[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 160 (Friday, August 17, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49867-49891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20078]
[[Page 49867]]
Vol. 77
Friday,
No. 160
August 17, 2012
Part II
Department of the Interior
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Fish and Wildlife Service
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50 CFR Part 20
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory
Bird Hunting Regulations; Proposed Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 160 / Friday, August 17, 2012 /
Proposed Rules
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
[Docket No. FWS-R9-MB-2012-0005; FF09M21200-123-FXMB1231099BPP0L2]
RIN 1018-AX97
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Late-Season
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we) is
proposing to establish the 2012-13 late-season hunting regulations for
certain migratory game birds. We annually prescribe frameworks, or
outer limits, for dates and times when hunting may occur and the number
of birds that may be taken and possessed in late seasons. These
frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and
limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels compatible with
population and habitat conditions.
DATES: You must submit comments on the proposed migratory bird hunting
late-season frameworks by August 31, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposals by one of the
following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-R9-
MB-2012-0005.
U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing,
Attn: FWS-R9-MB-2012-0005, Division of Policy and Directives
Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS
2042-PDM, Arlington, VA 22203.
We will not accept emailed or faxed comments. We will post all
comments on http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we
will post any personal information you provide us (see the Public
Comments section below for more information).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron W. Kokel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Department of the Interior, MS MBSP-4107-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street
NW., Washington, DC 20240; (703) 358-1714.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulations Schedule for 2012
On April 17, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR
23094) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal provided a
background and overview of the migratory bird hunting regulations
process, and addressed the establishment of seasons, limits, and other
regulations for hunting migratory game birds under Sec. Sec. 20.101
through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. Major steps in the
2012-13 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal
Register notifications were also identified in the April 17 proposed
rule.
Further, we explained that all sections of subsequent documents
outlining hunting frameworks and guidelines were organized under
numbered headings. Those headings are:
1. Ducks
A. General Harvest Strategy
B. Regulatory Alternatives
C. Zones and Split Seasons
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
i. September Teal Seasons
ii. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons
iii. Black Ducks
iv. Canvasbacks
v. Pintails
vi. Scaup
vii. Mottled Ducks
viii. Wood Ducks
ix. Youth Hunt
x. Mallard Management Units
xi. Other
2. Sea Ducks
3. Mergansers
4. Canada Geese
A. Special Seasons
B. Regular Seasons
C. Special Late Seasons
5. White-fronted Geese
6. Brant
7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese
8. Swans
9. Sandhill Cranes
10. Coots
11. Moorhens and Gallinules
12. Rails
13. Snipe
14. Woodcock
15. Band-tailed Pigeons
16. Mourning Doves
17. White-Winged and White-Tipped Doves
18. Alaska
19. Hawaii
20. Puerto Rico
21. Virgin Islands
22. Falconry
23. Other
Subsequent documents will refer only to numbered items requiring
attention. Therefore, it is important to note that we will omit those
items requiring no attention, and remaining numbered items will be
discontinuous and appear incomplete.
On May 17, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 29516)
a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- and late-
season migratory bird hunting regulations. The May 17 supplement also
provided detailed information on the 2012-13 regulatory schedule and
announced the Service Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council
meetings.
On June 12, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR
34931) a third document revising our previously announced dates of the
June 2012 SRC meetings.
On June 19 and 20, 2012, we held open meetings with the Flyway
Council Consultants where the participants reviewed information on the
current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and developed
recommendations for the 2012-13 regulations for these species plus
regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the
Virgin Islands, special September waterfowl seasons in designated
States, special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic Flyway, and extended
falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and discussed preliminary
information on the status of waterfowl as it relates to the development
and selection of the regulatory packages for the 2012-13 regular
waterfowl seasons.
On July 20, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR
42920) a fourth document specifically dealing with the proposed
frameworks for early-season regulations. In late August 2012, we will
publish a rulemaking establishing final frameworks for early-season
migratory bird hunting regulations for the 2012-13 season.
On July 25-26, 2012, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council
Consultants, at which the participants reviewed the status of waterfowl
and developed recommendations for the 2012-13 regulations for these
species. This document deals specifically with proposed frameworks for
the late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. It will lead to
final frameworks from which States may select season dates, shooting
hours, areas, and limits.
We have considered all pertinent comments received through July 27,
2012, on the April 17 and May 17, 2012, rulemaking documents in
developing this document. In addition, new proposals for certain late-
season regulations are provided for public comment. The comment period
is specified above under DATES. We will publish final regulatory
frameworks for late-season migratory game bird hunting in the Federal
Register on or around September 21, 2012.
Population Status and Harvest
The following paragraphs provide preliminary information on the
status of waterfowl and information on the status and harvest of
migratory shore and
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upland game birds excerpted from various reports. For more detailed
information on methodologies and results, you may obtain complete
copies of the various reports at the address indicated under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or from our Web site at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewsPublicationsReports.html.
Waterfowl Breeding and Habitat Survey
Federal, provincial, and State agencies conduct surveys each spring
to estimate the size of breeding populations and to evaluate the
conditions of the habitats. These surveys are conducted using fixed-
wing aircraft, helicopters, and ground crews and encompass principal
breeding areas of North America, covering an area over 2.0 million
square miles. The traditional survey area comprises Alaska, Canada, and
the northcentral United States, and includes approximately 1.3 million
square miles. The eastern survey area includes parts of Ontario,
Quebec, Labrador, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New
Brunswick, New York, and Maine, an area of approximately 0.7 million
square miles.
Overall, habitat conditions during the 2012 Waterfowl Breeding
Population and Habitat Survey were characterized by average to below-
average moisture, a mild winter, and an early spring across the
southern portion of the traditional and eastern survey areas. Northern
habitats of the traditional and eastern survey areas generally received
average moisture and temperatures. The total pond estimate (Prairie
Canada and U.S. combined) was 5.5 0.2 million. This was 32
percent below the 2011 estimate of 8.1 0.2 million ponds,
and 9 percent above the long-term average of 5.1 0.03
million ponds. Additional details of the 2012 Survey were provided in
the July 20 Federal Register and are available from our Web site at
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewsPublicationsReports.html.
Breeding Population Status
In the traditional survey area, which includes strata 1-18, 20-50,
and 75-77, the total duck population estimate was 48.6 0.8
[SE] million birds. This estimate represents an 7 percent increase over
last year's estimate of 45.6 0.8 million birds and was 43
percent above the long-term average (1955-2011). Estimated mallard
(Anas platyrhynchos) abundance was 10.6 0.3 million birds,
which was 15 percent above the 2011 estimate of 9.2 0.3
million birds and 40 percent above the long-term average. Estimated
abundance of gadwall (A. strepera; 3.6 0.2 million) was
similar to the 2011 estimate and 96 percent above the long-term
average. Estimated abundance of American wigeon (A. americana; 2.1
0.1 million) was similar to the 2011 estimate and 17
percent below the long-term average. The estimated abundance of green-
winged teal (A. crecca) was 3.5 0.2 million, which was 20
percent above the 2011 estimate and 74 percent above their long-term
average. The estimate of blue-winged teal abundance (A. discors) was
9.2 0.4 million, which was similar to the 2011 estimate
and 94 percent above their long-term average. The estimate for northern
pintails (A. acuta; 3.5 0.2 million) was 22 percent below
the 2011 estimate, and 14 percent below the long-term average. The
northern shoveler estimate (A. clypeata) was 5.0 0.3
million, which was similar to the 2011 estimate and 111 percent above
the long-term average. Redhead abundance (Aythya americana; 1.3 0.1 million) was similar to the 2011 estimate and 89 percent
above the long-term average. The canvasback estimate (A. valisineria;
0.7 0.05 million) was similar to the 2011 estimate and 33
percent above the long-term average. Estimated abundance of scaup (A.
affinis and A. marila combined; 5.2 0.3 million) was 21
percent above the 2011 estimate and similar to the long-term average.
The eastern survey area was restratified in 2005, and is now
composed of strata 51-72. Estimated abundance of mallards in the
eastern survey area was 0.4 0.1 million, which was similar
to the 2011 estimate and the long-term average (1990-2011). Abundance
estimates of green-winged teal, ring-necked duck (A. collaris),
goldeneyes (common [Bucephala clangula] and Barrow's [B. islandica]),
and mergansers (red-breasted [Mergus serrator], common [M. merganser],
and hooded [Lophodytes cucullatus]) were all similar to their 2011
estimates and long-term averages. The American black duck (Anas
rubripes) estimate was 0.6 0.04 million, which was 11
percent higher than the 2011 estimate and similar to the long-term
average.
Fall Flight Estimate
The mid-continent mallard population is composed of mallards from
the traditional survey area (revised in 2008 to exclude Alaska
mallards), Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and was estimated to be
12.7 1.2 million birds. This was similar to the 2011
estimate of 11.9 1.1 million in 2010.
See section 1.A. Harvest Strategy Considerations for further
discussion of the implications of this information for this year's
selection of the appropriate hunting regulations.
Status of Geese and Swans
We provide information on the population status and productivity of
North American Canada geese (Branta canadensis), brant (B. bernicla),
snow geese (Chen caerulescens), Ross's geese (C. rossii), emperor geese
(C. canagica), white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons), and tundra swans
(Cygnus columbianus). Production of arctic-nesting geese depends
heavily upon the timing of snow and ice melt, and on spring and early
summer temperatures. In 2012, snowmelt timing was average or earlier
than average throughout most of the important goose breeding areas.
Conditions throughout Alaska and northwestern Canada were good. The
exception was the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, where spring phenology was
later than average, and flooding ensued when ice blockages trapped
snowmelt. In addition, flooding on Southampton Island caused near-total
nesting failure of the geese breeding there. Gosling production of
Canada goose populations that migrate to the Atlantic and Mississippi
Flyways should generally be average in 2012. In the central Arctic,
phenology was earlier than average and earlier than last year, so
above-average production of snow and Ross's geese and Mid-continent
white-fronted geese nesting in the Queen Maud Gulf Sanctuary was
expected. Pacific Flyway white-fronted geese, brant, and Canada geese
nesting in the central Arctic should benefit as well. Indices of
wetland abundance in the Canadian and U.S. prairies in 2012 fell
dramatically from last year's record highs. However, early spring
temperatures were warm throughout most of the United States, so the
resulting early nest initiations should have increased brood survival
despite poorer wetland conditions. Breeding populations of most
temperate-nesting geese were at or near record highs in 2012, despite
efforts to reduce or stabilize them. Production of temperate-nesting
Canada geese from most of their North American range is expected to be
above-average in 2012.
Waterfowl Harvest and Hunter Activity
National surveys of migratory bird hunters were conducted during
the 2010 and 2011 hunting seasons. About 1.1 million waterfowl hunters
harvested 14,796,700 (4 percent) ducks and 3,169,900
(5 percent) geese in 2010, and almost 1.2 million waterfowl
hunters harvested 15,880,900 (6 percent) ducks and
2,868,500 (5 percent) geese in 2011. Mallard, green-winged
teal, gadwall, wood duck, and
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blue-winged/cinnamon teal were the five most-harvested duck species in
the United States, and Canada goose was the predominant species in the
goose harvest. Coot hunters (about 50,500 in 2010 and 46,200 in 2011)
harvested 302,600 (50 percent) coots in 2010 and 416,400
(36 percent) in 2011.
Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations
The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the April
17, 2012, Federal Register, opened the public comment period for
migratory game bird hunting regulations. The supplemental proposed
rule, which appeared in the May 17, 2012, Federal Register, discussed
the regulatory alternatives for the 2012-13 duck hunting season. Late-
season comments are summarized below and numbered in the order used in
the April 17 and May 17 Federal Register documents. We have included
only the numbered items pertaining to late-season issues for which we
received written comments. Consequently, the issues do not follow in
successive numerical or alphabetical order.
We received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils. Some
recommendations supported continuation of last year's frameworks. Due
to the comprehensive nature of the annual review of the frameworks
performed by the Councils, support for continuation of last year's
frameworks is assumed for items for which no recommendations were
received. Council recommendations for changes in the frameworks are
summarized below.
We seek additional information and comments on the recommendations
in this supplemental proposed rule. New proposals and modifications to
previously described proposals are discussed below. Wherever possible,
they are discussed under headings corresponding to the numbered items
in the April 17 and May 17, 2012, Federal Register documents.
1. Ducks
Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest
management are: (A) Harvest Strategy Considerations, (B) Regulatory
Alternatives, (C) Zones and Split Seasons, and (D) Special Seasons/
Species Management. The categories correspond to previously published
issues/discussion, and only those containing substantial
recommendations are discussed below.
A. Harvest Strategy Considerations
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Central, and Pacific Flyway
Councils and the Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended the adoption of the ``liberal''
regulatory alternative.
Service Response: We continue to use adaptive harvest management
(AHM) protocols that allow hunting regulations to vary among Flyways in
a manner that recognizes each Flyway's unique breeding-ground
derivation of mallards. In 2008, we described and adopted a protocol
for regulatory decision-making for the newly defined stock of western
mallards (73 FR 43290; July 24, 2008). For the 2012 hunting season, we
continue to believe that the prescribed regulatory choice for the
Pacific Flyway should be based on the status of this western mallard
breeding stock, while the regulatory choice for the Mississippi and
Central Flyways should depend on the status of the recently redefined
mid-continent mallard stock. We also recommend that the regulatory
choice for the Atlantic Flyway continue to depend on the status of
eastern mallards.
For the 2012 hunting season, we are continuing to consider the same
regulatory alternatives as those used last year. The nature of the
``restrictive,'' ``moderate,'' and ``liberal'' alternatives has
remained essentially unchanged since 1997, except that extended
framework dates have been offered in the ``moderate'' and ``liberal''
regulatory alternatives since 2002. Also, in 2003, we agreed to place a
constraint on closed seasons in the Mississippi and Central Flyways
whenever the midcontinent mallard breeding-population size (as defined
prior to 2008; traditional survey area plus Minnesota, Michigan, and
Wisconsin) was >=5.5 million.
Optimal AHM strategies for the 2012-13 hunting season were
calculated using: (1) Harvest-management objectives specific to each
mallard stock; (2) the 2012 regulatory alternatives; and (3) current
population models and associated weights for midcontinent, western, and
eastern mallards. Based on this year's survey results of 10.96 million
midcontinent mallards (traditional survey area minus Alaska plus
Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan), 3.89 million ponds in Prairie
Canada, 983,842 western mallards (478,259 and 505,583 respectively in
California-Oregon and Alaska) and 837,642 eastern mallards (strata 51-
54, 56 and the northeastern United States), the prescribed regulatory
choice for all four Flyways is the ``liberal'' alternative.
Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the Atlantic,
Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils regarding selection
of the ``liberal'' regulatory alternative and propose to adopt the
``liberal'' regulatory alternative, as described in the May 17, 2012,
Federal Register.
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
i. Special Teal Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommends
that if the teal harvest assessment concludes that teal populations can
sustain harvests beyond the harvest incurred during regular duck
seasons and the Service offers States special teal harvest
opportunities outside the regular duck seasons, then Iowa, Michigan,
Minnesota, and Wisconsin should be offered the same special teal
harvest opportunities that are offered to other States in the
Mississippi Flyway.
