Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations, 10222-10254 [2017-02684]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 26 / Thursday, February 9, 2017 / Proposed Rules
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
[Docket No. FWS–HQ–MB–2016–0051;
FF09M21200–167–FXMB1231099BPP0]
RIN 1018–BB40
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed
Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting
Regulations
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (hereinafter Service or we) is
proposing to establish the 2017–18
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 hunting
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
frameworks by March 13, 2017.
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–2016–
0051.
• U.S. mail or hand delivery: Public
Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–HQ–
MB–2016–0051; 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: As part of
DOI’s retrospective regulatory review,
we developed a schedule for migratory
game bird hunting regulations that is
more efficient and will provide dates
much earlier than was possible under
the old process. This will facilitate
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SUMMARY:
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planning for the States and all parties
interested in migratory bird hunting.
With the 2016–17 hunting season, we
began using a new schedule for
establishing our annual migratory game
bird hunting regulations. We combined
the then current early- and late-season
regulatory actions into a single process,
based on predictions derived from longterm biological information and harvest
strategies, to establish migratory bird
hunting seasons much earlier than the
system we have used for many years.
Under the new process, we will develop
proposed hunting season frameworks
for a given year in the fall of the prior
year. We will finalize those frameworks
a few months later, thereby enabling the
State agencies to select and publish
their season dates in early summer.
Regulations Schedule for 2017
On June 10, 2016, we published a
proposal to amend title 50 of the Code
of Federal Regulations (CFR) at part 20
(81 FR 38050). The proposal provided a
background and overview of the
migratory bird hunting regulations
process, and addressed the
establishment of seasons, limits, and
other regulations for hunting migratory
game birds under §§ 20.101 through
20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K.
Major steps in the 2017–18 regulatory
cycle relating to open public meetings
and Federal Register notifications were
also identified in the June 10, 2016,
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
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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.
The June 10 proposed rule also
provided detailed information on the
proposed 2017–18 regulatory schedule
and announced the Service Regulations
Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council
meetings.
On August 12, 2016, we published in
the Federal Register (81 FR 53391) a
second document providing
supplemental proposals for migratory
bird hunting regulations. The August 12
supplement also provided detailed
information on the 2017–18 regulatory
schedule and re-announced the SRC and
Flyway Council meetings.
On October 25–26, 2016, we held
open meetings with the Flyway Council
Consultants, at which the participants
reviewed information on the current
status of migratory game birds and
developed recommendations for the
2017–18 regulations for these species.
This document deals specifically with
proposed frameworks for the 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 November
1, 2016, on the June 10 and August 12,
2016, proposed rulemaking documents
in developing this document. In
addition, new proposals for certain
regulations are provided for public
comment. The comment period is
specified above under DATES. We will
publish final regulatory frameworks for
migratory game bird hunting in the
Federal Register on or around February
28, 2017.
Population Status and Harvest
Each year we publish various species
status reports that provide detailed
information on the status and harvest of
migratory game birds, including
information on the methodologies and
results. These reports are available at
the address indicated under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or from
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our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/
birds/surveys-and-data/reports-andpublications/population-status.php.
We used the following reports:
Adaptive Harvest Management, 2017
Hunting Season (August, 2016);
American Woodcock Population Status,
2016 (August, 2016); Band-tailed Pigeon
Population Status, 2016 (September,
2016); Migratory Bird Hunting Activity
and Harvest During the 2014–15 and
2015–16 Hunting Seasons (October,
2016); Mourning Dove Population
Status, 2016 (August, 2016); Status and
Harvests of Sandhill Cranes, Midcontinent, Rocky Mountain, Lower
Colorado River Valley and Eastern
Populations, 2016 (September, 2016);
and Waterfowl Population Status, 2016
(August, 2016).
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Review of Public Comments and
Flyway Council Recommendations
The preliminary proposed
rulemaking, which appeared in the June
10, 2016, Federal Register, opened the
public comment period for migratory
game bird hunting regulations and
discussed the regulatory alternatives for
the 2017–18 duck hunting season.
Comments and recommendations are
summarized below and numbered in the
order used in the June 10, 2016,
proposed rule.
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 have included only the
numbered items pertaining to issues for
which we received recommendations.
Consequently, the issues do not follow
in successive numerical order.
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 June 10, 2016, proposed rule.
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.
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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
A. General Harvest Strategy
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended
the adoption of the ‘‘liberal’’ regulatory
alternative.
The Mississippi Flyway Council
recommended that regulation changes
be restricted to one step per year, both
when restricting as well as liberalizing
hunting regulations.
Service Response: We propose to
continue using adaptive harvest
management (AHM) to help determine
appropriate duck-hunting regulations
for the 2017–18 season. AHM permits
sound resource decisions in the face of
uncertain regulatory impacts and
provides a mechanism for reducing that
uncertainty over time. We use AHM to
evaluate four alternative regulatory
levels for duck hunting based on the
population status of mallards. (We enact
other hunting regulations for species of
special concern, such as canvasbacks,
scaup, and pintails).
The prescribed regulatory alternative
for the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central,
and Pacific Flyways is based on the
status of mallard populations that
contribute primarily to each Flyway. In
the Atlantic Flyway, we set hunting
regulations based on the population
status of mallards breeding in eastern
North America (Federal survey strata
51–54 and 56, and State surveys in New
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England and the mid-Atlantic region). In
the Central and Mississippi Flyways, we
set hunting regulations based on the
status and dynamics of mid-continent
mallards. Mid-continent mallards are
those breeding in central North America
(Federal survey strata 13–18, 20–50, and
75–77, and State surveys in Minnesota,
Wisconsin, and Michigan). In the Pacific
Flyway, we set hunting regulations
based on the status and dynamics of
western mallards. Western mallards are
those breeding in Alaska and the
northern Yukon Territory (as based on
Federal surveys in strata 1–12), and in
British Columbia, Washington, Oregon,
and California (as based on Canadian
Wildlife Service and State-conducted
surveys).
For the 2017–18 season, we
recommend continuing to use
independent optimization to determine
the optimal regulatory choice for each
mallard stock. This means that we
would develop regulations for eastern
mallards, mid-continent mallards, and
western mallards independently, based
upon the breeding stock that contributes
primarily to each Flyway. We detailed
implementation of this AHM decision
framework for western and midcontinent mallards in the July 24, 2008,
Federal Register (73 FR 43290) and for
eastern mallards in the July 20, 2012,
Federal Register (77 FR 42920). We
further documented how adjustments
were made to these decision frameworks
in order to be compatible with the new
regulatory schedule (https://
www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/pdf/
management/AHM/
SEIS&AHMReportFinal.pdf).
As we stated in the August 12, 2016,
proposed rule, for the 2017–18 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).
The optimal AHM strategies for midcontinent, eastern, and western mallards
for the 2017–18 hunting season were
calculated using: (1) Harvestmanagement objectives specific to each
mallard stock; (2) the 2017–18
regulatory alternatives (see further
discussion below under B. Regulatory
Alternatives); and (3) current population
models and associated weights. Based
on ‘‘liberal’’ regulatory alternatives
selected for the 2016 hunting season,
the 2016 survey results of 11.89 million
mid-continent mallards (traditional
survey area minus Alaska and the Old
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Crow Flats area of the Yukon Territory,
plus Minnesota, Wisconsin, and
Michigan) and 3.49 million ponds in
Prairie Canada, 0.72 million eastern
mallards, and 1.07 million western
mallards (0.48 million in CaliforniaOregon and 0.58 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 for the
2017–18 season and propose to adopt
the ‘‘liberal’’ regulatory alternative, as
described in the August 12, 2016,
Federal Register.
Regarding the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommendation to limit
regulatory changes to one step per year,
as we stated in the August 12, 2016,
Federal Register, we recognize the
longstanding interest by the Council to
impose a one-step constraint on
regulatory changes. We note that the
Central and Mississippi Flyways have
worked with Service staff over the past
2 years to re-visit the AHM protocol for
managing harvest of mid-continent
mallards (i.e., ‘‘double-looping’’). This
effort has included a discussion of
appropriate management objectives,
regulatory packages, and management of
non-mallard stocks. We continue to
believe that these discussions are the
appropriate venue to discuss what role,
if any, a one-step constraint might play
in management of waterfowl in the
Central and Mississippi Flyways. Such
discussions should include the potential
impact of a one-step constraint on the
frequency of when the liberal, moderate,
and restrictive packages would be
recommended. On a final note, while
we recognize the Council’s concern
about potentially communicating a large
regulatory change to hunters, we have
concerns about the appropriateness of a
one-step constraint in situations when
the status of the waterfowl resource may
warrant a different measure. We look
forward to continued work with the
Flyway Councils on this issue.
B. Regulatory Alternatives
Council Recommendations: The
Mississippi Flyway Council
recommended changing the framework
closing date to January 31 during
‘‘moderate’’ and ‘‘liberal’’ seasons.
Service Response: As we stated in the
August 12, 2016, Federal Register, we
do not support the Council’s
recommendation to extend the duck
season framework closing date to
January 31 at this time. We note that the
current framework opening and closing
dates were developed through a
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cooperative effort between all four
Flyway Councils and that framework
dates are only one of several
components that comprise the
regulatory packages utilized in AHM.
Regulatory packages also consider
season length, daily bag limits, and
shooting hours. We believe the current
regulatory packages should remain
unchanged until revisions to the AHM
protocols have been completed. Those
efforts will include examination of duck
harvest management objectives, model
updates, and revisions to regulatory
packages, including framework dates.
We prefer that the issue of framework
dates and any other component of the
regulatory packages be addressed
through this cooperative process and
would prefer a comprehensive approach
to revising regulatory packages rather
than making incremental changes.
D. Special Seasons/Species
Management
i. September Teal Seasons
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic Flyway Council requested
granting operational status for the presunrise portion of Maryland’s
September teal season. They further
requested that we allow an additional
year of the experimental teal-only
season in Florida, as Florida needs
another year to increase sample size to
properly assess the effects of the
experimental season on non-target
species.
The Mississippi Flyway Council
recommended that States with ongoing
experimental teal seasons in the
Mississippi Flyway be allowed an
additional year (2017–18 seasons) to
evaluate impacts to non-target species.
The Central Flyway Council
recommended that we allow an
experimental September teal season in
the northern portion of Nebraska to
continue for the 2017–18 hunting
season.
Service Response: For the 2017–18
season, we will utilize the 2016
breeding population estimate of 6.6
million blue-winged teal from the
traditional survey area and the criteria
developed for the teal season harvest
strategy. Thus, a 16-day September teal
season in the Atlantic, Central, and
Mississippi Flyways is appropriate for
the 2017 season.
We agree with the Atlantic Flyway’s
request to grant operation status to
Maryland’s pre-sunrise portion of their
season. Available information collected
during the 2013–16 seasons indicates
that both non-target harvest and attempt
rates were well below the maximum
allowed rates.
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We also agree with the Councils’
requests to extend the current
experimental seasons for another season
in order to collect additional data.
Sample size requirement criteria is
specified in the memorandums of
agreement (MOAs) between the various
States and the Service, and the MOAs
allow for an extension of the
experimental seasons to meet these data
needs, with concurrence by both the
Service and the State.
iii. Black Ducks
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended that the Service
continue to follow the International
Black Duck AHM Strategy for the 2017–
18 season.
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/pdf/management/AHM/
BlackDuckInternationalHarvest
Strategy.pdf.
For the 2017–18 season, the optimal
country-specific regulatory strategies
were calculated using: (1) The black
duck harvest objective (98 percent of
long-term cumulative harvest); (2) 2017–
18 country-specific regulatory
alternatives; (3) current parameter
estimates for mallard competition and
additive mortality; and (4) 2016 survey
results of 0.61 million breeding black
ducks and 0.41 million breeding
mallards in the core survey area. The
optimal regulatory choices for the 2017–
18 season are the ‘‘liberal’’ package in
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Canada and the ‘‘moderate’’ package in
the United States.
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iv. Canvasbacks
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended
a full season for canvasbacks with a 2bird 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: As we discussed in
the March 28, 2016, final rule (81 FR
17302), the canvasback harvest strategy
that we had relied on up until 2015 was
not viable under our new regulatory
process because it required biological
information that was not yet available at
the time a decision on season structure
needed to be made. We do not yet have
a new harvest strategy to propose for use
in guiding canvasback harvest
management in the future. However, we
have worked with technical staff of the
four Flyway Councils to develop a
decision framework that relies on the
best biological information available to
make a harvest management proposal
for the 2017–18 season. This framework
utilized available information (1994–
2014) on canvasback population size,
growth rate, survival, and harvest to
derive an optimal harvest policy with an
objective of maximum sustained yield.
The resulting policy suggests a 2-bird
daily bag limit whenever the most
recent canvasback population estimate
is above 480,000 birds. Given that the
2016 canvasback breeding population
estimate was 736,500 birds, we support
the Flyways’ recommendations for a 2canvasback daily bag limit for the 2017–
18 season.
v. Pintails
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended
a full season for pintails, consisting of
a 1-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
the 2017–18 season, 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
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weights. Based on a ‘‘liberal’’ regulatory
alternative with a 2-bird daily bag limit
in 2016, and the 2016 survey results of
2.62 million pintails observed at a mean
latitude of 58.6 degrees, the optimal
regulatory choice for all four Flyways
for the 2017–18 hunting season is the
‘‘liberal’’ alternative with a 1-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 and a 3-bird daily bag in the
Mississippi 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.
For scaup, optimal regulatory
strategies for the 2017–18 season were
calculated using: (1) An objective to
achieve 95 percent of long-term
cumulative harvest, (2) current scaup
regulatory alternatives, and (3) updated
model parameters and weights. Based
on a ‘‘moderate’’ regulatory alternative
selected in 2016, and the 2016 survey
results of 4.99 million scaup, the
optimal regulatory choice for the 2017–
18 season for all four Flyways is the
‘‘moderate’’ regulatory alternative.
4. Canada Geese
A. Special Early Seasons
Council Recommendations: The
Central Flyway Council recommended
an extension of North Dakota’s
September early Canada goose season
framework to September 22.
Service Response: We agree with the
Central Flyway Council’s request. When
September Canada goose seasons were
established in 1999 to allow harvest of
primarily resident Canada geese, the
Service established a limit that no more
than 10 percent of the geese harvested
could be migrant birds. Data collected in
North Dakota at that time indicated that
their harvest of migrants exceeded 10
percent after September 15, so their
season was restricted to the middle of
the month. An analysis of data from
recent hunting seasons shows that the
harvest of migrants from September 15–
25 now is below 10 percent, so we
support the extension.
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B. Regular Seasons
Council Recommendations: The
Pacific Flyway Council recommended
increasing the daily bag limit from 3 to
4 for Canada geese and brant in the
aggregate in Wyoming and New Mexico.
Service Response: We agree with the
Pacific Flyway Council’s
recommendation to increase the daily
bag limit from 3 to 4 Canada geese and
brant in the aggregate in Wyoming and
New Mexico. The basic daily bag limit
is 4 for Canada geese and brant in the
aggregate for Interior States within the
Pacific Flyway. State restrictions have
been imposed in many States in the
Pacific Flyway to help establish and
build breeding population segments
(flocks) identified by State reference
areas in the Flyway management plan.
The current 3-year average breeding
population estimate (2014–16) for the
Rocky Mountain Population of western
Canada geese is 195,320, which is
substantially above the Flyway
population objective of 117,000 geese
and thresholds for restriction (<88,000
geese) and liberalization (>146,000
geese). Removal of the States’ daily bag
limit restrictions in Wyoming and New
Mexico will result in Canada goose bag
limits that are the same in all Pacific
Flyway States, and result in greater
consistency throughout the Flyway.
In the Mississippi Flyway, we note
that during the past several years the
Mississippi Flyway has moved from
State-specific frameworks to a general
flyway-wide framework for Canada
goose regulations. At the same time,
population monitoring programs have
been modified to become more costefficient and have focused on obtaining
general subarctic goose population
estimates rather than separate estimates
for the Mississippi Valley Population
(MVP), the Eastern Prairie Population
(EPP), and the Southern James Bay
Population (SJBP). We have allowed
changes to Mississippi Flyway Canada
goose frameworks with the expectation
that a new Canada goose management
plan would be developed. Because the
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils currently share a joint
management plan for the SJBP
population, we believe the Atlantic
Flyway must be included in the
development of the new Canada goose
management plan in the Mississippi
Flyway. Thus, we urge the Mississippi
Flyway to complete the Canada goose
management plan this winter and
collaborate with the Atlantic Flyway
where appropriate. The final plan
should be presented at the June 2017
SRC meeting. We will not entertain
further changes to Mississippi Flyway
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Canada goose frameworks in the
absence of a final management plan.
5. White-Fronted Geese
Council Recommendations: The
Mississippi Flyway Council
recommended that the number of
segments available for non-Canada geese
should be increased from 3 to 4 for the
Mississippi Flyway.
The Pacific Flyway Council
recommended allowing a 3-segment
split hunting season for white-fronted
geese in the Northeast Zone of
California.
Service Response: We agree with the
Mississippi Flyway Council’s request to
increase the number of segments
available for non-Canada geese from 3 to
4 for the Mississippi Flyway. Increasing
the number of segments for other geese
(snow geese, white-fronted geese, and
brant) will allow States flexibility to
open and/or close all goose seasons on
the same date. Since the numbers of
white-fronted geese present in the
Mississippi Flyway in September are
low, we expect no impacts from this
change.
We agree with the Pacific Flyway
Council’s recommendation to allow a 3segment split hunting season for whitefronted geese in the Northeast Zone of
California. Current frameworks allow a
3-segment split for Canada geese and
greater white-fronted geese; but this
requires Pacific Flyway Council and
Service approval and a 3-year
evaluation by each participating State.
The current 3-year average predicted fall
population estimate (2014–16) for the
Pacific Population of greater whitefronted geese is 600,592, which is
substantially above the Flyway
population objective of 300,000.
Agricultural complaints have increased
in the Northeastern Zone of California
and there have been requests to allow
more days during the late part of the
season, in addition to days during the
early part of the season. White-fronted
geese use the Northeastern Zone as a fall
and spring staging area, but otherwise
winter primarily in the Sacramento
Valley. A 3-segment season would allow
hunting to coincide with white-fronted
goose occurrence in this zone, and
would be consistent with the
frameworks for splitting the light goose
season in the same zone. California
proposed to evaluate the three-segment
split season for greater white-fronted
geese in the Northeastern Zone by
monitoring the harvest of Tule greater
white-fronted geese that are known to
occur in that zone in late winter and
early spring. Morphometric
measurements will be obtained from
hunters who allow their harvested birds
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to be measured, and band recovery data
will be reviewed to identify subspecies
harvest of white-fronted geese.
6. Brant
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic Flyway Council recommends
that the 2017–18 season for Atlantic
brant follow the Atlantic Flyway Brant
Hunt plan pending the results of the
2017 Atlantic Flyway mid-winter
waterfowl survey. The Council also
recommended that if the results of the
2017 mid-winter survey are not
available, then the results of the most
recent mid-winter survey should be
used.
The Mississippi Flyway Council
recommended that the number of
segments available for non-Canada geese
should be increased from 3 to 4 for the
Mississippi Flyway.
The Pacific Flyway Council
recommended increasing the daily bag
limit from 3 to 4 for Canada geese and
brant in the aggregate in Wyoming and
New Mexico.
Service Response: As we discussed
March 28, 2016, final rule (81 FR
17302), the current harvest strategy used
to determine the Atlantic brant season
frameworks does not fit well within the
new regulatory process, similar to the
RMP sandhill crane issue discussed
below under 9. Sandhill Cranes. In
developing the annual proposed
frameworks for Atlantic brant in the
past, the Atlantic Flyway Council and
the Service used the number of brant
counted during the Mid-winter
Waterfowl Survey (MWS) in the
Atlantic Flyway, and took into
consideration the brant population’s
expected productivity that summer. The
MWS is conducted each January, and
expected brant productivity is based on
early-summer observations of breeding
habitat conditions and nesting effort in
important brant nesting areas. Thus, the
data under consideration were available
before the annual Flyway and SRC
decision-making meetings took place in
late July. Although the former regulatory
alternatives for Atlantic brant were
developed by factoring together longterm productivity rates (observed during
November and December productivity
surveys) with estimated observed
harvest under different framework
regulations, the primary decisionmaking criterion for selecting the annual
frameworks was the MWS count.
Under the new regulatory schedule,
neither the expected 2017 brant
production information (available
summer 2017) nor the 2017 MWS count
(conducted in January 2017) is yet
available. However, the 2017 MWS will
be completed and winter brant data will
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be available by the expected publication
of the final frameworks (late February
2017). Therefore, in the September 24,
2015, Federal Register (80 FR 57664),
we adopted the Atlantic Flyway’s
changes to the then-current Atlantic
brant hunt plan strategies. Current
harvest packages (strategies) for Atlantic
brant hunting seasons are now 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.
• 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.
When we acquire the 2017 MWS
brant count in January 2017, we will
select the appropriate Atlantic brant
hunting season for 2017–18 from the
above Atlantic brant hunt strategies and
publish the result in the final
frameworks rule.
As we stated above under 5. Whitefronted Geese, we agree with the
Mississippi Flyway Council’s
recommendation request to increase the
number of segments available for nonCanada geese from 3 to 4 for the
Mississippi Flyway. Increasing the
number of segments for other geese
(snow geese, white-fronted geese, and
brant) will allow States flexibility to
open and/or close all goose seasons on
the same date. Since the numbers of
brant present in the Mississippi Flyway
in September are low, we expect no
impacts from this change.
As we stated above under 4. Canada
Geese, B. Regular Seasons, we agree
with the Pacific Flyway Council’s
recommendation request to increase the
daily bag limit from 3 to 4 for Canada
geese and brant in the aggregate in
Wyoming and New Mexico. We expect
no impacts to brant from this proposed
change.
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7. Snow and Ross’s (Light) Geese
Council Recommendations: The
Mississippi Flyway Council
recommended that the number of
segments available for non-Canada geese
should be increased from 3 to 4 for the
Mississippi Flyway.
The Pacific Flyway Council
recommended two changes to the light
goose season frameworks. Specifically,
the Council recommended:
1. In Washington, removing the daily
bag limit restriction of not more than 4
geese per day, and adding that the daily
bag limit for light geese is 6.
2. In Idaho, eliminating the
requirement 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.
Service Response: As we stated above
under 5. White-fronted Geese, we agree
with the Mississippi Flyway Council’s
recommendation request to increase the
number of segments available for nonCanada geese from 3 to 4 for the
Mississippi Flyway. Increasing the
number of segments for other geese
(snow geese, white-fronted geese, and
brant) will allow States flexibility to
open and/or close all goose seasons on
the same date. We expect no impacts
from this change.
We agree with the Pacific Flyway
Council’s recommendation to remove
the daily bag limit restriction of not
more than 4 geese per day, and add that
the daily bag limit for light geese is 6 in
Washington. Current frameworks
already limit the daily bag limit to 4
Canada geese for States within the
western Pacific Flyway, but do allow a
daily bag limit of 10 greater whitefronted geese for States within the
Pacific Flyway except Washington. The
current 3-year average predicted fall
population estimate (2014–16) for the
Pacific Population of greater whitefronted geese is 600,592, which is
substantially above the Flyway
population objective of 300,000. This
change would allow a daily bag limit of
10 greater white-fronted geese in
Washington similar to other States in
the Pacific Flyway. In regard to light
geese, three populations 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 419,000 in 2013 (most recent
estimate) on Banks Island, which is
above the objective of 200,000 geese.
Ross’s geese were estimated at 625,100
in 2015 (most recent estimate) at Karrak
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Lake and are above the objective of
100,000 geese. The 2016 population
estimate for Wrangel Island snow geese
is 300,000, which is above the objective
of 120,000 geese. Current evidence
suggests most light geese in Washington
during fall and early winter are
primarily Wrangel Island snow geese,
but an influx of WAP lesser snow and
Ross’s geese may occur during late
winter as birds begin to move north
toward breeding areas. The current 4bird daily bag limit for geese in
Washington was intended to minimize
harvest of Wrangel Island snow geese
when Wrangel Island geese were below
the population objective. A 6-bird daily
bag limit for light geese in Washington
will simplify regulations by matching
the 6-bird bag limit currently allowed
for light geese in Oregon on or before
the last Sunday in January.
We also agree with the Pacific Flyway
Council’s recommendation to eliminate
the requirement that Idaho 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.
Since the inception of the late winter
light goose hunt in 2010, Idaho has
conducted ground surveys in 2010,
2011, 2012, and 2015, to evaluate the
effects of light goose hunting on
trumpeter swans. To date, no obvious
negative trends in trumpeter swan use,
distribution, or abundance have been
documented. We note that this program
was designed to identify changes in
swan distribution and swan fieldfeeding during the late winter light
goose hunt in order to help assess if
changes in that hunt were warranted.
The importance of the Fort Hall
Reservation to swans for field-feeding
was unknown prior to the surveys
conducted in 2011 and 2012.
Previously, it was assumed that a
majority of the field-feeding occurred on
the northwest side of the American Falls
Reservoir. However, surveys indicate
that the Fort Hall Reservation is an
important and viable site for fieldfeeding swans in late winter. While
there is no definitive evidence
indicating that swans are disturbed and
displaced by hunting pressure, if
negative interactions between hunting
activities and swan behavior occur, the
Fort Hall Reservation provides ample
field-feeding opportunities where
hunting is prohibited. Thus, given no
compelling concerns or issues
associated with trumpeter swans
wintering in eastern Idaho, and no
negative impacts associated with the
current late winter light goose hunt, we
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see no reason to repeat monitoring
efforts annually or every 3 years.
8. Swans
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic, Central and Pacific Flyway
Councils recommended increasing the
2017–18 swan hunting permits for
Eastern Population tundra swans by 25
percent. The total allowable harvest
increase would be 2,400 swans (from
9,600 to 12,000).
Service Response: We agree with the
Councils’ request to increase the
number of available swan hunting
permits by 25 percent. The 2016
combined Atlantic and Mississippi
Flyway tundra swan count was 113,593
swans with a 3-year running average of
111,892. Further, the Eastern Population
tundra swan population has trended
upward in recent years and is currently
40 percent above the population
objective of 80,000 swans. Under the
approved joint Flyway Management
Plan for Eastern Population Tundra
Swans, a 25 percent increase in hunting
permits is allowed when the 3-year
running average of the combined
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway midwinter survey exceeds 110,000 swans.
9. Sandhill Cranes
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended that
Tennessee’s experimental sandhill crane
hunting season be granted operational
status for the 2017–18 season.
Tennessee’s sandhill crane season
would consist of a maximum length of
60 days (no split) to be held between the
outside dates of September 1 and
January 31, a daily bag limit of 3 birds,
and a season limit of 3 birds. Hunting
would occur between sunrise and 3 p.m.
daily. Per guidelines in the Eastern
Population of Sandhill Cranes
Management Plan (EP Plan) and based
on the State’s 5-year peak average of
23,193 birds, Tennessee would be
allowed to issue a maximum of 2,319
tags during the 2017–18 season. Hunters
will be required to take mandatory crane
identification training, utilize Service
approved nontoxic shot shells, report
harvest and tag birds, and complete a
post-season survey.
The Central and Pacific Flyway
Councils recommended (1) expansion of
the existing sandhill crane hunting unit
in southwestern Montana (Gallatin and
Madison Counties and the Dillon/Twin
Bridges/Cardwell hunt area to include
all of Beaverhead and Jefferson
Counties, and (2) that allowable harvest
be determined based on the formula
described in the Pacific and Central
Flyway Management Plan for the Rocky
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Mountain Population (RMP) of sandhill
cranes.
Service Response: We agree with the
Mississippi Flyway Council to allow
Tennessee’s experimental sandhill crane
hunting season be granted operational
status for the 2017–18 season. The
Eastern Population (EP) of sandhill
cranes continues to increase and expand
its range. The most recent 3-year average
population estimate of 80,890 cranes, as
determined by the 2015 EP crane fall
survey, is the highest 3-year estimate
since the survey began in 1979. Data
collected from Tennessee’s 3-year
experimental season indicate an average
annual harvest of 301 cranes, a harvest
75 percent below the annual maximum
harvest threshold of 1,200 cranes set by
Tennessee. The harvest also represents
substantially less than 1 percent of the
EP sandhill cranes and fell well within
objectives set in the EP Plan.
Additionally, the Council notes that the
experimental season did not negatively
impact distribution or peak abundance
of EP sandhill cranes in Tennessee as EP
crane numbers, as recorded by the fall
survey, have increased during the 3
years of Tennessee’s experimental
season. Under the guidelines of the EP
Plan, Tennessee will continue to issue
permits, require mandatory harvest
reporting, require a post-season hunter
participation survey, and have
mandatory crane identification training.
These mechanisms will provide an
accurate way to monitor EP crane
harvest and ensure protection of the EP
sandhill cranes.
Regarding the RMP crane harvest, we
agree with the Central and Pacific
Flyway Council’s recommendation for
expanding the RMP sandhill crane
hunting areas in Montana to include all
of Beaverhead and Jefferson Counties.
The new hunt areas are consistent with
the Pacific and Central Flyway
Council’s RMP sandhill crane
management plan hunting area
requirements.
