Migratory Bird Hunting; Final 2021-22 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations, and Special Procedures for Issuance of Annual Hunting Regulations
| Published date | 16 July 2021 |
| Citation | 86 FR 37854 |
| Record Number | 2021-15084 |
| Section | Rules and Regulations |
| Court | Fish And Wildlife Service |
Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 134 (Friday, July 16, 2021)
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 134 (Friday, July 16, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37854-37889]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15084]
[[Page 37853]]
Vol. 86
Friday,
No. 134
July 16, 2021
Part IIIDepartment of the Interior-----------------------------------------------------------------------Fish and Wildlife Service-----------------------------------------------------------------------50 CFR Part 20Migratory Bird Hunting; Final 2021-22 Frameworks for Migratory Bird
Hunting Regulations, and Special Procedures for Issuance of Annual
Hunting Regulations; Final Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 86 , No. 134 / Friday, July 16, 2021 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 37854]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2020-0032; FF09M22000-212-FXMB1231099BPP0]
RIN 1018-BE34
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final 2021-22 Frameworks for Migratory
Bird Hunting Regulations, and Special Procedures for Issuance of Annual
Hunting Regulations
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) is
establishing the final frameworks from which States may select season
dates, limits, and other options for the 2021-22 migratory game bird
hunting season, and making a minor change to the special procedures for
issuance of annual hunting regulations. We annually prescribe outside
limits, frameworks, within which States may select hunting seasons.
Frameworks specify the outside dates, season lengths, shooting hours,
bag and possession limits, and areas where migratory game bird hunting
may occur. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of
seasons and limits and to allow harvest at levels compatible with
migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions. Migratory
game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and
sustenance, and aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the
management of migratory game birds.
DATES: This rule takes effect on July 16, 2021.
ADDRESSES: States should send their season selections to: Chief,
Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
MS: MB, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803. You may
inspect comments received on the migratory bird hunting regulations at
http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2020-0032. You may
obtain copies of referenced reports from the street address above, or
from the Division of Migratory Bird Management's website at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/, or at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket
No. FWS-HQ-MB-2020-0032.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerome Ford, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Department of the Interior, (202) 208-1050.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The process for promulgating annual
regulations for the hunting of migratory game birds involves the
publication of a series of proposed and final rulemaking documents. In
this final rule, in addition to our normal procedure of setting forth
frameworks for the annual hunting regulations (described below), we are
also making minor changes to the permanent regulations that govern the
migratory bird hunting program. The annual regulations are set forth in
subpart K of part 20 of the regulations in title 50 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR). In this document, we also make minor changes
to subpart N of 50 CFR part 20, as follows:
Changes to Regulations at 50 CFR Part 20 (Subpart N)
The regulations governing special procedures for issuance of annual
hunting regulations are at 50 CFR part 20, subpart N. The rules of
subpart N apply only to subpart K regarding the issuance of the annual
regulations establishing seasons, bag limits, and other requirements
for the seasonal hunting of migratory birds.
In subpart N, the current regulations require that the Service
publish a notice of meetings of the Service's Regulations Committee and
the Flyway Councils in the process of developing frameworks for
migratory bird hunting seasons. Specifically, notice of each meeting of
the Regulations Committee and Flyway Council to be attended by any
official of the Department of the Interior will be published in the
Federal Register at least 2 weeks before the meeting or as soon as
practicable after the Service learns of the Flyway Council meeting.
In addition to or in place of publishing a meeting notice in the
Federal Register, we add posting on the Service's Migratory Bird
Program website as a method to notify the public of these meetings. We
are making this change because it will increase our ability to provide
more timely information as meeting information becomes available, and
more flexibility to inform the public of changes in meeting dates and
locations should such changes be necessary. Greater flexibility has
become critical when unforeseen exigencies require venue changes for
these meetings.
Process for Establishing Annual Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations
(Subpart K)
As part of the Department of the Interior's retrospective
regulatory review, in 2015 we developed a schedule for migratory game
bird hunting regulations that is more efficient and establishes hunting
season dates earlier than was possible under the previous process.
Under the current process, we develop proposed hunting season
frameworks for a given year in the fall of the prior year. We then
finalize those frameworks a few months later, thereby enabling the
State agencies to select and publish their season dates in early
summer. We provided a detailed overview of the current process in the
August 3, 2017, Federal Register (82 FR 36308). This rule is the third
in a series of proposed and final rules that establish regulations for
the 2021-22 migratory bird hunting season.
Regulations Schedule for 2021
On October 9, 2020, we published in the Federal Register (85 FR
64097) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal provided a
background and overview of the migratory bird hunting regulations
process, and addressed the establishment of seasons, limits, and other
regulations for hunting migratory game birds under Sec. Sec. 20.101
through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. Major steps in the
2021-22 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal
Register notifications were illustrated in the diagram at the end of
the October 9, 2020, proposed rule. For this regulatory cycle, we have
combined elements of the document that is described in the diagram as
Supplemental Proposals with the document that is described as Proposed
Season Frameworks.
Further, in the October 9, 2020, proposed rule we explained that
all sections of subsequent documents outlining hunting frameworks and
guidelines would be organized under numbered headings, which were set
forth at 85 FR 64098. This and subsequent documents will refer only to
numbered items requiring attention. We will omit those items not
requiring attention, and remaining numbered items may be discontinuous
and appear incomplete.
We provided the meeting dates and locations for the Service
Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council meetings on Flyway
calendars posted on our website at https://www.fws.gov/birds/management/flyways.php. We announced the April SRC meeting in the April
9, 2020, Federal Register (85 FR 19952). The October 9, 2020, proposed
rule provided detailed information on the proposed 2021-22 regulatory
schedule and announced the October SRC meeting.
On February 22, 2021, we published in the Federal Register (86 FR
10622)
[[Page 37855]]
the proposed frameworks for the 2021-22 season migratory bird hunting
regulations. We have considered all pertinent comments received through
March 24, 2021, which includes comments submitted in response to our
October 9 and February 22 proposed rulemaking documents and comments
from the October SRC meeting. This document establishes final
frameworks for migratory bird hunting regulations for the 2021-22
season and includes no substantive changes from the February 22, 2021,
proposed rule except a minor correction (see 4. Canada and Cackling
Geese, below). We will publish State selections in the Federal Register
as amendments to Sec. Sec. 20.101 through 20.107 and 20.109 of title
50 CFR part 20.
Population Status and Harvest
Each year we publish reports that provide detailed information on
the status and harvest of certain migratory game bird species. These
reports are available at the address indicated under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT or from our website at https://www.fws.gov/birds/surveys-and-data/reports-and-publications/population-status.php.
We used the following annual reports published in August 2020 in
the development of proposed frameworks for the migratory bird hunting
regulations: Adaptive Harvest Management, 2021 Hunting Season; American
Woodcock Population Status, 2020; Band-tailed Pigeon Population Status,
2020; Migratory Bird Hunting Activity and Harvest During the 2018-19
and 2019-20 Hunting Seasons; Mourning Dove Population Status, 2020;
Status and Harvests of Sandhill Cranes, Mid-continent, Rocky Mountain,
Lower Colorado River Valley and Eastern Populations, 2020; and
Waterfowl Population Status, 2020.
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 conclude 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 during the public comment period.
Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations
The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the October
9, 2020, Federal Register, opened the public comment period for
migratory game bird hunting regulations and described the proposed
regulatory alternatives for the 2021-22 duck hunting season. Comments
and recommendations are summarized below and numbered in the order set
forth in the October 9, 2020, proposed rule (see 85 FR 64098).
We received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils at the
April and October SRC meetings; all recommendations are from the
October meeting unless otherwise noted. 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. As explained earlier in
this document, 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.
General
Written Comments: Several commenters protested the entire migratory
bird hunting regulations process, protested the killing of all
migratory birds, and questioned the status and habitat data on which
the migratory bird hunting regulations are based.
Service Response: As we indicated above under Population Status and
Harvest, 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. Sustaining
migratory bird populations and ensuring a variety of sustainable uses,
including harvest, is consistent with the guiding principles by which
migratory birds are to be managed under the conventions between the
United States and several foreign nations for the protection and
management of these birds. We have taken into account available
information and considered public comments and continue to conclude
that the hunting seasons provided for herein are compatible with the
current status of migratory bird populations and long-term population
goals. In regard to the regulations process, the Flyway Council system
of migratory bird management has been a longstanding example of State-
Federal cooperative management since its establishment in 1952 in
regulation development process and bird population and habitat
monitoring. However, as always, we continue to seek new ways to
streamline and improve the process and ensure adequate conservation of
the resource.
1. Ducks
A. General Harvest Strategy
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory
alternative for their respective flyways.
Service Response: As we stated in the October 9, 2020, proposed
rule, we intend to continue use of Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) to
help determine appropriate duck-hunting regulations for the 2021-22
season. AHM is a tool that permits sound resource decisions in the face
of uncertain regulatory impacts and provides a mechanism for reducing
that uncertainty over time. We use an AHM protocol (decision framework)
to evaluate four regulatory alternatives, each with a different
expected harvest level, and choose the optimal regulation for duck
hunting based on the status and demographics of mallards for the
Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways, and based on the status and
demographics of a suite of four species (eastern waterfowl) in the
Atlantic Flyway (see below, and the earlier referenced report
``Adaptive Harvest Management, 2021 Hunting Season'' for more details).
We have specific AHM protocols that guide appropriate bag limits and
season lengths for species of special concern, including black ducks,
scaup, and pintails, within the general duck season. These protocols
use the same outside season dates and lengths as those regulatory
alternatives for the 2021-22 general duck season.
For the 2021-22 hunting season, we will continue to use independent
optimizations to determine the appropriate regulatory alternative for
mallard stocks in the Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways and for
eastern waterfowl in the Atlantic Flyway. This means that we will
develop regulations for mid-continent mallards, western mallards, and
eastern waterfowl independently based on the breeding stock(s) that
contributes primarily to each Flyway. We detailed implementation of AHM
protocols for
[[Page 37856]]
mid-continent and western mallards in the July 24, 2008, Federal
Register (73 FR 43290), and for eastern waterfowl in the September 21,
2018, Federal Register (83 FR 47868).
We also stated in the October 9, 2020, proposed rule, that the
coronavirus pandemic prevented the Service and their partners from
performing the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (WBPHS)
and estimating waterfowl breeding abundances and habitat conditions in
the spring of 2020. As a result, AHM protocols have been adjusted to
inform decisions on duck hunting regulations based on model predictions
of breeding abundances and habitat conditions. In most cases, system
models specific to each AHM decision framework have been used to
predict breeding abundances from the available information (e.g., 2019
observations). However, for some system state variables (i.e., pond
numbers and mean latitude) we have used updated time series models to
forecast 2020 values based on the most recent information. These
technical adjustments are described in detail in the report entitled
``Adaptive Harvest Management, 2021 Hunting Season'' referenced above
under Population Status and Harvest.
Atlantic Flyway
For the Atlantic Flyway, we set duck-hunting regulations based on
the status and demographics of a suite of four duck species (eastern
waterfowl) in eastern Canada and the Atlantic Flyway States: Green-
winged teal, common goldeneye, ring-necked duck, and wood duck. For
purposes of the assessment, eastern waterfowl stocks are those breeding
in eastern Canada and Maine (Federal WBPHS fixed-wing surveys in strata
51-53, 56, and 62-70, and helicopter plot surveys in strata 51-52, 63-
64, 66-68, and 70-72) and in Atlantic Flyway States from New Hampshire
south to Virginia (Atlantic Flyway Breeding Waterfowl Survey, AFBWS).
Abundance estimates for green-winged teal, ring-necked ducks, and
goldeneyes are derived annually by integrating fixed-wing and
helicopter survey data from eastern Canada and Maine (WBPHS strata 51-
53, 56, and 62-72). Counts of green-winged teal, ring-necked ducks, and
goldeneyes in the AFBWS are negligible and therefore excluded from
population estimates for those species. Abundance estimates for wood
ducks in the Atlantic Flyway (Maine south to Florida) are estimated by
integrating data from the AFBWS and the North American Breeding Bird
Survey. Counts of wood ducks from the WBPHS are negligible and
therefore excluded from population estimates.
For the 2021-22 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest
regulations for eastern waterfowl using: (1) A management objective of
98 percent of maximum long-term sustainable harvest for eastern
waterfowl; (2) the 2021-22 regulatory alternatives; and (3) current
stock-specific population models and associated weights. Based on the
liberal regulatory alternative selected for the 2020-21 duck hunting
season, the 2020 model predictions of 0.35 million green-winged teal,
0.94 million wood ducks, 0.70 million ring-necked ducks, and 0.58
million goldeneyes, the optimal regulation for the Atlantic Flyway is
the liberal alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendation
of the Atlantic Flyway Council regarding selection of the liberal
regulatory alternative as described in the October 9, 2020, proposed
rule for the 2021-22 season.
The mallard bag limit in the Atlantic Flyway is based on a separate
assessment of the harvest potential of eastern mallards (see xi. Other,
below, for further discussion on the mallard bag limit in the Atlantic
Flyway).
Mississippi and Central Flyways
For the Mississippi and Central Flyways, we set duck-hunting
regulations based on the status and demographics of mid-continent
mallards and habitat conditions (pond numbers in Prairie Canada). For
purposes of the assessment, mid-continent mallards are those breeding
in central North America (Federal WBPHS strata 13-18, 20-50, and 75-
77), and in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (State surveys).
For the 2021-22 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest
regulations for mid-continent mallards using: (1) A management
objective of maximum long-term sustainable harvest; (2) the 2021-22
regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population models and
associated weights. Based on a liberal regulatory alternative selected
for the 2020-21 hunting season, the 2020 model predictions of 9.07
million mid-continent mallards and 3.40 million ponds in Prairie
Canada, the optimal regulation for the Mississippi and Central Flyways
is the liberal alternative. Therefore, we concur with the
recommendations of the Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils
regarding selection of the liberal regulatory alternative as described
in the October 9, 2020, proposed rule for the 2021-22 season.
Pacific Flyway
For the Pacific Flyway, we set duck-hunting regulations based on
the status and demographics of western mallards. For purposes of the
assessment, western mallards consist of two substocks and are those
breeding in Alaska and Yukon Territory (Federal WBPHS strata 1-12) and
those breeding in the southern Pacific Flyway including California,
Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia (State and Provincial surveys)
combined.
For the 2021-22 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest
regulations for western mallards using: (1) A management objective of
maximum long-term sustainable harvest; (2) the 2021-22 regulatory
alternatives; and (3) the current population model. Based on a liberal
regulatory alternative selected for the 2020-21 hunting season, the
2020 model predictions of 0.94 million western mallards in Alaska and
the Yukon Territory (0.41 million) and the southern Pacific Flyway
(0.53 million), the optimal regulation for the Pacific Flyway is the
liberal alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendation of
the Pacific Flyway Council regarding selection of the liberal
regulatory alternative as described in the October 9, 2020, proposed
rule for the 2021-22 season.