Service Response: We recognize the long-standing interest by
production States for additional teal harvest opportunities. In 2009,
the Service and Flyway Councils formed a working group to assess the
harvest potential of each of the three teal species. A report from that
working group is scheduled for completion in January 2013. We have
previously decided not to entertain any changes to special September
teal seasons and special September duck seasons until this assessment
is completed (74 FR 43009). If additional harvest opportunity is
warranted, we are willing to work with the Flyways to explore how that
opportunity may be provided. We note that any potential changes to
special September teal seasons would likely require further technical
evaluation. We are willing to work with the Flyway Councils to
collaboratively develop the evaluation framework.
iii. Black Ducks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended that the Service adopt the International Black
Duck AHM Strategy for implementation in 2013.
Service Response: In 2008, U.S. and Canadian waterfowl managers
developed an interim harvest strategy to be employed by both countries
until a formal strategy based on the principles of AHM is completed. We
detailed this interim strategy in the July 24, 2008, Federal Register
(73 FR 43290). The interim harvest strategy is prescriptive, in that it
calls for no substantive changes in hunting regulations unless the
black duck breeding population, averaged over the most recent 3 years,
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exceeds or falls below the long-term average breeding population by 15
percent or more. The strategy is designed to share the black duck
harvest equally between the two countries; however, recognizing
incomplete control of harvest through regulations, it will allow
realized harvest in either country to vary between 40 and 60 percent.
Each year in November, Canada publishes its proposed migratory bird
hunting regulations for the upcoming hunting season. Thus, last fall
the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) used the interim strategy to
establish its proposed black duck regulations for the 2012-13 season,
based on the most current data available at that time: breeding
population estimates for 2009, 2010, and 2011, and an assessment of
parity based on harvest estimates for the 2006-10 hunting seasons.
Although updates of both breeding population estimates and harvest
estimates are now available, the United States will base its 2012-13
black duck regulations on the same data CWS used, to ensure comparable
application of the strategy. The long-term (1998-2007) breeding
population mean estimate is 932,146, and the 2009-11, 3-year running
mean estimate is 851,667, only 9 percent less than the 1998-2007
average. From 2006-10, 44 percent of the black duck harvest occurred in
Canada and 56 percent in the United States; this falls within the
accepted parity bounds of 40 and 60 percent. Based on these estimates,
no restriction or liberalization of black duck harvest is warranted
this year.
As for the Councils' recommendations that we adopt the
International Black Duck AHM Strategy for implementation in 2013, we
concur. The formal strategy is the result of 14 years of technical and
policy decisions developed and agreed upon by both Canadian and U. S.
agencies and waterfowl managers. The strategy will clarify what harvest
levels each country will manage for and will reduce conflicts over
country-specific regulatory policies. Further, the strategy will allow
for attainment of fundamental objectives of black duck management:
resource conservation, perpetuation of hunting tradition, and equitable
access to the black duck resource between Canada and the United States
while accommodating the fundamental sources of uncertainty, partial
controllability and observability, structural uncertainty, and
environmental variation. The underlying model performance will be
assessed annually, with a comprehensive evaluation of the entire
strategy (objectives and model set) in 6 years. A copy of the strategy
is available at the address indicated under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT, or on http://www.regulations.gov, or from our Web site at
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/SpecialTopics/SpecialTopics.html#BlackDucks.
iv. Canvasbacks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended a full season for canvasbacks with
a 1-bird daily bag limit. Season lengths would be 60 days in the
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 74 days in the Central Flyway, and
107 days in the Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: Since 1994, we have followed a canvasback harvest
strategy that if canvasback population status and production are
sufficient to permit a harvest of one canvasback per day nationwide for
the entire length of the regular duck season, while still attaining a
projected spring population objective of 500,000 birds, the season on
canvasbacks should be opened. A partial season would be permitted if
the estimated allowable harvest was within the projected harvest for a
shortened season. If neither of these conditions can be met, the
harvest strategy calls for a closed season on canvasbacks nationwide.
In 2008 (73 FR 43290; July 24, 2008), we announced our decision to
modify the canvasback harvest strategy to incorporate the option for a
2-bird daily bag limit for canvasbacks when the predicted breeding
population the subsequent year exceeds 725,000 birds.
This year's spring survey resulted in an estimate of 760,000
canvasbacks. This was 10 percent above the 2011 estimate of 692,000
canvasbacks and 33 percent above the 1955-2011 average. The estimate of
ponds in Prairie Canada was 3.89 million, which was 21 percent below
last year and 13 percent above the long-term average. Based on updated
harvest predictions using data from recent hunting seasons, the
canvasback harvest strategy predicts a 2013 canvasback population of
771,033 birds under a liberal duck season with a 1-bird daily bag limit
and 711,428 with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Because the predicted 2013
population under the 1-bird daily bag limit is greater than 500,000,
while the prediction under the 2-bird daily bag limit is less than
725,000, the canvasback harvest strategy stipulates a full canvasback
season with a 1-bird daily bag limit for the upcoming season.
v. Pintails
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended a full season for pintails,
consisting of a 2-bird daily bag limit and a 60-day season in the
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, a 74-day season in the Central
Flyway, and a 107-day season in the Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: The current derived pintail harvest strategy was
adopted by the Service and Flyway Councils in 2010 (75 FR 44856; July
29, 2010). For this year, optimal regulatory strategies were calculated
with: (1) An objective of maximizing long-term cumulative harvest,
including a closed-season constraint of 1.75 million birds; (2) the
regulatory alternatives and associated predicted harvest; and (3)
current population models and their relative weights. Based on this
year's survey results of 3.47 million pintails observed, a mean
latitude of 54.0, and a latitude adjusted breeding population (BPOP) of
4.14 million birds, the optimal regulatory choice for all four Flyways
is the ``liberal'' alternative with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
vi. Scaup
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended use of the ``liberal'' regulation
package, consisting of a 60-day season with a 4-bird daily bag in the
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, a 74-day season with a 6-bird daily
bag limit in the Central Flyway, and an 107-day season with a 7-bird
daily bag limit in the Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: In 2008, we adopted and implemented a new scaup
harvest strategy (73 FR 43290 on July 24, 2008, and 73 FR 51124 on
August 29, 2008) with initial ``restrictive,'' ``moderate,'' and
``liberal'' regulatory packages adopted for each Flyway. Further
opportunity to revise these packages was afforded prior to the 2009-10
season and modifications by the Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils
were endorsed by the Service in July 2009 (74 FR 36870; July 24, 2009).
The 2012 breeding population estimate for scaup is 5.24 million, up
21 percent from the 2011 estimate of 4.32 million. Total estimated
scaup harvest for the 2011-12 season was 287,000 birds. Based on
updated model parameter estimates, the optimal regulatory choice for
scaup is the ``liberal'' package in all four Flyways.
[[Page 49872]]
xii. Other
Council Recommendations: The Central and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended that the daily and possession bag limits for
redheads during the 2012-13 duck hunting season be 3 and 6,
respectively.
Service Response: While we recognize the desire to provide
additional hunting opportunity for redheads, at this time we do not
support the Councils' recommendations to increase the daily bag limit
of redheads from 2 to 3 birds. As we indicated last year (76 FR 58682;
September 21, 2011), we believe that as we have done with other species
(such as canvasbacks, pintails, etc.), changes to redhead daily bag
limits should only be considered with guidance from an agreed-upon
harvest strategy that is supported by all four Flyway Councils and the
Service. Thus, the Flyways should work collaboratively to develop a
redhead harvest strategy, which would include: (1) Clearly defined and
agreed-upon management objectives; (2) clearly defined regulatory
alternatives; and (3) a model that can be used to predict population
responses to harvest mortality. We note that if the Flyway Councils
wish to implement a redhead harvest strategy for the 2013-14 season, a
draft strategy must be available for review and discussion by the
February 2013 SRC meeting, finalized by the Flyways Councils at their
March 2013 meetings, and forwarded as a recommendation for SRC
consideration at the early season SRC meeting (June 2013).
4. Canada Geese
B. Regular Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
several changes to Canada goose season frameworks. More specifically,
they recommended:
1. A 78-day season in Pennsylvania's Southern James Bay Population
(SJBP) Canada goose zone between the first Saturday in October and
February 15, with a daily bag limit of 3 geese, and two season
segments;
2. Increasing the season length in all Atlantic Population (AP)
Canada goose harvest zones from 45 days to 50 days;
3. An earlier framework opening date of October 10 (from October
20) in the Lake Champlain Zone and other AP harvest zones in New
England (Massachusetts and Connecticut);
4. A later framework closing date of February 5 (from January 31)
in all AP harvest areas;
5. Framework opening and closing dates for the regular Canada goose
hunting seasons in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and West Virginia
of October 1 and March 10, respectively, with up to three season
segments; and
6. Modifications to the criteria for delineation and subsequent
monitoring of Atlantic Flyway Resident Population (AFRP) Canada goose
hunting zones for the 2012-15 hunting seasons.
The Mississippi Flyway Council developed new framework regulations to
replace most of the State-specific regulations used in the past. These
new framework regulations were developed as part of the Flyway's
efforts to move toward a more holistic and uniform approach to Canada
goose harvest management across the Flyway and are consistent with the
Flyway's harvest strategies for Mississippi Valley Population (MVP),
SJBP, Eastern Prairie Population (EPP), and Giant Canada geese. The
resulting recommendations are the result of a Flyway-conducted
comprehensive review of Canada goose population status during February
2012. In general, the recommended new frameworks allow States to select
Canada goose seasons of up to 92 days, with a 2-bird daily bag limit,
or a 78-day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit between the Saturday
nearest September 24 and January 31 with some exceptions. More
specifically, Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and
Ohio propose to adopt the new Flyway-wide frameworks for Canada geese
this year. Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have proposed exceptions
to the generalized Flyway-wide framework, and these exceptions
represent minor changes from last year. Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, and
Tennessee are considered exceptions to the proposed generalized Flyway-
wide framework, but do not represent a change from last year.
The Central Flyway Council recommended increasing the Canada goose
daily bag limit from 3 to 5 geese in the east-tier States.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended several changes to dark
goose season frameworks. More specifically, they recommended:
1. Allowing the season to be split into 3 segments in Washington's
Area 4 and Oregon's Northwest Zone;
2. Extending the framework closing date to March 10 for dark geese
in Oregon's Northwest General Zone for Oregon; and
3. Increasing the daily bag limit for dark geese to 6 per day in
Oregon's South Coast Zone after the last Sunday in January.
Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's
recommendation concerning changes to the frameworks for Pennsylvania's
SJBP zone. The Council's proposed change is consistent with the SJBP
Canada Goose Management Plan and consistent with the current
Mississippi Flyway Council's proposal to modify Canada goose frameworks
(including former SJBP harvest zones). We also agree with the Council's
recommendations concerning changes to AP goose frameworks. The Council
notes that the 3-year mean (2010-12) AP breeding pair index of 190,500
is well above the threshold for ``moderate'' regulations (i.e., 150,000
pairs), which are intended not to exceed a mean harvest rate of 10
percent on adult AP geese. Since 2005, the estimated adult harvest rate
for AP geese in the Atlantic Flyway (including Canada) with 45-day
seasons in the United States. has ranged from 5 to 9 percent and
averaged 6.7 percent. Although 5 additional days of hunting provides a
modest increase in harvest opportunity under ``moderate'' regulations,
the Council predicts that the 5-day increase should result in a mean
adult harvest rate of less than 8 percent, still below the AP harvest
strategy allowance of a mean 10 percent adult harvest rate. Further,
the proposed change is consistent with the Council's newly revised AP
goose harvest strategy. Regarding the earlier framework opening dates
for AP geese in New England, AP goose harvest in these areas only
account for a very small percentage of the total AP goose harvest rate.
The Council notes that the recommended later closing date of February 5
may allow some major AP harvest States to time hunting season closing
dates, later when migrant harvest is likely to be buffered by
overabundant AFRP Canada geese that have been pushed out of Canada and
northern States by extensive ice and snow cover.
We also support the Atlantic Flyway Council's proposed framework
date changes in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and West Virginia.
Current Canada goose frameworks for these States do not provide
opportunity for goose harvest or goose control activities during the
month of October (the opening framework date in West Virginia is
currently October 1). In most southern States, agricultural operations
(including planting) still occurs in October, and providing October
hunting opportunities could help reduce resident Canada goose impacts.
The proposed framework closing date of March 10 is the same for other
regular resident Canada goose seasons in Atlantic Flyway States and
would aid in simplifying Flyway harvest regulations. Lastly, we support
modification of the AFRP delineation criteria. The Council's
[[Page 49873]]
proposed modification is based on evaluations of AFRP seasons since
2002 and as band return data continue to accumulate, adjustments to
existing AFRP zones and establishment of new zones will utilize these
data to better address any migrant harvest concerns.
We support the Mississippi Flyway Council recommendations to move
from State-specific frameworks to Flyway-wide Canada goose frameworks
in the Flyway. In the past, the Mississippi Flyway has utilized State-
specific frameworks to promulgate Canada goose hunting regulations. The
proposed Flyway-wide general framework is intended to allow the maximum
allowable number of Canada goose hunting days for any Mississippi
Flyway State utilizing standard 15-day or longer early Canada goose
seasons. In addition, several exceptions to the basic 92-day framework
are recognized and serve to accommodate special State- and population-
specific management needs. For example, States and Provinces that share
harvest of the EPP Canada goose population recently revised regular
season frameworks consistent with their management plan, and the
Council's recommendation is intended to accommodate these regulations
without imposing changes.
Management of Canada geese in the Mississippi Flyway is complicated
by the need to balance potentially conflicting objectives for arctic,
subarctic, and temperate (resident) breeding populations. Increased
abundance of temperate-breeding Canada geese has caused conflicts with
people and human activities, and regulations have been gradually
liberalized to increase harvest of such birds to reduce those
conflicts. Long-established management plans have been adopted for
arctic and subarctic populations of Canada geese in the Mississippi
Flyway to ensure that such populations remain within management goals.
We believe that any increased harvest resulting from the proposed
Flyway-wide frameworks (as well as exceptions to those frameworks) are
compatible with those population management plans and the need to
address increasing populations of temperate nesting Canada geese.
We do not support the Central Flyway Council's recommendation to
increase the dark goose daily bag limit in the east-tier States from 3
to 5 geese. As we stated last year (76 FR 58682; September 21, 2011)
and in 2010 (75 FR 58250; September 23, 2010), while we agree that the
Flyway's proposed bag limit increase would likely result in an
increased harvest of resident Canada geese, there are other Canada
goose populations that would also be subjected to additional harvest
pressure, in particular the Tall Grass Prairie (TGP) population. We
recognize the continuing problems posed by increasing numbers of
resident Canada geese and that migrant populations of Canada geese in
the Central Flyway are above objective levels. We also understand the
Flyway's desire to provide as much hunting opportunity on these geese
as possible, and we share the philosophy that hunting, not control
permits, should be the primary tool used to manage populations of game
birds. Thus, last year, we provided guidance on the progress that the
Central and Mississippi Flyways needed to accomplish for us to consider
allowing the proposed increase from 3 to 5 Canada geese during the
regular goose seasons in Central Flyway East-Tier States. Specifically,
we stated that progress needed to be made regarding revising the TGP
management plan for this shared goose resource; at a minimum agreement
between the two Flyways on management objectives must be reached. Based
on the discussions at the recent July 25-26, 2012, SRC meetings, it is
apparent that this dialogue just began, and progress on developing
agreed-upon objectives and the plan revision is limited. Therefore, at
this time, we do not support the Central Flyway's request to increase
the bag limit. For our support of this effort in the future, the two
Flyways must agree on objectives of the plan, including the desired
size of the TGP population. We further note that the TGP management
plan must be updated in the near future to deal with contemporary
Canada goose issues. As the management plan is revised, we expect that
other issues identified in the last two years will be addressed,
including how plan actions might interact with measures to reduce
conflicts with resident Canada geese and progress on monitoring migrant
Canada goose populations in east-tier States.
