[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 187 (Friday, September 26, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50660-50680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25517]
[[Page 50659]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part II
Department of the Interior
_______________________________________________________________________
Fish and Wildlife Service
_______________________________________________________________________
50 CFR Part 20
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Bird
Hunting Regulations; Final Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 50660]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
RIN 1018-AE14
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Late-Season
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This rule prescribes final late-season frameworks from which
States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 1997-
98 migratory bird hunting season. These late seasons include most
waterfowl seasons, the earliest of which generally commence on or about
October 1, 1997. The effects of this final rule are to facilitate the
selection of hunting seasons by the States to further the annual
establishment of the late-season migratory bird hunting regulations.
State selections will be published in the Federal Register as
amendments to Secs. 20.104 through 20.107 and Sec. 20.109 of title 50
CFR part 20.
DATE: This rule takes effect on September 26, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Season selections from States are to be mailed to: Chief,
Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Department of the Interior, ms 634--ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20240. Comments received are available for public
inspection during normal business hours in room 634, Arlington Square
Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul R. Schmidt, Chief, Office of
Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (703) 358-
1714.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulations Schedule for 1997
On March 13, 1997, the Service published in the Federal Register
(62 FR 39712) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal dealt
with the establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for
migratory game birds under Secs. 20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and
20.110 of subpart K. On June 6, 1997, the Service published in the
Federal Register (62 FR 31298) a second document providing supplemental
proposals for early- and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations
frameworks and the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 1997-98
duck hunting season. The June 6 supplement also provided detailed
information on the 1997-98 regulatory schedule and announced the
Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee and Flyway Council
meetings. On June 27, 1997, the Service held a public hearing in
Washington, DC, as announced in the March 13 and June 6 Federal
Registers to review the status of migratory shore and upland game
birds. The Service discussed hunting regulations for these species and
for other early seasons. On July 23, 1997, the Service published in the
Federal Register (62 FR 39712) a third document. This document
contained the final regulatory alternatives for the 1997-98 duck
hunting season and the proposed early-season frameworks for the 1997-98
season.
On August 7, 1997, the Service held a public hearing in Washington,
DC, as announced in the March 13, June 6, and July 23 Federal Registers
to review the status of waterfowl. Proposed hunting regulations were
discussed for late seasons. On August 20, 1997, the Service published a
fifth document (62 FR 44229) containing final frameworks for early
migratory bird hunting seasons from which wildlife conservation agency
officials from the States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands selected
early-season hunting dates, hours, areas, and limits. On August 25,
1997, the Service published a sixth document (62 FR 45078) which dealt
specifically with proposed frameworks for the 1997-98 late-season
migratory bird hunting regulations. On August 29, 1997, the Service
published in the Federal Register (62 FR 46512) a seventh document
consisting of a final rule amending subpart K of title 50 CFR part 20
to set hunting seasons, hours, areas, and limits for early seasons.
This document, which establishes final frameworks for late-season
migratory bird hunting regulations for the 1997-98 season, is the
eighth in the series.
Review of Comments and the Service's Response
Public-hearing and written comments received through September 4,
1997, relating to proposed late-season frameworks, are discussed and
addressed here. Mr. Robert McDowell, representing the Atlantic Flyway
Council, presented a statement at the August 7, 1997, public hearing.
Late-season comments are summarized and discussed in the order used in
the March 13, 1997, Federal Register. Only the numbered items
pertaining to late seasons for which comments were received are
included. Flyway Council recommendations shown below include only those
involving changes from the 1996-97 late-season frameworks. For those
topics where a Council recommendation is not shown, the Council
supported continuing the same frameworks as in 1996-97.
General
Written Comments: The Humane Society of the United States (Humane
Society) expressed concern that the public was not well represented in
the regulations-development process and requested establishment of a
system directly involving the non-hunting public. In addition, they
recommended that the Service undertake efforts to obtain population
estimates for all hunted species. Finally, they recommended pre-sunrise
shooting be disallowed.
Service Response: As we have stated previously, when the
preliminary proposed rulemaking document was published in the Federal
Register on March 13, 1997, the Service announced the comment periods
for the early-season and late-season proposals and gave notice that the
process of promulgating hunting regulations ``must, by its nature,
operate under time constraints.'' Ample time must be given to gather
and interpret survey data, consider recommendations and develop
proposals, and to receive public comment. Scheduled dates are set to
give the greatest possible opportunity for public input. The Service is
obligated to, and does, give serious consideration to all information
received as public comment. The Service has long recognized the
problems associated with the length of time necessary to establish the
final frameworks, and in conjunction with States, Flyway Councils, and
the public, continues to seek new ways to streamline and improve the
regulatory process.
Regarding the Service's efforts to obtain population estimates, the
long-term objectives of the Service 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. Annually, the
Service evaluates the status of populations and considers the potential
impacts of hunting. The Service believes that the hunting seasons
provided herein are consistent with the current status of waterfowl
populations and long-term population goals. In regard to shooting
hours, the Service has compiled information which demonstrates that
shooting hours beginning one-half hour before sunrise do not contribute
[[Page 50661]]
significantly to the harvest of nontarget species. Consistent with the
Service's long-term strategy for shooting hours, published in the
September 21, 1990, Federal Register (55 FR 38898), the frameworks
herein provide for shooting hours of one-half hour before sunrise to
sunset, unless otherwise specified.
1. Ducks
The categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest
management are as follows: (A) General Harvest Strategy, (B) Framework
Dates, (C) Season Length, (D) Closed Seasons, (E) Bag Limits, (F) Zones
and Split Seasons, and (G) Special Seasons/Species Management. Only
those categories containing substantial recommendations are included
below.
A. General Harvest Strategy
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council, the Upper-
Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council, the
Central Flyway Council, and the Pacific Flyway Council recommended
adopting the ``liberal'' alternative for the 1997-98 duck hunting
season.
The Atlantic and Pacific Flyway Councils further recommended that
the four regulatory packages adopted by the Service in the July 23,
1997, Federal Register be maintained until such time as the Service and
Flyway Councils agree that there is compelling justification for
modification.
The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended adoption of the ``liberal'' alternative with a
modification of the framework closing date. Specific details are
discussed in B. Framework Dates.
Written Comments: The Pennsylvania Game Commission (Pennsylvania)
supported the Adaptive Harvest Management process and was encouraged
that information from eastern mallards was beginning to be used to
develop harvest strategies for the Atlantic Flyway. While Pennsylvania
supported the final four alternatives for 1997-98, they continue to
support consideration for a fixed bag limit in all alternatives.
Individuals from California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North
Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah requested that
bag limits and season lengths not be increased this year since at least
six duck populations (mallard, wigeon, pintail, redhead, scaup, and
black ducks) declined in 1996.
Delta Waterfowl (Delta) believed that the Service was placing
tremendous burden on individual States that recognize that the
regulation package was overly excessive. Delta further believed that
the Service should play more of a leadership role in the aspects of
hunter attitudes and ethical standards of waterfowl hunting. By
promoting soley highly technical, statistically confusing data and
ignoring constituencies, Delta believed that the Service was not acting
in the best interest of waterfowling. Further, Delta believed that
hunters did not ask for extensive liberalizations in the regulations.
Service Response: Beginning in 1995, the Service, Flyway Councils,
and States introduced a new approach to the regulation of duck
harvests, called Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM). An integral part of
this harvest-management approach is the cooperative establishment of a
set of regulatory alternatives that includes specified season lengths
and bag limits for very restrictive, restrictive, moderate, and liberal
seasons. The alternatives established for this year's hunting season
were the result of extensive discussions with the Flyway Councils and
States since last January, as well as involvement by the public during
an open comment period. The estimate of total ducks this year is 16
percent higher than the long-term average and several species are at
record levels. The outlook for production is excellent and the 1997
fall flight will be comparable to those observed during the 1970s.
Based on favorable input, the Service will continue use of the AHM
approach initiated last year. The AHM strategy for 1997 prescribes the
``liberal'' regulatory alternative based on high mallard and pond
numbers.
The framework closing date recommended by the Lower-Region
Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council differed from
those in the ``liberal'' alternative established in the July 23 Federal
Register. The Service's frameworks are consistent with the ``liberal''
alternative outlined in the July 23 Federal Register and was supported
by the other three Flyway Councils as well as the Mississippi Flyway
Council's Upper-Region Regulations Committee.
B. Framework Dates
Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended an experimental extension of
the framework closing date to January 31 to allow evaluation of the
extension, as long as this does not affect regulations/framework
packages in non-participating states.
Written Comments: The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries
and Parks (Mississippi) requested Service support and approval of the
Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council's
study/framework extension proposal. Mississippi further offered to (1)
accept a 50-day season in return for a January 31 closure, (2) close
the season on the Sunday before January 31, (3) accept one less hen
mallard in the bag, and (4) assist with the necessary funding to
conduct the study.
The Humane Society recommended that all seasons open at noon mid-
week in order to reduce the high level of harvest associated with
traditional Saturday season openings. Furthermore, the Humane Society
recommended that season openings be delayed by 2 weeks in all breeding
areas in order to allow ducks time to leave natal marshes before being
subjected to hunting pressure.
Service Response: In the July 23 Federal Register, the Service
outlined the reasons why it did not support an expansion of the
framework dates at this time.
Regarding the Humane Society's recommendation for mid-week season
openings, the Service has previously stated in the Federal Register (58
FR 50190) that a State may choose to delay its opening date to
correspond with a particular day of the week or to close earlier to
maximize the number of weekends that hunting is allowed.
F. Zones and Split Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended the Service allow ``3 zones
and 2-way splits in one or more zones'' as an additional option to the
current zoning process. The Committee also requested that the Service
allow States up to 1 year to choose this option, based on the public-
input process States undertake, before they provide the Service with
their proposal (prior to the 1998-99 regular-duck season).
Written Comments: The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and
Wildlife (Maine) supported the use of 3 zones and 2-way splits in one
or more zones as an additional option to the current zoning criteria.
Maine further requested this change be accomplished prior to the 2001
regulation cycle.
Several individuals from Iowa recommended an elimination of zones
and allowing a continuous, statewide season. An individual from
Missouri recommended the use of a 3-way split season in Missouri.
The Humane Society urges the Service to discontinue all split and
[[Page 50662]]
special seasons and recommends that any State establishing such seasons
reduce the total number of hunting days by a minimum of 10 days.
Service Response: In 1990, the Service established guidelines for
the use of zones and split seasons for duck hunting (Federal Register,
55 FR 38901). These guidelines were based upon an evaluation of the
historical use of zone/split options, and were reviewed by the Flyway
Councils. The primary purpose of the guidelines was to provide a
framework for controlling the proliferation of changes in zones and
split seasons which compromise our ability to measure impacts of
various regulatory changes on harvest. One of the guidelines is that
once a State selects a zone/split option during an open season, the
option must remain in place for the following 5 years.
The first open season for changes was in 1991 and the second
occurred last year when zone/split configurations were established for
the 1996-2000 period. Last year during the open season, the Service
revised the 1990 guidelines, based largely on recommendations from the
four Flyway Councils. Final guidelines were published in the July 22,
1996, Federal Register. Currently, the 1997-98 season will be only the
second year of the 5-year moratorium period. The next open season for
changes in zone/split configurations will be in 2001.
In regard to the recommendation that split and special seasons be
discontinued, the Service notes that States always have the option of
selecting a continuous season with no splits. Furthermore, the Service
is not aware of any information suggesting that split and special
seasons are causing detrimental impacts to populations.
G. Special Seasons/Species Management
i. Black Ducks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that the individual Atlantic Flyway States achieve a 42 percent
reduction in their black duck harvest during the 1997-98 season
compared with the 1977-81 base-line harvest.
Written Comments: The New Jersey Waterfowlers Association
recommended a uniform black duck daily bag limit of 2 birds in the
Atlantic Flyway.
Service Response: The Service agrees with the Atlantic Flyway
Council's recommendation and acknowledges the Council's concern for the
population status of black ducks. Black duck populations remain below
the North American Waterfowl Management Plan goal, and while the
decline seems to have halted, little increase is evident. The Service
believes the harvest restrictions identified in the 1983 Environmental
Assessment should be maintained until a revised harvest strategy is
developed.
ii. Canvasbacks
Written Comments: The New Jersey Waterfowlers Association
recommended a canvasback daily bag limit of 2 birds based on 1995 and
1996 breeding population indices.
Service Response: The Service continues to support the canvasback
harvest strategy adopted in 1994. Current population and habitat status
suggests that a daily bag limit of 1 canvasback during the 1997-98
season will result in a harvest within levels allowed by the strategy.
The Service believes that it has insufficient experience with this
harvest strategy to consider modifications at this time, and is
concerned that an overly aggressive strategy could precipitate a return
to closed seasons. The Service, as stated in previous Federal
Registers, is continuing to monitor the performance of the canvasback
harvest strategy adopted in 1994. The Service is particularly
interested in harvest information from the coming duck season, which
will have the longest season lengths offered in decades. Prior to next
summer, the Service plans to assess how well observed harvests and
population abundance were predicted by the strategy. The Service notes
that the development of the canvasback strategy took several years and
required a lot of technical work and consensus-building. The resulting
strategy appears to have been fairly successful at meeting the major
needs expressed: (1) provides a consistent harvest strategy (i.e.,
minimizing closed seasons as previously experienced); (2) provides
hunting opportunity over a wide geographic area; (3) does not include
seasons within seasons; and (4) provides for a fairly stabilized
population.