Regarding the RMP crane harvest, as
we discussed in the March 28, 2016,
final rule (81 FR 17302), the current
harvest strategy used to calculate the
allowable harvest of the RMP of sandhill
cranes does not fit well within the new
regulatory process, similar to the
Atlantic brant issue discussed above
under 6. Brant. Currently, results of the
fall abundance and recruitment surveys
of RMP sandhill cranes, upon which the
annual allowable harvest is based, will
continue to be released between
December 1 and January 31 each year,
which is after the date for which
proposed frameworks will be
formulated in the new regulatory
process. If the usual procedures for
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determining allowable harvest were
used, data 2 to 4 years old would be
used to determine the annual allocation
for RMP sandhill cranes. Due to the
variability in fall abundance and
recruitment for this population, and
their impact on the annual harvest
allocations, we agree that relying on
data that is 2 to 4 years old is not ideal.
Thus, we agree that the formula to
determine the annual allowable harvest
for RMP sandhill cranes published in
the March 28, 2016, final rule should be
used under the new regulatory schedule
and propose to utilize it as such.
A final estimate for the allowable
harvest would be available to publish in
the final rule, allowing us to use data
that is 1 to 3 years old, as is currently
practiced.
14. Woodcock
In 2011, we implemented a harvest
strategy for woodcock (76 FR 19876,
April 8, 2011). The harvest strategy
provides a transparent framework for
making regulatory decisions for
woodcock season length and bag limit
while we work to improve monitoring
and assessment protocols for this
species. Utilizing the criteria developed
for the strategy, the 3-year average for
the Singing Ground Survey indices and
associated confidence intervals fall
within the ‘‘moderate package’’ for both
the Eastern and Central Management
Regions. As such, a ‘‘moderate season’’
for both management regions for the
2017–18 season is appropriate.
Specifics of the harvest strategy can
be found at https://www.fws.gov/
migratorybirds/pdf/surveys-and-data/
Webless%20Migratory%20Game
%20Birds/American%20Woodcock
%20pdf%20files/Interim%20Woodcock
%20Harvest%20strategy%20-%20Feb
%202,2010.pdf.
16. Doves
Council Recommendations: The
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended use of the
‘‘standard’’ season framework
comprising a 90-day season and 15-bird
daily bag limit for States within the
Eastern Management Unit (EMU). The
daily bag limit could be composed of
mourning doves and white-winged
doves, singly or in combination. They
also recommended that the closing
framework date for the EMU be changed
from January 15 to January 31.
The Mississippi and Central Flyway
Councils recommended the use of the
‘‘standard’’ season package of a 15-bird
daily bag limit and a 90-day season for
the 2017–18 mourning dove season in
the States within the Central
Management Unit. They further
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recommended that the South Zone in
Texas opening framework date be
changed from ‘‘the Friday nearest
September 20th, but no earlier than
September 17th’’ to a fixed date of
September 14 and that the Special
White-winged Dove Area boundary be
expanded from its current boundary to
include the entire South Zone.
The Pacific Flyway Council
recommended use of the ‘‘standard’’
season framework for States in the
Western Management Unit (WMU)
population of mourning doves. In Idaho,
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington,
the season length would be no more
than 60 consecutive days with a daily
bag limit of 15 mourning and whitewinged doves in the aggregate. In
Arizona and California, the season
length would be no more than 60
consecutive days, which could be split
between two periods, September 1–15
and November 1–January 15. In
Arizona, during the first segment of the
season, the daily bag limit would be 15
mourning and white-winged doves in
the aggregate, of which no more than 10
could be white-winged doves. During
the remainder of the season, the daily
bag limit would be 15 mourning doves.
In California, the daily bag limit would
be 15 mourning and white-winged
doves in the aggregate, of which no
more than 10 could be white-winged
doves. The Pacific Flyway Council also
recommended allowing a 2-segment
split season in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon,
Utah, and Washington.
Service Response: Based on the
harvest strategies and current
population status, we agree with the
recommended selection of the
‘‘standard’’ season frameworks for doves
in the Eastern, Central, and Western
Management Units for the 2017–18
season.
We do not support the
recommendation from the Atlantic and
Mississippi Flyways to change the
closing framework date for dove seasons
in the EMU to January 31. We note that
when this recommendation was
presented to us in June, we requested
information on the expected biological
impacts of this change. That information
has not been provided. We are also
unclear as to what the EMU is trying to
achieve with this recommendation,
given that no additional harvest is
expected. While we recognize that
conducting a study to evaluate the
biological impacts would be
prohibitively expensive, we will work
with the EMU to develop a feasible
biological assessment.
We support the Central and
Mississippi Flyways’ recommendations
to change the opening framework date
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for the South Dove Zone of Texas to a
fixed date of September 14, to be
implemented in the 2018–19 hunting
season. Based on the statements made
by the Flyways at the October SRC
meeting, we understand that this
proposed change meets all the needs of
dove hunters in that zone. Thus, we will
not entertain earlier dove opening
framework dates in the South Zone
unless data are provided that show the
impacts on the biology and harvest of
doves.
We agree with the Central and
Mississippi Flyways’ recommendations
to expand the boundary of Texas’
Special White-winged Dove Area to
match that of the South Dove Zone for
the 2017–18 season. Available evidence
indicates that white-winged dove
abundance continues to increase, and
this change will allow additional
harvest opportunities on this species,
with minimal impacts to mourning and
white-tipped doves.
We also agree with the Pacific Flyway
Council’s recommendation to allow a 2segment split season in Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Estimated abundance of the Western
Management Unit Population (WMU) of
mourning doves was 37,044,000 in
2015, and was predicted to be
45,220,000 in 2016 (2016 actual
abundance estimates are not yet
available). The 2015 observed and 2016
predicted abundance estimates are well
above the thresholds that would result
in a closed (<11,600,000 doves) or
restrictive (<19,300,000 doves) hunting
season as prescribed in the National
Mourning Dove Harvest Strategy. The
estimated annual harvest rates during
2003–2015 for WMU hatch-year and
after-hatch-year doves was 4.4 percent
and 3.7 percent, respectively. Mourning
dove harvest may increase under this
proposal; however, any increase is
expected to constitute a small
percentage of the overall mourning dove
harvest among the northern States in the
WMU. Harvest Information Program
data indicate 85 percent of the
mourning dove harvest in the northern
States of the WMU occurs during the
first two weeks of September, a pattern
which is similar to most other States in
the United States. The option to split
the dove season in Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, and Washington provides
more flexibility to the States in setting
doves seasons considering that dove
season length increased to 60 days
starting in 2015, compared to 30 days
during 1987–2014. Currently, all States
in the Eastern Management Unit, the
Central Management Unit, and southern
States in the Western Management Unit
are allowed to split their dove seasons
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into two or three segments. Thus, this
change will make regulations regarding
split dove seasons similar in all States
within the Pacific Flyway, and result in
greater consistency throughout all 3
dove management units.
17. Alaska
Council Recommendations: The
Pacific Flyway Council recommended
an open season for the emperor goose
with a quota of 1,000 geese allotted to
the State of Alaska.
Service Response: We agree with the
Pacific Flyway Council’s
recommendation to open the season for
the emperor goose with a quota of 1,000
geese allotted to the State of Alaska. The
Emperor goose hunting season has been
closed since 1986, and the population
has shown a relatively steady
population increase since that time. In
2016, the emperor goose breeding index
from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
Coastal Zone survey was 34,100 geese,
which was 30 percent greater than the
count of 26,200 in 2015. During the past
10 years, the index increased 5 percent
per year. The Pacific Flyway Council’s
management plan for this species was
revised in 2016, and specifies a
population objective of 34,100 geese
(2016 abundance level). The plan allows
for an open season with an allowable
harvest quota of 1,000 emperor geese
when the breeding index is above
23,000 geese, and provides that harvest
restrictions will be considered if the
breeding population index is between
23,000 and 28,000 geese. If the
population index declines below 23,000
emperor geese, the hunting season will
be closed.
We have prepared a draft
environmental assessment on the
proposed emperor goose season in
Alaska. It is available at either https://
www.regulations.gov or on our Web site
at https://www.fws.gov/birds/index.php.
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
ADDRESSES. We will not accept
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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 DATES.
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
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.
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 June 10 and
August 12 proposed rules; for
descriptions of our actions to ensure
compliance with the following statutes
and Executive Orders, see our June 10,
2016, proposed rule (81 FR 38050):
• National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) Consideration;
• Endangered Species Act
Consideration;
• Regulatory Flexibility Act;
• Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act;
• Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995;
• Unfunded Mandates Reform Act;
• Executive Orders 12630, 12866,
12988, 13132, 13175, 13211, and 13563.
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 2017–18 hunting
season are authorized under 16 U.S.C.
703–712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 a–j.
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 26 / Thursday, February 9, 2017 / Proposed Rules
Dated: February 1, 2017.
Maureen D Foster,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and
Wildlife and Parks.
Flyways and Management Units
Waterfowl Flyways
Proposed Regulations Frameworks for
2017–18 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
migratory game birds between the dates
of September 1, 2017, and March 10,
2018. These frameworks are
summarized below.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS2
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, Stateissued permits are issued to individuals,
and only the individual whose name
and address appears on the permit at the
time of issuance is authorized to take
migratory birds at levels specified in the
permit, in accordance with provisions of
both Federal and State regulations
governing the hunting season. The
permit must be carried by the permittee
when exercising its provisions and must
be presented to any law enforcement
officer upon request. The permit is not
transferrable or assignable to another
individual, and may not be sold,
bartered, traded, or otherwise provided
to another person. If the permit is
altered or defaced in any way, the
permit becomes invalid.
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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.
Duck Management Units
High Plains Mallard Management
Unit: Roughly defined as that portion of
the Central Flyway that lies west of the
100th meridian.
Columbia Basin Mallard Management
Unit: In Washington, all areas east of the
Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big
White Salmon River in Klickitat County;
and in Oregon, the counties of Gilliam,
Morrow, and Umatilla.
Mourning Dove Management Units
Eastern Management Unit: All States
east of the Mississippi River, and
Louisiana.
Central Management Unit: Arkansas,
Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota,
Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New
Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Western Management Unit: Arizona,
California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah,
and Washington.
Woodcock Management Regions
Eastern Management Region:
Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, South Carolina, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia.
Central Management Region:
Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,
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Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee,
Texas, and Wisconsin.
Other geographic descriptions are
contained in a later portion of this
document.
Definitions
For the purpose of hunting
regulations listed below, the collective
terms ‘‘dark’’ and ‘‘light’’ geese include
the following species:
Dark geese: Canada geese, whitefronted geese, brant (except in Alaska,
California, Oregon, Washington, and the
Atlantic Flyway), and all other goose
species except light geese.
Light geese: Snow (including blue)
geese and Ross’s geese.
Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions:
Geographic descriptions related to
regulations are contained in a later
portion of this document.
Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks
for open seasons, season lengths, bag
and possession limits, and other special
provisions are listed below by Flyway.
Waterfowl Seasons in the Atlantic
Flyway
In the Atlantic Flyway States of
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey,
North Carolina, and Pennsylvania,
where Sunday hunting is prohibited
Statewide by State law, all Sundays are
closed to all take of migratory waterfowl
(including mergansers and coots).
Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days
Outside Dates: States may select 2
days per duck-hunting zone, designated
as ‘‘Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,’’ in
addition to their regular duck seasons.
The days must be held outside any
regular duck season on a weekend,
holidays, or other non-school days
when youth hunters would have the
maximum opportunity to participate.
The days may be held up to 14 days
before or after any regular duck-season
frameworks or within any split of a
regular duck season, or within any other
open season on migratory birds.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits
may include ducks, geese, tundra
swans, mergansers, coots, moorhens,
and gallinules and would be the same
as those allowed in the regular season.
Flyway species and area restrictions
would remain in effect.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before
sunrise to sunset.
Participation Restrictions: States may
use their established definition of age
for youth hunters. However, youth
hunters may not be over the age of 17.
In addition, an adult at least 18 years of
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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. Youth hunters 16 years of
age and older must possess a Federal
Migratory Bird Hunting and
Conservation Stamp (also known as
Federal Duck Stamp). Tundra swans
may only be taken by participants
possessing applicable tundra swan
permits.
Special September Teal Season
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and September 30, an open season on
all species of teal may be selected by the
following States in areas delineated by
State regulations:
Atlantic Flyway: Delaware, Florida,
Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina,
South Carolina, and Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway: Alabama,
Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan,
Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee,
and Wisconsin. The seasons in Iowa,
Michigan, and Wisconsin are
experimental.
Central Flyway: Colorado (part),
Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico (part),
Oklahoma, and Texas. The season in the
northern portion of Nebraska is
experimental.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits: Not to exceed 16 consecutive
hunting days in the Atlantic,
Mississippi, and Central Flyways. The
daily bag limit is 6 teal.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS2
Shooting Hours
Atlantic Flyway: One-half hour before
sunrise to sunset, except in South
Carolina, where the hours are from
sunrise to sunset.
Mississippi and Central Flyways: Onehalf hour before sunrise to sunset,
except in the States of Arkansas,
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and
Wisconsin, where the hours are from
sunrise to sunset.
Special September Duck Seasons
Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee: In
lieu of a special September teal season,
a 5-consecutive-day teal/wood duck
season may be selected in September.
The daily bag limit may not exceed 6
teal and wood ducks in the aggregate, of
which no more than 2 may be wood
ducks. In addition, a 4-consecutive-day
experimental teal-only season may be
selected in September either
immediately before or immediately after
the 5-consecutive-day teal/wood duck
season. The daily bag limit is 6 teal.
Iowa: In lieu of an experimental
special September teal season, Iowa may
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hold up to 5 days of its regular duck
hunting season in September. All ducks
that are legal during the regular duck
season may be taken during the
September segment of the season. The
September season segment may
commence no earlier than the Saturday
nearest September 20 (September 23).
The daily bag and possession limits will
be the same as those in effect during the
remainder of the regular duck season.
The remainder of the regular duck
season may not begin before October 10.
Waterfowl
Atlantic Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday
nearest September 24 (September 23)
and the last Sunday in January (January
28).
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),
2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck,
1 fulvous whistling duck, 3 wood ducks,
2 redheads, 2 scaup, 2 canvasbacks, 4
scoters, 4 eiders, and 4 long-tailed
ducks.
Closures: The season on harlequin
ducks is closed.
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.
Scoters, Eiders, and Long-Tailed Ducks
Special Sea Duck Seasons
Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
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North Carolina, Rhode Island, South
Carolina, and Virginia may select a
Special Sea Duck Season in designated
Special Sea Duck Areas. If a Special Sea
Duck Season is selected, scoters, eiders,
and long-tailed ducks may be taken in
the designated Special Sea Duck Area(s)
only during the Special Sea Duck
Season dates; scoter, eiders, and longtailed ducks may be taken outside of
Special Sea Duck Area(s) during the
regular duck season, in accordance with
the frameworks for ducks, mergansers,
and coots specified above.
Outside Dates: Between September 15
and January 31.
Special Sea Duck Seasons and Daily
Bag Limits: 60 consecutive hunting
days, or 60 days that are concurrent
with the regular duck season, with a
daily bag limit of 5, singly or in the
aggregate, of the listed sea duck species,
including no more than 4 scoters, 4
eiders, and 4 long-tailed 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 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, 4 eiders, and
4 long-tailed ducks) and possession
limits.
Special Sea Duck Areas: In all coastal
waters and all waters of rivers and
streams seaward from the first upstream
bridge in Maine, New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, and New York; in New
Jersey, all coastal waters seaward from
the International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS)
Demarcation Lines shown on National
Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) Nautical Charts
and further described in 33 CFR 80.165,
80.501, 80.502, and 80.503; in any
waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any
tidal waters of any bay that are
separated by at least 1 mile of open
water from any shore, island, and
emergent vegetation in South Carolina
and Georgia; and in any waters of the
Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters
of any bay that are separated by at least
800 yards of open water from any shore,
island, and emergent vegetation in
Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina,
and Virginia; and provided that any
such areas have been described,
delineated, and designated as special
sea duck hunting areas under the
hunting regulations adopted by the
respective States.
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Canada Geese
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons
A Canada goose season of up to 15
days during September 1–15 may be
selected for the Eastern Unit of
Maryland. Seasons not to exceed 30
days during September 1–30 may be
selected for Connecticut, Florida,
Georgia, New Jersey, New York (Long
Island Zone only), North Carolina,
Rhode Island, and South Carolina.
Seasons may not exceed 25 days during
September 1–25 in the remainder of the
Flyway. Areas open to the hunting of
Canada geese must be described,
delineated, and designated as such in
each State’s hunting regulations.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15
Canada geese.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before
sunrise to sunset, except that during any
special early Canada goose season,
shooting hours may extend to one-half
hour after sunset if all other waterfowl
seasons are closed in the specific
applicable area.
Regular Canada Goose Seasons
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and
Limits: Specific regulations for Canada
geese are shown below by State. These
seasons may also include white-fronted
geese in an aggregate daily bag limit.
Unless specified otherwise, seasons may
be split into two segments.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS2
Connecticut
North Atlantic Population (NAP)
Zone: Between October 1 and February
15, a 70-day season may be held with
a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Atlantic Population (AP) Zone: A 50day season may be held between
October 10 and February 5, with a 3bird daily bag limit.
South Zone: A special season may be
held between January 15 and February
15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
Resident Population (RP) Zone: An
80-day season may be held between
October 1 and February 15, with a 5bird daily bag limit. The season may be
split into 3 segments.
Delaware: A 50-day season may be
held between November 15 and
February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Florida: An 80-day season may be
held between October 1 and March 10,
with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season
may be split into 3 segments.
Georgia: An 80-day season may be
held between October 1 and March 10,
with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season
may be split into 3 segments.
Maine: A 70-day season may be held
Statewide between October 1 and
February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag
limit.
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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.
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 23) and
January 31, with a 1-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.
Pennsylvania
SJBP Zone: A 78-day season may be
held between the first Saturday in
October (October 7) 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 28) 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 28) 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.
New Jersey
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be
held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 28) 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 28) 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.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be
held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 28), except in the Lake
Champlain Area where the opening date
is October 10, through February 5, with
a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Western Long Island RP Zone: A 107day season may be held between the
Saturday nearest September 24
(September 23) and March 10, with an
8-bird daily bag limit. The season may
be split into 3 segments.
Rest of State RP Zone: An 80-day
season may be held between the fourth
Saturday in October (October 28) 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.
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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
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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 season
between the Saturday nearest September
24 (September 23) and January 31.
States may split their seasons into two
segments. The season length and daily
bag limit will be based on the upcoming
MWS results and the Atlantic brant
hunt plan.
Mississippi Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday
nearest September 24 (September 23)
and the last Sunday in January (January
28).
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, 2 black ducks, 1 pintail,
3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 3 scaup,
and 2 redheads.
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: Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio,
Tennessee, and Wisconsin may select
hunting seasons by zones.
In Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and
Wisconsin, the season may be split into
two segments in each zone.
In Alabama, Arkansas and
Mississippi, the season may be split into
three segments.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS2
Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and
Limits
Canada Geese: States may select
seasons for Canada geese not to exceed
107 days with a 5-bird daily bag limit
September 1–30 (except in the Intensive
Harvest Zone in Minnesota, which may
have up to a 10-bird daily bag limit) and
a 3-bird daily bag limit for the
remainder of the season. Seasons may
be held between September 1 and
February 15 and may be split into 4
segments.
White-fronted Geese and Brant:
Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Kentucky,
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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
September 1 and February 15; Alabama,
Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota,
Ohio, and Wisconsin may select a
season for white-fronted geese not to
exceed 107 days with 5 geese daily, in
aggregate with dark geese between
September 1 and February 15. 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 for Canada geese;
alternately, States may include brant in
an aggregate goose bag limit with either
Canada geese, white-fronted geese, or
dark geese.
Light Geese: States may select seasons
for light geese not to exceed 107 days,
with 20 geese daily between the
September 1 and February 15. There is
no possession limit for light geese.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before
sunrise to sunset, except that during
September 1–15 shooting hours may
extend to one-half hour after sunset for
Canada geese if all other waterfowl and
crane seasons are closed in the specific
applicable area.
Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may
be split into four segments unless
otherwise indicated.
Central Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday
nearest September 24 (September 23)
and the last Sunday in January (January
28).
Hunting Seasons
High Plains Mallard Management
Unit (roughly defined as that portion of
the Central Flyway that 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 9).
Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74
days.
Duck 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, 1 pintail, 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
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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
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons
In Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma,
South Dakota, and Texas, Canada goose
seasons of up to 30 days during
September 1–30 may be selected. In
Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, and
Wyoming, Canada goose seasons of up
to 15 days during September 1–15 may
be selected. In North Dakota, Canada
goose seasons of up to 22 days during
September 1–22 may be selected. The
daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada
geese, except in Kansas, Nebraska, and
Oklahoma, where the daily bag limit
may not exceed 8 Canada geese and in
North Dakota and South Dakota, where
the daily bag limit may not exceed 15
Canada geese. Areas open to the hunting
of Canada geese must be described,
delineated, and designated as such in
each State’s hunting regulations.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before
sunrise to sunset, except that during
September 1–15 shooting hours may
extend to one-half hour after sunset if
all other waterfowl and crane seasons
are closed in the specific applicable
area.
Regular Goose Seasons
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 3year evaluation by each participating
State.
Outside Dates: For dark geese, seasons
may be selected between the outside
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dates of the Saturday nearest September
24 (September 23) and the Sunday
nearest February 15 (February 18). For
light geese, outside dates for seasons
may be selected between the Saturday
nearest September 24 (September 23)
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 whitefronted geese) is 5. The daily bag limit
for white-fronted geese is 2.
Pacific Flyway
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Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday
nearest September 24 (September 23)
and the last Sunday in January
(January28).
Hunting Seasons and Duck and
Merganser Limits: 107 days. The daily
bag limit is 7 ducks and mergansers,
including no more than 2 female
mallards, 1 pintail, 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.
Coot, Common Moorhen, and Purple
Gallinule Limits: The daily bag limit of
coots, common moorhens, and purple
gallinules is 25, singly or in the
aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona,
California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, Washington, and
Wyoming may select hunting seasons by
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zones and may split their seasons into
two segments.
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
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons
A Canada goose season of up to 15
days during September 1–20 may be
selected. The daily bag limit may not
exceed 5 Canada geese, except in Pacific
County, Washington, where the daily
bag limit may not exceed 15 Canada
geese. Areas open to hunting of Canada
geese in each State must be described,
delineated, and designated as such in
each State’s hunting regulations.
Regular Goose Seasons
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 23) and the last Sunday
in January (January 28). In Arizona,
Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New
Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, the daily
bag limit is 4 Canada geese and brant in
the aggregate. In California, Oregon, and
Washington, the daily bag limit is 4
Canada geese. For brant, Oregon and
Washington may select a 16-day season
and California a 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 23) 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 23)
and March 10. The daily bag limit is 20.
Split Seasons: Unless otherwise
specified, seasons for geese may be split
into up to 3 segments. Three-way split
seasons for Canada geese and whitefronted geese require Pacific Flyway
Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service approval and a 3-year
evaluation by each participating State.
California: The daily bag limit for
Canada geese is 10.
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Balance of State Zone: A Canada
goose season may be selected with
outside dates between the Saturday
nearest September 24 (September 23)
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 (January 28) should
be concurrent with Oregon’s South
Coast Zone.
Oregon: The daily bag limit for light
geese is 6 on or before the last Sunday
in January (January 28).
Harney and Lake County Zone: For
Lake County only, the daily whitefronted 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 23)
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 23) and
March 10. The daily bag limit of Canada
geese is 6. Hunting days that occur after
the last Sunday in January (January 28)
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 Zone with outside dates between
the Saturday nearest September 24
(September 23) and the first Sunday in
February (February 4).
Washington: The daily bag limit for
light geese is 6.
Area 1: Goose season outside dates
are between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 23) and the
last Sunday in January (January 28).
Areas 2A and 2B (Southwest Permit
Zone): A Canada goose season may be
selected with outside dates between the
Saturday nearest September 24
(September 23) 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
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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 issue
only 1 permit per hunter. Each State’s
season may open no earlier than the
Saturday nearest October 1 (September
30). 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 10) 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 7) or upon attainment of 5
trumpeter swans in the harvest,
whichever occurs earliest.
In addition, the States of Utah and
Nevada must implement a harvestmonitoring program to measure the
species composition of the swan
harvest. The harvest-monitoring
program must require that all harvested
swans or their species-determinant parts
be examined by either State or Federal
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Jkt 241001
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
hunter compliance rate, or subsequent
permits will be reduced by 10 percent.
All three States must provide to the
Service by June 30, 2018, 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 6,250
permits may be issued.
—In Virginia, no more than 750 permits
may be issued.
In the Central Flyway
—The season may be 107 days, between
the Saturday nearest October 1
(September 30) and January 31.
—In the Central Flyway portion of
Montana, no more than 625 permits
may be issued.
—In North Dakota, no more than 2,500
permits may be issued.
—In South Dakota, no more than 1,875
permits may be issued.
Sandhill Cranes
Regular Seasons in the Mississippi
Flyway
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and February 28 in Minnesota, and
between September 1 and January 31 in
Kentucky and Tennessee.
Hunting Seasons: A season not to
exceed 37 consecutive days may be
selected in the designated portion of
northwestern Minnesota (Northwest
Goose Zone), and a season not to exceed
60 consecutive days in Kentucky and
Tennessee.
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Daily Bag Limit: 2 sandhill cranes in
Kentucky and Minnesota, 3 sandhill
cranes in Tennessee. In Kentucky and
Tennessee, the seasonal bag limit is 3
sandhill cranes.
Permits: Each person participating in
the regular sandhill crane seasons must
have a valid Federal or State sandhill
crane hunting permit.
Other Provisions: The number of
permits (where applicable), open areas,
season dates, protection plans for other
species, and other provisions of seasons
must be consistent with the
management plans and approved by the
Mississippi Flyway Council.
Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and February 28.
Hunting Seasons: Seasons not to
exceed 37 consecutive days may be
selected in designated portions of Texas
(Area 2). Seasons not to exceed 58
consecutive days may be selected in
designated portions of the following
States: Colorado, Kansas, Montana,
North Dakota, South Dakota, and
Wyoming. Seasons not to exceed 93
consecutive days may be selected in
designated portions of the following
States: New Mexico, Oklahoma, and
Texas.
Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes,
except 2 sandhill cranes in designated
portions of North Dakota (Area 2) and
Texas (Area 2).
Permits: Each person participating in
the regular sandhill crane season must
have a valid Federal or State sandhill
crane hunting permit.
Special Seasons in the Central and
Pacific Flyways
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana,
New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming may
select seasons for hunting sandhill
cranes within the range of the Rocky
Mountain Population (RMP) subject to
the following conditions:
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: The season in any
State or zone may not exceed 30
consecutive days.
Bag limits: Not to exceed 3 daily and
9 per season.
Permits: Participants must have a
valid permit, issued by the appropriate
State, in their possession while hunting.
Other Provisions: Numbers of permits,
open areas, season dates, protection
plans for other species, and other
provisions of seasons must be consistent
with the management plan and
approved by the Central and Pacific
Flyway Councils, with the following
exceptions:
A. In Utah, 100 percent of the harvest
will be assigned to the RMP quota;
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B. In Arizona, monitoring the racial
composition of the harvest must be
conducted at 3-year intervals;
C. In Idaho, 100 percent of the harvest
will be assigned to the RMP quota; and
D. In New Mexico, the season in the
Estancia Valley is experimental, with a
requirement to monitor the level and
racial composition of the harvest;
greater sandhill cranes in the harvest
will be assigned to the RMP quota.
Common Moorhens and Purple
Gallinules
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and the last Sunday in January (January
28) in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and
Central Flyways. States in the Pacific
Flyway have been allowed to select
their hunting seasons between the
outside dates for the season on ducks,
mergansers, and coots; therefore,
frameworks for common moorhens and
purple gallinules are included with the
duck, merganser, and coot frameworks.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70 days
in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central
Flyways. Seasons may be split into 2
segments. The daily bag limit is 15
common moorhens and purple
gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of
the two species.
Zoning: Seasons may be selected by
zones established for duck hunting.
Rails
Outside Dates: States included herein
may select seasons between September
1 and the last Sunday in January
(January 28) on clapper, king, sora, and
Virginia rails.
Hunting Seasons: Seasons may not
exceed 70 days, and may be split into
2 segments.
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Daily Bag Limits
Clapper and King Rails: In
Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New
Jersey, and Rhode Island, 10, singly or
in the aggregate of the two species. In
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, 15, singly
or in the aggregate of the two species.
Sora and Virginia Rails: In the
Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central
Flyways and the Pacific Flyway
portions of Colorado, Montana, New
Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 rails, singly
or in the aggregate of the two species.
The season is closed in the remainder of
the Pacific Flyway.
Snipe
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and February 28, except in Connecticut,
Delaware, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New
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Jersey, New York, Rhode Island,
Vermont, and Virginia, where the
season must end no later than January
31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits: Seasons may not exceed 107
days and may be split into two
segments. The daily bag limit is 8 snipe.
Zoning: Seasons may be selected by
zones established for duck hunting.
American Woodcock
Outside Dates: States in the Eastern
Management Region may select hunting
seasons between October 1 and January
31. States in the Central Management
Region may select hunting seasons
between the Saturday nearest September
22 (September 23) and January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits: Seasons may not exceed 45 days
in the Eastern and Central Regions. The
daily bag limit is 3. Seasons may be split
into two segments.
