Saturday
nearest September 24 (September 27)
and the first Sunday in February
(February 1).
Washington: The daily bag limit is 4
geese.
Area 1: Outside dates are between the
Saturday nearest September 24
(September 27) and the last Sunday in
January (January 25).
Areas 2A and 2B (Southwest Permit
Zone): Regular goose seasons may be
split into 3 segments. A special late
goose season may be held between the
Saturday following the close of the
general goose season and March 10. In
the Southwest Permit Zone Area 2B
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(Pacific County), the daily bag limit may
include 1 Aleutian goose.
Area 4: The season may be split into
3 segments.
Wyoming: The daily bag limit for
Canada geese and brant is 3 in the
aggregate.
Permit Zones
In Oregon and Washington permit
zones, goose seasons must end upon
attainment of individual quotas of
dusky Canada geese allotted to the
designated areas of Oregon (165) and
Washington (85). The September
Canada goose season, regular goose
season, any special late Canada goose
season, and any extended falconry
season, combined, must not exceed 107
days, and the established quota of dusky
Canada geese must not be exceeded.
Hunting of geese in those designated
areas will be only by hunters possessing
a State-issued permit authorizing them
to do so. In a Service-approved
investigation, the State must obtain
quantitative information on hunter
compliance with those regulations
aimed at reducing the take of dusky
geese. If the monitoring program cannot
be conducted, for any reason, the season
must immediately close.
Swans
In portions of the Pacific Flyway
(Montana, Nevada, and Utah), an open
season for taking a limited number of
swans may be selected. Permits will be
issued by the State and will authorize
each permittee to take no more than 1
swan per season with each permit.
Nevada may issue up to 2 permits per
hunter. Montana and Utah may only
issue 1 permit per hunter. Each State’s
season may open no earlier than the
Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4).
These seasons are also subject to the
following conditions:
Montana: No more than 500 permits
may be issued. The season must end no
later than December 1. The State must
implement a harvest-monitoring
program to measure the species
composition of the swan harvest and
should use appropriate measures to
maximize hunter compliance in
reporting bill measurement and color
information.
Utah: No more than 2,000 permits
may be issued. During the swan season,
no more than 10 trumpeter swans may
be taken. The season must end no later
than the second Sunday in December
(December 14) or upon attainment of 10
trumpeter swans in the harvest,
whichever occurs earliest. The Utah
season remains subject to the terms of
the Memorandum of Agreement entered
into with the Service in August 2001,
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regarding harvest monitoring, season
closure procedures, and education
requirements to minimize the take of
trumpeter swans during the swan
season.
Nevada: No more than 650 permits
may be issued. During the swan season,
no more than 5 trumpeter swans may be
taken. The season must end no later
than the Sunday following January 1
(January 4) or upon attainment of 5
trumpeter swans in the harvest,
whichever occurs earliest.
In addition, the States of Utah and
Nevada must implement a harvestmonitoring program to measure the
species composition of the swan
harvest. The harvest-monitoring
program must require that all harvested
swans or their species-determinant parts
be examined by either State or Federal
biologists for the purpose of species
classification. The States should use
appropriate measures to maximize
hunter compliance in providing bagged
swans for examination. Further, the
States of Montana, Nevada, and Utah
must achieve at least an 80-percent
compliance rate, or subsequent permits
will be reduced by 10 percent. All three
States must provide to the Service by
June 30, 2015, a report detailing harvest,
hunter participation, reporting
compliance, and monitoring of swan
populations in the designated hunt
areas.
Tundra Swans
In portions of the Atlantic Flyway
(North Carolina and Virginia) and the
Central Flyway (North Dakota, South
Dakota [east of the Missouri River], and
that portion of Montana in the Central
Flyway), an open season for taking a
limited number of tundra swans may be
selected. Permits will be issued by the
States that authorize the take of no more
than 1 tundra swan per permit. A
second permit may be issued to hunters
from unused permits remaining after the
first drawing. The States must obtain
harvest and hunter participation data.
These seasons are also subject to the
following conditions:
In the Atlantic Flyway:
—The season may be 90 days, between
October 1 and January 31.
—In North Carolina, no more than 5,000
permits may be issued.
—In Virginia, no more than 600 permits
may be issued.
In the Central Flyway:
—The season may be 107 days, between
the Saturday nearest October 1
(October 4) and January 31.
—In the Central Flyway portion of
Montana, no more than 500 permits
may be issued.
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—In North Dakota, no more than 2,200
permits may be issued.
—In South Dakota, no more than 1,300
permits may be issued.
Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions
Ducks (Including Mergansers) and
Coots Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
North Zone: That portion of the State
north of I–95.
South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Maine
North Zone: That portion north of the
line extending east along Maine State
Highway 110 from the New HampshireMaine State line to the intersection of
Maine State Highway 11 in Newfield;
then north and east along Route 11 to
the intersection of U.S. Route 202 in
Auburn; then north and east on Route
202 to the intersection of I–95 in
Augusta; then north and east along I–95
to Route 15 in Bangor; then east along
Route 15 to Route 9; then east along
Route 9 to Stony Brook in Baileyville;
then east along Stony Brook to the
United States border.
Coastal Zone: That portion south of a
line extending east from the Maine-New
Brunswick border in Calais at the Route
1 Bridge; then south along Route 1 to
the Maine-New Hampshire border in
Kittery.
South Zone: Remainder of the State.
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Massachusetts
Western Zone: That portion of the
State west of a line extending south
from the Vermont State line 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 State line.
Central Zone: That portion of the
State east of the Berkshire Zone and
west of a line extending south from the
New Hampshire State line 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
State line; except the waters, and the
lands 150 yards inland from the highwater mark, of the Assonet River
upstream to the MA 24 bridge, and the
Taunton River upstream to the Center
St.-Elm St. bridge shall be in the Coastal
Zone.
Coastal Zone: That portion of
Massachusetts east and south of the
Central Zone.
New Hampshire
Northern Zone: That portion of the
State east and north of the Inland Zone
beginning at the Jct. of Rte. 10 and Rte.
25A in Orford, east on Rte. 25A to Rte.
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25 in Wentworth, southeast on Rte. 25
to Exit 26 of Rte. I–93 in Plymouth,
south on Rte. I–93 to Rte. 3 at Exit 24
of Rte. I–93 in Ashland, northeast on
Rte. 3 to Rte. 113 in Holderness, north
on Rte. 113 to Rte. 113–A in Sandwich,
north on Rte. 113–A to Rte. 113 in
Tamworth, east on Rte. 113 to Rte. 16
in Chocorua, north on Rte. 16 to Rte.
302 in Conway, east on Rte. 302 to the
Maine-New Hampshire border.
Inland Zone: That portion of the State
south and west of the Northern Zone,
west of the Coastal Zone, and includes
the area of Vermont and New
Hampshire as described for hunting
reciprocity. A person holding a New
Hampshire hunting license which
allows the taking of migratory waterfowl
or a person holding a Vermont resident
hunting license which allows the taking
of migratory waterfowl may take
migratory waterfowl and coots from the
following designated area of the Inland
Zone: The State of Vermont east of Rte.
I–91 at the Massachusetts border, north
on Rte. I–91 to Rte. 2, north on Rte. 2
to Rte. 102, north on Rte. 102 to Rte.
253, and north on Rte. 253 to the border
with Canada and the area of NH west of
Rte. 63 at the MA border, north on Rte.
63 to Rte. 12, north on Rte. 12 to Rte.
12–A, north on Rte. 12A to Rte. 10,
north on Rte. 10 to Rte. 135, north on
Rte. 135 to Rte. 3, north on Rte. 3 to the
intersection with the Connecticut River.
Coastal Zone: That portion of the
State east of a line beginning at the
Maine-New Hampshire border in
Rollinsford, then extending to Rte. 4
west to the city of Dover, south to the
intersection of Rte. 108, south along Rte.
108 through Madbury, Durham, and
Newmarket to the junction of Rte. 85 in
Newfields, south to Rte. 101 in Exeter,
east to Interstate 95 (New Hampshire
Turnpike) in Hampton, and south to the
Massachusetts border.
New Jersey
Coastal Zone: That portion of the
State seaward of a line beginning at the
New York State line in Raritan Bay and
extending west along the New York
State line to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy;
west on NJ 440 to the Garden State
Parkway; south on the Garden State
Parkway to the shoreline at Cape May
and continuing to the Delaware State
line in Delaware Bay.
North Zone: That portion of the State
west of the Coastal Zone and north of
a line extending west from the Garden
State Parkway on NJ 70 to the New
Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike
to U.S. 206, north on U.S. 206 to U.S.
1 at Trenton, west on U.S. 1 to the
Pennsylvania State line in the Delaware
River.
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South Zone: That portion of the State
not within the North Zone or the Coastal
Zone.
New York
Lake Champlain Zone: That area east
and north of a continuous line
extending along U.S. 11 from the New
York-Canada International boundary
south to NY 9B, south along NY 9B 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
State line.
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 State line.
Northeastern Zone: That area north of
a continuous line extending from Lake
Ontario east along the north shore of the
Salmon River to I–81, south along I–81
to NY 31, east along NY 31 to NY 13,
north along NY 13 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 NY 22, north along NY
22 to Washington County Route 153,
east along CR 153 to the New YorkVermont boundary, exclusive of the
Lake Champlain Zone.
Southeastern Zone: The remaining
portion of New York.
Pennsylvania
Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters
of Pennsylvania and a shoreline margin
along Lake Erie from New York on the
east to Ohio on the west extending 150
yards inland, but including all of
Presque Isle Peninsula.
Northwest Zone: The area bounded on
the north by the Lake Erie Zone and
including all of Erie and Crawford
Counties and those portions of Mercer
and Venango Counties north of I–80.
North Zone: That portion of the State
east of the Northwest Zone and north of
a line extending east on I–80 to U.S.
220, Route 220 to I–180, I–180 to I–80,
and I–80 to the Delaware River.
South Zone: The remaining portion of
Pennsylvania.
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.
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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 U.S. 2;
east along U.S. 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
Alabama
South Zone: Mobile and Baldwin
Counties.
North Zone: The remainder of
Alabama.
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Illinois
North Zone: That portion of the State
north of a line extending west from the
Indiana border along Peotone-Beecher
Road to Illinois Route 50, south along
Illinois Route 50 to Wilmington-Peotone
Road, west along Wilmington-Peotone
Road to Illinois Route 53, north along
Illinois Route 53 to New River Road,
northwest along New River Road to
Interstate Highway 55, south along I–55
to Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road, west along
Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road to Illinois
Route 47, north along Illinois Route 47
to I–80, west along I–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 Zone: That portion of the
State south of the North Duck 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
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Ferry route and southwest on the Modoc
Ferry route across the Mississippi River
to the Missouri border.
South Zone: That portion of the State
south and east of a line extending west
from the Indiana border along Interstate
70, south along U.S. Highway 45, to
Illinois Route 13, west along Illinois
Route 13 to Greenbriar Road, north on
Greenbriar Road to Sycamore Road,
west on Sycamore Road to N. Reed
Station Road, south on N. Reed Station
Road to Illinois Route 13, west along
Illinois Route 13 to Illinois Route 127,
south along Illinois Route 127 to State
Forest Road (1025 N), west along State
Forest Road to Illinois Route 3, north
along Illinois Route 3 to the south bank
of the Big Muddy River, west along the
south bank of the Big Muddy River to
the Mississippi River, west across the
Mississippi River to the Missouri
border.
South Central Zone: The remainder of
the State between the south border of
the Central Zone and the North border
of the South Zone.
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.
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Kentucky
West Zone: All counties west of and
including Butler, Daviess, Ohio,
Simpson, and Warren Counties.
East Zone: The remainder of
Kentucky.
Louisiana
West: That portion of the State west
and north of a line beginning at the
Arkansas-Louisiana border on LA 3;
south on LA 3 to Bossier City; then east
along I–20 to Minden; then south along
LA 7 to Ringgold; then east along LA 4
to Jonesboro; then south along U.S. Hwy
167 to its junction with LA 106; west on
LA 106 to Oakdale; then south on U.S.
Hwy 165 to junction with U.S. Hwy 190
at Kinder; then west on U.S. Hwy 190/
LA 12 to the Texas State border.
East: That portion of the State east
and north of a line beginning at the
Arkansas-Louisiana border on LA 3;
south on LA 3 to Bossier City; then east
along I–20 to Minden; then south along
LA 7 to Ringgold; then east along LA 4
to Jonesboro; then south along U.S. Hwy
167 to Lafayette; then southeast along
U.S. Hwy 90 to the Mississippi State
line.
Coastal: Remainder of the State.
Michigan
North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
Middle Zone: That portion of the
Lower Peninsula north of a line
beginning at the Wisconsin State line in
Lake Michigan due west of the mouth of
Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due
east to, and easterly and southerly along
the south shore of Stony Creek to Scenic
Drive, easterly and southerly along
Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road,
easterly along Stony Lake and Garfield
Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east
along Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10
Business Route (BR) in the city of
Midland, easterly along U.S. 10 BR to
U.S. 10, easterly along U.S. 10 to
Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23,
northerly along I–75/U.S. 23 to the U.S.
23 exit at Standish, easterly along U.S.
23 to the centerline of the Au Gres
River, then southerly along the
centerline of the Au Gres River to
Saginaw Bay, then on a line directly east
10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from
that point on a line directly northeast to
the Canadian border.
South Zone: The remainder of
Michigan.
Minnesota
North Duck Zone: That portion of the
State north of a line extending east from
the North Dakota State line along State
Highway 210 to State Highway 23 and
east to State Highway 39 and east to the
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Wisconsin State line at the Oliver
Bridge.
South Duck Zone: The portion of the
State south of a line extending east from
the South Dakota State line along U.S.
Highway 212 to Interstate 494 and east
to Interstate 94 and east to the
Wisconsin State line.
Central Duck Zone: The remainder of
the State.
Missouri
North Zone: That portion of Missouri
north of a line running west from the
Illinois border at Lock and Dam 25; west
on Lincoln County Hwy. N to Mo. Hwy.
79; south on Mo. Hwy. 79 to Mo. Hwy.
47; west on Mo. Hwy. 47 to I–70; west
on I–70 to the Kansas border.
Middle Zone: The remainder of
Missouri not included in other zones.
South Zone: That portion of Missouri
south of a line running west from the
Illinois border on Mo. Hwy. 74 to Mo.
Hwy. 25; south on Mo. Hwy. 25 to U.S.
Hwy. 62; west on U.S. Hwy. 62 to Mo.
Hwy. 53; north on Mo. Hwy. 53 to Mo.
Hwy. 51; north on Mo. Hwy. 51 to U.S.
Hwy. 60; west on U.S. Hwy. 60 to Mo.
Hwy. 21; north on Mo. Hwy. 21 to Mo.
Hwy. 72; west on Mo. Hwy. 72 to Mo.
Hwy. 32; west on Mo. Hwy. 32 to U.S.
Hwy. 65; north on U.S. Hwy. 65 to U.S.
Hwy. 54; west on U.S. Hwy. 54 to U.S.
Hwy. 71; south on U.S. Hwy. 71 to
Jasper County Hwy. M (Base Line
Blvd.); west on Jasper County Hwy. M
(Base Line Blvd.) to CRD 40 (Base Line
Blvd.); west on CRD 40 (Base Line
Blvd.) to the Kansas border.
Ohio
Lake Erie Marsh Zone: Includes all
land and water within the boundaries of
the area bordered by Interstate 75 from
the Ohio-Michigan line to Interstate 280
to Interstate 80 to the Erie-Lorain
County line extending to a line
measuring two hundred (200) yards
from the shoreline into the waters of
Lake Erie and including the waters of
Sandusky Bay and Maumee Bay.
North Zone: That portion of the State
north of a line beginning at the OhioIndiana border and extending east along
Interstate 70 to the Ohio-West Virginia
border.
South Zone: The remainder of Ohio.
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Tennessee
Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake
and Obion Counties.
State Zone: The remainder of
Tennessee.
Wisconsin
North Zone: That portion of the State
north of a line extending east from the
Minnesota State line along U.S.
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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 (Central Flyway Portion)
Northeast Zone: All areas east of
Interstate 25 and north of Interstate 70.
Southeast Zone: All areas east of
Interstate 25 and south of Interstate 70,
and all of El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano,
and Las Animas Counties.
Mountain/Foothills Zone: All areas
west of Interstate 25 and east of the
Continental Divide, except El Paso,
Pueblo, Huerfano, and Las Animas
Counties.
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 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
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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
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
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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.
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine,
Carbon, Carter, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon,
Ferus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith
Basin, McCone, Musselshell, Petroleum,
Phillips, Powder River, Richland,
Roosevelt, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet
Grass, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, and
Yellowstone.
Zone 2: The Counties of Big Horn,
Custer, Prairie, Rosebud, and Treasure.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES2
Nebraska
High Plains: That portion of Nebraska
lying west of a line beginning at the
South Dakota-Nebraska border on U.S.
Hwy. 183; south on U.S. Hwy. 183 to
U.S. Hwy. 20; west on U.S. Hwy. 20 to
NE Hwy. 7; south on NE Hwy. 7 to NE
Hwy. 91; southwest on NE Hwy. 91 to
NE Hwy. 2; southeast on NE Hwy. 2 to
NE Hwy. 92; west on NE Hwy. 92 to NE
Hwy. 40; south on NE Hwy. 40 to NE
Hwy. 47; south on NE Hwy. 47 to NE
Hwy. 23; east on NE Hwy. 23 to U.S.
Hwy. 283; and south on U.S. Hwy. 283
to the Kansas-Nebraska border.
Zone 1: Area bounded by designated
Federal and State highways and
political boundaries beginning at the
South Dakota-Nebraska border west of
NE Hwy. 26E Spur and north of NE
Hwy. 12; those portions of Dixon, Cedar
and Knox Counties north of NE Hwy.
12; that portion of Keya Paha County
east of U.S. Hwy. 183; and all of Boyd
County. Both banks of the Niobrara
River in Keya Paha and Boyd counties
east of U.S. Hwy. 183 shall be included
in Zone 1.
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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 Road;
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
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
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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.
North Dakota
High Plains Unit: That portion of the
State south and west of a line from the
South Dakota State line along U.S. 83
and I–94 to ND 41, north to U.S. 2, west
to the Williams/Divide County line,
then north along the County line to the
Canadian border.
Low Plains Unit: The remainder of
North Dakota.
Oklahoma
High Plains Zone: The Counties of
Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas.
Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the
State east of the High Plains Zone and
north of a line extending east from the
Texas State line along OK 33 to OK 47,
east along OK 47 to U.S. 183, south
along U.S. 183 to I–40, east along I–40
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to U.S. 177, north along U.S. 177 to OK
33, east along OK 33 to OK 18, north
along OK 18 to OK 51, west along OK
51 to I–35, north along I–35 to U.S. 412,
west along U.S. 412 to OK 132, then
north along OK 132 to the Kansas State
line.
Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of
Oklahoma.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES2
South Dakota
High Plains Zone: That portion of the
State west of a line beginning at the
North Dakota State line and extending
south along U.S. 83 to U.S. 14, east on
U.S. 14 to Blunt, south on the BluntCanning Rd to SD 34, east and south on
SD 34 to SD 50 at Lee’s Corner, south
on SD 50 to I–90, east on I–90 to SD 50,
south on SD 50 to SD 44, west on SD
44 across the Platte-Winner bridge to SD
47, south on SD 47 to U.S. 18, east on
U.S. 18 to SD 47, south on SD 47 to the
Nebraska State line.
North Zone: That portion of
northeastern South Dakota east of the
High Plains Unit and north of a line
extending east along U.S. 212 to the
Minnesota State line.
South Zone: That portion of Gregory
County east of SD 47 and south of SD
44; Charles Mix County south of SD 44
to the Douglas County line; south on SD
50 to Geddes; east on the Geddes
Highway to U.S. 281; south on U.S. 281
and U.S. 18 to SD 50; south and east on
SD 50 to the Bon Homme County line;
the Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton,
and Clay south of SD 50; and Union
County south and west of SD 50 and I–
29.
Middle Zone: The remainder of South
Dakota.
Texas
High Plains Zone: That portion of the
State west of a line extending south
from the Oklahoma State line along U.S.
183 to Vernon, south along U.S. 283 to
Albany, south along TX 6 to TX 351 to
Abilene, south along U.S. 277 to Del
Rio, then south along the Del Rio
International Toll Bridge access road to
the Mexico border.
Low Plains North Zone: That portion
of northeastern Texas east of the High
Plains Zone and north of a line
beginning at the International Toll
Bridge south of Del Rio, then extending
east on U.S. 90 to San Antonio, then
continuing east on I–10 to the Louisiana
State line at Orange, Texas.
Low Plains South Zone: The
remainder of Texas.
Wyoming (Central Flyway portion)
Zone C1: Big Horn, Converse, Goshen,
Hot Springs, Natrona, Park, Platte, and
Washakie Counties; and Fremont
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Jkt 232001
County excluding the portions west or
south of the Continental Divide.
Zone C2: Campbell, Crook, Johnson,
Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston
Counties.
Zone C3: Albany and Laramie
Counties; and that portion of Carbon
County east of the Continental Divide.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
Game Management Units (GMU) as
follows:
South Zone: Those portions of GMUs
6 and 8 in Yavapai County, and GMUs
10 and 12B–45.
North Zone: GMUs 1–5, those
portions of GMUs 6 and 8 within
Coconino County, and GMUs 7, 9, 12A.
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 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 State line
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
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56881
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 State line.
Southern San Joaquin Valley
Temporary Zone: All of Kings and
Tulare Counties and that portion of
Kern County north of the Southern
Zone.
Balance-of-State Zone: The remainder
of California not included in the
Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado
River Zones, and the Southern San
Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.
Idaho
Zone 1: All lands and waters within
the Fort Hall Indian Reservation,
including private in-holdings; Bannock
County; Bingham County, except that
portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir
drainage; Caribou County within the
Fort Hall Indian Reservation; and Power
County east of State Highway 37 and
State Highway 39.
Zone 2: Adams, Bear Lake, Benewah,
Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville, Boundary,
Butte, Camas, Clark, Clearwater, Custer,
Franklin, Fremont, Idaho, Jefferson,
Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis,
Madison, Nez Perce, Oneida, Shoshone,
Teton, and Valley Counties; Bingham
County within the Blackfoot Reservoir
drainage; Caribou County, except the
Fort Hall Indian Reservation; and Power
County west of State Highway 37 and
State Highway 39.
Zone 3: Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia,
Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln,
Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls,
and Washington Counties.
Nevada
Northeast Zone: All of Elko and White
Pine Counties.
Northwest Zone: All of Carson City,
Churchill, Douglas, Esmeralda, Eureka,
Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Nye,
Pershing, Storey, and Washoe Counties.
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South Zone: All of Clark and Lincoln
County.
Oregon
Zone 1: Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln,
Lane, Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine,
Jackson, Linn, Benton, Polk, Marion,
Yamhill, Washington, Columbia,
Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River,
Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow and
Umatilla Counties.
Columbia Basin Mallard Management
Unit: Gilliam, Morrow, and Umatilla
Counties.
Zone 2: The remainder of the State.
Utah
Zone 1: All of Box Elder, Cache,
Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Morgan, Rich,
Salt Lake, Summit, Unitah, Utah,
Wasatch, and Weber Counties, and that
part of Toole County north of I–80.
Zone 2: The remainder of Utah.
Washington
East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific
Crest Trail and east of the Big White
Salmon River in Klickitat County.
Columbia Basin Mallard Management
Unit: Same as East Zone.
West Zone: All areas to the west of the
East Zone.
Wyoming
Snake River Zone: Beginning at the
south boundary of Yellowstone National
Park and the Continental Divide; south
along the Continental Divide to Union
Pass and the Union Pass Road (U.S.F.S.
Road 600); west and south along the
Union Pass Road to U.S.F.S. Road 605;
south along U.S.F.S. Road 605 to the
Bridger-Teton National Forest boundary;
along the national forest boundary to the
Idaho State line; north along the Idaho
State line to the south boundary of
Yellowstone National Park; east along
the Yellowstone National Park boundary
to the Continental Divide.
Balance of State Zone: Balance of the
Pacific Flyway in Wyoming outside the
Snake River Zone.
Geese
Atlantic Flyway
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES2
Connecticut
AP Unit: Litchfield County and the
portion of Hartford County west of a
line beginning at the Massachusetts
border in Suffield and extending south
along Route 159 to its intersection with
Route 91 in Hartford, and then
extending south along Route 91 to its
intersection with the Hartford/
Middlesex County line.
AFRP Unit: Starting at the intersection
of I–95 and the Quinnipiac River, north
on the Quinnipiac River to its
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Jkt 232001
intersection with I–91, north on I–91 to
I–691, west on I–691 to the Hartford
County line, and encompassing the rest
of New Haven County and Fairfield
County in its entirety.
NAP H–Unit: All of the rest of the
State not included in the AP or AFRP
descriptions above.
South Zone: Same as for ducks.
North Zone: Same as for ducks.
Maine
Same zones as for ducks.
Maryland
Resident Population (RP) Zone:
Garrett, Allegany, Washington,
Frederick, and Montgomery Counties;
that portion of Prince George’s County
west of Route 3 and Route 301; that
portion of Charles County west of Route
301 to the Virginia State line; and that
portion of Carroll County west of Route
31 to the intersection of Route 97, and
west of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania
line.
AP Zone: Remainder of the State.
Massachusetts
NAP Zone: Central and Coastal Zones
(see duck zones).
AP Zone: The Western Zone (see duck
zones).
Special Late Season Area: The Central
Zone and that portion of the Coastal
Zone (see duck zones) that lies north of
the Cape Cod Canal, north to the New
Hampshire line.
New Hampshire
Same zones as for ducks.
New Jersey
Same zones as for ducks but in
addition:
Special Late Season Area: In northern
New Jersey, that portion of the State
within a continuous line that runs east
along the New York State boundary line
to the Hudson River; then south along
the New York State boundary to its
intersection with Route 440 at Perth
Amboy; then west on Route 440 to its
intersection with Route 287; then west
along Route 287 to its intersection with
Route 206 in Bedminster (Exit 18); then
north along Route 206 to its intersection
with Route 94: then west along Route 94
to the tollbridge in Columbia; then north
along the Pennsylvania State boundary
in the Delaware River to the beginning
point. In southern New Jersey, that
portion of the State within a continuous
line that runs west from the Atlantic
Ocean at Ship Bottom along Route 72 to
Route 70; then west along Route 70 to
Route 206; then south along Route 206
to Route 536; then west along Route 536
to Route 322; then west along Route 322
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to Route 55; then south along Route 55
to Route 553 (Buck Road); then south
along Route 553 to Route 40; then east
along Route 40 to route 55; then south
along Route 55 to Route 552 (Sherman
Avenue); then west along Route 552 to
Carmel Road; then south along Carmel
Road to Route 49; then east along Route
49 to Route 555; then south along Route
555 to Route 553; then east along Route
553 to Route 649; then north along
Route 649 to Route 670; then east along
Route 670 to Route 47; then north along
Route 47 to Route 548; then east along
Route 548 to Route 49; then east along
Route 49 to Route 50; then south along
Route 50 to Route 9; then south along
Route 9 to Route 625 (Sea Isle City
Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to
the Atlantic Ocean; then north to the
beginning point.
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 YorkVermont 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
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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 NiagaraOrleans 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 CrittendenMurrays 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),
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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
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
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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 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.
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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.
Special Late Canada Goose Area: That
area of the Central Long Island Goose
Area lying north of State Route 25A and
west of a continuous line extending
northward from State Route 25A along
Randall Road (near Shoreham) to North
Country Road, then east to Sound Road
and then north to Long Island Sound
and then due north to the New YorkConnecticut boundary.
North Carolina
SJBP Hunt Zone: Includes the
following Counties or portions of
Counties: Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham,
Davidson, Durham, Halifax (that portion
east of NC 903), Montgomery (that
portion west of NC 109), Northampton,
Richmond (that portion south of NC 73
and west of U.S. 220 and north of U.S.
74), Rowan, Stanly, Union, and Wake.
RP Hunt Zone: Includes the following
Counties or portions of Counties:
Alamance, Alleghany, Alexander, Ashe,
Avery, Beaufort, Bertie (that portion
south and west of a line formed by NC
45 at the Washington Co. line to U.S. 17
in Midway, U.S. 17 in Midway to U.S.
13 in Windsor, U.S. 13 in Windsor to
the Hertford Co. line), Bladen,
Brunswick, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell,
Carteret, Caswell, Catawba, Cherokee,
Clay, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven,
Cumberland, Davie, Duplin, Edgecombe,
Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Gates,
Graham, Granville, Greene, Guilford,
Halifax (that portion west of NC 903),
Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Hertford,
Hoke, Iredell, Jackson, Johnston, Jones,
Lee, Lenoir, Lincoln, McDowell, Macon,
Madison, Martin, Mecklenburg,
Mitchell, Montgomery (that portion that
is east of NC 109), Moore, Nash, New
Hanover, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico,
Pender, Person, Pitt, Polk, Randolph,
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Richmond (all of the county with
exception of that portion that is south of
NC 73 and west of U.S. 220 and north
of U.S. 74), Robeson, Rockingham,
Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Stokes,
Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Vance,
Warren, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes,
Wilson, Yadkin, and Yancey.
Northeast Hunt Unit: Includes the
following Counties or portions of
Counties: Bertie (that portion north and
east of a line formed by NC 45 at the
Washington County line to U.S. 17 in
Midway, U.S. 17 in Midway to U.S. 13
in Windsor, U.S. 13 in Windsor to the
Hertford Co. line), Camden, Chowan,
Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank,
Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington.
Pennsylvania
Resident Canada Goose Zone: All of
Pennsylvania except for SJBP Zone and
the area east of route SR 97 from the
Maryland State Line to the intersection
of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection
of U.S. Route 30, south of U.S. Route 30
to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743, east
of SR 743 to intersection of I–81, east of
I–81 to intersection of I–80, and south
of I–80 to the New Jersey State line.
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).
AP Zone: The area east of route SR 97
from Maryland State Line to the
intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to
intersection of U.S. Route 30, south of
U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441
to SR 743, east of SR 743 to intersection
of I–81, east of I–81 to intersection of I–
80, south of I–80 to New Jersey State
line.
Rhode Island
Special Area for Canada Geese: Kent
and Providence Counties and portions
of the towns of Exeter and North
Kingston within Washington County
(see State regulations for detailed
descriptions).
South Carolina
Canada Goose Area: Statewide except
for the following area:
East of U.S. 301: That portion of
Clarendon County bounded to the North
by S–14–25, to the East by Hwy 260,
and to the South by the markers
delineating the channel of the Santee
River.
West of U.S. 301: That portion of
Clarendon County bounded on the
North by S–14–26 extending southward
to that portion of Orangeburg County
bordered by Hwy 6.
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Vermont
Same zones as for ducks.
Virginia
AP Zone: The area east and south of
the following line—the Stafford County
line from the Potomac River west to
Interstate 95 at Fredericksburg, then
south along Interstate 95 to Petersburg,
then Route 460 (SE) to City of Suffolk,
then south along Route 32 to the North
Carolina line.
SJBP Zone: The area to the west of the
AP Zone boundary and east of the
following line: The ‘‘Blue Ridge’’
(mountain spine) at the West VirginiaVirginia Border (Loudoun CountyClarke County line) south to Interstate
64 (the Blue Ridge line follows county
borders along the western edge of
Loudoun-Fauquier-RappahannockMadison-Greene-Albemarle and into
Nelson Counties), then east along
Interstate Rt. 64 to Route 15, then south
along Rt. 15 to the North Carolina line.
RP Zone: The remainder of the State
west of the SJBP Zone.
Mississippi Flyway
Alabama
Same zones as for ducks, but in
addition:
SJBP Zone: That portion of Morgan
County east of U.S. Highway 31, north
of State Highway 36, and west of U.S.
231; that portion of Limestone County
south of U.S. 72; and that portion of
Madison County south of Swancott
Road and west of Triana Road.
Arkansas
Northwest Zone: Baxter, Benton,
Boone, Carroll, Conway, Crawford,
Faulkner, Franklin, Johnson, Logan,
Madison, Marion, Newton, Perry, Pope,
Pulaski, Searcy, Sebastian, Scott, Van
Buren, Washington, and Yell Counties.
Illinois
North 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 Zone: That portion of the
State south of the North 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
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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 Zone: Same zones as for ducks.
South Central Zone: Same zones as
for ducks.
Indiana
Same zones as for ducks but in
addition:
Special Canada Goose Seasons
Late Canada Goose Season Zone: That
part of the State encompassed by the
following Counties: Steuben, Lagrange,
Elkhart, St. Joseph, La Porte, Starke,
Marshall, Kosciusko, Noble, De Kalb,
Allen, Whitley, Huntington, Wells,
Adams, Boone, Hamilton, Madison,
Hendricks, Marion, Hancock, Morgan,
Johnson, Shelby, Vermillion, Parke,
Vigo, Clay, Sullivan, and Greene.
Iowa
Same zones as for ducks.
Kentucky
Western Zone: That portion of the
State west of a line beginning at the
Tennessee State line at Fulton and
extending north along the Purchase
Parkway to Interstate Highway 24, east
along I–24 to U.S. Highway 641, north
along U.S. 641 to U.S. 60, northeast
along U.S. 60 to the Henderson County
line, then south, east, and northerly
along the Henderson County line to the
Indiana State line.
Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone: Butler,
Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and Warren
Counties and all counties lying west to
the boundary of the Western Goose
Zone.
Louisiana
Same zones as for ducks.
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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
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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.
Special Canada Goose Seasons:
Southern Michigan Late Season
Canada Goose Zone: Same as the South
Duck Zone excluding Tuscola/Huron
Goose Management Unit (GMU),
Allegan County GMU, Saginaw County
GMU, and Muskegon Wastewater GMU.
Minnesota
Same zones as for ducks but in
addition:
Rochester Goose Zone: That part of
the State within the following described
boundary:
Beginning at the intersection of State
Trunk Highway (STH) 247 and County
State Aid Highway (CSAH) 4, Wabasha
County; thence along CSAH 4 to CSAH
10, Olmsted County; thence along CSAH
10 to CSAH 9, Olmsted County; thence
along CSAH 9 to CSAH 22, Winona
County; thence along CSAH 22 to STH
74; thence along STH 74 to STH 30;
thence along STH 30 to CSAH 13, Dodge
County; thence along CSAH 13 to U.S.
Highway 14; thence along U.S. Highway
14 to STH 57; thence along STH 57 to
CSAH 24, Dodge County; thence along
CSAH 24 to CSAH 13, Olmsted County;
thence along CSAH 13 to U.S. Highway
52; thence along U.S. Highway 52 to
CSAH 12, Olmsted County; thence along
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CSAH 12 to STH 247; thence along STH
247 to the point of beginning.
Missouri
Same zones as for ducks.
Ohio
Lake Erie Goose Zone: That portion of
Ohio north of a line beginning at the
Michigan border and extending south
along Interstate 75 to Interstate 280,
south on Interstate 280 to Interstate 80,
and east on Interstate 80 to the
Pennsylvania border.
North Zone: That portion of Ohio
north of a line beginning at the Indiana
border and extending east along
Interstate 70 to the West Virginia border
excluding the portion of Ohio within
the Lake Erie Goose Zone.
South Zone: The remainder of Ohio.
Tennessee
Southwest Zone: That portion of the
State south of State Highways 20 and
104, and west of U.S. Highways 45 and
45W.
Northwest Zone: Lake, Obion, and
Weakley Counties and those portions of
Gibson and Dyer Counties not included
in the Southwest Tennessee Zone.
Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone: That
portion of the State bounded on the
west by the eastern boundaries of the
Northwest and Southwest Zones and on
the east by State Highway 13 from the
Alabama State line to Clarksville and
U.S. Highway 79 from Clarksville to the
Kentucky State line.
Wisconsin
Same zones as for ducks but in
addition:
Horicon Zone: That portion of the
State encompassed by a boundary
beginning at the intersection of State 23
and State 73 and moves south along
State 73 until the intersection of State
73 and State 60, then moves east along
State 60 until the intersection of State
60 and State 83, and then moves north
along State 83 until the intersection of
State 83 and State 33 at which point it
moves east until the intersection of State
33 and U.S. 45, then moves north along
U.S. 45 until the intersection of U.S. 45
and State 23, at which point it moves
west along State 23 until the
intersection of State 23 and State 73.
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
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County, then west along the Prescott
city limit to the Minnesota State line.
Central Flyway
Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)
Northern Front Range Area: All areas
in Boulder, Larimer and Weld Counties
from the Continental Divide east along
the Wyoming border to U.S. 85, south
on U.S. 85 to the Adams County line,
and all lands in Adams, Arapahoe,
Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver,
Douglas, Gilpin, and Jefferson Counties.
North Park Area: Jackson County.
South Park and San Luis Valley Area:
All of Alamosa, Chaffee, Conejos,
Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park,
Rio Grande and Teller Counties, and
those portions of Saguache, Mineral and
Hinsdale Counties east of the
Continental Divide.
Remainder: Remainder of the Central
Flyway portion of Colorado.
Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose
Area: That portion of the State east of
Interstate Highway 25.
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
Zone N: The Counties of Blaine,
Carter, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Fergus,
Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith Basin,
McCone, Musselshell, Petroleum,
Phillips, Powder River, Richland,
Roosevelt, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet
Grass, Valley, Wheatland, and Wibaux.
Zone S: The Counties of Big Horn,
Carbon, Custer, Prairie, Rosebud,
Treasure, and Yellowstone.
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Nebraska
Dark Geese
Niobrara Unit: That area contained
within and bounded by the intersection
of the South Dakota State line and the
eastern Cherry County line, south along
the Cherry County line to the Niobrara
River, east to the Norden Road, south on
the Norden Road to U.S. Hwy 20, east
along U.S. Hwy 20 to NE Hwy 14, north
along NE Hwy 14 to NE Hwy 59 and
County Road 872, west along County
Road 872 to the Knox County Line,
north along the Knox County Line to the
South Dakota State line. Where the
Niobrara River forms the boundary, both
banks of the river are included in the
Niobrara Unit.
