Proposed Rule2024-09965
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed 2024-25 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
Primary source
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Published
May 13, 2024
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentFish and Wildlife Service
Abstract
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) is proposing to establish the frameworks from which States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2024-25 migratory game bird hunting season. We annually prescribe outside limits (which we call frameworks) within which States may select hunting seasons. Frameworks specify the outside dates, season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and areas where migratory game bird hunting may occur. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and limits and to allow harvest at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions. Migratory game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance and aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds.
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 93 (Monday, May 13, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41522-41555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09965]
[[Page 41521]]
Vol. 89
Monday,
No. 93
May 13, 2024
Part III
Department of the Interior
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Fish and Wildlife Service
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50 CFR Part 20
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed 2024-25 Frameworks for Migratory Bird
Hunting Regulations; Proposed Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 89 , No. 93 / Monday, May 13, 2024 / Proposed
Rules
[[Page 41522]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2023-0113; FXMB1231099BPP0-245-FF09M32000]
RIN 1018-BG63
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed 2024-25 Frameworks for Migratory
Bird Hunting Regulations
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) is
proposing to establish the frameworks from which States may select
season dates, limits, and other options for the 2024-25 migratory game
bird hunting season. We annually prescribe outside limits (which we
call frameworks) within which States may select hunting seasons.
Frameworks specify the outside dates, season lengths, shooting hours,
bag and possession limits, and areas where migratory game bird hunting
may occur. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of
seasons and limits and to allow harvest at levels compatible with
migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions. Migratory
game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and
sustenance and aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the
management of migratory game birds.
DATES: You must submit comments on the proposed migratory bird hunting
frameworks by June 12, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
Comment submission: You may submit comments on the proposals by one
of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
In the Search box, enter FWS-HQ-MB-2023-0113, which is the docket
number for this rulemaking. Then, click on the Search button. On the
resulting page, in the panel on the left side of the screen, under the
Document Type heading, check the Proposed Rule box to locate this
document. You may submit a comment by clicking on ``Comment.''
<bullet> U.S. Mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-HQ-MB-
2023-0113; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: JAO/3W, 5275 Leesburg
Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
We will not accept emailed or faxed comments. We will post all
comments on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. This generally means that we
will post any personal information you provide us (see Public Comments,
below, for more information).
Document availability: Comments and materials we receive, as well
as supporting documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule,
will be available for public inspection on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>,
or by appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, 5275 Leesburg
Pike, Falls Church, Virginia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerome Ford, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Department of the Interior, (703) 358-2606. Individuals in the
United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a
speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United
States should use the relay services offered within their country to
make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Process for Establishing Annual Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations
The process for promulgating annual regulations for the hunting of
migratory game birds involves the publication of a series of proposed
and final rulemaking documents. We provided a detailed overview of the
current process in the August 3, 2017, Federal Register (82 FR 36308).
This proposed rule is the second in a series of proposed and final
rules that establish regulations for the 2024-25 migratory game bird
hunting season in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
On February 8, 2024, we published in the Federal Register (89 FR
8631) 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
regulations development process for the 2024-25 hunting season relating
to open public meetings and Federal Register notifications were
illustrated in the diagram at the end of the February 8, 2024, proposed
rule.
Further, in the February 8, 2024, proposed rule we explained that
sections of subsequent documents outlining hunting frameworks and
guidelines would be organized under numbered headings, which were set
forth in that proposed rule (see 89 FR 8631). This document refers only
to numbered items requiring attention and omits those items not
requiring attention. Therefore, the numbered items are discontinuous,
and the list appears incomplete.
We provided the meeting dates and locations for the Service
Regulations Committee (SRC) on our website at <a href="https://www.fws.gov/event/us-fish-and-wildlife-service-migratory-bird-regulations-committee-meeting">https://www.fws.gov/event/us-fish-and-wildlife-service-migratory-bird-regulations-committee-meeting</a> and Flyway Council meetings on Flyway calendars
posted on our website at <a href="https://www.fws.gov/partner/migratory-bird-program-administrative-flyways">https://www.fws.gov/partner/migratory-bird-program-administrative-flyways</a>. The February 8, 2024, proposed rule
provided detailed information on the proposed 2024-25 regulatory
schedule. The SRC conducted an open meeting with the Flyway Council
Consultants on May 31, 2023, to discuss preliminary issues for the
2024-25 regulations, and on October 10, 2023, to review information on
the current status of migratory game birds and develop recommendations
for the 2024-25 regulations for these species.
This supplemental proposed rule provides the regulatory
alternatives for the 2024-25 duck hunting season and provides proposed
frameworks for the 2024-25 migratory bird hunting season. 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 March 11, 2024, which includes comments submitted in
response to our February 8, 2024, proposed rulemaking document and
comments from the May and October SRC meetings. In addition, new
proposals for certain regulations are provided for public comment. The
comment period is specified above under DATES. Our goal is to publish
final regulatory frameworks for migratory game bird hunting in the
Federal Register in spring 2024.
Population Status and Harvest
Each year, we publish reports that provide detailed information on
the status and harvest of certain migratory game bird species. These
reports are available at the address indicated under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT or from our website at <a href="https://www.fws.gov/library/collections/population-status">https://www.fws.gov/library/collections/population-status</a>, <a href="https://www.fws.gov/library/collections/migratory-bird-hunting-activity-and-harvest-reports">https://www.fws.gov/library/collections/migratory-bird-hunting-activity-and-harvest-reports</a>, and <a href="https://www.fws.gov/project/adaptive-harvest-management">https://www.fws.gov/project/adaptive-harvest-management</a>.
We used the following annual reports published in August 2023 in
the
[[Page 41523]]
development of these regulatory frameworks for the migratory bird
hunting season:
<bullet> Adaptive Harvest Management, 2024 Hunting Season;
<bullet> American Woodcock Population Status, 2023;
<bullet> Band-tailed Pigeon Population Status, 2023;
<bullet> Migratory Bird Hunting Activity and Harvest During the
2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 Hunting Seasons;
<bullet> Mourning Dove Population Status, 2023;
<bullet> Status and Harvests of Sandhill Cranes, Mid-continent,
Rocky Mountain, Lower Colorado River Valley and Eastern Populations,
2023; and
<bullet> Waterfowl Population Status, 2023.
Our long-term objectives continue to include providing
opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game bird
populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each
population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Migratory
game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and
sustenance, and aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the
management of migratory game birds. Having taken into account the zones
of temperature and the distribution, abundance, economic value,
breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of migratory birds, we
conclude that the proposed hunting seasons provided for herein are
compatible with the current status of migratory bird populations and
long-term population goals. Additionally, we are obligated to, and do,
give serious consideration to all information received during the
public comment period.
Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations
The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the February
8, 2024, Federal Register, opened the public comment period for
migratory game bird hunting regulations and described the proposed
regulatory alternatives for the 2024-25 duck hunting season. Comments
and recommendations are summarized below and numbered in the order set
forth in the February 8, 2024, proposed rule (see 89 FR 8631).
We received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils at the
May and October SRC meetings; all recommendations are from the October
meeting unless otherwise noted. Some recommendations supported
continuation of last year's frameworks. Due to the comprehensive nature
of the annual review of the frameworks performed by the Councils,
support for continuation of last year's frameworks is assumed for items
for which no recommendations were received. Council recommendations for
changes in the frameworks are summarized below. As explained earlier in
this document, we have included only the numbered items pertaining to
issues for which we received recommendations. Consequently, the issues
do not follow in successive numerical order.
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,
proposals are discussed under headings corresponding to the numbered
items in the February 8, 2024, proposed rule.
General
Written Comment: Several commenters protested the entire migratory
bird hunting regulations process and the killing of all migratory birds
and questioned the status and habitat data on which the migratory bird
hunting regulations are based.
Service Response: As we indicated above under Population Status and
Harvest, our long-term objectives continue to include providing
opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game bird
populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each
population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Sustaining
migratory bird populations and ensuring a variety of sustainable uses,
including harvest, is consistent with the guiding principles by which
migratory birds are to be managed under the conventions between the
United States and several foreign nations for the protection and
management of these birds. We have taken into account available
information and considered public comments and continue to conclude
that the hunting seasons provided for herein are compatible with the
current status of migratory bird populations and long-term population
goals. In regard to the regulations process, the Flyway Council system
of migratory bird management has been a longstanding example of State-
Federal cooperative management since its establishment in 1952 in the
regulation development process and bird population and habitat
monitoring. However, as always, we continue to seek new ways to
streamline and improve the process and ensure adequate conservation of
the resource.
Written Comment: A few commenters suggested specific season lengths
and daily bag limits for waterfowl hunting.
Service Response: We annually prescribe outside limits for
migratory bird hunting, and these limits are necessary to allow State
selections of seasons and limits and to allow harvest at levels
compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat
conditions. Following the decision frameworks adopted by the Service
and Flyway Council recommendations based on Flyway Council management
plans and harvest strategies, we used the most current data on
populations, habitat, and harvest strategies and have determined the
appropriate limits. All of the Flyway Council recommendations included
a public comment period during the Councils' adoption process. As we
indicated above under Population Status and Harvest, our long-term
objectives continue to include providing opportunities to harvest
portions of certain migratory game bird populations and to limit
harvests to levels compatible with each population's ability to
maintain healthy, viable numbers. We have taken into account available
information and considered public comments and continue to conclude
that the maximum limits for hunting seasons provided for herein are
compatible with the current status of migratory bird populations and
long-term population goals. It is up to the States to select specific
hunting seasons for migratory birds within these federally established
limits, and the States each have their own process for rulemaking and
considering public comments on specific season lengths, daily bag
limits, hunting areas, etc.
Written Comment: One commenter suggested a 70-day season limit
should be implemented for the Atlantic Flyway with a 4-scaup daily bag
limit.
Service Response: The maximum season length for the general duck
hunting season in the Atlantic Flyway is determined using the most
current data on populations, habitat, and harvest following the eastern
waterfowl Adaptive Harvest Management decision framework that we
adopted for the Atlantic Flyway through a cooperative process with the
Atlantic Flyway Council and published in the Federal Register for
public comment (83 FR 27841, June 14, 2018, and 84 FR 16154, April 17,
2019). The season length for the general duck season for the Atlantic
Flyway suggested by the commenter is inconsistent with current data,
the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation, and the Service's
decision framework for the general duck season. Similarly, the daily
bag limit for scaup in the Atlantic Flyway is established using the
most current data on populations, habitat, and harvest
[[Page 41524]]
following the decision framework that we adopted for the Atlantic
Flyway through a cooperative process with the Atlantic Flyway Council
and published in the Federal Register for public comment (3 FR 43290,
July 24, 2008, and 73 FR 51124, August 29, 2008). The scaup daily bag
limit suggested by the commenter is inconsistent with current data,
Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation, and the Service's decision
framework for scaup seasons.
Written Comment: One commenter stated that the pilot study being
conducted only in South Dakota and Nebraska should be expanded to all
States. The commenter further suggested that the 4-year study should be
conducted every year to ensure compatibility with long-term viability
of migratory bird populations. Another commenter expressed concern
regarding the relaxing of waterfowl identification requirements for
waterfowl hunting for the purpose of increasing hunter numbers. The
commenter stated that increasing waterfowl hunter numbers should not
mean less meticulous standards of hunting despite associated reduced
daily bag limit. The commenter recognizes that there are special
protocols for species of special concern, but questions if those
protocols will be taken seriously if identification of waterfowl is not
prioritized.
Service Response: In 2020, we authorized a request from the Central
Flyway Council for a 4-year pilot study on a two-tier duck hunting
regulatory system in South Dakota and Nebraska. The intent of the two-
tier regulation study is to evaluate whether regulations that relax the
requirement for hunters to identify duck species can improve waterfowl
hunter recruitment and retention. The pilot study for the two-tier
system does not directly relate to special protocols; we anticipate
minimal impacts from the pilot study to species of special concern
because the two-tier system applies only under a liberal or moderate
season and the reduced bag limit for the subset of hunters
participating under the applicable tier. We will not expand this two-
tier regulatory system to other studies or States until completion of a
final report and evaluation of the current pilot study, which includes
analysis of species of concern. The pilot study report will be due to
the Service after the 2024-25 hunting season.
Written Comment: We received a comment from the Leech Lake Band of
Ojibwe, Division of Resource Management (Band), in Minnesota. The Band
raised the issue of potential conflicts between Tribal members
harvesting wild rice and the teal hunting season by the public. The
Band asked that, to affirmatively protect their citizens while
continuing the safe exercise of treaty rights to harvest wild rice, the
following provision be added to the final rule, ``No hunting by any
person will be allowed within one-half mile of posted wild rice beds
open to harvest within the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. No travel by
boat is allowed within a wild rice bed unless while ricing.'' The Band
also objected to the Service's preliminary determinations in the
preamble with respect to the ``Government-to-Government Relationship
With Tribes,'' requesting specific language changes to this
determination.
Service Response: We have facilitated meetings to understand the
potential conflict between harvesting wild rice and the experimental
teal season where the public can hunt waterfowl on Leech Lake within
the Band's reservation (the current teal hunting conflict is with
respect to the State of Minnesota's experimental early teal season; the
State may request in the future that the experimental season become
operational). These activities are not mutually exclusive, and based on
the facilitated meetings held we remain optimistic that those
discussions will result in local solutions that minimize potential
conflicts between the two activities. Last year, the Band and the State
of Minnesota agreed to State waterfowl hunting rules that resolved this
conflict (Department of Natural Resources, Adopted Expedited Emergency
Game and Fish Rules: 6240.0200, Subp. 8. Early teal season
restrictions, ``Within the boundaries of the Leech Lake Reservation,
taking teal during the early teal season is prohibited within one-half
mile of wild rice beds that are posted open to rice harvesting by
Tribal authorities.''). The Service is willing to facilitate
discussions between the Band and the State again to ensure that Band
members are able to continue to safely harvest wild rice during the
early experimental hunting season.
The Service encourages the Band and the State to come into a long-
term agreement that resolves these issues, especially if the State of
Minnesota decides to make the experimental early teal season
operational. Similarly, until the State decides to make this teal
season operational, adopting the Band's recommended provisions may be
premature. As for the Band's recommended regulatory language, we have
chosen not to adopt the Band's recommended provision in the 2024-25
migratory game bird hunting frameworks because such language falls
outside the scope of this regulation, which prescribes the outside
limits of ``frameworks'' within which States may select hunting
seasons. However, during development of our final rule that will set
forth State season selections for the 2024-25 migratory game bird
hunting seasons, we will consider incorporating regulatory language
adopted by the State of Minnesota to address Tribal concerns, if such
language is available. Having delegated Tribal hunting season-related
regulations to the Tribes (see 88 FR 60375; September 1, 2023), we
believe the Band may want to incorporate its recommended regulatory
language in its own regulations. We encourage the Tribe to consider
mutually acceptable solutions with the State, and to inform us if there
are any mechanisms through which the Department can facilitate such
discussions.
In response to the Band's request to modify our preliminary
determinations in the ``Required Determinations'' portion of our
February 8, 2024, proposed rule (89 FR 8631), we have clarified these
determinations in that portion of the preamble to this proposed rule.
While the Band's comment specifically noted the ``Government-to-
Government Relationship With Tribes'' preliminary determination,
because the Band's comment raises issues on their reservation lands, we
have also clarified our determination on ``Federalism Effects--
Executive Order 13132.''
1. Ducks
A. General Harvest Strategy
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory
alternative for their respective flyways.
Service Response: As we stated in the February 8, 2024, proposed
rule, we intend to continue use of Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) to
help determine appropriate duck-hunting regulations for the 2024-25
season. AHM is a tool that permits sound resource decisions in the face
of uncertain regulatory impacts and provides a mechanism for reducing
that uncertainty over time. We use an AHM protocol (decision framework)
to evaluate four regulatory alternatives, each with a different
expected harvest level, and choose the optimal regulation for duck
hunting for the Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways based on the
status and demographics of mallards and in the Atlantic Flyway based on
the status and demographics of a suite of four species (eastern
waterfowl) (see below, and the earlier referenced report ``Adaptive
Harvest Management, 2024
[[Page 41525]]
Hunting Season'' for more details). We have specific AHM protocols that
guide appropriate bag limits and season lengths for species of special
concern, including black ducks, scaup, pintails, and eastern mallards.
These protocols have species-specific regulatory alternatives.
For the 2024-25 hunting season, we will continue to use independent
optimizations to determine the appropriate regulatory alternative for
mallard stocks in the Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways and for
eastern waterfowl in the Atlantic Flyway. This means that we will
develop regulations for mid-continent mallards, western mallards, and
eastern waterfowl independently based on the breeding stock(s) that
contribute primarily to each Flyway. We detailed implementation of AHM
protocols for mid-continent and western mallards in the July 24, 2008,
Federal Register (73 FR 43290), and for eastern waterfowl in the
September 21, 2018, Federal Register (83 FR 47868).
Atlantic Flyway
For the Atlantic Flyway, we set duck-hunting regulations based on
the status and demographics of a suite of four duck species (eastern
waterfowl) in eastern Canada and the Atlantic Flyway States: green-
winged teal, common goldeneye, ring-necked duck, and wood duck. For
purposes of the assessment, eastern waterfowl stocks are those breeding
in eastern Canada and Maine (Federal Waterfowl Breeding Population and
Habitat Survey (WBPHS) fixed-wing surveys in strata 51-53, 56, and 62-
70, and helicopter plot surveys in strata 51-52, 63-64, 66-68, and 70-
72) and in Atlantic Flyway States from New Hampshire south to Virginia
(Atlantic Flyway Breeding Waterfowl Survey, AFBWS). Abundance estimates
for green-winged teal, ring-necked ducks, and goldeneyes are derived
annually by integrating fixed-wing and helicopter survey data from
eastern Canada and Maine (WBPHS strata 51-53, 56, and 62-72). Counts of
green-winged teal, ring-necked ducks, and goldeneyes in the AFBWS are
negligible and therefore excluded from population estimates for those
species. Abundance estimates for wood ducks in the Atlantic Flyway
(Maine south to Florida) are estimated by integrating data from the
AFBWS and the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Counts of wood ducks
from the WBPHS are negligible and therefore excluded from population
estimates.
For the 2024-25 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest
regulations for eastern waterfowl using: (1) A management objective of
98 percent of maximum long-term sustainable harvest for eastern
waterfowl; (2) the 2024-25 regulatory alternatives; and (3) current
stock-specific population models and associated weights. Based on the
liberal regulatory alternative selected for the 2023-24 duck hunting
season and the 2023 survey estimates of 0.97 million wood ducks, 0.39
million American green-winged teal, 0.66 million ring-necked ducks, and
0.85 million goldeneyes in the eastern survey area and Atlantic Flyway,
the optimal regulation for the Atlantic Flyway is the liberal
alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendation of the
Atlantic Flyway Council regarding selection of the liberal regulatory
alternative as described in the February 8, 2024, proposed rule for the
2024-25 season.
Mississippi and Central Flyways
For the Mississippi and Central Flyways, we set duck-hunting
regulations based on the status and demographics of mid-continent
mallards and habitat conditions (pond numbers in Prairie Canada and the
United States). For purposes of the assessment, mid-continent mallards
are those breeding in central North America (Federal WBPHS strata 13-
18, 20-50, and 75-77) and in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (State
surveys).