Zoning: New Jersey may select
seasons in each of two zones. The
season in each zone may not exceed 36
days.
Band-Tailed Pigeons
Pacific Coast States (California, Oregon,
Washington, and Nevada)
Outside Dates: Between September 15
and January 1.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive
days, with a daily bag limit of 2.
Zoning: California may select hunting
seasons not to exceed 9 consecutive
days in each of two zones. The season
in the North Zone must close by October
3.
Four-Corners States (Arizona, Colorado,
New Mexico, and Utah)
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and November 30.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits: Not more than 14 consecutive
days, with a daily bag limit of 2.
Zoning: New Mexico may select
hunting seasons not to exceed 14
consecutive days in each of two zones.
The season in the South Zone may not
open until October 1.
Doves
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and January 15, except as otherwise
provided, States may select hunting
seasons and daily bag limits as follows:
Eastern Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits: Not more than 90 days, with a
daily bag limit of 15 mourning and
white-winged doves in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may
select hunting seasons in each of two
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zones. The season within each zone may
be split into not more than three
periods. Regulations for bag and
possession limits, season length, and
shooting hours must be uniform within
specific hunting zones.
Central Management Unit
For All States Except Texas
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits: Not more than 90 days, with a
daily bag limit of 15 mourning and
white-winged doves in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may
select hunting seasons in each of two
zones. The season within each zone may
be split into not more than three
periods.
Texas
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag
Limits: Not more than 90 days, with a
daily bag limit of 15 mourning, whitewinged, and white-tipped doves in the
aggregate, of which no more than 2 may
be white-tipped doves.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Texas may
select hunting seasons for each of three
zones subject to the following
conditions:
A. The hunting season may be split
into not more than two periods, except
in that portion of Texas in which the
special white-winged dove season is
allowed, where a limited take of
mourning and white-tipped doves may
also occur during that special season
(see Special White-winged Dove Area).
B. A season may be selected for the
North and Central Zones between
September 1 and January 25; and for the
South Zone between the Friday nearest
September 20 (September 22), but not
earlier than September 17, and January
25.
C. Except as noted above, regulations
for bag and possession limits, season
length, and shooting hours must be
uniform within each hunting zone.
Special White-Winged Dove Area in
Texas
In addition, Texas may select a
hunting season of not more than 4 days
for the Special White-winged Dove Area
of the South Zone between September 1
and September 19. The daily bag limit
may not exceed 15 white-winged,
mourning, and white-tipped doves in
the aggregate, of which no more than 2
may be mourning doves and no more
than 2 may be white-tipped doves.
Western Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits
Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and
Washington: Not more than 60 days,
which may be split between two
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periods. The daily bag limit is 15
mourning and white-winged doves in
the aggregate.
Arizona and California: Not more
than 60 days, which may be split
between two periods, September 1–15
and November 1–January 15. In
Arizona, during the first segment of the
season, the daily bag limit is 15
mourning and white-winged doves in
the aggregate, of which no more than 10
could be white-winged doves. During
the remainder of the season, the daily
bag limit is 15 mourning doves. In
California, the daily bag limit is 15
mourning and white-winged doves in
the aggregate, of which no more than 10
could be white-winged doves.
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Alaska
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and January 26.
Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select
107 consecutive days for waterfowl,
sandhill cranes, and common snipe in
each of 5 zones. The season may be split
without penalty in the Kodiak Zone.
The seasons in each zone must be
concurrent.
Closures: The hunting season is
closed on spectacled eiders and Steller’s
eiders.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits
Ducks: Except as noted, a basic daily
bag limit of 7 ducks. Daily bag limits in
the North Zone are 10, and in the Gulf
Coast Zone, they are 8. The basic limits
may include no more than 2
canvasbacks daily and may not include
sea ducks.
In addition to the basic duck limits,
Alaska may select sea duck limits of 10
daily, singly or in the aggregate,
including no more than 6 each of either
harlequin or long-tailed ducks. Sea
ducks include scoters, common and
king eiders, harlequin ducks, long-tailed
ducks, and common and red-breasted
mergansers.
Light Geese: The daily bag limit is 6.
Canada Geese: The daily bag limit is
4 with the following exceptions:
A. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of
Canada geese is permitted from
September 28 through December 16.
B. On Middleton Island in Unit 6, a
special, permit-only Canada goose
season may be offered. A mandatory
goose identification class is required.
Hunters must check in and check out.
The bag limit is 1 daily and 1 in
possession. The season will close if
incidental harvest includes 5 dusky
Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is
any dark-breasted Canada goose
(Munsell 10 YR color value five or less)
with a bill length between 40 and 50
millimeters.
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C. In Units 9, 10, 17, and 18, the daily
bag limit is 6 Canada geese.
White-fronted Geese: The daily bag
limit is 4 with the following exceptions:
A. In Units 9, 10, and 17, the daily bag
limit is 6 white-fronted geese.
B. In Unit 18, the daily bag limit is 10
white-fronted geese.
Emperor Geese: Open seasons for
emperor geese may be selected subject
to the following conditions:
A. All seasons are by permit only.
B. No more than 1 emperor goose may
be authorized per permit.
C. Total harvest may not exceed 1,000
emperor geese.
D. In State Game Management Unit
18, the Kodiak Island Road Area is
closed to hunting. The Kodiak Island
Road Area consists of all lands and
water (including exposed tidelands) east
of a line extending from Crag Point in
the north to the west end of Saltery
Cove in the south and all lands and
water south of a line extending from
Termination Point along the north side
of Cascade Lake extending to Anton
Larsen Bay. Marine waters adjacent to
the closed area are closed to harvest
within 500 feet from the water’s edge.
The offshore islands are open to harvest,
for example: Woody, Long, Gull and
Puffin islands.
Brant: The daily bag limit is 3.
Snipe: The daily bag limit is 8.
Sandhill Cranes: The daily bag limit
is 2 in the Southeast, Gulf Coast,
Kodiak, and Aleutian Zones, and Unit
17 in the North Zone. In the remainder
of the North Zone (outside Unit 17), the
daily bag limit is 3.
Tundra Swans: Open seasons for
tundra swans may be selected subject to
the following conditions:
A. All seasons are by permit only.
B. All season framework dates are
September 1–October 31.
C. In Unit 17, no more than 200
permits may be issued during this
operational season. No more than 3
tundra swans may be authorized per
permit, with no more than 1 permit
issued per hunter per season.
D. In Unit 18, no more than 500
permits may be issued during the
operational season. No more than 3
tundra swans may be authorized per
permit. No more than 1 permit may be
issued per hunter per season.
E. In Unit 22, no more than 300
permits may be issued during the
operational season. No more than 3
tundra swans may be authorized per
permit. No more than 1 permit may be
issued per hunter per season.
F. In Unit 23, no more than 300
permits may be issued during the
operational season. No more than 3
tundra swans may be authorized per
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10237
permit. No more than 1 permit may be
issued per hunter per season.
Hawaii
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and
January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 65
days (75 under the alternative) for
mourning doves.
Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 (12
under the alternative) mourning doves.
Note: Mourning doves may be taken in
Hawaii in accordance with shooting hours
and other regulations set by the State of
Hawaii, and subject to the applicable
provisions of 50 CFR part 20.
Puerto Rico
Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60
days.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not
to exceed 20 Zenaida, mourning, and
white-winged doves in the aggregate, of
which not more than 10 may be Zenaida
doves and 3 may be mourning doves.
Not to exceed 5 scaly-naped pigeons.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed
on the white-crowned pigeon and the
plain pigeon, which are protected by the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Closed Areas: There is no open season
on doves or pigeons in the following
areas: Municipality of Culebra,
Desecheo Island, Mona Island, El Verde
Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality
and adjacent areas.
Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and
Snipe
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and
January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55
days may be selected for hunting ducks,
common moorhens, and common snipe.
The season may be split into two
segments.
Daily Bag Limits
Ducks: Not to exceed 6.
Common moorhens: Not to exceed 6.
Common snipe: Not to exceed 8.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed
on the ruddy duck, white-cheeked
pintail, West Indian whistling duck,
fulvous whistling duck, and masked
duck, which are protected by the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The
season also is closed on the purple
gallinule, American coot, and Caribbean
coot.
Closed Areas: There is no open season
on ducks, common moorhens, and
common snipe in the Municipality of
Culebra and on Desecheo Island.
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falconry. The falconry bag limit is not in
addition to gun limits.
Virgin Islands
Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1
and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60
days for Zenaida doves.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not
to exceed 10 Zenaida doves.
Closed Seasons: No open season is
prescribed for ground or quail doves or
pigeons.
Closed Areas: There is no open season
for migratory game birds on Ruth Cay
(just south of St. Croix).
Local Names for Certain Birds:
Zenaida dove, also known as mountain
dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as
Barbary dove or partridge; common
ground-dove, also known as stone dove,
tobacco dove, rola, or tortolita; scalynaped pigeon, also known as red-necked
or scaled pigeon.
Ducks
Outside Dates: Between December 1
and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55
consecutive days.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 6.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed
on the ruddy duck, white-cheeked
pintail, West Indian whistling duck,
fulvous whistling duck, and masked
duck.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS2
Special Falconry Regulations
Falconry is a permitted means of
taking migratory game birds in any State
meeting Federal falconry standards in
50 CFR 21.29. These States may select
an extended season for taking migratory
game birds in accordance with the
following:
Extended Seasons: For all hunting
methods combined, the combined
length of the extended season, regular
season, and any special or experimental
seasons must not exceed 107 days for
any species or group of species in a
geographical area. Each extended season
may be divided into a maximum of 3
segments.
Framework Dates: Seasons must fall
between September 1 and March 10.
Daily Bag Limits: Falconry daily bag
limits for all permitted migratory game
birds must not exceed 3 birds, singly or
in the aggregate, during extended
falconry seasons, any special or
experimental seasons, and regular
hunting seasons in all States, including
those that do not select an extended
falconry season.
Regular Seasons: General hunting
regulations, including seasons and
hunting hours, apply to falconry in each
State listed in 50 CFR 21.29. Regular
season bag limits do not apply to
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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.
Maryland
Special Teal Season Area: Calvert,
Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford,
Kent, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s,
Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and
Worcester Counties; that part of Anne
Arundel County east of Interstate 895,
Interstate 97, and Route 3; that part of
Prince George’s County east of Route 3
and Route 301; and that part of Charles
County east of Route 301 to the Virginia
State Line.
Massachusetts
Western Zone: That portion of the
State west of a line extending south
from the Vermont State line on I–91 to
MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, south
on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202
to the Connecticut State line.
Central Zone: That portion of the
State east of the Berkshire Zone and
west of a line extending south from the
New Hampshire State line on I–95 to
U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I–93, south on
I–93 to MA 3, south on MA 3 to U.S.
6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA
28 to I–195, west to the Rhode Island
State line; except the waters, and the
lands 150 yards inland from the highwater mark, of the Assonet River
upstream to the MA 24 bridge, and the
Taunton River upstream to the Center
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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.
25–A 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 that allows
the taking of migratory waterfowl or a
person holding a Vermont resident
hunting license that 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 New Hampshire west of
Rte. 63 at the Massachusetts border,
north on Rte. 63 to Rte. 12, north on Rte.
12 to Rte. 12–A, north on Rte. 12–A 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
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sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS2
Parkway to NJ 109; south on NJ 109 to
Cape May County Route 633 (Lafayette
Street); south on Lafayette Street to
Jackson Street; south on Jackson Street
to the shoreline at Cape May; west along
the shoreline of Cape May beach to
COLREGS Demarcation Line 80.503 at
Cape May Point; south along COLREGS
Demarcation Line 80.503 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.
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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
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
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
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10239
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
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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.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS2
Louisiana
East Zone: That area of the State
between the Mississippi State line and
a line going south on Hwy 79 from the
Arkansas border to Homer, then south
on Hwy 9 to Arcadia, then south on
Hwy 147 to Hodge, then south on Hwy
167 to Turkey Creek, then south on Hwy
13 to Eunice, then west on Hwy 190 to
Kinder, then south on Hwy 165 to Iowa,
then west on I–10 to its junction with
Hwy 14 at Lake Charles, then south and
east on Hwy 14 to its junction with Hwy
90 in New Iberia, then east on Hwy 90
to the Mississippi State line.
West Zone: That area between the
Texas State line and a line going east on
I–10 from the Texas border to Hwy 165
at Iowa, then north on Hwy 165 to
Kinder, then east on Hwy 190 to Eunice,
then north on Hwy 13 to Turkey Creek,
then north on Hwy 167 to Hodge, then
north on Hwy 147 to Arcadia, then
north on Hwy 9 to Homer, then north
on Hwy 79 to the Arkansas border.
Coastal Zone: 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
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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
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 a line beginning at
the intersection of Interstate 75 at the
Ohio-Michigan State line and
continuing south to Interstate 280, then
south on I–280 to the Ohio Turnpike (I–
80/I–90), then east on the Ohio
Turnpike to the Erie-Lorain county line,
then north to Lake Erie, then following
the Lake Erie shoreline at a distance of
200 yards offshore, then following the
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shoreline west toward and around the
northern tip of Cedar Point Amusement
Park, then continuing from the
westernmost point of Cedar Point
toward the southernmost tip of the sand
bar at the mouth of Sandusky Bay and
out into Lake Erie at a distance of 200
yards offshore continuing parallel to the
Lake Erie shoreline north and west
toward the northernmost tip of Cedar
Point National Wildlife Refuge, then
following a direct line toward the
southernmost tip of Wood Tick
Peninsula in Michigan to a point that
intersects the Ohio-Michigan State line,
then following the State line back to the
point of the beginning.
North Zone: That portion of the State,
excluding the Lake Erie Marsh Zone,
north of a line extending east from the
Indiana State line along U.S. Highway
(U.S.) 33 to State Route (SR) 127, then
south along SR 127 to SR 703, then
south along SR 703 and including all
lands within the Mercer Wildlife Area
to SR 219, then east along SR 219 to SR
364, then north along SR 364 and
including all lands within the St. Mary’s
Fish Hatchery to SR 703, then east along
SR 703 to SR 66, then north along SR
66 to U.S. 33, then east along U.S. 33 to
SR 385, then east along SR 385 to SR
117, then south along SR 117 to SR 273,
then east along SR 273 to SR 31, then
south along SR 31 to SR 739, then east
along SR 739 to SR 4, then north along
SR 4 to SR 95, then east along SR 95 to
SR 13, then southeast along SR 13 to SR
3, then northeast along SR 3 to SR 60,
then north along SR 60 to U.S. 30, then
east along U.S. 30 to SR 3, then south
along SR 3 to SR 226, then south along
SR 226 to SR 514, then southwest along
SR 514 to SR 754, then south along SR
754 to SR 39/60, then east along SR 39/
60 to SR 241, then north along SR 241
to U.S. 30, then east along U.S. 30 to SR
39, then east along SR 39 to the
Pennsylvania State line.
South Zone: The remainder of Ohio
not included in the Lake Erie Marsh
Zone or the North Zone.
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
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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)
Special Teal Season Area: Lake and
Chaffee Counties and that portion of the
State east of Interstate Highway 25.
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.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS2
Kansas
High Plains Zone: That portion of the
State west of U.S. 283.
Low Plains Early Zone: That part of
Kansas bounded by a line from the
federal highway U.S.–283 and State
highway U.S.–96 junction, then east on
federal highway U.S.–96 to its junction
with federal highway U.S.–183, then
north on federal highway U.S.–183 to its
junction with federal highway U.S.–24,
then east on federal highway U.S.–24 to
its junction with federal highway U.S–
.281, then north on federal highway
U.S.–281 to its junction with federal
highway U.S.–36, then east on federal
highway U.S.–36 to its junction with
State highway K–199, then south on
State highway K–199 to its junction
with Republic County 30th Road, then
south on Republic County 30th Road to
its junction with State highway K–148,
then east on State highway K–148 to its
junction with Republic County 50th
Road, then south on Republic County
50th Road to its junction with Cloud
County 40th Road, then south on Cloud
County 40th Road to its junction with
State highway K–9, then west on State
highway K–9 to its junction with federal
highway U.S.–24, then west on federal
highway U.S.–24 to its junction with
federal highway U.S.–181, then south
on federal highway U.S.–181 to its
junction with State highway K–18, then
west on State highway K–18 to its
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junction with federal highway U.S.–281,
then south on federal highway U.S.–281
to its junction with State highway K–4,
then east on State highway K–4 to its
junction with interstate highway I–135,
then south on interstate highway I–135
to its junction with State highway K–61,
then southwest on State highway K–61
to its junction with McPherson County
14th Avenue, then south on McPherson
County 14th Avenue to its junction with
McPherson County Arapaho Rd, then
west on McPherson County Arapaho Rd
to its junction with State highway K–61,
then southwest on State highway K–61
to its junction with State highway K–96,
then northwest on State highway K–96
to its junction with federal highway
U.S.–56, then southwest on federal
highway U.S.–56 to its junction with
State highway K–19, then east on State
highway K–19 to its junction with
federal highway U.S.–281, then south
on federal highway U.S.–281 to its
junction with federal highway U.S.–54,
then west on federal highway U.S.–54 to
its junction with federal highway U.S.–
183, then north on federal highway
U.S.–183 to its junction with federal
highway U.S.–56, then southwest on
federal highway U.S.–56 to its junction
with North Main Street in Spearville,
then south on North Main Street to
Davis Street, then east on Davis Street
to Ford County Road 126 (South
Stafford Street), then south on Ford
County Road 126 to Garnett Road, then
east on Garnett Road to Ford County
Road 126, then south on Ford County
Road 126 to Ford Spearville Road, then
west on Ford Spearville Road to its
junction with federal highway U.S.–400,
then northwest on federal highway
U.S.–400 to its junction with federal
highway U.S.–283, and then north on
federal highway U.S.–283 to its junction
with federal highway U.S.–96.
Low Plains Late Zone: That part of
Kansas bounded by a line from the
federal highway U.S.–283 and federal
highway U.S.–96 junction, then north
on federal highway U.S.–283 to the
Kansas-Nebraska State line, then east
along the Kansas-Nebraska State line to
its junction with the Kansas-Missouri
State line, then southeast along the
Kansas-Missouri State line to its
junction with State highway K–68, then
west on State highway K–68 to its
junction with interstate highway I–35,
then southwest on interstate highway I–
35 to its junction with Butler County NE
150th Street, then west on Butler
County NE 150th Street to its junction
with federal highway U.S.–77, then
south on federal highway U.S.–77 to its
junction with the Kansas-Oklahoma
State line, then west along the Kansas-
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Oklahoma State line to its junction with
federal highway U.S.–283, then north on
federal highway U.S.–283 to its junction
with federal highway U.S.–400, then
east on federal highway U.S.–400 to its
junction with Ford Spearville Road,
then east on Ford Spearville Road to
Ford County Road 126 (South Stafford
Street), then north on Ford County Road
126 to Garnett Road, then west on
Garnett Road to Ford County Road 126,
then north on Ford County Road 126 to
Davis Street, then west on Davis Street
to North Main Street, then north on
North Main Street to its junction with
federal highway U.S.–56, then east on
federal highway U.S.–56 to its junction
with federal highway U.S.–183, then
south on federal highway U.S.–183 to its
junction with federal highway U.S.–54,
then east on federal highway U.S.–54 to
its junction with federal highway U.S.–
281, then north on federal highway
U.S.–281 to its junction with State
highway K–19, then west on State
highway K–19 to its junction with
federal highway U.S.–56, then east on
federal highway U.S.–56 to its junction
with State highway K–96, then
southeast on State highway K–96 to its
junction with State highway K–61, then
northeast on State highway K–61 to its
junction with McPherson County
Arapaho Road, then east on McPherson
County Arapaho Road to its junction
with McPherson County 14th Avenue,
then north on McPherson County 14th
Avenue to its junction with State
highway K–61, then east on State
highway K–61 to its junction with
interstate highway I–135, then north on
interstate highway I–135 to its junction
with State highway K–4, then west on
State highway K–4 to its junction with
federal highway U.S.–281, then north on
federal highway U.S.–281 to its junction
with State highway K–18, then east on
State highway K–18 to its junction with
federal highway U.S.–181, then north on
federal highway U.S.–181 to its junction
with federal highway U.S.–24, then east
on federal highway U.S.–24 to its
junction with State highway K–9, then
east on State highway K–9 to its
junction with Cloud County 40th Road,
then north on Cloud County 40th Road
to its junction with Republic County
50th Road, then north on Republic
County 50th Road to its junction with
State highway K–148, then west on
State highway K–148 to its junction
with Republic County 30th Road, then
north on Republic County 30th Road to
its junction with State highway K–199,
then north on State highway K–199 to
its junction with federal highway U.S.–
36, then west on federal highway U.S.–
36 to its junction with federal highway
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U.S.–281, then south on federal
highway U.S.–281 to its junction with
federal highway U.S.–24, then west on
federal highway U.S.–24 to its junction
with federal highway U.S.–183, then
south on federal highway U.S.–183 to its
junction with federal highway U.S.–96,
and then west on federal highway U.S.–
96 to its junction with federal highway
U.S.–283.
Southeast Zone: That part of Kansas
bounded by a line from the MissouriKansas State line west on K–68 to its
junction with I–35, then southwest on I–
35 to its junction with Butler County,
NE 150th Street, then west on NE 150th
Street to its junction with federal
highway U.S.–77, then south on federal
highway U.S.–77 to the OklahomaKansas State line, then east along the
Kansas-Oklahoma State line to its
junction with the Kansas-Missouri State
line, then north along the KansasMissouri State line to its junction with
State highway K–68.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS2
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
Zone 1: 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 2: The Counties of Big Horn,
Carbon, Custer, Prairie, Rosebud,
Treasure, and Yellowstone.
Nebraska
Special Teal Season Area (south):
That portion of the State south of a line
beginning at the Wyoming State line;
east along U.S. 26 to Nebraska Highway
L62A east to U.S. 385; south to U.S. 26;
east to NE 92; east along NE 92 to NE
61; south along NE 61 to U.S. 30; east
along U.S. 30 to the Iowa border.
Special Teal Season Area (north): The
remainder of the State.
High Plains: That portion of Nebraska
lying west of a line beginning at the
South Dakota-Nebraska border on U.S.
Hwy. 183; south on U.S. Hwy. 183 to
U.S. Hwy. 20; west on U.S. Hwy. 20 to
NE Hwy. 7; south on NE Hwy. 7 to NE
Hwy. 91; southwest on NE Hwy. 91 to
NE Hwy. 2; southeast on NE Hwy. 2 to
NE Hwy. 92; west on NE Hwy. 92 to NE
Hwy. 40; south on NE Hwy. 40 to NE
Hwy. 47; south on NE Hwy. 47 to NE
Hwy. 23; east on NE Hwy. 23 to U.S.
Hwy. 283; and south on U.S. Hwy. 283
to the Kansas-Nebraska border.
Zone 1: Area bounded by designated
Federal and State highways and
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,
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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 County Rd 167; south to U.S.
Hwy 26; east to County Rd 171; north
to County Rd 68; east to County Rd 183;
south to County Rd 64; east to County
Rd 189; north to County Rd 70; east to
County Rd 201; south to County Rd
60A; east to County Rd 203; south to
County Rd 52; east to Keith County
Line; east along the northern boundaries
of Keith and Lincoln Counties to NE
Hwy 97; south to U.S. Hwy 83; south to
E Hall School Rd; east to N Airport
Road; south to U.S. Hwy 30; east to NE
Hwy 47; north to Dawson County Rd
769; east to County Rd 423; south to
County Rd 766; east to County Rd 428;
south to County Rd 763; east to NE Hwy
21 (Adams Street); south to County Rd
761; east to the Dawson County Canal;
south and east along the Dawson County
Canal to County Rd 444; south to U.S.
Hwy 30; east to U.S. Hwy 183; north to
Buffalo County Rd 100; east to 46th
Avenue; north to NE Hwy 40; south and
east to NE Hwy 10; north to Buffalo
County Rd 220 and Hall County Husker
Hwy; east to Hall County Rd 70; north
to NE Hwy 2; east to U.S. Hwy 281;
north to Chapman Rd; east to 7th Rd;
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 Drive 443; north to Sargent
Rd; west to NE Hwy S21A; west to NE
Hwy 2; west and north to NE Hwy 91;
north and east to North Loup Spur Rd;
north to North Loup River Rd; east to
Pleasant Valley/Worth Rd; east to Loup
County Line; north to Loup-Brown
county line; east along northern
boundaries of Loup and Garfield
Counties to Cedar River Rd; south to NE
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Hwy 70; east to U.S. Hwy 281; north to
NE Hwy 70; east to NE Hwy 14; south
to NE Hwy 39; southeast to NE Hwy 22;
east to U.S. Hwy 81; southeast to U.S.
Hwy 30; east to U.S. Hwy 75; north to
the Washington County line; east to the
Iowa-Nebraska border; south to the
Missouri-Nebraska border; south to
Kansas-Nebraska border; west along
Kansas-Nebraska border to ColoradoNebraska border; north and west to
Wyoming-Nebraska border; north to
intersection of Interstate Canal; and
excluding that area in Zone 4.
Zone 4: Area encompassed by
designated Federal and State highways
and County Roads beginning at the
intersection of NE Hwy 8 and U.S. Hwy
75; north to U.S. Hwy 136; east to the
intersection of U.S. Hwy 136 and the
Steamboat Trace (Trace); north along the
Trace to the intersection with Federal
Levee R–562; north along Federal Levee
R–562 to the intersection with Nemaha
County Rd 643A; south to 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 50; north
to U.S. Hwy 34; west 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 H; 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 Lochland Rd; west to Holstein
Avenue; 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
Jefferson County Rd 578 Avenue; south
to PWF Rd; east to NE Hwy 103; south
to NE Hwy 8; east to U.S. Hwy 75.
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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.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS2
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
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 BluntCanning Rd to SD 34, east and south on
SD 34 to SD 50 at Lee’s Corner, south
on SD 50 to I–90, east on I–90 to SD 50,
south on SD 50 to SD 44, west on SD
44 across the Platte-Winner bridge to SD
47, south on SD 47 to U.S. 18, east on
U.S. 18 to SD 47, south on SD 47 to the
Nebraska State line.
North Zone: That portion of
northeastern South Dakota east of the
High Plains Unit and north of a line
extending east along U.S. 212 to the
Minnesota State line.
South Zone: That portion of Gregory
County east of SD 47 and south of SD
44; Charles Mix County south of SD 44
to the Douglas County line; south on SD
50 to Geddes; east on the Geddes
Highway to U.S. 281; south on U.S. 281
and U.S. 18 to SD 50; south and east on
SD 50 to the Bon Homme County line;
the Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton,
and Clay south of SD 50; and Union
County south and west of SD 50 and I–
29.
Middle Zone: The remainder of South
Dakota.
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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
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
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10243
the junction with Arlington Road (A22);
west to the junction of Highway 89;
south and west to the junction of
Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to
Highway 395; south and east on
Highway 395 to the point of intersection
with the California-Nevada State line;
north along the California-Nevada State
line to the junction of the CaliforniaNevada-Oregon State lines; west along
the California-Oregon State line to the
point of origin.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions
of San Bernardino, Riverside, and
Imperial Counties east of a line
extending from the Nevada State line
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction;
south on a road known as ‘‘Aqueduct
Road’’ in San Bernardino County
through the town of Rice to the San
Bernardino-Riverside County line; south
on a road known in Riverside County as
the ‘‘Desert Center to Rice Road’’ to the
town of Desert Center; east 31 miles on
I–10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along
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, Colorado River, Southern,
and the Southern San Joaquin Valley
Zones.
Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)
Eastern Zone: Routt, Grand, Summit,
Eagle, and Pitkin Counties, those
portions of Saguache, San Juan,
Hinsdale, and Mineral in the Pacific
Flyway (i.e., west of the Continental
Divide), and Gunnison County except
the following area: The portion of
Gunnison County west of Curecanti
Creek, west of the Gunnison River-North
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 26 / Thursday, February 9, 2017 / Proposed Rules
Fork of Gunnison River divide to Kebler
Pass, west of Kebler Pass and the Ruby
Range summit, and west and south of
the Pitkin/Gunnison County line west of
the Ruby Range. This area corresponds
to the North Fork of Gunnison River
Valley, and is already established by
Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife
as the Gunnison County portions of
GMU 521, 53, and 63.
Western Zone: The remainder of the
Pacific Flyway portion of Colorado not
included in the Eastern 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: Bear Lake, Bonneville, Butte,
Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, and
Teton Counties; Bingham County within
the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; and
Caribou County except within the Fort
Hall Indian Reservation.
Zone 3: Ada, Adams, Benewah,
Blaine, Boise, Bonner, Boundary,
Camas, Canyon, Cassia, Clearwater,
Custer, Elmore, Franklin, Gem, Gooding,
Idaho, Jerome, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi,
Lewis, Lincoln, Minidoka, Nez Perce,
Oneida, Owyhee, Payette, Shoshone,
Twin Falls, and Washington Counties;
and Power County west of State
Highway 37 and State Highway 39.
Zone 4: Valley County.
Nevada
Northeast Zone: Elko and White Pine
Counties.
Northwest Zone: Carson City,
Churchill, Douglas, Esmeralda, Eureka,
Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Nye,
Pershing, Storey, and Washoe Counties.
South Zone: Clark and Lincoln
Counties.