A complete reassessment of the strategy is not a high priority,
given other pressing issues with AHM. The extent of the assessment will
be tempered by the amount of staff time needed to address higher-
priority issues.
iii. Pintails
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a
2-bird daily bag limit for pintails in the 1997-98 hunting season
instead of the 3-bird daily bag limit prescribed by the Interim Pintail
Harvest Strategy.
Written Comments: The Pennsylvania Game Commission did not support
the proposed interim pintail harvest strategy. They believe that the
status of pintails derived from eastern areas is uncertain and that
increasing the bag limit to 3 birds will lead to negative perceptions
from hunters. They recommend a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Delta Waterfowl did not support a 3-pintail daily bag limit in all
four Flyways. They believed that the proposal did not have adequate
time for public input and that such a change would further erode the
confidence of hunters in AHM. They recommended that, if a 3-bird limit
were approved, that no more than 1 hen pintail be allowed. Individuals
from Michigan and Minnesota recommended that the pintail daily bag
limit remain at 1 bird.
The National Wildlife Federation was concerned that pintails remain
below population objectives and believed it would be prudent to reduce
the pintail daily bag limit to 2.
The Wildlife Management Institute expressed concern over the status
of pintails, but believed the interim strategy provides the Service
with a solid foundation for the time being.
Service Response: In the July 23 Federal Register, the Service
adopted the Interim Strategy for Northern Pintail Harvest Regulations
detailed in the June 6 and July 23 Federal Registers. The Service
adopted this interim strategy with the understanding that it would be
replaced by a more fully adaptive approach at the earliest opportunity
and because it addressed key Service concerns outlined in the July 22,
1996, Federal Register (61 FR 37994). For the 1997-98 hunting season,
the interim harvest strategy prescribes a 3-bird daily bag limit for
pintails in all four Flyways.
iv. High Plains Management Unit
Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended
minor administrative changes to the High Plains Mallard Management Unit
boundary in North Dakota and South Dakota for boundary clarification
and wetland development.
Service Response: The Service concurs.
4. Canada Geese
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
the Service not open the regular hunting season on Atlantic Population
(AP) Canada geese during the 1997-98 season except that a 10-day season
with a 1-bird daily bag limit be allowed during November in that
portion of New England east of the Connecticut River and in eastern
Long Island, New York, where geese from the Maritime segment of the AP
population may occur.
The Atlantic Flyway Council also recommended the establishment of
[[Page 50663]]
regular-season frameworks in Maine, West Virginia, South Carolina,
Georgia, and Florida, and those portions of New York, Pennsylvania,
Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina that have been determined not to
contain AP Canada geese. The Council's recommended frameworks would
consist of a 70-day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit for Maine,
West Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida with framework
dates of October 1 to February 15; a 70-day season with a 3-bird daily
bag limit for designated portions of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania,
and New York with framework dates of November 15 to February 15; and a
46-day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit in designated portions of
North Carolina with framework dates of October 1 to November 15.
The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended several changes in Canada goose quotas, season
lengths, etc., based on population status and population management
plans and programs.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended several changes in Canada
goose frameworks. In southwest Washington and northwest Oregon, the
Council recommended increasing the bag and possession limits on
cackling Canada geese from 2/4 to 3/6 respectively in the regular
season. In the Balance-of-the-State Zone in California, the Council
recommended that the season for cackling Canada geese be extended by
two weeks and the possession limit be expanded from 1 to 2 birds. In
western New Mexico, the Council recommended increasing the bag and
possession limit from 2/4 to 3/6, respectively. Regarding dusky Canada
goose harvest quotas, the Council recommended establishment of a 85
dusky Canada goose quota in Washington's Lower Columbia River Special
Goose Management Area and a 165 dusky Canada goose quota in Oregon's
Special Goose Management Area. Finally, the Council recommended a minor
revision the Western Washington Goose Management Area 2.
Written Comments: The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and
Wildlife supported the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation for a
10 day, 1-bird daily bag in the New England area.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission expressed disappointment with the
Service's proposal to not accept the Atlantic Flyway Council's
recommendation for regular goose seasons in areas free of AP geese.
They believed that the Service's proposal is not supported by available
data and serves to further complicate regulations in Pennsylvania by
creating four areas with different goose regulations. They disagree
with the Service's position to manage much of western Pennsylvania as
Southern James Bay Population harvest areas and are concerned that the
Service has ignored available data supporting the creation of regular-
season resident goose areas. They also questioned the need to evaluate
the special late season in areas free of migrant geese.
The National Wildlife Federation agreed with the Service's
frameworks intended to help restore migratory geese in the Atlantic
Flyway, while the Wildlife Management Institute applauded the Service's
decision to forego seasons on Atlantic Population geese even though
production appears to have improved.
The Southshore Waterfowlers Association of New York and the
Concerned Coastal Sportsmen's Association of Massachusetts supported
the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation of a 10-day season in New
England.
An individual from Massachusetts supported keeping the season on AP
geese closed, while an individual from Pennsylvania recommended
reinstatement of the regular season on AP geese.
An individual from Washington recommended a 4-bird limit in the
Southwest Washington Zone.
Service Response: The Service does not support the Atlantic Flyway
Council's request for a November season (10 days) with a 1-bird daily
bag limit in that portion of New England east of the Connecticut River,
including eastern Long Island, NY, because this stock of geese has been
considered part of the Atlantic Population and a management plan
describing this Maritime Population of Canada geese has not yet been
developed. The Service first requested that a Plan be developed in 1995
and encouraged the Council to work cooperatively with the Canadian
Provinces to gather more data, review key population parameters, and
establish an appropriate harvest strategy. Although the Service does
not oppose the delineation of a Maritime population, if warranted, more
information is needed to separate the Atlantic Population into two
units. A management plan should set population goals, identify
monitoring programs and contain some means to evaluate its status and
the effects of harvest. The Service reiterates its longstanding policy
to manage Canada geese on a population basis, guided by cooperatively
developed management plan.
Regarding the Atlantic Flyway Council's request to establish a
regular season on Canada geese in portions of the Flyway determined not
to contain AP geese, the Service believes that it is appropriate to
conduct such a season provided that it is consistent with the Southern
James Bay Population (SJBP) Management Plan, and maintains those
restrictions currently in place in several areas (Pennsylvania and
South Carolina).
Thus, the Service will allow the following: in designated areas of
Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, a 40-day season with a 2-bird
daily bag limit between November 15 and January 14 and the continuation
of existing experimental 30-day special late seasons with a 5-bird
daily bag limit between January 15 and February 15; in designated areas
of New York, a 70-day season with 2-bird daily bag limit between
November 15 and January 31; in designated areas of North Carolina, a
46-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit between October 1 and
November 15; in West Virginia, a 70-day season with a 3-bird daily bag
limit between October 1 and January 31; in South Carolina, Georgia, and
Florida, a 70-day season with a 5-bird daily bag limit between October
1 and February 15.
The Service does not support the Council's request for a regular
season in Maine because a management plan for Maritime Canada geese has
not been developed. The Service believes that it would be inconsistent
to establish a season without having a management plan for the entire
New England area. Therefore, the Service again asks that the Council
work to develop a management plan for Maritime Canada geese.
The Service recognizes Pennsylvania's concerns regarding the
complicated configurations of Canada goose hunting regulations in
different areas of the State and believes that these regulations should
be reviewed and simplified to the extent possible. However, the Service
does not agree that a regular season on resident Canada geese should be
established in most areas that are more liberal than those prescribed
by the SJBP Management Plan. Presently, the Service has not established
migrate-free regular seasons in any Flyway. Furthermore, the regular
season request approved by the Atlantic Flyway included areas in other
states that are harvesting SJBP geese. Also, several of these areas,
including portions of Pennsylvania, have special late seasons
specifically designed to harvest resident Canada geese. These
[[Page 50664]]
seasons remain experimental and continue to be evaluated. The Service
encourages the Atlantic Flyway Council to continue its review of
harvest strategies for specific populations of Canada geese, and to
update management plans and simplify regulations wherever possible.
The Service concurs with the changes proposed by the Pacific Flyway
Council.
C. Special Late Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
that New York be allowed to expand its existing experimental late
season area to new areas along the north shore of Long Island and in
other areas of southeastern New York.
The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended a special late season for four counties in Indiana.
The Committee also recommended that the experimental special late
season in Michigan's Southern Michigan Goose Management Unit (GMU) be
extended for one additional year to allow completion of the final
report, and that the bag limit be increased from 2 to 5. The Committee
further recommended a new experimental late season be initiated in the
Central Michigan GMU with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended that in areas where Canada goose populations of
special concern exist, the Service should closely monitor any
cumulative effects that special seasons may have on non-target
populations.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended several changes in the
special late-season frameworks. In southwest Washington, the Council
recommended increasing the bag and possession limits on cackling Canada
geese from 2/4 to 3/6, respectively, in the late season. Regarding
dusky Canada geese, the Council recommended changing the late-season
framework opening date to January 24 in Washington's Lower Columbia
River Special Goose Management Area.
Written Comments: An individual from Massachusetts requested a
special late season for Canada geese on Cape Cod.
The Humane Society opposed special late seasons targeting resident
geese. They believe that such hunts fail to target the populations
ostensibly responsible for conflicts with humans and as such are
ineffective.
Service Response: The Service concurs with the Atlantic Flyway
Council's recommendation to expand New York's existing late season to
new areas of Long Island and southeastern New York.
Regarding the Mississippi Flyway Council's Upper-Region Regulations
Committee recommendation to allow an experimental special late Canada
goose season in four counties in Indiana beginning in 1997, the Service
does not support the experimental season. The criteria for special
seasons require two years of data collection prior to the beginning of
an experiment and that the data demonstrate that the season likely will
meet the criterion regarding proportion of migrants in the special-
season harvest. Of the four counties proposed, no data were presented
for one county and only one year of data for another. The limited data
available (a total of only 12 collars were seen, 3 of which were
migrant collars) indicate that about 25 percent of the harvest would be
migrant geese, which exceeds the 20 percent level in the special-season
criteria. The Service concurs with the recommendations for Michigan's
special late seasons. The Service notes the concern expressed by the
Mississippi Flyway Council's Lower-Region Regulations Committee about
the cumulative effects of special-season harvests and will continue to
monitor those harvests in all areas.
The Service concurs with the changes proposed by the Pacific Flyway
Council.
5. White-fronted geese
Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations
Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended extending the
season length from 70 to 86 days and changing the framework closing
date from January 31 to February 15.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommends that hunting frameworks for
1997-98 be changed by adding 14 days and 1 bird to the daily bag and
possession limits for dark geese in the Balance-of-the-State Zone in
California.
Written Comments: An individual from Louisiana recommended a 75- to
80-day season with a 3-dark goose limit including no more than 1 Canada
goose.
Service Response: The Service will continue use of the same
frameworks as last year in 1997-98. Greater white-fronted geese in the
Central and Mississippi Flyways previously have been managed as
separate segments of the Mid-continent Population under separate
management plans. Recent information has suggested that Mid-continent
whitefronts should be managed as one population, and revision/
combination of the management plans into one plan is under way. The
Central Flyway Council and Canada both are considering liberalizations
in harvest opportunity for Mid-continent whitefronts, but are delaying
recommendations for such changes until the new management plan is in
place. The Service believes that changes in the Mississippi Flyway also
should be deferred until the new management plan is in place, when all
recommendations for liberalizing harvest opportunity can be considered
in light of the goals, objectives, and harvest strategies in the new
plan.
The Service concurs with the changes proposed by the Pacific Flyway
Council.
6. Brant
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a
50-day Atlantic brant season with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Written Comments: The New Jersey Waterfowlers Association supported
the continued use of the Atlantic brant hunt plan.
Service Response: The Service concurs with the recommendation.
7. Snow and Ross's Geese
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a
daily bag and possession limit of 10 and 30, respectively.
The Lower Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended that in a further effort to increase snow goose
harvest, the Service implement regulatory changes, as suggested by the
Arctic Goose Joint Venture Management Board, for the 1998-99 hunting
season.
The Central Flyway Council recommended a March 10 framework closing
date, except for the Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area in Nebraska,
where the framework closing date would vary according to an
experimental late-winter snow goose hunting strategy proposed by the
Council. The Council also recommended no limit on the number of season
splits in the East-tier States.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended expanding the possession
limit to twice the daily bag limit in the Balance-of-the-State Zone in
California.
Written Comments: The Rainwater Basin Joint Venture Management
Board of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan urged the Service
to consider the possibility of alternatives to the hunting regulations
of the last 2 years (complete closure of the Rainwater Basin region
after mid-February).
The National Wildlife Federation agreed with the Service's
frameworks intended to help reduce white goose populations.
The Wildlife Management Institute supported the need to reduce
[[Page 50665]]
populations of snow geese which are creating habitat problems on
northern breeding areas. They further recognized that customary
approaches to harvest have not controlled populations and that more
innovative actions may be necessary.