For the 2024-25 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest
regulations for mid-continent mallards using: (1) A management
objective of maximum long-term sustainable harvest; (2) the 2024-25
regulatory alternatives; and (3) the current population model. Based on
a liberal regulatory alternative selected for the 2023-24 hunting
season and the 2023 survey estimates of 6.22 million mid-continent
mallards and 4.98 million total ponds observed in Prairie Canada and
the United States, the optimal choice for the 2024-25 hunting season in
the Mississippi and Central Flyways is the liberal regulatory
alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the
Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils regarding selection of the
liberal regulatory alternative as described in the February 8, 2024,
proposed rule for the 2024-25 season.
Pacific Flyway
For the Pacific Flyway, we set duck-hunting regulations based on
the status and demographics of western mallards. For purposes of the
assessment, western mallards consist of two substocks and are those
breeding in Alaska and Yukon Territory (Federal WBPHS strata 1-12) and
those breeding in the southern Pacific Flyway including California,
Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia (State and Provincial surveys)
combined.
For the 2024-25 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest
regulations for western mallards using: (1) A management objective of
maximum long-term sustainable harvest; (2) the 2024-25 regulatory
alternatives; and (3) the current population model. Based on a liberal
regulatory alternative selected for the 2023-24 hunting season and 2023
survey estimates of 0.82 million western mallards observed in Alaska
(0.38 million) and the southern Pacific Flyway (0.44 million), the
optimal regulation for the Pacific Flyway is the liberal regulatory
alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendation of the
Pacific Flyway Council regarding selection of the liberal regulatory
alternative as described in the February 8, 2024, proposed rule for the
2024-25 season.
B. Regulatory Alternatives
Council Recommendations: At the May 2023 SRC meeting, the Atlantic,
Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended that AHM
regulatory alternatives for duck hunting during the 2024-25 season
remain the same as those used in the previous season.
Service Response: Consistent with Flyway Council recommendations,
the AHM regulatory alternatives proposed for the Atlantic, Mississippi,
Central, and Pacific Flyways in the February 8, 2024, proposed rule (89
FR 8631) will be used for the 2024-25 duck hunting season (see
accompanying table at the end of that document for specific
information). The AHM regulatory alternatives consist only of the
maximum season lengths, framework dates, and bag limits for total ducks
and mallards. For those species with specific harvest strategies
(pintails, black ducks, scaup, and eastern mallards), each with their
own set of regulatory alternatives, the species-specific strategies and
regulatory alternatives will be used for the 2024-25 hunting season.
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
i. Early Teal Seasons
The special early teal season guidelines (see 79 FR 51402 at 51403,
August 28, 2014) indicate that a 16-day special early (September) teal
season with a 6-teal daily bag limit is appropriate for States in the
Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central flyways if the Federal WBPHS
(traditional survey area; strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77) estimate is
greater than 4.7 million blue-winged
[[Page 41526]]
teal. The 2023 survey estimate is 5.3 million blue-winged teal,
indicating a 16-day special early teal season with a 6-teal daily bag
limit is appropriate.
Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended
that the experimental teal season in Minnesota be extended for a fourth
year with no data collection required.
Service Response: The Service concurs with the Mississippi Flyway
Council's recommendation. In the July 16, 2021, Federal Register (86 FR
37854), we authorized a 3-year experimental special early teal season
in Minnesota beginning in 2021 or 2022. Previously, we described in the
August 28, 2014, Federal Register (79 FR 51402) that the Flyway
Councils and Service completed a thorough assessment of the harvest
potential for teal (blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon), and an
assessment of the impacts of current special early seasons on these
three species. The criteria established in 2014 regarding the
experimental season and transition to operational status applies. We
worked with the State of Minnesota to develop an evaluation plan and
associated memorandum of agreement (MOA) for this experimental season
detailing the required sample sizes, decision criteria for the
experimental season to become operational, and roles and
responsibilities. The plan consists of a 3-year evaluation of hunter
performance (via spy blind studies) with regard to attempt and kill
rates on nontarget species during the experimental early teal season.
The 1-year extension of the experimental teal season, without a
requirement to collect data, will allow the current harvest opportunity
to continue during the 2024 early teal season until an evaluation of
the first 3 years of data is completed. Any future request for
operational status will be based on that evaluation and relevant data
collected during the experimental season. We note that preliminary
results indicate Minnesota has met all criteria for operational status
based on currently available data through the second year of the
experimental season.
ii. Early Teal-Wood Duck Seasons
In Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee, in lieu of a special early
teal season, a 5-consecutive-day teal-wood duck season may be selected
in September. The daily bag limit may not exceed six teal and wood
ducks in the aggregate, of which no more than two may be wood ducks. In
addition, a 4-consecutive-day special early teal-only season may be
selected in September either immediately before or immediately after
the 5-consecutive-day teal-wood duck season. The daily bag limit is six
teal.
iii. Black Ducks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils recommended adoption of the moderate regulatory alternative
for their respective flyways. The flyway-specific regulations consist
of a daily bag limit of two black ducks and a season length of 60 days.
Service Response: The Service, Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway
Councils, and Canada adopted an international AHM protocol for black
ducks in 2012 (77 FR 49868, August 17, 2012) whereby we set black duck
hunting regulations for the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways (and
Canada) based on the status and demographics of these birds.
For the 2024-25 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest
regulations for black ducks using: (1) A management objective of 98
percent of maximum long-term sustainable harvest; (2) the black duck
regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population model. Based on the
moderate regulatory alternative selected for the 2023-24 hunting season
and the 2023 survey estimate of 0.73 million black ducks, the optimal
regulation for the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways is the moderate
alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils.
iv. Canvasbacks
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory
alternative for their respective flyways. The flyway-specific
regulations consist of a daily bag limit of two canvasbacks and a
season length of 60 days in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 74
days in the Central Flyway, and 107 days in the Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: As we discussed in the March 28, 2016, Federal
Register (81 FR 17302), the canvasback harvest strategy that we relied
on until 2015 was not viable under our new regulatory process because
it required biological information that was not yet available at the
time a decision on season structure needed to be made. We do not yet
have a new harvest strategy to propose for use in guiding canvasback
harvest management in the future. However, we have worked with
technical staff of the four Flyway Councils to develop a decision
framework (hereafter, decision support tool) that relies on the best
biological information available to develop recommendations for annual
canvasback harvest regulations. The decision support tool uses
available information (1994-2014) on canvasback breeding population
size in Alaska and north-central North America (Federal WBPHS
traditional survey area; strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), growth rate,
survival, and harvest, and a population model to evaluate alternative
harvest regulations based on a management objective of maximum long-
term sustainable harvest. The decision support tool calls for a closed
season when the population is below 460,000, a 1-bird daily bag limit
when the population is between 460,000 and 480,000, and a 2-bird daily
bag limit when the population is greater than 480,000. Based on the
2023 survey estimate of 619,000 canvasbacks, we concur with the
recommendations of the four Flyway Councils regarding selection of the
liberal regulatory alternative for the 2024-25 season.
v. Pintails
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory
alternative with a 1-pintail daily bag limit for their respective
flyways. The flyway-specific regulations consist of a season length of
60 days in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 74 days in the Central
Flyway, and 107 days in the Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: The Service and the four Flyway Councils adopted
an AHM protocol for pintails in 2010 (75 FR 44856, July 29, 2010)
whereby we set pintail hunting regulations in all four flyways based on
the status and demographics of these birds.
For the 2024-25 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest
regulations for pintails using: (1) A management objective of maximum
long-term sustainable harvest, including a closed-season constraint of
1.75 million birds; (2) the pintail regulatory alternatives; and (3)
current population models and associated weights. Based on a liberal
regulatory alternative with a 1-bird daily bag limit for the 2023-24
season, and the 2023 survey estimates of 2.22 million pintails at a
mean latitude of 54.78 degrees (Federal WBPHS traditional survey area,
strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), the optimal regulation for all four
flyways is the liberal alternative with a 1-pintail daily bag limit.
Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the four Flyway
Councils for the 2024-25 season.
[[Page 41527]]
vi. Scaup
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the restrictive
regulatory alternative for their respective flyways. The flyway-
specific regulations consist of a 60-day season with a 1-bird daily bag
limit during 40 consecutive days and a 2-bird daily bag limit during 20
consecutive days in the Atlantic Flyway; a 60-day season with a 2-bird
daily bag limit during 45 consecutive days and a 1-bird daily bag limit
during 15 consecutive days in the Mississippi Flyway; a 1-bird daily
bag limit for 74 days in the Central Flyway (which may have separate
segments of 39 days and 35 days); and an 86-day season with a 2-bird
daily bag limit in the Pacific Flyway.
Service Response: The Service and four Flyway Councils adopted an
AHM protocol for scaup in 2008 (73 FR 43290, July 24, 2008, and 73 FR
51124, August 29, 2008) whereby we set scaup hunting regulations in all
four flyways based on the status and demographics of these birds.
For the 2024-25 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest
regulations for scaup using: (1) A management objective of 95 percent
of maximum sustainable harvest; (2) the scaup regulatory alternatives;
and (3) current population model. Based on a restrictive regulatory
alternative for the 2023-24 season, and the 2023 survey estimate of
3.52 million scaup (Federal WBPHS traditional survey area; strata 1-18,
20-50, and 75-77), the optimal regulation for all four flyways is the
restrictive alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations
of the four Flyway Councils regarding selection of the restrictive
alternative for the 2024-25 season.
ix. Eastern Mallards
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
adoption of the liberal regulatory alternative for their flyway. The
Atlantic Flyway regulation consists of a daily bag limit of four
mallards, no more than two of which may be hens, and a season length of
60 days.
Service Response: The Service and Atlantic Flyway Council adopted
an AHM protocol for eastern mallards in 2023 (88 FR 6054, January 30,
2023) whereby we set mallard hunting regulations in the Atlantic Flyway
based on the status and demographics of these birds.
For the 2024-25 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest
regulations for eastern mallards using: (1) A management objective of
98 percent of maximum sustainable harvest; (2) the eastern mallard
regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population model. Based on a
liberal regulatory alternative for the 2023-24 season, and the 2023
survey estimate of 1.20 million eastern mallards (Federal WBPHS eastern
survey area and AFBWS), the optimal regulation for the Atlantic Flyway
is the liberal alternative. Therefore, we concur with the
recommendation of the Atlantic Flyway Council regarding selection of
the liberal alternative for the 2024-25 season.
4. Canada and Cackling Geese
B. Regular Seasons
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended
the moderate regulatory option as defined in the Council's harvest
strategy for Atlantic Population (AP) Canada geese (30-day season with
a daily bag limit of 3 geese in the Mid-Atlantic and New England
Regions; 2 geese per day in the Chesapeake Region; 1 goose per day in
North Carolina) in the AP Zones of the Atlantic Flyway. In addition, in
Vermont, the Lake Champlain Zone of New York, and the AP Zones in
Connecticut and Massachusetts, a special late season may be held in
addition to the regular AP Canada goose season with a maximum daily bag
limit of 5 geese. The Pacific Flyway Council recommended changing the
season closing date for Canada and cackling geese (including brant
except in California, Oregon and Washington) in the Pacific Flyway from
January 31 to February 15.
Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's
recommendation to implement the moderate regulatory option as described
in the Council's harvest strategy for AP Canada geese for the 2024-25
hunting season. The AP Canada goose is one of three populations of
Canada geese managed in the Atlantic Flyway and has a long history of
intensive management due to its importance to subsistence and sport
hunters in Canada and the United States. In 2021, the Council adopted a
harvest strategy to prescribe appropriate hunting regulations for AP
Canada geese commensurate with the status of this population. The 2023
breeding population estimate for AP Canada geese is 115,000 pairs.
Breeding habitat conditions appeared to be slightly improved in 2023
compared to 2022. Using the most current breeding population and
habitat data, the model predicted the 2024 median number of breeding
pairs is 147,500. The predicted August 2023 juvenile-to-adult age ratio
is 1.43 which is greater than the long-term (1997-2022) average of
1.28. The Council's AP Canada goose harvest strategy prescribes the
moderate regulatory alternative when the model-predicted abundance for
the out-year is between 125,000 and 160,000 pairs. The moderate
regulatory option in the Council's harvest strategy for AP Canada geese
is appropriate considering the current status of this population and
habitat conditions.
We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to
change the season closing date for Canada and cackling geese (including
brant except in California, Oregon and Washington) in the Pacific
Flyway from January 31 to February 15. The Pacific Flyway Council
adopted a management plan for the Pacific Flyway Population (PFP) of
western Canada geese in 2023. The management plan includes a harvest
strategy that prescribes season outside dates of Saturday nearest
September 24 and February 15 when the 3-year average population index
for PFP western Canada geese exceeds 200,000 birds. The most recent 3-
year (2020, 2022, and 2023) average population estimate for PFP western
Canada geese is 419,906, and is well (110 percent) above the Council's
population objective. The extension of the closing date by about 2
weeks from the end of January to mid-February is expected to provide
additional hunting opportunities, increase harvest, and help limit the
continued growth of PFP western Canada geese. The basic season
frameworks for Canada and cackling geese in the Pacific Flyway are
generally based on the status of PFP western Canada geese. There are
special restrictions geographically in the season frameworks to address
concern for any of the other six subspecies of white-cheeked geese
wintering in the Pacific Flyway, which are managed as separate
populations. Brant are included in the season limits for Canada and
cackling geese in interior States because brant generally do not occur
in these areas.
5. White-Fronted Geese
Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended the
following season frameworks of dark geese (Canada geese, white-fronted
geese, and all other geese except light geese) in west-tier States
(Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and the Western Goose Zone of
Texas) of the Central Flyway: Outside dates Saturday nearest September
24 and Sunday nearest February 15; the season may be divided into two
segments, except in Wyoming where the season may be divided into three
segments; season
[[Page 41528]]
length 95 days in the Western Goose Zone of Texas and 107 days in the
remainder of the west-tier States; the daily bag limit is five dark
geese in the aggregate; and the possession limit is three times the
daily bag limit.
Service Response: We agree with the Central Flyway Council's
recommendation. The Council's recommendation is consistent with the
management plan for the Midcontinent Population of greater white-
fronted geese approved by the Pacific, Central, and Mississippi Flyway
Councils. The only change to the frameworks is that the white-fronted
goose daily bag limit in the Western Goose Zone of Texas is now in the
aggregate with dark geese rather than a separate limit, and the daily
bag limit is increased from two to five geese. This change is expected
to simplify regulations in that the dark goose bag and possession
limits are now the same for all west-tier States. Any possible
additional harvest of greater white-fronted geese from this regulatory
change would be negligible for the Central Flyway.
6. Brant
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended
that the 2024-25 brant season frameworks be determined based on the
harvest strategy in the Council's management plan for the Pacific
population of brant pending results of the 2024 Winter Brant Survey
(WBS). If results of the 2024 WBS are not available, results of the
most recent WBS should be used.
Service Response: We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's
recommendation that the 2024-25 Pacific brant season framework be
determined by the harvest strategy in the Council's management plan for
the Pacific population of brant pending results of the 2024 WBS. As we
discussed in the August 21, 2020, Federal Register (85 FR 51854), the
harvest strategy used to determine the Pacific brant season frameworks
does not fit well within the current regulatory process. In developing
the annual proposed frameworks for Pacific brant, the Pacific Flyway
Council and the Service use the 3-year average number of brant counted
during the WBS in the Pacific Flyway to determine annual allowable
season length and daily bag limits. The WBS is conducted each January,
which is after the date that proposed frameworks are formulated in the
regulatory process. However, the data are typically available by the
expected publication of final frameworks. When we acquire the survey
data, we will determine the appropriate allowable harvest for the
Pacific brant season according to the harvest strategy in the Pacific
Flyway Council's management plan for the Pacific population of brant
published in the August 21, 2020, Federal Register (85 FR 51854) and
publish the results in the final frameworks rule.
8. Swans
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended
increasing the number of swan hunting permits in Nevada from 650 to 750
and that the experimental swan hunting season in northern Idaho be
granted operational status.
Service Response: We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's
recommendation to increase the number of swan hunting permits in Nevada
from 650 to 750. The most recent 3-year (2021-2023) average population
estimate for the Western Population of tundra swans is 97,709 and is 63
percent above the Council's population objective of 60,000 swans. The
demand for swan hunting permits has exceeded the limit of 650 available
in Nevada during the last 5 years. In 2022, swan permit sales
transitioned from a first-come first-served process to an application-
limited drawing process in which there were 817 applicants for 650
available permits. The mean annual participation rate over the past 5
years for Nevada swan permit holders was 63 percent, with a mean annual
harvest of 200 swans; mean annual incidental trumpeter swan harvest was
1.7 trumpeter swans. The estimated annual increase in swan harvest in
Nevada with 100 additional hunting permits is 30 swans. The estimated
additional harvest of trumpeter swans would be negligible. The swan
season in Nevada continues (28 years) to be compliant with
environmental impact statements for the general swan season in the
Pacific Flyway and the Service's outside limits for the general swan
season in the Pacific Flyway including monitoring and mandatory hunter
reporting of swan harvest for species identification. Increasing the
number of swan hunting permits in Nevada would provide biologically
appropriate additional hunting opportunity where there is apparent
demand.
We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to
grant operational status to the swan hunting season in northern Idaho.
Idaho completed a 3-year (2020-2022 hunting seasons) evaluation of the
experimental swan hunting season. Fifty swan hunting permits were
issued each year. Any hunter who harvested a swan was required, within
3 days of the date of kill, to present the swan carcass at a check
station for species identification and to complete a harvest report.
After the season, any swan tag holder who did not complete a harvest
report was sent a survey questionnaire in the mail and asked to report
their hunting activity and harvest. The average annual compliance rate
for swan permit holders in returning their hunter activity and harvest
questionnaire was 90 percent (range = 84-93 percent). The estimated
average hunter compliance in providing species-determinant parts of
harvested swans for species identification was also 90 percent (range =
84-93 percent). The estimated average percentage of swan permit holders
that actively hunted swans in Idaho was 69 percent (33 hunters). The
estimated mean annual harvest was 11 tundra swans and 5 trumpeter swans
(but was <=2 during 2 of the 3 years). In 2018, the Service and Pacific
Flyway Council evaluated the impact swan hunting has had on the Rocky
Mountain Population (RMP) of trumpeter swans and demonstrated tundra
swan hunting and trumpeter swan population restoration are compatible
in the Pacific Flyway. Current swan harvest levels across all Pacific
Flyway States are well within conservatively estimated acceptable
limits for the Western Population of tundra swans and RMP trumpeter
swans. Lastly, the swan season in Idaho is compliant with environmental
impact statements for the general swan season in the Pacific Flyway and
the Service's outside limits for the general swan season in the Pacific
Flyway including monitoring and mandatory hunter reporting of swan
harvest for species identification. No changes to the swan season in
northern Idaho are being proposed at this time except the change in
status from experimental to operational.
