[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 183 (Thursday, September 22, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-23505] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: September 22, 1994] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 20 RIN 1018-AA24 Migratory Bird Hunting: Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on Certain Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands for the 1994-95 Late Season AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This rule prescribes special late season migratory bird hunting regulations for certain tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands and ceded lands. This is in response to tribal requests for Service recognition of their authority to regulate hunting under established guidelines. This rule is necessary to allow establishment of season bag limits and, thus, harvest at levels compatible with populations and habitat conditions. EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule takes effect on September 24, 1994. ADDRESSES: Comments received on the tribal proposals and special hunting regulations are available for public inspection during normal business hours in Room 634, Arlington Square Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA. Communications regarding the documents should be sent to: Director (FWS/MBMO), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 634 ARLSQ, 1849 C St., NW, Washington, DC 20240. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Keith A. Morehouse, Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, 634 ARLSQ, 1849 C St., NW, Washington, DC 20240 (703/ 358-1714). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of July 3, 1918 (40 Stat. 755; 16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.), authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Interior, having due regard for the zones of temperature and for the distribution, abundance, economic value, breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of migratory game birds, to determine when, to what extent, and by what means such birds or any part, nest or egg thereof may be taken, hunted, captured, killed, possessed, sold, purchased, shipped, carried, exported or transported. In the August 16, 1994 Federal Register (59 FR 42017), the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposed special migratory bird hunting regulations for the 1994-95 hunting season for certain Indian tribes, under the guidelines described in the June 4, 1985, Federal Register (50 FR 23467). The guidelines were developed in response to tribal requests for Service recognition of their reserved hunting rights, and for some tribes, recognition of their authority to regulate hunting by both tribal members and nonmembers on their reservations. The guidelines include possibilities for: (1) On-reservation hunting by both tribal members and nonmembers, with hunting by nontribal members on some reservations to take place within Federal frameworks but on dates different from those selected by the surrounding State(s); (2) on-reservation hunting by tribal members only, outside of usual Federal frameworks for season dates and length, and for daily bag and possession limits; and (3) off-reservation hunting by tribal members on ceded lands, outside of usual framework dates and season length, with some added flexibility in daily bag and possession limits. In all cases, the regulations established under the guidelines would have to be consistent with the March 10-September 1 closed season mandated by the 1916 Convention on the Protection of Migratory Birds Between the U.S. and Great Britain (for Canada). Tribes that desired special hunting regulations in the 1994-95 hunting season were requested in the April 7, 1994, Federal Register (59 FR 16762) to submit a proposal that included details on: (1) requested season dates and other regulations to be observed; (2) harvest anticipated under the requested regulations; (3) methods that will be employed to measure or monitor harvest; (4) steps that will be taken to limit level of harvest, where it could be shown that failure to limit such harvest would impact seriously on the migratory bird resource; and (5) tribal capabilities to establish and enforce migratory bird hunting regulations. No action is required if a tribe wishes to observe the hunting regulations that are established by the State(s) in which an Indian reservation is located. The guidelines have been used successfully since the 1985-86 hunting season, and they were made final beginning with the 1988-89 hunting season (August 18, 1988; 53 FR 31612). Although the August 16, 1994, proposed rule included generalized regulations for both early and late season hunting, this rulemaking addresses only the late season proposals. Early season hunting was addressed in the rulemaking published in the Federal Register on September 1, 1994 (59 FR 45235). As a general rule, early seasons begin during September each year and have a primary emphasis on such species as mourning and white-winged dove. Late seasons are ordinarily those that begin in late-September or early-October, or later, each year and have a primary emphasis on waterfowl. In the August 16 proposed rule, and in the early season final rule, the Service pointed out that there was reason for cautious optimism with regard to liberalization of duck hunting regulations in the 1994- 95 season. However, at that time production information was not available and assessments could not be made on which to base final framework decisions. From survey data, it now appears that duck production is up on