Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we) prescribes final late-season frameworks from which States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2000-01 migratory bird hunting seasons. These late seasons include most waterfowl seasons, the earliest of which generally commence on or about October 1, 2000. The effect of this final rule is to facilitate the selection of hunting seasons by the States to further the annual establishment of the late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. State selections will be published in the Federal Register as amendments to §§ 20.101 through 20.107, and § 20.109 of title 50 CFR part 20.

DATES:

This rule takes effect on September 27, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

States should send their season selections to: Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, ms 634-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. You may inspect comments during normal business hours in room 634, Arlington Square Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jonathan Andrew, Chief, or Ron W. Kokel, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (703) 358-1714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations Schedule for 2000

On April 25, 2000, we published in the Federal Register (65 FR 24260) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal dealt with the establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for migratory game birds under §§ 20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. On June 20, 2000, we published in the Federal Register (65 FR 38400) a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations frameworks and the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2000-01 duck hunting season. The June 20 supplement also provided detailed information on the 2000-01 regulatory schedule and announced the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee and Flyway Council meetings.

On June 21-22, 2000, we held meetings that reviewed information on the current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and developed 2000-01 migratory game bird regulations recommendations for these species plus regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands; special September waterfowl seasons in designated States; special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic Flyway; and extended falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and discussed preliminary information on the status of waterfowl as the information related to the development and selection of the regulatory packages for the 2000-01 regular waterfowl seasons. On July 31, we published in the Federal Register (65 FR 46840) a third document specifically dealing with the proposed frameworks for early-season regulations. The July 31 supplement also established the final regulatory alternatives for the 2000-01 duck hunting season.

On August 2-3, 2000, we held meetings, as announced in the April 25 and June 20 Federal Register, to review the status of waterfowl. On August 22, 2000, we published a fourth document (65 FR 51174) that dealt specifically with proposed frameworks for the 2000-01 late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. On August 23, 2000, we published a fifth document in the Federal Register (65 FR 51496) containing final frameworks for early migratory bird hunting seasons from which wildlife conservation agency officials from the States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands selected early-season hunting dates, hours, areas, and limits for the 2000-01 season. On September 1, 2000, we published in the Federal Register (65 FR 53492) a sixth document consisting of a final rule amending subpart K of title 50 CFR part 20 to set hunting seasons, hours, areas, and limits for early seasons. This document establishes final frameworks for late-season migratory bird hunting regulations for the 2000-01 season.

Population Status and Harvest

A brief summary of information on the status and harvest of waterfowl excerpted from various reports was included in the August 22 supplemental proposed rule. For more detailed information on methodologies and results, complete copies of the various reports are available at the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES or from our website at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov.

Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations

The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the April 25 Federal Register, opened the public comment period for migratory game bird hunting regulations. The supplemental proposed rule, which appeared in the June 20 Federal Register, defined the public comment period for the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2000-01 duck hunting season. The public comment period for the proposed regulatory alternatives ended July 7, 2000, and the public comment period for late-season issues ended on September 8, 2000. Written comments received through September 8, 2000, relating to the proposed late-season frameworks are summarized and discussed below in the order used in the April 25 proposed rule. Only the numbered items pertaining to late seasons for which written comments were received are included. Consequently, the issues do not follow in direct numerical or alphabetical order. We also received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils. Some recommendations supported continuation of last year's frameworks. Due to the comprehensive nature of the annual review of the frameworks performed by the Councils, support for continuation of last year's frameworks is assumed for items for which no recommendations were received. Council recommendations for changes in the frameworks are summarized below.

1. Ducks

Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest management are: (A) Harvest Strategy Considerations, (B) Regulatory Alternatives, (C) Zones and Split Seasons, and (D) Special Seasons/Species Management. The categories correspond to previously published issues/discussion, and only those containing substantial recommendations are discussed below.

A. General Harvest Strategy

Council Recommendations: Beginning with the 2000-01 season, the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils, in a joint recommendation, recommended that the appropriate regulatory alternative for duck-hunting seasons in the Atlantic Flyway be based on the status of eastern mallards and an objective to maximize long-term harvest. The Flyway Councils also recommended that the regulatory choice for all other Flyways be based on the status of midcontinent mallards and an objective to maximize long-term harvest, while maintaining population size above the goal of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Finally, the Flyway Councils recommended further evaluation of the implications of this recommendation for other mallard stocks and for other duck species.

Written Comments: The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife supported the Service's decision concerning eastern mallards in the Atlantic Flyway. South Carolina also supported further assessment of the consequences of this decision for mallard population segments of concern, and for other duck species.

Service Response: Since implementation of Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) in 1995, the regulatory choice for all Flyways has been based exclusively on the status of midcontinent mallards. This year, we proposed two alternatives for modifying the current AHM protocol to account for eastern mallards. Both alternatives allow for a different regulatory choice in the Atlantic Flyway than in the remainder of the country. The first alternative involves a regulatory choice in the Atlantic Flyway based on the status of both eastern and midcontinent mallards. The second alternative involves a regulatory choice in the Atlantic Flyway that is based exclusively on the status of eastern mallards. Both alternatives are expected to increase the frequency of liberal regulations in the Atlantic Flyway, because eastern mallard biology and the associated harvest-management objective suggest allowable harvest rates that are higher than those for midcontinent mallards.

We support the second alternative for the 2000-01 hunting season; i.e., that the regulatory choice in the Atlantic Flyway should be based exclusively on the status of eastern mallards, and that the regulatory choice for the remaining Flyways should be based exclusively on the status of midcontinent mallards. We make this recommendation, however, with the clear understanding that there must be further assessment of the consequences of this decision for mallard population segments of concern, and for other duck species. The move to Flyway-specific regulations is perhaps the most significant change in duck harvest management since the advent of the Flyway system. And the decisions we make relative to eastern mallards have important implications for how we modify AHM to account for western mallards and for other species such as pintails and wood ducks. Therefore, we suggest that the AHM Working Group continue to place a high priority on its investigations into multiple-stock management.

B. Regulatory Alternatives

Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council, and the Atlantic, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adopting the “liberal” alternative for the 2000-01 duck hunting season.

The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended adoption of the “liberal” alternative, except that they recommend the framework opening and closing dates in all regulations packages be the Saturday nearest September 23 and the Sunday nearest January 28, with no penalties in days.

The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council, and the Atlantic, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended, in a joint recommendation, that the Flyway Councils and the Service develop, through the AHM Working Group, by July 2002, (1) a revised set of guidelines for making changes to AHM regulatory options (packages), and (2) a schedule for when changes to AHM packages will next be considered.

Written Comments: The Wildlife Management Institute supported the proposed regulations.

An individual from South Carolina requested a January 31 framework closing date, and an individual from Mississippi requested a February 15 framework closing date.

An individual from California supported not increasing season lengths or bag limits.

Service Response: The set of regulatory alternatives for this year, including specification of season lengths, bag limits, and framework dates, was finalized in the July 31 Federal Register. In establishing these alternatives, we reiterated our desire to maintain current framework-date specifications through the 2002-03 hunting season, or until such time that the Flyway Councils can develop an approach that adequately addresses the concerns of the Service and a majority of States. Based on discussions to date, we are not optimistic that such an approach is forthcoming in the short term. Therefore, we support the joint Flyway Council recommendation, in which the AHM Working Group is charged with developing a set of guidelines and schedule for reviewing the current set of regulatory alternatives by July 2002. These guidelines should consider all facets of the regulatory alternatives, including the desire by some States to extend framework dates beyond October 1-January 20.

For the 2000-01 hunting season, we selected the “liberal” regulatory alternative (as described in the July 31 supplemental proposed rule) for all Flyways, based on 10.5 million midcontinent mallards, 2.4 million ponds in Prairie Canada, and 890,000 eastern mallards.

C. Zones and Split Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council, and the Atlantic, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils, in a joint recommendation, recommended that the Service allow three zones, with two-way splits in each zone, as an additional option for duck season configurations in 2001-2005. In addition, the Flyway Councils recommend that States with existing grandfathered status be allowed to retain that status and that Alaska be granted greater flexibility to modify its zone and split configurations, without loss of grandfathered status, than is permissible under the current guidelines. Finally, the Committees and Councils recommended that no changes be made regarding the current status and guidelines for the High Plains Management Unit.

Written Comments: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources expressed disappointment with the Service's decision to maintain the existing zone and split-season guidelines. Illinois and Wisconsin supported the joint Flyway Council recommendation allowing three zones, with two-way splits in each zone, as an additional option for duck season configurations in 2001-2005.

The LaCrosse County Conservation Alliance of Wisconsin and several individuals from Wisconsin supported the creation of a third zone in Wisconsin and the ability to split the season.

Service Response: Zones and split seasons are “special regulations” designed to distribute hunting opportunities and harvests according to temporal, geographic, and demographic variability in waterfowl populations. These regulations are not intended to substantially change the pattern of harvest distribution among States within a Flyway, nor should these options detrimentally change the harvest distribution pattern among species or populations at either the State or Flyway level. Most States began to experiment with zoning after formal evaluation criteria were put into place in 1977. By 1985, 36 States used zones or 3-way split seasons for duck seasons. To address the proliferations in these seasons, in 1985 we placed a moratorium on further use of these special regulations until a review could be completed. In 1990, we completed a comprehensive review of these special regulations. This review of over 40 assessments of splits and zones had equivocal results. The vast majority of these experiments failed to provide evidence of significant impacts on duck populations. However, we found that most studies were inconclusive because of poor selection and unreliable estimation of response variables, lack of statistical tests to differentiate between real and perceived changes, and an inability to establish adequate experimental controls.

Based on this review, we established a long-term strategy for the use of zones and split options. The purpose of this strategy was to limit both the number of options and the frequency that modifications could be made. These controls or guidelines were deemed necessary to preserve and enhance our ability to regulate and evaluate harvest pressure on ducks. Changes in seasons would be limited to 5-year intervals, with the first “open season” in 1991, the second in 1996, and the third will be next year.

When the zone/split-season guidelines were established in 1990, most States with zone/split arrangements were using one of the three options established. Some States, however, had completed experiments with different zone/split arrangements and had fulfilled the reporting requirements for these experiments. These arrangements included three, four, and five zones with two-way splits in each zone. These States were offered a one-time chance to grandfather those arrangements, with the provision that if they ever wanted to change them, their zoning arrangement would have to conform to one of the three options offered under the guidelines.

In 1996, the guidelines were modified to allow greater flexibility in season structures within the three options established in 1990. We maintain that the current guidelines achieve their intended objectives, while allowing States sufficient flexibility to address differences in physiography, climate, etc., and therefore, believe that the guidelines need not be changed.

D. Special Seasons/Species Management

i. Black Ducks

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended that all Atlantic Flyway States be allowed to offer one black duck in the daily bag limit for up to 60 days, provided each State achieve a minimum 25 percent harvest reduction from the 1977-81 base period.

Written Comments: An individual from Delaware expressed concern about population trends of interior nesting and wintering black ducks in the Mississippi Flyway and questioned the continued harvest of these birds.

Service Response: We believe that the current level of harvest reduction on black ducks, achieved since the 1983 Environmental Assessment, should be maintained as a conservation measure. The harvest strategy has been supported and maintained for many years by the Atlantic Flyway Council and, in the absence of a revised strategy, is consistent with our objective to improve the status of black duck populations. Black ducks continue to be a species of concern and remain below the population objective. We believe that a conservative approach to harvesting black ducks is appropriate until an international harvest strategy is agreed upon between Canada and the United States. We would encourage the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils to work cooperatively with the Service and Canada to develop and implement an international harvest strategy as soon as possible.

Regarding the Mississippi Flyway, we recognize the problems associated with interior breeding and wintering black ducks and continue to monitor their status. These concerns will be considered within the international harvest strategy currently being developed.

ii. Canvasbacks

Council Recommendations: All four Flyway Councils recommended a daily bag limit of one canvasback in the 2000-01 hunting season as prescribed by the Canvasback Harvest Strategy.

Service Response: We continue to support the harvest strategy adopted in 1994. However, harvest data collected since the implementation of the strategy indicate that observed harvests in the United States and Canada tend to be higher than those currently used in the population model, some of which were based on data collected several decades ago. We believe that more contemporary estimates would better reflect current harvest pressure. Therefore, as we stated last year and consistent with our April proposal (65 FR 24264), we have replaced the old harvest values with the average of harvests observed during the 1994-97 hunting seasons. Even when accounting for the higher harvest levels, current population and habitat status suggest that a daily bag limit of one canvasback per day during the 2000-01 season will result in a harvest within levels allowed by the strategy. We will continue to monitor the harvest strategy performance.

iii. Pintails

Council Recommendations: All four Flyway Councils recommended a daily bag limit of one pintail in the 2000-01 hunting season as prescribed by the Interim Pintail Harvest Strategy.

Service Response: We recommend the continued use of the interim harvest strategy for a fourth year. Considering the current status of the population (2.9 million breeding birds) and the expected recruitment rate (0.76), the strategy prescribes a bag limit of one pintail for all Flyways under the liberal alternative.

iv. Scaup

Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council, and the Atlantic and Central Flyway Councils recommended a daily bag limit of three scaup for the 2000-01 hunting season.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a daily bag limit of four scaup in the Pacific Flyway for the 2000-01 hunting season.

Service Response: In 1999, we restricted the daily bag limit of scaup to three in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways and to four in the Pacific Flyway and indicated we would work with the Flyway Councils to develop a scaup harvest management strategy. Only limited progress toward a strategy has been made, and further technical work is needed; it is too early to judge the effects of the harvest restriction with only 1 year's data. This year, we propose to continue the restrictions put in place last year and ask the Flyway Councils to direct their technical committees to continue dialog with us, building toward a consensus strategy to guide harvest management.