We support all of the Pacific Flyway goose recommendations. The
recommendations for 3-way split seasons in Washington and Oregon, and
the recommendation to extend the framework date to March 10 in Oregon's
Northwest Zone, are to simplify regulations and allow consistent
regulations throughout the areas. Additionally, the Council notes that
extending the framework dates may alleviate some depredation concerns
between areas and in agricultural areas close to the zones' boundaries.
Decreased movement of geese between the zones may occur, which could
decrease the concentration of depredation concerns in some areas in
northwest Oregon. Increased bag limits in Oregon's South Coast Zone are
targeted at Aleutian Canada geese, which are currently estimated at
134,708, more than twice their population objective.
C. Special Late Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended
changing Indiana's experimental late Canada goose season status to
operational.
Service Response: At this time, we do not agree with the Council's
recommendation to change the status of Indiana's late Canada goose
season from experimental to operational. In 2007, Indiana initiated an
experimental late Canada goose season in 30 counties to address
increasing resident Canada goose populations. An evaluation report was
submitted to the Flyway and Service in 2010. Although Statewide harvest
of migrant Canada geese was within the allowed 20 percent criteria,
take of migrant geese in the six-county Terre Haute region exceeded the
criteria for September Canada goose seasons. Consequently, 24 counties
were granted operational status while the six-county Terre Haute region
was allowed to continue in an experimental status to allow for
additional data collection. In 2010, we requested that Indiana collect
additional information on the proportion of migrant Canada geese taken
in the six-county Terre Haute region during the experimental late
Canada goose season. Indiana has recently provided a report on that
assessment, and we are reviewing those results in concert with our
review of the appropriateness of the existing criteria that govern late
Canada goose seasons. Therefore, we propose that the experimental late
season remain experimental for an additional year without any further
data collection requirements.
7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese
Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended
allowing an unlimited daily bag limit for light geese.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the Idaho Department of
Fish and Game (IDFG) continue trumpeter swan monitoring efforts once
every 3 years during the late winter light goose season around American
Falls Reservoir.
Service Response: We are investigating the legality of promulgating
a hunting season without
[[Page 49874]]
a daily bag limit. However, even if it is legal, we are not prepared to
support such a regulation at this time. We do not believe that
recreational hunting will solve the problems associated with
overabundant light geese, and do not want to provide the impression
that further liberalizations of hunting regulations will solve these
problems. Therefore, we do not support the Central Flyway Council's
request to have a light goose season with no daily bag limit. Rather,
we believe that technical and policy discussions should be held within
appropriate forums to develop potential management options, and then
make the decisions on the next steps to address issues identified in
the recent Arctic Goose Joint Venture report. We believe there are
existing bodies available to have these discussions.
Regarding the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to monitor
trumpeter swans during the late winter light goose season around
American Falls reservoir in Idaho, we support the continuation of
monitoring efforts on a reduced basis. Since the inception of the late
winter light goose hunt in 2010, Idaho has conducted annual ground
surveys to evaluate the effects of light goose hunting on trumpeter
swans. To date, no obvious negative trends in trumpeter swan use,
distribution, or abundance have been documented. Further, Idaho has
committed to continue monitoring and assessment efforts in the context
of swan use of the American Falls Reservoir/Fort Hall Bottoms and the
surrounding area. We note that this program was designed to identify
annual changes in swan distribution and swan field-feeding during the
late winter light goose hunt in order to help assess if changes in that
hunt were warranted. Thus, given no compelling concerns or issues
associated with trumpeter swans wintering in eastern Idaho, and no
negative impacts associated with the current late winter light goose
hunt, we see no reason to repeat monitoring efforts annually, but
rather propose conducting the program every 3 years (i.e., 2015, 2018,
etc.).
23. Other
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Central, and Pacific Flyway
Councils recommended that the Service increase the possession limit
from 2 times to 3 times the daily bag limit for all migratory game bird
species and seasons except those that currently have possession limits
of less than 2 times the daily bag limit, permit hunts for cranes and
swans, or for overabundant species for which no current possession
limits are assigned, beginning in the 2013-14 season.
Service Response: In the September 23, 2010, Federal Register (75
FR 58250), we stated that we were generally supportive of the Flyways'
interest in increasing the possession limits for migratory game birds
and appreciated the discussions to frame this important issue. At that
time, we also stated that we believed there were many unanswered
questions regarding how this interest can be fully articulated in a
proposal that satisfies the harvest management community, while
fostering the support of the law enforcement community and informing
the general hunting public. Thus, we proposed the creation of a cross-
agency Working Group, chaired by the Service, and comprised of staff
from the Service's Migratory Bird Program, State Wildlife Agency
representatives, and Federal and State law enforcement staff, to begin
to frame a recommendation that fully articulates a potential change in
possession limits. This effort would include a description of the
current status and use of possession limits, which populations and/or
species/species groups should not be included in any proposed
modification of possession limits, potential law enforcement issues,
and a reasonable timeline for the implementation of any such proposed
changes. The recommendations from the three Councils are one such out-
growth of the efforts started in 2010 and we look forward to additional
input from the Mississippi Flyway Council. We plan to fully discuss
these recommendations with the Working Group and present preliminary
recommendations at the February 2013 SRC meeting for further
discussion. We would present any resulting proposal next spring, with
proposed implementation during the 2013-14 hunting seasons.
Public Comments
The Department of the Interior's policy is, whenever possible, to
afford the public an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking
process. Accordingly, we invite interested persons to submit written
comments, suggestions, or recommendations regarding the proposed
regulations. Before promulgating final migratory game bird hunting
regulations, we will consider all comments we receive. These comments,
and any additional information we receive, may lead to final
regulations that differ from these proposals.
You may submit your comments and materials concerning this proposed
rule by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. We will not
accept comments sent by email or fax. We will not consider hand-
delivered comments that we do not receive, or mailed comments that are
not postmarked, by the date specified in the DATES section. We will
post all comments in their entirety--including your personal
identifying information--on http://www.regulations.gov. Before
including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal
identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your
entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be
made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your
comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public
review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting
documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule, will be
available for public inspection on http://www.regulations.gov, or by
appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, Room 4107,
4501 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203. For each series of
proposed rulemakings, we will establish specific comment periods. We
will consider, but possibly may not respond in detail to, each comment.
As in the past, we will summarize all comments we receive during the
comment period and respond to them after the closing date in the
preambles of any final rules.
Required Determinations
Based on our most current data, we are affirming our required
determinations made in the April 17 proposed rule; for descriptions of
our actions to ensure compliance with the following statutes and
Executive Orders, see our April 17, 2012, proposed rule (77 FR 23094):
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Consideration;
Endangered Species Act Consideration;
Regulatory Flexibility Act;
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act;
Paperwork Reduction Act;
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act;
Executive Orders 12630, 12866, 12988, 13132, 13175, and
13211.
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 2012-13
hunting
[[Page 49875]]
season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 a-j.
Dated: August 9, 2012.
Michael J. Bean,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 2012-13 Late Hunting Seasons on
Certain Migratory Game Birds
Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated
authorities, the Department of the Interior approved the following
proposals for season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession
limits, and outside dates within which States may select seasons for
hunting waterfowl and coots between the dates of September 1, 2012, and
March 10, 2013. These frameworks are summarized below.
General
Dates: All outside dates noted below are inclusive.
Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise
specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.
Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits
are twice the daily bag limit.
Permits: For some species of migratory birds, the Service
authorizes the use of permits to regulate harvest or monitor their take
by sport hunters, or both. In many cases (e.g., tundra swans, some
sandhill crane populations), the Service determines the amount of
harvest that may be taken during hunting seasons during its formal
regulations-setting process, and the States then issue permits to
hunters at levels predicted to result in the amount of take authorized
by the Service. Thus, although issued by States, the permits would not
be valid unless the Service approved such take in its regulations.
These Federally authorized, State-issued permits are issued to
individuals, and only the individual whose name and address appears on
the permit at the time of issuance is authorized to take migratory
birds at levels specified in the permit, in accordance with provisions
of both Federal and State regulations governing the hunting season. The
permit must be carried by the permittee when exercising its provisions
and must be presented to any law enforcement officer upon request. The
permit is not transferrable or assignable to another individual, and
may not be sold, bartered, traded, or otherwise provided to another
person. If the permit is altered or defaced in any way, the permit
becomes invalid.
Flyways and Management Units
Waterfowl Flyways
Atlantic Flyway--includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway--includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri,
Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Central Flyway--includes Colorado (east of the Continental Divide),
Kansas, Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith Basin,
Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties east thereof),
Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except the
Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the Continental Divide).
Pacific Flyway--includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho,
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado,
Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.
Management Units
High Plains Mallard Management Unit--roughly defined as that
portion of the Central Flyway that lies west of the 100th meridian.
Definitions
For the purpose of hunting regulations listed below, the collective
terms ``dark'' and ``light'' geese include the following species:
Dark geese: Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant (except in
California, Oregon, Washington, and the Atlantic Flyway), and all other
goose species except light geese.
Light geese: Snow (including blue) geese and Ross's geese.
Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Geographic descriptions related
to late-season regulations are contained in a later portion of this
document.
Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks for open seasons, season
lengths, bag and possession limits, and other special provisions are
listed below by Flyway.
Waterfowl Seasons in the Atlantic Flyway
In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and
Virginia, where Sunday hunting is prohibited Statewide by State law,
all Sundays are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including
mergansers and coots).
Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days
Outside Dates: States may select 2 days per duck-hunting zone,
designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,'' in addition to their
regular duck seasons. The days must be held outside any regular duck
season on a weekend, holidays, or other non-school days when youth
hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate. The days may
be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-season
frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or within any
other open season on migratory birds.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits may include ducks, geese,
tundra swans, mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and would be
the same as those allowed in the regular season. Flyway species and
area restrictions would remain in effect.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Participation Restrictions: Youth hunters must be 15 years of age
or younger. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age must
accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult may not duck hunt
but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special youth
day. Tundra swans may only be taken by participants possessing
applicable tundra swan permits.
Atlantic Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
22) and the last Sunday in January (January 27).
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days. The daily bag limit is 6
ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 1 black duck, 2
pintails, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 3 wood ducks, 2
redheads, 4 scaup, 1 canvasback, and 4 scoters.
Closures: The season on harlequin ducks is closed.
Sea Ducks: Within the special sea duck areas, during the regular
duck season in the Atlantic Flyway, States may choose to allow the
above sea duck limits in addition to the limits applying to other ducks
during the regular duck season. In all other areas, sea ducks may be
taken only during the regular open season for ducks and are part of the
regular duck season daily bag (not to exceed 4 scoters) and possession
limits.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5, only 2 of
which may be hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in
the duck bag
[[Page 49876]]
limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, only two of
which may be hooded mergansers.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and
shooting hours should be the same as those selected for the Lake
Champlain Zone of Vermont.
Connecticut River Zone, Vermont: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and
shooting hours should be the same as those selected for the Inland Zone
of New Hampshire.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland,
North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, and West
Virginia may split their seasons into three segments; Connecticut,
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, and Vermont may select hunting seasons by zones and may
split their seasons into two segments in each zone.
Canada Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Specific regulations for
Canada geese are shown below by State. These seasons also include
white-fronted geese. Unless specified otherwise, seasons may be split
into two segments. In areas within States where the framework closing
date for Atlantic Population (AP) goose seasons overlaps with special
late-season frameworks for resident geese, the framework closing date
for AP goose seasons is January 14.
Connecticut:
North Atlantic Population (NAP) Zone: Between October 1 and January
31, a 60-day season may be held with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Atlantic Population (AP) Zone: A 50-day season may be held between
October 10 and February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
South Zone: A special season may be held between January 15 and
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
Resident Population (RP) Zone: An 80-day season may be held between
October 1 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season
may be split into 3 segments.
Delaware: A 50-day season may be held between November 15 and
February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Florida: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments.
Georgia: In specific areas, an 80-day season may be held between
October 1 and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may
be split into 3 segments.
Maine: A 60-day season may be held Statewide between October 1 and
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Maryland:
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between November 15 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between November 15 and
February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Massachusetts:
NAP Zone: A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and January
31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, a special season may
be held from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between October 10 and
February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
New Hampshire: A 60-day season may be held Statewide between
October 1 and January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
New Jersey
Statewide: A 50-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday
in October (October 27) and February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Special Late Goose Season Area: A special season may be held in
designated areas of North and South New Jersey from January 15 to
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
New York
NAP Zone: Between October 1 and January 31, a 60-day season may be
held, with a 2-bird daily bag limit in the High Harvest areas; and
between October 1 and February 15, a 70-day season may be held, with a
3-bird daily bag limit in the Low Harvest areas.
Special Late Goose Season Area: A special season may be held
between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit in
designated areas of Suffolk County.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 27), except in the Lake Champlain Area where the
opening date is October 10, and February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag
limit.
Western Long Island RP Zone: A 107-day season may be held between
the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 22) and March 10, with an
8-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments.
Rest of State RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the
fourth Saturday in October (October 22) and March 10, with a 5-bird
daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments.
North Carolina
SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and
December 31, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments.
Northeast Hunt Unit: A 7-day season may be held between the
Saturday prior to December 25 (December 22) and January 31, with a 1-
bird daily bag limit.
Pennsylvania
SJBP Zone: A 78-day season may be held between the first Saturday
in October (October 6) and February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday
in October (October 27) and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
The season may be split into 3 segments.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in
October (October 27) and February 5, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Rhode Island: A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. A special late season may be
held in designated areas from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird
daily bag limit.
South Carolina: In designated areas, an 80-day season may be held
between October 1 and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The
season may be split into 3 segments.
Vermont
Lake Champlain Zone and Interior Zone: A 50-day season may be held
between October 10 and February 5 with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
Connecticut River Zone: A 60-day season may be held between October
1 and January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
Virginia
SJBP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between November 15 and
January 14, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, a special late
season may be held between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird
daily bag limit.
AP Zone: A 50-day season may be held between November 15 and
February 5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between November 15 and March
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3
segments.
West Virginia: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and
March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The
[[Page 49877]]
season may be split into 3 segments in each zone.
Light Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 107-
day season between October 1 and March 10, with a 25-bird daily bag
limit and no possession limit. States may split their seasons into
three segments.
Brant
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 50-
day season between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 22) and
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. States may split their
seasons into two segments.
Mississippi Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
22) and the last Sunday in January (January 27).
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: The season may not exceed 60 days,
with a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards
(no more than 2 of which may be females), 1 mottled duck, 1 black duck,
2 pintails, 3 wood ducks, 1 canvasback, 4 scaup, and 2 redheads.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, only 2 of which may be
hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in the duck bag
limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, only 2 of
which may be hooded mergansers.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee,
and Wisconsin may select hunting seasons by zones.
In Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be
split into two segments in each zone.
In Arkansas and Mississippi, the season may be split into three
segments.
Geese
Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments.
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select
seasons for light geese not to exceed 107 days, with 20 geese daily
between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 22) and March 10;
for white-fronted geese not to exceed 74 days with 2 geese daily or 88
days with 1 goose daily between the Saturday nearest September 24
(September 22) and the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 17); and
for brant not to exceed 70 days, with 2 brant daily or 107 days with 1
brant daily between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 22)
and January 31. There is no possession limit for light geese. States
may select seasons for Canada geese not to exceed 92 days with 2 geese
daily or 78 days with 3 geese daily between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 22) and January 31 with the following
exceptions listed by State:
Arkansas: The season may extend to February 15.
