Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations, 51657-51682 [2015-20371]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 164 (Tuesday, August 25, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51657-51682]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20371]



[[Page 51657]]

Vol. 80

Tuesday,

No. 164

August 25, 2015

Part II





Department of the Interior





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Fish and Wildlife Service





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50 CFR Part 20





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

Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 164 / Tuesday, August 25, 2015 / 
Proposed Rules

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2014-0064; FF09M21200-156-FXMB1231099BPP0]
RIN 1018-BA67


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

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we) is 
proposing to establish the 2015-16 late-season hunting regulations for 
certain migratory game birds. We annually prescribe frameworks, or 
outer limits, for dates and times when hunting may occur and the number 
of birds that may be taken and possessed in late seasons. These 
frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and 
limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels compatible with 
population and habitat conditions.

DATES: You must submit comments on the proposed migratory bird hunting 
late-season frameworks by September 4, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Comments: You may submit comments on the proposals by one of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-HQ-
MB-2014-0064.
     U.S. mail or hand delivery: Public Comments Processing, 
Attn: FWS-HQ-MB-2014-0064; Division of Policy, Performance, and 
Management Programs; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; MS: BPHC; 5275 
Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
    We will post all comments on https://www.regulations.gov. This 
generally means that we will post any personal information you provide 
us (see the Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council 
Recommendations section, below, for more information).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron W. Kokel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Department of the Interior, MS: MB, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls 
Church, VA 22041-3803; (703) 358-1967.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations Schedule for 2015

    On April 13, 2015, we published in the Federal Register (80 FR 
19852) 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 
2015-16 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal 
Register notifications were also identified in the April 13 proposed 
rule. Further, we explained that all sections of subsequent documents 
outlining hunting frameworks and guidelines were organized under 
numbered headings. Those headings are:

1. Ducks
    A. General Harvest Strategy
    B. Regulatory Alternatives
    C. Zones and Split Seasons
    D. Special Seasons/Species Management
    i. September Teal Seasons
    ii. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons
    iii. Black ducks
    iv. Canvasbacks
    v. Pintails
    vi. Scaup
    vii. Mottled ducks
    viii. Wood ducks
    ix. Youth Hunt
    x. Mallard Management Units
    xi. Other
2. Sea Ducks
3. Mergansers
4. Canada Geese
    A. Special Seasons
    B. Regular Seasons
    C. Special Late Seasons
5. White-fronted Geese
6. Brant
7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese
8. Swans
9. Sandhill Cranes
10. Coots
11. Moorhens and Gallinules
12. Rails
13. Snipe
14. Woodcock
15. Band-tailed Pigeons
16. Doves
17. Alaska
18. Hawaii
19. Puerto Rico
20. Virgin Islands
21. Falconry
22. Other

    Subsequent documents will refer only to numbered items requiring 
attention. Therefore, it is important to note that we will omit those 
items requiring no attention, and remaining numbered items will be 
discontinuous and appear incomplete.
    On June 11, 2015, we published in the Federal Register (80 FR 
33223) a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- 
and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. The June 11 
supplement also provided detailed information on the proposed 2015-16 
regulatory schedule and announced the Service Regulations Committee 
(SRC) and Flyway Council meetings.
    On June 24-25, 2015, 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 2015-16 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 2015-16 regular 
waterfowl seasons.
    On July 21, 2015, we published in the Federal Register (80 FR 
43266) a third document specifically dealing with the proposed 
frameworks for early-season regulations. In late August 2015, we will 
publish a rulemaking establishing final frameworks for early-season 
migratory bird hunting regulations for the 2015-16 season.
    On July 29-30, 2015, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council 
Consultants, at which the participants reviewed the status of waterfowl 
and developed recommendations for the 2015-16 regulations for these 
species.
    This document deals specifically with proposed frameworks for the 
late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. It will lead to final 
frameworks from which States may select season dates, shooting hours, 
areas, and limits. We have considered all pertinent comments received 
through August 1, 2015, on the April 13 and June 11, 2015, rulemaking 
documents in developing this document. In addition, new proposals for 
certain late-season regulations are provided for public comment. The 
comment period is specified above under DATES. We will publish final 
regulatory frameworks for late-season migratory game bird hunting in 
the Federal Register on or around September 20, 2015.

Population Status and Harvest

    The following paragraphs provide 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/

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migratorybirds/NewsPublicationsReports.html.

Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey

    Federal, provincial, and State agencies conduct surveys each spring 
to estimate the size of breeding populations and to evaluate habitat 
conditions. These surveys are conducted using fixed-wing aircraft, 
helicopters, and ground crews and encompass principal breeding areas of 
North America, covering an area over 2.0 million square miles. The 
traditional survey area comprises Alaska, western Canada, and the 
northcentral United States, and includes approximately 1.3 million 
square miles. The eastern survey area includes parts of Ontario, 
Quebec, Labrador, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New 
Brunswick, New York, and Maine, an area of approximately 0.7 million 
square miles.
    Despite an early spring over most of the survey area, habitat 
conditions during the 2015 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat 
Survey (WBPHS) were similar to or poorer than last year. With the 
exception of portions of southern Saskatchewan and central latitudes of 
eastern Canada, in many areas the decline in habitat conditions was due 
to average to below-average annual precipitation. The total pond 
estimate (Prairie Canada and United States combined) was 6.3  0.2 million, which was 12 percent below the 2014 estimate of 7.2 
 0.2 million but 21 percent above the long-term average of 
5.2  0.03 million. The 2015 estimate of ponds in Prairie 
Canada was 4.2  0.1 million. This estimate was 10 percent 
below the 2014 estimate of 4.6  0.2 million but 19 percent 
above the long-term average (3.5  0.02 million). The 2015 
pond estimate for the northcentral United States was 2.2  
0.09 million, which was 16 percent below the 2014 estimate of 2.6 
 0.1 million and 28 percent above the long-term average 
(1.7  0.02 million). Additional details of the 2015 Survey 
were provided in the July 21 Federal Register and are available from 
our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds.
Breeding Population Status
    In the traditional survey area, which includes strata 1-18, 20-50, 
and 75-77, the total duck population estimate (excluding scoters 
[Melanitta spp.], eiders [Somateria spp. and Polysticta stelleri], 
long-tailed ducks [Clangula hyemalis], mergansers [Mergus spp. and 
Lophodytes cucullatus], and wood ducks [Aix sponsa]) was 49.5  0.8 [SE] million birds. This estimate is similar to the 2014 
estimate of 49.2  0.8 million, and is 43 percent higher 
than the long-term average (1955-2014). This year also marks the 
highest estimates in the time series for mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) 
and green-winged teal (A. crecca). Estimated mallard abundance was 11.6 
 0.4 million, which was similar to the 2014 estimate of 
10.9  0.3 million, and 51 percent above the long-term 
average of 7.7  0.04 million. Estimated abundance of 
gadwall (A. strepera; 3.8  0.2 million) and American wigeon 
(A. americana; 3.0  0.2 million) were similar to last 
year's estimates, and were 100 percent and 17 percent above their long-
term averages of 1.9  0.02 million and 2.6  
0.02 million, respectively. The estimated abundance of green-winged 
teal was 4.1  0.3 million, which was 19 percent above the 
2014 estimate of 3.4  0.2 million and 98 percent above the 
long-term average (2.1  0.02 million). Estimated blue-
winged teal (A. discors; 8.5  0.4 million) abundance was 
similar to the 2014 estimate, and 73 percent above the long-term 
average of 4.9  0.04 million. Estimated abundance of 
northern shovelers (A. clypeata; 4.4  0.2 million) was 17 
percent below the 2014 estimate but 75 percent above the long-term 
average of 2.5  0.02 million. Northern pintail abundance 
(A. acuta; 3.0  0.2 million) was similar to the 2014 
estimate and 24 percent below the long-term average of 4.0  
0.04 million. Abundance estimates for redheads (Aythya americana; 1.2 
 0.1 million) and canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria; 0.8 
 0.06 million) were similar to their 2014 estimates and 
were 71 percent and 30 percent above their long-term averages of 0.7 
 0.01 million and 0.6  0.01 million, 
respectively. Estimated abundance of scaup (A. affinis and A. marila 
combined; 4.4  0.3 million) was similar to the 2014 
estimate and 13 percent below the long-term average of 5.0  
0.05 million.
    The eastern survey area was restratified in 2005, and is now 
composed of strata 51-72. In the eastern survey area, estimated 
abundance of American black ducks (Anas rubripes) was 0.5  
.04 million, which was 11 percent below last year's estimate and 13 
percent below the 1990-2014 average. The estimated abundance of 
mallards (0.4  0.1 million) and mergansers (0.4  0.04 million) were similar to the 2014 estimates and their 1990-
2014 averages. Abundance estimates of green-winged teal (0.2  0.04 million) and goldeneyes (common and Barrow's [Bucephala 
clangula and B. islandica], 0.4  0.4 million) were similar 
to their 2014 estimates, and were 14 percent and 15 percent below their 
1990-2014 averages of 0.3  0.04 million and 0.4  0.07 million, respectively. The abundance estimate of ring-
necked ducks (Aythya collaris, 0.5  0.07 million) was 
similar to the 2014 estimate and the 1990-2014 average.
Fall Flight Estimate
    The midcontinent mallard population is composed of mallards from 
the traditional survey area (revised in 2008 to exclude mallards in 
Alaska and the Old Crow Flats area of the Yukon Territory), Michigan, 
Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and is estimated to be 13.8  1.4 
million birds in 2015. This is similar to the 2014 estimate of 13.4 
 1.3 million. See section 1.A. General Harvest Strategy for 
further discussion of the implications of this information for this 
year's selection of the appropriate hunting regulations.

Status of Geese and Swans

    We provide information on the population status and productivity of 
North American Canada geese (Branta canadensis), brant (B. bernicla), 
snow geese (Chen caerulescens), Ross's geese (C. rossii), emperor geese 
(C. canagica), white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons), and tundra swans 
(Cygnus columbianus). Production of arctic-nesting geese depends 
heavily upon the timing of snow and ice melt, and spring and early 
summer temperatures.
    In 2015, conditions in the Arctic and boreal areas important for 
geese were variable. Compared to last year, snow and ice conditions 
were less extensive in the western Arctic, more extensive in the 
central Arctic, and similar in the eastern Arctic. Breeding conditions 
were good on Bylot Island in the eastern Arctic, and an average to 
above-average fall flight was expected for greater snow geese. 
Biologists reported later-than-average spring phenology at Southampton 
Island, the northern and western coastal areas of the Hudson Bay, and 
the southern portion of Baffin Island. Atlantic brant have had 3 years 
of low production, and below-average production was expected again this 
year. Habitat conditions across Atlantic Canada were generally good, 
except for a more persistent spring snow pack and ice coverage in 
higher elevation areas in Newfoundland and Labrador. Nesting conditions 
were below average on the Ungava Peninsula, and lakes and ponds along 
the eastern Hudson Bay coast remained frozen in mid-June. North 
Atlantic Population and Atlantic Population Canada goose numbers were 
similar to recent averages, and average fall flights were expected. Of 
the Canada goose populations that migrate through the Mississippi 
Flyway, Eastern Prairie