4. Canada Geese

Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a number of changes in season lengths, bag limits, zones, and quotas for Canada geese in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois, primarily to allow a small increase in the harvest of Mississippi Valley Population (MVP) Canada geese.

The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council also recommended several changes in season lengths, quotas, etc., primarily to allow a small increase in the harvest of MVP Canada geese. The Committee also recommended a 23-day season statewide in Arkansas, a 7-day increase in the west zone. The previous 16-day season and the remainder of the State closure were self-imposed by the State. All of these changes are based on improved population status and current management plans. The Committee further recommended that in Tennessee, in lieu of tagging in the Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone, all geese harvested must be taken to designated check stations and checked officially.

The Pacific Flyway Council made several recommendations for Canada geese. The Council recommended that the Flyway-wide prohibition of take of Aleutian Canada geese be removed if the Service completes the delisting process. Existing special management areas in Oregon and California, closed to take of Canada geese to protect Aleutians and reduce the harvest of cackling geese, will be maintained until a population objective and harvest strategy are established by the Council. The Council also recommended that, in a Service-approved investigation, the State must obtain quantitative information on hunter compliance (mandatory check stations) of those regulations aimed at reducing the take of dusky Canada geese. Lastly, the Council recommended some minor modifications to the cackling Canada goose frameworks.

Service Response: We concur with the recommended changes in the Mississippi Flyway. Most of these changes are based on the improved population status of MVP geese and are consistent with the current management plan.

Regarding the recommendation from the Pacific Flyway Council on Aleutian Canada geese, since delisting is not final at this time, we do not see how the removal of all restrictions on the take of Aleutian Canada geese could be accomplished this year. In addition, administrative concerns would also need to be addressed. We note, however, that we support the general intent of this recommendation, which is not to increase the harvest level of Aleutian Canada geese, but to remove the take prohibition in those portions of the affected States where Aleutian Canada geese are only infrequently encountered. However, we do not believe that the changes can be accommodated during this regulations cycle. We also appreciate the timely and efficient manner in which the Pacific Flyway has completed the management plan for this species. This plan will serve as an excellent road-map to the future for this species.

Regarding dusky Canada geese, we understand the importance of maintaining hunting opportunities in the dusky Canada goose quota zones in Washington and Oregon. Additionally, we recognize this is a shared responsibility and one the States and Federal Government have actively supported since the inception of the quota zones. However, we want to be clear about the need to monitor the harvest for any goose season to be held in this area. We believe that both the Flyway Council and the Service are in agreement that monitoring is a necessary condition of these seasons, based on the recommendation submitted by the Pacific Flyway Council. We intend to continue to work with the Pacific Flyway Council and the affected States to avoid season closures. However, States must agree to promptly close all goose seasons in this zone should monitoring programs be eliminated for any reason.

We concur with the recommended framework modifications for cackling Canada geese.

C. Special Late Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a change to the southern boundary of the late season Coastal zone boundary in Massachusetts and a change to the boundary of the late season special Canada goose southern zone in New Jersey.

The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the experimental late season for Canada geese in the Central Michigan Goose Management Unit be continued for 1 year to allow completion of data analysis and additional data collection.

Service Response: We concur with all the recommended changes.

5. White-Fronted Geese

Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended that the season length for Mid-continent White-fronted geese in the East Tier be 95 days, except for the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas where it would be unchanged (86 days).

Service Response: We believe that equitable hunting opportunity between the Mississippi Flyway and the East Tier of the Central Flyway is appropriate because Mid-continent white-fronted geese are managed as one population. This equitable approach is consistent with the “base regulations” identified in the cooperative management plan. Finally, in the absence of any guidance for liberalizations, we believe that this level of liberalization should be viewed as the “liberal alternative” beyond the “base regulations” identified in the management plan for these harvest areas. Thus, we do not support the proposed increase of 9 days.

7. Snow and Ross' Geese

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended that following the close of the duck season, New Jersey be allowed additional splits in the coastal zone snow goose season to accommodate a special hunt at Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge impoundments. They further recommended that the experimental seasons established last year in Maryland and Delaware be allowed to continue for another year.

The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council, and the Atlantic and Central Flyway Councils, recommended that baiting regulations for light geese, when all other waterfowl, except falconry, seasons are closed and during the Light Goose Conservation Order during the 2000-01 season (prior to completion of the Environmental Impact Statement [EIS]), be the same as those currently implemented for doves.

Service Response: We endorse the request by New Jersey to allow additional split seasons in their coastal zone following the close of their duck season. Last year, we approved an increase in the number of split seasons in Delaware and Maryland for the 1999-00 season to provide temporary relief. We agreed to explore its effectiveness in reducing agricultural damage and wetland degradation by requiring an evaluation prior to this year's approval. Also, we asked both States to seek landowner support by allowing hunters access on their fields to hunt snow geese. We believe that New Jersey should be afforded the same opportunity to determine the effectiveness of this measure to reduce wetland degradations and agricultural damages. This provision is experimental and granted for 1 year only, pending an evaluation. We further support the request from Maryland and Delaware to continue a multiple split season format for another year on an experimental basis in lieu of an evaluation report.

Regarding baiting regulations for light geese, baiting regulations for the “light goose only” portions of the regular season and the Light Goose Conservation Order were covered under special rules published February 1999. Although these original rules were withdrawn in May 1999, they were subsequently reinstated without change by Congress and signed into law in November 1999. Known as the Arctic Tundra Habitat Emergency Conservation Act, this law ensures that population control measures for Mid-continent light geese will remain in place without change during the preparation of the EIS. However, the provisions of the February 1999 Conservation Order specified area closures and did not include any changes to the current baiting regulations. Additionally, the Act passed in November reinstated the February 1999 Conservation Order rather than enabling a conservation order. Because of this, changes to the Conservation-Order provisions cannot be made until after the completion of the EIS. Therefore, we believe that changes in baiting regulations for light geese should more appropriately be addressed in the comprehensive EIS process that is currently under way.

8. Swans

Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council, and the Atlantic, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils, in a joint recommendation, asked that States with Eastern Population (EP) tundra swan hunting seasons be allowed to issue a second swan permit to interested resident and nonresident hunters from permits remaining after the initial drawing.

The Pacific Flyway Council recommended no change, with one exception, from last year's frameworks for tundra swan seasons in the Pacific Flyway. The single change proposed is for a 1-week extension in season framework dates in Utah.

Written Comments: The Trumpeter Swan Society (TTSS) voiced concerns about the lack of interim management strategies to address the longstanding winter distribution problems facing the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of trumpeter swans. TTSS also questioned the plan to include the Bear River National Wildlife Refuge in Utah in the area open to tundra swan hunting during the three-year experiment. Additionally, TTSS requested clarification of the objectives for the three-year experiment proposed for Utah. In the discussion related to these issues, TTSS made numerous statements and assertions that relate to the past history and the present understanding of the management situation for RMP trumpeter swans in the Pacific Flyway.

The Biodiversity Legal Foundation (BLF) suggested that their recent petition to list a portion of the RMP of trumpeter swans as an endangered or threatened species (under the distinct population segment guidelines) be considered in the decision to allow swan hunting in Utah. The BLF pointed to the drought conditions that have existed throughout much of the west this year as posing an increased risk to trumpeter swans throughout the region and therefore the limited harvest of trumpeter swans proposed for the tundra swan seasons in Utah particularly, should not be permitted. The BLF also raised a number of issues pertaining to specific hunting practices on Bear River National Wildlife Refuge.

The Fund for Animals (The Fund) and the BLF, in a joint subsequent letter, reiterated many of the points made by the BLF and added several comments regarding the Service's role and responsibility under various legislation for migratory bird conservation. The BLF in a subsequent letter indicated a general concern over trumpeter swan conservation efforts and conflicts with swan hunting in the contiguous U.S., including the Central and Atlantic Flyways. The BLF pointed out that tundra swan seasons were occurring in the Central and Atlantic Flyways without requiring trumpeter swan monitoring programs. The BLF believes that all trumpeter swans in the contiguous U.S. should be designated as threatened or endangered and that they must receive special protection and nurturing.

Seven hundred and twenty-two individuals wrote to object to the hunting of trumpeter swans.

Service Response: We support the Joint Flyway Recommendation that would allow States with EP tundra swan seasons to issue a second hunting permit to hunters, if permits from the initial drawing were unused. This issuance of a second permit would be allowed only if there are no outstanding requests for additional permits and with the concurrence of participating States. In accordance with the Flyways' approved Hunt Plan, any unused portion of these permits is available for temporary redistribution to participating States upon request. Issuance of a second permit to a hunter by a State is subject to evaluation to determine success rates and must be identified in the State's annual report to the Service.

Regarding the general swan seasons in the Pacific Flyway, we recently addressed this issue in an environmental assessment to reconcile conflicting strategies for managing two swan species in the Pacific Flyway. The assessment evaluated the following strategies: (1) To enhance the winter distribution of the less abundant RMP trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator) by severely restricting or eliminating tundra swan (C. columbianus) hunting, or both, in portions of the Pacific Flyway currently open to tundra swan hunting; and (2) to optimize hunting of the more numerous and widely distributed Western Population (WP) of tundra swans in the Pacific Flyway by not further restricting hunting seasons to benefit the winter distribution of trumpeter swans. The preferred alternative identified in the EA proposed a balance between these two competing strategies by continuing on an operational basis a general swan season in portions of Montana and Nevada and proposing a new 3-year experiment in Utah. The experimental hunt in Utah would be based on further reductions in the swan season that would allow the continued taking of any species of swan (Cygnus sp.) subject to: (1) A limited, but biologically acceptable, quota on the take of trumpeter swans, and (2) modification of the already limited take and restricted seasons on tundra swans to enhance the likelihood that trumpeter swans would be successful in expanding their winter range; and (3) a program to monitor the effectiveness of this action. We would continue with our participation in the State-Federal effort to enhance the winter distribution of trumpeter swans.

More specifically, implementation of the preferred alternative would allow us to continue to establish a hunting season on all swan species in designated portions of Montana and Nevada, within the Pacific Flyway. Current constraints imposed upon these swan hunting seasons would be continued, and specific areas open to swan hunting in Montana and Nevada would remain. Additionally, we would continue to require the monitoring of swan harvests, by mail in Montana, and by examination in Nevada, with appropriate provisions for season closure to be implemented by States should assigned quotas of trumpeter swans be reached.

In Utah, we would continue the area and time restrictions imposed since 1995 while also implementing further limitations on areas where tundra swan hunting is allowed. More specifically, we would close all lands north of the Bear River National Wildlife Refuge (Bear River NWR) to all swan hunting in Utah, reduce the quota on allowable take of trumpeter swans in Utah from 15 to 10, and reduce the number of tundra swan permits issued in Utah from 2,750 to 2,000. We would also extend the framework closing date from the first to the second Sunday in December.

In the EA, comments identified the potential impact of harvest in Utah as the main issue regarding appropriate management action needed to address the winter distribution problem of RMP trumpeter swans. These comments indicated that there is a wide disparity of opinion on the actual impact of this limited harvest on the redistribution of RMP trumpeter swans. Given the uncertainty and disparate views on this particular issue, the preferred alternative establishes a new 3-year experiment to assess the impacts of these further restrictions in Utah. During this time, we would request the States, through the Pacific Flyway Council, other Federal agencies, and interested non-governmental organizations, to participate with the Service in development of a comprehensive implementation plan for addressing specific issues regarding RMP trumpeter swan management in this region. We will complete our portion of this implementation plan during 2001, and will request the other cooperators to complete their portions no later than July 2002. This plan and results from the new 3-year experiment will serve as the basis for our evaluation of this new experiment.

Additionally, we will assume a leadership role in attempting to enhance trumpeter swan status and breeding distribution within the Pacific Flyway, through increased efforts directed at establishment of breeding trumpeter swans in suitable habitats throughout the Pacific Flyway. We would continue to support cooperative efforts to address the winter distribution issues by working with the States and other partners. We would also support limited winter capture and translocation on a case-by-case basis when circumstances developed that seemed to warrant such activity. We do not plan to employ winter translocations as the main method to address the winter distribution problem of RMP trumpeter swans, but rather as a method to limit risk to swans from direct over-winter mortality, if necessary.

While we recognize that the Pacific Flyway Council does not believe adequate data exist to support the restrictions in Utah, others believe the data support even greater restrictions within the States. We urge the Council to view the next 3-year experimental period in Utah as an opportunity to improve this situation. We trust the Council will work with us to complete this plan and begin to implement actions that will help address this problem so that we are not faced with a similar situation in 3 years.

Regarding the comments by TTSS, BLF, The Fund, and others, we have responded to the general question of swan hunting and tundra swan hunting related to the increasing number of trumpeter swans in our recent EA. In general, we continue to support tundra swan hunting and trumpeter swan restoration efforts. We do not view these activities as mutually exclusive and, as indicated, do not view the occasional harvest of a trumpeter swan in existing tundra swan seasons as sufficient reason for suspension of tundra swan hunting. Conversely, we remain committed to limiting the take of trumpeter swans in these seasons and modifying these seasons to protect trumpeter swan populations, but not individuals. We want to make clear that trumpeter swans in North America have been increasing steadily both in numbers and geographic distribution during the past several decades. Further, we have recognized three populations of trumpeter swans for management purposes in North America and each of these populations is following this same trend of steady numeric increases during the past several decades. We have acknowledged and discussed in considerable detail in all documents pertaining to this issue the fact that these general population trends do not apply equally to all components of the three recognized populations.