East Unit: That area north and east of
U.S. 81 at the Kansas-Nebraska State
line, north to NE Hwy 91, east to U.S.
275, south to U.S. 77, south to NE 91,
east to U.S. 30, east to Nebraska-Iowa
State line. Platte River Unit: That area
north and west of U.S. 81 at the KansasNebraska State line, north to NE Hwy
91, west along NE 91 to NE 11, north to
the Holt County line, west along the
northern border of Garfield, Loup,
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Blaine and Thomas Counties to the
Hooker County line, south along the
Thomas-Hooker County lines to the
McPherson County line, east along the
south border of Thomas County to the
western line of Custer County, south
along the Custer-Logan County line to
NE 92, west to U.S. 83, north to NE 92,
west to NE 61, south along NE 61 to NE
92, west along NE 92 to U.S. Hwy 26,
south along U.S. Hwy 26 to Keith
County Line, south along Keith County
Line to the Colorado State line.
Panhandle Unit: That area north and
west of Keith-Deuel County Line at the
Nebraska-Colorado State line, north
along the Keith County Line to U.S.
Hwy 26, west to NE Hwy 92, east to NE
Hwy 61, north along NE Hwy 61 to NE
Hwy 2, west along NE 2 to the corner
formed by Garden-Grant-Sheridan
Counties, west along the north border of
Garden, Morrill, and Scotts Bluff
Counties to the intersection of the
Interstate Canal, west to the Wyoming
State line.
North-Central Unit: The remainder of
the State.
Light Geese
Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area:
The area bounded by the junction of NE
Hwy 92 and NE Hwy 15, south along NE
Hwy 15 to NE Hwy 4, west along NE
Hwy 4 to U.S. Hwy 34, west along U.S.
Hwy 34 to U.S. Hwy 283, north along
U.S. Hwy 283 to U.S. Hwy 30, east along
U.S. Hwy 30 to NE Hwy 92, east along
NE Hwy 92 to the beginning.
Remainder of State: The remainder
portion of Nebraska.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
Dark Geese
Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit:
Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia Counties.
Remainder: The remainder of the
Central Flyway portion of New Mexico.
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; thence north on
ND Hwy 6 to I–94; thence west on I–94
to ND Hwy 49; thence north on ND Hwy
49 to ND Hwy 200; thence north on
Mercer County Rd. 21 to the section line
between sections 8 and 9 (T146N–
R87W); thence north on that section line
to the southern shoreline to Lake
Sakakawea; thence east along the
southern shoreline (including Mallard
Island) of Lake Sakakawea to U.S. Hwy
83; thence south on U.S. Hwy 83 to ND
Hwy 200; thence east on ND Hwy 200
to ND Hwy 41; thence south on ND Hwy
41 to U.S. Hwy 83; thence south on U.S.
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Hwy 83 to I–94; thence east on I–94 to
U.S. Hwy 83; thence south on U.S. Hwy
83 to the South Dakota border; thence
west along the South Dakota border to
ND Hwy 6.
Rest of State: Remainder of North
Dakota.
South Dakota
Canada Geese
Unit 1: The Counties of Campbell,
Marshall, Roberts, Day, Clark,
Codington, Grant, Hamlin, Deuel,
Walworth, 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, north on
U.S. Highway 281 to the Charles MixDouglas County boundary, that portion
of Bone Homme County north of State
Highway 50, that portion of Fall River
County west of State Highway 71 and
U.S. Highway 385, that portion of Custer
County west of State Highway 79 and
north of French Creek, 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, Pennington, Shannon, Jackson,
Mellette, Todd, Jones, Haakon, Corson,
Ziebach, McCook, and Minnehaha
Counties.
Unit 2: Remainder of South Dakota.
Unit 3: Bennett County.
Texas
Northeast Goose Zone: That portion of
Texas lying east and north of a line
beginning at the Texas-Oklahoma border
at U.S. 81, then continuing south to
Bowie and then southeasterly along U.S.
81 and U.S. 287 to I–35W and I–35 to
the juncture with I–10 in San Antonio,
then east on I–10 to the Texas-Louisiana
border.
Southeast Goose Zone: That portion
of Texas lying east and south of a line
beginning at the International Toll
Bridge at Laredo, then continuing north
following I–35 to the juncture with I–10
in San Antonio, then easterly along I–
10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.
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West Goose Zone: The remainder of
the State.
Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)
Dark Geese
Zone G1: Big Horn, Converse, Hot
Springs, Natrona, Park, and Washakie
Counties; and Fremont County
excluding those portions south or west
of the Continental Divide.
Zone G1A: Goshen and Platte
Counties.
Zone G2: Campbell, Crook, Johnson,
Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston
Counties.
Zone G3: Albany and Laramie
Counties; and that portion of Carbon
County east of the Continental Divide.
Pacific Flyway
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Arizona
North Zone: Game Management Units
1–5, those portions of Game
Management Units 6 and 8 within
Coconino County, and Game
Management Units 7, 9, and 12A.
South Zone: Those portions of Game
Management Units 6 and 8 in Yavapai
County, and Game Management Units
10 and 12B–45.
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 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
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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.
Imperial County Special Management
Area: The area bounded by a line
beginning at Highway 86 and the Navy
Test Base Road; south on Highway 86 to
the town of Westmoreland; continue
through the town of Westmoreland to
Route S26; east on Route S26 to
Highway 115; north on Highway 115 to
Weist Rd.; north on Weist Rd. to
Flowing Wells Rd.; northeast on
Flowing Wells Rd. to the Coachella
Canal; northwest on the Coachella Canal
to Drop 18; a straight line from Drop 18
to Frink Rd.; south on Frink Rd. to
Highway 111; north on Highway 111 to
Niland Marina Rd.; southwest on Niland
Marina Rd. to the old Imperial County
boat ramp and the water line of the
Salton Sea; from the water line of the
Salton Sea, a straight line across the
Salton Sea to the Salinity Control
Research Facility and the Navy Test
Base Road; southwest on the Navy Test
Base Road to the point of beginning.
Balance-of-State Zone: The remainder
of California not included in the
Northeastern, Southern, and the
Colorado River Zones.
North Coast Special Management
Area: The Counties of Del Norte and
Humboldt.
Sacramento Valley Special
Management Area: That area bounded
by a line beginning at Willows south on
I–5 to Hahn Road; easterly on Hahn
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56887
Road and the Grimes-Arbuckle Road to
Grimes; northerly on CA 45 to the
junction with CA 162; northerly on CA
45/162 to Glenn; and westerly on CA
162 to the point of beginning in
Willows.
Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)
West Central Area: Archuleta, Delta,
Dolores, Gunnison, LaPlata,
Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan,
and San Miguel Counties and those
portions of Hinsdale, Mineral, and
Saguache Counties west of the
Continental Divide.
State Area: The remainder of the
Pacific Flyway Portion of Colorado.
Idaho
Canada Geese, White-fronted Geese, and
Brant
Zone 1: All lands and waters within
the Fort Hall Indian Reservation,
including private in-holdings; Bannock
County; Bingham County, except that
portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir
drainage; Caribou County within the
Fort Hall Indian Reservation; and Power
County east of State Highway 37 and
State Highway 39.
Zone 2: Adams, Bear Lake, Benewah,
Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville, Boundary,
Butte, Camas, Clark, Clearwater, Custer,
Franklin, Fremont, Idaho, Jefferson,
Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis,
Madison, Nez Perce, Oneida, Shoshone,
Teton, and Valley Counties; Bingham
County within the Blackfoot Reservoir
drainage; Caribou County, except the
Fort Hall Indian Reservation; and Power
County west of State Highway 37 and
State Highway 39.
Zone 3: Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia,
Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln,
Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls,
and Washington Counties.
Light Geese
Zone 1: All lands and waters within
the Fort Hall Indian Reservation,
including private in-holdings; Bannock
County; Bingham County east of the
west bank of the Snake River, west of
the McTucker boat ramp access road,
and east of the American Falls Reservoir
bluff, except that portion within the
Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; Caribou
County within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation; and Power County below
the American Falls Reservoir bluff, and
within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.
Zone 2: Bingham County west of the
west bank of the Snake River, east of the
McTucker boat ramp access road, and
west of the American Falls Reservoir
bluff; Power County, except below the
American Falls Reservoir bluff and
those lands and waters within the Fort
Hall Indian Reservation.
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Zone 3: Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia,
Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln,
Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls,
and Washington Counties.
Zone 4: Adams, Bear Lake, Benewah,
Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville, Boundary,
Butte, Camas, Clark, Clearwater, Custer,
Franklin, Fremont, Idaho, Jefferson,
Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis,
Madison, Nez Perce, Oneida, Shoshone,
Teton, and Valley Counties; Caribou
County, except the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation; Bingham County within
the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage.
Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
East of the Divide Zone: The Pacific
Flyway portion of the State located east
of the Continental Divide.
West of the Divide Zone: The
remainder of the Pacific Flyway portion
of Montana.
Nevada
Northeast Zone: All of Elko and White
Pine Counties.
Northwest Zone: All of Carson City,
Churchill, Douglas, Esmeralda, Eureka,
Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Nye,
Pershing, Storey, and Washoe Counties.
South Zone: All of Clark and Lincoln
County.
New Mexico (Pacific Flyway Portion)
North Zone: The Pacific Flyway
portion of New Mexico located north of
I–40.
South Zone: The Pacific Flyway
portion of New Mexico located south of
I–40.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES2
Oregon
Southwest Zone: Those portions of
Douglas, Coos, and Curry Counties east
of Highway 101, and Josephine and
Jackson Counties.
South Coast Zone: Those portions of
Douglas, Coos, and Curry Counties west
of Highway 101.
Northwest Special Permit Zone: That
portion of western Oregon west and
north of a line running south from the
Columbia River in Portland along I–5 to
OR 22 at Salem; then east on OR 22 to
the Stayton Cutoff; then south on the
Stayton Cutoff to Stayton and due south
to the Santiam River; then west along
the north shore of the Santiam River to
I–5; then south on I–5 to OR 126 at
Eugene; then west on OR 126 to
Greenhill Road; then south on Greenhill
Road to Crow Road; then west on Crow
Road to Territorial Hwy; then west on
Territorial Hwy to OR 126; then west on
OR 126 to Milepost 19; then north to the
intersection of the Benton and Lincoln
County line; then north along the
western boundary of Benton and Polk
Counties to the southern boundary of
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Tillamook County; then west along the
Tillamook County boundary to the
Pacific Coast.
Lower Columbia/N. Willamette Valley
Management Area: Those portions of
Clatsop, Columbia, Multnomah, and
Washington Counties within the
Northwest Special Permit Zone.
Tillamook County Management Area:
All of Tillamook County. The following
portion of the Tillamook County
Management Area is closed to goose
hunting beginning at the point where
Old Woods Rd crosses the south shores
of Horn Creek, north on Old Woods Rd
to Sand Lake Rd at Woods, north on
Sand Lake Rd to the intersection with
McPhillips Dr., due west (∼200 yards)
from the intersection to the Pacific
coastline, south on the Pacific coastline
to Neskowin Creek, east along the north
shores of Neskowin Creek and then
Hawk Creek to Salem Ave, east on
Salem Ave in Neskowin to Hawk Ave,
east on Hawk Ave to Hwy 101, north on
Hwy 101 to Resort Dr., north on Resort
Dr. to a point due west of the south
shores of Horn Creek at its confluence
with the Nestucca River, due east (∼80
yards) across the Nestucca River to the
south shores of Horn Creek, east along
the south shores of Horn Creek to the
point of beginning.
Northwest Zone: Those portions of
Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion,
Multnomah, and Washington Counties
outside of the Northwest Special Permit
Zone and all of Lincoln County.
Eastern Zone: Hood River, Wasco,
Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, Umatilla,
Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler,
Grant, Baker, Union, and Wallowa
Counties.
Harney and Lake County Zone: All of
Harney and Lake Counties.
Klamath County Zone: All of Klamath
County.
Malheur County Zone: All of Malheur
County.
Utah
Northern Utah Zone: That portion of
Box Elder County beginning the WeberBox Elder county line, north along the
Box Elder county line to the Utah-Idaho
State line; west on this line to Stone,
Idaho-Snowville, Utah road; southwest
on this road to the Locomotive Springs
Wildlife Management Area boundary;
west, south, east, and then north along
this boundary to the county road; east
on the county road, past Monument
Point and across Salt Wells Flat, to the
intersection with Promontory Road;
south on Promontory Road to a point
directly west of the northwest corner of
the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
boundary; east along a line to the
northwest corner of the Refuge
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boundary; south and east along the
Refuge boundary to the southeast corner
of the boundary; northeast along the
boundary to the Perry access road; east
on the Perry access road to I–15; south
on I–15 to the Weber-Box Elder County
line.
Wasatch Front Zone: Boundary begins
at the Weber-Box Elder county line at I–
15; east along Weber county line to US–
89; south on US–89 to I–84; east and
south and along I–84 to I–80; south
along I–80 to US–189; south and west
along US–189 to the Utah County line;
southeast and then west along this line
to I–15; north on I–15 to US–6; west on
US–6 to SR–36; north on SR–36 to I–80;
north along a line from this intersection
to the southern tip of Promontory Point
and Promontory Road; east and north
along this road to the causeway
separating Bear River Bay from Ogden
Bay; east on this causeway to the
southwest corner of Great Salt Lake
Mineral Corporations (GSLMC) west
impoundment; north and east along
GSLMC’s west impoundment to the
northwest corner of the impoundment;
directly north from this point along an
imaginary line to the southern boundary
of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge;
east along this southern boundary to the
Perry access road; northeast along this
road to I–15; south along I–15 to the
Weber-Box Elder county line.
Washington County Zone: All of
Washington County.
Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The
remainder of Utah.
Washington
Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish
Counties.
Area 2A (Southwest Permit Zone):
Clark County, except portions south of
the Washougal River; Cowlitz County;
and Wahkiakum County.
Area 2B (Southwest Permit 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.
Brant
Pacific Flyway
California
North Coast Zone: Del Norte,
Humboldt and Mendocino Counties.
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South Coast Zone: Balance of the
State.
Sanborn, Spink, Sully, and Walworth
Counties.
Washington
Puget Sound Zone: Skagit County.
Coastal Zone: Pacific County.
Pacific Flyway
Swans
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Central Flyway
South Dakota: Aurora, Beadle,
Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo,
Campbell, Clark, Codington, Davison,
Deuel, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant,
Hamlin, Hand, Hanson, Hughes, Hyde,
Jerauld, Kingsbury, Lake, Marshall,
McCook, McPherson, Miner,
Minnehaha, Moody, Potter, Roberts,
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Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
Open Area: Cascade, Chouteau, Hill,
Liberty, and Toole Counties and those
portions of Pondera and Teton Counties
lying east of U.S. 287–89.
Nevada
Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and
Pershing Counties.
Utah
Open Area: Those portions of Box
Elder, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, and
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56889
Toole Counties lying west of I–15, north
of I–80, and south of a line beginning
from the Forest Street exit to the Bear
River National Wildlife Refuge
boundary; then north and west along the
Bear River National Wildlife Refuge
boundary to the farthest west boundary
of the Refuge; then west along a line to
Promontory Road; then north on
Promontory Road to the intersection of
SR 83; then north on SR 83 to I–84; then
north and west on I–84 to State Hwy 30;
then west on State Hwy 30 to the
Nevada-Utah State line; then south on
the Nevada-Utah State line to I–80.
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
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56890
BIOLOGICAL SCHEDULE
II
May 1-30
POPULA T/ON SURVEYS
II
I
Mid June
PO 00000
SRC Meeting nonregulatory)
II
Frm 00028
II
August 15
WATERFOWL AND WEBLESS REPORTS
FEDERAL REGISTER SCHEDULE
Mid to Late August
I
I
September 1
AHM REPORT w/OPTIMAL ALTERNATIVE
I
I
II
PROPOSED RULEMAKING (PRELIMINARY)
WITH STATUS INFORMATION
and ISSUES
Fmt 4701
Anytime between September 1- October 15
Flyway Tech And Council Meetings
Sfmt 9990
Late October- Early November
E:\FR\FM\23SER2.SGM
Service Regulations Committee
Regulatory Meeting
II
December 15
CRANE STATUS INFORMATION
30 Days after SRC Meeting
I
PROPOSED SEASON FRAMEWORKS
(30 Day Comment Period)
II
January 31
SWAN, BRANT, and GOOSE INFORMATION
II
I
23SER2
March (at North Am. Conf)
Flyway Council Mtgs (non regulatory)
II
II
II
April
AHM Working Group Meeting
75 Days after PROPOSED (no later than April 1)
FINAL SEASON FRAMEWORKS
Late May to Mid-June
II
ALL HUNTING SEASONS SELECTIONS
(Season Selections Due April 30)
September 1 and later
ALL HUNTING SEASONS
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[FR Doc. 2014–22518 Filed 9–22–14; 8:45 am]
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BILLING CODE 4310–55–C
VerDate Sep<11>2014
2016-17 DRAFT SCHEDULE OF BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION AVAILABILITY, REGULATIONS
MEETINGS AND FEDERAL REGISTER PUBLICATIONS
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 184 (Tuesday, September 23, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56863-56890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22518]
[[Page 56863]]
Vol. 79
Tuesday,
No. 184
September 23, 2014
Part II
Department of the Interior
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Bird
Hunting Regulations; Final Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 79 , No. 184 / Tuesday, September 23, 2014 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 56864]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2014-0017; FF09M21200-145-FXMB1231099BPP0]
RIN 1018-AZ80
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Late-Season
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) prescribes final
late-season frameworks from which States may select season dates,
limits, and other options for the 2014-15 migratory bird hunting
seasons. These late seasons include most waterfowl seasons, the
earliest of which commences on September 27, 2014. The effect of this
final rule is to facilitate the States' selection of hunting seasons
and to further the annual establishment of the late-season migratory
bird hunting regulations.
DATES: This rule takes effect on September 23, 2014.
ADDRESSES: States 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 received on the migratory bird hunting regulations during
normal business hours at the Service's office at 5275 Leesburg Pike,
Falls Church, VA 22041-3803. You may obtain copies of referenced
reports from the street address above, or from the Division of
Migratory Bird Management's Web site at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/, or at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-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) 358-1714.
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 and that subsequent documents 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
appear discontinuous and 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 proposed 2014-15 regulatory
schedule and announced the Service Regulations Committee (SRC) and
Flyway Council meetings.
On June 25-26, 2014, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council
Consultants, at which the participants reviewed information on the
current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and developed
recommendations for the 2014-15 regulations for these species plus
regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the
Virgin Islands; special September waterfowl seasons in designated
States; special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic Flyway; and extended
falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and discussed preliminary
information on the status of waterfowl as it relates to the development
and selection of the regulatory packages for the 2014-15 regular
waterfowl seasons.