An individual from Louisiana recommended a 12-bird limit. Other
individuals from Louisiana, Kansas, and Missouri recommended allowing
the use of electronic calls to hunt snow geese. Another individual from
Arkansas recommended the use of rifles for snow geese. Several
individuals from Iowa recommended allowing a later and longer hunt in
the spring. An individual from Texas recommended allowing the use of
lead shot.
Service Response: The Service concurs with the Atlantic Flyway
Council's recommendation to increase the daily bag and possession
limits on snow geese. The Service believes that the extension of the
ending framework date for hunting of light geese until March 10 in
Nebraska's Rainwater Basin Area may pose a threat to the management and
welfare of other migratory bird species during the spring migration
period. In response to these concerns, the Central Flyway Council
proposed an experimental late-winter hunting strategy in the eastern
portion of this important spring staging area. This proposal contains
the use of both temporal and spacial constraints on hunting activity
and results in a hunting strategy that would allow for evaluation of
any negative impacts related to disturbance and distribution of other
migratory birds, disease management, eco-tourism, and endangered
species. The Service supports this experimental strategy, provided a
mutually-acceptable evaluation component is developed and implemented.
The Service will cooperate with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
to develop and complete assessments of this experimental strategy.
The Service does not support the Central Flyway proposal for East
Tier States that would allow for an unlimited number of splits during
light goose seasons. Alternatively, the Service supports increasing the
allowed number of season segments from 2 to 3. This increase would
result in a more consistent use of split-season options among all
flyways. The Service also believes that the ability to divide light
goose seasons into 3 segments provides adequate flexibility to use the
current season length of 107 days.
The Service concurs with the changes proposed by the Pacific Flyway
Council.
Regarding the recommendations from several commenters on expanding
the allowable hunting methods for snow geese, the Service recognizes
the problems associated with over-population of Mid-continent snow
geese and believes that some management actions, including modification
of the basic regulations, may be appropriate. However before any such
modifications to the basic regulations, the Service must conduct a
thorough public review process.
8. Swans
Written Comments: The Humane Society requested that the Service
close all swan hunting seasons, citing that tundra swan seasons were
impeding, if not preventing, winter range expansion and recovery of
trumpeter swans.
Service Response: The Service would refer the Humane Society to our
detailed response in the September 27, 1995, Federal Register (60 FR
50042) concerning the establishment of a general swan season. Enhancing
Rocky Mounting Population trumpeter swan range expansion while
retaining most aspects of tundra swan hunting were covered in detail in
our 1995 Environmental Assessment ``Proposal to Establish General Swan
Seasons in Parts of the Pacific Flyway for the 1995-99 Seasons''
(August 1995) which compares various alternative strategies for
reconciling conflicting swan management strategies. Copies are
available from the Service at the address indicated under the caption
ADDRESSES.
23. Other
A. Compensatory Days
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council requested the
Service grant compensatory days for States in their Flyway that are
closed to waterfowl hunting statewide on Sunday by State law. The
Council's requested compensatory days would apply to waterfowl seasons
only and not to other migratory game birds. The request includes the
States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The
Council believes that granting this request at this time will allow
integration of these changes into AHM evaluations of harvest rates in
the Flyway and selection of appropriate regulatory alternatives.
Public-Hearing Comments: Mr. Robert McDowell, representing the
Atlantic Flyway Council, offered to modify the Flyway's original
request for compensatory days to states closed to Sunday hunting by
restricting it to only those states with existing statewide
prohibitions in place prior to its implementation. This action prevents
any states from enacting new laws to close Sunday hunting in order to
be eligible for compensatory days.
Written Comments: The South Carolina Department of Natural
Resources asserted that Sunday closures of waterfowl hunting are State
issues and should not be addressed by the Service. South Carolina
further asserted that if the Service grants compensatory days to States
that are currently closed on Sundays by State law, then compensatory
days should also be granted to States that enact Sunday closures in the
future. In a subsequent letter, South Carolina asserted that the
Service's action was arbitrary and capricious and in violation of the
First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources objected to the Service
offering compensatory days to States in the Atlantic Flyway with Sunday
closures. They believed that this was a State issue and, as such, the
Federal government should not be involved. They further believed that
each State should change any applicable self-imposed restrictions
relating to Sunday hunting closures and that involving Federal
procedures to circumvent State laws sets a bad precedent that could
open the door for further involvement in future unresolved issues.
The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife (Delaware) recommended
the Service grant compensatory days in lieu of Sunday hunting on a 1
for 1 basis to restricted States with no penalty to unrestricted
States. In a subsequent letter, Delaware thanked the Service for
proposing to grant compensatory days to those States and believed that
the issue was more symbolic than biological. Further, Delaware did not
believe that any significant change in harvest would result.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (Maryland) requested
that the Service grant compensatory days to the 10 Atlantic Flyway
States that are closed to waterfowl hunting on Sunday by State law.
They believe that compensatory days would enable these States to
equally share in the recreational benefits derived from the Flyway's
waterfowl resource. Maryland supported the Federal closure of Sunday
for the taking of wild waterfowl if the Service deemed this approach
necessary to provide compensatory days. However, Maryland requested the
Service give consideration to the current Sunday hunting exception
Maryland grants falconers.
The New Jersey Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife (New Jersey)
[[Page 50666]]
requested the Service grant compensatory days for States in their
Flyway that are closed to waterfowl hunting statewide on Sunday by
State law. New Jersey's requested compensatory days would apply to
waterfowl seasons only and not to other migratory game birds. The
compensatory request includes the States of Connecticut, Delaware,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and the
Pennsylvania Game Commission supported the Service's proposal to allow
compensatory days to those States prohibited from hunting on Sundays.
They believed that compensatory days would address the issue of
inequality in hunting opportunities that exist in the Atlantic Flyway.
The North American Falconers Association and several individuals
from Maryland questioned the need to close Sundays to the take of all
migratory waterfowl, including falconry, in order to provide
compensatory hunting days to those States prohibiting Sunday hunting.
The Concerned Coastal Sportsmen's Association of Massachusetts
supported and commended the Service for offering States in the Atlantic
Flyway that now prohibit Sunday hunting compensatory hunting days. An
individual from Massachusetts supported offering States that now
prohibit Sunday hunting compensatory hunting days.
The Humane Society opposed granting compensatory days in those
Atlantic Flyway states where Sunday hunting is prohibited. The Humane
Society believed that hunters in those States should work for the
passage of legislation to change State law regarding Sunday closures
rather than requesting that the Service compensate them.
Service Response: In 1995, the Service committed to working with
the Atlantic Flyway Council to review and better clarify the issue of
compensatory days for those States prohibiting Sunday hunting in an
attempt to resolve this long-standing issue. In the past, the Service
has maintained the policy that this problem is an individual State
issue, to be resolved by each State removing their self-imposed
restrictions. However, recognizing the difficulties involved with
changing State law, the Service is sympathetic to the loss of hunting
opportunity that results from the existing prohibitions on Sunday
hunting. A recent Service assessment suggests that compensatory days
for Sunday closures will result in a slight increase in the harvest
rates of mallards breeding in eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S.,
which would be accompanied by a small decrease in average breeding
population size. A similar effect is expected on other species. Thus,
after examining the various technical and policy concerns, the Service
believes that any additional harvest impacts can be adjusted by
changing regulatory frameworks where needed and that various
administrative and procedural concerns can be managed. Therefore,
during the 1997-98 hunting season, the Service will offer compensatory
days to States in accordance to the following guidelines: (1) Only
States in the Atlantic Flyway that prohibit Sunday hunting Statewide by
State law prior to 1997 are eligible (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, and West Virginia); (2) All Sundays will be closed to all
take (including extended falconry) of migratory waterfowl (including
mergansers and coots) by Federal rulemaking. Other migratory game
species are not eligible for compensatory days; (3) Season days must
run consecutively within prescribed framework dates and season length,
excluding the Sunday closure, and conform to existing split-season
criteria. Total season days (including extended falconry) must not
exceed 107 days.
NEPA Consideration
NEPA considerations are covered by the programmatic document,
``Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual
Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FSES 88-
14),'' filed with EPA on June 9, 1988. The Service published a Notice
of Availability in the June 16, 1988, Federal Register (53 FR 22582).
The Service published its Record of Decision on August 18, 1988 (53 FR
31341). Copies of these documents are available from the Service at the
address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.
Endangered Species Act Consideration
As in the past, the Service designs hunting regulations to remove
or alleviate chances of conflict between migratory game bird hunting
seasons and the protection and conservation of endangered and
threatened species. Consultations have been conducted to ensure that
actions resulting from these regulatory proposals will 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 and may cause modification of some regulatory measures
previously proposed. The final frameworks reflect any modifications.
The Service's biological opinions resulting from its Section 7
consultation are public documents available for public inspection in
the Service's Division of Endangered Species and MBMO, at the address
indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.
Executive Order (E.O.) 12866
This rule is economically significant and was reviewed by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under E.O. 12866.
Congressional Review
In accordance with Section 251 of the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 8), this rule has been
submitted to Congress and has been declared major. Because this rule
establishes hunting seasons, this rule qualifies for an exemption under
5 U.S.C. 808(1); therefore, the Department determines that this rule
shall take effect immediately.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
These regulations have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq). In the March 13, 1997, Federal Register, the
Service reported measures it took to comply with requirements of the
Act. One measure was to prepare a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis
(Analysis) in 1996 documenting the significant beneficial economic
effect on a substantial number of small entities. The Analysis
estimated that migratory bird hunters would spend between $254 and $592
million at small businesses in 1996. Copies of the Analysis are
available upon request from the MBMO.
Paperwork Reduction Act
The Department examined these regulations under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)). Under the Act, information
collections must be approved by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB). The Service uses the various information collection requirements
contained in this rule to develop future migratory game bird hunting
regulations. Specifically, the information collection requirements of
the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program have been approved by
OMB and assigned clearance number 1018-0015. This information is used
to provide a sampling frame for voluntary
[[Page 50667]]
national surveys to improve Service harvest estimates for all migratory
game birds in order to better manage these populations.
Regulations Promulgation
The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its
nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, the Service
intends that the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to
comment on the regulations. Thus, when the preliminary proposed
rulemaking was published, the Service established what it believed were
the longest periods possible for public comment. In doing this, the
Service recognized that when the comment period closed, time would be
of the essence. That is, if there were a delay in the effective date of
these regulations after this final rulemaking, the States would have
insufficient time to select season dates and limits; to communicate
those selections to the Service; and to establish and publicize the
necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions.
Therefore, the Service, under authority of the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act (July 3, 1918), as amended, (16 U.S.C. 703-711), prescribes
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 may select hunting
season dates and other options. Upon receipt of season and option
selections from these officials, the Service will publish in the
Federal Register a final rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect
seasons, limits, and shooting hours for the conterminous United States
for the 1997-98 season. The Service therefore finds that ``good cause''
exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the Administrative
Procedure Act, and these frameworks will, therefore, take effect
immediately upon publication.
Unfunded Mandates
The Service has determined and certifies in compliance with the
requirements of the Unfunded Mandates 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.
Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988
The Department, in promulgating this rule, has determined that
these regulations meet the applicable standards provided in Sections
3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20
Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.
The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 1997-98
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-711, 16 U.S.C. 712,
and 16 U.S.C. 742 a--j.
Dated: September 12, 1997.
Donald Barry,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
Final Regulations Frameworks for 1997-98 Late Hunting Seasons on
Certain Migratory Game Birds
Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated
authorities, the Department has approved frameworks for season lengths,
shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and outside dates within
which States may select seasons for hunting waterfowl and coots between
the dates of September 1, 1997, and March 10, 1998.
General
Dates: All outside dates noted below are inclusive.
Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise
specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.
Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits
are twice the daily bag limit.
Definitions: For the purpose of hunting regulations listed below,
the collective terms ``dark'' and ``light'' geese include the following
species:
Dark geese - Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant, and all
other goose species except light geese.
Light geese - snow (including blue) geese and Ross' geese.
Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Geographic descriptions related
to late-season regulations are contained in a later portion of this
document.
Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks for open seasons, season
lengths, bag and possession limits, and other special provisions are
listed below by Flyway.
Compensatory Days in the Atlantic Flyway: In the Atlantic Flyway
States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia,
where Sunday hunting is prohibited statewide by State law, all Sundays
are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and
coots).
Atlantic Flyway
The 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.
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 20.
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days and daily bag limit of 6
ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 1 black duck, 3
pintails, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 2 wood ducks, 2
redheads, and 1 canvasback.
Closures: The season on harlequin ducks is closed.
Sea Ducks: In all areas outside of special sea duck areas, sea
ducks are included in the regular duck daily bag and possession limits.
However, during the regular duck season within the special sea duck
areas, the sea duck daily bag and possession limits may be in addition
to the regular duck daily bag and possession limits.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5, only 1 of
which may be a hooded merganser.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and
shooting hours shall be the same as those selected for the Lake
Champlain Zone of Vermont.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland,
North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia may split
their seasons into three segments; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West
Virginia may select hunting seasons by zones and may split their
seasons into two segments in each zone.
Canada Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: The Canada goose season
is suspended throughout the Flyway except as noted below. Unless
specified otherwise, seasons may be split into two segments.
Connecticut: A special experimental season may be held in the South
Zone between January 15 and February 15, with 5 geese per day.