With regard to specific points raised by TTSS, we note that our current EA does contain three strategies for addressing some of the management challenges faced by RMP trumpeter swans. These actions include: (1) Continued hazing and habitat modification to make the current wintering concentration area less attractive; (2) active reintroduction of trumpeter swans throughout the Pacific Flyway to both enhance numbers and develop new migration pathways as have been recently accomplished with releases in Wyoming and (3) cessation of the winter feeding program at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Beyond these actions, we do not believe interim strategies should be employed without benefit of completing the proposed implementation plan. We believe the proposed implementation plan will provide additional activities that will constructively address this situation and plan to implement these strategies as soon as possible. However, we do not believe interim actions in advance of the proposed plan are likely to improve the current situation.

Objectives for the 3-year experimental season proposed for Utah are to: (1) Determine if closing additional areas in Utah to swan hunting increases the number of trumpeter swans passing through the State, and (2) determine the temporal and geographic distribution of trumpeter swans that are taken in the modified tundra swan season. We note that the new area proposed for closure is the area where the majority of (non-translocated) trumpeter swans were harvested during the past 5-year experiment. We believe that the limited evidence available at this point suggests that trumpeter and tundra swans may well use slightly different habitats when present in Utah and thus further experimentation is warranted to evaluate this possibility.

Additionally, we do not agree with the position that tundra swan hunting activities at Bear River NWR have precluded either consideration or actual use of habitats, on the refuge or elsewhere in Utah, to help address the winter distribution of RMP trumpeter swans. Releases at Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge in Utah were conducted and failed due to disease problems, not hunting activities, during the past 5-year experiment. Like all National Wildlife Refuges with hunting programs, Bear River NWR contains substantial areas of habitat that are not open to hunting and provides sanctuary throughout the season. In addition, we note that most of the State has been closed to all swan hunting. Tundra swans have not altered their migratory behavior through Utah since the reinstitution of hunting in 1962 and we do not necessarily see a direct connection between hunting activities and migratory behavior in swans. We are skeptical that small numbers of trumpeter swans moving to and through Utah will ever lead to a meaningful shift in the winter distribution of RMP trumpeter swans, unless other management strategies are also employed that lead to increased dispersal. We would also note that, as desirable as it is to all concerned parties believe it is that the existing concentration be altered, no mechanism to accomplish this is apparent, and most efforts that have been tried to date have met with limited success at best. The reality of the situation is that we do not know how to “make” these swans migrate to Utah, or to any other area. This reality is the basis for our preferred approach of establishing new trumpeter swan breeding concentrations with alternative migratory strategies. We believe this approach is one that has proven successful with swans and other waterfowl species throughout North America in the past. Further, we question the degree of threat posed by the current limited winter distribution to RMP trumpeter swans in general. We note that only one die-off has occurred during the past twelve years, and the RMP of trumpeter swans has continued to increase throughout this period.

Many of the comments by the BLF and The Fund are addressed above. However, three specific points are not: (1) The possibility that a portion of the RMP trumpeter swans should be considered as a distinct population segment and would qualify for protection under the Endangered Species Act; (2) that current drought conditions existing throughout much of the western U.S. have created an emergency situation that would preclude the limited trumpeter swan harvest proposed for Utah this year; and (3) that the Service has failed to adequately explain how they have determined the proposed regulations are consistent with trumpeter swan conservation.

With regard to the first point, we have not historically recognized the group of trumpeter swans nesting in the tristate region of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho as a distinct and separate manageable entity within RMP trumpeter swans. The information provided by the BLF will be evaluated along with other existing information under our normal procedures for dealing with listing petitions under the Endangered Species Act. Should this review result in an alteration of current Service policy, we would reevaluate our current season proposal in light of the findings of such a review. At this point, we cannot prejudge this action, and therefore will proceed based on the current assessment and definition of trumpeter swan populations, one that does not recognize this group as a separate entity. The RMP of trumpeter swans is increasing at a rate of 6 percent a year and currently numbers about 3,500, the highest level since the beginning of monitoring. In addition, despite a decline that was primarily associated with the cessation of winter feeding in 1992 in the area identified by the BLF as a separate entity, numbers in this region remained relatively stable during the preceding 5-year experiment (1995-2000). This allowed a limited harvest of trumpeter swans in Montana, Utah, and Nevada. Based on the experience of the past 5 years, we do not believe that the continuation of hunting, with further restrictions both in area and total swan harvest in Utah, poses a threat to RMP trumpeter swans, nor would these regulations pose a serious jeopardy to the proposed distinct population segment, should the review find that this group should be so designated.

With regard to the current drought situation in the West, we recognize once more that waterfowl distributions and migratory behavior are often impacted by weather events. Migratory birds are among the most resilient groups of animals in their ability to react to such changing conditions. We see no imminent threat in this year's conditions that would lead us to view this situation as more serious than in previous years. The controls put in place on the seasons will result in season closure if 10 trumpeter swans are harvested in Utah. Should weather events result in an unexpected mass movement of trumpeter swans into the open hunt area, we believe that the 10 bird closure limit will ensure that no harm is suffered by the population as a whole.

With regard to the last point, we believe that in both our evaluation report of the 5-year experiment and the EA on this subject, we have carefully considered the possible population impacts of the limited harvest of trumpeter swans. Clearly, the fact that numbers of RMP trumpeter swans continued to increase during the 5-year experiment supports our position that such limited harvest poses no risk to the population as a whole. Additionally, the component of RMP trumpeter swans nesting in the Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho area remained relatively stable during this period, suggesting no negative impact of the limited harvest. If we assume that the various components of the population would be proportionally distributed in any harvest, we would estimate that only about two trumpeter swans from this region would likely be included in the annual harvest, even if the quotas were reached in both Utah and Nevada. We do not believe such an annual loss poses a risk to the population, or to any segment within the population, that has been suggested to date.

Finally, we continue to support conservation programs that promote trumpeter swan restoration to portions of their historic range in the contiguous U.S. Current trumpeter swan restoration programs in the Central and Mississippi Flyways are being guided by the Cooperative Management Plan for the Interior Population of trumpeter swans. This plan acknowledges potential conflict with tundra swan hunting programs; however, incidental take of trumpeter swans has not been shown to negatively impact ongoing restoration programs. The most recent population status information indicates an average annual growth rate of 15 percent, which is consistent with the growth objectives established for this population. Tundra swan hunting programs, including annual permit allocation and monitoring requirements in both Flyways are consistent with guidelines established in the Cooperative Management Plan for the Eastern Population of Tundra Swans. Trumpeter swans are protected in all hunt areas in the Central and Atlantic Flyways.

The comments regarding refuge-specific hunting practices are not applicable to this rulemaking and have been forwarded to the Bear River Refuge for consideration.

Copies of the evaluation, the EA, and the Finding of No Significant Impact are available at the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES or from our website at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov.

NEPA Consideration

NEPA considerations are covered by the programmatic document, “Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FSES 88-14),” filed with the Environmental Protection Agency on June 9, 1988. We published a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on June 16, 1988 (53 FR 22582). We published our Record of Decision on August 18, 1988 (53 FR 31341). Additionally, issues pertaining to swan hunting in the Pacific Flyway were covered under a separate NEPA document, “Swan Hunting in the Pacific Flyway,” issued July 12, 2000, with a Finding of No Significant Impact issued July 23, 2000. Copies are available from the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543; 87 Stat. 884), provides that, “The Secretary shall review other programs administered by him and utilize such programs in furtherance of the purposes of this Act” (and) shall “insure that any action authorized, funded or carried out * * * is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of [critical] habitat * * *” Consequently, we conducted formal consultations to ensure that actions resulting from these regulations would not likely jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitat. Findings from these consultations are included in a biological opinion and concluded that the regulations are not likely to adversely affect any endangered or threatened species. Additionally, these findings may have caused modification of some regulatory measures previously proposed and the final frameworks reflect any such modifications. Our biological opinions resulting from its Section 7 consultation are public documents available for public inspection in the Service's Division of Endangered Species and DMBM, at the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

Executive Order (E.O.) 12866

This rule was reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The migratory bird hunting regulations are economically significant and are annually reviewed by OMB under E.O. 12866. As such, a cost/benefit analysis was prepared in 1998 and is further discussed below under the heading Regulatory Flexibility Act. Copies of the cost/benefit analysis are available upon request from the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

These regulations have a significant economic impact on substantial numbers of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). We analyzed the economic impacts of the annual hunting regulations on small business entities in detail and issued a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis) in 1998. The Analysis documented the significant beneficial economic effect on a substantial number of small entities. The primary source of information about hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting is the National Hunting and Fishing Survey, which is conducted at 5-year intervals. The Analysis was based on the 1996 National Hunting and Fishing Survey and the U.S. Department of Commerce's County Business Patterns, from which it was estimated that migratory bird hunters would spend between $429 million and $1,084 million at small businesses. The Analysis is available upon request from the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

This rule is a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. For the reasons outlined above, this rule has an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more. However, because this rule establishes hunting seasons, we plan to make the rule effective immediately under the exemption contained in 5 U.S.C. 808(1).

Paperwork Reduction Act

We examined these regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. We utilize the various recordkeeping and reporting requirements imposed under regulations established in 50 CFR part 20, Subpart K, in the formulation of migratory game bird hunting regulations. Specifically, OMB has approved the information collection requirements of the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program and assigned clearance number 1018-0015 (expires 9/30/2001). This information is used to provide a sampling frame for voluntary national surveys to improve our harvest estimates for all migratory game birds in order to better manage these populations. OMB has also approved the information collection requirements of the Sandhill Crane Harvest Questionnaire and assigned clearance number 1018-0023 (expires 7/30/2003). The information from this survey is used to estimate the magnitude and the geographical and temporal distribution of harvest, and the portion it constitutes of the total population.

A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

We have determined and certify, in compliance with the requirements of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this rulemaking will not “significantly or uniquely” affect small governments, and will not produce a Federal mandate of $100 million or more in any given year on local or State government or private entities. Therefore, this rule is not a “significant regulatory action” under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

Civil Justice Reform—Executive Order 12988

The Department, in promulgating this rule, has determined that this rule will not unduly burden the judicial system and meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of E.O. 12988.

Takings Implication Assessment

In accordance with E.O. 12630, this rule, authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, does not have significant takings implications and does not affect any constitutionally protected property rights. This rule will not result in the physical occupancy of property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory taking of any property. In fact, this rule will allow hunters to exercise otherwise unavailable privileges, and, therefore, reduces restrictions on the use of private and public property.

Federalism Effects

Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the Federal Government has been given responsibility over these species by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We annually prescribe frameworks from which the States make selections and employ guidelines to establish special regulations on Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. This process preserves the ability of the States and Tribes to determine which seasons meet their individual needs. Any State or Tribe may be more restrictive than the Federal frameworks at any time. The frameworks are developed in a cooperative process with the States and the Flyway Councils. This process allows States to participate in the development of frameworks from which they will make selections, thereby having an influence on their own regulations. These rules do not have a substantial direct effect on fiscal capacity, change the roles or responsibilities of Federal or State governments, or intrude on State policy or administration. Therefore, in accordance with E.O. 13132, these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and do not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Regulations Promulgation

The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, we intend that the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to comment. Thus, when the preliminary proposed rulemaking was published, we established what we believed were the longest periods possible for public comment. In doing this, we recognized that when the comment period closed, time would be of the essence. That is, if there were a delay in the effective date of these regulations after this final rulemaking, States would have insufficient time to select season dates and limits; to communicate those selections to us; and to establish and publicize the necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions. We therefore find that “good cause” exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, and these frameworks will, therefore, take effect immediately upon publication.

Therefore, under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July 3, 1918), as amended, (16 U.S.C. 703-711), we prescribe final frameworks setting forth the species to be hunted, the daily bag and possession limits, the shooting hours, the season lengths, the earliest opening and latest closing season dates, and hunting areas, from which State conservation agency officials will select hunting season dates and other options. Upon receipt of season and option selections from these officials, we will publish in the Federal Register a final rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect seasons, limits, and shooting hours for the conterminous United States for the 2000-01 season.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20

• Exports
• Hunting
• Imports
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
• Transportation
• Wildlife

The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2000-01 hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 a-j.

Final Regulations Frameworks for 2000-01 Late Hunting Seasons on Certain Migratory Game Birds

Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated authorities, the Department has approved the following frameworks for season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and outside dates within which States may select seasons for hunting waterfowl and coots between the dates of September 1, 2000, and March 10, 2001.

General

Dates: All outside dates noted below are inclusive.

Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.

Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits are twice the daily bag limit.

Flyways and Management Units

Waterfowl Flyways

Atlantic Flyway—includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Mississippi Flyway—includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Central Flyway—includes Colorado (east of the Continental Divide), Kansas, Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith Basin, Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties east thereof), Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the Continental Divide).

Pacific Flyway—includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.

Management Units

High Plains Mallard Management Unit—roughly defined as that portion of the Central Flyway which lies west of the 100th meridian.

Definitions: For the purpose of hunting regulations listed below, the collective terms “dark” and “light” geese include the following species:

Dark geese—Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant, and all other goose species except light geese.

Light geese—snow (including blue) geese and Ross' geese.

Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Geographic descriptions related to late-season regulations are contained in a later portion of this document.

Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks for open seasons, season lengths, bag and possession limits, and other special provisions are listed below by Flyway.