Moapa Valley Special Management
Area: That portion of Clark County
including the Moapa Valley to the
confluence of the Muddy and Virgin
Rivers.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS2
Oregon
Zone 1: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop,
Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas,
Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine,
Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow,
Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook,
Umatilla, Wasco, Washington, and
Yamhill, Counties.
Zone 2: The remainder of Oregon not
included in Zone 1.
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Jkt 241001
Utah
Zone 1: 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 not
included in Zone 1.
Washington
East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific
Crest Trail and east of the Big White
Salmon River in Klickitat County.
West Zone: The remainder of
Washington not included in the East
Zone.
Wyoming (Pacific Flyway Portion)
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: The remainder
of the Pacific Flyway portion of
Wyoming not included in the Snake
River Zone.
Maine
Same zones as for ducks.
Maryland
Early Canada Goose Seasons
Eastern Unit: Calvert, Caroline, Cecil,
Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen
Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot,
Wicomico, and Worcester Counties; and
that part of Anne Arundel County east
of Interstate 895, Interstate 97, and
Route 3; that part of Prince George’s
County east of Route 3 and Route 301;
and that part of Charles County east of
Route 301 to the Virginia State line.
Western Unit: Allegany, Baltimore,
Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard,
Montgomery, and Washington Counties
and that part of Anne Arundel County
west of Interstate 895, Interstate 97, and
Route 3; that part of Prince George’s
County west of Route 3 and Route 301;
and that part of Charles County west of
Route 301 to the Virginia State line.
Regular Seasons
Geese
Resident Population (RP) Zone:
Allegany, Frederick, Garrett,
Montgomery, and Washington 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.
Atlantic Flyway
Massachusetts
Connecticut
Early Canada Goose Seasons:
South Zone: Same as for ducks.
North Zone: Same as for ducks.
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.
Regular Seasons
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 HartfordMiddlesex County line.
Atlantic Flyway Resident Population
(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.
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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
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sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS2
Route 206 in Bedminster (Exit 18); then
north along Route 206 to its intersection
with Route 94: then west along Route 94
to the toll bridge 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-
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Vermont boundary, exclusive of the
Lake Champlain Zone.
East Central Goose Area: That area of
New York State lying inside of a
continuous line extending from
Interstate Route 81 in Cicero, east along
Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route
13 to Route 49, east along Route 49 to
Route 365, east along Route 365 to
Route 28, east along Route 28 to Route
29, east along Route 29 to Route 147 at
Kimball Corners, south along Route 147
to Schenectady County Route 40 (West
Glenville Road), west along Route 40 to
Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna
Road to Schenectady County Route 59,
south along Route 59 to State Route 5,
east along Route 5 to the Lock 9 bridge,
southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to
Route 5S, southeast along Route 5S to
Schenectady County Route 58,
southwest along Route 58 to the NYS
Thruway, south along the Thruway to
Route 7, southwest along Route 7 to
Schenectady County Route 103, south
along Route 103 to Route 406, east along
Route 406 to Schenectady County Route
99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route
99 to Dunnsville Road, south along
Dunnsville Road to Route 397,
southwest along Route 397 to Route 146
at Altamont, west along Route 146 to
Albany County Route 252, northwest
along Route 252 to Schenectady County
Route 131, north along Route 131 to
Route 7, west along Route 7 to Route 10
at Richmondville, south on Route 10 to
Route 23 at Stamford, west along Route
23 to Route 7 in Oneonta, southwest
along Route 7 to Route 79 to Interstate
Route 88 near Harpursville, west along
Route 88 to Interstate Route 81, north
along Route 81 to the point of
beginning.
West Central Goose Area: That area of
New York State lying within a
continuous line beginning at the point
where the northerly extension of Route
269 (County Line Road on the NiagaraOrleans County boundary) meets the
International boundary with Canada,
south to the shore of Lake Ontario at the
eastern boundary of Golden Hill State
Park, south along the extension of Route
269 and Route 269 to Route 104 at
Jeddo, west along Route 104 to Niagara
County Route 271, south along Route
271 to Route 31E at Middleport, south
along Route 31E to Route 31, west along
Route 31 to Griswold Street, south along
Griswold Street to Ditch Road, south
along Ditch Road to Foot Road, south
along Foot Road to the north bank of
Tonawanda Creek, west along the north
bank of Tonawanda Creek to Route 93,
south along Route 93 to Route 5, east
along Route 5 to Crittenden-Murrays
Corners Road, south on CrittendenMurrays Corners Road to the NYS
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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
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Schenectady County Route 103, south
along Route 103 to Route 406, east along
Route 406 to Schenectady County Route
99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route
99 to Dunnsville Road, south along
Dunnsville Road to Route 397,
southwest along Route 397 to Route 146
at Altamont, southeast along Route 146
to Main Street in Altamont, west along
Main Street to Route 156, southeast
along Route 156 to Albany County
Route 307, southeast along Route 307 to
Route 85A, southwest along Route 85A
to Route 85, south along Route 85 to
Route 443, southeast along Route 443 to
Albany County Route 301 at Clarksville,
southeast along Route 301 to Route 32,
south along Route 32 to Route 23 at
Cairo, west along Route 23 to Joseph
Chadderdon Road, southeast along
Joseph Chadderdon Road to Hearts
Content Road (Greene County Route 31),
southeast along Route 31 to Route 32,
south along Route 32 to Greene County
Route 23A, east along Route 23A to
Interstate Route 87 (the NYS Thruway),
south along Route 87 to Route 28 (Exit
19) near Kingston, northwest on Route
28 to Route 209, southwest on Route
209 to the New York-Pennsylvania
boundary, southeast along the New
York-Pennsylvania boundary to the New
York-New Jersey boundary, southeast
along the New York-New Jersey
boundary to Route 210 near Greenwood
Lake, northeast along Route 210 to
Orange County Route 5, northeast along
Orange County Route 5 to Route 105 in
the Village of Monroe, east and north
along Route 105 to Route 32, northeast
along Route 32 to Orange County Route
107 (Quaker Avenue), east along Route
107 to Route 9W, north along Route 9W
to the south bank of Moodna Creek,
southeast along the south bank of
Moodna Creek to the New WindsorCornwall town boundary, northeast
along the New Windsor-Cornwall town
boundary to the Orange-Dutchess
County boundary (middle of the Hudson
River), north along the county boundary
to Interstate Route 84, east along Route
84 to the Dutchess-Putnam County
boundary, east along the county
boundary to the New York-Connecticut
boundary, north along the New YorkConnecticut boundary to the New YorkMassachusetts boundary, north along
the New York-Massachusetts boundary
to the New York-Vermont boundary,
north to the point of beginning.
Eastern Long Island Goose Area (NAP
High Harvest Area): That area of Suffolk
County lying east of a 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
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Roanoke Avenue (which becomes
County Route 73) to State Route 25; then
west on Route 25 to Peconic Avenue;
then south on Peconic Avenue to
County Route (CR) 104 (Riverleigh
Avenue); then south on CR 104 to CR 31
(Old Riverhead Road); then south on CR
31 to Oak Street; then south on Oak
Street to Potunk Lane; then west on
Stevens Lane; then south on Jessup
Avenue (in Westhampton Beach) to
Dune Road (CR 89); then due south to
international waters.
Western Long Island Goose Area (RP
Area): That area of Westchester County
and its tidal waters southeast of
Interstate Route 95 and that area of
Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying west
of a continuous line extending due
south from the New York-Connecticut
boundary to the northernmost end of
Sound Road (just east of Wading River
Marsh); then south on Sound Road to
North Country Road; then west on North
Country Road to Randall Road; then
south on Randall Road to Route 25A,
then west on Route 25A to 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.
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,
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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,
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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 VirginiaVirginia Border (Loudoun CountyClarke County line) south to Interstate
64 (the Blue Ridge line follows county
borders along the western edge of
Loudoun-Fauquier-RappahannockMadison-Greene-Albemarle and into
Nelson Counties), then east along
Interstate Rt. 64 to Route 15, then south
along Rt. 15 to the North Carolina line.
RP Zone: The remainder of the State
west of the SJBP Zone.
Mississippi Flyway
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
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Early Canada Goose Seasons
North September Canada Goose Zone:
That portion of the State north of a line
extending west from the Indiana border
along Interstate 80 to I–39, south along
I–39 to Illinois Route 18, west along
Illinois Route 18 to Illinois Route 29,
south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois
Route 17, west along Illinois Route 17
to the Mississippi River, and due south
across the Mississippi River to the Iowa
border.
Central September Canada Goose
Zone: That portion of the State south of
the North September Canada Goose
Zone line to a line extending west from
the Indiana border along I–70 to Illinois
Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to
Illinois Route 161, west along Illinois
Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south
and west along Illinois Route 158 to
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Illinois Route 159, south along Illinois
Route 159 to Illinois Route 3, south
along Illinois Route 3 to St. Leo’s Road,
south along St. Leo’s road to Modoc
Road, west along Modoc Road to Modoc
Ferry Road, southwest along Modoc
Ferry Road to Levee Road, southeast
along Levee Road to County Route 12
(Modoc Ferry entrance Road), south
along County Route 12 to the Modoc
Ferry route and southwest on the Modoc
Ferry route across the Mississippi River
to the Missouri border.
South September Canada Goose Zone:
That portion of the State south and east
of a line extending west from the
Indiana border along Interstate 70, south
along U.S. Highway 45, to Illinois Route
13, west along Illinois Route 13 to
Greenbriar Road, north on Greenbriar
Road to Sycamore Road, west on
Sycamore Road to N. Reed Station Road,
south on N. Reed Station Road to
Illinois Route 13, west along Illinois
Route 13 to Illinois Route 127, south
along Illinois Route 127 to State Forest
Road (1025 N), west along State Forest
Road to Illinois Route 3, north along
Illinois Route 3 to the south bank of the
Big Muddy River, west along the south
bank of the Big Muddy River to the
Mississippi River, west across the
Mississippi River to the Missouri
border.
South Central September Canada
Goose Zone: The remainder of the State
between the south border of the Central
September Canada Goose Zone and the
North border of the South September
Canada Goose Zone.
Regular Seasons
North Zone: That portion of the State
north of a line extending west from the
Indiana border along Interstate 80 to I–
39, south along I–39 to Illinois Route 18,
west along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois
Route 29, south along Illinois Route 29
to Illinois Route 17, west along Illinois
Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and
due south across the Mississippi River
to the Iowa border.
Central Zone: That portion of the
State south of the North Goose Zone line
to a line extending west from the
Indiana border along I–70 to Illinois
Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to
Illinois Route 161, west along Illinois
Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south
and west along Illinois Route 158 to
Illinois Route 159, south along Illinois
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
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10247
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 zone as for ducks.
South Central Zone: Same zone as for
ducks.
Indiana
Same zones as for ducks but in
addition:
Late Canada Goose Season Zone: That
part of the State encompassed by the
following Counties: Adams, Allen,
Boone, Clay, De Kalb, Elkhart, Greene,
Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks,
Huntington, Johnson, Kosciusko,
Lagrange, La Porte, Madison, Marion,
Marshall, Morgan, Noble, Parke, Shelby,
Starke, Steuben, St. Joseph, Sullivan,
Vermillion, Vigo, Wells, and Whitley.
Iowa
Early Canada Goose Seasons
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Goose Zone:
Includes portions of Linn and Johnson
Counties bounded as follows: Beginning
at the intersection of the west border of
Linn County and Linn County Road
E2W; then south and east along County
Road E2W to Highway 920; then north
along Highway 920 to County Road E16;
then east along County Road E16 to
County Road W58; then south along
County Road W58 to County Road E34;
then east along County Road E34 to
Highway 13; then south along Highway
13 to Highway 30; then east along
Highway 30 to Highway 1; then south
along Highway 1 to Morse Road in
Johnson County; then east along Morse
Road to Wapsi Avenue; then south
along Wapsi Avenue to Lower West
Branch Road; then west along Lower
West Branch Road to Taft Avenue; then
south along Taft Avenue to County Road
F62; then west along County Road F62
to Kansas Avenue; then north along
Kansas Avenue to Black Diamond Road;
then west on Black Diamond Road to
Jasper Avenue; then north along Jasper
Avenue to Rohert Road; then west along
Rohert Road to Ivy Avenue; then north
along Ivy Avenue to 340th Street; then
west along 340th Street to Half Moon
Avenue; then north along Half Moon
Avenue to Highway 6; then west along
Highway 6 to Echo Avenue; then north
along Echo Avenue to 250th Street; then
east on 250th Street to Green Castle
Avenue; then north along Green Castle
Avenue to County Road F12; then west
along County Road F12 to County Road
W30; then north along County Road
W30 to Highway 151; then north along
the Linn-Benton County line to the
point of beginning.
Des Moines Goose Zone: Includes
those portions of Polk, Warren, Madison
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and Dallas Counties bounded as follows:
Beginning at the intersection of
Northwest 158th Avenue and County
Road R38 in Polk County; then south
along R38 to Northwest 142nd Avenue;
then east along Northwest 142nd
Avenue to Northeast 126th Avenue;
then east along Northeast 126th Avenue
to Northeast 46th Street; then south
along Northeast 46th Street to Highway
931; then east along Highway 931 to
Northeast 80th Street; then south along
Northeast 80th Street to Southeast 6th
Avenue; then west along Southeast 6th
Avenue to Highway 65; then south and
west along Highway 65 to Highway 69
in Warren County; then south along
Highway 69 to County Road G24; then
west along County Road G24 to
Highway 28; then southwest along
Highway 28 to 43rd Avenue; then north
along 43rd Avenue to Ford Street; then
west along Ford Street to Filmore Street;
then west along Filmore Street to 10th
Avenue; then south along 10th Avenue
to 155th Street in Madison County; then
west along 155th Street to Cumming
Road; then north along Cumming Road
to Badger Creek Avenue; then north
along Badger Creek Avenue to County
Road F90 in Dallas County; then east
along County Road F90 to County Road
R22; then north along County Road R22
to Highway 44; then east along Highway
44 to County Road R30; then north
along County Road R30 to County Road
F31; then east along County Road F31
to Highway 17; then north along
Highway 17 to Highway 415 in Polk
County; then east along Highway 415 to
Northwest 158th Avenue; then east
along Northwest 158th Avenue to the
point of beginning.
Cedar Falls/Waterloo Goose Zone:
Includes those portions of Black Hawk
County bounded as follows: Beginning
at the intersection of County Roads C66
and V49 in Black Hawk County, then
south along County Road V49 to County
Road D38, then west along County Road
D38 to State Highway 21, then south
along State Highway 21 to County Road
D35, then west along County Road D35
to Grundy Road, then north along
Grundy Road to County Road D19, then
west along County Road D19 to Butler
Road, then north along Butler Road to
County Road C57, then north and east
along County Road C57 to U.S. Highway
63, then south along U.S. Highway 63 to
County Road C66, then east along
County Road C66 to the point of
beginning.
Regular Seasons
Same zones as for ducks.
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Kentucky
Northeast Goose Zone: Bath, Menifee,
Morgan (except the portion that lies
within the Paintsville Lake WMA) and
Rowan Counties except that no goose
hunting is permitted on public land
(U.S. Forest Service) and water within
the block of land lying inside the
boundaries of Hwy 801, Hwy 1274, Hwy
36, Hwy 211, Hwy 60 and Hwy 826.
Remainder of State: The remainder of
Kentucky outside the Northeast Goose
Zone.
Louisiana
North Zone: That portion of the State
north of the line from the Texas border
at Hwy 190/12 east to Hwy 49, then
south on Hwy 49 to I–10, then east on
I–10 to I–12, then east on I–12 to 1–10,
then east on I–10 to the Mississippi
State line.
South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Michigan
North Zone: Same as North duck
zone.
Middle Zone: Same as Middle duck
zone.
South Zone: Same as South duck
zone.
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.
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.
Minnesota
Same zones as for ducks.
Missouri
Same zones as for ducks.
Ohio
Same zones as for ducks.
Tennessee
Northwest Goose Zone: Lake, Obion,
and Weakley Counties, and Dyer
County, excluding that portion south of
State Highway 104; and Gibson County,
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excluding that portion south of State
Highway 104 and west of U.S. Highways
45 and 45W.
Remainder of State: That portion of
Tennessee outside of the Northwest
Goose Zone.
Wisconsin
Early Canada Goose Seasons
Early-Season Subzone A: That portion
of the State encompassed by a line
beginning at the intersection of U.S.
Highway 141 and the Michigan border
near Niagara, then south along U.S. 141
to State Highway 22, west and
southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45,
south along U.S. 45 to State 22, west
and south along State 22 to State 110,
south along State 110 to U.S. 10, south
along U.S. 10 to State 49, south along
State 49 to State 23, west along State 23
to State 73, south along State 73 to State
60, west along State 60 to State 23,
south along State 23 to State 11, east
along State 11 to State 78, then south
along State 78 to the Illinois border.
Early-Season Subzone B: The
remainder of the State.
Regular Seasons
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.
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.
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Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose
Area: That portion of the State east of
Interstate Highway 25.
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
Zone 1: Same as Zone 1 for ducks and
coots.
Zone 2: Same as Zone 2 for ducks and
coots.
Nebraska
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS2
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 CusterLogan 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.
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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; then north on ND
Hwy 6 to I–94; then west on I–94 to ND
Hwy 49; then north on ND Hwy 49 to
ND Hwy 200; then north on Mercer
County Rd. 21 to the section line
between sections 8 and 9 (T146N–
R87W); then north on that section line
to the southern shoreline to Lake
Sakakawea; then east along the southern
shoreline (including Mallard Island) of
Lake Sakakawea to U.S. Hwy 83; then
south on U.S. Hwy 83 to ND Hwy 200;
then east on ND Hwy 200 to ND Hwy
41; then south on ND Hwy 41 to U.S.
Hwy 83; then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to
I–94; then east on I–94 to U.S. Hwy 83;
then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to the South
Dakota border; then west along the
South Dakota border to ND Hwy 6.
Rest of State: Remainder of North
Dakota.
South Dakota
Early Canada Goose Seasons
Special Early Canada Goose Unit: The
Counties of Campbell, Marshall,
Roberts, Day, Clark, Codington, Grant,
Hamlin, Deuel, Walworth; that portion
of Perkins County west of State
Highway 75 and south of State Highway
20; that portion of Dewey County north
of Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 8,
Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 9, and the
section of U.S. Highway 212 east of the
Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 8
junction; that portion of Potter County
east of U.S. Highway 83; that portion of
Sully County east of U.S. Highway 83;
portions of Hyde, Buffalo, Brule, and
Charles Mix counties north and east of
a line beginning at the Hughes-Hyde
County line on State Highway 34, east
to Lees Boulevard, southeast to State
Highway 34, east 7 miles to 350th
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10249
Avenue, south to Interstate 90 on 350th
Avenue, south and east on State
Highway 50 to Geddes, east on 285th
Street to U.S. Highway 281, and north
on U.S. Highway 281 to the Charles
Mix-Douglas County boundary; that
portion of Bon Homme County north of
State Highway 50; those portions of
Yankton and Clay Counties north of a
line beginning at the junction of State
Highway 50 and 306th Street/County
Highway 585 in Bon Homme County,
east to U.S. Highway 81, then north on
U.S. Highway 81 to 303rd Street, then
east on 303rd Street to 444th Avenue,
then south on 444th Avenue to 305th
Street, then east on 305th Street/Bluff
Road to State Highway 19, then south to
State Highway 50 and east to the Clay/
Union County Line; McPherson,
Edmunds, Kingsbury, Brookings, Lake,
Moody, Miner, Faulk, Hand, Jerauld,
Douglas, Hutchinson, Turner, 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 and Minnehaha County
Highway 122 (254th Street).
Regular Seasons
Unit 1: Same as that for the September
Canada Goose Season.
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.
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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
Same zones as for ducks.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS2
California
Northeastern Zone: In that portion of
California lying east and north of a line
beginning at the intersection of
Interstate 5 with the California-Oregon
line; south along Interstate 5 to its
junction with Walters Lane south of the
town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane
to its junction with Easy Street; south
along Easy Street to the junction with
Old Highway 99; south along Old
Highway 99 to the point of intersection
with Interstate 5 north of the town of
Weed; south along Interstate 5 to its
junction with Highway 89; east and
south along Highway 89 to main street
Greenville; north and east to its junction
with North Valley Road; south to its
junction of Diamond Mountain Road;
north and east to its junction with North
Arm Road; south and west to the
junction of North Valley Road; south to
the junction with Arlington Road (A22);
west to the junction of Highway 89;
south and west to the junction of
Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to
Highway 395; south and east on
Highway 395 to the point of intersection
with the California-Nevada State line;
north along the California-Nevada State
line to the junction of the CaliforniaNevada-Oregon State lines west along
the California-Oregon State line to the
point of origin.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions
of San Bernardino, Riverside, and
Imperial Counties east of a line
extending from the Nevada border south
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along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south
on a road known as ‘‘Aqueduct Road’’
in San Bernardino County through the
town of Rice to the San BernardinoRiverside County line; south on a road
known in Riverside County as the
‘‘Desert Center to Rice Road’’ to the
town of Desert Center; east 31 miles on
I–10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along
the Army-Milpitas Road to the Blythe,
Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south
on the Blythe-Brawley paved road to the
Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on
this road to U.S. 80; east 7 miles on U.S.
80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road;
south on this paved road to the Mexican
border at Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of
southern California (but excluding the
Colorado River Zone) south and east of
a line extending from the Pacific Ocean
east along the Santa Maria River to CA
166 near the City of Santa Maria; east on
CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the
crest of the Tehachapi Mountains at
Tejon Pass; east and north along the
crest of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA
178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south
on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on CA 58 to
I–15; east on I–15 to CA 127; north on
CA 127 to the Nevada border.
Imperial County Special Management
Area: The area bounded by a line
beginning at Highway 86 and the Navy
Test Base Road; south on Highway 86 to
the town of Westmoreland; continue
through the town of Westmoreland to
Route S26; east on Route S26 to
Highway 115; north on Highway 115 to
Weist Road; north on Weist Road to
Flowing Wells Road; northeast on
Flowing Wells Road to the Coachella
Canal; northwest on the Coachella Canal
to Drop 18; a straight line from Drop 18
to Frink Road; south on Frink Road to
Highway 111; north on Highway 111 to
Niland Marina Road; southwest on
Niland Marina Road 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, Colorado River, and
Southern Zones.
North Coast Special Management
Area: Del Norte and Humboldt
Counties.
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
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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)
Same zones as for ducks.
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.
White-Fronted Geese
Same zones as for ducks.
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.
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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.
Nevada
Same zones as for ducks.
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.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS2
Oregon
Northwest Permit Zone: Benton,
Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, 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: Baker, Crook,
Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Hood River,
Jefferson, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla,
Union, Wallowa, Wasco, and Wheeler
Counties.
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Jkt 241001
Klamath County Zone: Klamath
County.
Harney and Lake County Zone:
Harney and Lake Counties.
Malheur County Zone: Malheur
County.
Utah
East Box Elder County Zone:
Boundary begins at the intersection of
the eastern boundary of Public Shooting
Grounds Waterfowl Management Area
and SR–83 (Promontory Road); east
along SR–83 to I–15; south on I–15 to
the Perry access road; southwest along
this road to the Bear River Bird Refuge
boundary; west, north, and then east
along the refuge boundary until it
intersects the Public Shooting Grounds
Waterfowl Management Area boundary;
east and north along the Public Shooting
Grounds Waterfowl Management Area
boundary to SR–83.
Wasatch Front Zone: Boundary begins
at the Weber-Box Elder County line at
I–15; east along Weber County line to
US–89; south on US–89 to I–84; east
and south on I–84 to I–80; south on I–
80 to US–189; south and west on US–
189 to the Utah County line; southeast
and then west along this line to the
Tooele County line; north along the
Tooele County line to I–80; east on I–
80 to Exit 99; north from Exit 99 along
a direct line 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; north from this point
along a direct 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.
Southern Zone: boundary includes
Beaver, Carbon, Emery, Garfield, Grand,
Iron, Juab, Kane, Millard, Piute, San
Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Wayne, and
Washington Counties, and that part of
Tooele County south of I–80.
Northern Zone: The remainder of
Utah not included in the Eastern Box
Elder County, Wasatch Front, and
Southern Zones.
Washington
Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish
Counties.
Area 2A (Southwest Permit Zone):
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum
Counties.
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10251
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: The remainder
of the State not included in the
Northern Zone.
Washington
Puget Sound Zone: Clallam, Skagit,
and Whatcom Counties.
Coastal Zone: Pacific County.
Swans
Central Flyway
South Dakota: Aurora, Beadle,
Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo,
Campbell, Clark, Codington, Davison,
Day, Deuel, 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
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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.
Doves
Alabama
South Zone: Baldwin, Barbour,
Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia,
Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile
Counties.
North Zone: Remainder of the State.
Florida
Northwest Zone: The Counties of Bay,
Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden,
Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty,
Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton,
Washington, Leon (except that portion
north of U.S. 27 and east of State Road
155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of
State Road 59 and north of U.S. 98), and
Wakulla (except that portion south of
U.S. 98 and east of the St. Marks River).
South Zone: Remainder of State.
Louisiana
North Zone: That portion of the State
north of a line extending east from the
Texas border along State Highway 12 to
U.S. Highway 190, east along U.S. 190
to Interstate Highway 12, east along
Interstate Highway 12 to Interstate
Highway 10, then east along Interstate
Highway 10 to the Mississippi border.
South Zone: The remainder of the
State.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS2
Mississippi
North Zone: That portion of the State
north and west of a line extending west
from the Alabama State line along U.S.
Highway 84 to its junction with State
Highway 35, then south along State
Highway 35 to the Louisiana State line.
South Zone: The remainder of
Mississippi.
Texas
North Zone: That portion of the State
north of a line beginning at the
International Bridge south of Fort
Hancock; north along FM 1088 to TX 20;
west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along
TX 148 to I–10 at Fort Hancock; east
along I–10 to I–20; northeast along I–20
to I–30 at Fort Worth; northeast along I–
30 to the Texas-Arkansas State line.
Central Zone: That portion of the
State lying between the North and South
Zones.
South Zone: That portion of the State
south and west of a line beginning at the
International Bridge south of Del Rio,
proceeding east on U.S. 90 to State Loop
1604 west of San Antonio; then south,
east, and north along Loop 1604 to I–10
east of San Antonio; then east on I–10
to Orange, Texas.
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Jkt 241001
Special White-winged Dove Area in
the South Zone: Same as the South
Zone.
Band-Tailed Pigeons
California
North Zone: Alpine, Butte, Del Norte,
Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, Mendocino,
Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra,
Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity Counties.
South Zone: The remainder of the
State not included in the North Zone.
New Mexico
North Zone: North of a line following
U.S. 60 from the Arizona State line east
to I–25 at Socorro and then south along
I–25 from Socorro to the Texas State
line.
South Zone: The remainder of the
State not included in the North Zone.
Washington
Western Washington: The State of
Washington excluding those portions
lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and
east of the Big White Salmon River in
Klickitat County.
Woodcock
New Jersey
North Zone: That portion of the State
north of NJ 70.
South Zone: The remainder of the
State.
Sandhill Cranes
Mississippi Flyway
Minnesota
Northwest Zone: That portion of the
State encompassed by a line extending
east from the North Dakota border along
U.S. Highway 2 to State Trunk Highway
(STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH
92, east along STH 92 to County State
Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County,
north along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in
Pennington County, north along CSAH
27 to STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH
28 in Pennington County, north along
CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall
County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH
9 in Roseau County, north along CSAH
9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH
310, and north along STH 310 to the
Manitoba border.
Tennessee
Southeast Crane Zone: That portion of
the State south of Interstate 40 and east
of State Highway 56.
Remainder of State: That portion of
Tennessee outside of the Southeast
Crane Zone.
Central Flyway
Colorado: The Central Flyway portion
of the State except the San Luis Valley
PO 00000
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(Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale,
Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache
Counties east of the Continental Divide)
and North Park (Jackson County).
Kansas: That portion of the State west
of a line beginning at the Oklahoma
border, north on I–35 to Wichita, north
on I–135 to Salina, and north on U.S. 81
to the Nebraska border.
Montana
Regular Season Open Area: The
Central Flyway portion of the State
except for that area south and west of
Interstate 90, which is closed to sandhill
crane hunting.
Special Season Open Area: Carbon
County.
New Mexico
Regular-Season Open Area: Chaves,
Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay, and
Roosevelt Counties.
Special Season Open Areas
Middle Rio Grande Valley Area: The
Central Flyway portion of New Mexico
in Socorro and Valencia Counties.
Estancia Valley Area: Those portions
of Santa Fe, Torrance, and Bernallilo
Counties within an area bounded on the
west by New Mexico Highway 55
beginning at Mountainair north to NM
337, north to NM 14, north to I–25; on
the north by I–25 east to U.S. 285; on
the east by U.S. 285 south to U.S. 60;
and on the south by U.S. 60 from U.S.
285 west to NM 55 in Mountainair.
Southwest Zone: Area bounded on the
south by the New Mexico-Mexico
border; on the west by the New MexicoArizona border north to Interstate 10; on
the north by Interstate 10 east to U.S.
180, north to N.M. 26, east to N.M. 27,
north to N.M. 152, and east to Interstate
25; on the east by Interstate 25 south to
Interstate 10, west to the Luna County
line, and south to the New MexicoMexico border.
North Dakota
Area 1: That portion of the State west
of U.S. 281.
Area 2: That portion of the State east
of U.S. 281.