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. On August 28, 2014, we
published in the Federal Register (79 FR 51402) a final rule which
contained final frameworks for early migratory bird hunting seasons
from which wildlife conservation agency officials from the States,
Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands selected early-season hunting
dates, hours, areas, and limits. Subsequently, on August 29, 2014, we
published a final rule in the Federal Register (79 FR 51712) amending
subpart K of title 50 CFR part 20 to set hunting seasons, hours, areas,
and limits for early seasons.
On July 30-31, 2014, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council
Consultants, at which the participants reviewed the status of waterfowl
and developed recommendations for the 2014-15 regulations for these
species. On August 22, 2014, we published in the Federal Register (79
FR 50512) the proposed frameworks for the 2014-15 late-season migratory
bird hunting regulations. This document establishes final frameworks
for late-season migratory bird hunting regulations for the 2014-15
season. There are no substantive changes from the August 22 proposed
rule. We will publish State selections in the Federal Register as
amendments to Sec. Sec. 20.101 through 20.107, and 20.109 of title 50
CFR part 20.
Population Status and Harvest
In the August 22 proposed rule we provided preliminary information
on the status and harvest of waterfowl excerpted from various reports.
For more detailed information on methodologies and results, you may
obtain complete copies of the various reports at the address indicated
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or from our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewsPublicationsReports.html.
Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations
The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the April
30, 2014, Federal Register, opened the public comment period for
migratory game bird hunting regulations. The supplemental proposed
rule, which appeared in the June 4, 2014, Federal Register, discussed
the regulatory alternatives for the 2014-15 duck hunting season. Late-
season comments are summarized below and numbered in the order used in
the June 4 Federal Register. We have included only the numbered items
pertaining to late-season issues for which we received written
comments. Consequently, the issues do not follow in successive
numerical order.
We received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils. Some
recommendations supported continuation of last year's frameworks. Due
to the comprehensive nature of the annual review of the frameworks
performed by the Councils, support for continuation of last year's
frameworks is assumed for items for which no recommendations were
received. Council recommendations for changes in the frameworks are
summarized below. Wherever possible, they are discussed under headings
corresponding to the numbered items in the April 30 and June 4, 2014,
Federal Register documents.
[[Page 56865]]
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 in
this rule are compatible with the current status of migratory bird
populations and long-term population goals.
Additionally, we are obligated to, and do, give serious
consideration to all information received as public comment. While
there are problems inherent with any type of representative management
of public-trust resources, we believe that the Flyway-Council system of
migratory game bird management has been a longstanding example of
State-Federal cooperative management since its establishment in 1952.
However, as always, we continue to seek new ways to streamline and
improve the process.
1. Ducks
Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest
management are: (A) General Harvest Strategy, (B) Regulatory
Alternatives, (C) Zones and Split Seasons, and (D) Special Seasons/
Species Management. The categories correspond to previously published
issues/discussion, and only those containing substantial
recommendations are discussed below.
A. General Harvest Strategy
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended the adoption of the ``liberal''
regulatory alternative.
Service Response: We continue to use adaptive harvest management
(AHM) protocols that allow hunting regulations to vary among Flyways in
a manner that recognizes each Flyway's breeding-ground derivation of
mallards. In 2008, we described and adopted a protocol for regulatory
decision-making for the newly defined stock of western mallards (73 FR
43290; July 24, 2008). For the 2014 hunting season, we continue to
believe that the prescribed regulatory choice for the Pacific Flyway
should be based on the status of this western mallard breeding stock,
while the regulatory choice for the Mississippi and Central Flyways
should depend on the status of the redefined mid-continent mallard
stock. We also recommend that the regulatory choice for the Atlantic
Flyway continue to depend on the status of eastern mallards.
For the 2014 hunting season, we are continuing to consider the same
regulatory alternatives as those used last year. The nature of the
``restrictive,'' ``moderate,'' and ``liberal'' alternatives has
remained essentially unchanged since 1997, except that extended
framework dates have been offered in the ``moderate'' and ``liberal''
regulatory alternatives since 2002 (67 FR 47224; July 17, 2002). Also,
in 2003, we agreed to place a constraint on closed seasons in the
Mississippi and Central Flyways whenever the midcontinent mallard
breeding-population size (as defined prior to 2008; traditional survey
area plus Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin) was >= 5.5 million (68 FR
37362; June 23, 2003). This constraint subsequently was revised in 2008
to >= 4.75 million to account for the change in the definition of
midcontinent mallards to exclude birds from Alaska and the Old Crow
Flats area of the Yukon Territory (73 FR 43293; July 24, 2008).
The optimal AHM strategies for midcontinent and western mallards
for the 2014-15 hunting season were calculated using: (1) Harvest-
management objectives specific to each mallard stock; (2) the 2014
regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population models and
associated weights for midcontinent and western mallards. Based on this
year's survey results of 11.04 million midcontinent mallards
(traditional survey area minus Alaska and the Old Crow Flats area of
the Yukon Territory, plus Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan) and 4.63
million ponds in Prairie Canada, the prescribed regulatory choice for
the Mississippi and Central Flyways is the ``liberal'' alternative.
Similarly, based on an estimated 0.82 million western mallards (0.32 in
California-Oregon and 0.50 in Alaska) the prescribed regulatory
alternative in the Pacific Flyway is also ``liberal.''
In 2013, mechanical problems and corresponding safety concerns with
Service aircraft limited survey coverage, which precluded our ability
to estimate breeding population sizes for the eastern strata of the
Waterfowl Breeding and Population Habitat Survey (WBPHS). As a result,
we were unable to update eastern mallard AHM model weights and derive
an optimal harvest policy for 2014. Therefore, the 2014 eastern mallard
AHM decision will be based on the 2014 eastern mallard population
estimate and the optimal regulatory strategy derived for the Atlantic
Flyway in 2012. Based on an estimated eastern mallard population of
0.86 million (0.22 and 0.63 million respectively in northeast Canada
and the northeastern United States), the prescribed regulatory choice
for the Atlantic Flyway is the ``liberal'' alternative. We note that in
2012, the eastern mallard observed breeding population was 0.84
million.
Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the Atlantic,
Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils regarding selection
of the ``liberal'' regulatory alternative and will adopt the
``liberal'' regulatory alternative, as described in the June 4, 2014,
Federal Register.
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
iii. Black Ducks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended that the Service follow the International Black
Duck AHM Strategy for 2014-15.
Service Response: In 2012, we adopted the International Black Duck
AHM Strategy (77 FR 49868; August 17, 2012). The formal strategy is the
result of 14 years of technical and policy decisions developed and
agreed upon by both Canadian and U. S. agencies and waterfowl managers.
The strategy clarifies what harvest levels each country will manage for
and reduces conflicts over country-specific regulatory policies.
Further, the strategy allows for attainment of fundamental objectives
of black duck management: Resource conservation, perpetuation of
hunting tradition, and equitable access to the black duck resource
between Canada and the United States while accommodating the
fundamental sources of uncertainty, partial controllability and
observability, structural uncertainty, and environmental variation. The
underlying model performance is assessed annually, with a comprehensive
evaluation of the entire strategy (objectives and model set) planned
after 6 years. A copy of the strategy is available at the address
indicated under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, or from our Web site
at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewsPublicationsReports.html.
[[Page 56866]]
For the 2014-15 season, the optimal country-specific regulatory
strategies were calculated in September 2013 using: (1) The black duck
harvest objective (98 percent of long-term cumulative harvest); (2)
2014-15 country-specific regulatory alternatives; (3) parameter
estimates for mallard competition and additive mortality; and (4) 2013
estimates of 0.62 million breeding black ducks and 0.50 million
breeding mallards in the core survey area. The optimal regulatory
choices are the moderate package in Canada and the restrictive package
in the United States.
iv. Canvasbacks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended a full season for canvasbacks with
a 1-bird daily bag limit. Season lengths would be 60 days in the
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 74 days in the Central Flyway, and
107 days in the Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: Since 1994, we have followed a canvasback harvest
strategy whereby if canvasback population status and production are
sufficient to permit a harvest of one canvasback per day nationwide for
the entire length of the regular duck season, while still attaining an
objective of 500,000 birds the following spring, the season on
canvasbacks should be opened. A partial season would be permitted if
the estimated allowable harvest was below that associated with a 1-bird
daily bag limit for the entire season. If neither of these conditions
can be met, the harvest strategy calls for a closed season on
canvasbacks nationwide. In 2008 (73 FR 43290; July 24, 2008), we
announced our decision to modify the canvasback harvest strategy to
incorporate the option for a 2-bird daily bag limit for canvasbacks
when the predicted breeding population the subsequent year exceeds
725,000 birds.
This year's spring survey resulted in an estimate of 685,000
canvasbacks. This was similar to the 2013 estimate of 787,000
canvasbacks and 18 percent above the 1955-2013 average. The estimate of
ponds in Prairie Canada was 4.6 million, which was also similar to last
year's estimate of 4.6 million and 33 percent above the long-term
average. Based on harvest predictions using data through 2009, the
canvasback harvest strategy predicts a 2015 canvasback population of
730,600 birds under a liberal duck season with a 1-bird daily bag limit
and 671,000 with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Because the predicted 2015
spring canvasback population under a ``liberal'' 1-bird bag season is
greater than 500,000, and the predicted population under a ``liberal''
2-bird bag is less than 725,000, and since the recommended duck season
under AHM is ``liberal,'' the harvest strategy stipulates that there
should be a full canvasback season with a 1-bird daily bag limit.
v. Pintails
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended a full season for pintails,
consisting of a 2-bird daily bag limit and a 60-day season in the
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, a 74-day season in the Central
Flyway, and a 107-day season in the Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: The current derived pintail harvest strategy was
adopted by the Service and Flyway Councils in 2010 (75 FR 44856; July
29, 2010). For this year, an optimal regulatory strategy for pintails
was calculated with: (1) An objective of maximizing long-term
cumulative harvest, including a closed-season constraint of 1.75
million birds; (2) the regulatory alternatives and associated predicted
harvest; and (3) current population models and their relative weights.
Based on this year's survey results of 3.22 million pintails observed
at a mean latitude of 53.9 degrees and a latitude-adjusted breeding
population of 3.79 million birds, the optimal regulatory choice for all
four Flyways is the ``liberal'' alternative with a 2-bird daily bag
limit.
vi. Scaup
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended use of the ``moderate'' regulation
package.
Service Response: In 2008, we adopted and implemented a new scaup
harvest strategy (73 FR 43290 on July 24, 2008, and 73 FR 51124 on
August 29, 2008) with initial ``restrictive,'' ``moderate,'' and
``liberal'' regulatory packages adopted for each Flyway.
The 2014 breeding population estimate for scaup is 4.61 million,
which is similar to the 2013 estimate of 4.17 million. Total estimated
U.S. scaup harvest for the 2013-14 season was 0.33 million birds. An
optimal regulatory strategy for scaup was calculated with an objective
of achieving 95 percent of maximum long-term cumulative harvest and
updated model parameters and their relative weights. Based on this
year's breeding population estimate of 4.61 million, the optimal
regulatory choice for scaup is the ``moderate'' package in all four
Flyways.
xi. Other
Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended
that two additional (bonus) blue-winged teal be allowed in the daily
duck bag for the first 16 days of the regular duck season in the
production States of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that two additional teal
(blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon teal collectively) be allowed
in the daily duck bag for the first 16 days of the regular duck season
in the production States of Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Impacts of both of these changes would be evaluated over the first 3
years, beginning with the 2014-15 hunting season.
Service Response: In the April 30 Federal Register, we stated that
``any proposal to increase teal harvest, in order to be consistent with
the intent of special regulations, should direct harvest primarily at
blue-winged teal . . .'' The recent assessment of teal harvest
potential indicated additional harvest for this species can be
supported in most years, and we believe the proposal for bonus blue-
winged teal will provide hunters increased opportunities with a very
low likelihood of negative impacts to the blue-winged teal population.
Further, we believe impacts to species other than blue-winged teal also
are likely to be low. Thus, we support the Central Flyway Council's
recommendation to include bonus blue-winged teal in the regular season
daily duck bag limit. We will work with the Flyway to develop
appropriate evaluation techniques to monitor any potential effects.
We do not support the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation
to include all teal in the bonus bag limit. We have clearly stated that
the focus of additional teal harvest should be directed at blue-winged
teal, and do not support new special regulations that would target
other species of waterfowl, including the other teal species. Although
the teal harvest potential assessment indicated some additional harvest
opportunity exists for both blue-winged and green-winged teal, the
amount of additional opportunity for green-winged teal appears to be
much lower than for blue-winged teal. For blue-winged teal, the optimal
harvest rates predicted for the additive model were about 2-2.5 times
higher than observed harvest rates, but the optimal harvest rate for
green-winged teal was only 1.3-1.5 times higher than observed rates,
suggesting less room for
[[Page 56867]]
additional harvest opportunity for green-winged teal. Furthermore, the
models used to assess the impacts of harvest on green-winged teal
population size did not perform as well as the models used for blue-
winged teal. Thus, we have less confidence in the results for green-
winged teal. Improving the predictive ability of the green-winged teal
models would require improvements to monitoring programs (e.g.,
banding, harvest, and/or abundance monitoring) beyond those that
currently exist. Data were insufficient to assess the harvest potential
for cinnamon teal.
Thus, beginning in the 2014-15 regular duck seasons, we will allow
two bonus blue-winged teal for the first 16 days of the regular duck
season of the Central and Mississippi Flyways when 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 for the first 9 days
when the blue-winged teal estimate is between 3.3 and 4.7 million.
Bonus blue-winged teal will not be allowed when the blue-winged teal
estimate is less than 3.3 million. In the Central Flyway, this
regulation would be available only to the States of Montana, North
Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. In the Mississippi Flyway, this
regulation would be available only to the States of Iowa, Michigan,
Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
During the next 3 years, no additional expansion of teal hunting
opportunity will be allowed. This will ensure that an evaluation of
recently enacted additional teal hunting opportunities can proceed
immediately and a comprehensive teal harvest strategy can be developed.
The evaluation plan must be reviewed and supported by the Service's
Division of Migratory Bird Management, and the strategy vetted by the
Harvest Management Working Group and approved by the Service.
Bonus birds of other species will only be considered after a
rigorous assessment of the harvest potential of the species, adequate
evaluations of the effects of the additional harvest associated with
the bonus bag limit on the status of the species, and integration of
the regulations into the applicable duck harvest management
strategy(ies) in place at the time. Flyway(s) proposing such changes
would be responsible for providing the resources for all necessary
work.
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
B. Regular Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that regulations for the North Atlantic Population of Canada geese
(NAP) be liberalized per the NAP Canada Goose Management Plan and Hunt
Strategy. The ``liberal'' season option would consist of a 70-day
season with a 3-bird daily bag limit and a framework between October 1
and February 15 for the high- and low-harvest NAP areas. The Council
also recommended that the size of the closed area surrounding Santee
National Wildlife Refuge and lands in close proximity to the refuge be
reduced beginning with the 2014-15 hunting season. The area removed
from the closed area would be managed as an Atlantic Flyway Resident
Population harvest area with an 80-day season and 5-bird daily bag
limit.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended several changes to dark
goose season frameworks:
1. Simplify goose frameworks in the Pacific Flyway by combining
interior and coastal States frameworks into single frameworks for
Canada geese and brant, white-fronted geese, and light geese. This
would include:
a. Increasing the season length for Canada geese in California,
Oregon, and Washington from 100 to 107 days; and
b. Changing the framework opening date for geese in California,
Oregon, and Washington from the Saturday closest to October 1 to the
Saturday closest to September 24.
2. In California, increase the bag limit for Canada geese from 4 to
10 per day, and in those zones where exceptions exist, increase the
Canada goose bag limit from 6 to 10 per day.
3. In Oregon, increase the bag limit for Canada geese in the South
Coast Zone on hunt days on or before the last Sunday in January from 4
to 6 per day.
4. In Oregon, remove bag limit restrictions for cackling and
Aleutian geese in the Northwest and Northwest Special Permit Zones of
not more than 3 per day within the overall Canada goose daily bag
limit.
5. In Washington, remove the bag limit restriction for cackling
geese in Area 2A and 2B (Southwest Washington Permit Zone) of not more
than 3 per day within the overall Canada goose daily bag limit.
6. In Oregon and Washington, increase dusky Canada goose quotas
from 90 to 165 geese in the Northwest Special Permit Zone of Oregon,
and from 45 to 85 geese in Area 2A and 2B of Washington (Southwest
Washington Permit Zone).
7. In Utah, Nevada, and Arizona, increase the daily bag limit from
3 to 4 Canada geese and brant, singly or in the aggregate.
8. In Utah, modify the Northern Utah Zone to include the Locomotive
State Wildlife Area and adjacent areas which were previously in the
Remainder of State Zone.
9. In Utah, modify the descriptions of the Wasatch Front Zone and
the Remainder of State Zone so that the Wasatch Front Zone is described
by roads instead of county boundaries.
Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's
recommendation concerning liberalization of the frameworks for NAP
geese. The 3-year NAP breeding population mean (65,344) is above the
2001-05 level of 59,994 needed for liberalization. Further, the NAP
breeding population has been slowly increasing for the past 5 years and
NAP harvest in the United States is buffered to a large extent by the
Atlantic Flyway Resident Population (AFRP). We also support the
Council's recommendation to reduce the closed area in South Carolina.
The reduction in the size of the closed area should continue to provide
adequate protection for migrant Canada goose stocks associated with
this area. Further, opening some new areas to goose hunting will
provide additional harvest opportunity on overabundant AFRP Canada
geese.
We support the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendations to increase
the basic season length in California, Oregon, and Washington from 100
to 107 days, and to change the framework opening date in California,
Oregon, and Washington. These recommendations are intended to simplify
frameworks by establishing consistency in season lengths and opening
dates for Canada goose, light goose, and white-fronted goose seasons
throughout the Pacific Flyway south of Alaska. We do not expect the
increased season length to significantly increase harvest as many areas
in these States already have exceptions for a 107-day season length, or
have combinations of youth hunting days, September seasons, and regular
seasons which total 107 days.
We also support the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to
increase the daily bag limit in California from 4 or 6, depending on
the zone, to 10 per day. Aleutian, cackling, and western Canada geese
represent the primary Canada goose populations inhabiting California,
and currently exceed population objectives identified in
[[Page 56868]]
Flyway management plans. The most recent 3-year (2012-2014) average
estimated number of Aleutian Canada geese is 145,780, well above the
population objective of 60,000 geese. The current 3-year (2012-2014)
average population estimate for cackling Canada geese is 265,281, and
exceeds the population objective of 250,000 geese. Also, the 3-year
(2012-2014) average population estimate for the Pacific population of
western Canada geese is 249,890, and is nearly double the objective of
126,650 geese. However, the Flyway management plan indicates that the
western Canada goose population segment (flock) objective for the
California reference area is between 1,000 and 1,250 nesting pairs. The
traditional survey area in the northeast portion of the California
reference area indicates only 588 nesting pairs, but a broader survey
over the California reference area indicates a current 3-year average
breeding population estimate of 47,128 geese. We note that California
has maintained more restrictive regulations in their Northeast Zone to
protect the breeding population of western Canada geese there. While we
support the recommendation, we also believe the Flyway management plan
for the Pacific population of western Canada geese should be revised by
2016 to update the population objective if necessary and clarify the
metric used to index the status of this population and prescribe
harvest management regulations.