Florida: A 70 day season may be held between November 15 to
February 15, with 5 geese per day.
Georgia: In specific areas, a 70-day season may be held between
November
[[Page 50668]]
15 and February 15, with a limit of 5 Canada geese per day.
Maryland: In designated areas, a 40-day season may be held between
November 15 to January 14, with 2 geese per day. An experimental season
in designated areas of western Maryland may be held from January 15 to
February 15, with 5 geese per day.
Massachusetts: In the Central Zone and a portion of the Coastal
Zone, a season may be held from January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese
per day.
New Jersey: An experimental season may be held in designated areas
of North and South New Jersey from January 15 to February 15, with 5
geese per day.
New York: In designated areas, a 70-day season may be held between
November 15 to January 30, with 2 geese per day. An experimental season
may be held between January 15 and February 15, with 5 geese daily in
designated areas of Chemung, Tioga, Broome, Sullivan, Westchester,
Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, and Rockland Counties.
North Carolina: A 46-day season may be held between October 1 and
November 15, with 2 geese per day Statewide, except for the Northeast
Hunt Unit and Northampton County.
Pennsylvania: In designated areas, a 40-day season may be held
between November 15 to January 14, with 2 geese per day. In Erie,
Mercer, and Butler Counties, a 70-day season may be held between
October 1 and January 31, with 2 geese per day. In Crawford County, a
35-day season may be held between October 1 and January 20, with 1
goose per day.
An experimental season may be held in the designated areas of
western Pennsylvania from January 15 to February 15 with 5 geese per
day.
Rhode Island: An experimental season may be held in a designated
area from January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese per day,
South Carolina: In designated areas, a 70-day season may be held
during November 15 to February 15, with a daily bag limit of 5 Canada
geese per day.
Virginia: In designated areas, a 40-day season may be held between
November 15 to January 14, with 2 geese per day. An experimental season
may be held between January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese per day, in
all areas west of Interstate 95.
West Virginia: a 70-day season may be held between October 1 and
January 31, with 3 geese per day.
Light Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 107-
day season between October 1 and March 10, with 10 geese per day and 30
in possession. States may split their seasons into three segments.
Brant
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 50-
day season between October 1 and January 20, with 2 brant per day.
States may split their seasons into two segments.
Mississippi Flyway
The Mississippi Flyway includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4)
and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 18).
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days with a daily bag limit of
6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may
be females), 3 mottled ducks, 1 black duck, 3 pintails, 2 wood ducks, 1
canvasback, and 2 redheads.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, only 1 of which may be
a hooded merganser.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee,
and Wisconsin may select hunting seasons by zones.
In Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan,
Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be split
into two segments in each zone.
In Minnesota and Arkansas, the season may be split into three
segments.
Pymatuning Reservoir Area, Ohio: The seasons, limits, and shooting
hours shall be the same as those selected in the adjacent portion of
Pennsylvania (Northwest Zone).
Geese
Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments.
Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Mississippi Flyway
Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year
evaluation, by each participating State.
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select
seasons for geese not to exceed 70 days for dark geese between the
Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4) and January 31, and 107 days for
light geese between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4) and
March 10. The daily bag limit is 10 light geese, 3 Canada geese, 2
white-fronted geese, and 2 brant. The possession limit for light geese
is 30. Specific regulations for Canada geese and exceptions to the
above general provisions are shown below by State.
Alabama: In the Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) Goose Zone,
the season for Canada geese may not exceed 35 days. Elsewhere, the
season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days in the respective duck-
hunting zones. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
Arkansas: The season for Canada geese may extend for 23 days in the
East Zone and 16 days in the West Zone. In both zones, the season may
extend to February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. In the
remainder of the State, the season for Canada geese is closed.
Illinois: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be
limited to 74,600 birds. Limits are 2 Canada geese daily and 10 in
possession.
(a) North Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after 78
days or when 8,400 birds have been harvested in the Northern Illinois
Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.
(b) Central Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after 78
days or when 12,500 birds have been harvested in the Central Illinois
Quota Zone, whichever occurs first.
(c) South Zone - The harvest of Canada geese in the Southern
Illinois and Rend Lake Quota Zones will be limited to 26,400 and 5,700
birds, respectively. The season for Canada geese in each zone will
close after 78 days or when the harvest limit has been reached,
whichever occurs first. In the Southern Illinois Quota Zone, if any of
the following conditions exist after December 20, the State, after
consultation with the Service, will close the season by emergency order
with 48 hours notice:
(1) Average body weights of adult female geese less than 3,200
grams as measured from a weekly sample of a minimum of 50 geese.
(2) Starvation or a major disease outbreak resulting in observed
mortality exceeding 5,000 birds in 10 days, or a total mortality
exceeding 10,000 birds.
In the remainder of the South Zone, the season may extend for 78
days or until both the Southern Illinois and Rend Lake Quota Zones have
been closed, whichever occurs first.
Indiana: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be
limited to 19,200 birds.
[[Page 50669]]
(a) Posey County - The season for Canada geese will close after 65
days or when 3,450 birds have been harvested, or when the harvest at
the Hovey Lake Fish and Wildlife Area exceeds 1,725 birds, whichever
occurs first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(b) Remainder of the State - The season for Canada geese may extend
for 65 days in the respective duck-hunting zones, except in the SJBP
Zone, where the season may not exceed 35 days. The daily bag limit is 2
Canada geese.
Iowa: The season may extend for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2
Canada geese.
Kentucky
(a) Western Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 66
days (81 days in Fulton County), and the harvest will be limited to
16,500 birds. Of the 16,500-bird quota, 10,750 birds will be allocated
to the Ballard Reporting Area and 3,135 birds will be allocated to the
Henderson/Union Reporting Area. If the quota in either reporting area
is reached prior to completion of the 66-day season, the season in that
reporting area will be closed. If this occurs, the season in those
counties and portions of counties outside of, but associated with, the
respective subzone (listed in State regulations) may continue for an
additional 7 days, not to exceed a total of 66 days (81 days in Fulton
County). The season in Fulton County may extend to February 15. The
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(b) Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone - The season may extend for 35 days.
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(c) Remainder of the State - The season may extend for 50 days. The
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
Louisiana: The season for Canada geese may extend for 9 days.
During the season, the daily bag limit for Canada and white-fronted
geese is 2, no more than 1 of which may be a Canada goose. Hunters
participating in the Canada goose season must possess a special permit
issued by the State.
Michigan: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be
limited to 41,700 birds.
(a) North Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 16
days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(b) Middle Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 16
days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(c) South Zone
(1) Allegan County GMU - The season for Canada geese will close
after 41 days or when 1,760 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs
first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
(2) Muskegon Wastewater GMU - The season for Canada geese will
close after 43 days or when 560 birds have been harvested, whichever
occurs first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(3) Saginaw County GMU - The season for Canada geese will close
after 50 days or when 2,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs
first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
(4) Tuscola/Huron GMU - The season for Canada geese will close
after 50 days or when 750 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs
first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
(5) Remainder of South Zone - The season for Canada geese may
extend for 20 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose the first 9
days and 2 Canada geese thereafter.
(d) Southern Michigan GMU - An experimental special Canada goose
season may be held between January 3 and February 1. The daily bag
limit is 5 Canada geese.
(e) Central Michigan GMU - An experimental special Canada goose
season may be held between January 3 and February 1. The daily bag
limit is 5 Canada geese.
Minnesota:
(a) West Zone
(1) West Central Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for
30 days. In the Lac Qui Parle Zone, the season will close after 30 days
or when 16,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first.
Throughout the West Central Zone, the daily bag limit is 1 Canada
goose.
(2) Remainder of West Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend
for 40 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
(b) Northwest Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 40
days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
(c) Remainder of the State - The season for Canada geese may extend
for 70 days, except in the Twin Cities Metro Zone and Olmsted County,
where the season may not exceed 80 days. The daily bag limit is 2
Canada geese.
(d) Fergus Falls/Alexandria Zone - A special Canada goose season of
up to 10 days may be held in December. During the special season, the
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
Mississippi: The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days.
The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.
Missouri
(a) Swan Lake Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 40
days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(b) Schell-Osage Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for
40 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
(c) Remainder of the State - The season for Canada geese may extend
for 70 days in the respective duck-hunting zones. The season may be
split into 3 segments, provided that one segment of at least 9 days
occurs prior to October 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
Ohio: The season may extend for 70 days in the respective duck-
hunting zones, with a daily bag limit of 2 Canada geese, except in the
Lake Erie SJBP Zone, where the season may not exceed 30 days and the
daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose. In the Pymatuning Reservoir Area,
the seasons, limits, and shooting hours for all geese shall be the same
as those selected in the adjacent portion of Pennsylvania.
Tennessee
(a) Northwest Zone - The season for Canada geese will close after
79 days or when 6,150 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs
first. The season may extend to February 15. The daily bag limit is 2
Canada geese.
(b) Southwest Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for 64
days, and the harvest will be limited to 750 birds. The daily bag limit
is 2 Canada geese.
(c) Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone - The season for Canada geese will
close after 50 days or when 1,800 birds have been harvested, whichever
occurs first. All geese harvested must be tagged. The daily bag limit
is 2 Canada geese. In lieu of the quota and tagging requirement above,
the State may select either a 50-day season with a 1-bird daily bag
limit or a 35-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit for this Zone.
(d) Remainder of the State - The season for Canada geese may extend
for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
Wisconsin: The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be
limited to 55,700 birds.
(a) Horicon Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is
September 20. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 27,600 birds.
The season may not exceed 93 days. All Canada geese harvested must be
tagged. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose and the season limit will
be the number of tags issued to each permittee.
(b) Collins Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is
September 20. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 900 birds. The
season may not exceed 68 days. All Canada geese harvested must be
tagged. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose and the season limit will
be the number of tags issued to each permittee.
(c) Exterior Zone - The framework opening date for all geese is
September 27. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 22,700 birds,
with 500 birds
[[Page 50670]]
allocated to the Mississippi River Subzone. The season may not exceed
93 days and the daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose. In that portion of
the Exterior Zone outside the Mississippi River Subzone, the progress
of the harvest must be monitored, and the season closed, if necessary,
to ensure that the harvest does not exceed 22,200 birds.
Additional Limits: In addition to the harvest limits stated for the
respective zones above, an additional 4,500 Canada geese may be taken
in the Horicon Zone under special agricultural permits.
Quota Zone Closures: When it has been determined that the quota of
Canada geese allotted to the Northern Illinois, Central Illinois,
Southern Illinois, and Rend Lake Quota Zones in Illinois, Posey County
in Indiana, the Ballard and Henderson-Union Subzones in Kentucky, the
Allegan County, Muskegon Wastewater, Saginaw County, and Tuscola/Huron
Goose Management Units in Michigan, the Lac Qui Parle Zone in
Minnesota, the Northwest and Kentucky/Barkley Lakes (if applicable)
Zones in Tennessee, and the Exterior Zone in Wisconsin will have been
filled, the season for taking Canada geese in the respective zone (and
associated area, if applicable) will be closed by either the Director
upon giving public notice through local information media at least 48
hours in advance of the time and date of closing, or by the State
through State regulations with such notice and time (not less than 48
hours) as they deem necessary.
Central Flyway
The 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).
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between October 4 and January 18.
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits:
(1) High Plains Mallard Management Unit (roughly defined as that
portion of the Central Flyway which lies west of the 100th meridian):
97 days and a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 5
mallards (2 hens), 1 mottled duck, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 wood
ducks, and 3 pintails. The last 23 days may start no earlier than the
Saturday nearest December 10 (December 13).
(2) Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74 days and a daily bag limit
of 6 ducks, including no more than 5 mallards (2 hens), 1 mottled duck,
1 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 wood ducks, and 3 pintails.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5 mergansers, only 1 of
which may be a hooded merganser.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Kansas (Low Plains portion), Montana,
Nebraska (Low Plains portion), New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains
portion), South Dakota (Low Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains
portion), and Wyoming may select hunting seasons by zones.
In Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma,
South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the regular season may be split into
two segments.
In Colorado, the season may be split into three segments.
Geese
Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments.
Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Central Flyway Council
and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year evaluation,
by each participating State.
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select
seasons not to exceed 107 days; except for dark geese, which may not
exceed 86 days in Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas. For dark geese, outside
dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest October
1 (October 4) and January 31, except in the Western Goose Zone of
Texas, where the closing date is the Sunday nearest February 15
(February 15). For light geese, outside dates for seasons may be
selected between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4) and March
10, except in the Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area of Nebraska where
the closing date is February 1 in the West and March 10 in the East
with temporal and spatial restrictions consistent with the experimental
late-winter snow goose hunting strategy endorsed by the Central Flyway
Council in July 1997. The daily bag and possession limits for light
geese are 10 and 40, respectively.
Dark goose daily bag limits in States and goose management zones
within States, may be as follows:
Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and South Dakota: 2 dark geese,
including no more than 1 white-fronted goose.
Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming: 4 dark geese.
North Dakota: 2 dark geese.
Texas: For the Western Goose Zone, the daily bag limit is 5 dark
geese, including no more than 1 white-fronted and 4 Canada geese.
For the Eastern Goose Zone, the daily bag limit is 2 dark geese,
including no more than 1 white-fronted goose.