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Population numbers were similar to last year, and average to above-
average production was expected; Southern James Bay Population and 
Mississippi Valley Population breeding numbers were down relative to 
recent years, with average and below-average fall flights predicted, 
respectively. Ice breakup and nesting phenology in the Queen Maud Gulf 
region of the central Arctic were similar to long-term averages, and 
nesting conditions and habitat were good to above average in the 
western Arctic and Northwest Territories. Thus, average to above-
average production was expected for Ross's, mid-continent snow, mid-
continent white-fronted, and lesser and Central Flyway Arctic nesting 
Canada geese. Alaska experienced an early spring and mild breakup of 
ice with minimal flooding on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and other 
interior areas of the State. With less persistent ice and snow cover 
and favorable breeding conditions in the western Arctic and Alaska, the 
outlook for goose and swan populations nesting in these areas was good 
to excellent. With the exception of cackling Canada geese, indices for 
geese and swans that breed on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta were lower this 
year compared to last year, though later survey timing relative to the 
early spring conditions may have contributed to lower counts. Record 
high counts were observed this year for the Wrangel Island Population 
of lesser snow geese and dusky Canada geese, and the spring index for 
emperor geese was the highest recorded in over three decades.
    Across much of the Canadian and U.S. prairies, spring phenology was 
early. Habitat conditions were generally rated good to fair on the 
Canadian prairies and fair to poor on the U.S. prairies. Southern and 
central portions of the western United States were exceptionally dry, 
and habitat conditions there were generally poor. However, production 
of temperate-nesting Canada geese over most of their North American 
range is expected to be average, and similar to previous years.
    Of the 28 goose and swan populations included in the report, 6 had 
significant positive trends during the most recent 10-year period (P < 
0.05): Western Prairie and Great Plains Population, dusky, and Aleutian 
Canada geese; and mid-continent, Western Central Flyway, and Western 
Arctic and Wrangel Island light geese. Three populations, Atlantic 
brant, and the Atlantic and Southern James Bay Populations of Canada 
geese, showed a statistically significant negative 10-year trend. Of 
the 13 populations for which primary indices included variance 
estimates, Ross's geese statistically significantly increased and 2 
populations statistically significantly decreased (Southern James Bay 
Population and Mississippi Valley Population Canada geese) in 2015 
compared to 2014. Of the 15 populations for which primary indices did 
not include variance estimates, 8 populations were higher than last 
year, and 7 populations were lower.

Waterfowl Harvest and Hunter Activity

    National surveys of migratory bird hunters were conducted during 
the 2013-14 and 2014-15 hunting seasons. Over 1 million waterfowl 
hunters harvested 13,716,400 ( 6 percent) ducks and 
3,360,400 ( 6 percent) geese in 2013, and over 1 million 
waterfowl hunters harvested 13,267,800 ( 4 percent) ducks 
and 3,321,100 ( 11 percent) geese in 2014. Mallard, green-
winged teal, gadwall, blue-winged/cinnamon teal, and wood duck (Aix 
sponsa) were the five most-harvested duck species in the United States, 
and Canada goose was the predominant goose species in the goose 
harvest.

Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations

    The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the April 
13, 2015, Federal Register, opened the public comment period for 
migratory game bird hunting regulations. The supplemental proposed 
rule, which appeared in the June 11, 2015, Federal Register, discussed 
the regulatory alternatives for the 2015-16 duck hunting season. Late-
season comments are summarized below and numbered in the order used in 
the June 11 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.
    We seek additional information and comments on the recommendations 
in this supplemental proposed rule. New proposals and modifications to 
previously described proposals are discussed below. Wherever possible, 
they are discussed under headings corresponding to the numbered items 
in the April 13 and June 11, 2015, Federal Register documents.

General

    Written Comments: A commenter protested the entire migratory bird 
hunting regulations process, the killing of all migratory birds, and 
status and habitat data on which the migratory bird hunting regulations 
are based.
    Service Response: Our long-term objectives continue to include 
providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game 
bird populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each 
population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Having taken 
into account the zones of temperature and the distribution, abundance, 
economic value, breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of 
migratory birds, we believe that the hunting seasons provided for 
herein are compatible with the current status of migratory bird 
populations and long-term population goals. Additionally, we are 
obligated to, and do, give serious consideration to all information 
received as public comment. 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

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(73 FR 43290; July 24, 2008). For the 2015 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 2015 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 mid-continent, eastern, and western 
mallards for the 2015-16 hunting season were calculated using: (1) 
Harvest-management objectives specific to each mallard stock; (2) the 
2015 regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population models and 
associated weights. Based on this year's survey results of 11.79 
million mid-continent mallards (traditional survey area minus Alaska 
and the Old Crow Flats area of the Yukon Territory, plus Minnesota, 
Wisconsin, and Michigan) and 4.15 million ponds in Prairie Canada, 0.73 
million eastern mallards (0.19 million and 0.54 million respectively in 
northeast Canada and the northeastern United States), and 0.73 million 
western mallards (0.26 million in California-Oregon and 0.47 million in 
Alaska), the optimal regulatory choice for all four Flyways is the 
``liberal'' alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations 
of the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils 
regarding selection of the ``liberal'' regulatory alternative and 
propose to adopt the ``liberal'' regulatory alternative, as described 
in the July 21, 2015, 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 2015-16.
    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.
    For the 2015-16 season, the optimal country-specific regulatory 
strategies were calculated in September 2014 using: (1) The black duck 
harvest objective (98 percent of long-term cumulative harvest); (2) 
2015-16 country-specific regulatory alternatives; (3) parameter 
estimates for mallard competition and additive mortality; and (4) 2014 
estimates of 0.619 million breeding black ducks and 0.445 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 2-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 757,000 
canvasbacks and 4.15 million Canadian ponds. The canvasback harvest 
strategy predicts a 2016 canvasback breeding population of 727,000 
birds under a liberal duck season with a 2-bird daily bag limit. 
Because the predicted 2016 spring canvasback population under a liberal 
2-bird-bag season is greater 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 2-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 3.04 million pintails observed 
at a mean latitude of 55.9 and a latitude-adjusted breeding population

[[Page 51662]]

of 4.16 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, consisting of a 60-day season with a 2-bird daily bag in the 
Atlantic Flyway, a 74-day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit in the 
Central Flyway, and an 86-day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit in 
the Pacific Flyway.
    Service Response: In 2008, we adopted and implemented a new scaup 
harvest strategy (73 FR 43290 on July 24, 2008, and 73 FR 51124 on 
August 29, 2008) with initial ``restrictive,'' ``moderate,'' and 
``liberal'' regulatory packages adopted for each Flyway.
    The 2015 breeding population estimate for scaup is 4.40 million, 
which is similar to the 2014 estimate. 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 4.40 million, the optimal regulatory choice for scaup is 
the ``moderate'' package in all four Flyways.
ix. Youth Hunt
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
allowing the States to use their definitions of age for youth hunters 
as the age requirement for participation in youth hunting days.
    The Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils recommended that we 
allow States to use their established definitions of age for youth 
hunters as the age requirement for participation in youth hunting days, 
not to include anyone over the age of 17.
    Service Response: Given that these recommendations would not take 
effect until the 2016-17 season, our desire for unanimity between the 
Councils, and that at least one Flyway Council has yet to take action, 
we are deferring our decision on the Councils' recommendations until 
the October 2015 SRC meeting.
x. Mallard Management Units
    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended a 
minor change to the High Plains Mallard Management Unit (HPMMU) 
boundary in Kansas.
    Service Response: As we stated in 2011 (76 FR 54052, August 30, 
2011), we do not support the modification of the boundary of the HPMMU 
in Kansas. We note that the boundary has been in place since the 1970s, 
and is sufficiently clear for enforcement of waterfowl hunting 
regulations. Further, we do not believe sufficient biological 
information is available to warrant changes to the boundary at the 
scales proposed. However, if the Flyway Council believes the 
demographics of ducks have changed and may warrant a change in the 
boundary, we suggest that an assessment of data should be conducted 
that could inform a change at the Management Unit level. We understand 
the Council's position that this is a small change; however, we do not 
believe that small, incremental changes to the boundary are the proper 
approach to the perceived changes in duck distribution or to provide 
hunter opportunity.