With regard to the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to
increase the daily bag limit in Oregon's South Coast Zone on hunt days
on or before the last Sunday in January from 4 to 6 per day, we concur.
We note that Oregon's South Coast Zone daily bag limit is already 6
Canada geese after the last Sunday in January. Increased bag limits in
Oregon's South Coast Zone are intended to increase harvest rates of
Aleutian Canada geese, which exceed the Flyway population objective by
more than two times.
We also support the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendations to
remove the daily bag limit restrictions specific to cackling and
Aleutian Canada geese in Oregon's Northwest and Northwest Special
Permit Zones of not more than 3 per day, and to remove the daily bag
limit restriction specific to cackling Canada geese in Washington's
Area 2A and 2B (Southwest Permit Zone) of not more than 3 per day
within the basic daily bag limit of 4 Canada geese per day in these
areas. As previously noted, Aleutian Canada goose abundance is
currently more than double the Flyway population objective, and the
number of cackling Canada geese also exceeds the Flyway population
objective. The bag limit increases are intended to increase harvest
rates of cackling Canada geese and address agricultural damage issues
in Oregon and Washington. However, we note that long-term solutions to
agricultural depredation issues will not be completely addressed
through harvest regulations. Thus, we encourage the States in the
Pacific Flyway to continue to work toward implementing other approaches
for reducing agricultural depredation as detailed in the Flyway's
Canada goose depredation plan.
We also support the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to
increase the dusky Canada goose quotas from 90 to 165 in Oregon's
Northwest Special Permit Zone, and 45 to 85 in Washington's Area 2A and
2B (Southwest Permit Zone). The Flyway's dusky Canada goose management
plan specifies that Oregon's and Washington's harvest quotas will
increase from 90 and 45 to 165 and 85, respectively, when the 3-year
average population of dusky Canada geese exceeds 12,500 (Action level
1). The most current 3-year average population (2011-2014, no estimate
was available in 2013) is 13,678. We do not expect change in the quotas
to result in increased goose harvest. Oregon and Washington rarely
exceed sub-area dusky quotas and do not exceed the current lower
quotas. The status of dusky Canada geese continues to be of concern and
harvest restrictions have been in place to protect these geese
throughout their range since the 1970s. We continue to support the
harvest strategy described in the Flyway management plan for this
population.
We also support the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to
increase the daily Canada goose and brant bag limit from 3 to 4 singly
or in the aggregate in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. State restrictions
have been imposed in those three States to help establish and build
breeding population segments (flocks) identified by State reference
areas in the Flyway management plan. However, the current 3-year
average population estimate (2012-14) for the Rocky Mountain population
of western Canada geese is 144,255, which is substantially above the
Flyway population objective of 117,000 geese. The management plan for
this population indicates that when the most recent 3-year average
breeding population index is between 87,825 and 117,000 geese, minor
harvest adjustments may be made for individual flocks and reference
areas. Removal of the States' daily bag limit restrictions in Arizona,
Nevada, and Utah will make their Canada goose bag limits the same as
those in other interior Pacific Flyway States (Colorado, Idaho, and
Montana), resulting in greater consistency throughout the Flyway.
Lastly, we support the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendations to
modify Utah's Northern Utah Zone and to modify the descriptions of
Utah's Wasatch Front Zone and the Remainder of State Zone. The
modifications will result in consistent regulations on other nearby
wildlife management areas in the Northern Utah Zone, and we do not
expect that this change will have any impact on goose harvest. Also,
some hunters have had difficulty determining the boundary for the
Wasatch Front Zone because the zone was defined based on county lines,
which do not necessarily follow visible landmarks. This change in
boundary description is more easily identifiable based on visible
landmarks and should reduce uncertainty by sportsmen when afield.
5. White-Fronted Geese
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended
increasing the daily bag limit from 6 to 10 per day in the Pacific
Flyway except in Alaska, and expanding the framework opening outside
dates in California, Oregon, and Washington from the Saturday closest
to October 1 to the Saturday closest to September 24.
Service Response: We support the Pacific Flyway Council's
recommendations. The current 3-year average population estimate (2012-
14) for Pacific white-fronted geese is 627,108, which is substantially
above the Flyway population objective of 300,000 geese. Further, the
population has shown an upward trend for nearly the last 30 years. As
the number of Pacific white-fronted geese has increased, so have
complaints of agricultural damage on wintering and staging areas. The
bag limit increase should allow additional harvest of Pacific white-
fronted geese while maintaining traditional Canada goose hunting
opportunities. We do not expect a significant increase in Tule white-
fronted goose harvest with the bag limit increase because restrictive
frameworks remain in place in the Pacific Flyway to limit harvest of
Tule white-fronted geese (for example, California's Sacramento Valley
Special Management Area). Population estimates for Tule white-fronted
geese indicate a stable population, and the current 3-year average
population estimate (2012-14) is approximately 10,000 geese. While the
Special Management Area is in place to restrict the harvest of Tule
[[Page 56869]]
geese, the absolute number of Tule geese harvested remains very low
(ranging from 40-173 per year). With regard to framework dates, moving
the framework opening date ahead by 1 week is intended to simplify
frameworks by aligning outside dates for white-fronted goose, Canada
goose, and light goose seasons to allow consistency throughout the
Pacific Flyway south of Alaska.
6. Brant
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a
30-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit for the 2014-15 hunting
season.
Service Response: The 2014 mid-winter index (MWI) for Atlantic
brant was 132,936. While the brant management plan allows for a 50-day
season with a 2-bird daily bag limit when the MWI estimate falls
between 125,000 and 150,000 brant, the hunt plan provides for
consideration of factors other than population size in decisions about
season length. The Council noted that the percentage of young in the
brant fall flight in the previous 2 years was extremely low (6.5
percent and 3.7 percent) compared to the previous 10-year average of
17.6 percent, and preliminary information for 2014 suggests a third
consecutive year of poor production. We concur with the Council's
conservative approach.
7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended
several changes to light goose season frameworks:
1. Changing the framework opening date for light geese in
California, Oregon, and Washington from the Saturday closest to October
1 to the Saturday closest to September 24;
2. Increasing the basic bag limit for light geese in California,
Oregon, and Washington from 6 or 10 per day to 20 per day; and
3. Implementing a bag limit restriction for light geese in Oregon
of 6 per day during all hunts occurring on or before the last Sunday in
January.
Service Response: We support the Pacific Flyway Council's
recommendation to expand the framework opening outside dates for light
geese in California, Oregon, and Washington. Moving the framework
opening date ahead by 1 week is intended to simplify frameworks by
aligning outside dates for white-fronted goose, Canada goose, and light
goose seasons to allow consistency throughout the Pacific Flyway south
of Alaska.
We also support the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendations to
increase the basic bag limit for light geese in California, Oregon, and
Washington from 6 or 10 per day to 20 per day. Increasing the basic
light goose bag limit in California, Oregon, and Washington will
simplify frameworks by aligning bag limits for light geese to allow
consistency throughout the Pacific Flyway south of Alaska.
Additionally, three populations of light geese occur in the Pacific
Flyway and are above Flyway population objectives based on the most
recent breeding population indices. The population estimate for the
Western Arctic Population (WAP) of lesser snow geese was 451,000 in
2013, which is above the objective of 200,000 geese. Ross's geese were
estimated at 766,000 in 2012, and are above the objective of 100,000
geese. The population estimate for Wrangel Island snow geese was
160,000 in 2013, which is above the objective of 120,000 geese. The
Council notes that the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) designated WAP
lesser snow geese and Ross's geese as overabundant in 2014, based on
the populations' long-term growth, evidence of localized habitat
degradation on the breeding grounds, low harvest rate, and high adult
survival rate. Further, management prescriptions recommended in the WAP
lesser snow goose and Ross's goose management plans are meant to keep
the populations within objective levels and prevent habitat degradation
problems. The increase in daily bag limit is intended to slow the
growth rate of WAP lesser snow geese and Ross's geese.
Increasing bag limits on light geese has the potential for
additional impacts to Wrangel Island snow geese. Wrangel Island snow
geese winter primarily in British Columbia-Washington (60 percent) and
California (40 percent), but some winter in Oregon. California is the
winter terminus for all three populations of light geese. The number of
light geese estimated to winter in California is approximately
1,000,000. Only about 5 percent of the wintering population is composed
of Wrangel Island snow geese. We agree with the Council that the large
portion of WAP lesser snow geese and Ross's geese wintering in
California serve as a buffer to the small portion of Wrangel Island
snow geese wintering in California. Further, restrictive frameworks
remain in place in Washington and Oregon to restrict harvest of Wrangel
Island snow geese including a 4-bird daily bag limit for light geese in
Washington's and Oregon's Northwest Permit zones. Also the Pacific
Flyway Council recommended retaining the current daily bag limit of 6
light geese in Oregon on or before the last Sunday in January when
light geese in the State are likely to be Wrangel Island snow geese.
With regard to implementing a bag limit restriction for light geese
in Oregon of 6 per day on or before the last Sunday in January, we
concur. Current evidence suggests most light geese in Oregon during
fall and early winter are primarily Wrangel Island snow geese, but an
influx of WAP lesser snow and Ross's geese occurs during late winter as
birds begin to move north toward breeding areas. A bag limit for light
geese in Oregon of 6 per day on or before the last Sunday in January is
similar to the 6-bird bag limit currently allowed for light geese in
Oregon, and should retain protective measures for Wrangel Island snow
geese at a time of the year when they make up the majority of light
geese inhabiting Oregon.
23. Other
In a July 26, 2013, Federal Register (78 FR 45376), the Service
issued its Record of Decision (ROD) for the migratory bird hunting
program, prepared pursuant to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA;
42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) regulations at 40 CFR 1505.2. An integral
component of that ROD was the decision to promulgate annual migratory
bird hunting regulations using a single process for early and late
seasons based on predictions derived from long-term biological
information and established harvest strategies. We believe this single
process is the most effective alternative for addressing key issues
identified during the planning process and will best achieve the
purposes and goals of the Service and States. At that time, we stated
that implementation of the new process was targeted for the 2015-16
regulations cycle.
In the April 30 proposed rule we discussed how under this new
process, the current early and late season regulatory actions will be
combined into a new single process. Regulatory proposals will be
developed using biological data from the preceding year(s), model
predictions, or most recently accumulated data that are available at
the time the proposals are being formulated. Individual harvest
strategies will be modified using either data from the previous year(s)
or model predictions because the current year's data would not be
available for many of the strategies. Considerable technical work will
be necessary over a period of years to adjust the underlying biological
models to the new regulatory time scale. During this transition period,
harvest strategies and prescriptions will be
[[Page 56870]]
modified to fit into the new regulatory schedule. These adjustments
could be accomplished immediately upon adoption of the new process.
Many existing regulatory prescriptions used for Canada geese, sandhill
cranes, mourning doves, and American woodcock currently work on this
basis. The process will be somewhat less precise in some instances
because population projections would be used instead of current-year
status information. The use of population projections rather than
current-year population estimates would add variability to the
population estimate from which the regulations are based. However, the
uncertainty associated with these status predictions will be accounted
for and incorporated into the process. This uncertainty will not result
in a disproportionately higher harvest rate for any stock, nor
substantially diminish harvest opportunities, either annually or on a
cumulative basis. Reducing the number of meetings could lower
administrative costs by 40 percent per year and substantially lower the
Service's carbon footprint due to a decrease in travel and a reduction
in the costs associated with the additional meetings.
Obviously, under this new process, the administrative, meeting, and
Federal Register schedule will all change significantly. In the ROD, we
described a meeting schedule consisting of SRC regulatory meetings in
March or April. At the latest, proposed frameworks would be available
for public review by early June and final frameworks published by mid-
August. The new schedule also allows 30-60 days for public input and
comments (currently, the comment period can be as short as 10 days).
Further, the ROD stated that the four Flyway Councils may need to meet
only once instead of twice per year, and the SRC would meet twice a
year, once sometime during fall or early winter (September through
January) and once thereafter, instead of the three times they currently
convene.
Over the last few months we have worked with the Flyway Councils on
a number of administrative, meeting, and Federal Register schedule
timing options to implement the new regulatory process. As we stated in
the April 30 proposed rule, these discussions have led us to a mutually
agreeable regulatory schedule that begins earlier than was envisioned
in the ROD. We plan to implement the new regulatory schedule in 2015
when the regulatory cycle begins for the 2016-17 hunting seasons. As a
benefit to the public, we will review and discuss these changes here
before their implementation next summer because of the significantly
different regulatory schedule and the fact that the process will begin
much earlier than that currently utilized.
Major steps in the 2016-17 regulatory cycle relating to biological
information availability, open public meetings, and Federal Register
notifications are illustrated in the diagram at the end of this rule.
At this time, all dates, including biological information, meetings,
and publications of Federal Register documents are target dates largely
consisting of either specific targets (i.e., biological information
availability) or target windows (meetings and Federal Register
publications). More specific target dates will be provided next summer
with publication of specific meeting notices and the proposed
rulemaking for the 2016-17 hunting seasons.
In summary, the 2016-17 regulatory schedule would begin in mid-June
2015 with the first SRC meeting of the forthcoming year. Flyway
technical sections and councils would then meet in September and early
October following the release of the waterfowl and webless population
status reports in mid-August and the AHM report in early September.
After the last Flyway Council meeting, the SRC and Flyway Council
Consultants would meet to review information on the current status of
migratory shore and upland game birds and waterfowl and develop
recommendations for the 2016-17 regulations for these species. Proposed
season frameworks, a 30-day public comment period, and final season
frameworks would then follow with ultimate publication of all migratory
game bird hunting seasons in late May to mid-June of 2016 for the 2016-
17 hunting seasons.
As we previously stated, however, there remains considerable
technical work necessary over a period of years to adjust the
underlying biological models to the new regulatory time scale. We look
forward to continuing work on these issues with the Flyway Councils.
For a more detailed discussion of the various technical aspects of the
new process, we refer the reader to the 2013 SEIS available on our Web
site at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds.
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
[[Page 56871]]
significant because it would have an annual effect of $100 million or
more on the economy.
Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while
calling for improvements in the nation's regulatory system to promote
predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends.
The executive order directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches
that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for
the public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and
consistent with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further
that regulations must be based on the best available science and that
the rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open
exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent
with these requirements.
An 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 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 56872]]
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 seasons.
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 seasons are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C.
742 a-j.
Dated: September 10, 2014.
Michael J. Bean,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
Final Regulations Frameworks for 2014-15 Late 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, shooting hours, bag and
possession limits, and outside dates within which States may select
seasons for hunting waterfowl and coots between the dates of September
1, 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
High Plains Mallard Management Unit--roughly defined as that
portion of the Central Flyway that lies west of the 100th meridian.
Definitions
For the purpose of hunting regulations listed below, the collective
terms ``dark'' and ``light'' geese include the following species:
Dark geese: Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant (except in
California, Oregon, Washington, and the Atlantic Flyway), and all other
goose species except light geese.
[[Page 56873]]
Light geese: Snow (including blue) geese and Ross's geese.
Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Geographic descriptions related
to late-season regulations are contained in a later portion of this
document.
Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks for open seasons, season
lengths, bag and possession limits, and other special provisions are
listed below by Flyway.
Waterfowl Seasons in the Atlantic Flyway
In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, 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 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days
Outside Dates: States may select 2 days per duck-hunting zone,
designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,'' in addition to their
regular duck seasons. The days must be held outside any regular duck
season on a weekend, holidays, or other non-school days when youth
hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate. The days may
be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-season
frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or within any
other open season on migratory birds.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits may include ducks, geese,
tundra swans, mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and would be
the same as those allowed in the regular season. Flyway species and
area restrictions would remain in effect.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Participation Restrictions: Youth hunters must be 15 years of age
or younger. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age must
accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult may not duck hunt
but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special youth
day. Tundra swans may only be taken by participants possessing
applicable tundra swan permits.
Atlantic Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
27) and the last Sunday in January (January 25).
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days. The daily bag limit is 6
ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more that 2 of which can
be females), 1 black duck, 2 pintails, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous
whistling duck, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 1 canvasback, and 4
scoters.
Closures: The season on harlequin ducks is closed.
Sea Ducks: Within the special sea duck areas, during the regular
duck season in the Atlantic Flyway, States may choose to allow the
above sea duck limits in addition to the limits applying to other ducks
during the regular duck season. In all other areas, sea ducks may be
taken only during the regular open season for ducks and are part of the
regular duck season daily bag (not to exceed 4 scoters) and possession
limits.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5, only 2 of
which may be hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in
the duck bag limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit,
only two of which may be hooded mergansers.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and
shooting hours should be the same as those selected for the Lake
Champlain Zone of Vermont.
Connecticut River Zone, Vermont: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and
shooting hours should be the same as those selected for the Inland Zone
of New Hampshire.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland,
North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, and West
Virginia may split their seasons into three segments; Connecticut,
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, and Vermont may select hunting seasons by zones and may
split their seasons into two segments in each zone.
Canada Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Specific regulations for
Canada geese are shown below by State. These seasons also include
white-fronted geese. Unless specified otherwise, seasons may be split
into two segments. In areas within States where the framework closing
date for Atlantic Population (AP) goose seasons overlaps with special
late-season frameworks for resident geese, the framework closing date
for AP goose seasons is January 14.
Connecticut:
North Atlantic Population (NAP) Zone: Between October 1 and
February 15, a 70-day season may be held with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Atlantic Population (AP) Zone: A 50-day season may be held between
October 10 and February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
South Zone: A special season may be held between January 15 and
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
Resident Population (RP) Zone: An 80-day season may be held between
October 1 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season
may be split into 3 segments.
Delaware: A 50-day season may be held between November 15 and
February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Florida: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments.
Georgia: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments.
Maine: A 70-day season may be held Statewide between October 1 and
February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Maryland:
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between November 15 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between November 15 and
February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Massachusetts:
NAP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and
February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, a special
season may be held from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily
bag limit.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between October 10 and
February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
New Hampshire: A 70-day season may be held Statewide between
October 1 and February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
New Jersey:
Statewide: A 50-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday
in October (October 25) and February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Special Late Goose Season Area: A special season may be held in
designated areas of North and South New Jersey from January 15 to
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
New York:
NAP Zone: Between October 1 and February 15, a 70-day season may be
held, with a 3-bird daily bag limit in both the High Harvest and Low
Harvest areas.
Special Late Goose Season Area: A special season may be held
between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit in
designated areas of Suffolk County.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 25), except in the Lake
[[Page 56874]]
Champlain Area where the opening date is October 10, and February 5,
with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Western Long Island RP Zone: A 107-day season may be held between
the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 27) and March 10, with an
8-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments.
Rest of State RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the
fourth Saturday in October (October 25) and March 10, with a 5-bird
daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments.
North Carolina:
SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and
December 31, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments.
Northeast Hunt Unit: A 14-day season may be held between the
Saturday prior to December 25 (December 20) and January 31, with a 1-
bird daily bag limit.