9. Sandhill Cranes
Council Recommendations: The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils
recommended a minor expansion to the hunting areas for the Rocky
Mountain Population (RMP) of sandhill cranes in Montana to include that
portion of Stillwater County north of I-90. The Central and Pacific
Flyway Councils also recommended that allowable harvest of the RMP
sandhill cranes be determined based on the formula described in the
Pacific and Central Flyway Councils' Management Plan for RMP cranes
when the 2023 fall abundance and recruitment data become available.
Service Response: We agree with the Central and Pacific Flyway
Councils' recommendation to expand the RMP
[[Page 41529]]
sandhill crane hunting areas in Montana to include that portion of
Stillwater County north of I-90. This will be more restrictive in crane
hunting opportunity overall in that it changes the applicable season
frameworks for northern Stillwater County from those for the
Midcontinent Population (MCP) of sandhill cranes (not limited by
special hunting permit requirement) to those for RMP sandhill cranes
(limited by special hunting permit requirement). The expanded RMP crane
hunting areas are consistent with the Pacific and Central Flyway
Council's RMP sandhill crane management plan hunting area requirements.
We also agree with the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils'
recommendations to determine allowable harvest of RMP cranes using the
formula in the Pacific and Central Flyway Councils' management plan for
RMP cranes pending results of the fall 2023 abundance and recruitment
surveys. As we discussed in the March 28, 2016, Federal Register (81 FR
17302), the harvest strategy used to calculate the allowable harvest of
RMP cranes does not fit well within the current regulatory process. In
developing the annual proposed frameworks for RMP cranes, the Flyway
Councils and the Service use the fall abundance and recruitment surveys
of RMP cranes to determine annual allowable harvest. Results of the
fall abundance and recruitment surveys of RMP cranes are released
between December 1 and January 31 each year, which is after the date
proposed frameworks are developed. However, the data are typically
available by the expected publication of final frameworks. When we
acquire the survey data, we will determine the appropriate allowable
harvest for the RMP crane season according to the harvest strategy in
the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils' management plan for RMP cranes
published in the March 28, 2016, Federal Register (81 FR 17302) and
publish the results in the final frameworks rule.
16. Doves
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the standard regulatory
alternative as prescribed in the national mourning dove harvest
strategy for their respective Mourning Dove Management Units. The
standard regulatory alternative consists of a 90-day season and 15-bird
daily bag limit for States within the Eastern and Central Management
Units, and a 60-day season and 15-bird daily bag limit for States in
the Western Management Unit (WMU). Also, the Central Flyway Council
recommended that the season length of 6 days for the special white-
winged dove season in Texas (between September 1 and 19) be allowed to
be split into three segments. The Pacific Flyway Council recommended
allowing up to 10 white-winged doves in Arizona's daily bag limit
during season days from November 1 through January 15.
Service Response: Based on the harvest strategies and current
population status, we agree with the recommended selection of the
standard season frameworks for doves in the Eastern, Central, and
Western Management Units for the 2024-25 season.
We also agree with the Central Flyway Council's recommendation that
the season length of 6 days for the special white-winged dove season in
Texas be allowed to be split into three segments. As we discussed in
the July 16, 2021, Federal Register (86 FR 37862), we agreed with the
Central Flyway Council's recommendation to add 2 days to the existing 4
hunting days permitted in the special white-winged dove area in Texas,
and to codify in Federal regulations that shooting hours for those 6
days will be from noon to sunset. The additional days allowed more
opportunity and flexibility to hunters by providing 3-consecutive days
of dove hunting (Friday-Sunday) each of the first 2 weekends in
September. Anticipating that Texas would split the 6-day season into
two 3-day segments, we codified into the season framework that the 6-
day season may consist of two 3-consecutive-day periods. However, Texas
officials have noted that in some years calendar dates would not allow
for these 2 full weekends prior to September 14 and that they would
prefer to have the hunting days before September 14 around weekends and
holidays to maximize hunting opportunity and hunter participation.
Thus, specifying that Texas may split the 6-day season into three
segments would allow the State more flexibility in aligning the season
with weekends and holidays to maximize hunting opportunity and hunter
participation.
In the past, the Service stated concern about the effect of early
September hunting on late-nesting mourning doves (see 86 FR 37862, July
16, 2021, and 76 FR 54056, August 30, 2011). We stated that abundances
of mourning doves in the Central Management Unit have declined since
2008, and additional harvest associated with this change could
exacerbate that trend. We encourage the State of Texas and the Central
Flyway Council to conduct appropriate monitoring of both mourning and
white-winged doves that will inform adjustments to the dove harvest
management strategy, if necessary, to maintain desired abundances of
doves. Such efforts should include contemporary nesting ecology studies
to determine the extent of nesting activity in September, various
aspects of nesting ecology (e.g., nesting rate, clutch size, nest
success), and exposure of nesting adults to harvest. We note that Texas
continues to monitor mourning and white-winged dove harvest during the
special white-winged dove season. The most recent harvest estimates
indicate that mourning dove harvest has not increased with the addition
of 2 days to the special white-winged dove season beginning with the
2021 season.
Finally, we also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's
recommendation to allow up to 10 white-winged doves in Arizona's daily
bag limit during season days from November 1 through January 15. Within
the WMU, most white-winged doves breed in Arizona. The Arizona spring
call count survey indicates white-winged doves have increased in
abundance considerably during the recent 10 years. Arizona is currently
the only State in the WMU where the season frameworks do not allow take
of white-winged doves during part of the dove season. Historically,
white-winged doves migrated out of Arizona prior to November 1;
however, in recent years, small numbers of white-winged doves have been
present in the State during the late season. Allowing a limited take of
white-winged doves during Arizona's late dove season would provide
additional hunting opportunity where it is biologically appropriate,
reduce the potential for a hunter to be cited for accidental harvest of
white-winged doves during the dove season (i.e., species
misidentification), and simplify frameworks for the dove season across
the WMU. White-winged dove harvest would be limited to 10 within the
15-dove aggregate bag limit to be consistent with the frameworks for
the dove season in California and during the early season in Arizona.
The outside limits for the remainder of the WMU States is 15 mourning
and white-winged doves in the aggregate. Because most white-winged
doves have migrated south of Arizona before the late season, the
additional harvest of white-winged doves is expected to be small. There
is no expected significant increase in the harvest of mourning doves,
but harvest could be reduced by any buffering effect
[[Page 41530]]
of white-winged dove harvest during the late season.
Public Comments
The Department of the Interior's policy is, whenever possible, to
afford the public an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking
process. Accordingly, we invite interested persons to submit written
comments, suggestions, or recommendations regarding the proposed
regulations. Before promulgating final migratory game bird hunting
regulations, we will consider all comments we receive. These comments,
and any additional information we receive, may lead to final
regulations that differ from these proposals.
You may submit your comments and materials concerning this proposed
rule by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. We will not accept
comments sent by email or fax. We will not consider hand-delivered
comments that we do not receive, or mailed comments that are not
postmarked, by the date specified in DATES.
We may post all comments in their entirety--including your personal
identifying information--on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. 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. 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 February 8, 2024, proposed rule (89 FR
8631), but we are clarifying two preliminary determinations as set
forth below. For descriptions of our actions to ensure compliance with
the following statutes and Executive Orders, see our February 8, 2024,
proposed rule (89 FR 8631):
<bullet> National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);
<bullet> Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C.
1531-1543);
<bullet> Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
<bullet> Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.);
<bullet> Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
<bullet> Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.); and
<bullet> Executive Orders 12630, 12866 (as reaffirmed by E.O. 13563
and amended by E.O. 14094), 12988, and 13211.
Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes
In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994,
``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal
Governments'' (59 FR 22951), E.O. 13175, and 512 DM 2, we have
evaluated possible effects on federally recognized Indian Tribes with
respect to impacts to Tribes' treaty rights to hunt waterfowl, and we
have determined that there are de minimis effects on Indian Tribes for
that aspect of their treaty rights. Through this process to establish
annual hunting regulations, we regularly coordinate with Tribes that
are affected by this proposed rulemaking action. This proposed rule
will not have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian Tribes,
on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes,
or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the
Federal Government and Indian Tribes. This rule is general in nature
and does not directly affect any specific Tribal lands, treaty rights,
or Tribal trust resources. In addition, this proposed rule would not
interfere with the ability of Tribes to manage themselves or their
funds or to regulate migratory bird activities on Tribal lands. We
recognize that, in certain cases, conflicts may arise between States
and specific Tribes on aspects of other Tribal treaty rights. The
Service actively supports the parties reaching a mutually agreeable
solution to such conflicts. Therefore, we preliminarily conclude that
this proposed rule does not have ``Tribal implications'' under section
1(a) of E.O. 13175 with respect to waterfowl treaty rights. Thus,
formal government-to-government consultation is not required by E.O.
13175 and related policies of the Department of the Interior. We will
continue to collaborate with Tribes on concerns related to migratory
bird hunting regulations.
Federalism Effects--Executive Order 13132
Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the
Federal Government has been given responsibility over these species by
the MBTA. We annually prescribe frameworks from which the States make
selections regarding the hunting of migratory birds, and we employ
guidelines to establish special regulations on Federal Indian
reservations and ceded lands. This process preserves the ability of the
States and Tribes to determine which seasons meet their individual
needs. We recognize that, in certain cases, conflicts may arise between
States and specific Tribes on aspects of other Tribal treaty rights.
The Service actively supports the parties reaching a mutually agreeable
solution to such conflicts.
Any State or Tribe may be more restrictive in its regulations than
the Federal frameworks at any time. The frameworks are developed in a
cooperative process with the States and the Flyway Councils. This
process allows States to participate in the development of frameworks
from which they will make selections, thereby having an influence on
their own regulations. This proposed rule will not have substantial
direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in
accordance with E.O. 13132, these proposed regulations do not have
federalism implications and do not warrant the preparation of a
federalism summary impact statement.
Authority
The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2024-25
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742
a-j.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20
Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.
Proposed Regulatory Frameworks for 2024-25 Hunting Seasons on Certain
Migratory Game Birds
Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated
authorities, the Department of the Interior is proposing the following
frameworks for outside dates, season lengths, shooting hours, bag and
possession limits, and areas within which States may select seasons for
hunting migratory game birds between the dates of September 1, 2024,
and March 10, 2025. These frameworks are summarized below.
General
Outside Dates: Outside dates are the earliest and latest dates
within which States may establish hunting seasons. All outside dates
specified below are inclusive.
[[Page 41531]]
Season Lengths: Season lengths are the maximum number of days
hunting may occur within the outside dates for hunting seasons. Days
are consecutive and concurrent for all species included in each season
framework unless otherwise specified.
Season Segments: Season segments are the maximum number of
consecutive-day segments into which the season lengths may be divided.
The sum of the hunting days for all season segments may not exceed the
season lengths allowed.
Zones: Unless otherwise specified, States may select hunting
seasons by zones. Zones for duck seasons (and associated youth and
veterans-active military waterfowl hunting days, gallinule seasons, and
snipe seasons) and dove seasons may be selected only in years we
declare such changes can be made (i.e., open seasons for zones and
splits) and according to federally established guidelines for duck and
dove zones and split seasons.
Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Areas open to hunting must be
described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting
regulations, and, except for early teal seasons, these areas must also
be published in the Federal Register as a Federal migratory bird
hunting frameworks final rule. Geographic descriptions related to
regulations are contained in a later portion of this document.
Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise
specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.
Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits
are three times the daily bag limits.
Permits: For some species of migratory birds, the Service
authorizes the use of permits to regulate harvest or monitor their take
by hunters, or both. In such cases, the Service determines the amount
of harvest that may be taken during hunting seasons during its formal
regulations-setting process, and the States then issue permits to
hunters at levels predicted to result in the amount of take authorized
by the Service. Thus, although issued by States, the permits would not
be valid unless the Service approved such take in its regulations.
These federally authorized, State-issued permits are issued to
individuals, and only the individual whose name and address appears on
the permit at the time of issuance is authorized to take migratory
birds at levels specified in the permit, in accordance with provisions
of both Federal and State regulations governing the hunting season. The
permit must be carried by the permittee when exercising its provisions
and must be presented to any law enforcement officer upon request. The
permit is not transferrable or assignable to another individual, and
may not be sold, bartered, traded, or otherwise provided to another
person. If the permit is altered or defaced in any way, the permit
becomes invalid.
Flyways and Management Units
We generally set migratory bird hunting frameworks for the
conterminous United States by Flyway or Management Unit/Region.
Frameworks for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are
contained in separate sections near the end of the frameworks portion
of this document. The States included in the Flyways and Management
Units/Regions are described below.
Waterfowl Flyways
Atlantic Flyway: Includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway: Includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri,
Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Central Flyway: Includes Colorado (east of the Continental Divide),
Kansas, Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith Basin,
Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties east thereof),
Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except the
Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the Continental Divide).
Pacific Flyway: Includes Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado, Montana, New
Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.
Mallard Management Units
High Plains Management Unit: Roughly defined as that portion of the
Central Flyway that lies west of the 100th meridian. See Area, Unit,
and Zone Descriptions, Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots, below,
for specific boundaries in each State.
Columbia Basin Management Unit: In Washington, all areas east of
the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River in
Klickitat County; and in Oregon, the counties of Gilliam, Morrow, and
Umatilla.
Mourning Dove Management Units
Eastern Management Unit: All States east of the Mississippi River,
and Louisiana.
Central Management Unit: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas,
Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Western Management Unit: Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Woodcock Management Regions
Eastern Management Region: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia.
Central Management Region: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Definitions
For the purpose of the hunting season frameworks listed below, the
collective terms ``dark'' and ``light'' geese include the following
species:
Dark geese: Canada geese, cackling geese, white-fronted geese,
brant (except in Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, and the
Atlantic Flyway), and all other goose species except light geese.
Light geese: Snow (including blue) geese and Ross's geese.
Migratory Game Bird Seasons in the Atlantic Flyway
In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania,
if Sunday hunting of migratory birds is prohibited statewide by State
law or regulation, all Sundays are closed to the take of all migratory
game birds. For these States where Sunday hunting is prohibited
statewide by State law or regulation, the State may extend their
hunting season length beyond the framework season length for any
migratory game bird by one day for each Sunday included in the State's
regular hunting season. Total season days must be within the season
framework outside dates; season days must be consecutive except as
provided in framework split-season provisions; and total season length
(including extended falconry and other special seasons) must not exceed
107 days.
[[Page 41532]]
Season Frameworks
Special Youth and Veterans--Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting
Days
Outside Dates and Season Lengths: States may select 2 days per
duck-hunting zone, designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,'' and
2 days per duck-hunting zone, designated as ``Veterans and Active
Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days,'' in addition to their
regular duck seasons. The days may be held concurrently or may be
nonconsecutive. The Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days must be held outside
any regular duck season on weekends, holidays, or other non-school days
when youth hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate.
Both sets of days may be held up to 14 days before or after any regular
duck-season frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or
within any other open season on migratory birds.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits may include ducks, geese,
swans, mergansers, coots, and gallinules. Bag limits are the same as
those allowed in the regular season except in States that implement a
hybrid season for scaup (i.e., different bag limits during different
portions of the season), in which case the bag limit will be 2 scaup
per day. Flyway species and area restrictions would remain in effect.
Participation Restrictions for Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days: States
may use their established definition of age for youth hunters. However,
youth hunters must be under the age of 18. In addition, an adult at
least 18 years of age must accompany the youth hunter into the field.
This adult may not duck hunt but may participate in other seasons that
are open on the special youth day. Swans may be taken only by
participants possessing applicable swan permits.
Participation Restrictions for Veterans and Active Military
Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days: Veterans (as defined in section 101
of title 38, United States Code) and members of the Armed Forces on
active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on
active duty (other than for training), may participate. Swans may be
taken only by participants possessing applicable swan permits.
Special Early Teal Seasons
Areas:
Atlantic Flyway: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North
Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio,
Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The season in Minnesota is experimental.
Central Flyway: Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico
(part), Oklahoma, and Texas.
Outside Dates: September 1-30.
Season Lengths: 16 days.
Daily Bag Limits: 6 teal.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except in
the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, and Wisconsin, where the hours are from
sunrise to sunset.
Special Early Teal-Wood Duck Seasons
Areas: Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Seasons: In lieu of a special early teal season, a 5-consecutive-
day teal-wood duck season may be selected in September. The daily bag
limit may not exceed 6 teal and wood ducks in the aggregate, of which
no more than 2 may be wood ducks. In addition, a 4-consecutive-day
teal-only season may be selected in September either immediately before
or immediately after the 5-day teal-wood duck season. The daily bag
limit is 6 teal.
Duck, Merganser, Coot, and Goose Seasons
Atlantic Flyway
Duck, Merganser, and Coot Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21)-January
31.
Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: 60 days. The daily bag limit
is 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which
can be female), 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous
whistling duck, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, and 4 sea
ducks (including no more than 3 scoters, 3 long-tailed ducks, or 3
eiders and no more than 1 female eider). The season for scaup may be
split into 2 segments, with one segment consisting of 40 consecutive
days with a 1-scaup daily bag limit, and the second segment consisting
of 20 consecutive days with a 2-scaup daily bag limit. The daily bag
limit of mergansers is 5. In States that include mergansers in the duck
bag limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit. The daily
bag limit of coots is 15.
Closed Seasons: There is no open season on the harlequin duck.
Zones and Split Seasons: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Rhode Island,
South Carolina, and West Virginia may split their seasons into 3
segments. Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont
may select seasons in each of 3 zones; Pennsylvania may select seasons
in each of 4 zones; New York may select seasons in each of 5 zones; and
all these States may split their season in each zone into 2 segments.
Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia may select seasons
in each of 2 zones; and all these States may split their season in each
zone into 3 segments. Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, and
Virginia must conduct an evaluation of the impacts of zones and splits
on hunter dynamics (e.g., hunter numbers, satisfaction) and harvest
during the 2021-25 seasons.
Other Provisions: The seasons, limits, and shooting hours should be
the same between New York's Lake Champlain Zone and Vermont's Lake
Champlain Zone, and between Vermont's Connecticut River Zone and New
Hampshire's Inland Zone.
A craft under power may be used to shoot and retrieve dead or
crippled birds in the Sea Duck Area in the Atlantic Flyway. The Sea
Duck Area includes all coastal waters and all waters of rivers and
streams seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in New Jersey,
all coastal waters seaward from the International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) Demarcation Lines shown on
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Nautical Charts
and further described in 33 CFR 80.165, 80.501, 80.502, and 80.503; in
any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay
that are separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore,
island, and emergent vegetation in South Carolina and Georgia; and in
any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay
that are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any shore,
island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina.
In Virginia, the Sea Duck Area includes all ocean waters of Virginia,
the tidal waters of Northampton and Accomack Counties up to the first
highway bridge, and the Chesapeake Bay and each of its tributaries up
to the first highway bridge; Back Bay and its tributaries are not
included in the Sea Duck Area. The Sea Duck Area in each State must be
described, delineated, and designated as special sea duck hunting areas
under the hunting regulations adopted by the respective States.
Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons
Outside Dates and Season Lengths: 15 days during September 1-15 in
the Eastern Unit of Maryland; 30 days
[[Page 41533]]
during September 1-30 in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey,
Long Island Zone of New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and South
Carolina; and 25 days during September 1-25 in the remainder of the
Atlantic Flyway.