Indiana
Late Canada Goose Season Areas:
(a) A special Canada goose season of up to 15 days may be held
during February 1-15 in the Late Canada Goose Season Zone. During this
special season, the daily bag limit cannot exceed 5 Canada geese.
(b) An experimental special Canada goose season of up to 15 days
may be held during February 1-15 in the Experimental Late Canada Goose
Zone. During this special season, the daily bag limit cannot exceed 5
Canada geese.
Iowa: The season for Canada geese may extend for 107 days. The
daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.
Michigan
The framework opening date for all geese is September 16.
Southern Michigan Late Canada Goose Season Zone: A 30-day special
Canada goose season may be held between December 31 and February 15.
The daily bag limit is 5 Canada geese.
Minnesota: The season for Canada geese may extend for 107 days. The
daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.
Missouri: The season for Canada geese may extend for 85 days. The
daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.
Tennessee: Northwest Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend
to February 15.
Wisconsin
(a) Horicon Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is
September 16. The season may not exceed 92 days. All Canada geese
harvested must be tagged. The season limit will be 6 Canada geese per
permittee.
(b) Exterior Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is
September 16. The season may not exceed 92 days. The daily bag limit is
2 Canada geese.
Additional Limits: In addition to the harvest limits stated for the
respective zones above, an additional 4,500 Canada geese may be taken
in the Horicon Zone under special agricultural permits.
Central Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
22) and the last Sunday in January (January 27).
Hunting Seasons:
(1) High Plains Mallard Management Unit (roughly defined as that
portion of the Central Flyway which lies west of the 100th meridian):
97 days. The last 23 days must run consecutively and may start no
earlier than the Saturday nearest December 10 (December 8).
(2) Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74 days.
Bag Limits: The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, with species and sex
restrictions as follows: 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be
females), 2 redheads, 3 wood ducks, 2 pintails, and 1 canvasback. In
Texas, the daily bag limit on mottled ducks is 1, except that no
mottled ducks may be taken during the first 5 days of the season.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5 mergansers, only 2 of
which may be hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in
the duck daily bag limit, the daily limit may be the same as the duck
bag limit, only two of which may be hooded mergansers.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
Zoning and Split Seasons: Colorado, Kansas (Low Plains portion),
Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains portion), South
Dakota (Low Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains portion), and Wyoming
may select hunting seasons by zones.
In Colorado, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma,
South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the regular season may be split into
two segments.
Geese
Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments.
Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Central Flyway Council
and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year evaluation by
each participating State.
Outside Dates: For dark geese, seasons may be selected between the
outside dates of the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 22) and
the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 17). For light geese, outside
dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 22) and March 10. In the Rainwater Basin Light
Goose Area (East and West) of Nebraska, temporal and spatial
restrictions that are consistent with the late-winter snow goose
hunting strategy
[[Page 49878]]
cooperatively developed by the Central Flyway Council and the Service
are required.
Season Lengths and Limits:
Light Geese: States may select a light goose season not to exceed
107 days. The daily bag limit for light geese is 20 with no possession
limit.
Dark Geese: In Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, States may select a season
for Canada geese (or any other dark goose species except white-fronted
geese) not to exceed 107 days with a daily bag limit of 3.
Additionally, in the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, an alternative season
of 107 days with a daily bag limit of 1 Canada goose may be selected.
For white-fronted geese, these States may select either a season of 74
days with a bag limit of 2 or an 88-day season with a bag limit of 1.
In Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming, States may select
seasons not to exceed 107 days. The daily bag limit for dark geese is 5
in the aggregate.
In the Western Goose Zone of Texas, the season may not exceed 95
days. The daily bag limit for Canada geese (or any other dark goose
species except white-fronted geese) is 5. The daily bag limit for
white-fronted geese is 1.
Pacific Flyway
Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, Common Moorhens, and Purple Gallinules
Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: Concurrent 107 days. The daily bag
limit is 7 ducks and mergansers, including no more than 2 female
mallards, 2 pintails, 1 canvasback, and 2 redheads.
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, Common Moorhen, and Purple Gallinule Limits: The daily bag
and possession limits of coots, common moorhens, and purple gallinules
are 25, singly or in the aggregate.
Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
22) and the last Sunday in January (January 27).
Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming may select hunting seasons by
zones. Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington,
and Wyoming may split their seasons into two segments.
Colorado, Montana, and New Mexico may split their seasons into
three segments.
Colorado River Zone, California: Seasons and limits should be the
same as seasons and limits selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona
(South Zone).
Geese
Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits:
California, Oregon, and Washington:
Dark geese: Except as subsequently noted, 100-day seasons may be
selected, with outside dates between the Saturday nearest October 1
(September 29), and the last Sunday in January (January 27). The basic
daily bag limit is 4 dark geese, except the dark goose bag limit does
not include brant.
Light geese: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day seasons may be
selected, with outside dates between the Saturday nearest October 1
(September 29) and March 10. The daily bag limit is 6 light geese.
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and
Wyoming:
Dark geese: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day seasons may be
selected, with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24
(September 22) and the last Sunday in January (January 27). The basic
daily bag limit is 4 dark geese.
Light geese: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day seasons may be
selected, with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24
(September 22), and March 10. The basic daily bag limit is 10 light
geese.
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
Oregon may select a 16-day season, Washington a 16-day season, and
California a 30-day season. Days must be consecutive. Washington and
California may select hunting seasons by up to two zones. The daily bag
limit is 2 brant and is in addition to dark goose limits. In Oregon and
California, the brant season must end no later than December 15.
Arizona: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.
California
Northeastern Zone: The daily bag limit is 6 dark geese.
Balance-of-State Zone: A 107-day season may be selected with
outside dates between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 29) and
March 10. Limits may not include more than 6 dark geese per day. In the
Sacramento Valley Special Management Area, the season on white-fronted
geese must end on or before December 28, and the daily bag limit should
contain no more than 2 white-fronted geese. In the North Coast Special
Management Area, a 107-day season may be selected, with outside dates
between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 29) and March 10.
Hunting days that occur after the last Sunday in January should be
concurrent with Oregon's South Coast Zone.
Idaho
Zone 3: Hunting days that occur after the last Sunday in January
should be concurrent with Oregon's Malheur County Zone. Idaho will
continue to monitor the snow goose hunt that occurs after the last
Sunday in January in the American Falls Reservoir/Fort Hall Bottoms and
surrounding areas at 3-year intervals.
Nevada: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.
New Mexico: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.
Oregon
Harney and Lake County Zone: For Lake County only, the daily dark
goose bag limit may not include more than 1 white-fronted goose.
Klamath County Zone: A 107-day season may be selected, with outside
dates between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 29), and March
10. A 3-way split season may be selected. For hunting days after the
last Sunday in January, the daily bag limit may not include Canada
geese.
Malheur County Zone: The daily bag limit of light geese is 10.
Hunting days that occur after the last Sunday in January should be
concurrent with Idaho's Zone 2.
Northwest Zone: Outside dates are between the Saturday nearest
October 1 (September 29) and March 10. A 3-way split season may be
selected. The daily bag limit may not include more than 3 cackling or
Aleutian geese.
Northwest Special Permit Zone: Outside dates are between the
Saturday nearest October 1 (September 29) and March 10. The daily bag
limit may not include more than 3 cackling or Aleutian geese and daily
bag limit of light geese is 4.
South Coast Zone: A 107-day season may be selected, with outside
dates between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 29) and March
10. Hunting days that occur after the last Sunday in January should be
concurrent with California's North Coast Special Management Area. A 3-
way split season
[[Page 49879]]
may be selected. The daily bag limit of dark geese can increase to 6
geese after the last Sunday in January (January 27).
Utah: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.
Washington: The daily bag limit is 4 geese.
Area 1: Outside dates are between the Saturday nearest October 1
(September 29), and the last Sunday in January (January 27).
Areas 2A and 2B (Southwest Quota Zone): Except for designated
areas, there will be no open season on Canada geese. See section on
quota zones. In this area, the daily bag limit may include 3 cackling
geese. In Southwest Quota Zone Area 2B (Pacific County), the daily bag
limit may include 1 Aleutian goose.
Areas 4 and 5: A 107-day season may be selected for dark geese. A
3-way split season may be selected in Area 4.
Wyoming: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.
Quota Zones
Seasons on geese must end upon attainment of individual quotas of
dusky geese allotted to the designated areas of Oregon (90) and
Washington (45). The September Canada goose season, the regular goose
season, any special late dark goose season, and any extended falconry
season, combined, must not exceed 107 days, and the established quota
of dusky geese must not be exceeded. Hunting of geese in those
designated areas will be only 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
with those regulations aimed at reducing the take of dusky geese. If
the monitoring program cannot be conducted, for any reason, the season
must immediately close. In the designated areas of the Washington
Southwest Quota Zone, a special late goose season may be held between
the Saturday following the close of the general goose season and March
10. In the Northwest Special Permit Zone of Oregon, the framework
closing date is March 10. Regular goose seasons may be split into 3
segments within the Oregon and Washington quota zones.
Swans
In portions of the Pacific Flyway (Montana, Nevada, and Utah), an
open season for taking a limited number of swans may be selected.
Permits will be issued by the State and will authorize each permittee
to take no more than 1 swan per season with each permit. Nevada may
issue up to 2 permits per hunter. Montana and Utah may only issue 1
permit per hunter. Each State's season may open no earlier than the
Saturday nearest October 1 (September 29). These seasons are also
subject to the following conditions:
Montana: No more than 500 permits may be issued. The season must
end no later than December 1. The State must implement a harvest-
monitoring program to measure the species composition of the swan
harvest and should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter
compliance in reporting bill measurement and color information.
Utah: No more than 2,000 permits may be issued. During the swan
season, no more than 10 trumpeter swans may be taken. The season must
end no later than the second Sunday in December (December 9) or upon
attainment of 10 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs
earliest. The Utah season remains subject to the terms of the
Memorandum of Agreement entered into with the Service in August 2001,
regarding harvest monitoring, season closure procedures, and education
requirements to minimize the take of trumpeter swans during the swan
season.
Nevada: No more than 650 permits may be issued. During the swan
season, no more than 5 trumpeter swans may be taken. The season must
end no later than the Sunday following January 1 (January 6) or upon
attainment of 5 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs
earliest.
In addition, the States of Utah and Nevada must implement a
harvest-monitoring program to measure the species composition of the
swan harvest. The harvest-monitoring program must require that all
harvested swans or their species-determinant parts be examined by
either State or Federal biologists for the purpose of species
classification. The States should use appropriate measures to maximize
hunter compliance in providing bagged swans for examination. Further,
the States of Montana, Nevada, and Utah must achieve at least an 80-
percent compliance rate, or subsequent permits will be reduced by 10
percent. All three States must provide to the Service by June 30, 2013,
a report detailing harvest, hunter participation, reporting compliance,
and monitoring of swan populations in the designated hunt areas.
Tundra Swans
In portions of the Atlantic Flyway (North Carolina and Virginia)
and the Central Flyway (North Dakota, South Dakota [east of the
Missouri River], and that portion of Montana in the Central Flyway), an
open season for taking a limited number of tundra swans may be
selected. Permits will be issued by the States that authorize the take
of no more than 1 tundra swan per permit. A second permit may be issued
to hunters from unused permits remaining after the first drawing. The
States must obtain harvest and hunter participation data. These seasons
are also subject to the following conditions:
In the Atlantic Flyway:
--The season may be 90 days, between October 1 and January 31.
--In North Carolina, no more than 5,000 permits may be issued.
--In Virginia, no more than 600 permits may be issued.
In the Central Flyway:
--The season may be 107 days, between the Saturday nearest October 1
(September 29) and January 31.
--In the Central Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 500 permits
may be issued.
--In North Dakota, no more than 2,200 permits may be issued.
--In South Dakota, no more than 1,300 permits may be issued.
Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions
Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-95.
South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Maine
North Zone: That portion north of the line extending east along
Maine State Highway 110 from the New Hampshire-Maine State line to the
intersection of Maine State Highway 11 in Newfield; then north and east
along Route 11 to the intersection of U.S. Route 202 in Auburn; then
north and east on Route 202 to the intersection of 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.
Coastal Zone: That portion south of a line extending east from the
Maine-New Brunswick border in Calais at the Route 1 Bridge; then south
along Route 1 to the Maine-New Hampshire border in Kittery.
South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Massachusetts
Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending
south from the Vermont State line on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA
10, south
[[Page 49880]]
on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut State line.
Central Zone: That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire State line on
I-95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south
on MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195,
west to the Rhode Island State line; except the waters, and the lands
150 yards inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River
upstream to the MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the
Center St.-Elm St. bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone.
Coastal Zone: That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the
Central Zone.
New Hampshire
Northern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of the
Inland Zone beginning at the Jct. of Rte. 10 and Rte. 25A in Orford,
east on Rte. 25A to Rte. 25 in Wentworth, southeast on Rte. 25 to Exit
26 of Rte. I-93 in Plymouth, south on Rte. I-93 to Rte. 3 at Exit 24 of
Rte. I-93 in Ashland, northeast on Rte. 3 to Rte. 113 in Holderness,
north on Rte. 113 to Rte. 113-A in Sandwich, north on Rte. 113-A to
Rte. 113 in Tamworth, east on Rte. 113 to Rte. 16 in Chocorua, north on
Rte. 16 to Rte. 302 in Conway, east on Rte. 302 to the Maine-New
Hampshire border.
Inland Zone: That portion of the State south and west of the
Northern Zone, west of the Coastal Zone, and includes the area of
Vermont and New Hampshire as described for hunting reciprocity. A
person holding a New Hampshire hunting license which allows the taking
of migratory waterfowl or a person holding a Vermont resident hunting
license which allows the taking of migratory waterfowl may take
migratory waterfowl and coots from the following designated area of the
Inland Zone: the State of Vermont east of Rte. I-91 at the
Massachusetts border, north on Rte. I-91 to Rte. 2, north on Rte. 2 to
Rte. 102, north on Rte. 102 to Rte. 253, and north on Rte. 253 to the
border with Canada and the area of NH west of Rte. 63 at the MA border,
north on Rte. 63 to Rte. 12, north on Rte. 12 to Rte. 12-A, north on
Rte. 12A to Rte 10, north on Rte. 10 to Rte. 135, north on Rte. 135 to
Rte. 3, north on Rte. 3 to the intersection with the Connecticut River.
Coastal Zone: That portion of the State east of a line beginning at
the Maine-New Hampshire border in Rollinsford, then extending to Rte. 4
west to the city of Dover, south to the intersection of Rte. 108, south
along Rte. 108 through Madbury, Durham, and Newmarket to the junction
of Rte. 85 in Newfields, south to Rte. 101 in Exeter, east to
Interstate 95 (New Hampshire Turnpike) in Hampton, and south to the
Massachusetts border.
New Jersey
Coastal Zone: That portion of the State seaward of a line beginning
at the New York State line in Raritan Bay and extending west along the
New York State line to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west on NJ 440 to the
Garden State Parkway; south on the Garden State Parkway to the
shoreline at Cape May and continuing to the Delaware State line in
Delaware Bay.
North Zone: That portion of the State west of the Coastal Zone and
north of a line extending west from the Garden State Parkway on NJ 70
to the New Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike to U.S. 206, north on
U.S. 206 to U.S. 1 at Trenton, west on U.S. 1 to the Pennsylvania State
line in the Delaware River.