Pacific Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, and Common Moorhens
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: Concurrent 107 days and daily bag
limit of 7 ducks and mergansers, including no more than 2 female
mallards, 3 pintails, 2 redheads and 1 canvasback.
The season on coots and common moorhens may be between the outside
dates for the season on ducks, but not to exceed 107 days.
Coot and Common Moorhen Limits: The daily bag and possession limits
of coots and common moorhens are 25, singly or in the aggregate.
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4)
and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 18).
Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, and Washington may select hunting seasons by zones.
Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington
may split their seasons into two segments.
Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming may split their seasons
into three segments.
Colorado River Zone, California: Seasons and limits shall be the
same as seasons and limits selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona
(South Zone).
Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Except as subsequently
noted, 100-day seasons may be selected, with outside dates between the
Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4), and the Sunday nearest January
20 (January 18), and the basic daily bag limits are 3 light geese and 4
dark geese, except in California, Oregon, and Washington, where the
dark goose bag limit does not include brant.
Split Seasons: Unless otherwise specified, seasons for geese may be
split into up to 3 segments. Three-way split seasons for Canada geese
and white-fronted geese require Pacific Flyway Council and U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service approval and a 3-year evaluation, by each
participating State.
Brant Season - A 16-consecutive-day season may be selected in
Oregon and Washington, and a 30-consecutive day season may be selected
in California. In these States, the daily bag limit is 2
[[Page 50671]]
brant and is in addition to dark goose limits.
Closures: There will be no open season on Aleutian Canada geese in
the Pacific Flyway. The States of California, Oregon, and Washington
must include a statement on the closure for that subspecies in their
respective regulations leaflet. Emergency closures may be invoked for
all Canada geese should Aleutian Canada goose distribution patterns or
other circumstances justify such actions.
Arizona: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2.
California
Northeastern Zone - White-fronted geese and cackling Canada geese
may be taken only during the first 23 days of the goose season. The
daily bag limit is 3 geese and may include no more than 2 dark geese;
including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.
Colorado River Zone - The seasons and limits must be the same as
those selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona (South Zone).
Southern Zone - The daily bag and possession limits for dark geese
is 2 geese, including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.
Balance-of-the-State Zone - A 79-day season may be selected. Limits
may not include more than 3 geese per day and 6 in possession, of which
not more than 2 daily and 4 in possession may be white-fronted geese
and not more than 1 daily or 2 in possession may be cackling Canada
geese.
Three areas in the Balance-of-the-State Zone are restricted in the
hunting of certain geese:
(1) In the Counties of Del Norte and Humboldt, there will be no
open season for Canada geese.
(2) In the Sacramento Valley Area, the season on white-fronted
geese must end on or before December 14, and, except in the Western
Canada Goose Hunt Area, there will be no open season for Canada geese.
(3) In the San Joaquin Valley Area, the hunting season for Canada
geese will close no later than November 23.
Colorado: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2 geese.
Idaho
Northern Unit - The daily bag limit is 4 geese, including 4 dark
geese, but not more than 3 light geese.
Southwest Unit and Southeastern Unit - The daily bag limit on dark
geese is 4.
Montana
West of Divide Zone and East of Divide Zone - The daily bag limit
on dark geese is 4.
Nevada
Lincoln and Clark County Zone - The daily bag limit of dark geese
is 2.
New Mexico: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.
Oregon: Except as subsequently noted, the dark goose limit is 4,
including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.
Harney, Lake, Klamath, and Malheur Counties Zone - The season
length may be 100 days. The dark goose limit is 4, including not more
than 2 white-fronted geese and 1 cackling Canada goose.
Western Zone - In the Special Canada Goose Management Area, except
for designated areas, there shall be no open season on Canada geese. In
the designated areas, individual quotas shall be established which
collectively shall not exceed 165 dusky Canada geese. See section on
quota zones. In those designated areas, the daily bag limit of dark
geese is 3 and may include 3 cackling Canada geese.
Utah: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 2 geese.
Washington: The daily bag limit is 4 geese, including 4 dark geese
but not more than 3 light geese.
West Zone - In the Lower Columbia River Special Goose Management
Area, except for designated areas, there shall be no open season on
Canada geese. In the designated areas, individual quotas shall be
established which collectively shall not exceed 85 dusky Canada geese.
See section on quota zones. In this area, the daily bag limit of dark
geese is 3 and may include 3 cackling Canada geese.
Wyoming: The daily bag limit is 4 dark geese.
Quota Zones: Seasons on Canada geese must end upon attainment of
individual quotas of dusky Canada geese allotted to the designated
areas of Oregon and Washington. The September Canada goose season, the
regular goose season, any special late Canada goose season, and any
extended falconry season, combined, must not exceed 107 days and the
established quota of dusky Canada geese must not be exceeded. Hunting
of Canada geese in those designated areas shall only be by hunters
possessing a State-issued permit authorizing them to do so. In a
Service-approved investigation, the State must obtain quantitative
information on hunter compliance of those regulations aimed at reducing
the take of dusky Canada geese and eliminating the take of Aleutian
Canada geese. The daily bag limit of Canada geese may not include more
than 3 cackling Canada geese.
In the designated areas of the Washington Quota Zone, a special
late Canada goose may be held between January 24 and March 10. The
daily bag limit may not include Aleutian Canada geese. In the Special
Canada Goose Management Area of Oregon, the framework closing date is
extended the Sunday closest to March 1.
Swans
In designated areas of Utah, Nevada, and the Pacific Flyway portion
of Montana, an open season for taking a limited number of swans may be
selected. Permits will be issued by States and will authorize each
permittee to take no more than 1 swan per season. The season may open
no earlier than the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4). The States
must implement a harvest-monitoring program to measure the species
composition of the swan harvest. In Utah and Nevada, the harvest-
monitoring program must require that all harvested swans or their
species-determinant parts be examined by either State or Federal
biologists for the purpose of species classification. All States should
use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance in providing
bagged swans for examination or, in the case of Montana, reporting
bill-measurement and color information. All States must provide to the
Service by June 30, 1998, a report covering harvest, hunter
participation, reporting compliance, and monitoring of swan populations
in the designated hunt areas. These seasons will be subject to the
following conditions:
In Utah, no more than 2,750 permits may be issued. The season must
end no later than the first Sunday in December (December 7) or upon
attainment of 15 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs
earliest.
In Nevada, no more than 650 permits may be issued. The season must
end no later than the Sunday following January 1 (January 4) or upon
attainment of 5 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs
earliest.
In Montana, no more than 500 permits may be issued. The season must
end no later than December 1.
Tundra Swans
In Central Flyway portion of Montana, and in North Carolina, North
Dakota, South Dakota, and Virginia, an open season for taking a limited
number of tundra swans may be selected. Permits will be issued by the
States and will authorize each permittee to take no more than 1 tundra
swan per season. The States must obtain harvest and hunter
participation data. These seasons will be subject to the following
conditions:
In the Atlantic Flyway
--The season will be experimental.
--The season may be 90 days, from October 1 to January 31.
--In North Carolina, no more than 5,000 permits may be issued.
[[Page 50672]]
--In Virginia, no more than 600 permits may be issued.
In the Central Flyway
--The season may be 107 days and must occur during the light goose
season.
--In the Central Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 500
permits may be issued.
--In North Dakota, no more than 2,000 permits may be issued.
--In South Dakota, no more than 1,500 permits may be issued.
Area, Unit and Zone Descriptions
Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-95.
South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Maine
North Zone: That portion north of the line extending east along
Maine State Highway 110 from the New Hampshire and Maine border 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 Interstate Highway
95 in Augusta; then north and east along I-95 to Route 15 in Bangor;
then east along Route 15 to Route 9; then east along Route 9 to Stony
Brook in Baileyville; then east along Stony Brook to the United States
border.
South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Massachusetts
Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending
south from the Vermont border 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
border.
Central Zone: That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border 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 border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards
inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the
MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St.
bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone.
Coastal Zone: That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the
Central Zone.
New Hampshire
Coastal Zone: That portion of the State east of a line extending
west from Maine border in Rollinsford on NH 4 to the city of Dover,
south to NH 108, south along NH 108 through Madbury, Durham, and
Newmarket to NH 85 in Newfields, south to NH 101 in Exeter, east to NH
51 (Exeter-Hampton Expressway), east to I-95 (New Hampshire Turnpike)
in Hampton, and south along I-95 to the Massachusetts border.
Inland Zone: That portion of the State north and west of the above
boundary.
New Jersey
Coastal Zone: That portion of the State seaward of a line beginning
at the New York border in Raritan Bay and extending west along the New
York border to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west on NJ 440 to the Garden
State Parkway; south on the Garden State Parkway to the shoreline at
Cape May and continuing to the Delaware border 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
border 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: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian
border 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
border.
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 border.
Northeastern Zone: That area north of a line extending from Lake
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south
along I-81 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 I-87, north along
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.
Pennsylvania
Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters of Pennsylvania and a
shoreline margin along Lake Erie from New York on the east to Ohio on
the west extending 150 yards inland, but including all of Presque Isle
Peninsula.
Northwest Zone: The area bounded on the north by the Lake Erie Zone
and including all of Erie and Crawford Counties and those portions of
Mercer and Venango Counties north of I-80.
North Zone: That portion of the State east of the Northwest Zone
and north of a line extending east on I-80 to U.S. 220, Route 220 to I-
180, I-180 to I-80, and I-80 to the Delaware River.
South Zone: The remaining portion of Pennsylvania.
Vermont
Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area north and west of the line extending from the New York border
along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes;
U.S. 7 to the Canadian border.
Interior Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont.
West Virginia
Zone 1 : That portion outside the boundaries in Zone 2.
Zone 2 (Allegheny Mountain Upland): That area bounded by a line
extending south along U.S. 220 through Keyser to U.S. 50; U.S. 50 to WV
93; WV 93 south to WV 42; WV 42 south to Petersburg; WV 28 south to
Minnehaha Springs; WV 39 west to U.S. 219; U.S. 219 south to I-64; I-64
west to U.S. 60; U.S. 60 west to U.S. 19; U.S. 19 north to I-79, I-79
north to U.S. 48; U.S. 48 east to the Maryland border; and along the
border to the point of beginning.
Mississippi Flyway
Alabama
South Zone: Mobile and Baldwin Counties.
North Zone: The remainder of Alabama.
Illinois
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Iowa border along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate
Highway 280, east along I-280 to I-80, then east along I-80 to the
Indiana border.
Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Zone to
a line extending east from the Missouri border along the Modoc Ferry
route to Modoc Ferry Road, east along Modoc Ferry Road to Modoc Road,
northeasterly along Modoc Road and St. Leo's Road to Illinois Highway
3, north along Illinois 3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159 to
Illinois 161, east along Illinois 161 to Illinois 4, north along
Illinois 4 to Interstate Highway 70, east along I-70 to
[[Page 50673]]
the Bond County line, north and east along the Bond County line to
Fayette County, north and east along the Fayette County line to
Effingham County, east and south along the Effingham County line to I-
70, then east along I-70 to the Indiana border.
South Zone: The remainder of Illinois.
Indiana
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. Highway 31,
north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to Huntington, then
southeast along U.S. 224 to the Ohio border.
Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line
extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 64 to
New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State 56, east along State 56
to Vevay, east and north on State 156 along the Ohio River to North
Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Highway 50, then northeast along
U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.
South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio
River Zone boundaries.
Iowa
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State 37,
southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to
Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border.
South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
Kentucky
West Zone: All counties west of and including Butler, Daviess,
Ohio, Simpson, and Warren Counties.
East Zone: The remainder of Kentucky.
Louisiana
West Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending south
from the Arkansas border along Louisiana Highway 3 to Bossier City,
east along Interstate Highway 20 to Minden, south along Louisiana 7 to
Ringgold, east along Louisiana 4 to Jonesboro, south along U.S. Highway
167 to Lafayette, southeast along U.S. 90 to Houma, then south along
the Houma Navigation Channel to the Gulf of Mexico through Cat Island
Pass.
East Zone: The remainder of Louisiana.
Catahoula Lake Area: All of Catahoula Lake, including those
portions known locally as Round Prairie, Catfish Prairie, and Frazier's
Arm. See State regulations for additional information.
Michigan
North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line
beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the
mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly
and southerly along the south shore of, Stony Creek to Scenic Drive,
easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly
along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along
Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of
Midland, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, east along U.S. 10 to
Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north along I-75/U.S. 23 to the
U.S. 23 exit at Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore Road in Arenac
County, east along Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout, then on a
line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a
line directly northeast to the Canada border.
South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.
Mississippi
Zone 1: Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties.
Zone 2: The remainder of Mississippi.
Missouri
North Zone: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west
from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 70 to U.S. Highway
54, south along U.S. 54 to U.S. 50, then west along U.S. 50 to the
Kansas border.
South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west
from the Illinois border along Missouri Highway 34 to Interstate
Highway 55; south along I-55 to U.S. Highway 62, west along U.S. 62 to
Missouri 53, north along Missouri 53 to Missouri 51, north along
Missouri 51 to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to Missouri 21, north along
Missouri 21 to Missouri 72, west along Missouri 72 to Missouri 32, west
along Missouri 32 to U.S. 65, north along U.S. 65 to U.S. 54, west
along U.S. 54 to Missouri 32, south along Missouri 32 to Missouri 97,
south along Missouri 97 to Dade County NN, west along Dade County NN to
Missouri 37, west along Missouri 37 to Jasper County N, west along
Jasper County N to Jasper County M, west along Jasper County M to the
Kansas border.
Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri.
Ohio
North Zone: The Counties of Darke, Miami, Clark, Champaign, Union,
Delaware, Licking (excluding the Buckeye Lake Area), Muskingum,
Guernsey, Harrison and Jefferson and all counties north thereof.
Pymatuning Area: Pymatuning Reservoir and that part of Ohio bounded
on the north by County Road 306 (known as Woodward Road), on the west
by Pymatuning Lake Road, and on the south by U.S. Highway 322.
Ohio River Zone: The Counties of Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, Adams,
Scioto, Lawrence, Gallia and Meigs.
South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio
River Zone boundaries, including the Buckeye Lake Area in Licking
County bounded on the west by State Highway 37, on the north by U.S.
Highway 40, and on the east by State 13.
Tennessee
Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake and Obion Counties.
State Zone: The remainder of Tennessee.
Wisconsin
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Minnesota border along State Highway 77 to State 27,
south along State 27 and 77 to U.S. Highway 63, and continuing south
along State 27 to Sawyer County Road B, south and east along County B
to State 70, southwest along State 70 to State 27, south along State 27
to State 64, west along State 64/27 and south along State 27 to U.S.
12, south and east on State 27/U.S. 12 to U.S. 10, east on U.S. 10 to
State 310, east along State 310 to State 42, north along State 42 to
State 147, north along State 147 to State 163, north along State 163 to
Kewaunee County Trunk A, north along County Trunk A to State 57, north
along State 57 to the Kewaunee/Door County Line, west along the
Kewaunee/Door County Line to the Door/Brown County Line, west along the
Door/Brown County Line to the Door/Oconto/Brown County Line, northeast
along the Door/Oconto County Line to the Marinette/Door County Line,
northeast along the Marinette/Door County Line to the Michigan border.
South Zone: The remainder of Wisconsin.
Central Flyway
Kansas
High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.
Low Plains Early Zone: That portion of the State east of the High
Plains Zone and west of a line extending south from the Nebraska border
along KS 28 to U.S. 36, east along U.S. 36 to KS 199, south along KS
199 to Republic County Road 563, south along Republic County Road 563
to KS 148, east along KS 148 to Republic County Road 138, south along
Republic County Road 138 to Cloud County Road 765, south along Cloud
County Road 765 to KS 9, west along KS 9 to U.S. 24, west along U.S 24
to U.S. 281, north along U.S. 281 to U.S. 36, west along U.S. 36 to
U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to U.S. 24, west along U.S. 24 to KS 18,
southeast along KS 18 to U.S, 183, south along U.S. 183 to KS 4, east
along KS 4 to I-135, south along
[[Page 50674]]
I-135 to KS 61, southwest along KS 61 to KS 96, northwest on KS 96 to
U.S. 56, west along U.S. 56 to U.S. 281, south along U.S. 281 to U.S.
54, then west along U.S. 54 to U.S. 283.
Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder of Kansas.
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Daniels, Dawson,
Fallon, Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, McCone,
Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Richland, Roosevelt,
Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, and
Yellowstone.
Zone 2: The remainder of Montana.
Nebraska
High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of Highways U.S.
183 and U.S. 20 from the South Dakota border to Ainsworth, NE 7 and NE
91 to Dunning, NE 2 to Merna, NE 92 to Arnold, NE 40 and NE 47 through
Gothenburg to NE 23, NE 23 to Elwood, and U.S. 283 to the Kansas
border.
Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High
Plains Zone and north and east of a line extending from the South
Dakota border along NE 26E Spur to U.S. 20, west on U.S. 20 to NE 12,
west on NE 12 to the Knox/Keya Paha County line, south along the county
line to the Niobrara River and along the Niobrara River to U.S. 183
(the High Plains Zone line). Where the Niobrara River forms the
boundary, both banks will be in Zone 1.
Low Plains Zone 2: That portion of the State east of the High
Plains Zone and bounded by designated highways and political boundaries
starting on U.S. 73 at the Kansas border, north to NE 67, north to U.S.
75, north to NE 2, west to NE 43, north to U.S. 34, east to NE 63;
north and west to U.S. 77; north to NE 92; west to U.S. 81; south to NE
66; west to NE 14; south to U.S. 34; west to NE 2; south to I-80; west
to Hamilton/Hall County line (Gunbarrel Road), south to Giltner Road;
west to U.S. 34; west to U.S. 136; east on U.S. 136 to NE 10; south to
the State line; west to U.S. 283; north to NE 23; west to NE 47; north
to U.S. 30; east to NE 14; north to NE 52; northeasterly to NE 91; west
to U.S. 281, north to NE 91 in Wheeler County, west to U.S. 183; north
to northerly boundary of Loup County; east along the north boundaries
of Loup, Garfield, and Wheeler County; south along the east Wheeler
County line to NE 70; east on NE 70 from Wheeler County to NE 14; south
to NE 39; southeast to NE 22; east to U.S. 81; southeast to U.S. 30;
east along U.S. 30 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to the Washington/
Burt County line; then east along the county line to the Iowa border.
Low Plains Zone 3: The area east of the High Plains Zone, excluding
Low Plains Zone 1, north of Low Plains Zone 2.
Low Plains Zone 4: The area east of the High Plains Zone and south
of Zone 2.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.
North Dakota
High Plains Unit: That portion of the State south and west of a
line from the South Dakota border along U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41,
north to U.S. 2, west to the Williams/Divide County line, then north
along the County line to the Canadian border.
Low Plains: The remainder of North Dakota.
Oklahoma
High Plains Zone: The Counties of Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas.
Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High
Plains Zone and north of a line extending east from the Texas border
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, west along OK 33 to I-35, north along I-35 to U.S. 60, west along
U.S. 60 to U.S. 64, west along U.S. 64 to OK 132, then north along OK
132 to the Kansas border.
Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of Oklahoma.
South Dakota
High Plains Unit: That portion of the State west of a line
beginning at the North Dakota border and extending south along U.S. 83
to U.S. 14, east along U.S. 14 to Blunt-Canning Road in Blunt, south
along Blunt-Canning Road to SD 34, east to SD 47, south to I-90, east
to SD 47, south to SD 49, south to Colome and then continuing south on
U.S. 183 to the Nebraska border.
North Zone: That portion of northeastern South Dakota east of the
High Plains Unit and north of a line extending east along US 212 to SD
15, then north along SD 15 to Big Stone Lake at the Minnesota border.
South Zone: That portion of Gregory County east of SD 47, Charles
Mix County south of SD 44 to the Douglas County line, south on SD 50 to
Geddes, east on the Geddes Hwy. to U.S. 281, south on U.S. 281 and U.S.
18 to SD 50, south and east on SD 50 to Bon Homme County line, the
Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton, and Clay south of SD 50, and Union
County south and west of SD 50 and I-29.
Middle Zone: The remainder of South Dakota.
Texas
High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of a line
extending south from the Oklahoma border 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 Louisiana border at Orange,
Texas.
Low Plains South Zone: The remainder of Texas.
Wyoming (Central Flyway portion)
Zone 1: The Counties of Converse, Goshen, Hot Springs, Natrona,
Platte, Washakie, and that portion of Park County south of T58N and not
within the boundary of the Shoshone National Forest.
Zone 2: The remainder of Wyoming.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona--Game Management Units (GMU) as follows:
South Zone: Those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 in Yavapai County, and
GMUs 10 and 12B-45.
North Zone: GMUs 1-5, those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 within
Coconino County, and GMUs 7, 9, 12A.
California
Northeastern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of a
line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath
River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest
Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and
south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west
along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89;
east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north
on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S.
395 to the Nevada border.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along
[[Page 50675]]
the Army-Milpitas Road to the Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake
intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley paved road to the Ogilby and
Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to U.S. 80; east seven miles on
U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south on this paved road to the
Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada
border.
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included
in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.
Idaho
Zone 1: Includes all lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage;
and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.
Zone 2: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties:
Adams; Bear Lake; Benewah; Bingham within the Blackfoot Reservoir
drainage; those portions of Blaine west of ID 75, south and east of
U.S. 93, and between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 outside the
Silver Creek drainage; Bonner; Bonneville; Boundary; Butte; Camas;
Caribou except the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Cassia within the
Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Clark; Clearwater; Custer; Elmore
within the Camas Creek drainage; Franklin; Fremont; Idaho; Jefferson;
Kootenai; Latah; Lemhi; Lewis; Madison; Nez Perce; Oneida; Power within
the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Shoshone; Teton; and Valley
Counties.
Zone 3: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties:
Ada; Blaine between ID 75 and U.S. 93 south of U.S. 20 and that
additional area between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 within the
Silver Creek drainage; Boise; Canyon; Cassia except within the Minidoka
National Wildlife Refuge; Elmore except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem;
Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee; Payette; Power west of ID
37 and ID 39 except that portion within the Minidoka National Wildlife
Refuge; Twin Falls; and Washington Counties.
Nevada
Lincoln and Clark County Zone: All of Clark and Lincoln Counties.
Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.
Oregon
Zone 1: Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane, Douglas, Coos, Curry,
Josephine, Jackson, Linn, Benton, Polk, Marion, Yamhill, Washington,
Columbia, Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Morrow and Umatilla Counties.
Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Gilliam, Morrow, and
Umatilla Counties.
Zone 2: The remainder of the State.
Utah
Zone 1: All of Box Elder, Cache, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Morgan,
Rich, Salt Lake, Summit, Unitah, Utah, Wasatch, and Weber Counties and
that part of Toole County north of I-80.
Zone 2: The remainder of Utah.
Washington
East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of
the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Same as East Zone.
West Zone: All areas to the west of the East Zone.
Geese
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
Same zones as for ducks.
Maryland
Special Regular and Late Seasons for Canada Geese: Allegheny,
Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Washington counties and the portion of
Montgomery County south of Interstate 270 and west of Interstate 495 to
the Potomac River.
Massachusetts
Special Area for Canada Geese: Central Zone (same as for ducks) and
that portion of the Coastal Zone that lies north of route 139 from
Green Harbor.
New Hampshire
Same zones as for ducks.
New Jersey
Special Area for Canada Geese:
North - that portion of the State within a continuous line that
runs east along the New York State boundary line to the Hudson River;
then south along the New York State boundary to its intersection with
Route 440 at Perth Amboy; then west on Route 440 to its intersection
with Route 287; then west along Route 287 to its intersection with
Route 206 in Bedminster (Exit 18); then north along Route 206 to its
intersection with Route 94: then west along Route 94 to the tollbridge
in Columbia; then north along the Pennsylvania State boundary in the
Delaware River to the beginning point.
South - that portion of the State within a continuous line that
runs west from the Atlantic Ocean at Ship Bottom along Route 72 to the
Garden State Parkway; then south along the Garden State Parkway to
Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route 542; then west along Route
542 to the Mullica River (at Pleasant Mills); then north (upstream)
along the Mullica River 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 south along Route 49 to Route 50; then east 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
Special Late Season Area for Canada Geese: that area of Chemung
County lying east of a continuous line extending south along State
Route 13 from the Schuyler County line to State Route 17 and then south
along Route 17 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary; all of Tioga and
Broome Counties; that area of Delaware, Sullivan, and Orange Counties
lying southwest of a continuous line extending east along State Route
17 from the Broome County line to U.S. Route 209 at Wurtsboro and then
south along Route 209 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary at Port
Jervis, excluding areas on or within 50 yards of the Delaware River
between the confluence of the West Branch and East Branch below Hancock
and the mouth of the Shingle Kill (3 miles upstream from Port Jervis);
that area of Orange, Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester
Counties lying southeast of a continuous line extending north along
Route 17 from the New York-New Jersey boundary at Suffern to Interstate
Route 87, then north along Route 87 to Interstate Route 84, then east
along Route 84 to the northern boundary of Putnam County, then east
along that boundary to the New York-Connecticut boundary; that area of
Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying north of State Route 25A and west of
a continuous line
[[Page 50676]]
extending northward from State Route 25A along Randall Road (near
Shoreham) to North Country Road, then east to Sound Road and then north
to Long Island Sound and then due north to the New York-Connecticut
boundary.
Regular Season Area in Southwest for Canada Geese: all of Allegany,
Cattaraugus, and Chautaugua Counties; that area of Erie, Wyoming and
Niagara Counties lying south and west of a continuous line extending
from the Rainbow Bridge below Niagara Falls, north along the Robert
Moses Parkway to US Route 62A, then east along Route 62A to US Route
62, then southeast along US Route 62 to Interstate Route 290, then
south along Route 290 to Exit 50 of the NYS Thruway, then east along
the Thruway to Exit 49, then south along NYS Route 78 to State Route 20
in Depew, then east along Route 20 to State Route 77 in Darien Center,
then south along Route 77 to Java Center, then south along State Route
98 to the Cattaraugus County line; and that area of Steuben and Chemung
Counties lying south of State Route 17.
North Carolina
Regular Season for Canada Geese: Statewide, except for Northampton
County and the Northeast Hunt Unit - Counties of Bertie, Camden,
Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and
Washington.