Daily Bag Limits: 15 geese in the aggregate.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during any special early Canada and cackling goose season, shooting
hours may extend to one-half hour after sunset if all other waterfowl
seasons are closed in the specific applicable area.
Dark Goose Seasons
Outside Dates, Season Lengths, and Daily Bag Limits: Regulations
are State and zone specific as provided below.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season Daily bag Season
Area Outside dates length limit segments
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connecticut:
Atlantic Population (AP) Zone......... Oct 10-Feb 5................. 30 3 2
AP Zone Late Season Area (Special Dec 15-Feb 15................ 54 5 1
season).
North Atlantic Population (NAP) Zone.. Oct 1-Jan 31................. 60 2 2
NAP Late Season Area (Special season). Jan 15-Feb 15................ 28 5 1
Resident Population (RP) Zone......... Oct 1-Feb 15................. 80 5 3
Delaware.................................. Nov 15-Feb 5................. 30 2 2
Florida................................... Oct 1-Mar 10................. 80 5 3
Georgia................................... Oct 1-Mar 10................. 80 5 3
Maine:
North NAP High Harvest Zone........... Oct 1-Jan 31................. 60 2 2
South NAP High Harvest Zone........... Oct 1-Jan 31................. 60 2 2
Coastal NAP Low Harvest Zone.......... Oct 1-Feb 15................. 70 3 2
Maryland:
AP Zone............................... Nov 15-Feb 5................. 30 2 2
RP Zone............................... Nov 15-Mar 10................ 80 5 3
Massachusetts:
AP Zone............................... Oct 10-Feb 5................. 30 3 2
AP Zone Late Season Area (Special Dec 15-Feb 15................ 54 5 1
season).
NAP Zone.............................. Oct 1-Jan 31................. 60 2 2
NAP Late Season Area (Special season). Jan 15-Feb 15................ 28 5 1
New Hampshire............................. Oct 1-Jan 31................. 60 2 2
New Jersey:
AP Zone............................... Fourth Saturday in Oct (26)- 30 3 2
Feb 5.
NAP Zone.............................. Oct 1-Jan 31................. 60 2 2
Special Late Season Area (Special Jan 15-Feb 15................ 28 5 1
season).
New York:
AP Zone............................... Fourth Saturday in Oct (26)- 30 3 2
Feb 5.
AP (Lake Champlain) Zone.............. Oct 10-Feb 5................. 30 3 2
NAP High Harvest Zone................. Oct 1-Jan 31................. 60 2 2
NAP Low Harvest Zone.................. Oct 1-Feb 15................. 70 3 2
Western Long Island RP Zone........... Saturday nearest Sep 24 (21)- 107 8 3
last day of Feb (28).
Remainder of RP Zone.................. Fourth Saturday in Oct (26)- 80 5 3
last day of Feb (28).
AP (Lake Champlain) Zone Late Season Dec 1-Feb 15................. 77 5 1
(Special season).
North Carolina:
Northeast Zone........................ Saturday prior to Dec 25 (22)- 30 1 1
Jan 31.
RP Zone............................... Oct 1-Mar 10................. 80 5 3
Pennsylvania:
AP Zone............................... Fourth Saturday in Oct (26)- 30 3 2
Feb 5.
RP Zone............................... Fourth Saturday in Oct (26)- 80 5 3
Mar 10.
Rhode Island:
Statewide............................. Oct 1-Jan 31................. 60 2 2
Late Season Area (Special season)..... Jan 15-Feb 15................ 32 5 2
South Carolina............................ Oct 1-Mar 10................. 80 5 3
Vermont:
Connecticut River Zone................ Oct 1-Jan 31................. 60 2 2
Interior Zone......................... Oct 10-Feb 5................. 30 3 2
Lake Champlain Zone................... Oct 10-Feb 5................. 30 3 2
Interior, and Lake Champlain Zones Dec 1-Feb 15................. 77 5 1
Late Season (Special Season).
Virginia:
AP Zone............................... Nov 15-Feb 5................. 30 2 2
RP Zone............................... Nov 15-Mar 10................ 80 5 3
West Virginia............................. Oct 1-Mar 10................. 80 5 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 41534]]
Light Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: October 1-March 10.
Season Lengths: 107 days. Seasons may be split into 3 segments.
Daily Bag limits: 25 light geese. There is no possession limit.
Brant Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21)-January
31.
Season Lengths: 30 days. Seasons may be split into 2 segments.
Daily Bag Limits: 1 brant.
Mississippi Flyway
Duck, Merganser, and Coot Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21)-January
31.
Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: 60 days. The daily bag limit
is 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which
may be females), 1 mottled duck, 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 3 wood
ducks, 2 canvasbacks, and 2 redheads. In Louisiana (the only high-
harvest State in the Mississippi Flyway for mottled ducks), the daily
bag limit for mottled ducks is zero for the first 15 days. The season
for scaup may be split into 2 segments, with one segment consisting of
45 days with a 2-scaup daily bag limit, and the second segment
consisting of 15 days with a 1-scaup daily bag limit. The daily bag
limit of mergansers is 5, only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers. In
States that include mergansers in the duck bag limit, the daily limit
is the same as the duck bag limit, only 2 of which may be hooded
mergansers. The daily bag limit of coots is 15.
Zones and Split Seasons: Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi may
split their seasons into 3 segments. Kentucky and Tennessee may select
seasons in each of 2 zones; Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin may select seasons in each of 3 zones;
and all these States may split their season in each zone into 2
segments. Illinois may select seasons in each of 4 zones. Louisiana may
select seasons in each of 2 zones and may split their season in each
zone into 3 segments. Louisiana must conduct an evaluation of the
impacts of zones and splits on hunter dynamics (e.g., hunter numbers,
satisfaction) and harvest during the 2021-25 seasons.
Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: September 1-February 15.
Season Lengths: 107 days, which may be split into 4 segments.
Daily Bag Limits: 5 geese in the aggregate.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after
sunset for Canada and cackling geese if all other waterfowl and crane
seasons are closed in the specific applicable area.
White-Fronted Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: September 1-February 15.
Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: 74 days with a daily bag limit
of 3 geese, 88 days with a daily bag limit of 2 geese, or 107 days with
a daily bag limit of 1 goose. Seasons may be split into 4 segments.
Brant Seasons
Outside Dates: September 1-February 15.
Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: 70 days with a daily bag limit
of 2 brant or 107 days with a daily bag limit of 1 brant. Seasons may
be split into 4 segments.
Other Provisions: In lieu of a separate brant season, brant may be
included in the season for Canada and cackling geese with a daily bag
limit of 5 geese in the aggregate.
Dark Goose Seasons
Areas: Alabama, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and
Wisconsin in lieu of separate seasons for Canada and cackling geese,
white-fronted geese, and brant.
Outside Dates: September 1-February 15.
Season Lengths: 107 days, which may be split into 4 segments.
Daily Bag Limits: 5 geese in the aggregate.
Light Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: September 1-February 15.
Season Lengths: 107 days, which may be split into 4 segments.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 20 geese.
There is no possession limit for light geese.
Central Flyway
Ducks, Merganser, and Coot Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21)-January
31.
Season Lengths and Duck Daily Bag Limits: 74 days, except in the
High Plains Mallard Management Unit where the season length is 97 days
and the last 23 days must be consecutive and may start no earlier than
the Saturday nearest December 10 (December 7). The daily bag limit is 6
ducks and mergansers in the aggregate, including no more than 5
mallards (no more than 2 of which may be females), 2 redheads, 3 wood
ducks, 1 pintail, 1 scaup, and 2 canvasbacks. In Texas, the daily bag
limit on mottled ducks is 1, except that no mottled ducks may be taken
during the first 5 days of the season. In addition to the daily limits
listed above, the States of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and
Wyoming, in lieu of selecting an experimental September teal season,
may include an additional daily bag and possession limit of 2 and 6
blue-winged teal, respectively, during the first 16 days of the regular
duck season in each respective duck hunting zone. These extra limits
are in addition to the regular duck bag and possession limits.
Coot Daily Bag Limits: 15 coots.
Zones and Split Seasons: Colorado, Kansas (Low Plains portion),
Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains portion), South
Dakota (Low Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains portion), and Wyoming
may select hunting seasons by zones.
North Dakota may split their season into 3 segments. Montana, New
Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas may select seasons in each of 2 zones; and
Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, and Wyoming may select seasons in each
of 3 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone
into 2 segments. Nebraska may select seasons in each of 4 zones.
Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons
Outside Dates and Seasons Lengths: In Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma,
South Dakota, and Texas, 30 days between September 1-30; in Colorado,
New Mexico, Montana, and Wyoming, Canada and cackling goose seasons of
not more than 15 days between September 1-15; and in North Dakota, 22
days between September 1-22.
Daily Bag Limits: 5 geese in the aggregate in Colorado, New Mexico,
Montana, Wyoming, and Texas; 8 geese in the aggregate in Kansas,
Nebraska, and Oklahoma; and 15 geese in the aggregate in North Dakota
and South Dakota.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that
during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after
sunset if all other waterfowl and crane seasons are closed in the
specific applicable area.
Canada Goose, Cackling Goose, and Brant Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21)-the
Sunday nearest February 15 (February 16).
[[Page 41535]]
Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: In Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, 107 days
with a daily bag limit of 8 geese; in Colorado, Montana, New Mexico,
and Wyoming, 107 days with a daily bag limit of 5 geese; and in Texas
(Western Goose Zone), 95 days with a daily bag limit of 5 geese.
Split Seasons: Seasons may be split into 3 segments. Three-segment
seasons require Central Flyway Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service approval, and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State.
White-Fronted Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21)-the
Sunday nearest February 15 (February 16).
Season Length and Daily Bag Limits: East-tier States (Kansas,
Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas except for
the Western Goose Zone): Either 74 days with a daily bag limit of 3
geese, or 88 days with a daily bag limit of 2 geese, or 107 days with a
daily bag limit of 1 goose.
West-tier States (Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Wyoming, and the
Western Goose Zone of Texas): 107 days, except 95 days in the Western
Goose Zone of Texas. The daily bag limit is 5 dark geese in the
aggregate.
Split Seasons: Seasons may be split into 3 segments. Three-segment
seasons require Central Flyway Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service approval, and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State.
Light Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21)-March
10.
Season Lengths: 107 days. Seasons may be split into 3 segments.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 50 with no
possession limit.
Other Provisions: In the Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (East and
West) of Nebraska, temporal and spatial restrictions that are
consistent with the late-winter snow goose hunting strategy
cooperatively developed by the Central Flyway Council and the Service
are required.
Pacific Flyway
a. Duck, Merganser, Coot, and Gallinule Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21)-January
31.
Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: 107 days. The daily bag limit
is 7 ducks and mergansers in the aggregate, including no more than 2
female mallards, 1 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 2 scaup, and 2 redheads. For
scaup, the season length is 86 days, which may be split according to
applicable zones and split duck hunting configurations approved for
each State. The daily bag limit of coots and gallinules is 25 in the
aggregate.
Zones and Split Seasons: Montana and New Mexico may split their
seasons into 3 segments. Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Washington,
and Wyoming may select seasons in each of 2 zones; Nevada may select
seasons in each of 3 zones; California may select seasons in each of 5
zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 2
segments. Idaho may select seasons in each of 4 zones.
Other Provisions: The seasons, limits, and shooting hours should be
the same between the Colorado River Zone of California and the South
Zone of Arizona.
Goose Seasons
Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: September 1-20.
Season Lengths: 15 days.
Daily Bag Limits: 5 geese in the aggregate, except in Pacific
County, Washington, where the daily bag limit is 15 geese in the
aggregate.
Canada Goose, Cackling Goose, and Brant Seasons
Outside Dates: Except as subsequently provided, Saturday nearest
September 24 (September 21)-February 15.
Season Lengths: Except as subsequently provided, 107 days.
Daily Bag Limits: Except as subsequently provided, in Arizona,
Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, the
daily bag limit is 5 Canada and cackling geese and brant in the
aggregate. In Oregon and Washington, the daily bag limit is 4 Canada
and cackling geese in the aggregate. In California, the daily bag limit
is 10 Canada and cackling geese in the aggregate.
Split Seasons: Seasons may be split into 3 segments. Three-segment
seasons require Pacific Flyway Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service approval and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State.
Other provisions:
California: In the Balance of State Zone, outside dates are
Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21) and March 10. The season
may be split into 3 segments. In the Balance of State Zone, North Coast
Special Management Area, hunting days that occur after January 31
should be concurrent with Oregon's South Coast Zone.
Oregon: In the Northwest Permit Zone, outside dates are the
Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21) and March 10. The daily
bag limit is 3 geese in the aggregate. The season may be split into 3
segments. In the South Coast Zone, outside dates are the Saturday
nearest September 24 (September 21) and March 10. The daily bag limit
is 6 geese in the aggregate. The season may be split into 3 segments.
Hunting days that occur after January 31 should be concurrent with
California's Balance of State Zone, North Coast Special Management
Area.
Washington: In Areas 2 Inland and 2 Coastal (Southwest Permit
Zone), outside dates are the Saturday nearest September 24 (September
21) and March 10. The daily bag limit is 3 geese in the aggregate. The
season may be split into 3 segments. In Area 4, the season may be split
into 3 segments.
Permit Zones: In Oregon and Washington permit zones, the hunting
season is closed on dusky Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is any
dark-breasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR color value 5 or less) with a
bill length between 40 and 50 millimeters. Hunting is by State-issued
permit only. Shooting hours for geese may begin no earlier than
sunrise. Regular Canada and cackling goose seasons in the permit zones
of Oregon and Washington remain subject to the Memorandum of
Understanding entered into with the Service regarding monitoring the
impacts of take during the regular Canada and cackling goose season on
the dusky Canada goose population.
Brant Seasons
Areas: California, Oregon, and Washington.
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21)-January
31.
Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: Season lengths and daily bag
limits will be determined based on the upcoming Winter Brant Survey
results and the Pacific brant harvest strategy.
Zones: Washington and California may select seasons in each of 2
zones.
Other Provisions: In Oregon and California, the brant season must
end no later than December 15.
White-Fronted Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21)-March
10.
Season Lengths: 107 days.
Daily Bag Limits: Except as subsequently provided, 10 geese.
[[Page 41536]]
Split Seasons: Seasons may be split into 3 segments. Three-segment
seasons require Pacific Flyway Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service approval and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State.
Other Provisions:
California: In the Balance of State Zone, Sacramento Valley Special
Management Area, the season must end on or before December 28, and the
daily bag limit is 3 white-fronted geese. In the Balance of State Zone,
North Coast Special Management Area, hunting days that occur after
January 31 should be concurrent with Oregon's South Coast Zone. In the
Northeastern Zone, the season may be split into 3 segments.
Oregon: In the Eastern Zone, for Lake County only, the daily bag
limit is 1 white-fronted goose. In the Northwest Permit Zone and South
Coast Zone, the seasons may be split into 3 segments. Hunting days that
occur after January 31 should be concurrent with California's Balance
of State Zone, North Coast Special Management Area.
Washington: In Areas 2 Inland and 2 Coastal (Southwest Permit Zone)
and Area 4, seasons may be split into 3 segments.
Light Goose Seasons
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21)-March
10.
Season Lengths: 107 days. Seasons may be split into 3 segments.
Daily Bag Limits: 20 geese, except in Washington where the daily
bag limit for light geese is 10 on or before the last Sunday in January
(January 28).
Swan Seasons
Pacific Flyway
Areas: Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Utah.
Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21)-January
31.
Season Lengths: 107 days. Seasons may be split into 2 segments.
Permits: Hunting is by State-issued permit only. The total number
of permits issued may not exceed 50 in Idaho, 500 in Montana, 750 in
Nevada, and 2,750 in Utah. Permits will authorize the take of no more
than 1 swan per permit. Only 1 permit may be issued per hunter in
Idaho, Montana, and Utah; 2 permits may be issued per hunter in Nevada.
Quotas: The swan season in the respective State must end upon
attainment of the following reported harvest of trumpeter swans: 20 in
Utah and 10 in Nevada. There is no quota in Idaho and Montana.
Monitoring: Each State must evaluate hunter participation, species-
specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in providing either
species-determinant parts (at least the intact head) or bill
measurements (bill length from tip to posterior edge of the nares
opening, and presence or absence of yellow lore spots on the bill in
front of the eyes) of harvested swans for species identification. Each
State should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance
with the State's program for swan harvest reporting. Each State must
achieve a hunter compliance of at least 80 percent in providing
species-determinant parts or bill measurements of harvested swans for
species identification, or subsequent permits will be reduced by 10
percent in the respective State. Each State must provide to the Service
by June 30 following the swan season a report detailing hunter
participation, species-specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in
reporting harvest. In Idaho and Montana, all hunters that harvest a
swan must complete and submit a reporting card (bill card) with the
bill measurement and color information from the harvested swan within
72 hours of harvest for species determination. In Utah and Nevada, all
hunters that harvest a swan must have the swan or species-determinant
parts examined by a State or Federal biologist within 72 hours of
harvest for species determination.
Other Provisions: In Utah, the season is subject to the terms of
the Memorandum of Agreement entered into with the Service in January
2019 regarding harvest monitoring, season closure procedures, and
education requirements to minimize take of trumpeter swans during the
swan season.
Atlantic and Central Flyways
Areas: Delaware, North Carolina, and Virginia in the Atlantic
Flyway and North Dakota, South Dakota east of the Missouri River, and
part of Montana in the Central Flyway.
Outside Dates: October 1-January 31 in the Atlantic Flyway and the
Saturday nearest October 1 (September 28)-January 31 in the Central
Flyway.
Season Lengths: 90 days in the Atlantic Flyway and 107 days in the
Central Flyway.
Permits: Hunting is by permit only. Permits will be issued by the
States. No more than 5,600 permits may be issued in the Atlantic Flyway
including 347 in Delaware; 4,721 in North Carolina; and 532 in
Virginia. No more than 4,000 permits may be issued in the Central
Flyway including 500 in Montana; 2,200 in North Dakota; and 1,300 in
South Dakota. Permits will authorize the take of no more than 1 swan
per permit. A second permit may be issued to hunters from unissued
permits remaining after the first drawing. Unissued permits may be
reallocated to States within a flyway.
Monitoring: Each State must evaluate hunter participation, species-
specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in providing measurements
of harvested swans for species identification. Each State should use
appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance with the State's
program for swan harvest reporting. Each State must achieve a hunter
compliance of at least 80 percent in providing species-determinant
measurements of harvested swans for species identification. Each State
must provide to the Service by June 30 following the swan season a
report detailing hunter participation, species-specific swan harvest,
and hunter compliance in reporting harvest.
Other Provisions: In lieu of a general swan hunting season, States
may select a season only for tundra swans. States selecting a season
only for tundra swans must obtain harvest and hunter participation
data.
Sandhill Crane Seasons
Mississippi Flyway
Areas: Alabama, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Tennessee.
Outside Dates: September 1-February 28 in Minnesota, and September
1-January 31 in Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Season Lengths: 37 days in the designated portion of Minnesota's
Northwest Goose Zone, and 60 days in Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 2 cranes in
Minnesota and Kentucky, and 3 cranes in Alabama and Tennessee. In
Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee, the seasonal bag limit is 3 cranes.
Permits: Hunting is by State-issued permit only.