Oklahoma: That portion of the State
west of I–35.
South Dakota: That portion of the
State west of U.S. 281.
Texas
Zone A: That portion of Texas lying
west of a line beginning at the
international toll bridge at Laredo, then
northeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its
junction with Interstate Highway 35 in
Laredo, then north along Interstate
Highway 35 to its junction with
Interstate Highway 10 in San Antonio,
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then northwest along Interstate Highway
10 to its junction with U.S. Highway 83
at Junction, then north along U.S.
Highway 83 to its junction with U.S.
Highway 62, 16 miles north of
Childress, then east along U.S. Highway
62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State line.
Zone B: That portion of Texas lying
within boundaries beginning at the
junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the
Texas–Oklahoma State line, then
southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its
junction with U.S. Highway 287 in
Montague County, then southeast along
U.S. Highway 287 to its junction with
Interstate Highway 35W in Fort Worth,
then southwest along Interstate
Highway 35 to its junction with
Interstate Highway 10 in San Antonio,
then northwest along Interstate Highway
10 to its junction with U.S. Highway 83
in the town of Junction, then north
along U.S. Highway 83 to its junction
with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of
Childress, then east along U.S. Highway
62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State line,
then south along the Texas-Oklahoma
State line to the south bank of the Red
River, then eastward along the
vegetation line on the south bank of the
Red River to U.S. Highway 81.
Zone C: The remainder of the State,
except for the closed areas.
Closed areas: (A) That portion of the
State lying east and north of a line
beginning at the junction of U.S.
Highway 81 and the Texas-Oklahoma
State line, then southeast along U.S.
Highway 81 to its junction with U.S.
Highway 287 in Montague County, then
southeast along U.S. Highway 287 to its
junction with I–35W in Fort Worth, then
southwest along I–35 to its junction
with U.S. Highway 290 East in Austin,
then east along U.S. Highway 290 to its
junction with Interstate Loop 610 in
Harris County, then south and east
along Interstate Loop 610 to its junction
with Interstate Highway 45 in Houston,
then south on Interstate Highway 45 to
State Highway 342, then to the shore of
the Gulf of Mexico, and then north and
east along the shore of the Gulf of
Mexico to the Texas-Louisiana State
line.
(B) That portion of the State lying
within the boundaries of a line
beginning at the Kleberg-Nueces County
line and the shore of the Gulf of Mexico,
then west along the County line to Park
Road 22 in Nueces County, then north
and west along Park Road 22 to its
junction with State Highway 358 in
Corpus Christi, then west and north
along State Highway 358 to its junction
with State Highway 286, then north
along State Highway 286 to its junction
with Interstate Highway 37, then east
along Interstate Highway 37 to its
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:14 Feb 08, 2017
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junction with U.S. Highway 181, then
north and west along U.S. Highway 181
to its junction with U.S. Highway 77 in
Sinton, then north and east along U.S.
Highway 77 to its junction with U.S.
Highway 87 in Victoria, then south and
east along U.S. Highway 87 to its
junction with State Highway 35 at Port
Lavaca, then north and east along State
Highway 35 to the south end of the
Lavaca Bay Causeway, then south and
east along the shore of Lavaca Bay to its
junction with the Port Lavaca Ship
Channel, then south and east along the
Lavaca Bay Ship Channel to the Gulf of
Mexico, and then south and west along
the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the
Kleberg-Nueces County line.
Wyoming
Regular Season Open Area: Campbell,
Converse, Crook, Goshen, Laramie,
Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties.
Special Season Open Areas
Riverton-Boysen Unit: Portions of
Fremont County.
Park and Big Horn County Unit: All
of Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park, and
Washakie Counties.
Johnson, Natrona, and Sheridan
County Unit: All of Johnson, Natrona,
and Sheridan Counties.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
Zone 1: Beginning at the junction of
the New Mexico State line and U.S.
Hwy 80; south along the State line to the
U.S.-Mexico border; west along the
border to the San Pedro River; north
along the San Pedro River to the
junction with Arizona Hwy 77;
northerly along Arizona Hwy 77 to the
Gila River; northeast along the Gila
River to the San Carlos Indian
Reservation boundary; south then east
and north along the reservation
boundary to U.S. Hwy 70; southeast on
U.S. Hwy 70 to U.S. Hwy 191; south on
U.S. Hwy 191 to the 352 exit on I–10;
east on I–10 to Bowie-Apache Pass
Road; southerly on the Bowie-Apache
Pass Road to Arizona Hwy 186;
southeasterly on Arizona Hwy 186 to
Arizona Hwy 181; south on Arizona
Hwy 181 to the West Turkey CreekKuykendall cutoff road; southerly on the
Kuykendall cutoff road to Rucker
Canyon Road; easterly on Rucker
Canyon Road to the Tex Canyon Road;
southerly on Tex Canyon Road to U.S.
Hwy 80; northeast on U.S. Hwy 80 to
the New Mexico State line.
Zone 2: Beginning at I–10 and the
New Mexico State line; north along the
State line to Arizona Hwy 78; southwest
on Arizona Hwy 78 to U.S. Hwy 191;
northwest on U.S. Hwy 191 to Clifton;
PO 00000
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10253
westerly on the Lower Eagle Creek Road
(Pump Station Road) to Eagle Creek;
northerly along Eagle Creek to the San
Carlos Indian Reservation boundary;
southerly and west along the reservation
boundary to U.S. Hwy 70; southeast on
U.S. Hwy 70 to U.S. Hwy 191; south on
U.S. Hwy 191 to I–10; easterly on I–10
to the New Mexico State line.
Idaho
Area 1: All of Bear Lake County and
all of Caribou County except that
portion lying within the Grays Lake
Basin.
Area 2: All of Teton County except
that portion lying west of State Highway
33 and south of Packsaddle Road (West
400 North) and north of the North
Cedron Road (West 600 South) and east
of the west bank of the Teton River.
Area 3: All of Fremont County except
the Chester Wetlands Wildlife
Management Area.
Area 4: All of Jefferson County.
Area 5: All of Bannock County east of
Interstate-15 and south of U.S. Highway
30; and all of Franklin County.
Montana
Zone 1 (Warm Springs Portion of Deer
Lodge County): Those portions of Deer
Lodge County lying within the
following described boundary:
Beginning at the intersection of I–90 and
Highway 273, then westerly along
Highway 273 to the junction of Highway
1, then southeast along said highway to
Highway 275 at Opportunity, then east
along said highway to East Side County
road, then north along said road to
Perkins Lake, then west on said lane to
I–90, then north on said interstate to the
junction of Highway 273, the point of
beginning. Except for sections 13 and
24, T5N, R10W; and Warm Springs
Pond number 3.
Zone 2 (Ovando-Helmville Area): That
portion of the Pacific Flyway, located in
Powell County lying within the
following described boundary:
Beginning at the junction of State
Routes 141 and 200, then west along
Route 200 to its intersection with the
Blackfoot River at Russell Gates Fishing
Access Site (Powell-Missoula County
line), then southeast along said river to
its intersection with the OvandoHelmville Road (County Road 104) at
Cedar Meadows Fishing Access Site,
then south and east along said road to
its junction with State Route 141, then
north along said route to its junction
with State Route 200, the point of
beginning.
Zone 3 (Dillon/Twin Bridges/Cardwell
Areas): Beaverhead, Gallatin, Jefferson,
and Madison Counties.
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Zone 4 (Broadwater County):
Broadwater County.
Area 5 (Uintah County Area): Uinta
County.
Utah
All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska
Cache County: Cache County.
East Box Elder County: That portion
of Box Elder County beginning on the
Utah-Idaho State line at the Box ElderCache County line; west on the State
line to the Pocatello Valley County
Road; south on the Pocatello Valley
County Road to I–15; southeast on I–15
to SR–83; south on SR–83 to Lamp
Junction; west and south on the
Promontory Point County Road to the
tip of Promontory Point; south from
Promontory Point to the Box ElderWeber County line; east on the Box
Elder-Weber County line to the Box
Elder-Cache County line; north on the
Box Elde-Cache County line to the UtahIdaho State line.
Rich County: Rich County.
Uintah County: Uintah County.
North Zone: State Game Management
Units 11–13 and 17–26.
Gulf Coast Zone: State Game
Management Units 5–7, 9, 14–16, and
10 (Unimak Island only).
Southeast Zone: State Game
Management Units 1–4.
Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone:
State Game Management Unit 10 (except
Unimak Island).
Kodiak Zone: State Game
Management Unit 8.
Wyoming
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS2
Area 1 (Bear River): All of the Bear
River and Ham’s Fork River drainages in
Lincoln County.
Area 2 (Salt River Area): All of the
Salt River drainage in Lincoln County
south of the McCoy Creek Road.
Area 3 (Eden Valley Area): All lands
within the Bureau of Reclamation’s
Eden Project in Sweetwater County.
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All Migratory Game Birds in the Virgin
Islands
Ruth Cay Closure Area: The island of
Ruth Cay, just south of St. Croix.
All Migratory Game Birds in Puerto
Rico
Municipality of Culebra Closure Area:
All of the municipality of Culebra.
Desecheo Island Closure Area: All of
Desecheo Island.
Mona Island Closure Area: All of
Mona Island.
El Verde Closure Area: Those areas of
the municipalities of Rio Grande and
Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All
lands between Routes 956 on the west
and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the
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Fmt 4701
Sfmt 9990
north to the juncture of Routes 956 and
186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands
between Routes 186 and 966 from the
juncture of 186 and 966 on the north, to
the Caribbean National Forest Boundary
on the south; (3) all lands lying west of
Route 186 for 1 kilometer from the
juncture of Routes 186 and 956 south to
Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within
Km 14 and Km 6 on the west and the
Caribbean National Forest Boundary on
the east; and (5) all lands within the
Caribbean National Forest Boundary
whether private or public.
Cidra Municipality and adjacent
areas: All of Cidra Municipality and
portions of Aguas Buenas, Caguas,
Cayey, and Comerio Municipalities as
encompassed within the following
boundary: Beginning on Highway 172 as
it leaves the municipality of Cidra on
the west edge, north to Highway 156,
east on Highway 156 to Highway 1,
south on Highway 1 to Highway 765,
south on Highway 765 to Highway 763,
south on Highway 763 to the Rio
Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to
Highway 1, southwest on Highway 1 to
Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to
Highway 729, north on Highway 729 to
Cidra Municipality boundary to the
point of the beginning.
[FR Doc. 2017–02684 Filed 2–8–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 26 (Thursday, February 9, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10222-10254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02684]
[[Page 10221]]
Vol. 82
Thursday,
No. 26
February 9, 2017
Part II
Department of the Interior
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fish and Wildlife Service
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50 CFR Part 20
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting
Regulations; Proposed Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 82 , No. 26 / Thursday, February 9, 2017 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 10222]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2016-0051; FF09M21200-167-FXMB1231099BPP0]
RIN 1018-BB40
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Migratory Bird
Hunting Regulations
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we)
is proposing to establish the 2017-18 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 hunting 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
frameworks by March 13, 2017.
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-2016-0051.
U.S. mail or hand delivery: Public Comments Processing,
Attn: FWS-HQ-MB-2016-0051; 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: As part of DOI's retrospective regulatory
review, we developed a schedule for migratory game bird hunting
regulations that is more efficient and will provide dates much earlier
than was possible under the old process. This will facilitate planning
for the States and all parties interested in migratory bird hunting.
With the 2016-17 hunting season, we began using a new schedule for
establishing our annual migratory game bird hunting regulations. We
combined the then current early- and late-season regulatory actions
into a single process, based on predictions derived from long-term
biological information and harvest strategies, to establish migratory
bird hunting seasons much earlier than the system we have used for many
years. Under the new process, we will develop proposed hunting season
frameworks for a given year in the fall of the prior year. We will
finalize those frameworks a few months later, thereby enabling the
State agencies to select and publish their season dates in early
summer.
Regulations Schedule for 2017
On June 10, 2016, we published a proposal to amend title 50 of the
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at part 20 (81 FR 38050). 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 2017-18 regulatory cycle relating to open public
meetings and Federal Register notifications were also identified in the
June 10, 2016, 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.
The June 10 proposed rule also provided detailed information on the
proposed 2017-18 regulatory schedule and announced the Service
Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council meetings.
On August 12, 2016, we published in the Federal Register (81 FR
53391) a second document providing supplemental proposals for migratory
bird hunting regulations. The August 12 supplement also provided
detailed information on the 2017-18 regulatory schedule and re-
announced the SRC and Flyway Council meetings.
On October 25-26, 2016, we held open meetings with the Flyway
Council Consultants, at which the participants reviewed information on
the current status of migratory game birds and developed
recommendations for the 2017-18 regulations for these species.
This document deals specifically with proposed frameworks for the
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 November
1, 2016, on the June 10 and August 12, 2016, proposed rulemaking
documents in developing this document. In addition, new proposals for
certain regulations are provided for public comment. The comment period
is specified above under DATES. We will publish final regulatory
frameworks for migratory game bird hunting in the Federal Register on
or around February 28, 2017.
Population Status and Harvest
Each year we publish various species status reports that provide
detailed information on the status and harvest of migratory game birds,
including information on the methodologies and results. These reports
are available at the address indicated under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT or from
[[Page 10223]]
our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/birds/surveys-and-data/reports-and-publications/population-status.php.
We used the following reports: Adaptive Harvest Management, 2017
Hunting Season (August, 2016); American Woodcock Population Status,
2016 (August, 2016); Band-tailed Pigeon Population Status, 2016
(September, 2016); Migratory Bird Hunting Activity and Harvest During
the 2014-15 and 2015-16 Hunting Seasons (October, 2016); Mourning Dove
Population Status, 2016 (August, 2016); Status and Harvests of Sandhill
Cranes, Mid-continent, Rocky Mountain, Lower Colorado River Valley and
Eastern Populations, 2016 (September, 2016); and Waterfowl Population
Status, 2016 (August, 2016).
Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations
The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the June 10,
2016, Federal Register, opened the public comment period for migratory
game bird hunting regulations and discussed the regulatory alternatives
for the 2017-18 duck hunting season. Comments and recommendations are
summarized below and numbered in the order used in the June 10, 2016,
proposed rule.
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 have included only the numbered items pertaining
to issues for which we received recommendations. Consequently, the
issues do not follow in successive numerical order.
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 June 10, 2016, proposed rule.
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
A. General Harvest Strategy
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended the adoption of the ``liberal''
regulatory alternative.
The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that regulation changes
be restricted to one step per year, both when restricting as well as
liberalizing hunting regulations.
Service Response: We propose to continue using adaptive harvest
management (AHM) to help determine appropriate duck-hunting regulations
for the 2017-18 season. AHM permits sound resource decisions in the
face of uncertain regulatory impacts and provides a mechanism for
reducing that uncertainty over time. We use AHM to evaluate four
alternative regulatory levels for duck hunting based on the population
status of mallards. (We enact other hunting regulations for species of
special concern, such as canvasbacks, scaup, and pintails).
The prescribed regulatory alternative for the Atlantic,
Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways is based on the status of
mallard populations that contribute primarily to each Flyway. In the
Atlantic Flyway, we set hunting regulations based on the population
status of mallards breeding in eastern North America (Federal survey
strata 51-54 and 56, and State surveys in New England and the mid-
Atlantic region). In the Central and Mississippi Flyways, we set
hunting regulations based on the status and dynamics of mid-continent
mallards. Mid-continent mallards are those breeding in central North
America (Federal survey strata 13-18, 20-50, and 75-77, and State
surveys in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan). In the Pacific Flyway,
we set hunting regulations based on the status and dynamics of western
mallards. Western mallards are those breeding in Alaska and the
northern Yukon Territory (as based on Federal surveys in strata 1-12),
and in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California (as based
on Canadian Wildlife Service and State-conducted surveys).
For the 2017-18 season, we recommend continuing to use independent
optimization to determine the optimal regulatory choice for each
mallard stock. This means that we would develop regulations for eastern
mallards, mid-continent mallards, and western mallards independently,
based upon the breeding stock that contributes primarily to each
Flyway. We detailed implementation of this AHM decision framework for
western and mid-continent mallards in the July 24, 2008, Federal
Register (73 FR 43290) and for eastern mallards in the July 20, 2012,
Federal Register (77 FR 42920). We further documented how adjustments
were made to these decision frameworks in order to be compatible with
the new regulatory schedule (https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/pdf/management/AHM/SEIS&AHMReportFinal.pdf).
As we stated in the August 12, 2016, proposed rule, for the 2017-18
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).
The optimal AHM strategies for mid-continent, eastern, and western
mallards for the 2017-18 hunting season were calculated using: (1)
Harvest-management objectives specific to each mallard stock; (2) the
2017-18 regulatory alternatives (see further discussion below under B.
Regulatory Alternatives); and (3) current population models and
associated weights. Based on ``liberal'' regulatory alternatives
selected for the 2016 hunting season, the 2016 survey results of 11.89
million mid-continent mallards (traditional survey area minus Alaska
and the Old
[[Page 10224]]
Crow Flats area of the Yukon Territory, plus Minnesota, Wisconsin, and
Michigan) and 3.49 million ponds in Prairie Canada, 0.72 million
eastern mallards, and 1.07 million western mallards (0.48 million in
California-Oregon and 0.58 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 for the 2017-18 season and propose
to adopt the ``liberal'' regulatory alternative, as described in the
August 12, 2016, Federal Register.
Regarding the Mississippi Flyway Council recommendation to limit
regulatory changes to one step per year, as we stated in the August 12,
2016, Federal Register, we recognize the longstanding interest by the
Council to impose a one-step constraint on regulatory changes. We note
that the Central and Mississippi Flyways have worked with Service staff
over the past 2 years to re-visit the AHM protocol for managing harvest
of mid-continent mallards (i.e., ``double-looping''). This effort has
included a discussion of appropriate management objectives, regulatory
packages, and management of non-mallard stocks. We continue to believe
that these discussions are the appropriate venue to discuss what role,
if any, a one-step constraint might play in management of waterfowl in
the Central and Mississippi Flyways. Such discussions should include
the potential impact of a one-step constraint on the frequency of when
the liberal, moderate, and restrictive packages would be recommended.
On a final note, while we recognize the Council's concern about
potentially communicating a large regulatory change to hunters, we have
concerns about the appropriateness of a one-step constraint in
situations when the status of the waterfowl resource may warrant a
different measure. We look forward to continued work with the Flyway
Councils on this issue.
B. Regulatory Alternatives
Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended
changing the framework closing date to January 31 during ``moderate''
and ``liberal'' seasons.
Service Response: As we stated in the August 12, 2016, Federal
Register, we do not support the Council's recommendation to extend the
duck season framework closing date to January 31 at this time. We note
that the current framework opening and closing dates were developed
through a cooperative effort between all four Flyway Councils and that
framework dates are only one of several components that comprise the
regulatory packages utilized in AHM. Regulatory packages also consider
season length, daily bag limits, and shooting hours. We believe the
current regulatory packages should remain unchanged until revisions to
the AHM protocols have been completed. Those efforts will include
examination of duck harvest management objectives, model updates, and
revisions to regulatory packages, including framework dates. We prefer
that the issue of framework dates and any other component of the
regulatory packages be addressed through this cooperative process and
would prefer a comprehensive approach to revising regulatory packages
rather than making incremental changes.
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
i. September Teal Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council requested
granting operational status for the pre-sunrise portion of Maryland's
September teal season. They further requested that we allow an
additional year of the experimental teal-only season in Florida, as
Florida needs another year to increase sample size to properly assess
the effects of the experimental season on non-target species.
The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that States with ongoing
experimental teal seasons in the Mississippi Flyway be allowed an
additional year (2017-18 seasons) to evaluate impacts to non-target
species.
The Central Flyway Council recommended that we allow an
experimental September teal season in the northern portion of Nebraska
to continue for the 2017-18 hunting season.
Service Response: For the 2017-18 season, we will utilize the 2016
breeding population estimate of 6.6 million blue-winged teal from the
traditional survey area and the criteria developed for the teal season
harvest strategy. Thus, a 16-day September teal season in the Atlantic,
Central, and Mississippi Flyways is appropriate for the 2017 season.
We agree with the Atlantic Flyway's request to grant operation
status to Maryland's pre-sunrise portion of their season. Available
information collected during the 2013-16 seasons indicates that both
non-target harvest and attempt rates were well below the maximum
allowed rates.
We also agree with the Councils' requests to extend the current
experimental seasons for another season in order to collect additional
data. Sample size requirement criteria is specified in the memorandums
of agreement (MOAs) between the various States and the Service, and the
MOAs allow for an extension of the experimental seasons to meet these
data needs, with concurrence by both the Service and the State.
iii. Black Ducks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended that the Service continue to follow the
International Black Duck AHM Strategy for the 2017-18 season.
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/pdf/management/AHM/BlackDuckInternationalHarvestStrategy.pdf.
For the 2017-18 season, the optimal country-specific regulatory
strategies were calculated using: (1) The black duck harvest objective
(98 percent of long-term cumulative harvest); (2) 2017-18 country-
specific regulatory alternatives; (3) current parameter estimates for
mallard competition and additive mortality; and (4) 2016 survey results
of 0.61 million breeding black ducks and 0.41 million breeding mallards
in the core survey area. The optimal regulatory choices for the 2017-18
season are the ``liberal'' package in
[[Page 10225]]
Canada and the ``moderate'' 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: As we discussed in the March 28, 2016, final rule
(81 FR 17302), the canvasback harvest strategy that we had relied on up
until 2015 was not viable under our new regulatory process because it
required biological information that was not yet available at the time
a decision on season structure needed to be made. We do not yet have a
new harvest strategy to propose for use in guiding canvasback harvest
management in the future. However, we have worked with technical staff
of the four Flyway Councils to develop a decision framework that relies
on the best biological information available to make a harvest
management proposal for the 2017-18 season. This framework utilized
available information (1994-2014) on canvasback population size, growth
rate, survival, and harvest to derive an optimal harvest policy with an
objective of maximum sustained yield. The resulting policy suggests a
2-bird daily bag limit whenever the most recent canvasback population
estimate is above 480,000 birds. Given that the 2016 canvasback
breeding population estimate was 736,500 birds, we support the Flyways'
recommendations for a 2-canvasback daily bag limit for the 2017-18
season.
v. Pintails
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended a full season for pintails,
consisting of a 1-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 the 2017-18 season, 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 a ``liberal'' regulatory alternative with a 2-bird daily bag
limit in 2016, and the 2016 survey results of 2.62 million pintails
observed at a mean latitude of 58.6 degrees, the optimal regulatory
choice for all four Flyways for the 2017-18 hunting season is the
``liberal'' alternative with a 1-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 and a 3-bird daily bag in the Mississippi 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.
For scaup, optimal regulatory strategies for the 2017-18 season
were calculated using: (1) An objective to achieve 95 percent of long-
term cumulative harvest, (2) current scaup regulatory alternatives, and
(3) updated model parameters and weights. Based on a ``moderate''
regulatory alternative selected in 2016, and the 2016 survey results of
4.99 million scaup, the optimal regulatory choice for the 2017-18
season for all four Flyways is the ``moderate'' regulatory alternative.
4. Canada Geese
A. Special Early Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended an
extension of North Dakota's September early Canada goose season
framework to September 22.
Service Response: We agree with the Central Flyway Council's
request. When September Canada goose seasons were established in 1999
to allow harvest of primarily resident Canada geese, the Service
established a limit that no more than 10 percent of the geese harvested
could be migrant birds. Data collected in North Dakota at that time
indicated that their harvest of migrants exceeded 10 percent after
September 15, so their season was restricted to the middle of the
month. An analysis of data from recent hunting seasons shows that the
harvest of migrants from September 15-25 now is below 10 percent, so we
support the extension.
B. Regular Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended
increasing the daily bag limit from 3 to 4 for Canada geese and brant
in the aggregate in Wyoming and New Mexico.
Service Response: We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's
recommendation to increase the daily bag limit from 3 to 4 Canada geese
and brant in the aggregate in Wyoming and New Mexico. The basic daily
bag limit is 4 for Canada geese and brant in the aggregate for Interior
States within the Pacific Flyway. State restrictions have been imposed
in many States in the Pacific Flyway to help establish and build
breeding population segments (flocks) identified by State reference
areas in the Flyway management plan. The current 3-year average
breeding population estimate (2014-16) for the Rocky Mountain
Population of western Canada geese is 195,320, which is substantially
above the Flyway population objective of 117,000 geese and thresholds
for restriction (<88,000 geese) and liberalization (>146,000 geese).
Removal of the States' daily bag limit restrictions in Wyoming and New
Mexico will result in Canada goose bag limits that are the same in all
Pacific Flyway States, and result in greater consistency throughout the
Flyway.
In the Mississippi Flyway, we note that during the past several
years the Mississippi Flyway has moved from State-specific frameworks
to a general flyway-wide framework for Canada goose regulations. At the
same time, population monitoring programs have been modified to become
more cost-efficient and have focused on obtaining general subarctic
goose population estimates rather than separate estimates for the
Mississippi Valley Population (MVP), the Eastern Prairie Population
(EPP), and the Southern James Bay Population (SJBP). We have allowed
changes to Mississippi Flyway Canada goose frameworks with the
expectation that a new Canada goose management plan would be developed.
Because the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils currently share a
joint management plan for the SJBP population, we believe the Atlantic
Flyway must be included in the development of the new Canada goose
management plan in the Mississippi Flyway. Thus, we urge the
Mississippi Flyway to complete the Canada goose management plan this
winter and collaborate with the Atlantic Flyway where appropriate. The
final plan should be presented at the June 2017 SRC meeting. We will
not entertain further changes to Mississippi Flyway
[[Page 10226]]
Canada goose frameworks in the absence of a final management plan.
5. White-Fronted Geese
Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended
that the number of segments available for non-Canada geese should be
increased from 3 to 4 for the Mississippi Flyway.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended allowing a 3-segment split
hunting season for white-fronted geese in the Northeast Zone of
California.
Service Response: We agree with the Mississippi Flyway Council's
request to increase the number of segments available for non-Canada
geese from 3 to 4 for the Mississippi Flyway. Increasing the number of
segments for other geese (snow geese, white-fronted geese, and brant)
will allow States flexibility to open and/or close all goose seasons on
the same date. Since the numbers of white-fronted geese present in the
Mississippi Flyway in September are low, we expect no impacts from this
change.
We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to allow
a 3-segment split hunting season for white-fronted geese in the
Northeast Zone of California. Current frameworks allow a 3-segment
split for Canada geese and greater white-fronted geese; but this
requires Pacific Flyway Council and Service approval and a 3-year
evaluation by each participating State. The current 3-year average
predicted fall population estimate (2014-16) for the Pacific Population
of greater white-fronted geese is 600,592, which is substantially above
the Flyway population objective of 300,000. Agricultural complaints
have increased in the Northeastern Zone of California and there have
been requests to allow more days during the late part of the season, in
addition to days during the early part of the season. White-fronted
geese use the Northeastern Zone as a fall and spring staging area, but
otherwise winter primarily in the Sacramento Valley. A 3-segment season
would allow hunting to coincide with white-fronted goose occurrence in
this zone, and would be consistent with the frameworks for splitting
the light goose season in the same zone. California proposed to
evaluate the three-segment split season for greater white-fronted geese
in the Northeastern Zone by monitoring the harvest of Tule greater
white-fronted geese that are known to occur in that zone in late winter
and early spring. Morphometric measurements will be obtained from
hunters who allow their harvested birds to be measured, and band
recovery data will be reviewed to identify subspecies harvest of white-
fronted geese.
6. Brant
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommends
that the 2017-18 season for Atlantic brant follow the Atlantic Flyway
Brant Hunt plan pending the results of the 2017 Atlantic Flyway mid-
winter waterfowl survey. The Council also recommended that if the
results of the 2017 mid-winter survey are not available, then the
results of the most recent mid-winter survey should be used.
The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the number of
segments available for non-Canada geese should be increased from 3 to 4
for the Mississippi Flyway.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended increasing the daily bag
limit from 3 to 4 for Canada geese and brant in the aggregate in
Wyoming and New Mexico.
Service Response: As we discussed March 28, 2016, final rule (81 FR
17302), the current harvest strategy used to determine the Atlantic
brant season frameworks does not fit well within the new regulatory
process, similar to the RMP sandhill crane issue discussed below under
9. Sandhill Cranes. In developing the annual proposed frameworks for
Atlantic brant in the past, the Atlantic Flyway Council and the Service
used the number of brant counted during the Mid-winter Waterfowl Survey
(MWS) in the Atlantic Flyway, and took into consideration the brant
population's expected productivity that summer. The MWS is conducted
each January, and expected brant productivity is based on early-summer
observations of breeding habitat conditions and nesting effort in
important brant nesting areas. Thus, the data under consideration were
available before the annual Flyway and SRC decision-making meetings
took place in late July. Although the former regulatory alternatives
for Atlantic brant were developed by factoring together long-term
productivity rates (observed during November and December productivity
surveys) with estimated observed harvest under different framework
regulations, the primary decision-making criterion for selecting the
annual frameworks was the MWS count.
Under the new regulatory schedule, neither the expected 2017 brant
production information (available summer 2017) nor the 2017 MWS count
(conducted in January 2017) is yet available. However, the 2017 MWS
will be completed and winter brant data will be available by the
expected publication of the final frameworks (late February 2017).