Pennsylvania
Erie, Mercer, and Butler Counties: All of Erie, Mercer, and Butler
Counties.
Regular Season Area for Canada Geese: Area from New York State line
west of U.S. Route 220 to intersection of I-180, west of I-180 to
intersection of SR 147, west of SR 147 to intersection of U.S. Route
322, west of U.S. Route 322 to intersection of I-81, west of I-81 to
intersection of I-83, west of I-83 to I-283, west of I-283 to SR 441,
west of SR 441 to U.S. Route 30, west of U.S. Route 30 to I-83, west of
I-83 to Maryland State line, except for the Counties of Erie, Mercer,
Butler, and Crawford.
Special Late Season Area for Canada Geese: Same as Regular Season
Area and the area from New York State line east of U.S. Route 220 to
intersection of I-180, east of I-180 to intersection of SR 147, east of
SR 147 to intersection of U.S. Route 322, east of Route 322 to
intersection of I-81, north of I-81 to intersection of I-80, north of
I-80 to New Jersey State line.
Rhode Island
Special Area for Canada Geese: Kent and Providence Counties and
portions of the towns of Exeter and North Kingston within Washington
County (see State regulations for detailed descriptions).
South Carolina
Canada Goose Area: Statewide except for Clarendon County and that
portion of Lake Marion in Orangeburg County and Berkeley County.
Virginia
Regular and Special Late Season Area for Canada Geese: All areas
west of I-95.
Back Bay Area--Defined for white geese as the waters of Back Bay
and its tributaries and the marshes adjacent thereto, and on the land
and marshes between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean from Sandbridge to
the North Carolina line, and on and along the shore of North Landing
River and the marshes adjacent thereto, and on and along the shores of
Binson Inlet Lake (formerly known as Lake Tecumseh) and Red Wing Lake
and the marshes adjacent thereto.
West Virginia
Same zones as for ducks.
Mississippi Flyway
Alabama
Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
SJBP Zone: That portion of Morgan County east of U.S. Highway 31,
north of State Highway 36, and west of U.S. 231; that portion of
Limestone County south of U.S. 72; and that portion of Madison County
south of Swancott Road and west of Triana Road.
Arkansas
East Zone: Arkansas, Ashley, Chicot, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden,
Cross, Desha, Drew, Greene, Independence, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence,
Lee, Lincoln, Lonoke, Mississippi, Monroe, Phillips, Poinsett, Prairie,
Pulaski, Randolph, St. Francis, White, and Woodruff Counties.
West Zone: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Cleburne, Conway,
Crawford, Faulkner, Franklin, Fulton, Izard, Johnson, Madison, Marion,
Newton, Pope, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, and Washington Counties,
and those portions of Logan, Perry, Sebastian, and Yell Counties lying
north of a line extending east from the Oklahoma border along State
Highway 10 to Perry, south on State 9 to State 60, then east on State
60 to the Faulkner County line.
Illinois
Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
North Zone:
Northern Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of McHenry, Lake, Kane,
DuPage, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties north of
Interstate Highway 80.
Central Zone:
Central Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of Grundy, Woodford,
Peoria, Knox, Fulton, Tazewell, Mason, Cass, Morgan, Pike, Calhoun, and
Jersey, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties south of
Interstate Highway 80.
South Zone:
Southern Illinois Quota Zone: Alexander, Jackson, Union, and
Williamson Counties.
Rend Lake Quota Zone: Franklin and Jefferson Counties.
Indiana
Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
SJBP Zone: Jasper, LaGrange, LaPorte, Starke, and Steuben Counties,
and that portion of the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in
Pulaski County.
Iowa
Same zones as for ducks.
Kentucky
Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at
the Tennessee border at Fulton and extending north along the Purchase
Parkway to Interstate Highway 24, east along I-24 to U.S. Highway 641,
north along U.S. 641 to U.S. 60, northeast along U.S. 60 to the
Henderson County line, then south, east, and northerly along the
Henderson County line to the Indiana border.
Ballard Reporting Area: That area encompassed by a line beginning
at the northwest city limits of Wickliffe in Ballard County and
extending westward to the middle of the Mississippi River, north along
the Mississippi River and along the low-water mark of the Ohio River on
the Illinois shore to the Ballard-McCracken County line, south along
the county line to Kentucky Highway 358, south along Kentucky 358 to
U.S. Highway 60 at LaCenter; then southwest along U.S. 60 to the
northeast city limits of Wickliffe.
Henderson-Union Reporting Area: Henderson County and that portion
of Union County within the Western Zone.
Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone: Butler, Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and
Warren Counties and all counties lying west to the boundary of the
Western Goose Zone.
Michigan
Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
South Zone
Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU): Those portions of
Tuscola and Huron Counties bounded on the south by Michigan Highway 138
and Bay City Road, on the east by Colwood and Bay Port Roads, on the
north by Kilmanagh Road and a line extending directly west off the end
of Kilmanagh Road into Saginaw Bay to the west boundary, and on the
west by the Tuscola-Bay County line and a line extending directly north
off the end of the Tuscola-Bay County line into Saginaw Bay to the
north boundary.
[[Page 50677]]
Allegan County GMU: That area encompassed by a line beginning at
the junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate Highway 196 in Lake Town
Township and extending easterly along 136th Avenue to Michigan Highway
40, southerly along Michigan 40 through the city of Allegan to 108th
Avenue in Trowbridge Township, westerly along 108th Avenue to 46th
Street, northerly 1/2 mile along 46th Street to 109th Avenue, westerly
along 109th Avenue to I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly along I-
196 to the point of beginning.
Saginaw County GMU: That portion of Saginaw County bounded by
Michigan Highway 46 on the north; Michigan 52 on the west; Michigan 57
on the south; and Michigan 13 on the east.
Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That portion of Muskegon County within the
boundaries of the Muskegon County wastewater system, east of the
Muskegon State Game Area, in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29,
30, and 32, T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, and
25, T10N R15W, as posted.
Special Canada Goose Seasons:
Southern Michigan GMU: That portion of the State, including the
Great Lakes and interconnecting waterways and excluding the Allegan
County GMU, south of a line beginning at the Ontario border at the
Bluewater Bridge in the city of Port Huron and extending westerly and
southerly along Interstate Highway 94 to I-69, westerly along I-69 to
Michigan Highway 21, westerly along Michigan 21 to I-96, northerly
along I-96 to I-196, westerly along I-196 to Lake Michigan Drive (M-45)
in Grand Rapids, westerly along Lake Michigan Drive to the Lake
Michigan shore, then directly west from the end of Lake Michigan Drive
to the Wisconsin border.
Central Michigan GMU: That portion of the South Zone north of the
Southern Michigan GMU, excluding the Tuscola/Huron GMU, Saginaw County
GMU, and Muskegon Wastewater GMU.
Minnesota
West Zone: That portion of the state encompassed by a line
beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa
border, then north and east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, north
along U.S. 71 to Interstate Highway 94, then north and west along I-94
to the North Dakota border.
West Central Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the
intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 29 and U.S. Highway 212 and
extending west along U.S. 212 to U.S. 59, south along U.S. 59 to STH
67, west along STH 67 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to County State
Aid Highway (CSAH) 30 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 30 to
County Road 70 in Lac qui Parle County, west along County 70 to the
western boundary of the State, north along the western boundary of the
State to a point due south of the intersection of STH 7 and CSAH 7 in
Big Stone County, and continuing due north to said intersection, then
north along CSAH 7 to CSAH 6 in Big Stone County, east along CSAH 6 to
CSAH 21 in Big Stone County, south along CSAH 21 to CSAH 10 in Big
Stone County, east along CSAH 10 to CSAH 22 in Swift County, east along
CSAH 22 to CSAH 5 in Swift County, south along CSAH 5 to U.S. 12, east
along U.S. 12 to CSAH 17 in Swift County, south along CSAH 17 to CSAH 9
in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to STH 40, east along STH 40 to
STH 29, then south along STH 29 to the point of beginning.
Lac qui Parle Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at
the intersection of U.S. Highway 212 and County State Aid Highway
(CSAH) 27 in Lac qui Parle County and extending north along CSAH 27 to
CSAH 20 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 20 to State Trunk
Highway (STH) 40, north along STH 40 to STH 119, north along STH 119 to
CSAH 34 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 34 to CSAH 19 in Lac
qui Parle County, north and west along CSAH 19 to CSAH 38 in Lac qui
Parle County, west along CSAH 38 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to STH
7, east along STH 7 to CSAH 6 in Swift County, east along CSAH 6 to
County Road 65 in Swift County, south along County 65 to County 34 in
Chippewa County, south along County 34 to CSAH 12 in Chippewa County,
east along CSAH 12 to CSAH 9 in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to
STH 7, southeast along STH 7 to Montevideo and along the municipal
boundary of Montevideo to U.S. 212; then west along U.S. 212 to the
point of beginning.
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.
Special Canada Goose Seasons:
Fergus Falls/Alexandria Zone: That area encompassed by a line
beginning at the intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 55 and STH
28 and extending east along STH 28 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH)
33 in Pope County, north along CSAH 33 to CSAH 3 in Douglas County,
north along CSAH 3 to CSAH 69 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 69
to CSAH 46 in Otter Tail County, east along CSAH 46 to the eastern
boundary of Otter Tail County, north along the east boundary of Otter
Tail County to CSAH 40 in Otter Tail County, west along CSAH 40 to CSAH
75 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 75 to STH 210, west along STH
210 to STH 108, north along STH 108 to CSAH 1 in Otter Tail County,
west along CSAH 1 to CSAH 14 in Otter Tail County, north along CSAH 14
to CSAH 44 in Otter Tail County, west along CSAH 44 to CSAH 35 in Otter
Tail County, north along CSAH 35 to STH 108, west along STH 108 to CSAH
19 in Wilkin County, south along CSAH 19 to STH 55, then southeast
along STH 55 to the point of beginning.
Missouri
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
North Zone
Swan Lake Zone: That area bounded by U.S. Highway 36 on the north,
Missouri Highway 5 on the east, Missouri 240 and U.S. 65 on the south,
and U.S. 65 on the west.
Middle Zone
Schell-Osage Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line
extending east from the Kansas border along U.S. Highway 54 to Missouri
Highway 13, north along Missouri 13 to Missouri 7, west along Missouri
7 to U.S. 71, north along U.S. 71 to Missouri 2, then west along
Missouri 2 to the Kansas border.
Ohio
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
North Zone
Pymatuning Area: Pymatuning Reservoir and that part of Ohio bounded
on the north by County Road 306 (known as Woodward Road), on the west
by Pymatuning Lake Road, and on the south by U.S. Highway 322.
Lake Erie SJBP Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a
line extending south from the Michigan border along Interstate Highway
75 to I-280, south along I-280 to I-80, and east along I-80 to the
Pennsylvania border.
Tennessee
Southwest Zone: That portion of the State south of State Highways
20 and 104, and west of U.S. Highways 45 and 45W.
Northwest Zone: Lake, Obion and Weakley Counties and those portions
of
[[Page 50678]]
Gibson and Dyer Counties not included in the Southwest Tennessee Zone.
Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone: That portion of the State bounded on
the west by the eastern boundaries of the Northwest and Southwest Zones
and on the east by State Highway 13 from the Alabama border to
Clarksville and U.S. Highway 79 from Clarksville to the Kentucky
border.
Wisconsin
Horicon Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the
intersection of State Highway 21 and the Fox River in Winnebago County
and extending westerly along State 21 to the west boundary of Winnebago
County, southerly along the west boundary of Winnebago County to the
north boundary of Green Lake County, westerly along the north
boundaries of Green Lake and Marquette Counties to State 22, southerly
along State 22 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 16,
westerly along U.S. 16 to Weyh Road, southerly along Weyh Road to
County Highway O, southerly along County O to the west boundary of
Section 31, southerly along the west boundary of Section 31 to the
Sauk/Columbia County boundary, southerly along the Sauk/Columbia County
boundary to State 33, easterly along State 33 to Interstate Highway 90/
94, southerly along I-90/94 to State 60, easterly along State 60 to
State 83, northerly along State 83 to State 175, northerly along State
175 to State 33, easterly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 45, northerly
along U.S. 45 to the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River, northerly
along the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River to Lake Winnebago,
northerly along the western shoreline of Lake Winnebago to the Fox
River, then westerly along the Fox River to State 21.
Collins Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the
intersection of Hilltop Road and Collins Marsh Road in Manitowoc County
and extending westerly along Hilltop Road to Humpty Dumpty Road,
southerly along Humpty Dumpty Road to Poplar Grove Road, easterly and
southerly along Poplar Grove Road to County Highway JJ, southeasterly
along County JJ to Collins Road, southerly along Collins Road to the
Manitowoc River, southeasterly along the Manitowoc River to Quarry
Road, northerly along Quarry Road to Einberger Road, northerly along
Einberger Road to Moschel Road, westerly along Moschel Road to Collins
Marsh Road, northerly along Collins Marsh Road to Hilltop Road.
Exterior Zone: That portion of the State not included in the
Horicon or Collins Zones.
Mississippi River Subzone: That area encompassed by a line
beginning at the intersection of the Burlington Northern Railway and
the Illinois border in Grant County and extending northerly along the
Burlington Northern Railway to the city limit of Prescott in Pierce
County, then west along the Prescott city limit to the Minnesota
border.