South Zone: That portion of the State not within the North Zone or
the Coastal Zone.
New York
Lake Champlain Zone: That area east and north of a continuous line
extending along U.S. 11 from the New York-Canada International boundary
south to NY 9B, south along NY 9B to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY
22 south of Keesville; south along NY 22 to the west shore of South
Bay, along and around the shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east
shore of South Bay; southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along
U.S. 4 to the Vermont State line.
Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their
tidal waters.
Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along
I-81 to the Pennsylvania State line.
Northeastern Zone: That area north of a continuous line extending
from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-
81, south along I-81 to NY 31, east along NY 31 to NY 13, north along
NY 13 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to NY 28,
east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to NY 22, north along NY 22
to Washington County Route 153, east along CR 153 to the New York-
Vermont boundary, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.
Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.
Pennsylvania
Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters of Pennsylvania and a
shoreline margin along Lake Erie from New York on the east to Ohio on
the west extending 150 yards inland, but including all of Presque Isle
Peninsula.
Northwest Zone: The area bounded on the north by the Lake Erie Zone
and including all of Erie and Crawford Counties and those portions of
Mercer and Venango Counties north of I-80.
North Zone: That portion of the State east of the Northwest Zone
and north of a line extending east on I-80 to U.S. 220, Route 220 to I-
180, I-180 to I-80, and I-80 to the Delaware River.
South Zone: The remaining portion of Pennsylvania.
Vermont
Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area north and west of the line extending from the New York border
along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes;
U.S. 7 to VT 78 at Swanton; VT 78 to VT 36; VT 36 to Maquam Bay on Lake
Champlain; along and around the shoreline of Maquam Bay and Hog Island
to VT 78 at the West Swanton Bridge; VT 78 to VT 2 in Alburg; VT 2 to
the Richelieu River in Alburg; along the east shore of the Richelieu
River to the Canadian border.
Interior Zone: That portion of Vermont east of the Lake Champlain
Zone and west of a line extending from the Massachusetts border at
Interstate 91; north along Interstate 91 to US 2; east along US 2 to VT
102; north along VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 253 to the Canadian
border.
Connecticut River Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont east of
the Interior Zone.
Mississippi Flyway
Alabama
South Zone: Mobile and Baldwin Counties.
North Zone: The remainder of Alabama.
Illinois
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
west from the Indiana border along Peotone-Beecher Road to Illinois
Route 50, south along Illinois Route 50 to Wilmington-Peotone Road,
west along Wilmington-Peotone Road to Illinois Route 53, north along
Illinois Route 53 to New River Road, northwest along New River Road to
Interstate Highway 55, south along I-55 to Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road,
west along Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road to Illinois Route 47, north along
Illinois Route 47
[[Page 49881]]
to I-80, west along I-80 to I-39, south along I-39 to Illinois Route
18, west along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois Route 29, south along
Illinois Route 29 to Illinois Route 17, west along Illinois Route 17 to
the Mississippi River, and due south across the Mississippi River to
the Iowa border.
Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Duck
Zone line to a line extending west from the Indiana border along I-70
to Illinois Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route
161, west along Illinois Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south and
west along Illinois Route 158 to Illinois Route 159, south along
Illinois Route 159 to Illinois Route 3, south along Illinois Route 3 to
St. Leo's Road, south along St. Leo's Road to Modoc Road, west along
Modoc Road to Modoc Ferry Road, southwest along Modoc Ferry Road to
Levee Road, southeast along Levee Road to County Route 12 (Modoc Ferry
entrance Road), south along County Route 12 to the Modoc Ferry route
and southwest on the Modoc Ferry route across the Mississippi River to
the Missouri border.
South Zone: That portion of the State south and east of a line
extending west from the Indiana border along Interstate 70, south along
U.S. Highway 45, to Illinois Route 13, west along Illinois Route 13 to
Greenbriar Road, north on Greenbriar Road to Sycamore Road, west on
Sycamore Road to N. Reed Station Road, south on N. Reed Station Road to
Illinois Route 13, west along Illinois Route 13 to Illinois Route 127,
south along Illinois Route 127 to State Forest Road (1025 N), west
along State Forest Road to Illinois Route 3, north along Illinois Route
3 to the south bank of the Big Muddy River, west along the south bank
of the Big Muddy River to the Mississippi River, west across the
Mississippi River to the Missouri border.
South Central Zone: The remainder of the State between the south
border of the Central Zone and the North border of the South Zone.
Indiana
North Zone--That part of Indiana north of a line extending east
from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. 31; north along
U.S. 31 to U.S. 24; east along U.S. 24 to Huntington; southeast along
U.S. 224; south along State Road 5; and east along State Road 124 to
the Ohio border.
Central Zone--That part of Indiana south of the North Zone boundary
and north of the South Zone boundary.
South Zone--That part of Indiana south of a line extending east
from the Illinois border along U.S. 40; south along U.S. 41; east along
State Road 58; south along State Road 37 to Bedford; and east along
U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.
Iowa
North Zone--That portion of Iowa north of a line beginning on the
South Dakota-Iowa border at Interstate 29, southeast along Interstate
29 to State Highway 175, east along State Highway 175 to State Highway
37, southeast along State Highway 37 to State Highway 183, northeast
along State Highway 183 to State Highway 141, east along State Highway
141 to U.S. Highway 30, and along U.S. Highway 30 to the Illinois
border.
Missouri River Zone--That portion of Iowa west of a line beginning
on the South Dakota-Iowa border at Interstate 29, southeast along
Interstate 29 to State Highway 175, and west along State Highway 175 to
the Iowa-Nebraska border.
South Zone--The remainder of Iowa.
Kentucky
West Zone: All counties west of and including Butler, Daviess,
Ohio, Simpson, and Warren Counties.
East Zone: The remainder of Kentucky.
Louisiana
West: That portion of the State west and north of a line beginning
at the Arkansas-Louisiana border on LA 3; south on LA 3 to Bossier
City; then east along I-20 to Minden; then south along LA 7 to
Ringgold; then east along LA 4 to Jonesboro; then south along US Hwy
167 to its junction with LA 106; west on LA 106 to Oakdale; then south
on US Hwy 165 to junction with US Hwy 190 at Kinder; then west on US
Hwy 190/LA 12 to the Texas state border.
East: That portion of the State east and north of a line beginning
at the Arkansas-Louisiana border on LA 3; south on LA 3 to Bossier
City; then east along I-20 to Minden; then south along LA 7 to
Ringgold; then east along LA 4 to Jonesboro; then south along US Hwy
167 to Lafayette; then southeast along US Hwy 90 to the Mississippi
State line.
Coastal: Remainder of the State.
Michigan
North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line
beginning at the Wisconsin State line in Lake Michigan due west of the
mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly
and southerly along the south shore of Stony Creek to Scenic Drive,
easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly
along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along
Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of
Midland, easterly along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, easterly along U.S. 10
to Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, northerly along I-75/U.S. 23
to the U.S. 23 exit at Standish, easterly along U.S. 23 to the
centerline of the Au Gres River, then southerly along the centerline of
the Au Gres River to Saginaw Bay, then on a line directly east 10 miles
into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a line directly northeast to
the Canadian border.
South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.
Minnesota
North Duck Zone: That portion of the State north of a line
extending east from the North Dakota State line along State Highway 210
to State Highway 23 and east to State Highway 39 and east to the
Wisconsin State line at the Oliver Bridge.
South Duck Zone: The portion of the State south of a line extending
east from the South Dakota State line along U.S. Highway 212 to
Interstate 494 and east to Interstate 94 and east to the Wisconsin
State line.
Central Duck Zone: The remainder of the State.
Missouri
North Zone: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west
from the Illinois border at Lock and Dam 25; west on Lincoln County
Hwy. N to Mo. Hwy. 79; south on Mo. Hwy. 79 to Mo. Hwy. 47; west on Mo.
Hwy. 47 to I-70; west on I-70 to the Kansas border.
Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri not included in other zones.
South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west
from the Illinois border on Mo. Hwy. 74 to Mo. Hwy. 25; south on Mo.
Hwy 25. to U.S. Hwy. 62; west on U.S. Hwy. 62 to Mo. Hwy. 53; north on
Mo. Hwy. 53 to Mo. Hwy. 51; north on Mo. Hwy. 51 to U.S. Hwy. 60; west
on U.S. Hwy. 60 to Mo. Hwy. 21; north on Mo. Hwy. 21 to Mo. Hwy. 72;
west on Mo. Hwy. 72 to Mo. Hwy. 32; west on Mo. Hwy. 32 to U.S. Hwy.
65; north on U.S. Hwy. 65 to U.S. Hwy. 54; west on U.S. Hwy. 54 to U.S.
Hwy. 71; south on U.S. Hwy. 71 to Jasper County Hwy. M; west on Jasper
County Hwy. M to the Kansas border.
Ohio
Lake Erie Marsh Zone: Includes all land and water within the
boundaries of the area bordered by Interstate 75 from the Ohio-Michigan
line to Interstate 280 to Interstate 80 to the Erie-Lorain
[[Page 49882]]
County line extending to a line measuring two hundred (200) yards from
the shoreline into the waters of Lake Erie and including the waters of
Sandusky Bay and Maumee Bay.
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line beginning at
the Ohio-Indiana border and extending east along Interstate 70 to the
Ohio-West Virginia border.
South Zone: The remainder of Ohio.
Tennessee
Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake and Obion Counties.
State Zone: The remainder of Tennessee.
Wisconsin
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Minnesota State line along U.S. Highway 10 into Portage
County to County Highway HH, east on County Highway HH to State Highway
66 and then east on State Highway 66 to U.S. Highway 10, continuing
east on U.S. Highway 10 to U.S. Highway 41, then north on U.S. Highway
41 to the Michigan State line.
Mississippi River Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning
at the intersection of the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway and
the Illinois State line in Grant County and extending northerly along
the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway to the city limit of
Prescott in Pierce County, then west along the Prescott city limit to
the Minnesota State line.
South Zone: The remainder of Wisconsin.
Central Flyway
Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)
Northeast Zone: All areas east of Interstate 25 and north of
Interstate 70.
Southeast Zone: All areas east of Interstate 25 and south of
Interstate 70, and all of El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano, and Las Animas
counties.
Mountain/Foothills Zone: All areas west of Interstate 25 and east
of the Continental Divide, except El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano, and Las
Animas counties.
Kansas
High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.
Early Zone: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the
Nebraska-Kansas State line south on K-128 to its junction with US-36,
then east on US-36 to its junction with K-199, then south on K-199 to
its junction with Republic County 30 Rd, then south on Republic County
30 Rd to its junction with K-148, then east on K-148 to its junction
with Republic County 50 Rd, then south on Republic County 50 Rd to its
junction with Cloud County 40th Rd, then south on Cloud County 40th Rd
to its junction with K-9, then west on K-9 to its junction with US-24,
then west on US-24 to its junction with US-281, then north on US-281 to
its junction with US-36, then west on US-36 to its junction with US-
183, then south on US-183 to its junction with US-24, then west on US-
24 to its junction with K-18, then southeast on K-18 to its junction
with US-183, then south on US-183 to its junction with K-4, then east
on K-4 to its junction with I-135, then south on I-135 to its junction
with K-61, then southwest on K-61 to McPherson County 14th Avenue, then
south on McPherson County 14th Avenue to its junction with Arapaho Rd,
then west on Arapaho Rd to its junction with K-61, then southwest on K-
61 to its junction with K-96, then northwest on K-96 to its junction
with US-56, then southwest on US-56 to its junction with K-19, then
east on K-19 to its junction with US-281, then south on US-281 to its
junction with US-54, then west on US-54 to its junction with US-183,
then north on US-183 to its junction with US-56, then southwest on US-
56 to its junction with Ford County Rd 126, then south on Ford County
Rd 126 to its junction with US-400, then northwest on US-400 to its
junction with US-283, then north on US-283 to its junction with the
Nebraska-Kansas State line, then east along the Nebraska-Kansas State
line to its junction with K-128.
Late Zone: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the Nebraska-
Kansas State line south on K-128 to its junction with US-36, then east
on US-36 to its junction with K-199, then south on K-199 to its
junction with Republic County 30 Rd, then south on Republic County 30
Rd to its junction with K-148, then east on K-148 to its junction with
Republic County 50 Rd, then south on Republic County 50 Rd to its
junction with Cloud County 40th Rd, then south on Cloud County 40th Rd
to its junction with K-9, then west on K-9 to its junction with US-24,
then west on US-24 to its junction with US-281, then north on US-281 to
its junction with US-36, then west on US-36 to its junction with US-
183, then south on US-183 to its junction with US-24, then west on US-
24 to its junction with K-18, then southeast on K-18 to its junction
with US-183, then south on US-183 to its junction with K-4, then east
on K-4 to its junction with I-135, then south on I-135 to its junction
with K-61, then southwest on K-61 to 14th Avenue, then south on 14th
Avenue to its junction with Arapaho Rd, then west on Arapaho Rd to its
junction with K-61, then southwest on K-61 to its junction with K-96,
then northwest on K-96 to its junction with US-56, then southwest on
US-56 to its junction with K-19, then east on K-19 to its junction with
US-281, then south on US-281 to its junction with US-54, then west on
US-54 to its junction with US-183, then north on US-183 to its junction
with US-56, then southwest on US-56 to its junction with Ford County Rd
126, then south on Ford County Rd 126 to its junction with US-400, then
northwest on US-400 to its junction with US-283, then south on US-283
to its junction with the Oklahoma-Kansas State line, then east along
the Oklahoma-Kansas State line to its junction with US-77, then north
on US-77 to its junction with Butler County, NE 150th Street, then east
on Butler County, NE 150th Street to its junction with US-35, then
northeast on US-35 to its junction with K-68, then east on K-68 to the
Kansas-Missouri State line, then north along the Kansas-Missouri State
line to its junction with the Nebraska State line, then west along the
Kansas-Nebraska State line to its junction with K-128.
Southeast Zone: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the
Missouri-Kansas State line west on K-68 to its junction with US-35,
then southwest on US-35 to its junction with Butler County, NE 150th
Street, then west on NE 150th Street until its junction with K-77, then
south on K-77 to the Oklahoma-Kansas State line, then east along the
Kansas-Oklahoma State line to its junction with the Missouri State
line, then north along the Kansas-Missouri State line to its junction
with K-68.
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Daniels, Dawson,
Fallon, 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--That portion of Nebraska lying west of a line
beginning at the South Dakota-Nebraska border on U.S. Hwy. 183; south
on U.S. Hwy. 183 to U.S. Hwy. 20; west on U.S. Hwy. 20 to NE Hwy. 7;
south on NE Hwy. 7 to NE Hwy. 91; southwest on NE Hwy. 91 to NE Hwy. 2;
southeast on NE Hwy. 2 to NE Hwy. 92; west on NE Hwy. 92 to NE Hwy. 40;
south on NE Hwy. 40 to NE Hwy. 47; south on NE Hwy. 47 to
[[Page 49883]]
NE Hwy. 23; east on NE Hwy. 23 to U.S. Hwy. 283; and south on U.S. Hwy.
283 to the Kansas-Nebraska border.
Zone 1--Area bounded by designated Federal and State highways and
political boundaries beginning at the South Dakota-Nebraska border west
of NE Hwy. 26E Spur and north of NE Hwy. 12; those portions of Dixon,
Cedar and Knox Counties north of NE Hwy. 12; that portion of Keya Paha
County east of U.S. Hwy. 183; and all of Boyd County. Both banks of the
Niobrara River in Keya Paha and Boyd counties east of U.S. Hwy. 183
shall be included in Zone 1.