Other Provisions: The number of permits, open areas, season dates,
protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons
must be consistent with Council management plans and approved by the
Mississippi Flyway Council.
Central Flyway
Areas: Colorado, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Outside Dates: September 1-February 28.
Season Lengths: 37 days in Texas (Zone C), 58 days in Colorado,
Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, and 93 days
in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
[[Page 41537]]
Daily Bag Limits: 3 cranes, except 2 cranes in North Dakota (Area
2) and Texas (Zone C).
Permits: Hunting is by permit only. Permits will be issued by the
States.
Central and Pacific Flyways
Areas: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and
Wyoming within the range of the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of
sandhill cranes.
Outside Dates: September 1-January 31.
Season Lengths: 60 days. The season may be split into 3 segments.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 3 cranes,
and the possession limit is 9 cranes per season.
Permits: Hunting is by State-issued permit only.
Other Provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates,
protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons
must be consistent with Councils' management plan and approved by the
Central and Pacific Flyway Councils, with the following exceptions:
1. In Utah, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP
crane quota;
2. In Arizona, monitoring the species composition of the harvest
must be conducted at 3-year intervals unless 100 percent of the harvest
will be assigned to the RMP crane quota;
3. In Idaho, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP
crane quota; and
4. In the Estancia Valley hunt area of New Mexico, harvest and
species composition must be monitored; greater sandhill cranes in the
harvest will be assigned to the RMP crane quota.
Gallinule Seasons
Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways
Outside Dates: September 1-January 31.
Season Lengths: 70 days.
Daily Bag Limits: 15 gallinules.
Zones and Split Seasons: Seasons may be selected by zones
established for duck hunting. The season in each zone may be split into
2 segments.
Pacific Flyway
States in the Pacific Flyway may select their hunting seasons
between the outside dates for the season on ducks, mergansers, and
coots; therefore, Pacific Flyway frameworks for gallinules are included
with the duck, merganser, and coot frameworks.
Rail Seasons
Areas: Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways and the Pacific
Flyway Portions of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming.
Outside Dates: September 1-January 31.
Season Lengths: 70 days. Seasons may be split into 2 segments.
Daily Bag Limits
Clapper and King Rails: In Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New
Jersey, and Rhode Island, 10 rails in the aggregate. In Alabama,
Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, 15 rails in the aggregate.
Sora and Virginia Rails: 25 rails in the aggregate.
Snipe Seasons
Outside Dates: September 1-February 28, except in Connecticut,
Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia, where the season must
end no later than January 31.
Season Lengths: 107 days.
Daily Bag limits: 8 snipe.
Zones and Split Seasons: Seasons may be selected by zones
established for duck seasons. The season in each zone may be split into
2 segments.
American Woodcock Seasons
Areas: Eastern and Central Management Regions.
Outside Dates: September 13-January 31.
Season Lengths: Except as subsequently provided, 45 days.
Daily Bag Limits: 3 woodcock.
Zones and Split Seasons: Seasons may be split into 2 segments. New
Jersey may select seasons in each of 2 zones. The season in each zone
may not exceed 36 days.
Band-Tailed Pigeon Seasons
California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada
Outside Dates: September 15-January 1.
Seasons Lengths: 9 days.
Daily Bag Limits: 2 pigeons.
Zones: California may select seasons in each of 2 zones. The season
in each zone may not exceed 9 days. The season in the North Zone must
close by October 3.
Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah
Outside Dates: September 1-November 30.
Season Lengths: 14 days.
Daily Bag Limits: 2 pigeons.
Zones: New Mexico may select seasons in each of 2 zones. The season
in each zone may not exceed 14 days. The season in the South Zone may
not open until October 1.
Dove Seasons
Eastern Management Unit
Outside Dates: September 1-January 31.
Season Lengths: 90 days.
Daily Bag Limits: 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the
aggregate.
Zones and Split Seasons: Seasons may be split into 3 segments;
Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi may select seasons in each of 2
zones and may split their season in each zone into 3 segments.
Central Management Unit
Outside Dates: September 1-January 15.
Season Lengths: 90 days.
All States Except Texas
Daily Bag Limits: 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the
aggregate.
Zones and Split Seasons: Seasons may be split into 3 segments; New
Mexico may select seasons in each of 2 zones and may split their season
in each zone into 3 segments.
Texas
Daily Bag Limits: 15 mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped doves
in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be white-tipped doves.
Zones and Split Seasons: Texas may select hunting seasons for each
of 3 zones subject to the following conditions:
1. The season may be split into 2 segments, except in that portion
of Texas in which the special white-winged dove season is allowed,
where a limited take of mourning and white-tipped doves may also occur
during that special season (see Special White-winged Dove Area in
Texas, below).
2. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between
September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between September 14
and January 25.
Special White-Winged Dove Season in Texas
In addition, Texas may select a hunting season of not more than 6
days, which may be split into 3 segments, for the Special White-winged
Dove Area between September 1 and 19. The daily bag limit may not
exceed 15 white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the
aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be mourning doves and no more
than 2 may be white-tipped doves. Shooting hours are from noon to
sunset.
[[Page 41538]]
Western Management Unit
Outside Dates: September 1-January 15.
Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington
Season Lengths: 60 days.
Daily Bag Limits: 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the
aggregate.
Zones and Split Seasons: Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Washington may
split their seasons into 2 segments. Oregon may select hunting seasons
in each of 2 zones and may split their season in each zone into 2
segments.
Arizona and California
Season Lengths: 60 days, which may be split between 2 segments,
September 1-15 and November 1-January 15.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 mourning and white-
winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 10 may be white-
winged doves.
Alaska
Duck, Goose, Sandhill Crane, and Snipe Seasons
Outside Dates: Except as subsequently provided, September 1-January
26.
Season Lengths: Except as subsequently provided, 107 days for
ducks, geese (except brant), sandhill cranes, and snipe. The season
length for brant will be determined based on the upcoming brant winter
survey results and the Pacific brant harvest strategy.
Zones and Split Seasons: A season may be established in each of 5
zones. The season in the Southeast Zone may be split into 2 segments.
Closed Seasons: The hunting season is closed on the spectacled
eider and Steller's eider.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits and Special Conditions
Ducks: The basic daily bag limit is 7 ducks. The basic daily bag
limit in the North Zone is 10 ducks, and in the Gulf Coast Zone is 8
ducks. The basic daily bag limits may include 2 canvasbacks and may not
include sea ducks.
In addition to the basic daily bag limits, the sea duck daily bag
limit is 10, including 6 each of either harlequin or long-tailed ducks.
Sea ducks include scoters, common and king eiders, harlequin ducks,
long-tailed ducks, and common, hooded, and red-breasted mergansers.
Light Geese: The daily bag limit is 6 geese.
Canada and Cackling Geese: The daily bag limit is 4 Canada and
cackling geese in the aggregate with the following exceptions, and
subject to the following conditions:
1. In Game Management Units (Units) 5 and 6, in the Gulf Coast
Zone, outside dates are September 28-December 16.
2. On Middleton Island in Unit 6, in the Gulf Coast Zone, all
hunting is by permit only. Each hunter is required to complete a
mandatory Canada and cackling goose identification class prior to being
issued a permit. Hunters must check in and check out when hunting. The
daily bag and possession limits are 1 goose. The season will close if
incidental harvest includes 5 dusky Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose
is any dark-breasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR color value 5 or less)
with a bill length between 40 and 50 millimeters.
3. In Unit 10, in the Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone, the daily
bag limit is 6 geese in the aggregate.
White-fronted Geese: The daily bag limit is 4 geese with the
following exceptions:
1. In Unit 9, in the Gulf Coast Zone, Unit 10, in the Pribilof and
Aleutian Islands Zone, and Unit 17, in the North Zone, the daily bag
limit is 6 geese.
2. In Unit 18, in the North Zone, the daily bag limit is 10 geese.
Emperor Geese: The emperor goose season is subject to the following
conditions:
1. All hunting is by permit only.
2. One goose may be harvested per hunter per season.
3. Total harvest may not exceed 500 geese.
4. In Unit 8, in the Kodiak Zone, the Kodiak Island Road Area is
closed to hunting. The Kodiak Island Road Area consists of all lands
and water (including exposed tidelands) east of a line extending from
Crag Point in the north to the west end of Saltery Cove in the south
and all lands and water south of a line extending from Termination
Point along the north side of Cascade Lake extending to Anton Larsen
Bay. Marine waters adjacent to the closed area are closed to harvest
within 500 feet from the water's edge. The offshore islands are open to
harvest, for example: Woody, Long, Gull, and Puffin islands.
Brant: The daily bag limit will be determined based on the upcoming
Winter Brant Survey results and the Pacific brant harvest strategy.
Snipe: The daily bag limit is 8 snipe.
Sandhill Cranes: The daily bag limit is 2 cranes in the Southeast,
Gulf Coast, Kodiak, and Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zones, and Unit
17 in the North Zone. In the remainder of the North Zone (outside Unit
17), the daily bag limit is 3 cranes.
Tundra Swan Seasons
Outside Dates: September 1-October 31.
Season Lengths: 61 days.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits and Special Conditions: All hunting
is by permit only according to the following conditions.
1. In Unit 17, in the North Zone, 200 permits may be issued; 3
tundra swans may be authorized per permit, and 1 permit may be issued
per hunter per season.
2. In Unit 18, in the North Zone, 500 permits may be issued; 3
tundra swans may be authorized per permit, and 1 permit may be issued
per hunter per season.
3. In Unit 22, in the North Zone, 300 permits may be issued; 3
tundra swans may be authorized per permit, and 1 permit may be issued
per hunter per season.
4. In Unit 23, in the North Zone, 300 permits may be issued; 3
tundra swans may be authorized per permit, and 1 permit may be issued
per hunter per season.
Hawaii
Mourning Dove Seasons
Outside Dates: October 1-January 31.
Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: 65 days with a daily bag limit
of 15 doves or 75 days with a daily bag of 12 doves.
Note: Mourning doves may be taken in Hawaii in accordance with
shooting hours and other regulations set by the State of Hawaii, and
subject to the applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20.
Puerto Rico
Dove and Pigeon Seasons
Outside Dates: September 1-January 15.
Season Lengths: 60 days.
Daily Bag Limits: 30 Zenaida, mourning, and white-winged doves in
the aggregate, of which 10 may be Zenaida doves and 3 may be mourning
doves, and 5 scaly-naped pigeons.
Closed Seasons: There is no open season on the white-crowned pigeon
and the plain pigeon, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico.
Closed Areas: There is no open season on doves or pigeons in the
following areas: Municipality of Culebra, Desecheo Island, Mona Island,
El Verde Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas.
Duck, Coot, Gallinule, and Snipe Seasons
Outside Dates: October 1-January 31.
Season Lengths: 55 days. The season may be split into 2 segments.
Daily Bag Limits: 6 ducks, 6 common gallinules, and 8 snipe.
Closed Seasons: There is no open season on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling
[[Page 41539]]
duck, fulvous whistling duck, and masked duck, which are protected by
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. There is no open season on the purple
gallinule, American coot, and Caribbean coot.
Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, gallinules, and
snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island.
Virgin Islands
Dove and Pigeon Seasons
Outside Dates: September 1-January 15.
Season Lengths: 60 days.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 10 Zenaida doves.
Closed Seasons: There is no open season for ground-doves, quail-
doves, and pigeons.
Closed Areas: There is no open season for migratory game birds on
Ruth Cay (just south of St. Croix).
Local Names for Certain Birds: Zenaida dove, also known as mountain
dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as Barbary dove or partridge;
common ground-dove, also known as stone dove, tobacco dove, rola, or
tortolita; scaly-naped pigeon, also known as red-necked or scaled
pigeon.
Duck Seasons
Outside Dates: December 1-January 31.
Season Lengths: 55 days.
Daily Bag Limits: 6 ducks.
Closed Seasons: There is no open season on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling-duck, fulvous whistling-duck,
and masked duck.
Special Falconry Regulations
In accordance with 50 CFR 21.82, falconry is a permitted means of
taking migratory game birds in any State except for Hawaii. States may
select an extended season for taking migratory game birds in accordance
with the following:
Outside Dates: September 1-March 10.
Season Lengths: For all hunting methods combined, the combined
length of the extended season, regular season, and any special or
experimental seasons must not exceed 107 days for any species or group
of species in a geographical area. Each extended season may be split
into 3 segments.
Daily Bag Limits: Falconry daily bag limits for all permitted
migratory game birds must not exceed 3 birds in the aggregate during
extended falconry seasons, any special or experimental seasons, and
regular hunting seasons in each State, including those that do not
select an extended falconry season.
Note: General hunting regulations, including seasons and hunting
hours, apply to falconry. Regular season bag limits do not apply to
falconry. The falconry bag limit is not in addition to shooting limits.
Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions
Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-95.
South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Maine
North Zone: That portion north of the line extending east along
Maine State Highway 110 from the New Hampshire-Maine State line to the
intersection of Maine State Highway 11 in Newfield; then north and east
along Route 11 to the intersection of U.S. Route 202 in Auburn; then
north and east on Route 202 to the intersection of I-95 in Augusta;
then north and east along I-95 to Route 15 in Bangor; then east along
Route 15 to Route 9; then east along Route 9 to Stony Brook in
Baileyville; then east along Stony Brook to the U.S. border.
Coastal Zone: That portion south of a line extending east from the
Maine-New Brunswick border in Calais at the Route 1 Bridge; then south
along Route 1 to the Maine-New Hampshire border in Kittery.
South Zone: Remainder of the State.
Maryland
Western Zone: Allegany, Carroll, Garrett, Frederick and Washington
Counties; and those portions of Baltimore, Howard, Prince George's, and
Montgomery Counties west of a line beginning at 2012;83 at the
Pennsylvania State line, following 2012;83 south to the intersection of
2012;83 and 2012;695 (Outer Loop), south following 2012;695 (Outer
Loop) to its intersection with 2012;95, south following 2012;95 to its
intersection with 2012;495 (Outer Loop), and following 2012;495 (Outer
Loop) to the Virginia shore of the Potomac River.
Eastern Zone: That portion of the State not included in the Western
Zone.
Special Teal Season Area: Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester,
Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico,
and Worcester Counties; that part of Anne Arundel County east of
Interstate 895, Interstate 97, and Route 3; that part of Prince
George's County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles
County east of Route 301 to the Virginia State Line.
Massachusetts
Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending
south from the Vermont State line on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA
10, south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut
State line.
Central Zone: That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire State line on
I-95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south
on MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195,
west to the Rhode Island State line; except the waters, and the lands
150 yards inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River
upstream to the MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the
Center Street-Elm Street bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone.
Coastal Zone: That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the
Central Zone.
New Hampshire
Northern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of the
Inland Zone beginning at the Jct. of Route 10 and Route 25-A in Orford,
east on Route 25-A to Route 25 in Wentworth, southeast on Route 25 to
Exit 26 of Route I-93 in Plymouth, south on Route I-93 to Route 3 at
Exit 24 of Route I-93 in Ashland, northeast on Route 3 to Route 113 in
Holderness, north on Route 113 to Route 113-A in Sandwich, north on
Route 113-A to Route 113 in Tamworth, east on Route 113 to Route 16 in
Chocorua, north on Route 16 to Route 302 in Conway, east on Route 302
to the Maine-New Hampshire border.
Inland Zone: That portion of the State south and west of the
Northern Zone, west of the Coastal Zone, and includes the area of
Vermont and New Hampshire as described for hunting reciprocity. A
person holding a New Hampshire hunting license that allows the taking
of migratory waterfowl or a person holding a Vermont resident hunting
license that allows the taking of migratory waterfowl may take
migratory waterfowl and coots from the following designated area of the
Inland Zone: the State of Vermont east of Route I-91 at the
Massachusetts border, north on Route I-91 to Route 2, north on Route 2
to Route 102, north on Route 102 to Route 253, and north on Route 253
to the border with Canada and the area of New Hampshire west of Route
63 at the Massachusetts border, north on Route 63 to Route 12, north on
Route 12 to Route 12-A, north on Route 12-A to
[[Page 41540]]
Route 10, north on Route 10 to Route 135, north on Route 135 to Route
3, north on Route 3 to the intersection with the Connecticut River.
Coastal Zone: That portion of the State east of a line beginning at
the Maine-New Hampshire border in Rollinsford, then extending to Route
4 west to the city of Dover, south to the intersection of Route 108,
south along Route 108 through Madbury, Durham, and Newmarket to the
junction of Route 85 in Newfields, south to Route 101 in Exeter, east
to Interstate 95 (New Hampshire Turnpike) in Hampton, and south to the
Massachusetts border.
New Jersey
Coastal Zone: That portion of the State seaward of a line beginning
at the New York State line in Raritan Bay and extending west along the
New York State line to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west on NJ 440 to the
Garden State Parkway; south on the Garden State Parkway to NJ 109;
south on NJ 109 to Cape May County Route 633 (Lafayette Street); south
on Lafayette Street to Jackson Street; south on Jackson Street to the
shoreline at Cape May; west along the shoreline of Cape May beach to
COLREGS Demarcation Line 80.503 at Cape May Point; south along COLREGS
Demarcation Line 80.503 to the Delaware State line in Delaware Bay.
North Zone: That portion of the State west of the Coastal Zone and
north of a line extending west from the Garden State Parkway on NJ 70
to the New Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike to U.S. 206, north on
U.S. 206 to U.S. 1 at Trenton, west on U.S. 1 to the Pennsylvania State
line in the Delaware River.
South Zone: That portion of the State not within the North Zone or
the Coastal Zone.
New York
Lake Champlain Zone: That area east and north of a continuous line
extending along U.S. 11 from the New York-Canada International boundary
south to NY 9B, south along NY 9B to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY
22 south of Keesville; south along NY 22 to the west shore of South
Bay, along and around the shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east
shore of South Bay; southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along
U.S. 4 to the Vermont State line.
Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their
tidal waters.
Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along
I-81 to the Pennsylvania State line.
Northeastern Zone: That area north of a continuous line extending
from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-
81, south along I-81 to NY 31, east along NY 31 to NY 13, north along
NY 13 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to NY 28,
east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to NY 22, north along NY 22
to Washington County Route 153, east along CR 153 to the New York-
Vermont boundary, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.
Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.
North Carolina
Coastal Zone: All counties and portions of counties east of I-95.
Inland Zone: All counties and portions of counties west of I-95.
Pennsylvania
Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters of Pennsylvania and a
shoreline margin along Lake Erie from New York on the east to Ohio on
the west extending 150 yards inland but including all of Presque Isle
Peninsula.
Northwest Zone: The area bounded on the north by the Lake Erie Zone
and including all of Erie and Crawford Counties and those portions of
Mercer and Venango Counties north of I-80.
North Zone: That portion of the State east of the Northwest Zone
and north of a line extending east on I-80 to U.S. 220, Route 220 to I-
180, I-180 to I-80, and I-80 to the Delaware River.
South Zone: The remaining portion of Pennsylvania.
Vermont
Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that
area north and west of the line extending from the New York border
along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes;
U.S. 7 to VT 78 at Swanton; VT 78 to VT 36; VT 36 to Maquam Bay on Lake
Champlain; along and around the shoreline of Maquam Bay and Hog Island
to VT 78 at the West Swanton Bridge; VT 78 to VT 2 in Alburg; VT 2 to
the Richelieu River in Alburg; along the east shore of the Richelieu
River to the Canadian border.