Compensatory Days in the Atlantic Flyway: In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, where Sunday hunting is prohibited statewide by State law, all Sundays are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and coots).

Atlantic Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 20.

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days and daily bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 scaup, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 2 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 1 canvasback, and 4 scoters.

Closures: The season on harlequin ducks is closed.

Sea Ducks: Within the special sea duck areas, during the regular duck season in the Atlantic Flyway, States may choose to allow the above sea duck limits in addition to the limits applying to other ducks during the regular duck season. In all other areas, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular open season for ducks and are part of the regular duck season daily bag (not to exceed 4 scoters) and possession limits.

Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5, only 1 of which may be a hooded merganser.

Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.

Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and shooting hours shall be the same as those selected for the Lake Champlain Zone of Vermont.

Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia may split their seasons into three segments; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West Virginia may select hunting seasons by zones and may split their seasons into two segments in each zone.

Canada Geese

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Specific regulations for Canada geese are shown below by State. Unless specified otherwise, seasons may be split into two segments. In areas within States where the framework closing date for Atlantic Population (AP) goose seasons overlaps with special late season frameworks for resident geese, the framework closing date for AP goose season is January 14.

Connecticut

North Atlantic Population (NAP) Zone: A 40-day season may be held between October 1 and December 15 with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

Atlantic Population (AP) Zone: A 15-day season may be held concurrent with the duck season between November 1 and January 20 with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

South Zone: A special experimental season may be held between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

Delaware: A 6-day season may be held concurrent with the duck season between November 15 and January 20 with a 1-bird daily bag limit (tagging required to harvest). The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 2,100.

Florida: A 70-day season may be held between November 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

Georgia: In specific areas, a 70-day season may be held between November 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

Maine: A 40-day season may be held Statewide between October 1 and December 15 with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

Maryland

Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) Zone: A 40-day season may be held between November 15 and January 14, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split 3-ways. Additionally, an experimental season may be held from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

AP Zone: A 6-day season may be held concurrent with the duck season between November 15 and January 20 with a 1-bird daily bag limit (tagging required to harvest). The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 12,200.

Massachusetts

NAP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between October 1 and December 15 with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, a special season may be held from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

AP Zone: A 15-day season may be held concurrent with the duck season between November 1 and January 20 with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

New Hampshire: A 40-day season may be held statewide between October 1 and December 15 with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

New Jersey

Statewide: A 15-day season may be held concurrent with the duck season between November 1 and January 20 with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held in designated areas of North and South New Jersey from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

New York

SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between November 1 and January 30, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

NAP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between October 1 and December 31 with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit in designated areas of Chemung, Delaware, Tioga, Broome, Sullivan, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, and Rockland Counties.

AP Zone: A 15-day season may be held concurrent with the duck season between November 1 and January 20 with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

North Carolina: A 46-day season may be held between October 1 and November 15, with a 2-bird daily bag limit Statewide, except for the Northeast Hunt Unit and Northampton County.

Pennsylvania

SJBP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between November 15 and January 14, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

AP Zone: A 15-day season may be held concurrent with the duck season between November 1 and January 20 with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held from January 15 to February 15 with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

Pymatuning Zone: A 35-day season may be held between October 1 and January 20, with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

Rhode Island: A 40-day season may be held between October 1 and December 15 with a 2-bird daily bag limit. An experimental season may be held in a designated area from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

South Carolina: In designated areas, a 70-day season may be held during November 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

Vermont: A 15-day season may be held concurrent with the duck season between November 1 and January 20 with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

Virginia

SJBP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between November 15 and January 14, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, an experimental season may be held between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

AP Zone: A 6-day season may be held concurrent with the duck season between November 15 and January 20 with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

Back Bay Area: Season is closed.

West Virginia: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.

Light Geese

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 107-day season between October 1 and March 10, with a 15-bird daily bag limit and no possession limit. States may split their seasons into three segments, except in Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey, where, following the completion of their duck season, and until March 10, Delaware and Maryland may split the remaining portion of the season to hunt on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only, and New Jersey may split the remaining portion of the season to hunt on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only.

Brant

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 50-day season between October 1 and January 20, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. States may split their seasons into two segments.

Mississippi Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 21). Seasons in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee may extend to January 31.

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days (51 days in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee), with a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be females), 3 mottled ducks, 3 scaup, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 2 wood ducks, 1 canvasback, and 2 redheads.

Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, only 1 of which may be a hooded merganser. In States that include mergansers in the duck bag limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, only one of which may be a hooded merganser.

Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.

Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin may select hunting seasons by zones.

In Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be split into two segments in each zone.

In Minnesota and Arkansas, the season may be split into three segments.

Geese

Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments. Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Mississippi Flyway Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year evaluation, by each participating State.

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select seasons for light geese not to exceed 107 days with 20 geese daily between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) and March 10; for white-fronted geese not to exceed 86 days with 2 geese daily or 107 days with 1 goose daily between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) and the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 18); and for brant not to exceed 70 days with 2 brant daily or 107 days with 1 brant daily between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) and January 31. There is no possession limit for light geese. Specific regulations for Canada geese and exceptions to the above general provisions are shown below by State. Except as noted below, the outside dates for Canada geese are the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) and January 31.

Alabama

In the Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) Goose Zone, the season for Canada geese may not exceed 35 days. Elsewhere, the season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days in the respective duck-hunting zones. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Arkansas

The season for Canada geese may extend for 23 days. The season may extend to February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Illinois

The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be limited to 127,000 birds. The possession limit is 10 Canada geese.

(a) North Zone—The season for Canada geese will close after 91 days or when 21,500 birds have been harvested in the Northern Illinois Quota Zone, whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.

(b) Central Zone—The season for Canada geese will close after 91 days or when 24,700 birds have been harvested in the Central Illinois Quota Zone, whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.

(c) South Zone—The harvest of Canada geese in the Southern Illinois and Rend Lake Quota Zones will be limited to 32,900 and 4,650 birds, respectively. The season for Canada geese in each zone will close after 91 days or when the harvest limit has been reached, whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese. In the Southern Illinois Quota Zone, if any of the following conditions exist after December 20, the State, after consultation with the Service, will close the season by emergency order with 48 hours notice:

(1) Average body weights of adult female geese less than 3,200 grams as measured from a weekly sample of a minimum of 50 geese.

(2) Starvation or a major disease outbreak resulting in observed mortality exceeding 5,000 birds in 10 days, or a total mortality exceeding 10,000 birds.

In the remainder of the South Zone, the season may extend for 91 days or until both the Southern Illinois and Rend Lake Quota Zones have been closed, whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.

Indiana

The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be limited to 28,300 birds. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(a) Posey County—The season for Canada geese will close after 65 days or when the Canada goose harvest at Hovey Lake Fish and Wildlife Area exceeds 1,500 birds, whichever occurs first.

(b) Remainder of the State—The season for Canada geese will extend for 65 days, except in the SJBP Zone, where the season may not exceed 35 days.

Iowa

The season may extend for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Kentucky

(a) Western Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 61 days (76 days in Fulton County), and the harvest will be limited to 23,800 birds. Of the 23,800-bird quota, 15,470 birds will be allocated to the Ballard Reporting Area and 4,520 birds will be allocated to the Henderson/Union Reporting Area. If the quota in either reporting area is reached prior to completion of the 61-day season, the season in that reporting area will be closed. If the quotas in both the Ballard and Henderson/Union reporting areas are reached prior to completion of the 61-day season, the season in the counties and portions of counties that comprise the Western Goose Zone (listed in State regulations) may continue for an additional 7 days, not to exceed a total of 61 days (76 days in Fulton County). The season in Fulton County may extend to February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(b) Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone—The season may extend for 35 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(c) Remainder of the State—The season may extend for 50 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Louisiana

The season for Canada geese may extend for 9 days. During the season, the daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose and 2 white-fronted geese with an 86-day white-fronted goose season or 1 white-fronted goose with a 107-day season. Hunters participating in the Canada goose season must possess a special permit issued by the State.

Michigan

The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be limited to 73,200 birds.

(a) North Zone—The framework opening date for all geese is September 16, and the season for Canada geese may extend for 18 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(b) Middle Zone—The framework opening date for all geese is September 16, and the season for Canada geese may extend for 18 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(c) South Zone. (1) Allegan County GMU—The Canada goose season will close after 25 days or when 1,100 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(2) Muskegon Wastewater GMU—The Canada goose season will close after 25 days or when 350 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(3) Saginaw County GMU—The Canada goose season will close after 50 days or when 2,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(4) Tuscola/Huron GMU—The Canada goose season will close after 50 days or when 750 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(5) Remainder of the South Zone—The framework opening date for all geese is September 16, and the season for Canada geese may extend for 18 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(d) Southern Michigan GMU—A special Canada goose season may be held between January 6 and February 4. The daily bag limit is 5 Canada geese.

(e) Central Michigan GMU—An experimental special Canada goose season may be held between January 6 and February 4. The daily bag limit is 5 Canada geese.

Minnesota

(a) West Zone. (1) West Central Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 30 days. In the Lac Qui Parle Zone, the season will close after 30 days or when 16,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. Throughout the West Central Zone, the daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(2) Remainder of West Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 40 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(b) Northwest Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 40 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(c) Remainder of the State—The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(d) Special Late Canada Goose Season—An experimental special Canada goose season of up to 10 days may be held in December, except in the West Central and Lac Qui Parle Goose zones. During the special season, the daily bag limit is 5 Canada geese, except in the Southeast Goose Zone, where the daily bag limit is 2.

Mississippi

The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.

Missouri

(a) Swan Lake Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days, with no more than 30 days occurring after November 30. The season may be split into 3 segments. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(b) Southeast Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days. The season may be split into 3 segments, provided that at least 1 segment occurs prior to December 1. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese through October 31, and 2 Canada geese thereafter.

(c) Remainder of the State—

(1) North Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days, with no more than 30 days occurring after November 30. The season may be split into 3 segments, provided that 1 segment of at least 9 days occurs prior to October 15. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese through October 31, and 2 Canada geese thereafter.

(2) Middle Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days, with no more than 30 days occurring after November 30. The season may be split into 3 segments, provided that 1 segment of at least 9 days occurs prior to October 15. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese through October 31, and 2 Canada geese thereafter.

(3) South Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days. The season may be split into 3 segments, provided that at least 1 segment occurs prior to December 1. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese through October 31, and 2 Canada geese thereafter.

Ohio

The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days in the respective duck-hunting zones, with a daily bag limit of 2 Canada geese, except in the Lake Erie SJBP Zone, where the season may not exceed 30 days and the daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose. A special experimental Canada goose season of up to 22 days, beginning the first Saturday after January 10, may be held in selected areas of the State. During the special season, the daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Tennessee

(a) Northwest Zone—The season for Canada geese will close after 76 days or when 8,900 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. The season may extend to February 15. A 6,400-bird harvest quota will be monitored in the Reelfoot Quota Zone. The remaining 2,500 quota will be assigned to the area outside the Reelfoot Zone. If the quota in the Reelfoot Quota Zone is reached prior to completion of the 76-day season, the season in the entire Northwest Zone will close. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(b) Southwest Zone—The season for Canada geese may extend for 61 days, and the harvest will be limited to 1,000 birds. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(c) Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone—The season for Canada geese will close after 50 days or when 1,800 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. All geese harvested must be taken to a designated check station and checked. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. In lieu of the quota and checking requirement above, the State may select either a 50-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit or a 35-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit for this Zone.

(d) Remainder of the State—The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Wisconsin

The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be limited to 83,900 birds.

(a) Horicon Zone—The framework opening date for all geese is September 16. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 39,600 birds. The season may not exceed 95 days. All Canada geese harvested must be tagged. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese, and the season limit will be the number of tags issued to each permittee.

(b) Collins Zone—The framework opening date for all geese is September 16. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 1,300 birds. The season may not exceed 68 days. All Canada geese harvested must be tagged. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese, and the season limit will be the number of tags issued to each permittee.

(c) Exterior Zone—The framework opening date for all geese is September 23. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 38,500 birds, with 500 birds allocated to the Mississippi River Subzone. The season may not exceed 94 days, except in the Mississippi River Subzone, where the season may not exceed 80 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. In that portion of the Exterior Zone outside the Mississippi River Subzone, the progress of the harvest must be monitored, and the season closed, if necessary, to ensure that the harvest does not exceed 38,500 birds.

Additional Limits: In addition to the harvest limits stated for the respective zones above, an additional 4,500 Canada geese may be taken in the Horicon Zone under special agricultural permits.

Quota Zone Closures: When it has been determined that the quota of Canada geese allotted to the Northern Illinois, Central Illinois, Southern Illinois, and Rend Lake Quota Zones in Illinois; Posey County in Indiana; the Ballard and Henderson-Union Subzones in Kentucky; the Allegan County, Muskegon Wastewater, Saginaw County, and Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Units in Michigan; the Lac Qui Parle Zone in Minnesota; the Northwest and Kentucky/Barkley Lakes (if applicable) Zones in Tennessee; and the Exterior Zone in Wisconsin will have been filled, the season for taking Canada geese in the respective zone (and associated area, if applicable) will be closed by either the Director upon giving public notice through local information media at least 48 hours in advance of the time and date of closing, or by the State through State regulations with such notice and time (not less than 48 hours) as they deem necessary.

Central Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

Outside Dates: Between September 30 and January 21.

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits:

(1) High Plains Mallard Management Unit (roughly defined as that portion of the Central Flyway which lies west of the 100th meridian): 97 days and a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be hens), 1 mottled duck, 1 canvasback, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 3 scaup, and 2 wood ducks. The last 23 days may start no earlier than the Saturday nearest December 10 (December 9).