4. Canada Geese

B. Regular Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that New Jersey be permitted to change the designation of their Coastal 
Zone from an Atlantic Population (AP) to an Atlantic Flyway Resident 
Population (AFRP) Canada goose zone for the next 3-year period (2015-
17). Frameworks for the AFRP Zone would be 80 days between the fourth 
Saturday in October and February 15, with daily bag and possession 
limits of 5 and 15 Canada geese, respectively. The season could be 
split into 3 segments.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended the following changes to 
goose season frameworks for the Pacific Flyway:
    1. In Oregon and Washington, modify frameworks to close the season 
for dusky Canada geese in Oregon's Northwest Permit Zone and 
Washington's Southwest Permit Zone, and restrict beginning goose 
shooting hours to no earlier than sunrise in Oregon's Northwest Permit 
Zone and Washington's Southwest Permit Zone.
    2. In Oregon, expand the Northwest Permit Zone to include the 
Northwest Zone, and modify the Tillamook County Special Management Area 
by reducing the area from all of Tillamook County to only that area 
currently described as closed to goose hunting.
    3. In Washington, modify frameworks to eliminate the special late 
season and extend the regular season to March 10 in Areas 2A and 2B 
(Southwest Permit Zone), eliminate the Aleutian goose bag limit 
restriction in Area 2B, and expand the Southwest Permit Zone to include 
all of Clark County (2A) and Grays Harbour County (2B).
    4. In Idaho, modify the frameworks to create a new zone by removing 
Bear Lake County and Caribou County, except that portion within the 
Fort Hall Indian Reservation, from Zone 2 and renaming these counties 
Zone 4.
    Service Response: The Atlantic Flyway Council revised criteria used 
to delineate new AFRP Canada goose harvest areas and evaluate AFRP 
seasons for the 2015-17 seasons. We agree with the Council that the 
Coastal Zone in New Jersey meets the new criteria as an AFRP zone. The 
additional days and increased bag limit will allow for the harvest of 
additional AFRP Canada geese.
    We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendations to close 
the dusky Canada goose season and restrict shooting hours for geese in 
the Permit Zones of Oregon and Washington, and expand Permit Zone 
boundaries. Seven subspecies of Canada geese winter in the Pacific 
Flyway and are managed as separate populations. Most Canada goose 
populations are abundant and at or above population objectives; 
however, the dusky Canada goose population has generally remained at 
<20,000 geese. Dusky Canada geese have a small breeding range including 
the Copper River Delta and adjacent islands in Alaska. Since 1985, the 
dusky Canada goose breeding population has varied between 7,000 and 
18,000 geese. The most recent (2015) estimate of the breeding 
population size is 17,873 geese, and the recent 3-year (2012-2015, no 
estimate was available in 2013) average is 15,574 geese. In addition to 
the small population size, the dusky goose population has low harvest 
potential, and these birds are especially vulnerable to harvest. 
Consequently, the take of dusky geese must be limited to a greater 
extent than other Canada goose populations in the Pacific Flyway.
    A permit and quota system with mandatory hunter reporting at check 
stations was implemented in 1985, in the primary dusky Canada goose 
wintering area of Oregon and Washington (Permit Zones). Once the quota 
was exceeded, the goose season in the Permit Zones was closed to 
protect against additional take of dusky geese. Check stations cost 
about $335,000 annually to operate in Oregon and Washington. Due to 
budgetary constraints, Oregon and Washington prefer to close the dusky 
Canada goose season rather than operate a quota system with mandatory 
hunter reporting at check stations.
    Regular Canada goose seasons in the Permit Zones of Oregon and 
Washington

[[Page 51663]]

will remain subject to a memorandum of agreement entered into with the 
Service regarding monitoring the impacts of take during the regular 
Canada goose season on the dusky Canada goose population. Existing 
monitoring programs of dusky Canada geese provide total abundance, 
productivity, and apparent adult annual survival rates. Abundance data 
can be used to evaluate current population status, while productivity 
and survival rate data can be used in a population model to predict 
population growth and consequences of changes in demographic 
parameters. This information will be collected and evaluated annually 
to help determine the effectiveness of regulations intended to minimize 
take of dusky Canada geese. Additional protection against the take of 
dusky Canada geese will be provided by expanding the Permit Zone 
boundaries in Oregon and Washington to include a larger portion of the 
population's winter range, and restricting shooting hours to no earlier 
than sunrise will increase light for hunter identification of Canada 
goose subspecies.
    We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation for 
minor changes to the existing Canada goose hunting seasons in Oregon 
and Washington. The bag limit restriction of 1 Aleutian Canada goose in 
Pacific County, Washington (Area 2B), (within the overall Canada goose 
daily bag limit) was first implemented when hunting of Aleutian Canada 
geese resumed in Oregon and Washington, after the subspecies was 
removed from protection under the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) in 2001 (66 FR 15643; March 20, 2001). The bag limit 
restriction was intended to minimize potential harvest of the Semidi 
Islands population segment of Aleutian Canada geese. These geese use 
Pacific County sporadically during migration and use areas are not 
consistent. The total population of Aleutian Canada geese continues to 
increase and currently exceeds the population objective identified in 
the Flyway management plan. The most recent 3-year (2013-2015) average 
estimated number of Aleutian Canada geese is 165,952, well above the 
population objective of 60,000 geese. Also, the 1-Aleutian daily bag 
limit restriction regulation is difficult for hunters to comply with 
and to enforce. We agree that removal of the Aleutian Canada goose bag 
limit restriction within the overall Canada goose daily bag limit 
(currently proposed at 4 geese) will simplify regulations.
    In Washington, a special late Canada goose season has been offered 
in Areas 2A and 2B (Southwest Permit Zone). The special late goose 
season could be held between the Saturday following the close of the 
general goose season, which was the last Sunday in January, and March 
10. Eliminating the special late season and extend the regular season 
to March 10 in Areas 2A and 2B for Canada goose has no consequence in 
season length or outside dates, but reduces the number of splits 
allowed in the Canada goose season from 4 to 3. The change will 
simplify regulations and is expected to have no biological impact to 
the Canada goose population. Also, regular season outside dates for 
white-fronted geese and light geese in Washington extend through March 
10.I
    Lastly, we agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation 
for minor changes to the existing goose hunting zones in Idaho. The 
modifications to the Idaho goose zones are intended to provide 
additional flexibility to Idaho in addressing resident Canada goose 
over abundance. Breeding population indices for Pacific and Rocky 
Mountain populations of Canada geese currently exceed management 
objectives in Flyway management plans. The 3-year (2013-2015) average 
population estimate for the Pacific Population of western Canada geese 
is 214,603, and is well above the objective of 126,650 geese. The 3-
year (2013-2015) average population estimate for the Rocky Mountain 
Population of western Canada geese is 158,038, and above the objective 
of 88,000 to 146,000 geese. In order to accommodate an early Canada 
Goose season in Bear Lake County and Caribou County, except that 
portion within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, it is necessary to 
create a new goose zone in Idaho.