Therefore, in the September 24, 2015, Federal Register (80 FR 57664),
we adopted the Atlantic Flyway's changes to the then-current Atlantic
brant hunt plan strategies. Current harvest packages (strategies) for
Atlantic brant hunting seasons are now 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.
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.
When we acquire the 2017 MWS brant count in January 2017, we will
select the appropriate Atlantic brant hunting season for 2017-18 from
the above Atlantic brant hunt strategies and publish the result in the
final frameworks rule.
As we stated above under 5. White-fronted Geese, we agree with the
Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation request to increase the
number of segments available for non-Canada geese from 3 to 4 for the
Mississippi Flyway. Increasing the number of segments for other geese
(snow geese, white-fronted geese, and brant) will allow States
flexibility to open and/or close all goose seasons on the same date.
Since the numbers of brant present in the Mississippi Flyway in
September are low, we expect no impacts from this change.
As we stated above under 4. Canada Geese, B. Regular Seasons, we
agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation request to
increase the daily bag limit from 3 to 4 for Canada geese and brant in
the aggregate in Wyoming and New Mexico. We expect no impacts to brant
from this proposed change.
[[Page 10227]]
7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese
Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended
that the number of segments available for non-Canada geese should be
increased from 3 to 4 for the Mississippi Flyway.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended two changes to the light
goose season frameworks. Specifically, the Council recommended:
1. In Washington, removing the daily bag limit restriction of not
more than 4 geese per day, and adding that the daily bag limit for
light geese is 6.
2. In Idaho, eliminating the requirement 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.
Service Response: As we stated above under 5. White-fronted Geese,
we agree with the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation request
to increase the number of segments available for non-Canada geese from
3 to 4 for the Mississippi Flyway. Increasing the number of segments
for other geese (snow geese, white-fronted geese, and brant) will allow
States flexibility to open and/or close all goose seasons on the same
date. We expect no impacts from this change.
We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to remove
the daily bag limit restriction of not more than 4 geese per day, and
add that the daily bag limit for light geese is 6 in Washington.
Current frameworks already limit the daily bag limit to 4 Canada geese
for States within the western Pacific Flyway, but do allow a daily bag
limit of 10 greater white-fronted geese for States within the Pacific
Flyway except Washington. The current 3-year average predicted fall
population estimate (2014-16) for the Pacific Population of greater
white-fronted geese is 600,592, which is substantially above the Flyway
population objective of 300,000. This change would allow a daily bag
limit of 10 greater white-fronted geese in Washington similar to other
States in the Pacific Flyway. In regard to light geese, three
populations 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 419,000 in 2013 (most recent estimate)
on Banks Island, which is above the objective of 200,000 geese. Ross's
geese were estimated at 625,100 in 2015 (most recent estimate) at
Karrak Lake and are above the objective of 100,000 geese. The 2016
population estimate for Wrangel Island snow geese is 300,000, which is
above the objective of 120,000 geese. Current evidence suggests most
light geese in Washington during fall and early winter are primarily
Wrangel Island snow geese, but an influx of WAP lesser snow and Ross's
geese may occur during late winter as birds begin to move north toward
breeding areas. The current 4-bird daily bag limit for geese in
Washington was intended to minimize harvest of Wrangel Island snow
geese when Wrangel Island geese were below the population objective. A
6-bird daily bag limit for light geese in Washington will simplify
regulations by matching the 6-bird bag limit currently allowed for
light geese in Oregon on or before the last Sunday in January.
We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to
eliminate the requirement that Idaho 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.
Since the inception of the late winter light goose hunt in 2010, Idaho
has conducted ground surveys in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015, to evaluate
the effects of light goose hunting on trumpeter swans. To date, no
obvious negative trends in trumpeter swan use, distribution, or
abundance have been documented. We note that this program was designed
to identify changes in swan distribution and swan field-feeding during
the late winter light goose hunt in order to help assess if changes in
that hunt were warranted. The importance of the Fort Hall Reservation
to swans for field-feeding was unknown prior to the surveys conducted
in 2011 and 2012. Previously, it was assumed that a majority of the
field-feeding occurred on the northwest side of the American Falls
Reservoir. However, surveys indicate that the Fort Hall Reservation is
an important and viable site for field-feeding swans in late winter.
While there is no definitive evidence indicating that swans are
disturbed and displaced by hunting pressure, if negative interactions
between hunting activities and swan behavior occur, the Fort Hall
Reservation provides ample field-feeding opportunities where hunting is
prohibited. Thus, given no compelling concerns or issues associated
with trumpeter swans wintering in eastern Idaho, and no negative
impacts associated with the current late winter light goose hunt, we
see no reason to repeat monitoring efforts annually or every 3 years.
8. Swans
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Central and Pacific Flyway
Councils recommended increasing the 2017-18 swan hunting permits for
Eastern Population tundra swans by 25 percent. The total allowable
harvest increase would be 2,400 swans (from 9,600 to 12,000).
Service Response: We agree with the Councils' request to increase
the number of available swan hunting permits by 25 percent. The 2016
combined Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway tundra swan count was 113,593
swans with a 3-year running average of 111,892. Further, the Eastern
Population tundra swan population has trended upward in recent years
and is currently 40 percent above the population objective of 80,000
swans. Under the approved joint Flyway Management Plan for Eastern
Population Tundra Swans, a 25 percent increase in hunting permits is
allowed when the 3-year running average of the combined Atlantic and
Mississippi Flyway mid-winter survey exceeds 110,000 swans.
9. Sandhill Cranes
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended that Tennessee's experimental sandhill crane
hunting season be granted operational status for the 2017-18 season.
Tennessee's sandhill crane season would consist of a maximum length of
60 days (no split) to be held between the outside dates of September 1
and January 31, a daily bag limit of 3 birds, and a season limit of 3
birds. Hunting would occur between sunrise and 3 p.m. daily. Per
guidelines in the Eastern Population of Sandhill Cranes Management Plan
(EP Plan) and based on the State's 5-year peak average of 23,193 birds,
Tennessee would be allowed to issue a maximum of 2,319 tags during the
2017-18 season. Hunters will be required to take mandatory crane
identification training, utilize Service approved nontoxic shot shells,
report harvest and tag birds, and complete a post-season survey.
The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended (1) expansion
of the existing sandhill crane hunting unit in southwestern Montana
(Gallatin and Madison Counties and the Dillon/Twin Bridges/Cardwell
hunt area to include all of Beaverhead and Jefferson Counties, and (2)
that allowable harvest be determined based on the formula described in
the Pacific and Central Flyway Management Plan for the Rocky
[[Page 10228]]
Mountain Population (RMP) of sandhill cranes.
Service Response: We agree with the Mississippi Flyway Council to
allow Tennessee's experimental sandhill crane hunting season be granted
operational status for the 2017-18 season. The Eastern Population (EP)
of sandhill cranes continues to increase and expand its range. The most
recent 3-year average population estimate of 80,890 cranes, as
determined by the 2015 EP crane fall survey, is the highest 3-year
estimate since the survey began in 1979. Data collected from
Tennessee's 3-year experimental season indicate an average annual
harvest of 301 cranes, a harvest 75 percent below the annual maximum
harvest threshold of 1,200 cranes set by Tennessee. The harvest also
represents substantially less than 1 percent of the EP sandhill cranes
and fell well within objectives set in the EP Plan. Additionally, the
Council notes that the experimental season did not negatively impact
distribution or peak abundance of EP sandhill cranes in Tennessee as EP
crane numbers, as recorded by the fall survey, have increased during
the 3 years of Tennessee's experimental season. Under the guidelines of
the EP Plan, Tennessee will continue to issue permits, require
mandatory harvest reporting, require a post-season hunter participation
survey, and have mandatory crane identification training. These
mechanisms will provide an accurate way to monitor EP crane harvest and
ensure protection of the EP sandhill cranes.
Regarding the RMP crane harvest, we agree with the Central and
Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation for expanding the RMP sandhill
crane hunting areas in Montana to include all of Beaverhead and
Jefferson Counties. The new hunt areas are consistent with the Pacific
and Central Flyway Council's RMP sandhill crane management plan hunting
area requirements.
Regarding the RMP crane harvest, as we discussed in the March 28,
2016, final rule (81 FR 17302), the current harvest strategy used to
calculate the allowable harvest of the RMP of sandhill cranes does not
fit well within the new regulatory process, similar to the Atlantic
brant issue discussed above under 6. Brant. Currently, results of the
fall abundance and recruitment surveys of RMP sandhill cranes, upon
which the annual allowable harvest is based, will continue to be
released between December 1 and January 31 each year, which is after
the date for which proposed frameworks will be formulated in the new
regulatory process. If the usual procedures for determining allowable
harvest were used, data 2 to 4 years old would be used to determine the
annual allocation for RMP sandhill cranes. Due to the variability in
fall abundance and recruitment for this population, and their impact on
the annual harvest allocations, we agree that relying on data that is 2
to 4 years old is not ideal. Thus, we agree that the formula to
determine the annual allowable harvest for RMP sandhill cranes
published in the March 28, 2016, final rule should be used under the
new regulatory schedule and propose to utilize it as such.
A final estimate for the allowable harvest would be available to
publish in the final rule, allowing us to use data that is 1 to 3 years
old, as is currently practiced.
14. Woodcock
In 2011, we implemented a harvest strategy for woodcock (76 FR
19876, April 8, 2011). The harvest strategy provides a transparent
framework for making regulatory decisions for woodcock season length
and bag limit while we work to improve monitoring and assessment
protocols for this species. Utilizing the criteria developed for the
strategy, the 3-year average for the Singing Ground Survey indices and
associated confidence intervals fall within the ``moderate package''
for both the Eastern and Central Management Regions. As such, a
``moderate season'' for both management regions for the 2017-18 season
is appropriate.
Specifics of the harvest strategy can be found at https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/pdf/surveys-and-data/Webless%20Migratory%20Game%20Birds/American%20Woodcock%20pdf%20files/Interim%20Woodcock%20Harvest%20strategy%20-%20Feb%202,2010.pdf.
16. Doves
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended use of the ``standard'' season framework
comprising a 90-day season and 15-bird daily bag limit for States
within the Eastern Management Unit (EMU). The daily bag limit could be
composed of mourning doves and white-winged doves, singly or in
combination. They also recommended that the closing framework date for
the EMU be changed from January 15 to January 31.
The Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils recommended the use of
the ``standard'' season package of a 15-bird daily bag limit and a 90-
day season for the 2017-18 mourning dove season in the States within
the Central Management Unit. They further recommended that the South
Zone in Texas opening framework date be changed from ``the Friday
nearest September 20th, but no earlier than September 17th'' to a fixed
date of September 14 and that the Special White-winged Dove Area
boundary be expanded from its current boundary to include the entire
South Zone.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended use of the ``standard''
season framework for States in the Western Management Unit (WMU)
population of mourning doves. In Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and
Washington, the season length would be no more than 60 consecutive days
with a daily bag limit of 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the
aggregate. In Arizona and California, the season length would be no
more than 60 consecutive days, which could be split between two
periods, September 1-15 and November 1-January 15. In Arizona, during
the first segment of the season, the daily bag limit would be 15
mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more than
10 could be white-winged doves. During the remainder of the season, the
daily bag limit would be 15 mourning doves. In California, the daily
bag limit would be 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate,
of which no more than 10 could be white-winged doves. The Pacific
Flyway Council also recommended allowing a 2-segment split season in
Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Service Response: Based on the harvest strategies and current
population status, we agree with the recommended selection of the
``standard'' season frameworks for doves in the Eastern, Central, and
Western Management Units for the 2017-18 season.
We do not support the recommendation from the Atlantic and
Mississippi Flyways to change the closing framework date for dove
seasons in the EMU to January 31. We note that when this recommendation
was presented to us in June, we requested information on the expected
biological impacts of this change. That information has not been
provided. We are also unclear as to what the EMU is trying to achieve
with this recommendation, given that no additional harvest is expected.
While we recognize that conducting a study to evaluate the biological
impacts would be prohibitively expensive, we will work with the EMU to
develop a feasible biological assessment.
We support the Central and Mississippi Flyways' recommendations to
change the opening framework date
[[Page 10229]]
for the South Dove Zone of Texas to a fixed date of September 14, to be
implemented in the 2018-19 hunting season. Based on the statements made
by the Flyways at the October SRC meeting, we understand that this
proposed change meets all the needs of dove hunters in that zone. Thus,
we will not entertain earlier dove opening framework dates in the South
Zone unless data are provided that show the impacts on the biology and
harvest of doves.
We agree with the Central and Mississippi Flyways' recommendations
to expand the boundary of Texas' Special White-winged Dove Area to
match that of the South Dove Zone for the 2017-18 season. Available
evidence indicates that white-winged dove abundance continues to
increase, and this change will allow additional harvest opportunities
on this species, with minimal impacts to mourning and white-tipped
doves.
We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to
allow a 2-segment split season in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and
Washington. Estimated abundance of the Western Management Unit
Population (WMU) of mourning doves was 37,044,000 in 2015, and was
predicted to be 45,220,000 in 2016 (2016 actual abundance estimates are
not yet available). The 2015 observed and 2016 predicted abundance
estimates are well above the thresholds that would result in a closed
(<11,600,000 doves) or restrictive (<19,300,000 doves) hunting season
as prescribed in the National Mourning Dove Harvest Strategy. The
estimated annual harvest rates during 2003-2015 for WMU hatch-year and
after-hatch-year doves was 4.4 percent and 3.7 percent, respectively.
Mourning dove harvest may increase under this proposal; however, any
increase is expected to constitute a small percentage of the overall
mourning dove harvest among the northern States in the WMU. Harvest
Information Program data indicate 85 percent of the mourning dove
harvest in the northern States of the WMU occurs during the first two
weeks of September, a pattern which is similar to most other States in
the United States. The option to split the dove season in Idaho,
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington provides more flexibility to the
States in setting doves seasons considering that dove season length
increased to 60 days starting in 2015, compared to 30 days during 1987-
2014. Currently, all States in the Eastern Management Unit, the Central
Management Unit, and southern States in the Western Management Unit are
allowed to split their dove seasons into two or three segments. Thus,
this change will make regulations regarding split dove seasons similar
in all States within the Pacific Flyway, and result in greater
consistency throughout all 3 dove management units.
17. Alaska
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended an
open season for the emperor goose with a quota of 1,000 geese allotted
to the State of Alaska.
Service Response: We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's
recommendation to open the season for the emperor goose with a quota of
1,000 geese allotted to the State of Alaska. The Emperor goose hunting
season has been closed since 1986, and the population has shown a
relatively steady population increase since that time. In 2016, the
emperor goose breeding index from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Coastal
Zone survey was 34,100 geese, which was 30 percent greater than the
count of 26,200 in 2015. During the past 10 years, the index increased
5 percent per year. The Pacific Flyway Council's management plan for
this species was revised in 2016, and specifies a population objective
of 34,100 geese (2016 abundance level). The plan allows for an open
season with an allowable harvest quota of 1,000 emperor geese when the
breeding index is above 23,000 geese, and provides that harvest
restrictions will be considered if the breeding population index is
between 23,000 and 28,000 geese. If the population index declines below
23,000 emperor geese, the hunting season will be closed.
We have prepared a draft environmental assessment on the proposed
emperor goose season in Alaska. It is available at either https://www.regulations.gov or on our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/birds/index.php.
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 ADDRESSES. 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 DATES.
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 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.
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 June 10 and August 12 proposed rules; for
descriptions of our actions to ensure compliance with the following
statutes and Executive Orders, see our June 10, 2016, proposed rule (81
FR 38050):
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Consideration;
Endangered Species Act Consideration;
Regulatory Flexibility Act;
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act;
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995;
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act;
Executive Orders 12630, 12866, 12988, 13132, 13175, 13211,
and 13563.
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 2017-18
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742
a-j.
[[Page 10230]]
Dated: February 1, 2017.
Maureen D Foster,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 2017-18 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 migratory game birds between the dates of September 1, 2017,
and March 10, 2018. 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.
Duck Management Units
High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Roughly defined as that
portion of the Central Flyway that lies west of the 100th meridian.
Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: In Washington, all areas
east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River
in Klickitat County; and in Oregon, the counties of Gilliam, Morrow,
and Umatilla.
Mourning Dove Management Units
Eastern Management Unit: All States east of the Mississippi River,
and Louisiana.
Central Management Unit: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas,
Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Western Management Unit: Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Woodcock Management Regions
Eastern Management Region: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia.
Central Management Region: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Other geographic descriptions are contained in a later portion of
this document.
Definitions
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
Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, and the Atlantic Flyway), and
all other goose species except light geese.
Light geese: Snow (including blue) geese and Ross's geese.
Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Geographic descriptions related
to regulations are contained in a later portion of this document.
Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks for open seasons, season
lengths, bag and possession limits, and other special provisions are
listed below by Flyway.
Waterfowl Seasons in the Atlantic Flyway
In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania,
where Sunday hunting is prohibited Statewide by State law, all Sundays
are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and
coots).
Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days
Outside Dates: States may select 2 days per duck-hunting zone,
designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,'' in addition to their
regular duck seasons. The days must be held outside any regular duck
season on a weekend, holidays, or other non-school days when youth
hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate. The days may
be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-season
frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or within any
other open season on migratory birds.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits may include ducks, geese,
tundra swans, mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and would be
the same as those allowed in the regular season. Flyway species and
area restrictions would remain in effect.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Participation Restrictions: States may use their established
definition of age for youth hunters. However, youth hunters may not be
over the age of 17. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of
[[Page 10231]]
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. Youth hunters 16 years of age and older must possess
a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (also known as
Federal Duck Stamp). Tundra swans may only be taken by participants
possessing applicable tundra swan permits.
Special September Teal Season
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season
on all species of teal may be selected by the following States in areas
delineated by State regulations:
Atlantic Flyway: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North
Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee,
and Wisconsin. The seasons in Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin are
experimental.
Central Flyway: Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico
(part), Oklahoma, and Texas. The season in the northern portion of
Nebraska is experimental.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 16 consecutive
hunting days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. The
daily bag limit is 6 teal.
Shooting Hours
Atlantic Flyway: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except in
South Carolina, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.
Mississippi and Central Flyways: One-half hour before sunrise to
sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin, where the hours are
from sunrise to sunset.
Special September Duck Seasons
Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee: In lieu of a special September
teal season, a 5-consecutive-day teal/wood duck season may be selected
in September. The daily bag limit may not exceed 6 teal and wood ducks
in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks. In
addition, a 4-consecutive-day experimental teal-only season may be
selected in September either immediately before or immediately after
the 5-consecutive-day teal/wood duck season. The daily bag limit is 6
teal.
Iowa: In lieu of an experimental special September teal season,
Iowa may hold up to 5 days of its regular duck hunting season in
September. All ducks that are legal during the regular duck season may
be taken during the September segment of the season. The September
season segment may commence no earlier than the Saturday nearest
September 20 (September 23). The daily bag and possession limits will
be the same as those in effect during the remainder of the regular duck
season. The remainder of the regular duck season may not begin before
October 10.
Waterfowl
Atlantic Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
23) and the last Sunday in January (January 28).
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), 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous
whistling duck, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 2 canvasbacks, 4
scoters, 4 eiders, and 4 long-tailed ducks.
Closures: The season on harlequin ducks is closed.
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.
Scoters, Eiders, and Long-Tailed Ducks
Special Sea Duck Seasons
Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South
Carolina, and Virginia may select a Special Sea Duck Season in
designated Special Sea Duck Areas. If a Special Sea Duck Season is
selected, scoters, eiders, and long-tailed ducks may be taken in the
designated Special Sea Duck Area(s) only during the Special Sea Duck
Season dates; scoter, eiders, and long-tailed ducks may be taken
outside of Special Sea Duck Area(s) during the regular duck season, in
accordance with the frameworks for ducks, mergansers, and coots
specified above.
Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 31.
Special Sea Duck Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: 60 consecutive
hunting days, or 60 days that are concurrent with the regular duck
season, with a daily bag limit of 5, singly or in the aggregate, of the
listed sea duck species, including no more than 4 scoters, 4 eiders,
and 4 long-tailed 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 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, 4 eiders, and 4
long-tailed ducks) and possession limits.
Special Sea Duck Areas: In all coastal waters and all waters of
rivers and streams seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New
Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in
New Jersey, all coastal waters seaward from the International
Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) Demarcation
Lines shown on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Nautical Charts and further described in 33 CFR 80.165, 80.501, 80.502,
and 80.503; in any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters
of any bay that are separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any
shore, island, and emergent vegetation in South Carolina and Georgia;
and in any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any
bay that are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any
shore, island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North
Carolina, and Virginia; and provided that any such areas have been
described, delineated, and designated as special sea duck hunting areas
under the hunting regulations adopted by the respective States.
[[Page 10232]]
Canada Geese
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons
A Canada goose season of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be
selected for the Eastern Unit of Maryland. Seasons not to exceed 30
days during September 1-30 may be selected for Connecticut, Florida,
Georgia, New Jersey, New York (Long Island Zone only), North Carolina,
Rhode Island, and South Carolina. Seasons may not exceed 25 days during
September 1-25 in the remainder of the Flyway. Areas open to the
hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated
as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 Canada geese.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during any special early Canada goose season, shooting hours may extend
to one-half hour after sunset if all other waterfowl seasons are closed
in the specific applicable area.
Regular Canada Goose Seasons
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Specific regulations for
Canada geese are shown below by State. These seasons may also include
white-fronted geese in an aggregate daily bag limit. 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 28) 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 28) 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.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 28), except in the Lake Champlain Area where the
opening date is October 10, through 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 23) and March 10, with an
8-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments.
Rest of State RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the
fourth Saturday in October (October 28) 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 23) 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 7) 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 28) 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 28) 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
[[Page 10233]]
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
season between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and
January 31. States may split their seasons into two segments. The
season length and daily bag limit will be based on the upcoming MWS
results and the Atlantic brant hunt plan.
Mississippi Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
23) and the last Sunday in January (January 28).
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, 2 black
ducks, 1 pintail, 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 3 scaup, and 2 redheads.
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: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and
Wisconsin may select hunting seasons by zones.
In Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be split into
two segments in each zone.
In Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi, the season may be split into
three segments.
Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits
Canada Geese: States may select seasons for Canada geese not to
exceed 107 days with a 5-bird daily bag limit September 1-30 (except in
the Intensive Harvest Zone in Minnesota, which may have up to a 10-bird
daily bag limit) and a 3-bird daily bag limit for the remainder of the
season. Seasons may be held between September 1 and February 15 and may
be split into 4 segments.
White-fronted Geese and Brant: 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
September 1 and February 15; Alabama, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin may select a season for white-fronted
geese not to exceed 107 days with 5 geese daily, in aggregate with dark
geese between September 1 and February 15. 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 for Canada geese;
alternately, States may include brant in an aggregate goose bag limit
with either Canada geese, white-fronted geese, or dark geese.
Light Geese: States may select seasons for light geese not to
exceed 107 days, with 20 geese daily between the September 1 and
February 15. There is no possession limit for light geese.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after
sunset for Canada geese if all other waterfowl and crane seasons are
closed in the specific applicable area.
Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into four segments
unless otherwise indicated.
Central Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
23) and the last Sunday in January (January 28).
Hunting Seasons
High Plains Mallard Management Unit (roughly defined as that
portion of the Central Flyway that 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 9).
Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74 days.
Duck 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, 1 pintail, 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
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons
In Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas, Canada
goose seasons of up to 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected.
In Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, and Wyoming, Canada goose seasons of
up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be selected. In North Dakota,
Canada goose seasons of up to 22 days during September 1-22 may be
selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese, except in
Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, where the daily bag limit may not
exceed 8 Canada geese and in North Dakota and South Dakota, where the
daily bag limit may not exceed 15 Canada geese. Areas open to the
hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated
as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after
sunset if all other waterfowl and crane seasons are closed in the
specific applicable area.
Regular Goose Seasons
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
[[Page 10234]]
dates of the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23) and the
Sunday nearest February 15 (February 18). For light geese, outside
dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 23) 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, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
23) and the last Sunday in January (January28).
Hunting Seasons and Duck and Merganser Limits: 107 days. The daily
bag limit is 7 ducks and mergansers, including no more than 2 female
mallards, 1 pintail, 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.
Coot, Common Moorhen, and Purple Gallinule Limits: The daily bag
limit of coots, common moorhens, and purple gallinules is 25, singly or
in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho,
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming may select hunting
seasons by zones and may split their seasons into two segments.
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
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons
A Canada goose season of up to 15 days during September 1-20 may be
selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese, except in
Pacific County, Washington, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 15
Canada geese. Areas open to hunting of Canada geese in each State must
be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's
hunting regulations.
Regular Goose Seasons
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 23) and the last Sunday in January (January
28). In Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah,
and Wyoming, the daily bag limit is 4 Canada geese and brant in the
aggregate. In California, Oregon, and Washington, the daily bag limit
is 4 Canada geese. For brant, Oregon and Washington may select a 16-day
season and California a 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 23) 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 23) and March 10. The daily bag limit is 20.
Split Seasons: Unless otherwise specified, seasons for geese may be
split into up to 3 segments. Three-way split seasons for Canada geese
and white-fronted geese require Pacific Flyway Council and U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service approval and a 3-year evaluation by each
participating State.
California: The daily bag limit for Canada geese is 10.
Balance of State Zone: A Canada goose season may be selected with
outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 23)
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 (January 28) should be concurrent with Oregon's South Coast
Zone.
Oregon: The daily bag limit for light geese is 6 on or before the
last Sunday in January (January 28).
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 23)
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 23)
and March 10. The daily bag limit of Canada geese is 6. Hunting days
that occur after the last Sunday in January (January 28) 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 Zone with outside dates between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 23) and the first Sunday in February (February
4).
Washington: The daily bag limit for light geese is 6.
Area 1: Goose season outside dates are between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 23) and the last Sunday in January (January
28).
Areas 2A and 2B (Southwest Permit Zone): A Canada goose season may
be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September
24 (September 23) 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
[[Page 10235]]
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 issue only 1
permit per hunter. Each State's season may open no earlier than the
Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30). 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 10) 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 7) 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 hunter compliance rate, or subsequent permits will be reduced
by 10 percent. All three States must provide to the Service by June 30,
2018, 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 6,250 permits may be issued.
--In Virginia, no more than 750 permits may be issued.
In the Central Flyway
--The season may be 107 days, between the Saturday nearest October 1
(September 30) and January 31.
--In the Central Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 625 permits
may be issued.
--In North Dakota, no more than 2,500 permits may be issued.
--In South Dakota, no more than 1,875 permits may be issued.
Sandhill Cranes
Regular Seasons in the Mississippi Flyway
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28 in Minnesota,
and between September 1 and January 31 in Kentucky and Tennessee.
Hunting Seasons: A season not to exceed 37 consecutive days may be
selected in the designated portion of northwestern Minnesota (Northwest
Goose Zone), and a season not to exceed 60 consecutive days in Kentucky
and Tennessee.
Daily Bag Limit: 2 sandhill cranes in Kentucky and Minnesota, 3
sandhill cranes in Tennessee. In Kentucky and Tennessee, the seasonal
bag limit is 3 sandhill cranes.
Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane
seasons must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting
permit.
Other Provisions: The number of permits (where applicable), open
areas, season dates, protection plans for other species, and other
provisions of seasons must be consistent with the management plans and
approved by the Mississippi Flyway Council.
Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28.
Hunting Seasons: Seasons not to exceed 37 consecutive days may be
selected in designated portions of Texas (Area 2). Seasons not to
exceed 58 consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of
the following States: Colorado, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, South
Dakota, and Wyoming. Seasons not to exceed 93 consecutive days may be
selected in designated portions of the following States: New Mexico,
Oklahoma, and Texas.
Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes, except 2 sandhill cranes in
designated portions of North Dakota (Area 2) and Texas (Area 2).
Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane
season must have a valid Federal or State sandhill crane hunting
permit.
Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming
may select seasons for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the
Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) subject to the following conditions:
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: The season in any State or zone may not exceed 30
consecutive days.
Bag limits: Not to exceed 3 daily and 9 per season.
Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the
appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.
Other Provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates,
protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons
must be consistent with the management plan and approved by the Central
and Pacific Flyway Councils, with the following exceptions:
A. In Utah, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP
quota;
[[Page 10236]]
B. In Arizona, monitoring the racial composition of the harvest
must be conducted at 3-year intervals;
C. In Idaho, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP
quota; and
D. In New Mexico, the season in the Estancia Valley is
experimental, with a requirement to monitor the level and racial
composition of the harvest; greater sandhill cranes in the harvest will
be assigned to the RMP quota.
Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and the last Sunday in January
(January 28) in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. States
in the Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons
between the outside dates for the season on ducks, mergansers, and
coots; therefore, frameworks for common moorhens and purple gallinules
are included with the duck, merganser, and coot frameworks.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70
days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. Seasons may be
split into 2 segments. The daily bag limit is 15 common moorhens and
purple gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of the two species.
Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck
hunting.
Rails
Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between
September 1 and the last Sunday in January (January 28) on clapper,
king, sora, and Virginia rails.
Hunting Seasons: Seasons may not exceed 70 days, and may be split
into 2 segments.
Daily Bag Limits
Clapper and King Rails: In Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New
Jersey, and Rhode Island, 10, singly or in the aggregate of the two
species. In Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, 15, singly or in the
aggregate of the two species.