B. Regulatory Alternatives
Council Recommendations: At the April SRC meeting, the Atlantic,
Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended that AHM
regulatory alternatives for duck hunting seasons in 2021-22 remain the
same as those used in the previous year with one exception that we
agreed to in 2020: Moving the opening framework date to 1 week earlier
in the restrictive regulatory alternative for the Mississippi and
Central Flyways beginning with the 2021-22 season based on their
recommendations (85 FR 15870; March 19, 2020). The Central Flyway
Council further recommended at the April SRC meeting that the bag limit
for male mallards in the moderate and liberal regulatory alternatives
for the Central Flyway be increased by one bird, so that the male
mallard bag limit would be the same as the overall duck bag limit of
six ducks. This recommendation is in opposition to Mississippi Flyway
Council's recommendation that AHM regulatory alternatives for duck
hunting seasons in 2021-22 remain the same as those used in the
previous year with the exception noted above.
Service Response: Consistent with Flyway Council recommendations in
April and the Flyway Council
[[Page 37857]]
recommendations we earlier adopted in the August 21, 2020, final rule
(85 FR 51854) for the 2021-22 duck season, the AHM regulatory
alternatives proposed for the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyways in the October 9, 2020, proposed rule (85 FR 64097)
will be used for the 2021-22 hunting season. The AHM regulatory
alternatives consist only of the maximum season lengths, framework
dates, and bag limits for total ducks and mallards. Restrictions for
certain species within these frameworks that are not covered by
existing harvest strategies will be addressed elsewhere in these
frameworks. For those species with specific harvest strategies
(pintails, black ducks, and scaup), those strategies will again be used
for the 2021-22 hunting season.
Last year, we considered proposals for mid-continent mallard duck
regulations from the Central and Mississippi Flyways, which differed in
the number of drake mallards in the daily bag limit. The
recommendations from the two Councils in April are the same with regard
to the bag limit for drake mallards as those we addressed in 2020 (85
FR 51854; August 21, 2020). Since the recommendations have not changed,
our decision also has not changed. Because mid-continent mallards are
shared between the two Flyways, the two Flyways need to work together
to create a suite of regulatory alternatives to which both can agree.
Since such an agreement between the flyways has not yet been reached,
the Service supports mallard bag limits for the 2021-22 season that are
the same as those from the 2020-21 season where the two Councils were
last in agreement (i.e., no change).
C. Zones and Split Seasons
Zones and split seasons are ``special regulations'' designed to
distribute hunting opportunities and harvests according to temporal,
geographic, and demographic variability in waterfowl and other
migratory game bird populations. For ducks, States have been allowed
the option of dividing their allotted hunting days into two (or in some
cases three) segments (splits) to take advantage of species-specific
peaks of abundance or to satisfy hunters in different areas who want to
hunt during the peak of waterfowl abundance in their area. We discussed
and presented guidelines for duck zones and split seasons during 2021-
25 seasons in the August 21, 2020, final rule (see 85 FR 51857). Also
at that time, based on a Flyway Council recommendation, we extended the
deadline for States to select their zone and split-season
configurations and to define potential new zone boundaries for the
2021-25 seasons from May 1, 2020, to August 15, 2020.
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended that States be allowed an additional year to
select their zone and split-season configurations and to define
potential new zone boundaries for the 2021-25 seasons, and that those
selections would remain in effect for 4 years (2022-25). At the April
SRC meeting, the Pacific Flyway Council recommended that Alaska be
allowed to move their two-segment season option from the Kodiak zone to
the Southeast Zone and retain grandfathered status (5 zones and 1 zone
with a split season).
Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils' recommendation to allow States an additional opportunity to
select their duck zone and split-season configurations and to define
potential new zone boundaries for the 5-year period originally planned
for the 2021-25 seasons. This opportunity will apply only to States
that have not yet made a change in their zone and split-season
configurations for the 2021-25 seasons, and these selections would
remain in effect for the 2022-25 seasons. The deadline for States to
select their zone and split-season configuration and to define
potential new zone boundaries for the 2022-25 seasons was May 1, 2021,
but we encourage States to submit their selections and zone boundaries
as soon as possible. The guidelines for duck zones and split seasons
during 2022-25 seasons will remain the same as those established in the
August 21, 2020, final rule (see 85 FR 51857). Any State that selects
the new configuration allowed by the Service beginning with the 2021-22
season (i.e., two zones with three segments in each zone) must conduct
an evaluation of the impacts of zones and splits on hunter dynamics
(e.g., hunter numbers, satisfaction) and harvest.
We are agreeable to allowing States an additional opportunity to
select their zone and split-season configurations because some States
were planning public input meetings during early spring 2020 to gather
additional input prior to making their selection for the 2021-25
seasons. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, those public
meetings were cancelled, so States were unable to gather that input.
However, in the future, we expect to adhere to our established
guidelines that restrict the frequency of changes in State selection
among these configurations to open seasons at the beginning of 5-year
intervals. This is necessary to increase our ability to detect the
impacts of zones and splits on waterfowl demographics and harvest.
Substantial concern remains about the unknown consequences of zones and
split seasons on duck populations and harvest redistribution among
States and flyways, potential reduced effectiveness of regulations
(season length and bag limit) to reduce duck harvest if needed, and the
administrative burden associated with changing regulations annually.
After this open period, the next regularly scheduled open season
for changes to zone and split-season configurations will be in 2026,
for use during the 2026-30 seasons. In order to allow sufficient time
for States to solicit public input regarding their selections of zone
and split season configurations in 2026, we will reaffirm the criteria
during the 2025 season regulations process. At that time, we will
notify States that changes to zone and split-season configurations
should be provided to the Service by May 1, 2026.
We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation that
Alaska be allowed to move their two-segment season option from the
Kodiak zone to the Southeast Zone and retain grandfathered status. The
current guidelines indicate that only minor (less than a county in
size) boundary changes will be allowed for any grandfathered
arrangement. Although this is not a boundary change, the transfer of
the split to a different, existing zone is simply a reconfiguration of
the grandfathered zone and split structure, and the change is expected
to have negligible impacts to duck population status and harvest.
However, because the intent of zone and split regulations is not to
affect harvest distribution, the State of Alaska will be required to
provide the Service with an evaluation of impacts to duck harvest and
hunter dynamics (e.g., hunter numbers, hunter success, hunter
satisfaction, etc.) during the fixed 5-year period it is implemented
(e.g., 2021-25 period), and is encouraged to involve a human dimensions
specialist in the assessment. This review should assist the Service in
ascertaining whether major undesirable changes in harvest occurred or
hunter participation improved as a result of the regulation change.
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
i. September Teal Seasons
Because a spring 2020 abundance estimate from the WBPHS for blue-
winged teal was not available, we used time series models to predict
their
[[Page 37858]]
abundance. The predicted estimate was 5.83 million birds. Because this
estimate is greater than 4.7 million birds, the teal season guidelines
indicate that a 16-day special September teal season with a 6-teal
daily bag limit is appropriate for States in the Atlantic, Mississippi,
and Central flyways. Further, the guidelines indicate that in Florida,
Kentucky, and Tennessee, in lieu of a 16-day special September teal
season, a 5-day special September teal-wood duck season with a daily
bag limit of 6 birds in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be
wood ducks, is appropriate. In addition, a 4-day special September teal
season with a 6-teal daily bag limit, either immediately before or
immediately after the 5-day teal-wood duck season, is appropriate.
Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended
that Minnesota be allowed to conduct an experimental special September
teal season for a 3-year period beginning in 2021 or 2022 following the
framework for all other States in the Mississippi Flyway.
Service Response: As we described in the August 28, 2014, Federal
Register (79 FR 51402), the Flyway Councils and Service completed a
thorough assessment of the harvest potential for teal (blue-winged,
green-winged, and cinnamon), as well as an assessment of the impacts of
current special September seasons on these three species. The
assessment indicated that additional hunting opportunity could be
provided for teal. Therefore, we supported recommendations from the
Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyway Councils to establish new
hunting seasons (e.g., September teal seasons in northern States) and
expanded hunting opportunities (e.g., season lengths, bag limits) in
States with existing teal seasons. Further, we confirmed that we were
willing to consider proposals to conduct experimental September teal
seasons in northern (production) States if fully evaluated for impacts
to teal and nontarget species. We also provided criteria for evaluation
of these experimental seasons. Thus, we agree with the Mississippi
Flyway Council's recommendation to allow an experimental special
September teal season in Minnesota beginning in 2021 or 2022.
We earlier approved a 3-year experimental season in Minnesota
beginning in 2014. However, Minnesota opted out of the experiment at
that time. The criteria established in 2014 regarding the experimental
season and transition to operational status will again apply (see 79 FR
51403, August 28, 2014). In addition, we clarify that criteria for
operational status must be met by Minnesota's experimental season
results alone, and not in combination with data from other States. We
will work with Minnesota to develop an evaluation plan and associated
memorandum of agreement (MOA) for this experiment detailing the
required sample sizes, decision criteria for the experimental season to
become operational, and roles and responsibilities. The plan will
consist of a 3-year evaluation of hunter performance (via spy blind
studies) with regard to attempt and kill rates on nontarget species
during the experimental September teal season.
ii. September Teal-Wood Duck Seasons
Using band-recovery data for birds banded in summer and fall 2019
and harvested during the 2019-20 hunting season, we estimated kill
rates for adult male wood ducks in the eastern United States to be
0.112 (rangewide) and 0.119 (northern birds only). These values are
below those in which analyses suggest bag limit restrictions may be
needed (rangewide = 0.166; northern birds = 0.143). These results,
combined with the predicted blue-winged teal estimate reported above
indicate a 5-day September teal-wood duck season with a daily bag limit
of 6 birds in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks,
is appropriate in Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee for the 2021-22
season.
iii. Black Ducks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended continued use of the AHM protocol for black ducks,
and adoption of the moderate regulatory alternative for their
respective flyways. The Flyway-specific regulations consist of a daily
bag limit of two black ducks and a season length of 60 days.
Service Response: The Service, Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils, and Canada adopted an international AHM protocol for black
ducks in 2012 (77 FR 49868; August 17, 2012) whereby we set black duck
hunting regulations for the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways (and
Canada) based on the status and demographics of these birds. The AHM
protocol clarifies country-specific target harvest levels, and reduces
conflicts over regulatory policies.
For the 2021-22 hunting season, we evaluated country-specific
alternative harvest regulations using: (1) A management objective of 98
percent of maximum long-term sustainable harvest; (2) country-specific
regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population models and
associated weights. Based on the moderate regulatory alternative
selected for the 2020-21 hunting season and the 2020 model predictions
of 0.50 million breeding black ducks and 0.39 million breeding mallards
(Federal WBPHS strata 51, 52, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, and 72; core
survey area), the optimal regulation for the Atlantic and Mississippi
Flyways is the moderate alternative (and the liberal alternative in
Canada). Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the Atlantic
and Mississippi Flyway Councils.
iv. Canvasbacks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory
alternative for their respective flyways. The Flyway-specific
regulations consist of a daily bag limit of two canvasbacks and a
season length of 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, Federal
Register (81 FR 17302), the canvasback harvest strategy that we had
relied on 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 (hereafter, decision support tool) that relies on the best
biological information available to develop recommendations for annual
canvasback harvest regulations. The decision support tool uses
available information (1994-2014) on canvasback breeding population
size in Alaska and north-central North America (Federal WBPHS
traditional survey area, strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), growth rate,
survival, and harvest, and a population model to evaluate alternative
harvest regulations based on a management objective of maximum long-
term sustainable harvest. The decision support tool calls for a closed
season when the population is below 460,000, a 1-bird daily bag limit
when the population is between 460,000 and 480,000, and a 2-bird daily
bag limit when the population is greater than 480,000. Because
abundance estimates were not available from the WBPHS, we used two
different methods to predict canvasback abundance during spring 2020.
One used a population model
[[Page 37859]]
initially developed in the 1990s, and the other used the time series of
recent abundances from the WBPHS. Based on the resulting predictions of
550,799 and 671,280 canvasbacks, respectively, for the two approaches,
we concur with the recommendations of the four Flyway Councils
regarding selection of the liberal regulatory alternative for the 2021-
22 season.
v. Pintails
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory
alternative with a 1-pintail daily bag limit for their respective
flyways. The Flyway-specific regulations consist of a season length of
60 days in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 74 days in the Central
Flyway, and 107 days in the Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: The Service and four Flyway Councils adopted an
AHM protocol for pintail in 2010 (75 FR 44856; July 29, 2010) whereby
we set pintail hunting regulations in all four Flyways based on the
status and demographics of these birds.
For the 2021-22 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest
regulations for pintails using: (1) A management objective of maximum
long-term sustainable harvest, including a closed-season constraint of
1.75 million birds; (2) the regulatory alternatives; and (3) current
population models and associated weights. Based on a liberal regulatory
alternative with a 1-bird daily bag limit for the 2020-21 season, and
the 2020 model predictions of 2.45 million pintails with the center of
the population predicted to occur at a mean latitude of 55.2 degrees
(Federal WBPHS traditional survey area, strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77),
the optimal regulation for all four Flyways is the liberal alternative
with a 1-pintail daily bag limit. Therefore, we concur with the
recommendations of the four Flyway Councils.
vi. Scaup
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the restrictive
regulatory alternative for the 2021-22 season. The Flyway-specific
regulations consist of a 60-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit
during 40 consecutive days and a 2-bird daily bag limit during 20
consecutive days in the Atlantic Flyway, a 60-day season with a 2-bird
daily bag limit during 45 consecutive days and a 1-bird daily bag limit
during 15 consecutive days in the Mississippi Flyway, a 1-bird daily
bag limit for 74 days in the Central Flyway (which may have separate
segments of 39 days and 35 days), and an 86-day season with a 2-bird
daily bag limit in the Pacific Flyway. Also, at the April SRC meeting,
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the restrictive
regulatory alternative for scaup in the Mississippi Flyway be a season
of 60 days with a daily bag limit of 2 scaup.
Service Response: The Service and four Flyway Councils adopted an
AHM protocol for scaup in 2008 (73 FR 43290, July 24, 2008; 73 FR
51124, August 29, 2008) whereby we set scaup hunting regulations in all
four Flyways based on the status and demographics of these birds.
For the 2021-22 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest
regulations for scaup using: (1) A management objective of 95 percent
of maximum sustainable harvest; (2) the regulatory alternatives; and
(3) the current population model. Based on a moderate regulatory
alternative for the 2020-21 season, and the 2020 model prediction of
3.53 million scaup (Federal WBPHS traditional survey area, strata 1-18,
20-50, and 75-77), the optimal regulation for all four Flyways is the
restrictive alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations
of the four Flyway Councils regarding selection of the restrictive
alternative for the 2021-22 season.
We do not support the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation
to revise the restrictive scaup regulatory alternative for the
Mississippi Flyway to include a 60-day season with a 2-bird daily bag
limit. The scaup harvest strategy prescribes allowable harvest limits
for each flyway. In 2009, we accepted the Mississippi Flyway Council's
recommendation for a hybrid season with 45 days at a 2-bird daily bag
limit and 15 days at a 1-bird daily bag under the restrictive
alternative to stay within allowable harvest limits. We do not support
the current recommendation because it is outside the normal process for
revising national harvest strategies, which involves working with the
Service and Flyway Councils through the Harvest Management Working
Group. Further, predicted harvest under this recommendation would
exceed the harvest threshold established for the Mississippi Flyway
restrictive alternative, as we previously indicated in 2008 when we
received a similar recommendation. We note the Mississippi Flyway
Council observation that realized harvests in the Mississippi Flyway
have exceeded thresholds in other years, but do not agree that because
that has occurred the alternative should be replaced with one that
explicitly exceeds the threshold. We encourage the Mississippi Flyway
Council to work with the other Flyway Councils through the Harvest
Management Working Group to review and possibly revise the current
scaup harvest strategy as appropriate, similar to the process that is
underway for the pintail harvest strategy.
xi. Other
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a
mallard daily bag limit of two birds, only one of which could be
female, for the Atlantic Flyway. At the April SRC meeting, the Central
Flyway Council presented an evaluation plan in support of their earlier
recommendation that the Service allow South Dakota and Nebraska to
evaluate a two-tier regulations system, wherein two different types of
regulations would be available to hunters to harvest ducks (see 85 FR
51857, August 21, 2020).
Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's
recommendation for a mallard daily bag limit of two birds, of which
only one may be female, for the Atlantic Flyway. The Atlantic Flyway
Council's eastern waterfowl AHM protocol (see above) did not
specifically address bag limits for mallards. The number of breeding
mallards in the northeastern United States (about two-thirds of the
eastern mallard population in 1998) has decreased by about 38 percent
since 1998, and the overall population has declined by about 1 percent
per year during that time period. This situation has resulted in
reduced harvest potential for that population. The Service conducted a
Prescribed Take Level (PTL) analysis to estimate the allowable take
(kill rate) for eastern mallards, and compared that with the expected
kill rate under the most liberal season length (60 days) considered as
part of the eastern waterfowl AHM regulatory alternatives.
Using contemporary data and assuming a management objective of
maximum long-term sustainable harvest, the PTL analysis estimated an
allowable kill rate of 0.194-0.198. The expected kill rate for eastern
mallards under a 60-day season and a 2-mallard daily bag limit in the
U.S. portion of the Atlantic Flyway was 0.193 (SE = 0.016), which is
slightly below (but not significantly different from) the point
estimate of allowable kill at maximum long-term sustainable harvest.
This indicates that a 2-bird daily bag limit is sustainable at this
time.
Regarding the Central Flyway Council's evaluation plan for a two-
tier
[[Page 37860]]
regulations system, we earlier noted our intent to approve the Central
Flyway Council's recommendation for a limited two-tier regulations
system in selected States to assess impacts to hunters and duck
harvests during the 2021-22 season as published in the Federal Register
(see 85 FR 51857, August 21, 2020). In October 2019, the Service tasked
Division of Migratory Bird Management staff to work with the Flyway
Councils to develop a team to address the components needed in an
evaluation, and to have a draft evaluation plan that is supported by
both the Division of Migratory Bird Management and the Flyway Councils
ready for review prior to the spring 2020 SRC meeting. As of spring of
2021 the components of the evaluation plan (compliance, developing
shared objectives, identifying appropriate metrics for evaluation,
monitoring efforts, and addressing law enforcement concerns) have been
addressed in an MOA between the Service and the two States, which
outlines the roles and responsibilities of each partner in the
agreement.
We appreciate the work that the Flyway Councils and the Division of
Migratory Bird Management have completed to finalize an evaluation plan
for the first year of a two-tier regulation study for duck harvests.
The group has completed the work we requested last October, and
therefore we support moving forward with the study beginning with the
2021-22 season. The study will allow different species-specific and
overall bag limits for each of the two license types. We encourage the
Central Flyway and the Division of Migratory Bird Management to review
information collected during the first season and as the study
progresses. The goal of the data collection is to determine whether
improvement of collection methods is necessary or appropriate, and to
assess possible enforcement issues faced by conservation officers from
two-tier regulations.
4. Canada and Cackling Geese
B. Regular Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended
increasing the daily bag limit for Canada and cackling geese from 3 to
5 geese in the aggregate in the Mississippi Flyway. The Pacific Flyway
Council recommended decreasing the daily bag limit for Canada and
cackling geese from 6 to 4 geese in the aggregate in Oregon's Northwest
Permit Zone.
Written Comments: The Atlantic Flyway Council noted that a
regulatory change for the for Atlantic Population (AP) Canada geese
recommended by the Atlantic Flyway Council on September 25, 2020, was
made to and approved by the Service Regulations Committee on October
21, 2020, but was not reflected in the February 22, 2021, proposed rule
for the 2021-2022 season. The Council recommended a season length of 30
days with a daily bag limit of 1 goose for all AP goose harvest areas
(other than the Northeast Hunt Unit of North Carolina) in the U.S.
portion of the Atlantic Flyway for the 2021-2022 season; and in the
Northeast Hunt Unit of North Carolina, a season length of 14 days with
a daily bag limit of 1 goose.
Service Response: We agree with the Mississippi Flyway Council's
recommendation to increase the daily bag limit for Canada and cackling
geese from 3 to 5 geese in the aggregate for the entire 107-day season.
The Council's technical assessment suggests that this change will
maintain the harvest rate for subarctic Canada and cackling goose
breeding populations at or below 11 percent, which serves as a decision
threshold between liberal and standard frameworks in the Mississippi
Flyway Council's management plan. If operational monitoring for
subarctic Canada and cackling goose populations is not conducted during
spring and summer 2021 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we will
discuss with the Mississippi Flyway Council the appropriate daily bag
limit for the subsequent season due to the lack of monitoring
information.
We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to
decrease the daily bag limit for Canada and cackling geese from 6 to 4
geese in the aggregate in Oregon's Northwest Permit Zone. The most
recently available 3-year average predicted fall population estimate
(2017-19) for minima cackling geese is 235,137, which is near the lower
end of the Council's population objective of 250,000 10
percent (225,000-275,000). The decrease in bag limit is specifically
intended to maintain objective abundance of minima cackling geese, and
is consistent with the Council's harvest strategy for these birds.
Also, the bag limit for Canada and cackling geese of 4 per day in the
aggregate in Oregon's Northwest Permit Zone will simplify regulations
by matching the 4-bird bag limit currently allowed for Canada and
cackling geese in the aggregate in the basic season framework for
Oregon and the Pacific Flyway.
We also agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation for
a season length of 30 days with a daily bag limit of 1 goose for all AP
goose harvest areas (other than the Northeast Hunt Unit of North
Carolina) in the U.S. portion of the Atlantic Flyway for the 2021-2022
season; and in the Northeast Hunt Unit of North Carolina, a season
length of 14 days with a daily bag limit of 1 goose. The recommendation
is consistent with the Atlantic Flyway Council's AP goose harvest
strategy and available data on the status of the population. The
estimated abundance of breeding pairs has declined over the past 5
years combined with poor recruitment since 2009. Also, the Council's
recommendation standardizes regulations among States in the Atlantic
Flyway and addresses a social concern regarding differential bag limits
under the harvest strategy's restrictive package.
6. Brant
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that the Service discontinue use of the harvest strategy for Atlantic
brant adopted by the Service in 2015 for setting annual Atlantic brant
hunting regulations. The Atlantic Flyway Council also recommended
frameworks with a 50-day season and a 2-bird daily bag limit for
Atlantic brant in the Atlantic Flyway for the 2021-22 season.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the 2021-22 brant
season frameworks be determined based on the harvest strategy in the
Council's management plan for the Pacific population of brant pending
results of the 2021 Winter Brant Survey (WBS). If results of the 2021
WBS are not available, results of the most recent WBS should be used.
Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's
recommendation to discontinue use of the harvest strategy for Atlantic
brant adopted by the Service in 2015 for establishing Atlantic brant
season frameworks. As we discussed in the March 28, 2016, Federal
Register (81 FR 17302), we adopted in 2015 the Atlantic Flyway
Council's harvest strategy to determine the Atlantic brant season
frameworks. In developing the annual proposed frameworks for Atlantic
brant, the Atlantic Flyway Council and the Service used the number of
brant counted during the Midwinter Waterfowl Survey (MWS) in the
Atlantic Flyway to determine annual allowable season length and daily
bag limits. The MWS is conducted each January, which is after the date
that proposed frameworks are formulated in the regulatory process.
However, the data were typically available by the expected publication
of final frameworks. When we acquired the
[[Page 37861]]
survey data, we determined the appropriate allowable harvest for the
Atlantic brant season according to the harvest strategy, and published
the results in the final frameworks rule. However, in 2020, the
Atlantic Flyway Council developed and adopted a new harvest strategy
for Atlantic brant that uses available data and a demographic model to
predict population abundance for the subsequent year and determine the
appropriate regulatory alternative. The Atlantic Flyway Council's newly
adopted harvest strategy now fits within the regulatory schedule, and
makes the Service's 2015 adopted harvest strategy obsolete and
unnecessary. Based on the Atlantic Flyway Council's new harvest
strategy, the 2021 predicted Atlantic brant population index is 126,000
birds and results in a prescribed season framework with a 50-day season
and a 2-bird daily bag limit for Atlantic brant in the Atlantic Flyway
for the 2021-22 season. Therefore, we also agree with the Atlantic
Flyway Council's recommendation for a framework for Atlantic brant with
a 50-day season and 2-bird daily bag limit for the 2021-22 season.
We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation that
the 2021-22 Pacific brant season framework be determined by the harvest
strategy in the Council's management plan for the Pacific population of
brant pending results of the 2021 WBS. As we discussed in the August
21, 2020, Federal Register (85 FR 51854), the harvest strategy used to
determine the Pacific brant season frameworks does not fit well within
the current regulatory process. In developing the annual proposed
frameworks for Pacific brant, the Pacific Flyway Council and the
Service use the 3-year average number of brant counted during the WBS
in the Pacific Flyway to determine annual allowable season length and
daily bag limits. The WBS is conducted each January, which is after the
date that proposed frameworks are formulated in the regulatory process.
However, the data are typically available by the expected publication
of these final frameworks. When we acquire the survey data, we
determine the appropriate allowable harvest for the Pacific brant
season according to the harvest strategy in the Pacific Flyway
Council's management plan for the Pacific population of brant published
in the August 21, 2020, Federal Register (85 FR 51854).
The recent 3-year average (2019-2021) WBS count of Pacific brant
was 151,434. Based on the harvest strategy, the appropriate season
length and daily bag limit framework for Pacific brant in the 2021-22
season is a 107-day season with a 4-bird daily bag limit in Alaska, and
a 37-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit in California, Oregon,
and Washington.
7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended two
changes to the light goose season frameworks in the Pacific Flyway.
Specifically, the Council recommended:
1. In Oregon, increasing the daily bag limit for light geese to 20
per day, statewide and during the entire season framework, and
2. In Washington, increasing the daily bag limit for light geese on
or before the last Sunday in January to 10 per day and 20 per day
thereafter.
Service Response: We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's
recommendations for increasing the daily bag limit for light geese in
Oregon and Washington. Three populations of light geese occur in the
Pacific Flyway and are above the Council's management plan population
objectives based on the most recently available breeding population
indices. The population estimate for the Western Arctic Population
(WAP) of lesser snow geese was 419,800 in 2013, which is above the
objective of 200,000 geese. Ross's geese were estimated at 233,300 in
2019, and are above the objective of 100,000 geese. The Wrangel Island
Population (WIP) of lesser snow geese was 685,120 in 2020, and the
recent 3-year (2018-2020) average was 477,640, which is above the
objective of 120,000 geese based on the 3-year average. Also, light
geese in the Pacific Flyway are indexed by fall and winter surveys in
California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. The most recent
winter index was 1,599,641 light geese in 2019. The annual index has
increased 6.04 percent annually since 2000, when the index averaged
about 550,000, and indicates continued growth of light goose
populations in the Pacific Flyway. Current evidence suggests most light
geese in Oregon and Washington during fall and early winter are
primarily WIP snow geese, but an influx of WAP snow and Ross's geese
occurs during late winter as birds begin to move north toward breeding
areas. The current 6-bird daily bag limit for light geese in Oregon (on
or before the last Sunday in January, and in the Northwest Permit Zone
season long) and Washington were intended to minimize harvest of WIP
snow geese when they were below the population objective. The bag limit
increase to 20 light geese per day in Oregon and Washington will
simplify regulations by matching the 20-bird daily bag limit currently
allowed for light geese in the basic season framework for the Pacific
Flyway.
9. Sandhill Cranes
Council Recommendations: The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils
recommended establishment of two new hunting areas for the Rocky
Mountain Population (RMP) of sandhill cranes including Duchesne County
in northeast Utah and Cascade and Teton Counties in northcentral
Montana, and that allowable harvest of RMP cranes be determined based
on the formula described in the Pacific and Central Flyway Councils'
Management Plan for RMP cranes.
Service Response: We agree with the Central and Pacific Flyway
Councils' recommendations to establish the two new hunting areas for
RMP cranes. The new hunting areas are consistent with the hunting area
requirements in the Pacific and Central Flyway Councils' RMP crane
management plan.
We also agree with the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils'
recommendations to determine allowable harvest of RMP cranes using the
formula in the Pacific and Central Flyway Councils' management plan for
RMP cranes pending results of the fall 2020 abundance and recruitment
surveys. As we discussed in the March 28, 2016, Federal Register (81 FR
17302), the harvest strategy used to calculate the allowable harvest of
RMP cranes does not fit well within the current regulatory process. In
developing the annual proposed frameworks for RMP cranes, the Flyway
Councils and the Service use the fall abundance and recruitment surveys
of RMP cranes to determine annual allowable harvest. Results of the
fall abundance and recruitment surveys of RMP cranes are released
between December 1 and January 31 each year, which is after the date
proposed frameworks are developed. However, the data are typically
available by the expected publication of these final frameworks. When
we acquire the survey data, we determine the appropriate allowable
harvest for the RMP crane season according to the harvest strategy in
the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils' management plan for RMP cranes
published in the March 28, 2016, Federal Register (81 FR 17302).
The 2020 fall RMP crane abundance estimate was 25,636 cranes,
resulting in a 3-year (2018-20) average of 22,909 cranes, similar to
the previous 3-year average, which was 20,894 cranes. The RMP crane
recruitment estimate was 9.70 percent young in the fall
[[Page 37862]]
population, resulting in a 3-year (2018-20) average of 8.84 percent,
which is similar to the previous 3-year average of 8.25 percent. Using
the current harvest strategy and the above most recent 3-year average
abundance and recruitment estimates, the allowable harvest for the
2021-22 season is 2,378 cranes.
14. American Woodcock
Council Recommendations: At the April SRC meeting, the Atlantic,
Mississippi, and Central Flyway Councils recommended season framework
dates for American woodcock in the Eastern Management Region and
Central Management Region be changed to September 13-January 31 and use
of the ``moderate'' season framework for the 2021-22 season.
Service Response: In 2011, we implemented a harvest strategy for
American woodcock (76 FR 19876; April 8, 2011). The harvest strategy
provides a transparent framework for making regulatory decisions for
American woodcock season length and bag limits while we work to improve
monitoring and assessment protocols for this species. The American
Woodcock Harvest Strategy is available on our website at https://www.fws.gov/birds/surveys-and-data/webless-migratory-game-birds/american-woodcock.php.
In the October 9, 2020, proposed rule (85 FR 64097), we proposed to
change the opening framework date for American woodcock in the Eastern
and Central Management Regions to a fixed date of September 13.