C. Special Late Seasons

    Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended 
that Ohio be allowed a 92-day Canada goose season with a 3-bird daily 
bag limit, which may extend no later than February 15th.
    Service Response: We note that the management plan for the Southern 
James Bay Population of Canada geese requires consultation with the 
Atlantic Flyway on regulatory changes that potentially affect both 
Flyways. Although the Ohio proposal was sent to the Atlantic Flyway 
during their recent summer meeting, the proposal was not received in a 
timely manner that provided for adequate review by the Atlantic Flyway. 
Thus, the Atlantic Flyway Council could not support the Ohio proposal 
at this time. Due to the lack of concurrence by the Atlantic Flyway, we 
do not support the Mississippi Flyway recommendation for the 2015-16 
season. We urge the two Flyway Councils to initiate consultations prior 
to this fall for a similar proposal for the 2016-17 hunting season.

5. White-Fronted Geese

    Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended 
that frameworks for white-fronted geese in the Mississippi Flyway be 
revised to allow for a season length of 107 days and daily bag limit of 
5 geese for Alabama, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and 
Wisconsin (low harvest States). The daily bag limit would be an 
aggregate daily bag limit with dark geese. For Arkansas, Illinois, 
Louisiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee (non-low 
harvest States), the Council recommended a season length of 88 days 
with a 2-bird daily bag limit, or a 74-day season with a 3-bird daily 
bag limit, or a 107-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended that frameworks for white-
fronted geese in the east-tier States of the Central Flyway be revised 
to the Saturday nearest September 24 until the Sunday nearest February 
15 with a season length of 74 days and a daily bag of 3 birds, an 88-
day season with a daily bag of 2 birds, or a 107-day season with a 
daily bag limit of 1 bird. The Council recommended an increase of 1 
bird in the daily bag limit in the Western Goose Zone of Texas, but no 
change in the bag limit for other west-tier States. All the recommended 
revisions are consistent with the newly revised white-fronted goose 
management plan.
    Service Response: We support the revisions to the white-fronted 
goose frameworks recommended by the Mississippi and Central Flyway 
Councils. The Councils' recommendations are consistent with the newly 
revised 2015 management plan for mid-continent greater white-fronted 
goose Population.

6. Brant

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
adoption of revised harvest packages (strategies) for Atlantic brant 
beginning with the 2015 hunting season as follows:
    If the mid-winter waterfowl survey (MWS) count is <100,000 Atlantic 
brant, the season would be closed.
    If the MWS count is between 100,000 and 115,000 brant, States could 
select a 30-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

[[Page 51664]]

    If the MWS count is between 115,000 and 130,000 brant, States could 
select a 30-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    If the MWS count is between 130,000 and 150,000 brant, States could 
select a 50-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    If the MWS count is between 150,000 and 200,000 brant, States could 
select a 60-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    If the MWS count is >200,000 brant, States could select a 60-day 
season with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    Under all the above open season alternatives, seasons would be 
between the Saturday nearest September 24 and January 31. Further, 
States could split their seasons into 2 segments.
    Utilizing the newly revised brant hunt plan, the Atlantic Flyway 
Council recommended a 30-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit for 
the 2015-16 hunting season.
    The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended revising the brant 
frameworks in the Mississippi Flyway to allow States the option of 
including brant in an aggregate bag limit with white-fronted and/or 
Canada geese.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended increasing the brant season 
length in California from 30 to 37 days.
    Service Response: The Atlantic Flyway's changes to the current 
Atlantic brant hunt plan strategies incorporate additional conservatism 
in the brant hunt plan. More specifically, the newly amended packages 
prescribe a more restrictive season in 2015 than that prescribed by the 
pre-2015 hunt plan. The Atlantic Flyway estimates that a reduction from 
a 2-bird to a 1-bird daily bag limit will result in a harvest reduction 
of 33 percent.
    The Atlantic Flyway notes that there have been 3 consecutive years 
of poor Atlantic brant production, and 2015 may also be poor. Further, 
the population has been below management plan goals for the last 6 
years. The 2015 mid-winter index (MWI) for Atlantic brant was 111,434. 
The Council's revised brant hunt plan allows for a 30-day season with a 
1-bird daily bag limit when the MWI estimate falls between 100,000 and 
115,000 brant. Recognizing the Council's continuing concerns about the 
status of Atlantic brant, we support the Atlantic Flyway Council's 
revisions to the brant hunt plan and the recommendation for the 2015-16 
season.
    Regarding the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation to allow 
States the option of including brant in an aggregate bag limit with 
white-fronted and/or Canada geese, we concur. Very few brant are 
harvested in the Mississippi Flyway, so this simplification of the 
regulations will have no biological impact to the population.
    Lastly, we agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation 
for increasing the season length from 30 days to 37 days in California. 
The Flyway management plan for Pacific brant allows harvest to increase 
by two times the current level if the 3-year average population index 
exceeds 135,000 brant based on the mid-winter waterfowl survey. The 3-
year (2013-2015) average is 157,700 brant. Increasing the season length 
by 7 days will allow additional hunting opportunity while maintaining 
the 2-bird daily bag limit for brant, and is not expected to increase 
harvest appreciably from that during a 30-day season.