Zone 2--The area south of Zone 1 and north of Zone 3.
Zone 3--Area bounded by designated Federal and State highways,
County Roads, and political boundaries beginning at the Wyoming-
Nebraska border at the intersection of the Interstate Canal; east along
northern borders of Scotts Bluff and Morrill Counties to Broadwater
Road; south to Morrill County Rd 94; east to County Rd 135; south to
County Rd 88; southeast to County Rd 151; south to County Rd 80; east
to County Rd 161; south to County Rd 76; east to County Rd 165; south
to Country Rd 167; south to U.S. Hwy. 26; east to County Rd 171; north
to County Rd 68; east to County Rd 183; south to County Rd 64; east to
County Rd 189; north to County Rd 70; east to County Rd 201; south to
County Rd 60A; east to County Rd 203; south to County Rd 52; east to
Keith County Line; east along the northern boundaries of Keith and
Lincoln Counties to NE Hwy. 97; south to U.S. Hwy 83; south to E Hall
School Rd; east to N Airport Road; south to U.S. Hwy. 30; east to
Merrick County Rd 13; north to County Rd O; east to NE Hwy. 14; north
to NE Hwy. 52; west and north to NE Hwy. 91; west to U.S. Hwy. 281;
south to NE Hwy. 22; west to NE Hwy. 11; northwest to NE Hwy. 91; west
to U.S. Hwy. 183; south to Round Valley Rd; west to Sargent River Rd;
west to Sargent Rd; west to Milburn Rd; north to Blaine County Line;
east to Loup County Line; north to NE Hwy. 91; west to North Loup Spur
Rd; north to North Loup River Rd; east to Pleasant Valley/Worth Rd;
east to Loup County Line; north to Loup-Brown county line; east along
northern boundaries of Loup and Garfield Counties to Cedar River Road;
south to NE Hwy. 70; east to U.S. Hwy. 281; north to NE Hwy. 70; east
to NE Hwy. 14; south to NE Hwy. 39; southeast to NE Hwy. 22; east to
U.S. Hwy. 81; southeast to U.S. Hwy. 30; east to U.S. Hwy. 75; north to
the Washington County line; east to the Iowa-Nebraska border; south to
the Missouri-Nebraska border; south to Kansas-Nebraska border; west
along Kansas-Nebraska border to Colorado-Nebraska border; north and
west to Wyoming-Nebraska border; north to intersection of Interstate
Canal; and excluding that area in Zone 4.
Zone 4--Area encompassed by designated Federal and State highways
and County Roads beginning at the intersection of NE Hwy. 8 and U.S.
Hwy. 75; north to U.S. Hwy. 136; east to the intersection of U.S. Hwy.
136 and the Steamboat Trace (Trace); north along the Trace to the
intersection with Federal Levee R-562; north along Federal Levee R-562
to the intersection with the Trace; north along the Trace/Burlington
Northern Railroad right-of-way to NE Hwy. 2; west to U.S. Hwy. 75;
north to NE Hwy. 2; west to NE Hwy. 43; north to U.S. Hwy. 34; east to
NE Hwy. 63; north to NE Hwy. 66; north and west to U.S. Hwy. 77; north
to NE Hwy. 92; west to NE Hwy. Spur 12F; south to Butler County Rd 30;
east to County Rd X; south to County Rd 27; west to County Rd W; south
to County Rd 26; east to County Rd X; south to County Rd 21 (Seward
County Line); west to NE Hwy. 15; north to County Rd 34; west to County
Rd J; south to NE Hwy. 92; west to U.S. Hwy. 81; south to NE Hwy. 66;
west to Polk County Rd C; north to NE Hwy. 92; west to U.S. Hwy. 30;
west to Merrick County Rd 17; south to Hordlake Road; southeast to
Prairie Island Road; southeast to Hamilton County Rd T; south to NE
Hwy. 66; west to NE Hwy. 14; south to County Rd 22; west to County Rd
M; south to County Rd 21; west to County Rd K; south to U.S. Hwy. 34;
west to NE Hwy. 2; south to U.S. Hwy. I-80; west to Gunbarrel Rd (Hall/
Hamilton county line); south to Giltner Rd; west to U.S. Hwy. 281;
south to U.S. Hwy. 34; west to NE Hwy. 10; north to Kearney County Rd R
and Phelps County Rd 742; west to U.S. Hwy. 283; south to U.S. Hwy 34;
east to U.S. Hwy. 136; east to U.S. Hwy. 183; north to NE Hwy. 4; east
to NE Hwy. 10; south to U.S. Hwy. 136; east to NE Hwy. 14; south to NE
Hwy. 8; east to U.S. Hwy. 81; north to NE Hwy. 4; east to NE Hwy. 15;
south to U.S. Hwy. 136; east to NE Hwy. 103; south to NE Hwy. 8; east
to U.S. Hwy. 75.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.
North Dakota
High Plains Unit: That portion of the State south and west of a
line from the South Dakota State line along U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41,
north to U.S. 2, west to the Williams/Divide County line, then north
along the County line to the Canadian border.
Low Plains Unit: The remainder of North Dakota.
Oklahoma
High Plains Zone: The Counties of Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas.
Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High
Plains Zone and north of a line extending east from the Texas State
line along OK 33 to OK 47, east along OK 47 to U.S. 183, south along
U.S.183 to I-40, east along I-40 to U.S. 177, north along U.S. 177 to
OK 33, east along OK 33 to OK 18, north along OK 18 to OK 51, west
along OK 51 to I-35, north along I-35 to U.S. 412, west along U.S. 412
to OK 132, then north along OK 132 to the Kansas State line.
Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of Oklahoma.
South Dakota
High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of a line
beginning at the North Dakota State line and extending south along U.S.
83 to U.S.14, east on U.S.14 to Blunt, south on the Blunt-Canning Rd to
SD 34, east and south on SD 34 to SD 50 at Lee's Corner, south on SD 50
to I-90, east on I-90 to SD 50, south on SD 50 to SD 44, west on SD 44
across the Platte-Winner bridge to SD 47, south on SD 47 to U.S.18,
east on U.S. 18 to SD 47, south on SD 47 to the Nebraska State line.
North Zone: That portion of northeastern South Dakota east of the
High Plains Unit and north of a line extending east along U.S. 212 to
the Minnesota State line.
South Zone: That portion of Gregory County east of SD 47 and south
of SD 44; Charles Mix County south of SD 44 to the Douglas County line;
south on SD 50 to Geddes; east on the Geddes Highway to U.S. 281; south
on U.S. 281 and U.S. 18 to SD 50; south and east on SD 50 to the Bon
Homme County line; the Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton, and Clay south
of SD 50; and Union County south and west of SD 50 and I-29.
Middle Zone: The remainder of South Dakota.
Texas
High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of a line
extending south from the Oklahoma State line along U.S. 183 to Vernon,
south along U.S. 283 to Albany, south along TX 6 to TX 351 to Abilene,
south along U.S. 277 to Del Rio, then south along the Del Rio
International Toll Bridge access road to the Mexico border.
[[Page 49884]]
Low Plains North Zone: That portion of northeastern Texas east of
the High Plains Zone and north of a line beginning at the International
Toll Bridge south of Del Rio, then extending east on U.S. 90 to San
Antonio, then continuing east on I-10 to the Louisiana State line at
Orange, Texas.
Low Plains South Zone: The remainder of Texas.
Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)
Zone C1: Big Horn, Converse, Goshen, Hot Springs, Natrona, Park,
Platte, and Washakie Counties; and Fremont County excluding the
portions west or south of the Continental Divide.
Zone C2: Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston
Counties.
Zone C3: Albany and Laramie Counties; and that portion of Carbon
County east of the Continental Divide.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
Game Management Units (GMU) as follows:
South Zone: Those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 in Yavapai County, and
GMUs 10 and 12B-45.
North Zone: GMUs 1-5, those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 within
Coconino County, and GMUs 7, 9, 12A.
California
Northeastern Zone: In that portion of California lying east and
north of a line beginning at the intersection of Interstate 5 with the
California-Oregon line; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with
Walters Lane south of the town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane to its
junction with Easy Street; south along Easy Street to the junction with
Old Highway 99; south along Old Highway 99 to the point of intersection
with Interstate 5 north of the town of Weed; south along Interstate 5
to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to
Main Street Greenville; north and east to its junction with North
Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and
east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the
junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington
Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the
junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and
east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-
Nevada State line; north along the California-Nevada State line to the
junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon State lines; west along the
California-Oregon State line to the point of origin.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada State
line south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to
U.S. 80; east 7 miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south
on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada
State line.
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
Balance-of-State Zone: The remainder of California not included in
the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the Southern
San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.
Idaho
Zone 1: 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 State Highway 37 and State Highway 39.
Zone 2: Adams, Bear Lake, Benewah, Bingham within the Blackfoot
Reservoir drainage, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville, Boundary, Butte, Camas,
Caribou except the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, Clark, Clearwater,
Custer, Franklin, Fremont, Idaho, Jefferson, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi,
Lewis, Madison, Nez Perce, Oneida, Power County west of State Highway
37 and State Highway 39, Shoshone, Teton, and Valley Counties.
Zone 3: Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome,
Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, and Washington
Counties.
Nevada
Northeast Zone: All of Elko and White Pine Counties.
Northwest Zone: All of Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Esmeralda,
Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Storey, and
Washoe Counties.
South Zone: All of Clark and Lincoln County.
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.
Wyoming
Snake River Zone: Beginning at the south boundary of Yellowstone
National Park and the Continental Divide; south along the Continental
Divide to Union Pass and the Union Pass Road (U.S.F.S. Road 600); west
and south along the Union Pass Road to U.S.F.S. Road 605; south along
U.S.F.S. Road 605 to the Bridger-Teton National Forest boundary; along
the national forest boundary to the Idaho State line; north along the
Idaho State line to the south boundary of Yellowstone National Park;
east along the Yellowstone National Park boundary to the Continental
Divide.
Balance of State Zone: Balance of the Pacific Flyway in Wyoming
outside the Snake River Zone.
Geese
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
AP Unit: Litchfield County and the portion of Hartford County west
of a
[[Page 49885]]
line beginning at the Massachusetts border in Suffield and extending
south along Route 159 to its intersection with Route 91 in Hartford,
and then extending south along Route 91 to its intersection with the
Hartford/Middlesex County line.
AFRP Unit: Starting at the intersection of I-95 and the Quinnipiac
River, north on the Quinnipiac River to its intersection with I-91,
north on I-91 to I-691, west on I-691 to the Hartford County line, and
encompassing the rest of New Haven County and Fairfield County in its
entirety.
NAP H-Unit: All of the rest of the State not included in the AP or
AFRP descriptions above.
South Zone: Same as for ducks.
North Zone: Same as for ducks.
Maine
Same zones as for ducks.
Maryland
Resident Population (RP) Zone: Garrett, Allegany, Washington,
Frederick, and Montgomery Counties; that portion of Prince George's
County west of Route 3 and Route 301; that portion of Charles County
west of Route 301 to the Virginia State line; and that portion of
Carroll County west of Route 31 to the intersection of Route 97, and
west of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line.
AP Zone: Remainder of the State.
Massachusetts
NAP Zone: Central and Coastal Zones (see duck zones).
AP Zone: The Western Zone (see duck zones).
Special Late Season Area: The Central Zone and that portion of the
Coastal Zone (see duck zones) that lies north of the Cape Cod Canal,
north to the New Hampshire line.
New Hampshire
Same zones as for ducks.
New Jersey
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 Route 70;
then west along Route 70 to Route 206; then south along Route 206 to
Route 536; then west along Route 536 to Route 322; then west along
Route 322 to Route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 553 (Buck
Road); then south along Route 553 to Route 40; then east along Route 40
to route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 552 (Sherman Avenue);
then west along Route 552 to Carmel Road; then south along Carmel Road
to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 555; then south along
Route 555 to Route 553; then east along Route 553 to Route 649; then
north along Route 649 to Route 670; then east along Route 670 to Route
47; then north along Route 47 to Route 548; then east along Route 548
to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 50; then south along
Route 50 to Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route 625 (Sea Isle
City Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to the Atlantic Ocean; then
north to the beginning point.
New York
Lake Champlain Goose Area: The same as the Lake Champlain Waterfowl
Hunting Zone, which is that area of New York State lying east and north
of a continuous line extending along Route 11 from the New York-Canada
International boundary south to Route 9B, south along Route 9B to Route
9, south along Route 9 to Route 22 south of Keeseville, south along
Route 22 to the west shore of South Bay along and around the shoreline
of South Bay to Route 22 on the east shore of South Bay, southeast
along Route 22 to Route 4, northeast along Route 4 to the New York-
Vermont boundary.
Northeast Goose Area: The same as the Northeastern Waterfowl
Hunting Zone, which is that area of New York State lying north of a
continuous line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore
of the Salmon River to Interstate 81, south along Interstate Route 81
to Route 31, east along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to
Route 49, east along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to
Route 28, east along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Route
22 at Greenwich Junction, north along Route 22 to Washington County
Route 153, east along CR 153 to the New York-Vermont boundary,
exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.
East Central Goose Area: That area of New York State lying inside
of a continuous line extending from Interstate Route 81 in Cicero, east
along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to Route 49, east
along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to Route 28, east
along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball
Corners, south along Route 147 to Schenectady County Route 40 (West
Glenville Road), west along Route 40 to Touareuna Road, south along
Touareuna Road to Schenectady County Route 59, south along Route 59 to
State Route 5, east along Route 5 to the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along
the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S, southeast along Route 5S to Schenectady
County Route 58, southwest along Route 58 to the NYS Thruway, south
along the Thruway to Route 7, southwest along Route 7 to Schenectady
County Route 103, south along Route 103 to Route 406, east along Route
406 to Schenectady County Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route
99 to Dunnsville Road, south along Dunnsville Road to Route 397,
southwest along Route 397 to Route 146 at Altamont, west along Route
146 to Albany County Route 252, northwest along Route 252 to
Schenectady County Route 131, north along Route 131 to Route 7, west
along Route 7 to Route 10 at Richmondville, south on Route 10 to Route
23 at Stamford, west along Route 23 to Route 7 in Oneonta, southwest
along Route 7 to Route 79 to Interstate Route 88 near Harpursville,
west along Route 88 to Interstate Route 81, north along Route 81 to the
point of beginning.