Interior Zone: That portion of Vermont east of the Lake Champlain
Zone and west of a line extending from the Massachusetts border at I-
91; north along I-91 to U.S. 2; east along U.S. 2 to VT 102; north
along VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 253 to the Canadian border.
Connecticut River Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont east of
the Interior Zone.
Virginia
Western Zone: All counties and portions of counties west of I-95.
Eastern Zone: All counties and portions of counties east of I-95.
Mississippi Flyway
Illinois
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
west from the Indiana border along Peotone-Beecher Road to Illinois
Route 50, south along Illinois Route 50 to Wilmington-Peotone Road,
west along Wilmington-Peotone Road to Illinois Route 53, north along
Illinois Route 53 to New River Road, northwest along New River Road to
Interstate Highway 55, south along I-55 to Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road,
west along Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road to Illinois Route 47, north along
Illinois Route 47 to I-80, west along I-80 to I-39, south along I-39 to
Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois Route 29,
south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois Route 17, west along Illinois
Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and due south across the Mississippi
River to the Iowa border.
Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Duck
Zone line to a line extending west from the Indiana border along I-70
to Illinois Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route
161, west along Illinois Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south and
west along Illinois Route 158 to Illinois Route 159, south along
Illinois Route 159 to Illinois Route 3, south along Illinois Route 3 to
St. Leo's Road, south along St. Leo's Road to Modoc 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 I-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
[[Page 41541]]
Route 3 to the south bank of the Big Muddy River, west along the south
bank of the Big Muddy River to the Mississippi River, west across the
Mississippi River to the Missouri border.
South Central Zone: The remainder of the State between the south
border of the Central Zone and the North border of the South Zone.
Indiana
North Zone: That part of Indiana north of a line extending east
from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. 31; north along
U.S. 31 to U.S. 24; east along U.S. 24 to Huntington; southeast along
U.S. 224; south along State Road 5; and east along State Road 124 to
the Ohio border.
Central Zone: That part of Indiana south of the North Zone boundary
and north of the South Zone boundary.
South Zone: That part of Indiana south of a line extending east
from the Illinois border along I-70; east along National Ave.; east
along U.S. 150; south along U.S. 41; east along State Road 58; south
along State Road 37 to Bedford; and east along U.S. 50 to the Ohio
border.
Iowa
North Zone: That portion of Iowa north of a line beginning on the
South Dakota-Iowa border at I-29, southeast along I-29 to State Highway
20 to the Iowa-Illinois border. The south duck hunting zone is that
part of Iowa west of I-29 and south of State Highway 92 east to the
Iowa-Illinois border. The central duck hunting zone is the remainder of
the State.
Central Zone: The remainder of Iowa not included in the North and
South zones.
South Zone: The south duck hunting zone is that part of Iowa west
of I-29 and south of State Highway 92 east to the Iowa-Illinois border.
Kentucky
West Zone: All counties west of and including Butler, Daviess,
Ohio, Simpson, and Warren Counties.
East Zone: The remainder of Kentucky.
Louisiana
East Zone: That area of the State beginning at the Arkansas border,
then south on U.S. Hwy 79 to State Hwy 9, then south on State Hwy 9 to
State Hwy 147, then south on State Hwy 147 to U.S. Hwy 167, then south
and east on U.S. Hwy 167 to U.S. Hwy 90, then south on U.S. Hwy 90 to
the Mississippi State line.
West Zone: Remainder of the State.
Michigan
North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line
beginning at the Michigan-Wisconsin boundary line in Lake Michigan,
directly due west of the mouth of Stoney Creek in section 31, T14N
R18W, Oceana County, then proceed easterly and southerly along the
centerline of Stoney Creek to its intersection with Scenic Drive,
southerly on Scenic Drive to Stoney Lake Road in section 5, T13N R18W,
Oceana County, easterly on Stoney Lake Road then both west and east
Garfield Roads (name change only; not an intersection) then crossing
highway U.S.-31 to State Highway M-20 (north of the town of New Era;
also locally named Hayes Road) in section 33, T14N R17W, Oceana County,
easterly on M-20 through Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, and
Midland Counties to highway U.S.-10 business route in the city of
Midland, easterly on U.S.-10 Business Route (BR) to highway U.S.-10 at
the Bay County line, easterly on U.S.-10 then crossing U.S.-75 to State
Highway M-25 (west of the town of Bay City), easterly along M-25 into
Tuscola County then northeasterly and easterly on M-25 through Tuscola
County into Huron County, turning southeasterly on M-25 (near the town
of Huron City; also locally named North Shore Road) to the centerline
of Willow Creek in section 4, T18N R14E, Huron County, then northerly
along the centerline of Willow Creek to the mouth of Willow Creek into
Lake Huron, then directly due east along a line from the mouth of
Willow Creek heading east into Lake Huron to a point due east and on
the Michigan/U.S.-Canadian border.
South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.
Minnesota
North Duck Zone: That portion of the State north of a line
extending east from the North Dakota State line along State Highway 210
to State Highway 23 and east to State Highway 39 and east to the
Wisconsin State line at the Oliver Bridge.
South Duck Zone: The portion of the State south of a line extending
east from the South Dakota State line along U.S. Highway 212 to I-494
and east to I-94 and east to the Wisconsin State line.
Central Duck Zone: The remainder of the State.
Missouri
North Zone: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west
from the Illinois border at I-70; west on I-70 to Hwy 65; north on Hwy
65 to Hwy 41, north on Hwy 41 to Hwy 24; west on Hwy 24 to MO Hwy 10,
west on Hwy 10 to Hwy 69, north on Hwy 69 to MO Hwy 116, west on MO Hwy
116 to Hwy 59, south on Hwy 59 to the Kansas border.
Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri not included in other zones.
South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west
from the Illinois border on MO Hwy 74 to MO Hwy 25; south on MO Hwy 25
to U.S. Hwy 62; west on U.S. Hwy 62 to MO Hwy 53; north on MO Hwy 53 to
MO Hwy 51; north on MO Hwy 51 to U.S. Hwy 60; west on U.S. Hwy 60 to MO
Hwy 21; north on MO Hwy 21 to MO Hwy 72; west on MO Hwy 72 to MO Hwy
32; west on MO Hwy 32 to U.S. Hwy 65; north on U.S. Hwy 65 to U.S. Hwy
54; west on U.S. Hwy 54 to the Kansas border.
Ohio
Lake Erie Marsh Zone: Includes all land and water within the
boundaries of the area bordered by a line beginning at the intersection
of I-75 at the Ohio-Michigan State line and continuing south to
Interstate 280, then south on I-280 to the Ohio Turnpike (I-80/I-90),
then east on the Ohio Turnpike to the Erie-Lorain County line, then
north to Lake Erie, then following the Lake Erie shoreline at a
distance of 200 yards offshore, then following the shoreline west
toward and around the northern tip of Cedar Point Amusement Park, then
continuing from the westernmost point of Cedar Point toward the
southernmost tip of the sand bar at the mouth of Sandusky Bay and out
into Lake Erie at a distance of 200 yards offshore continuing parallel
to the Lake Erie shoreline north and west toward the northernmost tip
of Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge, then following a direct line
toward the southernmost tip of Wood Tick Peninsula in Michigan to a
point that intersects the Ohio-Michigan State line, then following the
State line back to the point of the beginning.
North Zone: That portion of the State, excluding the Lake Erie
Marsh Zone, north of a line extending east from the Indiana State line
along U.S. Highway (U.S.) 33 to State Route (SR) 127, then south along
SR 127 to SR 703, then south along SR 703 and including all lands
within the Mercer Wildlife Area to SR 219, then east along SR 219 to SR
364, then north along SR 364 and including all lands within the St.
Mary's Fish Hatchery to SR 703, then east along SR 703 to SR 66, then
north along SR 66 to U.S. 33, then east along U.S. 33 to SR 385, then
east along SR 385 to SR
[[Page 41542]]
117, then south along SR 117 to SR 273, then east along SR 273 to SR
31, then south along SR 31 to SR 739, then east along SR 739 to SR 4,
then north along SR 4 to SR 95, then east along SR 95 to SR 13, then
southeast along SR 13 to SR 3, then northeast along SR 3 to SR 60, then
north along SR 60 to U.S. 30, then east along U.S. 30 to SR 3, then
south along SR 3 to SR 226, then south along SR 226 to SR 514, then
southwest along SR 514 to SR 754, then south along SR 754 to SR 39/60,
then east along SR 39/60 to SR 241, then north along SR 241 to U.S. 30,
then east along U.S. 30 to SR 39, then east along SR 39 to the
Pennsylvania State line.
South Zone: The remainder of Ohio not included in the Lake Erie
Marsh Zone or the North Zone.
Tennessee
Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake and Obion Counties.
Remainder of State: That portion of Tennessee outside of the
Reelfoot Zone.
Wisconsin
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
east from the Minnesota State line along U.S. Highway 10 to U.S.
Highway 41, then north on U.S. Highway 41 to the Michigan State line.
Open Water Zone: That portion of the State extending 500 feet or
greater from the Lake Michigan shoreline bounded by the Michigan State
line and the Illinois State line.
South Zone: The remainder of the State.
Central Flyway
Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)
Special Teal Season Area: Lake and Chaffee Counties and that
portion of the State east of Interstate Highway 25.
Northeast Zone: All areas east of Interstate 25 and north of
Interstate 70.
Southeast Zone: All areas east of Interstate 25 and south of
Interstate 70, and all of El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano, and Las Animas
Counties.
Mountain/Foothills Zone: All areas west of Interstate 25 and east
of the Continental Divide, except El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano, and Las
Animas Counties.
Kansas
High Plains: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.
Low Plains Early Zone: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from
the Federal Hwy U.S.-283 and State Hwy 96 junction, then east on State
Hwy 96 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-183, then north on Federal
Hwy U.S.-183 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-24, then east on
Federal Hwy U.S.-24 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then
north on Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-36,
then east on Federal Hwy U.S.-36 to its junction with State Hwy K-199,
then south on State Hwy K-199 to its junction with Republic County 30th
Road, then south on Republic County 30th Road to its junction with
State Hwy K-148, then east on State Hwy K-148 to its junction with
Republic County 50th Road, then south on Republic County 50th Road to
its junction with Cloud County 40th Road, then south on Cloud County
40th Road to its junction with State Hwy K-9, then west on State Hwy K-
9 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-24, then west on Federal Hwy
U.S.-24 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-181, then south on
Federal Hwy U.S.-181 to its junction with State Hwy K-18, then west on
State Hwy K-18 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then south on
Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction with State Hwy K-4, then east on
State Hwy K-4 to its junction with interstate Hwy I-135, then south on
interstate Hwy I-135 to its junction with State Hwy K-61, then
southwest on State Hwy K-61 to its junction with McPherson County 14th
Avenue, then south on McPherson County 14th Avenue to its junction with
McPherson County Arapaho Road, then west on McPherson County Arapaho
Road to its junction with State Hwy K-61, then southwest on State Hwy
K-61 to its junction with State Hwy K-96, then northwest on State Hwy
K-96 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-56, then southwest on
Federal Hwy U.S.-56 to its junction with State Hwy K-19, then east on
State Hwy K-19 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then south on
Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-54, then
west on Federal Hwy U.S.-54 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-183,
then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-183 to its junction with Federal Hwy
U.S.-56, then southwest on Federal Hwy U.S.-56 to its junction with
North Main Street in Spearville, then south on North Main Street to
Davis Street, then east on Davis Street to Ford County Road 126 (South
Stafford Street), then south on Ford County Road 126 to Garnett Road,
then east on Garnett Road to Ford County Road 126, then south on Ford
County Road 126 to Ford Spearville Road, then west on Ford Spearville
Road to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-400, then northwest on
Federal Hwy U.S.-400 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-283, and
then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-283 to its junction with Federal Hwy
U.S.-96.
Low Plains Late Zone: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from
the Federal Hwy U.S.-283 and State Hwy 96 junction, then north on
Federal Hwy U.S.-283 to the Kansas-Nebraska State line, then east along
the Kansas-Nebraska State line to its junction with the Kansas-Missouri
State line, then southeast along the Kansas-Missouri State line to its
junction with State Hwy K-68, then west on State Hwy K-68 to its
junction with interstate Hwy I-35, then southwest on interstate Hwy I-
35 to its junction with Butler County NE 150th Street, then west on
Butler County NE 150th Street to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-77,
then south on Federal Hwy U.S.-77 to its junction with the Kansas-
Oklahoma State line, then west along the Kansas-Oklahoma State line to
its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-283, then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-
283 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-400, then east on Federal Hwy
U.S.-400 to its junction with Ford Spearville Road, then east on Ford
Spearville Road to Ford County Road 126 (South Stafford Street), then
north on Ford County Road 126 to Garnett Road, then west on Garnett
Road to Ford County Road 126, then north on Ford County Road 126 to
Davis Street, then west on Davis Street to North Main Street, then
north on North Main Street to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-56,
then east on Federal Hwy U.S.-56 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-
183, then south on Federal Hwy U.S.-183 to its junction with Federal
Hwy U.S.-54, then east on Federal Hwy U.S.-54 to its junction with
Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its
junction with State Hwy K-19, then west on State Hwy K-19 to its
junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-56, then east on Federal Hwy U.S.-56 to
its junction with State Hwy K-96, then southeast on State Hwy K-96 to
its junction with State Hwy K-61, then northeast on State Hwy K-61 to
its junction with McPherson County Arapaho Road, then east on McPherson
County Arapaho Road to its junction with McPherson County 14th Avenue,
then north on McPherson County 14th Avenue to its junction with State
Hwy K-61, then east on State Hwy K-61 to its junction with interstate
Hwy I-135, then north on interstate Hwy I-135 to its junction with
State Hwy K-4, then west on State Hwy K-4 to its junction with Federal
Hwy U.S.-281, then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction with
State Hwy K-18, then east on State Hwy K-18 to its junction with
Federal Hwy U.S.-181,
[[Page 41543]]
then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-181 to its junction with Federal Hwy
U.S.-24, then east on Federal Hwy U.S.-24 to its junction with State
Hwy K-9, then east on State Hwy K-9 to its junction with Cloud County
40th Road, then north on Cloud County 40th Road to its junction with
Republic County 50th Road, then north on Republic County 50th Road to
its junction with State Hwy K-148, then west on State Hwy K-148 to its
junction with Republic County 30th Road, then north on Republic County
30th Road to its junction with State Hwy K-199, then north on State Hwy
K-199 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-36, then west on Federal
Hwy U.S.-36 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then south on
Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-24, then
west on Federal Hwy U.S.-24 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-183,
then south on Federal Hwy U.S.-183 to its junction with Federal Hwy
U.S.-96, and then west on Federal Hwy U.S.-96 to its junction with
Federal Hwy U.S.-283.
Low Plains Southeast Zone: That part of Kansas bounded by a line
from the Missouri-Kansas State line west on K-68 to its junction with
I-35, then southwest on I-35 to its junction with Butler County, NE
150th Street, then west on NE 150th Street to its junction with Federal
Hwy U.S.-77, then south on Federal Hwy U.S.-77 to the Oklahoma-Kansas
State line, then east along the Kansas-Oklahoma State line to its
junction with the Kansas-Missouri State line, then north along the
Kansas-Missouri State line to its junction with State Hwy K-68.
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine, Carter, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon,
Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, McCone, Musselshell,
Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan,
Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Valley, Wheatland, and Wibaux.
Zone 2: The Counties of Big Horn, Carbon, Custer, Prairie, Rosebud,
Treasure, and Yellowstone.
Nebraska
High Plains: That portion of Nebraska lying west of a line
beginning at the South Dakota-Nebraska border on U.S. Hwy 183; south on
U.S. Hwy 183 to U.S. Hwy 20; west on U.S. Hwy 20 to NE Hwy 7; south on
NE Hwy 7 to NE Hwy 91; southwest on NE Hwy 91 to NE Hwy 2; southeast on
NE Hwy 2 to NE Hwy 92; west on NE Hwy 92 to NE Hwy 40; south on NE Hwy
40 to NE Hwy 47; south on NE Hwy 47 to NE Hwy 23; east on NE Hwy 23 to
U.S. Hwy 283; and south on U.S. Hwy 283 to the Kansas-Nebraska border.
Zone 1: Area bounded by designated Federal and State highways and
political boundaries beginning at the South Dakota-Nebraska border at
U.S. Hwy 183; south along Hwy 183 to NE Hwy 12; east to NE Hwy 137;
south to U.S. Hwy 20; east to U.S. Hwy 281; north to the Niobrara
River; east along the Niobrara River to the Boyd County Line; north
along the Boyd County line to NE Hwy 12; east to NE 26E Spur; north
along the NE 26E Spur to the Ponca State Park boat ramp; north and west
along the Missouri River to the Nebraska-South Dakota border; west
along the Nebraska-South Dakota border to U.S. Hwy 183. Both banks of
the Niobrara River in Keya Paha and Boyd Counties east of U.S. Hwy 183
shall be included in Zone 1.
Zone 2: Those areas of the State that are not contained in Zones 1,
3, or 4.
Zone 3: Area bounded by designated Federal and State highways,
County roads, and political boundaries beginning at the Wyoming-
Nebraska border at its northernmost intersection with the Interstate
Canal; southeast along the Interstate Canal to the northern border of
Scotts Bluff County; east along northern borders of Scotts Bluff and
Morrill Counties to Morrill County Road 125; south to Morrill County Rd
94; east to County Rd 135; south to County Rd 88; east to County Rd
147; south to County Rd 88; southeast to County Rd 86; east to County
Rd 151; south to County Rd 80; east to County Rd 161; south to County
Rd 76; east to County Rd 165; south to County Rd 167; south to U.S. Hwy
26; east to County Rd 171; north to County Rd 68; east to County Rd
183; south to County Rd 64; east to County Rd 189; north to County Rd
70; east to County Rd 201; south to County Rd 60A; east to County Rd
203; south to County Rd 52; east to Keith County Line; north along the
Keith County line to the northern border of Keith County; east along
the northern boundaries of Keith and Lincoln Counties to NE Hwy 97;
south to U.S. Hwy 83; south to E Hall School Rd; east to North Airport
Road; south to U.S. Hwy 30; east to NE Hwy 47; south to NE Hwy 23; east
on NE Hwy 23 to U.S. Hwy 283; south on U.S. Hwy 283 to the Kansas-
Nebraska border; west along Kansas-Nebraska border to the Nebraska-
Colorado border; north and west to the Wyoming-Nebraska border; north
along the Wyoming-Nebraska border to its northernmost-intersection with
the Interstate Canal.