(2) Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74 days and a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be hens), 1 mottled duck, 1 canvasback, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 3 scaup, and 2 wood ducks.

Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5 mergansers, only 1 of which may be a hooded merganser. In States that include mergansers in the duck daily bag limit, the daily limit may be the same as the duck bag limit, only one of which may be a hooded merganser.

Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.

Zoning and Split Seasons: Kansas (Low Plains portion), Montana, Nebraska (Low Plains portion), New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains portion), South Dakota (Low Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains portion), and Wyoming may select hunting seasons by zones.

In Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the regular season may be split into two segments.

In Colorado, the season may be split into three segments.

Geese

Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments. Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Central Flyway Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State.

Outside Dates: For dark geese, seasons may be selected between the outside dates of the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) and the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 18). For light geese, outside dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) and March 10. In the Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (East and West) of Nebraska, temporal and spatial restrictions consistent with the experimental late-winter snow goose hunting strategy endorsed by the Central Flyway Council in July 1999, are required.

Season Lengths and Limits:

Light Geese: States may select a light goose season not to exceed 107 days. The daily bag limit for light geese is 20 with no possession limit.

Dark Geese: In Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, States may select a season for Canada geese (or any other dark goose species except white-fronted geese) not to exceed 95 days with a daily bag limit of 3. Additionally, in the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, an alternative season of 107 days with a daily bag limit of 1 Canada goose may be selected. For white-fronted geese, these States may select either a season of 86 days with a bag limit of 2 or a 107-day season with a bag limit of 1.

In South Dakota, for Canada geese in the Big Stone Power Plant Area of Dark Goose Unit 1, the daily bag limit is 3 until November 30 and 2 thereafter.

In Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming, States may select seasons not to exceed 107 days. The daily bag limit for dark geese is 5 in the aggregate.

In the Western Goose Zone of Texas, the season may not exceed 107 days. The daily bag limit for Canada geese (or any other dark goose species except white-fronted geese) is 5. The daily bag limit for white-fronted geese is 1.

Pacific Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, and Common Moorhens

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: Concurrent 107 days and daily bag limit of 7 ducks and mergansers, including no more than 2 female mallards, 1 pintail, 4 scaup, 2 redheads, and 1 canvasback.

The season on coots and common moorhens may be between the outside dates for the season on ducks, but not to exceed 107 days.

Coot and Common Moorhen Limits: The daily bag and possession limits of coots and common moorhens are 25, singly or in the aggregate.

Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 21).

Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington may select hunting seasons by zones.

Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington may split their seasons into two segments.

Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming may split their seasons into three segments.

Colorado River Zone, California: Seasons and limits shall be the same as seasons and limits selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona (South Zone).

Geese

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Except as subsequently noted, 100-day seasons may be selected, with outside dates between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30), and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 21), and the basic daily bag limits are 3 light geese and 4 dark geese, except in California, Oregon, and Washington, where the dark goose bag limit does not include brant.

Split Seasons: Unless otherwise specified, seasons for geese may be split into up to 3 segments. Three-way split seasons for Canada geese and white-fronted geese require Pacific Flyway Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State.

Brant Season—A 16-consecutive-day season may be selected in Oregon and Washington, and a 30-consecutive-day season may be selected in California. In these States, the daily bag limit is 2 brant and is in addition to dark goose limits.

Closures: There will be no open season on Aleutian Canada geese in the Pacific Flyway. The States of California, Oregon, and Washington must include a statement on the closure for that subspecies in their respective regulations leaflet. Emergency closures may be invoked for all Canada geese should Aleutian Canada goose distribution patterns or other circumstances justify such actions.

Arizona: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.

California

Northeastern Zone—White-fronted geese and cackling Canada geese may be taken only during the first 44 days of the goose season. The daily bag limit is 3 geese and may include no more than 2 dark geese; including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.

Colorado River Zone—The seasons and limits must be the same as those selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona (South Zone).

Southern Zone—The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3 geese.

Balance-of-the-State Zone—A 79-day season may be selected. Limits may not include more than 3 geese per day, of which not more than 2 may be white-fronted geese and not more than 1 may be a cackling Canada goose. Three areas in the Balance-of-the-State Zone are restricted in the hunting of certain geese:

(1) In the Counties of Del Norte and Humboldt, there will be no open season for Canada geese, except for the Special September Canada goose hunt in Humboldt County.

(2) In the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (West), the season on white-fronted geese must end on or before December 14, and, in the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (East), there will be no open season for Canada geese.

(3) In the San Joaquin Valley Special Management Area, there will be no open season for Canada geese.

Colorado: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3 geese.

Idaho

Northern Unit—The daily bag limit is 4 geese, including 4 dark geese, but not more than 3 light geese.

Southwest Unit and Southeastern Unit—The daily bag limit on dark geese is 4.

Montana: West of Divide Zone and East of Divide Zone—The daily bag limit of dark geese is 4.

Nevada: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3 except in the Lincoln and Clark County Zone, where the daily bag limit of dark geese is 2.

New Mexico: The daily bag limit of dark geese is 3.

Oregon: Except as subsequently noted, the dark goose daily bag limit is 4, including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.

Lake County Zone—The daily dark goose bag limit may not include more than 2 white-fronted geese.

Western Zone—In the Special Canada Goose Management Area, except for designated areas, there will be no open season on Canada geese. In the designated areas, individual quotas will be established that collectively will not exceed 165 dusky Canada geese. See section on quota zones. In those designated areas, the daily bag limit of dark geese is 4 and may include 4 cackling Canada geese.

Utah: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3 geese.

Washington: The daily bag limit is 4 geese, including 4 dark geese but not more than 3 light geese.

West Zone—In the Lower Columbia River Special Goose Management Area, except for designated areas, there will be no open season on Canada geese. In the designated areas, individual quotas will be established that collectively will not exceed 85 dusky Canada geese. See section on quota zones. In this area, the daily bag limit of dark geese is 4 and may include 4 cackling Canada geese.

Wyoming: The daily bag limit is 4 dark geese.

Quota Zones: Seasons on dark geese must end upon attainment of individual quotas of dusky Canada geese allotted to the designated areas of Oregon and Washington. The September Canada goose season, the regular goose season, any special late dark goose season, and any extended falconry season, combined, must not exceed 107 days, and the established quota of dusky Canada geese must not be exceeded. Hunting of dark geese in those designated areas will only be by hunters possessing a State-issued permit authorizing them to do so. In a Service-approved investigation, the State must obtain quantitative information on hunter compliance of those regulations aimed at reducing the take of dusky Canada geese and eliminating the take of Aleutian Canada geese. If the monitoring program cannot be conducted, for any reason, the season must immediately close. In the designated areas of the Washington Quota Zone, a special late dark goose season may be held between the Saturday following the close of the general goose season and March 10. The daily bag limit may not include Aleutian Canada geese. In the Special Canada Goose Management Area of Oregon, the framework closing date is extended to the Sunday closest to March 1 (March 4). In the Special Canada Goose Management Area of Oregon, the framework closing date is extended to the Sunday closest to March 1 (Feb. 28). Regular dark goose seasons may be split into 3 segments within the Oregon and Washington quota zones. The 3-way split seasons are considered experimental for the next 3 years. An evaluation of the 3-way split seasons is required and must be submitted by July 2002.

Swans

In designated areas of Utah, Nevada, and the Pacific Flyway portion of Montana, an open season for taking a limited number of swans may be selected. Permits will be issued by States and will authorize each permittee to take no more than 1 swan per season. The season may open no earlier than the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30). The States must implement a harvest-monitoring program to measure the species composition of the swan harvest. In Utah and Nevada, the harvest-monitoring program must require that all harvested swans or their species-determinant parts be examined by either State or Federal biologists for the purpose of species classification. All States should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance in providing bagged swans for examination or, in the case of Montana, reporting bill-measurement and color information. All States must achieve at least an 80-percent compliance rate, or subsequent permits will be reduced by 10 percent. All States must provide to the Service by June 30, 2001, a report covering harvest, hunter participation, reporting compliance, and monitoring of swan populations in the designated hunt areas. These seasons will be subject to the following conditions:

In Utah, no more than 2,000 permits may be issued. The season must end no later than the second Sunday in December (December 10) or upon attainment of 10 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs earliest.

In Nevada, no more than 650 permits may be issued. The season must end no later than the Sunday following January 1 (January 7) or upon attainment of 5 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs earliest.

In Montana, no more than 500 permits may be issued. The season must end no later than December 1.

Tundra Swans

In the Central Flyway portion of Montana, and in North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota (east of the Missouri River), and Virginia, an open season for taking a limited number of tundra swans may be selected. Permits will be issued by States that authorize the take of no more than 1 tundra swan per permit. A second permit may be issued to hunters from unused permits remaining after the first drawing. The States must obtain harvest and hunter participation data. These seasons will be subject to the following conditions:

In the Atlantic Flyway

—The season will be experimental.

—The season may be 90 days, from October 1 to January 31.

—In North Carolina, no more than 5,000 permits may be issued.

—In Virginia, no more than 600 permits may be issued.

In the Central Flyway

—The season may be 107 days and must occur during the light goose season.

—In the Central Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 500 permits may be issued.

—In North Dakota, no more than 2,000 permits may be issued.

—In South Dakota, no more than 1,500 permits may be issued.

Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions

Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut

North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-95.

South Zone: Remainder of the State.

Maine

North Zone: That portion north of the line extending east along Maine State Highway 110 from the New Hampshire and Maine border to the intersection of Maine State Highway 11 in Newfield; then north and east along Route 11 to the intersection of U.S. Route 202 in Auburn; then north and east on Route 202 to the intersection of Interstate Highway 95 in Augusta; then north and east along I-95 to Route 15 in Bangor; then east along Route 15 to Route 9; then east along Route 9 to Stony Brook in Baileyville; then east along Stony Brook to the United States border.

South Zone: Remainder of the State.

Massachusetts

Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut border.

Central Zone: That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St. bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone.

Coastal Zone: That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the Central Zone.

New Hampshire

Coastal Zone: That portion of the State east of a line extending west from the Maine border in Rollinsford on NH 4 to the city of Dover, south to NH 108, south along NH 108 through Madbury, Durham, and Newmarket to NH 85 in Newfields, south to NH 101 in Exeter, east to NH 51 (Exeter-Hampton Expressway), east to I-95 (New Hampshire Turnpike) in Hampton, and south along I-95 to the Massachusetts border.

Inland Zone: That portion of the State north and west of the above boundary.

New Jersey

Coastal Zone: That portion of the State seaward of a line beginning at the New York border in Raritan Bay and extending west along the New York border to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west on NJ 440 to the Garden State Parkway; south on the Garden State Parkway to the shoreline at Cape May and continuing to the Delaware border in Delaware Bay.

North Zone: That portion of the State west of the Coastal Zone and north of a line extending west from the Garden State Parkway on NJ 70 to the New Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike to U.S. 206, north on U.S. 206 to U.S. 1 at Trenton, west on U.S. 1 to the Pennsylvania border in the Delaware River.

South Zone: That portion of the State not within the North Zone or the Coastal Zone.

New York

Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border.

Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their tidal waters.

Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along I-81 to the Pennsylvania border.

Northeastern Zone: That area north of a line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.

Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.

Pennsylvania

Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters of Pennsylvania and a shoreline margin along Lake Erie from New York on the east to Ohio on the west extending 150 yards inland, but including all of Presque Isle Peninsula.

Northwest Zone: The area bounded on the north by the Lake Erie Zone and including all of Erie and Crawford Counties and those portions of Mercer and Venango Counties north of I-80.

North Zone: That portion of the State east of the Northwest Zone and north of a line extending east on I-80 to U.S. 220, Route 220 to I-180, I-180 to I-80, and I-80 to the Delaware River.

South Zone: The remaining portion of Pennsylvania.

Vermont

Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that area north and west of the line extending from the New York border along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes; U.S. 7 to the Canadian border.

Interior Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont.

West Virginia

Zone 1 : That portion outside the boundaries in Zone 2.

Zone 2 (Allegheny Mountain Upland): That area bounded by a line extending south along U.S. 220 through Keyser to U.S. 50; U.S. 50 to WV 93; WV 93 south to WV 42; WV 42 south to Petersburg; WV 28 south to Minnehaha Springs; WV 39 west to U.S. 219; U.S. 219 south to I-64; I-64 west to U.S. 60; U.S. 60 west to U.S. 19; U.S. 19 north to I-79, I-79 north to U.S. 48; U.S. 48 east to the Maryland border; and along the border to the point of beginning.

Mississippi Flyway

Alabama

South Zone: Mobile and Baldwin Counties.

North Zone: The remainder of Alabama.

Illinois

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Iowa border along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate Highway 280, east along I-280 to I-80, then east along I-80 to the Indiana border.

Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Zone to a line extending east from the Missouri border along the Modoc Ferry route to Modoc Ferry Road, east along Modoc Ferry Road to Modoc Road, northeasterly along Modoc Road and St. Leo's Road to Illinois Highway 3, north along Illinois 3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159 to Illinois 161, east along Illinois 161 to Illinois 4, north along Illinois 4 to Interstate Highway 70, east along I-70 to the Bond County line, north and east along the Bond County line to Fayette County, north and east along the Fayette County line to Effingham County, east and south along the Effingham County line to I-70, then east along I-70 to the Indiana border.

South Zone: The remainder of Illinois.

Indiana

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. Highway 31, north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to Huntington, then southeast along U.S. 224 to the Ohio border.

Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 64 to New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State 56, east along State 56 to Vevay, east and north on State 156 along the Ohio River to North Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Highway 50, then northeast along U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.

South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio River Zone boundaries.

Iowa

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State 37, southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border.

South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.

Kentucky

West Zone: All counties west of and including Butler, Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and Warren Counties.

East Zone: The remainder of Kentucky.

Louisiana

West Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending south from the Arkansas border along Louisiana Highway 3 to Bossier City, east along Interstate Highway 20 to Minden, south along Louisiana 7 to Ringgold, east along Louisiana 4 to Jonesboro, south along U.S. Highway 167 to Lafayette, southeast along U.S. 90 to Houma, then south along the Houma Navigation Channel to the Gulf of Mexico through Cat Island Pass.

East Zone: The remainder of Louisiana.

Catahoula Lake Area: All of Catahoula Lake, including those portions known locally as Round Prairie, Catfish Prairie, and Frazier's Arm. See State regulations for additional information.

Michigan

North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.

Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly and southerly along the south shore of, Stony Creek to Scenic Drive, easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of Midland, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, east along U.S. 10 to Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north along I-75/U.S. 23 to the U.S. 23 exit at Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore Road in Arenac County, east along Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout, then on a line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a line directly northeast to the Canada border.

South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.

Mississippi

Zone 1: Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties.

Zone 2: The remainder of Mississippi.

Missouri

North Zone: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 70 to U.S. Highway 54, south along U.S. 54 to U.S. 50, then west along U.S. 50 to the Kansas border.

South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west from the Illinois border along Missouri Highway 34 to Interstate Highway 55; south along I-55 to U.S. Highway 62, west along U.S. 62 to Missouri 53, north along Missouri 53 to Missouri 51, north along Missouri 51 to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to Missouri 21, north along Missouri 21 to Missouri 72, west along Missouri 72 to Missouri 32, west along Missouri 32 to U.S. 65, north along U.S. 65 to U.S. 54, west along U.S. 54 to Missouri 32, south along Missouri 32 to Missouri 97, south along Missouri 97 to Dade County NN, west along Dade County NN to Missouri 37, west along Missouri 37 to Jasper County N, west along Jasper County N to Jasper County M, west along Jasper County M to the Kansas border.

Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri.

Ohio

North Zone: The Counties of Darke, Miami, Clark, Champaign, Union, Delaware, Licking (excluding the Buckeye Lake Area), Muskingum, Guernsey, Harrison and Jefferson and all counties north thereof.

Ohio River Zone: The Counties of Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, Adams, Scioto, Lawrence, Gallia and Meigs.

South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio River Zone boundaries, including the Buckeye Lake Area in Licking County bounded on the west by State Highway 37, on the north by U.S. Highway 40, and on the east by State 13.

Tennessee

Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake and Obion Counties.

State Zone: The remainder of Tennessee.

Wisconsin

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Minnesota border along State Highway 77 to State 27, south along State 27 and 77 to U.S. Highway 63, and continuing south along State 27 to Sawyer County Road B, south and east along County B to State 70, southwest along State 70 to State 27, south along State 27 to State 64, west along State 64/27 and south along State 27 to U.S. 12, south and east on State 27/U.S. 12 to U.S. 10, east on U.S. 10 to State 310, east along State 310 to State 42, north along State 42 to State 147, north along State 147 to State 163, north along State 163 to Kewaunee County Trunk A, north along County Trunk A to State 57, north along State 57 to the Kewaunee/Door County Line, west along the Kewaunee/Door County Line to the Door/Brown County Line, west along the Door/Brown County Line to the Door/Oconto/Brown County Line, northeast along the Door/Oconto County Line to the Marinette/Door County Line, northeast along the Marinette/Door County Line to the Michigan border.

South Zone: The remainder of Wisconsin.

Central Flyway

Kansas

High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.

Low Plains Early Zone: That portion of the State east of the High Plains Zone and west of a line extending south from the Nebraska border along KS 28 to U.S. 36, east along U.S. 36 to KS 199, south along KS 199 to Republic County Road 563, south along Republic County Road 563 to KS 148, east along KS 148 to Republic County Road 138, south along Republic County Road 138 to Cloud County Road 765, south along Cloud County Road 765 to KS 9, west along KS 9 to U.S. 24, west along U.S 24 to U.S. 281, north along U.S. 281 to U.S. 36, west along U.S. 36 to U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to U.S. 24, west along U.S. 24 to KS 18, southeast along KS 18 to U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to KS 4, east along KS 4 to I-135, south along I-135 to KS 61, southwest along KS 61 to KS 96, northwest on KS 96 to U.S. 56, west along U.S. 56 to U.S. 281, south along U.S. 281 to U.S. 54, then west along U.S. 54 to U.S. 283.

Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder of Kansas.

Montana (Central Flyway Portion)

Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, McCone, Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, and Yellowstone.

Zone 2: The remainder of Montana.

Nebraska

High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of highways U.S. 183 and U.S. 20 from the South Dakota border to Ainsworth, NE 7 and NE 91 to Dunning, NE 2 to Merna, NE 92 to Arnold, NE 40 and NE 47 through Gothenburg to NE 23, NE 23 to Elwood, and U.S. 283 to the Kansas border.

Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High Plains Zone and north and west of a line extending from the South Dakota border along NE 26E Spur to NE 12, west on NE 12 to the Knox/Boyd County line, south along the county line to the Niobrara River and along the Niobrara River to U.S. 183 (the High Plains Zone line). Where the Niobrara River forms the boundary, both banks will be in Zone 1.

Low Plains Zone 2: That portion of the State east of the High Plains Zone and bounded by designated highways and political boundaries starting on U.S. 73 at the Kansas border, north to NE 67, north to U.S. 75, north to NE 2, west to NE 43, north to U.S. 34, east to NE 63, north and west to U.S. 77, north to NE 92, west to U.S. 81, south to NE 66, west to NE 14, south to U.S. 34, west to NE 2, south to I-80, west to Hamilton/Hall County line (Gunbarrel Road), south to Giltner Road; west to U.S. 34, west to U.S. 136, east on U.S. 136 to NE 10, south to the State line, west to U.S. 283, north to NE 23, west to NE 47, north to U.S. 30, east to NE 14, north to NE 52, northwesterly to NE 91, west to U.S. 281, north to NE 91 in Wheeler County, west to U.S. 183, north to northerly boundary of Loup County, east along the north boundaries of Loup, Garfield, and Wheeler County, south along the east Wheeler County line to NE 70, east on NE 70 from Wheeler County to NE 14, south to NE 39, southeast to NE 22, east to U.S. 81, southeast to U.S. 30, east along U.S. 30 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to the Washington/Burt County line; then east along the county line to the Iowa border.

Low Plains Zone 3: The area east of the High Plains Zone, excluding Low Plains Zone 1, north of Low Plains Zone 2.

Low Plains Zone 4: The area east of the High Plains Zone and south of Zone 2.

New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)

North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.

South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.

North Dakota

High Plains Unit: That portion of the State south and west of a line from the South Dakota border along U.S. 83 and I-94 to ND 41, north to U.S. 2, west to the Williams/Divide County line, then north along the County line to the Canadian border.

Low Plains: The remainder of North Dakota.

Oklahoma

High Plains Zone: The Counties of Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas.

Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High Plains Zone and north of a line extending east from the Texas border along OK 33 to OK 47, east along OK 47 to U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to I-40, east along I-40 to U.S. 177, north along U.S. 177 to OK 33, west along OK 33 to I-35, north along I-35 to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to U.S. 64, west along U.S. 64 to OK 132, then north along OK 132 to the Kansas border.

Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of Oklahoma.

South Dakota

High Plains Unit: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the North Dakota border and extending south along U.S. 83 to U.S. 14, east along U.S. 14 to Blunt-Canning Road in Blunt, south along Blunt-Canning Road to SD 34, east to SD 47, south to I-90, east to SD 47, south to SD 49, south to Colome and then continuing south on U.S. 183 to the Nebraska border.

North Zone: That portion of northeastern South Dakota east of the High Plains Unit and north of a line extending east along US 212 to SD 15, then north along SD 15 to Big Stone Lake at the Minnesota border.

South Zone: That portion of Gregory County east of SD 47, Charles Mix County south of SD 44 to the Douglas County line, south on SD 50 to Geddes, east on the Geddes Hwy. to U.S. 281, south on U.S. 281 and U.S. 18 to SD 50, south and east on SD 50 to Bon Homme County line, the Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton, and Clay south of SD 50, and Union County south and west of SD 50 and I-29.

Middle Zone: The remainder of South Dakota.

Texas

High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending south from the Oklahoma border along U.S. 183 to Vernon, south along U.S. 283 to Albany, south along TX 6 to TX 351 to Abilene, south along U.S. 277 to Del Rio, then south along the Del Rio International Toll Bridge access road to the Mexico border.

Low Plains North Zone: That portion of northeastern Texas east of the High Plains Zone and north of a line beginning at the International Toll Bridge south of Del Rio, then extending east on U.S. 90 to San Antonio, then continuing east on I-10 to the Louisiana border at Orange, Texas.

Low Plains South Zone: The remainder of Texas.

Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)

Zone 1: The Counties of Converse, Goshen, Hot Springs, Natrona, Platte, Washakie, and that portion of Park County south of T58N and not within the boundary of the Shoshone National Forest.

Zone 2: The remainder of Wyoming.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona—Game Management Units (GMU) as follows:

South Zone: Those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 in Yavapai County, and GMUs 10 and 12B-45.

North Zone: GMUs 1-5, those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 within Coconino County, and GMUs 7, 9, 12A.

California

Northeastern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of a line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89; east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S. 395 to the Nevada border.

Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as “Aqueduct Road” in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in Riverside County as the “Desert Center to Rice Road” to the town of Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.

Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada border.

Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.

Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.

Idaho

Zone 1: Includes all lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.

Zone 2: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties: Adams; Bear Lake; Benewah; Bingham within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; those portions of Blaine west of ID 75, south and east of U.S. 93, and between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 outside the Silver Creek drainage; Bonner; Bonneville; Boundary; Butte; Camas; Caribou except the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Cassia within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Clark; Clearwater; Custer; Elmore within the Camas Creek drainage; Franklin; Fremont; Idaho; Jefferson; Kootenai; Latah; Lemhi; Lewis; Madison; Nez Perce; Oneida; Power within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Shoshone; Teton; and Valley Counties.

Zone 3: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties: Ada; Blaine between ID 75 and U.S. 93 south of U.S. 20 and that additional area between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 within the Silver Creek drainage; Boise; Canyon; Cassia except within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Elmore except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee; Payette; Power west of ID 37 and ID 39 except that portion within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Twin Falls; and Washington Counties.

Nevada

Lincoln and Clark County Zone: All of Clark and Lincoln Counties.

Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.

Oregon

Zone 1: Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane, Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine, Jackson, Linn, Benton, Polk, Marion, Yamhill, Washington, Columbia, Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow and Umatilla Counties.

Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Gilliam, Morrow, and Umatilla Counties.

Zone 2: The remainder of the State.

Utah

Zone 1: All of Box Elder, Cache, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Morgan, Rich, Salt Lake, Summit, Unitah, Utah, Wasatch, and Weber Counties and that part of Toole County north of I-80.

Zone 2: The remainder of Utah.

Washington

East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.

Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Same as East Zone.

West Zone: All areas to the west of the East Zone.

Geese

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut

NAP Zone: Statewide, except for Hartford and Litchfield Counties west of the Connecticut River.

AP Zone: Remainder of the State.

South Zone: Same as for ducks.

North Zone: Same as for ducks.

Maryland

SJBP Zone: Allegheny, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Washington counties and the portion of Montgomery County south of Interstate 270 and west of Interstate 495 to the Potomac River.

AP Zone: Remainder of the State.

Massachusetts

NAP Zone: Central Zone (same as for ducks) and that portion of the Coastal Zone that lies north of route 139 from Green Harbor.

AP Zone: Remainder of the State.

Special Late Season Area: That portion of the Coastal Zone (see duck zones) that lies north of Route 14, east of St. George Road, and east of the Powder Point Bridge.

New Hampshire

Same zones as for ducks.

New Jersey

North—that portion of the State within a continuous line that runs east along the New York State boundary line to the Hudson River; then south along the New York State boundary to its intersection with Route 440 at Perth Amboy; then west on Route 440 to its intersection with Route 287; then west along Route 287 to its intersection with Route 206 in Bedminster (Exit 18); then north along Route 206 to its intersection with Route 94: then west along Route 94 to the tollbridge in Columbia; then north along the Pennsylvania State boundary in the Delaware River to the beginning point.

South—that portion of the State within a continuous line that runs west from the Atlantic Ocean at Ship Bottom along Route 72 to Route 70; then west along Route 70 to Route 206; then south along Route 206 to Route 536; then west along Route 536 to Route 322; then west along Route 322 to Route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 553 (Buck Road); then south along Route 553 to Route 40; then east along Route 40 to route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 552 (Sherman Avenue); then west along Route 552 to Carmel Road; then south along Carmel Road to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 555; then south along Route 555 to Route 553; then east along Route 553 to Route 649; then north along Route 649 to Route 670; then east along Route 670 to Route 47; then north along Route 47 to Route 548; then east along Route 548 to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 50; then south along Route 50 to Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route 625 (Sea Isle City Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to the Atlantic Ocean; then north to the beginning point.