7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended 
increasing the light goose daily bag limit from 4 to 6 in the Northwest 
Permit Zone of Oregon.
    Service Response: We support the Pacific Flyway Council's 
recommendation for increasing the daily bag limit of light geese from 4 
to 6 in the Northwest Permit Zone of Oregon. Three populations of light 
geese occur in the Pacific Flyway and all are above Flyway management 
plan 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 659,600 in 2014, and are 
above the objective of 100,000 geese. The population estimate for 
Wrangel Island snow geese was 240,000 in 2015, which is above the 
objective of 120,000 geese. 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. 
The current 4-bird daily bag limit for light geese in Oregon's 
Northwest Permit Zone was intended to minimize harvest of Wrangel 
Island snow geese in this primary use area in Oregon when Wrangel 
Island geese were below the population objective. A bag limit for light 
geese in the Northwest Permit Zone of 6 per day will simplify 
regulations by matching the 6-bird bag limit currently allowed for 
light geese in the balance of Oregon on or before the last Sunday in 
January.

16. Doves

    Council Recommendations: During the early season regulations 
process, the Central Flyway Council recommended that the Service, 
beginning with the 2016-17 hunting season, adopt a new ``standard'' 
season package framework comprised of a 90-day season and 15-bird daily 
bag limit for doves for States within the Central Management Unit. 
Subsequently, the Mississippi Flyway Council concurred with the 
previous recommendation from the Central Flyway Council.
    Service Response: In the July 21 Federal Register, we stated that 
we did not support the recommendation by the Central Flyway to increase 
the length of the dove season to 90 days for the 2016-17 season because 
the Mississippi Flyway had not agreed to the change involving this 
shared resource. However, we understood that the Central Flyway would 
continue to work with the Mississippi Flyway to develop a joint 
recommendation to increase the season length, and that we would 
consider such a recommendation if such an agreement were reached. Given 
the Mississippi Flyway Council's concurrence with the Central Flyway 
Council's recommendation, we now agree with the proposed revision to 
the ``standard'' season package framework beginning with the 2016-17 
hunting season.

Public Comments

    The Department of the Interior's policy is, whenever possible, to 
afford the public an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking 
process. Accordingly, we invite interested persons to submit written 
comments, suggestions, or recommendations regarding the proposed 
regulations. Before promulgating final migratory game bird hunting 
regulations, we will consider all comments we receive. These comments, 
and any additional information we receive, may lead to final 
regulations that differ from these proposals.
    You may submit your comments and materials concerning this proposed 
rule by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. We will not 
accept comments sent by email or fax. We will not consider hand-
delivered comments that we do not receive, or mailed comments that are 
not postmarked, by the date specified in the DATES section. We will 
post all comments in their entirety--including your personal 
identifying information--on https://www.regulations.gov. Before 
including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal 
identifying information in your comment, you

[[Page 51665]]

should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal 
identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. 
While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal 
identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we 
will be able to do so.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule, will be 
available for public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov, or by 
appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, 5275 Leesburg 
Pike, Falls Church, Virginia. For each series of proposed rulemakings, 
we will establish specific comment periods.
    We will consider, but possibly may not respond in detail to, each 
comment. As in the past, we will summarize all comments we receive 
during the comment period and respond to them after the closing date in 
the preambles of any final rules.

Required Determinations

    Based on our most current data, we are affirming our required 
determinations made in the April 13, June 11, and July 21 proposed 
rules; for descriptions of our actions to ensure compliance with the 
following statutes and Executive Orders, see our April 13, 2015, 
proposed rule (80 FR 19852):
     National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Consideration;
     Endangered Species Act Consideration;
     Regulatory Flexibility Act;
     Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act;
     Unfunded Mandates Reform Act;
     Executive Orders 12630, 12866, 12988, 13132, 13175, 13211, 
and 13563.
    We are updating one required determination in this document, as 
follows:

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA)

    This proposed rule does not contain any new information collection 
requirements that require approval under the PRA (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 OMB control number. OMB has reviewed and approved the information 
collection requirements associated with migratory bird surveys and 
assigned the following OMB control numbers:
     1018-0019--North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey 
(expires 5/31/2018).
     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.

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 2015-16 
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 
a-j.

    Dated: August 10, 2015.
Michael J. Bean,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 2015-16 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 
proposals for season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession 
limits, and outside dates within which States may select seasons for 
hunting waterfowl and coots between the dates of September 1, 2015, and 
March 10, 2016. 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.
    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

[[Page 51666]]

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 
26) and the last Sunday in January (January 31).
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days. The daily bag limit is 6 
ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 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, 2 canvasbacks, 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 2 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.
    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:
    AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in 
October (October 24) and February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday 
in October (October 24) and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. 
The season may be split into 3 segments.
    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 24), except in the Lake 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 26) and March 10, with an 
8-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments.

[[Page 51667]]

    Rest of State RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the 
fourth Saturday in October (October 24) 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 19) 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 3) 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 24) 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 24) 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 26) and 
January 31, with a 1-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 
26) and the last Sunday in January (January 31).
    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, 2 canvasbacks, 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 26) and March 10. 
There is no possession limit for light geese. Arkansas, Illinois, 
Louisiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee may select a 
season for white-fronted geese not to exceed 74 days with 3 geese 
daily, or 88 days with 2 geese daily, or 107 days with 1 goose daily 
between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 26) and the Sunday 
nearest February 15 (February 14); Alabama, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, 
Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin may select a season for white-fronted 
geese not to exceed 107 day with 5 geese daily, in aggregate with dark 
geese. States may select a season for brant not to exceed 70 days with 
2 brant daily, or 107 days with 1 brant daily with outside dates the 
same as Canada geese; alternately, States may include brant in an 
aggregate goose bag limit with either Canada geese, white-fronted 
geese, or dark 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 26) 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 Goose Zone--The season for Canada geese may 
extend to February 15.
    Wisconsin:
    Horicon Zone: The framework opening date for all geese is September 
16.