Pennsylvania:
SJBP Zone: A 78-day season may be held between the first Saturday
in October (October 4) and February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday
in October (October 25) and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
The season may be split into 3 segments.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 25) and February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Rhode Island: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and
February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. A special late season may
be held in designated areas from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-
bird daily bag limit.
South Carolina: In designated areas, an 80-day season may be held
between October 1 and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The
season may be split into 3 segments.
Vermont:
Lake Champlain Zone and Interior Zone: A 50-day season may be held
between October 10 and February 5 with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Connecticut River Zone: A 70-day season may be held between October
1 and February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Virginia:
SJBP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between November 15 and
January 14, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, a special late
season may be held between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird
daily bag limit.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between November 15 and
February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between November 15 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments.
West Virginia: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and
March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments in each zone.
Light Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 107-
day season between October 1 and March 10, with a 25-bird daily bag
limit and no possession limit. States may split their seasons into
three segments.
Brant
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 30-
day season between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 27) and
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. States may split their
seasons into two segments.
Mississippi Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
27) and the last Sunday in January (January 25).
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: The season may not exceed 60 days,
with a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards
(no more than 2 of which may be females), 1 mottled duck, 1 black duck,
2 pintails, 3 wood ducks, 1 canvasback, 3 scaup, and 2 redheads. In
addition to the daily limits listed above, the States of Iowa,
Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin may include an additional 2 blue-
winged teal in the daily bag limit in lieu of selecting an experimental
September teal season during the first 16 days of the regular duck
season in each respective duck hunting zone.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, only 2 of which may be
hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in the duck bag
limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, only 2 of
which may be hooded mergansers.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee,
and Wisconsin may select hunting seasons by zones.
In Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be
split into two segments in each zone.
In Arkansas and Mississippi, the season may be split into three
segments.
Geese
Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments.
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select
seasons for light geese not to exceed 107 days, with 20 geese daily
between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 27) and March 10;
for white-fronted geese not to exceed 74 days with 2 geese daily or 88
days with 1 goose daily between the Saturday nearest September 24
(September 27) and the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 15); and
for brant not to exceed 70 days, with 2 brant daily or 107 days with 1
brant daily between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 27)
and January 31. There is no possession limit for light geese. States
may select seasons for Canada geese not to exceed 92 days with 2 geese
daily or 78 days with 3 geese daily between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 27) and January 31 with the following
exceptions listed by State:
Arkansas: The season may extend to February 15.
Indiana:
Late Canada Goose Season Area: A special Canada goose season of up
to 15 days may be held during February 1-15 in the Late Canada Goose
Season Zone. During this special season, the daily bag limit cannot
exceed 5 Canada geese.
Iowa: The season for Canada geese may extend for 107 days. The
daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.
Michigan:
The framework opening date for all geese is September 11 in the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan and September 16 in the Lower Peninsula of
Michigan.
Southern Michigan Late Canada Goose Season Zone: A 30-day special
Canada goose season may be held between December 31 and February 15.
The daily bag limit is 5 Canada geese.
Minnesota: The season for Canada geese may extend for 107 days. The
daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.
Missouri: The season for Canada geese may extend for 85 days. The
daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.
Tennessee: Northwest Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend
to February 15.
Wisconsin:
Horicon Zone: The framework opening date for all geese is September
16.
Exterior Zone: The framework opening date for all geese is
September 16.
[[Page 56875]]
Additional Limits: In addition to the harvest limits stated for the
respective zones above, an additional 4,500 Canada geese may be taken
in the Horicon Zone under special agricultural permits.
Central Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
27) and the last Sunday in January (January 25).
Hunting Seasons:
High Plains Mallard Management Unit (roughly defined as that
portion of the Central Flyway which lies west of the 100th meridian):
97 days. The last 23 days must run consecutively and may start no
earlier than the Saturday nearest December 10 (December 13).
Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74 days.
Bag Limits: The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, with species and sex
restrictions as follows: 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be
females), 3 scaup, 2 redheads, 3 wood ducks, 2 pintails, and 1
canvasback. In Texas, the daily bag limit on mottled ducks is 1, except
that no mottled ducks may be taken during the first 5 days of the
season. In addition to the daily limits listed above, the States of
Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, in lieu of selecting
an experimental September teal season, may include an additional daily
bag and possession limit of 2 and 6 blue-winged teal, respectively,
during the first 16 days of the regular duck season in each respective
duck hunting zone. These extra limits are in addition to the regular
duck bag and possession limits.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5 mergansers, only 2 of
which may be hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in
the duck daily bag limit, the daily limit may be the same as the duck
bag limit, only two of which may be hooded mergansers.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Colorado, Kansas (Low Plains portion),
Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains portion), South
Dakota (Low Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains portion), and Wyoming
may select hunting seasons by zones.
In Colorado, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma,
South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the regular season may be split into
two segments.
Geese
Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments.
Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Central Flyway Council
and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year evaluation by
each participating State.
Outside Dates: For dark geese, seasons may be selected between the
outside dates of the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 27) and
the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 15). For light geese, outside
dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 27) and March 10. In the Rainwater Basin Light
Goose Area (East and West) of Nebraska, temporal and spatial
restrictions that are consistent with the late-winter snow goose
hunting strategy cooperatively developed by the Central Flyway Council
and the Service are required.
Season Lengths and Limits:
Light Geese: States may select a light goose season not to exceed
107 days. The daily bag limit for light geese is 50 with no possession
limit.
Dark Geese: In Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, States may select a season
for Canada geese (or any other dark goose species except white-fronted
geese) not to exceed 107 days with a daily bag limit of 8. For white-
fronted geese, these States may select either a season of 74 days with
a bag limit of 2 or an 88-day season with a bag limit of 1.
In Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming, States may select
seasons not to exceed 107 days. The daily bag limit for dark geese is 5
in the aggregate.
In the Western Goose Zone of Texas, the season may not exceed 95
days. The daily bag limit for Canada geese (or any other dark goose
species except white-fronted geese) is 5. The daily bag limit for
white-fronted geese is 1.
Pacific Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, Common Moorhens, and Purple Gallinules
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
27) and the last Sunday in January (January 25).
Hunting Seasons and Duck and Merganser Limits: Concurrent 107 days.
The daily bag limit is 7 ducks and mergansers, including no more than 2
female mallards, 2 pintails, 1 canvasback, 3 scaup, and 2 redheads. For
scaup, the season length is 86 days, which may be split according to
applicable zones/split duck hunting configurations approved for each
State.
The season on coots, common moorhens, and purple gallinules may be
between the outside dates for the season on ducks, but not to exceed
107 days.
Coot, Common Moorhen, and Purple Gallinule Limits: The daily bag
limit of coots, common moorhens, and purple gallinules are 25, singly
or in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming may select hunting seasons by
zones. Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington,
and Wyoming may split their seasons into two segments.
Colorado, Montana, and New Mexico may split their seasons into
three segments.
Colorado River Zone, California: Seasons and limits should be the
same as seasons and limits selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona
(South Zone).
Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits:
Canada geese and brant: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day
seasons may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 27) and the last Sunday in January (January
25). In Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Utah, the daily
bag limit is 4 Canada geese and brant in the aggregate. In California,
Oregon, and Washington, the daily bag limit is 4 Canada geese. For
brant, Oregon and Washington may select a 16-day season and California
a 30-day season. Days must be consecutive. Washington and California
may select hunting seasons for up to two zones. The daily bag limit is
2 brant and is in addition to other goose limits. In Oregon and
California, the brant season must end no later than December 15.
White-fronted geese: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day seasons
may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 27) and March 10. The daily bag limit is 10.
Light geese: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day seasons may be
selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24
(September 27) and March 10. The basic daily bag limit is 20.
Split Seasons: Unless otherwise specified, seasons for geese may be
split into up to 3 segments. Three-way split seasons for Canada geese
and white-fronted geese require Pacific Flyway Council and U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service approval and a 3-year evaluation by each
participating State.
California: The daily bag limit for Canada geese is 10.
Balance-of-State Zone: A Canada goose season may be selected with
[[Page 56876]]
outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 27)
and March 10. In the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area, the
season on white-fronted geese must end on or before December 28, and
the daily bag limit is 3 white-fronted geese. In the North Coast
Special Management Area, hunting days that occur after the last Sunday
in January should be concurrent with Oregon's South Coast Zone.
Idaho:
Zone 2: Idaho will continue to monitor the snow goose hunt that
occurs after the last Sunday in January in the American Falls
Reservoir/Fort Hall Bottoms and surrounding areas at 3-year intervals.
New Mexico: The daily bag limit for Canada geese and brant is 3 in
the aggregate.
Oregon: The daily bag limit for light geese is 6 on or before the
last Sunday in January.
Harney and Lake County Zone: For Lake County only, the daily white-
fronted goose bag limit is 1.
Northwest Zone: For geese, outside dates are between the Saturday
nearest September 24 (September 27) and March 10. The season may be
split into 3 segments.
Northwest Special Permit Zone: For geese, outside dates are between
the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 27) and March 10. The
season may be split into 3 segments. The daily bag limit of light geese
is 4.
South Coast Zone: A Canada goose season may be selected with
outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 27)
and March 10. The daily bag limit is 6. Hunting days that occur after
the last Sunday in January should be concurrent with California's North
Coast Special Management Area. The season may be split into 3 segments.
Utah: A Canada goose and brant season may be selected in the
Wasatch Front and Washington County Zones with outside dates between
the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 27) and the first Sunday
in February (February 1).
Washington: The daily bag limit is 4 geese.
Area 1: Outside dates are between the Saturday nearest September 24
(September 27) and the last Sunday in January (January 25).
Areas 2A and 2B (Southwest Permit Zone): Regular goose seasons may
be split into 3 segments. A special late goose season may be held
between the Saturday following the close of the general goose season
and March 10. In the Southwest Permit Zone Area 2B (Pacific County),
the daily bag limit may include 1 Aleutian goose.
Area 4: The season may be split into 3 segments.
Wyoming: The daily bag limit for Canada geese and brant is 3 in the
aggregate.
Permit Zones
In Oregon and Washington permit zones, goose seasons must end upon
attainment of individual quotas of dusky Canada geese allotted to the
designated areas of Oregon (165) and Washington (85). The September
Canada goose season, regular goose season, any special late Canada
goose season, and any extended falconry season, combined, must not
exceed 107 days, and the established quota of dusky Canada geese must
not be exceeded. Hunting of geese in those designated areas will be
only by hunters possessing a State-issued permit authorizing them to do
so. In a Service-approved investigation, the State must obtain
quantitative information on hunter compliance with those regulations
aimed at reducing the take of dusky geese. If the monitoring program
cannot be conducted, for any reason, the season must immediately close.
Swans
In portions of the Pacific Flyway (Montana, Nevada, and Utah), an
open season for taking a limited number of swans may be selected.
Permits will be issued by the State and will authorize each permittee
to take no more than 1 swan per season with each permit. Nevada may
issue up to 2 permits per hunter. Montana and Utah may only issue 1
permit per hunter. Each State's season may open no earlier than the
Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4). These seasons are also subject
to the following conditions:
Montana: No more than 500 permits may be issued. The season must
end no later than December 1. The State must implement a harvest-
monitoring program to measure the species composition of the swan
harvest and should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter
compliance in reporting bill measurement and color information.
Utah: No more than 2,000 permits may be issued. During the swan
season, no more than 10 trumpeter swans may be taken. The season must
end no later than the second Sunday in December (December 14) or upon
attainment of 10 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs
earliest. The Utah season remains subject to the terms of the
Memorandum of Agreement entered into with the Service in August 2001,
regarding harvest monitoring, season closure procedures, and education
requirements to minimize the take of trumpeter swans during the swan
season.
Nevada: No more than 650 permits may be issued. During the swan
season, no more than 5 trumpeter swans may be taken. The season must
end no later than the Sunday following January 1 (January 4) or upon
attainment of 5 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs
earliest.
In addition, the States of Utah and Nevada must implement a
harvest-monitoring program to measure the species composition of the
swan harvest. The harvest-monitoring program must require that all
harvested swans or their species-determinant parts be examined by
either State or Federal biologists for the purpose of species
classification. The States should use appropriate measures to maximize
hunter compliance in providing bagged swans for examination. Further,
the States of Montana, Nevada, and Utah must achieve at least an 80-
percent compliance rate, or subsequent permits will be reduced by 10
percent. All three States must provide to the Service by June 30, 2015,
a report detailing harvest, hunter participation, reporting compliance,
and monitoring of swan populations in the designated hunt areas.
Tundra Swans
In portions of the Atlantic Flyway (North Carolina and Virginia)
and the Central Flyway (North Dakota, South Dakota [east of the
Missouri River], and that portion of Montana in the Central Flyway), an
open season for taking a limited number of tundra swans may be
selected. Permits will be issued by the States that authorize the take
of no more than 1 tundra swan per permit. A second permit may be issued
to hunters from unused permits remaining after the first drawing. The
States must obtain harvest and hunter participation data. These seasons
are also subject to the following conditions:
In the Atlantic Flyway:
--The season may be 90 days, between October 1 and January 31.
--In North Carolina, no more than 5,000 permits may be issued.
--In Virginia, no more than 600 permits may be issued.
In the Central Flyway:
--The season may be 107 days, between the Saturday nearest October 1
(October 4) and January 31.
--In the Central Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 500 permits
may be issued.
[[Page 56877]]
--In North Dakota, no more than 2,200 permits may be issued.
--In South Dakota, no more than 1,300 permits may be issued.
Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions Ducks (Including Mergansers) and
Coots Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-95.
South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Maine
North Zone: That portion north of the line extending east along
Maine State Highway 110 from the New Hampshire-Maine State line to the
intersection of Maine State Highway 11 in Newfield; then north and east
along Route 11 to the intersection of U.S. Route 202 in Auburn; then
north and east on Route 202 to the intersection of I-95 in Augusta;
then north and east along I-95 to Route 15 in Bangor; then east along
Route 15 to Route 9; then east along Route 9 to Stony Brook in
Baileyville; then east along Stony Brook to the United States border.
Coastal Zone: That portion south of a line extending east from the
Maine-New Brunswick border in Calais at the Route 1 Bridge; then south
along Route 1 to the Maine-New Hampshire border in Kittery.
South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Massachusetts
Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending
south from the Vermont State line 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
State line.
Central Zone: That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire State line 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 State line; 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 shall be in the Coastal Zone.
Coastal Zone: That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the
Central Zone.
New Hampshire
Northern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of the
Inland Zone beginning at the Jct. of Rte. 10 and Rte. 25A in Orford,
east on Rte. 25A to Rte. 25 in Wentworth, southeast on Rte. 25 to Exit
26 of Rte. I-93 in Plymouth, south on Rte. I-93 to Rte. 3 at Exit 24 of
Rte. I-93 in Ashland, northeast on Rte. 3 to Rte. 113 in Holderness,
north on Rte. 113 to Rte. 113-A in Sandwich, north on Rte. 113-A to
Rte. 113 in Tamworth, east on Rte. 113 to Rte. 16 in Chocorua, north on
Rte. 16 to Rte. 302 in Conway, east on Rte. 302 to the Maine-New
Hampshire border.
Inland Zone: That portion of the State south and west of the
Northern Zone, west of the Coastal Zone, and includes the area of
Vermont and New Hampshire as described for hunting reciprocity. A
person holding a New Hampshire hunting license which allows the taking
of migratory waterfowl or a person holding a Vermont resident hunting
license which allows the taking of migratory waterfowl may take
migratory waterfowl and coots from the following designated area of the
Inland Zone: The State of Vermont east of Rte. I-91 at the
Massachusetts border, north on Rte. I-91 to Rte. 2, north on Rte. 2 to
Rte. 102, north on Rte. 102 to Rte. 253, and north on Rte. 253 to the
border with Canada and the area of NH west of Rte. 63 at the MA border,
north on Rte. 63 to Rte. 12, north on Rte. 12 to Rte. 12-A, north on
Rte. 12A to Rte. 10, north on Rte. 10 to Rte. 135, north on Rte. 135 to
Rte. 3, north on Rte. 3 to the intersection with the Connecticut River.
Coastal Zone: That portion of the State east of a line beginning at
the Maine-New Hampshire border in Rollinsford, then extending to Rte. 4
west to the city of Dover, south to the intersection of Rte. 108, south
along Rte. 108 through Madbury, Durham, and Newmarket to the junction
of Rte. 85 in Newfields, south to Rte. 101 in Exeter, east to
Interstate 95 (New Hampshire Turnpike) in Hampton, and south to the
Massachusetts border.
New Jersey
Coastal Zone: That portion of the State seaward of a line beginning
at the New York State line in Raritan Bay and extending west along the
New York State line to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west on NJ 440 to the
Garden State Parkway; south on the Garden State Parkway to the
shoreline at Cape May and continuing to the Delaware State line in
Delaware Bay.
North Zone: That portion of the State west of the Coastal Zone and
north of a line extending west from the Garden State Parkway on NJ 70
to the New Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike to U.S. 206, north on
U.S. 206 to U.S. 1 at Trenton, west on U.S. 1 to the Pennsylvania State
line in the Delaware River.
South Zone: That portion of the State not within the North Zone or
the Coastal Zone.
New York
Lake Champlain Zone: That area east and north of a continuous line
extending along U.S. 11 from the New York-Canada International boundary
south to NY 9B, south along NY 9B 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 State line.
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 State line.
Northeastern Zone: That area north of a continuous line extending
from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-
81, south along I-81 to NY 31, east along NY 31 to NY 13, north along
NY 13 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 NY 22, north along NY 22
to Washington County Route 153, east along CR 153 to the New York-
Vermont boundary, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.
Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.
Pennsylvania
Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters of Pennsylvania and a
shoreline margin along Lake Erie from New York on the east to Ohio on
the west extending 150 yards inland, but including all of Presque Isle
Peninsula.
Northwest Zone: The area bounded on the north by the Lake Erie Zone
and including all of Erie and Crawford Counties and those portions of
Mercer and Venango Counties north of I-80.
North Zone: That portion of the State east of the Northwest Zone
and north of a line extending east on I-80 to U.S. 220, Route 220 to I-
180, I-180 to I-80, and I-80 to the Delaware River.
South Zone: The remaining portion of Pennsylvania.
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.
[[Page 56878]]
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 U.S. 2; east along U.S. 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
Alabama
South Zone: Mobile and Baldwin Counties.
North Zone: The remainder of Alabama.
Illinois
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
west from the Indiana border along Peotone-Beecher Road to Illinois
Route 50, south along Illinois Route 50 to Wilmington-Peotone Road,
west along Wilmington-Peotone Road to Illinois Route 53, north along
Illinois Route 53 to New River Road, northwest along New River Road to
Interstate Highway 55, south along I-55 to Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road,
west along Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road to Illinois Route 47, north along
Illinois Route 47 to I-80, west along I-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 Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Duck
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 Zone: That portion of the State south and east of a line
extending west from the Indiana border along Interstate 70, south along
U.S. Highway 45, to Illinois Route 13, west along Illinois Route 13 to
Greenbriar Road, north on Greenbriar Road to Sycamore Road, west on
Sycamore Road to N. Reed Station Road, south on N. Reed Station Road to
Illinois Route 13, west along Illinois Route 13 to Illinois Route 127,
south along Illinois Route 127 to State Forest Road (1025 N), west
along State Forest Road to Illinois Route 3, north along Illinois Route
3 to the south bank of the Big Muddy River, west along the south bank
of the Big Muddy River to the Mississippi River, west across the
Mississippi River to the Missouri border.