New York

Special Late Season Area for Canada Geese: that area of Chemung County lying east of a continuous line extending south along State Route 13 from the Schuyler County line to State Route 17 and then south along Route 17 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary; all of Tioga and Broome Counties; that area of Delaware, Sullivan, and Orange Counties lying southwest of a continuous line extending east along State Route 17 from the Broome County line to U.S. Route 209 at Wurtsboro and then south along Route 209 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary at Port Jervis, excluding areas on or within 50 yards of the Delaware River between the confluence of the West Branch and East Branch below Hancock and the mouth of the Shingle Kill (3 miles upstream from Port Jervis); that area of Orange, Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester Counties lying southeast of a continuous line extending north along Route 17 from the New York-New Jersey boundary at Suffern to Interstate Route 87, then north along Route 87 to Interstate Route 84, then east along Route 84 to the northern boundary of Putnam County, then east along that boundary to the New York-Connecticut boundary; that area of Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying north of State Route 25A and west of a continuous line extending northward from State Route 25A along Randall Road (near Shoreham) to North Country Road, then east to Sound Road and then north to Long Island Sound and then due north to the New York-Connecticut boundary.

Long Island (NAP) Zone: Same as Long Island Duck Zone.

Southwest (SJBP) Zone: all of Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautaugua Counties; that area of Erie, Wyoming and Niagara Counties lying south and west of a continuous line extending from the Rainbow Bridge below Niagara Falls, north along the Robert Moses Parkway to US Route 62A, then east along Route 62A to US Route 62, then southeast along US Route 62 to Interstate Route 290, then south along Route 290 to Exit 50 of the NYS Thruway, then east along I-90 to State Route 98, then south along State Route 98 to the Cattaraugus County line; and that area of Steuben and Chemung Counties lying south of State Route 17.

AP Zone: Remainder of the State.

North Carolina

Regular Season for Canada Geese: Statewide, except for Northampton County and the Northeast Hunt Unit—Counties of Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington.

Pennsylvania

SJBP Zone: Area from the New York State line west of U.S. Route 220 to intersection of I-180, west of I-180 to intersection of SR 147, west of SR 147 to intersection of U.S. Route 322, west of U.S. Route 322 to intersection of I-81, west of I-81 to intersection of I-83, west of I-83 to I-283, west of I-283 to SR 441, west of SR 441 to U.S. Route 30, west of U.S. Route 30 to I-83, west of I-83 to Maryland State line, except for the Pymatuning Zone.

Pymatuning Zone: Area south of SR 198 from the Ohio State line to the intersection of SR 18, to the intersection of US Route 322/SR 18, to the intersection of SR 3013, then south to the Crawford/Mercer County line.

Special Late Season Area for Canada Geese: Same as SJBP Zone and the area from New York State line east of U.S. Route 220 to intersection of I-180, east of I-180 to intersection of SR 147, east of SR 147 to intersection of U.S. Route 322, east of Route 322 to intersection of I-81, north of I-81 to intersection of I-80, north of I-80 to New Jersey State line.

AP Zone: Remainder of the State.

Rhode Island

Special Area for Canada Geese: Kent and Providence Counties and portions of the towns of Exeter and North Kingston within Washington County (see State regulations for detailed descriptions).

South Carolina

Canada Goose Area: Statewide except for Clarendon County and that portion of Lake Marion in Orangeburg County and Berkeley County.

Vermont

Same zones as for ducks.

Virginia

SJBP Zone and Special Late Season Area for Canada Geese: All areas west of I-95.

Back Bay Area: The waters of Back Bay and its tributaries and the marshes adjacent thereto, and on the land and marshes between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean from Sandbridge to the North Carolina line, and on and along the shore of North Landing River and the marshes adjacent thereto, and on and along the shores of Binson Inlet Lake (formerly known as Lake Tecumseh) and Red Wing Lake and the marshes adjacent thereto.

AP Zone: Remainder of the State.

West Virginia

Same zones as for ducks.

Mississippi Flyway

Alabama

Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:

SJBP Zone: That portion of Morgan County east of U.S. Highway 31, north of State Highway 36, and west of U.S. 231; that portion of Limestone County south of U.S. 72; and that portion of Madison County south of Swancott Road and west of Triana Road.

Arkansas

East Zone: Arkansas, Ashley, Chicot, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Desha, Drew, Greene, Independence, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lee, Lincoln, Lonoke, Mississippi, Monroe, Phillips, Poinsett, Prairie, Pulaski, Randolph, St. Francis, White, and Woodruff Counties.

West Zone: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Cleburne, Conway, Crawford, Faulkner, Franklin, Fulton, Izard, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Newton, Pope, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, and Washington Counties, and those portions of Logan, Perry, Sebastian, and Yell Counties lying north of a line extending east from the Oklahoma border along State Highway 10 to Perry, south on State 9 to State 60, then east on State 60 to the Faulkner County line.

Illinois

Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:

North Zone:

Northern Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties north of Interstate Highway 80.

Central Zone:

Central Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of Grundy, Woodford, Peoria, Knox, Fulton, Tazewell, Mason, Cass, Morgan, Pike, Calhoun, and Jersey, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties south of Interstate Highway 80.

South Zone:

Southern Illinois Quota Zone: Alexander, Jackson, Union, and Williamson Counties.

Rend Lake Quota Zone: Franklin and Jefferson Counties.

Indiana

Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:

SJBP Zone: Jasper, LaGrange, LaPorte, Starke, and Steuben Counties, and that portion of the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in Pulaski County.

Iowa

Same zones as for ducks.

Kentucky

Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the Tennessee border at Fulton and extending north along the Purchase Parkway to Interstate Highway 24, east along I-24 to U.S. Highway 641, north along U.S. 641 to U.S. 60, northeast along U.S. 60 to the Henderson County line, then south, east, and northerly along the Henderson County line to the Indiana border.

Ballard Reporting Area: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the northwest city limits of Wickliffe in Ballard County and extending westward to the middle of the Mississippi River, north along the Mississippi River and along the low-water mark of the Ohio River on the Illinois shore to the Ballard-McCracken County line, south along the county line to Kentucky Highway 358, south along Kentucky 358 to U.S. Highway 60 at LaCenter; then southwest along U.S. 60 to the northeast city limits of Wickliffe.

Henderson-Union Reporting Area: Henderson County and that portion of Union County within the Western Zone.

Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone: Butler, Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and Warren Counties and all counties lying west to the boundary of the Western Goose Zone.

Michigan

Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:

South Zone:

Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU): Those portions of Tuscola and Huron Counties bounded on the south by Michigan Highway 138 and Bay City Road, on the east by Colwood and Bay Port Roads, on the north by Kilmanagh Road and a line extending directly west off the end of Kilmanagh Road into Saginaw Bay to the west boundary, and on the west by the Tuscola-Bay County line and a line extending directly north off the end of the Tuscola-Bay County line into Saginaw Bay to the north boundary.

Allegan County GMU: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate Highway 196 in Lake Town Township and extending easterly along 136th Avenue to Michigan Highway 40, southerly along Michigan 40 through the city of Allegan to 108th Avenue in Trowbridge Township, westerly along 108th Avenue to 46th Street, northerly 1/2 mile along 46th Street to 109th Avenue, westerly along 109th Avenue to I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly along I-196 to the point of beginning.

Saginaw County GMU: That portion of Saginaw County bounded by Michigan Highway 46 on the north; Michigan 52 on the west; Michigan 57 on the south; and Michigan 13 on the east.

Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That portion of Muskegon County within the boundaries of the Muskegon County wastewater system, east of the Muskegon State Game Area, in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, and 32, T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, and 25, T10N R15W, as posted.

Special Canada Goose Seasons:

Southern Michigan GMU: That portion of the State, including the Great Lakes and interconnecting waterways and excluding the Allegan County GMU, south of a line beginning at the Ontario border at the Bluewater Bridge in the city of Port Huron and extending westerly and southerly along Interstate Highway 94 to I-69, westerly along I-69 to Michigan Highway 21, westerly along Michigan 21 to I-96, northerly along I-96 to I-196, westerly along I-196 to Lake Michigan Drive (M-45) in Grand Rapids, westerly along Lake Michigan Drive to the Lake Michigan shore, then directly west from the end of Lake Michigan Drive to the Wisconsin border.

Central Michigan GMU: That portion of the South Zone north of the Southern Michigan GMU, excluding the Tuscola/Huron GMU, Saginaw County GMU, and Muskegon Wastewater GMU.

Minnesota

West Zone: That portion of the state encompassed by a line beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa border, then north and east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, north along U.S. 71 to Interstate Highway 94, then north and west along I-94 to the North Dakota border.

West Central Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 29 and U.S. Highway 212 and extending west along U.S. 212 to U.S. 59, south along U.S. 59 to STH 67, west along STH 67 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 30 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 30 to the western boundary of the State, north along the western boundary of the State to a point due south of the intersection of STH 7 and CSAH 7 in Big Stone County, and continuing due north to said intersection, then north along CSAH 7 to CSAH 6 in Big Stone County, east along CSAH 6 to CSAH 21 in Big Stone County, south along CSAH 21 to CSAH 10 in Big Stone County, east along CSAH 10 to CSAH 22 in Swift County, east along CSAH 22 to CSAH 5 in Swift County, south along CSAH 5 to U.S. 12, east along U.S. 12 to CSAH 17 in Swift County, south along CSAH 17 to CSAH 9 in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to STH 40, east along STH 40 to STH 29, then south along STH 29 to the point of beginning.

Lac qui Parle Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 212 and County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 27 in Lac qui Parle County and extending north along CSAH 27 to CSAH 20 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 20 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 40, north along STH 40 to STH 119, north along STH 119 to CSAH 34 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 34 to CSAH 19 in Lac qui Parle County, north and west along CSAH 19 to CSAH 38 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 38 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to STH 7, east along STH 7 to CSAH 6 in Swift County, east along CSAH 6 to County Road 65 in Swift County, south along County 65 to County 34 in Chippewa County, south along County 34 to CSAH 12 in Chippewa County, east along CSAH 12 to CSAH 9 in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to STH 7, southeast along STH 7 to Montevideo and along the municipal boundary of Montevideo to U.S. 212; then west along U.S. 212 to the point of beginning.

Northwest Zone: That portion of the state encompassed by a line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.

Special Canada Goose Seasons:

Southeast Zone: That part of the State within the following described boundaries: beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 52 and the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; thence along the U.S. Highway 52 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 57; thence along STH 57 to the municipal boundary of Kasson; thence along the municipal boundary of Kasson County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 13, Dodge County; thence along CSAH 13 to STH 30; thence along STH 30 to U.S. Highway 63; thence along U.S. Highway 63 to the south boundary of the State; thence along the south and east boundaries of the State to the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; thence along said boundary to the point of beginning.

Missouri

Same zones as for ducks but in addition:

North Zone:

Swan Lake Zone: That area bounded by U.S. Highway 36 on the north, Missouri Highway 5 on the east, Missouri 240 and U.S. 65 on the south, and U.S. 65 on the west.

Middle Zone:

Southeast Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of Missouri Highway (MO) 34 and Interstate 55 and extending south along I-55 to U.S. Highway 62, west along U.S. 62 to MO 53, north along MO 53 to MO 51, north along MO 51 to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to MO 21, north along MO 21 to MO 72, east along MO 72 to MO 34, then east along MO 34 to I-55.

Ohio

Same zones as for ducks but in addition:

North Zone:

Lake Erie SJBP Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line beginning in Lucas County at the Michigan State line on I-75, and extending south along I-75 to I-280, south along I-280 to I-80, east along I-80 to the Pennsylvania State line in Trumbull county, north along the Pennsylvania State line to SR 6 in Ashtabula county, west along SR 6 to the Lake/Cuyahoga county line, north along the Lake/Cuyahoga county line to the shore of Lake Erie.

Tennessee

Southwest Zone: That portion of the State south of State Highways 20 and 104, and west of U.S. Highways 45 and 45W.

Northwest Zone: Lake, Obion and Weakley Counties and those portions of Gibson and Dyer Counties not included in the Southwest Tennessee Zone.

Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone: That portion of the State bounded on the west by the eastern boundaries of the Northwest and Southwest Zones and on the east by State Highway 13 from the Alabama border to Clarksville and U.S. Highway 79 from Clarksville to the Kentucky border.

Wisconsin

Horicon Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of State Highway 21 and the Fox River in Winnebago County and extending westerly along State 21 to the west boundary of Winnebago County, southerly along the west boundary of Winnebago County to the north boundary of Green Lake County, westerly along the north boundaries of Green Lake and Marquette Counties to State 22, southerly along State 22 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 16, westerly along U.S. 16 to Weyh Road, southerly along Weyh Road to County Highway O, southerly along County O to the west boundary of Section 31, southerly along the west boundary of Section 31 to the Sauk/Columbia County boundary, southerly along the Sauk/Columbia County boundary to State 33, easterly along State 33 to Interstate Highway 90/94, southerly along I-90/94 to State 60, easterly along State 60 to State 83, northerly along State 83 to State 175, northerly along State 175 to State 33, easterly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 45, northerly along U.S. 45 to the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River, northerly along the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River to Lake Winnebago, northerly along the western shoreline of Lake Winnebago to the Fox River, then westerly along the Fox River to State 21.

Collins Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of Hilltop Road and Collins Marsh Road in Manitowoc County and extending westerly along Hilltop Road to Humpty Dumpty Road, southerly along Humpty Dumpty Road to Poplar Grove Road, easterly and southerly along Poplar Grove Road to County Highway JJ, southeasterly along County JJ to Collins Road, southerly along Collins Road to the Manitowoc River, southeasterly along the Manitowoc River to Quarry Road, northerly along Quarry Road to Einberger Road, northerly along Einberger Road to Moschel Road, westerly along Moschel Road to Collins Marsh Road, northerly along Collins Marsh Road to Hilltop Road.