a continental basis, with a projected fall flight index of about 71 million ducks, and the Service has responded to this by making minor adjustments in regulations. Most notably, bag limit frameworks provide for one more duck than allowed last year, with an additional mallard drake. However, the restriction on mallard hens to one in the daily bag will remain in effect. A season on canvasbacks is optional nationwide. Other species restrictions are still in effect. The Service has eased, somewhat, the more restrictive regulations of past seasons because duck populations have generally rebounded from the lows of last year and several previous years. Duck populations recovery is closely linked to more favorable water conditions throughout most of the better duck production areas of the U.S. and Canada, as well as to more restrictive regulations imposed in the past. However, the Service has been conservative in this liberalization because the potential is there for a more complete recovery of populations in the future, compared to long-term averages, if water conditions stabilize and/or continue to improve. Length of season is considered to be a factor more closely associated with determining magnitude of harvest than is minor adjustment in bag limit so frameworks for season length across all four flyways will remain the same. The fact that some liberalization has occurred in bag limits and season length is considered in these final regulations, many of which were proposed before final decisions were made on late season frameworks for the States. Tribal Proposals For the 1994-95 migratory bird hunting season, the Service received requests from 14 tribes and/or Indian groups that followed the June 4, 1985, guidelines and are appropriate for rulemaking. Some of the proposals submitted by the tribes have both early and late season elements. However, as noted earlier, only those with late season proposals are included in this final rulemaking; 13 tribes have proposals with late seasons. Six tribes are represented in the early season regulations. There have been no tribal comments or revised proposals for the late seasons received since publication of the early season final rule. However, tribal proposals were made before late-season final frameworks for States were established. Thus, with the liberalization that has occurred, changes have been made in some of the tribal seasons that are not reflected in the earlier proposed rule document. Public Comments on Tribal Proposals The Service received a letter from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MIDNR), dated August 30, 1994, that generally supports the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) migratory bird hunting proposal in the 1836 and 1842 ceded areas of Michigan. The MIDNR did advise that State rules had been modified to limit the take of brant to no more than two daily within a daily bag of seven geese. This was in response to a recent Mississippi Flyway Council recommendation. The Service's view on this is that the likelihood of a hunter taking, or even seeing, a brant in an interior area is not very great given that brant are almost exclusively a marine species. Although they are seen on occasion, records indicate the occurrence of brant in Michigan are on a ``rare'' to ``extremely rare'' basis. Establishment of a guideline or regulation to restrict the daily bag limit of brant to two is somewhat meaningless in that context. Nevertheless, as it would seem that the regulation is in part designed to protect the hunter, the Service will defer to the GLIFWC to decide for next season how they will propose to respond to the Mississippi Flyway Council recommendation and the State of Michigan establishment of regulations for brant harvest. For this current season, after consultation with both the MIDNR and the GLIFWC, the potential problem has been taken care of through inclusion of brant in the ``Other Geese'' category of the GLIFWC regulations. Other comments from States regarding tribally proposed regulations, received earlier, were addressed in the early season final rule published on September 1, 1994. In summary, this rule amends section 20.110 of 50 CFR to make current for the late 1994-95 migratory bird hunting season the regulations that will apply on Federal Indian reservations, off- reservation trust lands and ceded lands. These regulations take into account the liberalization that the Service has determined is biologically feasible for this current season, based on improved production. NEPA Consideration Pursuant to the requirements of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(C)), the ``Final Environmental Statement for the Issuance of Annual Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FES-75-74)'' was filed with the Council on Environmental Quality on June 6, 1975, and notice of availability was published in the Federal Register on June 13, 1975, (40 FR 25241). A supplement to the final environmental statement, the ``Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (SEIS 88- 14)'' was filed on June 9, 1988, and notice of availability was published in the Federal Register on June 16, 1988 (53 FR 22582), and June 17, 1988 (53 FR 22727). In addition, an August 1985 environmental assessment titled ``Guidelines for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands'' is available from the Service. Endangered Species Act Considerations Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543; 87 Stat. 884), provides that, ``The Secretary shall review other programs administered by him and utilize such programs in furtherance of the purposes of