[[Page 51668]]

    Exterior Zone: The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 16.
    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 
26) and the last Sunday in January (January 31).
    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 12).
    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 2 
canvasbacks. 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 26) and 
the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 14). For light geese, outside 
dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest 
September 24 (September 26) 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 3, or an 88-day season with a bag limit of 2, or a 
season of 107 days 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 2.

Pacific Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, Common Moorhens, and Purple Gallinules

    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
26) and the last Sunday in January (January 31).
    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, 2 canvasbacks, 3 scaup, and 2 redheads. 
For scaup, the season length is 86 days, which may be split according 
to applicable zones and split duck hunting configurations approved for 
each State.
    In States or zones with a split duck and merganser season, the 
season on coots, common moorhens, and purple gallinules may remain open 
during the closed portion of the duck and merganser season splits, 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 26) and the last Sunday in January (January 
31). In Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Utah, the daily 
bag limit is 4 Canada geese and brant in the aggregate. In New Mexico 
and Wyoming, the daily bag limit is 3 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 37-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 26) 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 26) and March 10. The daily bag limit is 20.
    Split Seasons: Unless otherwise specified, seasons for geese may be 
split

[[Page 51669]]

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 
outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 26) 
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.
    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 Permit Zone: A Canada goose season may be selected with 
outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 26) 
and March 10. Goose seasons may be split into 3 segments. The daily bag 
limit of light geese is 6. In the Tillamook County Management Area, the 
hunting season is closed on geese.
    South Coast Zone: A Canada goose season may be selected with 
outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 26) 
and March 10. The daily bag limit of Canada geese is 6. Hunting days 
that occur after the last Sunday in January should be concurrent with 
California's North Coast Special Management Area. Goose seasons 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 26) and the first Sunday 
in February (February 7).
    Washington: The daily bag limit is 4 geese.
    Area 1: Goose season outside dates are between the Saturday nearest 
September 24 (September 26) and the last Sunday in January (January 
31).
    Areas 2A and 2B (Southwest Permit Zone): A Canada goose season may 
be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 
24 (September 26) and March 10. Goose seasons may be split into 3 
segments.
    Area 4: Goose seasons may be split into 3 segments.

Permit Zones

    In Oregon and Washington permit zones, the hunting season is closed 
on dusky Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada 
goose (Munsell 10 YR color value five or less) with a bill length 
between 40 and 50 millimeters. Hunting of geese will only be by hunters 
possessing a State-issued permit authorizing them to do so. Shooting 
hours for geese may begin no earlier than sunrise. Regular Canada goose 
seasons in the permit zones of Oregon and Washington remain subject to 
the Memorandum of Understanding entered into with the Service regarding 
monitoring the impacts of take during the regular Canada goose season 
on the dusky Canada goose population.

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 3). 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 13) 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 2003, 
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 3) 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, 2016, 
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 3) and January 31.
--In the Central Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 500 permits 
may be issued.
--In North Dakota, no more than 2,200 permits may be issued.
--In South Dakota, no more than 1,300 permits may be issued.

[[Page 51670]]

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. 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

[[Page 51671]]

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 51672]]

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.
    Remainder of State: That portion of Tennessee outside of the 
Reelfoot Zone.

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 51673]]

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 51674]]

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 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 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.
    South Zone: All of Clark and Lincoln Counties.

[[Page 51675]]

    Moapa Valley Special Management Area: That portion of Clark County 
including the Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin 
Rivers.

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, Uintah, 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

    AP Zone: North and South Zones (see duck zones).
    RP Zone: The Coastal Zone (see duck zones).
    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

[[Page 51676]]

Route 28, east along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Route 
147 at Kimball Corners, south along Route 147 to Schenectady County 
Route 40 (West Glenville Road), west along Route 40 to Touareuna Road, 
south along Touareuna Road to Schenectady County Route 59, south along 
Route 59 to State Route 5, east along Route 5 to the Lock 9 bridge, 
southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S, southeast along Route 5S 
to Schenectady County Route 58, southwest along Route 58 to the NYS 
Thruway, south along the Thruway to Route 7, southwest along Route 7 to 
Schenectady County Route 103, south along Route 103 to Route 406, east 
along Route 406 to Schenectady County Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south 
along Route 99 to Dunnsville Road, south along Dunnsville Road to Route 
397, southwest along Route 397 to Route 146 at Altamont, west along 
Route 146 to Albany County Route 252, northwest along Route 252 to 
Schenectady County Route 131, north along Route 131 to Route 7, west 
along Route 7 to Route 10 at Richmondville, south on Route 10 to Route 
23 at Stamford, west along Route 23 to Route 7 in Oneonta, southwest 
along Route 7 to Route 79 to Interstate Route 88 near Harpursville, 
west along Route 88 to Interstate Route 81, north along Route 81 to the 
point of beginning.
    West Central Goose Area: That area of New York State lying within a 
continuous line beginning at the point where the northerly extension of 
Route 269 (County Line Road on the Niagara-Orleans County boundary) 
meets the International boundary with Canada, south to the shore of 
Lake Ontario at the eastern boundary of Golden Hill State Park, south 
along the extension of Route 269 and Route 269 to Route 104 at Jeddo, 
west along Route 104 to Niagara County Route 271, south along Route 271 
to Route 31E at Middleport, south along Route 31E to Route 31, west 
along Route 31 to Griswold Street, south along Griswold Street to Ditch 
Road, south along Ditch Road to Foot Road, south along Foot Road to the 
north bank of Tonawanda Creek, west along the north bank of Tonawanda 
Creek to Route 93, south along Route 93 to Route 5, east along Route 5 
to Crittenden-Murrays Corners Road, south on Crittenden-Murrays Corners 
Road to the NYS Thruway, east along the Thruway 90 to Route 98 (at 
Thruway Exit 48) in Batavia, south along Route 98 to Route 20, east 
along Route 20 to Route 19 in Pavilion Center, south along Route 19 to 
Route 63, southeast along Route 63 to Route 246, south along Route 246 
to Route 39 in Perry, northeast along Route 39 to Route 20A, northeast 
along Route 20A to Route 20, east along Route 20 to Route 364 (near 
Canandaigua), south and east along Route 364 to Yates County Route 18 
(Italy Valley Road), southwest along Route 18 to Yates County Route 34, 
east along Route 34 to Yates County Route 32, south along Route 32 to 
Steuben County Route 122, south along Route 122 to Route 53, south 
along Route 53 to Steuben County Route 74, east along Route 74 to Route 
54A (near Pulteney), south along Route 54A to Steuben County Route 87, 
east along Route 87 to Steuben County Route 96, east along Route 96 to 
Steuben County Route 114, east along Route 114 to Schuyler County Route 
23, east and southeast along Route 23 to Schuyler County Route 28, 
southeast along Route 28 to Route 409 at Watkins Glen, south along 
Route 409 to Route 14, south along Route 14 to Route 224 at Montour 
Falls, east along Route 224 to Route 228 in Odessa, north along Route 
228 to Route 79 in Mecklenburg, east along Route 79 to Route 366 in 
Ithaca, northeast along Route 366 to Route 13, northeast along Route 13 
to Interstate Route 81 in Cortland, north along Route 81 to the north 
shore of the Salmon River to shore of Lake Ontario, extending generally 
northwest in a straight line to the nearest point of the International 
boundary with Canada, south and west along the International boundary 
to the point of beginning.
    Hudson Valley Goose Area: That area of New York State lying within 
a continuous line extending from Route 4 at the New York-Vermont 
boundary, west and south along Route 4 to Route 149 at Fort Ann, west 
on Route 149 to Route 9, south along Route 9 to Interstate Route 87 (at 
Exit 20 in Glens Falls), south along Route 87 to Route 29, west along 
Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball Corners, south along Route 147 to 
Schenectady County Route 40 (West Glenville Road), west along Route 40 
to Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna Road to Schenectady County 
Route 59, south along Route 59 to State Route 5, east along Route 5 to 
the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S, 
southeast along Route 5S to 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