West Central Goose Area: That area of New York State lying within a
continuous line beginning at the point where the northerly extension of
Route 269 (County Line Road on the Niagara-Orleans County boundary)
meets the International boundary with Canada, south to the shore of
Lake Ontario at the eastern boundary of Golden Hill State Park, south
along the extension of Route 269 and Route 269 to Route 104 at Jeddo,
west along Route 104 to Niagara County Route 271, south along Route 271
to Route 31E at Middleport, south along Route 31E to Route 31, west
along Route 31 to Griswold Street, south along Griswold Street to Ditch
Road, south along Ditch Road to Foot Road, south along Foot Road to the
north bank of Tonawanda Creek, west along the north bank of Tonawanda
Creek to Route 93, south along Route 93 to Route 5, east along Route 5
to Crittenden-Murrays Corners Road, south on Crittenden-Murrays Corners
Road to the NYS Thruway, east along the Thruway 90 to Route 98 (at
Thruway Exit 48) in Batavia, south along Route 98 to Route 20, east
along Route 20 to Route 19 in Pavilion Center, south along Route 19 to
[[Page 49886]]
Route 63, southeast along Route 63 to Route 246, south along Route 246
to Route 39 in Perry, northeast along Route 39 to Route 20A, northeast
along Route 20A to Route 20, east along Route 20 to Route 364 (near
Canandaigua), south and east along Route 364 to Yates County Route 18
(Italy Valley Road), southwest along Route 18 to Yates County Route 34,
east along Route 34 to Yates County Route 32, south along Route 32 to
Steuben County Route 122, south along Route 122 to Route 53, south
along Route 53 to Steuben County Route 74, east along Route 74 to Route
54A (near Pulteney), south along Route 54A to Steuben County Route 87,
east along Route 87 to Steuben County Route 96, east along Route 96 to
Steuben County Route 114, east along Route 114 to Schuyler County Route
23, east and southeast along Route 23 to Schuyler County Route 28,
southeast along Route 28 to Route 409 at Watkins Glen, south along
Route 409 to Route 14, south along Route 14 to Route 224 at Montour
Falls, east along Route 224 to Route 228 in Odessa, north along Route
228 to Route 79 in Mecklenburg, east along Route 79 to Route 366 in
Ithaca, northeast along Route 366 to Route 13, northeast along Route 13
to Interstate Route 81 in Cortland, north along Route 81 to the north
shore of the Salmon River to shore of Lake Ontario, extending generally
northwest in a straight line to the nearest point of the International
boundary with Canada, south and west along the International boundary
to the point of beginning.
Hudson Valley Goose Area: That area of New York State lying within
a continuous line extending from Route 4 at the New York-Vermont
boundary, west and south along Route 4 to Route 149 at Fort Ann, west
on Route 149 to Route 9, south along Route 9 to Interstate Route 87 (at
Exit 20 in Glens Falls), south along Route 87 to Route 29, west along
Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball Corners, south along Route 147 to
Schenectady County Route 40 (West Glenville Road), west along Route 40
to Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna Road to Schenectady County
Route 59, south along Route 59 to State Route 5, east along Route 5 to
the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S,
southeast along Route 5S to Schenectady County Route 58, southwest
along Route 58 to the NYS Thruway, south along the Thruway to Route 7,
southwest along Route 7 to Schenectady County Route 103, south along
Route 103 to Route 406, east along Route 406 to Schenectady County
Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route 99 to Dunnsville Road,
south along Dunnsville Road to Route 397, southwest along Route 397 to
Route 146 at Altamont, southeast along Route 146 to Main Street in
Altamont, west along Main Street to Route 156, southeast along Route
156 to Albany County Route 307, southeast along Route 307 to Route 85A,
southwest along Route 85A to Route 85, south along Route 85 to Route
443, southeast along Route 443 to Albany County Route 301 at
Clarksville, southeast along Route 301 to Route 32, south along Route
32 to Route 23 at Cairo, west along Route 23 to Joseph Chadderdon Road,
southeast along Joseph Chadderdon Road to Hearts Content Road (Greene
County Route 31), southeast along Route 31 to Route 32, south along
Route 32 to Greene County Route 23A, east along Route 23A to Interstate
Route 87 (the NYS Thruway), south along Route 87 to Route 28 (Exit 19)
near Kingston, northwest on Route 28 to Route 209, southwest on Route
209 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary, southeast along the New
York-Pennsylvania boundary to the New York-New Jersey boundary,
southeast along the New York-New Jersey boundary to Route 210 near
Greenwood Lake, northeast along Route 210 to Orange County Route 5,
northeast along Orange County Route 5 to Route 105 in the Village of
Monroe, east and north along Route 105 to Route 32, northeast along
Route 32 to Orange County Route 107 (Quaker Avenue), east along Route
107 to Route 9W, north along Route 9W to the south bank of Moodna
Creek, southeast along the south bank of Moodna Creek to the New
Windsor-Cornwall town boundary, northeast along the New Windsor-
Cornwall town boundary to the Orange-Dutchess County boundary (middle
of the Hudson River), north along the county boundary to Interstate
Route 84, east along Route 84 to the Dutchess-Putnam County boundary,
east along the county boundary to the New York-Connecticut boundary,
north along the New York-Connecticut boundary to the New York-
Massachusetts boundary, north along the New York-Massachusetts boundary
to the New York-Vermont boundary, north to the point of beginning.
Eastern Long Island Goose Area (NAP High Harvest Area): That area
of Suffolk County lying east of a continuous line extending due south
from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the northernmost end of
Roanoke Avenue in the Town of Riverhead; then south on Roanoke Avenue
(which becomes County Route 73) to State Route 25; then west on Route
25 to Peconic Avenue; then south on Peconic Avenue to County Route (CR)
104 (Riverleigh Avenue); then south on CR 104 to CR 31 (Old Riverhead
Road); then south on CR 31 to Oak Street; then south on Oak Street to
Potunk Lane; then west on Stevens Lane; then south on Jessup Avenue (in
Westhampton Beach) to Dune Road (CR 89); then due south to
international waters.
Western Long Island Goose Area (RP Area): That area of Westchester
County and its tidal waters southeast of Interstate Route 95 and that
area of Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying west of a continuous line
extending due south from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the
northernmost end of the Sunken Meadow State Parkway; then south on the
Sunken Meadow Parkway to the Sagtikos State Parkway; then south on the
Sagtikos Parkway to the Robert Moses State Parkway; then south on the
Robert Moses Parkway to its southernmost end; then due south to
international waters.
Central Long Island Goose Area (NAP Low Harvest Area): That area of
Suffolk County lying between the Western and Eastern Long Island Goose
Areas, as defined above.
South Goose Area: The remainder of New York State, excluding New
York City.
Special Late Canada Goose Area: That area of the Central Long
Island Goose Area lying north of State Route 25A and west of a
continuous line extending northward from State Route 25A along Randall
Road (near Shoreham) to North Country Road, then east to Sound Road and
then north to Long Island Sound and then due north to the New York-
Connecticut boundary.
North Carolina
SJBP Hunt Zone: Includes the following Counties or portions of
Counties: Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Halifax (that
portion east of NC 903), Montgomery (that portion west of NC 109),
Northampton, Richmond (that portion south of NC 73 and west of US 220
and north of US 74), Rowan, Stanly, Union, and Wake.
RP Hunt Zone: Includes the following Counties or portions of
Counties: Alamance, Alleghany, Alexander, Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie
(that portion south and west of a line formed by NC 45 at the
Washington Co. line to US 17 in Midway, US 17 in Midway to US 13 in
Windsor, US 13 in Windsor to the Hertford Co. line), Bladen, Brunswick,
Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Carteret, Caswell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay,
Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Davie, Duplin, Edgecombe,
Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Gates, Graham, Granville, Greene, Guilford,
[[Page 49887]]
Halifax (that portion west of NC 903), Harnett, Haywood, Henderson,
Hertford, Hoke, Iredell, Jackson, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir,
Lincoln, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Martin, Mecklenburg, Mitchell,
Montgomery (that portion that is east of NC 109), Moore, Nash, New
Hanover, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico, Pender, Person, Pitt, Polk, Randolph,
Richmond (all of the county with exception of that portion that is
south of NC 73 and west of US 220 and north of US 74), Robeson,
Rockingham, Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Stokes, Surry, Swain,
Transylvania, Vance, Warren, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes, Wilson, Yadkin,
and Yancey.
Northeast Hunt Unit: Includes the following Counties or portions of
Counties: Bertie (that portion north and east of a line formed by NC 45
at the Washington County line to US 17 in Midway, US 17 in Midway to US
13 in Windsor, US 13 in Windsor to the Hertford Co. line), Camden,
Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and
Washington.
Pennsylvania
Resident Canada Goose Zone: All of Pennsylvania except for SJBP
Zone and the area east of route SR 97 from the Maryland State Line to
the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of US Route
30, south of US Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743, east of
SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of I-80,
and south of I-80 to the New Jersey State line.
SJBP Zone: The area north of I-80 and west of I-79 including in the
city of Erie west of Bay Front Parkway to and including the Lake Erie
Duck zone (Lake Erie, Presque Isle, and the area within 150 yards of
the Lake Erie Shoreline).
AP Zone: The area east of route SR 97 from Maryland State Line to
the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of US Route
30, south of US Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743, east of
SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of I-80,
south of I-80 to New Jersey State line.
Rhode Island
Special Area for Canada Geese: Kent and Providence Counties and
portions of the towns of Exeter and North Kingston within Washington
County (see State regulations for detailed descriptions).
South Carolina
Canada Goose Area: Statewide except for Clarendon County, that
portion of Orangeburg County north of SC Highway 6, and that portion of
Berkeley County north of SC Highway 45 from the Orangeburg County line
to the junction of SC Highway 45 and State Road S-8-31 and that portion
west of the Santee Dam.
Vermont
Same zones as for ducks.
Virginia
AP Zone: The area east and south of the following line--the
Stafford County line from the Potomac River west to Interstate 95 at
Fredericksburg, then south along Interstate 95 to Petersburg, then
Route 460 (SE) to City of Suffolk, then south along Route 32 to the
North Carolina line.
SJBP Zone: The area to the west of the AP Zone boundary and east of
the following line: the ``Blue Ridge'' (mountain spine) at the West
Virginia-Virginia Border (Loudoun County-Clarke County line) south to
Interstate 64 (the Blue Ridge line follows county borders along the
western edge of Loudoun-Fauquier-Rappahannock-Madison-Greene-Albemarle
and into Nelson Counties), then east along Interstate Rt. 64 to Route
15, then south along Rt. 15 to the North Carolina line.
RP Zone: The remainder of the State west of the SJBP Zone.
Mississippi Flyway
Alabama
Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
SJBP Zone: That portion of Morgan County east of U.S. Highway 31,
north of State Highway 36, and west of U.S. 231; that portion of
Limestone County south of U.S. 72; and that portion of Madison County
south of Swancott Road and west of Triana Road.
Arkansas
Northwest Zone: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Conway, Crawford,
Faulkner, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Madison, Marion, Newton, Perry,
Pope, Pulaski, Searcy, Sebastian, Scott, Van Buren, Washington, and
Yell Counties.
Illinois
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
west from the Indiana border along Interstate 80 to I-39, south along
I-39 to Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois
Route 29, south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois Route 17, west
along Illinois Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and due south across
the Mississippi River to the Iowa border.
Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Goose
Zone line to a line extending west from the Indiana border along I-70
to Illinois Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route
161, west along Illinois Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south and
west along Illinois Route 158 to Illinois Route 159, south along
Illinois Route 159 to Illinois Route 3, south along Illinois Route 3 to
St. Leo's Road, south along St. Leo's road to Modoc Road, west along
Modoc Road to Modoc Ferry Road, southwest along Modoc Ferry Road to
Levee Road, southeast along Levee Road to County Route 12 (Modoc Ferry
entrance Road), south along County Route 12 to the Modoc Ferry route
and southwest on the Modoc Ferry route across the Mississippi River to
the Missouri border.
South Zone: Same zones as for ducks.
South Central Zone: Same zones as for ducks.
Indiana
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
Special Canada Goose Seasons
Late Canada Goose Season Zone: That part of the State encompassed
by the following Counties: Steuben, Lagrange, Elkhart, St. Joseph, La
Porte, Starke, Marshall, Kosciusko, Noble, De Kalb, Allen, Whitley,
Huntington, Wells, Adams, Boone, Hamilton, Madison, Hendricks, Marion,
Hancock, Morgan, Johnson, and Shelby.
Experimental Late Canada Goose Season Zone: That part of the State
encompassed by the following Counties: Vermillion, Parke, Vigo, Clay,
Sullivan, and Greene.
Iowa
Same zones as for ducks.
Kentucky
Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at
the Tennessee State line at Fulton and extending north along the
Purchase Parkway to Interstate Highway 24, east along I-24 to U.S.
Highway 641, north along U.S. 641 to U.S. 60, northeast along U.S. 60
to the Henderson County line, then south, east, and northerly along the
Henderson County line to the Indiana State line.
Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone: Butler, Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and
Warren Counties and all counties lying west to the boundary of the
Western Goose Zone.
Louisiana
Same zones as for ducks.
Michigan
(a) North Zone--Same as North duck zone.
(b) Middle Zone--Same as Middle duck zone.
(c) South Zone--Same as South duck zone.
[[Page 49888]]
Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU): Those portions of
Tuscola and Huron Counties bounded on the south by Michigan Highway 138
and Bay City Road, on the east by Colwood and Bay Port Roads, on the
north by Kilmanagh Road and a line extending directly west off the end
of Kilmanagh Road into Saginaw Bay to the west boundary, and on the
west by the Tuscola-Bay County line and a line extending directly north
off the end of the Tuscola-Bay County line into Saginaw Bay to the
north boundary.
Allegan County GMU: That area encompassed by a line beginning at
the junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate Highway 196 in Lake Town
Township and extending easterly along 136th Avenue to Michigan Highway
40, southerly along Michigan 40 through the city of Allegan to 108th
Avenue in Trowbridge Township, westerly along 108th Avenue to 46th
Street, northerly along 46th Street to 109th Avenue, westerly along
109th Avenue to I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly along I-196 to
the point of beginning.
Saginaw County GMU: That portion of Saginaw County bounded by
Michigan Highway 46 on the north; Michigan 52 on the west; Michigan 57
on the south; and Michigan 13 on the east.
Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That portion of Muskegon County within the
boundaries of the Muskegon County wastewater system, east of the
Muskegon State Game Area, in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29,
30, and 32, T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, and
25, T10N R15W, as posted.
Special Canada Goose Seasons:
Southern Michigan Late Season Canada Goose Zone: Same as the South
Duck Zone excluding Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU), Allegan
County GMU, Saginaw County GMU, and Muskegon Wastewater GMU.
Minnesota
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
Rochester Goose Zone: That part of the State within the following
described boundary:
Beginning at the intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 247 and
County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 4, Wabasha County; thence along CSAH 4
to CSAH 10, Olmsted County; thence along CSAH 10 to CSAH 9, Olmsted
County; thence along CSAH 9 to CSAH 22, Winona County; thence along
CSAH 22 to STH 74; thence along STH 74 to STH 30; thence along STH 30
to CSAH 13, Dodge County; thence along CSAH 13 to U.S. Highway 14;
thence along U.S. Highway 14 to STH 57; thence along STH 57 to CSAH 24,
Dodge County; thence along CSAH 24 to CSAH 13, Olmsted County; thence
along CSAH 13 to U.S. Highway 52; thence along U.S. Highway 52 to CSAH
12, Olmsted County; thence along CSAH 12 to STH 247; thence along STH
247 to the point of beginning.
Missouri
Same zones as for ducks.
Ohio
Lake Erie Goose Zone: That portion of Ohio north of a line
beginning at the Michigan border and extending south along Interstate
75 to Interstate 280, south on Interstate 280 to Interstate 80, and
east on Interstate 80 to the Pennsylvania border.
North Zone: That portion of Ohio north of a line beginning at the
Indiana border and extending east along Interstate 70 to the West
Virginia border excluding the portion of Ohio within the Lake Erie
Goose Zone.
South Zone: The remainder of Ohio.
Tennessee
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 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 State line to
Clarksville and U.S. Highway 79 from Clarksville to the Kentucky State
line.
Wisconsin
Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
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 Interstate
Highway 39, southerly along Interstate Highway 39 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.
Exterior Zone: That portion of the State not included in the
Horicon Zone.