Framework dates currently are October 1-January 31 and the Saturday
nearest September 22-January 31 for the Eastern and Central Management
Regions, respectively. Results from an assessment conducted by Service
staff suggest that total season harvest would not increase in either
management region as a result of these changes. Consistent with our
earlier proposal, we agree with the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central
Flyway Councils' recommendations that the framework dates for the
Eastern Management Region and Central Management Region be changed to
September 13-January 31.
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 2021-22 season is appropriate.
16. Doves
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the standard regulatory
alternative as prescribed in the national mourning dove harvest
strategy for their respective Mourning Dove Management Units. The
standard regulatory alternative consists of a 90-day season and 15-bird
daily bag limit for States within the Eastern and Central Management
Units, and a 60-day season and 15-bird daily bag limit for States in
the Western Management Unit.
The Central Flyway Council also recommended changes to the Special
White-winged Dove Area in Texas. They proposed to add 2 days to the
existing 4 days allowed in that area, and to codify in Federal
regulations that hunting may occur only from noon to sunset during
those days. This latter restriction has been in Texas' State
regulations, so making this provision would involve only codifying the
shooting hours in Federal regulations.
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 2021-22 season. We also agree with the
Central Flyway Council's recommendation to add 2 days to the existing 4
hunting days permitted in the Special White-winged Dove Area in Texas,
and to codify in Federal regulations that shooting hours for those 6
days will be from noon to sunset. The additional days will allow more
opportunity and flexibility to hunters by providing 3 consecutive days
of dove hunting each of the first two weekends in September. As we have
stated in the past (see 76 FR 54056, August 30, 2011), the Service
remains concerned about the effect of early September hunting on late-
nesting mourning doves. We note that abundances of mourning doves in
the Central Management Unit have declined since 2008, and additional
harvest associated with this change could exacerbate that trend. We
encourage Texas and the Central Flyway Council to conduct appropriate
monitoring of both mourning and white-winged doves that will inform
adjustments to the dove harvest management strategy, if necessary, to
maintain desired abundances of doves. Such efforts should include
contemporary nesting ecology studies to determine the extent of nesting
activity in September, various aspects of nesting ecology (e.g.,
nesting rate, clutch size, nest success), and exposure of nesting
adults to harvest.
Required Determinations
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Consideration
The programmatic document, ``Second Final Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual Regulations
Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (EIS 20130139),'' filed
with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on May 24, 2013,
addresses NEPA compliance by the Service for issuance of the annual
framework regulations for hunting of migratory game bird species. We
published a notice of availability in the Federal Register on May 31,
2013 (78 FR 32686), and our Record of Decision on July 26, 2013 (78 FR
45376). We also address NEPA compliance for waterfowl hunting
frameworks through the annual preparation of separate environmental
assessments, the most recent being ``Duck Hunting Regulations for 2021-
22,'' with its corresponding May 2021 finding of no significant impact.
The programmatic document, as well as the separate environmental
assessment, is available on our website at https://www.fws.gov/birds/index.php, or from the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.
Endangered Species Act Consideration
Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), provides that the Secretary shall insure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out is not likely to jeopardize
the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened species
or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical
habitat. After we published the October 9, 2020, proposed rule, we
conducted formal consultations to ensure that actions resulting from
these regulations would not likely jeopardize the continued existence
of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or
adverse modification of their critical habitat. Findings from these
consultations are included in a biological opinion, which concluded
that the regulations are not likely to jeopardize the continued
existence of any endangered or threatened species. The biological
opinion resulting from this section 7 consultation is available for
public inspection at the address indicated under ADDRESSES.
Regulatory Planning and Review--Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 provides that the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) will review all significant
rules. OIRA has reviewed
[[Page 37863]]
this rule and has determined that this rule is significant because it
will have an annual effect of $100 million or more on the economy.
E.O. 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while calling for
improvements in the nation's regulatory system to promote
predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends.
E.O. 13563 directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches that
reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for the
public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and consistent
with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further that
regulations must be based on the best available science and that the
rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open
exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent
with these requirements.
An economic analysis was prepared for the 2021-22 season. This
analysis was based on data from the 2016 National Survey of Fishing,
Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (National Survey), the most
recent year for which data are available (see discussion under
Regulatory Flexibility Act, below). This analysis estimated consumer
surplus for three alternatives for duck hunting regulations. As defined
by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget in Circular A-4, consumers'
surplus is the difference between what a consumer pays for a unit of a
good or service and the maximum amount the consumer would be willing to
pay for that unit. The duck hunting regulatory alternatives are (1)
issue restrictive regulations allowing fewer days than those issued
during the 2020-21 season, (2) issue moderate regulations allowing more
days than those in alternative 1, and (3) issue liberal regulations
similar to the regulations in the 2020-21 season. For the 2021-22
season, we chose Alternative 3, with an estimated consumer surplus
across all flyways of $270-$358 million with a mid-point estimate of
$314 million. We also chose Alternative 3 for the 2009-10 through 2020-
21 seasons. The 2021-22 analysis is part of the record for this rule
and is available at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-
2020-0032.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The annual migratory bird hunting regulations have a significant
economic impact on substantial numbers of small entities under the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). A final regulatory
flexibility analysis was prepared to analyze the economic impacts of
the annual hunting regulations on small business entities. This
analysis is updated annually. The primary source of information about
hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting is the National
Survey, which is generally conducted at 5-year intervals. The 2021
analysis is based on the 2016 National Survey and the U.S. Department
of Commerce's County Business Patterns, from which it is estimated that
migratory bird hunters will spend approximately $2.2 billion at small
businesses in 2021. Copies of the analysis are available upon request
from the Division of Migratory Bird Management (see ADDRESSES) or from
http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2020-0032.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
This rule is a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. For the reasons outlined above,
this rule will have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or
more. However, because this rule establishes hunting seasons, which are
time sensitive, we do not plan to defer the effective date under the
exemption contained in 5 U.S.C. 808(1).
Paperwork Reduction Act
This rule does not contain any new collection of information that
requires approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). OMB has
previously approved the information collection requirements associated
with migratory bird surveys and the procedures for establishing annual
migratory bird hunting seasons under the following OMB control numbers:
1018-0019, ``North American Woodcock Singing Ground
Survey'' (expires 02/29/2024).
1018-0023, ``Migratory Bird Surveys, 50 CFR 20.20''
(expires 04/30/2023). Includes Migratory Bird Harvest Information
Program, Migratory Bird Hunter Surveys, Sandhill Crane Survey, and
Parts Collection Survey.
1018-0171, ``Establishment of Annual Migratory Bird
Hunting Seasons, 50 CFR part 20'' (expires 02/29/2024).
You may view the information collection request(s) at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
We have determined and certify, in compliance with the requirements
of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this
rulemaking will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given
year on local or State government or private entities. Therefore, this
rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act.
Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988
The Department, in promulgating this rule, has determined that this
rule will not unduly burden the judicial system and that it meets the
requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of E.O. 12988.
Takings Implication Assessment
In accordance with E.O. 12630, this rule, authorized by the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act, does not have significant takings
implications and does not affect any constitutionally protected
property rights. This rule will not result in the physical occupancy of
property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory taking
of any property. In fact, this rule will allow hunters to exercise
otherwise unavailable privileges and, therefore, will reduce
restrictions on the use of private and public property.
Energy Effects--Executive Order 13211
E.O. 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of Energy
Effects when undertaking certain actions. While this rule is a
significant regulatory action under E.O. 12866, it is not expected to
adversely affect energy supplies, distribution, or use. Therefore, this
action is not a significant energy action and no Statement of Energy
Effects is required.
Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes
In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994,
``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal
Governments'' (59 FR 22951), E.O. 13175, and 512 DM 2, we have
evaluated possible effects on Federally recognized Indian tribes and
have determined that there are de minimis effects on Indian trust
resources. We solicited proposals for special migratory bird hunting
regulations for certain Tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off-
reservation trust lands, and ceded lands for the 2021-22 migratory bird
hunting season in the October 9, 2020, proposed rule (85 FR 64097). The
resulting proposals are published in a separate proposed rule. Through
this
[[Page 37864]]
process to establish annual hunting regulations, we regularly
coordinate with Tribes that are affected by this rule.
Federalism Effects
Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the
Federal Government has been given responsibility over these species by
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We annually prescribe frameworks from
which the States make selections regarding the hunting of migratory
birds, and we employ guidelines to establish special regulations on
Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. This process preserves the
ability of the States and Tribes to determine which seasons meet their
individual needs. Any State or Tribe may be more restrictive in its
regulations than the Federal frameworks at any time. The frameworks are
developed in a cooperative process with the States and the Flyway
Councils. This process allows States to participate in the development
of frameworks from which they will make selections, thereby having an
influence on their own regulations. These rules do not have a
substantial direct effect on fiscal capacity, change the roles or
responsibilities of Federal or State governments, or intrude on State
policy or administration. Therefore, in accordance with E.O. 13132,
these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and do not
have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a
federalism summary impact statement.
Regulations Promulgation
The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting, by its
nature, operates under a time constraint as seasons must be established
each year or hunting seasons remain closed. However, we intend that the
public be provided extensive opportunity for public input and
involvement in compliance with Administrative Procedure Act
requirements. Thus, when the preliminary proposed rulemaking was
published, we established what we concluded were the longest periods
possible for public comment and the most opportunities for public
involvement. We also provided notification of our participation in
multiple Flyway Council meetings, opportunities for additional public
review and comment on all Flyway Council proposals for regulatory
change, and opportunities for additional public review during the SRC
meeting. Therefore, sufficient public notice and opportunity for
involvement have been given to affected persons regarding the migratory
bird hunting frameworks for the 2021-22 hunting season. Further, after
establishment of the final frameworks, States need sufficient time to
conduct their own public processes to select season dates and limits;
to communicate those selections to us; and to establish and publicize
the necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions.
Thus, if there were a delay in the effective date of these regulations
after this final rulemaking, States might not be able to meet their own
administrative needs and requirements.
For the reasons cited above, we find that ``good cause'' exists,
within the terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure
Act, and these frameworks will take effect immediately upon
publication.
Therefore, under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July
3, 1918), as amended (16 U.S.C. 703-711), we prescribe final frameworks
setting forth the species to be hunted, the daily bag and possession
limits, the shooting hours, the season lengths, the earliest opening
and latest closing season dates, and hunting areas, from which State
conservation agency officials will select hunting season dates and
other options. Upon receipt of season selections from these officials,
we will publish a final rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect
seasons, limits, and shooting hours for the United States for the 2021-
22 seasons. The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2021-
22 hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 742 a-j.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20
Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.
Final Regulations Frameworks for 2021-22 Hunting Seasons on Certain
Migratory Game Birds
Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated
authorities, the Department of the Interior is establishing the
following frameworks for outside dates, season lengths, shooting hours,
bag and possession limits, and areas within which States may select
seasons for hunting migratory game birds between the dates of September
1, 2021, and March 10, 2022. These frameworks are summarized below.
General
Dates: All outside dates specified below are inclusive.
Season Lengths: All season lengths specified below are the maximum
number of days allowed.
Season Segments: All season segments specified below are the
maximum number of segments allowed.
Zones: Unless otherwise specified, States may select hunting
seasons by zone. Zones for duck seasons (and associated youth and
veterans-active military waterfowl hunting days, gallinule seasons, and
snipe seasons) and dove seasons may be selected only in years we
declare such changes can be made (i.e., open seasons for zones and
splits) and according to federally established guidelines for duck and
dove zones and split seasons. Areas open to hunting must be described,
delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations
and published in the Federal Register as a Federal migratory bird
hunting frameworks final rule.
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 hunters, or both. In such cases, 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
We set migratory bird hunting frameworks for the conterminous U.S.
States by Flyway or Management Unit/Region. Frameworks for Alaska,
Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are
[[Page 37865]]
contained in separate sections near the end of the frameworks portion
of this document. The States included in the Flyways and Management
Units/Regions are described below.
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 Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado, Montana, New
Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.
Mallard Management Units
High Plains Management Unit: Roughly defined as that portion of the
Central Flyway that lies west of the 100th meridian. See Area, Unit,
and Zone Descriptions, Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots, below,
for specific boundaries in each State.
Columbia Basin 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.
Definitions
For the purpose of the hunting regulations listed below, the
collective terms ``dark'' and ``light'' geese include the following
species:
Dark geese: Canada geese, cackling 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.
Migratory Game Bird 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 of migratory birds is prohibited statewide by
State law or regulation, all Sundays are closed to the take of all
migratory game birds.
Season Frameworks
Special Youth and Veterans--Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting
Days
Outside Dates: States may select 2 days per duck-hunting zone,
designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,'' and 2 days per duck-
hunting zone, designated as ``Veterans and Active Military Personnel
Waterfowl Hunting Days,'' in addition to their regular duck seasons.
The days may be held concurrently. The Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days
must be held outside any regular duck season on weekends, holidays, or
other non-school days when youth hunters would have the maximum
opportunity to participate. Both sets of 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,
swans, mergansers, coots, and gallinules. Bag limits would be the same
as those allowed in the regular season except in States that implement
a hybrid season for scaup (i.e., different bag limits during different
portions of the season), in which case the bag limit will be 2 scaup
per day. Flyway species and area restrictions would remain in effect.
Participation Restrictions for Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days: States
may use their established definition of age for youth hunters. However,
youth hunters must be under the age of 18. In addition, an adult at
least 18 years of age must accompany the youth hunter into the field.
This adult may not duck hunt but may participate in other seasons that
are open on the special youth day. Youth hunters 16 years of age and
older must possess a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation
Stamp (also known as Federal Duck Stamp). Swans may only be taken by
participants possessing applicable swan permits.
Participation Restrictions for Veterans and Active Military
Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days: Veterans (as defined in section 101
of title 38, United States Code) and members of the Armed Forces on
active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on
active duty (other than for training), may participate. All hunters
must possess a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp
(also known as Federal Duck Stamp). Swans may only be taken by
participants possessing applicable swan permits.
Special September Teal Seasons
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season
on all species of teal may be selected by the following States in areas
delineated by State regulations:
Atlantic Flyway: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North
Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio,
Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The season in Minnesota is experimental.
Central Flyway: Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico
(part), Oklahoma, and Texas.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 16 consecutive
days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. The daily bag
limit is 6 teal.
Shooting Hours
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except in the States of
Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio,
South Carolina, and Wisconsin, where the hours are from sunrise to
sunset.
[[Page 37866]]
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 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.
Waterfowl
Atlantic Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
25) and January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days. The daily bag limit is 6
ducks, including no more than 2 mallards (no more than 1 of which can
be female), 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous
whistling duck, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 4 scoters, 4
eiders, and 4 long-tailed ducks. The season for scaup may be split into
2 segments, with one segment consisting of 40 consecutive days with a
1-scaup daily bag limit, and the second segment consisting of 20
consecutive days with a 2-scaup daily bag limit.
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, Rhode Island,
South Carolina, and West Virginia may split their seasons into 3
segments. Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont
may select seasons in each of 3 zones; Pennsylvania may select seasons
in each of 4 zones; and New York may select seasons in each of 5 zones;
and all these States may split their season in each zone into 2
segments. Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia may
select seasons in each of 2 zones; and all these States may split their
season in each zone into 3 segments. Connecticut, Maryland, North
Carolina, and Virginia must conduct an evaluation of the impacts of
zones and splits on hunter dynamics (e.g., hunter numbers,
satisfaction) and harvest during the 2021-25 seasons.