Exterior Zone: That portion of the State not included in the Horicon or Collins Zones.

Mississippi River Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway and the Illinois border 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 border.

Rock Prairie Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of the Illinois border and Interstate Highway 90 and extending north along I-90 to County Highway A, east along County A to U.S. Highway 12, southeast along U.S. 12 to State Highway 50, west along State 50 to State 120, then south along 120 to the Illinois border.

Brown County Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of the Fox River with Green Bay in Brown County and extending southerly along the Fox River to State Highway 29, northwesterly along State 29 to the Brown County line, south, east, and north along the Brown County line to Green Bay, due west to the midpoint of the Green Bay Ship Channel, then southwesterly along the Green Bay Ship Channel to the Fox River.

Central Flyway

Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)

Northern Front Range Area: All lands in Adams, Boulder, Clear Creek, Denver, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties west of I-25 from the Wyoming border south to I-70; west on I-70 to the Continental Divide; north along the Continental Divide to the Jackson-Larimer County Line to the Wyoming border.

South Park/San Luis Valley Area: Alamosa, Chaffee, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, Teller, and Rio Grande Counties and those portions of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Saguache Counties east of the Continental Divide.

North Park Area: Jackson County.

Arkansas Valley Area: Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers Counties.

Pueblo County Area: Pueblo County.

Remainder: Remainder of the Central Flyway portion of Colorado.

Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose Area: that portion of the State east of Interstate Highway 25.

Kansas

Light Geese

Unit 1: That portion of Kansas east of a line beginning at the intersection of the Nebraska border and KS 99, extending south along KS 99 to I-70 to U.S. 75, south on U.S. 75 to U.S. 54, west on U.S. 54 to KS 99, and then south on KS 99 to the Oklahoma border.

Unit 2: The remainder of Kansas, laying west of Unit 1.

Dark Geese

Marais des Cygnes Valley Unit: The area is bounded by the Missouri border to KS 68, KS 68 to U.S. 169, U.S. 169 to KS 7, KS 7 to KS 31, KS 31 to U.S. 69, U.S. 69 to KS 239, KS 239 to the Missouri border.

Southeast Unit: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the Kansas-Missouri State line west on US-160 to its junction with US-69, then north on US-69 to its junction with K-39, then west on K-39 to its junction with US-169, then south on US-169 to its junction with the Kansas-Oklahoma State line, then east on the Kansas-Oklahoma State line to its junction with the Kansas-Missouri State line, then north on the Kansas-Missouri State line to its junction with US-160, except Federal and State sanctuaries.

Montana (Central Flyway Portion)

Sheridan County: Includes all of Sheridan County.

Remainder: Includes the remainder of the Central Flyway portion of Montana.

Nebraska

Dark Geese

North Unit: Keya Paha County east of U.S. 183 and all of Boyd County, including the boundary waters of the Niobrara River, all of Knox County and that portion of Cedar County west of U.S. 81.

Platte River Unit: That area south and west of U.S. 281 at the Kansas/Nebraska border, north to Giltner Road (near Doniphan), east to NE 14, north to NE 91, west to U.S. 183, south to NE 92, west to NE 61, north to U.S. 2, west to the intersection of Garden, Grant, and Sheridan counties, then west along the northern border of Garden, Morrill, and Scotts Bluff counties to the Wyoming border.

Northcentral Unit: That area north of the Southcentral Unit and west of U.S. 183.

East Unit: The remainder of Nebraska.

Light Geese

Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (West): The area bounded by the junction of U.S. 283 and U.S. 30 at Lexington, east on U.S. 30 to U.S. 281, south on U.S. 281 to NE 4, west on NE 4 to U.S. 34, continue west on U.S. 34 to U.S. 283, then north on U.S. 283 to the beginning.

Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (East): The area bounded by the junction of U.S. 281 and US 30 at Grand Island, north and east on U.S. 30 to NE 92, east on NE 92 to NE 15, south on NE 15 to NE 4, west on NE 4 to U.S. 281, north on U.S. 281 to the beginning.

Remainder of State: The remainder portion of Nebraska.

New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)

Dark Geese

Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit: Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia counties.

Remainder: The remainder of the Central Flyway portion of New Mexico.

South Dakota

Canada Geese

Unit 1: Statewide except for Units 2, 3 and 4.

Big Stone Power Plant Area: That portion of Grant and Roberts Counties east of SD 15 and north of SD 20.

Unit 2: Brule, Buffalo, Campbell, Charles Mix, Dewey, Gregory, Hughes, Hyde, Lyman, Potter, Stanley, Sully, and Walworth Counties and that portion of Corson County east of South Dakota State Highway 65.

Unit 3: Clark, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Marshall, and Roberts Counties.

Unit 4: Bennett County.

Texas

West Unit: That portion of the State laying west of a line from the international toll bridge at Laredo; north along I-35 and I-35W to Fort Worth; northwest along U.S. 81 and U.S. 287 to Bowie; and north along U.S. 81 to the Oklahoma border.

East Unit: Remainder of State.

Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)

Area 1: Hot Springs, Natrona, and Washakie Counties, and that portion of Park County south of T58N.

Area 2: Converse and Platte County.

Area 3: Albany, Big Horn, Campbell, Crook, Fremont, Johnson, Laramie, Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston Counties and those portions of Carbon County east of the Continental Divide and Park County north of T58N.

Area 4: Goshen County.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona

GMU 1 and 27: Game Management Units 1 and 27.

GMU 22 and 23: Game Management Units 22 and 23.

Remainder of State: The remainder of Arizona.

California

Northeastern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of a line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89; east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S. 395 to the Nevada border.

Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as “Aqueduct Road” in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in Riverside County as the “Desert Center to Rice Road” to the town of Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.

Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada border.

Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included in the Northeastern, Southern, and the Colorado River Zones.

Del Norte and Humboldt Area: The Counties of Del Norte and Humboldt.

Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (East): That area bounded by a line beginning at the junction of the Gridley-Colusa Highway and the Cherokee Canal; west on the Gridley-Colusa Highway to Gould Road; west on Gould Road and due west 0.75 miles directly to Highway 45; south on Highway 45 to Highway 20; east on Highway 20 to West Butte Road; north on West Butte Road to Pass Road; west on Pass Road to West Butte Road; north on West Butte Road to North Butte Road; west on North Butte Road and due west 0.5 miles directly to the Cherokee Canal; north on the Cherokee Canal to the point of beginning.

Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (West): That area bounded by a line beginning at Willows south on I-5 to Hahn Road; easterly on Hahn Road and the Grimes-Arbuckle Road to Grimes; northerly on CA 45 to the junction with CA 162; northerly on CA 45/162 to Glenn; and westerly on CA 162 to the point of beginning in Willows.

San Joaquin Valley Special Management Area: That area bounded by a line beginning at the intersection of Highway 5 and Highway 120; south on Highway 5 to Highway 33; southeast on Highway 33 to Crows Landing Road; north on Crows Landing Road to Highway 99; north on Highway 99 to Highway 120; west on Highway 120 to the point of beginning.

Western Canada Goose Hunt Area: That portion of the above described Sacramento Valley Area lying east of a line formed by Butte Creek from the Gridley-Colusa Highway south to the Cherokee Canal; easterly along the Cherokee Canal and North Butte Road to West Butte Road; southerly on West Butte Road to Pass Road; easterly on Pass Road to West Butte Road; southerly on West Butte Road to CA 20; and westerly along CA 20 to the Sacramento River.

Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)

West Central Area: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, Gunnison, LaPlata, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel Counties and those portions of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Saguache Counties west of the Continental Divide.

State Area: The remainder of the Pacific-Flyway Portion of Colorado.

Idaho

Zone 1: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties.

Zone 2: The Counties of Ada; Adams; Boise; Canyon; those portions of Elmore north and east of I-84, and south and west of I-84, west of ID 51, except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; Owyhee west of ID 51; Payette; Valley; and Washington.

Zone 3: The Counties of Blaine; Camas; Cassia; those portions of Elmore south of I-84 east of ID 51, and within the Camas Creek drainage; Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee east of ID 51; Power within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; and Twin Falls.

Zone 4: The Counties of Bear Lake; Bingham within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; Bonneville, Butte; Caribou except the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Clark; Custer; Franklin; Fremont; Jefferson; Lemhi; Madison; Oneida; Power west of ID 37 and ID 39 except the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; and Teton.

Zone 5: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.

In addition, goose frameworks are set by the following geographical areas: Northern Unit: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties.

Southwestern Unit: That area west of the line formed by U.S. 93 north from the Nevada border to Shoshone, northerly on ID 75 (formerly U.S. 93) to Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Montana border (except the Northern Unit and except Custer and Lemhi Counties).

Southeastern Unit: That area east of the line formed by U.S. 93 north from the Nevada border to Shoshone, northerly on ID 75 (formerly U.S. 93) to Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Montana border, including all of Custer and Lemhi Counties.

Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)

East of the Divide Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of the State located east of the Continental Divide.

West of the Divide Zone: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway portion of Montana.

Nevada

Lincoln Clark County Zone: All of Lincoln and Clark Counties

Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.

New Mexico (Pacific Flyway Portion)

North Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located north of I-40.

South Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located south of I-40.

Oregon

Southwest Zone: Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine, and Jackson Counties.

Northwest Special Permit Zone: That portion of western Oregon west and north of a line running south from the Columbia River in Portland along I-5 to OR 22 at Salem; then east on OR 22 to the Stayton Cutoff; then south on the Stayton Cutoff to Stayton and due south to the Santiam River; then west along the north shore of the Santiam River to I-5; then south on I-5 to OR 126 at Eugene; then west on OR 126 to Greenhill Road; then south on Greenhill Road to Crow Road; then west on Crow Road to Territorial Hwy; then west on Territorial Hwy to OR 126; then west on OR 126 to OR 36; then north on OR 36 to Forest Road 5070 at Brickerville; then west and south on Forest Road 5070 to OR 126; then west on OR 126 to the Pacific Coast.

Northwest Zone: Those portions of Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, and Washington Counties outside of the Northwest Special Permit Zone.

Closed Zone: Those portions of Coos, Curry, Douglas and Lane Counties west of US 101.

Eastern Zone: Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, Umatilla, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Grant, Baker, Union, and Wallowa Counties.

Lake County Zone: All of Lake County.

Utah

Washington County Zone: All of Washington County.

Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Utah.

Washington

Eastern Washington: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.

Area 1: Lincoln, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties; that part of Grant County east of a line beginning at the Douglas-Lincoln County line on WA 174, southwest on WA 174 to WA 155, south on WA 155 to US 2, southwest on US 2 to Pinto Ridge Road, south on Pinto Ridge Road to WA 28, east on WA 28 to the Stratford Road, south on the Stratford Road to WA 17, south on WA 17 to the Grant-Adams County line; those parts of Adams County east of State Highway 17; those parts of Franklin County east and south of a line beginning at the Adams-Franklin County line on WA 17, south on WA 17 to US 395, south on US 395 to I-182, west of I-182 to the Franklin-Benton County line; those parts of Benton County south of I-182 and I-82; and those parts of Klickitat County east of U.S. Highway 97.

Area 2: All of Okanongan, Douglas, and Kittitas Counties and those parts of Grant, Adams, Franklin, and Benton Counties not included in Eastern Washington Goose Management Area 1.

Area 3: All other parts of eastern Washington not included in Eastern Washington Goose Management Areas 1 and 2.

Western Washington: All areas west of the East Zone.

Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.

Area 2: Clark County, except portions south of the Washougal River, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties, and that portion of Grays Harbor County south of U.S. highway 12 and east of U.S. highway 101.

Area 3: All parts of western Washington not included in Western Washington Goose Management Areas 1 and 2.

Lower Columbia River Early-Season Canada Goose Zone: Beginning at the Washington-Oregon border on the I-5 Bridge near Vancouver, Washington; north on I-5 to Kelso; west on Highway 4 from Kelso to Highway 401; south and west on Highway 401 to Highway 101 at the Astoria-Megler Bridge; west on Highway 101 to Gray Drive in the City of Ilwaco; west on Gray Drive to Canby Road; southwest on Canby Road to the North Jetty; southwest on the North Jetty to its end; southeast to the Washington-Oregon border; upstream along the Washington-Oregon border to the point of origin.

Wyoming (Pacific Flyway Portion): See State Regulations

Bear River Area: That portion of Lincoln County described in State regulations.

Salt River Area: That portion of Lincoln County described in State regulations.

Eden-Farson Area: Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette Counties described in State regulations.

Swans

Central Flyway

South Dakota: Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo, Campbell, Clark, Codington, Davison, Deuel, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant, Hamlin, Hand, Hanson, Hughes, Hyde, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Lake, Marshall, McCook, McPherson, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Potter, Roberts, Sanborn, Spink, Sully, and Walworth Counties.

Pacific Flyway

Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)

Open Area: Cascade, Chouteau, Hill, Liberty, and Toole Counties and those portions of Pondera and Teton Counties lying east of U.S. 287-89.

Nevada

Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and Pershing Counties.

Utah

Open Area: Those portions of Box Elder, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, and Toole Counties lying west of I-15, north of I-80 and south of a line beginning from the Forest Street exit to the Bear River National Wildlife Refuge boundary, then north and west along the Bear River National Wildlife Refuge boundary to the farthest west boundary of the Refuge, then west along a line to Promontory Road, then north on Promontory Road to the intersection of SR 83, then north on SR 83 to I-84, then north and west on I-84 to State Hwy 30, then west on State Hwy 30 to the Nevada-Utah state line, then south on the Nevada-Utah state line to I-80.