Mississippi River Subzone: That area encompassed by a line
beginning at the intersection of the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe
Railway and the Illinois State line in Grant County and extending
northerly along the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway to the city
limit of Prescott in Pierce County, then west along the Prescott city
limit to the Minnesota State line.
Brown County Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at
the intersection of the Fox River with Green Bay in Brown County and
extending southerly along the Fox River to State Highway 29,
northwesterly along State 29 to the Brown County line, south, east, and
north along the Brown County line to Green Bay, due west to the
midpoint of the Green Bay Ship Channel, then southwesterly along the
Green Bay Ship Channel to the Fox River.
Central Flyway
Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)
Northern Front Range Area: All areas in Boulder, Larimer and Weld
Counties from the Continental Divide east along the Wyoming border to
U.S. 85, south on U.S. 85 to the Adams County line, and all lands in
Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin, and
Jefferson Counties.
North Park Area: Jackson County.
South Park and San Luis Valley Area: All of Alamosa, Chaffee,
Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, Rio Grande and Teller
Counties, and those portions of Saguache, Mineral and Hinsdale Counties
east of the Continental Divide.
Remainder: Remainder of the Central Flyway portion of Colorado.
Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose Area: That portion of the State
east of Interstate Highway 25.
Nebraska
Dark Geese
Niobrara Unit: That area contained within and bounded by the
intersection of the South Dakota State line and the eastern Cherry
County line, south along the Cherry County line to the Niobrara River,
east to the Norden Road, south on the Norden Road to U.S. Hwy 20, east
along U.S. Hwy 20 to NE Hwy 14, north along NE Hwy 14 to NE Hwy 59 and
County Road 872, west along County
[[Page 49889]]
Road 872 to the Knox County Line, north along the Knox County Line to
the South Dakota State line. Where the Niobrara River forms the
boundary, both banks of the river are included in the Niobrara Unit.
East Unit: That area north and east of U.S. 81 at the Kansas-
Nebraska State line, north to NE Hwy 91, east to U.S. 275, south to
U.S. 77, south to NE 91, east to U.S. 30, east to Nebraska-Iowa State
line.
Platte River Unit: That area north and west of U.S. 81 at the
Kansas-Nebraska State line, north to NE Hwy 91, west along NE 91 to NE
11, north to the Holt County line, west along the northern border of
Garfield, Loup, Blaine and Thomas Counties to the Hooker County line,
south along the Thomas-Hooker County lines to the McPherson County
line, east along the south border of Thomas County to the western line
of Custer County, south along the Custer-Logan County line to NE 92,
west to U.S. 83, north to NE 92, west to NE 61, south along NE 61 to NE
92, west along NE 92 to U.S. Hwy 26, south along U.S. Hwy 26 to Keith
County Line, south along Keith County Line to the Colorado State line.
Panhandle Unit: That area north and west of Keith-Deuel County Line
at the Nebraska-Colorado State line, north along the Keith County Line
to U.S. Hwy 26, west to NE Hwy 92, east to NE Hwy 61, north along NE
Hwy 61 to NE Hwy 2, west along NE 2 to the corner formed by Garden--
Grant--Sheridan Counties, west along the north border of Garden,
Morrill, and Scotts Bluff Counties to the intersection of the
Interstate Canal, west to the Wyoming State line.
North--Central Unit: The remainder of the State.
Light Geese
Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (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 U.S. 30 at Grand Island, north and east on
U.S. 30 to NE 14, south to NE 66, east to US 81, north 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, Socorro, and Valencia
Counties.
Remainder: The remainder of the Central Flyway portion of New
Mexico.
North Dakota
Missouri River Canada Goose Zone: The area within and bounded by a
line starting where ND Hwy 6 crosses the South Dakota border; thence
north on ND Hwy 6 to I-94; thence west on I-94 to ND Hwy 49; thence
north on ND Hwy 49 to ND Hwy 200; thence north on Mercer County Rd. 21
to the section line between sections 8 and 9 (T146N-R87W); thence north
on that section line to the southern shoreline to Lake Sakakawea;
thence east along the southern shoreline (including Mallard Island) of
Lake Sakakawea to US Hwy 83; thence south on US Hwy 83 to ND Hwy 200;
thence east on ND Hwy 200 to ND Hwy 41; thence south on ND Hwy 41 to US
Hwy 83; thence south on US Hwy 83 to I-94; thence east on I-94 to US
Hwy 83; thence south on US Hwy 83 to the South Dakota border; thence
west along the South Dakota border to ND Hwy 6.
Rest of State: Remainder of North Dakota.
South Dakota
Canada Geese
Unit 1: Remainder of South Dakota.
Unit 2: Gregory, Hughes, Lyman, Perkins, and Stanley Counties; that
portion of Potter County west of US Highway 83; that portion of Sully
County west of US Highway 83; that portion of Bon Homme, Brule,
Buffalo, Charles Mix, and Hyde County south and west of a line
beginning at the Hughes-Hyde County line on SD Highway 34, east to Lees
Boulevard, southeast to SD 34, east 7 miles to 350th Avenue, south to
I-90, south and east on SD Highway 50 to Geddes, east on 285th Street
to US Highway 281, south on US Highway 281 to SD 50, east and south on
SD 50 to the Bon Homme-Yankton County boundary; that portion of Fall
River County east of SD Highway 71 and US Highway 385; that portion of
Custer County east of SD Highway 79 and south of French Creek; that
portion of Dewey County south of BIA Road 8, BIA Road 9, and the
section of US 212 east of BIA Road 8 junction.
Unit 3: Bennett County.
Texas
Northeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and north of
a line beginning at the Texas-Oklahoma border at U.S. 81, then
continuing south to Bowie and then southeasterly along U.S. 81 and U.S.
287 to I-35W and I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San Antonio, then
east on I-10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.
Southeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and south of
a line beginning at the International Toll Bridge at Laredo, then
continuing north following I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San
Antonio, then easterly along I-10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.
West Goose Zone: The remainder of the State.
Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)
Dark Geese
Zone C1: Converse, Hot Springs, Natrona, and Washakie Counties, and
the portion of Park County east of the Shoshone National Forest
boundary and south of a line beginning where the Shoshone National
Forest boundary crosses Park County Road 8VC, easterly along said road
to Park County Road 1AB, easterly along said road to Wyoming Highway
120, northerly along said highway to Wyoming Highway 294, southeasterly
along said highway to Lane 9, easterly along said lane to the town of
Powel and Wyoming Highway 14A, easterly along said highway to the Park
County and Big Horn County Line.
Zone C2: Albany, Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Laramie, Niobrara,
Sheridan, and Weston Counties, and that portion of Carbon County east
of the Continental Divide; that portion of Park County west of the
Shoshone National Forest boundary, and that portion of Park County
north of a line beginning where the Shoshone National Forest boundary
crosses Park County Road 8VC, easterly along said road to Park County
Road 1AB, easterly along said road to Wyoming Highway 120, northerly
along said highway to Wyoming Highway 294, southeasterly along said
highway to Lane 9, easterly along said lane to the town of Powel and
Wyoming Highway 14A, easterly along said highway to the Park County and
Big Horn County Line.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
North Zone: Game Management Units 1-5, those portions of Game
Management Units 6 and 8 within Coconino County, and Game Management
Units 7, 9, and 12A.
South Zone: Those portions of Game Management Units 6 and 8 in
Yavapai County, and Game Management Units 10 and 12B-45.
California
Northeastern Zone: In that portion of California lying east and
north of a line beginning at the intersection of
[[Page 49890]]
Interstate 5 with the California-Oregon line; south along Interstate 5
to its junction with Walters Lane south of the town of Yreka; west
along Walters Lane to its junction with Easy Street; south along Easy
Street to the junction with Old Highway 99; south along Old Highway 99
to the point of intersection with Interstate 5 north of the town of
Weed; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with Highway 89; east
and south along Highway 89 to main street Greenville; north and east to
its junction with North Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond
Mountain Road; north and east to its junction with North Arm Road;
south and west to the junction of North Valley Road; south to the
junction with Arlington Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89;
south and west to the junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to
Highway 395; south and east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection
with the California-Nevada State line; north along the California-
Nevada State line to the junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon State
lines west along the California-Oregon State line to the point of
origin.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to
U.S. 80; east 7 miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south
on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada
border.
Imperial County Special Management Area: The area bounded by a line
beginning at Highway 86 and the Navy Test Base Road; south on Highway
86 to the town of Westmoreland; continue through the town of
Westmoreland to Route S26; east on Route S26 to Highway 115; north on
Highway 115 to Weist Rd.; north on Weist Rd. to Flowing Wells Rd.;
northeast on Flowing Wells Rd. to the Coachella Canal; northwest on the
Coachella Canal to Drop 18; a straight line from Drop 18 to Frink Rd.;
south on Frink Rd. to Highway 111; north on Highway 111 to Niland
Marina Rd.; southwest on Niland Marina Rd. to the old Imperial County
boat ramp and the water line of the Salton Sea; from the water line of
the Salton Sea, a straight line across the Salton Sea to the Salinity
Control Research Facility and the Navy Test Base Road; southwest on the
Navy Test Base Road to the point of beginning.
Balance-of-State Zone: The remainder of California not included in
the Northeastern, Southern, and the Colorado River Zones.
North Coast Special Management Area: The Counties of Del Norte and
Humboldt.
Sacramento Valley Special Management Area: That area bounded by a
line beginning at Willows south on I-5 to Hahn Road; easterly on Hahn
Road and the Grimes-Arbuckle Road to Grimes; northerly on CA 45 to the
junction with CA 162; northerly on CA 45/162 to Glenn; and westerly on
CA 162 to the point of beginning in Willows.
Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)
West Central Area: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, Gunnison, LaPlata,
Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel Counties and those
portions of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Saguache Counties west of the
Continental Divide.
State Area: The remainder of the Pacific-Flyway Portion of
Colorado.
Idaho
Zone 1: Adams, Bannock, Bear Lake, Benewah, Bingham north of State
Highway 20 and east of the west bank of the Snake River and the
American Falls Reservoir bluff, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville, Boundary,
Butte, Camas, Caribou, Clark, Clearwater, Custer, Franklin, Fremont,
Idaho, Jefferson, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Madison, Nez Perce,
Oneida, Power south of Interstate 86 and east of the west bank of the
Snake River and the American Falls Reservoir bluff, Shoshone, Teton,
and Valley Counties.
Zone 2: Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome,
Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, and Washington
Counties.
Zone 3: Bingham County south of State Highway 20 and west of the
west bank of the Snake River and the American Falls Reservoir bluff and
Power County north of Interstate 86 and west of the west bank of the
Snake River and the American Falls Reservoir bluff.
Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
East of the Divide Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of the State
located east of the Continental Divide.
West of the Divide Zone: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway
portion of Montana.
Nevada
Northeast Zone: All of Elko and White Pine Counties.
Northwest Zone: All of Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Esmeralda,
Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Storey, and
Washoe Counties.
South Zone: All of Clark and Lincoln County.
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: Those portions of Douglas, Coos, and Curry Counties
east of Highway 101, and Josephine and Jackson Counties.
South Coast Zone: Those portions of Douglas, Coos, and Curry
Counties west of Highway 101.
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 Milepost 19; then north to the intersection of
the Benton and Lincoln County line; then north along the western
boundary of Benton and Polk Counties to the southern boundary of
Tillamook County; then west along the Tillamook County boundary to the
Pacific Coast.
Lower Columbia/N. Willamette Valley Management Area: Those portions
of Clatsop, Columbia, Multnomah, and
[[Page 49891]]
Washington Counties within the Northwest Special Permit Zone.
Tillamook County Management Area: All of Tillamook County. The
following portion of the Tillamook County Management Area is closed to
goose hunting beginning at the point where Old Woods Rd crosses the
south shores of Horn Creek, north on Old Woods Rd to Sand Lake Rd at
Woods, north on Sand Lake Rd to the intersection with McPhillips Dr.,
due west (~200 yards) from the intersection to the Pacific coastline,
south on the Pacific coastline to Neskowin Creek, east along the north
shores of Neskowin Creek and then Hawk Creek to Salem Ave, east on
Salem Ave in Neskowin to Hawk Ave, east on Hawk Ave to Hwy 101, north
on Hwy 101 to Resort Dr., north on Resort Dr. to a point due west of
the south shores of Horn Creek at its confluence with the Nestucca
River, due east (~80 yards) across the Nestucca River to the south
shores of Horn Creek, east along the south shores of Horn Creek to the
point of beginning.
Northwest Zone: Those portions of Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion,
Multnomah, and Washington Counties outside of the Northwest Special
Permit Zone and all of Lincoln County.
Eastern Zone: Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow,
Umatilla, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Grant, Baker, Union,
and Wallowa Counties.
Harney and Lake County Zone: All of Harney and Lake Counties.
Klamath County Zone: All of Klamath County.
Malheur County Zone: All of Malheur County.
Utah
Northern Utah Zone: All of Cache and Rich Counties, and that
portion of Box Elder County beginning at I-15 and the Weber-Box Elder
County line; east and north along this line to the Weber-Cache County
line; east along this line to the Cache-Rich County line; east and
south along the Rich County line to the Utah-Wyoming State line; north
along this line to the Utah-Idaho State line; west on this line to
Stone, Idaho-Snowville, Utah road; southwest on this road to Locomotive
Springs Wildlife Management Area; east on the county road, past
Monument Point and across Salt Wells Flat, to the intersection with
Promontory Road; south on Promontory Road to a point directly west of
the northwest corner of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge boundary;
east along an imaginary line to the northwest corner of the Refuge
boundary; south and east along the Refuge boundary to the southeast
corner of the boundary; northeast along the boundary to the Perry
access road; east on the Perry access road to I-15; south on I-15 to
the Weber-Box Elder County line.
Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Utah.
Washington
Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
Area 2A (SW Quota Zone): Clark County, except portions south of the
Washougal River; Cowlitz County; and Wahkiakum County.
Area 2B (SW Quota Zone): Pacific County.
Area 3: All areas west of the Pacific Crest Trail and west of the
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Areas 1, 2A, and 2B.
Area 4: Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas,
Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties.
Area 5: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Area 4.
Brant
Pacific Flyway
California
North Coast Zone: Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino Counties.
South Coast Zone: Balance of the State.
Washington
Puget Sound Zone: Skagit County.
Coastal Zone: Pacific County.
Swans
Central Flyway
South Dakota: Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo,
Campbell, Clark, Codington, Davison, Deuel, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant,
Hamlin, Hand, Hanson, Hughes, Hyde, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Lake, Marshall,
McCook, McPherson, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Potter, Roberts, Sanborn,
Spink, Sully, and Walworth Counties.
Pacific Flyway
Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)
Open Area: Cascade, Chouteau, Hill, Liberty, and Toole Counties and
those portions of Pondera and Teton Counties lying east of U.S. 287-89.
Nevada
Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and Pershing Counties.
Utah
Open Area: Those portions of Box Elder, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake,
and Toole Counties lying west of I-15, north of I-80, and south of a
line beginning from the Forest Street exit to the Bear River National
Wildlife Refuge boundary; then north and west along the Bear River
National Wildlife Refuge boundary to the farthest west boundary of the
Refuge; then west along a line to Promontory Road; then north on
Promontory Road to the intersection of SR 83; then north on SR 83 to I-
84; then north and west on I-84 to State Hwy 30; then west on State Hwy
30 to the Nevada-Utah State line; then south on the Nevada-Utah State
line to I-80.
[FR Doc. 2012-20078 Filed 8-16-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P