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; scoters, 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 days,
or 60 days that are concurrent with the regular duck season, with a
daily bag limit of 5, 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.
Canada and Cackling Geese
Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons
Season Lengths and Outside Dates: A Canada and cackling goose
season of not more than 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
and cackling geese must be described, delineated, and designated as
such in each State's hunting regulations.
Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 Canada and cackling geese in the
aggregate.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during any special early Canada and cackling 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 Dark Goose Seasons
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Specific regulations are
provided below by State. The daily bag limit for Canada, cackling, and
white-fronted geese is in the aggregate. Unless subsequently provided,
seasons may be split into 2 segments.
Connecticut
North Atlantic Population (NAP) Zone: Between October 1 and January
31, a 60-day season may be held with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Atlantic Population (AP) Zone: A 30-day season may be held between
October 10 and February 5, with a 1-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
[[Page 37867]]
October 1 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season
may be split into 3 segments.
Delaware
A 30-day season may be held between November 15 and February 5,
with a 1-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
North and South NAP-H Zones: A 60-day season may be held between
October 1 and January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Coastal NAP-L Zone: A 70-day season may be held 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 30-day season may be held between November 15 and
February 5, with a 1-bird daily bag limit.
Massachusetts
NAP Zone: A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and January
31, with a 2-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 30-day season may be held between October 10 and
February 5, with a 1-bird daily bag limit.
New Hampshire
A 60-day season may be held statewide between October 1 and January
31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
New Jersey
AP Zone: A 30-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 24) and February 5, with a 1-bird daily bag limit.
NAP Zone: A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and January
31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Special Late Goose Season Area: A special season may be held in
designated areas of north and south New Jersey from January 15 to
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
New York
NAP Zone: Between October 1 and January 31, a 60-day season may be
held, with a 2-bird daily bag limit in the High Harvest areas; and
between October 1 and February 15, a 70-day season may be held, with a
3-bird daily bag limit in the Low Harvest areas.
AP Zone: A 30-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 23), except in the Lake Champlain Area where the
opening date is October 10, through February 5, with a 1-bird daily bag
limit.
Western Long Island RP Zone: A 107-day season may be held between
the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and the last day of
February, 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 23) and the last day of February,
with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments.
North Carolina
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 Zone: A 14-day season may be held between the Saturday
prior to December 25 (December 18) and January 31, with a 1-bird daily
bag limit.
Pennsylvania
Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) Zone: A 78-day season may be
held between the first Saturday in October (October 2) 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 23) and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
The season may be split into 3 segments.
AP Zone: A 30-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 23) and February 5, with a 1-bird daily bag limit.
Rhode Island
A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and January 31, with
a 2-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 30-day season may be held
between October 10 and February 5, with a 1-bird daily bag limit.
Connecticut River Zone: A 60-day season may be held between October
1 and January 31, with a 2-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 30-day season may be held between November 15 and
February 5, with a 1-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.
Light Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 107-
day season between October 1 and March 10, with a 25-bird daily bag
limit and no possession limit. Seasons may be split into 3 segments.
Brant
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 50-
day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 25) and January 31. Seasons may be split into 2
segments.
Mississippi Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
25) and January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days. The daily bag limit is 6
ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may
be females), 1 mottled duck, 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 3 wood ducks, 2
canvasbacks, and 2 redheads. The season for scaup may be split into 2
segments, with one segment consisting of 45 consecutive days with a 2-
scaup daily bag limit, and the second segment consisting of 15
consecutive days with a 1-scaup daily bag limit.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, only 2 of which may be
hooded
[[Page 37868]]
mergansers. In States that include mergansers in the duck bag limit,
the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, only 2 of which may
be hooded mergansers.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi may
split their seasons into 3 segments. Kentucky and Tennessee may select
seasons in each of 2 zones; and Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin may select seasons in each of 3 zones; and
all these States may split their season in each zone into 2 segments.
Illinois may select seasons in each of 4 zones. Louisiana may select
seasons in each of 2 zones and may split their season in each zone into
3 segments. Louisiana must conduct an evaluation of the impacts of
zones and splits on hunter dynamics (e.g., hunter numbers,
satisfaction) and harvest during the 2021-25 seasons.
Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits
Canada and Cackling Geese: States may select a 107-day season
between September 1 and February 15 with a daily bag limit of 5 geese
in the aggregate.
White-fronted Geese: States may select either a 74-day season with
a daily bag limit of 3 geese, an 88-day season with a daily bag limit
of 2 geese, or a 107-day season with a daily bag limit of 1 goose.
Seasons must be between September 1 and February 15.
Brant: States may select either a 70-day season with a daily bag
limit of 2 brant or a 107-day season with a daily bag limit of 1 brant.
Seasons must be between September 1 and February 15. In lieu of a
separate brant season, brant may be included in the season for Canada
and cackling geese with a daily bag limit of 5 geese in the aggregate.
Dark Geese: In lieu of separate seasons for Canada and cackling
geese, white-fronted geese, and brant, Alabama, Iowa, Indiana,
Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin may select a 107-day dark
goose season between September 1 and February 15 with a daily bag limit
of 5 geese in the aggregate.
Light Geese: States may select a 107-day season between September 1
and February 15 with a daily bag limit of 20 geese. There is no
possession limit for light geese.
Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into 4 segments.
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 and cackling geese if all other waterfowl and crane
seasons are closed in the specific applicable area.
Central Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
25) and January 31.
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 11).
Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74 days.
Duck Limits: The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, including no more than
5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be females), 2 redheads, 3 wood
ducks, 1 pintail, and 2 canvasbacks. The daily bag limit for scaup is
1, and the season for scaup may be split into 2 segments, with one
segment consisting of 39 consecutive days and another segment
consisting of 35 consecutive days. 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.
North Dakota may split their season into 3 segments. Montana, New
Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas may select seasons in each of 2 zones; and
Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, and Wyoming may select seasons in each
of 3 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone
into 2 segments. Nebraska may select seasons in each of 4 zones.
Geese
Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: In Kansas, Nebraska,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas, Canada and cackling goose seasons of
not more than 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected. In
Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, and Wyoming, Canada and cackling goose
seasons of not more than 15 days during September 1-15 may be selected.
In North Dakota, Canada and cackling goose seasons of not more than 22
days during September 1-22 may be selected. The daily bag limit may not
exceed 5 Canada and cackling geese in the aggregate, except in Kansas,
Nebraska, and Oklahoma, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 8
Canada and cackling geese in the aggregate, and in North Dakota and
South Dakota, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 15 Canada and
cackling geese in the aggregate. Areas open to the hunting of Canada
and cackling 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
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits
Outside Dates: For dark geese, seasons may be selected between the
outside dates of the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and
the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 13). For light geese, outside
dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 25) 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.
Dark Geese: In Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, States may select a season
for Canada and cackling geese (or any other dark goose species except
white-fronted geese) not to exceed 107 days with a
[[Page 37869]]
daily bag limit of 8 in the aggregate. 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 and cackling geese (or any other
dark goose species except white-fronted geese) is 5 in the aggregate.
The daily bag limit for white-fronted geese is 2.
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.
Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into 3 segments.
Three-segment 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.
Pacific Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
25) and January 31.
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, 2 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 and Gallinule Limits: The daily bag limit of coots and
gallinules is 25 in the aggregate.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Montana and New Mexico may split their
seasons into 3 segments. Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Washington,
and Wyoming may select seasons in each of 2 zones; Nevada may select
seasons in each of 3 zones; and California may select seasons in each
of 5 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone
into 2 segments. Idaho may select seasons in each of 4 zones.
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 and Cackling Goose Seasons
A Canada and cackling goose season of not more than 15 days during
September 1-20 may be selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5
Canada and cackling geese in the aggregate, except in Pacific County,
Washington, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 15 Canada and
cackling geese in the aggregate. Areas open to hunting of Canada and
cackling 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, Cackling Geese, and Brant: Except as subsequently
provided, 107-day seasons may be selected with outside dates between
the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and January 31. In
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and
Wyoming, the daily bag limit is 4 Canada and cackling geese and brant
in the aggregate. In California, Oregon, and Washington, the daily bag
limit is 4 Canada and cackling geese in the aggregate. For brant, in
California, Oregon and Washington, a 37-day season may be selected.
Days must be consecutive. Washington and California may select hunting
seasons for up to 2 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 provided, 107-day
seasons may be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 25) and March 10. The daily bag limit is 10.
Light Geese: Except as subsequently provided, 107-day seasons may
be selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September
24 (September 25) and March 10. The daily bag limit is 20.
Split Seasons: Seasons may be split into 3 segments. Three-segment
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 and cackling geese is 10 in the
aggregate.
Balance of State Zone: A Canada and cackling goose season may be
selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24
(September 25) 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 January 31 should be concurrent with Oregon's South Coast Zone.
Northeastern Zone: The white-fronted goose season may be split into
3 segments.
Oregon
Eastern Zone: For Lake County only, the daily white-fronted goose
bag limit is 1.
Northwest Permit Zone: A Canada and cackling goose season may be
selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24
(September 25) and March 10. Canada and cackling goose and white-
fronted goose seasons may be split into 3 segments. In the Tillamook
County Management Area, the hunting season is closed on geese.
South Coast Zone: A Canada and cackling goose season may be
selected with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24
(September 25) and March 10. Canada and cackling goose and white-
fronted goose seasons may be split into 3 segments. The daily bag limit
of Canada and cackling geese is 6 in the aggregate. Hunting days that
occur after January 31 should be concurrent with California's North
Coast Special Management Area.
Utah
A Canada and cackling goose and brant season may be selected in the
Wasatch Front Zone with outside dates between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 25) and the first Sunday in February (February
6).
Washington
The daily bag limit for light geese is 10 on or before the last
Sunday in January (January 30).
Areas 2 Inland and 2 Coastal (Southwest Permit Zone): A Canada and
cackling goose season may be selected in each zone with outside dates
between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 25) and March 10.
Canada and cackling goose and white-fronted goose seasons may be split
into 3 segments.
Area 4: Canada and cackling goose and white-fronted 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 5 or less) with a bill length between
40 and 50 millimeters. Hunting of geese will only be by hunters
possessing a State-issued permit authorizing them to do so.
[[Page 37870]]
Shooting hours for geese may begin no earlier than sunrise. Regular
Canada and cackling 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 and cackling goose season on the dusky Canada goose
population.
Swans
Pacific Flyway
In portions of the Pacific Flyway (Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and
Utah), an open season for taking a limited number of swans may be
selected. These seasons are also subject to the following conditions:
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
25) and January 31.
Hunting Seasons: Seasons may not exceed 107 days, and may be split
into 2 segments.
Permits: Swan hunting is by permit only. Permits will be issued by
the State and will authorize each permittee to take no more than 1 swan
per season with each permit. Only 1 permit may be issued per hunter in
Montana and Utah, 2 permits may be issued per hunter in Nevada. The
total number of permits issued may not exceed 50 in Idaho, 500 in
Montana, 650 in Nevada, and 2,750 in Utah.
Quotas: The swan season in the respective State must end upon
attainment of the following reported harvest of trumpeter swans: 20 in
Utah and 10 in Nevada. There is no quota in Montana.
Monitoring: Each State must evaluate hunter participation, species-
specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in providing either
species-determinant parts (at least the intact head) or bill
measurements (bill length from tip to posterior edge of the nares
opening, and presence or absence of yellow lore spots on the bill in
front of the eyes) of harvested swans for species identification. Each
State should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance
with the State's program for swan harvest reporting. Each State must
achieve a hunter compliance of at least 80 percent in providing
species-determinant parts or bill measurements of harvested swans for
species identification or subsequent permits will be reduced by 10
percent in the respective State. Each State must provide to the Service
by June 30 following the swan season a report detailing hunter
participation, species-specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in
reporting harvest. In Idaho and Montana, all hunters that harvest a
swan must complete and submit a reporting card (bill card) with the
bill measurement and color information from the harvested swan within
72 hours of harvest for species determination. In Utah and Nevada, all
hunters that harvest a swan must have the swan or species-determinant
parts examined by a State or Federal biologist within 72 hours of
harvest for species determination.
Other Provisions: In Utah, the season is subject to the terms of
the Memorandum of Agreement entered into with the Service in January
2019 regarding harvest monitoring, season closure procedures, and
education requirements to minimize take of trumpeter swans during the
swan season.
Atlantic and Central Flyways
In portions of the Atlantic Flyway (Delaware, 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 swans may be
selected. Permits will be issued by the States that authorize the take
of no more than 1 swan per permit. A second permit may be issued to
hunters from unused permits remaining after the first drawing.
Monitoring: Each State must evaluate hunter participation, species-
specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in providing measurements
of harvested swans for species identification. Each State should use
appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance with the State's
program for swan harvest reporting. Each State must achieve a hunter
compliance of at least 80 percent in providing species-determinant
measurements of harvested swans for species identification. Each State
must provide to the Service by June 30 following the swan season a
report detailing hunter participation, species-specific swan harvest,
and hunter compliance in reporting harvest.
In lieu of a general swan hunting season, States may select a
season only for tundra swans. States selecting a season only for tundra
swans must obtain harvest and hunter participation data.
These general swan seasons and tundra swan 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 Delaware, no more than 67 permits may be issued. The season is
experimental.
--In North Carolina, no more than 4,895 permits may be issued.
--In Virginia, no more than 638 permits may be issued.
In the Central Flyway
--The season may be 107 days, between the Saturday nearest October 1
(October 2) and January 31.
--In the Central Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 500 permits
may be issued.
--In North Dakota, no more than 2,200 permits may be issued.
--In South Dakota, no more than 1,300 permits may be issued.
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 Alabama, 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 Alabama,
Kentucky, and Tennessee. The season in Alabama is experimental.
Daily Bag Limit: 1 sandhill crane in Minnesota, 2 sandhill cranes
in Kentucky, and 3 sandhill cranes in Alabama and Tennessee. In
Alabama, 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 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 a designated portion of Texas (Zone C). 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.
[[Page 37871]]
Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes, except 2 sandhill cranes in
designated portions of North Dakota (Area 2) and Texas (Zone C).
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) of sandhill cranes 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 60
days, and may be split into 3 segments.
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
crane quota;
B. In Arizona, monitoring the racial composition of the harvest
must be conducted at 3-year intervals unless 100 percent of the harvest
will be assigned to the RMP crane quota;
C. In Idaho, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP
crane quota; and
D. In the Estancia Valley hunt area of New Mexico, the level and
racial composition of the harvest must be monitored; greater sandhill
cranes in the harvest will be assigned to the RMP crane quota.
Gallinules
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31 in the Atlantic,
Mississippi, and Central Flyways. States in the Pacific Flyway may
select their hunting seasons between the outside dates for the season
on ducks, mergansers, and coots; therefore, Pacific Flyway frameworks
for 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 gallinules in the
aggregate.
Zoning: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck
hunting.
Rails
Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between
September 1 and January 31 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 rails in the aggregate. In Alabama,
Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, 15 rails in the aggregate.
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 in the aggregate. 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 2 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 and Central Management Regions
may select hunting seasons between September 13 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 2 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 2 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 2 zones. The season in the South Zone may
not open until October 1.