Sora and Virginia Rails: In the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central
Flyways and the Pacific Flyway portions of Colorado, Montana, New
Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 rails, singly or in the aggregate of the two
species. The season is closed in the remainder of the Pacific Flyway.
Snipe
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28, except in
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia, where the
season must end no later than January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 107
days and may be split into two segments. The daily bag limit is 8
snipe.
Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck
hunting.
American Woodcock
Outside Dates: States in the Eastern Management Region may select
hunting seasons between October 1 and January 31. States in the Central
Management Region may select hunting seasons between the Saturday
nearest September 22 (September 23) and January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 45
days in the Eastern and Central Regions. The daily bag limit is 3.
Seasons may be split into two segments.
Zoning: New Jersey may select seasons in each of two zones. The
season in each zone may not exceed 36 days.
Band-Tailed Pigeons
Pacific Coast States (California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada)
Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 1.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive
days, with a daily bag limit of 2.
Zoning: California may select hunting seasons not to exceed 9
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the North Zone
must close by October 3.
Four-Corners States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah)
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and November 30.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 14 consecutive
days, with a daily bag limit of 2.
Zoning: New Mexico may select hunting seasons not to exceed 14
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the South Zone may
not open until October 1.
Doves
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15, except as
otherwise provided, States may select hunting seasons and daily bag
limits as follows:
Eastern Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 90 days, with a
daily bag limit of 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more
than three periods. Regulations for bag and possession limits, season
length, and shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting
zones.
Central Management Unit
For All States Except Texas
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 90 days, with a
daily bag limit of 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more
than three periods.
Texas
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 90 days, with a
daily bag limit of 15 mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped doves in
the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be white-tipped doves.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Texas may select hunting seasons for each
of three zones subject to the following conditions:
A. The hunting season may be split into not more than two periods,
except in that portion of Texas in which the special white-winged dove
season is allowed, where a limited take of mourning and white-tipped
doves may also occur during that special season (see Special White-
winged Dove Area).
B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between
September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between the Friday
nearest September 20 (September 22), but not earlier than September 17,
and January 25.
C. Except as noted above, regulations for bag and possession
limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within each
hunting zone.
Special White-Winged Dove Area in Texas
In addition, Texas may select a hunting season of not more than 4
days for the Special White-winged Dove Area of the South Zone between
September 1 and September 19. The daily bag limit may not exceed 15
white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of
which no more than 2 may be mourning doves and no more than 2 may be
white-tipped doves.
Western Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits
Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington: Not more than 60 days,
which may be split between two
[[Page 10237]]
periods. The daily bag limit is 15 mourning and white-winged doves in
the aggregate.
Arizona and California: Not more than 60 days, which may be split
between two periods, September 1-15 and November 1-January 15. In
Arizona, during the first segment of the season, the daily bag limit is
15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more
than 10 could be white-winged doves. During the remainder of the
season, the daily bag limit is 15 mourning doves. In California, the
daily bag limit is 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate,
of which no more than 10 could be white-winged doves.
Alaska
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 26.
Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select 107 consecutive days for
waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and common snipe in each of 5 zones. The
season may be split without penalty in the Kodiak Zone. The seasons in
each zone must be concurrent.
Closures: The hunting season is closed on spectacled eiders and
Steller's eiders.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits
Ducks: Except as noted, a basic daily bag limit of 7 ducks. Daily
bag limits in the North Zone are 10, and in the Gulf Coast Zone, they
are 8. The basic limits may include no more than 2 canvasbacks daily
and may not include sea ducks.
In addition to the basic duck limits, Alaska may select sea duck
limits of 10 daily, singly or in the aggregate, including no more than
6 each of either harlequin or long-tailed ducks. Sea ducks include
scoters, common and king eiders, harlequin ducks, long-tailed ducks,
and common and red-breasted mergansers.
Light Geese: The daily bag limit is 6.
Canada Geese: The daily bag limit is 4 with the following
exceptions:
A. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from
September 28 through December 16.
B. On Middleton Island in Unit 6, a special, permit-only Canada
goose season may be offered. A mandatory goose identification class is
required. Hunters must check in and check out. The bag limit is 1 daily
and 1 in possession. The season will close if incidental harvest
includes 5 dusky Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is any dark-
breasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR color value five or less) with a
bill length between 40 and 50 millimeters.
C. In Units 9, 10, 17, and 18, the daily bag limit is 6 Canada
geese.
White-fronted Geese: The daily bag limit is 4 with the following
exceptions:
A. In Units 9, 10, and 17, the daily bag limit is 6 white-fronted
geese.
B. In Unit 18, the daily bag limit is 10 white-fronted geese.
Emperor Geese: Open seasons for emperor geese may be selected
subject to the following conditions:
A. All seasons are by permit only.
B. No more than 1 emperor goose may be authorized per permit.
C. Total harvest may not exceed 1,000 emperor geese.
D. In State Game Management Unit 18, the Kodiak Island Road Area is
closed to hunting. The Kodiak Island Road Area consists of all lands
and water (including exposed tidelands) east of a line extending from
Crag Point in the north to the west end of Saltery Cove in the south
and all lands and water south of a line extending from Termination
Point along the north side of Cascade Lake extending to Anton Larsen
Bay. Marine waters adjacent to the closed area are closed to harvest
within 500 feet from the water's edge. The offshore islands are open to
harvest, for example: Woody, Long, Gull and Puffin islands.
Brant: The daily bag limit is 3.
Snipe: The daily bag limit is 8.
Sandhill Cranes: The daily bag limit is 2 in the Southeast, Gulf
Coast, Kodiak, and Aleutian Zones, and Unit 17 in the North Zone. In
the remainder of the North Zone (outside Unit 17), the daily bag limit
is 3.
Tundra Swans: Open seasons for tundra swans may be selected subject
to the following conditions:
A. All seasons are by permit only.
B. All season framework dates are September 1-October 31.
C. In Unit 17, no more than 200 permits may be issued during this
operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans may be authorized per
permit, with no more than 1 permit issued per hunter per season.
D. In Unit 18, no more than 500 permits may be issued during the
operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans may be authorized per
permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter per season.
E. In Unit 22, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the
operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans may be authorized per
permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter per season.
F. In Unit 23, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the
operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans may be authorized per
permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter per season.
Hawaii
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 65 days (75 under the alternative)
for mourning doves.
Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 (12 under the alternative) mourning
doves.
Note: Mourning doves may be taken in Hawaii in accordance with
shooting hours and other regulations set by the State of Hawaii, and
subject to the applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20.
Puerto Rico
Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 20 Zenaida,
mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which not more
than 10 may be Zenaida doves and 3 may be mourning doves. Not to exceed
5 scaly-naped pigeons.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the white-crowned pigeon
and the plain pigeon, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico.
Closed Areas: There is no open season on doves or pigeons in the
following areas: Municipality of Culebra, Desecheo Island, Mona Island,
El Verde Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas.
Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and Snipe
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 days may be selected for hunting
ducks, common moorhens, and common snipe. The season may be split into
two segments.
Daily Bag Limits
Ducks: Not to exceed 6.
Common moorhens: Not to exceed 6.
Common snipe: Not to exceed 8.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck,
and masked duck, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico. The season also is closed on the purple gallinule, American coot,
and Caribbean coot.
Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, common moorhens,
and common snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island.
[[Page 10238]]
Virgin Islands
Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days for Zenaida doves.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida doves.
Closed Seasons: No open season is prescribed for ground or quail
doves or pigeons.
Closed Areas: There is no open season for migratory game birds on
Ruth Cay (just south of St. Croix).
Local Names for Certain Birds: Zenaida dove, also known as mountain
dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as Barbary dove or partridge;
common ground-dove, also known as stone dove, tobacco dove, rola, or
tortolita; scaly-naped pigeon, also known as red-necked or scaled
pigeon.
Ducks
Outside Dates: Between December 1 and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 consecutive days.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 6.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck,
and masked duck.
Special Falconry Regulations
Falconry is a permitted means of taking migratory game birds in any
State meeting Federal falconry standards in 50 CFR 21.29. These States
may select an extended season for taking migratory game birds in
accordance with the following:
Extended Seasons: For all hunting methods combined, the combined
length of the extended season, regular season, and any special or
experimental seasons must not exceed 107 days for any species or group
of species in a geographical area. Each extended season may be divided
into a maximum of 3 segments.
Framework Dates: Seasons must fall between September 1 and March
10.
Daily Bag Limits: Falconry daily bag limits for all permitted
migratory game birds must not exceed 3 birds, singly or in the
aggregate, during extended falconry seasons, any special or
experimental seasons, and regular hunting seasons in all States,
including those that do not select an extended falconry season.
Regular Seasons: General hunting regulations, including seasons and
hunting hours, apply to falconry in each State listed in 50 CFR 21.29.
Regular season bag limits do not apply to falconry. The falconry bag
limit is not in addition to gun limits.
Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions
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.
Maryland
Special Teal Season Area: Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester,
Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico,
and Worcester Counties; that part of Anne Arundel County east of
Interstate 895, Interstate 97, and Route 3; that part of Prince
George's County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles
County east of Route 301 to the Virginia State Line.
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. 25-A 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 that allows the taking
of migratory waterfowl or a person holding a Vermont resident hunting
license that 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 New Hampshire west of Rte. 63 at the
Massachusetts border, north on Rte. 63 to Rte. 12, north on Rte. 12 to
Rte. 12-A, north on Rte. 12-A 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
[[Page 10239]]
Parkway to NJ 109; south on NJ 109 to Cape May County Route 633
(Lafayette Street); south on Lafayette Street to Jackson Street; south
on Jackson Street to the shoreline at Cape May; west along the
shoreline of Cape May beach to COLREGS Demarcation Line 80.503 at Cape
May Point; south along COLREGS Demarcation Line 80.503 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 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
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
[[Page 10240]]
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
East Zone: That area of the State between the Mississippi State
line and a line going south on Hwy 79 from the Arkansas border to
Homer, then south on Hwy 9 to Arcadia, then south on Hwy 147 to Hodge,
then south on Hwy 167 to Turkey Creek, then south on Hwy 13 to Eunice,
then west on Hwy 190 to Kinder, then south on Hwy 165 to Iowa, then
west on I-10 to its junction with Hwy 14 at Lake Charles, then south
and east on Hwy 14 to its junction with Hwy 90 in New Iberia, then east
on Hwy 90 to the Mississippi State line.
West Zone: That area between the Texas State line and a line going
east on I-10 from the Texas border to Hwy 165 at Iowa, then north on
Hwy 165 to Kinder, then east on Hwy 190 to Eunice, then north on Hwy 13
to Turkey Creek, then north on Hwy 167 to Hodge, then north on Hwy 147
to Arcadia, then north on Hwy 9 to Homer, then north on Hwy 79 to the
Arkansas border.
Coastal Zone: 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
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 a line beginning at the intersection
of Interstate 75 at the Ohio-Michigan State line and continuing south
to Interstate 280, then south on I-280 to the Ohio Turnpike (I-80/I-
90), then east on the Ohio Turnpike to the Erie-Lorain county line,
then north to Lake Erie, then following the Lake Erie shoreline at a
distance of 200 yards offshore, then following the shoreline west
toward and around the northern tip of Cedar Point Amusement Park, then
continuing from the westernmost point of Cedar Point toward the
southernmost tip of the sand bar at the mouth of Sandusky Bay and out
into Lake Erie at a distance of 200 yards offshore continuing parallel
to the Lake Erie shoreline north and west toward the northernmost tip
of Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge, then following a direct line
toward the southernmost tip of Wood Tick Peninsula in Michigan to a
point that intersects the Ohio-Michigan State line, then following the
State line back to the point of the beginning.
North Zone: That portion of the State, excluding the Lake Erie
Marsh Zone, north of a line extending east from the Indiana State line
along U.S. Highway (U.S.) 33 to State Route (SR) 127, then south along
SR 127 to SR 703, then south along SR 703 and including all lands
within the Mercer Wildlife Area to SR 219, then east along SR 219 to SR
364, then north along SR 364 and including all lands within the St.
Mary's Fish Hatchery to SR 703, then east along SR 703 to SR 66, then
north along SR 66 to U.S. 33, then east along U.S. 33 to SR 385, then
east along SR 385 to SR 117, then south along SR 117 to SR 273, then
east along SR 273 to SR 31, then south along SR 31 to SR 739, then east
along SR 739 to SR 4, then north along SR 4 to SR 95, then east along
SR 95 to SR 13, then southeast along SR 13 to SR 3, then northeast
along SR 3 to SR 60, then north along SR 60 to U.S. 30, then east along
U.S. 30 to SR 3, then south along SR 3 to SR 226, then south along SR
226 to SR 514, then southwest along SR 514 to SR 754, then south along
SR 754 to SR 39/60, then east along SR 39/60 to SR 241, then north
along SR 241 to U.S. 30, then east along U.S. 30 to SR 39, then east
along SR 39 to the Pennsylvania State line.
South Zone: The remainder of Ohio not included in the Lake Erie
Marsh Zone or the North Zone.
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
[[Page 10241]]
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)
Special Teal Season Area: Lake and Chaffee Counties and that
portion of the State east of Interstate Highway 25.
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.
Low Plains Early Zone: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from
the federal highway U.S.-283 and State highway U.S.-96 junction, then
east on federal highway U.S.-96 to its junction with federal highway
U.S.-183, then north on federal highway U.S.-183 to its junction with
federal highway U.S.-24, then east on federal highway U.S.-24 to its
junction with federal highway U.S-.281, then north on federal highway
U.S.-281 to its junction with federal highway U.S.-36, then east on
federal highway U.S.-36 to its junction with State highway K-199, then
south on State highway K-199 to its junction with Republic County 30th
Road, then south on Republic County 30th Road to its junction with
State highway K-148, then east on State highway K-148 to its junction
with Republic County 50th Road, then south on Republic County 50th Road
to its junction with Cloud County 40th Road, then south on Cloud County
40th Road to its junction with State highway K-9, then west on State
highway K-9 to its junction with federal highway U.S.-24, then west on
federal highway U.S.-24 to its junction with federal highway U.S.-181,
then south on federal highway U.S.-181 to its junction with State
highway K-18, then west on State highway K-18 to its junction with
federal highway U.S.-281, then south on federal highway U.S.-281 to its
junction with State highway K-4, then east on State highway K-4 to its
junction with interstate highway I-135, then south on interstate
highway I-135 to its junction with State highway K-61, then southwest
on State highway K-61 to its junction with McPherson County 14th
Avenue, then south on McPherson County 14th Avenue to its junction with
McPherson County Arapaho Rd, then west on McPherson County Arapaho Rd
to its junction with State highway K-61, then southwest on State
highway K-61 to its junction with State highway K-96, then northwest on
State highway K-96 to its junction with federal highway U.S.-56, then
southwest on federal highway U.S.-56 to its junction with State highway
K-19, then east on State highway K-19 to its junction with federal
highway U.S.-281, then south on federal highway U.S.-281 to its
junction with federal highway U.S.-54, then west on federal highway
U.S.-54 to its junction with federal highway U.S.-183, then north on
federal highway U.S.-183 to its junction with federal highway U.S.-56,
then southwest on federal highway U.S.-56 to its junction with North
Main Street in Spearville, then south on North Main Street to Davis
Street, then east on Davis Street to Ford County Road 126 (South
Stafford Street), then south on Ford County Road 126 to Garnett Road,
then east on Garnett Road to Ford County Road 126, then south on Ford
County Road 126 to Ford Spearville Road, then west on Ford Spearville
Road to its junction with federal highway U.S.-400, then northwest on
federal highway U.S.-400 to its junction with federal highway U.S.-283,
and then north on federal highway U.S.-283 to its junction with federal
highway U.S.-96.
Low Plains Late Zone: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from
the federal highway U.S.-283 and federal highway U.S.-96 junction, then
north on federal highway U.S.-283 to the Kansas-Nebraska State line,
then east along the Kansas-Nebraska State line to its junction with the
Kansas-Missouri State line, then southeast along the Kansas-Missouri
State line to its junction with State highway K-68, then west on State
highway K-68 to its junction with interstate highway I-35, then
southwest on interstate highway I-35 to its junction with Butler County
NE 150th Street, then west on Butler County NE 150th Street to its
junction with federal highway U.S.-77, then south on federal highway
U.S.-77 to its junction with the Kansas-Oklahoma State line, then west
along the Kansas-Oklahoma State line to its junction with federal
highway U.S.-283, then north on federal highway U.S.-283 to its
junction with federal highway U.S.-400, then east on federal highway
U.S.-400 to its junction with Ford Spearville Road, then east on Ford
Spearville Road to Ford County Road 126 (South Stafford Street), then
north on Ford County Road 126 to Garnett Road, then west on Garnett
Road to Ford County Road 126, then north on Ford County Road 126 to
Davis Street, then west on Davis Street to North Main Street, then
north on North Main Street to its junction with federal highway U.S.-
56, then east on federal highway U.S.-56 to its junction with federal
highway U.S.-183, then south on federal highway U.S.-183 to its
junction with federal highway U.S.-54, then east on federal highway
U.S.-54 to its junction with federal highway U.S.-281, then north on
federal highway U.S.-281 to its junction with State highway K-19, then
west on State highway K-19 to its junction with federal highway U.S.-
56, then east on federal highway U.S.-56 to its junction with State
highway K-96, then southeast on State highway K-96 to its junction with
State highway K-61, then northeast on State highway K-61 to its
junction with McPherson County Arapaho Road, then east on McPherson
County Arapaho Road to its junction with McPherson County 14th Avenue,
then north on McPherson County 14th Avenue to its junction with State
highway K-61, then east on State highway K-61 to its junction with
interstate highway I-135, then north on interstate highway I-135 to its
junction with State highway K-4, then west on State highway K-4 to its
junction with federal highway U.S.-281, then north on federal highway
U.S.-281 to its junction with State highway K-18, then east on State
highway K-18 to its junction with federal highway U.S.-181, then north
on federal highway U.S.-181 to its junction with federal highway U.S.-
24, then east on federal highway U.S.-24 to its junction with State
highway K-9, then east on State highway K-9 to its junction with Cloud
County 40th Road, then north on Cloud County 40th Road to its junction
with Republic County 50th Road, then north on Republic County 50th Road
to its junction with State highway K-148, then west on State highway K-
148 to its junction with Republic County 30th Road, then north on
Republic County 30th Road to its junction with State highway K-199,
then north on State highway K-199 to its junction with federal highway
U.S.-36, then west on federal highway U.S.-36 to its junction with
federal highway
[[Page 10242]]
U.S.-281, then south on federal highway U.S.-281 to its junction with
federal highway U.S.-24, then west on federal highway U.S.-24 to its
junction with federal highway U.S.-183, then south on federal highway
U.S.-183 to its junction with federal highway U.S.-96, and then west on
federal highway U.S.-96 to its junction with federal highway U.S.-283.
Southeast Zone: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the
Missouri-Kansas State line west on K-68 to its junction with I-35, then
southwest on I-35 to its junction with Butler County, NE 150th Street,
then west on NE 150th Street to its junction with federal highway U.S.-
77, then south on federal highway U.S.-77 to the Oklahoma-Kansas State
line, then east along the Kansas-Oklahoma State line to its junction
with the Kansas-Missouri State line, then north along the Kansas-
Missouri State line to its junction with State highway K-68.
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
Zone 1: 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 2: The Counties of Big Horn, Carbon, Custer, Prairie, Rosebud,
Treasure, and Yellowstone.
Nebraska
Special Teal Season Area (south): That portion of the State south
of a line beginning at the Wyoming State line; east along U.S. 26 to
Nebraska Highway L62A east to U.S. 385; south to U.S. 26; east to NE
92; east along NE 92 to NE 61; south along NE 61 to U.S. 30; east along
U.S. 30 to the Iowa border.
Special Teal Season Area (north): The remainder of the State.
High Plains: That portion of Nebraska lying west of a line
beginning at the South Dakota-Nebraska border on U.S. Hwy. 183; south
on U.S. Hwy. 183 to U.S. Hwy. 20; west on U.S. Hwy. 20 to NE Hwy. 7;
south on NE Hwy. 7 to NE Hwy. 91; southwest on NE Hwy. 91 to NE Hwy. 2;
southeast on NE Hwy. 2 to NE Hwy. 92; west on NE Hwy. 92 to NE Hwy. 40;
south on NE Hwy. 40 to NE Hwy. 47; south on NE Hwy. 47 to NE Hwy. 23;
east on NE Hwy. 23 to U.S. Hwy. 283; and south on U.S. Hwy. 283 to the
Kansas-Nebraska border.
Zone 1: Area bounded by designated Federal and State highways and
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 County Rd 167; south to U.S. Hwy 26; east to County Rd 171; north to
County Rd 68; east to County Rd 183; south to County Rd 64; east to
County Rd 189; north to County Rd 70; east to County Rd 201; south to
County Rd 60A; east to County Rd 203; south to County Rd 52; east to
Keith County Line; east along the northern boundaries of Keith and
Lincoln Counties to NE Hwy 97; south to U.S. Hwy 83; south to E Hall
School Rd; east to N Airport Road; south to U.S. Hwy 30; east to NE Hwy
47; north to Dawson County Rd 769; east to County Rd 423; south to
County Rd 766; east to County Rd 428; south to County Rd 763; east to
NE Hwy 21 (Adams Street); south to County Rd 761; east to the Dawson
County Canal; south and east along the Dawson County Canal to County Rd
444; south to U.S. Hwy 30; east to U.S. Hwy 183; north to Buffalo
County Rd 100; east to 46th Avenue; north to NE Hwy 40; south and east
to NE Hwy 10; north to Buffalo County Rd 220 and Hall County Husker
Hwy; east to Hall County Rd 70; north to NE Hwy 2; east to U.S. Hwy
281; north to Chapman Rd; east to 7th Rd; 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 Drive
443; north to Sargent Rd; west to NE Hwy S21A; west to NE Hwy 2; west
and north to NE Hwy 91; north and east to North Loup Spur Rd; north to
North Loup River Rd; east to Pleasant Valley/Worth Rd; east to Loup
County Line; north to Loup-Brown county line; east along northern
boundaries of Loup and Garfield Counties to Cedar River Rd; south to NE
Hwy 70; east to U.S. Hwy 281; north to NE Hwy 70; east to NE Hwy 14;
south to NE Hwy 39; southeast to NE Hwy 22; east to U.S. Hwy 81;
southeast to U.S. Hwy 30; east to U.S. Hwy 75; north to the Washington
County line; east to the Iowa-Nebraska border; south to the Missouri-
Nebraska border; south to Kansas-Nebraska border; west along Kansas-
Nebraska border to Colorado-Nebraska border; north and west to Wyoming-
Nebraska border; north to intersection of Interstate Canal; and
excluding that area in Zone 4.
Zone 4: Area encompassed by designated Federal and State highways
and County Roads beginning at the intersection of NE Hwy 8 and U.S. Hwy
75; north to U.S. Hwy 136; east to the intersection of U.S. Hwy 136 and
the Steamboat Trace (Trace); north along the Trace to the intersection
with Federal Levee R-562; north along Federal Levee R-562 to the
intersection with Nemaha County Rd 643A; south to 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 50; north to
U.S. Hwy 34; west 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 H; 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 Lochland Rd; west to Holstein Avenue; 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 Jefferson County Rd 578 Avenue; south to PWF Rd; east to NE Hwy 103;
south to NE Hwy 8; east to U.S. Hwy 75.
[[Page 10243]]
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 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
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 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, Colorado River, Southern, and the Southern San
Joaquin Valley Zones.
Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)
Eastern Zone: Routt, Grand, Summit, Eagle, and Pitkin Counties,
those portions of Saguache, San Juan, Hinsdale, and Mineral in the
Pacific Flyway (i.e., west of the Continental Divide), and Gunnison
County except the following area: The portion of Gunnison County west
of Curecanti Creek, west of the Gunnison River-North
[[Page 10244]]
Fork of Gunnison River divide to Kebler Pass, west of Kebler Pass and
the Ruby Range summit, and west and south of the Pitkin/Gunnison County
line west of the Ruby Range. This area corresponds to the North Fork of
Gunnison River Valley, and is already established by Colorado Division
of Parks and Wildlife as the Gunnison County portions of GMU 521, 53,
and 63.
Western Zone: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway portion of
Colorado not included in the Eastern 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: Bear Lake, Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson,
Madison, and Teton Counties; Bingham County within the Blackfoot
Reservoir drainage; and Caribou County except within the Fort Hall
Indian Reservation.
Zone 3: Ada, Adams, Benewah, Blaine, Boise, Bonner, Boundary,
Camas, Canyon, Cassia, Clearwater, Custer, Elmore, Franklin, Gem,
Gooding, Idaho, Jerome, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Lincoln,
Minidoka, Nez Perce, Oneida, Owyhee, Payette, Shoshone, Twin Falls, and
Washington Counties; and Power County west of State Highway 37 and
State Highway 39.
Zone 4: Valley County.
Nevada
Northeast Zone: Elko and White Pine Counties.
Northwest Zone: Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Esmeralda, Eureka,
Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Storey, and Washoe
Counties.
South Zone: Clark and Lincoln Counties.
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: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas,
Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion,
Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Umatilla, Wasco,
Washington, and Yamhill, Counties.
Zone 2: The remainder of Oregon not included in Zone 1.
Utah
Zone 1: 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 not included in Zone 1.
Washington
East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of
the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
West Zone: The remainder of Washington not included in the East
Zone.
Wyoming (Pacific Flyway Portion)
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: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway portion
of Wyoming not included in the Snake River Zone.
Geese
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
Early Canada Goose Seasons:
South Zone: Same as for ducks.
North Zone: Same as for ducks.
Regular Seasons
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.
Atlantic Flyway Resident Population (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.
Maine
Same zones as for ducks.
Maryland
Early Canada Goose Seasons
Eastern Unit: Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent,
Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester
Counties; and that part of Anne Arundel County east of Interstate 895,
Interstate 97, and Route 3; that part of Prince George's County east of
Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County east of Route
301 to the Virginia State line.
Western Unit: Allegany, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett,
Howard, Montgomery, and Washington Counties and that part of Anne
Arundel County west of Interstate 895, Interstate 97, and Route 3; that
part of Prince George's County west of Route 3 and Route 301; and that
part of Charles County west of Route 301 to the Virginia State line.
Regular Seasons
Resident Population (RP) Zone: Allegany, Frederick, Garrett,
Montgomery, and Washington 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
[[Page 10245]]
Route 206 in Bedminster (Exit 18); then north along Route 206 to its
intersection with Route 94: then west along Route 94 to the toll bridge
in Columbia; then north along the Pennsylvania State boundary in the
Delaware River to the beginning point. In southern New Jersey, that
portion of the State within a continuous line that runs west from the
Atlantic Ocean at Ship Bottom along Route 72 to Route 70; then west
along Route 70 to Route 206; then south along Route 206 to Route 536;
then west along Route 536 to Route 322; then west along Route 322 to
Route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 553 (Buck Road); then
south along Route 553 to Route 40; then east along Route 40 to route
55; then south along Route 55 to Route 552 (Sherman Avenue); then west
along Route 552 to Carmel Road; then south along Carmel Road to Route
49; then east along Route 49 to Route 555; then south along Route 555
to Route 553; then east along Route 553 to Route 649; then north along
Route 649 to Route 670; then east along Route 670 to Route 47; then
north along Route 47 to Route 548; then east along Route 548 to Route
49; then east along Route 49 to Route 50; then south along Route 50 to
Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route 625 (Sea Isle City
Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to the Atlantic Ocean; then north
to the beginning point.
New York
Lake Champlain Goose Area: The same as the Lake Champlain Waterfowl
Hunting Zone, which is that area of New York State lying east and north
of a continuous line extending along Route 11 from the New York-Canada
International boundary south to Route 9B, south along Route 9B to Route
9, south along Route 9 to Route 22 south of Keeseville, south along
Route 22 to the west shore of South Bay along and around the shoreline
of South Bay to Route 22 on the east shore of South Bay, southeast
along Route 22 to Route 4, northeast along Route 4 to the New York-
Vermont boundary.
Northeast Goose Area: The same as the Northeastern Waterfowl
Hunting Zone, which is that area of New York State lying north of a
continuous line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore
of the Salmon River to Interstate 81, south along Interstate Route 81
to Route 31, east along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to
Route 49, east along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to
Route 28, east along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Route
22 at Greenwich Junction, north along Route 22 to Washington County
Route 153, east along CR 153 to the New York-Vermont boundary,
exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.