Rock Prairie Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at
the intersection of the Illinois border and Interstate Highway 90 and
extending north along I-90 to County Highway A, east along County A to
U.S. Highway 12, southeast along U.S. 12 to State Highway 50, west
along State 50 to State 120, then south along 120 to the Illinois
border.
Central Flyway
Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)
Northern Front Range Area: All lands in Adams, Boulder, Clear
Creek, Denver, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties west of I-
25 from the Wyoming border south to I-70; west on I-70 to the
Continental Divide; north along the Continental Divide to the Jackson-
Larimer County Line to the Wyoming border.
South Park/San Luis Valley Area: Alamosa, Chaffee, Conejos,
Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, Teller, and Rio Grande Counties
and those portions of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Saguache Counties east of
the Continental Divide.
North Park Area: Jackson County.
Arkansas Valley Area: Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and
Prowers Counties.
Pueblo County Area: Pueblo County.
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.
Kansas
Light Geese
Unit 1: That portion of Kansas east of a line beginning at the
intersection of the Nebraska border and KS 99, extending south along KS
99 to I-70 to U.S. 75, south on U.S. 75 to U.S. 54, west on U.S. 54 to
KS 99, and then south on KS 99 to the Oklahoma border.
Unit 2: The remainder of Kansas, lying west of Unit 1.
Dark Geese
Marais des Cygne Valley Unit: The area is bounded by the Missouri
border to KS 68, KS 68 to U.S 169, U.S. 169 to KS 7, KS 7 to KS 31, KS
31 to U.S. 69, U.S. 69 to KS 239, KS 239 to the Missouri border.
South Flint Hills Unit: The area is bounded by Highways U.S. 50 to
KS 57, KS 57 to U.S. 75, U.S. 75 to KS 39, KS 39 to KS 96, KS 96 to
U.S. 77, U.S. 77 to U.S. 50.
Central Flint Hills Unit: That area southwest of Topeka bounded by
Highways U.S. 75 to I-35, I-35 to U.S. 50, U.S. 50 to U.S. 77, U.S. 77
to I-70, I-70 to U.S. 75.
Southeast Unit: That area of southeast Kansas bounded by the
Missouri border to U.S. 160, U.S. 160 to U.S. 69, U.S. 69 to KS 39, KS
39 to U.S. 169, U.S. 169 to the Oklahoma border, and the Oklahoma
border to the Missouri border.
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
Sheridan County: Includes all of Sheridan County.
Remainder: Includes the remainder of the Central Flyway portion of
Montana.
Nebraska
Dark Geese
North Unit: Keya Paha County east of U.S. 183 and all of Boyd
County, including the boundary waters of the Niobrara River, all of
Knox County and that portion of Cedar County west of U.S. 81.
East Unit: The area east of a line beginning at U.S. 183 at the
northern State line; south to NE 2; east to U.S. 281; south to the
southern State line, excluding the North Unit.
West Unit: All of Nebraska west of the East Unit.
Light Geese
Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (West): The area bounded by the
junction of U.S. 283 and U.S. 30 at Lexington, east on U.S. 30 to U.S.
281, south on U.S. 281 to NE 4, west on NE 4 to U.S. 34, continue west
on U.S. 34 to U.S. 283, then north on U.S. 283 to the beginning.
Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (East): The area bounded by the
junction of U.S. 281 and NS 30 at Grand Island, north and east on U.S.
30 to NE 92, east on NE 92 to NE 15, south on NE 15 to NE 4, west on NE
4 to U.S. 281, north on U.S. 281 to the beginning.
Remainder of State: The remainder portion of Nebraska.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
Dark Geese
Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit: Sierra County and that portion of
Socorro County lying south of the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge
Boundary.
Remainder: The remainder of the Central Flyway portion of New
Mexico.
North Dakota
Dark Geese
Missouri River Zone: That area encompassed by a line extending from
the South Dakota border north on U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41, north to ND
53, west to U.S. 83, north to ND 23, west to ND 37, south to ND 1804,
south approximately 9 miles to Elbowoods Bay on Lake Sakakawea, south
and west across the lake to ND 8, south to ND
[[Page 50679]]
200, east to ND 31, south to ND 25, south to I-94, east to ND 6, south
to the South Dakota border, and east to the point of origin.
Statewide: All of North Dakota.
South Dakota
Dark Geese
Unit 1: Statewide except for Units 2 and 3.
Unit 2: Brule, Buffalo, Campbell, Dewey, Hughes, Hyde, Lyman,
Potter, Stanley, Sully, and Walworth Counties and that portion of
Corson County east of State Highway 65.
Unit 3: Charles Mix and Gregory Counties.
Texas
West Unit: That portion of the State lying west of a line from the
international toll bridge at Laredo; north along I-35 and I-35W to Fort
Worth; northwest along US 81 and US 287 to Bowie; and north along US 81
to the Oklahoma border.
East Unit: Remainder of State.
Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)
Area 1: Converse, Hot Springs, Natrona, and Washakie Counties, and
that portion of Park County south of T58N.
Area 2: Platte County.
Area 3: Albany, Big Horn, Campbell, Crook, Fremont, Johnson,
Laramie, Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston Counties and those portions of
Carbon County east of the Continental Divide and Park County north of
T58N.
Area 4: Goshen County.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
GMU 22 and 23: Game Management Units 22 and 23.
Remainder of State: The remainder of Arizona.
California
Northeastern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of a
line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath
River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest
Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and
south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west
along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89;
east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north
on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S.
395 to the Nevada border.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to
U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road;
south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada
border.
Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included
in the Northeastern, Southern, and the Colorado River Zones.
Del Norte and Humboldt Area: The Counties of Del Norte and
Humboldt.
Sacramento Valley Area: That area bounded by a line beginning at
Willows in Glenn County proceeding south on I-5 to Hahn Road north of
Arbuckle in Colusa County; easterly on Hahn Road and the Grimes
Arbuckle Road to Grimes on the Sacramento River; southerly on the
Sacramento River to the Tisdale Bypass to O'Banion Road; easterly on
O'Banion Road to CA 99; northerly on CA 99 to the Gridley-Colusa
Highway in Gridley in Butte County; westerly on the Gridley-Colusa
Highway to the River Road; northerly on the River Road to the Princeton
Ferry; westerly across the Sacramento River to CA 45; northerly on CA
45 to CA 162; northerly on CA 45-162 to Glenn; westerly on CA 162 to
the point of beginning in Willows.
Western Canada Goose Hunt Area: That portion of the above described
Sacramento Valley Area lying east of a line formed by Butte Creek from
the Gridley-Colusa Highway south to the Cherokee Canal; easterly along
the Cherokee Canal and North Butte Road to West Butte Road; southerly
on West Butte Road to Pass Road; easterly on Pass Road to West Butte
Road; southerly on West Butte Road to CA 20; and westerly along CA 20
to the Sacramento River.
San Joaquin Valley Area: That area bounded by a line beginning at
Modesto in Stanislaus County proceeding west on CA 132 to I-5;
southerly on I-5 to CA 152 in Merced County; easterly on CA 152 to CA
165; northerly on CA 165 to CA 99 at Merced; northerly and westerly on
CA 99 to the point of beginning.
Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)
West Central Area: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, Gunnison, LaPlata,
Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel Counties and those
portions of Hinsdale, Mineral and Saguache Counties west of the
Continental Divide.
State Area: The remainder of the Pacific-Flyway Portion of
Colorado.
Idaho
Zone 1: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai,
Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties.
Zone 2: The Counties of Ada; Adams; Boise; Canyon; those portions
of Elmore north and east of I-84, and south and west of I-84, west of
ID 51, except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; Owyhee west of ID 51;
Payette; Valley; and Washington.
Zone 3: The Counties of Blaine; Camas; Cassia; those portions of
Elmore south of I-84 east of ID 51, and within the Camas Creek
drainage; Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee east of ID 51;
Power within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; and Twin Falls.
Zone 4: The Counties of Bear Lake; Bingham within the Blackfoot
Reservoir drainage; Bonneville, Butte; Caribou except the Fort Hall
Indian Reservation; Clark; Custer; Franklin; Fremont; Jefferson; Lemhi;
Madison; Oneida; Power west of ID 37 and ID 39 except the Minidoka
National Wildlife Refuge; and Teton.
Zone 5: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage;
and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.
In addition, goose frameworks are set by the following geographical
areas:
Northern Unit: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho,
Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties.
Southwestern Unit: That area west of the line formed by U.S. 93
north from the Nevada border to Shoshone, northerly on ID 75 (formerly
U.S. 93) to Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Montana border (except
the Northern Unit and except Custer and Lemhi Counties).
[[Page 50680]]
Southeastern Unit: That area east of the line formed by U.S. 93
north from the Nevada border to Shoshone, northerly on ID 75 (formerly
U.S. 93) to Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Montana border,
including all of Custer and Lemhi Counties.
Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
East of the Divide Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of the State
located east of the Continental Divide.
West of the Divide Zone: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway
portion of Montana.
Nevada
Lincoln Clark County Zone: All of Lincoln and Clark Counties
Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.
New Mexico (Pacific Flyway Portion)
North Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located north
of I-40.
South Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located south
of I-40.
Oregon
Southwest Zone: Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine and Jackson
Counties.
Northwest Special Permit Zone: That portion of western Oregon west
and north of a line running south from the Columbia River in Portland
along I-5 to OR 22 at Salem; then east on OR 22 to the Stayton Cutoff;
then south on the Stayton Cutoff to Stayton and due south to the
Santiam River; then west along the north shore of the Santiam River to
I-5; then south on I-5 to OR 126 at Eugene; then west on OR 126 to
Greenhill Road; then south on Greenhill Road to Crow Road; then west on
Crow Road to Territorial Hwy; then west on Territorial Hwy to OR 126;
then west on OR 126 to OR 36; then north on OR 36 to Forest Road 5070
at Brickerville; then west and south on Forest Road 5070 to OR 126;
then west on OR 126 to the Pacific Coast.
Northwest Zone: Those portions of Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion,
Multnomah, and Washington Counties outside of the Northwest Special
Permit Zone.
Closed Zone: Those portions of Coos, Curry, Douglas and Lane
Counties west of US 101.
Eastern Zone: Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow,
Umatilla, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Grant, Baker, Union,
and Wallowa Counties.
Harney, Klamath, Lake and Malheur Counties Zone: All of Harney,
Klamath, Lake, and Malheur Counties.
Utah
Washington County Zone: All of Washington County.
Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Utah.
Washington
Eastern Washington: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and
east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
Area 1: Lincoln, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties; that part of
Grant County east of a line beginning at the Douglas-Lincoln County
line on WA 174, southwest on WA 174 to WA 155, south on WA 155 to US 2,
southwest on US 2 to Pinto Ridge Road, south on Pinto Ridge Road to WA
28, east on WA 28 to the Stratford Road, south on the Stratford Road to
WA 17, south on WA 17 to the Grant-Adams County line; those parts of
Adams County east of State Highway 17; those parts of Franklin County
east and south of a line beginning at the Adams-Franklin County line on
WA 17, south on WA 17 to US 395, south on US 395 to I-182, west o I-182
to the Franklin-Benton County line; those parts of Benton County south
of I-182 and I-82; and those parts of Klickitat County east of U.S.
Highway 97.
Area 2: All of Okanongan, Douglas, and Kittitas Counties and those
parts of Grant, Adams, Franklin, and Benton Counties not included in
Eastern Washington Goose Management Area 1.
Area 3: All other parts of eastern Washington not included in
Eastern Washington Goose Management Areas 1 and 2.
Western Washington: All areas west of the East Zone.
Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
Area 2: Clark, except portions south of the Washougal River,
Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties.
Area 3: All parts of western Washington not included in Western
Washington Goose Management Areas 1 and 2.
Lower Columbia River Early-Season Canada Goose Zone: Beginning at
the Washington-Oregon border on the I-5 Bridge near Vancouver,
Washington; north on I-5 to Kelso; west on Highway 4 from Kelso to
Highway 401; south and west on Highway 401 to Highway 101 at the
Astoria-Megler Bridge; west on Highway 101 to Gray Drive in the City of
Ilwaco; west on Gray Drive to Canby Road; southwest on Canby Road to
the North Jetty; southwest on the North Jetty to its end; southeast to
the Washington-Oregon border; upstream along the Washington-Oregon
border to the point of origin.
Wyoming (Pacific Flyway Portion): See State Regulations.
Bear River Area: That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Salt River Area: That portion of Lincoln County described in State
regulations.
Eden-Farson Area: Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette
Counties described in State regulations.
Swans
Central Flyway
South Dakota: Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Campbell, Clark, Codington,
Deuel, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant, Hamlin, Hand, Hughes, Hyde,
Kingsbury, Marshall, McPherson, Potter, Roberts, Spink, Sully, and
Walworth Counties.
Pacific Flyway
Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
Open Area: Cascade, Chouteau, Hill, Liberty, and Toole Counties and
those portions of Pondera and Teton Counties lying east of U.S. 287-89.
Nevada
Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and Pershing Counties.
Utah
Open Area: Those portions of Box, Elder, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake,
and Toole Counties lying south of State Hwy 30, I-80/84, west of I-15,
and north of I-80.
[FR Doc. 97-25517 Filed 9-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-F