Doves
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31 in the Eastern
Management Unit, and between September 1 and January 15 in the Central
and Western Management Units, except as subsequently 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: Seasons may be split into 3 segments;
Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi may select seasons in each of 2
zones, and may split their season in each zone into 3 segments.
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: Seasons may be split into 3 segments; New
Mexico may select seasons in each of 2 zones and may split their season
in each zone into 3 segments.
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 3 zones subject to the following conditions:
A. The season may be split into 2 segments, 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
[[Page 37872]]
special season (see Special White-winged Dove Area in Texas, below).
B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between
September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between September 14
and January 25.
Special White-Winged Dove Area in Texas
In addition, Texas may select a hunting season of not more than 6
days, consisting of two 3-consecutive-day periods, for the Special
White-winged Dove Area 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. Shooting hours are from
noon to sunset.
Western Management Unit
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits
Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington: Not more than 60 days.
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 2 segments, 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.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah,
and Washington may split their seasons into 2 segments. Oregon may
select hunting seasons in each of 2 zones and may split their season in
each zone into 2 segments.
Alaska
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 26.
Hunting Seasons: Except as subsequently provided, not more than 107
consecutive days for waterfowl (except brant), sandhill cranes, and
snipe concurrent in each of 5 zones. The season length for brant will
be determined based on the upcoming brant winter survey results and the
Pacific brant harvest strategy. The season may be split into 2 segments
in the Southeast Zone.
Closures: The hunting season is closed on spectacled eiders and
Steller's eiders.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits
Ducks: Except as subsequently provided, the basic daily bag limit
is 7 ducks. Basic daily bag limit in the North Zone is 10, and in the
Gulf Coast Zone is 8. The basic daily bag limits may include no more
than 2 canvasbacks daily and may not include sea ducks.
In addition to the basic daily bag limits, Alaska may select sea
duck limits of 10 daily 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,
hooded, and red-breasted mergansers.
Light Geese: The daily bag limit is 6.
Canada and Cackling Geese: The daily bag limit is 4 Canada and
cackling geese in the aggregate with the following exceptions:
A. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada and cackling geese is
permitted from September 28 through December 16.
B. On Middleton Island in Unit 6, a special, permit-only Canada and
cackling goose season may be offered. A mandatory goose identification
class is required. Hunters must check in and check out. The daily bag
and possession limits are 1 Canada or cackling goose. 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 5 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 and
cackling geese in the aggregate.
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 harvested per hunter per
season.
C. Total harvest may not exceed 500 emperor geese.
D. In State Game Management Unit 8, 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 4.
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 30 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.
[[Page 37873]]
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, 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 gallinules, and snipe. The season may be split into 2
segments.
Daily Bag Limits
Ducks: Not to exceed 6 ducks.
Common Gallinules: Not to exceed 6 common gallinules.
Snipe: Not to exceed 8 snipe.
Closed Seasons: The season is closed on 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 is closed for purple gallinule, American coot, and Caribbean
coot.
Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, common gallinules,
and snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island.
Virgin Islands
Doves and Pigeons
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 consecutive days.
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 ducks.
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
In accordance with 50 CFR 21.29, falconry is a permitted means of
taking migratory game birds in any State except for Hawaii. 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 split
into 3 segments.
Outside 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 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. Regular season bag limits do not
apply to falconry. The falconry bag limit is not in addition to
shooting 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 U.S. 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
Western Zone: Allegany, Carroll, Garrett, Frederick and Washington
Counties; and those portions of Baltimore, Howard, Prince George's, and
Montgomery Counties west of a line beginning at I-83 at the
Pennsylvania State line, following I-83 south to the intersection of I-
83 and I-695 (Outer Loop), south following I-695 (Outer Loop) to its
intersection with I-95, south following I-95 to its intersection with
I-495 (Outer Loop), and following I-495 (Outer Loop) to the Virginia
shore of the Potomac River.
Eastern Zone: That portion of the State not included in the Western
Zone.
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 Street-Elm Street 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 Route 10 and Route 25-A in Orford,
east on Route 25-A to Route 25 in Wentworth, southeast on Route 25 to
Exit 26 of Route I-93 in Plymouth, south on Route I-93 to Route 3 at
Exit 24 of Route I-93 in Ashland, northeast on Route 3 to Route 113 in
Holderness, north on Route 113 to Route 113-A in Sandwich, north on
Route 113-A to Route 113 in Tamworth, east
[[Page 37874]]
on Route 113 to Route 16 in Chocorua, north on Route 16 to Route 302 in
Conway, east on Route 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 Route I-91 at the
Massachusetts border, north on Route I-91 to Route 2, north on Route 2
to Route 102, north on Route 102 to Route 253, and north on Route 253
to the border with Canada and the area of New Hampshire west of Route
63 at the Massachusetts border, north on Route 63 to Route 12, north on
Route 12 to Route 12-A, north on Route 12-A to Route 10, north on Route
10 to Route 135, north on Route 135 to Route 3, north on Route 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 Route
4 west to the city of Dover, south to the intersection of Route 108,
south along Route 108 through Madbury, Durham, and Newmarket to the
junction of Route 85 in Newfields, south to Route 101 in Exeter, east
to Interstate 95 (New Hampshire Turnpike) in Hampton, and south to the
Massachusetts border.
New Jersey
Coastal Zone: That portion of the State seaward of a line beginning
at the New York State line in Raritan Bay and extending west along the
New York State line to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west on NJ 440 to the
Garden State Parkway; south on the Garden State Parkway to 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.
North Carolina
Coastal Zone: All counties and portions of counties east of I-95.
Inland Zone: All counties and portions of counties west of I-95.
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.
Virginia
Western Zone: All counties and portions of counties west of I-95.
Eastern Zone: All counties and portions of counties east of I-95.
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
[[Page 37875]]
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 I-70; east along National Ave.; east
along U.S. 150; 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 20 to the Iowa-Illinois border. The south duck
hunting zone is that part of Iowa west of Interstate 29 and south of
State Highway 92 east to the Iowa-Illinois border. The central duck
hunting zone is the remainder of the State.
Central Zone: The remainder of Iowa not included in the North and
South zones.
South Zone: The south duck hunting zone is that part of Iowa west
of Interstate 29 and south of State Highway 92 east to the Iowa-
Illinois border.
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 beginning at the Arkansas border,
then south on U.S. Hwy 79 to State Hwy 9, then south on State Hwy 9 to
State Hwy 147, then south on State Hwy 147 to U.S. Hwy 167, then south
and east on U.S. Hwy 167 to U.S. Hwy 90, then south on U.S. Hwy 90 to
the Mississippi State line.
West 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 Michigan-Wisconsin boundary line in Lake Michigan,
directly due west of the mouth of Stoney Creek in section 31, T14N
R18W, Oceana County, then proceed easterly and southerly along the
centerline of Stoney Creek to its intersection with Scenic Drive,
southerly on Scenic Drive to Stoney Lake Road in section 5, T13N R18W,
Oceana County, easterly on Stoney Lake Road then both west and east
Garfield Roads (name change only; not an intersection) then crossing
highway U.S.-31 to State Highway M-20 (north of the town of New Era;
also locally named Hayes Road) in section 33, T14N R17W, Oceana County,
easterly on M-20 through Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, and
Midland Counties to highway U.S.-10 business route in the city of
Midland, easterly on U.S.-10 BR to highway U.S.-10 at the Bay County
line, easterly on U.S.-10 then crossing U.S.-75 to State Highway M-25
(west of the town of Bay City), easterly along M-25 into Tuscola County
then northeasterly and easterly on M-25 through Tuscola County into
Huron County, turning southeasterly on M-25 (near the town of Huron
City; also locally named North Shore Road) to the centerline of Willow
Creek in section 4, T18N R14E, Huron County, then northerly along the
centerline of Willow Creek to the mouth of Willow Creek into Lake
Huron, then directly due east along a line from the mouth of Willow
Creek heading east into Lake Huron to a point due east and on the
Michigan/U.S.-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 I-70; west on I-70 to Hwy 65; north on Hwy
65 to Hwy 41, north on Hwy 41 to Hwy 24; west on Hwy 24 to MO Hwy 10,
west on Hwy 10 to Hwy 69, north on Hwy 69 to MO Hwy 116, west on MO Hwy
116 to Hwy 59, south on Hwy 59 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 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
[[Page 37876]]
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: The lands and waters within the boundaries of
Reelfoot Lake WMA only.
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 to U.S.
Highway 41, then north on U.S. Highway 41 to the Michigan State line.
Open Water Zone: That portion of the State extending 500 feet or
greater from the Lake Michigan shoreline bounded by the Michigan State
line and the Illinois State line.
South Zone: The remainder of the State.
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: 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 Hwy U.S.-283 and State Hwy 96 junction, then east on State
Hwy 96 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-183, then north on Federal
Hwy U.S.-183 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-24, then east on
Federal Hwy U.S.-24 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then
north on Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-36,
then east on Federal Hwy U.S.-36 to its junction with State Hwy K-199,
then south on State Hwy K-199 to its junction with Republic County 30th
Road, then south on Republic County 30th Road to its junction with
State Hwy K-148, then east on State Hwy 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 Hwy K-9, then west on State Hwy K-
9 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-24, then west on Federal Hwy
U.S.-24 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-181, then south on
Federal Hwy U.S.-181 to its junction with State Hwy K-18, then west on
State Hwy K-18 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then south on
Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction with State Hwy K-4, then east on
State Hwy K-4 to its junction with interstate Hwy I-135, then south on
interstate Hwy I-135 to its junction with State Hwy K-61, then
southwest on State Hwy K-61 to its junction with McPherson County 14th
Avenue, then south on McPherson County 14th Avenue to its junction with
McPherson County Arapaho Road, then west on McPherson County Arapaho
Road to its junction with State Hwy K-61, then southwest on State Hwy
K-61 to its junction with State Hwy K-96, then northwest on State Hwy
K-96 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-56, then southwest on
Federal Hwy U.S.-56 to its junction with State Hwy K-19, then east on
State Hwy K-19 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then south on
Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-54, then
west on Federal Hwy U.S.-54 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-183,
then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-183 to its junction with Federal Hwy
U.S.-56, then southwest on Federal Hwy 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 Hwy U.S.-400, then northwest on
Federal Hwy U.S.-400 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-283, and
then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-283 to its junction with Federal Hwy
U.S.-96.
Low Plains Late Zone: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from
the Federal Hwy U.S.-283 and State Hwy 96 junction, then north on
Federal Hwy 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 Hwy K-68, then west on State Hwy K-68 to its
junction with interstate Hwy I-35, then southwest on interstate Hwy I-
35 to its junction with Butler County NE 150th Street, then west on
Butler County NE 150th Street to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-77,
then south on Federal Hwy 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 Hwy U.S.-283, then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-
283 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-400, then east on Federal Hwy
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 Hwy U.S.-56,
then east on Federal Hwy U.S.-56 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-
183, then south on Federal Hwy U.S.-183 to its junction with Federal
Hwy U.S.-54, then east on
[[Page 37877]]
Federal Hwy U.S.-54 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then
north on Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction with State Hwy K-19, then
west on State Hwy K-19 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-56, then
east on Federal Hwy U.S.-56 to its junction with State Hwy K-96, then
southeast on State Hwy K-96 to its junction with State Hwy K-61, then
northeast on State Hwy 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 Hwy K-61, then east on
State Hwy K-61 to its junction with interstate Hwy I-135, then north on
interstate Hwy I-135 to its junction with State Hwy K-4, then west on
State Hwy K-4 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then north on
Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction with State Hwy K-18, then east on
State Hwy K-18 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-181, then north on
Federal Hwy U.S.-181 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-24, then
east on Federal Hwy U.S.-24 to its junction with State Hwy K-9, then
east on State Hwy 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 Hwy K-148, then west on State Hwy K-148 to its junction with
Republic County 30th Road, then north on Republic County 30th Road to
its junction with State Hwy K-199, then north on State Hwy K-199 to its
junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-36, then west on Federal Hwy U.S.-36 to
its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then south on Federal Hwy U.S.-
281 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-24, then west on Federal Hwy
U.S.-24 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-183, then south on
Federal Hwy U.S.-183 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-96, and then
west on Federal Hwy U.S.-96 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-283.
Low Plains 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
Hwy U.S.-77, then south on Federal Hwy 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 Hwy 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
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 at
U.S. Hwy 183; south along Hwy 183 to the Niobara River; east along the
Niobara River to NE Hwy 137; south to U.S. Hwy 20; east to U.S. Hwy
281; north to the Niobrara River; east along the Niobrara River to the
Boyd County Line; north along the Boyd County line to NE Hwy 12; east
to NE 26E Spur; north along the NE 26E Spur to the Ponca State Park
boat ramp; north and west along the Missouri River to the Nebraska-
South Dakota border; west along the Nebraska-South Dakota border to
U.S. Hwy 183. 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: Those areas of the State that are not contained in Zones 1,
3, or 4.
Zone 3: Area bounded by designated Federal and State highways,
County Roads, and political boundaries beginning at the Wyoming-
Nebraska border at its northernmost intersection with the Interstate
Canal; southeast along the Interstate Canal to the northern border of
Scotts Bluff County; east along northern borders of Scotts Bluff and
Morrill Counties to Morrill County Road 125; south to Morrill County Rd
94; east to County Rd 135; south to County Rd 88; east to County Rd
147; south to County Rd 88; southeast to County Rd 86; east 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; north along the
Keith County line to the northern border of Keith County; 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 North Airport
Road; south to U.S. Hwy 30; east to NE Hwy 47; south to NE Hwy 23; east
on NE Hwy 23 to U.S. Hwy 283; south on U.S. Hwy 283 to the Kansas-
Nebraska border; west along Kansas-Nebraska border to the Nebraska-
Colorado border; north and west to the Wyoming-Nebraska border; north
along the Wyoming-Nebraska border to its northernmost-intersection with
the Interstate Canal.
Zone 4: Area encompassed by designated Federal and State highways
and County Roads beginning at the intersection of U.S. Hwy 283 at the
Kansas-Nebraska border; north to NE Hwy 23; west 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; south
to County Rd 761; east on County Rd 761 to County Road 437; south to
the Dawson County Canal; southeast along Dawson County Canal; east 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 Ave.; north to NE Hwy 40; east to
NE Hwy 10; north to County Rd 220 and Hall County Husker Highway; east
to Hall County S 70th Rd; 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; north and
east 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 W. 82nd St;
west to Holstein Ave.; south to U.S. Hwy 34; west to NE Hwy 10; north
to Kearney County Rd R and Phelps County Rd 742; west to Gosper County
Rd 433; south to N. Railway Street; west to Commercial Ave.; south to
NE Hwy 23; west to Gosper County Rd 427; south to Gosper County Rd 737;
west to Gosper County Rd 426; south to Gosper County Rd 735; east to
Gosper County Rd 427; south to Furnas County Rd 276; west to Furnas
County Rd 425.5/425; south to U.S. Hwy 34; east to NE Hwy 4; east to NE
Hwy 10; south to U.S. Hwy
[[Page 37878]]
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; north to U.S. Hwy 6; east to NE Hwy 33;
east to SW 142 Street; south to W. Hallam Rd; east to SW 100 Rd; south
to W. Chestnut Rd; west to NE Hwy 103; south to NE Hwy 4; west to NE
Hwy 15; south to U.S. Hwy 136; east to Jefferson County Rd 578 Ave.;
south to PWF Rd; east to NE Hwy 103; south to NE Hwy 8; east to 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 Otoe County Rd D; east to N. 32nd Rd; north to Otoe County Rd B;
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 109; west along
NE Hwy 109 and Saunders County Rd X to Saunders County 19; south 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
Dark Island Trail, north to Merrick County Rd M; east to Merrick County
Rd 18; north to NE Hwy 92; west 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 58; west
to NE Hwy 11; west and south to NE Hwy 2; west to NE Hwy 68; north to
NE Hwy L82A; west to NE Hwy 10; north to NE Hwy 92; west to U.S. Hwy
183; north to Round Valley Rd; west to Sargent River Rd; west to
Sargent Rd; west to NE Hwy S21A; west to NE Hwy 2; north to NE Hwy 91
to North Loup Spur Rd; north to North Loup River Rd; north and east
along to Pleasant Valley/Worth Rd; east to Loup County Line; north
along the Loup County Line to Loup-Brown County line; east along
northern boundaries of Loup and Garfield Counties to NE Hwy 11; south
to Cedar River Road; east and 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 the
Iowa-Nebraska border; south to the Missouri-Nebraska border; south to
Kansas-Nebraska border; west along Kansas-Nebraska border to U.S. Hwy
283.