East Central Goose Area: That area of New York State lying inside
of a continuous line extending from Interstate Route 81 in Cicero, east
along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to Route 49, east
along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to Route 28, east
along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball
Corners, south along Route 147 to Schenectady County Route 40 (West
Glenville Road), west along Route 40 to 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
[[Page 10246]]
Schenectady County Route 103, south along Route 103 to Route 406, east
along Route 406 to Schenectady County Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south
along Route 99 to Dunnsville Road, south along Dunnsville Road to Route
397, southwest along Route 397 to Route 146 at Altamont, southeast
along Route 146 to Main Street in Altamont, west along Main Street to
Route 156, southeast along Route 156 to Albany County Route 307,
southeast along Route 307 to Route 85A, southwest along Route 85A to
Route 85, south along Route 85 to Route 443, southeast along Route 443
to Albany County Route 301 at Clarksville, southeast along Route 301 to
Route 32, south along Route 32 to Route 23 at Cairo, west along Route
23 to Joseph Chadderdon Road, southeast along Joseph Chadderdon Road to
Hearts Content Road (Greene County Route 31), southeast along Route 31
to Route 32, south along Route 32 to Greene County Route 23A, east
along Route 23A to Interstate Route 87 (the NYS Thruway), south along
Route 87 to Route 28 (Exit 19) near Kingston, northwest on Route 28 to
Route 209, southwest on Route 209 to the New York-Pennsylvania
boundary, southeast along the New York-Pennsylvania boundary to the New
York-New Jersey boundary, southeast along the New York-New Jersey
boundary to Route 210 near Greenwood Lake, northeast along Route 210 to
Orange County Route 5, northeast along Orange County Route 5 to Route
105 in the Village of Monroe, east and north along Route 105 to Route
32, northeast along Route 32 to Orange County Route 107 (Quaker
Avenue), east along Route 107 to Route 9W, north along Route 9W to the
south bank of Moodna Creek, southeast along the south bank of Moodna
Creek to the New Windsor-Cornwall town boundary, northeast along the
New Windsor-Cornwall town boundary to the Orange-Dutchess County
boundary (middle of the Hudson River), north along the county boundary
to Interstate Route 84, east along Route 84 to the Dutchess-Putnam
County boundary, east along the county boundary to the New York-
Connecticut boundary, north along the New York-Connecticut boundary to
the New York-Massachusetts boundary, north along the New York-
Massachusetts boundary to the New York-Vermont boundary, north to the
point of beginning.
Eastern Long Island Goose Area (NAP High Harvest Area): That area
of Suffolk County lying east of a continuous line extending due south
from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the northernmost end of
Roanoke Avenue in the Town of Riverhead; then south on Roanoke Avenue
(which becomes County Route 73) to State Route 25; then west on Route
25 to Peconic Avenue; then south on Peconic Avenue to County Route (CR)
104 (Riverleigh Avenue); then south on CR 104 to CR 31 (Old Riverhead
Road); then south on CR 31 to Oak Street; then south on Oak Street to
Potunk Lane; then west on Stevens Lane; then south on Jessup Avenue (in
Westhampton Beach) to Dune Road (CR 89); then due south to
international waters.
Western Long Island Goose Area (RP Area): That area of Westchester
County and its tidal waters southeast of Interstate Route 95 and that
area of Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying west of a continuous line
extending due south from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the
northernmost end of Sound Road (just east of Wading River Marsh); then
south on Sound Road to North Country Road; then west on North Country
Road to Randall Road; then south on Randall Road to Route 25A, then
west on Route 25A to 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.
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,
[[Page 10247]]
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
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
Early Canada Goose Seasons
North September Canada Goose Zone: That portion of the State north
of a line extending west from the Indiana border along Interstate 80 to
I-39, south along I-39 to Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route
18 to Illinois Route 29, south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois
Route 17, west along Illinois Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and
due south across the Mississippi River to the Iowa border.
Central September Canada Goose Zone: That portion of the State
south of the North September Canada Goose Zone line to a line extending
west from the Indiana border along I-70 to Illinois Route 4, south
along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route 161, west along Illinois Route
161 to Illinois Route 158, south and west along Illinois Route 158 to
Illinois Route 159, south along Illinois Route 159 to Illinois Route 3,
south along Illinois Route 3 to St. Leo's Road, south along St. Leo's
road to Modoc Road, west along Modoc Road to Modoc Ferry Road,
southwest along Modoc Ferry Road to Levee Road, southeast along Levee
Road to County Route 12 (Modoc Ferry entrance Road), south along County
Route 12 to the Modoc Ferry route and southwest on the Modoc Ferry
route across the Mississippi River to the Missouri border.
South September Canada Goose Zone: That portion of the State south
and east of a line extending west from the Indiana border along
Interstate 70, south along U.S. Highway 45, to Illinois Route 13, west
along Illinois Route 13 to Greenbriar Road, north on Greenbriar Road to
Sycamore Road, west on Sycamore Road to N. Reed Station Road, south on
N. Reed Station Road to Illinois Route 13, west along Illinois Route 13
to Illinois Route 127, south along Illinois Route 127 to State Forest
Road (1025 N), west along State Forest Road to Illinois Route 3, north
along Illinois Route 3 to the south bank of the Big Muddy River, west
along the south bank of the Big Muddy River to the Mississippi River,
west across the Mississippi River to the Missouri border.
South Central September Canada Goose Zone: The remainder of the
State between the south border of the Central September Canada Goose
Zone and the North border of the South September Canada Goose Zone.
Regular Seasons
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
west from the Indiana border along Interstate 80 to I-39, south along
I-39 to Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois
Route 29, south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois Route 17, west
along Illinois Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and due south across
the Mississippi River to the Iowa border.
Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Goose
Zone line to a line extending west from the Indiana border along I-70
to Illinois Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route
161, west along Illinois Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south and
west along Illinois Route 158 to Illinois Route 159, south along
Illinois 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 zone as for ducks.
South Central Zone: Same zone as for ducks.
Indiana
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
Late Canada Goose Season Zone: That part of the State encompassed
by the following Counties: Adams, Allen, Boone, Clay, De Kalb, Elkhart,
Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Huntington, Johnson, Kosciusko,
Lagrange, La Porte, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Noble, Parke,
Shelby, Starke, Steuben, St. Joseph, Sullivan, Vermillion, Vigo, Wells,
and Whitley.
Iowa
Early Canada Goose Seasons
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Goose Zone: Includes portions of Linn and
Johnson Counties bounded as follows: Beginning at the intersection of
the west border of Linn County and Linn County Road E2W; then south and
east along County Road E2W to Highway 920; then north along Highway 920
to County Road E16; then east along County Road E16 to County Road W58;
then south along County Road W58 to County Road E34; then east along
County Road E34 to Highway 13; then south along Highway 13 to Highway
30; then east along Highway 30 to Highway 1; then south along Highway 1
to Morse Road in Johnson County; then east along Morse Road to Wapsi
Avenue; then south along Wapsi Avenue to Lower West Branch Road; then
west along Lower West Branch Road to Taft Avenue; then south along Taft
Avenue to County Road F62; then west along County Road F62 to Kansas
Avenue; then north along Kansas Avenue to Black Diamond Road; then west
on Black Diamond Road to Jasper Avenue; then north along Jasper Avenue
to Rohert Road; then west along Rohert Road to Ivy Avenue; then north
along Ivy Avenue to 340th Street; then west along 340th Street to Half
Moon Avenue; then north along Half Moon Avenue to Highway 6; then west
along Highway 6 to Echo Avenue; then north along Echo Avenue to 250th
Street; then east on 250th Street to Green Castle Avenue; then north
along Green Castle Avenue to County Road F12; then west along County
Road F12 to County Road W30; then north along County Road W30 to
Highway 151; then north along the Linn-Benton County line to the point
of beginning.
Des Moines Goose Zone: Includes those portions of Polk, Warren,
Madison
[[Page 10248]]
and Dallas Counties bounded as follows: Beginning at the intersection
of Northwest 158th Avenue and County Road R38 in Polk County; then
south along R38 to Northwest 142nd Avenue; then east along Northwest
142nd Avenue to Northeast 126th Avenue; then east along Northeast 126th
Avenue to Northeast 46th Street; then south along Northeast 46th Street
to Highway 931; then east along Highway 931 to Northeast 80th Street;
then south along Northeast 80th Street to Southeast 6th Avenue; then
west along Southeast 6th Avenue to Highway 65; then south and west
along Highway 65 to Highway 69 in Warren County; then south along
Highway 69 to County Road G24; then west along County Road G24 to
Highway 28; then southwest along Highway 28 to 43rd Avenue; then north
along 43rd Avenue to Ford Street; then west along Ford Street to
Filmore Street; then west along Filmore Street to 10th Avenue; then
south along 10th Avenue to 155th Street in Madison County; then west
along 155th Street to Cumming Road; then north along Cumming Road to
Badger Creek Avenue; then north along Badger Creek Avenue to County
Road F90 in Dallas County; then east along County Road F90 to County
Road R22; then north along County Road R22 to Highway 44; then east
along Highway 44 to County Road R30; then north along County Road R30
to County Road F31; then east along County Road F31 to Highway 17; then
north along Highway 17 to Highway 415 in Polk County; then east along
Highway 415 to Northwest 158th Avenue; then east along Northwest 158th
Avenue to the point of beginning.
Cedar Falls/Waterloo Goose Zone: Includes those portions of Black
Hawk County bounded as follows: Beginning at the intersection of County
Roads C66 and V49 in Black Hawk County, then south along County Road
V49 to County Road D38, then west along County Road D38 to State
Highway 21, then south along State Highway 21 to County Road D35, then
west along County Road D35 to Grundy Road, then north along Grundy Road
to County Road D19, then west along County Road D19 to Butler Road,
then north along Butler Road to County Road C57, then north and east
along County Road C57 to U.S. Highway 63, then south along U.S. Highway
63 to County Road C66, then east along County Road C66 to the point of
beginning.
Regular Seasons
Same zones as for ducks.
Kentucky
Northeast Goose Zone: Bath, Menifee, Morgan (except the portion
that lies within the Paintsville Lake WMA) and Rowan Counties except
that no goose hunting is permitted on public land (U.S. Forest Service)
and water within the block of land lying inside the boundaries of Hwy
801, Hwy 1274, Hwy 36, Hwy 211, Hwy 60 and Hwy 826.
Remainder of State: The remainder of Kentucky outside the Northeast
Goose Zone.
Louisiana
North Zone: That portion of the State north of the line from the
Texas border at Hwy 190/12 east to Hwy 49, then south on Hwy 49 to I-
10, then east on I-10 to I-12, then east on I-12 to 1-10, then east on
I-10 to the Mississippi State line.
South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Michigan
North Zone: Same as North duck zone.
Middle Zone: Same as Middle duck zone.
South Zone: Same as South duck zone.
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.
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.
Minnesota
Same zones as for ducks.
Missouri
Same zones as for ducks.
Ohio
Same zones as for ducks.
Tennessee
Northwest Goose Zone: Lake, Obion, and Weakley Counties, and Dyer
County, excluding that portion south of State Highway 104; and Gibson
County, excluding that portion south of State Highway 104 and west of
U.S. Highways 45 and 45W.
Remainder of State: That portion of Tennessee outside of the
Northwest Goose Zone.
Wisconsin
Early Canada Goose Seasons
Early-Season Subzone A: That portion of the State encompassed by a
line beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 141 and the Michigan
border near Niagara, then south along U.S. 141 to State Highway 22,
west and southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45, south along U.S. 45 to
State 22, west and south along State 22 to State 110, south along State
110 to U.S. 10, south along U.S. 10 to State 49, south along State 49
to State 23, west along State 23 to State 73, south along State 73 to
State 60, west along State 60 to State 23, south along State 23 to
State 11, east along State 11 to State 78, then south along State 78 to
the Illinois border.
Early-Season Subzone B: The remainder of the State.
Regular Seasons
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.
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.
[[Page 10249]]
Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose Area: That portion of the State
east of Interstate Highway 25.
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
Zone 1: Same as Zone 1 for ducks and coots.
Zone 2: Same as Zone 2 for ducks and coots.
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; then
north on ND Hwy 6 to I-94; then west on I-94 to ND Hwy 49; then north
on ND Hwy 49 to ND Hwy 200; then north on Mercer County Rd. 21 to the
section line between sections 8 and 9 (T146N-R87W); then north on that
section line to the southern shoreline to Lake Sakakawea; then east
along the southern shoreline (including Mallard Island) of Lake
Sakakawea to U.S. Hwy 83; then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to ND Hwy 200; then
east on ND Hwy 200 to ND Hwy 41; then south on ND Hwy 41 to U.S. Hwy
83; then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to I-94; then east on I-94 to U.S. Hwy
83; then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to the South Dakota border; then west
along the South Dakota border to ND Hwy 6.
Rest of State: Remainder of North Dakota.
South Dakota
Early Canada Goose Seasons
Special Early Canada Goose Unit: The Counties of Campbell,
Marshall, Roberts, Day, Clark, Codington, Grant, Hamlin, Deuel,
Walworth; that portion of Perkins County west of State Highway 75 and
south of State Highway 20; that portion of Dewey County north of Bureau
of Indian Affairs Road 8, Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 9, and the
section of U.S. Highway 212 east of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 8
junction; that portion of Potter County east of U.S. Highway 83; that
portion of Sully County east of U.S. Highway 83; portions of Hyde,
Buffalo, Brule, and Charles Mix counties north and east of a line
beginning at the Hughes-Hyde County line on State Highway 34, east to
Lees Boulevard, southeast to State Highway 34, east 7 miles to 350th
Avenue, south to Interstate 90 on 350th Avenue, south and east on State
Highway 50 to Geddes, east on 285th Street to U.S. Highway 281, and
north on U.S. Highway 281 to the Charles Mix-Douglas County boundary;
that portion of Bon Homme County north of State Highway 50; those
portions of Yankton and Clay Counties north of a line beginning at the
junction of State Highway 50 and 306th Street/County Highway 585 in Bon
Homme County, east to U.S. Highway 81, then north on U.S. Highway 81 to
303rd Street, then east on 303rd Street to 444th Avenue, then south on
444th Avenue to 305th Street, then east on 305th Street/Bluff Road to
State Highway 19, then south to State Highway 50 and east to the Clay/
Union County Line; McPherson, Edmunds, Kingsbury, Brookings, Lake,
Moody, Miner, Faulk, Hand, Jerauld, Douglas, Hutchinson, Turner,
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 and Minnehaha County Highway 122 (254th Street).
Regular Seasons
Unit 1: Same as that for the September Canada Goose Season.
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.
[[Page 10250]]
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
Same zones as for ducks.
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 Road; north on Weist Road to Flowing Wells Road;
northeast on Flowing Wells Road to the Coachella Canal; northwest on
the Coachella Canal to Drop 18; a straight line from Drop 18 to Frink
Road; south on Frink Road to Highway 111; north on Highway 111 to
Niland Marina Road; southwest on Niland Marina Road 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, Colorado River, and Southern Zones.
North Coast Special Management Area: Del Norte and Humboldt
Counties.
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)
Same zones as for ducks.
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.
White-Fronted Geese
Same zones as for ducks.
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.
[[Page 10251]]
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.
Nevada
Same zones as for ducks.
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, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, 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: Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Hood River,
Jefferson, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, and
Wheeler Counties.
Klamath County Zone: Klamath County.
Harney and Lake County Zone: Harney and Lake Counties.
Malheur County Zone: Malheur County.
Utah
East Box Elder County Zone: Boundary begins at the intersection of
the eastern boundary of Public Shooting Grounds Waterfowl Management
Area and SR-83 (Promontory Road); east along SR-83 to I-15; south on I-
15 to the Perry access road; southwest along this road to the Bear
River Bird Refuge boundary; west, north, and then east along the refuge
boundary until it intersects the Public Shooting Grounds Waterfowl
Management Area boundary; east and north along the Public Shooting
Grounds Waterfowl Management Area boundary to SR-83.
Wasatch Front Zone: Boundary begins at the Weber-Box Elder County
line at I-15; east along Weber County line to US-89; south on US-89 to
I-84; east and south on I-84 to I-80; south on I-80 to US-189; south
and west on US-189 to the Utah County line; southeast and then west
along this line to the Tooele County line; north along the Tooele
County line to I-80; east on I-80 to Exit 99; north from Exit 99 along
a direct line 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; north from this point along a direct 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.
Southern Zone: boundary includes Beaver, Carbon, Emery, Garfield,
Grand, Iron, Juab, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier,
Wayne, and Washington Counties, and that part of Tooele County south of
I-80.
Northern Zone: The remainder of Utah not included in the Eastern
Box Elder County, Wasatch Front, and Southern Zones.
Washington
Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
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: The remainder of the State not included in
the Northern Zone.
Washington
Puget Sound Zone: Clallam, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties.
Coastal Zone: Pacific County.
Swans
Central Flyway
South Dakota: Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo,
Campbell, Clark, Codington, Davison, Day, Deuel, 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
[[Page 10252]]
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.
Doves
Alabama
South Zone: Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia,
Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties.
North Zone: Remainder of the State.
Florida
Northwest Zone: The Counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin,
Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton,
Washington, Leon (except that portion north of U.S. 27 and east of
State Road 155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of State Road 59 and
north of U.S. 98), and Wakulla (except that portion south of U.S. 98
and east of the St. Marks River).
South Zone: Remainder of State.
Louisiana
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Texas border along State Highway 12 to U.S. Highway 190,
east along U.S. 190 to Interstate Highway 12, east along Interstate
Highway 12 to Interstate Highway 10, then east along Interstate Highway
10 to the Mississippi border.
South Zone: The remainder of the State.
Mississippi
North Zone: That portion of the State north and west of a line
extending west from the Alabama State line along U.S. Highway 84 to its
junction with State Highway 35, then south along State Highway 35 to
the Louisiana State line.
South Zone: The remainder of Mississippi.
Texas
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line beginning at
the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; north along FM 1088 to
TX 20; west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along TX 148 to I-10 at Fort
Hancock; east along I-10 to I-20; northeast along I-20 to I-30 at Fort
Worth; northeast along I-30 to the Texas-Arkansas State line.
Central Zone: That portion of the State lying between the North and
South Zones.
South Zone: That portion of the State south and west of a line
beginning at the International Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east
on U.S. 90 to State Loop 1604 west of San Antonio; then south, east,
and north along Loop 1604 to I-10 east of San Antonio; then east on I-
10 to Orange, Texas.
Special White-winged Dove Area in the South Zone: Same as the South
Zone.
Band-Tailed Pigeons
California
North Zone: Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen,
Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity
Counties.
South Zone: The remainder of the State not included in the North
Zone.
New Mexico
North Zone: North of a line following U.S. 60 from the Arizona
State line east to I-25 at Socorro and then south along I-25 from
Socorro to the Texas State line.
South Zone: The remainder of the State not included in the North
Zone.
Washington
Western Washington: The State of Washington excluding those
portions lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big
White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
Woodcock
New Jersey
North Zone: That portion of the State north of NJ 70.
South Zone: The remainder of the State.
Sandhill Cranes
Mississippi Flyway
Minnesota
Northwest Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line
extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 to
State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east along
STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north along
CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to STH 1,
east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 28
to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in Roseau
County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 310, and
north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
Tennessee
Southeast Crane Zone: That portion of the State south of Interstate
40 and east of State Highway 56.
Remainder of State: That portion of Tennessee outside of the
Southeast Crane Zone.
Central Flyway
Colorado: The Central Flyway portion of the State except the San
Luis Valley (Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande,
and Saguache Counties east of the Continental Divide) and North Park
(Jackson County).
Kansas: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the
Oklahoma border, north on I-35 to Wichita, north on I-135 to Salina,
and north on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border.
Montana
Regular Season Open Area: The Central Flyway portion of the State
except for that area south and west of Interstate 90, which is closed
to sandhill crane hunting.
Special Season Open Area: Carbon County.
New Mexico
Regular-Season Open Area: Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay,
and Roosevelt Counties.
Special Season Open Areas
Middle Rio Grande Valley Area: The Central Flyway portion of New
Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties.
Estancia Valley Area: Those portions of Santa Fe, Torrance, and
Bernallilo Counties within an area bounded on the west by New Mexico
Highway 55 beginning at Mountainair north to NM 337, north to NM 14,
north to I-25; on the north by I-25 east to U.S. 285; on the east by
U.S. 285 south to U.S. 60; and on the south by U.S. 60 from U.S. 285
west to NM 55 in Mountainair.
Southwest Zone: Area bounded on the south by the New Mexico-Mexico
border; on the west by the New Mexico-Arizona border north to
Interstate 10; on the north by Interstate 10 east to U.S. 180, north to
N.M. 26, east to N.M. 27, north to N.M. 152, and east to Interstate 25;
on the east by Interstate 25 south to Interstate 10, west to the Luna
County line, and south to the New Mexico-Mexico border.
North Dakota
Area 1: That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
Area 2: That portion of the State east of U.S. 281.
Oklahoma: That portion of the State west of I-35.
South Dakota: That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
Texas
Zone A: That portion of Texas lying west of a line beginning at the
international toll bridge at Laredo, then northeast along U.S. Highway
81 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35 in Laredo, then north
along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate Highway 10
in San Antonio,
[[Page 10253]]
then northwest along Interstate Highway 10 to its junction with U.S.
Highway 83 at Junction, then north along U.S. Highway 83 to its
junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of Childress, then east
along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State line.
Zone B: That portion of Texas lying within boundaries beginning at
the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-Oklahoma State line, then
southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its junction with U.S. Highway 287
in Montague County, then southeast along U.S. Highway 287 to its
junction with Interstate Highway 35W in Fort Worth, then southwest
along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate Highway 10
in San Antonio, then northwest along Interstate Highway 10 to its
junction with U.S. Highway 83 in the town of Junction, then north along
U.S. Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of
Childress, then east along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State
line, then south along the Texas-Oklahoma State line to the south bank
of the Red River, then eastward along the vegetation line on the south
bank of the Red River to U.S. Highway 81.
Zone C: The remainder of the State, except for the closed areas.
Closed areas: (A) That portion of the State lying east and north of
a line beginning at the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-
Oklahoma State line, then southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its
junction with U.S. Highway 287 in Montague County, then southeast along
U.S. Highway 287 to its junction with I-35W in Fort Worth, then
southwest along I-35 to its junction with U.S. Highway 290 East in
Austin, then east along U.S. Highway 290 to its junction with
Interstate Loop 610 in Harris County, then south and east along
Interstate Loop 610 to its junction with Interstate Highway 45 in
Houston, then south on Interstate Highway 45 to State Highway 342, then
to the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, and then north and east along the
shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the Texas-Louisiana State line.
(B) That portion of the State lying within the boundaries of a line
beginning at the Kleberg-Nueces County line and the shore of the Gulf
of Mexico, then west along the County line to Park Road 22 in Nueces
County, then north and west along Park Road 22 to its junction with
State Highway 358 in Corpus Christi, then west and north along State
Highway 358 to its junction with State Highway 286, then north along
State Highway 286 to its junction with Interstate Highway 37, then east
along Interstate Highway 37 to its junction with U.S. Highway 181, then
north and west along U.S. Highway 181 to its junction with U.S. Highway
77 in Sinton, then north and east along U.S. Highway 77 to its junction
with U.S. Highway 87 in Victoria, then south and east along U.S.
Highway 87 to its junction with State Highway 35 at Port Lavaca, then
north and east along State Highway 35 to the south end of the Lavaca
Bay Causeway, then south and east along the shore of Lavaca Bay to its
junction with the Port Lavaca Ship Channel, then south and east along
the Lavaca Bay Ship Channel to the Gulf of Mexico, and then south and
west along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the Kleberg-Nueces County
line.
Wyoming
Regular Season Open Area: Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen,
Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties.
Special Season Open Areas
Riverton-Boysen Unit: Portions of Fremont County.
Park and Big Horn County Unit: All of Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park,
and Washakie Counties.
Johnson, Natrona, and Sheridan County Unit: All of Johnson,
Natrona, and Sheridan Counties.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
Zone 1: Beginning at the junction of the New Mexico State line and
U.S. Hwy 80; south along the State line to the U.S.-Mexico border; west
along the border to the San Pedro River; north along the San Pedro
River to the junction with Arizona Hwy 77; northerly along Arizona Hwy
77 to the Gila River; northeast along the Gila River to the San Carlos
Indian Reservation boundary; south then east and north along the
reservation boundary to U.S. Hwy 70; southeast on U.S. Hwy 70 to U.S.
Hwy 191; south on U.S. Hwy 191 to the 352 exit on I-10; east on I-10 to
Bowie-Apache Pass Road; southerly on the Bowie-Apache Pass Road to
Arizona Hwy 186; southeasterly on Arizona Hwy 186 to Arizona Hwy 181;
south on Arizona Hwy 181 to the West Turkey Creek-Kuykendall cutoff
road; southerly on the Kuykendall cutoff road to Rucker Canyon Road;
easterly on Rucker Canyon Road to the Tex Canyon Road; southerly on Tex
Canyon Road to U.S. Hwy 80; northeast on U.S. Hwy 80 to the New Mexico
State line.
Zone 2: Beginning at I-10 and the New Mexico State line; north
along the State line to Arizona Hwy 78; southwest on Arizona Hwy 78 to
U.S. Hwy 191; northwest on U.S. Hwy 191 to Clifton; westerly on the
Lower Eagle Creek Road (Pump Station Road) to Eagle Creek; northerly
along Eagle Creek to the San Carlos Indian Reservation boundary;
southerly and west along the reservation boundary to U.S. Hwy 70;
southeast on U.S. Hwy 70 to U.S. Hwy 191; south on U.S. Hwy 191 to I-
10; easterly on I-10 to the New Mexico State line.
Idaho
Area 1: All of Bear Lake County and all of Caribou County except
that portion lying within the Grays Lake Basin.
Area 2: All of Teton County except that portion lying west of State
Highway 33 and south of Packsaddle Road (West 400 North) and north of
the North Cedron Road (West 600 South) and east of the west bank of the
Teton River.
Area 3: All of Fremont County except the Chester Wetlands Wildlife
Management Area.
Area 4: All of Jefferson County.
Area 5: All of Bannock County east of Interstate-15 and south of
U.S. Highway 30; and all of Franklin County.
Montana
Zone 1 (Warm Springs Portion of Deer Lodge County): Those portions
of Deer Lodge County lying within the following described boundary:
Beginning at the intersection of I-90 and Highway 273, then westerly
along Highway 273 to the junction of Highway 1, then southeast along
said highway to Highway 275 at Opportunity, then east along said
highway to East Side County road, then north along said road to Perkins
Lake, then west on said lane to I-90, then north on said interstate to
the junction of Highway 273, the point of beginning. Except for
sections 13 and 24, T5N, R10W; and Warm Springs Pond number 3.
Zone 2 (Ovando-Helmville Area): That portion of the Pacific Flyway,
located in Powell County lying within the following described boundary:
Beginning at the junction of State Routes 141 and 200, then west along
Route 200 to its intersection with the Blackfoot River at Russell Gates
Fishing Access Site (Powell-Missoula County line), then southeast along
said river to its intersection with the Ovando-Helmville Road (County
Road 104) at Cedar Meadows Fishing Access Site, then south and east
along said road to its junction with State Route 141, then north along
said route to its junction with State Route 200, the point of
beginning.
Zone 3 (Dillon/Twin Bridges/Cardwell Areas): Beaverhead, Gallatin,
Jefferson, and Madison Counties.
[[Page 10254]]
Zone 4 (Broadwater County): Broadwater County.
Utah
Cache County: Cache County.
East Box Elder County: That portion of Box Elder County beginning
on the Utah-Idaho State line at the Box Elder-Cache County line; west
on the State line to the Pocatello Valley County Road; south on the
Pocatello Valley County Road to I-15; southeast on I-15 to SR-83; south
on SR-83 to Lamp Junction; west and south on the Promontory Point
County Road to the tip of Promontory Point; south from Promontory Point
to the Box Elder-Weber County line; east on the Box Elder-Weber County
line to the Box Elder-Cache County line; north on the Box Elde-Cache
County line to the Utah-Idaho State line.
Rich County: Rich County.
Uintah County: Uintah County.
Wyoming
Area 1 (Bear River): All of the Bear River and Ham's Fork River
drainages in Lincoln County.
Area 2 (Salt River Area): All of the Salt River drainage in Lincoln
County south of the McCoy Creek Road.
Area 3 (Eden Valley Area): All lands within the Bureau of
Reclamation's Eden Project in Sweetwater County.
Area 5 (Uintah County Area): Uinta County.
All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska
North Zone: State Game Management Units 11-13 and 17-26.
Gulf Coast Zone: State Game Management Units 5-7, 9, 14-16, and 10
(Unimak Island only).
Southeast Zone: State Game Management Units 1-4.
Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone: State Game Management Unit 10
(except Unimak Island).
Kodiak Zone: State Game Management Unit 8.
All Migratory Game Birds in the Virgin Islands
Ruth Cay Closure Area: The island of Ruth Cay, just south of St.
Croix.
All Migratory Game Birds in Puerto Rico
Municipality of Culebra Closure Area: All of the municipality of
Culebra.
Desecheo Island Closure Area: All of Desecheo Island.
Mona Island Closure Area: All of Mona Island.
El Verde Closure Area: Those areas of the municipalities of Rio
Grande and Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All lands between Routes
956 on the west and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the north to the
juncture of Routes 956 and 186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands
between Routes 186 and 966 from the juncture of 186 and 966 on the
north, to the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the south; (3) all
lands lying west of Route 186 for 1 kilometer from the juncture of
Routes 186 and 956 south to Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within Km
14 and Km 6 on the west and the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on
the east; and (5) all lands within the Caribbean National Forest
Boundary whether private or public.
Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas: All of Cidra Municipality
and portions of Aguas Buenas, Caguas, Cayey, and Comerio Municipalities
as encompassed within the following boundary: Beginning on Highway 172
as it leaves the municipality of Cidra on the west edge, north to
Highway 156, east on Highway 156 to Highway 1, south on Highway 1 to
Highway 765, south on Highway 765 to Highway 763, south on Highway 763
to the Rio Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to Highway 1, southwest on
Highway 1 to Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to Highway 729, north on
Highway 729 to Cidra Municipality boundary to the point of the
beginning.
[FR Doc. 2017-02684 Filed 2-8-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