this Act'' (and) shall ``insure that any action authorized, funded or carried out * * * is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of [critical] habitat * * *'' Consequently, the Service initiated Section 7 consultation under the Endangered Species Act for the proposed migratory bird hunting seasons including those which occur on Federally recognized Indian reservations and ceded lands. The Service's biological opinion resulting from its consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act may be inspected by the public in, and will be available to the public from, the Division of Endangered Species and Habitat Conservation and the Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. Copies of these documents are available from the Service at the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES. In an August 1994 opinion, the Division of Endangered Species concluded that the proposed action is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitats. Hunting regulations are designed, among other things, to remove or alleviate chances of conflict between seasons for migratory game birds and the protection and conservation of endangered and threatened species and their habitats. Regulatory Flexibility Act, Executive Order 12866, and the Paperwork Reduction Act In the April 7 Federal Register, the Service reported measures it had undertaken to comply with requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) and Executive Order 12866. These included preparing an Analysis of Regulatory Effects, preparing a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, and publishing a summary of the latter. This information is included in the present document by reference. This action was not subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 12866. This rule does not contain any information collection requiring approval by the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3504. Authorship The primary author of this final rule is Dr. Keith A. Morehouse, Office of Migratory Bird Management. Regulations Promulgation The rulemaking process for migratory bird hunting must, by its very nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, the Service is of the view that every attempt should be made to give the public the greatest possible opportunity to comment on the regulations. Thus, when the proposed hunting regulations for certain tribes were published on August 16, 1994, the Service established the longest possible period for public comments. In doing this, the Service recognized that time would be of the essence. However, the comment period provided the maximum amount of time possible while ensuring that this final rule would be published before the late hunting season beginning on September 24, 1994. Under the authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of July 3, 1918, as amended (40 Stat. 755; 16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.), the Service prescribes final hunting regulations for certain tribes on Federal Indian reservations (including off-reservation trust lands), and ceded lands. The regulations specify the species to be hunted and establish season dates, bag and possession limits, season length, and shooting hours for migratory game birds other than waterfowl. Therefore, for the reasons set out above, the Service finds that ``good cause'' exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, and this final rule will take effect on September 24, 1994. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20 Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation, Wildlife. Accordingly, Part 20, Subchapter B, Chapter I of Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows: PART 20--[AMENDED] 1. The authority citation for Part 20 continues to read as follows: Authority: Migratory Bird Treaty Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.). (Editorial Note: The following annual hunting regulations provided for by Sec. 20.110 of 50 CFR Part 20 will not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations because of their seasonal nature.) 2. Section 20.110 is revised to read as follows: Sec. 20.110 Seasons, limits and other regulations for certain Federal Indian reservations, Indian Territory, and ceded lands. (a) Jicarilla Apache Tribe, Jicarilla Indian Reservation, Dulce, New Mexico (Tribal Members and Nontribal Hunters) Ducks (including mergansers). Season Dates: Begin October 1, end November 30, 1994. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, including no more than 4 mallards (of which only 1 may be a female), 1 pintail and 2 redheads. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. No canvasbacks are allowed in the bag. Geese. The 1994-95 goose season is closed. General Conditions. Tribal and nontribal hunters will comply with all basic Federal migratory bird hunting regulations in 50 CFR Part 20 regarding shooting hours and manner of taking. In addition, each waterfowl hunter 16 years of age or older must carry on his/her person a valid Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) signed in ink across the face. Special regulations established by the Jicarilla Tribe also apply on the reservation. (b) White Mountain Apache Tribe, Fort Apache Indian Reservation, Whiteriver, Arizona (Tribal Members and Nontribal Hunters) Ducks (Including Mergansers). Season Dates: Begin November 12, 1994, end January 8, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, including no more than 4 mallards (only 1 female mallard), 1 redhead, 2 canvasbacks and 1 pintail. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit, but may not include more than 1 daily bag limit that has been taken in any 1 day. Coots, Moorhens and Gallinules. Season Dates: Begin November 12, 1994, end January 8, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 25, singly or in the aggregate. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit, but may not include more than 1 daily bag limit that has been taken in any 1 day. Canada Geese. Season Dates: Begin November 12, 1994, end January 8, 1995. Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 2, and the possession limit is 4 after the first day. General Conditions: (1) The area open to hunting in the above seasons consists of: The entire length of the Black and Salt Rivers forming the southern boundary of the reservation; the Whiteriver, extending from the Canyon Day Stockman Station to the Salt River; and all stock ponds located within Wildlife Management Units 4, 6 and 7. The remaining reservation waters will be closed to waterfowl hunting during the 1994-95 hunting season. (2) Tribal and nontribal hunters will comply with all basic Federal migratory bird hunting regulations in 50 CFR Part 20 regarding shooting hours and manner of taking. (3) See other special regulations established by the White Mountain Apache Tribe that apply on the reservation, available from the reservation Game and Fish Department. (c) Colorado River Indian Tribes, Parker, Arizona (Tribal Members and Nontribal Hunters). Ducks. Season Dates: Begin October 14, end November 10, 1994; then open December 9, 1994, close January 8, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 4, which may include no more than 2 pintails, 2 redheads, 1 Mexican duck and 1 canvasback. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. Coots and Common Moorhens. Season Dates: Begin October 14, end November 10, 1994; then open December 9, 1994, close January 8, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 25. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. Geese. Season Dates: Begin October 22, 1994, end January 22, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, with 5 in possession. The daily bag limit may not include more than 2 dark (Canada) geese and 3 white (snow, blue, Ross's) geese. General Conditions: A valid Colorado River Indian Reservation hunting permit is required and must be in possession before taking any wildlife on tribal lands. Persons fourteen years and older are required to have a valid permit. Any person transporting game birds off the Colorado River Indian Reservation must have a valid transport declaration form. Other tribal regulations apply, and may be obtained at the Fish and Game Office in Parker, Arizona. (d) Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, Wisconsin (Tribal Members Only). Ducks. Michigan, 1842 Treaty Zone. Season Dates: Begin October 1 and end November 7, then begin November 12 and end November 13, 1994. Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 3, including no more than 2 mallards (only 1 of which may be a female), 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 2 wood ducks, 1 canvasback and 1 redhead. Michigan, 1836 Treaty Zone. Season Dates: North Zone, begin October 1 and end November 7, then begin November 12 and end November 13, 1994; Middle Zone, begin October 1 and end November 6, then begin November 11 and end November 13; South Zone, begin October 8 and end November 13, 1994, then begin November 25 and end November 27, 1994. Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 3, including no more than 2 mallards (only 1 of which may be a female), 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 2 wood ducks, 1 canvasback and 1 redhead. Mergansers. Michigan, 1842 Treaty Zone. Season Dates: Begin October 1 and end November 7, then begin November 12 and end November 13, 1994. Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 5, including no more than 1 hooded merganser. Michigan, 1836 Treaty Zone. Season Dates: North Zone, begin October 1 and end November 7, then begin November 12 and end November 13, 1994; Middle Zone, begin October 1 and end November 6, then begin November 11 and end November 13; South Zone, begin October 8 and end November 13, 1994, then begin November 25 and end November 27, 1994. Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 5, including no more than 1 hooded merganser. Canada Geese. Michigan, 1842 Treaty Zone. Season Dates: Begin September 24, end October 16, 1994. Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 2. Michigan, 1836 Treaty Zone. Season Dates: North Zone, begin September 24 and end October 16, 1994; Middle Zone, begin October 1 and end October 23, 1994; South Zone, begin October 8 and end November 6, 1994. Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 1 for the South Zone and 2 for the North and Middle Zones. Other Geese (Brant, Blue, Snow, and White-fronted). Michigan, 1842 Treaty Zone. Season Dates: Begin September 24, end October 16, 1994. Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 7, including no more than 2 white-fronted. Michigan, 1836 Treaty Zone. Season Dates: North Zone, begin September 24 and end October 16, 1994; Middle Zone, begin October 1 and end October 23, 1994; South Zone, begin October 8 and end November 6, 1994. Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 7, including no more than 2 white-fronted. Coots and Common Moorhens (Gallinule). Michigan, 1842 Treaty Zone. Season Dates: Begin October 1 and end November 7, then begin November 11 and end November 13, 1994. Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 15, singly or in the aggregate. Michigan, 1836 Treaty Zone. Season Dates: North Zone, begin October 1 and end November 7, then begin November 12 and end November 13, 1994; Middle Zone, begin October 1 and end November 6, then begin November 11 and end November 13; South Zone, begin October 8 and end November 13, 1994, then begin November 25 and end November 27, 1994. Daily Bag Limit: The daily bag limit is 15. General Conditions: (1) While hunting waterfowl, a tribal member must carry on his/her person a valid tribal waterfowl hunting permit. (2) Except as otherwise noted, tribal members will be required to comply with tribal codes that will be no less restrictive than the provisions of Chapter 10 of the Model Off-Reservation Code. Except as may be modified by Service final rules adopted in response to a proposed rule, these amended regulations parallel Federal requirements, 50 CFR Part 20, and shooting hour regulations in 50 CFR Part 20, subpart K, as to hunting methods, transportation, sale, exportation and other conditions generally applicable to migratory bird hunting. (3) Tribal members in each zone will comply with State regulations providing for closed and restricted waterfowl hunting areas. (4) Minnesota and Michigan--Duck Blinds and Decoys. Tribal members hunting in Minnesota will comply with tribal codes that contain provisions parallel to M. S. 100.29, Subd. 18 (duck blinds and decoys). Tribal members hunting in Michigan will comply with tribal codes that contain provisions parallel to Michigan law regarding duck blinds and decoys. (5) Possession limits for each species are double the daily bag limit, except on the opening day of the season, when the possession limit equals the daily bag limit. (6) Possession limits are applicable only to transportation and do not include birds which are cleaned, dressed, and at a member's primary residence. For purposes of enforcing bag and possession limits, all migratory birds in the possession or custody of tribal members on ceded lands will be considered to have been taken on those lands unless tagged by a tribal or State conservation warden as having been taken on-reservation. In Wisconsin, such tagging will comply with Sec. NR 19.12, Wis. Adm. Code. All migratory birds which fall on reservation lands will not count as part of any off-reservation bag or possession limit. (e) Kalispel Tribe, Kalispel Reservation, Usk, Washington (Nontribal Hunters). Ducks. Season Dates: Begin October 1, 1994, end January 29, 1995. During this period, days to be hunted are specified by the Kalispel Tribe as Wednesdays, weekends, holidays and for a continuous period from November 28 through December 31, 1994, the total of which is 77 days. Nontribal hunters should contact the tribe for more detail on hunting days. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 4 ducks, including no more than 3 mallards (only 1 of which may be a female), 1 pintail, 1 canvasback and 2 redheads. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. Geese. Dark Geese. Season Dates: Begin October 1, 1994, end January 29, 1995. During this period, days to be hunted are specified by the Kalispel Tribe as Wednesdays, weekends, holidays and for a continuous period from November 28 through December 31, 1994, the total of which is 77 days. Nontribal hunters should contact the tribe for more detail on hunting days. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 4 geese, including 4 dark geese but not more than 2 white-fronted geese. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. Light Geese. Season Dates: Begin October 1, 1994, end January 29, 1995. During this period, days to be hunted are specified by the Kalispel Tribe as Wednesdays, weekends, holidays and for a continuous period from November 28 through December 31, 1994, the total of which is 77 days. Nontribal hunters should contact the tribe for more detail on hunting days. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 3 light geese. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. General: All State and Federal regulations, such as those contained in 50 CFR Part 20 and including the possession of a validated Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, will be observed by hunters. (f) Klamath Tribe, Chiloquin, Oregon (Tribal Members) Ducks. Season Dates: Begin October 1, 1994, end January 28, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 9. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. Coots. Season Dates: Begin October 1, 1994, end January 28, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag and possession limits are 25. Geese. Season Dates: Begin October 1, 1994, end January 28, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 6. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. General: The Klamath Tribe provides regulations enforcement authority in its game management officers, biologists and wildlife technicians, and has a court system with judges that hear cases and set fines. (g) Navajo Indian Reservation, Window Rock, Arizona (Tribal Members and Nontribal Hunters) Ducks. Season Dates: Begin October 1, end November 28, 1994. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The bag limit is 5, including no more than 4 mallards (only 1 of which may be a female), 1 pintail, 1 canvasback and 2 redheads. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit for each sex and/or species. Canada Geese. Season Dates: Begin October 1, 1994, end January 8, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 3. The possession limit is 6. Coots and Common Moorhens. Season Dates: Begin October 1, end November 28, 1994. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 25 singly or in the aggregate, and the possession limit is restricted to the daily bag limit (25). General Conditions: Tribal and nontribal hunters will comply with all basic Federal migratory bird hunting regulations in 50 CFR Part 20, regarding shooting hours and manner of taking. In addition, each waterfowl hunter 16 years of age or over must carry on his/her person a valid Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (duck stamp) signed in ink across the face. Special regulations established by the Navajo Nation also apply on the reservation. (h) Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Flathead Indian Reservation, Pablo, Montana (Nontribal Hunters) Ducks (including mergansers). Season Dates: Begin October 1, end October 16; begin October 22, end November 27; and begin December 17, 1994, end January 1, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 4, including no more than 3 mallards (only 1 of which may be a female), 1 pintail, 1 canvasback and 2 redheads. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. Coots. Season Dates: Begin October 1, end October 16; begin October 22, end November 27; and begin December 18, 1994, end January 1, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 25, and the possession limit is limited to the daily bag (25). Geese. Dark. Season Dates: Begin October 1, 1994, end January 8, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 3, which may include no more than 2 white-fronted geese. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. White. Season Dates: Begin October 1, 1994, end January 8, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 3, and the possession limit is 6. Special Exception For Geese: A special early closure for goose hunting may begin at sunset, December 4, 1994, within the following area or some portion therein: Beginning at Polson, then north along U.S. Highway 93 to Irvine Flats Road, then west along Irvine Flats Road to Irvine Divide, then south along the crest of the Salish Mountains Divide to its intersection with the Ronan-Hot Springs Road, then east to Sloan's Bridge, then east along Sloan Road to its intersection with Round Butte Road, then east along Round Butte Road to Valley View Road, then north along Valley View Road to its intersection with Kerr Dam Road, then north and east to Polson, the point of beginning. Lands outside those boundaries will close to Canada goose hunting at sunset on January 8, 1995. General Conditions. Nontribal hunters will comply with all basic Federal migratory bird hunting regulations contained in 50 CFR Part 20 regarding manner of taking. In addition, shooting hours are sunrise to sunset and each waterfowl hunter 16 years of age or older must carry on his/her person a valid Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) signed in ink across the face. Special regulations established by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes also apply on the reservation. (i) Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Fort Hall Indian Reservation, Fort Hall, Idaho (Nontribal Hunters) Ducks. Season Dates: Begin October 22, end December 19, 1994. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 4, including no more than 3 mallards (only 1 of which may be a female), 1 pintail, 1 canvasback and 2 redheads. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. Mergansers. Season Dates: Begin October 22, end December 19, 1994. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, and the possession limit is 10. Coots. Season Dates: Begin October 22, end December 19, 1994. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 25, and the possession limit is limited to the daily bag (25). Geese. Season Dates: Begin October 8, 1994, end January 8, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The bag limit is 3 in the aggregate of all species, with no more than 2 white-fronted geese. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. Common Snipe. Season Dates: Begin October 22, end December 19, 1994. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 8, and the possession limit is 16. General Conditions: Nontribal hunters will comply with all basic Federal migratory bird hunting regulations in 50 CFR Part 20 regarding shooting hours and manner of taking. In addition, each waterfowl hunter 16 years of age or older must have in his/her possession a valid Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) signed in ink across the face. Other regulations established by the Shoshone- Bannock Tribes also apply on the reservation. (j) Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Crow Creek Indian Reservation, Fort Thompson, South Dakota (Tribal Members and Nontribal Hunters) Ducks. Season Dates: Begin October 29, end December 11, 1994. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 4, of which: only 1 may be a female mallard; only 1 may be a canvasback, only 1 may be a redhead; only 1 may be a pintail; only 2 may be wood ducks; and only 1 may be a hooded merganser. The possession limit is 8, the makeup of which may be no more than twice each of the above. Dark Geese. Canada, Brant and White-fronted Geese. Season Dates: Begin October 9, 1994, end January 1, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 2 dark geese, which can include no more than 1 white-fronted goose (or brant). The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. Light Geese. Season Dates: Begin October 9, 1994, end January 1, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 10, and the possession limit is 20. General Conditions: The waterfowl hunting regulations established by this final rule apply only to tribal and trust lands within the external boundaries of the reservation. Tribal and nontribal hunters will comply with basic Federal migratory bird hunting regulations in 50 CFR Part 20 regarding shooting hours and manner of taking. In addition, each waterfowl hunter 16 years of age or over must carry on his/her person a valid Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) signed in ink across the face. Special regulations established by the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe also apply on the reservation. (k) Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule Reservation, Lower Brule, South Dakota (Tribal Members and Nontribal Hunters) Ducks (including mergansers). Season Dates: Begin October 8, end November 27, 1994. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 4, including no more than 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 redhead, 1 canvasback, 2 wood ducks, 1 female mallard and 1 hooded merganser. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. Geese. Dark Geese. Season Dates: Begin October 1, end December 25, 1994. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese or 1 Canada goose and 1 white-fronted goose (or 1 brant). The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. White Geese. Season Dates: Begin October 1, 1994, end December 25, 1994. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 10, and the possession limit is 20. General Conditions: All hunters shall comply with the basic Federal migratory bird hunting regulations in 50 CFR Part 20, including the use of steel shot. Nontribal hunters are required to have in their possession a validated Migratory Waterfowl Hunting and Conservation Stamp. The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe has an official Conservation Code that hunters must adhere to when hunting in areas subject to control by the tribe. (l) Yankton Sioux Tribe, Marty, South Dakota (Tribal Members and Nontribal Hunters) Ducks including Mergansers. Season Dates: Begin October 29, end December 6, 1994. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 4 ducks, of which only 1 may be a female mallard; only 1 may be a redhead; only 1 may be a pintail; only 2 may be wood ducks; and only 1 may be a hooded merganser. Other merganser species, than hooded, must be included in the duck limit. The possession limit is 8, the makeup of which may be no more than double each of the above daily bag limits. Coots. Season Dates: Begin October 29, end December 6, 1994. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 15, and the possession limit is 30. Dark Geese (Tribal and Nontribal). Season Dates: Begin October 1, end December 18, 1994. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 2, which may include no more than 1 white-fronted goose (or brant). The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. White Geese (Tribal and Nontribal). Season Dates: Begin October 1, end December 18, 1994. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 10, and the possession limit is 20. Special Season: For tribal and nontribal hunters, a special extended goose season will be held in the Chalk Rock Colony area of the Yankton Sioux Reservation. This season begins at the close of the regular goose season, December 19, 1994, in Goose Hunting Unit 2 and extends through January 8, 1995. Information on this special season, including bag limits and other regulations, may be obtained from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office in Wagner, South Dakota. General Conditions: (1) The waterfowl hunting regulations established by this final rule apply to tribal and trust lands within the external boundaries of the reservation. (2) Tribal and nontribal hunters will comply with all basic Federal migratory bird hunting regulations in 50 CFR Part 20 regarding shooting hours and manner of taking. In addition, each waterfowl hunter 16 years of age or older must carry on his/her person a valid Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) signed in ink across the face. Special regulations established by the Yankton Sioux Tribe also apply on the reservation. (m) Tulalip Tribes of Washington, Tulalip Indian Reservation, Marysville, Washington (Nontribal Hunters) Ducks. Season Dates: Begin November 13, 1994, end January 20, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 4, of which no more than 3 may be mallards (including only 1 female), 1 pintail, 1 canvasback and 2 redheads. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. Coots. Season Dates: Begin November 13, 1994, end January 20, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 25, and the possession limit is restricted to the daily bag limit (25). Geese. Season Dates: Begin October 15, 1994, end January 22, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 4, and the possession limit is 8. However, there are restrictions on white-fronted (daily/possession limits, 2 and 4) and snow geese (daily/possession, 3 and 6) statewide. Brant. Season Dates: Begin January 7, 1994, end January 22, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 2, and the possession limit is 4. Snipe. Season Dates: Begin November 13, 1994, end February 28, 1995. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 8, and the possession limit is 16. General Conditions: All hunters are required to adhere to shooting hour regulations of one-half hour before sunrise to sunset, and a number of other special regulations enforced by the tribes. Dated: September 8, 1994. George T. Frampton, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. [FR Doc. 94-23505 Filed 9-21-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P