Zone 4: Area encompassed by designated Federal and State highways
and County Roads beginning at the intersection of U.S. Hwy 283 at the
Kansas-Nebraska border; north to NE Hwy 23; west to NE Hwy 47; north to
Dawson County Rd 769; east to County Rd 423; south to County Rd 766;
east to County Rd 428; south to County Rd 763; east to NE Hwy 21; south
to County Rd 761; east on County Rd 761 to County Road 437; south to
the Dawson County Canal; southeast along Dawson County Canal; east to
County Rd 444; south to U.S. Hwy 30; east to U.S. Hwy 183; north to
Buffalo County Rd 100; east to 46th Ave.; north to NE Hwy 40; east to
NE Hwy 10; north to County Rd 220 and Hall County Husker Highway; east
to Hall County S 70th Rd; north to NE Hwy 2; east to U.S. Hwy 281;
north to Chapman Rd; east to 7th Rd; south to U.S. Hwy 30; north and
east to NE Hwy 14; south to County Rd 22; west to County Rd M; south to
County Rd 21; west to County Rd K; south to U.S. Hwy 34; west to NE Hwy
2; south to U.S. Hwy I-80; west to Gunbarrel Rd (Hall/Hamilton County
line); south to Giltner Rd; west to U.S. Hwy 281; south to W 82nd St;
west to Holstein Ave.; south to U.S. Hwy 34; west to NE Hwy 10; north
to Kearney County Rd R and Phelps County Rd 742; west to Gosper County
Rd 433; south to N Railway Street; west to Commercial Ave.; south to NE
Hwy 23; west to Gosper County Rd 427; south to Gosper County Rd 737;
west to Gosper County Rd 426; south to Gosper County Rd 735; east to
Gosper County Rd 427; south to Furnas County Rd 276; west to Furnas
County Rd 425.5/425; south to U.S. Hwy 34; east to NE Hwy 4; east to NE
Hwy 10; south to U.S. Hwy 136; east to NE Hwy 14; south to NE Hwy 8;
east to U.S. Hwy 81; north to NE Hwy 4; east to NE Hwy 15; north to
U.S. Hwy 6; east to NE Hwy 33; east to SW 142 Street; south to W Hallam
Rd; east to SW 100 Rd; south to W Chestnut Rd; west to NE Hwy 103;
south to NE Hwy 4; west to NE Hwy 15; south to U.S. Hwy 136; east to
Jefferson County Rd 578 Ave.; south to PWF Rd; east to NE Hwy 103;
south to NE Hwy 8; east to U.S. Hwy 75; north to U.S. Hwy 136; east to
the intersection of U.S. Hwy 136 and the Steamboat Trace (Trace); north
along the Trace to the intersection with Federal Levee R-562; north
along Federal Levee R-562 to the intersection with Nemaha County Rd
643A; south to the Trace; north along the Trace/Burlington Northern
Railroad right-of-way to NE Hwy 2; west to U.S. Hwy 75; north to NE Hwy
2; west to NE Hwy 50; north to Otoe County Rd D; east to N 32nd Rd;
north to Otoe County Rd B; west to NE Hwy 50; north to U.S. Hwy 34;
west to NE Hwy 63; north to NE
[[Page 41544]]
Hwy 66; north and west to U.S. Hwy 77; north to NE Hwy 109; west along
NE Hwy 109 and Saunders County Rd X to Saunders County 19; south to NE
Hwy 92; west to NE Hwy Spur 12F; south to Butler County Rd 30; east to
County Rd X; south to County Rd 27; west to County Rd W; south to
County Rd 26; east to County Rd X; south to County Rd 21 (Seward County
Line); west to NE Hwy 15; north to County Rd 34; west to County Rd H;
south to NE Hwy 92; west to U.S. Hwy 81; south to NE Hwy 66; west to
Dark Island Trail, north to Merrick County Rd M; east to Merrick County
Rd 18; north to NE Hwy 92; west to NE Hwy 14; north to NE Hwy 52; west
and north to NE Hwy 91; west to U.S. Hwy 281; south to NE Hwy 58; west
to NE Hwy 11; west and south to NE Hwy 2; west to NE Hwy 68; north to
NE Hwy L82A; west to NE Hwy 10; north to NE Hwy 92; west to U.S. Hwy
183; north to Round Valley Rd; west to Sargent River Rd; west to
Sargent Rd; west to NE Hwy S21A; west to NE Hwy 2; north to NE Hwy 91
to North Loup Spur Rd; north to North Loup River Rd; north and east
along to Pleasant Valley/Worth Rd; east to Loup County Line; north
along the Loup County Line to Loup-Brown County line; east along
northern boundaries of Loup and Garfield Counties to NE Hwy 11; south
to Cedar River Road; east and south to NE Hwy 70; east to U.S. Hwy 281;
north to NE Hwy 70; east to NE Hwy 14; south to NE Hwy 39; southeast to
NE Hwy 22; east to U.S. Hwy 81; southeast to U.S. Hwy 30; east to the
Iowa-Nebraska border; south to the Missouri-Nebraska border; south to
Kansas-Nebraska border; west along Kansas-Nebraska border to U.S. Hwy
283.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.
North Dakota
High Plains: That portion of the State south and west of a line
beginning at the junction of U.S. Hwy 83 and the South Dakota State
line, then north along U.S. Hwy 83 and I-94 to ND Hwy 41, then north on
ND Hwy 41 to ND Hwy 53, then west on ND Hwy 53 to U.S. Hwy 83, then
north on U.S. Hwy 83 to U.S. Hwy 2, then west on U.S. Hwy 2 to the
Williams County line, then north and west along the Williams and Divide
County lines to the Canadian border.
Low Plains: The remainder of North Dakota.
Oklahoma
High Plains: The Counties of Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas.
Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High
Plains Zone and north of a line extending east from the Texas State
line along OK 33 to OK 47, east along OK 47 to U.S. 183, south along
U.S. 183 to I-40, east along I-40 to U.S. 177, north along U.S. 177 to
OK 33, east along OK 33 to OK 18, north along OK 18 to OK 51, west
along OK 51 to I-35, north along I-35 to U.S. 412, west along U.S. 412
to OK 132, then north along OK 132 to the Kansas State line.
Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of Oklahoma.
South Dakota
High Plains: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at
the North Dakota State line and extending south along U.S. 83 to U.S.
14, east on U.S. 14 to Blunt, south on the Blunt-Canning Road to SD 34,
east and south on SD 34 to SD 50 at Lee's Corner, south on SD 50 to I-
90, east on I-90 to SD 50, south on SD 50 to SD 44, west on SD 44
across the Platte-Winner bridge to SD 47, south on SD 47 to U.S. 18,
east on U.S. 18 to SD 47, south on SD 47 to the Nebraska State line.
Low Plains North Zone: That portion of northeastern South Dakota
east of the High Plains Unit and north of a line extending east along
U.S. 212 to the Minnesota State line.
Low Plains South Zone: That portion of Gregory County east of SD 47
and south of SD 44; Charles Mix County south of SD 44 to the Douglas
County line; south on SD 50 to Geddes; east on the Geddes Highway to
U.S. 281; south on U.S. 281 and U.S. 18 to SD 50; south and east on SD
50 to the Bon Homme County line; the Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton,
and Clay south of SD 50; and Union County south and west of SD 50 and
I-29.
Low Plains Middle Zone: The remainder of South Dakota.
Texas
High Plains: That portion of the State west of a line extending
south from the Oklahoma State line along U.S. 183 to Vernon, south
along U.S. 283 to Albany, south along TX 6 to TX 351 to Abilene, south
along U.S. 277 to Del Rio, then south along the Del Rio International
Toll Bridge access road to the Mexico border.
Low Plains North Zone: That portion of northeastern Texas east of
the High Plains Zone and north of a line beginning at the International
Toll Bridge south of Del Rio, then extending east on U.S. 90 to San
Antonio, then continuing east on I-10 to the Louisiana State line at
Orange, Texas.
Low Plains South Zone: The remainder of Texas.
Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)
Zone C1: Big Horn, Converse, Goshen, Hot Springs, Natrona, Park,
Platte, and Washakie Counties; and Fremont County excluding the
portions west or south of the Continental Divide.
Zone C2: Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston
Counties.
Zone C3: Albany and Laramie Counties; and that portion of Carbon
County east of the Continental Divide.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
North Zone: Game Management Units 1-5, those portions of Game
Management Units 6 and 8 within Coconino County, and Game Management
Units 7, 9, 11M, and 12A.
South Zone: Those portions of Game Management Units 6 and 8 in
Yavapai County, and Game Management Units 10 and 12B-46B.
California
Northeastern Zone: That portion of California lying east and north
of a line beginning at the intersection of Interstate 5 with the
California-Oregon line; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with
Walters Lane south of the town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane to its
junction with Easy Street; south along Easy Street to the junction with
Old Highway 99; south along Old Highway 99 to the point of intersection
with Interstate 5 north of the town of Weed; south along Interstate 5
to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to
Main Street Greenville; north and east to its junction with North
Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and
east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the
junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington
Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the
junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and
east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-
Nevada State line; north along the California-Nevada State line to the
junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon State lines; west along the
California-Oregon State line to the point of origin.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside,
and Imperial Counties east of a line from the intersection of Highway
95 with the
[[Page 41545]]
California-Nevada State line; south on Highway 95 through the junction
with Highway 40; south on Highway 95 to Vidal Junction; south through
the town of Rice to the San Bernardino-Riverside County line on a road
known as ``Aqueduct Road'' also known as Highway 62 in San Bernardino
County; southwest on Highway 62 to Desert Center Rice Road; south on
Desert Center Rice Road/Highway 177 to the town of Desert Center; east
31 miles on Interstate 10 to its intersection with Wiley Well Road;
south on Wiley Well Road to Wiley Well; southeast on Milpitas Wash Road
to the Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on Blythe
Ogilby Road also known as County Highway 34 to its intersection with
Ogilby Road; south on Ogilby Road to its intersection with Interstate
8; east 7 miles on Interstate 8 to its intersection with the Andrade-
Algodones Road/Highway 186; south on Highway 186 to its intersection
with the U.S.-Mexico border at Los Algodones, Mexico.
Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding
the Colorado River zone) south and east of a line beginning at the
mouth of the Santa Maria River at the Pacific Ocean; east along the
Santa Maria River to where it crosses Highway 101-166 near the City of
Santa Maria; north on Highway 101-166; east on Highway 166 to the
junction with Highway 99; south on Highway 99 to the junction of
Interstate 5; south on Interstate 5 to the crest of the Tehachapi
Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest of the
Tehachapi Mountains to where it intersects Highway 178 at Walker Pass;
east on Highway 178 to the junction of Highway 395 at the town of
Inyokern; south on Highway 395 to the junction of Highway 58; east on
Highway 58 to the junction of Interstate 15; east on Interstate 15 to
the junction with Highway 127; north on Highway 127 to the point of
intersection with the California-Nevada State line.
Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone: All of Kings and Tulare Counties
and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
Balance of State Zone: The remainder of California not included in
the Northeastern, Colorado River, Southern, and the Southern San
Joaquin Valley Zones.
Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)
Eastern Zone: Routt, Grand, Summit, Eagle, and Pitkin Counties,
those portions of Saguache, San Juan, Hinsdale, and Mineral Counties
west of the Continental Divide, those portions of Gunnison County
except the North Fork of the Gunnison River Valley (Game Management
Units 521, 53, and 63), and that portion of Moffat County east of the
northern intersection of Moffat County Road 29 with the Moffat-Routt
County line, south along Moffat County Road 29 to the intersection of
Moffat County Road 29 with the Moffat-Routt County line (Elkhead
Reservoir State Park).
Western Zone: All areas west of the Continental Divide not included
in the Eastern Zone.
Idaho
Zone 1: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation, including private inholdings; Power County east of State
Highway 37 and State Highway 39; and Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham,
Bonneville, Butte, Caribou, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, and
Teton Counties.
Zone 2: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone Counties.
Zone 3: Power County west of State Highway 37 and State Highway 39,
and Ada, Adams, Blaine, Boise, Camas, Canyon, Cassia, Clearwater,
Custer, Elmore, Franklin, Gem, Gooding, Idaho, Jerome, Latah, Lemhi,
Lewis, Lincoln, Minidoka, Nez Perce, Oneida, Owyhee, Payette, Twin
Falls, and Washington Counties.
Zone 4: Valley County.
Nevada
Northeast Zone: Elko, Eureka, Lander, and White Pine Counties.
Northwest Zone: Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon,
Mineral, Pershing, Storey, and Washoe Counties.
South Zone: Clark, Esmeralda, Lincoln, and Nye Counties.
Moapa Valley Special Management Area: That portion of Clark County
including the Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin
Rivers.
Oregon
Zone 1: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas,
Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion,
Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Umatilla, Wasco,
Washington, and Yamhill, Counties.
Zone 2: The remainder of Oregon not included in Zone 1.
Utah
Northern Zone: Box Elder, Cache, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Morgan,
Rich, Salt Lake, Summit, Uintah, Utah, Wasatch, and Weber Counties, and
that part of Toole County north of I-80.
Southern Zone: The remainder of Utah not included in the Northern
Zone.
Washington
East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of
the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
West Zone: The remainder of Washington not included in the East
Zone.
Wyoming (Pacific Flyway Portion)
Snake River Zone: Beginning at the south boundary of Yellowstone
National Park and the Continental Divide; south along the Continental
Divide to Union Pass and the Union Pass Road (U.S.F.S. Road 600); west
and south along the Union Pass Road to U.S.F.S. Road 605; south along
U.S.F.S. Road 605 to the Bridger-Teton National Forest boundary; along
the national forest boundary to the Idaho State line; north along the
Idaho State line to the south boundary of Yellowstone National Park;
east along the Yellowstone National Park boundary to the Continental
Divide.
Balance of State Zone: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway portion
of Wyoming not included in the Snake River Zone.
Geese
Atlantic Flyway
Connecticut
Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons
South Zone: Same as for ducks.
North Zone: Same as for ducks.
Regular Seasons
AP Unit: Litchfield County and the portion of Hartford County west
of a line beginning at the Massachusetts border in Suffield and
extending south along Route 159 to its intersection with I-91 in
Hartford, and then extending south along I-91 to its intersection with
the Hartford-Middlesex County line.
NAP-H Unit: That part of the State east of a line beginning at the
Massachusetts border in Suffield and extending south along Route 159 to
its intersection with I-91 in Hartford and then extending south along
I-91 to State Street in New Haven; then south on State Street to Route
34, west on Route 34 to Route 8, south along Route 8 to Route 110,
south along Route 110 to Route 15, north along Route 15 to the Milford
Parkway, south along the Milford Parkway to I-95, north along I-95 to
the intersection with the east shore of the Quinnipiac River, south to
the mouth of the Quinnipiac River and then south along the eastern
shore of New Haven Harbor to the Long Island Sound.
Atlantic Flyway Resident Population (AFRP) Unit: Remainder of the
State not included in AP and NAP Units.
[[Page 41546]]
South Zone: Same as for ducks.
Maine
North NAP-H Zone: Same as North Zone for ducks.
Coastal NAP-L Zone: Same as Coastal Zone for ducks.
South NAP-H Zone: Same as South Zone for ducks.
Maryland
Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons
Eastern Unit: Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent,
Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester
Counties; and that part of Anne Arundel County east of Interstate 895,
Interstate 97, and Route 3; that part of Prince George's County east of
Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County east of Route
301 to the Virginia State line.
Western Unit: Allegany, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett,
Howard, Montgomery, and Washington Counties and that part of Anne
Arundel County west of Interstate 895, Interstate 97, and Route 3; that
part of Prince George's County west of Route 3 and Route 301; and that
part of Charles County west of Route 301 to the Virginia State line.
Regular Seasons
Resident Population (RP) Zone: Allegany, Frederick, Garrett,
Montgomery, and Washington Counties; that portion of Prince George's
County west of Route 3 and Route 301; that portion of Charles County
west of Route 301 to the Virginia State line; and that portion of
Carroll County west of Route 31 to the intersection of Route 97, and
west of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania State line.
AP Zone: Remainder of the State.
Massachusetts
NAP Zone: Central and Coastal Zones (see duck zones).
AP Zone: The Western Zone (see duck zones).
Special Late Season Area: The Central Zone and that portion of the
Coastal Zone (see duck zones) that lies north of the Cape Cod Canal,
north to the New Hampshire State line.
New Hampshire
Same zones as for ducks.
New Jersey
AP Zone: North and South Zones (see duck zones).
NAP Zone: The Coastal Zone (see duck zones).
Special Late Season Area: In northern New Jersey, that portion of
the State within a continuous line that runs east along the New York
State boundary line to the Hudson River; then south along the New York
State boundary to its intersection with Route 440 at Perth Amboy; then
west on Route 440 to its intersection with Route 287; then west along
Route 287 to its intersection with Route 206 in Bedminster (Exit 18);
then north along Route 206 to its intersection with Route 94; then west
along Route 94 to the toll bridge in Columbia; then north along the
Pennsylvania State boundary in the Delaware River to the beginning
point. In southern New Jersey, that portion of the State within a
continuous line that runs west from the Atlantic Ocean at Ship Bottom
along Route 72 to Route 70; then west along Route 70 to Route 206; then
south along Route 206 to Route 536; then west along Route 536 to Route
322; then west along Route 322 to Route 55; then south along Route 55
to Route 553 (Buck Road); then south along Route 553 to Route 40; then
east along Route 40 to route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 552
(Sherman Avenue); then west along Route 552 to Carmel Road; then south
along Carmel Road to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 555;
then south along Route 555 to Route 553; then east along Route 553 to
Route 649; then north along Route 649 to Route 670; then east along
Route 670 to Route 47; then north along Route 47 to Route 548; then
east along Route 548 to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 50;
then south along Route 50 to Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route
625 (Sea Isle City Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to the
Atlantic Ocean; then north to the beginning point.
New York
Lake Champlain Goose Area: The same as the Lake Champlain Waterfowl
Hunting Zone, which is that area of New York State lying east and north
of a continuous line extending along Route 11 from the New York-Canada
international boundary south to Route 9B, south along Route 9B to Route
9, south along Route 9 to Route 22 south of Keeseville, south along
Route 22 to the west shore of South Bay along and around the shoreline
of South Bay to Route 22 on the east shore of South Bay, southeast
along Route 22 to Route 4, northeast along Route 4 to the New York-
Vermont boundary.
Northeast Goose Area: The same as the Northeastern Waterfowl
Hunting Zone, which is that area of New York State lying north of a
continuous line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore
of the Salmon River to Interstate 81, south along Interstate 81 to
Route 31, east along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to
Route 49, east along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to
Route 28, east along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Route
22 at Greenwich Junction, north along Route 22 to Washington County
Route 153, east along CR 153 to the New York-Vermont boundary,
exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.