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: That portion of the State south and west of a line
beginning at the junction of U.S. Hwy 83 and the South Dakota State
line, then north along U.S. Hwy 83 and I-94 to ND Hwy 41, then north on
ND Hwy 41 to ND Hwy 53, then west on ND Hwy 53 to U.S. Hwy 83, then
north on U.S. Hwy 83 to U.S. Hwy 2, then west on U.S. Hwy 2 to the
Williams County line, then north and west along the Williams and Divide
County lines to the Canadian border.
Low Plains: The remainder of North Dakota.
Oklahoma
High Plains: 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: 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 Road 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.
Low Plains 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.
Low Plains 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.
Low Plains Middle Zone: The remainder of South Dakota.
Texas
High Plains: 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: 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
[[Page 37879]]
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 from the intersection of Highway
95 with the California-Nevada State line; south on Highway 95 through
the junction with Highway 40; south on Highway 95 to Vidal Junction;
south through the town of Rice to the San Bernardino-Riverside County
line on a road known as ``Aqueduct Road'' also known as Highway 62 in
San Bernardino County; southwest on Highway 62 to Desert Center Rice
Road; south on Desert Center Rice Road/Highway 177 to the town of
Desert Center; east 31 miles on Interstate 10 to its intersection with
Wiley Well Road; south on Wiley Well Road to Wiley Well; southeast on
Milpitas Wash Road to the Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections;
south on Blythe Ogilby Road also known as County Highway 34 to its
intersection with Ogilby Road; south on Ogilby Road to its intersection
with Interstate 8; east 7 miles on Interstate 8 to its intersection
with the Andrade-Algodones Road/Highway 186; south on Highway 186 to
its intersection with the U.S.-Mexico border at Los Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River zone) south and east of a line beginning at the
mouth of the Santa Maria River at the Pacific Ocean; east along the
Santa Maria River to where it crosses Highway 101-166 near the City of
Santa Maria; north on Highway 101-166; east on Highway 166 to the
junction with Highway 99; south on Highway 99 to the junction of
Interstate 5; south on Interstate 5 to the crest of the Tehachapi
Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest of the
Tehachapi Mountains to where it intersects Highway 178 at Walker Pass;
east on Highway 178 to the junction of Highway 395 at the town of
Inyokern; south on Highway 395 to the junction of Highway 58; east on
Highway 58 to the junction of Interstate 15; east on Interstate 15 to
the junction with Highway 127; north on Highway 127 to the point of
intersection with the California-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 Counties
west of the Continental Divide, those portions of Gunnison County
except the North Fork of the Gunnison River Valley (Game Management
Units 521, 53, and 63), and that portion of Moffat County east of the
northern intersection of Moffat County Road 29 with the Moffat-Routt
County line, south along Moffat County Road 29 to the intersection of
Moffat County Road 29 with the Moffat-Routt County line (Elkhead
Reservoir State Park).
Western Zone: All areas west of the Continental Divide 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, Eureka, Lander, and White Pine Counties.
Northwest Zone: Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon,
Mineral, Pershing, Storey, and Washoe Counties.
South Zone: Clark, Esmeralda, Lincoln, and Nye 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 and Cackling Goose Seasons
South Zone: Same as for ducks.
North Zone: Same as for ducks.
[[Page 37880]]
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 I-91 in
Hartford, and then extending south along I-91 to its intersection with
the Hartford-Middlesex County line.
NAP H-Unit: That part of the State east of a line beginning at the
Massachusetts border in Suffield and extending south along Route 159 to
its intersection with I-91 in Hartford and then extending south along
I-91 to State Street in New Haven; then south on State Street to Route
34, west on Route 34 to Route 8, south along Route 8 to Route 110,
south along Route 110 to Route 15, north along Route 15 to the Milford
Parkway, south along the Milford Parkway to I-95, north along I-95 to
the intersection with the east shore of the Quinnipiac River, south to
the mouth of the Quinnipiac River and then south along the eastern
shore of New Haven Harbor to the Long Island Sound.
Atlantic Flyway Resident Population (AFRP) Unit: Remainder of the
State not included in AP and NAP Units.
South Zone: Same as for ducks.
Maine
North NAP-H Zone: Same as North Zone for ducks.
Coastal NAP-L Zone: Same as Coastal Zone for ducks.
South NAP-H Zone: Same as South Zone for ducks.
Maryland
Early Canada and Cackling 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 State 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 State line.
New Hampshire
Same zones as for ducks.
New Jersey
AP Zone: North and South Zones (see duck zones).
NAP Zone: The Coastal Zone (see duck zones).
Special Late Season Area: In northern New Jersey, that portion of
the State within a continuous line that runs east along the New York
State boundary line to the Hudson River; then south along the New York
State boundary to its intersection with Route 440 at Perth Amboy; then
west on Route 440 to its intersection with Route 287; then west along
Route 287 to its intersection with Route 206 in Bedminster (Exit 18);
then north along Route 206 to its intersection with Route 94; then west
along Route 94 to the 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 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
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Albany County Route 252, northwest along Route 252 to Schenectady
County Route 131, north along Route 131 to Route 7, west along Route 7
to Route 10 at Richmondville, south on Route 10 to Route 23 at
Stamford, west along Route 23 to Route 7 in Oneonta, southwest along
Route 7 to Route 79 to Interstate Route 88 near Harpursville, west
along Route 88 to Interstate Route 81, north along Route 81 to the
point of beginning.
West Central Goose Area: That area of New York State lying within a
continuous line beginning at the point where the northerly extension of
Route 269 (County Line Road on the Niagara-Orleans County boundary)
meets the international boundary with Canada, south to the shore of
Lake Ontario at the eastern boundary of Golden Hill State Park, south
along the extension of Route 269 and Route 269 to Route 104 at Jeddo,
west along Route 104 to Niagara County Route 271, south along Route 271
to Route 31E at Middleport, south along Route 31E to Route 31, west
along Route 31 to Griswold Street, south along Griswold Street to Ditch
Road, south along Ditch Road to Foot Road, south along Foot Road to the
north bank of Tonawanda Creek, west along the north bank of Tonawanda
Creek to Route 93, south along Route 93 to Route 5, east along Route 5
to Crittenden-Murrays Corners Road, south on Crittenden-Murrays Corners
Road to the NYS Thruway, east along the Thruway 90 to Route 98 (at
Thruway Exit 48) in Batavia, south along Route 98 to Route 20, east
along Route 20 to Route 19 in Pavilion Center, south along Route 19 to
Route 63, southeast along Route 63 to Route 246, south along Route 246
to Route 39 in Perry, northeast along Route 39 to Route 20A, northeast
along Route 20A to Route 20, east along Route 20 to Route 364 (near
Canandaigua), south and east along Route 364 to Yates County Route 18
(Italy Valley Road), southwest along Route 18 to Yates County Route 34,
east along Route 34 to Yates County Route 32, south along Route 32 to
Steuben County Route 122, south along Route 122 to Route 53, south
along Route 53 to Steuben County Route 74, east along Route 74 to Route
54A (near Pulteney), south along Route 54A to Steuben County Route 87,
east along Route 87 to Steuben County Route 96, east along Route 96 to
Steuben County Route 114, east along Route 114 to Schuyler County Route
23, east and southeast along Route 23 to Schuyler County Route 28,
southeast along Route 28 to Route 409 at Watkins Glen, south along
Route 409 to Route 14, south along Route 14 to Route 224 at Montour
Falls, east along Route 224 to Route 228 in Odessa, north along Route
228 to Route 79 in Mecklenburg, east along Route 79 to Route 366 in
Ithaca, northeast along Route 366 to Route 13, northeast along Route 13
to Interstate Route 81 in Cortland, north along Route 81 to the north
shore of the Salmon River to shore of Lake Ontario, extending generally
northwest in a straight line to the nearest point of the international
boundary with Canada, south and west along the international boundary
to the point of beginning.
Hudson Valley Goose Area: That area of New York State lying within
a continuous line extending from Route 4 at the New York-Vermont
boundary, west and south along Route 4 to Route 149 at Fort Ann, west
on Route 149 to Route 9, south along Route 9 to Interstate Route 87 (at
Exit 20 in Glens Falls), south along Route 87 to Route 29, west along
Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball Corners, south along Route 147 to
Schenectady County Route 40 (West Glenville Road), west along Route 40
to Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna Road to Schenectady County
Route 59, south along Route 59 to State Route 5, east along Route 5 to
the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S,
southeast along Route 5S to Schenectady County Route 58, southwest
along Route 58 to the NYS Thruway, south along the Thruway to Route 7,
southwest along Route 7 to Schenectady County Route 103, south along
Route 103 to Route 406, east along Route 406 to Schenectady County
Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route 99 to Dunnsville Road,
south along Dunnsville Road to Route 397, southwest along Route 397 to
Route 146 at Altamont, southeast along Route 146 to Main Street in
Altamont, west along Main Street to Route 156, southeast along Route
156 to Albany County Route 307, southeast along Route 307 to Route 85A,
southwest along Route 85A to Route 85, south along Route 85 to Route
443, southeast along Route 443 to Albany County Route 301 at
Clarksville, southeast along Route 301 to Route 32, south along Route
32 to Route 23 at Cairo, west along Route 23 to Joseph Chadderdon Road,
southeast along Joseph Chadderdon Road to Hearts Content Road (Greene
County Route 31), southeast along Route 31 to Route 32, south along
Route 32 to Greene County Route 23A, east along Route 23A to Interstate
Route 87 (the NYS Thruway), south along Route 87 to Route 28 (Exit 19)
near Kingston, northwest on Route 28 to Route 209, southwest on Route
209 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary, southeast along the New
York-Pennsylvania boundary to the New York-New Jersey boundary,
southeast along the New York-New Jersey boundary to Route 210 near
Greenwood Lake, northeast along Route 210 to Orange County Route 5,
northeast along Orange County Route 5 to Route 105 in the Village of
Monroe, east and north along Route 105 to Route 32, northeast along
Route 32 to Orange County Route 107 (Quaker Avenue), east along Route
107 to Route 9W, north along Route 9W to the south bank of Moodna
Creek, southeast along the south bank of Moodna Creek to the New
Windsor-Cornwall town boundary, northeast along the New Windsor-
Cornwall town boundary to the Orange-Dutchess County boundary (middle
of the Hudson River), north along the county boundary to Interstate
Route 84, east along Route 84 to the Dutchess-Putnam County boundary,
east along the county boundary to the New York-Connecticut boundary,
north along the New York-Connecticut boundary to the New York-
Massachusetts boundary, north along the New York-Massachusetts boundary
to the New York-Vermont boundary, north to the point of beginning.
Eastern Long Island Goose Area (NAP High Harvest Area): That area
of Suffolk County lying east of a continuous line extending due south
from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the northernmost end of
Roanoke Avenue in the Town of Riverhead; then south on Roanoke Avenue
(which becomes County Route 73) to State Route 25; then west on Route
25 to Peconic Avenue; then south on Peconic Avenue to County Route (CR)
104 (Riverleigh Avenue); then south on CR 104 to CR 31 (Old Riverhead
Road); then south on CR 31 to Oak Street; then south on Oak Street to
Potunk Lane; then west on Stevens Lane; then south on Jessup Avenue (in
Westhampton Beach) to Dune Road (CR 89); then due south to
international waters.
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
[[Page 37882]]
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
Northeast Zone: 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 County line),
Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell,
and Washington.
RP Zone: Remainder of the State.
Pennsylvania
Resident Canada and Cackling Goose Zone: All of Pennsylvania except
for the 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 the
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 the New Jersey State line.
Rhode Island
Special Area for Canada and Cackling 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 and Cackling Goose Area: Statewide except for the following
area:
East of U.S. 301: That portion of Clarendon County bounded to the
North by S-14-25, to the East by Hwy 260, and to the South by the
markers delineating the channel of the Santee River.
West of U.S. 301: That portion of Clarendon County bounded on the
North by S-14-26 extending southward to that portion of Orangeburg
County bordered by Hwy 6.
Vermont
Same zones as for ducks.
Virginia
AP Zone: The area east and south of the following line--the
Stafford County line from the Potomac River west to Interstate 95 at
Fredericksburg, then south along Interstate 95 to Petersburg, then
Route 460 (SE) to City of Suffolk, then south along Route 32 to the
North Carolina line.
SJBP Zone: The area to the west of the AP Zone boundary and east of
the following line: The ``Blue Ridge'' (mountain spine) at the West
Virginia-Virginia Border (Loudoun County-Clarke County line) south to
Interstate 64 (the Blue Ridge line follows county borders along the
western edge of Loudoun-Fauquier-Rappahannock-Madison-Greene-Albemarle
and into Nelson Counties), then east along Interstate Route 64 to Route
15, then south along Route 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.
Remainder of State: That portion of the State outside of the
Northwest Zone.
Illinois
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
west from the Indiana border along Interstate 80 to I-39, south along
I-39 to Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois
Route 29, south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois Route 17, west
along Illinois Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and due south across
the Mississippi River to the Iowa border.
Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Goose
Zone line to a line extending west from the Indiana border along I-70
to Illinois Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route
161, west along Illinois Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south and
west along Illinois Route 158 to Illinois Route 159, south along
Illinois 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.
Iowa
Same zones as for ducks.
Louisiana
North Zone: That portion of the State north of the line from the
Texas border at State Hwy 190/12 east to State Hwy 49, then south on
State Hwy 49 to Interstate 10, then east on Interstate 10 to Interstate
12, then east on Interstate 12 to Interstate 10, then east on
Interstate 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 Game Management Unit (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.
[[Page 37883]]
Ohio
Same zones as for ducks.
Tennessee
Reelfoot Zone: The lands and waters within the boundaries of
Reelfoot Lake WMA only.
Remainder of State: The remainder of the State.
Wisconsin
North and South Zones: Same zones as for ducks.
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.
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 Area: Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, and Teller
Counties.
San Luis Valley Area: All of Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, and Rio
Grande Counties, and those portions of Saguache, Mineral, Hinsdale,
Archuleta, and San Juan Counties east of the Continental Divide.