[[Page 51677]]

Street to Potunk Lane; then west on Stevens Lane; then south on Jessup 
Avenue (in Westhampton Beach) to Dune Road (CR 89); then due south to 
international waters.
    Western Long Island Goose Area (RP Area): That area of Westchester 
County and its tidal waters southeast of Interstate Route 95 and that 
area of Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying west of a continuous line 
extending due south from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the 
northernmost end of the Sunken Meadow State Parkway; then south on the 
Sunken Meadow Parkway to the Sagtikos State Parkway; then south on the 
Sagtikos Parkway to the Robert Moses State Parkway; then south on the 
Robert Moses Parkway to its southernmost end; then due south to 
international waters.
    Central Long Island Goose Area (NAP Low Harvest Area): That area of 
Suffolk County lying between the Western and Eastern Long Island Goose 
Areas, as defined above.
    South Goose Area: The remainder of New York State, excluding New 
York City.
    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

[[Page 51678]]

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: 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

    Northwest Goose Zone: Lake, Obion, and Weakley Counties and those 
portions of Gibson and Dyer Counties north of State Highways 20 and 104 
and east of U.S. Highways 45 and 45W
    Remainder of State: That portion of Tennessee outside of the 
Northwest Goose Zone.

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 County, then west along the Prescott city 
limit to the Minnesota State line.

[[Page 51679]]

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 and Bon Homme 
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 Bon Homme County 
north of State Highway 50, that portion of Perkins County west of State 
Highway 75 and south of State Highway 20; McPherson, Edmunds, 
Kingsbury, Brookings, Lake, Moody, Miner, Faulk, Hand, Jerauld, 
Douglas, Hutchinson, Turner, Union, Clay, Yankton, Aurora, Beadle, 
Davison, Hanson, Sanborn, Spink, Brown, Harding, Butte, Lawrence, 
Meade, Oglala Lakota (formerly Shannon), Jackson, Mellette, Todd, 
Jones, Haakon, Corson, Ziebach, and McCook Counties; and those portions 
of Minnehaha and Lincoln counties outside of an area bounded by a line 
beginning at the junction of the South Dakota-Minnesota state line and 
Minnehaha County Highway 122 (254th Street) west to its junction with 
Minnehaha County Highway 149 (464th Avenue), south on Minnehaha County 
Highway 149 (464th Avenue) to Hartford, then south on Minnehaha County 
Highway 151 (463rd Avenue) to State Highway 42, east on State Highway 
42 to State Highway 17, south on State Highway 17 to its junction with 
Lincoln County Highway 116 (Klondike Road), and east on Lincoln County 
Highway 116 (Klondike Road) to the South Dakota-Iowa state line, then 
north along the South Dakota-Iowa and South Dakota-Minnesota border to 
the junction of the South Dakota-Minnesota state line

[[Page 51680]]

and Minnehaha County Highway 122 (254th Street).
    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.
    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 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, 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; 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.
    Zone 4: Bear Lake County; Bingham County within the Blackfoot 
Reservoir drainage; and Caribou County, except that portion within the 
Fort Hall Indian Reservation.

[[Page 51681]]

White-Fronted Geese
    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.
    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 Counties.

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

    Northwest Permit Zone: Benton, Clatsop, Columbia, Clackamas, Lane, 
Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington, and 
Yamhill Counties.
    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: That portion of Tillamook County 
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.
    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.
    Eastern Zone: Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, 
Umatilla, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Grant, Baker, Union, 
and Wallowa Counties.
    Klamath County Zone: All of Klamath County.
    Harney and Lake County Zone: All of Harney and Lake Counties.
    Malheur County Zone: All of Malheur County.

Utah

    Northern 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 U.S.-89; south on U.S.-89 
to I-84; east and south and along I-84 to I-80; south along I-80 to 
U.S.-189; south and west along U.S.-189 to the Utah County line; 
southeast and then west along this line to I-15; north on I-15 to U.S.-
6; west on U.S.-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.
    Balance of State Zone: The remainder of Utah.

Washington

    Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.

[[Page 51682]]

    Area 2A (Southwest Permit Zone): Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum 
Counties.
    Area 2B (Southwest Permit Zone): Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties.
    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

    Northern Zone: Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino Counties.
    Balance of State 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.

[FR Doc. 2015-20371 Filed 8-24-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-55-P