East Central Goose Area: That area of New York State lying inside
of a continuous line extending from Interstate Route 81 in Cicero, east
along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to Route 49, east
along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to Route 28, east
along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball
Corners, south along Route 147 to Schenectady County Route 40 (West
Glenville Road), west along Route 40 to Touareuna Road, south along
Touareuna Road to Schenectady County Route 59, south along Route 59 to
State Route 5, east along Route 5 to the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along
the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S, southeast along Route 5S to Schenectady
County Route 58, southwest along Route 58 to the NYS Thruway, south
along the Thruway to Route 7, southwest along Route 7 to Schenectady
County Route 103, south along Route 103 to Route 406, east along Route
406 to Schenectady County Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route
99 to Dunnsville Road, south along Dunnsville Road to Route 397,
southwest along Route 397 to Route 146 at Altamont, west along Route
146 to 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
[[Page 41547]]
Tonawanda Creek, west along the north bank of Tonawanda Creek to Route
93, south along Route 93 to Route 5, east along Route 5 to Crittenden-
Murrays Corners Road, south on Crittenden-Murrays Corners Road to the
NYS Thruway, east along the Thruway 90 to Route 98 (at Thruway Exit 48)
in Batavia, south along Route 98 to Route 20, east along Route 20 to
Route 19 in Pavilion Center, south along Route 19 to Route 63,
southeast along Route 63 to Route 246, south along Route 246 to Route
39 in Perry, northeast along Route 39 to Route 20A, northeast along
Route 20A to Route 20, east along Route 20 to Route 364 (near
Canandaigua), south and east along Route 364 to Yates County Route 18
(Italy Valley Road), southwest along Route 18 to Yates County Route 34,
east along Route 34 to Yates County Route 32, south along Route 32 to
Steuben County Route 122, south along Route 122 to Route 53, south
along Route 53 to Steuben County Route 74, east along Route 74 to Route
54A (near Pulteney), south along Route 54A to Steuben County Route 87,
east along Route 87 to Steuben County Route 96, east along Route 96 to
Steuben County Route 114, east along Route 114 to Schuyler County Route
23, east and southeast along Route 23 to Schuyler County Route 28,
southeast along Route 28 to Route 409 at Watkins Glen, south along
Route 409 to Route 14, south along Route 14 to Route 224 at Montour
Falls, east along Route 224 to Route 228 in Odessa, north along Route
228 to Route 79 in Mecklenburg, east along Route 79 to Route 366 in
Ithaca, northeast along Route 366 to Route 13, northeast along Route 13
to Interstate Route 81 in Cortland, north along Route 81 to the north
shore of the Salmon River to shore of Lake Ontario, extending generally
northwest in a straight line to the nearest point of the international
boundary with Canada, south and west along the international boundary
to the point of beginning.
Hudson Valley Goose Area: That area of New York State lying within
a continuous line extending from Route 4 at the New York-Vermont
boundary, west and south along Route 4 to Route 149 at Fort Ann, west
on Route 149 to Route 9, south along Route 9 to Interstate Route 87 (at
Exit 20 in Glens Falls), south along Route 87 to Route 29, west along
Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball Corners, south along Route 147 to
Schenectady County Route 40 (West Glenville Road), west along Route 40
to Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna Road to Schenectady County
Route 59, south along Route 59 to State Route 5, east along Route 5 to
the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S,
southeast along Route 5S to Schenectady County Route 58, southwest
along Route 58 to the NYS Thruway, south along the Thruway to Route 7,
southwest along Route 7 to Schenectady County Route 103, south along
Route 103 to Route 406, east along Route 406 to Schenectady County
Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route 99 to Dunnsville Road,
south along Dunnsville Road to Route 397, southwest along Route 397 to
Route 146 at Altamont, southeast along Route 146 to Main Street in
Altamont, west along Main Street to Route 156, southeast along Route
156 to Albany County Route 307, southeast along Route 307 to Route 85A,
southwest along Route 85A to Route 85, south along Route 85 to Route
443, southeast along Route 443 to Albany County Route 301 at
Clarksville, southeast along Route 301 to Route 32, south along Route
32 to Route 23 at Cairo, west along Route 23 to Joseph Chadderdon Road,
southeast along Joseph Chadderdon Road to Hearts Content Road (Greene
County Route 31), southeast along Route 31 to Route 32, south along
Route 32 to Greene County Route 23A, east along Route 23A to Interstate
Route 87 (the NYS Thruway), south along Route 87 to Route 28 (Exit 19)
near Kingston, northwest on Route 28 to Route 209, southwest on Route
209 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary, southeast along the New
York-Pennsylvania boundary to the New York-New Jersey boundary,
southeast along the New York-New Jersey boundary to Route 210 near
Greenwood Lake, northeast along Route 210 to Orange County Route 5,
northeast along Orange County Route 5 to Route 105 in the Village of
Monroe, east and north along Route 105 to Route 32, northeast along
Route 32 to Orange County Route 107 (Quaker Avenue), east along Route
107 to Route 9W, north along Route 9W to the south bank of Moodna
Creek, southeast along the south bank of Moodna Creek to the New
Windsor-Cornwall town boundary, northeast along the New Windsor-
Cornwall town boundary to the Orange-Dutchess County boundary (middle
of the Hudson River), north along the county boundary to Interstate
Route 84, east along Route 84 to the Dutchess-Putnam County boundary,
east along the county boundary to the New York-Connecticut boundary,
north along the New York-Connecticut boundary to the New York-
Massachusetts boundary, north along the New York-Massachusetts boundary
to the New York-Vermont boundary, north to the point of beginning.
Eastern Long Island Goose Area (NAP High Harvest Area): That area
of Suffolk County lying east of a continuous line extending due south
from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the northernmost end of
Roanoke Avenue in the Town of Riverhead; then south on Roanoke Avenue
(which becomes County Route 73) to State Route 25; then west on Route
25 to Peconic Avenue; then south on Peconic Avenue to County Route (CR)
104 (Riverleigh Avenue); then south on CR 104 to CR 31 (Old Riverhead
Road); then south on CR 31 to Oak Street; then south on Oak Street to
Potunk Lane; then west on Stevens Lane; then south on Jessup Avenue (in
Westhampton Beach) to Dune Road (CR 89); then due south to
international waters.
Western Long Island Goose Area (RP Area): That area of Westchester
County and its tidal waters southeast of Interstate Route 95 and that
area of Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying west of a continuous line
extending due south from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the
northernmost end of Sound Road (just east of Wading River Marsh); then
south on Sound Road to North Country Road; then west on North Country
Road to Randall Road; then south on Randall Road to Route 25A, then
west on Route 25A to the Sunken Meadow State Parkway; then south on the
Sunken Meadow Parkway to the Sagtikos State Parkway; then south on the
Sagtikos Parkway to the Robert Moses State Parkway; then south on the
Robert Moses Parkway to its southernmost end; then due south to
international waters.
Central Long Island Goose Area (NAP Low Harvest Area): That area of
Suffolk County lying between the Western and Eastern Long Island Goose
Areas, as defined above.
South Goose Area: The remainder of New York State, excluding New
York City.
North Carolina
Northeast Zone: Includes the following counties or portions of
counties: Bertie (that portion north and east of a line formed by NC 45
at the Washington County line to U.S. 17 in Midway, U.S. 17 in Midway
to U.S. 13 in Windsor, U.S. 13 in Windsor to the Hertford County line),
Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell,
and Washington.
RP Zone: Remainder of the State.
Pennsylvania
Resident Canada and Cackling Goose Zone: All of Pennsylvania area
east of route SR 97 from the Maryland State
[[Page 41548]]
Line to the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to the intersection
of U.S. Route 30, south of U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to
SR 743, east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to
intersection of I-80, and south of I-80 to the New Jersey State line.
AP Zone: The area east of route SR 97 from Maryland State Line to
the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of U.S.
Route 30, south of U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743,
east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of
I-80, south of I-80 to the New Jersey State line.
Rhode Island
Special Area for Canada and Cackling Geese: Kent and Providence
Counties and portions of the towns of Exeter and North Kingston within
Washington County (see State regulations for detailed descriptions).
South Carolina
Canada and Cackling Goose Area: Statewide except for the following
area:
East of U.S. 301: That portion of Clarendon County bounded to the
North by S-14-25, to the East by Hwy 260, and to the South by the
markers delineating the channel of the Santee River.
West of U.S. 301: That portion of Clarendon County bounded on the
North by S-14-26 extending southward to that portion of Orangeburg
County bordered by Hwy 6.
Vermont
Same zones as for ducks.
Virginia
AP Zone: The area to the east of the following line: the ``Blue
Ridge'' (Loudoun-Clarke Counties border) at the West Virginia-Virginia
border, 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 64 to Interstate 95 in Richmond, then south along Interstate
95 to Route 460 in Petersburg, then southeast along Route 460 to Route
32 in the City of Suffolk, then south to the North Carolina border.
RP Zone: The remainder of the State west of the AP Zone.
Mississippi Flyway
Arkansas
Northwest Zone: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Conway, Crawford,
Faulkner, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Madison, Marion, Newton, Perry,
Pope, Pulaski, Searcy, Sebastian, Scott, Van Buren, Washington, and
Yell Counties.
Remainder of State: That portion of the State outside of the
Northwest Zone.
Illinois
North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending
west from the Indiana border along Interstate 80 to I-39, south along
I-39 to Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois
Route 29, south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois Route 17, west
along Illinois Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and due south across
the Mississippi River to the Iowa border.
Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Goose
Zone line to a line extending west from the Indiana border along I-70
to Illinois Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route
161, west along Illinois Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south and
west along Illinois Route 158 to Illinois Route 159, south along
Illinois Route 159 to Illinois Route 3, south along Illinois Route 3 to
St. Leo's Road, south along St. Leo's Road to Modoc Road, west along
Modoc Road to Modoc Ferry Road, southwest along Modoc Ferry Road to
Levee Road, southeast along Levee Road to County Route 12 (Modoc Ferry
entrance Road), south along County Route 12 to the Modoc Ferry route
and southwest on the Modoc Ferry route across the Mississippi River to
the Missouri border.
South Zone: Same zone as for ducks.
South Central Zone: Same zone as for ducks.
Indiana
Same zones as for ducks.
Iowa
Same zones as for ducks.
Kentucky
Western: The area that includes all counties west of and including
Hardin, Nelson, Washington, Marion, Taylor, Adair, and Cumberland
Counties.
Eastern: The area that includes Bullitt County in its entirety and
all other counties not included in the Western goose zone.
Louisiana
Same zones as for ducks.
Michigan
North Zone: Same as North duck zone.
Middle Zone: Same as Middle duck zone.
South Zone: Same as South duck zone.
Allegan County Game Management Unit (GMU): That area encompassed by
a line beginning at the junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate Highway
196 in Lake Town Township and extending easterly along 136th Avenue to
Michigan Highway 40, southerly along Michigan 40 through the city of
Allegan to 108th Avenue in Trowbridge Township, westerly along 108th
Avenue to 46th Street, northerly along 46th Street to 109th Avenue,
westerly along 109th Avenue to I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly
along I-196 to the point of beginning.
Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That portion of Muskegon County within the
boundaries of the Muskegon County wastewater system, east of the
Muskegon State Game Area, in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29,
30, and 32, T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, and
25, T10N R15W, as posted.
Minnesota
Same zones as for ducks.
Missouri
Same zones as for ducks.
Ohio
Same zones as for ducks.
Tennessee
Reelfoot Zone: The lands and waters within the boundaries of
Reelfoot Lake WMA only.
Remainder of State: The remainder of the State.
Wisconsin
North and South Zones: Same zones as for ducks.
Mississippi River Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning
at the intersection of the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway and
the Illinois State line in Grant County and extending northerly along
the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway to the city limit of
Prescott in Pierce County, then west along the Prescott city limit to
the Minnesota State line.
Central Flyway
Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)
North Park Area: Jackson County.
South Park Area: Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, and Teller
Counties.
San Luis Valley Area: All of Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, and Rio
Grande Counties, and those portions of Saguache, Mineral, Hinsdale,
Archuleta, and San Juan Counties east of the Continental Divide.
Remainder: Remainder of the Central Flyway portion of Colorado.
Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose Area: That portion of the State
east of Interstate Highway 25.
[[Page 41549]]
Montana (Central Flyway Portion)
Zone 1: Same as Zone 1 for ducks and coots.
Zone 2: Same as Zone 2 for ducks and coots.
Nebraska
Dark Geese
Niobrara Unit: That area contained within and bounded by the
intersection of the Nebraska-South Dakota border and U.S. Hwy 83, south
to U.S. Hwy 20, east to NE Hwy 14, north along NE Hwy 14 to NE Hwy 59
and County Road 872, west along County Road 872 to the Knox County
line, north along the Knox County line to the Nebraska-South Dakota
border, west along the Nebraska-South Dakota border to U.S. Hwy 83.
Where the Niobrara River forms the boundary, both banks of the river
are included in the Niobrara Unit.
Platte River Unit: The area bounded starting at the northernmost
intersection of the Interstate Canal at the Nebraska-Wyoming border,
south along the Nebraska-Wyoming border to the Nebraska-Colorado
border, east and south along the Nebraska-Colorado border to the
Nebraska-Kansas border, east along the Nebraska-Kansas border to the
Nebraska-Missouri border, north along the Nebraska-Missouri and
Nebraska-Iowa borders to the Burt-Washington Counties line, west along
the Burt-Washington Counties line to U.S. Hwy 75, south to Dodge County
Road 4/Washington County Road 4, west to U.S. Hwy 77, south to U.S. Hwy
275, northwest to U.S. Hwy 91, west to NE Hwy 45, north to NE Hwy 32,
west to NE Hwy 14, north to NE Hwy 70, west to U.S. Hwy 281, south to
NE Hwy 70, west along NE Hwy 70/91 to NE Hwy 11, north to the Holt
County line, west along the northern border of Garfield, Loup, Blaine,
and Thomas Counties to the Hooker County line, south along the Thomas-
Hooker Counties lines to the McPherson County line, east along the
south border of Thomas County to the Custer County line, south along
the Custer-Logan Counties line to NE Hwy 92, west to U.S. Hwy 83, north
to NE Hwy 92, west to NE Hwy 61, north to NE Hwy 2, west along NE Hwy 2
to the corner formed by Garden, Grant, and Sheridan Counties, west
along the north borders of Garden, Morrill, and Scotts Bluff Counties
to the intersection with the Interstate Canal, north and west along the
Interstate Canal to the intersection with the Nebraska-Wyoming border.
North-Central Unit: Those portions of the State not in the Niobrara
and Platte River zones.
Light Geese
Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area: The area bounded by the junction
of NE Hwy 92 and NE Hwy 15, south along NE Hwy 15 to NE Hwy 4, west
along NE Hwy 4 to U.S. Hwy 34, west along U.S. Hwy 34 to U.S. Hwy 283,
north along U.S. Hwy 283 to U.S. Hwy 30, east along U.S. Hwy 30 to NE
Hwy 92, east along NE Hwy 92 to the beginning.
Remainder of State: The remainder of Nebraska.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
Dark Geese
Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit: Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia
Counties.
Remainder: The remainder of the Central Flyway portion of New
Mexico.
North Dakota
Missouri River Canada and Cackling Goose Zone: The area within and
bounded by a line starting where ND Hwy 6 crosses the South Dakota
border; then north on ND Hwy 6 to I-94; then west on I-94 to ND Hwy 49;
then north on ND Hwy 49 to ND Hwy 200; then west on ND Hwy 200; then
north on ND Hwy 8 to the Mercer-McLean Counties line; then east
following the county line until it turns south toward Garrison Dam;
then east along a line (including Mallard Island) of Lake Sakakawea to
U.S. Hwy 83; then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to ND Hwy 200; then east on ND
Hwy 200 to ND Hwy 41; then south on ND Hwy 41 to U.S. Hwy 83; then
south on U.S. Hwy 83 to I-94; then east on I-94 to U.S. Hwy 83; then
south on U.S. Hwy 83 to the South Dakota border; then west along the
South Dakota border to ND Hwy 6.
Western North Dakota Canada and Cackling Goose Zone: Same as the
High Plains Unit for ducks, mergansers, and coots, excluding the
Missouri River Canada Goose Zone.
Rest of State: Remainder of North Dakota.
South Dakota
Early Canada and Cackling Goose Seasons
Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Unit: The Counties of
Campbell, Clark, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Marshall,
Roberts, Walworth; that portion of Perkins County west of State Highway
75 and south of State Highway 20; that portion of Dewey County north of
Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 8, Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 9, and
the section of U.S. Highway 212 east of the Bureau of Indian Affairs
Road 8 junction; that portion of Potter County east of U.S. Highway 83;
that portion of Sully County east of U.S. Highway 83; portions of Hyde,
Buffalo, Brule, and Charles Mix Counties north and east of a line
beginning at the Hughes-Hyde County line on State Highway 34, east to
Lees Boulevard, southeast to State Highway 34, east 7 miles to 350th
Avenue, south to Interstate 90 on 350th Avenue, south and east on State
Highway 50 to Geddes, east on 285th Street to U.S. Highway 281, and
north on U.S. Highway 281 to the Charles Mix-Douglas Counties boundary;
that portion of Bon Homme County north of State Highway 50; those
portions of Yankton and Clay Counties north of a line beginning at the
junction of State Highway 50 and 306th Street/County Highway 585 in Bon
Homme County, east to U.S. Highway 81, then north on U.S. Highway 81 to
303rd Street, then east on 303rd Street to 444th Avenue, then south on
444th Avenue to 305th Street, then east on 305th Street/Bluff Road to
State Highway 19, then south to State Highway 50 and east to the Clay/
Union County Line; Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Butte, Corson,
Davison, Douglas, Edmunds, Faulk, Haakon, Hand, Hanson, Harding,
Hutchinson, Jackson, Jerauld, Jones, Kingsbury, Lake, McCook,
McPherson, Meade, Mellette, Miner, Moody, Oglala Lakota (formerly
Shannon), Sanborn, Spink, Todd, Turner, and Ziebach Counties; and those
portions of Minnehaha and Lincoln Counties outside of an area bounded
by a line beginning at the junction of the South Dakota-Minnesota State
line and Minnehaha County Highway 122 (254th Street) west to its
junction with Minnehaha County Highway 149 (464th Avenue), south on
Minnehaha County Highway 149 (464th Avenue) to Hartford, then south on
Minnehaha County Highway 151 (463rd Avenue) to State Highway 42, east
on State Highway 42 to State Highway 17, south on State Highway 17 to
its junction with Lincoln County Highway 116 (Klondike Road), and east
on Lincoln County Highway 116 (Klondike Road) to the South Dakota-Iowa
State line, then north along the South Dakota-Iowa and South Dakota-
Minnesota border to the junction of the South Dakota-Minnesota State
line and Minnehaha County Highway 122 (254th Street).
Regular Seasons
Unit 1: Same as that for the Special Early Canada and Cackling
Goose Unit.
Unit 2: All of South Dakota not included in Unit 1 and Unit 3.
Unit 3: Bennett County.
Texas
Northeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and north of
a line
[[Page 41550]]
beginning at the Texas-Oklahoma border at U.S. 81, then continuing
south to Bowie and then southeasterly along U.S. 81 and U.S. 287 to I-
35W and I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San Antonio, then east on I-
10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.
Southeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and south of
a line beginning at the International Toll Bridge at Laredo, then
continuing north following I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San
Antonio, then easterly along I-10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.
West Goose Zone: The remainder of the State.
Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)
Dark Geese
Zone G1: Big Horn, Converse, Hot Springs, Natrona, Park, and
Washakie Counties.
Zone G1A: Goshen and Platte Counties.
Zone G2: Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston
Counties.
Zone G3: Albany and Laramie Counties; and that portion of Carbon
County east of the Continental Divide.
Zone G4: Fremont County excluding those portions south or west of
the Continental Divide.
Pacific Flyway
Arizona
Same zones as for ducks.
California
Northeastern Zone: That portion of California lying east and north
o
[…truncated; see source link]Indexed from Federal Register on May 13, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.