South Central Zone: The remainder of the State between the south
border of the Central Zone and the North border of the South Zone.
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.
Kentucky
West Zone: All counties west of and including Butler, Daviess,
Ohio, Simpson, and Warren Counties.
East Zone: The remainder of Kentucky.
Louisiana
West: That portion of the State west and north of a line beginning
at the Arkansas-Louisiana border on LA 3; south on LA 3 to Bossier
City; then east along I-20 to Minden; then south along LA 7 to
Ringgold; then east along LA 4 to Jonesboro; then south along U.S. Hwy
167 to its junction with LA 106; west on LA 106 to Oakdale; then south
on U.S. Hwy 165 to junction with U.S. Hwy 190 at Kinder; then west on
U.S. Hwy 190/LA 12 to the Texas State border.
East: That portion of the State east and north of a line beginning
at the Arkansas-Louisiana border on LA 3; south on LA 3 to Bossier
City; then east along I-20 to Minden; then south along LA 7 to
Ringgold; then east along LA 4 to Jonesboro; then south along U.S. Hwy
167 to Lafayette; then southeast along U.S. Hwy 90 to the Mississippi
State line.
Coastal: Remainder of the State.
Michigan
North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line
beginning at the Wisconsin State line in Lake Michigan due west of the
mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly
and southerly along the south shore of Stony Creek to Scenic Drive,
easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly
along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along
Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of
Midland, easterly along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, easterly along U.S. 10
to Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, northerly along I-75/U.S. 23
to the U.S. 23 exit at Standish, easterly along U.S. 23 to the
centerline of the Au Gres River, then southerly along the centerline of
the Au Gres River to Saginaw Bay, then on a line directly east 10 miles
into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a line directly northeast to
the Canadian border.
South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.
Minnesota
North Duck Zone: That portion of the State north of a line
extending east from the North Dakota State line along State Highway 210
to State Highway 23 and east to State Highway 39 and east to the
[[Page 56879]]
Wisconsin State line at the Oliver Bridge.
South Duck Zone: The portion of the State south of a line extending
east from the South Dakota State line along U.S. Highway 212 to
Interstate 494 and east to Interstate 94 and east to the Wisconsin
State line.
Central Duck Zone: The remainder of the State.
Missouri
North Zone: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west
from the Illinois border at Lock and Dam 25; west on Lincoln County
Hwy. N to Mo. Hwy. 79; south on Mo. Hwy. 79 to Mo. Hwy. 47; west on Mo.
Hwy. 47 to I-70; west on I-70 to the Kansas border.
Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri not included in other zones.
South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west
from the Illinois border on Mo. Hwy. 74 to Mo. Hwy. 25; south on Mo.
Hwy. 25 to U.S. Hwy. 62; west on U.S. Hwy. 62 to Mo. Hwy. 53; north on
Mo. Hwy. 53 to Mo. Hwy. 51; north on Mo. Hwy. 51 to U.S. Hwy. 60; west
on U.S. Hwy. 60 to Mo. Hwy. 21; north on Mo. Hwy. 21 to Mo. Hwy. 72;
west on Mo. Hwy. 72 to Mo. Hwy. 32; west on Mo. Hwy. 32 to U.S. Hwy.
65; north on U.S. Hwy. 65 to U.S. Hwy. 54; west on U.S. Hwy. 54 to U.S.
Hwy. 71; south on U.S. Hwy. 71 to Jasper County Hwy. M (Base Line
Blvd.); west on Jasper County Hwy. M (Base Line Blvd.) to CRD 40 (Base
Line Blvd.); west on CRD 40 (Base Line Blvd.) to the Kansas border.
Ohio
Lake Erie Marsh Zone: Includes all land and water within the
boundaries of the area bordered by Interstate 75 from the Ohio-Michigan
line to Interstate 280 to Interstate 80 to the Erie-Lorain County line
extending to a line measuring two hundred (200) yards from the
shoreline into the waters of Lake Erie and including the waters of
Sandusky Bay and Maumee Bay.
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line beginning at
the Ohio-Indiana border and extending east along Interstate 70 to the
Ohio-West Virginia border.
South Zone: The remainder of Ohio.
Tennessee
Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake and Obion Counties.
State Zone: The remainder of Tennessee.
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 (Central Flyway Portion)
Northeast Zone: All areas east of Interstate 25 and north of
Interstate 70.
Southeast Zone: All areas east of Interstate 25 and south of
Interstate 70, and all of El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano, and Las Animas
Counties.
Mountain/Foothills Zone: All areas west of Interstate 25 and east
of the Continental Divide, except El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano, and Las
Animas Counties.
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
[[Page 56880]]
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.
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Daniels, Dawson,
Fallon, Ferus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, McCone,
Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Richland, Roosevelt,
Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, and
Yellowstone.
Zone 2: The Counties of Big Horn, Custer, Prairie, Rosebud, and
Treasure.
Nebraska
High Plains: That portion of Nebraska lying west of a line
beginning at the South Dakota-Nebraska border on U.S. Hwy. 183; south
on U.S. Hwy. 183 to U.S. Hwy. 20; west on U.S. Hwy. 20 to NE Hwy. 7;
south on NE Hwy. 7 to NE Hwy. 91; southwest on NE Hwy. 91 to NE Hwy. 2;
southeast on NE Hwy. 2 to NE Hwy. 92; west on NE Hwy. 92 to NE Hwy. 40;
south on NE Hwy. 40 to NE Hwy. 47; south on NE Hwy. 47 to NE Hwy. 23;
east on NE Hwy. 23 to U.S. Hwy. 283; and south on U.S. Hwy. 283 to the
Kansas-Nebraska border.
Zone 1: Area bounded by designated Federal and State highways and
political boundaries beginning at the South Dakota-Nebraska border west
of NE Hwy. 26E Spur and north of NE Hwy. 12; those portions of Dixon,
Cedar and Knox Counties north of NE Hwy. 12; that portion of Keya Paha
County east of U.S. Hwy. 183; and all of Boyd County. Both banks of the
Niobrara River in Keya Paha and Boyd counties east of U.S. Hwy. 183
shall be included in Zone 1.
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 Road;
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.
North Dakota
High Plains Unit: That portion of the State south and west of a
line from the South Dakota State line along U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41,
north to U.S. 2, west to the Williams/Divide County line, then north
along the County line to the Canadian border.
Low Plains Unit: The remainder of North Dakota.
Oklahoma
High Plains Zone: The Counties of Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas.
Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High
Plains Zone and north of a line extending east from the Texas State
line along OK 33 to OK 47, east along OK 47 to U.S. 183, south along
U.S. 183 to I-40, east along I-40
[[Page 56881]]
to U.S. 177, north along U.S. 177 to OK 33, east along OK 33 to OK 18,
north along OK 18 to OK 51, west along OK 51 to I-35, north along I-35
to U.S. 412, west along U.S. 412 to OK 132, then north along OK 132 to
the Kansas State line.
Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of Oklahoma.
South Dakota
High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of a line
beginning at the North Dakota State line and extending south along U.S.
83 to U.S. 14, east on U.S. 14 to Blunt, south on the Blunt-Canning Rd
to SD 34, east and south on SD 34 to SD 50 at Lee's Corner, south on SD
50 to I-90, east on I-90 to SD 50, south on SD 50 to SD 44, west on SD
44 across the Platte-Winner bridge to SD 47, south on SD 47 to U.S. 18,
east on U.S. 18 to SD 47, south on SD 47 to the Nebraska State line.
North Zone: That portion of northeastern South Dakota east of the
High Plains Unit and north of a line extending east along U.S. 212 to
the Minnesota State line.
South Zone: That portion of Gregory County east of SD 47 and south
of SD 44; Charles Mix County south of SD 44 to the Douglas County line;
south on SD 50 to Geddes; east on the Geddes Highway to U.S. 281; south
on U.S. 281 and U.S. 18 to SD 50; south and east on SD 50 to the Bon
Homme County line; the Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton, and Clay south
of SD 50; and Union County south and west of SD 50 and I-29.
Middle Zone: The remainder of South Dakota.
Texas
High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of a line
extending south from the Oklahoma State line along U.S. 183 to Vernon,
south along U.S. 283 to Albany, south along TX 6 to TX 351 to Abilene,
south along U.S. 277 to Del Rio, then south along the Del Rio
International Toll Bridge access road to the Mexico border.
Low Plains North Zone: That portion of northeastern Texas east of
the High Plains Zone and north of a line beginning at the International
Toll Bridge south of Del Rio, then extending east on U.S. 90 to San
Antonio, then continuing east on I-10 to the Louisiana State line at
Orange, Texas.
Low Plains South Zone: The remainder of Texas.
Wyoming (Central Flyway portion)
Zone C1: Big Horn, Converse, Goshen, Hot Springs, Natrona, Park,
Platte, and Washakie Counties; and Fremont County excluding the
portions west or south of the Continental Divide.
Zone C2: Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston
Counties.
Zone C3: Albany and Laramie Counties; and that portion of Carbon
County east of the Continental Divide.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
Game Management Units (GMU) as follows:
South Zone: Those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 in Yavapai County, and
GMUs 10 and 12B-45.
North Zone: GMUs 1-5, those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 within
Coconino County, and GMUs 7, 9, 12A.
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 State
line 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
State line.
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
Balance-of-State Zone: The remainder of California not included in
the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the Southern
San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.
Idaho
Zone 1: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation, including private in-holdings; Bannock County; Bingham
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage;
Caribou County within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; and Power
County east of State Highway 37 and State Highway 39.
Zone 2: Adams, Bear Lake, Benewah, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville,
Boundary, Butte, Camas, Clark, Clearwater, Custer, Franklin, Fremont,
Idaho, Jefferson, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Madison, Nez Perce,
Oneida, Shoshone, Teton, and Valley Counties; Bingham County within the
Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; Caribou County, except the Fort Hall
Indian Reservation; and Power County west of State Highway 37 and State
Highway 39.
Zone 3: Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome,
Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, and Washington
Counties.
Nevada
Northeast Zone: All of Elko and White Pine Counties.
Northwest Zone: All of Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Esmeralda,
Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Storey, and
Washoe Counties.
[[Page 56882]]
South Zone: All of Clark and Lincoln County.
Oregon
Zone 1: Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane, Douglas, Coos, Curry,
Josephine, Jackson, Linn, Benton, Polk, Marion, Yamhill, Washington,
Columbia, Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Morrow and Umatilla Counties.
Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Gilliam, Morrow, and
Umatilla Counties.
Zone 2: The remainder of the State.
Utah
Zone 1: All of Box Elder, Cache, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Morgan,
Rich, Salt Lake, Summit, Unitah, Utah, Wasatch, and Weber Counties, and
that part of Toole County north of I-80.
Zone 2: The remainder of Utah.
Washington
East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of
the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Same as East Zone.
West Zone: All areas to the west of the East Zone.
Wyoming
Snake River Zone: Beginning at the south boundary of Yellowstone
National Park and the Continental Divide; south along the Continental
Divide to Union Pass and the Union Pass Road (U.S.F.S. Road 600); west
and south along the Union Pass Road to U.S.F.S. Road 605; south along
U.S.F.S. Road 605 to the Bridger-Teton National Forest boundary; along
the national forest boundary to the Idaho State line; north along the
Idaho State line to the south boundary of Yellowstone National Park;
east along the Yellowstone National Park boundary to the Continental
Divide.
Balance of State Zone: Balance of the Pacific Flyway in Wyoming
outside the Snake River Zone.
Geese
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
AP Unit: Litchfield County and the portion of Hartford County west
of a line beginning at the Massachusetts border in Suffield and
extending south along Route 159 to its intersection with Route 91 in
Hartford, and then extending south along Route 91 to its intersection
with the Hartford/Middlesex County line.
AFRP Unit: Starting at the intersection of I-95 and the Quinnipiac
River, north on the Quinnipiac River to its intersection with I-91,
north on I-91 to I-691, west on I-691 to the Hartford County line, and
encompassing the rest of New Haven County and Fairfield County in its
entirety.
NAP H-Unit: All of the rest of the State not included in the AP or
AFRP descriptions above.
South Zone: Same as for ducks.
North Zone: Same as for ducks.
Maine
Same zones as for ducks.
Maryland
Resident Population (RP) Zone: Garrett, Allegany, Washington,
Frederick, and Montgomery Counties; that portion of Prince George's
County west of Route 3 and Route 301; that portion of Charles County
west of Route 301 to the Virginia State line; and that portion of
Carroll County west of Route 31 to the intersection of Route 97, and
west of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line.
AP Zone: Remainder of the State.
Massachusetts
NAP Zone: Central and Coastal Zones (see duck zones).
AP Zone: The Western Zone (see duck zones).
Special Late Season Area: The Central Zone and that portion of the
Coastal Zone (see duck zones) that lies north of the Cape Cod Canal,
north to the New Hampshire line.
New Hampshire
Same zones as for ducks.
New Jersey
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
Special Late Season Area: In northern New Jersey, that portion of
the State within a continuous line that runs east along the New York
State boundary line to the Hudson River; then south along the New York
State boundary to its intersection with Route 440 at Perth Amboy; then
west on Route 440 to its intersection with Route 287; then west along
Route 287 to its intersection with Route 206 in Bedminster (Exit 18);
then north along Route 206 to its intersection with Route 94: then west
along Route 94 to the tollbridge in Columbia; then north along the
Pennsylvania State boundary in the Delaware River to the beginning
point. In southern New Jersey, that portion of the State within a
continuous line that runs west from the Atlantic Ocean at Ship Bottom
along Route 72 to Route 70; then west along Route 70 to Route 206; then
south along Route 206 to Route 536; then west along Route 536 to Route
322; then west along Route 322 to Route 55; then south along Route 55
to Route 553 (Buck Road); then south along Route 553 to Route 40; then
east along Route 40 to route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 552
(Sherman Avenue); then west along Route 552 to Carmel Road; then south
along Carmel Road to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 555;
then south along Route 555 to Route 553; then east along Route 553 to
Route 649; then north along Route 649 to Route 670; then east along
Route 670 to Route 47; then north along Route 47 to Route 548; then
east along Route 548 to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 50;
then south along Route 50 to Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route
625 (Sea Isle City Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to the
Atlantic Ocean; then north to the beginning point.
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
[[Page 56883]]
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 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.
[[Page 56884]]
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.
Special Late Canada Goose Area: That area of the Central Long
Island Goose Area lying north of State Route 25A and west of a
continuous line extending northward from State Route 25A along Randall
Road (near Shoreham) to North Country Road, then east to Sound Road and
then north to Long Island Sound and then due north to the New York-
Connecticut boundary.
North Carolina
SJBP Hunt Zone: Includes the following Counties or portions of
Counties: Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Halifax (that
portion east of NC 903), Montgomery (that portion west of NC 109),
Northampton, Richmond (that portion south of NC 73 and west of U.S. 220
and north of U.S. 74), Rowan, Stanly, Union, and Wake.
RP Hunt Zone: Includes the following Counties or portions of
Counties: Alamance, Alleghany, Alexander, Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie
(that portion south and west of a line formed by NC 45 at the
Washington Co. line to U.S. 17 in Midway, U.S. 17 in Midway to U.S. 13
in Windsor, U.S. 13 in Windsor to the Hertford Co. line), Bladen,
Brunswick, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Carteret, Caswell, Catawba,
Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Davie, Duplin,
Edgecombe, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Gates, Graham, Granville, Greene,
Guilford, Halifax (that portion west of NC 903), Harnett, Haywood,
Henderson, Hertford, Hoke, Iredell, Jackson, Johnston, Jones, Lee,
Lenoir, Lincoln, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Martin, Mecklenburg,
Mitchell, Montgomery (that portion that is east of NC 109), Moore,
Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico, Pender, Person, Pitt, Polk,
Randolph, Richmond (all of the county with exception of that portion
that is south of NC 73 and west of U.S. 220 and north of U.S. 74),
Robeson, Rockingham, Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Stokes, Surry,
Swain, Transylvania, Vance, Warren, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes, Wilson,
Yadkin, and Yancey.
Northeast Hunt Unit: Includes the following Counties or portions of
Counties: Bertie (that portion north and east of a line formed by NC 45
at the Washington County line to U.S. 17 in Midway, U.S. 17 in Midway
to U.S. 13 in Windsor, U.S. 13 in Windsor to the Hertford Co. line),
Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell,
and Washington.
Pennsylvania
Resident Canada Goose Zone: All of Pennsylvania except for SJBP
Zone and the area east of route SR 97 from the Maryland State Line to
the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of U.S.
Route 30, south of U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743,
east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of
I-80, and south of I-80 to the New Jersey State line.
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).
AP Zone: The area east of route SR 97 from Maryland State Line to
the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of U.S.
Route 30, south of U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743,
east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of
I-80, south of I-80 to New Jersey State line.
Rhode Island
Special Area for Canada Geese: Kent and Providence Counties and
portions of the towns of Exeter and North Kingston within Washington
County (see State regulations for detailed descriptions).
South Carolina
Canada Goose Area: Statewide except for the following area:
East of U.S. 301: That portion of Clarendon County bounded to the
North by S-14-25, to the East by Hwy 260, and to the South by the
markers delineating the channel of the Santee River.
West of U.S. 301: That portion of Clarendon County bounded on the
North by S-14-26 extending southward to that portion of Orangeburg
County bordered by Hwy 6.
Vermont
Same zones as for ducks.
Virginia
AP Zone: The area east and south of the following line--the
Stafford County line from the Potomac River west to Interstate 95 at
Fredericksburg, then south along Interstate 95 to Petersburg, then
Route 460 (SE) to City of Suffolk, then south along Route 32 to the
North Carolina line.
SJBP Zone: The area to the west of the AP Zone boundary and east of
the following line: The ``Blue Ridge'' (mountain spine) at the West
Virginia-Virginia Border (Loudoun County-Clarke County line) south to
Interstate 64 (the Blue Ridge line follows county borders along the
western edge of Loudoun-Fauquier-Rappahannock-Madison-Greene-Albemarle
and into Nelson Counties), then east along Interstate Rt. 64 to Route
15, then south along Rt. 15 to the North Carolina line.
RP Zone: The remainder of the State west of the SJBP Zone.
Mississippi Flyway
Alabama
Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
SJBP Zone: That portion of Morgan County east of U.S. Highway 31,
north of State Highway 36, and west of U.S. 231; that portion of
Limestone County south of U.S. 72; and that portion of Madison County
south of Swancott Road and west of Triana Road.
Arkansas
Northwest Zone: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Conway, Crawford,
Faulkner, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Madison, Marion, Newton, Perry,
Pope, Pulaski, Searcy, Sebastian, Scott, Van Buren, Washington, and
Yell Counties.
Illinois
North 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 Zone: That portion of the State south of the North 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
[[Page 56885]]
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 Zone: Same zones as for ducks.
South Central Zone: Same zones as for ducks.