Remainder: Remainder of the Central Flyway portion of Colorado.
Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose Area: That portion of the State
east of Interstate Highway 25.
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
Zone 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 Nebraska-South Dakota border and U.S Hwy 83, south
to U.S. Hwy 20, east 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 Nebraska-South Dakota
border, west along the Nebraska-South Dakota border to U.S. Hwy 83.
Where the Niobrara River forms the boundary, both banks of the river
are included in the Niobrara Unit.
Platte River Unit: The area bounded starting at the northernmost
intersection of the Interstate Canal at the Nebraska-Wyoming border,
south along the Nebraska-Wyoming border to the Nebraska-Colorado
border, east and south along the Nebraska-Colorado border to the
Nebraska-Kansas border, east along the Nebraska-Kansas border to the
Nebraska-Missouri border, north along the Nebraska-Missouri and
Nebraska-Iowa borders to the Burt-Washington County line, west along
the Burt-Washington County line to U.S. Hwy 75, south to Dodge County
Road 4/Washington County Road 4, west to U.S. Hwy 77, south to U.S. Hwy
275, northwest to U.S. Hwy 91, west to NE Hwy 45, north to NE Hwy 32,
west to NE Hwy 14, north to NE Hwy 70, west to U.S. Hwy 281, south to
NE Hwy 70, west along NE Hwy 70/91 to NE Hwy 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 Custer County Line, south along the
Custer-Logan County lines to NE Hwy 92, west to U.S. Hwy 83, north to
NE Hwy 92, west to NE Hwy 61, north to NE Hwy 2, west along NE Hwy 2 to
the corner formed by Garden, Grant and Sheridan Counties, west along
the north borders of Garden, Morrill, and Scotts Bluff Counties to the
intersection with the Interstate Canal, north and west along the
Interstate Canal to the intersection with the Nebraska-Wyoming border.
North-Central Unit: Those portions of the State not in the Niobrara
and Platte River zones.
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 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 and Cackling 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 west on ND Hwy 200; then
north on ND Hwy 8 to the Mercer/McLean County line; then east following
the county line until it turns south toward Garrison Dam; then east
along a line (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.
Western North Dakota Canada and Cackling Goose Zone: Same as the
High Plains Unit for ducks, mergansers and coots, excluding the
Missouri River Canada Goose Zone.
Rest of State: Remainder of North Dakota.
South Dakota
Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons
Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Unit: The Counties of
Campbell, Clark, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Marshall,
Roberts, 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
[[Page 37884]]
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;
Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Butte, Corson, Davison, Douglas,
Edmunds, Faulk, Haakon, Hand, Hanson, Harding, Hutchinson, Jackson,
Jerauld, Jones, Kingsbury, Lake, McCook, McPherson, Meade, Mellette,
Miner, Moody, Oglala Lakota (formerly Shannon), Sanborn, Spink, Todd,
Turner, and Ziebach 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 Special Early Canada and Cackling
Goose Unit.
Unit 2: All of South Dakota not included in Unit 1 and Unit 3.
Unit 3: Bennett County.
Texas
Northeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and north of
a line beginning at the Texas-Oklahoma border at U.S. 81, then
continuing south to Bowie and then southeasterly along U.S. 81 and U.S.
287 to I-35W and I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San Antonio, then
east on I-10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.
Southeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and south of
a line beginning at the International Toll Bridge at Laredo, then
continuing north following I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San
Antonio, then easterly along I-10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.
West Goose Zone: The remainder of the State.
Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)
Dark Geese
Zone G1: Big Horn, Converse, Hot Springs, Natrona, Park, and
Washakie Counties.
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.
Zone G4: Fremont County excluding those portions south or west of
the Continental Divide.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
Same zones as for ducks.
California
Northeastern Zone: 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.
Klamath Basin Special Management Area: Beginning at the
intersection of Highway 161 and Highway 97; east on Highway 161 to Hill
Road; south on Hill Road to N Dike Road West Side; east on N Dike Road
West Side until the junction of the Lost River; north on N Dike Road
West Side until the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway; east on Volcanic
Legacy Scenic Byway until N Dike Road East Side; south on the N Dike
Road East Side; continue east on N Dike Road East Side to Highway 111;
south on Highway 111/Great Northern Road to Highway 120/Highway 124;
west on Highway 120/Highway 124 to Hill Road; south on Hill Road until
Lairds Camp Road; west on Lairds Camp Road until Willow Creek; west and
south on Willow Creek to Red Rock Road; west on Red Rock Road until
Meiss Lake Road/Old State Highway; north on Meiss Lake Road/Old State
Highway to Highway 97; north on Highway 97 to the point of origin.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line from the intersection of Highway
95 with the California-Nevada State line; south on Highway 95 through
the junction with Highway 40; south on Highway 95 to Vidal Junction;
south through the town of Rice to the San Bernardino-Riverside County
line on a road known as ``Aqueduct Road'' also known as Highway 62 in
San Bernardino County; southwest on Highway 62 to Desert Center Rice
Road; south on Desert Center Rice Road/Highway 177 to the town of
Desert Center; east 31 miles on Interstate 10 to its intersection with
Wiley Well Road; south on Wiley Well Road to Wiley Well; southeast on
Milpitas Wash Road to the Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections;
south on Blythe Ogilby Road also known as County Highway 34 to its
intersection with Ogilby Road; south on Ogilby Road to its intersection
with Interstate 8; east 7 miles on Interstate 8 to its intersection
with the Andrade-Algodones Road/Highway 186; south on Highway 186 to
its intersection with the U.S.-Mexico border at Los Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River zone) south and east of a line beginning at the
mouth of the Santa Maria River at the Pacific Ocean; east along the
Santa Maria River to where it crosses Highway 101-166 near the City of
Santa Maria; north on Highway 101-166; east on Highway 166 to the
junction with Highway 99; south on Highway 99 to the junction of
Interstate 5; south on Interstate 5 to the crest of the Tehachapi
Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest of the
Tehachapi Mountains to where it intersects Highway 178 at Walker Pass;
east on Highway 178 to the junction of Highway 395 at the town of
Inyokern; south on Highway 395 to the junction of Highway 58; east on
Highway 58 to the junction of Interstate 15; east on Interstate 15 to
the junction with Highway 127; north on Highway 127 to the point of
intersection with the California-Nevada State line.
Imperial County Special Management Area: The area bounded by a line
[[Page 37885]]
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 and Cackling 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: Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, and
Teton Counties.
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: Bear Lake County; Bingham County within the Blackfoot
Reservoir drainage; and Caribou County, except that portion within the
Fort Hall Indian Reservation.
Zone 5: Valley County.
White-Fronted Geese
Zone 1: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation, including private in-holdings; Bannock County; Bingham
County except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage;
Caribou County within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; and Power
County east of State Highway 37 and State Highway 39.
Zone 2: 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: Adams, Benewah, Blaine, Bonner, Boundary, Camas,
Clearwater, Custer, Franklin, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Nez
Perce, Oneida, and Shoshone Counties; and Power County west of State
Highway 37 and State Highway 39.
Zone 4: Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome,
Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, and Washington
Counties.
Zone 5: Valley County.
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: Franklin and Oneida Counties; Bingham County west of the
west bank of the Snake River, east of the McTucker boat ramp access
road, and west of the American Falls Reservoir bluff; Power County,
except below the American Falls Reservoir bluff and those lands and
waters within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.
Zone 3: Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome,
Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, and Washington
Counties.
Zone 4: Adams, Benewah, Blaine, Bonner, Boundary, Camas,
Clearwater, Custer, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Nez Perce,
and Shoshone Counties.
Zone 5: 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 6: Valley County.
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.
Tillamook County Management Area: That portion of Tillamook County
beginning at the point where Old Woods Road crosses the south shores of
Horn Creek, north on Old Woods Road to Sand Lake Road at Woods, north
on Sand Lake Road to the intersection with McPhillips Drive, due west
(~200 yards) from the intersection to the Pacific coastline, south
along the Pacific coastline to a point due west of the western end of
Pacific Avenue in Pacific City, east from this point (~250 yards) to
Pacific Avenue, east on Pacific Avenue to Brooten Road, south and then
east on Brooten Road to Highway 101, north on Highway 101 to Resort
Drive, north on Resort Drive 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, Grant, Harney, Jefferson,
Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Union, Wallowa, and Wheeler Counties.
Mid-Columbia Zone: Gilliam, Hood River, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla,
and Wasco Counties.
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
[[Page 37886]]
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 U.S.-89; south on U.S.-89
to I-84; east and south on I-84 to I-80; south on I-80 to U.S.-189;
south and west on U.S.-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,
Washington, and Wayne Counties, and that part of Tooele County south of
I-80.
Northern Zone: The remainder of Utah not included in the East Box
Elder County, Wasatch Front, and Southern Zones.
Washington
Area 1: Skagit and Whatcom Counties, and that portion of Snohomish
County west of Interstate 5.
Area 2 Inland (Southwest Permit Zone): Clark, Cowlitz, and
Wahkiakum Counties, and that portion of Grays Harbor County east of
Highway 101.
Area 2 Coastal (Southwest Permit Zone): Pacific County and that
portion of Grays Harbor County west of Highway 101.
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, 2 Coastal, and
2 Inland.
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
Open Area: 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
Idaho
Open Area: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, and Kootenai Counties.
Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
Open Area: Cascade, Chouteau, Hill, Liberty, and Toole Counties and
those portions of Pondera and Teton Counties lying east of U.S. 287-89.
Nevada
Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and Pershing Counties.
Utah
Open Area: Those portions of Box Elder, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake,
and Toole Counties lying west of I-15, north of I-80, and south of a
line beginning from the Forest Street exit to the Bear River National
Wildlife Refuge boundary; then north and west along the Bear River
National Wildlife Refuge boundary to the farthest west boundary of the
Refuge; then west along a line to Promontory Road; then north on
Promontory Road to the intersection of SR 83; then north on SR 83 to I-
84; then north and west on I-84 to State Hwy 30; then west on State Hwy
30 to the Nevada-Utah State line; then south on the Nevada-Utah State
line to I-80.
Doves
Alabama
South Zone: Baldwin, 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: The remainder of the 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. Highway 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.
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.
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.
[[Page 37887]]
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: Same as the South Zone.
New Mexico
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line following I-
40 from the Arizona border east to U.S. Hwy 54 at Tucumcari and U.S.
Hwy 54 at Tucumcari east to the Texas border.
South Zone: The remainder of the State not included in the North
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: That portion of the State north and east of a line
following U.S. 60 from the Arizona border east to I-25 at Socorro and
I-25 at Socorro south to the Texas border.
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.
American 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
Alabama
Open Area: That area north of Interstate 20 from the Georgia State
line to the interchange with Interstate 65, then east of Interstate 65
to the interchange with Interstate 22, then north of Interstate 22 to
the Mississippi State line.
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
Open Area: 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
Central Zone: That portion of the State within an area bounded by a
line beginning where I-35 crosses the Kansas-Oklahoma border, then
north on I-35 to Wichita, then north on I-135 to Salina, then north on
U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border, then west along the Kansas/Nebraska
border to its intersection with Hwy 283, then south on Hwy 283 to the
intersection with Hwy 18/24, then east along Hwy 18 to Hwy 183, then
south on Hwy 183 to Route 1, then south on Route 1 to the Oklahoma
border, then east along the Kansas/Oklahoma border to where it crosses
I-35.
West Zone: That portion of the State west of the western boundary
of the Central Zone.
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
NM 26, east to NM 27, north to NM 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
Open Area: That portion of the State west of I-35.
South Dakota
Open Area: That portion of the State lying west of a line beginning
at the South Dakota-North Dakota border and State Highway 25, south on
State Highway 25 to its junction with State Highway 34, east on State
Highway 34 to its junction with U.S. Highway 81, then south on U.S.
Highway 81 to the South Dakota-Nebraska border.
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, 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
[[Page 37888]]
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
Area 7: Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen, Laramie, Niobrara,
Platte, and Weston Counties.
Area 4: All lands within the Bureau of Reclamation's Riverton and
Boysen Unit boundaries; those lands within Boysen State Park south of
Cottonwood Creek, west of Boysen Reservoir, and south of U.S. Highway
20-26; and all non-Indian owned fee title lands within the exterior
boundaries of the Wind River Reservation, excluding those lands within
Hot Springs County.
Area 6: Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park, and Washakie Counties.
Area 8: 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.
Zone 3: Beginning on I-10 at the New Mexico State line; westerly on
I-10 to the Bowie-Apache Pass Road; southerly on the Bowie-Apache Pass
Road to AZ Hwy 186; southeast on AZ Hwy 186 to AZ Hwy 181; south on AZ
Hwy 181 to the West Turkey Creek-Kuykendall cutoff road; southerly on
the Kuykendall cutoff road to Rucker Canyon Road; easterly on the
Rucker Canyon Road to 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;
north along the State line to I-10.
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.
Area 6: That portion of Oneida County within the boundary beginning
at the intersection of the Idaho-Utah border and Old Highway 191, then
north on Old Highway 191 to 1500 S, then west on 1500 S to Highway 38,
then west on Highway 38 to 5400 W, then south on 5400 W to Pocatello
Valley Road, then west and south on Pocatello Valley Road to 10000 W,
then south on 10000 W to the Idaho-Utah border, then east along the
Idaho-Utah border to the beginning point.
Montana
Zone 1: 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 Lane, 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: That portion of the Pacific Flyway, located in Powell
County lying within the following described boundary: beginning at the
junction of
[[Page 37889]]
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: Beaverhead, Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison Counties.
Zone 4: Broadwater County.
Zone 5: Cascade and Teton Counties.
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 Elder-Cache
County line to the Utah-Idaho State line.
Rich County: Rich County.
Uintah Basin: Uintah and Duchesne Counties.
Wyoming
Area 1: All of the Bear River and Ham's Fork River drainages in
Lincoln County.
Area 2: All of the Salt River drainage in Lincoln County south of
the McCoy Creek Road.
Area 3: All lands within the Bureau of Reclamation's Eden Project
in Sweetwater County.
Area 5: 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.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20
Hunting, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Wildlife
Shannon A. Estenoz,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks,
Exercising the Delegated Authority of the Assistant Secretary for Fish
and Wildlife and Parks.
Regulation Promulgation
Accordingly, we amend part 20, subpart N of title 50 of the Code of
Federal Regulations as follows:
PART 20--MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING
0
1. The authority citation for part 20 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703 et seq., and 16 U.S.C. 742 a-j.
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2. In Sec. 20.153, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 20.153 Regulations committee.
(a) Notice of meetings. Notice of each meeting of the Regulations
Committee to be attended by any person outside the Department of the
Interior will be published in the Federal Register or online on the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Migratory Bird Program website at
least 2 weeks before the meeting. The notice will state the time,
place, and general subject(s) of the meeting, as well as the extent of
public involvement.
* * * * *
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3. In Sec. 20.154, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 20.154 Flyway Councils.
(a) Notice of meetings. Notice of each meeting of a Flyway Council
to be attended by any official of the Department of the Interior will
be published in the Federal Register or online on the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service's Migratory Bird Program website at least 2 weeks
before the meeting or as soon as practicable after the Department of
the Interior learns of the meeting. The notice will state the time,
place, and general subject(s) of the meeting.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2021-15084 Filed 7-15-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