Indiana
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
Special Canada Goose Seasons
Late Canada Goose Season Zone: That part of the State encompassed
by the following Counties: Steuben, Lagrange, Elkhart, St. Joseph, La
Porte, Starke, Marshall, Kosciusko, Noble, De Kalb, Allen, Whitley,
Huntington, Wells, Adams, Boone, Hamilton, Madison, Hendricks, Marion,
Hancock, Morgan, Johnson, Shelby, Vermillion, Parke, Vigo, Clay,
Sullivan, and Greene.
Iowa
Same zones as for ducks.
Kentucky
Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at
the Tennessee State line at Fulton and extending north along the
Purchase Parkway to Interstate Highway 24, east along I-24 to U.S.
Highway 641, north along U.S. 641 to U.S. 60, northeast along U.S. 60
to the Henderson County line, then south, east, and northerly along the
Henderson County line to the Indiana State line.
Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone: Butler, Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and
Warren Counties and all counties lying west to the boundary of the
Western Goose Zone.
Louisiana
Same zones as for ducks.
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.
Special Canada Goose Seasons:
Southern Michigan Late Season Canada Goose Zone: Same as the South
Duck Zone excluding Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU), Allegan
County GMU, Saginaw County GMU, and Muskegon Wastewater GMU.
Minnesota
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
Rochester Goose Zone: That part of the State within the following
described boundary:
Beginning at the intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 247 and
County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 4, Wabasha County; thence along CSAH 4
to CSAH 10, Olmsted County; thence along CSAH 10 to CSAH 9, Olmsted
County; thence along CSAH 9 to CSAH 22, Winona County; thence along
CSAH 22 to STH 74; thence along STH 74 to STH 30; thence along STH 30
to CSAH 13, Dodge County; thence along CSAH 13 to U.S. Highway 14;
thence along U.S. Highway 14 to STH 57; thence along STH 57 to CSAH 24,
Dodge County; thence along CSAH 24 to CSAH 13, Olmsted County; thence
along CSAH 13 to U.S. Highway 52; thence along U.S. Highway 52 to CSAH
12, Olmsted County; thence along CSAH 12 to STH 247; thence along STH
247 to the point of beginning.
Missouri
Same zones as for ducks.
Ohio
Lake Erie Goose Zone: That portion of Ohio north of a line
beginning at the Michigan border and extending south along Interstate
75 to Interstate 280, south on Interstate 280 to Interstate 80, and
east on Interstate 80 to the Pennsylvania border.
North Zone: That portion of Ohio north of a line beginning at the
Indiana border and extending east along Interstate 70 to the West
Virginia border excluding the portion of Ohio within the Lake Erie
Goose Zone.
South Zone: The remainder of Ohio.
Tennessee
Southwest Zone: That portion of the State south of State Highways
20 and 104, and west of U.S. Highways 45 and 45W.
Northwest Zone: Lake, Obion, and Weakley Counties and those
portions of Gibson and Dyer Counties not included in the Southwest
Tennessee Zone.
Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone: That portion of the State bounded on
the west by the eastern boundaries of the Northwest and Southwest Zones
and on the east by State Highway 13 from the Alabama State line to
Clarksville and U.S. Highway 79 from Clarksville to the Kentucky State
line.
Wisconsin
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
Horicon Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a boundary
beginning at the intersection of State 23 and State 73 and moves south
along State 73 until the intersection of State 73 and State 60, then
moves east along State 60 until the intersection of State 60 and State
83, and then moves north along State 83 until the intersection of State
83 and State 33 at which point it moves east until the intersection of
State 33 and U.S. 45, then moves north along U.S. 45 until the
intersection of U.S. 45 and State 23, at which point it moves west
along State 23 until the intersection of State 23 and State 73.
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
[[Page 56886]]
County, then west along the Prescott city limit to the Minnesota State
line.
Central Flyway
Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)
Northern Front Range Area: All areas in Boulder, Larimer and Weld
Counties from the Continental Divide east along the Wyoming border to
U.S. 85, south on U.S. 85 to the Adams County line, and all lands in
Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin, and
Jefferson Counties.
North Park Area: Jackson County.
South Park and San Luis Valley Area: All of Alamosa, Chaffee,
Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, Rio Grande and Teller
Counties, and those portions of Saguache, Mineral and Hinsdale Counties
east of the Continental Divide.
Remainder: Remainder of the Central Flyway portion of Colorado.
Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose Area: That portion of the State
east of Interstate Highway 25.
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
Zone N: The Counties of Blaine, Carter, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon,
Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, McCone, Musselshell,
Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan,
Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Valley, Wheatland, and Wibaux.
Zone S: The Counties of Big Horn, Carbon, Custer, Prairie, Rosebud,
Treasure, and Yellowstone.
Nebraska
Dark Geese
Niobrara Unit: That area contained within and bounded by the
intersection of the South Dakota State line and the eastern Cherry
County line, south along the Cherry County line to the Niobrara River,
east to the Norden Road, south on the Norden Road to U.S. Hwy 20, east
along U.S. Hwy 20 to NE Hwy 14, north along NE Hwy 14 to NE Hwy 59 and
County Road 872, west along County Road 872 to the Knox County Line,
north along the Knox County Line to the South Dakota State line. Where
the Niobrara River forms the boundary, both banks of the river are
included in the Niobrara Unit.
East Unit: That area north and east of U.S. 81 at the Kansas-
Nebraska State line, north to NE Hwy 91, east to U.S. 275, south to
U.S. 77, south to NE 91, east to U.S. 30, east to Nebraska-Iowa State
line. Platte River Unit: That area north and west of U.S. 81 at the
Kansas-Nebraska State line, north to NE Hwy 91, west along NE 91 to NE
11, north to the Holt County line, west along the northern border of
Garfield, Loup, Blaine and Thomas Counties to the Hooker County line,
south along the Thomas-Hooker County lines to the McPherson County
line, east along the south border of Thomas County to the western line
of Custer County, south along the Custer-Logan County line to NE 92,
west to U.S. 83, north to NE 92, west to NE 61, south along NE 61 to NE
92, west along NE 92 to U.S. Hwy 26, south along U.S. Hwy 26 to Keith
County Line, south along Keith County Line to the Colorado State line.
Panhandle Unit: That area north and west of Keith-Deuel County Line
at the Nebraska-Colorado State line, north along the Keith County Line
to U.S. Hwy 26, west to NE Hwy 92, east to NE Hwy 61, north along NE
Hwy 61 to NE Hwy 2, west along NE 2 to the corner formed by Garden-
Grant-Sheridan Counties, west along the north border of Garden,
Morrill, and Scotts Bluff Counties to the intersection of the
Interstate Canal, west to the Wyoming State line.
North-Central Unit: The remainder of the State.
Light Geese
Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area: The area bounded by the junction
of NE Hwy 92 and NE Hwy 15, south along NE Hwy 15 to NE Hwy 4, west
along NE Hwy 4 to U.S. Hwy 34, west along U.S. Hwy 34 to U.S. Hwy 283,
north along U.S. Hwy 283 to U.S. Hwy 30, east along U.S. Hwy 30 to NE
Hwy 92, east along NE Hwy 92 to the beginning.
Remainder of State: The remainder portion of Nebraska.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
Dark Geese
Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit: Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia
Counties.
Remainder: The remainder of the Central Flyway portion of New
Mexico.
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; thence
north on ND Hwy 6 to I-94; thence west on I-94 to ND Hwy 49; thence
north on ND Hwy 49 to ND Hwy 200; thence north on Mercer County Rd. 21
to the section line between sections 8 and 9 (T146N-R87W); thence north
on that section line to the southern shoreline to Lake Sakakawea;
thence east along the southern shoreline (including Mallard Island) of
Lake Sakakawea to U.S. Hwy 83; thence south on U.S. Hwy 83 to ND Hwy
200; thence east on ND Hwy 200 to ND Hwy 41; thence south on ND Hwy 41
to U.S. Hwy 83; thence south on U.S. Hwy 83 to I-94; thence east on I-
94 to U.S. Hwy 83; thence south on U.S. Hwy 83 to the South Dakota
border; thence west along the South Dakota border to ND Hwy 6.
Rest of State: Remainder of North Dakota.
South Dakota
Canada Geese
Unit 1: The Counties of Campbell, Marshall, Roberts, Day, Clark,
Codington, Grant, Hamlin, Deuel, Walworth, 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, north on U.S. Highway 281 to the Charles Mix-Douglas
County boundary, that portion of Bone Homme County north of State
Highway 50, that portion of Fall River County west of State Highway 71
and U.S. Highway 385, that portion of Custer County west of State
Highway 79 and north of French Creek, 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, Pennington, Shannon, Jackson, Mellette, Todd, Jones, Haakon,
Corson, Ziebach, McCook, and Minnehaha Counties.
Unit 2: Remainder of South Dakota.
Unit 3: Bennett County.
Texas
Northeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and north of
a line beginning at the Texas-Oklahoma border at U.S. 81, then
continuing south to Bowie and then southeasterly along U.S. 81 and U.S.
287 to I-35W and I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San Antonio, then
east on I-10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.
Southeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and south of
a line beginning at the International Toll Bridge at Laredo, then
continuing north following I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San
Antonio, then easterly along I-10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.
[[Page 56887]]
West Goose Zone: The remainder of the State.
Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)
Dark Geese
Zone G1: Big Horn, Converse, Hot Springs, Natrona, Park, and
Washakie Counties; and Fremont County excluding those portions south or
west of the Continental Divide.
Zone G1A: Goshen and Platte Counties.
Zone G2: Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston
Counties.
Zone G3: Albany and Laramie Counties; and that portion of Carbon
County east of the Continental Divide.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
North Zone: Game Management Units 1-5, those portions of Game
Management Units 6 and 8 within Coconino County, and Game Management
Units 7, 9, and 12A.
South Zone: Those portions of Game Management Units 6 and 8 in
Yavapai County, and Game Management Units 10 and 12B-45.
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.
Imperial County Special Management Area: The area bounded by a line
beginning at Highway 86 and the Navy Test Base Road; south on Highway
86 to the town of Westmoreland; continue through the town of
Westmoreland to Route S26; east on Route S26 to Highway 115; north on
Highway 115 to Weist Rd.; north on Weist Rd. to Flowing Wells Rd.;
northeast on Flowing Wells Rd. to the Coachella Canal; northwest on the
Coachella Canal to Drop 18; a straight line from Drop 18 to Frink Rd.;
south on Frink Rd. to Highway 111; north on Highway 111 to Niland
Marina Rd.; southwest on Niland Marina Rd. to the old Imperial County
boat ramp and the water line of the Salton Sea; from the water line of
the Salton Sea, a straight line across the Salton Sea to the Salinity
Control Research Facility and the Navy Test Base Road; southwest on the
Navy Test Base Road to the point of beginning.
Balance-of-State Zone: The remainder of California not included in
the Northeastern, Southern, and the Colorado River Zones.
North Coast Special Management Area: The Counties of Del Norte and
Humboldt.
Sacramento Valley Special Management Area: That area bounded by a
line beginning at Willows south on I-5 to Hahn Road; easterly on Hahn
Road and the Grimes-Arbuckle Road to Grimes; northerly on CA 45 to the
junction with CA 162; northerly on CA 45/162 to Glenn; and westerly on
CA 162 to the point of beginning in Willows.
Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)
West Central Area: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, Gunnison, LaPlata,
Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel Counties and those
portions of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Saguache Counties west of the
Continental Divide.
State Area: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway Portion of
Colorado.
Idaho
Canada Geese, White-fronted Geese, and Brant
Zone 1: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation, including private in-holdings; Bannock County; Bingham
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage;
Caribou County within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; and Power
County east of State Highway 37 and State Highway 39.
Zone 2: Adams, Bear Lake, Benewah, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville,
Boundary, Butte, Camas, Clark, Clearwater, Custer, Franklin, Fremont,
Idaho, Jefferson, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Madison, Nez Perce,
Oneida, Shoshone, Teton, and Valley Counties; Bingham County within the
Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; Caribou County, except the Fort Hall
Indian Reservation; and Power County west of State Highway 37 and State
Highway 39.
Zone 3: Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome,
Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, and Washington
Counties.
Light Geese
Zone 1: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation, including private in-holdings; Bannock County; Bingham
County east of the west bank of the Snake River, west of the McTucker
boat ramp access road, and east of the American Falls Reservoir bluff,
except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; Caribou
County within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; and Power County below
the American Falls Reservoir bluff, and within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation.
Zone 2: Bingham County west of the west bank of the Snake River,
east of the McTucker boat ramp access road, and west of the American
Falls Reservoir bluff; Power County, except below the American Falls
Reservoir bluff and those lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation.
[[Page 56888]]
Zone 3: Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome,
Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, and Washington
Counties.
Zone 4: Adams, Bear Lake, Benewah, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville,
Boundary, Butte, Camas, Clark, Clearwater, Custer, Franklin, Fremont,
Idaho, Jefferson, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Madison, Nez Perce,
Oneida, Shoshone, Teton, and Valley Counties; Caribou County, except
the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Bingham County within the Blackfoot
Reservoir drainage.
Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
East of the Divide Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of the State
located east of the Continental Divide.
West of the Divide Zone: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway
portion of Montana.
Nevada
Northeast Zone: All of Elko and White Pine Counties.
Northwest Zone: All of Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Esmeralda,
Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Storey, and
Washoe Counties.
South Zone: All of Clark and Lincoln County.
New Mexico (Pacific Flyway Portion)
North Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located north
of I-40.
South Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located south
of I-40.
Oregon
Southwest Zone: Those portions of Douglas, Coos, and Curry Counties
east of Highway 101, and Josephine and Jackson Counties.
South Coast Zone: Those portions of Douglas, Coos, and Curry
Counties west of Highway 101.
Northwest Special Permit Zone: That portion of western Oregon west
and north of a line running south from the Columbia River in Portland
along I-5 to OR 22 at Salem; then east on OR 22 to the Stayton Cutoff;
then south on the Stayton Cutoff to Stayton and due south to the
Santiam River; then west along the north shore of the Santiam River to
I-5; then south on I-5 to OR 126 at Eugene; then west on OR 126 to
Greenhill Road; then south on Greenhill Road to Crow Road; then west on
Crow Road to Territorial Hwy; then west on Territorial Hwy to OR 126;
then west on OR 126 to Milepost 19; then north to the intersection of
the Benton and Lincoln County line; then north along the western
boundary of Benton and Polk Counties to the southern boundary of
Tillamook County; then west along the Tillamook County boundary to the
Pacific Coast.
Lower Columbia/N. Willamette Valley Management Area: Those portions
of Clatsop, Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington Counties within the
Northwest Special Permit Zone.
Tillamook County Management Area: All of Tillamook County. The
following portion of the Tillamook County Management Area is closed to
goose hunting beginning at the point where Old Woods Rd crosses the
south shores of Horn Creek, north on Old Woods Rd to Sand Lake Rd at
Woods, north on Sand Lake Rd to the intersection with McPhillips Dr.,
due west (~200 yards) from the intersection to the Pacific coastline,
south on the Pacific coastline to Neskowin Creek, east along the north
shores of Neskowin Creek and then Hawk Creek to Salem Ave, east on
Salem Ave in Neskowin to Hawk Ave, east on Hawk Ave to Hwy 101, north
on Hwy 101 to Resort Dr., north on Resort Dr. to a point due west of
the south shores of Horn Creek at its confluence with the Nestucca
River, due east (~80 yards) across the Nestucca River to the south
shores of Horn Creek, east along the south shores of Horn Creek to the
point of beginning.
Northwest Zone: Those portions of Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion,
Multnomah, and Washington Counties outside of the Northwest Special
Permit Zone and all of Lincoln County.
Eastern Zone: Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow,
Umatilla, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Grant, Baker, Union,
and Wallowa Counties.
Harney and Lake County Zone: All of Harney and Lake Counties.
Klamath County Zone: All of Klamath County.
Malheur County Zone: All of Malheur County.
Utah
Northern Utah Zone: That portion of Box Elder County beginning the
Weber-Box Elder county line, north along the Box Elder county line to
the Utah-Idaho State line; west on this line to Stone, Idaho-Snowville,
Utah road; southwest on this road to the Locomotive Springs Wildlife
Management Area boundary; west, south, east, and then north along this
boundary to the county road; east on the county road, past Monument
Point and across Salt Wells Flat, to the intersection with Promontory
Road; south on Promontory Road to a point directly west of the
northwest corner of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge boundary; east
along a line to the northwest corner of the Refuge boundary; south and
east along the Refuge boundary to the southeast corner of the boundary;
northeast along the boundary to the Perry access road; east on the
Perry access road to I-15; south on I-15 to the Weber-Box Elder County
line.
Wasatch Front Zone: Boundary begins at the Weber-Box Elder county
line at I-15; east along Weber county line to US-89; south on US-89 to
I-84; east and south and along I-84 to I-80; south along I-80 to US-
189; south and west along US-189 to the Utah County line; southeast and
then west along this line to I-15; north on I-15 to US-6; west on US-6
to SR-36; north on SR-36 to I-80; north along a line from this
intersection to the southern tip of Promontory Point and Promontory
Road; east and north along this road to the causeway separating Bear
River Bay from Ogden Bay; east on this causeway to the southwest corner
of Great Salt Lake Mineral Corporations (GSLMC) west impoundment; north
and east along GSLMC's west impoundment to the northwest corner of the
impoundment; directly north from this point along an imaginary line to
the southern boundary of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge; east along
this southern boundary to the Perry access road; northeast along this
road to I-15; south along I-15 to the Weber-Box Elder county line.
Washington County Zone: All of Washington County.
Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Utah.
Washington
Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
Area 2A (Southwest Permit Zone): Clark County, except portions
south of the Washougal River; Cowlitz County; and Wahkiakum County.
Area 2B (Southwest Permit 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.
Brant
Pacific Flyway
California
North Coast Zone: Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino Counties.
[[Page 56889]]
South Coast Zone: Balance of the State.
Washington
Puget Sound Zone: Skagit County.
Coastal Zone: Pacific County.
Swans
Central Flyway
South Dakota: Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo,
Campbell, Clark, Codington, Davison, Deuel, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant,
Hamlin, Hand, Hanson, Hughes, Hyde, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Lake, Marshall,
McCook, McPherson, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Potter, Roberts, Sanborn,
Spink, Sully, and Walworth Counties.
Pacific Flyway
Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
Open Area: Cascade, Chouteau, Hill, Liberty, and Toole Counties and
those portions of Pondera and Teton Counties lying east of U.S. 287-89.
Nevada
Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and Pershing Counties.
Utah
Open Area: Those portions of Box Elder, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake,
and Toole Counties lying west of I-15, north of I-80, and south of a
line beginning from the Forest Street exit to the Bear River National
Wildlife Refuge boundary; then north and west along the Bear River
National Wildlife Refuge boundary to the farthest west boundary of the
Refuge; then west along a line to Promontory Road; then north on
Promontory Road to the intersection of SR 83; then north on SR 83 to I-
84; then north and west on I-84 to State Hwy 30; then west on State Hwy
30 to the Nevada-Utah State line; then south on the Nevada-Utah State
line to I-80.
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
[[Page 56890]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR23SE14.001
[FR Doc. 2014-22518 Filed 9-22-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-C